Conveyor dishwasher and method for operating a conveyor dishwasher

Abstract

Conveyor dishwasher (1), in particular in the form of a belt or basket conveyor dishwasher, with a transport device (20) for transporting items to be washed through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), wherein the conveyor dishwasher (1) has a detection system (30) which is configured to detect the presence of items to be washed or a carrier (7) in a predetermined area (A) at the inlet (10) or at an inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and wherein a control device (50) is provided which is configured to control the transport device (20) such that: - the transport device (20) is activated when items to be washed or a carrier (7) is detected in the area (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and - the transport device (20) is deactivated,if no items to be washed or no carrier (7) is detected in area (A) at the inlet (10) or feed (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), characterized in that the detection system (30) is further configured to detect the presence of items to be washed or a carrier (7) in a predefined area (B) at the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and wherein the control device (50) is further configured to control the transport device (20) depending on whether items to be washed or a carrier (7) is present in area (B) at the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), wherein the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is the area downstream of the conveyor dishwasher (1) in the transport direction (T) of the items to be washed, in which the items previously treated in the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) are discharged. Passing through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13,14, 15) is inserted with the aid of the transport device (20), whereby the transport device (20) of the transport dishwasher (1) is no longer effective in the area of ​​the outlet (17).

Description

The present invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and to a method for operating such a conveyor dishwasher.Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a commercial conveyor dishwasher which is designed as a belt conveyor dishwasher or basket conveyor dishwasher and has a transport device for transporting washware through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher.Transport dishwashers of this type generally have at least one washing zone in which washing liquid is sprayed from a washing tank assigned to the washing zone onto the washware. Furthermore, as a rule, at least one final rinse zone is provided, which is arranged behind the at least one wash zone, as seen in the transport direction of the washware, and in which final rinse liquid is sprayed onto the washware. Transport dishwashers of this type frequently also have an exhaust air system in order to discharge exhaust air which arises during operation of the machine from the transport dishwasher.A conveyor dishwasher of the type mentioned at the beginning is known in principle from the prior art and is usually used in the industrial sector. In contrast to so-called automated dishwashers, in which the washware to be cleaned remains stationary in the machine during cleaning, transport of the washware through various treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher takes place in conveyor dishwashers.A conveyor dishwasher usually has as treatment zones at least one prewash zone and at least one main wash zone, which is arranged after the prewash zone(s) as viewed in the transport direction of the washware. Viewed in the transport direction, at least one final rinse zone is generally arranged downstream of the main wash zone(s).It is also known to provide at least one afterwash zone or prewash zone between the main wash zone and the final rinse zone.Viewed in the transport direction of the washware, the washware either taken directly onto a conveyor belt or washware held by washware carriers, in particular washware baskets, typically passes through an inlet tunnel, the subsequent prewash zone(s), main wash zone(s), optionally provided postwash zone(s), final rinse zone(s), a drying zone, into an outlet section.The stated wash zones (prewash zone(s), main wash zone(s) and optionally provided postwash zone(s)) of the conveyor dishwasher are each assigned a wash system which has a wash pump and a line system connected to the wash pump, via which wash liquid is supplied to corresponding spray nozzles of the wash zones. The washing liquid supplied to the spray nozzles is sprayed in the respective washing zone onto the washware which is transported through the respective washing zones by a transport device of the conveyor dishwasher.Each washing zone is assigned a washing tank in which sprayed liquid is received and / or in which liquid is provided for the spray nozzles of the zones in question.In a conveyor dishwasher of the type mentioned at the beginning, final rinse liquid in the form of fresh water, which can be pure or can be mixed with further additives, such as, for example, final rinse agents, is sprayed onto the washware via the spray nozzles of the final rinse zone. At least a portion of the sprayed final rinse liquid is transported from treatment zone to treatment zone via a cascade system counter to the transport direction of the washware.The sprayed final rinse liquid is collected in a tank (afterwash tank) of the afterwash zone, from which it is conveyed via the wash pump of the washing system belonging to the afterwash zone to the spray nozzles (afterwash nozzles) of the afterwash zone. In the afterwash zone, washing liquid is rinsed from the washware. The liquid which arises in this case flows into the wash tank of the at least one main wash zone, which, as seen in the transport direction of the washware, is arranged upstream of the afterwash zone. Here, the liquid is usually provided with a cleaner and sprayed onto the washware by a pump system (wash pump system) belonging to the wash system of the main wash zone via the nozzles (wash nozzles) of the main wash zone.The liquid flows from the wash tank of the main wash zone-provided no further main wash zone is provided-subsequently into the prewash tank of the prewash zone. The liquid in the prewash tank is sprayed onto the washware by means of a pump system associated with the washing system of the prewash zone via the prewash nozzles of the prewash zone in order to remove coarse impurities from the washware.A conveyor dishwasher ("conveyor goods dryer") according to the present invention is in particular a belt conveyor machine ("flight-type goods dryer") or a basket conveyor dishwasher ("rack conveyor goods dryer").Transport dishwashers of the type taken into account herein are generally used in kitchens in which a high number of washware items are to be cleaned per hour. For such applications, unlike hand-held automated dishwashers, conveyor dishwashers form the only actually reasonable solution from an economic point of view.Conveyor dishwashers transport the washware through individual treatment zones of the machine in two different ways: in basket conveyor dishwashers the washware parts travel through the