VEHICLE WASH SYSTEM
20240375620 ยท 2024-11-14
Inventors
Cpc classification
B08B3/024
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
B08B1/40
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
International classification
B08B3/02
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
Abstract
A car wash system that may be stored or installed in a residential or commercial building, such as a garage in a home or car dealership, respectively. The system may include wash units that are attachable to a guide such as a track attachable to a ceiling or wall of the garage, a raised rail or inset groove on a floor of the garage, or both. The guide may be arranged inside of the garage and may extend outside of the garage temporarily or permanently. The system may have a closed configuration for storage inside the garage and an open configuration for washing the vehicle either inside or outside of the garage. Transitions from the open to closed configurations and vice versa may be automatic, such as controlled by a control panel or handheld device.
Claims
1. A car wash system configured for installation in a residential or commercial building, the apparatus comprising: at least one track configured for attachment to an interior surface of the residential building; and one or more wash units moveably connected to the track.
2. The system of claim 1, for use in a garage of the residential or commercial building, wherein the interior surface comprises a ceiling, a front and back wall, a side wall, a floor, or a front or back wall and a ceiling.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more wash units comprise one or more wash apparatus, wherein the one or more wash apparatus comprise a flexible hose or an articulate pipe.
4. The system of claim 3, wherein each of the one or more wash apparatus comprise a retracted position and an extended position.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one track comprises a telescoping arm configured to extend to a position outside of the residential or commercial building, and wherein the one or more wash units are configured to move along the at least one track to a position outside of the residential or commercial building.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more wash units comprise a passive position and an active position.
7. The system of claim 6, wherein the one or more wash units rotate on the at least one track from the passive position to the active position.
8. The system of claim 1, comprising a component attachable to an end of the one or more wash apparatus.
9. The system of claim 8, wherein the component comprises an underbody sprayer or a wheel and rim scrubber.
10. The system of claim 1, wherein the wash units provide touchless cleaning of a vehicle.
11. A car wash system configured for use in a residential or commercial building, the apparatus comprising: a frame having at least four vertical posts supporting an upper frame, each post comprises a bottom end having a wheel and a top end attached to and supporting the upper frame; and one or more wash units moveably connected to the upper frame and configured to provide a wash fluid directed inward from opposing vertical sides of the frame, wherein the apparatus is sized and configured to accept a vehicle within the frame.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least four vertical posts are adjustable in length to change a height of the upper frame relative to a ground surface.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the upper frame comprises longitudinal rails that are adjustable in length to change a longitudinal length of the frame, lateral rails that are adjustable in length to change a lateral width of the frame, or both.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein each of the one or more wash units comprise one or more wash apparatus.
15. The system of claim 14, wherein each of the one or more wash apparatus comprise a retracted position and an extended position.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more wash units comprise one or more wash apparatus, wherein the one or more wash apparatus comprise a flexible hose or an articulate pipe.
17. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more wash units comprise a passive position and an active position.
18. The system of claim 17, wherein the one or more wash units rotate on the upper frame from the passive position to the active position.
19. The system of claim 11, comprising a component attachable to an end of the one or more wash hoses.
20. The system of claim 19, wherein the component comprises an underbody sprayer or a wheel and rim scrubber.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] In the following figures, like numerals represent like features in the various views. It is to be noted that features and components in these drawings, illustrating the views of embodiments of the present invention, unless stated to be otherwise, are not necessarily drawn to scale.
[0017]
[0018]
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[0020]
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[0023]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The present disclosure provides car wash systems for use in a residential or commercial building and methods of use of the car wash systems. A first implementation of the car wash system is shown in
[0025] The systems disclosed herein may be used in any residential or commercial building, such as in a garage or other area where a vehicle may be parked. For example, the systems may be used in a garage of a home or a garage of a car dealership. Other exemplary commercial buildings could include any building providing repair, painting, or detailing of a vehicle, or storage of a vehicle. Exemplary vehicles that may be cleaned using the systems and methods disclosed herein include at least cars, trucks, vans, motor homes or RVs, boats, motorcycles, ski-doos, all-terrain vehicles, tractors, ride-on lawn mowers, and the like. While the systems may be installed in any residential or commercial building and may be used to wash any vehicle, for simplicity of the following description, the systems will be described and illustrated as installed in a residential garage and used to wash a car.
