Pan cleaning system and improved cleaning stations
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pan cleaning systems in commercial baking operations are inefficient due to limitations in reaching all surfaces of complex pan geometries, requiring multiple machines and passes, and are difficult to maintain, leading to contamination issues and increased operational costs.
Innovation Solution
A modular, customizable pan cleaning system with oscillating brushes and adjustable orientation, featuring a carriage and track system that allows for perpendicular rotation of pans and interchangeable cleaning stations, enabling thorough cleaning of all pan surfaces while allowing for easy maintenance and expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If simple round cylindrical brushes are used for cleaning pans, then the device complexity is reduced, but the cleaning effectiveness on complex pan geometries deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning system is divided into multiple independent brush modules, each capable of cleaning specific pan surfaces. The system includes at least one first brush module for side surfaces and at least one second brush module for top/bottom surfaces, allowing each module to be optimized for its specific cleaning task while maintaining overall system effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention introduces vertical orientation of brush modules perpendicular to the pan surface, in addition to horizontal rotation. The brush modules can be positioned at different heights and angles, enabling them to reach into pockets and along raised perimeters that single horizontal brushes cannot access.
2Reliability
If multiple cleaning machines are used to clean all pan surfaces, then the cleaning effectiveness is improved, but the device complexity and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple cleaning functions are merged into a single integrated cleaning system. The system combines first brush modules for side surfaces, second brush modules for top/bottom surfaces, and air knives for drying, all operating on a single pan conveyor line. This eliminates the need for multiple separate cleaning machines while maintaining comprehensive cleaning effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The cleaning system is designed to handle multiple pan types and geometries using the same equipment. The brush modules can be adjusted in position and orientation to accommodate different pan configurations, making the system universally applicable to various baking pan designs without requiring specialized machines for each pan type.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional cleaning systems are used, then the initial investment is reduced, but the maintenance difficulty and operational costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses modular brush modules that can be independently accessed, removed, and maintained. Each brush module is positioned on swing arms or adjustable mounts that provide easy access for cleaning and replacement, eliminating the need for complex disassembly procedures required by conventional integrated systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes features that facilitate self-maintenance, such as easily accessible brush modules that can be cleaned in place, adjustable components that can be repositioned without tools, and a design that allows maintenance personnel to service the system during normal operation without shutting down the entire production line.
4Device complexity
If pans are cleaned with horizontal brushes only, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to clean inside corners and edges deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The brush modules are mounted on adjustable and movable supports that allow dynamic repositioning. The modules can be tilted, rotated, and positioned at various angles to match the complex geometry of pan surfaces, enabling thorough cleaning of inside corners, edges, and raised perimeters that fixed horizontal brushes cannot reach.
Data Source
AI summary
A pan cleaning system is provided having a support carriage with one or more track supports and one or more track guides. An indexing conveyor provides a stream of baking pans and indexes the pans onto the support carriage as single pans. One or more twists in the track supports are provided such that the pans admitted by the indexing conveyor are turned at least substantially perpendicular relative to the horizontal plane of the machine. One or more frame assemblies having one or more sets of swing arms mounted on it is provided. With one or more secondary conveyors coupled to the frame assemblies. One or more cleaning subsystems are releasably coupled to the swing arms. A controller is provided where the single baking pan is admitted via the indexing conveyor based on signals from the controller into the one or more track guides as supported by the one or more supports and conveyed by the support carriage along the track guides and into the one or more frame assemblies after the twist turns the pan at least substantially perpendicular and the pan engages the one or more secondary conveyors and the pans is conveyed by the support carriage and the secondary conveyor to one or more cleaning subsystems.