An intelligent clothes distribution and recycling system
The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system, utilizing pneumatic transmission and AI recognition equipment, solves the problem of cumbersome clothing washing and distribution processes in hospitals, achieves automated management, improves efficiency and asset management accuracy, and reduces manpower requirements.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Patents(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- RUIJIN HOSPITAL AFFILIATED TO SHANGHAI JIAO TONG UNIV SCHOOL OF MEDICINE
- Filing Date
- 2024-01-12
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-14
AI Technical Summary
The cumbersome process of washing and distributing surgical gowns and white coats in hospitals leads to low operational efficiency and chaotic asset management. Furthermore, the presence of cleaning staff of the opposite sex in and out of the changing room causes inconvenience to medical staff, increases operating costs, and raises the risk of clothing loss.
An intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system is adopted, including a recycling module, a distribution module, a cleaning module, and an intelligent robot. It utilizes pneumatic transmission devices, AI recognition equipment, and a control module to achieve automated management of clothing. Clothing is provided through facial recognition and employee ID recognition, and a usage limit for clothing is set to prevent asset loss.
The automated distribution and recycling of clothing has improved work efficiency, reduced manpower requirements, prevented clothing loss and management chaos, and ensured the accuracy of asset management and the efficiency of hospital operations.
Smart Images
Figure CN118083411B_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to the field of intelligent systems, and more particularly to an intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system. Background Technology
[0002] Within hospitals, the daily collection, distribution, and washing of large quantities of surgical gowns and white coats is an important yet tedious task. The current washing process typically involves placing the garments to be washed in designated collection bins, which are then counted by dedicated cleaning staff and taken to the linen room for washing. After washing, these garments are returned to their respective departments, where cleaning staff distribute them to medical staff or store them properly.
[0003] However, this traditional cleaning process has a series of problems that directly affect the hospital's operational efficiency and asset management. First, the inconvenience of female cleaning staff entering and exiting the changing room causes some inconvenience to medical staff, which may affect their normal work rhythm. Second, due to the manual counting method, the counting efficiency is low, and there are often cases of lost laundry, which not only wastes valuable time but also increases the hospital's operating costs.
[0004] In addition, some medical staff may fail to return the clothing they received in a timely manner due to being busy or other reasons, leading to the loss of clothing and confusion in asset management. Especially at night, due to manpower shortages, the work of washing and managing clothing becomes more difficult, and situations where no one is supervising are likely to occur, increasing the risk of clothing loss and mismanagement. Summary of the Invention
[0005] In order to overcome the above-mentioned technical defects, the purpose of this invention is to provide an intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system.
[0006] Therefore, the present invention provides an intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system, including a recycling module, a distribution module, a control module, a cleaning module, and an intelligent robot, wherein:
[0007] The recycling module is used to recycle clothing according to the type of clothing input by the employee. It includes a recycling bin, a pneumatic conveying device, and a recycling bin. The recycling bin provides a control panel for employees to input the type of clothing and determine whether the clothing matches the input type. If it does not match, the clothing is returned; if it matches, the clothing is recycled. The pneumatic conveying device is connected to the recycling bin and is used to transport the recycled clothing to the recycling bin. The recycling bin is used to store the recycled clothing and is equipped with a sensor. When the sensor detects clothing entering, the recycling process ends. The recycling bin has a door at the bottom, under which a smart robot is parked. When the number of clothes in the recycling bin reaches a set amount, the door is opened, and the clothing falls into the smart robot's transport box.
[0008] The cleaning module is used to clean and disinfect clothing;
[0009] The distribution module consists of multiple lockers. Each locker has a control panel for employees to input the type and model of clothing they need. It also provides facial recognition and employee ID recognition functions. After confirming that the information is correct, the locker provides the clothing to the employee through the retrieval port.
[0010] The intelligent robot provides the function of transporting clothes, which is used to send clothes to be cleaned from the recycling bin to the cleaning transfer module, and to send clean clothes from the cleaning module to the collection locker, and automatically load the clothes.
[0011] The control module is used to monitor the operation of the recycling module, distribution module, cleaning module, and intelligent robot, and to collect and analyze data from each module.
