U.S. patent application number 10/182863 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-15 for rush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems.
Invention is credited to Favagrossa, Francesco.
Application Number | 20030088935 10/182863 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11444106 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030088935 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Favagrossa, Francesco |
May 15, 2003 |
Rush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems
Abstract
The present invention relates to a brush which has been
specifically designed for automatic motor vehicle washing systems,
which comprises a bristle supporting layer (1) which can be wound
about a shaft. The main feature of the invention is that the
bristles (2) are made by extruding a closed cell foamed plastics
material.
Inventors: |
Favagrossa, Francesco;
(Cremona, IT) |
Correspondence
Address: |
James V Costigan
Hedman & Costigan
1185 Avenue of the Americas
New York
NY
10036-2646
US
|
Family ID: |
11444106 |
Appl. No.: |
10/182863 |
Filed: |
August 26, 2002 |
PCT Filed: |
November 30, 2000 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IT00/00492 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
15/207.2 ;
15/179 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A46B 2200/3046 20130101;
A46D 1/00 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
15/207.2 ;
15/179 |
International
Class: |
A46B 007/10; A46B
015/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 18, 2000 |
IT |
MI2000A000302 |
Claims
1 A brush for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, comprising a
bristle supporting layer (1) which can be wound about a shaft, the
brush bristles (2) being made of an extruded closed cell foamed
plastics material, characterized in that said closed cell foamed
plastics material is made by foaming polyethylene or polypropilene
by using, as a foaming agent, a modified azodicarbonamide,
dispersed in high fluidity polyethylene, and in a rate from 1.5% to
2% based on the cell foamed plastics material, at a foaming
temperature from 160.degree. C. to 190.degree. C. in an extruder
having the following temperature pattern: 140.degree. C. at the
feeding region of said extruder; 175.degree.-180.degree. C. at the
central region of said extruder; and 160.degree. C. at the head of
said extruder; said temperatures varying within .+-.15%.
2. A brush according to claim 1, characterized in that said foamed
plastics material bristles (2) have a density from 300 to 700
kg/m.sup.3.
3. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said foamed
plastics material bristles have a density of 500 kg/m.sup.3.
4. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said
bristles have an opposite double trapezium shaped cross
section.
5. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said
bristles have a square-shape cross section.
6. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said
bristles have a rectangular-shape cross section.
7. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said
bristles have a circular shape cross-section.
8. A brush, according to claim 1, characterized in that said
bristles have an oval shape cross-section.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a brush which has been
specifically designed for automatic motor vehicle washing
systems.
[0002] As is known, brushes which are conventionally used in
automatic motor vehicle washing systems and the like usually
comprise a shaft on which a layer supporting a plurality of
variously distributed bristles is applied.
[0003] The brush bristles are usually made by plastics material
extruding elements having a comparatively high weight; thus, it
frequently occurs that the kinetic energy assumed by the rotary
bristles practically generates a plurality of micro-impacts between
the washing brush and the motor vehicle body.
[0004] Consequently, plastic material particles can be deposited on
the motor vehicle body from the brush bristles.
[0005] Moreover, prior washing brushes can be difficulty driven to
a proper contact of the bristles with the motor vehicle bodies.
[0006] For solving the above mentioned problem, there are at
present provided sensors which, as the brush driving motor current
increases, cause the brush shafts to be displaced so as to follow
the configuration of the motor vehicle body being washed.
[0007] However, the above mentioned solution can cause very abrupt
displacements of the washing brushes because the high kinetic
energy of the bristle mass, with a consequent difficult
washing.
[0008] Moreover, the high kinetic energy bristles tend to roll
themselves about the projecting portions of the motor vehicle, such
as rear mirrors, antennas and the like, with a consequent breaking
of the bristles engaging in the mentioned projecting portions of
the motor vehicle.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] Accordingly, the aim of the present invention is to overcome
the above mentioned drawbacks, by providing a washing brush,
specifically designed for automatic motor vehicle washing systems,
adapted to provide a very soft contact of the brush bristles and
the surface of the body of the motor vehicle being washed, so as to
prevent any damages to the motor vehicle body from occurring.
[0010] Within the scope of the above mentioned aim, a main object
of the present invention is to provide a washing brush including a
very low weight bristles, thereby preventing any plastics material
bristle particles from depositing on the motor vehicle body.
[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide such a
washing brush the bristles of which, due to their small weight,
have a greatly reduced kinetic energy, to prevent said bristles
from being wound and/or engaged on projecting portions of the motor
vehicle being washed.
[0012] Yet another object of the present invention is to provide
such a brush which is very reliable and safe in operation.
