Rotatable Binding Means for Compact Paper-Handling Devices

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional binding processing devices are large and inefficient due to a straight-line arrangement of paper-sheet aligning, binding, and consumables storing components, which limits size reduction and productivity.

Innovation Solution

A paper-sheet handling device with a binding means rotatable around a rotation axis, positioned between paper-sheet reserving and consumables storing means arranged radially, allowing centered execution of binding component separation and acquisition, reducing device size and improving productivity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the paper-sheet aligning unit, binding processing mechanism unit and binder cartridge are arranged in a straight line, then the binding process can be simplified, but the device becomes large and occupies excessive space

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding process simplicityVSAvoiddevice size
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent transitions from a one-dimensional straight-line arrangement to a two-dimensional radial arrangement around a rotation axis. The paper-sheet aligning unit, binding processing mechanism unit, and binder cartridge are positioned at different radial positions, allowing parallel access and reducing the linear footprint of the device while maintaining functional simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Area of stationary object

If the mounting space of the binder cartridge is reduced to decrease device size, then the device becomes more compact, but the loading number of consumables in the binder cartridge is decreased

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice sizeVSAvoidconsumables storage capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

By arranging the binder cartridge radially around the rotation axis rather than in a linear sequence, the patent enables a more efficient use of three-dimensional space. This radial configuration allows the binder cartridge to be positioned optimally for both compactness and adequate consumables capacity, as the radial distance from the axis can be adjusted independently of the device's linear dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Device complexity

If the binding process is performed in a straight line, then the structure is simple, but productivity is deteriorated because parallel processing is difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestructural simplicityVSAvoidbinding process efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The radial arrangement around a rotation axis enables parallel processing by allowing multiple units (paper-sheet aligning unit, binding processing mechanism unit, and binder cartridge) to operate simultaneously at different angular positions. This spatial reconfiguration maintains structural simplicity while enabling concurrent operations that improve productivity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Solution Approach 2:

The paper-sheet aligning unit prepares paper sheets in advance by aligning them radially before they reach the binding processing mechanism unit. This preliminary alignment action, performed in parallel with other operations, reduces waiting time and improves the overall binding process efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP1930175B1Paper-sheet handling device with rotatable binding means
Publication Date: 2011.07.27 MAX CO LTD
  • EP1930175B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1930175B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP1930175B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paper-sheet handling device relating to the present invention has a configuration such that, as shown in FIG. 1, a binder paper alignment unit (30) for temporarily reserving a plurality of paper-sheets perforated at predetermined positions, a movement mechanism 41 for binding the bundle of paper-sheets thus aligned owing to the above by means of a binding component (43), and a binder cassette (42) for storing the binding components (43) for being transferred thereto, wherein the movement mechanism 41 is arranged on the downstream side of the binder paper alignment unit (30) and the binder cassette (42) and also, the binder paper alignment unit (30) and the binder cassette (42) are arranges radially on the upstream side to form an approximately V-shape by making the aforesaid movement mechanism (41) to be a reference. It is possible depending on this configuration to concentrate the necessary constructional elements at the periphery of the movement mechanism (41), so that the arrangement of the component members in the horizontal direction of the device can be restricted and the aforesaid device can be miniaturized.