JP2003200118A - Wheel washing machine and method of washing wheel - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wheel washing machine with washing performance improved. <P>SOLUTION: The wheel washing machine is provided with an endless belt 3 where the wheel of a vehicle can be loaded on the upper surface, the upper surface can be rotatably driven so as to allow the upper surface to be moved in both the forward and backward directions, and at least an outer surface is formed of an absorbent material. There is provided a washing unit 2 which surrounds the wheel of the vehicle loaded on the endless belt 3 from the forward direction or the backward direction and jets a steam to this wheel. The wheel is surrounded by the washing unit 2 from the forward direction or the backward direction, with the wheel of the vehicle positioned on the endless belt 3, and the wheel can be washed by rotating the endless belt 3 and by jetting the steam to the wheel from the washing unit 2 under this condition. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wheel washer for removing dirt from the wheels of a vehicle such as a wheelchair, a trolley, and a car.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Wheelchairs used in hospitals and facilities are desired to be clean. Therefore, a wheel washing machine is being studied in order to remove dust adhering to the wheel of the wheelchair and dirt of the wheel. As a wheelchair wheel washing machine, a dry type washing machine in which the wheel of the wheelchair is slidably contacted with a wheel cleaning roller (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-208879) is washed, and a part of the wheel is immersed in water for washing. Wet washer (eg,
JP-A-9-108266, etc.) is known.

Further, not only wheelchairs but also wheelchairs such as catering trolleys and various bogies are used for use in places where it is required to maintain a clean state such as a catering room and a clean room. Removal by using a washing machine is also being considered.

[0004]

The above-mentioned wheel washer removes not only the dirt adhering to the ground contact surface of the wheel but also the dirt adhering to the side surface of the wheel for the purpose of hygiene in hospitals and facilities. In order to improve work efficiency, it is desired to reduce the time required to wash the wheels.

However, in the case of a dry type washing machine, the grounding surface of the wheel is mainly washed, and it has not reached a sufficiently satisfactory level with respect to the dirt on the side surface of the wheel 9. However, it is inevitable that they will be scattered around when removing. Further, in the case of a wet type washing machine, washing is mainly performed with water, which requires a considerable amount of time for washing. Further, in vehicles such as wheelchairs, the width of the wheels and the distance between the rear wheels and the front wheels (auxiliary wheels) may not be uniform in a certain length, and are different for each type of vehicle. Therefore, there is a demand for a washing machine that can wash four wheels according to the distance between the wheels of each vehicle.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a wheel washer having improved cleaning ability.

[0007]

In the wheel washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 can be placed on the upper surface, and the wheels can be rotationally driven so that the upper surface moves in the front-rear direction. Yes, and at least the outer surface of the endless belt 3 formed of a water-absorbent material, and the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 placed on the endless belt 3 are surrounded from the front or the rear, and steam is sprayed toward the wheels 9. The cleaning unit 2 is provided.

The invention of claim 2 is based on claim 1, and comprises a washing machine main body 1 provided with the endless belt 3 and a control section 69 provided with a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the washing unit 2. The washing machine main body 1 and the control unit 69 having a steam generator are separably formed.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the cleaning unit 2 is mounted on the vehicle 1 from a predetermined standby position.
It is characterized by comprising a moving means for moving the 08 wheel 9 to a position surrounding it.

Further, the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that, in claim 3, as a moving means, a drive unit for moving the cleaning unit 2 in the front-rear direction and in the left-right direction is provided.

Further, the invention of claim 5 is characterized in that in claim 3 or 4, it comprises a detection means for detecting whether or not the cleaning unit 2 is at a predetermined position with respect to the wheels 9. It is a thing.

Further, the invention of claim 6 according to claim 5 is characterized in that the detecting means comprises a pressure sensor for detecting whether or not predetermined positions of the cleaning unit 2 and the wheel 9 are in contact with each other. It is a feature.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the driving means includes the motors 41 and 45 as a drive source, and the detecting means includes a torque sensor that detects the torque of the rotating shafts of the motors 41 and 45. It is characterized by being formed.

The invention according to claim 8 is the cleaning unit 2 according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the brush 4 is in sliding contact with the surface of the wheel 9 when the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9. Is provided.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the cleaning unit 2 is provided with a brush 4 which comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 when the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9. It is characterized by that.

The invention of claim 10 is the invention of claim 8 or 9.
In the above, the cleaning unit 2 is provided with a brush 4 which comes into sliding contact with the side surface of the wheel 9 when the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9.

The eleventh aspect of the present invention is the washing unit 2 according to the eighth aspect, wherein the brush 4 is provided as a brush 4 that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel 9 when the washing unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9. It is characterized in that the tip is arranged in a substantially U shape.

The twelfth aspect of the present invention provides the eighth aspect.
In any one of 1, the cleaning unit 2 is configured by implanting bristles on the outer circumference of the roller as a brush 4 that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel 9 when the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9. It is characterized in that it is provided with a rotating brush that rotates axially while being in sliding contact with the wheels 9.

The invention of claim 13 is the same as claims 8 to 1.
2 is a brush 4 that slides on the surface of the wheel 9 when the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheel 9.
Is formed so as to be detachable from the cleaning unit 2.

Further, the invention of claim 14 relates to claims 1 to 1.
3 is characterized in that the endless belt 3 has a structure of sinking along the shape of the wheel 9 with the wheel 9 placed on the upper surface thereof.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, in the fourteenth aspect, a plurality of parallel supporting rollers 51 for supporting the endless belt 3 are provided, and a roller group 81 including at least a part of the supporting rollers 51, It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be vertically movable along the shape of the wheel 9 placed on the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 16 is the same as claims 1 to 1.
5 is characterized in that the outer surface of the endless belt 3 is bristled with a water-absorbent material, and the bristles are inclined on the upper surface of the endless belt 3 in one of the front and rear directions. It is a thing.

Further, the invention of claim 17 relates to claims 1 to 1.
6 is characterized in that the brush 83 is partially formed on the outer surface of the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 18 relates to claims 1 to 1.
7 is a state in which a plurality of parallel support rollers 51 supporting the endless belt 3 are arranged substantially horizontally,
It is characterized in that it is formed so as to be rotatable between a state in which one end side jumps up.

The invention of claim 19 relates to claims 1 to 1.
8 is characterized in that the support roller 51 (51a, 51b) for supporting the end portion of the endless belt 3 in the front-rear direction is formed so as to be movable in the direction of relaxing the tension applied to the endless belt 3. It is a thing.

The invention of claim 20 is the same as claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 9 above, the receiving tray 100 is provided below the endless belt 3.

Further, the invention of claim 21 is the invention of claims 1 and 2.
0, the brush 101 is slidably in contact with the endless belt 3 on the outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 22 is based on claim 1 or 2.
1 is characterized in that it comprises a scraper 102 that is in sliding contact with the endless belt on the outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 23 is based on claim 1 or 2.
2 is characterized in that it is provided with a sandwiching roller 103 that sandwiches the endless belt 3 from the outer surface side and the inner surface side at a position other than the upper surface of the endless belt 3.

Further, the invention of claim 24 is based on claim 1 or 2.
3 is characterized in that it is provided with an air ejector for ejecting air to the outer surface of the endless belt 3 at a position other than the upper surface of the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 25 is based on claim 1 or 2.
4 is characterized by including a cover 105 that covers the upper surface of the endless belt 3.

The invention of claim 26 is based on claim 1 or 2.
5 is installed between the washer body 1 provided with the endless belt 3 and the washer body 1 and the floor surface, and is vertically moved between the position of the upper surface of the washer body 1 and the position of the floor surface. It is characterized by comprising a lifter 113 which is driven up and down.

The invention of claim 27 is based on claim 1 or 2.
5 is a cleaning machine body 1 provided with an endless belt 3 and a lifter 11 for vertically driving the cleaning machine body 1.
3 is included.

The invention of claim 28 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 7 above, a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter at a position other than the mounting position of the wheel 9 at the time of cleaning the wheel on the main body 1 of the washing machine provided with the endless belt 3 is provided. To do.

Further, the invention of claim 29 is based on claim 1 or 2.
Any one of 8 is characterized by being formed to be foldable.

The invention of claim 30 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 9 above, the cleaning unit 2 is provided with a jet port 6 that jets steam from both sides of the wheel 9 in a state in which the wheel 9 is surrounded, in a direction inclined toward the wheel side. It is a thing.

The invention of claim 31 is based on claims 1 to 3.
In any of 0, it is characterized in that it is provided with wheels for movement at the bottom.

In the wheel cleaning method according to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 are placed on the upper surface of the endless belt 3 at least the outer surface of which is made of a water-absorbent material, and the wheel is washed by the cleaning unit 2. By enclosing 9 from the front or the rear to prevent movement of the vehicle 108 and spurting steam from the cleaning unit 2 toward the wheels 9, the endless belt 3 is rotated at a predetermined steady speed, whereby It is characterized by performing washing.

According to a thirty-third aspect of the wheel cleaning method of the present invention, the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 are placed on the upper surface of the endless belt 3 at least the outer surface of which is made of a water absorbing material, and the endless belt 3 is moved at a low speed. After the rotation, the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheels 9 from the front or the rear to prevent the vehicle 108 from moving, and the steam is ejected from the cleaning unit 2 toward the wheels 9, while the endless belt 3 is moved to a predetermined position. The wheel 9 is washed by rotating the wheel 9 at a constant speed.

[0040]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The embodiment described below exemplifies a wheel cleaning machine for cleaning the wheels 9 of a four-wheeled vehicle 108 having two front and rear wheels 9. Further, in the present specification, the vehicle 10 when the vehicle 108 is introduced into the wheel washer.
The traveling direction of 8 is the front direction, the opposite direction is the rear direction, and the left and right sides of the wheelchair 108a introduced into this wheel washing machine are the left and right directions.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the wheel washing machine has a washing table (the washing machine main body 1) on which the vehicle 108 is mounted on the upper surface, and front and rear sides of the washing machine main body 1, respectively. The slope portion 11 is provided, the upper surface of which is inclined upward toward the washing machine body 1.

In the main body 1 of the washing machine, unit driving parts 63 are arranged at the front end and the rear end, respectively, and between each unit driving part 63, a conveyor part 64 and a conveyor driving part 6 are provided.
And 5 are provided (see FIG. 3). The conveyor units 64 are provided on the left and right sides, respectively, and a conveyor drive unit 65 is disposed between the conveyor units 64.

The washing machine main body 1 is formed with front and rear passages 13 through which the left and right wheels 9 (not shown in FIG. 1) of the vehicle 108 pass, on the left and right sides, respectively. A rotatable endless belt 3 is juxtaposed in the central portion of the. The endless belt 3 is arranged on each conveyor section 64, and the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 introduced into the washing machine body 1 are
The endless belt 3 is supported.

