EP2697027A1

EP2697027A1 - Washing element for a washing system and method for producing a washing element

Info

Publication number: EP2697027A1
Application number: EP12715678.4A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Yunus Demirtas; Alfred Losansky
Original assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Current assignee: Alfred Kaercher SE and Co KG
Priority date: 2011-04-13
Filing date: 2012-04-12
Publication date: 2014-02-19
Also published as: US8905489B2; WO2012140129A1; DE102011007326A1; CN103476567B; CN103476567A; RU2573809C2; US20140033464A1; RU2013150281A

Abstract

The invention relates to a washing element for a washing system, in particular an automatic motor-vehicle washing system, made of a foam material. In order to provide such a washing element (10; 50), the use of which can reduce the risk of damage to the object to be washed, the washing element (10; 50) is a foam film (12) that has a skin (24, 26) on at least one side, wherein the skin (24, 26) is provided with a surface profile (28) at least in some sections.

Description

WASHING UNIT FOR A WASHING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING A WASHING ELEMENT

The invention relates to a washing element for a washing system, in particular an automatic motor vehicle washing system, which is formed from a foam material.

Moreover, the invention relates to a method for producing a washing element for a car wash.

It is known to use in washing systems and in particular motor vehicle washing washing elements, which are formed from cellular foam material. To produce such washing elements, the foam material in the form of blocks is usually cut into individual webs or strips, each forming a washing element. When cutting the foam material present in blocks, washing elements are produced on the surfaces of which the cells of the foam material are opened. A washing liquid such as water can be well absorbed by such washing elements, which is advantageous for the achievable with the washing elements cleaning effect. In practice, however, there is the problem that accumulate dirt particles in the open cells of the washing element. This can lead to damage of the object to be washed, in particular of a motor vehicle, when the washing element is used in a motor vehicle washing system.

Object of the present invention is to provide a washing element of the type mentioned above and a method for producing a washing element, the use of which the risk of damage to the object to be washed can be reduced. This object is achieved in a generic washing element according to the invention that the washing element is a foam sheet having at least one side of a skin, the skin is at least partially provided with a Oberfiächenprofiiierung.

In the washing element according to the invention, a foam film is used which comprises a core formed from foamed material and a skin on at least one of its surfaces. The skin may be formed on the foam sheet during manufacture and is therefore also referred to as "foaming skin". The foam sheet forms a closed-cell material due to the skin, so that no dirt particles can adhere to the skin, which could lead to damage of the object to be washed. In addition, the skin of the washing element is at least partially provided with a Oberfiächenprofiiierung. In the area of surface profiling, the skin is provided with elevations and depressions, so that it has a surface roughness in the area of surface preparation that exceeds the roughness of the foam film without surface profiling. It turns out in practice that the wettability of the otherwise largely liquid-repellent foam film with washing liquid can be significantly increased by the formation of Oberfiächenprofiiierung. In addition, the mechanical separation of dirt from the object to be cleaned is improved as a result of Oberfiächenprofiiierung. This makes it possible to achieve a high cleaning effect with the washing element according to the invention.

The Oberfiächenprofiiierung can be formed on the skin, for example, by mechanically acting on the foam sheet, such as by the foam sheet is embossed with the Oberfiächenprofiiierung predetermining stencil or die.

It is favorable if the foam film has a skin on both sides. The

Foam sheet is thereby formed on both sides closed cell, so that the setting of dirt particles in cells of the foam core can be prevented on both sides of the foam sheet. Preferably, both skins are each provided in sections with a surface profiling. The wettability of the foam film as well as its suitability for mechanical removal of dirt can be increased on both sides. This leads to an increase in the cleaning effect achievable with the washing element.

The skin or skins of the foam film are at least partially provided with the surface profiling, which is preferably arranged in the washing active region of the washing element. The washing active area of the washing element is that area which can contact the object to be washed.

