Control method and system for automatic making and vending porridge cooking machine

Abstract

The invention provides a control method and system for an automatic making and selling porridge cooking machine, and belongs to the field of intelligent making of cooked porridge. A weight sensing element in the rice weighing storage bin assembly weighs the food materials in the adsorption path every time, a movable switch is arranged at the bottom of a rice weighing storage bin, and the food materials fall into a feeding opening of the porridge cooking pot; the cooking unit comprises auxiliary material cooking and congee cooking, auxiliary materials in an auxiliary material storage bin are subjected to steam heating and conveyed to a feeding port of a congee cooking pot through a transfer unit, the congee cooking pot comprises steam heating and electric heating, hot water in a corresponding proportion is extracted through a water volume unit and injected into the congee cooking pot, and a bowl bin unit is arranged at the bottom of the congee cooking pot; comprising a bowl lifting assembly, bowls of the same specification are placed on a hollow frame in a tiled mode, bowl openings of the bowls face upwards, an electric lifting rod is arranged on one side of the hollow frame, and the whole bowls are driven to ascend and descend through the electric lifting rod.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This manual relates to the field of intelligent porridge making, and in particular to a control method and system for an automatic porridge making and vending machine. Background Technology

[0002] Porridge, a thick, porridge made from grains such as rice, millet, beans, or corn, is an indispensable part of people's daily lives. Currently, commercially available pre-packaged porridge is produced through complex manual processes such as cooking, bottling, and sealing, resulting in high labor costs and high labor intensity, which urgently need improvement.

[0003] Chinese Patent Publication No. CN108542255A discloses an invention entitled "An Integrated Porridge Cooking and Dispensing Machine." The machine features a control instrument fixed to a base plate and connected to a control terminal. This control instrument is electrically connected to a flow meter and a solenoid valve. A water pipe is fixed to the side of the base plate, with a flow meter and a solenoid valve connected sequentially from the inlet to the outlet. The outlet of the water pipe is connected to a water inlet on the lid of the porridge cooking pot. The porridge cooking pot is fixed to the base plate, and electric push rods are located on both sides of the pot, fixed to the base plate and connected to the control terminal. The output end of each electric push rod is connected to a stirring device fixing plate, and a stirring device is fixed in the middle of the plate. This machine can automatically complete the processes of rice filling, water filling, porridge cooking, sealing, and dispensing, eliminating the need for manual stirring, sealing, and conveying. It boasts a high degree of automation and enhanced practicality.

[0004] The aforementioned patent cannot integrate multiple types of porridge for simultaneous processing and sale, thus having certain limitations.

[0005] Therefore, there is a need for a control method and system for an automated porridge-making and vending machine that can integrate the processing and vending of various types of porridge, and digitally monitor the raw materials for different types of porridge to ensure the efficiency of the porridge-making machine. Summary of the Invention

[0006] One embodiment of this specification provides a control method and system for an automatic porridge making and vending machine. In order to achieve efficient integrated assembly, the new generation of porridge making machine assembles different types of rice, makes efficient use of space, automatically weighs and puts the rice into the pot, and automatically measures and dispenses it to the serving port after heating and cooking.

[0007] In some embodiments, a control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine includes, from top to bottom, the following components: Weighing unit: The suction pump draws the ingredients from the rice storage bin to the rice storage bin assembly. The weight sensor in the rice storage bin assembly weighs the ingredients along the suction path each time. A movable switch is installed at the bottom of the rice storage bin, which allows the ingredients to fall into the feed inlet of the porridge pot. Cooking unit: includes auxiliary material cooking and porridge cooking. The auxiliary materials in the auxiliary material storage bin are heated with steam and transported to the porridge pot inlet by the transfer unit. The porridge pot includes steam heating, electromagnetic heating and electric heating. Hot water of the corresponding proportion is extracted by the water volume unit and injected into the porridge pot. The bottom of the porridge pot is provided with a bowl storage unit. The above system includes several rice storage bins, several auxiliary material storage bins and several seasoning bins. Bowl storage unit: includes a bowl lifting assembly, bowls of the same size are stacked on a hollow frame with the rims facing upwards, and an electric lifting rod is provided on one side of the hollow frame, which drives the entire bowl assembly to rise and fall; Transfer unit: includes auxiliary material transfer mechanism and meal delivery transfer mechanism. The auxiliary material transfer mechanism is located at the bottom of the auxiliary material auger chamber, and the meal delivery transfer mechanism is located below the porridge cooker. It moves the bowl to the meal delivery point by holding it in place.

