EP2425805A1 - Method for cleaning washed objects - Google Patents

Abstract

The method involves detecting loading of flushing device with washing items (8). The cleaning programs are selected as function of detected load and are executed automatically, in case of unsuccessful load detection. An independent claim is included for flushing device.

Description

The invention relates to a method for cleaning items to be washed, in particular bedpans, urine bottles and / or the like by means of a rinsing device.

Flushing devices for rinsing items to be washed, in particular bedpans, urine bottles and / or the like are known per se from the prior art as well as methods for cleaning items to be washed, which is why a separate documentary proof at this point is not required. As a rule, the process is carried out as follows: The rinsing device is loaded with items to be cleaned. It then takes place the actual cleaning process, which can be multi-stage. For example, in a first stage, cold water cleaning may be provided. This is followed by a thermal disinfection by means of superheated steam. After cooling, the cleaned items to be rinsed the rinsing device can be removed again.

The purging devices previously known from the prior art have control units that allow a user to select a cleaning program. As a rule, a plurality of different cleaning or rinsing programs are provided by the rinsing device, from which the operator can select. After manual selection of the cleaning or rinsing program by the user, the rinsing device starts the selected rinse program and there is a corresponding cleaning of the rinses taken up by the rinsing device.

Although previously known methods for cleaning dishwashing products have proven their worth in everyday practice, there is a need for improvement. In particular, a simplified handling is desired.

Based on the above, it is therefore an object of the invention to provide a method for cleaning items to be cleaned, which delivers the best cleaning results with simultaneous simplified handling.

To solve this problem, the method proposes a method for automated cleaning of items to be washed, in particular bedpans, urine bottles and / or the like by means of a program-controlled flushing, in which a detection of the loading of the flushing performed with items to be washed, one of several predetermined cleaning programs depending on the detected load is selected and started automatically, wherein in the case of an unsuccessful load detection, a preselected cleaning program is started.

The invention proposes a method which enables automated cleaning. A user has a plurality of predetermined cleaning programs available. The special feature according to the invention consists in the fact that a washware identification is carried out and a cleaning program is selected and started automatically as a function of the detected washware load. If successful load detection is not performed, cleaning is performed according to a pre-selected cleaning program for this case.

Unlike the prior art, there is no need for manual program selection by the user. The user can rather make a fitting of the flushing device in the usual way. As soon as this has been done and the flushing device is closed for the purpose of cleaning or flushing operation to be started, detection of the items to be cleaned is carried out. This detection is automatic.

Depending on the detected load, the cleaning program is selected. There are preferably a variety of cleaning programs to choose from. One of these is selected as a function of the detected load state and started automatically.

If it should not be possible to detect the loading state, then a cleaning program preselected for this case is started, which is preferably a standard cleaning program that ensures a sufficient cleaning quality in each case. It is thus ensured in an advantageous manner that a cleaning program is started in any case, even if the load detection remains without result.

The method implementation according to the invention is characterized in that, unlike the prior art, it is not dependent on a manual program specification by the user. Rather, the cleaning method according to the invention is automated, with the execution of a cleaning program being carried out fully automatically as a function of previously performed load detection. Manual malfunctions can thus be ruled out, which simplifies the entire process application and makes it safer. The method according to the invention therefore also enables an improved cleaning result.

In addition, the method implementation according to the invention is less time-consuming and much easier for a user to operate. In addition, the resource consumption can be especially of water due to manual misuse.

The automatic load detection also makes it possible to detect manual incorrect loadings, for example, those that would lead to a hygienically insufficient cleaning due to misplaced items. By indicating to a user that automatic dishwashing detection is not possible, he is made aware on the device side that there is an improper loading of the flushing device. Otherwise, automatic dishwasher detection would be possible. The user is thus given the opportunity to carry out a new charging of the rinsing device with the aim of a proper and best results rinsing permitting positioning of the items to be cleaned within the rinsing.

There may be according to a proposal of the invention, three possible rinsing or cleaning programs to choose from. A short program, a standard program and an intensive program. Depending on the detected load situation, one of these three programs will be selected automatically.

