Fax machine with a paper/document common output path

A fax machine having a housing therein, comprising:

• a paper input unit for holding and feeding sheets of paper, said paper input unit comprising a paper tray, said paper tray having a guide edge for guiding out sheets of paper;
• a document input unit for holding and feeding document, said document input unit comprising a document tray, said document tray having a guide edge for guiding out document;
• a paper distribution unit, said paper distribution unit comprising a document input passage and a paper input passage, said document input passage having a document inlet and a document outlet at an opposite end, said document inlet being aimed at the guide edge of said document tray, said paper input passage having a paper inlet at one end and a paper outlet at an opposite end, said paper inlet being aimed at the guide edge of said paper tray;
• a scanner unit, said scanner unit comprising a sheet-transfer cylinder and an impression cylinder arranged in parallel and turned relative to each other to transfer document/sheet of paper through a sheet-transfer gap defined between said sheet-transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder, and a scanning mechanism for scanning document;
• a switching means operated to turn said paper distribution unit, causing said paper distribution to shift the position of said document outlet and paper outlet;
• wherein when the fax machine is at the document scanning mode, said paper distribution unit is switched by said switching means to a first position where said document outlet is aimed at the sheet-transfer gap between said sheet-transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder;
• when the fax machine is at the printing mode, said paper distribution unit is switched by said switching means to a second position where said paper outlet is aimed at the sheet-transfer gap between said sheet-transfer cylinder and said impression cylinder;
• and
• wherein said paper distribution unit comprises a rotating shaft pivoted to the inside of said housing, and said switching means comprises a lever having a fixed end pivoted to the inside of said housing and a free end stopped below said paper distribution unit for enabling said paper distribution unit to be shifted between said first position and said second position upon movement of said lever.
• 2.The fax machine of claim 1 wherein said switching means comprises a cam fixedly mounted said sheet-transfer cylinder at one end and synchronously rotated with said sheet-transfer cylinder, an actuating arm having one end coupled to said lever at a fixed angle and turned with said lever and an opposite end stopped at the periphery of said cam.