Electric Stapler Guide Mechanism for Curl Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electric staplers often fail to neatly arrange the end portions of curled sheet bundles, leading to 'bundle deviation' during the binding process, especially when used independently of image forming apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
An electric stapler design featuring a binding part and paired guide parts, where the first and second guide parts face each other at a distance equal to or greater than the sheet bundle's maximum thickness, with one side coupled orthogonally to the binding part, ensuring the sheet bundle is aligned and corrected before binding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If the electric stapler uses a compact guide part design, then the device size is reduced, but the ability to correct curl of sheet bundles is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The guide parts are designed with extended lengths in the direction orthogonal to the crown portion length, creating a three-dimensional guiding space that corrects curl while maintaining compact overall device dimensions. The extension length of 15mm or more provides sufficient correction capability without proportionally increasing device volume.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide parts have different functional zones: the extended portions (15mm or more) are optimized for curl correction, while the coupled portion near the binding part is optimized for positioning. This local differentiation allows each region to perform its specific function efficiently, achieving both compact size and effective curl correction.
2Device complexity
If the guide parts are positioned close to the binding part, then the device structure is simplified, but the end portions of sheet bundles cannot be arranged neatly
Solution Approach 1:
The guide parts are positioned to perform curl correction and end portion alignment before the sheet bundle reaches the binding part. The extended length of 15mm or more ensures that the alignment action is completed in advance, allowing the sheets to be properly positioned before binding occurs.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide parts are divided into distinct functional segments: the extended open portions for curl correction and the coupled portion near the binding part for final positioning. This segmentation allows each part to perform its specific function independently, achieving both structural simplicity and precise alignment.
3Productivity
If the electric stapler processes curled sheet bundles without correction, then the processing speed is maintained, but bundle deviation occurs during binding
Solution Approach 1:
The guide parts are designed to automatically correct curl and align end portions of sheet bundles as they are inserted, without requiring additional correction steps or slowing down the binding process. The self-correcting mechanism maintains processing speed while ensuring alignment accuracy.
Data Source
AI summary
An electric stapler includes: a binding part configured to bind a sheet bundle by striking out a staple having a crown portion and leg portions; and a first guide part configured to guide the sheet bundle to the binding part, and a second guide part facing the first guide part. The first guide part and the second guide part face each other at a distance. The first guide part and the second guide part are opened therebetween as both sides along a length direction of the crown portion, and one side away from the binding part are coupled each other. Lengths from end portions on one side, which are away from the binding part along the direction orthogonal to the length direction of the crown portion, of the first guide part and the second guide part to the binding part are 15mm or longer.