Sheet Positioning in Folding Machines via Pneumatic Blowing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current sheet positioning systems in folding machines, such as combi folding machines, face challenges in achieving rapid settling times and preventing sheet movement rebound after hitting a front stop, which reduces production output and can result in product markings.
Innovation Solution
A device with a conveyor belt and a movable sheet positioning element featuring a rising guiding surface and a perpendicular retaining surface, combined with a blowing device to hold the sheet in place during settling, and a sensor for precise control, ensuring the sheet remains flat and aligned.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Stability of the object's composition
If guide rollers are used to prevent sheet bouncing, then sheet positioning stability is improved, but at high speeds and high grammages the effect becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
A blowing device is introduced as an intermediary element between the conveyor belt and the sheet. The blowing device generates a气流 field that acts on the sheet to prevent bouncing, serving as a mediator that enhances the effectiveness of the guide rollers without direct mechanical contact
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies pneumatic principles by using a blowing device to generate airflow that prevents sheet bouncing. The blowing device creates a pressure field that counteracts the rebound force, providing an additional mechanism to maintain sheet positioning stability at high speeds and grammages
2Stability of the object's composition
If brushes or brush strips are used to fix the folded sheet, then sheet positioning is improved, but marks are produced on freshly printed sheets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical brush system with a pneumatic blowing device. Instead of using physical contact through brushes to prevent bouncing, the system uses airflow to hold the sheet in place, eliminating the source of marks on printed surfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The blowing device acts as an intermediary that prevents sheet bouncing without direct mechanical contact with the sheet surface. The airflow field serves as a non-contact medium to maintain positioning, avoiding the harmful effect of brushes on printed sheets
3Reliability
If loading balls are used to generate vertical contact pressure, then slip-free transport is achieved, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical loading ball system with a pneumatic blowing device that generates vertical contact pressure through airflow. This substitution maintains the reliability of slip-free transport while simplifying the system by eliminating the need for multiple loading balls and guide rollers
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 enables rapid sheet settling, prevents rebound, and avoids product markings, thereby enhancing folding performance and quality.
Implementation Method 1
at least one blowing device (13) is arranged above the at least one conveyor belt (1) for generating blowing air (B) directed against the conveyor belt (1)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~3e
Figure 4
AI summary
The apparatus (10) has a conveying belt (1) located in a sheet conveyance direction, for conveying the sheet (100) towards the stopper (11). A sheet positioning portion (12) has a sheet guide surface (12.1) which is inclined toward the sheet conveyance direction, and a sheet support surface (12.2) provided perpendicular to the sheet conveyance surface.