Sweets Coating Machine Bottom Wall Profile Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing enrobing machines for confectionery lack precise control over the cross-sectional profile of the ground wave, which affects the quality of the coating, especially in terms of the rise and length of the bump, leading to inconsistent coating results.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a wall former element that is adjustable and exchangeable, positioned between the collector and the grid belt, to reshape the coating mass and influence the cross-sectional profile of the bump, combined with a dipping roller and preliminary scraper to control the flow and thickness of the coating mass.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a collector is provided on the circumference of the dipping roller to remove coating mass, then the coating mass is effectively collected to form a ground wall, but the cross-sectional profile of the bump cannot be precisely controlled
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into functional zones: the collector for mass collection, the wall former for profile shaping, and the ground wall support for positioning. This segmentation allows each component to specialize in a specific function, enabling precise control of the bump's cross-sectional profile while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular design
Solution Approach 2:
The wall former acts as an intermediary element between the collector and the grid belt. It receives the coating mass from the collector and reshapes it into the desired cross-sectional profile before the mass is deposited onto the confectionery pieces, thus enabling precise profile control without directly modifying the collector or grid belt
2Manufacturing precision
If the dipping roller speed is varied to control the layer thickness, then the coating height can be adjusted, but the cross-sectional profile shape cannot be independently influenced
Solution Approach 1:
The control functions are segmented: the dipping roller speed controls the quantity of coating mass, while the wall former geometry controls the cross-sectional profile shape. This separation allows independent optimization of each parameter without increasing operational complexity, as each function can be adjusted separately
Solution Approach 2:
The wall former is designed with specific geometric parameters (inclination angle, position relative to the collector) that can be adjusted to change the cross-sectional profile shape. This allows the profile shape to be independently controlled by modifying the wall former's geometric parameters rather than changing the dipping roller speed
3Manufacturing precision
If a stationary collector is used to remove coating mass, then the structure is simple, but the coating mass flow rate and layer thickness cannot be precisely regulated
Solution Approach 1:
The collector is designed with adjustable parameters including its position relative to the dipping roller and its angle of inclination. This dynamic adjustability allows precise control of the coating mass flow rate and layer thickness by modifying the collector's geometric parameters, while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure
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 configuration allows for precise shaping of the bump's profile, enabling a consistent and high-quality coating on confectionery pieces, including those with open-pored or fissured bases, by adjusting the rise, length, and shape of the bump, resulting in a closed, bubble-free coating.
Implementation Method 1
A driven dipping roller, which is arranged below the lattice belt and protrudes into the box below the level of the coating compound, is used to convey the coating compound upwards out of the box
Implementation Method 2
convey the coating compound upwards out of the box
Implementation Method 3
A collector is provided on the circumference of the dipping roller with sliding contact for the coating mass conveyed by the dipping roller out of the box
Implementation Method 4
The wall former has an inclined surface on which the coating mass conveyed by the dipping roller and removed by the collector is redirected and reshaped
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The coating machine (1) for confectionery pieces (5), comprises a grating belt (3) driven in a working direction (4) for the confectionery pieces, a bottom wall station (2) with a trough-shaped case (6) for receiving a liquid coating mass such as chocolate, a driven bottom roller serving as a conveyor element for the coating mass, a doffer intended at the circumference of the bottom roller under sliding contact for discharging the coating mass conveyed by the bottom roller from the case for the formation of a base wall, a wall molder intended below the grating belt, and preliminary stripper. The coating machine (1) for confectionery pieces (5), comprises a grating belt (3) driven in a working direction (4) for the confectionery pieces, a bottom wall station (2) with a trough-shaped case (6) for receiving a liquid coating mass such as chocolate, a driven bottom roller serving as a conveyor element for the coating mass, a doffer intended at the circumference of the bottom roller under sliding contact for discharging the coating mass conveyed by the bottom roller from the case for the formation of a base wall, a wall molder intended below the grating belt, and a preliminary stripper arranged above the doffer in the working direction. The bottom roller is arranged below the grating belt. The wall molder diverts or transforms the coating mass discharged from the doffer by the bottom roller, so that a bottom shaft arises from a part of the base wall after its passage through the grating belt. For the impact of the cross-section profile, the bottom shaft of the wall molder has a mold surface contacted with the discharged coating mass and is exchangeably and/or adjustably arranged relative to the doffer. The mold surface of the wall molder is configured, so that the bottom shaft of the base wall extending itself through the grating belt determines with its entire cross-section profile from the coating mass in a vertical section in the working direction or the rise of the bottom shaft is determined. The mold surface is configured in accordance with the number of revolutions and the diameter of the bottom roller and is formed in an inclined-, a bent- or a curved manner. The wall molder is translationally adjustably arranged parallel to the level of the grating belt in the working direction, is rotatorily arranged around a rotational axis extending itself transverse to the working direction in a pivotable manner, is pivotably arranged above the doffer in a rotational manner and has a supporting surface for the grating belt. The bottom roller is driven in the opposite direction to the working direction of the grating belt.