Wash Tank Filter Insert With Flushing Flumes to Prevent Clogging

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Solution Overview

Problem

In multi-tank dishwashers, the existing filter systems are inefficient in continuously removing dirt particles from the washing water, leading to increased dirt content, reduced cleaning performance, and higher operating costs due to the need for frequent water changes and increased cleaning agent consumption.

Innovation Solution

A filter insert with longitudinal ribs and flumes is introduced below the coarse sieve in the wash tank, allowing particles to be washed away into a separate filter box, which can be cleaned periodically, maintaining the rinsing operation's continuity and reducing dirt accumulation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If screen plates with smaller hole diameters are used to reduce dirt content in rinsing water, then the dirt filtration effectiveness is improved, but the risk of screen plate clogging increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt filtration effectivenessVSAvoidscreen plate clogging risk
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The filter insert is divided into multiple longitudinal ribs that create separate filtration channels (flumes). This segmentation allows rinsing water to flow through multiple parallel paths, reducing the likelihood that any single channel will become completely blocked, while maintaining effective dirt filtration through the rib structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The longitudinal ribs act as intermediary structures between the rinsing water and the collection box. They provide a structured pathway that guides water flow and captures dirt particles, preventing direct contact between large dirt clumps and the collection system that would cause clogging.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the proportion of rinsing water fed to the rinsing zone is increased to counteract dirt content, then the cleaning performance is maintained, but the consumption of cleaning agent and heating output increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoidcleaning agent and energy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The filter insert extracts and removes dirt particles from the rinsing water before the water is recirculated back to the rinsing zone. By taking out the contaminants, the system maintains cleaning performance with the existing water volume, avoiding the need to increase water, cleaning agent, or heating input.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter insert performs self-cleaning through the flow of rinsing water that passes through its structure. The water flow naturally carries away captured dirt particles to the collection box, eliminating the need for additional cleaning mechanisms or increased water consumption to maintain performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Manufacturing precision

If screen plates are used to filter dirt from rinsing water, then the dirt content is reduced, but the filtered dirt remains on the screen plates and is not actively removed, eventually increasing dirt content again

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedirt content reductionVSAvoidfilter effectiveness duration
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSDuration of action of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The filter insert transitions from a static screen plate to a dynamic system where captured dirt particles are continuously flushed away by the flowing rinsing water. The longitudinal ribs and flumes create active water flow through the filtration structure, constantly removing accumulated dirt and maintaining filtration effectiveness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The filter insert ensures continuous dirt removal through the integrated flushing system. As rinsing water flows through the longitudinal ribs and flumes, it continuously carries away captured particles to the collection box, maintaining constant filtration effectiveness without periodic interruptions for manual cleaning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #20Continuity of useful action

4Reliability

If the entire contents of the washing water tank are changed when dirt content is exceeded, then the cleaning performance is restored, but downtime and operating costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning performanceVSAvoiddowntime for water change
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The filter insert continuously extracts dirt particles from the rinsing water in real-time operation, rather than allowing dirt to accumulate until a complete water change is necessary. This continuous extraction maintains cleaning performance without interrupting operations for full tank drainage and refilling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The filter insert performs preliminary dirt removal from the rinsing water before the water is recirculated back to the rinsing zone. By addressing dirt accumulation continuously and proactively, the system prevents the conditions that would trigger a complete water change, maintaining performance without downtime.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

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 filter insert effectively removes particles from the washing water without interrupting the rinsing process, reducing the need for frequent water changes and lowering operating costs by maintaining the rinsing operation's continuity and reducing dirt accumulation.

Implementation Method 1

The longitudinal ribs extend in a direction in which the bottom of the filter insert, which has flumes lying between the longitudinal ribs, is inclined. This means that the filter insert, which is preferably box-shaped and can be easily hung in the wash tank of a conveyor type dishwasher, has a slope which is suitable for washing away particles caught there in the washing channels into a separate filter box.

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectGravity: Gravitation

Data Source

PatentEP2117408B1Filter for cleaning machines
Publication Date: 2012.01.04 MEIKO MASCHINENBAU GMBH & CO KG
  • EP2117408B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2117408B1 patent drawingFigure 2~5
  • EP2117408B1 patent drawingFigure 6~8

AI summary

The invention relates to a filter insert (36, 66) for cleaning machines, particularly tunnel washing machines (10), in which products to be cleaned pass through at least one treatment zone. The at least one treatment zone is associated with a washing tank (12). The filter insert (36) comprises a plurality of longitudinal ribs (38), which extend parallel to each other and delimit flushing flumes.