Detachable Binding Mechanism Cartridge for Sheet Processing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in size increase and cost due to multiple binding components, and difficulty in fine adjustment of binding position and angle for various binding methods without staples, leading to inconsistent binding forces and visibility issues.

Innovation Solution

A binding mechanism cartridge with a body portion, upward-and-downward moving portion, and base portion that can be detachably held by a binding device body, allowing for easy attachment and adjustment of binding mechanisms without staples, using existing drive mechanisms like the stapler drive mechanism, clinching mechanism, or table moving mechanism to adjust binding position and angle visually.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple binding mechanism units using different binding methods are provided in a sheet processing apparatus, then various binding methods can be performed, but an increase in size of the sheet processing apparatus and product cost occurs due to an increase in the number of components

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding method versatilityVSAvoidapparatus size and component count
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The binding device body is designed with a universal drive mechanism that can operate different binding mechanism cartridges through a common interface. The stapler drive mechanism, clinching mechanism, and table moving mechanism serve multiple functions by working with different cartridges, allowing one apparatus to perform stitching, half-blank binding, concave-convex binding, and other methods without requiring separate dedicated mechanisms for each binding type

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The binding system is divided into separate binding mechanism cartridges that can be independently attached and detached from the binding device body. Each cartridge contains a specific binding method mechanism, allowing the system to be segmented into modular units that can be swapped based on binding needs, rather than integrating all binding methods into a single complex apparatus

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Adaptability or versatility

If a binding mechanism without staples is used, then binding can be performed without metal staples, but the binding force varies significantly depending on the binding angle with respect to the bundle of sheets

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding method optionVSAvoidbinding force consistency
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The binding mechanism cartridge includes an angle adjusting mechanism that allows the binding angle to be dynamically changed during operation. The upward-and-downward moving portion can be positioned at different angles relative to the bundle of sheets, enabling the operator to adjust the binding angle to achieve optimal and consistent binding force for non-staple binding methods

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The binding angle is used as a controllable parameter that can be adjusted to optimize binding performance. By changing the angular parameter of the binding mechanism relative to the sheet bundle, the system compensates for the sensitivity of non-staple binding methods to angle variations, ensuring consistent binding force across different operating conditions

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Adaptability or versatility

If a bundle of sheets is bound without using a staple, then binding is achieved through alternative methods, but the size of the binding part in the sheet surface becomes larger affecting visibility and printable space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding method diversityVSAvoidbinding part area on sheet surface
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Different binding mechanism cartridges are provided for different binding locations and requirements. The system allows selection of appropriate binding methods (stitching, half-blank, concave-convex, etc.) based on the specific local requirements of the binding task, optimizing the balance between binding effectiveness and minimal impact on sheet surface area for each application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If a binding mechanism cartridge is detachably held by a binding device body, then easy attachment and detachment is achieved, but the structure becomes more complex compared to integrated designs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecartridge attachment and detachmentVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A universal holding structure is designed in the binding device body that can accommodate different types of binding mechanism cartridges through a standardized interface. This universal design allows various cartridges to be attached and detached easily without requiring complex custom mounting mechanisms for each cartridge type, balancing ease of operation with structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP3037373B1Binding mechanism cartridge, binding device body and sheet processing apparatus
Publication Date: 2019.07.03 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3037373B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP3037373B1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2E
  • EP3037373B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

A binding mechanism cartridge (100, 120, 140, 165, 180, 500, 600) is detachably held by a binding device body (200, 400, 500, 600) instead of a staple cartridge (168, 300, 350) which is detachable into the binding device body (200, 400, 700). The binding mechanism cartridge (100, 120, 140, 165, 180, 500, 600) includes a body portion (101, 181, 659), an upward-and-downward moving portion (102, 142, 160, 186A, 502, 657) and a base portion (101, 103, 143, 161, 183, 503). The body portion (101, 181, 659) is detachably held by the binding device body (200, 400, 70). The upward-and-downward moving portion (102, 142, 160, 186A, 502, 657) is on the body portion (101, 181, 659) to move close to or away from one surface of a bundle of sheets by moving upward and downward by interlocking with a drive mechanism of the binding device body (200, 400, 700). The base portion (101, 103, 143, 161, 183, 503) is on the body portion (101, 181, 659) to face the upward-and-downward moving portion (102, 142, 160, 186A, 502, 657) and supports the other surface of the bundle of sheets. The upward-and-downward moving portion (102, 142, 160, 186A, 502, 657) includes a binding mechanism (166,167) which is partially in pressure contact with the one surface according to a movement of the upward-and-downward moving portion (102, 142, 160, 186A, 502, 657) to binds the bundle of sheets.