Magnetic Applicator Vehicle Washing System

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current railway vehicle cleaning systems consume significant amounts of water and detergent products, necessitating a more efficient washing method.

Innovation Solution

A vehicle body washing system utilizing magnetic applicators and a magnetic field generator to disperse and move washing fluid, which includes a foamed soapy mixture, to effectively clean the vehicle bodywork while minimizing water and detergent usage, featuring a recycling system for applicator separation and reuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of substance

If rotating roller brushes are used to clean railway vehicles, then cleaning function is provided, but water and detergent consumption is significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The washing system divides the cleaning function into discrete magnetic applicators that are dispersed throughout the washing fluid, replacing the single large roller brush with multiple small magnetic cleaning elements that can be distributed across the entire vehicle surface

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces the mechanical rotation of roller brushes with a magnetic field-based propulsion system. Magnetic applicators are moved along the vehicle body by a magnetic field generator, eliminating the need for mechanical rotating components and reducing water consumption associated with traditional brush systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Loss of substance

If rotating roller brushes are used to clean railway vehicles, then cleaning function is provided, but detergent product consumption is significant

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetergent consumptionVSAvoidcleaning efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic applicators are designed to be recovered and reused after washing. The recovery system separates magnetic applicators from the washing fluid using magnetic fields, allowing the same applicators to be reused multiple times, thereby reducing detergent consumption and waste generation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #34Discarding and recovering

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the physical state of the washing fluid to a foamed structure, which increases the concentration of detergent in the foam bubbles while reducing overall fluid volume. This foam-based washing approach reduces detergent consumption compared to traditional liquid detergent systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Loss of substance

If magnetic applicators are used with magnetic field generator, then water and detergent consumption is reduced, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvewater consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The magnetic field generator serves multiple functions: it propels magnetic applicators along the vehicle body, recovers applicators by attracting them back to the system, and controls the movement patterns of applicators. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate mechanical components, actually simplifying the overall system despite the introduction of magnetic fields

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Productivity

If magnetic applicators are used to clean vehicle body, then cleaning efficiency is enhanced, but applicator retrieval and separation requires additional systems

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecleaning efficiencyVSAvoidrecovery system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The recovery system uses magnetic fields instead of mechanical filtration or separation mechanisms. The magnetic field generator attracts magnetic applicators back to the system, providing a simple and efficient retrieval method that does not require complex mechanical separation equipment

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

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 reduces water and detergent consumption, enhances cleaning efficiency by using magnetic applicators to remove dirt without degrading the vehicle surface, and simplifies maintenance through reduced mechanical components and recyclable materials.

Implementation Method 1

a magnetic field generator, suitable for setting the magnetic applicators in motion so that they rub the bodywork

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic field: Magnetic Field

Implementation Method 2

the recovery system comprises a magnetic separation system configured to separate the applicators from a fluid containing the applicators, in particular from a foam

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectMagnetic separation: Magnetic Field

Data Source

PatentEP3424787B1System for washing a vehicle body and associated method
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 ALSTOM TRANSPORT TECH SAS
  • EP3424787B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3424787B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

The invention relates to a car body (8) washing system (4) of a vehicle (6) comprising: - a device for dispersing (20) a washing fluid (22) on the car body (4), the washing fluid (22) comprising magnetic applicators, and - a magnetic field generator (24), suitable for setting the magnetic applicators in motion so that they rub the car body (4).