Autonomous devices, systems, and methods for packing folded laundry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry processing technologies, including home appliances and industrial services, rely heavily on human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and high costs due to the need for manual handling and processing of laundry, which limits their ability to handle diverse loads of laundry efficiently and safely.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic system that includes a refillable cartridge device with a removable receiving surface and a controller, capable of automatically packing folded laundry articles of varying sizes and types without human contact, using sensors and conveyors to manage and sort items efficiently within a container.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators manually handle and process laundry, then flexibility in handling diverse laundry loads is maintained, but contamination risks increase and processing efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs self-service by autonomously handling laundry from intake to folding and packaging without human intervention. The system includes autonomous navigation capabilities, automated washing and drying processes, robotic folding mechanisms, and self-directed packaging, eliminating the need for human operators while maintaining high processing efficiency and preventing contamination.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical handling with automated robotic systems. Specifically, robotic arms with specialized end effectors perform folding operations, automated conveyors transport laundry between stations, and robotic packaging systems seal and label items. This substitution eliminates human contact with laundry, preventing contamination while maintaining operational flexibility.
2Productivity
If industrial laundry services process large volumes of standardized items, then economies of scale are achieved, but adaptability to handle diverse household laundry types is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic laundry system is designed with multi-functionality to handle diverse laundry types. The robotic arms can adjust their end effectors for different fabric types, the washing machines can vary parameters for different loads, and the folding algorithms can adapt to various garment types. This universal design allows the system to process both standardized and diverse household laundry with the same automated infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs dynamic adjustment capabilities where robotic algorithms adapt in real-time to the specific laundry being processed. Sensors detect fabric type, weight, and dimensions, and the system dynamically adjusts washing parameters, folding patterns, and packaging methods. This dynamic responsiveness enables high processing volume while maintaining versatility across different laundry types.
3Loss of time
If laundromat services outsource laundry processing, then time is saved for customers, but human intervention delays and contamination risks persist
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system provides complete self-service from customer perspective. Laundry is collected, transported, washed, dried, folded, and packaged autonomously without human handlers. The system includes automated quality inspection and contamination detection capabilities, ensuring reliability while eliminating human contact throughout the entire process.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between the customer's laundry and the processing infrastructure. Automated conveyors, robotic arms, and controlled-environment processing stations serve as intermediaries that eliminate direct human contact with customer belongings, preventing contamination while maintaining efficient processing.
4Manufacturing precision
If specialized folding machines are used for specific laundry types, then folding precision is improved, but device complexity and operational flexibility decrease
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic folding system uses a universal robotic arm with interchangeable end effectors that can handle multiple laundry types. The robotic arm can be programmed with different folding algorithms for various garment types, and the end effectors can be adjusted or replaced based on the specific laundry being processed. This universal approach maintains high folding accuracy while covering diverse laundry types without requiring separate specialized machines.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic folding system employs dynamic control where sensors detect the laundry's dimensions, fabric properties, and desired fold patterns in real-time. The robotic arm dynamically adjusts its motion parameters, force application, and folding sequences based on this information. This dynamic adaptability allows a single robotic system to achieve the folding precision of specialized machines across multiple laundry types.
Data Source
AI summary
Autonomously operated systems and methods of packing unbound folded laundry articles are described. A system of stacking a plurality of folded laundry articles onto a receiving surface includes two or more side-by-side parallel extendable surfaces configured to extend at least one of independently and simultaneously, at least one sensor configured to detect a presence of one or more folded laundry articles on at least one of the surfaces, and a controller in operative communication with at least one drive of the two or more surfaces and the at least one sensor. The controller is configured to extend a loading end of at least one of the surfaces out upon receiving a signal from the at least one sensor, and retract the loading end to deposit the one or more folded laundry articles atop at least one of the receiving surface and one or more previously deposited folded laundry articles.