Semi-automatic ware washing sprayer system
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional sprayers for cleaning ware in commercial settings require a separate washing or soaking process, can cause cross-contamination, and are limited in their ability to use sanitizers and provide effective rinsing due to fixed nozzles and the use of only potable water.
Innovation Solution
A semi-automatic touchless sprayer system with a control box and sprayer unit that allows for alternating wash and rinse modes, includes a detergent supply, sanitizer supply with ozone generation, and a variable spray nozzle for efficient cleaning and sanitizing, minimizing cross-contamination and improving rinsing efficacy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional sprayers use only potable water for rinsing, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but cross-contamination risk increases and sanitizing capability is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer system is designed to perform multiple functions using a single device: it can spray potable water for rinsing, inject sanitizer solution for sanitizing, and switch between modes automatically. The control box integrates both wash and rinse solenoid valves, allowing the system to function as both a rinsing sprayer and a sanitizing system without requiring separate equipment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically switches between different operational modes (rinsing mode and sanitizing mode) based on user selection or automatic detection. The control box can alternate between opening the rinse solenoid valve for potable water spray and opening the wash solenoid valve for sanitizer injection, enabling adaptive functionality rather than a fixed single-purpose design.
2Reliability
If conventional sprayers have fixed nozzles, then the device structure is simple, but rinsing effectiveness is insufficient for various debris types
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer employs adjustable nozzles that can change spray patterns dynamically. The nozzle assembly includes multiple spray holes arranged in different orientations and angles, allowing the spray direction and pattern to be adjusted based on the cleaning needs of different ware types and debris conditions, rather than using a fixed single-pattern nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle system is segmented into multiple spray holes with different orientations (e.g., upward-sloping holes, downward-sloping holes, horizontally-oriented holes) rather than a single unified nozzle. This segmentation allows different portions of the nozzle assembly to target different surfaces of the ware, improving overall rinsing effectiveness for various debris types.
3Productivity
If conventional sprayers require separate washing or soaking processes, then the sprayer structure remains simple, but cleaning efficiency decreases and cross-contamination risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system merges the washing function and rinsing function into a single integrated sprayer unit. The control box contains both a wash solenoid valve connected to a sanitizer supply and a rinse solenoid valve connected to potable water supply, allowing the device to perform both washing (with sanitizer injection) and rinsing (with potable water) in one unit, eliminating the need for separate washing and rinsing devices or processes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system can perform preliminary sanitizer injection into the spray stream before the main rinsing action occurs. The wash solenoid valve can be activated first to inject sanitizer into the water flow, preparing a sanitizing solution that then mixes with potable water during the rinsing phase, thereby combining washing and rinsing actions in a predetermined sequence within a single operation.
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
Enables efficient, touchless cleaning and sanitizing of ware with the ability to vary spray patterns and intensities, reducing cross-contamination risks and improving cleaning efficiency while accommodating sanitizers and detergent use.
Implementation Method 1
The flow switch may be configured to provide a signal to the alternating relay
Implementation Method 2
a wash flow solenoid disposed in the wash flow path, a rinse flow solenoid disposed in the rinse flow path
Implementation Method 3
The sanitizer supply assembly may include an ozone generator disposed in the rinse flow path
Data Source
AI summary
A control box for a sprayer system is provided. The control box may include a wash flow path, a wash flow solenoid disposed in the wash flow path, a detergent supply assembly disposed in wash flow path, a rinse flow path, a rinse flow solenoid disposed in the rinse flow path, a common flow path, a flow switch disposed in the common flow path, an alternating relay, and a connection valve leading to a discharge flow path. The flow switch may be configured to provide a signal to the alternating relay. The alternating relay may be configured to control both the wash flow solenoid and the rinse flow solenoid. The connection valve may receive both the wash flow path and the rinse flow path. In another embodiment, a sprayer system including a control box and a sprayer unit is provided.