JP2619793B2 - Car wash equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a so-called portal type car washer, which is provided with a bogie which is provided with water discharging means and runs under the automobile.
The present invention relates to a car washing apparatus that enables washing of a lower portion of an automobile in parallel with washing of an upper surface and a side surface of the automobile.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art There is conventionally known a portal type car washer of a type which is formed in a portal shape and runs across a vehicle to wash the upper and side surfaces of the vehicle. Further, there has been already known an apparatus which includes a water discharging means provided on a truck traveling below an automobile and performs lower washing for discharging water while running the truck. Further, as a car washing apparatus provided with a portal type car washing machine and a lower washing apparatus, for example, an apparatus described in JP-A-60-92141 is known.
All of them are fixedly installed on the ground and often perform supplementary lower washing when the vehicle enters the car wash position, and are not of the nature of performing complete lower washing by repeatedly acting.

Further, as a conventionally known bogie type lower cleaning device, for example, as described in JP-A-62-71747, a front end and a rear end of an automobile are detected.
There is known an apparatus in which cleaning water is sprayed only between the detected front and rear ends to enable the lower portion to be cleaned without waste. However, in this type of conventional apparatus, a limit switch having a configuration capable of adjusting the position according to the size of the vehicle is provided at the front and rear of the vehicle near the ground, and when the bogie reaches the limit switch position, the front and rear of the vehicle are detected. A method of detecting the end is employed, and it is necessary to adjust and set the front end position and the rear end position of the vehicle in advance. Further, since the portal type car washer is often used in a gas station that handles flammable fuel, electric components such as a motor and various switches are installed at a predetermined height or higher from the ground, and a fire accident does not occur. However, since the lower cleaning device is configured to operate along the ground, it is difficult to prevent such a flash, and there is no device suitable for use at a gas station.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a fully automatic cleaning of a lower part by a reasonable combination of a portal type car washer and a bogie type lower part cleaning device. Another problem is whether a car wash device that can be used safely at gas stations can be obtained.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a gantry-type car washing machine of the type which is formed in a gantry and runs across a car, and which cleans the top and side surfaces of the car. A car washing device provided with a lower washing device for performing lower washing for discharging water while running the bogie in conjunction with the gate type car washer, wherein the front end of the vehicle is provided in the gate type car washing machine. Means for detecting the traveling position of the portal type car washer, means for detecting the traveling position of the bogie, and means for detecting the traveling position of the bogie, and a stand-by position of the bogie that is installed standing at a predetermined height above the ground. And a position at which the bogie reaches the front end and the rear end of the vehicle based on the running position of the portal type car washer when the front and rear ends of the vehicle are detected by the front and rear end detecting means. Hands to do Controlling the water discharge from the bogie based on the front end position and the rear end position given by the calculating means and the running position of the bogie, and based on the position given by the calculating means and the standby position given by the switch. Means for controlling travel of the bogie are provided to solve the above-mentioned problem. Here, the calculation means is implemented in a real
In the embodiment, it is included in the control unit 70 and shown in FIG.
The calculation is performed in the following procedure.

[0006]

Various types of vehicle body detecting means have been proposed for a portal type car washer, and the front and rear ends of an automobile are automatically detected using the vehicle body detecting means provided in the portal type car washer and used for controlling a lower cleaning device. can do. That is, the position at which the bogie reaches the front and rear ends of the vehicle is calculated based on the running position of the portal type car washer when the portal type car washer detects the front and rear ends of the vehicle, and the calculated front and rear end positions and the position of the bogie are calculated. If the water discharge from the bogie is controlled by comparing with the traveling position, the water can be automatically discharged only between the front and rear ends of the vehicle. Also, in regard to the traveling control of the bogie, if a switch for providing a standby position is provided at one location, it is sufficient to travel between the standby position and the calculated end position of the vehicle. For this reason, the switch only needs to be provided in one place, and since it is sufficient to provide the standby position of the trolley instead of the front and rear ends of the car, measures to prevent ignition such as standing up from the ground and installing it so as not to hinder washing are taken. Easy.