In an advantageous embodiment of the washing element according to the invention, it is favorable if at least one skin and preferably both skins of the foam film is or are provided completely with the surface profiling. This makes it possible to increase the wettability of the foam film as well as its suitability for the mechanical detachment of contaminants over the entire skin or the entire skin.

Preferably, the surface roughness of the skin in the area of the surface profiling is the same or substantially the same size. This makes it possible to evenly or substantially evenly wet the foam film in the area of the surface profiling with washing liquid and to remove soiling evenly from the object to be cleaned. This gives the possibility to clean the object to be washed as evenly as possible. In addition, the washing element can be produced in a simpler manner.

In a concrete implementation of the inventive washing element in practice, it proves to be advantageous if the skin in the surface profiling has a surface roughness of about 50 μιη to about 1000 μιη, preferably from about 100 μιη to about 500 μιη and more preferably from about 200 μηι to about 400 μηι, measured as size Sz according to Part 2 of ISO standard 25178. According to the definition of the surface roughness Sz to Part 2 of ISO standard 25178 is the sum of the deepest sink and the largest elevation in The area of the skin provided with the surface profiling advantageously amounts to approximately 50 μm to approximately 1000 μm, preferably approximately 100 μm to approximately 500 μm, and particularly preferably approximately 200 μm to approximately 400 μm. It turns out in practice that when choosing the surface roughness of the above-mentioned size on the one hand, the wettability of the skin with washing liquid can be ensured, on the other hand, the setting of dirt particles on the foam sheet while maintaining their improved suitability for the removal of dirt particles from cleaning object can be largely prevented.

It is advantageous if the surface profiling is formed at least regionally regularly to simplify the production of the washing element. The surface profiling is preferably regular as regards the surface roughness and / or as regards the arrangement of the elevations and depressions on the skin. Preferably, the surface profiling is formed regularly on the whole.

In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the distance between adjacent depressions of the surface profiling from each other and / or the distance of adjacent elevations of the surface profiling from each other is equal or substantially equal. This facilitates the production of the washing element and makes it possible to wet the washing element as evenly as possible with washing liquid and to remove dirt as evenly as possible mechanically. It is favorable if the respective distance is less than 3 mm, preferably less than 2 mm and more preferably less than 1 mm.

In a particularly preferred embodiment of the washing element according to the invention in practice, it proves to be advantageous if the distance adjacent depressions and / or the distance between adjacent elevations each other from about 500 μηι to about 600 μηι. The surface roughness of the skin in the area of surface profiling, as defined above as size Sz, is advantageously about 100 μm to about 250 μm.

In a further advantageous embodiment of the washing element according to the invention in practice, it proves to be advantageous if the distance between adjacent depressions and / or the distance of adjacent elevations from each other is approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 2.5 mm. The surface roughness of the skin in the area of surface profiling, as defined above as size Sz, is advantageously about 200 μm to about 500 μm.

Regular surface profiling can be achieved, for example, by periodically forming the surface profiling along at least one first spatial direction, preferably along two spatially aligned spatial directions along the skin.

Preferably, the surface profiling is designed as a lattice structure, rib structure, flake structure or nub structure. The skin can thereby, for example by embossing the foam sheet, be provided in a structurally simple way with the surface profiling.

It is advantageous if the washing element is at least partially subdivided into strips. For example, the washing element may have an edge, from which it is subdivided into a plurality of juxtaposed strips. The strips can be formed for example by cutting the foam sheet. In practice, it proves to be advantageous if the strip width is at least about 4 mm, in particular at a thickness of the foam sheet of about 2 mm to about 4 mm.

This reduces the likelihood of soil particles attaching to open cells of the foam core of the foam sheet located on the non-skin-coated sides of the strips. Preferably, the strips of the foam sheet are provided with a surface profiling. The strips form in particular the washing active area of the washing element.

It proves to be advantageous if the foam film is a polyolefin foam film which contains ethylene vinyl acetate or consists of ethylene vinyl acetate.

