Suction-Assisted Dough Folding for Accurate Food Forming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing food product forming devices require manual alignment and stable grasping of dough pieces, leading to misalignment and complexity, limiting their use in modern food manufacturing lines that need diverse product production.
Innovation Solution
A movable forming device with suction tools and supporting tools that grasp and lift dough pieces, allowing for stable folding without manual intervention and continuous operation, enabling flexible folding directions and overlapping amounts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual alignment and placement of dough pieces is used, then positioning accuracy is improved, but device complexity and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical alignment with a suction-based holding mechanism. The suction holder automatically positions and secures the dough piece through suction force, eliminating the need for manual placement while maintaining positioning accuracy. This substitution of manual operation with automated suction-based positioning resolves the contradiction between precision and complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The dough piece is held and positioned by itself through the suction mechanism rather than requiring external manual alignment. The suction holder automatically grasps and secures the dough piece in the correct position, enabling self-positioning that improves accuracy without increasing device complexity.
2Extent of automation
If mechanical fingers are used to grasp dough, then automation is improved, but reliability of grasping decreases due to dough variation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical finger-based grasping with a suction-based holding system. The suction holder uses vacuum pressure to secure the dough piece, which is more reliable than mechanical fingers that struggle with dough variation. This substitution maintains high automation while significantly improving grasping reliability across different dough types and states.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs pneumatic suction through a vacuum holder to grasp and hold the dough piece. This pneumatic mechanism provides consistent and reliable holding force that adapts to various dough characteristics, overcoming the limitations of mechanical finger systems and enhancing both automation and reliability.
3Speed
If dough is raised without holding during folding, then operation speed is improved, but positioning accuracy deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The suction holder performs preliminary action by securing the dough piece in the correct position before the folding operation begins. This pre-positioning ensures accurate edge alignment is maintained throughout the folding process, allowing for both high speed and high precision without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the traditional method of raising dough without holding with a suction-based holding system that maintains secure grip during the entire folding operation. This substitution enables continuous holding that preserves positioning accuracy while maintaining operational speed.
4Manufacturing precision
If dedicated folding mechanisms are used, then folding precision is improved, but adaptability to different products decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The suction-based holding and folding system is designed with universal applicability, capable of handling multiple product types and folding configurations. The system can adjust to different dough sizes, shapes, and folding requirements while maintaining precision, providing multi-functionality that dedicated mechanisms lack.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs dynamic and adjustable folding mechanisms rather than fixed dedicated structures. The suction holder and folding components can adapt their position and movement to accommodate various product specifications, enabling both high precision and versatility across different food products.
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
Ensures accurate and stable folding of dough pieces, allowing for increased production efficiency and integration into existing food product lines without stopping the conveyor.
Implementation Method 1
at least one suction tool which holds the one end of the dough piece by suctioning and lifting the one end from its upside
Data Source
AI summary
A movable forming device (10) to fold a dough piece (P) by moving one end (PS) of the dough piece (P) onto the other end (PT) of the dough piece includes at least one suction tool (23) which holds the one end of the dough piece by suctioning and lifting the one end from its upside, and a supporting tool (33) including a support part (33a) which is movable below the suction tool. The one end of the dough piece is grasped between the suction tool and the supporting part by bringing the suction tool and the supporting part closer to each other.