Here, each conveyor section 64 is provided with a belt support 67 formed by suspending a plurality of support rollers 51 between a pair of parallel and parallel support frames 66 that are long in the front-rear direction. 3 is attached to this belt support 67. At this time, the endless belt 3 is arranged in the front-rear direction on the upper surface side and the lower surface side, and the upper surface side constitutes the central portion of the passage 13 excluding the front end portion and the rear end portion, and is folded back at both ends in the front-rear direction. Are arranged in a loop. The endless belt 3 can be rotationally driven or stopped by driving at least one support roller 51 by a driving device such as a motor 68 arranged in the conveyor driving unit 65.

The washing machine main body 1 is provided with a standby box 12 and a central cover 26 between the left and right passages 13 so as to separate the passages 13. The standby boxes 12 are provided on the front and rear sides, respectively, and a central cover 26 is provided between the two standby boxes 12.
The standby box 12 accommodates the cleaning unit 2 in a standby state as described later. At this time, each waiting box 1
2 is provided so as to cover a region extending from the central portion of the unit driving portion 63 in the left-right direction to the end portion on one side of the conveyor driving portion 65. The central cover 26 is provided on each standby box 12 on the conveyor driving portion 65. It is provided so as to cover the sandwiched portion. The center cover 26 may be formed in a concave shape so that the upper surface thereof is located below the upper surface of the standby box 12 as shown in the figure. Alternatively, they may be formed in a flat plate shape.

Further, in the wheel washing machine, the passage covers 22 are provided at the front end and the rear end of the passage 13 before and after the endless belt 3 of the washing machine main body 1. In each passage 13, the passage cover 22 is provided. The upper surface and the upper surface of the endless belt 13 are formed substantially flush with each other. The passage cover 22 is provided so as to cover the left and right sides of the portion of the unit drive portion 63 covered by the standby box 12. This passage cover 22
A drive device (drive unit) including various belts, various motors, and the like used for driving the cleaning unit 2 is accommodated in the lower side or in the unit drive unit 63 of the cleaning machine body 1.

The wheel washer has a control unit 69 on one side (on the right side in the drawing) of the washer body 1.
The control unit 69 hooks the first storage box (control unit 14) that stores electrical components and the like, the second box (steam generation unit 15) that stores the steam generator, and the hand switch 16 when not in use. The holding frame body 17 is provided.

The control unit 14 is provided directly connected to one side of the main body 1 of the washing machine, and the upper surface of the control unit 14 projects above the upper surface of the passage 13. The control unit 14 accommodates various electric parts such as a timer and a relay for controlling the drive of the wheel washer, has a main power switch 70 on the outer surface, and has an external power supply via an electric wiring 19. Connected with. The hand switch 16 is connected to the control unit 14 via an electric wiring 18, and includes a start button and a stop button for performing a driving operation of the wheel washing machine, and the vehicle switch 10
An operator or the like (a person on the wheelchair 108a or a caregiver thereof) who performs wheel washing of No. 8 can operate at hand.

The steam generating unit 15 is arranged on the upper surface of the control unit 14 and has a built-in steam generator, and the steam generator supplies the generated steam to the cleaning unit 2 described later. The steam generating unit 15 is provided with an indicator 20 on its upper surface, which warns that the amount of water in the steam generator is insufficient and indicates whether the steam temperature has reached an appropriate temperature. Reference numeral 21 is a lid of a water inlet for supplying water to the steam generator.

On the other side of the washing machine main body 1 opposite to the control section 69 side, an outer frame 23 for covering the side surface of the washing machine main body 1 is provided.
Is provided. The outer frame 23 is formed so as to project above the passage 13, and a U-shaped guide frame 71 is provided above the outer frame 23 with both ends connected to the upper surface of the outer frame 23.

Then, the above-mentioned wheel washer has the endless belt 3
For each wheel 9 of the vehicle 108 supported above, the cleaning unit 2 that can surround the lower part of the wheel 9 is provided. In the illustrated example, four cleaning units 2 are provided because they are formed for cleaning the wheels of the four-wheel vehicle 108. When cleaning the wheels 9, these cleaning units 2 include front wheels 9b from the front side of the vehicle and rear wheels 9a from the rear side of the vehicle 108 to the wheels 9.
Enclose the lower part of the so that it is sandwiched. Cleaning unit 2
As shown in FIG. 4, the outer piece 31 is arranged at the lower portion of the wheel 9 (not shown in FIG. 4) and is arranged on the outer side of the outer surface of the wheel 9, and the outer piece 31 is formed on the inner side surface of the wheel 9. An inner piece 33 arranged to face the piece 31 and a connecting piece 32 that connects the base ends of the outer piece 31 and the inner piece 33 are provided and are formed in a substantially U shape in a plan view. The cleaning unit 2 includes an outer piece 31 and a connecting piece 3.
A space 34 surrounded by 2 and the inner piece 33 is formed, and the lower portion of the wheel 9 is inserted into this space 34.

In the space 34, the inner piece 33 and the outer piece 3 are provided.
A roller 7 is installed between the rollers 1. The roller 7 is provided in the space 34 on the side of the connecting piece 32 and is provided so as to be freely rotatable around a horizontal axis in the left-right direction. When the lower portion of the wheel 9 is inserted in the space 34, the roller 7 is provided. Wheel 9
When the wheel 9 rotates in this state, the outer peripheral surface of the wheel abuts on the outer surface of the wheel and rotates accordingly.

Further, the cleaning unit 2 has a connection cover body 35. The connection cover body 35 is formed by the inner piece 33.
Is formed from the side opposite to the space 34 to the tip. At this time, the connection cover body 35 is formed to be longer in the front-back direction than the inner piece 33, and a notch-shaped recess is formed on one side surface side of the base end side, and the inner piece 33 is formed on the inner surface of the recess.
Is formed so that the outer surface and the tip surface of the
As a result, the connecting cover body 35 is separated from the inner piece 33 by the space 3
The inner surface of the inner piece 33 is attached to the surface opposite to the inner surface of the inner piece 33 along the distal end of the inner cover 33. Has been formed. A screw shaft 36 is connected to the base end portion of the connection cover body 35. The screw shaft 36 is formed to be long in the front-rear direction, and one end of the screw shaft 36 is screwed into and connected to a screw hole 72 formed at the base end of the connection cover body 35. Further, in the connection cover body 35, the contact piece 5 is provided on the inner side surface of the inner piece 33 closer to the tip side than the tip, so that the contact piece 5 projects inward. A plurality of balls 73 are loosely fitted so that some of them are exposed on the surface. This ball 73
When the contact piece 5 and the side surface of the wheel 9 contact each other, the wheel 9
It is designed to rotate freely according to the rotation of.

The steam pipe 8 is connected to the tip of the connecting cover body 35. The steam pipe 8 is formed so that the steam generated by the steam generator in the steam generating unit 15 flows, has flexibility, and can cope with the movement of the cleaning unit 2.

In the cleaning unit 2, the hair tips have a space 34.
The brush 4 is attached so as to project toward the side.
In FIG. 4, as the brushes 4, there are provided a brush 4a attached to the outer piece 31 side and a brush 4b attached to the inner piece 33 side, and the brushes 4a and 4b are provided.
Is attached by inserting its base end into a lateral groove (not shown) located above the inner side surfaces of the outer piece 31 and the inner piece 33 and opening to the space 34 side. The brushes 4a and 4b are formed so that the bristle length becomes longer toward the connecting piece 32 side, and the bristle tips are arranged in a substantially U shape along the shape of the outer surface of the wheel 9. The pair of brushes 4a and 4b are in sliding contact with the side surfaces of the wheel 9 inserted into the space 34 from both sides. Further, in the cleaning unit 2, a recess 74 is formed in a part of the upper surface of the connecting cover body 35 on the tip side of the recess so as to contact the tip of the inner piece 33, and the brush 4 is formed in the lateral groove of the inner piece 33.
It is easy to attach a.

If the tips of the brushes 4 are arranged in a substantially U shape along the shape of the outer surface of the wheel 9 as described above, the brush 4 moves from one side surface of the wheel 9 to the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) when cleaning the wheel 9. It is possible to remove the dirt on this part by slidingly contacting it so as to surround the other side. That is, the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) of the wheel 9 that contacts the floor or the ground and is particularly dirty
In addition to the above-mentioned dirt, the dirt attached to the side surface of the wheel 9 to which dirt easily adheres can be scraped off to improve the cleaning efficiency of the wheel 9.

In the structure shown in FIG. 5, the brush 4 includes a brush 4a attached to the outer piece 31 side and an inner piece 33.
The brush 4b attached to the side and the brush 4c attached to the side of the connecting piece 32 are attached, and each brush 4a, 4b, 4c includes an outer piece 31, an inner piece 33, and a connecting piece 3
The base end is inserted into a lateral groove (not shown) located on the inner side surface of each space 34 side of No. 2 and open to the space 34 side for attachment. Each of the brushes 4a, 4b, 4c has a space 3
One side surface, the other side surface, and the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 inserted into the wheel 4 are in sliding contact with each other. In this case, the brush 4c slidingly contacting the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 removes dirt on the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9, and the brushes 4a and 4b slidingly contacting both side surfaces of the wheel 9 remove dirt on both side surfaces of the wheel 9, respectively. Is something that can be done. That is, the brush 4c scrapes off the dirt on the outer peripheral surface (grounding surface) of the wheel 9 which comes into contact with the floor surface or the ground and is particularly dirty, and the dirt on the side surface of the wheel 9 which tends to be dirty is brushed. Four
It is possible to improve the cleaning efficiency of the wheel 9 by scraping it with a and 4b.

FIG. 6 shows a specific example of the structure in which the brush 4 is detachably formed. In the illustrated example, a lateral groove (fitting groove 7) is formed in the outer piece 31, the inner piece 33, or the connecting piece 32 of the cleaning unit 2 and opens upward and inward of the space 34.
5) is provided. On the other hand, the brush 4 is formed by laterally projecting a plurality of bristles from the side surface of the base body 76 having a shape matching the fitting groove 75. Then, the base body 76 is fitted into the fitting groove 75 so that the brush 4 projects toward the space 34, and the fixing plate 77 is arranged so as to cover the upper surface of the base body 76 with a fastener 78 such as a screw. By fixing the fixing plate 77, the base 7
By fixing 6 to the outer piece 31, the inner piece 33, or the connecting piece 32, the brush 4 is attached to the cleaning unit 2.
At this time, the base plate 76 on which the brush 4 is provided is prevented from being detached upward by the fixing plate 77, and is also provided at the bottom of the fitting groove 75 and protruding upward provided at the edge of the space 34 side. The base 76 is locked by the stop rib 79, and the base 7
The detachment of 6 to the space 34 side is suppressed.

