JP2003011794A - Car washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car washing machine capable of preventing a rear mirror from being damaged even when a side brush interferes with the rear mirror in a case when a vehicle having the rear mirror is washed by means of the side brush. SOLUTION: This car washing machine is provided with first and second sensors 42, 43 for detecting an oscillating angle of side brushes when the side brushes are abutted on a rear face of the vehicle and oscillated from a neutral position N to a front or rear side. A control device is further mounted for stopping the traveling of a washing machine body when the first sensor 42 detects a first predetermined angle A in a case when the rear mirror is not mounted on a rear face of the vehicle, and stopping the traveling of the washing machine body when the second sensor 43 detects a second predetermined angle B in a case when the rear mirror is mounted, and the second predetermined angle B is smaller than the first predetermined angle A.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car wash machine in which at least one of a car wash main body and a vehicle to be washed moves relatively to the other, and a brush is used for cleaning the front and rear of the vehicle to be washed. The present invention relates to cleaning at least one end surface.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventional car wash machines of this type include, for example,
There is one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 48-33929. That is, the left and right side brushes (side brushes) are driven to rotate and move toward each other, and the car wash machine body travels forward or backward. Then, when both side brushes come into contact with the front surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle to be cleaned, the both side brushes are pushed and inclined in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the car wash machine body. As a result, the brush drive shaft swings back and forth, and this swing is detected by the limit switch. When the limit switch is detected, the car wash machine main body stops running, and the side brushes move away from each other to clean the front surface of the vehicle body.

After that, when the car wash main body travels back and forth to the other side and both side brushes contact the rear surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle to be cleaned, both side brushes are pushed in the direction opposite to the running direction of the car wash machine body and are inclined. As a result, the brush drive shaft swings back and forth, and this swing is detected by the limit switch. When the limit switch is detected, the car wash machine main body stops running, and the side brushes move away from each other to clean the rear surface of the vehicle body.

In the car washing machine having the above-mentioned structure, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 17, for example, a rear mirror 102 is provided on one side of the rear end surface of the vehicle 101 to be cleaned, which is of a wagon type, to the left or right.
Both side brushes 10 when equipped with equipment such as
There is a method of cleaning the rear end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 101 by moving 3 as described below. With both side brushes 103 in contact with both side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 101, the car wash machine body 104 travels forward or backward (forward travel). The both side brushes 103 move toward each other behind the vehicle to be cleaned 101, and then move closer (close) to each other to wash the vehicle body 10.
Move to the center of 4. The car wash machine body 104 travels backward and forward (backward travel),
Both side brushes 103 contact the central portion of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 to be cleaned. At this time, as shown in FIG. 17A, since both side brushes 103 are pushed and tilted in the direction opposite to the traveling direction of the car wash machine body 104, the brush drive shaft 105 swings back and forth and the other swings. When the angle reaches the constant angle A, it is detected by the limit switch 106, and the car wash machine body 104
Stops running. Then, as shown in FIG. 17B, the car wash machine body 10
After 4 travels forward or backward for a certain distance (forward travel),
Stop running for a certain period of time. As a result, both side brushes 103 are brought into a substantially vertical posture (that is, the swing angle is approximately 0 °) and come into contact with the central portion of the rear surface of vehicle 101 to be cleaned, and only the central portion of the rear surface of vehicle 101 to be cleaned is cleaned. . Then, as the car wash machine body 104 travels forward or backward (forward travel), both side brushes 103 retract toward the rear of the vehicle to be cleaned 101, and further move apart (open) to the fully open position.

When the equipment such as the rear mirror 102 is equipped by the above operations, the both side brushes 103 clean only the central portion of the rear surface of the vehicle 101 to be cleaned.

[0006]

However, in the above conventional type, as described above, when the side brush 103 comes into contact with the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 101 and swings (tilts) to a certain angle A (see FIG. See a)), side brush 1
03 exerts a strong pressing force on the rear surface of the vehicle 101 to be cleaned. Therefore, if the rear portion of the vehicle to be cleaned 101 is stopped with respect to the main body 104 of the car wash machine while deviating from the central portion in the left-right direction, in the above, the side brush 103 interferes with the rear mirror 102 and is strong against the rear mirror 102. There is a problem that the pressing force acts and may damage the rear mirror 102.

By setting the value of the constant angle A to a small value, the side brush 103 is set to the vehicle 101 to be cleaned.
Although the pressing force exerted on the rear surface is weakened, in this case, the limit switch 106 reacts with a small swing angle, and the limit switch 106 may cause an erroneous detection. Therefore, even in the car wash of the vehicle to be washed 101 that is not equipped with the accessories such as the rear mirror 102,
There is a possibility that erroneous detection will occur uniformly.

