JP2004090887A - Car shape detection device and car washer with the same - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a car shape detection device and a washer with high performance at low cost which detects the car shape with sufficient resolution and reduces the number of light emitting elements/light receiving elements using as a car shape detection means. <P>SOLUTION: The detection device determines whether the car body exists at the height position of the element and its middle position and detects the car shape with a larger number of resolutions than the number of the light emitting/receiving elements by the operation which detects the car body using the light from one light emitting element with the light receiving element horizontally opposing to it, and by the operation which detects the car body using the light from one light emitting element with the light receiving element horizontally opposing to it and the light receiving element adjacent to the upper or the lower of it. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention relates to a vehicle shape detection device for detecting a vehicle body shape of an automobile and a car wash machine having the vehicle shape detection device. The vehicle shape detection device includes vehicle body detection means in which a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged in the vertical direction are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and the light emitting elements are moved as the automobile or the vehicle body detection means moves. The vehicle body is detected by detecting whether the light is detected sequentially by the light receiving element that emits light sequentially, and forms the vehicle shape data by collecting the results of the vehicle body detection at each moving position, like a car wash machine It is suitable for use in a device that causes a processing device or the like to act along the body surface.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as this type of device, a vehicle shape detection device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-338103 and a car wash machine including the same are known. In other words, a vehicle body detection means is provided in which a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the car wash area, and each vehicle body is detected along with the relative movement of the car wash machine and the car, and this detection data is stored and accumulated. The car body contour is extracted from the data. By providing such a car shape detection device in the car wash machine, the car wash processing device can be controlled to accurately trace the car shape, that is, the extracted car body contour. is there.
[0003]
The present applicant has already arranged more than 200 pairs of light emitting and receiving elements in order to accurately detect even the protrusions provided on the automobile and safely perform car wash processing so as not to damage the protrusions. A vehicle shape detection device capable of detecting a vehicle shape with a resolution of 1 and a car wash machine provided with this detection device and capable of highly accurate cleaning and safety. However, the actual situation is that it is inevitable that the use of such a large number of light emitting / receiving devices is expensive.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a high-performance and low-cost vehicle shape detection device that can detect a vehicle shape with sufficient resolution while reducing the number of light emitting / receiving elements used as vehicle body detection means. It is in the point of not.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention includes vehicle body detection means in which a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged in the vertical direction are opposed to each other so as to sandwich an automobile, and the light emitting elements are sequentially arranged as the automobile or the vehicle body detection means moves. In a vehicle shape detection device that detects a vehicle body based on whether or not the light is detected by an opposing light receiving element and collects the results of the vehicle body detection at each moving position to form vehicle shape data. A first unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by a light receiving element horizontally facing the light receiving element, and a light receiving element which is adjacent to the light receiving element horizontally facing the light from the same light emitting element. The second unit motion detected in step S1 is detected by detecting the vehicle body by shifting the timing for each element by the number of times corresponding to the number of elements, and driving this vehicle body detection repeatedly according to the movement. If the vehicle body is detected by the first unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the motion, and if the vehicle body is detected by the second unit motion, the element related to the motion is detected. Vehicle shape reading means for determining that the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position of the vehicle height and storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data, and having a resolution higher than the number of elements in the vehicle body detection means. Can detect the shape
The above-mentioned problems are solved by the feature of the above.
[0006]
Further, the present invention includes vehicle body detection means in which a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged in the vertical direction are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and the light emitting elements are moved as the automobile or the vehicle body detection means moves. In a vehicle shape detection device that detects a vehicle body based on whether or not the light is detected by an opposing light receiving element and collects the results of vehicle body detection at each moving position to form vehicle shape data. A first unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element in the means with a light receiving element horizontally facing the light receiving element, and a light receiving element similarly adjacent to the light receiving element horizontally facing the light from one light emitting element. And a third unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by a light receiving element that is horizontally opposed thereto and a light receiving element that is adjacent below the second unit operation. Detecting the vehicle body by shifting the number of times according to the number of elements, and detecting and driving the vehicle body repeatedly according to the movement, and detecting the vehicle body in the first unit operation, It is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element, and if the vehicle body is detected by the second or third unit operation, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position of the height of the element related to the operation. Detection result
Vehicle shape reading means for storing the results in the storage means as vehicle shape data, and the vehicle shape can be detected with a resolution higher than the number of elements in the vehicle body detection means. It is.
