Multi-folding type folding machine and operation method thereof
By using the flip-board folding, bi-folding, and transfer mechanisms of the multi-folding machine, combined with negative pressure adsorption and alternating material handling modes, the problem of efficient multi-layer folding of non-woven fabrics has been solved, achieving high-precision and efficient multi-level automated folding.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- CN202511932728.2
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Applications(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2025-12-19
- Publication Date
- 2026-01-23
AI Technical Summary
Existing folding equipment for flexible sheets such as non-woven fabrics is inefficient and has poor precision, making it difficult to achieve high-level folding, and it lacks continuous material supply and multi-level automated collaborative operation.
The multi-folding machine, including folding plates, grippers, scissors, and pressing mechanisms, achieves efficient multi-level automated folding through flip-plate folding, first folding, second folding, and a third folding during the transfer process, combined with negative pressure adsorption and alternating material handling modes.
It achieves efficient multi-layer folding of non-woven fabrics, meets the high-density folding requirements of medical and hygiene products, improves folding accuracy and automation, and shortens cycle time.
Smart Images
Figure CN121376730A_ABST
Abstract
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present application belongs to the field of medical dressing production equipment, in particular to a multi-fold folding machine and an operating method thereof. BACKGROUND
[0002] In the prior art, the folding of flexible sheet materials such as non-woven fabric is usually completed by manual assistance or semi-automatic machinery using single or simple folding equipment. Such equipment can only achieve one to two folds and cannot meet the demand for high-layer folded products in the field of medical dressings, sanitary products and the like. In order to obtain a multi-layer structure, the material often needs to be repeatedly passed through the machine or rely on multiple equipment in series, which not only has low efficiency and occupies a large area, but also causes uneven folding and reduces the yield of finished products due to positioning deviation.
[0003] In addition, the existing folding device lacks effective coordination between feeding, cutting and folding actions, and adopts an intermittent operation mode of "stop-motion-stop", which has a slow beat. After the clamping jaw takes the material, it often needs to return to the original position for the next operation, causing time waste. At the same time, the material lacks reliable fixation during the folding process and is easily deviated by air flow or mechanical disturbance, affecting the folding precision. Therefore, an integrated folding device capable of realizing continuous feeding, multi-stage automatic folding and efficient coordinated operation is urgently needed to solve the problems of low folding efficiency, poor precision and insufficient automation of high-layer flexible sheet materials. SUMMARY
[0004] The technical problem to be solved by the present application is to provide a multi-fold folding machine and an operating method thereof, which has the advantages of high folding layer number, high efficiency and high automation degree, and is suitable for rapid multi-fold processing of flexible sheet materials such as non-woven fabric.
[0005] To solve the above technical problems, the technical solution adopted by the present application is: A multi-fold folding machine, comprising a rack, a folding plate mechanism, a clamping jaw mechanism, a scissors mechanism and a pressing mechanism mounted on the rack; The folding plate mechanism comprises a folding seam, the folding seam is matched with a folding plug plate, and the folding plug plate is driven to move by a folding plug plate driving member; a folding flap is arranged beside the folding seam, and the folding flap is driven to turn over by a folding flap driving member; The clamping jaw mechanism is used for feeding the folding plate mechanism to the folding seam; The scissors mechanism is located between the clamping jaw mechanism and the pressing mechanism, and is used for cutting the material; The pressing mechanism is used for fixing the material.
[0006] Preferably, the folding flap comprises two folding flaps, and the two folding flaps are respectively located on both sides of the folding seam.
[0007] Preferably, the folding flap driving member is a cylinder mounted on the frame; the folding flap driving member comprises a belt wheel, a belt and a motor, and the motor drives the folding flap to rotate through the belt wheel and the belt.
[0008] Preferably, the clamping jaw mechanism comprises pneumatic clamps, and the pneumatic clamps are driven to move by a pneumatic clamping jaw translation driving mechanism; the pneumatic clamps are used to take materials to the material pressing mechanism.
[0009] Preferably, the shearing mechanism is an electric shear or a pneumatic shear; the shearing mechanism is used to cut the materials in segments.
[0010] Preferably, negative pressure suction holes are arranged on both sides of the folding slot, and the negative pressure suction holes are communicated with an air extractor.
