JP7112933B2 - DISHWASHING SYSTEM AND DISHWASHING METHOD - Google Patents

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a dishwashing system and a dishwashing method.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known a tableware separating and discharging device that takes out one piece of tableware from a tableware row in which a plurality of tableware (food containers) are stacked and turns the tableware upside down. This separating and discharging device includes a handling mechanism for taking out one piece of dish from the row of dishes, and an inverting mechanism for inverting one piece of dish received from the handling mechanism. The handling mechanism has a gripper, such as a suction cup connected to a negative pressure source, for gripping a piece of dishware. The holding part is provided so as to be vertically movable and turnable with respect to the column. The reversing mechanism consists of radially extending plate members that are intermittently rotated, and receives and reverses the tableware separated from the grip (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

JP 2009-120289 A

The device for separating and discharging tableware as shown in Patent Document 1 uses a gripping part composed of a suction cup or the like connected to a negative pressure source as a handling mechanism. There is a problem with the compactness of In addition, the rotation of the gripping portion is performed in the horizontal plane, whereas the rotation of the reversing mechanism for reversing the tableware detached from the gripping portion is performed in the vertical plane.

For this reason, it is difficult for the reversing mechanism to receive the tableware separated from the gripping portion smoothly and efficiently in a short period of time. In addition, since the pivotal movement of the gripper performed on the horizontal plane is perpendicular to the tableware transfer direction, the depth dimension of the apparatus is increased particularly when a plurality of tableware transfer lines are provided.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention is intended to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and it is possible to individually control the speed of separating dishes from a tableware row in which a plurality of dishes are piled up for each washing lane with a compact structure. It is an object of the present invention to provide a tableware washing system and a tableware washing method capable of improving washing processing performance.

A tableware washing system according to the present invention includes a lifting means for lifting at least a row of dishes stacked with the surface side of a plurality of dishes facing upward, and a tableware at the top end of the row of tableware lifted by the lifting means to be grasped and separated. a separating means for separating, a reversing means for reversing and discharging the front and back surfaces of the dishes separated by the separating means, and a washing device for washing the dishes discharged by the reversing means while conveying them by a conveying means, A tableware washing system for transferring dishes from an upstream side to a downstream side in the order of the lifting means, the separating means, and the reversing means, and washing the transferred dishes while conveying them by the washing device, wherein the lifting means , the separating means, the reversing means, and a control device for controlling the cleaning device, wherein the elevating device, the separating device, the reversing device, and the cleaning device are arranged substantially linearly in plan view, and a plurality of A single row of washing lanes is configured for transferring and conveying the dishes to the downstream side for washing, the washing lanes are arranged in at least two rows, and the control device separates the dishes from the row of dishes by the separating means. It is characterized in that the number of dishes to be separated per unit time at the uppermost end of the washing lane is individually controlled for each of the washing lanes.

Further, the method for washing tableware according to the present invention comprises separating and inverting the tableware at the uppermost end of one independent row of tableware stacked with the surface of a plurality of tableware facing upward, sequentially grasping, separating and inverting the tableware from the row of tableware. and a washing step of washing the tableware by spraying washing water from a nozzle onto at least the surface side of the tableware while conveying the tableware that has been turned over and discharged in the separating and turning over step, wherein the separating and turning over step, the By arranging at least two parallel washing lanes for executing the washing steps in order, and individually controlling the number of pieces of tableware at the top end of the row of tableware to be separated per unit time in the separating and reversing step in each washing lane, The number of dishes to be washed per unit time in each washing lane is adjusted.

According to the dishwashing system and the dishwashing method according to the present invention, the number of dishes to be separated per unit time at the top end of a tableware row in which a plurality of dishes are stacked can be reduced with a compact structure by using the material of the tableware and the tableware. Each washing lane can be individually controlled in accordance with the amount and quality of stains on the tableware, and the tableware washing processing capacity can be improved.

1 is a basic configuration diagram of a dishwashing system according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. The block diagram in the same tableware washing system. The top view which shows the immersion apparatus of the same dishwashing system. The perspective view of the carrying-in side (upstream side of the tableware row conveyance direction) of the tableware rows of the same immersion apparatus. The partial expansion perspective view of the carrying-in side (upstream of the tableware row conveyance direction) of the tableware rows of the same immersion apparatus. The front view which shows the state which supplies immersion water to the row of tableware in the same immersion apparatus, and immerses them. The perspective view of the carry-out side (downstream side of the tableware row conveyance direction) of the tableware row of the same immersion apparatus. The partial top view which shows arrangement|positioning of the tableware row on the conveyance means of the same immersion apparatus. The side view which shows the conveyance state of the tableware row on the conveyance means of the same immersion apparatus. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a separation/discharge device provided in a subsequent process of the same immersion device and a separation/reversal device including the same; (a) is a perspective view of lifting means of the separation and discharge device, (b) is a perspective view of separation means of the separation and discharge device, and (c) is a perspective view of reversing means of the separation and reversal device. (a) is a perspective view of the gripping chuck of the separating means as seen from below, (b) is a cross-sectional view along the AA line of (a), (c) is a cross-sectional view along the BB line of (a), (d) ) is a sectional view taken along line CC of (a). (a) to (e) are front views showing the operation of the gripping chuck of the separating and discharging apparatus in chronological order. (a) is a side view showing the state of detection by the tableware sensor when there is tableware on the receiving frame of the lifting means, and (b) is the detection state of the tableware sensor and the receiving frame sensor when there is no tableware on the receiving frame of the same lifting means. is a side view. (a) to (c) are side views showing the operations of the lifting means, the gripping chuck and the reversing means of the separating and discharging apparatus in chronological order. (a) to (c) are side views showing the operation of the reversing means of the same separating and reversing device in chronological order. The perspective view which looked at arrangement|positioning of various sensors in the same separation reversing apparatus from the front upper left. The perspective view which did not draw the component in order to make it easy to understand arrangement|positioning of the various sensors in the same separation reversing apparatus. The perspective view which looked at arrangement|positioning of various sensors in the same separation reversing apparatus from the front upper right. The basic block diagram of the tableware washing system which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention. The block diagram in the same tableware washing system.

The invention according to claim 1 comprises lifting means for lifting at least a row of tableware stacked with the surface side of a plurality of tableware facing upward, and the tableware at the top end of the row of tableware lifted by the lifting means is grasped and separated. a separating means for separating, a reversing means for reversing and discharging the front and back surfaces of the dishes separated by the separating means, and a washing device for washing the dishes discharged by the reversing means while conveying them by a conveying means, A tableware washing system for transferring dishes from an upstream side to a downstream side in the order of the lifting means, the separating means, and the reversing means, and washing the transferred dishes while conveying them by the washing device, wherein the lifting means , the separating means, the reversing means, and a control device for controlling the cleaning device, wherein the elevating device, the separating device, the reversing device, and the cleaning device are arranged substantially linearly in plan view, and a plurality of A single row of washing lanes is configured for transferring and conveying the dishes to the downstream side for washing, the washing lanes are arranged in at least two rows, and the control device separates the dishes from the row of dishes by the separating means. The dish washing system is characterized in that the number of dishes to be separated per unit time at the uppermost end of the washing lane is individually controlled for each of the washing lanes.
As a result, the number of separation processes per unit time for the topmost tableware in a row of stacked tableware can be controlled in each washing lane according to the material of the tableware and the amount and quality of dirt on the tableware. It can be controlled individually, and the tableware washing processing capacity can be improved.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dish washing apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, wherein the control device individually controls the conveying speed of the dishes by the conveying means of the washing apparatus for each washing lane. System.
As a result, it is possible to effectively wash the dishes by individually controlling the time during which the dishes are brought into contact with the washing water according to the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to the dishes for each washing lane. number can be adjusted.

The invention according to claim 3 is, in the invention according to claim 1 or 2, located upstream from the lifting means, and intermittently feeding a row of tableware stacked with the surface side of a plurality of dishes facing upward to the lifting means. and a nozzle for injecting immersion water onto a row of tableware intermittently conveyed by the transportation means. The tableware washing system is characterized by further comprising an immersion device for performing immersion washing by allowing the dishes stacked in the tableware row to store water.
As a result, immersion cleaning, in which the tableware is wetted and washed, can be performed, and the cleaning effect is improved.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a dishwashing system according to the third aspect, wherein the control device individually controls the stop time of the intermittent transfer of the transfer means of the dipping device for each washing lane. is.
As a result, the soaking time of the dishes can be controlled individually for each washing lane according to the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to the dishes, and the soaking cleaning by wetting can be performed effectively. The number of cleaning processes can be adjusted.

The invention according to claim 5 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device individually controls the height to which the row of tableware is lifted by the lifting means for each washing lane. It is a dishwashing system characterized by:
As a result, it is possible to appropriately and individually control the elevation height for raising the row of tableware according to the difference in height of one piece of tableware for each washing lane.

The invention according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the separating means comprises an arm unit having a gripping chuck for gripping the tableware, and the arm unit is inclined at a predetermined angle. When rotated from the position to the substantially horizontal position, the gripping chuck grasps the tableware at the uppermost end of the tableware row and separates it from the tableware row, and the arm unit is rotated from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined at the predetermined angle. A dishwashing system characterized in that, when moved, the gripped and separated dishware is released from the gripping chuck.
As a result, the tableware positioned at the top end of the row of tableware can be separated and released in a compact configuration.

According to a seventh aspect of the invention, in the sixth aspect of the invention, the control device individually adjusts the speed at which the arm unit of the separation means is rotated from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position for each washing lane. It is a dishwashing system characterized by controlling.
As a result, it is possible to separate the dishes in a short period of time while preventing breakage of the dishes by controlling the rotation speed to be appropriate for each washing lane according to the impact durability of the dishes.

According to an eighth aspect of the invention, in the sixth or seventh aspect of the invention, the control device controls the speed at which the arm unit of the separation means is rotated from a substantially horizontal position to a position inclined by a predetermined angle for each washing lane. This dishwashing system is characterized by individual control.
As a result, the speed of discharging the dishes from the gripping chucks can be adjusted to suit the difference in the weight and shape of the dishes for each washing lane.

The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the reversing means has a storage space for storing the tableware separated and discharged by the separation means with the surface side facing upward. The rotary drive shaft of the rotary drum is used as the fulcrum of rotation of the arm unit of the separating means, and the intermittent rotation of the rotary drum causes the surface side of the tableware stored in the storage space to face downward from an upward state. The dishwashing system is characterized in that the dishwashing system is characterized in that the dishwashing apparatus is turned upside down and released from the storage space by falling under its own weight.
As a result, the separated and discharged tableware can be turned over from the upward state to the downward state with a compact configuration.

The invention according to claim 10 is a separating and turning step of sequentially grasping the tableware at the top end of one independent tableware row in which a plurality of tableware are stacked with the surface facing upward, separating and inverting from the tableware row; a washing step of washing the tableware by spraying washing water from a nozzle onto at least the surface side of the tableware while conveying the tableware that has been turned over and discharged in the separating and turning over step, and the separating and turning over step and the washing step. By arranging at least two parallel washing lanes that are sequentially executed, and individually controlling the number of pieces of tableware at the top end of the row of tableware to be separated per unit time in each washing lane in the separation and reversing step, each washing is performed A washing method for tableware characterized by adjusting the number of dishes to be washed per unit time in a lane.
As a result, it is possible to individually control the speed of separating the topmost tableware from a row of stacked tableware for each washing lane according to the material of the tableware and the amount and quality of dirt on the tableware. Ability can be improved.

According to the invention of claim 11, in the invention of claim 10, by individually controlling the conveying speed of the dishes conveyed in the washing process in each washing lane, the number of dishes washed per dish in each washing lane is increased. This method of washing tableware is characterized by adjusting the time.
As a result, it is possible to effectively wash the dishes by individually controlling the time during which the dishes are brought into contact with the washing water according to the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to the dishes for each washing lane. number can be adjusted.

The invention according to claim 12 is based on the invention according to claim 10 or 11. Before the separation and inversion step, a plurality of dishes are immersed in the row of dishes while conveying the row of dishes stacked with the surface of the tableware facing upward. A washing lane that includes an immersion step of supplying water and storing the water in the gaps between the adjacent dishes to moisten the soil components adhering to the dishes by applying moisture to the dishes, and performing the separation/reversing step and the washing step in this order. is a method for washing tableware, characterized in that the dipping step is further performed.
As a result, immersion cleaning, in which the tableware is wetted and washed, can be performed, and the cleaning effect is improved.

(Embodiment 1)
A dishwashing system and dishwashing method according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 19. FIG. Further, the dishwashing system of Embodiment 2 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20-21.

First, the basic configuration of a dishwashing system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. A dishwashing system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is roughly divided into the following element systems (1) to (5) in sequence.

(1) Immersion to perform an immersion step of supplying immersion water while transporting a row of tableware W stacked with the surface of the plurality of tableware W facing upward, and moistening dirt components adhering to the plurality of tableware W with this immersion water. device 200
(2) Elevating means 400 for elevating the row of tableware WR that has been immersed in the immersion water for a predetermined time by the immersion device 200, and separation for sequentially separating and releasing individual tableware W from the row of tableware WR in conjunction with the elevating means 400. a separate release device 300 for performing a separate release process comprising means 500;
reversing means 700 for executing a separation and reversal step of reversing the front and back surfaces of the tableware W separated and discharged by the separation and discharge device 300;
Separating and turning device 600 with
(3) A washing device 800 that carries out a washing step of washing the front and back surfaces of the tableware W discharged from the separation and reversing device 600 by spraying washing water on the front and back surfaces of the tableware W while conveying the individual pieces of tableware W.
(4) A tableware arrangement device that performs a tableware arrangement step in which a predetermined number (number) of individual dishes W washed by the washing device 800 are stacked, and the prescribed number (number) of stacked tableware W is pushed out and taken out. 900
(5) A control device 1000 for controlling the soaking device 200, lifting means 400, separating means 500, reversing means 700, washing device 800, and tableware arrangement device 900.

Each of the immersion device 200, lifting means 400, separation means 500, reversing means 700, washing device 800, and tableware arrangement device 900 is provided on the loading side (tableware transport 1 row of washing lanes SR are formed by arranging them substantially linearly along the transport direction from the upstream side of the direction, the input side) to the carry-out side (the downstream side of the tableware transport direction, the take-out side).

In the present embodiment, the cleaning lanes SR are arranged in two rows, and the element systems described above are provided for each of the first cleaning lane SR1 and the second cleaning lane SR2, which are cleaning lanes SR arranged in two rows, They are individually controllable by the control device 1000 . Incidentally, the cleaning lanes SR may be arranged in three or more rows.

Note that the tableware washing system 100 may be of a type in which the row of tableware WR is carried into the lifting means 400 without having the soaking device 200 . Alternatively, without the tableware organizing apparatus 900, the individual washed tableware W unloaded from the washing apparatus 800 may be moved to a separately provided workbench and stacked and arranged by the operator.

That is, the tableware washing system 100 transfers at least the tableware W from the upstream side to the downstream side in the order of the lifting means 400, the separation means 500, and the reversing means 700, and the transferred tableware is washed while being conveyed by the washing device 800. intended to be Further, each cleaning lane SR1, SR2 is intended to be composed of at least the lifting means 400, the separating means 500, the reversing means 700, and the cleaning device 800 in this order.

The dishwashing method is intended to have at least two side-by-side washing lanes in which the separation/turning process and the washing process are performed in that order. Moreover, it is preferable to include an immersion step in order to immerse and wash the row of tableware WR in advance. It is preferable that the tableware sorting process is provided in order to automate the work of stacking a predetermined number of individual tablewares W washed in the washing process and pushing out the stacked tablewares W of the predetermined number.

Although FIGS. 6 and 11 to 16 typically show only the cleaning lane SR1, the cleaning lane SR2 has the same configuration.

In addition, the reference numerals include a conveying means 201, a chain conveyor 203, a motor (driving source) 207, a drive shaft 209, a set frame 212, a tableware row input switch 230, a final tableware row input switch 231, a final tableware row release switch 232, a motor ( drive source) 402, arm unit 501, motor (drive source) 521, rotating drum 701, conveying means 801, conveyor 802, and tableware row WR. References labeled belonging and second indicate those belonging to the second wash lane SR2.

Next, each element system constituting the dishwashing system 100 will be described in order.

Each element constituting the dishwashing system 100 is arranged substantially linearly along the conveying direction from the carry-in side of the tableware W to the carry-out side to form a row of washing lane SR. In the present embodiment, an example will be described in which at least two rows of washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are arranged side by side in a direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the tableware W (the tableware row WR in the soaking apparatus 200) as the washing lane SR. Within the cleaning lanes SR1, SR2, the soaking device 200 is positioned as a soaking lane.

(Configuration of immersion device)
The basic configuration of the immersion apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 to 10 and 19. FIG.

As shown in FIG. 1, the immersion apparatus 200 is a pre-process of a washing apparatus 800 that performs a washing process by spraying washing water onto the front and back surfaces of the tableware W. A plurality of tableware W are stacked with the front side facing upward. It is an apparatus for carrying out a dipping process in which soaking water is supplied while a row of tableware WR is conveyed, and dirt components adhering to a plurality of tablewares W are wetted with this soaking water.

