EP4306030A1 - Dishwasher with a dirt discharge system - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a dishwasher (50) with a washing system (51, 52) designed as a recirculation circuit and a dirt discharge system (70) assigned to the washing system (51, 52). According to the invention, it is provided in particular that a separator device (80) is assigned to the dirt discharge system (70), which is designed to separate at least part of the washing liquid required to empty a dirt collection area (71) of the dirt discharge system and discharged together with the dirt particles from the dirt collection area (71) from the dirt particles discharged from the dirt collection area (71) and to return the separated washing liquid to the water circuit of the dishwasher (50).

Description

The invention relates generally to the art of commercial dishwashing.

In particular, the invention relates to a dishwasher according to the preamble of patent claim 1. Accordingly, the invention relates in particular to a commercial dishwasher or utensil dishwasher, which is designed as a program machine or as a transport dishwasher.

The invention is therefore directed to a dishwasher which has at least one washing zone designed as a recirculation circuit. The washing zone designed as a recirculation circuit has a nozzle system with at least one washing nozzle for spraying washing liquid onto the items to be cleaned, a washing tank for collecting at least part of the sprayed washing liquid and a washing pump for supplying washing liquid collected in the washing tank to the at least one washing nozzle . Furthermore, the dishwasher has a dirt collection system assigned to the at least one washing zone with at least one tank cover sieve in order to separate dirt particles from the sprayed washing liquid which flows back into the washing tank by gravity.

Program machines are dishwashers that can be loaded and unloaded manually. The program machines ("box-type ware washers") or also called ("batch dish washers") can be pass-through dishwashers, also called hood-type ware washers, or front loader ware washers. Front loaders can be under counter machines, top counter machines or free standing front loaders.

A dishwasher designed as a program machine usually has a treatment chamber for cleaning items to be washed. As a rule, a washing tank is arranged under the treatment chamber, in which liquid can flow back from the treatment chamber by gravity. The washing tank contains washing liquid, which is usually water, to which cleaner can be added if necessary.

A dishwasher designed as a program machine also has a washing system with a washing pump, a line system connected to the washing pump and a nozzle system with at least one washing nozzle. The washing liquid located in the washing tank can be conveyed from the washing pump via the line system to the at least one washing nozzle and sprayed through this at least one washing nozzle in the treatment chamber onto the items to be cleaned. The sprayed washing liquid then flows back into the washing tank by gravity.

Conveyor ware washers are, in particular, flight-type ware washers or rack conveyor ware washers. Transport dishwashers are usually used in the commercial sector. In contrast to program machines, in which the items to be cleaned remain stationary in the machine during cleaning, in transport dishwashers the items to be cleaned are transported through various treatment zones of the transport dishwasher.

A transport dishwasher usually has at least one pre-washing zone and at least one main washing zone, which is arranged after the pre-washing zone(s), viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed. Looking in the direction of transport, at least one post-wash zone or pre-rinse zone and at least one final rinse zone downstream of the post-wash zone(s) are usually arranged after the main wash zone(s). Seen in the transport direction, the items to be washed either picked up directly on the conveyor belt or held by baskets usually run in the direction of transport through an inlet tunnel, the adjoining pre-wash zone(s), main wash zone(s), post-wash zone(s), final rinse zone(s). ), a drying zone into an outlet section.

The above-mentioned washing zones of the transport dishwasher are each assigned a washing system, which has a washing pump and a line system (washing line system) connected to the washing pump, via which washing liquid is supplied to the nozzle system or the at least one washing nozzle of the nozzle system. The washing liquid supplied to the at least one washing nozzle of the nozzle system is sprayed in the respective washing zones of the transport dishwasher onto the items to be washed, which is transported through the respective washing zones by a transport device of the transport dishwasher. Each washing zone is assigned a potion in which the liquid sprayed by the washing nozzles is absorbed and/or in which liquid is provided for the nozzle systems of the relevant treatment zones.

In the transport dishwashers usually known from the prior art, final rinse liquid in the form of fresh water, which can be pure or mixed with other additives, such as rinse aid, is sprayed onto the items to be washed via the spray nozzles of the final rinse zone. At least part of the sprayed final rinse liquid is transported from zone to zone via a cascade system against the direction of transport of the items to be washed.

