System and arrangement for drying washed objects

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for drying dishwashing items and to an arrangement comprising such a system and a commercial dishwasher. The system (1) comprises a drying tunnel (3), guide elements (31) arranged in the drying tunnel (3) for a transport means, such as a transport basket, for transporting dishwashing items along a transport path on a transport level, a recirculating air blower (5) for circulating internal air from the drying tunnel (3); and a fresh air blower (7) for supplying fresh air into the drying tunnel (3).

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for drying dishes from a commercial dishwasher. The invention also relates to an assembly comprising a commercial dishwasher and a system for drying dishes. background

[0002] In a commercial dishwasher, especially a pass-through (PT) or undercounter (UC) dishwasher where there is no drying zone, it is important that the dishes are dried very quickly after the washing process.

[0003] DE 10 2015 207169 B4 discloses a dishwasher equipped with a drying device arranged adjacent to it. The drying device comprises a table on which a basket containing cleaned items can be placed. A fan blows tempered air through the table's air outlets against the items to be cleaned from below for drying. The tempered air can be either heated air from the interior of the dishwasher or cooled air. For example, delicate, thin-walled glasses can be dried with warm air, or thick-walled beer mugs can be treated with cooled air so they can be quickly reused. Operating the drying device requires a lot of energy to temper the air.The use of tempered air from a dishwasher or similar device creates temperature interactions between the drying device and the heat or cold source, which can impair the results of both devices. A drying process can sometimes take a long time. The drying device blows a lot of humid air into the environment. This exposes people, equipment, and the building surrounding the device to warm air.

[0004] DE 26 15 976 A1 describes a device for drying dishes emerging from a dishwasher. The device comprises a drying box with a fan and heating elements arranged thereon for directing a hot air stream onto the dishes from above. The device comprises a table onto which dish racks can be placed. It also comprises a drying box that is vertically displaceable so that it can be lowered onto the dish rack for use, with the box edge enclosing the dish rack with an apron. The table contains openings through which the hot air stream leaves the drying box after flowing around the dishes. The hot air stream emerging from the drying box can be deflected and directed from below against another dish rack, containing dishes, arranged outside the drying box.Operating the device requires a lot of energy to generate the hot air flow, and the device blows a lot of humid air into the environment. This exposes people, equipment, and the building surrounding the device to the warm air. Furthermore, the sequential operation of the drying box and the repositioning of the dish racks requires a lot of manual labor.

[0005] DE 1832 502 U describes a drying tunnel for a dishwasher. Dried and heated circulating air is blown onto the dishes from above and below using nozzles. Within the tunnel, a recirculating air extraction nozzle is provided for an extraction device with a condenser to dehumidify the circulating air. The device requires a lot of energy to operate the condenser and the associated heater. The drying process can sometimes take a long time.

[0006] From DE 20 2004 020 355 U1, a conveyor-type dishwasher with a guided air flow in the drying zone is also known, wherein the dishwasher comprises a drying fan with outlet nozzles and in which a deflection surface is assigned to the drying zone, wherein the dishwasher is designed such that the air jets emerging from the outlet nozzles are decoupled from the air volume recirculated in the drying zone.

[0007] Finally, DE 75 39 011 U1 describes a heating cabinet with an air inlet duct for fresh air and an exhaust air duct.

[0008] As the use of reusable tableware in the catering industry continues to grow, plastic cups and bowls increasingly need to be dried just as quickly as glass or ceramic ware. Unfortunately, due to the poor thermal conductivity of plastic, these reusable products are difficult to dry, especially on the inside. Drying plastic tableware as quickly as glass or ceramic ware using conventional drying concepts would require increased energy consumption.

[0009] There is therefore a need for alternative solutions that can dry even demanding plastic ware as quickly and / or as energy-efficiently as possible, while avoiding exposure of the environment to humid warm air. Summary of the invention

[0010] This object is achieved by a system for drying dishes from a commercial dishwasher according to claim 1 and an arrangement comprising such a commercial dishwasher. Claims 2 to 12 relate to particularly preferred embodiments of the system according to claim 1, and claims 14 and 15 relate to particularly preferred embodiments of the arrangement according to claim 13.

[0011] Accordingly, a system for drying dishes from a commercial dishwasher is provided. The system comprises a drying tunnel, a recirculation fan, and a fresh air fan. The use of the drying tunnel shields the surrounding area from humidified exhaust air resulting from the drying of dishes. The use of the drying tunnel alone significantly reduces environmental pollution compared to many conventional systems.

[0012] Guide elements for a transport means, such as a transport basket, are arranged in the drying tunnel and are designed and configured to transport washware along a transport path on a transport plane. The guide elements can be designed and configured to support a transport means within the drying tunnel. The guide elements can, for example, comprise two opposing rails extending along the transport path, on which rails a transport means can be guided into, in, through and / or out of the drying tunnel. A transport means, such as a transport basket, can, for example, have a rectangular or square base area which has openings. The base area of ​​a transport basket for use in the system can, for example, be designed like a grid or sieve. It can be preferred for the transport path to extend substantially horizontally transversely to a vertical direction.The transport plane can be a plane oriented perpendicularly or at least approximately perpendicularly to a vertical direction. The vertical direction refers to a dishwasher in a ready-to-use position and is directed opposite to the direction of gravity acting on the ball in the valve device. Accordingly, the horizontal directions span a cross-sectional plane, preferably the transport plane, perpendicular to the vertical direction.

[0013] The system for drying dishes comprises a recirculation fan for circulating internal air from the drying tunnel. The recirculation fan is preferably designed and configured to extract recirculated air from the interior of the drying tunnel and then supply it to the interior of the drying tunnel, optionally accelerating and / or heating it. The recirculation fan can, for example, have an intake duct for extracting recirculated air from the interior of the drying tunnel and an exhaust duct for returning extracted recirculated air to the interior of the drying tunnel. By using the recirculation fan, the energy present in the recirculated air can be reused, thus preventing unnecessary heating energy consumption. Furthermore, the recirculation fan can be used to minimize the discharge of moist, warm air from the system, thus further reducing environmental pollution. Thanks to the recirculation principle, room heating caused by air outlets is significantly reduced.

