Patent Description:
Brushes are known of the type comprising:.

Appropriately there is a certain distance between the straps that extend from one of said central supports and the straps the extend from a central support immediately above or below it. This is both due to dimensional constraints and to prevent the straps of two adjacent supports to overlap thus compromising the correct operation of the brush. A drawback of this technical solution is the fact that at such distance the washing of the vehicle is less effective, hence compromising the uniformity of the washing itself.

Each central annular support may have a height indicatively comprised between <NUM> and <NUM> centimetres. As previously indicated, in order to exert its action on the whole side of the vehicle it is therefore necessary to stack a high number of central annular supports on top of each other. This has an impact on the weight, which leads to higher energy consumptions. Higher weights also require appropriate structural sizing of the system. All this implies a higher cost.

The cleaning and automatic washing of the bodywork of a vehicle are obtained by making various brushes of the type described above rotate so that the straps, pushed by the centrifugal force, hit the bodywork upon the interposition of water and/or washing solutions or emulsions.

Known brushes are disclosed by <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>, <CIT>.

In this context, the technical task underpinning the present invention is to provide a brush which obviates the drawbacks of the prior art as described above.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to provide a brush able to increase the effectiveness of the cleaning, the washing uniformity and the extension of the treated surface, allowing at the same time a reduction in noise and a more delicate effect on the paints of the vehicle.

The stated technical task and specified objects are substantially achieved by a brush comprising the technical features set forth in the independent claim.

Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following indicative, and hence nonlimiting, description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a brush as illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:.

In the appended figures, reference number <NUM> denotes a brush for an automatic vehicle washing system.

Such brush <NUM> may comprise flexible elements <NUM> intended to come into contact with the vehicle for cleaning and/or drying and/or polishing. The flexible elements <NUM> may be made for example of expanded plastic material, EVA or another flexible expanded material with closed cells or not, or fabric, or non-woven fabric, and even a combination of materials.

In the solution illustrated, for example, in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> the flexible elements <NUM> comprise/coincide with straps <NUM>.

In the preferred solution the straps <NUM> are fringed. In other words, there are longitudinal cuts at least at the most radially external ends of the straps <NUM>. Such cuts can affect all or part of the longitudinal extension of the straps <NUM>.

The flexible elements <NUM> may comprise/coincide with longitudinal strings. They have a wire-shaped extension. As will be explained more clearly below, this could for example be the case in which the component illustrated in <FIG> is used.

The brush <NUM> comprises a central annular support <NUM> about which the flexible elements <NUM> are applied. In the solutions illustrated in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> the support <NUM> is preferably rigid. Appropriately, the central support <NUM> is made of plastic material. The support <NUM> is preferably a cylindrical tube. As already explained above the flexible elements <NUM> used with the rigid support <NUM> are the straps <NUM>.

In the solution illustrated by way of example in <FIG> the support <NUM> comprises/coincides with a flexible band <NUM> that is annularly folded. <FIG> shows such band <NUM> in an extended configuration, <FIG> shows such band <NUM> in an operating configuration in which it is annularly folded.

The band <NUM> preferably comprises a plurality of housings <NUM> distributed about the shaft <NUM> (for the sake of simplicity, in <FIG> only some of such housings <NUM> are illustrated; they are advantageously distributed along the surface of the band <NUM>). In the solution exemplified in <FIG> such housings <NUM> could be cavities from each of which a corresponding bunch of said longitudinal strings extends (not shown).

In an alternative solution not illustrated the flexible band <NUM> may comprise slots from which corresponding straps extend. Such straps are retained in the slots by corresponding retaining bars. Such bars obstruct at least partially the slot leaving two lateral slits for letting two edges of a same strap exit transversally to the prevalent extension direction (thus a similar solution to the one illustrated is obtained although in a different context in <FIG> and better described below).

The brush <NUM> comprises a shaft <NUM> that is rotatable about an axis <NUM> of rotation thereof. Advantageously, the axis <NUM> extends between the top and the bottom, in particular it is vertical. Possibly (solution not illustrated) it may be horizontally oriented.

In fact, normally in a washing system there is a combination of at least two brushes that rotate about corresponding axes that extend between the top and the bottom and at least one horizontal brush.

