CLOTHES FOLDING MACHINE

Abstract

The present invention relates to a clothes folding machine comprising: a frame part forming an external skeleton; a folding part which is mounted to the frame part, holds clothes, and folds the held clothes; and a holder which is disposed in front of the folding part and holds the clothes before the clothes are held by the folding part. The holder forms an upwardly convex curved surface, thus preventing wrinkles from occurring in the clothes held by the holder and preventing the occurrence of creases in the folded clothes.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a clothes folding machine, and more specifically, to a clothes folding machine that can fold clothes by placing clothing on a plate and rotating the plate.

BACKGROUND ART

Clothes are made of soft materials such as natural fibers or synthetic fibers and need to be folded to appropriate sizes and shapes so that the garments are stored and carried.

Generally, clothes are required to be folded very frequently or in large amounts for storage after being washed or for long-term storage according to seasonal changes. However, direct folding of clothes by manpower causes waste of time and resources. Also, when the shape and size of folded clothes do not match due to unskilled manpower, additional labor must be input in for display or storage.

Accordingly, there is an increasing need for an automated device which quickly and uniformly perform the folding of clothes.

Korean Patent Publication No. 2021-0096664 is presented as a prior literature. Prior literature relates to a width-folding system and method for creating width-folds in article of laundry.

The prior literature is provided with a width folder for holding laundry articles, and the width folder includes male and female members stacked along a vertical direction. The male member includes a first folding edges which extend along a motion direction of a laundry article. The female member is located beneath the male member and includes a second folding edges which converge in the motion direction. The female member includes opposite folding protrusions which presses the end of the laundry article inward while advancing across the male upper surface.

According to prior literature, both side ends of clothes have the characteristic of sagging downward in a gap between the first folding edge and the second folding edge. If the clothes is somewhat stiff, the end of the clothes contacts the folding protrusion and is bent downward to be inserted into the gap between the first folding edge and the second folding edge.

However, according to prior literature, the width folder only causes the ends of the clothes to sag downward, and a separate assembly is required at the rear of the width folder to fold the clothes, which has the problem of increasing the size of the folding machine.

In addition, there is a problem that wrinkles may occur as the clothes placed in a width folder sag, and if the clothes is folded with wrinkles formed, wrinkles may occur in the clothes.

DISCLOSURE

Technical Problem

An object to be achieved by the present invention is to solve the problems of the above-described clothes folding machine. Specifically, the present invention is to provide a clothes folding machine that can perform loading and folding in one space without dividing the clothes folding machine into a loading part, a folding part, and an unloading part.

Another object to be achieved by the present invention is to provide a clothes folding machine that can standardize the area of clothes placed in the folding part by reducing the area of the clothes to a certain level before the loading part transfers the clothes to the folding part.

The objects of the present disclosure are not limited to the objects mentioned above, and other objects not mentioned may be clearly understood by those skilled in the art from the following descriptions.

Technical Solution

In order to achieve the above object, a clothes folding machine according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a frame part that forms an external skeleton, a folding part that is mounted to the frame part, holds clothes, and folds the held clothes, and a holder that is disposed in front of the folding part and holds the clothes before the clothes are held by the folding part, wherein the holder forms an upwardly convex curved surface.

The holder may have a first curvature when viewed from a front and a second curvature that intersects the first curvature when viewed from one side.

The holder may include a protrusion 250 whose front end is formed to be convex forward when viewed from a top.

The holder may include a holder body that holds the clothes on an upper surface, a holder side wall that extends upward from one side of the holder body, and a sleeve folding portion that is formed to protrude inward from one side of the holder side wall and folds one side edge of the clothes when the clothes passes through the holder body.

The side of the sleeve folding portion is formed at least in part with a slop with an upper end disposed more inwardly than a lower end.

The sleeve folding portion may include a side plate that extends upward from the holder body and an upper plate that extends medially from an upper end of the side plate. Here, the side plate has a rear end disposed inwardly than a front end. Alternatively, the upper plate May have an inner end disposed lower than an outer end. Alternatively, the sleeve folding portion may be disposed on a front end of the side plate, and include a front guide that is formed to protrude medially from the holder side wall.

The holder may include a holder body that holds the clothes on an upper surface, a holder side wall that extends upward from one side of the holder body, and a sleeve support portion that extends rearward from one side of the holder body and supports one side of the clothes.

The clothes folding machine may comprise a loading part that is movably coupled to the frame part and fixes one side of the clothes when the clothes is placed on the holder and transfers the clothes to the folding part.

The loading part may include a loading part body, a gripper that is disposed on the loading part body and fixes the clothes to the loading part body, a pinion that is disposed on one side of the loading part body, and a rack that is disposed on the frame part, extends in a retraction direction of the clothes, and is connected to the pinion.

The gripper may include a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes, an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothes, a first link that has one side rotatably coupled to the lower plate and the other side rotatably coupled to the upper plate, and a second link that is disposed to be spaced apart from the first link, has one side rotatably coupled to the lower plate, and the other side rotatably coupled to the upper plate.

The gripper may include a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes, an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothes, and a first spring that has one side coupled to the lower plate and the other side coupled to the upper plate.

The gripper may include a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes, an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothing, and a pressing member that has one side disposed on the loading part body and the other side in close contact with the upper plate. Here, the gripper may include a second spring having one side coupled to the loading part body and the other side coupled to the pressing member.

Specific details of other embodiments are included in the detailed description and drawings.

