Method and device for the transport and/or spreading out of laundry items hanging from clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for transporting and spreading laundry items hanging from clamps often result in incomplete or incorrect loading, leading to unintentional loosening during transport, due to inadequate detection of the laundry item's presence in the clamp before movement begins.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that directly detect the presence of the laundry item within the clamp using noncontact optical or acoustical sensing, ensuring the item is correctly and securely held before transport, utilizing a detection device positioned at the loading station to verify the item's location within the clamp.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If detection means are positioned to monitor the loading process, then the presence of laundry items can be detected, but the detection only covers a neighbouring region of the clamp and cannot detect correct hanging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from detecting only the neighboring region of the clamp to detecting the actual interior region where laundry items are hung. This is achieved by positioning detection means (optical or acoustic sensors) to monitor the specific zone between clamping jaws, representing a dimensional shift in detection coverage from peripheral to central detection space.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical detection methods with non-contact optical or acoustic detection means. This substitution enables precise detection of laundry item presence and correct hanging without physical contact, resolving the limitation of previous mechanical detection systems that could only monitor neighboring regions.
2Loss of time
If detection occurs before the laundry item is hung in the clamp, then early monitoring is possible, but the clamp may move away before the item is properly hung
Solution Approach 1:
The detection means are positioned and configured to monitor the loading process in advance, detecting the presence and correct hanging of laundry items before the clamp begins movement. This preliminary detection ensures that only properly loaded clamps are transported, preventing premature movement and ensuring loading completion reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system provides real-time feedback on the loading status to the control system. When the detection means confirm that a laundry item is correctly hung in the clamp, the system receives feedback to authorize clamp movement. This feedback mechanism ensures that clamps are not moved until proper loading is verified, resolving the timing contradiction between early detection and reliable loading completion.
3Reliability
If the detection device monitors the region inside the clamp, then correct hanging can be verified, but the detection system becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-contact optical or acoustic detection means instead of complex mechanical detection systems. These sensors can monitor the interior region of the clamp through transparent or acoustic-transparent materials, verifying correct hanging without requiring complex mechanical structures inside the clamp, thus maintaining simplicity while improving reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection means act as an intermediary between the laundry item and the control system. By using optical or acoustic fields as intermediaries, the system can verify loading status without direct mechanical contact or complex internal sensors, simplifying the overall device structure while ensuring reliable detection of correct hanging.
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
Prevents premature movement of the clamp and ensures secure holding of the laundry item, reducing operational disruptions and ensuring proper loading before transport or spreading.
Implementation Method 1
it is directly determined whether the region of the laundry item to be inserted into the respective clamp is present in that clamp
Implementation Method 2
A method and device that directly detect the presence of the laundry item within the clamp using noncontact optical or acoustical sensing
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for directly determining the region of the respective laundry item to be inserted into a clamp. In this way, it is possible to determine whether the clamp has actually been loaded with a laundry item and whether the region of the laundry item designated for this has also been properly inserted into the clamp. During the transport and the spreading out of laundry items being washed it is customary at commercial laundry establishments to hang the laundry items from clamps, which are transported further by a conveyor to various processing stations. It happens that the clamps may move away before having been loaded with the laundry item. This results in operational disruptions in most cases.