Booklet Making Machine Thickness Sensor Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing booklet making machines lack an efficient and accurate method for determining the thickness of a stack of paper sheets, which is crucial for precise stapling, folding, and trimming, and current methods either rely on sheet counting with variable accuracy or optical measurement with complexity.
Innovation Solution
A booklet making machine equipped with a stapling arrangement, a contacting device driven by a motor with a rotating shaft and link plate to impart reciprocating movement, and a Hall Effect sensor to measure the distance of the contacting pin, allowing for accurate thickness measurement and compact stack formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If optical measurement method is used to measure stack thickness, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex optical measurement systems with a simple mechanical measurement system. A contact pin is pressed against the stack of sheets by a spring force, and the displacement of the pin is measured to determine stack thickness. This mechanical approach achieves sufficient measurement precision while dramatically reducing device complexity and cost compared to optical methods.
2Device complexity
If sheet counting method is used to determine stack thickness, then device complexity is reduced, but measurement precision deteriorates due to variable paper factors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the indirect sheet counting method with a direct mechanical thickness measurement system. Instead of counting sheets and calculating thickness based on predetermined factors that vary with paper type, the system directly measures the physical thickness of the stack using a contact pin and displacement sensor, providing accurate measurements regardless of paper variations.
3Productivity
If air is removed from between sheets to compact the stack, then productivity is improved through better feeding, but force requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary compression to the stack of sheets by pressing a contact pin against the stack with spring force. This preliminary action removes air between the sheets and compacts the stack before the stapling operation, improving subsequent sheet feeding efficiency and ensuring better contact for accurate thickness measurement.
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 precise thickness measurement with high resolution and compact stack formation, facilitating efficient stapling and feeding of sheets, while being cost-effective and adaptable to application requirements.
Implementation Method 1
the sensor, preferably a Hall Effect sensor, is provided on the rotating shaft of the motor
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A booklet making machine is provided, comprising a stapling arrangement adapted for stapling a stack of sheets (14) following a paper path. A contacting device (18) is adapted to contact the stack of sheets (14) and a drive means (20, 24) is adapted to impart a reciprocating movement of the contacting device. By means of a sensor (26) adapted to determine the distance of the movement of the contacting device, the thickness of the stack of sheets can be determined.