According to the present invention, when cleaning a vehicle to be cleaned equipped with equipment such as a rear mirror with a brush, even if the brush interferes with the equipment, the equipment is prevented from being damaged. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a car washing machine that can prevent the possibility of false detection by the detection means when cleaning a vehicle to be cleaned that is not equipped with the above equipment with a brush. .

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, the first aspect of the present invention provides a car wash in which at least one of a car wash main body and a vehicle to be washed moves relatively to the other. In the machine washing machine body, a brush for cleaning at least one front and rear end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned is provided swingably back and forth, and the brush comes into contact with one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned from the front and rear neutral position. A detector is provided for detecting the swing angle of the brush when swinging back or forth, and the swing angle detected by the detector is any one of a plurality of preset angles. When the set angle is reached, a control means for stopping relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is provided, and the control means is configured to control the plurality of the plurality of vehicles in accordance with a change in the shape of the one end surface of the vehicle to be washed. Whichever of the setting angles of And selects the set angle of.

According to this, when cleaning one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned with the brush, at least one of the car wash main body and the vehicle to be cleaned is moved relative to the other.
As a result, the brush comes into contact with one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned,
It is pushed by the vehicle to be washed and swings back or forth from the neutral position. At this time, the swing angle of the brush is detected by the detection means, and when the detected swing angle reaches the selected set angle, the relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped. .

Since the set angle is selected from a plurality of set angles according to the change in the shape of the one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, the pressing force of the brush is changed according to the selected set angle. (Adjustment) is possible. That is, by selecting a setting angle with a small value, the pressing force of the brush can be weakened, and by selecting a setting angle with a large value, erroneous detection can be prevented. Therefore, for example, with respect to the shape in the case where equipment is provided on one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, by selecting a small setting angle as described above, the brush should be equipped with the above-mentioned equipment. Even if it interferes with the product or the like, the pressing force of the brush is weak, so that it is possible to prevent the equipment or the like from being damaged. Further, for a shape in which no accessory or the like is provided, the possibility of occurrence of erroneous detection can be prevented by selecting a large set angle.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the shape of the one end face of the vehicle to be cleaned changes depending on the presence or absence of the equipment, and the setting angle is the first setting angle and the first setting angle smaller than the first setting angle. The setting angle of 2 is set, and the control means is
If the equipment is not provided, when the swing angle detected by the detection means reaches the first set angle, the relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped, and the equipment is Is provided, when the swing angle detected by the detection means reaches the second set angle, the relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped.

According to this, when the one end face of the vehicle to be cleaned is equipped with the accessory, the control means selects the second set angle, whereby the swinging angle of the brush is detected by the detecting means, When the detected swing angle reaches the second set angle, the relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped. In this case, even if the brush interferes with the equipment, the second set angle is smaller than the first set angle, and therefore the pressing force by the brush becomes weaker than in the case of the first set angle. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the equipment from being damaged.

When the one end face of the vehicle to be cleaned is not equipped with the accessory, the control means selects the first set angle, whereby the swinging angle of the brush is detected and detected by the detecting means. When the swing angle reaches the first set angle, the relative movement between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped. At this time, the pressing force by the brush is larger than that in the case of the second set angle, but since the equipment is not equipped, there is no fear that the brush interferes with the equipment. Further, since the first set angle is larger than the second set angle, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection by the detection means.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, as the detecting means, a first sensor for detecting the first set angle and a second sensor for detecting the second set angle are provided, and depending on the presence or absence of equipment. Then, either the first sensor or the second sensor is selected.

According to this, when the one end face of the vehicle to be cleaned is equipped with the accessory, the control means selects the second sensor, whereby the swing angle of the brush reaches the second set angle. When detected by the second sensor, the relative movement between the car wash main body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped. At this time, even if the brush interferes with the equipment, the second set angle is smaller than the first set angle, so the pressing force by the brush is weaker than that in the case of the first set angle. This can prevent damage to the equipment.

