Rail-type food delivery system

Abstract

This invention provides a rail-type food delivery system that can be installed in the interior spaces of various buildings to improve the efficiency of food delivery operations. [Solution] A rail-type meal delivery device according to one embodiment includes a rail assembly 1 including a first rail set 11 and a second rail set 12, a plurality of food accumulation platforms 13, etc., at least one delivery cart 2 arranged on the rail assembly and used to load items 21, and equipped with an electronic control module, and at least one lifting device 3 connected to the rail assembly according to the configuration of the building's interior space, enabling the delivery cart to move back and forth along the rail assembly installed in the interior space of each building configuration. By loading the items onto the delivery cart and quickly delivering them to the consumer's meal seat 6, and then leaving the site, the labor of multiple people and delivery waiting time can be reduced, and meal delivery efficiency can be increased.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an efficient meal delivery system, and particularly to a rail-type meal delivery device for realizing rapid delivery while saving human labor and meal space.

Background Art

[0002] In the catering industry, meal delivery rails are widely used for automatic meal delivery, especially in buffet restaurants and conveyor belt sushi restaurants. The currently known meal delivery device system can shorten the meal delivery time by combining a single meal delivery rail and one delivery cart, and can quickly arrive at and stop at a designated location without being affected by changes in the customer's position and movement route or the surrounding environment, and wait for the customer to receive the meal.

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0003] However, when the meal arrives at the designated location, if the customer does not immediately receive it during the meal transportation by the delivery cart, it takes an average of about 20 to 30 seconds from the arrival until the customer receives the meal. The meal stays on the delivery rail, occupying the space of the rail, and subsequent meals cannot be delivered smoothly. Also, only one delivery cart can stay on the same rail, and the next delivery operation cannot be started until the delivery cart returns, resulting in a long waiting time, which may reduce the quality of the delivery service and have an adverse impact on the customer's meal experience. Moreover, during peak times, the utilization rate of the rail becomes extremely high, which may have an adverse impact on the overall operating efficiency of the conventional rail-type meal delivery service.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0004] Therefore, the inventors conducted extremely thorough research and developed a rail-type food delivery system. The primary objective of this invention is to provide a rail-type food delivery system that enables rapid food delivery, and a secondary objective is to provide a rail-type food delivery system that saves workspace in restaurants.

[0005] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention employs the following technical means, and the present invention relates to a rail-type food delivery device, comprising a rail assembly, at least one delivery cart, and at least one lifting device, wherein the rail assembly comprises at least one first rail set and at least one second rail set, and is provided with a plurality of food collection platforms depending on the number of seats or the food retrieval area, the plurality of delivery platforms are installed on one side of the rail assembly, the rail assembly is provided with a plurality of position signaling devices, the at least one delivery cart is installed on the rail assembly and comprises an electronic control module, the electronic control module comprises a position detection unit and an extrusion unit electrically connected to each other, the position detection unit is capable of detecting position signals from the corresponding plurality of position signaling devices. Furthermore, the at least one lifting device is connected to the rail assembly and enables the delivery cart to move back and forth along the rail assembly by interconnecting the installed at least one first rail set and at least one second rail set.

[0006] An extrusion unit provided in the delivery cart contains at least one load, and when the delivery cart reaches a food stacking platform corresponding to the rail assembly, the extrusion unit extrudes the at least one load laterally onto the food stacking platform, the load being an item that needs to be delivered as a serving dish, meal, tableware, or a combination thereof.

[0007] Each seat is provided with at least one of the food loading platforms, each food loading platform is provided with a plurality of rollers and a guard plate, the food loading platform is inclined downward at a predetermined angle so that the loaded items fall and come into contact with the plurality of rollers, the plurality of rollers slide the loaded items downward until they hit the guard plate and come to a stop, and a plurality of handguard plates are installed between the plurality of food loading platforms.

[0008] Each of the aforementioned food aggregation platforms comprises a food detection unit, an audio module, a lighting module, or a combination thereof, wherein the food detection unit may be a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, or a mechanical switch sensor.

[0009] The electronic control module of the delivery cart further includes a battery unit and a moving unit, the battery unit supplying power to the electronic control module, the electronic control module being electrically connected to a position detection unit, an extrusion unit and a moving unit provided on the delivery cart, the moving unit including at least one power wheelset, the power wheelset driving the cart to travel on a rail assembly.

[0010] The rail assembly further includes at least one charging supply device, and a charging receiving unit is provided outside the delivery cart in correspondence with the charging supply device, the charging receiving unit is electrically connected to the battery unit of the electronic control module, and the charging supply device and the charging receiving unit are capable of wireless charging or contact charging.

