Induction Heating Arrangement for Baking Ring with Roller Support

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional baking devices using induction heating suffer from uneven heating of the rotating ring, leading to fluctuations in the quality of baked products due to manufacturing tolerances and varying distances between the inductor and the ring.

Innovation Solution

The heating arrangement is supported on the ring via rotatably mounted rollers, allowing for adjustable positioning to maintain a constant gap and ensure even heating, with a mechanism to adjust the position of the inductors relative to the ring, ensuring consistent heating across the ring's surface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Use of energy by moving object

If induction heating is used to heat the rotating ring, then heating efficiency is improved, but heating uniformity deteriorates due to manufacturing tolerances and varying distances between inductor and ring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating efficiencyVSAvoidheating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating arrangement is made movable relative to the machine frame, allowing it to follow the course of the rotating ring. This dynamic positioning compensates for manufacturing tolerances and maintains optimal heating distance throughout the rotation cycle, resolving the contradiction between heating efficiency and heating uniformity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The heating arrangement is positioned using rollers that contact the ring surface, providing mechanical feedback to maintain constant spacing. This feedback mechanism ensures uniform heating by continuously adjusting the inductor position based on the actual ring geometry, eliminating the effects of manufacturing tolerances.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Device complexity

If the heating arrangement is fixed relative to the machine frame, then device complexity is reduced, but heating uniformity deteriorates due to the rotating motion of the ring

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheating arrangement positioningVSAvoidheating uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The heating arrangement transitions from a fixed position to a movable position that follows the rotating ring. This dynamic configuration maintains constant distance between the inductor and ring surface throughout rotation, ensuring uniform heating without requiring complex active control systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Rollers serve as an intermediary element between the heating arrangement and the rotating ring. These rollers transmit the rotational motion and maintain optimal spacing, simplifying the positioning mechanism while ensuring heating uniformity through passive geometric constraint.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 solution achieves consistent and high-quality baking by compensating for manufacturing tolerances and maintaining a constant heating distance, resulting in improved product quality and efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

a heating arrangement comprising at least one inductor for inductively heating the ring

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

it is known to use induction heating

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectInduction heating: Induction Heating

Data Source

PatentEP3952655B1Baking device and production system comprising the baking device
Publication Date: 2024.09.11 HAAS FOOD EQUIPMENT GMBH
  • EP3952655B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3952655B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3952655B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a production system and a baking device for producing at least one, in particular continuous, baked strip (1), comprising: - a ring (3), which extends circumferentially in or on a machine frame (2) and comprises a continuous baking face (4) on at least one surface; - a heating assembly (5), which has at least one inductor (6) for inductively heating the ring (3) and has a supporting frame (7); - a baking-mass application device (8) for continuously applying a preferably liquid baking mass to the baking face (4); - a strip-removing device (9) for continuously removing the strip (1) baked on the heated baking face (4); and - a retaining device (11) for retaining the heating assembly (5) in a heating region, the heating assembly (5) being supported on the ring (3) by means of at least one rotatably mounted roller (10).