SIDE GUIDE

BACKGROUND

[0001] An image forming apparatus prints an image onto a print medium, such as paper, according to various printing methods. The print medium may be accommodated in a print medium supplier. The print medium may be output one by one from the print medium supplier and supplied to a main body of the image forming apparatus. The print medium supplier may have various structures. The print medium supplier may include a print medium input tray protruding from a side portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus, a print medium cassette located under the main body of the image forming apparatus, a side print medium supplier located in the side portion of the main body of the image forming apparatus to supply a print medium to the main body, and the like. The print medium supplier located under the main body of the image forming apparatus is referred to as a "print medium cassette".

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0002] Various examples will be described below by referring to the following figures.

[0003] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a print medium supplier according to an example.

[0004] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a deviation prevention structure according to an example.

[0005] FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the deviation prevention structure shown in FIG. 2 according to an example.

[0006] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a side guide is located in a first position and a deviation prevention member is located in a locking position according to an example.

[0007] FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which an impact is applied to a side guide according to an example.

[0008] FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a side guide is located in a second position and a deviation prevention member is located in a releasing position according to an example.

[0009] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a deviation prevention structure according to an example.

[0010] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a print medium supplier according to an example.

[0011] FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a print medium supplier and shows a state in which a side guide is located in a first position according to an example.

[0012] FIG. 10 shows a state in which the side guide, in the print medium supplier shown in FIG. 9, is located in a second position according to an example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0013] A print medium supplier may be connected to a main body of an image forming apparatus to supply a print medium to the image forming apparatus. The print medium supplier may move in and out of the main body of the image forming apparatus. For example, the print medium supplier may be pulled out from the main body so that a loading portion of the print medium supplier is exposed to receive a print medium by the print medium supplier. After print media, such as paper, are loaded on the loading portion, the print medium supplier may slide and be inserted into the image forming apparatus. Two loading portions may be provided in the print medium supplier to increase a loading capacity of the print medium supplier. The two loading portions may be located to be aligned in a feeding direction of the print medium. A print medium on a front loading portion (“a first loading portion”) may be supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus. Based on all print media on the first loading portion being used, print media loaded on a rear loading portion (“a second loading portion”) may be moved and loaded onto the first loading portion and supplied to the main body of the image forming apparatus. The print media loaded on the second loading portion are to be kept aligned. Based on the print medium supplier being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus and reaching a mounted position, an impact may be applied to the print medium supplier. The alignment of the print media loaded on the second loading portion may be disturbed by the impact.

[0014] In an example, a structure to maintain the alignment of the print media loaded on the second loading portion is employed. An example print medium supplier is to maintain the alignment of the print media loaded on the second loading portion by preventing deviation of a side guide for blocking a front end portion of the print media loaded on the second loading portion. For example, the print medium supplier may include a side guide changeable between a first position, to block the front end portion of the print media loaded on the second loading portion, and a second position to release the front end portion of the print media. The print medium supplier may also include a deviation prevention member that selectively allows the side guide to be changed to the second position. Because the side guide is selectively allowed to be changed to the second position by the deviation prevention member, even in a case in which a force in a direction to change the side guide to the second position is applied to the side guide by an impact applied based on the print medium supplier being inserted into the main body of the image forming apparatus, the side guide may be prevented from being changed to the second position by the deviation prevention member. Thus, the print media loaded on the second loading portion have the front end portion blocked by the side guide located in the first position, and thus, may be kept aligned on the second loading portion.

[0015] The deviation prevention member may move to a locking position to prevent the side guide from being changed from the first position to the second position, and to a releasing position to allow the side guide to be changed between the first position and the second position. The deviation prevention member may move between the locking position and the releasing position along a straight path or a rotation path. A back slip prevention structure to support the deviation prevention member located in the locking position so as not to be pushed by the side guide changed to the second position by an impact may be employed. The side guide and the deviation prevention member may be driven by a common actuator. The side guide may rotate to be changed between the first and the second positions. The actuator may be, for example, a linear actuator such as a solenoid. The actuator may be a rotation motor, and the deviation prevention member may include a combination of a worm gear rotated by the rotation motor and a pinion. Hereinafter, examples of the print medium supplier will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0016] FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a print medium supplier according to an example.

