Conveyor Dishwasher Camera System for Item Orientation Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional transport dishwashers lack the ability to automatically differentiate and optimally align items, leading to inefficient washing and rinsing due to incorrect orientation and alignment, resulting in suboptimal cleaning results and excessive resource usage.
Innovation Solution
A transport dishwasher equipped with a camera system and image processing device to continuously monitor and evaluate the orientation and alignment of items, with a control device that adjusts the washing and rinsing processes to correct misalignment and orientation issues, utilizing machine learning to improve alignment and resource efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional conveyor dishwashers transport items without automatic differentiation and alignment monitoring, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but washing and rinsing results are unsatisfactory due to incorrect orientation and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a camera system that continuously monitors item orientation and alignment on the conveyor, providing real-time feedback to the control device. The control device then adjusts washing and rinsing parameters based on this feedback, creating a closed-loop control system that optimizes cleaning results while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces complex mechanical alignment mechanisms with an optical detection system (camera) and software-based evaluation. Instead of using mechanical devices to physically adjust item orientation, the system uses image processing to detect misalignment and automatically adjusts washing parameters, reducing mechanical complexity while improving precision.
2Loss of energy
If conveyor dishwashers assume optimally oriented items without verification, then the device complexity is low, but resource consumption increases due to ineffective washing and rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system provides continuous monitoring feedback on item orientation, allowing the control device to adjust washing and rinsing parameters in real-time. This ensures resources are used efficiently by targeting the actual position and orientation of items, preventing waste from ineffective treatment of misaligned items.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes washing and rinsing parameters (such as spray angle, pressure, and timing) based on the detected orientation and alignment of items. This parameter adaptation ensures optimal resource utilization by matching treatment intensity and direction to the actual item configuration, reducing energy and water consumption.
3Manufacturing precision
If dishwashing personnel manually align items under time pressure, then no additional technology is needed, but it is generally not possible to ensure optimal orientation and alignment
Solution Approach 1:
The camera system automatically detects item orientation and alignment, providing continuous feedback without requiring manual intervention. This automated detection and adjustment system eliminates the limitations of manual alignment under time pressure, ensuring consistent optimal orientation while maintaining high operational speed.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-alignment through automated detection and adjustment. The camera monitoring and control device work together to automatically correct and optimize item orientation without requiring dishwashing personnel to manually align each item, achieving high precision alignment as a self-service function.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher (1) for cleaning items to be washed, wherein the conveyor dishwasher (1) has at least one wash zone (6, 7, 8, 9) and at least one rinse zone (10) as well as a transport device (2) for transporting items to be washed through the at least one wash zone (6, 7, 8, 9) and the at least one rinse zone (10). According to the invention, it is particularly provided that the conveyor dishwasher (1) has a camera system (34) which is arranged above or below or laterally to the transport device (2) and is configured to preferably continuously or at predetermined or definable times and/or events capture at least one image of an area of the transport device (2), wherein the camera system (34) is associated with an image processing device (35) which is configured to determine a position, orientation, and/or orientation of items to be washed contained in the at least one captured image.furthermore, an evaluation device is provided which is designed to evaluate, based on the determined position, orientation and/or orientation of the items to be washed, and to determine whether, at the time of image acquisition, there are items to be washed in the area of the transport device (2) that: i) are transported incorrectly oriented by the transport device (2); and/or ii) are transported incorrectly oriented by the transport device (2).