Fabric folding device capable of performing multiple types of folding modes

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fabric folding devices require a pair of right and left French-folding gauges, leading to a waste of space and complexity, especially in linen factories where a straight device layout is not feasible, and they struggle to accommodate replacement demands without adequate space.

Innovation Solution

A fabric folding device with a first folding unit that folds the fabric in the longitudinal direction and rotates it to the width direction, using multiple conveyor systems and folding units to achieve various folding modes without the need for right and left French-folding gauges, allowing for a straight layout and efficient use of space.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a pair of right and left French-folding gauges are used to enable multiple folding modes, then the device can perform French-folding and other folding operations, but the device occupies excessive space and becomes complex in layout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding mode versatilityVSAvoiddevice occupation area

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the unnecessary French-folding gauges from the device structure. By extracting this redundant component, the device achieves multiple folding modes through its core conveyor and folding mechanism without requiring the additional space and complexity that would be needed for separate French-folding gauges

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The conveyor system is designed to perform multiple functions: it can transport fabric for both standard folding and French-folding operations, and can also serve as a positioning mechanism. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for dedicated French-folding gauges, reducing overall device footprint while maintaining versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a pair of right and left French-folding gauges are used to achieve multiple folding modes, then the device can handle various fabric types, but the device structure becomes complicated

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding mode versatilityVSAvoiddevice structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes the complex French-folding gauge subsystem from the device. By eliminating this separate positioning and control mechanism, the overall device structure becomes simpler while the core conveyor system maintains the capability to handle multiple folding modes through its inherent design

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the fabric positioning and folding control functions into the single conveyor system. Instead of having separate French-folding gauges and a main conveyor, the conveyor system integrates both functions, reducing structural complexity while maintaining operational versatility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the device is designed with a non-straight layout to accommodate folding operations, then multiple folding modes can be achieved, but waste space occurs in the factory layout

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefolding mode capabilityVSAvoidfactory space utilization

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of designing a complex non-straight layout to achieve folding modes, the patent inverts the approach by using a simple straight conveyor layout that accomplishes multiple folding modes through the motion and control of the conveyor itself, thereby optimizing factory space utilization

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS11214916B2Fabric folding device capable of performing multiple types of folding modes

Publication Date: 2022.01.04 TOTO FUORUDAA INDS

AI summary

A fabric folding device that is capable of performing multiple types of folding modes and prevents an occurrence of a waste space when the device is installed is provided. The fabric folding device does not require a pair of right and left French-folding gauges. There is provided a fabric folding device including a first folding unit capable of folding a fabric, which has a longitudinal direction aligned with a transportation direction and a width direction intersecting the longitudinal direction, at a position half or one-third a length of the fabric in the longitudinal direction; and rotation means for being capable of rotating the fabric such that the transportation direction is changed from the longitudinal direction to the width direction, by which the fabric folded by the first folding unit is to be transported from a front side to a rear side, and to be folded once more.