Post-processing Apparatus with Movable Folding Guides
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing post-processing apparatus has low productivity due to the central roller's inversion requirement for conveying sheets and is limited to only Z-folding, unable to handle various folding methods.
Innovation Solution
A post-processing apparatus with multiple conveyance paths and folding rollers pairs, along with movable folding guides, allows for various folding methods such as Z-folding, outward three-folding, inward three-folding, two-folding, and four-folding by adjusting the position of folding guides and rollers to accommodate different folding lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the central roller is rotated in one direction and in the other direction to selectively convey the sheet to the first conveyance path and the second conveyance path, then the sheet can be conveyed to different paths, but the productivity of the folding process becomes low
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of rotating the central roller in different directions to switch conveyance paths, the patent uses a fixed-rotation roller combined with movable folding guides that can be projected or retracted. The path switching is achieved by the guides' position rather than the roller's rotation direction, eliminating the productivity loss from roller inversion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces folding guides as intermediary elements between the central roller and the folding rollers. These guides mediate the sheet's path by being projected or retracted, allowing path selection without requiring the central roller to change rotation direction, thus maintaining continuous operation and high productivity.
2Device complexity
If the folding method contains only the Z-folding, then the structure is simple, but it cannot cope with various folding methods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamically adjustable folding guides that can be projected or retracted to different positions. This dynamic adjustment allows the same folding structure to accommodate multiple folding methods (Z-folding, outward three-folding, inward three-folding, two-folding, four-folding) without requiring complex dedicated structures for each method, balancing simplicity and versatility.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding device is designed with universal components - the central roller, folding rollers, and movable guides - that can perform multiple folding functions. By adjusting the guides' positions, the same device structure handles various folding methods, achieving multi-functionality without proportionally increasing structural complexity.
3Manufacturing precision
If the first folding guide is disposed at the projecting position to guide the leading end of the sheet to the first nip, then the folding accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases due to movable guides
Solution Approach 1:
The folding guide is segmented into movable and fixed portions, with the ability to project or retract as needed. This segmentation allows the guide to provide precise positioning when required (improving folding accuracy) while remaining relatively simple in structure (minimal complexity increase), as the movement mechanism is localized rather than affecting the entire device.
Data Source
AI summary
A post-processing apparatus (1) includes a first conveyance path (41), a first processing part (55), a second conveyance path (95) and a merging conveyance path (97), and the first processing part (55) includes a conveying rollers pair (80) including a first roller (81) and a second roller (83) conveying the sheet along a first direction; a first folding rollers pair (84) including the first roller (81) and a third roller (85) forming a first nip, conveying the sheet along a second direction and performing a folding processing along a first fold line; a second folding rollers pair (86) including the third roller (85) and a fourth roller (87) forming a second nip, conveying the sheet along a third direction and performing a folding processing along a second fold line; a first folding guide (89) movable to the first nip; and a second folding guide (91) movable to the second nip.