Vehicle Washing Liquid Collection Layout Without Driving Onto a Mat

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional car wash methods at non-designated locations are inconvenient and environmentally unsuitable due to the need to drive onto car wash mats, requiring key handovers and lacking efficient liquid collection systems, making professional car washes impractical and inconvenient for both customers and service providers.

Innovation Solution

A liquid collection arrangement comprising multiple collection portions that can be mounted around a vehicle without moving it, featuring connectable parts, attachment to tires and wheel arches, and a suction device connection for efficient liquid discharge, allowing for convenient and environmentally friendly washing at various locations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a car wash mat is used to collect washing liquid, then liquid collection is achieved, but the vehicle must be driven onto the mat which requires key handover and reduces convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveliquid collection capabilityVSAvoidconvenience of vehicle access
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The liquid collection arrangement is divided into multiple separate collection portions (front, rear, left side, right side) that can be independently positioned around the vehicle. This segmentation allows the system to collect liquid effectively while eliminating the need for the vehicle to be driven onto a single mat, as each portion can be placed on the ground around the stationary vehicle.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid collection portions act as intermediaries between the washing liquid and the ground, capturing the liquid as it runs off the vehicle without requiring direct contact between the vehicle and a large mat. This intermediary approach allows liquid collection while maintaining vehicle accessibility and eliminating key handover requirements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple liquid collection portions are arranged around the vehicle, then complete liquid collection is achieved, but mounting complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecompleteness of liquid collectionVSAvoidmounting arrangement complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The collection system is segmented into four independent portions that can be mounted separately around the vehicle, simplifying the overall mounting process compared to installing a single large complex system. Each portion can be independently positioned and secured.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The liquid collection portions are designed with flexible and adaptable mounting capabilities, allowing them to be dynamically positioned around different vehicle types and sizes. The portions can be adjusted and secured in various configurations to suit different mounting scenarios.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP4263299B1Liquid collection arrangement for collecting washing liquid and method of mounting the liquid collection arrangement
Publication Date: 2024.11.06 LAZY CAR WASH OY
  • EP4263299B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4263299B1 patent drawingFigure 3~6

AI summary

The liquid collection arrangement for collecting washing liquid that is used for washing the exterior of a four-wheeled vehicle (10) comprises first and second liquid collection portions (1, 2) that can be arranged on the sides of the vehicle (10) for collecting washing liquid running along the sides of the vehicle (10) and third and fourth liquid collection portions (3, 4) that can be arranged in front of and behind the vehicle (10) for collecting washing liquid running along the front and the rear of the vehicle (10), the liquid collection arrangement having a mounting mode, in which mode the liquid collection portions (1, 2, 3, 4) can be arranged around the vehicle (10) without moving the vehicle (10), and a use mode, in which mode the liquid collection portions (1, 2, 3, 4) surround the vehicle (10).