WO2022199769A1

WO2022199769A1 - Car washing system

Info

Publication number: WO2022199769A1
Application number: PCT/DK2022/050054
Authority: WO
Inventors: Kim Secher Mogensen
Original assignee: Ninki Holding Aps
Priority date: 2021-03-23
Filing date: 2022-03-23
Publication date: 2022-09-29
Also published as: EP4313700A1; DK180935B1; DK202170129A1

Abstract

A car washing system (1) is described for use in a washing hall. The car washing system comprises a portal (2) formed by a first and a second leg (3), as well as a cross member (4) connecting the two legs. Along each of said legs, at least one rotatable side brush (16) is arranged. Along the cross member, at least one rotatable top brush (5) is arranged. The car washing system is adapted with drive means (23, 24) for vertical movement of the top brush in guides (7) mounted on the legs, and wherein at least one sensor (8) mounted on one of the legs interacts with a sensor bracket (9, 28) mounted on the top brush to define the vertical top position of the top brash. The car washing system also comprises a control unit for controlling the movement of the top brash, said control unit being connected to the sensor and to the drive means for the vertical movement of the top brash. The cross member of the portal is located at a first side of the legs, so that a free area (20) is formed between the legs and the cross member, allowing the top brush to be guided to a vertical top position next to or above the cross member. This makes it possible to wash tall cars in relation to the height of the washing hall.

Description

CAR WASHING SYSTEM

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a car washing system for use in a washing area located in a washing hall and of the type wherein a vehicle is placed centrally in the washing area, wherein the car washing system comprises a portal formed by a first and a second leg and a cross member connecting the two legs, wherein along each of said legs, at least one rotatable and movable brush is arranged, called a side brush, and wherein, along the cross member, at least one rotary and movable horizontal brush is arranged, called a top brush, and wherein the car washing system is adapted with drive means for vertical movement of the top brush in guides mounted on the legs, and wherein at least one sensor mounted on one of the legs interacts with a sensor bracket mounted on the top brush to define the vertical top position of the top brush, and a control unit for con- trolling the movement of the top brush, said control unit being connected to the sensor and to the drive means for the vertical movement of the top brush, wherein the cross member of the portal is located at a first side of the legs, so that a free area is formed between the legs and the cross member, allowing the top brush to be guided to a vertical upper position next to or above the cross member.

Background of the invention

It is generally known to wash cars by machine in a so-called washing hall. The car is placed in the washing hall and a washing system, which is often constituted by of a portal formed by two legs and a cross member connecting the two legs, the cross mem- ber being mounted on top of the two legs. The portal is equipped with vertical rotating brushes on the sides, called side brushes, and a horizontal rotating brush along the cross member at its underside, called a top brush.

The portal typically runs on rails in the floor and works its way in the longitudinal di- rection of the car, all while brushes and flushing nozzles clean the car. Normally, a drying subsequently takes place with air that is blown through one or more air nozzles onto the wet car, thereby removing water on the surface of the car. Alternatively to a movable portal, a fixed portal and a system can be used where the car drives through the portal to be washed and dried.

The washing system itself uses various kinds of sensors to control and regulate the pres- sure of the brushes against the car and the distance of the air nozzles to the car surface. These parameters are essential for the result achieved. The pressure of the brushes against the car is very important, as there is on the one hand the paint of the car to take into account, but also the life of the brushes depends on the abutment pressure of the brushes. Both the car paint and the life of the brushes are significantly deteriorated by excessive abutment pressure. A too low abutment pressure does not achieve the desired washing effect.

In order to achieve an even better result than a regular wash, washing with said side brushes and top brushes can be carried out more than once.

Washing systems may have several horizontal top brushes, and they may also be man- ufactured with several vertical side brushes at each of the legs of the portal.

The known systems are manufactured to order based on the size of the washing hall where they are to be mounted. In particular, the ceiling height in the washing hall is crucial, but also the width of the washing hall may affect the washing system that can be placed in the washing hall.

In general, there is a desire to make the best use of the ceiling height in order to handle vehicles with as tall a height as possible in a washing system and thereby obtain the greatest possible use of the washing system.

