Dishwashing conveyance system and method
AssigneeDishcraft Robotics, Inc.
InventorsKenneth McAfee Peters, Paul Michael Birkmeyer, Kevin Yuan Ma, Jacob Conor Dooris, Abigail Elizabeth Soong, Kent Michael Anderson
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus for conveying dishware through a cleaning cycle. The apparatus includes a magnetic grasping element to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component. The magnetic grasping element transitions between at least two states to selectively engage and disengage the dishware. A corresponding system and method are also described herein.
Claims20
An apparatus for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- wherein the magnetic grasping element comprises at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet;
- and
- wherein the magnetic grasping element comprises dual permanent magnets having externally-facing opposing poles.
A system for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a conveyance assembly having at least one receiving surface to receive and retain dishware;
- and
- at least one magnetic grasping element coupled to the at least one receiving surface, the at least one magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- wherein the at least one magnetic grasping element comprises at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet;
- and
- wherein the at least one magnetic grasping element comprises dual permanent magnets having externally-facing opposing poles.
A method for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- magnetically grasping, via at least one magnetic grasping element, dishware having a ferromagnetic component;
- retaining, via the at least one magnetic grasping element, the dishware during at least one stage of a cleaning cycle;
- and
- changing a state of the at least one magnetic grasping element to disengage the dishware therefrom;
- wherein the magnetic grasping element comprises at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet;
- and
- wherein the magnetic grasping element comprises dual permanent magnets having externally-facing opposing poles.
An apparatus for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- wherein the magnetic grasping element comprises at least one of a permanent magnet and an electromagnet;
- and
- wherein a current of the electromagnet is modulated to transition the magnetic grasping element between the at least two states.
An apparatus for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- further comprising an actuator and a transmission element to independently transition the magnetic grasping element between the at least two states;
- wherein the transmission element comprises a spring to bias the magnetic grasping element to retain the dishware in an unpowered state.
An apparatus for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- wherein the magnetic grasping element is substantially adjacent to a receiving surface of a conveyance assembly;
- further comprising an actuator and a transmission element to independently transition the magnetic grasping element between the at least two states;
- wherein the transmission element, upon rotation of the receiving surface, engages a point of contact offboard the conveyance assembly to control the magnetic grasping element.
A system for retaining dishware during a cleaning cycle, comprising:
- a conveyance assembly having at least one receiving surface to receive and retain dishware;
- and
- at least one magnetic grasping element coupled to the at least one receiving surface, the at least one magnetic grasping element configured to selectively transition between at least two states to grasp dishware having a ferromagnetic component, wherein a first state engages the dishware and a second state disengages the dishware;
- further comprising an actuator and a transmission element coupled to the at least one magnetic grasping element to independently transition the magnetic grasping element between the at least two states;
- wherein the transmission element comprises a biasing mechanism to bias the magnetic grasping element to retain the dishware in an unpowered state.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.