Abstract:
A vehicle washing machine having a frame supporting member adapted to be located above the vehicle, and a conveyor moving the vehicle past the washing machine. A shuttle plate is mounted on the supporting member, and a shuttle plate motor is connected to the shuttle plate. A proximal end of an arm is pivotally mounted on the shuttle plate, and a cleaning element is mounted at the distal end of the arm. A sensor is used to detect the presence of the vehicle, and a controller connected to the sensor, the shuttle plate motor and the conveyor commands the shuttle plate motor to move the proximal end of the arm between outer and inner positions on the supporting member in response to different locations of the cleaning element with respect to the vehicle, thereby permitting the cleaning element to wash a greater portion of the vehicle.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates generally to the field of cleaning machines and more particularly, to an improved apparatus for washing vertical surfaces on vehicles. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Vehicle washing services have been known for decades. Often such washing services utilize washing machines that are designed to wash particular portions of the vehicles. For example, one known type of washing machines has a relatively large and long brush rotating about a generally vertical axis that is used to wash vertical surfaces of the vehicle as the vehicle moves past the washing machine. The vehicle is either driven or conveyed past the washing machine. With some washing machines, one or more rotating vertical brushes are stationary and simply wash one or more side surfaces as the vehicle moves past the brushes. With other machines, a rotating brush is located at one side of the vehicle and is moved along a path parallel to the path of vehicle travel. 
     With still other machines, a brush is mounted at the distal end of a pivot arm having its proximal end pivotally connected to a frame above the vehicle, and the brush is used to wash one side and one or both ends of the vehicle. A critical design decision with such machines is the determination of where to mount the proximal end of the arm with respect to the centerline of the vehicle. In order to best wash the front end of a vehicle, the proximal end of the pivot arm should be mounted in an outside position close to the side being washed. Thus, in washing the front of the vehicle starting at the center, as the vehicle moves forward, the pivot arm extends outward, thereby allowing the brush to move forward as it moves across the front of the vehicle. However, after the brush has washed the side of the vehicle, as the brush moves around the rear of the vehicle, the outside location of the pivot point results in the pivot arm moving the brush away from the vehicle simultaneously with the vehicle moving away from the brush. The net result is that as the brush moves across the rear of the vehicle, the force of its contact with the vehicle is constantly diminishing, thereby producing an equally diminishing washing action and a poorer quality wash. 
     The ability of the brush to wash the rear side may be improved by moving the pivot point of the arm inward. Therefore, as the brush begins washing from one side of the rear, as the vehicle moves forward, the pivot arm rotates toward the vehicle, thereby maintaining the brush in contact with the rear of the vehicle. While the quality of the washing action on the rear end of the vehicle is improved with the more inward location of the pivot point, the quality of the washing action on the front end of the vehicle is reduced. When washing the front end of the vehicle, when pivot point of the arm is inward, as the pivot arm moves from the center of the front end toward one side, the vehicle is moving forward, but the arc of the pivot arm is moving the brush toward the vehicle. With the brush moving toward the vehicle, the forces between the brush and the front end of the vehicle build up very rapidly, thereby increasing the speed of the brush as it moves across the front end. The speed of the brush may be great enough that the brush loses contact with the vehicle as it moves around the front corner of the vehicle. In other situations, since the brush is rotating on a flexible spindle, the forces may be great enough to propel the rotating brush off of the front end and up over a portion of the hood of the vehicle. 
     Thus, the location of the pivot point of the arm with respect to the vehicle centerline results in a compromise with respect to the ability of the washing machine to wash either or both the front and rear ends of the vehicle. The user of such a machine has several options. One option is to simply accept the lesser quality washing action on the ends of the vehicle. Another option is to supplement the washing action of the machine with manual washing of the front and/or rear ends either with every vehicle or, as required, based on an inspection of the vehicle. A further option is to choose a pivot point location that provides the desired quality wash at either the front or the rear end of the vehicle and wash the other end of the vehicle with another piece of equipment or manually. Thus, there is a need for an improved vehicle washing machine. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention provides a vehicle washing machine that provides a consistent high quality washing action over the sides and ends of the vehicle. Further, the vehicle washing machine of the present invention has a reduced washing cycle time, thus providing an increase in productivity. The vehicle washing machine of the present invention utilizes minimal floor space, requires no manual labor and thus, is more economical than known vehicle washing machines. 
