JP2022124674A - Aqueous tire wax agent and vehicle washer - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide an aqueous tire wax agent which can coat on a tire in a wet state to enhance brightness, as well as, to make the tire difficult to be corroded.SOLUTION: An aqueous tire wax agent contains: a high viscosity organopolysiloxane; a first surface active agent which emulsifies the high viscosity organopolysiloxane; and a second surface active agent which comprises a nonionic polymer surface active agent of which molecular mass is larger than that of the first surface active agent.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to an aqueous tire wax agent to be applied to tires of a vehicle to be washed and a car wash machine for applying the aqueous tire wax agent.

A conventional car wash machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1. A conventional car wash machine has a spray gun with which an operator manually applies tire wax to the tire. In a conventional car wash machine, after washing and drying the vehicle, if tire wax is selected, tire wax is supplied to the spray gun, and the operator sprays the tire wax from the spray gun to the tire. Apply wax.

JP-A-6-183319

A conventional tire wax cannot obtain a sufficient wax effect even if it is sprayed on a wet tire. Moreover, there is a possibility that the wax applied to the tire may be removed by spraying the cleaning water after the tire wax has been applied.

An object of the present invention is to provide a water-based tire wax agent that can be applied to a tire in a wet state, increases the gloss of the tire, and hardly corrodes the tire.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a car washing machine capable of automatically waxing wet tires.

In order to achieve the above object, the aqueous tire wax agent of the present invention comprises a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant that emulsifies the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, and a molecular weight higher than that of the first surfactant. and a second surfactant composed of a nonionic polymeric surfactant having a large

By configuring in this way, even when the tire is applied to a wet tire, the gloss of the tire can be obtained and the tire is less likely to be corroded. Also, for example, even if it adheres to the body, wheels, brakes, etc. of the vehicle to be washed, it can be removed by washing with water. Furthermore, even if it adheres to the body, it can be easily wiped off.

Further, according to the present invention, in the water-based tire wax agent having the above configuration, the second surfactant is cornstarch, methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl Ethylene oxide adducts of any of methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ethers, polyacrylamides and alkylphenol formaldehyde condensates.

Further, according to the present invention, in the water-based tire wax agent having the above constitution, the kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is 1,000 to 100,000 mPa·s.

Further, according to the present invention, in the water-based tire wax agent having the above structure, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, organopolysiloxane containing a long-chain alkyl group, organopolysiloxane containing an amino group, epoxy an organopolysiloxane containing groups.

In order to achieve the above object, the car wash machine of the present invention comprises a car wash machine main body that moves relative to a vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, and a car wash machine main body that is provided with the above-mentioned water-based tire wax agent for cleaning the tires of the vehicle to be washed. It has a spraying part that sprays on. The spraying section includes a pedestal section having a nozzle for ejecting the water-based tire wax agent, a diameter calculation section for calculating the diameter of the tire of the vehicle to be washed, and a diameter of the tire calculated by the diameter calculation section. and a moving part for moving the spraying part to a position where the water-based tire wax agent can be sprayed on a predetermined position of the tire.

With such a configuration, the nozzle is moved to spray the aqueous tire wax agent onto the tire according to the size of the tire, so that the aqueous tire wax agent can be sprayed onto the tire just enough. In addition, the amount of the water-based tire wax sprayed onto areas other than the tire can be reduced, and even when the tire is subjected to wax treatment, contamination of areas other than the tire can be suppressed. In addition, the amount of the water-based tire wax sprayed onto parts other than the tire can be reduced.

Further, in the car wash machine of the present invention configured as described above, the moving part vertically moves the blowing part so that the rotating shaft of the base part approaches the central axis of the tire.

Further, in the car wash machine of the present invention configured as described above, the moving section moves the blowing section in a direction along the rotation axis of the blowing section so that the pedestal and the tire are spaced at a predetermined distance.

Further, in the car wash machine of the present invention configured as described above, the moving part reciprocates the pedestal part between a lower position close to the tire and an upper position away from the tire.

The car wash machine of the present invention further includes a side blower nozzle arranged in the car wash machine main body and movable in the left-right direction, and the moving part is attached to the side blower nozzle.

Further, according to the present invention, in the car wash machine configured as described above, the lateral movement of the side blower nozzle and the movement of the base portion by the moving portion are performed independently of each other.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a water-based tire wax agent that can be applied to tires in a wet state, that enhances gloss and that is less likely to corrode tires.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a car washing machine capable of automatically applying tire wax to wet tires.

1 is a side view of a car wash machine according to the present invention; FIG. FIG. 2 is a front view of the car wash machine shown in FIG. 1; 1 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of a car wash machine; FIG. It is the side view which expanded the vicinity of the spraying part. It is the front view which expanded the vicinity of the spraying part. FIG. 3 shows different sizes of vehicles to be washed and tire positions; It is a schematic side view which shows the state which is measuring the tire. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which a water-based tire wax agent is being sprayed from a first nozzle; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which an aqueous tire wax agent is being sprayed from a second nozzle; It is a side view which shows the 1st outward process of a car wash machine. It is a side view which shows the middle of the 1st return process of a car wash machine. FIG. 10 is a side view showing the car wash machine in a state where the front wheels of the vehicle to be washed are being treated with tire wax during the second outward process and the second return process. FIG. 11 is a side view showing the car wash machine in a state where the rear wheel of the vehicle to be washed is being subjected to tire wax treatment during the second outward process and the second return process. It is a side view which shows the middle of the 3rd outward process of a car wash machine. It is a side view which shows the middle of the 4th outward process of a car wash machine.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a car wash machine 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of car wash machine 100 shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the car wash machine 100. As shown in FIG. The car wash machine 100 includes a car wash machine body 10 and rails 60. - 特許庁The car wash machine main body 10 is formed in a gate shape having two left and right stand portions 10d facing each other and a ceiling portion 10c connecting the upper ends of the stand portions 10d.

A pair of left and right rails 60 are provided on the ground G, and wheels 10e provided on the bottom surface of the stand portion 10d are arranged on the rails 60. As shown in FIG. As a result, the car wash machine main body 10 is erected on the rails 60 and travels on the rails 60 by being driven by the traveling motor 101 (see FIG. 3) to move in the longitudinal direction with respect to the vehicle CA to be washed. It moves relative to the cleaning vehicle CA. The travel motor is connected to the controller 70 and operates based on instructions from the controller 70 .

