Tiered Folding Bay Design for Autonomous Mixed-Load Laundry Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing laundry processing systems, including home washers and dryers, laundromats, and industrial services, require human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and privacy concerns, and are not suitable for processing mixed loads of household laundry efficiently.
Innovation Solution
An autonomous folding device with tiered folding bays that can simultaneously fold multiple laundry articles of different types and sizes, using rotatable platters, elevators, and folding mechanisms to automate the process without human interaction, ensuring efficient and contamination-free handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If human operators manually process laundry at laundromats or industrial services, then laundry can be cleaned and folded, but human contact introduces contamination risks, privacy concerns, and operational delays
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automated laundry processing where robots load, wash, dry, and fold laundry without human intervention. The autonomous robotic devices handle entire laundry cycles independently, eliminating the need for human operators to physically handle clothes, thus preventing contamination while maintaining full automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated robotic systems. Robots perform loading, washing, drying, and folding tasks that were previously done by human hands, substituting human mechanical action with automated mechanical systems to eliminate contamination risks.
2Productivity
If laundromats and industrial laundry services process laundry, then cleaning capacity is increased, but human intervention at each transition point creates delays and operational inefficiencies
Solution Approach 1:
The autonomous robotic system enables continuous laundry processing without interruption. Robots can load washers, transfer laundry between machines, and fold clothes in continuous operation without the breaks, shifts, or coordination delays that occur in human-operated facilities, maintaining uninterrupted productive action throughout the laundry cycle.
Solution Approach 2:
The system divides laundry processing into discrete automated tasks (loading, washing, drying, folding) performed by specialized robotic units. Each robot handles specific functions independently, allowing parallel processing of multiple laundry loads simultaneously, thereby increasing overall productivity while eliminating coordination delays between human workers.
3Manufacturing precision
If industrial laundry machines are designed for specific article types, then folding precision is improved, but adaptability to handle mixed laundry loads is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic folding system is designed with universal capabilities to handle multiple types of laundry articles (sheets, towels, garments) using the same robotic platform. The robots can adapt their folding techniques through software control to accommodate different article types, maintaining precision while providing versatility across mixed laundry loads.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic system employs dynamic, adjustable folding mechanisms that can modify their operation in real-time based on the detected article type. Sensors and computer vision systems identify the laundry item, and the robotic actuators dynamically adjust their motion parameters, force, and sequence to achieve precise folding appropriate for each specific article type.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously shuffling a plurality of platters through a plurality of tiered folding bays are described. Each of the platters includes a platter coupling, and the plurality of tiered folding bays each include a bidirectionally driven receiving coupling, at least one of a sliding folding rod and blade, and a lifting mechanism configured to separate the platter coupling from the receiving coupling. The system includes a loading elevator for loading a platter and unfolded laundry article disposed thereon into a bay, and an unloading elevator for lowering a platter and a folded laundry article thereon to an unloading station for handing off to packing. A return conveyor returns each emptied platter to a repositioning station for receiving another spread laundry article for folding. The loading elevator, unloading elevator and each of the plurality of folding bays includes a pair of driven conveyors for transferring platters.