EP2116168A1 - Dirt separation device with level regulation - Google Patents

Abstract

The device (164) has a conveying line (182) comprising a control opening (188) hydraulically connected to pressureless fluid tanks (132, 144). The control opening prevents the fluid from flowing out of the conveying line and into the fluid tanks, when a minimum level (190) in the fluid tanks is exceeded. The control opening allows the fluid to flow out of the conveying line and into the fluid tanks, when the minimum level in the fluid tanks is fallen below. A control section (186) is arranged within the fluid tanks or within a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tanks. Independent claims are also included for the following: (1) a cleaning device comprising two cleaning zones (2) a method for controlling fluid level in a fluid tank.

Description

Field of the invention

The invention relates to a device and a method for level control in a fluid tank. Such devices and methods can be used in particular in cleaning devices for cleaning of items to be cleaned. For example, the device and the method can be used in dishwashers for dishes, containers or similar items to be cleaned, in particular in dishwashers for commercial use. In addition to single-chamber dishwashers, the invention can be advantageously used in multi-chamber dishwashers, for example in continuous dishwashers. Particularly preferably, the invention can be used in connection with treatment devices for the removal of impurities from a cleaning liquid. For example, such a treatment device may comprise a device for dirt separation, preferably a centrifugal separator for the separation of impurities by utilizing the centrifugal force.

State of the art

Cleaning devices for cleaning items to be cleaned are known from the most diverse fields of natural sciences, technology and medical technology. In the following, particular reference will be made to dishwashers, but also other types of cleaning devices, such as cleaning devices for cleaning medical device, articles for the care of patients, cleaning equipment for cleaning containers and trays or other types of cleaning devices of the level control according to the invention can benefit. In general, the invention can also be used in other types of fluid systems in which a level control of a fluid in a fluid tank is important.

In many cleaning devices, the treatment of cleaning fluids, for example water with or without the addition of auxiliaries (for example, cleaning agents, Rinse aids or the like), an essential role. For this purpose, treatment devices which are designed to remove impurities, for example liquid or solid impurities (for example suspended particles) from the cleaning liquid, are frequently provided. Alternatively or additionally, for example, to filters that can perform a treatment, the technique of centrifugal separation is often used for the treatment of cleaning fluids. Such dirt separators on the basis of centrifugal separators are often referred to as "cyclones". In connection with dishwashers such centrifugal separators are particularly advantageous used, such as from DE 1 965 828 A1 . DE 1 703 612 A1 . DE 660 23 00 U . DE 198 36 739 A1 or DE 1 250 979 A1 is known. All of these documents are referred to below for possible embodiments of a centrifugal separator and for functional principles of such centrifugal separators. Centrifugal separators are arranged to set the cleaning liquid to be cleaned in rotation, for example in the form of one or more vortices. This rotation separates contaminants due to their inertia.

When a tank of a dishwashing machine, for example a wash tank, is equipped (eg connected) with such a treatment device, in order to clean the cleaning liquid continuously or in certain cycles, a subset of the cleaning liquid has to be frequently passed through the treatment device is, with the deposited dirt from this treatment device, for example in the context of a cycle, drain. However, this reduces the level of cleaning fluid in the associated storage tank. This loss should be permanently compensated so that the functionality of the cleaning device is maintained.

This leveling can be done in different ways. For example, it can be detected with the aid of a level sensor whether the level in the storage tank has fallen below a permissible level. If this is the case, for example, a refill system can be put into operation. However, this means an increased expenditure on equipment.

In another approach, cleaning liquid, for example, from a subsequent tank of the cleaning device flows into the storage tank from which the treatment device is fed, and complements the level. However, if due to operational or procedural reasons, the inflowing amount of water is insufficient, so must For example, a circulation pump for cleaning and / or the circuit can be switched off by the treatment device. This results in the disadvantage that in this case, for example, no cleaning function in the corresponding section of the cleaning device is given more, or that the treatment of the cleaning liquid is inoperative.

