JP2016124462A - Self-traveling washing machine and washing method of object to be washed - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a self-traveling washing machine and a washing method of an object to be washed capable of exactly washing a surface to be washed having a large height (that is, vertically broad width) by effectively utilizing both of a side brush and an auxiliary brush when an object to be washed having a large height of which the surface to be washed is difficult to wash only by using the side brush is washed while performing miniaturization of the self-traveling washing machine and cost reduction by mounting the side brush and the auxiliary brush on a traveling frame capable of self-traveling on optional travel routes.SOLUTION: A self-traveling washing machine A includes: a traveling frame F capable of self-traveling on an optional traveling route and a traveling route along a substantially vertical surface to be washed of an object V" to be washed; a side brush S which is mounted on the traveling frame F and can wash the surface to be washed; an auxiliary brush T which can wash the surface to be washed on a position higher than the side brush S; elevation driving means capable of elevation driving of the auxiliary brush T; and control means capable of controlling traveling driving means and elevation driving means.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 13

Description

  The present invention relates to a self-propelled cleaning machine in which a side brush is mounted on a traveling frame capable of self-propelling so that a surface to be cleaned, such as a side surface, can be cleaned.

  A conventional self-propelled washing machine, for example, a self-propelled car wash machine, is a portal type that can clean the body surface with a brush while reciprocating a portal-type traveling frame having a side brush and a top brush with respect to an automobile. A car wash machine is widely known (see Patent Document 1 below).

  There is also known a car wash machine in which a single side brush is mounted on a traveling frame capable of traveling around a large vehicle such as a bus and the vehicle body side and front and rear surfaces are cleaned only by this side brush (described below). (See Patent Document 2)

JP-A-3-7643 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-127843

  In the gate-type car wash machine of Patent Document 1, a pair of left and right side brushes are mounted on a portal-type traveling frame that travels on and off a guide rail across an automobile, so that it is necessary to install a guide rail on the ground. Not only is the car wash location fixed, but the location cannot be used for other purposes, making it impossible to use the installation location effectively. In addition to the increase in size, it is necessary to provide a pair of left and right side brushes on the left and right sides of the gate-type traveling frame, which may increase the size and cost of the car wash as a whole.

  On the other hand, in the self-propelled car wash machine of Patent Document 2, a relatively small (that is, non-portal) traveling frame having only a single side brush travels around the vehicle by itself. However, if the object to be cleaned is tall, the surface to be cleaned cannot be cleaned with a side brush alone. There is. Therefore, when the side brush is formed to be long and long to cope with this problem, there is a problem that the rotation support mechanism for the side brush, and the entire washing machine becomes bulky, and the object to be cleaned is short. When cleaning the surface to be cleaned, it is necessary to rotate the upper part of the side brush (that is, the portion of the side brush that is taller than the object to be cleaned), which is disadvantageous in terms of energy saving. However, a bulky washing machine must always be run, which is disadvantageous in ensuring its running stability.

  The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and a novel useful and compact self-propelled washing machine capable of solving the problems all at once, while taking advantage of the above-described two types of washing machines. It aims at providing the washing | cleaning method of a wash thing.

  In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 includes a traveling frame having traveling driving means and capable of traveling by itself on an arbitrary traveling route and a traveling route along a substantially vertical surface to be cleaned. A side brush that is mounted on the traveling frame so as not to be lifted and that can clean the surface to be cleaned, an auxiliary brush that can clean the surface to be cleaned at a position higher than the side brush, and the auxiliary brush that can be driven up and down It is provided with a raising / lowering drive means, and a control means capable of controlling the travel drive means and the raising / lowering drive means.

  In the invention of claim 1 and the invention of other claims, the “arbitrary travel route” means that the traveling frame travels without the washing machine being cleaned (for example, the object to be washed should be washed by the washing machine). This means the travel route of the travel frame that is freely selected by the driver of the cleaning machine at any time when the vehicle is moved between the cleaning place and the standby position of the cleaning machine away from the cleaning place.

  Further, the invention of claim 2 is a method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using the self-propelled cleaning machine according to claim 1, wherein the object to be cleaned is difficult to clean with only a side brush. When cleaning an object, when the traveling frame travels along the surface to be cleaned, the side brush and the auxiliary brush are in a state where the auxiliary brush is raised to a position higher than the side brush. The surface to be cleaned is cleaned with both.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling frame having traveling driving means and capable of traveling by itself along an arbitrary traveling route and a traveling route along at least one side of the object to be cleaned, and an object to be cleaned mounted on the traveling frame. An auxiliary brush that can clean the upper surface and substantially vertical side surface of the garment, a side brush that is also mounted on the traveling frame and that can clean the side surface of the object to be cleaned, and is supported by the traveling frame so that it can be raised and lowered. Elevating body pivotally supported so as to be able to oscillate between an extended position and a substantially vertical standing position, elevating drive means for elevating the elevating body, and oscillating drive capable of oscillating the auxiliary brush Cleaning means using a self-propelled washing machine comprising: means and a control means capable of controlling the travel drive means, the elevating drive means and the swing drive means, wherein only a side brush is used. Side cleaning is possible In the case of normal cleaning for cleaning the object to be cleaned, when the traveling frame travels along at least one side of the object to be cleaned, the auxiliary brush cleans the upper surface of the object to be cleaned and at least one side with the side brush. In the case of special cleaning that cleans tall objects that are difficult to clean from the side with only the side brush, the lifting body is held in a predetermined raised position and the auxiliary brush is held in the standing position or standing position. The traveling frame is caused to travel along at least one side surface of the object to be cleaned while being held at the intermediate swing position close to the object, and at least one side surface of the object to be cleaned is cleaned by both the side brush and the auxiliary brush during the traveling. It is characterized by.

  In the third aspect of the invention, the “side surface” of the object to be cleaned means a surface surrounding the periphery of the object to be cleaned by connecting the upper surface and the lower surface of the object to be cleaned. Therefore, when the article to be cleaned is an automobile, it includes not only the left and right side surfaces of the automobile but also the front and rear end faces. Further, when the object to be cleaned is a rectangular parallelepiped shape, it means four side surfaces around the periphery.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a traveling frame having traveling driving means and capable of traveling by itself around an arbitrary traveling route and an automobile, and mounted on the traveling frame, at least one of an upper surface, left and right side surfaces, and front and rear sides of the automobile. An auxiliary brush that can clean the end surface, a side brush that is also mounted on the traveling frame and that can clean the left and right side surfaces and the front and rear end surfaces of the vehicle, and an auxiliary brush that is supported by the traveling frame so as to be movable up and down, The elevating body that is pivotally supported so as to be able to oscillate between substantially vertical standing positions, the elevating driving means that can elevate and lower the elevating body, the oscillation driving means that can oscillate the auxiliary brush, and the travel A cleaning method for an object to be cleaned using a self-propelled cleaning machine provided with a driving means, a control means capable of controlling the elevating driving means and the swing driving means, and the side cleaning is possible only with a side brush In the case of normal cleaning for cleaning a vehicle with a high height, when the traveling frame travels along the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle with the low vehicle height, the upper surface of the vehicle with the low vehicle height is cleaned with an auxiliary brush. In the case of special cleaning in which the left and right side surfaces are cleaned with a brush, and a vehicle with a high vehicle height that is difficult to clean with only the side brushes, the lifting body is held in a predetermined raised position and the auxiliary brush is A traveling frame is traveled around the high vehicle height while being held at an upright position or an intermediate swinging position close to the standing position, and during the traveling, both the side brush and the auxiliary brush The left and right side surfaces and at least one of the front and rear end surfaces are washed.

  In addition, in the invention of claim 4, the “low-height vehicle capable of side cleaning with only the side brush” includes sedan type or van type ordinary passenger cars and light vehicles, and the side brush alone Also included is a microbus with a relatively low vehicle height that allows side cleaning at a car. In addition, “high-height vehicles that are difficult to clean from the side with just a side brush” means that the upper part of the side is higher than the side brush and cannot be washed with a side brush. Etc. are included.

  The invention of claim 5 is a self-propelled washing machine used in the method for washing an object to be washed according to claim 3 or 4, wherein the control means includes the first control mode for the normal washing. Any of the second control modes for the special cleaning can be executed, and when the second control mode is executed, the lifting body is held in a predetermined lifted position and the auxiliary brush is erected. The elevating drive means and the swing drive means are controlled so as to be held at an intermediate swing position close to the position or the standing position.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in addition to the above feature of the fifth aspect of the invention, the control means executes the second control mode for the special cleaning in the upper part of the side surface of the high vehicle height. Both the cleaning mode when the head is inclined inward and the cleaning mode when it is not tilted can be executed, and when the cleaning mode when tilting is performed, the auxiliary brush is used. When the swing driving means is controlled so as to be held at the intermediate swing position close to the standing position, and when the cleaning mode when not tilting is executed, the auxiliary brush is moved to the standing position or the intermediate swing position. The swing driving means is controlled so as to be held at an intermediate swing position closer to the standing position than the position.

  According to each of the first and second aspects of the present invention, a travel frame having travel drive means and capable of traveling on its own along a travel route along a substantially vertical surface to be cleaned of an object to be cleaned, and the travel frame A side brush mounted on the surface to clean the surface to be cleaned, an auxiliary brush capable of cleaning the surface to be cleaned at a position higher than the side brush, an elevating drive unit capable of driving the auxiliary brush up and down, and a traveling drive unit And control means capable of controlling the lifting drive means, it is not only necessary to install a travel guide rail on the travel frame, but the travel frame needs to be formed in a large gate shape that can straddle the object to be cleaned. This contributes to the compactness and cost saving of the washing machine. In addition, since the cleaning machine can travel on any travel route by itself, the cleaning location is not fixed, and the installation space can be effectively utilized.

  In addition, when cleaning tall objects that are difficult to clean the surface to be cleaned with the side brush alone, the traveling frame rises to a higher position than the side brush when traveling along the surface to be cleaned. Since the portion having a high surface to be cleaned can be accurately cleaned by the held auxiliary brush, the surface to be cleaned which is tall (that is, wide in the vertical direction) can be accurately cleaned using both the side brush and the auxiliary brush. Moreover, it is not necessary to lengthen the side brush itself for cleaning tall objects, so that it can contribute to simplification of the structure of the washer and energy saving. In addition, if the auxiliary brush is held at a position lower than the upper limit position during non-cleaning, for example during standby, the cleaning machine can be made more compact, and the height of the center of gravity of the cleaning machine can be effectively lowered and non-cleaning can be achieved. The running stability of the washing machine at the time is improved.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the auxiliary brush and the side brush are mounted on the traveling frame which has traveling driving means and can travel on its own traveling route along the traveling route along at least one side of the object to be cleaned. In addition to eliminating the need for installation of travel guide rails on the travel frame, it is not necessary to form the travel frame into a large gate shape that can straddle the object to be cleaned, contributing to the compactness of the washing machine and cost reduction. In addition, since the washing machine can travel on its own route, it is possible to use the installation space effectively without fixing the washing place. In addition, since both the side brush and the auxiliary brush are provided even when the traveling frame is downsized in this way, in the case of normal cleaning for cleaning a short object to be cleaned, the side brush is used to clean the side surface of the object to be cleaned. In addition, the upper surface of the object to be cleaned can be accurately cleaned with the auxiliary brush.

  In addition, the lifting body is supported by the traveling frame so as to be able to move up and down, and the auxiliary brush is pivotally supported so that the auxiliary brush can swing between a substantially horizontal protruding position and a substantially vertical standing position, and the lifting body is driven to move up and down. And a control device capable of controlling the lift drive means and the swing drive means. When cleaning the upper surface, the auxiliary brush (elevating body) can be lifted and lowered easily according to the height of the upper surface, and even if the upper surface of the object to be cleaned is slightly inclined, the auxiliary brush can be adjusted according to the inclination. By appropriately swinging, the cleaning effect can be enhanced by accurately fitting to the upper surface, and even when the side surface of the object to be cleaned is tilted, the auxiliary brush is swung appropriately according to the tilt. And assist against the inclined side Precisely to fit the brush it is possible to enhance the cleaning effect. Furthermore, if the lifting body is set to a position lower than the upper limit position and the auxiliary brush is held in the standing position, the washing machine can be made compact during standby and the height of the center of gravity of the washing machine can be effectively lowered and washed. The stability of the machine is increased.

