Loader Unit GPS Verification for Food Mixing Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food mixing units in the zootechnical sector lack an efficient method to automatically verify that the food products loaded are accurately and correctly identified according to a pre-established recipe, requiring manual verification by operators.
Innovation Solution
A system incorporating a GPS receiver on the loader unit, wireless communication modules, and a weighing device with load cells and a processing unit to compare geographic coordinates of the loaded product's location with pre-defined coordinates associated with each food product in the recipe, ensuring the correct product is loaded by emitting error signals if incorrect.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual verification by operator is used to check loaded food products, then the system is simple and economical, but the accuracy and reliability of product identification is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual visual verification by the operator with an automated optical recognition system. The system uses a recognition device (camera) to capture images of food product packaging, processes these images through image processing circuitry to extract text and barcode information, and automatically compares this data with the loading program. This substitution of mechanical/manual verification with automated optical and computational systems resolves the contradiction by significantly improving identification reliability while accepting increased system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service verification where the loading process automatically checks itself without requiring operator intervention. The recognition device mounted on the loading mechanism captures images, the processing circuitry extracts product identification data, and the system automatically verifies whether the loaded product matches the recipe requirements. This self-verification mechanism improves reliability by eliminating human error while maintaining operational simplicity through automation.
2Measurement precision
If automated verification system is implemented with GPS and communication modules, then the accuracy of product verification is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual location verification with automated GPS-based positioning. The loading mechanism is equipped with GPS receivers that automatically determine the geographic coordinates of the loading location. This location data is transmitted via communication modules to a central control system that verifies whether the loading occurred at the correct predefined location. This substitution improves measurement precision of product location while accepting the added complexity of GPS and communication infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces communication modules as intermediaries between the GPS receivers and the central control system. These modules transmit location data and product verification information, enabling coordinated control without requiring direct complex integration between all system components. This intermediary approach manages system complexity by modularizing the communication architecture while maintaining high precision in location and product verification.
3Productivity
If operator alarm system is used to indicate weight milestones, then the operation is simple, but the productivity and efficiency of loading process is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements continuous feedback mechanisms where load cells constantly monitor the weight of loaded food products and automatically compare this data with the target weights specified in the loading program. When the loaded weight matches the programmed weight, the system automatically generates verification signals and advances to the next product in the sequence. This feedback-driven automation eliminates the need for manual weight checking and operator intervention, significantly improving loading productivity while managing complexity through systematic control architecture.
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
This system enables automatic or semi-automatic verification of loaded food products, ensuring they match the recipe, reducing operator error and increasing efficiency in food preparation.
Implementation Method 1
a GPS receiver (12) mounted on the loader unit (3) to detect the geographic coordinates of the place where the loader unit (3) is located
Implementation Method 2
a weighing device comprising load cells coupled with the bin in order to detect the weight of the contents of the bin
Data Source
AI summary
System (1) for controlling loading of food products in a food mixing unit (2) by means of a loader unit (3), the system (1) having: a weighing device (7), which is mounted on the mixing unit (2) and has a memory (9) for storing at least one recipe of food products to be loaded and, for each food product of the recipe, first geographic coordinates (GC1) associated to the food product and identifying a stocking area (5) of the food product; a GPS receiver (12) associated to the loader unit (3) to detect second geographic coordinates (GC2) identifying the place in which the loader unit (3) is located; and processing means (10) configured to check the weight of the food products of the recipe as these are gradually loaded in the mixing unit (2), to acquire the second geographic coordinates (GC2) for each food product being loaded when the loader unit (3) takes the food product from a stocking area (5) and to compare the second geographic coordinates (GC2) with the first geographic coordinates (GC1) for each food product being loaded in order to verify that the correct food product is being taken.