EP1544141A1 - Stopper device for a sheet feeder - Google Patents

Abstract

The stopper (112) has an arm (114) pivoted around an axle (113) that is parallel to axles (102, 108) of paper driving rollers. An end (116) contacts with a base of a trough (117) and a wall (115) constitutes an obstacle to the insertion of paper sheet in the trough, when stopper is in down position. The arm contacts a spigot (118) of a support (103) of a loader, where the spigot activates the stopper between up and down position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The subject of the invention is a stopper device for a charger of document.

The field of the invention is that of scrolling scanners. More In particular, the field of the invention is that of Loading and inserting paper into the paper drive circuit such scrolling scanners.

An object of the invention is to protect a drive circuit of the paper, and in particular a deliassage system, from a scanner device to scrolling of brutal and or important introductions of documents.

Another object of the invention is to simplify the mechanism of loading paper from a scrolling scanner to make its manufacture and its simpler assembly.

Another object of the invention is to make the mechanism of loading paper into a scrolling scanner.

Another object of the invention is to reduce the manufacturing costs of a paper loading device for a scrolling scanner.

In the state of the art, there are known devices for prevent the introduction of paper into a paper drive circuit scrolling scanner. Document US Pat. No. 5,984,298 A is known in particular. which describes the implementation of a freely mobile linear stopper in rotation about an axis. A sheet of paper can move such a stopper during its course, unless the stopper is locked by a element of the mechanism. This element is either a spring (Figure 3 of document), a much more complex device (Figure 4 of the document) implementing a clutch. US 5,984,298 A describes therefore two complex implementations because they advocate the use of a spring or clutch, which are hard parts to put in place. These implementations are also unreliable. Indeed the stiffness of the spring evolves over time which decreases their effectiveness in the function of blocking which is his. A clutch is a complex piece with multiple possibilities of blocking and premature wear.

This solution of the state of the art is therefore complex to implement, expensive, and unreliable.

In the state of the art, the US document is also known. 2001/015519 A1 which also teaches a charger device comprising, in option, a paper insertion limiter. However this limiter is controlled via at least one set of gears and one arm actuator, which makes its implementation during the assembly of the scanner, and its maintenance when using the scanner, complicated.

It therefore appears that the solutions of the state of the art to limit the important or brutal introduction of documents into a circuit drive the paper of a scrolling scanner are all complex, expensive, even fragile.

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the invention, these problems are solved by a stopper which is located at the end of an arm pivoting about an axis parallel to the axes of the rollers drive the paper. The axes of the rollers are fixed to a support whose position changes during the paper drive cycle. In the invention this support comprises a lug which is in direct contact with the arm supporting the stopper. Each movement of the support then involves a movement of the arm supporting the stopper by direct transmission movement of the support via the lug.

In practice, the lug is an integral part of the support, both being from the same mold during manufacture. The same goes for the arm and the stopper which are one and the same piece generally called stopper.

In the invention, a stopper is thus produced which limits the introduction abrupt and / or important paper in the drive circuit paper in one piece. In addition, in the invention, the kinematic of the stopper is ensured without additional piece since the support, in direct contact with the stopper, is in any case necessary for the operation of the charger.

• une position basse dans laquelle une extrémité du stoppeur empêche l'introduction de document dans un système de déliassage du chargeur,
• une position haute dans laquelle une feuille entraínée par des galets du chargeur pénètre dans le système de déliassage du chargeur,
• le dispositif stoppeur passant de la position haute à la position basse en étant actionné directement par un ergot du support du chargeur.

