Dynamic Sheet Binding Tray Control for Eco-Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet binding processing apparatuses often suspend discharge operations prematurely due to incorrect determination of the sheet height, leading to unnecessary user waiting and potential blockages, despite having available space for additional stacking, especially when using needle stapling which results in uneven bundle heights.
Innovation Solution
A sheet binding processing apparatus that dynamically adjusts the volume of stacked sheets based on the type of binding processing, incorporating both needle stapling and eco-stapling mechanisms, with advanced control systems to accurately determine the appropriate volume and prevent discharge port blockages by using sensors and motors to manage the stacking and alignment of bundles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If needle stapling processing is used to bind bundles of printing media, then binding strength is improved, but bundle height increases causing incorrect sheet height determination and potential discharge port blockage
Solution Approach 1:
The discharge tray is designed with movable positioning capability, allowing it to adjust its position dynamically based on the height of stacked bundles. This enables the tray to accommodate varying bundle heights from needle stapling without causing discharge port blockage, while maintaining correct sheet height determination for eco-stapling operations.
2Reliability
If the discharge operation is suspended when the number of stacked sheets reaches a predetermined number, then tray overflow is prevented, but unnecessary user waiting time occurs when tray capacity is actually sufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The control system dynamically adjusts the suspension threshold based on the binding processing type. For eco-stapling with uniform bundle heights, a higher suspension threshold is used to maximize tray utilization. For needle stapling with variable heights, the threshold is adjusted to account for tray position adjustments, preventing unnecessary operation suspensions while maintaining overflow prevention.
3Device complexity
If a single upper limit number is used for both needle stapling and eco-stapling, then control simplicity is maintained, but tray capacity utilization is reduced when using eco-stapling
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements dynamic threshold adjustment based on the detected binding processing type. When eco-stapling is detected, a higher suspension threshold is applied to maximize tray capacity utilization. When needle stapling is detected, the threshold is adjusted accordingly. This maintains operational simplicity while optimizing productivity for each processing type.
Data Source
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AI summary
A bundle of printing media bound by eco-stapling processing often has a smaller thickness than a bundle of printing media bound by needle stapling processing by the thickness corresponding to the amount of used staples, although they have the same number of printing media, and there is room capable of stacking bundles in many cases in the eco-stapling processing. In order to solve this, when a printing medium on which an image has been formed by an image forming apparatus is taken in, stapling processing is performed on the printing medium, and the printing medium that has undergone the processing is discharged to the tray, the following process is performed. That is, when the process is performed in accordance with instructed stapling processing, and the printing medium that has undergone the process is discharged outside the apparatus, the amount of printing media discharged to and stacked on the tray is controlled in accordance with instructed stapling processing.