Bookbinding Holder Arm Brake for Safe Staple Loading

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bookbinding machines require complex manual handling and lack user-friendly features, making them difficult to operate and potentially hazardous due to uncontrolled movements.

Innovation Solution

A bookbinding machine with a pivotable holder arm, a brake system, and a protective cover, along with manual or electric drive mechanisms, enhances user comfort and safety by facilitating easy loading and secure operation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a pivotable holder arm is used to facilitate loading, then ease of operation is improved, but uncontrolled falling may cause harm

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of loadingVSAvoidinjury risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system is positioned to act against the gravitational force before the holder arm can fall uncontrolled. The brake segments are arranged to engage with the holder arm's movement path, creating friction that counteracts gravity's pulling force and prevents harmful falling motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent converts the harmful gravitational force into a beneficial feature by using gravity to assist the holder arm's return movement. The holder arm is designed to be turned over the vertical line in its loading position, allowing gravity to facilitate its return to the closed position, while the brake controls the potentially harmful aspect of this gravitational action.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

2Ease of operation

If the holder arm is made pivotable for easy loading, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of loadingVSAvoidmechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The holder arm is designed with dynamic characteristics, being pivotable between different positions (loading and closed). This dynamic design allows the same component to serve multiple functions: facilitating easy loading when in the loading position and providing structural support when in the closed position, thereby reducing the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The pivotable holder arm serves multiple functions within the bookbinding machine. It acts as both a loading mechanism and a structural support element, and the brake system serves both to control falling and to assist in positioning. This multi-functionality reduces overall device complexity despite the added pivotability.

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

3Reliability

If a brake system is added to control movement, then safety is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidbrake system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The brake system is designed to be self-regulating through friction-based control. The brake segments automatically engage and disengage based on the holder arm's movement, without requiring complex external control mechanisms. The friction between the brake segments and the holder arm naturally provides the necessary control force, simplifying the overall control system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Ease of operation

If the holder arm is turned over the vertical line for gravity-assisted retaining, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvegravity-assisted retainingVSAvoidangle precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the angular parameter of the holder arm's positioning. By setting the holder arm to be turned over the vertical line by a specific angle (between -93 to -105 degrees from the horizontal line), the system achieves gravity-assisted retaining while maintaining reasonable manufacturing tolerance ranges. This parameter optimization balances ease of operation with manufacturability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Improves user comfort and safety by allowing easier handling and reducing the risk of injury, while ensuring high-quality bookbinding with improved alignment and nipping precision.

Implementation Method 1

an adhesive spreader roller, having a patterned adhesive collection surface and arranged below the adhesive tank such that rotation of the roller about its longitudinal axis captures adhesive from the tank onto the adhesive collection surface and, when the adhesive on the adhesive collection surface is in contact with a spine edge of a staple of sheets that is to be bound to a book, spreads the adhesive onto the spine edge

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The brake may preferably comprise segments (which preferably are arranged on a circular segment, or especially in circular arc) i) with increased friction in the rotational direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 3

the pivotable holder arm in its loading position may be turned over the vertical line, such that the pivotable holder arm remaining open is facilitated by gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP4656403A1A bookbinding machine
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 FASTBIND MAPING OY
  • EP4656403A1 patent drawingFigure 1~3
  • EP4656403A1 patent drawingFigure 4~5
  • EP4656403A1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

To increase productivity and user comfort, it is suggested that a bookbinding device (10) that comprises a frame, comprising a guide rail (1003), and an adhesive tank (1001), the adhesive preferably being or comprising heated PUR or melt EVA that is movable back and forth along the guide rail (1003), and an adhesive spreader roller (1002), having a patterned adhesive collection surface and arranged below the adhesive tank (1001) such that rotation of the roller (1002) about its longitudinal axis captures adhesive from the tank (1001) onto the adhesive collection surface and, when the adhesive on the adhesive collection surface is in contact with a spine edge (504) of a staple (501) of sheets that is to be bound to a book, spreads the adhesive onto the spine edge (504), further comprises a rotatable staple holder (20) which is suitable for receiving a staple (501) of sheets, the staple holder (20) comprising a pivotable holder arm (22) that in a first position is in a loading position to facilitate placing of the staple (501) of sheets to the holder (20), and in a second position is in a closed position.