EP3542696A1 - Transport flushing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher (2) having at least one washing zone (14) and at least one final rinse zone (16, 18), wherein the at least one washing zone (14) is designed for spraying washing liquid, wherein the washing liquid is at least partially already in which at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) used for rinsing liquid is added, which is a washing chemical dosed, or is fresh water to which a washing chemical is added, wherein the conveyor dishwasher (2) comprises a metering pump (51) for Adding the washing chemical to the liquid to be sprayed in the at least one washing zone (14), and wherein the conveyor dishwasher (2) is associated with a controller (50) for controlling the metering pump (51) and in particular one of the at least one washing zone (14) associated wash pump (35) and / or one of the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) associated rinse pump (45).

Description

The present invention generally relates to the field of industrial purging. In detail, the invention relates to a conveyor dishwasher with at least one washing zone and at least one final rinse zone. For example, the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention has at least one main wash zone and at least one rinse zone downstream of the at least one main wash zone seen in the transport direction of the washware. The at least one final rinse zone can be embodied as a pump rinse zone and / or as a fresh water rinse zone and serves to spray pure fresh water, which may have been admixed with a rinse aid chemical, onto the items to be treated (fresh water rinse zone) or recirculated fresh water to which, if appropriate, a rinse-aid chemical is added, to be sprayed onto the items to be treated (pump rinsing zones).

In the at least one main washing zone of the conveyor dishwasher, on the other hand, washing liquid is sprayed onto the items to be treated. The washing liquid is either the liquid already used for rinsing in the at least one final rinse zone, to which a corresponding washing chemical (cleaner) is metered in, or fresh water to which a washing chemical (cleaner) is added.

Optionally, the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention may also have at least one pre-wash zone upstream of the at least one main wash zone in the transport direction of the items to be washed.

Transport dishwashers of the type considered herein are also referred to in the art of commercial flushing as multi-tank machines. In these machines, the items to be treated are transported by means of a transport device through the individual treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher. The conveyor dishwashers considered herein are in particular commercial conveyor dishwashers and may be designed as a flight-type warewasher or as a rack conveyor warewasher. In contrast to program machines, in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in the machine during cleaning, transport of the items to be washed takes place through various treatment zones of the conveyor dishwasher.

In the case of conveyor dishwashers, the washware, such as dishes, pots, glasses, cutlery and other items to be cleaned, is passed through several treatment zones, such as prewash zone (s), main wash zone (s), pump rinse zone (s), fresh water zone. Final rinse zone (s) and drying zone (s), conveyed. For the transport of items to be washed in a transport direction through the conveyor dishwasher, a transport device is used, which usually has compartments for receiving items to be washed. In a belt transport dishwasher, the compartments may be formed by support fingers on a conveyor belt of the transport device. In basket transport dishwashers serve as a transport device crockery baskets in which subjects can be designed to hold the dishes to be treated. It is conceivable that the baskets are transported by a conveyor through the basket transport dishwasher.

In the pre-wash zone (pre-clearing) of the conveyor dishwasher, easily adhering dirt is removed from the items to be treated. For this purpose, washing liquid is sucked by a pump (Vorwaschpumpe) from one of these treatment zone associated storage tank and sprayed by means of suitable spray nozzles on the items to be cleaned. Subsequently, the washing liquid flows back into the storage tank and is sucked in again there by the Vorwaschpumpe designed as a circulation pump and in the recirculation brought in. Usually, the storage tank is covered by sieves to retain larger dirt particles from the rinse liquid.

In the direction of transport of the items to be washed, the pre-washing zone is followed by at least one main washing zone and dirt particles adhering to the items to be washed are removed from the items to be washed by means of a usually alkaline washing liquid. For this purpose, the generally heated scrubbing liquid is sucked by a pump designed as a circulation pump from the treatment zone associated wash tank and sprayed with the aid of suitable positioned and oriented wash nozzles on the items to be washed. Subsequently, the washing liquid flows back into the washing tank and is sucked in there again by the washing pump designed as a circulating pump. Again, the storage tank (wash tank) is usually covered by sieves, thereby retaining larger dirt particles from the washing liquid.