[0017] Referring to FIG. 1 , a print medium supplier 1 may include a first loading portion 11 and a second loading portion 12 arranged in a feeding direction SD, a side guide 20 changeable between a first position (a position shown by a solid line), to block a front end portion of print media P2 loaded on the second loading portion 12, and a second position (a position shown by a dotted line), to release the front end portion of the print media P2. The print medium supplier 1 may also include a deviation prevention member 30 to selectively allow the side guide 20 to be changed between the first position and the second position. The feeding direction SD is a direction in which a print medium is output from the print medium supplier 1 .

[0018] The first loading portion 11 is located in front of the second loading portion 12 with respect to the feeding direction SD. Print media P1 and the print media P2 are respectively to be loaded on the first loading portion 11 and the second loading portion 12. Based on the print medium supplier 1 being mounted in an image forming apparatus (not shown), the print media P1 loaded on the first loading portion 11 are output one by one from the first loading portion 11 by a feeding mechanism (not shown). Based on the print media P1 loaded on the first loading portion 11 all being consumed, the print media P2 loaded on the second loading portion 12 are conveyed to the first loading portion 11. For example, an end guide 13 is to push an upstream edge of the print media P2 while being moved in the feeding direction SD by a driving mechanism (not shown). The print media P2 are conveyed from the second loading portion 12 to the first loading portion 11. The image forming apparatus may output the print media P2 one by one from the first loading portion 11 . [0019] The side guide 20 is to block the front end portion of the print media P2 loaded on the second loading portion 12. The side guide 20 may be changed between the first position, to block the front end portion of the print media P2 and to prevent the print media P2 from moving in the feeding direction SD, and the second position to release the front end portion of the print media P2 and to allow the print media P2 to move in the feeding direction SD. For example, the side guide 20 may rotate between the first position and the second position. In an example, the side guide 20 is located on one side of the print media P2 in a width direction. The side guide 20 may include a body 21 and a blocking portion 22. The body 21 may be supported by a side wall 14 of the print medium supplier 1 in a width direction so that the body 21 may rotate with respect to a rotation shaft 23. The body 21 extends from the rotation shaft 23 in the feeding direction SD. The blocking portion 22 extends from an end portion of the body 21 in a width direction. Based on the side guide 20 being located in the first position, the blocking portion 22 is to block the front end portion of the print media P2. The front end portion of the print media P2 is to be in contact with the blocking portion 22 to be kept aligned. Based on the side guide 20 being located in the second position, the blocking portion 22 is to release the front end portion of the print media P2 so that the print media P2 are allowed to move in the feeding direction SD.

[0020] The print medium supplier 1 may be pulled out from the image forming apparatus to load the print media P1 and P2 on the first loading portion 11 and the second loading portion 12, respectively. For example, the print medium supplier 1 may slide in a removal direction A1 and may be pulled out from the image forming apparatus. Based on the print media P1 and P2 being loaded on the first loading portion 11 and the second loading portion 12, respectively, the print medium supplier 1 may slide in a mounting direction A2 and may be inserted into the image forming apparatus. Based on the print medium supplier 1 reaching a mounted position, the print medium supplier 1 may be caught by, for example, a stopper (not shown) to stop the print medium supplier 1 from further insertion. In this case, an impact may be applied to the print medium supplier 1. Based on a sliding speed of the print medium supplier 1 increasing, the impact may become greater. A force in a direction in which the side guide 20 is changed from the first position to the second position may be applied to the side guide 20 by the impact. Based on the side guide 20 being changed to the second position, the alignment of the print media P2 loaded on the second loading portion 12 may be disturbed. For example, in a case in which the print media P2 moves forward in the feeding direction SD, the side guide 20 may not return to the first position from the second position and the print media P2 may move to the first loading portion 11. Also, side edges of the print media P2 may be folded or stamped by the side guide 20. Such disturbance of the print media P2 may cause feeding errors, skew, etc. Also, in a case in which the side guide 20 is changed to the second position by the impact, a structure for driving the side guide 20, for example, a connection structure between an actuator described below and the side guide 20, may be damaged or may become inoperable.

