A car wash system is disclosed. The car wash system can include an adjustable top washer, a sensor configured to determine a height measurement of the vehicle, an actuator configured to adjust a position of the top washer, and a control system coupled to the actuator and the sensor. The control system can be configured to receive the height measurement of the vehicle from the sensor and control the actuator to adjust the position of the top washer based on the received height measurement.

A system for modifying process data of a car wash based on captured evaluations of vehicle washes performed on the car wash, comprising: a set of mobile terminals, each adapted to perform an algorithmic evaluation process; and a control module, implemented on the car wash, for controlling and/or regulating the car wash based on the detected feedback signals encoding evaluations of vehicle washes performed on the car wash, and in data communication with the mobile terminals via the control interface.

A method and safety device for a vehicle wash tunnel with a support structure with two parallel rails for the placement, by means of corresponding carriages, of the arms of an arch which incorporates a horizontal brush capable of linear movement along the arms of the arch and the rails. The safety device includes a rotation shaft, for fastening the arms of the arch to the carriages, and an extendable cylinder, spaced from the rotation shaft, which joins each carriage to the corresponding arch, such that the arch can rotate with respect to the carriages, and the extension of the extendable cylinder causes the rotation of the arch.

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 method and safety device for a vehicle wash tunnel with a support structure with two parallel rails for the placement, by means of corresponding carriages, of the arms of an arch which incorporates a horizontal brush capable of linear movement along the arms of the arch and the rails. The safety device includes a rotation shaft, for fastening the arms of the arch to the carriages, and an extendable cylinder, spaced from the rotation shaft, which joins each carriage to the corresponding arch, such that the arch can rotate with respect to the carriages, and the extension of the extendable cylinder causes the rotation of the arch.

A system to promote car wash safety and protection of car wash assets is provided. The system comprises a server and an application executing on the server. The system receives content from a video camera that captures video of vehicles entering a car wash. The system also performs a first analysis of at least tire alignment of a first vehicle with conveyor equipment. The system also performs a second analysis of characteristics of the first vehicle comprising at least body shape and optional equipment attached to exterior surfaces of the vehicle. The system also determines, based on the analyses, that at least one of a safety issue and a property damage issue is present and at least one of transmits an audible or visual message, transmits an instruction for adjustment of at least one car wash component, and transmits an instruction for full or partial shutdown of the car wash.

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.

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.

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.