The subject of the invention is therefore a stopper device for a document loader, the loader having a support movable around a first axis, characterized in that the stopper device is movable about a second axis parallel to the first axis, the stopper device being formed by a longitudinal arm extending perpendicular to the second axis, the end of said arm opposite the second axis having a wall forming an angle of about 90 ° with said arm, the stopper device being movable between at least two positions :

• a low position in which one end of the stopper prevents the introduction of document into a loader unloading system,
• a high position in which a sheet driven by the loader's rollers enters the loader's unloading system,
• the stopper device passing from the high position to the low position being actuated directly by a lug of the loader support.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that when the support is in the high position, the stopper is in the low position.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that end of the stopper brought, during a training cycle of the paper, to be in contact with the paper, or the bottom of a feeder tray, has a profile adapted to not spoil the paper.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that the stopper device descends by gravity, the lug of the support countering the descent of the stopper, the position of the stopper being determined by the position of the support.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that the position of the support is determined by the direction of rotation of a motor.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that the end of the stopper for blocking documents moves between axes of drive rollers.

Advantageously, the invention is also characterized in that the ergot is an excrescence of the support, this excrescence being molded at the same time time as said support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figures 1 to 8: illustrations, views of profiles, elements of a charger according to the invention and their cooperation during a cycle paper training.

Figures 9 and 10: illustrations, views of profiles, a variant of a charger according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Figure 1 shows the paper feeder portion of a scanner at scroll profile view in its rest position. Figures 2 to 8 show identical elements but at different times of a cycle drive the paper in the scrolling scanner. References identical designate identical elements.

For this description we consider a charger of a scanner scrolling, referred to here as the scanner. Such a device has a charger device allowing the introduction into a drive circuit of the document paper that requires a digital copy. In the practice, a stopper device according to the invention can be used on any apparatus requiring a document loading device. Likewise considers documents to be a bundle of paper. The first element of the training circuit of documents is therefore a system of separation to separate the sheets of paper forming the bundle. In particular, the invention makes it possible to protect this system of grooming against brutal and / or important introductions of documents.

FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical roller 101 movable in rotation around an axis 102 fixed to a support 103 of the device 104 for training paper of the charger part. The axis 102 is also called a tree 102. The tree 102 has on its outer periphery a key 105 cooperating with a key 106 of the inner periphery of the roller 101 for the training in rotation of the roller 101.

FIG. 1 shows a cylindrical roller 107 movable in rotation around an axis 108 attached to the support 103. The roller 107 materializes the entrance of the system device for shredding the loader. The axis 108 is also called a 108. The shaft 108 has on its outer periphery a key 109 cooperating with a key 110 of the inner periphery of the roller 107 for the rotational drive of the roller 107.

The trees 102 and 108 are parallel and rotated by a motor 111. In practice the motor 111 drives one of the two shafts, for example the shaft 108 which in turn drives the shaft 102 through a set of gears (not shown) whose reduction ratio is such that the roller 107 rotates faster than the roller 101. The two rollers, at one instant given, have the same direction of rotation.

The elements 101-103 and 105-110 constitute the device 104 drive the scanner loader.

The axis 108 is also fixed to the not shown frame of the scanner, which makes the support 103 mobile in rotation about the axis 108.

FIG. 1 shows a stopper 112 fixed to an axis 113 parallel to the axes 102 and 108. The axis 113 is attached to the scanner frame. The stopper 112 is formed by a longitudinal arm 114 extending perpendicular to the axis 113, at least of the axis 113 to between the axes 102 and 108. The end of the arm 114 opposite the axis 113 has a wall 115 forming an angle of about 90 ° with the arm 114. In practice this angle is such when the device 104 is in the high position the end 116 of the stopper 112 opposite the axis 113 is in contact with the bottom of a paper tray 117 scanner. The stopper 112 is never in contact with the axes 102, 108, or with the rollers 101, 107. In practice the angle of 90 ° can therefore vary more or less 20%.

FIG. 1 shows that the support 103 has a lug 118 on its outer surface. The lug 118 is located under the arm 114, in contact with that ci, and between the axes 108 and 113. In practice the ergot 118 is a protrusion of the support 103. In other words, the lug 118 and the support 103 forms one and the same piece.

Figure 1 corresponds to a state of rest in the cycle drive the paper. That's when the scanner is in this state that a user can introduce sheets 119 and 120 in the tray 117 of the to scan. In this example only two sheets are presented, but in the practice tray 117 may contain any number of sheets, typically up to 50.