At least one main rinse zone, viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed, adjoins the at least one main wash zone in which fresh water which has generally been heated is sprayed onto the items to be rinsed off the washing liquid still adhering to the surface of the items to be washed and possibly remaining dirt residues from the items to be washed. If necessary, a rinse-aid chemical can be added to the (hot) fresh water sprayed in the at least one final rinse zone.

The water cycle of today's conveyor dishwashers (multi-tank conveyor dishwashers) usually works on the principle of cascading overflow. In this case, the fresh water sprayed in the at least one rinse zone of the conveyor dishwasher is collected in a rinse tank assigned to at least one rinse zone and first runs into a lower-lying wash tank, which is associated with at least one main wash zone upstream of at least one rinse zone, viewed in the transport direction of the washware. Subsequently, the liquid sprayed in the at least one main wash zone and collected via the wash tank assigned to the at least one main wash zone runs into an even lower prewash tank of at least one prewash zone. As already stated, this at least one prewash zone is optionally provided and, viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed, precedes the at least one main washing zone.

For metering the washing chemical (cleaner) into the liquid to be sprayed in the at least one main washing zone, metering devices with integrated logic are generally used in transport washers known from the prior art. These dosing devices are not part of the actual conveyor dishwasher in the usual way, but are offered and used separately from the conveyor dishwasher. For this purpose, it is customary for the conveyor dishwashers to have a corresponding interface via which the conveyor dishwasher can communicate with the integrated logic of the metering devices. It is customary for the transport dishwashing machine or a control device of the conveyor dishwashing machine to have corresponding information about the operating state or the selected treatment program the logic of dosing supplies. Based on this information, the dosing device is then controlled accordingly via the integrated logic. This concerns, for example, the measurement of the conductance of the washing liquid, the setting of a certain speed of the metering pump belonging to the metering device, etc. These functions are usually carried out by the logic (control device) which is integrated in the metering devices.

The present invention is based on the finding that the conventional approach, in which the actual metered addition of the washing chemical to the washing liquid via the logic associated with the corresponding metering device, has certain disadvantages during operation of the conveyor dishwashing machine. In particular, when commissioning the conveyor dishwasher, namely, when the individual tanks of the conveyor dishwasher, in particular the wash tanks, are filled with liquid, can not be prevented that form in the wash tank liquid layers with differently concentrated washing chemicals in the rule. This in turn means that it is not possible to precisely meter in the liquid, especially when starting up the conveyor dishwasher. This in turn leads to under- or over-dosing of the washing liquid of the washing chemicals and to a non-optimal cleaning result of the conveyor dishwasher.

Accordingly, the present application is based on the invention to provide a conveyor dishwasher, in which the addition of washing chemicals (cleaner) can be as accurate as possible in order to avoid a potential over- or under-dosage in the washing liquid.

This object is achieved by the subject matter of independent claim 1, wherein advantageous developments of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a conveyor dishwasher with at least one washing zone and at least one final rinse zone, wherein the at least one washing zone is designed for spraying washing liquid, wherein the washing liquid is at least partially liquid already used in the at least one final rinse zone for rinsing, which a washing chemical is metered in, or is fresh water, to which a washing chemical is added, and wherein the conveyor dishwasher has a metering pump for metering the washing chemical to the liquid to be sprayed in the at least one washing zone. According to the invention it is provided, in particular, that the conveyor dishwasher is assigned a controller for activating the metering pump on the one hand and in particular one of the at least one washing zone associated washing pump and / or one of the at least one final rinse zone associated rinse pump.

In other words, according to the invention, it is provided in particular to shift the logic usually integrated in the dosing devices into the control of the conveyor dishwasher, so that classical dosing pumps without control and logic can be used for dosing washing chemicals.

This not only provides a significant cost advantage in the metering pumps, but also optimizes the addition of the washing chemical to the washing liquid. Specifically, with the aid of the solution according to the invention, it can be effectively prevented that, especially when the conveyor dishwasher is put into operation, liquid stratification in the at least one wash tank of the washing zone results in too much or too little washing chemicals being added. Rather, the dosing of the washing chemical is done solely and solely through the control of the conveyor dishwasher, so that at any time the optimum amount of washing chemical can be determined and metered. This effectively prevents over or under treatment of the items to be treated in the conveyor dishwasher. At the same time, consumption of resources (in particular washing chemicals) can be optimized.