     In accordance with the principles of the present invention and in accordance with the described embodiments, the present invention provides a vehicle washing machine having a first, vehicle path of motion and a frame supporting member adapted to be located above the vehicle. A shuttle plate is mounted on the supporting member for movement along a second path of motion, and a proximal end of an arm is pivotally mounted on the shuttle plate. A cleaning element is mounted at the distal end of the arm. The shuttle plate moves the proximal end of the arm between outer and inner positions on the supporting member in response to different locations of the cleaning element with respect to the vehicle, thereby permitting the cleaning element to wash a greater portion of the vehicle. 
     In one aspect of the invention, a shuttle plate motor moves the shuttle plate between the inner and outer positions, and a conveyor moves the vehicle past the washing machine. A sensor is used to detect the presence of the vehicle, and a controller connected to the sensor, the shuttle plate motor and the conveyor controls the operation of the shuttle plate motors in response to determining particular positions of the cleaning element with respect to the vehicle. 
     In another aspect of the invention, in the outer position, the shuttle plate supports the cleaning element so that the cleaning element wipes one side of the vehicle as the conveyor moves the vehicle past the cleaning element. When the controller determines a first position of the cleaning element with respect to the vehicle, the controller operates the shuttle plate motor to move the shuttle plate and the arm to an inner position closer to a centerline of the washing machine. With the arm in the inner position, the cleaning element is able to wipe a greater area of the end of the vehicle than would be possible with the arm in the outer position. When the controller determines a second position of the cleaning element with respect to the vehicle, the controller operates the shuttle plate motor to move the shuttle plate back to the starting outer position. 
     A second embodiment of the invention provides a method of washing a vehicle comprising disposing a cleaning element with respect to one side of the vehicle. The cleaning element is mounted to a distal end of an arm, and the proximal end of the arm is pivotally attached to a shuttle plate located at an outer position with respect to a supporting member. The vehicle is moved in a first direction causing the cleaning element to wipe across a substantial portion of surfaces on a front end and a side of the vehicle. When a controller determines that the cleaning element is at a first position with respect to the vehicle, the shuttle plate is moved from the outer position to an inner position. Continued motion of the vehicle in the first direction causes the cleaning element to wipe across a substantial portion of surfaces on the rear end of the vehicle. When the controller detects that the cleaning element is at a second location with respect to the vehicle, the shuttle plate is moved from the inner position back to the outer position. 
     These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent during the following detailed description together with the drawings herein. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a top plan view of the vehicle washing machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 1A is a larger fragmentary view of a shuttle plate and frame of the vehicle washing machine of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the vehicle washing machine of FIG.  1 . 
     FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram of a control system for the vehicle washing machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating a general cycle of operation of the vehicle washing machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention. 
     FIGS. 5A-5J are schematic diagrams illustrating a sequence of operation of the various components of the vehicle washing machine in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The shuttle plate cylinders have been omitted for purposes of illustration. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to FIGS. 1,  1 A and  2 , a vehicle washing machine  20  is comprised of a left side washing machine  22  and a right side washing machine  24 . The washing machines  22 ,  24  are used to wash the generally vertical surfaces on the front, the sides and the rear of a vehicle  26  moving through the vehicle washing machine  20  in the direction indicated by the arrow  28 . The right side washing machine  24  includes a right frame  30  comprised of upper and lower crossrails  32 ,  34 , respectively, located above the vehicle  26  and extending in a direction generally perpendicular to the direction of travel  28 . The crossrails  32 ,  34  are attached at their ends to a pair of columns  36  that support the crossrails  32 ,  34  at their desired height above the vehicle  26 . The columns  34  are secured at their lower ends to a floor  40  by a pair of feet or plates  38 . Thus, the frame  30  has an inverted generally U-shape with a height extending above the height of the vehicle  26  and a length greater than the width of the vehicle, thereby permitting the vehicle  26  to move under the frame  30 . 
