Booklet Binding Press Structure to Protect Ceramic Heaters

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing booklet making apparatuses using ceramic heaters for thermocompression bonding face reduced product life due to repeated high-impact collisions, which affect productivity.

Innovation Solution

A booklet making apparatus utilizing a ceramic heater with a spring mechanism to absorb impact forces, combined with a thermistor holder and metallic stay to prevent direct transmission of forces to the heater, ensuring efficient and durable bonding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the ceramic heater is firmly pressed against the bundle of sheets for thermocompression bonding, then the bonding effectiveness is improved, but the ceramic heater receives high impact forces that shorten its product life

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebonding effectivenessVSAvoidproduct life of ceramic heater
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a pressing member as an intermediary between the drive source and the ceramic heater. This pressing member transmits the pressing force to the bundle of sheets while isolating the ceramic heater from direct impact forces. The ceramic heater remains in contact with the pressing member rather than directly pressing against the sheets, thereby reducing mechanical stress and extending the heater's service life while maintaining bonding effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the ceramic heater collides against the bundle of sheets at high speed to improve productivity, then the processing speed is improved, but the impact force on the ceramic heater increases, shortening its lifespan

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebooklet making speedVSAvoidproduct life of ceramic heater
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The pressing member serves as a mediator that allows high-speed operation without transmitting full impact forces to the ceramic heater. The pressing member absorbs and distributes the impact forces generated during high-speed pressing operations, enabling rapid booklet production while protecting the ceramic heater from damaging collisions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The pressing member is positioned to contact the bundle of sheets before the ceramic heater does, cushioning the initial impact. This arrangement ensures that the ceramic heater does not experience direct high-speed collisions with the sheets, thereby extending its operational life while maintaining high productivity.

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

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

Enhances the durability and productivity of the booklet making process by protecting the ceramic heater from high-impact forces, thereby extending its lifespan and improving operational efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a spring (174) arranged between the lift plate (172) and the ceramic heater (168), which pushes the ceramic heater (168) against the pressing plate (169)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSpring mechanism: Spring

Implementation Method 2

a ceramic heater (168) fixed to a second surface (169b) of the pressing plate (169), which heats the pressing plate (169)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

a thermistor holder (272) holding a thermistor (269) against the ceramic heater (168)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermistor temperature detection: Thermistor

Data Source

PatentEP4711146A1Apparatus and method for making a booklet by binding a plurality of sheets
Publication Date: 2026.03.18 CANON KK
  • EP4711146A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4711146A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2C
  • EP4711146A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3D

AI summary

A booklet making apparatus comprises a heating and pressing unit that heats and presses an adhesive layer in a state where a plurality of sheets on which the adhesive layer has been formed are layered. The heating and pressing unit includes a pressing plate, a heating body that heats the pressing plate, a reception member, and a pressing mechanism. A booklet is made by heating and pressing the adhesive layer while holding the plurality of sheets on which the adhesive layer has been formed between the pressing plate and the reception member. The pressing mechanism applies pressure to the plurality of sheets held between the pressing plate and the reception member by pressing the pressing plate without applying a force to the heating body.