When the brush 4 is replaced, the fixing member 78 is removed from the fixing plate 77 and the outer piece 31, the inner piece 33 or the connecting piece 32, and the fixing plate 77 and the base body 76 are detached.
The new base body 76 provided with the brush 4 is attached to the outer piece 31, the inner piece 33 or the connecting piece 32 in the same manner as in the above case.

Further, as the brush 4, a rotary brush 4d in which bristles are planted on the outer surface of a roller which is rotationally driven can be provided. In the example shown in FIG. 7, in the space 34, the inner piece 3
A rotating brush 4d is installed between the outer ring 3 and the outer piece 31.
The rotating brush 4d is provided in the space 34 on the side of the connecting piece 32, and is provided so as to be freely rotatable around a horizontal axis in the left-right direction, and when the lower portion of the wheel 9 is inserted into the space 34, the rotating brush 4d is provided. The outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 is in sliding contact with 4d. In addition to the rotating brush 4d, brushes 4 (4a, 4b) protruding toward the inside of the space 34 are attached to the inner piece 33 and the outer piece 31. When the wheel 9 rotates in this state, the rotating brush 4
d is formed so as to be rotationally driven in the opposite direction to that, and in this case, the dirt removal force of the brush 4 can be improved.

Further, the cleaning unit 2 has a connecting piece 32.
The jet port 6 for injecting steam into the space 34 is provided on the lower side. The jet port 6 is capable of jetting steam toward the wheels 9 while the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheels 9. The steam used is generated by the steam generator and is supplied into the cleaning unit 2 through the steam pipe 8 extending from the gap between the central cover 26 of the cleaning machine body 1 and the passage 13. The steam is jetted from the jet port 6 through a pipe (not shown) inside the connection cover body 35 and inside the connection piece 32. Since steam is jetted at 90 ° C. or higher and hits the surface of the wheel 9 at a temperature of about 70 to 80 ° C., it has the effect of cleaning the wheel 9 and simultaneously sterilizing the wheel 9.

In the example shown in FIG. 5, one spout 6 is provided in each cleaning unit 2, is formed in the middle of the connecting piece 32 in the left-right direction, and the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheels 9. The steam injected from the ejection port 6 is provided so as to be injected toward the outer surface of the wheel 9.

Further, in the example shown in FIG. 8, two jet nozzles 6 are provided in each cleaning unit 2, and the jet nozzles 6 are provided side by side below the connecting piece 32 so that each jet is made. Mouth 6
Is formed so as to be inclined and opened inward,
The cleaning unit 2 is provided so that the steam ejected from the ejection port 6 while the cleaning unit 2 surrounds the wheels 9 is sprayed over one side surface, the outer peripheral surface, and the other side surface of the wheels 9.

The wheel washing machine improves the washing ability by adopting steam for washing. Since this wheel washer uses steam, it is possible to easily remove dirt and dust that is difficult to remove with hot water.

The moving mechanism (driving section) of the cleaning unit 2 will be described. The wheel washer includes a left and right motor 41 as shown in FIG. 9 inside the unit drive section 63 of the washer body 1.
And tension pulleys 42 are provided at intervals in the left-right direction, and when the left-right motor 41 is operated, the first belt 43 suspended between the left-right motor 41 and the tension pulley 42 is rotated. The plate plate 44 connected to the first belt 43 is mounted on a slide rail 46 in the left-right direction so as to be slidable in the left-right direction along the slide rail 46.
4, a front / rear motor 45 is installed on it.
The front-rear motor 45 is connected to a tension pulley 47 provided at the base end of the screw shaft 36 via a second belt 46. Also, the plate plate 44
Is a storage plate 49 arranged on the upper surface of the cleaner body 1.
At this time, the plate plate 44 and the storage plate 49 are connected via a connecting piece 48. The storage plate 49 includes a slide rail 37 in the front-rear direction.
The cleaning unit 2 is connected to the slide rail 37 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction along the slide rail 37.

In the wheel washing machine, when the left and right motors 41 are operated, the first belt 43 is rotated and the first belt 4 is rotated.
3 is connected to the plate plate 44, the slide rail 46
Move left and right along. Along with the movement of the plate plate 44, the storage plate 49 and the cleaning unit 2 move in the left-right direction and project from the inside of the standby box 12 into the passage 13. At this time, the storage plate 49 slides on the upper surface of the passage cover 22 of the main body 1 of the washing machine. When the front-rear motor 45 operates, the second belt 46 rotates, the screw shaft 36 rotates, and the slide rail 37 moves.
The cleaning unit 2 moves in the front-back direction along.

The movement of the cleaning unit when cleaning the wheels of the vehicle 108 will be described with reference to FIGS. In these figures, a portion where the front wheel 9b of the vehicle 108 contacts the upper surface of the endless belt 3 is indicated by reference numeral 80b, and a portion where the rear wheel 9a and the upper surface of the endless belt 3 contact is indicated by a region surrounded by a dotted line of reference numeral 80a.

Before the cleaning is started, each of the cleaning units 2 stands by at a predetermined position of the standby box 12 while being housed on the storage plate 49 (see FIG. 10). Then, the switch for starting cleaning is turned on, and the left and right motors 41 are operated. The cleaning unit 2 starts moving from the standby box 12 to the outside on the left side or the right side, and projects from the inside of the standby box 12 toward the passage 13 side.
With the contact piece 5 in contact with the inner side surface of the wheel 9, the left-right motor 41 stops and the movement in the left-right direction stops (see FIG. 11). Next, when the front-rear motor 45 is operated, the cleaning unit 2 advances forward or backward from the storage plate 49 as the screw shaft 36 rotates, and the lower portion of the wheel 9 enters the space 34 of the cleaning unit 2. Insert (see FIGS. 12 and 13). In the cleaning unit 2, when the roller 7 hits the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) of the wheel 9, the front-rear motor 45 is stopped and the movement of the cleaning unit 2 in the front-rear direction is stopped. In this way, the cleaning unit 2 moves to the positions of the wheels 9 on the left, right, front, and rear of the vehicle 108.

At this time, in the cleaning unit 2 into which the front wheel 9b is inserted, the inner piece 33 and the outer piece 31 are formed such that the inner piece 33 projects rearward from the connecting piece 32.
Of the cleaning unit 2 in which the rear wheel 9a is inserted, the inner piece 33 and the outer piece 31 are arranged so as to move toward the front wheel 9b. Is formed so as to project forward from the connecting piece 32, and is moved so as to move from the rear side of the rear wheel 9a to the rear wheel 9a side during the front-rear movement and surround the rear side and both sides of the rear wheel 9a. It

In the wheel cleaning machine, after the cleaning is completed, the front-rear motor 45 is operated to house the cleaning unit 2 in the storage plate 49, and then the left-right motor 41 is operated to keep the cleaning unit 2 in the standby box 12. Store inside.

The moving operation of the cleaning unit 2 as described above is provided with detection means for detecting whether or not the cleaning unit 2 is in a predetermined arrangement state with respect to the wheels 9 and surrounds the wheels 9. Can be done automatically.

As such a detecting means, for example, a pressure sensor can be cited. When such a pressure sensor is provided, for example, a pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the inner surface of the contact piece 5 of the cleaning unit 2 and a pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the roller 7 of the cleaning unit may be provided. it can. At this time, the left and right motors 41 are moved from the pressure sensor that detects the pressure applied to the contact piece 5 of the cleaning unit 2.
When the pressure sensor detects a predetermined pressure, the left / right motor 41 is stopped. Further, a signal is transmitted from the pressure sensor for detecting the pressure applied to the roller 7 of the cleaning unit 2 to the front-rear motor 45, and when the roller 7 detects a predetermined pressure, the front-rear motor 45 is stopped. .

With this arrangement, when the left / right motor 41 is driven to move the cleaning unit 2 in the left / right direction from the standby position, the contact piece 5 contacts the side surface of the wheel 9 as shown in FIG. When the position of the cleaning unit 2 in the left-right direction reaches a predetermined position with respect to the wheels 9, the pressure sensor provided on the contact piece 5 detects a predetermined pressure, and the left-right motor 41 is stopped to perform cleaning. When the movement of the unit 2 in the left-right direction is stopped and the front-rear motor 45 is further driven to move the cleaning unit 2 in the front-rear direction, the roller 7 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 for cleaning as shown in FIG. When the position of the unit 2 in the front-rear direction reaches a predetermined position with respect to the wheel 9, the pressure sensor provided on the roller 7 detects the predetermined pressure, and the front-rear motor 45 is stopped to stop the cleaning unit. Back and forth movement To stop. As a result, the cleaning unit 2 can be automatically moved so that the wheels 9 are inserted into the space 34.

Further, as the detecting means, a torque sensor for detecting the torque of the rotating shafts of the motors 41 and 45, which is the drive source of the moving means of the cleaning unit 2, can be provided. When such a torque sensor is provided, for example, the left and right motors 41 and the front and rear motors 45 are respectively provided with the respective motors 6.
A torque sensor for detecting whether or not the torque applied to the drive shaft of No. 8 exceeds a predetermined value is provided. At this time, a signal is transmitted from the torque sensor that detects the torque applied to the drive shaft of the left / right motor 41 to the left / right motor 41,
When the torque sensor detects a predetermined torque, the left / right motor 41 is stopped. Further, a signal is transmitted from the torque sensor that detects the torque applied to the drive shaft of the front-rear motor 45 to the front-rear motor 45, and when the torque sensor detects a predetermined torque, the front-rear motor 4
Allow 5 to stop.

With this arrangement, when the left / right motor 41 is driven to move the cleaning unit 2 from the standby position to the left / right direction, the contact piece 5 contacts the side surface of the wheel 9 as shown in FIG. When the position of the cleaning unit 2 in the left-right direction reaches a predetermined position with respect to the wheels 9, the torque applied to the drive shaft of the left-right motor 41 increases, and the torque sensor provided in the left-right motor 41 reaches a predetermined position. By detecting the torque, the left / right motor 41 is stopped and the lateral movement of the cleaning unit 2 is stopped. When the cleaning unit 2 is further moved in the front-rear direction by driving the front-rear motor 45, the roller 7 comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel 9 as shown in FIG. When a predetermined position is reached, the torque applied to the drive shaft of the front-rear motor 45 increases, and the torque sensor provided in the front-rear motor 45 detects the predetermined torque to cause the front-rear motor 45 to move.
Stops and the forward / backward movement of the cleaning unit stops. As a result, the cleaning unit 2 is placed in the space 34 of the wheel 9
Can be automatically moved so as to be inserted.

