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.

A mobile trailer-cleaning system is a system that facilitates the cleaning of the exterior surfaces of a trailer. The system may include at least one brush assembly, a roof carriage, an agitation mechanism, and a steering assembly. The at least one brush assembly enables the cleaning of all the trailer's exterior surfaces including the rear of the trailer and any non-flat surfaces. The roof carriage serves as a guide to maintain the at least one brush assembly adjacent to the trailer's walls as the at least one brush assembly moves along the trailer. The roof carriage also prevents the at least one brush assembly from tipping over. The agitation mechanism eases the cleaning of the trailer's exterior surfaces by agitating the at least one brush assembly in predetermined modes of operation. The steering assembly enables the user to manually operate the at least one brush assembly during the cleaning process.

Washing devices, systems and methods comprise mitter systems suspended from a support. A first axle is mounted to the support and rotates about a first vertical axis. A pivot arm rotates with the first axle. A second axle is mounted to the pivot arm and is rotatable about a second vertical axis. A planetary gear system has a first gear secured in a horizontal plane to the support and located coaxial with the first axle. The planetary gear comprises a second gear mounted to the second axle and rotating about the second vertical axis. Rotation of the pivot arm causes the second axle and the second gear to be rotated. A frame is mounted to the second axle and a plurality of mitter strips extend downwardly therefrom.

A component for a vehicle wash system includes a frame and a hub portion rotatably secured to the frame. The hub portion includes an axis of rotation and an outer surface. A plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion. The media elements include a flexible, self-supporting material such that the plurality of media elements can retain substantially the same shape when the hub portion is rotating at both high and low RPMs. The plurality of media elements are secured to the hub portion in a plurality of spaced apart rows that extend in a direction of the axis of rotation. Each of the plurality of spaced apart rows extending in a generally arcuate path along at least a portion of the hub portion.

A rotary vehicle wash component for a vehicle wash facility is provided. The vehicle wash component includes a hub disposed about and rotatable about a center axis. A plurality of media elements extend outwardly from the hub for rotation with the hub. Each of the media elements has a centerline that is positioned offset relative to the center axis such that the centerline does not intersect the center axis. The media elements may be fixed to the hub or they may be pivotable relative to the hub. The media elements may pivot between two offset positions in response to rotation in opposite directions. The media elements may include a plurality of treatment heads secured to the media elements.

A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be pivoted at a side mirror location of the vehicle.

A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle.

A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position, an outwardly angled position, and inwardly angled position. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be actively pivoted or may pivot in response to contacting the vehicle when shifted laterally into contact with the vehicle.

A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a pair of side brushes. The side brushes are configured to treat the lateral sides of the vehicle and may also treat the front and back of the vehicle. The side brushes are configured to pivot between a vertical position and an outwardly angled position, in which the side brushes are generally aligned with the side glass of the vehicle windows. The side brushes may travel along the side of the vehicle in both the vertical and pivoted orientations. The side brushes may make multiple passes along the side of the vehicle, and the side brushes may change orientation during or between passes to treat different segments of the vehicle. The side brushes may be oriented vertically at a location of a vehicle antenna to avoid the antenna.

A vehicle wash system includes a vehicle treatment area and an overhead frame portion supporting a rotational brush that is translatable relative to a vehicle disposed within the vehicle treatment area. The brush may rotate in the same rotational direction during a first translation direction and a second translation direction of the brush along the vehicle. During one direction of translation, the brush rotates at a first rotational speed, and in the opposite direction of translation, the brush rotates at increased rotational speed. The system may include a pair of side brushes, with the brushes rotating in opposite rotational directions, but maintaining their rotational directions during both directions of translation.