[0011] The electronic control module of the delivery cart further includes at least one distance sensing unit, the distance sensing unit being located at the head or tail of the delivery cart, and the electronic control module being connected to the distance sensing unit by a wire.

[0012] A guide device is provided at the exit or curved section of the first rail set and / or the second rail set, and the guide device guides the load on the delivery cart so that it does not exceed the range of the extrusion unit when the delivery cart passes through.

[0013] The at least one lifting device further includes a loading platform, a control motor unit, and a detection sensor unit, the detection sensor unit being used to detect the position of the at least one delivery cart on the loading platform, and the control motor unit controlling the loading platform via a mechanical structure. The control motor unit may include chain-driven traction, lifting, and linear drive.

[0014] The rail assembly is provided such that at least one first rail set and at least one second rail set are arranged vertically from bottom to top, and a position signaling device is provided inside the lifting device, and the height of the lifting device is such that it can pass through the floor.

[0015] This invention can achieve the following effects through the technical means described above.

[0016] 1. This invention combines a rail assembly and a delivery cart. After the delivery cart identifies its position based on corresponding location information, an extrusion unit provided on the delivery cart pushes the food onto the corresponding food collection platform. The cart then immediately returns to its starting position to prepare for the next delivery, eliminating the need to wait for other people to pick up their meals. Estimated delivery time for the aforementioned delivery cart is approximately 5 seconds. Furthermore, the delivery carts can sense each other, and their paths do not affect one another, enabling a smooth and rapid passage and achieving a fast meal delivery service effect.

[0017] Furthermore, the rail assembly provided in this invention can be combined with multiple food collection platforms, or it can be equipped with two first rail sets. This further improves the food delivery efficiency of this invention, and at the same time, it enables a higher efficiency and experience of food delivery services without occupying space in the dining area.

[0018] 2. This invention involves installing a first rail set and a second rail set, and connecting the first and second rail sets with a lifting device. This allows delivery carts, which conventionally require back-and-forth travel, to move forward and backward without interference or interruption. Simultaneously, multiple delivery carts can travel in parallel on the same rail assembly. Furthermore, each delivery cart can be selectively assigned by staff to deliver meals to either the left or right side of the rail assembly. In other words, the left and right side seating areas can be accommodated with only one rail assembly, thereby saving dining service space in the restaurant. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0019] [Figure 1] This is an example of an overall external view of a rail-type meal delivery device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is an example of a three-dimensional exploded view of a delivery cart according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This is an example of an electronic control block diagram relating to a delivery cart according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] This is an example of a close-up view of a part of Figure 1 of the present invention. [Figure 5] This is an example of a plan view of a rail-type meal delivery device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] This is a cross-sectional view of XX in Figure 5 of the present invention. [Figure 7] This is an example of a schematic diagram relating to the delivery of meals to a food collection platform according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] This is an example of a schematic diagram relating to the operation of a lifting device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] This is an example of a perspective view of another embodiment of the rail - type meal delivery device of the present invention. [Figure 10] This is an example of a schematic view spanning between floors in another embodiment of the rail - type meal delivery device of the present invention. [Figure 11] This is an example of another schematic view spanning between floors in another embodiment of the rail - type meal delivery device of the present invention.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0020] The present invention relates to a rail - type meal delivery device A as shown in one embodiment in FIGS. 1 and 2, and mainly provides an automatic meal delivery service in various types of restaurants. For example, it is installed and attached to a disk - type meal delivery rail 5, and is a device including a rail assembly 1, at least one delivery cart 2, and at least one lifting device 3. The combination of the above - mentioned components will be described below according to the illustrations.

[0021] As shown in FIGS. 1, 3, and 4, the rail assembly 1 includes at least one first rail set 11, at least one second rail set 12, and a plurality of food - accumulation platforms 13 provided according to the number of seats 6 for the planned meals. The first rail set 11 and the second rail set 12 are installed vertically stacked by a plurality of struts 14, and thus are installed and attached between two meal delivery rails 51 provided on the disk - type meal delivery rail 5, or are installed horizontally and placed above the disk - type meal delivery rail 5. The food - accumulation platforms 13 installed at each seat 6 can be designed to be one, two, or three according to the number of accommodated people, and one or more platforms can be installed according to the number of customers that can be accommodated at each seat. These plurality of food - accumulation platforms 13 are arranged on one side or both sides of the first rail set 11 or the second rail set 12. That is, the plurality of food - accumulation platforms 13 are arranged directly above the two meal delivery rails 51.

