Commercial dishwasher

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial batch dishwashers face bottlenecks during peak times due to long cycle times required for heavily soiled items, leading to reduced capacity and increased manual handling, while resources like energy, water, and chemicals are not optimized for efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A hood-type dishwasher with a treatment chamber divided into two zones, allowing independent treatment of washware with different program parameters, such as action time and rinse mechanics, enabling simultaneous processing of lightly and heavily soiled items without extending overall cycle time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a single treatment zone is used in commercial dishwashers, then the device complexity is reduced, but the productivity decreases during peak times due to long cycle times for heavily soiled items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedishwasher capacityVSAvoidtreatment zone configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The treatment chamber is divided into two independent treatment zones (first and second zones) that can operate simultaneously with different program parameters. This segmentation allows the dishwasher to handle both lightly soiled and heavily soiled items concurrently, increasing overall productivity without requiring separate machines.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Each treatment zone is designed to be multi-functional, capable of executing different wash programs (intensive, standard, eco) independently. This universality allows the same physical structure to handle diverse washing requirements, maintaining device simplicity while enhancing productivity through parallel processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Manufacturing precision

If longer program durations are used for heavily soiled items, then the cleaning quality improves, but the loss of time increases and blocks the machine for other items

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidcycle time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the treatment chamber into independent zones, the system can run intensive cleaning programs in one zone while simultaneously executing standard or eco programs in another zone. This eliminates the blocking effect where one item type prevents processing of others, maintaining high cleaning quality without time loss.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The independent treatment zones enable continuous useful action by allowing parallel execution of different cleaning programs. While one zone performs intensive cleaning for heavily soiled items, the other zone simultaneously cleans lightly soiled items, ensuring uninterrupted productivity and eliminating idle time between cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

3Adaptability or versatility

If independent treatment zones with different program parameters are implemented, then the adaptability increases for different washware types, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogram parameter flexibilityVSAvoidsystem configuration
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the treatment chamber into independent zones, each capable of running different programs simultaneously. This segmentation provides adaptability for different washware types (intensive for heavily soiled, standard for normal, eco for lightly soiled) while maintaining relatively simple device architecture through modular zone design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Multiple treatment zones are merged into a single integrated system sharing common infrastructure (water supply, drainage, control unit). This combining approach enables high adaptability for different washing programs while minimizing device complexity by avoiding complete duplication of systems.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Productivity

If parallel processing in multiple zones is implemented, then the productivity increases during peak times, but the use of energy and resources increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethroughput capacityVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system allows selective activation of treatment zones based on demand. During peak times, both zones operate simultaneously to maximize productivity. During off-peak times, only one zone needs to operate, reducing energy consumption. This partial action approach optimizes the balance between productivity and resource usage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Solution Approach 2:

The treatment zones can be dynamically configured and activated based on real-time demand and program requirements. The system adapts its operational state (one zone or two zones active) to match workload intensity, enabling high productivity during peaks while conserving energy during lower demand periods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

This solution enhances the dishwasher's capacity and resource efficiency by allowing for continuous operation during peak times, ensuring all washware is cleaned promptly without blocking the machine, while optimizing energy, water, and chemical usage.

Implementation Method 1

a wash pump, a line system which is connected to the wash pump

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic: Hydraulic Press

Implementation Method 2

The wash liquid contained in the wash tank can be conveyed from the wash pump to the wash nozzles via the line system and can be sprayed onto the washware

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid spray: Fluid Spray

Implementation Method 3

The treatment chamber generally has arranged beneath it a wash tank in which liquid from the treatment chamber can flow back due to the force of gravity

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP3311724B1Commercial dishwasher
Publication Date: 2019.05.29 ILLINOIS TOOL WORKS INC
  • EP3311724B1 patent drawingFigure 1a
  • EP3311724B1 patent drawingFigure 1b
  • EP3311724B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a dishwasher (1) in the form of a commercial utensil washer or dishwasher which is designed as a batch dishwasher and is realized as a hood-type dishwasher, wherein the dishwasher (1) has a treatment chamber (2) with at least one wash system which is designed as a recirculation system, wherein the treatment chamber (2) has a first treatment zone (6) and at least one further, second treatment zone (7), wherein items ofwashware can be treated independently of one another and at least temporarily at the same time in the first and in the at least one second treatment zone (6, 7).