[0007]
In addition, when the vehicle shape detection means as described above is applied to a car wash machine, a vehicle body detection operation is performed in advance by the detection drive means in a state where no automobile exists between the light emitting and light receiving elements of the vehicle body detection means before the start of the car wash. The vehicle body detection threshold value for each unit operation is set in accordance with the light reception level in each unit operation at this time, and the vehicle shape data is read by the vehicle shape reading means in accordance with the set threshold value after starting the car wash. If the car wash processing device is made to act along the vehicle body surface based on the car shape data, a car wash machine having a high washing performance can be obtained by accurately grasping the car shape.
[0008]
The present invention relates to a car wash machine in which either an automobile or a car wash machine travels, and a car wash processing device provided in the car wash machine in accordance with this travel performs washing, drying, etc. of the automobile body. The car washing machine is provided with a vehicle body detecting means in which the element and the light receiving element are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and as the automobile or the vehicle body detecting means moves, the light emitting elements emit light sequentially and the light is received by the opposed light receiving elements. In a car wash machine equipped with a vehicle shape detection device that collects the results of vehicle body detection at each moving position and captures vehicle shape data, from one light emitting element in the vehicle body detection means Light is detected by a light receiving element that is horizontally opposed to the first unit operation, and light from one light emitting element is also detected by a light receiving element that is horizontally adjacent to the light receiving element and adjacent to the light receiving element. Detecting the vehicle body by performing the second unit operation for each element by shifting the timing for each element a number of times according to the number of elements, and detecting the vehicle body repeatedly according to the movement; If the vehicle body is detected in one unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the motion. If the vehicle body is detected in the second unit motion, the intermediate position of the element height related to the motion is determined. There is a car body
A vehicle shape reading means for storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data, and the car wash processing device along the vehicle body surface based on the vehicle shape data stored by the vehicle shape reading means. A car wash control means for controlling to act is provided to solve the above problems.
[0009]
The present invention also relates to a car wash machine in which either an automobile or a car wash machine travels and a car wash processing device provided in the car wash machine performs washing, drying, etc. of the car body as it travels. The car wash machine is provided with a vehicle body detecting means in which the light emitting element and the light receiving element are opposed to each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and as the automobile or the vehicle body detecting means moves, In the car wash machine equipped with the vehicle shape detection device that detects the vehicle body based on whether or not the light is detected, collects the results of the vehicle body detection at each moving position, and takes in the vehicle shape data, one light emission in the vehicle body detection means The first unit operation for detecting light from the element with a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto, and the light from the same light emitting element detected by the light receiving element horizontally adjacent to the light receiving element. The second unit operation and the third unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by the light receiving element horizontally facing the light receiving element and the light receiving element adjacent thereto are shifted in timing for each element. A detection driving means for detecting the vehicle body by performing the number of times according to the number of elements and repeatedly performing the vehicle body detection according to the movement, and if the vehicle body is detected by the first unit operation, the height of the element related to the operation is detected. Position
If the vehicle body is detected in the second or third unit operation, it is determined that the vehicle body is present at an intermediate position of the height of the element related to the operation, and the result of the vehicle body detection is obtained. Vehicle shape reading means that accumulates in the storage means as shape data, and car wash control means that controls the car wash processing device to act along the vehicle body surface based on the vehicle shape data accumulated by the vehicle shape reading means. As a feature, the above-mentioned problems are solved.
[0010]
Here, in the state where there is no automobile between the light emitting and receiving elements of the vehicle body detection means before the start of the car wash, the vehicle body detection operation is performed in advance by the detection driving means, and according to the light reception level in each unit operation at this time It is preferable that a threshold value setting means for setting a vehicle body detection threshold value for each unit operation is provided, and the vehicle body detection threshold value is set before the car wash is started. Further, it is desirable that the threshold value to be set is a value based on an increase in the light receiving level obtained when the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting element.
