MODULAR SYSTEM FOR LOADING A CONVEYOR DISHWASHER

Abstract

The invention proposes a modular system for loading a conveying apparatus of a conveyor dishwasher. The modular system comprises: A. at least one detection module for sensing status data relating to supplied washware; B. a plurality of interchangeable handling modules, wherein the handling modules are each intended to perform an individual handling function for handling the washware using at least one actuator; C. at least one feeding unit for selectively feeding the supplied washware to the handling modules; D. at least one control module, wherein the control module has at least one registering unit, wherein the handling modules and the individual handling function thereof can be registered, and deregistered, at the registering unit, wherein the control module has at least one processor and is programmed to evaluate the status data and to assess a respective situation of the supplied washware; and to detect which handling modules are registered at the registering unit, whether the respective individual handling function of the handling modules is usable in the respective washware situation, and to activate the feeding unit such that washware is fed to the handling modules in accordance with the usability. The invention also proposes a cleaning system which comprises the modular system, and further proposes a method for cleaning washware.

Claims

1. A modular system for loading a conveying device of a conveyor dishwasher, comprising: A. at least one detection module for acquiring state data of supplied washware; B. a plurality of interchangeable handling modules, the handling modules each being configured to carry out an individual handling function for handling the washware using at least one actuator; C. at least one feeding unit for selectively feeding the supplied washware to the handling modules; D. at least one control module, the control module (152) comprising at least one registration unit, the handling modules and the individual handling functions thereof being registrable, and deregistrable, at the registration unit, the control module comprising at least one processor and being configured, by programming, to evaluate the state data and assess a respective washware situation of the supplied washware; and to recognize which handling modules are registered to the registration unit, whether the respective individual handling functions of handling modules are utilizable in the respective washware situation, and to drive the feeding unit in such a way that washware is fed to the handling modules according to utilizability.

2. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual handling function is selected from the group consisting of: removing disruptive parts from a tray; removing food remains and napkins from a tray; clearing drinking glasses from a tray; clearing flatware items from a tray; clearing other tableware items from a tray; providing supplied trays to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher; turning a removed tableware item over and transferring the latter to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher; forwarding a removed tableware item and transferring the latter to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher.

3. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the state data comprise image data of the supplied washware, the processor having at least one image evaluation software and being configured to recognize and assess the washware situation by means of the image evaluation software.

4. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the processor comprises at least one artificial intelligence for assessing the washware situation.

5. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the control module further is configured to recognize if the respective washware situation requires handling for which no handling module with a suitable individual handling function is registered to the registration unit.

6. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the individual handling function comprises a provision of at least one selected type of washware to at least one assigned lane of the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher.

7. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the modular system comprises at least one interface, the interchangeable handling modules being capable of being reversibly docked to the interface.

8. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable handling modules comprises at least one handling module that is configured to carry out an individual handling function in the form of a removal of disruptive parts from a tray.

9. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable handling modules comprises at least one handling module that is configured to carry out an individual handling function in the form of a removal of food remains and napkins from a tray, the individual handling function furthermore comprising at least a disposal of the food remains and napkins in at least one disposal device.

10. The modular system as claimed in claim 1 wherein the plurality of interchangeable handling modules comprises at least one handling module that is configured to carry out an individual handling function in the form of clearing drinking glasses from a tray, the individual handling function furthermore comprising at least a provision of the drinking glasses to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher, selected from the group consisting of: loading the drinking glasses into drinkware dishwasher baskets; placing the drinking glasses on at least one drinkware lane of the transporting device of the conveyor dishwasher.

11. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable handling modules comprises at least one handling module that is configured to carry out an individual handling function in the form of clearing flatware items from a tray, the individual handling function furthermore comprising at least a provision of the flatware items to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher, selected from the group consisting of: loading the flatware items into flatware dishwasher baskets; placing the flatware items on at least one flatware lane of the transporting device of the conveyor dishwasher.

12. The modular system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of interchangeable handling modules comprises at least one handling module that is configured to carry out an individual handling function in the form of clearing at least one type of tableware items apart from flatware and drinking glasses from a tray, the individual handling function furthermore comprising at least a provision of the tableware items to the conveying device of the conveyor dishwasher, selected from the group consisting of: loading the tableware items into tableware dishwasher baskets; placing the tableware items on at least one tableware lane of the transporting device of the conveyor dishwasher.

13. The modular system as claimed claim 1, wherein the feeding unit comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of: a pushing means for selectively pushing constituent parts of the washware to the respective handling modules; a gripper; a brush; a magnet; a slide; a switch; a scraper bar.

