GB2224706A

GB2224706A - Vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2224706A
Application number: GB8923832A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Gebhard Weigele
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-11-09
Filing date: 1989-10-23
Publication date: 1990-05-16
Also published as: DE8814002U1; FR2638690A1; GB8923832D0

Abstract

The vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatus has a flexible, drivable, endless conveyor member (4) which is guided in a horizontal plane above the path of movement of the vehicle (1) by way of a plurality of direction-changing wheels (5, 6) which rotate about vertical axes. A plurality of narrow strips (10) of absorbent material, which hang down perpendicularly into the path of movement of the vehicle, is movable transversely with respect to the path of movement of the vehicle by means of the conveyor member. The apparatus also has a means (11) which is actuable by means of a control motor and which directly or indirectly acts on the strips (10) and with which the strips, when not in use, can be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle. <IMAGE>

Description

Vehicle shing, polishing or drying apparatus The invention relates to a vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatus comprising a means, in particular a conveyor belt, for moving the vehicle relative to the apparatus, a flexible, drivable, endless conveyor member which is guided in a horizontal plane above the path of movement of the vehicle by way of a plurality of direction-changing wheels which rotate about vertical axes and which are disposed at both longitudinal sides of the apparatus, and a plurality of narrow strips of absorbent matrial such as textiles, foam materials, leather and leatherlike plastics material, which hang down perpendicularly into the path of movement of the vehicle and which are movable transversely with respect to the path of movement of the vehicle by means of the conveyor member.

Various design c,nfi#J--ttions of such vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatuses are known. When a vehicle is moved through the apparatus by means of the conveyor belt and at the same time the strips are driven by means of the conveyor member, the strips are successively drawn inclinedly over the surface of the vehicle. In that operation, depending on the purpose of use of the apparatus, they can be used for washing, polishing or drying the surface of the vehicle. Difficulties arse wh.e . tha appara s is not to be used but nonetheless a vehicle is moved through the apparatus.That is the case for example when the apparatus is to be used as a washing or polishing apparatus, in cambination with a washing apparatus comprising rotary brushes. In that situation the customer can have the vehicle washed alternatively by the brushes or the strips. If the vehicle is washed with brushes, then in short washing sheds the strips may become caught up in the brushes and torn off. In addition the strips of the washing apparatus, when not in use, hang down into the path of movement of the vehicle and are unnecessarily subjected to a loading when the vehicle passes through. The same applies when the apparatus is used as a polishing apparatus, but the customer does not want to have his vehicle polished.

The invention is therefore based on the problem of providing a vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatus of the kind set forth in the opening part of this specification, wherein when the apparatus is not in use, the strips can be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle in order thereby to eliminate damage to the strips, superfluous wear thereof and other adverse effects.

In accordance with the invention that is achieved in that there is provided a means which acts directly or indirectly on the strips and which can be actuated by means of a control motor and with which the strips, when they are not in use, can be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle.

As the strips can be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle by the means for moving the strips, the strips cannot be engaged by the vehicle and thus also cannot be damaged or worn. It is also not possible for individual strips to be pulled into the region of the rotating washing brushes, by the vehicle. When the apparatus is not in use, the movement of the vehicle through the apparatus is in no way adversely affected by the strips.

A pre#e=ed er#bodiment of the invention provides that the support members are formed by a plurality of pivotal arms which are pivotable about vertical axes and which are arranged at spacings from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor member and which, when the strips are not in use, can be pivoted into a position transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor member. In that connection the conveyor member is advantageously guided in two mutually parallel runs and the axes are arranged in the vertical longitudinal central plane between the two runs, wherein two diametrally oppositely disposed pivotal arms are provided at each axis. That configuration is particularly simple and therefore inexpensive to produce.