When the equipment to be cleaned is not equipped with one end face, the control means selects the first sensor,
As a result, when the swing angle of the brush reaches the first set angle and is detected by the first sensor, the relative movement between the car wash main body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped. At this time, the pressing force by the brush is larger than that in the case of the second set angle, but since the equipment is not equipped, there is no fear that the brush interferes with the equipment. Furthermore, since the first set angle is larger than the second set angle, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection by the first sensor.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, abnormality detecting means for detecting that the swing angle of the brush has reached an abnormal angle larger than the first set angle is provided, and the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormal angle. In this case, the control means emergency stops the relative movement between the car wash main body and the vehicle to be washed.

According to this, the brush comes into contact with one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, is pushed by the vehicle to be cleaned, and swings from the neutral position to either the front or rear. In this case, if the detection means malfunctions and falls into a state in which the swing angle of the brush cannot be detected, and the swing angle of the brush reaches an abnormal angle, the abnormality detection means detects this abnormal angle. The control means makes an emergency stop of the relative movement between the car wash main body and the vehicle to be washed. As a result, it is possible to prevent a problem that the swinging angle of the brush exceeds the allowable value and the pressing force of the brush is abnormally increased to damage the vehicle to be cleaned.

[0020]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG.
~ It demonstrates based on a figure. As shown in FIGS.
Is a main body of a car-washing machine, which is supported and guided by the floor rail 2 so as to be able to travel back and forth in the front-rear direction. The car wash main body 1 includes a traveling drive device 3 (a drive motor etc.) for driving the car wash main body 1 to travel, a sonic sensor 5 (vehicle height detection means) for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, A top brush 6 for cleaning the upper surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, a pair of left and right side brushes 7 for cleaning both side surfaces and front and rear end surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, and side brush drive means 8 for driving both side brushes 7, A pair of left and right rocker brushes 10 for cleaning lower portions of both side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the wheels 9;
A plurality of drying nozzles 13 for injecting drying air to the vehicle to be cleaned 4, an injecting device (not shown) for injecting washing water, detergent, etc., an operation panel 11, and a control device 12 (an example of control means). ) Etc. are provided.

The side brush 7 is composed of a brush shaft 17 which is rotatable around a vertical axis 16 and a brush body 18 which is planted on the outer peripheral portion of the brush shaft 17. Also,
The side brush drive means 8 is supported by a guide rail 19 and is guided by a pair of left and right movable bodies 20 which are movable in the left-right direction (the width direction of the car wash machine body 1) and the both side brushes 7.
A pair of left and right moving devices 21 for moving the two toward and away from each other,
It is configured by a rotary drive device 22 that rotationally drives both side brushes 7 around the vertical axis 16.

The guide rail 19 is formed long in the left-right direction, and is provided on the upper portion of the car wash machine body 1. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, support shafts 24 project from both ends of the guide rail 19 via flanges 23a and 23b, and both support shafts 24 are supported on the car wash machine body 1 side via bearings 25. By doing so, the guide rail 19 is rotatable about the horizontal axis 26 (horizontal axis). still,
As shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 4, and 5, the rotation of the guide rail 19 resists a pair of front and rear springs 27 mounted between the flanges 23 a and 23 b and the car wash machine body 1. Is done.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, both the movable bodies 2 are
At 0, a plurality of upper and lower rollers 29 that roll along the guide rail 19, a cylindrical bearing 30 that rotatably supports the brush shaft 17, and the rotation drive device 22 are provided. The rotary drive device 22 is composed of a motor 31, sprockets 32, 33 and a chain 34 for connecting the motor 31 and the brush shaft 17 together.
According to this, the brush shaft 17 is driven by the drive of the motor 31.
Rotates, and both side brushes 7 rotate around the vertical axis 16.

The moving device 21 is provided with an arm 35 which is provided on the side of the car wash machine body 1 and which can freely swing left and right, and the arm 35.
And a link device 37 that is connected between the free end portion of the arm 35 and the movable body 20 so as to be relatively swingable. Both movable bodies 20
Is a closing position S set at the left and right center of the car wash machine body 1 by a weight 39 connected via a wire 38.
Biased to move closer to. According to this, as shown by the solid line in FIG. 5, as the piston rods 36a of both cylinder devices 36 retreat, both movable bodies 20 move outward in the left and right directions, so that both side brushes 7 are separated from each other. Move to open the space between both side brushes 7,
As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 5, the movable body 20 moves inward in the left and right directions by the protrusion of the piston rod, so that the side brushes 7 move toward each other and the distance between the side brushes 7 increases. Closes.

