Garment folding machine and method for controlling the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing garment folding machines require separate configurations for guiding and folding, occupy large spaces, and hinder automatic loading/unloading due to multiple rotary bars, leading to inefficiencies and resource waste.
Innovation Solution
A garment folding machine with a folding arm that combines the functions of folding and guiding, using a chain assembly to fold garments of varying lengths uniformly, and a guide arm to facilitate vertical folding, reducing the need for multiple bars and motors, allowing for automatic loading/unloading.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If separate configurations for guiding and folding are used, then the garment can be folded, but the device complexity increases and occupies large space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guiding function and folding function into a single integrated arm structure. The arm includes a guiding portion that contacts the garment to define a folding line, and a folding portion that rotates to fold the garment along that line. This eliminates the need for separate guiding bars and folding bars, reducing device complexity while maintaining the folding capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated arm serves multiple functions simultaneously: it guides the folding line through the guiding portion and performs the folding action through the folding portion. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed and simplifies the overall device structure.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple rotary bars are provided to fold garment horizontally and vertically, then the folding capability is complete, but the space occupied increases and automatic loading/unloading is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges horizontal folding and vertical folding capabilities into a single rotating arm structure. The arm can rotate to perform both horizontal folding (folding the garment width) and vertical folding (folding the garment length) by adjusting its rotation angle and position, eliminating the need for multiple separate rotary bars.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated arm is designed to be dynamically adjustable in its rotation angle and position, allowing it to adapt to different folding orientations (horizontal or vertical) as needed. This dynamic flexibility replaces the need for multiple fixed rotary bars for different folding directions.
3Ease of manufacture
If multiple rotary bars are used for folding, then the garment can be folded to preset size, but the route for automatic loading/unloading is blocked
Solution Approach 1:
By combining multiple folding functions into a single integrated arm, the patent creates more open space for garment movement. The single arm structure occupies less space and creates a clearer path for automatic loading and unloading operations compared to multiple rotary bars that would block the route.
4Ease of manufacture
If tapes are used to guide folding line, then the garment can be positioned, but the longitudinal supporting force is limited and separate folding mechanism is needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the guiding function and folding function into a single integrated arm structure. The arm includes a guiding portion that contacts the garment to define a folding line, and a folding portion that rotates to fold the garment along that line. This eliminates the need for separate guiding bars and folding bars, reducing device complexity while maintaining the folding capability.
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure relates to a garment folding machine including a folding arm configured to push and fold a garment while being extended in length along a first direction and push and support the garment while moving downward, in which the folding arm folds the garment during horizontal folding, and the folding arm guides a folding line of the garment during vertical folding, such that it is possible to reduce the overall number of bars for folding the garment and reduce the number of motors for operating the bars, such that a movement route for the folding arm may be simplified, and an overall volume of the garment folding machine may be reduced.