According to a further feature of the invention, a user of the rinsing device is made aware of the automatically selected cleaning program. The user therefore knows which cleaning program has been selected.

The predetermined cleaning programs have an at least approximately identical starting phase, d. At the beginning of the program sequence, at least approximately identical program steps with at least approximately identical program parameters are carried out in all predetermined cleaning programs.

It can furthermore be provided that the started cleaning program can be overruled by the user. For this purpose, appropriate operating devices must then be provided. As a time span for possible over-tuning, the starting phase can be provided in a particularly advantageous manner, in which there is still no diversification. This procedure is time-optimized, so that no timeout is required for the eventual selection of the program. After completion of the startup phase, the user-side override can be disabled.

The loading state of the rinsing device is detected according to a further feature of the invention by means of an optical detection device. This detection device preferably has infrared LEDs and infrared sensors. On the input side of the rinsing device, a light grid having a plurality of parallel lines of light is formed. At a Loading the rinsing device, the items to be washed are driven through the light grid, which then allows optical detection.

According to a further feature of the invention, it is provided that possible loading conditions of the flushing device are detected before the first execution of a cleaning program and taught in this way.

Such "learning" is as follows. The flushing device is loaded with a possible constellation of items to be cleaned. This loading condition is detected by the detection device. The state thus detected is assigned on the user side to one of the cleaning programs available for selection. In a more complex variant, the user can put together the cleaning program in question similar to a modular system of individual program blocks themselves and if necessary change individual program parameters. If, during normal operation, a loading state identical or at least similar to that of the purging device is learned, the loading state is detected and the program assigned to this loading state on the user side is started automatically.

The method implementation according to the invention is particularly suitable for a flushing device, which is used to clean bedpans, urine bottles and / or the like, d. H. for a bedpans cleaning machine.

A bedpans-cleaning machine is used in particular for the cleaning of bedpans, urine bottles and possibly chairs buckets. To ensure a desired cleaning result is to be housed by a bedpan washer ware to be positioned at the appropriate places in the cleaning room of the bedpan automatic dishwasher. For this purpose, as a rule, a bedpan receptacle in the form of a wire frame is provided. This leaves with regard to the items to be cleaned, d. H. to be cleaned bedpans, urine bottles and / or buckets only predetermined positioning. Therefore, unique load conditions can be defined.

A possible loading condition is given, for example, by the fact that only urine bottles are available for cleaning. As a cleaning program, for example, a short program is assigned to this loading state, which accordingly is cleaned exclusively with cold water and without the addition of chemical cleaners.

Another load condition results from the fact that at least one bedpan is to be cleaned, with or without a combination of urine bottles. Such a loading condition can For example, be associated with a standard program that rinses, for example, according to at least one cleaning step with hot water.

An intensive program may be provided in case of special pollution. In this case, an additional cleaning step using chemical cleaners may be provided.

On the device side, a rinsing device for carrying out the method for automatic cleaning of items to be washed, in particular bedpans, urine bottles and / or the like, provided with a Spülkammeraufnahme Spülkammer having a closable by means of a door fluid-tight feed opening, and with an optical Detection device, which is formed as a plurality of parallel lines of light having light grid, which covers the feed opening at least partially.

The detection device is used in the previously described manner of detecting the loading state of the purging device. Depending on the detected load condition, a cleaning program is selected and started. There are several possible cleaning programs available, one of which is selected.

In order to be able to minimize operating errors, the so-called "empty state of charge" is also learned. The "empty state" is when there is no items to be washed within the rinsing chamber provided by the rinsing device. In this case, the at least automatic start of a cleaning program is excluded. Accidental cleaning can be prevented in this way.