14. A cleaning system for cleaning washware, comprising: a. at least one modular system as claimed in claim 1, b. at least one conveyor dishwasher, the conveyor dishwasher comprising at least one cleaning chamber and at least one conveying device for conveying washware from an inlet of the conveyor dishwasher to an outlet of the conveyor dishwasher through the cleaning chamber, the conveyor dishwasher being configured to apply at least one cleaning fluid to the washware in the cleaning chamber; and c. at least one conveying system for supplying dirtied washware.

15. A method for cleaning washware, comprising: i. providing at least one cleaning system as claimed in claim 14; ii. supplying washware by means of the conveying system; iii. acquiring state data relating to the supplied washware by means of the detection module; iv. evaluating the state data and assessing the respective washware situation of the supplied washware by means of the control module; v. recognizing the handling modules registered to the registration unit and the respective individual handling function of the handling modules, and assessing the utilizability in the respective washware situation; and vi. driving the feeding unit by way of the control unit in such a way that the handling modules are fed washware in accordance with the utilizability.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0180] Further details and features arise from the following description of exemplary embodiments, in particular in conjunction with the dependent claims. In this case, the respective features may be implemented on their own or several may be implemented together in combination. The invention is not restricted to the exemplary embodiments. The exemplary embodiments are represented schematically in the figures. In this case, the same reference signs in the individual figures denote the same or functionally equivalent elements or elements that correspond to one another in respect of their functions.

[0181] In detail:

[0182] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system and a modular system;

[0183] FIG. 2 shows a further exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system and a modular system in a sectional representation from the side; and

[0184] FIG. 3 shows a flowchart of an exemplary embodiment of a method for cleaning washware.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0185] FIG. 1 shows a plan view of a schematic arrangement of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning system 110 for cleaning washware 112. By way of example, the cleaning system 110 of this exemplary embodiment comprises a conveyor dishwasher 114 with a cleaning chamber 116 and a conveying device 118 for transporting the washware 112 through the cleaning chamber 116. Furthermore, the cleaning system 110 of the depicted exemplary embodiment comprises a modular system 120 for loading the conveying device 118 of the conveyor dishwasher 114 with washware 112. Furthermore, the cleaning system 110 comprises a conveying system 122 for supplying dirtied washware 112.

[0186] The conveyor dishwasher 114 comprises an application device 124 that is depicted schematically in FIG. 1. The application device 124 can be used to apply at least one cleaning fluid to the washware 112 which is transported through the cleaning chamber 116, for example a cleaning zone, by means of the conveying device 118. By way of example, a plurality of cleaning zones, for example at least one pre-clearing zone, at least one washing zone and at least one final rinsing zone and optionally, furthermore, at least one drying zone, may be arranged within the cleaning chamber 116 of the conveyor dishwasher 114, a successive application of cleaning fluid being able to be implemented by way of said cleaning zones. In principle, reference can be made to the aforementioned prior art in respect of possible embodiments of the conveyor dishwasher 114. By way of example, the washware 112 can be conveyed from an inlet 126 of the conveyor dishwasher 114, through the cleaning chamber 116 and to an outlet 128, the latter merely being indicated in FIG. 1. As indicated in FIG. 1, the conveying device 118 may in this case be subdivided into a plurality of lanes 130, which may have a physical or else virtual embodiment. In the case of the physical embodiment, provision can be made of, for example, different types of receptacle on the conveying device 118, for example different links and/or different compartments. Accordingly, the lanes 130 may for example be able to receive different types of washware 112. By way of example, different types of application by the application device 124, for example by way of a different arrangement and/or alignment of nozzles, may be provided, for example within the cleaning chamber 116, for these different types of washware.

[0187] By way of example, the conveying system 122 may be designed as a conveyor belt system. By way of example, the washware 112 can be subdivided into units in each case, said units being able to be defined, in particular, by a tray 132 and its content. Thus, for example, flatware 134, drinking glasses 136, different types of tableware 138, and also disruptive parts 140 and/or refuse 142, may be provided on a tray 132 in each case. By way of example, the conveying system 122 may comprise at least one conveyor belt, by means of which the washware 112 can be conveyed to a transfer point 144. By way of example, conveying may be from a dining room to a scullery, and so the transfer point 144 may be arranged in the scullery, for example.

[0188] The modular system 120 comprises at least one detection module 146 for acquiring state data of the supplied washware 112. By way of example, the at least one detection module 146 may comprise at least one camera 148 for acquiring image data. By way of example, the detection module 146 may be arranged at one or more acquisition points of the conveying system 122, which need not necessarily be identical to the transfer point 144 and which, for example, may be arranged upstream of the transfer point 144 in relation to conveying direction 150 of the conveying system 122.

[0189] The detection module 146 can be unidirectionally or bidirectionally coupled to at least one control module 152 of the modular system 120. Alternatively or in addition, the at least one detection module may also be wholly or partly integrated in said control module 152. By way of example, this control module 152 may also be unidirectionally or bidirectionally coupled to a controller 154 of the conveyor dishwasher 114, this not being depicted in FIG. 1, and/or else may be wholly or partly integrated in this controller 154.

