GB2190341A - Portal washing apparatus for motor vehicles - Google Patents

Abstract

The portal, which can be moved back and forth on rails 1 comprises four vertical axis washing brushes 5,8, 5',8 and two horizontal axis washing brushes 4, 7 which can be raised and lowered. The brushes on each side of the vehicle 2 and the horizontal brushes contra-rotate. Blowing nozzles 14, 15, 15, 16 16', 17 provide vehicle drying. The washing only takes place in one portal movement in direction A and drying only in one portal movement in direction B. The portal may be a single unit or two portal units 3,6 connected by rods 9, 9'. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Portal washing apparatus for motor vehicles The invention relates to a portal washing apparatus for motor vehicles, comprising at least one portal which can be moved back and forth on rails relative to the vehicle in the longitudinal direction thereof, a respective pair of washing brushes which rotate about vertical axes for each side of the vehicle, two washing brushes which can be raised and lowered and which rotate about horizontal axes, and an automatic control arrangement for the portal, the control program of which embraces the portal movement and the washing phases of the washing brushes.

In a known portal washing apparatus of that kind (German patent specification No 2 231 846), two washing portals which are of substantially the same configuration are arranged one after the other and are controllable simultaneously and independently of each other by the common control arrangement. Each washing portal carries a respective brush which rotates about a vertical axis, for each side of the vehicle, and a horizontal washing brush.

The control program of each washing portal embraces the washing of a respective end wall or surface of the roof structure and somewhat more than half of both side walls or surfaces, beginning with the end surface washing operation in regard to one washing portal and with the side surface washing operation in regard to the other washing portal.

That arrangement is intended to provide that each of the two washing portals only has to cover a travel distance of about half the length of the vehicle, so that the total washing time is almost halved. The specified nature of the control in respect of the two washing portals ensures that the washing portals do not impede each other and avoids dead areas in the boundary region of the two washing travel movements of the two portals. However the construction of that known portal washing apparatus is comparatively expensive for all the devices required for operating a washing portal, apart from the rails on which they travel, must be duplicated.Thus for example, each washing portal must have its own cable towing installation for the supply of power, its own water supply, its own metering pumps for shampoo, foam shampoo, chemical prewash, drying aids, wax and foam wax and its own disc-type washing brushes for the wheels. The control program itself is also comparatively complicated. Added to that is the fact that the known portal washing apparatus does not have a drying apparatus and the installation of drying apparatuses on each individual portal would still not permit satifactory drying to be achieved. More specifically, during the drying operation, the air flow issuing from the drying nozzles so-to-speak pushes the water on the surface of the vehicle along in front of it.Consequently, a drying apparatus carried on the second portal would push the water from the half of the vehicle dried thereby, on to the half of the vehicle which has already been dried by the drying apparatus on the other portal. Therefore, in order to guarantee a drying effect, the drying nozzles would have to be pivotable in two opposite directions so as to be able to produce the desired effect of blowing the water away, both in the forward movement and in the return movement of the respective washing portal. The pivotability of the blowing nozzles would additionally increase the cost of the portal washing apparatus. Finally it should also be borne in mind that, in order to carry out a complete washing and drying program, both portals have to be braked and reversed in regard to their direction of movement, for a total of at least three times.That considerably increases the overall washing and drying time for each vehicle.

In another known portal washing apparatus (WESUMAT diagram No 43.00 AUTOW ASCH-UND TROCKENMASCHINE from WESU Maschinenbau AUGSBURG, April 1984), there is only one portal which carries a respective washing brush which is rotatable about a vertical axis, for each side of the vehicle, a washing brush which rotates about a horizontal axis and a drying apparatus. To wash a vehicle, the portal has to be moved once in the forward direction and once in the return direction over the entire length of the vehicle, the direction of rotation of the brushes being reversed in the return movement in order to deal with 'dead' corners. The drying operation is then effected with the portal moving both in the forward direction and in the return direction.

Depending on the design of the known portal washing apparatuses, from 4 to 6 minutes are required for a complete washing and drying program, and added to that it the time required for driving the vehicles in and out.

Therefore those known portal washing apparatuses only have a washing capacity of around twelve vehicles per hour.

The invention is based on the problem of providing a portal washing apparatus for motor vehicles of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, which is of a simple construction and which makes it possible both to wash and dry vehicles at a high level of capacity.

In accordance with the invention, that is achieved in that the washing brushes are mounted in a common portal or in two portals which are coupled together and which are arranged at the smallest possible spacing from each other, that the two washing brushes associated with one side of a vehicle, with vertical axes of rotation, and the two washing brushes with horizontal axes of rotation, are respectively driven in opposite directions (contra-rotation), that at least one drying apparatus provided with blowing nozzles is arranged on the portal, and that the control program embraces only washing phases in the single forward movement of the portal or portals by more than the vehicle length and only drying phases in the single return movement.

