Abstract:
A vehicle tire dressing apparatus according to the present invention comprises left and right dressing applicators situated alongside a vehicle conveying track, the dressing applicators being moveable individually into contacting engagement with tires on left and right sides of a vehicle in the track. Each applicator has an applicator pad mounted to a mount bar and the mount bar is hinged to a frame which allows articulation of the applicator pad into and out of contact with the tires. The applicator pad is configured with a plurality of orifices, each of which orifices receives fluid sprayed from a complimentary spray nozzle. Each orifice has an elongated capillary which assists dispersing fluid into the pad. The spray nozzles emit fluid into the pads for a predetermined amount of time, the spraying being initiated by movement of the vehicle into proximity with the tire dressing assembly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Technical Field  
           [0002]    This invention pertains generally to apparatus for applying a fluid to vehicle tires and, in particular, to a method and apparatus for automatically applying a dressing fluid to the tires of a vehicle being conveyed within an automatic vehicle washing facility.  
           [0003]    2. Background Art  
           [0004]    It is well known in the vehicle washing industry to perform various automated steps during the vehicle washing process as the vehicle is conveyed through a washing facility. Over the years, numerous advances to such washing facilities have expedited and improved the washing process while decreasing the manpower requirements of the facility. For instance, the development of a cost-efficient, effective air drying system for vehicles eliminated the need to dry vehicle manually after the washing procedure is completed.  
           [0005]    Historically, patrons to vehicle washing facilities have had the option of paying an additional fee and having a dressing fluid applied to the vehicle tires near the exit of the washing facility. The dressing fluid, which can be either water- or solvent-based, is applied directly to the tires to improve their appearance and provide a finishing touch to the exterior of the vehicle. There are various known methods for applying tire dressing fluids, none of which have successfully eliminated or even reduced manpower requirements, or improved the efficiency with which the dressing fluids are consumed by the washing facility.  
           [0006]    One method of dressing vehicle tires is by manually applying the dressing as the vehicle approaches the washing facility exits or when the car has been moved outside the washing facility. In an inherently costly and labor intensive process, an attendant applies the fluid manually to each tire. Understandably, there is difficulty in controlling the amount of tire dressing fluid that is used by the attendant. One attendant may apply the fluid liberally to the applicator pad or towel, while another attendant may not use enough fluid. The result is that patrons may receive inconsistent service, and the cost of the tire dressing service unnecessarily inflated to cover the cost of manpower and the dressing fluid consumed by the facility.  
           [0007]    There have also been attempts to apply the dressing fluid automatically as the vehicle is prepared to exit the washing facility. Typically, one or more spray nozzles are used to spray fluid directly on the tires. While an automatic spraying device may eliminate the manual step of applying the fluid, spraying the tires automatically creates other problems.  
           [0008]    Probably the worst problem is that the tires and wheels are usually sprayed together, so a large quantity of dressing fluid is wasted immediately when the wheels are sprayed. The tires must then be wiped to smooth any dripping fluid, and fluid must be removed completely from the wheels since the fluid can corrode certain types of wheels. As a result, instead of reducing manpower requirements by spraying tires with fluid, the amount of manual labor may actually be increased by the wiping requirements. There are also additional costs associated with products such as towels and gloves needed by the attendants to wipe down the tires and wheels.  
           [0009]    Another problem with spraying tires with fluid is that the attendants who subsequently wipe the wheels and tires often do so outside the facility, which allows fluid to drip from the tires and wheels before the vehicle reaches the attendant. Especially in the winter, fluid on the ground may pose a hazard to patrons and employees walking over the dripped fluid. There may also be environmental concerns when dressing fluid drains from the washing facility property.  
           [0010]    Still another problem with automatic tire spraying equipment is the result when the vehicle conveyor in the washing facility malfunctions. It is not infrequent that a vehicle jumps a roller or a stop on the conveyor which is used to pull the vehicle through the washing facility. The rollers or stops are typically linked to a pull chain driven and monitored by a computer control system. The computer control system tracks the location of the vehicle and controls the washing process by the locations of the roller or stop. If the vehicle is inadvertently moved away from the reference stop or roller and the computer controller does not recognize the move, the automatic spray equipment may miss the tires and possibly spray the vehicle body instead.  