[0014] The system for drying dishes further comprises a fresh air blower for supplying fresh air into the drying tunnel. The fresh air blower is preferably designed and configured to extract fresh air from the surroundings of the drying tunnel and supply it, optionally heated, to the interior of the drying tunnel. The fresh air blower can, for example, have an intake opening for drawing in fresh air from the environment outside the drying tunnel and at least one fresh air discharge opening, such as an air nozzle or the like, for introducing fresh air into the interior of the drying tunnel. By drawing in fresh air from the surroundings of the system, for example in the kitchen area, and optionally additionally heating it, the amount of moisture absorbed by cleaned dishes can be significantly increased.Injecting relatively dry fresh air into the drying tunnel using the fresh air blower allows for significantly faster drying of washware, especially plastic. The system can be designed and configured for fresh air in the drying tunnel environment, for example, under standard conditions (293.15 K or 20 °C; 100,000 Pa; 65% relative humidity).

[0015] The fresh air blower and the recirculation blower are preferably designed separately from one another. It is preferred that the fresh air blower and the recirculation blower communicate with one another only in the interior of the drying tunnel. Particularly preferably, the fresh air blower and the recirculation blower are designed separately from one another in such a way that the recirculation blower does not receive any fresh air directly from the fresh air blower and / or that the fresh air blower does not receive any recirculation air directly from the recirculation blower. The fresh air blower and the recirculation blower are preferably connected to the drying tunnel in such a way that mixing of fresh air from the fresh air blower and recirculation air from the recirculation blower can occur, in particular only in the area of ​​the drying tunnel, which is preferably occupied by a means of transport and / or washware. The recirculation blower preferably takes recirculation air only from the interior area.The fresh air blower preferably does not draw in any internal air or recirculated air directly from the drying tunnel interior. The system can be designed and configured for recirculated air in the drying tunnel at a temperature in the range of 20°C to 90°C, in particular 40°C to 80°C, preferably 50°C to 75°C, particularly preferably 60°C to 70°C; approximately 100,000 Pa; and / or a relative humidity of at least 50%, in particular at least 65%, preferably at least 75%, particularly preferably at least 85%.

[0016] In some embodiments of a system, the fresh air blower has a plurality of air nozzles arranged below the transport plane and oriented in the direction of the transport plane. The fresh air blower can, for example, have two, five, ten or more air nozzles for discharging fresh air into the interior of the pressure vessel. The number of air nozzles is in particular no more than 1000, preferably no more than 500, particularly preferably no more than 100. The plurality of air nozzles of the fresh air blower can be oriented in the same direction or in the same direction, in particular vertically. It is conceivable that some air nozzles, for example a set of air nozzles or several sets of air nozzles, in particular near an entrance and / or an exit of the drying tunnel, are oriented with an inclination deviating from the vertical direction, in particular inwards.The inclination of a drying nozzle is in particular in a range of no more than 45°, preferably no more than 30°, particularly preferably no more than 15°, relative to the vertical direction. The plurality of air nozzles can have at least one set of air nozzles, each with the same orientation. Preferably, the fresh air blower is designed and configured to supply the fresh air into the interior of the drying tunnel in such a way that transport means and / or washware arranged within the drying tunnel are blown in the vertical direction from below. The plurality of air nozzles are located in particular in a range of no more than 20 cm, preferably no more than 10 cm, particularly preferably no more than 5 cm below the transport plane. Preferably, all air nozzles of the fresh air blower are located below the transport plane.

[0017] According to a further development of a system with air nozzles, at least one air discharge pipe extending transversely to the transport path and having a plurality of air nozzles is arranged below the transport plane, or a plurality of air discharge pipes extending transversely to the transport path, each with at least one air nozzle, is arranged below the transport plane. It should be understood that at least one air discharge pipe can extend completely transversely, in particular perpendicularly, to the transport path, preferably in a horizontal direction. Alternatively, it is conceivable for at least one air discharge pipe to run with at least one bend, for example U-shaped, or multiple bends, for example S-shaped, W-shaped, or wave-like. The at least one air discharge pipe can run parallel to the transport plane. Alternatively, it is conceivable for at least one air discharge pipe to run, in sections or completely, at an incline relative to the transport plane.It is conceivable for an air discharge pipe to have a respective set of air nozzles. Several air nozzles of an air discharge pipe can be oriented in the same, in particular the same, direction, preferably vertically upward. Alternatively, it is conceivable for several, in particular all, air nozzles of an air discharge pipe or of different air discharge pipes to be oriented differently (with different inclinations relative to the vertical axis).

[0018] In some embodiments, the fresh air blower has at least one intake opening for fresh air arranged outside, in particular above and / or below, the drying tunnel, and a fan for conveying the fresh air from the intake opening into the drying tunnel. The fan for conveying the fresh air is preferably not arranged below the air nozzles, preferably not below the transport plane. Preferably, the fan is designed and configured to convey a volume flow of fresh air of at least 1 m 3 / h, in particular at least 10 m 3 / h, preferably at least 25 m 3 / h, particularly preferably at least 50 m 3 / h, into the drying tunnel.Alternatively or additionally, the fan is designed and configured to convey a volume flow of fresh air of not more than 500 m³ / h, in particular not more than 250 m³ / h, preferably not more than 100 m³ / h, particularly preferably not more than 70 m³ / h, into the drying tunnel. The fresh air blower preferably comprises exactly one or at least one fan. An individual fan can be assigned to several, in particular all, air nozzles, in particular by means of a distributor. Optionally, an individual fan can be assigned to several, in particular all, air discharge pipes, in particular by means of a distributor. Different air discharge pipes or air nozzles can be assigned to different fans of the fresh air blower.The at least one intake opening of the fresh air blower can be arranged, for example, on an outer side of the drying tunnel, in particular on the top side, on the bottom side, or on a side surface without an inlet or outlet of the drying tunnel. It may be preferred for the fan to be arranged close to the at least one intake opening of the fresh air blower. It may be preferred for a distributor to be provided between, on the one hand, the at least one intake opening, in particular the at least one fan, and, on the other hand, the plurality of air nozzles, in particular the plurality of air discharge pipes, in order to distribute the fresh air from the intake openings and / or the fan to the air nozzles and, if applicable, the air discharge pipes, in particular evenly. It may be preferred for a distributor to be arranged in the vertical direction region of the transport plane and / or the air nozzles and, if applicable, the air discharge pipe(s).Preferably, the announcement opening, the fan and / or the fresh air heater are arranged above the distributor.

