Cleaning device and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning devices face challenges in efficient air drying within the cleaning chamber due to deposit formation in cooling containers, which impairs heat transfer and maintenance accessibility.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning device with a regeneration step that involves filling, heating, and removing a cooling liquid in a cooling container, controlled by a controller to prevent deposit formation and maintain effective heat transfer, including a method that uses a controller to manage the heating and draining of the cooling liquid to ensure efficient germ reduction and air drying.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If cooling containers are used to provide condensation surfaces in the cleaning chamber, then air drying efficiency is improved, but deposit formation impairs heat transfer over time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements periodic regeneration cycles where the cooling container is heated to a regeneration temperature (e.g., 80-95°C) for a specified duration to prevent deposit formation. This periodic thermal treatment restores heat transfer effectiveness without requiring container replacement, resolving the contradiction between maintaining drying efficiency and preventing reliability degradation over time.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes the temperature parameter of the cooling liquid in the container. During normal operation, the container is cooled to provide condensation surfaces. During regeneration, the temperature is raised to prevent deposits. This parameter change allows the same container to serve both functions, maintaining heat transfer effectiveness while preserving air drying efficiency.
2Reliability
If cooling containers are integrated into the cleaning chamber walls, then heat transfer is maximized, but maintenance accessibility is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling container is designed as a separable component that can be detached from the cleaning chamber wall assembly. This segmentation allows the container to be removed for maintenance or replacement without dismantling the entire cleaning chamber, thus maintaining heat transfer efficiency during operation while improving maintenance accessibility when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates automatic regeneration functionality that allows the cooling container to clean and maintain itself through periodic heating cycles. This self-service capability reduces the frequency and complexity of manual maintenance interventions, effectively addressing accessibility concerns by minimizing the need for physical container removal and manual cleaning.
3Reliability
If residual moisture remains in cooling containers, then heat transfer continues, but deposit formation increases over time
Solution Approach 1:
The system changes the temperature parameter of the cooling liquid during regeneration cycles, heating it to a regeneration temperature (e.g., 80-95°C) that prevents deposit formation from residual moisture. This parameter change transforms the same residual moisture from a harmful factor into a controlled condition that maintains continuous heat transfer without deposits.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent converts the potentially harmful effect of residual moisture (which causes deposits) into a beneficial condition by using the same residual moisture as the medium for heat transfer during regeneration. The heated residual moisture effectively cleans the container surfaces while maintaining continuous heat transfer capability, turning a harmful factor into a beneficial one.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively reduces deposit formation, maintains heat transfer efficiency, and facilitates easier maintenance by regularly regenerating the cooling container, ensuring effective air drying and germ reduction.
Implementation Method 1
at least one cooling container (160) which is thermally coupled to the cooling surface for receiving a cooling liquid
Implementation Method 2
heating the cooling liquid in the cooling container
Implementation Method 3
In a drying step of the wash cycle, the moisture-laden air or water vapor located in a wash chamber of the wash compartment is condensed on at least one side wall of the wash compartment
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning device (110) for cleaning articles (112) to be cleaned. The cleaning device (110) comprises at least one cleaning chamber (118) for receiving the articles (112) to be cleaned. Furthermore, the cleaning device (110) comprises at least one application device (124) for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles (112) to be cleaned. The cleaning device (110) also comprises at least one cooling surface (158) associated with the cleaning chamber (118) and at least one cooling container (160) which is thermally coupled to the cooling surface and used to receive a cooling liquid. The cleaning device (110) comprises at least one control system (178) which is designed to control at least one regeneration step in the cleaning device (110). The regeneration step comprises the following substeps: a) filling the cooling container (160) with a cooling liquid; b) heating the cooling liquid in the cooling container (160); and c) removing the cooling liquid from the cooling container (160).