Paper Folding Guide Clearance Control for Accurate Sheet Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing paper folding machines struggle to effectively suppress paper floating when stopped by a stopper, particularly with thinner or larger-size paper, and fail to provide precise folding due to inadequate adjustment of clearance and bending issues.

Innovation Solution

A folding machine equipped with a conveyor belt, stopper, elongated knife, and rigid guides that adjust clearance and position accurately, using a control unit to manage the guides' positions and dimensions for precise folding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If the transport speed of paper is reduced before collision with the stopper, then the impact force is reduced and floating is suppressed, but the folding precision and stop position accuracy deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper floatingVSAvoidfolding precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide presses the paper against the conveyor belt before the paper reaches the stopper, preliminarily stabilizing the paper position and preventing floating during the approach phase. This preliminary action ensures that when the paper stops, it is already properly positioned, maintaining folding precision while allowing normal transport speed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The guide acts as an intermediary between the conveyor belt and the stopper, providing continuous support and pressure to the paper during transport and stopping. This intermediary mechanism prevents direct impact-induced floating while ensuring accurate stop position, resolving the contradiction between impact reduction and positioning accuracy

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a brush is used to press paper, then floating is suppressed, but the clearance cannot be precisely adjusted for different paper thicknesses and fold configurations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper floatingVSAvoidadjustability to different paper specifications
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The guide is designed with adjustable clearance capability, allowing the system to dynamically adapt to different paper thicknesses and fold configurations. The clearance can be precisely adjusted to match specific paper specifications, providing both floating suppression and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The physical parameter of clearance is made adjustable to accommodate different paper thicknesses and fold numbers. By changing the clearance parameter, the system maintains effective paper pressing for various paper specifications while preventing floating, thus achieving both suppression and adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the guide is made of elastic material like brush, then floating is suppressed, but the clearance cannot be accurately determined and adjusted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepaper floatingVSAvoidclearance determination accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The guide uses a rigid, non-elastic material that maintains a fixed, determinable geometry. This rigid structure provides accurate and repeatable clearance measurements, enabling precise adjustment while still suppressing paper floating through controlled mechanical contact

Inventive Principle:
Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid guide pre-establishes an accurate geometric relationship with the conveyor belt, creating a determinable clearance before paper processing begins. This preliminary geometric configuration ensures both floating suppression and accurate clearance determination

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4667398A1Folding machine and operation method of the same
Publication Date: 2025.12.24 HORIZON INC
  • EP4667398A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4667398A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4667398A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A paper folding machine includes: a conveyor belt (16) configured to transport a sheet; a stopper (18) configured to abut against the leading end of the sheet S to stop the sheet S; a knife (10) having an elongated shape and configured to move onto a folding position of the sheet S stopped by the stopper (18); a guide (14) made of a rigid material and configured to hold the sheet S between the conveyor belt (16) and the guide (14) and press the sheet S transported to the stopper (18); and a lifting mechanism (30) configured to adjust the clearance between the guide (14) and the conveyor belt (16).