[0026] In various implementations, the system may include one track, two tracks, one set of tracks, two sets of tracks, etc., wherein the track(s) are attachable to an interior surface of the garage, such as a wall, ceiling, floor, or any combination thereof. For example, the track(s) may be attached along a front and/or back wall of the garage, to one or more side walls of the garage, to a ceiling of the garage, on a floor of the garage, or any combination thereof. The track(s) may support one or more wash apparatus, such as spray nozzles, wash hoses, extensible articulated wash pipes, or the like. When included, the wash hoses or pipes may include a spray nozzle at a distal end thereof and/or spray nozzles positioned along a length of the wash hose or pipe.
[0027] The wash apparatus may be a permanent part of the track(s) or may be removably connected to the track(s), such as via a quick connect. The wash apparatus may extend from a storage compartment attached to the track(s), such as flexible hoses or articulated pipes that extend from and retract into the storage compartment.
[0028] The wash apparatus may extend directly from the track(s), wherein the water, cleaning products, and/or finishing agents may be supplied from a tank or series of tanks positioned on a floor or wall of the garage, and/or from a central line, such as a hose or water faucet. In this implementation, a supply line may extend from the tank or central line, e.g., faucet, to a connection point at a proximal end of each wash apparatus or a proximal end of one or more of the tracks. For example, the track(s) may have a connection element that provides connection to the supply line, wherein each of the tracks may include internal piping that provides fluid connection between the supply line and each of the wash apparatus.
[0029] Alternatively, the wash apparatus may extend from a wash unit. Exemplary wash units include tanks or reservoirs that may hold the water and/or cleaning products (e.g., soaps) and/or finishing agents (e.g., waxes, polishes), wherein the wash units are permanently or removably attached to the track(s).
[0030] As used herein, cleaning fluid shall be understood to encompass one or more of (i) water, (ii) cleaning product(s) such as soap, (iii) finishing agents such as waxes or polishes. The agents may be supplied to the system as solids or liquids, wherein solid agents may be mixed with water or another fluid prior to dispensing on the car. Mixing may be accomplished at the wash apparatus, i.e., within the wash hoses or pipes, or within the wash unit. Mixing of the solids or liquids, such as concentrated cleaning agents and water, may by via another mixing device positioned prior to the wash units, rails, mail connection line(s), etc. The cleaning fluids may be stored in separate containers and may be mixed as appropriate and as described above.
[0031] Many garage doors include rollers attached along edges of the door that move within tracks that are positioned along sides of the garage door opening and ceiling of the garage. As such, when the wash system includes two tracks, each track may be positioned on an inside of the garage door tracks, i.e., toward the lateral center of the garage, wherein the longitudinal direction is from the front of the garage, i.e., at the garage door, to the back wall of the garage, i.e., wall opposite the garage door. Alternatively, each track may be positioned on an outside of the garage door tracks, i.e., away from the lateral center of the garage. Each track may be positioned so that the car wash system does not interfere with operation of the garage door. For example, each track may be individually positioned vertically above or below the position of the garage door tracks.
[0032] When sets of tracks are used, both tracks of each set of tracks may be positioned on an inside of the garage door tracks or on an outside of the garage door tracks. Alternatively, the tracks of a set of tracks may be positioned on either side of the garage door tracks. Moreover, each track of the set of tracks may be individually positioned so that the car wash system does not interfere with operation of the garage door. That is, each track may be individually positioned vertically above or below the position of the garage door tracks so that the car wash system does not interfere with operation of the garage door. For example, an inner track of the set of tracks (i.e., track positioned toward the center of the garage) may be positioned above the garage door track and an outer track of the set of tracks may be positioned below the garage door track. Alternatively, only the inner track may be positioned above or below the garage door track and the outer track may be positioned at the same level as the garage door track. Further, each track of the set of tracks may be attached to the ceiling, front wall, and/or back wall of the garage, or the inner track may be attached to the ceiling, front wall, and/or back wall of the garage and the outer track may be attached to the ceiling, front wall, back wall, and/or side wall of the garage.