[0012] Furthermore, the control module sets an upper limit on the number of clothes each employee can use, and records the number of clothes an employee puts into the recycling bin and the number of clothes taken out of the retrieval locker, thus obtaining the number of clothes each employee is currently using. If the number of clothes used exceeds the upper limit, the employee cannot take out the clothes.
[0013] Furthermore, if the sensor in the recycling bin does not detect clothing during the recycling process, the pneumatic transmission device will be activated again.
[0014] Furthermore, the recycling bin is equipped with an AI recognition device to identify the weight and color of the clothing and determine whether it matches the clothing type entered by the employee.
[0015] Furthermore, both the recycling bins and the lockers are located in the employee changing room.
[0016] Furthermore, the cleaning module involves a human collecting the clothing delivered by the intelligent robot and disinfecting the robot.
[0017] Furthermore, the locker identifies employees based on their facial or ID card images and automatically provides the employees with the required clothing models and types.
[0018] Compared with existing technologies, the above technical solution has the following advantages:
[0019] 1. Medical staff only need to verify their identity (such as through fingerprint recognition, ID card, etc.) to obtain the necessary clothing. This system will automatically distribute the appropriate clothing to medical staff according to their needs, avoiding tedious manual distribution.
[0020] 2. Equipped with an intelligent control system, it can set a limit on the number of clothing items that can be claimed. If the clothing is not returned, no more clothing can be claimed, thus preventing asset loss.
[0021] 3. The system is equipped with a recycling bin. After using the clothes, medical staff can simply put them into the recycling bin, which is convenient for them.
[0022] 4. The recycling module is equipped with a pneumatic conveying device, which can directly send clothes to the recycling bin, reducing the workload of cleaning staff.
[0023] 5. The recycling bin is equipped with a smart delivery robot that works 24 hours a day to improve work efficiency.
[0024] 6. The recycling terminal automatically identifies the type of clothing to prevent the recycling of incorrect clothing. Attached Figure Description
[0025] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system. Detailed Implementation
[0026] The advantages of the present invention are further illustrated below with reference to the accompanying drawings and specific embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the following detailed description is illustrative rather than restrictive and should not be construed as limiting the scope of protection of the present invention.
[0027] like Figure 1 The diagram shown is a system structure diagram of the present invention. It includes a recycling module, a distribution module, a control module, a cleaning module, and an intelligent robot.
[0028] The recycling module collects clothing based on the type of clothing entered by the employee. It includes a recycling bin, a pneumatic conveyor, and a recycling compartment. The control panel of the recycling bin allows the employee to input the type of clothing. When an employee wants to put clothing in, they enter the type. The recycling bin is equipped with an AI recognition machine that can determine whether the clothing matches the type entered by the employee based on its weight and color. If it doesn't match, the clothing is returned; if it does, it is recycled. The pneumatic conveyor is used to transport the recycled clothing to the recycling compartment through pipes. The pneumatic conveyor is connected to the recycling bin and contains valves that are automatically controlled by the control system. For example, if item A is recycled from port 1, valves a1 and y1 are opened; if item B is recycled from port 2, valves a2, x1, and y2 are opened; and so on.
[0029] The recycling bin is used to store recycled clothing and is equipped with sensors. When the sensor detects clothing entering, the recycling process ends; if no clothing is detected, the pneumatic transmission system will restart to prevent clothing from remaining in the pipe.
[0030] The recycling bin has a door at the bottom, under which a smart robot is positioned. When the bin reaches a set quantity of clothing, the door opens, and the clothing falls into the robot's transport container. The robot has an opening at the top; after receiving the set quantity of clothing, the opening closes, and the robot proceeds along a pre-set route to the cleaning module—either the linen room or a designated storage location—where a person collects the clothing and disinfects the robot. The cleaned clothing is then delivered by the smart robot to the distribution module.
[0031] The distribution module consists of multiple lockers, each equipped with a control panel for employees to input the type and model of clothing they need. It also provides facial recognition and employee ID identification. After confirming the information is correct, the locker dispenses the clothing to the employee through a retrieval port. Alternatively, it can identify employees based on their faces or ID badge images and automatically provide the required clothing models and types.
