Ware Washer Pressure Profile Control for Nozzle Flow Stability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Commercial ware washers face deviations in water circulation capacity and nozzle pressure due to potential malfunctions, leading to inadequate cleaning performance, which existing technologies struggle to detect and compensate for in real-time.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of pressure sensors to detect deviations in hydrostatic pressure profiles within the line system, comparing them to predetermined profiles, and initiating corrective actions such as regulating the washing process, issuing fault warnings, or remote maintenance alerts to address issues like leaks, blockages, or foam formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If pressure sensors and control systems are added to detect and compensate for deviations in water circulation capacity, then cleaning performance consistency is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performance consistencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where pressure sensors continuously monitor the hydrostatic pressure in the line system, compare it with a predetermined pressure profile, and trigger corrective actions when deviations are detected. This closed-loop feedback system ensures cleaning performance consistency by automatically compensating for deviations in water circulation capacity caused by malfunctions such as leaks, blockages, or foam formation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual monitoring and intervention with automated electronic detection and control systems. Pressure sensors, control units, and communication modules substitute for manual inspection and adjustment, enabling real-time detection and compensation of deviations without human intervention. This automation improves reliability while the modular design keeps complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Productivity

If manual inspection and intervention are used to detect malfunctions, then device complexity remains low, but productivity and response time deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemalfunction detection speedVSAvoidresponse time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements preliminary detection by continuously monitoring pressure profiles during normal operation. The system proactively identifies deviations before they lead to complete system failures or inadequate cleaning performance. By detecting malfunctions early through automated pressure analysis, the system enables timely corrective actions, improving productivity and reducing response time compared to manual inspection methods.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-diagnosis and self-monitoring through automated pressure detection and analysis. The control unit independently evaluates the pressure profile, compares it with predetermined profiles, and initiates corrective actions without requiring manual inspection. This self-service capability dramatically improves malfunction detection speed and reduces response time while maintaining low operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If no real-time monitoring is implemented, then device complexity is low, but cleaning performance deteriorates due to undetected malfunctions

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning qualityVSAvoidmalfunction detection capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces pressure sensors as intermediary devices that indirectly detect malfunctions by measuring hydrostatic pressure in the line system. Instead of directly monitoring complex parameters like water circulation capacity or nozzle blockage, the system uses pressure as an intermediary indicator that reflects the operational state. This approach enables effective malfunction detection and cleaning quality assurance without requiring direct measurement of difficult-to-access parameters.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent monitors changes in pressure parameters to detect malfunctions and maintain cleaning quality. By continuously measuring and comparing pressure profile parameters against predetermined profiles, the system identifies deviations caused by leaks, blockages, or foam formation. This parameter-based monitoring approach enables real-time detection of malfunctions that would otherwise go unnoticed, ensuring consistent cleaning quality while maintaining relatively simple system architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 enables early detection of potential malfunctions, allowing for immediate compensation of deviations in water circulation capacity and washing performance, ensuring consistent cleaning results and reducing the need for manual intervention or costly repairs.

Implementation Method 1

the profile of the hydrostatic pressure of the liquid in the line system being detected and being compared with a predetermined pressure profile

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydrostatic pressure: Pressure Gradient

Data Source

PatentEP2296519B1Method for operating a ware washer and ware washer
Publication Date: 2015.03.04 PREMARK FEG LLC
  • EP2296519B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2296519B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2296519B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention relates to a ware washer (40, 50) and to a method for operating a ware washer (40, 50) which is designed as a programmable machine (40) or as a conveyor ware washer (50) and which has at least one pump (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6), at least one line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6) connected to the pump (11, 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, 11-4, 11-5, 11-6), and at least one nozzle system connected to the line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6) and having at least one nozzle (13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, 13-6, 13-7), a liquid being supplied at least intermittently to the at least one nozzle (13, 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, 13-5, 13-6, 13-7) via the line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12- 5, 12-6). Furthermore, a sensor device (30, 30', 30") connected to a control device (20) is provided for detecting a profile of the hydrostatic pressure (Pi) of the liquid in the line system (12, 12-1, 12-2, 12-3, 12-4, 12-5, 12-6) and for comparing the detected pressure profile (Pi) with a predetermined pressure profile (Ps). In order to achieve the situation where potential deviations of the water circulation capacity or potential deviations of the nozzle pressure can be ascertained and automatically reacted to correspondingly in order to counteract the deviation of the water circulation capacity, according to the invention the control device (20) is designed, in the event of a deviation of the detected pressure profile (Pi) from the predetermined pressure profile (Ps), automatically either to carry out a regulating action on the operation of the ware washer (40, 50) as a function of the size and the time gradient of a difference between the predetermined pressure profile (Ps) and the detected pressure profile (Pi) or to issue a fault warning via an optical and/or acoustic interface (22) or to issue a fault warning to a remote maintenance station via a remote control interface (23).