[0033] A specific implementation of the car wash system 22 is illustrated in
[0034] Attachable to each track (11, 12) is at least one wash unit (13a, 13b). The wash unit may contain cleaning fluids. The wash unit may be configured to move along a longitudinal length of the track(s) or may be stationary on the track. Each wash unit (13a, 13b) may comprise one or more spray nozzles to dispense the cleaning fluid(s). In certain configurations, each wash unit may include one or more wash apparatus, such as one or more wash hoses or pipes. As shown in
[0035] When the wash units include wash apparatus, e.g., flexible wash hoses or articulated pipes, the hoses or pipes may have nozzles at a distal end to dispense the cleaning fluid(s), such as shown in the figures. Alternatively, the wash hoses or pipes may include nozzles along a longitudinal length so that the cleaning fluid(s) is dispensed from a side of the hose, such as a side positioned inward to face the car. Such nozzles may be included along a full longitudinal length of the wash hose or pipe, or on only a portion thereof, such as near an end of the wash hose or pipe. In this latter case, the wash hose or pipe may be extended to position the nozzles adjacent the car to provide maximal coverage of the cleaning fluid on the car.
[0036] The wash apparatus may be flexible hoses, such as shown in the figures, or may be lengths of articulated piping, wherein each section of the piping is inflexible. When the wash apparatus are articulated wash pipes, they may be placed in a specific static position, such that the nozzles may be optimally positioned to provide the cleaning solution to the car exterior. For example, each of the joints of the articulated piping may be lockable to a specific position. A similar ability is possible for the flexible hoses, such as with extendible and collapsible pressure hoses, or telescoping hoses, or retractable hoses, wherein the hoses may be rotated to position any longitudinally placed nozzles facing inward toward the car.
[0037] The wash apparatus may have a retracted position, such as when not in use as shown in
[0038] According to certain aspects, the tracks (11, 12) of the system may be configured to extend to a position outside of the garage, as shown in
[0039] The wash units may be positionable on a top side of the track, such as shown in
[0040] The system may be configured to extend and retract the tracks, move the wash units along the track, and/or extend or retract the wash apparatus automatically or manually. For example, the user may pull or push the wash units along the track to a desired position, such as via a tow line or may be moved using a pole attachable to a connection on the wash units. The user may then pull the wash apparatus, e.g., wash hoses, downward for use to wash the car. i.e., spray the cleaning fluid on the car, wherein nozzles on the wash apparatus may be operable to change the outlet size and thus the cleaning fluid spray diameter and pressure. When washing is complete, the user may push the wash apparatus to the retracted position or engage a spring-loaded mechanism that causes the wash apparatus to retract.
[0041] For automatic operation, the system may include a control unit and a user access device that may be used to initiate various actions of the system. The user access device can be a handheld controller that communicates with the control unit wirelessly or via a wired connection, or an access panel attachable to a wall of the garage. The actions controllable by the control unit may include turning the system on or off, extending and retracting the tracks, extending and retracting the wash units and/or wash apparatus, and controlling how far the wash units and/or wash apparatus are extended or retracted, starting or stopping dispense of the cleaning fluid, and the like.
[0042] As example, and with reference to
[0043] The wash units (13a, 13b) may move along the tracks (11, 12) using bobbins at each end of the track or with on-board motorization. The advantage of the latter deployment is that all torque is applied to the wash unit, such as to wheels of the wash unit, and small deviations in the torque of the motor can easily be compensated with additional non-powered wheels. The wash units may include a motor within the main body, or two or more of the wheels may be a direct drive wheel. The wash unit, if motorized, may include a limit switch or proximity sensor at each end thereof that causes the wash unit to sense and end of the track and change directions. Various other embodiments of this geometry may be actuated at both ends, such as two bobbins alternatively rolling/unrolling a flexible ribbon (or conveyor belts or transmission chains), or a motorized tubing having attached thereon the wash apparatus. Different motors may be used to actuate the cart, such as AC, DC or steppers.
[0044] Weights may be attached to the wash apparatus, if needed, to pull the wash apparatus to a fully extended state. For example, ends of flexible hoses may include a weight to pull the hose to its fully extended state. Such weights, however, would not interfere with any mechanisms provided to recoil the flexible hoses.