Here, the controller 70 will be described. The control unit 70 has arithmetic circuits such as a CPU and an MPU. The control unit 70 may have a configuration in which the circuit itself performs calculations. The control unit 70 includes a memory circuit. The memory circuit can include, for example, a ROM that is a nonvolatile memory element, a RAM that can read and write information, and the like. Note that the control unit 70 may be configured, for example, to operate a program read from a storage circuit in an arithmetic circuit.

It has a remote panel Rp arranged along the approach path to the car wash machine body 10 . The remote panel Rp has a plurality of buttons and sets car wash conditions. An operation panel Cp is arranged on the side of the entrance surface 10a of one of the stand portions 10d of the car wash main body 10. As shown in FIG. The operation panel Cp can set the car wash conditions like the remote panel Rp. As shown in FIG. 3, remote panel Rp and operation panel Cp are connected to control unit 70 .

Car wash conditions that can be set on the remote panel Rp and the operation panel Cp include, for example, shampooing, waxing, water-repellent coating, and the like. It may also contain high grade shampoos, high grade waxes, high grade water repellent coats, special coats, and the like.

The car wash machine main body 10 is provided with a plurality of rotating brushes for rotating and brushing the vehicle CA to be washed. The rotating brushes include a top brush 31, side brushes 32, and tire brushes 33.

The top brush 31 is provided on the ceiling portion 10c so as to be able to move up and down, rotates on a rotating shaft arranged in the left-right direction, and cleans the upper surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. The side brushes 32 are provided on the side of the exit surface 10b of both stand portions 10d so as to move forward and backward in the left-right direction and rotate on rotating shafts arranged in the vertical direction to wash the front, both side and rear surfaces of the vehicle to be washed CA. . As shown in FIG. 3 , the top brush 31 and the side brushes 32 are connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3 ), and rotate and move up and down based on instructions from the controller 70 .

The tire brushes 33 are provided at the lower portions of both stand portions 10d so as to be able to advance and retreat in the left-right direction, and wash the outer surfaces of the tires Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed. The tire brushes 33 are arranged closer to the inlet surface 10a of the car wash machine main body 10 than the side brushes 32 are. As shown in FIG. 3 , the tire brush 33 is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3 ), and rotates and moves up and down based on instructions from the controller 70 . Instead of the tire brush 33 or in addition to the tire brush 33, a rocker brush for washing the lower portion of the vehicle CA to be washed may be provided.

A car wash machine main body 10 is provided with a blower 20 for generating airflow. The blower 20 is connected with a plurality of air blowing nozzles for blowing air toward the vehicle to be washed CA. The blower nozzles include top blower nozzles 21 and side blower nozzles 22 . The blower 20 is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3) and operates based on instructions from the controller 70 .

The top air blowing nozzle 21 is provided on the ceiling portion 10c so as to be able to move up and down. The top air blowing nozzle 21 moves along the upper and rear surfaces of the vehicle to be washed CA and blows air to dry the upper and rear surfaces. The top blower nozzle 21 is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3) and moves up and down based on instructions from the controller 70 .

The side air blowing nozzles 22 are provided on both stand portions 10d so as to be able to advance and retreat in the left-right direction. The side air blowing nozzle 22 dries the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed by blowing air. At this time, the air from the side air blowing nozzles 22 is also blown to the tire Ty of the vehicle to be cleaned CA to dry the tire Ty as well. The side blower nozzle 22 may be steplessly movable. The side blower nozzle 22 is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3), and moves in the horizontal direction based on instructions from the controller 70 .

A vehicle shape sensor Sr is provided on both stand portions 10d of the car wash machine main body 10 on the entrance surface 10a side of the top brush 31. As shown in FIG. The vehicle shape sensor Sr is composed of a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, or the like, and detects the vehicle shape projected from the side of the vehicle CA entering the car wash machine main body 10 . The vehicle shape sensor Sr is configured to detect, for example, the upper end and lower end of the vehicle to be washed CA.

The vehicle shape sensor Sr is connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and transmits detection results to the control unit 70 . The vehicle shape sensor Sr is configured to be capable of distinguishing between the outer surface of the vehicle to be cleaned CA and the tires Ty. The vehicle shape sensor Sr also detects information necessary for a diameter calculator 46, which will be described later, to calculate the diameter of the tire Ty. The details of the information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty will be described later.

The stand portion 10d is provided with a tank storage portion 50 for storing a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) storing various liquid agents such as detergents and coating agents. A distribution pipe section 51 is provided above the tank storage section 50 for distributing city water and the liquid agent from each liquid storage tank. Detergent nozzle 11 and water nozzles 12, 13 and 15 are led out to distribution pipe 51 via solenoid valves 52, 53, 54 and 55 (see FIG. 3), respectively. The solenoid valves 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 are connected to the controller 70 and are controlled to be opened or closed based on instructions from the controller 70 .

The detergent nozzles 11 are provided at a plurality of locations in the left-right direction of the ceiling portion 10c, and are also provided at both stand portions 10d (not shown). Further, the detergent nozzle 11 is arranged between the inlet surface 10a and the top brush 31, and sprays an aqueous detergent solution.

Water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 are provided at a plurality of locations in the left-right direction of the ceiling portion 10c, and are provided at both stand portions 10d (not shown). A water nozzle 12 is arranged between the detergent nozzle 11 and the inlet face 10a. A water nozzle 13 is arranged between the top brush 31 and the outlet surface 10b. A water nozzle 15 is arranged between the water nozzle 13 and the outlet face 10b.

The water nozzles 12, 13, 15 spray washing water made of city water onto the vehicle CA to be washed. The water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 wash the vehicle CA to be washed with water and rinse the detergent with water. Although the car wash machine 100 of this embodiment is configured to clean the vehicle with detergent and city water, it may be configured to spray a coating agent to coat the surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. In this case, the water nozzles 12, 13, 15 perform rinsing by washing the coating agent with water.

The car wash machine 100 has a spraying section 40 that applies tire wax treatment to the outer surface of the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the spraying section 40. As shown in FIG. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the spraying section 40. As shown in FIG. The blowing part 40 is attached to the side blower nozzle 22 . The spraying section 40 has a first nozzle 41, a second nozzle 42, a pedestal section 43, a rotary actuator 44, a moving section 45, and a diameter calculating section 46 (see FIG. 3).

