Patent Publication Number: US-2005133074-A1

Title: Vehicle washing system

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention pertains to an automotive vehicle washing system including opposed remotely controlled spray nozzle support arms mounted for pivotal movement on a frame which traverses along opposed support rails to carry out a vehicle washing cycle.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Automotive vehicle washing systems of various types are known. Two basic systems have been developed, one comprising so called contact types wherein brushes or pads come into physical contact with the vehicle body to perform the washing function. The second type of system widely used is commonly referred to in the art as non-contact or touchless systems. Still further, so-called tunnel or drive through washing systems of both types are well known as well as so-called rollover systems wherein the vehicle remains stationary in the wash bay and the system moves with respect to the vehicle to perform the washing operation.  
      Non-contact or touchless type washing systems, which move with respect to a stationary vehicle during the wash cycles, have certain advantages. However, prior art systems of this type have been configured such that they are subject to damage by vehicles which enter the wash bay improperly and collide with certain components of the system. Moreover, several improvements have been sought for in-bay automatic vehicle wash systems to improve the effectiveness of cleaning the entire vehicle surface, improve operational life of the system, increase the speed of the wash process and provide a visually appealing apparatus. Still further, improvements have been sought to minimize the risk of damage to any part of the washing system from collision with a vehicle as the vehicle enters or exits the wash bay, provide for application of wash chemicals and rinse water effectively to all parts of the vehicle, provide all-weather use of the system and to minimize maintenance requirements for the system while also providing a fast and effective washing cycle. It is to these ends that the present invention has been developed.  
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention provides an improved vehicle washing system of the general type which does not contact the vehicle and is adapted to move relative to a vehicle disposed stationary in a washroom or bay.  
      In accordance with one aspect of the present invention a moveable vehicle wash system is provided which is configured to be supported on opposed linear support rails mounted within a wash bay in such a way as to minimize the risk of collision between the wash system and a vehicle as the vehicle is driven into and out of the wash bay. The wash system includes a frame which is mounted on the opposed parallel support rails a suitable height above the vehicle driveway surface so as to minimize the chance of collision with a vehicle as it is driven into and out of the wash bay.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention a vehicle wash system is provided which includes a frame comprising a bridge-like structure spanning a wash bay driveway and which is enclosed in a shroud or enclosure formed of plural shell-like cover members. The enclosure is pressurized with low pressure dry and heated air to minimize the risk of corrosion to the working parts of the system and to improve all-weather operating capability of the system, particularly at ambient temperatures below the freezing point for water.  
      In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a vehicle wash system is provided with a bridge-like frame structure which is supported on spaced apart elongated guide rails and includes all of the system drive mechanism and opposed moveable wash nozzle support arms supported substantially above a wash bay driveway and configured to be substantially out of the way with respect to a vehicle passing into the wash bay so as to minimize the chance of collision with a vehicle to be washed and damage to the drive mechanism. Moreover, the arrangement of opposed pivotable support arms for the washing nozzles is such that the system requires minimal linear reversible travel along the guide rails in order for the system to provide a complete washing cycle covering both sides and both ends of a vehicle. Still further, the frame construction for the vehicle wash system is particularly stiff and stable in operation.  
      In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, a vehicle wash system is provided with opposed moveable support arms for supporting an array of spray nozzles for spraying wash fluids including surfactant solutions, vehicle appearance enhancing chemicals and rinse water on a vehicle as the system moves relative to the vehicle. Wash fluids are conveyed to the spray nozzles through passages formed in spaced apart structural members of the support arms. A unique array of spray nozzles is mounted on the opposed support arms and operably connected to a drive mechanism which is operable to selectively rotate or oscillate the spray nozzles. The nozzle drive mechanism is also operable to position the support arms in proximity to vehicles of various sizes to more effectively clean the vehicle during a wash cycle.  
      The present invention also provides a vehicle washing system having an improved configuration for connection to sources of washing fluids, produces complex washing functions includes a relatively uncomplicated mechanical structure, includes a configuration of moveable nozzle support arms which provide for integral fluid conducting passages as well as passages for the routing of electrical conductors and other fluid conduits, as needed, and a drive mechanism for traversing the system linearly along opposed elevated support and guide rails.  
