Dough Work Machine Indirect Sensor Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing machines for working dough require manual operation and high maintenance due to the contamination of optical or mechanical sensors by food substances, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A machine with proximity transducers for indirect detection, such as capacitive, inductive, or magnetic sensors positioned outside the work chamber, which activate the rollers only when dough is present, minimizing direct contact and maintenance needs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If optical or mechanical sensors are disposed inside the work chamber for direct detection, then the detection of dough presence is achieved, but the sensors are frequently dirtied by food substances leading to limited functioning and high maintenance requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces proximity transducers as intermediary devices that detect the presence of dough without direct contact. These transducers are positioned outside the work chamber but can sense the dough's proximity through the chamber wall, acting as a mediator between the detection system and the dough, thereby avoiding contamination while maintaining automated detection capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces mechanical or optical contact sensors with proximity transducers that use electromagnetic fields for detection. This substitution eliminates the need for physical contact between the sensor and dough, preventing contamination from flour, water, and oil while maintaining the ability to detect dough presence and trigger automated roller operation
2Loss of energy
If rollers are kept stationary and activated manually by operator intervention, then energy consumption is reduced, but operational efficiency decreases and operator attention is required continuously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service system where the machine automatically detects the presence of dough using proximity transducers and activates the rollers without operator intervention. The system serves itself by autonomously determining when processing is needed and executing the activation, eliminating the need for continuous operator monitoring while maintaining energy efficiency by keeping rollers stationary until actually needed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a feedback mechanism where proximity transducers continuously monitor the work chamber for dough presence and send signals to the control system. This feedback loop enables automatic activation of rollers when dough is detected and deactivation when not needed, optimizing the balance between energy consumption and productivity through responsive, demand-driven operation
3Speed
If rollers are activated continuously to ensure readiness, then operational responsiveness is improved, but energy consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic activation of rollers based on detected demand rather than continuous operation. The proximity transducers trigger roller activation only during periods when dough is present in the work chamber, creating a periodic on-demand operation pattern that maintains operational responsiveness while minimizing energy consumption during idle periods
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 machine operates automatically with reduced energy consumption and minimal maintenance, ensuring consistent dough processing without operator intervention and maintaining sensor functionality.
Implementation Method 1
proximity transducer means with indirect detection, for example of the capacitive, inductive, magnetic or pressure type
Implementation Method 2
proximity transducer means with indirect detection, for example of the capacitive, inductive, magnetic or pressure type
Implementation Method 3
proximity transducer means with indirect detection, for example of the capacitive, inductive, magnetic or pressure type
Implementation Method 4
proximity transducer means with indirect detection, for example of the capacitive, inductive, magnetic or pressure type
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
Machine (10) and method for working dough (11), comprising a work chamber (13) in which a pair of rollers (15, 16) are provided, motorized by relative motor members (17), and disposed substantially parallelly adjacent, so as to define between them an aperture (20) through which the dough (11) is fed, and a feed member (19) disposed partly inside the work chamber (13), upstream of the pair of rollers (15, 16) so as to feed the dough (11) in cooperation with the rollers (15, 16). The machine (10) comprises proximity transducer members (21, 22), with indirect detection, disposed in a protected position outside the work chamber (13), in cooperation with the feed member (19) and electronically connected to the motor members (17) so as to detect indirectly the presence or passage of the dough (11) in correspondence with the feed member (19) and to command, according to said detection, the selective activation of the motor members (17).