A gripping device for bakery products

Abstract

The utility model relates to food baking technical field discloses a kind of clamping device for baking food, including the base of universal wheel, sliding cooperation's horizontal guide rail and drive motor, vertically fixed longitudinal guide rail, lifting motor drive connecting block longitudinal sliding, two-way screw rod is connected through connecting block and both ends are connected through ball bearing, two groups of self-adapting clamping mechanism are symmetrically set in connecting block front end, drive motor is installed on the side wall of connecting block, driving motor's output shaft is installed with driving bevel gear and driven bevel gear, drive two-way screw rod rotation, sliding base of inner-embedded threaded sleeve is set on screw rod, upper connecting rod and lower connecting rod are respectively connected chuck base and sliding base, connecting rod joint is embedded pressure sensor, stainless steel return spring is set between upper and lower connecting rod, replaceable chuck includes metal tray chuck and silica gel cake chuck.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the field of food baking technology, and in particular to a clamping device for baking food. Background Technology

[0002] Baked goods refer to bread, cakes, cookies, and other foods made from grain flour as the basic raw material through a high-temperature baking process. The processing requires handling in a high-temperature environment (200-300℃). Because freshly baked foods are extremely hot and come in various shapes, traditional manual handling relies on heavy, heat-resistant gloves, is cumbersome, and poses a risk of burns. While automated handling equipment exists, some technical challenges remain.

[0003] Currently, automated gripping equipment still faces two major technical bottlenecks: First, traditional grippers have fixed spacing or single-point clamping, which cannot adapt to round / square / irregularly shaped baking pans; second, hard metal grippers crush pastries, while soft grippers cannot hold heavy metal trays firmly. Utility Model Content

[0004] This invention provides a clamping device for baking food, which solves the technical problems of traditional clamps being unable to adapt to irregularly shaped baking pans and the limited functionality of the clamps.

[0005] The technical solution adopted in this application is as follows: A clamping device for baked goods includes a base and casters mounted on the bottom of the base. The base has two parallel transverse guide rails on opposite sides. A sliding frame is slidably mounted on the two transverse guide rails at both ends. Two parallel longitudinal guide rails are fixed to the upper surfaces of both ends of the sliding frame, and a drive motor is mounted on the sliding frame. A connecting block is mounted on the two longitudinal guide rails at both ends, and a lifting motor is mounted on the connecting block. The connecting block is horizontally positioned, open on the front side, and hollow inside. A bidirectional lead screw is connected to the hollow interior of the connecting block at both ends via ball bearings. Two sliding bases are connected to the bidirectional lead screw via threaded sleeves. An adaptive clamping mechanism is connected to the front end of each sliding base. One end of the bidirectional lead screw is keyed to the output shaft of an integrated drive module.

[0006] Preferably, the adaptive clamping mechanism includes two sets of linkage structures symmetrical about the central axis of the sliding base. Each set of linkage structures includes an upper linkage and a lower linkage connected front to back. Each upper linkage is hinged to the chuck base through a stainless steel pin, and the lower linkage is hinged to the sliding base through a pin of the same specification. A pressure sensor is embedded at the connection between the upper linkage and the lower linkage, and the two ends of the return spring are respectively connected to the middle of the upper linkage and the middle of the lower linkage.

[0007] Preferably, the integrated drive module includes a second drive motor mounted on the side wall of the connecting block, and an active bevel gear is mounted on the output shaft of the second drive motor. The active bevel gear meshes perpendicularly with the driven bevel gear, and the driven bevel gear is connected to the end of the bidirectional lead screw via a key.

[0008] Preferably, a quick-change interface is provided on the front end face of the chuck base. The quick-change interface is a T-shaped slot structure. The replaceable chuck is connected to the chuck base through a T-shaped plug that matches the T-shaped slot. A spring locking pin is inserted into the quick-change interface through a side through hole of the chuck base. The spring locking pin passes through the T-shaped slot and the T-shaped plug and its end is fixed into the inner wall of the chuck base.

[0009] Preferably, the control unit of the integrated drive module is electrically connected to the pressure sensor.

[0010] Preferably, the replaceable clamp is a metal tray clamp or a silicone pastry clamp. The metal tray clamp has interlaced anti-slip serrations with a depth of 1.5mm laser-engraved on its clamping surface. The silicone pastry clamp is filled with a silicone layer that can withstand high temperatures of 230℃ and is covered with a food-grade stainless steel mesh on the outside.

