Vehicle Wash Mixing Apparatus Preventing Detergent Caking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Vehicle washing systems face challenges in achieving proper dilution and saturation of powder detergents without active mixing, leading to potential hardening and manual labor issues when systems are inactive, especially in touchless or automatic car washes.
Innovation Solution
A mixing apparatus that uses a container with a supply device and conduits to automatically mix an aqueous solution with an additive, ensuring proper dilution and distribution, preventing caking through turbulation and pressure injection, allowing for continuous operation without manual intervention.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If powder detergent is stored in undiluted form without active mixing, then storage stability and ease of shipping are improved, but the detergent may harden into unusable segments when not mixed for extended periods
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary mixing action by introducing aqueous solution to both top and bottom portions of the additive before any hardening can occur. The mixing apparatus is pre-configured with injection inlets at different heights to ensure proactive distribution of liquid throughout the powder mass, preventing caking before it starts.
Solution Approach 2:
An aqueous solution acts as an intermediary substance that facilitates mixing without requiring direct mechanical contact with the powder. The liquid medium naturally distributes throughout the additive, carrying mixing action to all portions including the bottom, thereby preventing hardening through chemical-wetting rather than mechanical-stirring.
2Manufacturing precision
If aqueous solution is introduced for extended periods to prevent hardening, then mixing effectiveness is improved, but system inactivity and operational interruptions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic rather than continuous aqueous solution introduction. The control mechanism activates the supply device at scheduled intervals to introduce fresh solution that redistributes throughout the additive, maintaining mixing effectiveness without requiring constant operation. This periodic refresh prevents hardening while minimizing system inactivity time.
Solution Approach 2:
The mixing apparatus is designed to maintain itself through automatic periodic mixing without external intervention. The control mechanism autonomously determines when mixing is needed and activates the supply device accordingly, allowing the system to service itself and maintain chemical equilibrium without operator attention or prolonged inactivity.
3Device complexity
If powder detergent is mixed without assistance from mixing apparatus, then device complexity is reduced, but achieving proper equilibrium without guidelines is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The mixing apparatus performs self-service by automatically controlling the mixing process without requiring operator expertise or adherence to complex guidelines. The control mechanism internally manages the timing and quantity of aqueous solution introduction, ensuring proper equilibrium is achieved through automated feedback rather than manual judgment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically adjusts critical mixing parameters such as aqueous solution flow rate, introduction timing, and distribution pressure without operator intervention. The control mechanism monitors and modifies these parameters in real-time to maintain optimal mixing conditions, eliminating the need for operators to manually calculate or adjust settings based on complex guidelines.
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 apparatus maintains a washing solution at chemical equilibrium, preventing caking and allowing for uninterrupted vehicle washing system operation, even during extended periods of inactivity, by ensuring consistent mixing and distribution of detergents.
Implementation Method 1
The one or more conduits include one or more injection inlets for supplying the aqueous solution under pressure to dilute an additive placed in the container with the aqueous solution to create the cleaning solution
Implementation Method 2
provide a mixing apparatus which would introduce the aqueous solution to top and bottom portions of the additive to prevent caking of the additive and maintain the equilibrium of the washing solution
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus configured for mixing and distributing a cleaning solution for use in a vehicle washing system. A container includes a cavity configured to receive the cleaning solution. A supply device for providing an aqueous solution includes a control mechanism for determining the level of aqueous solution in the container. One or more conduits in fluid communication with the supply device supply the aqueous solution to the container. A distribution device in communication with the cavity of the container is configured to remove the aqueous solution from the container for distribution to the vehicle washing system. The one or more conduits include one or more injection inlets for supplying the aqueous solution under pressure to dilute an additive placed in the container with the aqueous solution to create the cleaning solution.