      Those skilled in the art will further appreciate the above-mentioned advantages and superior features of the invention together with other important aspects thereof upon reading the detailed description which follows in conjunction with the drawings. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the vehicle washing system of the invention taken generally from the perspective of a vehicle approaching a wash bay in which the system is disposed;  
       FIG. 1A  is a detail perspective view of one of the end support sections of the frame showing the enclosures and an arrangement of lighting fixtures on the enclosures;  
       FIG. 2  is a side elevation of the system shown in  FIG. 1 ;  
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the vehicle washing system with the frame enclosure or cover structure removed;  
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the opposed nozzle support arms;  
       FIG. 4A  is a detail perspective view showing certain portions of the support arm drive mechanism;  
       FIG. 5  is a partial end elevation view showing an arrangement of an air pressurization apparatus for the vehicle washing system;  
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of one of the nozzle support arms;  
       FIG. 7  is a detail section view taken from the line  7 - 7  of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 8  is a detail section view taken from the line  8 - 8  of  FIG. 6 ;  
       FIG. 9  is a perspective view of one of the support arms showing certain details of the pivot connection between arm sections;  
       FIG. 10  is a detail perspective view of the bearing and pivot structure for the pivot connection shown in  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11  is a detail section view taken generally from the line  11 - 11  of  FIG. 9 ;  
       FIG. 11A  is a section view taken from line  11 A- 11 A of  FIG. 11 ;  
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view showing the arrangement of a servomotor and associated drive mechanism for oscillating the spray nozzle assemblies and for pivoting the depending arm section with respect to the base arm section;  
       FIG. 12A  is a side elevation view of the mechanism shown in  FIG. 12  illustrating certain features of a lost motion coupling between the servomotor and a speed reduction gear drive unit;  
       FIG. 13  is a detail perspective view of a lower portion of one of the nozzle support arms;  
       FIG. 14  is a detail perspective view of one of the nozzle assemblies;  
       FIG. 15  is a detail section view taken generally from the line  15 - 15  of  FIG. 13 ; and  
       FIG. 16  is a detail section view of one of the vehicle wheel and rocker panel spray nozzle assemblies taken from line  16 - 16  of  FIG. 13 . 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      In the description which follows like parts are marked throughout the specification and drawing with the same reference numerals respectively. The drawing figures are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be shown in generalized or schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness.  
      Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a vehicle washing system in accordance with the present invention is illustrated and generally designated by the numeral  20 . The washing system  20  is characterized by a linearly traversable frame  22  comprising a bridge section  24  and opposed support sections  26  and  28 , see  FIG. 3  also. The frame  22 , including support sections  24 ,  26  and  28 , is adapted for linear reciprocating movement along opposed, generally rectangular cross section, guide and support rails  30  and  32 ,  FIG. 1 , which are mounted on suitable support legs  34 , spaced apart within a wash room or wash bay  36 , also as shown in  FIG. 1 . Wash room or bay  36  includes a vehicle driveway  38  into which a motor vehicle, not shown, may be driven and stopped at a predetermined position so that the system  20  may traverse reversibly along the rails  30  and  32  to carry out a vehicle washing cycle.  
      As further shown in  FIG. 1 , the vehicle washing system  20  includes opposed spray nozzle support arms  40  which are mounted on frame  22  for pivotal movement about respective pivot axes  41  and  42 ,  FIG. 1 , so that, as the frame  22  traverses linearly along the rails  30  and  32  the arms  40  may be pivoted about their respective axes to wash opposite ends of a vehicle sitting on the driveway  38 . Thanks to the arrangement of the support rails  32  and  34  and the frame  22  a major part of system  20  is normally not susceptible to a collision with a vehicle entering bay  36 .  
      The views of drawing  FIGS. 1, 1A  and  2 , show the frame  22  with the bridge section  24 , and the opposed support sections  26  and  28  fitted with an enclosure  39  comprising lightweight shell-like fabricated or molded plastic or sheet metal cover members  46  and  48  enclosing the framework of the support sections  26  and  28  and a similar arrangement of cover members  50  enclosing the bridge section  24 . The cover members  46 ,  48  and  50  may be removed for work on various components of the system to be described in further detail herein. However, the cover members  46 ,  48  and  50  form an enclosure for a major part of the vehicle washing system  20  and which may be subject to the introduction of heated, low pressure air to pressurize the space enclosed by the cover members  46 ,  48  and  50 . In this way, vehicle washing chemical and water spray is prevented from contaminating and corroding the operating components of the system  20  within the enclosure  39  formed by the cover members  46 ,  48  and  50 . Low pressure heated air may be introduced into the aforementioned enclosure  39  also for the purpose of minimizing the risk of fluids freezing in the fluid conduits leading to the nozzle support arms  40  when the washing system  20  is operating in weather below 32° F.  