  Furthermore, in the case of special cleaning for cleaning an object to be cleaned that is difficult to clean with the side brush alone (that is, tall), the lifting body is held at a predetermined rising position and the auxiliary brush is moved upright or close to the standing position. The traveling frame is moved along at least one side of the object to be cleaned while being held at the intermediate swing position, and at least one side of the object to be cleaned is cleaned by both the side brush and the auxiliary brush during the traveling. Therefore, the upper part of the side surface of the object to be cleaned that cannot be reached by the side brush can be cleaned without any trouble by the auxiliary brush. Therefore, when the object to be cleaned is tall, the auxiliary brush also serves as an extension brush part of the side brush, so that the auxiliary brush can be used effectively, and for the cleaning of tall objects to be cleaned. The side brush itself does not need to be formed in a particularly long length, and can contribute to simplification of the structure, size reduction, and energy saving.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 4, it is possible to achieve basically the same effect as the effect of the invention of claim 3, and in addition, the object to be cleaned can be cleaned with a side brush alone. In the case of a vehicle with a vehicle height, the normal cleaning is executed, and when the traveling frame travels along the side of the vehicle, the upper surface of the vehicle is an auxiliary brush and the left and right sides of the vehicle are side brushes. Thus, it is possible to clean the upper and side surfaces of a low-height automobile body accurately. In addition, when the object to be cleaned is a high-height automobile that cannot be cleaned by the side brush alone, the special cleaning is performed, and the side of the traveling frame travels around the high-height automobile. Since both the brush and the auxiliary brush clean the side surface and / or the front and rear end faces of a high vehicle height, the side brush and the side brush are specially used for a high vehicle height, for example, a large bus or a microbus. It is possible to clean without trouble by the cooperation of the side brush and the auxiliary brush.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 5, the control means can execute both the first control mode for the normal cleaning and the second control mode for the special cleaning. When the control mode 2 is executed, the elevating drive means and the swing drive means are arranged so as to hold the lifting body in a predetermined raised position and hold the auxiliary brush in the standing position or an intermediate swinging position closer to the standing position. Since it controls, the washing machine can perform not only the normal washing but also the special washing at any time.

  In particular, according to the invention of claim 6, the control means is not inclined with respect to the cleaning mode when the upper part of the side surface of the object to be cleaned is inclined inwardly upward in executing the second control mode. The swing drive means can be used to hold the auxiliary brush at an intermediate swing position close to the standing position when executing the cleaning mode when tilting. When performing the cleaning mode when the control is not performed, the swing drive means is configured to hold the auxiliary brush in the standing position or in the intermediate swing position further closer to the stand-up position than the intermediate swing position. Therefore, when special cleaning is performed, both the cleaning mode when the upper part of the side of the object to be cleaned having a high overall height is inclined inward and the cleaning mode when it is not inclined are accurately determined. Is feasible and its The upper portion of the side surface of the cleaning product with the auxiliary brush in accordance with the presence or absence of its inclined washable respectively efficiently.

The front view which shows one Embodiment of the washing machine which concerns on this invention (Overall view seen from running direction rear side) Side view of the washing machine (viewed in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1) Plan view of the washing machine (viewed in the direction of arrow 3 in FIG. 1) Main part explanatory drawing which takes out and shows only the mechanism part for raising / lowering and swinging of the top brush in the said washing machine FIG. 5 is a main part explanatory view (sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 4) showing only a mechanism part for swinging the side brush in the cleaning machine, in which (A) shows the side brush in a vertical storage position; (B) shows the state where the side brush is in the overhanging position tilted from the retracted position. Control block diagram of the washing machine Process explanatory drawing which shows the outline of the movement locus | trajectory of the washing machine and the side brush and the top brush in the washing | cleaning process in the case of wash | cleaning a low vehicle height sedan type vehicle by a 1st washing | cleaning aspect. FIG. 4 is a more specific process explanatory diagram of the cleaning process, in which (A) shows the state of each part of the cleaning machine in the process of traveling along the left side surface of the vehicle body, and (B) is traveling along the rear end surface of the vehicle body. Shows the state of each part of the washer during the process It is a more specific process explanatory drawing of the cleaning process, (C) shows the state of each part of the cleaning machine in the process of traveling along the right side of the vehicle body, (D) is traveling along the front end surface of the vehicle body Shows the state of each part of the washer during the process Process explanatory drawing of the washing process in the case of washing the low van height minivan type automobile in the second washing mode (corresponding to FIG. 8) FIG. 9 is a specific process explanatory diagram (corresponding to FIG. 8) showing an example of the first half of the cleaning process when the generator as an object to be cleaned is cleaned by the cleaning machine, and FIG. The state of each part of the washing machine in the process of traveling along the line is shown, and (B) shows the state of each part of the washing machine in the process of traveling along the front and rear end faces of the generator. FIG. 9 is a specific process explanatory diagram (corresponding to FIG. 9) showing an example of the latter half of the cleaning process of the generator, and (C) is a state of each part of the cleaning machine in the process of traveling along the left and right other side surfaces of the generator. Moreover, (D) shows the state of each part of the washing machine in the process of traveling along the front and rear other end faces of the generator. Explanatory drawing of the main part of the washing machine when washing a high-height car (main part enlarged view of line 13-13 in FIG. 14) Process description plan view of the cleaning process when cleaning automobiles such as high-level microbuses Process description plan view showing an optional cleaning mode that bypasses the front side mirror in a cleaning process when cleaning a car such as a high-level microbus (partly corresponding to FIG. 14) FIG. 6 shows a cleaning example in the case of cleaning the rear end face Vr of the vehicle body with a side brush and a top brush in a cleaning process when cleaning a vehicle such as a high-level microbus, and (A) shows no rear obstacle. 14 shows a normal cleaning time (cross-sectional view taken along line 16 (A) -16 (A) in FIG. 14), FIG. 14B shows a cleaning example corresponding to avoiding the rear mirror, and FIG. 14C shows a rear wiper. A cleaning example corresponding to avoidance is shown, and (D) shows a cleaning example corresponding to avoiding the rear camera. Process explanatory drawing of the washing process in the case of washing one side of the almost vertical wall of a tall wall (corresponding to FIG. 14)

  Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  First, in FIGS. 1 to 5, a self-propelled washing machine A according to the present embodiment includes a low vehicle height vehicle V (for example, a normal passenger car, a light vehicle, a low vehicle height microbus, etc.) and a high vehicle as objects to be cleaned. Any of the high automobiles V ″ (for example, a large bus, a high vehicle height microbus, a large truck, etc.) can function as a washable car wash machine, and has an electric traveling drive means D and can be arbitrarily A traveling frame F that can travel on its own around the traveling route and the vehicles V and V ″ as objects to be cleaned is provided.

  In the traveling frame F, when the object to be cleaned is a vehicle V having a low vehicle height, the vehicle body upper surface Vt and the front and rear end surfaces Vf and Vr can be brushed and the object to be cleaned is a vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height. In some cases, a single auxiliary brush or top brush T capable of brushing and cleaning the four sides of the vehicle body (that is, the left and right side surfaces Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf and Vr), and the object to be cleaned are automobiles V and V ″ A single side brush S capable of performing brushing cleaning on the side surfaces of the vehicle body (namely, the left and right side surfaces Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr), and the object to be cleaned when the object to be cleaned is cleaned by the side brush S and the top brush T. First and second cleaning water spraying means WS and WT as cleaning water spraying means capable of spraying cleaning water, rinse water spraying means WR capable of spraying rinse water on the object to be cleaned, and cleaning machine A Installed in A battery B as a power supply source for supplying power to the drive units of various electric cleaning devices, an upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 as front and rear end detection means capable of detecting front and rear ends of the object to be cleaned, and an object to be cleaned And a pair of front and rear side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3 capable of detecting the horizontal distance between the traveling frame F, and an electronic control unit C as a control means for controlling the operation of the driving units of various cleaning devices in the cleaning machine A And will be installed.

  A cover plate FC (see a chain line in FIG. 1) that covers and protects various cleaning devices in the cleaning machine A in a manner that does not impair their cleaning function is fixed to the traveling frame F. In addition, rainwater is not directly applied to various cleaning devices. As the power supply source, a generator may be used instead of (or in addition to) the battery B that can be charged from an external power source or the like.

  The traveling drive means D includes four casters 1 that are rotatably mounted at four corners on the front, rear, left, and right of the base frame Fb that forms the bottom of the traveling frame F, respectively, and the front and rear directions of the base frame Fb. A pair of left and right drive wheels 2, 2 attached to the central portion, and left and right traveling motors 3, 3 mounted on the base frame Fb so that each of the drive wheels 2, 2 can be individually driven to rotate are provided. The travel motors 3 and 3 are connected to the battery B via the electronic control unit C, and the electronic control unit C individually controls energization from the battery B to the left and right travel motors 3 and 3. Then, for example, the traveling frame F can be moved straight forward or backward by rotating the left and right driving wheels 2 and 2 forward or backward at the same speed, and the left and right driving wheels 2 and 2 can be made to have a rotational speed difference. By attaching and rotating, the traveling frame F can be moved forward or backward while rotating in a desired direction, or can be rotated.

  In this specification, the front and rear of the cleaning machine A (traveling frame 1) refer to the front and rear in the direction in which the traveling frame 1 travels along the surface to be cleaned. When the objects to be cleaned are automobiles V and V ″, the positions before and after the automobiles V and V ″ are not necessarily the same depending on the car wash start position. In the present specification, the left-right direction of the cleaning machine A (traveling frame 1) refers to a direction crossing the traveling direction of the traveling frame 1 traveling along the surface to be cleaned of the object to be cleaned.

  The side brush S includes a side brush body 4 and a side brush shaft 5 that supports the side brush body 4 so as to rotate integrally therewith and extends in the vertical direction. The side brush body 4 is a well-known gate-type car wash machine. Like the side brush, it is composed of a cloth or a large number of brush bristles. The lower end of the side brush shaft 5 is supported by the lower portion of the traveling frame F, that is, the base frame Fb so as to be rotatable and swingable in the left-right direction, while the upper end of the side brush shaft 5 is supported by the traveling frame F Are connected and supported via a guide link mechanism L (in the illustrated example, the upper part of the frame main body frame Fm integrally formed on the base frame Fb). The guide link mechanism L then moves the side brush shaft 5, and therefore the side brush S, within a predetermined swing range between a storage position S1 where it is substantially vertical and an overhang position S2 where the side brush shaft is tilted at a predetermined angle. Guide and support so that it can swing.

  The guide link mechanism L includes a front arm 6 that rotatably supports the upper end of the side brush shaft 5 at one end and extends in the left-right direction, and an intermediate in which one end is pivotally connected to the other end of the front arm 6. The link 7 and a base arm 8 having one end pivotally connected to the other end of the intermediate link 7 and the other end pivotally connected to the upper portion of the frame body frame Fm. The front arm 6 is provided with a side brush driving device DS that can rotationally drive the side brush shaft 5. The side brush driving device DS includes an electric motor 9 fixed to the front arm 6 and its motor. 9 and a chain transmission mechanism 10 disposed in the front arm 6 for interlocking connection between the motor shaft 9 and the side brush shaft 5.

  Between the base arm 8 and the frame body frame Fm, an inner spring 11 that constantly biases the side brush shaft 5 inward (that is, leftward in FIG. 1), and the side brush shaft 5 outward. In other words, the outer spring 12 biased in the right direction (that is, rightward in FIG. 1) is interposed in parallel. A play is set between the outer spring 12 and the base arm 8 when the side brush S is in the retracted position S1, and the biasing force of the outer spring 12 is invalidated. ing. Therefore, the side brush S is urged inward by the urging force of the inner spring 11 when it is in the storage position S1.

  The outer spring 12 urges the side brush shaft 5 outward (that is, the side away from the vehicle V side as the object to be cleaned) when the side brush S is tilted from the retracted position S1 and the play is eliminated. It is comprised so that the energizing force to show can be demonstrated. For this reason, when the contact surface pressure is increased during the vehicle body washing by the side brush S, the side brush S is oscillated in a direction away from the vehicle body side surface Vs by being urged by the outer spring 12, and thus the contact surface. An excessive increase in pressure is suppressed.

  Further, stopper means (not shown) for mechanically restricting the swing range of the base arm 8 by engaging with the base arm 8 is provided on the upper part of the frame main body frame Fm. The swinging of the side brush S is limited to a predetermined range, that is, a predetermined swinging range between the storage position S1 and the overhanging position S2.