[0190] The control module 152 comprises at least one processor 156. Furthermore, the control module 152 comprises at least one registration unit 158. This registration unit 158 may be designed to fully or partly as software and/or fully or partly as hardware. Furthermore, the registration unit 158 may also be fully or partly integrated in the processor 156. The control module 152 may further comprise at least one interface 160 for a connection to the at least one detection module 146, at least one interface 162 for a connection to at least one of the feeding units 164 yet to be described in more detail below, and furthermore at least one interface 166 for reversible coupling to a plurality of handling modules 168.

[0191] As mentioned above, the modular system 120 furthermore comprises a plurality of interchangeable handling modules 168. These interchangeable handling modules 168 are each configured to carry out an individual handling function for handling the washware 112 using at least one actuator 170 in each case. Examples of possible actuators are mentioned above and will still be described in more detail below. In particular, this may relate to actuators 170 which have a magnetic function, which have a mechanical function or which have for example a disposal function. The actuators 170 can in particular facilitate a transfer of certain types of washware 112 to the conveying device 118, in particular with a given orientation. Following this transfer, the washware 112 can then be transported through the cleaning chamber 116 in a conveying direction 172 by means of the conveying device 118. The individual handling functions of the handling modules 168 may for example relate to certain types of washware 112 and/or to certain handling to be carried out, for example emptying food remains from the washware 112 and/or a disposal of refuse.

[0192] The handling modules 168 are reversibly couplable to the modular system 120 and are also decouplable therefrom again. Thus, the modular system 120 can be configured individually for the respective use and can be flexibly reconfigured. Thus, the at least one interface 166 may for example comprise at least one mechanical interface, which may for example be arranged on the housing 174 of the modular system 120 and/or which may wholly or partly also be arranged on a housing 176 of the conveyor dishwasher 114. In the process, there may be mechanical and/or electric or electronic coupling. These functions of the interface may also be formed separately such that, for example, there can be mechanical coupling to the conveyor dishwasher 114, whereas coupling for unidirectional or bidirectional interchange of data and/or control commands and/or an electrical supply can be implemented by way of the at least one interface 166 on the housing 174. Furthermore, the latter interface 166 in particular may have a wired or else a wholly or partly wireless design, for example within the scope of coupling to an Internet of things (IoT). Various designs are conceivable and known to a person skilled in the art as a matter of principle. In the registration unit 158, the respectively coupled handling modules 168 are registrable and can also be deregistered again in the case of decoupling. By way of example, the application unit may comprise at least one directory or register, in which the currently registered handling modules 168 are recorded. Furthermore, the respective individual handling functions of the registered handling modules 168 are also recorded in the registration unit.

[0193] Furthermore, the modular system 120 comprises the at least one feeding unit 164. This feeding unit 164 is configured to feed washware 112 to the handling modules 168 in accordance with the usability thereof. In principle, this feed is implemented in such a way that the respective washware 112 and the respective handling module 168 are brought closer to one another such that, for example, the washware 112 and/or the respective handling module 168 can be moved. By way of example, the feeding unit 164 may comprise at least one pushing means which selectively feeds certain washware 112 to an associated handling module 168.

[0194] By programming, the processor 156 of the control module 152 is configured in such a way that the state data, which are supplied by the detection module 146, are evaluated, and a respective washware situation of the supplied washware 112, for example for a tray 132 and content in each case, is evaluated and assessed. Furthermore, the processor 156 is configured by programming to recognize which handling modules 168 are currently registered to the registration unit 158, for example by querying the directory or register of the registration unit 158. The processor 156 is furthermore configured to recognize whether the respective individual handling functions of these registered handling modules 168 are usable in the respective washware situation. Accordingly, the processor 156 is configured to drive the feeding unit 164 in such a way that, should usability be recognized, washware 112 is accordingly fed to the respective handling modules 168. By way of example, should the registration of a handling module 168 for handling flatware 134 be recognized, it is possible to feed flatware 134 to this handling module 168 in a targeted manner. This flatware 134 can be fed to the handling module 168 using at least one magnetic actuator. By way of example, the handling module 168 can place the flatware 134 on a specific flatware lane of the lanes of a conveying device 118 and/or collect said flatware in one or more flatware baskets or flatware receptacles. By way of example, should the registration of a handling module 168 for handling plates or other types of tableware 138 be recognized, it is possible to feed tableware to this handling module 168 in a targeted manner. By way of example, these tableware parts can be grasped by a gripping or suction means, can be freed from food remains and can be placed with a correct orientation on the conveying device 118. By way of example, analogous procedures may also be carried out for other types of washware 112.