[0011] Preferably, the device further comprises a secondary folding mechanism, the secondary folding mechanism is installed below the folding slot, the secondary folding mechanism comprises a secondary folding flap, the secondary folding flap is driven to move by a secondary folding flap driving member, and the movement track of the secondary folding flap is perpendicular to the folding slot.
[0012] Preferably, the device further comprises a folding transfer mechanism, the folding transfer mechanism is arranged below and behind the folding slot and parallel to the folding slot, the folding transfer mechanism comprises two oppositely arranged transfer belts, a moving channel is formed between the two transfer belts, a folding transfer plate is installed in front of the transfer belts, and the movement track of the folding transfer plate intersects with the movement track of the secondary folding flap.
[0013] Preferably, the number of the shearing mechanism and the number of the material pressing mechanism are both two, and the shearing mechanism and the material pressing mechanism are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the folding slot. The clamping jaw mechanism is used to alternately take materials to the material pressing mechanisms on both sides. The pneumatic clamps are at least two and symmetrically distributed.
[0014] An operation method of a multi-fold folding machine, comprising the following steps: A material roll is arranged on the material placing rollers on both sides of the frame, the material is unwound by traction and is preliminarily pressed by the material pressing mechanism; The pneumatic clamps of the clamping jaw mechanism clamp the end of the material at the current material pressing position, then the material pressing mechanism is loosened, the pneumatic clamps are driven to move laterally by the pneumatic clamping jaw translation driving mechanism, and a material with a set length is pulled out; The material pressing mechanism presses the material again, the shearing mechanism operates to cut the material, and the single-segment cutting is completed; The pneumatic clamps continue to move to transport the cut material to above the folding slot, and the middle part of the material is aligned with the folding slot; The negative pressure suction holes are started to adsorb and fix the material; then the two folding flaps are synchronously turned inward by the folding flap driving member to fold the left side of the material to the center by two-thirds of the width, and to fold the right side of the material to the center by one-third of the width; The folding insertion plate driving member drives the folding insertion plate to insert downward into the folding slot, and the pre-folded material is folded along the center line; The secondary folding insertion plate driving member drives the secondary folding insertion plate to insert in a direction perpendicular to the folding slot, and the linear slot is used to complete the second folding; The folding transfer mechanism insertion plate driving member drives the folding transfer mechanism folding insertion plate to insert in a direction parallel to the folding slot, and the folding transfer plate and the transfer belt are cooperated to fold the material for the third time in the transfer process, so that a sixteen-layer structure is finally formed, and the finished product is sent into the material collecting groove; In the above folding process, the claw mechanism adopts an alternating material taking mode: after the material pressing mechanism on one side completes the feeding, the pneumatic clamp does not return to the original position, but continues to move to the material pressing mechanism on the other side, and the next material section is taken and cut during the idle period of the folding mechanism operation, so that continuous and efficient operation is realized.
[0015] The present application can achieve the following beneficial effects: 1. The four-stage folding mechanism of the folding plate folding, the first folding, the second folding and the third folding in the transfer process can efficiently fold single-layer or initial multi-layer non-woven fabric into a finished product with 16 layers or even higher layers, so as to meet the demand for high-density folded products in the medical and health fields.
[0016] 2. The claw mechanism adopts an alternating material taking mode: after the material pressing mechanism on one side completes the feeding, the pneumatic clamp does not return to the original position, but continues to move to the material pressing mechanism on the other side, and the next material section is taken and cut, so that the idle period of the folding mechanism operation is fully utilized, and the parallel operation of feeding, cutting and folding is realized, so that the cycle time of the whole machine is greatly shortened.
[0017] 3. The negative pressure adsorption holes are arranged on both sides of the folding slot to firmly adsorb the material before folding to prevent it from slipping during the folding plate action; the folding plates are symmetrically and synchronously turned over to ensure that the folding amounts on the left and right sides are consistent; the insertion plates are precisely matched with the corresponding gaps to ensure the accuracy of the folding position and effectively avoid defects such as misalignment and partial folding.