     A right shuttle plate  42  is slidably mounted to upper and lower linear bearings  44 ,  46 , respectively, that, in turn, are mounted to the respective upper and lower crossrails  32 ,  34 . A pair of upper bearing blocks  48  are mounted on the rear of the shuttle plate  42  and aligned to receive the upper linear bearing  44 . The ends of the linear bearing  44  are secured a desired distance from the upper rail  32  by support brackets  50 . Similarly, the lower linear bearing  46  is supported at its ends to the lower rail  34  by brackets  52 . A pair of bearing blocks  54  are mounted to the rear of the shuttle plate  42  and are aligned to receive the linear bearing  46 . A right shuttle plate motor  56 , for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, is pivotally connected at one end to the vertical column  36 . A cylinder rod  58  extending from the opposite end of the cylinder  56  is pivotally connected at its distal end to a pivot block  60  mounted on the rear side of the shuttle plate  42  (FIG.  1 A). 
     A pivot block  62  is mounted on the front side of the shuttle plate  42  preferably opposite the location of the pivot block  60 . A right arm  64  has a proximal end pivotally connected to the pivot block  62  and pivots with respect to a generally vertical pivot axis  66 . The arm  64  extends generally horizontally in a direction generally the same as the direction of motion  28  of the vehicle  26 . A right cleaning or washing element or brush  68  is mounted on the distal end of the arm  64 . The brush  68  is powered by a fluid motor in a known manner to rotate generally clockwise as viewed from the top in FIG.  1 . The brush  68  is approximately four feet in diameter when rotating and approximately six feet long. Thus, the vertically hanging brush has a size capable of contacting and washing the vertical surfaces of most automobiles, pickup trucks, vans and other vehicles. One or more biasing elements  70  have one end pivotally connected to an outer edge of the shuttle plate  42  and an opposite end pivotally connected to the arm  64 . The biasing elements  70  bias or push the arm  64  inwardly to a quiescent position at which the axis of rotation  72  of the brush  68  is approximately aligned with the centerline  74  of the frame  30 , the vechical  26  and the vehicle washing machine  20 . The biasing elements  70  may be implemented using gas cylinders, shock absorbers, or other known devices that provide the desired biasing force. 
     The left side washing station  22  is substantially identical to the right side washing station  24  just described. The washing station  22  has a similar generally U-shaped left frame  80  with upper and lower crossrails  82 ,  84 , respectively, that are supported at their desired elevation by columns  86  that have feet  88  at their lower end for securing the frame  80  to the floor  40 . A left shuttle plate  90  is mounted on upper and lower linear bearings  92 ,  94 , respectively, for generally horizontal linear motion toward and away from the centerline  74 . The linear bearings  92 ,  94  are mounted at their ends to the respective crossrails  82 ,  84  in a manner similar to that described with respect to the right side wash station  24 . A left cylinder  95  is pivotally mounted at one end to the column  86  and has a cylinder rod  98  extending from its opposite end. The distal end of the cylinder rod  98  is pivotally mounted to the rear side of the left shuttle plate  90 . A proximal end of the left arm  96  is pivotally mounted to a pivot block  99  to rotate with respect to generally vertical axis  97 . The pivot block  99  is secured to the front of the shuttle plate  90 . As shown in FIG. 2, the pivot block  62  is mounted higher than the pivot block  99 , so that the arm  64  is higher than the arm  96 . Thus, the arm  64  can pass over the arm  96  without interference. A left cleaning or washing element or brush  100  is mounted to the proximal end of the arm  96 . The brush  100  is identical to the brush  68 , however, it is powered to rotate in the counterclockwise direction as viewed from the top in FIG.  1 . One or more biasing elements  102  are pivotally connected at one end to an outer edge of the shuttle plate  90  and pivotally connected their opposite end to the arm  96 . The biasing elements  102  are identical to the biasing elements  70  and are effective to bias the