Double Folding Leaves Device Using Conveyor Belt Dynamics

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for double folding leaves are inefficient, requiring manual insertion, positioning, and removal of leaves, resulting in low production speed and the need for multiple machines to achieve acceptable quantities, with most devices unable to double fold leaves in less than three seconds.

Innovation Solution

A device featuring two conveyor belts that guide leaves through folding elements, allowing for simultaneous double folding without successive operations, using pre-folders and folders to create a sharp fold line and unfolding elements to reset the strip for seamless folding across the leaf, enabling high-speed production.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual insertion, positioning, and removal of leaves is used, then the device structure is simple, but the production speed is low and time consumption is high

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction speedVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing static manual operations with a dynamic conveyor belt system. The conveyor belts automatically transport leaves through the folding mechanism, enabling continuous high-speed processing without manual intervention. This dynamic automation resolves the contradiction by significantly increasing production speed while maintaining manageable device complexity through the use of standardized conveyor components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements self-service by designing a system where the conveyor belts automatically feed, position, and remove leaves without human assistance. The leaves are automatically guided through the folding elements and the folded leaves are automatically collected. This self-automating mechanism eliminates manual labor bottlenecks and achieves high productivity with a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If successive folding operations are performed, then the folding precision can be controlled, but the processing time increases and production efficiency decreases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speedVSAvoidfolding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies segmentation by dividing the folding process into distinct sequential stages using multiple folding elements. Each folding element performs a specific folding action on different portions of the leaf, allowing simultaneous multi-point folding. This segmented approach enables high-speed processing while maintaining precision through controlled sequential activation of each folding element.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent transitions from sequential one-dimensional folding to parallel multi-dimensional folding by positioning multiple folding elements along the conveyor path. Leaves are folded at multiple locations simultaneously as they move through the device, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the folding process. This enables high-speed production without sacrificing folding precision through the coordinated action of distributed folding elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Productivity

If leaves are processed one by one, then positioning accuracy is high, but the production quantity per hour is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveproduction quantityVSAvoidpositioning accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements continuous useful action through the conveyor belt system that continuously feeds, processes, and removes leaves without interruption. Multiple folding elements operate simultaneously on different leaves in sequence, maintaining continuous high-speed processing. This continuous operation achieves high production quantities while the conveyor belt's consistent movement ensures adequate positioning accuracy without requiring manual intervention for each leaf.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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

This solution significantly increases production speed by eliminating manual operations and ensuring seamless folding across leaves, allowing for continuous printing without gaps or visible binding interference, enabling higher quantities to be produced efficiently.

Implementation Method 1

The conveyor belts are driven or moved synchronously... there is sufficient friction or clasping force

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Data Source

PatentEP3478508B1Device for double folding leaves
Publication Date: 2020.04.08 PELEMAN IND NV
  • EP3478508B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3478508B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3478508B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Device for double folding leaves, characterised in that the device (1) is provided with two conveyor belts (2) that are located against one another such that leaves (5) can be clasped between the conveyor belts (2) with the exception of a strip (6) that protrudes between the conveyor belts (2), whereby the conveyor belts (2) are aligned with respect to one another along the side of the strip (6) and with two or more folding elements (1, 8) along the conveyor belts (2) that can fold the aforementioned strip (6), whereby the device. (1) is equipped such that leaves (5) are guided with their strip (6) alongside the folding elements (7, 8) by the driving of the conveyor belts (2), whereby at least one folding element (7, 8) folds the strip (6) in one direction and at least one folding element (7, 8) folds the strip (6) in the other direction.