A device and a method for reorienting/orienting and alignment of cloth
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Manual reorientation of laundered rectangular cloths, such as towels, is labor-intensive and requires multiple operators to efficiently align them for processing in ironing or folding machines, as existing devices do not reliably achieve the desired angular orientation and alignment with a delivery line.
Innovation Solution
A device with rotating rollers and movable sledges equipped with detectors and grippers that automatically reorient and align laundered cloths by detecting cloth edges and adjusting roller positions and sledge movements to ensure parallel edges align with a delivery line, using air outlets to facilitate smooth transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual reorientation of laundered cloths is performed by operators, then the cloths can be spread and placed in position, but the process requires a lot of operators and is troublesome
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service operation where the cloth automatically guides itself through the reorientation process. The detectors detect cloth edges and the controller automatically actuates the rollers and sledges to reorient and align the cloth without human intervention, making the system serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of operators spreading and positioning cloths with an automated system using detectors, controllers, motorized rollers, and sledges. This substitution of manual mechanical operations with automated detection and control mechanisms resolves the contradiction between ease of operation and productivity.
2Extent of automation
If existing devices are used for reorienting cloth, then some automation is provided, but they do not reliably achieve the desired angular orientation and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The system employs detectors that continuously monitor the cloth position and provide feedback signals to the controller. The detectors detect cloth edges and the controller uses this feedback information to automatically adjust the roller and sledge positions, ensuring reliable achievement of the desired angular orientation and alignment with the delivery line.
Solution Approach 2:
The device uses dynamically adjustable rollers and sledges that can move and rotate to adapt to the cloth's position. The rollers can rotate in forward or rearward directions independently, and the sledges can move horizontally along the delivery line, providing dynamic adjustment capability that ensures reliable alignment under varying conditions.
3Ease of operation
If multiple operators are used to reorient cloths, then the task can be completed, but the process is labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The device enables self-service operation where the cloth automatically guides itself through the reorientation process. The detectors detect cloth edges and the controller automatically actuates the rollers and sledges to reorient and align the cloth without human intervention, making the system serve itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains continuous operation with the rollers rotating continuously to feed cloth through the device, and the sledges moving continuously to detect edges and perform alignment. This continuous action eliminates the intermittent manual operations required when multiple operators work sequentially, significantly reducing time per cloth.
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
Automates the reorientation and alignment of laundered cloths, reducing manual labor and increasing efficiency by enabling precise angular adjustment and horizontal alignment with the delivery line, thus streamlining the processing of large quantities of cloths.
Implementation Method 1
The rollers for the purpose include a plurality of air-outlets arranged along the length thereof and being configured for discharging air towards the cloth when said sledges move jointly.
Data Source
Figure 1a
Figure 1b
Figure 1c
AI summary
The invention relates to a device (1) and method for reorienting of laundered cloth (C) comprising rollers (30, 35) for receiving the laundered cloth (C) such that is hangs suspended from the rollers (30, 35) in a typically skewed or oblique manner requiring a reorienting such that the edges of the cloth (C) are parallel with a downstream delivery line (180), the device (1) further includes sledges (50,60) with detectors (51, 61, 55, 65), whereby a controller (2) is configured for moving said sledges (50,60) independently of each other along a path (P) and for activating the rollers (30, 35) for rotation independently of each other or together, to reorient the cloth (C) in response to the signals from the detectors (51, 61, 55, 65) received by said controller (2).