JP2004299906A - Method of manufacturing foldable sheet and folding mechanism for the foldable sheet - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To securely manufacture a foldable sheet in a short time manually or mechanically at an industrial level. <P>SOLUTION: This foldable sheet is so formed as to be folded along a plurality of X-direction fold lines parallel with each other and formed of ridge-folded or bottom-folded alternating continuous lines and along Y-direction fold lines formed of zigzag lines extending in directions crossing the X-direction fold lines and positioned adjacent to each other in the X-direction formed of and formed of ridge-folded and bottom-folded fold lines conflicting each other. Also, the foldable sheet is manufactured by preparing a foldable plate having a large number of parallelogram surface parts with surface rigidity disposed in a matrix state in a plane and thin-walled flexible hinge parts joining the parallelogram surface parts to each other, bringing the surfaces of the sheet folded into the surfaces of the parallelogram surface parts of the fodlable plate in a close-fitted state over the entire surfaces thereof, and folding the sheet in Y-direction by imparting an X-direction deformation force to the foldable sheet, and providing a Y-direction deformation force thereto. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a method for efficiently producing a folded sheet by manual or mechanical means.

Conventionally, a folded sheet PS as shown in FIG. 1 known as "Miura folding" (registered trademark) is known (for example, Vienna, Sept.-Oct. 1970, IASS).
Symposium on Folded Plates and Prismatic Structures, "Proposition of
Pseudo-Cylindrical Concave Polyhedral shells ”by Kouryo MIURA, Journal of the International Cartographic Society of Japan“ Maps ”Vol.15 No.4
1977. "New method of folding", see Utility Model Application Publication No. 25023 in 1981).
That is, as shown in FIG. 1, the fold sheet PS has a plurality of X-direction fold lines x1, x2 which are parallel to each other and each fold line is an alternating continuous line of a mountain fold and a valley fold, and these X-direction fold lines. The zigzag fold lines extending in the direction intersecting with x1 and x2, respectively, and these fold lines adjacent in the X direction are Y direction fold lines y1 and y2, which are opposite mountain fold and valley fold lines. And a basic area (consisting of four adjacent parallelogram segments A, B, C, and D) defined by each X-direction fold line x1, x2 and each Y-direction fold line y1, y2. In cooperation with each other, the deformation applied to one basic area causes the deformation of the adjacent basic areas, and the respective basic areas are in the same open / closed state as a whole, that is, the diagonal corners of the sheet PS are approached.・ Sheet PS is automatically activated just by separating Can be folded and unfolded.

In addition, since the folded sheet PS cannot be partially folded or sequentially folded along the fold line like a well-known bellows fold sheet, it is permissible to fold the fold line with a fingertip. "Only production by the method was possible.
However, in the production by the "origami" method, the time required for folding and labor cost are relatively high, which is a difficulty in putting the folded sheet PS excellent in the opening / closing characteristics and the stability of the folding line into practical use.

Conventionally, for example, JP-A-2002-36398 and JP-A-2002-12367 have proposed a method of manufacturing a folded sheet in order to utilize the excellent characteristics of the folded sheet PS itself.
JP-A-2002-36398 JP-A-2002-12367

  That is, the manufacturing method in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-36398 discloses a method of forming a three-dimensional uneven surface having the X-direction fold lines x1, x2 and the Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 as ridges on the surfaces of a pair of upper and lower molds. Alternatively, X-direction fold lines x1, x2 and Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 corresponding to the valley fold line are formed on the surface of one mold by protruding, and the surface of the other mold corresponds to the ridge. Although it is intended to form a concave groove and position a sheet to be folded between these molds, it is difficult to make a sheet in a flat state correspond to a three-dimensional mold as a whole. It is also impossible to calculate and form the uneven surface and the ridges / grooves of the sheet, and even in an experimental sense, the sheet partially breaks or becomes wrinkled, and there is no realization.

  Further, according to the manufacturing method of Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-12367, a ridge and a mountain fold line corresponding to a valley fold line to be formed are formed on the peripheral surfaces of a pair of rotary drums to be rolled and on the surfaces of upper and lower flat molds. A corresponding concave groove is arranged, or a ridge blade corresponding to the valley fold line of the X-direction fold lines x1, x2 and the Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 is located on one surface of the sheet to be folded, On the other surface of the sheet, ridge blades corresponding to the mountain fold lines of the X-direction fold lines x1, x2 and the Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 are to be arranged.

However, in the latter manufacturing method, in which a processing mark is formed on a sheet by a ridge or a groove of a mold or a rotating drum positioned on both sides of the sheet, there are difficulties in precise positioning and precise synchronous movement of the mold and the rotating drum with respect to the sheet. With a slight displacement, the intersection between the X-direction fold lines x1, x2 and the Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 of the sheet is broken, or conversely, a portion where a necessary fold line cannot be formed remains, making the folding itself impossible. Therefore, this has not yet been put to practical use.
As a method similar to the manufacturing method of JP-A-2002-12367, there are a manufacturing method and an apparatus described in JP-A-2001-60060 and JP-A-2001-278538. And the device was not practical for the same reason as described in JP-A-2002-12367.
In other words, the above-mentioned folded sheet PS is formed by manually forming the X-direction folding lines x1, x2 and the Y-direction folding lines y1, y2 on the surface of the flat sheet prior to folding, or by the "origami" method. Since it is manufactured by hand-turning manually, it is far from an industrial level, that is, a manufacturing without a hand-turning that can be performed only by a person in a short time.