      Referring briefly to  FIG. 1A , as shown by way of example, the enclosure members  46  and  48  for the respective frame sections  26  and  28  are also fitted with suitable light fixtures  46   l ,  46   m  and  48   l , as shown. The enclosure array for the frame section  26  is fitted with similar light fixtures forming a mirror image of the arrangement of light fixtures  46   l ,  46   m  and  48   l . In this way, substantial light is projected onto a vehicle being washed and which moves with the frame  22  of the vehicle wash system  20 . Moreover, the light fixtures  46   l ,  46   m  and  48   l  are mounted substantially within the enclosures  46  and  48  and are thus not subject to washing fluid spray except for the protective lenses  46   n  and  48   n  of the respective light fixtures, as shown.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 3 , the washing system  20  is shown with the cover members  46 ,  48  and  50  removed from the respective portions of the frame  22  including the bridge section  24  and the opposed support sections  26  and  28 . The bridge section  24  includes two, spaced apart, parallel support beams  56  which extend between frame sections  26  and  28  and are suitably connected thereto, respectively. A transverse beam  58  extends between and is connected to the beams  56  at approximately their midpoints. Each of the nozzle support arms  40  includes a pivot shaft  43  mounted in suitable bearings connected to the beam  58  whereby the arms  40  may pivot about the aforementioned axes  41  and  42 .  
      As further shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the frame sections  26  and  28  is characterized by suitably interconnected, spaced apart, parallel beam members  60  and  62 , each of which supports spaced apart guide rollers  64 , as shown. The guide rollers  64  are arranged in opposed pairs for engagement with the support rails  30  and  32  for guiding the vehicle washing system  20  along the rails  30  and  32 , respectively. The frame sections  26  and  28  further include upwardly extending beam members  66 , which are connected to the bridge beams  56  and to a transverse beam  68 . Accordingly, the frame sections  26  and  28  are each made up, primarily, of beam members  60 ,  62 ,  66  and  68  suitably connected to each other, such as by welding.  FIG. 3  further shows certain major reinforcing members for the frame  22 , including spaced apart upstanding members  72   a  and  72   b  which extend between the beam members  62  and the bridge members  56  to aid in reinforcing the frame  22 . Moreover, the rigidity of the frame  22  is further enhanced by opposed plate members  57   a  and  57   b  which extend between the frame members  56  and are also secured to the opposed frame members  68 . Additional suitable gussets and reinforcement members shown but not described in detail herein are also provided to reinforce the frame  22 .  
      An intermediate upstanding box beam type column member  70  for each frame section  26  and  28  is adapted to support a rotatable axle  72  for a pneumatic tired drive wheel  74 . Each drive wheel  74  supports the frame  22  on an associated rail  30  and  32 , as shown in  FIG. 3 , for traversing the system  20  along the rails in opposite directions. The drive wheels  74  are drivenly connected to a suitable reversible electric drive motor  76  which is mounted on bridge section  24  and is drivingly connected to a right angle gear drive unit  78  which is drivingly connected to an elongated cross-shaft  80  extending through a suitable clearance opening in beam  58 ,  FIG. 3 . Cross-shaft  80  is suitably mounted for rotation on the bridge section  24  of frame  22  and is supported at one end by drive unit  78  and adjacent its opposite end by a bearing, not shown, mounted on bridge section  24 . Cross-shaft  80  is adapted to support opposed drive pulleys  82 , respectively. Pulleys  82  are each drivingly connected to a suitable endless belt or chain  84 , respectively, which is trained over a driven pulley  86  connected to an axle  72 , respectively. Accordingly, the drive wheels  74  are interconnected by way of the cross-shaft  80  and the respective drive mechanisms comprising pulleys  82  and  86  and endless belts or chains  84 , all drivenly connected to the motor  76  via the shaft  80 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 4  and  4 A, the arms  40  are each supported in suitable bearings  90  mounted on the bridge section  24  for pivotal movement in opposite directions on their respective pivot shafts  43 , see  FIGS. 4 and 4 A, in particular. Bearings  90  are suitably secured to a part  58   a  of frame member  58 ,  FIG. 4 . One of the pivot shafts  43  is drivenly connected to a multi grooved pulley  92 , as shown in  FIG. 4 , and the other pivot shaft  43  is also drivenly connected to a second pulley  94  mounted thereon. Pulleys  92  and  94  are interconnected by an endless cog belt or a roller chain  96  to provide positive driving connections between the pulleys  92  and  94 . Belt or chain  96  is reeved in a “figure eight” configuration around the pulleys  92  and  94  so that they effect movement of the pivot shafts  43  for their respective arms  40  in opposite directions. Intermeshing spur gears could be substituted for the pulleys  92  and  94  and belt  96 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 4A , the shaft  43  on which pulley  92  is mounted is also drivenly connected to a pulley  98  mounted thereon and engaged with an endless positive drive chain or a belt  100  drivenly connected to the output shaft  102  of a speed reduction gear drive unit  104  suitably supported on one of the beam members  56 . Gear drive unit  104  is drivenly connected to a reversible electric motor  106  for effecting pivotal movement of the arms  40  about the axes  41  and  42  of their respective shafts  43  reversibly and in opposite directions.  
