Brush for Vehicle Washing System

Abstract

The invention relates to a brush for a vehicle washing system including at least one brush body including multiple receiving spaces, multiple brush elements and at least one cover element. The invention further relates to a brush body for use in a brush according to the present invention. The invention further relates to a brush assembly including an axis and multiple adjacent brushes according to the invention. The invention also relates to the use of such brush and to a method of producing a brush for a vehicle washing system.

Claims

1. A brush for a vehicle washing system, comprising: at least one brush body comprising multiple receiving spaces; multiple brush elements; and at least one cover element; wherein at least part of at least one brush element is received within part of a receiving space and wherein at least a further part of said brush element extends with respect to the brush body; and wherein the cover element is attached to the brush body such that said cover element covers at least part of the receiving spaces, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a polymer material and wherein the brush body and the cover element are connected via plastic welding.

2. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a substantially similar polymer material.

3. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a polymer foam.

4. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the brush body and/or at least part of the cover element are made of a polymer material comprising extruded polyethylene and/or closed cell foam and/or open cell foam and/or polyethylene foam and/or polyurethane foam.

5. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least part of the receiving spaces are provided at an outer edge of the brush body.

6. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one receiving space defines a channel and a core segment.

7. The brush according to claim 1, wherein at least one brush element comprises at least one support member which is made of a polymer material.

8. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush body comprises at least two opposing side surfaces, wherein at least one receiving space extends between said side surfaces.

9. The brush according to claim 1, comprising at least two cover elements, wherein the brush body comprises at least two opposing side surfaces and wherein a first cover element is attached to a first side surface and a second cover element is attached to a second side surface such that said cover elements substantially enclose at least part of the brush body.

10. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush body comprises at least one central opening.

11. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush body comprises multiple protruding stability members, wherein at least one stability member is positioned between (two) adjacent brush elements.

12. The brush according to claim 11, wherein at least one stability member forms integral part of the brush body.

13. The brush according to claim 11, wherein the stability members have a length which is shorter than the part of the brush element which extends with respect to the brush body.

14. The brush according to claim 1, wherein the brush elements are made of a polymer material, or a textile and/or a hybrid version thereof.

15. The brush body for use in a brush according to claim 1.

16. The brush assembly comprising an axis and multiple adjacent brushes according to according to claim 1.

17. The use of a brush according to claim 1.

18. A method of producing a brush for a vehicle washing system, comprising the steps of: providing at least one brush body comprising multiple receiving spaces, wherein at least part of said brush body is made of a polymer material; providing multiple brush elements and positioning at least part of at least one brush elements in a receiving space such that at least a further part of said brush element extends with respect to the brush body; providing at least one cover element wherein at least part of said cover element is made of a polymer material, and positioning the cover element upon the brush body such that said cover element covers at least part of the receiving spaces; and attaching the at least one cover element to the brush body via plastic welding.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein providing at least one brush body comprises a cutting operation for cutting out the brush body from a polymer material.

20. The method according to claim 18, wherein at least one brush element comprises at least one support member which is made of a polymer material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0038] The present invention will further be elucidated according to the following non-limitative figures, wherein:

[0039] FIG. 1a shows an embodiment of a brush according to the present invention, and

[0040] FIG. 1b shows an exploded view of the brush of FIG. 1a; and

[0041] FIG. 2a-2d show a schematic and detailed view of various embodiments of receiving spaces in a brush body according to the present invention; and

[0042] FIGS. 3a-3h show a schematic side view of various embodiments of a brush body wherein shape and dimensions of the protruding stability members vary.

[0043] FIGS. 4a-4h show a schematic side view of various embodiments of a brush body comprising a preferred embodiment of the protruding stability members with various central openings of various shapes; and

[0044] FIG. 5a shows a perspective view on a brush element; and

[0045] FIG. 5b shows a perspective view on a brush element as used in the brush according to the present invention; and

[0046] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a brush assembly according to the present invention.

