Saddle Stitcher Bender Drive Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing saddle stitchers require time-consuming and complex adjustments to adapt the drive of the bender to the saddle chain pitch and stitching carriage position, leading to increased downtimes and reduced productivity when changing product formats.

Innovation Solution

A saddle stitcher design where the drive of the bender is independent of the saddle chain pitch and stitching carriage position, utilizing a controllable electric motor for the conveying means and a separate drive for the stapling carriage, allowing for variable and independent control of the clinching process, eliminating the need for adapting the bender drive to the chain pitch.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If the chain pitch is reduced to increase the number of products per unit time, then productivity is improved, but the complexity of adapting the bender drive increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvenumber of products per unit timeVSAvoidcomplexity of adapting the bender drive
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is segmented into independent modules: the gathering chain drive (first drive), the stitching carriage drive (second drive), and the bender drive (third drive). This segmentation allows each module to be adjusted independently, eliminating the need to adapt the bender drive when changing chain pitch, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity improvement and drive adaptation complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces dynamic controllability to the bender drive system. The third drive (bender drive) is made independently controllable and can be adapted to different stitching speeds through variable speed control, rather than being fixed to the gathering chain pitch. This dynamic adjustment capability allows the system to maintain high productivity with reduced chain pitch while avoiding the complexity of mechanically adapting the bender drive to each pitch change.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

2Adaptability or versatility

If manual adjustment of driver element positions is performed to change chain pitch, then adaptability to different product formats is improved, but loss of time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to different product formatsVSAvoiddowntime for format changes
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The driver elements are designed with dynamic positioning capability. The position of driver elements on the gathering chain can be adjusted without manual disassembly and reassembly. This dynamic adjustment mechanism reduces the time required for format changes while maintaining adaptability to different product formats, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical adjustment operations with automated or semi-automated positioning mechanisms. Instead of manually attaching and detaching driver elements, the system uses mechanical or automated positioning systems that can quickly adjust driver element positions, significantly reducing the downtime required for format changes while maintaining full adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If frame-fixed cams are used to initiate the closing movement of the bender, then the stitching process is simplified, but adaptability to different chain pitches is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesimplicity of the stitching processVSAvoidadaptability to different chain pitches
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The bender drive is transformed from a static, frame-fixed cam system to a dynamic, independently controllable third drive. This dynamic drive can be adjusted to match different stitching speeds and chain pitches, providing adaptability to different product formats while maintaining the simplicity of the stitching process through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The stitching system is segmented into independent drive modules, with the bender drive (third drive) separated from the gathering chain drive (first drive) and stitching carriage drive (second drive). This segmentation allows the bender drive to be independently adapted to different chain pitches without affecting the overall simplicity of the stitching process, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP2119568B1Wire stitcher
Publication Date: 2015.02.18 MULLER MARTINI HLDG
  • EP2119568B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2119568B1 patent drawingFigure 2a
  • EP2119568B1 patent drawingFigure 2b

AI summary

The saddle binder, for wire binding printed paper or cardboard sheets, has a slide (107) with at least one folder (290) at least at one binding head (26). The folder is powered by a separate drive (207,210) using an electromotor, a servo motor or a pneumatic cylinder. USE : The assembly is a saddle binder for wire binding printed paper or cardboard sheets. ADVANTAGE : The operation of the folder is matched to the working of the binder. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS : The drawing shows a perspective view of the binder. 26 : binder head 30 : gathered sheets 107 : slide 201 : frame 205 : cam gear 207 : servo motor 210 : electromotor 290 : folder.