individual treatment zones of the machine in washware carriers, in particular in dishwashers. In belt conveyor dishwashers, on the other hand, the washware is sorted into finger or universal conveyor belts.Basket conveyor dishwashers can be implemented up to a capacity of about 5,400 plates of cleaning requirement per hour. Belt conveyor dishwashers are in turn suitable from about 1,700 plates of wash capacity per hour. Between these two rinsing powers there is a capacity window in which from an economic point of view both a basket transport machine and a belt transport machine would be conceivable.When planning kitchens and deciding whether a belt conveyor dishwasher or a basket conveyor dishwasher should be selected for a kitchen, in particular from an economic point of view, it must be taken into account in particular whether sufficient dishwasher personnel are available or can be used in the kitchen.A belt conveyor dishwasher generally requires at least two persons for operation, since during operation of the machine the washware to be cleaned must be manually sorted into the finger conveyor or universal conveyor belt in parallel with at least one rinsing force in the inlet region of the belt conveyor dishwasher, while in the outlet region of the belt conveyor dishwasher at least one further rinsing force must remove the cleaned washware from the finger conveyor or universal conveyor belt.On the other hand, a basket transport dishwasher can-at least in principle-also be operated at least temporarily with only a single rinsing force since-in contrast to a belt transport dishwasher-a basket transport dishwasher is loaded "batchwise", namely by the washware to be cleaned being placed in washware carriers (for example dishwashers)-supplied in the inlet region of the dishwasher, while, after passing through the washware carrier through the individual treatment zones of the dishwasher, the rinsing force can then remove the washware carrier with the cleaned washware from the dishwasher again.However, even when handling basket conveyor dishwashers, in particular when handling only a single dishwashing force, it is usually unavoidable that the dishwasher--viewed in time--is loaded irregularly with washware carriers.Such an irregular loading could be counteracted (at least in principle) by planning more than just a single rinsing force also for the operation of a basket conveyor dishwasher. However, due to a varying number of the wash personnel which are frequently actually available, which cannot be avoided in practice, it is unavoidable that--at least on average over time--a basket conveyor dishwasher is generally not operated in a really optimum manner, which has a negative effect on the running costs during the operation of such a dishwasher.In practice, with the conventional approaches and procedures known from the prior art, approximately 30 to 40% of free spaces are formed between the individual washware carriers or washware baskets during operation of a conveyor dishwasher, which is in particular designed as a basket conveyor dishwasher. When working with only a single rinsing force, these free spaces can even be in the range of 50% or even above.The term "free space" or "free spaces" used herein is to be understood as meaning areas which are free from washware or are free from washware carriers and occur during operation of a conveyor dishwasher when washware or washware carriers (for example washware baskets) are / are transported through the individual treatment zones of the machine. Such washware-free or washware carrier-free regions reduce the actually implemented washware capacity of the machine, even if the machine may in principle be designed to continuously clean washware without the presence of any washware-free or washware carrier-free regions as seen in time.As a result, in the actual operation of a conveyor dishwasher, the number of dishwashers which can potentially be handled at the maximum per unit time cannot be handled in the treatment zones of the machine. Precisely when working with only a single rinsing force, this has the consequence that a higher number of changes between the loading and unloading area of the conveyor dishwasher are necessary for the same number of washware carriers. The travel paths are thereby increased.The document WO 2000 / 53076 A1 relates to a conveyor dishwasher with a transport device for transporting washware through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher. It is further provided that the conveyor dishwasher is controlled in cycles such that it comprises an operating cycle during which the conveyor moves at its normal speed and a pause cycle during which the conveyor is stopped.The document DE 695 25 337 T2 relates to a method for washing objects in an automatic wash line, wherein the objects to be washed are conveyed successively into a washing area, and wherein a sensor determines the presence of an object in the sensor area of the sensor.U.S. Pat. No. 4,561,904 A relates to a conveyor dishwasher having the features of the preamble of independent claim 1.On the basis of this problem, the invention is based on the object of further developing a conveyor dishwasher of the type mentioned at the beginning to the effect that efficient utilization of the machine is made possible even when working with a single dishwasher wash power. According to a further object underlying the invention, the conveyor dishwasher should also be designed to enable as efficient and liquid operation as possible when working with a plurality of rinsing forces.Furthermore, a corresponding method for operating a conveyor dishwasher is to be specified, with which the problems described above can be solved.With regard to the conveyor dishwasher, the problem underlying the invention is solved by the subject matter of independent claim 1 and with regard to the method for operating a conveyor dishwasher by the subject matter of subordinate claim 16, wherein advantageous developments of the invention are specified in the corresponding dependent claims.Accordingly, it is proposed according to the invention to provide a detection system which is designed to detect the presence of washware in a predefined region during the inlet or during an inlet of the conveyor dishwasher. The term "inlet" used herein is generally understood to mean the inlet region of the conveyor dishwasher. This is, for example, the inlet tunnel of the conveyor dishwasher.On the other hand, the term "feed" used herein is intended to mean, in particular, a region of a feed table optionally provided at the inlet of the conveyor dishwasher. This is in particular a region at the interface between an optionally provided feed table and the actual conveyor dishwasher.Usually, such an inlet table is provided in order to equip the washware carriers with washware and / or in order to carry out preliminary clearing, in particular manual preliminary clearing. Such preliminary clearing makes sense in particular when the washware to be supplied to the dishwasher is more or less heavily contaminated with food residue, serviettes, toothpochers, etc. These contaminants should not be introduced into the cleaner circulating tank, because otherwise the cleaner solution (washing liquid) becomes