Laundry Separator Clamp and Tilting Conveyor for Faster Sheet Separation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated laundry separators are inefficient due to slow operation and maintenance issues, such as rapid component oscillation, making it difficult to effectively separate and process large bundles of laundry.
Innovation Solution
A multi-stage separator system utilizing a strap to raise and lower a clamp, a non-horizontal conveyor for tilting and depositing articles, and a hinged surface to manage article alignment, along with a tiltable clamp and air jet for precise article transfer and separation, ensuring efficient unloading and processing of laundry.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated grabbing devices are used to separate laundry articles, then productivity is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to rapid oscillation and maintenance problems
Solution Approach 1:
The system divides the bundle into smaller groups by using multiple clamps that can independently grasp and separate portions of the laundry bundle, rather than attempting to handle the entire bundle at once. This segmentation reduces the mechanical stress and oscillation on individual components.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor system incorporates tiltable surfaces that can dynamically adjust their angle to optimize article deposition and prevent piling. The clamps are also designed to be tiltable in two directions, allowing them to adapt their orientation during the separation process to reduce mechanical stress and avoid getting caught on articles.
2Device complexity
If clamps move directly attached to drive support, then device complexity is reduced, but ease of operation deteriorates due to difficulty in controlling clamp movement independent of support movement
Solution Approach 1:
The system separates the clamp movement control from the support structure movement by allowing the clamp to be blocked by articles while the support continues moving. This independence enables easier control of clamp positioning relative to the articles being processed.
Solution Approach 2:
The clamp is designed to be tiltable in two directions (downward and upward) relative to the direction of travel, allowing it to dynamically adjust its orientation to pass over articles without getting caught or damaging them, improving ease of operation.
3Device complexity
If conveyor remains horizontal, then device complexity is reduced, but manufacturing precision deteriorates due to inability to control article deposition and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor is designed with a tiltable surface that can change its angle relative to horizontal. This dynamic adjustment allows the conveyor to precisely control article deposition and alignment by tilting to receive articles from the clamp and then tilting over to deposit them in the desired position, preventing piling and ensuring proper alignment.
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 effectively separates and processes large bundles of laundry efficiently, reducing maintenance issues and improving operational speed, allowing for easier feeding into subsequent automated processing stages.
Implementation Method 1
the article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface
Data Source
AI summary
A separator separates sheets from a bundle. Slack in the strap used to raise and lower a clamp is used to determine when the clamp reaches the bundle. A non-horizontal conveyor tilts beneath the clamp to receive multiple articles, and then tilts over another bin to deposit the articles. The second bin includes an angled surface, which is straightened to shift the articles for clamping. The clamp is supported by, but not attached to, a support connected with the drive. When the clamp reaches the pile, the clamp stops but the support may continue to move. The clamp is tiltable. The article is transferred by an air jet onto a surface with a roller separated from the surface. Upon transfer, the roller forms a nip with the surface. The article is deposited on an exit conveyor having a flexible, raised portion.