In the state of rest the support 103 is thus in the high position which allows a user to insert sheets into the created space between the roller 101 and the bottom of the tray 117. As the support 103 is in position high, the pin 118, from its position relative to the axis 108 of rotation of the support, is it in the low position. Indeed, the roller 101 and the pin 118 are located on either side of the axis 108 around which the support 103 moves. When the roller 101 descends, the pin 118 rises, and vice versa. The role of the lug 118 is to lift the stopper 112 according to the movements of the support 103. By mounting, the stopper 112 moves under the effect of its own weight which, by driving it down, keeps it in contact with the pin 118. The stopper 112 is therefore permanently driven downwards, and is stopped only by the pin 118. In the state of rest, the stopper 112 is so in its lowest position which is such that the end 116 of the stopper 112 is in contact with the bottom of the tray 117. In this position the stopper 112, and in particular its wall 115, constitutes an obstacle to inserting sheets into the tray 117. A user therefore introduces leaves in the tray 117 until these leaves come to a stop on the wall 115 of the stopper 112.

Figure 2 corresponds to the start of the scanner. Engine 111 then rotates clockwise causing the support 103 downwards until the roller 101 comes into contact with the sheet 119. In the course of descent of the support 103, the lug 118 rises bringing with him the stopper. When the roller 101 comes into contact with the sheet 119 the stopper is in high position, and nothing hinders the introduction of a sheet of paper in the paper drive circuit of the scanner. Figure 2 shows that the roller 101, driven by its shaft frictionally engages the sheet 119 to the roll 107.

For the description of FIGS. 3 to 7, the engine 111 drives the shafts 102 and 108 in rotation in the clockwise direction.

FIG. 3 shows that the roller 107, driven by its shaft 108, drive, in turn and friction sheet 119. The reduction ratio existing between the shafts 108 and 102 causes the shaft 108 to rotate faster than the shaft 102. The sheet 119, driven by the roller 107, thus drives the roller 101 at a speed greater than that imposed by his shaft 102. The roller 101 is ahead of the tree 102.

FIG. 4 shows that sheet 119 is taken by a rolling mill 121 located beyond the roller 107 and the axis 113, in the drive circuit of the paper scanner. The speed of drive of the rolling mill 121 is greater than that of the roller 107, which thereby turns faster than its shaft 108 drive. The roller 107 advances in relation to the shaft 108.

Figure 5 shows that when the rear edge 122 of the sheet 119 left the roller 101, it stops turning. This stop allows the tree 102 to catch up on the roller 101. The support 103, because of the disappearance of the leaf 119 goes down a little more, which brings the roller 101 in contact with the sheet 120 which was initially located under the sheet 119. In practice, the more the number of leaves decreases, the more the support 103 goes down, and more the stopper 112 goes up.

Figure 6 shows that when the rear edge 122 of the sheet 119 left the roller 107, it stops turning. This stop allows the tree 108 to catch up on the roller 107.

Figure 7 shows that the tree 102 has finally caught up again causes the roller 101 which frictionally drives the sheet 120 towards the roller 107. Meanwhile the tree to catch up and the cycle Continuous training as in Figure 2.

FIG. 8 shows that a scanner comprises a sensor 123 enabling to detect the presence of a sheet in the drive circuit of the paper. This detection is timed, which means that if after a time predetermined the sensor no longer detects leaf this means that the tray 117 is empty and the scanning operation is complete. This time predetermined is of the order of the second That triggers the reversal of meaning of rotation of the motor 111, which has the effect of lifting the support 103, and thus the lowering of the lug 118. As the lug 118 goes down, the stopper 112, which bears on the lug 118, also descends until that its end 116 is in contact with the bottom of the tray 117, preventing thus the brutal and or important introduction of paper into the circuit drive the paper.

The charger device then returned to a state of rest as described for Figure 1.

For the example of Figures 1 to 8, the axis 113 is located downstream of the axis 108 on the path of the paper. In this example ergot 118 is located between the axes 113 and 108 so as to act on the part of the stopper located between axes 113 and 108. Thus, movements of the stopper 112 are obtained and support 103 which are inverted. When the support 103 goes up, the stopper 112 goes down, and vice versa.