• Figur 1 in schematischer Darstellung die erfindungsgemäße Verfahrensdurchführung;
• Figur 2 in einer schematischen Perspektivdarstellung die erfindungsgemäße Spüleinrichtung;
• Figur 3 die Spüleinrichtung nach Figur 2 mit geöffneter Tür;
• Figur 4 in schematisch perspektivischer Darstellung die erfindungsgemäße Spüleinrichtung in teilgeschnittener Seitenansicht und
• Figur 5 in schematischer Darstellung den Einsatz einer erfindungsgemäßen Spüleinrichtung.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description with reference to FIGS. Showing:

• FIG. 1 a schematic representation of the process implementation of the invention;
• FIG. 2 in a schematic perspective view of the flushing device according to the invention;
• FIG. 3 the rinsing device after FIG. 2 with open door;
• FIG. 4 in a schematic perspective view of the rinsing device according to the invention in a partially sectioned side view and
• FIG. 5 in a schematic representation of the use of a flushing device according to the invention.

The FIGS. 2 to 4 show a rinsing device 1 according to the invention.

The rinsing device 1 has a housing 20. Within this housing 20, an insert 3 is arranged, as in particular the partially sectioned view FIG. 4 lets recognize. The insert 3 provides the actual rinsing chamber 2 of the rinsing device 1 available.

The rinsing chamber 2 provided by the insert 3 is accessible via a feed opening 4. By means of a pivotally arranged door 5, the charging opening 4 and thus the rinsing chamber 2 can be closed in a fluid-tight manner.

The in the FIGS. 2 to 4 shown rinsing device 1 relates to such in particular for bedpans 9 and urine bottles 10 as a wash 8. In this respect, in the FIGS. 2 to 4 Purging device 1 shown also be referred to as a bedpan dishwasher.

FIG. 2 shows the flushing device 1 according to the invention with a locked door 5. As is apparent from the illustration FIG. 2 results, the door 5 carries on the outside an operating device 22. This provides a handle 21, which is used to handle the door 5. The operating device 22 also provides operating elements 24 and a display device 23. By means of the control elements 24, a control of the flushing device 1 can be made. The display device 23 is used in particular for the display of washing programs, status displays and / or the like.

As in particular the representation after FIG. 3 can recognize, carries the door 5 inside a wire frame 30. This wire frame 30 is used to accommodate items to be washed 8. An assembly of the wire frame 30 takes place with the door open 5, like this FIG. 3 lets recognize. After a proper placement of the wire frame 30 with bedpan 9 and / or urine bottles 10, the door 5 can be pivoted into its closed position, as can be seen from the illustration FIG. 4 results. In the closed position of the door 5, the washware 8 received by the wire rack 30 is pivoted into the washing chamber 2 provided by the insert 3. In this position, a proper cleaning of the ware 8 can now be performed.

The rinsing device 1 according to the invention has a detection device 6, which serves to detect the load. With the aid of the detection device 6 can be determined in what way a loading of the wire frame 30 is present with items to be washed 8. Depending on the load detection, a cleaning program is selected in execution of the method according to the invention and then automatically started without further user input.

The detection device 6 is designed as an optical detection device 6. The detection device 6 provides a light grid 26 which is formed on the basis of a plurality of parallel light lines 27, in particular the illustration according to FIG FIG. 5 lets recognize. The Light grille 26 covers the feed opening 4 at least partially, so that brought into the wash chamber 2 through the feed opening 4 8 the light curtain passes, as a result, a load detection is possible.

To form the light grid 27 forming light lines 27, a transmitting unit 28 and a receiver unit 29 are provided which operate on an infrared basis. The receiving unit 29 has infrared sensors 31. These sensors 31 are the transmitter side infrared LED's assigned as transmitting diodes 7. The transmitting diodes 7 (s. FIG. 3 ) emit the transmitting unit 28. Like the synopsis of Figures 3 and 5 can be seen, in each case a transmitter diode 7, a sensor 31 is assigned. Between a transmitter diode 7 and the associated sensor, a light line 27 is formed. In the height direction 25, several diodes 7 are arranged on the transmitting unit side and a plurality of sensors 31 on the receiving unit side, so that the light grid 26 consisting of a plurality of light lines 27 results.

The rinsing device 1 according to the invention has a control device 11, which allows a procedure for the automatic cleaning of items 8 as follows (see. FIG. 1 ):

When swinging the door 5 into its closed position, the washware 8 received by the wire frame 30 of the door 5 passes through the light grid 26 of the detection device 6. As a result, a detection of loading 15 can take place by means of the detection device 6.