[0047] Within these figures, similar reference numbers correspond to similar or equivalent elements or features.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0048] FIG. 1a and 1b show an embodiment of a brush 1 for a vehicle washing system according to the present invention. FIG. 1a shows an assembled configuration of the brush 1 whereas FIG. 1b shows an exploded view. The embodiment of a brush 1 according to the present invention comprises a brush body 2, wherein multiple brush elements 5 are contained in receiving spaces 3. The brush body 2 is configured for use in a vehicle washing system, wherein the brush 1 may rotate during washing operation. The brush body 2 may be mounted on an axis within the vehicle washing system. The brush elements 3 of the brush 1 get successively in contact with the vehicle to be washed, due to the rotational movement. The material of the brush element 3 depends on the application. In this embodiment a foam material is shown, which is further elucidated in FIG. 5. For containing the brush elements 5 the brush body 2 comprises multiple receiving spaces 3, wherein each receiving space 3 contains a brush element 5. From an individual receiving space 3, a brush element 5 extends with respect to the brush body 2. In the shown embodiment the brush elements 5 extend in a plane perpendicular to the circumference of the brush body 2. The brush 1 further comprises a cover element 4, which covers at least part of the receiving spaces 3 and at least a part of the brush body 2. At least a part of the cover element 4 and at least a part of the brush body are made of a polymer material, preferably the same polymer material. The cover element 4 is connected via plastic welding to the brush body 2.

[0049] In the shown embodiment, the brush 1 comprises a brush body 2 with multiple receiving spaces 3, wherein the receiving spaces 3 are oriented circular and concentric with respect to the central opening 8. The receiving spaces 3 are each configured to receive a brush element 5 with a support member 6. In FIG. 1a it is shown that the receiving space is filled with part of a brush element 5 and a support member 6. In the shown embodiment, the receiving spaces 3 extends over the entire thickness of the brush body 2. In the exploded view the brush element 5 is folded around the support member 6, in the way wherein the parts are present in the assembled brush 1. The support member 6 and the core 3a of the receiving space 3 have a complementing shape, wherein the core 3a of the receiving space 3 is slightly bigger than the support member 6 and slightly smaller than the outer dimensions of the support member 6 plus the thickness of the brush element 5. All brush elements 5 comprise a first part 5a which is received in the core 3a of the receiving space 3, a second part 5b which runs through the channel 3b of the receiving space and a third part 5c which protrudes from the brush body 2. The channel 3b runs from the core 3a to the circumference of the brush body 2. The brush element part 5c is flexible and during washing operation will move back and forth in a direction concentric with the brush body 2. In this embodiment each brush element 5 comprises one first part 5a, two second parts 5b, and two third parts 5c, which is further elucidated in FIGS. 5a and 5b.

[0050] The shown embodiment comprises two cover plates 4, on opposite sides of the brush body 2. The cover plates 4 cover at least all core parts 3a of the receiving spaces 3 and part of the brush body 2 at their respective side of the brush body 2. In FIG. 1 a the cover plate is translucent for illustrative purposes to show the configuration of the support members 6, with respect to the brush body 2 and cover plate 4. In the brush 1 according to the present invention the brush elements 5 are locked in the brush body 2 due to the connection between the support member 6 and the cover plate 4 and the connection between the brush body 2 and the cover plate 4. Both connections are preferably made by (plastic) welding.

[0051] The cover plate 4 is thus connected to both the support members 6 and the brush body 2. In the shown embodiment, the brush body 2, cover plates 4 and support members 6 are made from the same polymer material and are fixated/connected together via plastic welding and thus locking in the brush elements 5. This way the brush elements 5 are fixated within the brush 1. The brush elements 5 may each comprise the same configuration, but the brush may also alternatingly comprise brush elements of different materials. The brush element 5 may also comprise a laminate of material sheets. Depending on the application, the brush elements may comprise fingers 5′ at the tip of the brush element, as also shown in FIG. 5. The figure further shows protruding stability members 7, which are positioned in between two receiving spaces 3. FIG. 3 shows various embodiments of these protruding stability members 7. The brush further comprises a central opening 8 for mounting on an axis in a vehicle washing system. The axis may be positioned either horizontally or vertically with respect to the vehicle to be washed. The brush comprises a predetermined shaped central opening 8, which is complementary with the axis of the vehicle wash system where the brush according to the present invention is used.

[0052] Various embodiments of the brush body 2 are possible. The FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 show some of these variations, wherein different shapes of the receiving spaces (FIG. 2), protruding stability members (FIG. 3) and central opening (FIG. 4) are shown. These are alle non-limitative examples and show an impression of various embodiments of a single brush body 2 according to the present invention.

