Rotating Staple Inserting Unit for Variable Thickness Sheet Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face challenges in accurately inserting staples due to unstable movement of the staple receiving unit, especially when dealing with thicker sheet bundles, leading to misalignment of staples relative to the folding line.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus features a staple inserting unit that rotates towards the sheet bundle, with a staple receiving section fixed inside the saddle unit, and a movement mechanism that adjusts the inserting unit's position orthogonally to the folding line based on the bundle's thickness, using a drive motor, eccentric cam, and push-out member to ensure accurate stapling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the staple receiving unit is moved upward to accommodate thicker sheet bundles, then the capacity to handle larger numbers of sheets is improved, but the movement becomes less stable and stapling precision deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of moving the staple receiving unit upward to accommodate thicker bundles, the invention inverts the approach by making the staple inserting unit movable. The staple receiving unit remains fixed at the top of the saddle unit, while the inserting unit moves forward along the ridge line to reach the folding line of the upmost sheet, thereby maintaining stapling precision regardless of bundle thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies dynamics by making the staple inserting unit movable rather than fixed. The inserting unit can move forward and backward along the ridge line of the saddle unit, allowing it to adapt to different sheet bundle thicknesses while maintaining accurate stapling position. This dynamic adjustment capability resolves the contradiction between handling variable quantities of sheets and maintaining precision
2Ease of operation
If the staple inserting unit makes an arc motion toward the saddle unit, then the inserting capability is improved, but the stapling position shifts from the desired folding line location
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the stapling function into two independent components: the staple receiving unit remains fixed at the top of the saddle unit, while the staple inserting unit is separated and made movable along the ridge line. This segmentation allows each component to perform its function independently without interfering with the other, enabling accurate positioning at the folding line
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces the ridge line of the saddle unit as an intermediary path for the inserting unit. Instead of making a direct arc motion that would cause position shifts, the inserting unit moves along the ridge line (which serves as a guide or mediator) to reach the folding line, thereby maintaining precise stapling position while preserving inserting capability
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 solution enables precise stapling at the desired position on the upmost sheet of the bundle, regardless of its thickness, maintaining staple alignment and reducing the risk of buckling, thus improving the quality of the stapled booklet.
Implementation Method 1
a shaft member which is rotated by the drive motor; an eccentric cam which is connected to the shaft member; a push-out member which is provided so as to abut with the base end portion of the inserting unit and moves toward or away from the inserting unit in accordance with rotation of the eccentric cam
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus including: an accumulating section (340) on which a sheet is accumulated; a staple inserting section (350) which is provided above the accumulating section; a staple receiving section (360) which is provided so as to face the staple inserting section across a sheet bundle accumulated on the accumulating section; and a movement section (352,505) which moves an inserting unit (351) or the accumulating section according to a thickness of the sheet bundle so that the inserting unit faces a predetermined position on an upmost sheet of the sheet bundle, wherein the staple inserting section (350) includes the inserting unit (351) which inserts a staple into the sheet bundle by rotating toward the sheet bundle.