Bakery Conveyor Offset Deflection for Gentle Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing devices for heat treatment of baked goods, such as tunnel ovens, face challenges in continuously and orderly removing baked goods from the slat conveyor due to varying distances between the conveyor and transfer device, leading to damage and interruptions in the manufacturing process.

Innovation Solution

A device with a housing containing a heating element, featuring a feeding section with an endless conveyor belt and a transfer section with vertically and horizontally offset deflection rollers creating an inclined conveying path, allowing the transfer element to be close to the conveyor belt without touching it, ensuring continuous and gentle transfer of baked goods.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the distance between the slat conveyor and transfer device is continuously adjusted, then the transfer can adapt to varying distances, but this results in damage to the baked goods and interruptions in the manufacturing process

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedistance adjustment capabilityVSAvoidcontinuous operation reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the slat conveyor belt itself adaptable through vertically and horizontally offset deflection rollers that create an inclined conveying path section. This allows the conveyor belt to dynamically adjust its position and angle to match the transfer device location, eliminating the need for continuous distance adjustment mechanisms that cause interruptions and damage to baked goods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements another dimension by introducing both vertical and horizontal offsets between deflection rollers. This creates a two-dimensional adjustment capability (vertical height + horizontal position) that enables the conveyor belt to reach the transfer device at the optimal position without requiring continuous mechanical adjustment during operation, thereby ensuring reliable continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Productivity

If the transfer element is positioned close to the conveyor belt, then continuous and orderly transfer of baked goods is achieved, but the conveyor belt distance must be continuously compensated

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous transfer capabilityVSAvoiddistance compensation mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-configuring the deflection rollers with fixed vertical and horizontal offsets before operation begins. This preliminary geometric arrangement creates the inclined conveying path that positions the baked goods at the correct location for transfer, eliminating the need for real-time distance compensation mechanisms and enabling continuous orderly transfer without complex control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the slat conveyor and transfer device maintain varying distances, then flexibility in positioning is achieved, but baked goods are damaged and production is interrupted

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning flexibilityVSAvoidsmooth production process
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements asymmetry through the unequal vertical and horizontal offsets between deflection rollers. This asymmetric configuration creates a specific inclined conveying path angle that optimizes the transfer geometry, allowing the system to maintain flexible positioning while ensuring smooth, damage-free operation of the production process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This arrangement enables continuous and orderly removal of baked goods, reducing the risk of damage and maintaining a smooth production process by maintaining contact with the conveyor belt and adjusting the conveyor belt deflection angle for optimal transfer.

Implementation Method 1

at least one heating device (6) for heating the baked goods (3)

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal radiation: Thermal Radiation

Implementation Method 2

housing (2) delimiting the baking chamber

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectConvection: Convection

Data Source

PatentEP3180983B1Apparatus for the heat treatment of bakery products
Publication Date: 2021.01.27 WERNER & PFLEIDERER IND BACKTECHN
  • EP3180983B1 patent drawingFigure 1~3

AI summary

Device for heat-treating baked goods, comprising a housing (2), a feed section (4) for feeding the baked goods (3), a first conveying device (5) with an endless conveyor belt (11) for conveying the baked goods (3), at least one heating device (6) for heating the baked goods (3), a transfer section (7) for transferring the baked goods (3), and a forwarding section (8) for forwarding the baked goods (3), wherein the forwarding section (8) is arranged on the output side and has a forwarding device (9) with a transfer element (10), wherein the first conveying device (5) has at least two deflection rollers (12a, 12b) for the endless conveyor belt (11) on the output side, which are arranged vertically and horizontally offset from each other, and the transfer element (10) of the forwarding device (9) is arranged in the area of ​​the at least two deflection rollers (12a, 12b) on the output side.wherein the transfer element (10) is arranged as close as possible to the endless conveyor belt (11) of the first conveying device (5) without touching it.