The pedestal portion 43 is attached closer to the inlet surface 10a than the side blower nozzle 22 is. The pedestal portion 43 is rotatably arranged around a rotation axis Bx extending in a direction along the central axis Ax of the vehicle to be washed CA. Note that the expression that the rotation axis Bx extends along the central axis Ax includes the case where the rotation axis Bx coincides with the central axis Ax, and the water-based tire wax agent ejected from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 is reliably discharged. Including the case where it is shifted within the range where it can be attached to the tire.

As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, etc., the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged on the base portion 43 so as to face the outer surface of the tire Ty. The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged on the opposite sides of the rotation axis Bx at positions equidistant from the rotation axis Bx, that is, at positions facing each other.

The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are connected to a distribution pipe portion 51 and connected to an aqueous tire wax agent storage tank (not shown) housed in the tank housing portion 50 . Compressed air is supplied to the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42, and the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed at the same time as the compressed air, so that it is finely atomized and sprayed onto the tire Ty. be done.

The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 have the same shape and are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the rotation axis Bx. As shown in FIG. 5, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are inclined so as to approach the rotation axis Bx as they approach the tire Ty.

Further, as shown in FIG. 4, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are inclined toward the first direction Rt1 when viewed from the rotation axis Bx direction. The tilt direction may be reversed, that is, tilted toward the second direction Rt2.

When viewed from the inlet surface 10a side, the aqueous tire wax agent ejected from the first nozzle 41 is sprayed on the opposite side of the outer surface of the tire Ty across the rotation axis Bx. Similarly, the water-based tire wax agent ejected from the second nozzle 42 is sprayed on the opposite side of the outer surface of the tire Ty across the rotation axis Bx. Therefore, the length from the tip of each of the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 to the surface onto which the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed becomes longer.

By increasing the length from the tip of the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 to the surface of the outer surface of the tire Ty to which the water-based tire wax agent adheres, the flow velocity of the water-based tire wax agent when colliding with the tire Ty increases. descend. Therefore, the water-based tire wax agent sprayed on the outer surface of the tire Ty is less likely to splatter, and adhesion of the water-based tire wax agent to the body, wheels, brakes, and tire house of the vehicle CA to be cleaned can be suppressed.

The rotary actuator 44 rotates the base portion 43 around the rotation axis Bx. The rotary actuator 44 employs a structure that is rotationally driven by air pressure, but is not limited to this. For example, a configuration using an electric motor may be used.

The diameter calculator 46 is connected to the controller 70 (see FIG. 3). In car wash machine 100 shown in FIG. 3 , diameter calculator 46 is provided outside controller 70 . For example, the diameter calculation section 46 may have an arithmetic circuit (CPU, MPU, etc.) independent of the control section 70, and the arithmetic circuit may perform arithmetic operations. Further, the diameter calculator 46 may be included in a circuit that constitutes the controller 70 . Furthermore, it may be a program executed by the arithmetic circuit of the control unit 70 . The diameter calculator 46 calculates the diameter of the tire Ty based on information from the vehicle shape sensor Sr sent to the controller 70 .

The moving part 45 reciprocates the pedestal part 43 between a lower position close to the vehicle to be washed CA and an upper position away from the vehicle to be washed CA. That is, the moving direction of the pedestal portion 43 by the moving portion 45 forms a constant angle with respect to the ground G. As shown in FIG. The angle of the moving direction of the pedestal portion 43 by the moving portion 45 with respect to the ground G is not particularly limited, and may be adjustable.

Based on the information about the diameter of the tire Ty and the position of the center of the tire Ty calculated by the diameter calculator 46, the moving unit 45 moves the base so that the rotation axis Bx of the base 43 approaches the central axis Ax of the tire Ty. The part 43 is moved. The moving part 45 stops the pedestal part 43 at a position where the rotation axis Bx and the central axis Ax approach each other. Then, the moving portion 45 can stably hold the pedestal portion 43 at the stopped position.

As the moving part 45, for example, a pneumatic cylinder that expands and contracts with air pressure can be used, but it is not limited to this, and a wide range of configurations that can reciprocate the pedestal part 43 in the above-described directions can be used. The moving part 45 moves the pedestal part 43 in the horizontal direction as it moves in the vertical direction. In addition, the moving part 45 may be configured to independently move the pedestal part 43 in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction.

Further, as the moving part 45, a configuration is given in which the rotation axis Bx of the blowing part 40 moves downward from above so as to approach the central axis Ax of the tire Ty, but it may be possible to approach from below upwards. . By doing so, even if the rotation axis Bx of the spraying part 40 deviates downward from the central axis Ax, it is possible to prevent the water-based tire wax agent from adhering to the body of the vehicle CA to be washed.

The pedestal portion 43 is moved in the left-right direction by the movement of the side blower nozzle 22 . Further, the pedestal portion 43 is moved not only in the horizontal direction but also in the vertical direction by the moving portion 45 . The blowing section 40 can change the position of the pedestal section 43 by operating at least one of the side blower nozzle 22 and the moving section 45 .

Note that the horizontal movement of the side blower nozzle 22 and the vertical movement of the moving portion 45 are performed independently of each other. Therefore, the blowing part 40 can be independently moved in the left-right direction and the up-down direction. As a result, for example, a link mechanism using a parallelogram-shaped link frame that becomes the lowest point when all four corners are 90 degrees and moves in the vertical direction in conjunction with movement in the horizontal direction is used. As compared with the case where the blowing part 40 is moved by pressing, the degree of freedom of the position that the blowing part 40 can take is increased. Note that the side blowing nozzle 22 may be configured to move to a plurality of positions. Further, the moving part 45 may also be configured to move to a plurality of positions.

Thereby, the 1st nozzle 41 and the 2nd nozzle 42 can spray a water-based tire wax agent to the predetermined position of tire Ty correctly. Here, the predetermined position of the tire Ty is the outer surface of the tire Ty excluding the tire wheel. That is, in the spraying section 40, the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed accurately onto a predetermined position of the tire Ty. Adhesion of aqueous tire wax agents can be suppressed. In the car wash machine 100 of the present embodiment, by configuring the water-based tire wax agent as described above, even if the water-based tire wax agent adheres to the body, wheels, brakes, and tire wax, it can be easily washed with water. Removable. Also, it is easy to wipe off with a rag or the like.

The car wash machine 100 can wash vehicles CA of different sizes. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing different sizes of vehicles to be washed and tire positions. Usually, the large-sized vehicle CA1 to be washed is equipped with large-diameter tires Ty1. A small-diameter tire Ty2 is mounted on the small vehicle CA2 to be washed.

