Paper Folding Apparatus with Dynamic Ruling for Booklet Swelling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper folding technologies face issues with misalignment of creases when folding multiple sheets into booklets, leading to inferior appearance and swelling, especially when dealing with varying numbers of sheets or materials like cardboard that curl outward.
Innovation Solution
A paper folding apparatus with a ruling unit featuring multiple pressing blades that swing and move along the sheets to form lines, a pushing unit to align sheets, and folding rollers that apply pressure, allowing for adjustable line formation based on the number of sheets to be folded, reducing swelling and enhancing booklet appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a single line is ruled on sheets before folding, then the booklet swelling is suppressed, but when the number of sheets is increased, the line positions become misaligned and the ruling effect is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single ruling operation into multiple separate ruling operations by providing multiple pressing blades (first pressing blade, second pressing blade, etc.). Each blade rules a line at a different position corresponding to different sheet counts, enabling precise alignment for varying batch sizes without compromising the anti-swelling effect.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the pressing blades dynamically selectable based on the number of sheets to be folded. The control unit activates only the necessary pressing blades according to the sheet count, transforming a static single-line ruling system into a dynamic multi-line system that adapts to different production requirements while maintaining precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If a plurality of lines are always ruled on sheets, then the ruling effect is improved for large batches, but when the number of sheets is small (1-3), multiple creases are formed and the booklet appearance becomes inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different numbers of ruling lines to different local conditions (sheet counts). For small batches (1-3 sheets), only one pressing blade is activated to create a single line, preserving appearance. For larger batches, multiple pressing blades are activated to create multiple lines, ensuring proper ruling effect. This localized adaptation resolves the contradiction between ruling effectiveness and appearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of the number of ruling lines based on the sheet count. The control unit adjusts which pressing blades are activated, dynamically changing the number of lines from one to multiple according to the specific batch size, thereby optimizing both appearance and ruling effect for different production scenarios.
3Device complexity
If conventional folding without pre-ruling is used, then the process is simple, but the booklet swells and the appearance and ease of use are inferior
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by ruling lines on the sheets before the folding operation. The pressing blades create crease lines at predetermined positions, preparing the sheets for accurate folding. This pre-processing step prevents booklet swelling and improves appearance, while the automated control keeps the overall process complexity manageable.
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
The apparatus effectively reduces booklet swelling and improves the appearance of folded documents, enabling the production of high-quality, easy-to-use booklets even with large batches, by dynamically adjusting the number of lines formed according to the number of sheets.
Implementation Method 1
a ruling unit that forms a line on sheets of paper
Implementation Method 2
forms a line on sheets by pressing the sheets with a pressing blade
Implementation Method 3
a pair of folding rollers that come into contact under pressure with the sheets pushed by the pushing unit
Implementation Method 4
folds the sheets at a preprocessing stage for forming a saddle-stitched booklet
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A paper folding apparatus includes a ruling unit (41) that rules a line (16) on each of sheets (S), a pushing unit (37) that pushes the sheets (S) on which the lines (16) are ruled by the ruling unit (41), and a pair of folding rollers (38) that comes into contact under pressure with the sheets (S) pushed by the pushing unit (37) and discharges the sheets (S). The ruling unit (41) includes a plurality of pressing blades (43) for ruling a line (16) on each of the sheets (S), a swinging unit (44) that swings the pressing blades (43) from a pressing position where the pressing blade (43) presses the sheets (S) to a retracted position where the pressing blades (43) are retracted from the sheets (S), and a moving unit (45) that moves the pressing blades (43) and the swinging unit (44) along the sheets (S).