Shape-Changing Car Wash Spray Arch With Dynamic Nozzle Aiming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing car wash spray systems are limited in their ability to reorient spray nozzles to effectively direct fluids at vehicle surfaces from different angles during a single washing operation, leading to inefficient dirt removal.
Innovation Solution
The car wash spray system features swiveling and rotating conduits with interconnected side and top structures that change angle and shape to adjust nozzle direction and distance as vehicles pass through, utilizing a motor-driven crank arrangement and power actuators to achieve ±30° directional changes and oscillatory movements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If spray nozzles are mounted on a fixed arch structure, then the structural complexity is reduced and ease of manufacture is improved, but the adaptability of spray direction and washing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by making the spray arch structure movable rather than fixed. The side conduits can swivel about vertical axes and the top conduit can swivel about a horizontal axis, allowing the entire arch to change its orientation and shape dynamically during vehicle passage. This enables the spray nozzles to adjust their aiming directions continuously, improving washing effectiveness while maintaining structural simplicity through a unified movable framework.
2Device complexity
If spray nozzles are mounted on a fixed arch structure, then the device complexity is reduced, but the ability to reorient spray direction and improve washing effectiveness deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic movement of the spray arch structure with side conduits swiveling about vertical axes and the top conduit swiveling about a horizontal axis. This dynamic capability allows continuous adjustment of spray directions to track the vehicle, significantly improving washing coverage and productivity without requiring multiple separate nozzle assemblies or complex independent positioning systems for each nozzle.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the positioning functions of multiple nozzles into a single unified movable arch structure. By combining the swiveling mechanisms of side conduits and the top conduit into one integrated system, the patent achieves coordinated movement of all spray nozzles simultaneously, improving productivity while keeping the overall device complexity manageable through shared mechanical components and control.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the arch structure is made movable to adjust nozzle direction, then the adaptability and washing effectiveness are improved, but the device complexity and structural complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent achieves adaptability through dynamic swiveling mechanisms where side conduits rotate about vertical axes and the top conduit rotates about a horizontal axis. This allows the arch structure to continuously adjust its orientation and shape during vehicle passage, providing excellent adaptability to different vehicle positions and sizes while maintaining a relatively simple mechanical implementation through standardized rotary joints and actuation systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A shape-changing spray arch for a “touchless” spray washer for automotive vehicles and the like. A transit frame which can change shape is mounted in a fixed arch frame and connected to an actuator which changes the shape of the side and top spray conduits in a reciprocal fashion as vehicles pass through the arch. In addition, the spray conduits, both side and top conduits, can be twisted or reoriented around their respective longitudinal axes to be aimed more toward an approaching vehicle and then reoriented to be aimed more toward a receding vehicle, the change in angular orientation being effected as the vehicle passes through the arch. These features can be used separately or in combination.