Automatic dishwashing apparatus

Abstract

This utility model discloses an automatic tableware cleaning device, belonging to the technical field of tableware cleaning equipment. It includes a base with a vertical frame mounted on top; a sprocket drive mechanism installed within the vertical frame, on which a holding basket is mounted; and a loading / unloading robotic arm located on one side of the vertical frame. The vertical frame houses a cleaning component, a drying component, and a disinfection lamp, as well as an electric top rod. Key technical features include: the vertical structure design allows the entire device to extend vertically upwards, occupying a smaller area and effectively improving space utilization; during cleaning, the hot water in the soaking tank, in conjunction with the ultrasonic transducer at the bottom of the soaking tank, softens and removes stubborn, solidified grease from the tableware surface, facilitating subsequent rinsing; and, importantly, the rinsing pipe connected to the water heater at the top provides high-temperature sterilization rinsing; the drying component and disinfection lamp work together to rapidly dry and disinfect the tableware as it rises.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of tableware cleaning equipment, specifically an automatic tableware cleaning device. Background Technology

[0002] The primary functions of tableware cleaning equipment are to improve cleaning efficiency, ensure hygiene and safety, and optimize management processes. It uses high-pressure water jets, high-temperature steam, or specialized cleaning agents to quickly remove grease, food residue, and bacteria from tableware surfaces, achieving a cleaning effect far exceeding that of manual hand washing. This makes it particularly suitable for the centralized processing of large quantities of tableware in the catering industry. The equipment's built-in disinfection functions (such as ultraviolet light, ozone, or high temperature) effectively kill pathogens, ensuring that tableware meets hygiene standards. Furthermore, automated operation reduces human contact, lowers the risk of cross-contamination, and saves labor costs and time, helping catering businesses improve operational efficiency and meet the tableware turnover needs under high customer traffic.

[0003] In existing technologies, traditional horizontal washing machines typically have fewer internal cleaning processes. To increase the cleaning process and improve the cleaning effect, the length of the equipment needs to be increased, resulting in a larger footprint. In production workshops with limited space, this undoubtedly increases the space cost and layout difficulty for enterprises. Consumers are often unwilling to accept washing equipment that is too bulky. Furthermore, existing washing machines directly rinse dirty bowls, plates, basins, and other items during use, leaving some solidified and stubborn grease stains adhering to the surface of the items, which cannot be thoroughly cleaned by rinsing alone. Therefore, to address the above problems, an automatic tableware washing device is proposed. Utility Model Content

[0004] To address the technical problems of existing tableware cleaning equipment that cannot reduce floor space while ensuring good cleaning results, which would cause many inconveniences in production and use, and the difficulty of achieving thorough cleaning with traditional rinsing methods, this utility model provides an automatic tableware cleaning device.

[0005] The technical solution adopted by the embodiments of this application to solve its technical problem is: An automatic tableware cleaning device includes a base with a vertical frame mounted on top; a sprocket drive mechanism installed in the vertical frame, on which several rotatably connected holding baskets are mounted; a loading and unloading robotic arm disposed on one side of the vertical frame for loading tableware into and removing tableware from the holding baskets; and a tableware storage box disposed at the bottom of the loading and unloading robotic arm. The vertical frame contains a cleaning component, a drying component, and a disinfection lamp. The cleaning component cleans the tableware, and the drying component dries the tableware. Additionally, the vertical frame includes an electric push rod for pushing the holding baskets to rotate and place the tableware into the head of the loading and unloading robotic arm.

[0006] In one possible implementation, the sprocket drive mechanism includes two sets of symmetrically arranged drive wheels, each set of drive wheels being connected by an externally sleeved transmission chain belt, wherein a motor for driving the drive wheels to rotate is fixedly mounted on the vertical frame.

[0007] In one possible implementation, the transmission chain belt is fixedly mounted with several sets of parallel mounting shafts, the holding basket includes a basket body with several cleaning holes, and the two ends of the basket body are rotatably connected to the mounting shafts via fixedly connected lugs.

