Sheet Post-Processing Apparatus with Parallel Stapler Movement

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet post-processing apparatuses face challenges in reducing size while performing binding processing efficiently, as they require a significant travel range for the stapler to bind sheets at different corner positions, leading to increased dimensions and inefficiency.

Innovation Solution

A sheet post-processing apparatus with mount, aligning, post-processing, and sheet moving means that allows the post-processing apparatus to move in parallel with the travel direction of the sheets, reducing the travel range and size of the apparatus, and enabling binding processing at different positions by adjusting the position of both the apparatus and sheets based on sheet size.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the stapler travels in the direction perpendicular to the feeding direction of the sheets to perform binding processing at different corner portions, then the binding processing can be performed on different positions, but the apparatus width must be increased to reserve the travel range of the stapler

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding position adaptabilityVSAvoidapparatus width

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of moving the stapler perpendicular to the sheet feeding direction to achieve different binding positions, the invention inverts the approach by moving the stapler in the sheet feeding direction and simultaneously shifting the sheets in the width direction. This allows the stapler to perform binding at different corner positions without requiring increased apparatus width, effectively resolving the contradiction between binding position adaptability and apparatus compactness

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the dimension of movement from perpendicular (width direction only) to a combination of longitudinal and lateral movements. The stapler moves in the feeding direction while sheets are shifted in the width direction, creating a two-dimensional coordination system that achieves the same binding position versatility with a more compact apparatus layout

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Adaptability or versatility

If the stapler has a predetermined width and travels to different corner portions, then binding can be performed at multiple positions, but a reserve width L must be reserved which increases the apparatus size

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding position flexibilityVSAvoidapparatus footprint

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The invention inverts the conventional approach by not expanding the apparatus width to accommodate stapler travel, but instead coordinating stapler longitudinal movement with sheet lateral shifting. This inversion allows multiple binding positions to be achieved within a compact footprint, eliminating the need for reserve width L while maintaining binding position flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet shifting mechanism acts as an intermediary that enables the stapler to access different binding positions without requiring the stapler itself to travel laterally. By shifting the sheets in the width direction while moving the stapler longitudinally, the system achieves binding position flexibility without increasing apparatus area

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If sheets are fixed to a predetermined position and the stapler moves to different corners, then binding processing can be performed on different positions, but the travel range of the stapler increases the apparatus dimensions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding position varietyVSAvoidstapler travel distance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of keeping sheets fixed and moving the stapler laterally to different corners, the invention inverts the approach by moving the stapler longitudinally and simultaneously shifting the sheets laterally. This coordination reduces the stapler's travel distance while achieving the same binding position variety, effectively resolving the contradiction between adaptability and travel distance

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS7654511B2Sheet post-processing apparatus and image formation apparatus provided with the same

Publication Date: 2010.02.02 SHARP KK

AI summary

An apparatus is provided with a processing tray 42 to mount sheets ejected from an image formation section, aligning means (aligning plates 61, etc.) for aligning end portions of a sheet ejected on the processing tray 42, a post-processing apparatus 43 that performs binding processing on the sheets aligned by the aligning means, and moving means (unit moving motor 60, etc.) for moving the post-processing apparatus 43 to a plurality of post-processing positions set to perform the binding processing at different binding processing target position on the sheets, and moves the sheets to a post-processing undergoing position corresponding to the post-processing position substantially in parallel with a travel direction of the post-processing apparatus 43. It is thereby possible to perform the binding processing on the ejected sheets appropriately while implementing the apparatus compact in size.