           [0011]    An apparatus is needed which effectively and efficiently applies a dressing fluid to vehicle tires in a vehicle washing facility. The present invention is directed to such an apparatus and a method for its use.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0012]    It is an object of the present invention to provide apparatus which automatically applies a dressing fluid to the tires of a vehicle that is being conveyed through a vehicle washing facility.  
           [0013]    It is another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which eliminates labor-intensive, manual tasks in applying tire dressing fluid to vehicle tires in a car washing facility.  
           [0014]    It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an apparatus which applies a predetermined amount of tire dressing fluid to vehicle tires and avoid excessive product waste.  
           [0015]    According to the present invention, a tire dressing assembly for applying dressing liquid to vehicle tires in a vehicle washing facility includes a pair of mechanical applicators which move an associated pair of applicator pads into contacting engagement with the tires as the vehicle is being conveyed in the washing facility. The applicator pads are soaked automatically with the dressing fluid via an arrangement of spray nozzles as the vehicle approaches the tire dressing assembly. A pair of adjustable hydraulic cylinders press the mechanical applicators and the soaked applicator pads against the tires to transfer the dressing fluid to the tires as the vehicle is conveyed through the tire dressing assembly.  
           [0016]    According to one embodiment of the invention, the applicator pads have a concave contact surface that conforms to the shape of the tire sidewall.  
           [0017]    According to another embodiment of the invention, the applicator pads have a convex contact surface that compresses when engaged with the tire sidewall.  
           [0018]    One advantage of the present invention is the cost savings realized by automatically applying a dressing fluid to vehicle tires and eliminating labor-intensive, manual fluid application steps.  
           [0019]    Another advantage of the present invention is the cost savings realized by efficiently controlling the amount of tire dressing fluid that is applied to vehicle tires.  
           [0020]    Still yet another advantage of the present invention is that vehicles can be cleaned more efficiently in the washing facility by automatically applying tire dressing fluid. 
       
    
    
       [0021]    These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent in the light of the following detailed description of best mode embodiments thereof as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.  
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0022]    [0022]FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of a tire dressing assembly according to one embodiment of the present invention showing a vehicle moving toward left and right tire dressing applicators;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged, schematic perspective view of the tire dressing assembly of FIG. 1 showing the vehicle engaged with the right tire dressing applicator;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the lines  3 - 3 ;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 3 taken along the lines  4 - 4  illustrating an arrangement of spray nozzles positioned within an applicator pad;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 5 is a cross sectional view of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 4 taken along the lines  5 - 5  showing the applicator pad clamped between upper and lower mount plates;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of a second embodiment of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 5 reduced slightly in size and showing an applicator pad having a concave contact surface;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view of a third embodiment of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 5 reduced slightly in size and showing an applicator pad having a convex contact surface; and  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the tire dressing apparatus of FIG. 1 taken along the lines  3 - 3  and showing an applicator moveably coupled to a hydraulic cylinder. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0030]    Referring to FIGS.  1 - 2 , a vehicle tire dressing assembly  10  according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a left applicator  12  and a right applicator  14  which cooperate to apply a dressing fluid to sidewalls  15  of left and right tires  16 ,  17  of a vehicle  18 . The vehicle  18  is conveyed along a track  20  of a vehicle washing facility in a direction indicated by arrow  22 , the final portion of the washing facility being shown in FIGS. 1 &amp; 2. The track  20  includes an arrangement of components, including a computer control system and conveying equipment (not shown), which are considered well-known in the art. The control system is used by the washing facility to monitor and determine the exact position of the vehicle in the track  20 . It is intended that the present invention utilize the existing computer control system of the washing facility to initiate application of the fluid, as will be discussed in detail below.  