arm  96  inwardly such that the axis of rotation  104  of the brush  100  is approximately aligned with the centerline  74  of the wash station  20 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, upon ON/OFF switch  201  being switched to the ON position, a controller  202  operates the conveyor motor  200 , brush motors  204  and washing fluid pump motor  206 . The controller  202  can be implemented with a personal computer utilizing commercially available I/O boards or any programmable logic controller with arithmetic capabilities. Normally, the motors  200 ,  204  are hydraulic motors, but they can also be electric or pneumatic. Motion of the vehicle  26  through the vehicle washing machine  20  is normally effected by a conveyor  208  connected to conveyor motor  200 . The conveyor  208  is normally a chain driven from a sprocket on the conveyor motor  200  and having its ends connected to form a continuous loop. The conveyor  208  normally includes spaced rollers that contact tires of the vehicle to pull the vehicle past the washing machine  20 . In a known manner, a proximity sensor  205  provides a signal to the controller  202  identifying the location of the front and rear ends of the vehicle  26  as it is moved by the conveyor  208 . The proximity sensor  205  can be magnetic, optical or any other known proximity type of sensor. The velocity of the conveyor motor  200  and thus, conveyor  208  is commanded by the controller  202 , and the relative location of the vehicle washing station  20  with respect to the sensor  205  is also known. Therefore, the controller  202  is able to continuously track the position of the front and rear ends of the vehicle  26  with respect to the vehicle washing machine  20 . In other words, knowing the conveyor velocity, the controller  202  is able to determine the relative position of the front and/or rear of the vehicle at any time after it detects the vehicle with the sensor  205 . 
     FIG. 4 illustrates the process implemented by the controller  202  in controlling the operation of the vehicle washing machine  20  which is illustrated in detail in FIGS. 5A-5J. After the conveyor and brush motors  200 ,  204  have been started, the conveyor  208  moves the vehicle  26  to the position as illustrated in FIG.  5 A. Referring to FIG. 5A, the shuttle plates  42 ,  90  are at their outermost positions with respect to the centerline  74 ; and the centerlines  72 ,  104  of the respective rotating brushes  68 ,  100  are located substantially on the centerline  74 . The front end of the vehicle  26  initially contacts the left brush  100  at approximately the center point of the front end of the vehicle. The counterclockwise rotation of the brush  100  causes it to walk across and wash the front surfaces of the vehicle  26  that are mostly to the left of the centerline  74 . The counterclockwise rotation of the brush  100  rotates the pivot arm  96  counterclockwise, thus moving the rotating brush  100  in the same direction as the vehicle motion  28 . The forward motion of the vehicle  26  and brush  100  permits the force between the brush  100  and front end of the vehicle  26  to be principally controlled by the biasing element  102  (FIG. 1,  1 A,  2 ). As the brush  100  moves away from the centerline  74 , the biasing element  102  applies a force against the arm  96  to maintain the brush  100  in contact with the vehicle  26 . 
     Referring to FIG. 5B, as the left brush  100  moves around and washes the left front corner of the vehicle  26  and the surfaces on the left side of the vehicle  26 , the right brush  68  then contacts the front end of the vehicle  26  approximately at its center point. The clockwise rotation of the brush  68  causes it to walk across and wash the front surfaces that are to the right of the centerline  74  and move toward the right side of the vehicle in opposition to the force being provided by the biasing elements  70  (FIG. 1,  1 A,  2 ). Further, the clockwise rotation of the brush  68 , causes the arm  64  to pivot clockwise, thereby moving the rotating brush  68  in the same direction as the vehicle  26  is being conveyed. The clockwise rotation of the brush  68  further causes it to walk around the front right corner of the vehicle  26 , and as shown in FIG. 5C, the brushes  100 ,  68  then proceed to move across and wash the surfaces on the respective left and right sides of the vehicle  26 . 