Advantageous Effects

According to the clothes folding machine and its control method of the present invention, one or more of the following effects are achieved.

First, the holder according to the present invention forms a convex curved surface at the top, so it is possible to prevent wrinkles from occurring in clothes placed on the holder, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring in folded clothes.

Second, the holder according to the present invention includes a sleeve folding part formed by protruding inward from one side of the side wall of the holder. Thus, when the clothes passes through the holder body, one side end of the clothes is folded and has a width below a certain level, and thus, the size of the folding part can be designed to be small.

Third, the gripper of the loading part includes first and second links, one side of which is rotatably coupled to the lower plate and the other side of which is rotatably coupled to the upper plate, so that the upper plate is in close contact with the lower plate by simply moving without rotation, thereby holding the clothes with uniform pressure and preventing damage to the clothes.

The effects of the present disclosure are not limited to the above-mentioned effects, and it should be understood that the effects of the present disclosure include all effects that could be inferred from the description of the appended claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a clothes folding machine according to the present invention, and is a perspective view of the clothes folding machine before fixing a clothes.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the clothes folding machine after fixing a clothes in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the clothes folding machine after transferring a clothes to a folding part in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the clothes folding machine after releasing a clothing in

FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a driving assembly of a loading part.

FIG. 6 is a view of the driving assembly of a loading part viewed from a front.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of portion A in FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a view of a driving assembly of a loading part from a right side, showing a state before fixing a clothes.

FIG. 9 is a view illustrating a state in which a clothing in fixed in FIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a front view of a holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a right side view of a holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a plan view of a holder according to the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of portion B in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of portion C in FIG. 13.

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of portion D in FIG. 13.

FIG. 17 is a plan view of a holder according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional view of portion E in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a plan view of a holder according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a cross-sectional view of portion F in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 is a plan view of a holder according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of portion G in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view illustrating a folding part in a clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view illustrating a link plate in a clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart for explaining a control process of a clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a diagram for explaining a process of vertically folding a clothes by a clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 27 is a diagram for explaining a process of horizontally folding a clothes by a clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a diagram for explaining a process of horizontal folding by a clothes folding machine through a conveyor, according to the present invention.

MODE FOR INVENTION

The merits and characteristics of the present disclosure and a method for achieving the merits and characteristics will become more apparent from the embodiments described in detail in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. However, the present disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but may be implemented in various different ways. The embodiments are provided to only complete the disclosure of the present disclosure and to allow those skilled in the art to understand the category of the present disclosure. The present disclosure is defined by the category of the claims. The same reference numerals will be used to refer to the same or similar elements throughout the drawings.

Hereinafter, the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings for explaining the clothes folding machine 1 and control method thereof according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure relates to a clothes folding machine 1. The clothes folding machine 1 is an apparatus that, when unfolded clothes is inserted, folds the clothes and discharges the folded clothes into a standardized size.

Referring to the drawings, the clothes may be a top. Alternatively, unlike what is illustrated in the drawing, the clothes may be bottoms.

Referring to FIG. 1, a direction of the clothes folding machine 1 is defined. A front is defined as a direction in which a holder 200 is located relative to a frame part 100. A rear is in an opposite direction of the front. For example, the clothes moves from the front of the holder 200 to the rear, passes through the holder 200, and reaches a folding part 400. A right side is defined as a right direction when viewed at the clothes folding machine 1 from the front. A left side is in an opposite direction to the front. An upward refers to the upper portion of the frame part 100 in FIG. 1, and a downward refers to the lower portion of the frame part 100 in FIG. 1. The clothes folding machine 1 includes the frame part 100 that functions as an external skeleton.

The frame part 100 is disposed on the outer edge of the clothes folding machine 1 to define the minimum operating space of the clothes folding machine 1 and may stably support the various members constituting the clothes folding machine 1.

The frame part 100 may include a plurality of frames. A vertical frame is a frame that is placed perpendicular to the ground. A horizontal frame is a frame that is disposed horizontally on the ground. The vertical frame is crossed and combined with the horizontal frame to form the skeleton of the clothes folding machine.

Meanwhile, the clothes folding machine 1 includes the holder 200, a loading part (loading unit) 300, a folding part (folding unit) 400, and an unloading part (unloading unit) (not illustrated).

The holder 200, loading part 300, folding part 400, and unloading part (not illustrated) may each be supported on the frame part 100 described above, and the operating space of the holder 200, loading part 300, folding part 400 and unloading part (not illustrated) may be defined by the frame part 100.

The clothes folding machine includes the holder 200. The holder 200 is a component that holds clothes before it is placed on the folding part 400.

The holder 200 according to the present invention will be described based on a first embodiment, and a second to fourth embodiments will be described later with a focus on differences from the holder according to the first embodiment.

The holder 200 temporarily holds the clothes before the clothes is placed on the folding part 400. After the clothes is placed on the holder 200, it is guided to the folding part 400 by the loading part 300.

The holder 200 is disposed in front of the folding part 400. Specifically, the holder 200 is disposed adjacent to the front end of the folding part 400 and is coupled to the frame part.

The holder 200 may be rotatably coupled to the frame part. Specifically, the rear end of the holder 200 is hinged to the frame part, and the front end of the holder 200 may move and rotate. Accordingly, the inclination of the holder 200 is variable so that it may be disposed appropriately for various types of clothes.

