Cleaning device and method for cleaning items to be cleaned

Abstract

Disclosed is a cleaning device for cleaning items to be cleaned. The cleaning device has at least one cleaning chamber and at least one covering device at least partially surrounding the cleaning chamber. The covering device can be moved in an opening movement direction from a closed position into an open position or in a closing movement direction from an open position into a closed position by means of at least one electromechanical drive via at least one transmission. The cleaning device furthermore has a sensor, which is designed to detect an action of a manual force on the covering device in the opening movement direction or in the closing movement direction. The cleaning device is furthermore designed to control the electromechanical drive in accordance with the detection of the action of the manual force.

Claims

1. A method for cleaning items in a cleaning device having a cleaning chamber, a cover at least partially surrounding the cleaning chamber, and an electromechanical drive having a transmission configured to move the cover, the method comprising: using a sensor to detect action of a manual force on the cover in an opening direction or in a closing direction; and performing at least one of the following: (i) upon detection of the action of the manual force in the opening direction, moving the cover in the opening direction with the electromechanical drive; and (ii) upon detection of the action of the manual force in the closing direction, moving the cover in the closing direction with the electromechanical drive.

2. The method claim 1, wherein the cover is moved in a linear motion.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the moving of the cover comprises moving one or more sliding door.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising using a controller to control the electromechanical drive.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the step of using a sensor to detect action of manual force on the cover in an opening or closing direction comprises detecting a movement of the cover.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising comparing the detected movement with at least one threshold value and thereby detecting action of the manual force on the cover.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising using the electromechanical drive to move the cover simultaneously with the action of the detected manual force.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising starting at least one cleaning program after a closing movement which positions the cover in the closed position.

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 an illustrative front view of a pass-through dishwasher in the form of a hood-type dishwasher, in which this disclosure can be implemented;

(3) FIG. 2 shows a side view of the hood-type dishwasher shown in FIG. 1; and

(4) FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of a power transmission section and of spring elements for compensating the weight of the hood-type dishwasher.

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) FIG. 1 shows an illustrative embodiment of a cleaning device 110 according to this disclosure. In this illustrative embodiment, the cleaning device 110 is designed as a pass-through dishwasher 112, which comprises an inlet table or feed table 114, a hood-type dishwasher 116 and an outlet table 118. In FIG. 1, the cleaning device 110 is shown in front view. In FIG. 2, the hood-type dishwasher 116 is shown again in a side view.

(7) In addition to the hood-type dishwasher 116, the cleaning device 110 can comprise, by way of example, a sink 120 and a hose-type spray 122 for pre-cleaning the items to be cleaned 124 in the region of the feed table 114, it being possible for said items to be, for example, crockery or other types of abovementioned items to be cleaned. The items to be cleaned 124 can be introduced into a cleaning chamber 128 of the cleaning device 110 by means of one or more crockery baskets 126, for example. There, one or more cleaning fluids can be applied to the items to be cleaned 124, e.g., by means of one or more application devices, e.g., nozzle systems, which are not illustrated specifically in FIGS. 1 and 2.

(8) The hood-type dishwasher 116 has a base 130, which has a stand 132, for example. The hood-type dishwasher 116 furthermore comprises a covering device (or “cover”) 134, which, by way of example, is designed as a hood 136 in this illustrative embodiment. This hood 136 can be opened over an opening path and, in FIGS. 1 and 2, is in each case illustrated in solid lines in a closed position 135 and in dashed lines in an open position 137. The direction of a movement from the closed position 135 into the open position 137 defines an opening movement direction 139, and the opposite direction of a movement from the open position 137 into the closed position 135 defines a closing movement direction 141.

(9) The hood-type dishwasher 116 furthermore has at least one actuating element (actuator) 138 in the form of a handle 140. In FIG. 2, similarly to the illustration of the hood 136, the handle 140 is illustrated in solid lines in the closed position 135 and in dashed lines in the open position 137. The handle 140 acts directly on the hood 136, for example.

