Multi-Compartment Ingredient Feeder for Automated Wok Loading
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing automated cooking machines lack the ability to automatically feed raw ingredients into the wok, requiring human intervention and limiting their automation level.
Innovation Solution
An automatic ingredient feeding apparatus that includes a feeder mechanism with a flipping mechanism and compartment door control systems, connected to a master control device, allowing for precise and automated placement of ingredients into a wok according to a preset recipe program.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If existing automated cooking machines are used, then cooking processes can be partially automated, but manual intervention is still required for feeding ingredients into the wok
Solution Approach 1:
The ingredient container is divided into multiple compartments, each dedicated to storing different types of ingredients. This segmentation allows the system to automatically dispense specific ingredients at specific times without manual intervention, thereby increasing automation while maintaining ease of operation through organized storage
Solution Approach 2:
The feeder mechanism is designed to automatically dispense ingredients from the multi-compartment container into the wok based on pre-set cooking parameters. The system serves itself by automatically measuring, transporting, and depositing ingredients without requiring human operation during the cooking process
2Productivity
If manual feeding of ingredients is required, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity and cooking efficiency are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The feeder mechanism serves multiple functions: it stores multiple ingredients in separate compartments, automatically measures portions, transports ingredients, and dispenses them into the wok. This multi-functionality increases cooking productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity, as one mechanism performs several operations that would otherwise require separate devices or manual steps
3Measurement precision
If automated ingredient feeding is implemented, then precision and control of cooking process are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system pre-sets cooking parameters including ingredient types, quantities, and timing sequences before the cooking process begins. This preliminary configuration allows the automated feeder to precisely dispense ingredients at the correct moments without requiring complex real-time decision-making, thereby improving measurement precision while keeping the control system manageable
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 high precision, automation, and diversification in cooking processes, standardizing ingredient handling and providing easy access to information through electronic tags, thus enhancing the cooking machine's automation level and efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
when the magnetic valve is switched on, the magnetic valve draws the iron core upwards to drive the rod to move upwards
Implementation Method 2
the two door leaves are connected via the elastic component and are in a closed state under an action of the elastic component
Implementation Method 3
the flipping motor is connected to the master control device and is controlled by the master control device to drive the main shaft to rotate
Implementation Method 4
the 180-degree flip of the feeder mechanism enabling the raw ingredients in the multi-compartment container to drop into the multi-compartment ingredient-dropping chamber
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic ingredient feeding apparatus (1) comprises a machine frame (100), a feeder mechanism (11), a flipping mechanism (12) and a plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13). The feeder mechanism comprises a shell (111), the shell is provided therein with a receiving space (114) for receiving a multi-compartment container (110) and is provided therein with a multi-compartment ingredient-dropping chamber (113) facing the receiving space. The flipping mechanism (12) is used for mounting the feeder mechanism (11) on the machine frame (110) and for controlling the feeder mechanism (11) to implement a 180-degree flip. Each of the plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13) controls an opening/closing of a compartment door (115) of the individual compartment of the multi-compartment ingredient-dropping chamber (113). The flipping mechanism (12) and the plurality of compartment door control mechanisms (13) are all connected to a master control device (7).