Another disadvantage of the described procedures is that an increased consumption of cleaning liquid occurs. For example, a constant tracking of water to maintain the function of the cleaning device associated with increased water consumption. At the in DE 1 250 979 A1 Although substantially no loss of water occurs during rinsing, although this advantage has to be paid for with the additional expense of a dirt collecting container at the wastewater outlet of the centrifugal separator and an additional shut-off valve at the outlet of this dirt collection container.

Overall, therefore, known from the prior art devices have the disadvantage that for controlling the liquid level in the storage tank, if such a scheme is provided at all, a considerable additional effort on sensors and additional equipment must be operated, which in total costs and considerably increases the technical complexity of the cleaning device. An increased susceptibility to failure of the cleaning devices is thereby conditioned.

Object of the invention

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a device for level control in a fluid tank, which should be used in particular in a cleaning device with a treatment device, and which at least largely avoids the disadvantages of the prior art described above. In particular, a high level of functional reliability should be ensured with respect to a level control, at the same time minimal effort on sensors or other equipment.

Description of the invention

This object is achieved by a device and a method for level control in a fluid tank according to the features of the independent claims. Advantageous developments of the invention, which can be implemented individually or in combination, are shown in the dependent claims. The method can be carried out in particular using a device according to the invention, so that for possible embodiments of the method to embodiments of the device or the cleaning device can be referenced and vice versa.

A device for level control in a fluid tank is proposed. The fluid tank is adapted to receive a supply of a fluid, in particular a liquid. For example, this liquid may be a cleaning liquid, in particular water with or without the addition of auxiliaries, such as, for example, cleaners, rinse aids or similar auxiliaries. The fluid tank can be designed, for example, as a pressureless fluid tank, in which the fluid is taken up to a level.

Furthermore, the device comprises at least one of the fluid flow through the delivery line. For example, the delivery line can be designed as a pipe with a rectangular, square, round or otherwise designed cross-section. The dimensioning of this delivery line can be adapted to the requirements of the respective overall device in which the device is used for level control.

The delivery line has at least one control opening hydraulically connected to the fluid tank. By a hydraulic connection is meant a connection in which the fluid of the fluid tank can act hydraulically on the control opening in order to open or close it. In this case, the fluid preferably comes into direct contact with this control opening in order to open or close it. The hydraulic connection can be produced, for example, by arranging the control opening directly in the fluid tank, or, alternatively or additionally, in a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tank, for example a secondary tank. In this way, for example, the same fluid level of the fluid can be adjusted in the control tank as in the actual fluid tank.

The control opening is set up to at least largely prevent the outflow of fluid from the delivery line into the fluid tank when at least one minimum level in the fluid tank is exceeded. Furthermore, the control opening is set up to allow outflow of fluid from the delivery line into the fluid tank when the minimum falls below the minimum level in the fluid tank. In this case, the control opening is preferably equipped without any movable components and can be opened or closed only by opening or releasing by the fluid via the hydraulic connection. The level control in the storage tank is accordingly preferably automatically, ie without sensors and / or without moving components, so that a level in the storage tank can be kept at a predetermined value, or that falls below the at least one predetermined minimum level can be prevented. Alternatively or additionally, however, may still valves, floats or similar movable components or sensors may be provided which allow, for example, an opening or closing the at least one control port, depending on the level in the fluid tank.

In this way, a simple, cost-effective and interference-insensitive level control can thus be realized with the aid of the proposed device. The undershooting of the minimum level results in that the control port is released and an outflow of fluid from the feed line into the fluid tank, the level in the fluid tank raises again or at least not further reduced.

The minimum level can be specified, for example, by a position of the control opening, for example a vertical positioning of the control opening. A "falling below" or an "exceeding" may include a "<" or "≤" or a ">" or "≥" relation. In practice, since the control port will have a spatial extent, the minimum level, rather than an infinitely small level limit, may also include a level range within which the control port is gradually released.

