Dynamic Cover Sheet Trimming for Bookbinding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bookbinding systems fail to dynamically adjust the width of the cover sheet on the spine portion and properly align printing on the cover sheet based on the thickness of the bundle of sheets, leading to suboptimal bookbinding results.

Innovation Solution

A bookbinding system that includes a trimming device for the cover sheet to adjust its length and width based on the thickness of the sheet bundle, and a positioning mechanism to align the cover sheet printing accurately, ensuring precise trimming and image placement regardless of the bundle's thickness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the width of the cover on the spine portion is determined beforehand, then the bookbinding process is simplified, but the apparatus cannot trim the edge part of the cover sheet according to the thickness of the bundle of sheets and cannot properly adjust the location of printing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebookbinding process complexityVSAvoidcover sheet trimming precision and printing alignment
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a dynamic adjustment mechanism where the cover sheet width on the spine portion is not fixed but can be trimmed according to the detected thickness of the bundle of sheets. The trimming amount is calculated based on the thickness detection, allowing the system to adapt the cover sheet dimensions dynamically to match different book thicknesses, thereby achieving both simplified process and high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the parameter of cover sheet width based on the thickness parameter of the bundle of sheets. By detecting the thickness and calculating the appropriate trimming amount, the system adjusts the cover sheet dimensions to optimize the bookbinding result, ensuring proper printing alignment and aesthetic appearance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Device complexity

If the cover sheet width is fixed, then the apparatus structure is simpler, but it cannot adapt to different thicknesses of sheet bundles

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapparatus structure complexityVSAvoidadaptability to different sheet bundle thicknesses
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus incorporates a dynamic trimming mechanism that activates based on detected thickness variations. The system remains structurally simple when thickness is uniform but automatically engages the trimming function when thickness variations are detected, providing adaptability without significantly increasing overall structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-adjustment by detecting the thickness of the bundle of sheets and automatically calculating and executing the appropriate trimming amount for the cover sheet. This self-service capability allows the apparatus to adapt to different thicknesses without requiring complex manual intervention or pre-programming for each thickness variation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Device complexity

If trimming is performed after image recording, then the printing process is simpler, but the image positioning on the cover sheet cannot be properly adjusted according to thickness

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprinting process complexityVSAvoidimage positioning accuracy on cover sheet
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary calculation of the trimming amount based on detected thickness before the actual trimming and printing operations. By determining the required trim amount in advance, the system can then adjust the image recording position accordingly, ensuring that images are properly positioned on the final trimmed cover sheet while keeping the printing process itself relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1752310B1Bookbinding apparatus
Publication Date: 2013.07.03 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC
  • EP1752310B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1752310B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1752310B1 patent drawingFigure 3(a)~3(d)

AI summary

By controlling the recording position of images on the cover sheet by the image recording section based on the thickness information of the bundle of sheets, image recording at the appropriate position has been made possible irrespective of the amount of trimming of the cover sheet that is trimmed to an appropriate length in accordance with the thickness of the bundle of sheets to be wrapped and bound with the cover sheet.