The sprayed final rinse liquid is collected in a tank (rewash tank) of the rewash zone, from which it is conveyed via the wash pump of the washing system belonging to the rewash zone to the spray nozzles (rewash nozzles) of the rewash zone. In the post-wash zone, washing liquid is rinsed away from the items to be washed. The resulting liquid flows into the washing tank of the at least one main washing zone, which is located upstream of the secondary washing zone when viewed in the direction of transport of the items to be washed. Here the liquid is usually provided with a cleaner and sprayed onto the items to be washed via the nozzles (washing nozzles) of the main washing zone by a pump system (washing pump) belonging to the washing system of the main washing zone. The liquid then flows from the washing tank of the main washing zone - unless another main washing zone is provided - into the pre-washing tank of the pre-washing zone. The liquid in the pre-wash tank is pumped via a pump system belonging to the washing system of the pre-wash zone (Pre-wash pump) is sprayed onto the items to be washed via the pre-wash nozzles of the pre-wash zone in order to remove coarse contamination from the items to be washed.

Dishwashers are usually equipped with rinsing pumps, which supply the final rinse liquid to be sprayed to the piping system of the final rinse zone. This ensures in particular a quasi-constant volume flow of the final rinse liquid in the final rinse zone. However, it is also conceivable to use the on-site line pressure - for example the pressure of the fresh water supply - to feed the final rinse liquid to the line system of the final rinse zone. In this latter case, a controllable valve can be provided between the line system and the spray nozzles of the final rinse zone in order to be able to temporarily or completely interrupt the supply of final rinse liquid to the spray nozzles.

Regardless of whether a dishwasher is designed as a program machine or as a transport dishwasher, commercial dishwashers usually include at least one washing zone designed as a recirculation circuit, which has a nozzle system with at least one washing nozzle for spraying washing liquid onto the items to be cleaned, a washing tank for collecting at least one Part of the sprayed washing liquid and a washing pump for supplying liquid collected in the washing tank to which has at least one washing nozzle.

Since a washing zone designed as a recirculation circuit is used to clean the items to be washed, at least part of the washing liquid already sprayed in the washing zone is circulated, so that there is a risk that the protective particles removed from the items to be washed will always be removed due to the permanent circulation of the washing liquid are further comminuted and can therefore no longer be easily separated from the washing liquid using sieve devices etc. Accordingly, there is a risk that in a washing zone designed as a recirculation circuit, the dirt load on the washing liquid in the washing zone increases with increasing washing time, so that the risk of re-soiling of items to be washed increases and the overall washing result deteriorates.

This problem occurs in particular in the prewash or main wash zones of a dishwasher designed as a transport dishwasher. Since in transport dishwashers the flow direction of the washing liquid used is cascade-like opposite to the transport direction of the items to be cleaned, the dirt concentration of the washing liquid in the at least one pre-washing zone is greatest compared to the dirt concentration of the washing liquid in the other treatment zones, since most dirt is accumulated in the pre-washing zone .

On the other hand, it cannot be avoided that over the running time of a dishwasher designed as a transport dishwasher, part of the more heavily contaminated washing liquid in the pre-washing zone is "carried away" by the transport of the items to be washed into the at least one main washing zone downstream of the pre-washing zone. This increases the contamination of the washing liquid in the main washing zone and, as a result, the washing results in the main washing zone can also deteriorate.

In order to separate the dirt particles introduced into the dishwasher from the washing liquid used to rinse the items to be washed, it is generally known to use sieve devices in the form of dirt sieve baskets in which the dirt particles introduced into the dishwasher collect. In dishwashers that are designed as automatic program machines, such a dirt filter basket is usually arranged in the sump of the treatment chamber above the washing tank.

On the other hand, with regard to dishwashers that are designed as transport dishwashers, it is known to equip at least the prewash tank assigned to the prewash zone, and preferably also the main wash tank assigned to the at least one main wash zone, with surface sieves and dirt sieve baskets.

During operation of the dishwasher, which is designed either as a program machine or as a transport dishwasher, the dirt particles rinsed from the items to be washed with the help of the circulating washing water then fall onto the surface sieves due to gravity. There, the dirt particles are separated from the washing liquid flowing back into the corresponding washing tank. The Separated dirt particles are then usually rinsed into a dirt sieve basket.

A problem with automatic dirt discharge systems known from the prior art is that, due to the system, they only have a limited dirt discharge capacity in terms of time. In the known dirt discharge systems, the amount of washing water that is necessary to pump out the dirt particles from the dirt collection area of the dirt discharge system is designed for the fresh water rinsing amount of the respective machine type. This is necessary to ensure a balanced water balance within the machine. If more washing water were used to pump out the dirt than fresh water was then fed back into the machine through the fresh water rinse, the water level in the washing tank would drop and the washing process would be automatically switched off later.

On the other hand, there is the fact that the higher the amount of dirt introduced, the more washing water is generally required in order to pump the dirt that has been introduced out of the machine as completely as possible and thus achieve the best possible dirt removal performance.

In times of constant efforts to further reduce machine consumption in terms of water, energy and chemicals, the main focus is on the amount of fresh water after rinsing, as this largely determines the total water consumption of commercial dishwashers.

