Modular Undercarriage Sprayer with Rollable Nozzle Blocks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle undercarriage sprayers are not portable and often damage the water supply or disrupt water pressure when used, making frequent cleaning expensive and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A modular, portable undercarriage sprayer with aligned nozzle blocks, flexible connectors, and protective ramp surfaces that can be easily rolled for storage and driven over without losing water pressure, featuring adjustable nozzle caps and modular sections for customizable width.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a permanent undercarriage sprayer is installed in a static carwash, then the vehicle undercarriage can be cleaned effectively, but the device is not portable and requires repeated visits to expensive facilities
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer is divided into multiple separate nozzle blocks that can be individually positioned and connected, allowing the system to be assembled in different configurations and easily moved between locations without permanent installation
Solution Approach 2:
The nozzle blocks are designed to be movable and reconfigurable rather than fixed, enabling the sprayer to adapt to different vehicle sizes and be easily deployed or stored as needed
2Ease of operation
If home versions of undercarriage sprayers are used, then portability is achieved, but the water supply is damaged or water pressure is disrupted when driven over
Solution Approach 1:
The nozzle blocks are designed with sufficient height and structural strength to withstand vehicle weight before any damage can occur, preventing crushing of the water supply components during normal use
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible connector between nozzle blocks is designed to accommodate vehicle passage without transmitting crushing forces to the water supply, allowing the connector to flex while maintaining fluid communication
3Productivity
If nozzle blocks are positioned close together for effective spraying, then cleaning coverage is improved, but the device cannot be rolled or folded for storage
Solution Approach 1:
The sprayer is divided into separate nozzle blocks connected by flexible connectors, allowing the system to be folded or rolled into a compact configuration for storage while maintaining the ability to spread out for effective cleaning coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The distance between nozzle blocks can be dynamically adjusted - positioned close together during operation for maximum coverage, and folded or rolled close together during storage for portability
Data Source
AI summary
An undercarriage sprayer includes a plurality of nozzle blocks aligned side-by-side, where each of the nozzle blocks includes a lateral channel therethrough and an upward-facing nozzle cap. A conduit extends between each of the lateral channels in fluid communication with each of the nozzle caps. The nozzle blocks prevent the water supply from being crushed when driving a vehicle over the undercarriage sprayer. Additionally, the nozzle blocks may be connected such that the undercarriage sprayer can be folded or rolled on itself.