CLEANING DEVICE AND METHOD FOR CLEANING ARTICLES TO BE CLEANED

Abstract

A cleaning apparatus for cleaning articles for cleaning is proposed. The cleaning apparatus comprises at least one cleaning chamber and at least one covering apparatus which at least partially encloses the cleaning chamber. The covering apparatus is movable over an opening travel from a closed position into an opened position or vice versa. The covering apparatus is connected via at least one force transmission path to at least one spring element. At least one spring force of the spring element can be transmitted by means of the force transmission path to the covering apparatus. The force transmission path has at least one torque converter. The torque converter has a transmission ratio which varies over the opening travel.

Claims

1. A hood-type or pass-through dishwasher, comprising: a cleaning chamber and a cover configured to at least partially enclose the cleaning chamber, the cover comprising (i) a hood which at least partially covers and/or encloses the cleaning chamber, (ii) a casing which at least partially encloses the cleaning chamber, or (iii) a door; the cover being movable over an opening travel path from a closed position to an opened position or vice versa, wherein the cover is connected via a force transmission path to at least one spring element, wherein a spring force of the spring element can be transmitted by the force transmission path to the cover; the force transmission path comprising a torque converter having a transmission ratio which varies over the opening travel path; and a traction drive positioned along the force transmission path, the torque converter being a constituent part of the traction drive.

2. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the force transmission path has a traction member.

3. The dishwasher of claim 2, wherein the traction member is a chain, cable, cable pull, elastic band or a belt.

4. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the traction member is a chain and the chain comprises a roller chain, a bolt chain or a link chain.

5. The dishwasher of claim 3, wherein the traction member is a belt and the belt comprises a toothed belt or a V-belt.

6. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein: the torque converter has a torque-transmitting member rotatably mounted about an axis; a traction member engages the torque-transmitting member at an engagement region which is spaced apart from the axis by a spacing R; the traction member exerts a torque on the torque-transmitting member; and the spacing R changes as a function of an angular position of the torque-transmitting member.

7. The dishwasher of claim 6, wherein the spacing R changes over an angle range, the change being a continuous change, a steady change, or a stepped change.

8. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the torque converter has a chain disc with a variable radius.

9. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein cover is connected via a first traction member to a shaft, whereby a rotational movement of the shaft can be converted into an opening or closing movement of the cover.

10. The dishwasher of claim 9, wherein the shaft is connected via a second traction member to the spring element, wherein the torque converter is arranged between the first traction member and the shaft and/or between the shaft and the second traction member.

11. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the spring element has different states of expansion in at least two different positions of the cover along the opening travel path, wherein the torque converter is configured such that different spring forces of the spring element resulting from the different states of expansion are compensated by different transmission ratios, whereby substantially identical forces act on the cover in the different positions.

12. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the spring element, the covering and the torque converter are configured such that, in the absence of action of additional forces, the cover remains at rest in any position of the opening travel path.

13. The dishwasher of claim 1, wherein the spring element has a safety element that is configured to catch a break of the spring element.

14. The dishwasher of claim 1, further comprising an electromechanical drive configured for moving the cover.

15. The dishwasher of claim 14, further comprising a torque monitor configured to monitor torque exerted on the cover by the electromechanical drive.

16. A method of using the dishwasher of claim 1, the method comprising moving the cover over the opening travel path from a closed position into an opened position or vice versa and transmitting a spring force of the spring element via a force transmission path to the cover.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0126] The above-mentioned aspects of exemplary embodiments will become more apparent and will be better understood by reference to the following description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0127] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary front view of a pass-through dishwasher and of a hood-type dishwasher in which this disclosure can be implemented;

[0128] FIG. 2 shows a side view of the hood-type dishwasher as per FIG. 1;

[0129] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a force transmission path and of spring elements for weight compensation for the hood of the hood-type dishwasher; and

[0130] FIG. 4 shows an example of a safety element for safety in the event of a breakage of a spring element in the embodiment as per FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION

[0131] The embodiments described below are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may appreciate and understand the principles and practices of this disclosure.

[0132] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning apparatus 110 according to this disclosure. The cleaning apparatus 110 is, in this exemplary embodiment, configured as a pass-through dishwasher 112, which has an inlet table or feed table 114, a hood-type dishwasher 116 and an outlet table 118. The cleaning apparatus 110 is illustrated in a front view in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 shows the hood-type dishwasher 116 once again in a side view.