[0011] Due to the adoption of the above technical solution, the beneficial effects achieved by this application are as follows: 1. Two-way lead screw drive: Ensures synchronous and symmetrical opening and closing of the clamping mechanisms on both sides, with uniform clamping force, preventing food from tilting or slipping; Linkage mechanism + pressure sensor + return spring: Enables the chuck to adapt to the shape and height of the food during clamping, keeping the contact surface parallel and reducing damage to fragile pastries. The pressure sensor monitors the clamping force in real time to prevent overpressure damage to the food and improve operational safety. The return spring ensures that the mechanism automatically resets after clamping is released, improving efficiency.

[0012] 2. Dedicated replaceable chuck design: The interlaced anti-slip serrations of the metal tray chuck provide strong grip, ensuring that heavy baking trays are held firmly without slipping. The silicone pastry chuck combines a high-temperature resistant silicone layer with a food-grade stainless steel mesh. The silicone provides soft cushioning to protect the surface of pastries from being crushed, while the stainless steel mesh provides structural support and a hygienic barrier, meeting food safety requirements and withstanding temperatures up to 230℃, allowing direct contact with freshly baked food.

[0013] 3. Quick-change interface design: It adopts a T-slot + matching T-block + spring locking pin structure, which can realize quick disassembly and installation of the chuck without tools. Pulling the pin can unlock it, and releasing it will automatically lock it under the action of spring force. The operation is simple and reliable, improving the replacement efficiency and facilitating the cleaning of different chucks or switching functions according to the task.

[0014] 4. Integrated drive module (bevel gear transmission): It adopts a 90° transmission method of active bevel gear + driven bevel gear to efficiently transmit the power of the drive motor to the bidirectional lead screw. This design is compact, saves space, and provides smooth and reliable transmission. The side-mounted motor also facilitates maintenance. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of this application and form part of this application, illustrate exemplary embodiments of this application and are used to explain this application, but do not constitute an undue limitation of this application. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional schematic diagram of a clamping device for baking food according to this application; Figure 2 This is a top view of the structure of this application; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the quick-switch interface structure in this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the metal tray clamp structure in this application; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the silicone pastry chuck structure in this application.

[0016] 1. Base; 11. Horizontal guide rail; 12. Vertical guide rail; 13. Drive motor one; 14. Connecting block; 15. Sliding frame; 16. Lifting motor; 2. Universal wheel; 3. Two-way lead screw; 4. Sliding base; 5. Adaptive clamping mechanism; 51. Connecting rod; 51a. Stainless steel pin; 52. Chuck base; 53. Pressure sensor; 54. Return spring; 55. Replaceable chuck; 551. Metal tray chuck; 551a. Interlaced anti-slip serrations; 552. Silicone pastry chuck; 552a. Silicone layer; 552b. Stainless steel mesh; 56. Quick-change interface; 56a. T-slot; 56b. T-block; 56c. Spring locking pin; 6. Integrated drive module; 61. Driving bevel gear; 62. Driven bevel gear; 63. Drive motor two. Detailed Implementation

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the overall concept of this application, a detailed explanation is provided below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Many specific details are set forth in the following description to provide a thorough understanding of this application. However, this application may also be implemented in other ways different from those described herein. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed below. It should be noted that, unless otherwise specified, the embodiments of this application and the features thereof can be combined with each other.

[0019] A clamping device for baked goods includes: a base 1, which forms the base of the device; casters 2 are installed at the bottom of the base to facilitate the movement of the device; a longitudinal guide rail 12, which is vertically fixed to the upper surface of the base 1; a transverse guide rail 11, which slides in cooperation with the longitudinal guide rail 12; a drive motor 13, which drives a sliding frame 15 to slide back and forth along the transverse guide rail 11; a connecting block 14, which slides up and down along the longitudinal guide rail 12 under the drive of a lifting motor 16; an adaptive clamping mechanism 5, which is symmetrically arranged at the front end of the connecting block 14; and an integrated drive module 6, whose output shaft is connected to one end of a bidirectional lead screw 3 via a key, for driving the bidirectional lead screw 3 to rotate.

