Interchangeable Dough Kneading Drum Sections
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing dough portioning and molding devices require complex and time-consuming adjustments for different dough weights and sizes, necessitating complete unit replacements, leading to high operational downtimes and costs.
Innovation Solution
A device with a rotatable chamber drum featuring interchangeable inserts and weighing stamps, allowing for quick and efficient changes in dough portion sizes without needing specialized personnel, by using removable and pluggable peripheral sections and a control device with lever shafts for precise weight adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If complete weighing unit or active drum unit is replaced for different dough part weights, then the adjustable weight range is improved, but the operational downtime and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The active drum is divided into multiple interchangeable peripheral sections, each with its own receiving chambers and weighing stamps. This segmentation allows individual sections to be replaced rather than the entire drum, reducing operational downtime when changing weight ranges while maintaining the ability to cover a broad adjustable weight range through different section configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The interchangeable peripheral sections are designed with standardized interfaces that allow them to be mounted on the same drum shaft. Each section can serve multiple dough weight ranges, and the system as a whole can handle various dough types and portion sizes by simply changing sections, providing universal functionality without requiring complete unit replacements.
2Adaptability or versatility
If complete weighing unit is replaced for different dough part weights, then the adjustable weight range is improved, but the device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the active drum into interchangeable peripheral sections, the complexity of the adjustment mechanism is distributed across multiple simple, standardized components rather than requiring a complex adjustable mechanism for the entire drum. Each section is relatively simple in design, but together they provide extensive weight range adjustability.
3Ease of operation
If measuring chamber carrier is made pivotable for cleaning access, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring chamber carrier is divided into a stationary support structure and a pivotable measuring chamber assembly. This segmentation allows the measuring chamber to be independently positioned for cleaning while the support structure remains fixed, providing ease of operation without requiring the entire carrier assembly to be complex and movable.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to an apparatus (1; 1.1; 1.2; 1.3) for portioning and kneading dough, having a chamber drum (2) which can be incrementally rotated about a drive shaft (15) by a main drive (11) and is provided in its circumferential sections (5) with accommodation chambers (7) for the portions of dough which are to be kneaded, wherein, in each accommodation chamber, one or more weighing punches (8) can be displaced in the radial direction of the chamber drum (2) by being coupled in terms of movement to a control device (19). In this case, at least one circumferential section (5) of the chamber drum (2), which has at least one accommodation chamber (7), is designed such that it can be withdrawn and inserted in the axial direction together with the weighing punch (8) which is located in the accommodation chamber (7). Each weighing punch (8) is coupled in terms of movement to a control device (19) by means of a lever shaft (9) which is provided with a cam roller (22) at one of its lever shaft ends (9.1), said cam roller (22) being accommodated in a curved positive guide means (20) of the control device (19).