Washware Detection Control for Resource-Efficient Dishwashers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial dishwashers often inefficiently use resources such as fresh water, chemicals, and energy due to a lack of automatic differentiation between types of washware, leading to suboptimal treatment programs that result in over-treatment or insufficient cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A programmable automatic dishwasher equipped with a wash-ware detector and programme control device that automatically selects and sets process parameters based on the detected type of washware, optimizing water, chemical, and energy consumption for each treatment phase.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a constant treatment program is used for all washware types, then the dishwasher can operate with simple control logic, but resource consumption (water, energy, chemicals) increases due to over-treatment
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device automatically identifies washware type and the control device automatically selects the appropriate treatment program, enabling the system to serve itself without manual intervention. This eliminates the need for operators to manually select programs while optimizing resource consumption based on actual washware requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes treatment parameters (temperature, water flow, chemical dosage, cycle duration) based on the detected washware type. Different parameter sets are applied for different washware categories, allowing optimal resource utilization tailored to specific cleaning requirements.
2Device complexity
If a constant treatment program is used for all washware types, then the dishwasher structure remains simple, but water consumption increases due to lack of optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically detects washware type and adjusts water consumption parameters without manual input, enabling the dishwasher to optimize its own water usage based on actual needs rather than following a fixed program.
Solution Approach 2:
Water flow rate, rinse cycle duration, and chemical injection rates are dynamically adjusted based on detected washware type, reducing water consumption for lightly soiled items while ensuring adequate cleaning for heavily soiled items.
3Adaptability or versatility
If manual program selection is provided, then the system can adapt to different washware types, but operation becomes more complex and user error increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device and control device work together to automatically select the appropriate treatment program based on detected washware type, completely eliminating manual program selection and associated user errors while maintaining full adaptability to different washware types.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical selection process (buttons, dials, switches) is replaced with an automatic detection and control system that uses sensors and electronic control logic to identify washware type and select appropriate treatment parameters.
4Loss of energy
If detection devices are added to identify washware type, then resource optimization is achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The detector device serves as an intermediary between the washware and the control system, translating physical characteristics of washware into signals that the control device can process to select appropriate treatment programs, thereby enabling optimization without requiring complex direct control mechanisms.
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 ensures efficient resource utilization and effective cleaning by adapting process parameters to the specific type of washware, preventing over-treatment and ensuring adequate cleaning results without manual intervention.
Implementation Method 1
The detector device (51) is preferably optically, inductively or capacitively operating
Implementation Method 2
The detector device (51) is preferably optically, inductively or capacitively operating
Implementation Method 3
The detector device (51) is preferably optically, inductively or capacitively operating
Implementation Method 4
At the transition from the sump to the pump, there is a heater for heating the washing fluid
Implementation Method 5
a steam phase follows, in which fresh water is evaporated out of the sump by means of the heating and is conducted via the said spray nozzles into the treatment chamber
Implementation Method 6
a washing phase, during which washing fluid is sprayed by means of a pump out of a sump via spray nozzles into a washing chamber
Implementation Method 7
washing fluid is sprayed by means of a pump out of a sump via spray nozzles into a washing chamber
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a dishwasher (1) in the form of a programmable automatic machine, which has a programme control device (50) for carrying out at least one treatment programme, a treatment chamber (2) into which and from which wash ware can be manually inserted and removed, a tank (4) into which fluid from the treatment chamber (2) can flow off by gravity, and a washing system (33, 8, 34, 10) with a washing pump (8) and with a washing line system (10) for conveying washing fluid (6) during a washing phase out of the tank (4) through washing nozzles (33, 34) into the treatment chamber (2). In order to achieve an efficient treatment (cleaning and drying) of the wash ware, along with as low a consumption as possible of resources in terms of water, chemicals and, in particular, energy, there is provision, according to the invention, for the dishwasher (1) to have, furthermore, a wash-ware detector device (51) which is designed for detecting the type of wash ware to be treated, furthermore the programme control device (50) being designed to select a predetermined or determinable treatment programme for at least the washing phase automatically as a function of the detected type of wash ware to be treated and to set the process parameters associated with the selected treatment programme.