  Further, between the base arm 8 and the frame body frame Fm, the base arm 8 is forcibly tilted and held in the retracted position against the tilting moment due to the weight of the side brush S and the biasing force of the inner spring 11. The resulting cylinder device 13 is interposed. Accordingly, the side brush S is held in the retracted position by the cylinder device 13 in the contracted state as shown in FIG. 5A in the standby state (when the vehicle is not washed). When the cylinder device 13 is deactivated (free), the side brush S is in contact with the automobile V as the object to be cleaned by the urging force of the inner spring 11 and gravity as shown in FIG. By tilting, the vehicle V can be brought into contact with the side surface Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr with an appropriate contact surface pressure. The cylinder device 13 may be either an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder. An electromagnetic switching valve (not shown) that controls the supply and discharge of the working fluid to the cylinder device 13 is controlled by the electronic control unit C.

  The top brush T includes a top brush body 20 and a top brush shaft 21 that supports the top brush body 20 so as to rotate integrally. The top brush body 20 includes a top brush of a well-known gate-type car wash machine. Similarly, it is composed of cloth or a large number of brush hairs. The base end of the top brush shaft 21 is supported by a lifting and lowering body 23 that is guided and supported by a traveling frame F so as to be lifted and lowered via a lifting and lowering guide means 22. The elevating body 23 is composed of a rectangular rigid frame, and a brush support frame 23a projecting to the top brush T side is integrally projected on the elevating body 23, and the top brush is mounted on the brush support frame 23a. The base end side of the shaft 21 is supported so as to be swingable as will be described later.

  The elevating guide means 22 is composed of a pair of guide rails 22r which are erected on the base frame Fb of the traveling frame F and extend in the vertical direction. The two guide rails 22r are provided at the four corners of the elevating body 23. A plurality of rolling wheels 25 that are rotatably supported are respectively engaged and held so as to freely roll. Accordingly, when the rolling wheels 25... Are engaged with and held by the guide rail 22r and roll in the rail 22r, the elevating body 23 is guided up and down between a predetermined upper limit position and a lower limit position. Further, between the traveling frame F and the lifting body 23, lifting driving means KS capable of driving the lifting body 23 between the upper limit position and the lower limit position is provided.

  The elevating drive means KS is electrically driven by an elevating motor 26 attached to the base frame Fb of the traveling frame F, and is rotationally driven by the elevating motor 26 via a chain transmission mechanism 27 and is freely rotatable to the base frame Fb. A lower sprocket 28 pivotally supported on the upper side, an upper sprocket 29 pivotally supported on the upper portion of the guide rail 22r, one end coupled to the lift 23 and the other end via the lower sprocket 28 and the upper sprocket 29. And a chain 30 coupled to the elevating body 23. The output of the elevating motor 26 can rotationally drive the lower sprocket 28 via the chain transmission mechanism 27 and can further elevate and lower the elevating body 23 via the chain 30.

  The lifting motor 26 has a built-in brake mechanism so that the lifting / lowering body 23 can be stopped and fixed at any lifting position. A separate brake mechanism (not shown) for restraining the transmission system may be provided separately from the lifting motor 26.

  A base end portion of the top brush shaft 21 is rotatably supported via a bearing in a motor holder 32 that fixes and supports an electric top brush rotation motor 31, and the rotation motor 31 is provided in the motor holder 32. Directly connected to the motor shaft. Therefore, the top brush shaft 21 (and thus the top brush T) can be rotationally driven by the top brush rotation motor 31.

  Further, the motor holder 32 is pivotable through a swing support shaft 33 that is horizontal to the brush support frame 23a of the lift 23 so that it can swing up and down together with the top brush shaft 21 (and therefore the top brush T). Be supported. Stopper means (not shown) is provided between the lift 23 and the motor holder 32 to mechanically restrict the relative swing range between them and restrict the lower swing limit and the upper swing limit of the motor holder 32, respectively. Thus, the top brush shaft 21, and thus the top brush T, can swing within a limited swing range between the horizontal protruding position Th and the vertical standing position Tv.

  Further, a swing drive means KY that can swing-drive the motor holder 32 (and therefore the top brush T) and hold it at any swing position is provided between the lifting body 23 and the motor holder 32. The swing drive means KY includes a top brush swing motor 35 fixed to the brush support frame 23a of the elevating body 23, and a chain transmission mechanism 36 linked to the motor 35. The chain transmission mechanism 36 includes: The motor shaft of the motor 35 and the swing support shaft 33 fixed to the motor holder 32 are interlockedly connected. Therefore, when the top brush swinging motor 35 is operated, the motor holder 32 and thus the top brush T can be driven to swing through the chain transmission mechanism 36 and the swing support shaft 33.

  The top brush rocking motor 35 has a built-in brake mechanism so that the top brush shaft 21 can be stopped and fixed at any rocking position. Instead of such a motor built-in brake, A brake mechanism (not shown) that is independent of the top brush rocking motor 35 and restricts the transmission system between the motor holders 32 may be provided.

  By the way, in the traveling frame 1, the cleaning water is injected onto the vehicle body surface in the vicinity of the side brush S, the piping portion of the first cleaning water injection means WS that injects the cleaning water onto the vehicle body surface, the side brush S, and the top brush T. The pipe portion of the second cleaning water injection means WT, the top brush T, and the rinse water injection means WR capable of injecting rinse water onto the cleaned vehicle body surface are arranged in this order from the front end to the rear end of the traveling frame F. Are arranged sequentially.

  The first washing water injection means WS includes a side pipe 40 that is fixed and supported on the front end portion of the frame body frame Fm of the traveling frame F in the vicinity of the side brush S and extends in the vertical direction. The cleaning water spray nozzles 40n are provided at the upper end, the lower end, and the middle of the side pipe 40, respectively. A flexible connecting pipe 41 is connected to the base end of the side pipe 40, and a detergent tank 42 and a fresh water tank 43 mounted on the base frame Fm of the traveling frame F are connected to the connecting pipe 41. They are connected in parallel via a switching valve device (not shown). The detergent tank 42 and the fresh water tank 43 are provided with a detergent pump 42P and a fresh water pump 43P, respectively, which can suck in the detergent and fresh water therein and pump them to the side pipe 40 side. Therefore, the detergent pump 42P, the fresh water pump 43P, and the switching valve device are controlled by the electronic control unit C so that the side pipe 40 is selectively supplied with fresh water as cleaning water or a mixture of detergent and fresh water. Can be injected toward the object to be cleaned from the injection nozzles 40n.

  The second washing water injection means WT has an L-shaped top pipe 44 fixed and supported on a motor holder 32 that swings together with the top brush shaft 21. It swings integrally following the swing of the brush T. At the upper end of the top pipe 44, there is provided a fresh water injection nozzle 44n inclined toward the side of the automobile V that is the object to be cleaned (that is, upward inward). A flexible connecting pipe 45 is connected to the base end portion of the top pipe 44, and the connecting pipe 45 is also connected in parallel to the detergent tank 42 and the fresh water tank 43 via a switching valve device (not shown). Connected. Therefore, the detergent pump 42P, the fresh water pump 43P, and the switching valve device are controlled by the electronic control unit C so that the top pipe 44 has the same clean water as the cleaning water or the detergent and the fresh water as the side pipe 40. The liquid mixture can be selectively pumped and injected from the injection nozzle 44n to the automobile V as the object to be cleaned.

  The rinse water injection means WR has a rinse pipe 46 that is fixed and supported at the rear end of the frame main body frame Fm of the traveling frame F and extends in the vertical direction. Fresh water spray nozzles 46n are provided at the upper end, lower end, and intermediate portion of the rinsing pipe 46, respectively. A flexible connecting pipe 47 is connected to the base end of the rinsing pipe 46, and the connecting pipe 47 is connected to the fresh water tank 43 via the switching valve device. Therefore, the fresh water pump 43P in the fresh water tank 43 and the switching valve device are controlled by the electronic control unit C so that fresh water as rinse water is pumped into the rinse pipe 46 and cleaned from the injection nozzle 46n. It can be injected into a car V.

  Further, an upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 serving as a front and rear end detection means capable of detecting the front and rear ends of the automobile V that is the object to be cleaned is disposed at the foremost end of the upper part of the frame main body frame Fm of the traveling frame F. The upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 is attached to a distal end portion of a sensor support member 50 that extends linearly in the left-right direction, and a base end portion of the sensor support member 50 is connected to the frame body frame Fm in a four-bar linkage mechanism 51. Is supported so as to be rotatable in a horizontal plane. The four-bar linkage mechanism 51 has an operating position extending in the left-right direction of the traveling frame F and a standby position extending in the front-rear direction by a link driving device 52 interposed between the base end side and the frame main body frame Fm. It can be swung and driven in a horizontal plane.

  In the illustrated example, the link driving device 52 is provided between a rotation support shaft 53 fixed to the base end of one constituent link 51a of the four-bar linkage mechanism 51, and between the rotation support shaft 53 and the plate body frame Fm. The cylinder device 54 is configured to rotate the rotation support shaft 53. The cylinder device 54 may be either an air cylinder or a hydraulic cylinder, and an electromagnetic switching valve (not shown) that controls supply / discharge of the working fluid to / from the cylinder device 54 is controlled by the electronic control unit C.

  The four-bar link mechanism 51 has a link configuration in which the parallel link mechanism is slightly collapsed. As a result, the sensor support member 50 (therefore, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 at the tip) has the four-bar link mechanism 51 operated. When the link mechanism 51 is in the standby position, the extended position is sufficiently extended to the traveling frame F side (see the solid line in FIGS. 1 and 3). In other words, the retracted storage position (see the chain line in FIG. 1) is further retracted than when the four-bar linkage mechanism 51 is a parallel link mechanism.

  Thus, the sensor support member 50 and the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 are sufficiently close to the traveling frame F in their retracted positions, and can be effectively protected from collision with other objects. In the case of such a large and high vehicle V ″, the four-bar link mechanism 51 is kept in the standby position even during cleaning, so that the high vehicle V ″ has a high ceiling. It is possible to avoid the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 from colliding with the part. In this case, as will be described later, a first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 described below detects the front and rear ends of the vehicle body in place of the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1. Even when the four-bar link mechanism 51 is configured by a parallel link mechanism, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 can be prevented from colliding with the high ceiling portion of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height due to its configuration and arrangement. The four-bar link mechanism 51 may be a parallel link mechanism.

  Furthermore, at the lower part of the frame main body frame Fm of the traveling frame F, a pair of front and rear first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2, which can detect the horizontal distance between the automobile V as the object to be cleaned and the traveling frame F, are provided. SN3 is arranged. The first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 on the front side can detect the horizontal distance between the traveling frame F and the vehicle V, and determines whether the traveling frame F is in the range of the appropriate car wash start position with respect to the vehicle V. It is for detection.

  The rear side second ultrasonic sensor SN3 can detect the horizontal distance between the traveling frame F and the vehicle V, which is the object to be cleaned, and cooperates with the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 in the traveling frame. It is possible to detect whether F is within the range of the appropriate car wash start position. Furthermore, based on the detection results of the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3, it is possible to check whether the parallelism between the traveling frame F and the side face Vs or the front and rear end faces Vf and Vr of the automobile V is appropriate. It is.

  Although the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3 are fixed to the traveling frame F in this embodiment, the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3 are attached to the traveling frame F so as to be movable up and down. It may be adjustable according to the side surface height of the object to be cleaned. According to such a height-adjustable sensor mounting structure, when cleaning a vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, which will be described later, the front and rear ends of the vehicle body and the side surfaces of the vehicle body are first and second side ultrasonic sensors. SN2 and SN3 can be detected more accurately.

  The electronic control unit C is installed in a control panel 60 fixed to the front side (rear surface in the traveling direction) of the traveling frame F, and the outer surface of the control panel 60 is similar to a conventionally well-known gate-type car wash machine. Various operation keys that can be arbitrarily input by an operator are provided. As these operation keys, for example, a course selection key 61 for selecting a washing course of the washing machine A (for example, a water washing washing course or a normal washing course using a detergent), an instruction to start or end washing of the washing machine A is instructed. And an operation key 63 for specifying and inputting the vehicle shape of the automobile V and the presence / absence of various optional parts.

  By the way, in the washing machine A of the present embodiment, when the object to be cleaned is selected to be an automobile, in particular, a “low-height automobile”, the traveling frame F is along the vehicle body rear end face Vr of the low-height automobile V. When traveling, a first cleaning mode in which the top brush T is held in the standing position Tv and the vehicle body rear end surface Vr is cleaned only by the side brush S as described later, and in addition to the side brush S, the position near the standing position Tv. The top brush T held at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ can arbitrarily select the second cleaning mode for cleaning the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, and the rear surface cleaning selection key 64 for the selection operation controls the control. It is provided on the outer surface of the board 60.

