Tire Treatment Device with Dynamic Pivot and Shock Absorption
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tire treatment systems in car washes are not tolerant of vehicle misalignment and off-center entry, leading to poor treatment results and potential equipment damage in conveyorless drive-through car washes.
Innovation Solution
The introduction of an additional pivot joint in the parallelogram arms supporting the treatment device allows for dynamic reorientation of the treatment device to match the vehicle's alignment, combined with outwardly angled vehicle entry guides and resilient cylinders to absorb shock and ensure proper contact with the tires, accommodating misalignments and varying track dimensions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a fixed support system is used for the treatment device, then the device maintains stable alignment during treatment, but it cannot tolerate vehicle misalignment or off-center entry
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the dynamics principle by replacing the fixed support system with a dynamic parallelogram arm mechanism that allows angular reorientation. The treatment device can now adjust its orientation dynamically to accommodate misaligned vehicles while maintaining stable contact during treatment, resolving the contradiction between alignment stability and misalignment tolerance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the angular parameter of the support system by introducing pivot joints in the parallelogram arms. This allows the treatment device to change its orientation angle dynamically, enabling it to adapt to various vehicle positions and alignments while maintaining treatment effectiveness.
2Manufacturing precision
If the treatment device is made rigid to maintain precise alignment, then treatment precision is improved, but shock forces from vehicle entry cause equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by incorporating resilient cylinders into the parallelogram arm mechanism. These cushions absorb shock forces from vehicle entry before they can damage the equipment, while the rigid treatment device itself maintains treatment precision through the parallelogram geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the support system dynamic through pivot joints and resilient elements, allowing it to absorb shocks and adapt to vehicle positioning variations. This dynamic support maintains treatment device stability and precision while protecting against impact damage.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the support system allows angular reorientation to accommodate misaligned vehicles, then adaptability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the support system into modular parallelogram arms with pivot joints, allowing angular reorientation while maintaining overall structural simplicity. Each segment can independently adjust, providing adaptability without requiring a completely complex reconfiguration system.
Solution Approach 2:
The parallelogram arm mechanism serves multiple functions: it provides structural support, enables angular reorientation for misalignment tolerance, and incorporates shock absorption. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components, managing device complexity while enhancing adaptability.
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 system effectively tolerates significant misalignments and off-center conditions, ensuring consistent and safe treatment of vehicles with different axle dimensions, preventing damage and ensuring perfect contact with tire sidewalls during the treatment process.
Implementation Method 1
cylinders which are resilient in nature and which serve to cushion or absorb any shock forces which may be generated when the leading edge of the tires of a vehicle first contact the tire guides
Data Source
AI summary
A tire dressing applicator station for use in car wash installations wherein the applicators are tolerant of large degrees of vehicle misalignment, misorientation and entry contact shock. In each applicator structure, an additional pivot or “knuckle” is placed in one of two support arms which are pivotally connected between floor anchors and an elongate mounting carriage to which the dressing applicator elements are attached. Flared tire guides are located on the entry ends of the applicator structures to make contact with the tires of approaching vehicles whereby one or both of the two applicator structures is/are reoriented as necessary to accommodate the actual location of the vehicle, whether it be on the intended path of travel or off to one side and/or angularly misoriented relative to die intended path of vehicle travel.