Restaurant Robot Arms Plate Holder Engagement

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current restaurant automation systems, such as sushi conveyer systems, do not enable direct placement of dishes on customer tables, lacking a robotic solution for efficient and precise table-side service.

Innovation Solution

A robotic system with a movable base, a body, and a pair of arms that can raise, extend, lower, and withdraw to engage with plate holders, allowing for the stable transportation and placement of plates on tables, featuring a plate holder with connectors for the arms and a heater for temperature control, and utilizing conveyer belts for efficient movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a robotic system with multiple movable arms and plate holders is used, then the ability to place dishes directly on customer tables is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveability to place dishes on tablesVSAvoidrobotic system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The robotic system is divided into distinct functional modules: a movable base for navigation, a body for support, multiple pairs of arms for manipulation, and separate plate holders for different dish types. Each module operates independently but coordinates with others to achieve the overall function of serving dishes to customers.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic system incorporates multiple pairs of arms (first, second, third pairs) that can perform various functions including carrying plates, adjusting positions, and interacting with different table configurations. The system can adapt to serve multiple customers simultaneously with different dish requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If the robot arms are extended and lifted to reach table height, then the placement precision on tables is improved, but the duration of action increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplacement precisionVSAvoidservice time

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The robot base moves to the target table location and positions the arms in readiness before the actual plate placement occurs. The arms are pre-positioned at extended lower positions near the table height, so that when the plate holder is presented, the placement can be executed quickly with minimal adjustment time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The robotic arms are designed with dynamic movement capabilities, allowing them to rapidly extend, lift, and position themselves at the required table height. The arms can transition between retracted and extended positions, and between lower and lifted heights, enabling quick adaptation to different serving scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Stability of the object's composition

If plate holders with connectors are used to engage robot arms, then the stability of plate transportation is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetransportation stabilityVSAvoidplate holder structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The plate holder structure incorporates nested components where connectors are integrated into the holder body. The first and second connectors are positioned on opposite sides of the holder, allowing robot arms to engage from opposite directions, providing stable grasping without requiring additional external fixtures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

4Productivity

If multiple pairs of arms are used to handle different plate holders, then the productivity of serving multiple customers is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveserving efficiencyVSAvoidnumber of arms

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Multiple pairs of arms are integrated into a single robotic body that shares a common control system and power source. The first, second, and third pairs of arms work in coordination, with each pair capable of handling different plate holders simultaneously, effectively combining multiple serving functions into one unified system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 efficient and precise placement of dishes directly on customer tables, improving service efficiency and customer experience by allowing robots to move plates from the kitchen to tables while maintaining plate temperature.

Implementation Method 1

the bottom cover is configured to accommodate a heater, and the heater is to heat the plate through a hole of the top cover

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectHeating: Heating

Data Source

PatentUS11440199B2Robotic service system in restaurants

Publication Date: 2022.09.13 HAO GANG

AI summary

A system for serving a plate on a table includes a robot including a movable base, a body on the movable base, a first pair of arms connected to the body and including a first arm and a second arm; and a first plate holder including a first and a second connectors, the first and second connectors to engage the first and second arms, respectively.