The foam sheet advantageously has a density of about 100 kg / m ³ to about 200 kg / m ³ .

As mentioned above, the invention also relates to a method for producing a washing element for a car wash. The object stated in the introduction is achieved by a method according to the invention, which is characterized in that a foam film which has a skin on at least one side is subjected to at least one surface treatment step in which the skin is provided, at least in sections, with a surface profiling, increasing its surface roughness.

The fact that the skin of the foam sheet is provided with surface profiling while increasing its surface roughness in relation to the foam sheet not subjected to the surface treatment step increases the wettability of the foam sheet with washing liquid, while at the same time maintaining the closed-cell formation of the foam sheet in order to prevent the accumulation of dirt particles avoid. In addition, the mechanical separation of dirt from the object to be cleaned due to the surface profiling is improved.

It is advantageous if the surface profiling is formed by embossing the foam sheet. For example, the surface profiling is formed by hot stamping by heating a latticed, strip-shaped or blinded stencil or die and pressing it against the skin becomes. As a result, it is possible to achieve a lattice-shaped, a strip-shaped or a nipple-shaped surface profiling of the skin.

It can be provided that the foam sheet is then partially cut or cut in a further treatment step. For example, the foam sheet is provided from one of its edges with a plurality of side-by-side cuts. As a result, a washing element can be produced, which is subdivided in sections into a plurality of strips.

It can also be provided that the foam sheet is completely cut into individual strips, which are then combined to form a tuft of washing elements.

The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention is used in conjunction with the drawings for a more detailed explanation of the invention. Show it :

Figure 1: a schematic perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of a washing element according to the invention;

Figure 2: a side view of the washing element of Figure 1 in one

non-surface profiled area;

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the washing element from FIG. 1 in a region not provided with a surface profiling;

FIG. 4 shows a side view of the washing element from FIG. 1 in a region provided with a surface profiling at an oblique viewing angle; FIG. 5 shows a section-wise side view of the washing element from FIG. 1 in a region provided with a surface profiling and FIG

Figure 6: a schematic perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of a washing element according to the invention.

FIG. 1 shows, in a perspective schematic illustration, a first preferred embodiment of a washing element as a whole designated by the reference numeral 10. The washing element 10 is made of a foam sheet 12 in the form of a material strip 14.

The foam sheet 12 comprises a foam core 16 made of foamed foam material comprising cells 18. The foam core 16 is coated on the two opposite surfaces 20 and 22 of the foam sheet 12 each with a skin 24 and 26, respectively. The foam material is, for example, a polyolefin foam containing ethylene vinyl acetate or consisting of ethylene vinyl acetate. The skins 24 and 26 may already be used in the manufacture, i. are formed during foaming of the foam sheet 12, which is why they are also referred to as "foaming skins". Due to the skins 24 and 26, the foam sheet 12 is a closed cell material in which the cells 18 on the surfaces 20 and 22 are covered by the skins 24 and 26 closing them.

Figures 2 and 3 show the foam sheet 12 after foaming in the initial state of the production of the washing element 10 in a side view and in a plan view. It can be seen that the foam sheet 12 is smooth on both sides, with substantially planar skins 24 and 26 without profilings.

Due to the closed-cell nature of the foam sheet 12, it is possible to prevent the washing element 10 from introducing dirt particles into the skin through the skins 24 and 26 Covered cells 18 penetrate and settle in this. Also on the skins 24 and 26 dirt particles can not adhere. As a result, using the foam sheet 12 for the washing element 10, damage to the object to be washed, for example a motor vehicle, can largely be avoided.

In order to increase the cleaning effect of the washing element 10, it is, based on the length of the material strip 14, provided over a part of its length with a surface profiling 28. The surface profiling 28 is indicated in FIG. 1 by hatching and can be recognized only on the surface 20. Starting from a first narrow side 30 of the material strip 14, the surface profiling 28 extends along the surfaces 20 and 22 in the direction of a second narrow side 32 of the material strip 14.

