GB2110618A - A method of washing and drying motor vehicles and apparatus for carrying out the method - Google Patents

Abstract

Washing and drying of motor vehicles is carried out with a plurality of washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 rotatable about vertical and horizontal axes and mounted, in a stationary framework 3, so that they can move relative to the vehicle F, and a drying device 12 equipped with blowing nozzles 13, 14. To be washed, the vehicle F is pulled through forwards between the washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, which bear on its surface, by a towing device 7 which acts on at least one wheel V. To be dried, the vehicle F is then moved by the towing device 7 through between the blowing nozzles 13, 14, backwards over a distance corresponding to the full length L of the vehicle F, in the opposite direction and with the washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 removed from the surface of the vehicle F. The blowing nozzles 13, 14 are located in advance of the washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9, 11 in the forward movement direction A of the towing device 7. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A method of washing and drying motor vehicles and apparatus for carrying out the method The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for washing and drying motor vehicles, with a plurality of washing brushes which can rotate about vertical and horizontal axes and are mounted, in a stationary framework, so that they can move relative to the vehicle, and with a drying device, which is equipped with blowing nozzles.

In a known method the vehicle to be washed is pulled through forwards in its longitudinal direction, between the washing brushes which bear on the surface of the vehicle, after which the vehicle is moved, in order to dry it, into the zone of the blowing nozzles, the vehicle being pulled by means of a towing device which acts on at least one wheel.

In a known apparatus for washing and drying motor vehicles, the drying device is located, with its blowing nozzles, at a comparatively large distance from the last washing brushes. A partition is usually provided between the last washing brushes and the drying device, in order to prevent the vehicle which is to be dried from being wetted again by splashes from the rotating brushes. Known washing units of this type require a considerable amount of space, because the vehicle to be washed and dried is pulled, by means of the towing device, through the washing unit in one direction only and, furthermore, there must be a comparatively large distance between the last washing brush and the drying device.There is the additional factor that washing units of this type must have separate entrances and exits, as a result of which further disadvantages arise, concerned with traffic-engineering and conditioned by the space requirement. For this reason, there is also a very strict approval procedure for washing units of this type, involving a multiplicity of statutory obligations.

Furthermore, so-called getaway-type washing units are known, in which the horizontal and vertical washing brushes, and also the drying device, are mounted in a getaway which can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

This gateway is usually located in a washing hall.

The vehicle to be washed is driven into the washing hall, the gateway being located, as a rule, at the opposite end of the washing hall from the entrance. In order to wash the vehicle, the gateway is then moved from the front of the vehicle to its rear and back again with the washing brushes in contact with the surface of the vehicle.

The vehicle is then dried, by holding the washing brushes at a distance from the vehicle, whilst moving the gateway, once again, from the front of the vehicle to its rear, and back again. The vehicle, which has been washed and dried, must then be driven out of the hall, and only then can another vehicle drive into the hall. Such gateway-type washing units admittedly possess the advantage that they require a comparatively short washing hall for their erection, and that this washing hall also needs to have only one entrance, which simultaneously serves also as an exit, as well as the further advantage that the approval procedure for gateway washing units of this type is less complicated, although they have the disadvantage of a comparatively low washing capacity.Whilst 60 to 120 vehicles can be washed and dried, per hour, in straight-through washing units, gatewaytype washing units have, up to now, a capacity of only about 8 to 10 vehicles.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention constitutes a method of washing and drying motor vehicles enabling motor vehicles to be washed and dried at a high throughput capacity, whilst requiring little space and only one entrance, which serves also as an exit. Apparatus for carrying out this method has the additional advantage of a simple type of construction.

The preferred method of washing and drying motor vehicles is characterised, according to the invention, by the fact that the vehicle, in order to be dried, is moved through backwards between the blowing nozzles, over a distance corresponding to the full length of the vehicle, in the opposite direction to the direction for washing and with the washing brushes removed from the surface of the vehicle, this backward movement being accomplished by means of the towing device.

In contrast to known straight-through washing units, the washed vehicle is thus, in the case of the method embodying the invention, moved through, for drying, in the opposite direction, backwards through the framework which carries the washing brushes and the blowing nozzles of the drying device. Since, during this movement, the washing brushes are held away from the surface of the vehicle and, of course, the further supply of water is shut off, no splashes of water from the washing brushes should reach portions of the vehicle which have already been dried. In consequence of this, it is possible to arrange the blowing nozzles of the drying device in the immediate vicinity of the washing brushes, the said blowing nozzles being expediently located in advance of the washing brushes, at the entrance end.Any water which may be dripping from the washing brushes during the backward movement of the vehicle thus drips only onto portions of the vehicle which have not yet been dried.