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

The invention is described in greater detail hereinafter by means of embodiments illustrated in the drawing in which: Figure 1 is a front view of a first embodiment, as viewed in the direction of movement of the vehicle, Figure 2 is a view in cross-section taken along line II-II in Figure 1, Figure 3 is a similar view in cross-section in the operative position of .e apparat#s, Figure 4 is a front view of a second embodiment, Figure 5 is a view in cross-section taken along line V-V in Figure 4, showing the operative position on the left and the rest position on the right, Figure 6 is a front view of a third embodiment in an operative position, Figure 7 is a corresponding front view in a rest position, Figure 8 is a plan view of a fourth embodiment, Figure 9 is a front view of a fifth embodiment in an operative position, Figure 10 is a view of the embodiment of Figure 9 in the rest position of the apparatus, Figure 11 is a plan view of a sixth embodiment, and Figure 12 is a view in cross-section taken along line XII-XII in Figure 11 in the position of non-use.

The vehicles 1 are pulled through the apparatus in the direction of movement of the vehicle in known manner at spacings from each other by means of a conveyor belt 2 or the like, more specifically normal to the plane of the drawing in Figure 1. An endless, flexible conveyor member 4, preferably a plate-type chain, is guided around two direction-changing wheels 5 and 6 arranged at the two longitudinal sides of the apparatus, on a horizontal transverse member 3 which is disposed above the path of movement of the vehicle 1 to be washed, polished or dried. The directionchanging wheel 5 is driven by the motor 7 by way of an interposed transmission 8. Connected to the conveyor member 4 is a plurality of loop members 9 which in turn carry narrow strips 10 of absorbent material such as textiles, foam material, leather or leather-like plastics material.

The two runs of the conveyor member 4, which extend in a straight line between the direction-changing wheels 5 and 6, are preferably arranged inclinedly with respect to the direction of movement of the vehicle or the longitudinal axis of the apparatus.

In the operative position of the apparatus the loop members 9 and the strips 10 hang vertically downwardly and are pulled over the surface of the vehicle while the vehicle 1 is drawn in the direction of movement of a vehicle through the apparatus. In that connection, depending on the mode of use of the apparatus, it is possible to wash, polish or dry the surface of the vehicle, by means of the strips 10 which are pulled over the surface of the vehicle.

If the vehicle 1 is to be drawn through the apparatus without coming into contact with the strips 10, then particular means are required for that purpose, for moving the strips 10 out of the path of movement of the vehicle when the strips are not in use. Those means are described in greater detail hereinafter.

The embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 has a plurality of support members in the form of rollers 11. The rollers 11 are arranged on a common carrier frame structure 12 at spacings from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor member 4. The carrier frame structure 12 is displaceable in a horizontal direction B perpendicularly to the transverse member 3 by means of the control member or actuator 13.

The mounting of the carrier frame structure 12 is not illustrated. The rollers 11, which are rotatably mounted in pairs on respective cannon spindles 14 are arranged closely beneath the loop members 9 and above the path of movement of the vehicle.

When the apparatus is in the operative position, and therefore the vehicle 1 is to be washed, polished or dried by means of the strips 10, then the carrier frame structure 12 with the rollers 11 is in the position shown in Figure 3. In that position the rollers 11 are outside the path of movement of the strips 10. If the strips 1O are not resu red, the carrier frame structure 12 is moved into the position shown in Figure 2 by means of the control motor 13. In that position the rollers 11 are disposed in the path of movement of the strips 10 and initially engage between the individual strips 10.If now the conveyor member 4 continues to be driven, then the strips 10 are pulled over the rollers 11 and are progressively deposited on the adjacent rollers. When the lower ends lOa of the strips 10 have been pulled up to such an extent that they are outside the path of movement of the vehicle 1, the motor 7 for driving the conveyor member 4 can be stopped.

Figure 2 of the drawing shows a further variant in dash-dotted lines. In that arrangement the carrier frame structure 12a which carries the rollers 11 is pivotable by means of a control motor or actuator (not shown) about a horizontal axis 15. Figure 2 shows that alternative construction in dash-dotted lines in the operative position of the apparatus. In the rest position of the apparatus the rollers 11 and the carrier frame structure 12a would occupy approximately the same position as the rollers 11 and the carrier frame structure 12 which is shown in solid lines in Figure 2.