Instead of a single control opening and several control openings or more minimum levels can be specified. In this way, a graduated level control can take place, for example, by successively releasing or closing the individual control openings.

It is particularly preferred if the delivery line has at least one control section arranged within the fluid tank or within a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tank. In this control section, the control opening should be arranged. For example, the delivery line in the control section may extend at least partially horizontally, wherein, for example, the control opening may be arranged in the horizontal area. However, another arrangement of the control port is possible. The control opening may be arranged, for example, on an underside of the conveyor line in the control section, for example in an at least partially horizontal region of the control section.

As described above, the control opening is preferably designed as a purely mechanical rigid opening, without moving components. For example, the control opening can be designed without any movable components and can have a specific shape and size, which is particularly well suited for the particular application. For example it is possible to provide a rectangular, square, round, oval or otherwise shaped opening, for example an opening with a flow cross-section, which takes into account the respective flow conditions in the overall device.

Furthermore, the device may comprise at least one conveyor, for example at least one pump. This conveyor should be arranged to convey fluid from the fluid tank into the delivery line.

The present invention is particularly applicable, as shown above, in connection with a cleaning device for cleaning at least one cleaning product, for example as part of one of the above-described cleaning devices, such as a dishwasher, a cleaning machine for containers or similar items to be cleaned. Particularly preferred is the use in commercial dishwashers, ie in dishwashers, which have at least two tanks for receiving cleaning liquid. For example, it can be used in single-chamber dishwashers and / or in continuous dishwashers.

The cleaning device preferably comprises at least one storage tank for receiving a cleaning liquid. As illustrated above, this storage tank can be designed as a pressureless or pressurized storage tank. Particularly preferred is the use in open storage tanks, so storage tanks, which have for example towards a cleaning chamber of the cleaning device at least one opening, so from this cleaning chamber can be acted upon with cleaning liquid.

Furthermore, the cleaning device comprises at least one device for level control according to one or more of the embodiments described above. This device is used according to the invention to perform a level control in the storage tank of the cleaning device. The device may be associated with one or more of such storage tanks and may in particular be able to maintain the level in the at least one storage tank at a predetermined value without sensors or moving components or below a minimum level of the cleaning liquid in the storage tank at least within predetermined To prevent or slow down boundaries. In this sense, in the context of the present invention, the term "level control" is to be understood, so that this in addition to a regulation in the true sense, ie an active adjustment to a desired value by appropriate compensatory measures, also preventing or slowing down below the minimum level may include.

The device for level control can be arranged in particular in the cleaning device such that the control port is hydraulically connected to the storage tank, while one end of the delivery line is connected to a further tank of the cleaning device, preferably a tank with a lower degree of purity, or a drain system of the cleaning device , In particular, the cleaning device may comprise at least two cleaning zones, wherein a transport device of the cleaning device can ensure that the cleaning material is transported in a transport direction through the at least two cleaning zones. The storage tank can then be assigned to at least one first cleaning zone. The cleaning device may in particular be designed to convey the cleaning fluid from the storage tank into the delivery line. For this purpose, for example, a pump or a similar conveyor may be provided, as described above. In this case, pumps can be used synergistically, which are already present in the cleaning device, such as feed pumps for impingement of flushing systems, spray nozzles or the like, or sewage pumps. The further tank, into which the end of the delivery line of the device for level control opens, should then preferably be a tank, which is associated with at least one upstream in the transport direction of the second cleaning zone. In this way, for example, an overflow of used cleaning fluid from a cleaner cleaning zone in a cleaning zone lower degree of purification can be controlled via the delivery line that, at least within certain limits, prevents falling below a minimum level in the cleaner storage tank by over-dissipation into the upstream further tank or at least slowed down.

In a further preferred embodiment, which has already been described above, the cleaning device comprises at least one treatment device for removing contaminants from the cleaning liquid. This treatment device may, for example, comprise at least one of the devices described above, for example a filter or similar treatment devices. However, it is particularly preferred, for the reasons mentioned above, the use of at least one centrifugal separator, since in such centrifugal separators usually comparatively large liquid flows are required to remove impurities. The treatment device can be connected to the device for level control, in particular to transport wastewater through the conveyor line.