Accordingly, in commercial dishwashing there are two opposing goals that oppose each other in terms of an ideal process flow:
On the one hand, especially when there is a lot of dirt entering the dishwasher, a large amount of washing water is required in order to pump the dirt back out of the machine using the automatic dirt removal system. Depending on the type and amount of dirt, the amount of washing water required to pump out the dirt can be as low as conventional dishwashers known from the prior art can be higher than is actually available due to the fresh water flowing in through the fresh water rinsing. This limits the performance of the dirt discharge system to a certain extent on certain types of machines. The reason is the fact that there is no more water available to pump out the dirt, otherwise the water level in the washing tank would drop too much.

On the other hand, the goal is still to further reduce the amount of fresh water after rinsing, which of course makes the above-mentioned problem worse in the long term, since at a certain point there is no longer enough washing water available to pump out the dirt that has entered to operate the automatic dirt discharge system reliably.

Based on this problem, the invention is based on the object of developing a dishwasher of the type mentioned at the outset in such a way that the dirt discharge performance can be optimized without increasing the amount of fresh water required to operate the dishwasher.

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

Accordingly, the invention relates to a dishwasher, which is designed as a program machine or as a transport dishwasher, and which has a dirt collection system that is assigned to at least one washing system of the dishwasher. The dirt collection system has a dirt collection area arranged at least in some areas in the washing tank of the dishwasher. The dirt collection area serves to collect the dirt particles separated from the washing liquid with the help of a tank cover sieve.

Furthermore, a dirt discharge system with a dirt discharge pipe system, which is fluidly connected to the dirt collection area, is provided, via which the dirt collection area of the dishwasher can be emptied, in particular if necessary.

The dishwasher according to the invention is characterized in particular in that a separator device is assigned to the dirt discharge system, which is designed to separate at least part of the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collection area and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collection area from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collection area and The separated washing liquid is returned to the dishwasher's water circuit.

This solution provides an automatic dirt removal system for dishwashers in which the amount of dirt and water pumped out is independent of the amount of fresh water flowing in after rinsing. In this way, the dirt discharge performance of the dishwasher is optimized, since the dirt collection area of the dirt discharge system can be operated independently of the fresh water supplied to the dishwasher's water circuit per unit of time. On the other hand, by returning the separated washing liquid, care is taken to ensure that the dishwasher's water consumption must not be increased.

According to embodiments of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that the dirt discharge system is designed with the separator device to feed the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collection area back to the washing tank of the washing system of the dishwasher, which is equipped with the automatic dirt discharge system. Particularly in transport dishwashers that have several treatment chambers connected in series, it is also conceivable that the washing liquid separated in the separator device is fed to the washing tank of another treatment zone.

According to preferred implementations of the dishwasher according to the invention, it is provided that the dirt discharge system has a dirt discharge pump has, the suction side of which is fluidly connected or connectable to the dirt collecting area, and the pressure side of which is fluidly connected or connectable to the separator device. It is particularly conceivable that the dishwasher has a control device which is designed to control the dirt discharge pump of the dirt discharge system, in particular independently of an entry of fresh water into the water circuit of the dishwasher.

In other words, with the solution according to the invention, the dirt discharge system can actually be activated whenever the degree of contamination of the washing liquid has reached a critical value, in which case it is not necessary to pay attention to whether a sufficient amount of fresh water is also fed back into the water circuit of the dishwasher becomes.

In a further development of the last-mentioned aspect, it is provided that the dishwasher has a sensor system which is designed to detect a degree of contamination of the washing liquid, preferably in the at least one washing tank of the dishwasher and/or to detect a dirt load on the items to be treated in the dishwasher. In particular, it is provided that the control device is designed so that the dirt discharge pump of the dirt discharge system is activated depending on the detected degree of contamination of the washing liquid and/or depending on the detected dirt load on the items to be washed in the dishwasher.

A suitable sensor system is, for example, a turbidity sensor that detects the degree of contamination of the washing liquid. Alternatively or in addition to this, it is also conceivable to use an optical system, in particular a vision camera system, with which the dirt load is measured or detected directly on the items to be washed.

In particular, it can be provided that the control device is designed to automatically activate the dirt discharge pump of the dirt discharge system when it is detected with the aid of the sensor system that the detected degree of contamination of the washing liquid is a predetermined or has assumed a definable value, and/or if the sensor system detects an increased dirt load on the items to be treated in the dishwasher. An optional automatic activation or a manual activation of the dirt discharge pump of the dirt discharge system is of course also conceivable.

According to a preferred implementation of the separator device, it is provided that the separator device has a collecting container which is fluidly connected or connectable to the dirt discharge pipe system of the dirt discharge system and to which the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collection area is supplied with the dirt particles from the dirt collection area when the dirt collection area is emptied.

