Apparatuses and methods for improved ingredient dispensing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated food dispensing systems often result in unappetizing presentations due to lumpy ingredient distribution, leading to waste and increased maintenance needs, as they struggle to accurately position and dispense food ingredients within a bowl without spilling.
Innovation Solution
A food distribution system featuring a carousel apparatus with concentrically arranged openings for containers and a linear actuator to precisely position a receptacle under the openings, allowing for controlled rotation and movement to dispense food ingredients accurately and evenly, preventing spills and improving presentation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a one axis robot with carousel is used to dispense ingredients, then the structure is simple, but the food ingredients are dispensed on opposing sides and pile up, creating unappetizing presentation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from a one-axis rotational system to a two-axis system (rotational axis + linear actuator axis). The linear actuator enables the receptacle to move along the rotation axis, allowing ingredients to be dispensed at multiple positions around the bowl rather than just two fixed points, thereby eliminating the piling problem while maintaining structural simplicity.
2Manufacturing precision
If a two axes solution with carousel and rotary axis is used to rotate the bowl, then the positioning capability is improved, but the bowl size must be controlled to prevent spilling
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the receptacle position dynamic by introducing a linear actuator that can move the receptacle along the rotation axis. This dynamic positioning capability allows the system to adapt to different bowl sizes and prevent spilling, rather than being constrained to fixed dispense points that require controlled bowl dimensions.
3Device complexity
If fixed dispense points are used in a carousel system, then the device complexity is low, but the food tends to spill over the bowl
Solution Approach 1:
By adding the linear actuator dimension, the system can control the radial position of the receptacle relative to the bowl. This enables precise positioning of dispensed ingredients within the bowl boundaries, preventing spillage while maintaining a relatively simple device structure.
Data Source
AI summary
A system includes a carousel apparatus including: first openings concentrically arranged around axis to hold first containers adapted to hold first food ingredients, second openings concentrically arranged inside the first openings to hold second containers adapted to hold second food ingredients, a holder in which the first openings and the second openings are formed, and which is adapted to support the first containers and the second containers, and a first motor coupled to the holder and adapted to rotate the holder around the axis; support structure configured to hold a receptacle; and a linear actuator apparatus configured to move the support structure and including: a linear guide which extends underneath the holder and is coupled to the support structure, and a second motor coupled to the linear guide and adapted to move the support structure along the linear guide underneath the first openings and the second openings.