[0045] In some embodiments, the wash system may comprise tracks that are fully mobile and independent of the garage. For example, the wash system may comprise a frame having two or more inverted U-shaped rails, i.e., two vertically oriented legs supporting an overhead structure. The overhead stricture may be curved or be formed at right angles from the legs. The inverted U-shaped rails are connected to each other, such as via connecting rails attached along each of the vertically positioned legs of the U-shaped rails. In some implementations, the connecting rails may be flexible or bendable, e.g., foldable. Thus, when the connecting rails are extended, the frame may form a tunnel sized and configured to accommodate a car. The U-shaped rails may each include nozzles positioned on an inward facing surface, such as several nozzles spaced apart along the rails and aimed at a car when the wash system is positioned over the car. In such an implementation, the wash apparatus may comprise hoses or pipes positioned within an inner bore of the U-shaped rails. These hoses or pipes may be connected to a main connection line, such as a flexible hose or articulated pipe that runs substantially horizontally along a longitudinal length of the wash system (i.e., when in an extended position).
[0046] The main connection line may include a connection at a distal end thereof, such as proximate a final inverted U-shaped rail of the wash system. The distal end of the main connection line may include a threaded connection element or quick connect providing connection to a tank positioned on a floor or wall of the garage and/or a central supply line, such as a hose or water faucet. In this implementation, a supply line may extend from the tank and/or central supply line, e.g., faucet, to the distal connection point of the main connection line. As noted above, the cleaning fluids may be stored in the tank or may be stored in separate containers and may be mixed as appropriate in the main connection line or another mixing device positioned prior to the main connection line.
[0047] In certain implementations, the wash system may include wash units connected to the U-shaped rails, such as along the two vertically oriented legs or the overhead structure. The wash units may move along the vertically oriented legs and/or the overhead structure. Moreover, the wash units may be positioned statically on the vertically oriented legs and/or the overhead structure, such as one or more wash units positioned on each overhead structure that are spaced apart when the frame is extended to form the tunnel. The wash units may contain cleaning fluids and may comprise one or more nozzles to dispense the cleaning fluid(s). In certain configurations, each wash unit may include one or more wash apparatus, such as extending from a bottom surface of the wash unit, or sides of the wash unit (e.g., as shown in
[0048] When the wash units include wash apparatus, such as wash hoses or pipes, the wash apparatus may have spray nozzles at a distal end to dispense the cleaning fluid(s). Alternatively, the wash apparatus may include nozzles along a longitudinal length so that the cleaning fluid(s) is dispensed from a side of the hose, such as a side positioned inward to face the car. Such nozzles may be included along a full longitudinal length of the wash apparatus, or on only a portion thereof, such as near an end of the wash apparatus. In this latter case, the wash apparatus may be extended to position the nozzles adjacent the car to provide maximal coverage of the cleaning fluid on the car.
[0049] The wash apparatus may be flexible or articulated hoses, such as shown in the figures, or may be lengths of articulated piping, wherein each section of the piping is inflexible. As discussed above, when the wash apparatus are articulated, they may be placed in a specific static position, such that the nozzles may be optimally positioned to provide the cleaning solution to the car exterior.
[0050] In another implementation, the wash system 22 may comprise a frame having at least four vertically oriented legs supporting an upper frame, such as one having a generally rectangular shape. One or more wash units may be moveably connected to the upper frame and configured to provide a wash fluid directed inward from opposing vertical sides of the frame. With reference to
[0051] Attachable to each longitudinal track (11, 12) is at least one wash unit (13a, 13b). As disclosed hereinabove, each wash unit may contain cleaning fluids, and may be configured to move along a longitudinal length of the track(s) or may be stationary on the track(s). Each wash unit (13a, 13b) may comprise one or more nozzles to dispense the cleaning fluid(s). In certain configurations, each wash unit may include one or more wash apparatus. As shown in
[0052] Each of the front legs 17b and back legs 17a of the wash system 22 may be extendable to adjust a height of the wash system relative to a ground surface. Moreover, each of the longitudinal tracks (11, 12) may be extendable to adjust a length of the wash system, and each of the lateral connections rails (19a, 19b) may be extendable to adjust a width of the wash system. Such adjustment may accommodate vehicles of different heights, lengths, and/or widths, and/or may provide for use in a range of different building spaces (e.g., residential versus commercial garages).
