Vehicle washing and / or disinfection facility

Abstract

Title: Vehicle Washing and / or Disinfection Installation The invention relates to an installation (1) for washing and / or disinfecting the underbody and wheels of a vehicle (2), in particular a truck, comprising: two side walls (4) defining a passageway for the vehicle; spray nozzles (61) for a washing and / or disinfection liquid carried by the two side walls (4) and positioned to spray the washing and / or disinfection liquid towards the underbody and wheels of the vehicle; a base (3) from which the two side walls (4) extend, provided with a system for recovering the washing and / or disinfection liquid. Figure for the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Title of the invention: Vehicle washing and / or disinfection installation technical field

[0001] The field of the invention is that of the design and manufacture of a washing and / or disinfection installation for road vehicles and public works sites, in particular trucks and construction equipment. State of the art

[0002] Within the scope of the invention, it is known that there are fixed vehicle washing and / or disinfection installations. These installations conventionally comprise spray nozzles for a washing and / or disinfection liquid mounted on a support, grids on which the vehicle or a part of the vehicle is positioned to be washed, and means for recovering the sprayed washing liquid.

[0003] Transportable installations such as that described in the patent document published under number FR2858286B1 are also known.

[0004] This installation allows for the washing and / or disinfection of the undercarriage and wheels of a road vehicle, in particular a truck. The installation comprises: - two side walls delimiting a passage lane for the road vehicle; - spray nozzles for a washing and / or disinfecting liquid, mounted on both side walls and positioned to spray the washing and / or disinfecting liquid towards the undercarriage and wheels of the road vehicle, - a base from which the two side walls extend, equipped with a system for recovering the washing and / or disinfection liquid,

[0005] Several problems can be observed when using these installations.

[0006] First, the driver of the road vehicle may encounter a wall of mist resulting from the spraying of washing and / or disinfection liquids. This leads to apprehension about moving the road vehicle forward and difficulties in quickly or correctly positioning the road vehicle within the installation.

[0007] In addition, washing the undercarriage and wheels can be considered as dirtying for the environment of the installation and for other parts of the road vehicle, with regard to the deposition of suspended particles forming the mist produced by the washing and the projection of dirt.

[0008] Finally, these installations result in high water consumption. Technical problem

[0009] The invention aims in particular to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

[0010] More specifically, the invention aims to provide an installation that minimizes or prevents the creation of a fog wall.

[0011] The invention also aims to provide such an installation which limits pollution of the environment of the installation or of other parts of the vehicle which are not cleaned.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide such an installation which enables water savings. Summary of the invention

[0013] These objectives, as well as others that will appear subsequently, are achieved through the invention, which relates to a washing and / or disinfection installation for the undercarriage and wheels of a vehicle, in particular a truck, comprising: - two side walls delimiting a passageway for the vehicle; - spray nozzles for a washing and / or disinfection liquid supported by the two side walls and positioned to spray the washing and / or disinfecting liquid towards the undercarriage and wheels of the vehicle, - a base from which the two side walls extend, equipped with a system for recovering the washing and / or disinfection liquid, characterized in that each side wall carries: - an upper casing that continuously overhangs the spray nozzles and extends vertically in their vicinity, - two end housings, each extending downwards from one end of the upper housing.

[0014] The installation according to the invention makes it possible to reduce or even prevent the creation of a fog wall.

[0015] As a result, it limits pollution of the environment of the installation and of other parts of the vehicle which are not involved in the washing.

[0016] Indeed, the upper and end housings limit the spread of water droplets suspended in the air upwards, as well as forwards and backwards relative to the areas on which the washing and / or disinfection liquid is sprayed by the spray nozzles.

[0017] The upper housings and the end housings thus form means of containment of a water mist that may be produced by the spray nozzles.

[0018] The water mist confined by the housings then condenses on the internal faces of the housings or on the side walls of the installation or vehicle located in the confined space to flow towards the bottom.

