WASHING APPARATUS FOR VEHICLES

Abstract: A brushless vehicle washing machine comprised of a vertical frame (6, 14) anchored to the floor or to an adjustable base, a jet tube system (1, 3 and 4) longitudinally movable by an articulated framework (8, 9, 10) fixed to the said frame and necessary controls, e.g. photocell controls to steer the motion of jet tubes characterized in that to the part (13) movable by means of the articulated framework (8, 9, 10) another articulated framework (2) is fastened by means of which the ceiling jet tube is moved vertically.

Description: Washing apparatus for vehicles The invention relates to a brushless vehicle washing machine for washing vehicles from the outside and also from the inside, especially their load spaces. Brushless wash allows cleanings of problem vehicles, such as caravans, vehicles furnished with skiboxes, antennas etc. Present brushless washing machines require as much space as brush machines. Further, they need supporting structures which must be anchored not only on the floor but also on walls and in the ceiling. In connection with vehicle washing machines articulated frameworks are known a.o. from EP-publication 256 699, patent publication DE-884 749 and SE-publication 323 899. In these publications a longitudinal single motion of some sort produced by an articulated framework is introduced. By means of the construction of this invention a decisive improvement of vehicle extern washing and intern washing, such as load space washing by means of equipment needed to wash small spaces, is achieved. The equipment can also be connected to a brush machine. The invention is characterized in what is presented in the patent claims. The advantage of the invention is that when erected the equipment does not need much space. The equipment is mounted and simply anchored to an appropriate foundation at the end of the washing space, whereat other areas are left free. The washing procedure is very fast since nozzles necessary for all directions are in operation during the to-and-fro motion of the machine. The use of an articulated framework enables a light construction and a great outreach in order to carry out neccessary motions. In the following the invention is disclosed with reference to the enclosed drawing where, Fig. 1 shows a front view of the washing machine by extern wash. Fig. 2 shows a side view of the washing machine and its path. Fig. 3 shows the washing machine from above and its longitudinal path. Fig. 4 shows a front view of the washing machine by intern wash. Fig. 5 shows the washing machine from above and its longitudinal path. Fig. 6 shows a side view of the washing machine by intern wash and its path. Figure 1 shows the washing machine mounted on the floor by means of washers 7. The washing maching has vertical frame beams 6 reaching over vehicles during washing. To the upper part of frame beams 6 movable washing machine parts are fixed, i.e. vertical jet tubes 3 and 4 and a jet tube 1 moving horisontally. Vertical jets 3 and 4 are movable in crosswise direction towards each other by means of arrangement 11, which is, for instance, a driving motor transporting tubes 3,4 along cross beam 12. The nozzles of jet tubes 3 and 4 are directed to the machine centre. In the frame upper part there is also an arrangement for the vertical motion of ceiling jet tube 1. This is accomplished by an articulated framework 2 by which jet tube 1 can be lowered. Figure 2 shows the washing machine erected and the washing machine also with broken lines in its extreme position. Both jet tube systems 3,4 and 1 are in the upper part of frame beams fixed to rest on a special type articulated framework. The framework is built of joints 8,9 and 10 and of arms between them. By means of the framework a remarkably long longitudinal motion for jet tubes 3,4 and 1 can be arranged allowing washing of long vehicles. Jet tube 1 is fixed on the front side of jet tubes 3 and 4 by means of its own articulated arms 2 so that it can be separately lowered and raised during washing as shown in figure 1. This path ranges to the floor level. Figure 3 shows the mechanism of longitudinal motion comprised of joints 8,9 and 10 and arms between them in form of a framework. The motion is produced by means of a medium cylinder 18 turnig the first arms coming off the frame in a manner known as per se. Vertical jet tubes 3 and 4 move in beam 12 and jet tube 1 is moved vertically by framework 2 coming off beam 13. Figure 4 is a washing machine the frame 14 of which is at so low a level, either stationary mounted or raised or lowered by an adjustable base, that the washing elements can be driven into the load space to carry out cleaning. Jet tubes 3 and 4 on the sides are turned outward and jet tube 1 is in this case raised by means of mechanism 2 to wash the load space ceiling. Further, the use of supporting wheels is illustrated in the figure. They are rolling on the load space floor carrying the movable articulated framework. Especially, on washing the load space ceiling holding up is important, because due to the ceiling jet tube 1 there is a downward recoil power which in other case could load the supporting structures 14 too excessively. Figure 5 shows a longitudinal motion produced inside the load space for the jet tubes by a mechanism like the one in figure 3. Further, it is shown in figure 5 how jet tubes 3 and 4 can be turned around their axis in order to spray in different directions. Figure 6 shows a side view of the transportation of jet tubes 3,4 and 1 along the load space floor 17. Jet tube 1 can be turned around its crosswise axlis, whereat the load space lower corner and upper corner can be washed with it efficiently. As to its height, frame 14 can be adjusted resting on a fitting base, whereat the equipment can be raised above the load space floor 17 or onto it. The fitting base can be so built that the equipment can be raised above washable vehicles enabling outside washing as per figures 1-3. The motions of jet tubes 3,4 and 1 can be controlled in a manner prior art in moving mechanisms 8,9,10 and 2, e.g. using a control system by photocells, whereat the jet tubes will follow the forms of the object being washed.

Claims: PATENT CLAIMS 1. A brushless vehicle washing machine comprised of a vertical frame (6), (14) anchored to the floor or to an adjustable base, a jet tube system (1), (3) and (4) longitudinally movable by an articulated framework (8,9,10) fixed to the said frame and necessary controls, e.g. photocell controls to steer the motion of jet tubes characterized in that to the part (13), movable by means of the articulated framework (8,9,10), another articulated framework (2) is fastened by means of which the ceiling jet tube is moved vertically. 2. A vehicle washing machine according to patent claim 1 characterized in that framework (8,9,10) moves above the vehicle and jet tubes (1), (3) and (4) are arranged to move as per the vehicle outer surface. 3. A vehicle washing machine according to patent claim 1 characterized in that framework (8,9,10) moves inside the vehicle, most suitably its load space, and jet tubes (1), (3) and (4) are arranged to move as per the vehicle inner surface. 4. A vehicle washing machine according to patent claim 1 - 3 characterized in that jet tubes (1), (3) and (4) are located vertically in the framework (8,9,10) end and adjusted to move crosswise in the washing machine. 5. A vehicle washing machine according to patent claim 1 - 4 characterized in that jet tube (1) can be turned around the travers axis of the washing machine. 6. A vehicle washing machine according to any patent claim 1-5 characterized in that jet tubes (3,4) can be turned around the travers axis of their own. 7. A vehicle washing machine according to any patent claim 1-6 characterized in that as to its height framework (8,9,10) rests on an adjustable base so that its its movable portion can be adjusted to within the washable vehicle space, e.g. on its floor (17) . 8. A vehicle washing machine according to any patent claim 1-7 characterized in that as to its level the fixing frame of mechanism (8,9,10) rests on an adjustable base for adjustment of the portion moved by means of said mechanism and the said mechanism to travel on different heights, for instance above washable vehicles as well as in the vehicles, in their load space, for instance.

Inventors: MANNI SEPPO TOIVO JUHANI, MANNI, SEPPO, TOIVO, JUHANI
Applicants: MANNI SEPPO TOIVO JUHANI, MANNI, SEPPO, TOIVO, JUHANI
Application year: 1996
Main classification: B60S3
IPC codes: B60S3