Dough Aligning Roller Dynamics for Continuous Conveyance
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dough piece alignment devices cause deformation and misalignment issues due to the stopping of dough pieces by an intermediate conveyor, leading to uneven alignment and potential deformation, especially when pieces arrive at different times.
Innovation Solution
A method and device utilizing a rotating roller to block and realign dough pieces on a conveyor by reversing its rotation direction to align and shape them into a cylindrical form, ensuring stable positioning and alignment as they move along the conveyor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the intermediate conveyor stops the dough pieces to align them, then the alignment precision is improved, but the dough pieces undergo deformation due to being stopped and released
Solution Approach 1:
The roller is made dynamically adjustable, switching between two rotation directions. During alignment, the roller rotates in the opposite direction to the conveyor to block and realign dough pieces. During conveyance, the roller rotates in the same direction as the conveyor to release and move the aligned pieces, eliminating the need for stopping and preventing deformation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the rotation direction parameter of the roller based on the operational phase. By switching between opposite rotation directions, the roller can either block the dough pieces for alignment or release them for continuous conveyance, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and shape maintenance.
2Manufacturing precision
If the intermediate conveyor stops all dough pieces in a row sequentially, then the alignment is achieved, but the deformation varies among different pieces due to different stopping times
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor continues moving continuously while the roller dynamically adjusts its rotation direction to block and realign pieces. This continuous action eliminates the sequential stopping process, ensuring all dough pieces in a row are aligned simultaneously without varying deformation times.
Solution Approach 2:
The roller's dynamic rotation direction adjustment allows it to interact differently with dough pieces at different positions. By rotating opposite to the conveyor direction during alignment, the roller simultaneously blocks and realigns all pieces in a row, ensuring uniform alignment and consistent deformation prevention.
3Manufacturing precision
If the roller blocks the conveyance of dough pieces to align them, then the alignment precision is improved, but the conveyance speed is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The roller operates in periodic cycles, alternating between blocking mode (opposite rotation direction) for alignment and release mode (same rotation direction) for conveyance. This periodic action allows the system to achieve precise alignment without permanently reducing conveyance speed, as the roller quickly switches to release mode after alignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The dynamic adjustment of the roller's rotation direction enables it to perform alignment functions without continuous blocking. The roller blocks pieces only temporarily during alignment phases, then releases them to maintain conveyance speed, resolving the contradiction between alignment precision and conveyance speed.
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
The solution effectively aligns and shapes dough pieces into a predetermined row, preventing deformation and ensuring stable positioning by using a rotating roller to block and realign pieces, allowing for continuous and controlled conveyance.
Implementation Method 1
blocking the conveyance of the at least one dough piece by the roller, wherein said roller is driven to rotate in a rotation direction such that a peripheral velocity at a side of said roller facing said conveying surface is substantially opposite to said conveyance direction
Implementation Method 2
This rolling back action aligns the at least one dough piece and in addition shapes the at least one dough piece in substantially a cylindrical shape
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 2C~2D
AI summary
The invention relates to a method and a device for aligning dough pieces (4) on a conveying surface (2) of a conveyor (1). The device is arranged for performing the following steps: providing at least one dough piece to a supply device arrange above the conveying surface; supplying the dough piece onto the conveying surface which is moving in a conveyance direction, and wherein the dough piece is supplied up-stream of a roller (5) arranged at a distance above said conveying surface; blocking the conveyance of the dough piece by the roller, wherein said roller is driven to rotate in a rotation direction such that a peripheral velocity at a side of said roller facing said conveying surface is substantially opposite to said conveyance direction; temporarily reversing said rotation direction of the roller in order to pass the dough piece underneath said roller; and conveying the dough piece on said conveying surface.