The arrangement of the six washing brushes in a portal or in two portals which are coupled together provides that the entire portal washing apparatus is simpler in construction. More specifically, for the purposes of power supply, only a common cable towing installation is required, and a common water supply. The metering pumps for the various washing and drying agents from one portal may also be used for the other portal. Furthermore, the apparatus only requires one pair of disc-type washing brushes. If the apparatus has only one portal, there is not need for drive motors for a second portal while if the apparatus has two portals which are coupled together, it is also possible to eliminate the drive motors for the second portal. The control for the portal is also simplified.With the novel washing apparatus, vehicles are also satisfactorily dried, in comparison with the known portal washing apparatus referred to in the opening part of this specification. The important point in regard to satisfactory drying is that only washing is effected in the forward movement and only drying is effected in the return movement. During the drying operation, the portal or portals moves or move only in one direction so that the blowing nozzles of the drying apparatus only ever blow the water in front of them, in the same direction. The blowing nozzles can therefore be directed in the optimum fashion in relation to the surface of the vehicle and do not need to be pivotable, so that the production costs of the novel portal washing apparatus are also reduced.In comparison with the known portal washing apparatus referred to in the opening part of this specification, the novel apparatus also achieves an increase in capacity in that the direction of movement of the portal or portals only has to be reversed once in order to carry out a complete washing and drying program.

More specifically, if the entire vehicle were washed in the course of the forward movement of the portal or portals, then the drying operation is effected immediately afterwards in the return movement. 'Dead' corners are avoided by virtue of the brushes for respectively washing one side of the vehicle and the brushes with horizontal axes of rotation being driven in opposition. In comparison with portal washing installations with only one portal, the novel portal apparatus is of almost double the capacity without the cost being twice as high since, as mentioned above, many components are only to be found singly and in addition only one washing shop and the building space required therefor are necessary.

A particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that two portals of substantially the same configuration are coupled one behind the other, each of which respectively carries a washing brush with a vertical axis of rotation for each side of the vehicle, a washing brush with a horizontal axis of rotation and a drying apparatus. When using portals of that kind which are of substantially the same design, it is possible to produce the novel portal washing apparatus using known portals which are produced in relatively large numbers. However, as already mentioned above, some components may be omitted on the second portal as the second portal can be supplied from the first portal which is coupled thereto.In addition, the fact that two substantially identical portals are coupled is a matter of advantage when an operator of a portal washing apparatus already has such an apparatus with a single portal and subsequently wants to enhance the capacity of his installation.

Further advantages embodiments of the invention are characterised in the other subsidiary claims.

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of an embodiment as illustrated in the drawing.

The drawing shows a diagrammatic plan view of the novel portal washing apparatus, with the upper portion of each portal being omitted.

Displaceable on the two rails 1 which extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the vehicle to be washed, in particular a private automobile or a small bus or transporter, are the two portals 3 and 6 which are of substantially the same design configuration. Two washing brushes 5 and 5' which rotate about vertical axes V are mounted on the portal 3 in such a way that they can deflect laterally with respect to the vehicle 2. Each of the brushes 5 and 5' serves to wash half a vehicle, namely half the front, a side surface and half the tail surface. A washing brush 4 which rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation H is also mounted on the portal 3 in such a way that it can be raised and lowered. The washing brushes 4, 5 and 5' are controlled in known manner.

The portal 3 further carries a drying apparatus which is provided with lateral blowing nozzles 15 and 15' and a horizontal blowing nozzle 14; the blower of the drying apparatus is not illustrated. The portal 3 is completed by a spray arch for shampoo water for the washing brush 4 which rotates about the horizontal axis H and a spray arch 11 and 11' for the two washing brushes 5 and 5' which rotate about vertical axes. The two drive motors 18 and 18' are provided to drive the portal 3.

The portal 6 is of substantially the same configuration and equipped in substantially the same manner as the portal 3, but is arranged in mirror image relationship relative to the portal 3 so that the two portals 3 and 6 stand so-to-speak back to back. The two portals 3 and 6 are connected together by coupling rods 9 and 9'. For that reason, there is no need for drive motors in the portal 6. Also mounted in the portal 6 are a washing brush 7 which is movable in respect of height and which rotates about a horizontal axis of rotation H, and two washing brushes 8 and 8' which rotate about vertical axes of rotation V.

The portal 6 also carries a blower drying apparatus with lateral blowing nozzles 16 and 16' and a horizontal blowing nozzle 17. Also carried on the portal 6 are a spray arch 12 and 12' for clean water and a spray arch 13 for a drying aid and/or wax.

The two washing brushes 5 and 8, and 5' and 8' respectively, which are arranged at respective sides of a vehicle, are each driven in opposite directions of rotation (contra-rotating), as indicated by the arrows. That is intended to avoid 'dead' corners and angles behind projecting parts, for example a rear view mirror or the like, in the cleaning operation.

