Binding Machine Clincher Regulating Portion Load Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing horticultural binding machines apply excessive load to the staple driver, leading to potential damage due to improper handling and dimensional tolerance issues, which can result in the staple driver being displaced from the expected clinch completion position.

Innovation Solution

A binding machine design that includes a regulating portion to control the movement of the clincher toward the staple leg portions, limiting the load applied to the staple driver by abutting with the clinch surface of the clincher, thereby preventing excessive force and maintaining accurate positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the operating handle is excessively gripped during binding operation, then the clinching action is more forceful, but a large load is applied to the staple driver which may cause damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclinching forceVSAvoidstaple driver durability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The regulating portion is pre-configured to limit the clincher's movement before excessive force can be applied. By establishing a predetermined movement boundary, the system prevents the harmful condition (over-gripping) from occurring in the first place, protecting the staple driver while still enabling effective clinching within safe limits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The regulating portion acts as an intermediary element between the clincher and the staple driver. It mediates the force transmission by allowing controlled movement for effective clinching while blocking excessive movement that would transmit damaging loads to the staple driver, thus protecting the vulnerable component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Manufacturing precision

If dimensional tolerance is considered in product manufacturing, then the staple driver position may vary, but this causes excessive load on the staple driver and may result in damage

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestaple driver positioning accuracyVSAvoidstaple driver durability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The regulating portion provides a cushioning effect by absorbing and limiting the movement caused by dimensional variations. Instead of allowing full transmission of position variations to the staple driver, the regulating portion cushions the movement, preventing excessive loads even when manufacturing tolerances cause position deviations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

Solution Approach 2:

The regulating portion serves as a mediator that decouples the relationship between clincher movement and staple driver load. It allows the system to accommodate manufacturing tolerances in staple driver positioning while maintaining reliable operation, as the regulating portion compensates for position variations rather than transmitting them as excessive loads.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3782459B1Binding machine
Publication Date: 2023.10.18 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3782459B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782459B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782459B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A binding machine, includes: a staple magazine unit configured to accommodate a staple having a crown portion and a pair of leg portions; a staple driver provided at a position facing the crown portion; a clincher provided at a position facing tip ends of the leg portions and movable along an extending direction of the leg portions; and a regulating portion configured to regulate a movement amount of the clincher toward the leg portions. The clincher and the staple driver are configured to sandwich the staple therebetween with a movement of the clincher along the extending direction toward the leg portions, folding the staple.