According to a development of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention, provision is further made for a sensor system to be provided for detecting a washing chemical concentration in the washing liquid to be sprayed in the at least one washing zone. The control associated with the conveyor dishwasher is designed in particular to actuate the metering pump of the conveyor dishwasher as a function of the detected washing chemical concentration.

In other words, in contrast to conventional, known from the prior art solutions in which the conveyor dishwasher is equipped without metering pump and the metering pump in the form of a metering device with integrated logic is subsequently grown, is provided according to this development that the transport dishwasher associated Sensor can detect the washing chemical concentration, in particular in real time, and in particular the per unit time actually added to the washing liquid metered amount of washing chemicals, and accordingly controls the metering pump.

In a conceivable realization of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention, provision is made, in particular, for the control associated with the conveyor dishwasher to be designed to set at least a part of the parameters which characterize the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone. This at least one parameter characterizing the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone is, for example, a transport speed with which items to be washed are transported through the at least one washing zone, a quantity of washing liquid to be sprayed per unit time in the at least one washing zone and / or the temperature of the washing liquid. According to the invention, the control associated with the conveyor dishwasher is also designed to set the metering pump as a function of at least one parameter characterizing the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone.

Further advantageous developments of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a conveyor dishwasher, in which with one and the same controller not only a metering pump for metering a washing chemical to that in the at least one washing zone the transport dishwasher to be sprayed liquid, but also in particular one of the at least one washing zone associated washing pump and / or one of the at least one final rinse zone associated rinse pump can be controlled.

Due to the fact that in the solution according to the invention all the functions of the conveyor dishwasher, including the dosing of the washing chemical with one and the same control, namely with the transport dishwasher associated control takes place, the conveyor dishwasher is particularly suitable for remote monitoring, in which all parameters for operating the transport dishwasher can be set and controlled remotely from the conveyor dishwasher itself.

In the following, the invention will be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawing with reference to a preferred embodiment.

FIG. 1

eine schematische Längsschnittansicht einer Transportspülmaschine nach der Erfindung.

It shows:

FIG. 1

a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a conveyor dishwasher according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows a conveyor dishwasher 2 with a transport device 4 for transporting not shown items to be washed in a transport direction 8 by the conveyor dishwasher 2. The conveyor dishwasher 2 has at least one washing zone, for example as in FIG. 1 shown, a prewashing zone 12 and a main washing zone 14, which is arranged in the transport direction 8 after the prewashing zone 12, on.

After the at least one washing zone 12, 14, a after-washing zone 16 (or pump rinsing zone) and after the after-washing zone 16 at least one final rinse zone or (fresh water final rinse zone), for example only a single final rinse zone 18, are arranged as seen in the transport direction 8. At the final rinse zone 18 closes at the in FIG. 1 shown transport dishwasher 2 in the transport direction 8 of the dishes a drying zone 40 at. The respective zones 12, 14, 16, 18, 40 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 can be separated from one another by means of separating curtains 47. At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment is also the inlet tunnel 10 itself separated by a curtain 47 from the inlet 11. The provision of the separating curtains 47 prevents overspray of washing liquid and final rinse liquid and the escape of vapor from the conveyor dishwasher 2.

The said treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 are associated with spray nozzles 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30. These spray nozzles 20, 22, 24, 26, 28, 30 serve to spray liquid onto the items to be washed, when this is transported by the transport device 4 through the respective treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18. The individual spray systems of the treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18 ensure that the items to be treated are sprayed off both from the top side and from the bottom side.

At the in FIG. 1 However, the dishwasher 2 shown schematically has the rinse zone 18 not only downwardly directed upper spray nozzles 20 and upwardly directed lower spray nozzles 22, but also transverse lateral spray nozzles 24 on each side of the transport device 4. The use of lateral spray nozzles 24 allows a targeted spraying of Spülgutflächen (dishes surfaces) with rinse aid even in shadow zones. Especially with a fully loaded transport system, ie plate to plate loading the dish carrier, the use of lateral spray nozzles 24 in the rinse zone 18 has a clear advantage in rinse aid (effective rinsing of detergent residues on dish surfaces in shadow zones) compared to systems in which in the final rinse zone 18 only upper and lower spray nozzles 20, 22 and no transverse lateral spray nozzles 24 are provided.

