Folding machine for folding sheets with at least one folding pocket

Abstract

A folding machine according to the invention for folding sheets, comprising at least one folding pocket, at least two folding rollers (4), at least one adjustable sheet switch (10, E) which is arranged to be adjustable between a first position and a second position (15), and comprising a coupling gear (20) for adjusting the sheet switch (10, E), is characterized in that the coupling gear (20) is designed as a six-member guide gear (21) which comprises the following elements (22): a multi-member crank rocker (A0ABB0), comprising a crank (A0AC) with a crank point (c), a rocker (B0B) and a first coupler (AB), a frame-fixed first pivot joint (A0), a frame-fixed second pivot joint (B0), a third pivot joint (A) with a pivot point (a) and a fourth pivot joint (B) with a pivot point (b), and a - through the crank point (c) and the pivot point (b) - guided Two-stroke (BCD),comprising a second coupling (CDE) and a third coupling (BD), the fourth pivot joint (B) as a double pivot joint (B), a fifth pivot joint (C) at the crank point (c), and a sixth pivot joint (D), wherein the curved switch (E) is arranged on the second coupling (CDE) at a fastening point (e). The invention advantageously enables a curved switch to be moved between two defined positions and to be locked in one of the positions. The invention is preferably used in industrial folding machines.

Description

invention

[0001] The invention relates to a folding machine for folding sheets with at least one folding pocket having the features of the preamble of claim 1. field of technology

[0002] The invention lies in the technical field of the graphic industry and there in particular in the field of folding flexible, sheet-shaped printing materials or the industrial, ie high-quality and highly productive, production of folded products such as brochures, preferably made of paper, cardboard, paperboard, plastic or composite material, in particular of printed paper. State of the art

[0003] The industrial folding of sheet-shaped printing materials is carried out using complex folding machines, which usually comprise a feeder for the sheets to be folded, at least one folding unit with a plurality of folding rollers, and a delivery for the folded products. The folding units of the machine can each comprise buckle plate folding units and / or knife folding units. Buckle plate folding units usually comprise a row of folding rollers in a so-called folding roller frame and removable folding plates on either side of the folding roller frame. The sheets are folded in the buckle plate folding unit between two rotating folding rollers positioned against each other in the folding nip. Instead of a folding plate, a sheet diverter can be arranged at the position of the folding roller frame, which directs the sheets directly into the next folding nip. Such sheet diverters can be movable, pivotable, or switchable.

[0004] US2015 / 0057140A1 discloses a folding machine with a pocket folding device, the folding pockets of which can each be closed with a sheet deflector. For this purpose, the sheet deflectors are pivotably mounted. DE102012207038A1 and US4850945 also each disclose folding pockets that can be closed with a sheet deflector. For this purpose, the sheet deflectors are slidably mounted.

[0005] DE3930855 discloses a paper guide device for a buckle folding machine, wherein a paper deflector with a concave and a convex guide surface is hinged to two pivotally mounted steering levers and can be pivoted between a rest position and a locked position. The corresponding movement is effected by guided mechanical switching elements (push element and pull element with respective longitudinal slots).

[0006] US2011 / 0212817A1 discloses a folding device with a switchable switch, which can be activated via a coupling gear.

[0007] There are also applications where a sheet deflector is permanently installed in the folding unit. In these cases, access to the folding rollers is very difficult. In these cases, the sheet deflector usually has to be removed from the folding unit using a tool to access the folding rollers. For example, when cleaning the folding rollers, removing a jam, or adjusting the roller tension.

[0008] It can also be advantageous to eject sheets in the folding unit rather than before or after. Technical task

[0009] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement over the prior art, which in particular makes it possible to move a curved switch precisely between two defined positions using simple means and to selectively lock it in one of the positions. Inventive solution to the problem

[0010] This object is achieved according to the invention by a folding machine according to claim 1.

[0011] Advantageous and therefore preferred developments of the invention emerge from the subclaims as well as from the description and the drawings.

