EP0621759B1 - Dishwashing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/DE93/01089 Sec. 371 Date Jul. 14, 1994 Sec. 102(e) Date Jul. 14, 1994 PCT Filed Nov. 16, 1993 PCT Pub. No. WO94/10895 PCT Pub. Date May 26, 1994.A dishwashing machine is proposed which is considerably shorter in design than the previously used, continuously operated transport-dishwashers. In order permanently to reduce the consumption of water, energy and rinsing agent, the crockery in the individual crockery baskets is washed cyclical operation, the circuits of the rinsing apparatus being started up only in their respective time span within the wash program.

Description

The invention relates to a dishwasher.

State of the art:

Such industrial machines are usually used for Cleaning of plates, cups, cutlery and others Crockery parts, particularly in the catering and related businesses.

Known industrial machines have a permanent ongoing transport system for the dishes to be cleaned receiving crockery baskets or crockery boxes. Here are push rods running back and forth with Jacks, which in corresponding crossbars at the bottom of the Baskets when the push rods move in the direction of transport intervention. The items to be washed go through various processes Washing and rinsing zones as treatment stations through Plastic curtains can be separated. Also the There are washing or rinsing cycles within the dishwasher constantly in operation. The duration of a washing or Flushing process depends on the Transport speed of the dishes and the length of the Treatment stations. This way of working results in even if, as usual, there are only two treatment zones are a considerable space requirement for the dishwasher. On the one hand each treatment zone of the distance covered must be one Dish rack during washing or rinsing correspond and is therefore generally significantly larger than a basket length. On the other hand, the partition curtains at Passing a basket through it raised until it in its entire length under the curtain is led. This does not result in a good delimitation of the different treatment zones within the dishwasher. As a result, hot vapors or spray mist occur from one treatment zone to the other over or out of the Machine out what with an appropriate energy and Water loss and usually with worse Washing results. Inside the dishwasher can therefore lead to a carryover of alkali from the so-called wash zone come into the so-called rinse zone. This leads to an increased loss of wash water, which again with the corresponding expenditure of material and energy must be balanced. To the washing zone from the To delimit the rinse zone better, were again through Drapery separated drains between the Rinsing stations provided. However, this leads to another Increasing the space requirement of the machine.

It is also a considerable disadvantage that the Detergent circuit for the individual washing stations as well how the transport device is operated continuously. This is even if there are no more baskets on the Transport device are located. The dishwasher runs in this case without effective use, which means that wasted energy is useless what the Operating costs increased accordingly. This disadvantage could in some cases by so-called auto timers be balanced. Nevertheless, the whole in Question coming washing and rinsing mechanism started.

DE-U-1 928 642 is also an industrial one Dishwasher with automatic dish transport become known, in which the dishes automatically in the Interior of the dishwasher introduced and subsequently the Transport is interrupted. During the standstill of the in Baskets of crockery at rest within the Work housing is initially via a program switch washed and then rinsed. During the washing and The rinsing process therefore remains in the position of the dishes unchanged and is only subsequently removed from the machine led out.

Such a way of working the dishwasher does the advantage that the space requirement of the machine compared to the Dishwasher version described above essential can be reduced. The dwell time of the dishes inside the machine, however, increases due to the stationary position of the crockery basket until the end of all Machining operations.

Object and advantages of the invention:

The invention has for its object a Dishwasher to suggest a minimal Has space requirements with optimal washing performance.

This object is solved by the features of claim 1. In the subclaims are advantageous and expedient Developments of the dishwasher specified in claim 1 contain.

The basic idea of the invention is that an optimum in performance, a minimum consumption of energy, of water as well as chemical additives and a minimum of space only through an optimized design of a dishwasher can be achieved. As a result, at Dishwasher according to the invention the goods to be washed not the machine at slow speed as usual, but it is quickly drawn into it and remains long in the effective areas or treatment zones, um then quickly leave the machine. Resulting from this long contact times during the treatment process and short ones Lead times during the movement process. Through the space-saving design due to the inventive Working principles of the dishwasher can do this in almost every scullery used in the catering and hotel industry will. The operation of the dishwasher is due to the intermittent transport process extremely economical and environmentally friendly. In particular, for example Water consumption and the consumption of rinse aid cut in half while a third less detergent for the washing process is needed. This results in a high savings in energy and resources, which is not lastly also low electrical connection values of the machine has the consequence.

