System for assisting with loading and unloading objects

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing kitchen preparation systems face inefficiencies in loading and unloading food products across multiple stations, leading to increased operator strain and reduced throughput in food service environments.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising a lifting portion and a movement portion, equipped with motors, actuators, and windup drums, that assists in the vertical and horizontal movement of baskets between cooking and unloading stations, allowing for efficient transfer and easy cleaning of components, with features like motor encoders, torque limiters, and communication with kitchen production systems.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual loading and unloading of food products across multiple stations is used, then operator flexibility and simplicity of system structure are maintained, but operator strain increases and throughput decreases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidoperator strain

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables self-service automation where the lifting portion and movement portion autonomously transport baskets between stations without requiring manual intervention for each transfer, thereby increasing throughput while reducing operator strain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual mechanical handling by operators is replaced with an automated mechanical system comprising motors, actuators, windup drums, and track mechanisms that perform the lifting and horizontal movement of baskets, resolving the contradiction between productivity and operator strain

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If automated lifting and movement systems are implemented, then throughput and reduction of operator strain are achieved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

ImprovethroughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The automated system is segmented into distinct functional modules: a lifting portion with windup drums and actuators for vertical movement, a movement portion with track mechanisms for horizontal transport, and control systems with encoders and torque limiters. This segmentation manages complexity by making each component independent and maintainable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lifting portion and movement portion are designed as multi-functional units that can serve multiple stations and handle various basket types, reducing the need for separate specialized mechanisms at each station and thereby managing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20240251995A1System for assisting with loading and unloading objects

Publication Date: 2024.08.01 CFA PROPERTIES INC

AI summary

Various devices, assemblies, components, systems, and methos are provided relating to a loading and/or unloading system. An example system may include at least one lifting portion and a movement portion. The lifting portion may be configured to move a basket in a plurality of directions to assist with loading/unloading at a plurality of stations. The movement portion may be configured to transport the lifting portion in the length direction.