Cleaning device having an individually switchable rinsing nozzle system

Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning washware. The cleaning device may be a conveyor dishwasher. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one transportation device. The transportation device transports the washware through the cleaning chamber in a transportation direction. The cleaning device has at least one final-rinse nozzle system for applying at least one final-rinse fluid, in particular fresh water, to the washware. The final-rinse nozzle system has at least two final-rinse nozzle units which are arranged in different positions transverse to the transportation direction. The final-rinse nozzle units can be switched independently of one another in order to apply the final-rinse fluid to the washware in the different positions independently of one another.

Claims

1. A cleaning device for cleaning washware, comprising: a cleaning chamber; a transportation device configured to transport the washware through the cleaning chamber in a transportation direction; and a final-rinse nozzle system configured for applying a final-rinse fluid to the washware, the final-rinse nozzle system having at least two final-rinse nozzle units arranged in different positions transverse to the transportation direction and arranged next to one another as seen in the direction of the transportation direction; each final-rinse nozzle unit having an associated switching element, each switching element being switchable to turn on or off the application of final-rinse fluid to the washware from the respective final-rinse nozzle unit, wherein the switching elements are switchable independently of one another to thereby apply the final-rinse fluid to the washware in the different positions independently of one another.

2. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device is a conveyer dishwasher.

3. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the final-rinse fluid is fresh water.

4. The cleaning device as claimed claim 1, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system has at least three final-rinse nozzle units arranged next to one another transverse to the transportation direction.

5. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system has at least four final-rinse nozzle units.

6. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system has at least six final-rinse nozzle units.

7. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein each final-rinse nozzle unit has an associated switching element connect upstream, each switching element being switchable to turn on or off the application of final-rinse fluid to the washware from the respective final-rinse nozzle unit.

8. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching element is a valve.

9. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 8, wherein the switching element is selected from the group consisting of a magnetic valve, a solenoid valve and a valve having at least one piezo actuator.

10. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching element is a slide which can be mechanically operated.

11. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device has at least one treatment device which is configured to adjust at least one property of the final-rinse fluid before said final-rinse fluid is supplied to the final-rinse nozzle system.

12. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the treatment device is a temperature-control device for adjusting a temperature of the final-rinse fluid.

13. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 12, wherein the temperature-control device is a flow heater and/or a boiler.

14. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising at least one controller configured to control the switching elements.

15. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 14, wherein the at least two final-rinse nozzle units comprise at least four final rinse nozzle units and the controller is configured to control at least two of the switching elements together, as a group.

16. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning device has at least one washware sensor configured to identify the presence of the washware and/or a position of the washware, wherein the cleaning device is configured to control the final-rinse nozzle units in accordance with a requirement which is detected by the washware sensor.

17. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the final-rinse nozzle system has a plurality of application regions arranged next to one another transverse to the transportation direction, wherein at least one final-rinse nozzle unit is associated with each application region, wherein final-rinse fluid from the associated final-rinse nozzle unit can be applied to washware within the application region, wherein the cleaning device is configured to switch on the associated final-rinse nozzle unit when the washware sensor identifies that there is washware within the application region, and wherein the cleaning device is further configured to switch off the respective final-rinse nozzle unit when the washware sensor identifies that there is no washware within the application region.

18. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the washware sensor is selected from the group comprising: an electrical washware sensor; a capacitive washware sensor; an inductive washware sensor; an electromechanical washware sensor; and an inductive washware sensor.

19. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein each final-rinse nozzle unit or group of final-rinse nozzle units has an associated washware sensor.

20. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the treatment device is a treatment system for adjusting a purity of the final-rinse fluid.

21. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 11, wherein the treatment device is a metering device for adjusting at least one concentration of a component of the final-rinse fluid.

22. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 20, wherein the treatment system is a filter and/or an osmosis system.

23. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 21, wherein the component of the final-rinse fluid is a final rinse aid.

24. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching element is a tap.

25. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the washware sensor is a mechanical washware sensor.

26. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the washware sensor is an ultrasound washware sensor.

27. The cleaning device as claimed in claim 16, wherein the washware sensor is an optical washware sensor or an image-recording sensor.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) 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:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a sectional illustration of an exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device according to this disclosure in a section plane parallel to a transportation direction;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a sectional illustration of the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 1 in a section plane perpendicular to the transportation direction; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows an exemplary embodiment, which is an alternative to FIG. 2, of a cleaning device in a sectional illustration in a section plane perpendicular to the transportation direction.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(5) 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.

