Oval Wash Tool Holder to Prevent Bay Obstruction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing recording devices for self-service car washes often hinder users by protruding handles, restricting vehicle access and movement within the washing area.

Innovation Solution

A recording device with an oval cross-section that allows the washing tool to be inserted aligned with the transverse direction of the washing area, preventing the handle from protruding into the washing area, and featuring a guide surface and tapering design to facilitate easy insertion and stable positioning.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the receiving device is designed as a cylindrical container, then the dispensing device can be stored after use, but the handle protrudes into the washing area causing obstruction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage functionVSAvoidvehicle access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The receiving device is designed with an oval cross-section instead of a cylindrical shape. This curvature modification allows the washing tool to be inserted in a specific orientation (aligned with the transverse direction) where the handle does not protrude into the washing area, while still providing effective storage functionality.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Quantity of substance

If the receiving device is designed as a cubic container, then multiple dispensers can be stored, but the structure becomes complex and space-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage capacityVSAvoidstructural complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The oval cross-section provides a streamlined, space-efficient design that is simpler than a cubic structure while still accommodating the washing tool effectively. The curved geometry naturally optimizes space usage without requiring complex internal structures or multiple compartments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Ease of operation

If the receiving device is positioned to allow free vehicle movement, then users can drive in and out easily, but the handle may still protrude into the washing area

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevehicle movementVSAvoidhandle obstruction
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The oval cross-section design ensures that when the receiving device is positioned at the edge area with the longitudinal direction parallel to the washing area's longitudinal direction, the inserted washing tool's handle aligns with the transverse direction and does not protrude into the washing area. This eliminates handle obstruction while maintaining easy vehicle access and movement.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentEP2613684B1Receiving device for a dispensing device for cleaning liquid
Publication Date: 2019.04.03 ALFRED KARCHER SE & CO KG
  • EP2613684B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2613684B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP2613684B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The invention relates to a receiving device (10) for a dispensing device (22) for cleaning liquid, which has a stem (56) and, mounted on the end of the latter, a wash tool (58), wherein the receiving device (10) has a receiving space (20) delimited laterally by a wall (28) and receiving at least a part of the dispensing device (22), and wherein the wall (28) forms, at the top, an edge (26) that defines an insertion opening (24), through which insertion opening (24) the dispensing device (22) can be inserted into the receiving space (20). To make available a receiving device (10) of this kind which, when used at a wash station (76), affords the user a more user-friendly use of the wash station (76), it is proposed, according to the invention, that the receiving space (20) has at least in part an oval cross section, with respect to a horizontal plane, wherein the clear distance of the receiving space (20) along a horizontal first spatial direction (38) is greater than the clear distance of the receiving space (20) along a horizontal second spatial direction (40) oriented transversely with respect to the first spatial direction (38).