The post-wash zone 16, main wash zone 14, and prewash zone 12 are further associated with tanks (post-wash tank 32, main tank 34, prewash tank 36) for receiving sprayed liquid and / or providing liquid to the spray nozzles 26, 28, 30 of the respective treatment zones 14, 16, 18th

As already indicated, at the in FIG. 1 Transport washing machine 2 shown rinse liquid (final rinse liquid), which is composed of fresh water (fresh water) with added rinse aid (rinse aid), on the above and below the transport device 4 and laterally arranged spray nozzles 20, 22, 24 of the final rinse zone 18 sprayed on the spray material, not shown. A portion of the sprayed rinse liquid is transported via a cascade system counter to the transport direction 8 of the ware from treatment zone to treatment zone. The remaining part of the final-rinse liquid sprayed in the rinse-off zone 18 is conducted via a valve V1 and a bypass line 38 directly into the pre-wash tank 36 assigned to the pre-wash zone 12.

In the cascade system, the rinse liquid sprayed from the rinse nozzles 20, 22, 24 flows by gravity from the final rinse zone 18 into the rinse tank 32 associated with the rinse zone 16. The rinse liquid collected by the rinse tank 32 and sprayed in the rinse zone 18 is then rinsed with a rinse pump 45 to the spray nozzles (Nachwaschdüsen 26) of Nachwaschzone 16 promoted.

In the post-washing zone 16, washing liquid is rinsed off the items to be washed. The resulting liquid (Nachwaschflüssigkeit) flows by gravity in the main wash zone 14 associated Hauptwaschtank 34. Preferably, this is a drain element 39, for example, a drain tray or baffle provided which directs the sprayed by the Nachwaschdüsen 26 Nachwaschflüssigkeit in the Hauptwaschtank 34. According to another embodiment, not shown, the drainage element 39 can be dispensed with when the main washing tank 34 extends below the after-washing nozzles 26 of the post-washing zone 16.

The liquid taken up by the main washing tank 34 of the main washing zone 14 is usually provided with a washing chemical in the form of a detergent and sprayed onto the dishes by means of a main washing pump 35 via the spray nozzles (main washing nozzles 28) of the main washing zone 14. The washing liquid sprayed with the main washing nozzles 28 flows back into the main washing tank 34 by gravity.

The main washing tank 34 is in fluid communication with the prewashing tank 36 associated with the prewashing zone 12 via an overflow line 37. Via this overflow line 37, the washing liquid sprayed in the main washing zone 14 reaches the prewashing tank 36 when a sufficient amount of washing liquid has been received in the main washing tank 34.

The liquid received in the prewashing tank 36 of the prewash zone 12 is then sprayed onto the items to be washed by means of a prewash pump 33 via the spray nozzles (prewash nozzles 30) of the prewashing zone 12 in order to remove coarse impurities from the items to be washed. The scrubbing liquid sprayed with the pre-wash nozzles 30 flows back into the pre-wash tank 36 by gravity.

The pre-wash tank 36 is provided with an overflow line 31, which serves to supply the surplus amount of liquid to a sewage network when a liquid level in the pre-wash tank 36 is exceeded.

As already indicated, the liquid sprayed in the main washing zone 14 and in the pre-washing zone 12 contains a detergent chemical in the form of a detergent. This washing chemical is metered into the liquid received in the main tank 34 of the main washing zone 14 as needed by means of a detergent metering device.

The detergent metering device has a corresponding metering pump 51, whose suction side is fluidly connected to a reservoir 52 for washing chemicals. Pressure side, the metering pump 51 is fluidly connected to the Hauptwaschtank 34.

As will be described in more detail below, the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device is preferably designed as a controllable metering pump 51. For this purpose, the metering pump 51 is connected via a control bus or the like (wired or wireless) control line to the control device 50 of the conveyor dishwasher 2.

As already mentioned, the drying zone 40 adjoins the final rinse zone 18 in the transport direction 8. In the drying zone 40, the items to be washed are dried with dry and heated air in order to blow off or to dry off the moisture present on the items to be washed. In order to keep the moisture content of the air in a favorable range for drying, it is conceivable, for example, via an opening, such as through the outlet opening for the items to be supplied to the drying zone 40 from the outside room air.

