FR3072347B1 - DEVICE FOR WASHING A VEHICLE BY PROJECTING HIGH-PRESSURE WASHING LIQUID - Google Patents

Abstract

Device for washing a vehicle by spraying high-pressure washing liquid onto the vehicle, comprising nozzles (2a, 2b) integral with a body (3) engaged on an axis (1) and driven in rotation about the axis by high pressure fluid leaving aperture (s) on the axis, each nozzle being adapted to project said liquid supplied by the second channels of the body into a respective high pressure jet (24a, 24b); said washing device further comprising a cover (12) disposed around the body and the nozzles, a spacing being provided between the body and the wall of the cover to allow the passage, to the outlet opening, of exhausts, wherein the length of the cover is such that said liquid exhausts reinject, before they have passed the outlet opening, in said jets.

Description

Vehicle washing device by spraying high pressure washing liquid

The present invention relates to a vehicle washing device by spraying high pressure washing liquid onto the vehicle, comprising a set of high pressure nozzle (s) and an axis comprising at least a first circulation channel comprising an inlet, and a opening assembly (s), said channel being adapted to receive, at said inlet, high-pressure washing liquid and channel its circulation at least to the opening assembly (s).

The vehicles, for which such a washing device is intended, are for example automobiles, motorcycles, vans, trucks, tractors, bicycles, trains, planes ...

The washing liquid is for example water or a foaming cleaning product.

Such washing devices are for example high pressure lances handled by operators, for example in self-service washing stations, or even high pressure gantries, as described in FR 2999506.

Some of these washing devices have non-rotating pencil jet or flat jet nozzles. These nozzles are chosen, according to the calibrated holes which they present, and according to the pressure and the flow rate of the washing liquid which is supplied to the washing device by the high pressure pump upstream.

An increase in the cleaning power of vehicle washers is desirable.

In addition, there are devices for washing terraces or facades using rotary nozzles with pencil jet, with or without bearings. The rotation of these nozzles creates a cone-shaped washing surface. However, these devices are not suitable for washing or rinsing a bodywork: such washing generates far too much noise, in a manner incompatible with the standards in force, washing in circles, which requires many passages to have a complete surface cleaned, therefore a very high consumption of liquid and it gives rise to a phenomenon of acoustic resonance resulting from the mechanical effect of the pressure of the jet, concentrated at one point, on the sheet metal of the bodywork.

The object of the invention is then to propose a vehicle washing device which makes it possible to offer a good quality washing of a vehicle, using little liquid and without requiring heavy, bulky means or not very compatible with the environment.

To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention provides a vehicle washing device of the aforementioned type, characterized in that it further comprises a body engaged on the axis, free to rotate about the axis and comprising a set of second pressurized liquid circulation channels;

and in that the high pressure nozzle assembly (s) comprises at least two high pressure nozzles integral with said body;

said body being adapted to be rotated about the axis by high pressure liquid leaving said opening assembly (s), said second body circulation channels being adapted to collect high pressure liquid leaving said inlet set of openings and output it to the nozzles attached to the body; each nozzle being adapted to project said liquid supplied by the second channels of the body into a respective high pressure jet;

said washing device further comprising a cover disposed around the body and the nozzles, said cover comprising a bottom, an outlet opening facing said bottom and adapted to allow the jet of each nozzle to pass and an intermediate portion which extends between the bottom and outlet opening, a space being provided between the body and the intermediate portion to allow passage, towards the outlet opening, of exhausts, upstream of the nozzles, of high-pressure washing liquid, in which the length of the intermediate portion is such that said liquid escapes are reinjected, before they have exceeded the outlet opening, in said jets.

The invention thus provides a vehicle washing solution making it possible, with the same amount of water consumed, to obtain a vehicle that is better washed, and without requiring heavy or bulky means, such as bearings, motors, servos ...

In embodiments, the vehicle washing device according to the invention further comprises one or more of the following characteristics:

- the nozzle jets partially overlap;

the pressure of the liquid is greater than or equal to 6 bars and less than 20 bars;

- the nozzles are triangle jet nozzles;

- The angle described by the jet of at least one of said nozzles is 10 to 25 ° minimum;

- the jets of the nozzles strike the intermediate portion (12b);

- the jets of the nozzles tangent to said intermediate portion at the outlet opening (12c);

- the vehicle washing device comprises a disc integral in rotation with the body, disposed inside the cover and comprising openings at the outlet of the nozzles to allow the jet of nozzles to pass, an element for fixing to the axis and a central opening allowing the withdrawal of the fixing element to remove the disc and the body, said disc being a safety element limiting the introduction of an operator's hand from the opening of the cover.

According to another aspect, the invention provides a manual vehicle washing lance, comprising an arm intended to be manipulated by an operator to direct the washing liquid, said arm being fixed to a washing device according to the first aspect of the invention.

