Patent Publication Number: US-2017349151-A1

Title: Vehicle wash facility

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of international application number PCT/EP2015/054019 filed on Feb. 26, 2015, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a vehicle wash facility, comprising a drying apparatus for drying a motor vehicle. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     In a vehicle wash facility, a drying apparatus is used following a wash operation in order to dry the vehicle by way of a flow of air. It is known that the drying apparatus can comprise a slot-shaped nozzle that extends along the entire working length. The length of the nozzle may, for example, be approximately two metres, and its operation requires a considerable volume flow of drying air in order for an acceptable drying result to be achieved. In order to supply this volume flow, a blower of the drying apparatus must have a correspondingly large size. 
     It is also known that the drying apparatus can comprise a plurality of duct-shaped individual nozzles. These can be supplied with drying air by separate blowers. Examples of drying apparatuses using separate nozzles are disclosed in EP 0 700 814 B1 and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,683,668. These drying apparatuses also require a substantial use of energy in order to be able to provide the volume flow necessary for an acceptable drying result. 
     DE 103 33 976 A1 describes a hand-holdable drying apparatus. The drying apparatus comprises a plurality of pinpoint nozzles arranged in a row. A curtain-like drying flow is thereby to be created. 
     An object underlying the present invention is to provide a vehicle wash facility comprising a drying apparatus which enables an acceptable drying result to be achieved with little expenditure of energy, if possible. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In accordance with the invention, a vehicle wash facility comprises a drying apparatus for drying a motor vehicle, the drying apparatus being held to a holding device of the vehicle wash facility and comprising a nozzle support device, at least one blower and a plurality of nozzles which are arranged at a distance relative to one another at the nozzle support device. The nozzles can be supplied with drying air by the at least one blower, wherein the nozzles are flat jet nozzles, each providing a flow of air that spreads out in a fan shape. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The foregoing summary and the following description may be better understood in conjunction with the drawing figures, of which: 
         FIG. 1  shows, in a front view, a schematic representation of vehicle wash facility in accordance with the invention, configured as a gantry-type wash facility, and a vehicle to be dried; 
         FIG. 2  shows the vehicle wash facility of  FIG. 1  in a schematic side view, with a different vehicle to be dried; 
         FIG. 3  schematically shows a control system of the vehicle wash facility of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  schematically shows, in a front view, a nozzle support device including blowers of a roof drying apparatus of the vehicle wash facility of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a nozzle support device including blowers of a roof drying apparatus in a different embodiment of the vehicle wash facility; and 
         FIG. 6  schematically shows air flows of two nozzles of the roof drying apparatus upon impact on a vehicle surface that is to be dried. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION 
     Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention. 
     The present invention relates to a vehicle wash facility comprising a drying apparatus for drying a motor vehicle, the drying apparatus being held to a holding device of the vehicle wash facility and comprising a nozzle support device, at least one blower and a plurality of nozzles which are arranged at a distance relative to one another at the nozzle support device, which nozzles can be supplied with drying air by the at least one blower, wherein the nozzles are flat jet nozzles, each providing a flow of air that spreads out in a fan shape. 
     In the vehicle wash facility in accordance with the invention, a drying apparatus having a plurality of nozzles is used. These nozzles are flat jet nozzles in particular. “Flat jet nozzle” as used herein is understood to mean in particular a nozzle that provides a flat air flow which spreads out in one plane or in substantially one plane. The nozzles are arranged at a distance relative to one another at the nozzle support device and provide a respective fan-shaped flat jet. The air flow exits from a respective flat jet nozzle at a predetermined or predeterminable opening angle so that as the distance from the respective nozzle increases, a greater area of the vehicle surface to be dried can be covered by the air flow. By use of a plurality of nozzles, it is thereby possible to provide, through the spatially limited air outlets at the nozzle support device, a spatially extended air flow at the place of use, namely at the vehicle surface that is to be dried. By way of the flat jets, liquid can be effectively displaced from the vehicle surface to be dried. The energy expenditure in order to provide the volume flow of drying air required for this purpose at the nozzles can, as practice shows, be reduced when compared to conventional drying apparatuses. 
