Robotic laundry sorting devices, systems, and methods of use
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry processing methods rely heavily on human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and privacy concerns, as they require manual sorting, loading, and handling of laundry, which are time-consuming and costly, and not suitable for individual household needs.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous robotic sorting device with a series of arms and sensors that can sort and separate deformable laundry articles into batches based on characteristics like color, size, and fabric type, eliminating the need for human interaction by using a controller to guide the arms in grasping, hoisting, and releasing articles through a sequential work volume system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If human operators manually sort and handle laundry, then flexibility in handling various laundry types is maintained, but time consumption and labor costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system performs laundry sorting and handling autonomously without human intervention. Sensors detect laundry characteristics, controllers process this information, and robotic arms execute sorting actions automatically, enabling the system to serve itself and eliminate manual labor time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical sorting with an automated system combining sensors, controllers, and robotic mechanisms. Optical sensors, capacitive sensors, and other detection devices substitute human visual inspection, while robotic arms with grippers replace manual handling, dramatically reducing processing time.
2Reliability
If human operators handle laundry sorting, then adaptability to different laundry characteristics is maintained, but contamination risks and privacy concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic system acts as an intermediary between dirty and clean laundry handling. By introducing automated robotic arms, sensors, and controllers as intermediaries, human operators are completely isolated from direct contact with laundry contaminants, eliminating the transmission pathway for pathogens and debris.
Solution Approach 2:
The system handles all laundry processing tasks autonomously without human intervention. The robotic arms, sensors, and controllers work together to complete sorting and handling tasks, ensuring that human operators never expose themselves to laundry-related contaminants or privacy violations.
3Productivity
If traditional laundry processing is used, then simplicity of operation is maintained, but efficiency and automation level remain low
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic laundry system is divided into distinct functional modules: sensor arrays for detection, controllers for processing, robotic arms for manipulation, and grippers for handling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while working together to achieve high overall efficiency despite the system's complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system is designed with multi-functional capabilities to handle various laundry types, sizes, and characteristics using the same basic infrastructure. The sensors can detect different fabric types, the controllers can process diverse sorting criteria, and the robotic arms can manipulate various garment forms, reducing the need for multiple specialized devices.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously separating and sorting a plurality of individual articles from a pile of laundry articles into two or more sorted loads for washing are described. For example, an autonomous sorting and separating system includes a stationary surface configured to receive thereon at a first location the pile of laundry articles. A plurality of actuatable grippers are disposed at spaced apart positions adjacent the stationary surface and comprise a first actuatable gripper configured to grasp, hoist, and deposit at a second location at least one of the plurality of individual articles within reach of a second actuatable gripper. A terminal gripper comprising at least one of the second actuatable gripper and another actuatable gripper is configured to release an individual article into one of the two or more sorted loads. At least one controller is in operable communication with the grippers.