NOZZLE DEVICE, SIDE DRYING DEVICE WITH ONE NOZZLE DEVICE AND VEHICLE TREATMENT SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a nozzle device for a side drying device of a vehicle treatment plant, which nozzle device can be subjected to drying air flowing in in an inflow direction and comprises or forms an outlet nozzle which comprises a slot-shaped outlet opening which extends from a first side of the outlet nozzle in the inflow direction to a second side of the outlet nozzle located downstream, wherein in the intended use of the nozzle device the first side is arranged at the top and the second side at the bottom of the outlet nozzle and the outlet opening has a different width at least in sections over its extension from the first side towards the second side.

[0002] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a side drying device for a vehicle treatment plant for applying drying air to a side surface of a vehicle to be dried, comprising a blower device for providing a flow of drying air, an air guiding device and a nozzle device.

[0003] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a vehicle treatment system, in particular a vehicle washing system with a side drying device.

[0004] A side drying device with a nozzle device of the type described above is used, for example, in a vehicle wash system to blow off liquid deposited on the vehicle and thereby dry the vehicle. The side drying device is arranged, for example, on a lateral support of the vehicle wash system, relative to which the vehicle is moved. This can be a gantry-type vehicle wash system, in which a washing gantry is moved relative to the vehicle, or a car wash system, in which the vehicle is moved past a stationary side drying device by means of a conveyor device.

[0005] To cover the entire side of the vehicle as much as possible, the outlet opening of the nozzle device is slit-shaped and, when the side drying device is used as intended, can extend vertically, for example, vertically. However, due to different vehicle sizes and vehicle geometries that, for example, have a concave contour, the drying result is not always entirely satisfactory in practice. For example, lower side surface areas in the sill area cannot always be completely dried.

[0006] DE 2 314 072 A1 relates to a side drying device whose nozzle device comprises an outlet nozzle with a vertically slit-shaped outlet opening. The nozzle device has a height-adjustable air guide element that can be moved along the slit-shaped outlet opening from the first side to the second side to direct the air flow vertically.

[0007] Further side drying devices are described in KR 10-0668439 B1 and US 2,874,485.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle device of the type described above, a side drying device with a nozzle device and a vehicle treatment system with a side drying device with which a better drying result is achieved.

[0009] This object is achieved according to the invention in a nozzle device of the generic type in that the width of the outlet opening is greater on the second side than on the first side.

[0010] In the nozzle device according to the invention, drying air flows in an inflow direction, with the first side being arranged upstream of the outlet nozzle and the second side downstream. The outlet opening extends from the first side to the second side. The width of the outlet opening can be determined in particular transversely to the direction of extension of the outlet opening. In the present invention, the outlet opening has a width that is not constant over its extension. Due to the width being different at least in sections, the flow of drying air can be specifically increased, for example in wider sections compared to sections that have a smaller width. This offers the possibility of exposing the side surfaces of the vehicle to a larger volume flow of drying air in certain sections, for example for improved drying of the side surface areas, in particular in the lower regions of the vehicle.

[0011] The width of the outlet opening on the second side is larger than on the first side. This allows the volume flow on the second side to be greater than that on the first side. When the nozzle device is used as intended, the second side is positioned at the bottom to dry the lower side surface areas.

[0012] It can be advantageous if the width of the outlet opening increases continuously from the first side to the second side. It has been shown that a particularly advantageous drying result can be achieved through a continuous expansion.

[0013] It may be provided that the outlet opening has its smallest width on the first side.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that the outlet opening has its greatest width on the second side.

[0015] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for example, it is provided that a ratio of the width of the outlet opening on the second side to the width of the outlet opening on the first side is approximately 1.2 to 2.5, preferably approximately 1.5 to 2.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a ratio of the width of the outlet opening on the second side to the length of the outlet opening from the second side to the first side is approximately 0.25 to 0.5, preferably approximately 0.3 to 0.4.

[0017] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that a ratio of the width of the outlet opening on the first side to the length of the outlet opening from the second side to the first side is approximately 0.1 to 0.4, preferably approximately 0.2 to 0.3.