The invention is based on the knowledge that a stationary arrangement during the washing process an optimization of mentioned resources with a minimum of space results. This initially well-known way of working the stationary treatment of dishes during the cleaning process is optimized according to the present invention in that the rinsing zone immediately downstream of the washing zone is, so that the removal or the exit time of the Dishes can be used directly for the rinsing process. As a result, the rinse zone can also be kept very short what benefits the machine's space requirements.

The immediate spatial proximity of the washing zone downstream rinsing zone enables the optimal treatment of the dishes during the washing process, the crockery basket is either standing during this phase or at least a slightly oscillating back and forth Float. The subsequent one The rinsing process is then carried away when the crockery basket is removed completed, the rinse aid with its high proportion of fresh water at the same time as the regeneration of the wash liquor serves for the main wash cycle.

The dishwasher according to the invention is therefore included equipped with a program control by means of which Positioning the dishes in the cleaning area of the Dishwasher carrying out a washing program largely stationary crockery basket and switching off the Washing process after the main wash is carried out. Thereby the loss of energy to the environment significantly reduced that the liquid circuit for the Main washing process - hereinafter referred to as "washing process" - is switched off as soon as the transport movement has been carried out becomes. Only when the dishes are in their washing position is positioned, the actual washing process started. A flexible curtain hides it the entire feed opening again, whereby the as Rinsing chamber or treatment chamber trained interior of the Dishwasher is effectively shielded. The washing zone the rinsing chamber itself can be about the size of a conventional one Dish rack floor plan to be adjusted, or larger be dimensioned because the wash ware during the washing process rests. Since the transport only after the washing process reinsert is not an actual draining area between the washing zone and the rinse zone more necessary. However, a short drain between the Machining operations to carry along Reduce wash liquor in the rinse zone. This will the space requirement of the dishwasher according to the invention Minimum optimized.

By the measure that the liquid circuit for both the washing process as well as for the rinsing process only ever in operation during the respective treatment process is taken is the energy, water and Detergent consumption significantly reduced.

Since the rinsing process is less time-consuming than the washing process, it is particularly advantageous that the Rinsing process after washing is carried out so that the dishes during the rinsing process Passes through the rinse zone and thus the extension time for the Rinsing process is used.

The dishwasher according to the invention works in Main wash with soapy water in one or more Collection trays are arranged underneath the wash zones and the circulation pumps to the lower and upper wash nozzles be transported. The wash liquor remains for one Large number of subsequent washing processes generally in the Machine and is cleaned of dirt and in the usual way partly regenerated by fresh water. A high one Water consumption for the wash liquor is therefore not available.

In contrast, at least one for the rinsing process additional collecting tank needed, in which fresh water is prepared for the rinsing process. In further training the invention provides two such rinse systems, which are fed with fresh water and heated up. Here for example, only the one at the outlet of the dishwasher existing rinse cycle with special rinse aid be provided.

To the total energy consumption of the dishwasher is therefore to prepare the rinse solution for the washing process a thermally insulated collection container provided that due to the spatial proximity to the rinse zone also filled with rinsing liquid during the rinsing process becomes. This results in a dilution or Regeneration of the wash liquor due to the particular not with rinsing liquid provided.

This is also a further reduction in energy consumption achievable that different washing or rinsing steps different temperatures can be carried out the corresponding liquids with different Temperatures recorded in different collection containers will.

An embodiment of the invention is in the drawings shown and in the following description explained.

Fig. 1:

einen schematischen Längsschnitt durch eine erfindungsgemäß Geschirrspülmaschine,

Fig. 2:

einen schematischen Querschnitt der Spülmaschine nach Fig. 1,

Fig. 3:

eine perspektivische Ansicht der Spülmaschine nach Fig. 1 und 2,

Fig. 4:

eine perspektivische Darstellung von Waschzone, Nachspülzone und einem Antriebssystem,

Fig. 5:

eine perspektivische Darstellung der Nachspülanordung und

Fig. 6:

ein Weg-Zeit-Vergleichsdiagramm zwischen einer erfindungsgemäßen Spülmaschine und einem bekannten Verfahrensablauf.

Show it

Fig. 1:

2 shows a schematic longitudinal section through a dishwasher according to the invention,

Fig. 2:

2 shows a schematic cross section of the dishwasher according to FIG. 1,

Fig. 3:

2 shows a perspective view of the dishwasher according to FIGS. 1 and 2,

Fig. 4:

1 shows a perspective view of the washing zone, rinsing zone and a drive system,

Fig. 5:

a perspective view of the rinse and

Fig. 6:

a path-time comparison diagram between a dishwasher according to the invention and a known process flow.

