Laundry folding appliance and automated methods of operating the same
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Solution Overview
Problem
The process of folding laundry after a drying cycle is time-consuming, monotonous, and requires significant user interaction, as users must manually fold each item to prevent wrinkles and creases.
Innovation Solution
A laundry folding appliance equipped with a camera assembly, actuating assembly, and controller that identifies laundry articles using a laundry identification model to determine a folding protocol and automate the folding process, reducing user intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual folding is performed to prevent wrinkles and creases, then laundry quality is maintained, but user time and effort increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting laundry articles through the camera assembly, identifying them via the laundry identification model, selecting appropriate folding protocols, and executing the folding process through the actuating assembly without requiring user intervention for each individual item
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical folding process with an automated mechanical system consisting of the actuating assembly and folding panels that can manipulate laundry articles through programmed sequences, substituting human physical action with machine-driven motion
2Manufacturing precision
If each laundry item is separately removed and folded, then proper folding is achieved, but user interaction and monotonous tasks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves universality by designing a single automated platform that can handle multiple types of laundry articles (different sizes, shapes, and types) through the camera assembly and laundry identification model, which automatically adapt to various items without requiring separate manual processes for each category
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically detecting laundry articles through the camera assembly, identifying them via the laundry identification model, selecting appropriate folding protocols, and executing the folding process through the actuating assembly without requiring user intervention for each individual item
3Extent of automation
If automated folding is implemented, then user effort is reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple functions into a single integrated system: the camera assembly serves for both detection and image capture, the controller integrates laundry identification, protocol selection, and actuation control, and the actuating assembly combines multiple folding operations into one mechanical system, thereby managing complexity through functional integration
Data Source
AI summary
A laundry folding appliance includes one or more folding panels mechanically coupled to a cabinet and at least partially defining a folding surface for receiving articles of clothing. An actuating assembly selectively pivots the folding panels to fold the articles of clothing and a camera assembly is positioned in view of the folding surface. A controller obtains one or more images using the camera assembly, identifies the laundry articles positioned on the folding surface by analyzing the one or more images using a laundry identification model, determines a folding protocol for folding the laundry article, and operates the actuating assembly to fold the laundry article in accordance with the folding protocol.