Reverse-Flow Dryer Inlet Assembly for Quieter Car Wash Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional car wash dryers generate high noise levels and intake excessive moisture, damaging internal components and reducing drying efficiency, while also posing a risk to human hearing and occupying large spaces.
Innovation Solution
A car wash dryer inlet assembly with a 'reverse flow' configuration, where air is drawn and expelled from the same side, utilizing a housing with an inlet and outlet opening, a curved airflow path, and a conical element to direct airflow, reducing noise and moisture intake while minimizing static drag and space requirements.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If traditional car wash dryers draw air from one side and expel it through the other side, then the drying function is provided, but the sound levels become very loud on both sides of the blower
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional airflow configuration by having the dryer draw air from the same side it expels air through the reverse flow inlet assembly. This reversal of the conventional one-sided intake to same-sided intake/expel configuration redirects noise away from the vehicle interior while maintaining effective drying function.
2Reliability
If typical carwash dryers draw air from the rear of the unit, then the drying function is provided, but the air drawn in has a high moisture content that may damage internal components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the traditional rear-intake configuration by positioning the inlet assembly to draw air from the front or side of the dryer unit rather than from the rear. This reversal changes the air intake location to avoid the moisture-laden environment created by the wash section, thereby protecting internal components from moisture damage while maintaining effective drying function.
3Area of stationary object
If typical carwash dryer units are relatively long to draw air from one side and push it out through turbines, then the drying function is provided, but they take up a large amount of space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the air intake and exhaust functions into the same side of the dryer unit through the reverse flow inlet assembly. This consolidation of functions that were traditionally separated (intake on one side, exhaust on the other) into a single-location configuration reduces the overall length and space requirements of the dryer while maintaining effective drying performance.
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 reverse flow configuration significantly reduces noise levels, protects internal components from moisture damage, enhances drying efficiency, and decreases the overall length and space needed for the dryer units, making them safer and more efficient.
Implementation Method 1
a curved portion transitioning to an outlet path for directing airflow from the inlet opening to the outlet opening
Implementation Method 2
Disposed near a second end of the housing is a conical element for further directing airflow therethrough
Data Source
AI summary
Car wash dryer apparatuses, namely car wash dryer inlet have a “reverse flow” in that the apparatuses allows a car wash dryer to pull air from the same side of the dryer apparatus to which it expels air. Such a configuration reduces sound levels of the car wash dryer without adding significant static drag. Moreover, such a configuration reduces moisture intake in wet environments, which protects internal components of the dryer apparatus.