The both side brushes 7 can swing back and forth by rotating the guide rail 19 around the horizontal axis 26. The spring 27 elastically maintains the neutrality of rotation of the guide rail 19.
It is an example of a biasing means for biasing both side brushes 7 to the front-rear neutral position N.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the car wash machine, the first swinging angle of both side brushes 7 is set in advance.
First sensor 42 for detecting that the set angle A of
(One example of detection means), a second sensor 43 (one example of detection means) that detects that the swing angle has reached a preset second set angle B, and the swing angle is preset. An abnormality detection sensor 47 (an example of abnormality detection means) that detects that the abnormal angle C has been reached is provided.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 (b), the first
The sensor 42 is composed of a magnetic detector 42a and a shield plate 42b. That is, the shielding plate 42b is a magnetic body, is attached to the one flange 23a, and swings back and forth by the rotation of the guide rail 19. The magnetic detector 42a is for detecting the magnetism of the shield plate 42b which is approaching, and is attached to one bracket 44 provided on the car wash machine body 1 side. Incidentally, FIG.
As indicated by the phantom line in (b), when the swing angle of the shield plate 42b reaches the first set angle A, the magnetic detector 42a does not detect the magnetism of the shield plate 42b, and the first When the set angle is less than A, the magnetic detector 42a is configured to detect the magnetism of the shield plate 42b. When both side brushes 7 are in the neutral position N, the swinging angle of the shielding plate 42b is 0 ° as shown by the solid line in FIG. 3 (b).

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 (a), the second sensor 43 is also composed of a magnetic detector 43a and a shield plate 43b. That is, the shielding plate 43
Reference numeral b denotes a magnetic body, which is attached to the other flange 23b and swings back and forth when the guide rail 19 rotates. The magnetic detector 43a is for detecting the magnetism of the shield plate 43b that is approaching, and is attached to the other bracket 45 provided on the car wash machine body 1 side. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 3A, when the swing angle of the shield plate 43b reaches the second set angle B, the magnetic detector 43a does not detect the magnetism of the shield plate 43b. When the angle is less than the second set angle B, the magnetic detector 43a is configured to detect the magnetism of the shield plate 43b.
Further, when both side brushes 7 are in the neutral position N, as shown in FIG.
As shown by the solid line in (a), the swing angle of the shielding plate 43b is 0.
It becomes °.

The second set angle B is the first set angle A.
Smaller than (for example, the first set angle A = 6 °, the second
Setting angle B = 4 °) of the second sensor 4
The front-back width of the shield plate 43b of No. 3 is formed narrower than the front-back width of the shield plate 42b of the first sensor 42.

Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3C, the abnormality detecting sensor 47 includes a limit switch 48 and a switching piece 4 for switching the limit switch 48 on and off.
9 and 9. The limit switch 48 is attached to the one bracket 44. Further, the switching piece 49 has a U having a pair of front and rear vertical plate portions 50 and 51.
It is formed in a shape, is attached to one end of the guide rail 19 via a bracket 52, and swings back and forth as the guide rail 19 rotates. The abnormal angle C is set to be larger than the first set angle A (for example, the abnormal angle C = 12 °).

Further, as shown in FIG. 8, the operation panel 11 is
Includes a plurality of car wash course setting keys 5 for selecting a desired car wash course from a plurality of car wash courses having different car wash contents.
5, a plurality of vehicle type setting keys 56 for selecting the vehicle type of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, a plurality of equipment setting keys 58 for selecting if the vehicle 4 to be washed has equipment such as a rear mirror 57, and a start key 59, A stop key 60 and the like are provided.

As shown in FIG. 9, the control device 12 is
Detection signals from the sensors 5, 42, 43, 47 and operation signals from the keys 55, 56, 58, 59, 60 are stored, and the traveling drive device 3 is based on these signals.
The motor 31, the cylinder device 36, the drive device (not shown) for the top brush 6, the drive device (not shown) for the rocker brush 10, and the like are controlled.

The operation of the above structure will be described below. (A) Vehicle to be cleaned 4 without rear mirror 57 mounted
First, the vehicle to be washed 4 is stopped at a predetermined stop position, the car wash course setting key 55 is operated to select a desired car wash course, and the vehicle type setting key 56 is operated to select the vehicle type of the vehicle to be washed 4. Is selected and the start key 59 is operated. At this time, since the rear mirror 57 is not equipped, the equipment setting key 58 corresponding to the rear mirror equipment is not operated, and the control device 12 is not operated.
Selects the first sensor 42 and performs the following control based on the detection signal from the first sensor 42.