[0019] In some embodiments, the fresh air blower has a fresh air heater for heating fresh air, which is arranged in the fresh air blower, in particular upstream of the air nozzles and / or downstream of the intake opening. It may be preferred that the fresh air blower is designed and configured to be selectively operated in a, in particular modified, operating mode with a deactivated fresh air heater. In particular, the fresh air heater is arranged in the fresh air blower between the intake opening and the air nozzles. Preferably, the fresh air heater is designed and configured to heat fresh air under standard conditions to a higher temperature.The fresh air heater can in particular be designed and configured to heat fresh air from the surroundings of the drying tunnel to a temperature of at least 40°C, in particular at least 50°C, particularly preferably at least 60°C, further preferably at least 70°C. The heating output of the fresh air heater is preferably coordinated with the conveying output of the fan. The fan is preferably arranged in the fresh air blower between the intake opening and a fresh air heater. It may be preferred for the fresh air heater to be arranged in the region of a duct constriction, wherein the duct cross-section of the fresh air blower is larger in the region of the intake opening of the fan and / or any distributor than in the region of the fresh air heater. It may be preferred for the duct cross-section to taper between the intake opening or the fan and the fresh air heater.It may be preferred that the duct cross-section widens downstream of the fan, particularly in the area of ​​the distributor.

[0020] According to some embodiments, the recirculating air blower has at least one intake duct for sucking in internal air from the drying tunnel, at least one exhaust duct for returning internal air to the drying tunnel, and at least one recirculating air fan for conveying the internal air (recirculated air) through the intake duct and the exhaust duct. The recirculating air fan for conveying the recirculated air is preferably not arranged below the air nozzles, preferably not below the transport plane. Preferably, the at least one intake duct and / or the exhaust duct is arranged above the transport plane. Preferably, the recirculating air fan is arranged above the interior of the drying tunnel. In particular, the recirculating air blower comprises exactly one, at least one or more recirculating air fans. The recirculating air blower preferably comprises exactly one, at least one or more exhaust ducts, in particular with exactly one outlet opening.The circulating air fan preferably comprises exactly one, at least one, exactly two, at least two or more intake shafts, in particular with exactly one respective inlet opening. The intake shaft, in particular its inlet opening, and / or the exhaust shaft, in particular its outlet opening, is preferably not arranged below the air nozzles, preferably not below the transport plane. The intake shaft, in particular its inlet opening, and / or the exhaust shaft, in particular its outlet opening, is preferably arranged at the top of the interior of the drying tunnel. The intake shaft, in particular its inlet opening, and / or the exhaust shaft, in particular its outlet opening, is preferably oriented in the direction of the transport plane, preferably parallel to the vertical direction.In particular, the recirculation fan is designed and configured to convey a volume flow of recirculated air of at least 100 m 3 / h, preferably at least 200 m 3 / h, particularly preferably at least 400 m 3 / h or at least 700 m 3 / h, into the drying tunnel. Alternatively or additionally, the recirculation fan is designed and configured to convey a volume flow of recirculated air of not more than 2000 m 3 / h, in particular not more than 1500 m 3 / h, preferably not more than 1000 m 3 / h, particularly preferably not more than 800 m 3 / h, into the drying tunnel. Preferably, the recirculation blower comprises exactly one or at least one recirculation fan.

[0021] According to a further development of a system, the at least one intake shaft is arranged along the conveying path behind an entrance or in front of the exit of the drying tunnel. It may be preferred that the at least one recirculating air fan has a first intake shaft arranged at the entrance of the drying tunnel and a second intake shaft arranged at the exit of the drying tunnel. Preferably, the at least one or precisely one exhaust shaft is arranged along the conveying path between a first intake shaft and a second intake shaft. The arrangement of one or more intake shafts at an entrance and / or exit of the drying tunnel advantageously minimizes the loss of warm recirculating air to the environment.In addition, by arranging one or more intake shafts at an entrance and / or exit of the drying tunnel, fresh air can be sucked from the surroundings of the drying tunnel into the drying interior through the entrance and / or exit.

[0022] According to some embodiments, the recirculating air fan further comprises a recirculating air heater for heating the interior air, which is arranged in the recirculating air fan between an inlet of the at least one intake duct and an outlet of the at least one exhaust duct. In particular, the recirculating air heater is arranged in the recirculating air fan between the one intake duct and the exhaust duct. It may be preferred that the recirculating air fan is designed and configured to be selectively operated in a, in particular modified, operating mode with a deactivated recirculating air heater. Preferably, the recirculating air heater is designed and configured to maintain the temperature of the recirculating air from the interior of the drying tunnel and / or to heat it to a higher temperature.The circulating air heater can in particular be designed and configured to heat circulating air from the drying tunnel to a temperature of at least 50°C, in particular at least 60°C, particularly preferably at least 70°C, or to maintain it at a corresponding minimum temperature. The heating output of the circulating air heater is preferably matched to the conveying output of the circulating air fan. Preferably, the circulating air fan is arranged in the circulating air blower between the intake duct and the circulating air heater. Additionally or alternatively, the circulating air fan can be arranged in the circulating air blower between the circulating air heater and the exhaust duct. It is conceivable for a first circulating air heater to be arranged upstream of the circulating air fan and a second circulating air heater to be arranged downstream of the circulating air fan in the circulating air blower.