The provided with the surface profiling 28 section of the skins 24 and 26 occupies about one third of the length of the strip of material 14 and is shown in Figures 4 and 5 in a side view. The remaining, adjoining the surface profiling 28 and extending to the second narrow side 32 portion of the skins 24 and 26, however, is not provided with the surface profiling 28 and shown in Figure 1 is not hatched. In the area of this section, the foam sheet 12 is formed as in the side view shown in Figure 2 and the plan view shown in Figure 3 with planar or substantially planar skin 24 and 26.

The surface profiling 28 using the example of the skin 24 will be discussed below. The statements in this regard also apply to the surface profiling 28 of the skin 26.

The skin 24 may be provided with the surface profiling 28 by subjecting the foam sheet 12 to a surface treatment step after foaming, in accordance with the configuration illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. For this purpose, the foam sheet 12 may be hot stamped, such as by heating a lattice-shaped template as in the present case and on the skin 24 is pressed. This leads to a mechanical deformation of the skin 24, but leaves it undamaged, so that the foam sheet 12 is still a closed-cell material after embossing.

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the section of the foam sheet 12 provided with the surface profiling 28. It can be seen that the skin 24 is still intact. In contrast to the non-embossed section of the foam sheet 12 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the skin 24 has an increased surface roughness in the area of the surface profiling 28. The surface roughness here is, for example, about 140 m, determined as size Sz according to part 2 of ISO standard 25178 by a sum 34 of the largest elevation of the skin 24 and the deepest depression of the skin 24. It should be understood that the reference line, starting from the highest elevation and deepest sink are found, not above the highest elevation and not below the lowest depth. In contrast, the surface roughness of the foam sheet 12 in its section not provided with the surface profiling 28 is approximately zero due to the planar or substantially planar formation of the skin 24.

In the present case, the surface roughness of the skin 24 in the region of the surface profiling 28 is substantially constant. This is because the foam sheet 12 is embossed to produce the surface profiling 28 with a template in the form of a homogeneous mesh of constant mesh size. For this reason, the surface profiling 28 is also regularly formed along the surface 20 and has an approximately latticed or flaky shape. A distance 36 adjacent depressions of the surface profiling 28 from each other is present approximately 550 μηη. Similarly, a distance 38 of two adjacent elevations of the surface profiling 28 from each other is also about 550 pm.

As mentioned, the surface profiling 28 serves to increase the wettability of the foam sheet 12 with a washing liquid and the mechanical To improve the removal of dirt from the object to be cleaned. Thereby, the achievable using the washing element 10 cleaning effect can be increased. At the same time the likelihood is reduced that the object to be washed is damaged. On the one hand, this is because, as mentioned, the skin 24 is also intact in the area of the surface profiling 28, ie the foam film 12 is closed-celled and no dirt particles can accumulate in the cells 18. On the other hand, it is shown in practice that even in the area of surface profiling, 28 dirt particles adhere only with low probability.

To further increase the cleaning effect, the foam sheet 12 is partially subdivided into a plurality of strips 40. In total, eight strips 40 are provided. The strips 40 are formed by cutting the foam sheet 12 provided with the surface profiling 28 starting from the first narrow side 30 in the direction of the second narrow side 30 over approximately one third of the length of the material strip 14.

The cuts in the material strip 14 are approximately as deep as the skin 24 is provided starting from the first narrow side 30 with the surface profiling 28. The section of the skin 24 provided with the surface profiling 28 defines the washing active area of the washing element 10, which during cleaning usually comes into contact with the object to be cleaned. Thus, the strips 40 also extend approximately over the entire washing active area of the washing element 10.

