1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a vehicle washing system and, more particularly, to an apparatus for mixing and distributing detergent solutions for use in a vehicle washing system.
2. Background Art
Vehicle washing systems typically use a variety of cleaning solutions during the wash process to remove particles from the exterior surface of the vehicle. Operators of these vehicle washing systems typically face choices with respect to the type of detergents to be used. For example, most car wash system operators use detergents in a concentrated liquid form or a powder detergent form.
Use of powder detergents rather than premixed liquid detergents reduces the possibility of breakdown in the chemical properties required to cleanse a vehicle when stored in an undiluted form prior to mixing with a liquid mixing solution, typically water. Further, powder detergents are easier to ship and store, especially valuable when the car wash operators own touchless or automatic car washing systems that generally do not include full time staff.
One limitation associated with the use of powder detergents is that the detergents must be mixed to an appropriate equilibrium with an aqueous or mixing solution to ensure proper dilution of the powder detergent in the mixing solution. For purposes of explanation, equilibrium in a cleaning solution occurs when the powder detergent is dissolved in the aqueous solution, such as water, such that the detergent will reach its maximum saturation point at which additional added detergent will not dissolve and will fall to the bottom of the container. Obtaining this equilibrium without the assistance of a mixing apparatus can be difficult to achieve without certain guidelines.
It is also possible that if the aqueous solution is not introduced to the powder detergent for extended periods of time, for example, long periods of inactivity in the car wash as a result of lack of use due to inclement weather conditions, it is likely that the powder detergent, as a result of not being mixed properly, may harden into unusable segments of powder material. This is also problematic in that once hardened, the powder detergent must be removed with extensive manual labor to free the material from a mixing drum which could result in further inactivity of the car wash while this problem is addressed.
It would be advantageous to provide a vehicle washing system having a mixing apparatus that would properly mix an additive with an aqueous solution to provide a washing solution at a proper chemical equilibrium. It is also desirable to provide a mixing apparatus which allows for the mixing of an additive with an aqueous solution without the need for active mixing ordinarily provided by electrically or air powder stirring devices. Further, it would be advantageous to provide a vehicle washing system with a mixing apparatus that would introduce the aqueous solution to top and bottom portions of the additive to prevent caking of the additive and maintain the equilibrium of the washing solution.