[0023] In some embodiments, the recirculating air fan and the fresh air fan are coordinated to deliver a predetermined mixture of indoor air and fresh air into the drying tunnel. In particular, the recirculating air fan and the fresh air fan are coordinated such that the mixture comprises more indoor air than fresh air. The recirculating air fan can also be referred to as the main fan. The mixture can preferably be provided in a mixing ratio of indoor air (recirculating air) to fresh air in the range between 5:1 to 20:1, preferably 7:1 to 15:1, particularly preferably approximately 14:1 or approximately 9:1.

[0024] In some embodiments, the system further comprises a sensor system configured to detect whether a transport means and / or wash ware is accommodated within the drying tunnel. Preferably, the sensor system can comprise a basket switch arranged laterally to one of the guide elements and / or extending along the drying tunnel. The basket switch can be implemented, in particular, as a switching bracket. In particular, the basket switch, in particular the switching bracket, has an inactive switching state in which the basket switch at least partially engages in the transport path, and an active switching state in which a transport means and / or wash ware arranged within the drying tunnel collides with the basket switch. In particular, the basket switch can be designed to be mechanically forced into the active switching state by a transport means and / or wash ware arranged within the drying tunnel.Preferably, the at least one basket switch is arranged transversely to the transport path next to one of the guide elements. The basket switch can, for example, be designed and configured to protrude into an area above a guide element or between two guide elements in an inactive switching state. The basket switch can extend longitudinally along the at least one guide element. In the area of ​​the drying tunnel along the transport vehicle between an entrance and an exit, a sensor system, in particular a basket switch, or several independent sensor components, in particular several basket switches, can be arranged. A basket switch, in particular a switching bracket, can extend along the drying tunnel over at least one third, preferably at least one half, particularly preferably at least three quarters, of the distance between the entrance and the exit.

[0025] In some embodiments, the system further comprises control electronics for operating the system. The control electronics are in particular designed and configured to selectively operate the system in a modified operating mode with inactive fresh air heating and / or inactive recirculation heating. Preferably, the fresh air blower, in particular the fan, and / or the recirculation blower, in particular the recirculation fan, is active in the modified operating mode. Preferably, the control electronics can be designed and configured to operate the fresh air blower with inactive fresh air heating and the recirculation blower with active recirculation heating in the modified operating mode. In the modified operating mode, the fresh air heating and / or the recirculation heating can be actuated to discharge the fresh air or recirculation air into the interior of the drying tunnel at a temperature of no more than 75°C, in particular no more than 60°C, preferably no more than 50°C.

[0026] In a further development of a system with control electronics, the control electronics are designed to operate the system depending on the sensor system described above and / or depending on an input interface that is designed and configured for manual actuation. For example, the control electronics can be designed to activate the system as a result of actuation of the sensor system, in particular the basket switch, and / or as a result of actuation of the input interface. The control electronics can be designed to operate the system in a modified operating mode prompted by a predetermined manual actuation of the input interface.

[0027] According to a further development of the system, the control electronics are further designed to activate the recirculation fan and / or the fresh air fan and, if applicable, the recirculation heater and / or the fresh air heater for a predetermined operating period upon activation by the sensor system and / or the input interface. Additionally or alternatively, according to a further development of the system, the control electronics can be designed to deactivate the system after the expiration of the predetermined operating period and, if applicable, a holding period, and / or upon instigation by the sensor system and / or the input interface. In some embodiments, it can be provided that the control electronics are designed to deactivate the system if, at the same time, both the sensor system, in particular the basket switch, is in an inactive switching state and an input interface registers a predetermined manual input.Alternatively or additionally, in some embodiments, it may be provided that the control electronics are designed to deactivate the system if, at the same time during the predetermined operating period, both the sensor system, in particular the basket switch, is in an active switching state and an input interface registers a predetermined manual input. Further alternatively or additionally, it may be provided that the control electronics are designed to deactivate the system if the sensor system, in particular the basket switch, is not transferred from an inactive switching state to an active switching state during a predetermined waiting period after the expiration of the predetermined operating period.

[0028] According to some embodiments, the system further comprises at least one signal indicator, such as an optical or acoustic signal indicator, which can be activated by the control electronics, for example to indicate the completion of a drying process after the expiration of the predetermined operating time.

[0029] The invention also relates to an arrangement comprising a commercial dishwasher and a system as described above for drying dishes from this commercial dishwasher. Optionally, the system is connected to the commercial dishwasher electrically and / or for signal transmission. It may be expedient for the drying tunnel and the dishwasher to be mechanically connected to one another. The drying tunnel can be connected to the commercial dishwasher, in particular the pass-through machine, in particular with a horizontal distance between the drying tunnel and the commercial dishwasher. It may be preferred for a transport plane of the drying tunnel and a work plane of the connected commercial dishwasher, in particular the pass-through machine, to be arranged at the same height in the vertical direction. The work plane of the commercial dishwasher and the transport plane of the drying tunnel are preferably aligned with one another.The drying tunnel and the commercial dishwasher are preferably coordinated with one another in such a way that wash items and / or a transport means, in particular a transport basket, can be moved from the dishwasher, preferably purely horizontally, into the drying tunnel. Such an arrangement permits a particularly high throughput of wash items and / or particularly rapid cleaning with subsequent drying of wash items. Alternatively, the arrangement can comprise a drying tunnel and a commercial dishwasher, in particular an undercounter machine (UC), which is free-standing relative thereto. The working plane of the commercial dishwasher, in particular the undercounter machine, can be arranged, in particular in the vertical direction, below the transport plane. The commercial dishwasher, in particular the undercounter machine, can preferably be arranged, in particular directly and / or completely, below the drying tunnel in the vertical direction.Such an arrangement is particularly space-saving and can use waste heat from the dishwasher for drying.

[0030] In some embodiments, the arrangement comprises a system equipped with an input interface, in particular as described above. The commercial dishwasher has the input interface, such as a touch display, for inputs, in particular manual inputs. The input interface is connected to the control electronics and is designed to communicate a control specification to the control electronics. Preferably, the input interface is arranged on a surface of the commercial dishwasher. The arrangement is preferably designed such that the control specifications communicated to the input interface located on the commercial dishwasher are transmitted via signal transmission to the system, in particular the fresh air fan and / or the recirculation fan, in order to initiate a, in particular modified, operating state of the system.An additional input interface arranged on a surface of the drying tunnel does not require this arrangement.