Both side brushes 7 are moved toward each other to the closed position S and are rotated about the vertical axis 16 to cause the car wash machine body 1 to move forward. As a result, FIG.
As shown in (a), both side brushes 7 are used for cleaning the vehicle 4 to be cleaned.
The left and right center portions of the front surface of the vehicle are contacted from the front and are pushed by the vehicle to be cleaned 4 so that the side brushes 7 swing (tilt) in the forward direction from the neutral position N. At this time, the both side brushes 7
As the guide rail 19 swings in the forward direction, the horizontal axis 2
6, the shield plates 42b and 43b and the switching piece 49 swing together with the guide rail 19 to the front and rear. When the swing angle of both side brushes 7 reaches the first set angle A (for example, 6 °), the swing angle between each of the shielding plates 42b and 43b and the switching piece 49 is also set to the first set angle.
3B, the magnetic detector 42a of the first sensor 42 does not detect the magnetism of the shield plate 42b (it becomes non-detection), as indicated by the phantom line in FIG. 3B. Based on this, the control device 12 causes the both side brushes 7 to come into contact with the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 so that the swing angle is the first set angle A.
When it is determined that the (selected set angle) has been reached, the forward traveling of the car wash machine body 1 is stopped. At this time, the both side brushes 7 have the first set angle A as shown in FIG.
Since the vehicle is inclined and contacts the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, a constant pressing force acts on the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4.

After that, the car wash main body 1 is moved backward by a certain distance, and the side brushes 7 are returned to the neutral position N as shown in FIG. In the state of being in contact with the front surface of each side brush 7, the swing angle of both side brushes 7 becomes 0 °,
The swing angle between the switching pieces 49b and 43b and the switching piece 49 is also 0 °, so that as shown by the solid line in FIG.
The magnetic detector 42a detects the magnetism of the shield plate 42b.

Then, the both side brushes 7 are closed at the closed position S.
From the open position to the open limit position O, the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is cleaned by the side brushes 7, and then the car washer body 1 is moved forward.
Both side surfaces of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned are cleaned by the both side brushes 7.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 11, the car wash machine body 1 is moved forward, both side brushes 7 are passed straightly from both side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 to the rear of the vehicle to be cleaned, and then the vehicle is washed. Pause the machine body 1.

Next, the side brushes 7 are moved toward each other to the closed position S, and in this state, the car wash machine body 1 is moved backward. As a result, as shown in FIG. 12 (a), both side brushes 7 come into contact with the left and right center portions of the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 from behind and are pushed by the vehicle 4 to be cleaned so that both side brushes 7 are in the neutral position N. To swing backward (tilt). On this occasion,
As the side brushes 7 swing in the backward direction, the guide rail 19 rotates around the horizontal axis 26 to the other front and rear, and the shield plates 42b and 43b and the switching piece 49 are integrated with the guide rail 19. Swings back and forth on the other side. When the swing angle of the both side brushes 7 reaches the first set angle A (for example, 6 °), the swing angle between the shield plates 42b and 43b and the switching piece 49 is also set to the first set angle A. 3 to reach
As indicated by the phantom line in (b), the magnetic detector 42a of the first sensor 42 does not detect the magnetism of the shield plate 42b (it becomes non-detection). Based on this, the controller 12
Both side brushes 7 contact the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned, and it is determined that the swing angle has reached the first set angle A (selected set angle), and the backward running of the car wash machine body 1 is stopped. .
At this time, since both side brushes 7 contact the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned by inclining at the first set angle A as shown in FIG. A constant pressing force acts.

Thereafter, the car wash machine body 1 is moved forward by a certain distance, and the side brushes 7 are returned to the neutral position N as shown in FIG.
Is in contact with the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, the swing angle of both side brushes 7 becomes 0 °, and each shield plate 42
The swing angle between the switching pieces 49b and 43b and the switching piece 49 is also 0 °, so that as shown by the solid line in FIG.
The magnetic detector 42a detects the magnetism of the shield plate 42b.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, by moving the both side brushes 7 away from the closed position S to the open position O, the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned is cleaned by the both side brushes 7.

The top brush 6 is provided on the top surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned.
Washed by the lower parts of both side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the wheels 9
Are washed by the rocker brush 10. When the side brush 7 swings as shown in FIG. 12A, the shield plate 42b swings in the direction of the imaginary line in FIG. 3B, while the side brush 7 swings as shown in FIG. ), The shield plate 42b actually swings to the side (not shown) opposite to the imaginary line in FIG. 3B.