[0053] FIGS. 2a-2d show embodiments of brush bodies 2 with variations to the round core 3a of the receiving space 3 as shown in FIG. 1, all variations have in common that a straight channel 3b runs between the core of the receiving space and the circumference of the brush body 2. In FIG. 2a the receiving space 13 a shows hexagonal core 13a and a straight channel 3b from one of the sides of the hexagonal shaped core. FIG. 2b shows a pentagonal alike shaped receiving space core 13b, wherein the channel runs straight from a point where two sides of a pentagonal are touching. The sides adjacent to the channel are curved, whereas the other three opposing sides are more straight. FIG. 2c shows a triangular core 13c, where the channel runs from the middle of one side of the triangle. FIG. 2d shows a rectangular, in particular square, shaped core 13c, which is positioned such that the channel runs from the middle of one side of the rectangular shape.

[0054] All corners of the shapes used for the core may be rounded in various degrees, the embodiments shown are examples and serve to show that several options are possible. The shape of the support member will be complementary to the shape of the core of the receiving space and be adjusted according to the shape chosen for the receiving space.

[0055] FIGS. 3a-3h show a schematic side view of various embodiments of a brush body 2 wherein shape and dimensions of the protruding stability members 7 vary. The shape and size of the protruding stability members 7 may vary depending on the material properties chosen for the brush body 2, stability members 7 and brush elements (not shown). All shown embodiments have in common that the protruding stability members are integral part of the brush body, because this is a preferred way of a cost-effective manufacturing of the brush body comprising protruding stability members. The brush body 2 including the protruding stability members 7 is cut out of a polymer foam. The embodiments shown in FIGS. 3a-3h show examples of variations that may occur in practice, different embodiments have different stabilising and dampening characteristics. Depending on the washing operation to be performed by the brush according to the present invention, the desired protruding stability members can be chosen. The protruding stability members 7 may be longer for more dampening and stabilizing effect on the brush elements 5, as for example shown in FIG. 3c. In another embodiment the protruding stability members 7 have rounded shapes as in FIG. 3h for a smoothened movement of the brush elements. It is also possible that the protruding stability member is at one side in contact with a brush element.

[0056] FIGS. 4a-4h show a schematic side view of various embodiments of a brush body 2 comprising a preferred embodiment of the protruding stability members 7 with various central openings 8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f, 8g, 8h, 8i of various shapes and/or sizes. Each central opening 8 corresponds to an axis of a particular size and/or shape. Typically, each brand uses their own typical shape for the axis and thus the brush is complementary to the axis. So that in practice the shape corresponds to particular desired/predetermined brands or systems that have said size and/or shape as a standard for their axis and brush assemblies. Preferably the shapes of the central opening are such that due to their shape the brush remains in its position on the axis during rotation of the axis.

[0057] Further, an embodiment of a brush element will be shown in a little more detail in FIGS. 5a and 5b. FIG. 5a shows an embodiment of a brush element 5 as used in the brush as shown in FIG. 1. A brush element 5 comprises a first part 5a which is received in the core 3a of the receiving space 3, a second part 5b which runs through the channel 3b of the receiving space and a third part 3b which protrudes from the brush body 2. In this embodiment each brush element 5 comprises one first part 5a, two second parts 5b, and two third parts 5c. The shown brush element 5 is made out of one piece of material, or a laminate of materials. Depending on the purpose of the brush the material can be chosen. The shown embodiment of the third part 5c of the brush element comprises an end portion 5d wherein the brush element is longitudinally divided into multiple smaller elongated brush segments, brush fingers 5′. The brush fingers 5′ are optional and preferably used when the brush element is manufactured from a foam material. The brush may also be manufactured from a flexible and soft textile without fingers. For example, if the brush according to the present invention is used for drying operations, the brush element usually has no fingers to enhance the drying effect. For the drying application the brush elements are preferably as wide as possible.

[0058] FIG. 5b shows an embodiment of the brush element 5 as if it is positioned within a brush body. The first part 5a is received in the core 3a of a receiving space 3, and this is filled with a support member 6. In this example the support member 6 has the shaped of a rod and is preferably used in combination with a complementary round-shaped core 3a of a receiving space. The support member 6 is in this embodiment manufactured from the same polymer foam material as the cover plate 4 and the brush body 2 and these elements are affixed due to plastic welding. Due to this connection the brush element 5 is affixed within the brush body 2. The brush elements 5 may be more stiff or flexible depending on the application.

[0059] In the shown embodiment of the brush element in FIG. 5, the brush element is made out of one piece of material, or a laminated material. It is also possible that part(s) 5c, the part which extends from the brush body outwards, is/are removable from the parts 5a and 5b, such that the part(s) 5c can be removed and replaced.