(10) At least one controller 148 can furthermore be arranged in the base 130 of the hood-type dishwasher 116. However, it is also possible, for example, as an alternative or in addition, for a controller 148 to be arranged at different locations in the hood-type dishwasher 116. Further elements, e.g., at least one preparation tank, in which the temperature of a rinsing liquid can be set, e.g., at least one boiler, can furthermore be arranged in the base 130. These elements are not shown in the figures.

(11) The hood 136 is connected to at least one electromechanical drive 188 by at least one transmission 184. The electromechanical drive 188 is designed to move the hood 136 in the opening movement direction 139 or the closing movement direction 141 via the transmission 184, in order, for example, to move the hood 136 from the closed position 135 into the open position 137 or vice versa. As described below, the transmission 184 can be or have a traction-means transmission 185, for example, as explained in greater detail below. The transmission 184 comprises, for example, a power transmission section 182, one or more torque transmission elements 168, one or more torque converters 166, one or more chain sprockets 162, 170, one or more traction means (or “traction members”) 158, 172 and, if appropriate, further elements. However, it should be noted that other types of transmissions 184 can also be used in the context of this disclosure, e.g., transmissions 184 without a traction means and/or transmissions 184 without a torque converter. The following description of the transmission 184 should thus be regarded as illustrative.

(12) The cleaning device 110 has guide elements 150 on both sides on the rear side thereof, wherein one of these guide elements 150 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 3, this guide element 150 can have a guide rail 152 or some other type of guide profile, for example, e.g., a rectangular profile in the form of a rectangular-section tube and/or square-section tube. As shown in FIG. 3, this is arranged vertically. Each guide element 150 is supported by means of rollers 154, for example, e.g., three rollers on each side. A forward-pointing cantilever arm 156 is formed at the top of each of the guide elements 150, onto which arms the hood 136, which is fully preassembled for example, can be pushed and secured, for example, by just a small number of fastening elements, e.g., two screws.

(13) A first traction means 158, e.g., at least one first roller chain, is fastened to each guide element 150 at the bottom. This first traction means 158 is in each case guided over a deflection sprocket 160 in the upper region of a housing of the cleaning device 110. The first traction means 158 is furthermore placed in each case on a first chain 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 deflection sprocket 160 and of the first chain sprocket 162 is arranged in duplicated form on the opposite side of the rear side of the cleaning device 110, and therefore there are two first chain sprockets 162, these being of the same type for example, of which only one is illustrated in FIG. 3 to simplify the illustration. The two first chain sprockets 162 are connected rigidly in terms of rotation by a shaft 164, on which they are mounted for conjoint rotation. Moreover, a torque converter 166 is mounted on this shaft 164, likewise in a rigid manner in terms of rotation. This converter comprises a rotatably mounted torque transmission element 168, which is designed as a third chain sprocket 170 in this illustrative embodiment. This third chain sprocket 170 is mounted so as to be rotatable about the axis of the shaft 164. A third traction means 172 is furthermore placed on this third chain sprocket 170, said traction means rising from the third chain sprocket 170 at a point of engagement 174 and being connected at its other end, in this illustrative embodiment by way of example, to two spring elements 176. In FIG. 3, the hood 136 is illustrated in the closed position 135. During a movement along an opening path, the guide element 150 moves upward, and the first chain sprockets 162 rotate in a direction of rotation 178. During this opening movement, the third chain sprocket 170 rotates in a direction of rotation 180, which is, for example, the same as direction of rotation 178.

(14) Here, the torque transmission element 168 in the form of the third chain sprocket 170 is formed with a nonuniform radius, for example, as can be seen in FIG. 3. This means that a distance R between the point of engagement 174 and the axis changes with an angular position of the torque transmission element 168. However, this also involves a change in the torque transmitted by the third traction means 172 to the shaft 164 since this torque is dependent on the angular position of the chain sprocket 170.