A sieve system is preferably assigned to the collecting container, with which at least part of the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collection area and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collection area is separated from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collection area.

According to a development of the last-mentioned aspect, it is provided that the separator device is designed to preferably automatically remove the dirt particles separated from the washing liquid in the separator device from the separator device. In this context, for example, it is conceivable to use a pump, in particular a screw feed pump, to remove the dirt particles from the separator device and in particular from the sieve system of the separator device.

According to further developments of the separator device, it is provided that the collecting container of the separator device is assigned an overflow system, which fluidly connects the collecting container to an on-site drain or to the washing tank of the dishwasher. In this way, redundancy is provided if the return of the separated washing liquid from the separator device into the water circuit of the dishwasher is disturbed or interrupted.

Preferably, the separator device is assigned a waste water pump, which is designed, in particular if necessary, to feed the washing liquid separated in the separator device back into the dishwasher circuit at predetermined times and / or events or continuously.

In this context, it is particularly conceivable that the separator device is assigned a sensor system which is designed to detect the amount of washing liquid separated in the separator device.

In this context, it is conceivable that the separator device is assigned a control device which is designed to control the wastewater pump depending on the amount of washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device.

In particular, it is advisable for the wastewater pump to be controlled cyclically, at least as needed or at predetermined or definable times or events, in particular in such a way that at least partial flushing of the sieve system of the separator device (if necessary) can be achieved.

In order to achieve even more efficient separation of dirt, further developments of the solution according to the invention provide that the separator device has a filter system which is designed to filter the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device before returning it to the water circuit of the dishwasher.

According to a further aspect, it is provided that the separator device is assigned a heat exchanger system in order to recover, in particular as needed or continuously, thermal energy from the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device. This thermal energy can then be used, for example, to heat the fresh water to be supplied to the dishwasher.

With the solution according to the invention, a regular or continuous discharge of dirt during operation of the dishwasher can be achieved without the running time of the dishwasher having to be extended and without the fresh water consumption of the dishwasher being increased. This not only reduces the risk of re-soiling of the items to be washed (since the quality of the washing liquid is optimized due to regular or continuous discharge of dirt), but the capacity of the dishwasher is also not negatively affected.

The solution according to the invention therefore allows the dirt particles accumulated in the at least one washing zone of the dishwasher with the help of the dirt collection system to be continuously and automatically removed from the dishwasher. Such continuous and automatically carried out dirt removal also relieves the strain on the dishwasher's operating personnel. In addition, it can be effectively prevented that the recirculation of the washing liquid in the washing zone is influenced or blocked by overfilling the dirt collection area.

Exemplary embodiments of the solution according to the invention are described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1

schematisch eine in Gestalt einer Transportspülmaschine ausgebildete Spülmaschine gemäß einer ersten Ausführungsform der Erfindung; und

FIG. 2

schematisch eine in Gestalt eines Programmautomats ausgebildete Spülmaschine gemäß einer zweiten Ausführungsform der Erfindung.

Shown in the drawings:

FIG. 1

schematically a dishwasher designed in the form of a transport dishwasher according to a first embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 2

schematically a dishwasher designed in the form of a program machine according to a second embodiment of the invention.

In FIG. 1 An example of a transport dishwasher 50 designed according to the teachings of the present invention is shown in a schematic longitudinal sectional view.

The transport dishwasher 50 as shown in FIG. 1 has a pre-washing zone 51 and a main washing zone 52, which is in the transport direction T of the (in FIG. 1 (not shown) items to be washed the prewash zone 51 is arranged. Seen in the transport direction T after the main washing zone 52 is at the in FIG. 1 shown transport dishwasher 50, a post-wash or pre-rinse zone 53 and a final rinse zone 54 downstream of the post-wash or pre-rinse zone 53 are arranged. The items to be washed either picked up directly on a conveyor belt 58 or held by baskets run in the transport direction T through an inlet tunnel 55, the adjoining pre-wash zone 51, the main wash zone 52, the post-wash zone 53, the final rinse zone 54 and a drying zone 56 into an outlet section 57 a.

The above-mentioned treatment zones 51, 52, 53, 54 of the transport dishwasher 50 are each assigned spray nozzles 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, via which liquid is sprayed onto the items to be washed, which are carried by the conveyor belt 58 through the respective Treatment zones 51, 52, 53, 54 is transported. At least the pre-washing zone 51, the main washing zone 52 and the post-washing or pre-rinsing zone 53 are each assigned a tank (washing tank 14-1, 14-2, 14-3), in which sprayed washing liquid is received and/or washing liquid for the spray nozzles 13- 1, 13-2, 13-3 of the relevant zones 51, 52, 53 is provided.