The holder 200 forms a curved surface that is convex toward the upper portion. Referring to FIG. 11, the center of the holder 200 is disposed higher than the left or right end. In addition, referring to FIG. 12, the center of the holder 200 is disposed higher than the front or rear end. Therefore, when the clothes is placed on the holder 200, the clothes naturally sag from the center to the front/rear/left/right sides, thereby preventing wrinkles from occurring.

The upper surface of the holder 200 has at least one curvature. Specifically, the holder has a double bend structure having a first curvature C1 and a second curvature C2.

When viewed from the front, the holder 200 has the first curvature C1, and when viewed from one side, the holder 200 has the second curvature C2 that intersects the first curvature C1.

Referring to FIG. 16, the holder 200 has the first curvature C1 when viewed from the front. The center of curvature of the first curvature C1 is disposed at the lower portion of the holder 200.

Referring to FIG. 15, the holder 200 has the second curvature C2 when viewed from the right side. The center of curvature of the second curvature C2 is disposed at the lower portion of the holder 200.

With this arrangement, wrinkles do not occur in the clothes while the clothes is being retracted rearward.

The holder 200 has a protrusion 250. The protrusion 250 is a component that prevents wrinkles from occurring when the closes is placed.

Referring to FIG. 13, when the protrusion 250 is viewed from the upper portion, the front end is formed to be convex forward.

The protrusion 250 has a third curvature C3. The center of curvature of the third curvature C3 is disposed rearward than the front end of a holder body 210.

With this arrangement, near the protrusion 250, the center of the clothes is placed ahead of both ends of the clothes, and tension is generated between the center and both ends, which can prevent wrinkles from occurring. In addition, when the clothes moves rearward, the clothes is caught at the front end of the protrusion 250 and tension is generated, which can more effectively prevent wrinkles in the clothes.

The holder 200 may include a rib 260. The rib 260 is a component that maintains the shape of the holder 200.

The rib 260 is formed to protrude downward from the lower surface of the holder 200.

The ribs 260 may extend in a left-right direction or in a front-to-rear direction. The rib extending in the left-right direction may intersect with the rib 260 extending in the front-rear direction.

The holder 200 includes the holder body 210, a holder side wall 220, a sleeve support portion 230, and a sleeve folding portion 240.

The holder body 210 holds the clothes on its upper surface.

The holder body 210 may be formed in a wide plate shape extending in the front/rear/left/right direction.

As described above, the holder body 210 forms an upwardly convex curved surface. Specifically, the holder body 210 has the first curvature C1 when viewed from the front and the second curvature C2 when viewed from one side. The virtual curve by the first curvature C1 and virtual curve by the second curvature C2 may intersect or be perpendicular to each other.

The holder side wall 220 extends upward from one side end of the holder body 210.

The holder side walls 220 are formed at both ends of the holder body 210.

The holder side wall 220 may extend from the front end to rear end of the holder body 210.

The sleeve support portion 230 extends rearward from one side end of the holder body and supports one side end of the clothes.

Referring to FIG. 10, the sleeve support portion 230 protrudes further rearward from the rear end of the holder body 210.

Referring to FIG. 12, the center of the sleeve support portion 230 may be disposed above the front or rear end of the sleeve support portion, and the sleeve support portion 230 may form a curved surface that is convex upward.

The sleeve support portion 230 supports both ends of the clothes and prevents wrinkles from occurring between the both ends and center of the clothes. In other words, the cross-section of the clothes is disposed in a W-shape, preventing unnecessary wrinkles from occurring in the clothes and allowing the left or right side of the clothes to be easily folded. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeve support portion 230 supports the sleeve and is positioned flat up to the wrist area of the sleeve so that the sleeve may be easily folded.

Hereinafter, the sleeve folding portion 240 according to the present invention will be described. The sleeve folding portion 240 according to the present invention includes sleeve folding portions 240a to 240d according to the first to fourth embodiments depending on the shape. First, the sleeve folding portion 240a according to the first embodiment will be described, and then the sleeve folding portions 240b to 240d according to the second to fourth embodiments will be described.

Referring to FIGS. 11 to 15, the sleeve folding portion 240a according to the first embodiment is formed to protrude inward from one side of the holder side wall 220, and folds one side of the clothes when the clothes passes through the holder body 210.

The clothes placed on the holder body 210 moves rearward toward the folding part 400. When the clothes passes through the sleeve folding portion 240a, one end of the clothes gradually rises along the side wall of the sleeve folding portion 240a, and the cross-section of the sleeve folding portion becomes U-shaped. Then, one side edge of the clothes falls toward the inside, and a portion of the left side or portion of the right side of the clothes is overlapped with the remaining portion of the clothes and folded.

In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves of the upper clothes are folded to the torso portion of the upper clothes by the sleeve folding portion 240a. Accordingly, in the folding part 400, only the torso portion needs to be folded intensively and there is no need to fold the sleeves separately, which allows the clothes to be folded more effectively.

The side of the sleeve folding portion 240a is formed at least in part with a slop L1 with an upper end disposed more inwardly than a lower end.

Referring to FIG. 11, the inner upper end of the sleeve folding portion 240a is disposed inner than the inner lower end. The side of the sleeve folding portion 240a has a first slope L1. Accordingly, one side edge of the clothes moves inward and upward along the side of the sleeve folding portion 240a, and the side edge is folded inward. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves move inward and upward along the side of the sleeve folding portion 240a, and the sleeves are overlapped with the upper portion of the torso portion.