[0007]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. First
FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same. 1 is a gate type car washer, which runs on rails 2 ・ 2 ′,
The vehicle reciprocates so as to straddle the vehicle A stopped between the rails 2 and 2 '. Reference numeral 3 denotes a top brush and reference numerals 4 and 4 'denote a pair of side brushes, each of which moves along the vehicle body shape and brush-cleans the vehicle body. 5.6.6. 'Is a blower nozzle which blows air to measure the drying of the car body after washing. Reference numeral 7 denotes a motor for driving the car washer, 8 denotes a rotary encoder which detects a constant rotation of the motor 7 and outputs a pulse, and 9 denotes a car encoder which is provided at an upper front portion of the car washer 1 and detects an automobile body using an ultrasonic signal. A detector 10 is an operation panel provided on the front of the car washer 1, 11 is a control unit, and 15 is a position of a protruding piece 16 provided behind the rails 2 and 2 ′, that is, a standby position of the car washer 1. 1
Reference numeral 2 denotes a water supply device that stores water from a water source 13, sends the stored water by a pump 14 provided, and discharges the water from a water discharge nozzle (not shown) provided in the car washer 1.

Reference numeral 20 denotes a main body of the automobile lower part washing apparatus according to the present invention, and reference numeral 21 denotes a bogie connected to the main body 20 via a chain 22 and a hose 23. The main body 20 is provided with a pump 24 that absorbs water from the inside of the water supply device 12 and pumps washing water to the carriage 21 via a hose 23, and a motor 25 that drives the carriage 21 through a chain 22. The bogie 21 travels on the rails 26 and 26 'below the automobile A, and has a plurality of water discharge nozzles 28 communicating with a hose 23 at a front part 27 thereof, and is connected to the chain 22 at a rear part 29. The front part 27 and the rear part 29 is a connecting pipe 30
-Integrated by 30 '.

The chain 22 includes a pair of front and rear chain gears 3.
The chain gear 31 ′ is stretched so as to form a loop between 1 and 31 ′, and the chain gear 31 ′ located at the rear is rotated by the motor 25 so that the bogie 21 runs. 32 ・ 32 ′ is a stop of the car A, located outside the rails 26 ・ 26 ′,
The vehicle A is appropriately supported at a height so as to secure a traveling space for the carriage 21.

FIG. 3 shows the main body 20 of the above-mentioned automobile lower cleaning apparatus.
FIG. The pump 24 is driven by a motor 35 and absorbs water from inside the water supply device 12 via a hose 36. A liquid agent tank 37 stores an activator liquid having a rust-preventive effect, communicates with a water suction side of a pump 24 in a mixer 38, and releases an aqueous solution of the liquid agent from a water discharge nozzle 28 with the opening of a solenoid valve 39. Can be. 40 is the hose 2
The hose reel 3 is constantly urged to the winding side by a mainspring or the like.
And acts to wind up according to the return. The motor 25 is composed of a gear motor having a reduction mechanism,
The chain gear 31 'is rotated via the chain 41 and the transmission shaft 42. A rotary encoder 43 detects a constant rotation of the motor and outputs a pulse, and is used for detecting a traveling position of the bogie 21. A switch 44 detects that the cart 21 is at the rear standby position.
The link 46 includes a link 46 that is displaced by contacting a protruding piece 45 provided at the rear end of the carriage 21, and a micro switch 47 that is opened and closed according to the displacement of the link 46.