Figures 9 and 10 illustrate a variant of the invention in which an axis 901, equivalent to the axis 113, is located upstream of the axis 108 on the paper path. In FIGS. 9 and 10, identical references designate identical elements. FIG. 9 shows a stopper 902, equivalent to the stopper 112, fixed to the axis 901. The stopper 902 comprises a wall 903, equivalent to the wall 115, which extends an arm 904 of the stopper 902. The arm 904 extends from the axis 901 towards the axis 108, the wall 903 forming an angle of about 90 ° with the arm 904. The wall 903 rests on the bottom of the tray 117, between the axis 108 and the axis 102, when the base 103 is in high position, ie when the charger is at rest. The 902 stopper also has an arm 905 which extends in a direction opposite to the arm 904. The arm 905 then cooperates with a lug 906 of the support 103 for the displacement of the stopper 902. Figure 9 shows a loader in the position of rest, that is with the support 103 in the high position. When the charger is in this position, the stopper 902 descends by gravity, and the wall 903 comes into contact with the bottom of the tank 117. The stopper 906 is located upstream of the axis 901 on the path of the paper.

Figure 10 shows the support 103 in the low position. During the passage of the support 103 from the high position to the low position, the lug 906 presses on the top of the 905 arm, causing the 902 stopper to rotate around the axis 901, and therefore the mounting of the arm 904 and the wall 903 as and when as the arm 905 descends under the pressure of the support 103, pressure applied via ergot 906.

With a positioning of the elements stopper and ergot different, one gets an identical and sought after result. This result is a means shutter access to the paper drive circuit, and in particular to the relocation system, depending on the position of the support 103 of a document feeder. As for the first variant, the ergot 906 is molded at the same time as the support 103.

In practice it is possible that during the training cycle of the paper the stopper goes down to the level of leaves that are stored in the bin 117. Such an event occurs for example in case interruption of the scanning procedure, and therefore of raising the support 103. Such an event also occurs with two-sided scanners which sometimes need to reverse the direction of paper flow in their training circuit. This inversion is obtained by reversing the meaning rotation of the engine 111, which also has the effect of raising the support 103, and thus down the stopper 112. So that these contacts between the end 116 of the stopper 112 and the paper does not damage the paper, the end 116 is softened, either by rounding its profile or by using a non-abrasive material.

With the invention it is therefore possible to implement a stopper whose positioning during the training cycle of the paper is directly provided by the charger device, without having to resort to intermediate parts between the stopper 112 and the support 103. so a simplified implementation to the extreme because it does not require other room than the stopper itself.

Claims (7)

Stopper device (112, 902) for a document loader, the loader having a support (103) movable about a first axis (108), characterized in that the stopper device is movable about a second axis (113, 901) parallel to the first axis, the stopper device being formed by a longitudinal arm (114) extending perpendicularly to the second axis, the end of said arm opposite the second axis having a wall (115) forming an angle of about 90 ° with said arm, the stopper device being movable between at least two positions: a low position in which one end of the stopper prevents the introduction of document into a loader unloading system, a high position in which a sheet driven by the loader's rollers enters the loader's unloading system, the stopper device passing from the high position to the low position being actuated directly by a lug (118, 906) of the loader support. Stopper device according to claim 1, characterized in that when the support is in the high position, the stopper is in the low position. Stopper device according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that an end (116) of the stopper brought, during a drive cycle paper, to be in contact with the paper, or the bottom of the 'a tray of the charger, has a profile adapted to not spoil the paper. Stopper device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the stopper device descends by gravity, the lug of the support against the descent of the stopper, the position of the stopper being determined by the position of the support. Stopper device according to claim 4, characterized in that the position of the support is determined by the direction of rotation of a motor (111). Stopper device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the end of the stopper for blocking documents moves between axes of drive rollers. Stopper device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the lug is a protrusion of the support, this protrusion being molded at the same time as said support.

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