GB2277068A

GB2277068A - Washing vehicle chassis and wheels

Info

Publication number: GB2277068A
Application number: GB9407404A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Jin-Uk Kim
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1993-04-14
Filing date: 1994-04-14
Publication date: 1994-10-19
Anticipated expiration: 2014-04-14
Also published as: GB9407404D0; GB2277068B

Abstract

An apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle for preventing environmental pollution by removing mud or dirt attached to bottom chassis and wheels of the vehicle coming in and out of a construction site, which comprises a main frame; a plurality of rollers 20 provided at the upper portion of the main frame, connected to a motor 21 and coupled with one way clutches 22 to idle the wheels only in one direction; a plurality of vertical and horizontal nozzles 30 provided outside and adjacent to the rollers 20 and connected to a pump for jetting high pressure water in the horizontal and vertical directions to remove mud and dirt attached to the bottom chassis and wheels; a water tank with a filter screen above, provided below the lower portion of the rollers 20 to collect water jotted from the nozzles 30 and mud and dirt removed from bottom chassis and wheels; a caterpillar 60 connected to a motor to scrape up mud and dirt dropped in the water tank and then to be discharged; a screen removably mounted at the upper portion of the caterpillar 60 to filter larger mud and dirt pieces to prevent the falling of mud and dirt into the water tank. <IMAGE>

Description

AN APPARATUS FOR WASHING A BOTTOM CHASSIS AND WHEELS OF A LARGE SIZED VEHICLE TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of large sized vehicles, which enter and leave a construction site so causing mud or dirt to become attached thereto, thereby preventing environmental pollution.

DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART In general, large sized vehicles coming in and out of a large scale construction site may be covered on the bottom chassis or wheels with mud or dirt. These vehicles travel the streets of a city without being cleaned. This causes the city environment to be polluted, thereby damaging the beauty of the city. To avoid this the bottom chassis and wheels of the vehicle polluted with mud or dirt should be washed before the travel of the vehicles on the streets of the city.

Thus, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a conventional apparatus for washing the bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle which is polluted with mud or dirt comprises, a main frame 1; rollers 2 which are connected to a motor 2a provided at the upper portion of the main frame 1 so as to be rotated therewith and engaged with one way clutch 2b to idle the wheels of the vehicle only in one direction; nozzles 3 provided at the outer side of the rollers 2 and connected to a pump 3a to jet high pressure water in a horizontal direction to wash mud or dirt attached to the bottom chassis or wheels; safety frames 4 provided at the inner side of the nozzles 3 to prevent damage by the vehicle to be entered; a water tank 5 provided below the rollers 2 to receive the water jetted from the nozzles 3 and the mud or dirt dropping from the bottom chassis or wheels; a caterpillar 6 operated by means of a motor Sa to scrape up mud and dirt collected in the water tank 5 which is to be discharged out of the apparatus; a lever switch 8 provided between the rollers 2 to be elastically popped in and out by the wheels of the vehicle to be entered; and a control panel 9 for controlling the motors 2a and 6a and the pump 3a in response to the on/off operation of the lever switch 8, to operate the rollers 2, the nozzle 3 and the caterpillar 6.

The rollers 2 are rotated by means of chains which the driving force of the motor 2a is transferred to. The rollers 2 are firmly supported on the main frame 1 via bearings which carry eight roller shafts including four each at the right and left sides of the main frame 1, so that the doubly paired rear wheels of the large sized vehicle are stably placed thereon.

One way clutches 2b are coupled to the roller shafts to idle the wheels in one direction only, and the rollers 2 include numerous protrusions formed around the circumference thereof to prevent the slipping of the wheels.

The lever switch 8 is provided with a working lever 8a supported by a spring. The working lever 8a is protruded between the rollers 2 so that it can be elastically rotated by a weight of the vehicle. The rotation of the working lever 8a causes a contact part 8b electrically connected to a control panel 9 to be turned on or off.

Reference symbol L is an operation indicating lamp for indicating the operating state of the rollers 2, the nozzles 3 and the caterpillar 6 controlled by means of the control panel 9.

