Binder Posture Adjustment for Sheet Binding

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses require a rotary unit with a separate driver to perform angled and parallel binding, leading to increased size and cost due to the need for additional mechanical components.

Innovation Solution

A sheet processing apparatus incorporating a binder, a mover, and a posture changer, where the mover moves the binder orthogonally to the conveyance direction, and the posture changer adjusts the binder's posture based on the relative position change between the posture changer and the binder, eliminating the need for a rotary unit.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary unit with a separate driver is added to enable angled and parallel binding, then the binding orientation flexibility is improved, but the device complexity and size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding orientation flexibilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotary unit and the binder into a single integrated unit that moves together in the width direction of the sheet medium. This integration eliminates the need for a separate driver for the rotary unit, as the binder's movement mechanism simultaneously performs both the linear movement and the rotational positioning. The result is a reduction in device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform both angled and parallel binding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the binder and the rotary unit, performing linear movement across the sheet width and rotational positioning to change binding orientation. This multi-functionality allows the apparatus to achieve both angled and parallel binding capabilities without adding separate mechanical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a rotary unit with a separate driver is added to enable angled and parallel binding, then the binding orientation flexibility is improved, but the apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding orientation flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the rotary unit and the binder into a single integrated unit that moves together in the width direction of the sheet medium. This integration eliminates the need for a separate driver for the rotary unit, as the binder's movement mechanism simultaneously performs both the linear movement and the rotational positioning. The result is a reduction in device complexity while maintaining the ability to perform both angled and parallel binding operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated unit serves multiple functions: it acts as both the binder and the rotary unit, performing linear movement across the sheet width and rotational positioning to change binding orientation. This multi-functionality allows the apparatus to achieve both angled and parallel binding capabilities without adding separate mechanical components, thereby reducing overall device complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250153969A1Sheet processing apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2025.05.15 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet processing apparatus includes a binder, a mover, and a posture changer. The binder binds a sheet bundle of multiple sheet media including a sheet medium conveyed to the binder in a conveyance direction. The mover moves the binder in an orthogonal direction orthogonal to the conveyance direction. The posture changer changes a posture of the binder that faces the sheet bundle, according to a change in a relative position between the posture changer and the binder in the orthogonal direction by a movement of the binder in the orthogonal direction.