[0053] In these latter embodiments, the entire system may be stored in a compressed state in a back of the garage and may be opened or extended within the garage to wash the car therein. The vertically oriented legs may include wheels 18, such as at ends distal from the upper structure or upper frame so that the system may be easily extended or compressed. The wheels may be free moving such that the system 22 may be moved outside of the garage in either the compressed or extended state and may be used to wash the car outside of the garage in the extended state. As shown in
[0054] The frame of wash system 22 or 22 may include material that covers all or a portion thereof or may include material panels connected between elements of the frame, i.e., sides and/or top of the frame, such that cleaning fluid dispensed to wash the car may be contained within the frame. The rails of the configurations shown in
[0055] The system may provide fluids for washing the car in a touchless manner, such that no friction is used on at least the painted portions of the car during the washing process, i.e., a touchless carwash. All or some of the wash units may include a cloth, brush, or other physical element that is intended to contact at least the painted regions of the car to provide a friction carwash.
[0056] The system may include additional components, such as components attachable to the wash units. For example, as shown in
[0057] Various aspects of the wash apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein have be illustrated with reference to one or more exemplary implementations or embodiments. As used herein, the term exemplary means serving as an example, instance, or illustration, and should not necessarily be construed as preferred or advantageous over other variations of the devices, systems, or methods disclosed herein. Optional or optionally means that the subsequently described event or circumstance may or may not occur, and that the description includes instances where the event occurs and instances where it does not. In addition, the word comprising as used herein means including, but not limited to.
[0058] Various aspects of the wash apparatus, systems, and methods disclosed herein have been illustrated by describing components that are coupled, attached, and/or joined together. As used herein, the terms coupled, attached, and/or joined are interchangeably used to indicate either a direct connection between two components or, where appropriate, an indirect connection to one another through intervening or intermediate components. In contrast, when a component is referred to as being directly coupled, directly attached, and/or directly joined to another component, there are no intervening elements shown in said examples.
[0059] Relative terms such as lower or bottom and upper or top have been used herein to describe one element's relationship to another element illustrated in the drawings. It will be understood that relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of aspects of the support brackets in addition to the orientation depicted in the drawings. By way of example, if aspects of the support brackets shown in the drawings are turned over, elements described as being on the bottom side of the other elements would then be oriented on the top side of the other elements as shown in the relevant drawing. The term bottom can therefore encompass both an orientation of bottom and top depending on the particular orientation of the drawing.
[0060] As used herein, the term substantially may be taken to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. Thus, the term substantially may mean an amount of generally at least about 80%, about 90%, about 95%, about 98%, or even about 99% of a stated value.
[0061] It must also be noted that as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms a, an, and the include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to a sprayer, an attachment element, or the wash unit is a reference to one or more sprayers, attachment elements, or wash units and equivalents thereof known to those skilled in the art, and so forth. Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meanings as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0062] Words such as then, next, etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps; these words are simply used to guide the reader through the description of the methods.
[0063] A list of the various elements shown in the drawings is provided in the table below.
TABLE-US-00001 Reference Number Element 1, 2 Garage door tracks 3 Garage door 4 Vehicle (car) 5a, 5b Wash sprayers of wash unit 13a 6a, 6b Wash sprayers of wash unit 13b 7 Underbody sprayer 8 Spay nozzles of the underbody sprayer 7 9 Quick connect to wash sprayers 5a-6b 10a Wheel wash component 10b Scrub brush component 11, 12 Wash unit tracks 11, 12 Wash unit tracks 13a, 13b Wash units 14 Motor of wheel wash component 10a 15 Circulating wash pad of component 10a 16 Scrub brush of component 10b 17a, 17b Legs of wash frame 22 18 Wheels of wash frame 22 19a, 19b Lateral supports of wash frame 22 20a, 20b Base rails of wash unit 22 21 Garage floor 22, 22, 22 Wash system