Multi-ring binder with staggered half-rings and movable spindle

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ring binders face issues with flexibility, ease of operation, and durability, as closed coil binders cannot be opened for page addition or replacement, while switchable half-ring binders are cumbersome and prone to noise and paper jamming due to structural gaps.

Innovation Solution

A multi-ring binder design incorporating a positioning lock pin, movable central spindle, and staggered half-rings with C-ring engagement, allowing for secure locking and easy opening/closing, enabling flexible operation and preventing paper jamming through a symmetrical and staggered half-ring layout.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a closed coil binder is used, then flexibility and ease of operation are improved, but the ability to add or replace paper is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility and ease of operationVSAvoidability to add or replace paper

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The binder ring is designed with a movable central spindle that can switch between locked and unlocked states. The C-ring and positioning lock pin mechanism allow the binder to dynamically transition from a closed flexible state to an open state, enabling paper addition while maintaining operational flexibility in both states.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If a switchable half-ring binder is used, then the ability to add or replace paper is improved, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add or replace paperVSAvoidstructure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The binder ring is segmented into multiple independent half-rings (first half-rings and second half-rings) arranged in a staggered pattern. This segmentation allows individual rings to be opened and closed independently, simplifying the switching mechanism and reducing overall structural complexity while maintaining paper replacement functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Adaptability or versatility

If a switchable half-ring binder is used, then the ability to add or replace paper is improved, but noise generation and pinching risk increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to add or replace paperVSAvoidnoise generation and pinching risk

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The spring component is designed to work with the movable central spindle to automatically return the binder rings to their closed position after opening. This converts the potential harm of spring tension into a beneficial automatic closing mechanism, reducing noise by preventing forced closing and eliminating pinching risks by ensuring smooth ring return.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

4Adaptability or versatility

If traditional half-ring design is used, then paper replacement capability is improved, but gaps at joints occur leading to paper jamming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepaper replacement capabilityVSAvoidpaper jamming prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The half-rings are arranged in a staggered asymmetric pattern where first half-rings and second half-rings are positioned at different locations around the central spindle. This asymmetric staggering ensures that when one set of half-rings is open, the other set remains closed and staggered, preventing gaps at joint locations and eliminating paper jamming while maintaining full paper replacement capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #4Asymmetry

Data Source

PatentUS11541682B1Multi-ring binder

Publication Date: 2023.01.03 CHANG JYH-YUAN

AI summary

A multi-ring binder includes a positioning lock pin, a movable central spindle, a first bracket, a second bracket and a C-ring. The movable central spindle is formed by a plurality of cylindrical bodies and a plurality of rectangular bodies staggered, and the top of the movable central spindle is connected to the positioning lock pin and the surface of the rectangular body next to the top has a first positioning groove and a second positioning groove. The first bracket has first half-rings arranged equidistant from each other, and first hollow bodies arranged equidistant from each other. The second bracket is complementary and symmetrical with the first bracket, and has second half-rings arranged equidistant from each other, and second hollow bodies arranged on equidistant from each other.