[0018] Drying air flowing to the outlet nozzle, for example, passes through the outlet opening in one direction.

[0019] The outlet nozzle may be provided with a particularly continuous taper toward the outlet opening, i.e., from the side upstream of the outlet opening in the flow direction. This narrowing of the outlet nozzle accelerates the drying air toward the outlet opening, leading to an improved drying result.

[0020] The outlet nozzle can, for example, be designed symmetrically with respect to a plane of symmetry perpendicular to a plane of the outlet opening.

[0021] It is advantageous if the nozzle device comprises at least one contact section for contacting a holding body of the side drying device and an outlet section encompassing the outlet opening and protruding from the contact section in the flow direction of the drying air flowing out through the outlet opening. This enables, for example, a structurally simple production of the nozzle device, in particular of the outlet nozzle. For example, the contact section is formed as an edge of the outlet section and can thus be structurally easily attached to the holding body, which, for example, comprises or forms an air guiding device. The outlet section tapers, for example, as explained above, and encompasses the outlet opening.

[0022] Preferably, two spaced-apart contact sections are provided, separated by a gap through which drying air can flow. The holding body comprises, for example, an outlet opening of an air duct, which is covered by the nozzle device. The gap is aligned with the outlet opening, and both sections can be flowed through by the drying air.

[0023] For example, a plane of the outlet opening is aligned parallel to a plane defined by at least one system section.

[0024] Advantageously, the at least one contact section is designed to be planar for flange-like attachment of the outlet nozzle to the holding body.

[0025] Through-openings are advantageously formed on at least one contact section. Connecting elements, such as screws or rivets, thereby allow the nozzle device to be attached to the holding body. Furthermore, through-openings can be arranged, for example, at positions where the holding body itself comprises connecting elements (such as rivets) via which air guiding elements and / or duct walls of an air duct are fixed. The through-openings can advantageously be arranged at least partially equidistant from one another.

[0026] In a preferred embodiment, the outlet nozzle can comprise or form an air guide element on the first side and / or on the second side, extending obliquely to a plane of the outlet opening. In intended use, the at least one air guide element is formed and oriented, for example, such that the drying air is directed downwards on the first side and / or on the second side. This can be achieved, for example, by a section of the outlet nozzle directed obliquely downwards.

[0027] The outlet nozzle and / or the nozzle device can be formed in one piece.

[0028] The outlet nozzle and / or the nozzle device may be made of a metal material.

[0029] As already mentioned, the present invention also relates to a side drying device.

[0030] A side drying device according to the invention for a vehicle washing system for applying drying air to a side surface of a vehicle to be dried, which solves the above-mentioned problem, comprises: a blower device for providing a flow of drying air; an air guiding device; a nozzle device of the type described above, to which drying air can be supplied via the air guiding device.

[0031] Advantages already mentioned in connection with the explanation of the nozzle device according to the invention can also be achieved with the side drying device according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the side drying device result from advantageous embodiments of the nozzle device according to the invention.

[0032] The air guiding device is preferably a hollow body or comprises a hollow body to which a fan housing of the fan device is attached and which comprises or forms an inlet opening for drying air, which comprises or forms an outlet opening in which the nozzle device is arranged, and which comprises or forms an air duct extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. The fan device provides drying air, which can enter the air duct via the inlet opening and exit the air duct via the outlet opening, which is aligned, for example, with the aforementioned gap, and enter the nozzle device.

[0033] It may prove particularly advantageous if the hollow body is formed by a vertically extending support of a vehicle treatment system comprising the side drying device. In this way, the support, on which additional units of the vehicle treatment system are arranged or which represents a structural component of the vehicle treatment system, can perform an additional function. The support can, in particular, be a portal column of a portal washing system, which forms the air guidance device.

[0034] The nozzle device can be secured, in particular, by screwing it to an edge of the outlet opening. For example, the at least one contact section rests against the edge.

[0035] The hollow body, for example the support, comprises, for example, a first channel wall and a second channel wall arranged at a distance from the first channel wall. The first channel wall and the second channel wall can delimit the air channel on opposite sides and can, for example, be aligned parallel to each other.