The immersion apparatus 200 includes immersion water supply means 220 provided over the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2, and first transport means (transport means) 201a and second transport means 201 provided for each of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2. A transport means (transport means) 201b is provided. The control device 1000 (see FIG. 2) individually controls the stop time due to intermittent transport in the transport means 201a and 201b of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the conveying means 201 moves the tableware at the lowest end of the tableware row WR at every predetermined pitch in the conveying direction of the tableware row WR, that is, the first tableware row WR1 and the second tableware row WR2. It has a first chain conveyor 203a and a second chain conveyor 203b, which are endless chain conveyors 203 equipped with a convex member 204 that locks on the side of W, and each chain conveyor 203 is upstream in the tableware conveying direction. and downstream are suspended on sprockets 208 .

Of the sprockets 208 of the chain conveyor 203, the sprocket 208 on the downstream side in the tableware conveying direction has a first drive shaft 209a and a second drive shaft 209b which are drive shafts 209 via sprockets, chains, etc. (not shown). A motor (drive source) 207 is connected to a first motor (drive source) 207a and a second motor (drive source) 207b.

Further, the conveying means 201 is provided on both sides of the chain conveyor 203 with a pair of support rails 205 for supporting the bottom of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR and receiving the weight of the tableware row WR. It has a pair of guide rails 206 for regulating the side position of the tableware W on the side, and is configured so that the chain conveyor 203 rotates between the support rails 205 . For the support rail 205 and the guide rail 206, at least the contact surfaces with the tableware W are made of a resin (slide material) with good slipperiness in order to reduce the sliding resistance of the tableware W at the lowest end.

Of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2, for example, the first chain conveyor 203a of the first conveying means 201a provided in the first cleaning lane SR1 is suspended on two sprockets 208 on the upstream side and the downstream side. , the first drive shaft 209a, which is the rotation shaft of the sprocket 208 on the downstream side, is rotated by the first motor (driving source) 207a. The configuration of the second cleaning lane SR2 is similar to that of the first cleaning lane SR1.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, when the chain conveyors 203 provided in the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 rotate, the convex members 204 provided at predetermined pitches stand on the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR. locked to. The bottom (bottom surface) of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR is pushed and slid on the pair of support rails 205 while its side position is regulated by the pair of guide rails 206, and the tableware row WR is formed. Conveyed in the conveying direction. As a result, the row of tableware WR can be held at a predetermined position in the transport direction and in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the direction of transport, and the row of tableware WR can be transported with its self-sustaining posture stabilized.

Taking school lunches as an example, tableware W, which is an object to be washed, has a concave portion on the surface side, and there are types such as bowls and plates for serving food on the surface side. It is common to use a plurality of types of tableware having different shapes such as squares, squares, etc., and sizes such as outer diameters and heights (depths of recesses). For example, bowls are used for rice, miso soup, etc., and side dishes such as side dishes are served in plates with shallower recesses. In addition, these tableware W are put in a tableware basket for each class and transported.

In this embodiment in which two rows of washing lanes SR1 and SR2 in which the conveying means 201a and 201b are arranged substantially linearly along the conveying direction from the carry-in side to the carry-out side of the tableware row WR are arranged side by side, for example, the first A first row of tableware WR1 of round bowls is carried into the washing lane SR1, and a second row of tableware WR2 of round dishes is carried into the second washing lane SR2 to carry out the soaking process.

The tableware W carried into the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 has substantially the same shape for each washing lane, and the size of the outer diameter of the outer peripheral edge of the opening of the concave portion formed in the tableware W is substantially the same. Use Then, a plurality of tableware W having substantially the same shape and substantially the same size are stacked with the surface facing up to form a tableware row WR. Therefore, the heights of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 may be different even if the number of stacked tableware W is the same.

In each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the number of dishes W to be stacked forms tableware rows WR1 and WR2 with a maximum number of 20, for example. This allows the tableware row WR to stand on its own on the support rails 205 without requiring a guide rod or the like to maintain its vertical posture, and to engage with the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR on the chain conveyor 203. It is set as a condition that a stable vertical posture can be maintained when intermittently conveyed by the projecting member 204 that stops. In addition, the total weight and size (especially height) of the tableware row WR are taken into account, and the workability and stability of the operator during stacking, moving, and transporting are also considered. In addition, the number of the tableware W to pile up is an example, and is not limited to this.

In addition, particularly in school lunches, it is preferable to install a washing line for washing trays, chopsticks, spoons, etc. used at the time of eating in parallel with the tableware washing system 100 .

As shown in FIG. 8, the pitch D between rows of tableware (the distance between the center axes of the rows of tableware WR) in the conveying direction in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is the diameter (outer diameter) direction of the stacked tableware W adjacent to each other. The outer peripheral edges of the row of tableware WR do not contact each other, and even if the central axis of the row of tableware WR when stacked is slightly shifted, the outer peripheral edges of the row of tableware WR will not contact each other. , for example 10 to 20 millimeters apart.

For example, when the diameter of the tableware W is 200 mm and the outer peripheral edges of the tableware rows WR are separated by 20 mm, the pitch D between the tableware rows is 220 mm. Note that the dimensions such as the diameter of the tableware W, the pitch D between the tableware rows, the interval between the outer peripheral edge portions of the tableware rows WR, and the like are merely examples, and the dimensions are not limited to these.

Further, when a tableware row WR in which tableware W having different diameters (outer diameters) are stacked in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is placed on the support rail 205 and transported, the tableware W having the largest diameter (outer diameter) With the pitch D between the tableware rows WR stacked as a reference, the center axes of the other washing lanes in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the tableware rows WR are set to be substantially the same according to this central axis, and the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 The pitch D between tableware rows is made substantially the same.

The pitch D between the tableware rows of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 of the tableware row WR in which the tableware W having different diameters (outer diameters) are stacked is substantially the same, and the horizontal central axis perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tableware row WR. are substantially the same.

Note that the tableware row pitch D may be changed according to the size of the tableware W for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. When the pitch D between rows of dishes is minimized, the number of dishes that can be carried into the dipping device can be increased. As a result, the time required for one intermittent transfer can be shortened, and the number of tableware that can be processed per unit time can be maximized. Alternatively, the immersion time can be increased while the time required for intermittent transportation remains unchanged, thereby improving the cleaning power of the tableware.

As shown in FIG. 9, in wash lane SR, downstream sprocket 208 is fixed to drive shaft 209 , and drive shaft 209 is rotated by motor 207 . As a result, the chain conveyor 203 of the washing lane SR is rotated to intermittently convey the row of tableware WR on the conveying means 201 with the pitch D between row of tableware set to 1 pitch.

As shown in FIG. 19, arm sensors (intermittent transfer control means) 211 are provided in the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2, respectively, and provided to control the stop position of the chain conveyor 203 that is intermittently transferred. It detects the position of an arm (intermittent transfer control means) 210 fixed to the drive shaft 209 of the downstream sprocket 208 to be moved. Each time the arm 210 rotates, for example, by 180 degrees (half-rotation), the chain conveyor 203 is rotated by a predetermined tableware-row pitch D (one pitch). The arm sensor 211 may be a proximity sensor that detects by magnetism.

When the arm 210 rotates and overlaps the arm sensor 211 , the detection signal of the arm sensor 211 stops the motor 207 . The arm 210 and the arm sensor 211 constitute intermittent transfer control means. It should be noted that the arm sensor 211 is not limited to the magnetic sensor, and an optical sensor or the like may be used.

The stop time (immersion tact time) at each stop position of the chain conveyor 203 is, for example, about 30 seconds, and the time for conveying by the pitch D (one pitch) between tableware rows is very short (eg, 1 second).

For example, 14 tableware rows WR are placed in one washing lane SR in the conveying direction on the conveying means 201, and if the tableware row WR is formed by stacking 20 dishes W, then the tableware rows WR are stacked on the conveying means 201 in the soaking device 200. There are a total of 280 pieces of tableware W at maximum, which are intermittently transported sequentially. In this embodiment in which two washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are arranged side by side, a maximum total of 560 pieces of tableware W are present on each of the conveying means 201a and 201b, and are sequentially and intermittently conveyed. Each piece of tableware W is immersed in the soaking water supplied by the soaking water supply means 220, which will be described later, with the total number of these tablewares W being the maximum.

When one tableware row WR is placed in the immersion device 200 in the conveying direction on the conveying means 201, for example, 14 rows of tableware rows WR are placed in the immersion device 200, one tableware row WR is stopped 14 times. Intermittent transportation is carried out by repeating transportation, and all tableware rows WR which are sequentially carried in repeat the same operation.

Therefore, if the stop time at the stop position is set to 30 seconds, for example, one row of tableware WR is kept in the soaking device 200 for a value obtained by multiplying the number of stop times of 14 times by the stop time of 30 seconds, that is, for at least 7 minutes. It will receive a supply of immersion water. The dirt component adhering to the tableware W is wetted over the soaking time of 7 minutes. Note that the number of tableware rows WR placed on the transport means 201, the stop time of intermittent transport, the transport time, etc. are only examples, and are not limited to these.

The soaking time can be arbitrarily adjusted and set according to the number of tableware rows WR placed in the transport direction on the transport means 201 (corresponding to the number of stops) and the stop time during intermittent transport. For example, if the stop time is the same, increasing the number of tableware rows WR lengthens the soaking time, and decreasing the number of tableware rows WR shortens the soaking time. Further, when the number of tableware rows WR is the same, the longer the stop time, the longer the soaking time, and the shorter the stop time, the shorter the soaking time.

That is, the immersion time for moistening the dirt components adhering to the tableware W can be set according to the number of stops or the stoppage time of the tableware row WR due to the intermittent transfer of the conveying means 201 . As a result of various tests, it has been found that at least 7 minutes of immersion time is necessary to sufficiently wet the various dirt components adhering to the tableware W. The optimal immersion time can be set according to the types of dirt components, the amount of dirt adhered, and the like.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, on the carry-in side of the conveying means 201, when the tableware WR is placed on the support rail 205, the position of the bottom of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware WR is regulated, and the tableware row A first set frame 212a and a second set frame 212b, which are U-shaped set frames 212 in top view, are provided for placing the WR at a predetermined position.

The setting frame 212 can facilitate the placement of the stacked tableware rows WR on the setting frame 212 by the operator.

The chain conveyor 203 rotates the U-shaped opening of the set frame 212 with a curvature corresponding to the diameter of the sprocket 208 . When the row of tableware WR is placed on the pair of support rails 205, the projecting member 204 of the chain conveyor 203 is in a position where it is engaged with the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the row of tableware WR. .

As the chain conveyor 203 rotates, the protruding member 204 engages with the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 and pushes the tableware row by the pitch D, Intermittent transport.

As shown in FIG. 7, a receiving frame 403 having a U shape in top view and supporting the bottom of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR is arranged on the carry-out side (downstream side in the transport direction) of the conveying means 201. The surface that supports the bottom surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR on the tableware row 403 and the upper surface of the pair of support rails 205 are substantially at the same height, and the U-shaped opening side of the receiving frame 403 is the pair of support rails 205. place it on the side.

The tableware W at the lowest end of the row of tableware WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 is intermittently conveyed by the pitch D between the row of tableware from above the pair of support rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403 by the projecting member 204 of the chain conveyor 203. It is moved by pushing and placed. Therefore, the work of pushing out the tableware row WR onto the receiving frame 403 by the operator can be eliminated.

The receiving frame 403 is formed with a surface for supporting the bottom surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR and a surface for guiding the side surfaces of the tableware W, thereby regulating the position of the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403. and stabilize its independent posture.

The chain conveyor 203 rotates the U-shaped opening of the receiving frame 403 with a curvature corresponding to the diameter of the sprocket 208 . When the tableware row WR is transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 by the intermittent conveyance of the tableware row pitch D, the convex member 204 of the chain conveyor 203 moves the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end. However, due to the rise of the receiving frame 403, which will be described later, the projecting member 204 is separated from the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR, and the locking is released.

In this embodiment, the receiving frame 403 is included in the lifting means 400 constituting the separating and discharging device 300, which is the next step of the soaking device 200. A separate member (not shown) that can be received and placed is installed on the carry-out side of the immersion device 200 without being related to the lifting means 400, and the tableware row WR transferred and placed on the separately installed receiving frame is placed by the operator. can be taken out, separated into individual tableware W, and carried into the washing device 800.

Also, the receiving frame 403 is slid in the direction away from the support rail 205 so that the projecting member 204 is separated from the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR to release the lock, and is transferred to the receiving frame 403. It is also possible to adopt a configuration in which an operator takes out the placed tableware row WR, separates the tableware W into individual tableware W, and carries them into the washing apparatus 800 .

In each washing lane SR1, SR2, by adjusting each member and each part, the distance between the pair of support rails 205 and the distance between the pair of guide rails 206 are changed according to the shape, size, etc. of the tableware W. The set frame 212 and the receiving frame 403 are also changed accordingly.

As shown in FIG. 9, a first tableware row insertion switch 230a and a second tableware row insertion switch 230b, which are tableware row insertion switches 230, are provided on the carry-in side of each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. After placing the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 on the pair of support rails 205 of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the operator presses the tableware row loading switch 230a corresponding to the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 on which the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are placed. , 230b.

By this operation, the motors 207a and 207b corresponding to the conveying means 201a and 201b are driven, and the corresponding chain conveyors 203a and 203b are rotated to convey by one pitch of the tableware row pitch D. Subsequently, after placing the next tableware rows WR1 and WR2 on the pair of support rails 205, the tableware row insertion switches 230a and 230b corresponding to the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are operated. Such operations are repeated sequentially.

In addition, the drive shafts 209a and 209b are used as one drive shaft 209, and the sprockets 208 on the downstream side of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2 are fixed to the drive shaft 209 and rotated by one motor 207 to move the conveying means 201a and 201b. They may be driven in conjunction with each other. In that case, one tableware row insertion switch 230 installed on the carrying-in side of the conveying means 201a and 201b can be operated to drive the conveying means 201a and 201b in conjunction with each other at the same time. As a result, the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 placed on the pair of support rails 205 of the transport means 201a and 201b can be transported at once by operating the tableware row input switch 230 once.

Further, for example, when the tableware row WR to be carried into the soaking device 200 for one day (one lot) is the last, after the final tableware row WR is placed on the pair of support rails 205, each washing lane The first final tableware row insertion switch 231a and the second final tableware row insertion switch 231b, which are the final tableware row insertion switches 231 corresponding to SR1 and SR2, respectively, are operated.

By this operation, the motors 207a and 207b of the conveying means 201a and 201b are driven, and the chain conveyors 203a and 203b are rotated to convey by one pitch of the tableware row pitch D. After the final tableware row input switches 231a and 231b are operated, the final tableware row WR repeats the intermittent transportation in which the final tableware row WR stops on the conveying means 201a and 201b 14 times. The intermittent driving of the motors 207a and 207b of the conveying means 201a and 201b is continued until the sheet is pushed onto the receiving frame 403 by conveying and stopping by the pitch and the transfer and mounting are completed.

If it becomes necessary to load the row of tableware WR into the soaking device 200 even after a certain period of time after the final row of tableware insertion switches 231a and 231b have been operated, the final tableware corresponding to each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is displayed. A first final tableware row cancellation switch 232a and a second final tableware row cancellation switch 232b, which are the row release switches 232, are operated to place the tableware row WR on the pair of support rails 205, and then the tableware row is put in. It is configured and controlled such that the operation can be repeated by re-operating the switches 230a, 230b.

Note that the tableware row input switches 230a and 230b, the final tableware row input switches 231a and 231b, and the final tableware row release switches 232a and 232b are shown in FIG.

(Configuration of immersion water supply means)
Next, the immersion water supply means 220 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3, 4 and 6. FIG.

The immersion water supply means 220 includes a plurality of nozzle pipes 221 arranged horizontally above the tableware row WR in the conveying direction of the tableware row WR, and a plurality of nozzles 222 for injecting immersion water downward into the nozzle pipes 221. The nozzle pipe 221 has a pipe length direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tableware rows WR so that the immersion water can be sprayed over the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 in the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, and the tableware rows A plurality of them are arranged in the transport direction of the WR.

In addition, a plurality of nozzle pipes 223 arranged on the side of the tableware row WR in the conveying direction of the tableware row WR, and a plurality of nozzles 224 for injecting immersion water sideways into the nozzle pipes 223 are provided. The pipe length direction is the same as the tableware row WR (vertical direction) so that immersion water can be sprayed for each tableware row WR1 and WR2 in the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, and a plurality of pipes are arranged in the conveying direction of the tableware row WR. .

In addition to the nozzle pipe 221, the nozzle pipe 223 is provided. The nozzle pipe 223 may be omitted and only the nozzle pipe 221 may be provided.

As shown in FIG. 1, the immersion water supply means 220 has a tank 225 that stores a predetermined amount of immersion water below the conveying means 201. , 223 is provided. The immersion water sprayed from the plurality of nozzles 222 of the nozzle pipe 221 and the plurality of nozzles 224 of the nozzle pipe 223 drops into the tank 225 and is collected and recycled.

In addition, at the position below the rotating drum 701 of the lifting means 400, the separating means 500, and the reversing means 700 of the separating and discharging device 300 provided as a post-process of the immersing device 200 described later, the immersion that drains and drops from the tableware W at these parts Water receptacles 226, 227 are provided to receive the used soak water. The immersion water received by the water receptacles 226 and 227 sequentially drops into the tank 225 and is recovered and circulated.

Although not shown, the tank 225 is provided with a path for supplying immersion water (for example, fresh water) and water level detection means for keeping the water level of the immersion water in the tank 225 at a predetermined level. Further, a heating means for raising the temperature of the immersion water in the tank 225 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 50° C., a detergent supply means for supplying the detergent, a filter for removing dirt components on the suction side of the pump 228, and the like. Prepare.

