Segmented Vehicle Washing Roller for Contour-Adaptive Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing vehicle washing devices struggle to adapt to vehicles with different contours, leading to inadequate cleaning and increased production and maintenance costs due to complex and costly designs.
Innovation Solution
A washing device with axially divided segments, each equipped with a washing element holding body that can be rotated and pivoted relative to the shaft, allowing for adjustable distance and improved contour adaptation using a transmission device that converts rotary movement into rotational and pivoting motion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the shaft is equipped with a joint to adapt to vehicle contours, then the washing device can accommodate different vehicle shapes, but washing elements are omitted in the joint area and cleaning is inadequate
Solution Approach 1:
The washing device is divided into multiple washing device segments (first, second, third segments) that can be independently positioned and equipped with washing elements. Each segment can be adjusted to cover different areas including the joint region, ensuring complete coverage without gaps.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing device segments are designed with adjustable positions relative to the shaft, allowing dynamic reconfiguration to match different vehicle contours. The segments can be moved axially and radially to maintain optimal cleaning contact across varying vehicle geometries.
2Adaptability or versatility
If bearings are provided on both sides of the shaft to maintain angled position, then the shaft can be positioned at different angles, but material and manufacturing costs increase considerably
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using complex bearings on both sides of the shaft, the system segments the washing device into adjustable modules. Each segment can be independently positioned using simpler mechanical means, reducing the need for expensive dual-sided bearing arrangements while maintaining positioning flexibility.
Solution Approach 2:
The washing device segments are designed to perform multiple functions: they provide washing capability, enable contour adaptation, and serve as positioning elements themselves. This eliminates the need for separate bearing systems dedicated solely to positioning, thereby reducing manufacturing costs.
3Adaptability or versatility
If different washing elements are installed for different axial sections to achieve contour adaptation, then cleaning of various vehicle shapes is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The washing device is segmented into multiple sections that can be independently adjusted in position and orientation. By using identical or standardized washing elements on these segments, the system achieves contour adaptation through geometric configuration rather than through customized components, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity and cost.
Solution Approach 2:
The segments are designed to be dynamically adjustable in their positions relative to the shaft, allowing the same washing elements to serve different functional roles depending on their configured position. This dynamic reconfigurability replaces the need for different washing elements designed for specific axial sections.
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 versatile adaptation to various vehicle contours, ensuring effective cleaning while simplifying the structure and reducing manufacturing costs by using identical segments and a compact, protected transmission device.
Implementation Method 1
The gear unit is provided to convert a rotary motion of the shaft into a rotary motion of the washing element holder. In addition, the gear unit allows the washing element holder to pivot relative to the shaft in the driven rotary state.
Implementation Method 2
The drive of the washing element holder is eccentric, with the washing device segment axis and the axis of rotation defined by the shaft being different from each other.
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to a washing device for a vehicle washing system, which washing device comprises a shaft that can be driven to rotate about an axis of rotation and washing elements that are operatively connected to it for cleaning a vehicle.To provide such a washing device, which allows adaptation to the contour of a vehicle in order to achieve better cleaning, it is proposed according to the invention that the washing device is axially divided into two or more washing device segments and that at least one washing device segment has a washing element holder body with washing elements held thereon, which defines a washing device segment axis different from the axis of rotation, as well as a gear mechanism that couples the shaft to the washing element holder body in order to rotate it about the washing device segment axis, wherein the washing element holder body is designed to be pivotable relative to the shaft via the gear mechanism. The invention also relates to a vehicle washing system with a washing device.