Code-Based Raw Material Dispensing for Automated Catering Preparation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current catering automation technologies lack advanced and diverse configuration methods, equipment, and systems to efficiently prepare a wide variety of food and beverages.
Innovation Solution
A method, device, and system for catering preparation that utilizes raw material bins corresponding to specific codes, an order management system, and a cloud platform to parse orders, determine required raw materials, and automatically dispense them based on preparation modes, capacity specifications, and sweetness levels.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If automated catering preparation systems are implemented, then labor costs are reduced and efficiency is improved, but the complexity of the equipment and system configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments catering preparation into discrete components: raw material bins with unique codes, order parsing modules, and driving devices for each bin. This segmentation allows independent management of each component, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining automation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs a universal order parsing mechanism that can handle multiple order types (beverages, meals, snacks) through a single integrated platform. The code-based raw material identification system serves as a universal interface between ordering and dispensing operations, simplifying the control architecture.
2Adaptability or versatility
If diverse food and beverage options are offered, then customer satisfaction and adaptability are improved, but the complexity of raw material management and recipe configuration increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each raw material bin is assigned a unique code that identifies its specific contents and properties. This local quality approach allows the system to manage diverse ingredients through standardized individual identifiers, enabling complex menu options without proportionally increasing system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses code representations as digital copies of physical raw materials. Each bin's code serves as an information copy that triggers the appropriate dispensing action, allowing the system to manage diverse ingredients through simplified digital identifiers rather than complex physical tracking.
3Ease of operation
If manual operation is required for certain raw materials, then flexibility is maintained, but automation level and productivity are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts between automated and manual operations based on the specific raw material and order requirements. The code-based identification system enables automatic dispensing when bins are available, while seamlessly allowing manual intervention when needed, optimizing both automation level and operational flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses a method for catering preparation, comprising: providing raw material bins of a device for catering preparation corresponding to codes of raw materials, and filling each of the bins with the corresponding raw material; the device for catering preparation receives orders, each of which includes a name and quantity of a food or a beverage; the device for catering preparation parses each of the orders, the device for catering preparation drives a driving device of the raw material bin corresponding to the code of each of the raw materials and its quantity required, to dispense the quantity of the raw material. The invention also discloses a device and a system for catering preparation. The present invention directly corresponds the names of foods or beverages to the codes and quantities of materials required, parsing order simply and accurately, facilitating development and implementation of various recipes, and also aiding in management of required raw materials.