Recirculating Ware Washer Dirt Separation for Higher Throughput
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ware washers require manual pre-cleaning and have limited throughput capacity, necessitating additional personnel for loading and unloading, which increases operational costs and reduces efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A ware washer with a recirculating washing system that includes a dirt collecting system and a waste water pump, allowing for automated pre-washing and reduced manual intervention, by separating dirt particles from the washing fluid and pumping out waste water, thereby increasing throughput without the need for additional personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual pre-cleaning is required, then washing quality is maintained, but productivity decreases and additional personnel are needed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements an automated pre-washing phase that performs preliminary cleaning actions before the main washing process. The wash pump circulates washing fluid through nozzles to remove coarse soiling automatically, eliminating the need for manual pre-cleaning and increasing throughput capacity.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing system is designed to perform self-service pre-cleaning functions through automated fluid circulation and dirt separation. The system serves itself by automatically removing coarse contaminants without requiring external manual intervention, thereby improving productivity.
2Loss of substance
If washing fluid is recirculated, then water consumption is reduced, but dirt particles may re-contamine items
Solution Approach 1:
The washing system is segmented into distinct functional phases: pre-washing, main washing, and separation. During pre-washing, coarse dirt is removed and separated from the washing fluid. The washing fluid is then recirculated for main washing, reducing water consumption while preventing re-contamination through phase separation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs periodic action by alternating between phases where dirt is separated from the washing fluid and phases where the cleaned fluid is recirculated. This periodic separation and recirculation cycle maintains water efficiency while preventing re-contamination of items.
3Productivity
If automated pre-washing is implemented, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The wash pump and nozzle system serve multiple functions: they perform both pre-washing and main washing operations. The same circulation system is used for different washing phases, reducing the need for separate dedicated systems and minimizing overall device complexity while maintaining high productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the pre-washing and main washing systems into a single integrated recirculating washing system. The wash pump, nozzles, and washing tank work together as one unified system that performs multiple washing functions, thereby increasing productivity without proportionally increasing device complexity.
4Reliability
If dirt collecting system is added, then washing fluid quality is maintained, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A dirt collecting system acts as an intermediary component between the washing tank and the recirculation system. It separates dirt particles from the washing fluid through gravity settling or filtration, maintaining washing fluid quality while integrating smoothly into the existing system architecture with minimal additional complexity.
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
The solution increases throughput capacity by automating the pre-washing process, reducing working times, and allowing for a 20% capacity increase with a single operator, while maintaining a constant washing result and preventing re-contamination of items.
Implementation Method 1
a dirt collecting system which is associated with the at least one wash zone and serves to separate dirt particles from the sprayed washing fluid which flows back into the washing tank by means of gravity
Implementation Method 2
a wash pump for supplying washing fluid collected in the washing tank to the at least one wash nozzle
Implementation Method 3
a dirt discharge pump which is connected or can be connected on the intake side to the dirt collecting system and is connected or can be connected on the delivery side to a dirt discharge pipe system for the discharge, when necessary, of at least part of the washing fluid that has passed into the dirt collecting system and at least part of the dirt particles separated from the washing fluid
Data Source
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AI summary
To increase throughput capacity, a ware washer has at least one washing system with a recirculating circuit with at least one wash nozzle (13; 13-1), one washing tank (14; 14-1) and one wash pump (11; 11-1). A dirt collecting system (70) is associated with the washing system and a dirt discharge pump (74; 74-1) is connected to a dirt discharge pipe system (72, 73; 72-1, 73-1) in order to discharge at least part of the dirt particles separated from the washing fluid out of the washing system. A waste water pump (40) is connected or can be connected on the intake side to the washing tank (14; 14- 1) and is connected or can be connected on the delivery side to a waste water pipe system (41) for the pumping out, where necessary, of at least part of the washing fluid collected in the washing tank (14; 14-1).