[0018] 4. The feeding, traction, compression, cutting, multi-stage folding, transfer and material collecting are integrated, and the whole process does not need manual intervention; the scissors mechanism, the material pressing mechanism, the claw mechanism, the folding plate mechanism and the transfer mechanism are coordinately controlled by the electric control system, and the operation is stable and reliable. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0019] The present application will be further described below in combination with the drawings and examples: Figure 1 It is a three-dimensional structure diagram of the present application; Figure 2 It is a top view of the present application; Figure 3 It is a front view of the present application; Figure 4This is a right view of the present invention; Figure 5 This is a diagram showing the installation position of the gripper mechanism of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a layout diagram of the folding flap and the fold seam position of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a diagram showing the installation position of the secondary folding mechanism of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a diagram showing the installation position of the double-fold insert plate of the present invention.
[0020] In the diagram: 1. Frame; 2. Folding plate mechanism; 3. Folding seam; 4. Folding insert plate; 5. Folding insert plate drive; 6. Folding flap; 7. Folding flap drive; 8. Belt; 9. Gripper mechanism; 10. Pneumatic clamp; 11. Pneumatic clamp translation drive mechanism; 12. Scissors mechanism; 13. Pressing mechanism; 14. Negative pressure adsorption hole; 15. Secondary folding mechanism; 16. Secondary folding insert plate; 17. Secondary folding insert plate drive; 18. Cross groove module; 19. Folding and conveying mechanism; 20. Conveying belt; 10. Folding and conveying plate; 11. Feeding roller; 12. Gripping trough. Detailed Implementation
[0021] Preferred solutions include Figures 1 to 8 As shown, a multi-folding folding machine includes a frame 1, on which a folding plate mechanism 2, a gripper mechanism 3, a scissor mechanism 4 and a pressing mechanism 5 are mounted; The folding plate mechanism 2 includes a folding seam 201, which is adapted to a folding insert 202. The folding insert 202 is driven to move by a folding insert driving member 203. A folding flap 204 is provided next to the folding seam 201, which is driven to flip by a folding flap driving member 205. The gripper mechanism 3 is used to feed material to the folding seam 201 of the folding plate mechanism 2; The scissor mechanism 4 is located between the gripper mechanism 3 and the pressing mechanism 5, and is used to cut the material; The pressing mechanism 5 is used to fix the material. The pressing mechanism 5 consists of a cylinder and a pressure plate, and the pressure plate cooperates with the pad block.
[0022] The frame 1 is an aluminum alloy frame structure. A working platform is located in the middle of the frame 1, and a folding seam 201 is located in the middle of the working platform. The folding seam 201 is used in conjunction with the folding insert 202. When the folding insert 202 presses the material into the folding seam 201, the material can be folded once. In this embodiment, the material is non-woven fabric. Feeding rollers 9 are provided on both sides of the frame 1.
[0023] Furthermore, the folding flap 204 includes two flaps, which are located on both sides of the fold seam 201.
[0024] When the non-woven fabric is transported to the folding crease 201 by the gripper mechanism 3, the two edges of the material are folded by the two folding flaps 204 respectively, and the left side of the material is folded to the center by two-thirds of the width, and the right side of the material is folded to the center by one-third of the width. When the folding flap 204 is folded, the material is folded once by the folding insert plate 202, which is the first folding. At this time, the material changes from one layer to four layers.
[0025] Further, the folding insert plate drive 203 is a cylinder mounted on the rack 1; the folding flap drive 205 includes a belt pulley, a belt and a motor, and the motor drives the folding flap 204 to rotate through the belt pulley and the belt.
[0026] The folding insert plate drive 203 is installed on the top of the middle position of the rack 1, and the cylinder is used to drive the folding insert plate 202 to move up and down.
[0027] The folding flap drive 205 is used to drive the folding flap 204 to flip quickly, so the motor is used as the power source to realize the quick rotation of the folding flap 204. The principle is that the motor rotates to drive the belt pulley and the belt to move, and the belt pulley drives the folding flap 204 to rotate through the rotating shaft.
[0028] Further, the gripper mechanism 3 includes a pneumatic clamp 301, which is driven to move by a pneumatic clamp translation drive mechanism 302; the pneumatic clamp 301 is used to take the material to the pressing mechanism 5.