(6) An exemplary embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to this disclosure for cleaning washware 112 is illustrated in FIG. 1. The washware 112, which is symbolically illustrated in FIG. 1, is shown in the form of, for example, glasses 114 and/or plates 116 by way of example. As an alternative or in addition, further types of washware 112 can be employed or used.

(7) In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the washware 112 is transported through a cleaning chamber 122 of the cleaning device 110 in a transportation direction 120 by means of a transportation device 118. The cleaning chamber 122 can be designed, for example, as a cleaning tunnel 124 and can have, for example, a housing.

(8) In this and also in other exemplary embodiments, the cleaning device 110 can therefore generally be designed, in particular, as a conveyor dishwasher 126. The washware 112, for example the dishes, is/are transported into the interior of the cleaning chamber 122 at an inlet opening 128 by means of the transportation device 118. The inlet opening 128 can be closed, for example, by a separating curtain 130 which can be opened by the washware 112. In the interior of the cleaning chamber 122, the washware 112 runs through a plurality of cleaning zones 132 which will be explained in greater detail in the text which follows. Said cleaning zones can be separated from one another by separating curtains 130 in turn. Finally, the washware 112 leaves the cleaning chamber 122, for example again through a separating curtain 134, and enters, for example, a drying zone 136. The washware 112 is dried in said drying zone, for example by means of a fan 138, before the washware 112 is transported by the transportation device 118 to an outlet 140 in which said washware can be removed from the cleaning device 110.

(9) The transportation device 118 can be or comprise, for example, a belt-conveyor device and/or a rack-conveyor device. By way of example, at least one conveyor belt and/or one roller conveyor system can be included. The washware 112 can be placed, for example, directly on the transportation device 120, as is shown by way of example in FIG. 1 using the example of the plates 116, and therefore the conveyor dishwasher 126 can be designed, for example, as a belt-conveyor dishwasher. As an alternative or in addition, the washware 112 can also be placed on the transportation device 118, for example, by means of one or more conveyor racks 142, as shown by way of example in the illustrated exemplary embodiment using the example of glasses 114. Accordingly, the cleaning device 110 can be designed, for example, as a rack-conveyor dishwasher. In either case, an inlet 144 can be provided for example, it being possible for the washware 112 to be placed directly or indirectly, for example by means of the conveyor racks 142, on the transportation device 118 at said inlet.

(10) The cleaning device 110 is illustrated in a sectional illustration in a section plane parallel to the transportation direction 120 in FIG. 1. The arrangement of several cleaning zones 132 is shown by way of example in said figure. By way of example, these cleaning zones comprise, for example, a wash zone 146, which for its part can in turn have a pre-wash zone 148 and a main-wash zone 150 for example. The pre-wash zone 148 can also be called a pre-clearing zone for example. The wash zone 146 can comprise, for example, two tanks, a pre-wash zone tank 152 and a main-wash zone tank 154. In this context, the pre-wash zone tank 152 is preferably arranged upstream of the main-wash zone tank 154 in the transportation direction 120.

(11) The cleaning zones 132 further comprise a final-rinse zone 156 which is arranged downstream of the wash zone 146. This final-rinse zone 156 can, for example, for its part in turn comprise a pump final-rinse zone 158 and a fresh-water final-rinse zone 160 which is arranged downstream of this pump final-rinse zone 158 in the transportation direction 120. The final-rinse zone 156 further comprises a final-rinse tank 162 which can also be called a final-rinse zone tank or a pump final-rinse zone tank. Therefore, in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the following cleaning zones 132 are provided in the transportation direction 120 by way of example: a pre-wash zone 148, a main-wash zone 150, a pump final-rinse zone 158 and a fresh-water final-rinse zone 160. A different manner of arrangement of cleaning zones 132 is also feasible in principle. The following tanks are further provided by way of example: a pre-wash zone tank 152, a main-wash zone tank 154 and a final-rinse tank 162. Another arrangement of tanks is also possible in principle. By way of example, the purity of a cleaning fluid in the tanks 152, 154 and 162 can increase in the transportation direction 120. This can be implemented, for example, by an overflow from the final-rinse tank 162 to the main-wash zone tank 154 being provided and/or an overflow from the main-wash zone tank 154 to the pre-wash zone tank 152 being provided.

(12) In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the cleaning device 110 further has a plurality of cleaning systems 164 which can be designed as nozzle systems in each case. These cleaning systems 164 or nozzle systems can comprise, for example, a pre-clearing zone nozzle system 166 which can also be designed as a pre-clearing zone spray-nozzle system and which can comprise, for example, at least one spray arm in each case above and below the washware 112. The pre-clearing zone nozzle system 166 can be fed with cleaning fluid from the pre-wash zone tank 152, for example, by means of a pre-wash zone pump 168.