Referring to FIG. 13, the rear end of the sleeve folding portion 240a is disposed inside the front end. The side at the front end of the sleeve folding portion 240a has a second slope L2. Accordingly, one side edge of the clothes may easily move inward and upward along the side of the sleeve folding portion 240a. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves may not be inserted into the lower portion of the torso portion, but may be overlapped with the upper portion of the torso portion along the side of the sleeve folding portion 240a.

Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 and 18. The holder 200 according to the second embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion 240b of a different shape from that of the sleeve folding portion 240a according to the first embodiment described above. As for the holder 200 according to the second embodiment, the description of the holder 200 according to the first embodiment described above may be used as long as it does not collide. Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the second embodiment will be described focusing on the differences from the first embodiment.

The holder 200 according to the second embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion b. The sleeve folding portion 240b includes a side plate 241b and an upper plate 242b.

The side plate 241b extends upward from the holder body 210. The upper plate 242b extends medially from the upper end of the side plate 241b.

The side plate 241b may be disposed on the same surface as the holder side wall 220. The side plate 241b may be formed integrally with the holder side wall 220, or may be formed separately and then connected so as not to form a step.

The rear end of the side plate is disposed more medially than the front end. Accordingly, when one side edge of the clothes rises along the side plate 241b, the rising area gradually increases and wrinkles may not be formed in the clothes.

The side plate 241b may form a curved surface in which the inner surface is concave outward. Taking FIG. 18 as an example, the inner surface of the sleeve folding portion 240b may be formed in a U-shape with the right side open. With this arrangement, the direction of movement of one side edge of the clothes is changed to the inside and upward, so that it May be more easily overlapped with the remaining portion of the clothes. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves may be easily overlapped on the upper portion of the torso portion of the clothes when the sleeves rise along the side plate 241b.

Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 19 and 20. The holder 200 according to the third embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion 240c of a different shape from those of the sleeve folding portions 240a and 240b according to the first and second embodiments described above. As for the holder 200 according to the third embodiment, the description of the holder 200 according to the first or second embodiment described above may be used as long as it does not collide. Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the third embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first and second embodiments.

The holder 200 according to the third embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion c. The sleeve folding portion 240c includes a side plate 241c and an upper plate 242c.

The inner end of the upper plate 242c is disposed lower than the outer end. Taking FIG. 20 as an example, the inner surface of the sleeve folding portion 240c may be formed in a C-shape with the right side open. With this arrangement, one side edge of the clothes moves upward inward and then changes direction to downward inward, allowing it to be more easily overlapped with the remaining portion of the clothes. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves may be easily overlapped on the upper portion of the torso portion of the clothes when the sleeves rise along the side plate 241c.

Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 21 and 22. The holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion 240d having a different shape from those of the sleeve folding portions 240a to 240c according to the first to third embodiments described above. As for the holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment, the description of the holder 200 according to at least one of the above-described first to third embodiments may be used as long as it does not collide. Hereinafter, the holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment will be described, focusing on the differences from the first to third embodiments.

The holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment includes the sleeve folding portion d. The sleeve folding portion 240d includes a side plate 241d and an upper plate 242d.

The holder 200 according to the fourth embodiment includes a front guide 243d.

The front guide 243d is disposed at the front end of the side plate 241d and is formed to protrude inward from the holder side wall 220.

The inner surface of the front guide 243d may be disposed inner than the inner surface of the side plate 241d of the sleeve folding portion. Accordingly, one side edge of the clothes is rolled up along the inner surface of the front guide 243d, but when the side edge leaves the front guide 243d, it spreads again toward the side plate 241d. Then, the unfolded side end May be more easily raised along the inner surface of the side plate 241d.

The clothes folding machine includes the loading part 300. The loading part 300 is a component that transfers a clothes from the holder 200 to the folding part 400. The loading part 300 is movably coupled to the frame part, and when clothes is placed on the holder 200, the loading part fixes one side of the clothes and transfer the clothes to the folding part 400.

The loading part 300 includes a loading part body 310, a gripper 320, a driving assembly 330, and a sensor part 340.

The loading part body 310 is a component that supports other components of the loading part 300.

The loading part body 310 may be disposed inside the frame part 100.

The gripper 320 is a component that secures a clothes. The gripper 320 is disposed on the loading part body 310 and fixes the clothes to the loading part body 310.

The gripper 320 picks up the clothes placed on the holder 200 and fixes the clothes to the loading part body 310. The gripper 320 releases the fixation of the clothes moved to the folding part 400.

The gripper 320 includes a lower plate 321, an upper plate 322, a first link 323, and a second link 324.

The lower plate 321 and upper plate 322 are in close contact with the clothes and fix the clothes to the loading part body 310.

The lower plate 321 is fixedly coupled to the loading part body 310 and is in close contact with the lower surface of the clothes.

A plurality of protrusions are formed on the upper surface of the lower plate 321, allowing the clothes to be more firmly fixed.

The lower plate 321 may be disposed parallel to the holder body 210. Specifically, the lower plate 321 may have the first curvature C1.

The upper plate 322 is disposed on the upper portion of the lower plate 321, is movably coupled to the loading part body 310, and is in close contact with the upper surface of the clothes.

The upper plate 322 may be disposed parallel to the lower plate 321. Specifically, the upper plate 322 may have the first curvature C1.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, the upper plate 322 may move up and down. Referring to FIG. 9, when the upper plate 322 moves downward, it comes into close contact with the upper surface of the clothes and may secure the clothes together with the lower plate 321. Referring to FIG. 8, when the upper plate 322 moves upward, there is a certain gap between the upper plate 322 and the clothes, and the clothes may be released.

