JPH10315933A - Work roll, in particular washing roll for car washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve a work roll, in particular, a washing roll for car washer to drive a car washer at a low rotation speed and ensure long service life and the generation of low noise. SOLUTION: A connection part of an inner end part 3a in the radial direction of a strip 3 for a roll core 2 has substantially bending strength in the peripheral direction, each strip 3 has the maximum width B in the peripheral direction in a region of the inner end part 3a in the radial direction, respectively, and the strip is tapered toward a free outer end part 3b in the radial direction.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

The present invention relates to a roll core which can be driven to rotate, a plurality of strips of a flexible material which project at least substantially radially from the roll core when the roll rotates, and which is referenced to the roll axis. The invention relates to a work roll of the type in which the radially inward end of the strip is indirectly or directly connected to the roll core, in particular a washing roll for a car washing device.

[0002]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION German Patent Application Publication No. 155
In the case of a washing roll of the above-mentioned type for a car washing apparatus known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,697,976, a washing roll consisting of a number of disks arranged parallel to one another on the circumference of a roll core contains a washing liquid and Consists of a releasing foam. A foam belt or foam cord is formed on the circumference of the disk by the sector-shaped cutout. The foam belt or cord fully absorbs the cleaning liquid or water, which makes it relatively heavy. It is desirable to cause the foam belt or foam cord to extend substantially radially from the roll core during the rotation of the washing roll, but the radius of the foam belt or foam cord due to centrifugal force. The wash roll must be driven at a relatively high rotational speed in order to produce a directional overhang. This radial overhang is necessary to provide a certain cushioning effect to the cleaning roll, while crimping the foam belt or foam cord to the surface of the vehicle to be cleaned. The cushioning effect is necessary in order to be able to control the retracting movement of the cleaning roll and to avoid damaging the vehicle.
Particularly, it is difficult to control the retreat (escape) motion of the work roll having the horizontal rotation axis because the open-cell foam is
Depending on the amount of water supply (irrigation) and the number of revolutions, the water is accommodated to a greater or lesser degree, which results in a change in the total weight of the work rolls. Due to the high rotational speed required by the work rolls, high wear of the foam occurs, and furthermore, when the foam belt or the foam cord collides with the vehicle body, a banging sound such as a bang and a drum sound such as a dondon occur. When the driver is waiting inside the car during the washing, the generated noise gives an uncomfortable feeling as if the beloved car is being roughly handled. In addition, it was confirmed that the open-celled foam particularly ruptured or frayed at the end of the foamed belt or the foamed cord, and furthermore caused tearing.

[0003] In order to avoid the disadvantages mentioned above, DE-A 22 16 751 discloses that a flexible material having a higher tensile strength than a foam is used as an insert in the form of a strip of woven fabric or sheet. It has been proposed to embed in the foam belt in the form of a web. However, by this measure, to a large extent, tearing of the foam belt is only avoided, and the other disadvantages mentioned above remain.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to improve a work roll of the type mentioned at the outset, in particular a washing roll for a car washing device, so that it can be driven at a low rotational speed and thus has a higher service life. Lifetime and low noise generation are to be guaranteed.

[0005]

According to another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a motor vehicle comprising: a connecting portion at a radially inner end of a strip with respect to a roll core having substantially bending rigidity in a circumferential direction; Each strip has its maximum width in the circumferential direction in the region of its radially inner end, and the strip tapers towards the radially free outer end.

By arranging the strip in accordance with the invention, the strip can be radially extended from the roll core radially already at rest of the work roll, and even at least at low rotational speeds. The retraction movement can be controlled in relation to the torque generated by the work roll drive motor. The desired cushioning effect of the strip on the body surface to be cleaned or polished and a good adaptation are obtained even when the work roll rotates at a low speed. The low rotational speed of the work rolls results in low wear of the strip and thus a long service life of the strip. Furthermore, the work roll against the vehicle body surface is formed by the radially inner end of the strip being connected to the roll core with bending stiffness and the taper being tapered towards its free outer end. When the penetration depth exceeds a certain predetermined value, it was confirmed that the strips naturally twisted or crossed each other after that point. This twisting or crossing of the strips causes the free outer end of each strip to reciprocate continuously in the direction of the axis of the work roll, thereby improving the cleaning or polishing effect. In addition, material savings are possible. This is because it is possible to leave gaps between the strips when viewed in the axial direction of the work roll. This will be described later in connection with the embodiment. Leaving an axial gap between the strips facilitates roll axial escape of the strips when vehicle components, such as side mirrors, protrude from the vehicle body surface.