The detection device 6 outputs a signal corresponding to the detected load to a comparison circuit 12. This is shown in the illustration FIG. 1 symbolized by the arrow 17. As part of the control device 11, the comparison circuit 12 in turn has a memory 13, a comparison element 16 and a program control 14. Here, the comparison element 16 communicates with both the memory 13 and the program control 14, which is indicated by the arrows 18 and 19 is symbolized.

The signal 17 emitted by the detection device 6 reaches the comparison element 16 of the comparison circuit 12. Here, a comparison takes place with loading scenarios stored in the memory 13. In accordance with the detected loading situation, on the one hand, and a loading scenario stored in the memory 13, on the other hand, the rinsing program stored for this loaded loading scenario is selected and started. This is done by means of the program control 14.

For example, three cleaning programs may be provided from which to select: a short program, a standard program and an intensive program. The short program is characterized, for example, by a simple water rinse by means of cold water out. In the standard program, an additional flushing process by means of hot water can be provided. Finally, in the intensive program, another rinsing step is added, for example a rinsing step involving the use of chemicals. All three programs have an at least approximately identical start phase in which the same or similar program steps and program parameters are used. The starting phase lasts about 30 seconds. During this time, the selected and automatically running program can still be changed manually by the operator by means of the operating device 22.

Depending on the detected load, one of these three preset cleaning programs is selected and started.

To carry out a reliable load detection, possible loading scenarios must first be learned by the control device 11. The reason for this is the fact that the items to be washed, d. H. the urine bottles, bedpans and chair buckets differ in shape and size. The learning is done by fitting the wire frame 30 in a representative way. When the door 8 is closed, this assembly scenario is detected by means of the detection device 6, and a user can assign one of the three possible programs to this assembly scenario. If this assembly scenario then occurs in the intended use case, the control device 11 can automatically select and start the associated program. Similarly, other possible loadings are used.

The memory 13 is preferably designed so that a plurality of possible charging scenarios can be learned and stored. It can be provided, for example, that up to 10, possibly up to 20 different assembly scenarios can be learned and stored in the memory 13.

Overall, the invention proposes a method for the automated cleaning of items 8 by means of a program-controlled flushing device 1, in which a detection of the loading of the flushing device 1 is carried out with items 8, selected one of several predetermined cleaning programs depending on the detected load and automatically started, wherein in case of unsuccessful load detection 15, a preselected cleaning program is started. This is usually the standard program.

Claims (9)

Method for the automated cleaning of items to be washed (8), in particular bedpans (9), urine bottles (10) and / or the like by means of a program-controlled flushing device (1), in which a detection of the loading of the flushing device (1) with wash ware (8) is carried out, one of a plurality of predetermined cleaning programs is selected as a function of the detected load and automatically started, wherein in the case of an unsuccessful load detection (15), a preselected cleaning program is started. Method according to claim 1,
characterized,
that a user of the flushing device (1), the selected cleaning program is familiar. Method according to claim 1 or 2,
characterized,
that the predetermined cleaning programs have an at least approximately identical starting phase. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that the cleaning program that has been started can be overruled by the user. Method according to claims 3 and 4,
characterized,
that the started cleaning program in the start-up phase is overruled by the user. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that a load condition of the flushing device (1) by means of an optical detection device (6) is detected. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized,
that possible loading conditions of the flushing device (1) are detected before the first execution of a cleaning program and taught in this way. Method according to at least one of the preceding claims,
characterized by a control device (11) which detects the loading state of the purging device (1) by means of the detection device (6) and compares the detected actual loading state with learned loading conditions with a comparison circuit (12) and in the case of equality between the actual loading state and a learned load state selects the cleaning program associated with this learned load state. Rinsing device (1) for carrying out the method for the automatic cleaning of items to be rinsed (8), in particular bedpans (9), urine bottles (10) and / or the like according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 8, with a rinsing chamber (2) provided for rinsing goods, which has a feed opening (4) which can be closed in a fluid-tight manner by means of a door (5), and with an optical detection device (6) which is designed as a light grid (26) having a plurality of parallel light lines (27) which at least partially surrounds the feed opening (4) covers.

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