Automatic Under Chassis Wash System

Abraham Varghese#1, S.Naveen Kumar#2

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Department of mechanical engineering, Anna University of technology, Coimbatore, India. abru16@gmail.com The programs provides greater flexibility by allowing individual selection of different processes like rinse, soak etc. The improvements in technology have resulted in development of various types of automated car washes. The most commonly used type is the Rollover type, because of the greater flexibility and it offers over the other types. Rollover mainly consists of a gantry/frame structure that houses all the equipments for cleaning. The gantry is placed over tracks allowing it to move over vehicles and thus performing the cleaning task during each pass. UNDERCHASIS WASH SYSTEM: Cleaning the under chassis of a vehicle is perhaps the most difficult task in cleaning vehicles due to the lack of space and access. Due to these reasons most people neglect this area, even though the under chassis space houses the major mechanical parts of a vehicle. Under chassis is also the area of the vehicle that is the most exposed to the environmental elements. Most manufactures have not developed systems for under chassis cleaning due to the limited work space, complicated surface and variation in the types of dirt to be cleaned. All these factors required a completely different approach for under chassis cleaning. But the increased demand for better auto wash systems paved the way for the development in under chassis field. Under Chassis washing equipment are most commonly installed at the entry point of the wash bay of car washes.

Abstract: The paper deals with study of existing under chassis wash systems, and the design and development of new system that performs the task more effectively and efficiently. Cleaning/washing vehicles is an important aspect in maintaining the overall working of vehicles and advancements in technology led to the development of AUTOMATIC CAR WASHES. These machines use microprocessors for automated control of system. UNDER CHASSIS is perhaps the most important area of the vehicle as it houses the major mechanical parts of a vehicle and cleaning this area requires more attention that other areas. Though car wash systems have improved drastically, under chassis wash has not seen many developments because of factors like space restriction, inaccessibility etc. Keywords: under chassis, nozzle, solenoid valve INTRODUCTION: Cleaning vehicles has always been a difficult task and to ensure the task is completed with no human interference of human led to the development of Automatic Car Washes. These machines are in built keeping cleanliness in mind and for improving the health of vehicles. The first car wash came in Detroit in 1914 and since then its popularity has soared considering the convenience and relatively low cost. The car washes use microprocessors that allow for complete automation of the system. The micro processors are fed with programs indicating the various tasks to be performed.

In most cases the under chassis wash uses the same water pump that is used for the main washing arch. It consists of overall surrounded special high pressure nozzles, which removes dirt effectively from the bottom surface of the Vehicle. The Under Chassis Wash System is controlled from the Operators Panel and can be controlled both automatically & manually. EXISTING SYSTEM The most commonly used system for cleaning the under chassis of a vehicle is a fixed type i.e. the system is placed at a specified point in the wash bay. It mainly consists of rectangular slab embedded with high pressure nozzles; in certain cases only the nozzle and pipe are placed. The nozzles are placed in such way that it sprays water straight up. The nozzles are placed in varying patterns depending upon the individual requirements and vehicle types. The number of nozzles placed varies for each application depending on the space available, placement pattern and other factors. The figure below shows the system in work.

uses the same water pump that is used by the car wash system. The required piping for the system is also placed inside the pit that holds the slab. In a car wash as the vehicle rolls over the slab the water is sprayed through the nozzles and is deactivated when the vehicle has passed over it. The control of the system is mostly done manually even though automation is possible. The advantage of this system is that it can be easily manufactured and installed. Due to the simple operation it requires minimum maintenance and can handle any condition. On the downside the system isnt fully automated and since the system requires vehicles to pass over the usage of water tends to be higher. MODEL DESCRIPTION: The proposed design provides an improved, effective and efficient under chassis washing system for the thorough removal of dirt and debris. The system can be implemented to any existing car wash bay and allows for the selective activation by user for cleaning the under carriage of vehicle. The under chassis wash system is positioned on or above the floor or support surface of the bay and is connected to the pressurized fluid system of the bay. The system consists of a frame structure, conduits or pipes with a plurality of nozzles and a control.