[0008] Furthermore, the rice storage bin assembly includes multiple feed inlets, at least one rice suction pump inlet, and at least one discharge outlet. Each feed inlet is connected to a single rice storage bin via a feed pipe, and each feed pipe is equipped with an electric valve. The discharge outlet is equipped with a butterfly valve.

[0009] Furthermore, the auxiliary material storage bin also includes an auxiliary material cover, which is connected to a push rod mechanism via a holding mechanism. One end of the auxiliary material cover is provided with a brush mechanism, which is lower than the cover mechanism. When the auxiliary material cover abuts against the opening of the auxiliary material storage bin, steam is introduced into the auxiliary material storage bin for heating.

[0010] Furthermore, the food delivery and transfer mechanism is symmetrically arranged and includes a smooth rod, a linear bearing, an electric hinge post, and a support component. The support component is connected to the linear bearing via the electric hinge post. The linear bearing moves back and forth on the smooth rod. The support component has a semi-open structure and is adapted to the cross-sectional area of ​​the bowl. The support component is flipped by the electric hinge post.

[0011] Furthermore, the auxiliary material transfer mechanism includes a lead screw, a linear bearing, and a transfer box. The transfer box moves back and forth on the lead screw via the linear bearing. At least one set of linear bearings and transfer boxes are provided on the lead screw. An electric valve plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer box. When the transfer box moves above the feed inlet of the porridge cooker, the electric valve plate opens.

[0012] In some embodiments, a method for controlling an automated porridge-making and vending machine is also included, comprising the following steps: S1: According to the meal preparation, the control panel sends a signal to the rice and feed storage bin assembly, opens the corresponding feed pipe and closes the remaining feed pipe, starts the suction pump, and performs negative pressure operation for a set time; S2: The weight is measured once by the weight sensing unit in the rice storage bin assembly. The control panel determines the weight of the auxiliary material and the amount of water to be injected based on the weight. The auxiliary material pressure cover of the auxiliary material storage bin is closed, and the auxiliary material is heated with steam. S3: Transfer the heated auxiliary materials to the top of the porridge pot inlet via the auxiliary material transfer mechanism, turn on the switch at the bottom of the rice and feed storage compartment assembly, and put the ingredients in from the top of the porridge pot inlet. S4: After water is added, the ingredients in the porridge cooker are heated by steam and electricity. After heating for the set time, the set amount of porridge is delivered to the bowl through the porridge cooker's outlet. S5: The food delivery and transfer mechanism uses a clamping component to clamp and transfer the bowls containing porridge to the food delivery port.

[0013] Furthermore, in step S1, the number of feed pipes and feed inlets in the rice storage bin assembly is consistent with the number of rice storage bins.

[0014] Furthermore, in step S2, multiple auxiliary material storage bins are sequentially adjacent to each other, and multiple auxiliary material storage bin cover plates are sequentially provided on the auxiliary material pressure cover. Each cover plate has a slot around its perimeter. By moving through the auxiliary material transfer mechanism, the auxiliary material pressure cover drives the auxiliary material storage bin cover plate to abut against the auxiliary material storage bin opening.

[0015] In some embodiments, a control device for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine is also included, comprising a control panel, a weight sensing unit, a steam generator, and a water volume unit. The device operates based on start and stop signals sent by the control panel, and also includes a control device for starting and stopping other devices based on set parameters.

[0016] Furthermore, the control panel also includes a data acquisition unit that acquires weight parameter information from the porridge cooker, rice storage bin, and auxiliary material storage bin through corresponding sensors.

[0017] The beneficial effects of this invention are: 1. This application enables intelligent operations such as automatic rice weighing, feeding, and adding auxiliary materials without manual intervention. Compared to traditional technologies that require manual addition of main and auxiliary materials, this application is more intelligent and highly practical. 2. Automatic cooking of porridge is prone to overheating, leading to overflow, or underheating, resulting in a thin and unpalatable texture. In particular, the variety of porridge dishes and the different ingredients for each type make large-scale integration impossible and take up too much space. However, this application solves the above technical problems and enables the supply of multiple types of porridge. The control panel has multiple pre-set porridge cooking control chains to ensure that the production of each type of porridge is efficient and smooth. Attached Figure Description

[0018] This specification will be further described by way of exemplary embodiments, which will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are not limiting; in these embodiments, the same reference numerals denote the same structures, wherein: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of a rice pump according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a rice storage bin assembly according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary material transfer mechanism according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of an auxiliary material storage bin according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary material storage bin cover according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram illustrating the working principle of the meal delivery and transfer mechanism according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the bowl lifting assembly according to some embodiments of this specification; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the main frame according to some embodiments of this specification.

