Staple-less Binding Apparatus with Aligning Plates and Restricting Member
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses that use staple-less binding methods face issues with sheet bundles sticking to teeth and deflecting during conveyance, leading to potential damage and inefficiencies in the binding process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus with a staple-less binding unit that includes upper and lower teeth with convexities and concavities, where the sheet bundle is aligned and pressed by aligning plates to prevent sticking and ensure smooth conveyance, using a moving member to separate the sheet bundle from the binding position while maintaining a restricted distance to prevent damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the engagement force of the upper and lower teeth is increased to bind the sheet bundle securely, then the binding strength is improved, but the sheet may stick to the teeth due to wedge condition
Solution Approach 1:
A releasing member is introduced as an intermediary between the bound sheet bundle and the teeth. This releasing member applies a releasing force to separate the sheet bundle from the teeth after binding, preventing the sheet from sticking to the teeth while maintaining strong binding during the binding process
Solution Approach 2:
The system discards the stuck sheet from the teeth by using the releasing member to apply a releasing force that separates the sheet bundle from the teeth, allowing the teeth to be reused for the next binding operation without damage or contamination
2Speed
If the sheet bundle is pushed by a press member to be conveyed, then the conveyance is achieved, but the sheet bundle deflects between the biting part and the pressed part
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning member performs preliminary action by aligning the sheet bundle in the width direction before conveyance. This preliminary alignment prevents deflection during subsequent push conveyance, as the sheet bundle is already positioned correctly and stabilized
Solution Approach 2:
The aligning member acts as an intermediary that stabilizes the sheet bundle during the transition from binding to conveyance. It maintains the sheet bundle's positional stability and prevents deflection by providing alignment control during the conveyance process
3Speed
If the bound sheet bundle is pushed to move from binding position, then the sheet bundle is conveyed, but it may jump out due to released deflection
Solution Approach 1:
The aligning member performs preliminary alignment of the sheet bundle in the width direction before conveyance. This preliminary action ensures the sheet bundle is properly positioned and stabilized, preventing it from jumping out during the push conveyance operation
Solution Approach 2:
The aligning member serves as an intermediary that controls and stabilizes the sheet bundle's movement during conveyance. It prevents the sheet bundle from deflecting or jumping out by maintaining proper alignment throughout the conveyance process
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents sheet bundles from sticking to the teeth and ensures smooth conveyance, reducing the risk of damage and improving the efficiency of the binding process by using aligning plates to manage the sheet bundle's movement post-binding.
Implementation Method 1
a compression spring configured to move the upper and lower teeth in directions separating from each other
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a binding portion binding a plurality of sheets stacked on a sheet stacking portion as a bundle by deforming the sheets without a staple. The sheet processing apparatus further includes a moving member moving the sheet bundle bound at a binding position by the binding portion from the binding position and a restricting member restricting the move of the sheet bundle such that a distance between the sheet bundle and the moving member is kept to be less than a predetermined distance in moving the sheet bundle by the moving member.