     The drying apparatus in accordance with the present invention is, for example, a roof drying apparatus of the vehicle wash facility. A “roof drying apparatus” is considered to be a drying apparatus that is used for drying the vehicle&#39;s roof in particular. Preferably, other top portions of the motor vehicle, i.e. in particular body components such as a hood or a trunk lid or the windscreen and the rear window of the vehicle, are also dried with the roof drying apparatus. 
     In particular, the roof drying apparatus extends transversely to a treatment direction of the vehicle wash facility. If the vehicle wash facility is a wash gantry, then the treatment direction is meant to be a direction of movement in or opposite to the vehicle longitudinal direction. If the vehicle wash facility is a wash line, the treatment direction is directed opposite to the conveying direction of the vehicle in the wash line. 
     It is advantageous for the drying apparatus to comprise a lifting device via which the nozzle support device is held to the holding device in a height-adjustable manner. This makes it possible for the nozzle support device to be raised or lowered as required and to be brought to a distance from the vehicle surface to be dried at which as good a drying result as possible can be achieved. 
     It is advantageous for the vehicle wash facility to comprise a detection device with which the location of a vehicle surface that is to be dried of the vehicle relative to the nozzles can be detected and for a distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface to be adjustable by way of the lifting device in such a manner that air flows of adjacent nozzles, at the vehicle surface, are adjacent to one another, or at least partially overlap one another. Depending on information or a signal of the detection device, the lifting device can be controlled in order to raise or lower the nozzle support device. The lifting device and the detection device are, for example, electrically connected to a control device of the vehicle wash facility. The distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface is preferably adjusted such that the air flows of adjacent nozzles are adjacent to one another at the vehicle surface in order to ensure that no such areas are left between “adjacent” air flows at the vehicle surface that are not covered directly by a flow of air. Preferably, the distance is adjusted such that adjacent air flows overlap one another in an overlap region at the vehicle surface. Undried areas between adjacent nozzles can thereby be prevented with particular reliability. 
     Preferably, the distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface is controlled in order to be kept constant or substantially constant, depending on the contour of the vehicle. 
     Provision may be made for the distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface to be adjustable such that the air flows of adjacent nozzles overlap one another above the vehicle surface to be dried. This can be understood to mean in particular that the air flows of adjacent nozzles intersect one another above the vehicle surface in order to ensure that no area of the vehicle surface is left undried between the nozzles. 
     The detection device preferably allows the contour of the vehicle to be detected for determining the location of the vehicle surface to be dried. To this end, the detection device may comprise, for example, one or more light barriers with which the contour of the vehicle is measured. This can be done for example prior to or during a wash operation of the vehicle wash facility. This obviates the need for having to detect the contour of the vehicle separately before the drying operation. It is also conceivable for the contour of the vehicle to be determined on the basis of optical images of the vehicle. Alternatively or in addition, the detection device can detect the type of the motor vehicle and determine the contour of the vehicle therefrom. To detect the motor vehicle type, provision may also be made in particular for an operator to indicate the vehicle type by hand or through use of an authorization carrier, such as a chip card or the like with which the vehicle wash facility is placed into operation. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility in practice, it proves advantageous for the distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface to be less than approximately 50 cm, preferably less than 30 cm and more preferably approximately 10 cm to 25 cm. In a particularly advantageous implementation, the nozzles have a distance of approximately 20 cm from the vehicle surface. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility in practice, it is advantageous for an opening angle of the air flow provided by the nozzles to be less than approximately 120°, preferably less than 90° and more preferably approximately 50° to 80°. For example, an opening angle of approximately 70° has proven to be particularly advantageous. 
     The nozzles may, for example, have an opening cross-section of approximately 80 mm 2  to 280 mm 2 , preferably approximately 110 mm 2  to 225 mm 2 , more preferably approximately 140 mm 2  to 200 mm 2 . These values can be considered in particular as being measured in projection along an outflow axis or a centre axis of the nozzles. 