[0029] The pneumatic clamp 301 in this embodiment is six, which is symmetrically arranged in two rows, and the pneumatic clamp translation drive mechanism 302 adopts a lead screw drive device to drive the pneumatic clamp 301 to move horizontally. The working principle of the pneumatic clamp 301 is: 1. First, the end of the material is clamped, and at this time the pressing mechanism 5 is in a state of pressing the material tightly; 2. The pressing mechanism 5 releases the material; 3. The pneumatic clamp 301 moves and takes a fixed length of material; 4. The pressing mechanism 5 acts and presses the material again; 5. The scissors mechanism 4 acts to cut the material; 6. The pneumatic clamp 301 moves again and transports the material to the folding crease 201 position, and the folding crease 201 is located at the middle position of the material.
[0030] The pneumatic clamp 301 releases the material and returns to step 1, and the single taking process is completed.
[0031] Further, the scissors mechanism 4 is an electric shear or a pneumatic shear; the scissors mechanism 4 is used for segmental shearing of the material. The main function of the scissors mechanism 4 is to shear the material, which can use the existing mature electric shear or pneumatic shear.
[0032] Further, negative pressure suction holes 6 are arranged on both sides of the folding seam 201, and the negative pressure suction holes 6 are communicated with the air extractor.
[0033] The negative pressure generated by the negative pressure suction holes 6 is used for adsorbing the material and avoiding the movement of the material. Specifically, the negative pressure suction holes 6 are located on both sides of the folding seam 201 and between the folding seam 201 and the folding flap 204.
[0034] Further, the device further comprises a secondary folding mechanism 7, the secondary folding mechanism 7 is installed below the folding seam 201, the secondary folding mechanism 7 comprises a secondary folding flap 701, the secondary folding flap 701 is driven to move by a secondary folding flap driving member 702, and the movement track of the secondary folding flap 701 is perpendicular to the folding seam 201.
[0035] The secondary folding mechanism 7 is used for folding the material again, and the folding principle is similar to that of the folding flap 202. The secondary folding flap 701 needs to be used in cooperation with a linear seam, and the linear seam is equivalent to the folding seam 201. After being folded by the secondary folding flap 701, the material is folded into eight layers.
[0036] The secondary folding mechanism 7 further comprises a cross slot module 703 installed below the folding seam 201, and the cross slot module 703 is provided with a cross slot. One slot of the cross slot is located directly below the folding seam 201 and is aligned with the folding seam 201, and the other slot is used to provide a running channel for the secondary folding flap 701.
[0037] Further, the device further comprises a folding conveying mechanism 8, the folding conveying mechanism 8 is arranged below and behind the folding seam 201 and is parallel to the folding seam 201. The folding conveying mechanism 8 comprises two oppositely arranged conveying belts 801, a moving channel is formed between the two conveying belts 801, a folding conveying plate 802 is installed in front of the conveying belts 801, and the movement track of the folding conveying plate 802 intersects with the movement track of the secondary folding flap 701. The secondary folding flap 701 sends the material to the end of the conveying belts 801, and the material is folded again by the folding conveying plate 802. The principle of the third folding in the device is basically similar.
[0038] The folding conveying mechanism 8 has two functions: first, the material is folded again, so that the material is folded into sixteen layers; second, the material is conveyed into the material collecting groove 10 at the same time. In the process of conveying the material, the moving channel formed between the two conveying belts 801 becomes a channel for conveying the material.
[0039] In the embodiment, the non-woven fabric has an initial layer number of two before being folded, and after being folded by the device, the material can form 50 layers. Moreover, the device can quickly fold the material into a high-layer number of folded non-woven fabric.
[0040] Further, the number of the shearing mechanism 4 and the material pressing mechanism 5 is two, and they are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the folding seam 201. The clamping jaw mechanism 3 is used to alternately take the material to the material pressing mechanisms 5 on both sides. The pneumatic clamps 301 are at least two and symmetrically distributed.
