JP2526726Y2 - Car wash machine with vehicle shape detection device - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] [Industrial application field] This invention relates to a car washer that automatically cleans the body of an automobile using washing water, and in particular, detects a vehicle shape using a beam sensor to control car washing processing. Type of device.

[Prior Art and Problems Thereof] Conventionally, as this type of apparatus, for example, apparatuses described in JP-A-1-127439 and JP-A-1-164654 are known. That is, a large number of beam sensors are arranged up and down to detect the position of the upper surface of the automobile, and to control the position of a later upper surface brush or upper surface blower nozzle.

By the way, in such a car washer, since the vehicle body is cleaned using the cleaning water, the cleaning water may be scattered and adhere to the light emitting surface and the light receiving surface of the beam sensor. When the washing water adheres, the beam signal is not properly transmitted and received by the beam sensor due to water droplets, and the vehicle is in a detection state, and there is a problem that an accurate car detection cannot be performed and a proper car washing operation cannot be obtained. .

Also, when fog occurs in the early morning or when fog occurs, water droplets that have condensed on the surface of the beam sensor may cause erroneous detection. This is especially true in cold climates. In other words, in cold regions, warm water is often used as wash water to prevent the used washing water from freezing and deteriorating the washing effect. is there.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention addresses the above problems, and includes a case provided with an open window for transmitting a beam signal of a beam sensor.
The plurality of beam sensors are provided with the window and an appropriate space, and a fan that blows air into the case, a unit that detects a decrease in light receiving sensitivity of a beam signal in the beam sensor, And control means for driving the fan based on the detection signal of (1). If the light receiving sensitivity is reduced due to the adhesion of washing water or the like, this is eliminated by blowing air to prevent erroneous detection.

Further, in a case provided with an open window through which the beam signal of the beam sensor is transmitted, while installing the plurality of beam sensors with an appropriate space provided with the window, a fan that blows air into the case, A heater provided in an air passage of the fan, and control means for driving the fan and the heater when using hot water as the cleaning water, and preventing dew condensation by using the heater in combination when processing hot water. It is another object of the present invention to provide a device capable of preventing erroneous detection.

[Example] Hereinafter, the example will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a side view showing the structure of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same. Here, a car A is transferred using a conveyor device 2, and washing, waxing and drying of the car are sequentially performed. 1 shows a continuous automatic car washer 1.

The car washer 1 is provided with a vehicle shape detecting device 3 at an entrance thereof, and as a car washing processing device, a high-pressure spray nozzle 4.
5, a cleaning side brush 6, a cleaning upper brush 7, a wax side brush 8, a wax upper brush 9, and blower nozzles 10 and 11 are sequentially arranged.

The high-pressure spray nozzle 5, the side brushes 6, 8 and the blower nozzle 11, which mainly act on the side of the vehicle body, are provided in pairs so as to face each other with the conveyor device 2 interposed therebetween. The high-pressure spray nozzle 4, the upper brushes 7 and 9, and the blower nozzle 10, which mainly act on the upper surface of the vehicle body, are all provided so as to be able to move up and down by lifting devices 12a to 12d.

The elevating devices 12a to 12d are provided with the above-described upper surface car wash processing devices 4.7
The chain comprises chains 13a to 13d which are connected and supported at both ends of 9 and 10 to form an endless loop, and motors 14a to 14d with reduction gears for running the chains. This motor 14
Rotary encoder 15a for output shafts a to 14d
15d are attached, and a pulse signal is output in accordance with the up / down operation of the upper surface car washing processing device 4, 7, 9, 10 accompanying the driving of the motor. The pulse signals from the rotary encoders 15a to 15d are counted and counted to
・ It is used to detect the position associated with the vertical movement of 7, 9, 10.

The conveyor device 2 includes a chain 18 which is stretched before and after the car washer 1 and to which a roller 17 for transporting a vehicle is attached, and a motor 19 with a speed reducer for running the chain 18. The output shaft of this motor 19 is a rotary encoder 20
Is attached, and outputs a pulse signal according to the traveling of the conveyor accompanying the driving of the motor. Rotary encoder
The 20 pulse signals are counted from the time when the vehicle shape detection device 3 detects the front end of the vehicle A, and are used to detect the traveling position of the vehicle A accompanying the driving of the conveyor.

The vehicle shape detecting device 3 is a beam sensor including a light emitting device and a light receiving device facing the light emitting device with the conveyor device 2 interposed therebetween.
22 are arranged up and down. Each of the beam sensors 22 outputs a detection signal when a beam signal transmitted and received between the light emitting device and the light receiving device is blocked by the vehicle A, and this detection signal is used for detecting the top shape of the vehicle A. That is, every time a pulse signal is received by the traveling position detecting means 21, the detection signal from the beam sensor 22 is monitored, and the position code of the uppermost sensor among the detected beam sensors is output as vehicle shape data. I do.