Thus, the treatment device may have at least one dirt outlet for draining off a soiled fraction of the cleaning fluid and at least one clean outlet for draining a purified fraction of the cleaning fluid. Insbesonde The dirt drain can be connected to the delivery line. By contrast, the clean process can be arranged in order to allow the purified fraction to flow into the storage tank. For example, the treatment device may further comprise an inlet for supplying cleaning liquid to be purified, which is connected to the storage tank. For example, cleaning liquid can be conveyed from the storage tank to the inlet by means of a pump, after which the purified fraction is passed back into the storage tank, whereas the polluted fraction is transported away by the delivery line.

For example, the cleaning device may comprise at least one rinsing system for applying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning product, in particular at least one nozzle system. This flushing system can be acted upon by a flushing line with flushing liquid from the storage tank, wherein the inlet of the treatment device can be connected to the flushing line. In this way, the fraction to be purified, which is supplied to the feed of the treatment device, can be diverted from the purge line.

The proposed device for level control and the corresponding method and the cleaning device have compared to known devices and methods on numerous advantages and allow new, advantageous embodiments of level controls. Thus, for example, the delivery line as a tubular sewer line of the treatment device, in particular the centrifugal separator, be configured and can be performed horizontally for example over a certain distance through the storage tank, which then forms the control section or part of the control section. This control section can then be arranged, for example, at the predetermined minimum level of the fill level of the storage tank, for example a dishwasher tank. In the course of the delivery line can then be led out of the tank area of the storage tank. In this way, for example, the wastewater, i. For example, cleaning fluid can be introduced with a high proportion of dirt, in particular in the upstream in the transport direction dishwasher tank. Alternatively or additionally, however, the wastewater may also be directed directly into a sewage connection of the machine as part of a drainage system.

The preferred horizontal line section may have on its underside the control opening in a certain size. As long as the level in the storage tank is at the level of the control port or above, closes the pressure of the cleaning fluid in the storage tank, the opening, and wastewater from the centrifugal separator can flow without hindrance further in the direction of the sewer pipe. Falls below the Level in the storage tank, however, the predetermined minimum level, the control opening at the bottom of the horizontal pipe section is free. From this point on, waste water from the centrifugal separator can no longer flow towards the drain, but can fall back into the tank. In this way it can be prevented that the liquid level in the storage tank continues to drop. Such a decrease could have the consequence that sooner or later, for example, a circulating pump of the corresponding storage tank, which feeds, for example, a flushing system, is supplied with an insufficient amount of cleaning liquid, whereby, for example, a complete section of the cleaning device, for example the dishwasher, would have no function ,

In the normal operation of the cleaning device, for example, cleaning liquid, in particular water with or without auxiliaries, can flow from the tank into a sufficient amount from a subsequent zone, for example from a fresh water rinse, so that the wastewater quantity required by the centrifugal separator can be compensated. In certain operating conditions of the Reinigungsvornchtung, for example, special cleaning, but it can lead to a so-called Wasserverschleppung, so that the regular inflowing amount of water is insufficient and therefore would fall below the desired minimum level in the storage tank would occur. In this case, the inventive design of the device and the cleaning device counteract with minimal effort.

The treatment device can be specially assigned to the storage tank in particular. In this way, for example, a level control for the storage tank can be made, which is automatically and without sensors or moving components in a position to keep the level in the storage tank to a predetermined value.

The delivery line, which may be configured, for example, as a sewer line, may for example be designed as a tubular delivery line and may, for example, have a circular, square or approximately square, a rectangular or approximately rectangular or another cross section. The control opening, which may for example be arranged on the underside of the delivery line, may be matched to the size of the delivery line and / or the volume flow present during operation and may be, for example, a tube with an internal diameter of about 22 mm and a volume flow of about 80 l have a length of about 20 mm per minute and a width of about 20 mm also.

