WO2018160094A1 - Foam-washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to portable devices for washing cars. A foam-washing device comprises a tank for a washing composition, a three-dimensional cover with an opening for an intake pipe, and a hose with a dispersing nozzle. A valve for the connection of a compressed air source and a valve for alleviating excess pressure are arranged on the cover. Calibrated openings which are oriented in one direction are formed in the upper part of the intake pipe around the circumference and at an angle to the radius thereof. An increase in the dispersibility of foam is achieved along with an increase in the operating reliability.

Description

 FOAM-WASHING DEVICE

 Technical field

 The present invention relates to devices for cleaning the outer surface of vehicles or other contaminated surfaces, in particular, to mobile (portable) foam-washing low-pressure installations (foam generators).

State of the art

 A foam washing device for washing a car is known in the art, comprising a reservoir for a washing solution, a ball mixer and a nozzle for spraying foam. The device also contains a tube for supplying gas to the tank, one end of the tube is connected to a device for supplying gas, and the other is located in the upper part of the tank. The tank is equipped with an intake pipe, one end of which is immersed in the liquid, and the other is connected to the mixer. The gas supply pipe and mixer are interconnected via a control valve (CN204021620, IPC: B60S3 / 00; B65D90 / 00).

 However, this device uses a ball mixer, the operation of which does not provide the possibility of obtaining small gas bubbles, which leads to a lesser degree of dispersion of the foam at the outlet of the device.

 Closest to the claimed solution is a foam washing device containing a container for a washing solution with the possibility of creating excess pressure in it, a sampling tube with calibrated holes placed in the tank, and a tip connected to the outlet of the sampling tube, equipped with an integrated foaming agent and a nozzle with a shutter, moreover, the calibrated holes are made in the upper part of the intake pipe with the possibility of their placement above the level of the washing solution. In one embodiment of the device, the capacity for the washing solution is made with a lid, while the ratio of the volume of the lid cavity to the volume of the cavity of the tank is not more than 0.2. The intake pipe is made up of two parts with the possibility of their movement relative to each other with partial overlap of the calibrated holes (RU106865, IPC: B60S 3/00).

In this device, calibrated tube openings are located in close proximity to the washing solution, which may result in washing solution into the holes of the intake pipe during operation. The upper part of the container and the cover are made narrower in comparison with the lower part of the container (the ratio of the volume of the cavity of the cover to the volume of the cavity of the container is not more than 0.2), which reduces the volume of the air cavity in the upper part of the device. This embodiment of the device leads to the fact that in case of malfunction of the compressor and the flow of air with pressure drops, the possibility of stabilizing the air pressure in the tank is reduced. In addition, the known solution does not provide high-quality foam (foam with high dispersion), which leads to low cleaning efficiency of the vehicle surface due to the rapid draining of foam from the surface being cleaned.

 The technical problem of the present invention is to overcome the technical disadvantages inherent in analogues, which leads to the need to create a foam washing device that provides an increased degree of saturation of the washing solution with air bubbles while reducing their size (increasing the dispersion of the foam) and obtaining a more uniform foam flow at the initial stage of its formation .

Disclosure of invention

 The technical result of the invention is to increase the degree of dispersion of the foam while increasing the reliability of the foam washing device.

 The technical result is ensured by the implementation of a foam washing device containing a container for a detergent composition connected to a volumetric lid, in which a hole is made with a sampling tube fixed in it, configured to immerse the lower end into the washing solution, the upper end of which is connected via a hose to hose; as well as a valve located on the cover for connecting a source of compressed air and an overpressure relief valve; at the same time, at least two calibrated openings are made in the upper part of the intake tube located in the lid cavity and intended to be located above the detergent composition for saturating the washing solution with air bubbles (for aeration) and / or initiating the formation of active primary foam, calibrated holes are made around the circumference of the intake tube, at an angle to its radius, and oriented in one direction.

Thus, due to the implementation of the volumetric (convex) cover provides an increase in the volume of the air cavity in the device, which provides better stabilization of the air pressure in the tank in case of possible malfunctions in the compressor.

 Also, due to the implementation of the volumetric cover, a higher location of the pressure relief valve relative to the level of the washing solution (liquid) in the tank is provided, which reduces the likelihood of the washing solution entering the pressure relief valve during operation.