[0031] In some embodiments of an arrangement, the control electronics of the system can be accommodated, in particular at least partially or entirely, within the commercial dishwasher. In particular, the control electronics of the system can be accommodated near the input interface in the commercial dishwasher. It is conceivable that the arrangement comprises common control electronics for the operation of both the commercial dishwasher and the system. Short description of the characters

[0032] The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of a system according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of a system according to the embodiment of Figure 1 Fig. 3 shows a detailed view of the transport elements and a basket switch in a system according to Fig. 1 Fig. 4 shows a schematic diagram of the fresh air blower of the embodiment according to Figure 1 Fig. 5 shows a schematic representation of the fresh air blower and the recirculation blower of the embodiment according to Figure 1 Fig. 6 shows a schematic view of the circulating air fan seen from the interior of the drying tunnel according to Figure 1 Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the recirculation fan according to Fig. 4 Fig. 8 shows a schematic diagram of the recirculation fan of the embodiment according to Figure 1 shows; Fig. 9 shows an illustration of an arrangement according to an embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 10 shows a schematic illustration of a first operating mode; and Fig. 11 shows a schematic illustration of another operating mode. Detailed description

[0033] It is clear that the following based on Figure 1 The exemplary device 1 according to the invention is only shown schematically and described as an example in the present disclosure. Within the scope of the disclosure, numerous variations compared to the exemplary device 1 shown in Figure 1 shown preferred embodiment is conceivable.

[0034] A system according to the invention for drying dishes from a commercial dishwasher is generally designated hereinafter by reference numeral 1. A system according to the invention comprising a commercial dishwasher and a system for drying dishes is generally designated 100.

[0035] Fig. 1 shows a system 1 comprising a drying tunnel 3, a recirculation fan 5, and a fresh air fan 7 as essential components. The drying tunnel 3 is described in detail below. Figure 9shows a system 1 which has as essential components a commercial dishwasher 101 (shown here as a pass-through machine) and a system 1 for drying dishes from the commercial dishwasher 101 with a drying tunnel 3, a recirculation fan 5 and a fresh air fan 7.

[0036] Those skilled in the art are familiar with transport devices for transporting washware, particularly transport baskets with a rectangular or square base. The base of such transport devices can be formed, for example, as a net or grid. The base of transport devices for washware is penetrated by openings through which, in the commercial dishwasher, wash water can be directed from below to the washware and through which dirt that is released during cleaning in the commercial dishwasher 101 can be removed.

[0037] In the drying tunnel 3, guide elements 31 transport means for transporting wash ware along a transport path are arranged on a transport plane. In the embodiment of the Figures 1 to 3 The guide elements 31 are realized by two laterally opposed slide rails. The slide rails extend across the entire drying tunnel 3. The guide elements 31 extend continuously from the entrance 30 to the exit 39 of the drying tunnel 9.

[0038] The guide elements 31, located opposite each other transversely to the transport path, define a transport plane on which the transport means can rest securely within the drying tunnel 3. The guide elements 31 can define the transport path for the transport means or also for the wash ware and transport means in the transport direction T. The transport plane extends as a horizontal plane spanned by a first horizontal direction X and a second horizontal direction Y perpendicular to the vertical direction V.

[0039] Along the transport path, a sensor system can be provided in the interior 37, which is designed to register whether there are wash items and / or a transport means within the drying tunnel 3. The sensor system can be implemented, for example, by a basket switch 33. The basket switch 33 can be implemented as a bracket switch and extend along the guide elements 31. When a transport means, such as a transport basket with wash items, is pushed into the drying tunnel 3, the basket switch 33 is forced from the illustrated inactive switching position into an active switching position. The basket switch 33 can be used to detect whether there is a transport means within the drying tunnel 3.

[0040] Between the inlet 30 and the outlet 39 of the drying tunnel 3 extends its interior space 37, in which moist washware is dried by means of the system 1. In the illustrated embodiment, the guide elements 31 bridge the entire interior space 37. In the transport direction T, which can correspond, for example, to the first horizontal direction X, the interior space 37 of the drying tunnel 3 is delimited by a respective curtain 38 at both the inlet 30 and the outlet 39. The respective curtain 38 covers the inlet 30 and / or the outlet 39 in the vertical direction V at least partially, in particular at least half. Perpendicular to the vertical direction V and to the transport direction T, for example in the second horizontal direction Y, the curtain 38 completely covers the inlet 30 and / or the outlet 39.

[0041] Both the recirculating air fan 5 for circulating the interior air from the drying tunnel 3 and the fresh air fan 7 for supplying fresh air into the drying tunnel 3 communicate with the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3. The fresh air fan 7 is connected to the environment of the drying tunnel 3 by means of a fresh air intake opening 70. The intake opening is protected from the environment by a grid to prevent foreign objects or people from reaching in. The recirculating air fan 5 is not directly connected to the exterior environment of the drying tunnel 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 is shown, a maintenance flap 59, which tightly covers the recirculation fan 5 from the environment, is not shown (compare Figure 2 ).

[0042] Transversely to the transport direction T (in the second horizontal direction Y), the drying tunnel 3 is delimited by preferably closed side walls 32. The side walls 32 preferably extend in the vertical direction V and in the transport direction T over the entire extent of the drying tunnel 3. An interior temperature sensor (not shown in detail) can be arranged in the interior space 37 of the drying tunnel 3, for example on a side wall 32. The drying tunnel 3 is preferably closed in the vertical direction V at its top and bottom by a floor or ceiling wall to prevent unintentional entry or exit of media, such as water and / or air. The walls, i.e. the side wall 32, the floor and / or ceiling wall, can be at least partially penetrated by inlet openings of the recirculating air fan 5 and / or by outlet openings of the fresh air fan 7 and / or the recirculating air fan 5.The flow of fresh air through the fresh air blower 7 is in . Fig. 4 represented by arrows.