     The at least one blower preferably provides a volume flow of approximately 15 l/s to 50 l/s, preferably approximately 20 l/s to 40 l/s and more preferably approximately 25 l/s to 35 l/s of drying air per nozzle. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility in practice, it is advantageous for the distance of adjacent nozzles relative to one another to be approximately 10 cm to 30 cm, preferably approximately 15 cm to 25 cm. In a particularly advantageous implementation, the nozzle distance is, for example, approximately 18 cm to 20 cm. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility, the distance of the nozzles from the vehicle surface can, for example, be adjusted by way of the lifting device such that the air flows of nozzles adjacent to one another overlap at the vehicle surface in an approximately 5 cm to 10 cm wide overlap region. 
     The air flows of adjacent nozzles intersect one another at approximately 5 cm above the vehicle surface for example. 
     It is advantageous for the nozzles to be arranged in equidistantly spaced relation to one another at the nozzle support device, in particular to be held to a carrier of the nozzle support device. 
     Preferably, the nozzle support device comprises a carrier which is oriented transversely to a treatment direction of the vehicle wash facility and at which are arranged at least two and preferably all of the nozzles side by side in a transverse direction. 
     The nozzles may be held to the carrier and may for example be mounted thereto. It is also conceivable for the nozzles to be formed at the carrier. To this end, the carrier may have a conduit-like configuration and comprise openings defining a respective nozzle. 
     Provision may be made for two or more carriers, arranged side by side in transverse direction, to be provided, each of these having arranged thereat at least one nozzle, preferably at least two nozzles. It is conceivable for the carriers to be mechanically coupled to one another and, for example, to be capable of being raised or lowered by way of a common lifting device or to be tiltable relative to the vehicle surface by way of a common tilting device. Alternatively, it is conceivable for separate lifting devices and/or tilting devices to be provided for raising and lowering and for tilting the carriers respectively. 
     In order to achieve a configuration that is simple in structure, it is advantageous for the carrier to be of straight-lined configuration and/or for the nozzles to be arranged along a straight line at the carrier. In this embodiment, the nozzles are in particular oriented along a line or an axis that is oriented transversely to the treatment direction. 
     In a different embodiment, provision may be made for the carrier to have a convex curvature in the treatment direction and/or for the nozzles to be arranged at the carrier along an arc of convex curvature in the treatment direction. As used herein, the phrase “of convex curvature in the treatment direction” can be understood in particular to mean that the carrier or the arc defined by the nozzles has an apex leading in the treatment direction. 
     It has already been noted that a tilting device may be provided. 
     It is advantageous for the drying apparatus to comprise a tilting device for tilting the nozzle support device about a tilting axis oriented transversely to the treatment direction. By tilting the nozzle support device, the direction under which the air flows impact the vehicle surface to be dried can be varied. In particular, this allows the air flows to be oriented perpendicularly to the vehicle surface. For example, upon movement of the nozzle support device, the tilt of the nozzle support device can be adjusted as needed such that the flow of air in each case impacts the vehicle surface perpendicularly. Where the treatment direction is from front to rear, the nozzle support device is, for example, tilted at the hood and at the windscreen such that the air flows comprise a component that runs in the treatment direction. At the vehicle roof, usually oriented approximately horizontally, the air flows can exit the nozzles vertically for example. The same can apply to a trunk lid. At the rear window, the nozzle support device can be tilted such that the direction of the air flows has a component that is directed opposite to the treatment direction. 
     Preferably, the tilting device is in electrical communication with the above-mentioned control device of the vehicle wash facility and can, for example, be tilted depending on information or on a signal of the detection device in order to adjust the direction of the air flows for achieving as good a drying result as possible. 
     Overall, it is advantageous for the air flows of the nozzles to be perpendicularly orientable towards a vehicle surface to be dried whose orientation is detectable by way of a detection device. The control device can therefrom determine the orientation of the vehicle surface relative to the nozzles. 
