3D-Scanned Shoe Polishing With Automatic Polish Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated shoe polishing devices lack the capability to digitally scan shoes, identify their characteristics, and apply the appropriate polish and polishing techniques, resulting in suboptimal polishing results.
Innovation Solution
An automated shoe polishing apparatus equipped with a 3D digital scanner, dispenser assembly, polishing assembly with rollers, and buffing assembly, which scans the shoes, determines the appropriate polish, and polishes them using program-controlled brushes and buffing brushes, with a touch screen display for user input and operational data reporting.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If automated shoe polishing devices are used, then polishing convenience is improved, but the ability to identify shoe characteristics and apply appropriate polish is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual shoe inspection and polish selection with an automated digital scanning system. A 3D scanner captures shoe characteristics, and image processing algorithms automatically identify shoe type, material, and condition, eliminating the need for manual assessment while maintaining adaptability to different shoe types.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables shoes to 'identify themselves' through automated scanning. The shoe's characteristics are captured by the scanner, processed by the control unit, and used to automatically select and apply appropriate polish without human intervention, making the system self-adapting to different shoe types.
2Measurement precision
If digital scanning and identification systems are added, then shoe characterization accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control unit serves multiple functions: it processes images from the scanner, identifies shoe characteristics, selects appropriate polish types, controls the dispenser assembly, and manages the polishing process. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate dedicated components for each task, thereby limiting complexity growth despite enhanced capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The digital scanner and image processing system act as intermediaries between the physical shoe and the polishing mechanism. Instead of complex mechanical sensors directly measuring shoe properties, the optical scanning system captures visual data that is then processed to extract characteristics, simplifying the physical interaction while maintaining measurement accuracy.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple polish reservoirs and selective dispensing are implemented, then polishing quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The dispenser assembly is designed with multiple reservoirs, each containing polish formulated for specific shoe types, materials, or conditions identified by the scanning system. The control unit selectively activates only the reservoir matching the identified shoe characteristics, providing locally optimized polish application rather than uniform treatment, thereby improving quality while managing complexity through selective operation.
Data Source
AI summary
An automated shoe polishing apparatus for polishing a pair of shoes includes a drawer slidably received in an interior of a housing, a platform in the drawer having receiving areas for securing a pair of shoes to be polished. A dispenser assembly having a plurality of polish reservoirs is situated in the housing. A digital scanner situated in the housing is configured to make a 3D scan and determine the type of received shoes and the proper polishing technique. Under program control, an appropriate polish(es) is dispensed, sprayed on the shoes, and polishing and buffing brushes polish the pair of shoes, the process being reported on a digital display and speaker.