Staple Refill Notch for Push Lever Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

The existing electric stapling machines require multiple steps for staple-refill replacement, which complicates the process and can lead to inaccuracies in transferring sheet-type connected staples due to the absence of a push lever.

Innovation Solution

A staple-refill design that includes a casing with a notch portion allowing a push lever to pass during detachment, enabling easier replacement and maintaining accurate staple transfer by incorporating a push lever that biases the staples in the stacking direction.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If a push lever is provided to push and bias the sheet-type connected staples, then accuracy in transfer of the staples is improved, but the number of operating steps for staple-refill replacement increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy in transfer of staplesVSAvoidnumber of operating steps for replacement

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The push lever is integrated into the cartridge structure, with the lever body formed as an integral part of the cartridge casing. The lever is nested within the cartridge assembly, allowing it to function as both a structural component and a functional element for pushing staples, thereby eliminating separate replacement steps while maintaining staple transfer accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The push lever is designed to automatically return to its initial position after the staple-refill is replaced, using its own elastic deformation capability. This self-resetting mechanism eliminates the need for manual operation to reset the lever, allowing the replacement process to be completed in a single insertion motion without additional operating steps

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Ease of operation

If the push lever is integrated into the cartridge, then the number of operating steps is reduced, but the structure of the cartridge becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of operating steps for replacementVSAvoidstructure of cartridge

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The push lever and cartridge casing are merged into a single integral structure, where the lever body is formed as part of the cartridge assembly. This integration reduces the total number of separate components while providing the push function, thereby simplifying the overall structure despite adding functional capability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The push lever utilizes the elastic deformation capability of the cartridge material, allowing the lever portion to flex and return to its initial position. This use of material elasticity eliminates the need for additional springs or complex mechanical reset mechanisms, keeping the structural design simple while achieving the desired functionality

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

Data Source

PatentUS9687996B2Refill

Publication Date: 2017.06.27 MAX CO LTD

AI summary

A staple-refill 11 is provided with: a casing 12 in which a plurality of sheet-type connected staples 10 are stacked and accommodated; and a notch portion 18 which is formed on one side surface 12a of the casing 12. The notch portion 18 has a shape to enable a push lever 66 of a stapling machine 1 to pass in a detaching operation of the casing 12 from a main-body of the stapling machine 1.