By providing the above-described configuration, the effect of moistening the dirt components adhering to the tableware W by raising the temperature of the immersion water and supplying the detergent is improved, and the removal of the dirt components by the washing device 800 is ensured. can be done. In addition, the filters allow cleaner immersion water to be sprayed from the nozzles 222 and 224, thereby further improving the wetting effect of the dirt components.

Although not shown, if an outer shell member (cover) is provided to cover the conveying means 201 and the immersion water supply means 220 and the immersion chamber is formed in a tunnel shape, the immersion water can be prevented from scattering to the outside and the immersion water can be dissipated. can be suppressed to prevent a temperature drop, and the soaking chamber can be kept in a high-humidity state to improve the moistening effect of the dirt components adhering to the tableware W, and the removal of the dirt components in the washing device 800 can be made more reliable. .

In addition, one tank 225 and a pump 228 are provided over a plurality of washing lanes SR1 and SR2, and the nozzle pipe 221 sprays immersion water over the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 in each washing lane SR1 and SR2. As much as possible, the pipe length direction is the horizontal direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the tableware row WR, and a plurality of pipes are arranged in the conveying direction of the tableware row WR. As a result, even when multiple rows of cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2 are configured, it is possible to achieve commonality and simplification of components and unification of the control system.

(Operation of immersion device)
Next, the operation of the immersion apparatus 200 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 6. FIG. A configuration in which two washing lanes are provided will be described based on the embodiment. The first washing lane SR1 and the second washing lane SR2 are individually controllable, and the immersion can be effectively performed according to the type of tableware W and the amount and quality of stains on the tableware W. can be used properly (details will be described later).

(Immersion water filling step)
First, immersion water (for example, fresh water) is supplied into the tank 225 until it reaches a predetermined water level. At this time, after the immersion water is supplied into the tank 225 as necessary, the temperature of the immersion water is raised to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 50° C. by a heating means such as high-temperature steam supply, and the detergent is supplied. .

(Immersion water injection step)
Next, the pump 228 is driven to supply the immersion water in the tank 225 to the nozzle pipes 221 and 223 through the supply route, and jetting from the nozzles 222 and 224 is started. The immersion water sprayed from the nozzles 222 and 224 drops into the tank 225 and is stored and circulated.

(Tableware Row Support Rail Placement Step)
Thereafter, a predetermined number, for example, 20 pieces are stacked in advance on the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 shown in FIGS. With its position regulated by the set frames 212a and 212b, it is placed on the support rails 205 provided on the carry-in side of the conveying means 201a and 201b.

(Tableware line loading start step)
First, after the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 to be carried into the soaking device 200 are placed on the support rails 205 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the tableware row input switches 230a and 230b (see FIG. 9) are operated. A person performs a pushing operation, and the motors 207a and 207b of the conveying means 201a and 201b start driving in response to this operation signal.

The sprocket 208 rotates by driving the motors 207a and 207b, and the respective chain conveyors 203a and 203b rotate. At this time, the convex members 204 provided on the chain conveyors 203a and 203b contact the side surfaces of the tableware W positioned at the bottom of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2, and the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are pushed and conveyed on the support rails 205. .
In this manner, the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are carried into the soaking apparatus 200 at different timings or at the same timings in the respective washing lanes SR1 and SR2. Carrying-in and subsequent transportation of the tableware row WR can be performed individually for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

(Intermittent transfer start step)
As shown in FIGS. 5, 6 and 19, when the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are pushed and conveyed on the support rails 205, the respective arms 210 that rotate together with the drive shafts 209a and 209b rotate approximately 180 degrees. As a result, one end of arm 210 approaches arm sensor 211 . An arm sensor 211 detects one end side of the approaching arm 210, and controls the driving of the motors 207a and 207b to stop for a predetermined time, for example, about 30 seconds.

After being stopped for a predetermined time, the chain conveyors 203a and 203b are rotated by a predetermined distance and a pitch D between tableware rows. It takes approximately one second for the chain conveyors 203a and 203b to rotate by the pitch D between the tableware rows. Tableware rows WR1 and WR2 conveyed by convex members 204 of rotating chain conveyors 203a and 203b are conveyed by pushing on support rails 205, and jetted from nozzles 222 and 224 of nozzle pipes 221 and 223. start receiving a supply of immersion water.

(Tableware row continuous loading step/immersion step)
As shown in FIGS. 1, 5, 8, 9 and 19, tableware rows WR1 and WR2 to be carried in second are placed on the support rails 205 again. After finishing the placement, the operator pushes the tableware row insertion switches 230a and 230b, and the operation signals start driving the motors 207a and 207b of the conveying means 201a and 201b.

Each of the chain conveyors 203a and 203b rotates, and the convex members 204 of the chain conveyors 203a and 203b come into contact with the side surfaces of the tableware W positioned at the bottom of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2, and the tableware rows are moved on the support rails 205. WR1 and WR2 are pushed to convey. At this time, the chain conveyors 203a and 203b rotate by the pitch D between rows of tableware detected by the arm sensor 211, and stop on the support rail 205 for a predetermined time. After that, this work and operation are sequentially repeated.

After the first tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are placed on the support rails 205 and pushed by the projecting members 204 of the rotating chain conveyors 203a and 203b, the second tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are supported. It is placed on rails 205 .

At this time, for example, in the first washing lane SR1, unless the first tableware row WR1 has stopped on the support rail 205 for a predetermined time period, for example, 30 seconds, the tableware row input switch 230a is pressed by the operator. Even if it is moved, the drive of the motor 207a is not started. That is, the second tableware row WR1 is pushed on the support rail 205 and is not transported.

That is, when the worker pushes the first tableware row input switch 230a after the tableware row WR1 that has been pushed and conveyed one step forward stops on the support rails 205 for a predetermined time or longer, the next tableware is placed. The control device 1000 performs control (stop time priority control) capable of pushing and conveying the row WR1 on the support rail 205 .

In addition, the stop time priority control stops the tableware row WR1 on the support rail 205 when the tableware row input switch 230a is pushed by the worker when the tableware row WR1 stops for less than a predetermined time. After a predetermined period of time has passed, the motor 207a is started to drive. That is, the second tableware row WR1 is pushed on the support rail 205 and conveyed. This stop time priority control is performed not only for the first cleaning lane SR1 but also for the second cleaning lane SR2.

In this way, in the state of the stop time priority control, the worker pushes the tableware row input switches 230a and 230b to push and move the second and subsequent tableware rows WR1 and WR2 on the support rail 205 to convey them.

In the second tableware rows WR1 and WR2, the convex members 204 of the chain conveyors 203a and 203b abut against the side surfaces of the tableware W positioned at the bottom of the second tableware rows WR1 and WR2, and are pushed on the support rails 205. move and transport. At this time, the arm sensor 211 detects the chain conveyors 203a and 203b by the pitch D between the tableware rows, and control is performed to stop them for a predetermined time.

Following the first row of tableware WR1, WR2 which has already been sprayed with immersion water, the second row of tableware WR1, WR2 is pushed and conveyed on the support rails 205, the nozzles 222, 222 of the nozzle tubes 221, 223, 224 to begin receiving a supply of immersion water.

The third and subsequent tableware rows WR1 and WR2 to be carried in repeat the same operation as described above, and the carrying (throwing in) of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 into the soaking device 200 is repeated.

(Final tableware row input step)
The loading of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 into the soaking device 200 is sequentially repeated, and when the row of tableware WR1 and WR2 to be carried into the soaking device 200 for one day (one lot) is the last row, the final row of tableware WR1, After the WR2 is placed on the set frames 212a and 212b, the final tableware row insertion switches 231a and 231b (see FIG. 9) are operated. By this operation, the motors 207a and 207b of the conveying means 201a and 201b are driven, and the chain conveyors 203a and 203b are rotated to convey by one pitch of the tableware row pitch D.

At this time, even if the final tableware row input switches 231a and 231b are operated, the tableware rows WR1, WR1, WR1, If the WR2 is not stopped on the support rail 205 for a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds, the motors 207a and 207b are not started, and the motors 207a and 207b are started after the stop time of 30 seconds has passed. I do.

Further, if the row of tableware WR1, WR2 immediately before the row of tableware WR1, WR2 which is the last row of tableware has passed the predetermined stop time on the support rail 205, the driving of the motors 207a, 207b is immediately started. Each chain conveyor 203a, 203b rotates, and the projecting member 204 abuts on the side surface of the tableware W positioned at the bottom of the last tableware rows WR1, WR2, and pushes and conveys the tableware W on the support rails 205.

Rows of tableware WR1 and WR2 that are successively thrown in are intermittently conveyed by the pitch D between the rows of tableware, and are supplied with the immersion water sprayed for a total of about 7 minutes while stopping at the stop position 14 times. Thus, there will be up to 14 rows of tableware WR1, WR2 each in the soaking device 200 supplied with soaking water.

The first tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are intermittently conveyed 14 times while receiving the immersion water in the immersion device 200, and then transferred onto the receiving frame 403 by the next intermittent conveyance (15th time). After that, the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 which are sequentially loaded are also intermittently conveyed 14 times, and then transferred onto the receiving frame 403 by the next intermittent conveyance.

As described above, in the intermittent transportation, if the number of stops is 14 and the predetermined stop time is 30 seconds, each row of tableware WR is supplied with the immersion water for at least about 7 minutes, and the dirt component is removed. will wet the

In addition, even after a certain period of time from the operation of the final row of tableware insertion switches 231a and 231b, when it becomes necessary to carry in the row of tableware WR into the soaking device 200, the final row of tableware release switches 232a and 232b (Fig. 9 ) to place the tableware row WR on the support rail 205, and then by pushing the tableware row loading switches 230a and 230b, the loading of the tableware row WR can be repeated.

Furthermore, in the present embodiment, an example in which two washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are provided has been described, but the present invention is not limited to this. Any number of washing lanes SR may be used to carry in, intermittently convey, and carry out operation and control of the row of tableware WR in the same manner as described above.

The final tableware rows WR1 and WR2 carried into the soaking device 200 are intermittently conveyed 14 times, and after being transferred onto the receiving frame 403 by the next intermittent conveyance (15th time), the driving of the chain conveyor 203 and the pump 228 is stopped. .

In the method of controlling the intermittent transportation of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 by the chain conveyor 203, the control of transfer to the separating and reversing process, which is the process after the dipping process, will be described later.

(Conveyance by Conveying Means)
Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6, the state of transport by the transport means 201 of the tableware row WR will be described. In each of the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 carried into the immersion device 200, the bottom of the tableware W at the lowest end is placed on a pair of support rails 205, and both side surfaces of the tableware W at the lowest end are placed on a pair of support rails. The position of the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction is regulated by the guide rail 206, and the convex member 204 attached to the chain conveyor 203 contacts the side surface (upstream side in the conveying direction) of the tableware W at the lowest end in the conveying direction, and the chain With the rotation of the conveyor 203, the whole tableware row WR which stands on its own is conveyed by the projecting member 204. - 特許庁At this time, the bottom of the lowermost tableware W bearing the full weight of the tableware row WR slides on the pair of support rails 205, and both side surfaces of the lowermost tableware W slide along the pair of guide rails 206. slide.

As a result, the tableware row WR can be arranged along the pair of support rails 205 and the pair of guide rails 206 without using guide rods or the like that support three or more points on the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W in order to maintain a self-supporting posture. It can be transported while maintaining a stable self-supporting posture.

In addition, the immersion water jetted to the tableware row WR wets the sliding surfaces of the pair of support rails 205 and the pair of guide rails 206 to make them slippery, thereby reducing the sliding resistance with the tableware W and allowing a more stable independent posture. It can be transported while maintaining. At least the sliding surfaces of the pair of support rails 205 and the pair of guide rails 206 with respect to the tableware W are made of resin or the like with good slipperiness, thereby further reducing the sliding resistance with the tableware W and stabilizing the sliding resistance. It can be transported while maintaining its independent posture.

(wetting by immersion device)
Next, with reference to FIG. 6, the state of supplying soaking water jetted to the row of tableware WR in the soaking device 200 and moistening the dirt adhering to the tableware W will be described.

The immersion water sprayed downward from the nozzle 222 of the nozzle pipe 221 above the tableware W at the topmost end of the tableware row WR is first stored in the surface side (recess) of the tableware W at the topmost end. The immersed water flows down as overflow water along the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W, and flows into the gap between the adjacent tableware W by stacking from the vertical interval of the outer peripheral edge of the mutually adjacent tableware W positioned below. , the water is stored in this gap sequentially.

At this time, if the amount of immersion water jetted downward from the nozzle 222 is increased, the water is first stored on the surface side (concave portion) of the tableware W at the top end, and then overflows from the outer peripheral edge and the falling flux , and reaches the lowest tableware W of the tableware row WR along each outer peripheral edge in a short time. The falling flux of the immersion water diverges and flows into the gap between the adjacent tableware W by stacking them from the space between the outer peripheral edges of the tableware W adjacent to each other located below, and the water is stored in a shorter time.

The immersion water flowing into and stored in the gap between the mutually adjacent tableware W is constantly replaced by part of the immersion water stored in the gap between the mutually adjacent tableware W by the continuously jetted immersion water. As a result, moistening of the dirt components is accelerated, a part of the dirt is exfoliated and removed, and a pre-washing action is also generated, so that the washing effect and washing efficiency of the dish washing system 100 as a whole can be further enhanced.

By spraying the immersion water downward from the nozzle 222 of the nozzle pipe 221 at a wide angle, part of the immersion water directly reaches the outer peripheral edge of the entire tableware W from the side of the tableware row WR, and is adjacent to each other. Water is stored in the gaps between the paired tableware W more quickly, and dirt on the outer peripheral edge is also removed.

Furthermore, in the case of a configuration in which the immersion water is jetted from the side of the tableware row WR to each tableware W from the nozzle 224 of the nozzle pipe 223 in the vertical direction, the immersion water is also directly injected from the side of the tableware row WR. The water reaches the outer periphery of the entire tableware W, and the water is stored in the gap between the adjacent tablewares W more quickly, and the removal of stains on the outer peripheral edge is promoted. Note that the vertical nozzle pipe 223 may be provided as needed in order to simplify the structure.

The immersion water jetted from the nozzle 222 of the nozzle pipe 221 or from the nozzle 224 of the nozzle pipe 223 onto the tableware row WR flows down to the conveying means 201, drops into the tank 225, is stored, and is pumped again by the pump 228 to circulate. use. As a result, the amount of immersion water stored in the tank 225 can be minimized, and water can be saved. Also, by controlling the capacity of the pump 228, the amount of soaking water supplied to the tableware row WR can be optimally adjusted.

As described above, the immersion apparatus 200 of this embodiment stacks a plurality of tableware W (for example, 20 pieces) to form a tableware row WR, and this tableware row WR is arranged in the conveying direction on the conveying means 201 of one washing lane SR. A plurality (for example, 14 rows) of tableware W are placed, and while being transported by the transport means 201, the immersion water stored between the adjacent tablewares W in the tableware row WR wets the dirt components adhering to the tablewares W.

In this way, a plurality of dishes W are stacked to form a tableware row WR by utilizing the space in the vertical direction, and the outer peripheral edges of the tableware row WR do not contact each other in the conveying direction on the conveying means 201, so that the tableware row WR A plurality of tableware rows WR are placed with a distance taken into consideration so that the outer peripheral edges do not come into contact with each other even if the center axis of the tableware is slightly deviated. As a result, the required space in the vertical direction, the conveying direction of the tableware row WR, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction can be minimized, and the tableware W can be stored in this space at high density, and the entire dipping device 200 can be made compact. , and the space can be saved when installing.

In addition, if the soaking apparatus 200 is configured to have a plurality of washing lanes SR, the necessary space in the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the row of tableware WR between the washing lanes SR adjacent to each other is minimized, and the entire space is A large number of tableware W can be stored at high density. As a result, a larger number of tableware W can be immersed at the same time, and the whole immersion apparatus 200 can be made compact, and space can be saved when installing.

Conventionally, an immersion method has mainly been used in which each piece of tableware W or a row of tableware WR is placed in a dish basket or the like and submerged in immersion water stored in an immersion tank for a predetermined period of time. On the other hand, in the immersion apparatus 200 of the present embodiment, a plurality of dishes W are stacked in the open atmosphere (space, outside of water) on the conveying means 201 instead of being submerged in the immersion water. are formed, and immersion water is jetted while conveying them, and dirt components adhering to the tableware W are moistened by the immersion water stored between the adjacent tablewares W in each row of tableware WR. This stabilizes the immersion action of each piece of tableware W, simplifies the work of loading and unloading a plurality of pieces of tableware W into the immersion device 200, improves workability and safety, and makes it possible to improve workability and safety. The immersion water is minimized and water can be saved.

As described above, the immersion apparatus 200 of the present embodiment sprays immersion water from the nozzles 222 onto the plurality of dishes W forming the tableware row WR, and causes the dishes W forming the tableware row WR to store the water. To allow a large amount of tableware W to be immersed by miniaturization and space saving of installation while sufficiently securing the time necessary for moistening the stain adhering to W.

More specifically, the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are placed on the carry-in side of the conveying means 201a and 201b of the immersion device 200, and the tableware row input switches 230a of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 on which the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are placed, 230b is operated to carry in tableware rows WR1 and WR2. Each time the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 are placed on the carry-in side of the conveying means 201a and 201b, the tableware row input switches 230a and 230b are operated to carry in the tableware rows WR1 and WR2.

