Dough Processing System Tracking with Marked Portions

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough processing systems lack efficient methods for improving operating efficiency and resource utilization, which hinders optimal performance and productivity.

Innovation Solution

An analysis procedure for a dough editing system that records operating data for each dough portion, allowing for AI-based process regulation and optimization. This involves marking dough portions with specific parameters, recording data on processing stations, dough properties, and ambient conditions, and using this data for decentralized or centralized analysis to improve process efficiency.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If operating data is recorded and analyzed for each individual dough portion, then process optimization and operating efficiency are improved, but device complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveoperating efficiencyVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the dough processing stream into individually trackable portions using marking parameters (path coordinates, timestamps, conveyor position). Each dough portion is assigned unique identifiers that allow separate data collection and analysis, enabling granular process optimization without requiring complete system redesign

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A centralized evaluation device acts as an intermediary that collects, aggregates, and analyzes operating data from multiple processing stations. This mediator consolidates data from various sensors and stations, performing centralized analysis that would be too complex for individual stations while maintaining manageable data processing requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If multiple types of operating data are collected (processing station data, dough properties, ambient conditions), then comprehensive process analysis is improved, but data management complexity and storage requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocess analysis accuracyVSAvoiddata management overhead
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system merges multiple data sources (processing station parameters, dough portion properties, ambient conditions) into a unified data structure associated with each marked dough portion. This consolidation allows comprehensive process analysis while managing data through a single coherent framework rather than separate systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The marking parameter system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it identifies dough portions, tracks their position through the processing line, timestamps their processing, and links them to collected operating data. This multi-functional approach reduces the need for separate tracking and data management systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentEP4541194A1Method for analyzing an operation of a dough processing system and dough processing system
Publication Date: 2025.04.23 WP KEMPER
  • EP4541194A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4541194A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4541194A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

To analyze the operation of a dough processing plant, at least one marker parameter is specified for a portion of the dough being processed during the plant's operating steps. This portion of dough is marked with the marker parameter (58). The marked portion of dough is tracked during the operating steps (59), and operating data is recorded during the processing of the marked portion of dough within the operating steps (60). The recorded operating data is assigned to the marked portion of dough (61) and, associated with the marked portion of dough, displayed using an operating data display (63). This results in a method for improving the operational efficiency of the dough processing.