The described device for level control in one or more of the embodiments described above can basically be used for any operations in which a level control is required. In this way, a simple level control, preferably without complex control and / or sensors, can be guaranteed. This is particularly advantageous in the mentioned cleaning devices noticeable, especially in dishwashers. In such dishwashers, the level control device can be used, for example, to control other processes that require a level control. Thus, in general, for example by a pump rinsing liquid can be transported away from a tank, and it can be avoided falling below a certain minimum level in the corresponding tank.

embodiments

Further details and features of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the subclaims. In this case, the respective features can be implemented on their own or in combination with one another. The invention is not limited to the embodiments. The embodiments are shown schematically in the figures. The same reference numerals in the individual figures designate the same or functionally identical or with respect to their functions corresponding elements.

Figur 1

eine Schnittdarstellung einer erfindungsgemäßen Reinigungsvorrichtung mit einer Vorrichtung zur Niveauregelung; und

Figur 2

die Vorrichtung zur Niveauregelung in einer Detaildarstellung.

In detail shows:

FIG. 1

a sectional view of a cleaning device according to the invention with a device for level control; and

FIG. 2

the device for level control in a detailed view.

In FIG. 1 a possible embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to the invention is shown. The cleaning device 110 is designed in this embodiment as a continuous dishwashing machine and has a transport device 112 for transporting the cleaning material. The items to be cleaned are applied to the transport device 112 at a feed point 114, for example directly or using baskets, and are transported in a transport direction 116 by the cleaning device 110, in order then to be removed again at a removal point 118 on the outlet side of the cleaning device 110 in the cleaned state ,

The cleaning device 110 has in the illustrated embodiment, a plurality of cleaning zones, which are successively traversed by the cleaning material. Thus, a pre-rinse zone 120 is provided, with a pre-rinsing tank 122 and a pre-rinse system 124, which is fed from the pre-rinse tank 122 via a pre-rinse pump 126.

Downstream of the pre-rinse zone 120 in the transport direction 116 and separated therefrom, optionally by a separation curtain 128, is a main rinse zone 130 having a main rinse tank 132 and a main rinse system 134 fed from the main rinse tank 132 via a main rinse pump 136.

The main purging zone 130, in turn, separated by an optional separation curtain 128, is followed by a final rinse zone 138 which divides into a pump rinse zone 140 and a fresh water rinse zone 142. The final rinse zone 138 comprises a common rinse tank 144 and a pump rinse system 146 of the pump rinse zone 140 and a fresh water rinse system 148 of the fresh water rinse zone 142. While the pump rinse system 146 is fed via a rinse pump 150 with rinse liquid from the rinse tank 144, the freshwater rinse system 148 is drained from a fresh water line 152 Water supply 154 fed.

Downstream of the final rinse zone 138 and separated therefrom by an optional separation curtain 128 is a drying zone 156, which may have, for example, a fan 158 and an exhaust air device 160. The fresh water line 152 can be guided, for example, by the exhaust air device 160, for example a heat exchanger of this exhaust air device 160, and can furthermore have a boiler 162 in order to bring the incoming water to a temperature required for the final rinse.

It should be noted that the in FIG. 1 shown cleaning apparatus 110 is to be understood only by way of example, and that other types of cleaning devices can be configured according to the invention. In particular, the cleaning device 110 can be varied with regard to the type and design of the rinsing zones as well as the type and design of the rinsing systems. Also completely different constructions of cleaning devices are conceivable, for example single-chamber systems or similar structures.

The cleaning device 110 further comprises a device 164 for level control, which serves in the illustrated embodiment for regulating a level 166 in the rinse tank 144 and which simultaneously for the treatment of the cleaning liquid is used in the rinse tank 144. However, it should be noted that this device 164 can be used for level control, with or without a function for the treatment of cleaning fluid, alternatively or additionally also in other areas of the cleaning device 110, for example in one or more of the other rinse zones 120, 130, 138, 140, 142.