(15) 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, are to a large extent unwound from the chain sprockets 162. In contrast, the third traction means 172, likewise in the form of a roller chain, for example, is to a large extent wound onto its third chain sprocket 170, and the spring elements or springs 176, which are designed as tension springs for example, are tensioned, as shown in FIG. 3. As the hood 136 is raised, the two first traction means 158 are wound onto their sprockets 162. At the same time, the third traction means 172 is unwound and the spring elements 176 relax.

(16) In order to compensate for the change in the spring force of the spring elements 176 over the opening path, the third chain sprocket 170 has a radius of action and/or pitch circle which changes over the circumference, as explained above. By virtue of this embodiment, the change in the spring force over the opening path or over the extension can adapt to the actually required force to compensate the weight of the hood 136. In addition to a uniform and/or continuous reduction in the radius or increase in the radius, it is also possible to implement nonuniform adaptations of the radius of action R. Thus, for example, abrupt changes in diameter can also be incorporated into the chain sprockets in order to damp a movement at the end positions, for example.

(17) The traction means 158 and the torque converter 166 are part of a power transmission section 182, by means of which a spring force of the at least one spring element 176 can be transmitted in modified form to the covering device 134. In this illustrative embodiment, the power transmission section 182 is part of the transmission 184. Further component parts of the power transmission section can be the deflection sprockets 160 as well as the first chain sprockets 162 and the shaft 164. Owing to the variation in the radius of action R with respect to the angular position, the torque converter 166 and hence the entire power transmission section 182 has a variable transmission ratio over the opening path. Thus, the torque converter 166 is, for example, a component part of the transmission 184 which, in this illustrative embodiment, has a variable transmission ratio that varies over the opening path of the hood 136. However, it should be noted that embodiments of this disclosure in which a transmission with a fixed transmission ratio is used, rather than a transmission 184 with a variable transmission ratio, are also possible.

(18) The chain sprockets 162, 170 can be manufactured and assembled individually from metal, for example. Furthermore, individual parts of the sprocket set, e.g., guide disks, can also be manufactured completely or partially from plastic. Manufacture of the entire sprocket set from plastic is also conceivable. The sprocket set is preferably supported by rolling bearings, allowing lower friction and, as a result, free running. The chain sprockets 162 and the shaft 164 as well as the traction means 158, 172 can be further component parts of the transmission 184.

(19) As already explained above, at least one electromechanical drive 186, e.g., at least one motor and particularly preferably at least one electric motor, is coupled to the transmission 184 to implement a semiautomatic and/or fully automatic hood 136. In particular, this can be a DC geared motor. The electromechanical drive 186 can be coupled by means of a further chain 188 and/or some other kind of traction means, for example, by means of two pinions 190, which can be of the same type or, alternatively, of different types, and/or by means of a further transmission with a fixed or variable transmission ratio.

(20) In order to protect operators from excessive closing forces of the semiautomatic or fully automatic hood, several solutions can be adopted with an optional semiautomatic or even fully automatic hood. Thus, for example, the electric motor can be fastened in such a way that the torque thereof is absorbed via a spring-supported torque support 192. In the event of an excessive torque, e.g., an excessive closing force on the hood 136, this torque support 192 is deflected. This movement can be detected, for example, by means of a switch 194, which can transmit its signal to the controller 148. The controller 148 can then end the movement of the hood 136, for example, and optionally initiate a reverse movement.

(21) As an alternative or in addition, at least one rotary encoder, which can likewise be connected to the controller 148, can be integrated into the power transmission section 182, including the electromechanical drive 186. This rotary encoder is not illustrated in FIG. 3. For example, the controller 148 can detect when the signals of the rotary encoder are absent, e.g., because a movement is hindered. In this case, the controller 148 can then end the movement of the hood, for example, and/or initiate a reverse movement. To limit any crushing force which may occur, the weight-compensating force for the hood 136 can be matched to the closing force exerted by the drive in such a way that harmless values are not exceeded.

