Assistance system station

Abstract

Device comprising at least the following components: a. At least two stations, b. with at least two heat treatment devices each, c. a maximum of one operating unit and d. at least one impact / collision protection device, characterized in that several stations and heat treatment devices are controlled and regulated with a maximum of one operating unit.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for increasing the user-friendliness of stations.

[0002] Current state-of-the-art solutions offer stations with at least two heat treatment units. Each station also has at least one control unit, allowing each individual heat treatment unit within the station to be regulated and / or controlled by this unit. The control unit provides all relevant information about the heat treatment and the baked goods within it, such as the temperature in the heat treatment unit, the duration of the heat treatment, energy consumption, the selected heat treatment program, upcoming maintenance cycles, and the occupancy status of the heat treatment unit.

[0003] According to current technology, these operating units, also known as "Human Machine Interfaces" (HMIs), are typically located on the door of heat treatment equipment. These HMIs are usually keypads with a screen; modern devices feature a touchscreen. This means the operator can only control and regulate the station via the HMI when the door is closed. With the door open, the HMI is only visible to the operator when the door is moved. This limits the ability to guide the operator with instructions displayed on the HMI, which is essential for support systems such as product recognition. Furthermore, keeping the door open longer leads to increased energy losses. All of these factors contribute to higher costs during the baking process without improving efficiency.

[0004] In other stations, the HMIs for the respective heat treatment devices are not located directly at the door of the respective device, but the design of a station means that the HMIs are sometimes not located at an ergonomic height.

[0005] Furthermore, the fact that each heat treatment unit in a station requires its own HMI (Human-Machine Interface) increases costs. Typically, a group has two stations with a total of four heat treatment units, and an HMI must be installed for each station. Ultimately, a single HMI only allows viewing of one station and its contents. Especially if the HMIs are positioned at a non-ergonomic height, warnings or notifications about the heat treatment of baked goods can easily be overlooked, leading to increased product rejects and negatively impacting the overall process efficiency.

[0006] The task is therefore to provide a device that at least partially overcomes the disadvantages of the state of the art.

[0007] In particular, the task is to improve the user-friendliness, ergonomics and safety of stations with multiple heat treatment devices.

[0008] According to the invention, the problem is solved by claim 1 as defined in the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments of the invention are specified in the dependent claims. The advantageous use of the device is given in claim 4. A first aspect of the invention relates to a device comprising at least the following components: • At least two stations, • each having at least two heat treatment devices • a maximum of one control unit and • at least one impact / collision protection device, wherein, in accordance with the invention, several stations are controlled and regulated with a maximum of one operating unit.

[0009] In the context of the invention, a station is understood to be a device with at least two heat treatment units in which dough blanks are fermented or baked. At least two stations constitute the device according to the invention. Furthermore, in the context of the invention, a heat treatment unit is understood to be both an oven and a fermentation chamber. Furthermore, an operating unit is understood to be a unit with which the heat treatment unit(s) of the station(s) can be controlled and regulated. Furthermore, a loading basket is understood to be a shelf, loading, or rack trolley comprising trays with dough blanks.

[0010] According to the invention, the device has at least two stations, each with at least two heat treatment devices.

[0011] In accordance with the invention, the device has at most one central operating unit, which is configured to control and regulate the stations grouped under it and the associated heat treatment equipment.

[0012] Advantageously, the central control unit is positioned on the device in such a way that it remains clearly visible even when the door of one of the heat treatment units is open. Furthermore, in these embodiments, the control unit is also positioned at an ergonomic height for the operator.

[0013] In accordance with the invention, the device has at least one impact or collision protection which is designed in such a way that in the event of a collision with a loading or rack trolley, the devices, the heat treatment equipment and especially the HMI are not damaged.

[0014] In some embodiments, the heat treatment devices are arranged at the station in such a way that the doors of the heat treatment devices open so that the operating unit is still clearly visible even when the door is open.

[0015] In some embodiments, the doors of the heat treatment units are operated via a door handle and / or latch located on the heat treatment unit. In other embodiments, the doors of the heat treatment units are operated via the control unit.

[0016] In some embodiments, at least two heat treatment units are arranged at the station. In preferred embodiments, at least two stations are arranged in one device. In particular embodiments, several stations each have at least four heat treatment units.