[0022] Furthermore, the first rail set 11 is equipped with multiple position signaling devices 111, and each food collection platform 13 is equipped with multiple rollers 133, one guard plate 131, one food detection unit 132, one audio module, one acoustic light module 135, or a combination thereof. The food collection platform 13 is also inclined downward at a predetermined angle, and the delivery carts 2 on the first rail set 11 and the delivery carts 2 on the second rail set 12 are either moving in opposite or the same direction. In addition, the first rail set 11 is positioned vertically above and / or below the second rail set 12, or the first rail set 11 and the second rail set 12 are positioned horizontally. In other words, the first rail set 11 works in conjunction with multiple food collection platforms 13 to provide delivery services using multiple delivery carts 2, while the second rail set 12 enables these delivery carts 2 to quickly return to the kitchen space 4 after completing deliveries, or works in conjunction with multiple food collection platforms 13 to exclusively provide meal delivery services, while the first rail set 11 enables multiple delivery carts 2 to quickly return to the kitchen space 4 after completing deliveries, thereby preparing to deliver the next scheduled meal.

[0023] In particular, as shown in Figures 1 and 4, the multiple position signaling devices 111 of the first rail set 11 are configured to transmit signals via photoelectric sensors, magnetic sensors, electromagnetic sensors, or distance sensors. The rail assembly 1 also includes at least one charge supply device 15 and an exit or curve guidance device 112. The charge supply device 15 is installed in either the first rail set 11 or the second rail set 12, and the exit or curve guidance device 112 controls the load 21 of each delivery cart 2 so as not to exceed the range of the extrusion unit 222.

[0024] As shown in Figures 1, 2, and 4, the delivery cart 2 is positioned on the rail assembly 1, and a load 21 is placed on the delivery cart 2. Each delivery cart 2 is equipped with an electronic control module 22, which further includes a position detection unit 221, an extrusion unit 222, a battery unit 223, a movement unit 23, a food detection unit 25, and at least one distance detection unit 24. The battery unit 223 supplies power to the electronic control module 22. The electronic control module 22 is electrically connected to the position detection unit 221, the extrusion unit 222, the movement unit 23, the food detection unit 25, and the distance detection unit 24. The position detection unit 221 detects position signals from a plurality of position signaling devices 111 provided on the corresponding rail assembly 1, including position signals from a position signaling device 111 provided on the lifting device 3. Furthermore, the extrusion unit 222 supports the loaded object 21, and the distance detection unit 24 is provided at the head and / or tail of each delivery cart 2. The operating mechanism of the extrusion unit 222, which pushes the food out laterally, can be approximated by a mechanism such as two rollers, a motor, and a belt provided in a conveyor mechanism.

[0025] In particular, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the mobile unit 23 includes at least one or two powered wheel sets 231 and a driven wheel set 232, both of which contact the first rail set 11 or the second rail set 12 to drive the vehicle body. The meal detection units 25 and 132 can be configured as pressure sensors, ultrasonic sensors, photoelectric sensors, infrared sensors, and mechanical switch sensors. Furthermore, a charging receiving unit 26 corresponding to the charging supply device 15 of the rail assembly 1 is provided outside the delivery cart 2, and the charging receiving unit 26 is electrically connected to the battery unit 223 of the electronic control module 22.

[0026] For details of the at least one lifting device 3, please refer to Figures 1, 8, and 9. The lifting device 3 is installed between the first rail set 11 and the second rail set 12, and by connecting them, it enables the delivery cart 2 to move back and forth along the rail assembly 1. The lifting device 3 also includes a loading platform 31, a control motor unit 32, and a detection sensor unit 33. The detection sensor unit 33 is used to confirm whether the delivery cart 2 is positioned on the loading platform 31, and the control motor unit 32 works in conjunction with a rope or chain 321 to control the vertical movement of the loading platform 31.

[0027] Therefore, the present invention primarily provides a better solution for a rail-type meal delivery device A that can increase meal delivery efficiency, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. Kitchen staff located in the kitchen space 4 (see Figure 10) can load customer meals 41 or items 21 onto the delivery cart 2 and activate the mobile unit 23 to transport them from the first rail set 11 to a designated seat 6. The position detection unit 221 of the delivery cart 2 detects position signals emitted from a plurality of position signaling devices 111 provided on the first rail set 11, enabling the mobile unit 23 to stop at the inner end of the designated food collection platform 13.