(B) When washing the vehicle 4 to be washed equipped with the rear mirror 57: First, stop the vehicle 4 to be washed at a predetermined stop position and operate the car wash course setting key 55 to set a desired car wash course. Then, the vehicle type setting key 56 is operated to select the vehicle type of the vehicle to be cleaned 4, the equipment setting key 58 is operated to select that the equipment is a rear mirror, and the start key 59 is operated. As a result, the control device 12 selects the first sensor 42 when cleaning the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the second sensor 43 when cleaning the rear surface, and selects the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43. The following control is performed based on the detection signals from the sensors 42 and 43.

That is, steps (1) to (5) are executed in the same manner as in the above (A). Then, when the car wash machine body 1 travels backward, as shown in FIG. 13A, both side brushes 7 come into contact with the left and right center portions of the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned from behind and are pushed by the vehicle 4 to be cleaned. Both side brushes 7 swing (tilt) in the backward direction from the neutral position N. At this time, as the side brushes 7 swing in the backward direction, the guide rail 19 rotates back and forth around the horizontal axis 26 and switches to the shield plates 42b and 43b integrally with the guide rail 19. The piece 49 swings back and forth to the other.
When the swing angle of the both side brushes 7 reaches the second set angle B (for example, 4 °), each of the shielding plates 42b and 4b.
The swing angle between 3b and the switching piece 49 is also the second set angle B described above.
To reach the second, as shown by the phantom line in FIG.
The magnetic detector 43a of the sensor 43 does not detect the magnetism of the shield plate 43b (it becomes non-detection). Based on this
The control device 12 determines that both side brushes 7 have come into contact with the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the swing angle has reached the second set angle B (selected set angle), and thus the car wash machine main body 1 Stop the reverse run. At this time, the both side brushes 7 are inclined at the second set angle B as shown in FIG. 13A and are in contact with the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned. Is smaller than the first set angle A, the pressing force acting on the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is weaker than the constant pressing pressure in the case of (A).

Therefore, even if the side brush 7 interferes with the rear mirror 57 if the rear portion of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is stopped with respect to the main body 1 of the car washing machine while deviating from the center to the left and right. Since the pressing force acting on the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is weaker than the constant pressing force in the case of (A) as described above, the rear mirror 57 is not damaged by the strong pressing force. It is possible to prevent such a trouble as to occur.

Thereafter, the car washer body 1 is moved forward by a certain distance, and the side brushes 7 are returned to the neutral position N as shown in FIG. In a state where the side brushes 7 are in contact with the rear surface, the swing angles of both side brushes 7 become 0 °, and the shielding plates 42
The swing angle between the switching pieces 49b and 43b and the switching piece 49 is also 0 °, so that as shown by the solid line in FIG.
The magnetic detector 43a of No. 3 detects the magnetism of the shield plate 43b.

Then, as shown in FIG. 11, by moving the side brushes 7 away from the closed position S to the open position O, the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned is cleaned by the side brushes 7. At this time, the both side brushes 7 are moved to the neutral position N by the urging force (extension force) of the spring 27.
However, by using the spring 27 having a weak extension force, it is easy to swing back and forth. Therefore, even if the side brush 7 moving away from the closed limit position S to the open limit position O comes into contact with the rear mirror 57, the side brush 7 slightly swings back and forth due to the expansion and contraction of the spring 27, so that the rear mirror 57 is moved. After getting over, the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is cleaned.

The top surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is the top brush 6
Washed by the lower parts of both side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the wheels 9
Are washed by the rocker brush 10. (C) Also, in the unlikely event that the first sensor 4 in (A) above
If 2 fails, or if the second sensor 43 fails in (B) above, even if the swing angles of both side brushes 7 reach the first or second set angles A and B in the above. , The first or second sensor 42, 43 does not operate,
As a result, the backward traveling of the car wash machine body 1 is continued, and finally the swing angles of both side brushes 7 exceed the first set angle A. In such a case, the swing angle of the both side brushes 7 exceeds the first set angle A and the abnormal angle C
When reaching up to the above, the shield plates 42b and 43b and the switching piece 4
Since the swing angle with 9 also reaches the above-mentioned abnormal angle C,
As shown by the phantom line in (c), the limit switch 48 is switched on and off by the switching piece 49. Based on this, the control device 12 determines that both side brushes 7 have come into contact with the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and the swing angle has reached the abnormal angle C, and the traveling of the car wash machine body 1 is stopped in an emergency. .
As a result, in the unlikely event that the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 4
Even if 3 fails, the swing angle of both side brushes 7 does not exceed the abnormal angle C. Therefore,
The swing angle of both side brushes 7 exceeds an allowable value (abnormal angle C), and the pressing force by both side brushes 7 is abnormally increased to prevent damage to the side brushes 7 and the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned. be able to.

