Method and system for frying food products by an industrial-robotic-air-frying system (IRAFS)
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Solution Overview
Problem
Deep oil fryers require significant labor and pose safety hazards due to handling hot oil, are costly due to oil replacement, and do not meet customer demands for healthier food options that maintain the taste and texture of deep-fried products.
Innovation Solution
An industrial-robotic-air-frying system comprising a motion system, a frying basket, a frozen dispenser, an air-frying unit, and a controller that uses a robotic arm with a holding mechanism to automate the frying process, reducing oil usage while maintaining the taste and texture of deep-fried foods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If deep oil fryers are used to fry food products, then the taste and texture of fried foods is maintained, but labor requirements increase and safety hazards occur due to handling hot oil
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service frying through the robotic arm that automatically places food products into the frying basket, controls the frying process, and removes the basket. The controller manages temperature, timing, and oil circulation without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself while maintaining consistent frying quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with an automated robotic system. The robotic arm with gripper mechanism substitutes human hands for handling hot oil and frying baskets. The automated controller replaces manual timing and temperature management, eliminating the need for operators to work near open containers of hot oil while maintaining the mechanical frying process.
2Reliability
If deep oil fryers are used to fry food products, then the taste and texture of fried foods is maintained, but safety hazards occur due to handling hot oil
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service frying through the robotic arm that automatically places food products into the frying basket, controls the frying process, and removes the basket. The controller manages temperature, timing, and oil circulation without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself while maintaining consistent frying quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hot oil environment. Instead of humans directly handling hot oil and baskets, the robot mediates all interactions with the frying chamber, creating a physical barrier that eliminates direct human exposure to thermal hazards while maintaining operational control.
3Productivity
If deep oil fryers are used to fry food products, then the throughput is maintained at about 60 pounds/hr, but operational costs increase due to oil replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements oil recovery and reuse through automated filtration and circulation systems. The controller manages oil filtering to remove food particles and contaminants, allowing the same oil to be reused multiple times. This discards the need for frequent oil disposal and recovers valuable cooking oil, significantly reducing operational costs while maintaining frying performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements continuous oil circulation and filtration during the frying process. Instead of static oil that degrades over time, the system continuously filters and recirculates the oil, maintaining its cleaning and cooking properties throughout extended operation periods. This continuous action extends oil life and reduces replacement frequency while sustaining high throughput.
4Productivity
If deep oil fryers are used to fry food products, then the throughput is maintained at about 60 pounds/hr, but working conditions deteriorate due to exposure to hot oil splashes
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automated self-service frying through the robotic arm that automatically places food products into the frying basket, controls the frying process, and removes the basket. The controller manages temperature, timing, and oil circulation without human intervention, allowing the system to serve itself while maintaining consistent frying quality.
Solution Approach 2:
The robotic arm acts as an intermediary between the operator and the hot oil environment. Instead of humans directly handling hot oil and baskets, the robot mediates all interactions with the frying chamber, creating a physical barrier that eliminates direct human exposure to thermal hazards while maintaining operational control.
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 system achieves the throughput of deep oil fryers while providing healthier food options with reduced oil usage, improving safety and reducing operational costs by automating the frying process and minimizing labor associated with handling hot oil.
Implementation Method 1
a heating element, configured to heat the air in the air-frying chamber to a temperature between 350°F and 450°F
Implementation Method 2
a fan, configured to circulate the air in the air-frying chamber
Data Source
AI summary
A new industrial-robotic-air-frying system (IRAFS) is disclosed. The new IRAFS may comprise a motion system, a dispenser that is configured to deliver one or more types of frozen products, and one or more air-frying Units (AFUs). Wherein the motion system is configured to take an empty frying-basket (FrB), to convey the empty FrB toward the dispenser for loading a certain amount of a certain frozen product into the FrB, and to convey the loaded FrB into an AFU from the one or more AFUs.