[0019] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached drawings: 101, suction pump; 102, rice and feed storage bin assembly; 103, rice and feed storage bin; 201, transfer box; 202, lead screw; 203, auxiliary material cover; 204, push rod mechanism; 205, brush mechanism; 301, food delivery transfer mechanism; 302, electric hinge post; 401, bowl lifting assembly; 1, frame; 2, weighing area; 3, cooking area; 4, power supply area; 5, casters. Implementation

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments in this specification, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are merely some examples or embodiments of this specification. For those skilled in the art, these drawings can be applied to other similar scenarios without creative effort. Unless obvious from the context or otherwise specified, the same reference numerals in the drawings represent the same structures or operations.

[0021] It should be understood that the terms “system,” “device,” “unit,” and / or “module” used herein are one way to distinguish different components, elements, parts, sections, or assemblies at different levels. However, if other terms can achieve the same purpose, they may be replaced by other expressions.

[0022] As indicated in this specification and claims, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the words "a," "an," "an," and / or "the" do not specifically refer to the singular and may also include the plural. Generally speaking, the terms "comprising" and "including" only indicate the inclusion of expressly identified steps and elements, which do not constitute an exclusive list, and the method or apparatus may also include other steps or elements.

[0023] Flowcharts are used in this specification to illustrate the operations performed by the system according to embodiments of this specification. It should be understood that the preceding or following operations are not necessarily performed in exact order. Instead, the steps can be processed in reverse order or simultaneously. Furthermore, other operations can be added to these processes, or one or more steps can be removed from them. Example

[0024] A control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine, comprising, from top to bottom: Weighing unit: The suction pump draws the ingredients from the rice storage bin to the rice storage bin assembly. The weight sensor in the rice storage bin assembly weighs the ingredients along the suction path each time. A movable switch is installed at the bottom of the rice storage bin, which allows the ingredients to fall into the feed inlet of the porridge pot. Cooking unit: includes auxiliary material cooking and porridge cooking. The auxiliary materials in the auxiliary material storage bin are heated with steam and transported to the porridge pot inlet through the transfer unit. The porridge pot includes steam heating and electric heating. Hot water of the corresponding proportion is extracted and injected into the porridge pot through the water volume unit. The bottom of the porridge pot is equipped with a bowl compartment unit. Bowl storage unit: includes a bowl lifting assembly, bowls of the same size are stacked on a hollow frame with the rims facing upwards, and an electric lifting rod is provided on one side of the hollow frame, which drives the entire bowl assembly to rise and fall; Transfer unit: includes auxiliary material transfer mechanism and meal delivery transfer mechanism. The auxiliary material transfer mechanism is located at the bottom of the auxiliary material auger chamber, and the meal delivery transfer mechanism is located below the porridge cooker. It moves the bowl to the meal delivery point by holding it in place.

[0025] Furthermore, the rice storage bin assembly includes multiple feed inlets, at least one rice suction pump inlet, and at least one discharge outlet. Each feed inlet is connected to a single rice storage bin via a feed pipe, and each feed pipe is equipped with an electric valve. The discharge outlet is equipped with a butterfly valve.

[0026] Furthermore, the auxiliary material storage bin also includes an auxiliary material cover, which is connected to a push rod mechanism via a holding mechanism. One end of the auxiliary material cover is provided with a brush mechanism, which is lower than the cover mechanism. When the auxiliary material cover abuts against the opening of the auxiliary material storage bin, steam is introduced into the auxiliary material storage bin for heating.

[0027] Furthermore, the food delivery and transfer mechanism is symmetrically arranged and includes a smooth rod, a linear bearing, an electric hinge post, and a support component. The support component is connected to the linear bearing via the electric hinge post. The linear bearing moves back and forth on the smooth rod. The support component has a semi-open structure and is adapted to the cross-sectional area of ​​the bowl. The support component is flipped by the electric hinge post.

[0028] Furthermore, the auxiliary material transfer mechanism includes a lead screw, a linear bearing, and a transfer box. The transfer box moves back and forth on the lead screw via the linear bearing. At least one set of linear bearings and transfer boxes are provided on the lead screw. An electric valve plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer box. When the transfer box moves above the feed inlet of the porridge cooker, the electric valve plate opens.

