Automatic clothes folding machine
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes folding machines require human interaction to pick and fold clothing items from a load of multiple items, which is inefficient and labor-intensive, particularly in households, hotels, hospitals, and clothing retail industries.
Innovation Solution
An automatic clothing folding machine equipped with robotic arms, cameras, and an AI system that identifies and folds clothing items without human intervention, using a folding platform with hinged boards to achieve precise folding.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing clothes folding machines are used, then folding function is provided, but human interaction is required to pick and fold clothing items
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the clothing folding machine autonomously picks, identifies, and folds clothing items without human intervention. The robotic arm, integrated camera, and folding mechanism work together as a self-contained system that automatically processes clothes from the basket.
Solution Approach 2:
The machine integrates multiple functions into a single system: the robotic arm performs picking and positioning, the camera system provides identification and classification, and the folding platform executes folding operations. This multi-functional integration achieves full automation while managing system complexity through unified design.
2Productivity
If manual clothes folding is performed, then flexibility in handling different clothing types is maintained, but significant labor and time are consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical folding operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm mechanically picks and positions clothes, while the folding platform mechanically executes folding sequences, eliminating the need for manual manipulation and significantly increasing processing speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated camera system provides real-time visual feedback about the clothing items being processed, enabling the system to identify and adapt to different clothing types automatically. This feedback loop allows the machine to maintain flexibility in handling various garments while operating at high speed without manual intervention.
Data Source
AI summary
A machine, comprising an enclosure, three or more robotic arms each having one end connected to a top panel of the enclosure and an opposite end connected a hand configured to grab and release one or more clothing items, two or more baskets for storing the clothing items, a folding platform above the baskets, a processor, and an artificial intelligence system. The processor is configured to control movement of each of the robotic arms, while the artificial intelligence system is configured to identify each item grabbed by at least one of the robotic arms. The folding platform folds the clothing item based on the type identified by the artificial intelligence system.