[0011]
[Action]
According to the present invention, it is possible to determine whether or not a vehicle body exists at the height position of each element by a unit operation in which light from one light emitting element is detected by a light receiving element that is horizontally opposed to the light emitting element. A unit operation that detects light from an element with a light receiving element that is horizontally opposed to the light receiving element and an adjacent light receiving element above or below, and determines whether or not the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position of the height of the element related to the operation. be able to. Then, each unit operation is performed for each element by shifting the timing in accordance with the number of elements to detect the vehicle body, and further, this vehicle body detection is repeatedly performed according to the movement, so that the number of elements in the vehicle body detection means The vehicle shape can be detected with higher resolution.
[0012]
In addition, this car shape detection device is provided in a car wash machine, and a vehicle body detection operation is performed in advance in a state where no automobile is present between each light emitting / receiving element of the vehicle body detection means before the car wash starts. By setting the vehicle detection threshold in each unit operation according to the light reception level, vehicle detection can be performed considering different light reception levels depending on instrumental differences and dirt of each element. Even in a car wash environment where water is scattered, accurate vehicle shape detection can be performed without false detection.
[0013]
And by providing such a car shape detection device in the car wash machine, while detecting the car shape with a smaller number of elements than before, it is possible to accurately recognize the shape of the car and perform a car wash operation comparable to the conventional one, The car body surface can be traced faithfully by a car wash processing device such as a brush.
[0014]
【Example】
The preferred embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view showing an example in which the vehicle shape detection device according to the present invention is used in a known gate-type car wash machine, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same gate-type car wash machine. Reference numeral 1 denotes a gate-type car wash machine that reciprocates on the rail 2 so as to straddle the automobile A. The car wash machine 1 is provided with an upper surface brush 3 and an upper surface nozzle 4 that are moved up and down along the upper surface of the automobile, and these car wash processing devices act along the shape of the automobile A to automatically wash the vehicle body.
[0015]
Reference numeral 5 denotes a car shape detection device, which is provided in front of the car wash machine 1 and is sandwiched in the width direction with respect to the car A, with a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements facing each other vertically, and is exchanged between the light emitting and light receiving elements. The vehicle signal is detected by detecting that the light signal is blocked by the vehicle body of the automobile A, and thereby the vehicle shape is grasped, which will be described in detail later. Reference numeral 6 denotes a known rotary encoder that detects the rotation of the traveling wheel 7 of the car wash machine 1, and outputs a pulse signal each time the car wash machine 1 travels a unit distance, and the movement of the car wash machine 1 is counted by counting the pulse signal. Distance and travel position can be detected.
[0016]
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the vehicle shape detection device 5 and a control system of the car wash machine 1. In the vehicle shape detection device 5, 8 is a light emitting unit in which a plurality of light emitting elements 8 (1) to 8 (n) are arranged vertically, and 9 is a light emitting element 8 (1) to 8 (n), one for each one. A light receiving unit in which a plurality of light receiving elements 9 (1) to 9 (n) are arranged in correspondence with each other, and corresponding light emitting devices 8 (1) to 8 (n) and light receiving devices 9 (1) to 9 (n). An optical signal R (infrared light) is transmitted and received between them, and the light emitting unit 8 and the light receiving unit 9 form a vehicle body detection unit 10.
[0017]
In the vehicle body detection unit 10, the light emitting elements and the light receiving elements are arranged so as to correspond one-to-one, and the light R is basically exchanged between corresponding elements that are horizontally opposed to each other. Since the optical signal R is diffused at a certain angle, it can be detected by another light receiving element adjacent to the corresponding light receiving element. In this embodiment, each element is provided close to each other so that an optical signal from one light emitting element can be detected by the adjacent upper and lower light receiving elements in addition to the corresponding light receiving element.
[0018]
Reference numeral 11 denotes a detection drive unit that drives the vehicle body detection unit 10 according to a predetermined procedure. The detection drive unit 11 outputs a signal to the light emitting unit 8 to emit light from the light emitting elements in order from the top. Are sequentially acquired, and vehicle body detection is executed. In this vehicle body detection, a unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto, and a light receiving element adjacent to the light receiving element horizontally above or below the light from the same light emitting element. The unit operation is detected so that the vehicle body is detected with a resolution higher than the number of arranged elements. The unit operation is performed a number of times according to the number of elements by shifting the timing for each element. It will be. The detection drive unit 11 receives a pulse signal accompanying the travel of the car wash machine 1 from the encoder 6 via the car wash control unit 20 described later, and the car wash machine 1 moves the vehicle body detection by a unit distance in synchronization with this pulse signal. Repeat every time.