[0019] This also allows for water savings, thanks to the concentration of the washing liquid in the confined area, and its recovery by the recovery system.

[0020] According to a preferred feature, the passageway has a width of LP value, and a maximum encroachment width by a vehicle of LME value, and in that the housings have an elongation width of LE value, with LME+2xLE > LP.

[0021] In this way, the effect of minimizing the creation of a fog wall through the installation is optimized.

[0022] According to a preferred design, at least the distal end of the housings, intended to approach or touch the vehicle, is made of deformable material.

[0023] In this way, at least the distal end of the housings can deform when the vehicle comes into contact with this distal end. Thus, the confinement effect is reinforced.

[0024] Indeed, the casings can thus have a length such that the advance of the vehicle on the installation causes the deformation of the characters and thus the formation of a continuous barrier between the casings and the vehicle.

[0025] Preferably, the entire housing assembly is made of deformable material.

[0026] Thus, damage to the vehicle which comes into contact with the casing is avoided, and the ability of the casings to achieve lateral and superior containment during the washing operation is optimized.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment, at least part of the housings take the form of brushes. Preferably, the entire housing takes the form of brushes.

[0028] Such brushes form an economical solution and are particularly suitable for establishing the confinement necessary to avoid the creation of a wall of mist during a vehicle wash.

[0029] Preferably, the recovery system includes at least one receptacle surmounted by at least one grating.

[0030] According to a preferred feature, the recovery system comprises at least two receptacles in the form of a chute extending longitudinally under a wheel path presented from the bottom.

[0031] These channels form collection means extending longitudinally parallel to the areas confined by the housings. In this way, the collection of wash and / or disinfection water is optimized.

[0032] Advantageously, the installation is transportable. Brief description of the drawings

[0033] Other features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent upon reading the following description of various preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of illustrative and non-limiting examples, and the accompanying drawings, among which: • [Fig.1] [Fig.1] is a schematic representation seen from the front of the washing and / or disinfection installation for the undercarriage and wheels of a vehicle; • [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a partial schematic representation, seen from side, of a cross-section passing through a chute of a recovery system of the installation; • [Fig.3] [Fig.3] is a schematic representation of detail III-III illustrated in [Fig.2]. Detailed description

[0034] With reference to [Fig.1], a washing and / or disinfection installation 1 is shown.

[0035] This installation 1 is designed to allow washing and / or disinfection of a vehicle's undercarriage and wheels 2.

[0036] In this case, vehicle 2 shown is a truck.

[0037] Installation 1 comprises: - a background 3; - two side walls 4 extending from the bottom 3.

[0038] The base 3 has a rectangular-shaped rolling surface.

[0039] As will subsequently appear, during a wash, wash water runs off and falls to the bottom 3.

[0040] The bottom 3 is thus provided with a system for recovering the washing and / or disinfection liquid.

[0041] This recovery system includes at least one receptacle 81 surmounted by at least one grating 82.

[0042] According to the present embodiment, the recovery system comprises two receptacles 81, each taking the form of a chute extending longitudinally under a wheel path presented by the bottom 3.

[0043] The two side walls 4 define a passageway for the vehicle 2. This passageway is located above the running surface.

[0044] According to the present embodiment, the side walls 4 extend lengthwise along the entire length of the bottom 3, as can be seen in [Fig.2].

[0045] As can be seen in [Fig.1], the side walls 4 each extend orthogonally, or essentially orthogonally, to the rolling surface presented by the bottom 3.

[0046] This position assumed by the side walls 4 corresponds to a position of use of the installation 1.

[0047] These side walls 4 are advantageously solid, i.e. not perforated.

[0048] As partially shown in [Fig.2], installation 1 also includes an access ramp and an exit ramp from installation 1.

[0049] According to the present embodiment, the installation 1 is transportable.

