Tapered Wheel Guide Bumper for Vehicle Wash Track
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wheel guide devices in vehicle wash systems can cause damage to vehicles due to metal components contacting the wheels or suspension, and soft materials used to avoid damage are difficult to install and may not provide adequate protection.
Innovation Solution
A wheel guide device with a support frame, brackets, and bumpers featuring a tapered cross-sectional shape to minimize contact with vehicle components, using a mounting portion and a wheel-contacting portion that extends upwardly and laterally toward the track center line, reducing friction and the risk of damage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If metal components are used in wheel guide devices, then structural strength and durability are improved, but vehicle damage risk increases due to contact with wheels or suspension
Solution Approach 1:
The wheel guide device is segmented into a metal support frame/bracket structure and a separate soft bumper component. The metal bracket provides structural strength and mounting capability, while the soft bumper (made of rubber, plastic, or foam) contacts the wheel to prevent damage. This segmentation allows each component to fulfill its specific function without the drawbacks of using a single material for both purposes.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If soft materials are used for wheel-contacting components, then vehicle damage is avoided, but installation difficulty increases and mounting on metal components may still cause damage
Solution Approach 1:
The soft bumper is nested within or mounted on the metal bracket structure, with the bumper's mounting portion received in a channel of the bracket. This nested configuration allows the soft bumper to be securely mounted while maintaining ease of installation through the channel-received design, and ensures that only the soft material contacts the wheel to prevent damage.
3Reliability
If wheel guide components are positioned closer to the track center line, then wheel guidance effectiveness is improved, but contact with suspension or body components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The bracket is designed with flanges extending upwardly at an angle toward the track center line, creating a localized guiding surface that directs wheels without requiring the entire component structure to be positioned close to the center line. The bumper contacts the wheel at a specific localized point, providing guidance effectiveness while the angled flange configuration prevents contact with suspension or body components by creating proper clearance geometry.
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 effectively guides wheels along the track without causing damage to vehicles, maintaining them on the intended path while minimizing friction and wear, thus ensuring safe and efficient vehicle wash operations.
Implementation Method 1
the wheel-contacting portion having a tapered cross-sectional shape
Data Source
AI summary
A device for guiding a wheel along a track of a vehicle wash, comprises a support frame, a bracket and a bumper. The bracket is positioned adjacent to the track and has flanges extending upwardly and toward the center of the track defining a channel. The bumper has a mounting portion received in the channel and a wheel contacting portion with a tapered bearing surface. The mounting portion is received in the channel so that the tapered bearing surface extends at an angle upwardly and toward the center of the track.