Adjustable Suction Surface Grids for Variable Sheet Format Fixation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing machines face challenges in uniformly fixing sheets of different formats on a printing cylinder, particularly in maintaining a necessary distance for inkjet printing units, as existing suction surfaces are not adaptable to varying sheet sizes.
Innovation Solution
A suction surface with adjustable suction openings, featuring a combination of rotatable and displaceable grids on a cylinder or table, allowing for dynamic adjustment of suction opening distribution to match sheet formats, ensuring complete sheet fixation and maintaining uniform distance from the inkjet printing unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed suction surface with predetermined suction openings is used, then the structure is simple, but it cannot adapt to different sheet formats
Solution Approach 1:
The suction surface is divided into multiple independent grids (first grid, second grid, third grid) that can be selectively positioned. Each grid contains suction openings arranged in specific patterns, allowing the system to segment the suction functionality according to different sheet format requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction surface transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one by introducing movable grids that can be positioned in different locations. The second grid can move in the circumferential direction, and the third grid can move in the radial direction, enabling real-time adaptation to various sheet formats.
2Adaptability or versatility
If suction openings are distributed around the entire circumference, then all area suction is achieved, but sheets of different formats cannot be properly fixed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of uniformly distributing suction openings across the entire circumference, the invention applies suction openings locally in specific regions where they are needed for each sheet format. The movable grids allow suction openings to be concentrated in the area corresponding to the current sheet dimensions, achieving both format-specific fixation and uniform distance maintenance.
Solution Approach 2:
The movable grids act as intermediaries between the fixed suction surface and the variable sheet formats. By positioning these grids at appropriate locations, the system mediates between the need for complete area suction and the requirement to maintain uniform distance for inkjet printing across different formats.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the suction surface is made adjustable for different formats, then versatility is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The movable grids are nested within the suction surface structure, with the second grid positioned within the circumferential adjustment range and the third grid within the radial adjustment range. This nesting allows multiple adjustment functions to be integrated into a compact configuration, reducing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The suction surface design uses universal components (grids with suction openings) that can serve multiple functions by being positioned in different locations. The same grid structure can accommodate various sheet formats through positional changes, eliminating the need for multiple specialized suction surfaces for different formats.
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
Enables the fixation of sheets across their entire surface, accommodating various formats by adapting the number and arrangement of suction openings, ensuring smooth and wrinkle-free sheet handling during printing.
Implementation Method 1
a suction surface of a sheet transport table or a pressure cylinder of a sheet processing machine, which has suction openings for fixing the sheets
Data Source
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AI summary
In a suction surface for fixing a sheet on a sheet support surface, suction openings are provided which are arranged in different grids, wherein the grids have different divisions or spacings, so that a shift of the grids leads to smaller or larger suction surfaces, in particular suction surfaces are adjustable from a minimum format to be processed up to a maximum format.