Therefore, washing systems have so far been manufactured with individual dimensions for the individual parts of the system, including the length of legs and cross member. This is obviously a disadvantage, since it thus entails a long delivery time and expensive individual adaptation of washing systems depending on the size of the washing hall. There is also a need for stocking of many different lengths of the individual elements of the washing system if the delivery time is to be reduced. Furthermore, there is a limitation, since the vertical top position of the top brush must be below the cross member and at such a distance below the cross member that the rotation diameter of the brush, defined by the outer ends of the brushes during rotation, must be under the underside of the cross member. However, washing systems exist where the top brush in its vertical top position has its outer ends of the brushes next to the upper side of the cross member. These systems have a limitation as they do not have a structure wherein the height is adjustable.

As it is also desired to have a top plate over the brushes to avoid water splashing on the ceiling, there will be a need for additional distance under the cross member, meaning a reduction of the free height under a top brush when it is in its vertical top position. Of course, this is also a disadvantage when there is a desire to be able to handle vehicles as tall as possible in a washing hall with a given ceiling height.

From DE 202006014097 Ul, a car washing system is known, as mentioned in the in- troductory part and in the preamble to claim 1. According to this specification, the top brush can be guided to a position next to or above the cross member. The specification does not mention an option to define different positions for the vertical top position of the top brush.

Object of the invention

The object of the invention is to provide a car washing system of the type initially men- tioned, wherein the disadvantages have been remedied, so that it is possible to optimise the height of vehicles that can be washed in a washing hall with a given ceiling height, compared to known washing systems, and to provide a modular washing machine that can be adapted to different washing halls with either a higher or a lower ceiling height with a limited number of individual elements, which do not necessitate individual ad- aptation of the individual elements.

Description of the invention

According to the present invention, this is achieved by a car washing system as men- tioned initially, and as defined in the preamble of claim 1, which is distinctive in that at least one sensor mounted on one of the legs interacts with a sensor bracket mounted on the top brush to define the vertical top position of the top brush, in that the car washing system comprises a control unit for controlling the movement of the top brush, said control unit being connected to the sensor and to the drive means for the vertical move- ment of the top brush, in that the sensor is fixed to at least one leg and in that the sensor bracket is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the top brush to define different positions for the vertical top position of the top brush.

The fixation of the sensor on one leg and the vertical displaceability of the sensor bracket provide advantageously different positions for the vertical top position of the top brush and thus for different working heights with one length of legs. By having two to four different leg lengths, a large range of working heights can be covered, ranging from ordinary passenger cars to large vans.

It is preferable for the sensor to be fixed to one leg. Thereby, electrical installations, signal wires, etc., connecting the sensor to the control unit, can be fixed in technically simple way. When the sensor bracket is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the top brush, it enables achieving different positions for the vertical top position of the top brush. This allows a portal wherein the legs have a given height to be used in wash- ing halls with different ceiling heights, as the vertical top position of the top brush can be adjusted solely by a vertical displacement of the sensor bracket in relation to the top brush. This means a vertical displacement of the sensor bracket in relation to the axis about which the top brush rotates.

Thus, a portal with a given height of the legs may be used in washing halls with different ceiling heights.

By placing the cross member at one side of the legs, a free area is obtained between the legs, where the top brush may be located when it is guided to the vertical top position. This position will not be limited by the cross member. This will make it possible to achieve a lower total construction height than traditional car washing systems when establishing such a high clearance for vehicles to be washed.

By guiding the top brush to its vertical top position, it will be next to or even with part of the brushes above the cross member, as the top brush can be displaced in the guides to a position at the top of the legs. Thus, the brash could be located above the top of the legs with approximately half of its rotation diameter. In practice, the brashes can stretch 300-350 mm above the upper side of the cross member for a top brash with a rotation diameter of about 800-900 mm.

This achieves a significant clearance under the top brash when it is in its top position, meaning that the washing system can handle cars with a higher height than would be the case if the vertical travel of the top brash was traditionally limited by the underside of the cross member.

There will only be a need for a limited number of legs, as the height of the system can be adjusted for each leg. For example, by having two to four legs of different lengths, coverage of a very large interval of working heights can thus be achieved in a washing system. Thereby, only a few modules need to be provided for constructing washing systems with different working heights.

The legs may comprise two parts, an upper part that can be designated as a post and a lower part that can be designated as a foot. The upper and lower parts are attached re- movably to each other just as the post is attached removably to the cross member. The foot may be used with different lengths of posts so that only the post needs to be avail- able in two to four lengths. This provides a simplification in construction and the mod- ular structure becomes simple as the posts in principle are a rectilinear construction that can be easily replaced.

