Rotating Wash Hub With Slip Ring Lighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle wash facilities have dark and dirty environments due to densely populated rotary brush components that block light, resulting in low visibility and an unappealing experience for vehicle occupants, and existing lighted arches and signs are ineffective in improving the wash environment or providing brand recognition.
Innovation Solution
A lighted vehicle wash component with a rotatable hub and spaced wash media elements, featuring removable illumination elements positioned between rows, powered by a slip ring assembly to ensure rotation and visibility during the wash process, enhancing aesthetics and brightness within the facility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If densely populated washing elements are used on the hub, then the washing effectiveness is improved, but the visibility and aesthetics are worsened due to blocking light from reaching vehicle occupants
Solution Approach 1:
The washing elements are arranged in multiple spaced-apart rows on the hub rather than being densely populated. This segmentation allows light to pass through the gaps between rows, improving visibility while maintaining washing effectiveness through the distributed arrangement of wash media elements.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighting elements are introduced as an intermediary component between the hub and the vehicle occupant. These lights compensate for the light blocked by the washing elements, ensuring that sufficient illumination reaches the vehicle interior while the washing elements perform their cleaning function.
2Illumination intensity
If lighting elements are added to improve aesthetics and visibility, then the illumination intensity is improved, but the device complexity increases due to additional components and power delivery requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The hub serves multiple functions: it supports the washing elements for cleaning, provides structural mounting for the lighting elements, and acts as a rotating platform that delivers power to the lights through integrated slip rings. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate components and simplifies the overall device.
Solution Approach 2:
Slip rings serve as an intermediary mechanism that enables rotational power delivery to the lighting elements without requiring complex wiring arrangements. This simple electro-mechanical solution allows the lights to rotate with the hub while maintaining continuous electrical connection.
3Productivity
If the hub is densely populated with washing elements, then the washing coverage is improved, but the aesthetics and brand recognition are worsened due to the utilitarian appearance and blocked lights
Solution Approach 1:
The washing elements are segmented into multiple rows with spacing between them, creating a more open and aesthetically pleasing appearance while maintaining comprehensive washing coverage through the distributed arrangement. The spaced rows allow light to pass through, enhancing visibility and aesthetics.
Solution Approach 2:
Lighting elements are added that can illuminate the hub and washing elements, creating visual appeal and brand recognition opportunities. The lights transform the utilitarian appearance into an aesthetically pleasing component that can display branding while maintaining washing effectiveness.
4Ease of repair
If lighting elements are made removable from the hub, then the ease of repair and maintenance is improved, but the reliability may be worsened due to potential connection issues
Solution Approach 1:
The lighting elements are designed with removable mounting that allows them to be easily attached and detached from the hub. This dynamic configuration enables simple replacement and maintenance while the slip ring connection maintains reliable electrical contact during rotation through its self-aligning contact mechanism.
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 solution provides improved aesthetics and enhanced brightness during the wash process, improving the customer experience and facilitating brand recognition by ensuring illumination is visible to vehicle occupants, addressing the limitations of current wash configurations.
Implementation Method 1
a slip ring assembly in communication with the hub portion to allow the plurality of lighting elements to rotate about the axis of rotation as the hub portion rotates
Data Source
AI summary
The lighted vehicle wash component includes a frame portion and a drive mechanism supported by the frame portion. The component also includes a rotatable hub portion supported by the frame portion. The hub portion is in communication with the drive mechanism to effectuate its rotation about an axis of rotation. The component includes a plurality of wash media elements engageable with the hub portion and which are configured to engage a vehicle surface as the hub portion rotates. The plurality of wash media elements are arranged on the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows. The component includes a plurality of lighting elements removeably engaging the hub portion. The lighting elements are disposed in an open area defined between each of the plurality of spaced apart rows. A slip ring assembly is in communication with the hub portion to allow the plurality of lighting elements to rotate about the axis of rotation as the hub portion rotates.