At this time, by setting in advance the stop time for each intermittent transfer of the transfer means 201a and 201b by the control device 1000, the tableware W in the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 to be transferred is individually controlled according to the amount and quality of dirt on the tableware W. The immersion time can be controlled for each of the conveying means 201a and 201b.

For example, the amount of dirt adhering to the dishes W of the tableware row WR1 carried into the first washing lane SR1 is greater than the amount of dirt adhering to the dishes W of the tableware row WR2 carried into the second washing lane SR2. You may want to increase the time of In that case, the predetermined stop time of the intermittent operation of the first conveying means 201a is set longer than the predetermined stop time of the intermittent operation of the second conveying means 201b to give moisture to the dirt adhering to the tableware W. It can be moistened for a long time and improve the cleaning effect.

In addition, when the dirt on the tableware W of the tableware row WR1 carried into the first washing lane SR1 is lighter than the dirt on the tableware W of the tableware row WR2 carried into the second washing lane SR2. Therefore, there are cases where it is desired to wash more tableware W. In that case, the predetermined stop time in the intermittent operation of the first conveying means 201a is shortened from the predetermined stop time in the intermittent operation of the second conveying means 201b, and the number of tableware W processed per unit time is increased. be able to.

In this way, it is possible to control the soaking time of the tableware W according to the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to the tableware W for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, thereby enhancing the washing effect by wetting. Alternatively, the number of immersion washing processes for the tableware W per unit time can be increased.

The dipping device 200 detects that the tableware row WR is placed at a predetermined placement position, for example, a position where the tableware row WR is regulated by the set frame 212 on the support rail 205. A column sensor may be provided.

For example, the first washing lane SR1 may be provided with a tableware row sensor, and while the control device 1000 performs stop time priority control, the tableware row WR1 may remain at a predetermined placement position for a predetermined time, for example, 5 seconds or more. , the tableware row WR1 is conveyed downstream in the tableware conveying direction by the conveying means 201a. Further, the second washing lane SR2 is configured in the same manner, and by performing the same control, the tableware row WR2 is conveyed downstream in the tableware conveying direction by the conveying means 201b.

This eliminates the need to operate the tableware row loading switch 230 each time the tableware row WR is placed at a predetermined placement position, thereby saving the labor of the operator when carrying in the tableware row WR. Furthermore, after operating the final tableware row insertion switch 231, the tableware row sensor detects that the tableware row WR has been placed at a predetermined placement position, thereby pushing the final tableware row release switch 232. Instead, the tableware row WR may be conveyed.

Note that when the tableware row sensor is provided, the tableware row input switch 230 and the final tableware row release switch 232 may not be provided.

(Structure of Separating and Reversing Device)
Next, referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 9 to 19, an elevating means 400 for elevating the tableware row WR that has been immersed in the immersion water for a predetermined time by the immersion device 200; The configuration of the separating and reversing device 600 including separating means 500 for sequentially separating and discharging individual tableware W from the row WR and reversing means 700 for reversing the front and back surfaces of the tableware W separated by the separating means 500 will be described.

(Structure of lifting means)
A lifting means 400 for lifting the tableware row WR shown in FIGS. 402b, and a vertical lifting threaded rod 404 that rotates integrally with the rotating shaft of the motor 402. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the receiving frame 403 on which the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR is placed, and the female screw body 403a integrated with the receiving frame 403 are screwed with the lifting screw rod 404, and the lifting screw rod 404 rotates. As a result, the receiving frame 403 moves up and down via the female screw body 403a. As the receiving frame 403 is lifted, the entire tableware row WR is lifted.

The motor 402 is a stepping motor having a built-in brake mechanism (not shown) for facilitating setting of a predetermined vertical position of the receiving frame 403 and for preventing rotation of the lifting screw rod 404 when not driven (not energized). is preferably used.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to prevent the receiving frame 403 from rotating around the lifting screw rod 404 as a central axis, two slide shafts arranged in parallel with the lifting screw rod 404 on the half circumference side of the tableware W are provided. (Guide bar) 405 is provided. In addition, at least the outer peripheral surface of the slide shaft 405 is preferably made of resin in order to prevent the outer peripheral surface of the slide shaft 405 from being slippery with the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W and the formation of metal marks on the tableware W.

Furthermore, the outer peripheral surface of the slide shaft 405 slides along the outer peripheral surface of the slide shaft 405 when the tableware row WR is placed on the receiving frame 403 and when the tableware row WR is moved up and down. It also has the function of stabilizing the independent posture of the robot.

The receiving frame 403 is positioned on the unloading side (downstream side in the conveying direction) of the conveying means 201 of the immersion apparatus 200 as described above, and is U-shaped in top view for supporting the bottom of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR. As a result, the surface supporting the bottom surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR and the upper surface of the pair of support rails 205 are substantially at the same height, and the U-shaped opening side of the receiving frame 403 is on the side of the pair of support rails 205 be positioned at The projecting member 204 of the chain conveyor 203 engages the tableware W at the lowest end of the row of tableware WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 by intermittent transportation of the pitch D between the row of tableware. It is moved and placed on the receiving frame 403 by pushing from there.

The receiving frame 403 is formed with a surface for supporting the bottom surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR and a surface for guiding the side surfaces of the tableware W, thereby regulating the position of the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403. , to stabilize its independent posture.

In addition, in order to maintain the independent posture of the tableware row WR when the entire tableware row WR is raised as the receiving frame 403 rises, it faces two slide shafts 405 that support the outer peripheral edges of the tableware W on the half-circumference side. Tableware row guides 406 (see FIG. 15(a)) are provided on the semi-peripheral side, which are aligned with two slide shafts 405 to maintain an independent posture when the tableware row WR rises on the receiving frame 403. , the deviation of the center axis of the tableware row WR can be suppressed.

Furthermore, as shown in FIGS. 10 and 14, the lifting means 400 is intermittently conveyed by the pitch D between the tableware rows to move the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware rows WR placed on the pair of support rails 205. A receiving frame sensor (lowering position detecting means) 407 is provided for detecting that the receiving frame 403 is at the position where the projecting member 204 of the chain conveyor 203 pushes the supporting rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403 to transfer and place the product. ing. This receiving frame sensor 407 uses, for example, a magnetic proximity sensor, and when it comes close to the sensor sensing member 403b integrated with the receiving frame 403, the switch is turned on, and the tableware row WR is supported by the convex members 204 of the chain conveyor 203. It is detected that it is at a position where it can be pushed from the rail 205 onto the receiving frame 403 to be transferred and placed.

In addition, the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403 is lifted, and the separation of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR (the last tableware W to be separated) from the receiving frame 403 is completed by the separating means 500 described later, After detecting that there is no leftover tableware W on the receiving frame 403, the receiving frame 403 is lifted by a predetermined distance from this position and stopped. At this stop position, when the receiving frame sensor (upper limit position detecting means) 408 comes close to the sensor sensing member 403b integrated with the receiving frame 403, the switch is turned on, and the lifting screw rod 404 is turned on when the motor 402 is lifted. Control is performed to rotate in the direction opposite to the direction of rotation, and the receiving frame 403 is pushed onto the receiving frame 403 from above the pair of support rails 205 and lowered to the lowered position where it is transferred and placed.

The tableware sensor 410 is composed of, for example, a pair of a light-emitting element and a light-receiving element. It is an optical sensor that detects the presence or absence of W. Note that the receiving frame sensor 407, the receiving frame sensor 408, and the tableware sensor 410 are provided for each of the lifting means 400 independently installed on each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

In addition, when the receiving frame 403 is in the lowered position where it can be pushed from the pair of support rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403 by the projecting member 204 of the chain conveyor 203 and transferred and placed, the row of tableware on the receiving frame 403 A tableware sensor 409 composed of a pair of light-emitting element and light-receiving element for detecting the presence or absence of WR is provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. The tableware sensor 409 detects the lowest tableware W in the tableware row WR, and detects the presence or absence of the tableware W on the receiving frame 403 of the lifting means 400 installed in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

When the receiving frame 403 is at the lowered position and the tableware sensor 409 detects that there is no tableware W on the receiving frame 403, the control device 1000 controls the motor 402 to stop.

Further, when the tableware sensor 409 detects that there is tableware W on the receiving frame 403 at the lowered position, the control device 1000 drives the motor 402 to rotate the lifting screw rod 404 to raise the receiving frame 403. control to allow The control of the control device 1000 based on these signals from the tableware sensor 409 will be described later.

As described above, in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the tableware rows WR can be intermittently conveyed at individual timings by the conveying means 201a and 201b. In this case, the timing at which the row of tableware WR is transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 differs between the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. Even in such a case, the control device 1000 can individually control the lifting means 400 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. The tableware row WR can be quickly raised at the specified timing.

Also, the height of the tableware row WR may differ between the first tableware row WR1 and the second tableware row WR2. Furthermore, even among the same washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the height of the tableware row WR may be different between one row of tableware WR that is carried in first and the other row of tableware WR that is carried in later. That is, the height of each tableware row WR may differ due to the number of tableware W stacked in each tableware row WR and the shape of the tableware W stacked in each tableware row WR being different.

Specifically, the tableware rows WR carried into the immersion device 200 may have the same shape of the tableware W but different numbers of the stacked tableware W. As shown in FIG. In addition, even if the number of stacked tableware W is the same, the height of each stacked tableware W, such as a bowl and a plate, is different, or the difference in the height of the tableware row WR, which increases as the tableware W is stacked one by one. The stacking interval (stacking interval) of the tableware W may be different. That is, the height to which the receiving frame 403 on which the tableware row WR is placed may be different between the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

According to the configuration of the lifting means 400 described above, it is possible to individually control the height to which the row of dishes WR is lifted in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. can be raised to Also, even if the heights of the tableware rows WR carried into the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are different, the height of the receiving frame 403 is controlled according to the height of each tableware row WR. be able to.

In addition, after separating the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR by the separating means 500, it is necessary to raise the tableware row WR by approximately the stacking interval per tableware W, but even at that time, the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are required. can be raised by a predetermined height, that is, by approximately the stacking interval per piece of tableware W.

As a result, the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR can be continuously and stably separated more reliably by the separating means 500, which will be described later.

(Structure of separation means)
Next, referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, 15, 17 and 18, the configuration of separating means 500 for separating and discharging individual tableware W sequentially from the tableware row WR in conjunction with lifting means 400. explain. The separating means 500 is also provided so as to be individually controllable for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11(b), the separation means 500 is a first arm unit (arm unit) which is an arm unit 501 that rotates to separate the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR. 501a and a second arm unit (arm unit) 501b. These arm units 501 are configured by connecting one side of arms 502 and 503 on both sides with a connecting arm 504. An arm bearing 505 is attached to each intermediate portion. A fulcrum shaft 506 is passed through each of the arm bearings 505 , and the arm unit 501 rotates about the fulcrum shaft 506 supported by the bearing 507 as a rotation fulcrum.

As shown in FIG. 12, a fixing member 508 is integrally fixed to the connecting arm 504, and a fixing member 509a is further fixed to the fixing member 508. As shown in FIG. Furthermore, the fixing member 509b is connected to and fixed to the housing main body 511. As shown in FIG.

A pair of housing bodies 511 having a predetermined length are fixed to the fixed member 509a, and movable claws 512 are slidably housed in recesses on opposite sides of the housing bodies 511 facing each other. An upper surface 512a and a lower surface 512b of the movable claw 512 are formed, and a downwardly inclined surface 512c is formed between the upper surface 512a and the lower surface 512b. do. As will be described later, the apexes of the upper surface 512a and the inclined surface 512c enter into the lower side of the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W facing each other and are grasped and separated.

The center position of the movable claw 512 in the longitudinal direction (sliding direction) is substantially the same as the center axis of the tableware W at the top end of the row of tableware WR.

A spring member (biasing means) 513 is housed in the concave portion of the housing body 511 to bias the movable claws 512 in opposite directions (inward direction). Although not shown, when the movable claws 512 are urged in the opposing direction (inward direction) by the spring member 513, a stopper that limits the movement distance of the movable claws 512 due to sliding and keeps them in the concave portion of the housing body 511. A portion (not shown) is provided on the housing body 511 .

An upper guide rail (guide rail) 514 is provided on the lower surface of the fixed member 509a facing the upper surface 512a of the movable claw 512, and the upper guide rail 514 extends to the length of the fixed member 509b. A lower guide rail (guide rail) 515 is provided on the fixing member 509 b so as to face the upper guide rail 514 . The opposing outer peripheral edges of the tableware W are supported by the gap between the upper guide rail 514 and the upper surface 512a of the movable claw 512 and the gap between the upper guide rail 514 and the lower guide rail 515 provided on the fixed member 509b so as to be slidable. Become.

As shown in FIG. 10, the pair of storage bodies 511, movable claws 512, and spring members 513 constitute gripping chucks 510a and 510b, respectively. 510b are arranged side by side along the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2.

Each of the gripping chucks 510a and 510b provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is configured so that the storage bodies 511 facing each other are adjusted by adjusting each member and each part according to the shape of the tableware W, the diameter of the outer peripheral edge, and the like. The distance and shape between the movable claws 512 that are slidable in the recess on the side to be moved are changed.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11B, an arm rotation mechanism 520 for rotating the arm unit 501 is provided so as to be individually controllable for each of the arm units 501a and 501b. In each of the arm rotation mechanisms 520, a sprocket 523 provided on a motor rotating shaft 522 rotated by a first motor (driving source) 521a and a second motor (driving source) 521b, which are motors (driving sources) 521; A chain 527 is suspended between a sprocket 526 on a rotary shaft 524 supported by a bearing 525 and the rotary shaft 524 is rotated. One end of a rotating lever (second connecting member) 528 having a predetermined length is fixed to both ends of the rotating shaft 524, and the other end of the rotating lever 528 rotates about the rotating shaft 524 as a central axis. Incidentally, it is preferable to use a stepping motor with a built-in braking means as the motor 521 .

The other end of the rotating lever 528 is rotatably connected to one end of a connecting lever (first connecting member) 530 having a predetermined length by a joint (third pivot point) 529 . The other end of the connecting lever 530 is rotatably connected to one end of the arms 502 and 503 (opposite to the gripping chuck 510) by a joint (second fulcrum) 531. As shown in FIG. Further, the other ends of the arms 502 and 503 having the gripping chuck 510 rotate around a fulcrum shaft (rotating fulcrum shaft, first rotating fulcrum) 506 supported by the arm bearing 505 as a free end.

The arms 502 and 503, the fulcrum shaft 506, the connecting lever 530, the joint 531, the rotating lever 528, and the joint 529 constitute a link mechanism 532, respectively. The link mechanism 532 reciprocates the gripping chuck 510 within a predetermined angular range (for example, approximately 45 degrees) from a substantially horizontal position to a position inclined by a predetermined angle. The operation will be described later.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 17, the separation means 500 is supported and fixed to a fixed frame 533 and provided with pushing members 540 corresponding to the gripping chucks 510a and 510b. This push-out member 540 has a function of promoting drop discharge of the tableware W gripped by the gripping chucks 510a and 510b.

The motor 521, link mechanism 532, bearings 507, 525, etc. are fixed to a fixed frame 541 shown in FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 15 and 18, when the tableware W is gripped by the gripping chuck 510 and the arm unit 501 is rotated from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position, is the gripped tableware W left at the position of the gripping chuck 510? A tableware sensor (separate discharge detection means) 550 is provided which is composed of a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element for detecting the presence or absence of the food. The tableware sensor 550 is installed in each of the gripping chucks 510a, 510b provided in the washing lanes SR1, SR2.

When the arm unit 501 is tilted, the tableware sensor 550 detects that there is no tableware W at the position of the gripping chuck 510, and performs control so that the arm unit 501 may be rotated to a substantially horizontal position. Further, when the tableware sensor 550 continues to detect the presence of the tableware W at the position of the gripping chuck 510, the arm unit 501 is controlled to stand by at a position inclined by a predetermined angle.

As shown in FIG. 15, a water injection pipe 570 is provided to inject water into the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403 of each lifting means 400 . One end of the water injection pipe 570 opens toward the surface of the tableware W positioned at the top end, and the other end communicates with a water supply source (not shown). The water supply source is connected to a discharge path of a pump 813 of the cleaning device 800, which will be described later, so as to supply part of the cleaning water (finishing cleaning water).

As the water to be injected onto the surface side of the tableware W, the water injection pipe 570 may be connected to the discharge path of the pump 228 of the immersion device 200 to supply part of the immersion water, or the tap water (tap water) path may be used. Fresh water may be supplied by connecting a water injection pipe 570 to .

(Structure of Reversing Means)
Next, referring to FIGS. 10, 11 and 15, the configuration of the reversing means 700 provided in the separating and reversing device 600 will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 10, 11(c) and 15, the rotating drum 701 has a first rotating drum 701a and a second rotating drum 701b for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. A fulcrum shaft 506 is inserted into each of the two rotating drums 701a and 701b so that the two rotating drums 701a and 701b can be rotated individually.

Each of the rotating drums 701a and 701b has a side wall 702 and a plurality of partition walls 703 radially provided from the center side, forming a plurality of tableware storage spaces 704 partitioned by these. The tableware storage space 704 receives the individual tableware W separated and discharged from the separating means 500, and the surface side of the tableware W is turned downward by the rotation of the rotating drums 701a and 701b, and the tableware W after the inversion is stored in the tableware storage space 704. Drop it by its own weight and release it. Four tableware storage spaces 704 are formed at positions equally divided in the circumferential direction of the rotary drums 701a and 701b.

