Method and cleaning device for cleaning items

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing commercial dishwashing technologies require high energy consumption and chemical additives to achieve hygiene standards, leading to increased operational costs and environmental impact, while lacking precise control over hygiene effects.

Innovation Solution

A method and device that use a cleaning device with a cleaning chamber and application device to apply cleaning fluids, where a target hygiene value is specified, and influencing variables such as temperature, disinfectant concentration, and mechanical action are monitored and adjusted in real-time to achieve the desired hygiene level, allowing for precise control and reduced resource usage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple fluid tanks and cleaning zones are used to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts process parameters (temperature, transport speed, dosing rates) based on real-time monitoring of hygiene effectiveness, allowing optimization of energy consumption while maintaining productivity targets

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Hygiene sensors provide real-time feedback on cleaning effectiveness, enabling the control system to adjust energy consumption parameters (heating, transport speed) to maintain hygiene standards while minimizing energy use

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If multiple fluid tanks and cleaning zones are used to increase throughput, then productivity is improved, but the requirement for cleaning solution increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovethroughputVSAvoidcleaning solution requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

Hygiene sensors monitor cleaning effectiveness in real-time, enabling the dosing system to adjust cleaning solution application rates precisely, reducing overall consumption while maintaining hygiene standards through targeted application

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts dosing parameters based on monitored hygiene effectiveness, optimizing cleaning solution distribution to maintain productivity while reducing total chemical consumption

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Reliability

If temperature and disinfectant concentration are increased to meet hygiene standards, then hygiene effect is improved, but energy consumption and chemical usage increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene effectVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Hygiene sensors provide real-time feedback on actual hygiene effectiveness, allowing the system to adjust temperature and disinfectant dosing dynamically, reducing energy and chemical consumption while maintaining required hygiene standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system optimizes process parameters (temperature, concentration) based on monitored hygiene effectiveness, finding the minimum necessary levels to achieve required hygiene standards rather than using fixed high levels

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

4Reliability

If temperature and disinfectant concentration are increased to meet hygiene standards, then hygiene effect is improved, but operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvehygiene effectVSAvoidoperational costs
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Real-time hygiene monitoring enables dynamic adjustment of energy and chemical consumption, reducing operational costs by avoiding unnecessary resource use while maintaining hygiene compliance

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically optimizes temperature and chemical dosing parameters based on actual hygiene effectiveness, minimizing operational costs by using only the necessary amount of resources to achieve required standards

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables precise control and monitoring of hygiene effects, reducing the need for excessive energy and chemicals, thereby lowering operational costs and environmental impact while maintaining high hygiene standards.

Implementation Method 1

at least one temperature of the at least one cleaning fluid

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectThermal energy transfer: Heating

Implementation Method 2

at least one measured variable characterizing a mechanical effect of the at least one cleaning fluid on the items to be cleaned, in particular a pressure and/or a flow rate

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFluid flow and pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP3892181B1Method and cleaning device for cleaning items
Publication Date: 2023.08.02 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP3892181B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3892181B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3892181B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method for cleaning items (143) is proposed. The method uses a cleaning device (126) with at least one cleaning chamber (128) and at least one application device (130) for applying at least one cleaning fluid to the items (143) in the cleaning chamber (128). The method comprises the following steps: a. specifying a target hygiene value (110) to be achieved during cleaning; b. time-resolved acquisition of at least two influencing factors (112) that affect the sanitization of the items (143); c. determining hygiene value components from the influencing factors (114) using a predefined relationship between each influencing factor and its respective hygiene value component; d. determining a predicted actual hygiene value at the end of cleaning from the hygiene value components (120); e.Comparison of the expected actual hygiene value with the target hygiene value (122); and f. Influence of at least one influencing factor (124) depending on the result of the comparison.