[0021] The print medium supplier 1 , according to an example, includes a deviation prevention structure to prevent the side guide 20 from deviating from the first position by an impact. For example, the print medium supplier 1 may include the deviation prevention member 30 to selectively allow the side guide 20 to be changed between the first position and the second position. The deviation prevention member 30 may have a structure to prevent the side guide 20 from being rotated to the second position by being caught by the deviation prevention member 30 in a situation in which the side guide 20 is rotated from the first position by an impact. For example, the deviation prevention member 30 may move to a locking position to prevent the side guide 20 from being changed from the first position, and to a releasing position to allow the side guide 20 to be changed between the first position and the second position. Given such a configuration, in a case in which the deviation prevention member 30 is located in the releasing position, the side guide 20 may be changed between the first position and the second position, and thus, deviation of the side guide 20 due to an impact may be prevented.

[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a deviation prevention structure according to an example. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the deviation prevention structure shown in FIG. 2 according to an example. [0023] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the print medium supplier 1 may include an actuator to drive the side guide 20. The actuator may include, for example, a linear actuator such as a solenoid 40. The solenoid 40 may be connected to the side guide 20 and the deviation prevention member 30, and may move them to the second position and the releasing position, respectively.

[0024] The solenoid 40 may include a driving portion 41 and a plunger 42. Based on a voltage being applied to the driving portion 41 , the plunger 42 is to move linearly. The side guide 20 may be connected to the plunger 42. For example, the side guide 20 may include a locking piece 25 provided with a locking groove 24. The plunger 42 may be provided with an insertion groove 43 into which the locking piece 25 may be inserted. A coupling pin 50 may be inserted into the locking groove 24 through the plunger 42. An elastic member 60 may apply an elastic force to the side guide 20 in a direction to locate the side guide 20 in the first position. For example, the elastic member 60 may include a tension coil spring having one end portion and another end portion respectively connected to the side guide 20 and the side wall 14. Based on a voltage being applied to the solenoid 40, the plunger 42 may be moved in a direction opposite to the elastic force of the elastic member 60 by an electromagnetic force. The coupling pin 50 moves along with the plunger 42 and pulls the locking groove 24 to change the side guide 20 to the second position. Based on the voltage applied to the solenoid 40 being released, the electromagnetic force may be removed and the side guide 20 may be returned to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60.

[0025] The deviation prevention member 30 may be supported, for example, by the side wall 14 to linearly move between a locking position and a releasing position. Based on the side guide 20 starting to rotate between the first position and the second position while the deviation prevention member 30 is located in the locking position, the side guide 20 is in contact with the deviation prevention member 30. Thus, the side guide 20 may be prevented from rotating, and the side guide 20 may not be changed to the second position and may be maintained at the first position. The side guide 20 may be provided with an interfering portion 26 to be in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position.

[0026] A back slip prevention structure to support the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position so as not to be pushed by the side guide 20 in a case in which the side guide 20 is changed to the second position may be employed. For example, the back slip prevention structure may include an insertion protrusion 32 provided in the deviation prevention member 30 and a guide slot 15 into which the insertion protrusion 32 may be inserted. The insertion protrusion 32 may protrude from a lower surface of the deviation prevention member 30. The guide slot 15 may be provided on the side wall 14. The guide slot 15 may extend linearly to guide the deviation prevention member 30 between the locking position and the releasing position. An extension direction of the guide slot 15 may be a direction crossing a direction in which the side guide 20 is changed between the first position and the second position.