[0020] Furthermore, the bidirectional lead screw 3 horizontally passes through the connecting block 14. The two ends of the bidirectional lead screw 3 are rotatably connected to the connecting block 14 through ball bearings, allowing it to rotate freely within the connecting block. The sliding base 4 is sleeved on the bidirectional lead screw 3. The sliding base 4 has a threaded sleeve that matches the thread of the bidirectional lead screw 3. When the bidirectional lead screw 3 rotates, the two sliding bases 4 can move in opposite directions or in a straight line along the lead screw.

[0021] Furthermore, the adaptive clamping mechanism 5 includes: four sets of connecting rods 51 connected between the chuck base 52 and the sliding base 4. The upper connecting rod (near the chuck end) of each set is hinged to the chuck base through a stainless steel pin 51a, and the lower connecting rod (near the sliding base end) of each set is hinged to the sliding base 4 through a pin of the same specification. A pressure sensor 53 is embedded in the joint of the connecting rod 51. A return spring 54 connects the upper and lower connecting rods (located in the middle of the connecting rod set) and provides the return force after clamping.

[0022] Furthermore, the integrated drive module 6 specifically includes: a second drive motor 63, fixed on the side wall of the connecting block 14; a driving bevel gear 61, sleeved on the output shaft of the second drive motor 63; and a driven bevel gear 62, which meshes perpendicularly with the driving bevel gear 61. The driven bevel gear 62 is connected to the end of the bidirectional lead screw 3 via a key connection. The second drive motor 63 transmits power to the bidirectional lead screw 3 through this pair of bevel gears.

[0023] During clamping, the output shaft of the integrated drive module 6 first drives the bidirectional lead screw 3 to rotate via a key connection. The threads of the bidirectional lead screw 3 are divided into left and right helical directions. When rotating, it drives the two sliding bases 4 to move in opposite directions along the axis of the lead screw (the sliding bases have embedded threaded sleeves that mesh with the lead screw). The upper connecting rod is hinged to the chuck base via a stainless steel pin 51a, and the lower connecting rod is hinged to the sliding base 4 via a pin of the same specification. When the sliding bases 4 move in opposite directions, they push the upper and lower connecting rods to close, forcing the chuck 55 to close and clamp. When moving in the opposite direction, the upper and lower connecting rods open. When the clamping head opens, if the clamping surface contacts an uneven object (such as a tilted tray), the hinge point of the connecting rod 51 allows the clamping head 55 to rotate slightly around the pin 51a so that the clamping surface adapts to the object surface. A pressure sensor 53 is embedded at the joint of the connecting rod to monitor the force on the joint in real time and feed it back to the control system, dynamically adjusting the output torque of the drive motor 63 to prevent overpressure damage to the item. The return spring 54 is connected to the upper and lower connecting rods at both ends. When clamping, the spring is stretched and stores elastic potential energy. When released, the spring contracts, and the auxiliary connecting rod 51 quickly returns to the initial unfolded state.

[0024] Furthermore, the front end of the chuck base 52 is provided with a T-shaped slot 56a, and the replaceable chuck 55 is provided with a matching T-shaped plug 56b. The shape of the T-shaped plug 56b matches the T-shaped slot 56a. The spring-locking pin 56c passes through the side wall of the T-shaped plug 56b and the T-shaped slot 56a. When replacing the plug, pull the spring-locking pin 56c outward, the spring is compressed, the plug is inserted, and after releasing the pin, the pin automatically locks under the action of the spring force. Pulling the pin can complete the quick disassembly of the chuck.

[0025] Furthermore, the replaceable chuck 55 includes two types: a metal tray chuck 551, whose clamping surface is laser-engraved with interlaced anti-slip serrations 551a; and a silicone pastry chuck 552, whose interior is filled with a high-temperature resistant silicone layer 552a and whose outer layer is covered with a food-grade stainless steel mesh 552b. When clamping pastries, the silicone layer + stainless steel mesh provides soft cushioning while ensuring the rigidity and stability of the clamping, and is also easier to clean.