In the errbodiment illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 and in the following embodiments, parts which perform the same function are each denoted by the same respective reference numeral as in the above-described embodiment. The foregoing description therefore applies in substance thereto. In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, disposed beneath the straight run of the conveyor member 4 are two parallel deposit bars 16 which extend parallel to the conveyor member 4 and horizontally. Provided between the bars 16 is a gap 17 through which a reduced-width portion 9a of the loop member 9 can pass.Provided at the ends 16a of the bars 16, which are the front ends in relation to the direction of movement of the conveyor member 4, are respective rollers 18 which are movable by means of the control motor or actuator 19 into the region beneath the conveyor member 4 and in front of the ends 16a of the bars 16.

In the operative position of the apparatus the rollers 18, as shown in dash-dotted lines on the right in Figure 5, are pivoted downwardly out of the path of movement of tha strips 10. The loop members 9 with the strips 10 can thus hang downwardly unimsededly, as shown on the left in Figure 5. If the strips 10 are to be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle, the rollers 18 are pivoted into the path of movement of the strips 10, as shown in solid lines in Figures 4 and 5. In that case the rollers 18 are disposed in front of the front ends 16a of the bars 16.

tmie the conveyor member 4 cortinues to be driven, the strips 10 are successively pulled over the rollers 18. The loop members 9 are thereby pivoted upwardly and pass into a region above the bars 16. Upon further movement of the conveyor member 4 the strips 10 are completely pulled onto the bars 16 and thus move out of the path of movement of the vehicle.

When the apparatus is to be put into operation again, it is only necessary for the rollers 18 to be pivoted back again into their vertical position as shown in broken lines.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 6 and 7, disposed beneath the conveyor member 4a and parallel thereto are guide rails 19 on which a plurality of carriages 20 are movable. The carriages 20 are connected together by flexible tow members 21 so that in the operative position of the apparatus there is a spacing between the individual carriages 21, as shown in Figure 6. There are two groups of carriages 20, only the first carriage 20a of each group being connected to the conveyor member 4a by way of an entrainment member 22. The strips 10 are suspended from the carriages 20 individually or in small numbers.

If the apparatus is to be moved from its operative position shown in Figure 6 into its rest position as shown in Figure 7, the drive motor 7 is switched over from forward motion to reverse motion. In that way the carriages 20 with the strips 10 suspended therefrom are pushed together in a curtain-l#ie wn er at cne s#oe of the path of movement of the vehicle.

In that connection it is advantageous for a respective reverse movement blocking device 23 to be disposed at both sides of the path of movement of the vehicle, which blocking device 23 can be pivoted into the path of movement of the carriages 20. While the apparatus is in operation, the reverse motion blocking device is in the position shown in Figure 6. It is pivoted upwardly by the carriages themselves. When however the drive motor 7 is switched over to reverse motion, the last carriage comes to bear against the reverse motion blocking device 23, as shown in Figure 7.

That ensures that, when the drive motor 7 is operating in the reverse motion mode, the strips 10 can be pushed into the path of movement of the vehicle 1 again.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the direction-changing wheels 5 and 6 and the guides for the conveyor member 4 are arranged on a transverse member 3a which is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation 24 disposed laterally of the path of movement of the vehicle. An arcuate rail 25 can be provided for supporting the free end of the transverse member 3a. If the apparatus is not required, the transverse member 3a is pivoted from its operative position shown in solid lines into its rest position shown in broken lines, laterally of the path of movement of the vehicle.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 9 and 10 the directionchanging wheels 5 and 6 and the guides for the conveyor member 4 are arranged on a transverse member 3b. The transverse member 3b is rotatable about its horizontal longitudinal axis 26 by means of the control motor or actuator 27. When the apparatus is not in use, the strips 10 can be wound onto the transverse member 3b by the transverse member 3b being rotated by means of the control motor or actuator 27, as shown in Figure 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 11 and 12, the conveyor member 4 is guided in two mutually parallel runs 4a and 4b. Disposed in the vertical longitudinal central plane between the two runs 4a and 4b are a plurality of vertical shaft or axis members 30 which are arranged at spacings from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor member. Each shaft member 30 carries at its lower end two diametrally oppositely disposed pivotal ass 31. Arranged at the free end of each pivotal arm 31 is an upwardly projecting guide bar 32. One of the shaft members 30 can be pivoted through 900 by means of a control motor or actuator 33.The other shaft members 30 are connected to the one shaft member by way of links 34 so that they can also be pivoted simultaneously with the one shaft member.

