Flat-Jet Nozzle Matrix for Vehicle Drying Energy Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional vehicle washing systems require significant energy to achieve an acceptable drying result due to the need for large volume flows of drying air, which increases energy consumption.
Innovation Solution
The use of flat-jet nozzles arranged at a distance on a nozzle support device, providing a fan-shaped air flow that spreads out as it travels, allowing for efficient coverage of a larger vehicle surface area with reduced energy expenditure, and an adjustable system that ensures overlapping air streams to prevent undried areas.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional nozzles (slit-shaped or shaft-shaped) are used to provide sufficient drying air volume flow, then acceptable drying results are achieved, but energy consumption increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The drying system is divided into multiple flat-jet nozzles arranged in a matrix pattern, each nozzle providing a localized fan-shaped air flow. This segmentation allows the total drying task to be distributed across multiple smaller air streams, reducing the energy required per nozzle while maintaining overall drying effectiveness through cumulative coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from conventional single-direction or linear air flows to two-dimensional fan-shaped air flows that spread out in a plane. This dimensional change allows each nozzle to cover a broader area perpendicular to the flow direction, increasing drying efficiency without proportionally increasing energy consumption.
2Area of stationary object
If multiple separate nozzles are used to cover larger vehicle surfaces, then drying coverage is improved, but device complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple flat-jet nozzles are merged into a coordinated system where their fan-shaped air flows overlap and complement each other. The nozzles are arranged in a matrix pattern with specific spacing that allows their air streams to work together as a unified drying field, covering large vehicle surfaces without requiring individually complex nozzle designs or control systems.
Solution Approach 2:
Each flat-jet nozzle is designed with a specific fan-shaped flow pattern optimized for its local position in the matrix. The nozzles are arranged and oriented to provide locally appropriate air flow directions that collectively cover the entire vehicle surface, with each nozzle contributing its specific local drying function to the overall system performance.
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
This solution reduces energy consumption by providing effective drying coverage with overlapping air streams, ensuring no areas remain undried and allowing for faster drying processes with potentially lower overall treatment time.
Implementation Method 1
flat-jet nozzles, each of which provides an air flow that spreads out in a fan shape
Implementation Method 2
drying device for drying a motor vehicle... used in the vehicle washing system after a washing process in order to dry the vehicle using an air stream
Data Source
Figure 1~3
Figure 2
Figure 4~5
AI summary
The invention relates to a vehicle washing system, comprising a drying apparatus (50) for drying a motor vehicle (18), which is held against a holding device (38) in the vehicle washing system (10) and has a nozzle support apparatus (52, 90); at least one blower (72) and a plurality of nozzles (64), which are mounted at a distance (66) from each other on the nozzle support apparatus (52, 90) and which are supplied with drying air from at least one blower (72), the nozzles (64) being flat jet nozzles (64) which each provide a fan-shaped diverging air stream.