The foot will be the part that contains wheels for displacement of the portal as well as wheel brashes or wheel nozzles for wheel washing. The feet may have a height between 500 and 700 mm.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that the top brash is mounted on a guide on at least one leg via a guide arm, on which the sensor bracket is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the guide arm. Since the top brash is mounted on the guide via a guide am, it is possible to displace the sensor am on the guide, and the top brash thus rotates in a bearing on the guide arm.

As the sensor bracket is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the guide am, simple adjustment of the vertical top position of the top brash is thereby achieved. This can be done by adjusting the position of the sensor bracket in relation to the guide am. This can be done in different ways. Either by affixing by screws in different positions or by providing an actuator, which is used to displace the sensor bracket in relation to the guide am.

In general, it is preferable that the top brash is mounted on the guide in each leg via a guide am on each side. However, only one sensor bracket will be needed on the one guide am.

Thus, the second guide am could be used for the mounting of the engine and gear for rotation of the top brash.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that the guide ams are provided with a series of mounting openings positioned above each other for mounting the sensor bracket, the sensor bracket being mounted in openings determined by the desired or possible vertical top position of the top brash.

The adjustability and displaceability in a vertical direction are achieved in a particularly simple way by a guide am being provided with a series of mounting openings that are positioned above each other. The sensor bracket may thus, for example using screws and nuts, be mounted in mounting openings which will be appropriate in a washing hall with a given ceiling height. Thus, simply by changing the position of the sensor bracket, the vertical top position of the top brash can be easily adjusted without the need to change other individual elements of the washing system.

Such a structure will simplify the portal, as it is possible to use the same legs, cross member and brashes and only change the position of the sensor bracket. Thereby, when the sensor detects the sensor bracket, it will stop the top brush in a desired position in relation to the legs/portal.

The sensor may have different modes of operation and may be either adaptive, optical or mechanical.

According to according to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the inven- tion is distinctive in that the cross member is provided with a series of mounting open- ings positioned above each other for the mounting of a top plate at different heights, depending on the vertical top position of the top brush.

By providing the cross member with mounting openings, the top plate can also be dis- placed corresponding to the displacement of the top brush in order to adapt the washing system to a washing hall with a given ceiling height.

A top plate will usually be located so that the outer end of the brushes is immediately close to the underside of the top plate when the washing system is running and the top brush is rotating. During rotation, water will be ejected, and since it is undesirable to have ejected water in the room and on the ceiling, a top plate is used. The top plate typically has a curvature that corresponds to the circumference of the top brush rotation diameter.

Thus, one top plate may be used in washing systems of different heights.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that, next to the cross member at a second side opposite the first side of the legs, a front plate is mounted which delimits the free area of the top brush in its vertical top position.

To ensure greater rigidity in the portal while avoiding splashing into the room, a front plate may be mounted at the top end of the legs.

The front plate can thus be said to be a further delimitation of the free area in which the top brush is located when it is in its vertical top position. Thus, the free area will be delimited by the legs, the cross member as well as the front plate when a front plate is mounted.

The front plate may have an extension in the height direction, extending to a position above the legs and may also extend to a position below the upper side of the legs.

The front plate may be mounted height-adjustable on the portal.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that one of the guide arms is equipped with an engine bracket for mounting the engine and gear for the top brush, and in that the sensor bracket is mounted on the second of the guide arms.

By having a guide arm associated with each leg, it will be possible to mount an engine bracket on one guide arm, which can be used for mounting the engine and gear for the top brush. It is preferable that the sensor bracket is mounted on a second of the guide arms. Alternatively, however, the sensor bracket may be mounted on the same guide arm which is used for mounting the engine and gear for the top brush.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that the cross member of the portal is mounted removably on the legs and may thus be replaced by a cross member with a different length in order to adjust the width of the portal.

Based on the desire for a modular structure, washing halls will also have a width that may have an impact. By mounting the cross member of the portal removably on the legs, it will be possible to adapt the washing system to halls of different widths simply by removing a cross member and remounting another cross member with a different length.