[0026] Working principle: During operation, the device is moved to the target position using the casters 2 at the bottom. The drive motor 13 drives the sliding frame 15 to move back and forth along the transverse guide rail 11 to the appropriate position. The lifting motor 16 drives the connecting block 14 to lift and lower along the longitudinal guide rail 12 to the target height. The drive motor 63 of the integrated drive module 6 drives the bidirectional lead screw 3 to rotate through the engagement of the active bevel gear 61 and the driven bevel gear 62, causing the two sliding bases 4 to move towards each other, pushing the connecting rod 51 to retract and close the clamp 55. During the clamping process, the pressure sensor 53 embedded in the connecting rod joint detects the contact force in real time and feeds it back to the control unit to dynamically adjust the drive. The motor stabilizes the pressure at a preset threshold (3-5N for pastries / 80-100N for baking trays), while the connecting rod 51 rotates slightly around the stainless steel pin 51a to achieve adaptive contact of the clamping surface with irregular surfaces. For different clamping objects, the anti-slip serrations 551a of the metal tray clamp 551 are mechanically interlocked with the baking tray to prevent slippage, while the silicone pastry clamp 552 buffers the pressure through a high-temperature resistant silicone layer 552a and is wrapped with a stainless steel mesh 552b to limit deformation. When released, the drive motor reverses, and the return spring 54 pulls the connecting rod to quickly return to its original position. Changing the clamp only requires pulling the spring locking pin 56c to quickly complete the switching.

[0027] The above description is merely an embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principle of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A gripping device for baked goods, comprising a base (1) and casters (2) mounted on the bottom of the base, characterized in that: The base has two parallel transverse guide rails (11) on opposite sides. The two ends of the sliding frame (15) are slidably mounted on the two transverse guide rails (11). The upper surfaces of the two ends of the sliding frame (15) are fixed with two parallel longitudinal guide rails (12). A drive motor (13) is mounted on the sliding frame. The two ends of the connecting block (14) are mounted on the two longitudinal guide rails (12). A lifting motor (16) is mounted on the connecting block (14). The connecting block (14) is horizontally set, open on the front side and hollow inside. The two ends of the bidirectional screw (3) are connected to the hollow inside of the connecting block (14) by ball bearings. The bidirectional screw (3) is connected to two sliding bases (4) by threaded sleeves. The front end of the sliding base (4) is connected to an adaptive clamping mechanism (5). One end of the bidirectional screw (3) is keyed to the output shaft of the integrated drive module (6).

2. The clamping device for baking food according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adaptive clamping mechanism (5) includes two sets of linkage structures symmetrical along the central axis of the sliding base. Each set of linkage structures includes an upper linkage and a lower linkage connected front to back. Each set of upper linkages is hinged to the chuck base (52) through a stainless steel pin (51a), and the lower linkage is hinged to the sliding base (4) through a pin of the same specification. A pressure sensor (53) is embedded at the connection between the upper linkage and the lower linkage. The two ends of the return spring (54) are respectively connected to the middle of the upper linkage and the middle of the lower linkage.

3. The clamping device for baking food according to claim 1, characterized in that: The integrated drive module (6) includes a second drive motor (63) mounted on the side wall of the connecting block (14). A drive bevel gear (61) is mounted on the output shaft of the second drive motor (63). The drive bevel gear (61) meshes perpendicularly with the driven bevel gear (62). The driven bevel gear (62) is connected to the end of the bidirectional lead screw (3) via a key.

4. A clamping device for baking food according to claim 2, characterized in that: The front end face of the chuck base (52) is provided with a quick-change interface (56). The quick-change interface (56) is a T-shaped slot (56a) structure. The replaceable chuck (55) is connected to the chuck base (52) through a T-shaped plug (56b) that matches the T-shaped slot (56a). The spring locking pin (56c) is inserted into the quick-change interface through the side through hole of the chuck base. The spring locking pin (56c) passes through the T-shaped slot (56a) and the T-shaped plug (56b) and its end is fixed into the inner wall of the chuck base.

5. A clamping device for baking food according to claim 3, characterized in that: The control unit of the integrated drive module (6) is electrically connected to the pressure sensor (53).

6. A clamping device for baking food according to claim 4, characterized in that: The replaceable chuck (55) is a metal tray chuck (551) or a silicone pastry chuck (552). The metal tray chuck (551) has interlaced anti-slip serrations (551a) with a depth of 1.5mm laser-engraved on its clamping surface. The silicone pastry chuck (552) is filled with a silicone layer (552a) that can withstand high temperatures of 230℃, and is covered with a food-grade stainless steel mesh (552b) on the outside.

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