Autonomous laundry folding devices, systems, and methods of use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry processing technologies rely heavily on human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, increased costs, and potential contamination risks, as they require manual handling and sorting of laundry items, which limits their ability to process diverse loads and maintain privacy.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic system that includes a folding device with a rotatable platform, clamp rods, and movable sweep rods, equipped with sensors and a controller to autonomously identify and fold deformable laundry articles of varying sizes and types, eliminating the need for human interaction and optimizing the folding process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators manually handle and sort laundry items, then flexibility in processing diverse loads is maintained, but contamination risks increase and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs self-service by autonomously identifying, sorting, and folding laundry items without human intervention. Sensors detect article types and characteristics, the controller processes this information to determine optimal folding methods, and robotic arms execute the folding operations, creating a complete self-service system that eliminates contamination risks while maintaining high processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of manual human handling with an automated robotic system. Human operators are substituted with robotic arms equipped with sensors and controllers that detect, classify, and fold laundry articles through programmed mechanical actions, thereby eliminating contamination from human contact while achieving consistent high-speed processing
2Manufacturing precision
If industrial folding machines are designed for specific article types, then folding precision is improved, but adaptability to diverse laundry loads deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system employs dynamic adaptability where the controller adjusts folding parameters, arm movements, and clamp positions in real-time based on sensor feedback about each article's characteristics. This dynamic control enables the same robotic system to achieve precision folding across diverse article types including sheets, towels, and garments by adapting its mechanical actions to each specific item
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a universal folding system where a single robotic platform with multi-axis arms and adjustable clamps can handle multiple article types. The system uses sensor-based identification to recognize different laundry items and automatically selects appropriate folding algorithms and mechanical configurations, eliminating the need for dedicated machines for each article type while maintaining high folding precision across all categories
3Ease of operation
If laundromat services use human employees for laundry processing, then customer service flexibility is improved, but operational costs and contamination risks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic laundromat system provides automated self-service where customers deposit laundry into hoppers and the system autonomously processes sorting, washing, drying, and folding operations. The robotic arms and integrated sensors manage the entire workflow without human employees, reducing operational costs while maintaining service flexibility through programmable customer preferences and automated notifications
4Device complexity
If autonomous robotic systems process laundry, then contamination risks and operational costs are reduced, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous system is segmented into modular functional units including sensor arrays for detection, separate controller modules for processing and decision-making, independent robotic arms for manipulation, and climate control systems for environmental management. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while simplifying maintenance and reducing overall system complexity through standardized interfaces between modules
Data Source
AI summary
A device for autonomously folding a deformable article includes a rotatable platform configured to receive the deformable article and at least one movable elongation in operable communication with at least one elongation drive. The at least one movable elongation is configured to raise and lower from the surface of the rotatable platform, move parallel to the surface, and manipulate the deformable article to thereby fold the deformable article at one of the one or more fold lines. The device includes a table drive configured to rotate the rotatable platform about a central axis such that the at least one elongation aligns with one of the one or more fold lines, and at least one sensor configured to detect the deformable article position and orientation on the rotatable platform. A controller is in operable communication with the at least one elongation drive, the table drive, and the at least one sensor.