GB2263890A - Vehicle washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

A vehicle washing machine comprises a wheeled chassis (12) having a rotatable brush (30), one or more hollow members (20) each having an array of nozzles, detergent tank and water tank (42, 44) or water and water and detergent mixture tanks, and a power source comprising an internal combustion engine (26) which drives either a generator (24) or an hydraulic pump. <IMAGE>

Description

A Vehicle Washinq Machine The present invention relates to a vehicle washing machine.

In particularly the invention relates to a washing machine for high sided vehicles and high sided vehicle trailers.

Vehicle washing machines for this purpose are known and usually comprise a wheeled chassis on which a vertically arranged rotatable brush is mounted. The chassis also supports one or more arrays of spray nozzles. The machine may be provided with a pump in order to pump detergent through the spray nozzles. More commonly, detergent is pre-sprayed onto the vehicle from a separate portable applicator.

Usually flexible hoses are connected from the mains water supply to the washing machine which also will require electric cabling from a power source in order to drive the brush and pump (if provided).

The operation of the machine is such that it is manoeuvred round a vehicle or trailer by hand after the detergent has been pre sprayed onto it. The vertically arranged brush is driven in order to clean the vehicle or trailer. Water is sprayed through the nozzles to rinse off the loose dirt after the brush has passed.

It will be appreciated that the presence of hoses to supply rinsing water, and electric cabling to supply power drive the brush inhibits considerably the manoeuvrability of the machine.

There is also the danger that the hoses and electric cabling will become snagged or driven over by other vehicles such that they become damaged. Particularly if the electric cabling is damaged this would constitute a safety hazard.

Proposals have been made so that the hoses and cabling are carried on gantries above the ground from the source of supplies to the washing machine but this requires considerably capital investment and also means that the vehicles and trailers have to be parked adjacent the gantry. Such an arrangement demands considerable space as sufficient room is needed for the vehicle to approach the gantry, for the gantry itself or the space underneath it, and for the vehicle to leave after the washing process has been completed.

Accordingly the present invention seeks to provide a washing machine for high sided vehicles and trailers which avoids the need for trailing hoses and cables thereby avoiding all the disadvantages referred to above.

Accordingly the present invention provides a vehicle washing machine comprising a wheeled chassis on which is mounted a rotatable brush, a brush shield and an array of nozzles, a detergent container and a water container, a pump connected to the detergent and water container and arranged to deliver liquid to the nozzles, an self contained power source arranged to drive the brush and the pump.

The power source can comprise a generator which can be driven by an internal combustion engine.

The brush and pump can be driven by electric motors which receive supplies from the generator.

In an alternative arrangement the power source can comprise an internal combustion engine which drives the brush and pump through suitable transmission apparatus. For example the transmission apparatus can comprise clutches and gear boxes.

In a further arrangement the power source can comprise an internal combustion engine driving an hydraulic pump which in turn can drive one or more pumps.

The shield can comprise a frame including at least one member which is hollow, the nozzles being attached to the hollow member and the hollow member being supplied with the liquid output from the pump.

Two hollow frame members can be provided, each having an array of nozzles, the frame members being connected to a water tank and a water and detergent mixture tank.

The spray nozzles can be individually aligned and the spray nozzles can be sized so that a greater volume of liquid is delivered from the upper ones of the spray nozzles.

The shield can be formed in two parts, the lower part being formed from sheet aluminium attached to the frame, and the upper part made from a fabric stretched and rivetted onto the frame.

The aluminium lower part of the shield has an advantage of rigidity and also will accommodate larger brush filament lengths than would normally be possible within a shield. This is due to the brush filaments, when rotated, folding back with the rigid part of the shield, where they touch the shield, and extending to their full length when they are free from the confines of the shield. Such an arrangement at the lower levels of the machine enables the brush to reach underneath the chassis of trailers and reach parts otherwise beyond reach.

