Sheet Guide Elements With Integrated Deionization for Stable Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet-processing machines, particularly at high speeds, face issues with electrostatic charging of sheets leading to attraction to guide plates, smearing, and unstable sheet guidance in turning devices, especially with low-grammage or film sheets.

Innovation Solution

Incorporation of discharge electrodes in sheet guide elements, such as guide plates, with optimal electrode spacing and pneumatic assistance to detach sheets from guide cylinders, ensuring electrostatic discharge and stable guidance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If sheets are conveyed at high speeds through printing units, then productivity increases, but electrostatic charging of sheets increases causing attraction to guide plates and smearing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconveyance speedVSAvoidelectrostatic charging

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

An ionization device is introduced as an intermediary between the printing unit and sheet guide element. This device generates ions that neutralize the electrostatic charge on sheets, allowing high-speed conveyance without attraction to guide plates or smearing of fresh ink

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical contact-based sheet guidance with a pneumatic system using air cushions. Sheets are conveyed through air bearings without direct mechanical contact, eliminating friction and electrostatic buildup while maintaining high-speed operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If deionization bars are arranged upstream and downstream of printing zones, then sheet neutralization improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet neutralizationVSAvoiddeionization device arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The ionization device is integrated directly into the sheet guide element, combining two previously separate functions (guidance and ionization) into a single component. This reduces device complexity while maintaining effective sheet neutralization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The sheet guide element serves multiple functions: it guides sheets through the turning device, provides air cushion support, and houses the ionization device for charge neutralization. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate deionization bars upstream and downstream

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If sheets are conveyed through turning devices with guide cylinders, then sheet guidance is provided, but electrostatic charging causes unstable guidance and folding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet guidanceVSAvoidsheet stability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The ionization device acts as an intermediary that neutralizes electrostatic charge between the sheet and guide cylinder surfaces, preventing attraction and instability during the turning operation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

Air cushions are used to convey sheets through the turning device without mechanical contact. This pneumatic system provides stable support while eliminating friction and electrostatic charging that cause folding and instability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #29Pneumatics and hydraulics

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 sheet guidance, preventing smearing and wrinkles, allowing smooth conveyance through processing stations without mechanical contact, especially effective for low-grammage and foil sheets.

Implementation Method 1

a discharge electrode (12) for discharging a sheet

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 2

conveyed along the sheet guiding element (9) on an air cushion

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAir cushion: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4209352B1Sheet processing machine, use of the sheet processing machine, method for conveying sheets and use of sheet guiding elements containing deionization devices

Publication Date: 2025.10.08 KOENIG & BAUER AG

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AI summary

The invention relates to a sheet-processing machine (1) with sheet-processing units and a delivery unit (4), wherein the last unit of the machine (1) is followed by a delivery unit (4) with a delivery chain circuit which, by means of a gripper carriage, takes the sheets from the last sheet guide cylinder (5) and conveys them to a delivery stack, wherein at least one mechanical sheet guide element is arranged in the delivery unit (4) below the sheet conveying path to the delivery stack, which guides the sheets after the last sheet guide cylinder on the way to the delivery stack, and wherein a deionization device (8) is associated with the first part of the sheet guide element. The invention also relates to a use of the sheet-processing machine (1), a method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine (1), and a use of sheet guide elements containing deionization devices.