Laundry Pre-Sorter Using Clamp Lift and Air-Blast Separation by Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual labor is costly and inconsistent in sorting laundry of different sizes in automated laundries, as existing rail-based systems are not designed to handle various types of articles and are too large for efficient operation.
Innovation Solution
A sorting system that uses clamps to lift and measure the size of laundry items, with air nozzles blowing them onto separate conveyors based on size, allowing for efficient separation and conveyance to different exits.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual labor is used to separate articles of laundry by size, then sorting accuracy is maintained, but labor cost increases and consistency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting with an automated system using sensors (optical or capacitive) to detect article size and pneumatic actuators to sort articles into different bins, eliminating the need for manual labor while maintaining sorting accuracy
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables articles to be sorted automatically based on their own physical properties (size/dimensions) detected by sensors, with the sorting mechanism responding autonomously without human intervention
2Adaptability or versatility
If rail-based systems are used for sorting sheets, then sorting capability is provided, but system size becomes overly large and versatility is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the sorting system into modular components: individual sensors for detecting article properties, separate pneumatic actuators for each sorting destination, and multiple bins for different article types, allowing the system to be scaled and configured for different sorting needs without requiring a large integrated rail structure
Solution Approach 2:
The sensor-based detection system can identify various article properties (size, type, material), and the pneumatic actuator system can direct articles to multiple different bins, making the same system versatile for sorting different types of laundry articles beyond just sheets
3Productivity
If articles are sorted while mixed together, then processing efficiency is reduced, but manual separation is costly
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary sorting of articles by size and type before they are processed by washing or drying machines, ensuring that articles are pre-separated into appropriate groups to prevent machine downtime and enable subsequent automated processing steps
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
The system automates the sorting of laundry items by size, reducing manual labor costs and machine downtime, enabling efficient processing and delivery to appropriate machines for further automation, such as folding or ironing.
Implementation Method 1
A first air nozzle is positioned to blow the first towel onto a first conveyor, and a second air nozzle is positioned to blow the first towel onto a second conveyor
Data Source
AI summary
Articles of laundry, such as towels, of different sizes are sorted. The articles are clamped from a jumble. The clamp moves upward for sensing a size. For sorting, different size articles are blown to different tracks, such as different conveyors. The articles, resting on the conveyors, are conveyed to different exits for the different sizes.