Autonomous laundry washing and drying devices, systems, and methods of use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry processing technologies rely on human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and high costs, as they require manual handling and sorting of laundry, which is time-consuming and prone to delays, and are not suitable for processing mixed or non-standard loads.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous washing and drying device that uses pivot shafts to rotate a drum through various orientations, allowing for automatic loading, washing, drying, and unloading of laundry without human intervention, utilizing sensors and motors to execute washing and drying routines based on load characteristics, and communicating with other robots for sorting and processing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators manually handle and sort laundry in laundromats and industrial services, then laundry processing can be performed, but contamination risks increase and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs autonomous laundry processing including loading, washing, drying, and unloading without human intervention. The robot independently operates the entire workflow, eliminating the need for human operators to handle laundry, thus preventing contamination while maintaining continuous processing efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces human operators with a robotic system that uses sensors, motors, and automated mechanisms to perform laundry tasks. The robotic arm, drum mechanism, and control system substitute manual human actions with automated mechanical operations, achieving both contamination prevention and efficient processing
2Adaptability or versatility
If traditional washers and dryers process single loads sequentially, then each load can be treated individually, but time consumption increases and overall efficiency is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system enables continuous laundry processing by automatically transitioning between washing and drying cycles without human intervention. The robot can load new laundry into the washer immediately after a cycle completes and transfer finished laundry to the dryer, eliminating idle time and achieving continuous operation while maintaining individual load processing capability
Solution Approach 2:
The system prepares for the next laundry load in advance by having the robotic arm positioned and ready to load new laundry as soon as a cycle completes. The robot pre-positions materials and equipment needed for subsequent processing steps, minimizing delays between cycles and reducing overall processing time
3Ease of operation
If laundromat services use human employees to process laundry, then flexible service can be provided, but operational costs increase and delays occur at every transition
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system autonomously manages the entire laundry processing workflow including loading, washing, drying, and unloading without requiring human operators. The system self-coordinates transitions between different processing stages and self-adjusts to different laundry types, providing both operational flexibility and continuous efficient processing without human intervention delays
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system uses sensors and control systems to continuously monitor laundry processing status, drum positions, and cycle progress. This feedback mechanism enables the robot to automatically adjust operations, detect cycle completion, and initiate next steps without human intervention, maintaining service flexibility while eliminating delays associated with human monitoring and manual transitions
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The autonomous system significantly reduces human contact and contamination risks, increases efficiency by processing multiple loads without manual transfer, and provides cost-effective, time-efficient laundry processing for mixed and non-standard loads.
Implementation Method 1
A pair of pivot shafts affixed to opposite sides of a rigid frame in axial alignment with a pivot axis are configured to suspend the rigid frame from a support structure, and the suspended rigid frame rotates about the pivot axis through a range of rotational angles from an upturned orientation to an inverted orientation
Implementation Method 2
Two or more springs are configured to extend between an outer surface of the tub and the rigid frame and suspend the connected tub and drum within the rigid frame
Implementation Method 3
A bidirectional drive motor is configured to operably engage the drive shaft for spinning the drum about a spin axis extending from the drive end to the front end
Implementation Method 4
A pivot motor is configured to operably engage one of the pair of pivot shafts to rotate the rigid frame about the pivot axis such that the opening of the drum suspended therein moves bidirectionally through the range of rotational angles
Data Source
AI summary
An autonomously actuated washing and drying device includes a rigid frame configured to pivot about a pivot shaft, a combined washing and drying tub and drum assembly suspended within the frame, and a controller in operable communication with a pivot motor for rotating the pivot shaft and a drive motor for spinning the drum. The pivot shaft is configured to rotate the frame from an upright orientation to an inverted orientation. The controller is configured to instruct the pivot motor to rotate the frame to the upright orientation for receiving at least one deformable article into an opening of the drum, and rotate the frame to a wash orientation between the upright orientation and inverted orientation. The controller is configured to execute a washing and drying routine based on parameters including instructing the drive motor to spin the drum about a drive axis at the wash orientation.