Horizontal Ingredient Dispenser With Cork Closure for Precise Dosing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Automated cooking restaurants face issues with accurate dispensing of food ingredients, leading to contamination and increased consumption due to the inability to precisely control the quantity and type of ingredients dispensed, resulting in customer dissatisfaction and reduced profitability.
Innovation Solution
A novel dispensing unit (DiU) with a food-ingredient-cartridge and conveying screw, utilizing a rotation-to-linear-motion-converter and quick-disconnecting mechanism, which converts initial rotational motion into linear movement to push the cork out of the DiU for ingredient delivery and then retracts to close it when the required amount is reached, preventing cross-contamination and waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveying screw continues to rotate after the desired weight is reached, then the dispensing speed is maintained, but ingredients may fall into the collecting vessel changing the weight from the required one
Solution Approach 1:
The cork is positioned to block the opening in advance before dispensing begins. When the desired weight is reached, the conveying screw retracts to pull the cork back and close the opening, preventing over-dispensing. This preliminary positioning and advance closing mechanism ensures precision without sacrificing dispensing speed.
2Productivity
If the conveying screw rotates to dispense ingredients, then the dispensing function is achieved, but ingredients may fall into a collecting-vessel of another dish causing cross-contamination
Solution Approach 1:
The cork is extracted as a separate blocking element that can be independently positioned to close the opening. When the dispensing is complete, the conveying screw retracts to pull the cork back, effectively removing the blocking function when no longer needed. This separate blocking mechanism prevents cross-contamination while maintaining dispensing efficiency.
3Productivity
If the conveying screw rotates to deliver ingredients, then the ingredient delivery is achieved, but dropped ingredients may pollute the area increasing consumption and reducing profitability
Solution Approach 1:
The cork blocks the opening in advance before dispensing begins and is pulled back to close the opening immediately when the desired weight is reached. This preliminary positioning and immediate closing action prevents ingredient spillage and pollution, reducing waste and maintaining profitability while ensuring efficient ingredient delivery.
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
Ensures precise and controlled dispensing of food ingredients, reducing contamination and waste, thereby enhancing customer satisfaction and profitability by maintaining the integrity of dishes and optimizing ingredient usage.
Implementation Method 1
utilizing a rotation-to-linear-motion-converter and quick-disconnecting mechanism, which converts initial rotational motion into linear movement to push the cork out of the DiU for ingredient delivery
Implementation Method 2
A DiU is capable of handling a single type of food ingredient. The dispensing unit may comprise a food-ingredient-cartridge (FIC) and a conveying-screw (CoS)... when the CoS turns clockwise (for example) it moves food ingredients from the FIC toward the opening of the DiU
Implementation Method 3
When the collected food ingredients reach the required amount the motor start rotating counter clockwise and a spring that is located between the FIC and the quick disconnecting mechanism may push the CoS toward the RLMC, which now pulls the CoS back, away from the opening of the DiU
Data Source
AI summary
A novel food ingredient dispenser unit (DiU) for an automated-cooking-apparatus is disclosed. Embodiments of the novel DiU may comprise a food-ingredient-cartridge (FIC) and a conveying-screw (CoS). The CoS can be configured to be associated with the FIC and to convey food ingredients from the FIC toward an opening of the DiU. In addition a first end of the CoS is associated with a cork that is configured to block the opening of the DiU when the DiU is not-active. Further, the CoS can be moved in a linear motion in order to open the DiU.