Force-Controlled Beverage Manipulator for Safe User Handover
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing manipulator systems for serving beverages in event gastronomy pose safety hazards due to their movement and force, requiring mechanical safety devices like barriers, which hinder integration into catering structures and do not have error detection or process monitoring, limiting their functionality.
Innovation Solution
A force-controlled manipulator system that includes a gripper capable of securely gripping and orienting bottles and serving vessels, using sensors to detect vertical forces and ensure safe handover to users without mechanical barriers, allowing direct interaction and integration into existing gastronomic setups.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If mechanical safety devices like barriers or protective fences are used to prevent hazards from manipulator movement and force, then user safety is improved, but the manipulator system cannot directly serve users and integration into catering structures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical safety devices (barriers, fences, doors) with a sensor-based control system. Force sensors detect user approach and grip status, while vision systems monitor the environment, enabling the manipulator to safely interact with users without physical barriers. This substitution allows direct beverage service while maintaining safety through intelligent control.
2Reliability
If mechanical safety devices like barriers or protective fences are used to prevent hazards from manipulator movement and force, then user safety is improved, but integration into existing catering structures becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces bulky mechanical safety devices with compact sensor systems (force sensors, vision cameras, proximity sensors) that can be integrated into existing catering structures like bars and counters. This enables the manipulator to be deployed in various catering environments without requiring extensive structural modifications.
3Extent of automation
If industrial robots with position control are used for pouring beverages, then automation capability is improved, but fault detection and error handling capabilities are lacking
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements comprehensive feedback mechanisms including force sensors that detect grip status and user interaction, vision systems that monitor pouring accuracy, and proximity sensors that detect user approach. This feedback enables real-time fault detection, error handling, and adaptive control, significantly improving the reliability of the automated pouring system.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables safe and efficient pouring of beverages directly to users without mechanical safety devices, integrating seamlessly into catering environments while providing error detection and process monitoring capabilities.
Implementation Method 1
the force-controlled manipulator further comprises at least one sensor which is configured to detect forces in the vertical direction
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B~2
Figure 3A~3B
AI summary
The invention relates to a manipulator system (1) for providing drinks that have been poured to a user, comprising: a bottle provision device (400), a serving vessel provision device (300), at least one serving vessel receiving device (500) and at least one force-controlled manipulator (100), the force-controlled manipulator (100) comprises a gripper (200), and wherein the force-controlled manipulator (100) is set up to grip a serving vessel (301) by means of the gripper (200) and to move it from a second position to a third position and a bottle ( 411) using the gripper (200) and to position and orient the gripped bottle (411) so that at least part of the beverage to be poured flows into the serving vessel (301) received by the serving vessel receiving device (500). The force-controlled manipulator (100) also includes at least one sensor which is set up to determine forces in the vertical direction and is set up to grip the serving vessel (301) filled with the drink using the gripper (200) and hand it over to a user , if the manipulator determines a vertical force on the filled serving vessel (301) that exceeds a defined minimum force opposing the weight.