[0019]
Reference numeral 12 denotes a vehicle shape reading unit that reads detection data from the vehicle body detection unit 10, and the light receiving unit 9 reads the light reception level detected by each light receiving element as a result of the vehicle body detection to determine the presence or absence of the vehicle body at each position. A vehicle body determination unit 12a, a threshold value setting unit 12b for setting a threshold value for determining the presence or absence of a vehicle body by the vehicle body determination unit 12a, a vehicle body surface position of the vehicle based on detection data from the vehicle body determination unit 12a A vehicle shape detection unit 12d for detecting the position / type of the projection, detection data obtained by the vehicle body determination unit 12a, a threshold value given by the threshold setting unit 12b, and vehicle shape data obtained by the vehicle shape detection unit 12d And a storage unit 12c for storing / accumulating (vehicle body surface position and protrusion position / type, etc.). The threshold value referred to here is a numerical value that is compared with an increase in the amount of light received by the corresponding light receiving element due to the light emitting element emitting light. It is determined that the vehicle body is detected if the increase does not reach the threshold value.
[0020]
The threshold value setting by the threshold value setting unit 12b is performed by performing a vehicle body detection operation in a state where there is no vehicle between the light emitting and receiving units of the vehicle body detection unit 10 prior to the vehicle body detection by the vehicle body determination unit 12a. Details will be described later. In the vehicle shape detection unit 12d, the highest position determined by the vehicle body determination unit 12a as having a vehicle body (the height position of the light receiving element detected by the vehicle body) is set as the vehicle body surface position. Recognize the object and determine its position and type. The method for recognizing the protrusion and determining the type is not particularly different from the method disclosed in JP-A-8-225065, and is therefore omitted here.
[0021]
A car wash control unit 20 of the car wash machine 1 drives a car wash processing device such as the upper brush 3 and the upper nozzle 4 and a traveling motor of the car wash machine 1 through the car wash drive unit 21 according to a car wash operation program. The vehicle is subjected to a vehicle washing process such as washing / drying of the vehicle body, while the upper surface brush 3 and the upper surface nozzle 4 are controlled to move up and down based on vehicle shape data from the vehicle shape reading unit 12. Manipulate the surface to be traced faithfully. Further, the car wash control unit 20 includes a travel position detection unit 20a, and counts the travel pulses from the encoder 6 to give the travel position of the car wash machine 1. An operation panel 22 is provided on the front surface of the car wash machine 1 and performs selection input of car wash contents and car wash start input.
[0022]
In the embodiment configured as described above, when there is a car wash start input on the operation panel 22, the vehicle body detection operation is performed in a state where there is no automobile between the light emitting and receiving parts of the vehicle body detection unit 10 before the start and the threshold value After that, the car wash machine 1 travels and the car wash process is started. Hereinafter, the operation will be described with reference to FIGS.
[0023]
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a threshold value setting operation in the vehicle shape detection device 5 which is executed before the start of car washing. Here, the first detection operation (1), the second detection operation (2), and the third detection operation (3) are sequentially performed in a state where there is no automobile yet between the light emitting and receiving portions of the vehicle body detection unit 10. Execute and set threshold values between light emitting and receiving elements.
[0024]
The detection operations (1) to (3) will be described with reference to FIG. 6. In the first detection operation (1), the light emitting elements of the vehicle body detection unit 10 are sequentially caused to emit light, and now one light emitting element 8 is provided. If (a) emits light, light is received by the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontally opposed thereto, the light receiving level at this time is taken in, and this unit operation is repeated n times for the number of elements. Based on the light reception level captured here, an increase (gain amount) of the light reception level obtained by the light receiving element receiving light from the light emitting element is obtained for each element, and a constant ratio (for example, 50%) of this increase. Minute is set as the first threshold. Further, in the second detection operation, if the light emitting element a emits light, the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontally adjacent to this and the light receiving element 9 (a-1) adjacent thereto receive light. The received light level is taken in, this unit operation is repeated n-1 times as many as the number of elements, and the second threshold value is set in the same manner as described above according to the received light received level. Further, in the third detection operation, if the light emitting element a emits light, the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontal to the light receiving element 9 receives light from the light receiving element 9 (a + 1) adjacent below, and the light receiving level at this time This unit operation is repeated n-1 times as many as the number of elements, and the third operation is performed in the same manner as described above according to the received light reception level.