[0050] Also, each of the ramps is hinged on the bottom 3. This allows to adapt the angle of the ramp to the contours of the ground on which the installation 1 rests. These ramps allow a vehicle 2 to drive onto and then off the base. This also allows the ramps to be folded or stored on the base 3 when the installation 1 is moved.

[0051] Alternatively, the ramps can be mounted removablely on the bottom 3.

[0052] Furthermore, the base 3 is self-supporting. The base 3 can be provided with a base allowing the horizontality of the base 3 to be adapted and adjusted to the terrain on which the base 3 is positioned.

[0053] In addition, the side walls 4 can be mounted to rotate freely on the bottom, between their position orthogonal to the rolling surface presented by the bottom 3, and at least one position tilted towards the bottom 3. The installation also includes means for locking the side walls 4 in their position orthogonal to the rolling surface presented by the bottom 3.

[0054] Folding the side walls 4 onto the bottom 3, and stowing the ramps facilitates the movement of the installation 1, which can for example be moved by being positioned on a truck trailer using a crane.

[0055] As illustrated in [Fig.1], the bottom 3 defines a passage within the passageway defined between the side walls 4. This passage has a maximum encroachment width 10 by a vehicle.

[0056] Indeed, vehicles which have a width greater than the maximum overhang width must be considered as out of size, and must not be mounted on the bottom 3.

[0057] To carry out the washing, the installation 1 further includes spray nozzles 51 of a washing and / or disinfection liquid carried by the two side walls 4 and positioned to spray the washing and / or disinfection liquid towards the underbody and the wheels of the vehicle.

[0058] Of course, the installation 1 also includes means for supplying washing and / or disinfection liquid to the spray nozzles.

[0059] More specifically, the spray nozzles 51 are carried by a pipe 52 forming a spray boom 53.

[0060] Each spray boom extends longitudinally along a side wall 4 which supports it, and vertically on the side wall.

[0061] The piping 52 has at least one connection fitting allowing its fluid connection to the means of supplying washing and / or disinfection liquid.

[0062] The supply means can be formed by a water source, for example a cistern or a water supply network, associated with a pump designed to pressurize the water, as well as a mixer designed to allow the addition of a washing and / or disinfection product.

[0063] With reference to Figures 1 to 3, each side wall 4 carries housings of which: - an upper casing 61; - two end housings 62.

[0064] These housings are of course carried on a face of the side walls 4 oriented towards the passage.

[0065] The upper casing 61 continuously overhangs the spray nozzles 51 and extends vertically in the vicinity of them.

[0066] According to the present embodiment, each side wall 4 has two sets of spray nozzles 51 extending longitudinally along the side wall 4, with one set, referred to as the upper set, extending above the other set, referred to as the lower set. In this case, the upper housing 61 extends vertically in the vicinity of the upper set of spray nozzles 51.

[0067] Preferably, the upper casing 61 extends over the entire length of the side wall 4 which carries it.

[0068] The end housings 62 each extend downwards from one end of the upper housing. In other words, the two end housings 62 and the upper housing 61 supported by a side wall 4 form an inverted U on the inner face of the side wall 4, as can be seen in Figure 4.

[0069] With reference to figures 1 to 3, the housings extend in width orthogonally to the side wall 4.

[0070] According to the present embodiment, the housings are mounted fixed relative to the side walls 4.

[0071] However, it is conceivable that the housings are mounted movably on the side walls 4, between a position of use which would correspond to the position which they assume in figures 1 to 3 and a storage position in which the housings would not or hardly protrude from the side walls 4.

[0072] With reference to Figures 1 and 3: - the passageway features: • a width of LP value; • a maximum width of encroachment by a vehicle of an LME value; - the crankcases each have an elongation width of a value LE; and the following ratio is respected: LME+2xLE > LP.

[0073] According to the present embodiment, at least the distal end of the housings, intended to approach or contact the vehicle, is made of a deformable material. In this case, at least the distal end of the housings takes the form of brushes. This makes it possible to establish at least a partially watertight connection between the housing and a vehicle that comes into contact with the housing.

