Patent Description:
Vehicle automated washing equipment is designed to operate and provide service in certain locations by installing the equipment, which are provided between other elements, washing boxes, rotating rollers moved by rails and afferent washing systems with soap and water, and drying systems, which wash the vehicles in that precise location.

Among such equipment are conventional truck washers, equipped with machinery in the form of gantries provided with rollers with, acting automatically using abundant soap and water, and commonly assisted by the physical work of hired personnel who perform complementary tasks of rinsing, scrubbing, and/or clarifying using auxiliary devices.

Other devices are the wide range of spraying systems, such as, for example, fixed, rotating, or oscillating spraying systems, which operate at different pressures affecting the fluid jet and the area of action.

Other devices are those carrying out the function of steam cleaning, which are used in domestic and industrial cleaning and are commonly referred to as "steamer".

<CIT> shows an automated washing unit of a heavy-duty vehicle having a body with side, upper, lower, front, and rear areas, and wheels, the washing unit comprising two mobile sub-units which are coupled to one another forming a gantry-shaped tandem for being moved synchronously along the heavy-duty vehicle, and wherein each mobile sub-unit has a washing module with cleaning agent discharge means for discharging cleaning agents on the body of the heavy-duty vehicle, with the washing modules facing and separated from one another by a distance substantially similar to the width of the body of the heavy-duty vehicle. Document <CIT> discloses a washing module for an automated washing unit according to the state of the art.

The object of the invention is to provide a washing module for an automated washing unit of a heavy-duty vehicle, as defined in the claims.

The invention relates to a washing module for an automated washing unit of a heavy-duty vehicle comprising a casing with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, wherein inside the casing there are arranged cleaning agent discharge means for discharging cleaning agents on the heavy-duty vehicle through the opening and wherein inside the casing there are also arranged extraction means for extracting the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle.

Therefore, the washing module has the opening of the casing through which the cleaning agents are discharged in a proximal position and oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, such that a concentrated action of the cleaning agents on the heavy-duty vehicle is obtained, whereas the extraction means allow the cleaning agents that have been discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle to be collected, where said used cleaning agents can be sent to an area for the filtration and treatment so they can be recirculated and used again in washing the heavy-duty vehicle, or so they can be reused in another function, whereby obtaining a washing unit which allows for a more efficient management of resources used for washing the heavy-duty vehicle. Document <CIT> presents washing modules with cleaning agent discharge means in the form of sprayers acting in a scattered manner on the heavy-duty vehicle, and furthermore the cleaning agents fall directly to the ground after use, without there being any extraction means in the washing modules for collecting them.

These and other advantages and features of the invention will become apparent in view of the figures and the detailed description of the invention.

The invention relates to a washing module for an automated washing unit <NUM> of a heavy-duty vehicle having a body <NUM> with two side areas, an upper area, a lower area, a front area, and a rear area, and wheels <NUM>. The heavy-duty vehicle can be a truck with a trailer, a trailer, a road train, a bus, or another similar road transport heavy-duty vehicle.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a first embodiment of the washing unit <NUM> comprising two mobile sub-units <NUM> which are coupled to one another forming a gantry-shaped tandem for being moved synchronously along the heavy-duty vehicle. Each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has a vertical washing module <NUM> for discharging cleaning agents on one of the side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle, with the vertical washing modules <NUM> facing and separated from one another by a distance substantially similar to the width of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. The two mobile sub-units <NUM> are moved parallel to the side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle.

Each mobile sub-unit <NUM> comprises a main body <NUM> having a support arm <NUM> attached by its free end to one of the vertical washing modules <NUM>, the washing module <NUM> comprising a casing <NUM> with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, and being arranged inside the casing <NUM> cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> for discharging cleaning agents on the heavy-duty vehicle through the opening and extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> for extracting the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle. The vertical washing modules <NUM> are thereby close to the side areas of the heavy-duty vehicle, and as the mobile sub-units <NUM> move forward, the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> wash the side areas of the heavy-duty vehicle, whereas the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> gradually extract the cleaning agents used during washing.