The warm and moist air in the drying zone 40 is subsequently drawn off from the drying zone 40, for example by means of a blower 41, via a further opening. It is advantageous if the exhaust air flow from the drying zone 40 passes through a device 42 for heat recovery, in which, for example, a capacitor can be provided. The means 42 for heat recovery serves to recover at least a portion of the heat energy contained in the exhaust air.

If, prior to the first start of the conveyor dishwasher 2, the tanks assigned to the wash zones 12, 14 and 16 (pre-wash tank 36, main wash tank 34, post-wash tank 32) are empty or insufficiently filled, they must first be supplied via a fresh water line 90 and / or by spraying clear rinse liquid be filled in the rinse zone 18. The fresh water line 90 can be connected via a controllable valve V3 with a fresh water supply network. The amount of washing liquid available in the main washing zone 14 and in the pre-washing zone 12 can each be monitored with the aid of a level sensor provided in the main tank 34 or with the aid of a level sensor provided in the prewash tank 36 and reported to a control device 50.

The rinse zone 18 can - as in FIG. 1 shown - a fresh water tank 30 to be assigned for temporarily storing at least a portion of the intended for rinsing fresh water. The fresh water tank 30 is on the one hand provided with a fresh water connection, which is connectable via a controllable fresh water supply valve V2 to a fresh water supply network, and on the other hand connected to the suction side of a rinse pump 43. Of course, it is also conceivable to dispense with a fresh water tank 30 for temporarily storing at least part of the fresh water provided for the final rinse and to connect the fresh water feed valve V2 directly to the suction side of the rinse aid 43.

The pressure side of the rinse pump 43 is connected via a line system with a water heater 9 (boiler). The line system is designed in such a way that the liquid conveyed by the rinse aid 43 to the spray nozzles 20, 22, 24 of the final rinse zone 18 first passes through the heat recovery device 42 before it reaches the water heater 9. On In this way it is possible to use at least a portion of the thermal energy of the discharged exhaust air for heating the liquid supplied to the spray nozzles 20, 22, 24 of the final rinse zone 18.

Rinse aid (rinse aid) is metered into the rinse aid 43 either directly from the fresh water supply valve V2 or from the fresh water tank 30, using a rinse aid dosing device. The rinse aid dispenser comprises a (rinse aid) metering pump 57 and a rinse aid reservoir 58. In a particularly preferred manner, the rinse aid metering pump 57 is arranged such that the addition of rinse aid to the fresh water takes place at a position at which the fresh water has not yet been heated. Investigations have shown that a much better and more uniform mixing of the rinse aid with the fresh water takes place when the rinse aid is added to unheated fresh water. Specifically, the addition of rinse aid should be in fresh water having a temperature of less than 40 ° C, and preferably less than 30 ° C. Therefore, at the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of the conveyor dishwasher 2, the rinse aid metering between the rinse pump 43 and the water heater 9 and the device 42 for heat recovery instead. For this purpose, a supply line opening into the line system between the rinse pump 43 and the device 42 for heat recovery is provided, which can be connected to the rinse aid reservoir 58 via the metering pump 57.

Like the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device, the rinse aid metering pump 57 is preferably connected to the control device 50 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 via a suitable control bus so that the rinse aid metering pump 57 can also be correspondingly activated via the control device 50.

At the in FIG. 1 shown transport dishwasher 2, the aforementioned control device 50 is indicated only schematically. The control device 50 is designed to automatically set a rinse liquid quantity to be sprayed per unit time in the final rinse zone 18 and / or to automatically set a quantity of wash liquid to be sprayed per unit time in the main wash zone 14. Preferably, the control device 50 is designed to track the different controllable components of the conveyor dishwashing machine 2, such as the respective pumps and valves In order to control a predetermined or definable program sequence in order to be able to adjust the process parameters in the individual treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18 of the conveyor dishwasher 2, and in particular the process parameters in the final rinse zone 18 and / or in the main washing zone 14.

The control device 50 of the conveyor dishwashing machine 2 is however in particular also designed to suitably control the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device in order to meter in a washing chemical of the liquid received in the main washing tank 34 as needed. Advantageously, the control device 50 is also designed to control the rinse aid metering pump 57 accordingly in order to meter rinse aid to the fresh water provided for the final rinse.

