Integrated Deionization in Sheet Guide Elements for Stable Conveyance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing sheet-processing machines, particularly at high speeds, face issues with electrostatic charging of sheets leading to attraction to guide plates, smearing, and unstable sheet guidance, especially in turning devices, which are not effectively addressed by current deionization methods.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of discharge electrodes in sheet guide elements, such as guide plates, with optimal electrode spacing and pneumatic assistance, ensures effective deionization and stable sheet guidance, particularly in turning devices, by maintaining a distance from machine parts and using controlled ion emission to neutralize electrostatic charges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If deionization bars are arranged upstream of printing cylinders to neutralize sheets, then electrostatic charging is reduced, but the device complexity increases and adhesion to cylinders increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrostatic chargingVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the deionization function from separate bars and integrates it directly into the sheet guide element (guide plate), combining guidance and charge neutralization in a single component. This reduces device complexity while maintaining deionization effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the sheet guidance function and deionization function into a single integrated sheet guide element. The guide plate contains embedded discharge electrodes that simultaneously guide sheets and neutralize electrostatic charges, eliminating the need for separate deionization bars.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Ease of operation

If discharge device is arranged in the edge close to printing cylinder, then sheet guidance is improved, but effectiveness is reduced due to difficulty in maintaining optimal electrode spacing

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet guidanceVSAvoiddeionization effectiveness
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent positions the discharge electrodes within the sheet guide element upstream of the printing cylinder, performing deionization before the sheet enters the printing zone. This preliminary action ensures optimal electrode spacing is maintained and electrostatic charges are neutralized before they cause adhesion problems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Strength

If non-conductive edge material is used for sheet guiding, then electrical insulation is provided, but wear increases and stability weaknesses occur in crash areas

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelectrical insulationVSAvoidwear resistance
Core Design Contradiction:
StrengthVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a composite structure where the sheet guide element body is made of wear-resistant material (such as metal) while containing embedded discharge electrodes for deionization. This composite approach provides both mechanical durability and electrical insulation through the integrated design, eliminating the need for non-conductive edge materials that wear quickly.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

4Force

If flat charging electrode is applied to guide surface to attract sheets, then sheet attraction is improved, but stable suspension height cannot be maintained and nozzle distribution is interfered with

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesheet attractionVSAvoidsuspension height stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ForceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the charging function into discrete discharge electrodes embedded in the sheet guide element, rather than using a flat charging electrode across the entire guide surface. This segmentation allows controlled ion emission at specific locations without interfering with nozzle distribution and enables stable sheet suspension through localized electrostatic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution significantly improves sheet guidance, preventing smearing and wrinkles, ensuring smooth conveyance through processing stations, even with low-grammage or film sheets, and supports machines handling foil sheets without mechanical contact or smearing.

Implementation Method 1

using controlled ion emission to neutralize electrostatic charges

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIon emission: Ionisation

Implementation Method 2

discharge electrodes in sheet guide elements... ensures effective deionization

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectrostatic discharge: Electrostatic Discharge

Implementation Method 3

pneumatic assistance, ensures effective deionization and stable sheet guidance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPneumatic assistance: Air Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP4209349B1Sheet processing machine, use of the sheet processing machine, method for conveying sheets and use of sheet guiding elements containing deionization devices
Publication Date: 2025.10.08 KOENIG & BAUER AG
  • EP4209349B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4209349B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4209349B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a sheet-processing machine (1) with sheet-processing units, wherein the machine (1) includes at least two printing units (2) for processing sheets, wherein the printing units (2) each include a rubber cylinder (6) and a plate cylinder, and a rubber cylinder (6) of a printing unit (2) interacts with a sheet guide cylinder (5), wherein a sheet conveying system (7) is provided between two sheet guide cylinders (5), wherein the sheets are conveyed along a sheet conveying path by the sheet guide cylinders (5) and the sheet conveying systems (7) of the machine (1), wherein a sheet guide element starting in the area of ​​the sheet guide cylinder (5) is provided below and along the sheet conveying path in one or all printing units (2), and wherein deionization devices (8) are provided at least in the printing units (2) of the machine (1).which are downstream of the printing gap of the first printing unit (2) of the machine (1) with respect to the sheet feed direction (BFR). The invention also relates to a use of the sheet-processing machine, a method for conveying sheets in a sheet-processing machine (1), and a use of sheet guide elements (9) containing deionization devices (8).