The operation of the conventional apparatus as described above is as follows: when a large sized vehicle loaded with earth and sand is to be cleaned, it is placed in the main frame, the wheels of the vehicle are stably seated on the top of the rollers 2 and rotate the working lever 8a of the lever switch 8 provided between the roller 2 downward to turn on the contact part 8b. The control panel 9 controls the operation of the motors 2a and 6a and the pump 3a during the 'on' operation of the contact part 8b. The operation of the motors 2a and 6a and the pump 3a results in the operation of the rollers 2, the nozzles 3 and the caterpillar 6, and the operation indicating lamp L is lighted to enable a driver of the vehicle to confirm the operation of the washing apparatus.

In other words, the operation of the conventional washing apparatus is started by the 'on' operation of the lever switch 8.

First, a driver advances the vehicle to seat its front wheels on the rollers 2, safely. At this time, the lever switch 8 provided between the rollers 2 is turned on to enable the control panel 9 to control the operation of the motors 2a and 6a and the pump 3a. The operation of the motor 2a causes the rollers 2 to be rotated. The front wheels of the vehicle on the rollers 2 are idly rotated only in one direction by the one way clutch 2b.

Second, during the idle rotation of the wheels of the vehicle by the one way clutch 2b, the pump 3a is operated in accordance with the control of the control panel 9 to pump washing water reserved in the water tank 5 and then supply it to the nozzle 3 through a pipe line.

The nozzle 3 jets washing water in the horizontal direction to remove mud or dirt attached to the front wheels of the vehicle.

Third, mud or dirt removed from the front wheels and water jetted from the nozzle 3 are dropped in the water tank 5 provided under the rollers 2.

Fourth, mud or dirt is collected with washing water in the water tank 5. The motor 6a is driven based on the control of the control panel 9 to rotate the caterpillar 6 placed in the water tank 5 and then to scrape mud and dirt by a scraper 6b cooperating/forming part of the caterpillar 6, while mud and dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the water tank 5 is conveyed and discharged out of the washing apparatus.

Fifth, when a predetermined period of time for washing the wheels of the vehicle has passed, the operation indicating lamp L is turned off to indicate finishing of the washing work.

Sixth, after the driver notes the turning off of the operation indicating lamp L, the vehicle is advanced to move away the front wheels from the rollers 2 and then to place the rear wheels on the rollers 2. At this time, the first to fifth steps are performed again to remove mud and dirt from the rear wheels.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a conventional apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle; Fig. 2 is a plan view illustrating the essential parts of Fig. 1 taken in part; Fig. 3 is a perspective view illustrating an apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle in accordance with the present invention; Fig. 4 is a plan view of the present invention; Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the assembly of a screen which is one aspect of the present invention; Fig. 6 is a part cross-sectional view illustrating one embodiment of rollers which is another aspect of the present invention; Fig. 7 is a part cross-sectional view illustrating other embodiment of rollers which is one of the essential parts of the present invention; Fig. 8 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a scraper of caterpillar which is a further aspect of the present invention; and, Fig. 9 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating the operation of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As shown in Figs. 3 to 9, an apparatus for washing the bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle in accordance with the present invention comprises: a main frame 10; a plurality of rollers 20 provided at the upper portion of the main frame 10, connected to a motor 21 and coupled with one way clutches 22 to idle the wheels only in one direction; a plurality of vertical and horizontal nozzles 30 provided outside and adjacent the rollers 20 and connected to a pump 31 for jetting high pressure water in the horizontal and vertical directions to remove mud and dirt attached to bottom chassis and wheels; at least two safety frames 40 provided at the inner side of the nozzles 30 to prevent damage by the vehicle to be cleaned; a water tank 50 provided below the lower portion of the rollers 20 to collect water jetted from the nozzles 30 and mud and dirt removed from bottom chassis and wheels; a caterpillar 60 connected to a motor 61 to scrape up mud and dirt dropped in the water tank 50 and then to be discharged out of the apparatus; a screen 70 removably mounted at the upper portion of the caterpillar 60 to filter relatively larger mud and dirt pieces over a predetermined size thereby to prevent such mud and dirt falling into the water tank 50; a lever switch 80 projecting from the gap between the rollers 20 to be elastically operated by the wheels of the vehicle being entered; and a control panel 90 for controlling the motors 21 and 61 and the pump 31 in response to the on/off operation of the lever switch 80 so as to operate the rollers 20, the nozzle 30 and the caterpillar 60.