The dishwasher 1 according to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 has one designed as a rinsing chamber 2 or treatment chamber 2 Interior on, which is in a washing zone 5 and in a subsequent rinsing zone 7 is divided. The in Fig. 1st symbolically drawn imaginary parting plane 9 separates the two adjacent zones. In the Washing zone 5 is located as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a crockery basket or the dishes to be cleaned Box 3, hereinafter referred to as "basket". The arrangement of the Dish rack 3 in the washing zone 5 according to FIG. 3 is in FIG. 4 shown. The crockery basket 3 is filled with crockery 4.

Above and below the crockery basket 3 are in the front washing zone e.g. four upper (25) and three lower (26) Wash arms 25, 26 on which a plurality of wash nozzles 6 or 6 'are attached, the upper wash arms 25 laterally offset from the lower wash arms 26 can be arranged to gaps between the Crockery easier to grasp. In the embodiment are on each wash arm 25, 26 has about five to seven wash nozzles 6, 6 ' intended.

The rinse zone 7 in its left end area trained rinsing chamber 2 has several in this area upper (30, 31) and lower (32, 33) rinse arms similar to the wash arms in some side Are spaced from each other and on which rinse nozzles 8, 8 ' are attached.

The crockery basket 3 rests on two side by side at a distance guided transport devices 10, 11. The present Example designed as conveyor belts 10, 11 Transport devices run around two deflection rollers 12, 13 and via two guide rollers 14. In the area of FIGS. 1 and 4 shown left pulley 13 is the Conveyor via a V-belt 15 from one Electric motor 16 driven.

The rinsing chamber 2 is in its entrance area 17 and its Exit area 18 by means of two flexible, double Strip curtains 27, 28 completed (Fig. 1). Before the Entrance 17 is waiting for a prepared one Dish rack 19 on the machining process while behind the outlet 18 of the last rinsed crockery basket 20 in FIG. 1 can still be seen. In front of the one in the rinsing chamber 2 Dish rack 3, a limit switch 21 is shown, the Transport of the crockery basket 3 stops. The whole Dishwasher rests on a machine frame 22. In the front A control and maintenance flap 38 can be provided in the area be.

As shown in Fig. 1 to 4, the conveyor belts 10, 11 of the transport device for the crockery basket 3 a drive shaft 23 and a drive wheel 24 are driven. The limit switch 21 is located next to the crockery basket 3, see above that this can happen without bumping. The washing nozzles 6, 6 'are on the simultaneously serving as feed lines Wash arms 25, 26 attached.

Below the washing zone 5 there is a thermal insulated detergent solution container 29, which serves as a collecting container for the wash liquor is used and from which the wash liquor captured wash liquor over unspecified Cleaning aggregates pumped to the individual washing nozzles 6, 6 ' becomes.

As shown in Figures 1, 4 and 5, the Rinse zone 7 immediately after wash zone 5 arranged. The rinse zone 7 contains two upper ones adjacent rinsing arms 30, 31, at the Bottom three or four side by side Rinse nozzles 8 are attached. Equally there are two further lower rinse arms 32, 33 are provided, which also have three or four rinsing nozzles 8 '. As from Fig. 5 evident, the rinse zone contains two separate Rinse systems with separate collection containers 34, 35 for the Rinse liquid, which via lines 36, 37 to the respective rinse arms is performed. Here are the Rinse arms 30, 32 and the rinse arms 31, 33 as each to look together, which is a kind of vertical curtain in form the rinse zone. With two rinse systems different temperature levels for the rinse liquid can be set. In particular, only one of the Rinse systems, preferably the rear 35, 31, 33 with be rinsed, which saves chemical additives.

The liquid from the two rinse tanks 34, 35 also gets into the during the rinsing process Wash tub 29 and regenerated due to the high The wash water. The rinse system will always supplied with fresh water.

