Paper Bundle Binding Switching After Staple Exhaustion

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming systems face disruptions when events like staple exhaustion occur during binding processing, necessitating a method to continue binding using alternative methods without stopping the process.

Innovation Solution

The system switches automatically from staple processing to stapleless processing and adjusts the discharge order and orientation of paper bundles to maintain continuous binding, using first and second switching processes to handle staple exhaustion.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If staple processing is selected for binding processing, then binding strength is improved, but processing stops when staple exhaustion occurs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding continuityVSAvoidbinding method flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically switches between staple processing and stapleless processing based on the consumption status of staples. When staple exhaustion is detected, the binding processing method is automatically changed from staple processing to stapleless processing, enabling continuous operation without manual intervention. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by making the system flexible enough to handle both binding methods seamlessly.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

2Productivity

If binding processing stops when staple exhaustion occurs, then binding quality is maintained, but productivity decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding processing continuityVSAvoidbinding quality consistency

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system ensures continuous binding processing by automatically switching to stapleless processing when staple exhaustion occurs. This eliminates interruptions in the binding workflow, maintaining productivity while ensuring that all paper bundles receive consistent binding treatment through the alternative method. The automatic switching mechanism guarantees that no binding processing is left incomplete, preserving both productivity and quality consistency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Extent of automation

If automatic switching between binding methods is implemented, then binding continuity is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomatic method switchingVSAvoidcontrol system complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control device monitors the consumption status of staples and automatically switches between binding methods based on this feedback. When staple exhaustion is detected, the system transitions from staple processing to stapleless processing. This feedback-based automatic switching improves binding continuity while keeping the control logic relatively simple, as it relies on straightforward status monitoring and pre-defined switching rules rather than complex decision-making algorithms.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS20250361110A1Image forming system, non-transitory computer readable medium storing program, and image forming method

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 FUJIFILM BUSINESS INNOVATION CORP

AI summary

An image forming system includes one or plural processors. The one or plural processors are configured to cause binding processing of binding plural sheets of paper to create a paper bundle to be performed by selected one of the binding processing of staple processing using a staple and stapleless processing without using the staple, and perform, in a case where a predetermined event occurs in creating the paper bundle, first switching processing of switching the binding processing to the other binding processing.