The vertical washing module <NUM> has an elongated (for example, rectangular) configuration with a vertical arrangement, wherein the largest dimension of the module <NUM> coincides with the height of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. Therefore, by means of the movement of the two mobile sub-units <NUM>, from the back part to the front part of the heavy-duty vehicle, the entire side area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle is washed.

Additionally, the main body <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has another support arm <NUM> which is attached by its free end to a horizontal washing module <NUM> which, like the module <NUM>, also comprises a casing <NUM> with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, and being arranged inside the casing <NUM> cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> for discharging cleaning agents on the wheels <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle through the opening and extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> for extracting the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle.

The horizontal washing module <NUM> has an elongated (for example, rectangular) configuration with a horizontal arrangement, wherein the largest dimension of the module <NUM> coincides with the width of one or more wheels <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. Therefore, by means of the movement of the two mobile sub-units <NUM>, from the back part to the front part of the heavy-duty vehicle, all the wheels <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle are washed. Alternatively, the largest dimension of the vertical washing module <NUM> coincides with the height of the body <NUM> plus the height of one of the wheels <NUM>, such that module <NUM> is not necessary for washing the wheels <NUM>.

The support arm <NUM> of the vertical washing module <NUM> is extendable for moving the washing module <NUM> closer to or farther away from the side area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. Additionally, the support arm <NUM> of the horizontal washing module <NUM> is also extendable for moving the washing module <NUM> closer to or farther away from the wheel <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. Both support arms <NUM>, <NUM> extend from the main body <NUM> perpendicular to the direction of movement of the mobile sub-units <NUM>. The support arms <NUM>, <NUM> thereby allow the modules <NUM>, <NUM> to be moved closer to the side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle adjusting to its width. The support arms <NUM>, <NUM> allow adjusting the modules <NUM>, <NUM> until their openings contact the heavy-duty vehicle, whereby concentrating the action of the cleaning agents on the area of the vehicle in which the modules are positioned, and furthermore favoring the extraction of the cleaning agents, minimizing such agents being able to be poured onto the ground.

The support arm <NUM> of the vertical washing module <NUM> is attached by its end opposite the free end to a vertical tower <NUM> of the main body <NUM>. The tower <NUM> is part of the main body <NUM>, so the tower <NUM> can be an element integrally attached to the body <NUM> or be an extension of the body <NUM> itself. The module <NUM> is therefore in the vertical arrangement with respect to the side area of the body <NUM>, and by means of the movement of the mobile sub-units <NUM>, from the back part to the front part of the heavy-duty vehicle, the entire side area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle is washed.

Alternatively, the vertical tower <NUM> is extendable in the vertical direction with respect to the main body <NUM>, such that the vertical washing module <NUM> is mobile in the vertical direction together with the tower <NUM>. Additionally, the support arm <NUM> of the vertical washing module <NUM> is rotatable about its longitudinal axis for rotating the washing module <NUM> over the side area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle, with the arm <NUM> being rotatable by an angle of at least <NUM>°. The module <NUM> is therefore vertically mobile and rotatable with respect to the side area, whereby the support arm <NUM> can be rotated to situate the module <NUM> in the horizontal arrangement, and move the support arm <NUM> vertically, thereby modifying the direction in which the means <NUM>, <NUM> act to perform cleaning with upward and downward vertical movements. The vertical movement of the module <NUM> in the horizontal arrangement may be combined with the movement of the mobile sub-units <NUM> for washing the entire side area.

Additionally, the vertical washing module <NUM> is inclinable with respect to the side area of the body <NUM>. The inclination is obtained with an articulation (not depicted), the articulation is arranged between the module <NUM> and the support arm <NUM>, or is arranged between the support arm <NUM> and the main body <NUM>. The module <NUM> can therefore be adapted to inclined surfaces, such as the cab of the heavy-duty vehicle for example.