The tableware storage space 704 is defined by the distance between two side walls 702 and the distance between a plurality of partition walls 703 provided radially from the center side according to the diameter and height (depth) of the outer periphery of the tableware W to be stored. Set each to the optimum size. Also, the dimension of the tableware storage space 704 in the circumferential direction is set so that almost the entire tableware W enters the tableware storage space 704 .

Next, of the drum drive units 705 that rotate the rotary drum 701, the drum drive unit 705 that drives the first rotary drum 701a provided in the first washing lane SR1 will be described with reference to FIG. do.

As shown in FIG. 11(c), a chain 708 is suspended between a sprocket 706 fixed to the motor rotation shaft 522 of the first motor 521a of the arm rotation mechanism 520 and a sprocket 707 fixed to the fulcrum shaft 506, Rotation of the first motor 521a causes the rotating drum 701 to rotate in the direction of the arrow (rotate to the right) as shown in FIG.

The reciprocating rotation of the first arm unit 501a and the intermittent rotation (for example, approximately every 45 degrees) of the first rotating drum 701a, which is the rotating drum 701, are performed by the first motor 521a provided in the arm rotation mechanism 520. As a drive source, they are driven synchronously. By controlling and driving the first motor 521a by the control device 1000, the arm unit 501a is reciprocated, and the rotary drum 701a is synchronously rotated intermittently.

The drum driving section 705 of the first rotating drum 701a in the first cleaning lane SR1 is configured as described above, and the drum driving section 705 of the second rotating drum 701b in the second cleaning lane SR2 has the same configuration. It has become. That is, the drum driving section 705 of the first washing lane SR1 and the drum driving section 705 of the second washing lane SR2 are individually controlled and driven by the control device 1000 .

Further, the fulcrum shafts 506 of the arm units 501a and 501b are fixed to the center portions of the first rotating drum 701a and the second rotating drum 701b, respectively. Therefore, the rotating drums 701a and 701b rotate integrally with the fulcrum shaft 506, respectively.

In addition, the rotation of the rotating drums 701a and 701b causes the surface side of the tableware W to turn downward, and the tableware drop guide 710 (see FIG. 15) is placed at the position where the turned tableware W is dropped from the tableware storage space 704 by its own weight. are provided. This tableware drop guide 710 allows the discharged tableware W to be transferred in a stable posture from the tableware storage space 704 onto the conveyor 802 of the washing device 800 in the next step.

Also, a tableware sensor (reverse discharge detection means) 720 (see FIG. 15(c)) composed of a pair of light-emitting element and light-receiving element for detecting whether or not the discharged tableware W remains on the tableware drop guide 710 (see FIG. 15(c)). is provided. The tableware sensor 720 is individually provided in each of the first washing lane SR1 and the second washing lane SR2, and detects the presence or absence of the tableware W on the tableware drop guide 710. As shown in FIG.

When the tableware sensor 720 detects that there is no tableware W on the tableware drop guide 710, the arm unit 501 rotates from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position, and the rotating drum 701 driven synchronously with the arm unit 501 rotates. You can do the control. Further, when the tableware sensor 720 continues to detect the presence of the tableware W on the tableware drop guide 710, the arm unit 501 is rotated from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position and driven synchronously with the arm unit 501. Control is performed so that the rotating drum 701 does not start rotating.

In the present embodiment, one rotary drum 701a, 701b is provided for each of the washing lanes SR1, SR2 and configured to rotate individually, but the rotary drums 701a, 701b for the washing lanes SR1, SR2 are connected and integrated. may be configured In that case, one motor 521 is driven as the same drive source. In that case, the configuration of the separating and inverting device 600 can be simplified.

A plurality of members of the link mechanism 532 may be prepared and exchanged according to the type of tableware W so that the positions of the arm units 501a and 501b inclined at a predetermined angle can be changed.

(Operation of Separating and Reversing Device)
Next, the operation of the separating and reversing device 600 will be described.

(Tableware separation and discharge process, preparation step for separation and reversal process)
As shown in FIG. 7, the position of the receiving frame 403 provided in the lifting means 400 constituting the separating and releasing device 300 is the surface supporting the bottom surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR and the upper surface of the pair of support rails 205. are positioned at substantially the same height below. The stopped state (standby state) at the lower position is a position where the receiving frame 403 enables the tableware row WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 of the soaking device 200 to be transferred and placed.

At this time, the sensor sensing member 403b provided on each receiving frame 403 positioned in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is close to the receiving frame sensor 407, and each receiving frame sensor 407 detects that the receiving frame 403 is in the lower position. I am detecting. Furthermore, the tableware sensor 409 detects that there is no tableware W on the receiving frame 403 . With these, the tableware row WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 is on standby in a state where it can be transferred to and placed on the receiving frame 403 .

Next, the basic standby state of the arm unit 501 constituting the separating and discharging device 300 and the rotary drum 701 constituting the separating and reversing device 600 in addition to the separating and discharging device 300 will be described.

Each of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2 has one arm unit 501 and one rotating drum 701, which are individually controlled for each of the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2. 15 and 16 describe the first wash lane SR1 as a representative.

15(c) and 16(c), the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 is in a standby state at a position inclined by a predetermined angle (for example, approximately 45 degrees). At this time, the position of the joint 529 between the rotating lever 528 and the connecting lever 530 that constitute the link mechanism 532 fixed to the rotating shaft 524 is at the bottom dead center (lowest point), and the one end of the connecting lever 530 and the arm 502, The joint 531 of 503 is at the bottom dead center (lowest point) pushed down.

As a result, the other end side of the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 is pushed up around the fulcrum shaft 506, and the entire arm unit 501 is in a standby state at an inclined position.

Also, at this time, the rotating drum 701 of the reversing means 700 is in a standby state at a position where the tableware storage space 704 capable of receiving the tableware W dropped and discharged from the gripping chuck 510 is inclined in the same direction as the gripping chuck 510 . It's becoming

Also, the tableware sensor 550 detects that there is no tableware W in each of the gripping chucks 510a and 510b. The tableware sensor 720 detects whether or not the discharged tableware W remains on the tableware drop guides 710 provided in the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 (see FIGS. 15(c) and 19). When the tableware sensor 550 and the tableware sensor 720 detect that there is no tableware W, the next operation is to rotate the arm unit 501 from an inclined position to a substantially horizontal position (grab position for the tableware W). control to enable

Next, the state in which the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 and the rotary drum 701 change from the position inclined at a predetermined angle, which is the standby state, to the substantially horizontal position will be described.

As shown in FIGS. 11(b) and 15(a), the motor 521 is driven to rotate the rotating lever 528 fixed to the rotating shaft 524 via the chain 527, and the joint between the rotating lever 528 and the connecting lever 530 is rotated. The position of 529 changes to the top dead center (highest point), and the joint 531 between one end of the connecting lever 530 and the arms 502 and 503 is pushed up and changes to the top dead center (highest point).

As a result, the other end side of the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 is pushed down around the fulcrum shaft 506, and the entire arm unit 501 changes from the tilted position to the substantially horizontal position rotated by about 45 degrees.

Also, at this time, the first tableware storage space 704, which was in the standby position of the rotating drum 701 of the reversing means 700, rotates approximately 45 degrees in the direction of the bold arrow shown in FIG. The tableware storage space 704 is in the same direction as the arm unit 501 .

Next, the operation of sequentially separating, discharging, and reversing the tableware W from the top end of the tableware row WR will be described with reference to FIG. Here, it is assumed that the row of tableware WR (the first row of tableware) brought in first in the soaking device 200 has passed a predetermined soaking time. Separation, discharge and inversion operations are controlled individually for each wash lane.

(Transferring tableware row onto receiving frame, placing check step)
Before the tableware row WR is transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 of the lifting means 400 from the soaking device 200, the sensor sensing member 403b is close to the receiving frame sensor 407, and the receiving frame sensor 407 detects that the receiving frame 403 is at the lower position. Detects that there is Furthermore, the tableware sensor 409 detects that the tableware W does not exist on the receiving frame 403 . By these means, the tableware row WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 can be transferred to and placed on the receiving frame 403 and placed on standby.

(Tableware row transfer, placement step)
The chain conveyor 203 of the immersion device 200 intermittently conveys the tableware rows WR placed on the pair of support rails 205 by the pitch D between the tableware rows on the receiving frame 403 located at the lower position where the tableware rows WR can be transferred and placed. Then, the row of tableware WR (the first row of tableware) placed on the pair of support rails 205 is transferred and placed.

The chain conveyor 203 rotates the U-shaped opening of the receiving frame 403 with a curvature corresponding to the diameter of the sprocket 208 . After being transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 by intermittent transportation for the pitch D between the tableware rows, when the receiving frame 403 rises, the side surface of the tableware W at the lowest end of the tableware row WR becomes convex on the chain conveyor 203. The dish row WR rests on the receiving frame 403 when it is released upwardly away from the member 204 .

(Tableware row rise, grab position stop step)
When the tableware rows WR1 and WR2 have been transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the tableware sensor 409 indicates that the tableware W is present on the receiving frame 403 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. to detect. This detection signal drives the motor 402 of the lifting means 400 to lift the receiving frame 403 together with the tableware row WR.

When the tableware sensor 410 detects the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR in the process of lifting, the driving of the motor 402 is stopped, and the height of the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR is increased. Hold the direction position (grab position). Here, the control device 1000 individually controls the height to which the row of tableware WR is lifted by the lifting means 400 for each washing lane. As a result, the lift height can be appropriately controlled according to the difference in height of one piece of tableware for each washing lane.

(Rotating step to arm unit horizontal position)
Furthermore, when the tableware sensor 410 detects the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the motor 521 is driven to tilt the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 at a predetermined angle (for example, approximately 45 degrees). ), the arm unit 501 is rotated to a substantially horizontal position from the state of waiting at the position.

Next, referring to FIG. 13, the process of rotating the arm unit 501 to the substantially horizontal position and the separation state of the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR when reaching the substantially horizontal position will be described.

(Tableware gripping step at the top end)
As shown in FIGS. 13(a) and 13(b), the inclined surfaces 512c of the pair of movable claws 512 of the gripping chuck 510 come into contact with and press against the opposing outer peripheral edges of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end. By further pressing, the movable claws 512 retreat away from the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W against the biasing force of the spring member 513 as biasing means.

Furthermore, when the arm unit 501 rotates and reaches a substantially horizontal position, and the vertices of the upper surface 512a of the movable claw 512 and the inclined surface 512c pass over the lower surface of the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end, FIG. ), the movable claw 512 is pressed inward (in the direction toward the outer periphery of the tableware W) by the biasing force of the spring member 513, and the top surface 512a of the movable claw 512 and the apex of the inclined surface 512c are positioned at the uppermost end. It enters between the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W and the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W directly below, and is in a state of supporting and gripping the lower surface of the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end.

At this time, since the tableware W is wet with the immersion water, the sliding resistance between the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W and the inclined surface 512c of the movable claw 512, in particular, is reduced, and smoother gripping and separating operations can be performed. .

In addition, immersion water is stored between the tablewares W in the tableware row WR, and the tablewares W positioned above the adjacent tablewares W are slightly buoyant, and the inclined surfaces 512c of the pair of movable claws 512 are at the uppermost ends. When the tableware W is pressed against the outer edge of the tableware W, the stored immersion water absorbs excessive pressing force to the tableware W during pressing, preventing deformation and breakage of the tableware W. have an effect.

(Rotating step to arm unit tilted position)
After the arm unit 501 rotates and grasps the tableware W (the first tableware W) located at the uppermost end in a substantially horizontal position, the arm unit 501 is rotated to the inclined position, thereby achieving the position shown in FIG. 13(d). , the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end is separated from the tableware row WR.

Next, the process in which the arm unit 501 rotates to the inclined position and releases the grasped and separated tableware W will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG.

(Step of releasing tableware from gripping chuck)
15(b) and 16(a) show the process in which the arm unit 501 gradually rotates from the substantially horizontal position and the inclination angle of the arm unit 501 increases. begins to fall under its own weight. As the inclination angle further increases, as shown in FIG. 16(b), the tableware W is dropped by gravity, and the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W gripped by the gripping chucks 510a and 510b comes into contact with the pushing member 540. While sliding, it is pushed out to the tableware storage space 704 side of each rotating drum 701 .

(Release to tableware storage space, storage step)
As shown in Figs. 15(c) and 16(c), when the arm unit 501 changes to a predetermined tilt angle, the grasped tableware W moves along with the tilt of the arm unit 501 to form a rotating drum which rotates. 701 are dropped into the tableware storage space 704 and released. At this time, the tableware sensor 550 shifts from the state of detecting the presence of the tableware W to the gripping chucks 510a and 510b to the state of detecting the absence of the tableware W due to dropping and release.

Synchronously with the rotation of the arm unit 501 from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position, the rotating drum 701 rotates clockwise by 45 degrees in the direction of the thick arrow shown in FIG. Furthermore, in synchronism with the rotation of the arm unit 501 from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position, the rotary drum 701 rotates clockwise by 45 degrees in the direction of the thick arrow shown in FIG. That is, when the arm unit 501 is rotated from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position and then from the substantially horizontal position to the tilted position for one cycle, the rotary drum 701 rotates in the direction of the thick arrow shown in FIG. 90 degrees to the right.

In particular, in synchronism with the rotation of the arm unit 501 from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position, the rotating drum 701 is released from the gripping chuck 510 by rotating clockwise by 45 degrees in the direction of the thick arrow shown in FIG. Even if the tableware W discharged from the arm unit 501 is rotated from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position at any timing, the tableware W can be received in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 . Even if the sliding state of the gripping chucks 510a and 510b changes depending on the type of tableware, dirt adhering to the tableware, etc., and the timing at which the tableware W is discharged is different, the discharged tableware W can be reliably transferred to the rotating drum. It can be received in the tableware storage space 704 of 701 .

Since the rotating drum 701 rotates in synchronization with the rotation of the arm unit 501 to the tilted position, even if part of the grabbed tableware W starts to fall under its own weight while the arm unit 501 reaches the predetermined tilted position. The rotary drum 701 is in a state of being able to be stored in each tableware storage space 704, and the gripping chucks 510a and 510b stabilize the release of the tableware W gripped by the gripping chucks 510a and 510b into each tableware storage space 704, and the gripping chucks Discharge and transfer from 510a and 510b into the tableware storage space 704 can be performed in an extremely short time.

In the process in which the tableware W gripped by the gripping chucks 510a and 510b is dropped by its own weight due to the rotation of the arm unit 501 to the inclined position, the opposing outer peripheral edges of the tableware W are shown in FIGS. It slides while being guided by the upper surface 512a of the movable claw 512 and the upper guide rail 514, as well as the lower guide rail 515 and the upper guide rail 514 of the fixed member 509b. Therefore, the tableware W can be stably dropped under its own weight.

Furthermore, at this time, in addition to the weight of the tableware W itself, the weight of the stored immersion water is added, the total weight increases, and the drop force due to gravity increases. When sliding under its own weight while being guided by the upper guide rail 514 and the lower guide rail 515 and the upper guide rail 514 of the fixing member 509b, the tableware W is wet with the immersion water, thereby reducing the sliding resistance. . As a result, the tableware W can be dropped more smoothly and stably by its own weight, and the drop speed can be increased to shorten the discharge time.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 15(a) to 15(c), a water injection pipe 570 for injecting water into the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403 of each lifting means 400 is provided. are provided. From this, the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end that is sequentially separated is filled with water in addition to the immersion water stored in the immersion device 200, and the concave portion on the surface side of the tableware W is always filled with water, and the outer peripheral edge. It will be in a state where it becomes overflowing water and flows down to the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W located below.

As a result, the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end, which is always separated in sequence, is filled with water. The total weight is further increased, the potential energy is increased, and the force to fall is increased. Therefore, the tableware W can be dropped more smoothly and stably by its own weight, and the drop speed can be increased to shorten the discharge time. In addition, even when relatively light tableware W is used, the total weight of the tableware W increases, and the tableware W can drop smoothly and stably under its own weight. In addition, it is possible to prevent the tableware W stored in the tableware storage space 704 from jumping out of the tableware storage space 704 after coming into contact with the partition wall 703 of the rotary drum due to the force of the weight drop. Then, the tableware W can be well accommodated in the storage space 704. - 特許庁

In addition, since the concave portion on the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end is always full of water, the water overflows from the outer peripheral edge and flows down to the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W positioned below. Also, the flow and replacement of the immersion water stored in the gaps between the adjacent tablewares W in the row of tablewares WR can be promoted, and the effect of the immersion action on the dirt component can be exhibited more effectively.

Furthermore, since water continuously supplied from the water injection pipe 570 is fluidized in the concave portion on the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end, it is possible to remove some dirt components on the surface side. The water injection pipe 570 communicates with the discharge path of the pump 813 of the washing device 800 to be described later, and by supplying part of the finish washing water containing no dirt components, the washing effect on the surface side of the tableware W is exhibited more effectively. be able to.

In the separating and discharging process, the arm unit 501 separates the topmost tableware W of the tableware row WR from the tableware row WR without filling the topmost tableware W of the tableware row WR with water from the water injection pipe 570. may In that case, the water does not overflow downward from the outer edge of the topmost tableware W in the tableware row WR, but the weight of the tableware W separated by the arm unit 501 is supplied from the immersion water supply means 220 in the immersion device 200. In addition to the soaked water, the weight of the water injected from the water injection pipe 570 is also added, so that the tableware W can drop smoothly and stably under its own weight.

