Vehicle Cleaning Installation and Method for Cleaning Vehicles

Abstract

Rotary vehicle cleaning installation, the installation comprising a vehicle support platform that is rotatable around a central platform axis and is configured to support a number of vehicles on a vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform, and a drive assembly that is operatively connected to the vehicle support platform and that is configured to rotate the vehicle support platform, and a number of cleaning devices that is positioned at a working distance from the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform. The invention also relates to a method for cleaning a vehicle using a rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to the invention.

Claims

1. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation, the installation comprising: a vehicle support platform that is rotatable around a central platform axis and is configured to support a number of vehicles on a vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform; a drive assembly that is operatively connected to the vehicle support platform and that is configured to rotate the vehicle support platform; and a number of cleaning devices that is positioned at a working distance from the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform.

2. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, further comprising a support assembly that is configured to, preferably rotatably, support the vehicle support platform with respect to a ground surface.

3. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 2, wherein the support assembly comprises at least one support set including a plurality of ground supports that are positioned between a base surface that is positioned opposite the vehicle surface and the ground surface.

4. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ground supports is positioned in a ring having a ring radius with a central axis that coincides with the central platform axis.

5. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein the support assembly comprises a first support set and a second support set, wherein the plurality of ground supports of the first support set is positioned in a first ring having a first ring radius and wherein the plurality of ground supports of the second support set is positioned in a second ring having a second ring radius.

6. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein the ground supports comprise rollers that are spatially separated along the circumference of the ring and that are fixated with respect to each other by a distance holder that extends around substantially the entire ring.

7. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein the support assembly comprises: a platform guide rail that is connected to the base surface; and a ground guide rail that is connected to the ground surface; wherein the rollers are positioned between the platform guide rail and the ground guide rail and are in rolling contact with both the platform guide rail and the ground guide rail, such that the platform is rotatable along the circumferential direction of the ring, and wherein the rollers preferably are designed such that radial movement of the rollers is substantially obviated.

8. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of grounds supports comprises: a platform roller that is connected to the base surface of the vehicle support platform; and a ground roller that is connected to the ground surface; wherein the platform roller is, when viewed in a vertical direction, is positioned directly above the associated ground roller and is operatively connected to the associated ground roller, and wherein the support assembly further comprises a guide rail that is positioned between the platform rollers and the ground surface rollers along which the rollers are rollable, and wherein the rollers preferably are designed such that radial movement of the rollers is substantially obviated.

9. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 8, wherein the ground rollers are spatially separated along the circumference of the ring and are fixated with respect to each other by a first distance holder and wherein the platform rollers are spatially separated along the circumference of the ring and are fixated with respect to each other by a second distance holder.

10. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of ground supports comprise: magnetic platform supports, that are connected to the base surface of the vehicle support platform; and magnetic ground supports that are connected to the ground surface; wherein the magnetic platform supports are, when viewed in a vertical direction, positioned above the magnetic ground supports, such that the magnetic supports cooperate to provide a support force to the vehicle support platform.

11. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 2, wherein the ground support assembly comprises a central support shaft that is connected to the platform support vehicle and that extends substantially coincidental with the central platform axis.

12. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises a plurality of drive units that are positioned adjacent and in direct contact with an outer circumferential edge of the vehicle support platform, wherein the drive units are preferably rollers, gears or wheels driven by one or more motors.

13. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, wherein the drive assembly comprises: an annular drive plate having a central axis that is collinear with the central platform axis and that extends from a radially outer part of the base surface towards a ground surface; a plurality of drive units that are in direct contact with a first side surface of the drive plate of the vehicle support platform, wherein the drive units are preferably rollers, gears or wheels driven by one or more motors; and preferably a plurality of counterbalances, wherein each counterbalance is positioned across an associated drive unit against a second side surface that is opposite the first side surface for centering the vehicle support platform, wherein the counterbalance preferably is a roller, gear or wheel.

14. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle support platform is substantially circular, preferably a substantially circular disc, or wherein the vehicle support platform is has a polygonal shape and preferably is shaped as octagonal, decagonal, dodecagonal, tetradecagonal or hexadegonal.

15. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, wherein the number of cleaning devices is positioned along a circumference of the vehicle support platform and/or is positioned at working distance above the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform.

16. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1, additionally comprising: an entrance area that is positioned adjacent the vehicle support platform; and an exit area that is positioned adjacent the vehicle support platform; wherein the entrance area and the exit area are located close to each other, and preferably at least partially overlap with each other.

17. Rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 16, comprising a housing that at least extends around the circumference of the vehicle support platform, and also at least partially around the entrance and/or exit area.

18. Method for cleaning vehicles, such as cars, comprising the steps of: providing a rotary vehicle cleaning installation according to claim 1; moving a vehicle onto the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform; rotating the vehicle support platform along the number of cleaning stations and/or cleaning devices; cleaning the vehicle during the rotation of the vehicle support platform at the number of cleaning stations and/or cleaning devices; and moving the vehicle from the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform after cleaning.

19. Method according to claim 18, wherein the step of moving the vehicle onto the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform comprises moving the vehicle through the entrance area onto the vehicle surface; and wherein the step of moving the vehicle from the vehicle surface of the vehicle support platform comprises moving the vehicle through the exit area.

20. Method according to claim 18, wherein the step of cleaning the vehicle comprises: performing a single cleaning step at each of the number of cleaning stations and/or cleaning devices during each partial rotation of the vehicle support platform.

Description

[0138] Further advantages, features and details of the invention are elucidated on the basis of preferred embodiments thereof, wherein reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0139] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example of the cleaning installation according to the invention;

[0140] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example of the cleaning installation according to the invention that includes a building;

[0141] FIG. 3 shows a detailed view of an example of a part of a support assembly of the cleaning installation according to the invention;

[0142] FIG. 4 shows a side view of the example of FIG. 3;

[0143] FIG. 5 shows a detailed side view of a second example of a part of a support assembly according to the invention; and

[0144] FIG. 6 shows a detailed side view of a third example of a part of a drive assembly according to the invention

[0145] FIG. 7 shows a detailed side view of a fourth example of a part of a drive assembly according to the invention;

[0146] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a support assembly that includes an example of a drive assembly according to the invention;

[0147] FIG. 9 shows a cross-sectional view of a part of a support assembly that includes a second example of a drive assembly according to the invention;

[0148] FIG. 10 shows two side views of an example of a ground support in the form of a roller according to the invention; and

[0149] FIG. 11 is a detailed side view of a third drive assembly according to the invention.

[0150] In an example of the cleaning installation 2 (see FIGS. 1, 2), cleaning installation 2 comprises vehicle support platform 4, which has base surface 6 and vehicle surface 8. It is noted that base surface 6 is, when viewed in a vertical direction, positioned on a lower or underside of vehicle support platform 4, whereas vehicle surface 8 is positioned on an upper side of vehicle support platform 4. In this example, vehicle support platform 4 is circular with central support axis A around which vehicle support platform 4 is rotatable.

[0151] Vehicle support platform 4 is positioned at distance D above ground surface 10 and is supported by support assembly 12, which in this example comprises two supports sets 14, 16, each of which includes a plurality of ground supports 18, 20. Plurality of ground supports 16 of first support set 14 is positioned in first ring 22 having first ring radius RS1, whereas plurality of ground supports 18 of second support set 20 is positioned in second ring 24 having second ring radius RS2. By providing first support set 14 and second support set 16, an even more stable configuration is achieved due to the distribution of weight of vehicle support platform 4 over the radius R.sub.p thereof.

[0152] In this particular example (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2), vehicle support platform 4 is positioned in indentation 26 in the ground, which means that ground surface 10 is positioned lower than ground level L of the ground. This also means that vehicle surface 8 of vehicle support platform 4 is positioned substantially at even level with ground level L. Vehicle cleaning installation 2 is further provided with drive assembly 28, which in this example is positioned around outer circumferential edge 30 of vehicle support platform 4.

[0153] In this example, vehicle support platform 4 is, when viewed in a radially outward direction, divided in three sections. First section 32 comprises central section 32 at which for example customers, such as owners of the vehicles to be cleaned, can remain during the cleaning of their vehicle. Central section 32 may be provided with furniture and/or storage to accommodate the customers. Central section 32 as such is therefore an inner circle of vehicle support platform 4. One of main advantages of having central section 32 is that customers, during cleaning of their vehicle, can remain in central section 32 and can re-enter their vehicle after cleaning (which preferably is after a full rotation of vehicle support platform 4). Central section 32 extends from central support axis A radially outward over radius R1.

[0154] Cleaning section 34 extends from radius R1 radially outward to radius R2 over a predetermined length. Cleaning section 34 therewith forms a (circular) strip on which vehicles can be positioned during cleaning. Cleaning section 34 can be provided with a perforated floor, for example a perforated plastic floor, which allows waste, dust and other contaminants to fall through to the ground surface from which it can be removed. In a (not shown) example, vehicle surface 8 may be provided with segmented floor parts, which together form vehicle surface 8. Such segments preferably are removably provided, which allows them to be removed during for example cleaning.