[0008] In one possible implementation, the cleaning assembly includes a soaking tank and an air compressor disposed in a base, wherein an electric heating element is installed on the soaking tank, and a number of rinsing pipes are installed in a vertical frame, and the spacing between the rinsing pipes corresponds to the spacing between the holding baskets, and a booster pump that works in conjunction with the air compressor is installed at the input end of the rinsing pipe.

[0009] In one possible implementation, the input ends of the two flushing pipes located at the highest point are connected to a water heater for heating water, and the input ends of the remaining flushing pipes are connected to a soaking tank. A cleaning agent supply box for adding cleaning agent to the soaking tank is installed in the vertical frame. In addition, an ultrasonic transducer is installed at the bottom of the soaking tank.

[0010] In one possible implementation, the drying assembly includes a high-pressure blower and a high-temperature dryer, wherein the high-pressure blower is disposed below the high-temperature dryer.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the loading and unloading robotic arm includes a rotating arm base on which a lifting arm is mounted. A loading and unloading head is mounted at the end of the lifting arm. The loading and unloading head includes a base, a lower support plate rotatably mounted at its front end, and an angle hydraulic cylinder for driving the lower support plate to rotate at its rear end. An upper clamping plate is rotatably mounted at the front end of the lower support plate, and a clamping hydraulic cylinder for driving the upper clamping plate to rotate is mounted at its rear end.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the tableware storage box includes a base plate on which a box body is movably mounted via a shaft-tube connector, wherein a lifting hydraulic cylinder for driving the box body to move up and down is mounted on the base plate.

[0013] In summary, this utility model has the following beneficial technical effects: The external dimensions of this utility model are determined by the base and the vertical frame. The structure formed by the two is a vertical structure design, which makes the whole equipment extend vertically upward. Compared with traditional cleaning equipment such as horizontal cleaning machines, it occupies less space, which is crucial for production workshops with limited space. It can effectively improve space utilization, allowing enterprises to arrange more production equipment in a limited space and improve overall production efficiency. During the washing process, the tableware placed in the basket is driven by the sprocket drive mechanism into the soaking tank. The hot water inside the tank soaks the tableware, and the ultrasonic transducer at the bottom of the soaking tank softens the stubborn grease on the surface, making it easier for the subsequent rinsing pipe to clean the tableware. The rinsing pipe connected to the water heater at the top can sterilize the tableware with high temperature. As the rinsed tableware rises, the drying component and disinfection lamp work together to quickly dry and disinfect the tableware. In addition, the installed loading and unloading robotic arm can automatically put and take out tableware with the electric push rod, and can put the cleaned tableware into the tableware storage box for storage. It has a high level of automation and can significantly reduce the input of manpower. Attached Figure Description

[0014] The accompanying drawings are provided to further illustrate the present invention and form part of the specification. They are used together with the embodiments of the present invention to explain the present invention, but do not constitute a limitation thereof. In the drawings: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of this utility model; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of the present invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the driving structure of this utility model; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the loading and unloading structure of this utility model; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the loading and unloading head structure of this utility model.

[0015] In the diagram: 1. Base; 2. Vertical frame; 21. Electric push rod; 3. Sprocket drive mechanism; 31. Drive wheel; 32. Transmission chain; 33. Mounting shaft; 4. Holding basket; 41. Basket body; 42. Hanging lug; 5. Cleaning assembly; 51. Soaking tank; 52. Air compressor; 53. Booster pump; 54. Rinsing pipe; 55. Water heater; 56. Cleaning agent supply box; 57. Ultrasonic transducer; 6. Drying assembly; 61. High-pressure blower; 62. High-temperature air dryer; 7. Disinfection lamp; 8. Loading and unloading robotic arm; 81. Rotating arm seat; 82. Lifting arm; 83. Loading and unloading head; 831. Base; 832. Lower support plate; 833. Inclined hydraulic cylinder; 834. Upper clamping plate; 835. Clamping hydraulic cylinder; 9. Tableware storage box; 91. Base plate; 92. Box body; 93. Lifting hydraulic cylinder; 94. Shaft cylinder connector. Detailed Implementation