The rollers 20 are rotated by means of chains to which the motor 21 is shafted as shown in Figs. 4 and 6. The rollers 20 are firmly supported on the main frame 10 via bearings which carry eight roller shafts, four each at the right and left sides of the main frame 10, so that the doubly paired rear wheels of the large sized vehicle are stably placed thereon. One way clutches 22 are coupled to the roller shafts to idle the wheels only in one direction, and the rollers 20 include numerous protrusions formed around the circumference thereof to prevent the slipping of the wheels.

As shown in figure 7, the rollers 20 may include six main rollers 23a and two sub-rollers 23b, each group of which is provided three main and one sub-roller on each of the left and right sides of the main frame. The sub-rollers 23 are mounted to have the inter-shaft distance corresponding to various inter-shaft distances of the rear wheels in a large sized vehicle. It enables the rear wheels of the large sized vehicle to stably support on the main frame 10. Alternatively as shown also in Figure 7, one of the pair of rear wheels can be supported on only a single main roller.

The caterpillar 60 includes a scraper 62 made of a synthetic rubber material, in which a reinforcement 63 is installed, thereby improving the flexibility and durability thereof.

The lever switch 80 is provided with a working lever 81 supported by a spring. The working lever 81 is protruded between the rollers 20 to be elastically rotated by the weight of the vehicle. The rotation of the working lever 81 causes a contact part 82 electrically connected to a control panel 90 to be turned on or off.

Reference symbol L is an operation indicating lamp for indicating the operating state of the rollers 20, the nozzles 30 and the caterpillar 60 controlled by means of the control panel 90, and reference symbol H is a coupling hook which is hooked on a connecting ring of a crane to facilitate the washing apparatus taking securing means to the ground.

The operation of the washing apparatus as described above is as follows: when a large sized vehicle loaded with earth and sand in a construction site is placed on the main frame 10, the wheels of the vehicle are stably seated on the top of the rollers 20 and then rotate the working lever 81 of the lever switch 80 provided between the roller 20 downward to turn on the contact part 82. The control panel 90 controls the operation of the motors 21 and 61 and the pump 31 during the 'on' operation of the contact part 82. The operation of the motors 21 and 61 and the pump 31 causes the operation of the rollers 20, the nozzles 30 and the caterpillar 60, and the operation indicating lamp L is lighted to enable a driver of the vehicle to confirm the operation of the washing apparatus.

In other words, the operation of the washing apparatus is started by the 'on' operation of the lever switch 80.

First, a driver advances the vehicle to seat its front wheels on the rollers 20, safely. At this time, the lever switch 80 provided between the rollers 20 is turned on to enable the control panel 90 to control the operation of the motors 21 and 61 and the pump 31. The operation of the motor 21 causes the rollers 20 to be rotated. The front wheels of the vehicle on the rollers 20 are idly rotated only in one direction by the one way clutch 22.

Second, during the idle rotation of the wheels of the vehicle by the one way clutch 22, the pump 31 is operated in accordance with the control of the control panel 90 to pump high pressure washing water saved in the water tank 50 and then supply it to the nozzle 30 through a pipe line. The nozzle 30 jets washing water simultaneously in the vertical and horizontal directions to remove mud or dirt attached to the front wheels of the vehicle.

Third, mud or dirt removed from the front wheels and water jetted from the nozzle 30 drops into the water tank 5 provided under the rollers 20, but relatively larger pieces of mud and dirt are filtered by the screen 70.

