US 4,305,174 A · Control system for automatic vehicle wash

Abstract

A "roll over" type vehicle wash apparatus includes a frame which is movable on a track and which is driven between a front end and a rear end of the track. The apparatus includes a pair of front arms and a pair of rear arms which are pivotally connected to the frame. Side wrap brushes are rotatably connected to each of the front and rear arms and are rotated about vertical axes. A control circuit for automatically controlling operation of the apparatus includes five sequence control relays, FRONT IN and REAR IN switches for sensing side wrap brush position, a TOP BRUSH DOWN switch for sensing top brush position, and a HOME TRAVEL switch for sensing frame position on the track. The control circuit prevents both the front and rear arms from being fully in at the same time, thereby preventing a dangerous condition from occurring when very short vehicles are being washed.

Claims26

Dependent claims

A vehicle wash apparatus comprising:

frame means;
front arms means pivotally connected to the frame;
front side wrap brush means rotatably connected to the front arm means;
rear arm means pivotally connected to the frame means;
rear side wrap brush means rotatably connected to the rear arm means;
actuator means for controlling the position of the front and rear arm means;
arm position sensing means for indicating the positions of the front and rear arm means;
and
control mean responsive to the arm position sensing means for causing the actuator means to retract the rear arm means when the front arm means moves to a first predetermined position at the front end of the vehicle, and causing the actuator means to retract the front arm means when the rear arm means moves to a second predetermined position at the rear end of the vehicle.

6 more elements

A roll-over type vehicle wash apparatus comprising:

track means having a front end and a rear end;
frame means movable on the track means between the front end and the rear end;
frame drive means for moving the frame means on the track means;
front arm means pivotally connected to the frame means;
front side wrap brush means rotatably connected to the front arm means;
front brush drive means for rotating the front side wrap brush means;
rear arm means pivotally connected to the frame means;
rear side wrap brush means rotatably connected to the rear arm means;
rear brush drive means for rotating the rear side wrap brush means;
top brush support means pivotally connected to the frame means;
top brush means rotatably connected to the top brush support means;
top brush drive means rotating the top brush means;
actuator means for controlling the position of the front and rear arm means;
first switch means for sensing the position of the front arm means;
second switch means for sensing the position of the rear arm means;
third switch means for sensing position of the top brush support means;
start means for initiating the operating cycle of the apparatus;
first control means for controlling the apparatus during a first portion of an operating cycle, the first control means commencing the first portion of the cycle in response to the start means, and terminating the first portion in response to a change in state of the first switch means, the first control means causing the drive means to drive the frame means toward the front end of the track means during the first portion of the cycle and causing the front and rear brush drive means to rotate the front and rear side wrap brush means in first predetermined directions;
second control means for controlling operation of the apparatus during a second portion of an operating cycle, the second control means commencing the second portion in response to a change in state of the first switch means and ending the second period in response to changes in state of the second and third switch means, the second control means causing the drive means to drive the frame means toward the rear end of the track means, causing the top brush positioning means to drive the top brush downward into engagement with a vehicle, causing the front and rear brush drive means to rotate the front and rear side wrap brush means in second predetermined directions, and causing the top brush drive means to rotate the top brush means;
and
third control means for controlling operation of the apparatus during a third portion of an operating cycle, the third control means commencing the third portion in response to changes in state of the second switch means and the third switch means, the third control means causing the drive means to drive the frame means toward the front end of the track means and causing the front and rear brush drive means to rotate the front and rear side wrap brush means in the first predetermined directions.

18 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Control system for automatic vehicle wash

Life of this patent

Control system for automatic vehicle wash

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims26