Sheet Folding Apparatus Pushing Member Design

Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional sheet folding apparatuses face challenges in efficiently folding stiff sheets like thick paper, as the turned-back portion may not be properly nipped between rollers, and require additional space and parts for guiding and bifurcating mechanisms, increasing the apparatus size.

Innovation Solution

A sheet folding apparatus with a first and second conveying unit that form a turned-back portion and a bifurcated path, utilizing a movable pushing member to guide the turned-back portion into a folded part forming unit and change the sheet direction, reducing the need for additional space and parts.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a pushing member and bifurcating claw are provided to guide the turned-back portion and change sheet direction, then folding reliability is improved, but device complexity and apparatus size increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pushing member and bifurcating claw into a single integrated component. The pushing member includes a pushing portion that contacts the turned-back sheet and a guiding portion that extends laterally to guide the sheet leading end into the second conveying path, eliminating the need for separate bifurcating claw mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pushing member serves multiple functions: it pushes the turned-back portion into the nip between folding rollers, guides the leading end of the sheet into the second conveying path, and acts as a bifurcating mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts while maintaining folding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If a pushing member and bifurcating claw are provided to guide the turned-back portion and change sheet direction, then folding reliability is improved, but apparatus size increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding reliabilityVSAvoidapparatus size

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pushing member and bifurcating claw into a single integrated component. The pushing member includes a pushing portion that contacts the turned-back sheet and a guiding portion that extends laterally to guide the sheet leading end into the second conveying path, eliminating the need for separate bifurcating claw mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pushing member serves multiple functions: it pushes the turned-back portion into the nip between folding rollers, guides the leading end of the sheet into the second conveying path, and acts as a bifurcating mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts while maintaining folding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If additional members are provided for guiding and bifurcating, then sheet direction control is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesheet direction controlVSAvoidmanufacturing cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the pushing member and bifurcating claw into a single integrated component. The pushing member includes a pushing portion that contacts the turned-back sheet and a guiding portion that extends laterally to guide the sheet leading end into the second conveying path, eliminating the need for separate bifurcating claw mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The pushing member serves multiple functions: it pushes the turned-back portion into the nip between folding rollers, guides the leading end of the sheet into the second conveying path, and acts as a bifurcating mechanism. This multi-functional design reduces the number of parts while maintaining folding reliability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9108821B2Sheet folding apparatus, image forming apparatus, and image forming system

Publication Date: 2015.08.18 RICOH CO LTD

AI summary

A sheet folding apparatus includes: a first sheet conveying unit; a second sheet conveying unit that is disposed downstream of the first sheet conveying unit; a folded part forming unit that forms a folded part on a sheet by nipping a turned-back portion formed on a part of the sheet between the first sheet conveying unit and the second sheet conveying unit; a second conveying path that bifurcates from the first conveying path and in which a sheet with the folded part is conveyed; and a pushing member that is movable between a pushing position at which the pushing member pushes the turned-back portion toward the folded part forming unit and a retracted position. The pushing member also serves as a changing unit that changes a direction of a leading end of the sheet that is conveyed in the first conveying path into a direction toward a second conveying path.