A first object of the present invention is to provide a folding sheet that can be manually or mechanized in a short time and reliably at an industrial level in view of the current state of the conventional folding sheet manufacturing method described above. And a tool that can be used in this method.
A second object of the present invention is to provide a folding mechanism capable of mechanically folding a folding sheet.

To achieve this first object, the present invention provides:
It is composed of a plurality of X-direction fold lines which are parallel to each other and each fold line is an alternate continuous line of a mountain fold and a valley fold, and a plurality of zigzag fold lines extending in a direction intersecting these X-direction fold lines. In addition, these folding lines adjacent to each other in the X direction are folded in a Y-direction folding line composed of contradictory mountain folds and valley fold lines. A folding plate having a curved surface portion and a thin flexible hinge portion connecting between these parallelogram-shaped surface portions is prepared, and the surface of the sheet to be folded on each parallelogram-shaped surface portion of the folded plate is brought into close contact with the entire surface. An X-direction folding step of forming a Y-direction fold line at the thin flexible hinge portion of the folding plate while applying an X-direction deformation force; and, after the X-direction folding step, the Y-direction deformation force Manufacturing method of a sheet folded in the thin flexible hinge remainder of folding plates while giving and a Y-direction folding step for forming the X-direction folding line is to propose.

  Further, in the present invention, the second object is to provide a plurality of parallelogram-shaped surface portions having planar rigidity arranged in a matrix in a plane and a thin flexible hinge portion connecting between these parallelogram-shaped surface portions. The thin flexible hinge is provided by sandwiching a sheet to be folded between a folding plate having a folding plate and an auxiliary plate having substantially the same structure as the folding plate and applying an X-direction deformation force to both the folding plate and the auxiliary plate. Forming a Y-direction fold line at the portion, and then forming an X-direction fold line at the thin flexible hinge portion remaining while applying a Y-direction deforming force, wherein the folding plate is formed with respect to both ends in the Y direction of the folding plate. A plurality of pairs of rigid support pieces which are extensions of the corresponding parallelogram-shaped surface portions, and a pair of guide members extended in the X direction capable of slidingly receiving these rigid support pieces during the deformation in the X direction. , Y-direction deformation force to the plate folded by at least one of the Y-direction movement of the guide member is achieved by the folding mechanism of the sheet folding given.

  According to the method of manufacturing a folded sheet according to the present invention, the sheet is stacked on a folding plate having a large number of parallelogram faces having surface rigidity and a thin hinge section, and then the folding plate is folded in the X direction. If a folding line is formed in the Y direction and then the folding plate is folded in the Y direction, the folding line in the X direction is automatically formed on the sheet. Sheets can be manufactured efficiently at the industrial level.

  Further, according to the folding mechanism of the folding sheet according to the present invention, a large number of rigid support pieces provided at both ends in the Y direction of the folding plate are slidably supported by a pair of guide members extended in the X direction. The folding plate can be reliably fed in the X direction by the movement of the end in the direction, and then the folding plate is subjected to the Y-direction deformation force by the movement of the guide member in the Y direction, thereby enabling a mechanized folding mechanism for the folding sheet. Become.

In the description of the preferred embodiments of the invention described below,
1) Each parallelogram surface portion of the folding plate has a plurality of air holes penetrating therethrough, and the sheet to be folded corresponds to the surface of the parallelogram surface portion corresponding to the air pressure difference between both surfaces of the folding plate applied through the air holes. Of manufacturing a folded sheet that is placed in close contact with a stub (Example 1)
Is explained.
The air holes in the first embodiment function as suction holes for sucking the sheet on the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate when a vacuum pressure is applied to the surface of the folding plate opposite to the sheet. The air holes serve as escape holes for letting out an air layer between the sheet and the parallelogram surface when the sheet is made to lie on the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate by the compressed air to be blown.

In the following description of a second embodiment of the present invention,
2) At least one surface of each of the parallelogram faces of the folding plate is formed of an electrically insulating material, and the folded sheet is formed by a potential difference applied between alternating electrodes located on the same electrically insulating surface. A method for manufacturing a folded sheet electrostatically attracted to the surface of the quadrilateral surface will be described.
In the case of the second embodiment, a semiconductor layer is formed on the electrically insulating surface of the parallelogram surface portion, and the sheet is formed on the parallelogram surface portion by a DC voltage applied between the alternating electrodes applied to the sheet via the semiconductor layer. Put in close contact with the surface. Further, when an electric insulating layer is used instead of the semiconductor layer, the sheet is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate by a voltage applied between the alternating electrodes and the sheet. become.

In the description of the third embodiment of the present invention,
3) The sheet placed on the folding plate is placed between the auxiliary plate and the folding plate, which are formed in substantially the same structure as the folding plate, so that the sheet is in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface. A method for manufacturing a folded sheet to be cut will be described.
In the case of the third embodiment, the sheet to be folded is sandwiched between the folding plate and the auxiliary plate, and the auxiliary plate mechanically comes into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate. Further, in the description of the third embodiment, a parallelogram surface portion in which a thin metal plate is molded to enhance the rigidity of the parallelogram surface portion requiring mechanical rigidity is described.