     Alternatively or in addition, provision may be made for the air flows of the nozzles to be oriented such that the air flows spread in a direction which always has a component in the treatment direction. This allows, for example, for liquid to be propelled off the vehicle surface in a direction of the treatment direction. 
     The air flows emitted from the nozzles are preferably oriented transversely to the treatment direction. 
     It is advantageous for the air flows emitted from the nozzles to lie in one plane or substantially in one plane. This is in particular the case when the nozzles, as mentioned above, are arranged side by side in a straight line at the carrier. 
     Preferably, the nozzles are of identical configuration in order to achieve a configuration of the vehicle wash facility that is simple in structure. 
     Provision may be made for two or more nozzles to be in flow communication with a blower. In particular, it is conceivable for the vehicle wash facility to comprise only one blower that supplies all of the nozzles with drying air. 
     In a different embodiment, provision may be made for the drying apparatus to comprise a plurality of blowers, each of which has a nozzle associated therewith. Each nozzle can be supplied with drying air by a separate blower. 
     In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility in practice, seven nozzles may be provided for example, said nozzles being jointly arranged or formed at or held to a carrier extending in transverse direction with respect to the treatment direction. The nozzles can be spaced apart from one another at a distance of approximately 15 cm to 25 cm and preferably 18 cm to 20 cm. The opening angles of the air flows of the flat jet nozzles are approximately 70°, for example. The distance from the vehicle surface can be adjusted, preferably controlled, to approximately 20 cm for example, depending on information or a signal of the detection device. Preferably, the air flows can be oriented such that they impact the vehicle surface perpendicularly. 
     As has already been mentioned, the vehicle wash facility may be or comprise a gantry-type wash facility. The nozzle support device is, for example, held to lateral supports of the gantry in a manner adjustable in height and tiltable about an in particular horizontal tilting axis running transversely to the treatment direction. 
     Alternatively, provision may be made for the vehicle wash facility to be or to comprise a wash line. 
     Turning now to the drawings,  FIGS. 1 and 2  show in a front view and in a side view respectively an advantageous embodiment of a vehicle wash facility  10  in accordance with the invention. The vehicle wash facility  10  is configured as a gantry-type wash facility comprising a wash gantry  12  on a support surface  14 . Here, the support surface  14  is to be regarded as being horizontally oriented. As used herein, positional and orientational terms such as “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below” and the like are to be taken to refer to a state of intended use of the vehicle wash facility  10  on the support surface  14  considered as being horizontal. 
     The wash gantry  12  can be moved along a treatment direction  16  relative to a vehicle  18  that is to be cleaned and also to be dried. Here, the treatment direction  16  extends from a front side  20  to a rear side  22  of the vehicle  18 . The wash gantry  12  can also be moved in a direction opposite to the treatment direction  16 . 
     The vehicle  18  is positioned on the support surface  14  and has a top side  24 . Arranged at the top side  24  is a vehicle surface  26  that is to be dried at the end of the cleaning process. The vehicle surface  26  is formed by a hood  28 , a windscreen  30 , a roof  32 , a rear window  34  and a trunk lid  36  of the vehicle  18 . 
     The wash gantry  12  comprises a gantry-like holding device  38  comprising vertical supports  40  arranged in spaced relation to one another and a transverse support  42  interconnecting same. The transverse support  42  is oriented transversely relative to the treatment direction  16 . 
     Held to the wash gantry  12  are wash tools  44  for cleaning the vehicle  18 . The wash tools  44  comprise, for example, side brushes  46  at the vertical supports  40  and a roof brush  48  which is held to the transverse support  42  or to the vertical supports  40 . 
     The vehicle  18  can be cleaned by way of the wash tools  44  in a manner known per se. Liquid, in particular water, is applied to the vehicle  18 . Subsequent to the wash operation, the vehicle  18  is rinsed, also usually with water. In doing so, liquid is left on the vehicle  18 , in particular on the top side  24  thereof. The liquid is removed from the top side  24  in a subsequent drying operation. 
