GB2427544A

GB2427544A - Vehicle washing apparatus

Info

Publication number: GB2427544A
Application number: GB0513150A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Anthony James White
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2005-06-29
Filing date: 2005-06-29
Publication date: 2007-01-03
Anticipated expiration: 2025-06-29
Also published as: GB0513150D0; GB2427544B

Abstract

A vehicle washing apparatus comprises a water inlet (4), a water outlet, a pump (13) connected between the inlet and the outlet, a de-ionising/fllter cartridge (9) removably connected between the inlet and the outlet, and control means (3) for selecting between an off mode, in which the pump is not operated and no water flows to the outlet, a wash mode, in which the pump is operated to pump water from the inlet to the outlet, and a rinse mode, in which the pump is not operated, and water flows from the inlet to the outlet through the cartridge. The outlet may be connected to a jet lance 7 at the end of a hose 11 which can be wound onto a reel 12 inside the apparatus.

Description

VEHICLE WASHING APPARATUS

Field of the Invention

This invention relates to vehicle washing apparatus, and in particular to apparatus for use in hand-washing vehicles.

Background to the Invention

Portable pressure washing devices are available for use in cleaning vehicles. These typically contain an electric pump to boost mains water pressure to provide a high-velocity water jet for use in dislodging dirt from the vehicle. While the cleaning action can be very effective, separate means are required for applying a detergent/water mix to assist in loosening the dirt, and for removing the water after washing, so that the vehicle surface does not dry to a streaky or spotted finish because of mineral hardness in the water.

Typically, the latter involves manual wiping of the surface with a chamois leather or the like to remove the water. This is very time- consuming.

A recent development to reduce work in this latter stage is a hand-held spray nozzle or water brush incorporating a filter cartridge containing de- ionising chemicals to remove the hardness and other contaminants from the water so that the vehicle can be allowed to dry off without the need to wipe off or otherwise remove the rinse water. De-lonising filter cartridges can only treat a limited volume of water before the deionising action, typically involving ion exchange resins, is depleted, requiring the cartridge to be replaced. It is generally not feasible to re-generate the de-ionising material in a small replaceable cartridge. As a consequence, this type of spray or brush cannot be used with a pressurewasher, because the high volumetric flow rate generated by the pump would quickly exhaust the de-ionising material. A high flow rate at the rinsing stage would, in any event, be wasteful of water; all that is required is to displace residual hard water and any detergent, to allow the vehicle surface to dry.

GB-A-2 297 901 discloses portable vehicle washing apparatus comprising a trolley mounting two containers provided with ion exchange resin (anionic and cationic respectively). Water under pressure is directed through a selected one of the containers and thence to a hose for the vehicle cleaning

Specification WHITET-Pi 315 GBA---2005-06-2g doc

process. The apparatus does not appear to incorporate a pump, and the resin requires periodic treatment with regenerating chemicals.

US-A-4 967 960 discloses apparatus having a re-generable ion exchanger and a pump mounted on a trolley, the ion-exchanger being a large- capacity device to ensure that all the high pressure water from the pump is treated.

US-A-2003/230522 discloses a portable washing apparatus having deionising and reverse osmosis devices, with two pumps to ensure sufficient flow through the devices.

Washing systems which introduce cleaning chemicals into cleaning water flowing to a cleaning nozzle or brush are known. In one form, a stick of solid soluble detergent is located in a chamber in the flow line supplying the nozzle or brush, for example in the structure of the nozzle or brush itself.

Again, such systems cannot be used conveniently with high pressure washer systems, because the high flow rate would quickly use up the detergent or other additive, or would require a much greater quantity of material, which A system is therefore required which can provide high pressure water for washing purposes, but be capable of selectively providing filtered and de- ionised rinse water when required. In addition it would be desirable to be able to provide detergent into the water selectively at useful concentrations but without consuming unnecessarily large quantities of the detergent (or other additives).

Summary of the Invention

According to the invention, there is provided a vehicle washing apparatus comprising a water inlet, a water outlet, a pump connected between the inlet and the outlet, a de-ionising/filter cartridge removably connected between the inlet and the outlet, and control means for selecting between an off mode, in which the pump is not operated and no water flows to the outlet, a wash mode, in which the pump is operated to pump water from the inlet to the outlet, and a rinse mode, in which the pump is not operated, and water flows from the inlet to the outlet through the cartridge.

Specification WHITET-P1315 GBA--2005-06-2g doc

The control means may comprise a manually-operable valve connected between the pump and the outlet, and the cartridge and the outlet. The control means may include an electrical switch to control the supply of electrical power to the pump. Alternatively, the pump may incorporate a pressure switch to disconnect the supply when the water pressure in the pump outlet exceeds a pre-determined value and to re-connect it when the water pressure drops below said value.

The apparatus may include a detergent supply device connected between the inlet and the outlet and arranged to dose detergent into water flowing therethrough. The control means is then arranged to have a selectable detergent mode, in which the pump is not operated, and water flows from the inlet to the outlet through the detergent supply device. The detergent supply device conveniently comprises a refillable container, and means for providing a controlled flow of detergent from the container into the flowing water stream.

This may be achieved, for example, by means of a venturi mixer, in which the reduction of pressure caused by the flow through the venturi is used to draw the detergent from the container. Other mixing means may be employed.

The apparatus may include a retractable hose reel connected at one end to the water outlet and capable of mounting a washing tool, for example a pressure lance, brush or nozzle at the free end thereof. The hose reel is preferably provided with a spring drive to assist in re-reeling the hose after use.