         [0031]    The left and right applicators  12 ,  14  are deflected by the vehicle from dormant positions shown generally in FIG. 1 to contacting positions shown in FIG. 2 wherein each applicator  12 ,  14  automatically positions and adjusts itself to the width of the vehicle into a contacting orientation with the sidewalls of the tires  16 ,  17 . The left applicator  12  moves in response to arrival of the left tires  16 , and includes a pair of left swing arms  26 , a left deflector roller  28 , a pair of anchor posts  30 , four pivot assemblies  32 , a left cylinder  34 , and a left mount bar  36 . The pivot assemblies  32  allow the mount bar  36  to maintain a generally parallel relationship with the track  20 . The left applicator  12  therefore remains in contacting engagement simultaneously with both left tires  16 . Because the left tires  16  are always kept within the track  20 , the left applicator  12  can effectively engage the tires with a minimal range of motion. In other words, as known in the industry, the left tires  16  provide a reference point for various mechanisms in the washing facility, including the present invention, which automatically adjusts to various vehicle widths by locating the right side of the vehicle  18 .  
         [0032]    The right applicator  14  is configured slightly differently from the applicator assembly  12  to articulate and permit passage of vehicle  18  upon arrival of the right tires  17 , and includes a pair of right swing arms  40 , a right deflector roller  42 , a pair of anchor posts  44 , four pivot assemblies  46 , a right cylinder  48 , and a right mount bar  50 . The pivot assemblies  46  are identical to pivot assemblies  32  of the left applicator  12 , but the swing arms  40  are slightly longer than swing arms  26 . With the longer swing arms  40 , the applicator  14  articulates in a larger arc compared to the applicator assembly  12 . During articulation, the right mount bar  50  maintains a generally parallel relationship to the left mount bar  36  and to the track  20 .  
         [0033]    The left cylinder  34  is mounted between the left mount bars  36  and one of the swing arms  26 , and the right cylinder  48  is mounted between the right mount bar  50  and one of the swing arms  40 . Both of the cylinders  34 ,  48  are hydraulically actuated and are positioned so that when they are extended, the applicators  12 ,  14  are moved into the path of the vehicle being conveyed along the track  20 . A fluid reservoir  51  is coupled to each cylinder  34 ,  48  and is pressurized with air so that the applicators  12 ,  14  are pressed against the tires with a desired amount of force once the vehicle is moved into engagement with the assembly  10 . The pressure in the cylinders  34 ,  48  is adjustable so that the applicators can apply a desired amount of force to the tires by selecting an appropriate level of air pressure.  
         [0034]    The left and right deflector rollers  28 ,  42  are positioned and oriented with respect to the mount bars  36 ,  50  to allow the vehicle  18  to impact the applicators  12 ,  14 , force the applicators outwardly in a camming action, and allow entry of the vehicle  18  between the applicators. The right roller  42  has a slightly longer length than the left roller  28  to account for various vehicle widths.  
         [0035]    Referring to the right applicator  14  shown in FIG. 3, the pivot assemblies  46  connect the swing arm  40  between the anchor post  44  and mount bar  50 , and includes inner and outer pivot pins  60 ,  62 , and inner and outer support bearings  64 ,  66 . The outer support bearings are attached to an outer bearing mount  68  which, in turn, is fixed to the anchor post  44  via a pair of U-bolts  70 . The U-bolts allow vertical movement of the applicator  14  relative to the ground by loosening the U-bolts  70  and moving the outer bearing mount  68  along the anchor post  44 . The outer pivot pin  62  anchors the swing arm to the anchor post. The inner support bearings  64  are attached to an inner bearing mount  72 . The inner pivot pin  60  pivotally couples the swing arm  40  to the mount bar  50 . The swing arm, mount bar, and anchor post are constructed of aluminum, but these components can be constructed from other structural materials such as steel as long as rapid corrosion is prevented. It should be understood that the left applicator  12  has an arrangement of components that is, except for the length of the swing arms, substantially identical to that of the right applicator  14 .  
         [0036]    An elongated applicator pad  74  is bolted to the mount bar  50  via an arrangement of pad mount bolts  76  and upper and lower mount plates  80 ,  82 . The applicator pad  74  is manufactured from either a hydrophobic or hydrophylic foam, depending on whether a solvent-based or a water-based dressing fluid is used. Hydrophobic foam is compatible for use with solvent-based fluid because it will absorb such fluid, and hydrophylic foam is compatible for use with water-based fluid. A benefit of using the hydrophobic foam is that the applicator pad  74  will retain the dressing fluid without absorbing water remaining on the tires from prior washing operations.  