Numeral 25 denotes control means for setting control positions for the top-surface car wash processing devices 4, 7, 9, and 10 based on the vehicle shape data provided by the vehicle shape detection device 3;
When it is detected that the vehicle A has reached the operation position of the upper surface car wash processing device 4, 7, 9, 10 on the basis of the traveling position given in step 4, the elevating devices 12a to 12d are operated to operate the upper surface car wash processing device 4.
The control is performed so that the lifting positions 7, 9, and 10 coincide with the control position. In addition, the control means 25 operates the side car wash processing devices 5, 6, 8, 11 similarly based on the traveling position of the automobile A.

27 to 34 are watering nozzles, 27 and 28 are detergent water, 29
・ 30, 33 and 34 spray fresh water and 31 and 32 spray wax liquid respectively.

As a result, in the car washer 1, the incoming vehicle A is first detected by the vehicle shape detecting device 3 and the high-pressure spray nozzles 4 and 5 are acted on the basis of the detected vehicle shape data. Perform spray cleaning. Next, watering nozzle
The side brush 6 and the top brush 7 are actuated with the spraying of the detergent water from 27 and 28 to clean the vehicle body. Further, after passing through a first rinsing step by spraying fresh water from the watering nozzles 29 and 30, the side brush 8 and the upper brush 9 are actuated with the spraying of the wax liquid from the watering nozzles 31 and 32 to wax the vehicle body. Do. After this, watering nozzle 33
A second rinsing step by spraying fresh water from 34 is performed, and the blower nozzles 10 and 11 are further operated to dry the vehicle body, thereby completing a series of car washing.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the vehicle shape detecting device 3, and FIG. Numeral 35 denotes a case for accommodating the beam sensor 22, in which light emitters 36 and light receivers 37 are alternately arranged at equal intervals in order to avoid interference between beam signals. The case 35 is a main body fixed to the frame of the car washer 1.
35a and a cover 35b detachably attached to the main body 35a. The cover 35b has windows 38 opened toward the space where the vehicle enters, corresponding to the position of each sensor, and transmits the beam signal of each sensor. The light-emitting device 36 and the light-receiving device 37 to be accommodated are respectively provided with the window 38 and a space 39 as appropriate, and each window 38 is provided with a tube cover 43 for preventing intrusion of washing water.

A fan 40 is mounted above the case 35 and acts to blow outside air into the case 35. The blown air from the fan 40 is discharged from the window 38 through the space 39. fan
A heater 41 is attached to the air outlet of 40, and is supplied with hot air when the fan 40 is driven as necessary.

The light receiver 37 is provided with sensitivity detecting means 42 for detecting a decrease in the light receiving sensitivity and outputting a signal. When the detection signal is input from the detection means 42, the control means 25
Power is supplied to the heater 40 and the heater 41 to control the recovery of the sensitivity of the beam sensor.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the main part of the control program in the control means 25. The operation of the embodiment will be described below with reference to FIG.

The beam sensor 22 in the vehicle shape detecting device 3 is always energized, and accordingly, the flow of FIG. 5 is repeatedly executed at a predetermined timing. With the start of this flow, first fan 40
It is confirmed whether or not the vehicle is being driven (1). If the vehicle is not being driven, it is determined whether or not a car wash start input has been made on an operation panel (not shown) provided on the entire surface of the car wash machine 1 between the previous execution of this flow and this time. (2). Here, if the car wash start input is not recognized, the presence or absence of a detection signal from the sensitivity detecting means 42 accompanying the sensitivity decrease is confirmed (3), and if the sensitivity decrease is not recognized, this flow is terminated.

When the car wash start input is recognized in the step (2), it is detected whether or not hot water is used as the water to be sprayed from each of the spray nozzles 27 to 34 (4). At the same time, the heater 41 is energized, and a predetermined time is set in the timer T to start time counting (5). If hot water is not used, only the fan 40 is energized (6), and the flow ends. Whether or not hot water is used is confirmed by checking ON / OFF of a switch (not shown) for starting a hot water device on the operation panel.
Here, the timer T indicates the time required for one car wash (1 to 3).
A longer time (5 to 10 minutes) is set, and the set value is subtracted every time a unit time elapses from the start of counting, and counting is performed.

In the step (3), the sensitivity detecting means 42
If any one of them shows a decrease in sensitivity, step (5) is executed to recover the sensitivity.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step (1) that the fan 40 is being driven, it is checked whether the heater 41 is energized (7). If the heater 41 is energized, it is determined that step (5) is being executed, and the timer is determined. The count value of T is checked (8).
Here, if the predetermined time has elapsed and T = 0,
The presence / absence of a detection signal from the sensitivity detection means 42 due to the decrease in sensitivity is confirmed (9), and if a decrease in sensitivity is recognized, "1" is set to the abnormal flag F (10), and the flow ends.
If no sensitivity decrease is found in step (8),
The energization of the fan 40 and the heater 41 is stopped, and the abnormal flag F is reset (F ← 0) (11), and the flow ends.