In this way, the wheel washing machine includes the four washing units 2 and detects the positions of the wheels 9 on the left and right and the front and rear of the wheelchair 108a placed on the endless belt 3 to detect the washing units. 2 can be moved from each standby box 12 which is a standby position to a position surrounding the lower part of each wheel 9.

In the wheel washing machine, when the vehicle 108 is loaded on the washing machine body 1 and the wheels 9 are placed on the upper surface of the endless belt 3, the endless belt 3 sinks along the shape of the wheel 9. It is preferable to have

For example, FIG. 14 shows a part of a plurality of supporting rollers 51 constituting the belt supporting portion, which corresponds to the position of the wheel 9 when the vehicle 108 is arranged in the main body 1 of the washing machine. As shown in the cross-sectional view, the wheels 9 are arranged in an arc shape (recessed structure) so as to follow the outer diameter shape of the wheel 9. At this time, the endless belt 3 is attached to the outer surface of the lower surface of the endless belt 3.
A tension roller 52 that applies a predetermined tension by applying a biasing force with a spring elastic force to the
In a state where the wheels 9 are not arranged on the endless belt 3,
Due to the tension applied to the endless belt 3 by the tension roller 52, the endless belt 3 is stretched without sinking at the forming position of the roller group 81 arranged in an arc shape.

In the wheel washer thus formed, when the vehicle 108 gets into the washer body 1, as shown in FIG. 14 (a), the wheels 9 are located at the locations where the roller groups 81 are arranged in an arc shape. The endless belt 3 is sunk by the load from 1 to 3 until it comes into contact with the roller group 81, and thus the wheel 9 is sunk until it comes into contact with the roller group 81 through the endless belt 3. At this time, since the roller group 81 is arranged in a shape along the outer diameter shape of the wheel 9, the wheel 9 is stably arranged above the forming position of the roller group 81. For this reason, it is possible to reduce variations in the arrangement positions of the wheels 9 on the main body 1 of the cleaning machine during wheel cleaning, and to move the cleaning unit 2 when moving and aligning the cleaning unit 2 with respect to the wheels 9. It is possible to reduce the variation of the subsequent arrangement position and facilitate the alignment of the cleaning unit 2. In addition, the vehicle 1
A user who performs 08 wheel cleaning uses the position where the wheels 9 sink on the endless belt 3 when the vehicle 108 is placed on the washer body 1 as a guide for the placement position of the vehicle 108 on the washer body 1. It is possible to stop the progress of the vehicle 108.
In addition, when the cleaning unit 2 is moved and the wheel 9 is inserted into the cleaning unit 2, it is possible to prevent the wheel 9 from being accidentally moved. Further, the contact area between the endless belt 3 and the wheel 9 at the time of cleaning the wheel becomes large, and the cleaning efficiency of the wheel 9 can be expected to increase.

Here, the degree of downward depression of the roller group 81 arranged in an arc shape with respect to the upper surface of the endless belt 3 is as follows.
When the vehicle 108 on the main body 1 of the washing machine is moved after cleaning the wheels 9, the wheels 9 arranged in the upper recessed portion of the roller group 81 are deep enough to be easily moved from the recessed portion. It is preferable to adjust, and for this purpose, it is preferable that the maximum recess depth of the support roller 51 in the roller group 81 is in the range of 10 to 15 mm.

When the endless belt 3 is formed so as to sink along the shape of the wheel 9 as described above, all the wheels 9 provided on the vehicle 108 are not necessarily formed on the endless belt 3.
It is not necessary to form the endless belt 3 so that only the specific wheel 9 is allowed to sink into the endless belt 3. For example, when the wheel washing machine is formed for washing wheels of the wheelchair 108a, the rear wheel 9a having a larger diameter among the front wheels 9b and the rear wheels 9a of the wheelchair 108a should be formed so as to sink into the endless belt 3. You can

As another example of the case where the endless belt 3 is formed so as to sink along the shape of the wheel 9, one of the plurality of supporting rollers 51 forming the belt supporting portion is mounted on the washing machine main body 1 and the vehicle 108. It is possible to form a part of the roller group 81 corresponding to the arrangement position of the wheel 9 in the case where is arranged so as to be vertically movable along the outer diameter shape of the wheel 9 as shown in FIG. In this case, for example, the roller group 81
Each supporting roller 51 constituting the above is formed by a cylinder 81 or the like so that it can be vertically moved up and down, and by vertically moving each supporting roller 51 along the outer diameter shape of the wheel 9, the outer diameter of the wheel 9 can be seen in a sectional view. It can be arranged in an arc shape (recessed structure) so as to follow the shape. Further, each support roller 51 may be formed to be movable up and down, and a constant elastic biasing force directed upward may be applied to the support roller 51.

In this way, when cleaning the wheels 9 of various vehicles 108 having different outer diameters of the wheels 9,
It is possible to raise and lower the support rollers 51 forming the roller group 81 according to the outer diameter dimension of the wheel 9 to arrange the roller group 81 in an arc shape along the outer diameter shape of the wheel 9.

Further, since the wheel washer sprays steam onto the wheels 9 for cleaning, the endless belt 3 used is one whose outer surface is made of a water-absorbing material. For example, the endless belt 3 may have an outer surface provided with a water-absorbent mat formed of water-absorbent polyester fiber.

Further, the endless belt 3 is formed so that bristles 82 made of water-absorbent fibers are planted on the outer surface and the bristles 82 are raised so as to be inclined in one direction in the front-rear direction. Is preferred. In this case, the direction of inclination of the bristles 82 is the direction along the traveling direction of the upper surface of the endless belt 3 during wheel cleaning, as shown in FIG. In this case, the water absorption efficiency when the outer surface of the endless belt 3 comes into contact with the wheels 9 is improved, and the dirt removal efficiency of the wheels 9 is improved.

On the outer surface of the endless belt 3, a brush 8 is partially formed in addition to the portion formed of a water-absorbent material.
3 is preferably planted. The brush 83 has a main function of scraping dirt from the wheels 9, and is made of a material different from the water absorbing material on the outer surface of the endless belt 3. For example, it may be made of a hard material instead of having poor water absorption, such as nylon. FIG. 17
Shows an example in which a brush is planted on the outer surface of the endless belt 3, and bristles made of nylon or the like are planted on the outer surface of the endless belt 3 in a band-shaped region in the left-right direction to form the brush 83. . With such a brush 83, the effect of scraping dirt from the wheels 9 is improved, and the cleaning efficiency is improved.

It is desirable that the endless belt 3 has a structure that can be replaced when the water-absorbent mat becomes dirty or the water absorbency is lowered by water drops.

As such a structure, for example, the belt support 67 can be detachably formed on the conveyor unit 64 of the main body of the washing machine. In the example shown in FIG.
The rotation shaft of the support roller 51 projects from one support frame 66 of the belt support 67, and the end of this rotation shaft is provided between the conveyor unit 64 and the conveyor drive unit 65 of the cleaning machine body 1. It can be fitted into an insertion opening 62 formed in the lower partition wall 61 that opens outward. The belt support 67 mounted on the conveyor 64
The support frame 66 on the outer side of the belt support 67 is pulled up and the belt support 67 is pulled up obliquely upward to release the fitting state between the end portion of the rotary shaft and the insertion opening 62, and to remove the belt support 67. Detach from the conveyor section 64. In this state, the endless belt 3 is removed from the belt support 67 and a new endless belt 3 is attached. And
After the endless belt 3 is replaced, the belt support 67 is mounted on the conveyor 64 by fitting the end of the rotary shaft into the insertion opening 62 again.

Further, the belt support 67 may be formed so as to be rotatable with respect to the main body of the washing machine about a horizontal rotation shaft on one support frame 66 side (one end side of the support roller 51). Of course, in this case, the support roller 51 is rotatable between a state in which the support roller 51 is arranged substantially horizontally and a state in which the other support frame 66 jumps up and the other end side of the support roller 51 jumps up. The belt support 67 is formed on the.

In the example shown in FIG. 19, the support frame 66 arranged on the inner side of the belt support 67 is rotated by a hinge 89 with respect to a support portion 88 erected from the bottom surface of the conveyor portion 64. The belt support 67 is formed so that it can be flipped up and rotated about a horizontal rotation shaft in the front-rear direction provided on the inner support frame 66 side.

Further, regarding one of the plurality of support rollers 51 provided on the belt support 67, the support roller 5 is provided from the support frame 66 inside the belt support 67.
One rotary shaft 84 projects, and a gear 85 is provided on the projecting portion of the rotary shaft 84. On the other hand, from the motor 68 for driving the endless belt provided in the belt drive unit, the drive shaft 86 is projected toward the side of the conveyor unit 64, and the gear 87 is provided at the end of the drive shaft 86. It is provided.

In this case, when in a normal use state,
The belt support 67 is arranged so that the support roller 51 is in a substantially horizontal state with the endless belt 3 attached, and at this time, the gear 85 on the belt support 67 side and the gear 87 on the motor 68 side mesh with each other. The driving force from the motor 68 is transmitted to the support roller 51 to drive the endless belt.

When the endless belt 3 is replaced, the belt support 67 is rotated about the central axis of the hinge 89 so that the outer side part jumps up. At this time, the mesh between the gear 85 on the belt support 67 side and the gear 87 on the motor 68 side is released. Belt support 6 in this state
The endless belt 3 can be detached from 7 and a new endless belt 3 can be mounted, and the endless belt 3 can be easily replaced. After the endless belt 3 is replaced, the belt support 67 is rotated to return the support roller 51 to a substantially horizontal state, and the gear on the belt support 67 side and the gear on the motor 68 side are meshed with each other. is there.

When the belt support 67 is formed so that it can be flipped up and rotated as described above, it is preferable to provide a lock mechanism for keeping the outer side of the belt support 67 in a flipped up state. In this case, the belt support 67 is supported. The outer side portion of the tool 67 can be easily maintained in a jumped-up state, and in this state, the endless belt 3 can be easily replaced.

In the example shown in FIG. 20, the conveyor drive unit 65
A locking member 89 is provided on the belt support 67, and the belt support 67 is retained by the locking member 89 when one side of the belt support 67 is in the flip-up state and maintains the flip-up state. A member 90 is provided.

The pawl member 90 is rotatably attached to the outer surface of the support frame 66 inside the belt support 67 via a horizontal mounting shaft 92 in the front-rear direction via a mounting bracket 91 or the like. The claw member 90 includes a pushed piece 93 extending downward from the rotation shaft 92, a locking piece 94 extending inward from the rotation shaft 92, that is, a side where the locking member 89 is provided,
It is composed of a claw piece 95 extending substantially downward from the tip of the locking piece 94. The claw members 90 are respectively provided on the two support frames 66, and at this time, they are provided at substantially the same position in the front-rear direction.

