Waffle Baking Plate Assembly With Adjustable Contact Spacing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Large baking plates in waffle makers deform under steam pressure during the baking process, leading to uneven baking results due to convex prestressing, which requires complex adjustments and can displace dough, causing defects in the central region of waffle sheets.
Innovation Solution
A contact device is integrated into the baking plate arrangement to maintain a predetermined distance between baking plates, counteracting steam pressure-induced deformation while ensuring the necessary prestressing force is retained, allowing for consistent baking without impairing the process, even with larger plates or varying dough types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Shape
If convex prestress is applied to counteract steam pressure deformation, then baking plate flatness is improved, but the distance between baking plates becomes too small causing dough displacement and defects
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is positioned to provide preliminary support to the convexly prestressed baking plate before the steam pressure causes excessive deformation. This prevents the baking plate from deforming too much toward the concave shape, thereby maintaining adequate distance between baking plates and preventing dough displacement and defects in the central area.
2Shape
If strong convex prestress is applied to compensate for deformation, then baking plate flatness is improved, but the distance between baking plates becomes too small causing thin spots in the central area
Solution Approach 1:
The support device provides preliminary support to the convexly prestressed baking plate, preventing it from deforming excessively toward the concave shape under steam pressure. This maintains an adequate distance between baking plates throughout the baking process, preventing the formation of thin spots or defects in the central area of baked waffle sheets.
3Productivity
If baking plates are made larger to increase production capacity, then productivity is improved, but steam pressure causes excessive warping and deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is positioned to provide preliminary support to the convexly prestressed baking plate, counteracting the tendency of large baking plates to warp under steam pressure. This enables the use of larger baking plates for increased production capacity while maintaining adequate plate flatness and preventing excessive deformation.
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 contact device ensures that the baking plates remain at a consistent distance, preventing thin spots or defects in waffle sheets, allowing for uniform baking and reducing the need for complex adjustments, as the prestressing force adapts to steam pressure fluctuations, maintaining a flat surface and constant steam outlet.
Implementation Method 1
During the baking process, steam is generated between the baking plates. The steam pressure generated between the baking plates during the baking process can become so high that it causes the baking plates to warp
Implementation Method 2
at least one baking plate is convexly prestressed with respect to a baking surface, such that, when the baking plate arrangement is closed, the distance in a central area of the baking plates is smaller than the distance in an edge area of the baking plates before the start of a baking process, in order to compensate for deformation of the baking plates during the baking process
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a baking-plate assembly (1) for a waffle-baking machine, wherein the baking-plate assembly (1) comprises a baking-plate assembly frame (2), which has two frame parts (3) pivotably connected to each other and two baking plates (4, 10, 13) arranged on the frame parts (3). At least one baking plate (4, 10, 13) is convexly preloaded with regard to a baking surface (5) such that, while the baking-plate assembly (1) is closed before the start of a baking process, a distance in a middle region of the baking plates (4, 10, 13) is less than a distance in an edge region of the baking plates (4, 10, 13) in order to compensate for deformation of the baking plates (4, 10, 13) during the baking process. The baking-plate assembly (1) comprises a contact device (6). The contact device (6) is arranged on the baking-plate assembly (1) in such a way that the baking surfaces (5) of a closed baking-plate assembly (1) have a distance from each other. At least one contact element (7, 8, 11) of a contact device (6) is movable such that the distance of the baking plates (4, 10, 13) of the closed baking-plate assembly (1) can be adjusted.