The shaft <NUM> crosses the central support <NUM> and places the central support <NUM> in rotation about the axis <NUM> of rotation. The shaft <NUM> is therefore constrained to the support <NUM>. Shaft <NUM> and support <NUM> are therefore solidly constrained to each other. On this point, the central support <NUM> and the shaft <NUM> comprise a connection means <NUM> by interference/interlocking (in alternative solutions such connection could take place through threaded connection means or of another type of connection means). The connection means <NUM> advantageously comprises shapes afforded on a surface of the shaft <NUM> and/or on a surface of the central support <NUM> facing it. The central support <NUM> comprises a lateral surface <NUM>, from which the flexible elements <NUM> extend (in this document the description with reference to the lateral surface <NUM> could be repeated with reference to a lateral wall <NUM> of the support <NUM> incorporating such surface <NUM>). In the preferred solution the part of the lateral surface <NUM> from which the flexible elements <NUM> extend is at least partially inclined with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. Therefore, the directrix of the surface <NUM> is not parallel to the axis <NUM>. On this point, the connection means <NUM> could comprise wedge-shaped elements (not illustrated) interposed between the shaft <NUM> and the lateral surface <NUM> of the support <NUM> (solution of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). Advantageously such wedge-shaped elements could be made in a single body with the support <NUM> (solution not illustrated) or could be coupled to the shaft <NUM> or to the support <NUM>. Therefore, the wedge shape allows the absence of coaxiality between the shaft <NUM> and the support <NUM>.

The central support <NUM> comprises a retaining means <NUM> for retaining a strip (sheet-like body) which is folded (transversally to a preponderant extension direction). In this way two of said straps <NUM> are formed, which are reciprocally flanked (see for example the straps indicated by reference numbers 20a and 20b in <FIG>). Advantageously all the straps <NUM> are obtained in pairs in this way. The retaining means <NUM> comprise a fastening bar <NUM> which has a preponderant extension direction <NUM> (in alternative solutions the connection could take place through screw, rivet, plug, Velcro fastenings, seams, etc.). The fastening bar <NUM> is removably connected to remaining parts of the central support <NUM>. The strip that forms a pair of bands <NUM> is folded around the fastening bar <NUM>. Appropriately the fastening bar <NUM> is inserted in a bayonet fashion in the remaining parts of the support <NUM>. In particular the fastening bar <NUM> is inserted in one of the slots <NUM> afforded along the lateral surface <NUM> of the support <NUM>. Such slots <NUM> are preferably oriented along the directrices of the lateral surface <NUM> of the support <NUM> (however, in an alternative solution they could be inclined with respect to such directrix). In particular each pair of straps <NUM> is constrained by means of a corresponding fastening bar <NUM>.

The generatrix of the lateral surface <NUM> is not necessarily a straight line, but may be a curved line. Furthermore, the inclined surface <NUM> may have troughs and/or reliefs due, for example, to the presence of the slots <NUM> closed by the fastening bars <NUM> (that generate a lateral surface <NUM> that is not flat).

Appropriately one end of the straps <NUM>, placed at the support <NUM>, extends along a line (preferably a straight line) inclined with respect to the axis <NUM> of rotation.

The fastening bar <NUM> is inclined with respect to a direction <NUM> identified by the axis <NUM> of rotation of the shaft <NUM>.

An imaginary extension of the fastening bar <NUM> along the preponderant extension direction <NUM> thereof extends towards the shaft <NUM> or an imaginary extension of the shaft <NUM>. The fastening bar <NUM> and/or the corresponding slot may be rectilinear or curved (e.g. defining a helical stretch).

Starting from the central support <NUM> a first group <NUM> of said flexible elements <NUM> in an extended and rectilinear configuration extends upwards and a second group <NUM> of said flexible elements <NUM> in an extended and rectilinear configuration extends downwards. In an alternative solution not illustrated the flexible elements <NUM> of one from among the first and the second group <NUM>, <NUM> could extend horizontally in an extended and rectilinear configuration. In this way a succession of flexible elements <NUM> hit the vehicle at different heights simulating an oscillatory motion that optimises the wash. This is a result of the fact that the lateral surface <NUM> is inclined with respect to the axis <NUM>. Appropriately the central support <NUM> comprises two opposite bases <NUM>, <NUM> between which the lateral surface <NUM> extends. Appropriately any straps <NUM> extend for at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>%, of the distance between the two opposite bases <NUM>, <NUM>.

Reference is to be made below by way of example to <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>. The first and the second group <NUM>, <NUM> of straps <NUM> lie, at least in part, on diametrically opposite positions.

Appropriately the central support <NUM> is not coaxial with the axis of rotation <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>.