At the in FIG. 1 The conveyor device 2 shown schematically serves, in particular, to correspondingly control the washing pump 35 associated with the main washing zone 14 and / or the pump 45 associated with the pump rinse aid zone or afterwashing zone 16.

Furthermore, it is preferred if, with the aid of the control device 50, the transport speed with which the items to be washed are transported through the respective treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18 in the transport direction 8 can be set.

According to embodiments of the invention, with the aid of the control device 50, the amount of rinse liquid sprayed per unit time in the final rinse zone 18 and / or the amount of wash liquid sprayed per unit time in the main wash zone 14 automatically as a function of the transport speed at which the items to be washed at least through the rinse zone 18 and the Main wash zone 14 is transported, and / or changed depending on the nature of the transported through the at least one rinse zone 18 and the main wash zone 14 washware.

At the in FIG. 1 2, the control device 50 can be designed to selectively spray the amount of final rinse liquid and / or quantity of washing liquid sprayed per unit time, depending on the nature of the zone 18, as appropriate. 14 transported items or to change depending on the transport speed. In principle, however, it is also conceivable for the control device 50 to be designed to change the amount of rinse liquid and / or wash fluid sprayed per unit time only as a function of the type of washware transported through the corresponding treatment zone, or only as a function of the transport speed.

For detecting the type of items to be treated in the conveyor dishwasher 2, the in FIG. 1 illustrated transport dishwasher 2 a Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53. The term "dishwashing device device" as used herein means any detection device which is designed to detect the type of washware to be treated in the conveyor dishwashing machine 2. It is conceivable that the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53 has at least one detector device with which the size and / or the shape and / or the material of the dishes to be treated in the conveyor dishwasher 2 can be detected or can. In one possible implementation of the dishwashing device 53, the latter comprises at least one preferably optically, inductively or capacitively operating detector device, so that the size, the shaping and / or the material of the dishes can / can be detected in order to identify the type of washware. As a detector device but other types of detectors come into question, such as inductively operating proximity sensors, light sensors, light curtains, laser scanners, 3D laser, cameras, encoders, etc.

As in FIG. 1 illustrated, the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53 is preferably arranged at the inlet 11 of the conveyor dishwasher 2, so that the type of the individual treatment zones 12, 14, 16, 18, 40 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 to be supplied dishes can be detected. It would of course also be conceivable, however, to arrange the washware detection device 53 inside the conveyor dishwasher 2. It is essential that the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 51 is disposed at least before the inlet into the rinse zone 18.

The control device 50 is connected via a suitable communication link to the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53 to continuously or to predetermined Times or events to interrogate the detected by the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53 type of the transport dishwasher 2 supplied dishes.

• aus Porzellan oder einem porzellanartigen Material gefertigte Teller;
• aus Porzellan oder einem porzellanartigen Material, Glas oder einem glasartigen Material gefertigte Tassen;
• aus Porzellan oder einem porzellanartigen Material, Glas oder einem glasartigen Material gefertigte Schalen;
• aus einem Kunststoffmaterial gefertigte Tabletts oder tablettartige Gegenstände;
• aus einem Metall, insbesondere aus Edelstahl gefertigte Behälter, insbesondere GN-Behälter;
• aus einem Metall, insbesondere aus Edelstahl gefertigte Töpfe;
• aus einem Metall, insbesondere aus Edelstahl gefertigte Pfannen;
• aus einem Metall, insbesondere aus Edelstahl gefertigte Bestecke oder Besteckteile; und
• aus Glas oder einem glasartigen Material gefertigte Trinkgläser.

At the in FIG. 1 illustrated embodiment of a conveyor dishwasher 2 according to the invention, the control device 50 is designed to automatically detect the washware to be treated on the basis of Spülgutart detected by the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung 53. Preferably, the control device 50 can automatically detect at least the items to be washed:

• plates made of porcelain or a porcelain-like material;
• cups made of porcelain or a porcelain-like material, glass or a vitreous material;
• trays made of porcelain or a porcelain-like material, glass or a vitreous material;
• trays or tray-like articles made of a plastics material;
• made of a metal, in particular made of stainless steel containers, in particular GN containers;
• made of a metal, in particular stainless steel pots;
• pans made of metal, in particular of stainless steel;
• made of a metal, in particular made of stainless steel cutlery or cutlery parts; and
• made of glass or a glassy material drinking glasses.