The electric components such as the motors 25 and 35 and the microswitch 47 are all provided on a shelf 48 formed at a predetermined height (at least 60 cm above the ground), and are provided with flammable hazardous materials such as gas stations. It is designed to be suitable for use at handling facilities.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view of the configuration of the truck 21. The bogie rear portion 29 is connected to the chain 22 at the shock absorber 50, and penetrates the inside of the chain that is not connected to the shock absorber 50 among the chains forming a loop in the chain gears 31 and 31 '. A chain gear 51 meshing with the section is provided. The chain gear 51 is rotated with the movement of the bogie 21, and the rotation is transmitted to the shaft 53 inserted into the connecting pipe 30 via bevel gears 52 and 52 ′. In the bogie front 27,
Each of the water discharge nozzles 28 is rotatably supported by a bearing 54, and a cam mechanism 55 that is interlocked with the shaft 53 is provided so that the water discharge nozzle 28 can swing right and left. The cam mechanism 55 includes an eccentric projection 56, a cam plate 57 attached integrally with the shaft 53, a transmission arm 58 engaged with the projection 56 of the cam plate, and a transmission arm 58 integrally connected to the water discharge nozzle 28. An interlocking arm 59 is interlocked, and the rotation of the shaft 53 is brought to the water discharge nozzle 28 as a reciprocating motion.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the structure of the side brushes 4.4 and 4 'in the car washer 1. In cleaning the lower part of the vehicle in the above embodiment, the side brushes 4.4' detect the front end position of the vehicle A. Since it is used as a means, the configuration of this part will be described. Side brush 4.4 '
Are supported and guided by rails 60 laid horizontally above the car washer 1 and move on the rails 60 to open and close with each other. The upper support portions of the side brushes 4 and 4 ′ fix the brush driving motor 61, and
It comprises a base 62 on which the 4 'is suspended and a carrier 63 which is attached to the rail 60 so as to be able to run freely, and which pivotally supports the base 62 and allows the brushes 4.4' to swing back and forth. Reference numeral 64 denotes a switch for detecting the tilting of the side brushes 4 and 4 '. The switch 64 is fixed to the carrier 63 and detects the displacement of the base 62 due to the tilting of the brushes 4 and 4' by the displacement of the magnet 65 fixed to the base 62. Therefore, the switch 64 can detect that the side brushes 4, 4 ′ abut on the front of the vehicle A and tilt with the travel of the car washer 1. 66 and 66 'are weights for urging the side brushes 4.4 and 4' to close each other, and 67 and 67 'are air cylinders for operating the brushes 4.4 and 4' against the urging of the weights 66 and 66 '. It is.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing a control system of this embodiment, in which 70 is a control unit provided in the car washer 1, and 71 is a drive circuit of an operating unit such as the running motor 7 and the pump 14 in the car washer 1. , 72 is a drive circuit of the traveling motor 25 of the truck 21 and 73 is a drive circuit of the pump 24 in the lower cleaning device.

The control unit 70 has a microcomputer comprising a CPU, a memory, an input / output port, and the like. At the input port, an operation panel 10, a detector 9, rotary encoders 8 and 43, and switches 15, 47 and 64 are provided.
And at the output port the drive circuits 71, 72, 7
3 is connected. The drive circuit 72 has a function of driving / stopping the motor 25 and energizing the motor to switch between forward rotation and reverse rotation, respectively, so that the bogie 21 can reciprocate similarly to the car washer 1.

The operation panel 10 includes a car wash selection key 74,
At least a vehicle type setting key 75 and a start key 76 are provided. The car wash selection key 74 is used to select and set which of the car wash courses A to C is to be executed. In the course "A", the car wash machine 1 performs washing of only the top and side of the vehicle body, and "B" In the course, both the car washer 1 and the lower washing device perform the entire washing including the lower part of the vehicle body, and in the course “C”, only the lower part of the vehicle body is washed by the lower washing device. The vehicle type setting key 75 is used to set the type of the vehicle to be washed, and is used to set and input any one of “normal passenger car”, “light passenger car”, and “wagon car”. The start key 76 is for inputting the start of cleaning. After selecting and inputting a car wash course with the key 74 and setting the vehicle type with the key 75, the start key 7 is input.
By pressing 6, a desired car wash can be started.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a program executed in the control unit 70. In this case, the "C" course set in the car wash selection course 74, that is, the sequence when only the lower washing is performed, is shown. Is shown. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

