Reversible Suction Steam Lance for Simultaneous Vehicle Cleaning and Drying
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current steam-based vehicle cleaning installations face issues with high electricity consumption, water usage from public networks, lack of effective drying capabilities, and long waiting times for steam generation, while also requiring separate systems for interior and exterior cleaning.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle cleaning installation that integrates a reversible suction or blowing device with a steam generator, allowing simultaneous steam cleaning and air suction or blowing, and features two steam generators of different capacities to reduce waiting time, along with renewable energy sources and rainwater collection for self-sufficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single steam generator is used, then the device complexity is reduced, but the waiting time for steam generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The steam generation system is segmented into two independent steam generators with different capacities. The first steam generator has a smaller capacity and heats up quickly, providing steam during the initial phase. The second steam generator has a larger capacity and takes longer to heat but provides sufficient steam for extended cleaning operations. This segmentation allows the system to reduce waiting time by having a ready-to-use smaller generator while the larger one prepares.
Solution Approach 2:
The second, larger-capacity steam generator is activated in advance and operates in parallel with the first generator. By the time the user needs extensive steam for cleaning, the second generator is already heated and ready to provide sufficient steam output, eliminating the long waiting time that would otherwise be required to heat a single large generator.
2Reliability
If separate systems are used for interior and exterior cleaning, then each system can be optimized, but the device complexity and operational convenience deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A single lance is designed with multi-functionality to perform both interior cleaning (suction mode) and exterior cleaning (blowing mode). The lance incorporates a reversible suction or blowing device that can switch between modes, along with a steam projection system that works in both modes. This universal design allows one device to replace what would traditionally require separate systems for interior vacuuming and exterior steam cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The functions of interior cleaning (suction), exterior cleaning (blowing), and steam projection are merged into a single integrated lance. The lance combines a steam generator connection, a reversible suction/blowing device, and control mechanisms all in one handheld tool, allowing the user to perform multiple cleaning tasks with a single device rather than switching between separate systems.
3Device complexity
If steam is projected without simultaneous drying, then the cleaning process is simplified, but the effectiveness of cleaning deteriorates due to moisture remaining on surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs steam projection and drying simultaneously in a continuous operation. The lance projects steam onto the surface to be cleaned while at the same time the reversible suction or blowing device removes moisture from the surface. This continuous dual action ensures that cleaning and drying occur together, preventing the need for separate operations and eliminating the problem of moisture remaining on surfaces after cleaning.
Solution Approach 2:
The steam projection function and the drying function (suction or blowing) are merged into the same lance operation. Both functions operate simultaneously and concurrently, with the steam being projected onto the surface while moisture is being removed by the suction or blowing action. This merging ensures that cleaning and drying are integrated into a single continuous process.
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
Enables efficient, self-sufficient cleaning and drying of both interior and exterior vehicle surfaces with reduced water and electricity consumption, using renewable energy sources and rainwater, and allows for quick mode changes between cleaning tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a first steam generator (3) connected upstream to said water supply source
Implementation Method 2
the start-up of the boiler of a steam generator in these known installations requires a long heating time
Implementation Method 3
a suction or blowing device (6) adapted to perform air blowing and suction in reverse operating mode at that of blowing
Implementation Method 4
adapted to perform air blowing and suction in reverse operating mode
Implementation Method 5
some of these installations offer a separate suction system from the cleaning station with lance... integrating an electricity generation system such as photovoltaic panels
Implementation Method 6
steam can be used to clean both the interior and exterior of a vehicle
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~5
Figure 6A~8
AI summary
The invention relates to equipment (1) for cleaning vehicles, comprising at least: a water-supply source (2); a first steam generator (3) connected upstream of the water-supply source; a suction or blowing device (6) suitable for blowing air and for sucking in reverse operation mode to the blowing mode; and a cleaning nozzle (5) comprising a first pipe (43, 54) connected to the first steam generator, and a second pipe (60, 61, 55) arranged substantially in parallel with the first pipe and connected to the suction or blowing device, wherein the operation of the suction or blowing device is slaved to the operation of the first steam generator so as to be able to generate a flow of air or suction at the outlet of the second pipe simultaneously with and at a distance from the spray of steam at the outlet of the first pipe.