[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, the above
mentioned aim and objects, as well as yet other objects, which will
become more apparent hereinafter, are achieved by a brush for
automatic motor vehicle washing systems, comprising a bristle
supporting layer which can be wound about a shaft, characterized in
that the brush bristles are made of an extruded closed cell foamed
plastics material.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] Further characteristics and advantages of the present
invention will become more apparent hereinafter from the following
detailed disclosure of a preferred, though not exclusive,
embodiment of a washing brush which has been specifically designed
for automatic motor vehicle washing systems, which is illustrated,
by way of an indicative, but not limitative, example in the figures
of the accompanying, drawings, where:
[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the bristle
supporting layer included in the washing brush according to the
present invention;
[0016] FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating, bristles having an
opposite double trapezium configuration;
[0017] FIG. 3 illustrates bristles of square configuration;.
[0018] FIG. 4 illustrates bristles of rectangular
configuration;
[0019] FIG. 5 illustrates bristles of circular configuration;
and
[0020] FIG. 6 illustrates bristles having an oval
configuration.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0021] With reference to the number references of the above
mentioned figures, the washing brush, specifically designed for
automatic motor vehicle systems, according to the present
invention, comprises a bristles supporting layer 1 which is
advantageously constituted by a strip which can be bent or folded
on itself so as to connect its end portions, about a shaft.
[0022] Thus, by adjoining a plurality of wound strips, a washing
brush can be easily made.
[0023] As shown, from the supporting layer 1 extend a plurality of
bristles, indicated by the reference number 2.
[0024] The main feature of these bristles is that are made by
extruding a closed cell plastics material, such as foamed
polyethylene or polypropylene.
[0025] The use of a foamed plastics material allows to greatly
reduce the weight of the bristles, thereby providing optimum
results both with respect to the impact of the bristles on the body
of a motor vehicle and with respect to the sensors for
automatically sensing the movements of the washing brushes.
[0026] In fact, since the closed cell bristles have a small weight,
they will not absorb water and, accordingly, as they contact a
motor vehicle body, they will drive in a very soft manner the brush
shaft controlling sensors, thereby properly controlling the
vertical and horizontal displacements of the brushes, to provide an
optimum washing and overall managing of the washing system.
[0027] Advantageously, said bristles are excluded by using foaming
agents, which are supplied to the extruder and mixed with the
plastics material in a rate from 1 to 4% by weight.
[0028] In this connection it should be pointed out that, as a
foaming agent, it would be possible to use a modified
azodicarbonamide, dispersed in high fluidity polyethylene.
[0029] Thus, by using as a foaming agent a modified
azodicarbonamide, it is possible to obtain a controlled foaming
thereof, so as not to negatively affect the mechanical properties
of the extruded plastics materials and its surface aspect.
[0030] If a modified azbdicarbonamide is used, then it will be used
in a rate of 1.5% to 2% by weight.
[0031] The optimum foaming temperature varies from 160.degree. C.
to 190.degree. C. and will depend on the used polymer type, as well
as on the extruder type and the extruding temperature profile
thereof.
[0032] The best results have been achieved by using the following
temperature profile or pattern:
[0033] 140.degree. C.: feeding region;
[0034] 175.degree.-180.degree. C.: central region of the
extruder;
[0035] 160.degree. C.: head portion of the extruder.
[0036] The above mentioned temperature can be varied in a rate of
.+-.15%.
[0037] It should be pointed out that the active portion of the
mentioned modified azodicarbonamide will be decomposed with the
evolvement of inert gases, which do not change the properties of
the other used additive materials.
[0038] In particular, this product is not sensitive to heat and
moisture and can be stored for about 8-10 months.
[0039] The density which is usually obtained for the bristles is
conventionally included in the 300-700 Kg/m.sup.3 range.
[0040] The bristles can have any desired shape or pattern,
depending on their intended applications.
[0041] Thus, it would be possible to provide bristles 2a having a
double trapezium shape cross section.
[0042] Moreover, it is also possible to provide bristles having any
desired cross section shapes, as hereinbelow disclosed.
[0043] By way of an example, it would be possible to provide
bristles 2b of square configuration, bristles 2c of rectangular
configuration or cross-section, bristles 2d of circular cross
section and bristles 2e of oval cross section.
[0044] From the above disclosure it should be apparent that the
invention fully achieves the intended aim and objects.
[0045] In particular, the fact is to be pointed out that a bristle
has been provided which, having a small density, is susceptible to
greatly reduce the impact occurring as the bristles impinges
against a motor vehicle body, thereby preventing any bristle
plastic particles from depositing on said motor vehicle body,
thereby providing a very improved washing result.
[0046] The invention, as disclosed, is susceptible to several
modifications and variations 11 of which will come within the scope
of the inventive idea.
[0047] Moreover, all of the constructional details can be replaced
by other technically equivalent elements.
[0048] In practicing the invention, the constructional details, as
well as the contingent size and shapes, can be any, depending on
requirements.
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