         [0037]    The foam is “reticulated,” meaning that when manufactured, a known mechanical or chemical process is used to produce an inner arrangement of cells which increase the amount of fluid the foam is capable of retaining. Reticulating the foam also increases the ability of the foam to release the fluid to the tires when required to do so.  
         [0038]    Referring to FIGS.  4 - 5 , the right applicator  14  includes a quantity of sixteen spray nozzles  81  mounted in an equally-spaced arrangement along the mount bar  50 . The spray nozzles  81  are mounted such that they extend through the mount bar  50  and into the applicator pad  74 . Each nozzle produces a conical spray pattern so as to effectively spray the fluid into the pad  74 . Eight of the spray nozzles  81  are connected to a forward supply line  83  and soak a section of the pad  74  which first comes into contact with the vehicle. The remaining eight spray nozzles  81  are connected to a rear supply line  84 . Each of the supply lines  83 ,  84  is connected to a fluid supply system  90  which can supply either the front eight nozzles  81 , the rear eight nozzles  81 , or all of the nozzles  81  to spray the fluid.  
         [0039]    The fluid supply system  90  includes a reservoir  92  which stores the fluid, a pump  94  which forces the fluid to the spray nozzles  81 , and valves  96 ,  98  which control fluid flow to the front and rear supply lines  83 ,  84 , respectively. A conventional timer  100  provide power to the pump  94 , and the timer  100  is triggered or actuated by the computer control system of the washing facility.  
         [0040]    The applicator pad  74  is configured with a quantity of sixteen orifices  102  which loosely receive the spray nozzles  81  such that dressing fluid sprayed from the nozzles  81  is dispersed uniformly inside the orifice  102 . Each orifice  102  includes a cylindrical portion  104 , a concave end  106  and a blind bore or capillary  108  extending from the concave end  106  toward a contact surface  110  of the applicator pad  74 . The capillary ends approximately 0.25 inches short of the contact surface  110  so that fluid wicked into the capillary is absorbed by the pad  74 .  
         [0041]    The dimensions of the contact surface  110  can be optimized according to the size of the tire being dressed and the point at which the pad  74  makes contact with the tires. That is, if the pad  74  contacts the tire in proximity with the area where the tire meets the ground, it is necessary to provide a larger (or taller) contact surface  110  so that the pad  74  coats the entire width of sidewall  15  from the ground to the wheel. On the other hand, if the pad  74  contacts the tire in proximity with the rotational axis of the wheel, then the pad is theoretically capable of contacting the entire sidewall  15  of the tire, regardless of the size of the contact surface  110 , due to rotation of the tire.  
         [0042]    Referring to FIG. 6, another embodiment of the right applicator, designated by numeral  214 , includes an applicator pad  274  having a concavely-shaped contact surface  296  that conforms to the surface of the tire in a manner different from pad  74 . In particular, it can be seen that pad  274  is more readily able to conform the curved surface of the tire and coat the portions of the tire closest the wheel and the tread. The pad  274  has an arrangement of capillaries  208  which extend from the orifices  202  and end short of the contact surface  296 .  
         [0043]    Referring to FIG. 7, a third embodiment of the right applicator, designated by numeral  314 , includes an applicator pad  374  having a convexly-shaped contact surface  396 . The convex shape allows the pad to flex easily upon initially contacting a tire due to the reduced surface area which initially contacts the tire.  
         [0044]    Referring to FIG. 8, a fourth embodiment of the right applicator, designated by numeral  414 , includes a sleeve  470  and a means  480 , such as a hydraulic or pneumatic cylinder, for driving the sleeve  470  vertically along the anchor post  44 . The sleeve  470  is attached with conventional fasteners to an outer bearing mount  468 . A tab  482  is attached to the sleeve  470  to receive the means  480 . Hence, the vertical position of the applicator  414  can be adjusted as desired by moving the sleeve along the anchor post.  