Advantageously, the strip is made of a flexible material which has no or little water holding capacity. In this case, the use of closed-cell foam has proven to be particularly advantageous. With such a material, the strip contains no or only a small amount of water. This aids in radial extension or uplift of the strip at low to low speeds. Furthermore, even when the work rolls are supplied with water, the weight of the washing rolls does not vary much, which makes the control of the retracting movement of the work rolls easier and more accurate. A further advantage of the reduced water capacity is that in the case of a portal car wash following a drying operation, a short rotation of the washing roll without water supply removes any water still adhering to the strip. It can be dropped, and there is no dripping of water drops during the drying operation.

[0008] Advantageous implementations of the invention are as set forth in the claims.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0010] In each of the drawings, the work rolls are generally indicated by reference numeral 1 regardless of the design form. The work roll 1 is provided in particular as a washing roll for a car washing device. In a portal car wash, the washing roll can also be used for polishing and polishing after the end of the washing process. It is also possible to provide the work roll only for polishing and polishing.

The work roll 1 has a rotatable roll core 2, 2 '(see FIGS. 11 and 12), on which a number of strips 3 projecting substantially radially radially. , Which are indirectly or directly fixedly connected to each other so as not to rotate relatively. Advantageously, said strip 3 comprises a closed-cell foam. But in some cases,
In particular for road cleaning, it is possible to use open-cell foams, but these open-cell foams only need to have a very small water-holding capacity, It can be obtained by density and appropriate shape.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, a number of strips 3 are components of a disk 4 concentrically surrounding a roll core 2. The strip 3 is formed by substantially sector-shaped punching of the disk 4. A plurality of such disks 4 are particularly preferably arranged on the outer circumference of the roll core 2 at axial intervals as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6.

What is common to all embodiments is that each strip 3 has a maximum width B as viewed in the circumferential direction in the region of the radially inner end 3a, and that each strip is radially free. It is tapered toward the end 3b.
This allows the strip 3 to have a maximum bending stiffness in its radial inner region and to have a relatively low weight in its radial outer region. More importantly, the connection of the radial inner end 3a of the strip 3 to the roll core 2 has a bending stiffness in the circumferential direction. This bending stiffness is obtained in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 by the fact that the strip 3 is formed integrally with the disc 4. By virtue of the fact that the strip 3 is fixed at its radial inner end 3a with bending stiffness or immovable, and that the strip 3 has a maximum width B at its radial inner end 3a, In the radial inner region, the work roll 1 maintains a large circumferential bending stiffness so as to protrude radially from the roll core 2 even when the work roll 1 is stationary and the work roll is rotated at least at a low rotation speed. doing.

As can be seen by comparing FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the different radial lengths of the strip 3 and the different strip widths at the radial inner end 3a make the bending stiffness of the strip 3 different. It is possible to vary and thus the work roll 1 to be optimally adapted to each intended use. Furthermore, tapering the strip 3 towards its free outer end 3b allows the strip to have greater flexibility in its radial outer region and thus to conform very well to the body surface.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when the penetration depth T of the work roll 1, that is, the cleaning roll, with respect to the vehicle body surface O exceeds a certain predetermined value as shown in FIG. Crossing or twisting occurs naturally. As a result of this intersection, the free outer end 3b of the strip 3
Are retracted in the axial direction, and the reciprocating movement of the free outer end is performed in parallel with the direction of the axis A. This axial movement improves the cleaning effect. Also, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, 8, and 10, the strip 3 has an axial distance a, a1 when the work roll 1 is stationary.
Can also be arranged. This axial distance a,
a1 facilitates the lateral escape (retreat) of the strip 3 when an overhanging portion protruding from the vehicle body surface, for example, a side mirror is present. Recognizing this situation, in the height range of the side mirror, the axial distances a and a1 between the strips can be selected to be larger than the other ranges as can be recognized by comparing FIG. 5 and FIG. is there. In this case, the axial distances a, a1 are determined by the thicker or thinner spacer discs 5, 5 'which are arranged on the outer periphery of the roll core 2 between the discs 4, 4'. Can be.

