Transport device for a dishwasher and dishwasher with such a transport device
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional conveyor dishwashers are unsuitable for small spaces and require a large footprint, and their transport systems are not suitable for loading by untrained personnel, posing challenges for coffee shops and fast-food restaurants.
Innovation Solution
A dishwasher with a transport device featuring a circulating conveyor system and holding elements that securely grip items in a form-fitting manner, allowing intuitive loading and maintaining item orientation during transport, combined with a support system to ensure items are not reoriented during washing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conventional conveyor dishwasher designed for large dishwashing areas is used, then continuous operation and high productivity are achieved, but the installation space requirement becomes too large for coffee shops or fast-food restaurants
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is divided into multiple separate conveyor belts (first conveyor belt for dirty side, second conveyor belt for clean side) that can be independently arranged and optimized. This segmentation allows the dishwashing system to maintain continuous operation capability while reducing the overall installation footprint by eliminating the need for a single large conventional conveyor system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a traditional linear conveyor arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration where dirty-side and clean-side conveyors are positioned at different locations and orientations. The holding elements are arranged to receive items from the first conveyor belt and transfer them to the second conveyor belt, creating a compact three-dimensional layout that reduces installation space while maintaining continuous processing capability.
2Manufacturing precision
If a wide conveyor belt with compartments is used in a conventional conveyor dishwasher, then items can be securely positioned and aligned, but the device complexity and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single wide conveyor belt with multiple compartments, the patent divides the conveying function into separate conveyor belts with simpler structures. The holding elements are individually positioned to provide precise alignment and positioning for each item type, achieving the same positioning accuracy without the complexity of a compartmentalized wide belt system.
Solution Approach 2:
Rather than having items rest in fixed compartments on a wide conveyor, the patent uses holding elements that actively engage and hold items in the correct position. The holding elements are designed to receive items in specific orientations and maintain them throughout transport, inverting the traditional approach where items passively rest in compartments.
3Manufacturing precision
If conventional conveyor dishwashers are designed for staff operation with specialized compartments, then secure item fixation and alignment are achieved, but the ease of operation deteriorates when used by untrained customers
Solution Approach 1:
The holding elements are designed with intuitive geometries that guide customers to correctly place items without training. The first holding elements are configured to naturally receive and orient items as customers deposit them, and the second holding elements automatically position items for the clean side conveyor. This self-guiding design enables untrained customers to achieve proper item alignment and positioning independently.
Solution Approach 2:
Different holding elements are designed with specific local geometries tailored to different item types and positions. The holding elements have varying shapes, sizes, and orientations optimized for their specific functions - some for receiving items, others for transferring them. This localized optimization makes the operation intuitive for customers while maintaining precise alignment.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a transport device (10) for a dishwasher (1), in particular for a dishwasher (1) of a coffee shop and/or a fast food restaurant, for transporting items to be cleaned (100), in particular drinking vessels, through at least one treatment zone of the dishwasher (1) and/or for feeding items to be cleaned (100), in particular drinking vessels, to the dishwasher (1).The transport device (10) has a circulating conveying system (11), a plurality of holding elements (12, 13) which are connected to and designed to receive and/or hold detachably washable items (100), in particular drinking vessels, in particular in a form-fitting manner and preferably at least partially or partially in a form-fitting manner, and a support system (17, 18, 19) for at least partially and/or partially supporting the washable items (100), in particular drinking vessels, received by the holding elements (12, 13).