Set the threshold.
[0025]
In this way, the first threshold value between the elements that are horizontally opposed to each other and the second and third threshold values between the elements that are shifted up and down by one from the horizontal are set, and stored in the vehicle-shaped reading unit 12. Store in the unit 12c. The total number of the first to third threshold values set in this way is about three times the number of elements. That is, for example, if there are 101 pairs of elements, 302 threshold values are set. In this way, setting the threshold value between each element to be detected individually has the problem of instrumental error of each element, but the light transmission between elements due to dirt on each element and its cover etc. Because the conditions are different, it is required for accurate vehicle body detection.
[0026]
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a vehicle shape detection operation performed by the vehicle shape detection device 5 in accordance with the car wash operation. This vehicle shape detection operation is performed in the first car wash process in which the car wash machine 1 travels forward, and in the subsequent processes, the car wash operation is performed using the accumulated car shape data. When the car wash is started and a pulse signal accompanying the travel of the car wash machine 1 is input from the encoder 6 (11), a series of vehicle body detections (12) to (14) are performed each time.
[0027]
First, a first vehicle body detection operation for detecting the vehicle body between the light emitting / receiving elements facing each other horizontally is performed (12). That is, if the light emitting element 8 (a) emits light in FIG. 6, light is received by the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontally opposed thereto, and the light receiving element emits light from the light emitting element based on the light receiving level at this time. The amount of increase (gain amount) of the received light level obtained by receiving the signal is obtained, and if the increased amount of received light level is greater than or equal to the first threshold value corresponding to the element, the vehicle body is not detected and the received light level is the first If the threshold value is not satisfied, it is determined that the vehicle body is detected, and this first unit operation is repeated n times as many as the number of elements.
[0028]
Subsequently, a second vehicle body detection operation is performed in which the light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element adjacent to the horizontal element and the horizontal element (13). That is, if the light emitting element 8 (a) emits light in FIG. 6, light is received by the light receiving element 9 (a-1) adjacent to the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontally facing this, and at this time Based on the received light level, an increase in the received light level (gain amount) obtained by the light receiving element receiving light from the light emitting element is obtained, and the increased received light level is equal to or greater than a second threshold value corresponding to the element. If it is, the vehicle body is not detected, and if the light reception level does not satisfy the second threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle body is detected, and this second unit operation is repeated n-1 times according to the number of elements.
[0029]
Further, a third vehicle body detection operation is performed in which the light from the light emitting element is received by the light receiving element adjacent to the horizontal element and the light receiving element (14). That is, if the light emitting element 8 (a) emits light in FIG. 6, light is received by the light receiving element 9 (a) horizontally opposed to the light receiving element 9 (a + 1) and is received at this time. Based on the level, the light receiving element obtains an increase (gain amount) of the light reception level obtained by receiving light from the light emitting element, and the increase in the light reception level is equal to or greater than a third threshold value corresponding to the element. If the vehicle body is not detected and the received light level does not satisfy the third threshold value, it is determined that the vehicle body is detected, and this third unit operation is repeated n-1 times according to the number of elements.
[0030]
When the series of vehicle body detections (12) to (14) is completed, the vehicle body surface position is determined based on the results of these vehicle body detections (15). This determination method will be described below with reference to FIG. In the first vehicle body detection operation, when a vehicle body is detected between horizontal elements as shown in FIG. 7 (1), it is determined that there is a vehicle body between the corresponding light emitting and receiving elements unconditionally. . In the second and third vehicle body detection operations, as shown in Fig. 7 (2) (3), when either one of (2) (3) is detected between the elements shifted up and down from the horizontal by one Determines that the vehicle body exists at the intermediate height of the corresponding light emitting / receiving element, and determines that the vehicle body does not exist if both of (2) and (3) indicate that the vehicle body is not detected. In this way, the height of each element and the presence / absence of the vehicle body at the intermediate height of each element are determined, the highest position where “vehicle body is present” is determined as the vehicle body surface, and the height position is determined as the travel position detector 20a. Is stored in the storage unit 12c together with the travel position given by.