In the event that the control device 50 does not recognize the items to be washed on the basis of the type of washware detected by the washware detection device 53, the relevant items to be washed are identified as "other items to be washed".

The solution according to the invention is characterized in particular in that the control device 50 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 is designed to set the corresponding process parameters of the selected treatment program, depending on a treatment program selected by the user of the conveyor dishwasher 2, and at the same time at least the metering pump 51 corresponding to the detergent dispenser head for. When activating the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device, it is also possible in particular for a washing chemicals concentration in the main washing tank 34 recorded washing liquid or liquid are taken into account.

For this purpose, a corresponding sensor 54 is provided, which is designed to detect a washing chemical concentration in the main washing zone 14 to be sprayed washing liquid. The control device 50 assigned to the conveyor dishwasher 2 is designed to actuate the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device, in particular also as a function of the detected washing chemical concentration. It is conceivable in this context, in particular, if the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device is actuated only as a function of the detected wash chemical concentration. Alternatively, however, it is also conceivable that process parameters of a selected treatment program of the conveyor dishwasher 2 are taken into account in the control of the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device.

The process parameters are, in particular, the amount of washing liquid sprayed per unit time in the main washing zone 14, the amount of rinsing liquid sprayed per unit of time in the rinsing zone 18, and / or a degree of soiling of the washing liquid to be sprayed in the main washing zone 14.

In this context, it is advantageous if the main washing zone 14 is also associated with a corresponding sensor, by means of which the degree of contamination, in particular of the washing liquid received in the main washing tank 34, can be detected. As sensor technology, for example, a turbidity sensor or a sensor is suitable for detecting a conductivity value of the liquid received in the main washing tank 34.

In general terms, the control device 50 assigned to the conveyor dishwasher 2 is designed, in particular, to set at least a part of the parameters which characterize the treatment of dishes in the main wash zone 14. This concerns - as already mentioned - for example, per unit time in the main washing zone 14 sprayed amount of washing liquid, but also conceivable is the transport speed at which the items to be washed is transported through the main washing zone 14, and / or a temperature of sprayed in the main washing zone 14 washing liquid and / or the degree of pollution the washing liquid to be sprayed in the main washing zone 14 and / or a washing chemical concentration of the washing liquid to be sprayed in the main washing zone 14.

In particular, the control device 50 associated with the conveyor dishwashing machine 2 is also designed to set the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device as a function of at least one parameter characterizing the treatment of wash ware in the main wash zone 14.

In accordance with embodiments of the conveyor dishwasher according to the invention, the control device 50 assigned to the conveyor dishwasher 2 is designed, in particular, as a function of a program cycle selected for the treatment of items to be washed and / or depending on the type of items to be treated and / or depending on a degree of soiling of the items to be treated Washware to control the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device accordingly. It is conceivable in this connection, for example, if the control device 50 assigned to the conveyor dishwasher 2 is designed to control the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device in such a way that a continuous basic metering takes place.

According to embodiments, the control device 50 of the conveyor dishwasher 2 can be designed to deliver all commands necessary for metering in the washing chemical to the metering pump 51 of the detergent metering device, preferably via a corresponding control bus. Alternatively or additionally, the control device 50 may be configured to record all parameters necessary for determining a quantity of the washing chemical to be added per unit time and / or all parameters necessary for determining the time and / or duration of a dosing of the washing chemical and, if appropriate, accordingly evaluate.

In this context, it makes sense if a data transmission system, in particular a wirelessly executed data transmission system, is provided in order to transmit control signals required by the control dishwasher 50 to the metering pump 51 for control of the metering pump 51 of the cleaner metering device.

The invention is not limited to the embodiment shown by way of example in the drawings, but results from an overall expert consideration of the claims and the description of the exemplary embodiment.

