Method and device for transporting and/or spreading of laundry suspended on clamps
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Solution Overview
Problem
In commercial laundry settings, items of laundry often fail to be correctly or completely hooked into clips during transport or spreading, leading to potential detachment and workflow disruptions, necessitating improved detection mechanisms that do not interfere with the clamp design or operation.
Innovation Solution
A non-contact scanning method using optical or acoustic signals to determine if the laundry item is properly inserted into the clip before transport, ensuring secure holding by monitoring the item's area through a window-like opening in the clip, allowing for reliable detection without mechanical interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If detection means are positioned to monitor the loading process, then the presence of laundry can be detected, but the detection means are influenced by the clamp being loaded and cannot reliably detect correct insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical detection means with optical detection means. A light source emits light through a window in the clamp, and a light receiver detects the light on the other side. When laundry is correctly inserted into the clamp, it blocks the light path, providing a reliable optical signal that the clamp is properly loaded. This optical system is not influenced by the mechanical loading process itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary medium between the clamp and the detection system. The light travels through the window in the clamp and is detected by the light receiver, providing indirect but reliable information about the clamp's loading status without being directly influenced by the mechanical insertion process.
2Loss of time
If detection means detect laundry before it is hung in the clip, then detection can occur early, but the clip can move off before the laundry is actually hung in the clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the optical detection system to detect the presence of laundry in the clamp before the clamp is released for transport. The light source and light receiver are arranged so that the light path is blocked when laundry is inserted into the clamp, providing advance confirmation that the clamp is properly loaded before it moves off.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical detection system provides immediate feedback about the clamp's loading status. When the light receiver detects that the light path is blocked (indicating laundry is in the clamp), this feedback signal confirms proper loading and triggers the release mechanism, ensuring the clamp only moves when correctly loaded.
3Ease of operation
If manual or mechanical insertion of laundry into clamps is used, then loading can be performed, but there is a risk that laundry will not be correctly or completely hooked into the clip
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual or mechanical insertion methods with an optical detection system that verifies correct insertion. The light source and light receiver are positioned to detect whether laundry is properly seated in the clamp by monitoring the light path through the window in the clamp, providing precise verification without complex mechanical guidance systems.
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 method prevents clip movement before the laundry is securely hooked, ensuring accurate and complete insertion, thus preventing unintentional detachment during transport and enhancing operational reliability.
Implementation Method 1
non-contact scanning of the at least one point of the area of the item of laundry held in the clip
Implementation Method 2
non-contact scanning of the at least one point of the area of the item of laundry held in the clip
Data Source
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AI summary
When transporting and spreading out items of laundry (10) to be washed, it is common in commercial laundries to hang the items of laundry (10) in clamps (11) which are transported on by a conveyor (16) to various processing stations. It happens that the clamps (11) are moved on before they have been loaded with the laundry item (10). In most cases this leads to malfunctions. The invention provides that the area of the respective item of laundry (10) to be entered into a clip (11) is determined directly. This makes it possible to detect whether the clamp (11) has actually been loaded with an item of laundry (10) and the area of the item of laundry (10) provided for this purpose has also been properly inserted into the clamp (11).