JP3063814B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a type of car washer for automatically performing processing such as washing and drying on an automobile body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a car washing machine of this type, for example, a portal-type car washing machine body that reciprocates so as to straddle a stopped car is provided with various processing means such as a rotating brush and a blower nozzle. There is known a so-called portal type car washer in which the processing means is operated to wash and dry the vehicle body.

In such a car washer, the processing means is applied to the vehicle body in accordance with the shape of the vehicle. Therefore, if the processing means has an abnormal operation, the processing means cannot be operated with an appropriate contact pressure or gap with the vehicle body. There is a risk of damaging the vehicle body, and such processing means will impair the initial operating characteristics without noticing with long-term use. It was necessary to prevent the situation from happening.

By the way, a car washer is provided with a plurality of various processing means, and it is necessary to check these operations one by one in an operation check. Had to be checked. As a car washer which has reduced the trouble of such an operation check, the one described in Japanese Patent Publication No. 29546/1990 has been conventionally known. That is, an operation check mode can be set, and in this check mode, each processing means can be operated only by a selection input on the input board.

However, in the conventional car washing machine as described above, the processing means can only be checked and operated, and the operator needs to measure and analyze the operation to judge the quality. ， Sufficient knowledge required for analysis was required, and it still required a considerably long working time.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, the object of the present invention is to perform an inspection operation of a processing means in an inspection mode, and to measure and analyze an operation in a car wash machine, so that sufficient knowledge is not obtained. Whether the inspection work can be easily performed in a short time even by workers,
It is in the point.

[0007]

[Means for Solving the Problems]

(a) The present invention includes a plurality of processing units that move along an automobile body to perform processes such as washing and drying of the vehicle body, and perform an operation check of the processing units in a car wash machine of a type that automatically cleans an automobile. Mode setting means for setting an inspection mode to be enabled; first detection means for detecting that the processing means is at a predetermined standby position retracted from the vehicle body;
Second detecting means for detecting that the processing means has reached a predetermined operating position which can be taken during a car washing operation, and measuring time required for the processing means to move between the standby position and the operating position. Means for displaying the pass / fail result of the operation check in the check mode, and sequentially moving the plurality of processing means between the standby position and the operation position in the check mode. Means for judging the quality of the operation based on each time data measured by the time counting means, and means for controlling the result of the judgment to be output to the display means, thereby solving the above problem. is there.

(B) Further, according to the present invention, in a car washer provided with a plurality of rotating brushes for brushing and washing an automobile body, a mode setting for setting an inspection mode enabling operation inspection of the rotating brushes can be performed. Means, means for detecting an overcurrent of the brush rotating motor associated with the rotation of the rotating brush, means for displaying the result of the pass / fail of the operation check in the check mode, and, in the check mode, the plurality of rotary brushes are sequentially turned on. Means for determining whether the operation is good or bad based on the time when the overcurrent given by the detecting means is detected in accordance with this rotation, and means for controlling the determined good or bad result to be output to the display means. The purpose of the present invention is to solve the above problems.

[0009]

In (a), if the inspection mode is set by the mode setting means, the processing means can be sequentially moved between the standby position and the operation position as an inspection operation. , And the control means determines the quality of the operation of each processing means based on the measured time data. For example, if any one of the processing means requires a long time to move beyond an appropriate range set in advance, it is determined that the operation is abnormal. The result of the pass / fail judgment is displayed on the display means, so that the operator can immediately know the pass / fail of the operation.

In (b), if the inspection mode is set by the mode setting means, the rotating brush can be sequentially rotated as an inspection operation, and the detecting means detects the overcurrent accompanying the brush rotation. On the basis of the detected overcurrent time, the control means determines whether or not the operation of each rotary brush is good. For example, if an overcurrent is continuously detected for a reference time or more while any of the rotating brushes is rotating, it is determined that there is an abnormality. The result of the pass / fail judgment is displayed on the display means, so that the operator can immediately know the pass / fail of the operation.

[0011]

1 is an explanatory front view of an embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of the embodiment, showing a so-called portal type car washer. 1
Is a gate-shaped car wash machine that reciprocates on rails 2 and 2.
Run across the car stopped between rails 2 and 2,
As the vehicle travels, various processing means 3, 4, 4, 5, 5, and 6 act on the body of the automobile to wash and dry the body.

