Movable Vacuum Box Loading for Overhead Textile Trolleys
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing textile transportation systems in industrial laundries require manual sorting and are inefficient, as they rely on conveyors that increase system height and complexity, especially when integrating vacuum boxes with overhead runway systems.
Innovation Solution
A vacuum box system that is movable between sealed and open positions, allowing efficient loading and unloading of trolleys on an overhead runway system without altering the system's height, combined with multiple passageways and vacuum boxes for sorting and counting textiles, reducing the number of operations required for filling and sorting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a conveyor system is used to transport textile from vacuum box to overhead runway, then the textile can be transferred, but the system height increases and complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the intermediate conveyor system from the textile transfer process. Instead of using a conveyor to transport textile from the vacuum box to the overhead runway, the vacuum box itself is positioned directly at the runway location, eliminating the need for the conveyor and reducing system complexity while maintaining transfer capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the vacuum box positioning system with the overhead runway system by directly mounting the vacuum box at the runway location. This merging of functions eliminates the need for separate conveyor infrastructure and reduces overall system height while maintaining efficient textile transfer
2Productivity
If the vacuum box is mounted above the rail to enable trolley loading, then loading is efficient, but the system height increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a movable vacuum box that can dynamically adjust its position between a lowered state (for compact system height) and an elevated state (for efficient trolley loading). This dynamic positioning allows the system to achieve high loading efficiency when needed while maintaining a compact profile during operation, eliminating the need for permanent height increase
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of increasing height in the vertical dimension to improve loading efficiency, the patent introduces horizontal movement capability to the vacuum box, allowing it to reach trolleys at various positions along the runway. This shifts the solution from vertical expansion to horizontal flexibility, maintaining constant system height while achieving efficient loading
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual sorting is used in industrial laundries, then sorting can be performed, but the process is inefficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated sorting system where sensors detect textile characteristics and the control system automatically directs textiles to appropriate vacuum boxes and trolleys. This self-service automated system eliminates manual sorting operations, maintaining the versatility of sorting different textile types while dramatically improving sorting efficiency and throughput
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 solution enables efficient and automated sorting and loading of textiles into trolleys with reduced operational steps, maintaining a constant system height and integrating seamlessly with existing overhead runway systems, enhancing the efficiency of textile transportation and sorting processes.
Implementation Method 1
a vacuum source coupled with one of the two open ends and developing a subatmospheric pressure along the passageway and at the other open end of the passageway to draw textile articles into the other open end and through the passageway to the one open end
Implementation Method 2
means for generating an air flow in said passageway for the purpose of moving the textile ahead
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1) for transporting goods, in particular textile, comprising an enclosed passageway (4) provided with an inlet and an outlet, means (6) for generating an air flow in said passageway for the purpose of moving the goods ahead, and a vacuum box (7) that can be sealed substantially hermetically. The invention also relates to a method for transporting goods, in particular textile, to a vacuum box (7) through an enclosed passageway (4) by means of an air flow in said passageway (4). The apparatus (1) comprises at least one rail (15) for guiding trolleys (2), which rail (15) or rails (15) extend(s) along or through the vacuum box (7), in such a manner that a trolley (2) connected thereto can be placed into the vacuum box (7) and be filled. The goods are loaded into a trolley (2) in the vacuum box (7).