[0036] The inlet opening can, for example, be formed in the first duct wall, with the fan housing being connected to the hollow body on an outer side facing away from the air duct. For example, the fan housing is secured to the hollow body by screwing.

[0037] The outlet opening is formed, for example, in a connecting wall connecting the first duct wall and the second duct wall. The connecting wall and the first duct wall can be different duct walls of the air duct or, alternatively, the same duct wall. In an advantageous embodiment, the first duct wall and the connecting wall are arranged, for example, at an angle to one another (in particular 90°), wherein the first duct wall is a rear wall or front wall of the support, in particular the portal pillar. The connecting wall faces, for example, the installation surface for the vehicle.

[0038] It can be provided that the outlet opening in the connecting wall is less wide than the distance between the first duct wall and the second duct wall, so that a baffle surface for drying air is formed on the connecting wall laterally next to the outlet opening in the flow direction. This can prove advantageous, for example, for the flow of the drying air, since a larger cross-sectional area is available. This results in lower friction and reduced pressure loss, which is advantageous for the drying result. The baffle surface preferably extends at least over the entire length of the outlet opening and / or the nozzle device.

[0039] The air duct can preferably have at least one cross-sectional taper extending from the inlet opening to the outlet opening. This cross-sectional taper allows for an acceleration of the drying air and preferably a better drying result.

[0040] The cross-section of the air duct is preferably minimal on the second side of the outlet nozzle.

[0041] For example, it can be provided that the air duct has at least one cross-sectional taper upstream of the nozzle device in the flow direction of the drying air.

[0042] Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided, for example, that the air duct has at least one cross-sectional taper in the flow direction of the drying air at the level of the nozzle device between the first side and the second side.

[0043] The cross-section of the air duct can be constant in some sections.

[0044] A cross-sectional taper is achieved, for example, by an inclined duct wall of the air duct, whereby the duct wall can, for example, be aligned at least in sections at an angle to the connecting wall.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment, the cross-sectional taper of the air duct can be formed by a narrowing of the air duct in only one spatial direction, whereas the air duct has no narrowing in a second spatial direction, which is oriented perpendicular to the first spatial direction. For example, the air duct has no narrowing between the aforementioned first duct wall and second duct wall, which run parallel to each other.

[0046] The hollow body comprises, for example, an air guide wall connecting the first duct wall and the second duct wall. The air guide wall is located, for example, opposite the aforementioned connecting wall.

[0047] The taper of the cross-section of the air duct can, for example, be defined solely by the course of the air duct wall.

[0048] As already mentioned, the present invention also relates to a vehicle treatment system.

[0049] A vehicle treatment system according to the invention which achieves the object mentioned at the outset comprises at least one side drying device of the type described above and a mounting surface for a vehicle, wherein the nozzle device is positioned laterally next to the mounting surface and drying air emerging from the outlet nozzle is directed onto a side surface of the vehicle.

[0050] In this case, the "installation area" can be considered a washing area of a gantry vehicle treatment facility. In the case of a road-type vehicle treatment facility, in particular a car wash, the "installation area" can refer to the area along which the vehicle is moved past the side drying device.

[0051] The advantages mentioned in connection with the nozzle device according to the invention and the side drying device according to the invention can also be achieved with the vehicle treatment system according to the invention. Advantageous embodiments of the vehicle treatment system according to the invention result from advantageous embodiments of the nozzle devices according to the invention of the side drying device according to the invention. Reference is made to the above explanations.

[0052] The vehicle treatment system is, in particular, a vehicle washing system and can advantageously comprise at least one cleaning unit. The cleaning units provided may include, for example, a spray device for a cleaning fluid and at least one washing brush.

[0053] The nozzle device is advantageously arranged on the vehicle treatment system such that the outlet opening runs vertically, particularly vertically. Drying air can enter from the side toward the vehicle and dry the side surfaces.

[0054] The blower device is advantageously arranged above the nozzle device.

[0055] For example, the blower device is positioned on a rear wall of the hollow body with respect to an entry direction or conveying device.