The washing process takes place in such a dishwasher as follows:

A crockery basket 19 is connected to the entrance area 17 of the Rinsing chamber 2 brought. After starting the machine, the Rinsing basket 19 from the conveyor belts 10, 11 of the Transport device added and into the rinsing chamber 2 transported in the direction of arrow P. The main washing process is made in a position of the crockery basket that is is located directly below or above the washing nozzles 6, 6 ' (see Fig. 1, 4). This position is activated by the button of the limit switch 21 set by the crockery basket, wherein the conveyor belts 10, 11 are stopped. Up to this At the time, the washing nozzles 6, 6 'are out of operation. Of the Curtain 28 is back in its substantially vertical Starting position after retracting the crockery basket 19 relapsed. With this type of side closure, the Working temperature and water loss can be reduced. A washing process or washing program now starts at which heated in the wash tub 29 Washing liquid or rinsing liquid over the Cleaning devices in the wash arms 25, 26 and from there is conveyed into the washing nozzles 6, 6 '. The washing time is timed by the wash program. The wash basket 3 is such that it is permeable due to its Areas especially in the lower and upper area Washing process not hindered.

After completion of the washing program in washing zone 5 can a short draining phase can be inserted. After that sit down the two conveyor belts 10, 11 again in motion and the Crockery basket 3 runs through the at a slow speed Rinse zone 7, the rinse nozzles 8, 8 'during the Passing through the crockery basket 3 are in operation. It can from the two collecting containers 34, 35 different Rinse liquid in the two associated Rinse arms 30, 32 and 31, 33 are guided. Subsequently the crockery basket 3 leaves the washing chamber 2 via the Exit 18, the next crockery basket 19 if necessary can be fed through the input 17.

The washing or rinsing process is only then in Operation when there is actually a crockery basket 3 in the Washing position 5 or rinse zone 7 is located. By the In contrast to the intermittent transport process previous continuous dishwashers much smaller structure with considerable savings in Energy, water and detergent consumption can be achieved. The difference to the previous way of working continuously operating system is shown in FIG Path-time diagram of two flushing processes schematically shown. The 45 ° line shows a conventional one Flushing process, the step-shaped line to the left of it a flushing process according to the invention.

Both washing processes start at time t ₀ , the crockery basket in question being in position s ₀ . In a flushing process according to the invention, the flushing position s ₁ is first approached as quickly as possible. The time until time t _{1 is} required for this. During the subsequent rinsing period D _s , the crockery basket 3 remains stationary in its position s ₁ until the time t ₂ and beyond the end of the washing process t ₂ until the time t ₃ , at which a short draining phase has ended. ( t 3rd - t 2nd = Draining phase ). The crockery basket is then conveyed through the rinsing zone 7 at a very slow speed, the beginning of which lies at the point s ₂ and the end of which lies at the point s ₃ . At time t ₄ , the crockery basket finally reaches the machine outlet and is in position s ₄ .

In the previous mode of operation, the crockery baskets were continuously transported through a long entrance zone until they entered the washing zone at point s ₁ '. This long inlet zone is necessary because with continuously running crockery baskets, the curtains at the entrance to the rinsing zone are constantly slightly raised, which means that rinsing water and vapors could escape if the entrance area is too short. After entering the washing zone at point s ₁ ', the crockery basket runs through the washing zone at point s ₂ ' in the case of continuous installation at a constant speed. Here it enters a long transition zone until it enters the rinse zone at position s ₃ '. This wide transition zone between the washing zone and the rinsing zone is in turn necessary because all the spray nozzles are in operation at the same time, ie even while the crockery baskets are lifting the dividing curtains. The prevention of a carryover of lye into the rinsing zone thus requires this long transition area up to the point s ₃ '. At point s ₄ 'the crockery box emerges from the rinse zone. After complete exit from the rinsing zone, it finally reaches its end position s ₅ 'in the machine outlet. On the basis of the two diagrams it can be clearly seen that a flushing method according to the invention enables a machine of considerably shorter design and actual operating time. The cycle-wise processing of the crockery baskets is made clear by the kinked characteristic curve, while the previous continuous mode of operation is reflected in the straight characteristic curve. The two characteristics are designed for the same maximum performance. As can be seen in the diagram, the advantage that several crockery baskets run through the machine simultaneously during continuous operation is offset in a flushing method according to the invention by a significantly shorter processing time for the individual flushing basket.

The many advantages of an inventive Flushing processes are particularly pronounced when the Machine is not operating at full capacity. While in continuous process all rinsing units also for that Running through a single crockery basket in continuous operation must be active, the flushing circuit works Dishwasher according to the invention only during the actual Rinsing process. Even before entering the rinse zone the main wash nozzles are switched off. This will Water, energy and detergent to a considerable extent saved.

A further energy saving results from the targeted Temperature gradation in the two collection containers 34, 35 for the rinsing process. This can be a targeted After-treatment of the dishes with different temperature and rinse liquid provided with rinse aid be made.

