Patent GB-1125976-A (GB)
Title: Vehicle washing apparatus
IPC: B60S3/04
Filed: 1966-08-18
Abstract: 1,125,976. Vehicle washing apparatus. DELTA MFG. & ENG. CORP. 18 Aug., 1966 [26 April, 1966], No. 37012/66. Heading B7J. Vehicle washing apparatus comprises a substantially rectangular track assembly 22 mounted on a frame 21, a carriage 23 including drive means for movement round the track, a nozzle assembly 24 depending from the carriage, the nozzle assembly including a plurality of nozzles rotatable about a horizontal axis, means for rotating the nozzles, and a swivel assembly 25 for delivering wash and rinse liquids and electric current to the nozzle assembly. The track assembly 22 includes a pair of U-shaped sections 31 forming a vertical wall 30 welded to and supported by the frame 21 and which has secured to it a horizontal flange 74 and a continuous sprocket chain 78. The carriage 23 includes a pair of vertical members 81, 81a which each carry a pair of lower and upper guide rollers 86, 87; 88, 89 and a pair of middle rollers which engage the flange 74. The carriage is moved around the track by a drive assembly 150 pivotally mounted to the carriage member 81a. The drive assembly includes an electric motor 165, speed reducing transmission 170, and a belt drive 177 which drives a sprocket 185 which engages the chain 78. The drive assembly is biased to hold the sprocket 185 in contact with the chain by means of springs 190. The nozzle assembly 24 is supported from the carriage by means of a tubular member 200 and includes a hollow shaft 220 rotatable by a motor and speed reducing assembly 232 via a belt and pulley drive 236, 237. Wash or rinse liquid is supplied to the nozzle assembly through pipe 263 and hollow shaft 220 to a manifold 410 from which it passes through radial conduits to outer spray nozzles 417a positioned to direct liquid inclined towards the axis of rotation of the nozzles, and inner spaced nozzles 417b positioned to direct liquid at another predetermined angle towards the axis of rotation. The nozzle assembly may include a vertical spray wheel 401 through which the nozzles project. The wash and rinse liquids are supplied to the nozzle assembly via a pipe 274 forming part of swivel assembly 25. The assembly 25 also supplies electric current to the carriage and nozzle motors through brass collector rings 280 arid 281 insulatingly mounted on pipe 274. Electric conductors 283 and 284 are connected to the collector rings and the current is drawn through bushes 288, 289. During a first circuit of the carriage around the track wash liquid is supplied to the nozzles at 150 F. and 600 p.s.i. During a second circuit of the carriage rinse liquid is supplied at 150 F. Instead of the sprocket and chain drive arrangement 185, 78, a pneumatic tyre which contacts the wall 30 may be used. An electric circuit, Fig. 14, for controlling the operation of motors 165 and 232, and of solenoid valves 431 and 432 which control the flow of liquid through a wash agent conduit 433 and a hot water conduit 434 to the supply pipe 327 includes a coinoperated switch 437 whose contact when momentarily closed by a coin causes energization of relay windings 441 and 442 of a power relay 443 and a wash agent solenoid relay 444. The closure of contacts 448 and 449 energizes a time delay device 463 which after a predetermined time closes switch 465 causing the motors and valve solenoids to be connected to the mains. Hot water and washing agent are introduced into pipe 327 simultaneously and is supplied to the nozzles at the same time the motors are energized. As the carriage moves round the track, switch actuator 502 momentarily closes switch 510 (which does not energize relay winding 511 since contact 455 is open) and then closes switch 501 causing release winding 459 of relay 444 to move latch 457 returning contacts 455 and 456 to their normal position. The contact 456 will then cause solenoid valve 431 to close leaving only hot water valve 432 open. As the carriage continues around the track a second time actuator 502 closes switch 510 energizing winding 511 of relay 512. As the carriage approaches the start position actuator 524 closes switch 523 causing energization of the release winding 452 which moves latch 450 to open contacts 448 and 449. The apparatus is now disconnected from the mains and valve 432 closes and the motors cease operating. Momentum of the carriage will cause actuator 524 to open switch 523 and the apparatus is returned to its initial start position.