Furthermore, as can be seen by comparing FIGS. 5 and 6, the different thicknesses d, d1 of the disks 4, 4 'and of the strip 3 make the circumferential bending stiffness and the axial bending of the strip. It is possible to vary the stiffness together. Also, by changing the density of the foam,
It can also be adapted to ensure the desired cleaning or polishing effect.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10, each strip 3 has at its radially inner end 3a, respectively, two support discs of sheet metal or plastic surrounding the roll core 2 concentrically. It is tightened between six.
In this case, the radially inner ends 3a are formed so as to be in contact with each other in the circumferential direction and to mutually support each other when assembled. This allows the strip 3 and the support disc 6
In between, a circumferential connection with bending stiffness is guaranteed. Moreover, the two support disks 6 forming a set are connected to each other by a plurality of screws 7. The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 to 10 allows for savings in foam. In addition, it is possible to replace individual strips 3 during wear. This exchange takes place in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 by pushing both support discs 6 apart by inserting a flathead screwdriver or similar tool into the area of the damaged strip 3 and causing the radius of the damaged strip 3 in that area. This is performed so as to reduce the tightening action on the inner end 3a in the direction. The damaged strip is then withdrawn from between the two support discs 6 and a new strip is inserted. In this embodiment, the screws 7 are simultaneously used as spacer pieces to hold the strip 3 at an axial distance a.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the radially inner end 3a of each strip 3 is
a and the support disks 6 are connected to the support disks 6 by rivets 8 or screws.

The point corresponding to all the embodiments described above is that each disk 4 or each supporting disk 6 has one circular punched portion 9 fitted to the roll core 2 and in the area of the circular punched portion. And a plurality of axially extending notches 10 for engaging the entrainer 11 coupled to the roll core 2.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the roll core 2 'has on its circumference a number of axially parallel undercut grooves 12 which open radially outward. Each strip 3 'is provided at its radially inner end 3a with a retaining part 13 which fits into the undercut groove 12 and, in the circumferential direction, one supporting surface 14 on each side adjacent to the retaining part 13. have. With the support surface 14, the strip 3 'is supported on the peripheral surface 2a of the roll core 2',
This ensures a desired connection between the roll core 2 'and the strip 3' with a circumferential bending stiffness. In this embodiment, each strip 3 ′ has a length L of several centimeters in the direction of the axis A of the work roll 1. Each strip 3 'is defined by a radial cut or notch 15, 15' which can end at the free outer end 3b of the strip 3 'and have a different radial length.
Are subdivided into a plurality of fingers 3c. This subdivision allows the strip 3 'to conform very well to the body surface. In this case also, the circumferential bending stiffness of the strip 3 'is guaranteed. This is because the strip 3 'has a maximum width B in the circumferential direction in the region of its radial inner end 3a and tapers towards its free outer end 3b.

In all embodiments, strips 3, 3 '
Can of course be adapted to suit the respective requirements. For example, the strips may have reinforcing inserts to increase bending stiffness and / or strength.
It is also possible to improve the cleaning or polishing effect by means of foamed microfibers or other materials embedded in the foam. The polishing effect can also be improved by bonding a soft material to the surface of the strip (flock coating).

Although closed cell foam has been found to be particularly suitable as a material for strips and / or discs, in some cases also other flexible materials, such as open cell foam, flexible It is of course also conceivable to use rubber or hard rubber, plastic sheets or plastic plates, felts, carpet materials, microfiber materials, leather, cellular rubber, synthetic or natural fur. It is also possible to use the above materials in the form of an adhesive layer structure, for example, by combining a closed cell foam and an open cell foam and bonding both materials together. It is also possible to specify the water storage capacity of the work roll in advance according to the type and / or amount of the open-cell foam.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the strip 3, also tapering towards the free outer end, consists of synthetic or natural fur 16, which fur is on both sides of the reinforcing insert 17. Adhered to.

In the embodiment shown in FIG.
Is stamped out of a plastic sheet or flexible plastic plate in much the same way as described for the embodiment shown in FIGS. In this case too, the strips 3 are held at an axial distance from one another by the spacer disks 5.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a work roll according to an embodiment taken along line II of FIG.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state where the work roll shown in FIG. 2 comes into contact with a vehicle body surface during rotation.

FIG. 5 is a partial axial sectional view of the work roll shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial axial sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment taken along line VII-VII of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a partial axial sectional view of the work roll shown in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment taken along line IX-IX of FIG. 10;

10 is an axial sectional view of the work roll shown in FIG.

FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a partial side view of the work roll shown in FIG.

FIG. 13 is a partial axial sectional view of a work roll according to another embodiment.