A plurality of protrusions are formed on the lower surface of the upper plate 322, allowing the clothes to be more firmly fixed.

The first link and second link guide the upper plate 322 when the upper plate 322 moves.

One side of the first link 323 is rotatably coupled to the lower plate 321, and the other side of the first link is rotatably coupled to the upper plate 322.

The second link 324 is disposed to be spaced apart from the first link, one side of the second link is rotatably coupled to the lower plate 321, and the other side of the second link is rotatably coupled to the upper plate 322.

The first link and second link may be formed in the same shape. Accordingly, when the first link and second link rotate, the upper plate 322 may only move in parallel without rotation. For example, when the first link and second link rotate counterclockwise, the upper plate 322 moves down and secures the clothes. In contrast, when the first link and second link rotate clockwise, the upper plate 322 descends to release the clothes.

The first link and second link may be moved manually. Alternatively, the first link or second link may be moved automatically. Here, the motor (not illustrated) may be connected to the first link or to the second link.

The gripper 320 may further include a first spring 326.

One side of the first spring 326 is coupled to the lower plate 321, and the other side of the first spring is coupled to the upper plate 322.

The first spring 326 applies a downward elastic force to the upper plate 322 when the upper plate 322 rises. Accordingly, the first spring 326 may fix the clothes more firmly.

The gripper 320 may further include a pressing member 325. The pressing member is a component that improves the fixing force by pressing the upper plate 322.

The pressing member is disposed on the loading part body 310, and the other side of the pressing member is in close contact with the upper plate 322.

The rear end of the pressing member is rotatably coupled to the loading part body 310.

The pressing member extends forward, and its front end is simply supported on the upper surface of the upper plate 322.

The pressing member presses the first half of the upper plate 322. The latter half of the upper plate 322 receives a downward force from the first link or second link, and the front half of the upper plate 322 receives a downward force from the pressing member. Accordingly, the gripper 320 may support the clothes more firmly.

The pressing member may have a plurality of holes formed therein. The plurality of holes may be selectively hinged to the loading part body 310. Accordingly, the fixing force applied by the pressing member to the upper plate 322 may be increased or decreased.

The gripper 320 may further include a second spring 327.

One side of the second spring 327 is coupled to the loading part body 310, and the other side of the second spring is coupled to the pressing member.

The second spring 327 applies elastic force to the pressing member, and the elastic force is the driving force of the fixing force that the pressing member presses against the upper plate 322.

Referring to FIG. 9, the second spring 327 applies elastic force to the pressing member so that the pressing member rotates counterclockwise.

The driving assembly 330 is a component that moves the loading part body 310.

The driving assembly 330 is movably disposed on the frame part 100. Specifically, the driving assembly 330 moves forward and backward, parallel to the insertion direction of the clothes.

The driving assembly 330 includes a driving motor 331, a driving gear 332, a pinion 333, and a rack 334.

The driving motor 331 is disposed on the loading part body 310.

The driving motor 331 generates a driving force transmitted to the gripper 320.

The driving motor 331 is coupled to the loading part body 310 and moves together with the loading part body 310.

The driving motor 331 has a shaft, and the driving gear 332 is coupled to the shaft.

The driving gear 332 is disposed on the driving motor 331. Specifically, the driving gear 332 is coupled to the shaft of the motor and rotates together with the shaft.

The pinion 333 is disposed on one side of the loading part body 310. The pinion 333 is connected to the driving gear 332 and receives the power of the driving gear 332.

The rack 334 is disposed on the frame part, extends in the insertion direction of the clothes, and is connected to the pinion 333.

The rack 334 may be disposed on a horizontal frame of the frame part 100. The rack may be disposed on the upper surface of the horizontal frame. The rack 334 extends rearward along the retraction direction of the clothes.

The rack 334 is connected to the pinion 333. Accordingly, when the pinion 333 rotates, the pinion 333 and loading part body 310 move rearward along the extension direction of the rack 334.

The pinions 333 may be disposed at both ends of the loading part body 310. Likewise, the racks 334 may also be disposed on both sides of the loading part body 310.

The driving assembly 330 may further include a guide protrusion 335 and a guide groove 336.

The guide protrusion 335 is disposed on the holder body 210. The guide protrusion 335 may be formed to protrude further outward from the central axis of the pinion 333.

The guide groove 336 is disposed on the frame part. The guide groove 336 may be formed by recessing from the inner side to the outer side.

The guide groove 336 extends forward and backward. The extension direction of the guide groove 336 is parallel to the extension direction of the rack 334 and the retraction direction of the clothes.

At least a portion of the guide protrusion 335 is inserted into the guide groove 336. The guide protrusion 335 may move forward and backward along the guide groove 336.

The guide protrusion 335 and guide groove 336 help the loading part 300 move straight forward and backward.

The sensor part 340 detects the position of the loading part 300.

The sensor part 340 is disposed on the frame part 100. Specifically, the sensor part 340 may be disposed on the horizontal frame.

The sensor part 340 may include a first loading detection sensor 341, a second loading detection sensor 342, and a third loading detection sensor 343.

The first loading detection sensor 341 detects the position of the loading part 300 when the loading part 300 moves forward to its limit. Here, the gripper 320 may operate to fix the clothes to the loading part body 310.

The second loading detection sensor 342 is disposed between the first loading detection sensor 341 and the third loading detection sensor 343. When the second loading detection sensor 342 detects the loading part, the gripper 320 may release the fixation of the clothes. Here, the clothes falls due to gravity and is disposed in the folding part 400.