When "1" is set to the abnormality flag F, an abnormality is displayed on a display means (not shown) provided on the operation panel, and the reception of a subsequent car wash is prohibited. Also, when set during car washing, the upper surface car washing processing device 4.7.
Is held at a predetermined upper position, and its lifting operation is prohibited. This abnormal state can be released by removing the cover 35b of the case 35, wiping the emitting / receiving surfaces of the respective beam sensors 22 and then pressing a reset switch (not shown) on the operation panel.

If it is determined in step (7) that the heater 41 is not energized, it is determined that the car wash using the normal cold water is being executed, and the end of the car wash washing process is confirmed (1).
2) If it is determined that the operation is completed, the power supply to the fan 40 is stopped (1).
3), end the flow. The cleaning step means a step involving the operation of the high-pressure spray nozzles 4.5 and the cleaning brushes 6.7. In other words, the car 40 shifts to a waxing step, and the fan 40 is removed after confirming that there is no possibility that water adheres to the beam sensor.

According to the embodiment configured as abnormal, the fan 40 is automatically driven when the car wash is started, and the beam sensor 22 is started.
The air blows to the air sensor to promote evaporation of the attached water droplets, and this air blow acts to prevent the water droplets emitted from the window 38 and scattered due to the washing from entering through the window 38, and the beam sensor 22
Erroneous detection is prevented.

When the car wash to be performed uses hot water, the heater 41 is energized together with the drive of the fan 40, and the beam sensor 22 is heated by hot air to prevent condensation of water vapor generated from the hot water. The supply of the warm air is continued for a predetermined time set in the timer T, and the dew condensation is prevented until the car washing is completed and the steam trapped in the car washer 1 is eliminated.

Further, when the sensitivity detection means 42 detects a decrease in the light receiving sensitivity of the beam sensor 22, the warm air is similarly supplied to remove the cause of the sensitivity decrease due to dew condensation water or the like. Also,
If the sensitivity recovery is continued for a predetermined period of time and the sensitivity still does not recover, it is determined that there is an abnormality and the reception of subsequent car washes is prohibited to prevent malfunction and safety is maintained.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the continuous automatic car washer described above, and a similar high effect can be exerted even when the present invention is applied to a so-called portal type car washer as shown in a conventional example.

[Effects of the invention] The invention is configured as described above. Even if the car is not being washed, if the light receiving sensitivity of the beam sensor is reduced, the fan is driven to blow air into the case, and condensed and adhered to the beam sensor. The vaporization of water can be promoted, the sensitivity can be restored, the erroneous detection of the vehicle shape can be eliminated, and the car washer can always be maintained in a normal operation state.

In addition, when using hot water to wash a car, the fan and heater are driven to send hot air, which can reliably prevent condensation from forming on the beam sensor due to the steam of hot water, and can be used in cold regions. Can be used with your heart.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a main part of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory cross-sectional view of the main part. FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the main parts of the operation of the embodiment. 1 is a car wash machine, 3 is a car shape detection device, 4 to 11 and 27 to 34 are car wash processing devices, 22 is a beam sensor, 25 is control means, and 42 is sensitivity detection means.

Claims (2)

(57) [Scope of request for utility model registration] 1. A car washing machine equipped with a car washing processing device such as a water spray nozzle for automatically washing the body of an automobile using washing water, wherein a plurality of beam sensors for body detection are provided above and below to form an upper surface of the automobile. A vehicle type detecting device for detecting the shape of the vehicle, the type of controlling the car washing processing device based on the shape detected by the vehicle shape detecting device, wherein an open window for transmitting a beam signal of a beam sensor is provided in a case. A fan for arranging the plurality of beam sensors so as to provide an appropriate space with the window, blowing the air toward the inside of the case, detecting a decrease in light receiving sensitivity of the beam sensor in the beam sensor; And a control means for driving the fan based on a detection signal from the car wash machine. 2. A car washing machine equipped with a car washing processing device such as a water spray nozzle, for automatically washing a car body using washing water, wherein a plurality of beam sensors for detecting a car body are provided on upper and lower sides to form an upper surface of the car. A vehicle type detecting device for detecting the shape of the vehicle, the type of controlling the car washing processing device based on the shape detected by the vehicle shape detecting device, wherein an open window for transmitting a beam signal of a beam sensor is provided in a case. When the plurality of beam sensors are provided with the window and an appropriate space provided therebetween, and a fan that blows air toward the inside of the case, a heater provided in an air passage of the fan, and hot water is used as the cleaning water. And a control unit for driving the fan and the heater.