The present invention will now be more particularly described with reference to the accompanying drawings of which; Figure 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of one form of vehicle washing machine according to the present invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic lay out of the components of the vehicle washing machine shown in figure 1; and Figure 3 shows a schematic layout of a further form of vehicle washing machine.

Referring to the drawings, a vehicle washing machine (10) comprises an aluminium chassis (12) mounted on four wheels (14) and having a handle (16).

The two wheels adjacent to the handle are free to swivel and have brakes attached. The two wheels furthest from the handle are fixed in one position to hold the machine on a parallel track when operating. This combats the tendency for the rear of the machine to be pushed away from the vehicle being washed when the brush is revolving against it.

A brush shield (18) is mounted on the chassis and comprises a frame formed from hollow aluminium sections (20) only one of which is shown in figure 2. The section (20) which is furthest placed from the handle (16) constitutes a liquid manifold as will be described below. The shield (18) has a lower part (18a) formed from sheet aluminium and an upper part (18b) formed from cloth which is stretched over the frame and rivetted to it.

A number of nozzles (22) are attached to the hollow frame member (20) and each nozzle can be individually directed as required.

The nozzles which are preferably formed from plastic are secured by plastic retainers to screwed brass fittings which are permanently attached to the hollow member (20).

A generator (24) which is driven by an internal combustion engine (26) is mounted on the chassis (12). The generator supplies electricity to an electric motor (28) which drives a vertically arranged brush (30) through a gear box (32), sprocket (34) and chain (not shown).

The generator (24) also provides electricity to the electric pump (36) which pumps the water and detergent. Switches (38) and (40) are provided to control the motor (28) and the pump (36).

A detergent tank (42) and a water tank (44) are mounted on the chassis (12) and are connected to the pump (36) by means of flexible hoses (46) and (48) a T-piece (50), a valve (52) and a flexible hose (54). The output from the pump (36) is connected by a flexible hose (56) to the hollow frame member (20).

A constriction such as an orifice can be provided in the connection between the hose (46) and the T-piece (50) and the valve (52) controls the supply of detergent from the tank (42) to the pump (36) via flexible hose (46), T-piece (50) and hose (54).

The water tank (44) is permanently connected to the pump (36) by the hoses (48) and (54).

In operation, a lorry and/or trailer which is to be cleaned is placed in any convenient level position enabling the machine (10) to be moved around the vehicle. The detergent tank (42) is filled with pre-diluted detergent, the strength of the detergent solution being dependent upon the nature of the vehicle surface to be cleaned. The water tank (44) is also filled. The generator (24) is operated by starting the motor (26) and the pump (36) is operated by the switch (40). The valve (52) is opened allowing detergent to flow to the pump through the T-piece (50) and the constriction. Depending upon the size of the constriction the detergent is further diluted with the water flowing from the tank (44). The final detergent solution will be pumped by the pump (36) through the hollow frame member (20) and through the nozzles (22).The washing machine (10) is then propelled using the handle (16) in the direction of arrow A (figure 1) around the vehicle spraying detergent on to the vehicle surface to be cleaned.

When the operator reaches the starting point again the detergent supply is switched off by operation of the valve (52) and the brush (30) is switched on by operation of the switch (38). The water will remain switched on. The brush will now be rotating in the direction of arrow B (fig. 1) and water only will be sprayed from the nozzles (22). The operator then moves the machine (10) in the direction of arrow A and a further circumnavigation of the vehicle and/or trailer will be completed with the brush agitating the dirt and the water spray rinsing off the dirt and detergent.

When this second circumnavigation has been completed, the pump (36) and the motor (28) can be switched off. If necessary the water tank can be filled by taking the machine to an appropriate water supply point or by taking a hose from a water supply point to the machine. Such a hose would be kept permanently charged with water and would be fitted with an "on-off" valve at the nozzle.