  Further, in the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, the object to be cleaned is an automobile, in particular, a low-height automobile V or a high-height automobile V ″, or an object to be cleaned other than an automobile, The object to be cleaned is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped object to be cleaned (for example, a generator V ′) installed on the ground with four surfaces to be cleaned, or a tall wall body W having only one surface to be cleaned. (For example, a wall or a fence of a building) can be arbitrarily selected, and a cleaning object selection key 65 for the selection operation is also provided on the outer surface of the control panel 60.

  Further, in the washing machine A of the present embodiment, when the “high vehicle” is selected by the washing object selection key 65, the upper portion of the vehicle body side surface Vs is inclined inwardly upward like a microbus, for example. The “inclined cleaning mode” when the vehicle is running and the “non-inclined cleaning mode” when the entire vehicle body side surface Vs is substantially vertical and not inclined, such as a large bus, can be selectively executed. Yes. When the inclined cleaning mode is selected, the swing driving means KY is controlled so as to hold the top brush T at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ near the standing position Tv, and the non-tilt cleaning mode is selected. When this is done, the swing drive means KY can be controlled so as to hold the top brush T in the standing position Tv. A cleaning mode selection key 66 for selecting and operating the inclined cleaning mode and the non-inclined cleaning mode is provided on the outer surface of the control panel 60. When the non-inclined cleaning mode is selected, instead of the control for holding the top brush T in the standing position Tv, the top brush T is moved to a predetermined position closer to the standing position Tv than the intermediate swing position Tv ′. The swing driving means KY may be controlled so as to be held at the intermediate swing position Tv ″ (see the chain line in FIG. 13).

  In addition, as shown in FIG. 6, the electronic control unit C includes a drive unit (for example, a travel motor 3, a motor 9 of the side brush drive device DS, and cylinder devices 13 and 54 for controlling the cleaning devices in the cleaning machine A). A switching valve (not shown), a lift motor 26 of the lift drive means KS, a top brush rotation motor 31, a top brush swing motor 35 of the swing drive means KY, a detergent pump 42P, a fresh water pump 43P, first and first 2 A switching valve device (not shown) for the washing water injection means WS, WT and the rinse water injection means WR is connected. Further, various sensors (for example, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1, a pair of front and rear first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2, SN3, etc.) and various operation key groups 61 to 66 are connected to the electronic control unit C. In addition, a battery B is also connected.

  Furthermore, a remote controller R (shown only in the control block diagram of FIG. 6) for controlling the traveling of the traveling frame F is detachably connected to the electronic control unit C. The remote control R is provided with an operation input unit for controlling the travel drive means D to control the forward / backward movement and the direction change of the travel frame F. By operating the remote controller R while walking, the traveling frame F (and hence the cleaning machine A) can travel to an arbitrary location.

In the present invention, a wireless remote controller can be used in place of the wired remote controller R. In this case, a signal receiver (not shown) for the wireless remote controller is built in the electronic control unit C. Or connected.
[Washing example of low and high sedan type car]
Next, a procedure for cleaning the vehicle body of a low-height sedan type vehicle V as an object to be cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the cleaning machine A is not used for cleaning, it is placed in a standby state at an arbitrary standby place. Note that this standby place may be arbitrarily selected near or far from the car wash work place. In the washing machine A in the standby state, the elevating body 23 that supports the top brush T by the elevating drive means KS and the swinging drive means KY and the cylinder device 13 controlled by the electronic control unit C at the end of the previous cleaning process. Is held at a predetermined standby position (lower limit position in the illustrated example) lower than the upper limit position, the top brush T is held at the standing position Tv, and the side brush S is held at the storage position S1. Note that the top brush T, the lifting body 23 and the side brush S are also placed in the same state as described above even when the travel frame F of the cleaning machine A travels on an arbitrary travel route away from the vehicle V when not being cleaned.

  When washing the car using this washing machine A, first, an operator controls the driving means D of the washing machine A (that is, the left and right running motors 3 and 3, the same applies hereinafter) by operating the remote controller R. The frame F is caused to travel from the standby position to a predetermined car wash start position A1 for the vehicle V that is stopped at a place where the car is to be washed, and is temporarily stopped there. In this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the side brush S of the cleaning machine A faces and is close to the front left corner of the vehicle V and the front and rear direction of the traveling frame F is the vehicle V. A relative position of the washing machine A with respect to the automobile V along the left side surface Vs is defined as a car washing start position A1.

  Next, the operator selects the cleaning object selection key 65 on the control panel 60 and selects that the object to be cleaned is an automobile, particularly an automobile V having a low vehicle height. In addition, the course selection key 61 is operated to select a cleaning course, and the rear surface cleaning selection key 64 is operated to clean the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle V, which is a sedan type, only with the side brush S. Select an aspect. Thereafter, the operator operates the operation key 62 for starting the car wash to start the car wash operation of the washing machine A.

  At this time, the first side on the front side of the pair of front and rear ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3 provided in the lower part of the traveling frame F and capable of detecting the horizontal distance between the vehicle V and the traveling frame F. When the front ultrasonic sensor SN2 detects the front end of the vehicle V and the rear second side ultrasonic sensor SN3 does not detect the vehicle body surface of the vehicle V, the traveling frame F is at the appropriate car wash start position A1. The electronic control unit C determines that it is within the range, and the subsequent car wash operation starts. If not, it is determined that the traveling frame F is not within the proper range of the car wash start position A1, and the car wash operation is not started. Therefore, after the worker corrects the stop position of the traveling frame F by operating the remote controller R, the car washing start operation is performed again.

  Thus, when the car wash operation starts normally, the electronic control unit C swings and swings the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 as the front and rear end detection means from the retracted position to the extended position (see the solid lines in FIGS. 1 and 3). In the overhang position, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 detects the front part (bonnet surface) of the vehicle V. Further, during the car wash operation, the parallelism and horizontal distance between the traveling frame F and the side surface Vs or the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr of the vehicle V are determined based on the detection results of the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2, SN3. The electronic control unit C determines whether or not it is appropriate, and if it is determined that the parallelism or horizontal distance is not appropriate, the electronic control unit C controls the travel drive means D so that the parallelism or horizontal distance is appropriate. The travel position of the travel frame F is automatically corrected so that

  In addition, when the washing machine A is started at the car wash start position A1, the electronic control unit C sets the cylinder device 13 to be inactive (free) while holding the elevating body 23 at the lower limit position. S is tilted from the storage position S1 to the extended position S2, and the swing driving means KY is operated to swing the top brush T from the standing position Tv to a predetermined intermediate swing position Th ′ before the extended position Th. . Next, the side brush S and the top brush T are rotationally driven. At this time, if the washing machine A is at an appropriate car wash start position A1, the top brush T is in a non-contact state with respect to the front part of the vehicle V. The rotation motor 31 of the top brush T is in a no-load operation, and an upper limit set value and a lower limit set value, which will be described later, are read into the electronic control unit C with the motor current value during the no-load operation as a reference value.

  At the same time, cleaning water (detergent mixed water or fresh water) is sprayed from the spray nozzles 40n and 44n of the first cleaning water spraying means WS near the side brush S and the second cleaning water spraying means WT near the top brush T. At the same time, fresh water is jetted from the jet nozzle 46n of the rinse water jet means WR.

  At the same time, the electronic control unit C operates the traveling drive means D to start the traveling frame F moving forward. With this advancement, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8A, the side brush S brushes and cleans the left side surface Vs of the automobile V from the front end to the rear end with an appropriate contact surface pressure, while the top brush T Sequentially brushes and cleans the left half of the upper surface Vt of the vehicle V (that is, the bonnet surface, windshield, ceiling surface, rear glass, trunk surface).

  In this case, when the contact surface pressure of the top brush T held at the intermediate swing position Th ′ increases according to the undulations or protrusions of the vehicle body upper surface Vt, and the load current of the rotary motor 31 exceeds the upper limit set value, The electronic control unit C operates the elevating drive means KS to drive the elevating body 23 (and hence the top brush T) up until the load current becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit set value or a predetermined limit value below it. Excessive increase in contact surface pressure is suppressed. Contrary to the above, when the contact surface pressure of the top brush T decreases and the load current of the rotary motor 31 falls below the lower limit set value, the electronic control unit C causes the load current to exceed or exceed the lower limit set value. Since the elevating drive means KS is operated until the elevating drive means KS is lowered to a predetermined limit value or more, the elevating body 23 (and therefore the top brush T) is lowered, so that an excessive decrease in the contact surface pressure of the top brush T can be suppressed. As a result, the lifting body 23, and thus the top brush T, moves up and down in accordance with the undulations and protrusions of the vehicle body upper surface Vt and maintains an appropriate contact surface pressure with the vehicle body upper surface Vt.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear left corner of the vehicle V in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 stops detecting the rear part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C controls the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is traveled for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped from rotating at the travel stop position (that is, the A2 position in FIG. 8A) and After stopping the operation of the first and second washing water jetting means WS and WT and the rinse water jetting means WR and swinging the top brush T to the standing position Tv, the traveling frame F is turned 90 degrees. The position of the traveling frame F after the change of direction is indicated by A2 ′ in FIGS. 7 and 8B.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotates the side brush S, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and advances the traveling frame F again to move the vehicle V. The vehicle is run along the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, and the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is brushed and cleaned from the left end to the right end by the side brush S. During this time, the top brush T is placed in a resting state at the standing position Tv.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear right corner of the vehicle V in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the rear portion of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C controls the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is traveled for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S is stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A3 position in FIG. 8B) and the first washing water is used. After stopping the operation of the jetting means WS and the rinse water jetting means WR and swinging the top brush T from the standing position Tv to a predetermined intermediate swing position Th ′ before the overhang position Th, the traveling frame F is moved to 90 °. Change direction. The position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A3 ′ in FIGS. 7 and 9C.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and the top brush T and restarts the operation of the first and second cleaning water spraying means WS, WT and the rinse water spraying means WR and again the traveling frame. Advance F again. With this advance, the side brush S brushes and cleans the right side surface Vs of the vehicle V from the rear end to the front end with an appropriate contact surface pressure, while the top brush T cleans the upper surface Vt of the vehicle V (that is, the trunk). Brush the right half of the surface, rear glass, ceiling surface, windscreen, and bonnet surface in order.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front right corner of the vehicle V in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C detects the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. By controlling, the travel frame F is traveled for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A4 position in FIG. 9C). Then, after the operation of the first and second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR is stopped and the top brush T is swung to the standing position Tv, the traveling frame F is turned 90 degrees. Let The position of the traveling frame F after the change of direction is indicated by A4 ′ in FIGS. 7 and 9D.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and again advances the traveling frame F to advance the vehicle V. The vehicle is run along the front end surface Vf of the vehicle body, and the side brush S is used to brush the front end surface of the vehicle body from the right end to the left end. During this time, the top brush T is placed in a resting state at the standing position Tv.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front left corner of the vehicle V in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C detects the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is controlled to travel a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection and then stopped. At the same time, the rotation of the side brush S is stopped, the side brush S is swung to the storage position S1, the operations of the first and second cleaning water spraying means WS, WT and the rinse water spraying means WR are stopped, and the lifting / lowering body 23 is set to the lower limit position. If not, it is lowered to the lower limit position.

  Thus, a series of cleaning processes are executed while the traveling frame F of the cleaning machine A goes around the automobile V, and the cleaning process is completed. Thereafter, the operator operates the remote controller R to bring the cleaning machine A to the standby position. Drive and wait there.

  In the embodiment, when the traveling frame F reaches the corner of the vehicle V as the object to be cleaned and stops traveling at the traveling stop positions A2 and A4, the side brush S and the top are not lowered without lowering the lifting body 23. After stopping the rotation of the brush T and stopping the operation of the first and second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR and swinging the top brush T to the standing position Tv, the traveling frame F is moved. In the present invention, before the traveling frame F stops traveling at the traveling stop positions A2 and A4 and changes direction, the lifting body 23 is lower than the upper limit position. It may be lowered to a position (for example, the lower limit position). In that case, the washing machine A is miniaturized as much as possible and has a low center of gravity to stabilize the direction change operation of the traveling frame F and to change the direction. Interference with other products can be effectively prevented when.

