Sheet Binding Apparatus Buffering Long Sheets via Upper Branch Path
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet binding processing apparatuses struggle to perform buffer operations when a subsequent sheet with a length greater than a predetermined length is encountered during post-processing, particularly when a sheet bundle is being discharged by a discharge roller.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus includes a conveyance path, a conveyance unit, a tray, a binding unit, a pair of discharge rollers, a buffer path, a buffer conveyance unit, and a control unit. The control unit manages the conveyance units to redirect a subsequent sheet to an upper branching path and then switchback-convey it to the buffer path, allowing for buffering even if the sheet is longer than the predetermined length.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a discharge roller is used to discharge the sheet bundle, then the binding process can be completed, but a subsequent sheet whose length is longer than a predetermined length is blocked by the discharge roller and cannot be buffered
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyance path is divided into multiple segments: a first conveyance path for normal sheets, a second conveyance path for buffering, and an upper conveyance path for redirecting long sheets. This segmentation allows different sheet types to be handled separately, enabling the discharge roller to focus on discharging bound bundles while long sheets are redirected through the upper path to the buffer zone.
Solution Approach 2:
The upper conveyance path acts as an intermediary mechanism between the discharge roller and the buffer zone. It receives long sheets that would otherwise be blocked by the discharge roller and redirects them to the buffer path, allowing the discharge roller to maintain its discharge function while long sheets are handled through this intermediate pathway.
2Productivity
If sheets are switchback-conveyed and buffered during post-processing, then productivity is improved, but it is impossible to feed a sheet onto the processing tray and buffer it when a bundle under processing or discharge is nipped by a discharge roller
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary redirection of long sheets to the upper conveyance path before they reach the discharge roller. By anticipating the blocking issue and redirecting long sheets in advance, the system ensures that the discharge roller is not blocked and that buffering can proceed reliably without interruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The solution introduces a vertical dimension to the conveyance paths by creating an upper conveyance path that branches upward from the main conveyance path. This dimensional change allows long sheets to be redirected upward and then conveyed to the buffer zone, providing an alternative route that avoids the discharge roller blocking issue.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet binding processing apparatus includes a control unit configured to, when performing the binding process for continuously binding a sheet bundle including a predetermined sheet which is larger than a predetermined length in a conveyance direction, control a conveyance unit, a buffer conveyance unit, and an upper conveyance unit such that a sheet that forms a subsequent sheet bundle is sent from a conveyance path to an upper branching path, and the sheet is then conveyed in a switchback direction from an upper branching path to a buffer path.