Offset Rack Vehicle Wash Mitter Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle wash mitter curtains often leave untreated areas on vehicles due to gaps between side-by-side units, known as 'skunk stripes', resulting in incomplete coverage.
Innovation Solution
An overhead vehicle wash mitter assembly with a pair of side supports and an overhead structure, featuring a first row of racks with a gap between them, and a second row of racks positioned to cover any untreated areas, ensuring complete coverage by reciprocating in a forward and rearward direction to eliminate gaps.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a pair of side-by-side mitter curtains are used, then the vehicle washing process can be automated and efficient, but a gap or space exists between the units resulting in untreated areas known as skunk stripes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a second row of racks positioned offset from the first row, transitioning from a single-line arrangement to a multi-dimensional configuration. This dimensional change allows the mitter curtains to cover areas that would otherwise be missed by side-by-side units alone, eliminating skunk stripes while maintaining automated washing efficiency
2Area of stationary object
If racks are positioned side-by-side to cover maximum area, then coverage is improved, but gaps still exist between units creating untreated zones
Solution Approach 1:
The washing system is segmented into multiple rows of racks, with the second row positioned to complement the first row. This segmentation allows each row to handle specific zones, ensuring that gaps between side-by-side units are eliminated through the offset arrangement, thereby achieving complete and reliable coverage
Solution Approach 2:
The second row of racks is positioned to overlap with the coverage area of the first row, creating excessive coverage in certain zones. This intentional overlap ensures that no untreated areas remain, as the offset positioning causes the mitter curtains from both rows to cover the same general area from different positions, eliminating skunk stripes
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle washing system includes an overhead car wash mitter assembly. The assembly includes a pair of side support structures and an overhead supporting structure extending between the side support structures. The overhead supporting structure includes a plurality of rows of racks with each row including a left side rack and a right side rack. The left side racks are moveable together and the right side racks are moveable together and independently of the left side racks. A first gap exists between one of the rows of racks. A second gap exists between another of the rows of racks. The first gap and the second gap are offset laterally from one another with respect to the direction of travel of a vehicle to eliminate any break or gap in cleaning coverage.