[0133] In addition to the hood-type dishwasher 116, the pass-through dishwasher 112 comprises, by way of example, in the region of the feed table 114, a basin 120 and a shower hose 122 for pre-cleaning of the articles for cleaning 124, which may for example be crockery or other types of articles for cleaning as mentioned above. Said articles for cleaning may be introduced for example by means of one or more crockery baskets 126 into a cleaning chamber 128 of the cleaning apparatus 110. There, one or more cleaning fluids may be applied to the articles for cleaning 124, for example by means of one or more application apparatuses, for example nozzle systems, which are not illustrated in any more detail in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0134] The hood-type dishwasher 116 has a base 130 which has, for example, a frame 132. Furthermore, the hood-type dishwasher 116 comprises a covering apparatus 134 which, in this exemplary embodiment, is designed by way of example as a hood 136. Said hood 136 can be opened over an opening travel or travel path and, in FIGS. 1 and 2, is illustrated in each case by solid lines in a closed position and by dashed lines in an opened position. The hood-type dishwasher 116 furthermore has at least one actuation element 138 in the form of a handle 140. In FIG. 2, analogously to the illustration of the hood 136, the handle 140 is illustrated by solid lines in the closed position and by dashed lines in the opened position. The handle 140 engages, for example, directly on the hood 136.

[0135] In the base 130 of the hood-type dishwasher 116 there may furthermore be arranged at least one controller 148. Furthermore, further elements may be arranged in the base 130, such as for example at least one preparation tank, for example at least one boiler, in which the temperature of a rinsing liquid can be controlled. Said elements are not illustrated in the figures.

[0136] The cleaning apparatus 110 has guides or guide elements 150 at both sides on its rear side, wherein one of said guide elements 150 is schematically illustrated in FIG. 3. Said guide element 150 may, as illustrated in FIG. 3, have for example a guide rail 152 or some other type of guide profile, for example a rectangular profile in the form of a rectangular tube and/or square tube. This is arranged vertically, as shown in FIG. 3. Each guide element 150 is supported for example by means of rollers 154, for example three rollers on each side. On the guide elements 150, in each case one cantilever arm 156 is formed in a forward direction at the top, onto which cantilever arm the for example fully preassembled hood 136 can be pushed and secured using only a small number of fastening elements, for example two bolts.

[0137] A first traction means or traction member 158, for example at least one first roller chain, is fastened to each guide element 150 at the bottom. Said first traction means 158 is guided in each case over a diverting wheel 160 in the upper region of a housing of the cleaning apparatus 110. The first traction means 158 is furthermore laid onto in each case one first sprocket 162 in the lower region of the housing. The illustrated arrangement of the guide element 150, of the first traction means 158, of the diverting wheel 160 and of the first sprocket 162 is duplicated on the opposite side of the rear side of the cleaning apparatus 110, such that two, for example identical, first sprockets 162 are provided, of which, in order to simplify the illustration, only one is illustrated in FIG. 3. The two first sprockets 162 are connected rotationally conjointly to one another by means of a shaft 164 on which they are mounted rotationally conjointly. Furthermore, a torque converter 166 is mounted, likewise rotationally conjointly, on said shaft 164. Said torque converter comprises a rotatably mounted torque-transmitting element 168, which in this exemplary embodiment is in the form of a third sprocket 170. Said third sprocket 170 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft 164. Furthermore, a third traction means (also referred to as traction member) 172 is laid onto said third sprocket 170, which third traction means lifts off from the third sprocket 170 at an engagement point 174 and is connected at its other end to, by way of example in this exemplary embodiment, two spring elements 176. The hood 136 is illustrated in the closed position in FIG. 3. During a movement along an opening travel path, the guide element 150 moves upward, and the first sprockets 162 rotate in a direction of rotation 178. During this opening movement, the third sprocket 170 rotates in a direction of rotation 180 which is for example identical to the direction of rotation 178.

[0138] The torque-transmitting element 168 in the form of the third sprocket 170 is in this case designed with a non-uniform radius, as can be seen in FIG. 3. This means that a spacing R between the engagement point 174 and the axis changes with an angular position of the torque-transmitting element 168. Thus, however, the torque transmitted by the third traction means 172 to the shaft 164 also changes, because said torque is dependent on the angular position of the sprocket 170.

[0139] When the hood 136 is closed, the two chains of the first traction means 158, which are fastened to the guide rails 152 at the bottom, have been substantially unwound from the sprockets 162. By contrast, the third traction means 172, which is likewise in the form of a roller chain, for example, has been substantially wound up on its third sprocket 170, and the spring elements 176, which are for example in the form of tension springs, are in a stressed state, as shown in FIG. 3. When the hood 136 is lifted, the two first traction means 158 wind up on their wheels 162. At the same time, the third traction means 172 is unwound, and the spring elements 176 are relieved of stress.