excessively contaminated.According to the invention, a control device is also provided which is designed to actuate the transport device of the conveyor dishwasher in such a way that the transport device is activated when washware is detected with the aid of the detection system in the region at the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher. In addition, the controller is designed to deactivate the transport device if no washware is detected in the region during the inlet or inflow of the conveyor dishwasher.By providing such a control device, which activates or deactivates the transport device depending on the presence of washware detected with the aid of the detection system, it is advantageously achieved that a conveying of the washware to be treated through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher takes place only when washware to be cleaned is actually present at the inlet of the conveyor dishwasher, i.e. at the inlet or at the inlet of the conveyor dishwasher.In the solution according to the invention, it is furthermore provided that the detection system is further designed to detect the presence of washware in a predefined region at the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher. In this embodiment, the control device is further designed to actuate the transport device of the conveyor dishwasher depending on whether washware is present in the region at the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher. It is particularly preferably provided here that the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher adjoins the transport device-as viewed in the transport direction of the washware-wherein the detection system is designed to detect the presence of washware in a region of the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher which is defined in advance.The term "outlet of the conveyor dishwasher" as used herein is to be understood as meaning that region which, as seen in the conveying direction of the washware, is situated downstream of the conveyor dishwasher and in which the washware previously treated in the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher is pushed, after it has passed through the individual treatment zones, with the aid of the conveying device. This is in particular an outlet table onto which the washware is pushed by means of the transport device after the latter has been treated into the treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher.It is essential here that the transport device of the conveyor dishwasher is no longer active in the region of the outlet; in other words, washware which has been pushed into the outlet of the dishwasher comes to a standstill in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher despite the activated transport device.Advantageously, the presence of washware is detected with the aid of the detection system in the region of the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher, i.e. in a region of the outlet in which the transport device of the conveyor dishwasher is no longer directly active.The outlet of the conveyor dishwasher is in particular an outlet table which is designed to receive a multiplicity of washware units. As a rule, the outlet table is dimensioned such that at least two standard washware carriers can be received by the outlet table as viewed in the transport direction of the transport device.With regard to the positioning of the detection system for detecting the presence of washware, it is advantageous if it is designed to detect the presence of washware in a region of the outlet which lies 0 to 500 mm, preferably 100 to 300 mm, after the start of the outlet.In a particularly preferred implementation of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention, the control device is designed to activate the transport device in a first operating state or operating mode of the conveyor dishwasher, specifically independently of whether washware is present in the region during the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher. Furthermore, the control device is designed to actuate the transport device in a second operating state or operating mode of the conveyor dishwasher in such a way that the transport device is activated if washware is detected in the region at the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher and in the region at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher. In addition, the control device is designed to deactivate the transport device if no washware is detected in the region at the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher and washware is detected in the region at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher.In a further development of this embodiment, the control device is designed to automatically, preferably optionally automatically, switch from the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher to the first operating state if it is detected with the aid of the detection system that washware which is present at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher has previously been removed. Alternatively or additionally, the control device is designed to activate the transport device in the first and above all in the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher if it is detected with the aid of the detection system that washware is present when the conveyor dishwasher is introduced or fed in.In a preferred development of the last-mentioned implementation of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention, the detection system is furthermore designed to additionally detect the presence of washware in a region which is predetermined within the end region of the outlet. In other words, the detection system is designed to detect whether sufficient washware has already been inserted into the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher for the outlet to be filled with washware, which is namely the case when the washware inserted into the outlet reaches the end region of the outlet.In this preferred development, the control device is furthermore designed to actuate the transport device in such a way that, in the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher, the transport device is activated if washware is detected in each case in the region at the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher and in the region at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher, and if washware is not detected in the region within the end region of the outlet of the dishwasher. In addition, the control device is designed to deactivate the transport device if no washware is detected in the region at the inlet or inlet of the conveyor dishwasher and washware is detected in the region at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher.In a development of the last-mentioned embodiment, it is provided that the control device is further designed to actuate the transport device in such a way that the transport device is deactivated if washware is detected in the region within the end region of the outlet, or if washware is detected in each case in the region at or in the outlet of the conveyor dishwasher and in the region within the end region of the outlet.In the following, a