In FIG. 2 is a detailed illustration of this device 164 according to FIG FIG. 1 shown, with reference to which the construction and operation of this device 164 is to be explained. However, this device 164 may also be used in other types of devices that require level control.

In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the device 164 comprises a treatment device 168 for treating cleaning fluid from the rinse aid tank 144. In the illustrated embodiment, this treatment device 168 is configured as a centrifugal separator 170 and comprises an inlet 172 for supplying cleaning fluid to be purified, a clean outlet 174 for discharging a purified fraction the cleaning liquid and a dirt drain 176 for discharging a soiled, ie enriched with impurities fraction of the cleaning liquid. For possible embodiments of the structure of the centrifugal separator 170, reference may be made, for example, to the publications of the prior art mentioned above, so that these details are not discussed in the following description. Alternatively or in addition to centrifugal separator 170, however, conditioning device 168 may include other types of processing devices, such as filters or similar devices.

The feed 172 of the treatment device 168 is connected in the illustrated embodiment via a purge line 178 of the pump flushing system 146 with the rinse tank 144 and is thus supplied in the secondary flow from the pump flushing system 146 via the rinse pump 150 with cleaning fluid. The centrifugal separator 170 separates suspended matter which accumulates in the cleaning liquid and thereby improves the washing result. The cleaned rinsing liquid, which exits from the clean outlet 174, passes through an outlet 180, for example, in free fall, back into the rinse tank 144. The dirt-enriched second fraction of the centrifugal separator 170, however, which exits at the dirt outlet 176, via a feed line 182 , which may also serve as a sewer line 184, in the illustrated embodiment in one of the upstream in the transport direction 116 rinse zones, in this example, for example, in the main rinsing tank 132, passed. Alternatively or additionally, however, is also an introduction of the wastewater from the delivery line 182 at another point of the Cleaning device 110 possible, for example, in another of the illustrated tanks. Again alternatively or additionally, an introduction can also be made directly into a wastewater system of the cleaning device 110 or into an on-site sewer system. In the illustrated embodiment, furthermore, only one zone of the cleaning device 110 is equipped with a centrifugal separator 170. This is not a limitation in the possible embodiments. It is also possible for several or all zones to be equipped with such centrifugal separators 170, as well as only individual, other zones instead of the rinse zone 138 mentioned in the example. Furthermore, instead of a single device 164 or a individual centrifugal separator 170 and several such devices 164 or more such centrifugal force 170 or treatment devices 168 per rinsing zone are used.

Based on FIG. 2 Furthermore, the level control by the device 164 in the rinse tank 144 will be explained. Thus, the delivery line 182 has a substantially horizontally extending control section 186, which is connected via a control port 188 hydraulically connected to the rinse tank 144 or any other storage tank in which the level of the cleaning liquid to be regulated. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated, the control opening 188 is arranged on the underside of the delivery line 182 in the control section 186, that is to say into the rinse aid tank 144. Reference numerals 166 indicate possible levels of cleaning fluid in the rinse tank 144, with the upper of the illustrated levels 166 being at the control port 188, and thus simultaneously characterizing a minimum level 190 below which the level of cleaning fluid in the rinse tank 144 is not likely to decrease should. For example, by moving the conveying line 182 in the vertical direction, this minimum level 190 can be adjusted. Of course, other levels than the displayed levels are 166 in FIG. 2 possible. One end 192 of the delivery line 182, in the illustrated embodiment, projects through an aperture 194 in a wall 196 between the tanks 132 and 144 into the main rinse tank 132 upstream of the rinse tank 144 and forms an outlet port through which liquid from the sewer line 184 enters this main rinse tank 182 can flow.

During operation of the device 164, as described above, the centrifugal separator 170 is supplied in bypass flow from the pump flushing system 146. The purified fluid of the first fraction falls back into the rinse tank 144 via the spout 180. The wastewater enriched with dirt of the centrifugal separator 170 is conducted via the sewer line 184 in the example into the main flushing zone 130. The control portion 186 of the tubular sewer pipe 184 of the apparatus 164 extends at least partially horizontally at the predetermined height of the minimum level 190 through the rinse tank 144.

