FR2493694A1 - METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A DISHWASHER - Google Patents

Abstract

THE INVENTION RELATES TO A DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A DISHWASHER HAVING A CONVEYOR MECHANISM FOR MOVING TRAYS CONTAINING DIRTY DISHES AND A TIMING MECHANISM TO ACTIVATE PUMPS, A FINAL FLUSHING CYCLE AND A PENDANT TIMER PREDETERMINED. ACCORDING TO THE INVENTION, IT INCLUDES A LEG 17 FIXED TO A WALL OF THE DISHWASHER, A PIVOT 19 FIXED TO THE LEG, A LEVER 15 ROTATING ON THE PIVOT AND HAVING AN END PROVIDED ON THE PATH OF A PLATE ON THE CONVEYOR SO THAT THIS PLATE 33 FORCES THE LEVER TO TURN AROUND THE PIVOT WHEN IT CONTACTS IT, A MAGNET 29 ATTACHES A SECOND END OF THE LEVER AND A MEDIUM 31 IS ON THE DISHWASHER TO ACTIVATE AND RESTORE THE TIMING MECHANISM 41 WHEN THE LEVER MAGNET IS SENSITIVELY ADJACENT TO THE MEDIUM TO ACTIVATE AND RESTORE. THE INVENTION APPLIES IN PARTICULAR TO DISHWASHERS FOR RESTAURANTS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS OR INSTITUTIONS.

Description

I

  The present invention relates to washers

  dishes, and more particularly to a control mechanism to control the duration of operation of a

  dishwashers of the conveyor type.

  Many dishwashers that are used in restaurants or other commercial establishments or institutions, use a conveyor belt where a tray or rack carrying the dishes is transferred to

  through the washing and rinsing cycles. Such washers

  dishes operate at any time, or are controlled or controlled by hand by an operator or the person who loads the dishes. This type of operation results in the dishwasher operating for periods when no dishes are processed in the dishwasher, which causes

  its turn results in the loss of water and electricity.

  Timing mechanisms have been suggested for washers and rinsing machines. For example, in U.S. Patent No. 3,071,144 (Hilliker, January 1, 1963), a mechanism for the implementation of

  action for a preliminary rinsing machine. The provision

  The method described in this patent uses mechanical means to mechanically activate microswitch blades and

  a solenoid valve that provides the water supply.

  A retarder is provided using a bellows that allows a long enough time for a dish to pass through the rinsing machine. The described device has the disadvantage that the delay can not be restored if a new dish begins the process of

  wetting before the end of the wetting of the first dish.

  The present invention relates to a method for controlling the operation of a dishwasher having a

  conveyor using a magnetic switching mechanism

  activated which, in turn, activates and restores a timer mechanism controlling the operation of the dishwasher. The switch comprises a tab attached to the dishwasher, with a pivot to which is attached a locker lever dishes. A magnet is provided on the lever and is arranged so that it comes adjacent to a

  magnetic switch when a locker contacts the lever.

  The invention will be better understood, and other purposes, features, details and advantages thereof

  will become clearer during the description

  explanatory text which will follow with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings given solely by way of example illustrating an embodiment of the invention and in which: - Figure 1 is a side view of the mechanism constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 2 illustrates the activation of the control mechanism; FIG. 3 is a detail of the magnetic switching mechanism; and FIG. 4 is a front view of the switch

  magnetic control mechanism.

  As can be seen in the figure also in more detail in FIG. 3, the control mechanism 11 for a dishwasher 13 includes a dish rack lever 15 which is attached to a tab 17 with a

  pivot 19. The tab 17 is attached to a wall 21 of the washer

  13 with bolts 23 and 24. The lever 15 has a first cam-shaped end 25, which has a substantially regular gradual shape. The first end 25 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the pivot 19. The lever 15 also comprises u.ne second end 27 which is disposed substantially parallel to the pivot 19. The lever 15 may be formed of a bar bar made of a non-magnetic material which is twisted 90. A magnet 29 is attached to the second end 27 of the lever 15o The mass

  the combination of magnet 29 and lever 15 must be sufficient

  it is important to maintain the lever 15 substantially perpendicular due to the action of the gravitation. A magnetic switch 31 which emits a signal to each law that the magnet 29 is close, is attached to the outer part

of the wall 21.

  The operation of the system is best illustrated by means of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 where a rack 33 of dishes containing a certain number of dishes is

  disposed on a conveyor 37 supported by a table 39.

  Initially, the magnetic switch 31 is disabled because the magnet 29 is disposed at a distance. A delay mechanism 41 is electrically coupled to the magnetic switch 31 and is electrically connected to the motors and pumps and any other equipment performing the dishwashing functions of this dishwasher 13. Thus, the timing mechanism

  41 controls the operation of the dishwasher.

  Assuming that timing mechanism 41 has not yet been activated, it is activated by manually pushing locker 33 until it comes into contact with the cam surface of lever 15. The movement of the rack 33 then forces the lever arm 15 to pivot at the pivot point 19 as shown by the arrow "A", and forces the magnet 29 to come close to the magnetic switch 31. At this time, the magnetic switch 31 creates a signal that can activate the timing mechanism 41 which can in turn start the motors, pumps

  and others (not shown) for a predetermined time.

  If, on the other hand, the timing mechanism 41 has been actuated and a second bin 33 is inserted in

  the system, the timing mechanism is automatically

  restored to its starting position. This can be accomplished by simply putting a new locker 33 on the conveyor 37 which will then pull the locker into contact with the lever 15. The magnet 29 will then activate the switch

  magnetic 31 which will restore the timing mechanism 41.

  Motors, pumps and others will then operate for

the desired period.

  The time during which the temporal mechanism

  will be established is the time it takes for the locker

  complete a cycle of washing, rinsing and drying.

249,694

  It can be seen that the stated objectives

  above, among those made apparent by the description

  above, are effectively achieved.

  1.- Device, in a dishwasher having a conveyor mechanism for moving trays containing dirty dishes, and a delay mechanism for activating pumps, a final rinse cycle and a conveyor for a predetermined time, to control the operation of said dishwasher, characterized in that it comprises

  a tab (1'7) attached to a wall of said washer

  washing up; a pivot (19) fixed rigidly to said tab; a dishwasher lever (15) rotatably mounted on the pivot and having an end disposed in the path of a tray on said conveyor so that said platen (33) forces said lever to rotate about the pivot when said platen contacts said lever ; a magnet (29) attached to a second end (27) of said lever; and means (31) disposed on said dishwasher for activating and restoring said timing mechanism (41) when said magnet is disposed substantially adjacent to the means for activating and restoring, whereby said timing mechanism is activated and restored each time one

tray triggers said lever.

  2.- Device according to claim 1, characterized

  in that the aforementioned tab is fixed on an integral wall

top of the dishwasher.

  3.- Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the aforementioned means for activating and restoring is

  mounted outside the dishwasher.

  4.- Device according to claim 1, characterized

  in that the aforementioned lever is made of a non-metallic material

  magnetic. 5.- Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the aforementioned means for activating and restoring comprises

  a magnetic switch connected to the timing mechanism

tion (41).

  6. A method for controlling the operation of a dishwasher having a conveyor, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: arranging on the path of said conveyor (37), a lever (15) having a magnet (29) at one end; bringing said lever into contact with a tray (33) of dirty dishes; pivoting said lever to bring the magnet near a magnetic switch (31) to create a signal; and activate a timing mechanism (41) by means of said signal, thus the washing functions of said

  dishwashers are carried out for a pre-

  determined each time the signal is produced by

said magnetic switch.