     In order to dry the vehicle  18 , the vehicle wash facility  10  comprises a drying apparatus  50 . Here, the drying apparatus  50  is configured as a roof drying apparatus. The drying apparatus  50  is used to dry the top side  24 , i.e. the top portions of the hood  28 , the windscreen  30 , the roof  32 , the rear window  34  and the trunk lid  36 . 
     The vehicle wash facility  10  can comprise further drying apparatuses (not shown) in order to dry the sides and/or the front side or the rear side  22  of the vehicle  18 . 
     The drying apparatus  50  comprises a nozzle support device  52 . The nozzle support device  52  is held to the vertical supports  40  of the wash gantry  12  and extends in a transverse direction  54  (transverse to the treatment direction  16 ). Preferably, the nozzle support device  52  is horizontally oriented. 
     The nozzle support device  52  is held to the vertical supports  40  in a height-adjustable manner. In order to alter the height of the nozzle support device  52  relative to the support surface  14 , the drying apparatus  50  comprises a lifting device  56 . The nozzle support device  52  can be lowered and raised by way of the lifting device  56 . The lifting device  56  is, for example, arranged at one or both of the vertical supports  40 . 
     The drying apparatus  50  further comprises a tilting device  58 . Via the tilting device  58 , the nozzle support device  52  can be tilted or pivoted relative to the vertical supports  40  about a tilting axis  60  running in the transverse direction  54 . The tilting device  58  is for example arranged at the vertical support(s)  40 . The tilting device  58  can form an integrated unit with the lifting device  56  or it can be formed separately therefrom. 
     The nozzle support device  52  comprises a carrier  62  via which the nozzle support device  52  is held to the vertical supports  40  in a height-adjustable and tiltable manner. The carrier  62  extends in the transverse direction  54  and is of straight-lined configuration. The carrier  62  is arranged above the vehicle  18  when drying. 
     Held to the carrier  62  are a plurality of nozzles  64  of the drying apparatus  50 .  FIG. 4  schematically shows the carrier  62  and the arrangement of the nozzles  64  thereat. 
     In the vehicle wash facility  10  in accordance with the invention, the nozzles  64  are flat jet nozzles in particular. Each of the nozzles  64  can have exiting therefrom a flow of air that spreads out in a fan shape, widening in a direction towards the vehicle surface  26  that is to be dried. 
     The nozzles  64  are arranged in spaced relation to one another at the carrier  62 . Preferably, the nozzles  64  are arranged in a straight line at the carrier  62  and laterally side-by-side in the transverse direction  54 . The drying apparatus  50  comprises seven nozzles  64 . 
     It is advantageous for the nozzles  64  to be arranged at the carrier  62  equidistantly. In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility  10 , the distance  66  between adjacent nozzles  64  is, for example, approximately 15 cm to 25 cm, more preferably approximately 18 cm to 20 cm. 
     As mentioned, the nozzles  64  provide a flow of air that spreads out in a fan shape. In an advantageous implementation of the vehicle wash facility  10 , the opening angle  68  of the air flow exiting at the nozzles  64  is approximately 50° to 80°, preferably approximately 70°. 
     Preferably, the nozzles  64  have an opening cross-section of approximately 140 mm 2  to 200 mm 2 , measured as a projection along an outflow axis of the nozzles (in the drawing plane in  FIG. 4 ). 
     The flat air flows exiting from the nozzles  64  lie in one plane or substantially in one plane. The plane can be pivoted by adjusting the nozzle support device  52  using the tilting device  58 . It is possible, for example, for the plane to be oriented vertically (perpendicularly to the treatment direction  16 ). It is also conceivable that, by pivoting the nozzle support device  52 , the plane is tilted such that the air flows of the nozzles  64  spread in a direction that has a component in the treatment direction  16  or opposite to the treatment direction  16 . For example, this makes it possible for the air flows of the nozzles  64  to be oriented relative to the top side  24  such that the air flows always impact perpendicularly against the vehicle surface  26  to be dried. 