purely exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention is described in more detail with reference to the attached drawings.The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention at a first point in time during the operation of the dishwasher; and FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention as per FIG. 1 at a later second point in time during the operation of the dishwasher.FIG. 1 shows an example of the solution according to the invention in a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a conveyor dishwasher 1. The exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 1 has a prewash zone 11 and a main wash zone 12 arranged after the prewash zone 11 as viewed in the transport direction T of the washware. After the main wash zone 12, as seen in the transport direction T, a final wash or prewash zone 13 and a final rinse zone 14 are arranged in the transport dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 1.Viewed in the transport direction T, the washware, which is held in the exemplary embodiment schematically illustrated in the drawings by washware carriers, in particular washware baskets, runs through an inlet tunnel 10, the prewash zone 11 which adjoins this as a result, the main wash zone 12, the postwash or prewash zone 13, the final rinse zone 14 and through a drying zone 15 into an outlet section 17.Spray nozzles are assigned to the treatment zones 11, 12, 13 and 14 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, via which spray nozzles liquid is sprayed onto the washware which is transported by the conveyor belt through the respective treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14.As indicated schematically in the drawings, it is preferred if the spray nozzles of the washing system assigned to the prewash zone 11 and the main wash zone 12, for example, are each formed in an upper and lower wash tube, so that corresponding wash arms are used in these treatment zones 11, 12. It is conceivable here for the washing systems used to have a multiplicity of washing pipes which form a wash arm battery, the multiplicity of washing pipes being connected to a corresponding wash pump via a preferably common line system.Although not shown in the drawings, each wash zone (prewash zone 11, main wash zone 12, postwash zone 13) is assigned a respective tank (wash tank) in which sprayed liquid is received and / or in which liquid is provided for the spray nozzles of the respective zones 11, 12, 13.The term "washing zone" as used herein is basically understood to mean a treatment zone, to which a circulation tank (washing tank) is assigned, and in which the liquid collected in the circulation tank of the treatment zone is circulated by means of a wash pump assigned to the treatment zone. The term "washing zone" thus includes the washing zone 11, the main washing zone 12, but also a postwash zone 13, which may be arranged downstream of the main washing zone 12 as viewed in the transport direction T of the washware. This is a circulating final rinse which is connected upstream of the fresh water final rinse.By contrast, in the term "final rinse zone" used herein, a zone is understood in which a fresh water final rinse takes place, in which the washware is sprayed with fresh water, which is optionally admixed with final rinse, in order to free the washware without residue from dirt particles and cleaner solution.In the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings, the final rinsing cycle thus takes place in the final rinsing zone 14 before drying in the drying zone 15. A corresponding blower (not shown in the drawings) is assigned to the drying zone 15 in order to flow hot air around the already cleaned washware and thereby dry it.Furthermore, a control device 50 is provided which is only schematically illustrated in the drawings and which, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, serves (inter alia) to suitably actuate the respective wash pumps of the wash zones 11, 12, 13 during a washing process in order to supply wash liquid at least temporarily via the associated line system to the corresponding spray nozzles.In the conveyor dishwasher 1 shown in FIG. 1, final rinse liquid in the form of fresh water, which may be mixed with further chemical additives, such as, for example, final rinse agents, is sprayed onto the washware, not shown in FIG. 1, via the spray nozzles 2 of the final rinse zone 14 arranged above and below a conveyor belt. Although not shown, laterally arranged spray nozzles can also be provided in the final rinse zone 14.A portion of the final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone 14 is transported from zone to zone via a cascade system counter to the transport direction T of the washware. The remaining part is passed via a valve and a bypass line directly into the prewash tank of the prewash zone 11 (not shown).The final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone 14 is collected in the tank (afterwash or prewash tank) of the afterwash or prewash zone 13, from which it is conveyed via the wash pump belonging to the washing system of the afterwash or prewash zone 13 to the spray nozzles 3 (afterwash or prewash nozzles) of the afterwash or prewash zone 13. In the postwash or prewash zone 13, washing liquid is rinsed off from the washware.The liquid thereby obtained flows into the wash tank of the main wash zone 12, is usually provided with a cleaner and is sprayed onto the washware by means of a wash pump belonging to the wash system of the main wash zone 12 via spray nozzles (wash nozzles 4) of the wash system belonging to the main wash zone 12.The washing liquid then flows from the washing tank of the main washing zone 12 into the prewash tank of the prewash zone 11, and the washing liquid collected in the prewash tank is sprayed onto the washware in the prewash zone 11 by means of a washing pump belonging to the washing system of the prewash zone via spray nozzles (prewash nozzles 5) of the washing system belonging to the prewash zone 11 in order to remove coarse impurities from the washware.In this case, it is conceivable that a part of the washing liquid sprayed in the main washing zone 12 reaches the washing tank (prewash tank) of the prewash zone 11 via an overflow system. Like the main wash zone 12, the prewash zone 11 can be equipped with a tank covering screen designed as a surface screen. This tank cover screen is preferably disposed above the washing tank (prewash tank) of the prewash zone 11 to separate dirt particles from the washing liquid sprayed in the prewash zone 11 and flowing back into the prewash tank by gravity. The mesh width of the tank covering screen is preferably in a range between approximately 1 mm and 4 mm.The heated washing and final rinse liquid produces steam vapours (vapours) during spraying of the latter within the washing and final rinse zones 11, 12, 13, 14 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. In order to prevent these steam vapours from escaping from the conveyor dishwasher 1, it is advantageous if, in the embodiment shown schematically in FIG. 1, the individual treatment zones and in particular the washing and final rinse zones 11, 12, 13, 14 are separated by curtains 6.In order to