Food-preparation apparatus with diverter mechanism

A baking apparatus, for forming and baking a food product (5), from a dough portion (2) accommodated in a capsule (12), having a housing (3), having a capsule-handling device (4) for opening and/or emptying the capsule (12), and having an upper plate (14), and a lower plate (11), arranged in the housing (3), which lower plate can be adjusted in a guide device of the baking apparatus along an adjustment path between a receiving position (A) for receiving the dough portion (2) from the capsule (12), an interaction position (W) for interacting with the upper plate (14) for baking and/or forming the dough portion, and an emptying position (E), in which the lower plate (11) is inclined relative to a base surface (46) of the baking apparatus (1), wherein the guide device has a diverter (20) with a diverter element (21), which can be switched between at least two switching positions for predetermining the adjustment distance of the lower plate (11) in the guide device,

• wherein the baking apparatus comprises an electromotive drive (M) assigned to the diverter element (21) for switching the diverter element (21) automatically, wherein the diverter element (21) can be actuated by rotating the electromotive drive (M), in which an adjustment force can be transferred from the electromotive drive (M) to the diverter element (21) via force transmission means (24), wherein an eccentric shaft (23) can be rotated and the diverter element (21) is operatively connected to the eccentric shaft (23) via the force transmission means (24), with radial spacing from the axis of rotation (R) of the eccentric shaft (23), and
• wherein the force transmission means (24) comprises a tolerance compensating device (28) with two force transmission elements (29, 30) of the force transmission means, which are adjustable relative to one another, by rotation of the electromotive drive (M) relative to one another contrary to a spring force of at least one tolerance compensating spring (32).

A method for operating a baking apparatus (1) for forming and baking a food product (5) from a dough portion (2) accommodated in a capsule (12), the baking apparatus having a housing (3), having a capsule-handling device (4) for opening and/or emptying the capsule (12), and having an upper plate (14), and a lower plate (11), arranged in the housing (3), which lower plate can be adjusted in a guide device of the baking apparatus along an adjustment path between a receiving position (A) for receiving the dough portion (2) from the capsule (12), an interaction position (W) for interacting with the upper plate (14) for baking and/or forming the dough portion, and an emptying position (E), in which the lower plate (11) is inclined relative to a base surface (46) of the baking apparatus (1), wherein the guide device has a diverter (20) with a diverter element (21), which can be switched between at least two switching positions for predetermining the adjustment distance of the lower plate (11) in the guide device, wherein the baking apparatus comprises an electromotive drive (M) assigned to the diverter element (21) for switching the diverter element (21) automatically, wherein a dough portion (2) is emptied from a capsule (12) and in the receiving position (A) of the lower plate (11) is placed on this plate, wherein the diverter element (21) is adjusted between its switching positions by means of an electromotive drive (M), wherein during the adjustment of the diverter mechanism (21) at least one tolerance compensating spring (32) is tensioned and/or released between two force transmission elements (29, 30).