The washing unit <NUM> additionally comprises a tread way <NUM> for arranging the heavy-duty vehicle and has fixed washing modules <NUM>, and like the vertical washing modules <NUM> and horizontal washing modules <NUM>, each of the modules <NUM> comprises a casing <NUM> with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, being arranged inside the casing <NUM> cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> for discharging cleaning agents on the lower area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle through the opening and extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> for extracting the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty.

The tread way <NUM> is impermeable, having a certain liquid tightness capacity, to prevent pouring onto the ground/into the environment.

The tread way <NUM> comprises a cleaning agent and power supply inlet <NUM>, and an evacuation outlet <NUM> for evacuating the cleaning agents towards an area for the filtration, treatment, and recirculation of the cleaning agents towards the inlet <NUM>. The inlet <NUM> is connected with the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> and the outlet <NUM> is connected with the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM>. Therefore, the cleaning agents that have been used in washing the heavy-duty vehicle can be used again after having been filtered and treated.

The fixed washing modules <NUM> are arranged on a collector <NUM> channeling the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle towards the outlet <NUM>.

The tread way <NUM> comprises a set of tread plates <NUM> that can be coupled to one another to form tracks for arranging the heavy-duty vehicle. The tread plates <NUM> forming the ends of the tracks have a slope for defining an inlet ramp and an outlet ramp in each track.

The tread plates <NUM> are attached to each side of the collector <NUM> to form an assembly of a width similar to the width of a heavy-duty vehicle, for example, the maximum regulatory width for the ordinary road transport is of <NUM> meters. The length of the set of the tread plates <NUM> and the collector is similar to the length of a heavy-duty vehicle, estimated to be about <NUM> meters.

The tread plates <NUM> and the collector <NUM> are coupled together in a leak-tight manner for ensuring impermeability.

The tread plates <NUM> can be disassembled from one another and can also be disassembled with respect to the central collector <NUM> to facilitate stacking and transport. Furthermore, the collector <NUM> is a flexible structure that can be folded to thus reduce the size of the tread way <NUM> and facilitate transport.

The washing unit <NUM> additionally comprises pumping devices <NUM> which are arranged in the fixed washing modules <NUM> and/or in the collector <NUM>. These devices <NUM> circulate the cleaning agents towards the outlet <NUM>, preventing particles of said agents from settling at the bottom of the module <NUM> or the collector <NUM>.

The tread way <NUM> comprises guide rails <NUM> acting with guides <NUM> of the main bodies <NUM> for guiding the two mobile sub-units <NUM>. The guide rails <NUM> are attached to the tread plates <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has wheels <NUM> to facilitate movement. The wheels <NUM> are motor-powered, and the guide rails <NUM> are a channel through which the guide <NUM> in the form of a wheel moves. Alternatively, the wheels <NUM> of the main body are freely rotating (not motor-powered) wheels, and the guide rails <NUM> are drive chains driven by a motor and the guides <NUM> are toothed wheels meshing with the chains.

The main body <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has an extendable tower <NUM> that can be extended in the vertical direction and at least one transverse washing module <NUM> which, like the vertical modules <NUM>, horizontal modules <NUM>, and fixed modules <NUM>, also comprises a casing <NUM> with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, being arranged inside the casing <NUM> cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> and extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> of the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle. Between the extendable towers <NUM> there is arranged a support arm <NUM> in which the transverse washing module <NUM> is rotatably assembled, such that the transverse washing module <NUM> can be oriented for discharging cleaning agents on the front, upper, and rear areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle.

As shown in <FIG>, the washing unit <NUM> preferably has two transverse washing modules <NUM> which are attached to one another by coupling means <NUM>, said means <NUM> serving to attach the two mobile sub-units <NUM> to one another and form the gantry-shaped tandem. Alternatively the support arm <NUM> can be extended between the extendable towers <NUM> attaching the two mobile sub-units <NUM>. The joint movement of the two mobile sub-units <NUM> is additionally assured by the guiding coupling of the main bodies <NUM> with the tread way <NUM> through the guide rails <NUM> and the guides <NUM>.