On this point, the support <NUM> identifies a longitudinal axis <NUM> about which the support <NUM> extends annularly. The longitudinal axis <NUM> is incident and inclined with respect to the axis of rotation <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. In <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG> such inclination could even be considered "exaggerated", but this has been done to highlight it better. Appropriately the angle between the axis <NUM> and the axis <NUM> is less than <NUM>°, advantageously less than <NUM>°, preferably less than <NUM>°. At the same time such angle is preferably greater than <NUM>°.

Appropriately at least one of the two bases <NUM>, <NUM> lies on a plane that extends transversally, but not orthogonally to the axis <NUM> of rotation of the shaft <NUM> (see for example <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>). This can be repeated advantageously for both bases <NUM>, <NUM>.

Reference should now be made instead to the schematic and alternative solution illustrated in <FIG>. For the sake of simplicity, in <FIG> the flexible elements <NUM> have not been illustrated which are instead schematically highlighted in the sections of <FIG>.

The central support <NUM> comprises a lateral surface <NUM> comprising a first portion <NUM> tapered downwards and a second portion <NUM> tapered upwards that are in succession along the lateral surface <NUM> following the rotation direction of the support <NUM>. In such case the flexible elements <NUM> that extend from the first portion <NUM> hit the vehicle lower down than those that extend from the second portion <NUM>. This alternation of straps <NUM> that hit the vehicle further down and further up simulates an oscillatory motion of the brush <NUM>.

In this case the axis <NUM> of the support <NUM> and the axis <NUM> of rotation of the rotation shaft <NUM> extend along the same direction. The lateral surface <NUM> instead remains inclined with respect to the axis <NUM> of rotation (at least for <NUM>% of its angular extension about the axis <NUM>; it is to be noted in fact in <FIG> that in such specific section the generatrix is parallel to the axis <NUM>).

As exemplified in <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, the brush <NUM> comprises a plurality of annular supports <NUM> that are in succession with each other along said shaft <NUM> and crossed by the same shaft <NUM>.

A brush <NUM> for a vehicle washing system (see for example <FIG>) which is not within the scope of the present invention comprises:.

The central support <NUM> defines an upper surface <NUM> that circumscribes a circle <NUM> or another figure crossed by the shaft <NUM> (it is the upper section of the hole that crosses the central support <NUM>; such hole is normally crossed by the shaft <NUM>); a straight line passing through the geometric centre of gravity of said circle <NUM> (or other figure) and orthogonal to said circle <NUM> (or other figure) is inclined with respect to the axis <NUM> of rotation of the shaft <NUM>. Such inclination is fixed during operation. Such inclination is advantageously comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°.

For a stretch of the perimeter of said circle <NUM> (or other geometric figure) the central support <NUM> extends upwards from the shaft <NUM>, while for a stretch of the perimeter of said circle <NUM> (or other geometric figure) the central support <NUM> extends downwards from the shaft <NUM> (see <FIG> and <FIG>). Appropriately, the support <NUM> extends upwards for at least one third (or even half) of the perimeter of said circle <NUM> (or other figure). The support <NUM> extends downwards for at least one third (or even half) of the perimeter of said circle <NUM> or other figure. In fact, the support <NUM> is inclined with respect to the horizontal plane and therefore it partially projects upwards and partially projects downwards.

Appropriately the brush <NUM> comprises a plurality of central supports <NUM> stacked along a direction <NUM> inclined with respect to the axis of rotation of the shaft <NUM> (as previously indicated, such inclination is advantageously comprised between <NUM>° and <NUM>°; <FIG> and <FIG> and <FIG> exaggerate such inclination for highlighting it better). The supports <NUM> extend in thickness along the stacking direction. As exemplified in <FIG> and <FIG> each of said supports <NUM> is in a single body with a plurality of flexible elements <NUM> that extend in spoke fashion. The interface between each support <NUM> and the flexible elements <NUM> that extend therefrom defines a lateral surface <NUM> of the support <NUM> (see broken line with two points of <FIG>).

Reference is now made to the solutions of <FIG>. In that case the central support <NUM> also acts as a spacer ring (separating two layers of stacked flexible elements <NUM>). The flexible elements <NUM> extend from the support <NUM> (see <FIG>). In particular the flexible elements <NUM> extend in spoke fashion moving away from the central support <NUM>. Such flexible elements <NUM> are connected, for example by gluing, to the overlapping central support <NUM>.

Reference is now made to the solutions of <FIG>. In that case the central support <NUM> and the flexible elements <NUM> are integrated in a single monolithic body; the central support <NUM> is therefore the internal portion of the monolithic body. In that case a plurality of central supports <NUM> each associated with corresponding flexible elements <NUM> that extend in spoke fashion are stacked onto each other.

