GB2376521A

GB2376521A - Vehicle drying or de-icing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2376521A
Application number: GB0114439A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Speller; David Heffer; Mathew Paul; Peter Speller
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-06-13
Filing date: 2001-06-13
Publication date: 2002-12-18
Also published as: GB0114439D0

Abstract

A portable air blowing device, used to dry or de-ice vehicles, uses a convection fan 4 to draw air through an inlet 6. The air passes along passage 7, over helical heating elements 19 and through the outlet 8 and is directed by nozzles that are attached to the outlet. The device is held using an adjustable handle 21.

Description

VEHICLE DRYING APPARATUS This invention relates to portable vehicle-drying or vehicle de-icing apparatus. The apparatus is suitable for drying vehicles such as, for example, automobiles and motorcycles.

It is important in the care of vehicles in general, and classic automobiles and motorcycles in particular, that the condition of the bodywork is maintained by frequent and thorough cleaning and polishing. Vehicles washed by hand must be properly dried before surface protection is added, such as polish and the like. Currently, it is common for these vehicles to be dried by hand using a cloth but this is time-consuming and inconvenient.

The present invention seeks to mitigate the disadvantages of the prior art.

According to the present invention, there is provided portable vehicle-drying or vehicle de-icing apparatus, comprising means for providing a directable stream of heated air.

The apparatus may comprise a heating assembly having at least one generally helical heating element, and the helix may vary in radius. The heating assembly may include a plurality of generally helical heating elements, with the radius of each helix increasing and decreasing along the length of the element. This element design maximises the exposure of the element to the air allowing an efficient heat exchange to the air.

The heating assembly may comprise a thermal cut-out switch for preventing the heating assembly from exceeding a

predetermined temperature. This may advantageously be selfresetting.

A v @ w a ç V A V C ç L X V I a, | a. W | JF Y GB f r on far, for A through the apparatus, the plane of rotation of the fan through the apparatus, the plane of rotation of the fan lying generally, in use, approximately perpendicular to the orientation of a user. This orientation of the fan advantageously allows for easy handling of the apparatus by a user, reducing the tendency of the apparatus to twist during use.

The apparatus may comprise means for varying the output direction of the heated stream of air relative to the apparatus, and this may be achieved by using a flexible output nozzle. This allows the user to direct the air in different directions as desired by manually flexing the nozzle. This advantageously allows the user to dry parts of the vehicle which are difficult to dry by hand due to restrictive access such as, for example, car grills.

The apparatus may have an air inlet and an air exit aperture with a ratio of area of air inlet to exit aperture of 1000: 1 or more. This advantageously produces a high pressure jet of air for directing into narrow spaces, or even for cleaning by blasting debris from areas of a vehicle which would be difficult to access by hand.

The apparatus may comprise a detachable cable casing having an extendable cable for providing electrical connection to an external power supply.

For a better understanding of the present invention, specific embodiments will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 shows a partly cross-sectional chematic view of the main body of apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 shows a plan view of apparatus according to a first embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 shows a partly cross-sectional schematic view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction A-A' ; Fig. 4 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction B-B' ; Fig. 5 shows a schematic view of the apparatus of Fig. 1, viewed in the direction C-C' ; Fig. 6 shows an end attachment for use with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 7 shows a second end attachment for use with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 8 shows a side view of a cabling attachment for use with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 9 shows an end view of the cabling attachment in Fig.

8 ; Fig. 10 shows a third attachment for use with the apparatus shown in Fig. 1; and Fig. 11 shows apparatus according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 12 shows the apparatus of Fig. 11 viewed in the direction D-D' ;

Flg. 19 showo th~ apparatus ln Flg. 11 sv71eY7ed ln the direction E-E' ; Fig. 14 shows the heating element, support frame and fan of the apparatus in Fig. 11; Fig. 15 shows the heating element and support frame in Fig.

14 viewed in the direction F-F' ; and Fig. 16 shows the fan in Fig. 14 viewed in the direction G-

G'.

Throughout the drawings, like elements are generally designated with the same reference numerals.

Figs. 1-5 show different views of vehicle drying and deicing apparatus 1. The apparatus comprises main body casing 2, which houses heating assembly 3, convection fan 4 and electric motor 5. The views in Figs. 1,3, 4 and 5 show just the main body of the apparatus, without the additional attachments as shown in Fig. 2.

Air is drawn into the apparatus 1 through inlet 6 by an eight-bladed convection fan 4 and passes along air passage 7 within the apparatus. The air is heated as it passes heating assembly 3 and exits the casing 2 through outlet 8.

The general direction of air passing through the apparatus is shown by arrows 24. The apparatus is portable, and a user may utilise the apparatus to direct a stream of heated air over any part of a vehicle which he wishes to dry. The surface of air passage 7 includes a heat resistant coating 27 to protect the casing 2 from damage by the heat.

