Cleaning system and method for cleaning articles to be cleaned
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing cleaning systems in commercial kitchens face challenges with uneven distribution of contaminated items, leading to peak loads that require over-dimensioned staff and equipment, resulting in inefficient personnel planning and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning system comprising a transport system with sensors to detect available spaces on a conveyor belt and a transfer device to automatically distribute items to these spaces, allowing for flexible personnel planning and efficient use of equipment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual sorting and feeding of contaminated items is used, then staff can handle peak loads, but staff utilization is insufficient outside peak loads and over-dimensioning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service operation where the automatic transfer device independently sorts and transports contaminated items from the first conveyor to the second conveyor without requiring manual intervention. The sensor detects available spaces and the transfer device automatically distributes items, allowing the system to serve itself during both peak and non-peak loads, thereby eliminating staff utilization issues while maintaining full handling capacity.
2Productivity
If equipment is over-dimensioned to handle peak loads, then peak load requirements are met, but equipment utilization is inefficient during non-peak times
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adapts to varying load conditions through sensor-based detection of available spaces on the second conveyor. The automatic transfer device adjusts its operation in real-time, transferring items only when space is available, thereby optimizing equipment utilization across different operational phases without requiring over-dimensioning for peak loads.
3Extent of automation
If automatic transfer device with sensor is implemented, then personnel planning becomes flexible and equipment utilization improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical sorting operations with an automated sensor-based detection and transfer mechanism. The sensor electronically identifies available spaces, and the control system automatically directs the transfer device, substituting human mechanical sorting with an electronic-mechanical hybrid system that achieves higher automation while managing complexity through integrated control.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a cleaning system (110) for cleaning articles (112) to be cleaned. The cleaning system (110) comprises: a) at least one cleaning device (114) having at least one at least partially closed cleaning chamber (122) with at least one application device (148) for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the articles (112) to be cleaned; and b) at least one transport system (116) for automatically transporting the articles (112) to be cleaned, the transport system (116) comprising: a. at least one first conveying device (118) for supplying soiled articles (112) to be cleaned; b. at least one second conveying device (120) for transporting the soiled articles (112) to be cleaned to the cleaning device (114); c. at least one transfer device (126) for transferring at least a part of the soiled articles (112) to be cleaned from the first conveying device (118) to the second conveying device (120); and d. at least one sensor (128) for detecting regions (130) on the second conveying device (120), which can be occupied. The transport system (116) is designed to control the transfer device (126) in such a way that the soiled articles (112) to be cleaned are transferred exclusively to the regions (130) of the second conveying device (120), which can be occupied. The invention further relates to a method for cleaning articles (112) to be cleaned.