Clothes folding device
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing clothes folding devices face issues such as damage to clothes during loading, increased device size, unintentional clothes ejection, and malfunctions due to improper adjustment and pressure concentration.
Innovation Solution
A clothes folding device with a loading assembly featuring an inclined seating plate, a clamp assembly with a unidirectional rotating wheel and elastic gap maintenance, and a transport roller to prevent separation, allowing for adjustable and secure folding of various types and sizes without additional power sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If clothes are inserted into the clamp and pushed inside, then the folding process can be performed, but the clothes may be damaged during the process
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by providing a soft cushioning layer between the clamp and the clothes to prevent direct contact and potential damage. The clamp pushes the clothes through this cushioning layer rather than directly, which protects the clothes from damage while still enabling the folding process to proceed efficiently.
2Ease of operation
If the clamp moves further to release the clothes, then the clothes can be properly discharged, but the device size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the inversion principle by changing the release mechanism from linear displacement to rotational movement. Instead of the clamp moving forward to release clothes, the clamp rotates about a pivot point, allowing the clothes to be discharged without requiring additional linear space, thus maintaining a compact device size while ensuring proper clothes discharge.
3Device complexity
If the distance between clamp bodies is fixed, then the device structure is simple, but clothes of different types and sizes cannot be properly fixed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the distance between clamp bodies adjustable rather than fixed. The clamp assembly can be positioned at different distances along the conveyor, allowing it to adapt to clothes of various types and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure. This dynamic positioning capability enables versatile fixation without complex mechanisms.
4Reliability
If two clamps are used to fix clothes, then the clothes can be securely held, but pressure concentrates on the fixing point causing damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the single clamp into two separate clamp bodies that contact the clothes at different locations. This segmentation distributes the fixing pressure across multiple points rather than concentrating it at one location, securing the clothes reliably while preventing damage from excessive localized pressure.
5Ease of operation
If the clamp moves a sufficient distance to release clothes, then the clothes are properly discharged, but additional power is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies inversion by replacing the linear displacement mechanism with a rotational mechanism. The clamp rotates about a pivot point to release clothes instead of moving linearly, which achieves the same clothes discharge function while requiring significantly less power and eliminating the need for additional power sources.
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 clothes damage, reduces device size, minimizes wrinkle formation, and securely fixes clothes without additional power, enabling efficient folding of different types and sizes.
Implementation Method 1
a wheel assembly which includes a unidirectional rotating wheel which rotates together with the inserted clothes
Implementation Method 2
an elastic member which elastically connects the wheel case and the retreat member
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a clothes folding device including: a loading assembly which causes the clothes to be pushed-in and seats the clothes on a first folding layer equipped with a conveyor for transport; a folding assembly which performs the folding of the clothes while the pushed-in clothes are transported; and an unloading assembly which is disposed below the folding assembly and loads the clothes discharged by the folding assembly. The loading assembly includes: a seating plate which forms an inclined surface at an inlet and allows the clothes to be seated thereon; a clamp assembly which fixes the clothes and moves the clothes to the first folding layer; and a transport roller which presses the clothes seated on the first folding layer and rotates together with the moving of the clothes while pressing the clothes, and thus, preventing the clothes from being separated. The clamp assembly includes a wheel assembly and a clamp plate which presses inserted clothes from both sides. The wheel assembly includes a unidirectional rotating wheel which rotates together with the inserted clothes.