Sheet Folding Apparatus Roller Pressure Concentration
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet folding apparatuses face challenges in forming a strong fold, especially with large or thick sheet bundles, as the pressure applied by folding rollers is dispersed, leading to incomplete folds due to inadequate pressure concentration.
Innovation Solution
A sheet folding apparatus with a nipping plate and first and second rollers that move along the fold to reinforce it, where the nipping plate has an elastic member facing the loading base, allowing the rollers to concentrate pressure effectively and form a sharp, stable fold.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the folding rollers press the sheet bundle simultaneously across the entire fold, then the folding process is simple and fast, but the pressure is dispersed and insufficient pressure is applied to the fold
Solution Approach 1:
The folding process is divided into two stages: first, the folding rollers perform initial folding; second, the fold reinforcing roller applies concentrated pressure to the fold. This segmentation allows each component to specialize, with the fold reinforcing roller focusing pressure on a specific area to create a sharp fold without compromising overall folding speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The fold reinforcing roller acts as an intermediary component between the folding rollers and the sheet bundle. It receives the sheet bundle from the folding rollers and applies additional concentrated pressure to the fold, enhancing the folding effect without requiring the folding rollers themselves to generate excessive force.
2Strength
If a fold reinforcing roller is added to reinforce the fold, then the fold strength is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The fold reinforcing roller is integrated into the existing folding apparatus structure, combining the folding and fold reinforcing functions in a single coordinated system. The fold reinforcing roller works in conjunction with the folding rollers, sharing the same operational space and control mechanism, thereby enhancing fold strength without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
3Stress or pressure
If the fold reinforcing roller moves along the fold to apply pressure, then the pressure can be concentrated on the fold, but impact noise is generated during initial operations
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by first using the folding rollers to create the initial fold before the fold reinforcing roller applies concentrated pressure. This preliminary folding action prepares the sheet bundle in advance, allowing the fold reinforcing roller to apply pressure more gradually and reducing impact noise during initial operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The folding rollers act as a cushioning mechanism before the fold reinforcing roller applies full pressure. They perform a preliminary folding action that softens the transition, reducing the impact when the fold reinforcing roller engages. This cushioning effect minimizes noise generation while still achieving concentrated pressure on the fold.
4Shape
If the fold reinforcing roller applies strong pressure to the fold, then the fold is sharply defined, but the pressure is diffused by the guide plate
Solution Approach 1:
The fold reinforcing roller serves as an intermediary that directly applies pressure to the fold without relying on the guide plate for pressure transmission. By positioning the fold reinforcing roller to press directly on the fold area, it maintains pressure concentration efficiency while the guide plate continues to provide structural support and guidance.
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 solution enables the formation of excellent, stable folds that are not easily unfolded, while reducing impact noise and sliding noise by controlling the speed of the rollers, especially during initial operations and with varying sheet sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a surface, which faces the loading base, of the nipping plate is provided with an elastic member
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet folding apparatus includes: a saddle-stitching unit configured to stitch a center of a sheet bundle; a folding unit configured to fold the sheet bundle at the center to form a fold; a loading base onto which the sheet bundle conveyed from the folding unit is loaded; a nipping plate configured to be pressed to and separated from the loading base in parallel to the loading base and to nip the sheet bundle loaded onto the loading base; and first and second rollers that move along a direction of the fold while nipping and pressing the fold of the sheet bundle nipped by the nipping plate to reinforce the fold. Here, a surface, which faces the loading base, of the nipping plate is provided with an elastic member.