In Example 4 of the present invention,
4) At least some of the parallelogram faces have a thin ferromagnetic plate, and the sheets stacked on the folding plate include a plurality of holding plates of ferromagnetic material corresponding to the parallelogram faces. And a folding plate interposed between the ferromagnetic plate and the holding plate, and placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion by an attraction force generated between the ferromagnetic plate and the holding plate generated by a magnetic field passing through the ferromagnetic plate and the holding plate. Is specifically described.
In the fourth embodiment, an auxiliary plate having the same structure as the folding plate having the ferromagnetic plate is used, and the ferromagnetic plate with this auxiliary plate is used as the holding plate, and the holding plate and the folding plate by the applied magnetic field are used. The sheet is kept in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate by the magnetic attraction force therebetween.

Further, in Embodiment 5 of the present invention,
5) At least a part of the parallelogram surface portion has a thin ferromagnetic plate, and the sheet stacked on the folding plate includes a plurality of permanent magnet pieces corresponding to the parallelogram surface portion and a folding plate. And a method of manufacturing a folded sheet which is interposed between the ferromagnetic plate and the permanent magnet piece and is brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion by the attraction force generated between the ferromagnetic plate and the permanent magnet piece.
In the fifth embodiment, as in the case of the fourth embodiment, an auxiliary plate having the same structure as the folding plate having the ferromagnetic plate is used, but a coin-shaped permanent magnet piece is provided on the ferromagnetic plate of the auxiliary plate. Magnetically attracted. In other words, the sheet in this embodiment is brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram by the attraction force generated between the ferromagnetic plate of the folding plate and the permanent magnet piece.

Further, in the description of each preferred embodiment of the present invention described below,
6) Each of the pair of rigid support pieces has a contact surface located on an extension of a substantially intermediate position in the X-direction width of each parallelogram surface portion, and a parallelogram face portion is provided at both ends in the X direction of the folding plate. An auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece of approximately half the width in the X direction is additionally provided via the thin flexible hinge portion, and the X direction deformation force is applied to at least one of the auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces by the thin flexible hinge portion. A folding mechanism of a folding sheet provided through a supporting drive ear continuously provided through
7) The auxiliary plate includes a plurality of pairs of rigid support pieces and auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces of the folding plate, and has rigid support pieces and auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces similar to those of the folding plate, and ends of the folding plate and the auxiliary plate in the Y direction. A partial synchronous motion mechanism extending in the X direction, which is driven in synchronization with the movement of both ends of the folding plate, is located at the partial position, and the partial synchronous motion mechanism is folded by engaging the engaging members with the respective rigid support pieces. A folding mechanism of a folding sheet in which the X-direction movement of each parallelogram surface of the plate is controlled,
8) The partial synchronous movement mechanism includes a pantograph composed of members longer than the width of the parallelogram surface in the X direction, and a Z direction movement of the pantograph synchronized with the X direction movement of each pair of rigid support pieces. A plurality of the engaging members supported on a shaft, the engaging members being disengaged from the pair of rigid support pieces by at least one actuator;
9) A method for manufacturing a folding sheet according to any one of the above items 1) to 8) and a folding plate used for a folding mechanism will be described.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
2 to 7 show a method of manufacturing a folding sheet according to a first embodiment of the present invention and a folding plate used for the method.

  FIGS. 2 to 4 show a folding plate FP1 used in the first embodiment. This folding plate FP1 is an example in which an A2-size landscape paper sheet is folded into five frames and seven horizontal frames. That is, the folding plate FP1, which is entirely made to have an area of approximately A2 size, is made of an injection-moldable synthetic resin such as polystyrene, polyamide, acrylic, or ABS resin, and is formed in a plate shape having a thickness of about 1.0 mm. The thickness of the thin flexible hinge part sh described later of the folding plate FP1 is 0.05 to 0.5 mm, and the distance between the parallelogram-shaped surface parts ra, that is, the dimension of the thin flexible hinge part sh is 1.0. With a value such as .about.4.5 mm (this value is adjusted according to the size of the sheet PS to be folded and the folding plate FP1), the angle θ of the Y-direction folding lines y1, y2 is set to about 3.0 degrees. .

  The folding plate FP1 having substantially the same area as the sheet PS to be folded has a large number of rigid parallelogram surfaces ra (four adjacent parallelograms A, B, C, D) arranged in a matrix in a plane. And a thin flexible hinge part sh which connects between the parallelogram-shaped surface parts ra. That is, the position and the direction of the thin flexible hinge part sh are the positions and directions corresponding to the Y-direction folding lines y1, y2 and the X-direction folding lines x1, x2 of the folding sheet PS described above with reference to FIG. A plurality of air holes ah penetrating in the thickness direction are formed on the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface part ra having a thickness of 0.0 mm, and the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface part ra and the sheet PS laminated thereon are formed through these air holes ah. The air layer between them can be controlled.