As shown in FIG. 6, the large to-be-cleaned vehicle CA1 has a wider width than the small to-be-cleaned vehicle CA2. Therefore, when the car is washed in the car wash 100, the outer surface of the large-diameter tire Ty1 is arranged closer to the stand portion 10d than the outer surface of the small-diameter tire Ty2. Also, the central axis Ax1 of the large-diameter tire Ty1 is above the central axis Ax2 of the small-diameter tire Ty2.

Therefore, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can be opposed to the outer surface of the large-diameter tire Ty1 by moving the pedestal portion 43 upward and closer to the stand portion 10d by the moving portion 45. At this time, the rotation axis Bx of the base portion 43 extends along the central axis Ax1 of the large-diameter tire Ty1. As a result, it becomes possible to carry out a tire wax treatment for spraying a water-based tire wax agent onto a predetermined position of the large-diameter tire Ty1.

Similarly, by moving the base portion 43 downward and away from the stand portion 10d by the moving portion 45, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can be opposed to the outer surface of the small-diameter tire Ty2. At this time, the rotation axis Bx of the base portion 43 extends along the central axis Ax2 of the small-diameter tire Ty2. As a result, it becomes possible to carry out a tire wax treatment in which a water-based tire wax agent is sprayed onto a predetermined position of the small-diameter tire Ty2.

Further, when washing a vehicle to be washed that is between a large vehicle to be washed CA1 and a small vehicle to be washed CA2, the pedestal portion 43 is stopped in the middle of movement by the moving portion 45, thereby The tire wax treatment can be performed in the same manner as the vehicle to be washed CA1 and the small vehicle to be washed CA2.

Further, the position of the vehicle to be washed CA in the left-right direction with respect to the car wash machine 100 may deviate from the assumed position. In this case, the lateral position of the tire Ty also deviates from the predetermined position. In such a case, the distance between the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 and the outer surface of the tire Ty can be adjusted by moving the side blower nozzle 22 . With such a configuration, when the position of the vehicle CA to be washed CA deviates in the left-right direction, or when the vehicle CA is mounted with tires Ty larger or smaller than the size assumed in advance, the vehicle to be washed CA can be moved. The tire wax treatment to the tire Ty can also be performed accurately.

When washing the car, the spraying part 40 is arranged at a neutral position so as not to interfere with the vehicle to be washed CA. The neutral position is not particularly limited, but is, for example, a position between a position at which the assumed minimum diameter tire is subjected to tire wax treatment and a position at which the assumed maximum diameter tire is subjected to tire wax treatment. As a result, the amount of movement of the blowing part 40 can be reduced, and the movement time of the blowing part 40 in the tire wax treatment can be shortened. Therefore, the time required for tire wax treatment can be shortened.

The movement of the pedestal portion 43 by the moving portion 45 as described above is performed based on the information on the diameter of the tire Ty calculated by the diameter calculating portion 46 and the information on the lateral position of the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed. Information on the lateral position of the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed may be detected by the vehicle shape sensor Sr, or a separate sensor for detecting lateral position information may be provided. Here, the vehicle shape sensor Sr measures the distance to the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, and based on the distance, sends the position information of the side surface of the vehicle CA to the control unit 70 .

Here, information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty and calculation of the diameter of the tire Ty will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing a state in which the tire Ty is being measured.

The vehicle shape sensor Sr detects the upper end and lower end of the vehicle CA to be washed as the car wash machine main body 10 moves. In the vehicle to be washed CA, if the length in the longitudinal direction at the position of the height h of the tire Ty is L, the radius r of the tire Ty is defined by the lengths of the sides sandwiching the right angle (L/2) and (r−h ) is the hypotenuse of the right-angled triangle (see FIG. 7). Therefore, r, (L/2), and (r−h) satisfy equation (1).

r ² =(r−h) ² +(L/2) ² Equation (1)

By arranging this formula (1), formula (2) is derived.

r=h/ ² +L2/8h Expression (2)

That is, the diameter calculator 46 can obtain the radius r of the tire Ty based on the length L and the height h, and can calculate the diameter. The length L and height h are information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty.

The shape of the vehicle CA to be washed is detected when the car wash machine main body 10 moves in the front-rear direction. At this time, the length L is the moving distance of the car wash machine main body 10 from when the height of the lowest part of the vehicle to be washed CA detected by the vehicle shape sensor Sr reaches h to when it reaches the height h again. . After receiving the length L and the height h from the vehicle shape sensor Sr, the control unit 70 transmits them to the diameter calculation unit 46 . The diameter calculation unit 46 calculates the radius and diameter of the tire Ty using Equation (2). The control unit 70 acquires the position of the height h of the tire Ty (coordinates in the front-rear direction and the height direction, hereinafter sometimes simply referred to as coordinates), and calculates the position of the center of the tire Ty from the acquired position (coordinates ) can be calculated.

Tires Ty having a standardized size and shape are often attached to general vehicles. For example, when the calculated diameter of the tire Ty is different from the diameter determined by the standard, the diameter calculation unit 46 calculates a value close to the calculated diameter among the diameters of the tire Ty determined by the standard as the tire Ty may be selected as the diameter of In this case, the position of the center of the tire Ty may also be corrected according to the selected diameter of the tire Ty. Note that the method for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty described above is merely an example, and is not limited to this.

Next, the tire wax treatment for the tire Ty by the blowing section 40 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the water-based tire wax agent is being sprayed from the first nozzle 41. As shown in FIG. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the water-based tire wax agent is being sprayed from the second nozzle 42. As shown in FIG. 8 and 9 are described as an aqueous tire wax agent CL.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the spraying section 40, the first nozzles 41 and the second nozzles 42 are arranged at intervals of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. A state in which the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged vertically and the first nozzle 41 is arranged below the second nozzle 42 is defined as a rotation initial position. A portion of the water-based tire wax agent CL ejected from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 that contacts the tire Ty is defined as a spraying region Sp.

The water-based tire wax agent CL is ejected from the first nozzle 41 while the spraying section 40 rotates from the initial rotation position to the reverse position rotated 180 degrees in the first direction Rt1. As a result, the spraying region Sp of the tire Ty to which the water-based tire wax agent CL is sprayed passes from the first spraying region Sp1 on the upper part of the tire Ty on the inlet surface 10a side to the tire Ty on the inlet surface 10a side. It moves to the second spray area Sp2 at the lower part of Ty on the side of the outlet surface 10b (see FIG. 8).

