Adaptable Dough Loading Assembly for Variable Mold Configurations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing loading assemblies for dough portions, particularly dough balls, are not adaptable to different baking molds with varying configurations, requiring separate devices for each mold configuration, which limits flexibility in producing dough products with different characteristics.
Innovation Solution
A loading assembly with a drive system and control system that allows positioning of loading members into different release positions on baking molds with varying numbers of sections, enabling the same machine to accommodate multiple mold configurations without needing separate loading members or machines, by switching between modes for different production configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed configuration loading device is used for specific baking plates, then the loading precision and reliability are improved, but the adaptability to different baking plate configurations deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The loading device incorporates a movable carriage that can be repositioned along the transport chain to different stopping positions, allowing the same device to adapt to various baking plate configurations (single tray, half tray, quarter tray) while maintaining reliable loading operation through controlled movement and positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The loading device is designed with universal functionality to handle multiple baking plate types and configurations using the same device. The carriage can serve different purposes by stopping at different positions, and the receiving cups can accommodate different numbers of dough pieces, making one device capable of performing multiple loading tasks that previously required separate dedicated devices
2Manufacturing precision
If different charging devices are used for various baking plates, then the loading precision for each configuration is improved, but the device complexity and number of components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of multiple separate charging devices into a single integrated loading device. The transport chain with a reusable carriage combines the loading capabilities for different baking plate configurations into one device, reducing the total number of charging devices needed while maintaining precise loading through controlled carriage movement and positioning at different stopping points
3Device complexity
If the carriage is stationary with fixed receiving cups, then the structural simplicity is improved, but the flexibility to accommodate different dough piece quantities deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The carriage is designed as a movable component that can be dynamically repositioned along the transport chain to different stopping positions corresponding to different baking plate configurations. This dynamic movement capability allows the same carriage structure to accommodate varying numbers of dough pieces (1, 2, or 4) without requiring multiple fixed carriages, maintaining structural simplicity while achieving operational flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A loading assembly (1) for loading dough portions into baking moulds (7, 8), wherein the loading assembly comprises a loading member, wherein the baking moulds (7, 8) comprises a first baking mould having one or more first mould sections and a second baking mould, interchangeable with the first baking mould and having two or more second mould sections, wherein the number of first mould sections is different from the number of second mould sections, wherein the loading assembly (1) comprises a drive system (3) and a control system (4) for controlling the drive system (3) and switching between a first mode for positioning the loading member into each one of one or more first release positions above the respective one or more first mould sections of the first baking mould and a second mode for positioning the loading member into each one of two or more second release positions above the respective two or more second mould sections of the second baking mould.