Device and method for smoothing textile objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile smoothing methods in tunnel finishers often result in uneven drying times, leading to overheating and unnecessary energy consumption, as they are based on the most intensive drying requirements, which can extend the finishing treatment time for all clothing items regardless of their type and size.
Innovation Solution
A method and device that allow heavier, more intensive textile items to be dried in multiple passes through a single or successive tunnel finishers, while lighter items are sufficiently dried in fewer passes, using a return conveyor system and sensors to determine the number of passes needed based on type and size, and deactivating steam in subsequent passes for fully dried items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If all textile objects are dried based on the most intensive drying requirements, then heavy items like trousers are sufficiently dried, but lighter items are overdried and processed longer than necessary
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the drying parameters (number of passes through the tunnel finisher) based on the specific characteristics of each textile object. Light items undergo one pass while heavy items undergo multiple passes, optimizing both drying sufficiency and processing time for each item type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the drying process by using sensors to detect textile object characteristics and automatically determining the appropriate number of passes. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize drying time for each item rather than using a fixed uniform process.
2Reliability
If all textile objects are dried based on the most intensive drying requirements, then heavy items like trousers are sufficiently dried, but unnecessary energy is consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by varying the drying parameters (number of passes through the tunnel finisher) based on the specific characteristics of each textile object. Light items undergo one pass while heavy items undergo multiple passes, optimizing both drying sufficiency and processing time for each item type.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensors to automatically detect textile object characteristics and self-determine the appropriate drying process without manual intervention. This self-service approach optimizes energy consumption by matching drying intensity to actual item requirements.
3Ease of operation
If a single drying time is used for all textile objects, then the process is simple to operate, but it cannot accommodate different drying requirements of different items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using sensors to detect textile object characteristics and automatically adjusting the drying process accordingly. This closed-loop system maintains ease of operation while achieving high adaptability, as the system self-adjusts based on sensor input without requiring complex manual configuration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves universality by using a single tunnel finisher that can handle multiple drying scenarios through variable pass counts. The same equipment adapts to different drying requirements by adjusting the number of cycles, eliminating the need for multiple specialized drying chambers.
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
This approach ensures that textile objects are dried as needed, reducing overall drying time and energy consumption by tailoring the drying process to each item's specific requirements, thereby optimizing the finishing treatment.
Implementation Method 1
spraying the textile objects with hot steam
Implementation Method 2
measuring the residual moisture of the respective textile objects by means of at least one infrared sensor
Data Source
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AI summary
Garments (18) are typically treated with hot steam in tunnel finishers (10) and then dried. This process smooths the garments (18). The garments (18) are usually fed into the tunnel finisher (10) unsorted. As a result, garments (18) with varying drying times must be dried in the tunnel finisher (10). To ensure all garments (18) are dried sufficiently, the drying cycle is currently determined by the garment (18) requiring the longest drying time. This leads to garments (18) that could be dried more quickly being over-dried, resulting in unnecessary energy loss.The invention provides for repeatedly drying garments (18) that are difficult to dry by transporting them through the single tunnel finisher (10) several times until the garments (18) that are difficult to dry are sufficiently dry.