Automated Laundry Sorting Using Imaging-Guided Gripping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual sorting of dirty laundry items is labor-intensive and time-consuming, as they are typically delivered in batches and require separation before automated sorting, which is inefficient.
Innovation Solution
An automated method that uses a transport system to grip laundry items based on their surface profile, determined through imaging and stereoscopic techniques, allowing for targeted separation and sorting without manual intervention, employing high-speed servo axes and cameras to identify optimal gripping locations for efficient cycle times and sorting capacity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual separation of laundry items from batches is performed, then sorting can be carried out, but labor costs and time consumption increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses automated imaging devices and surface profile analysis to enable the laundry sorting system to perform separation and sorting functions autonomously without manual intervention, achieving self-service automation that eliminates labor-intensive manual operations while maintaining efficient sorting capabilities
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical separation operations with an automated system using imaging devices, surface profile determination, and computer-controlled gripping means that can identify and separate laundry items based on their geometric and surface characteristics, substituting human labor with automated detection and manipulation systems
2Extent of automation
If manual sorting operations are performed, then laundry items can be separated, but labor costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The imaging device and surface profile determination system serve multiple functions including detecting laundry item geometry, identifying gripping locations, determining sorting criteria, and guiding the transport system, allowing a single automated system to perform what previously required multiple manual operations
Solution Approach 2:
The system transforms the sorting process by changing from manual visual inspection to automated optical detection, using surface profile parameters and geometric characteristics as sorting criteria, and controlling gripping force and transport parameters through computer automation
3Productivity
If high-speed gripping means are used to reduce cycle times, then sorting capacity increases, but precise control of gripping location is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of the laundry item's surface profile and geometry using imaging devices before the gripping operation, pre-identifying the optimal gripping location and sorting criteria, which allows the high-speed gripping means to act precisely without requiring complex real-time adjustments during the actual gripping action
Solution Approach 2:
The imaging device continuously monitors the laundry item's position and surface characteristics, providing feedback to the control system that adjusts the gripping means' location and force, ensuring precise control even at high speeds through closed-loop feedback mechanisms
Data Source
AI summary
The sorting of laundry items, in particular dirty laundry items, has hitherto been carried out manually in most cases, which is costly in terms of personnel and time. High sorting capacities are therefore only possible with the corresponding personnel expenses. The invention provides that, at the start of sorting, specifically during their separation, and prior to their further transport to the individual sorting sites, the dirty laundry items are scanned by imaging techniques and, as a result of the appropriate image analysis, it is possible to determine the areas of the dirty laundry items to be preferably gripped and/or at least a number of sorting criteria, such as size and color. These measures result in a largely automated sorting procedure. These measures can be extended so as to achieve a fully automatic sorting procedure.