Later, this sewer line 184 then exits the rinse tank 144 and directs the wastewater (high dirt content cleaning fluid), for example, into the previous rinse tank, in this case the main rinse tank 132. The horizontal control section 186 with the control port 188 of a predetermined size defines Minimum level 190. As long as the level in the rinse tank 144 is at the level of the control port 188 or above, the waste water from the centrifugal separator 170 continues to flow toward the end of the delivery line 192 without hindrance and exits at this end 192. On the other hand, if the level in the rinse tank 144 falls below the predetermined minimum level 190, caused for example by special operating conditions such as water carryover, the control opening 188 on the underside of the horizontal control section 186 becomes free. From this point on, the waste water from the centrifugal separator 170 no longer flows in the direction of the end 192, but falls back into the rinse tank 144 through the control opening 188. This prevents the liquid level in the rinse tank 144 from further decreasing. If the liquid level in the rinse tank 144 is replenished by the regularly inflowing water, for example from a downstream zone of the cleaning device 110, the control opening 188 is closed again, and the wastewater flow from the centrifugal separator 170 again occurs at the outlet opening at the end 192 of the conveying line 182 out. The control opening 188 on the underside of the control section 186, which is guided at the level of the minimum level 190, is preferably matched to the size of the tube of the tubular control section 186 and / or the existing during operation volume flow and is for example in a tube with about 20 mm inner diameter and a flow rate of about 80 1 per minute about 20 mm long and about 20 mm wide.

About the in FIG. 1 As shown in the example shown, a device 164 according to the invention for level control, in particular with a treatment device 168 (with or without centrifugal separator 170), can also be used on throughflow dishwashers with fewer or more tanks than illustrated, or also on a single-tank dishwasher. Furthermore, in connection with FIG. 2 described that the control section 186 is arranged directly in the rinse tank 144 and is guided at the level of the minimum level 190. However, an embodiment is also conceivable in which the hydraulic connection between the rinse aid tank 144 and the control opening 188 or the control section 186 takes place in a different manner. For example, the hydraulic connection can be made such that the control section 186 is not guided directly in the rinse tank 144, but in a separate control tank, for example in a sub-tank hydraulically connected to the rinse tank 144.

In addition to the integration of a conditioning device 168 in the device 164 for level control, the device 164 can also be used for other operations in the cleaning devices 110 in which, for example, by a pump rinse fluid is transported away from a tank and prevents falling below a certain minimum level in the corresponding tank shall be. Accordingly, the device 164 may be used advantageously in connection with the treatment of cleaning fluid, but can be used profitably, inexpensively and in a simple manner for other types of level control.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

110

cleaning device

112

transport device

114

application site

116

transport direction

118

delivery point

120

pre-wash zone

122

pre-rinse tank

124

prewash

126

Vorspülpumpe

128

curtain

130

Hauptspülzone

132

Hauptspültank

134

Hauptspülsystem

136

Hauptspülpumpe

138

rinse zone

140

pump-action

142

clean-water

144

rinse tank

146

Pumpenklarspülsystem

148

Frischwasserklarspülsystem

150

rinse pump

152

Fresh water pipe

154

water supply

156

drying zone

158

fan

160

exhaust device

162

boiler

164

Device for level control

166

Level in the rinse tank

168

treatment device

170

cyclone

172

Intake

174

net flow

176

dirt outlet

178

flushing line

180

outlet

182

delivery line

184

sewer

186

control section

188

control port

190

minimum level

192

End of the support line

194

breakthrough

196

wall

Claims (15)