 Due to the location of calibrated holes uniformly around the circumference of the tube in the upper part of the intake tube, it is possible to uniformly supply air under pressure to the tube, which increases the uniformity of mixing the air flow with the detergent composition to obtain a homogeneous mixture of liquid (detergent composition) and air bubbles. By making calibrated holes in the intake pipe at an angle to its radius, additional swirling of the air flow is ensured, its turbulence increases when it is mixed with a detergent composition, which leads to an increase in the intensity and uniformity of mixing of the detergent composition with air, resulting in increased foam stability contaminated car surface, while increasing the uniformity of the foam by increasing the number of air bubbles while reducing their size (from 50 to 500 microns), .e. the multiplicity decreases and the degree of dispersion of the foam increases.

 Such a design of the foam washing device leads to an increase in the efficiency and quality of cleaning contaminants on the surface.

 When a larger number of calibrated holes are made in the upper part of the intake pipe, which can also be spaced several rows in height, the intensity and uniformity of mixing the components before they are fed into the hose and the quality of the resulting foam are further increased.

 In the particular case of the invention, the calibrated holes can be made in a horizontal plane at an angle to the radius of the intake pipe and / or at an angle to the horizontal plane or vertical plane and are located uniformly around the circumference of the tube.

 The calibrated holes can be made in one row around the circumference of the tube or in two or more rows around the circumference of the tube, and the holes of the adjacent row are oriented in the opposite direction.

Calibrated holes can be made in an amount of from four to eight, and placed in two rows one above the other at a distance of 0.3 - 1 cm, while the angle of inclination of the holes in one row should preferably be opposite to the angle of inclination of the holes in the other row, which additionally contributes to the swirling of the air flow, to increase its turbulence in the intake tube and further increases the intensity of mixing the cleaning solution and compressed air. The thickness of the tube can be 0.1 - 0.3 cm.

 The cover can be made domed. The ratio of the volume of the lid cavity to the volume of the cavity of the container is 0.2-0.5.

 The lid can be connected to the container by means of a threaded connection, ensuring the tightness of the inside of the device.

 The hole for connecting the hose and the intake pipe is preferably made in the Central part of the cover. The hose with a hose can be attached to the opening of the cap by means of a fitting.

 The lid can be equipped with radial stiffeners located on the inner side in the central part, which provides reinforcement of the lid structure when exposed to excessive gas pressure from inside, protection from deformation of the lid.

 The foam-washing device can be additionally equipped with a V-shaped elastic sealing cuff located on the threaded part of the container to ensure a tight connection between the container and the lid. Preferably, the cuff may be located at the bottom of the thread and made of rubber.

 Below the cuff, a cap twist stop may be additionally provided.

 The hose may additionally contain a foam tablet placed therein to further increase the uniformity and density of the foam, its degree of dispersion and obtain a stable foam of low multiplicity, and a flat spray nozzle to form a flat jet to increase the spray area of the foam.

 Opposite each other, two protruding castings (“ears”) with through holes for connecting the belt can be located on the outer surface of the container, which allows mobility (portability) of the foam-washing device in the process of washing and cleaning operations.

In the lower part of the tank can be additionally performed a cylindrical belt that increases the rigidity of the structure, and protruding supporting elements with a raised surface, increasing the base area of the minimo wash and thereby increasing its stability with the possibility of fixing the protruding supporting elements with the foot to the horizontal surface during operation. The cover can preferably be made commensurate with the diameter of the container, without narrowing to the top.

 The cover may additionally contain a cylindrical belt located in its lower part, as well as hollow corner elements with a relief surface protruding outside the hemisphere, located diametrically in the same plane, made with the height of the corner elements from the lower edge of the cylindrical belt to the upper edge of the cover. Such corner elements (“ears”) act as handles and provide convenience when screwing / unscrewing the lid.

 The hose can be made cylindrical with a curved handle and a profile for convenient placement of the fingers of the washing operator's hand, and is equipped with a lever for turning on / off the foam supply. A foaming agent can be placed at the tip of the hose to increase the quality of the foam.