[0012] A folding machine according to the invention for folding sheets with at least one folding pocket, at least two folding rollers which form a folding gap, at least one adjustable sheet switch which is arranged to be adjustable between a first position, i.e. a switch position in which the sheets are guided by the sheet switch into the folding gap, and a second position different from the first, and with a coupling gear consisting of several elements for adjusting the sheet switch between the first position and the second position, is characterized in that the coupling gear is designed as a six-link guide gear which comprises the following elements: a multi-link crank rocker, comprising a crank with a crank point, a rocker and a first coupler, a frame-fixed first pivot joint, a frame-fixed second pivot joint, a third pivot joint with a pivot point and a fourth pivot joint,and a two-point linkage guided through the crank point and the articulation point, comprising a second coupler and a third coupler, the fourth pivot joint as a double pivot joint, a fifth pivot joint at the crank point and a sixth pivot joint, the curved switch being arranged at the third coupler. Advantageous embodiments and effects of the invention

[0013] The invention advantageously enables a sheet deflector to be moved precisely between two defined positions using simple means and to lock it selectively in one of the positions. The invention is preferably used in industrial folding machines.

[0014] A folding machine according to the invention with at least one movable sheet diverter including a six-link guide gear can be used flexibly. It requires only slightly more installation space than a permanently installed sheet diverter and offers easy access to the folding rollers, comparable to a sheet diverter combined with a folding pocket or a sheet diverter guided in a frame or on rails. The diverter gap (the gap between the sheet diverter and the opposite folding roller) can be adjusted both manually and with a drive. Furthermore, the six-link guide gear allows the sheet diverter to be moved far enough away from the folding rollers to create an ejection diverter in the folding unit.

[0015] The multi-link crank arm is designed in particular as a four-link crank arm if the frame is counted as one link. Further developments of the invention

[0016] Preferred developments of the invention (hereinafter referred to as "developments") are described below. These can also be combined with one another where not technically mutually exclusive.

[0017] A further development can be characterized by the fact that the second position is a discharge position in which the sheets are discharged past the sheet switch.

[0018] A further development can be characterized in that the coupling gear as a first coupling gear together with a structurally identical or mirrored, second coupling gear forms a coupling gear pair with a first six-link guide gear and a second six-link guide gear for the adjustment movements of the curved switch. A further development can be characterized in that the first coupling gear with the first six-link guide gear is arranged on a first side of the curved switch. A further development can be characterized in that the first side corresponds to a drive side of the folding machine and that the first coupling gear is arranged on a first side wall of the folding machine on the drive side. A further development can be characterized in that the second coupling gear with the second six-link guide gear is arranged on an opposite, second side of the curved switch.A further development can be characterized in that the second side corresponds to an operating side of the folding machine and that the second coupling gear is arranged on a second side wall of the folding machine on the operating side. A further development can be characterized in that the first coupling gear and the second coupling gear are each arranged at two locations on the respective side wall.

[0019] A further development can be characterized in that the two six-link guide gears of the coupling gear pair are designed and operable in such a way that the adjustment movements of the curved turnout between the turnout position and the second position can be carried out solely with the respective elements of the two six-link guide gears, by hand or by means of at least one drive. A further development can be characterized in that the two six-link guide gears of the coupling gear pair are designed and operable in such a way that the adjustment movements of the curved turnout between the turnout position and the second position can be carried out without the use of additional guides (in short: guideless; i.e., for example, without lateral rails or gates). A further development can be characterized in that the drive is an electric drive or a pneumatic drive.A further development can be characterized by the fact that the drive is a linear actuator.

[0020] The features and combinations of features disclosed in the above sections Technical Field, Invention and Further Developments as well as in the following section Exemplary Embodiments represent - in any desired combination with one another - further advantageous developments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention and figures

[0021] The Fig. Figures 1 to 5 show preferred embodiments of the invention and its further developments. Corresponding features are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures. Recurring reference numerals have been partially omitted for clarity. Fig. 1 shows a sectional view of a preferred embodiment of a folding machine according to the invention with a guide gear in a first position. Fig. 2 shows the preferred embodiment of the Fig. 1 with the guide gear in a second position. Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a guide gear. Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 show two different side views of the preferred embodiment of the Fig. 3.

[0022] Fig. Figure 1 shows a folding machine 1 with a folding unit 1a, which is designed as a pocket folding unit and which provides provided sheets 2 with at least one fold. For this purpose, the folding unit 1a comprises at least one folding pocket 3 and at least two folding rollers 4, which together form a folding gap 5. The folding machine 1 further comprises a first side wall 6 on a drive side 7 (AS) and a second side wall 8 on an operating side 9 (BS). See also Fig. 3.

