Fold-enforcing Assembly Dynamic Pressure Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional post-processing apparatuses face issues where increasing pressing force to reduce fold height can damage the sheet bundle, and adjusting pressing force based on sheet size leads to decreased productivity due to longer movement distances.
Innovation Solution
A fold-enforcing assembly with a pair of pressing members that press in the thickness direction, driven by a pressing mechanism and controlled by a circuit to move and adjust pressure according to sheet bundle size, ensuring even pressurization and depressurization without damaging the ends.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the pressing force of pressing members is increased to reduce the height of the fold, then the fold height is reduced, but the end of the sheet bundle may be damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing members are divided into multiple independent pressing sections along the width direction of the sheet bundle. Each pressing section can independently apply pressing force to different regions, allowing the fold line to be pressed with sufficient force while reducing or eliminating pressing force at the end portions, thus preventing end damage while achieving good fold height
Solution Approach 2:
Different regions of the sheet bundle receive different pressing forces. The fold line region receives strong pressing force to reduce fold height, while the end portions receive reduced or zero pressing force to prevent damage. This localized differentiation of pressing intensity resolves the contradiction between fold quality and end protection
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the pressing members are moved inward in the width direction to avoid damaging the end, then the end is not damaged, but the pressing members are moved a longer distance and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The pressing members are segmented into multiple independent pressing sections that can operate simultaneously at different positions across the width of the sheet bundle. This allows the system to cover the entire width including end portions without requiring excessive movement distance, as multiple sections work in parallel rather than a single section traversing the full width
Solution Approach 2:
The pressing members are designed to be movable in the width direction and can dynamically adjust their positions based on the sheet bundle width. This dynamic positioning allows the pressing sections to be optimally distributed across the width, maintaining productivity while preventing end damage through coordinated movement and pressing
3Adaptability or versatility
If pressurizing or depressurizing is done at a predetermined position without adjusting in accordance with the size of the sheets, then the pressing members are moved a longer distance, but a decrease in productivity occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The positions of the pressing members in the width direction are made dynamically adjustable based on the detected sheet bundle width. The control unit calculates optimal pressing positions as a proportion of the sheet width, allowing the pressing members to adapt to different sheet sizes without requiring full traversal movements, thus maintaining productivity while achieving size adaptability
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates width detection capability that provides feedback on the actual sheet bundle dimensions. Based on this feedback, the control unit automatically adjusts the pressing member positions and pressing forces to match the detected size, eliminating the need for excessive movement while ensuring proper pressing for each sheet size
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
Prevents end damage of the sheet bundle and maintains productivity by dynamically adjusting pressure based on sheet bundle size, allowing for efficient fold enforcement without the need for excessive movement.
Implementation Method 1
a pressing mechanism to pressurize and depressurize the pair of pressing members in the direction of thickness
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2C
Figure 3
AI summary
A fold-enforcing assembly (50) includes a fold-enforcing device (60) including a pair of pressing members (17a, 17b) to nip and press a fold of a sheet bundle in a direction of thickness, a pressing mechanism (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25) to pressurize and depressurize the pair of pressing members (17a, 17b) in the direction of thickness, and a driver (20) to drive the pressing mechanism (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25); and a moving device (70) to move the fold-enforcing device (60). A control circuit (101,102) moves, with the moving device (70), the fold-enforcing device (60) in accordance with a size of the sheet bundle in a direction of the fold; pressurizes, with the pressing mechanism (18a, 18b, 19a,19b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25), the pair of pressing members (17a, 17b) to press a first end portion of the sheet bundle; moves, with the moving device (70), the fold-enforcing device (60) to a second end portion of the sheet bundle opposite the first end portion in the direction of the fold; and depressurizes, with the pressing mechanism (18a, 18b, 19a, 19b, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25), the pair of pressing members (17a, 17b).