The support arm <NUM> is rotatable by an angle of at least <NUM>°, such that the joint action of the rotation of the arm <NUM>, the movement in the vertical direction of the extendable towers <NUM>, and the movement of the mobile sub-units <NUM>, allows the transverse washing modules <NUM> to be oriented so as to act alternatively on the front, upper, and rear areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle. In <FIG> the transverse washing modules <NUM> are illustrated acting on the upper area of the body <NUM>, and in <FIG> they are illustrated acting on the rear area of the body <NUM>.

Additionally, the extendable tower <NUM> is laterally movable on the main carriage <NUM>. The tower <NUM> is movable with respect to the tower <NUM> in a direction parallel to the side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle, and in the same direction of movement of the mobile sub-units <NUM>. This lateral movement of the tower <NUM> allows the transverse washing modules <NUM> to be moved closer to or farther away from the front, or rear, surface of the body <NUM>, without having to move the mobile sub-units <NUM>. Moreover, when the modules <NUM> act on the upper area, slight movement of the modules <NUM> in the longitudinal direction of the body <NUM> is also allowed.

The extendable tower <NUM> and the tower <NUM> are arranged on the main carriage <NUM> in different planes, such that the tower <NUM> is laterally movable on the main carriage <NUM> without colliding with the tower <NUM>. As can be observed in <FIG>, the tower <NUM> is arranged in an outer plane with respect to the tower <NUM>.

The main body <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has a cleaning agent and power supply inlet <NUM> which is connected with the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and an outlet <NUM> which is connected with the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for sending the cleaning agents towards an area for the filtration, treatment, and recirculation of the cleaning agents towards the inlet <NUM> of the main body <NUM>.

Alternatively or additionally, the main body <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> has auxiliary cleaning agent supply and power supply means which are connected with the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, and filtration, treatment, and recirculation means which are connected with the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> for filtering, treating, and recirculating the cleaning agents towards the auxiliary cleaning agent supply means of the main body <NUM>. The main body <NUM> can thereby work autonomously without having to be connected with a cleaning agent and power supply.

The coordinated action of the vertical modules <NUM>, horizontal modules <NUM>, transverse modules <NUM>, and fixed modules <NUM> allows virtually the entire surface of the heavy-duty vehicle to be covered, such that complete washing of the vehicle is achieved with an efficient management of the cleaning agents.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a second embodiment of the washing unit, which is identical to the first embodiment described in the preceding paragraphs, and differs only in the vertical washing modules <NUM>, therefore the above description for the first example of <FIG> and <FIG> is applicable to the second example of <FIG> and <FIG>.

Unlike <FIG> and <FIG>, the vertical washing module <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG> is L-shaped for discharging cleaning agents on the upper area and one of the side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle, with the vertical washing modules <NUM> of the mobile sub-units <NUM> being attached to one another to form the gantry-shaped tandem. In this case, washing the upper area of the body <NUM> is performed with the transverse modules <NUM> and the upper part of the vertical washing modules <NUM>.

The upper part of the vertical washing modules <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> are attached by coupling means <NUM>, such that the attachment of the vertical washing modules forms another gantry complementing the rigidity of the gantry-shaped tandem which is obtained by the coupling means <NUM> attaching the transverse washing modules <NUM>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a third embodiment of the washing unit, which is identical to the second embodiment described in the preceding paragraphs, and differs only in that it does not have the extendable towers <NUM> between which the support arm <NUM> of the washing modules transversal <NUM> is arranged, such that on the upper area of the body <NUM> only the upper part of the vertical washing modules <NUM> acts. The entire above description for the first and second examples of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG> is applicable to the third example of <FIG> and <FIG>.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a fourth embodiment of the washing unit <NUM> which is identical to the examples described in the preceding paragraphs in reference to the tread way <NUM> with the fixed modules, and to the main bodies <NUM> of the mobile sub-units <NUM>. This fourth embodiment differs from the preceding embodiments in that there are no horizontal washing modules <NUM> and transverse washing modules <NUM>, and instead there are vertical washing modules <NUM> acting on the side, upper, front, and rear areas, and wheels of the heavy-duty vehicle. Therefore, the entire above description for the examples of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, and <FIG> is applicable to the fourth example of <FIG> and <FIG> insofar as they are related.

