Conveyor Warewasher Load-Adaptive Control for Resource Efficiency
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor warewashers typically operate continuously with varying washware loads, leading to inefficient resource usage as existing systems lack the ability to adapt to changing load conditions over a washing shift or day, resulting in suboptimal operation.
Innovation Solution
A conveyor warewasher equipped with a load-sensing device and control system that learns patterns in washware load development over time, allowing for adaptive adjustment of treatment parameters and liquid quality in washing and rinsing zones, optimizing operation based on observed load patterns.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the conveyor warewasher operates continuously during a washing shift with fixed treatment parameters, then it can handle varying washware loads, but resource usage (energy, water, chemicals) becomes inefficient when the load is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the treatment parameters (temperature, liquid flow rate, conveying speed) variable rather than fixed. The control device continuously adjusts these parameters based on real-time load detection, allowing the system to adapt its operation to match the actual washware load, thereby maintaining productivity while reducing energy consumption during low-load periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback through a load detection device that continuously monitors the washware load and feeds this information to the control device. This closed-loop feedback system enables automatic adjustment of treatment parameters to optimize resource usage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness, resolving the contradiction between continuous operation and energy efficiency
2Ease of operation
If the conveyor warewasher uses fixed treatment parameters for all washware types, then the system is simple to operate, but it cannot optimize cleaning for different washware types and loads
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by enabling the conveyor warewasher to automatically detect and adapt to varying washware loads without operator intervention. The load detection device and control device work together to autonomously optimize treatment parameters, maintaining ease of operation while achieving high adaptability to different load conditions and washware types
3Loss of energy
If the conveyor warewasher adjusts treatment parameters based on real-time load detection, then resource efficiency improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical adjustment systems with automated electronic control. Instead of requiring manual intervention or complex mechanical mechanisms to adjust parameters, the system uses electronic sensors and control devices to automatically optimize treatment parameters, achieving resource efficiency while keeping the added complexity manageable through electronic rather than mechanical solutions
Data Source
AI summary
A conveyor warewasher has at least one washing zone, at least one rinsing zone and a conveyor apparatus. A device for sensing a loading of the conveyor apparatus, which device is configured in order to determine, continuously or at predetermined or determinable times and/or events, a loading of the conveyor apparatus with washware. A control device is configured in order to, during a learning or observation phase over at least one observation period or over a plurality of observation periods each relating to a washing shift or a washing day of the conveyor warewasher or a portion thereof, determine a chronological profile of the loading of the conveyor apparatus with washware to be conveyed, wherein the control device is configured in order to deduce a pattern or a regularity based on the determined chronological profile of the loading of the conveyor apparatus with washware.