Multi-Robotic Arm Cooking System to Prevent Cross-Contamination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Cooking meat, vegan, vegetarian, and seafood products is labor-intensive and requires human interaction, leading to variations in cooking expertise and potential cross-contamination due to the use of multiple kitchen utensils during the cooking process.

Innovation Solution

A multi-robotic arm cooking system comprising grills, first and second arm assemblies, and an electronic hardware controller that automatically loads prepared products onto the grills and unloads cooked products, preventing cross-contamination by using robotic arms to handle and transfer food products along a track.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If human servers handle and transfer food products during cooking, then flexibility and adaptability in cooking process are improved, but labor intensity increases and uniformity of final product decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveflexibility in cooking processVSAvoiduniformity of final product

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces human manual handling with automated robotic arm assemblies that mechanically transfer food products between preparation areas and grills. The robotic arms execute precise, repeatable motions controlled by a central controller, eliminating variability in transfer operations while maintaining cooking flexibility through programmable sequences.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple kitchen utensils are used during product handling and cooking, then versatility of cooking operations is improved, but cross-contamination between pre-cooked and cooked foods increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveversatility of cooking operationsVSAvoidcross-contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the cooking environment into distinct zones with dedicated robotic arm assemblies: one arm assembly handles pre-cooked food transfer while another handles raw product loading. Each arm assembly operates from its own utensil set and transfer path, creating physical and operational separation that prevents cross-contamination while maintaining full cooking versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central controller as an intermediary that coordinates all robotic arm assemblies, utensil operations, and grill functions. This centralized control system manages the sequencing and isolation of different food handling operations, ensuring that pre-cooked and raw foods never share the same utensils or transfer paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Productivity

If automated robotic arm assemblies are used to transfer food products, then labor intensity is reduced and productivity is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecooking efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic arm assemblies are designed as multi-functional units that can perform multiple operations: gripping food products, transferring between zones, positioning on grills, and coordinating with various utensils. This universality reduces the number of separate devices needed while maintaining high cooking efficiency and automating the complete food handling workflow.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Adaptability or versatility

If human servers interact with food throughout cooking process, then adaptability to cooking variations is improved, but loss of time in transfer and handling operations increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveadaptability to cooking variationsVSAvoidtransfer and handling time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous automated operation where robotic arm assemblies continuously transfer food products without interruption. The coordinated motion of multiple arms operating in parallel maintains constant workflow, eliminating the time losses associated with human movement, positioning, and tool changes while adapting to different cooking requirements through programmable control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

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 ensures uniform cooking and reduces labor intensity by automating the cooking process, preventing cross-contamination between pre-cooked and cooked foods, and maintaining consistent cooking temperatures through controlled robotic arm movements and heating surfaces.

Implementation Method 1

heating a grilling surface included with at least one grill to a cooking temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Data Source

PatentUS11596265B2Multi-robotic arm cooking system

Publication Date: 2023.03.07 TAYLOR COMMERCIAL FOODSERVICE LLC

AI summary

A cooking system includes a grill, a first arm assembly and a second arm assembly. An electronic hardware controller is in signal communication with the at least one grill, the first arm assembly and the second arm assembly. The controller operates the first arm assembly to transfer a prepared product to the grill, and operates the second arm assembly to transfer a cooked product from the grill.