Thus, when delivering a washing system, a relatively easy and fast construction of a washing system may be carried out by choosing an appropriate length of the legs and of the cross member. Typically, there will only be a need for two to four different lengths for the cross member and for the legs. Therefore, only a small stock of modular elements is needed in order to manufacture washing systems adaptable to a large varia- tion in the washing hall.

According to according to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the inven- tion is distinctive in that the cross member is mounted on the first side of the legs either directly or via intermediate pieces, so that a larger or smaller free area is formed.

It is possible for the cross member to be a straight-line cross member mounted on the first side of the legs. However, this will provide a limited size of the free area and thus a limited rotation diameter for the brush when located next to the cross member.

Therefore, the cross member may either be shaped like a U with a branch at each end of an elongate cross member, so that the cross member is placed at a distance from the legs. This provides a larger free area. Alteratively, separate intermediate pieces may be used, which are located between the cross member and the legs. This also makes it possible to adjust the size of the free area.

According to a further embodiment, the car washing system of the invention is distinc- tive in that the guides for the vertical movement of the top brush comprise C-profiles.

By using C-profiles for the guides, a technically simple structure is achieved. The guide arms may be placed displaceable in the C-profiles, providing good and safe control for the vertical movement of the top brush.

However, in a washing system according to the invention, only the full length of the C- profiles will be utilised. When a washing system is built for a lower working height, the upper part of the C-profiles will not be used. Thus, the top approx. 300 mm are only used in washing systems built for high working heights with the top brush in the top possible positions.

Description of the drawings

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accom- panying drawings, where Fig. 1 shows a schematic sectional view through a known portal;

Fig. 2 shows a partial side view of the portal of Fig.1;

Fig. 3 shows a schematic perspective drawing of a car washing system according to the invention;

Fig. 4 shows a top view of the system of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 shows a partial perspective top view of the system of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 shows a partial schematic view of a detail of the system of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 shows a partial schematic view of a second detail of the system of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 8 shows a partial sectional view through the system of Fig. 3.

Detailed description of the invention

In the different drawings, identical or similar elements will be designated by the same reference designation. Thus, no explanation will necessarily be given for the details of each figure. The drawings do not show all the details necessary for the car washing system to work. The details are shown and explained which will allow a person skilled in the art to understand the invention in the light of the general knowledge of car wash- ing systems of the person skilled in the art. For example, the control unit is not shown as it will typically be located in a protected position and will not be visible on the wash- ing system.

Figs. 1 and 2 show schematic views of a known car washing system 1 with a portal 2 formed by a first and a second leg 3, as well as a cross member 4, which is located at the top of the two legs, so that they are connected, thus forming a portal 2.

A rotary horizontal brush in the form of a top brush 5 is illustrated in position along the cross member 4. The top brush rotates around an axle 6. The top brush 5 is connected to drive means in the form of an engine and gear (not shown here) for rotation, and the portal 2 is provided with drive means for a vertical movement of the top brush 5, for example engine and chain drive or similar drive mechanism for vertical displacement. The top brush 5 is controlled in guides 7 mounted on the legs 3.

A sensor 8 is mounted on one of the legs 3. This sensor interacts with a sensor bracket 9 mounted on the top brush 5 or a bracket for the top brush 5. When the sensor bracket 9 is detected by the sensor 8, either by inductive sensing, optical sensing or by mechanical contact, a stoppage of an engine for the vertical movement of the top brush will be established. Thus, the sensor 8 and the sensor bracket 9 will cooperate to define the vertical top position of the top brush 5, as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

The top brush 5 has a rotation diameter 10, which is formed at the outer ends of the brush elements when the brush rotates. In the situation shown, the upper end of the rotation diameter 10 is in a position immediately below the cross member 4. In normal use, a top plate (explained later) will also be provided between the top brush 5 and the cross member 4.

The vertical top position illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2 is thus limited by the location of the cross member and the rotation diameter of the top brush.

From the underside of the rotation diameter 10 to a floor level 11 is a height 12 that can be defined as the free working height under the top brush 5. The free working height 12 determines the height of the vehicle that can be washed in the car washing system 1. It should be noted that the height of a vehicle may be slightly higher than the height to the underside of the top brush. Due to the abutment pressure mentioned above, the brushes must abut against an upper part of a car during operation in such a way that not only the outer end of a brush hits the car.