[0056] The hollow body can be a support of the vehicle treatment system, in particular a portal column of a portal system.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment, a partition wall is arranged in the support forming the hollow body, in particular the portal column. The partition wall is, for example, the aforementioned second channel wall. The aforementioned first channel wall can, for example, be a rear or front wall of the support.

[0058] The partition wall is advantageously connected to two opposing side walls of the support via connecting elements. The connecting elements can be rivets, for example. The partition wall preferably forms a duct wall of the air duct.

[0059] The connecting elements are preferably evenly spaced from one another on a side of the support facing the installation surface and / or on a side of the support facing away from the installation surface.

[0060] The aforementioned air guide wall can, for example, be arranged in the support forming the hollow body, in particular the portal column. The air guide wall is connected, for example, to the partition wall and another wall of the support, for example, a rear or front wall, via connecting elements. The connecting elements can, for example, be rivets.

[0061] The support may, for example, have a lower support section that includes a travel base for moving along the installation surface and may include a corresponding drive. The lower support section faces the installation surface.

[0062] The support may further comprise an upper support section that rests on the lower support section and is connected to it at a separation point via connecting elements. The side drying device is preferably arranged on the upper support section, with the nozzle device and the air duct positioned above the separation point.

[0063] The vehicle treatment facility may be a gantry facility, in particular a gantry washing facility.

[0064] The following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the drawings, serves to explain the invention in more detail. They show: Figure 1 : a schematic representation of a vehicle treatment system according to the invention, which comprises a side drying device according to the invention with a nozzle device according to the invention; Figure 2 : a perspective view of a portal of the vehicle treatment plant from Figure 1 ; Figure 3 : an enlarged detailed view of area A in Figure 2 , cut; Figure 4 : a side view of the portal Figure 2 from the left in the direction of arrow "4", partially sectioned; Figure 5 : a sectional view along the line 5-5 in Figure 4 ; Figure 6 : an enlarged view of detail B in Figure 4 ; and Figure 7 : a side view of the nozzle device in Figure 6 , in the direction of arrow "7".

[0065] Figure 1 shows a schematic representation of an advantageous embodiment of the vehicle treatment system according to the invention, designated overall by the reference numeral 100. In the present embodiment, the vehicle treatment system 100 is a vehicle washing system 102, configured as a gantry washing system, for cleaning a vehicle 104.

[0066] The vehicle 104 is stationary on a support surface 106 during the cleaning process. The vehicle washing system 102 can be moved relative to the vehicle 104 across the support surface 106 by means of a drive not shown in the drawing.

[0067] The vehicle wash system 102 comprises a support device 108, configured as a gantry 110, as a structural device for accommodating cleaning units. The gantry 110 has two supports 112 arranged at a distance from one another, which in this case are oriented perpendicular to the installation surface 106, in particular vertically. During normal use of the vehicle wash system 102, the vehicle 104 is arranged between the supports 112.

[0068] Position and orientation information such as "bottom", "top" or the like are in the present case related to a proper use of the vehicle washing system 102, in which the vehicle washing system 102 stands on the installation surface 106, which is regarded as being horizontally oriented by way of example.

[0069] The supports 112 are respective portal columns 114. The portal 110 further comprises a cross member 116, via which the supports 112 are connected to one another at the top.

[0070] Figure 1 shows schematically cleaning units 118 of the vehicle washing system 102 in the form of side brushes 120, a roof brush 122, wheel washing brushes 124 and a spray device 126 for cleaning fluid.

[0071] To dry the vehicle 104 after washing, the vehicle washing system 102 includes a roof drying device 128. The roof drying device 128 can be used to apply drying air to the top, front, and rear of the vehicle 104.

[0072] Furthermore, the vehicle washing system 102 comprises two side drying devices 130, which are advantageous embodiments of the side drying device according to the invention.

[0073] From a functional perspective, the side drying devices 130 are configured identically, with one side drying device 130 being arranged on each portal column 114. The side drying devices 130 are symmetrical relative to one another with respect to a central longitudinal plane of the vehicle washing system 102. References to one side drying device 130 apply accordingly to the other side drying device 130.

