Staple-less Binding Unit Positioning to Prevent Interference
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet processing apparatuses face inefficiencies when using different binding means with varying receiving portion heights, leading to interference and reduced binding process efficiency, as they require complex selective moving mechanisms and cannot handle varying numbers of bindable sheets without upsizing the apparatus.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus incorporates a stapler and a staple-less binding unit with adjustable positions and opening heights, allowing for binding without a selective moving mechanism, ensuring compatibility and maintaining high efficiency by positioning the staple-less binding unit outside the maximum sheet width region of the stapler, preventing interference and accommodating different sheet counts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a selective moving mechanism is used to selectively move each binding means to the binding position, then the apparatus can handle multiple binding types, but the configuration becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the selective moving mechanism from the system. Instead of moving multiple binding means, the system extracts only the necessary binding means (staple-less binding unit) and positions it fixedly, eliminating the complexity of movement mechanisms while maintaining binding functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The sheet bundle receiving portion is designed to universally accommodate both staple binding and staple-less binding operations. By making the receiving portion adaptable to different binding methods through fixed positioning and appropriate dimensional design, the system achieves multi-functionality without requiring complex selective movement mechanisms
2Area of stationary object
If the staple-less binding unit is positioned within the maximum sheet width region of the stapler, then space is utilized efficiently, but interference occurs between the stapler and staple-less binding unit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves the spatial conflict by transitioning from two-dimensional space optimization to three-dimensional positioning. The staple-less binding unit is positioned outside the maximum sheet width region of the stapler in the lateral direction, utilizing the third dimension (depth/thickness) to eliminate interference while maintaining efficient space utilization through appropriate dimensional design of the receiving portion
3Quantity of substance
If the opening height of the receiving portion is increased to accommodate more sheets, then the maximum number of bindable sheets increases, but the apparatus size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent optimizes the opening height parameter of the sheet bundle receiving portion to achieve a balance between binding capacity and apparatus size. By carefully selecting the opening height to be sufficient for staple-less binding (which requires less height than staple binding) while not excessively large, the system accommodates the required number of sheets without unnecessary apparatus enlargement
Data Source
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AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus in which a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets discharged onto an intermediate processing tray (107) is received in a receiving portion of a stapler (110) and bound with use of a staple, and a sheet bundle including a plurality of sheets discharged onto the intermediate processing tray is received in a receiving portion of a staple-less binding unit (102) having a gap in the thickness direction of the sheets smaller than that of the receiving portion of the stapler and bound without using a staple, wherein when the stapler performs the binding process, the staple-less binding unit is arranged in a position shifted in a width direction orthogonal to a sheet discharge direction from a region on the intermediate processing tray, through which the sheets discharged by a sheet discharging portion pass.