Dual-Filter Assembly for Hood-Type Dishwashers Without Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing hood-type industrial dishwashers face issues with filter assemblies that fail to balance filtering effectiveness and clogging prevention, leading to poor wash quality and frequent water replacement due to retained dirt residues.

Innovation Solution

A dual-filter assembly with a top filtering element and a bottom filtering element, where the top element allows large residues to be removed for cleaning and the bottom element protects the wash and drain circuits from blockages, ensuring effective filtration without clogging, and utilizing a sensor for correct positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a single filter is used to retain dirt particles, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but the filter clogs and requires frequent replacement of wash liquor

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefiltering effectivenessVSAvoidwash cycle interruption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is divided into two distinct filters: a first filter with larger holes for retaining large residues, and a second filter with smaller holes for retaining fine particles. This segmentation allows each filter to handle specific particle sizes, preventing clogging while maintaining effective filtration across all residue types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different regions of the filter assembly have different filtering characteristics. The first filter region has larger openings suitable for large residues, while the second filter region has smaller openings for fine particles. This local differentiation optimizes filtration effectiveness for each particle size category without causing overall clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If a filter with small holes is used to retain fine particles, then filtering effectiveness is improved, but the filter clogs easily

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefine particle retentionVSAvoidwash cycle continuity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly separates fine particle retention (second filter) from large residue filtration (first filter). The second filter with small holes only handles fine particles, while the first filter handles larger residues, preventing the small-hole filter from becoming overloaded and clogged.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly adds a dimensional aspect by using multiple filtering layers with different pore sizes arranged in sequence. This multi-layer approach creates a gradient filtration system where particles are progressively filtered by size, preventing any single filter layer from becoming blocked.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Reliability

If manual pre-wash is required to maintain clean wash liquor, then wash quality is improved, but water and time consumption increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewash qualityVSAvoidwater consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The dual-filter assembly performs automatic filtration of wash liquor without requiring manual pre-washing by operators. The system self-maintains wash quality by continuously filtering out residues, eliminating the need for water-intensive manual pre-washing steps.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The filter assembly extracts and removes dirt particles and residues from the wash liquor automatically during the wash cycle. This extraction function replaces the need for manual pre-washing, reducing both labor and water consumption while maintaining wash quality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Ease of repair

If a removable top filter is added for large residues, then ease of maintenance is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefilter maintenanceVSAvoidfilter assembly structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The filter assembly is segmented into a removable first filter for large residues and a fixed second filter for fine particles. This segmentation allows the first filter to be easily removed and cleaned separately, while the second filter remains in place, balancing maintenance ease with structural complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The first filter is designed to be dynamically removable and reinsertable, allowing flexible maintenance access. This dynamic design enables easy cleaning of the first filter without disassembling the entire filter assembly, maintaining simplicity while improving maintainability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2263512B2Hood-type industrial dishwasher with improved filter assembly
Publication Date: 2019.01.09 BONFERRARO SPA
  • EP2263512B2 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2263512B2 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2263512B2 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A hood-type industrial dishwasher includes a first filtering element (1) introduced into an opening (2a) of a concave-shaped flat filter (2) suitable to act as a lid for the collecting sump (3) formed in the tank bottom, as well as a second filtering element (5) introduced into an opening formed at the bottom of the collecting sump (3) and partially received within a manifold (6) for the connection to the wash and drain pumps which is secured under said opening of the sump (3), said second filtering element (5) forming in combination with said first filtering element (1) a filter assembly extending between said flat filter (2) and a pipe (DP) leading to the drain pump. The presence of the first filtering element (1) to retain the largest residues and the proportions between the various passage cross-sections of the filter assembly allow to achieve a greater filtering effectiveness with reduced clogging risk.