Rotary Drying Wheel Assembly for Side Mirror Coverage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle cleaning systems struggle to effectively dry the side mirrors and side windows of vehicles due to their angled inward positioning, which prevents cleaning materials from reaching these areas, and often remove moisture in the wrong direction, failing to efficiently dry these surfaces.
Innovation Solution
A rotary drying wheel assembly with non-uniformly sized drying elements and a control system that adjusts rotation direction and height to accommodate vehicle position and shape, allowing for effective drying of side mirrors and side windows by momentarily reversing rotation and monitoring vehicle position and height.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a horizontal rotary drying assembly is used, then the vehicle hood, roof, and trunk can be dried effectively, but the side mirrors and side windows cannot be reached due to the angled inward positioning of these surfaces
Solution Approach 1:
The drying assembly is divided into multiple drying elements (first drying element, second drying element, third drying element) with different radial extensions. Each element is positioned at different angular locations around the rotary axis, allowing different segments to target different vehicle surfaces including side mirrors and side windows during rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The drying elements are positioned asymmetrically around the rotary axis rather than uniformly distributed. The first drying element extends further radially than the second and third elements, creating an asymmetric configuration that allows the extended portion to reach the angled side mirror surfaces while other elements handle different vehicle areas.
2Productivity
If the cleaning material rotates towards the back of the vehicle, then moisture is removed from the vehicle surface, but the interior area of side mirrors and adjacent side windows cannot be reached
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary drying assembly can reverse its rotation direction. During normal operation, it rotates in a first direction to dry the vehicle surface. When side mirrors are detected, it reverses to rotate in a second opposite direction, allowing the drying elements to reach the interior surfaces of side mirrors that are inaccessible during forward rotation.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotation direction of the drying assembly is made dynamic rather than fixed. The control system adjusts the rotation direction based on real-time detection of vehicle position and side mirror location, switching between first direction for general drying and second direction for accessing side mirror interiors.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a separate apparatus is added to clean side mirrors, then side mirror drying capability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The rotary drying assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: drying the vehicle hood, roof, trunk, side windows, and side mirrors all with the same assembly. The drying elements can reach different vehicle surfaces by adjusting rotation direction and utilizing different radial extensions, eliminating the need for separate side mirror drying apparatus.
Solution Approach 2:
The side mirror drying function is merged into the main rotary drying assembly rather than being a separate device. The first drying element with its extended radial portion is integrated into the existing rotary structure, allowing it to perform both general vehicle drying and specialized side mirror drying in a single unified system.
4Productivity
If the drying assembly rotates continuously, then productivity is maintained, but damage to the vehicle and drying system may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The drying assembly operates with periodic interruptions rather than continuous rotation. The control system pauses rotation at specific intervals to detect vehicle position and side mirror location, then adjusts rotation direction or stops briefly before continuing, preventing damage while maintaining overall productivity through efficient periodic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
A control system with sensors provides feedback about vehicle position, height, and side mirror location to the rotary drying assembly. This feedback allows the system to adjust rotation direction, speed, or pause operation when side mirrors are detected, preventing damage to both the vehicle and drying system while maintaining productive operation during safe conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle drying system and method is adapted for use in an automated carwash and includes a rotary drying wheel assembly defining a wheel axis and having disc shaped drying elements including outer and inner elements where the outer elements have a larger diameter than the inner drying elements thus allowing for better drying the sides of a vehicle including side mirrors of the vehicle when the rotary drying wheel assembly is in a horizontal orientation. The system and method may further include a control system adapted to control movement of the rotary drying wheel assembly including rotation of the drying wheel assembly in a first direction and a second direction opposite of the first direction for purpose of better reaching into and drying inward angled side mirrors of the vehicle. The control system may further include a sensor for detecting the position of the vehicle and the vehicle's height.