In addition, the spraying section 40 sprays the aqueous tire wax agent CL from the second nozzle 42 while rotating from the reversal position to the initial position in the second direction Rt2. As a result, the spraying region Sp of the tire Ty to which the water-based tire wax agent CL is sprayed passes from the first spraying region Sp1 on the upper part of the tire Ty on the side of the inlet surface 10a to the tire Ty on the side of the outlet surface 10b. It moves to the second spray area Sp2 at the lower part of Ty on the side of the outlet surface 10b (see FIG. 9).

By doing so, it is possible to accurately apply the water-based tire wax agent CL over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the tire Ty. And since the 1st nozzle 41 and the 2nd nozzle 42 operate|move alternately, the quantity of the compressed air supplied simultaneously can be reduced. Therefore, the required amount of compressed air per unit time can be reduced, so that the size of the compressor that generates the compressed air can be reduced, and the size of the car wash machine 100 itself can be reduced. Also, the maximum amount of compressed air discharged by the compressor can be suppressed, and energy consumption can be reduced.

The aqueous tire wax agent CL sprayed from the spray unit 40 is composed of a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant, and a second nonionic polymer surfactant having a higher molecular weight than the first surfactant. and a surfactant of

The first surfactant emulsifies the high viscosity organopolysiloxane. As the first surfactant, for example, any of nonionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, anionic surfactants and amphoteric surfactants can be used.

Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene Ethylene alkylamines, glycerin fatty acid esters, fatty acid alkanolamides, sucrose fatty acid esters and the like can be mentioned. Examples of cationic surfactants include aliphatic amine salts, aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts, etc. Examples of anionic surfactants include carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfates, phosphates, etc. Salt etc. can be mentioned. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include carboxybetaines, sulfobetaines, glycines, alanines, derivatives of 2-alkylimidazoline, amine oxides and the like.

Furthermore, examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, which are nonionic surfactants, include polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, and the like. Examples of polyoxyethylene alkylphenyl ether include polyoxyethylene octylphenyl ether and polyoxyethylene nonylphenyl ether. Examples of polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene glycol monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol monostearate, polyoxyethylene glycol distearate, and polyoxyethylene glycol monooleate.

Examples of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate. , polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, and the like. Examples of sorbitan fatty acid esters include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, and sorbitan sesquioleate. can be done.

Examples of polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetraoleate. Examples of polyoxyethylene alkylamine include polyoxyethylene laurylamine and polyoxyethylene stearylamine. Examples of glycerol fatty acid esters include stearic acid monoglyceride and oleic acid monoglyceride. Examples of fatty acid alkanolamides include lauric acid diethanolamide. Examples of sucrose fatty acid esters include sucrose palmitate and sucrose stearate.

Fatty amine salts that are cationic surfactants include, for example, higher aliphatic amines such as monolaurylamine, monostearylamine, distearylamine and tristearylamine, inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid and sulfuric acid, and acetic acid. , lactic acid, citric acid, and the like, and more specifically, laurylamine acetate, stearylamine acetate, and the like.

Examples of aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts include salts of higher aliphatic ammoniums such as lauryltrimethylammonium, stearyltrimethylammonium, cetyltrimethylammonium, didecyldimethylammonium and benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium with chlorine and bromine. More specific examples include lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, and benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride.

Examples of carboxylates, which are anionic surfactants, include salts of higher fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid and oleic acid with alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. More specific examples include potassium oleate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyl-β-alanine, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether acetate and the like.

Examples of sulfonates include salts of alkylbenzenesulfonic acids such as laurylbenzenesulfonic acid, naphthalenesulfonic acids such as dipropylnaphthalenesulfonic acid and dibutylnaphthalenesulfonic acid, and sulfosuccinic acids such as dioctylsulfosuccinic acid with sodium and the like. More specific examples include sodium laurylbenzenesulfonate, sodium dipropylnaphthalenesulfonate, sodium dibutylnaphthalenesulfonate, and sodium dioctylsulfosuccinate.

Examples of the sulfate salts include salts of higher alcohol sulfates such as lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates of polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, etc., and salts of sodium, ammonium and the like. More specifically, higher alcohol sulfate salts such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate esters such as sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, and the like can be mentioned.

Examples of phosphate ester salts include salts of monostearyl phosphate, monolauryl phosphate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, and the like with alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. Specific examples include sodium monostearyl phosphate, sodium monolauryl phosphate, potassium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, and the like.

Carboxybetaines, which are amphoteric surfactants, include, for example, lauramidopropyl betaine, lauryldimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, N-lauroyl-N'-carboxymethyl-N'-hydroxyethylethylenediamine sodium, and the like. . Examples of sulfobetaines include lauramidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaine. Examples of glycines include sodium lauryldiaminoethylglycinate and the like. Derivatives of 2-alkylimidazoline include, for example, 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine such as 2-lauroyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine. can be mentioned. Examples of amine oxides include lauryldimethylamine oxide and the like.

In addition, the water-based tire wax agent may contain one type or a plurality of types among the above-described surfactants as the first surfactant. A preferred specific example of the surfactant is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

Nonionic polymeric surfactants constituting the second surfactant include cornstarch, methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), Compositions containing any ethylene oxide adducts of polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ethers, polyacrylamides and alkylphenol formaldehyde condensates can be mentioned. In addition, the water-based tire wax agent may contain one type or a plurality of types among the above-mentioned surfactants as the second surfactant. A preferred specific example of the surfactant is polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol. The molecular weight of the second surfactant is approximately 1,000 to 100,000.

The second surfactant suppresses foaming of the aqueous tire wax agent. This allows the water-based tire wax agent to be removed with a water-only rinse. As a result, the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the outer surface of the vehicle to be washed CA can be removed by washing with water. Further, by including the second surfactant, corrosion of the tire Ty by the water-based tire wax agent can be suppressed. By including the second surfactant, the water-based tire wax agent can remove the water film adhering to the surface of the tire Ty. That is, by using such a water-based tire wax agent, even if it is sprayed onto a wet tire, it is possible to cause the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, which is the wax component, to adhere to the surface of the tire Ty.

Also, high-viscosity organopolysiloxanes form highly water-repellent coatings. The kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane can be 1000 to 100000 mPa·s. As the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, for example, at least one of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, organopolysiloxane containing a long-chain alkyl group, organopolysiloxane containing an amino group, and organopolysiloxane containing an epoxy group. A configuration including A preferred specific example of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is dimethylpolysiloxane. A low-temperature stabilizer, an emulsion stabilizer, an antiseptic, a pH adjuster, and the like may be added to the aqueous tire wax agent as long as the properties of the aqueous tire wax agent are not impaired.