[0074] Drying air for drying side surfaces 132 of the vehicle 104 is provided via the side drying devices 130. As explained below, the drying air is directed from the portal column 114 onto the side surface 132. By moving the portal 110 relative to the vehicle 104, the side surfaces 132 can be dried over the entire length of the vehicle.

[0075] The side drying device 130 comprises a blower device 134, an air guiding device 136 and a nozzle device 138, which is a preferred embodiment of the nozzle device according to the invention.

[0076] Drying air is provided by the blower device 134, flows through an air duct 140 formed by the air guiding device 136 and reaches the nozzle device 138 ( Figures 2 to 5 ).

[0077] The blower device 134 comprises a blower housing 142. In the present case, the blower housing 142 is fixed to a rear wall 144 of the support 112. For example, the blower housing 142 rests against the rear wall 144 in a flange-like manner and is connected thereto by screwing.

[0078] As can be seen in particular from the Figures 3 and 5 As can be seen, the air duct 140 is formed by the carrier 112, which in the present example is a hollow body 146. For this purpose, the air duct 140 comprises a first duct wall 148 formed by the rear wall 144, a second duct wall 150, a third duct wall 152, and a fourth duct wall 154.

[0079] The second channel wall 150 is formed by a partition wall 156 arranged inside the carrier 112. The channel walls 148, 150 are arranged at a distance from one another and, in the present example, are particularly aligned parallel to one another.

[0080] On the inside, facing the support surface 106, the channel walls 148, 150 are connected to each other via a connecting wall 158, which forms the third channel wall 152. The connecting wall 158 is an outer wall of the support 112, which faces the vehicle 106.

[0081] As is particularly evident from Figure 5 As can be seen, the fourth channel wall 154 is formed by an air guide wall 160. The air guide wall 160 is arranged in the carrier 112 and connects the channel walls 148, 150 to one another.

[0082] In the present case, the air duct 140 can be described as a flat duct whose duct height, defined by the distance between the duct walls 148, 150, is significantly less than its duct length.

[0083] Adjacent channel walls 148, 150, 152, 154 are adjacent to each other perpendicularly.

[0084] The air duct 140 extends from an inlet opening 162 to an outlet opening 164. In this case, the inlet opening 162 is formed on the top side of the support 112 in the rear wall 144. The fan housing 142 covers the inlet opening 162. Drying air is conveyed into the air duct 140 via a fan, for example, a radial fan.

[0085] The outlet opening 164 is formed in the connecting wall 158 facing the installation surface 106. The outlet opening 164 thus points in the direction of the vehicle 104, in particular toward the side surface 132.

[0086] In the present case, the outlet opening 164 is slit-shaped and has a width that is considerably less than its length. The outlet opening 164 is oriented in the vertical direction and, in particular, vertically.

[0087] The width of the outlet opening 164 is smaller than the distance between the channel walls 148, 150. A baffle surface 166 for incoming drying air is formed laterally next to the outlet opening 164, in this case on the third channel wall 152 ( Figure 6 ). The provision of the baffle surface 166 proves to be advantageous for the flow of the drying air in this case, as a larger cross-sectional area is available. This results in lower friction and reduced pressure loss, which is beneficial for the drying result.

[0088] In particular, it can be provided that the outlet opening 164 is aligned at the edge with the second channel wall 150. Figure 3 shows this schematically, with a contour of the outlet opening 164 being marked with a dashed line 168.

[0089] As can be seen in particular from the Figures 3 and 5As is clear, the air duct 140 has at least one cross-sectional taper 170, in this case two cross-sectional tapers 170.

[0090] The cross-sectional tapers 170 are present only along a first spatial direction 172, whereas in a second spatial direction 174, which is oriented perpendicular to the first spatial direction 172, there is no taper of the cross section ( Figures 3 and 5 ). The first spatial direction 172 is in this case a transverse direction 173 of the vehicle washing system 102. The second spatial direction 174 is a longitudinal direction 175, along which the entry direction for the vehicle 104 is aligned and along which the portal 110 can be moved on the installation area 106.

[0091] The cross-sectional tapers 170 are defined here solely by the course of the air guide wall 160.