[0155] Third section 36 of vehicle support platform 4 is edge section 36, which in this example extends from radius R2 radially outward towards radius R3, which is the edge of vehicle support platform 4. Edge section 36 may be provided for the placement of cleaning devices 38 or may be provided as working area in which drive assembly 28 may operate. In this particular example (see the enlarged view in FIG. 2), edge section 36 has a cut-out section, which results in part of vehicle support platform 4 projecting over an edge of indentation 10. In some examples and embodiments, second section 34 and third section 36 together form a single second section that extends from radius R1 to radius R3 (i.e. the edge of vehicle support platform 4). Essentially, vehicle support platform 4 may be provided with any number of sections, which are concentric with respect to central support axis A. In this example, drive assembly 28 is positioned at edge 30, which is the outer circumference of edge section 36.

[0156] Cleaning installation 2 is further provided with at least one sensor 29, which in this example is sensor 29 that is configured to detect misaligned vehicles on vehicle support platform 4. Sensor 29 may for example be detection sensor 29 that detects if a vehicle is not (completely) provided on vehicle support platform 4. In response, a rotation speed of vehicle support platform 4 may be reduced in order t reduce ‘wringing’ As a result, straining or torsion on the vehicle due to the rotation of vehicle support platform 4 can be prevented. A similar result may also be achieved if sensor 29 is rotation speed sensor 29 on vehicle support platform 4 or a combination of such (or other suitable) sensors is applied.

[0157] In a more detailed view of a first example of support set 114, 116 (see FIGS. 3,4), support set 114, 116 comprises ground guide rail 144 that is connected to ground surface 110, in this example by means of guide rail supports 145, and platform guide rail 146 that is connected to base surface 106. The outer ends 144a, 146a of respective rails 144, 146 that face each other are T-shaped and, in use, are positioned at least partially inside rollers 148. More specifically, they are positioned within flanges 156a, 156b of rollers 148. As indicated, outer ends 144a, 146a face each other and are positioned across from each other. Both platform guide rail 146 and ground guide rail 144 extend in a circumferential direction with respect to central platform axis A. Support sets 114, 116 further comprise a plurality of ground supports 118, 120, with each ground support 118, 120 being formed as roller 148 that is positioned between ground guide rail 144 and platform guide rail 146. Each ground support 118, 120 is in rolling contact with both of these guide rails 144, 146 to allow vehicle support platform 104 to rotate around its central platform axis A. It is noted that roller 148, which in this example is manufactured from wear-resistant plastic, may be connected to either one of ground guide rail 144 or platform guide rail 146. The connection is such that central axis 148a of roller 148 extends collinear with a line that extends substantially radially outward from central platform axis A. Roller 148 may also be manufactured from metal or a combination of plastic and metal. Furthermore, rollers 148 are in this example separated by means of distance holders 149, which are positioned between rollers 148 to maintain the predetermined distance D.sub.R between them.

[0158] In a more detailed view of a second example of support set 214 (see FIG. 5), support set 214 comprises single guide rail 244 that extends from ground surface 210 towards base surface 206 and the plurality of ground supports 248 are formed as a plurality of rollers 248 that are positioned on or, in this example, partially in base surface 206. Rollers 248 are positioned on ground guide rail 244 and allow vehicle support platform 204 to rotate around its central platform axis A. In this particular example, roller 248 has cylindrical main body 250 having central opening 252 that extends along longitudinal axis AX of cylindrical body 250. Each outer end 254a, 254b of main body 250 is be provided with a respective flange 256a, 256b. Each flange 256a, 256b extends perpendicular to axis AX and has flange radius FR that exceeds radius RX of cylindrical main body 250. This provides roller 248 with a I-shaped form that allows it to be positioned on top of ground guide rail 244. This positioning may also be reversed in that a platform guide rail is used in conjunction with roller 248 that is positioned on, or at least partially in, ground surface 210. An example of such reversed construction is shown in FIG. 5, with the exception that platform guide rail 246 has a U-shaped end that is positioned on top of roller 248 (and thus encloses roller 248).