Further, the belt support 67 is provided with a release bar 96 between the two support frames 66, and both ends of the release bar 96 are inserted through the insertion holes 97 provided in each support frame 66. Has been done. One end of this release bar 96 projects outward from the outer support frame 66, and the other end is arranged so as to face the back of the pushed piece 93 of the claw member 90.

The locking member 89 is provided with a locking recess 98 opening upward, and the left and right side walls of the locking recess 98 are recessed outward on the lower side. Further, on the upper surface of the locking member 89, flat mounting surfaces 99 are formed on both left and right sides of the opening of the locking recess 98.

When the belt support 67 is in a state where the support roller 51 is arranged substantially horizontally, the tip of the claw piece 95 of the claw member 90 is arranged on the mounting surface 99 of the locking member 89. . From this state, when the belt support 67 is rotated and one side of the belt support 67 is flipped up, the tip of the claw piece 95 slides on the mounting surface 99 and the inside of the locking recess 98 is reached. And is further locked to the inner wall of the locking recess 98. As a result, the claw member 90 is locked in the locking recess 98 in a state where the belt support 67 is flipped up, and the state where the belt support 67 is flipped up is maintained. Further, in this state, the release bar 96 protruding from the outer support frame 66.
When pushing one end of the to the support frame 66 side, the release bar 9
The other end of 6 presses the pushed piece 93 of the claw member 90, whereby the claw member 90 rotates so that the claw piece 95 jumps upward, and the engagement between the locking member 89 and the claw member 90. The combined state is released. In this state, rotate the belt support 67,
The support roller 51 can be returned to a state in which it is arranged substantially horizontally.

When the belt support 67 is detachably formed as described above, or the belt support 67 is rotatably formed so that the endless belt 3 can be easily exchanged, FIG. As shown, an upper piece 24 that constitutes the upper portion of the outer frame 23 near the endless belt 3, an upper piece 25 that constitutes the outer surface of the storage box 14 near the endless belt 3 on the endless belt 3 side, and a central cover 26. It is preferable that the cover piece 27 and the like constituting the outer surface of the endless belt 3 side are flipped up and rotatably formed. In this case, when the upper pieces 24 and 25 and the cover piece 27 are flipped up,
A work space is secured around the endless belt 3 so that the work of attaching and detaching the belt support 67 and the rotation of the belt support 67 can be easily performed.

Further, among the plurality of support rollers 51 constituting the belt support 67, the support roller 51a arranged at the most front end side and the support roller support roller 51b arranged at the most rear end side. It is also preferable to form at least one of the support rollers 51 so that the arrangement position of at least one end thereof is movable in the front-rear direction. The support rollers 51a and 51b mean the support rollers 51 that support the folded-back portions of the end portions of the endless belt 3 at the front and rear ends of the belt support 67. That is, for example, as shown in FIG. 22, one end of each of the support rollers 51a and 51b arranged at the end of the belt support 67 in the front-rear direction is rotated about the rotation axis in the vertical direction with respect to the support frame 66. The support rollers 51a and 51b can be freely attached
The other end of is attached to the support frame 66 so as to be freely movable in the front-rear direction by, for example, being loosely inserted in the elongated hole. At this time, the support rollers 51a and 51b move between the state in which they are parallel to the other support rollers 51 and the state in which the other ends of the support rollers 51a and 51b move inward in the front-rear direction from this state.
The ends of 1a and 51b are formed to be movable in the front-rear direction.

With this arrangement, when the endless belt 3 is mounted on the belt support 67, the support rollers 51a and 51b at the front and rear ends are arranged in parallel with the other support rollers 51. Support rollers 51a, 51
When the end portion of b is fixed to the support frame 66 with a clasp or the like so as not to move in the front-rear direction and the endless belt 3 is replaced, the end portions of the support rollers 51a and 51b are inward in the front-rear direction. The endless belt 3 can be loosened by moving the endless belt 3 to and from the belt support 67 easily.

Further, it is preferable that the conveyor section 64 is provided with a tray 100 below the endless belt 3 as shown in FIG. 23. In this case, dirt, moisture and the like attached to the endless belt 3 are removed from the endless belt 3. It can be received by the saucer 100 below. When the saucer 100 is detachably formed on the conveyor section 64 of the main body 1 of the washing machine, when the dirt or water is accumulated on the saucer 100, the saucer 100
It is possible to easily remove the dirt and water by taking out.

Further, the conveyor section 64 has the endless belt 3
It is also preferable to provide a brush 101 that is in sliding contact with the endless belt 3 below the upper surface of the. In FIG. 23, brush 1
As 01, a rotating brush having bristles planted on the outer surface of the roller is provided. In this case, the dirt attached to the endless belt 3 can be scraped off by the brush 101, and the replacement cycle of the endless belt 3 can be lengthened. At this time, the saucer 10
When 0 is set, the dish 100 can receive the scraped-off dirt.

It is also preferable to provide the conveyor section 64 with a scraper 102 which is in sliding contact with the endless belt 3 below the upper surface of the endless belt 3. In FIG. 24, a blade-shaped scraper 102 is provided so as to be in sliding contact with the outer surface of the endless belt 3 from the lower side of the endless belt 3. As the endless belt 3 rotates, dirt attached to the endless belt 3 is scraped off and the endless belt 3 is scraped. The replacement cycle of the belt 3 can be extended, and the tray 1 for receiving the dirt scraped off
You can receive it at 00.

It is also preferable that the conveyor section 64 is provided with a sandwiching roller 103 that sandwiches the endless belt 3 from the outer surface side and the inner surface side thereof below the upper surface of the endless belt 3. That is, in the example shown in FIG. 23, as the endless belt 3 rotates, water can be squeezed out from the endless belt 3 absorbed by the sandwiching roller 103, and the replacement cycle of the endless belt 3 can be lengthened. In addition, the dish 100 can receive the squeezed water.

It is also preferable that the conveyor section 64 is provided with an air ejector for ejecting air to the outer surface of the endless belt 3 below the upper surface of the endless belt 3. FIG. 23
In the example shown in (1), the air nozzle 104 of the air ejector is provided toward the outer surface of the endless belt 3 so as to eject the air toward the endless belt 3. Therefore, the endless belt 3 rotates. Accordingly, the dirt adhered to the outer surface of the endless belt can be blown away and removed by the air, the replacement cycle of the endless belt 3 can be lengthened, and the blown dirt can be received by the tray 100. It has become.

Further, in the main body 1 of the washing machine, it is preferable to cover the upper surface of the endless belt 3 with the cover 105 when it is not used to prevent dirt from adhering to the endless belt 3. In the example shown in FIG. 24, a cover 105 that covers substantially the entire upper surface of the washing machine body 1 is detachably provided to the washing machine body 1. Further, in the example shown in FIGS. 25 and 26, the storage portion 106 for storing the sheet-shaped cover 105 is provided on one of the two slope portions 11. Storage section 106
For example, the cover 105 is formed so as to be housed in a wound state, and a slit-shaped outlet 107 through which the cover 105 is drawn out from the edge is provided on the upper surface of the housing portion 106. When the wheel washer is not in use, the edge of the cover 105 is pulled out from the outlet 107 and the cover 1
05 is arranged so as to cover the upper surface of the main body 1 of the washing machine. At this time, if hooks or the like that are hooked and locked to each other are provided on the edge of the cover 105 and the slope portion 11 on the opposite side where the storage portion 106 is not provided, the cover 105 covers the upper surface of the washing machine main body 1. Cover 105 when
Can be prevented from being inadvertently pulled back into the storage section 106.

27 to 29 are schematic sectional views showing a state in which the wheel washer is installed. Among them, in the one shown in FIG. 27, on the flat surface 110 such as a flat floor surface or the ground, the slope portion 1 is provided before and after the washing machine body 1 as described above.
A wheel washer provided with 1 is provided. And
For example, when the wheel 9 of the wheelchair 108a is washed as the vehicle 108, the person 109 in the wheelchair 108a is
08a is moved forward, the wheelchair 108a is moved over the slope portion 11 to the upper surface of the washing machine main body 1, and the wheel 9
Is to be washed.

In the example shown in FIG. 28, the floor surface 112 on the front side of the wheel washer is higher than the floor surface 111 on the rear side. In the wheel washer, the washer body 1 is installed so that its upper surface is substantially flush with the front floor surface 112, and the slope portion 11 is not provided. A lifter 113 is installed between the wheel washer and the floor 111 on the rear side.
This lifter 113 is a lifting table 1 that is driven to move up and down.
The lifting table 114 is provided so as to move up and down between a position where its upper surface is substantially flush with the upper surface of the wheel washer and a position where it is substantially flush with the floor surface on the rear side. Has been done. Then, for example, when washing the wheels 9 of the wheelchair 108a, the person 109 on the wheelchair 108a advances the wheelchair 108a from the rear floor surface 111 with the lifting table 114 flush with the rear floor surface 111. Then, the wheelchair 108a is placed on the lifting table 114. In this state, the elevating table 114 is driven to rise,
The upper surface of the elevating table 114 is flush with the upper surface of the cleaning machine body 1. Then, the wheelchair 108a is moved forward to be placed on the upper surface of the washing machine main body 1, and the wheel 9 is washed. Then, the wheelchair 108a is further moved forward to move the wheelchair 108a.
Is moved to the front floor surface 102.

In this case, the vehicle 108 such as the wheelchair 108a
Can be easily placed on the main body 1 of the washing machine to wash the wheels 9, and if the wheel 9 is installed at a place having a step on the floor such as the entrance of a building, the vehicle 1
08 can be easily moved, and at the same time, the wheels 9 can be washed at the same time.

In the example shown in FIG. 29, the floor surface 112 on the front side of the wheel washer is higher than the floor surface 111 on the rear side. Further, the wheel washer is provided below the washer body 1 with a lifter 113 for vertically moving the washer body 1 installed, and the slope portion 11 is not provided. The lifter 113 is formed so as to move up and down the washing machine main body 1 between a position where its upper surface is substantially flush with the front floor surface 112 and a position where it is substantially flush with the rear floor surface 111. Has been done. Then, for example, when washing the wheels 9 of the wheelchair 108a, the person 109 on the wheelchair 108a
Moves the wheelchair 108a forward from the floor surface 111 on the rear side in a state where the upper surface of the machine body 1 is substantially flush with the floor surface 111 on the rear side. Wash. In addition, a wheelchair 10 is mounted on the main body 1 of the washing machine.
8a is arranged, the lifter 113 is driven to drive the washing machine main body 1 upward so that the top surface of the washing machine main body 1 is substantially flush with the front floor surface 112, and then the wheelchair 1
08a is moved forward and moved to the front floor surface 112.