As described above, the tire wax agent is atomized and sprayed from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 together with the air. The tire wax agent contains a second surfactant, and the water film on the surface of the tire Ty is removed by the air and oil-rich liquid agent. Since the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane has a high viscosity and is sprayed onto the tire Ty in a fine form, it easily adheres to the surface of the tire Ty. As a result, the tire Ty becomes glossy.

In the car wash machine 100 configured as described above, the user operates the vehicle to be washed CA to stop in front of the remote panel Rp, and sets the washing conditions for the vehicle to be washed CA from within the vehicle to be washed CA. After setting the car wash conditions, the user moves the vehicle to be washed CA to a predetermined washing start position.

By operating the remote panel Rp, the user can select a washing course, a shampoo course, or a tire wax course and execute the car washing process. In the water washing course, rotating brushes are rotated to jet washing water of city water from water nozzles 12, 13 and 15 to wash the vehicle CA to be washed. In the shampoo course, the rotary brush is rotated to jet washing water containing detergent from detergent nozzles 11 to wash the vehicle to be washed CA. At this time, city water is sprayed from the water nozzles 12 and 13 to pre-wash and rinse the vehicle CA to be washed. In the tire wax course, the vehicle to be washed CA is washed in the same manner as the shampoo course, and then a water-based tire wax agent is applied to the outer surface of the tire Ty of the vehicle to be washed CA.

10 to 15 are side views showing the car wash state of the tire wax course. 10 to 15, the moving direction of the car wash main body 10 is indicated by an arrow, and the direction during movement is indicated by a solid line. Further, in the same operation state, when moving after stopping or when moving in the direction opposite to the current moving direction, the moving direction is indicated by a dotted line.

When the tire wax course is selected and the car wash is started, as shown in FIG. 10, the car wash machine main body 10 moves behind the vehicle CA to be washed (arrow E1) at a predetermined running speed (eg, 5 m/min). Then, the first outward process is performed. In the first outbound process, while acquiring information necessary for calculating the shape of the vehicle CA to be cleaned and the diameter of the tire Ty by the vehicle shape sensor Sr, each rotating brush rotates to clean the front and rear surfaces and the upper surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. be done.

At this time, the cleaning liquid S2 is jetted from the detergent nozzle 11 preceding the top brush 31 . Further, the washing water S1 of city water is jetted from the water nozzle 12 preceding the detergent nozzle 11 . As a result, the top brush 31 and the side brushes 32 slide on the body surface of the vehicle CA to be washed CA that is wet with the washing water S1, and washing is performed with the washing liquid S2 containing the detergent.

Further, information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty is sent to the control section 70 immediately after acquisition, and sent from the control section 70 to the diameter calculation section 46 . The diameter calculator 46 calculates the diameter of the tire Ty and sends it to the controller 70 . The controller 70 stores the transmitted diameter of the tire Ty and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty in the storage circuit. The control unit 70 maintains information on the diameter of the tire Ty and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty until the washing process of the vehicle CA to be washed is completed, and calls the information as necessary.

Further, the tire brush 33 slides on the outer surface of the tire Ty and the wheel, and the tire Ty and the wheel of the front wheel Wh1 and the rear wheel Wh2 are washed with the washing liquid S2 containing the detergent. The operation including movement of the tire brush 33 is performed based on the diameter and center position (coordinates) of the tire Ty. However, without being limited to this, the operation of the tire brush 33 may be determined in advance.

In the first forward process, the water nozzles 13 and 15 following the top brush 31, the side brush 32 and the tire brush 33 inject the washing water S1 of city water. As a result, part of the detergent that has washed the vehicle CA to be washed is washed away.

In the first outbound process, the control unit 70 stores the diameters and center positions (coordinates) of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 and the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2, respectively, and calls them as necessary. Then, the controller 70 uses the stored diameters and center positions (coordinates) of the tires Ty of the front wheels Wh1 and rear wheels Wh2 for the vehicle to be washed CA that is currently being washed. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the control unit 70 may use the diameter calculation unit 46 to calculate the diameter and center position (coordinates) of the tire Ty in processes other than the first outbound process.

When the washing of the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed is completed, as shown in FIG. 11, the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved forward (arrow E2) of the vehicle CA to be washed. In the first return process, washing water S1, which is city water, is sprayed from water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 while rotating the rotating brush. As a result, the vehicle surface of the vehicle CA to be washed is washed with the washing water S1 to wash away the detergent, thereby performing rinsing washing. The first outward process and the first return process are cleaning processes.

When washing up to the front surface of the vehicle to be washed CA is completed, the first return process is completed and the rotation of the rotating brush is stopped. Then, the second outbound process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved to the rear (arrow E1) of the vehicle to be washed CA.

As shown in FIG. 12, in the second outbound process, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 of the vehicle to be washed CA can be waxed, and then stops. The position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 can be subjected to the tire wax treatment is, for example, a position where the front-rear position of the center axis Ax of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 overlaps with the front-rear position of the spraying portion 40. can be, but is not limited to. A wide range of positions can be adopted in which the blowing portion 40 can face the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 with a certain gap therebetween in the front-rear direction.

Then, based on the stored diameter and center position (coordinates) of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1, the control unit 70 moves the side blower nozzle 22 to the left and right, and moves the pedestal 43 by the moving unit 45. . Thereby, the blowing part 40 is arranged at a position where the rotation axis Bx extends along the central axis Ax of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are opposed to the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 with a certain gap therebetween (see FIG. 6). Note that the side blower nozzle 22 may be moved only when necessary.

The pedestal portion 43 is rotated in the first direction Rt1 by the rotary actuator 44, and the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed from the first nozzle 41 onto the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. After the pedestal 43 rotates 180 degrees, the pedestal 43 is reversed in the second direction Rt2 and the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed from the second nozzle 42 onto the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. As a result, the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed on the entire circumference of the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1.

After the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 has been coated, the jetting of the water-based tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 is stopped. Then, the car wash machine main body 10 resumes the rearward movement of the vehicle CA to be washed. When the car wash main body 10 moves, if the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 interfere or may interfere with the vehicle to be washed CA, at least one of the side air blowing nozzle 22 and the moving part 45 is operated. to separate the spray part 40 from the vehicle to be washed CA. When the car wash machine main body 10 moves, the spray part 40 may always be separated from the vehicle to be washed CA, for example, moved to the neutral position.

