System for loading at least one transport dishwasher with items to be washed, arrangement of at least one transport dishwasher and a loading system and method for loading at least one transport dishwasher with items
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor warewashers require significant manual effort for loading and unloading, leading to increased working time and physical strain on personnel, as trays must be manually sorted and placed into the machine, while other washware types face inefficiencies due to the need for transverse placement.
Innovation Solution
A loading system with an optical detection system that identifies washware type, position, soiling degree, and alignment, controlling delivery and using manipulators to automatically sort and place washware on dedicated conveyor tracks, reducing manual handling and optimizing the washing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If trays are manually sorted and placed into the conveyor belt transverse to the conveying direction, then trays can be cleaned without casting spray shadows on smaller washware pieces, but the entire available surface of the conveyor belt is filled and a relatively large amount of time is spent cleaning trays
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into multiple lanes (first lane for trays, second lane for other washware pieces). This segmentation allows trays and smaller washware pieces to be conveyed simultaneously without interfering with each other, enabling parallel processing and increasing overall productivity while maintaining proper spray coverage for all items
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of placing trays transverse to the conveying direction (occupying the entire width), the solution conveys trays in the same direction as the conveyor belt movement. This dimensional change from transverse to longitudinal arrangement allows the conveyor belt to accommodate both trays and smaller washware pieces simultaneously in different lanes
2Adaptability or versatility
If washware is delivered manually by service personnel to the loading region, then flexibility in handling different washware types is maintained, but significant manual effort and working time are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses detection devices to automatically identify washware types and a control unit to autonomously determine the optimal lane assignment. This self-service capability eliminates the need for manual sorting by service personnel while maintaining adaptability to different washware types, significantly reducing loading time and physical effort
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical sorting by service personnel is replaced with an automated detection and control system. The detection devices identify washware characteristics and the control unit processes this information to automatically direct items to appropriate lanes, substituting human labor with automated mechanical and electronic systems
3Productivity
If trays are stacked in front of the conveyor apparatus and placed into the conveyor belt periodically, then trays can be handled efficiently as a group, but other washware types cannot be cleaned simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is segmented into multiple lanes with the first lane dedicated to trays and the second lane to other washware pieces. This allows trays to be processed efficiently in groups in one lane while simultaneously cleaning other washware types in another lane, maintaining both productivity and versatility
Solution Approach 2:
The conveyor belt system performs multiple functions simultaneously by accommodating different types of washware in different lanes. The system can handle trays, plates, bowls, and other washware in parallel, making the entire system more versatile while maintaining high processing efficiency for each type
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 system automates the loading process, reducing manual work, improving ergonomics, and ensuring uniform alignment of washware, thereby decreasing working time and resource consumption while enhancing cleaning efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a detection system, in particular embodied as an optical detection system, which is configured to detect at least one of the following parameters of the washware on the feed conveyor belt
Data Source
AI summary
A system (10) for loading at least one conveyor warewasher (1, 1′) with washware includes a feed conveyor belt (11) for delivering washware to at least one loading region of the conveyor warewasher (1, 1′) and a detection system (15), in particular an optical one, configured to detect at least one of the following parameters of the washware on the feed conveyor belt (11) when delivering the washware (9a, 9b, 9c) to the loading region: (i) a type of the washware, (ii) a degree of soiling of the washware, and/or (iii) an order of the washware and/or an alignment of the washware relative to the feed conveyor belt (11). The detection system (15) has an assigned evaluation device, which is configured to control the delivery of the washware to the at least one loading region as a function of at least one of the detected parameters.