Cooking robot

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current intelligent and automated cooking technologies require manual preparation and charging of raw materials, leading to inefficiencies such as inaccurate material charging, indoor pollution, and increased labor and time costs, as well as the need for manual cleaning of cooking surfaces.

Innovation Solution

A cooking robot with a detachable raw material accommodating device that includes an identification system, a feeding mechanism, and a control system to automate the selection, preparation, and cooking of dishes, minimizing manual intervention and incorporating a fume and air exhaust mechanism to reduce indoor pollution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a detachable raw material accommodating device is used, then ease of operation is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The raw material accommodating device is designed as a detachable component that can be separated from the main cooking device. This segmentation allows users to easily remove and clean the raw material container without disassembling the entire cooking robot, significantly improving ease of operation while the modular design actually reduces overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The identification device automatically identifies raw materials and the control system automatically controls the feeding mechanism to charge the correct amount of raw materials, eliminating the need for manual preparation and charging operations. This self-service automation improves ease of operation without requiring complex manual intervention mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Productivity

If automated feeding mechanism is implemented, then productivity is improved, but manufacturing precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoidmanufacturing precision
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The control system receives feedback from the identification device about the raw materials present and automatically adjusts the feeding mechanism to charge the correct type and amount of raw materials. This closed-loop feedback control ensures accurate material charging while maintaining high productivity through automation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical charging operations with an automated feeding mechanism controlled by electronic systems. The identification device and control system work together to automatically determine and charge the correct raw materials, improving productivity while the electronic control provides precise measurement and charging accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If fume and air exhaust mechanism is added, then object-affected harmful factors are reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindoor pollutionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fume and air exhaust mechanism is designed as a separate, extractable component that can be added to or removed from the cooking robot. This extraction approach addresses the harmful fume issue by providing dedicated exhaust functionality while keeping the overall device structure modular and not overly complex.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The exhaust mechanism serves multiple functions: it removes cooking fumes, maintains proper air flow within the cooking chamber, and can potentially be integrated with the sealing mechanism to control the cooking environment. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate systems, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Measurement precision

If identification device is integrated, then measurement precision is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The identification device acts as an intermediary component between the raw materials and the control system. It automatically identifies and communicates raw material information to the control system, which then directs the feeding mechanism accordingly. This intermediary approach provides precise material identification while keeping the overall system architecture modular and manageable in complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3398731B1Cooking robot
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 QINGDAO FEAST ROBOT CO LTD
  • EP3398731B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3398731B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6
  • EP3398731B1 patent drawingFigure 7~8

AI summary

Provided is a cooking robot, comprising a machine body, a charging mechanism, a feeding mechanism, a control system (7), a cooking mechanism and a dishes collecting mechanism, wherein the control system is connected with the feeding mechanism, the charging mechanism, the cooking mechanism and the dish collecting mechanism respectively, and controls the operation of each of the mechanisms. The cooking robot utilizes a customized device for containing disposable dishes raw materials, and all dishes raw materials are independently packaged in a factory according to a recipe; and meanwhile, the whole cooking process is controlled through an automatic control system so that manpower and material resources are saved.