Paper Folding Apparatus Pushing Member for Accurate Fold Position
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing paper folding apparatuses struggle to consistently fold papers of varying basis weights at a predetermined position due to differences in paper stiffness and environmental conditions, often resulting in inaccurate fold positions and increased complexity and cost.
Innovation Solution
A paper folding apparatus featuring a pair of rotating folding rollers, a carrying roller, a pushing member with a fulcrum point, and an elastic member to guide and push the paper deflection towards the rollers, ensuring a fixed position and reducing impact force through elastic force transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a bend part of a fold position regulation member is used to push out the deflection part of paper, then the paper can be guided toward the gap between folding rollers, but the position of the leading end of paper shifts and fold position becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
A push member is introduced as an intermediary element between the deflection part formation mechanism and the paper guidance system. This push member, positioned at the downstream end of the deflection part, gently pushes the deflection part toward the gap between folding rollers without directly contacting the leading end of the paper, thereby preventing position shifts while achieving accurate paper guidance
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection part is formed in advance at a predetermined position upstream of the folding rollers, and the push member is positioned to act on this pre-formed deflection part. This preliminary formation of the deflection part allows the push member to guide the paper smoothly without causing position shifts, maintaining fold position accuracy
2Productivity
If the speed to push out the deflection part is higher than the speed to form deflection, then paper can be guided faster, but the leading end position shifts and fold position becomes inaccurate
Solution Approach 1:
The push member acts as a mediator that decouples the speed of deflection part formation from the speed of paper guidance. By pushing the deflection part rather than directly guiding the leading end of the paper, the system can operate at higher speeds without position shifts, improving productivity while maintaining accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection part is formed preliminarily at a fixed position before the folding action. This allows the push member to subsequently guide the pre-formed deflection part at optimized speeds without affecting the position of the leading end of the paper, enabling faster operation while preserving fold position accuracy
3Adaptability or versatility
If various kinds of paper with different basis weight are used, then paper folding apparatus must handle diverse paper types, but fold position varies due to different stiffness
Solution Approach 1:
The push member serves as a universal intermediary that interacts with the deflection part rather than the paper directly. This indirect interaction mechanism proves effective across different paper types and stiffness levels, maintaining consistent fold position accuracy whether handling thin or thick paper
Solution Approach 2:
The deflection part is formed preliminarily at a predetermined position for all paper types. This pre-formed deflection part, when pushed by the push member, ensures consistent fold positioning across various paper basis weights and stiffness levels, achieving both versatility and precision
4Manufacturing precision
If a complex control system is implemented to achieve precise fold position, then folding accuracy improves, but apparatus complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The push member provides a simple mechanical intermediary solution that achieves precise fold positioning through its physical interaction with the deflection part. This mechanical approach eliminates the need for complex control systems, sensors, or actuators, maintaining apparatus simplicity while ensuring folding accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The preliminary formation of the deflection part at a predetermined position creates a stable mechanical basis for accurate folding. This pre-formed structure allows the push member to reliably guide the paper to the correct fold position without requiring complex real-time control systems
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
Enables accurate folding of various paper types at a predetermined position with a simple configuration, reducing the risk of paper tearing and eliminating the need for precise speed control, thus improving folding consistency and reducing apparatus complexity and cost.
Implementation Method 1
an elastic member configured to transmit the driving force from the drive unit to the pushing member
Data Source
AI summary
A paper folding apparatus includes: a pair of folding rollers driven in a rotational manner; a carrying roller configured to carry paper in such a manner that the paper passes near a nip part of the pair of folding rollers; a unit configured to form, near the nip part, deflection of the paper carried by the carrying roller toward the nip part; a pushing member which is configured to push the paper, which is carried by the carrying roller, toward the nip part of the folding rollers, the pushing member being provided in a manner movable from a position retracted from a carrying path of the paper toward the nip part; a drive unit configured to generate driving force to move the pushing member; and an elastic member configured to transmit the driving force from the drive unit to the pushing member.