Dual-Sided Folding Machine for Three-Fold Fibre Product Formation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional fibre product folding machines are limited to producing two-fold products and lack efficiency in creating three-fold configurations, as they typically rely on single-sided folding devices that cannot effectively produce fibre products with three folds.

Innovation Solution

A modified folding machine design utilizing two folding machines positioned on either side to simultaneously fold fibre products, incorporating a delivery wheel and a folding wheel with specific perimeter ratios and suction mechanisms to create three-fold configurations by forming and re-folding fibre products along precise lines.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single-sided folding device is used to fold fibre products, then the device structure is simple, but the folding efficiency for three-fold products is low

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding efficiencyVSAvoiddevice structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The folding device is segmented into two independent folding machines positioned on opposite sides of the delivery wheel. Each folding machine independently folds fibre products, allowing simultaneous processing of multiple products and achieving three-fold configurations that single-sided devices cannot accomplish efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transitions from single-sided folding to dual-sided folding by positioning folding machines on both sides of the delivery wheel. This dimensional change enables simultaneous folding operations on opposite sides, effectively doubling the folding capacity and enabling three-fold product creation.

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

2Productivity

If two folding devices are disposed at two sides to fold fibre products simultaneously, then the folding efficiency is improved, but the devices are only applicable for two-fold products, not three-fold products

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding efficiencyVSAvoidproduct configuration capability
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

Each folding device is equipped with independent delivery wheels and folding wheels that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows each side to perform different folding operations, enabling the system to produce both two-fold and three-fold products by coordinating the actions of the two folding machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The folding devices are designed with adjustable and controllable folding wheels that can dynamically adapt their positioning and motion. This dynamic capability allows the system to switch between producing two-fold and three-fold products by adjusting the folding wheel configurations and coordination between the two sides.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Manufacturing precision

If the perimeters of the delivery wheel and folding wheel are different, then the folding operation can be performed, but overlapping of the fibre product occurs due to speed difference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefolding accuracyVSAvoidproduct uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the relative positions and speeds of the delivery wheel and folding wheel. Based on this feedback, the control system adjusts the rotating speeds to maintain optimal synchronization, preventing overlapping while accommodating the perimeter difference between wheels.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The invention dynamically adjusts the rotating speed parameter of the folding wheel relative to the delivery wheel. By changing the speed parameter in real-time based on the perimeter difference, the system maintains precise folding accuracy without causing product overlapping, thus preserving both folding precision and product uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enhances the production efficiency of fibre products with three folds by ensuring accurate and non-overlapping folding, resulting in a stack of interfolded tissue paper with improved structural integrity and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

incorporating a delivery wheel and a folding wheel with specific perimeter ratios and suction mechanisms

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSuction: Suction

Data Source

PatentEP3693307B1Folding machine for folding fibre products
Publication Date: 2022.06.08 CHAN LI MACHINERY CO LTD
  • EP3693307B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3693307B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3693307B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A folding machine for folding fibre products and fibre products formed and stacked thereby are disclosed. The folding machine includes two folding devices (20;40, 30;50), each of which includes a cutting device (21;41, 31;51), a delivery wheel (23;43, 33;53), a folding-line wheel (25;241, 35;551), a platen wheel (27;471, 37;571), and a folding wheel (29;49, 39;59). The cutting device cuts the fibre product and transports the cut fibre product to the delivery wheel. The folding-line wheel is adjacent to the delivery wheel for making a first folding line on the fibre product carried by the delivery wheel, and then the platen wheel folds the fibre product along the first folding line. Subsequently, the once-folded fibre product is transported to the folding wheel. The folding wheels of the two folding devices are adjacent to each other and are used to fold the fibre product passing therethrough for a second time, and thus fibre products with three folds are formed.