Fig 1: Existing system The under chassis wash system is mostly installed at the entry point of the car wash. The system is placed inside a pit so that it is at ground level. The pit also holds the piping that supplies the water to the nozzles. The system

Fig 2: Assembled view

Fig 3: Assembly view of under chassis wash system.

The frame structure is the base of the system and is positioned lengthwise along a length dimension of the wash bay and between the wheels of the respective vehicles to be cleaned. The overall length of the frame is 5400mm and its width is 1000mm. The frame houses all the parts of the system and is placed over the floor of the car wash bay. Thus the overall height of the frame is kept at 60mm to ensure that it doesnt obstruct the movement of vehicles. The frame structure is made of steel to provide the necessary rigidity and strength. Also the frame is hot dip galvanized to ensure that no rust occurs due to prolonged exposure to water. This allows for longer life of the system. The conduits or pipes are also positioned lengthwise along the dimension of the frame. The design consists of two pipes that are placed parallel to each other with a gap of 700mm ensuring for effective coverage of under side of

vehicle. The pipes used for the system has an overall length of 4300mm. The pipes are supported by pillow block bearings allowing for proper alignment. A supply pipe is used to connect the conduits and fluid system. The supply pipe is connected to a tee junction so that the fluid is supplied to both the conduits. Hose assemblies are used to connect the tee junction and the conduits. The hose assemblies are connected to a swivel connector which in turn is connected to the conduit. The swivel connector is used to allow the for smooth oscillating motion of the pipe. The pipes are fitted with plurality of nozzles that are directed to discharge the pressurized fluid towards the underside of the vehicle. The nozzles are placed along the length of the conduits with a gap of 320mm between them. Each pipe is fitted with a total of 13 nozzles, thus ensuring the effective coverage of

underside area. The nozzle used in the system is Veejet Flat type. The specification of the nozzle is H1/8 VV SS 65 04. The based on the impact pressure, spray angle, drop size and operating pressure. The design employs an oscillating system to increase the effectiveness and efficiency of the cleaning process. The oscillating motion is achieved by the means of a belt, pulley, solenoid valve and double acting cylinder. The pulley is connected to the pipes holding the nozzles so that it can be oscillated. The pneumatic double acting cylinder is positioned perpendicular to the pulleys. A timing belt of length 1110mm is used to connect the pulleys and the piston ends of the double acting cylinder. The cylinder used has a stoke length of 40mm thus allowing the pulley to rotate by an angle of 110.

the pulley and the pipes. Thus the oscillating motion ensures that the fluid is discharged more effectively from the nozzles and all parts of the underside of vehicle are cleaned as required. CONCLUSION: The paper establishes a detailed understanding of the requirements and factors to be considered for designing an under chassis wash system. The study of existing system presented ways to optimize and improve the system. The new design presents an under chassis wash system that is capable of cleaning more effectively and efficiently. The design provides a safe system that doesnt require electric power for its operation and which can be easily added-on to an existing car wash bay or the like. A prototype of the system was built and found to fulfill all requirements. REFERNCES: 1. Under Body Car Wash For Home Use, Mark j.zinski, Dal r.rosson and James w.fleming, April 2007 2. Portable Vehicle Underbody Washing System, David dieziger, 11/172, July 2005 3. Under Carriage Washer For Self Car Wash Bay, Joseph a. Mey and Arthur c. Olen, Jan 2006 4. Under-Car Wash, Michael j.unger, april 1984 5. System And Apparatus For Automatic Vehicle Washing And Other Operations, Naddem ahmad, Feb. 2008 6. Car Wash Apparatus, David a.chandler, Oct 1988 7. Machine For Washing The Under Parts Of Vehicle In General, Manual Carlos Beltran, 239/184, Dec 1974

Fig 4: Detailed view of oscillating system

The cylinder movement is actuated by the use of a solenoid valve that functions using only pneumatic power. This allows the whole system to run without use of electric power enhancing its safety standard of the system A 5/2 way solenoid valve is used. The movement of the piston in the cylinder results in the rotation of