Brief Description of the Drawings

 The claimed invention is illustrated by drawings, where figure 1 schematically shows an image of a foam washing device assembly, front view; in FIG. 2 is a top view of a foam washing device; in FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section of a foam washing device; in FIG. 4 and 5 show the layout of calibrated holes in the intake tube of the foam washing device, Fig.6 is a top view of the capacity of the foam washing device; in FIG. 7 and 8 - sections of the lid of the foam washing device, Fig.9 - V-shaped seal; in FIG. 10 is a layout diagram of a V-shaped sealant on a container; in FIG. 11 is a location diagram of a V-shaped seal in the assembled structure of the foam washing device; in FIG. 12 is an image of a General view of the foam washing device assembly; in FIG. 13 is an exploded view of the foam washing device.

 The positions in the drawings indicate the following elements:

 1 - capacity for detergent composition,

 2 - cover

3 - threaded connection, 4 - cuff of a V-shaped section,

 5 - hole in the cover for the intake pipe,

 6 - intake pipe

 7 - stiffeners,

 8 - valve

 9 - pressure relief valve,

 10 - hose

 11 - hose

 12 - fitting

 13 - calibrated holes of the intake pipe,

 14 - nozzle.

The implementation of the invention

 The foam-washing device contains a container 1 for a detergent composition, which can be made of a polymer material in the form of a cylinder. The tank 1 is connected to the volumetric domed lid 2 by means of a threaded connection 3 containing a sealing elastic cuff 4 of a V-shaped section. A hole 5 is made in the lid, in which the upper end of the intake pipe 6 is placed, and stiffeners 7 located along its entire height. A valve 8 for connecting a compressor and an overpressure relief valve 9 are fixed to the cover 2. A hose 11 with a hose 10 located at its end (or sprayer) is connected to the opening 5 of the cover 2 through the fitting 12. In this case, the intake pipe 6 in the upper part, designed to be placed above the liquid level in the container 1, contains, in one embodiment, two calibrated holes 13, which are made in the wall of the intake pipe at an acute angle to the radius of the intake pipe and are placed opposite each other. The hosepipe 10 contains a foam tablet disposed therein and a nozzle 14 mounted at its outlet.

 Instead of a hose, it is possible to use any spray device in the composition of the claimed device, preferably containing a foam tablet for additional formation of foam and containing an nozzle at the outlet that ensures uniform spraying of foam.

Calibrated holes in the intake pipe (for example, four to eight, etc.) are located at an acute angle to the radius of the intake pipe, while they are offset from each other to create a swirl air flow in the intake pipe when mixing it with a detergent composition, which leads to an increase in the intensity and uniformity of mixing the washing solution with air.

 A variant of the location of the calibrated holes in the horizontal plane at an angle to the radius of the intake pipe and / or at an angle to the horizontal plane or vertical plane passing through the axis of the intake pipe (see Fig. 4, 5).

 The operation of the foam washing device is as follows. The tank is filled with a washing solution. Attach the intake pipe with calibrated holes to the hole on the inside of the cover. The elastic cuff of the V-shaped section is placed on the lower part of the threaded connection. Then screw the dome-shaped lid with the intake pipe onto the container. An air cavity forms between the top of the container and the interior of the lid. The calibrated holes of the intake pipe are in this case located in the inner space of the cover. Connect a hose with a hose to the cover using a fitting. A source of compressed air (compressor) is connected to the cover valve. From an external source of compressed air in the air cavity of the tank create excessive pressure. Overpressure is vented by valve. When the shutter shutter is opened, the created excess pressure pushes the solution (detergent composition) from the tank into the intake pipe, the air flow from the air cavity of the container enters the calibrated hole of the pipe. When the solution passes through the upper part of the intake pipe, it mixes with air (aerated / aerated), thus, foam is formed.

 In an embodiment of the invention with a foam tablet in the hose, there is additional foam formation, after which the foam at the outlet of the hose is ejected through the hose nozzle to the surface to be treated. To wash off the foam and dirt from the treated surface, water is poured into the container instead of the washing solution, after which it is sprayed to clean the surface.

 The resulting foam at the exit of the foam washing device has a greater dispersion value (lower magnitude) than in the prototype: the average bubble size is up to 0.5 mm, while in the prototype the average bubble size is more than 1.5 mm.