[0017] In some embodiments, the control unit is designed as a screen. In others, parameters are entered via a keypad. In preferred embodiments, parameters are entered via a touchscreen or touch / sensor screen.

[0018] It is advantageous to position the control unit on the station in such a way that it remains clearly visible from the work area even when the door of the heat treatment equipment is open. In preferred embodiments, the control unit is therefore positioned centrally and in the middle of the device. "Centrally and in the middle" refers to the dimensions of the device.

[0019] Advantageously, in some embodiments, an optical detection unit is arranged on the device. In these embodiments, the optical detection unit is a camera. This camera is configured to recognize the product, determine the baking or cooking program, and transmit information to the HMI.

[0020] It is advantageous for the impact protection to be arranged on the station in such a way as to prevent a collision between a loading or rack trolley and the station's heat treatment equipment. In some embodiments, the impact protection extends across the entire width of the station. In other embodiments, the impact protection extends only partially across the width of the device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the impact or collision protection is arranged at the top of the station. In preferred embodiments, the impact or collision protection is arranged at the bottom of the station. In special embodiments, it is arranged in the middle of the station.

[0022] In some embodiments, the station is operated fully automatically by a robot. In preferred embodiments, the station is operated manually.

[0023] The invention is not limited to the embodiments shown and described, but also includes all embodiments that have the same effect within the meaning of the invention. Furthermore, the invention is not limited to the specifically described combinations of features, but can also be defined by any other combination of certain features of all disclosed individual features, provided that the individual features are not mutually exclusive, or a specific combination of individual features is not explicitly excluded. Examples of implementation

[0024] The invention will now be explained in more detail using an exemplary embodiment. This embodiment relates to a device for increasing user-friendliness and is intended to describe the invention without limiting it. The invention is explained in more detail with the aid of drawings. These drawings show Fig. 1 a schematic front view of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a schematic side view of the device according to the invention Fig. 3 A schematic front view of the state of the art.

[0025] Fig. Figure 1 shows a schematic front view of the device 1 according to the invention, comprising a total of two stations 8. In this embodiment, the doors of the heat treatment units 2 are arranged such that, as long as the operator is positioned centrally in front of the device 1 according to the invention, the view of the central operating unit 3 is not obstructed. For this purpose, in this embodiment, the door handles 6 are arranged close to the intermediate panel 4. Furthermore, a central impact protection device 5 is arranged in the device to prevent a collision between a loading trolley (not shown) and the heat treatment units 2, such that the heat treatment units 2 or the operating unit 3 are damaged by the collision. In this embodiment, an optical detection unit 7 is also arranged on the device according to the invention.The optical detection unit 7 is configured to detect the condition of the goods. Furthermore, the optical detection unit 7 is connected to the operating unit 3 and sends messages / signals to the operating unit 3, enabling the operator to react accordingly to the current condition of the goods.

[0026] Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic side view of the device 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, it can be clearly seen from the side view that the central impact protection 5 protrudes slightly in order to avoid a direct collision between the heat treatment devices 2 and a loading basket.

[0027] Fig.Figure 3 shows a schematic front view of a station 1 according to the state of the art. Here, an operating unit 3 is provided for each of the four heat treatment units 2, which is arranged on the door of the respective heat treatment unit 2. Thus, when the door is open, the goods to be baked or fermented disappear from the operator's field of vision, and the operator cannot obtain any information about a possible baking or fermentation program from the operating unit 3 at that moment. Furthermore, it can be seen that each station 8 has its own impact protection. Reference sign 1 station (oven or fermentation chamber) 2 Heat treatment device 3. Control unit (HMI) 4 Intermediate aperture 5 Impact protection 6 Door handle 7 Optical detection unit

Claims

[1] Device comprising at least the following components: a. At least two stations, b. with at least two heat treatment devices each, c. a maximum of one operating unit and d. at least one impact / collision protection, characterized by , that a maximum of one operating unit can control and regulate several stations and heat treatment devices. [2] Device according to claim 1, characterized by that the operating unit is arranged on the device. [3] Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device has a ram protection / impact protection / collision protection. [4] Use of the device according to any of the preceding claims.

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