     With continued motion of the vehicle  26  on the conveyor  208 , the left brush  100  moves to a position illustrated in FIG.  5 D. If the shuttle plate  90  is maintained in the outer position, as the brush  100  moves around the left rear corner of the vehicle  26 , the counterclockwise rotation of the brush  100  moves the brush  100  toward the centerline  74 , thereby imparting a clockwise rotation of the arm  96 . When the arm  96  reaches position that is perpendicular to the frame  80 , the brush  100  is at its closest position to the rear end of the vehicle  26 . Further clockwise rotation of the arm will move the brush  100  in a direction opposite the direction of motion  28  of the vehicle  26 . Thus, while portions of the brush  100  may be contacting the rear end of the vehicle  26 , the forces between the brush  100  and the vehicle  26  will be diminishing and the washing action lessening. The net result is a poor quality washing action over the rear end of the vehicle. 
     in order to prevent such a situation from occurring, the position of the shuttle plate  90  and pivot point  97  is moved toward the centerline  74 . The controller  202  at process step  406 , determines whether the left side brush  100  has reached a point approximately six feet from the rear of the vehicle  26 . The controller  202  sets the velocity of the conveyor  208  and knows the length of the vehicle  26  based on the inputs from the proximity switch  205 . Therefore, the controller  202  can determine the amount of time required for the conveyor  208  to move the rear of the vehicle  26  from its point of detection by sensor  205  to within six feet of the centerline  104  of the brush  100 . When that brush location is determined as illustrated in FIG. 5D, the controller  202  at  408 , initiates the operation of the left shuttle plate motor or cylinder  95  to move the shuttle plate  90  from its outermost position through a displacement along a path of motion on the linear bearings  92 ,  94  perpendicular to the first path of motion  28  to its innermost position illustrated in FIG.  5 E. In that position, the pivot point  97  of the arm  96  is located on the centerline  74 . 
     At the innermost position, the shuttle plate  90  is over the centerline  74 , and the pivot point  97  of the arm  96  is approximately on the centerline  74 , thereby placing the brush  100  in the best position on the rear end of the vehicle  26  to properly wash at least half of the rear end of the vehicle  26 . As shown in FIG. 5F, with the proximal end of the arm  96  of the brush  100  on the centerline  74 , the clockwise rotation of the arm  96  results in the brush moving in the same forward direction that the vehicle  26  is moving. Further, it isn&#39;t until after the brush  100  passes over the centerline  74  that the clockwise rotation of the arm  96  results in the brush  100  moving in a direction opposite the direction of the vehicle  26 . Further, the biasing element  102  is applying a substantial biasing force to arm  96  and brush  100  in order to maintain brush  100  in proper washing contact with the rear of the vehicle  26 . Thus, as shown in FIG. 5G, the center location of the proximal arm  96  permits the left side brush  100  to walk across and properly wash not only surfaces on the left half of the rear of the vehicle  26  as well as some surfaces on the rear of the vehicle  26  to the right of the centerline  74 . Further, the greater frictional force between the brush  100  and the vehicle  26  that provides a better washing action also increases the relative velocity between the brush  100  and the vehicle  26 , thereby reducing the time of the washing cycle. 
     With continuing motion of the vehicle  26  on the conveyor  208 , the controller  202  next at  410 , determines when the left brush  100  loses contact with the vehicle  26  as illustrated in FIG.  5 H. The controller  202  determines the amount of time required for the conveyor to move the vehicle  26  past the reach of, and out of contact with, the brush  100 . When that happens, the inertia of the swinging left arm  96  may carry it below the right arm  64 ; and the controller  202  operates the left side cylinder  95  to move the left side shuttle plate  90  to the left to its outermost starting position as illustrated in FIG. 51, thereby placing the centerline  104  of brush  100  substantially on the centerline  74 . 
