Dough Strip Centering via Synchronous Eccentric Pressing

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough conveyor devices fail to ensure precise center positioning of dough strips, leading to irregular cutting and inferior product quality when fed to punching devices, as separate drives for pressure elements on both sides of the dough edges result in asynchronous action, causing variations in dough triangle base lengths and weights.

Innovation Solution

The device employs pressing elements that exert pressure on the dough edges and provide a superimposed movement in the conveying direction, using eccentric drives to ensure synchronous and pulsating motion, maintaining the dough in the desired center position and preventing deformation or tearing, with adjustable components for flexibility in handling different dough widths and shapes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate drives for pressure elements on both sides of the dough edges are used, then the dough edges can be pressed independently, but synchronous action on the two dough edges is not guaranteed, leading to variations in dough triangle base lengths and weights

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent pressing of dough edgesVSAvoidsynchronicity of dough edge positioning
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines two separate drive systems into a single drive mechanism that controls both pressing elements simultaneously. This merging ensures that both dough edges receive synchronous pressing action, eliminating the positioning variations that occurred with independent drives while maintaining the ability to press both edges effectively.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Manufacturing precision

If pressing elements only act perpendicular to the conveying direction, then the dough band can be centered, but indentation, deformation, or tearing of the dough band may occur

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter positioning of dough bandVSAvoidindentation and deformation of dough
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic pressing action where the pressing elements apply force in a rhythmic sequence rather than continuously. This periodic action, combined with the superimposed conveying direction movement, allows the dough to be repositioned gradually without sudden forces that would cause indentation or tearing, while still achieving precise centering.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a movement component in the conveying direction to the pressing elements, transforming their action from purely perpendicular (one dimension) to a two-dimensional motion. This dimensional change allows the pressing elements to push the dough forward while centering it, distributing the force more evenly and preventing damage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Manufacturing precision

If a sliding device with a centering roller on a crank axle is used, then the dough band can be moved to the desired central position, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecenter positioning of dough bandVSAvoidstructure of centering mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs the pressing elements to serve multiple functions: they press the dough edges to prevent deformation, simultaneously act as centering mechanisms through their synchronized motion, and provide the superimposed conveying direction movement. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate centering devices like crank axles and centering rollers, reducing overall device complexity.

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

4Productivity

If pressing elements are arranged to act on multiple dough strips in parallel, then processing efficiency increases, but the complexity of the drive system increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprocessing speed of multiple dough stripsVSAvoiddrive system configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the pressing system into modular pressing element assemblies that can be independently positioned and driven. Each assembly handles specific dough strips, but all are controlled by the unified drive mechanism. This segmentation allows parallel processing of multiple dough strips while maintaining drive system simplicity through the common drive architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

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

This solution allows for precise and safe centering of dough strips on the conveyor, ensuring consistent cutting and improved product quality by preventing indentation and deformation, enabling efficient and high-speed processing of dough sheets into uniform triangles.

Implementation Method 1

the pressing elements (11) being driven by a drive means (13) on which at least one edge (12) are movably guided... the pressing elements not only act on the dough band at right angles to the conveying direction, but also give the dough band a superimposed impulse in the conveying direction

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEccentric drive mechanism: Eccentric

Data Source

PatentEP3141122B1Device and method for laterally impacting a strip of dough
Publication Date: 2022.07.06 FRITSCH BAKERY TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3141122B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3141122B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3141122B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a device (10) for laterally applying pressure to at least one dough strip (5) or piece of dough, in particular one lying on a conveying device (7), with at least one pressing element (11) acting on at least one edge (12) of the dough strip (5) or piece of dough, wherein the at least one pressing element (11) is movably guided by at least one drive means (13) with respect to the at least one edge (12), wherein the at least one pressing element (11) is superimposed for the displacement effect when applying pressure to the edge (12) of the dough strip (5) or piece of dough, and is driven in the conveying direction (14) of the dough strip (5) or piece of dough against the edge (12).