Method for cleaning a refrigerated food display case and refrigerated food display case
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning refrigerated food counters do not adequately prevent re-contamination from the goods room into the water supply, and manual cleaning is inefficient and cannot use aggressive cleaning agents safely.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a Category 5 reservoir system that automates the supply of water and cleaning agents to the goods room, using sensors and manual confirmation means to ensure no goods are present before cleaning, allowing for precise and safe application of aggressive cleaning agents at specific times, preventing contamination and ensuring thorough cleaning.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual cleaning is used, then cleaning can be performed, but cleaning efficiency is low and aggressive cleaning agents cannot be safely used
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service cleaning through automated timing mechanisms and sensor-based detection. The cleaning device automatically executes cleaning cycles at predetermined times, detecting the presence or absence of goods and personnel without requiring manual operation, thereby achieving both high efficiency and safe application of aggressive cleaning agents
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical cleaning operations are replaced by an automated control system that uses sensors, timers, and programmable logic to orchestrate the cleaning process. This substitution eliminates human exposure to aggressive cleaning agents while maintaining thorough cleaning effectiveness
2Reliability
If water is supplied into the goods room to clean, then dust particles are removed, but re-contamination of the water supply from the goods room must be prevented
Solution Approach 1:
The water supply system is segmented into separate reservoirs with different purity levels. A category 5 reservoir stores water that has been sufficiently separated from potential contaminants, while a category 4 reservoir receives water from the cleaning process. This segmentation prevents re-contamination by ensuring unidirectional flow from cleaner to less clean zones
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe system acts as an intermediary with controlled flow direction, using check valves and pressure differential mechanisms to ensure water flows only from the category 5 reservoir through the goods room to the category 4 reservoir, preventing backflow and re-contamination of the clean water supply
3Adaptability or versatility
If cleaning is performed at any time, then cleaning flexibility is maintained, but cleaning agents may wet stored goods or endanger personnel
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection of goods presence and personnel absence before initiating cleaning operations. Sensors detect whether the goods room is empty and whether personnel are present, and only when conditions are favorable does the control system activate the cleaning sequence, preventing damage to goods and exposure of personnel to aggressive cleaning agents
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system operates periodically at predetermined times when the refrigerated food counter is closed and the goods room is empty. This periodic operation schedule ensures cleaning occurs during safe windows when no goods are present and no personnel are exposed, eliminating the need for flexible on-demand cleaning while maintaining safety
Data Source
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AI summary
A method for cleaning a food refrigerated counter, in which water is conducted from a category 5 reservoir at certain times by means of a pipe system into a goods area of the food refrigerated counter, can be reliably guaranteed an increased cleaning standard if a cleaning agent is fed through the pipe system at certain times becomes.