      Referring briefly to  FIG. 5 , major portions of the vehicle washing system  20 , except for the arms  40 , may be advantageously isolated from water and chemical sprays during a wash cycle thanks to the enclosure  39  provided by covers  46 ,  48  and  50  which substantially enclose the frame  22 , including the bridges section  24  and the opposed end sections  26  and  28 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a motor driven low pressure air blower  110  is preferably mounted isolated from the wash bay  36 , such as on the other side of a partition or wall  112  delimiting one side of the wash bay. Motor driven blower  110  includes an inlet air filter  111 , a discharge duct  112  and an inline discharge air heater  114  which may be one of a suitable electric resistance type, for example. Discharge duct  112  is connected to a flexible duct or hose  116  at a suitable connector  118  mounted on the wall  112  within the wash bay  36 . Air discharge hose  116  is connected to a second connector  120  mounted on frame  22  and operable to discharge air into the interior of the enclosure  39  formed by covers  48  and  46  substantially enclosing the frame section  28  as shown in  FIG. 5 . Each of the arms  40  may also be provided with pressurized enclosures, not shown, if desired.  
      The enclosure parts formed by cover members  46 ,  48  and  50  are in fluid flow communication with each other so that heated pressure air at a relatively low pressure of about 1.0-2.0 psig flows substantially through the enclosure  39  and prevents the invasion of water and chemical spray so that the apparatus within the enclosure remains substantially corrosion free and heated to a temperature above the freezing temperature of water. In this way the working life and reliability of the system  20  is further enhanced.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , each of the arms  40  includes a first generally horizontally extending arm section  122  suitably connected to its pivot shaft  43  by a support block  124 . Arm section  122  is characterized by two, spaced apart, elongated and preferably extruded aluminum beam members  126  and  128 . The beam members  126  and  128  of each arm  40  are interconnected by spaced apart fixed nozzle support members  230 A, a support block  124  and a pivot assembly  152 . Suitable cross brace members  130  are connected directly to elongated reinforcing gusset plates  132 . Gusset plates  132  are, in turn, connected to the beam members  126  and  128  by conventional mechanical fasteners, not shown, to form a substantially rigid arm section  122 , see  FIG. 6 , in particular. Referring to  FIG. 8 , each of the beam members  126  and  128  includes an elongated passage formed therein and designated by the numerals  126   a  and  128   a , respectively. Elongated tubular inserts  136  are secured to the beam members  126  and  128 , extend within the passages  126   a  and  128   a  and are secured to or form a part of the block  124 .  
      As shown in  FIG. 7 , pivot shaft  43  is a hollow tubular member which is operably connected to a wash fluid supply conduit  139  by way of a suitable swivel coupling, not shown. Tubular shaft  43  is suitably secured non-rotatably to the block  124 . Block  124  includes an internal passage  124   b  operable to receive pressure fluid by way of conduit  139  and tubular shaft  43  for conducting pressure fluid through an internal passage formed in tubular member  136 . In like manner a suitable swivel coupling  140  is connected to block  124  and to a fluid supply conduit  142  and is operable to conduct pressure fluid to an internal passage  144  in block  124 ,  FIG. 7 . Pressure fluid may flow from conduit  142  through coupling  140  and passage  144  through the other tubular support member  136  and into internal passage  128   a  of beam member  128 . In this way wash fluids may be introduced to arm  40  by one flow path to passage  126   a , for example, and similar or different wash fluids at similar or different pressures may be introduced to arm  40  through passage  128   a  in beam member  128 . The arrangement of swivel connections to the block  124  and by way of the tubular support shaft  43  eliminates the requirement for flexible hoses to be strung along the arms  40  to the respective sets of spray nozzles mounted on the arms and to be described in further detail herein.  