Both side brushes 7 in the above (A)
The pushing pressure (constant pushing pressure) is larger than the pushing pressure in the above (B), but in the case of the above (A), since the rear mirror 57 is not equipped, the side brush 7 may not interfere with the rear mirror 57. Absent. Further, in the case of (A) above, when the swing angle of both side brushes 7 is detected, the first set angle A, which is larger than the second set angle B, is used as a reference, so the first sensor 42 is used. It is possible to prevent the possibility of false detection due to.

Further, in the above (B), the case where the rear mirror 57 and other accessories are mounted on the rear surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned is shown. However, on the left and right sides of the front surface of the vehicle 4 to be cleaned, there are fender poles and side under mirrors. If equipped with equipment,
The equipment setting key 58 is operated to select that the equipment is a fender pole or a side under mirror. As a result, when the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is cleaned with the both side brushes 7, when the swing angle of the both side brushes 7 reaches the second set angle B (for example, 4 °), the magnetic force of the second sensor 43 is reduced. The detector 43a no longer detects the magnetism of the shielding plate 43b (it becomes non-detection), and based on this, the control device 12
Both side brushes 7 contact the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 4 and it is determined that the swing angle has reached the second set angle B, and the forward traveling of the car wash machine body 1 is stopped.

In the above embodiment, either the first sensor 42 or the second sensor 43 is selected and used according to the presence or absence of the equipment such as the rear mirror 57, the fender pole or the side under mirror. However, one of the first sensor 42 and the second sensor 43 may be selected and used based on conditions other than the presence / absence of equipment, for example, the shape of the front and rear end surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 4.

In the above embodiment, as shown in FIG.
The car wash machine body 1 is run on the vehicle to be cleaned 4 stopped at a predetermined stop position to wash the car.
May be installed and fixed, and the car wash may be performed while the vehicle to be cleaned 4 is transported to the car wash machine body 1 by the transport means. In addition, a car wash machine body 1 that can travel freely and a transport means for transporting the vehicle to be cleaned 4 to the car wash machine body 1 are provided, and the traveling direction of the car wash machine body 1 and the vehicle to be washed 4 by the transport means. A car wash may be performed with the transport directions opposite to each other. Further, the car wash main body 1 is separated into a front main body and a rear main body which can be individually driven, each brush 6, 7, 10 is provided in the front main body, and a plurality of drying nozzles 13 are provided in the rear main body. It may be a car wash machine.

In the above embodiment, the magnetic detection type sensors are used as the first and second sensors 42 and 43.
The type is not limited to the magnetic detection type, and a proximity switch of another type, a photoelectric switch, or a limit switch may be used. Further, although the limit switch 48 is used as the abnormality detecting means, it is not limited to the limit switch 48, and a photoelectric switch, a magnetic detection type sensor, or another proximity switch may be used. Further, the swing angle of both side brushes 7 may be detected using one encoder.

In the above embodiment, two types of setting angles, the first setting angle A and the second setting angle B, are set in advance, but three or more types may be set. In the above-described embodiment, when the vehicle 4 to be cleaned is equipped with the rear mirror 57, the equipment setting key 58 corresponding to the rear mirror is manually pressed to select the rear mirror 57. The presence or absence of the rear mirror 57 may be automatically detected without using the item setting key 58. That is,
As another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14 and FIG.
Photoelectric switches 65 (an example of equipment detection means) for detecting the rear mirror 57 are provided at a plurality of upper and lower locations in the car wash machine body 1. Each of the photoelectric switches 65 has a plurality of upper and lower light projectors 66 disposed on the left and right and a light receiver 6 on the other side.
7 and the projector 6 which is opposed to each other in the left-right direction.
An optical axis 68 is formed between 6 and the light receiver 67.