In the case of the first embodiment, the sheet PS is supplied to the surface of the folding plate FP1 located on the vacuum box vb shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and the sheet PS is brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the folding plate FP1. Folding starts. That is, by applying a vacuum pressure to the vacuum box vb, the sheet PS is brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the folding plate FP1 by the suction force of the air holes ah, so that both ends of the folding plate FP1 are slightly moved in the X direction. , The Y-direction fold lines y1 and y2 composed of alternate valley fold lines y1 and mountain fold lines y2 in the X direction are formed by a part of the thin flexible hinge part sh.
In the case of the initial formation of the folding lines y1 and y2 in the Y direction, even if the folding plate FP1 is folded in the X direction, the overall dimension L of the folding plate FP1 in the Y direction hardly changes. By using sh, it is possible to easily form Y-direction fold lines y1 and y2 that are parallel to each other and alternately fold in the X-direction, and apply a slight X-direction deformation force Fx from the left and right sides of the folding plate FP1. Thereby, the Y-direction folding lines y1 and y2 with sufficient folding angles can be formed.

  FIG. 5 shows a state in which the left and right ends of the folding plate FP1 are moved to the center by about 200 mm while applying the X-direction deformation force Fx. From the figure, the overall dimension L of the folding plate FP1 in the Y direction is almost changed. It is understood that there is no. Until the folding plate FP1 is deformed in the X direction to reach the state shown in FIG. 5, the valley fold Y-direction fold line y1 of the sheet PS is thinned according to the folding as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. Since the sheet PS is held by the folding plate FP1 while being wrapped by the flexible hinge part sh and sandwiched by adjacent edges of the parallelogram-shaped surface parts ra on both sides of the thin flexible hinge part sh, the air holes ah (suction holes) ) Is no longer required during the process (the vacuum pressure applied from the vacuum box vb is required only during the initial folding in the X direction from the start of folding).

  At the end of the above-described X-direction folding step, the amount of deformation of the folding plate FP1 in the Y-direction increases with respect to the X-direction folding stroke. Is stopped, and a Y-direction deformation force Fy is applied to both ends of the folding plate FP1 in the Y-direction to deform the folding plate FP1 in the Y-direction. The X-direction folding lines x1, x2 are formed by the remaining thin flexible hinge sh. The sheet PS is naturally and gradually formed to have the X-direction folding lines x1 and x2. After the end of the deformation in the X direction, the rate of deformation in the X direction is smaller than the amount of deformation in the Y direction. In response to the deformation in the Y direction, the folding plate FP1 is slightly deformed in the X direction as well.

  FIG. 6 shows a state in which after the action of the X-direction deformation force Fx is stopped, the Y-direction deformation force Fy is applied to both ends of the folding plate FP1 in the Y direction to push the both ends in the Y direction about 150 mm in the opposite direction. As can be understood from FIG. 6, the X-direction fold lines x1 and x2 are clearly formed on the surface of the sheet PS due to the deformation of the folding plate FP1 in the Y-direction. The memorized state of the Y-direction fold lines y1 and y2 is a clear memorized state in which the bending angle increases as the deformation in the Y-direction at both ends of the folding plate FP1 increases.

  After the above steps, the action of the Y-direction deforming force Fy is stopped, and the sheet PS folded to the state shown in FIG. 6, for example, can be obtained only by expanding the folding plate FP1 close to the initial planar state. In the folded sheet PS taken out of the folding plate FP1, clear Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 and X-direction fold lines x1, x2 having a large fold angle are already stored. The folding sheet PS as shown in FIG. 6 can be completed only by applying the force Py. In the folded sheet PS, the folding lines described as the folding lines y1 and y2 in the Y direction are oriented in the X direction, and the folding lines described as the folding lines x1 and x2 in the X direction are "zigzag" substantially oriented in the Z direction. Note that it is a fold line.

  The folding plate FP1 of the first embodiment described above may be used in place of the vacuum box vb as a blower means for applying compressed air pressure to the sheet PS in a planar state located on the surface of the folding plate FP1. In this case, the above-described air holes ah function as escape holes for discharging the air layer between the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra and the sheet PS to the outside.

FIG. 8 shows a folding plate FP2 used in Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The folding plate FP2 of this embodiment is made of an electrically insulating material such as a polyimide resin, and is provided on the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the folding plate FP2. The sheet PS to be folded is electrostatically attracted.
On the surface of each parallelogram-shaped surface part ra partitioned by the peripheral thin flexible hinge part sh, a semiconductor layer sc composed of, for example, a thin vinyl chloride layer and / or a synthetic rubber layer is laminated, and inside the semiconductor layer sc DC voltage is applied to the comb-like alternating electrodes ae embedded in the substrate.

Since the folding plate FP2 of the second embodiment has such a structure, the sheet PS is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the semiconductor layer sc by applying a DC voltage to the alternating electrodes ae, and thus the folding plate FP2 of the first embodiment is changed. The Y-direction fold lines y1, y2 and the X-direction fold lines x1, x2 can be stored in the sheet PS in the same process as in the case.
In this case, the electrostatic attraction force by the voltage application of the alternating electrodes ae is necessary only in the initial stage of the deformation of the folding plate FP2 in the X direction in the same meaning as in the first embodiment. It is also possible to stop applying the voltage to the alternating electrodes ae in the later stage of the deformation.

  As a modification of the second embodiment, the semiconductor layer sc is used as an electrically insulating layer, a voltage is applied between the alternating electrodes and the sheet, and the sheet is electrostatically applied to the surface of the parallelogram surface of the folding plate. May be adsorbed.