[0028] Furthermore, referring to Figures 5 to 7, the extrusion unit 222 pushes the meal 41 laterally onto the food stacking platform 13 along with the load 21, and the load 21 collides with the guard plate 131 of the food stacking platform 13 and stops as it slides along the roller 133. At the same time, the meal detection unit 25 of the delivery cart 2 detects information such as the weight, height, or capacitance of the load 21 to determine that the load 21 and / or meal 41 have completely detached from the extrusion unit 222, and the delivery cart 2 restarts the movement unit 23 and continues to move forward along the first rail set 11. Meanwhile, the meal detection unit 132 of the food stacking platform 13 similarly detects that the load 21 and meal 41 are already on the food stacking platform 13, and the acoustic light module 135 emits warning light and warning sound. For a particularly noteworthy point, please refer to Figure 3. The distance detection unit 24 of the delivery cart 2 detects and determines whether there are obstacles, human body parts, or items that could obstruct its path in front of or behind the delivery cart 2, and the delivery cart 2 automatically stops to avoid the risk of accidents such as collisions.

[0029] Furthermore, referring to Figure 8, the delivery cart 2 is located at the front of the first rail set 11 and is connected to the entrance 35 of the lifting device 3. When the delivery cart 2 enters the loading platform 31 and is detected by the installed detection sensor unit 33, the lifting device 3 drives the control motor unit 32 to pull the chain 321. The chain 321 raises the loading platform 31, and after rising, the delivery cart 2 enters the second rail set 12 through the entrance 35 and travels at full speed to return directly to the kitchen space 4 at the rear. In addition, multiple handguards 134 (see Figure 6) are provided between the multiple food collection platforms 13 to prevent customers or other external items from being thrown onto the first rail set 11 and disrupting the flow of the food delivery process.

[0030] Furthermore, referring to Figures 3 to 5, when the delivery cart 2 returns from the second rail set 12, it can get back on the lifting device 3. The entrance 35 of the lifting device 3 is located at the front of the second rail set 12, and similarly, the detection sensor unit 33 confirms the position of the delivery cart 2 and detects that it has descended. The control motor unit 32 controls the speed of the loading platform 31 to lower it, returning the delivery cart 2 to its starting position in the kitchen space 4, setting it to a standby state, which is maintained until the kitchen staff delivers the next meal 41. Since the first rail set 11 and the second rail set 12 are unidirectional rails, the kitchen staff can run multiple delivery carts 2 on the rails simultaneously. The seats 6 located on both the left and right sides of the first rail set 11 can receive the meals 41 carried by each delivery cart 2, improving the mobility and speed of transport and shortening the meal delivery time. Also, after the delivery cart 2 arrives, it can immediately resume travel without waiting for the customer to pick it up.

[0031] In particular, this invention provides another rail-type meal delivery device B. As shown in Figure 9, the rail-type meal delivery system B comprises two first rail sets 11 and a second rail set 12, arranged in the order of first rail set 11 → second rail set 12 → first rail set 11 from bottom to top. Therefore, the delivery person can simultaneously depart two prepared delivery carts 2, and after the two delivery carts 2 have finished delivering meals 41, they return sequentially from the second rail set 12 on the lifting device 3 and wait again at the preparation position for the delivery of the next meal 41. This reduces the waiting time for the delivery carts 2 to return. At the same time, the two first rail sets 11 and the second rail set 12 are arranged vertically, and the multiple delivery carts 2 are controlled so that kitchen staff can selectively assign them to deliver meals to seats 6 on the left or right side of the first rail set 11. This saves space that would otherwise be required to arrange two rails in parallel to provide rails on both the left and right sides, increasing the available space in the store and improving the efficiency of the meal delivery service.

[0032] Furthermore, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, the present invention provides another embodiment. In this embodiment, the rail-type meal delivery device C is applicable to kitchen spaces 4 and dining areas spanning multiple floors, and by utilizing the height of the lifting device 3 to pass through the floor and working in conjunction with multiple delivery carts 2 to transport meals 41 to upper or lower floors, convenience can be enhanced. In addition, the second rail set 12 does not have to completely overlap the first rail set 11 above or below, and the meal delivery route can be set according to the environment of the building's interior space.