When the washing element 10 is put into practice, it proves to be advantageous if the width of the strips 40 is at least approximately 4 mm, in particular if the thickness of the foam sheet 12 is approximately 2 mm to approximately 3 mm. This can largely be avoided that

Add dirt particles to the open cell 18 provided sides of the strips 40 and possibly lead to damage of the object to be washed. Instead of the grid-shaped or scale-shaped surface profiling 28 illustrated here, it is conceivable for a surface profiling with a rib-shaped or knob-shaped shape to be formed on the skin 24. For this purpose, it may be provided to emboss the foam sheet 12 with a stencil comprising a strip or with a blind hole.

It is also conceivable that the surface roughness of the skin 24 in the area of the surface profiling 28 has a different value than the approximately 140 μm shown here. For example, it proves to be advantageous when implementing a variant of the washing element in practice, when the surface roughness is about 50 μιη to about 1000 μιη, preferably about 100 μιη to about 500 μηη.

It can further be provided that the spacing of adjacent depressions and the spacing between adjacent elevations deviate from the illustrated distances of 36 and 38, each of approximately 550 μm. For example, the distance between adjacent depressions and / or the distance between adjacent elevations is approximately 1.5 mm to approximately 2.5 mm, in particular with a surface roughness of approximately 200 μm to approximately 500 μm.

A second preferred embodiment of a washing element according to the invention is shown in Figure 6 in a schematic perspective view and there occupied by the reference numeral 50. For identical and equivalent features of the washing elements 10 and 50, identical reference numerals are used. The achievable with the washing element 10 benefits are also achieved with the washing element 50.

From the washing element 10, the washing element 50 differs solely in that the skins 24 and 26 are each completely provided with the surface profiling 28, ie over the entire width of the material strip 14 and from the first narrow side 30 to the second narrow side 32nd To use the washing elements 10 and 50 in a washing system, in particular an automatic motor vehicle washing system, these can be fixed with their second narrow side 32 end having, for example, on a rotating shaft. Under the rotation of the shaft, the strips 40 located in the washing active area can then clean the object to be washed.

Claims

PAT EN TA NSPR O CHE

1. washing element for a washing system, in particular an automatic motor vehicle washing system, which is formed from a foam material, characterized in that the washing element (10; 50) is a foam sheet (12) which at least on one side a skin (24, 26), wherein the skin (24, 26) is at least partially provided with a Oberfiächenprofiiierung (28).

2. Washing element according to claim 1, characterized in that the

Foam sheet (12) on both sides of a skin (24, 26).

3. Washing element according to claim 2, characterized in that both skins (24, 26) are each provided in sections with a Oberfiächenprofiiierung (28).

4. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one skin (24, 26) of the foam sheet (12) is completely provided with the Oberfiächenprofiiierung (28).

5. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface roughness of the skin (24, 26) in the region of Oberfiächenprofiiierung (28) is the same size or substantially equal.

6. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin (24, 26) in the Oberfiächenprofiiierung (28) has a surface roughness of about 50 μιη to about 1000 μιη, preferably from about 100 μιη to about 500 m, still more preferably from about 200 μιη to about 400 μηι, measured as size Sz according to part 2 of ISO standard 25178.

7. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface profiling (28) is at least partially formed regularly.

8. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the distance (36) of adjacent valleys of the surface profiling (28) from each other and / or the distance (38) of adjacent elevations of the surface profiling (28) from each other is equal or substantially equal ,

9. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the surface profiling (28) is designed as a lattice structure, rib structure, scale structure or knobbed structure.

10. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the washing element (10; 50) is at least partially divided into strips (40).

11. Washing element according to claim 10, characterized in that the strips (40) are provided with a surface profiling (28).

12. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the foam film (12) is a polyolefin foam film.

13. Washing element according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the skin (24, 26) at their not with the surface profiling (28) provided portions is substantially planar.

14. A method for producing a washing element for a car wash, characterized in that a foam film having at least one side of a skin, at least one surface treatment step terzogen, in which the skin is at least partially provided with a surface profiling their surface roughness increase.

A method according to claim 14, characterized in that the surface profiling is formed by embossing the foam sheet.