According to another aspect, the invention provides an automatic vehicle washing gantry comprising an inverted U frame, movable along a washing track during washing and comprising a transverse beam displaceable in height during washing to follow the profile of the vehicle, in which the lateral edges of the inverted U-frame and the transverse beam of the gantry are equipped with washing device (s) according to the first aspect of the invention.

These characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of example, and made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

- Figure 1 shows a view of a high pressure vehicle washing lance in an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 2 is a front view of a vehicle washing device in an embodiment of the invention;

- Figure 3 is a side view in section of the vehicle washing device of Figure 3;

- Figure 4 is a top view in section of the vehicle washing device of Figure 3;

- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle washing device of Figure 3;

- Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a washing device in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 1 represents a view of a manual lance 51 for high-pressure washing of vehicles in an embodiment of the invention. This lance 51 comprises a washing device 50 in one embodiment of the invention and an arm 53 for supplying washing liquid under high pressure supplying this liquid to the device 50. The arm 53 is connected, at its end remote from the device 50, to a high pressure pump (not shown).

During a washing operation, an operator (not shown) thus holds the arm 53 in his hand and thus directs the liquid sprayed by the washing device 50 successively onto different places of the vehicle 52 to be washed.

By high pressure here is meant a pressure greater than or equal to 6 bars.

In one embodiment, the pressure of the high pressure liquid used by the washing device is greater than or equal to 6 bars and is less than 110 bars. In one embodiment, it is less than 50 bars. In one embodiment, it is less than 20 bars.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the washing device 50.

FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 represent respectively the sectional view III-III, in section IV-IV and in perspective of the device 50 shown in FIG. 2.

Thus the washing device 50 comprises an axis element 1, a rotating body 3, a set of nozzles with triangle jets, here 2 nozzles 2a, 2b and a cover 9.

The axis 1, extending along an axis X, is adapted to be engaged, at one of its ends, with the arm 53 of the lance 51.

The axis 1 is cylindrical and has an inner channel 1a comprising a closed end 1c and an open end 13 through which it receives the high pressure liquid supplied by the arm 53. At an intermediate level of the axis 1 between these two ends 13 and 1c are formed, in the cylindrical wall of the axis 1, a set of openings 14, here 4 circular openings, arranged in the case considered along the same circle around the axis X.

The axis 1 is engaged in a recess of the rotating body 3. There is a clearance, for example of about 50 microns, in the directions perpendicular to the axis X, between the wall of the rotating body 3 delimiting this recess and the axis 1 once engaged. The rotating body 3 is thus mounted rotating around the axis 1.

In the case under consideration, the rotating body 3 is in one piece and is symmetrical with respect to the axis X.

The rotating body 3 comprises, at the level of the axis X corresponding to the openings 14 of the axis 1, a channel 3a on one side of the axis X, and another channel 3b on the other side of the axis X. Each of these channels 3a, 3b comprises a first portion substantially perpendicular to the X axis, then a bend (closed by a plug 3c) followed by a second portion substantially parallel to the X axis or as in the case considered , the second portion makes a slight angle with the X axis, here 11 ° (the angles of 11 "being made in opposite directions of rotation for the 2 second portions). A threaded end of the nozzle 2a, respectively 2b, is screwed into the tapped free end of the second portion of the channel 3a, respectively 3b. Thus the nozzles 2a, 2b, rotate with the rotating body 3. The nozzle 2a, respectively 2b, is thus, in the particular case considered, coaxial with the second portion of the channel 3a, respectively 3b

In the embodiment considered, the nozzles are not parallel to each other and form an angle for example of 11 ° with respect to the axis X (cf. the angle of the nozzle 2a in FIG. 4). As soon as the pressurized liquid circulates (at least 6 bar pressure), the nozzles start to rotate. The angle between each nozzle and the X axis promotes rotation and determines the direction of rotation.

The ends of the channel 3a, respectively 3b, are open and allow the circulation of the pressurized liquid from the set of openings 14 of the axis 1 to the inlet of the nozzle 2a, 2b screwed to the end of the channel 3a, 3b.

The cover 12 has a bottom 12a, a substantially cylindrical wall 12b delimiting a cavity and an opening 12c opposite the bottom along the axis X. The bottom 12a is perpendicular to the axis X and has a passage in which the axis 1 is engaged tight.

The cover 12 is waterproof: its bottom and its side wall does not allow the liquid to pass, which must necessarily flow out of the cover through the opening 12c. The cover is made for example of polyethylene.

The cover 12 is substantially symmetrical with respect to the axis X.

The rotating body 3 mounted rotating on the axis 1 is housed within the cavity delimited by the wall 12b.