discharge the steam vapours (vapour) and moist, warm air produced during operation of the conveyor dishwasher 1 from the interior of the conveyor dishwasher 1, it is conceivable to equip the conveyor dishwasher 1 with an exhaust air system on the machine side, which is designed to discharge at least a major part of the warm and moist air produced during operation of the conveyor dishwasher 1 in the treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14 as exhaust air from the respective treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14 of the machine.In the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, a detection system 30 is used, which has a basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31, which is arranged and designed in a predefined region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 in order to detect the presence of washware or a washware carrier 7 there. This basket entry switch / basket entry sensor 31 can be, for example, an optical, capacitive or inductive system, a light scanner or REED sensor, or a mechanical switch. Of course, however, a different sensor system or the like is also possible here.The conveyor dishwasher 1 schematically shown in the drawings is a basket conveyor dishwasher in which the washware (not explicitly shown) is pushed-placed in washware racks 7 or washware baskets-from an inlet 16 (inlet table) into the inlet 10 (inlet channel) or into the conveyor dishwasher 1 and is transported there through the individual treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 with the aid of the conveyor device 20. However, the invention is not of course limited to such basket conveyor dishwashers but can generally also be used with other types of machines, in particular belt conveyor dishwashers.The basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 provided in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is initiated when a washware carrier 7 (washware basket) with washware, if appropriate, taken up is placed in the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.According to the invention, the detection system 30 is connected to a control device 50, which is only schematically illustrated in the drawings, in such a way that the control device 50 actuates the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 as a function of whether washware or a washware carrier 7 is present in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. In this case, it is provided in particular that the transport device 20 is activated with the aid of the control device 50 when washware or washware carrier 7 is detected in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 with the aid of the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31. In other words, if the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 provided at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is initiated or triggered by a washware carrier 7 (dishwasher basket), the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is activated with the aid of the control device 50.On the other hand, the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 of the detection system 30 provided at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is designed to emit a corresponding signal to the detection system 30 or the control device 50 if it is detected that no washware or no washware carrier 7 is (any longer) located in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. In the buffer mode of the conveyor dishwasher, the control device 50 then controls the conveyor device 20 in such a way that the conveyor device 20 is deactivated.In the embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the invention schematically illustrated in the drawings, the detection system 30 further comprises a buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 provided in a predefined region B at the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. This buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 can be designed as an optical, capacitive or inductive system, as can the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 provided at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. In addition, mechanically actuated switches, REED switches or other types of switches are also possible, for example.In general terms, the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 provided in the predefined area B at the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 serves to detect whether washware or a washware carrier 7 is present in this area B. If this is the case, the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 emits a corresponding signal to the detection system 30, as a result of which the control device 50 correspondingly controls the transport device 20.In addition, in the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the invention shown in the drawings, at least one further switch / sensor is also used, which is likewise assigned to the detection system 30 and is in particular designed as a limit switch / end sensor 33. As indicated in the drawings, this limit switch / end sensor 33 is arranged in a region which is predetermined within the end region C of the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 in order to detect the presence of washware or of a washware carrier 7 there. The limit switch / end sensor 33 is preferably an optically, capacitively or inductively operating system, or else a switch, in particular a switch which can be actuated mechanically, which is triggered when washware or a washware carrier 7 is pushed into the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 until the washware or washware carrier 7 reaches the active range of the limit switch / end sensor 33.As indicated in the drawings, the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is dimensioned such that it can accommodate at least two washware carriers 7 one behind the other, as viewed in the conveying direction T of the conveying device 20. Typical dimensions of the outlet 17 of a conveyor dishwasher 1 are 700 mm to 2,000 mm.The inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, in the region of which a preliminary clearing also takes place if appropriate, and which generally serves to load washware carriers 7 (for example washware baskets) with washware, is usually of similar dimensions to the outlet 17 and can accommodate at least two standard washware carriers 7. Typical dimensions of the inlet 16 designed, for example, in the form of an inlet table are in the range between 700 mm and 2,000 mm.It can also be seen from the schematic representations in the drawings that the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 of the detection system 30 is preferably arranged in a region A at the inlet 10 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, in which region the conveyor device 20 is already active. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that, in a case when washware or a washware carrier 7 is located in the active region of the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31, this washware or this washware carrier 7 is transported in the transport direction T when the transport device 20 is active.The buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 of the detection system 30, on the other hand, is arranged in a region B at the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 and preferably-as indicated in the drawings-in a region of the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 which is no longer in the active region of the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. Usually, this buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 is arranged at 0 to 500 mm and preferably 100 to 300 mm after the start of the run-out.The limit switch / end sensor 33 further belonging to the detection system 30 is arranged in the end region C and preferably directly at the end of the outlet 17.The interaction of the detection system 30 with the control device 50 and the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the invention is described in more detail below with reference to the representations in the drawings.In detail, in the exemplary embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 1 schematically illustrated in the drawings, it is provided that the latter can be operated in at least two operating modes. The first operating mode, which is also referred to herein as "first operating state", represents a standard situation in which the washware carriers 7 are conveyed through the individual treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 without stopping the transport device 20.However, as soon as the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 is initiated at the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, i.e. when, for example, a washware carrier 7 actuates the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 at the interface between the conveyor dishwasher 1 and the conveyor dishwasher 17, which is designed, for example, as an outlet table, the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is deactivated via the control device 50, with the result that the conveying of the washware carriers 7 through the treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is interrupted. The conveyor dishwasher 1 is transferred into the second operating mode ("buffer operation") by the triggering / actuation of the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32.In this second operating mode, which is also referred to herein as "second operating state" or "buffer operation", the transport device 20 is activated via the control device 50 only if the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is occupied by a washware carrier 7 or washware. In other words, only when new washware, such as a new washware carrier 7, is introduced into the dishwasher is the transport device 20 activated in the second operating mode (buffer operation). As a result, the washware is conveyed, as viewed in the transport direction T, until the washware no longer engages in the active region of the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31.In the second operating mode (buffer operation), as already explained, the transport device 20 is activated only when the basket entry switch / basket entry sensor 31 is occupied. As soon as the washware or washware carrier 7 has been conveyed out of the active region of the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31, the transport device 20 is deactivated.As a result, in the area behind the basket inlet switch / basket inlet sensor 31 (viewed in the transport direction T of the washware), no new free spaces are any longer formed between the washware or the washware carriers 7, as a result of which the length of the dishwasher can be utilized more efficiently as a basket buffer. This is illustrated schematically in particular in FIG. 2.The previously described second operating mode (buffer operation) is deactivated again by unloading the washware or washware carriers 7 at the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1. This can be done, for example, by triggering the limit switch / end sensor 33 or by clearing the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32. The transport device 20 is then activated again without interruption with the aid of the control device 50, specifically at least until the entire washware or all washware carriers 7 have been transported through the treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.A new buffer operation (i.e. a transition to the second operating mode) is preferably only made possible again when washware or washware carrier 7 is pushed into an empty dishwasher and this or these then reaches the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32.Accordingly, it remains to be noted that the unloading behavior of the conveyor dishwasher 1 can be monitored by the detection system 30 or the buffer switch / buffer sensor 32 of the detection system 30. In combination with the basket entry switch / basket entry sensor 31, additional information regarding the loading behavior is available. The combination of both information enables intelligent control of the transport device 20.Thus, in particular, the machine length can be optimally utilized when working with only a single rinsing force, i.e. the number of washware carriers 7 or the number of washware units is maximized when loading the conveyor dishwasher 1. As a result of the continuous loading, a larger number of washware carriers 7 or more washware units can be loaded into the conveyor dishwasher 1 before the dishwasher is forced to unload the conveyor dishwasher 1. In addition, a comfortable unloading is made possible when working with only a single flushing force, namely by the uninterrupted transport during the unloading process.Moreover, no disadvantages arise when working with a plurality of persons, since here too the transport through the individual treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 runs without interruption.Thus, the information of the loading behavior makes use of both the advantages of continuous transport (first operating mode) and the advantages of buffer operation (second operating mode), and this without the disadvantages of these two operating modes.Although not shown in the drawings, it is advantageous in a preferred development of the conveyor dishwasher 1 according to the invention if the control device 50 is designed to activate the conveyor device 20 with a time delay when washware or a washware carrier 7 is detected in the region at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.Accordingly, it is possible that the conveyor dishwasher 1 is designed, in a state when the conveyor device 20 is deactivated, i.e. when no washware is conveyed through the individual treatment zones 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, also to deactivate the corresponding washing and final rinse systems (switching off the corresponding washing and final rinse pumps), in order thus to save resources (energy, fresh water, chemicals) in the deactivated state of the conveyor device 20. Delayed activation of the transport device 20 ensures that a certain "lead time" is given to the washing and final rinse systems of the conveyor dishwasher 1 in order to be able to build up the nozzle pressure necessary for effective treatment of the washware.The time delay of activating the transport device 20 is preferably manually adjustable and is in a range between 0 