Claims (15)

Transport washing machine (2) having at least one washing zone (14) and at least one final rinse zone (16, 18), wherein the at least one washing zone (14) is designed for spraying washing liquid, wherein the washing liquid is at least partially already in the at least one Rinse clearing zone (16, 18) used for rinsing liquid is added to a washing chemical or is fresh water to which a washing chemical is added, wherein the conveyor dishwasher (2) has a metering pump (51) for dosing the washing Chemical to the liquid to be sprayed in the at least one washing zone (14), and wherein the conveyor dishwasher (2) is associated with a controller (50) for controlling the metering pump (51) and in particular one of the washing pump (35) associated with the at least one washing zone (14) ) and / or one of the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) associated rinse pump (45). Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 1,
further comprising a sensor system (54) for detecting a washing chemical concentration in the washing liquid to be sprayed in the at least one washing zone (14), wherein the control (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) is designed to feed the metering pump (51) into To control dependence on the detected washing chemical concentration. Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the control (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) is adapted to set at least a portion of the parameters characterizing the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone (14), and wherein the controller (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2). is further configured to adjust the metering pump (51) as a function of at least one parameter characterizing the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone (14). Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 3,
wherein the at least one parameter characterizing the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone (14) is a transport speed with which items to be washed are transported through the at least one washing zone (14), a quantity of washing liquid sprayed per unit time in the at least one washing zone (14) and / or a temperature of the washing liquid. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
the controller (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) being designed as a function of a program cycle selected for the treatment of items to be washed and / or depending on the type of items to be treated and / or depending on a degree of soiling of the items to be treated to control the dosing pump (51) accordingly. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 5,
wherein the transport dishwasher (2) associated control (50) is adapted to control the metering pump (51) such that in terms of time, a continuous basic metering takes place in the washing liquid. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6,
wherein the control (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) is designed to deliver all commands necessary for metering in the washing chemical to the metering pump (51) and / or all parameters necessary for determining an amount of washing chemical to be added per unit time and / or or all for setting the time and / or the Time period of a dosing of the washing chemical necessary parameters to capture and, if appropriate, evaluate accordingly. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein a data transmission system is provided for transmitting control signals required for controlling the dosing pump (51) from the control (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) to the dosing pump (51). Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8,
wherein in the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) rinse liquid, which is composed of fresh water and optionally dosed rinse aid, or which is composed of liquid already used for rinsing and optionally dosed rinse aid, in the at least one rinse zone (16, 18) distributed, in particular sprayed or sprayed, and wherein on the the dishwasher (2) associated control (50) controllable metering pump (57) is provided for on-demand metering of rinse aid to that in the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) circulating liquid. Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 9,
wherein the conveyor (2) associated control (50) is adapted for automatically setting a per unit time in the at least one rinse zone (16, 18) to be distributed Klarspülflüssigkeitsmenge, as a function of a transport speed, with which dishes by the at least one rinse (16, 18) is transported, and / or depending on the nature of the transported by the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) items to be washed. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein a Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung (53) is provided, which is adapted to detect the type of items to be treated, and wherein the transport dishwasher (2) associated with control (50) is formed, depending on the detected type of treated items to be washed automatically per unit of time in the at least one washing zone (14) spraying amount of washing liquid and / or automatically one per unit time to set in the at least one final rinse zone (16, 18) sprayed amount of final rinse liquid. Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 11,
wherein the controller (50) is adapted to automatically adjust the transport speed at which the items to be washed are transported through the at least one washing zone (14) and final rinse zone (16, 18) as a function of the detected type of washware to be treated. Transport dishwasher (2) according to claim 11 or 12,
wherein the Spülgutdetektorvorrichtung (53) has at least one optically operating detector device and / or at least one inductively or capacitively operating detector device and is designed for automatic detection of glasses or glass baskets and / or automatic detection of cutlery or cutlery baskets. Transport dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13,
wherein the washing pump (35) associated with the at least one washing zone (14) is preferably a speed controlled pump, and / or wherein the rinse pump (45) associated with the at least one rinse zone (16, 18) is preferably a speed controlled pump. Method for operating a conveyor dishwasher (2), in particular a conveyor dishwasher (2) according to one of claims 1 to 14, wherein at least one part of the parameters regulating the treatment of items to be washed is adjusted by means of a controller (50) associated with the conveyor dishwasher (2) characterized in at least one washing zone (14) of the conveyor dishwasher (2), and wherein with the aid of the conveyor dishwasher (2) associated control (50) further comprises a metering pump (51) for metering a washing chemical as needed in the at least one washing zone ( 14) is controlled to be sprayed liquid, in particular in dependence on at least one, the treatment of items to be washed in the at least one washing zone (14) characterizing parameter.

Images