The drawing shows the apparatus in the rest position, that is to say when the strips 10 are not in use. In that position the pivotal arms 31 are arranged transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor member 4a, 4b. The strips 10 lie on the outwardly pivoted pivotal arms 31 and are supported thereby.

If the polishing or drying apparatus is to be used, then all pivotal arms 31 are pivoted through 900 by means of the control motor 33.

They then occupy the position shown in dash-dotted lines in Figures 11 and 12. In that position the pivotal arms 31 extend parallel to the two runs 4a and 4b of the conveyor member and lie between the strips 10. The strips 10 can hang freely downwardly and thus polish or dry the vehicle.

In the foregoing embodiments, the invention was described with reference to a vehicle washing installation (wash line) in which the vehicle is pulled through the vehicle washing installation by means of a conveyor belt or the like and the washing, polishing and drying devices are arranged stationarily. However the apparatus according to the invention may also be used in relation to a portal-type washing installation in which the vehicle is stationary and the portal structure moves during the washing, polishing and drying operations.

Claims

CLABS

1. A vehicle washing, polishing or drying apparatus comprising means - for moving the vehicle relative to the apparatus, a flexible, drivable, endless conveyor member which is guided in a horizontal plane above the path of movement of the vehicle by way of a plurality of direction-changing wheels which rotate about vertical axes and which are disposed at both longitudinal sides of the apparatus, and a plurality of narrow strips of material which hang a#wn perpendicularly into the path of movement of the vehicle and which are movable transversely with respect to the path of movement of the vehicle by means of the conveyor member, characterised in that there is provided means which act directly or indirectly on the strips and with which the strips when they are not in use, can be moved out of the path of movement of the vehicle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that there are provided one or more support members - which are movable into a region beneath the conveyor member and above the path of movement of the vehicle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the support members are formed by a plurality of rollers which are arranged at spacings from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor member

4. Apparatys according to claim 3 characterised in that the rollers are arranged on a horizontally displaceable carrier frame structure.

5. Apparatus according to claim 3 characterised in that the rollers are arranged on a carrier frame structure which is pivotable about a horizontal axis.

6. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the support member is formed by deposit bars which extend beneath the conveyor member and parallel thereto and that provided at each of the ends of the deposit bars , which are the front ends in relation to the direction of movement of the conveyor member , is a respective roller which is movable into the region beneath the conveyor member and into a position in front of the ends of the deposit bars.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the strips are suspended individually or in a small curter on a plurality of carriages which are supported on guide rails extending parallel to the conveyor member , that the carriages are connected by flexible tow members at spacings therebetween to form two groups. and that only the first carriage of each group is connected to The conveyor member in such a way that the carriages of a respective group can be pushed together in a curtain-like manner at one side of the path of movement of the vehicle, by switching the conveyor member over to reverse motion.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7 characterised in that a respective reverse motion blocking device is provided at both sides of the path of movement of the vehicle for the last carriages of the respective groups.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the directionchanging wheels and guides for the conveyor member . are arranged on a movable transverse member which is pivotable about a vertical axis of rotation disposed laterally of the path of movement of the vehicle, in such a way that, when the strips are not in use, the transverse member can be pivoted into a rest position laterally of the path of rrovement of the vehicle.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1 characterised in that the directionchanging wheels and guides for the conveyor member are arranged on a transverse member which is rotatable about its horizontal longitudinal axis in such a way that, when the strips ~ are not in use, the strips can be wound onto the transverse member by rotation Thereof.

11. Apparatus according to claim 2 characterised in that the support members are formed by a plurality of pivotal arms which are pivotable about vertical axes and which are arranged at spacings from each other in the direction of movement of the conveyor member and which, when the strips are not in use, are pivotable into a position transversely with respect to the direction of movement of the conveyor member

12. Apparatus according to claim 11 characterised in that the conveyor member is guided in two mutually parallel runs and the axes are arranged in the vertical longitudinal central plane between the two runs , wherein two diarretrally oppositely disposed pivotal arms are provided at each axis

13. Apparatus according to claim 1l or claim 12 characterised in that an upwardly projecting guide bar is disposed at the free end of each pivotal arm