In the embodiment, when the traveling frame F reaches the corner of the vehicle V as the object to be cleaned and stops traveling at the traveling stop position A3, the side brush S and the top brush are not lowered without lowering the elevating body 23. After the rotation of T is stopped and the operations of the first and second washing water injection means WS, WT and the rinse water injection means WR are stopped and the top brush T is swung to the intermediate swing position Th ′, the traveling frame In the present invention, F is changed by 90 degrees, but before the traveling frame F stops traveling at the traveling stop position A3 and changes its direction, the lifting body 23 is lower than the upper limit position. The top brush T may be lowered to a position (for example, the lower limit position), and the top brush T may be held at the standing position Tv without swinging to the intermediate swing position Th ′. As miniaturized and low center of gravity, the turning operation along with the stabilizing of the running frame F, can be effectively prevented from interfering with other products during turning.
[Washing example of low and high van type car]
By the way, even when the object to be cleaned is a low vehicle height vehicle V, particularly when a minivan or a wagon type vehicle is to be cleaned, the vehicle to be cleaned is selected with the cleaning object selection key 65 in the key operation of the control panel 60 before the start of the car wash. After selecting a high automobile to be cleaned, the rear cleaning selection key 64 selects the second cleaning mode in which the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is cleaned with both the side brush S and the top brush T. In this case, since the cleaning mode of the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is different from the case where the first cleaning mode as described above is selected, only the different cleaning mode portions will be described next with reference to FIG. explain.

  That is, as described above, the traveling frame F is brushed with the side brush S and the top brush T from the front end to the rear end of the vehicle V along the left side surface Vs of the vehicle body, and then the traveling frame F is rear left of the vehicle V. When the vicinity of the corner is reached, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 stops detecting the rear part of the vehicle body, and based on the non-detection, the electronic control unit C controls the driving means D to move the driving frame F from the non-detection to a predetermined distance (or The side brush S and the top brush T are stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A2 position in FIG. 10A) and the first and second cleaning water jetting means WS, WT and rinse are performed. The operation of the water injection means WR is stopped, and the top brush T is swung to a predetermined intermediate rocking position Tv ′ before the standing position Tv, and the lifting body 23 is also moved. After limited position or lowered to an intermediate vertical position of the front, the traveling frame F 90 ° diverting. The position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A2 ′ in FIG.

  In this case, the intermediate swing position Tv ′ of the top brush T is set stepwise (for example, three steps) or continuously by the electronic control unit C according to the degree of inclination of the vehicle body rear end surface Vr. The degree of inclination is, for example, the distance traveled by the traveling frame F between the time when the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 detects the rear end of the vehicle body and the time when the predetermined height (for example, 1.5 m) of the vehicle rear end surface Vr is detected. The electronic control unit C determines according to the length. The inclination determination method is not limited to this embodiment, and the inclination may be read from the vehicle shape of the vehicle body rear end face Vr imaged by an image sensor (camera), for example.

  After the direction change of the traveling frame F, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and the top brush T, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection unit WS and the rinse water injection unit WR, and travels again. The frame F is advanced again and travels along the vehicle body rear end surface Vr of the automobile V, and the vehicle body rear end surface Vr is brushed and cleaned from the left end to the right end by the side brush S and the top brush T.

  In this case, the contact surface pressure of the top brush T held at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ increases in accordance with the undulation or protrusion of the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, and the load current of the rotary motor 31 of the top brush T is set to the upper limit. When the value exceeds the value, the electronic control unit C operates the swing driving means KY until the load current becomes equal to or lower than the upper limit set value or less than a predetermined limit value, and swings the top brush T upward to the standing position Tv side. Therefore, an excessive increase in the contact surface pressure of the top brush T can be suppressed. Contrary to the above, when the contact surface pressure of the top brush T decreases and the load current of the rotary motor 31 falls below the lower limit set value, the electronic control unit C causes the load current to exceed or exceed the lower limit set value. Since the swinging drive means KY is operated until the top brush T swings downward until the predetermined limit value is reached, an excessive decrease in the contact surface pressure of the top brush T can be suppressed. As a result, the top brush T moves up and down according to the undulations and protrusions of the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, and an appropriate contact surface pressure with the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is maintained.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear right corner of the vehicle V in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the rear portion of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C controls the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is traveled for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped from rotating at the travel stop position (that is, the A3 position in FIG. 10B) and 1 After the operation of the washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR is stopped, and the traveling frame F is turned 90 degrees, the top brush T is moved from the intermediate swing position Tv ′ to the position before the overhang position Th. Swing to a predetermined intermediate rocking position Th ′. The operation of the washing machine A after the change of direction is the same as when the first washing mode is selected.

  Thus, according to the structure of the washing machine A of the present embodiment described above, each single traveling frame F having the traveling drive means D and capable of traveling on its own around the arbitrary traveling route and the vehicle V is provided. Power supply for supplying power to the top brush T and the side brush s, the first and second cleaning water spraying means WS and WT, the rinse water spraying means WR, and the driving units of various cleaning devices mounted on the traveling frame F Since the battery B as a source is mounted, it is not necessary to install a travel guide rail for the travel frame F, and it is not necessary to form the travel frame F in a large portal shape that can straddle the automobile V. Only one side brush S is sufficient, and the washing machine itself can be reduced in size and cost. Moreover, since the car wash place is not fixed, the installation space can be effectively utilized. Even if the travel frame F is downsized in this way, since both the side brush S and the top brush T are provided, the side brush S can be used for the vehicle body side surface Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr, and the top brush T. Thus, the vehicle body upper surface Vt (and the vehicle body rear end surface Vr as required) can be cleaned accurately.

  In addition, the washing machine A of the present embodiment is supported by the traveling frame F so as to be able to move up and down between the upper limit position and the lower limit position, and the top brush T has a substantially horizontal protruding position Th and a substantially vertical standing position Tv. The lifting / lowering body 23 pivotally supported so as to be able to swing between them, the lifting / lowering driving means KS that can drive the lifting / lowering body 23 up and down and can be held at any lifting position, and the top brush T can be driven to swing. In addition, there are provided swing drive means KY that can be held at any swing position, and an electronic control unit C as control means that can control the lift drive means KS and swing drive means KY. For this reason, when the top surface Vt of the vehicle body is cleaned with the top brush T, the top brush T (elevating body 23) can be controlled up and down without difficulty according to the height of the top surface Vt of the vehicle body. By holding the intermediate rocking position Th ′ close to the exit position Th, the top brush T can be accurately fitted to the vehicle body upper surface Vt that is gently inclined to the middle and high, and the cleaning effect can be enhanced. In addition, since the vehicle body rear end surface Vr can be cleaned not only by the side brush S but also by the top brush T held at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ near the standing position Tv, the vehicle body rear end surface Vr can be cleaned by the top brush T as required. The cleaning effect can be enhanced by washing.

  Further, when the cleaning frame A is in a standby state or when the traveling frame F is traveling in a non-cleaning state, the elevating body 23 that pivotally supports the top brush T is set at a predetermined standby position (lower limit position in the illustrated example) lower than the upper limit position. Since the brush T is automatically moved and held in the standing position Tv, the washing machine A can be automatically made compact, and the height of the center of gravity can be automatically lowered, thereby improving convenience.

  In particular, when the traveling frame F travels along the vehicle body side surface Vs of the automobile V, the electronic control unit C cleans the vehicle body upper surface Vt by holding the top brush T at the intermediate swing position Th ′ near the overhang position Th. When the vehicle body side surface Vs is washed with the side brush S and the traveling frame F travels along the vehicle body rear end surface Vr, the top brush T is held at the standing position Tv and stopped to rotate, and the vehicle body with only the side brush S is stopped. A first cleaning mode for cleaning the rear end surface Vr and a second cleaning mode for cleaning the vehicle body rear end surface Vr with the top brush T held at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ near the standing position Tv and the side brush S. Any selection can be made by an operation input to the rear face selection key 64. For this reason, when cleaning the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, the first cleaning mode performed only by the side brush S and the second cleaning mode using the side brush S and the top brush T together can be properly used. When the second cleaning mode is selected, the cleaning effect on the upper portion of the vehicle body rear end surface Vr can be enhanced. In addition, when the second cleaning mode is selected, the intermediate swing position Tv ′ near the standing position Tv of the top brush T is automatically variably set according to the degree of inclination of the vehicle body rear end face Vr. Therefore, since the top brush T can be set in an inclined posture so as to be along the inclined surface of the vehicle body rear end surface Vr as much as possible, the cleaning effect on the upper portion of the vehicle body rear end surface Vr by the top brush T is further enhanced.

  In the present embodiment, when cleaning the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body, the first cleaning mode performed only by the side brush S based on the operation input to the rear surface selection key 64, and the side brush S and the top brush T are used in combination. Although the operator arbitrarily selects the second cleaning mode, in addition to or instead of such a function, the electronic control unit C is provided with a conventionally known vehicle shape detection means such as an image sensor ( It may be possible to automatically select which of the first and second cleaning modes is executed based on the vehicle shape of the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body imaged by the camera.

Further, an upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 as front and rear end detection means capable of detecting the front and rear ends of the vehicle V is provided at the front end of the traveling frame F, and the electronic control unit C is based on the detection result of the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1. By controlling the traveling drive means D, it is possible to automatically travel so that the traveling frame F goes around the automobile V. For this reason, at the time of washing | cleaning, the driving | running | working flame | frame F can be made to drive | work automatically exactly so that the circumference | surroundings of the motor vehicle V may go around based on the detection result of upper ultrasonic sensor SN1.
[Washing example of generator with low overall height]
Next, referring to FIGS. 11 and 12, a case where a box-shaped object to be cleaned other than an automobile (for example, a substantially rectangular parallelepiped generator V ′ installed on the ground) is cleaned by using the cleaning machine A of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 and 12. To explain. In this case, a pair of side surfaces along the longitudinal direction of the generator V ′ are left and right side surfaces Vs and Vs, and a pair of side surfaces on one end side and the other end side in the longitudinal direction are front and rear end surfaces Vf and Vr.

  Thus, when the generator V ′ is cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, the operator first operates the remote controller R to run the cleaning machine A as in the case of cleaning the automobile V. The driving means D is controlled so that the traveling frame F travels from the standby position to a predetermined cleaning start position A1 for the generator V ′ installed at the place to be cleaned, and temporarily stops there. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11A, the side brush S of the cleaning machine A faces and is close to the front left corner of the generator V ′, and the front and rear direction of the traveling frame F is the generator V ′. The relative position of the cleaning machine A with respect to the generator V ′ along the left side surface Vs is defined as a cleaning start position A1.

  Next, the operator performs a selection operation of “a box-like object to be cleaned other than an automobile” with the object selection key 65 of the control panel 60 and a cleaning course with the course selection key 61. Thereafter, the operator operates the operation key 62 for starting the cleaning to start the cleaning operation of the cleaning machine A. The determination as to whether or not the traveling frame F is within the proper range of the cleaning start position A1 is performed by a method similar to that of the cleaning machine A of the previous embodiment, and a pair of front and rear first pairs provided at the lower portion of the traveling frame F. The electronic control unit C performs the detection based on the detection signals of the second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3.

  Thus, when the cleaning operation is started normally, the electronic control unit C swings and swings the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 as the front and rear end detection means from the retracted position to the extended position, and at the extended position, the upper ultrasonic wave is detected. The sensor SN1 detects the front portion of the upper surface Vt of the generator V ′. Further, during the cleaning operation, based on the detection results of the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3, the parallelism between the traveling frame F and the side face Vs or the front and rear end faces Vf and Vr of the generator V ′ and the horizontal The electronic control unit C determines whether the distance is appropriate, and if it is determined that the parallelism or horizontal distance is not appropriate, the electronic control unit C controls the travel drive means D to determine the parallelism or horizontal distance. The travel position of the travel frame F is automatically corrected so as to be appropriate.

  When the cleaning process is started with the cleaning machine A at the cleaning start position A1, the electronic control unit C holds the lifting body 23 at a predetermined standby position (lower limit position in the illustrated example) lower than the lower limit position. While the cylinder device 13 is not operated (free), the side brush S is tilted from the retracted position S1 to the extended position S2, and the swing brush drive means KY is operated to move the top brush T from the raised position Tv. Swing to Th. Next, the side brush S and the top brush T are rotationally driven. At this time, if the cleaning machine A is at an appropriate cleaning start position A1, the top brush T is not in contact with the front end face Vf of the generator V '. Thus, the rotary motor 31 of the top brush T is in a no-load operation, and an upper limit set value and a lower limit set value, which will be described later, are read into the electronic control unit C using the motor current value during the no-load operation as a reference value.

