Conveyor Dishwasher Final Rinse Control for Empty Compartments
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor dishwashers face inefficiencies in reducing fresh water, chemical, and energy consumption, particularly in the final rinse zone, as existing solutions require a fixed time for stopping and restarting the rinse process, leading to prolonged reactivation times and increased consumption when only a few empty compartments enter the zone.
Innovation Solution
A washware sensor apparatus and control apparatus are used to detect empty compartments and adjust the volumetric flow of final rinse liquid in real-time, allowing for reduced liquid supply when single or a few successive empty compartments enter the final rinse zone, while maintaining efficient spray jet performance by minimizing pressure drops and enabling quicker reactivation when occupied compartments are detected.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of substance
If final rinsing is stopped when no washware enters the final rinse zone, then fresh water consumption is reduced, but reactivation time increases causing prolonged periods without effective rinsing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the final rinse system adjustable between different operational states (fully on, partially on with reduced volumetric flow, fully off) based on real-time detection of washware presence. This dynamic adaptation allows the system to optimize between water savings and reactivation time by selecting appropriate operational modes rather than using a fixed stop/start approach
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the volumetric flow parameter of the final rinse liquid to create intermediate operational states. By adjusting the volumetric flow to a reduced value rather than completely stopping the rinse, the system maintains spray jet effectiveness while reducing water consumption, and can reactivate full flow more quickly when washware is detected
2Loss of substance
If final rinsing is stopped for extended periods to maximize water savings, then fresh water consumption is reduced, but spray jet performance degrades requiring longer reactivation periods
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by maintaining a reduced but non-zero volumetric flow of final rinse liquid during periods when no washware is present. This partial operation preserves spray jet performance and system readiness while still achieving water savings, avoiding the complete shutdown that would require lengthy reactivation periods
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from washware detection to control the final rinse system operation. The detection apparatus provides real-time information about washware presence, allowing the control system to adjust the volumetric flow appropriately and ensure spray jet performance is maintained when needed while saving water when not needed
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 significantly reduces fresh water, chemical, and energy consumption by dynamically adjusting the final rinse liquid supply based on the presence of washware, ensuring effective rinsing without prolonged reactivation delays and maintaining optimal spray performance.
Implementation Method 1
A sensor apparatus for identifying washware is also provided
Implementation Method 2
The supply of final rinse liquid to the lateral spray nozzles is switched on or switched off
Data Source
AI summary
The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher (2) comprising a conveyor apparatus (4) for conveying washware (6) through a final rinse zone (18), with the conveyor apparatus (4) having a large number of compartments (38) for accommodating washware (6). A washware sensor apparatus (42) is provided in order to detect empty compartments (38). In order to be able to reduce the consumption of fresh water, chemicals and energy during operation of the conveyor dishwasher (2), the invention provides a control apparatus (44) which is designed to automatically set the quantity of final rinse liquid supplied to the spray nozzles (20, 22, 24) of the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the detection of empty compartments (38). The invention also relates to a method for operating a conveyor dishwasher (2) of this type.