     The drying apparatus  50  comprises at least one blower  72  in order to supply the nozzles  64  with drying air. Here, two blowers  72  are provided for example. The blowers  72  are held to the carrier  62  for example. Drying air provided by the blowers  72  is supplied to the nozzles  64  and is provided by same in a fan shape in a direction towards the vehicle surface  26  in each case. 
     Preferably, the blowers  72  provide a volume flow of drying air of approximately 25 l/s to 35 l/s per nozzle  64 . 
     The vehicle wash facility  10  comprises a control device  74  ( FIG. 3 ). The control device  74  controls, for example, the movement of the wash gantry  12  and the function of the wash tools  44 . The control device  74  is electrically connected to the lifting device  56  and the tilting device  58 . The nozzle support device  52  can be raised or lowered or tilted about the tilting axis  60  depending on a signal of the control device  74 . 
     It is also conceivable for the control device  74  to be electrically connected to the blowers  72  in order to adjust the amount of drying air that is provided to the nozzles  64 . 
     The vehicle wash facility  10  further comprises a detection device  76 . In particular, the detection device  76  allows the contour of the vehicle  18  to be detected and a corresponding signal to be provided to the control device  74 . To this end, the detection device  76  comprises for example at least one light barrier or a light curtain with which the vehicle  18  is measured prior to the drying operation. Depending on the signal of the detection device  76 , the control device  74  can determine the location of the top side  24 , and hence of the vehicle surface  26  that is to be dried, relative to the position of the wash gantry  12  with respect to the vehicle  18 . The location of the vehicle surface  26  relative to the nozzles  64  is thereby also known. 
     To dry the top side  24  using the roof drying apparatus  50 , the following procedure can be used, for example: 
     The control device  74  moves the wash gantry  12  to an initial position in which the wash gantry  12  is arranged at the front side  20 . The wash gantry  12  is then moved relative to the vehicle  18  along the treatment direction  16 . The opposite operation may also be performed. The wash gantry  12  can be moved starting from the rear side  22  in a direction towards the front side  20  of the vehicle  18 . 
     Depending on the previously detected signal of the detection device  76  and the vehicle contour determined therefrom, the control device  74  controls the lifting device  56  in such a manner that the nozzles  64  have a defined distance  78  relative to the top side  24  ( FIG. 4 ). 
     In particular, the distance  78  is adjusted such that the air flows of adjacent nozzles  64  are adjacent to one another at the vehicle surface  26  or overlap at least partially at the vehicle surface  26 . The latter instance is schematically illustrated in  FIG. 4  in which the overlap of adjacent air flows at the vehicle surface  26  is approximately 5 cm to 10 cm. The reference numeral  80  designates a corresponding overlap region at the vehicle surface  26 . 
     Air flows adjacent to one another intersect at a distance of approximately 5 cm from the vehicle surface  26 . The corresponding distance is designated by the reference numeral  82  in  FIG. 4 . 
     When the wash gantry  12  is moved in the treatment direction  16 , the lifting device  56  is raised or lowered via the control device  74  such that it is ensured that the air flows of nozzles  64  adjacent to one another, at the vehicle surface  26 , are at least adjacent to one another or overlap one another. Preferably, the distance  78  of the nozzles  64  from the vehicle surface  26  is kept constant through control. The nozzle support device  52  is correspondingly raised or lowered via the lifting device  56  in order to follow the contour of the vehicle  18 . 
     As mentioned, the plane of the air flows of the nozzles  64  can be vertical or can in each case be adjusted perpendicularly to the vehicle surface  26  by tilting the nozzle support device  52  via the tilting device  58 . It is also conceivable to in each case provide a plane of the air flows of the nozzles  64  that is oriented obliquely to the treatment direction  16  in order to propel the liquid in the treatment direction  16  across the vehicle surface  26 . 
     By the use of the flat jet nozzles  64  spaced at a distance from one another, the expenditure of energy to achieve a reliable drying result can be kept relatively low. The volume flow provided by the blowers  72  can be reduced when compared to that of drying apparatuses of conventional vehicle wash facilities. 
