Autonomous tiered laundry folding devices, systems, and methods of use

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing laundry processing systems, including home appliances and laundromats, require human intervention, leading to inefficiencies, contamination risks, and privacy concerns, while industrial services are not accessible to individual households and are limited to processing uniform loads.

Innovation Solution

An autonomous folding device with tiered folding bays and rotatable platters that can simultaneously fold multiple laundry articles of varying types and sizes, using elevators, conveyors, and folding mechanisms to automate the process without human contact.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If human operators manually process laundry at laundromats, then laundry can be cleaned, but time consumption and labor requirements increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvelaundry processing throughputVSAvoidtime required for laundry processing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where robotic devices autonomously perform laundry processing without human intervention. The robotic laundry processor independently handles sorting, washing, drying, and folding operations, eliminating the need for human operators to manually process each load while maintaining continuous operation capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical operations by human operators are replaced with automated robotic systems. The patent employs robotic arms, automated conveyors, and programmable controllers to perform tasks previously requiring human hands and eyes, such as sorting clothes by color and fabric type, loading/unloading machines, and folding garments, thereby dramatically reducing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If human operators handle laundry sorting and processing, then laundry can be processed, but contamination risks from bodily fluids and pathogens increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecleanliness of processed laundryVSAvoidcontamination from human contact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

Human operators are completely extracted from the laundry processing chain. The system uses robotic devices to perform all contact operations including sorting, handling, and folding laundry items. This extraction eliminates the source of human-borne contaminants such as skin cells, hair, and pathogens that could transfer to customers' personal belongings during manual handling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Robotic systems serve as intermediaries between the laundry processing equipment and the final product. Instead of human hands directly contacting and handling laundry items, automated robotic manipulators with specialized grippers and sensors perform all physical interactions, creating a barrier that prevents human contamination while maintaining processing capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional home washers and dryers are used, then single loads can be processed, but sequential processing limits efficiency and increases total time

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to handle multiple laundry typesVSAvoidlaundry processing speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The laundry processing system is segmented into multiple independent functional modules including separate washing stations, drying chambers, and folding units. Each module can operate independently and simultaneously on different laundry loads or types, allowing parallel processing of multiple items rather than sequential single-load processing, thereby dramatically increasing overall productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system is designed with universal capabilities to handle diverse laundry types including delicate garments, heavy fabrics, different colors, and various item sizes. The robotic manipulators can adapt their grip force and handling methods based on sensor feedback, while the processing chambers can adjust parameters for different fabric types, enabling simultaneous or sequential processing of multiple laundry categories without requiring separate specialized equipment for each type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250376801A1Autonomous tiered laundry folding devices, systems, and methods of use

Publication Date: 2025.12.11 MONOTONY AI INC

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.