[0031]
As shown in FIG. 7, the vehicle body can be detected at five levels of height by three pairs of light emitting / receiving elements which are part of the vehicle body detection unit 10. When the vehicle body surface position is thus obtained, the position / type of the projection is detected based on the vehicle body surface position accumulated so far and stored in the storage unit 12c (16). This projection detection detects local projections of the vehicle body surface position, recognizes the projection, and sets its position and type. This method is known in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 8-225065 described above. Details are omitted here.
[0032]
When the series of vehicle shape detection operations (12) to (16) is completed in this way, the completion of the car wash process is confirmed (17). If the car is being washed, the detection operation is repeatedly performed from step (11). When the car washing process with this vehicle shape detection is completed, the vehicle is returned (17), and the vehicle shape detection operation is completed. The vehicle shape data detected and accumulated in this way is used for raising and lowering control of the upper surface brush 3 and upper surface nozzle 4, and the specific control method is disclosed in JP-A-9-175345. Details are omitted because there is no change.
[0033]
This embodiment is configured as described above, and the presence / absence of the vehicle body at the intermediate height of the light emitting / receiving element actually provided is determined by the second and third vehicle body detection operations. The vehicle body can be detected with a resolution approximately twice the number of elements at the height position and the intermediate position. That is, for example, if 101 pairs of light emitting / receiving elements are provided, the vehicle body can be detected with a resolution of 201. It should be noted that the vehicle body is detected by the light receiving element diagonally above and the light receiving element diagonally below the light emitting element by the second and third vehicle body detection, and if the presence of the vehicle body is recognized by any of these, it is determined that the vehicle body is present. Thus, for example, even if the vehicle body is tilted or there is a protrusion or the like at a position shifted to the left or right, this can be reliably detected.
[0034]
Further, since it is used in an environment where washing water or the like is scattered outdoors such as a car wash machine, the light emitting / receiving element and its transparent cover in the vehicle shape detection device 5 are likely to get dirty and are subject to erroneous detection. Detection is determined based on the increase (gain amount) in the light reception level obtained by the light receiving element receiving light from the light emitting element, and there is no vehicle body between the light emitting and light receiving elements before the start of car washing. The vehicle body detection operation is performed, and the threshold value is set by checking the light reception level between each element that detects the vehicle body immediately before washing the vehicle. By looking at it, it is possible to prevent erroneous detection and to accurately detect the body.
[0035]
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various embodiments are conceivable without departing from the scope of the claims. In the embodiment, first, the first vehicle body detection is performed between the elements that are horizontally opposed to each other by the number of elements, and then the second and third vehicle body detections are sequentially performed between the elements that are shifted up and down by one from the horizontal. The first to third vehicle bodies are detected by detecting the vehicle body by a method of performing only the number of light sources, and causing one light emitting element to emit light, first receiving light with the horizontal light receiving element and then receiving light with the light receiving element adjacent thereto. The unit operation in detection may be performed collectively between each element.
[0036]
In addition, the embodiment shows an example in which the car shape detection device is mounted on a gate type car wash machine, but it can also be applied to a car wash machine such as a continuous car wash machine in which a car is moved by a conveyor or the like. Any one or both of them can be applied without any problem if they are of a type in which the vehicle body is washed by relative movement. The type of cleaning in the car wash machine is not limited to the one that performs brush cleaning, but can be similarly applied to the case where high-pressure cleaning is performed without a brush. In the embodiment, a configuration in which a separate vehicle shape detection device 5 is incorporated in the car wash machine 1 is shown. However, the function of the vehicle shape detection device 5 may be inseparably integrated with the car wash machine 1.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
The present invention is configured as described above. In addition to detecting a vehicle body between light emitting and receiving elements that are horizontally and horizontally opposed to each other, a vehicle body between adjacent elements one above or below from the horizontal. By performing detection, it is possible to determine whether or not the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position of the installation height of the element, which makes it possible to detect the vehicle shape with a resolution approximately twice the number of elements, and there is little It has been possible to obtain a high-performance and low-cost vehicle shape detection device and car wash machine that can accurately detect the vehicle shape by the number of elements.