In this case, the vehicle 108 such as the wheelchair 108a
Can be easily placed on the main body 1 of the washing machine to wash the wheels 9, and if the wheel 9 is installed at a place having a step on the floor such as the entrance of a building, the vehicle 1
08 can be easily moved, and at the same time, the wheels 9 can be washed.
Further, since the lifter 113 and the wheel washer are installed at the same position, the installation area can be reduced.

When the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 are washed by the wheel washer, there is a risk that the person may fall if the person rides on the endless belt 3 that is rotationally driven. When the vehicle 108 is supported by a hand or the like, the vehicle 108 may move carelessly on the wheel washer together with this person. In addition, especially when the wheel 9 of the wheelchair 108a is washed, a person on the wheelchair 108a is
Even when a foot is placed on the aisle cover 22 on which the upper endless belt 3 is not installed, the wheel 9 of the wheelchair 108a gets over the cleaning unit 2 and carelessly moves on the endless belt 3 due to the load applied from the foot. There is a risk that Further, if a foreign object such as a foot exists on the movement path of the cleaning unit 2 on the passage 13, the movement operation of the cleaning unit 2 is hindered and the wheel 9 cannot be cleaned. Therefore, it is preferable to provide the wheel washer with a sensor for detecting the presence of foreign matter other than the wheels 9 on the upper surface of the washer body 1.
With this configuration, when a person is riding on the endless belt 3 or a person on the wheelchair 108a places his / her foot on the wheel washing machine, the fact is detected by the sensor, and this detection result is displayed. Based on the control, the driving operation of the wheel washer is stopped so that the person on the endless belt 3 may fall or the vehicle 1
It is possible to prevent the situation in which the wheel 08 cannot be moved carelessly or the movement of the cleaning unit 2 is hindered and wheel cleaning cannot be performed.

As the sensor for detecting the presence of such a foreign substance, an appropriate sensor such as a light emitting / receiving photoelectric sensor, a light emitting / receiving laser sensor, a light emitting / receiving area sensor, or the like can be provided. The position of arranging such a sensor can be appropriately set depending on the type of the vehicle 108 to be washed by the wheel washer. 30 and 31 show a wheel washing machine used for washing wheels of a wheelchair 108a,
It shows the installation position of the sensor. In the illustrated example, one of the light projecting element and the light receiving element 114 of the light projecting / receiving sensor is provided on both side surfaces of the front storage box and above the storage position of the cleaning unit 2 by a predetermined dimension above the upper surface of the passage 13. At a position (for example, a position 5 cm above) arranged in a line in the front-back direction, and a plurality of the other elements 114 of the light projecting element and the light receiving element are provided outside the passage 13 from the upper surface of the passage 13. Plural pieces are arranged in a line in the front-rear direction at a position above a certain size (for example, a position above 5 cm). At this time, the light-emitting elements and the light-receiving elements are provided in a one-to-one correspondence and are arranged in the same number. The sensors are arranged in a line from the position of the front wheel 9b of the wheelchair 108a at the front end of the endless belt 3 to the position of the front passage cover 22.

When the wheelchair 108a is arranged on the main body of the washing machine provided with such a sensor, the endless belt 3 is normally used.
The presence of the front wheel 9b is detected by the element 114 provided at the position corresponding to the arrangement position of the front wheel 9b in the above, and the presence of the wheel 9 or foreign matter is not detected by the other elements 114. In such a state, the wheel washing machine is controlled so as to perform a normal wheel washing operation. Here, in the illustrated example, of the plurality of pairs of the elements 114 of the light emitting and receiving sensors arranged in a line,
A predetermined pair of rear light emitting / receiving sensor elements 114 is provided as a front wheel detecting sensor for detecting the presence of the front wheel 9b arranged at a predetermined position. At this time, in consideration of the case where an error occurs in the arrangement position of the front wheels 9b on the endless belt, the element 114 of the light emitting and receiving sensor arranged in the position corresponding to the arrangement position of the front wheels 9b (in the figure, the rear four It is preferable that a sensor for front wheel detection be configured by one element 114 corresponding thereto) and one or a plurality of (for example, two) predetermined elements 114 arranged in the vicinity thereof.

Further, when the person 109 on the wheelchair 108a puts his / her foot on the passage 13 with the wheelchair 108a placed on the main body of the washing machine, the light emitting / receiving light placed in front of the sensor for front wheel detection is used. The sensor detects the presence of foreign matter, and at this time, controls the driving operation of the wheel washing machine to stop.

It is also preferable that the wheel washing machine is formed so as to be foldable so as to improve transportability during carrying or moving. For example, in the structure shown in FIG. 32, a control unit 69 accommodating a steam generator and the like is rotatably connected to the main body 1 of the washing machine. At this time, the control unit 69 is rotated at the connecting portion with the main body 1 of the washing machine so as to be in a sideways state, so that the wheel washing machine can be folded compactly and convenience in carrying and moving is improved.

It is also preferable that the wheel washing machine is formed so as to be divided into a plurality of parts, and in this case as well, it is possible to improve the carrying property when carrying or moving. For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the main body 1 of the washing machine and the control section 69 are formed so as to be separable, and the main body 1 of the washing machine further comprises two unit driving sections 63, two conveyor sections 64 and a conveyor driving section 6.
It is formed so as to be divided into five parts. By dividing in this way, convenience at the time of carrying or moving is improved.

Although not shown, it is also preferable to provide moving wheels on the lower surface of the wheel washing machine, and in this case, convenience in carrying and moving is improved.

Next, the wheelchair 10 is washed using the above wheel washing machine.
For cleaning the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 such as 8a,
An example thereof will be specifically described.

First, the main power switch 70 is operated to turn on the power of the wheel washer to heat the steam generator so that steam can be used. When the amount of water in the steam generator is insufficient, Replenish the water. Then, a carer or a user operates the vehicle 108 such as the wheelchair 108a to introduce the vehicle 108 from the front slope portion 11 onto the washing machine body 1. At this time, all wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 are placed on the endless belt 3, and the wheelchair 108a is stopped when the rear wheel 9a sinks.

Next, the caregiver or the user operates the hand switch 1
Operate 6 to insert the washing start button. At this time, by setting the operating time of the endless belt 3 in advance by the timer, the endless belt 13 rotates at a low speed for a fixed time (a short time of about 1 second) before the cleaning unit 2 starts the moving operation. To do so. Here, the front wheel 9 of the wheelchair 108a
Since b and the like are usually formed so as to swing freely and are oriented in a free direction, the front wheel 9b is not always correctly oriented in the front-rear direction when stopped on the endless belt 3, and the wheel 9 Although the directions may be different, the front wheels 9b can be oriented in the front-rear direction by rotating the endless belt 3 at a low speed for a short time. The rotation speed of the endless belt 3 at this time is set under the condition that the vehicle 108 does not move on the washing machine main body 1 due to the rotation of the endless belt 3 and the wheels 9 run idle.

After that, the cleaning unit 2 automatically starts moving from the waiting box 12, moves to the lower part of each wheel 9 while sensing the position of each wheel 9 in the left-right direction, and then the position in the front-rear direction. Or surround it from the rear side. And
While rotating the wheels 9 by rotating the endless belt 3 at a predetermined steady speed, the brush 4 installed in the cleaning unit 2 scrapes both side surfaces and the ground surface of the wheels 9 while jetting steam from the jet nozzle 6. Then, the wheel 9 is washed. At this time, since the steam is sprayed on the surface of the wheel 9, the dirt adhering to the wheel 9 floats up, and this dirt is absorbed by the endless belt 3 made of a water-absorbing material together with water,
Since the wheels 9 are washed and high-temperature steam is sprayed, they also have an effect of disinfecting the wheels 9. Steam may be sprayed onto each wheel 9 at the same time, but in consideration of the steam generation capability, for example, the steam is first sprayed on the rear wheel 9a for about 20 seconds and then sprayed on the front wheel 9b for about 10 seconds. There may be a time difference. The time and the pressure of the steam are set so that the user can arbitrarily adjust the time and the pressure.

During the cleaning operation as described above, the movement of the wheels 9 is blocked by the cleaning unit 9 surrounding the wheels 9, and each wheel 9 is moved at that position in response to the rotation of the endless belt 3. Will rotate. At this time, the cleaning unit 2 and the wheel 9 are in contact with each other by the contact piece 5 and the roller 7, but depending on the rotation of the wheel 9, the roller 7 and the contact piece 5 are in contact with each other.
When the ball 73 loosely fitted to the wheel rotates, the generation of frictional force at the contact portion between the wheel 9 and the cleaning unit 2 is suppressed, the wheel 9 rotates smoothly, and the wheel 9 moves the cleaning unit 2 It is possible to prevent overcoming and moving.

After the cleaning is completed, the endless belt 3 is stopped, and then the cleaning unit 2 is moved and stored in the standby box 12. Then, the wheelchair 108a is taken out of the wheel washer through the slope portion 11.

As described above, it is possible to wash the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 such as the wheelchair 108a, the dolly, the catering car, etc. by using the wheel washing machine. In the above wheel washing machine, each washing unit 2 senses the position of the wheel 9 of the vehicle 108 to detect the vehicle 108.
Since the vehicle 108 can be moved to a position surrounding the lower part of each wheel 9, it is possible to wash all the wheels 9 according to the distance between the wheels 9 of the vehicle 108 by merely placing the vehicle 108 on the endless belt 3 once. It is possible. Further, in the wheel washing machine, the side surfaces of the wheel 9 are brought into sliding contact with the brushes 4 from both sides, so that the dirt attached to both side surfaces of the wheel 9 can be surely removed. Furthermore, since the above wheel cleaning machine sprays steam on the cleaning, the cleaning performance is improved.

Incidentally, the cleaning ability of the wheel cleaning machine was confirmed as follows. Test wheel 9 (white one)
In addition, when measured with a colorimeter, dirt was attached and L * 30
When the endless belt 3 is rotated and the steam is jetted from the cleaning unit 2 for 20 seconds (the wheel 9 rotates twice during this period) and the cleaning is performed,
* Became 85. On the other hand, even if the washing unit equipped with water and a brush was used to wash for 20 seconds, L *
Did not change. In L *, 0 is black and 100
Indicates white.

The wheel washer of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. As another embodiment of the wheel washing machine, for example, the washing unit 2 may be provided with a jet of dry air to dry the washed wheel 9. Further, in order to dry the water-absorbent mat attached to the endless belt 3, a dryer or a heater may be provided in the main body 1 of the washing machine, and further, a cleaning for sucking dirt attached to the endless belt 3 as it is dried. A machine may be provided. In addition, a roller or the like can be attached in the vicinity of the contact piece 5 of the cleaning unit 2 to facilitate the insertion of the wheel 9. Further, it may have a function of storing the slope portion 11 in the main body 1 of the washing machine.

