Kitchen Cleaning Pump Circuit Without Drain Valve
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cleaning apparatuses for kitchen equipment require expensive, highly resistant valves to manage aggressive media, which are costly and inefficient due to the need for separate circulating and drain pumps.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a drain pump at the collecting tank, which actively conveys liquids and solids into the drain line, eliminating the need for a valve by forming a single hydraulic circuit with the circulating pump, and using a riser to prevent unintentional drainage, along with a non-return valve to prevent backflow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a valve is used in the drain line to control liquid discharge, then the liquid flow can be controlled, but the device complexity and cost increase due to requiring expensive, highly resistant materials
Solution Approach 1:
The invention removes the valve from the drain line entirely, extracting the problematic component that required expensive, highly resistant materials. The drain pump directly controls liquid discharge without needing a valve, eliminating the need for costly stainless steel valves while maintaining reliable control over aggressive media.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pump serves multiple functions: it controls liquid discharge, prevents backflow (replacing the valve's control function), and handles both liquid and solid waste. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for a separate valve component, reducing device complexity while maintaining reliability.
2Reliability
If a separate valve is provided in the drain line, then liquid discharge can be controlled, but the manufacturing cost increases due to expensive materials
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is extracted from the system and its function is integrated into the drain pump's control mechanism. This eliminates the need for expensive stainless steel valve materials, significantly reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable liquid discharge control through the pump's operational control.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, durable valve materials with a more cost-effective pump-based control system. While pumps have moving parts, the overall manufacturing cost is reduced by eliminating the need for costly stainless steel valve components, making the system more economically viable.
3Productivity
If only a circulating pump is used, then the cleaning fluid can be circulated, but the collecting tank cannot be efficiently emptied of solids and liquids
Solution Approach 1:
The invention segments the pump functions into two distinct units: the circulating pump for cleaning fluid circulation and the drain pump for waste removal. This segmentation allows each pump to be optimized for its specific function, enabling efficient circulation of cleaning fluid while simultaneously providing effective emptying of the collecting tank including solids.
Solution Approach 2:
The drain pump is designed with multi-functionality to handle both liquid waste and solid residues in the collecting tank. It can efficiently pump out the cleaning fluid after use and remove accumulated solids, eliminating the need for separate manual emptying operations and improving overall ease of operation.
4Reliability
If a valve is installed in the drain line, then liquid flow control is possible, but the operational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve is extracted from the drain line and its control function is integrated into the drain pump's operation. This simplifies the overall system operation by eliminating the need to coordinate valve actuation with pump operation, reducing operational complexity while maintaining reliable liquid flow control through the pump's direct control mechanism.
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 configuration allows for efficient cleaning and complete emptying of the collecting tank while minimizing contamination and reducing costs by eliminating the need for a separate valve, ensuring effective removal of solids and liquids with reduced operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a drain pump (7) at the collecting tank (6), wherein the drain pump (7) can be used to actively convey the liquid (50) collected in the collecting tank (6) together with any solids that may be contained therein into the drain line (16)
Implementation Method 2
a circulating pump (8) for the liquid (50) collected in the collecting tank (6) with a circulation line (28) by which the liquid (50), sitting in the collecting tank (6), can be conveyed into the cooking space (2)
Implementation Method 3
the liquid is delivered against the ventilation fan and is thereby distributed by the ventilation fan
Data Source
AI summary
Cleaning apparatus for kitchen equipment, in particular combination streaming, baking and cooking equipment has a cooking space that is to be cleaned which is delimited by at least one wall and includes at least one outlet opening for a liquid. The apparatus comprises a ventilation fan associated with the cooking space having a drive motor; a collecting tank which at least temporarily collects the liquid that exits the cooking space via the outlet opening; a supply line that can be used to supply fresh water and/or a cleaning fluid that can be controlled through a valve in the line; a circulating pump provided at the collecting tank for the liquid sitting in the collecting tank; a circulation line by which the liquid sitting in the collecting tank and conveyed by the circulating pump can be supplied to the cooking space and a drain line for discharging the liquid that exits the cooking space. A drain pump is provided at the circulation container in addition to the circulating pump which is able to actively convey the liquid sitting in the collecting tank, together with solids that may be present therein, into the drain line.