[0195] The control module 152 is able to react in various ways should the need for individual handling functions or handling steps for which no handling module 168 is registered be recognized during the evaluation of the washware situation by the control module 152 and during a corresponding comparison with the registered handling modules 168. By way of example, a warning can be output to human staff, for example an acoustic and/or an optical warning, using at least one warning device of the cleaning system 110 and/or of the modular system 120. Alternatively or in addition, the corresponding washware 112 can also be unloaded, for example to a specific manual workplace and/or to a holding position. Human staff can then undertake the appropriate work steps there. Thus, for example, corresponding trays 132 with a load which require steps that cannot be carried out by registered handling modules 168 can for example simply be conveyed onward by means of the conveying system 122 until human staff can deal with the completion of the corresponding tasks.

[0196] FIG. 2 shows an example of a cleaning system 110 having the modular system 120 in a schematic sectional representation from the side. In this case, only one single handling module 168 is shown in exemplary fashion. Otherwise, reference can be made in large parts to the description of FIG. 1. In this case, the handling module 168 is designed as a tray turner 178 by way of example. Alternatively or in addition, provision can also be made of at least one plate turner, for example. By way of example, the tray turner shown here may comprise a feeding ramp 180, and furthermore a turning wheel 182. After the tray 132 has been cleared by preceding handling modules 168 and/or by human staff, a pushing means 184 of the feeding unit 164 can for example push the empty tray 132 to the feeding ramp 180, by means of which the tray 132 is then inserted into the turning wheel 182. Refuse is initially removed there by means of a rotation by way of the turning wheel 182, it being possible for example to dispose of said refuse into a disposal shaft 186. As a result of a further rotation, the tray 132 can be inserted for example into corresponding compartments, formed by the fingers 188, of the conveying device 118, for example on a lane 130 provided to this end or on a tray lane. Different types of handling modules 168, for example with other individual handling functions, can be used as an alternative or in addition to the handling module 168 shown in FIG. 2.

[0197] FIG. 3 shows a schematic procedure of an exemplary embodiment of a method for cleaning washware 112. In a step 190, the method comprises a provision of a cleaning system 110, for example in accordance with the representation in FIG. 1. Furthermore, the method comprises a step in which washware 112 is supplied by means of the conveying system 122. Furthermore, the method comprises a step 194 in which state data of the supplied washware 112 are acquired by means of the detection module 146. Furthermore, the method comprises a step 196 in which the state data are evaluated and the respective washware situation of the supplied washware 112 is assessed by means of the control module 152. As explained above, this may for example be implemented in each case for a tray 132 with further washware 112 thereon. Furthermore, the method comprises a step 198 in which the handling modules 168 registered to the registration unit 158 and their respective individual handling functions are recognized, especially by the control module 152, and in which the utilizability of the registered handling modules 168 for the respective washware situation is assessed. Furthermore, the feeding unit 164 is driven by the control module 152 in such a way in a step 200 that washware 112 is fed to the handling modules 168 in accordance with their utilizability. Subsequently, as illustrated in FIG. 3, the method can be repeated in full or in part, for example by virtue of carrying out the method steps again starting from step 192. Alternatively, however, the method steps may already run in parallel such that, for example, steps 192 and 194 are already carried out anew with the next tray 132 while the preceding trays 132 are still processed. In respect of further possible embodiments of the method, reference can be made to the description, given above, of the cleaning system 110 and of the modular system 120.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0198] 110 Cleaning system

[0199] 112 Washware

[0200] 114 Conveyor dishwasher

[0201] 116 Cleaning chamber

[0202] 118 Conveying device

[0203] 120 Modular system

[0204] 122 Conveying system

[0205] 124 Application device

[0206] 126 Inlet

[0207] 128 Outlet

[0208] 130 Lane

[0209] 132 Tray

[0210] 134 Flatware

[0211] 136 Drinking glass

[0212] 138 Tableware

[0213] 140 Disruptive part

[0214] 142 Refuse

[0215] 144 Transfer point

[0216] 146 Detection module

[0217] 148 Camera

[0218] 150 Conveying direction

[0219] 152 Control module

[0220] 154 Controller

[0221] 156 Processor

[0222] 158 Registration unit

[0223] 160 Interface

[0224] 162 Interface

[0225] 164 Feeding unit

[0226] 166 Interface

[0227] 168 Handling module

[0228] 170 Actuator

[0229] 172 Conveying direction

[0230] 174 Housing

[0231] 176 Housing

[0232] 178 Tray turner

[0233] 180 Feeding ramp

[0234] 182 Turning wheel

[0235] 184 Pushing means

[0236] 186 Disposal shaft

[0237] 188 Finger

[0238] 190 Provision of a cleaning system

[0239] 192 Supplying the washware

[0240] 194 Acquiring state data

[0241] 196 Evaluating the state data

[0242] 198 Recognizing the registered handling modules

[0243] 200 Driving the feeding unit