Movable Safety Shield for Baking Device Service Area

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing baking devices for producing wafer cakes pose safety risks during service operations, as objects can accidentally be pulled into moving parts, leading to injuries and equipment damage.

Innovation Solution

A safety shield is integrated into the baking device, which separates the service area from the closing area and is connected to an emergency stop switch. The safety shield is movable and adjustable to prevent collisions with other components, ensuring that the baking device stops before objects can be trapped.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a foot switch is used to stop the machine during service operations, then the machine can be stopped by releasing the foot switch, but objects can still be accidentally pulled in and injuries can occur

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidobject entrapment risk
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

A safety shield is introduced as an intermediary physical barrier between the service area and the closing area. The shield prevents objects from being pulled into the closing mechanism while still allowing operators to access the service area. The shield is connected to the emergency stop switch, creating a mechanical intermediary that activates safety functions when contacted or moved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The safety shield is positioned and dimensioned to prevent the harmful action of object entrapment before it can occur. By extending the shield into the closing area and positioning it at a distance greater than the stopping distance, the system preemptively blocks the path that objects would take to be pulled into the closing mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #9Preliminary anti-action

2Reliability

If the safety shield is positioned to prevent object entrapment, then safety is improved, but the shield may collide with other components of the baking device

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovesafetyVSAvoidcollision with components
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The safety shield is designed as a movable structure rather than a fixed barrier. It can move in the direction of movement of the baking molds and is connected to the emergency stop switch, allowing it to dynamically respond to the operating conditions. This mobility prevents collisions with moving components while maintaining the safety function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The length of the safety shield is made adjustable to adapt to different operating conditions and prevent collisions. The shield can be extended or retracted as needed, changing its physical parameters to match the spatial requirements of the closing area and avoid interference with other components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Object-generated harmful factors

If the safety shield is made adjustable in length, then collision avoidance is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecollision avoidanceVSAvoidshield adjustment mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The safety shield incorporates a telescopic or adjustable length mechanism that allows it to extend and retract as needed. This dynamic adjustment capability enables the shield to adapt to different positions and avoid collisions with moving components while maintaining its safety function throughout the range of motion.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP3970497B1Baking device with movable protection shield
Publication Date: 2025.05.28 BUHLER FOOD EQUIP GMBH
  • EP3970497B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3970497B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a method, a retrofit kit, and a baking device for producing baked, preferably edible, wafer-shaped bodies, in particular for producing wafer flatbreads baked from a sugar-containing baking mixture, comprising a housing (1) in which an endless conveyor (2) and several openable and closable baking molds (3) are arranged, wherein an openable and closable service door (11) is provided in the housing (1), through which, in a first service position, a service area (12) arranged between the dispensing area (9) and the closing area (6) is accessible from the outside, and wherein an emergency stop switch is provided, upon actuation of which the endless conveyor (2) and the baking molds (3) stop after a certain stopping distance, wherein a safety shield (14) extending transversely to the direction of movement (13) of the baking molds (3) is provided, which separates the service area (12) from the closing area (6) in the first service position.wherein the safety shield (14) is movably arranged in the direction of movement (13) and wherein the safety shield (14) is connected to the emergency stop switch in such a way that the emergency stop switch is actuated when the safety shield (14) is moved from the first service position towards or into the closing area (6).