[0029] In some embodiments, a method for controlling an automated porridge-making and vending machine is also included, comprising the following steps: S1: According to the meal preparation, the control panel sends a signal to the rice and feed storage bin assembly, opens the corresponding feed pipe and closes the remaining feed pipe, starts the suction pump, and performs negative pressure operation for a set time; S2: The weight is measured once by the weight sensing unit in the rice storage bin assembly. The control panel determines the weight of the auxiliary material and the amount of water to be injected based on the weight. The auxiliary material pressure cover of the auxiliary material storage bin is closed, and the auxiliary material is heated with steam. S3: Transfer the heated auxiliary materials to the top of the porridge pot inlet via the auxiliary material transfer mechanism, turn on the switch at the bottom of the rice and feed storage compartment assembly, and put the ingredients in from the top of the porridge pot inlet. S4: After water is added, the ingredients in the porridge cooker are heated by steam and electricity. After heating for the set time, the set amount of porridge is delivered to the bowl through the porridge cooker's outlet. S5: The food delivery and transfer mechanism uses a clamping component to clamp and transfer the bowls containing porridge to the food delivery port.

[0030] Furthermore, in step S1, the number of feed pipes and feed inlets in the rice storage bin assembly is consistent with the number of rice storage bins.

[0031] Furthermore, in step S2, multiple auxiliary material storage bins are sequentially adjacent to each other, and multiple auxiliary material storage bin cover plates are sequentially provided on the auxiliary material pressure cover. Each cover plate has a slot around its perimeter. By moving through the auxiliary material transfer mechanism, the auxiliary material pressure cover drives the auxiliary material storage bin cover plate to abut against the auxiliary material storage bin opening.

[0032] In some embodiments, a control device for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine is also included, comprising a control panel, a weight sensing unit, a steam generator, and a water volume unit. The device operates based on start and stop signals sent by the control panel, and also includes a control device for starting and stopping other devices based on set parameters.

[0033] Furthermore, the control panel also includes a data acquisition unit that acquires weight parameter information from the porridge cooker, rice storage bin, and auxiliary material storage bin through corresponding sensors.

[0034] It should be noted that the storage compartment is provided for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the scope of this specification. Those skilled in the art can make various modifications or variations based on the description in this specification, such as with the cup compartment assembly. However, these changes and modifications will not depart from the scope of this specification.

[0035] The basic concepts have been described above. Obviously, for those skilled in the art, the detailed disclosure above is merely illustrative and does not constitute a limitation of this specification. Although not explicitly stated herein, those skilled in the art may make various modifications, improvements, and corrections to this specification. Such modifications, improvements, and corrections are suggested in this specification and therefore remain within the spirit and scope of the exemplary embodiments described herein.

[0036] Furthermore, this specification uses specific terms to describe embodiments thereof. For example, "an embodiment," "one embodiment," and / or "some embodiments" refer to a particular feature, structure, or characteristic associated with at least one embodiment of this specification. Therefore, it should be emphasized and noted that references to "an embodiment," "one embodiment," or "an alternative embodiment" in different locations throughout this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Moreover, certain features, structures, or characteristics in one or more embodiments of this specification can be appropriately combined.

[0037] Furthermore, unless expressly stated in the claims, the order of processing elements and sequences, the use of numbers and letters, or other names described in this specification are not intended to limit the order of the processes and methods described herein. Although various examples have been discussed in the foregoing disclosure of some embodiments of the invention that are currently considered useful, it should be understood that such details are for illustrative purposes only, and the appended claims are not limited to the disclosed embodiments; rather, the claims are intended to cover all modifications and equivalent combinations that conform to the spirit and scope of the embodiments described herein. For example, while the system components described above can be implemented using hardware devices, they can also be implemented solely using software solutions, such as installing the described system on existing servers or mobile devices.

[0038] Similarly, it should be noted that, in order to simplify the description disclosed herein and thus aid in the understanding of one or more embodiments of the invention, the foregoing description of embodiments in this specification may sometimes combine multiple features into a single embodiment, drawing, or description thereof. However, this method of disclosure does not imply that the subject matter of this specification requires more features than those mentioned in the claims. In fact, the embodiments contain fewer features than all the features of a single embodiment disclosed above.

[0039] Finally, it should be understood that the embodiments described in this specification are merely illustrative of the principles of the embodiments described herein. Other variations may also fall within the scope of this specification. Therefore, alternative configurations of the embodiments described herein are intended to be illustrative rather than limiting, and should be considered consistent with the teachings of this specification. Accordingly, the embodiments described herein are not limited to those explicitly introduced and described herein.