The third loading detection sensor 343 detects the position of the loading part 300 when the loading part 300 moves rearward to its limit.

The clothes folding machine 1 includes a folding part 400. The folding part 400 is a component that holds a clothes and folds the clothes placed.

The folding part 400 functions to transfer and fold the clothes retracted through the loading part 300.

The folding part 400 is disposed inside the frame part 100 and includes folding plates 410 and 420, an interlocking plate 430, a first interlocking link 440, a second interlocking link 450, link plates 460 and 470, and folding conveyors 480 and 490.

Specifically, the folding part 400 may fold the clothes by the rotation of the folding plates 410 and 420, and may fold the clothes while transferring it by the rotation (circulation) of the folding conveyors 480 and 490.

The folding plates 410 and 420 are disposed on the outside of the folding conveyors 480 and 490. Accordingly, the central portion of the clothes (e.g., the chest portion of the T-shirt) retracted through the loading part 300 may be placed on the folding conveyors 480 and 490, and the ends of the clothes (e.g., the sleeve, side portion, or hem portion of the T-shirt) may be placed on the folding plates 410 and 420. Accordingly, the operations of folding the ends of the clothes may be performed by the rotation of the folding plates 410 and 420, and the operation of folding the central portion of the clothes or transferring the clothes may be performed by the rotation of the folding conveyors 480 and 490.

The folding plates 410 and 420 are rotatably coupled to the link plates 460 and 470 and are provided to fold the clothes by rotation.

The folding plates 410 and 420 may include a vertical folding plate 410 that folds the clothes by rotating within a predetermined radius around a first rotary axis A1, and a horizontal folding plate 420 that folds the clothes by rotating within a predetermined radius around a second rotary axis A2 perpendicular to the first rotary axis A1.

The vertical folding plates 410 are disposed on each of the left and right sides of the folding conveyors 480 and 490, and may fold the left and right ends of the clothes toward the center of the clothes. For convenience, the vertical folding plate 410 disposed on the left side may be referred to as a first vertical folding plate 410a, and the vertical folding plate 410 disposed on the right side may be referred to as a second vertical folding plate 410b, but are not limited thereto, and the left and right sides may be changed.

The vertical folding plate 410 is link-coupled with the vertical folding link plate 460, and the vertical folding link plate 460 may be rotatably coupled to a folding base 500. Here, the vertical folding link plate 460 is rotated around the first rotary axis A1. Accordingly, the vertical folding plate 410 may rotate around the first rotary axis A1 within a predetermined radius range together with the vertical folding link plate 460 or separately from the vertical folding link plate 460.

The horizontal folding plate 420 is disposed in front of the folding conveyors 480 and 490, and may fold the rear end of the clothes toward the center of the clothes (for example, toward the torso portion of an upper clothes).

The horizontal folding plate 420 is link-coupled with the horizontal folding link plate 490, and the horizontal folding link plate 470 may be rotatably coupled to the folding base 500. Here, the horizontal folding link plate 470 is rotated around the second rotary axis A2. Accordingly, the horizontal folding plate 420 may rotate around the second rotary axis A2 within a predetermined radius range together with the horizontal folding link plate 470 or separately from the horizontal folding link plate 470.

The interlocking plate 430 may be rotated in conjunction with the vertical folding plate or horizontal folding plate 420.

The interlocking plate 430 may be connected to the vertical folding plate 410 through the first interlocking link 440. The interlocking plate 430 may be connected to the horizontal folding plate 420 through the second interlocking link 450.

Specifically, the interlocking plate 430 is link-coupled with the first interlocking link 440, and the first interlocking link 440 is link-coupled with the vertical folding plate 410. Accordingly, when the vertical folding plate 410 is rotated, the interlocking plate 430 is also rotated in conjunction with the vertical folding plate 410.

Additionally, the interlocking plate 430 is link-coupled with the second interlocking link 450, and the second interlocking link 450 is link-coupled with the horizontal folding plate 420. Accordingly, when the horizontal folding plate 420 is rotated, the interlocking plate 430 is also rotated in conjunction with the horizontal folding plate 420.

Meanwhile, FIG. 25 illustrates a flow chart for explaining a control method of a clothes folding machine according to the present invention, and FIGS. 26 to 28 illustrate diagrams for explaining a process of folding a clothes by applying the control method of the clothes folding machine according to the present invention.

Referring to FIGS. 25 to 28, a process of folding a clothes by the clothes folding machine 1 according to the present invention is described as follows.

The control method of the clothes folding machine according to the present invention includes a loading step (S10), a vertical folding step (S20), a horizontal folding step (S30), and an unloading step (S40).

In the loading step (S10), a clothes C is loaded into the frame part 100.

In the loading step (S10), a clothes may be loaded onto the holder 200 by the user and introduced toward the inside of the frame part 100. In particular, when the clothes is an upper clothes, the sleeves of the upper clothes are folded to the torso portion of the upper clothes by the sleeve folding portion 240.

In the loading step (S10), when the clothes is placed on the holder 200 and lower plate 321, and the upper plate 322 moves downward, it comes into close contact with the upper surface of the clothes and fixes the clothes together with the lower plate 321.