(13) The cleaning system 164 can further have at least one main-wash zone nozzle system 170 which can be designed, for example, as a main-wash zone spray-nozzle system and which in turn can have, for example, as shown in FIG. 1, at least one spray arm above the washware 112 and at least one spray arm below the washware 112. The main-wash zone nozzle system 170 can be fed, for example, with cleaning fluid from the main-wash zone tank 154 by means of a main-wash zone pump 172.

(14) Several cleaning systems 164 can also be provided within the final-rinse zone 156. Therefore, a pump final-rinse zone nozzle system 174 is provided in the illustrated exemplary embodiment, it being possible for said pump final-rinse zone nozzle system to have, for example, in turn a spray arm above the washware 112 and a spray arm below the washware 112. This pump final-rinse zone nozzle system 174, which can in turn be designed, for example, as a pump final-rinse zone spray-nozzle system 174, can be fed with cleaning fluid in the form of final-rinse fluid from the final-rinse tank 162, for example, by means of at least one pump final-rinse zone pump 176. Furthermore, a cleaning system 164 in the form of a fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178, which in turn can be designed as a fresh-water final-rinse zone spray-nozzle system for example, is arranged downstream of the pump final-rinse zone nozzle system 174 in the transportation direction 120. Said cleaning system can be fed with fresh water, for example, by means of a fresh-water inlet 180 from a fresh-water connection 182. One or more treatment devices 184 for adjusting at least one property of the fresh water can be provided in this case. Two temperature-control devices are provided by way of example in the illustrated exemplary embodiment in order to heat the fresh water. By way of example, a first treatment device 184 in the form of a heat-recovery device 186 can be provided, for example with an intake fan 188 for drawing hot air from the cleaning chamber 122 and a heat exchanger 190 for transferring the recovered heat from the waste air to the fresh water.

(15) Furthermore, a treatment device 184 in the form of a flow heater 192 and/or a fresh-water boiler can be provided, for example in order to finally heat the fresh water to an operating temperature, for example a temperature of from 80 C.-100 C., for example a temperature of from 85 C.-95 C. Another refinement is also possible.

(16) The cleaning device 110 can further comprise a control means 194, for example a control means with a data-processing device. The control means 194 can be designed, for example, to control a program sequence of the cleaning device 110, for example by various sensors being interrogated and/or pumps 168, 172, 176 being driven and/or by the transportation device 118 being driven. Various refinements are possible and are known in principle to a person skilled in the art.

(17) The refinement of the cleaning device 110 according to this disclosure relates, in particular, to the design of the final-rinse zone 156 and, in particular, the cleaning system 164 which is arranged in said final-rinse zone. The refinement according to this disclosure will be described in the text which follows, in particular with reference to the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178 by means of which cleaning fluid in the form of fresh water can be applied to the washware 112, possibly with the addition of one or more auxiliaries or additives, for example with the addition of final-rinse aid. It should also be noted however that this disclosure could also be implemented in all other dishwashing systems in the dishwasher in principle.

(18) Two different refinements of the fresh-water final-rinse zone 160 are shown in a sectional illustration perpendicular to the transportation direction 120 through the fresh-water final-rinse zone 160 in FIGS. 2 and 3. Therefore, it can be seen in each exemplary embodiment that the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system comprises a plurality of final-rinse nozzle units 196. Each of said final-rinse nozzle units can comprise one or more final-rinse nozzles 198 which can dispense, for example, in each case one or more spray jets 200 onto the washware 112 (not illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3) on the transportation device 118. In this context, the final-rinse nozzle units 196 are arranged in different positions along a direction transverse to the transportation direction 120, for example perpendicular to the transportation direction 120, in both exemplary embodiments. A direction in space perpendicular to the transportation direction 120 and parallel to a surface of the transportation device 118 is denoted x in FIGS. 2 and 3 by way of example. As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the final-rinse nozzle units 196 are arranged offset in relation to one another in this direction x transverse to the transportation direction 120. This produces, for the washware on the transportation device 118, a plurality of application regions 202 which are situated next to one another, that is to say offset transverse to the transportation direction in the direction x in space, and which are symbolically indicated in FIGS. 2 and 3 and to each of which final-rinse fluid can be applied by one or more final-rinse nozzle units 196 which are associated with these application regions 202. By way of example, for each application region 202, an associated final-rinse nozzle unit 196 can be provided above this application region 202, and an associated final-rinse nozzle unit 196 can be provided below the respective application region 202. This can be implemented, for example, by an upper spray arm 204 and a lower spray arm 206. Other refinements are also possible.

