Tunnel Dishwasher Drying Fan Control to Contain Vapor Escape

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyor-type dishwashers experience energy loss and humidity issues due to high-energy vapors escaping into adjacent zones and the environment during special operating conditions, such as transporting containers or trays, which affects the drying efficiency and increases energy requirements.

Innovation Solution

The blower speed in the drying zone is regulated based on the operating state, with sensors detecting special conditions to reduce air flow speed and volume, preventing unwanted air flows and vapors from entering adjacent zones or the environment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If high air speed is used in the drying zone to remove washing liquid from items, then drying efficiency is improved, but high-energy vapors escape into adjacent zones and the environment causing energy loss and humidity issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedrying efficiencyVSAvoidenergy loss from vapor escape
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by making the air flow characteristics variable rather than fixed. The air flow speed and volume are dynamically adjusted based on the operating state detected by sensors. During normal operation, high air speed maintains drying efficiency, while during special operating conditions (detected by sensors), the air flow is automatically reduced to prevent vapor escape, thus resolving the contradiction between drying efficiency and energy loss

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the parameters of air flow (speed and volume) depending on the operating conditions. By detecting special operating states and adjusting air flow parameters accordingly, the system maintains optimal drying efficiency during normal operation while minimizing energy loss and vapor escape during special conditions, directly addressing the technical contradiction

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If high air speed is maintained in the drying zone, then moisture removal from items is enhanced, but unwanted air flows carry vapors to the final-rinse zone and outlet area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemoisture removal efficiencyVSAvoidvapor flow to adjacent zones
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements feedback control by using sensors to detect the operating state and automatically adjusting the air flow speed and volume. When special operating conditions are detected (such as items that block air flow paths), the system reduces air flow to prevent vapor escape to adjacent zones, while maintaining high air flow during normal conditions for effective moisture removal, thus resolving the contradiction through closed-loop control

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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 approach minimizes high-energy vapor escape, maintains dry air within the drying zone for effective moisture absorption, and reduces energy consumption by keeping vapors contained, thereby improving drying efficiency and operator safety.

Implementation Method 1

heated air is blown onto the items to be washed via outlet nozzles by means of a blower

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAir flow: Convection

Implementation Method 2

the washing liquid remaining on the items to be washed is removed from the items to be washed partly by blowing off and partly by evaporation

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectEvaporation: Evaporation

Implementation Method 3

rinsing liquid is sucked in by a pump from the storage tank associated with this treatment zone and sprayed over the items to be cleaned through suitably designed nozzles

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPumping: Pump

Implementation Method 4

Due to the generally heated rinsing liquid, steam vapors (vapours) arise when the same is sprayed within the respective treatment zone of the cleaning machine

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectVaporization: Evaporation

Data Source

PatentEP1982631B1Cycle dish washers with regulated drying
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP1982631B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP1982631B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

The invention relates to a tunnel-type dishwasher with at least one washing zone (3, 4), at least one final-rinse zone (5, 6) and a drying zone (7). The tunnel-type dishwasher is used to clean items to be washed (9, 10) and comprises a transport device (11) for transporting the items to be washed (9, 10) in the transport direction (12) through successive treatment zones. The conveyor-type dishwasher comprises a drying zone (7) in which at least one drying fan (19) is arranged, the speed of which can be regulated.