In the loading step (S10), the controller 600 may control the loading part body 310 so that the loading part body 310 starts the operation of the loading part driving motor 331 at the position where the first loading detection sensor 341 is disposed and the loading part body 310 moves in a straight line along the rack 334. Then, when the loading part body 310 reaches a position where the second loading detection sensor 342 is disposed, the controller 600 may receive a signal from the second loading detection sensor 342 and control the driving motor provided on the upper plate 322 to move the upper plate 322 upward. Then, when the loading part body 310 reaches a position where the third loading detection sensor 343 is disposed, the controller 600 may receive a signal from the third loading detection sensor 343 and start the operation of the folding part 400.

Accordingly, after the loading step (S10), the clothes may be placed on the folding part 400. Specifically, after the loading step (S10), the clothes may be disposed on the folding conveyors 480 and 490, folding plates 410 and 420, and link plates 460 and 470. For example, the central portion of the clothes (e.g., the torso center portion of a T-shirt) may be placed on the folding conveyors 480 and 490, and the ends of the clothes (e.g., the sleeve or side portion or hem of a T-shirt) may be placed on the folding plates 410 and 420.

After the loading step (S10), in the vertical folding step (S20), the vertical folding plate is operated to fold the clothes vertically. Here, the vertical folding means folding by a reference line parallel to the direction of movement of the clothes. Parallel to the direction of movement of the clothes does not mean that the movement direction line and folding line of the clothes are limited to a complete angle of 0 degrees, but rather includes an error range of 0 to 30 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 26, in the vertical folding step (S20), the controller 600 operates folding plate motors M1 and M2 to rotate a folding plate body 411. Specifically, when the folding plate motors M1 and M2 are operated, a driving disk 412 rotates, and a first link 413 rotates in an arc according to the rotation of the driving disk 412. Then, as the first link 413 moves, a second link 414, third link 415, and fourth link 416 may be moved so that the vertical folding link plate 460 and the folding plate body 411 of the vertical folding plate 410 may be rotated.

Here, the vertical folding link plate 460 is disposed close to perpendicular to the ground, and at least a portion of the folding plate body 411 may be disposed vertically above the folding conveyors 480 and 490 beyond the vertical folding link plate 460.

With this configuration, in the vertical folding step (S20), the vertical folding link plate may maintain with a parallel reference line based on the direction of movement of the clothes.

In addition, with the vertical folding link plate 460, the vertical folding may be performed regardless of the thickness of the clothes. That is, when a conventional clothes folding machine rotates a folding plate to fold a clothes, a problem occurred in which the folding plate is not rotated sufficiently for a thick clothes, such as a sweater, and the folded shape of the clothes is not consistent. In contrast, in the present invention, as the vertical folding link plate 460 rotates, it maintains the frame of the reference line even for a thick clothes, and the folding plate body 411 rotates sufficiently to fold the ends of the clothes.

Meanwhile, when the vertical folding plate 410 is rotated in the vertical folding step (S20), the interlocking plate 430 connected to the vertical folding plate 410 through the first interlocking link 440 rotates together with the folding plate body 411 of the vertical folding plate 410.

With this configuration, in the vertical folding step (S20), the clothes may be folded by rotating an area larger than the area of the vertical folding plate 410. Through this, the area for folding the clothes may be expanded, and it is also effective in folding large-sized clothes.

Meanwhile, in the vertical folding step (S20), the pair of vertical folding plates 410 may be sequentially rotated. For example, in the vertical folding step (S20), the controller 600 first may operate the first folding plate motor M1 to rotate the first vertical folding plate 410a disposed on the left side (S21), and then may operate the second folding plate motor M2 to rotate the second vertical folding plate 410b disposed on the right side (S22). With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the pair of vertical folding plates 410 from colliding with each other. In addition, the sleeves or side portions of the clothes are stacked one after the other so the clothes may be folded neatly.

After the vertical folding step (S20), the horizontal folding plate 420 is operated to horizontally fold the clothes C in the horizontal folding step (S30). Here, the horizontal folding means folding according to a reference line perpendicular to a direction in which the clothes moves (retraction direction). Perpendicular to the direction of movement of the clothes does not mean that the movement direction line and folding line of the clothes are limited to a complete angle of 90 degrees, but rather includes an error range of 0 to 30 degrees.

Referring to FIG. 27, in the horizontal folding step (S30), when the operation of the folding plate motors M1 and M2 of the vertical folding plate 410 ends, the controller 600 operates a third folding plate motor M3 to rotate the folding plate body 421. Specifically, when the third folding plate motor M3 is operated, the driving disk 422 rotates, and the first link 423 rotates in an arc according to the rotation of the driving disk 422. As the first link 423 moves, the second link 424, third link 425, and fourth link 426 move to rotate the horizontal folding link plate 470 and the folding plate body 421 of the horizontal folding plate 420.

Here, the horizontal folding link plate 470 is disposed close to perpendicular to the ground, and at least a portion of the folding plate body 421 may be disposed vertically above the folding conveyors 480 and 490 beyond the horizontal folding link plate 470.

With this configuration, in the horizontal folding step (S30), the horizontal folding link plate 470 may maintain with a vertical reference line based on the direction of movement of the clothes.

In addition, with the horizontal folding link plate 470, the horizontal folding may be performed regardless of the thickness of the clothes.

Meanwhile, when the horizontal folding plate 420 is rotated in the horizontal folding step (S30), the interlocking plate 430 connected to the horizontal folding plate 420 through the second interlocking link 450 rotates together with the folding plate body 421 of the horizontal folding plate 420.

