Meal Dispensing Mechanism for Consistent Automated Portioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Manual rationing of meals in lunch boxes is time-consuming and results in inconsistent portion sizes, leading to low production efficiency.
Innovation Solution
An automatic meal dispenser mechanism with a mixing unit, dispensing module, and delivery mechanism, utilizing a rotatable fan blade and drive assembly to control portion sizes and automate meal allocation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual rationing is used to allocate meals to containers, then operational simplicity is maintained, but production efficiency deteriorates and portion size consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The dispensing component is divided into multiple independent dispensing units, each capable of independently controlling portion size and dispensing speed. This segmentation allows precise control over meal allocation while maintaining modular simplicity that doesn't overly complicate the overall system.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs automatic sensing and control mechanisms that enable the dispensing mechanism to self-regulate portion sizes and dispensing rates based on real-time feedback from sensors detecting container fill levels and meal flow characteristics, eliminating the need for complex manual operation while maintaining high efficiency.
2Manufacturing precision
If manual portion sizing is performed with the naked eye, then operational simplicity is maintained, but portion size consistency deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Sensors are integrated into the dispensing component to provide real-time feedback on portion size and dispensing rate. This feedback loop enables automatic adjustment of dispensing parameters to maintain consistent portion sizes across all containers, achieving precision without requiring complex manual measurement and adjustment procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual visual estimation and mechanical portion sizing with automated sensing and control systems that use optical or capacitive sensors to detect portion size and control mechanisms to regulate dispensing, thereby achieving consistent portion sizes without the complexity of manual measurement tools and procedures.
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
Precise control of meal portions improves production efficiency and consistency in lunch boxes, reducing manual labor and costs.
Implementation Method 1
The stirring component includes a rotating shaft and a fan blade pivotally connected to the rotating shaft, the fan blade is rotatable about the rotating shaft
Implementation Method 2
the fan blade passes by an inner side of the body that is adjacent to the second opening when rotating
Data Source
AI summary
An automatic meal dispenser and a meal dispenser mechanism thereof are provided. The meal dispenser mechanism includes a dispensing module and a mixing unit that includes a body. The body has a first opening and a second opening. The dispensing module includes a shell, a dispensing component, and a first drive assembly. The shell has an inlet opening and an outlet channel. The dispensing component includes an accommodating ring. The first drive assembly is movable along a predetermined direction, and is configured to drive the dispensing component to move between a first position and a second position relative to the shell. When the dispensing component is located at the first position, the accommodating ring corresponds in position to the inlet opening and the second opening. When the dispensing component is located at the second position, the accommodating ring corresponds in position to the outlet channel.