(22) In order to increase the safety of the operators in the case of failure of individual component parts of the weight compensation system, several elements of the power transmission section 182 can be of redundant design, for example. Thus, for example, two chains can be used in parallel or “back-to-back” instead of a single third traction means 172, e.g., a single third chain. It is furthermore possible, as an alternative or in addition, to supplement the third traction means 172 by a further deformable component part and/or traction means, e.g., a cable, which can take up the tensile force if the chain breaks.

(23) Further possible embodiments relate to safeguarding elements, which offer a safeguard if the at least one spring element 176 breaks. Thus, for example, the spring element 176 can have at least one safeguarding element 196, which can be a component part of the spring elements 176 themselves, for example, or, alternatively, can be coupled to said spring elements, the intention being to include this possibility as well. For example, this safeguarding element 196 can comprise a catch element or a catch device, which, by way of example, is coupled to the two spring elements 176 in this illustrative embodiment. For example, this safeguarding element can have at least one safeguarding rod 198, wherein the power transmission section 182 can couple to the safeguarding rod 198 if the at least one spring element 176 or, as the case may be, a plurality of spring elements 176 breaks. However, other embodiments are also possible.

(24) As explained above, it is possible, in particular, for two first traction means 158 to be provided. However, a different number is also possible. Furthermore, two or more of said elements can also be fully or partially combined. Thus, for example, the two first traction means 158 can also be made shorter and, for example, connected to a single chain, which can then be connected individually, via the sprocket set, to the weight-compensating spring elements 176.

(25) Instead of said roller chains, this disclosure can also be implemented with other flexible or deformable traction means or, alternatively, in combination with various types of traction means. For example, plate link chains, link chains, belts or cables can be used.

(26) To actuate a hood movement, a user, in particular an operator, can, for example, actuate one or more control elements 200, which can be arranged laterally or on a front side of the base 130 and/or of the hood 136, for example. These can act on the controller 148, for example, which, in turn, controls the electromechanical drive 186. As explained above, however, the arrangement and the electrical connection of the at least one control element 200 are fundamentally problematic. Particularly in the case of the arrangement illustrated in FIG. 1, it may be that the operator has to leave the workplace at the sink 120 in order to initiate a movement of the hood 136.

(27) As explained above, at least one sensor 202 is provided to solve these problems in the context of this disclosure, said sensor being designed to detect the action of a manual force on the covering device 134 and, in particular, the hood 136 and preferably also the direction of this action of a force. In this way, it is possible, for example, for the hood 136 to be raised slightly by a user, i.e., moved in the opening movement direction 139, when it is in the closed position 135, this movement being detected by the sensor 202. For example, movements of 5 mm or more or movements greater than 5 mm can be detected as a desire to move the hood 136 in this direction. Conversely, it is possible, for example, for the hood 136 to be pulled downward slightly by a user, in the closing movement direction 141, when it is in the open position 137, this movement being detected by the sensor 202. The detection of this action of a force and, if appropriate, of the direction of this action of a force can then be converted by the controller 148 into a corresponding control command for the electromechanical drive 186 in order then to assist the movement of the hood 136 in the desired direction by means of the electromechanical drive 186 or even to carry it out exclusively by means of the electromechanical drive 186. The hood 136 itself can thus be used as a kind of control element 200 inasmuch as a desire relating to a movement of the hood 136 is communicated to the controller 148 by the action of a force on this hood 136.

(28) In principle, the sensor 202 can be arranged at different points within the cleaning device 110. Thus, for example, the at least one sensor 202 can be arranged at one or more of the following locations: on the hood 136; on the guide element 150; on the guide rail 152; within the transmission 184, for example within the power transmission section 182 and/or at some other point within the transmission 184; in the electromechanical drive 186. In the illustrative embodiment shown, the electromechanical drive 186 and/or the transmission 184 can, for example, comprise at least one driven shaft 204, which is preferably rotatable, preferably in both possible directions of rotation, by the electromechanical drive 186. The sensor 202 can, for example, comprise an incremental encoder 206, which can be arranged on one shaft end of the shaft 204, for example.