[0023] The folding machine 1 comprises a sheet switch 10 with a first side 11 (on AS) and a second side 12 (on BS), compare again Fig. 3. The curved switch 10 is movable or adjustable, which in Fig. 1 by the adjustment movement 13 shown as a double arrow. The adjustment movement 13 can be linear, but it can also occur along a curve. The adjustment movement 13 occurs between a first position 14, which is referred to as the switch position (in this position, the curved switch 10 is active and therefore functions as a switch for the curve 2), and a second position 15 (compare Fig. 2), which can be referred to in particular as an ejection position (in this position, the sheet switch 10 is inactive or in a parked position and therefore does not function as a switch for the sheets 2, but rather preferably releases an ejection path). At least one ejection element 16, for example a guide surface, can also be provided for ejecting sheet 2.

[0024] To enable the adjustment movement 13 of the curved switch 10, a first coupling gear 20 (on the DE) and a second coupling gear 23 (on the BS) are provided. The two coupling gears 20 and 23 are preferably identical in construction, but due to their opposing arrangement on the DE and BS, they are constructed in a mirrored manner or are composed of mirrored elements.

[0025] The first coupling gear 20 comprises a first six-link guide gear 21 composed of elements 22; the second coupling gear 23 comprises a second six-link guide gear 24 composed of elements 25. Both coupling gears 20 and 23 together form a coupling gear pair 26. The adjustment movement 13 can be performed manually by the operating personnel; however, this movement is preferably performed by at least one drive 27 in conjunction with a control system 28.

[0026] The compositions of the respective coupling gears are described below with reference to the Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 is explained using the coupling gear 20 as an example.

[0027] The coupling mechanism 20 comprises a first pivot joint A0 fixed to the frame and a second pivot joint B0 fixed to the frame (“fixed to the frame” means: attached to the side wall 6). The coupling mechanism 20 further comprises a third pivot joint A, a fourth pivot joint B (as a double pivot joint), a fifth pivot joint C, and a sixth pivot joint D. The curved switch 10 can be regarded as element E on the coupling mechanism 20. The coupling mechanism 20 has the following pivot points, corresponding to the existing pivot joints: first pivot point a0, second pivot point b0, third pivot point a, fourth pivot point b, fifth pivot point or crank point c, and sixth pivot point d. The attachment point of the curved switch 10 or element E is designated e.

[0028] The coupling mechanism 20 further comprises the following couplers: a first coupler AB (between the two pivot joints A and B), a second coupler CDE (between the two pivot joints C and D and extended to E), and a third coupler BD (between the two pivot joints B and D).

[0029] The frame or side wall 6 can be regarded as an element or gear link A0B0 (between the joints A0 and B0).

[0030] The coupling mechanism 20 further comprises the following elements: a rocker arm BB0 (between the pivot joints B and B0), a crank A0AC (between the pivot joints A0 and A and extended to the pivot joint C), a two-stroke BCD (between the pivot joints B, C and D and extended to E) and a multi-link, in particular four-link, crank rocker arm A0ABB0 (between the pivot joints A0, A, B and B0; and the frame or the side wall 6).

[0031] This results in: The number of drive links is 1, of which 1 is on the frame. The number of output links is 1, of which 0 are on the frame. The total number of elements is 6, of which 4 are binary and 2 are ternary. The number of joints is 7, of which 5 are swivel joints and 1 is a double swivel joint.

