Method and device for loading a clip with a garment, in particular a garment to be sorted
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for loading laundry items onto conveyor systems for sorting are inefficient and lack automation, leading to manual errors and reduced sorting performance.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a transfer device with a double clamp and a loading device to synchronously move and reorient laundry items, ensuring a defined edge strip is maintained for reliable and quick transfer into the next clamp, allowing for efficient and automated loading without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading of laundry items onto clips is used, then the process is simple to implement, but the sorting performance is reduced and manual errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses self-service mechanisms where the laundry item itself is manipulated by the clamps without requiring external manual intervention. The item is grabbed, oriented, and transferred automatically through the system, eliminating the need for operators to manually place items on clips.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical operations are replaced with an automated mechanical system consisting of a transfer device with double clamp and a loading device with adjacent clamps that synchronously move to grab, orient, and transfer the laundry item onto the conveyor clip automatically.
2Productivity
If automated loading devices are introduced, then sorting performance improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automated loading system is segmented into two functional modules: a transfer device with double clamp for grabbing and orienting the laundry item, and a loading device with adjacent clamps for transferring the item onto the conveyor clip. This segmentation allows each module to perform its specific function efficiently while maintaining overall system manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic synchronized movement of multiple clamps (double clamp and adjacent clamps) that coordinate their motions to grab, orient, and transfer the laundry item in a continuous automated sequence, enabling high-speed operation without excessive mechanical complexity.
3Productivity
If the laundry item is transferred quickly between clamps, then productivity increases, but the reliability of transfer decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The double clamp performs preliminary actions by grabbing the laundry item and orienting it with a defined edge strip before the transfer to the loading device occurs. This preliminary orientation ensures that when the quick transfer happens, the item is already positioned correctly, maintaining both speed and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The defined edge strip of the laundry item serves as an intermediary element during transfer. The double clamp holds this edge strip in a specific orientation, and the adjacent clamps of the loading device grab this same edge strip for transfer onto the conveyor clip. This intermediary reference point ensures reliable transfer even at high speeds.
4Reliability
If the edge strip is held stretched during transfer, then transfer reliability improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The clamps dynamically adjust their positions to hold the edge strip stretched during transfer. The double clamp maintains the edge strip in a stretched, defined state, and the adjacent clamps of the loading device coordinate their movement to grab and transfer this stretched edge strip onto the conveyor clip, ensuring reliable transfer through dynamic clamp coordination.
Data Source
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AI summary
The loading of clips (11) on a conveyor (12), preferably extending along a sorting line, with laundry items (10) has so far been carried out manually or semi-automatically. The invention provides that, after singulation, the laundry items (10) are first transferred to a transfer device (19), which then transfers the individual laundry items (10) to a loading device (20). From clips (29) of the loading device (20), the laundry items (10) are then individually hooked into a ready-to-load clip (11) on the conveyor (12). In this way, laundry items (10) can be quickly and reliably hooked into the clips (11) to be loaded fully automatically.