A method for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, includes (a) adjusting an angle of a treatment brush relative to the vertical in at least one predetermined angular range parallel and/or perpendicular to the outer surface, (b) guiding the treatment brush along the at least one outer surface on a path during the treatment process, (c) monitoring the angle of the treatment brush to the vertical parallel and/or perpendicular to the outer surface during step (b), and (d) adapting the path of the treatment brush if a deviation of the monitored angle of the treatment brush from the at least one predetermined angular range is determined in step (c). An apparatus for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, a use of the apparatus for treating a vehicle having at least one outer surface, and a computer program product are further disclosed.

The present invention, a cylindrical rotary tire brush element with an integrated wear indicator, is intended to replace the prior art cylindrical rotary tire brush element in a prior art rotary tire brush assembly. The cylindrical rotary tire brush element with integrated wear indicator is intended as a drop-in replacement to the prior art cylindrical rotary tire brush element of a prior art rotary tire brush assembly. The invention is made from at least two homogeneous pluralities of bristles, with each homogeneous plurality of bristles having the same purpose, material, color, and specified length. At least one plurality is a cleaning bristle of a first color and first specified length. At least one plurality is an indicator bristle of a second color and a third specified length, where the second color is a highly noticeable color such as yellow, red, orange, green, or white. The third specified length is equal to the minimum acceptable actual length of the cleaning bristles.

The present invention, a cylindrical rotary tire brush element with an integrated wear indicator, is intended to replace the prior art cylindrical rotary tire brush element in a prior art rotary tire brush assembly. The cylindrical rotary tire brush element with integrated wear indicator is intended as a drop-in replacement to the prior art cylindrical rotary tire brush element of a prior art rotary tire brush assembly. The invention is made from at least two homogeneous pluralities of bristles, with each homogeneous plurality of bristles having the same purpose, material, color, and specified length. At least one plurality is a cleaning bristle of a first color and first specified length. At least one plurality is an indicator bristle of a second color and a third specified length, where the second color is a highly noticeable color such as yellow, red, orange, green, or white. The third specified length is equal to the minimum acceptable actual length of the cleaning bristles.

A rotating brush for a vehicle washing system, comprising: i) a shaft (2) rotatable about a rotation axis (20) thereof; ii) a first annular support means (31) surrounding a first section (21) of said shaft (2) and comprising a first group (310) of longitudinal seats; said first support means (31) extending along the rotation axis (20) between a first and a second base (316, 317); let a first direction (318) of travel of the first group (310) of longitudinal seats be defined by the first towards the second base (316, 317), each of the longitudinal seats of the first group (310) comprising a first and a second end (312, 313); iii) a first set (41) of cleaning elements engageable in the first group (310) of longitudinal seats.

A rotating brush for a vehicle washing system, comprising: i) a shaft (2) rotatable about a rotation axis (20) thereof; ii) a first annular support means (31) surrounding a first section (21) of said shaft (2) and comprising a first group (310) of longitudinal seats; said first support means (31) extending along the rotation axis (20) between a first and a second base (316, 317); let a first direction (318) of travel of the first group (310) of longitudinal seats be defined by the first towards the second base (316, 317), each of the longitudinal seats of the first group (310) comprising a first and a second end (312, 313); iii) a first set (41) of cleaning elements engageable in the first group (310) of longitudinal seats.

A method of controlling wash equipment in an automated vehicle wash system having a conveyor includes, measuring one or more contours of a vehicle as the vehicle moves thorough an entry area of the automated vehicle wash system on the conveyor; tracking the distance a fixed point relative to the conveyor moves; associating the one or more contours of the vehicle with the position of the fixed point; determining, based on the one or more contours of the vehicle and the position of the fixed point, commands for operating the wash equipment; delivering the commands to the wash equipment; and operating the wash equipment in accordance with the commands.

A method of controlling wash equipment in an automated vehicle wash system having a conveyor includes, measuring one or more contours of a vehicle as the vehicle moves thorough an entry area of the automated vehicle wash system on the conveyor; tracking the distance a fixed point relative to the conveyor moves; associating the one or more contours of the vehicle with the position of the fixed point; determining, based on the one or more contours of the vehicle and the position of the fixed point, commands for operating the wash equipment; delivering the commands to the wash equipment; and operating the wash equipment in accordance with the commands.

A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.

A method and apparatus for cleaning surfaces of an object. A platform may be moved along a path relative to the object using a robotic device. A liquid may be applied onto the plurality of surfaces of the object using an applicator associated with the platform. The liquid may be worked into the plurality of surfaces using a plurality of cleaning elements associated with the platform to dislodge undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. A plurality of flexible members may be moved along the plurality of surfaces to dry the plurality of surfaces and remove the undesired material from the plurality of surfaces. An airflow may be generated that moves the undesired material into a vacuum duct in a vacuum system.

A method for operating a vehicle treatment system, in particular a vehicle washing system, includes treating at least one vehicle surface with at least one rotating brush with a brush material at an immersion depth of the brush, and controlling during the treatment of the vehicle surface, the rotating brush based on a setpoint value for the friction of the brush material on the vehicle surface, the immersion depth of the rotating brush on the vehicle surfaces treated therewith being monitored at the setpoint value during the treatment of the vehicle surface in order to determine the state of the brush material. In addition, a vehicle treatment apparatus, a use thereof, and a computer program product are provided.