Movable Paddle Stapler for Varying Medium Lengths
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing stapling apparatuses face issues with medium alignment due to varying lengths, leading to sticking, buckling, or deformation, as the paddle's position and speed do not adequately match the medium's length, resulting in incomplete matching and processing failures.
Innovation Solution
A stapling apparatus with a movable paddle and matching portion that adjusts its position based on medium length, ensuring the paddle applies force at optimal locations to align the medium with other sheets, and includes a second paddle for short mediums to prevent sticking and deformation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the paddle is located on the lower side of the holding portion to promote medium matching, then the medium alignment is improved, but the medium may be stuck in the transport path before reaching the paddle
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle is made movable in the transport direction rather than being fixed. The control unit dynamically adjusts the paddle's position along the transport path to match different medium lengths, allowing the paddle to be positioned optimally for each medium type to prevent sticking while maintaining alignment precision
Solution Approach 2:
The position parameter of the paddle is changed based on medium length. The control unit receives medium length information and adjusts the paddle's position accordingly, transforming a static structure into an adaptive one that responds to varying medium parameters
2Manufacturing precision
If the paddle rotating speed is set slow to prevent medium buckling, then medium deformation is reduced, but the medium may become buckled between feed rollers and paddle due to speed mismatch
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit dynamically adjusts the paddle's rotating speed based on the medium length. For longer mediums, a slower speed is used to prevent buckling, while for shorter mediums, a faster speed ensures smooth transport without deformation
Solution Approach 2:
The paddle's rotating speed is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed. The control unit continuously adapts the rotation speed parameter to match the specific medium being processed, resolving the speed mismatch problem
3Productivity
If the paddle rotating speed is set fast to improve transport efficiency, then medium transport speed is improved, but the medium may jump up due to impact when reaching the matching portion
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit adjusts the paddle's rotating speed based on medium length characteristics. For shorter mediums where high speed is beneficial for productivity, the speed is increased, while for longer mediums prone to jumping, the speed is reduced to maintain alignment accuracy
4Device complexity
If a single fixed paddle position is used to simplify device structure, then device complexity is reduced, but the medium matching fails for mediums of varying lengths
Solution Approach 1:
The paddle structure is transformed from fixed to movable along the transport direction. The control unit receives medium length information and positions the paddle appropriately, enabling the simple paddle structure to handle various medium lengths effectively
Solution Approach 2:
The movable paddle mechanism serves multiple functions: it can be positioned for different medium lengths, adjusts rotation speed accordingly, and handles both short and long mediums with a single structure, replacing the need for multiple fixed paddles
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
Ensures consistent alignment and processing of mediums of varying lengths by dynamically adjusting paddle and matching portion positions, reducing sticking and deformation issues, and enhancing the efficiency of the stapling and folding processes.
Implementation Method 1
a paddle that applies sending force to the mediums so that leading edge sides of the mediums reach the first matching portion
Implementation Method 2
the movement of the medium from the upstream portion to the matching portion is basically created by inertial movement and gravitational force of the medium
Implementation Method 3
a stapler that binds the mediums, the leading edge sides of the mediums having been matched by the first matching portion
Data Source
AI summary
A stapling apparatus including a holding portion that receives and holds a plurality of mediums, a first matching portion positioned downstream of the holding portion, a paddle that applies sending force to the mediums so that leading edge sides of the mediums reach the first matching portion, a stapler that binds the mediums, the leading edge sides of the mediums having been matched by the first matching portion, a folding mechanism portion that folds the mediums that have been bound by the stapler. In the stapling apparatus, the first matching portion is configured to move and is configured to transport the mediums to a performing position of the stapler and a performing position of the folding mechanism portion by moving, and a position where the paddle applies sending force to the mediums differs according to lengths of the mediums in a transport direction.