Dough Widening Device with Edge Detection Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing dough processing devices struggle to precisely adjust to varying dough widths, leading to excessive dough waste and recycling effort due to the inability to adapt to fluctuating widths during operation.

Innovation Solution

A dough processing device equipped with a detection unit to continuously monitor the dough strip's width and position, and a processing unit to adjust parameters such as the satellite roller's angle, distance, and rotation speed, allowing for precise control of the widening process to maintain a constant width and minimize waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If the widening device is adjusted to accommodate fluctuating dough widths, then dough waste is reduced, but device complexity increases due to the need for detection and control systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedough wasteVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback control system where a detection unit continuously measures the actual width of the dough sheet and sends signals to a processing unit. The processing unit automatically adjusts the widening device parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that maintains optimal widening without manual intervention and minimizes dough waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables the widening device to self-adjust to fluctuating dough widths through automated detection and control. The detection unit and processing unit work together to automatically modify widening parameters without requiring manual setup or intervention, allowing the device to serve itself in adapting to varying dough dimensions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Manufacturing precision

If the detection unit continuously monitors dough width, then manufacturing precision improves, but use of energy increases due to continuous operation of detection and adjustment systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth control precisionVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The detection unit operates continuously to monitor dough sheet width throughout the widening process, ensuring constant feedback for precise control. This continuous monitoring and adjustment maintains high manufacturing precision by detecting and correcting width variations in real-time without interruption.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the widening device is adjusted for each fluctuation in dough width, then adaptability improves, but productivity decreases due to frequent adjustments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveadaptability to dough width variationsVSAvoidprocessing speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The widening device transitions from a static configuration to a dynamic one, where parameters can be automatically adjusted in real-time based on detected dough width. This dynamic adaptability allows the system to respond to width variations without manual intervention, maintaining both high adaptability and productivity through automated control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

4Manufacturing precision

If trimming devices are used to cut excess dough to desired width, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of substance increases due to dough waste

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewidth accuracyVSAvoiddough waste
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary action by adjusting the widening device parameters before the dough sheet reaches the trimming stage. By proactively controlling the dough width through automated detection and adjustment, the system prevents excess dough formation, thereby reducing or eliminating the need for subsequent trimming operations and minimizing dough waste.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4466999A1Dough processing apparatus and method
Publication Date: 2024.11.27 FRITSCH BAKERY TECHNOLOGIES GMBH & CO KG
  • EP4466999A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4466999A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4466999A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A dough processing device (1) comprising a conveying device (3) configured to convey a dough strip (2) and a widening device (4) configured to widen the dough strip (2) conveyed by the conveying device (3), wherein the extent of the widening of the dough strip (2) produced by the widening device (4) can be varied by adjusting one or more parameters. The dough processing device (1) is characterized by a sensing unit (12) configured to detect the position of a side edge (13) of the dough strip (2) before and/or after it passes through the widening device (4), and by a processing unit (18) configured to adjust the parameter or one of the parameters based on a signal from the sensing unit (12).