FIG. 9 shows a third embodiment of the present invention in which the sheet PS to be folded is kept in mechanical contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion ra of the folding plate FP3. In this third embodiment, a metal plate rp1 for strengthening rigidity is used. A sheet PS to be folded is sandwiched between a folding plate FP3 having a parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra having embedded therein, and an auxiliary plate AP1 having the same structure as that of the folding plate FP3. The forming of the Y-direction fold lines y1 and y2 by the directional feed is performed.
That is, a rigid metal plate rp1 having a thickness of about 0.4 mm is molded inside each parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the folding plate FP3, and the surface rigidity of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra is enhanced by these metal plates rp1. Also, the same pressing plate rp2 as the metal plate rp1 is molded on the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the auxiliary plate AP1 made of the same material and having the same dimensions and structure as the folding plate FP3. The sheet PS in the state is placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface part ra of the folding plate FP3.

In the third embodiment, since the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 having such a structure are used, a flat sheet PS is placed on the surface of the expanded folding plate FP3, and the auxiliary plate AP1 is placed on the sheet PS. The sheet PS is brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the folding plate FP3 by the holding plate rp2 of the auxiliary plate AP1.
Thereafter, while maintaining the relationship between the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1, the thin flexible hinges sh of the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 are used to form the Y-direction fold lines y1, y2, and the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 are formed. The X-direction deformation and the Y-direction deformation of AP1 are performed, the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 are opened in the X direction, and after removing the auxiliary plate AP1, the sheet PS is removed from the folding plate FP3. The folded state of the sheet PS is obtained.
Of course, the folded sheet PS removed from the sheet PS can be brought into the completely folded state shown in FIG. 7 by pressing in the Y direction.

  In the third embodiment of the present invention, an example in which an auxiliary plate AP1 made in the same manner as the folding plate FP3 is used as the supporting means of the holding plate is described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the auxiliary sheet may be a thin flexible sheet on which a number of rigid thin holding plates rp2 are arranged.

  FIG. 10 shows a folding plate FP4 and an auxiliary plate AP2 used in Embodiment 4 of the present invention. In this embodiment, the metal plate rp1 and the holding plate rp2 in the third embodiment are parallelograms of the folding plate FP4. The ferromagnetic plates mp1 and mp2 are respectively molded on the surface portion ra and the parallelogram surface portion ra of the auxiliary plate AP2.

Since the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 according to the fourth embodiment have such a structure, the flat sheet PS is positioned between the expanded folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2, and the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 are disposed. When the plate AP2 is positioned in the magnetic field indicated by the arrow, the ferromagnetic plates mp1 and mp2 cross the magnetic field, and therefore, are located between the ferromagnetic plate mp1 of the folding plate FP4 and the ferromagnetic plate mp2 of the auxiliary plate AP2. Since the attraction force is generated, the sheet PS located between the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 is placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion ra of the folding plate FP4.
Therefore, similarly to the case of the third embodiment, the Y-direction folding lines y1 and y2 are formed by the thin flexible hinge portions sh of the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 while maintaining the relationship between the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2. Then, the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 are deformed in the X direction and the Y direction, and the folding plate FP4 and the auxiliary plate AP2 are opened in the X direction. After the auxiliary plate AP2 is removed, the sheet PS can be removed from the folding plate FP4. Thus, the folded state of the sheet PS similar to that of the first embodiment can be obtained.

FIG. 11 shows a folding plate FP5 and an auxiliary plate AP3 used in the fifth embodiment of the present invention, and the same structural parts as in the fourth embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as in FIG.
The feature of the fifth embodiment resides in a large number of coin-shaped permanent magnets pm magnetically attracted and held on the surface of each ferromagnetic plate mp2 of the auxiliary plate AP3. That is, these coin-shaped permanent magnets pm (permanent magnet pieces) are attached to the surface of the ferromagnetic plate mp2 when the ferromagnetic plate mp2 is molded into the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra, and the auxiliary plate is Although a coin-shaped permanent magnet pm having a large magnetic density is shown in the figure, a coin-shaped permanent magnet pm having a large magnetic density is formed by molding a ferromagnetic plate mp2 on the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra of the auxiliary plate AP3 completed. The permanent magnet pm may be held by its magnetic attraction.

  Since the folding plate FP5 and the auxiliary plate AP3 according to the fifth embodiment have such a structure, when the flat sheet PS is positioned between the expanded folding plate FP5 and the auxiliary plate AP3, the ferromagnetic material of the folding plate FP5 is used. Since an attraction force is generated between the plate mp1 and the coin-shaped permanent magnet pm of the auxiliary plate AP3, the sheet PS located between the folding plate FP5 and the auxiliary plate AP3 is placed on the parallelogram surface ra of the folding plate FP5. In close contact with the surface.

  In the above-described first to fifth embodiments of the present invention, the example in which the sheet PS is folded by sequentially applying the X-direction deformation force Fx and the Y-direction deformation force Fy to the folding plate FP5 manually has been described. The deformation operation of the folding plate FP5 in the X direction and the Y direction can be sufficiently mechanized, and a folding sheet FP5 can be used to quickly and industrially produce a folding sheet using a machine using the folding plate FP5.