[0016] The technical solution in this application embodiment is to solve the problems mentioned in the background art, and the overall idea is as follows: like Figure 1 - Figure 2 As shown, this embodiment provides an automatic tableware cleaning device, including a base 1 with a vertical frame 2 mounted on its upper part; a sprocket drive mechanism 3 installed in the vertical frame 2, and several rotatably connected holding baskets 4 mounted on it; a loading and unloading robotic arm 8 disposed on one side of the vertical frame 2 for loading tableware into the holding baskets 4 and removing tableware from the holding baskets 4; and a tableware storage box 9 disposed at the bottom of the loading and unloading robotic arm 8. The vertical frame 2 is provided with a cleaning component 5, a drying component 6, and a disinfection lamp 7. The cleaning component 5 is used to clean the tableware, and the drying component 6 is used to dry the tableware. Additionally, the vertical frame 2 is provided with an electric push rod 21, which is used to push the holding baskets 4 to flip and place the tableware into the head of the loading and unloading robotic arm 8.

[0017] Based on the above structural design, the equipment can efficiently complete cleaning, drying, and disinfection tasks. Its vertical design allows the entire machine to extend vertically upwards, resulting in a smaller footprint compared to traditional horizontal cleaning machines. This is crucial for production workshops with limited space, effectively improving space utilization and allowing companies to deploy more production equipment within a limited area, thus increasing overall production efficiency. Furthermore, the accompanying loading and unloading robotic arm 8, combined with the electric top rod 21, automatically loads and unloads tableware, and places the cleaned tableware into the tableware storage box 9. This high level of automation significantly reduces manpower input.

[0018] To achieve the driving of the holding basket 4, and thus allow the tableware stored within to sequentially pass through different workstations, such as... Figure 3 As shown, the sprocket drive mechanism 3 includes two sets of symmetrically arranged drive wheels 31. Each set of drive wheels 31 is connected by an externally sleeved transmission chain 32. A motor for driving the drive wheels 31 to rotate is fixedly installed on the vertical frame 2. In cooperation with the transmission chain 32, several sets of parallel mounting shafts 33 are fixedly installed. The basket 4 includes a basket body 41 with several cleaning holes. The two ends of the basket body 41 are rotatably connected to the mounting shafts 33 through fixedly connected lugs 42. Based on the above structural scheme, when the motor is working, it can drive the drive wheels 31 to rotate, thereby driving the transmission chain 32 to run continuously, so that the basket body 41 installed on the mounting shaft 33 can move continuously along a prescribed route, carrying the tableware stored in it to different positions. And because the basket body 41 is rotatably connected to the mounting shaft 33, it can always be in a positive orientation under the action of gravity during the movement, and the tableware placed inside will not fall out due to flipping.

[0019] For basket 4, it is important to note that... Figure 3The shape of the basket body 41 shown is for illustrative purposes only and does not limit the basket body 41 to this shape. In actual use, the shape of the basket body 41 needs to be designed differently according to the corresponding type of tableware. That is, in the washing of different types of tableware such as bowls, plates, and basins, the shape of the basket body 41 used is different. It is necessary to replace the basket 4 with a basket body 41 of the corresponding shape according to the type of tableware.

[0020] like Figure 2 As shown, the cleaning assembly 5 includes a soaking tank 51 and an air compressor 52 installed in the base 1. The soaking tank 51 is equipped with an electric heating element and also includes several sets of rinsing pipes 54 installed in the vertical frame 2. The spacing of the rinsing pipes 54 corresponds to the spacing of the serving baskets 4. A booster pump 53 that works in conjunction with the air compressor 52 is installed at the input end of the rinsing pipes 54. In the above structural scheme, the electric heating element in the soaking tank 51 can heat the cleaning water stored inside it to soak the tableware in the serving baskets 4 and soften the stubborn oil stains solidified on the surface. The air compressor 52 can provide power to the booster pump 53 to pressurize the cleaning water in the rinsing pipes 54, ensuring that the cleaning water sprayed from the end of the rinsing pipes 54 has a large initial velocity, enhancing its rinsing effect and further enhancing the removal effect of stubborn oil stains.