[0074] According to the present embodiment, the entire housing is made of deformable material.

[0075] Also, the entire housing is formed by brushes.

[0076] By brush, it is understood that there is a grouping of bristles of substantially identical length, held together according to at least one predefined orientation.

[0077] For example, brushes can be made of soft plastic bristles, or rubber.

[0078] The brush bristles are held together by being embedded in a longitudinal element 63. The longitudinal element may be a metal profile crimped onto the bristles. The longitudinal element may also be a block overmolded onto the proximal end of the bristles.

[0079] It is conceivable that the housings may be formed at least partially by other types of materials such as a flexible membrane, for example made of rubber.

[0080] According to a possible hybrid embodiment, the distal end of the housings can be formed by a brush while a proximal part is formed by a flexible rubber membrane.

[0081] With reference to figures 2 and 3, the fixing of the housings is described below.

[0082] According to the present embodiment, the housings are coupled to the piping 52.

[0083] Indeed, the housings are integral with a plurality of mounting plates 71 adopting an L-shaped profile such as that shown in [Fig.3]. This mounting plate is, for example, metallic.

[0084] The mounting plate has a straight part intended to extend parallel to the side wall 4, and a folded part carrying at its distal end one of the housings, in this case the upper housing 61. The straight part of the mounting plate is coupled to the piping by means of flanges which partially surround the piping.

[0085] In this way, the housings are held in position relative to the spray nozzles 51 presented by the piping 52.

[0086] As mentioned previously, it is conceivable that the housings may be mounted movably on the side walls 4. This movable mounting may, for example, take the form of a hinge at the interface between the straight part and the folded part of the mounting plate.

[0087] The use of the installation 1 is described below.

[0088] Initially, the installation is put into the position for use. This is done by placing the base on the ground, deploying the access and exit ramps, and then positioning the side walls 4 in their orthogonal position relative to the running surface presented by the base 3.

[0089] A vehicle can now drive up onto floor 3 using the access ramp.

[0090] The vehicle, for example a road tractor, must be positioned in a substantially central manner in the passage corridor delimited by the side walls 4.

[0091] If the vehicle has a width equal to the maximum overhang width, then the housings at least touch the vehicle if they have their minimum elongation width.

[0092] The spray nozzles can then be supplied with washing and / or disinfecting liquid. Thanks to the at least partial confinement provided by the housings, the suspended liquid particles tend to be better collected and removed, thus preventing the creation of a mist wall.

Claims

Demands

1. Installation (1) for washing and / or disinfecting the undercarriage and wheels of a vehicle (2), in particular a truck, comprising: - two side walls (4) delimiting a passageway for the vehicle;- spray nozzles (61) for a washing and / or disinfection liquid carried by the two side walls (4) and positioned to spray the washing and / or disinfection liquid towards the underbody and wheels of the vehicle, - a base (3) from which the two side walls (4) extend, provided with a system for recovering the washing and / or disinfection liquid, characterized in that each side wall (4) carries: - an upper casing (61) continuously overhanging the spray nozzles and extending vertically in the vicinity of them, - two end casings (62), each extending downwards from one end of the upper casing (61), in that at least the distal end of the casings, intended to approach or touch the vehicle (2), is made of deformable material.;

2. Installation (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the passage corridor has a width of LP value, and a maximum encroachment width by a vehicle of LME value, and in that the housings have an elongation width of LE value, with LME+2xLE > LP.

3. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire housing assembly is made of deformable material.

4. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least a part of the housings takes the form of brushes.

5. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the recovery system 10 includes at least one receptacle (81) surmounted by at least one grating (82).

6. Installation (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the recovery system comprises at least two receptacles (81) taking the form of a chute extending longitudinally under a wheel path presented by the bottom (3).

7. Installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is transportable.

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