  The sixth embodiment shown in FIGS. 12 to 15 is the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 according to the third embodiment described above, and as shown in an enlarged manner in FIG. 15, the folding plate FP3 has a metal plate rp1 for strengthening rigidity embedded therein. A sheet PS to be folded is sandwiched between the folding plate FP3 and an auxiliary plate AP1 having the same structure as that of the folding plate FP3, and Y is fed by feeding the folding plate FP3 in the X direction. The formation of the direction folding lines y1 and y2 is performed. That is, a rigid metal plate rp1 having a thickness of 0.4 mm is molded inside each parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra1 of the folding plate FP3, and the surface rigidity of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra1 is enhanced by these metal plates rp1. Also, the same pressing plate rp2 as the metal plate rp1 is molded on the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra2 of the auxiliary plate AP1 made of the same material and having the same dimensions and structure as the folding plate FP3, and the flat plate rp2 having high surface rigidity is used. The sheet PS in the state is placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram-shaped surface part ra1 of the folding plate FP3.

In the folding plate FP3 according to the present invention, as shown in FIG. 14, a large number of pairs of rigid support pieces rs1 are integrally formed at both ends in the Y direction, which are formed by extending the corresponding end parallelogram face ra1. That is, each pair of the rigid support pieces rs1 is formed as an extension of the metal plate rp1 so as to be located on both sides in the X direction of the Y-direction fold line y1 which is a mountain fold with respect to the paper surface of FIG. Each of the contact surfaces s3 is formed by extending the center line of the width in the X direction of the quadrilateral surface portion ra1, and these contact surfaces s3 slide on the surface of the guide member GM (FIG. 1) extended in the X direction. Will be accepted.
Each of the rigid support pieces rs1 is formed with an operation surface s4 capable of contacting the opposing surface gm1 of the guide member GM, and the opposing surface gm1 is brought into contact with these operation surfaces s4 when the corresponding guide member GM moves in the Y direction. Thereby, a Y-direction deformation force is applied to the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1.

At the left and right ends in the X direction of the folding plate FP3, an auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece ss1 having a width approximately half the X direction width of the parallelogram surface portion ra1 is continuously provided via a thin hinge portion sh. You. These auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces ss1 are made of a metal plate or the like so as to have the same surface rigidity as the above-described parallelogram surface ra1. One of the auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces ss1 at both ends in the X direction is used. The part is provided with two pairs of support drive ears se1 that are coupled to the auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece ss1 via a thin hinge part sh.
Although not shown, an X-direction feed member extending in the Y direction that can move in the X direction is connected to these support drive ears se1, and an X-direction deformation force is applied to the folding plate FP3 from these X-direction feed members. Added.

  In the folding mechanism of the sixth embodiment, the rigid support piece rs1 and the auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece ss2 are provided for the auxiliary plate AP1 as well as the rigid support piece rs1 and the auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece ss1 of the folding plate FP3. The facing surface gm1 is formed on the rigid support piece rs1. However, in the state of FIG. 4 in which the sheet PS to be folded is sandwiched between the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1, the rigid support piece rs1 and the auxiliary parallelogram are provided. The shaped rigid piece ss2 is in close contact with the rigid supporting piece rs1 of the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary parallelogram shaped rigid piece ss1, respectively.

  The guide members GM shown in FIG. 12 are extended in the X direction while being located immediately below the rigid support pieces rs1 at both ends in the Y direction of the folding plate FP3, and these guide members GM are provided in the Y direction provided on the device fixing portion. Along the plurality of support pins gm2 in the Y direction so as to approach each other. However, in another embodiment of the present invention, one of the guide members GM is fixed to the device fixing portion, and the other guide member GM that can move in the Y direction is used for the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1. A Y-direction deformation force may be applied.

  The folding mechanism of the folded sheet of the illustrated embodiment includes an X-direction feed screw SM extending in the X-direction above the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1, and includes the right-hand screw sm1 and the left-hand screw sm2. Drives the partially synchronous movement mechanism extending in the X direction. In the illustrated embodiment, the pantograph PG1 is exemplified as one of the partial synchronous motion mechanisms, but the partial synchronous motion mechanism is configured by a belt-shaped link or a crank link mechanism configured by a link member longer than the width in the X direction of the parallelogram surface ra1. You can also.

A nut NT fed in the X direction by an X direction feed screw SM rotated by a stepping motor (not shown) is fixed to the X direction moving shafts ng2 at both ends of the pantograph PG1 via a rod rod extended in the Y direction. Therefore, the pantograph PG1 is expanded and contracted in the X direction by the movement of both nuts NT in the X direction.
A pair of pantographs PG1 are provided so as to face each other in the Y direction. Members forming these pantographs PG1 have a length w2 (FIG. 14) larger than the width w1 (FIG. 14) of the parallelogram-shaped surface portion ra1 of the folding plate FP3. 12), and a plurality of connecting members CM extending in the Y direction are supported on the upper Z-direction movement axis pg1 of both pantographs PG1.

Through the holes h1 at both ends of the connecting member CM composed of a square bar, posture maintaining rods rd each having a lower end pin-joined to the lower Z-direction movement axis pg1 are penetrated, and these posture maintaining rods rd are used in the horizontal plane of the connecting member CM. Posture is kept constant.
Actuators indicating the case of an electromagnetic solenoid SN are respectively fixed to the central surface in the longitudinal direction of the connecting member CM, and plungers sn of these electromagnetic solenoids SN are connected to upper and lower rods udr extending in the Y direction.