     Knowing the time at which the left brush  100  is within six feet of the rear of the vehicle  26  and further, knowing that the right brush  68  is forward of the left brush  100  by approximately 3.25 feet, the controller  202  then at  414 , determines how much more time is required for the right brush  68  to be approximately six feet from the rear of the vehicle  26 . When that location is detected, the controller  202  at  416  operates the right cylinder  56  to extend the cylinder rod  58 , thereby moving the shuttle plate  42  on the linear bearings  44 ,  46  to its innermost position close to the centerline  74  as illustrated in FIG.  51 . In a similar manner, as described with respect to the left brush  100 , the pivot point  66  of the arm  64  is moved inward to the centerline  74  and thus, in a position to permit the brush  68  to more evenly contact the rear end of the vehicle  26 . Further, the arm  64  has a sufficient biasing force to maintain the brush  68  in contact with the rear end of the vehicle  26 , so that all of the right half of the rear end of the vehicle  26  is properly washed. As illustrated in FIG. 5J, with the shuttle plate  42  and pivot point  66  at its innermost position, the right brush  68  moves across and wash surfaces on the right half of the rear of the vehicle  26  as well as some surfaces on the rear of the vehicle  26  to the left of the centerline  74 . As the right brush  68  finishes its leftward motion, the right arm  64  may pass over the left arm  96 . At  418 , the controller  202  then determines when the right brush  68  loses contact with the vehicle  26  and thereafter, at  420 , initiates operation of the right cylinder  56  to move the right shuttle plate  42  back to its outer starting location as illustrated in FIG.  5 A. Thus, the centerline  72  is again substantially aligned with the centerline  74 . The washing cycle then returns to process step  406  to await the arrival of the next vehicle. As with the left brush, the inner position of the pivot axis  66  of the right arm  64  provides a better washing action and also increases the relative velocity between the brush  68  and the vehicle  26 , thereby reducing the time of the washing cycle. 
     It should be noted that the speed of the conveyor  208  and vehicle  26  past the washing machine  20  is substantially constant; and therefore, the speed at which the right and left brushes  100 ,  68  move down the respective left and right sides of the vehicle  26  is also substantially constant. However, the rate at which the brushes move around the corners of the vehicle  26  and cross the ends will vary as a function of the resistive force that the surface of the vehicle  26  presents to the brushes  68 ,  100 . For example, referring to FIG. 5E, as the left brush  100  approaches the left rear corner of the vehicle  26 , the rate at which the brush  100  turns the corner and moves across the rear of the vehicle  26  is dependent on the frictional forces between the surface of the vehicle  26  and the rotating brush  100 . Those frictional forces will vary depending on various factors, such as the type of vehicle. For example, a van has tall side and rear surfaces and presents substantially more friction than a sports car having one-quarter or less of the surface area. Thus, the brush  100  will grab the van with a greater force and turn the corner and move across the rear of the vehicle at a greater velocity than it would when washing a substantially smaller vehicle. The frictional force will also vary with the degree to which the vehicle is dirty or clean. A clean, highly polished vehicle will present a substantially less frictional force than an extraordinarily dirty vehicle. 
     It should also be noted that the operation of the shuttle plates  90 ,  42 , on the respective left and right washing machines  22 ,  24  are commonly controlled by the controller  202 ; but the motion of the arms  64 ,  96  are totally independent. As described above, the frictional forces on the brushes  68 ,  100  will vary with each vehicle. Further, the speed of the conveyor  208  may for different reasons vary over the speed commanded by the controller  202 , and those variations will result in the shuttle plates  42 ,  90  appearing to move at slightly different times with respect to a reference point on the vehicle  26 . Those variations will also result in the brushes  68 ,  100  not operating as perfect mirror images of each other. Their velocities around the rear corners and across the rear of a vehicle will differ with each vehicle and will differ when washing the same vehicle more than one time. In spite of any such variations, the left brush  100  will always wash more than 50% of the rear surface of the vehicle and will try to wash 100% of the rear surface. Similarly, the right brush  68  will always wash more than 50% of the rear surface of the vehicle. 
