Binding Apparatus Rotator Position Control to Prevent Idle Striking
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing binding apparatuses face issues with 'idle striking' during the initial operation of the stapleless binding unit, where the toothlike portions are pressed against each other without sheets, leading to potential damage and defective binding.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a rotator with a detector and control circuitry to periodically separate and contact the pressing members, and reversing the rotation direction when the rotator is between specific positions to prevent idle striking, thereby protecting the toothlike portions and ensuring proper binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the pressing members are continuously pressed against each other during initial operation, then the binding mechanism can be activated, but the toothlike portions may be damaged due to idle striking without sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the rotator's position before initiating the pressing action. The detector checks whether the rotator is between the first position (pressing members separated) and second position (upstream from peak pressing force), and only allows pressing when sheets are properly positioned, preventing idle striking damage before it occurs
Solution Approach 2:
The control circuitry continuously monitors the rotator's position through the detector and provides feedback control. When the detector signals that the rotator is in the unsafe position range (between first and second positions), the control circuitry reverses the rotator's rotation direction to prevent the pressing members from contacting without sheets, thereby protecting the toothlike portions
2Productivity
If the rotator rotates in forward direction only, then the pressing members can periodically contact to bind sheets, but idle striking may occur when sheets are not properly positioned
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the rotator's rotation direction based on real-time detection. Instead of continuous unidirectional rotation, the rotator can switch between forward and reverse directions depending on whether sheets are properly positioned, as detected by the position sensing mechanism. This dynamic control maintains productivity when sheets are ready while preventing damage when they are not
Solution Approach 2:
The control system applies preliminary anti-action by reversing the rotator's rotation direction when detection indicates the pressing members are at risk of idle striking. This counter-action prevents the harmful contact before it can occur, allowing the system to maintain high productivity during normal operation while protecting against reliability issues
Data Source
AI summary
A binding apparatus includes a pair of pressing members to sandwich and press a sheet bundle to bind the sheet bundle, a rotator to rotate to periodically separate and contact the pressing members with each other, a detector to detect whether the rotator is between a first position at which the pressing members are separated from each other and a second position downstream from the first position in a forward rotation direction of the rotator, and control circuitry. The second position is upstream in the forward rotation direction from a peak position at which a pressing force between the pressing members is maximum. The control circuitry is configured to rotate the rotator in a reverse direction to the forward rotation direction to move the rotator to the first position when the detector detects that the rotator is between the first position and the second position in the forward rotation direction.