Vehicle Wash Upper Level Structure for Fluid Delivery
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Solution Overview
Problem
Commercial vehicle wash systems face operational challenges due to packaging limitations and complex fluid line circuits, leading to delayed spray nozzle operation and fluid wastage, as cleaning and drying components are often difficult to configure efficiently within the facility.
Innovation Solution
A vehicle wash facility with an upper level structure that supports fluid reservoirs, fluid line circuits, and electronic circuitry above the cleaning and drying components, featuring a grate-like configuration that hangs from the ceiling, allowing for improved packaging and reduced footprint, with transparent sidewalls for visibility and accessibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If fluid lines extend several meters between reservoir and spray nozzle, then components can be packaged within the bay, but operation is delayed and fluid is wasted
Solution Approach 1:
The patent relocates the fluid reservoir from the ground level bay to an elevated position directly above the spray nozzle. This vertical dimensionality change reduces the fluid line length from several meters to a minimal connection, eliminating fluid wastage while maintaining component packaging within the facility structure.
2Area of stationary object
If cleaning and drying components are densely packaged within the bay, then facility footprint is reduced, but operational complexity and difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes vertical space by positioning the fluid reservoir on an elevated structure above the bay, rather than consuming horizontal space. This allows cleaning and drying components to be densely packaged within the bay footprint while maintaining accessibility and reducing operational complexity through optimized spatial arrangement.
3Productivity
If fluid reservoir is positioned close to spray nozzle, then fluid delivery efficiency is improved, but facility space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent positions the fluid reservoir vertically above the spray nozzle rather than horizontally adjacent to it. This vertical placement achieves close proximity for efficient fluid delivery while utilizing the facility's vertical volume rather than increasing horizontal footprint, thus maintaining compact facility space.
Data Source
AI summary
A vehicle wash facility includes a bay extending between a pair of sidewalls and including at least one cleaning component. An upper level structure is located above the bay and supports a supporting component associated with the cleaning component above the at least one cleaning component. The upper level structure may be configured as a mezzanine structure that hangs from a ceiling of the car wash facility and is in the form of a grate. The upper level structure is stacked above the cleaning area, reducing the overall footprint and providing visibility through the sidewalls to the cleaning area. The upper level structure may be spaced form the sidewalls to define an open space in which cleaning components can move vertically. The cleaning components may be accessible through the upper level structure.