Sheet Folding Control Using Automatic Fold Line Determination

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet processing apparatuses struggle to determine the appropriate folder and adhesive applicator for sheets of various shapes and sizes, making it difficult to process them efficiently.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus equipped with a conveyor, folder, and adhesive applicator, controlled by a controller that acquires sheet processing information to determine the correct fold lines and apply adhesive accordingly, including features like fold line determination and loading position calculation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple folders and adhesive applicators are disposed to handle various sheet shapes and sizes, then the apparatus can process more types of sheets, but it becomes difficult to determine which folder and applicator should be used for each sheet

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to process various sheet shapes and sizesVSAvoiddifficulty in determining which folder and applicator to use

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The apparatus automatically determines the appropriate fold line and controls the folder without user intervention. The control unit receives sheet information, determines the fold line position, and activates the folding mechanism autonomously, eliminating the need for users to manually select folders or applicators.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical selection with an automated control system that uses information processing to determine fold lines. The control unit processes sheet information and automatically positions the folder, substituting human judgment with automated decision-making based on sheet characteristics.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If the apparatus is equipped with automated fold line determination, then processing efficiency is enhanced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprocessing efficiencyVSAvoidcomplexity of control system

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The control unit serves multiple functions: it receives sheet information, determines fold line positions, and controls the folding mechanism. By consolidating these functions into a single control unit, the apparatus achieves automated processing without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250361113A1Apparatus for processing sheets

Publication Date: 2025.11.27 DUPLO SEIKO CORP

AI summary

An apparatus for processing sheets includes a conveyor that conveys a sheet on which a plurality of fold lines are set, a folder that folds the sheet conveyed by the conveyor along the fold lines, an applicator that applies an adhesive to the sheet and a controller configured to control the conveyor, the folder, and the applicator. The controller includes an acquirer configured to acquire processing information of the sheet, a fold line determinator configured to determine, based on the processing information acquired by the acquirer, which one of the plurality of fold lines along which the sheet is to be folded by the folder and a folding controller configured to control the folder to fold the sheet in accordance with determination of the fold line determinator.