[0060] FIG. 6 shows an embodiment of a brush assembly 20 comprising an axis 22 and multiple adjacent brushes 21 which are fixated on said axis 22. In the embodiment shown, the brush bodies 23 of the brushes 21 are positioned such on the axis 22 that the receiving spaces and thus the brush elements are mutually aligned. The shape of the central openings of the brushes 21 are complementary to the shape of the axis 22.

[0061] Preferred embodiments of the invention are set out in the non-limitative set of clauses presented below: [0062] 1. Brush for a vehicle washing system, comprising: [0063] at least one brush body comprising multiple receiving spaces; [0064] multiple brush elements; and [0065] at least one cover element;
wherein at least part of at least one brush element, and preferably of each brush element, is received within part of a receiving space and wherein at least a further part of said brush element extends with respect to the brush body;
and wherein the cover element is attached to the brush body such that said cover element covers at least part of the receiving spaces, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a polymer material and wherein the brush body and the cover element are connected via plastic welding. [0066] 2. Brush according to clause 1, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a substantially similar polymer material. [0067] 3. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein at least part of the brush body and at least part of at least one cover element are made of a polymer foam. [0068] 4. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein at least part of the brush body and/or at least part of the cover element are made of a polymer material comprising extruded polyethylene and/or closed cell foam and/or open cell foam and/or polyethylene foam and/or polyurethane foam. [0069] 5. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein at least part of the receiving spaces are provided at an outer edge of the brush body. [0070] 6. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein at least one, and preferably each receiving space defines a channel and a core segment. [0071] 7. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein at least one brush element comprises at least one support member which is made of a polymer material. [0072] 8. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the brush body comprises at least two opposing side surfaces, wherein at least one, and preferably each receiving space extends between said side surfaces. [0073] 9. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, comprising at least two cover elements, wherein the brush body comprises at least two opposing side surfaces and wherein a first cover element is attached to a first side surface and a second cover element is attached to a second side surface such that said cover elements substantially enclose at least part of the brush body. [0074] 10. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the brush body comprises at least one central opening. [0075] 11. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the brush body comprises multiple protruding stability members, wherein at least one, and preferably each stability member is positioned between (two) adjacent brush elements. [0076] 12. Brush according to clause 11, wherein at least one and preferably each stability member forms integral part of the brush body. [0077] 13. Brush according to clause 11 or 12, wherein the stability members have a length which is shorter than the part of the brush element which extends with respect to the brush body. [0078] 14. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the brush elements are made of a polymer material, or a textile and/or a hybrid version thereof. [0079] 15. Brush according to any of the previous clauses, wherein the brush body is a modular body. [0080] 16. Brush body for use in a brush according to any of the previous clauses. [0081] 17. Brush assembly comprising an axis and multiple adjacent brushes according to any of the clauses 1-15. [0082] 18. Use of a brush according to any of clauses 1-15. [0083] 19. Method of producing a brush for a vehicle washing system, in particular according to any of clauses 1-15, comprising the steps of: [0084] providing at least one brush body comprising multiple receiving spaces, wherein at least part of said brush body is made of a polymer material; [0085] providing multiple brush elements and positioning at least part of at least one brush elements and preferably each brush element in a receiving space such that at least a further part of said brush element extends with respect to the brush body; [0086] providing at least one cover element wherein at least part of said cover element is made of a polymer material, and positioning the cover element upon the brush body such that said cover element covers at least part of the receiving spaces; and [0087] attaching the at least one cover element to the brush body via plastic welding. [0088] 20. Method according to clause 19, wherein providing at least one brush body comprises a cutting operation for cutting out the brush body from a polymer material, in particular a polymer foam. [0089] 21. Method according to clause 19 or 20, wherein at least one brush element comprises at least one support member which is made of a polymer material.

[0090] It will be clear that the invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments which are illustrated and described here, but that countless variants are possible within the framework of the attached claims, which will be obvious to the person skilled in the art. In this case, it is conceivable for different inventive concepts and/or technical measures of the above-described variant embodiments to be completely or partly combined without departing from the inventive idea described in the attached claims.

[0091] The verb ‘comprise’ and its conjugations as used in this patent document are understood to mean not only ‘comprise’, but to also include the expressions ‘contain’, ‘substantially contain’, ‘formed by’ and conjugations thereof.

[0092] The term vehicle washing system as used in this patent document are understood to mean not only washing, but to also include a vehicle polishing system, a vehicle buffing system and a vehicle drying system.