[0032] The intelligent robots provide clothing transportation, delivering clothes awaiting cleaning from the collection bin to the cleaning transfer module, and cleaned clothes from the cleaning transfer module to the retrieval lockers. Cleaned clothing is loaded into a sterilized intelligent robot, which then follows a pre-set route to the corresponding clothing distribution locker, automatically filling it. Once empty, the intelligent robot parks below the collection bin; any remaining empty robots wait in the empty robot waiting area. After the delivery robots in the collection bin leave, the idle robots enter the collection bin according to their pre-set routes, open the top cover, and continue collecting clothing.
[0033] The control module monitors the operation of the recycling, distribution, cleaning, and intelligent robots, and collects and analyzes data from each module. The control module can set a maximum number of garments each employee can use, and records the number of garments an employee puts into the recycling bin and the number of garments retrieved from the retrieval locker, thus determining the total number of garments each employee is currently using. If the maximum number of garments used is exceeded, the employee cannot retrieve any garments. To lift this restriction, the garments must be returned or the employee must manually retrieve them from the control center.
[0034] Recycling bins and lockers are located in the employee changing room for easy access and recycling by employees.
[0035] This system employs an intelligent control module and a pneumatic conveying device to automate clothing distribution and recycling. The control module distributes clothing according to individual needs and records the quantity distributed. For individuals who fail to return clothing for an extended period, clean clothing is no longer distributed to them to prevent asset loss. The recycling end of the pneumatic conveying device is located in the changing room, eliminating the need for cleaning staff to enter and saving manpower. The recycling bins automatically identify clothing types to prevent the recycling of incorrect items.
[0036] This product is suitable for hospitals and other enterprises and institutions that require uniform distribution and recycling.
[0037] It should be noted that the embodiments of the present invention have better implementability and are not intended to limit the present invention in any way. Any person skilled in the art may use the above-disclosed technical content to change or modify it into equivalent effective embodiments. However, any modifications or equivalent changes and modifications made to the above embodiments based on the technical essence of the present invention without departing from the content of the technical solution of the present invention shall still fall within the scope of the technical solution of the present invention.
Claims
1. An intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system, characterized in that, It includes a recycling module, a distribution module, a control module, a cleaning module, and an intelligent robot, among which: The recycling module is used to recycle clothing according to the type of clothing input by the employee. It includes a recycling bin, a pneumatic conveying device, and a recycling bin. The recycling bin provides a control panel for employees to input the type of clothing and determine whether the clothing matches the input type. If it does not match, the clothing is returned; if it matches, the clothing is recycled. The pneumatic conveying device is connected to the recycling bin and is used to transport the recycled clothing to the recycling bin. The recycling bin is used to store the recycled clothing and is equipped with a sensor. When the sensor detects clothing entering, the recycling process ends. The recycling bin has a door at the bottom, under which a smart robot is parked. When the number of clothes in the recycling bin reaches a set amount, the door is opened, and the clothing falls into the smart robot's transport box. The cleaning module is used to clean and disinfect clothing; The distribution module consists of multiple lockers. Each locker has a control panel for employees to input the type and model of clothing they need. It also provides facial recognition and employee ID recognition functions. After confirming that the information is correct, the locker provides the clothing to the employee through the retrieval port. The intelligent robot provides the function of transporting clothes, which is used to send clothes to be cleaned from the recycling bin to the cleaning module, and to send clean clothes from the cleaning module to the collection locker, and automatically load the clothes. The control module is used to monitor the operation of the recycling module, distribution module, cleaning module, and intelligent robot, and to collect and analyze data from each module.
2. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The control module sets an upper limit on the number of clothes each employee can use, and records the number of clothes an employee puts into the recycling bin and the number of clothes taken out of the retrieval locker, thus obtaining the number of clothes each employee is currently using. If the number of clothes used exceeds the upper limit, the employee cannot take out the clothes.
3. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, If the sensor in the recycling bin does not detect clothing during the recycling process, the pneumatic transmission device will be activated again.
4. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The recycling bin is equipped with an AI recognition device to identify the weight and color of the clothing and determine whether it matches the type of clothing entered by the employee.
5. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, Both the recycling bins and the lockers are located in the employee changing room.
6. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cleaning module involves a human collecting the clothes delivered by the intelligent robot and disinfecting the robot.
7. The intelligent clothing distribution and recycling system according to claim 1, characterized in that, The locker identifies employees based on their faces or ID badge images and automatically provides them with the required clothing models and types.