Autonomous laundry washing and drying devices, systems, and methods of use
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry processing technologies require human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and privacy breaches, and are not suitable for individual household use.
Innovation Solution
An autonomously operated washing and drying device with a pivot shaft system, a drum for receiving deformable articles, and a controller that manages rotational angles and washing/drying routines, eliminating the need for human interaction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If laundry processing is outsourced to laundromat facilities, then time consumption is reduced, but human intervention is required leading to contamination risks and privacy breaches
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine is equipped with autonomous capabilities including self-loading through a loader mechanism, self-unloading through inversion to a lower position, and automated door operation. The controller coordinates these functions to complete the laundry cycle without human intervention, eliminating contamination risks while maintaining time efficiency
Solution Approach 2:
Manual operations are replaced with automated mechanical systems: the loader mechanically transports laundry into the drum, the pivot shaft mechanically inverts the machine for unloading, and the door actuator mechanically opens/closes the door. This substitution eliminates human contact while maintaining operational effectiveness
2Ease of operation
If traditional washing machines are used, then laundry processing is completed, but human interaction is required throughout the process
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine autonomously performs loading, door operation, and unloading functions. The controller activates the loader to load laundry, opens the door automatically, and inverts the machine to a lower position for self-unloading, eliminating the need for human interaction while improving processing efficiency through continuous automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
The automated system enables continuous operation without interruption for loading, door management, or unloading. The controller coordinates these functions to occur seamlessly during the washing cycle, maintaining continuous productive action rather than pausing for human intervention
3Productivity
If industrial laundry services are used, then large volumes of laundry are processed, but human operators are required for loading and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine autonomously loads laundry using the loader mechanism, eliminates the need for human operators to manually place and align items. The controller manages the entire loading process, maintaining high processing capability while eliminating bodily contaminant introduction
Solution Approach 2:
Manual loading and alignment operations are replaced with automated mechanical loading systems. The loader mechanically transports and positions laundry in the drum without human contact, eliminating bodily contaminants while maintaining processing volume capability
4Loss of time
If laundromat services are used, then laundry is processed externally, but employees must handle customer belongings creating privacy barriers breach
Solution Approach 1:
The washing machine performs all operations autonomously including loading, washing, door operation, and unloading. No employee contact with customer belongings is required, maintaining privacy while achieving time efficiency through automated operation
Solution Approach 2:
Human handling of customer belongings is replaced with automated mechanical systems. The loader mechanically loads laundry, and the door actuator mechanically operates the door, eliminating employee contact with personal items while maintaining outsourcing time benefits
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 device provides efficient, contamination-free, and privacy-protected laundry processing suitable for individual households, reducing energy and water consumption, and minimizing human contact.
Implementation Method 1
a pair of pivot shafts affixed to opposite sides of a rigid frame in axial alignment with a pivot axis. The pair of pivot shafts 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
A method of autonomously washing and drying at least one deformable article with a combination washer and dryer includes receiving, at a controller in communication with the combination washer and dryer, a request to begin a washing and drying cycle, instructing a pivot motor to rotate the combination washer and dryer upward such that an opening of the combination washer and dryer faces upward to receive the at least one deformable article therein; instructing the pivot motor to pivot the loaded combination washer and dryer to a washing and drying angle in a range of between about 0 degrees to 20 degrees from horizontal, and instructing, in response to a sensor output signal indicating the combination washer and dryer being pivoted to the washing and drying angle, an autonomous door loader disposed adjacent to and detached from the combination washer and dryer to seat a removable door in the opening.