The pre-wash zone 51, the main wash zone 52 and the post-wash zone 53 of the transport dishwasher 50 according to the in FIG. 1 The first embodiment of the invention shown each has a washing system 10-1, 10-2, 10.3. Each washing system 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 consists of a washing pump 11-1, 11-2, 11-3, a line system 12-1 connected to the washing pump 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 , 12-2, 12-3 and the spray nozzles 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 connected to the line system 12-1, 12-2, 12-3.

Furthermore, there is one in FIG. 1 schematically illustrated control device 100 is provided, which serves (among other things) to suitably control the respective washing pumps 11-1, 11-2, 11-3 of the washing systems 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 during a washing process, at least temporarily to supply washing liquid to the spray nozzles 13-1, 13-2, 13-3 of the nozzle system associated with the respective washing system 10-1, 10-2, 10-3 via the associated line system 12-1, 12-2, 12-3.

At the in FIG. 1 In the transport dishwasher 50 shown, final rinse liquid in the form of fresh water, which can be mixed with further chemical additives, such as rinse aid, is applied via the spray nozzles 13-4 of the final rinse zone 54 arranged above and below the conveyor belt 58 to the in FIG. 1 items not shown are sprayed. As in FIG. 1 shown, laterally arranged spray nozzles 13-5 can be provided in the final rinse zone 54.

A portion of the final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone 54 is transported from zone to zone via a cascade system against the transport direction T of the items to be washed. The remaining part is fed directly into the prewash tank 14-1 of the prewash zone 51 via a valve 59 and a bypass line 60.

The final rinse liquid sprayed in the final rinse zone 54 is collected in the tank (post-wash or pre-rinse tank 14-3) of the post-wash or pre-rinse zone 53, from which it is sent via the washing pump belonging to the washing system 10-3 of the post-wash or pre-rinse zone 53 11-3 is conveyed to the spray nozzles 13-3 (post-wash or pre-rinse nozzles) of the post-wash or pre-rinse zone 53. In the post-wash or pre-wash zone 53, washing liquid is rinsed away from the items to be washed.

The resulting liquid flows into the washing tank 14-2 of the main washing zone 52, is usually provided with a chemical cleaner and with the help of a washing pump 11-2 belonging to the washing system 10-2 of the main washing zone 52 via the spray nozzles 13-2 (washing nozzles). sprayed onto the items to be washed in the washing system 10-2 belonging to the main washing zone 52.

From the washing tank 14-2 of the main washing zone 52, the washing liquid then flows into the pre-washing tank 14-1 of the pre-washing zone 51. The washing liquid collected in the pre-washing tank 14-1 is in the pre-washing zone 51 with the help of a washing system 10-1 of the pre-washing zone 51 Washing pump 11-1 is sprayed onto the items to be washed via the spray nozzles 13-1 (prewash nozzles) of the washing system 10-1 belonging to the prewash zone 51 in order to remove coarse contaminants from the items to be washed.

At the in FIG. 1 In the transport dishwasher 50 shown, the main washing zone 52 has a tank cover screen 20-2, which is arranged above the main washing tank 14-2. During operation of the transport dishwasher 50, washing liquid is sprayed onto the items to be washed via the spray nozzles 13-2 (washing nozzles) of the washing system 10-2. The sprayed washing liquid flows back by gravity into the washing tank 14-2 of the main washing zone 52, with the dirt particles rinsed from the items to be washed in the main washing zone 52 being retained by the tank cover sieve 20-2, provided that the dirt particles are larger than the mesh size of the tank cover sieve 20-2 . The mesh size of the tank cover screen 20-2 is preferably approximately 1 mm to 4 mm.

At the in FIG. 1 In the transport dishwasher 50 shown schematically, the washing operation must be interrupted in order to clean the tank cover screen 20-2 in order to be able to clean the tank cover screen 20-2 manually.

Part of the washing liquid sprayed in the main washing zone 52 reaches the washing tank (pre-washing tank 14-1) of the pre-washing zone 51 via an overflow system 61. Like the main washing zone 52, the pre-washing zone 51 is equipped with a tank cover sieve 20-1 designed as a flat sieve. This tank cover screen 20-1 is arranged above the washing tank (pre-washing tank 14-1) of the pre-washing zone 51 in order to separate dirt particles from the washing liquid sprayed in the pre-washing zone 51 and flowing back into the pre-washing tank 14-1 by gravity. The mesh size of the tank cover screen 20-1 is preferably in a range between approximately 1 mm to 4 mm.

