A mobile cleaning system has a mobile unit allowing for movement of the cleaning system to and around a static vehicle for cleaning, a main cleaning assembly for applying cleaning fluids to a surface of the static vehicle and for scrubbing the surface of the static vehicle (where the cleaning assembly has the ability to pivot, rotate, and/or tilt for various cleaning purposes), a self-contained fluid supply system providing the cleaning fluids used by the cleaning assembly, and a operator control assembly allowing an operator to ride the mobile unit and selectively operate the components of the cleaning system.

A mobile cleaning system has a mobile unit allowing for movement of the cleaning system to and around a static vehicle for cleaning, a main cleaning assembly for applying cleaning fluids to a surface of the static vehicle and for scrubbing the surface of the static vehicle (where the cleaning assembly has the ability to pivot, rotate, and/or tilt for various cleaning purposes), a self-contained fluid supply system providing the cleaning fluids used by the cleaning assembly, and a operator control assembly allowing an operator to ride the mobile unit and selectively operate the components of the cleaning system.

A vehicle drying assembly has a frame defining a path for movement of a vehicle through the drying assembly and a side brush rotatable about a generally horizontal axis. The side brush includes brush segments that extend radially from the axis to contact a side of the vehicle in a direction generally normal to the path, as the first side brush rotates about its generally horizontal axis. The side brush is mounted at a defined height above the ground and at a distance relative to the vehicle along the path, so as to define a no-contact region on the side of the vehicle in which the side brush does not contact the vehicle as the side brush rotates and the vehicle moves through the drying assembly.

A vehicle drying assembly has a frame defining a path for movement of a vehicle through the drying assembly and a side brush rotatable about a generally horizontal axis. The side brush includes brush segments that extend radially from the axis to contact a side of the vehicle in a direction generally normal to the path, as the first side brush rotates about its generally horizontal axis. The side brush is mounted at a defined height above the ground and at a distance relative to the vehicle along the path, so as to define a no-contact region on the side of the vehicle in which the side brush does not contact the vehicle as the side brush rotates and the vehicle moves through the drying assembly.

A wash equipment assembly for a car wash and method of operating the equipment are described. For example, the assembly includes a cleaning element configured to clean a vehicle, an arm assembly operably attached to the cleaning element and configured to move the cleaning element to a vehicle cleaning position, the arm movably fixed to a support at a first end and the cleaning element mounted on the arm at a second end, a controlled locator for positioning the arm relative to the support such that the cleaning equipment is moved to the vehicle cleaning position, and a sensor for evaluating an actual orientation of the cleaning element relative to a default orientation of the cleaning element. In certain implementations, the controlled locator can modify the position of the arm in response to a signal from the sensor, thereby providing a closed loop control system.

A wash equipment assembly for a car wash and method of operating the equipment are described. For example, the assembly includes a cleaning element configured to clean a vehicle, an arm assembly operably attached to the cleaning element and configured to move the cleaning element to a vehicle cleaning position, the arm movably fixed to a support at a first end and the cleaning element mounted on the arm at a second end, a controlled locator for positioning the arm relative to the support such that the cleaning equipment is moved to the vehicle cleaning position, and a sensor for evaluating an actual orientation of the cleaning element relative to a default orientation of the cleaning element. In certain implementations, the controlled locator can modify the position of the arm in response to a signal from the sensor, thereby providing a closed loop control system.

A quick-change surface panel for a carwash, and a system for using a quick-change surface panel for a carwash are disclosed. The surface panel is an annular piece of flexible hygroscopic material. The surface panel is partitioned from its outer diameter inward towards the inner diameter, creating a plurality of radially-arranged wash elements. The radially-arranged wash elements terminate at a common center. A two-piece collar attaches each quick-change surface panel to a rotational hub. A spacer is positioned between each quick-change surface panel.

A quick-change surface panel for a carwash, and a system for using a quick-change surface panel for a carwash are disclosed. The surface panel is an annular piece of flexible hygroscopic material. The surface panel is partitioned from its outer diameter inward towards the inner diameter, creating a plurality of radially-arranged wash elements. The radially-arranged wash elements terminate at a common center. A two-piece collar attaches each quick-change surface panel to a rotational hub. A spacer is positioned between each quick-change surface panel.

A rotary brush for a carwash comprised of a rotational hub, a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips, for retaining the LWE to the plastic clip core. A plastic clip core is comprised of a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips. The plastic clip core assembly is mated to a rotational hub, creating the rotary brush. The plastic clip core has a plurality of semi-cylindrical void cavities, each with an adjoining cylindrical void cavity. Each plastic clip has two parallel members, a first member and a second member. Each LWE has an upper edge, lower edge, free edge, and a cylindrical mount. A first member of a plastic clip fits into the cylindrical mount of the LWE and the semi-cylindrical void cavity. The second member of the plastic clip fits into the cylindrical void cavity, thus securing the LWE to the plastic clip core. The plastic clip core mates with the rotational hub in a no-slip condition.

A rotary brush for a carwash comprised of a rotational hub, a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips, for retaining the LWE to the plastic clip core. A plastic clip core is comprised of a plastic clip core, a plurality of longitudinal washing elements (“LWE”) and an equal plurality of plastic clips. The plastic clip core assembly is mated to a rotational hub, creating the rotary brush. The plastic clip core has a plurality of semi-cylindrical void cavities, each with an adjoining cylindrical void cavity. Each plastic clip has two parallel members, a first member and a second member. Each LWE has an upper edge, lower edge, free edge, and a cylindrical mount. A first member of a plastic clip fits into the cylindrical mount of the LWE and the semi-cylindrical void cavity. The second member of the plastic clip fits into the cylindrical void cavity, thus securing the LWE to the plastic clip core. The plastic clip core mates with the rotational hub in a no-slip condition.