         [0045]    The means  480  is in communication with the computer control system of the washing facility so that the height of the applicator  414  can be adjusted automatically according to the size of the tires being coated, or the height of the body of the vehicle. For a low-profile tire or a vehicle with minimal ground clearance, such as a sports car, it may be desired to lower the applicator as much as possible to avoid rubbing the applicator on the body of the vehicle or the wheels of the vehicle. For vehicles having wheels or hubcaps which protrude outwardly beyond the plane of the tire sidewall, it may be desirable to lower the applicator to avoid possible damage to the applicator.  
         [0046]    In operation, when the vehicle arrives at a predetermined location on the track  20  (seen in FIG. 1), a signal is sent from the computer control system to the timer  100  to power the pump  94  for three seconds, thereby pumping fluid to the applicator pads  74 . The time period can easily be lengthened or shortened depending on the flow rate of the pump and spray nozzles, or the absorption rate of the pads  74 . The pump should be actuated at a position which gives the fluid enough time to soak in thoroughly before the vehicle engages the applicator pads. The valves  96 ,  98  are actuated individually to control delivery of fluid to either the front or the rear supply line  83 ,  84 , or both simultaneously.  
         [0047]    The vehicle is moved into engagement with the applicators  12 ,  14 , and the pads are then pressed against the tires of the vehicle by the force of the pressurized air in cylinder  51 . Air pressure in the reservoir  51  is adjusted until the applicator pads are pressed against the tires with a force that deforms and conforms the applicator pads to the contour of the tire sidewalls  15 . The efficiency and effectiveness of the applicator pads can be adjusted by raising or lowering the applicators  12 ,  14  on their respective anchor posts.  
         [0048]    While several preferred embodiments of the novel tire dressing assembly have been shown and described above, various modifications and substitutions may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, other types of foams may be used that compatible other types of fluids, and foam having more or less hardness and/or rigidity may be used. In the event that a water-based fluid is applied to the tires, it may be advantageous to adapt a wiping or drying mechanism to remove as much water from the tires as possible before the pad contacts the tire so that water from the tire is not absorbed by the pad. Such a wiping mechanism can be incorporated into the pad by providing an impermeable layer of material on the upper and/or lower surfaces of the pad so that water is wiped from the tires prior to application of the dressing fluid.  
         [0049]    Further, it is considered within the scope of the present invention to configure the applicator pads with other arrangements of capillaries, such as lateral capillaries which connect the spray nozzle orifices to each other, thereby changing the distribution characteristics of the dressing fluid in the pad.  
         [0050]    It is also considered within the scope of the present invention to arrange the fluid supply lines and fluid supply system such that dressing fluid is pumped to various arrangements of nozzles within the applicator pad. For instance, it may be desirable to connect each supply line to every other spray nozzle so that one supply line can be deactivated and the applicator pad will still be soaked enough to effect proper tire coating. Other types of spray nozzles can be used to spray the fluid in something other than a conical pattern.  
         [0051]    Yet further, it is considered within the scope of the present invention to provide applicators which coat a single tire of the vehicle at a time. Such an applicator is useful in a facility other than a washing facility, such as a.  
         [0052]    It is also considered within the scope of the present invention to fit the tire dressing assembly with an assortment of differently-sized and/or shaped applicator pads. Each applicator would be capable of automatically selecting an appropriately-sized pad for use based upon input received from the computer control system of the washing facility. With such an arrangement, pads can be sized to accommodate tires having a low profile, or larger tires for vehicles such as pickup trucks. An alternative arrangement is to provide several applicator assemblies adjacent one another, each assembly having applicator pads of a different size. A vehicle being processed can be conveyed to the applicator having the appropriately-sized applicator pads for that vehicle.  
         [0053]    Still further, it is considered within the scope of the present invention to utilize the applicator assemblies to apply fluids other than dressings, such as cleaner, before or during the time the vehicle is washed.  
         [0054]    Accordingly, it is to be understood that the present invention has been described by way of illustration, and not by way of limitation.