[0041] The clamping jaw mechanism 3 is used to alternately take the material to the material pressing mechanisms 5 on both sides. For example, the material is first taken from the right side to the left side. When the taking of the material is completed, the pneumatic clamp 301 is located on the left side of the folding seam 201, specifically, the pneumatic clamp 301 is located on the left side of the left folding flap 204. Since the folding flap 204 needs to be immediately flipped, if the pneumatic clamp 301 needs to take the material from the right side to the left side again, the pneumatic clamp 301 needs to wait until the folding plate mechanism 2 is completed, and then the pneumatic clamp 301 can be moved to the right side of the device. At this time, the pneumatic clamp 301 is continuously moved to the position of the material pressing mechanism 5 on the left side, and the taking of the material on the left side can be completed during the operation of the folding plate mechanism 2. Once the folding plate mechanism 2 is completed, the pneumatic clamp 301 can immediately send the material on the left side to the working position of the folding plate mechanism 2. Therefore, the folding efficiency can be improved.
[0042] An operation method of a multi-fold folding machine, comprising the following steps: 1) The material is wound on the material placing rollers on both sides of the frame 1, and the material is unwound by traction and is preliminarily pressed by the material pressing mechanisms 5; 2) The pneumatic clamp 301 of the clamping jaw mechanism 3 clamps the end of the material at the current material pressing position, and then the material pressing mechanism 5 is loosened. The pneumatic clamp 301 is moved transversely under the drive of the pneumatic clamp translation drive mechanism 302, and a material with a set length is pulled out; 3) The material pressing mechanism 5 presses the material again, the shearing mechanism 4 is actuated to cut the material, and the cutting of a single section is completed; 4) The pneumatic clamp 301 is continuously moved to send the cut material to above the folding seam 201, so that the middle of the material is aligned with the folding seam 201; 5) The negative pressure suction hole 6 is started to adsorb and fix the material. Then, the two folding flaps 204 are synchronously flipped inward under the drive of the folding flap drive 205, and the left side of the material is folded to two-thirds of the width of the center. The right side of the material is folded to one-third of the width of the center; 6) The folding insertion plate drive 203 drives the folding insertion plate 202 to be inserted into the folding seam 201, so that the pre-folded material is folded along the center line to form a four-layer structure; 7) The secondary folding insertion plate drive 702 drives the secondary folding insertion plate 701 to be inserted in a direction perpendicular to the folding seam 201, so that the second folding is completed in cooperation with the linear seam to form an eight-layer structure; 8) The folding transfer mechanism inserts the folding transfer plate 802 in the direction parallel to the folding crease 201, and through the cooperation of the folding transfer plate 802 and the transfer belt, the material is folded for the third time, and the final product is formed into a sixteen-layer structure and is sent into the collection tank; 9) In the above folding process, the gripper mechanism 3 adopts an alternating material taking mode: after the one-side material pressing mechanism 5 completes the material feeding, the pneumatic gripper 301 does not return to the original position, but continues to move to the other-side material pressing mechanism 5, and completes the material taking and cutting of the next material section in the interval of the folding mechanism operation, so as to realize continuous and efficient operation.
[0043] The above embodiments are only preferred technical solutions of the present application, and should not be regarded as a limitation of the present application. The protection scope of the present application should be the technical solutions recited in the claims, including the equivalent replacement solutions of the technical features recited in the claims. That is, the equivalent replacement improvements within this range are also within the protection scope of the present application.
Claims
1. A multi-fold folding machine comprising a frame (1), characterized in that: The rack (1) is provided with a folding plate mechanism (2), a clamping jaw mechanism (3), a scissors mechanism (4) and a pressing mechanism (5); The folding plate mechanism (2) comprises a folding slit (201), the folding slit (201) is matched with a folding plug-in plate (202), the folding plug-in plate (202) is driven to move by a folding plug-in plate driving element (203); a folding flap (204) is arranged beside the folding slit (201), the folding flap (204) is driven to turn over by a folding flap driving element (205); The clamping jaw mechanism (3) is used for feeding material to the folding slit (201) of the folding plate mechanism (2); The scissors mechanism (4) is located between the clamping jaw mechanism (3) and the pressing mechanism (5) and is used for cutting the material; The pressing mechanism (5) is used for fixing the material.
2. A multi-fold folding machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The folding flap (204) comprises two folding flaps (204) which are respectively located on both sides of the folding slit (201).
