Heated Wheel Applicator for Touchless Tire Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing wheel and tire cleaning systems in automatic car washes often damage tire coatings and require heated holding tanks, while lacking precise temperature monitoring and efficient heating at the point of application.
Innovation Solution
A touchless heated wheel and tire applicator system with an applicator box containing a heating element and temperature sensor, which heats the cleaning solution at the point of application using a hot water tank and inline pump, and includes a check valve and spray nozzles for precise fluid control and debris reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If brushes and scrubbing implements are used to clean wheels and tires, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but tire coating damage and mechanical complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical brushes and scrubbing implements with a high-pressure spray nozzle system that delivers heated cleaning solution. This substitution eliminates direct mechanical contact with the tire surface, preventing coating damage while maintaining cleaning effectiveness through the combined action of heated solution and pressurized spray.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameters of the cleaning solution by heating it to elevated temperatures before application. This thermal parameter change enhances the cleaning capability of the solution itself, allowing effective cleaning without mechanical abrasion that would damage tire coatings.
2Temperature
If heated holding tanks are used to maintain cleaning solution temperature, then temperature control is improved, but system complexity and energy consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the heating function from a separate holding tank system and integrates it directly into the spray nozzle assembly. This eliminates the need for a large heated holding tank and associated temperature control systems, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining the ability to deliver heated cleaning solution on demand.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the cleaning solution by heating it immediately before application rather than maintaining it hot in a holding tank. This preliminary heating action eliminates the need for continuous heating and temperature maintenance infrastructure, simplifying the system while achieving the same thermal cleaning effect.
3Reliability
If insulated pipes and heating elements are used throughout the system, then freezing prevention is improved, but manufacturing cost and device complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies heating only at the point of application (the spray nozzle) rather than throughout the entire piping system. This localized heating approach prevents freezing where it matters most (at the spray tip) while eliminating the need for expensive insulation and heating elements along the entire pipe run, reducing manufacturing costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the high-pressure spray system itself as the delivery mechanism for heated solution, eliminating the need for separate insulation infrastructure. The pressurized hot water system acts as an intermediary that delivers thermal energy directly to the application point without requiring thermal protection of the transport lines.
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 system effectively cleans wheels and tires without brushes, eliminates the need for heated holding tanks, and accurately monitors and controls the cleaning solution temperature, providing improved cleaning results with reduced solution concentration and operational costs.
Implementation Method 1
The cleaning solution in the tank is heated by a heating element
Implementation Method 2
The cleaning solution supply piping has connected thereto a cleaning solution tank, a check valve
Implementation Method 3
at least one spray nozzle connected thereto, wherein the cleaning solution supply piping has connected thereto a cleaning solution tank
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wheel and tire cleaning apparatus for use in an automatic car wash line, including an applicator box comprised of an outer compartment, the outer compartment defining an open space containing cleaning solution supply and connected to a cleaning solution supply piping and a flow control valve; the cleaning solution supply passing through the outer compartment; the cleaning solution supply piping having at least one spray nozzle connected thereto, wherein the cleaning solution supply piping has connected thereto a cleaning solution tank, a check valve, a bifurcated pipe and at least two spray nozzles, with an inline air diaphragm pump placed between the outer compartment and the check valve; a flow control valve inline with the cleaning solution supply piping; and the applicator box being positionable on the automatic car wash line.