Since - as explained at the beginning - the dirt concentration of the washing liquid is greatest in the pre-washing zone 51, since this is where the most dirt accumulates, the in FIG. 1 Transport dishwasher 50 shown is equipped with a dirt collecting system 70 assigned to the pre-washing zone 51, which has a dirt collecting area 71-1 arranged in the pre-washing zone 51, and in particular within the pre-washing tank 14-1.

The structure and functionality of the in FIG. 1 shown transport dishwasher 50 used dirt collection system 70 will be discussed below in particular with reference to the illustration in FIG. 2 described in more detail.

At the in FIG. 1 In the illustrated embodiment of the transport dishwasher 50, the dirt collecting area 71-1 is used to collect the dirt particles separated from the washing liquid with the help of the tank cover sieve 20-1.

In detail, and as described below with reference to the presentation in FIG. 2 will be described in more detail, the dirt collecting area 71-1 is designed as a chamber arranged in the pre-washing tank 14-1, preferably open towards the top, which can have a pressure equalization system on its sides. The dirt particles separated with the help of the tank cover sieve 20-1 can reach the chamber-shaped dirt collecting area 71-1 via the upper opening. The fact that the dirt collecting area 71-1 has a pressure equalization system on the sides means that the dirt collecting area 71-1 can be emptied particularly quickly.

As explained below with reference to the illustration in FIG. 2 is described in more detail, it is preferred that the tank cover screen 20-1 is arranged above the dirt collecting area 71-1 and has a drainage slope in the form of a slope directed towards a feed opening 22, with the dirt collecting area 71-1, which is preferably open at the top, below the Feed opening 22 is arranged so that the dirt particles separated with the help of the tank cover sieve 22 can reach the dirt collecting area 71-1 via the feed opening 22.

It is conceivable in particular that the tank cover screen 20-1 is designed to be funnel-shaped at least in some areas, with the feed opening 22 being formed within the funnel-shaped area 21 of the tank cover screen 20-1, and preferably in the zenith of the funnel-shaped area 21 of the tank cover screen 20-1 (cf . in particular the presentation in FIG. 2 ).

That at the in FIG. 1 The dirt collection system 70 used in the illustrated embodiment also has a dirt discharge system 70 connected to the dirt collection area 71-1, for example consisting of a standpipe 72-1 and a dirty water pipe 73-1, for discharging the in Dirt particles from the pre-washing zone 51 collected in the dirt collection area 71-1.

As shown, in the dirt discharge system 70; 72-1, 73-1 a dirt discharge pump 74-1 is arranged. The suction-side inlet of the dirt discharge pump 74-1 is connected to the lower region of the dirt collection area 71-1 via the standpipe 72-1 belonging to the dirt discharge system 70. The pressure-side outlet of the dirt discharge pump 74-1 opens into the dirty water line 73-1 belonging to the dirt discharge system 70.

At the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown, the dirty water line 73-1 leads to a separator device 80, which can be arranged outside the prewash zone 51 in front of the inlet tunnel 55 of the transport dishwasher 50.

The separator device 80 is designed to separate at least part of the washing liquid required to empty the dirt collecting area 71-1 and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area 71-1 from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area 71-1 and to return the separated washing liquid to the water circuit the dishwasher 50.

At the in FIG. 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown of the dishwasher designed as a transport dishwasher 50, it is specifically provided that the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area 71-1 is fed back to the washing tank 14-1 of the dishwasher 50.

The dirt discharge pump 74-1 is fluidly connected or connectable with its suction side to the dirt collecting area 71-1 and its pressure side is fluidly connected or connectable to the separator device 80.

In particular, the dirt discharge pump 74-1 can be activated independently of an entry of fresh water into the water circuit of the dishwasher 50. According to a conceivable implementation, the dishwasher 50 has a sensor system which is designed to detect a degree of contamination of the washing liquid, preferably in the washing tank 14-1 of the dishwasher 50, and/or to detect a dirt load on the items to be treated in the dishwasher 50.

It is particularly conceivable that the dirt discharge pump 74-1 of the dirt discharge system 70 is activated depending on the detected degree of contamination of the washing liquid and/or depending on the detected dirt load on the items to be treated in the dishwasher 50.

At the in FIG. 1 In the exemplary embodiment shown of the dishwasher 50 according to the invention, it is provided that the separator device 80 has a collecting container 81 which is fluidly connected or connectable to the dirt discharge system 70 and which, when emptying the dirt collecting area 71-1, receives the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collecting area 71-1 with the dirt particles from the Dirt collection area 71-1 is supplied.

A sieve system 82 is assigned to the collecting container 81, with which at least part of the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collecting area 71-1 and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area 71-1 is separated from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area 71-1.

In particular, the separator device 80 is assigned a wastewater pump 83, which is designed, preferably if necessary, to supply the washing liquid separated in the separator device 80 back to the water circuit of the dishwasher 50 at predetermined times and / or events or continuously.

