System for loading at least one transport dishwasher with items to be washed, arrangement comprising at least one transport dishwasher and a loading system and method for loading at least one transport dishwasher with items to be washed
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current transport dishwashers require significant manual effort for loading and unloading, leading to increased physical strain and resource consumption, as items must be individually sorted and placed on conveyor belts, which slows down the washing process and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A loading system equipped with a detection system and manipulators that automatically identify and sort items based on type, contamination level, and orientation, allowing them to be placed on dedicated transport tracks within the dishwasher, reducing manual handling and optimizing the washing process.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual loading and sorting of items is used, then flexibility in handling different item types is maintained, but physical strain on operators increases and loading speed decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables self-service automation where the loading mechanism automatically identifies, grasps, and places items without human intervention. Sensors detect item characteristics and the robotic arm autonomously performs sorting and loading operations, eliminating manual physical effort while maintaining high-speed operation.
Solution Approach 2:
Manual mechanical sorting operations are replaced with an automated robotic system equipped with sensors and a robotic arm. The system uses optical or capacitive sensors to detect item properties and a robotic manipulator to physically handle and place items, substituting human mechanical actions with automated electromechanical systems.
2Manufacturing precision
If individual item sorting and placement is performed manually, then precise item orientation can be achieved, but the loading process time increases
Solution Approach 1:
Items are pre-oriented on the conveyor belt before reaching the loading position. The system detects item characteristics upstream and prepares the robotic arm with the appropriate grasping configuration in advance, so that when the item reaches the loading zone, orientation and placement occur simultaneously without sequential delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The loading process operates continuously with the robotic arm performing detection, grasping, orientation, and placement in an uninterrupted sequence. Multiple items are processed in parallel through a continuous conveyor system, eliminating idle time between operations and maintaining constant productive action throughout the loading cycle.
3Productivity
If automated loading systems are implemented, then loading speed and consistency improve, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The robotic arm and sensor system are designed as universal components that can handle multiple types of items with different characteristics. The system uses programmable control and adaptive sensor detection to adjust to various item sizes, shapes, and materials, eliminating the need for dedicated mechanisms for each item type and reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system achieves versatility through parameter changes in sensor sensitivity and robotic arm motion profiles. By dynamically adjusting detection thresholds and movement parameters based on detected item characteristics, the system adapts to different item types without hardware modifications, simplifying the overall system architecture while maintaining high productivity.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a system (10) for loading at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1') with parts to be washed, wherein the system (10) comprises a feed conveyor (11) for feeding parts to be washed to at least one loading area of the conveyor dishwasher (1, 1') and a particularly optical detection system (15) which is configured to detect at least one of the following parameters of the parts to be washed on the feed conveyor (11) when feeding the parts (9a, 9b, 9c) to the at least one loading area of the at least one conveyor dishwasher (1, 1'): (i) a type of parts to be washed, (ii) a degree of soiling of the parts to be washed, and/or (iii) an order of the parts to be washed and/or a relative orientation of the parts to be washed to the feed conveyor (11).The detection system (15) is assigned an evaluation unit which is designed to control the supply of the washing items to the at least one loading area depending on at least one of the detected parameters.