Due to the fact that the drying device can be located in the immediate vicinity of the washing device, and that the vehicle leaves the washing hall again through the same gateway through which it has driven in, the resulting constructional dimensions are small, and fewer problems arise with regard to driving away vehicles which have already been washed and dried than in the case of a straight-through washing unit. Moreover, a simplified approval procedure can be expected, corresponding to the procedure in the case of gateway-type units. In comparison with known gateway-type washing units, the capacity can be significantly increased, so that it is possible to obtain a capacity of approximately 20 to 40 washed and dried vehicles per hour.In addition, compared with known gateway-type washing units, a simpler configuration of the washing and drying installation is obtained, for the horizontal and vertical washing brushes can, together with the drying device, be arranged in a stationary framework. This configuration enables the guide devices traversing devices and drive devices for a gateway to be dispensed with, as well as dispensing with the necessary control and safety devices. Compared with known gateway-type washing units, the method embodying the invention allows the construction of a washing unit having a capacity which is higher by at least a factor of 2, whilst the manufacturing costs are scarcely higher.Inter alia, the economy is also increased by the fact that the vehicles no longer have to be driven completely into the washing hall, or out of it, since it is either unnecessary to drive them in and out at all, or necessary only to drive them partially in and out, as a result of which the drive-in and drive-out times are shortened and, moreover, the risk of damaging a vehicle is reduced.

When carrying out the method, the towing device is expediently allowed to act on at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle. By so doing, it is possible to design the towing device in such a way that it does not project, or projects only a little, outwards beyond the drive-in opening of the washing hall.

The invention will now be described in more detail, solely by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:~ Fig. 1 is a longitudinal section through an apparatus embodying the invention; and Fig. 2a to dare plan views of the apparatus of Fig. 1 during different phases of operation.

A washing and drying installation embodying the invention is accommodated in a washing hall 1 with a drive-in opening 2, which serves at the same time as an exit opening. Two washing brushes 5 and 6, which can rotate about vertical axes, are mounted in a stationary framework 3, in a manner allowing them to be moved on a first transverse guide 4. This first, vertical pair 5 and 6 of washing brushes are preferably associated, in the direction of movement A, B of the towing device 7, which is described in further detail hereinafter, with a second pair of washing brushes, consisting of the brushes 8 and 9, this pair being mounted in a manner permitting movement on a transverse guide 10, at right angles to the direction of movement A, B of the towing device 7.In addition, yet another washing brush 11, which can rotate about a horizontal axis, is mounted on the framework 3, in a manner permitting vertical movement.

In addition, a drying device 12, with blowing nozzles 13 and 14, can be located on the framework 3, or on a separate framework.

The blowing nozzles 1 3 and 14 of the drying device 12 are expediently located in advance of the washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9, 1 1, in the forward movement direction A of the towing device 7.

In addition, the blowing nozzles are expediently located in the vicinity of the drive-in opening 2 of the washing hall.

In order to produce a washing and drying installation which saves as much space as possible, the washing brush 11 , which can rotate about the horizontal rotation axis, is expediently arranged so that it adjoins the blowing nozzles 13, 14. With this arrangement, the horizontal distance a between the rotation axis 1 5 of the horizontal washing brush 1 1 and the outlet slot of the blowing nozzles 13, 14 should be the same as, or smaller than half the diameter D of the horizontal washing brush 11 when the latter is operating. It is possible, by this means, to bring the horizontal washing brush into a position very close to the blowing nozzles 13, 14.The brush does not disturb the drying effect of the blowing nozzles 1 3, 14 in any way, for all the washing brushes remain at rest during the drying operation and consequently have a smaller diameter than while they are rotating.

The towing device 7 can consist of a carriage 16, which can be moved forwards and backwards in the directions A and B, this carriage being guided on guide tracks 17 and being driven by means of an endless chain 18, on which a drive mechanism 19 acts. At the same time, the towing device 7 is expediently designed in such a manner that it acts on one of the front wheels V of the vehicle F, by causing the front wheel in question to be driven into a cavity 1 6a in the carriage 16.

If the towing device 7 acts on one of the front wheels V of the vehicle F which is to be washed and dried, the towing travel S of the towing device 7 can start at the entrance opening 2 of the washing hall 1, in the region of the blowing nozzles 13, 14 of the drying device 12, or at a short distance before this region. The towing travel S (Fig. 2a) of the towing device is at least as long as the length L of the longest vehicle which is to be washed, plus the length L1 of the working zone of the drying device 12, the horizontal washing brush 1 , and at least one pair 5, 6 of vertical washing brushes.

When circumstances require that the washing and drying installation be accommodated in as short a washing hall as possible, the blowing nozzles 13, 14 of the drying device must be located in the immediate vicinity of the drive-in opening 2 of the washing hall 1. In order to ensure that the vehicle which is to be washed and dried can be caught in good time, by the carriage 16 of the towing device, it is sometimes unavoidable that the guide tracks and the endless chain 18 of the carriage 16 project out into the open air, beyond the drive-in opening 2. In order to enable the drive-in opening 2 to be securely closed after work is over by means of a roller gate or similar barrier, it is expedient for the front end of the towing device to be capable of being swung upwards if, during operation of the washing appliance, it projects from the washing hall 1. This end can then be swung up before the gate is closed, and the end of the towing device neither obstructs the complete closing of the gate, nor does it remain in the open after the gate has been closed.