     The variation in the speeds of the brushes  100 ,  68  across the rear of the vehicle  26  may create a circumstance of interference. For example, referring to FIG. 5H, with the left shuttle  90  at its inward position, the arm  96  extends to the right of the inner ends of the right linear bearings  44 ,  46  (FIG.  1 A). As the right shuttle plate  42  moves inward as illustrated in FIG. 51, it is possible for the right shuttle plate  42  to hit the left arm  96 . Such a situation creates an undesirable interference; and therefore, the left arm  96  has a bumper  110  mounted approximately at its center. The bumper  110  includes a contact pad  112  made of an ultrahigh molecular weight material, for example, a DELRIN material, commercially available from DuPont Company. Thus, with the bumper  110 , as the shuttle plate  42  moves inward, if the left arm  66  is right of the inner ends of the bearings  44 ,  46 , the shuttle plate  42  contacts the bumper  110  on the left arm  96  and pushes the left arm  96  and brush  100  to the left, preventing any potential undesirable interference between the brushes  68 ,  100 . As will be appreciated, the bumper  110  can be replaced by other devices that permit the right shuttle plate  42  to push the arm  96 , for example, a wheel. 
     The vehicle washing machine described with respect to FIGS. 1-5J provides a consistent high quality washing action to both sides and both ends of the vehicle, and the need for any supplemental manual washing is eliminated. Further, by maintaining the rotating cleaning elements in consistent contact with the vehicle, the cleaning elements walk over the surfaces of the vehicle more quickly, thereby providing a reduction in washing cycle time. Thus, more vehicles can be washed and the productivity is greater. The vehicle washing machine of the present invention is relatively simple in design, requires minimal floor space, has relatively few parts, is reliable and thus, generally more economical than known vehicle washing machines. 
     While the invention has been set forth by a description of the preferred embodiment in considerable detail, it is not intended to restrict or in any way limit the claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those who are skilled in the art. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the shuttle plates  42 ,  90  are moved from their outer position to their inner positions when the controller  202  determines that the brushes  68 ,  100  are within six feet from the rear end of the vehicle. However, as will be appreciated, the shuttle plates  42 ,  90  may be moved from the outer to the inner positions at any time after the brushes  68 ,  100  have finished washing the front end of the car, that is, after the brushes  68 ,  100  have turned around the front corner of the vehicle but before the brushes  68 ,  100  turn around the rear corner of the vehicle. Further, the shuttle plates  42 ,  90  are returned to their starting outer positions immediately upon the brushes  68 ,  100  losing contact with the vehicle. However, the shuttle plates can be returned at any time after they have finished washing the rear end of the vehicle but before the brushes begin washing the front end of the next vehicle. 
     The left and right shuttle plate motors  56 ,  95  are disclosed as being cylinders  56 ,  95 . As will be appreciated, those cylinders may be hydraulic or pneumatic; and further the cylinders  56 ,  95  may be mounted opposite from what is shown in FIG.  1 . That is, one or both of the cylinders may be pivotally mounted to the shuttle plates and the respective cylinder rods may be pivotally attached to the frame. Further, the cylinders  56 ,  95  may be replaced by other drives, for example, a rack and pinion drive, a chain or belt drive, etc. 
     The cleaning elements  68 ,  100  are disclosed as being rotating, cylindrical brushes; however, as will be appreciated, the cleaning or washing elements  68 ,  100  may be noncylindrical or planar in shape and mounted for oscillation or other motion on the distal ends of the respective arms  64 ,  96 . Preferably, the cleaning elements  68 ,  100  are mounted to have some continuous and repetitive motion to facilitate the cleaning process. However, as will be further appreciated, in an alternative embodiment, the cleaning elements  68 ,  100  may be static elements that simply wipe over the surfaces of the vehicle as it moves past the cleaning elements. 
     Therefore, the invention in its broadest aspects is not limited to the specific detail shown and described. Consequently, departures may be made from the details described herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims which follow.