Articulated Robot Arm With Laser Cup Printing for Beverage Orders

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current beverage preparation systems lack an unmanned solution for marking information on cups, requiring human intervention for printing order information, which hinders full automation in beverage delivery processes.

Innovation Solution

An articulated robot arm equipped with a laser beam irradiation unit, image sensor, and controller to receive and process beverage order information, grip cups, and print information directly onto the cups during the beverage preparation process, ensuring accurate and automated marking.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Extent of automation

If a sticker printing method is used to mark order information on cups, then the printing process can be performed with simple equipment, but human intervention is required to attach stickers which reduces automation level

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical sticker attachment process with a laser beam irradiation system that directly prints or marks order information on the cup surface. The laser beam irradiation unit eliminates the need for physical sticker handling and attachment operations, achieving full automation while maintaining relatively simple equipment configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts the printing function from the separate sticker application process and integrates it directly into the cup handling system. The laser beam irradiation unit is incorporated into the grip part or positioned near the cup processing area, allowing marking to occur during the same operational cycle as cup gripping and movement, thereby eliminating the need for separate sticker attachment equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Productivity

If order information is printed after cup gripping, then the printing process can be completed, but additional time is required which reduces productivity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebeverage making speedVSAvoidprinting time

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs the laser printing operation during the cup gripping and movement phase, rather than as a separate subsequent step. The controller coordinates the laser beam irradiation to occur while the grip part is already engaged with the cup and moving it to the placement position, thereby overlapping operations and eliminating sequential time delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the cup gripping, movement, and printing operations into a single integrated process sequence. The laser beam irradiation unit operates concurrently with the grip part's movement of the cup, combining multiple functions (gripping, transporting, and marking) into one continuous operational flow that reduces total processing time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Manufacturing precision

If the laser beam irradiation unit is provided on the grip part, then the printing position can be precisely controlled, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting position accuracyVSAvoidrobot arm structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The grip part is designed to serve multiple functions: it not only grips and moves the cup but also houses or supports the laser beam irradiation unit for printing operations. This multi-functional design integrates the printing capability into the existing grip mechanism without requiring a completely separate positioning system, thereby maintaining structural simplicity while achieving precise printing control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Enables an unmanned beverage preparation system by reducing human intervention and streamlining the process of marking cups with order information, enhancing efficiency and automation in beverage delivery.

Implementation Method 1

a laser beam irradiation unit provided on at least a partial area of the grip part and configured to irradiate a laser beam to print the beverage order information on the cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser: Laser

Implementation Method 2

irradiate a laser beam to print the beverage order information on the cup

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectLaser heating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11878542B2Articulated robot arm and printing method using the same

Publication Date: 2024.01.23 XYZ INC

AI summary

Provided is an articulated robot arm capable of laser printing. The articulated robot arm includes: a communicator for receiving beverage order information; a grip part gripping and moving a cup; an articulation part having one side coupled to the grip part and including a plurality of articulation units; a controller controlling operations of the grip part and the articulation part; and a laser beam irradiation unit provided on at least a partial area of the grip part and irradiating a laser beam to print the beverage order information on the cup.