[0043] Below the transport plane, numerous air nozzles 71 are arranged in the drying tunnel 3, which are oriented essentially upwards in the vertical direction V toward the transport plane. In the illustrated embodiment, 25 air nozzles 71 are provided, but there may well be more. Fresh air can be blown into the interior 37 using the air nozzles 71. If the air nozzles 71 are arranged below the transport plane and oriented upwards, as described and illustrated here, the washware within the drying tunnel 3 can be exposed to relatively very dry fresh air from below in order to quickly remove a large amount of moisture.

[0044] The fresh air is conveyed to the plurality of air nozzles 71 by the fresh air blower 1 using a fan 73. For this purpose, the fan 73 is connected to a distributor 77. The air nozzles 71 can, as shown, be distributed across a plurality of air discharge pipes 72. In the present embodiment, for example, five air discharge pipes 72 are provided. The air discharge pipes 72 extend transversely to the transport direction T in the second horizontal direction Y through the interior space 37. The air discharge pipes 72 are arranged below the transport plane. Each air discharge pipe 72 has a plurality (five) air nozzles 71. The plurality of air discharge pipes 72 are connected to the distributor 77 to receive fresh air from the fan 73.

[0045] In the vertical direction V, the distributor 77 is arranged above the transport plane. Likewise, the fan 73 is arranged above the transport plane. This ensures that dripping water, which could at least hypothetically enter the fresh air blower 7 through the air nozzles 71, is prevented from reaching the electrical, mechanical, or electromagnetic components of the fan 73. The outlet openings of the fresh air blower 7, which in the present example are implemented as fresh air nozzles 71, are sufficiently small (e.g., less than 5 mm, in particular less than 2.5 mm, preferably less than 1 mm), so that wash items are prevented from falling into the fresh air blower.

[0046] In the illustrated embodiment, the intake opening 70 of the fresh air blower 7 is located on the upper outer side of the system 1. It is conceivable that the fresh air blower 7 has additional intake openings. It is also conceivable that the intake opening(s) of the fresh air blower 7 are located on a different outer side of the system 1.

[0047] The fresh air blower 7 can, as shown, include a fresh air heater 75. In a normal operating state of the system, the fresh air heater 75 can be activated to heat the fresh air drawn in from the environment to an elevated temperature. By heating the fresh air, its relative humidity decreases, allowing it to absorb more moisture from the washware in the drying tunnel 3. Alternatively, in a modified operating state of the system, the fresh air heater 75 can be inactive. This can save energy.

[0048] For efficient heat transfer from the fresh air heater 75 to the fresh air, the fresh air heater extends over a large area. The effective heating area of ​​the fresh air heater 75 can extend longer, in particular in the direction of flow of the fresh air than transversely thereto. The effective heating area of ​​the fresh air heater 75 can extend over more than half the height of the drying tunnel 3 in the vertical direction V. An electrical heat source, for example, can be provided along the effective heating area of ​​the fresh air heater. The heat source can be formed by a filament, as shown. The filament preferably has several loops, for example 5 to 50 loops, in particular 7 to 15 S-loops.In order to guide the fresh air closely along the heat source, it may be preferable for the cross-sectional width of the fresh air blower in the area of ​​the fresh air heater 75 to be reduced, particularly in relation to the preferably upstream fan 73 and / or the preferably downstream distributor 77. The cross-sectional width of the fresh air blower in the area of ​​the fresh air heater 75 can, for example, be less than 3x or less than 2x as large as a heat source arranged within the cross-sectional width, such as a filament.

[0049] Figure 5 shows a schematic partial sectional view of the fresh air blower 7 and the recirculating air blower 5 above the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3. Figure 2 The maintenance flap 59 shown, which tightly shields the recirculation fan 5 from the environment when installed in normal operation, is in Figure 5 only hinted at.

[0050] On a front outer side of the system 1 is a control panel as an input interface 35 and with a display, signal lights and a loudspeaker as signal indicators 36. The system 1 comprises control electronics 4 for operating the recirculation fan 5 and the fresh air fan 7. The control electronics 4 can be connected for signal transmission to the electronic components of the system 1, for example the recirculation fan 5 and / or the fresh air fan 7. The control electronics 4 can be connected, for example, to the recirculation fan 53 and the recirculation heater 55. Additionally or alternatively, there is a signal transmission connection between the control electronics 4 and the fan 73 and / or the fresh air heater 75. The input interface 35 and / or the signal indicator 36 can be connected to the control electronics 4 for signal transmission.The control electronics 4 can, for example, be connected to one or more interior temperature sensors for detecting the interior temperature in the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3. Further sensors can be provided in the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3, such as an interior air pressure sensor and / or an interior humidity sensor, which is / are connected to the control electronics 4. Additionally or alternatively, the control electronics 4 can be connected to at least one environmental sensor, for example, an ambient temperature sensor, an ambient pressure sensor, and / or an ambient humidity sensor.

[0051] The Figures 6 to 8 show the recirculation fan 5. Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the system 1 in the area of ​​the interior 37 looking upwards in the vertical direction V. Figure 7shows a sectional view through the system 1 in an area arranged above the interior 37, looking downwards in the vertical direction V. Figure 8 is a perspective view, viewed obliquely and in the vertical direction V upwards in the direction of the recirculation fan 5, with the recirculation air flow direction being indicated by white arrows. Figure 8 the front walls of system 1 are not shown.

[0052] The recirculating air fan 5 draws air from the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3 and blows air into the interior 37. To extract air from the drying tunnel 3, a first intake duct 50a can be arranged at the inlet 30 and a second intake duct 50b at the outlet 39 of the drying tunnel 3. To supply recirculating air into the drying tunnel 3, the recirculating air fan 5 has an exhaust duct 51. The exhaust duct 51 is arranged between the first intake duct 50a and the second intake duct 50b in the transport direction T. The intake ducts 50a, 50b extend over a large part (in particular at least 75%) of the transverse width of the drying tunnel 3 (in the second horizontal direction Y).