Fourth, mud or dirt is collected with washing water in the water tank 50. The motor 61 is driven based on the control of the control panel 90 to rotate the caterpillar 60 placed in the water tank 50 and then to scrape mud and dirt by the scraper 61 cooperating with the caterpillar 60, while mud and dirt accumulated on the bottom surface of the water tank 50 is conveyed and discharged outside the washing apparatus.

Fifth, when a predetermined period of time for washing the wheels of the vehicle has been passed, the operating indicating lamp L is turned off to indicate the completion of the washing work.

Sixth, after the driver notes that the operation indicating lamp has turned off, the vehicle is advanced to move the front wheels from the rollers 20 and then to place the rear wheels on the rollers 20. At this time, the first to fifth steps are performed again to remove mud and dirt from the rear wheels.

Such an apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle has advantages that: First, in the conventional washing apparatus, the shaft distance between the rollers is fixed in a constant gap, while large sized vehicles have various shaft distances between the rear wheels. This means there is a tendency to prevent stable support of the rear wheel on the rollers. On the other hand, the present invention includes main rollers and sub-rollers having the inter-shaft distances different from each other, thereby safely supporting the rear wheels of the large sized vehicle better; Second, the horizontal jetting of the conventional nozzle has a poor washing efficiency, but the nozzles of the present invention jet high pressure water at least in both of the vertical and horizontal directions, thereby improving the washing efficiency; and, Third, in the prior art apparatus, it is found that relatively larger mud or dirt pieces removed from the wheels by high pressure water jetted from the nozzle fall directly into the water tank, and the scrape of the caterpillar is easily damaged. The present invention enables a screen to filter relative larger mud or dirt dropped from the bottom chassis and wheels by high pressure water jetted from the nozzles, thereby performing the first protection of the scraper of the caterpillar, and also the scraper has a reinforcement formed therein to be secondly protected against the relative larger mud or dirt.

As described above, according to the present invention an apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle may firmly support the rear wheel having various inter-shaft distances, improves the washing efficiency by mounting nozzles capable of jetting high pressure washing fluid in vertical and horizontal directions, and prevents the damage of the caterpillar due to relatively larger pieces of mud or dirt and increases the durability of the scraper by installing a reinforcement therein.

Claims

1. An apparatus for washing bottom chassis and wheels of a large sized vehicle

comprising: A main frame 10, a plurality of rollers 20 provided at the upper portion of the main frame 10, connected to a motor 21 and coupled with one way clutches 22 to idle the wheels only in one direction, a plurality of vertical and horizontal nozzles 30 provided outside adjacent the rollers 20 and connected to a pump 31 for jetting high pressure water in a plurality of directions to remove mud and dirt attached to the bottom chassis and wheels, a water tank 50 provided below the lower portion of the rollers 20 to collect water jetted from the nozzles 30 and mud and dirt removed from bottom chassis and wheels, a caterpillar 60 connected to a motor 61 to scrape up mud and dirt dropped in the water tank 50 and then to be discharged from the apparatus, and means 70, placed in the flow of water from the chassis or wheels to the water tank, to filter mud and dirt over a predetermined size thereby to prevent the falling of mud and dirt falling into the water tank 50.

2. Apparatus according to Claim 1 in which the nozzles 30 jet the water in the horizontal and vertical directions.

3. Apparatus according to either of Claims 1 or 2 in which the means 70 comprises a screen removably mounted at the upper portion of the caterpillar 60 or tank 50.

4. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said rollers comprise a group of six main rollers and a group of two sub-rollers, of which there are three main rollers and one sub-roller on each of the left and right sides of said main frame, and said sub-rollers are mounted to have the inter-shaft distance corresponding to various inter-shaft distances of the rear wheels in a large sized vehicle, thereby firmly supporting the rear wheels of the large sized vehicle on the main frame.

5. An apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein said caterpillar includes a scraper 62 made of a synthetic rubber material, in which a reinforcement 63 is installed, thereby improving the flexibility and durability thereof.

6. Apparatus as described herein with particular reference to any one of Figures 3 to 9.