In FIG. 2 a second exemplary embodiment of the dishwasher 50 according to the invention is shown, which is a dishwasher 50 designed as a program machine and having a single treatment chamber has, in which washing liquid is sprayed onto the items to be treated via spray nozzles.

A dirt discharge system 70 is arranged in the washing tank of the dishwasher 50, which is designed as a program automatic machine, as described in principle with reference to the in FIG. 1 shown transport dishwasher 50 is described.

As with the in FIG. 1 In the embodiment shown of the dishwasher 50 according to the invention, a separator device 80 is assigned to the automatic dirt discharge system 70.

The dirt collection system 70 is arranged within the washing tank 14 of the dishwasher 50 designed as a program machine. The dirt collection system 70 has a tank cover screen 20, which is preferably arranged in the washing tank 14 above the liquid level of the washing liquid received in the washing tank 14. The tank cover screen 20 serves to separate dirt particles from the sprayed washing liquid that flows back into the washing tank by gravity. For this reason, a suitable mesh size must be provided for the tank cover screen 20.

Furthermore, the dirt collection system 70 includes a dirt collection area 71, which is designed as a chamber that is open at the top. The dirt particles separated from the tank cover screen 20 are fed to the dirt collection area 71 via the opening of the dirt collecting area 71 designed as a chamber. For this purpose, it is preferred if the tank cover screen 20 has a drainage slope in the form of a slope directed in the direction of a feed opening 22, with the dirt collecting area 71, which is open at the top, being arranged below the feed opening 22.

As in FIG. 2 shown, it is conceivable, for example, that the tank cover screen 20 is at least partially funnel-shaped, the feed opening 22 being formed within the funnel-shaped area 21 of the tank cover screen 20, and preferably in the tapered area of the funnel-shaped area 21 of the tank cover screen 20.

It is further preferred if the dirt collecting area 71 is funnel-shaped at the upper end in order to be able to be inserted or received into the feed opening 22 of the tank cover screen 20.

When operating the dishwasher 50 (not in FIG. 2 shown), washing liquid is sprayed in the washing zone, with part of the sprayed washing liquid flowing back into the washing tank 14 via the tank cover screen 20. The remaining part of the sprayed washing liquid flows by gravity directly into the dirt collecting area 71 via the feed opening 22 provided in the tank cover sieve 20. The dirt particles rinsed off from the items to be washed during the washing process - if they are larger than the mesh size of the tank cover sieve 20 - are attached to the tank cover sieve 20 prevented from getting into the washing liquid collected in the washing tank 14. Rather, the dirt particles separated by the tank cover screen 20 are moved through the drainage slope to the feed opening 22 and thus reach the dirt collection area 71.

In order to be able to empty the dirt collecting area 71, preferably automatically, the dirt collecting system 70 preferably also has a dirt discharge pipe system. This dirt discharge pipe system consists of the in FIG. 2 illustrated embodiment of the dirt discharge system 70 from a standpipe 72, which is connected to the lower area of the dirt collecting area 71. The standpipe 72 is connected to the suction-side inlet of a dirt discharge pump 74. The pressure-side outlet of the dirt discharge pump 74 opens into a dirty water line 73, so that when the dirt discharge pump 74 is activated, the contents of the dirt collection area 71 can be removed from the washing zone.

The dirt discharge pump 74 is preferably designed to discharge the dirt particles collected in the dirt collection area 71 continuously or at predetermined times or events together with the washing liquid also collected in the dirt collection area 71. In particular, it is conceivable that the dirt discharge pump 74 is controlled via the already mentioned controller 100 depending on the amount of dirt particles collected in the dirt collection area 71. Nevertheless, it is of course conceivable that the pumping out of dirt from the dirt collecting area 71 takes place depending on, for example, the level in the dirt collecting area 71, the level in the washing tank 14, or other factors.

At the in FIG. 2 In the embodiment shown, the dirty water line 73 leads to a separator device 80. The separator device 80 is designed to separate at least part of the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collecting area 71 and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area 71 from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area 71 and the Return separated washing liquid to the water circuit of the dishwasher 50.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described in connection with the drawings.