Detachable fixtures 10,11, 12 are provided at the end 9 of the casing 2 to define an exit aperture for the air. Nozzle 12 is substantially wider than it is high and a top plan view of the nozzle 12 is shown in Fig. 6. This fixture therefore defines an elongate exit aperture 14 for the air. Fig. 6 also shows an ice-scraper attachment 27 for use with the nozzle 12. This ice-scraper 27 may be pushed into position within the aperture 14 of nozzle 12, such that the zigzagged edge 28 protrudes, and can be used for scraping away any particularly solid pieces of ice.

Alternatively, the fixtures 10,11 and 12 can be replaced with any others of differing shapes, sizes and lengths, as required. For example, second nozzle 13 illustrated in Fig.

7 comprises a flexible hose with a substantially reduced exit aperture 14'compared with the air inlet 6. This smaller exit aperture means that the air exits the apparatus 1 with an increased velocity compared with that using a larger aperture, and therefore provides a higher pressure jet of air. This is useful for drying areas which are difficult to access with larger nozzles, or for blasting debris from nooks and crannies. The ratio of the area of the air inlet 6 to the area of the exit aperture 14'may be 1000: 1 or greater.

Fig. 10 shows views from the side and above of a third nozzle 14 connected to tube 10. This nozzle may also be flexed, to allow the user to direct the stream of air as desired. This is useful to facilitate drying of a car roof or under wheel arches, etc.

Any of these fixtures can be easily attached/detached using the screwthread ends.

Electric motor 5 is a permanent magnet DC motor, which can operate at a continuous power of 1000 Watts, driving the convection fan at a rate of 3000-4000 rpm. The motor may be powered by battery 15, or alternatively, cabling attachment 16 shown in Figs. 8 and 9 may be slotted into battery compartment 17 instead of the battery. Variable length of cable 18 can be discharged from the cabling attachment 16 via a spring-loaded system (not shown) for connecting the motor 5 to an external power supply.

Heating assembly 3 comprises a plurality of heating elements 19. Each element is fixed at one end to an insulating annular ceramic or mica laminate support 20. The elements are helical in shape, with the radius of each helix first increasing and then decreasing over the lengths of the element, and the elements terminating together 25, where they are supported in place by insulating ceramic or mica laminate supports 26. The supports 26 electrically insulate and thermally insulate the elements 19 from the casing 2. The heating elements have been designed to maximise the exposure to the air, without decreasing air velocity. This increases the efficiency of the heat exchange giving rapid heat up and cool down times.

The casing 2 of the apparatus may be moulded plastics or any other suitable material. The apparatus 1 is sufficiently lightweight and compact to be portable by the user. Two handles 21 attached to the main body casing 2, and detachable strap 22 mean that the apparatus is easily carried by a user. The handles may be placed in a lock-away position when not in use as shown in Fig. 1.

The apparatus is configured so that when held by the user in normal use, it's longitudinal axis will lie generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the user's body.

Thus, when the user is standing upright, the apparatus will be horizontal, parallel to the ground.

A second embodiment of vehicle drying and de-icing apparatus 101 is shown in Fig. 11. The apparatus comprises main body casing 102 which houses heating element 103, convection fan 104 and electric motor 105.

Air is drawn into the apparatus 101 through two inlets 106 by convection fan 104 and passes along air passage 107 within the apparatus. The air is heated as it passes over heating element 103 and exits through air outlet 108.

The heating element 103 is in a helical shape, with the radius of the helix decreasing over the length of the element. The heating element 103 is supported at four positions around the circumference of each loop of the spiral by a ceramic frame 123.

The use of the phrase"the apparatus is portable"means that the apparatus is of a suitable size, shape and weight for a user, unassisted, to physically carry the apparatus around. The user is thus able to transport the apparatus to/from a vehicle, and physically manoeuvre the apparatus during use.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. Portable vehicle-drying or de-icing apparatus, comprising means foi providing a directable stream of heated air.

2. Apparatus according claim 1, comprising a heating assembly having at least one generally helical heating element.

3. Apparatus according claim 2, the helix described by the heating element varying in radius.

4. Apparatus according to claim 2, the heating assembly comprising a plurality of generally helical heating elements, the radius of the helix described by each heating element increasing and decreasing along the length of each element.

5. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a heating assembly having a thermal cut-out switch for preventing the heating assembly from exceeding a predetermined temperature.

6. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a convection fan for drawing air through the apparatus, the plane of rotation of the fan lying generally, in use, approximately perpendicular to the orientation of a user.

7. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising means for varying the output direction of the heated stream of air relative to the apparatus.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, comprising a flexible outlet nozzle for varying the direction of the stream of air by a user flexing the nozzle.

9. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising an air inlet and an air exit aperture, wherein the ratio of area of air inlet to exit aperture is 1000: 1 or more.

10. Apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a detachable cable casing having an extendable cable for providing electrical connection between the apparatus and an external power supply.

11. Apparatus for drying vehicles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

12. Apparatus for de-icing vehicles substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or substantially as illustrated in any one or any combination of the accompanying drawings.

13. A method of drying a vehicle, comprising using apparatus according to any preceding claim,

14. A method of de-icing a vehicle, comprising using apparatus according to any preceding claim,