[0027] The deviation prevention member 30 may be driven by the actuator that drives the side guide 20. For example, the deviation prevention member 30 may be connected to the plunger 42 and may be moved between the locking position and the releasing position by the solenoid 40. The deviation prevention member 30 may be provided with a pin groove 31 . The coupling pin 50 that has passed through the plunger 42 may protrude downward from the plunger 42 and may be inserted into the pin groove 31 . Based on a voltage being applied to the solenoid 40, the plunger 42 may be moved in a direction opposite to an elastic force of the elastic member 60 by an electromagnetic force. In this case, the coupling pin 50 may move along with the plunger 42 and pull the pin groove 31 to move the deviation prevention member 30 from the locking position to the releasing position. As the deviation prevention member 30 moves to the releasing position, the side guide 20 may be allowed to be changed to the second position. Based on the voltage applied to the solenoid 40 being released, the electromagnetic force may be removed and the side guide 20 may be returned to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60. As the plunger 42 is returned to its original position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60, the deviation prevention member 30 may also return from the releasing position to the locking position. [0028] FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a state in which a side guide is located in a first position and a deviation prevention member is located in a locking position according to an example. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state in which an impact is applied to a side guide according to an example. FIG. 6 is a plan view showing a state in which a side guide is located in a second position and a deviation prevention member is located in a releasing position according to an example. For ease of description, the elastic member 60 is omitted in FIGS. 4 to 6. hereinafter, an example operation of a print medium supplier will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.

[0029] Referring to FIG. 4, the side guide 20 is located in the first position and the deviation prevention member 30 is located in the locking position. The front end portion of the print media P2 is in contact with the blocking portion 22 of the side guide 20. Thus, the print media P2 does not move in the feeding direction SD and may be kept aligned on the second loading portion 12. As described above, the print medium supplier 1 may be pulled out from the image forming apparatus to load the print media P1 and P2 on the first loading portion 11 and the second loading portion 12, respectively. In this case, the side guide 20 may be maintained at the first position, and the deviation prevention member 30 may be maintained at the locking position. Based on the print media P1 and P2 being loaded on the first loading portion 11 and the second loading portion 12, respectively, the print media P2 may be kept aligned on the second loading portion 12 by the side guide 20 located in the first position. In this state, the print medium supplier 1 may be mounted in the image forming apparatus.

[0030] Based on the print medium supplier 1 reaching the mounting position and stopping, an impact may be applied to the print medium supplier 1. A force in a direction in which the side guide 20 is changed from the first position to the second position may be applied to the side guide 20 by the impact, and, as shown in FIG. 5, the side guide 20 may rotate slightly toward the second position. In this case, the interfering portion 26 is in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position. The side guide 20 is blocked by the deviation prevention member 30 and no longer rotates toward the second position. In a case in which the side guide 20 rotates slightly, the blocking portion 22 does not deviate from the front end portion of the print media P2. Thus, the print media P2 may be kept aligned on the second loading portion 12. Based on the impact being released, as shown in FIG. 4, the side guide 20 may be returned to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60.

[0031] In a case in which the interfering portion 26 of the side guide 20 pushes the deviation prevention member 30, the deviation prevention member 30 is supported by the back slip prevention structure, and thus, the deviation prevention member 30 may be maintained at the locking position. For example, based on a pushing force being applied to the deviation prevention member 30 by the side guide 20, the insertion protrusion 32 collides with a wall of the guide slot 15. Because the wall of the guide slot 15 extends in a direction crossing a rotation direction of the side guide 20 between the first position and the second position, the deviation prevention member 30 may not be pushed to the releasing position and may be maintained at the locking position.

[0032] Based on the print media P1 loaded on the first loading portion 11 all being consumed, the print media P2 loaded on the second loading portion 12 may be conveyed to the first loading portion 11. To this end, a voltage is applied to the solenoid 40. The plunger 42 may move, for example, in a direction opposite to the feeding direction SD by an electromagnetic force. The coupling pin 50 may move along with the plunger 42 and pull the pin groove 31 to pull the deviation prevention member 30 between the locking position and the releasing position. At the same time, the coupling pin 50 may pull the locking groove 24 in a direction opposite to the elastic force of the elastic member 60 and rotate the side guide 20 between the first position and the second position. Because the deviation prevention member 30 moves to the releasing position, the interfering portion 26 of the side guide 20 does not collide with the deviation prevention member 30, and the side guide 20 is allowed to rotate to the second position.

