Dishwasher for cleaning items of washware in the form of drinking vessels
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor dishwashers require a large setup area, making them unsuitable for applications with limited space, such as near hot drinks machines, where the use of reusable crockery increases logistics challenges due to the need for separate washing and returning of clean items.
Innovation Solution
A compact dishwasher with a conveyor apparatus that can convey washware in a batch or individual manner, allowing for continuous operation while occupying the same space as a stationary box-type dishwasher, featuring a narrow conveyor track and integrated identification system for unambiguous item tracking.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional conveyor dishwasher is used to clean reusable crockery near hot drinks machines, then continuous cleaning operation is enabled, but the setup area required becomes too large
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor apparatus is divided into multiple conveyor sections (first conveyor section, second conveyor section, third conveyor section) that can independently convey washware through different treatment zones. This segmentation allows the system to maintain continuous operation capability while reducing the overall footprint by organizing cleaning functions in a compact, modular layout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear conveyor layout to a multi-dimensional arrangement where washware is conveyed through treatment zones in a compact configuration. The conveyor apparatus uses vertical and horizontal spatial optimization to fit multiple treatment functions (pre-cleaning, washing, rinsing, drying) into a smaller footprint while maintaining continuous flow.
2Area of stationary object
If a compact dishwasher design is implemented to reduce setup area, then space efficiency improves, but the ability to convey washware continuously through multiple treatment zones is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple treatment functions (pre-cleaning zone, washing zone, rinsing zone, drying zone) are merged into a single integrated conveyor apparatus. The conveyor sections are arranged to flow continuously through all zones without requiring separate machines or large transitions, enabling compact design while maintaining continuous operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor apparatus serves multiple functions simultaneously - conveying washware, providing pre-cleaning, washing, rinsing, and drying treatments in sequence. This multi-functionality allows a single compact unit to replace what would traditionally require multiple separate treatment stations, maintaining productivity while reducing setup area.
3Loss of information
If washware is conveyed individually through treatment zones, then precise item tracking and identification is enabled, but the conveying mechanism becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor apparatus is designed to automatically convey washware through treatment zones using gravity, friction, and simple mechanical drive mechanisms. The system self-regulates the flow of items without requiring complex control systems, sensors, or active tracking mechanisms for each individual piece of washware, thereby maintaining simple design while enabling individual item conveyance.
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher (1) for cleaning drinking vessels, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a treatment zone (3) and a conveyor apparatus (6) for conveying the items of washware (2) to be cleaned from an introduction region (4) of the dishwasher (1) through the treatment zone (3) to a removal region (5) of the dishwasher (1). The conveyor apparatus (6) is configured to convey a previously defined or definable group of items of washware (2) to be cleaned in batches from the introduction region (4) through the treatment zone (3) and then to feed the group of items of washware (2) as cleaned items of washware (2) to the removal region (5).