[0033] As stated above, this invention relates to a rail-type meal delivery device, and its configuration and apparatus have not been confirmed in any prior literature or published materials. This invention fully meets the requirements for filing an application, and we request that the Japan Patent Office examine it and register it as soon as possible. It should be explicitly stated that the specific embodiments of this application and the technical principles used in those embodiments are as described above. Even modifications made based on the concept of this application shall be included within the scope of this application, provided that the functional effects resulting from such modifications do not exceed the spirit of the scope shown in the description and illustrations. [Explanation of symbols]

[0034] A Rail-type meal delivery system B Rail-type meal delivery system C Rail-type meal delivery system 1 Rail Assembly 11. Rail Set 1 111 Position signal device 112 Guidance device 12. Rail Set 2 13 Food aggregation platform 131 Guard Plate 132 Meal detection unit 133 Rollers 134 Handguard 135 Acoustic and Optical Modules 14 Posts 15 Charging supply device 2. Delivery cart 21 Coverage 22 Electronic control modules 221 Position detection unit 222 Extrusion Unit 223 Battery Unit 23 Mobile Units 231 Power wheel set 232 Passive Wheel Assembly 24 Distance detection units 25 Meal detection unit 26 Charging Receiver Unit 3. Lifting device 31 Loading platform 32 Control motor unit 321 Chain 33 Detection Sensor Unit 35 Entrance / Exit 4 Kitchen space 41 Meals 5 Disc-type meal delivery rail 51 Meal Delivery Rail 6 seats

Claims

1. A rail-type meal delivery system, A rail assembly comprising at least one first rail unit and a plurality of food accumulation platforms, wherein the plurality of food accumulation platforms are provided on one side of the rail assembly, and the rail assembly is provided with a plurality of position signaling devices, At least one delivery cart installed on the rail assembly, the delivery cart is provided with an electronic control module, the electronic control module includes a position detection unit and an extrusion unit electrically connected to each other, and the position detection unit is capable of detecting position signals from the corresponding plurality of position signaling devices, at least one delivery cart, Rail-type meal delivery system including

2. The rail assembly is provided with a plurality of food stacking platforms according to the number of seats or the food retrieval area, and the extrusion unit provided on the delivery cart contains the items to be loaded, and when the delivery cart reaches the food stacking platform corresponding to the rail assembly, the extrusion unit extrudes the items laterally onto the food stacking platform, and the items to be loaded are items that need to be delivered as serving dishes, meals, tableware, or combinations thereof. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

3. Each seat is provided with at least one of the food loading platforms, each of which is provided with a plurality of rollers and a guard plate, the food loading platform is inclined downward at a predetermined angle so that the loaded items fall and come into contact with the plurality of rollers, the plurality of rollers slide the loaded items downward until they hit the guard plate and stop, and a plurality of handguard plates are installed between the plurality of food loading platforms. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 2.

4. Each of the aforementioned food aggregation platforms comprises a food detection unit, an audio module, a lighting module, or a combination thereof, wherein the food detection unit is a pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a photoelectric sensor, an infrared sensor, or a mechanical switch sensor. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

5. The electronic control module of the delivery cart further includes a battery unit and a moving unit, the battery unit supplying power to the electronic control module, the electronic control module being electrically connected to the position detection unit, the extrusion unit and the moving unit provided on the delivery cart, the moving unit including at least one power wheelset, the power wheelset driving the car body to travel on the rail assembly. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

6. The rail assembly further includes at least one charge supply device, and a charge receiving unit is provided outside the delivery cart corresponding to the charge supply device, the charge receiving unit is electrically connected to the battery unit of the electronic control module, and the charge supply device and the charge receiving unit are capable of wireless charging or contact charging. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

7. The electronic control module of the delivery cart further includes at least one distance sensing unit, the distance sensing unit being located at the head or tail of the delivery cart, and the electronic control module being connected to the distance sensing unit by a wire. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

8. A guide device is provided at the exit or curved section of the rail assembly, and the guide device guides the load on the delivery cart so that it does not exceed the range of the extrusion unit when the delivery cart passes through. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

9. The at least one lifting device further includes a loading platform, a control motor unit, and a detection sensor unit, wherein the detection sensor unit is used to detect the position of the at least one delivery cart on the loading platform, and the control motor unit controls the loading platform via a mechanical structure. The rail-type meal delivery device according to claim 1.

10. The rail assembly further includes at least one second rail set and at least one lifting device, the lifting device being connected to the rail assembly, and the at least one first rail set and the at least one second rail set being interconnected, thereby enabling the delivery cart to move back and forth along the rail assembly, the at least one first rail set and the at least one second rail set being arranged vertically, and the lifting device being provided with a position signaling device inside, and the height of the lifting device being such that it can pass through the floor. A rail-type meal delivery device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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