Staple Unit Posture Control for Parallel and Corner Stapling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing post-processing apparatuses for sheet bundles lack efficient mechanisms for both parallel and corner stapling, often requiring manual adjustments and resulting in reduced productivity and accuracy.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing apparatus featuring a stack unit, a base member with a movable staple unit, and a posture control unit that includes parallel and sway grooves, allowing the staple unit to move linearly and sway to perform parallel and corner stapling operations automatically, ensuring precise alignment and positioning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual adjustments are used for stapling operations, then flexibility in positioning is improved, but productivity and accuracy are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The posture control unit with parallel and sway grooves enables the staple unit to automatically control its own positioning and orientation. The grooves guide the staple unit through parallel stapling and corner stapling motions without requiring manual intervention, allowing the system to serve itself in terms of positioning control while maintaining high speed and accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from static manual positioning to dynamic automated control. The staple unit can dynamically switch between parallel stapling mode (for standard positions) and corner stapling mode (for angled positions) through the coordinated action of the first and second movable bodies, enabling adaptive positioning at different speeds and angles based on the grooves' geometric constraints
2Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustments are used for stapling operations, then adaptability to different stapling positions is improved, but manufacturing precision is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The sway groove is designed with a curved trajectory that guides the staple unit from the parallel stapling position to the corner stapling position. This curved path ensures precise angular transition and positioning, allowing the staple unit to accurately reach corner positions with specific tilt angles while maintaining alignment precision throughout the motion sequence
Solution Approach 2:
The posture control unit with its combination of parallel groove and sway groove serves multiple functions: it enables both parallel stapling and corner stapling operations, controls positioning in both linear and angular dimensions, and maintains precision across different stapling modes. This multi-functional design allows a single mechanism to handle various stapling positions with consistent accuracy
3Productivity
If automated stapling mechanism is implemented, then productivity is improved, but device complexity is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The automated positioning system is segmented into distinct functional components: the first movable body responsible for linear motion along the width direction, the second movable body responsible for angular sway motion, and the posture control unit with parallel and sway grooves that guides their coordinated movement. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function simply while achieving complex automated positioning overall
Data Source
AI summary
A staple unit is secured to a second movable body that is provided on a first movable body so as to be swayed. The first movable body is moved linearly in a width direction of a bundle of sheets. The second movable body includes a first engagement member and a second engagement member, and the movement of the first engagement member and the second engagement member in accordance with the linear movement of the first movable body is guided by a parallel groove, a first sway groove, and a second sway groove of a posture control unit. The first engagement member is in constant contact with the first sway groove while the first engagement member moves in the first sway groove, and the second engagement member is in constant contact with the second sway groove while the second engagement member moves in the second sway groove.