[0159] In a third example (see FIG. 6), support sets 314, 316 comprise a plurality of ground supports 358, 360 in the form of a plurality of platform rollers 358 that are positioned at or at least partially in base surface 306 of vehicle support platform 304 and a plurality of ground rollers 360 that are positioned on or at least partially in ground surface 310. In this example, ground rollers 360 are positioned on supports 345, which are connected to ground surface 310. In addition, support sets 314, 316 comprise guide rail 340 which is positioned between ground rollers 360 and platform rollers 358 and is in rolling contact with both. Platform rollers 358 and ground rollers 360 may be similar to the rollers described with reference to FIG. 4. More specifically, platform rollers 358 and ground rollers 360 may thus be provided with a cylindrical main body 350 having central opening 352 that extends along longitudinal axis AX of cylindrical body 350. Each outer end 354a, 354b of main body 350 is be provided with a respective flange 356a, 356b. Each flange 356a, 356b extends perpendicular to axis AX and has flange radius FR that exceeds radius RX of cylindrical main body 350. This provides roller 348 with a I-shaped form that allows it to be positioned on top or underneath of guide rail 340. The flanges 356a, 356b partially enclose guide rail 340 to prevent radial movement. Alternatively, guide rail 340 may be an H-shaped beam in which rollers 358, 360 are positioned. In a fourth example (see FIG. 7), ground supports 448 are formed as a plurality of magnetic platform supports 458 that are connected to base surface 406 of vehicle support platform 404 and a plurality of magnetic ground supports 460 that are connected to ground surface 410, which in this case is done via supports 445. Magnetic platform supports 458 are, when viewed in a vertical direction, positioned above magnetic ground supports 460 such that the magnetic supports 458, 460 cooperate to provide a support force to vehicle support platform 404.

[0160] In an example of drive assembly 528 (see FIG. 8), drive assembly 528 comprises one (and preferably more) drive units 562 (see FIG. 8) that are positioned underneath base surface 506 of vehicle support platform 504. In this example, vehicle support platform 504 is provided with annular drive plate 561. Annular drive plate 561 has a central axis that is collinear with central platform axis A and extends from a radially outer part of base surface 506 towards a ground surface 510. Each drive unit 562 in this example comprises a drive roller, which may also be a drive gear or drive wheel. In this example, each drive unit 562 is driven by electric motor 564, which allows drive unit 562 to rotate vehicle support platform 504. Drive motor 564 is connected to roller 562. Roller 562 is in driving contact with a first side of annular drive plate 561 to drive rotation of vehicle support platform 504. In order to provide an even more stable drive mechanism, drive assembly 528 is further provided with counterbalance 563, which in this example is centering roller or wheel 563. Counterbalance 563 is in direct contact with a second side of annular drive plate 561, which is opposite the first side of annular drive plate 561 with which drive roller 562 is in contact.

[0161] In a second example of drive assembly 628 (FIG. 9), drive assembly 628 comprises one or more drive units 662 (see FIG. 9) that are positioned underneath and in direct contact with outer circumferential edge 630 of the vehicle support platform 604. Drive units 662 in this example are rollers, yet may also be gears or wheels. In this example, drive units 662 are driven by electric motor 664, which allows drive units 662 to rotate vehicle support platform 604.

[0162] A more detailed view of an example of roller 348, 358, 360 is shown in FIG. 10. Platform rollers 358 and ground rollers 360, which both may be similar rollers 348, may thus be provided with a cylindrical main body 250, 350 having central opening 252, 352 that extends along longitudinal axis AX of cylindrical body 250, 350. Each outer end 254, 354a, 254b, 354b of main body 250, 350 is provided with a respective flange 256a, 356a, 254b, 356b. Each flange 256a, 356a, 256b, 356b extends perpendicular to axis AX and has flange radius FR that exceeds radius RX of cylindrical main body 250, 350. This provides roller 248, 348 with a I-shaped form that allows it to be positioned on top or underneath a guide rail. The flanges 256a, 356a, 256b, 356b may partially enclose a guide rail to prevent radial movement. Alternatively, a guide rail may be an H-shaped beam in which rollers 248, 348 are positioned.

[0163] In a third example drive assembly 728 is provided near central axis A of vehicle platform 704. Drive assembly 728 in this example comprises electric motor 764 and transmission 766, which in this case is belt or chain transmission 766, to provide rotation to central rod 768.

[0164] It is noted that different aspects of the different examples may freely be combined with each other as these examples would still fall within the scope of the claims.

[0165] The present invention is by no means limited to the above described preferred embodiments thereof. The rights sought are defined by the following claims within the scope of which many modifications can be envisaged.