The automated washing unit <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle of this fourth embodiment comprises two mobile sub-units <NUM> which are coupled to one another forming the gantry-shaped tandem for being moved synchronously along the heavy-duty vehicle. Each mobile sub-unit <NUM> comprises the main body <NUM> having the support arm <NUM> attached by its free end to one of the vertical washing modules <NUM>, the washing module <NUM> comprising the casing <NUM> with the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> and the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM>.

The vertical washing module <NUM> of each mobile sub-unit <NUM> comprises a central part <NUM> and at least one end part <NUM>, <NUM> which is articulated with respect to an end of the central part <NUM>, and wherein the central part <NUM> is attached to the main body <NUM> of the mobile sub-unit <NUM> by means of the support arm <NUM>, and wherein each of the parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> of module <NUM> comprises a respective casing <NUM>, the cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> and the extraction means <NUM>, <NUM> being arranged inside the casing <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG>, the vertical washing module <NUM> comprises a central part <NUM>, an upper end part <NUM>, and a lower end part <NUM>, wherein the central part <NUM> is articulated by its ends with the end parts <NUM>, <NUM> by means of a respective articulation <NUM>. The central part <NUM> is configured for discharging cleaning agents on one of the side areas of the body <NUM>, the upper end part <NUM> on the upper area, and the lower end part <NUM> on the wheels <NUM>.

The articulations <NUM> are configured for rotating the end parts <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to the central part <NUM>, and are additionally configured for rotating the end parts <NUM>, <NUM> about their longitudinal axis. The articulations <NUM> are configured for allowing the rotation of the parts <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> with respect to one another according to an angle of at least <NUM>°, and are additionally configured for allowing the rotation of the end parts also by an angle of rotation of at least <NUM>°.

<FIG> depicts the upper end part <NUM> rotated <NUM>° with respect to the central part <NUM>, and the lower end part <NUM> aligned with the central part <NUM>, such that the upper end part <NUM> is oriented towards the upper area of the body <NUM>, the central part <NUM> is oriented towards one of the side areas, and the lower end part is oriented towards the wheels <NUM>. Therefore, with this arrangement of the module <NUM>, by moving the mobile sub-units <NUM> the side and upper areas and wheels of the heavy-duty vehicle are covered, whereas the modules <NUM> act synchronously on the lower area. Additionally, by rotating the lower end part <NUM><NUM>° with respect to the central part <NUM>, the lower end part <NUM> can be arranged oriented towards the lower area of the heavy-duty vehicle.

In the same arrangement depicted in <FIG>, by means rotating the support arm <NUM><NUM>°, the upper end part <NUM> can be arranged oriented towards the front or rear area of the body <NUM>, whereas the central part <NUM> and the lower end part <NUM> are oriented towards the side area of the body <NUM>, such that by extending the tower <NUM> in the vertical direction, the parts <NUM> ,<NUM>, <NUM> of the module <NUM> can be moved for simultaneously washing the side areas and the front or rear area of the body <NUM>.

The lower end part <NUM> can be rotated with respect to the central part <NUM> by means of the articulation <NUM> for moving the part <NUM> closer to the heavy-duty vehicle and arranging it in a position in which it projects with respect to the part <NUM>, such that said part <NUM> is used for improving the collection of the cleaning agents that have been discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle.

By extending the support arm <NUM>, the distance between the central part <NUM> and the side area of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle can be adjusted, and therefore the distance of the modules <NUM> can be adjusted to the width of the heavy-duty vehicle to be washed.

The upper end part <NUM> has coupling means <NUM> arranged at its end opposite the end in which the articulation <NUM> for the attachment with the central part <NUM> is located. The coupling means <NUM> are used for establishing a removable coupling with the upper end part <NUM> of the other mobile sub-unit <NUM>, (which is not depicted in <FIG> for the sake of clarity).

