Robot Arm Unloading System for Sorted Dishwasher Item Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial dishwashers, particularly hood and transport types, require manual loading and unloading, leading to high operational burdens on personnel, inefficiencies, and increased resource consumption due to the need for frequent manual handling of washing baskets and items, which complicates the process and increases physical strain.
Innovation Solution
An automated unloading system utilizing a robot arm mechanism with a gripper to sort and store cleaned items, reducing manual labor and optimizing the unloading process by using a storage device with multiple receiving areas to categorize and stack items by type, and incorporating a non-contact washware detection system for precise handling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual loading and unloading of wash baskets is used, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases and operational burden increases
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading system automatically performs the unloading task itself using a robot arm mechanism with gripper that can independently grasp, lift, and place washed items without human intervention. The system serves itself by detecting items, determining their destination, and executing the transfer autonomously, thereby increasing productivity while managing complexity through automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical system of human operators with an automated robot arm mechanism. The robot arm with gripper substitutes human hands and arms, while the control unit with detection systems replaces human decision-making processes, achieving faster and more consistent unloading operations.
2Productivity
If frequent manual handling of wash baskets is required, then adaptability is improved, but loss of time increases and operational efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The unloading system operates continuously without interruption, with the robot arm constantly grasping, transporting, and placing items. The automated nature eliminates idle time between operations that occurs with manual handling, maintaining continuous productive action throughout the washing cycle and maximizing throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
The detection system identifies items and determines their destination categories before the actual unloading action occurs. This preliminary detection and classification allows the robot arm to execute unloading operations without delay, preventing time loss that would occur with manual inspection and decision-making.
3Productivity
If automated unloading system is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robot arm mechanism with gripper serves multiple functions: detecting items, grasping different types of washware, determining destination categories, and placing items in correct locations. This multi-functional design consolidates what would otherwise require separate systems into a single integrated unit, increasing productivity while managing complexity through functional integration.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an unloading system (1) for automatically unloading items (3) cleaned in a dishwasher (20) from dishwashing baskets (2) or for automatically unloading items (3) cleaned in a dishwasher (20) from conveyor belt compartments of a transport device. The unloading system (1) has a robot arm mechanism (4) with at least one gripper (5) configured to grasp at least one item from a dishwashing basket (2) or from a conveyor belt compartment. The unloading system (1) further comprises a storage device (6) with a first receiving area (7) associated with a first type or type of item and with at least one second receiving area (8) associated with at least a second type or type of item.The robot arm mechanism (4) is designed to transport the at least one part of the dishwashing material (3) grasped by the gripper (5) to or into a transfer area (9), while the holding device (6) is designed, depending on the type or variety of the dishwashing material (3) grasped by the gripper (5), to move either the first receiving area (7) or the at least one second receiving area (8) to or into the transfer area (9) in such a way that the at least one part of the dishwashing material (3) grasped by the gripper (5) can be placed in the corresponding receiving area (7, 8) of the holding device (6), preferably in a sorted manner.