Multi-Roller Sheet Folder for Flexible Fold Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet folders are limited in the number of sheets they can fold in one operation and lack flexibility in forming various fold lines.
Innovation Solution
A sheet folder with a conveyance roller pair, first, second, and third folding rollers, and a guide, controlled by circuitry, to form multiple nips and guide sheets through different postures for flexible folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single folding roller is used to fold sheets, then the device structure is simple, but the maximum number of sheets foldable in one operation is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple folding rollers (first folding roller, second folding roller, third folding roller) into a single integrated folding device. These rollers work simultaneously to fold multiple sheets in one operation, resolving the contradiction between device simplicity and productivity by merging multiple folding functions into one coordinated system.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding device is segmented into multiple independent rollers (first, second, and third folding rollers) that can be controlled independently. This segmentation allows each roller to handle specific folding tasks, enabling the system to process multiple sheets simultaneously while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design.
2Device complexity
If a fixed folding path is used, then the device structure is simple, but the flexibility in forming various fold lines is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable guide (guide plate) that can dynamically change its position and orientation to direct sheets along different folding paths. This dynamic guiding mechanism allows the same folding device to perform various folding operations (such as center folding, corner folding, etc.) without requiring multiple fixed structures, thus achieving versatility while maintaining relatively simple device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding device is designed with universal functionality through the combination of multiple rollers and a movable guide, allowing a single device to perform multiple types of folding operations. The guide plate can be repositioned to create different folding paths, enabling the device to adapt to various folding requirements without needing separate dedicated structures for each folding type.
3Speed
If the folding roller rotates at the same speed as the conveyance roller, then the sheet conveyance is stable, but the sheet cannot be properly folded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the rotational speed parameter of the folding roller relative to the conveyance roller. By rotating the folding roller at a different speed (specifically, a faster speed) than the conveyance roller, the system achieves both stable sheet conveyance and proper folding. This parameter change allows the folding surface to move at an optimized speed for creating accurate fold lines while the conveyance roller maintains stable sheet feeding.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet folder includes a conveyance roller pair, first, second and third folding rollers, a guide, and circuitry. The conveyance roller pair conveys a sheet in a conveyance direction at a first speed. The first folding roller is downstream from the conveyance roller pair. The second and third folding rollers are in contact with the first folding roller to form first and second nips, respectively, with the first folding roller, and rotate along with the first folding roller. The guide is between the conveyance roller pair and the first nip in the conveyance direction, and is changeable between first and second postures. The circuitry is to control the guide to guide the sheet to the first nip and change the posture to the second posture to fold the sheet into the second nip, and control the first folding roller to rotate at a second speed and folds the sheet.