     By providing the air flows in one plane or in substantially one plane, liquid is reliably displaced from the vehicle surface  26 . In order to prevent areas from being left undried on the vehicle surface  26  in transverse direction  54  between the nozzles  64 , it is particularly advantageous for the air flows of adjacent nozzles  64 , as described above, to be adjacent to one another or overlap one another at least in portions thereof at the vehicle surface  26 . 
       FIG. 6  schematically shows the overlap of the air flows of adjacent nozzles  64  at the vehicle surface  26  (only two nozzles  64  are illustrated). Also shown in  FIG. 6  is how the air flows of adjacent nozzles already intersect above the vehicle surface  26 . Arrows on the vehicle surface  26  symbolize local air flows. 
     It shows in practice that by use of the drying apparatus  50 , the top side  24  can already be dried by only a single traverse of the wash gantry  12 . During the return travel of the wash gantry  12  in a direction opposite to the treatment direction  16 , the blowers  72  can be turned off, thereby giving an additional saving of energy. Furthermore, the wash gantry  12  can be moved more swiftly than with conventional vehicle wash facilities, thereby reducing total treatment time. 
       FIG. 5  schematically shows, in a manner corresponding to  FIG. 4 , a nozzle support device  52  of a drying apparatus as it may be used in a different vehicle wash facility in accordance with the invention, in place of the drying apparatus  50 . The same reference numerals are used to denote identical or functionally equivalent features. 
     In the nozzle support device  90  depicted in  FIG. 5 , not only one carrier  62  is provided, but three carriers  92 ,  94 , and  96  that are arranged side by side in a transverse direction. Each carrier  92 ,  94 ,  96  has at least one nozzle  64  arranged thereat. Here, the carriers  92  and  96  each have two nozzles  64  arranged thereat and the intermediate carrier  94  has three nozzles  64  arranged thereat. 
     For example, each carrier  92 ,  94 ,  96  has associated with it a blower  72  for supplying air to the nozzles  64  arranged at that carrier  92 ,  94 ,  96 . 
     The carriers  92 ,  94 ,  96  are formed separately from one another and can be held to the wash gantry  12  together or separately from one another, in particular in a height-adjustable and/or tiltable manner, as is the case with the carrier  62 . Each carrier  92 ,  94 ,  96  can have associated with it a separate lifting device  56  or tilting device  58 . It is also conceivable for a common lifting device  56  or tilting device  58  to be employed. 
     In the variant form depicted in  FIG. 5 , the carrier  94  is arranged above the carriers  92 ,  96  in a height direction. It can thereby be ensured that larger overlap regions  80  between the air flows of nozzles  64  adjacent to one another at the vehicle surface  26  are achieved in the area of the vehicle&#39;s centre. This can have a beneficial effect on the drying result, for example. 
     Otherwise, the advantages that can be achieved in conjunction with the description of the drying apparatus  50  can also be achieved with use of the nozzle support device  90  so that in this respect reference can be made to the above statements. 
     LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS 
     
         
           10  vehicle wash facility 
           12  wash gantry 
           14  support surface 
           16  treatment direction 
           18  vehicle 
           20  front side 
           22  rear side 
           24  top side 
           26  vehicle surface 
           28  hood 
           30  windscreen 
           32  roof 
           34  rear window 
           36  trunk lid 
           38  holding device 
           40  vertical support 
           42  transverse support 
           44  wash tool 
           46  side brush 
           48  roof brush 
           50  drying apparatus 
           52  nozzle support device 
           54  transverse direction 
           56  lifting device 
           58  tilting device 
           60  tilting axis 
           62  carrier 
           64  nozzles 
           66  distance 
           68  opening angle 
           72  blower 
           74  control device 
           76  detection device 
           78  distance 
           80  overlap region 
           82  distance 
           90  nozzle support device 
           92  carrier 
           94  carrier 
           96  carrier