Claims (13)

Dishwasher (50) with at least one washing system (51, 52) designed as a recirculation circuit, in particular a dish or utensil washing machine, which is designed as a program automatic machine or as a transport dishwasher, the at least one washing system (51, 52) having a nozzle system with at least one washing nozzle (13 ; 13-1, 13-2) for spraying washing liquid onto the items to be cleaned, a washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) for collecting at least part of the sprayed washing liquid and a washing pump (11; 11-1 , 11-2) for supplying washing liquid collected in the washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) to the at least one washing nozzle (13; 13-1, 13-2), and further comprising one of the at least one washing system (51, 52) associated dirt discharge system (70) is provided, wherein the dirt discharge system (70) is assigned a tank cover sieve, which is designed to remove dirt particles from the sprayed and into the washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) by gravity. to separate the washing liquid flowing back, the dirt discharge system (70) having an at least partially in the washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2). is, via which the dirt collecting area (71) can be emptied, in particular if necessary,
characterized in that
A separator device (80) is assigned to the dirt discharge system (70), which is designed to contain at least part of the dirt collection area (71) required and together with to separate the washing liquid removed from the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area (71) from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area (71) and to return the separated washing liquid to the water circuit of the dishwasher (50). Dishwasher (50) according to claim 1,
wherein the dirt discharge system (70) with the separator device (80) is designed to feed the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles removed from the dirt collecting area (71) back to the washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) of the dishwasher (50). Dishwasher (50) according to claim 1 or 2,
wherein the dirt discharge system (70) has a dirt discharge pump (74; 74-1), the suction side of which is fluidly connected or connectable to the dirt collecting area (71), and the pressure side of which is fluidly connected or connectable to the separator device (80), the dishwasher ( 50) has a control device (100) which is designed to control the dirt discharge pump (74; 74-1) of the dirt discharge system (70) in particular independently of a fresh water entry into the water circuit of the dishwasher (50). Dishwasher (50) according to claim 3,
wherein the dishwasher (50) has a sensor system which is designed to detect a degree of contamination of the washing liquid, preferably in the at least one washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) of the dishwasher (50) and / or a dirt load in the To detect the items to be treated in the dishwasher (50), the control device (100) being designed to operate the dirt discharge pump (74) depending on the detected degree of contamination of the washing liquid and/or depending on the detected dirt load on the items to be treated in the dishwasher (50). ; 74-1) of the dirt discharge system (70). Dishwasher (50) according to one of claims 1 to 4,
wherein the separator device (80) has a collecting container (81) which is fluidly connected or connectable to the dirt discharge system (70), to which, when the dirt collecting area (71) is emptied, the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collecting area (71) is supplied with the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area (71). is supplied, wherein the collecting container (81) is assigned a sieve system (82), with which at least part of the washing liquid required for emptying the dirt collecting area (71) and removed together with the dirt particles from the dirt collecting area (71) from the from the dirt collecting area ( 71) removed dirt particles is separated. Dishwasher (50) according to claim 5,
wherein the separator device (80) is designed to preferably automatically remove the dirt particles separated from the washing liquid in the separator device (80) from the separator device (80). Dishwasher (50) according to claim 5 or 6,
wherein the collecting container (81) of the separator device (80) is assigned an overflow system, which fluidly connects the collecting container (81) to an on-site drain or to the washing tank (14; 14-1, 14-2) of the dishwasher (50). Dishwasher (50) according to one of claims 1 to 7,
wherein the separator device (80) is assigned a wastewater pump (83), which is designed, in particular if necessary, to supply the washing liquid separated in the separator device (80) back to the water circuit of the dishwasher (50) at predetermined times and / or events or continuously. Dishwasher (50) according to claim 8,
wherein the separator device (80) is assigned a sensor system which is designed to detect the amount of washing liquid separated in the separator device (80), and wherein the Separator device (80) is assigned a control device (100), which is designed to control the wastewater pump (83) depending on the amount of washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device (80). Dishwasher (50) according to one of claims 6 to 9 and claim 5,
wherein the separator device (80) is assigned a control device (100), which is designed to cyclically control the wastewater pump (83) at least as needed or at predetermined or definable times or events, in particular in such a way that the sieve system of the separator device ( 80) can be achieved. Dishwasher (50) according to one of claims 1 to 10,
wherein the separator device (80) has a filter system which is designed to filter the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device (80) before returning it to the water circuit of the dishwasher (50). Dishwasher (50) according to one of claims 1 to 11,
wherein the separator device (80) is assigned a heat exchanger system for, in particular, as needed or continuous heat recovery of the washing liquid separated from the dirt particles in the separator device (80). Dishwasher (50) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the dishwasher (50) is designed as a transport dishwasher, wherein the at least one washing system (51, 52) is designed as at least one washing zone, and wherein the transport dishwasher has at least one final rinse zone in addition to the at least one washing system (51, 52) designed as a washing zone and a transport device for transporting the items to be cleaned through the at least one washing system (51, 52) designed as a washing zone and which has a final rinse zone downstream of the at least one washing system (51, 52) as viewed in the transport direction of the items to be washed; or wherein the dishwasher (50) is designed as a program machine and has a treatment chamber in which the washing system (51, 52) is designed.

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