[0130]

As described above, in the wheel washing machine according to the first aspect of the present invention, the wheels of the vehicle can be placed on the upper surface, and the wheel can be rotationally driven so that the upper surface moves in the front-rear direction. Further, at least an outer surface of the endless belt is formed of a water-absorbent material, and a cleaning unit that surrounds a vehicle wheel placed on the endless belt from the front or the rear and sprays steam toward the wheel. Therefore, by wrapping the wheels from the front or the rear in a cleaning unit with the vehicle wheels arranged on the endless belt, by rotating the endless belt in this state and injecting steam from the cleaning unit toward the wheels. The wheels can be washed. At this time, the wheels rotate with the rotation of the endless belt, and the steam that has been sprayed causes the dirt adhering to the wheels to float up. Les together with water, is absorbed by the endless belt made of a material of the water-absorbing, cleaning of the wheel is carried out, and from the high-temperature steam is sprayed, in which it is also possible to eradication wheels.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect, the washing machine main body is provided with an endless belt, and the control section is provided with a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the washing unit. Since the main body and the control unit are formed so as to be separable from each other, the main body of the washing machine and the control unit can be separated when the wheel washer is moved or transported, thereby improving the convenience of movement or transportation. is there.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the first or second aspect, the wheel is provided on the endless belt so as to have a moving means for moving the cleaning unit from a predetermined standby position to a position surrounding the wheel of the vehicle. The cleaning unit can be kept out of the way when it is installed in the vehicle, and by moving the cleaning unit in accordance with the position of the wheels, the wheels can be installed in various ways to accommodate different vehicles with different wheel positions. It can be washed.

Further, in the invention of claim 4 according to claim 3, as the moving means, since the drive unit for moving the cleaning unit in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction is provided, the drive unit causes the cleaning unit to wait for a predetermined period of time. It can be moved between a position and a position surrounding a vehicle wheel.

Further, the invention of claim 5 comprises the detection means for detecting whether or not the cleaning unit is at a predetermined position with respect to the wheel according to claim 3 or 4, and therefore the detection result by this detection means is provided. Based on the above, the movement operation of the cleaning unit can be automatically controlled.

Further, in the invention of claim 6, the pressure sensor for detecting whether or not the predetermined positions of the cleaning unit and the wheels are in contact with each other is provided as the detecting means in the fifth aspect. It is possible to detect that the predetermined positions of the cleaning unit and the wheels are in contact with each other when the pressure of is detected, and based on the detection result,
The moving operation of the cleaning unit can be automatically controlled.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the fifth aspect, the motor is provided as a drive source of the moving means, and the torque sensor for detecting the torque of the rotating shaft of the motor is provided as the detecting means. It is possible to detect that the predetermined positions of the cleaning unit and the wheels are in contact with each other at the time when a predetermined torque is detected, and the movement operation of the cleaning unit can be automatically controlled based on the detection result. It is possible.

According to the invention of claim 8, in any one of claims 1 to 7, the cleaning unit is provided with a brush that slides on the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. When the wheel is rotated with the rotation of the belt, the brush can scrape off the adhered dirt on the surface of the wheel, and the efficiency of cleaning the wheel can be improved.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, since the cleaning unit is provided with a brush that comes into sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel, the cleaning unit does not contact the floor surface or the ground. It is possible to improve the cleaning efficiency of the wheel by scraping off the dirt on the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) of the wheel, which comes into contact and is particularly dirty, with a brush.

Further, the invention of claim 10 is the invention of claim 8 or 9.
In the cleaning unit, a brush is provided that comes into sliding contact with the side surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. Therefore, dirt on the side surface of the wheel where dirt is likely to adhere is scraped off with a brush, The cleaning efficiency can be improved.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the eighth aspect, the cleaning unit is a brush that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. Since the brushes are arranged in a line, when the wheel is washed, the brush slides from one side of the wheel through the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) to the other side,
Improves wheel cleaning efficiency by scraping dirt on the side surface of the wheel, where dirt easily adheres, as well as dirt on the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) of the wheel, which contacts the floor or the ground and is particularly dirty. Is something that can be done.

Further, the invention of claim 12 is based on claims 8 to 1.
In any one of 1, the cleaning unit is configured by planting bristles on the outer periphery of the roller as a brush that slidably contacts the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel, and slidably contacts the wheel. Since the rotating brush that rotates axially in the state is provided, the efficiency of removing dirt with the brush can be improved, and the cleaning efficiency of the wheels can be further improved.

Further, the invention of claim 13 is based on claims 8 to 1.
In any one of 2 above, since the brush that slidably contacts the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel is formed detachably with respect to the cleaning unit, the dirt becomes severe or deforms, and thus the dirt becomes dirty. It is possible to restore the dirt removal efficiency by replacing the brush whose removal efficiency has deteriorated.

In addition, the invention of claim 14 is based on claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 3 above, since the endless belt has a structure that sinks along the shape of the wheel with the wheel placed on the upper surface of the endless belt, there are variations in the arrangement position of the wheel on the main body of the washing machine during wheel washing. It is possible to reduce the variation in the arrangement position of the cleaning unit after the movement of the cleaning unit when the cleaning unit is moved and aligned with respect to the wheels, and the alignment of the cleaning unit can be facilitated. In addition, a user who uses a wheel washer to wash the wheels of a vehicle can use the position where the wheel sinks on the endless belt as a guide for the placement position of the vehicle. It is possible to prevent the wheel from moving carelessly when moving the wheel to insert the wheel into the cleaning unit. Furthermore, the contact area between the endless belt and the wheel during wheel cleaning It increased and one in which it is possible to improve the cleaning efficiency of the wheel.

According to a fifteenth aspect of the invention, in the fourteenth aspect, a plurality of parallel supporting rollers for supporting the endless belt are provided, and a roller group including at least a part of the supporting rollers is provided on the endless belt. Supports forming a roller group according to the outer diameter of the wheel when cleaning the wheel for various vehicles with different outer diameters of the wheel because it is formed to be able to move up and down according to the shape of the mounted wheel. By moving the rollers up and down, the roller group can be arranged in an arc shape along the outer diameter shape of the wheel.

Further, the invention of claim 16 relates to claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 5 above, the outer surface of the endless belt is raised on the outer surface of the endless belt by raising the hair made of a water-absorbing material, and inclining the hair in one of the front and rear directions on the upper surface of the endless belt. The water absorption efficiency at the time of contact and the dirt removal efficiency of the wheel are improved.

Further, the invention of claim 17 relates to claims 1 to 1.
In any of No. 6, since the brush is partially formed on the outer surface of the endless belt, the effect of scraping dirt from the wheels is improved, and the cleaning efficiency is improved.

Further, the invention of claim 18 relates to claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 7 above, since a plurality of parallel support rollers that support the endless belt are rotatably formed between a state in which they are arranged substantially horizontally and a state in which one end side jumps upward, the support rollers are The endless belt can be easily replaced in a jumped-up state, and when the endless belt absorbs moisture or stains to reduce the cleaning efficiency, replace the endless belt to recover the cleaning efficiency. Is something that can be done.

Further, the invention of claim 19 relates to claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 8 above, since the support roller that supports the end portion in the front-rear direction of the endless belt is formed so as to be movable in the direction in which the tension applied to the endless belt is released, the support roller is replaced when the endless belt is replaced. By loosening the tension applied to the belt, the endless belt can be easily attached and detached, and when the endless belt absorbs moisture or stains and cleaning efficiency decreases, the endless belt is replaced and washed. The efficiency can be restored.

The invention of claim 20 is the same as claims 1 to 1.
In any one of 9 above, since the tray is provided below the endless belt, dirt, moisture, etc. adhering to the endless belt can be received by the tray below the endless belt.

Further, the invention of claim 21 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 0, since a brush that is in sliding contact with the endless belt is provided on the outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt, dirt attached to the endless belt can be scraped off with a brush, and the replacement cycle of the endless belt can be lengthened. It is possible.

Further, the invention of claim 22 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 1 above, since the scraper that is in sliding contact with the endless belt on the outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt is provided, dirt attached to the endless belt can be scraped off by the scraper, and the replacement cycle of the endless belt can be lengthened. It is possible.

Further, the invention of claim 23 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 2 above, since a holding roller that holds the endless belt from the outer surface side and the inner surface side is provided at a position other than the upper surface of the endless belt, moisture can be squeezed from the absorbed endless belt by the holding roller, and the endless belt can be squeezed. The belt replacement cycle can be extended.

Further, the invention of claim 24 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 3 above, since an air ejector for ejecting air is provided on the outer surface of the endless belt at a place other than the upper surface of the endless belt, dirt adhered to the outer surface of the endless belt can be blown off and removed by air, The replacement cycle of the endless belt can be extended.

Further, the invention of claim 25 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 4), since the cover for covering the upper surface of the endless belt is provided, the upper surface of the endless belt can be covered with the cover when not in use to prevent dirt from adhering to the endless belt.

Further, the invention of claim 26 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 5 above, a washer body provided with an endless belt, and a lifter installed between the washer body and the floor surface and vertically moved up and down between the position of the upper surface of the washer body and the position of the floor surface. Since it is equipped with a vehicle, the vehicle can be easily placed on the main body of the washing machine to wash the wheels, and in the case where there is a step on the floor such as the front door of a building, there is a step. With this, the vehicle can be easily moved, and at the same time, the wheels can be washed at the same time.

Further, the invention of claim 27 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 5 above, since the washing machine body having the endless belt and the lifter for vertically moving the washing machine body are provided, the vehicle can be easily placed on the washing machine body to wash the wheels. In addition, in a place where there is a step on the floor such as the entrance of a building, the vehicle can be easily moved to the place where there is a step, and at the same time the wheels are washed. Furthermore, since the lifter and the wheel washer are installed at the same position, the installation area can be reduced.

Further, the invention of claim 28 is based on claim 1 or 2.
7 is equipped with a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter at a position other than the wheel mounting position during wheel cleaning on the main body of the washing machine equipped with the endless belt, so that a person can ride on the endless belt. When a person in a wheelchair puts his foot on the wheel washer, the sensor detects that and controls the wheel washer to stop driving based on the detection result. Therefore, it is possible to prevent a situation in which a person on the endless belt falls, a vehicle is moved carelessly, and the movement of the cleaning unit is hindered and wheel cleaning cannot be performed. .