and 10 s.Furthermore, it is advantageous if the control device 50 is designed to deactivate the transport device 20 only when no washware is detected in the region at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 for a certain time. This time too is preferably manually adjustable and is between 0 and 10 s.The invention relates not only to a conveyor dishwasher 1 but also to a corresponding method for operating a conveyor dishwasher 1. this method is distinguished in particular by the following method steps: i) with the aid of a detection system 30 it is detected whether washware or a washware carrier 7 is present in an area A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1; and ii) with the aid of a control device 50 the transport device 20 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 is activated if washware or a washware carrier 7 is detected in the area A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, and is deactivated if no washware or washware carrier 7 is detected in the area A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.Preferably, the method further comprises the following method steps:detecting system 30 is used to detect whether washware or a washware carrier 7 is present in a region B at the outlet 17 of conveyor dishwasher 1; andThe transport device 20 is activated with the aid of the control device 50 if washware or a washware carrier 7 is detected in each case in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 and in the region B at or in the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, and deactivated if washware or a washware carrier 7 is detected in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 and washware or a washware carrier is detected in the region B at or in the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.Preferably, the method further comprises the following method steps:detecting with the aid of the detecting system 30 whether washware or a washware carrier 7 is present within an end region C of the outlet 17 of the dishwasher; andThe transport device 20 is activated with the aid of the control device 50 if washware or a washware carrier 7 is detected in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 and in the region B at or in the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, and if, in addition, washware or no washware carrier 7 is detected in the region within the end region C of the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1, and deactivated if no washware or no washware carrier 7 is detected in the region A at the inlet 10 or inlet 16 of the conveyor dishwasher 1 and washware or a washware carrier is detected in the region B at or in the outlet 17 of the conveyor dishwasher 1.The invention is not limited to the embodiment described in connection with the drawings, but rather results from a combination of all features disclosed herein.

Claims

Conveyor dishwasher (1), in particular in the form of a belt or basket conveyor dishwasher, having a transport device (20) for transporting washware through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), wherein the conveyor dishwasher (1) has a detection system (30) which is designed to detect the presence of washware or of a washware carrier (7) in a predefined region (A) at the inlet (10) or at an inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and in that a control device (50) is provided which is designed to actuate the transport device (20) in such a way that: - the transport device (20) is activated when washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and - the transport device (20) is deactivated if no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the transport dishwasher (1), characterized in that the detection system (30) is furthermore designed to detect the presence of washware or of a washware carrier (7) in a predefined region (B) at the outlet (17) of the transport dishwasher (1), and wherein the control device (50) is furthermore designed to actuate the transport device (20) on the basis of whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in the region (B) at the outlet (17) of the transport dishwasher (1), wherein the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is that region which, as viewed in the transport direction (T) of the washware, is situated downstream of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and into which the washware which has been previously treated in the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is pushed, after it has passed through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15), with the aid of the transport device (20), wherein the transport device (20) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is no longer active in the region of the outlet (17).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 1, wherein the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) - viewed in the conveying direction (T) of the washware - preferably directly adjoins the conveying device (20), and wherein the detection system (30) is designed to detect the presence of washware or of a washware carrier (7) in a predefined region (B) of the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and wherein the control device (50) is furthermore designed to actuate the conveying device (20) on the basis of whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in the region (B) of the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 2, wherein the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is designed to accommodate a plurality of washware units and / or washware carriers (7), wherein the region (B) of the outlet (17) in which the presence of washware or a washware carrier (7) can be detected with the aid of the detection system (30) lies upstream of an end region (C) of the outlet (17), as seen in the conveying direction (T) of the washware.Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the region (B) of the outlet (17) in which the presence of washware or of a washware carrier (7) can be detected with the aid of the detection system (30) lies 0 to 500 mm, preferably 100 to 300 mm, after the start of the outlet (17), as seen in the transport direction (T) of the washware.Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), in which the presence of washware or of a washware carrier (7) can be detected with the aid of the detection system (30), lies at the inlet region of a first treatment zone (11) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), as seen in the conveying direction (T) of the washware, and in particular in an inlet tunnel of the conveyor dishwasher (1).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the control device (50) is designed to activate the conveyor device (20) in a first operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) independently of whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or in the inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and to activate the conveyor device (20) in a second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) such that: - the conveyor device (20) is activated if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in each case in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and - the transport device (20) is deactivated if no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and a washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 6, wherein the control device (50) is configured to automatically switch from the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) to the first operating state if it is detected with the aid of the detection system (30) that washware previously present at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) or washware carrier (7) previously present at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) has been removed.Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device (50) is configured to activate the transport device (20) in the first and above all in the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) if it is detected with the aid of the detection system (30) that washware or a washware carrier (7) is present at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the detection system (30) is further designed to detect the presence of washware or a washware carrier (7) in a region defined in advance within the end region (C) of the outlet (17), and wherein the control device (50) is further designed to actuate the conveyor device (20) in such a way that, in the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1),: - the conveyor device (20) is activated if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in each case in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and if, in addition, no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region within the end region (C) of the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and - the conveyor device (20) is deactivated if no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 9, wherein the control device (50) is further configured to actuate the conveyor device (20) in such a way: - that the conveyor device (20) is deactivated if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region within the end region (C) of the outlet (17); or - that the conveyor device (20) is deactivated if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in each case in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and in the region within the end region (C) of the outlet (17).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the control device (50) is designed to automatically switch from the second operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) to the first operating state if it is detected with the detection system (30) that washware or washware carrier (7) present beforehand in the end region (C) of the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) has been removed, or that no washware or washware carrier is present in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) in the region (B).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 9 to 11, wherein the control device (50) is designed to automatically switch from the first operating state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) to the second operating state if it is detected with the aid of the detection system (30) that washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and that this region (B) was present at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) preferably before the presence of the detected washware or of the detected washware carrier (7) at least for a defined time, which preferably reflects the duration for transporting washware through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), no washware or no washware carrier (7) was present.Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the detection system (30) has at least one optical, capacitive or inductive sensor and / or switch (31, 32, 33), in particular contact switches.Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the control device (50) is designed to activate or deactivate the transport device (20) in a time-delayed manner depending on a loading state of the conveyor dishwasher (1) detected with the aid of the detection system (30).Conveyor dishwasher (1) according to claim 14, wherein the control device (50) is designed to activate the conveyor device (20) with a time delay if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and / or to deactivate the conveyor device (20) if no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) for a certain time, preferably 0 to 10 s.Method for operating a conveyor dishwasher (1), in particular a conveyor dishwasher (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 15, wherein the method has the following method steps: i) it is detected with the aid of a detection system (30) whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in an area (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and ii) with the aid of a control device (50), the transport device (20) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is activated when washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and deactivated when no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); wherein the method further comprises the following method steps: - with the aid of the detection system (30), it is detected whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present in a region (B) at the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1); and - with the aid of the control device (50), the transport device (20) is activated, if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in each case in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and deactivates if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) and washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) being that region, as seen in the transport direction (T) of the washware, which region lies upstream of the conveyor dishwasher (1) in which the region previously in the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 14, 14 is detected, 15) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is inserted after it has passed through the individual treatment zones (11, 12, 13, 14, 15) with the aid of the transport device (20), wherein the transport device (20) of the conveyor dishwasher (1) is no longer active in the region of the outlet (17).Method according to claim 16, wherein the method further comprises the following method steps: - it is detected with the aid of the detection system (30) whether washware or a washware carrier (7) is present within an end region (C) of the outlet (17) of the dishwasher; and - the transport device (20) is activated with the aid of the control device (50) if washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in each case in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the transport dishwasher (1) and in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the transport dishwasher (1), and if additionally no washware or washware carrier (7) is detected and deactivated in the region within the end region (C) of the outlet (17) of the transport dishwasher (1), when no washware or no washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (A) at the inlet (10) or inlet (16) of the conveyor dishwasher (1), and washware or a washware carrier (7) is detected in the region (B) at or in the outlet (17) of the conveyor dishwasher (1).

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