  At the same time, cleaning water (detergent mixed water or fresh water) is sprayed from the spray nozzles 40n and 44n of the first cleaning water spraying means WS near the side brush S and the second cleaning water spraying means WT near the top brush T. At the same time, fresh water is jetted from the jet nozzle 46n of the rinse water jet means WR. At the same time, the electronic control unit C operates the traveling drive means D to start the traveling frame F moving forward.

  As the traveling frame F advances, the side brush S brushes and cleans the left side surface Vs of the generator V ′ with an appropriate contact surface pressure from the front end to the rear end, as shown in FIG. The top brush t sequentially brushes and cleans a part of the front end surface Vf of the generator V ′ and the left half of the upper surface Vt. In this case, when the top brush T comes into contact with the front end face Vf of the generator V ′ as the traveling frame F starts moving forward, the load of the rotary motor 31 of the top brush T is increased, and the lifting body 23 starts to rise. However, since the rising speed is controlled so as to increase as the load of the rotary motor 31 increases, the top brush T quickly raises the front end face Vf of the generator V ′ reasonably and quickly. It reaches the upper surface Vt and smoothly shifts to cleaning of the upper surface Vt. In this case, control is performed to increase the lifting speed of the lifting body 23 in accordance with an increase in the load of the rotary motor 31 so that the top brush T can smoothly move from the front end face Vf of the generator V ′ to the upper face Vt. In addition (or alternatively), control for temporarily stopping or decelerating the traveling of the traveling frame F may be performed.

  Further, during the cleaning of the generator upper surface Vt by the top brush T, when the contact surface pressure of the top brush T increases in accordance with the undulations or protrusions of the upper surface Vt, the load current of the rotary motor 31 exceeds the upper limit set value. Since the electronic control unit C operates the elevating drive means KS to drive the elevating body 23 (and hence the top brush T) up until the load current falls below the upper limit set value or a predetermined limit value less than the upper limit value, the top brush An excessive increase in the contact surface pressure of T can be suppressed. Contrary to the above, when the contact surface pressure of the top brush T decreases and the load current of the rotary motor 31 falls below the lower limit set value, the electronic control unit C causes the load current to exceed or exceed the lower limit set value. Since the elevating drive means KS is operated until the elevating drive means KS is lowered to a predetermined limit value or more, the elevating body 23 (and therefore the top brush T) is lowered, so that an excessive decrease in the contact surface pressure of the top brush T can be suppressed. Thereby, the raising / lowering body 23, and hence the top brush T, are moved up and down according to the undulations and protrusions of the generator upper surface Vt, and an appropriate contact surface pressure with the upper surface Vt is maintained.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear left corner of the generator V ′ in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the rear part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C detects the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is controlled to travel a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A2 position in FIG. 11A). And after stopping operation | movement of the 1st, 2nd washing water injection means WS and WT and the rinse water injection means WR, and lowering the raising / lowering body 23 to the lower limit position, and swinging the top brush T to the standing position Tv, The travel frame F is turned 90 degrees. The position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A2 ′ in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotates the side brush S, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and advances the traveling frame F again to generate the generator. The vehicle is moved along the rear end surface Vr of V ′, and the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is brushed and cleaned from the left end to the right end by the side brush S. During this time, the top brush T is placed in a resting state at the standing position Tv.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear right corner of the generator V ′ in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the rear part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C detects the traveling driving means D based on the non-detection. The travel frame F is traveled for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S is stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A3 position in FIG. 11B) and the first The operation of the washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR is stopped, and the lifting body 23 is moved to a predetermined rising position (this predetermined rising position is the lifting body 23 in the process of cleaning the rear surface of the generator upper surface Vt by the previous top brush T). The electronic control unit C is stored as a height position) and the top brush T is swung from the standing position Tv to the overhanging position Th. The frame F 90 ° diverting. The position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A3 ′ in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and the top brush T and restarts the operation of the first and second cleaning water spraying means WS, WT and the rinse water spraying means WR and again the traveling frame. Advance F again. With this advance, the side brush S brushes and cleans the right side surface Vs of the generator V ′ from the rear end to the front end with an appropriate contact surface pressure, while the top brush T is applied to the upper surface Vt of the generator V ′. Brush the right half sequentially.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front right corner of the generator V ′ in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and based on the non-detection, the electronic control unit C performs the traveling drive means. D is controlled so that the travel frame F travels a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are moved at the travel stop position (that is, the A4 position in FIG. 12C). The rotation is stopped and the operations of the first and second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR are stopped, and the elevating body 23 is lowered to the lower limit position and the top brush T is swung to the standing position Tv. After that, the direction of the traveling frame F is changed by 90 degrees. The position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A4 ′ in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotates the side brush S, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and also advances the traveling frame F again to generate the generator V. The front end surface Vf of the generator V ′ is brushed and cleaned from the right end to the left end by the side brush S. During this time, the top brush T is placed in a resting state at the standing position Tv.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front left corner of the generator V ′ in this way, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and based on the non-detection, the electronic control unit C uses the traveling drive means. D is controlled so that the travel frame F travels a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection and then stops. At the same time, the rotation of the side brush S is stopped, and the side brush S is swung to the storage position S1 and the operations of the first and second cleaning water jetting means WS and WT and the rinse water jetting means WR are stopped.

Thus, a series of cleaning processes are executed while the traveling frame F of the cleaning machine A goes around the generator V ′ to complete the cleaning process. Thereafter, the operator operates the remote controller R to wait for the cleaning machine A. Drive to the place and wait there. In this way, using the cleaning machine A of this embodiment, not only low-height automobiles V but also various box-shaped objects to be cleaned such as generators V ′ other than automobiles can be accurately obtained. Can be washed.
[Example of cleaning a high-level microbus]
Next, a case where a microbus type high vehicle V ″ is cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 13 and 14.

  Thus, when cleaning the high vehicle height vehicle V ″ using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, first, as in the case of cleaning the low vehicle height vehicle V as described above, first, the worker Controls the traveling drive means D of the washing machine A by operating the remote controller R, and travels the traveling frame F from the standby position to a predetermined cleaning start position A1 for the high vehicle V ″ installed at the place to be cleaned. And stop there. In the illustrated example, as shown in A1 of FIG. 14, the side brush S of the washing machine A faces and is close to the front left corner of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, and the longitudinal direction of the traveling frame F has a high vehicle height. The relative position of the washing machine A with respect to the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height along the left side surface Vs of the vehicle V ″ is a cleaning start position A1. When the provided side mirror 100 can move between the storage position (dashed line in FIG. 14) and the extended position (solid line in FIG. 14), the side mirror 100 is moved to the storage position before cleaning.

  Next, the operator selects and operates “high vehicle height” with the object selection key 65 of the control panel 60, and the “inclination” is selected with the cleaning mode selection key 66 in view of the fact that the microbus whose upper side is inclined is the object to be cleaned. The “cleaning mode” is selected and the course selection key 61 is used to select the cleaning course. Thereafter, the operator operates the operation key 62 for starting the cleaning to start the cleaning operation of the cleaning machine A. The determination as to whether or not the traveling frame F is within the proper range of the cleaning start position A1 is performed by a method similar to that of the cleaning machine A of the previous embodiment, and a pair of front and rear first pairs provided at the lower portion of the traveling frame F. The electronic control unit C performs the detection based on the detection signals of the second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3. When the “high vehicle” is selected and operated with the object selection key 65 as described above, the upper ultrasonic sensor SN1 is held at the storage position throughout the cleaning, and the high vehicle is high. Instead of interfering with the upper portion of V ″, the front and rear ends of the vehicle body are detected by the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 instead.

  Thus, when the cleaning operation starts normally, during the cleaning operation, based on the detection results of the first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3, the traveling frame F and the high vehicle height V ″ The electronic control unit C determines whether the parallelism and the horizontal distance with the side surface Vs or the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr are appropriate. If the parallelism or the horizontal distance is determined to be inappropriate, the electronic control unit C The traveling position of the traveling frame F is automatically corrected by controlling the traveling drive means D so that the parallelism or the horizontal distance is appropriate.

  Then, when the cleaning process is started in a state where the cleaning machine A is at the cleaning start position A1, the electronic control unit C raises the lifting body 23 to a predetermined intermediate lifting position lower than the upper limit position, The cylinder device 13 is deactivated (free), the side brush S is tilted from the retracted position S1 to the extended position S2, and the swing driving means KY is operated to move the top brush T to the intermediate swing position Tv close to the standing position Tv. Swing to ′. In this state, the top brush T is located above the side brush S as shown in FIG. 13 and is at a height position where the surface to be cleaned that cannot be reached by the side brush S can be cleaned. Next, the side brush S and the top brush T are rotationally driven. At this time, if the cleaning machine A is at an appropriate cleaning start position A1, the top brush T is not in contact with the front end face Vf of the high vehicle height vehicle V ″. The rotary motor 31 of the top brush T is in a no-load operation in a contact state, and an upper limit set value and a lower limit set value of a load current, which will be described later, are sent to the electronic control unit C with the motor current value at the no-load operation as a reference value. Is read.

  At the same time, cleaning water (detergent mixed water or fresh water) is sprayed from the spray nozzles 40n and 44n of the first cleaning water spraying means WS near the side brush S and the second cleaning water spraying means WT near the top brush T. At the same time, fresh water is jetted from the jet nozzle 46n of the rinse water jet means WR. At the same time, the electronic control unit C operates the traveling drive means D to start the traveling frame F moving forward.

  As the traveling frame F moves forward, as shown in FIG. 14, the side brush S brushes and cleans the left side surface Vs of the high vehicle height V ″ from the front end to the rear end with an appropriate contact surface pressure. The top brush t is above the side brush S and brushes and cleans the upper part of the left side surface Vs of the high vehicle height vehicle V ″ from the front end to the rear end. In this case, when the top brush T comes into contact with the protrusions on the left side surface Vs of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height during the cleaning and the load of the rotary motor 31 of the top brush T rises above a predetermined value, the top brush T swings. Since the top brush T is oscillated and displaced from the intermediate oscillating position Tv ′ to the standing position Tv by operating the driving means KY, the top brush T can easily get over the projections and the like, and On the contrary, when the load of the rotary motor 31 drops below a predetermined value, the swing driving means KY is operated to swing the top brush T toward the intermediate swing position Tv ′, and thus the top The contact surface pressure of the brush T can be maintained and controlled within an appropriate range.

  Thus, when the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear left corner of the high vehicle V ″, the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 does not detect the rear part of the vehicle body. The driving means D is controlled so that the travel frame F travels a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A2 position in FIG. 14). The travel frame F is turned 90 degrees while the operation of the first and second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR is stopped and the lifting body 23 is held at a predetermined intermediate lifting position. The position of the traveling frame F after the change of direction is indicated by A2 ′ in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C drives the side brush S and the top brush T to rotate again, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and also advances the traveling frame F again. As a result, the vehicle travels along the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, and the rear end surface Vr of the vehicle body is brushed and cleaned from the left end to the right end with the side brush S and the top brush T. The top brush T is basically placed at the intermediate swing position Tv ′ near the standing position Tv so as to be able to cope with the inclination of the upper part of the rear end face Vr of the vehicle body, and the inclination gradient of the upper part of the rear end face Vr of the vehicle body during the cleaning. When the load on the rotary motor 31 of the top brush T changes due to changes in the surface or protrusions, the same method as the cleaning process for the left side surface Vs of the vehicle body, that is, the rotational mode of the top brush T is used. By actuating the rocking unit KY in accordance with the load of the motor 31 can be maintained controlled within a proper range contact pressure of the top brush T.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear right corner of the high vehicle height vehicle V ″ in this way, the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 does not detect the rear part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit C is based on the non-detection. Then, the travel drive means D is controlled to travel the travel frame F for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T at the travel stop position (that is, the A3 position in FIG. 14). The travel frame F is turned 90 degrees while the rotation of the first washing water jetting means WS and the rinse water jetting means WR is stopped and the lifting body 23 is held at a predetermined intermediate lifting position. The position of the traveling frame F after the change of direction is indicated by A3 ′ in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and the top brush T and restarts the operation of the first and second cleaning water spraying means WS, WT and the rinse water spraying means WR and again the traveling frame. Advance F again. As the vehicle advances, the side brush S and the top brush T brush the right side surface Vs of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height with a suitable contact surface pressure from the rear end to the front end. Maintaining and controlling the contact surface pressure of the top brush T within an appropriate range by the same method as the cleaning process of the vehicle body left side surface Vs, that is, by operating the swing drive means KY according to the load of the rotary motor 31. Can do.