[0033] As shown in FIG. 6, the side guide 20 may be located in the second position. The blocking portion 22 of the side guide 20 deviates from the front end portion of the print media P2. In this state, as described above, the print media P2 may be conveyed to the first loading portion 11 by moving the end guide 13 in the feeding direction SD. Based on the print media P2 being conveyed to the first loading portion 11 , the voltage applied to the solenoid 40 may be released. In that case, the electromagnetic force may be removed, and the side guide 20 may return to the first position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60. In this case, because the coupling pin 50 may be pulled in the feeding direction SD by the locking groove 24, the plunger 42 may return to its original position, and the deviation prevention member 30 may also return to the locking position. Thus, as shown in FIG. 4, the side guide 20 may be located in the first position, and the deviation prevention member 30 may be located in the locking position.

[0034] Referring to FIG. 4 again, there may be a gap G between the interfering portion 26 of the side guide 20 and the deviation prevention member 30. That is, the interfering portion 26 may face the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position with the gap G therebetween based on the side guide 20 being located in the first position. A dimension of the gap G may be determined so that the blocking portion 22 does not deviate from the front end portion of the print media P2 in a case in which the side guide 20 rotates toward the second position by the impact and the interfering portion 26 is in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position. Also, the gap G may be set so that the deviation prevention member 30 moves to the releasing position before the interfering portion 26 is in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 in a case in which the side guide 20 is changed between the first position and the second position by the solenoid 40.

[0035] FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a deviation prevention structure according to an example.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 7, a linear movement path of the deviation prevention member 30 may be a direction that is perpendicular to a direction of a force F applied by the interfering portion 26 to the deviation prevention member 30 based on the interfering portion 26 of the side guide 20 being in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position. For example, the guide slot 15, into which the insertion protrusion 32 of the deviation prevention member 30 may be inserted to provide the linear movement path of the deviation prevention member 30, may extend in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the force F. The solenoid 40 may be arranged in the extension direction of the guide slot 15. In an example, the direction of the force F that is applied to the deviation prevention member 30 by the side guide 20 based on the interfering portion 26 of the side guide 20 being in contact with the deviation prevention member 30 located in the locking position is perpendicular to the guide slot 15. Thus, the back slip prevention structure capable of effectively preventing the deviation prevention member 30 from being pushed by the side guide 20 may be included.

[0037] FIG. 8 is a schematic side view of a print medium supplier according to an example. The print medium supplier 1 illustrated in the example of FIG. 8 differs from examples of the print medium supplier 1 described above in that the deviation prevention member 30 may rotate and move between the locking position and the releasing position hereinafter, differences will be mainly described.