[0140] To compensate the change in the spring force of the spring elements 176 over the opening travel, the third sprocket 170, as stated above, exhibits an effective radius and/or a pitch circle which varies over the circumference. By means of this design, the variation of the spring force over the opening travel or versus the expansion can be adapted to the force actually required for the compensation of the weight of the hood 136. In addition to a uniform and/or continuous decrease in radius or increase in radius, it is also possible to realize non-uniform adaptations of the effective radius R. It is thus possible, for example, for step changes in diameter to be incorporated on the sprockets for the purposes of damping a movement at the end positions.

[0141] The traction means 158 and the torque converter 166 are constituent parts of a force transmission path 182 by means of which a spring force of the at least one spring element 176 can be transmitted to the covering apparatus 134 in converted form. Further constituent parts of the force transmission path may be the diverting wheels 160 and the first sprockets 162 and the shaft 164. Owing to the effective radius R which varies with respect to the angular position, the torque converter 166 and thus the force transmission path 182 as a whole have a transmission ratio which varies over the opening travel. The torque converter 166 is thus for example a constituent part of a mechanism 184 which has a variable transmission ratio which varies over the opening travel of the hood 136.

[0142] The sprockets 162, 170 may for example be manufactured from metal individually and assembled. Furthermore, individual parts of the wheel set, such as for example guide discs, may also be manufactured entirely or partially from plastic. It is also conceivable for the entire wheel set to be manufactured from plastic. The wheel set is preferably mounted with rolling bearings, which promotes lower friction and thus smooth running. The sprockets 162 and the shaft 164 and also the traction means 158, 172 may be further constituent parts of the mechanism 184.

[0143] To be able to realize a machine design with a semiautomatic and/or fully automatic hood 136, it is optionally possible for at least one electromechanical drive 186, for example at least one electric motor, to be coupled to the wheel set, to the force transmission path 182 or else to the mechanism 184. Said electromechanical drive may be coupled on for example by means of a further chain 188 and/or some other type of traction means and by means of two pinions 190, which may be of identical or else different design, and/or by means of a further mechanism with a fixed or variable transmission ratio.

[0144] To protect the operating personnel from excessively high closing forces of the semiautomatic or fully automatic hood, multiple solutions may be implemented in the case of an optional semiautomatic or else fully automatic hood. For example, the electric motor may for example be fastened such that its torque is absorbed by a spring-supported torque support 192. In the presence of an excessively high torque, for example an excessively high closing force on the hood 136, said torque support 192 is deflected. Said movement may be detected for example by means of a switch 194, which can transmit its signal to the controller 148. The controller 148 may then for example end the movement of the hood 136 and optionally initiate a reversed movement.

[0145] Alternatively or in addition, at least one rotary encoder may be integrated in the force transmission path 182 including the electromechanical drive 186, which at least one rotary encoder may likewise be connected to the controller 148. Said rotary encoder is not illustrated in FIG. 3. The controller 148 can for example identify an absence of the signals from the rotary encoder, for example because a movement is impeded. In this case, the controller 148 can then for example end the movement of the hood and/or initiate a reversed movement. To limit a pinching force that may arise, the weight compensation force for the hood 136 may be coordinated with the closing force by the drive such that safe values are not exceeded.

[0146] Various configurations are possible for the weight compensation. Examples include: [0147] For manual hood actuation: the weight of the hood 136 may be 100% compensated over almost the entire movement travel. It may for example be provided that the weight is not fully compensated only in the lower end position, that is to say in the closed position, such that the hood 136 remains securely closed during operation. [0148] For semiautomatic hood actuation: the weight compensation may be set, over the entire opening travel or movement travel, such that the hood automatically moves into the open position. For the operation of the cleaning apparatus 110, the operating personnel can move the hood 136 into the lower, closed position by hand. There, the hood is for example automatically fixed and/or locked, for example by means of a separate mechanism which can be actuated by the controller 148. At the end of a cleaning cycle, the machine controller 148 can unlock the hood 136, and the latter can open. [0149] For fully automatic hood actuation: the weight of the hood 136 may be 100% compensated over the entire movement travel. A drive mechanism can move the hood in accordance with commands from the machine controller 148.

[0150] To increase safety for the operating personnel in the event of failure of individual components for the weight compensation, it is for example possible for multiple elements of the force transmission path 182 to be of redundant configuration. For example, instead of a single third traction means 172, for example a single third chain, use may be made of two chains in parallel or “back-to-back.” Furthermore, the third traction means 172 may alternatively or additionally be supplemented by a further deformable component and/or traction means, for example a cable, which can absorb the tensile force in the event of breakage of the chain.

