AU2002368486A1 - Portable vehicle washing apparatus - Google Patents

Description

WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 PORTABLE VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS Field of Invention 5 The present invention relates to a washing apparatus. In particular, the invention relates to a portable washing apparatus for a vehicle for providing a source of fluid and using an external power source. Background 10 The cleaning of a vehicle manually at a location far away from a washing point would generally require the tedious task of fetching a few pails of water, a pail of diluted vehicle washing soap and some brushes. It is also tedious to apply soap water on the vehicle and repeatedly rinse it with the pails of water. 15 Portable vehicle washing apparatus disclosed in prior art include apparatus equipped with a portable source of water which can be sprayed from a main container. US patent no. 5800087 discloses a vehicle washing apparatus with a portable source of pressurized water. German patent no. P3607122.6 discloses an electrical portable vehicle washing apparatus in which a container used to store the water and a 20 compartment housing a motor are rigidly integrated in a single body. However the disadvantages encountered in the prior art point towards a need for a more convenient method for washing vehicles. 25 Summary A method and an apparatus for washing vehicles using a container preferably with separate compartments for storing water and diluted soap are provided. The method and the apparatus employ a motor such as a system of pumps, which can be powered by an accessible external power source, and which is capable of pumping water out 30 steadily. Moreover the system of pumps preferably function reliably without overheating. In combination with one of the outlets available in the market, the apparatus preferably enables one to soap and rinse most vehicles with just one pail.

WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 2 Therefore, in accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a portable vehicle washing apparatus comprising: a first container for storing a first fluid; a second container for storing a second fluid; 5 a selecting mechanism for selecting one of the first fluid and the second fluid; a conduit along which one of the first fluid and the second fluid is conveyable to an outlet; and a forcing mechanism for forcing one of the first fluid and the second fluid into the conduit for dispensing one of the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the 10 forcing mechanism is immersible in the first fluid. In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a forcing mechanism for use in a portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism being immersible in a fluid being contained in a container, the forcing mechanism 15 comprising: at least one centrifugal pump being employed for forcing the fluid into the conduit, the conduit for conveying the fluid to an outlet for dispensing the fluid. In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is disclosed a forcing 20 mechanism for use in a portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism comprising: at least one pump being immersible in a first fluid being contained in a first container, the at least one pump being employed for forcing one of a second fluid contained in a second container and the first fluid into a conduit, the conduit for 25 conveying one of the first and second fluid to an outlet for dispensing the corresponding one of the first and second fluid. Brief Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the present invention are illustrated by the following drawings: 30 FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of a washing apparatus according to the invention illustrating the components of the washing apparatus; WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 3 FIG. 2A is a 3-D view of a DC-12V centrifugal pump of FIG.l; FIG. 2B is a 3-D view of two centrifugal pumps connected in series of FIG. 1; 5 FIG. 3 is a 3-D view of a 20-litre industrial pail used for storing the water of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a 3-D view of a 3-litre plastic container for storing the diluted soap of FIG.1; FIG. 5 is a 3-D view of the basic structure of a selecting and pumping assembly of 10 FIG.1; FIG. 6 is a 3-D view of the selecting and pumping assembly mounted with the plastic container and other components of FIG.1; 15 FIG. 7 is a 3-D view of a lid of the pail of FIG.1; FIG. 8 is a 3-D view of the selecting and pumping assembly with the plastic container and other components inserted into the pail of FIG.l; 20 FIG 9 is a 3-D view of a mounting screw and a bracket for mounting the washing apparatus of FIG. 1 on a hand-trolley; FIG 10 is a 3-D view of a detachable belt for securing the washing apparatus of FIG.1 on a hand-trolley; 25 FIG 11 is a 3-D view of a common hand-trolley for carrying and a battery station for supplying power to the washing apparatus of FIG. 1; and FIG 12 is a 3-D view of the washing apparatus of FIG. 1 complete with accessories 30 and mounted on the hand-trolley ready for carrying it and using it.

WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 4 Detailed Description A summary of the primary features of a vehicle washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention is provided hereinafter with reference to FIG. 1, whereas a detailed account thereof is provided hereinafter with reference to FIGS. 2 - 12. 5 In FIG. 1 a fluid, such as water 16, is stored in a pail 33, for example one having a capacity of approximately 20 litres. A lid 106 is used to cover the pail 33. Another fluid, such as diluted soap 18, is stored in a container 44, for example made of plastic and having a capacity of approximately 3 litres. The water 16 and the diluted soap 18 10 can enter a selecting and pumping assembly 55, which is disposed in the pail 33. The selecting and pumping assembly 55 comprises a selecting mechanism, such as a mechanical valve 108, and a pumping mechanism 22. The mechanical valve 108 can be chosen so as to provide a mixture of an amount of 15 water 16 and an amount of diluted soap 18 in a desired proportion. In the embodiment the mechanical valve 108 is chosen so as to make a selection between the water 16 and the diluted soap 18. The water 16 can flow freely from the pail 33 into the mechanical valve 108 through a first inlet 107 (also shown more explicitly in FIG. 5), whereas the diluted soap 18 is conveyed from the container 44 into the mechanical 20 valve 108 through a tube or the like conduit such as a pipe 20. The pumping mechanism 22 comprises a number of centrifugal pumps 22a for forcing the fluid selected and passing through the mechanical valve into a channel such as a hose 136. This step is illustrated in detail in FIG. 5. If two or more centrifugal pumps 25 22a are used, these may, but need not, be connected in series. In the embodiment two centrifugal pumps 22a are preferably connected in series. The entire selecting and pumping assembly 55 can be immersed in the water 16 inside the pail 33. As is explained in detail hereinafter, the purpose for immersing the 30 centrifugal pumps 22a in the water 16 is twofold: first, to prevent the centrifugal pumps 22a from overheating during operation, by providing the necessary cooling; and second, to prime the centrifugal pumps 22a.

WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 5 The pumping mechanism 22 (FIGS. 1 and 5) is supplied with power from an external power source, such as a battery in a vehicle, using a socket 124 and a group of power cables 101. In the embodiment two power cables 101 are grouped belonging to the 5 two centrifugal pumps 22a (FIG. 2B). As shown in FIG. 1, the layout of the various components in the apparatus is suitably configured for maximizing efficiency and minimizing space consumption. The selecting and pumping assembly 55 is placed in close proximity to the bottom of the 10 pail 33 in order to utilize as much of the water 16 available in the pail 33 as possible. The plastic container 44, the hose 136, and the group of power cables 101 are placed underneath the lid 106 used to cover the pail 33. The mechanical valve 108, by means of which either the water 16 or the diluted soap 18 can be selected for entering the centrifugal pumps 22 through an inlet 102 (not shown in FIG. 1 but shown in FIGS. 15 2B and 5), can be operated from an external knob 116 placed on the lid 106 of the pail 33, as explained in detail hereinafter. The aforementioned layout offers several advantages, namely, among others, compactness, reducing the risk of water leakage, as well as ease of access and control. 20 Each of the centrifugal pumps 22a in FIG. 2B is similar to the centrifugal pump 22a in FIG. 2A, which is a lightweight DC-12V centrifugal pump of a miniaturized construction with an electrical connector 151, a water inlet 152 and a water outlet 153. The centrifugal pumps 22a depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B preferably do not consume a large amount of power but can provide a high discharge pressure of 1.4 kg/cm3 and a 25 flow rate of 1100 ce/min. Such centrifugal pumps 22a (FIGS. 2A and 2B) are available in the market at low cost: However, prolonged operation of the centrifugal pumps 22a of FIGS. 2A and 2B in the conventional use in air (FIG. 2A), causes overheating that can lead to premature 30 failure. To overcome the problem of overheating, the centrifugal pumps 22a (FIG. 2B) are immersed in the water 16 as is seen in FIG. 1 and in FIG. 8. In order for the centrifugal pumps 22a to be immersed in the water 16 without causing an electrical short circuit, the centrifugal pumps 22a are encapsulated with thermally conductive WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 6 epoxy glue 100 at the end of the centrifugal pumps 22a where electrical terminals of the centrifugal pumps 22a are exposed, as shown in FIG. 2B, and at which a motor resides. The centrifugal pumps 22a can be therefore sufficiently cooled by the water 16 (see FIGS. 1 and 8). 5 A beneficial outcome is that the noise of the centrifugal pumps 22a is greatly reduced when the centrifugal pumps 22a become immersed in the water 16. Another secondary beneficial outcome is that the temperature of the water 16 increases, so the vehicle can be washed with warmer water than would otherwise be available. FIGS. 6 10 and 8 show how the group of power cables 101 (FIG. 2B), connecting the centrifugal pumps 22a to the power supply through the socket 124, is made waterproof by laying it through a narrow water hose 110. Moreover, the centrifugal pumps 22a are primed. FIG 2B shows how the pumping mechanism 22 overcomes a drop in discharge 15 pressure caused by any downstream components. The pumping mechanism 22 includes two centrifugal pumps 22a that are preferably connected in series, by connecting the water inlet 152 of one centrifugal pump 22a to the water outlet 153 of the other. Thus the structure is kept simple by maintaining only one inlet 102 and only one outlet 103. A joint 104 is used to connect the centrifugal pumps 22a in 20 series by connecting the water inlet 152 of one centrifugal pump 22a to the water outlet 153 of the other, and a bracket such as an S-bracket 105 is used to hold the centrifugal pumps 22a securely together. The pail 33 in FIG. 3, used to hold the water 16, is approximately of a 20-litre 25 capacity, is constructed with robust high-density polypropylene material, is provided with as strong a protection as possible against repeated knocks and bumps, and is customarily designed with the lid 106, which is tight-fitting. The plastic container 44 in FIG. 4, used as a compartment for storing the diluted soap 18, is approximately of a 3-litre capacity and has a cover 154. 30 FIGS. 5 and 6 show the detailed features of the centrifugal pumps 22a in combination with the mechanical valve 108. A first inlet 107 of the mechanical water valve 108 is left open. A tube 20 is a pipe or the like conduit connected at one end with the plastic WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 7 container 44 (not shown in FIG. 5) through an aperture 111. At its other end the tube 20 is connected with the valve 108 through an elbow joint 113. The elbow joint 113 is connected with a second inlet 114 of the mechanical valve 108. An outlet 109 of the mechanical valve 108 is connected with the inlet 102 of the pumping mechanism 5 22. As seen from the structure in FIGS. 1 and 8, the water 16 is allowed to enter the mechanical valve 108 at the first inlet 107. As shown in greater detail in FIGS. 5.and 6, the diluted soap 18 enters the pipe 20 at the aperture 111. Subsequently the diluted soap 18 is allowed to enter the valve 108 10 through the second inlet 114. A selection between the water 16 and the diluted soap 18 can be made by using the internal knob 112 found on the mechanical valve 108. The selected liquid then leaves the mechanical valve 108 through the outlet 109, enters the pumping mechanism 22 through the inlet 102, and is then forced out of the pumping mechanism 22 (FIG. 6) through the outlet 103 (FIG. 5). 15 FIGS. 1, 6 and 8 show a preferred way of making a selection between the water 16 and the diluted soap 18 by using the external knob 116. The mechanical valve 108 is controlled by the internal knob 112 (see FIG. 5), which is connected by means of a tube 115 or the like elongated member with the external knob 116. In FIGS. 1 and 8, 20 the external knob 116 projects through the lid 106 covering the pail 33. A user can control the mechanical valve 108 through the readily accessible external knob 116, without the need to reach through the water 16 to the bottom of the pail 33 in order to operate the internal knob 112 on the mechanical valve 108. Either the water 16 or the diluted soap 18 is allowed to flow into the pumping mechanism 22, by controlling the 25 mechanical valve 108 at the external knob 116. Thus the user gains easy control of the mechanical valve 108 from a location on or above the lid 106 of the pail 33. The outlet 103 of the pumping mechanism 22 is connected to one end of the hose 136 (shown in FIG. 5), which in turn is connected to a female snap adapter 118 located on 30 top of the lid 106 at the other end of the hose 136, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8. The group of power cables 101 extends from the pumping mechanism 22 to the top of the lid 106 covering the pail 33 through a cable gland 120 (FIGS. 1 and 8). The group of power cables 101 is then terminated with a length of wire 121 at one end of a hand- WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 8 switch 122. The other end of the hand-switch 122 is joined with a length of power cord 123, which is terminated with a suitable attachment, for example the socket 124, to an external power supply. The total combined length of the wire 121 and the power cord 123 is dimensioned for plugging, for example, the socket 124 to a battery 5 in the vehicle for power. FIG. 6 shows the position of the hole 126 provided on the bottom of the 3-litre plastic container 44. The pipe 20 ending at the aperture 111 (seen in FIGS. 5 and 6) is mounted at the bottom of the plastic container 44 through the hole 126 (seen in FIG. 10 6). FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the positions of holes provided on the lid 106 covering the pail 33, in order to assemble the various components. The group of power cables 101 of the pumping mechanism 22 (FIGS. 1, 5, 6 and 8) is mounted on the lid 106 of 15 the pail 33 through a hole 130. The external knob 116 placed at the end of the tube 115 proximal to the lid 106, connected at the distal end with the internal knob 112 of the mechanical valve 108 (FIGS. 1, 6 and 8), is mounted on the lid 106 of the pail 33 through a hole 128. The cover 154 (FIGS. 4 and 6) of the 3-litre plastic container 44 is mounted on the lid 106 of the pail 33 (FIGS. 1 and 8) through a hole 129 (FIG. 7). 20 The hose 136 leading from the outlet 103 (seen in FIG. 5) of the pumping mechanism 22 at one end of the hose 136 to the female snap adapter 118 at the other end of the hose 136 (seen in FIGS. 1, 6 and 8) is mounted on the lid 106 of the pail 33 through a hole 127. (FIG.7). An opening 131 for providing a water inlet to the plastic container 44 is also introduced onto the lid 106 of the pail 33 in FIG. 7. A cap 132 in FIG. 8 25 covers the opening 131. The many advantages to the aforementioned structure become clear in FIG. 8. Firstly, the components are easily and securely mounted on the lid 106 of the pail 33. Secondly the modular form of the structure makes it easy to position the components 30 mounted on the lid 106 inside the pail 33. Thirdly, and most importantly, there is no need to drill any holes into the pail 33. Thus the structural integrity of the pail 33 is maintained. Finally, the components above the lid 106 of the pail 33 are conveniently accessible by the user.

WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 9 FIG. 8 shows that the inlet 107 and outlets 109 of the mechanical valve 108 and the inlet 102 of the pumping system 22 are near a wall and at the bottom of the pail 33. This ensures that most of the water 16 can be pumped out by tilting the pail 33. The 5 exact locations of the outlet 109 of the mechanical valve 108 and of the inlet 102 of the pumping system 22 are shown more clearly in FIG. 5. When all the components are mounted on the lid 106 of the pail 33 according to FIG. 7, the lid 106 is snapped onto the pail 33 to provide a rigid compact structure and a 10 watertight compartment as shown in FIG. 8. To use the apparatus, a multi-pattern water nozzle 134 is connected to the female snap adapter 118 of the hose 136 using a male snap 137. The group of power cables 101 is connected to a power source of the vehicle via the socket 124 (FIG. 8). The hose 136 connected with the water nozzle 134 is sufficiently long so that the user is not required to move the apparatus while 15 washing all parts of the vehicle. FIG. 9 shows two screws 138 mounted on a flange 141 of the pail 33. A mounting bracket 139 together with a detachable belt 143 in FIG.10 is provided with the apparatus. The mounting bracket 139 and the detachable belt 143 can be used to 20 secure the completed apparatus onto a common hand-trolley 140, as seen in FIG. 11, and for easy dismount. The mounting bracket 139 in FIG. 9 can also be screwed onto a lightweight battery station 142. The battery station 142 can be then mounted securely on the apparatus and dismounted easily. 25 FIG. 12 shows the completed apparatus used with the common hand-trolley and the battery station. 30

Claims (28)

1. A portable vehicle washing apparatus comprising: 5 a first container for storing a first fluid; a second container for storing a second fluid; a selecting mechanism for selecting one of the first fluid and the second fluid; a conduit alnig which one of the first fluid and the second fluid is conveyable to an outlet; and 10 a forcing mechanism for forcing one of the first fluid and the second fluid into the conduit for dispensing one of the first fluid and the second fluid, wherein the forcing mechanism is immersible in the first fluid.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forcing mechanism comprises at least 15 one centrifugal pump.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is provided with a cooling mechanism for facilitating the removal of heat from the at least one centrifugal pump. 20

4. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is disposed inside the first container so that the at least one centrifugal pump is immersible in the first fluid. 25

5. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is encapsulated for waterproofing the at least one centrifugal pump.

6. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the forcing mechanism comprises two centrifugal pumps connected in series. 30

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first fluid is water and the second fluid is diluted soap. WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 11

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the selecting mechanism comprises a mechanical valve.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the conduit is a tube for dispensing one of 5 the first fluid and second fluid.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the first container is provided with a lid suitable for appending the second container, the selecting mechanism and the forcing mechanism. 10

11. The portable vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forcing mechanism is for use in the portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism being immersible in the first fluid being contained in the first container, the forcing mechanism comprising: 15 at least one centrifugal pump being employed for forcing the first fluid into the conduit, the conduit for conveying the first fluid to the outlet for dispensing the first fluid.

. 12. The portable vehicle washing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the forcing 20 mechanism. is for use in the portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism comprising: at least one pump being immersible in the first fluid being contained in the first container, the at least one pump being employed for forcing one of the second fluid contained in the second container and the first fluid into the conduit, the conduit 25 for conveying one of the first fluid and second fluid to the outlet for dispensing the corresponding one of the first and second fluid.

13. A forcing mechanism for use in a portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism being immersible in a fluid being contained in a container, the 30 forcing mechanism comprising: at least one centrifugal pump being employed for forcing the fluid into a conduit, the conduit for conveying the fluid to an outlet for dispensing the fluid. WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 12

14. The forcing mechanism of claim 13, wherein the forcing mechanism comprises two centrifugal pumps connected in series.

15. The mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a cooling mechanism for 5 facilitating the removal of heat from the at least one centrifugal pump.

16. The mechanism of claim 15, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is disposed inside the container so that the at least one centrifugal pump is immersible in the fluid. 10

17. The mechanism of claim 16, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is encapsulated for the purpose of waterproofing the at least one centrifugal pump.

18. The mechanism of claim 13, further comprising a controlling mechanism 15 suitable for controlling an amount of the fluid conveyed to the outlet through the conduit.

19. The mechanism of claim 18, wherein the controlling mechanism is a mechanical valve. 20

20. A forcing mechanism for use in a portable vehicle washing apparatus, the forcing mechanism comprising: at least one pump being immersible in a first fluid being contained in a first container, the at least one pump being employed for forcing one of a second fluid 25 contained in a second container and the first fluid into a conduit, the conduit for conveying one of the first fluid and second fluid to an outlet for dispensing the corresponding one of the first and second fluid.

21. The mechanism of claim 20, the at least one pump being two centrifugal 30 pumps connected in series. WO 2004/056628 PCT/SG2002/000294 13

22. The mechanism of claim 20, further comprising a selection mechanism for selecting one of the first fluid and the second fluid, so that one of first fluid and the second fluid is conveyable to the outlet through the conduit. 5

23. The forcing mechanism of claim 20, wherein the at least one pump is at least one centrifugal pump.

24. The mechanism of claim 23, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump and the first fluid are arranged in a cooling configuration for interaction therebetween for 10 facilitating the dissipation of heat generated by the at least one centrifugal pump.

25. The mechanism of claim 23, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is disposed inside the first container so that the at least one centrifugal pump is immersible in the first fluid. 15

26. The mechanism of claim 25, wherein the at least one centrifugal pump is encapsulated for the purpose of waterproofing the at least one centrifugal pump.

27. The mechanism of claim 23, further comprising a selection mechanism for 20 selecting one of the first fluid and the second fluid, so that one of first fluid and the second fluid is conveyable to the outlet through the conduit.

28. The mechanism of claim 27, wherein the selection mechanism is a valve. 25