Sheet Folding Device Synchronized Drive Mechanism
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The complexity of control mechanisms in sheet folding devices due to the need for synchronized operation of a folding blade and a movable guide, which requires multiple sensors and motors, increases the risk of sheet jamming and complicates the folding process.
Innovation Solution
A sheet folding device with a folding rollers pair, a folding blade, and a movable guide, where a drive mechanism using a single motor and link member synchronizes the movement of the folding blade and movable guide, allowing the folding blade to be selectively positioned while the movable guide covers or exposes the rollers, reducing the risk of jamming and simplifying control.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the folding blade and movable guide are operated individually with separate motors and sensors, then the folding processing can be performed, but the control mechanism becomes complicated and the risk of sheet jamming increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the driving functions of the folding blade and movable guide into a single integrated drive mechanism. The folding blade is driven by a motor through a link mechanism that simultaneously controls the movable guide's position, eliminating the need for separate motors and sensors for each component. This merging of drive functions reduces control complexity while maintaining coordinated operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a link mechanism as an intermediary between the motor and the folding blade/movable guide system. This link mechanism translates the motor's rotational motion into coordinated linear movements of both the folding blade and movable guide, ensuring they move in synchronization without requiring independent control systems.
2Reliability
If the movable guide covers the second roller to prevent sheet contact, then sheet jamming is prevented, but the folding blade cannot access the nip area to perform folding
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the movable guide dynamically positionable rather than fixed. The movable guide can switch between covering the second roller (to prevent sheet jamming) and retracting to expose the nip area (to allow folding processing). This dynamic adjustment is achieved through the integrated drive mechanism that coordinates the movable guide's position with the folding blade's operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent positions the movable guide to cover the second roller in advance before sheet conveyance begins, preventing potential sheet jamming. Then, at the appropriate timing coordinated by the drive mechanism, the movable guide retracts to allow the folding blade to access the nip area, ensuring both protection and processing capability are maintained in sequence.
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet folding device includes a folding rollers pair, a folding blade, a movable guide, and a driving mechanism. The folding rollers pair includes a first roller and a second roller, and causes a sheet conveyed in a first conveyance direction to pass through a first nip area between the rollers. The folding blade is selectively disposed in a folding position and in a retracting position. The movable guide can reciprocate between a covering position covering the second roller disposed downstream of the first roller in the first conveyance direction and the first nip area and a non-covering position exposing the second roller and the first nip area. The drive mechanism disposes the folding blade in the folding position while disposing the movable guide in the non-covering position, and disposes the folding blade in the retracting position while disposing the movable guide in the covering position.