      Referring further to  FIGS. 4 and 6 , each of the arms  40  includes a second and depending arm section  150  which is mounted for pivotal movement on and with respect to the arm section  122 . A pivot assembly  152  is connected to the distal end of each arm section  122 , see  FIG. 6 , and supports the arm section  150  for pivotal movement about a substantially horizontal axis to a selected position to be in close proximity to the side and ends of a vehicle, respectively. Suitable sensors, such as photocell type sensors, not shown, may be operable to “size” the wash system  20  as a vehicle is parked in the wash bay  36  whereby the arm sections  150  are moved inwardly or outwardly about the pivot axes of pivot assemblies  152  with respect the sides of the vehicle so as to be in predetermined positions prior to commencing a washing cycle.  
      Referring further to  FIG. 6 , each of the arm sections  150  is also formed of somewhat curved, opposed and elongated, extruded aluminum or the like, beam members  154  and  156  which are interconnected by spaced apart fixed nozzle support members  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  and  230   e , see  FIG. 4  also. Elongated flat plate gussets  131  are interconnected by brace members  130  and reinforce the connections between the beam members  154  and  156 . Beam members  154  and  156  are also interconnected at their distal ends by a somewhat cylindrical shoe member  160 ,  FIGS. 4 and 6 .  
      Referring briefly to  FIG. 15 , a cross section of each of the beam members  154  and  156  is illustrated. The cross sectional configuration of the beam members  126  and  128  is identical to that of the beam members  154  and  156 . As shown in  FIG. 15 , the beam members  154  and  156  include respective elongated internal fluid conducting passages  154   a  and  156   a , as well as coextensive cavities  154   b ,  154   c ,  156   b  and  156   c . The passages and cavities of the beam members  154  and  156  are delimited by the geometry of the beam members which, by way of example, for beam member  154 , includes a somewhat arcuate outer wall  154   d  intersected by a generally planar inner wall  154   e . In this way structural members and other features of the vehicle washing system  20  may be easily connected to or mounted on the beam members  126 ,  128 ,  154  and  156 . Moreover, the internal passages  154   a  and  156   a  are adapted to be in communication with the passages  126   a  and  128   a , respectively, to receive wash fluids, for example, in spaced apart passages internal to the arms sections thereby eliminating the need for external hard piping or flexible hoses.  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 9, 10  and  11 , each pivot assembly  152  for interconnecting the respective arm sections  122  and  150 , includes an elongated member  160  including opposed bearing support members  162  and  164  which journal opposite ends of a cylindrical shaft  166 , see  FIG. 11 . Shaft  166  includes opposed trunnions  168  which project into suitable bores  162   a  and  164   a  in the members  162  and  164 . Sealed antifriction bearings  170  are sleeved over the trunnions  168  and are mounted on the members  162  and  164 , respectively. Shaft  166  includes spaced apart tubular support members  172  and  174  secured thereto and projecting substantially normal to the central longitudinal axis of the shaft  166 . Members  172  and  174  are adapted to be disposed, respectively, in fluid tight snug fitting sleeved relationship in the passages  128   a  and  126   a  of beam members  128  and  126  and suitably secured thereto by mechanical fasteners, not shown. Suitable o-ring seals, not shown, facilitate fluid tight connections between the members  172 ,  174  and members  126 ,  128 . Internal passages  172   a  and  174   a  within the tubular support members  172  and  174  are in communication with passages  173  and  175 , respectively, see  FIG. 11 , formed in the trunnions  168 . Passages  173  and  175  open to the bores  162   a  and  164   a  which are in fluid flow communication with internal passages  177  and  179  in the support member  160 .  