<FIG> show a first example of one of the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the washing unit. As can be observed in <FIG>, the opening of the casing <NUM> of the module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has along its perimeter contour an air blowing and/or suction device <NUM>. The device <NUM> is configured for establishing a pneumatic seal between the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> and the heavy-duty vehicle by means of the injection or suction of an air flow. The seal between the modules and the heavy-duty vehicle is thereby assured, limiting the cleaning agents from being able to fall onto the ground, and therefore achieving extraction means which can recover the cleaning agents that have been used in washing the heavy-duty vehicle.

Therefore, the device <NUM> can operate as an air blowing device, an air suction device, or an air blowing and suction device. The air blowing device <NUM> establishes the pneumatic seal by means of the injection of the air flow, whereas the air suction device <NUM> establishes the pneumatic seal by means of the suction of the air flow, and the air blowing and suction device <NUM> establishes the pneumatic seal by means of the alternating injection and suction of the air flow.

The device <NUM> performing the suction function can be used as the extraction means for extracting the cleaning agents that have been used in washing the heavy-duty vehicle. When the device <NUM> is not used performing the suction function, there is arranged inside the casing <NUM> of the module a extractor <NUM> for extracting the cleaning agents; nonetheless, for better assuring the extraction of such agents, the extractor <NUM> and the device <NUM> performing the suction function can be used simultaneously.

The device <NUM> for establishing the pneumatic seal is particularly useful in the vertical washing modules <NUM> and transverse washing modules <NUM> acting on the front, upper, rear, and side areas of the body <NUM> of the heavy-duty vehicle, which are smooth surface areas against which the pneumatic seal can be efficiently applied.

The cleaning agent discharge means <NUM>, <NUM> comprise a steam device <NUM> and/or a spraying device <NUM>. Both are arranged inside the casing <NUM> and act through the opening of the casing <NUM>. The steam device <NUM> discharges steam or steam mixed with a cleaning product. The spraying device <NUM> discharges water or water mixed with a cleaning product, such as soap or other similar products. The spraying device <NUM> comprises sprayers distributed inside the casing <NUM> which can be fixed sprayers, circular sprayers, oscillating sprayers, or a combination thereof.

Additionally, a scrubbing device <NUM> for increasing cleaning efficiency is arranged inside the casing <NUM> of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The device <NUM> can be rollers or brushes, which can be fixed or be operated by vibration or rotational movement. As shown in <FIG>, the device <NUM> consists of two rectangular-shaped brushes extending parallel to the largest sides of the perimeter contour of the opening <NUM>.

The opening of the casing <NUM> configures and demarcates the work area of the module, determining the efficacy and efficiency of the washing tasks depending on the optimal adaptability and concentrated action of the cleaning agent discharge means integrated in the casing <NUM>.

<FIG> show a second example of one of the modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> of the washing unit, which is identical to the first example of <FIG>, except that the casing <NUM> of the washing modules <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> has at least two extendable parts that can be extended with respect to one another for increasing or decreasing the size of the opening of the washing module <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. The module can thereby be adapted to the dimensions of the heavy-duty vehicle. The extension of the module is represented by means of double arrows. The entire above description for the first example of <FIG> is applicable to this second example of <FIG>.

The washing modules of <FIG> can be applicable to any one of the washing units depicted in the examples of <FIG>.

The casing <NUM> is manufactured in a physically, chemically, and thermally resistant material.

Claim 1:
Washing module for an automated washing unit of a heavy-duty vehicle, comprising a casing (<NUM>) with an opening oriented towards the heavy-duty vehicle, wherein inside the casing (<NUM>) there are arranged cleaning agent discharge means (<NUM>, <NUM>) for discharging cleaning agents on the heavy-duty vehicle through the opening, the washing module being characterised in that inside the casing (<NUM>) there are also arranged extraction means (<NUM>, <NUM>) for extracting the cleaning agents discharged on the heavy-duty vehicle.