FIG. 14 is a partial axial sectional view of a work roll according to still another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 work roll as washing roll, 2, 2 '
Roll core, 2a peripheral surface, 3,3 'strip,
3a radial inner end, 3b free outer end,
3c finger, 4,4 'disk, 5,
5 'spacer disk, 6 support disk,
7 screws, 8 rivets, 9 circular punched parts,
10 notch, 11 driver, 12 undercut groove, 13 holder, 14 support surface,
15, 15 'radial notch or notch, 16
Synthetic or natural fur, 17 reinforcing insert, A
Axis, B maximum width, T penetration depth, O
Body surface, L-strip length, a, a1 axial spacing, d, d1 disk thickness

Claims (27)

[Claims] 1. A roll core that is rotatable and has a plurality of strips of a flexible material that protrude at least substantially radially from the roll core when the roll rotates, and that is radially inward with respect to the roll axis. In work rolls of the type in which the end of the strip is indirectly or directly connected to said roll core, in particular in the case of washing rolls for car washing equipment, the radial extent of the strip (3, 3 ') relative to the roll core (2, 2'). The connection at the end (3a) has a substantially bending stiffness in the circumferential direction, and each of said strips (3, 3 ') has a respective circumferentially maximum in the region of its radially inner end (3a). Washing roll, in particular for a car washing device, characterized in that it has a substantial (B) and that the strip tapers towards the radially outer outer end (3b). . 2. The strip (3) is roll core (2).
A component of a disc (4) concentrically surrounding
It is arranged at a circumferential interval and has a free outer end (3
A number of strips (3) tapering in a substantially triangular shape towards b) are combined in said disc (4) and are substantially sector-shaped between adjacent strips (3). 2. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein a gap is formed in the disk (4), and a plurality of the disks (4) are arranged on a peripheral surface of the roll core (2). 3. The work roll according to claim 2, wherein a plurality of disks (4) are arranged on the peripheral surface of the roll core (2) at an axial distance (a). 4. The work roll according to claim 3, wherein a spacer disk (5) is arranged on the peripheral surface of the roll core (2) between the disks (4). 5. The radial inner end (3a) of each strip (3) is each fastened between two support disks (6) concentrically surrounding the roll core (2). The described work role. 6. The strip according to claim 5, wherein the strips are fastened to the support discs by means of screws or rivets extending through each strip and both support discs. Work roll. 7. Each disk (4) and each support disk (6) has a circular punch (9) fitted into the roll core (2), and in the area of said circular punch, said roll core (2). 6.) The work roll according to claim 2, further comprising at least one axially extending cut-out (10) for engaging an entrainer (11), which is fixedly and non-rotatably fixed to the roller. 8. The roll core (2 ') has on its peripheral surface a plurality of radially outwardly open axially parallel undercut grooves (12), and each strip (3') has its radius A holding portion (13) fitted in the undercut groove (12) at a direction inner end (3a), and one supporting surface (14) on each side adjacent to the holding portion in the circumferential direction. 2. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the support surface supports a strip (3 ') on a peripheral surface (2a) of the roll core (2'). 9. Each strip (3 ′) has a length of several centimeters in the direction of the roll axis (A).
The work roll according to claim 8. 10. Each finger (3 ') is formed by a plurality of radial cuts or notches (15, 15') leading to the radially free outer end (3b) of said strip (3 '). The work roll according to claim 9, which is subdivided into (3c). 11. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) are made of a flexible material having no or little water capacity. The work roll according to claim 1. 12. The work roll according to claim 11, wherein the strip (3, 3 ') and / or the disc (4) consist of closed-cell foam. 13. The work roll according to claim 11, wherein the strip (3, 3 ') and / or the disc (4) consist of an open-cell foam. 14. The work roll according to claim 11, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) consist of soft rubber or hard rubber. 15. Work roll according to claim 11, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) consist of plastic sheets or plastic plates. 16. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the strip (3, 3 ') and / or the disc (4) consist of felt. 17. The work roll as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) are made of a carpet material. 18. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) are made of a microfibre material. 19. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) consist of leather.
The work roll according to any one of 0 to 0. 20. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the strip (3, 3 ') and / or the disc (4) consists of synthetic or natural fur. 21. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the strips (3, 3 ') and / or the discs (4) consist of cellular rubber. 22. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the strip (3, 3 ') and / or the disc (4) has a reinforcing insert. 23. The strip (3, 3 ′) and / or the disc (4) have a layer structure composed of a combination of at least two materials according to claims 11 to 22. 23. The work roll according to any one of 11 to 22. 24. The work roll according to claim 12, wherein the foam comprises microfibers. 25. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein a material for improving the cleaning effect and / or the polishing effect is applied to the surface of the strip (3, 3 '). . 26. The strip (3) is made of a unitary flexible material together with the central part of the disk (4), and the gap between the strips (3) is formed in a sector by the sector punch. The work roll according to claim 2, wherein 27. A plurality of strips (3, 3 ') are radially displaced from the roll core (2, 2') even when the work roll (1) is stationary and at least at low rotational speeds of the work roll. 27. The work roll according to claim 1, wherein the work roll is made of a material having a bending stiffness so as to radially protrude therefrom.