Although this program refers to various data, this data will be described first with reference to FIG. 8 for convenience of explanation. A ₁ and A ₂ are distance data from the water discharge position of the bogie 21 to the detection positions of the side brushes 4 and 4 ′ on the front of the vehicle body and the detector 9. B ₁ and B ₂ are the bogie 2
The distance data from the front and rear ends of the vehicle body for indicating the control city relating to the first travel, and C ₁ and C ₂ are distance data indicating the range in which the bogie 21 is reciprocated and the washing is to be carried out. Stored in the memory, of which B ₁
· B ₂ and C ₁ · C ₂ is different data depending on the vehicle type to be set by the model setting key 75 is provided. Each of these data is specifically given as a value converted into the number of pulses of the rotary encoder 43 for detecting the traveling position of the bogie 21. In the figure, LF and LR are respectively detected at the front end position and the rear end position of the vehicle during the cleaning operation.

In this program, L ₁ and L ₂ are pulse counters that count the pulse signals from the rotary encoders 8 and 43 and provide the traveling positions of the car washer 1 and the bogie 21. . These counters L ₁ and L ₂ count so as to increase by 1 when the car wash machine 1 or the bogie 21 travels a certain distance, and to decrease by 1 when returning, and compare the count values of both in terms of the actual traveling distance. Then, there is a relationship of L ₁ = aL ₂ , and a is a constant.

On the operation panel 10, the car wash course (C
Course) ・ After inputting the vehicle type, start key 7
Pressing 6 starts washing. First, B ₁ · B ₂ and C ₁ · C ₂ are loaded according to the input vehicle type, and the pulse counters L ₁ · L ₂ are cleared (1). Then, after moving the side brushes 4.4
(2) Drive the motor 7 to make the car wash machine 1 go forward
(3).

As the car washer 1 travels, the side brush 4
'When in contact with the front end of the vehicle body, which is detected by the switch 64 (4), stops the running of the car wash 1, side brush 4-4' 4 Open, further, a pulse counter L ₂ to the register LF contrasted The front end position converted as much as possible, ie, aL ₁ −
Substituting A ₁ (5). Following is the forward stroke of the carriage 21 by driving the motor 25 (6), and compares the value with the value of the pulse counter L ₂ to start counting Accordingly the register LF (7). If the value of L ₂ is a more LF, it is determined that the water discharge position of the carriage 21 has reached the front of the vehicle body, with the pump 24 is driven to start the water discharge, to the forward stroke of the car wash 1 again (8) . Here, the bogie 21 and the car washer 1 run at substantially the same speed, and the car washer 1 serves to prevent water discharged from the bogie 21 from scattering to the outside.

As the carriage 21 travels, the pulse counter L
₂ LF + B ₁ or more is reached, (9) stops the running of the car wash 1, to go-around the carriage 21 by reversing the motor 25 (10). When L ₂ with the inbound becomes LF + B ₁ -C ₁ below (11), turn the trolley 21 to the forward stroke (12), L Accordingly
Once you reach ₂ again to LF + B ₁ (13), restarts the forward stroke of the car washing machine 1 (14). Thus, carriage 21 reciprocates runs at a constant range, repeatedly washing the range shown in C ₁ of Figure 8.

When the rear end of the vehicle body is detected by the detector 9 which always moves ahead of the bogie 21 as the car washer 1 travels (15), the traveling of the car washer 1 is stopped and the register L
The converted value aL ₁ + A ₂ of this rear end position is substituted into R (16).
Thereafter, when the water discharge portion of the carriage 21 reaches the position of the LR-B ₂
(17), the carriage 21 is go-around (18), further leading to _{LR-B 2 -C 2 (19} ), and was again forward stroke carriage 21 (20), also shown in C ₂ in FIG. 8 Wash the area repeatedly.

