Robot Dispenser Segmentation for Ingredient Contamination
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing robot systems face challenges in rapidly and efficiently introducing ingredients into an ingredient container while minimizing contamination, particularly in kitchen environments where precise handling and processing of ingredients are crucial.
Innovation Solution
A robot system with a dispenser that includes a common channel connected to an ingredient feeder, with first and second branch channels for the robot arms, allowing selective feeding of ingredients and featuring a variable ingredient guide and rotator to manage ingredient flow, ensuring minimal contamination and optimal introduction timing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single ingredient feeder is used to supply ingredients to multiple robot arms, then device complexity is reduced, but ingredient contamination between different robot arms increases
Solution Approach 1:
The single ingredient feeder is segmented into multiple independent feeding paths through the dispenser structure. The dispenser includes a body with multiple outlets, where each outlet connects to a specific robot arm through dedicated channels. This segmentation allows ingredients to be selectively supplied to different robot arms without cross-contamination, while still using a single feeder unit.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser acts as an intermediary device between the ingredient feeder and multiple robot arms. It receives ingredients from the single feeder and distributes them to different robot arms through controlled outlets. The dispenser's internal structure with multiple outlets and channels serves as a mediating mechanism that prevents direct contamination between robot arms while maintaining efficient ingredient distribution.
2Productivity
If ingredients are rapidly introduced into the ingredient container, then productivity increases, but contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The ingredient introduction process is segmented into multiple controlled streams through the dispenser's multiple outlets. Each outlet can independently introduce ingredients to specific robot arms, allowing rapid ingredient supply while maintaining separation between different ingredient flows. This prevents contamination even at high speeds by keeping ingredient paths distinct.
Solution Approach 2:
The dispenser is pre-configured with multiple outlets and channels that are ready to receive and distribute ingredients simultaneously. This preliminary arrangement allows the system to rapidly introduce ingredients without requiring sequential processing, while the pre-established separate pathways prevent contamination from the outset.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If multiple ingredient feeders are used for each robot arm, then ingredient contamination is minimized, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple feeding functions are merged into a single dispenser unit. The dispenser integrates multiple outlets and distribution channels that can independently serve different robot arms, combining the functionality of what would otherwise require multiple separate feeders. This merging reduces system complexity and cost while maintaining contamination prevention through the integrated but segmented distribution structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The single dispenser is designed with multi-functionality to serve multiple robot arms simultaneously. It can selectively supply ingredients to different robot arms through its multiple outlets, making it a universal component that replaces what would otherwise require multiple dedicated feeders. This multi-functionality reduces overall system complexity while maintaining ingredient separation.
Data Source
AI summary
A robot includes a robot body, an ingredient feeder installed in the robot body to feed an ingredient, first and second robot arms each having an ingredient channel formed therein and connected to the robot body, the ingredient passing through the ingredient channel, and a dispenser disposed in the robot body to dispense the ingredient received from the ingredient feeder to the first and second robot arms. The dispenser includes a common channel connected to the ingredient feeder, a first branch channel communicating with the ingredient channel of the first robot arm, and a second branch channel communicating with the ingredient channel of the second robot arm, and the ingredient, which has passed through the common channel, is selectively fed to the first branch channel and the second branch channel by the dispenser.