When the arm unit 501 rotates from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position, the tableware W is inclined according to the inclination of the arm unit 501 . When the tilted tableware W slides on the gripping chuck 510 and falls under its own weight, and when the tableware W is released from the gripping chuck 510 and falls into the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701, the tableware W slides on the surface side of the tableware W. At least part of the stored immersion water is drained from the surface side below the inclined tableware W. The flow of immersion water that accompanies this drainage has the effect of removing some of the dirt. This waste water flows to the tank 225 through the water receivers 226 and 227 (see FIG. 1).

In addition to the immersion water stored in the immersion device 200, the amount of water injected from the water injection pipe 570 increases the amount of water stored in the tableware W on the surface side of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end that is sequentially separated. When the tableware W with an increased amount of stored water is separated by the gripping chuck 510 and the arm unit 501 rotates from the substantially horizontal position to the inclined position, the amount of water drained from the surface side below the inclined tableware W increases. To increase. As a result, the flow associated with this drainage can further promote the removal of contaminant components.

As the tableware W, a resin tableware molded with resin, a baked porcelain tableware, or the like may be used. It is preferable to use porcelain tableware (including reinforced porcelain tableware) that has smooth sides and good slipperiness and that does not scratch the surface of the tableware W when it is slid.

Next, the state of separating and discharging the second tableware W positioned next to the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR and the tableware W from the second to the last tableware W will be described.

(Re-raise tableware row, step to stop grabbing position)
When the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is gripped by the gripping chuck 510 and pushed out toward the tableware storage space 704 side of each of the rotating drums 701, the tableware sensor 550 emits light. Light is conducted from the element to the light-receiving element, and it is detected that there is no tableware W in the gripping chuck 510 portion. As the receiving frame 403 rises, the tableware sensor 410 detects the second tableware W, stops driving the motor 402, and holds the second tableware W at the gripping position.

(Rotating step to arm unit horizontal position)
Thereafter, the motor 521 is driven to rotate the arm unit 501 again to a substantially horizontal position from a state in which the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 is inclined at a predetermined angle and stands by.

When the arm unit 501 reaches a substantially horizontal position, the second and subsequent dishes W are grasped and separated and released (the step of grasping the topmost dish, the step of rotating the arm unit to the inclined position, the step of releasing the dish from the gripping chuck, Discharge to the tableware storage space, storage step) is performed in the same manner as the separation and discharge state of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end of the tableware row WR described above. For example, when 20 pieces of tableware W are stacked in the tableware row WR, the separation operation of the tableware W is sequentially repeated 20 times.

Then, even after the gripping chuck 510 grips the last dish W to be separated located at the bottom end of the tableware row WR, and the arm unit 501 rotates to the inclined position and drops it into the tableware storage space 704 under its own weight. , one cycle of rotating the arm unit 501 from the tilted position to the substantially horizontal position and then from the substantially horizontal position to the tilted position is repeated two cycles in succession. When the arm unit 501 reciprocates in two cycles, the rotary drum 701 also rotates approximately 180 degrees in synchronization. During the rotation of the rotating drum 701, two pieces of tableware W already stored in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 are reversed and discharged from the tableware storage space 704 to the tableware drop guide 710, and the next step is performed. , in a stable posture on the conveyor 802 of the cleaning apparatus 800 .

When the tableware sensor 550 continues to detect the presence of tableware W in the gripping chucks 510a and 510b while the arm unit 501 is at the tilted position, the arm unit 501 is made to stand by at the tilted position and the gripping chucks 510a and 510b are kept. After the tableware sensor 550 detects the absence of the tableware W, the arm unit 501 is rotated from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position.

(Tableware reversal discharge step)
Next, the process of turning over the tableware W will be described with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG.

The dishes W grasped, separated and discharged by the grasping chucks 510a and 510b are successively discharged and transferred into the respective tableware storage spaces 704 of the rotating drums 701a and 701b which rotate intermittently in synchronization with the rotation of the arm unit 501 (interlocking). will be posted. The tableware W discharged and transferred into each of the tableware storage spaces 704 is sequentially turned over with the surface side of the tableware W downward by the rotation of the rotating drums 701a and 701b, and the tableware W after the turnover is removed from the tableware storage space 704 by its own weight. Drop and release. When the arm unit 501 is in the tilted position, the position on the opposite side (180 degrees) from the tilted position is the release position from the rotary drums 701a and 701b (see FIG. 15(c)).

The inverted tableware W is slid on the tableware drop guide 710 located at the position for discharging the tableware W, and is transferred onto the conveyor 802 of the washing device 800 in the next step, which is already in the driving state. Washing water is sprayed on the front and rear surfaces of the tableware W transferred onto the conveyor 802 from above and below to start washing. At this time, the conveying speed of the tableware W of the conveyor 802 is set faster than the speed of the tableware W falling on the tableware drop guide 710 by its own weight. As a result, the dishes W are prevented from staying on the tableware drop guide 710, and a predetermined interval is provided between the tablewares W adjacent to each other on the conveyor 802 to prevent the tablewares W from overlapping each other and to enable reliable washing. . The basic configuration and operation of cleaning device 800 will be described later.

A tableware sensor 720 composed of a pair of a light emitting element and a light receiving element is provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 to detect whether or not the discharged tableware W stays on the respective tableware drop guides 710. After the dish sensor 720 detects that there is no dish W in the dish drop guides 710 of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, the arm unit 501 is rotated from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position.

When the tableware sensor 720 continues to detect the presence of the tableware W on the tableware drop guide 710, the arm unit 501 is made to stand by at an inclined position. Then, after removing the cause of staying on the tableware drop guide 710 and detecting that there is no tableware W, the arm unit 501 is rotated from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position.

(Tableware row sequential intermittent transport step)
After completing the separation and discharging process for all the tableware W in one tableware row WR, the next intermittently conveyed tableware row WR is transferred to the receiving frame 403 of the lifting means 400, and the tableware W at the topmost end is sequentially placed. Then, the separation/discharging step and the separation/reversing step are repeated up to the tableware W positioned at the lowest end of the tableware row WR. Then, from the transfer of the tableware row WR to the receiving frame 403 until the tableware W positioned at the lowest end of the tableware row WR carried into the immersion device 200 is discharged into the tableware storage space 704, the tableware W is transferred to the tableware row WR. The separation discharge process and the separation reversal process are repeated until discharge into the storage space 704 .

An arm unit 501 having a gripping chuck 510 is rotated from a position inclined at a predetermined angle (waiting position, release position) to a substantially horizontal position (grasping position), rotated from this substantially horizontal position to a position tilted at a predetermined angle, and returned. The reciprocating motion up to 1 is defined as one cycle, and the operating time of this cycle is set to about 1.5 seconds by setting the rotation speed of the motor 521 via the link mechanism 532 .

As a result, the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR can be separated and discharged one by one at a high speed in a short time of 1.5 seconds. In this case, one tableware row WR completes the operation of separating and discharging all the tableware W in 30 seconds. One cycle time of the reciprocating motion of the arm unit 501 is not limited to approximately 1.5 seconds.

The tableware W separated and discharged at high speed at the inclined position of the arm unit 501 in one cycle is placed in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotary drum 701 rotating in synchronization with the reciprocating rotation of the arm unit 501 at intervals of 1.5 seconds. stored in. Furthermore, from the tableware storage space 704 located on the side opposite to the inclined position of the arm unit 501, the tableware W whose front and back surfaces are reversed and whose front side faces downward is transferred onto the conveyor 802 of the washing device 800. That is, in the continuous separation state, the rotation of the arm unit 501 and the rotation of the rotary drum 701 are driven in synchronization with each other, so that the topmost tableware W of the tableware row WR is grasped and separated from the conveyor of the washing device 800. It will be transferred onto 802 at intervals of 1.5 seconds.

One cycle operation time of the arm unit 501 can be set by the rotational speed of the motor 521 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. Further, if the motor 521 continues to rotate and the rotation speed is constant, the rotation of the arm unit 501 is instantaneously reversed at a position tilted by a predetermined angle and substantially horizontal position (grasping position) by the link mechanism 532. However, in order to reliably grip the tableware W by the arm unit 501, control is performed to temporarily stop for a predetermined time at a position inclined at a predetermined angle and a substantially horizontal position (gripping position).

It should be noted that when the arm unit 501 is positioned at a position tilted at a predetermined angle or at a substantially horizontal position, it is not necessary to temporarily stop for a predetermined period of time. In this case, the arm unit 501 can maximize the number of dishes W separated from the tableware row WR per unit time.

(Arm unit tilted position standby step)
When the arm unit 501 reaches a position inclined by a predetermined angle, the arm unit 501 is controlled to temporarily stop for a predetermined time, for example, approximately 0.05 seconds. In this way, the arm unit 501 is controlled to temporarily stop at an inclined position for a predetermined period of time, so that the tableware W gripped by the gripping chuck 510 is released into the tableware storage space 704 of the rotary drum 701 and stored. can be done with certainty. The predetermined time during which the arm unit 501 is temporarily stopped at the inclined position is set based on the separation and release time of the tableware W by the gripping chuck 510, the storage time in the tableware storage space 704, and the like.

Furthermore, while the arm unit 501 is temporarily stopped at the inclined position for a predetermined time, the tableware W is released from the tableware storage space 704 on the side of the tableware drop guide 710 of the rotating drum 701 . By temporarily stopping the arm unit 501 for a predetermined time, the rotation of the rotary drum 701 synchronized with the rotation of the arm unit 501 is also temporarily stopped. Then, the time until the tableware W is discharged from the tableware storage space 704 of the rotary drum 701 can be lengthened, and the tableware W can be reliably discharged from the tableware storage space 704 to the tableware drop guide 710. - 特許庁

(Standby step for approximately horizontal position of arm unit)
Further, the arm unit 501 is turned from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position, and after the arm unit 501 reaches the substantially horizontal direction, the arm unit 501 rotates toward a position slightly tilted at a predetermined angle from the substantially horizontal position, Control is performed to temporarily stop for a predetermined period of time, for example, approximately 0.1 seconds.

As described above, the inclined surfaces 512c of the pair of movable claws 512 of the gripping chuck 510 contact and press the opposing outer peripheral edges of the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end. It retreats (in the direction away from the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W) against the biasing force of the spring member 513 .

Further, when the arm unit 501 rotates and reaches a substantially horizontal position and the apex of the upper surface 512a and the inclined surface 512c of the movable claw 512 exceeds the lower surface of the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W, the movable claw 512 is attached to the spring member 513. The outer peripheral edge of the tableware W is pressed inward (in the direction approaching the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W) by the force, and the top surface 512a of the movable claw 512 and the vertex of the inclined surface 512c are located at the uppermost end and the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W immediately below. 13(a) to 13(c).

After the pair of movable claws 512 of the gripping chuck 510 retreats (in the direction away from the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W) against the biasing force of the spring member 513, the movable claws 512 are pressed by the biasing force of the spring member 513. It takes some time to return to the inner side (in the direction approaching the outer edge of the tableware W).

The standby time due to temporary stoppage of the rotation of the motor 521 at the position where the arm unit 501 is rotated to a position slightly tilted from the substantially horizontal position is such that the movable claw 512 is pushed inward (tableware) by the biasing force of the spring member 513 . To reliably secure the time to return to the direction approaching the outer edge of W). After the tableware W is surely gripped by this, the once gripped tableware W is surely gripped without falling off by the impact (reaction force) when the arm unit 501 starts rotating to a position inclined at a predetermined angle. can be done.

Furthermore, when the rotation of the motor 521 is temporarily stopped at a position where the arm unit 501 is rotated to a position slightly inclined from the substantially horizontal position, the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR is the second lower one. It is in a slightly raised state than the tableware W in the table.
In this state, the inclined surface 512c of the movable claw 512 and the apex of the upper surface 512a and the inclined surface 512c are separated from the outer peripheral edge of the second tableware W below the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR. . Then, the movable claw 512 is pushed by the biasing force of the spring member 513 and completely returned to the inner side (in the direction approaching the outer peripheral edge of the tableware W), so that the tableware W positioned at the uppermost end can be gripped more reliably. .

The arm unit 501 includes the predetermined time during which the arm unit 501 stays at the tilted position and the predetermined time during which the arm unit 501 stays at the position slightly tilted from the substantially horizontal position. One cycle of operation time for the unit 501 to reciprocate is set to approximately 1.5 seconds, for example.

Further, by controlling the rotation speed of the motor 521, the rotation speed of the arm unit 501 having the gripping chuck 510 from a position inclined at a predetermined angle (standby position, release position) to a substantially horizontal position (gripping position) and this substantially horizontal position. It is also possible to individually control each of the rotational speeds from the position to the position inclined by a predetermined angle.

For example, when the arm unit 501 reciprocates for one cycle with an operating time of approximately 1.5 seconds, the tableware W gripped by the gripping chuck 510 is not present, and the position of the arm unit 501 inclined at a predetermined angle is substantially horizontal. The rotation time of the arm unit 501 to the position inclined by a predetermined angle from the substantially horizontal position in the state where the tableware W is gripped by the gripping chuck 510 is set longer than the rotation time to the position.

As a result, the arm unit 501 rotates to a position inclined at a predetermined angle while maintaining the operation time of one cycle of the reciprocating motion of the arm unit 501 at, for example, 1.5 seconds. A longer release time due to dropping and a longer time for storing the tableware W in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 can be taken, and the storage of the tableware W in the tableware storage space 704 can be made more reliable.

(Descent step to the lowering position of the receiving frame)
14 and 17, the tableware row WR placed on the receiving frame 403 is lifted, and the last tableware W to be separated from the lowest end of the tableware row WR is separated from the receiving frame 403 by the separating means 500. After the tableware sensor 410 for detecting the presence or absence of the remaining tableware W on the receiving frame 403 detects that there is no remaining tableware W on the receiving frame 403, the receiving frame 403 is lifted by a predetermined distance from this position and stopped.

At this stop position, when the receiving frame sensor 408 comes close to the sensor sensing member 403b integrated with the receiving frame 403, the receiving frame sensor 408 outputs a detection signal, and the rotation of the motor 402 is controlled by the lifting screw for lifting the receiving frame 403. Control is performed to rotate the rod 404 in a direction opposite to the direction of rotation, and the receiving frame 403 is pushed from the pair of support rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403 to be lowered to a lowered position where it is transferred and placed.

Time from completion of separation of the last tableware W to be separated in the tableware row WR (lowermost tableware W) to lowering of the receiving frame 403 from the pair of support rails 205 to the lowered position where it is transferred and placed. is, for example, approximately 2 seconds.

After the receiving frame 403 descends to the lowered position, the receiving frame sensor 407 detects this and the tableware sensor 409 detects that there is no tableware W on the receiving frame 403 . Then, the chain conveyor 203, which is the conveying means 201 of the immersion device 200, is rotated by one pitch (the pitch D between the tableware rows), and the next tableware row WR is transferred from the pair of support rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403, Place. The time for rotating the chain conveyor 203 by one pitch (pitch D between tableware rows) is approximately one second.

Further, after the next tableware row WR is transferred and placed on the receiving frame 403 at the lowered position, the tableware sensor 409 detects the lowest tableware W of the tableware row WR. Then, the motor 402 is driven to raise the receiving frame 403, and the tableware sensor 410 detects the uppermost tableware W, and the lifting of the receiving frame 403 is stopped. It should be noted that the time from when the receiving frame 403 at the lower limit position rises to when it stops rising (the time to rise to the gripping position) is approximately 1 second, for example.

As a result, after all the dishes W of one tableware row WR are separated, the time from when the separation of the uppermost tableware W of the next tableware row WR is started is the above-mentioned receiving frame 403 lowered to the lowered position. time (approximately 2 seconds) to transfer and place the next tableware row WR from the pair of support rails 205 onto the receiving frame 403 that has been lowered (approximately 1 second), and time to raise the receiving frame 403 to the gripping position again. (approximately 1 second), resulting in approximately 4 seconds. In this way, after all the dishes W in one tableware row WR are separated, the tableware W is continuously separated by minimizing the necessary time until the separation of the uppermost tableware W in the next tableware row WR is started. Separation, ejection and inversion operations can be performed.

By reciprocating the arm unit 501 in an extremely short period of time, for example, about 1.5 seconds (one cycle), the tableware W stacked in one row of tableware WR is separated and released at high speed, and the tableware W is reversed. Moreover, after all the dishes W in one tableware row WR are separated, the time required to start separating the topmost tableware W in the next tableware row WR is also minimized. , the tableware W can be successively separated, released, and turned over starting from the tableware row WR that has passed through the predetermined immersion time.

The tableware W that has been successively separated and discharged at high speed and the tableware W that has been turned over is transferred to the conveyer 802 of the washing device 800 in the next step, placed, and sprayed with washing water to the front and back surfaces. being washed. After the reciprocating motion (one cycle) of the arm unit 501 is approximately 1.5 seconds, and after the total number (20 pieces) of tableware W in one tableware row WR is separated, the topmost tableware W of the next tableware row WR is separated. is about 4 seconds, the number of dishes W to be washed per hour in one washing lane SR is about 2118, and a large number of dishes W can be washed. Further, when the washing lane SR is formed in two rows, the number of dishes W washed per hour is twice the number of dishes W washed. The configuration and operation of cleaning device 800 will be described later.