[0024] Thus the cleaning is performed, if the pulse counter L ₂ is equal to or greater than LR (21), completion of the washing and determines to stop the travel of the carriage 21, stop the discharge by the pump is stopped 24 (22) . Thereafter, the car washer 1 and the bogie 21 are moved back and returned to the detection positions of the switches 15 and 47, that is, the standby positions (23), and a series of washing is completed.

This embodiment is configured as described above, and its basic configuration is summarized as shown in FIG.
X1 is a means for detecting the traveling position of the cart 21, X2 is a priority washing range setting means, and X3 is a control means, all of which function in the control unit 70. Traveling position detecting means X1 gives the travel position L ₂ counts the pulse signals from the rotary encoder 43, in the intensive cleaning area setting means, the front end car washing machine 1 by counting the pulse signals of an automobile from the rotary encoder 8 And the position where the rear end is detected, and based on the detected position, the stored data B ₁ · B ₂
The priority cleaning range is set with reference to C ₁ and C ₂ . The control means X3 compares the traveling position of the truck provided in this way with the priority cleaning range, and controls the driving means X4 to repeatedly perform the cleaning in the priority cleaning range.
The driving means X4 corresponds to the driving circuit 72.

It should be noted that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various embodiments are conceivable. For example, the traveling position of the carriage may be detected by counting the time during traveling of the carriage instead of detecting the pulse from the encoder as in the above-described embodiment.

[0027]

The present invention is constructed as described above, and automatically detects the front and rear ends of the car in the portal type car washer, calculates the position where the bogie reaches the front and rear ends, and controls the water discharge from the bogie. Elimination of waste and prevention of scattering to the surroundings are automatically performed by discharging water only between the front and rear ends of the car, and there is no need to provide a limit switch that gives the front and rear ends of the car to the ground as in the past, which is economical This eliminates the need to adjust the installation position of the limit switch according to the size of the vehicle. In addition, water discharge from the bogie can be controlled based on the front and rear ends of the car detected by the gate-type car washer, and there is no need to install limit switches that give the front and rear ends of the car to the ground as in the past. Therefore, it is not necessary to take measures against ignition when installing in a gas station or a gas station, and a safe device with a simple configuration can be obtained. It should be noted that a switch for providing a standby position of the truck is provided, but this switch may be provided at one location near the standby position, and the switch may be provided at the standby position of the truck instead of at the front and rear ends of the vehicle, so that it does not interfere with cleaning. It can be easily set up from the ground, and measures to prevent ignition can be taken reliably, so that it can be used safely at gas stations.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view of a main part of the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a part of a program according to an embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of control data used in the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating a basic configuration according to an embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gate type car wash machine 4.4 4 'side brush 8 Rotary encoder which is a running position detecting means 9 Detector which is a detecting means of the rear end of an automobile 20 Lower cleaning device main body 21 Truck 25 Truck running motor 28 Water discharge nozzle 43 Running position detecting means Rotary encoder 47 Switch for providing a standby position for the truck 64 Switch as a means for detecting the front end of the vehicle 70 Control unit including calculation means and control means 72 Drive circuit

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A gate-type car washer which is formed in a gate shape and runs across a vehicle to wash an upper surface and a side surface of the vehicle, wherein a water-draining means is provided on a bogie traveling below the vehicle. car wash instrumentation was attached the lower cleaning device in conjunction with the car wash performing lower cleaning to discharge water while traveling the carriage
A location, means for detecting the front and rear ends of the motor vehicle is provided on the gantry car wash, to detect a traveling position of the gantry car wash
Means that means for detecting the travel position of the carriage, the ground
Standing position of the trolley set up at a predetermined height
And a switch for detecting the
When the front end and rear end of the car are detected,
The bogie is a front end of the car based on a traveling position and
Means for calculating the position reaching the rear end;
Based on the front end position and the rear end position
Controlling the water discharge from the cart based on
Between the position given by the means and the standby position given by the switch
Means for controlling travel of the bogie based on the car wash.