  The upper end em2 of the engaging member EM capable of engaging the lower engaging portion em1 with each pair of rigid support pieces rs1 is pin-connected to both ends of the upper and lower rods udr. That is, as shown in FIG. 13, the upper portion of each engaging member EM is inserted into a vertical through hole h1 formed in the connecting member CM, and the square shaft portion em3 of the engaging member EM is connected to the connecting member EM. It is inserted into the guide groove gt of the L-shaped member LG fixed to the lower surface of the CM, and the rotation around the angular shaft portion em3 is prevented.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 13, the lower end engaging portion em1 of the engaging member EM is above the corresponding rigid support piece rs1 as shown by a two-dot chain line, and the same solid line as the rigid support piece rs1 by the operation of the electromagnetic solenoid SN. It is lowered to the position shown and engaged with each pair of rigid support pieces rs1.

Since the folding mechanism of the folding sheet in the illustrated embodiment has the above-described configuration, the sheet PS to be folded is located between the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1, and the left and right support driving faces in the X direction. By applying an X-direction deformation force Fx to the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 from the ear se1, the folding plate FP3 and the auxiliary plate AP1 are folded in the X direction, and a plurality of z-zag folding lines in the Y direction are formed on the folded sheet PS. y1 and y2 are formed.
In the initial stage of the deformation of the folding plate FP3 in the X direction, the plurality of electromagnetic solenoids SN are simultaneously operated, and the plurality of engaging members EM at the positions indicated by the two-dot chain line in FIG. The lower end engaging part em4 of the engaging member EM is interposed between the pair of rigid support pieces rs2 and the rigid support piece rs1.
Then, the X-direction feed screw SM is synchronously driven with the movement of the support drive ear se1 in the X-direction, and the nuts NT screwed into the X-direction feed screw SM are moved in the X direction. The position is transmitted to the X-direction movement axes at both ends of the pantograph PG1.

Accordingly, the entire length of the pantograph PG1 in the X direction is reduced in synchronization with the movement of the support drive ear se1 in the X direction, but the X direction position of each Z direction movement axis pg1 of the pantograph PG1 is set to the corresponding rigid support piece rs1 and rigid support The position in the X direction corresponding to the piece rs1 is taken. In other words, as the folding plate FP3 and the rigid support piece rs1 advance in the X direction, the X-direction position of each Z-direction movement axis pg1 of the pantograph PG1 should be the corresponding pair of the rigid support piece rs1 and the rigid support piece rs1. Since it moves to the X direction position, each pair of the rigid support pieces rs1 and the rigid support pieces rs1 are forcibly positioned in the X direction by each engagement member EM moved in the X direction by these Z direction movement axes pg1. During the folding, the positions of the folding plate FP3 and the rigid support piece rs1 in the X direction are secured.
In addition, during the folding, the Z-direction position of each Z-direction moving axis pg1 follows the rigid support piece rs1 and the change in height (Z direction) of the rigid support piece rs1, so that the rigid support piece rs1 and the rigid support piece The engagement depth of the lower end engagement portion of each engagement member EM with rs1 is maintained at a substantially constant state.

When the X-direction folding is advanced and the X-direction movement is substantially completed, the electromagnetic solenoid SN is simultaneously disabled, the engaging member EM is lifted upward, and the rigid support piece rs1 and the rigid support piece rs1 engage. Since the member EM is disengaged, the rigid support piece rs1 and the rigid support piece rs1 become free, and preparation for the subsequent Y-direction deformation is performed.
Thereafter, the folding in the X direction is continued for a while under the unrestricted state of the engagement member EM, and then the guide member G
M is moved in the Y direction, a Y-direction deformation force Fy is applied to the action surface s4 of the rigid support piece rs1 from the opposing surface gm1 of the guide member GM, and X is applied to the sheet PS sandwiched between the folding plate FP3 and the rigid support piece rs1. The direction folding lines x1 and x2 are formed.

  After the above steps, the guide member GM is returned in the Y direction, the support driving ear se1 is returned outward in the X direction, the auxiliary plate AP1 is separated above the folding plate FP3, and the folded sheet PS is taken out. It is.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where a sheet such as a map is folded is illustrated, but as described in various documents, there is a possibility that "Miura folding" can be put to practical use as a folded material sheet of another material. .

FIG. 3 is a plan view of a folded sheet to which the present invention is applied in an unfolded state. It is a top view of the folding plate used in Example 1 of this invention. FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the folding sheet taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 2. It is an expanded sectional view which follows the 4-4 line of FIG. 2 of the same folding sheet. It is explanatory drawing of the X direction deformation force provision process with respect to the same folding plate. It is explanatory drawing of the Y direction deformation force provision process with respect to the same folding plate. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the folded sheet obtained in Example 1 in a completely folded state. FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view of a main part of a folding plate according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of a folding plate according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of a folding plate according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a view similar to FIG. 8 of a folding plate according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a folding mechanism of the folding sheet according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view in the Y direction of FIG. 1. It is a top view of the folding plate used for the folding mechanism of the folding sheet. It is a principal part expanded sectional view of the folding plate and the auxiliary plate.