[0151] Further possible refinements relate to safety elements which offer safety in the event of a breakage of the at least one spring element 176. For example, the spring element 176 may have at least one safety element 196 which may for example be a direct constituent part of the spring elements 176 or which may also be coupled thereto, a situation which is likewise intended to be encompassed. For example, said safety element 196 may comprise a catching element or a catching device which, in this exemplary embodiment, are coupled for example to both spring elements 176. For example, said safety element may have at least one safety rod 198, wherein the force transmission path 182 can couple to the safety rod 198 in the event of a breakage of the at least one spring element 176, or in the case of multiple spring elements 176. As can be seen in particular in FIG. 4, said coupling-on may be realized by means of at least one transmission element 200. Said transmission element 200 may be designed in particular as a balance beam 202, as shown by way of example in FIG. 4. Said balance beam is, at its outer ends, connected symmetrically to the two spring elements 176 and has, in the center, a bore 204 through which the safety rod 198 which acts as a catching rod is guided. At a lower end, the third traction means 172 is coupled to the balance beam 202.

[0152] During normal operation, the balance beam 202 slides freely on the safety rod 198, and the lower suspension point of the third traction means 172 moves with an expansion of the spring elements 176. If one spring element 176 breaks, then there is no longer a symmetrical introduction of force onto the balance beam 202. The balance beam 202 tilts on the safety rod 198 and thereby becomes jammed and immobilized. An uncontrolled fall of the hood 136 is thus prevented.

[0153] As stated above, it is possible in particular for two first traction means 158 to be provided. Some other number is however also possible. Furthermore, two or more of the stated elements may also be entirely or partially combined. For example, the two first traction means 158 may also be of shorter form and connected for example to a single chain, which may then be connected individually by means of the wheel set to the weight compensation spring elements 176.

[0154] Instead of the stated roller chains, this disclosure may also be realized with other flexible or deformable traction means or in combination with different types of traction means. For example, use may be made of bolt chains, link chains, belts or cables.

[0155] Altogether, a very smooth movement of the covering apparatus or of the hood on the described cleaning apparatus can be realized, because very smooth running of the mechanism as a whole can be ensured even over long operating periods. Furthermore, very quiet operation can be realized. By means of permanent lubrication of the moving parts, the cleaning apparatus 110 can furthermore be realized so as to require little maintenance or even no maintenance.

[0156] By means of the easy installation as described above, it is possible in particular for the hood 136 to be installed easily and quickly. Furthermore, very large opening travels, in particular very large lifting heights, of the hood 136 can be realized. In this way, even large pass-through heights can be realized in the illustrated pass-through dishwasher 112.

[0157] The illustrated cleaning apparatus is furthermore highly variable with regard to the adaptation of an effective compensation force on the hood 136. All that is required for this purpose is a corresponding adaptation of the radii or effective radii R on the torque-transmitting element 168.

[0158] Furthermore, as presented above, safety measures for safety in the event of failure of individual components can be realized to a high degree.

[0159] Furthermore, the cleaning apparatus is altogether highly flexible with regard to the actuation. For example, a variation from a manually actuated hood 136 to an automatic or semiautomatic hood 136 is easily possible. In this way, it is in particular also possible to realize a modular construction. Furthermore, good adjustment possibilities also exist for automatic hood systems.

[0160] While exemplary embodiments have been disclosed hereinabove, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments. Instead, this application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of this disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this invention pertains and which fall within the limits of the appended claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE DESIGNATIONS

[0161]

TABLE-US-00001 110 Cleaning apparatus 112 Pass-through dishwasher 114 Feed table 116 Hood-type dishwasher 118 Outlet table 120 Basin 122 Shower hose 124 Articles for cleaning 126 Crockery basket 128 Cleaning chamber 130 Base 132 Frame 134 Covering apparatus 136 Hood 138 Actuation element 140 Handle 146 Side wall 148 Controller 150 Guide element 152 Guide rail 154 Roller 156 Cantilever arm 158 First traction means 160 Diverting wheel 162 First sprocket 164 Shaft 166 Torque converter 168 Torque-transmitting element 170 Third sprocket 172 Third traction means 174 Engagement point 176 Spring element 178 First direction of rotation 180 Second direction of rotation 182 Force transmission path 184 Mechanism 186 Electromechanical drive 188 Chain 190 Pinion 192 Torque support 194 Switch 196 Safety element 198 Safety rod 200 Transmission element 202 Balance beam 204 Bore