As described above, even after the chucks 510a and 510b grip the last tableware W in the tableware row WR and the arm unit 501 rotates to the inclined position and drops it into the tableware storage space 704 by its own weight, the arm unit One cycle of turning the 501 from the inclined position to the substantially horizontal position and then from the substantially horizontal position to the tilted position is repeated two cycles in succession. The operation time for which the arm unit 501 repeats two cycles continuously is approximately 3 seconds, and within this operation time, the receiving frame 403 after separating the last tableware W of the tableware row WR is lowered to the lowered position. control.

In addition, in all of the plurality of washing lanes SR1 and SR2, when the tableware rows WR having the same number of stacked dishes W (for example, 20) are sequentially separated and released, the tableware rows WR of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 The time for separating and discharging all the tableware W is substantially the same, and the time until the separation of the tableware W at the top end of the next tableware row WR is started is also substantially the same.

Further, in one of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, for example, in the first washing lane SR1, when the number of stacked dishes W is smaller than that of the second tableware row WR2, the first tableware row WR1 The time for all the dishes W to be separated from the second tableware row WR2 in the second washing lane SR2 is shorter than the time for all the dishes W to be separated from the second tableware row WR2 of the second washing lane SR2.

Therefore, the receiving frame 403 of the first cleaning lane SR1 is lowered to the lowered position where the receiving frame 403 of the second cleaning lane SR2 is transferred and placed from the pair of support rails 205 prior to the receiving frame 403 of the second cleaning lane SR2. The next first tableware row WR1 is transferred from the pair of support rails 205 of the soaking device 200 onto the 403 and placed thereon, and the separation operation of the next tableware row WR1 is started.

Since each washing lane SR1, SR2 can be individually controlled, the number of dishes W stacked in each tableware row WR may be different in each washing lane SR1, SR2.
If the number of dishes W to be stacked in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 is set to the maximum number, for example, 20, the number of dishes W to be washed per unit time is the largest in the dish washing system 100, maximizing the washing efficiency. can do.

In the dishwashing system 100 in which the washing lane SR is composed of the soaking device 200, the separating/reversing device 600, and the cleaning device 800, the soaking water is supplied to the row of tableware WR in the soaking device 200, and the surface side of the tableware W becomes dirty due to the accumulated water. Sufficient wetting action of the components, action of removing some stains by flowing down the stored immersion water, replacement of the immersion water, flow of the immersion water stored in the tableware W in the separation/turning device 600, and removal of stains by the drainage. It is pre-cleaned by the removal action. As a result, stains remaining after washing by jetting washing water onto the front and rear surfaces of the tableware W in the washing device 800 can be reliably removed.

In addition, in the separating and turning device 600 for tableware W from the tableware row WR and the separating and turning method based on the separating and turning device 600 (especially the separating and discharging device 300 and the separating and discharging method based on the separating and discharging device 300), Including the lifting means 400, the separating means 500, and the reversing means 700, the central axis of the tableware row WR and the central axis of the tableware W when the arm unit 501 having the gripping chucks 510a and 510b holds, discharges, and inverts the tableware is aligned. , along the conveying direction of the tableware W so as to form a substantially straight line.
In addition, the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR is grasped and the tableware W is separated upward from the tableware row WR, and immediately after this separation, the tableware W is dropped by its own weight and turned over.

Thereby, the stacked tableware W can be separated, discharged and turned over at high speed. Furthermore, the required space (required distance) in the direction of transport of the tableware W along the washing lane SR and in the direction orthogonal to the transport direction in plan view is minimized, and the installation floor area of the separating and turning device 600 for the tableware W is reduced. can be made compact. Furthermore, even when a plurality of separating and reversing devices 600 are arranged in parallel in the direction orthogonal to the conveying direction of the tableware W, the size can be reduced.

In addition, in the connection structure of the dipping device 200 and the lifting means 400, the row of tableware WR is independently transported on the support rails 205 in a vertical posture, and transferred to the lifting means 400 while maintaining the standing posture. Then, the tableware W at the uppermost end of the transferred tableware row WR can be sequentially separated. As a result, there is no wasted space, and the immersion device 200 and the separation/discharge device 300, and the immersion device 200 and the separation/reversing device 600 can be space-saving and compact.

According to the separating and discharging device 300 of the present embodiment described above, the uppermost tableware W is separated by the gripping chuck 510 in order from the tableware row WR raised to the gripping position, and the separated tableware row WR is separated for each washing lane SR. The tableware W is lifted by a lifting means 400 by a height corresponding to the height difference of one piece of tableware W, and the tableware W is sequentially separated.

At this time, by setting the rotation speed of the motors 521a and 521b for rotating the arm units 501a and 501b in advance by the control device 1000, the arm units 501a and 501b can be rotated from a position inclined by a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position. The moving speed can be individually controlled for each cleaning lane SR.

As a result, the tableware W positioned at the top end of the tableware row WR is individually separated for each washing lane SR at an appropriate speed according to the material of the tableware W, impact resistance, and the amount and quality of stains on the tableware W. Therefore, it is possible to optimize the washing processing capacity according to the type of tableware W and the degree of soiling of the tableware W. For example, when the tableware W is made of a material weak against impact, such as porcelain, the speed of rotating the arm units 501a and 501b from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position is slowed down, and the gripping chucks 510a and 510b are rotated. It is possible to weaken the impact when the tableware W comes into contact with the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR, thereby preventing the tableware W from being damaged or the like.

In addition, when the tableware W is made of a material resistant to impact, such as resin, the speed at which the arm units 501a and 501b are rotated from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position is increased, and the grip chucks 510a and 510b are rotated. can shorten the time for separating the tableware W at the top end of the tableware row WR from the tableware row WR, thereby shortening the time for separating the tableware W from the tableware row WR.

Further, the speed at which the arm units 501a and 501b are rotated from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined by a predetermined angle can be individually controlled for each washing lane SR. As a result, the speed of the dishes W falling from the arm units 501a and 501b to the tableware storage spaces 704a and 704b due to their own weight is increased for each washing lane SR, and the number of dishes W processed per unit time is increased. You can slow down your speed and soften the impact. It should be noted that the speed at which the arm units 501a and 501b are rotated from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined by a predetermined angle may be different between the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

In addition, the rotation speed of the rotary drums 701a and 701b can be controlled by controlling the rotation speed of the arm units 501a and 501b from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined at a predetermined angle. Then, the speed at which the tableware W is discharged from the tableware storage spaces 704a and 704b to the conveying means 801a and 801b is increased to increase the number of processed tableware W per unit time, or the discharge speed is decreased. to soften the impact.

Thus, for example, the first washing lane SR1 is used to wash tableware that is weak against impact, such as porcelain tableware W, and the second washing lane SR2 is used to wash tableware that is resistant to impact, such as resin tableware W. , and by adjusting the number of dishes W processed per unit time and the impact applied to the dishes W for each washing lane SR, the dishes W can be washed effectively. That is, in each of the washing lanes SR, the number of tableware W processed per unit time can be maximized and the tableware W can be washed effectively.

(Configuration of cleaning device)
Next, referring to FIGS. 1 and 19, the configuration of a washing device 800 that carries out a washing step of washing the front and back surfaces of the tableware W discharged from the separating and turning device 600 by spraying washing water on the front and back surfaces of the tableware W while conveying them. explain.

As shown in FIG. 19, the washing apparatus 800 includes a first conveying means 801a and a second conveying means 801 for conveying individual tableware W discharged from the separation and reversing apparatus 600 for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. It is provided with conveying means 801b and washing water supplying means 810 for spraying washing water onto the front and back surfaces of each piece of tableware W being conveyed.

Each conveying means 801a, 801b is provided in each washing lane SR1, SR2, and a first conveyor 802a and a second conveyor 802b, which are endless conveyors 802, are suspended on respective sprockets 803. . A first motor (motor) 815a and a second motor (motor) 815b, which are the motors 815, rotate each sprocket 803 at each rotation speed.

The control device 1000 individually controls the transport speed of the tableware W by the transport means 801a and 801b for each washing lane. Thereby, the washing time per tableware can be adjusted in each washing lane.

Conveyors 802a and 802b, through which washing water jetted from washing water supply means 810 can pass, support and continuously convey the surface side of each piece of tableware W with the surface side of tableware W facing downward. Although not shown, the conveyor 802 includes a guide member for regulating the horizontal direction perpendicular to the conveying direction of the tableware W, and a back surface of the tableware W to prevent the individual tableware W from being lifted due to upward injection of washing water. A guide member for regulating the position of the side is provided, whereby the individual tableware W is conveyed substantially linearly along the conveying direction on each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the washing water supply means 810 includes a plurality of nozzle pipes 811 arranged horizontally above and below the tableware W in the conveying direction of the tableware W, and washing water is supplied to the nozzle pipes 811 upward. and a plurality of nozzles 812 for jetting downward, and the nozzle pipe 811 branches from the supply route so that the pipe length direction is set so that the washing water can be sprayed over the dishes W in the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 in a plurality of rows. The horizontal direction is perpendicular to the direction of transport of the tableware W, and a plurality of them are arranged in the direction of transport of the tableware W.

A tank 814 for storing a predetermined amount of washing water is arranged below the conveying means 801, and a pump 813 is provided for supplying the washing water in the tank 814 to the nozzle pipe 811 via a supply path. Washing water jetted from a plurality of nozzles 812 of nozzle pipe 811 drops into tank 814 and is collected and recycled.

Although not shown, the tank 814 is provided with a path for supplying cleaning water (for example, clean water) and water level detection means for keeping the water level of the cleaning water in the tank 814 at a predetermined level. Further, a heating means for raising the temperature of the washing water in the tank 814 to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 60° C., a detergent supply means for supplying detergent, a filter for removing dirt components on the suction side of the pump 813, etc. Prepare.

By increasing the temperature of the washing water and supplying the detergent, the cleaning effect of the dirt components adhering to the tableware W can be improved, and the dirt components can be removed more reliably. In addition, the cleaning water to be circulated can be further cleaned by the filter, and the cleaning water can be sprayed from the nozzle 812 to further improve the effect of removing the dirt component.

A single tank 814 and a pump 813 are provided over a plurality of washing lanes SR1 and SR2, so that even if a plurality of washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are configured, the components can be shared, simplified, and And it is possible to unify the control system.

Although not shown, an outer shell member (cover) is provided to cover the conveying means 801, the cleaning water supply means 810, and the like to form a tunnel-shaped cleaning chamber to prevent the cleaning water from scattering to the outside and heat the cleaning water. can be suppressed to prevent the temperature from dropping, and the cleaning chamber can be kept in a high-humidity state to ensure the removal of dirt components adhering to the tableware W. In addition, the washing apparatus 800 is provided with a main washing zone and a rinsing zone in the conveying direction of the tableware W. Further, the length of the conveying means 801 in the conveying direction and the washing water are set in accordance with the washing processing capacity per unit time. The number and arrangement of nozzles 812 of supply means 810 are set.

The transfer means 801a and 801b of the cleaning apparatus 800 may be driven by the same drive source and driven simultaneously. In that case, the configuration for driving the conveying means 801a and 801b can be simplified, and the installation floor area of the cleaning apparatus 800 can be reduced.

Next, the operation of the cleaning device 800 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 19. FIG.

(Washing water filling step)
First, wash water (for example, fresh water) is supplied into the tank 814 until it reaches a predetermined water level. At this time, after washing water is supplied into the tank 814 as necessary, detergent is supplied to the washing water, and the temperature of the washing water is set to a predetermined temperature, for example, 40 to 60°C, by a heating means such as high-temperature steam supply. The temperature rises to

(Washing water injection step)
Next, by driving the pump 813 , the wash water in the tank 814 is supplied to the nozzle pipe 811 through the supply path and jetted from the nozzle 812 . The washing water jetted from the nozzle 812 falls into the tank 814 and is stored therein. The wash water stored in the tank 814 is again sucked by the pump 813 and circulated.

(Washing step)
The conveyor 802 is driven, and the tableware W dropped and discharged onto the conveyor 802 from the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 of the separating and reversing device 600 is conveyed by the conveyor 802 while being conveyed by the nozzle 812. Cleansing water is sprayed on the side, and the attached dirt is removed.

The cleaning effect can be further enhanced by using nozzles 812 arranged in a part of the cleaning zone in the conveying direction to generate cavitation jets by ejecting high-speed and low-speed water streams.

The tableware W may be transported intermittently by the transport means 801 . In this case, the washing water is jetted from the nozzle 812 toward the tableware W when the transportation is stopped, and washing with the washing water is performed for a longer time, thereby improving the washing effect. Further, the separating means 500 and the reversing means 700 may also operate intermittently in accordance with the intermittent transportation of the conveying means 801 .

As described above, the tableware W stored in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 is rotated by 180 degrees, and then slid on the tableware drop guide 710 provided at the position for releasing the inverted tableware W, and already It is transferred onto the conveyor 802 which is in a driving state. At this time, the conveying speed of the tableware W of the conveyor 802 is set faster than the speed of the tableware W falling on the tableware drop guide 710 by its own weight.

As a result, the tableware W is drawn from the tableware drop guide 710 onto the conveyor 802, preventing the tableware W from remaining on the tableware drop guide 710 and between the tableware W adjacent to each other in the conveying direction on the conveyor 802. By providing a predetermined interval, the tableware W can be prevented from being overlapped with each other and can be reliably washed. Then, the washed individual tableware W falls to the tableware arrangement device 900 one by one under its own weight.

As described above, according to the dishwashing system 100 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the separated dishes W are reversed by the rotating drums 701a and 701b, and conveyed by the conveying means 801a and 801b of the washing device 800. is released to Washing water is sprayed from nozzles 812 provided above and below the conveying means 801a and 801b, and the tableware W is washed while being conveyed. At this time, the controller 1000 individually controls the rotational speeds of the motors 815a and 815b that drive the conveying means 801a and 801b to individually control the speeds of the conveying means 801a and 801b.

As a result, it is possible to effectively wash the dishes by controlling the time during which the dishes are brought into contact with the washing water in accordance with the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to the dishes W for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. It is possible to adjust the number of washing processes of the tableware W per winning.

For example, if the quality of the dirt adhering to the tableware W conveyed in the first washing lane SR1 is such that the longer the contact time with the washing water, the more effectively the dish W can be washed, the conveying speed of the first conveying means 801a should be reduced. Therefore, the tableware W can be effectively washed.
Further, for example, when the dirt adhering to the tableware W conveyed in the second washing lane SR2 is light, by increasing the conveying speed of the conveying means 801b, while effectively washing the tableware W, the tableware W per unit time can increase the number of processes.

A pump 813, a supply path, and a nozzle pipe 811 are provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, and controlled by the control device 1000 so that it is possible to select whether or not to inject the washing water for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. may Further, a supply route and a nozzle pipe 811 may be provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2, and an electromagnetic valve may be provided in the pipe and controlled by the control device 1000. Alternatively, a manual valve may be provided in the piping to manually open and close. In this case, when no tableware W is being conveyed in at least one washing lane SR, washing water is not jetted in that washing lane SR, so that washing water is not injected in other washing lanes SR that convey tableware W. The water pressure applied to the nozzle that injects can be increased, and the washability of the tableware W can be improved.

(Configuration and operation of tableware arrangement device)
Next, referring to FIG. 1, a tableware arrangement apparatus 900 for executing a tableware arrangement process in which a predetermined number of individual dishes W washed by the washing apparatus 800 are stacked and the stacked tableware W can be taken out. Explain driving behavior. The tableware arrangement device 900 is provided for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2.

The tableware arrangement device 900 includes an inclined holder 904 that receives and holds the tableware W conveyed from the washing device 800 and guides the transfer of the tableware W, and a push plate 905 that pushes the tableware W one by one to the arrangement position. and push-out claws 906 for pushing out a predetermined number of tableware W stacked at an arrangement position to a take-out position where the tableware W can be taken out.

The holder 904 has a lower receiving position for receiving the conveyed tableware W that falls under its own weight, and a middle arranging position for stacking and arranging the tableware W in front of the receiving position in the transfer direction (carrying-out side) of the tableware W. , and a take-out position of the tableware W on the upper stage which is located in front of the sorting position in the transfer direction of the tableware W and where the stacked and sorted tableware W is taken out.

Furthermore, the tableware arrangement device 900 includes a first holding claw 907 that holds the tableware W at the middle arrangement position where the tableware W is stacked and arranged, and a second holding claw 908 that holds the tableware W at the take-out position. The push plate 905 is driven by a push plate driving means 902 for the stacker, and the pushing claw 906 is driven by a pushing claw driving means 903 . A predetermined number (for example, 20) of stacked tableware W held at the take-out position is taken out arbitrarily by an operator.

A drive means 902 for the push plate for the stacker drives the push plate 905 to the receiving position to push the tableware W to the middle arranging position. When the tableware W falling under its own weight is detected by a tableware sensor (not shown) composed of a pair of light emitting element and light receiving element, for example, when the number of tableware W reaches a predetermined number (for example, 20 pieces), driving means 903 for push-out claws is driven to push out the entire tableware W stacked in a predetermined number to the take-out position of the tableware W on the upper stage.