[0038]
In addition, if this car shape detection device is provided in a car wash machine and a vehicle body detection operation is performed in a state where no automobile exists between the light emitting and light receiving elements before the start of the car wash, a threshold value for vehicle body detection is set. It is possible to provide a car wash machine that can detect a vehicle body without erroneous detection in consideration of different light receiving levels depending on instrument differences, dirt, etc., and can accurately recognize the shape of an automobile and exhibit a high cleaning effect. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory side view showing an example in which a vehicle shape detection apparatus according to the present invention is used in a known gate type car wash machine.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory plan view showing an example in which the vehicle shape detection device according to the present invention is used in a known gate-type car wash machine.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration example of the vehicle shape detection device 5 and a control system of the car wash machine 1 in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a threshold value setting operation in the vehicle shape detection device 5 executed before the start of car washing in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a vehicle shape detection operation performed by the vehicle shape detection device 5 in accordance with the car wash operation in the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing first to third vehicle body detection operations in the vehicle shape detection device 5 of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a vehicle body detection operation in the vehicle shape detection device 5 of the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Car wash machine
3 Top brush as a car wash treatment device
4 Top nozzle as a car wash treatment device
5 Vehicle shape detection device
6 Rotary encoder
8 Light emitting part of vehicle body detection means
8 (1) -8 (n) Light emitting element
9 Light receiving part of vehicle body detection means
9 (1) -9 (n) Light receiving element
10. Vehicle body detection unit as vehicle body detection means
11 Detection Drive Unit as Detection Drive Means
12 Vehicle shape reading unit as vehicle shape reading means
12a Car body determination unit
12b Threshold setting section
12c storage unit
12d Vehicle shape detector
20 Car wash control means as car wash control means
20a Traveling position detecting unit as traveling position detecting means
21 Car wash drive
22 Operation panel

Claims (7)

A plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged in a vertical direction are provided so as to face each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and the light emitting elements emit light sequentially to face each other as the automobile or the vehicle body detecting means moves. In the vehicle shape detection device that detects the vehicle body based on whether or not the light is detected by the light receiving element and collects the results of the vehicle body detection at each moving position to form vehicle shape data,
The first unit operation of detecting light from one light emitting element in the vehicle body detection means by a light receiving element horizontally facing the same, and the light from the same light emitting element horizontally above or below the light receiving element. The second unit operation detected by the light receiving element adjacent to the vehicle is detected by performing the number of times corresponding to the number of elements by shifting the timing for each element, and the vehicle body detection is repeatedly performed according to the movement. Detection driving means;
If the vehicle body is detected in the first unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the motion. If the vehicle body is detected in the second unit motion, the height of the element related to the motion is determined. Vehicle shape reading means for determining that the vehicle body is present at the intermediate position and storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data;
A vehicle shape detection apparatus characterized in that vehicle shape detection can be performed with a resolution higher than the number of elements in the vehicle body detection means. A plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged in a vertical direction are provided so as to face each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and the light emitting elements emit light sequentially to face each other as the automobile or the vehicle body detecting means moves. In the vehicle shape detection device that detects the vehicle body based on whether or not the light is detected by the light receiving element and collects the results of the vehicle body detection at each moving position to form vehicle shape data,
In the vehicle body detection means, a first unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto, and similarly, light from one light emitting element is adjacent to a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto. A second unit operation that is detected by a light-receiving element that performs the same operation, and a third unit operation that detects light from one light-emitting element horizontally and a light-receiving element adjacent to the light-receiving element. Detecting the vehicle body by shifting the timing to the number of times according to the number of elements, and detecting and driving the vehicle body repeatedly according to the movement;
If the vehicle body is detected in the first unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the operation. If the vehicle body is detected in the second or third unit motion, the element related to the motion is determined. Vehicle shape reading means for determining that the vehicle body is present at an intermediate position in height and storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data;