According to this, immediately after the car wash main body 1 travels forward and the vehicle to be cleaned 4 passes between the light projector 66 and the light receiver 67, the rear mirror 57 also has the light projector 66 and the light receiver 67.
Pass between and. At this time, at least one optical axis 68
Is blocked by the rear mirror 57. Based on this, the control device 12 determines that the rear mirror 57 is equipped, and executes the above-mentioned (B) car wash.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the set angle is selected from a plurality of set angles in accordance with the change in the shape of the one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, and therefore the set angle is selected according to the selected set angle. Thus, it is possible to change (adjust) the pressing force applied by the brush. That is, by selecting a setting angle with a small value, the pressing force of the brush can be weakened, and by selecting a setting angle with a large value, erroneous detection can be prevented. Therefore, for example, with respect to the shape in the case where equipment is provided on one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, by selecting a small setting angle as described above, the brush should be equipped with the above-mentioned equipment. Even if it interferes with the product or the like, the pressing force of the brush is weak, so that it is possible to prevent the equipment or the like from being damaged. Also,
For a shape in which no equipment or the like is provided, it is possible to prevent the possibility of erroneous detection by selecting a large set angle.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view of one end of a guide rail of a car washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view of the other end of the guide rail of the car washing machine.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a detection means and an abnormality detection means of the car wash machine, wherein (a) shows a second sensor, (b) shows a first sensor, and (c) shows an abnormality detection sensor. Show.

FIG. 4 is a view of a spring for urging the guide rail of the car wash machine to the neutral position.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a side brush and side brush driving means of the car washing machine.

FIG. 6 is a view on arrow XX in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the car washing machine.

FIG. 8 is a view of the operation panel of the car wash machine.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of the car washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a schematic side view showing a cleaning procedure using a side brush of the car washing machine, FIG. 10A shows a state in which the side brush is pushed and swung by the front surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, and FIG.
Shows a state in which the side brush returns to the neutral position to wash the front surface of the vehicle to be washed.

FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view showing a cleaning procedure using a side brush of the car wash machine, showing the cleaning of the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned.

FIG. 12 is a schematic side view showing a cleaning procedure using a side brush of the car washing machine, wherein (a) shows a state where the side brush is pushed by the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned without a rear mirror and is inclined. In b), the side brush returns to the neutral position to wash the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed.

FIG. 13 is a schematic side view showing a cleaning procedure using a side brush of the car washing machine, wherein (a) shows a state where the side brush is pushed by the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned having the rear mirror and is inclined, In b), the side brush returns to the neutral position to wash the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed.

FIG. 14 is a schematic front view of a car wash machine according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a side view showing detection of a rear mirror by the car washing machine.

FIG. 16 is a schematic plan view showing a cleaning procedure with a side brush of a conventional car wash machine, showing cleaning of a rear surface of a vehicle to be cleaned.

FIG. 17 is a schematic side view showing a cleaning procedure using a side brush of the car washing machine, wherein (a) shows a state where the side brush is pushed by the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned having the rear mirror and is inclined, In b), the side brush returns to the neutral position to wash the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed.

[Explanation of symbols] 1 car wash machine body 4 Vehicle to be washed 7 side brush 12 Control device (control means) 42 first sensor (detection means) 43 Second sensor (detection means) 47 Abnormality detection sensor (abnormality detection means) 57 Rear mirror (equipment) A first setting angle B second setting angle C abnormal angle N neutral position

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A car wash machine for washing a car while at least one of a car wash machine body and a vehicle to be washed moves relative to the other, wherein the car wash machine body has at least a front and rear side of the vehicle to be washed. A brush for cleaning one end face is provided so as to be swingable back and forth, and when the brush abuts on one end face of the vehicle to be washed and swings from the front-rear neutral position to either one of the front and rear, the swing angle of the brush is changed. Detection means for detecting is provided, and when the swing angle detected by the detection means reaches any one of a plurality of preset setting angles, the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed are relatively moved. A control means for stopping the automatic movement is provided, and the control means selects any one of the plurality of setting angles in accordance with a change in the shape of the one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned. And a car wash machine. 2. The shape of the one end surface of the vehicle to be cleaned changes depending on the presence or absence of equipment, and the set angle is a first set angle and a second set angle smaller than the first set angle. When the swing angle detected by the detection means reaches the first set angle and the equipment is not provided with the equipment, the control means sets the relative position between the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be washed. If the desired movement is stopped and the equipment is provided, the swing angle detected by the detection means is the second
2. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the relative movement between the car wash main body and the vehicle to be washed is stopped when the set angle is reached. 3. A first sensor for detecting a first set angle and a second sensor for detecting a second set angle are provided as detecting means, and the first sensor is provided according to the presence or absence of equipment. 1
3. The car wash machine according to claim 2, wherein one of the sensor and the second sensor is selected. 4. An abnormality detecting means for detecting that the swing angle of the brush has reached an abnormal angle larger than the first set angle, and when the abnormality detecting means detects the abnormal angle, the control means. The car wash machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the relative movement of the car wash machine body and the vehicle to be cleaned is stopped.