In the embodiment considered, a disc 9, for example made of PVC, is also applied, perpendicular to the axis X, against the end of the nozzles through which the jet of liquid exits. Obviously is practiced in the disc 9 at each nozzle 2a, 2b to allow the passage of the jet without being disturbed. The disc 9 is fixed to the axis 1 by a rivet 9a and a screw 9c, and to the rotating body 3 by supports 9b and washers 9d. It has a small central opening so that you can use a small tool to unscrew the central screw 9c and remove the entire body 3 (with its disc), to reach axis 1.

The function of the disc 9, which rotates around the axis 1, is to protect the hand of an operator if the latter introduced it through the opening 12c of the cover 12. In another embodiment, the cover 9 is replaced by a stainless steel wire grid, for example fixed perpendicular to the X axis at the opening 12c.

Thus the high pressure washing liquid end coming from the pump is supplied by the arm 53 at the open end 13 of the channel within the axis 1. The liquid is guided by the channel 1a to the assembly openings 14 through which it springs. The flow of high pressure liquid gives rise to the rotation of the rotating body 3 around the axis X (no need for an intermediate mechanical part, it is the water which acts as a bearing, there is no need for mechanical restraint, such as bearing, bearing ...) The nozzles 2a, 2b, integral with the rotating body 3, are therefore also rotated around the axis X. Part of the high pressure liquid thus spouting openings 4 enter the channels 3a, respectively 3b and is thus led to the inlet of the nozzles 2a, respectively 2b. Each of the nozzles 3a, 3b projects the high pressure liquid according to a triangle jet with an opening angle for example of between 15 ° and 60 °.

In the embodiment considered with reference to Figures 1 to 5, the length of the channels 3a, 3b is 20 to 30 mm.

FIG. 6 is a schematic representation illustrating the operation of the washing device 50 in an embodiment of the invention.

During the injection from the arm 53 into the axis 1 of high pressure liquid, part of this liquid reaches via the channels 3a and 3b to the nozzles 2a and 2b. Another part of this high pressure liquid, called water escaping, does not reach the nozzle inlet. These liquid escapes are necessary for the lubrication of rotating parts. Part of these exhausts comes from the openings 14 and deaf on either side of the recess of the rotating body 3 housing the axis 1. The high pressure exhausts coming from upstream of the recess of the body 3 are thus guided by the bottom of the cover 12 (path indicated by the arrows 20) to the side wall of the cover they follow (path indicated by the arrows 21). Indeed, a space is provided between the body 3 and the wall 12b to allow the passage of the exhausts. The exhausts coming from upstream of the body 3 are then magnified by the high pressure exhausts coming downstream from the body 3 obviously (path indicated by the arrows 22) and the resulting exhausts (path indicated by the arrows 23 ) are guided along the side wall 12b of the cover 12.

The high pressure triangle jet 24a, respectively 24b, is projected by the nozzle 2a, respectively 2b.

According to the invention, the length of the side wall 14b along the axis X is calculated so that these liquid escapes going towards the opening 12c are reinjected into the triangle jet projected by the nearest nozzle (path indicated by the arrows 25a towards the triangle jet of nozzle 2a and path indicated by arrows 25b towards the triangle jet of nozzle 2b), and this before the jets have left the cover.

Depending on the length of the cover, the angle of the nozzle jet and the rotation, the liquid exhausts are stirred, mixed, and taken away by the rotating conical jets.

In the embodiment considered, each jet 24a, 24b tangents the end of the cylindrical wall 12b delimiting the opening 12c of the cover 12. In other less effective embodiments, at least one nozzle jet strikes the wall cylindrical 12b upstream of this end.

The jets 24a, 24b enriched with the water escapes cross, partially overlap: they then combine in their turn into a global flow, also called global jet, 30. The jets overlap is outside the cache or not , depending on the choice of the angle of the jets.

In the configuration of the diagrams presented, a minimum pressure of 6 bars was chosen, a jet angle of the nozzles of 10 to 25 ° maximum, and a tangency between the outlet of the cover and the jets.

The resulting overall jet 30 exhibits turbulence, due to the meeting of the two rotating jet angles and liquid exhausts.

In the movement of the overall jet 30, the mixture of the 2 jets 24a and 24b and the exhausts exhibit jerky cyclonic movements as a function of the density / viscosity of the water / detergent mixture, of the pressure, and of the flow, and which can be different in the "Washing" and Rinsing phase.

The range of lengths of the cover allowing this recombination of the exhausts and the triangular jets of the nozzles into a coherent flow depends in particular on the pressure of the liquid, on the type of nozzle, on the dimensions of the washing device.

The present invention thus allows the supply of a washing device providing a jet resulting from high pressure liquid which is particularly effective in terms of liquid consumption and cleaning. The exhausts are reintegrated into the jets from the nozzles.

In the case described above, two triangle jet nozzles, fixed to the rotating body, are supplied with liquid. However, the number of nozzles used can of course vary according to the embodiments and be strictly greater than two.

