Staple Guide Portion Prevents Jamming in Binding Machine

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Solution Overview

Problem

Staple jamming occurs during the binding process, particularly when strong tension is applied to the binding tape, causing staples to fall over and get caught between the clincher and staple driver, leading to inefficiencies in the horticultural binding machine.

Innovation Solution

The binding machine incorporates a staple guide portion that supports the crown portion of the staple from the side near the base end, preventing it from falling over and includes a staple accommodating portion with a U-shaped design to securely hold the staple, along with a clincher and staple driver configuration to ensure proper staple alignment and striking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If the binding machine performs end fixing with strong tension on the binding tape, then the binding strength is improved, but staple jamming occurs causing operational failures

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding strengthVSAvoidoperational reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A guide portion is introduced as an intermediary component between the staple accommodating portion and the clincher. This guide portion prevents the staple from falling backward during the striking process, especially under strong tension conditions, thereby eliminating staple jamming while maintaining binding strength

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Speed

If the staple is positioned directly above the staple driver for efficient striking, then the striking speed is improved, but the staple falls backward and jams between the clincher and staple driver

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestriking speedVSAvoidstaple ejection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The guide portion serves as a mediator that allows the staple to be positioned efficiently above the staple driver while preventing backward movement. The guide portion's structure with its side surface and tip creates a physical barrier that stops the staple from falling backward, thus preventing jamming without compromising striking speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If the staple accommodating portion and ejection port are integrated to prevent dimensional changes, then manufacturing precision is improved, but staple jamming still occurs due to staple movement during operation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveejection port dimensional stabilityVSAvoidstaple ejection reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The integrated staple accommodating portion and ejection port structure is segmented by adding a separate guide portion. This guide portion is further segmented into a side surface portion and a tip portion, allowing it to independently prevent staple backward movement while the main structure maintains its dimensional stability for manufacturing precision

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3782461B1Binding machine
Publication Date: 2023.10.25 MAX CO LTD
  • EP3782461B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3782461B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3782461B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A binding machine, includes a staple guide portion adjacent to a staple in a staple accommodating portion. A staple driver moves from below to above and pushes the staple located at the front end portion upward while pushing the crown portion of the staple. A clincher abuts against the pair of leg portions of the staple pushed out in a process of the staple driver moving upward from below so as to fold the pair of leg portions. The staple guide supports the crown portion of the staple from a side near a base end portion of the crown portion in a process of the staple being pushed out.