Dough Press Pressure Feedback for Uniform Dividing and Rounding

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough pressing and dividing systems require precise control to avoid excessive pressure or insufficient rounding, leading to inferior dough properties and uniformity issues.

Innovation Solution

An apparatus with pressure and distance-controlled movement mechanisms to adapt to dough characteristics, ensuring consistent pressing, dividing, and rounding by measuring direct pressure and distance, using sensors and mechanized means to adjust the position of the press and dividing edges.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the press position is adjusted using mechanical cranks or preset time, then the equipment operation is simplified, but the pressing precision and dough uniformity deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveequipment operation simplicityVSAvoidpressing precision and dough uniformity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a sensor-based feedback system that directly measures the pressure exerted by the press on the dough and uses this measurement to control the press movement. The controller receives pressure signals from sensors and adjusts the press position accordingly, creating a closed-loop control system that ensures precise pressing while maintaining ease of operation through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical crank-based position control with an electronic control system that uses sensors and a controller to regulate press movement. This substitution eliminates the need for manual mechanical adjustment while achieving superior pressing precision through electronic feedback control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If the press exerts excessive pressure on the dough, then the dough pieces become uniform in size, but the dough properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedough piece uniformityVSAvoiddough property degradation
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The sensor-based feedback system continuously monitors the pressure exerted on the dough and provides real-time information to the controller. This allows the system to maintain pressure within optimal ranges, ensuring uniform dough pieces without exceeding the threshold that would damage dough properties. The feedback loop enables precise pressure regulation adapted to different dough characteristics.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent enables dynamic adjustment of pressing parameters based on dough characteristics. The controller can modify pressure levels, pressing duration, and speed according to the specific properties of different dough types, allowing optimization between uniformity and dough quality preservation through parameter adaptation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Ease of operation

If more space is provided in the rounding chamber, then the dough can be rounded, but the uniformity of dough after rounding is hindered

Engineering Contradiction:
Improverounding capabilityVSAvoiddough uniformity after rounding
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs dynamic adjustment of the press position and rounding chamber configuration based on real-time pressure measurements and dough characteristics. The system can adapt the chamber space and pressing force during the rounding process, maintaining optimal conditions for both rounding capability and dough uniformity through continuous dynamic control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The controller dynamically modifies rounding chamber parameters such as space configuration, pressure distribution, and movement speed based on dough properties detected by sensors. This parameter adaptation ensures that the rounding process achieves both the desired rounding effect and uniform dough pieces without excessive or insufficient space.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Ensures uniform dough pieces with smooth surfaces by mimicking traditional hand-rolling, enhancing the quality of baked goods through precise control and adaptation to different dough types.

Implementation Method 1

Pressure may be directly measured based on pressure transducing means associated with the press mechanized means

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure transduction: Piezoresistive Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4656052A1An apparatus and method for automatically pressing a portion of dough
Publication Date: 2025.12.03 FERNETO - MAQUINAS E ARTIGOS PARA A IND ALIMENTAR
  • EP4656052A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4656052A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4656052A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present disclosure refers to the area of automatically pressing dough, particularly suitable for pressing a portion of dough. Such area includes solutions in which the portion of dough is pressed, or pressed prior to being divided into pieces, or pressed prior to being divided into pieces, the divided pieces being subsequently rounded. The disclosure includes an apparatus (10) for automatically pressing a portion of dough, comprising a base (11) for providing the portion of dough and a press movable between base (11) and a second position (p2) closer to the base (11) wherein the apparatus (10) further comprises movement control means configured to move the press (12), the movement control means being further configured such that when moving from the first position (p1) to the second position (p2), the movement control means control the movement of the press (12) based on a direct measure of the pressure of the press (12) exerted on the portion of dough.