[0021] Based on the above scheme, in order to further improve the cleaning effect, the input ends of the two rinsing pipes 54 located at the highest point are connected to the water heater 55 for heating water, and the input ends of the remaining rinsing pipes 54 are connected to the soaking tank 51. A cleaning agent supply box 56 for adding cleaning agent to the soaking tank 51 is installed in the vertical frame 2. In addition, an ultrasonic transducer 57 is installed at the bottom of the soaking tank 51. Through the above scheme, the rinsing pipes 54 connected to the water heater 55 at the top can further perform high-temperature sterilization rinsing on the rinsed tableware. While enhancing the cleaning effect, the tableware can be sterilized by high-temperature hot water, improving the cleaning quality. The ultrasonic transducer 57 at the bottom of the soaking tank 51 can further soften the stubborn oil stains solidified on the surface, improving the cleaning effect of the tableware during the soaking stage.

[0022] like Figure 2 As shown, the air-drying assembly 6 includes a high-pressure blower 61 and a high-temperature air dryer 62. The high-pressure blower 61 is located below the high-temperature air dryer 62. After the tableware is washed, the high-pressure blower 61 can blow off the water droplets attached to the surface of the tableware in advance, thereby greatly reducing the workload of the high-temperature air dryer 62 and significantly shortening the necessary working time of the high-temperature air dryer 62. This can shorten the entire cleaning cycle and improve the cleaning efficiency.

[0023] like Figure 4 - Figure 5As shown, the loading and unloading robotic arm 8 includes a rotating arm base 81 on which a lifting arm 82 is mounted. A loading and unloading head 83 is mounted at the end of the lifting arm 82. The loading and unloading head 83 includes a base 831, with a lower support plate 832 rotatably mounted at its front end and a tilting hydraulic cylinder 833 for driving the lower support plate 832 to rotate at its rear end. An upper clamping plate 834 is rotatably mounted at the front end of the lower support plate 832, and a clamping hydraulic cylinder 835 for driving the upper clamping plate 834 to rotate at its rear end. Based on this structural design, the combined operation of the rotating arm base 81 and the lifting arm 82 can adjust the position and orientation of the loading and unloading head 83, giving it sufficient flexibility during operation, especially when loading tableware into containers. When the tableware is in basket 4, the clamping hydraulic cylinder 835 drives the upper clamping plate 834 to close, and the tableware is fixedly clamped by the combination of the upper clamping plate 834 and the lower support plate 832. Then, the tilting hydraulic cylinder 833 works to make the lower support plate 832 tilt downward. After the upper clamping plate 834 opens, the tableware can slide down into the holding basket 4. When the tableware is taken out, the tilting hydraulic cylinder 833 can drive the lower support plate 832 to a horizontal state and open the upper clamping plate 834 at the same time. The electric push rod 21 can push the holding basket 4 to flip, so that the cleaned tableware slides into the lower support plate 832. At this time, the upper clamping plate 834 closes to complete the clamping and fixing of the tableware, and then put it into the tableware storage box 9.

[0024] like Figure 4 As shown, the tableware storage box 9 includes a base plate 91, on which a box body 92 is movably mounted via a shaft cylinder connector 94. A lifting hydraulic cylinder 93 is installed on the base plate 91 to drive the box body 92 to move up and down. The above structural scheme enables the box body 92 to move up and down, thereby cooperating with the loading and unloading robotic arm 8 to complete the stacking and placement of tableware.

[0025] The working principle and usage process of this utility model: During the washing process, the tableware placed in the basket 4 is driven by the sprocket drive mechanism 3 to enter the soaking tank 51. The hot water inside the tank soaks the tableware in the basket 4. At the same time, the ultrasonic transducer 57 at the bottom of the soaking tank 51 softens the stubborn oil stains that have solidified on the surface, making it easier for the subsequent rinsing pipe 54 to clean the surface of the tableware. The rinsing pipe 54, which is connected to the water heater 55 at the top, can perform high-temperature sterilization rinsing on the tableware. As the rinsed tableware rises, the drying component 6 and the disinfection lamp 7 work together to make the tableware dry and disinfect quickly.