In the tableware arrangement device 900, the operation of the stacker push plate 905 by the stacker push plate driving means 902 and the operation of the pushing claws 906 by the pushing claw driving means 903 are independent of each other. be able to. Even when the driving means 902 for the push plate for the stacker is in operation, the driving means 903 for the pushing claws can be operated, and the tableware W conveyed from the washing device 800 is not temporarily retained, and furthermore, the washing device The tableware W can drop by its own weight to the receiving position continuously without temporarily stopping the conveyor 802 of 800.例文帳に追加

In the dishwashing system of this embodiment, the tableware arrangement device 900 is provided in the post-process of the washing device 800, but instead of this, a cradle for receiving the dishes W discharged from the washing device 800 is provided. Alternatively, the operator may appropriately take out the tableware W transported onto the cradle.

As described above, according to the washing system 100 of the present embodiment, for each washing lane SR, the conveying means of the soaking device 200 is adjusted according to the amount and quality of stains on the tableware W in the tableware row WR carried into the soaking device 200. 201 and the conveying speed of the conveying means 801 of the cleaning apparatus 800 are controlled. That is, the number of tableware W to be processed per unit time is adjusted by controlling the soaking time of the tableware W in the soaking device 200 and the time of washing the tableware W in the washing device 800 for each washing lane SR. In addition, the tableware W can be washed effectively.

In addition, by individually controlling the speed of rotating the arm units 501a and 501b from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position in accordance with the material of the tableware W, damage to the tableware W can be prevented in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. It is possible to suppress or increase the amount of tableware W processed per unit time.

In addition, by individually controlling the rotation speed of the arm units 501a and 501b from a substantially horizontal position to a position inclined at a predetermined angle according to the material of the tableware W, the gripping chuck 510 grips each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. The time for releasing the tableware W by falling by its own weight and the time for storing the tableware W in the tableware storage space 704 of the rotating drum 701 can be set longer, and the storage of the tableware W in the tableware storage space 704 is more reliable. can be

Also in the washing device 800, the conveying speeds of the conveying means 801a and 801b can be individually adjusted according to the amount and quality of stains on the tableware W. FIG.

As a result, the number of dishes W to be processed per unit time in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2 in the entire washing system is adjusted in accordance with the material and degree of contamination of the dishes W in each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. It is possible to improve the washability of the tableware W while suppressing breakage of the tableware W.

(Embodiment 2)
Next, Embodiment 2 of the dishwashing system will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 and 21. FIG.

A fundamental difference from the dishwashing system 100 of Embodiment 1 is that the dishwashing system 2100 itself is not provided with the washing device 800 but is provided with a washing machine 2800 separately. In this case, the tableware W discharged from the separation and reversing device 600 is placed on the conveying means 2801 provided in the washing machine 2800 and the tableware W is washed by the washing machine 2800 .

The conveying means 2801 of the cleaning machine 2800 may not be a conveying means for conveying by separate drive shafts for each of the washing lanes SR1 and SR2. The washing water supply means 2810 may have the same configuration as the dishwashing system 100 of the first embodiment.

Note that the washing machine 2800 has a control device (not shown) different from that of the washing system 2100 , and the dish organizing device 2900 also has a control device (not shown) different from that of the washing system 2100 .

If the number of tableware W to be transported and washed by the separately placed washing machine 2800 can be increased per unit time than the number of tableware W processed by the separation/turning device 600 per unit time, the washing machine 2800 can be separated. can be controlled. Moreover, the dishes W washed manually may be sorted without the tableware sorting device 2900 .

(Action and effect of dishwashing system)
The dishwashing system of the present invention has the following effects as a whole.

(1) Since the first washing lane SR1 and the second washing lane SR2 are individually controlled, the conveying speed of the tableware row WR by the conveying means 201 of the soaking device 200 and the tableware row WR from the tableware W by the separating and discharging device 300 can be set for each washing lane SR, for each washing lane SR.

As a result, for example, in the first washing lane SR1 and the second washing lane SR2, the immersion time in the immersion device 200 and the separation and reversing device 600 are adjusted according to the amount and quality of the dirt adhering to each tableware. Even if the speed of separation, reversal, and discharge of the tableware W and the cleaning time in the cleaning device 800 are set to be different, the timing of loading into the immersion device 200 and the cleaning in the cleaning devices 800 and 2800 are completed. , can be set to coincide with the timing at which the dishes can be taken out by the tableware arrangement devices 900 and 2900 .

Taking a school lunch as an example, except for special menus, the number of types of tableware W used in each class is fixed to, for example, four, and the number of tableware W used in one class is set to, for example, 40. Fixed. Then, the same number of plural types of tableware W are placed in the same number of tableware baskets as the types of tableware W, for example, four tableware baskets and conveyed. Therefore, for example, when tableware W that has finished eating is returned from grade 3, 120 pieces of each of the four types of tableware W are washed by the washing systems 100 and 2100, and then transported to each class again. It is necessary to divide each 120 pieces of tableware W into 3 classes and store them in the tableware basket.

At this time, for example, four washing lanes SR of the washing systems 100 and 2100 are arranged side by side to form washing lanes SR1, SR2, SR3, and SR4, and tableware rows WR1, WR2, WR3, and WR4 in which tableware W having the same shape are stacked. is carried in from the soaking device 200, washed by the washing devices 800, 2800, and made ready for removal by the dish organizing devices 900, 2900.

By carrying the rows of tableware WR1, WR2, WR3, and WR4 into the soaking device 200 at substantially the same timing, the washing in the washing devices 800 and 2800 is completed, and the tableware arrangement devices 900 and 2900 at substantially the same timing. , four types of tableware W can be taken out. As a result, the trouble of arranging a plurality of types of tableware W to be used for one class can be saved, and preparations for transporting the tableware W to be used for the next meal can be easily performed.

The number of washing lanes SR is an example, and for example, it is possible to arrange five washing lanes SR or six washing lanes SR side by side.

(2) Since the first cleaning lane SR1 and the second cleaning lane SR2 are individually controlled, one of the cleaning lanes SR can be preferentially used. For example, in the first tableware row WR1 and the second tableware row WR2, the total number of tableware W stacked in the first tableware row WR1 may be greater than the total number of tableware W stacked in the second tableware row WR2.

In such a case, when one worker carries the first tableware row WR1 and the second tableware row WR2 into the soaking device 200, the first tableware row WR1 and the second tableware row By predetermining the priority of carrying in WR2, it is possible to perform smooth dishwashing.

As a matter of course, the priority of loading the first tableware row WR1 into the first washing lane SR1 and the priority of the second tableware row WR2 into the second washing lane SR2 are reversed. may Note that even in a configuration in which three or more multiple washing lanes SR are provided, the tableware row WR may be preferentially carried into at least one washing lane among the multiple washing lanes SR.

(3) The transport speed of the row of tableware WR by the transport means 201 of the immersion device 200, the speed of separation, inversion, and discharge of the tableware W in the separation and turnover device 600, and the tableware by the transport means 801 and 2801 of the washing devices 800 and 2800 At least one conveying speed of W can be stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the controller 1000, 3000 for each cleaning lane SR, and can be recalled and used for each of the cleaning lanes SR1, SR2.

As a result, washing can be performed in each washing lane SR in accordance with the amount and quality of stains adhering to the tableware W, and the washability can be improved. At the same time, the speed of separating, inverting, and releasing the tableware W in the separation and reversing device 600 can be set according to the material of the tableware W, and breakage of the tableware W can be suppressed.

The settings stored in the storage units of the controllers 1000 and 3000 may be collectively set for a plurality of cleaning lanes SR including all cleaning lanes SR.

The present invention is not limited to the configurations of the above embodiments, and various modifications are possible. For example, the lifting means 400, the separating means 500, the rotating drum 701, the separating and turning device 600, etc. in the immersion device 200 and the separating and turning device 600 are not limited to the configurations of the above-described embodiments, and are within the scope of the invention. can adopt any variant configuration. In addition, although tableware W has been described as an example of an object to be washed, the present invention can also be applied to containers and the like.

Note that although at least two washing lanes SR are arranged in parallel, for example, when there is one type of tableware W used for eating, the tableware washing systems 100 and 2100 are set to the minimum number for washing the one type of tableware. may be configured. In that case, the installation floor area of the dishwashing system 100, 2100 can be reduced.

At least part of the gripping chucks 510a and 510b may be replaceable. As a result, for example, the first gripping chuck 510a and the second gripping chuck 510b are configured so that the tableware W can be separated from one type of tableware row WR1, and the two rows of washing lanes SR1 and SR2 are configured to separate the tableware W. , can be configured to be able to process one type of row of dishes WR.

Note that the cleaning lanes SR may be configured to have three or more rows. In this case, three or more types of tableware W can be placed on three washing lanes SR and carried in, and washed by one tableware washing system 100, 2100. FIG. Further, when the cleaning lane SR is configured to have three or more rows, the configuration may be such that each device in at least two rows of cleaning lanes SR is synchronously controlled and interlocked. For example, the devices in the cleaning lanes SR1 and SR2 may be synchronously controlled and interlocked, and the devices in the cleaning lane SR3 may be individually controlled.

The stopping time of the conveying means 201a and 201b of the soaking device 200 and the conveying speed of the conveying means 801a and 801b of the washing devices 800 and 2800 may be changed according to the type of dirt adhered to the tableware W. For example, when the rice is dried and strongly adhered to the tableware W, the stopping time of the conveying means 201a and 201b of the soaking device 200 may be increased to moisten the rice adhered to the tableware W and make it easier to remove. can.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 100 Dishwashing system 200 Immersion device 201 Conveying means 201a First conveying means (conveying means)
201b second transport means (transport means)
203 chain conveyor 203a first chain conveyor (chain conveyor)
203b second chain conveyor (chain conveyor)
204 Projecting member 205 Support rail 206 Guide rail 207 Motor (driving source)
207a first motor (driving source)
207b second motor (driving source)
208 sprocket 209 drive shaft 209a first drive shaft (drive shaft)
209b second drive shaft (drive shaft)
210 arm (intermittent transfer control means)
211 arm sensor (intermittent transfer control means)
212 set frame 212a first set frame (set frame)
212b second set frame (set frame)
220 Immersion water supply means 221 Nozzle pipe 222 Nozzle 223 Nozzle pipe 224 Nozzle 225 Tank 226 Water receiver 227 Water receiver 228 Pump 230 Tableware row input switch 230a First tableware row input switch 230b Second tableware row input switch 231 Last tableware row Input switch 231a First final tableware row input switch 231b Second final tableware row input switch 232 Final tableware row release switch 232a First final tableware row release switch 232b Second final tableware row release switch 300 Separation and release device 400 Lifting and lowering Means 401 Fixed member 402 Motor (driving source)
402a first motor (driving source)
402b second motor (driving source)
403 Receiving frame 403a Female threaded body 403b Sensor sensing member 404 Lifting threaded rod 405 Slide shaft (guide rod)
406 Tableware row guide 407 Receiving frame sensor (lowering position detection means)
408 Receiving frame sensor (upper limit position detection means)
409 tableware sensor (means for detecting the presence or absence of tableware on the receiving frame)
410 Tableware sensor (gripping position detection means)
500 separating means 501 arm unit 501a first arm unit (arm unit)
501b second arm unit (arm unit)
502 arm 503 arm 504 connecting arm 505 arm bearing 506 fulcrum shaft (rotation fulcrum shaft, first rotation fulcrum, drum rotation drive shaft)
507 bearing 508 fixed member 509a fixed member 509b fixed member 510 gripping chuck 510a first gripping chuck (gripping chuck)
510b second gripping chuck (gripping chuck)
511 storage body 512 movable claw 512a upper surface 512b lower surface 512c inclined surface 513 spring member (biasing means)
514 upper guide rail (guide rail)
515 lower guide rail (guide rail)
520 arm rotation mechanism 521 motor (driving source)
521a first motor (driving source)
521b second motor (driving source)
522 motor rotary shaft 523 sprocket 524 rotary shaft 525 bearing 526 sprocket 527 chain 528 rotary lever (second connecting member)
529 joint (third pivot point)
530 connection lever (first connection member)
531 joint (second pivot point)
532 Link Mechanism 533 Fixed Frame 540 Extrusion Member 541 Fixed Frame 550 Tableware Sensor (Separation Emission Detection Means)
560 Tableware chute 570 Water injection pipe 600 Separation and reversing device 700 Reversing means 701 Rotating drum 701a First rotating drum (rotating drum)
701b second rotating drum (rotating drum)
702 Side wall 703 Partition wall 704 Tableware storage space 705 Drum driving unit 706 Sprocket 707 Sprocket 708 Chain 710 Tableware drop guide 720 Tableware sensor (reverse discharge detection means)
800 cleaning device 801 conveying means 801a first conveying means (conveying means)
801b second transport means (transport means)
802 conveyor 802a first conveyor (conveyor)
802b second conveyor (conveyor)
803 Sprocket 810 Cleaning water supply means 811 Nozzle pipe 812 Nozzle 813 Pump 814 Tank 815 Motor 815a First motor (motor)
815b second motor (motor)
900 Tableware arrangement device 901 Stacker 902 Drive means for push plate for stacker 903 Drive means for push-out claws 904 Holder 905 Push plate (for stacker) 906 Push-out claws 907 First holding claw 908 Second holding claw 1000 Control device 2100 Tableware Washing system 2800 Washing machine 2801 Conveying means 2810 Washing water supply means 2900 Tableware arrangement device 3000 Control device W Tableware WR Tableware row WR1 First tableware row (tableware row)
WR2 Second tableware row (tableware row)
SR wash lane SR1 first wash lane (wash lane)
SR2 Second wash lane (wash lane)

Claims (12)

a lifting means for lifting at least a row of tableware stacked with the surface side of the plurality of tableware facing upward;
Separating means for grasping and separating the tableware at the top end of the row of tableware lifted by the lifting means;
reversing means for reversing and releasing the tableware separated by the separating means;
a washing device that washes the tableware discharged by the reversing means while conveying the dishes by the conveying means;
A dish washing system for transferring dishes from an upstream side to a downstream side in the order of the lifting means, the separating means, and the reversing means, and washing the transferred dishes while conveying them by the washing device,
further comprising a control device for controlling the lifting means, the separating means, the reversing means, and the cleaning device;
The elevating means, the separating means, the reversing means, and the washing device are arranged in a substantially straight line in a plan view, and constitutes a washing lane in which a plurality of dishes are transferred to the downstream side, conveyed, and washed. ,
The washing lanes are arranged in at least two rows,
The dish washing system, wherein the control device individually controls the number of pieces per unit time of separating the uppermost piece of tableware from the row of tableware by the separating means for each of the washing lanes. 2. The dishwashing system according to claim 1, wherein the control device individually controls the conveying speed of the dishes by the conveying means of the washing apparatus for each washing lane. a conveying means which is upstream of the lifting means and which intermittently conveys a row of dishes stacked with the surface side of the plurality of dishes facing upward to the lifting means; an immersion device for immersion washing by injecting immersion water from the nozzle onto a plurality of dishes stacked in the row of tableware and storing the water in the tableware stacked in the row of tableware, 3. A dishwashing system according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: 4. The dishwashing system according to claim 3, wherein the control device individually controls the stop time of the intermittent transfer of the transfer means of the dipping device for each washing lane. 5. The dishwashing system according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the control device individually controls the height to which the row of dishes is lifted by the lifting means for each washing lane. The separating means comprises an arm unit having a gripping chuck for gripping the tableware,
When the arm unit rotates from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position, the gripping chuck grips the tableware at the top end of the row of tableware and separates it from the row of tableware,
6. The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the grasped and separated tableware is released from the grasping chuck when the arm unit rotates from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined at the predetermined angle. Dishwashing system as described. 7. The dishwashing system according to claim 6, wherein the control device individually controls the speed at which the arm unit of the separating means is rotated from a position inclined at a predetermined angle to a substantially horizontal position for each washing lane. 8. The dishwashing system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the control device individually controls the speed of rotating the arm unit of the separating means from the substantially horizontal position to the position inclined at a predetermined angle for each washing lane. .
The reversing means comprises a rotating drum having a storage space for storing the tableware separated and discharged by the separating means with the surface side facing upward,
using the rotary drive shaft of the rotary drum as a pivotal fulcrum of the arm unit of the separation means;
9. The intermittent rotation of the rotary drum reverses the surface side of the tableware stored in the storage space from an upward state to a downward state, and the tableware is dropped from the storage space by its own weight and discharged. or the dishwashing system according to claim 1. A separating and inverting step of sequentially grasping the tableware at the top end of one independent tableware row stacked with the surface of a plurality of tableware facing upward, separating and inverting from the tableware row;
a washing step of washing the dishes by spraying washing water from nozzles onto at least the surface side of the dishes while conveying the dishes that have been turned over and discharged in the separating and turning process;
At least two washing lanes are arranged in parallel for performing the separation/reversing step and the washing step in this order;
The number of dishes to be washed per unit time in each washing lane is adjusted by individually controlling the number of dishes to be separated from the row of tableware per unit time in the separating and turning process in each washing lane. A method for washing tableware, characterized by: 11. The washing of tableware according to claim 10, wherein the washing time per piece of tableware in each washing lane is adjusted by individually controlling the conveying speed of the dishes conveyed in the washing step in each washing lane. Method. Before the separation and turning process, while conveying a row of dishes stacked with the surface of the plurality of dishes facing upward, immersion water is supplied to the row of dishes, and the water is stored in the gaps between the adjacent dishes and adheres to the dishes. including an immersion step of moistening the dirt component in the
12. The tableware washing method according to claim 10, wherein the washing lane in which the separating and turning process and the washing process are executed in this order further executes the immersion process.

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