      Passages  177  and  179  are in fluid flow communication with passages  180   a  and  182   a  of a second pair of tubular support members  180  and  182  which are adapted to be disposed in tight fitting sleeved relationship within the passages  156   a  and  154   a  of the beam members  156  and  154 , respectively. The tubular members  172 ,  174 ,  180  and  182  are suitably secured to the beam members  128 ,  126 ,  156  and  154  by suitable fasteners, not shown. Accordingly, fluid may be transferred through the pivot assemblies  152  between the arm sections  122  and  150  to provide fluid flow throughout the length of the arm sections  150  down to the shoes  160 . The passages  154   a  and  156   a  are suitably closed at the shoes  160 , respectively. Accordingly, the arm sections  150  may pivot relative to the arm sections  122  about the longitudinal central axes of the shafts  166 , since relative movement may be carried out between the members  162  and  164  and the shaft  166 .  
      As further shown in  FIGS. 9 and 11 , a double belt pulley  184  is mounted on shaft  166  for rotation relative thereto by way of a suitable bearing  186 . A relatively large diameter pulley  188  is also mounted on but is normally non-rotatable relative to shaft  0 . 166  and includes a suitable arcuate slot  190  formed therein to provide clearance for the support member  160 , as shown in  FIGS. 9, 11  and  11 A. Endless cog belts or roller chains  192  and  194 ,  FIG. 9 , are trained over the pulley  184  and an endless cog belt or chain  196  is also trained over the pulley  188 , an idler pulley  188   a  and a drive pulley described hereinbelow. As shown in  FIG. 6 , belt  192  is trained around a double belt pulley  199   a  for an oscillating spray nozzle assembly  200   a  mounted on arm section  122  and of a configuration which will be described in further detail herein. In like manner, belt  194  is trained around a double belt pulley  199   b  for a second oscillating spray nozzle assembly  200   b  mounted on arm section  150 , see  FIGS. 6 and 9 .  
      Still further, an endless belt  195  is trained around a pulley  214 ,  FIGS. 12 and 12 A, drivenly connected to a servomotor to be described hereinbelow. A fourth endless cog belt or chain  197  is trained around pulley  214  and a double belt pulley  199   c  of a third nozzle assembly  200   c  mounted spaced from nozzle assembly  200   b  on the arm section  150 , see  FIG. 4  also. Pulley  199   c  is drivingly connected to an endless belt  202  which is trained around a double belt pulley  199   d  of a nozzle assembly  200   d . Accordingly, the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d  are interconnected by the endless belts  192 ,  194 ,  195 ,  197  and  202 . Lastly, a vehicle tire and rocker panel washing nozzle assembly  204  is also mounted between the beam members  154  and  156  at the distal end of each of the arm sections  150 , respectively, and is interconnected with the nozzle assembly  200   d  by an endless belt  206  trained over the double pulley  199   d  of nozzle assembly  200   d  and a pulley  208  for nozzle assembly  204 .  
      Referring now to  FIGS. 12 and 12 A, each of the arms  40  includes an electric servomotor  210  suitably mounted on one of the gussets  131  preferably at an intermediate point on the arm section  150 . Servomotor  210  includes a rotary output shaft  212 ,  FIG. 12A , drivenly connected to pulley  214  over which endless belts  195  and  197  are also suitably trained. A speed reduction gear drive unit  216  is mounted on a cross brace member  133  extending between the beam members  154  and  156  of the arm section  150 . An output shaft  218  of the speed reduction gear drive  216  is drivingly connected to a pulley  220  over which the endless cog belt or chain  196  is trained.  
      Referring further to  FIG. 12A , the speed reduction gear drive unit  216  includes an input shaft  222  on which is mounted an elongated flat plate  224  extending equidistant on opposite sides of the axis of shaft  222  and between spaced apart pins  226 . Pins  226  extend axially from one side of pulley  214 . Pins  226  are preferably spaced apart on opposite sides of the axis of rotation of coaxial shafts  212  and  222  about one hundred eighty degrees and form, together with the plate  224 , a lost motion coupling which allows the output shaft  212  and pulley  214  to rotate through an arc of about one hundred degrees before drivingly engaging the input shaft  222  to the speed reduction gear drive unit  216 . Accordingly, the servomotor  210  may be operated to oscillate the shaft  212  and pulley  214  and, through the series of endless belts  192 ,  194 ,  195 ,  197 ,  202  and  206 , the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d  and  204  are also oscillated at a predetermined rate.  
