Stapling Unit Power Supply Segmentation for Standby Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses lack an efficient and independent power supply system for stapling units, leading to increased standby power consumption and potential misoperation due to reliance on the main power supply for stapling operations.
Innovation Solution
A dedicated second power supply system is integrated within the stapling device, which initiates power to the motor based on sheet bundle detection and stops after a predetermined stapling time, reducing standby power and ensuring independent operation of stapling and image forming processes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If the stapling unit uses the main power supply of the image forming apparatus, then the power supply system is simple, but standby power consumption increases and misoperation may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into a main power supply for the image forming apparatus and a separate second power supply dedicated to the stapling unit. This segmentation allows the stapling unit to operate independently, reducing standby power consumption while maintaining system simplicity through modular design.
Solution Approach 2:
The second power supply is extracted as a separate component from the main power supply system. This extraction enables the stapling unit to have its own dedicated power source, eliminating the need for the main power supply to remain active during stapling operations, thereby reducing overall standby power consumption.
2Reliability
If the stapling unit operates independently with a separate power supply, then misoperation is prevented, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The power supply system is segmented into independent units, with the second power supply dedicated to the stapling unit. This segmentation ensures that stapling operations can be performed independently without interfering with or being interfered by the main image forming operations, thereby preventing misoperation and improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The stapling unit is equipped with its own dedicated second power supply, enabling it to self-service during stapling operations. This self-service capability ensures that the stapling unit can operate autonomously without relying on the main power supply, thereby preventing misoperation and enhancing operational reliability.
3Speed
If the power supply to the motor is continuous, then the motor is ready for immediate operation, but energy is wasted during idle periods
Solution Approach 1:
The second power supply operates on a periodic action principle, providing power to the motor only when stapling operations are detected or required. The power supply is activated in response to sheet bundle detection and deactivated after a predetermined time, thereby eliminating energy waste during idle periods while maintaining quick response capability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The power supply system incorporates automatic activation and deactivation based on operational needs. The second power supply automatically activates when a sheet bundle is detected and deactivates after a predetermined time, providing motor power only when necessary. This self-service mechanism eliminates continuous power consumption while ensuring immediate motor readiness when stapling is required.
4Loss of energy
If the power supply automatically activates and deactivates based on detection, then energy efficiency is improved, but the control system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The control system implements periodic action by automatically activating the second power supply upon sheet bundle detection and deactivating it after a predetermined time period. This automated periodic control improves energy efficiency by ensuring power is supplied only when necessary, while the use of simple timing mechanisms keeps the control system complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates self-service automation where the second power supply automatically activates and deactivates based on sheet bundle detection and predetermined timing, without requiring continuous manual control. This automated self-service approach improves energy efficiency while maintaining relatively simple control logic through standard detection and timing circuits.
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
This solution reduces standby power consumption and maintains independent operation of stapling and image forming processes, preventing misoperation and allowing for efficient and cost-effective stapling without altering the main image forming apparatus's configuration.
Implementation Method 1
a stapling unit that performs stapling on a sheet bundle with a driving force caused by a rotation of a motor
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a post-processing device including a stapling unit that performs stapling on a sheet bundle with a driving force caused by a rotation of a motor, a power supply unit that supplies power only to the motor, a sheet bundle detector that detects presence or absence of the sheet bundle which is inserted into the stapling unit, and a stapling time storage unit that stores an execution time of one session of the stapling, wherein the power supply unit initiates power supply to the motor based on a detection result of the sheet bundle detector and stops supplying the power to the motor after an elapse of a predetermined time which is stored in the stapling time storage unit.