  Thus, when the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front right corner of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit is based on the non-detection. C controls the travel drive means D to travel the travel frame F for a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and at the travel stop position (that is, the A4 position in FIG. 14), the side brush S and the top While stopping the rotation of the brush T and stopping the operation of the first and second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR, and also holding the lifting body 23 at a predetermined intermediate lifting position, the traveling frame F is The direction is changed by 90 degrees, and the position of the traveling frame F after the direction change is indicated by A4 'in FIG.

  After the change of direction, the electronic control unit C rotationally drives the side brush S and the top brush T, restarts the operation of the first washing water injection means WS and the rinse water injection means WR, and advances the traveling frame F again. The vehicle is run along the front end face Vf of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, and the front end surface Vf of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height is brushed and washed from the right end to the left end by the side brush S and the top brush T. . In this case as well, the contact surface pressure of the top brush T is set appropriately by operating the swing driving means KY in accordance with the same method as the cleaning process of the left side surface Vs of the vehicle body, that is, according to the load of the rotary motor 31. The range can be maintained and controlled.

  When the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the front left corner of the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height in this way, the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 does not detect the front part of the vehicle body, and the electronic control unit is based on the non-detection. C controls the traveling drive means D to stop the traveling frame F after traveling a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection and simultaneously stops the rotation of the side brush S and swings it to the storage position S1. In addition, the operations of the first and second cleaning water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR are stopped, the lifting body 23 is lowered to the lower limit position, and the top brush T is swung to the standing position Tv.

  Thus, a series of cleaning processes are executed while the traveling frame F of the cleaning machine A goes around the high vehicle V ″ so that the cleaning process is completed. Thereafter, the operator operates the remote controller R to operate the cleaning machine. A travels to a standby place and waits there, thus, using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, it is possible to accurately clean a high vehicle height vehicle V ″ such as a microbus as an object to be cleaned. When cleaning a vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, the top brush T, which is an auxiliary brush, is used for cleaning the upper side surfaces of the vehicle body (that is, the left and right side surfaces Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf and Vr). Cleaning is omitted.

  By the way, around the vehicle body of a high vehicle V ″ such as a microbus, various projections that may become an obstacle during the cleaning operation with the side brush S and the top brush T may be disposed. For example, side mirrors 100 are installed on the left and right sides of the front part of the vehicle body, as shown in FIG. 15, and the rear mirror 101, the rear wiper 102, the rear camera 103, etc., as shown in FIGS. In order to prevent the top brush T and the side brush S from splashing and being damaged during the cleaning process, various avoidance techniques can be optionally employed as necessary.

  For example, when a side mirror avoidance key is provided on the control panel 60 and operated, the travel route of the travel frame F is rotated around the side mirror 100 so as to escape the side mirror 100 as shown in FIG. The setting can be changed as follows. In this large travel section, the side brush S and the top brush T are not in contact with the vehicle body surface, so that the cleaning effect is reduced accordingly.

  Further, when a rear mirror avoidance key is specially provided on the control panel 60 and operated, the rear mirror 101 positioned above the vehicle body rear surface Vr moves the top brush T when the vehicle frame F travels along the vehicle body rear surface Vr. As shown in FIG. 16B, the setting can be changed so that the top brush T is held at the standing position Tv and at a predetermined height position lower than the upper limit position (for example, the lower limit position) and stopped.

  Further, when a rear wiper avoidance key is specially provided on the control panel 60 and operated, the rear wiper 102 positioned at the upper and lower intermediate portion of the vehicle body rear surface Vr when the vehicle frame F travels along the vehicle body rear surface Vr. As shown in FIG. 16C, the setting can be changed so that the side brush S is held at the standing position Sv and is stopped from rotating so that the side brush S is not damaged.

Further, when a rear camera avoidance key is specially provided on the control panel 60 and operated, the rear camera 103 positioned at the upper end of the vehicle body rear surface Vr moves the top brush when the vehicle frame F travels along the vehicle body rear surface Vr. As shown in FIG. 16D, the setting can be changed so that the top brush T is held at the standing position Tv and stopped rotating so as not to be damaged at T.
[Example of washing a large bus with a high vehicle height]
By the way, by using the washing machine A of the present embodiment, the vehicle V is a large bus type that is taller than the microbus and has a large vehicle type that has a vehicle body side surface Vs that is substantially vertical (that is, the side surface upper portion is not inclined). In the case of cleaning, the cleaning is basically performed in the same manner as in the case of cleaning the high-speed vehicle of the microbus type described above. However, the traveling frame F is predetermined by traveling on an arbitrary route. Among the series of key operations as described above on the control panel 60 after traveling to the cleaning start position A1 (FIG. 14), only the selection operation of the cleaning mode selection key 66 is different from that of the microbus cleaning. That is, the “non-tilt cleaning mode” is selected and operated by the cleaning mode selection key 66.

  A series of cleaning processes executed by the electronic control unit C based on this selection operation is basically the same as the cleaning process of the microbus cleaning shown in FIG. However, only the swing position of the top brush T during the cleaning is different. That is, in the series of cleaning processes, the top brush T is erected in the standing position Tv in accordance with the vertical side surfaces (that is, the left and right side surfaces Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr) of the vehicle body of the large bus type automobile V ″. Alternatively, it is held at an intermediate swing position Tv ″ (see FIG. 13) closer to the standing position Tv than the intermediate swing position Tv ′. Thereby, the substantially vertical upper side surface portions of the left and right side surfaces Vs and the substantially vertical upper end surface portions of the front and rear end surfaces Vf and Vr of the large bus type automobile V ″ can be accurately cleaned with the top brush T.

The rest of the cleaning process is basically the same as that of the above-described microbus type high vehicle height automobile cleaning, and thus further explanation is omitted.
[Example of cleaning a tall wall with only one surface to be cleaned]
Next, a case where a tall wall body W such as a wall of a building having only one surface to be cleaned Vs is cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

  Thus, when the substantially vertical surface to be cleaned Vs of the wall W is cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, it is the same as the case of cleaning the automobiles V, V ″ and the generator V ′. First, an operator controls the traveling drive means D of the cleaning machine A by operating the remote controller R to cause the traveling frame F to travel from a standby position to a predetermined cleaning start position A1 with respect to the wall W, and temporarily stops there. 17, the side brush S of the cleaning machine A faces and is close to one end of the surface to be cleaned Vs of the wall W, and the front and rear direction of the traveling frame F is the wall as shown in A1 of FIG. A relative position with respect to the wall W of the cleaning machine A along the surface to be cleaned V of W is a cleaning start position A1.

  Next, the operator selects and operates the “cleaning wall with one surface to be cleaned” with the object selection key 65 of the control panel 60, and further selects the cleaning course with the course selection key 61. Thereafter, the operator operates the operation key 62 for starting the cleaning to start the cleaning operation of the cleaning machine A. The determination as to whether or not the traveling frame F is within the range of the proper cleaning start position A1 is performed in the same manner as in the case where the automobiles V and V ″ and the generator V ′ are cleaned by the cleaning machine A. Is performed by the electronic control unit C based on the detection signals of the pair of front and rear first and second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3 provided in the lower part of the sensor. And the upper and lower ends of the wall body W are detected by the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 instead of the shoulder.

  Thus, when “the wall to be cleaned” is selected and operated by the object selection key 65 as described above, the side surface Vs of the vehicle body is substantially vertical (that is, the upper portion of the side surface is Cleaning is performed in the same manner as in the case of cleaning a non-inclined large bus type vehicle V ″. That is, when the cleaning operation is started normally, the first operation is performed during the cleaning operation. Based on the detection results of the second side ultrasonic sensors SN2 and SN3, the electronic control unit C determines whether the parallelism and the horizontal distance between the traveling frame F and the surface to be cleaned Vs of the wall W are appropriate. If it is determined that the parallelism or horizontal distance is not appropriate, the electronic control unit C automatically controls the travel drive means D to automatically correct the travel position of the travel frame F so that the parallelism or horizontal distance is appropriate. .

  Then, when the cleaning process is started from the state where the cleaning machine A is at the cleaning start position A1, the electronic control unit C can be used for a large bus or the like as described above (that is, the side upper portion has a non-inclined high vehicle height). Among the processes for cleaning the automobile V ″, a cleaning process similar to the cleaning process of the left side surface Vs is performed. That is, the lift body 23 is raised to a predetermined intermediate lift position lower than the upper limit position, and then the cylinder is moved. The device 13 is inactivated (free) and the side brush S is tilted from the retracted position S1 to the overhanging position S2, and the swing driving means KY is operated to move the top brush T to the standing position Tv or the intermediate swing position Tv. It is swung to an intermediate rocking position Tv ″ (see FIG. 17) closer to the standing position Tv than “′”. In this state, the top brush T is above the side brush S as shown in FIG. 17 and is at a height position where the surface to be cleaned Vs that cannot be reached by the side brush S can be cleaned. Next, the side brush S and the top brush T are rotationally driven. At this time, if the cleaning machine A is in an appropriate cleaning start position A1, the top brush T is in a non-contact state with respect to the wall body W and the top brush. The T rotation motor 31 is in a no-load operation, and the upper limit set value and the lower limit set value of the load current are read into the electronic control unit C using the motor current value during the no-load operation as a reference value.

  At the same time, cleaning water (detergent mixed water or fresh water) is sprayed from the spray nozzles 40n and 44n of the first cleaning water spraying means WS near the side brush S and the second cleaning water spraying means WT near the top brush T. At the same time, fresh water is jetted from the jet nozzle 46n of the rinse water jet means WR. At the same time, the electronic control unit C operates the traveling drive means D to start the traveling frame F moving forward.

  As the traveling frame F advances, the side brush S brushes and cleans the surface to be cleaned Vs of the wall W with an appropriate contact surface pressure from the front end to the rear end, as shown in FIG. The top brush t is located above the side brush S, and brushes and cleans the upper surface of the wall W to be cleaned from the front end to the rear end. Note that the contact surface pressure of the top brush T in the bracket cleaning process is maintained and controlled within an appropriate range by the same method as that for cleaning the high vehicle height vehicle V ″.

  Thus, when the traveling frame F reaches the vicinity of the rear end of the wall body W, the first side ultrasonic sensor SN2 does not detect the wall body W, and based on the non-detection, the electronic control unit C changes the traveling drive means D. The travel frame F is controlled to travel a predetermined distance (or a predetermined time) from the non-detection, and the side brush S and the top brush T are stopped at the travel stop position (that is, the A2 position in FIG. 17) and the first , The operation of the second washing water jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR is stopped, the lifting body 23 is lowered to the lower limit position, and the swing driving means KY is actuated to bring the top brush T to the standing position T. Hold swinging.

  Thus, while the traveling frame F of the cleaning machine A causes the wall W to travel along the surface to be cleaned Vs from the front end to the rear end, a series of cleaning processes for the wall W are executed and the cleaning process is completed. Thereafter, the operator operates the remote controller R to drive the cleaning machine A to the standby place and waits there. In this manner, the tall wall body W as the object to be cleaned can be accurately cleaned using the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment.

  As is apparent from the various cleaning examples of the present embodiment described above, in the cleaning machine A of the present embodiment, the tall object to be cleaned V ″, which is difficult to clean the surface to be cleaned with the side brush S alone, In the case of special cleaning for cleaning W, the lifting body 23 is held at a predetermined raised position, and the top brush T as an auxiliary brush is held at the standing position Tv or at the intermediate swing positions Tv ′ and Tv ″ near the standing position. In this state, the traveling frame F travels along at least one side surface Vs of the objects to be cleaned V ″ and W, and at least one side surface of the objects to be cleaned V ″ and W by both the side brush S and the top brush T during the traveling. Vs is washed. As a result, a high portion of the surface to be cleaned can be accurately cleaned by the top brush T, which is an auxiliary brush that is lifted and held at a position higher than the side brush S. Therefore, the side brush S is tall (that is, wide vertically). The surface to be cleaned can be accurately cleaned using both the side brush S and the top brush T effectively. Moreover, since the top brush T also serves as an extension brush portion of the side brush S, it is not necessary to lengthen the side brush S itself for cleaning the tall objects V ″ and W. The structure of the washing machine A can be simplified, downsized, and energy can be saved.

  In addition, even if the cleaning machine A is downsized in this way, both the side brush S and the top brush T are provided. Therefore, in the case of normal cleaning for cleaning the objects to be cleaned V and V 'which are short, The side surface Vs of the objects to be cleaned V and V ′ can be accurately cleaned with the brush S, and the top surface Vt of the objects to be cleaned V and V ′ can be accurately cleaned with the top brush T.