[0053] The exhaust duct 51 has a circular cross-section with a diagonal corresponding to the diameter of the recirculation fan 53. The diagonal extends over a large portion (in particular at least 75%) of the transverse width of the drying tunnel 3 (in the second horizontal direction Y). The exhaust duct 51, as well as the intake ducts 50a, 50b, are protected from the interior space 37 by gratings to prevent foreign objects or reaching into the interior. A recirculation heater 55 is arranged in the recirculation fan 5 between the recirculation fan 53 and the end of the exhaust duct 51.

[0054] For efficient heat transfer from the recirculating air heater 55 to the recirculating air, the recirculating air heater 75 extends over a large area. The effective heating surface of the recirculating air heater 55 can extend over a large portion (in particular, at least 50%, preferably at least 75%) of the diagonal of the recirculating air fan 53. An electrical heat source, for example, can be provided along the effective heating surface of the recirculating air heater. The heat source can be formed by several incandescent filaments, as shown.

[0055] The recirculation fan 5 first draws the recirculated air into the interior 37 in the vertical direction V upwards through the intake ducts 50a, 50b. The recirculation fan 53 then directs the recirculation air through the heating surface of the recirculation heater 55. The recirculation air from the recirculation fan 5 is then returned through the exhaust duct 51 into the interior 37 of the drying tunnel 3. The drying effect of the system 1 is increased by the movement of the recirculated air and / or by its heating. The arrangement of the recirculation fan 5 above the interior 37 provides protection against dripping water and wash ware falling into it.

[0056] The recirculating air blower 5 and the fresh air blower 7 are coordinated with one another. The cumulative flow rate of the blowers 5, 7 into the interior 37 can be, for example, approximately 500 m³ / h. The blowers 5, 7 can in particular be coordinated with one another to convey a predetermined mixture of interior air and fresh air into the drying tunnel 3. Preferably, the recirculating air blower 5 and the fresh air blower 7 can be coordinated with one another such that the mixture comprises more recirculated air than fresh air, in particular in a mixing ratio of approximately 9:1. By means of the recirculating air blower 5 and the fresh air blower 7, in particular the fresh air heater 75 and / or the recirculating air heater 55, the interior temperature can be set to a temperature range between 50°C and 75°C. It may be preferred that both the circulating air heater 55 and the fresh air heater 75 are operated for rapid drying.In a modified operating mode (energy saving mode), one of the heaters 55, 75, preferably the fresh air heater 75, can be inactive.

[0057] Figure 9 shows a system 100 with a commercial dishwasher 101 and a drying tunnel 3 arranged a short distance apart. The working plane of the commercial dishwasher 101 and the transport plane of the drying tunnel 3 are located essentially at the same height in the vertical direction V, so that a means of transport can be easily pushed from the commercial dishwasher 101 into the drying tunnel 3. The commercial dishwasher 101 has an input interface 135 for operating the dishwasher 101 and, if applicable, the drying system 1. The commercial dishwasher 101 also has a signal display 136 to show the kitchen staff a dishwasher status, a system status, or a plant status.

[0058] The system 1 can be operated by means of the control electronics 4 (or the control electronics of the commercial dishwasher 101 (not shown in detail, which can also be used to control the system 1) according to a predetermined drying program, preferably one of several different predetermined drying programs.

[0059] A drying program can, for example, be implemented as a "single basket program", as in Figure 10shown. In the single-basket program, activation 201 of the drying operation can occur, for example, by actuating the basket switch 33 (placing the basket switch 33 into the active switching state) or actuating the input interface 35. In the single-basket program, the drying operation runs with a defined target temperature for a defined operating time 209 and ends automatically after the expiration of the operating time 209. To achieve the target temperature in the interior 37, both the recirculating air heater 75 and the fresh air heater 55 can be activated, or in a modified operating mode, only the recirculating air heater 75. Optionally, it can be provided that the operating mode is terminated if the program experiences an interruption 202 due to a new control command, for example as a result of actuating the input interface 35 or placing the basket switch 33 into the inactive switching state before the expiration of the predetermined operating time 209 ( Fig. 11 ). Following the drying operation, it can be provided that the recirculating air fan 53 and / or the fan 73 of the fresh air blower 7 continue to run for a predetermined run-on time 211 with the heater 55 / 75 inactive in order to prevent overheating of the heaters 55, 75.

[0060] Another drying program can be implemented, for example, as a semi-automatic "multi-basket program." As with the single-basket program, the drying operation is activated, for example, by operating the basket switch 33 or the input interface 35. The drying program then runs for a predetermined operating time 209 with a predetermined target temperature. After the predetermined operating time 209 has elapsed, a holding period can follow, during which the target temperature is maintained. After the operating time 209 has elapsed, the kitchen staff is prompted by a signal display 36 and / or 136 to make an input, for example, to confirm a basket change. After the input has been made, which can again be made either via the input interface 35 or by operating the basket switch 33, the drying operation begins again for the predetermined operating time 209.In particular, it can be provided that if the basket switch 33 is continuously actuated by successive baskets (basket-to-basket drying) or other means of transport, the drying operation is continuously maintained. In particular, if the basket switch 33 is released, the drying operation ends after the predetermined holding time has elapsed, unless the requested actuation is made via the input interface 35 during this time. If an input 35 is made while the basket switch 33 is released, the drying program is preferably interrupted immediately 307, even if the operating time 209 or the subsequent holding time 2011 has not yet expired.If, after the expiration of the operating time 209 or after the expiration of the subsequent holding time 211, the basket switch 33 is unloaded and loaded (or another sensor system is reactivated), the system 1 can be configured to restart the drying operation as described above without additional user input via an input interface 35 being required.

[0061] Furthermore, another drying program can be implemented, for example, as a "continuous drying program." The continuous drying program begins upon activation, for example, via an input interface 35 or by actuating the basket switch 33. When the system is operated in the continuous drying program, the recirculation fan 5 and the fresh air fan 7 are continuously operated to maintain a target temperature in the drying tunnel 3. In this way, the highest possible throughput can be achieved with the fastest possible drying. In the continuous drying program, it can be provided that the drying operation is maintained at least as long as the basket switch 33 is in an active switching state. In addition, a predetermined holding period can be provided, during which the target temperature is maintained even if the basket switch 33 is in an inactive switching state.Drying operation would only be stopped if the basket switch remains in the inactive switching state for the entire holding time (or, generally speaking, the sensors do not detect any washware within the drying tunnel 3).