Alternatively a wheeled water supply tank filled with water can be provided at one or more locations in the area where washing is to take place. Such a tank can be fitted with a large delivery opening to facilitate rapid re-filling of the machine water tank.

It will be appreciated that because there are no trailing hoses or electrical cables attached to the washing machine, the machine is extremely manoeuvrable and the absence of hoses and cabling means that they do not become entangled or snagged with the wheels of the vehicle being cleaned. Also the risk of damage or creating hazardous conditions for example by fracture of the electrical cable is avoided altogether.

The absence of hoses gives the operator freedom of movement and in particular allows for a second circumnavigation of the vehicle or trailer to be cleaned without the need to retrace steps due to the limitations of the hose and cable lengths. This makes possible the detergent application by the machine followed immediately by a circumnavigation with the brush operating and water rinsing. The time factor involved allows the detergent sufficient time to react with the dirt before it is rinsed off which would not be the case if detergent were sprayed on during the same circumnavigation as the brush and rinsing operations were being carried out.

Also importantly the vehicles and trailers can be cleaned virtually wherever they are parked providing there is sufficient space between the vehicles to manoeuvre the washing machine. It is not necessary to move the vehicles and trailers to specific areas to be cleaned. It will be appreciated that this factor is of significance if several vehicles and/or trailers are to be cleaned.

It is anticipated that the detergent tank will contain enough detergent solution to wash approximately 10 vehicles or trailers and that the water tank will have sufficient water for at least one vehicle or trailer. The water tank can be re-filled as has been mentioned either by taking the machine to an appropriate water tap or by taking a hose from the water tap to the machine.

In another arrangement water containers with rapid delivery facilities may be conveniently located on wheels at suitable locations in the area in which the vehicle or trailers are to be washed.

The use of a single array of jets is advantageous in that the liquid manifold and the pump is automatically purged of detergent solution by water when the washing and brushing operation takes place. Thus there is unlikely to be any corrosion caused by residual detergent solution in the liquid manifold, spray jets, and the pump.

As the water tank (44) is permanently connected to the pump (36), the pump is always provided, thereby reducing the risk of damage to the pump.

The fact that the spray jets are adjustable in direction individually means that vehicles and trailers of varying heights can be accommodated without water spraying to waste.

It can be arranged that the upper one or ones of the spray jets can accommodate a larger liquid flow volume than the lower ones of the spray jets since the detergent solution or water will run down the side of the vehicle or trailer this. It is advantageous therefore that a majority of the liquid whether detergent solution or water is supplied from the upper end of the liquid manifold.

The provision of water and a generator also has the advantage of lowering the centre of gravity of the machine considerably due to the added weight of low level. The stability of the machine in high winds is accordingly much improved.

The vehicle washing machine (10) can also be fitted with a high pressure jet washer so that particularly difficult areas that are not accessible to a rotating brush can be cleaned. Such a high pressure washer (if fitted) would obtain electrical power from the generator (26) and water from the water tank (44).

Figure 3 shows an alternative arrangement for a vehicle washing machine using hydraulic fluid power. This form of power is seen to be particularly advantageous in that the possible hazards of electricity are removed completely.

Referring to the figure the machine is identical in most respects to the embodiment shown in figures 1 and 2 but differs in the following areas: Prime power is provided by an internal combustion engine (54) which is directly coupled to an hydraulic pump (56) having a reservoir (58).

Hydraulic fluid is driven through hose lines (not shown) to provide power to an hydraulic motor (60) which drives a brush (62) and two separate smaller hydraulic motors (64 and 66) which drive two water pumps.

Water is carried in a tank (68) and a water/detergent mix is carried in a tank (70).

An additional hollow frame member (72) is attached to one side of a chassis (74), similar to the chassis (12), the member (72) having four nozzles (76) fitted.

Control valves (78) and (80) are fitted to an aluminium shield (not shown) similar to the brush shield (18) to control the brush rotation and water pumps respectively.