An example of a specific embodiment of the invention. A foam washing device with a cylindrical washing solution was manufactured, which had a height of 50 cm, a width of 27 cm, and a hose length of 5 meters. The cover of the device was made in the form of a hemisphere, while the ratio of the internal volume of the cavity of the cover Vj to the volume of the cavity of the tank V2 was 0.3. An intake tube with a diameter of 5 mm was used, the wall thickness of the intake tube was 1.5 mm, and the number of calibrated holes in the tube was 4 pieces. Calibration holes in the intake pipe were made with a diameter of 0.5-1 mm and were located in a horizontal plane at an angle of 20 ° -45 ° to the radius of the intake pipe. An automobile compressor was connected to the device. The optimal air pressure was 3-4 atm.

 When the device was used, a washing solution was poured into the container or an additional disposable container (for example, a plastic bottle or container) with a washing solution was installed in it, while the intake pipe was placed inside such a bottle.

 To wash a passenger car of moderate pollution, 100-150 gr were dissolved to obtain a washing solution. shampoo in 5 liters of water. From 5 liters of washing solution, 20-30 liters of finely dispersed foam with visually undetectable bubbles was obtained. The retention time of the foam on the contaminated surface was 4 minutes.

 Obtained by the claimed method, the foam contains a large number of small, visually indistinguishable bubbles, and therefore, it is voluminous, but light. Whereas in the closest analogue, using the same amount of washing solution, the same volume of foam was obtained, but such a foam had fewer bubbles of larger diameter. The foam obtained using the closest analogue contains large bubbles visible to the naked eye (it is coarsely dispersed) and has low adhesion (keeps on the surface for less than 1 minute, does not penetrate deep into pollution), which leads to insufficient quality of cleaning the contaminated surface of the car.

The inventive device has a better washing ability, since the smaller the size of the bubbles in the resulting foam, the higher its adhesion to the contaminated surface (the foam penetrates the dirt layer faster and deeper, lasts longer on the surface of the car, dissolving pollution). Effective cleaning of the contaminated surface is ensured after a single layer of foam is applied to it, keeping the foam for 1 -5 minutes and then rinsing it off. Thus, the use of the claimed device provides an increase in the degree of dispersion of the foam and a decrease in its multiplicity, which increases the efficiency of washing a contaminated car. The claimed foam washing device is convenient in operation and provides high-quality foam solution.

Claims

CLAIM 1. Foam-washing device, characterized in that it contains a container for a detergent composition connected to a volumetric cover, in which a hole is made with a sampling tube fixed therein, configured to immerse the lower end in a washing solution, the upper end of which is connected via a hose to hose; as well as a valve located on the cover for connecting a source of compressed air and an overpressure relief valve; at the same time, at least two calibrated holes for aeration of the washing solution are made in the upper part of the intake tube located in the lid cavity and intended to be located above the detergent composition, while the calibrated holes are made around the circumference of the intake tube, at an angle to its radius, and oriented in one direction.  2. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the calibrated holes are placed evenly around the circumference of the tube.  3. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the calibrated holes are located in the horizontal plane and / or at an angle to the horizontal plane or vertical plane passing through the axis of the tube.  4. Foam-washing device according to claim 3, characterized in that the calibrated holes are located opposite each other.  5. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the calibrated holes are made in one row around the circumference of the tube.  6. The foam-washing device according to claim 5, characterized in that the calibrated holes are made in two rows around the circumference of the tube, and the calibrated holes of the second row are oriented in the opposite direction relative to the calibrated holes of the first row.  7. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid is domed.  8. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the ratio of the volume of the lid cavity to the volume of the container cavity is 0.2-0.5.  9. The foam-washing device according to claim 7, characterized in that the lid is provided with radial stiffeners located on the inside. 10. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the lid is connected to the container by means of a threaded connection. 1 1. The foam-washing device according to claim 9, characterized in that it is additionally equipped with a sealing elastic cuff of a V-shaped section, placed on the threaded connection of the container.  12. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose is connected to the opening of the lid by means of a fitting.  13. The foam-washing device according to claim 1, characterized in that the hose contains a foam tablet placed therein and a nozzle mounted at its outlet.