As shown in FIG. 13, in the second outward process, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 of the vehicle CA to be washed can be coated, and stops. The position where the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 can be coated is set in the same manner as the position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 can be coated.

Then, the tire wax process is performed on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 in the same manner as in the coating process of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. After the tire wax treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is completed, the jetting of the water-based tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 is stopped, and the spraying section 40 is moved as necessary. Then, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to the rear of the vehicle to be washed CA. When the car wash machine main body 10 has moved rearward from the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, the second outward process ends.

Thereafter, a second return process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved forward (arrow E2) of the vehicle to be washed CA. In the second return process, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 can be waxed and then stops (see FIG. 13). Then, in the same procedure as described above, the car wash machine main body 10 performs the tire wax treatment on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 of the vehicle CA to be washed. After completing the tire wax treatment on the rear wheel Wh2, the car wash machine main body 10 resumes forward movement of the vehicle CA to be washed.

After that, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to a position where the tire wax treatment for the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 can be performed, and stops (see FIG. 12). Then, in the same procedure as described above, the car wash machine main body 10 performs the tire wax treatment on the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 of the vehicle to be washed CA. After completing the tire wax treatment for the front wheel Wh1, the car wash machine main body 10 restarts the forward movement of the vehicle CA to be washed. When the car wash machine main body 10 moves forward from the front surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, the second return process ends.

The second outward process and the second return process are tire wax processes. In the tire wax course of the car wash machine main body 10, the tires Ty of the front and rear wheels are each subjected to the tire wax treatment twice. Although the car wash machine main body 10 moves to the rear of the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed CA at the end of the second outbound process, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, after a certain period of time has passed since the tire wax treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is completed, the tire wax treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is performed again, and then the car wash machine main body 10 is placed in front of the vehicle CA to be washed. A second return process of moving may be performed.

Further, in the present embodiment, the water-based tire wax agent is also sprayed onto the tire Ty in the second return trip process, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the tire Ty may be rinsed by spraying washing water. Also in this case, the second return process is the tire wax process. In addition, before spraying the water-based tire wax agent on the tire Ty, a partial drying process may be included in which an air flow is sprayed on the tire Ty to remove the water film on the surface of the tire Ty.

After the second return process is completed, as shown in FIG. 14, the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved to the rear of the vehicle CA to be washed CA (arrow E1) to perform the third return process. In the third outbound process, the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 jet cleaning water S1, which is city water. As a result, a rinsing process is performed to allow the water-based tire wax agent to blend in. At this time, the washing water S1 is also sprayed onto the top and side surfaces of the vehicle CA to be washed to wash away the remaining detergent and the water-based tire wax adhering to the vehicle surface of the vehicle CA to be washed.

In the third outbound process, the car wash machine main body 10 that has reached the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed CA is reversed and moved forward (arrow E2) of the vehicle to be washed CA. At this time, in the third return process, the washing water S1, which is city water, is sprayed from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 in the same manner as in the third outward process. In addition, when switching from the third outward process to the third return process, the injection of the cleaning water S1 from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 may be stopped. In the third return process and the third outbound process, for example, an unnecessary aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the vehicle body surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned and an excessive aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the tire Ty are washed away. It is a process.

After the third return process is completed, as shown in FIG. 15, a fourth return process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved to the rear of the vehicle CA to be washed (arrow E1). In the fourth outward process, the air flow K1 is sent out from the top blower nozzle 21 and the side blower nozzle 22 to dry the vehicle CA to be washed. That is, the second outward process forms a drying process. In the fourth outward step, the water-based tire wax sprayed on the outer surface of the tire Ty is also dried. Thereby, the water-based tire wax agent can be stably fixed on the outer surface of the tire Ty.

As described above, in the car wash machine 100, after washing the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed, the water-based tire wax agent is applied to the outer surface of the tire Ty. Then, an airflow is blown onto the outer surface of the tire Ty coated with the water-based tire wax agent to dry the tire Ty, thereby fixing the water-based tire wax agent to the outer surface of the tire Ty. As a result, when the vehicle to be washed CA is washed by the car wash machine 100, the outer surface of the tire Ty can be subjected to the tire wax treatment.

In addition, in the spraying section 40 of the present embodiment, the water-based tire wax agent is sprayed from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 . At this time, in order to prevent the water-based tire wax agent from adhering to portions other than the outer surface of the tire Ty, a guide member may be attached to control the spraying direction of the water-based tire wax agent. As a result, it is possible to prevent the water-based tire wax agent from adhering to the body, wheels, brakes, etc. of the vehicle to be washed CA. The guide member is arranged on the rotation axis Bx side, that is, radially inward of the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 .

According to this embodiment, the water-based tire wax agent contains a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant that emulsifies the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, and a nonionic polymer having a higher molecular weight than the first surfactant. and a second surfactant comprising a surfactant. As a result, even if the tire Ty is wet, the water film can be removed from the surface of the tire Ty and the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane can be adhered.

Further, by emulsifying the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane with the first surfactant and spraying it together with air, it is finely divided and sprayed onto the tire Ty. Since the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane has a high viscosity and is finely divided, it easily adheres to the tire Ty and the tire Ty tends to be glossy. In addition, since the spray amount of the tire wax agent is adjusted according to the diameter of the tire Ty, the usage amount of the tire wax agent can be optimized. In addition, since the amount of tire wax agent used is adjusted according to the size of tire Ty, the amount of tire wax agent adhering to parts other than tire Ty, such as the body, wheel, brake, and tire house, can be reduced.

In addition, since the second surfactant hardly foams, the water-based tire wax agent adhering to the body, wheels, brakes, and tire houses of the vehicle CA to be cleaned other than the tire Ty can be removed by washing with water. As a result, after the tire wax process, the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the body, wheels, brakes, and tire house can be removed by washing with water in the third outward process and the third return process, and the tire of the vehicle to be cleaned CA can be removed. Contamination of portions other than Ty can be suppressed.

By setting the kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane to 1,000 to 100,000 mPa·s, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is more likely to adhere to the tire Ty. Thereby, the glossiness of the tire Ty can be further enhanced.

Examples formed for evaluating tire wax agents are described below.

(Example)
The tire wax agent of the example emulsifies high-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) having a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100000 mPa s with a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) to obtain a nonionic polymer surfactant. agent (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1,000 to 100,000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of nonionic polymeric surfactant.