Further, the invention of claim 29 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 8 to make it foldable,
Folds compactly when moving or transporting the wheel washer,
The convenience of movement and transportation can be improved.

The invention of claim 30 is based on claim 1 or 2.
In any one of 9 above, since the cleaning unit is provided with jet nozzles for jetting steam from both sides of the wheel in a state in which the wheel is enclosed, the steam is jetted in a direction inclined toward the wheel side.
The steam injected from the ejection port can be made to be injected over one side surface of the wheel, the outer peripheral surface, and the other side surface.
It is possible to improve the cleaning efficiency of the wheels by injecting steam not only on the outer peripheral surface (ground contact surface) of the wheel that comes into contact with the floor or the ground and is particularly dirty, but also on the side surface of the wheel where dirt is likely to adhere. It is a thing.

The invention of claim 31 is based on claims 1 to 3.
In any of No. 0, since the moving wheel is provided in the lower part, it is possible to improve the convenience when moving or carrying the wheel washer.

According to a thirty-second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel cleaning method in which a vehicle wheel is placed on an upper surface of an endless belt having at least an outer surface made of a water absorbent material, and the wheel is moved forward or backward by a cleaning unit. To prevent the movement of the vehicle by surrounding it from the cleaning unit and spray the steam from the cleaning unit toward the wheels, the endless belt is rotated at a predetermined steady speed to clean the wheels. The steam that is sprayed along with the rotation causes the dirt that had adhered to the wheels to rise, and this dirt is absorbed by the endless belt made of a water-absorbing material along with the water, and the wheels are cleaned. Moreover, since the steam of high temperature is sprayed, the wheels can be sterilized.

According to the 33rd aspect of the present invention, there is provided a wheel cleaning method in which the wheels of a vehicle are placed on the upper surface of an endless belt having at least an outer surface made of a water-absorbent material, and the endless belt is rotated at a low speed. After that, the cleaning unit encloses the wheels from the front or the rear to prevent movement of the vehicle, and the steam is ejected from the cleaning unit to the wheels, while the endless belt is rotated at a predetermined steady speed. If the vehicle has wheels that can be swung freely in order to clean the vehicle, it is possible to orient the swivel wheels in the front-rear direction when the endless belt rotates at low speed. , When the endless belt rotates at a constant speed, the wheels are rotated along with the rotation of the endless belt, and the steam that is sprayed causes the dirt attached to the wheels to rise.
Since the dirt is absorbed by the endless belt made of a water-absorbing material together with the water to wash the wheel and the high temperature steam is sprayed, the wheel can be disinfected.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the above.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the above, with a part thereof omitted.

FIG. 4 is a partial perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view showing another example of the above.

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit.

FIG. 8 shows another example of the configuration of the cleaning unit,
(A) is sectional drawing, (b) is a top view.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view showing a drive mechanism of a cleaning unit.

FIG. 10 is a plan view showing the operation of the wheel washer.

FIG. 11 is a plan view showing another operation of the above.

FIG. 12 is a plan view showing still another operation of the above.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an essential part of the above.

14A and 14B are schematic cross-sectional views showing an example of a structure in which an endless belt sinks.

FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the above.

FIG. 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view for explaining the appearance of raised hair formed on the surface of the endless belt.

17A and 17B show a configuration in which a brush is provided on an endless belt, FIG. 17A is a plan view, and FIG. 17B is a sectional view.

FIG. 18 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of an exchange state of an endless belt.

FIG. 19 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the exchange state of the endless belt.

FIG. 20 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a lock mechanism of a belt support in a state where an endless belt is replaced.

FIG. 21 is a front perspective view showing an exchange state of the endless belt.

22A and 22B are partial plan views showing an example of the configuration of the belt support.

FIG. 23 is a schematic sectional view illustrating the configurations of an endless belt and a tray.

FIG. 24 is a front view showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing a state in which the cover is pulled out in the above embodiment.

FIG. 27 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the installation state of the wheel washer.

FIG. 28 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the above.

FIG. 29 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing another example of the above.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 31 is a partial side view showing the usage state of the above.

FIG. 32 is a front view showing another example of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 washing machine body 2 cleaning unit 3 endless belt 4 brushes 6 spouts 9 wheels 51, 51a, 51b Support roller 69 control unit 81 Roller group 83 Brush 41,45 motor 100 saucer 101 brush 102 scraper 103 nip roller 105 cover 108 vehicles 113 lifters

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Naotaka Furukawa             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Hisayuki Tsutsui             1048, Kadoma, Kadoma-shi, Osaka Matsushita Electric Works             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Junichi Ikeuchi             5 Ikeuchi Iron Works, 1882 Akaoka-cho, Kami-gun, Kochi Prefecture             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Shoichi Ono             5 Ikeuchi Iron Works, 1882 Akaoka-cho, Kami-gun, Kochi Prefecture             Within the corporation (72) Inventor Hamauzu Kazuka             5 Ikeuchi Iron Works, 1882 Akaoka-cho, Kami-gun, Kochi Prefecture             Within the corporation F term (reference) 3B116 AA47 AB14 BA02 BA12 BB22                       BB82 BB90 CC03 CD41                 3B201 AA47 AB14 BA02 BA12 BB22                       BB82 BB90 BB92 CC12 CD41                 3D026 AA06 AA36 AA39 AA47 AA54

Claims (33)

[Claims] 1. An endless belt in which wheels of a vehicle can be placed on an upper surface, the upper surface can be rotationally driven so as to move in the front-rear direction, and at least the outer surface is made of a water-absorbing material, and an endless belt. A wheel cleaning machine, comprising: a cleaning unit that surrounds a vehicle wheel mounted on a belt from the front or the rear and sprays steam toward the wheel. 2. A washing machine main body having an endless belt, and a control section having a steam generator for generating steam to be supplied to the washing unit, the control section having a washing machine main body and a steam generator. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the wheel washing machine is formed so as to be separable. 3. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising moving means for moving the washing unit from a predetermined standby position to a position surrounding a vehicle wheel. 4. The wheel cleaning machine according to claim 3, wherein the moving unit includes a drive unit that moves the cleaning unit in the front-rear direction and the left-right direction. 5. The wheel cleaning machine according to claim 3, further comprising detection means for detecting whether or not the cleaning unit is at a predetermined position with respect to the wheels. 6. The wheel cleaning machine according to claim 5, further comprising a pressure sensor for detecting whether or not predetermined positions of the cleaning unit and the wheels are in contact with each other as the detection means. 7. The wheel washing machine according to claim 5, wherein a motor is provided as a drive source of the moving means, and a torque sensor for detecting the torque of the rotating shaft of the motor is provided as the detecting means. . 8. The wheel according to claim 1, wherein the cleaning unit is provided with a brush that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. washing machine. 9. The wheel cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning unit is provided with a brush that is in sliding contact with the outer peripheral surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. 10. The wheel cleaning machine according to claim 8, wherein the cleaning unit is provided with a brush that comes into sliding contact with a side surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. 11. The cleaning unit is provided with a brush whose tips are arranged in a substantially U shape as a brush which comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel. The wheel washing machine according to claim 8, which is characterized in that. 12. The cleaning unit is configured by implanting bristles on the outer circumference of the roller as a brush that comes into sliding contact with the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel.
The wheel cleaning machine according to any one of claims 8 to 11, further comprising a rotating brush that rotates axially while being in sliding contact with the wheels. 13. The brush according to claim 8, wherein a brush that slidably contacts the surface of the wheel when the cleaning unit surrounds the wheel is detachably attached to the cleaning unit. The wheel washer described in Crab. 14. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the endless belt has a structure that sinks along the shape of the wheel with the wheel placed on the upper surface thereof. . 15. A plurality of parallel supporting rollers supporting an endless belt, wherein a roller group including at least a part of the supporting rollers is vertically moved along the shape of a wheel placed on the endless belt. The wheel washing machine according to claim 14, wherein the wheel washing machine is formed to be movable up and down. 16. The bristles made of a water-absorbent material are raised on the outer surface of the endless belt, and the bristles are inclined in one of the front and rear directions on the upper surface of the endless belt. The wheel washer according to any one of 1 to 15. 17. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a brush is partially formed on the outer surface of the endless belt. 18. A plurality of parallel supporting rollers for supporting an endless belt are formed so as to be rotatable between a state in which they are arranged substantially horizontally and a state in which one end side is flipped upward. The wheel washer according to any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein: 19. The support roller for supporting the end portion of the endless belt in the front-rear direction is formed so as to be movable in a direction of relaxing the tension applied to the endless belt. Wheel washer described. 20. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, wherein a tray is provided below the endless belt. 21. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a brush that is in sliding contact with the endless belt on an outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt. 22. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a scraper that is in sliding contact with the endless belt on the outer surface other than the upper surface of the endless belt. 23. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a nipping roller for nipping the endless belt from the outer surface side and the inner surface side at a position other than the upper surface of the endless belt. Machine. 24. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising an air ejector for ejecting air to the outer surface of the endless belt at a position other than the upper surface of the endless belt. 25. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a cover that covers an upper surface of the endless belt. 26. A washing machine main body having an endless belt, and a lifter installed between the washing machine main body and the floor surface for vertically moving up and down between the position of the upper surface of the washing machine body and the position of the floor surface. The wheel washer according to any one of claims 1 to 25, characterized by being provided. 27. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a washing machine body having an endless belt, and a lifter for vertically driving the washing machine body. 28. A washing machine main body provided with an endless belt, comprising a sensor for detecting the presence or absence of foreign matter at a position other than the wheel mounting position during wheel washing. 28. The wheel washer according to any one of 27 to 27. 29. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, wherein the wheel washing machine is formed so as to be foldable. 30. The cleaning unit is provided with jet nozzles for jetting steam from both sides of the wheel in a direction inclined toward the wheel side while surrounding the wheel. The wheel washer according to any one of 1. 31. The wheel washing machine according to claim 1, further comprising a moving wheel at a lower portion thereof. 32. A vehicle wheel is placed on the upper surface of an endless belt having at least an outer surface made of a water-absorbent material, and a cleaning unit surrounds the wheel from the front or the rear to prevent movement of the vehicle and to wash the vehicle. A wheel cleaning method characterized in that the wheel is cleaned by rotating the endless belt at a predetermined steady speed while jetting steam from the unit toward the wheel. 33. A vehicle wheel is placed on an upper surface of an endless belt having at least an outer surface made of a water-absorbent material, the endless belt is rotated at a low speed, and then the cleaning unit moves the wheel from a front side or a rear side. A wheel cleaning method characterized in that the wheel is cleaned by rotating the endless belt at a predetermined steady speed while surrounding and suppressing movement of the vehicle and jetting steam from the cleaning unit toward the wheel. .