Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a vehicle having at least one outer surface which is inclined by an inclination angle with respect to the vertical, includes a device for detecting the inclination angle of the at least one outer surface, a cleaning brush which can be passed along the at least one outer surface, a device for setting an inclination angle of the cleaning brush with respect to the vertical corresponding to the inclination angle of the at least one outer surface, a device 20 for monitoring the inclination angle of the cleaning brush, and a device for regulating the inclination angle of the cleaning brush for adjusting to the inclination angle of the at least one outer surface. A method for cleaning a vehicle having at least one outer surface which is inclined by an inclination angle with respect to the vertical is also provided.

Abstract: A system for modifying process data of a car wash based on captured evaluations of vehicle washes performed on the car wash, comprising: a set of mobile terminals, each adapted to perform an algorithmic evaluation process; and a control module, implemented on the car wash, for controlling and/or regulating the car wash based on the detected feedback signals encoding evaluations of vehicle washes performed on the car wash, and in data communication with the mobile terminals via the control interface.

Abstract: Predicting a refill requirement for wash substances for performing a vehicle wash using a wash system for the car wash for performing the vehicle washing, wherein the control module is for providing a refill data set for predicting a refill requirement for washing substances. The control module comprises at least one measuring device for detecting current fill level data for each of the washing substances and a data link between the at least one measuring device and the control module for transmitting the detected fill level data to the control module. The control module is designed to perform a prediction function for calculating a refill data set, in which a prediction of the refill requirement is encoded, based on planning data, which represent planned vehicle washes at the washing system taking into account washing-substance-specific consumption data.

Abstract: A device for applying a cleaning liquid to a vehicle part includes an upper nozzle for discharging cleaning liquid in a first spray geometry delimited in a first vertical cross-section starting from the upper nozzle, by a first upper side piece and a first lower side piece that enclose a first opening angle with one another. The device also includes a lower nozzle for discharging cleaning liquid in a second spray geometry delimited in a second vertical cross-section starting from the upper nozzle, by a second upper side piece and a second lower side piece that enclose a second opening angle with one another. In a vertical projection, a first straight line extending through the first upper side piece encloses an angle with a second straight line extending through the second lower side piece is less than 10°, and the first lower side piece intersects the second upper side piece in the discharge direction.

Abstract: An automatic control of a vehicle washing installation in an emergency operation in the case of a fault is provided. The following method steps are carried out: detecting an error message for ascertaining a fault state of the vehicle washing installation. In response to the detected fault state: specifying function blocks, which can be activated in a fault-free manner, on the basis of a read-in equipment data set which represents the current equipping of the vehicle washing installation with machine components for computing emergency operation programs; controlling a vehicle washing installation for carrying out the emergency operation on the basis of the calculated emergency operation programs.

Abstract: A vehicle treatment system includes a signalling device with at least one sensor and a signal generator. The sensor can continuously detect the position of the vehicle in a predetermined approach region in front of or in the vehicle treatment system. The signal generator can output a signal which changes continuously or discretely and corresponds to a continuously changing position of the vehicle. In this case, the signalling device has at least two lights arranged above one another. A corresponding method can be used for determining and displaying entry information.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a vehicle surface with a fluid has a rotation device pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation, and a fluid supply device disposed concentrically with respect to the rotation device and which has an inlet opening for the supply of fluid. The apparatus is characterized in that a groove is formed in the fluid supply device. The groove is fluidically connected to the inlet opening and extends in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation over a limited circumferential angle range of the fluid supply device. The rotation device has a plurality of separate fluid channels, each of which opens into openings. The openings are disposed such that irrespective of the angular position of the rotation device to the fluid supply device with respect to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the openings of the rotation device is fluidically connected to the groove of the fluid supply device.

Abstract: A device and related method for producing a ready-to-use solution from a concentrate and a diluent includes an inlet for the diluent; an inlet for the concentrate; an outlet for the solution; a line extending from the inlet for the diluent via a confluence where diluent and concentrate meet, to the outlet; a mixing container arranged in the line between the confluence and the outlet and having a larger cross-section than parts of the line, which are arranged upstream and downstream of the mixing container; and a metering pump for the concentrate, which is connected on the suction side to the inlet for the concentrate and on the pressure side to the confluence and which operates in a pulsed manner. The metering pump works with a clock frequency, in which a plurality of pump surges are attributable to the dwell time of the liquid in the mixing container.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device for a vehicle washing system includes a reservoir volume, a first supply line coupled upstream to the reservoir for supplying a first liquid with a first supply rate and a second supply line coupled upstream to the reservoir for supplying a second liquid with a second supply rate. The device further comprises a removal line coupled downstream to the reservoir with a blocking device for blocking liquid flow through the removal line, and a detection unit for detecting liquid volume in the reservoir and a mixing ratio of the liquids introduced into the reservoir; and a removal device for ejecting the liquid found in the reservoir through an ejection element coupled to the removal line. In addition, the device comprises a control unit which is coupled to the detection unit and the removal device and is set up to start an ejection process by the removal device upon reaching a predetermined liquid volume and a predetermined mixing ratio.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system and a method for operating such a vehicle washing system in which a vehicle is scanned in a longitudinal direction by a sensor device. Measurement data are captured so that position data for the positions of vehicle wheels are determined based on an evaluation of the measurement data. The determined position data of the positions of the wheels are subjected to a confidence check, so that a confidence measure is determined. If the determined confidence measure is greater than or equal to a confidence threshold value, a treatment of the wheels is carried out in a first mode at the positions associated with the position data, and, if the determined confidence measure is smaller than the confidence threshold value, a treatment of the wheels is not carried out, or is carried out in a second mode at the positions associated with the position data.

