Dough Piece Spacing Device With Multi-Directional Engaging Means
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for spacing dough pieces cut from a continuous sheet, particularly those with a small base relative to their height, lead to inefficient use of conveyor area and require high speeds on secondary conveyor belts, resulting in suboptimal processing efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A device and method utilizing engaging means that can move and rotate dough pieces in both the length and width directions, allowing for efficient separation and orientation of dough pieces, even those with a small base relative to their height, thereby optimizing conveyor space usage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If dough pieces with small base relative to height are rotated to achieve leading or lagging base orientation, then the orientation control is improved, but the conveyor area utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a width direction movement component in addition to the conventional length direction movement. By moving dough pieces in both length and width directions on the carrier, the system can achieve proper orientation and spacing without requiring high conveyor speeds, thus improving orientation control while maintaining efficient conveyor area utilization.
2Productivity
If the speed of the second conveyor belt is increased to handle dough pieces with small base, then the processing speed is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic movement of engaging means in both length and width directions, allowing flexible adjustment of dough piece positions. This dynamic approach enables efficient processing of various dough piece geometries without requiring consistently high conveyor speeds, thereby reducing energy consumption while maintaining productivity.
3Device complexity
If dough pieces are moved only in the length direction on the carrier, then the device complexity is reduced, but the carrier surface utilization deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds width direction movement capability to the conventional length direction movement. The engaging means are configured to move dough pieces in both length and width directions on the carrier, maximizing the utilization of carrier surface area while maintaining manageable device complexity through integrated movement mechanisms.
Data Source
AI summary
Device for spacing dough pieces positioned adjacently in a length direction on a carrier that extends in a length and a width direction, comprising:At least one engaging means for a dough piece, said engaging means movable between:a position engaging at least one dough piece anda position releasing the at least one dough piece;configured for:a) moving to the position engaging at least one dough piece;b) moving the at least one dough piece in the length direction relative to the carrier;c) moving the at least one dough piece in the width direction relative to the carrier;d) moving to the position releasing the at least one dough piece.