[0062] In a program, in particular the multi-basket program or the continuous drying program, a heating phase can additionally be provided before the first start of the operating time 209, during which the recirculation fan 5 and / or the fresh air fan 7 are brought to the target temperature.

[0063] The features of the invention disclosed in the description, the claims and the figures may be essential for the realization of the invention both individually and in any combination. Reference symbol

[0064] 1 System 3 Drying tunnel 4 Control electronics 5 Recirculation fan 7 Fresh air fan 30 Inlet 31 Guide element 32 Side wall 33 Basket switch 35 Input interface 36 Signal display 37 Interior 38 Curtain 39 Output 50a, 50b Intake duct 51 Exhaust duct 53 Recirculation fan 55 Recirculation heater 59 Maintenance flap 70 Intake opening 71 Air nozzle 72 Air discharge pipe 73 Fan 75 Fresh air heater 77 Distributor 100 Arrangement 101 Commercial dishwasher 135 Input interface 136 Signal display TTransport direction VVertical direction XFirst horizontal direction YSecond horizontal direction

Claims

1. A system (1) for drying wash ware from a commercial dishwasher (101), the system comprising: a drying tunnel (3), guide elements (31) arranged in the drying tunnel (3) for a transport means, such as a transport basket, for transporting wash ware along a transport path on a transport plane, a recirculation fan (5) for circulating internal air from the drying tunnel (3); and a fresh air fan (7) for supplying fresh air into the drying tunnel (3).

2. System (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fresh air blower (7) has a plurality of air nozzles (71) arranged below the transport plane and oriented in the direction of the transport plane.

3. System (1) according to claim 2, wherein below the transport plane at least one air discharge pipe (72) extending transversely to the transport path with the plurality of air nozzles (71) or several air discharge pipes (72) extending transversely to the transport path, each with at least one air nozzle (71) are arranged 4. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fresh air blower (7) has at least one intake opening (70) for fresh air arranged outside, in particular above and / or below, the drying tunnel (3), and a fan (73) for conveying the fresh air from the intake opening (70) into the drying tunnel (3), and / or wherein the fresh air blower (7) has a fresh air heater (75) for heating fresh air, which is arranged in the fresh air blower (7), in particular upstream of the air nozzles (71) and / or downstream of the intake opening (70).

5. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculating air blower (5) has at least one intake shaft (50a, 50b) for sucking in internal air from the drying tunnel (3), at least one exhaust shaft (51) for returning internal air to the drying tunnel (3), and at least one recirculating air fan (53) for conveying the internal air through the intake shaft (50a, 50b) and the exhaust shaft (51).

6. System (1) according to claim 5, wherein the at least one suction shaft (50a, 50b) and / or the blow-out shaft (51) is arranged above the transport plane, and / or wherein the at least one suction shaft (50a, 50b) is arranged along the conveying path behind an inlet (30) or in front of the outlet (39) of the drying tunnel (3), wherein preferably the blow-out shaft (51) is arranged along the conveying path between a first suction shaft (50a) and a second suction shaft (50b).

7. System (1) according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the recirculating air fan (5) further comprises a recirculating air heater (55) for heating the internal air, which is arranged in the recirculating air fan (5) between an inlet of the at least one intake shaft (50a, 50b) and an outlet of the at least one exhaust shaft (51).

8. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the recirculating air blower (5) and the fresh air blower (7) are coordinated with one another in order to convey a predetermined mixture of inside air and fresh air into the drying tunnel (3), wherein in particular the recirculating air blower (5) and the fresh air blower (7) are coordinated with one another in such a way that the mixture comprises more inside air than fresh air, in particular in a mixing ratio of inside air to fresh air in the range between 5:1 to 20:1, preferably 7:1 to 15:1, particularly preferably about 14:

1.

9. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a sensor system which is configured to detect whether a transport means and / or items to be washed are accommodated within the drying tunnel (3), wherein the sensor system preferably further comprises a basket switch (33) which is arranged laterally to one of the guide elements and / or extends along the drying tunnel (3), in particular a switching bracket which has an inactive switching state in which the basket switch (33) at least partially engages in the transport path, and an active switching state in which a transport means and / or items to be washed arranged within the drying tunnel (3) collide with the basket switch (33), wherein in particular the basket switch (33) is designed to be mechanically forced into the active switching state by a transport means and / or items to be washed arranged within the drying tunnel (3).

10. System (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising control electronics (4) for operating the system (1), wherein in particular the control electronics (4) is designed and configured to selectively operate the system (1) in a modified operating mode with inactive fresh air heating (75) and / or inactive recirculation air heating (55).

11. System (1) according to claim 10, wherein the control electronics (4) are designed to operate the system (1) depending on the sensor system according to claim 9 and / or depending on an input interface (35) which is designed and configured for manual actuation, wherein the control electronics (4) are preferably designed to activate the recirculating air blower (5) and / or the fresh air blower (7) and optionally the recirculating air heater (53) and / or the fresh air heater (73) for a predetermined operating period following activation by the sensor system and / or the input interface (35), wherein furthermore the control electronics (4) are preferably designed to deactivate the system after the expiry of the predetermined operating period and optionally a holding period, and / or at the instigation of the sensor system and / or the input interface (35).

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one signal display (36), such as an optical or acoustic signal display, which can be activated by the control electronics (4), for example to indicate the completion of a drying process after the expiration of the predetermined operating time.

13. Arrangement (100) comprising a commercial dishwasher (101) and a system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the system (1) is electrically and / or signal-transmittingly connected to the commercial dishwasher (101).

14. Arrangement (100) according to claim 13 with a system (1) according to claim 11, wherein the commercial dishwasher (101) has the input interface (35), such as a touch display, for, in particular manual, inputs, wherein the input interface (35) is connected to the control electronics and is designed to communicate a control specification to the control electronics.

15. Arrangement (100) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the control electronics of the system (1) are housed within the commercial dishwasher (101).

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