As the washing brushes 5 and 8, and 5' and 8' respectively, are driven in opposite directions of rotation, it is also possible for the coupling rods 9 and 9' to be shorter than as shown in the drawing. In that case the spacing between the mutually facing washing brushes 5 and 8, 5' and 8' respectively of the two portals 3 and 6 is then smaller than the working diameter of the washing brushes so that the bristles thereof mesh into each other in the washing operation.

Similarly to the washing brushes with vertical axes V, the two washing brushes 4 and 7 with the horizontal axes of rotation H are also driven in opposite directions of rotation (contra-rotating) in order to avoid 'dead' corners and angles.

Two portals 3 and 6 which are of substantially the same configuration and equipped in substantially the same manner are advantageously used for production of the novel portal washing apparatus, as illustrated in the drawing. Portals of that kind are already being mass-produced in relative large numbers for portal washing installations, but are always used individually. The use of mass-produced portals means that the portal washing apparatus according to the invention can be produced inexpensively. It would possibly also be conceivable that two portals could be arranged in front-to-front relationship so that the washing brushes with horizontal axes of rotation are facing towards each other and the bristles thereof possibly also mesh into each other. That intermeshing means that the overall length required for both portals can be reduced.

In addition, it would also be possible to produce a single large portal, instead of two separate portals, in which case all six washing brushes and the other components described are mounted on the single portal.

The mode of operation of the novel portal washing apparatus is as follows: After the vehicle 2 has been driven between the rails 1 into a wash shop, the two intercoupled portals 3 and 6 are moved in the forward direction as indicated by the arrow A.

The control program of the automatic control arrangement is such that, in the forward movement, the vehicle 2 is washed by means of all six washing brushes 4, 5, 5', 8, 8' and 7 which rotate in the directions of rotation indicated by the arrows. In that phase, the washing portals are moved over somewhat more than the vehicle length, into the position shown in broken lines at the left of the drawing. As the brushes 5, 8 and 5' and 8' respectively associated with a side of the vehicle and the horizontal brushes 4 and 7 are respectively driven in opposite directions of rotation, only a single forward movement is required. The time taken by the portals to move from their position shown at the right in the drawing into the position shown at the left is about 65 seconds.

In the position shown at the left, the washing brushes are stopped and the two portals 3 and 6 are then moved back in their return movement, in the direction indicated by the arrow B. During that movement, only the blowers of the drying apparatuses are then driven so that the air jets issuing from the blowing nozzles 14, 15, 15', 16, 16' and 17 blow away the water which is still present on the vehicle, and thoroughly dry the vehicle.

Consequently, only a single return movement is required for drying the vehicle. Drying in the course of the return movement requires about 100 seconds, whereafter the vehicle is completely washed and dried and can be driven out of the wash shop.

Claims (5)

1. A portal washing apparatus for motor vehicles, comprising at least one portal which can be moved back and forth on rails relative to the vehicle in the longitudinal direction thereof, a respective pair of washing brushes which rotate about vertical axes for each side of the vehicle, two washing brushes which can be raised and lowered and which rotate about horizontal axes, and an automatic control arrangement for the portal, the control program of which embraces the portal movement and the washing phases of the washing brushes, characterised in that the washing brushes (4, 5, 5', 7, 8, 8') are mounted in a common portal or in two portals (3, 6) which are coupled together and which are arranged at the smallest possible spacing from each other, that the two washing brushes (5, 8 and 5', 8' respectively) associated with one side of a vehicle, with vertical axes (V) of rotation, and the two washing brushes (4, 7) with horizontal axes of rotation (H), are respectively driven in opposite directions (contra-rotation), that at least one drying apparatus provided with blowing nozzles (14, 15, 15'; 16, 16', 17) is arranged on the portal (3, 6), and that the control program embraces only washing phases in the single forward movement of the portal or portals (3, 6) by more than the vehicle length and only drying phases in the single return movement.

2. A portal washing apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that two portals (3, 6) which are of substantially the same configuration are coupled together, each of which respectively carries a washing brush (5, 5' and 8, 8' respectively) with vertical axis of rotation (V) for each side of a vehicle, a washing brush (4, 7 respectively) with horizontal axis of rotation (H) and a drying apparatus.

3. A portal washing apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the two portals (3, 6) are arranged back-to-back so that the washing brushes (5, 8 and 5', 8') with vertical axes of rotation (V) are directed towards each other.

4. A portal washing apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the portals are arranged front-to-front so that the washing brushes with horizontal axes of rotation are directed towards each other.

5. A portal washing apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4 characterised in that the spacing of the mutually facing washing brushes (5, 8, and 5', 8') of the two portals (3, 6) is smaller than the operating diameter of the washing brushes so that the bristles thereof intermesh in the washing operation.