Fabric Folding Platen Width Control Using Product Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing folding systems for fabric products require frequent platen width adjustments to accommodate different sizes, increasing the workload for users, especially in home settings where various fabric products for different age groups need to be folded.

Innovation Solution

A folding system that includes an information obtaining device to gather identification or width-related information from the fabric product, a width controlling device to adjust the platen width automatically based on this information, and additional features like storage and sorting devices to reduce manual input and errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the platen width is manually adjusted for each fabric product size, then the folding device can accommodate different fabric products, but the worker's workload increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplaten width adjustment capabilityVSAvoidworker's workload

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fabric product itself provides the information needed for platen width adjustment through identification information (RFID tags, barcodes, fluorescent paint, metal pieces, or magnetic recording media). The system automatically reads this information and adjusts the platen width without requiring worker intervention, making the system self-servicing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical adjustment of platen width is replaced by an automated control system that uses information obtained from the fabric product to automatically adjust the platen width through a width controlling device, substituting mechanical manual operation with automated control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple platen width settings are available, then different fabric product sizes can be folded, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefabric product size accommodationVSAvoidwidth adjusting mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A single platen is designed to perform multiple functions by automatically adjusting its width to accommodate different fabric product sizes. The platen serves as a universal folding surface that adapts to various product dimensions through automated control, eliminating the need for multiple fixed-width platens.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The platen width is made dynamically adjustable rather than fixed, allowing it to change its dimensional characteristics based on the fabric product being folded. This dynamic adjustment capability enables one platen to replace multiple static platens of different sizes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS8820594B2Folding system for fabric product

Publication Date: 2014.09.02 PANASONIC HOLDINGS CORP

AI summary

A folding system for a fabric product is provided. The folding system includes an information obtaining device, a folding device and a width controlling device. The information obtaining device obtains first information held by a fabric product. The folding device includes a platen member, a width adjusting mechanism and a folding mechanism. The platen member is for holding the fabric product. The width adjusting mechanism adjusts the width directional length of the platen member. The folding mechanism folds the fabric product on the platen member. The width controlling device controls the width adjusting mechanism by using the first information obtained by the information obtaining device.