[0092] For example, Figure 5As can be seen, the air duct 140 initially has a constant cross-section starting from the inlet opening 162. A first cross-sectional taper 170 of the inclined air guide wall 160 is formed upstream of the nozzle device 138. In some sections, the air duct 140 subsequently has a constant cross-section over the length of the nozzle device 138. A second cross-sectional taper 170 is formed toward the end of the air duct 140 and the lower end of the nozzle device 138.

[0093] The partition wall 156 and / or the air guide wall 160 can be secured to the support 112, for example, by means of connecting elements. The use of rivets is particularly conceivable. These connecting elements are not shown in the drawing. It may prove advantageous if the connecting elements are arranged equidistant from one another.

[0094] The following is a summary of the Figures 4 to 7the design of the nozzle device 138 according to the invention is discussed.

[0095] The nozzle device 138 comprises an outlet nozzle 176 through which the drying air exits and is directed onto the side surface of the vehicle 104.

[0096] The outlet nozzle 176 is formed to be longitudinally extended and aligned on the carrier 112 in a vertical direction, in particular in the vertical direction. In the present example, the outlet nozzle 176 is, in particular, a slot nozzle comprising a slot-shaped outlet opening 178, which is also aligned in the vertical direction and in particular vertically.

[0097] Relative to the inflow direction of the drying air through the air duct 140, the outlet opening 178 extends from a first side 180 to a second side 182 of the outlet nozzle 176 arranged downstream. The first side 180 is arranged at the top and the second side 182 at the bottom of the outlet nozzle 176.

[0098] The outlet nozzle 176 comprises two contact sections 186 arranged at a distance from one another and separated from one another by an intermediate space 184. An outlet section 188 protrudes from the contact sections 186 in the flow direction of the drying air and forms the outlet opening 178.

[0099] The outlet nozzle 176 tapers toward the outlet opening 178, in this case in particular continuously. Transverse to the longitudinal direction, the outlet nozzle 176 has, for example, a substantially trapezoidal cross-section of the outlet section 188.

[0100] The outlet nozzle 176 is fixed to the edge of the outlet opening 164 and arranged so that the gap 184 is aligned with the outlet opening 164.

[0101] Via the contact sections 186, the outlet nozzle 176 rests flange-like on the support 112, which forms a holding body of the side drying device 130, on the connecting wall 158. The connection is made, in particular, by screwing. Through-openings 190 for connecting elements, such as screws, are formed on the contact sections 186.

[0102] In addition, through-openings 190 are provided on the contact sections 186, into which, for example, the connecting elements for the partition wall 156 can engage. These through-openings 190 are arranged, for example, equidistant from one another.

[0103] As is particularly evident from Figure 6 As further shown, the outlet opening 178 has a different width, at least in sections, over the extension from the first side 180 to the second side 182. Accordingly, the width of the outlet opening 178 is not constant over the length.

[0104] In the present case, the width is greater on the second side 182 than on the first side 180. In particular, the outlet opening 178 has the greatest width on the second side 182 and the smallest width on the first side 180. From the first side 180 to the second side 182, the width increases continuously.

[0105] The above configuration of the outlet nozzle 176 offers the advantage that more drying air can exit the bottom of the outlet nozzle 176 than with conventional outlet nozzles. The volume flow directed toward the lower side surface areas of the vehicles 104 is thereby increased. This enables a better drying result to be achieved, especially on the lower side surface areas.

[0106] In the present example, a ratio of the width on the second side 182 to the width on the first side 180 is approximately 1.7. A ratio of the width on the second side to the length of the outlet opening 178 from the second side 182 to the first side 180 is approximately 0.35. A ratio of the width of the outlet opening 178 on the first side to the length of the outlet opening 178 is approximately 0.25.

[0107] The outlet nozzle 176 further comprises at least one air guide element 192 extending obliquely to the plane of the outlet opening 178. In the present case, one air guide element 192 is arranged on the top and another air guide element 192 is arranged on the bottom of the outlet nozzle 176. The drying air is directed obliquely downwards via the air guide elements 192 ( Figure 5 ). This is beneficial for improved drying results.

