Sheet Processing Apparatus Switchback Guide Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing sheet processing apparatuses face issues with proper switchback-transport of sheets during inward three-fold processing, leading to potential damage from turn-up preventing members and curled sheet end portions not being properly guided, which can result in incomplete folding.
Innovation Solution
A sheet processing apparatus with a rotating body pair for folding, a folding blade for guiding the sheet, and a press member that presses one end of the sheet to ensure the other end is inside the folded sheet, utilizing a guide face and press portion to correctly align and guide the sheet during switchback-transport.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a turn-up preventing member is provided swingably in a sheet path for switchback, then turn-up of the sheet end portion can be prevented, but the sheet may collide with the member and cause damage when the face contacts at an angle near perpendicular
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of preventing turn-up by opposing the sheet end directly, the invention guides the sheet end along a curved path using a guide face that matches the rotation arc. This inverts the approach from active prevention to passive guidance, eliminating collision damage while ensuring proper orientation during switchback-transport.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide face acts as an intermediary between the rotating sheet end and the turn-up preventing member. It provides a smooth transition surface that guides the sheet end through the switching motion, preventing direct contact and potential damage between the sheet and the turn-up preventing member.
2Reliability
If the sheet end portion is curled and deformed to the folding roller side, then the turn-up preventing member pushes the curled end portion to the folding roller side, but it is not possible to properly switchback-transport the sheet
Solution Approach 1:
The guide face performs preliminary action by guiding and straightening the sheet end portion before it reaches the turn-up preventing member. This preliminary guidance ensures the sheet is properly oriented and prevents curling deformations that would otherwise interfere with accurate folding and switchback-transport.
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 apparatus effectively prevents sheet damage and ensures proper switchback-transport by guiding the sheet end portions correctly, maintaining the integrity of the folding process.
Implementation Method 1
a rotating body pair capable of transporting the sheet in a first direction for nipping the sheet transported to the transport path by a nip portion to rotate, and thereby drawing the sheet to perform folding processing
Implementation Method 2
in a second direction for switching back the sheet subjected to the folding processing in a direction opposite to the direction for drawing
Data Source
AI summary
A sheet processing apparatus includes a rotating body pair capable of transporting a sheet in a first direction for nipping the sheet transported to a transport path thereby drawing the sheet for folding processing, and in a second direction for switching back the sheet to return to the transport path, a push member that pushes the sheet transported to the transport path to a nip portion of the rotating body pair, and a press member pressing one end portion of the sheet folded by the rotating body pair to guide, and including a press portion that presses the one end portion of the sheet in a direction of the transport path where the other end portion of the sheet exists, and a guide portion that guides the sheet pressed by the press portion to the guide face of the transport path where the other end portion of the sheet exists.