Claims

1. A control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine, characterized in that, The system, from top to bottom, includes: Weighing unit: The suction pump draws the ingredients from the rice storage bin to the rice storage bin assembly. The weight sensor in the rice storage bin assembly weighs the ingredients along the suction path each time. A movable switch is installed at the bottom of the rice storage bin, which allows the ingredients to fall into the feed inlet of the porridge pot. Cooking unit: includes auxiliary material cooking and porridge cooking. The auxiliary materials in the auxiliary material storage bin are heated with steam and transported to the porridge pot inlet by the transfer unit. The porridge pot includes steam heating, electromagnetic heating and electric heating. Hot water of the corresponding proportion is extracted by the water volume unit and injected into the porridge pot. The bottom of the porridge pot is provided with a bowl storage unit. The above system includes several rice storage bins, several auxiliary material storage bins and several seasoning bins. Bowl storage unit: includes a bowl lifting assembly, bowls of the same size are stacked on a hollow frame with the rims facing upwards, and an electric lifting rod is provided on one side of the hollow frame, which drives the entire bowl assembly to rise and fall; Transfer unit: includes auxiliary material transfer mechanism and meal delivery transfer mechanism. The auxiliary material transfer mechanism is located at the bottom of the auxiliary material auger chamber, and the meal delivery transfer mechanism is located below the porridge cooker. It moves the bowl to the meal delivery point by holding it in place.

2. The control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 1, characterized in that, The rice storage bin assembly includes multiple feed inlets, at least one rice suction pump inlet, and at least one discharge outlet. Each feed inlet is connected to a single rice storage bin via a feed pipe, and each feed pipe is equipped with an electric valve. The discharge outlet is equipped with a butterfly valve with a movable switch.

3. The control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 2, characterized in that, The auxiliary material storage bin also includes an auxiliary material cover, which is connected to a push rod mechanism via a holding mechanism. One end of the auxiliary material cover is provided with a brush mechanism, which is lower than the cover mechanism. When the auxiliary material cover comes into contact with the opening of the auxiliary material storage bin, steam is introduced into the auxiliary material storage bin for heating.

4. The control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 3, characterized in that, The food delivery and transfer mechanism is symmetrically arranged and includes a smooth rod, a linear bearing, an electric hinge post, and a support component. The support component is connected to the linear bearing via the electric hinge post. The linear bearing moves back and forth on the smooth rod. The support component has a semi-open structure and is adapted to the cross-sectional area of ​​the bowl. The support component is flipped by the electric hinge post.

5. The control system for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 4, characterized in that, The auxiliary material transfer mechanism includes a lead screw, a linear bearing, and a transfer box. The transfer box moves back and forth on the lead screw via the linear bearing. At least one set of linear bearings and transfer boxes are provided on the lead screw. An electric valve plate is provided at the bottom of the transfer box. When the transfer box moves above the feed inlet of the porridge cooker, the electric valve plate opens.

6. A control method for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine, characterized in that, The control system for the porridge-making and vending machine described in claim 5 includes the following steps: S1: According to the meal preparation, the control panel sends a signal to the rice and feed storage bin assembly, opens the corresponding feed pipe and closes the remaining feed pipe, starts the suction pump, and performs negative pressure operation for a set time; S2: The weight is measured once by the weight sensing unit in the rice storage bin assembly. The control panel determines the weight of the auxiliary material and the amount of water to be injected based on the weight. The auxiliary material pressure cover of the auxiliary material storage bin is closed, and the auxiliary material is heated with steam. S3: Transfer the heated auxiliary materials to the top of the porridge pot inlet via the auxiliary material transfer mechanism, turn on the switch at the bottom of the rice and feed storage compartment assembly, and put the ingredients in from the top of the porridge pot inlet. S4: After water is added, the ingredients in the porridge cooker are heated by steam and electricity. After heating for the set time, the set amount of porridge is delivered to the bowl through the porridge cooker's outlet. S5: The food delivery and transfer mechanism uses a clamping component to clamp and transfer the bowls containing porridge to the food delivery port.

7. The control method for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 6, characterized in that, In step S1, the number of feed pipes and feed inlets in the rice storage bin assembly is the same as the number of rice storage bins.

8. The control method for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 7, characterized in that, In step S2, multiple auxiliary material storage bins are connected in sequence, and multiple auxiliary material storage bin cover plates are sequentially provided on the auxiliary material pressure cover. Each cover plate has a slot around its perimeter. The auxiliary material transfer mechanism moves the auxiliary material pressure cover, which drives the auxiliary material storage bin cover plate to abut against the auxiliary material storage bin opening.

9. A control device for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine, characterized in that, The method for controlling an automatic porridge-making and vending machine as described in claim 8 includes a control panel, a weight sensing unit, a steam generator, and a water volume unit. The device operates based on start and stop signals sent by the control panel, and also includes controlling the start and stop of the device or other devices based on set parameters.

10. The control device for an automatic porridge-making and vending machine according to claim 9, characterized in that, The control panel also includes a data acquisition unit, which acquires weight parameter information of the porridge cooker, rice storage bin, and auxiliary material storage bin through corresponding sensors.

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