      When it is desired to move the arm section  150  relative to the arm section  122  about the pivot assembly  152 , the motor  210  may be controlled to rotate shaft  212  continuously in one direction or the other and through the lost motion coupling formed by the pins  226  and the plate  224 , the gear drive unit  216  will effect rotation of its output shaft  218  and pulley  220 . However, since pulley  188  is normally fixed to shaft  166 , which is fixed to the arm section  122  nonrotatably relative thereto, the reaction torque exerted through the gear drive unit  216  and the arm section  150  will result in rotation of the arm section  150  relative to the arm section  122  to a selected position for “sizing” the arms  40  with respect to a vehicle parked in the bay  36 . The gear reduction ratio for the drive mechanism  216  may be relatively high, on the order of 30:1, for example. In this way, the pulleys  214  and the drive pulleys of each of the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d , as well as the pulley  208  for the nozzle assembly  204  will undergo several revolutions which is desirable for lubricating and flexing their seals and bearings, respectively.  
      Referring now to  FIG. 11A , the pulley  188  includes a hub  189  which is normally secured against rotation relative to the shaft  166  by a suitable detent plunger  189   a . Plunger  189   a  is disposed in a suitable housing  189   b  which is threadedly connected to the hub  189  and supports a suitable spring  189   c  therein and acting against the detent  189   a . Detent  189   a  is normally biased into a recess  166   a  in shaft  166  to form a coupling between the pulley  188  and the shaft to prevent relative rotation between these members. A detent plunger type sensor  189   e  is mounted on the hub  189  and is also engageable with a suitable recess in shaft  166  to detect relative movement between the hub  189  and the shaft. Accordingly, if an arm section  150  of an arm  40  comes into contact with a portion or a vehicle with sufficient force that the detent  189   a  is displaced out of shaft recess  166   a , the arm section  150  will rotate relative to arm section  122  without damage to the arm sections, the pulley  188 , the belt  196  or the drive assembly including the servomotor  210  and the gear reduction drive unit  216 . Moreover, if unwanted displacement of an arm section  150  occurs with respect to an arm section  122 , sensor  189   e  will be operable to provide a suitable signal to a control system for the washing system  20  to alert operating personnel or cause the system to shut down until any collision between a vehicle and the arm section  150  has been corrected.  
      Referring further to  FIGS. 6 and 13 , each of the arms  40  includes the aforementioned spaced apart sets of fixed spray nozzle support members  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  and  230   e ,  FIG. 6 . The members  230   a  through  230   e  are suitably fixed to the arm sections  122  and  150 , respectively, interconnecting the beam members of the arm sections and preferably include at least two spaced apart nozzles  231  on each nozzle support member aimed at a vehicle disposed between the arms  40 . The spray nozzle support members  230   a ,  230   b ,  230   c ,  230   d  and  230   e  are suitably connected to a fluid supply conduit, not shown, for supplying pressure fluid, such as a washing solution, to the respective nozzles  231 . However, the oscillating nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d  and  204  of each arm  40  are supplied with high pressure rinse water for most wash applications. Nozzle assemblies  204  on each of the arms  40  are supplied through conduit  139  and passages  126   a  and  154   a  within the arm sections  122  and  150  via the passages in the pivot assembly  152  for supplying high pressure fluid to the nozzle assembly  204 . Conduit  142  supplies high pressure fluid through swivel  140 ,  FIG. 7  of each arm  40 , the associated passages in the block  124 , and passages  128   a  and  156   a  to respective ones of the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d.    
      Referring now to  FIGS. 14 and 15 , nozzle assembly  200   d  is shown in further detail by way of example. Nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b  and  200   c  are essentially identical to nozzle assembly  200   d . Nozzle assembly  200   d  includes an elongated generally cylindrical tubular manifold  240  on which is mounted spaced apart spray nozzles  242 . Manifold  240  is fixed to pulley  199   d  for rotation therewith. A bearing support plate  244  supports a reduced diameter trunnion  240   a  of manifold  240 ,  FIG. 15 , through a suitable sealed rolling element bearing  246 . Suitable o-ring seals provide sealing between trunnion  240   a  and plate  244 . A second bearing support plate  248  supports the opposite end of manifold  240  through a double row rolling element bearing assembly  250 ,  FIG. 15 , which journals a plug  240   b  secured to manifold  240 , as shown. Bearing support plates  244  and  248  are adapted to be suitably connected to the beam members  154  and  156 , respectively, by suitable mechanical fasteners, not shown. As further shown in  FIG. 15 , manifold  240  includes an interior chamber  241  in fluid flow communication with passage  154   a  in beam member  154  by way of a connecting passage  243  in trunnion  240   a  and a passage  154   b . Accordingly, each of the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d  receives high pressure fluid from the passages  126   a  and  154   a  while the nozzle assemblies  204  receive all of their fluid through the passages  128   a  and  156   a  in the respective arms  40 .  
