Dough Sheeting Apparatus with Real-Time Size Detection
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dough processing apparatuses in industrial settings lack flexibility to adapt to recipe changes and ingredient variations, leading to potential alterations in the physical and organoleptic properties of the dough due to excessive deformation and limited adjustment capabilities, particularly in achieving desired thickness and diameter.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus with a sheeting device connected to a programmable controller, equipped with size detection means and actuator means, allowing for real-time monitoring and automatic adjustment of sheeting parameters such as force, gap, and speed to maintain desired thickness and diameter, and accommodate changes in dough ingredients and sizes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the sheeting device uses fixed mechanical adjustments for thickness, then the apparatus structure remains simple, but the adaptability to recipe changes and ingredient variations is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic adjustment of sheeting parameters through a programmable controller that automatically modifies roller gap, speed, and force based on detected dough characteristics and recipe requirements, replacing fixed mechanical adjustments with adaptable control systems
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes multiple sheeting parameters simultaneously including roller gap distance, rotational speed, and applied force based on real-time feedback from sensors and pre-programmed recipe data, enabling flexible adaptation without structural modification
2Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of sheeting parameters is used, then the device complexity is low, but the manufacturing precision of thickness and diameter control is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates sensors that continuously measure the thickness and diameter of the sheeted dough and feed this information back to the programmable controller, which automatically adjusts sheeting parameters to maintain precise dimensional control
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical adjustment mechanisms are replaced with an automated control system that uses electronic sensors, programmable logic, and actuated roller mechanisms to achieve precise thickness and diameter control
3Productivity
If the sheeting device applies high mechanical force to reduce thickness quickly, then the productivity increases, but the dough undergoes excessive deformation altering its organoleptic properties
Solution Approach 1:
The sheeting process is divided into multiple progressive stages with incrementally decreasing roller gaps, allowing the dough to be gradually thinned through several passes rather than one aggressive compression, maintaining texture while achieving desired thickness
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies controlled incremental force in multiple stages rather than excessive force in a single stage, using sensor feedback to stop the sheeting process at the optimal point before over-compression occurs
4Manufacturing precision
If the sheeting apparatus is customized for specific recipes, then the manufacturing precision for that recipe improves, but the adaptability to other recipes decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal sheeting system with a programmable controller that can store and execute multiple recipe profiles, allowing the same apparatus to precisely process different dough types and recipes by loading appropriate parameter sets
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
Enables easy adaptation to recipe changes, real-time monitoring of dough deformation, and automatic adjustment of the sheeting process, ensuring consistent physical and organoleptic properties of the dough, enhancing flexibility and reducing human intervention.
Implementation Method 1
size detection means for checking said thickness and said diameter of said disk-shaped element of dough
Implementation Method 2
actuator means operatively associated with at least one of the upper and lower sheeting elements to move it either towards or away from the other of these sheeting elements with a predetermined compressive force
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
The present invention finds application in the field of automatic industrial plants for continuous food production. Particularly, the present invention relates to an apparatus for controlled processing of dough (P), which comprises a sheeting device (2) susceptible of interacting with a portion of dough (P) to form it into a substantially disk-shaped element (D) of predetermined thickness and diameter. The apparatus (1) comprises size detection means (8) for checking the thickness and/or diameter of the disk-shaped element (D) of dough (P), which are located downstream from the sheeting device (2).