In one embodiment, the jet of at least one nozzle (or several or each) is flat, and describes a triangle. In one embodiment, the angle of this triangle at the outlet of the nozzle is 10 to 25 ° minimum.

In embodiments, the diameter of the cover 12 is fixed as a function of the angle of the nozzle jets and the distance of the nozzles and the outlet of the cover 12, in order to achieve at least some of the conditions described above.

Example: if the distance between the nozzle 2a (or 2b) and the opening 12 c decreases, the outlet diameter of the cover 12 must be reduced.

If the angle of the jets of the nozzles 2a and 2b is reduced, the outlet diameter of the cover 12 must decrease and vice versa.

The invention eliminates the need to use motors or bearings to rotate the nozzles. In particular, the nozzles of a device according to the invention rotate from a pressure of the washing liquid of 6 bars, whereas with a bearing on the axis, a much greater pressure would be necessary, for example from around 70 to 100 bars.

The invention makes it possible to wash, with constant water consumption, a much larger surface area of the bodywork (in one embodiment, 6 times more surface area washed than with a washing device comprising a simple flat jet nozzle) and therefore also to save on washing time.

A washing device according to the invention has been described above in the case of a high pressure lance. It can be implemented in other applications, for example an automatic high pressure vehicle washing gantry. Such a gantry includes for example an inverted U frame, movable along a washing track during the washing operation. This frame also includes a transverse beam that can be moved in height during washing to follow the profile of the vehicle. The lateral edges of the inverted U-frame and the transverse beam of the gantry are equipped, in one embodiment, with multiple washing devices such as that described above with reference to the figures (the covers may be of different shape).

According to another aspect, the invention relates to a vehicle washing method by spraying high-pressure washing liquid comprising a step of washing a vehicle using a washing device as described above.

Claims (10)

1. -Vehicle washing device (50) by spraying high pressure washing liquid onto the vehicle, comprising a set of high pressure nozzle (s) (2a, 2b) and an axis (1) comprising at least a first circulation channel (1a) comprising an inlet (13), and an opening assembly (s) (14), said channel being adapted to receive, at said inlet, high-pressure washing liquid and to channel its circulation at least up to the opening assembly (s); said vehicle washing device being characterized in that it further comprises a body (3) engaged on the axis, free to rotate about the axis and comprising a set of second circulation channels (3a) of liquid under pressure; and in that the high pressure nozzle assembly (s) comprises at least two high pressure nozzles integral with said body; said body being adapted to be rotated about the axis by high pressure liquid leaving said opening assembly (s), said second body circulation channels being adapted to collect high pressure liquid leaving said inlet set of openings and output it to the nozzles attached to the body; each nozzle (2a, 2b) being adapted to project said liquid supplied by the second channels of the body into a respective high pressure jet (24a, 24b); said washing device further comprising a cover (12) disposed around the body and the nozzles, said cover comprising a bottom (12a), an outlet opening (12c) facing said bottom and adapted to let the jet pass (24a, 24b ) of each nozzle and an intermediate portion (12b) which extends between the bottom and the outlet opening, a space being provided between the body and the intermediate portion to allow the passage, towards the outlet opening, of exhausts, upstream of the nozzles, of high pressure washing liquid, in which the length of the intermediate portion is such that said liquid exhausts are reinjected, before they have exceeded the outlet opening, in said jets . 2. - vehicle washing device (50) according to claim 1, wherein the jets of the nozzles partially overlap. 3. - vehicle washing device (50) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the liquid pressure is greater than or equal to 6 bars and less than 20 bars. 4. - A vehicle washing device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the nozzles are triangle jet nozzles. 5. - vehicle washing device (50) according to claim 4, wherein the angle described by the jet of at least one of said nozzles is 10 to 25 ° minimum. 6. - Vehicle washing device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the jets of the nozzles strike the intermediate portion (12b). 7. - Vehicle washing device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the jets of the nozzles tangent to said intermediate portion at the outlet opening (12c). 8. - vehicle washing device (50) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a disc (9) integral in rotation with the body (3), disposed inside the cover (12) and comprising openings in the level of the outlet of the nozzles to let pass the jet of the nozzles, a fixing element (9c) to the axis (1) and a central opening allowing by the withdrawal of the fixing element to remove the disc and the body ( 3), said disk being a security element limiting the introduction of an operator's hand from the opening of the cover. 9. - Manual vehicle washing lance (51), comprising an arm (53) intended to be manipulated by an operator to direct the washing liquid, said arm being fixed to a washing device according to one of the preceding claims. 10. - Automatic vehicle washing gantry comprising an inverted U frame, movable along a washing track during washing and comprising a transverse beam displaceable in height during washing to follow the profile of the vehicle, in which the edges sides of the inverted U-frame and the transverse beam of the gantry are equipped with washing device (s) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 9.