Motor Control Unit for Stapleless Binding Current Dynamics

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional stapleless binding methods in image forming apparatuses face challenges in maintaining consistent pressing force, leading to increased processing time and reduced productivity due to variations in sheet bundle thickness and density, which can result in poor binding quality or sheet damage.

Innovation Solution

A sheet processing apparatus with a motor control unit that sets a driving current for the motor in two stages: a lower value when starting and a higher value during binding, ensuring consistent torque application and reducing start-up time by controlling the driving current to optimize the binding process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the actuator is controlled by a driving current value lower than usual throughout the binding processing operation, then the pressing force is sufficient for binding, but the output torque at start-up is limited to a low value which increases the start-up time and overall processing time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding qualityVSAvoidstart-up time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The driving current value is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase: a first driving current value is applied during start-up to achieve rapid acceleration, and a second driving current value (lower than the first) is applied during the binding processing phase to maintain sufficient pressing force. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each phase separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The control method implements periodic switching between different driving current values corresponding to different operational phases (start-up phase and binding processing phase). This periodic action allows the system to achieve both fast start-up and reliable binding by applying appropriate current levels at appropriate times.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Reliability

If the pressing force is increased to ensure consistent binding quality, then binding reliability improves, but the time needed for the binding processing operation increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding qualityVSAvoidprocessing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The driving current value is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase: a first driving current value is applied during start-up to achieve rapid acceleration, and a second driving current value (lower than the first) is applied during the binding processing phase to maintain sufficient pressing force. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each phase separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies a higher driving current value during the start-up phase to quickly bring the actuator to the required operating speed and position before switching to the lower binding phase current. This preliminary action reduces the overall processing time by minimizing the acceleration phase duration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of time

If the driving current is set to a high value throughout the operation, then the start-up time is reduced, but excessive pressing force may break the sheets

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestart-up timeVSAvoidsheet damage

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The driving current value is dynamically adjusted based on the operational phase: a first driving current value is applied during start-up to achieve rapid acceleration, and a second driving current value (lower than the first) is applied during the binding processing phase to maintain sufficient pressing force. This dynamic adjustment resolves the contradiction by optimizing performance for each phase separately.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The binding processing operation is segmented into two distinct phases: a start-up phase and a binding processing phase. Different driving current values are applied to each phase according to the specific requirements, preventing sheet damage while maintaining fast start-up performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

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

This approach enhances the quality and productivity of stapleless binding by maintaining consistent pressure, reducing start-up time, and preventing sheet damage, thereby improving the overall binding process efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a motor configured to drive the binding unit to press the sheet bundle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic conversion: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS9568880B2Sheet processing apparatus and image forming apparatus having binding processing function

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 CANON KK

AI summary

A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding unit configured to perform binding processing by pressing a sheet bundle, a motor configured to drive the binding unit to press the sheet bundle, and a motor control unit configured to set a driving current of the motor and an upper limit value of the driving current, the motor control unit being configured to set the driving current when starting activating the motor in a state where the binding unit is not pressing the sheet bundle to a first value, and set the upper limit value of the driving current in a period in which the binding unit is pressing the sheet bundle to a second value less than or equal to the first value.