[0038] Referring to FIG. 8, the deviation prevention member 30 may be supported by the side wall 14 so that the deviation prevention member 30 may rotate with respect to a rotation shaft 16. For example, the rotation shaft 16 of the deviation prevention member 30 may be perpendicular to the rotation shaft 23 of the side guide 20. The coupling pin 50 protruding downward through the plunger 42 of the solenoid 40 may be inserted into the pin groove 31 of the deviation prevention member 30. Based on a voltage being applied to the solenoid 40, the deviation prevention member 30 may rotate with respect to the rotation shaft 16 and move between the locking position and the releasing position. Also, based on the voltage applied to the solenoid 40 being released, the deviation prevention member 30 may be returned to the locking position from the releasing position by the elastic force of the elastic member 60. The back slip prevention structure of the deviation prevention member 30 may be the same as described with reference to FIG. 3. For example, the insertion protrusion 32 may be provided under the deviation prevention member 30. The side wall 14 of the print medium supplier 1 may be provided with the guide slot 15 into which the insertion protrusion 32 may be inserted. The guide slot 15 may linearly extend so that the deviation prevention member 30 may rotate and move between the locking position and the releasing position. [0039] In various examples, a linear actuator, such as the solenoid 40, may be employed as the actuator. In another example, a rotation motor may be employed as the actuator. FIG. 9 is a schematic plan view of a print medium supplier and shows a state in which a side guide is located in a first position according to an example. FIG. 10 shows a state in which the side guide, in the print medium supplier shown in FIG. 9, is located in a second position, according to an example. The print medium supplier 1 illustrated in the example of FIGS. 9 and 10 differs from the examples described above in that a rotation motor is employed as an actuator hereinafter, differences will be mainly described. [0040] Referring to FIG. 9, a rotation motor 70 and a side guide 120 are provided. The side guide 120 may be rotated between a first position and a second position by the rotation motor 70. The side guide 120 may include a partial gear portion 124 coupled to the rotation motor 70. The side guide 120 may rotate between the first position and the second position with a rotation center of the partial gear portion 124 as a central axis. For example, the partial gear portion 124 may have a partial arc shape with a rotation shaft 23 of the side guide 120 as a center.

[0041] A deviation prevention member to prevent the side guide 120 from being changed, for example from being rotated between the first position and the second position by an impact, may include a self-locking operation of a worm gear 80 and a pinion 90. The pinion 90 may be coupled to the partial gear portion 124. The worm gear 80 may be connected to the rotation motor 70 and may be rotated by the rotation motor 70. For example, the worm gear 80 may be coupled to a rotation shaft of the rotation motor 70. The worm gear 80 may be engaged with the pinion 90. For example, the pinion 90 may be a two-stage gear including a first gear portion 91 to engage with the worm gear 80 and a second gear portion 92 to engage with the partial gear portion 124. In an example, the pinion 90 may be a single-stage gear including the first gear portion 91 and the first gear portion 91 may be coupled to the partial gear portion 124 directly or through a relay gear. [0042] In a worm gear 80-pinion 90 combination, rotation power may be transmitted from the worm gear 80 to the pinion 90, but a rotation power may not be transmitted in the reverse direction. In other words, in a case in which the worm gear 80 rotates, the pinion 90 may rotate, but the worm gear 80 may not rotate by rotating the pinion 90. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9, even in a case in which an impact in a direction in which the side guide 120 rotates to the second position is applied to the side guide 120 while the side guide 120 is located in the first position, the side guide 120 may be prevented from rotating by a self-locking structure of the worm gear 80 and the pinion 90. Thus, the side guide 120 may not deviate from the first position and may be maintained at the first position. [0043] The side guide 120 may be changed to the second position to convey the print media P2 on the second loading portion 12 to the first loading portion 11. To this end, in the state shown in FIG. 9, the rotation motor 70 may rotate in a forward direction. In that case, rotation power of the rotation motor 70 may be transmitted to the partial gear portion 124 through the worm gear 80 and the pinion 90, and the side guide 120 may rotate. The side guide 120 may reach the second position as shown in FIG. 10. In this state, the print media P2 may be conveyed to the first loading portion 11 by moving the end guide 13 in the feeding direction SD.

[0044] Based on the print media P2 being conveyed to the first loading portion 11 , the rotation motor 70 may rotate in the reverse direction from the state shown in FIG. 10. The rotation power of the rotation motor 70 may be transmitted to the partial gear portion 124 through the worm gear 80 and the pinion 90, and the side guide 120 may move between the second position and the first position. Based on the side guide 120 reaching the first position, the side guide 120 may be maintained at the first position by the self-locking operation of the worm gear 80 and the pinion 90.

[0045] It should be understood that examples described herein should be considered in a descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation. Descriptions of features or aspects within each example should typically be considered as available for other similar features or aspects in other examples. While examples have been described with reference to the figures, it will be understood that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope as defined by the following claims.