A device for longitudinally folding a textile item and an extension module therefore

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry folding machines have a drive system positioned below the conveyor system, making maintenance and repairs time-consuming and difficult due to limited access.

Innovation Solution

The drive system for folding blades is positioned above the conveyor system, allowing for easy access and quick maintenance, and an extension module is provided to enhance folding capabilities with folding blades or air jets, ensuring the drive system remains accessible for repairs.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of repair

If the drive system is positioned below the conveyor system, then the structure is compact and stable, but the drive system becomes difficult to access for maintenance and repairs

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccessibility of drive systemVSAvoidstructural arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is inverted from its conventional position below the conveyor system to an position above the conveyor system. This inversion directly resolves the accessibility problem by making the drive system easily reachable for maintenance while preserving the functional integrity of the folding device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Ease of repair

If the conveyor system is fully opened to access the drive system, then maintenance can be performed, but the process becomes time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidmaintenance time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of repairVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By inverting the drive system position to above the conveyor system, maintenance personnel can access the drive system directly without needing to fully open or disassemble the conveyor system structure, significantly reducing maintenance time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The drive system is extracted from the enclosed space below the conveyor system and repositioned to an accessible location above the conveyor system, allowing independent access to the drive system without affecting the conveyor system structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Ease of operation

If the drive system is positioned above the conveyor system, then maintenance access is improved, but the structural arrangement becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemaintenance accessibilityVSAvoidstructural arrangement

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The drive system is inverted from below to above the conveyor system, improving maintenance accessibility. The structural complexity increase is minimal and acceptable given the significant operational benefit of easy access during maintenance activities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentEP4198191A1A device for longitudinally folding a textile item and an extension module therefore

Publication Date: 2023.06.21 TEXPROFIN

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

The invention provides a device (100) for longitudinally folding a textile item (900). The device (100) comprises a conveyor system (110) for transporting the textile item (900) through the device (100), first and second folding template parts (120, 125) for setting fold positions (901, 902) along the textile item (900); and moveable first and second folding blades (130, 135) for folding the textile item (900) over the folding template parts (120, 125). The folding blades (130, 135) are moved by means of a drive system which is positioned in the device (100) above the conveyor system (110). The invention also provides an extension module (200) for a device (100) for longitudinally folding a textile item (900), wherein the extension module (200) provides the folding blades (130, 135) and the drive system, and wherein the extension module (200) is arranged for being installed on the device (100) above the conveyor system (110) of the device (100).