Abstract: A liquid ejection device for a vehicle washing facility comprises a storage volume, a first supply line coupled upstream to the storage volume for supplying a first liquid, a supply unit coupled upstream to the storage volume for supplying a second liquid, and a removal line coupled downstream to the storage volume for discharging the liquid to be ejected, with a shut-off device for shutting off liquid flow through the removal line. The storage volume is sealed so that an increase in an internal gas pressure occurs in the storage volume when liquid is introduced. The device further comprises a detection unit for detecting the supplied volume of the second liquid into the storage volume and the internal gas pressure in the storage volume, and a control unit controls the supply of the second liquid based on the detected supplied volume of the second liquid and the internal gas pressure so that a predetermined mixing ratio of the first and second liquid is achieved in the storage volume.

Abstract: A method for treating the surface of a vehicle by means of at least one rotating treatment brush. The treatment brush comprises treatment elements, the surfaces of which are brought into frictional contact with the vehicle surface during the treatment. According to the method, a reference measurement is carried out, in which the treatment brush is set in rotation and is moved into a defined position relative to a reference element, such that the surfaces of the handling elements are brought into frictional contact with the surface of the reference element, and in this case the value of the frictional force is measured directly or indirectly. During the treatment of the vehicle surface, the treatment brush is controlled as a function of the value of the frictional force measured during the reference measurement. A system for treating the surface of a vehicle by means of which this method can be carried out.

Abstract: A vehicle washing installation includes at least one side washing brush which is mounted on a crossbar of the vehicle washing installation by a suspension to be rotatable about first and second pivot axes. The suspension has a first actuator for pivoting the side washing brush about the first pivot axis.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system for cleaning a vehicle located in a washing zone of the vehicle washing system includes a device for creating a foam curtain extending substantially transversely to a longitudinal direction of the vehicle washing system. The device is arranged on the vehicle washing system in such a way as to be vertically adjustable.

Abstract: A foam generator, in particular for a motor vehicle washing installation, includes a foam generation chamber having at least one inlet for water, surfactant and gas, in particular compressed gas, and one outlet for foam, and contains a fluid-permeable bed of loose particles. The bed fills the foam generation chamber sufficiently to prevent fluidization of the bed.

Abstract: A vehicle washing system and a method for operating such a vehicle washing system in which a vehicle is scanned in a longitudinal direction by a sensor device. Measurement data are captured so that position data for the positions of vehicle wheels are determined based on an evaluation of the measurement data. The determined position data of the positions of the wheels are subjected to a confidence check, so that a confidence measure is determined. If the determined confidence measure is greater than or equal to a confidence threshold value, a treatment of the wheels is carried out in a first mode at the positions associated with the position data, and, if the determined confidence measure is smaller than the confidence threshold value, a treatment of the wheels is not carried out, or is carried out in a second mode at the positions associated with the position data.

Abstract: A method for cleaning vehicles by means of which the formation of marks caused by drying is prevented. The method comprises a rinsing step using water. In the method, the anions forming poorly soluble salts with alkaline earth metals dissolved in water are removed from the water, while cations causing the water hardness are retained. Furthermore, a vehicle washing system includes: at least one application device for applying rinsing fluid to a vehicle to be cleaned; and an ion-exchange device for removing anions from the rinsing fluid prior to the application to the vehicle.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating a vehicle surface with a fluid has a rotation device pivotably mounted about an axis of rotation, and a fluid supply device disposed concentrically with respect to the rotation device and which has an inlet opening for the supply of fluid. The apparatus is characterized in that a groove is formed in the fluid supply device. The groove is fluidically connected to the inlet opening and extends in the circumferential direction with respect to the axis of rotation over a limited circumferential angle range of the fluid supply device. The rotation device has a plurality of separate fluid channels, each of which opens into openings. The openings are disposed such that irrespective of the angular position of the rotation device to the fluid supply device with respect to the axis of rotation, and at least one of the openings of the rotation device is fluidically connected to the groove of the fluid supply device.

Abstract: A rotary brush for processing the surface of a vehicle includes a rotary brush main part and a plurality of fill material holders that are arranged on an outer lateral surface of the rotary brush main part spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction thereof. Each fill material holder can be secured to the rotary brush main part in a plurality of stop positions spaced apart in the radial direction of the rotary brush main part.

Abstract: A wheel guide rail for lateral delimitation of a washing area of a vehicle treatment installation has an elongated housing and several light modules distributed along the housing. The housing has several openings distributed over its length. Each light module includes a mounting base mounted in one of the openings of housing and at least one light source mounted in the mounting base.