Sheet Processing Apparatus Binding and Regulating Members

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses face difficulties in inserting large sheet bundles due to small opening sizes and insufficient detachment force when using crimping processing, leading to potential attachment of sheets to crimping teeth.

Innovation Solution

The apparatus incorporates a pair of binding members with crimping teeth and regulating members with longer separation distances at retreat positions, allowing for effective regulation and detachment of sheet bundles, preventing attachment to crimping teeth during crimping processing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the separation interval between crimping teeth is reduced to enable binding, then binding function is improved, but the opening size becomes too small to insert large sheet bundles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding functionVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs a movable regulating member that can change its position between a first position (when crimping teeth are in binding position) and a second position (when crimping teeth are in retreat position). This dynamic adjustment allows the opening size to be small during binding for reliable crimping, and large during retreat for easy insertion of sheet bundles.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The regulating member is positioned in advance to regulate the sheet bundle before the crimping teeth perform binding. By regulating the sheet bundle in advance, the system ensures proper alignment and positioning, allowing the crimping teeth to effectively bind the sheet bundle without requiring a large opening size during the actual binding operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If the detaching means protrudes between crimping teeth at retreat positions, then detachment function is provided, but the opening becomes too small to insert large sheet bundles

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetachment functionVSAvoidinsertion ease

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The regulating member is designed to move between positions dynamically. At the first position, it allows the crimping teeth to bind the sheet bundle. At the second position, it moves away to create a larger opening for inserting sheet bundles, while still maintaining the detachment function through its interaction with the sheet bundle during the retreat phase.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The regulating member provides localized regulation only where needed. It regulates the sheet bundle in the specific area between the crimping teeth when necessary, but does not obstruct the overall opening when in the second position, thus allowing large sheet bundles to be inserted while maintaining localized control during binding.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Strength

If crimping teeth are used to bind sheet bundles, then binding strength is improved, but sheets attach to teeth making removal difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidremoval ease

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The regulating member regulates the sheet bundle in advance before the crimping teeth perform binding. This preliminary regulation ensures proper alignment and positioning, which allows the crimping teeth to effectively bind the sheet bundle with sufficient strength while maintaining the ability to easily remove it afterward through the detaching means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The regulating member acts as an intermediary between the sheet bundle and the crimping teeth. It provides temporary regulation and control during the binding process, ensuring that the sheet bundle is properly positioned and regulated while the crimping teeth perform binding, and facilitates easy removal afterward through its interaction with the detaching means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10301141B2Sheet processing apparatus comprising binding and regulating members, and image forming apparatus comprising same

Publication Date: 2019.05.28 KONICA MINOLTA INC

AI summary

A sheet processing apparatus includes: a pair of binding members that respectively have a pair of crimping teeth facing each other, which move between binding positions where a sheet bundle is bound and retreat positions retreated from the binding positions; and a pair of regulating members that are arranged close to the binding members and respectively have a pair of regulating pieces which face each other and move between regulating positions where displacement of the sheet bundle bound by the pair of crimping teeth is regulated and retreat positions retreated from the regulating positions, wherein a separation distance between the pair of regulating pieces at the retreat positions of the regulating pieces is longer than a separation distance between the pair of crimping teeth at the retreat positions of the crimping teeth.