In Figs. 1 and 2, a dotted line 13 indicates the level for a ceiling in a washing hall 14 in which the car washing system 1 is located. The washing hall 14 will thus have a ceiling height 13'. A washing area is generally designated with the reference designation 15 and will be located between the legs 3 and the top brush 5. The car washing system 1 will also comprise rotatable, movable vertical brushes, called side brushes 16 (only one brush is illustrated schematically in Fig. 1).

A car washing system 1 according to the invention will also, as shown in Fig. 3, com- prise a portal 2 formed by two legs 3 and a cross member 4. The car washing system will also comprise a top brush 5 and two side brushes 16 (see in particular Fig. 4). The car washing system also comprises a front plate 17, which prevents splashes of water from a rotating wet top brush 5 from entering the room. As can be seen in Fig. 4 in particular, the cross member 4 is placed at a first side 18 of the legs 3. The front plate 17 is located at an opposite second side 19 of the legs 3. Fig. 4 schematically il- lustrates the location of the axle 6 of the top brush 5.

Between the legs 3 and the cross member 4 and the front plate 17, a free area 20 is formed.

As can be seen in particular from Figs. 3 and 5, the top brush 5 may be located in this free area 20 in a vertical top position in which the top brush 5 is located next to or above the cross member 4 or at least with part of the top brush above the upper side of the cross member.

When this situation is compared to the situation shown in Figs. 1 and 2 for the known car washing system, it is clear that the top brush 5 for a given height of the legs 3 and a given ceiling height 13' immediately above the upper end of the legs 3 may provide a higher free working height 12 under the top brush 5, so that a higher car can be washed.

Fig. 6 illustrates a partial view of a left leg 3, and Fig. 7 illustrates a partial view of a right leg 3 for the car washing system 1. Left and right refers to the position of the legs 3 in a portal when a car is driven into the washing area 15 of the car washing system 1.

In Figs. 6 and 7, guides 7 are illustrated in the form of C-shaped profiles. At the C- shaped profiles, a left and a right guide arm 21 are provided, which are displaced in the guides 7 and serve to connect the top brush 5 with the guides 7.

Each guide arm 21 is provided with a bracket 22. At the left guide arm 21, illustrated in Fig. 6, it can be seen that the bracket supports an engine 23 and a gear 24. The gear 24 is connected by a flange 25, to which the top brush is mounted with one end.

Fig. 7 shows the bracket 22 at the right guide arm 21. In the bracket 22, a bearing (not shown) is located, which is used for mounting the other end of the top brush 5. The top brush 5 is thus driven in rotation by the engine 23, which follows the top brush up and down when it is displaced vertically in the guides 7.

Fig. 8 shows, in partial sectional view, a partial view at the left leg 3, which is illustrated in Fig. 6. In addition to the engine 23 and the gearbox 24, an engine 26 can also be seen, which is a drive unit for the vertical movement of the top brush 5 in the guides 7.

Fig. 7 illustrates a right leg 3. Fig. 7 shows that the right leg 3 is provided with a mount- ing opening 27 in which a sensor can be mounted (sensor is not shown, but may corre- spond to the sensor 8 of the known system).

Fig. 7 also shows a sensor bracket 28 mounted on the guide arm 21. The sensor bracket 28 is mounted using screws (not shown) in holes 29 of the bracket. The screws connect the bracket by fastening in mounting holes 30. A number of mounting holes 30 above each other have been provided on the guide arm 21. It is thus possible to place the sensor bracket 28 in different positions located higher or lower on the guide arm 21.

This means that the sensor bracket 28 comes into contact with the sensor, which is mounted in the opening 27 at different vertical positions for the guide arm 21 and thus at different vertical positions for the top brush 5.

With this construction, it is thus possible for a given height of the leg 3 to provide a car washing system 1, wherein the top brush 5 may be displaced to different positions, which define the vertical top position of the top brush.

In other words, it becomes possible to avoid adjusting the height of the legs to different ceiling heights 13* in a washing hall 14 in which the car washing system is set up.

Depending on the vertical distance between the mounting holes 30, different height ad- justments can be made at intervals selected as needed.