(Comparative example 1)
Also, for comparison, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared. The tire wax agent of the comparative example is obtained by emulsifying low to medium viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) having a kinematic viscosity of 10 to 1000 mPa s with a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) to form a nonionic polymer. Contains a surfactant (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1,000 to 100,000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of low to medium viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of nonionic polymer surfactant.

(Comparative example 2)
Also, for comparison, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared. The tire wax agent of the comparative example emulsifies a low-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) having a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 10 mPa s with a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate), and obtains a nonionic polymer surfactant. agent (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1,000 to 100,000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of the low-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of the surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of the nonionic polymeric surfactant.

(Comparative Example 3)
Also, for comparison, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared. The tire wax agent of the comparative example emulsifies a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) having a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100000 mPa s with a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) to obtain a nonionic low-molecular-weight surfactant. agent (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether). The molecular weight of the nonionic low-molecular-weight surfactant is 20-1,000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of nonionic low-molecular-weight surfactant.

An experiment was conducted in which the tire wax agents of the above Examples and Comparative Examples were sprayed from the car wash machine 100 toward the tires Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed. That is, after the tire Ty of the vehicle to be cleaned CA was washed with detergent and city water until it became wet with water, a tire wax agent was sprayed on the tire Ty, and the tire Ty was washed with city water to remove oil adhering to the body. . Table 1 shows the results of visual evaluation of the corrosiveness and glossiness of the tire Ty for each experiment.

(Table 1)
┌────────┬────────┬──────┐
│ │Tire Corrosion │Tire Gloss│
├────────┼────────┼──────┤
│Example │〇 │〇 │
├────────┼────────┼──────┤
│Comparative Example 1 │△ │△ │
├────────┼────────┼──────┤
│Comparative Example 2 │× │× │
├────────┼────────┼──────┤
│Comparative Example 3 │× │〇 │
└────────┴────────┴──────┘

In Table 1, tire corrosiveness is evaluated by immersing a piece of tire in tire wax and leaving it at 50°C for 1 week. "X" indicates that there is. In addition, those with partial discoloration were rated as "Δ". Glossiness was evaluated as "◯" when visually glossy, "Δ" when partially uneven in gloss, and "X" when not glossy.

According to Table 1, corrosion did not occur in the examples in which the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane was 1000 to 100000 mPa·s. On the other hand, as the results of Comparative Examples 1 and 2 show, the lower the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane than in the Examples, the higher the tire corrosiveness. From this, it is considered that the corrosiveness of the tire can be suppressed by increasing the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane.

Furthermore, tire corrosion was observed in Comparative Example 3, which contains a nonionic surfactant having a molecular weight lower than that of the examples in which the molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant is 1,000 to 100,000. From this, it is considered that the inclusion of a nonionic polymer surfactant having a molecular weight of 1,000 to 100,000 can suppress the corrosiveness of tires to which the tire wax agent adheres.

Further, in Comparative Example 1, the glossiness of the tire surface is "Δ", and in Comparative Example 2, the glossiness of the tire surface is "X". The organopolysiloxane of Comparative Example 2 has a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 10 mPa·s, which is low. Therefore, in Comparative Example 2, most of the organopolysiloxane adhering to the tire flowed off before being fixed to the tire, and as a result, the gloss of the tire decreased. In addition, in Comparative Example 1 using an organopolysiloxane having a kinematic viscosity higher than that in Comparative Example 2 (10 to 1000 mPa s), the tire gloss was higher than in Comparative Example 2, but the gloss was lower than that of Examples. .

From this, it is considered that the use of a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of 1,000 to 100,000 mPa·s can improve the glossiness of the tire.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this content. Various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the spirit of the invention.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY According to the present invention, it can be used in a car wash machine for washing a vehicle to be washed.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10 car wash machine main body 10a inlet surface 10b outlet surface 10c ceiling portion 10d stand portion 10e wheel 11 detergent nozzle 11 liquid nozzle 12 water nozzle 13 water nozzle 15 water nozzle 20 blower 21 top blower nozzle 22 side blower nozzle 31 top brush 32 side brush 33 Tire brush 40 spray part 41 first nozzle 42 second nozzle 43 pedestal part 44 rotary actuator 45 moving part 46 diameter calculation part 50 tank storage part 51 distribution piping part 52 solenoid valve 53 solenoid valve 54 solenoid valve 55 solenoid valve 60 rail 70 control Part 100 Car wash machine 101 Travel motor

Claims (10)

A second surfactant comprising a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant that emulsifies the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, and a nonionic polymer surfactant having a molecular weight higher than that of the first surfactant. and an aqueous tire wax agent. The second surfactant is cornstarch, methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyvinyl 2. The water-based tire wax agent of claim 1, comprising any ethylene oxide adduct of alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ether, polyacrylamide and alkylphenol formaldehyde condensate. 3. The water-based tire wax agent according to claim 1, wherein the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane has a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100000 mPa·s. The high-viscosity organopolysiloxane comprises at least one of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, organopolysiloxane containing long-chain alkyl groups, organopolysiloxane containing amino groups, and organopolysiloxane containing epoxy groups. The water-based tire wax agent according to any one of claims 1 to 3. a car wash machine main body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction;
a spraying unit disposed in the car wash machine body for spraying the water-based tire wax agent according to any one of claims 1 to 4 onto tires of a vehicle to be washed;
The spraying part is
a pedestal having a nozzle for ejecting the water-based tire wax agent;
a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the tire of the vehicle to be washed;
a moving unit that moves the pedestal to a position where the water-based tire wax agent can be sprayed on a predetermined position of the tire based on the diameter of the tire calculated by the diameter calculating unit. 6. The car wash machine according to claim 5, wherein the moving part vertically moves the blowing part so that the rotation axis of the base part approaches the central axis of the tire. 7. The car wash machine according to claim 5, wherein the moving part moves the blowing part in a direction along the rotation axis of the blowing part so that the pedestal and the tire are spaced at a predetermined distance. The car wash machine according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the moving part reciprocates the base part between a lower position close to the tire and an upper position away from the tire. further comprising a side air blowing nozzle disposed on the car wash machine body and movable in the left-right direction;
The car wash machine according to any one of claims 5 to 8, wherein the moving part is attached to the side blower nozzle. 10. The car wash machine according to claim 9, wherein the horizontal movement of the side blower nozzle and the movement of the pedestal by the moving part are performed independently of each other.

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