Variable Pressure Bookbinding Spine Forming

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing bookbinding machines face challenges in maintaining consistent pressure for forming square spines, leading to either excessive adhesive usage or insufficient spine formation, which deteriorates the appearance and strength of the booklet.

Innovation Solution

A bookbinding apparatus with a pressure force controlling device that adjusts the pressure of forming members based on bookbinding conditions, including sheet bundle thickness, basis weight, and coversheet properties, to ensure optimal spine formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a constant prescribed pressure is always applied onto the coversheet for pressing and forming each square spine, then the bookbinding process is simple and fast, but the appearance quality of the square spine deteriorates due to excessive adhesive running over or insufficient spine formation

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebookbinding process speedVSAvoidappearance quality of square spine

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by transitioning from constant pressure to variable pressure application. The pressure applying device adjusts the magnitude of pressure dynamically based on detected sheet bundle thickness, ensuring optimal pressure for different binding conditions while maintaining efficient production flow

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from fixed to variable based on sheet bundle thickness. The pressure applying device modifies the pressure magnitude according to detected thickness values, adapting the forming conditions to match the specific characteristics of each sheet bundle being bound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Manufacturing precision

If excessive pressure is applied by the forming member, then the square spine can be formed sufficiently, but the amount of adhesive agent to run over increases and appearance quality deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesquare spine formation qualityVSAvoidadhesive agent waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from fixed to variable based on sheet bundle thickness. The pressure applying device modifies the pressure magnitude according to detected thickness values, adapting the forming conditions to match the specific characteristics of each sheet bundle being bound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection device to measure sheet bundle thickness and using this information to adjust the pressure application. The system continuously monitors thickness and modifies pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that prevents adhesive waste while ensuring proper spine formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of substance

If low pressure is applied by the forming member, then adhesive usage is controlled, but the spine cannot be formed square enough and booklet strength decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadhesive agent controlVSAvoidbooklet strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of substanceVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the pressure parameter from fixed to variable based on sheet bundle thickness. The pressure applying device modifies the pressure magnitude according to detected thickness values, adapting the forming conditions to match the specific characteristics of each sheet bundle being bound

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback by using a detection device to measure sheet bundle thickness and using this information to adjust the pressure application. The system continuously monitors thickness and modifies pressure accordingly, creating a closed-loop control that prevents adhesive waste while ensuring proper spine formation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS7970339B2Sheet feeding device and image forming apparatus

Publication Date: 2011.06.28 KONICA MINOLTA BUSINESS TECH INC

AI summary

A bookbinding apparatus, having a sheet bundle storing device to store a sheet bundle, a grasping device to grasp the sheet bundle stored in the sheet bundle storing device, a square spine forming device to form a square spine, wherein a pair of forming members bend a coversheet bonded onto a back section of the sheet bundle grasped by the grasping device, a pressure force controlling device to vary a pressure force of the pair of forming members to press a bending section of the coversheet in accordance with bookbinding conditions.