A vehicle shape detection apparatus characterized in that vehicle shape detection can be performed with a resolution higher than the number of elements in the vehicle body detection means. 3. A car washing machine equipped with the vehicle shape detection device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection driving means performs prior vehicle body detection operation in a state where no automobile is present between the light emitting / receiving elements of the vehicle body detection means before the start of washing. The vehicle body detection threshold value in each unit operation is set according to the light reception level in each unit operation at this time, and the vehicle shape reading means according to the set threshold value after the car wash starts A car washer equipped with a car shape detecting device, wherein data is stored and the car wash processing device is controlled to act along the vehicle body surface based on the car shape data. Either a car or a car wash machine travels, and a car wash processing device provided in the car wash machine in accordance with this running performs washing, drying, etc. of the car body, each having a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged vertically The car washer is provided with vehicle body detection means facing each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and as the automobile or the vehicle body detection means moves, the light emitting elements emit light sequentially and the light is detected by the opposed light receiving elements. In a car wash machine equipped with a vehicle shape detection device that detects the vehicle body according to whether or not, collects the results of vehicle body detection at each moving position and takes in the vehicle shape data,
The first unit operation of detecting light from one light emitting element in the vehicle body detection means by a light receiving element horizontally facing the same, and the light from the same light emitting element horizontally above or below the light receiving element. The second unit operation detected by the light receiving element adjacent to the vehicle is detected by performing the number of times corresponding to the number of elements by shifting the timing for each element, and the vehicle body detection is repeatedly performed according to the movement. If the vehicle body is detected by the detection driving means and the first unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the motion, and if the vehicle body is detected by the second unit motion, the motion is detected. Vehicle shape reading means for determining that the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position of the height of the element and storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data;
A car wash having a car shape detecting device, comprising car wash control means for controlling the car wash processing device to act along the vehicle body surface based on the car shape data accumulated by the car shape reading means. Either a car or a car wash machine travels, and a car wash processing device provided in the car wash machine in accordance with this running performs washing, drying, etc. of the car body, each having a plurality of light emitting elements and light receiving elements arranged vertically The car washer is provided with vehicle body detection means facing each other so as to sandwich the automobile, and as the automobile or the vehicle body detection means moves, the light emitting elements emit light sequentially and the light is detected by the opposed light receiving elements. In a car wash machine equipped with a vehicle shape detection device that detects the vehicle body according to whether or not, collects the results of vehicle body detection at each moving position and takes in the vehicle shape data,
In the vehicle body detection means, a first unit operation for detecting light from one light emitting element by a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto, and similarly, light from one light emitting element is adjacent to a light receiving element horizontally opposed thereto. A second unit operation that is detected by a light-receiving element that performs the same operation, and a third unit operation that detects light from one light-emitting element horizontally and a light-receiving element adjacent to the light-receiving element. Detecting the vehicle body by shifting the timing to the number of times according to the number of elements, and detecting and driving the vehicle body repeatedly according to the movement;
If the vehicle body is detected in the first unit motion, it is determined that the vehicle body exists at the height position of the element related to the operation. If the vehicle body is detected in the second or third unit motion, the element related to the motion is determined. Vehicle shape reading means for determining that the vehicle body exists at an intermediate position in height and storing the result of the vehicle body detection in the storage means as vehicle shape data;
A car wash having a car shape detecting device, comprising car wash control means for controlling the car wash processing device to act along the vehicle body surface based on the car shape data accumulated by the car shape reading means. 6. A car washing machine comprising the vehicle shape detection device according to claim 4 or 5, wherein a vehicle body is detected in advance by said detection driving means in a state in which no vehicle is present between each light emitting / receiving element of the vehicle body detection means before the start of washing. Car wash equipped with a vehicle shape detecting device characterized by comprising threshold setting means for setting a threshold for vehicle body detection in each unit operation according to the received light level in each unit operation at this time Machine. The car wash machine having the vehicle shape detection device according to claim 3 or 6, wherein the threshold value to be set is a value based on an increase in a light receiving level obtained when the light receiving element receives light from the light emitting element. A car wash machine equipped with a vehicle shape detection device characterized by

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