[0108] Areas of the vehicle 104 arranged above the nozzle 176 on the side surfaces 132 can be captured and dried, for example, via the roof drying device 128.

[0109] The drawing further shows that the supports 112 each comprise a lower support section 194 and an upper support section 196. The lower support section 194 comprises a travel base 198 of the gantry. The side drying device 130 is arranged entirely on the upper support section 196. The nozzle device 138 is positioned above a separation point 200 between the support sections 194, 196. List of reference symbols

[0110] 100Vehicle treatment system 102Vehicle wash system 104Vehicle 106Installation area 108Supporting device 110Gantry 112Support 114Gantry column 116Cross member 118Cleaning unit 120Side brush 122Roof brush 124Wheel wash brush 126Spray device 128Roof drying device 130Side drying device 132Side surface 134Blower device 136Air guiding device 138Nozzle device 140Air duct 142Blower housing 144Rear wall 146Hollow body 148, 150, 152, 154Channel wall 156Partition wall 158Connecting wall 160Air guiding wall 162Inlet opening 164Exit opening 166 Impact surface 168 Dashed line 170 Cross-sectional taper 172 First spatial direction 173 Transverse direction 174 Second spatial direction 175 Longitudinal direction 176 Outlet nozzle 178 Outlet opening 180 First side 182 Second side 184 Intermediate space 186 Contact section 188 Outlet section 190 Through opening 192 Air guide element 194 Lower support section 196 Upper support section 198 Travel base 200 Separation point

Claims

1. A nozzle device (138) for a side drying apparatus (130) of a vehicle treatment system (100), which nozzle device (138) is configured to be subjected to drying air flowing in an inflow direction and comprises or forms an outlet nozzle (176), which comprises a slit-shaped outlet opening (178) which extends from a first side (180) of the outlet nozzle (176) in the inflow direction to a second side (182) of the outlet nozzle (176) located downstream, wherein, in the intended use of the nozzle device (138), the first side (180) is arranged at the top and the second side (182) at the bottom of the outlet nozzle (176), and the outlet opening (178) has a different width at least in portions over its extension from the first side (180) in the direction of the second side (182), characterized in that the width of the outlet opening (178) on the second side (182) is greater than on the first side (180).

2. The nozzle device (138) in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that the width of the outlet opening (178) increases continuously from the first side (180) to the second side (182).

3. The nozzle device (138) in accordance with claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the outlet opening (178) has its smallest width on the first side (180) and / or in that the outlet opening (178) has its largest width on the second side (182).

4. The nozzle device (138) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one of the following applies: - a ratio of the width of the outlet opening (178) on the second side (182) to the width of the outlet opening (178) on the first side (180) is approximately 1.2 to 2.5, preferably approximately 1.5 to 2; - a ratio of the width of the outlet opening (178) on the second side (182) to the length of the outlet opening (178) from the second side (182) to the first side (180) is approximately 0.25 to 0.5, preferably approximately 0.3 to 0.4; - a ratio of the width of the outlet opening (178) on the first side (180) to the length of the outlet opening (178) from the second side (182) to the first side (180) is approximately 0.1 to 0.4, preferably approximately 0.2 to 0.3.

5. The nozzle device (138) in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet nozzle (176) has in particular a continuous taper in the direction of the outlet opening (178) and / or in that the nozzle device (138) comprises at least one contact portion (186) for contacting a holding body of the side drying apparatus (130) and an outlet portion (188) comprising the outlet opening (178) and projecting from the contact portion (186) in the flow direction of the drying air flowing out through the outlet opening (178), preferably in that two contact portions (186) are provided which are arranged spaced apart from one another and are separated from one another by a gap (184) through which drying air is flowable.

6. The nozzle device (138) in accordance with claim 5, characterized in that the at least one contact portion (186) is configured to be planar for flange-like application of the outlet nozzle (176) to the holding body and / or in that through-openings (190) positioned equidistant from one another are formed on the at least one contact portion (186).

