Absorbent Media Elements for Vehicle Wash Drying

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional vehicle wash systems are inefficient in removing excess water, require high energy and space, generate noise, and necessitate manual hand drying, which is labor-intensive and costly.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle wash drying system utilizing rotary brushes with absorbent polyvinyl alcohol media elements that contact the vehicle exterior to absorb and remove water, automated to reduce manual intervention and energy consumption, and designed to operate at lower speeds to prevent damage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If blower assemblies are used to forceably remove moisture, then water removal capability is improved, but noise level increases and energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal capabilityVSAvoidnoise

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical blower system with an absorbent media-based drying system. The media elements absorb water through capillary action and evaporation, eliminating the need for high-velocity air flow and reducing noise generation while maintaining effective water removal capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent media utilizes phase transition from liquid to vapor through evaporation to remove water from the vehicle surface. This natural phase change process replaces the mechanical forcing method, reducing energy consumption and noise while achieving the same drying objective.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #36Phase transitions

2Productivity

If media elements operate at high speeds to increase water removal, then productivity is improved, but vehicle exterior damage risk increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater removal rateVSAvoidvehicle exterior damage

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the operational parameters of the drying system by using absorbent media that works effectively at lower speeds. The high absorption capacity of the media allows sufficient water removal even when the vehicle wash component operates slowly, eliminating the need for high-speed operation and preventing vehicle exterior damage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The use of specially designed absorbent media with high capillary action and evaporation rates provides a composite solution that combines gentle contact with high water removal efficiency, allowing low-speed operation without compromising drying performance.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If conventional media elements are used, then device complexity is reduced, but water absorption capability is insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewater absorption capabilityVSAvoidmedia element structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs porous absorbent media elements that utilize capillary action to draw water from the vehicle surface. The porous structure provides high surface area and absorption capacity, enabling effective water removal while maintaining a relatively simple overall device structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #31Porous materials

Solution Approach 2:

The absorbent media elements are designed to replicate the high absorption properties of natural materials while maintaining a simple geometric form suitable for integration into the vehicle wash component, achieving high productivity without excessive complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The system effectively removes excess water with reduced energy use, eliminates the need for manual drying, decreases operational costs, and minimizes noise, while ensuring vehicle safety by using highly absorbent materials and automated processes.

Implementation Method 1

Each of the plurality of media elements includes a portion consisting of an absorbent polyvinyl alcohol material

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 2

The media elements are typically made from a cloth material and are designed to remove water both by absorption

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS9079566B2Absorbent media element for a vehicle wash component

Publication Date: 2015.07.14 PISTON OPW INC

AI summary

A component for removing water from a vehicle exterior in a vehicle wash process includes a base portion for supporting the component adjacent a path of travel of a vehicle. The base portion is connected to a frame portion and the frame portion is configured to move with respect the vehicle as the vehicle passes the component. The frame portion is in communication with a control mechanism which automatically directed the frame portion to move as the vehicle nears the frame portion to effectuate the removal of water from the vehicle exterior. The frame portion includes a plurality of media elements in communication therewith and configured to contact a vehicle exterior to remove excess water therefrom. At least a portion of each of the plurality of media elements consists of an absorbent polyvinyl alcohol material.