3. A multi-fold folding machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The folding plug-in plate driving element (203) is a cylinder which is installed on the rack (1); the folding flap driving element (205) comprises a belt pulley, a belt and a motor, the motor drives the folding flap (204) to rotate through the belt pulley and the belt.
4. The multi-fold folding machine of claim 1, wherein: The clamping jaw mechanism (3) comprises a pneumatic clamp (301), the pneumatic clamp (301) is driven to move by a pneumatic clamp translation driving mechanism (302); the pneumatic clamp (301) is used for taking material to the pressing mechanism (5).
5. The multi-fold folding machine of claim 1, wherein: The scissors mechanism (4) is an electric shear or a pneumatic shear; the scissors mechanism (4) is used for segmentally shearing the material.
6. A multi-fold folding machine according to claim 2, characterized in that: Negative pressure adsorption holes (6) are arranged on both sides of the folding slit (201), the negative pressure adsorption holes (6) are communicated with a suction fan.
7. The multi-fold folding machine of claim 1, wherein: Further comprising a secondary folding mechanism (7), the secondary folding mechanism (7) is installed below the folding slit (201), the secondary folding mechanism (7) comprises a secondary folding plug-in plate (701), the secondary folding plug-in plate (701) is driven to move by a secondary folding plug-in plate driving element (702), the movement track of the secondary folding plug-in plate (701) is perpendicular to the folding slit (201).
8. A multi-fold folding machine according to claim 7, characterized in that: Further comprising a folding transfer mechanism (8), the folding transfer mechanism (8) is arranged below the folding slit (201), the folding transfer mechanism (8) comprises two oppositely arranged transfer belts (801), a movement channel is formed between the two transfer belts (801), the transfer belts (801) are provided with folding transfer plates (802), the movement track of the folding transfer plates (802) intersects with the movement track of the secondary folding plug-in plate (701).
9. A multi-fold folding machine according to claim 4, characterized in that: The number of the scissors mechanism (4) and the pressing mechanism (5) is both two, and they are symmetrically distributed on both sides of the folding slit (201); The clamping jaw mechanism (3) is used for alternately taking material to the pressing mechanisms (5) on both sides; The number of the pneumatic clamp (301) is at least two, and they are symmetrically distributed.
10. A method of operating a multi-fold folding machine according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that The method comprises the following steps: The material is wound on the material feeding rollers on both sides of the rack (1), the material is unwound by traction and is preliminarily pressed by the pressing mechanisms (5); The pneumatic clamp (301) of the clamping jaw mechanism (3) clamps the end of the material at the current pressing position, then the pressing mechanisms (5) are loosened, the pneumatic clamp (301) is moved transversely under the driving of the pneumatic clamp translation driving mechanism (302) and a material with a set length is pulled out; The material is cut off by the shearing mechanism (4) and the single section cutting is completed; The pneumatic clamp (301) continues to move and carries the cut material to the position directly above the folding slot (201), so that the middle of the material is aligned with the folding slot (201); The negative pressure suction hole (6) is started to adsorb and fix the material; then the two folding flaps (204) are synchronously turned inward under the drive of the folding flap driving member (205) to fold the left and right sides of the material by one fourth of the width; The folding insertion plate driving member (203) drives the folding insertion plate (202) to insert downward into the folding slot (201) to fold the pre-folded material along the center line; After the folding is completed, the folding transfer mechanism (8) is started, the two transfer belts (801) drive the folding transfer plate (802) to move, and the material is sent to the second folding station; The second folding insertion plate driving member (702) drives the second folding insertion plate (701) to insert in the direction perpendicular to the folding slot (201), and the linear slot is used to complete the second folding; The folding transfer mechanism (8) continues to run, and in the transfer process, the material is folded for the third time through the cooperation of the folding transfer plate (802) and the transfer belt (801), and the finished product is sent to the material collecting groove (10); In the above folding process, the clamping jaw mechanism (3) adopts an alternating material taking mode: after the one-side material pressing mechanism (5) completes the feeding, the pneumatic clamp (301) does not return to the original position, but continues to move to the other-side material pressing mechanism (5), and the next material section is taken and cut in the interval of the folding mechanism operation to realize continuous and efficient operation.