Unloading arrangement for unloading items of washware which are arranged, in particular, on trays or tray-like objects
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyor dishwashers require significant manual effort for unloading and sorting of washware from trays, leading to increased workload and inefficiency, particularly in high-capacity commercial settings where trays need to be placed transversely on the conveyor belt, obstructing other items and requiring double handling.
Innovation Solution
An unloading arrangement with multiple stations, each designed to automatically sort and unload specific washware groups, such as cutlery, plates, and bowls, using magnets, wiping devices, and tilting mechanisms to deflect items out of the conveyor path, allowing for efficient sorting and loading onto dedicated conveyor belts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If trays are placed transversely on the conveyor belt to be cleaned, then the trays can be cleaned effectively, but the trays fill up the entire available area of the conveyor belt and obstruct other items of washware from being cleaned simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor belt is divided into multiple lanes (first lane and second lane) that run parallel to each other. Trays are conveyed in the first lane while other washware items are conveyed in the second lane, allowing simultaneous cleaning of both without mutual obstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of using a single conveyor belt width, the system adds a dimensional element by creating multiple parallel lanes. This allows trays to occupy one lane while other items occupy adjacent lanes, effectively increasing the cleaning capacity without requiring trays to be removed from the cleaning process.
2Ease of operation
If trays are sorted manually by operating staff, then the sorting can be performed, but the workflow requires double handling and significant manual effort
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses detector devices to automatically detect and identify trays as they are conveyed, eliminating the need for manual detection and sorting by operating staff. The automated detection system performs the sorting function independently, reducing manual intervention to minimal levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical sorting operations are replaced with an automated detection and control system. Detector devices automatically identify trays and trigger appropriate actions (such as diverting trays to a separate lane), replacing human labor with automated sensing and actuation mechanisms.
3Ease of manufacture
If washware is not sorted by type before cleaning, then the loading process is simpler, but trays cast spray shadows over smaller items of washware stacked behind them
Solution Approach 1:
The conveyor system is segmented into multiple lanes where trays occupy the first lane and smaller washware items occupy the second lane. This spatial segmentation prevents trays from casting spray shadows over smaller items while maintaining a relatively simple loading process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system resolves the spray shadow problem by adding a lateral dimension with parallel lanes. Instead of stacking items vertically where trays would block spray to items behind them, the system distributes items horizontally across separate lanes, allowing spray to reach all items effectively.
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 solution reduces manual labor, enhances ergonomics, and improves cleaning efficiency by allowing all washware to be oriented uniformly on the conveyor belt, reducing spray shadows and enabling optimal treatment parameters, while simplifying the unloading process and maximizing dishwasher capacity.
Implementation Method 1
a first unloading station with at least one actuable magnet in order to unload items of cutlery which are produced from metal
Data Source
AI summary
An unloading arrangement (10) for unloading items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) which are arranged, in particular, on trays or tray-like objects (6), in particular items of washware (5a, 5b, 5c) from place settings. The unloading arrangement (10) has a feed conveyor belt (11) for feeding the items of washware. The unloading arrangement (10) also has a large number of unloading stations (12, 13, 14) arranged one behind the other—as seen in the conveying direction of the feed conveyor belt (11). For successively unloading the feed conveyor belt (11) or for successively unloading the trays or tray-like objects (6), a predefined or predefinable washware group is preferably associated with each unloading station (12, 13, 14) and each unloading station is designed to unload preferably only items of washware of the associated washware group from the washware which is fed by the feed conveyor belt (11).