The vehicle F which is to be washed and dried is driven forward, according to Fig. 2a, so that one of its front wheels V is brought onto the carriage 16. The washing brushes 1 1,5,6#8,9 and the drive 1 9 of the towing device 7 then switch on.

The vehicle F to be washed is pulled through, between the washing brushes, by the movement of the carriage 16 in the direction A. During this movement, the front of the vehicle is first washed by the vertical washing brushes 5, 6, and is then washed by the vertical washing brushes 8, 9.

While the horizontal washing brush 11 washes the top of the bonnet, the windscreen, the roof, the rear window and the boot lid, the vertical washing brushes wash, according to Fig. 2b, the side surfaces of the vehicle and its wheels. It is expedient also for the second pair 8, 9 of brushes arranged in succession to the first pair 5, 6 of brushes, to be driven in the opposite direction to the brushes 5, 6. The rear of the vehicle is washed, according to Fig. 2c, by the vertical washing brushes 5, 6, but it can also be washed by the vertical washing brushes 8, 9, if the length of the washing hall 1 is sufficient. After the vehicle has been moved through, between the washing brushes, forwards, in the direction A, it takes up the position indicated by solid lines and dashdotted lines in Fig. 2c.The vertical washing brushes are then moved completely outwards, and their rotary drive mechanisms are switched off.

The horizontal washing brush 11 moves upwards, and its rotary drive is likewise switched off. The water supply is similarly turned off. The washed vehicle is thereupon moved in the opposite direction, i.e. backwards, in the direction B, between the washing brushes 5, 6, 8, 9 and 11 which have been lifted from the surface of the vehicle, and between the nozzles 13, 14 of the drying device 12, this movement being accomplished by means of the carriage 1 6, after reversing the direction of rotation of the drive 1 9.

Since in relation to the direction of movement B the blowing nozzles 1 3, 14 of the drying device are located beyond the washing brushes, in particular the horizontal washing brush 11, it does not matter if some water from the brushes is still deposited on the surface of the vehicle, for the actual drying operation does not take place until the vehicle has moved in the direction of movement B beyond the horizontal washing brush 1 1. After the washed and dried vehicle has been moved completely out of the washing hall 1 by the towing device 7, it can be driven away, and a further vehicle can be driven onto the carriage 16, in accordance with Fig. 2a.

In addition to the abovementioned advantages, the method embodying the invention and the apparatus embodying the invention also possess the advantage that electrical control of different washing programmes can be considerably simplified.

Claims (11)

1. A method of washing and drying motor vehicles, with a plurality of washing brushes which can rotate about vertical and horizontal axes and are mounted, in a stationary framework, so that they can move relative to the vehicle, and with a drying device, which is equipped with blowing nozzles, in which the vehicle to be washed is passed longitudinally in one direction between the washing brushes, which bear on the surface of the vehicle, after which the vehicle is moved, in order to dry it, into the zone of the blowing nozzles, the vehicle being pulled by means of a towing device which acts on at least one wheel, and the vehicle is passed between the blowing nozzles over a distance corresponding to the full length of the vehicle in the opposite direction and with the washing brushes removed from the surface of the vehicle, this movement being accomplished by means of the towing device.

2. A method according to claim 1, wherein the towing device acts on at least one of the front wheels of the vehicle.

3. An apparatus for carrying out the method according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the blowing nozzles of the drying device are located in advance of the washing brushes, in the said one direction.

4. An apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the blowing nozzles are located in the vicinity of a drive-in opening of a washing hall.

5. An apparatus according to claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the washing brush which can rotate about a horizontal rotation axis is located adjacent to the blowing nozzles.

6. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the horizontal distance between the rotation axis of the horizontal washing brush and outlet slots of the blowing nozzles is the same as, or smaller than, half the diameter of the horizontal washing brush when the latter is operating.

7. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 6, wherein the towing travel of the towing device starts at the entrance opening of the washing hall, in the region of the blowing nozzles of the drying device, or before this region.

8. An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the towing travel of the towing device is at least as long as the length of the longest vehicle which is to be washed, plus the length of the working zone of the drying device, the horizontal washing brush and at least one vertical pair of washing brushes.

9. An apparatus according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the front end of the towing device is capable of being swung upwards if, during operation of the washing and drying installation, it projects from the washing hall.

10. An apparatus according to any one of claims 3 to 9, wherein a first pair of vertical washing brushes is followed, in the said one direction, by a second pair of vertical washing brushes, the washing brushes of this second pair being driven in the opposite direction to the washing brushes of the first pair of washing brushes.

11. An apparatus for washing and drying motor vehicles, substantially as described hereinbefore with reference to the accompanying drawings.