Reference is made to the solution of <FIG>. Such solution differs from the previous one as in that case the central supports <NUM> are glued to each other to form an assembly (in such figures the layer of glue is indicated by reference number <NUM>).

The subject matter of the present invention is also an operating method of a brush <NUM> of an automatic vehicle washing system. Conveniently, such brush <NUM> may be of the type having one or more of the characteristics described hereinabove. Appropriately the method comprises the step of placing in rotation a shaft <NUM> that rotates about an axis <NUM> of rotation. The shaft <NUM> crosses and draws in rotation a central annular support <NUM> about which flexible elements <NUM> are applied and are intended to come into contact with the vehicle for cleaning and/or drying and/or polishing.

The central support <NUM> comprises a lateral surface <NUM>, from which the flexible elements <NUM> extend, which is inclined with respect to the axis <NUM> of rotation of the shaft <NUM>. The lateral surface <NUM> is appropriately annular.

The central support <NUM> comprises two opposite bases <NUM>, <NUM> between which a lateral surface <NUM> extends. The flexible elements <NUM> could advantageously be straps <NUM>. Advantageously in that case the straps <NUM> extend for at least <NUM>%, preferably at least <NUM>%, of the distance between the two opposite bases <NUM>, <NUM>.

A first pair <NUM> of straps <NUM> are adjacent to each other and at least at a predetermined rotation speed of the shaft <NUM> an orthogonal projection thereof on the axis of rotation <NUM> is closer to a first axial end <NUM> of said brush <NUM> with respect to at least a second pair of said straps <NUM> (also the straps of said second pair are adjacent to each other). This happens for the entire rotation (at <NUM>°) about the axis <NUM> of the shaft <NUM>. For example, in the case of <FIG> point H representing the upper straps <NUM> is closer to the first end <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> with respect to the point K representing the lower straps <NUM>.

Adjacent straps <NUM> means two straps 20a, 20b that extend from the same central support <NUM> and are in adjacent succession with respect to a rotation about the axis <NUM> of the support <NUM>.

Furthermore, still with reference to <FIG>, as the strap <NUM> is inclined, the distance between points Y and H is shorter than the distance between points Y and Z. In other words if the strap <NUM> is taut and straight, a point that lies at an end of the strap <NUM> has a distance from the axis <NUM> that is shorter if evaluated in the radial sense rather than along a longitudinal extension direction of the strap <NUM>.

Appropriately (see solution of <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>, <FIG>) the axis <NUM> of rotation of the shaft <NUM> and a longitudinal axis <NUM> of the central support <NUM> extend along two different directions.

In an alternative solution (see <FIG>), the lateral surface <NUM> of the support <NUM> comprises a first portion <NUM> tapered downwards and a second portion <NUM> tapered upwards that are in succession along the lateral surface <NUM> following the rotation direction of the support <NUM>.

When the shaft <NUM> is placed in rotation, the straps <NUM> that extend from the first portion <NUM> contact the vehicle lower down than the straps <NUM> that extend from the second portion <NUM>. In that case, the axis of rotation <NUM> of the shaft <NUM> and the longitudinal axis <NUM> of the central support <NUM> advantageously extend along the same direction, in particular they coincide.

The present invention achieves important advantages.

Claim 1:
A brush for a vehicle washing system comprising:
- flexible elements (<NUM>) intended to come into contact with the vehicle for cleaning and/or drying and/or polishing;
- a central annular support (<NUM>) from which the flexible elements (<NUM>) extend;
- a shaft (<NUM>) rotating about its own axis (<NUM>) of rotation, said shaft (<NUM>) crossing said central annular support (<NUM>) and placing said central annular support (<NUM>) in rotation about said axis (<NUM>) of rotation;
the central annular support (<NUM>) comprising a lateral surface (<NUM>), from which said flexible elements (<NUM>) extend, which is inclined with respect to the axis (<NUM>) of rotation of the shaft (<NUM>); the central annular support (<NUM>) comprising two opposite bases (<NUM>, <NUM>) between which the lateral surface (<NUM>) extends;
the central annular support (<NUM>) comprising a lateral wall (<NUM>) incorporating the lateral surface (<NUM>); the flexible elements (<NUM>) are connected to the lateral wall along a generatrix of the lateral wall (<NUM>) and extend perpendicular to said lateral wall during rotation;
said support (<NUM>) identifies a longitudinal axis (<NUM>) about which the central annular support (<NUM>) extends annularly, said longitudinal axis (<NUM>) being incident and inclined with respect to the axis (<NUM>) of rotation of the shaft (<NUM>).