  In particular, when the object to be cleaned is a vehicle V having a low vehicle height, when the traveling frame F travels along the left and right side surfaces Vs of the vehicle V, the upper surface Vt of the vehicle V is covered with the top brush T and Since the left and right side surfaces Vs of the vehicle V can be cleaned with the side brush S, the vehicle body upper surface Vt and the left and right side surfaces Vs of the vehicle V having a low vehicle height can be cleaned efficiently and accurately. Further, when the object to be cleaned is a vehicle V ″ such as a microbus having a high vehicle height, which is difficult to clean by the side brush S alone, the special cleaning is performed and the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height is performed by the traveling frame F. When the vehicle travels around the vehicle, both the side brush S and the top brush T wash the left and right side surfaces Vs and the front and rear end surfaces Vf, Vr of the high vehicle height V ″. The side surfaces and front and rear end surfaces of the large bath and the micro bath can be cleaned without any trouble by the cooperation of the side brush S and the top brush T without particularly increasing the length of the side brush S.

  Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiment, and various embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention.

  For example, in the above-described embodiment, the vehicle V having a low vehicle height, the vehicle V ″ having a high vehicle height, and a short box-shaped object (generator) V ′, In addition, although the tall wall body W is illustrated, the cleaning object of the cleaning machine of the present invention is not limited to the cleaning examples of these embodiments, and the traveling frame F travels around the periphery or travels along at least one side surface. By doing so, various objects to be cleaned that can be cleaned by the cleaning machine A, such as containers, storages, and structures on flat roofs, may be cleaned.

  In the above-described embodiment, the vehicle V, V ″, and the generator V ′ as the objects to be cleaned are cleaned from the left front end of the objects V, V ′, V ″, and the traveling frame F is cleaned. , V ′, V ″ have been shown to make a round in the counterclockwise direction, but in the present invention, the cleaning start position is not limited to the embodiment, and can be arbitrarily selected. In the invention, the traveling frame F may be cleaned around the objects to be cleaned V, V ′, V ″ in the clockwise direction. The front and rear arrangement positions of the brush S and the top brush T in the traveling frame F need to be arranged in the reverse direction.

  Further, in the above embodiment, the cleaning frame A of the cleaning machine A is configured to complete the cleaning while it goes around the objects to be cleaned V, V ′, V ″. The object V, V ′, V ″ may be run around a plurality of rounds (for example, two rounds), in which case, for example, the same cleaning process may be repeated in each round, or the first After performing only the brushing cleaning process in the round, the rinse process may be performed in the next round.

  In the above embodiment, the cleaning frame jetting means WS, WT and the rinse water jetting means WR are mounted on the traveling frame F. However, in the present invention, at least one of the jetting means WS, WT, WR is omitted. May be. In the case where all of the injection means WS, WT, WR are omitted, the worker may apply the cleaning water or fresh water to the vehicle body surface manually or using the injection means.

  In the embodiment, the first and second cleaning water spraying means WT and WS as the cleaning water spraying means spray the cleaning water toward the surfaces of the objects to be cleaned V, V ′, V ″, W. However, in the present invention, the cleaning water may be sprayed toward the top brush T and the side brush S, respectively.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, as washing water injected by the 1st, 2nd washing water injection means WS and WT, in the case of washing with water, fresh water is used, and in the case of normal washing, detergent, or detergent and Although the thing using the liquid mixture of fresh water was shown, when performing wax washing | cleaning, you may use a wax liquid or the liquid mixture of a wax liquid and a detergent as washing water.

  In the above embodiment, the travel drive means D is electrically driven. However, in the present invention, travel drive means of other drive systems (for example, engine drive system, hydraulic operation system, pneumatic operation system, etc.) may be used. Good.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, when the automobiles V, V ″ and the generator V ′ as the objects to be cleaned are cleaned, the cleaning example in which the traveling frame F of the cleaning machine A is rotated at least once with respect to the objects to be cleaned is shown. However, in the present invention, when only some side surfaces of the objects to be cleaned V, V ′, V ″ are dirty, the traveling frame F is made to circulate around the objects to be cleaned V, V ′, V ″. Instead, the vehicle may travel along a route along at least one side surface, and only at least one side surface may be washed.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the top brush T as an auxiliary brush showed not only the side surface washing | cleaning of the to-be-washed objects V and V ', but the washing machine A was shown, this invention The top brush T as an auxiliary brush may be implemented in a cleaning machine dedicated to cleaning the side surfaces of the objects to be cleaned V ″ and W.

  Further, in the embodiment, the cleaning machine A not only cleans the tall objects V ″ and W whose side surface is difficult to clean with the side brush S alone, but also cleans the short objects V and V ′. However, the present invention may be implemented as a cleaning machine that is exclusively used for cleaning tall articles to be cleaned V ″ and W.

A .... Self-propelled washing machine C ... Electronic control unit D as control means ... Travel drive means F ... Travel frame 23 ... Lifting body KS ... Lift drive means KY: Swing drive means T ... Top brush Th as auxiliary brush Th ... Overhang position Th '... Middle swing position Tv near the overhang position ... Standing position Tv' ... Standing Intermediate swing position Tv "near the position .... Intermediate swing position S near the standing position .... Side brush V .... Low vehicle height vehicle V '... Generator V ″ as a vehicle to be cleaned, high vehicle height Vf, side surface of the object to be cleaned, front surface of the motor generator as a surface to be cleaned, Vr, side surface of the object to be cleaned・ Car as the surface to be cleaned ・ Rear end face Vs of the generator ・ Side surface of the object to be cleaned ・ Automobile as the surface to be cleaned Wall as an upper surface W · · · · to be washed in an automobile and generator as the upper surfaces of the left and right sides Vt · · · to be washed of the generator

Claims (6)

  It has a traveling drive means (D) and travels along an arbitrary traveling route and a traveling route along a substantially vertical surface (Vs, Vf, Vr) to be cleaned (V, V ′, V ″, W). A traveling frame (F) that can be mounted, a side brush (S) that is mounted on the traveling frame (F) and that can clean the surfaces to be cleaned (Vs, Vf, Vr), and is higher than the side brush (S) An auxiliary brush (T) capable of cleaning the surface to be cleaned (Vs, Vf, Vr) at a position, an elevating drive means (KS) capable of elevating and driving the auxiliary brush (T), and the traveling drive means (D) And a self-propelled washing machine comprising control means (C) capable of controlling the elevating drive means (KS). A method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using the self-propelled cleaning machine according to claim 1,
When a tall object (V ″, W) for which it is difficult to clean the surface (Vs, Vf, Vr) to be cleaned with only the side brush (S), the traveling frame (F) is covered with the traveling frame (F). When traveling along the surface to be cleaned (Vs, Vf, Vr) of the cleaning object (V ″, W), the auxiliary brush (T) is raised to a position higher than the side brush (S). A method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a self-propelled cleaning machine, wherein the surface to be cleaned (Vs, Vf, Vr) is cleaned with both the side brush (S) and the auxiliary brush (T). A travel frame having travel drive means (D) and capable of traveling on its own along a travel route along at least one side surface (Vs, Vf, Vr) of an arbitrary travel route and an object to be cleaned (V, V ′, V ″). F) and an auxiliary brush mounted on the traveling frame (F) and capable of cleaning the upper surface (Vt) and the substantially vertical side surfaces (Vs, Vf, Vr) of the object to be cleaned (V, V ′, V ″). T), a side brush (S) mounted on the traveling frame (F) and capable of cleaning the side surfaces (Vs, Vf, Vr) of the objects to be cleaned (V, V ′, V ″), and a traveling frame ( F) Elevating body (23) supported by F) so as to be able to move up and down and pivotally supporting auxiliary brush (T) between a substantially horizontal protruding position (Th) and a substantially vertical standing position (Tv). And an elevating drive means (KS) capable of elevating and lowering the elevating body (23) and an auxiliary brush (T). Self-equipped with swing drive means (KY) that can be driven, and control means (C) that can control the travel drive means (D), the lift drive means (KS), and the swing drive means (KY). A method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a traveling cleaning machine (A),
In the case of normal cleaning in which the object to be cleaned (V, V ′) whose side surface can be cleaned only by the side brush (S) is used, the traveling frame (F) has at least one side surface of the object to be cleaned (V, V ′). When traveling along (Vs), the upper surface (Vt) of the object to be cleaned (V, V ′) is cleaned with the auxiliary brush (T) and at least one side surface (Vs) is cleaned with the side brush (S). And
In the case of special cleaning for cleaning a tall object (V ″) whose side cleaning is difficult with the side brush (S) alone, the lifting body (23) is held in a predetermined raised position and an auxiliary brush ( At least one side surface of the object to be cleaned (V ″) while the traveling frame (F) is held in the standing position (Tv) or the intermediate swing position (Tv ′, Tv ″) close to the standing position (Tv). (Vs, Vf, Vr) and at least one side surface (Vs, Vf, Vr) of the object (V ″) to be cleaned with both the side brush (S) and the auxiliary brush (T) during the traveling. A method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a self-propelled cleaning machine, characterized by cleaning. A traveling frame (F) having traveling driving means (D) and capable of traveling by itself around an arbitrary traveling route and a vehicle (V, V ″), and a vehicle (V, V, mounted on the traveling frame (F)) V ″), an auxiliary brush (T) that can clean the upper surface (Vt), the left and right side surfaces (Vs), and at least one of the front and rear end surfaces (Vr), and the vehicle (V, V ″) mounted on the traveling frame (F). ) And the side brush (S) that can clean the left and right side surfaces (Vs) and the front and rear end surfaces (Vf, Vr), and the auxiliary brush (T) that is supported by the traveling frame (F) so as to be movable up and down. An elevating body (23) pivotally supported so as to swing between (Th) and a substantially vertical standing position (Tv), elevating drive means (KS) capable of elevating and driving the elevating body (23), A swing driving means (KY) capable of swing driving the auxiliary brush (T); An object to be cleaned using a self-propelled washing machine (A) provided with a row drive means (D), a control means (C) capable of controlling the elevation drive means (KS) and the swing drive means (KY). Cleaning method,
In the case of normal cleaning in which a vehicle (V) with a low vehicle height that can be cleaned with only the side brush (S) is cleaned, the traveling frame (F) has left and right sides (Vs) of the vehicle (V) with the low vehicle height. ), The upper surface (Vt) of the automobile (V) is cleaned with the auxiliary brush (T) and the left and right side surfaces (Vs) are cleaned with the side brush (S).
In the case of special cleaning for cleaning a vehicle (V ″) having a high vehicle height that is difficult to clean with the side brush (S) alone, the lifting body (23) is held at a predetermined raised position and the auxiliary brush (T ) Is held at the standing position (Tv) or the intermediate swing position (Tv ′) close to the standing position (Tv), and the traveling frame (F) is caused to travel around the vehicle (V ″) with the high vehicle height. During the running, both the side brush (S) and the auxiliary brush (T) clean the left and right side surfaces (Vs) and at least one of the front and rear end surfaces (Vr) of the high vehicle (V ″). A method for cleaning an object to be cleaned using a self-propelled cleaning machine. A self-propelled washing machine used in the method for washing an object to be cleaned according to claim 3 or 4,
The control means (C) can execute both the first control mode for the normal cleaning and the second control mode for the special cleaning, and executes the second control mode. In this case, the elevating body (23) is held at a predetermined raised position, and the auxiliary brush (T) is moved to the standing position (Tv) or the intermediate swing position (Tv ′, Tv ″) closer to the standing position (Tv). The self-propelled washing machine is characterized in that the elevating drive means (KS) and the swing drive means (KY) are controlled to hold.   When the control means (C) executes the second control mode for the special cleaning, the upper part of the side surface (Vs, Vf, Vr) of the high vehicle (V ″) is inclined inwardly upward. Both of the cleaning mode when being inclined and the cleaning mode when not tilting can be performed, and when the cleaning mode when tilting is performed, the auxiliary brush (T) is placed in the upright position. When the swing drive means (KY) is controlled so as to be held at the intermediate swing position (Tv ′) close to (Tv), and when the cleaning mode when not tilted is executed, the auxiliary brush (T ) Is held at the intermediate swing position (Tv ″) closer to the standing position (Tv) than the standing position (Tv) or the intermediate swing position (Tv ′). The self-propelled type according to claim 5, wherein the self-propelled type is controlled. Kiyoshiki.

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