With this configuration, in the horizontal folding step (S30), the clothes may be folded by rotating an area larger than the area of the horizontal folding plate 420. Through this, the area for folding the clothes may be expanded, and it is also effective in folding large-sized clothes.

After the horizontal folding step (S30), in the unloading step (S40), the folding conveyors 480 and 490 are operated to fold the clothes while transferring the clothes to an unloading space.

Specifically, in a state in which the horizontal folding step (S30) is completed, the clothes are placed on the folding conveyors 480 and 490. Here, the width in the left-right direction and length in the front-rear direction of the clothes C are folded uniformly.

In the unloading step (S40), the controller 600 operates a first conveyor motor MC1 and a second conveyor motor MC2, and operates the first folding conveyor 480 and second folding conveyor 490 so that the circulation (rotation) directions are opposite to each other.

Here, the rotation directions of the first folding conveyor 480 and second folding conveyor 490 are in a direction where the upper surface of the first folding conveyor 480 and upper surface of the second folding conveyor 490 come together. With this configuration, in the unloading step (S40), the clothes C may be transferred to the unloading space through a gap formed between the first folding conveyor 480 and the second folding conveyor 490. Then, the clothes C may be pressed between the first folding conveyor 480 and the second folding conveyor 490 and spread to a predetermined thickness.

Meanwhile, in the unloading step (S40), the controller 600 may operate the first conveyor movement motor MR1. Alternatively, in the unloading step (40), the controller 600 may operate the second conveyor movement motor MR2. When the first conveyor movement motor MR1 and/or second conveyor movement motor MR2 are operated, the first folding conveyor 480 and/or second folding conveyor 490 may rotate in the vertical direction, and a distance between the first folding conveyor 480 and the second folding conveyor 490 may be changed. With this configuration, in the unloading step (S40), the distance between the first folding conveyor 480 and the second folding conveyor 490 is changed according to the thickness of the clothes C, so that the clothes C can be easily transferred and the clothes C can be spread to a predetermined thickness (see FIG. 28).

While the present invention has been described above by way of illustrating preferred embodiments thereof, the present invention is not limited to the above-described specific embodiments, and various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the gist of the present invention described in the claims, and such modifications should not be construed as departing from the technical spirit or the prospect of the present invention.

Claims

1. A clothes folding machine comprising: a frame part that forms an external skeleton;a folding part that is mounted to the frame part, holds clothes, and folds the held clothes; anda holder that is disposed in front of the folding part and holds the clothes before the clothes are held by the folding part,wherein the holder forms an upwardly convex curved surface.

2. The clothes folding machine of claim 1, wherein the holder has a first curvature when viewed from a front and a second curvature that intersects the first curvature when viewed from one side.

3. The clothes folding machine of claim 1, wherein the holder includes a protrusion whose front end is formed to be convex forward when viewed from a top.

4. The clothes folding machine of claim 1, wherein the holder includes: a holder body that holds the clothes on an upper surface;a holder side wall that extends upward from one side of the holder body; anda sleeve folding portion that is formed to protrude inward from one side of the holder side wall and folds one side edge of the clothes when the clothes passes through the holder body.

5. The clothes folding machine of claim 4, wherein a side of the sleeve folding portion is formed at least in part with a slop with an upper end disposed more inwardly than a lower end.

6. The clothes folding machine of claim 4, wherein the sleeve folding portion includes: a side plate that extends upward from the holder body; andan upper plate that extends medially from an upper end of the side plate.

7. The clothes folding machine of claim 6, wherein the side plate has a rear end disposed inwardly than a front end.

8. The clothes folding machine of claim 6, wherein the upper plate has an inner end disposed lower than an outer end.

9. The clothes folding machine of claim 6, wherein the sleeve folding portion is disposed on a front end of the side plate, and includes a front guide that is formed to protrude medially from the holder side wall.

10. The clothes folding machine of claim 1, wherein the holder includes: a holder body that holds the clothes on an upper surface;a holder side wall that extends upward from one side of the holder body; anda sleeve support portion that extends rearward from one side of the holder body and supports one side of the clothes.

11. The clothes folding machine of claim 1, comprising a loading part that is movably coupled to the frame part and fixes one side of the clothes when the clothes is placed on the holder and transfers the clothes to the folding part.

12. The clothes folding machine of claim 11, wherein the loading part includes: a loading part body;a gripper that is disposed on the loading part body and fixes the clothes to the loading part body;a pinion that is disposed on one side of the loading part body; anda rack that is disposed on the frame part, extends in a retraction direction of the clothes, and is connected to the pinion.

13. The clothes folding machine of claim 12, wherein the gripper includes: a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes;an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothes;a first link that has one side rotatably coupled to the lower plate and the other side rotatably coupled to the upper plate; anda second link that is disposed to be spaced apart from the first link, has one side rotatably coupled to the lower plate, and the other side rotatably coupled to the upper plate.

14. The clothes folding machine of claim 12, wherein the gripper includes: a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes;an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothes; anda first spring that has one side coupled to the lower plate and the other side coupled to the upper plate.

15. The clothes folding machine of claim 12, wherein the gripper includes: a lower plate that is fixedly coupled to the loading part body and is in close contact with a lower surface of the clothes;an upper plate that is disposed on an upper portion of the lower plate, is movably coupled to the loading part body, and is in close contact with an upper surface of the clothing; anda pressing member that has one side disposed on the loading part body and the other side in close contact with the upper plate.

16. The clothes folding machine of claim 15, wherein the gripper includes a second spring having one side coupled to the loading part body and the other side coupled to the pressing member.