7. A side drying apparatus (130) for a vehicle treatment system (100) for applying drying air to a side surface (132) of a vehicle (104) to be dried, comprising: - a blower device (134) for providing a flow of drying air; - an air guiding device (136); - a nozzle device (138) in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, to which drying air is suppliable via the air guiding device (136).

8. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 7, characterized in that the air guiding device (136) is a hollow body (146) or comprises a hollow body (146) to which a blower housing (142) of the blower device (134) is fixed and which comprises or forms an inlet opening (162) for drying air, which comprises or forms an outlet opening (164) at which the nozzle device (138) is arranged, and which comprises or forms an air duct (140) running from the inlet opening (162) to the outlet opening (164), wherein the hollow body (146) is preferably formed by a carrier (112) extending in the vertical direction of a vehicle treatment system (100) comprising the side drying apparatus (130), in particular by a gantry column (114) of a gantry washing system.

9. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 7 or 8, characterized in that at least one of the following applies: - the nozzle device (138) is fixed to an edge of the outlet opening (164), in particular by screwing; - the hollow body (146) comprises a first duct wall (148) and a second duct wall (150) arranged at a distance, in particular parallel, to the first duct wall (148), which walls delimit the air duct (140) on opposite sides.

10. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 9, characterized in that the inlet opening (162) is formed in the first duct wall (148), and in that the blower housing (142) is connected to the hollow body (146) on an outer side facing away from the air duct (140), in particular by screwing.

11. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the outlet opening (164) is formed in a connecting wall (158) connecting the first duct wall (148) and the second duct wall (150), in particular in that the outlet opening (164) is less wide than a distance between the first duct wall (148) and the second duct wall (150) from one another, so that in the flow direction of the drying air, an impact surface (166) for drying air is formed laterally next to the outlet opening (164) on the connecting wall (158).

12. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 11, characterized in that the air duct (140) has at least one cross-sectional taper (170) in the direction of travel from the inlet opening (162) to the outlet opening (164), wherein the cross section of the air duct (140) is preferably minimal on the second side (182) of the outlet nozzle (176).

13. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 12, characterized in that the air duct (140) has at least one cross-sectional taper (170) upstream of the nozzle device (138) in the flow direction of the drying air and / or in that the air duct (140) has at least one cross-sectional taper (170) in the flow direction of the drying air at the level of the nozzle device (138) between the first side (180) and the second side (182).

14. The side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with claim 12 or 13, characterized in that at least one of the following applies: - the cross-sectional taper (170) of the air duct (140) is formed by a narrowing of the air duct (140) in only a first spatial direction (172), whereas the air duct (140) has no narrowing in a second spatial direction (174), which is oriented perpendicular to the first spatial direction (172); - the hollow body (146) comprises an air guiding wall (160) connecting the first duct wall (148) and the second duct wall (150), wherein the taper of the cross section of the air duct (140) is defined solely by the course of the air guiding wall (160).

15. A vehicle treatment system (100), in particular a vehicle washing system (102), preferably configured as a gantry system, in particular a gantry washing system, comprising at least one side drying apparatus (130) in accordance with any one of claims 7 to 14 and a set-down surface (106) for a vehicle (104), wherein the nozzle device (138) is positioned laterally next to the set-down surface (106) and drying air exiting from the outlet nozzle (176) is directed onto a side surface (132) of the vehicle (104).

16. The vehicle treatment system (100) in accordance with claim 15, in particular in conjunction with claim 8, characterized in that in the carrier (112) forming the hollow body (146), in particular the gantry column (114), a separating wall (156) is arranged which is connected to two opposite side walls of the carrier (112) via connecting elements, in particular rivets, and forms a duct wall (148, 150, 152, 154) of the air duct (140).

17. The vehicle treatment system (100) in accordance with claim 15 or 16, characterized in that the carrier (112) has a lower carrier portion (194) facing the set-down surface (106), and an upper carrier portion (196) which is positioned on the lower carrier portion (194) and connected thereto at a separation point (200) via connecting elements, wherein the side drying apparatus (130) is arranged on the upper carrier portion (196) and the nozzle device (138) and the air duct (140) are positioned above the separation point (200).