      Referring briefly to  FIG. 13 , each nozzle assembly  204  includes dual sets of spray nozzles  251  mounted on a tubular manifold  252  supported between bearing plates  254  and  256 . Contrary to the configuration of the nozzle assembly  200   d , the manifold  252  is configured to receive pressure fluid from passage  156   a  rather than passage  154   a . In most other respects, the construction of the nozzle assembly  204  is substantially like that of the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c  and  200   d , except for the provision of opposed rows of nozzles  251  instead of a single row of nozzles  242 .  
       FIG. 16  illustrates the construction of the cylindrical tubular manifold  252  which is somewhat like the manifold  240  but includes a longitudinal internal passage  252   a  in fluid flow communication with nozzles  251 ,  FIG. 13 . An internal passage  253  is formed in a manifold end plug  255  and opens to passage  252   a  for conducting high pressure washing fluid thereto from passages  156   c  and  156   a . An opposite end trunnion  252   b  of manifold  252  is not provided with a through passage, as shown in  FIG. 16 . Accordingly, separate flow paths for washing fluids at different pressures or using different chemical compositions are provided within the structure of the arms  40  thanks to the configuration of the arms, the pivot assemblies  152  the beam members  126 ,  128 ,  154  and  156  and the rotatable and oscillating nozzle assemblies supported thereon, respectively.  
      The construction and operation of the vehicle washing system  20  is believed to be understandable to those of skill in the art from the foregoing description. However, a brief description of operation of the system  20  is set forth below.  
      The vehicle washing system  20  is provided with suitable electrical controls, not shown, for operating the motors  76 ,  106 , the motor driven fan  110 , the servo motor  210  and respective pumps and valves, not shown, for controlling the flow of washing fluids to the respective nozzle assemblies on the arms  40 . The washing system  20  may include suitable sensors mounted on the arms  40  for detecting the presence of a motor vehicle on the driveway  38 , as well as the width and length of the vehicle, to affect sizing of the arms  40  by actuating the motors  210  to rotate continuously in one direction or the other until the arm sections  150  are pivoted into positions in proximity to the sides of the vehicle as required according to vehicle width. Motor  106  is operated periodically to rotate the respective arms  40  about their pivot axis  41  and  42  so that the arms may be positioned to wash opposite ends of the vehicle as the system  20  traverses along the guide and support rails  30  and  32 .  
      Accordingly, when a vehicle is moved into position to be washed, the system  20  may be positioned as shown in  FIG. 1 . Once the controls for the system sense that the vehicle has stopped, the sizing controls will move the arm sections  150  inwardly or outwardly into proper position along the vehicle sides. The motor  76  may then be operated to move the system  20  to a position along the rails  30  and  32  to one end or the other of the vehicle to begin a washing cycle or the washing cycle may begin at any selected start position. Once the starting position is reached, washing fluids are pumped through the nozzles  231  for each nozzle assembly  230   a  through  230   e  as the motor  76  is operated to traverse the system  20  along the vehicle. When suitable sensors on the arms  40  sense that the system has reached the ends of the vehicle, the motor  106  may be operated to pivot the arms  40  about their respective pivot axes to wash the ends of the vehicle and then return to the position shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . After the portion of the washing cycle is completed, which results in complete coverage of the vehicle by applying washing fluid from the nozzle assemblies  230   a  through  230   c , for example, the cycle of traversing the system with respect to the vehicle is repeated while operating the motor  210  for each arm  40  to oscillate the nozzle assemblies  200   a ,  200   b ,  200   c ,  200   d  and  204  while pumping high pressure rinse water therethrough to thoroughly rinse the vehicle. The nozzle assemblies  204  are configured with the opposed angled sets of nozzles  251  to provide superior washing action on the lower portions of the vehicle chasis, the wheels and the rocker panels.  
      Conventional materials may be used to construct the washing system  20  known to those skilled in the art of vehicle washing systems. At any time while the system  20  is operating, the motor driven fan  110  is operable to pump heated low pressure air into the enclosure  39  for the frame  22  to avoid fluid spray from entering the enclosure and wetting the components disposed therein.  
      Although a preferred embodiment of a vehicle washing system has been described in detail herein, those skilled in the art will recognize that various substitutions and modifications may be made to the embodiment described without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.