A level control device (164) in a fluid tank (122, 132, 144), said fluid tank (122, 132, 144) adapted to receive a supply of fluid, said device (164) including at least one delivery line through which said fluid passes (182), wherein the delivery line (182) comprises at least one control port (188) hydraulically connected to the fluid tank (122, 132, 144), the control port (188) being arranged to move to at least one minimum level (190) the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) at least substantially prevent leakage of fluid from the delivery line (182) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) and wherein the control port (188) is further arranged to fall below the at least one Minimum levels (190) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) to allow outflow of fluid from the delivery line (182) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144). Apparatus (164) according to the preceding claim, wherein the delivery line (182) comprises at least one control section (186) disposed within the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) or within a control tank hydraulically connected to the fluid tank (122, 132, 144), wherein the control port (188) is disposed in the control section (186). Device (164) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conveying line (182) in the control section (186) extends at least partially horizontally. Device (164) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the control opening (188) on an underside of the conveying line (182) in the control section (186) is arranged. Device (164) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control opening (188) is designed as a mechanically rigid opening without moving components. Device (164) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one conveyor, in particular a pump (126, 136, 150), wherein the conveyor is adapted to fluid from the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) in the delivery line (182 ) to transport. Cleaning device (110) for cleaning at least one cleaning product, in particular a dishwasher, comprising at least one storage tank (122, 132, 144) for receiving a cleaning fluid, further comprising at least one device (164) according to one of the preceding claims for level control in the storage tank (122, 132, 144). Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control port (188) is hydraulically connected to the storage tank (122, 132, 144), wherein the delivery line (182) connected to another tank (122, 132, 144) or a drainage system is. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device (110) at least two cleaning zones (120, 130, 138, 140, 142), wherein the cleaning device (110) at least one transport device (112) for conveying the cleaning material in a transport direction (116) through the at least two cleaning zones (120, 130, 138, 140, 142), the storage tank (122, 132, 144) being associated with at least one first cleaning zone (120, 130, 138, 140, 142) the cleaning device (110) is set up to convey the cleaning liquid from the storage tank (122, 132, 144) into the delivery line (182), wherein the further tank (122, 132, 144) at least one second upstream in the transport direction (116) Cleaning zone (120, 130, 138, 140, 142) is assigned. A cleaning device (110) according to any one of the preceding claims relating to a cleaning device (110), further comprising at least one conditioning device (168) for removing contaminants from the cleaning liquid, the conditioning device (168) being connected to the level control device (164). Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the conditioning device (168) has at least one dirt outlet (176) for discharging a dirty fraction of the cleaning liquid and at least one clean outlet (174) for discharging a cleaned fraction of the cleaning liquid, wherein the dirt outlet (176) is connected to the delivery line (182) and wherein the clean outlet (174) is arranged to allow an inflow of the purified fraction into the storage tank (122, 132, 144). Cleaning device (110) according to one of the two preceding claims, wherein the treatment device (168) at least one inlet (172) for supplying cleaning liquid to be cleaned, wherein the inlet (172) to the storage tank (122, 132, 144) is connected. Cleaning device (110) according to the preceding claim, wherein the cleaning device (110) has at least one flushing system (124, 134, 146, 148) for applying the cleaning liquid to the cleaning product, in particular a nozzle system, wherein the flushing system (124, 134, 146, 148) can be acted upon by a flushing line (178) with cleaning liquid from the storage tank (122, 132, 144), wherein the inlet (172) is connected to the flushing line (178). Cleaning device (110) according to one of the four preceding claims, wherein the treatment device (168) comprises at least one centrifugal separator (170). A method for level control in a fluid tank (122, 132, 144), in particular using a device (164) according to one of the preceding claims directed to a device (164) for level control in a fluid tank (122, 132, 144), wherein the Fluid tank (122, 132, 144) includes a supply of a fluid, wherein the method is performed such that the fluid flows through a delivery line (182), wherein the delivery line (182) at least one with the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) hydraulically connected control port (188), wherein when exceeding at least one minimum level (190) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144), a leakage of fluid from the delivery line (182) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) at least substantially is prevented and wherein when falling below the at least one minimum level (190) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144), a discharge of fluid from the delivery line (182) in the fluid tank (122, 132, 144) allows w ill.

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