[0032] The six-link guide gear 21 or 24 consists of the four-link crank rocker A0ABB0 and the two-stroke BCD guided through the crank point c and the articulation point b. The guided output link is the coupler CDE, i.e. the curved switch 10. When manually operated, the curved switch 10 is simultaneously the drive link relative to the frame. However, the crank A0AC in the joint A0 relative to the frame can also be driven with an electric or pneumatic drive. The basic guide task is to position and orient the curved switch 10 or E in the specified positions. The two positions 14 and 15 are selected so that i) the curved switch 10 is in the switch position 14, i.e.in its function as a switch for the sheets 2, it is arranged optimally close to the folding rollers 4, and that ii) the sheet switch 10, in the second position, in particular the discharge position 15, is positioned away from the folding rollers 4, in particular pivoted away, and accordingly arranged at an optimal distance from the folding rollers 4. This mechanism, in a dual arrangement on AS and BS, serves to guide the sheet switch 10 from one switch position to a second position, in particular the discharge position. Due to this respective composition, the two coupling gears 20 and 23 function without additional guides, for example without guide rails. The two frame-fixed pivot joints A0, B0 are attached directly to the side wall 6 or 7 of the folding unit 1a. List of reference symbols 1 folding machine 1a folding unit 2 sheets 3 folding pockets 4 folding rollers 5 Folding gap 6 first side wall (frame) 7 Drive side 8 second side wall (frame) 9 Operating side 10 curved switch 11 first side of the curved switch 12 second side of the curved switch 13 adjustment movements 14 first position or switch position 15 second position, especially discharge position 16 discharge element(s) 20 first coupling gear 21 first six-link guide gear 22 elements of the first coupling gear 23 second coupling gear 24 second six-link guide gear 25 elements of the second coupling gear 26 coupling gear pair 27 drive(s) 28 Control A0 frame-fixed first swivel joint B0 frame-fixed second swivel joint A third swivel joint B fourth swivel joint (double swivel joint) C fifth swivel joint D sixth swivel joint E curved switch a0 first hinge point b0 second hinge point a third hinge point b fourth hinge point c fifth pivot point and crank point d sixth hinge point e attachment point AB first paddock CDE second coupling BD third paddock A0B0 Frame (side wall of the folding machine) BB0 swingarm A0AC crank BCD two-stroke A0ABB0 multi-link crank rocker

Claims

[1] Folding machine for folding sheets with at least one folding pocket, at least two folding rollers (4) which form a folding gap (5), at least one adjustable sheet switch (10, E) which is arranged to be adjustable between a first position (14), i.e. a switch position (14) in which the sheets (2) are guided by the sheet switch (10, E) into the folding gap (5), and a second position (15) which is different from the first, and with a coupling gear (20) consisting of several elements (22) for adjusting the sheet switch (10, E) between the first position (14) and the second position (15), characterized by that the coupling gear (20) is designed as a six-member guide gear (21) which comprises the following elements (22): a multi-link crank rocker (A0ABB0), comprising a crank (A0AC) with a crank point (c), a rocker (B0B) and a first coupling (AB), a frame-fixed first pivot joint (A0), a frame-fixed second pivot joint (B0), a third pivot joint (A) with a pivot point (a) and a fourth pivot joint (B) with a pivot point (b), and a double-hitch (BCD) guided through the crank point (c) and the articulation point (b), comprising a second coupler (CDE) and a third coupler (BD), the fourth pivot joint (B) as a double pivot joint (B), a fifth pivot joint (C) at the crank point (c) and a sixth pivot joint (D), wherein the curved switch (E) is arranged on the second coupling (CDE) at a fastening point (e). [2] Folding machine according to claim 1, characterized by that the second position (15) is a discharge position (15) in which the sheets (2) are discharged past the sheet switch (10). [3] Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the coupling gear (20) as a first coupling gear (20) together with a structurally identical or mirrored structurally identical second coupling gear (23) forms a coupling gear pair (26) with a first six-member guide gear (21) and a second six-member guide gear (24) for the adjusting movements (13) of the curved switch (10). [4] Folding machine according to claim 3, characterized by that the first coupling gear (20) with the first six-member guide gear (21) is arranged on a first side (11) of the curved switch (10). [5] Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims 3 and 4, characterized by that the second coupling gear (23) with the second six-member guide gear (24) is arranged on an opposite, second side (12) of the curved switch (10). [6] Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 5, characterized bythat the first coupling gear (20) and the second coupling gear (23) are arranged at two locations (A0, B0) on the respective side wall (6, 8). [7] Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims 3 to 6, characterized by that the two six-membered guide gears (21, 24) of the coupling gear pair (26) are designed and operable in such a way that the adjusting movements (13) of the curved switch (10) between the switch position (14) and the second position (15) can be carried out manually or by means of at least one drive (27) using only the respective elements (22, 25) of the two six-membered guide gears (21, 24). [8] Folding machine according to claim 7, characterized bythat the two six-membered guide gears (21, 24) of the coupling gear pair (26) are designed and operable in such a way that the adjusting movements (13) of the curved switch (10) between the switch position (14) and the second position (15) can be carried out without the use of further guides. [9] Folding machine according to one of the preceding claims 7 and 8, characterized by that the drive (27) is an electric drive (27) or a pneumatic drive (27). [10] Folding machine according to claim 9, characterized by that the drive (27) is a linear actuator (27).

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