The invention also provides that after a Crockery basket at the end of the wash cycle Transport device over a predetermined time interval continues. Will turn on again within this time interval If the crockery basket is fed in, the process is repeated described process. After the time interval expires without feeding a basket again also stops the Transport device. In this case, the dishwasher manually started again.

The existing of the two conveyor belts 10, 11 Transport device allows due to its lateral Location unobstructed access in the central area or on the Underside of the baskets using the washing or Rinse nozzles. Appropriate open training of the lower area of the crockery basket allows the lower Access to the dishes. You can also use any crockery baskets be used with a suitable floor plan, as webs on the Bottom for engaging pawls for a conventional one Drawbar are no longer needed.

Depending on the intended use, the washing nozzles 6, 6 'or the rinsing nozzles 8, 8 'are designed to be pivotable in order to a good one, especially with dirt that is difficult to remove Accessibility to the dishes and thus a To achieve an improvement in the washing result.

The invention is not based on that described and illustrated Embodiment limited. Rather, it includes everyone professional training within the scope of the claims subject addressed.

Claims (15)

1. Dishwasher for washing dishes commercially

   with a dish treatment chamber (2) which comprises a washing zone (5) and a post-rinsing zone (7),

   with a transport device (10, 11) for transporting the dishes running longitudinally through the treatment chamber (2)

   with a program control device which controls the transport and the cleaning process of the dishes so that

   the transport of the dishes (4) occurs in rapid traverse through an input opening (2) to the washing zone (5) immediately following the input opening (2), in which the transport device (10, 11) is switched off to stop the dishes (4),

   the washing process of the dishes (4) is started and ended controlled by the program with a plurality of washing jets (6, 6') and stationary dishes (4),

   after ending the washing process the program-controlled transport device conveys the dishes into the post-rinsing zone (7) immediately following the washing zone (5), in which the post rinsing process is performed with a plurality of post-rinsing jets (8, 8') with a switched off washing device and with a slow movement of the transport device compared to the rapid traverse until the exit of the dishes from the dish treatment chamber.
2. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that between the washing process in the washing zone (5) and the subsequent post-rinsing process in the post-rinsing zone (7) there is a short draining phase (t = t3 - t2 ).
3. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that a thermally insulated collecting tank (29) for holding the washing liquid in the dishwasher is provided.
4. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that different washing and/or post-rinsing intervals with relatively graduated temperatures are provided, and in that for the washing and/or the post-rinsing liquids of different temperatures different collecting tanks (34, 35) are provided.
5. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that an end switch (21) preferably activated by the dish holder (3) is provided in the region of the washing zone (5), the signal of which switches off the transport device (10, 11) as soon as the dishes (4) in the washing zone (5) are in washing position.
6. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 5, characterised in that the transport device (10, 11) comprises two conveyor belts (10, 11) or conveying chains or the like arranged on either side of the rinsing chamber (2).
7. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the washing zone (5) corresponds in length to at least the length of a dish holder (3).
8. Dishwasher according to claim 1 or 7, characterised in that the post-rinsing zone (7) for the post-rinsing process in the draining region of the rinsing chamber (2) corresponds in length to almost half the length of the washing zone (5).
9. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the washing (6, 6') and/or the rinsing jets (8, 8') swing the water back and forth, and in particular are designed to be pivotable.
10. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the drive for the dish holder (3) during the washing process and/or the post-rinsing process is designed to swing back and forth or oscillate.
11. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the input and/or the output openings for inserting or removing a dish holder (19, 3, 20) are closed respectively by means of a loose hanging, flexible, preferably double curtain (28, 27).
12. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that during the insertion of the dish holder (3) into the washing zone (5) of the rinsing chamber (2) the washing process is begun and the dish holder (3) stands in the washing zone (5), and in that the post-rinsing process in the post-rinsing zone (7) immediately following the washing zone (5) is performed during the further transport of the dishes (4) on the transport device (10, 11), whereby the dishes (4) also stand for a time in the post-rinsing zone (7).
13. Dishwasher according to claim 1, characterised in that the transport device (10, 11) after the removal of the dishes (4) continues to run for a prespecified period in order to receive new dishes into the rinsing chamber (2).
14. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterised in that after the removal of the cleaned dishes (4) where no new dish holder (19) has been inserted after a specific period the transport device (10, 12) is stopped.
15. Dishwasher according to claim 13, characterised in that the insertion of a new dish holder (19) into the rinsing chamber (2) is performed during the removal of the treated dish holder (3, 20).

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