Conveyor Dishwasher Final Rinse Control for Water and Rinse Aid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor dishwashers face challenges in achieving an optimal final rinse result while reducing fresh water and energy consumption, as existing systems often require proportional changes in rinse aid quantity with varying water flow rates and conveying speeds.
Innovation Solution
A control apparatus adjusts the final rinse liquid flow based on conveying speed and washware type, while a separate rinse aid metering system adds a constant quantity of rinse aid independently of the water flow, ensuring effective rinsing without interfering with chemical metering technology.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If the conveying speed is reduced to improve the final rinse result, then the rinse quality is improved, but the productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the conveying speed based on the detected washware type. The control apparatus receives signals from sensors identifying washware type and automatically selects optimal conveying speeds, allowing the system to operate at higher speeds for certain items and lower speeds for others requiring more thorough rinsing, thus resolving the contradiction between productivity and rinse quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the conveying speed parameter according to washware type classification. By having multiple predefined speed settings and automatically selecting the appropriate one based on sensor input, the system optimizes the balance between processing efficiency and rinse effectiveness for different items
2Manufacturing precision
If the quantity of final rinse liquid is increased to improve the final rinse result, then the rinse quality is improved, but the fresh water consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The control apparatus automatically adjusts the volumetric flow of final rinse liquid supplied to spray nozzles based on the detected washware type. This parameter adaptation ensures that each item receives the minimum necessary water quantity for effective rinsing, avoiding both water waste and insufficient rinsing
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses sensor feedback to detect washware type and automatically adjusts rinse liquid flow accordingly. This closed-loop control ensures optimal water usage by matching the rinse liquid quantity to the specific rinsing requirements of different washware types
3Manufacturing precision
If the quantity of rinse aid is increased proportionally with water flow to maintain rinse effectiveness, then the final rinse result is maintained, but the chemical consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the control of water flow and rinse aid flow into independent channels. The rinse aid metering apparatus operates independently from the final rinse pump, allowing separate optimization of each parameter based on washware type rather than forcing a proportional relationship
Solution Approach 2:
The system independently adjusts water flow and rinse aid flow parameters based on washware type detection. By decoupling these parameters and controlling them separately through independent metering systems, the invention avoids unnecessary rinse aid consumption while maintaining effective rinsing
4Productivity
If the conveying speed is increased to improve productivity, then the throughput is improved, but the final rinse result deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically optimizes conveying speed based on real-time detection of washware type. By automatically selecting from multiple speed settings according to item characteristics, the system achieves high throughput for items that don't require slow rinsing while maintaining quality for items that do
Solution Approach 2:
The control apparatus automatically changes the conveying speed parameter based on sensor detection of washware type, enabling the system to adapt between high-speed operation for productivity and low-speed operation for quality as 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 optimizes the final rinse result across different washware types and speeds, reducing water and energy consumption without compromising rinse effectiveness, and allows for modular implementation without altering rinse aid technology.
Implementation Method 1
final rinse liquid, which comprises fresh water with rinse aid which is added in a metered fashion, being sprayed onto the washware in the at least one final rinse zone by means of spray nozzles
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
A conveyor dishwasher (2) has a control apparatus (50) for automatically setting the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time as a function of the conveying speed and/or as a function of the type of washware conveyed through the final rinse zone (18). A rinse aid metering apparatus (57) is also provided which is designed to add in a metered fashion a constant quantity of rinse aid per unit time to the fresh water provided for final rinsing purposes independently of the quantity of final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone (18) per unit time.