An hydraulic priority flow valve (82) is fitted.

All hydraulic hose & connections have been omitted for clarity.

In operation a lorry and/or trailer which is to be cleaned is placed in a convenient level position enabling the machine to be moved around the vehicle. The detergent tank (70) is filled with pre-diluted detergent, the strength of the detergent solution being dependent upon the nature of the vehicle surface to be cleaned. The water tank (68) is also filled. The internal combustion engine (54) is started and hydraulic fluid is pumped around the hydraulic circuits by the hydraulic pump (58). At this point with no control valves open the fluid will continue recirculating through the system.

At a given starting point on the vehicle the operator operates the pump control valve (80) into the down position which will bring the detergent pump (66) into operation. Detergent/water mix will be pumped through hose lines to the nozzles in hollow frame member (70). The machine is moved around the vehicle spraying detergent mix onto the vehicle until the starting point is reached again. The detergent pump is switched off by operating control valve (80).

The water pump (64) is now brought into operation by operating control valve (80) into the up position. Water will be pumped from the water tank (68) through the nozzles in the hollow frame member (20). The brush (62) is brought into operation by operating control valve (78) into the down position. The water will remain switched on and the brush will be rotating in the direction of arrow B (figure 1). The operator then moves the machine in the direction of arrow A (figure 1) and a further circumnavigation of the vehicle and/or trailer will be completed with the brush agitating the dirt and the water spray rinsing off the dirt and detergent.

Should the vehicle being cleaned have any vertical obstructions such as bulkheads that cause the brush bristles to miss dirt on one side of the obstruction the brush can be reversed in rotation to enable such dirt to be cleaned. This operation is carried out by stopping the forward movement of the machine at the obstruction, and reversing the brush by operating control valve (78) in the "up" position for about 5 seconds only. The normal brush rotation is then obtained by operating the control valve (78) in the "down" position and resuming forward movement of the machine around the vehicle.

All the advantages that apply to the previously described electric powered machine apply to the hydraulic machine plus the following additional features.

No electricity is involved.

The detergent/water mix is applied through an independent spray pipe.

Two pumps are fitted so that the water and detergent can each be applied independently. This ensures that no residual detergent remains in the spray system when water spray is required.

The brush can be reversed.

The total weight of the machine is reduced considerably.

It is anticipated that a washing machine according to the present invention will be able to clean a vehicle of 32 tonne capacity in approximately 15 minutes.

Claims (12)

Claims

1. A vehicle washing machine comprising a wheeled chassis on which is mounted a rotatable brush, a brush shield and an array of nozzles, liquid containers, a pump or pumps connected to the liquid containers and arranged to deliver liquid to the nozzles and a self contained power source arranged to drive the brush and the or each pump.

2. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the power source comprises a generator which can be driven by an internal combustion engine.

3. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 2 in which the brush and the or each pump can be driven by electric motors which receive power supplies from the generator.

4. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the power source comprises an internal combustion engine which drives the brush and the or each pump through transmission apparatus.

5. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 1 in which the power source comprises an hydraulic motor driven by an internal combustion engine.

6. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 5 in which the brush and the or each pump are driven by hydraulic pumps driven by the hydraulic motor.

7. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims including at least one hollow member having an array of nozzles, the hollow frame member being connected to the or each liquid container.

8. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 7 including two hollow members each having an array of nozzles one hollow member being connected to a water tank and the other hollow member being connected to a tank containing a mixture of water and detergent.

9. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in claim 7 or claim 8 in which the hollow members comprise frame members of the brush shield.

10. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the nozzles can be individually aligned.

11. A vehicle washing machine as claimed in any one of the preceding claims in which the brush shield is formed in two parts, the lower part being formed from sheet aluminium attached to the frame and the upper part being made from a fabric stretched and rivotted on to the frame.

12. A vehicle washing machine constructed and arranged for use and operation substantially as herein described, and with reference to the accompanying drawings.