(29) The sensor 202 can be connected to the controller 148 wirelessly or, alternatively, by wire, for example, in order to communicate therewith unidirectionally or, alternatively, bidirectionally. The controller 148 can, for example, be designed to evaluate the information from the sensor 202 and to send corresponding control commands to the electromechanical drive 186. The electromechanical drive 186 can be connected directly or indirectly, e.g., wirelessly or by wire, to the controller 148. Thus, for example, the controller 148 can be designed to start the electromechanical drive 186, to influence a direction of rotation thereof or, alternatively, to influence a speed of rotation thereof. Other embodiments are also possible. The controller 148 can, for example, be designed to evaluate signals and information from the sensor 202 by way of programming, e.g., through the use of a threshold value method. Thus, for example, a change in the position and/or of an increment transmitted by the sensor 202 can be monitored and, for example, compared with one or more threshold values. In this way, the above-described monitoring can be performed, for example, to determine whether the hood 136 has been moved by more than a predetermined distance through the action of a manual force, which can then be interpreted as a command for a further movement in the direction of this action of a force.

(30) In particular, the electromechanical drive 186 can be designed as a DC geared motor. The DC geared motor can, for example, be designed in such a way that it is not self-locking. This means that a movement can be performed by hand and/or, even in the case of a fault, that the hood 136 can also be actuated by hand. The motor can be moved simultaneously in the process. The incremental encoder 206 can detect a rotary movement of the motor, for example, and transmit the associated working direction and these signals to the controller 148. The controller 148 can, for example, evaluate this signal, interpret the desire for movement and then drive the motor in the corresponding direction.

(31) Moreover, the cleaning device 110 can also have additional functions. Thus, in particular, this can be designed to carry out at least one cleaning program, e.g., through corresponding programming of the controller 148. It is possible, for example, after a closing movement, when the hood 136 is in the closed position 135, to automatically start a washing program.

(32) As explained above, there is, in particular, no need for separate buttons and/or switches in the embodiment according to this disclosure in order to initiate a movement of the hood 136. This eliminates the corresponding installation requirements and it is also possible to significantly reduce costs in comparison with conventional cleaning devices 110. The handle 140 is normally situated in an ergonomically favorable position on the hood 136, e.g., in an ergonomically favorable position relative to a workplace at the sink 120. Operators at this workplace can thus reach the handle 140 easily and hence initiate the hood movement, even without visual contact with the controller 148 and/or with corresponding control elements 200. Moreover, learning is generally not required since the hood movement is initiated intuitively with a corresponding movement of the handle 140. A user-friendly and operationally safe overall situation of the cleaning device 110 is thus obtained.

(33) 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 SIGNS

(34) TABLE-US-00001 110 cleaning device 112 pass-through dishwasher 114 feed table 116 hood-type dishwasher 118 outlet table 120 sink 122 hose-type spray 124 items to be cleaned 126 crockery basket 128 cleaning chamber 130 base 132 stand 134 covering device 135 closed position 136 hood 137 open position 138 actuating element 139 opening movement direction 140 handle 141 closing movement direction 146 side wall 148 controller 150 guide element 152 guide rail 154 roller 156 cantilever arm 158 first traction means 160 deflection sprocket 162 first chain sprocket 164 shaft 166 torque converter 168 torque transmission element 170 third chain sprocket 172 third traction means 174 point of engagement 176 spring element 178 first direction of rotation 180 second direction of rotation 182 power transmission section 184 transmission 185 traction-means transmission 186 electromechanical drive 188 chain 190 pinion 192 torque support 194 switch 196 safeguarding element 198 safeguarding rod 200 control element 202 sensor 204 shaft 206 incremental encoder