Explanation of reference numerals

PS sheet y1, y2 Y-direction folding line x1, x2 X-direction folding line FP1 to FP5 Folding plate ra Parallelogram surface part sh Thin flexible hinge part ah Air hole vb Vacuum box sc Semiconductor layer rp1 Metal plate mp2 Ferromagnetic plate pm Coin permanent magnet Fx X direction deformation force Fy Y direction deformation force rp1 Metal plate ra1 Parallelogram surface rs1 Rigid support piece ss2 Auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece GM Guide member PG Pantograph pg1 Z direction movement axis EM Engagement member SM X direction Feed screw

Claims (11)

It is composed of a plurality of X-direction fold lines which are parallel to each other and each fold line is an alternate continuous line of a mountain fold and a valley fold, and a plurality of zigzag fold lines extending in a direction intersecting these X-direction fold lines. In addition, these folding lines adjacent to each other in the X direction are folded in a Y-direction folding line composed of contradictory mountain folds and valley fold lines. A folding plate having a curved surface portion and a thin flexible hinge portion connecting between the parallelogram-shaped surface portions is prepared, the surface of the sheet to be folded on each parallelogram-shaped surface portion of the folded plate is brought into close contact, and the sheet is deformed in the X direction. An X-direction folding step of forming a Y-direction fold line at the thin flexible hinge portion of the folding plate while applying a force, and after applying the Y-direction deformation force after the X-direction folding step, Tatami folding sheet manufacturing method characterized in that it comprises a Y-direction folding step for forming the X-direction folding line a thin flexible hinge portion left of the plate. Each parallelogram surface portion of the folding plate has a plurality of air holes penetrating therethrough, and the sheet to be folded is in close contact with the surface of the corresponding parallelogram surface portion due to an air pressure difference between both surfaces of the folding plate applied through the air holes. The method according to claim 1, wherein the folding sheet is placed in a state. At least one surface of each of the parallelogram faces of the folding plate is made of an electrically insulating material, and the folded sheet is formed of each parallelogram by a potential difference applied between alternating electrodes located on the same electrically insulating surface. The method according to claim 1, wherein the folding sheet is electrostatically attracted to the surface of the surface portion. The sheet placed on the folding plate is placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion by being interposed between an auxiliary plate and a folding plate, which are formed in substantially the same structure as the folding plate. The method for producing a folding sheet according to claim 1, wherein: At least some of the parallelogram faces have a thin ferromagnetic plate, and the sheets stacked on the folding plate are folded with a plurality of restraining plates of ferromagnetic material positioned on the parallelogram faces. Interposed between the plate and the ferromagnetic plate and the ferromagnetic plate and the holding plate are attracted between the ferromagnetic plate and the holding plate due to a magnetic field passing through the holding plate, and are placed in close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface. The method for producing a folded sheet according to claim 1. At least a part of the parallelogram surface portion has a thin ferromagnetic plate, and the sheet stacked on the folding plate includes a plurality of permanent magnet pieces corresponding to the parallelogram surface portion and a folding plate. 2. The method for manufacturing a folded sheet according to claim 1, wherein the folding sheet is interposed between the ferromagnetic plate and the permanent magnet piece so as to be brought into close contact with the surface of the parallelogram surface portion by an attraction force. A folding plate used in the method for producing a folding sheet according to any one of claims 1 to 6.   A folding plate having a large number of parallelogram-shaped surface portions arranged in a matrix in a plane and having a thin flexible hinge portion connecting these parallelogram-shaped portions, and a structure substantially similar to that of the folding plate. With the sheet to be folded sandwiched between the folding plate and the auxiliary plate to be folded, a Y-direction folding line is formed by the thin flexible hinge portion while applying an X-direction deformation force to both the folding plate and the auxiliary plate. In the method of manufacturing a fold sheet in which an X-direction fold line is formed by a thin flexible hinge portion remaining while applying a force, a large number of pairs of stiffness which are extensions of corresponding parallelogram-shaped surface portions with respect to both Y-direction end portions of the fold plate. A support piece, a pair of guide members extending in the X direction capable of slidably receiving the rigid support pieces during the deformation in the X direction, and movement of at least one of the guide members in the Y direction Folding mechanism of the sheet folding, characterized in that the Y-direction deformation force is given to the more folded plates.   Each pair of rigid support pieces has a contact surface located on an extension of a substantially intermediate position in the X-direction width of each parallelogram surface portion, and the X-direction of the parallelogram surface portion is provided at both ends in the X direction of the folding plate. An auxiliary parallelogram rigid piece of approximately half the width is added via a thin flexible hinge part, and the X-direction deformation force is applied to at least one of these auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces via the thin flexible hinge part. 9. The folding mechanism for a folding sheet according to claim 8, wherein the folding mechanism is provided through a support driving ear provided continuously.   The auxiliary plate has a plurality of rigid support pieces and auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces similar to the pair of rigid support pieces and auxiliary parallelogram rigid pieces of the folding plate, and the end positions of the folding plate and the auxiliary plate in the Y direction. A partial synchronous motion mechanism extending in the X direction which is driven synchronously with the movement of both ends of the folding plate, and the engagement member of the partial synchronous motion mechanism is engaged with each of the pair of rigid support pieces to thereby move the folding plate. 10. The folding mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the X-direction movement of each parallelogram surface is controlled. The partial synchronous movement mechanism includes a pantograph composed of members longer than an X-direction width dimension of the parallelogram surface portion, and a Z-direction movement axis of the pantograph synchronized with the X-direction movement of each pair of rigid support pieces. 11. A folding sheet according to claim 10, comprising a plurality of said engaging members supported, said engaging members being disengaged with respect to each pair of rigid support pieces by at least one actuator. Folding mechanism.

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