Such spring drives are conventionally used in appliances such as vacuum cleaners to wind the electrical supply cable therefor, and typically comprise a releasable lock to hold the cable/hose at the desired extension The apparatus may also comprise a cable coiling device for the electrical power supply cable. This may also include a spring drive to assist in re-winding the cable after use, again preferably provided with a releasable cable lock to hold the cable at the required extension until released to re-wind the cable.

The apparatus is suitably provided with an enclosed body mounted on wheels for manoeuvrability, with an external connection for a water supply hose and an external control knob for selecting the operating mode. The deionising/filter cartridge is preferably located within a compartment in the body

Specification WHITET-p1315 GBA--2005-06-2g doc

provided with an openable cover. The cartridge may be connected by means of a screw coupling to permit its ready removal and replacement when exhausted. The body may also be provided with a removable filler cap for introduction of the detergent or other treatment liquid additive.

The apparatus of the invention is convenient in use while providing the advantages of pressure washing and streak-free rinsing without the need for manual drying.

Brief Description of the Drawings

In the drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the invention: Figure 1 is a front view of the apparatus; Figure 2 is a side view; Figure 3 is a rear view; and Figure 4 is a diagrammatic internal view on a larger scale.

Detailed Description of the Illustrated Embodiment

The apparatus comprises a casing 1 mounted on a pair of wheels 2, the front having a control dial 3 for selecting between the different operating modes, a water inlet 4 for connection of a supply hose from a mains water tap or the like, and a retractable electrical power cable, the connector plug 5 of which is visible in Figure 1. Mountings 6 are provided on one side of the casing for receiving a spray lance 7 (Figure 3). On the rear face of the casing 1, as may be seen from Figure 2, is provided an openable hatch 8 providing access to a compartment in which a de-ionising/fijter cartridge 9 (Figure 4) is removably mounted. A second hatch 10 gives access for replenishing a detergent/treatment additive container. The lance 7 is connected to the water outlet of the apparatus by means of a hose 11, the greater length of which is coiled on to a hose reel 12 within the casing, the reel 12 being provided with a spring rewind system which is tensioned as the hose is withdrawn, and which can be selectively released to rewind the hose on to the reel when no longer needed.

Figure 4 is a diagrammatic representation of the operative components of the apparatus. An electrically-operated pump 13 is connected between the

Specification WHITET-p1315 GBA--2005-0629 doc

inlet 4 and the control valve operated by rotation of the control dial 3. The inlet 4 is also connected, in parallel with the pump connection, to the filter 9 and to a detergent dispenser 14. The filter is suitably connected by means of a coaxial screw connector so that the flow and return paths can be established simultaneously. The cable reel 15 is electrically connected to the pump, with a control switch also being operated by the control dial.

In use, the water supply is connected to the inlet and the power cable is connected to the mains electricity supply. When the "Power Wash" setting is selected on the control dial 3, the pump is switched on and the valve selects flow from the inlet 4 through the pump 13 to the outlet. If detergent or other treatment agent is desired to be applied to the vehicle being washed, the control dial is turned to the "Soap" position, switching off the pump and enabling flow from the inlet via the detergent dispenser 14, where the detergent or other additive is introduced into the water flow, which is at supply pressure only, at a controlled rate. From there, the dosed water flows to the outlet.

A "Power Rinse" setting on the dial 3 operates in the same way as the "Power Wash" setting, while the "Streak Free Rinse" setting switches off the pump and allows water from the inlet 4 to flow under supply pressure only through the filter 9 to the outlet, permitting a gentle final rinse of the vehicle to remove from the surface any residual untreated water, thus allowing the vehicle to dry off streak free without any need for wiping or treatment with a chamois leather or the like.

At the end of use of the apparatus, the cable and the hose can be spring retracted so that the apparatus is ready for storage.

Specification WHITET-P1315 GBA--2005-06-29 dcc

Claims

1. A vehicle washing apparatus comprising a water inlet, a water outlet, a pump connected between the inlet and the outlet, a de-lonising/filter cartridge removably connected between the inlet and the outlet, and control means for selecting between an off mode, in which the pump is not operated and no water flows to the outlet, a wash mode, in which the pump is operated to pump water from the inlet to the outlet, and a rinse mode, in which the pump is not operated, and water flows from the inlet to the outlet through the cartridge.

2. An apparatus according to Claim 1, wherein the control means comprises a manually-operable valve connected between the pump and the outlet, and the cartridge and the outlet.

3. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the control means includes an electrical switch to control the supply of electrical power to the pump.

4. An apparatus according to Claim 2, wherein the pump incorporates a pressure switch to control the supply of electrical power to the pump.

5. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a detergent supply device connected between the inlet and the outlet and arranged to dose detergent into water flowing therethrough.

6. An apparatus according to Claim 5, wherein the control means is arranged to have a selectable detergent mode, in which the pump is not operated, and water flows from the inlet to the outlet through the detergent supply device.

7. An apparatus according to Claim 5 or 6, wherein the detergent supply device comprises a refillable container, and means for providing a controlled flow of detergent from the container into the flowing water stream.

8. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, including a retractable hose reel connected at one end to the water outlet.

9. An apparatus according to Claim 8, wherein the hose reel is provided with a spring drive to assist in retracting the hose on to the reel.

Specification WHITET-P1315 GBA---2005-06-29.doc

10. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, comprising a cable coiling device for an electrical power cable whereby power may be supplied to the apparatus from a mains power connector.

11. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, provided with an enclosed body mounted on wheels.

12. An apparatus according to Claim 11, wherein the de-ionising/filter cartridge is located within a compartment in the body provided with an openable cover.

13. An apparatus according to any preceding claim, wherein the cartridge is connected by means of a screw-coupling.

14. A vehicle washing apparatus, substantially as described with reference to, and/or as shown in, the drawings.

Specification WHflET-P1 315 GBA--2005-06-29 doc