Compact Dishwasher with Insertion Control for Reusable Washware Return
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor dishwashers require large installation space and generate significant plastic waste through disposable tableware, particularly in coffee shops and fast-food restaurants, where oxo-biodegradable plastics degrade into microplastics and pose environmental and health risks.
Innovation Solution
A compact dishwasher with a transport apparatus designed for coffee shops and fast-food restaurants, featuring an input region as a return device for reusable washware items, equipped with an insertion control system using scanners or RFID for authorized cleaning and refund processing, ensuring proper orientation and hygiene, and a vapor suction system for efficient operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conveyor dishwasher is used to clean washware items continuously, then productivity is improved, but the area of stationary object increases due to large footprint requirement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reconfigures the conveyor dishwasher by changing the spatial arrangement from a horizontal layout to a vertical three-dimensional structure. The transport apparatus moves washware items vertically through different treatment zones (washing, rinsing, drying) stacked one above another,充分利用 vertical space to reduce the horizontal footprint while maintaining continuous operation capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements nested functional zones where the drying region is positioned above the rinsing region, which is above the washing region. The transport apparatus vertically transports items through these nested zones, allowing multiple treatment functions to be compactly arranged in a vertical stack, thereby reducing overall installation area
2Ease of operation
If disposable tableware made of oxo-biodegradable plastic is used, then ease of operation is improved for customers, but object-generated harmful factors worsen due to microplastic degradation and environmental burden
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a returnable tableware system where customers deposit used washware items into the input region of the dishwasher. The system recovers, cleans, and redistributes the same items for repeated use. This eliminates the need for disposable tableware, preventing microplastic degradation and environmental pollution while maintaining operational convenience through automated collection and cleaning processes
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the material usage parameter from single-use disposable plastics to reusable durable materials. By implementing a washing and redistribution system, the same physical items are used repeatedly, fundamentally changing the consumption pattern from linear (produce-use-dispose) to circular (produce-use-recover-reuse), thereby eliminating microplastic waste generation
3Object-generated harmful factors
If the input region is designed as a return device for reusable washware items, then object-generated harmful factors are reduced by minimizing disposable tableware, but device complexity increases due to insertion control system and authorization verification
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements self-service functionality where the dishwasher automatically performs insertion control, authorization verification, and cleaning operations without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously identifies deposited items, verifies authorization through embedded identifiers, and processes them through appropriate cleaning cycles, thereby managing the increased device complexity through automation rather than manual procedures
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic and optical systems. Scanners, RFID readers, and control systems automatically verify item authorization and manage the cleaning process, substituting complex mechanical verification mechanisms with electronic identification and control systems that are more efficient and reliable
4Productivity
If washware items are transported through different treatment zones, then productivity is improved through continuous operation, but loss of substance increases due to water and energy consumption across multiple zones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous operation where washware items are constantly transported through washing, rinsing, and drying zones without interruption. The transport apparatus maintains continuous motion, and all treatment zones operate simultaneously in a coordinated manner, ensuring that water and energy are continuously utilized without idle periods, thereby maximizing resource efficiency per unit of output
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes hydraulic and pneumatic systems for efficient water delivery and waste removal. High-pressure spray nozzles deliver water precisely to cleaning zones, while suction systems efficiently remove wastewater and steam. These fluid-based systems minimize water waste through targeted delivery and efficient drainage, reducing overall substance loss while maintaining continuous operation
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 reduces ecological footprint by promoting reusable tableware, minimizing waste, and allowing easy operation by untrained personnel, while maintaining hygiene and compactness.
Implementation Method 1
a transport apparatus for transporting washware items from an input region associated with the dishwasher to a treatment region of the dishwasher and from there to an output or removal region of the dishwasher
Implementation Method 2
The treatment region of the dishwasher comprises in particular a washing and rinsing system for washing and rinsing the washware items
Implementation Method 3
optionally, a drying system for drying the rinsed washware item, said drying system being located downstream when viewed in the transport direction of the washware items
Data Source
AI summary
A dishwasher includes an input region, a transport apparatus for transporting washware items from the input region to a treatment region and on to an output or removal region. The input region of the dishwasher includes at least one receptacle opening configured such that a washware item to be cleaned is manually insertable into a loading region of the dishwasher, wherein the receptacle opening is associated with a closure element that is movable relative to a machine frame of the dishwasher and between an open position and a closed position. The input region includes an insertion control system that cooperates with the closure element and is configured such that the closure element is only moved into its open position when it is recognized and/or verified with the aid of the insertion control system that the operator of the dishwasher is authorized to clean the washware item to be cleaned.