(19) In the two exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 3, provision is made according to this disclosure in this context for the final-rinse nozzle units 196 to each be able to be switched, for example between a switched-on state and a switched-off state, independently of the other final-rinse nozzle units 196. To this end, the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178 can have, for example, a plurality of switching elements 208 which can be designed, for example, as valves 210. The final-rinse nozzle units 196 can be switched independently of one another by means of these switching elements 208, in particular the valves 210, so that final-rinse fluid can be applied, or not, to the application regions 202 independently of one another by corresponding switching of the switching elements 208, for example in a manner controlled by the control means 194.

(20) In this context, the exemplary embodiments in FIGS. 2 and 3 differ in that, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 2, each final-rinse nozzle unit 196 comprises precisely one final-rinse nozzle 198 which can be switched by a corresponding switching element 208. However, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, several final-rinse nozzles 198 are each combined to form groups which each form a switchable final-rinse nozzle unit 196 which can be switched in each case by means of a switching element 208, for example a valve 210. Accordingly, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3, each final-rinse nozzle unit 196 comprises a plurality of final-rinse nozzles 198 which are arranged next to one another in direction x.

(21) The special feature of the refinement according to this disclosure of the ability to independently switch the final-rinse nozzle units 196 which are arranged next to one another is that the application can be matched to occupation of the transportation device 118 by washware 112. For example, switching of the final-rinse nozzle units 196 in accordance with requirements can be performed depending on occupation of the transportation device 118 at the site of the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178. In order to identify occupation, one or more washware sensors 212 can be provided for example, as illustrated in FIG. 1. In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the washware sensor 212 is provided at the inlet opening 128. As an alternative or in addition however, this at least one washware sensor 212 can also be arranged in other areas within or outside the cleaning device 110, for example within the cleaning chamber 122. By way of example, the washware sensor 212 can comprise an optical sensor, for example a camera system. In this way, occupation of the transportation device 118, for example occupation of a belt, can be detected for example. Since the transportation speed of the transportation device 118 is known in principle, for example by corresponding driving and/or on account of corresponding signals in the control means 194, and the distance of the washware sensor 212 from the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178 is also known, it is accordingly possible to know, at any time, how the belt is occupied in the application regions 202 in the region of the fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 178, even if the washware sensor 212 is arranged at a distance from the fresh-water final-rinse zone 160 in the transportation direction 120. Accordingly, the control means 194 can be designed to switch on only those final-rinse nozzle units 196 which supply final-rinse fluid to an application region 202 in which there is actually washware 112. The other final-rinse nozzle units 196 can be switched off or remain switched off by corresponding switching of the switching elements 208, so that final-rinse fluid is not unnecessarily sprinkled in said application regions 202. In this way, it is possible to save considerable quantities of final-rinse fluid, in particular fresh water, independently of the respectively selected refinement, for example according to FIG. 2 or according to FIG. 3, by switching off the final-rinse nozzle units 196 as required.

(22) TABLE-US-00001 LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 110 Cleaning device 162 Final-rinse tank 112 Washware 164 Cleaning system, nozzle system 114 Glasses 166 Pre-clearing zone nozzle system 116 Plates 168 Pre-wash zone pump 118 Transportation device 170 Main-wash zone nozzle system 120 Transportation direction 172 Main-wash zone pump 122 Cleaning chamber 174 Pump final-rinse zone nozzle system 124 Cleaning tunnel 176 Pump final-rinse zone pump 126 Conveyor dishwasher 178 Fresh-water final-rinse zone nozzle system 128 Inlet opening 180 Fresh-water inlet 130 Separating curtain 182 Fresh-water connection 132 Cleaning zones 184 Treatment device 134 Separating curtain 186 Heat-recovery device 136 Drying zone 188 Intake fan 138 Fan 190 Heat exchanger 140 Outlet 192 Flow heater 142 Conveyor rack 194 Control means 144 Inlet 196 Final-rinse nozzle unit 146 Wash zone 198 Final-rinse nozzles 148 Pre-wash zone 200 Spray jet 150 Main-wash zone 202 Application region 152 Pre-wash zone tank 204 Upper spray arm 154 Main-wash zone tank 206 Lower spray arm 156 Final-rinse zone 208 Switching element 158 Pump final-rinse zone 210 Valve 160 Fresh-water final-rinse zone 212 Washware sensor