Segmented Conveyor with Ratcheting Dogs for Dough Baking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current food processing systems using belt or chain conveyors face high maintenance costs and inaccuracies in positioning containers with materials, particularly in food processing applications.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a conveyor with a ratcheting mechanism and pivoting dogs, powered by a member, capable of changing the elevation of containers and integrating an oven with electrical resistance for cooking or baking dough, along with a material lifting device to manage material movement and direction changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If belt or chain conveyors are used for material handling, then continuous material transport is achieved, but maintenance costs increase and positioning accuracy decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into discrete modular units with individual powered members for each section. Each module can be independently controlled, maintained, and replaced, eliminating the need for continuous belt or chain systems while maintaining productive material flow.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor employs dynamically adjustable powered members that can be activated or deactivated based on real-time material flow requirements. This allows the system to maintain continuous transport capability while reducing maintenance needs through selective operation of individual modules.
2Productivity
If belt or chain conveyors are used for material handling, then continuous material transport is achieved, but positioning accuracy of containers decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The continuous conveyor is segmented into discrete positioning zones with individual powered members. Each segment can be independently controlled to achieve precise container positioning at specific locations, eliminating the positioning inaccuracies inherent in continuous belt systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The passive mechanical belt or chain system is replaced with an active system using individually controlled powered members. This substitution enables precise positioning control through electronic actuation of each module, achieving manufacturing precision while maintaining continuous transport capability.
3Ease of operation
If conventional conveyors are used, then material movement is achieved, but system complexity and maintenance requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is organized into standardized modular units that simplify operation and maintenance. Each module is self-contained with integrated powered members, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining ease of material movement through uniform, repeatable components.
Solution Approach 2:
The modular conveyor modules are designed with universal interfaces and standardized powered members that can perform multiple functions. This universality reduces system complexity by using the same basic building blocks throughout the conveyor system, eliminating the need for specialized components.
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 system reduces maintenance costs and improves accuracy in material handling while efficiently cooking or baking dough, enhancing production line efficiency and product consistency.
Implementation Method 1
oven with electrical resistance for cooking or baking dough
Data Source
AI summary
A material processing system includes an oven that cooks or bakes, with electrical resistance, dough contained within containers. The oven can include a frame defining, devices mounted, in a preselected pattern, on the frame for a reciprocal movement in a vertical direction during use of the system, each device configured to connect voltage to a respective container so as to cook or bake the dough with the electrical resistance, and one or more powered members configured to move the devices in the vertical direction. Conveyors are also provided to convey a plurality of rows of containers with a plurality of containers in each row along a material conveyance path, the conveyors disposed in a series with each other and with the oven along the material conveyance path, one of the conveyors disposed within the oven so as to position a batch of the containers in an alignment with the devices.