Sheet Folding Grip Unit for Accurate Re-conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sheet folding apparatuses face issues with maintaining accurate fold processing due to the tendency of folded sheets to return to their original form, causing end portions to protrude outward and leading to friction-related misalignment during re-conveyance, which can hinder smooth handling.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus that applies first fold processing followed by second fold processing at a different position, utilizing a position adjusting unit, grip unit, thrust member, and rotating body pair to ensure accurate positioning and gripping of the sheet, thereby preventing misalignment and ensuring precise fold processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the folded sheet is conveyed back to the conveying path without gripping, then the conveying path remains simple, but the fold line returns to its original form causing misalignment and friction against guide members
Solution Approach 1:
The grip unit is activated before the folded sheet is conveyed back to the conveying path, preemptively securing the fold line in its folded state. This preliminary gripping action prevents the fold line from returning to its original form during conveyance, ensuring accurate positioning for the second fold processing without requiring complex conveying mechanisms
Solution Approach 2:
The grip unit acts as an intermediary between the folded sheet and the conveying path. By introducing this gripping mechanism, the sheet is securely held during conveyance, preventing direct contact between the fold line and guide members that would cause friction and misalignment, thus maintaining fold processing accuracy
2Measurement precision
If the sheet is moved without gripping during feedback to conveying path, then the mechanism remains simple, but positioning accuracy deteriorates due to forces attempting to open the fold
Solution Approach 1:
The grip unit is activated in advance before the folded sheet enters the conveying path for feedback. This preliminary gripping secures the sheet at the correct position, preventing any displacement caused by forces attempting to open the fold during conveyance, thereby ensuring accurate positioning for the subsequent second fold processing
Solution Approach 2:
The control unit monitors the position of the folded sheet during feedback to the conveying path and adjusts the grip unit's positioning accordingly. This feedback mechanism ensures that the sheet is accurately positioned despite forces attempting to open the fold, maintaining measurement precision without requiring overly complex positioning mechanisms
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 enables accurate and smooth movement of folded sheets, maintaining precise fold processing even when forces attempt to open the fold, ensuring reliable and accurate handling during re-conveyance and subsequent folding operations.
Implementation Method 1
the sheet falls with the end portions thereof rubbed against the guide member, which may prevent the sheet from falling smoothly due to friction force generated at this time
Implementation Method 2
a rotating body pair that rotates while pressing the sheet thrust by the thrust member at a nip part to apply fold processing to the sheet
Data Source
AI summary
To enable highly accurate fold processing by properly moving a sheet that has been subjected to fold processing. In a sheet processing apparatus that that performs fold processing in such a manner as to apply first fold processing to a sheet and then apply second fold processing at a position different from a fold line formed in the first fold processing so as to make one end of the sheet folded in the first fold processing lie inside the folded sheet, the first fold processing is applied to a sheet conveyed to an intermediate tray by a fold roller pair and, when a regulating stopper is moved to move the folded sheet that has been subjected to the first fold processing to a predetermined position of the intermediate tray, the folded sheet is gripped by a grip unit.