Sheet Folding Transport Alignment With Retracting Push Roller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet transport apparatuses face issues with the shifting of sheet bundle positions due to rebound when the front end is abutted against a stopper, which prevents proper alignment and subsequent processing.
Innovation Solution
A sheet transport apparatus with a restriction part parallel to the transport face to restrict deformation, a pushing part to apply force before abutment, and a motion mechanism to retract the pushing part after abutment, ensuring proper alignment and suppression of rebound-induced shifting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If the restriction part is arranged apart from the transport face to restrict deformation, then deformation of the media is suppressed, but it becomes difficult to arrange the paddles at the suitable position for alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction part is arranged in the width direction (laterally) rather than in the transport direction, forming a restriction face parallel to the transport face. This dimensional change allows the restriction part to constrain media deformation without interfering with paddle positioning in the transport direction, resolving the conflict between deformation restriction and paddle arrangement flexibility.
2Manufacturing precision
If paddles are used to apply feed force to align edges, then alignment is achieved, but large rebound force shifts the position of the front ends of the media
Solution Approach 1:
The restriction part is positioned to prevent media deformation before the rebound force can cause position shifting. By restricting deformation in advance through the restriction face, the system counteracts the harmful rebound effect that would otherwise displace the media front ends, thereby maintaining both alignment precision and position accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If a mechanism to restrict media movement in the width direction is provided, then alignment is improved, but there is no room to arrange such a mechanism between the restriction part and the transport face
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of arranging width-direction restriction mechanisms between the restriction part and transport face, the restriction face itself is oriented parallel to the transport face, utilizing the width direction space laterally. This dimensional reorientation provides sufficient arrangement space for alignment mechanisms while maintaining effective restriction functionality.
Data Source
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AI summary
Provided is a sheet folding apparatus 100 including: a transport unit 10 configured to transport a sheet bundle 200 in a transport direction TD; a stopper 20 arranged at a stop position Xs, the front end 201 of the sheet bundle 200 being abutted against the stopper 20; a restriction part 30 configured to restrict deformation in a height direction HD of the sheet bundle 200 abutted against the stopper 20; a pushing roller 40 configured to generate pushing force for pushing the front end 201 of the sheet bundle 200 against a transport face 12a1; and a roller motion mechanism 45 configured to move the pushing roller 40 between a protruding position upstream of the stop position Xs and a retracted position spaced apart from the protruding position, and the roller motion mechanism 45 moves the pushing roller 40 from the protruding position to the retracted position after the front end 201 of the sheet bundle 200 transported by the transport unit 10 reached the pushing roller 40.