Sheet Binding Apparatus with Dual Units for Capacity Switching
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Solution Overview
Problem
Sheet processing apparatuses face reduced productivity due to the need to switch from stapleless binding to staple binding when the number of sheets to be bound exceeds the capacity of the stapleless binding unit, as this requires moving the staple binding unit to the binding position, which increases the moving distance and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a second binding unit with a higher capacity and a number-of-sheets determining unit that allows the first binding unit to move away from the binding position and the second unit to take over when the sheet count exceeds its capacity, thereby reducing the moving distance and improving productivity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sheet processing apparatus switches from stapleless binding to staple binding when the number of sheets exceeds the capacity of the stapleless binding unit, then the binding process can be performed for a larger number of sheets, but the productivity is reduced due to the need to move the staple binding unit from home position to binding position
Solution Approach 1:
The staple binding unit is moved to the binding position in advance before the sheet feeding is completed. The control unit determines that the number of sheets to be bound exceeds the capacity of the stapleless binding unit before the staple binding unit needs to switch to the binding position, thereby avoiding the need to move the staple binding unit from home position and improving productivity
2Adaptability or versatility
If the staple binding unit moves from home position to binding position to handle large number of sheets, then the binding capacity is increased, but the moving distance increases and energy is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit performs preliminary determination of the number of sheets to be bound before the staple binding unit completes its movement to the binding position. This allows the system to switch to staple binding mode in advance, preventing the staple binding unit from moving unnecessarily from home position and thereby reducing energy wastage
3Manufacturing precision
If the sheet processing apparatus waits for image formation and output to complete before moving the binding unit to binding position, then the binding accuracy is improved, but the productivity is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit determines in advance that the number of sheets to be bound exceeds the capacity of the stapleless binding unit before the staple binding unit moves to the binding position. This preliminary determination allows the system to prepare the binding unit in advance while the image formation is still in progress, thereby maintaining binding accuracy while improving productivity by avoiding waiting time
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a first binding unit configured to bind a sheet bundle; a second binding unit with greater number of bindable sheets than number of bindable sheets of the first binding unit; and a number-of-sheets determining unit configured to determine whether number of to-be-bound sheets exceeds the number of bindable sheets of the first binding unit. The first binding unit moves to a binding position, and if the number-of-sheets determining unit determines that the number of to-be-bound sheets exceeds the number of bindable sheets of the first binding unit, the first binding unit moves away from the binding position. When the number-of-sheets determining unit determines that the number of to-be-bound sheets exceeds the number of bindable sheets of the first binding unit, the second binding unit moves to the binding position.