Segmented Busbar Heating for Conveyor Baking Plates
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing baking devices face inefficiencies in power utilization and maintenance due to short circuits and increased waste, particularly in single-phase AC voltage systems, which also require costly protection circuits and result in suboptimal energy use.
Innovation Solution
A 3-phase AC power supply system with segmented busbars and insulators is implemented, allowing optimal power utilization and reducing the risk of short circuits, combined with a measuring device for continuous monitoring and early defect detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If single-phase AC voltage is used to power resistance heaters, then the system is simple to implement, but only about 70% of the available inverter power can be utilized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameter from single-phase AC to 3-phase AC power supply, enabling the system to utilize 100% of the available inverter power while maintaining ease of implementation through standard 3-phase electrical infrastructure
2Temperature
If DC voltage is used with resistance heaters on baking plates, then heating is effective, but ultra-fast NH fuses are required for short circuit protection, increasing costs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply parameter from DC to 3-phase AC, which enables the use of standard protective devices and eliminates the need for expensive ultra-fast NH fuses while maintaining effective heating through the resistance heaters
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a measuring device that continuously monitors the electrical parameters of the resistance heaters, providing feedback that enables early detection of defects and prevents short circuits before they occur, eliminating the need for expensive protective fuses
3Temperature
If resistance heaters are used on baking plates, then heating is provided, but pouring batter over the baking plates causes increased baking waste that is not baked off, leading to short circuits
Solution Approach 1:
The measuring device continuously monitors the electrical parameters of the resistance heaters and provides feedback that enables early detection of defects such as batter accumulation. This allows for proactive maintenance before short circuits occur, reducing baking waste and preventing equipment failure
4Use of energy by moving object
If segmented busbars with insulators are implemented, then power utilization is maximized to 100%, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The busbar system is divided into multiple segments with insulators between them, allowing each segment to be independently connected to different phase pairs of the 3-phase AC power source. This segmentation enables 100% power utilization while maintaining manageable system complexity through modular construction
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
This configuration maximizes power usage to 100% efficiency, reduces waste, and extends the service life of the baking device by preventing short circuits and enabling proactive maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
each baking plate is equipped with a moving electric heater, in particular an electric resistance heater
Implementation Method 2
the busbar pair has at least three sections in which different phase conductor pairs of the 3-phase AC power source are connected to the two busbars
Data Source
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AI summary
Baking device for producing baked, preferably edible, products, wherein several openable and closable baking plate devices (1) are provided, wherein an endless conveyor (4) is provided, wherein at least one stationary pair of busbars (10) following the endless conveyor (4) is provided, comprising two busbars (11, 12), wherein each baking plate (2, 3) is provided with a moving electric heater (19), in particular an electric resistance heater, wherein each baking plate (2, 3) has two sliding contacts (20) for electrical connection of the moving baking plate device (1) with the stationary pair of busbars (10), wherein a 3-phase AC power source (14) with a first phase conductor (U), a second phase conductor (V) and a third phase conductor (W) is provided for supplying power to the electric heaters (19), and wherein the pair of busbars (10) has at least three sections (13).in which different phase conductor pairs of the 3-phase AC power source (14) are connected to the two busbars (11, 12).