Fig. 8 illustrates a top plate 31, which has a curvature approximately corresponding to the circumference defined by the rotation diameter of the top brush 5. The top plate 31 is mounted vertically displaceable so that it can also be displaced vertically in a manner corresponding to the vertical displacement of the sensor bracket 28. Thus, mounting openings 32 are provided in the front plate 17 and corresponding mounting openings 33 in the cross member 4. By mounting the top plate 31 in different mounting open- ings 32, 33, a displacement of the top plate 31 as indicated by the arrows 34 can be established. The arrows 35 indicate vertical displacement of the top brush 5. The ar- rows 36 indicate vertical displacement of the position of an upper position 37 for an actual washing height 12' in which the brushes have a given abutment pressure against a car.

Fig. 8 shows that the actual washing height 12' is located within the rotation diame- ter 10. As the brushes of the top brush perform a deflection in use, the actual washing height 12' will be in an area within the circumference defined by the rotation diame- ter 10.

In Fig. 8, the cross member 4 is shown mounted directly in the first side 18 of the legs 3. However, intermediate pieces (not shown) may be located tween the cross member and the legs 3 to form a greater distance between the legs 3 and the cross member 4. This allows the size of the free area 20 to be increased or decreased.

Similarly, the cross member 4 may have a fixed angular part (not shown) at each end, so that a larger or smaller free area 20 can also be formed in this way.

Fig. 8 shows a single cross member 4. However, it will be clear that cross members 4 may be used, which may be of laiger or smaller length, making it possible to adapt the width of the portal to different working widths for vehicles to be washed.

Likewise, it will be possible to provide different heights of the legs 3, so that with a small number of legs, a car washing system 1 may be provided, which can be adapted to different ceiling heights 13' in a washing hall 14.

Claims

1. A car washing system (1) for use in a washing area located in a washing hall and of the type where a vehicle is placed centrally in the washing area, wherein the car washing system comprises a portal (2) formed by a first and a second leg (3) and a cross mem- ber (4) connecting the two legs, wherein along each of said legs, at least one rotatable and movable vertical brush is arranged, called a side brush (16), and wherein along the cross member, at least one rotatable and movable horizontal brush is arranged, called a top brush (5), and wherein the car washing system is adapted with drive means (23, 24) for vertical movement of the top brush in guides (7) mounted on the legs (3), wherein the cross member (4) of the portal is located at a first side (18) of the legs, so that be- tween the legs and the cross member, a free area (20) is formed which allows the top brush (5) to be guided to a vertical top position next to or above the cross member (4), characterised in that at least one sensor (8) mounted on one of the legs (3) interacts with a sensor bracket (9, 28) mounted on the top brush (5) to define the vertical top position of the top brush, in that the car washing system comprises a control unit for controlling the movement of the top brush, said control unit being connected to the sensor (8) and to the drive means (23, 24) for the vertical movement of the top brush, in that the sensor (8) is fixed on at least one leg, and in that the sensor bracket (9, 28) is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the top brush to define different positions for the vertical top position of the top brush.

2. The car washing system according to claim 1, characterised in that the top brush (5) is mounted on a guide (7) on at least one leg via a guide arm (21), on which the sensor bracket (9, 28) is mounted vertically displaceable in relation to the guide arm (21).

3. The car washing system according to claim 2, characterised in that the guide arms are provided with a series of mounting openings (30) located above each other for mounting the sensor bracket (9, 28), the sensor bracket being mounted in openings (30) determined by the desired or possible vertical top position of the top brush.

4. The car washing system according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the cross member (4) is provided with a series of mounting openings (32, 33) located above each other for mounting a top plate (31) at different heights depending on the vertical top position of the top brush.

5. The car washing system according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that next to the cross member (4) at a second side opposite the first side (18) of the legs (3), a front plate (17) is mounted which delimits the free area (20) for the top brush in its vertical top position.

6. The car washing system according to claim 2 or 3, characterised in that one of the guide arms (21) is mounted with an engine bracket (22) for mounting an engine (23) and gear (24) for the top brush (5) and in that the sensor bracket (9, 28) is mounted on the other of the guide arms (21).

7. The car washing system according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the cross member (4) of the portal is mounted removably on the legs (3) and may thus be replaced by a cross member (4) with a different length to adjust the width of the portal (2).

8. The car washing system according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the cross member (4) is mounted on the first side (18) of the legs (3) either directly or via intermediate pieces, so that a larger or smaller free area (20) is formed.

9. The car washing system according to any of the previous claims, characterised in that the guides (7) for the vertical movement of the top brush comprise C-profiles.