[0026] When the tableware is placed into the holding basket 4, the clamping hydraulic cylinder 835 drives the upper clamping plate 834 to close. The tableware is fixed and clamped by the combination of the upper clamping plate 834 and the lower support plate 832. Then, the tilting hydraulic cylinder 833 works to tilt the lower support plate 832 downward. After the upper clamping plate 834 opens, the tableware can slide down into the holding basket 4. When the tableware is taken out, the tilting hydraulic cylinder 833 can drive the lower support plate 832 to a horizontal state and open the upper clamping plate 834 at the same time. The electric push rod 21 can push the holding basket 4 to flip, so that the cleaned tableware slides into the lower support plate 832. At this time, the upper clamping plate 834 closes to complete the clamping and fixing of the tableware, and then put it into the tableware storage box 9.

[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely examples for clearly illustrating the present invention and are not intended to limit the implementation. Those skilled in the art can make other variations or modifications based on the above description. It is neither necessary nor possible to exhaustively list all possible implementations. However, obvious variations or modifications derived therefrom are still within the protection scope of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic tableware cleaning device, characterized in that, include: The base (1) has a vertical frame (2) installed on its upper part; A sprocket drive mechanism (3) is installed in a vertical frame (2) and several rotatingly connected holding baskets (4) are mounted on it. A loading and unloading robotic arm (8) is set on one side of the vertical frame (2) to load tableware into a serving basket (4) and to remove tableware from the serving basket (4); A tableware storage box (9) is located at the bottom of the loading and unloading robotic arm (8); The vertical frame (2) is equipped with a cleaning component (5), a drying component (6), and a disinfection lamp (7). The cleaning component (5) is used to clean the tableware, and the drying component (6) is used to dry the tableware. In addition, the vertical frame (2) is also equipped with an electric push rod (21), which is used to push the holding basket (4) to flip and put the tableware into the head of the loading and unloading robot arm (8).

2. The automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The sprocket drive mechanism (3) includes two sets of symmetrically arranged drive wheels (31). Each set of drive wheels (31) is connected by a transmission chain (32) externally mounted. A motor for driving the drive wheels (31) to rotate is fixedly installed on the vertical frame (2).

3. The automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 2, characterized in that: The transmission chain (32) is fixedly installed with several sets of parallel mounting shafts (33). The holding basket (4) includes a basket body (41) with several cleaning holes. The two ends of the basket body (41) are rotatably connected to the mounting shafts (33) through fixedly connected hanging ears (42).

4. The automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The cleaning assembly (5) includes a soaking tank (51) and an air compressor (52) set in the base (1). The soaking tank (51) is equipped with an electric heating tube and also includes several sets of rinsing pipes (54) installed in the vertical frame (2). The spacing of the rinsing pipes (54) corresponds to the spacing of the holding basket (4). The input end of the rinsing pipe (54) is equipped with a booster pump (53) that works in conjunction with the air compressor (52).

5. An automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 4, characterized in that: The input ends of the two flushing pipes (54) located at the highest point are connected to the water heater (55) for heating water, and the input ends of the remaining flushing pipes (54) are connected to the soaking tank (51). A cleaning agent supply box (56) for adding cleaning agent to the soaking tank (51) is installed in the vertical frame (2). In addition, an ultrasonic transducer (57) is installed at the bottom of the soaking tank (51).

6. The automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The air-drying assembly (6) includes a high-pressure blower (61) and a high-temperature air dryer (62), wherein the high-pressure blower (61) is located on the lower side of the high-temperature air dryer (62).

7. The automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The loading and unloading robotic arm (8) includes a rotating arm base (81) on which a lifting arm (82) is mounted. A loading and unloading head (83) is mounted at the end of the lifting arm (82). The loading and unloading head (83) includes a base (831) with a lower support plate (832) rotatably mounted at its front end and an angle hydraulic cylinder (833) for driving the lower support plate (832) to rotate at its rear end. An upper clamping plate (834) is rotatably mounted at the front end of the lower support plate (832) and a clamping hydraulic cylinder (835) for driving the upper clamping plate (834) to rotate at its rear end.

8. An automatic tableware cleaning device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The tableware storage box (9) includes a base plate (91), on which a box body (92) is movably mounted via a shaft cylinder connector (94). A lifting hydraulic cylinder (93) for driving the box body (92) to move up and down is installed on the base plate (91).

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