Dough Weighing Conveyor with Segmented Load Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dough weighing devices face challenges when dealing with endless dough pieces of unequal weight distributions, as they require complex construction and are prone to filthiness and maintenance issues when trying to determine a common cutting length based on average weight per piece.
Innovation Solution
A device with an endless conveyor and distributed weighing units along its width, using weighing rollers with minimal contact area to accurately weigh each dough piece, minimizing interference and maintenance, and equipped with a controller for precise cutting and alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple separate conveyors are used for each dough piece, then weighing accuracy for individual pieces is improved, but device complexity increases and maintenance difficulty worsens due to more components and filth accumulation in spaces between conveyors
Solution Approach 1:
The single conveyor belt is divided into multiple independent weighing zones, each equipped with its own weighing unit (load cell). This segmentation allows individual weighing of each dough piece while maintaining a unified conveyor structure, avoiding the complexity of multiple separate conveyors.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing units are arranged in the width direction (transverse dimension) rather than using multiple conveyors in the longitudinal dimension. This dimensional reorganization allows parallel weighing of multiple dough pieces on a single conveyor belt, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining measurement precision.
2Measurement precision
If multiple separate conveyors are used for each dough piece, then weighing accuracy for individual pieces is improved, but ease of maintenance deteriorates due to increased filthiness and more components requiring maintenance
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is segmented into multiple weighing zones with independent load cells, allowing individual maintenance of weighing units without stopping the entire conveyor system. This maintains measurement precision while improving maintenance accessibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The weighing units (load cells) are extracted as separate, removable components from the conveyor structure. This allows easy replacement and maintenance of weighing sensors without dismantling the entire conveyor system, significantly improving ease of repair while maintaining a compact single-conveyor design.
3Strength
If a thick conveyor belt is used for conveying dough pieces, then structural strength is improved, but weighing accuracy deteriorates due to increased contact area and potential interference between parallel dough pieces
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is designed with locally differentiated properties: thin in the central weighing area to minimize contact and interference with dough pieces, and reinforced at the edges and support points to maintain structural strength. This local quality optimization allows both accurate weighing and sufficient mechanical strength.
Solution Approach 2:
A thin, flexible conveyor belt is used in the weighing zone to minimize contact area with dough pieces and reduce interference between parallel lanes. The belt's flexibility allows it to conform to the dough surface without excessive pressure, improving weighing accuracy while maintaining adequate strength through proper material selection and support structure design.
4Stability of the object's composition
If weighing tables are used instead of weighing rollers, then stability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to larger contact area and increased friction with the conveyor belt
Solution Approach 1:
Cylindrical rollers are used instead of flat tables, providing a curved contact surface that reduces the contact area with the conveyor belt and dough pieces. This curvature minimizes friction and allows the conveyor belt to move smoothly over the weighing elements, improving ease of operation while maintaining weighing stability through proper roller design and support.
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
The solution provides accurate and efficient weighing with reduced maintenance and filthiness, allowing for precise cutting and alignment of dough pieces, improving the overall performance and simplicity of the weighing process.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of weighing units, arranged under the endless conveyor, and supporting the latter, the weighing units being distributed at different locations spread over the width of the conveyor, each for weighing a different dough piece
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention relates to a device for weighing dough, comprising an endless conveyor, for conveying a plurality of endless dough pieces, extending essentially in parallel lanes on said conveyor in a direction of conveyance and a plurality of weighing-units, arranged under the endless conveyor, and supporting the latter, the weighing units being distributed at different locations spread over the width of the conveyor, each for weighing a different dough piece.