Automatic cooking machine having a blocking element for magnetically attaching on a moving arm
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Solution Overview
Problem
Restaurants and beverage stores face challenges with labor-intensive cooking processes, leading to staff fatigue, accidents, and food waste due to the need for early preparation and frequent replacement of perishable ingredients, which existing technologies have not adequately addressed.
Innovation Solution
An automatic cooking machine equipped with a rotating shaft, motor, moving arm, and blocking element that uses magnetic attachment to control ingredient dispensing and cooking timing, reducing human labor and minimizing food waste by automating the cooking process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cooking preparation is performed in advance by staff, then ingredient availability for business hours is ensured, but staff fatigue and work intensity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cooking machine performs self-service by autonomously preparing ingredients in advance according to preset programs. The machine automatically cooks ingredients during off-peak hours and stores them in storage chambers, eliminating the need for staff to perform manual preparation work while ensuring ingredient availability during business hours.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary cooking action in advance during off-peak hours. Ingredients are pre-cooked, pre-heated, or pre-prepared according to predetermined recipes and stored in storage chambers, so that when business hours begin, the ingredients are already ready for quick dispensing and serving.
2Productivity
If ingredients are cooked in advance and stored, then service speed during business hours is improved, but food waste increases due to spoilage of perishable ingredients
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic cooking cycles where ingredients are cooked in batches during off-peak hours and then dispensed periodically during business hours. The control system monitors ingredient usage and triggers new cooking cycles as needed, ensuring that ingredients are prepared fresh in periodic intervals rather than cooked once and stored for extended periods, reducing spoilage.
Solution Approach 2:
The control system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor ingredient inventory levels, storage conditions, and usage rates. Based on this feedback, the system automatically adjusts cooking cycles, portion sizes, and dispensing timing to match actual demand, minimizing the amount of pre-cooked ingredients stored and reducing food waste from spoilage.
3Reliability
If staff frequently replace perishable ingredients, then food quality is maintained, but work intensity and potential for accidents increase
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cooking machine performs self-service by monitoring ingredient freshness and quality parameters, automatically replacing ingredients when quality thresholds are approached. The system manages ingredient inventory, cooking, and replacement without staff intervention, maintaining food quality while eliminating staff exposure to hot surfaces, steam, and heavy lifting associated with manual ingredient handling.
4Productivity
If automatic cooking equipment is implemented, then labor costs and staff burden are reduced, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The automatic cooking system is divided into modular functional segments including separate cooking chambers, storage chambers, dispensing mechanisms, and control units. Each module performs a specific function and can be independently maintained or replaced, reducing overall system complexity while achieving high labor efficiency through automation.
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
The automatic cooking machine efficiently manages ingredient dispensing and cooking timing, reducing staff burden, minimizing food waste, and ensuring consistent food quality by automating the cooking process, thereby addressing the labor and waste issues in the food service industry.
Implementation Method 1
the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element magnetically attract each other, causing the blocking element to detachably attach on the moving arm
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic cooking machine includes: a first rotating shaft; a first motor for driving the first rotating shaft to rotate; a moving arm having: a first magnetic element, arranged on one of surfaces of the moving arm; and a blocking element having: a blocking plate; a tail portion; a connecting portion, positioned between the blocking plate and the tail portion; and a second magnetic element, arranged on one of surfaces of the connecting portion; wherein when the blocking element approaches the moving arm, the first magnetic element and the second magnetic element magnetically attract each other, causing the blocking element to detachably attach on the moving arm.