Unsorted Laundry Mangling with Extended Path and Reduced Temperature
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current laundry mangling processes require sorting of items based on sensitivity to avoid overheating delicate items and inadequate drying of non-sensitive items, which is inefficient and costly, leading to potential scorching or incomplete drying.
Innovation Solution
The method involves heating mangles to the maximum permissible temperature for the most sensitive items, reducing ironing temperature, and extending the flattening path or reducing speed to ensure both sensitive and less sensitive items are dried adequately without overheating, allowing unsorted laundry to be ironed without damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If ironing temperature is increased to improve drying efficiency, then drying speed is improved, but sensitive laundry items are overheated and scorched
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by differentiating treatment for different laundry items based on their sensitivity. Sensitive items receive lower temperature treatment (130-170°C) while non-sensitive items receive higher temperature treatment (175-195°C), allowing each item type to be treated according to its specific requirements rather than using a uniform high temperature for all items.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamics by dynamically adjusting the ironing temperature based on the sensitivity of the laundry items being processed. The system can change operating parameters in real-time to match the current batch of laundry, transitioning between different temperature regimes as needed.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If ironing temperature is reduced to protect sensitive items, then overheating is prevented, but non-sensitive items are not sufficiently dried
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by providing different temperature treatments to different item types. Non-sensitive items are directed to receive higher temperature treatment (175-195°C) that ensures thorough drying, while sensitive items receive lower temperature treatment (130-170°C). This localized differentiation resolves the contradiction by ensuring each item type receives the appropriate temperature for its drying needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the laundry processing into different temperature zones or treatment paths based on item sensitivity. By dividing the laundry into sensitive and non-sensitive categories and applying different temperature regimes to each segment, the system achieves both protection of sensitive items and adequate drying of non-sensitive items.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If sorting is implemented to differentiate sensitive and non-sensitive items, then appropriate temperature treatment is achieved, but process complexity and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the mangle system itself to differentiate and respond to different laundry item types through integrated sensors and control systems. The system automatically detects item characteristics and adjusts temperature accordingly, eliminating the need for manual or separate sorting operations while maintaining accurate temperature treatment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through sensors that detect laundry item characteristics and provide information to the control system, which then adjusts the ironing temperature in response. This closed-loop feedback mechanism allows the system to automatically differentiate between sensitive and non-sensitive items and apply appropriate temperature treatment without requiring external sorting.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables the ironing of unsorted laundry without overheating sensitive items or under-drying less sensitive items, eliminating the need for sorting and maintaining efficient drying, with ironing temperatures between 130°C and 170°C, ensuring all items reach a suitable moisture level.
Implementation Method 1
heating the mangle or mangles (10, 23) in such a way that their flattening surface or flattened surfaces (14, 27) have a temperature which corresponds to the maximum permissible mangle temperature of the most sensitive laundry items
Data Source
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AI summary
Laundry items are usually sorted before being mangled. Sorting allows batches of identical or similar laundry items to be mangled sequentially (by type). The mangling can be performed at a temperature determined by whether the batch contains delicate, less delicate, or relatively robust laundry items. The more delicate the laundry items, the lower their mangling temperature. The invention provides for mangling the laundry items unsorted. In this case, the mangling temperature of the trough mangles (23) is reduced, at least to the point where it is set for delicate laundry items. To ensure that even less delicate and delicate laundry items can be adequately mangled despite the reduced temperature, the ironing path (33) of the laundry items through the trough mangles (23) is, for example, lengthened.Differently delicate laundry items can be ironed together without the risk of overheating them.