Reference numeral 3 denotes a top brush, both ends of which are pivotally supported by elevating arms 8, 8, which are moved up and down in contact with the vehicle body to brush and wash the upper surface of the vehicle. The top brush 3 is normally held at the illustrated upper standby position by the air cylinder 9, and when the car is washed, the operation of the air cylinder 9 is released and the top brush 3 descends. 10 _1, 10 ₂ in proximity switch for detecting a position of the top brush 3 consists reed switch which operates in response to a magnet attached to the operating rod 11 to be displaced integrally with the lifting arm 8, 8, the top brush the switch 10 ₁ 3 detects that the standby position shown, the top brush 3, the switch 10 ₂ is detected that has dropped to the lower end position.
12 is a top brush 3 attached to the lifting arms 8
Is a motor for rotating the motor.

Reference numerals 4 and 4 denote side brushes, which are provided above the car wash machine main body 1 with rails 13 extending transversely to the rails 2 and 2, and a pair of right and left carriers 14 and 14 running along the rails 13. It has a well-known configuration suspended from 14. The side brushes 4, 4 are normally held at standby positions at both ends of the rail 12 by an air cylinder 15 as shown in the figure, and when the car is washed, the operation of the air cylinder 15 is released and the center of the rail 13 is urged by a known weight (not shown). Move towards. 16 _1, 16 ₂ in proximity switch for detecting the position of the side brush 4,4 consists reed switch responsive to a magnet provided in the piston of the air cylinder 15, the side brush 4,4 rail 13 across the switch 16 ₁ detects the presence of the the standby position, the side brush 4,4 in the switch 16 ₂ is detected to be in the position closest rail 13 center. Reference numerals 17 and 17 denote motors provided on the carriers 14 and 14 for driving the side brushes 4 and 4 to rotate.

Reference numerals 5 and 5 denote rocker brushes which are suspended from a pair of left and right swing arms 18 and 18 which swing in a substantially horizontal direction. Usually, both sides of the car washer body 1 are held by an air cylinder 19 as shown in the figure, and when the air cylinder 19 is deactivated when the car is washed, the air cylinder 19 moves to the inside of the body 1 by the bias of a spring 20. 21 _1, 21 ₂ in proximity switch for detecting a position of the rocker brush 5,5, likewise provided to the air cylinder 19 and the switch 16 _1, 16 _2, rocker brush 5,5 In the switch 21 ₁ as shown detects the presence of the Do standby position, the rocker brush 5,5 in the switch 21 ₂ detects that the movement limit position of the first inner body. Reference numeral 22 denotes a rocker brush rotation motor provided on each of the swing arms 18.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a top nozzle, which receives air from a blower device (not shown) and blows out air toward the upper surface of the vehicle body to mainly dry the vehicle body after washing. Both sides are supported by carriers 24, 24 that move up and down along a track 23, and are configured to be able to move up and down. Normally, it is held at the standby position at the upper end of the track 23 as shown in the figure, and when the car is washed, it descends and moves up and down along the top surface of the vehicle body. 25 _1, 25 ₂ in the limit switch for detecting a position of the top nozzle 6, detected, top nozzle 6 the switch 25 ₂ is trajectory 23 lower that top nozzle 6 the switch 25 ₁ is in the standby position of the track 23 the upper end Is detected to be at the operation limit position.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the embodiment. 30 is a control board including a microcomputer,
31 is a relay board for energizing according to a signal from the control board 30 to operate the motors 12, 17, 17, 22, 22 and the air cylinders 9, 15, 19, 19, etc.
Reference numeral 32 denotes an operation panel provided on the front of the car washer body 1. Reference numeral 33 denotes a mode changeover switch, which is provided at a position where unnecessary operation by a car wash customer or the like can be prevented, such as inside a front door (not shown) opened and closed with respect to the main body 1. The mode can be set to "car wash mode", and if there is a switch operation, the mode can be shifted to "inspection mode".

In the car wash mode, the control board 30
An operation input on the operation panel 32 is accepted, a car wash operation is given via the relay board 31, and an operation state or occurrence of an abnormality is detected based on signals from various sensors including the proximity switch, the limit switch, and the like, and a sequence of the car wash operation is performed. Control. In the inspection mode, the control board 30 receives selection of an inspection item and an input of an inspection start on the operation panel 32, gives a predetermined operation according to the inspection item to the relay board 30, and performs operation inspection of each unit.

The operation panel 32 includes a key input unit 34, a display unit 35, and a printer 36. Key input unit 3
4 includes a menu selection key 37, a start key 38, a stop key 39, and a print key 40.
The menu selection key 37 is used to select a car wash course in the car wash mode, and is used to select an inspection item in the inspection mode. The start key 38 and the stop key 39 are used to start and stop the operation of car washing and inspection of the contents selected by the menu selection key 37. The print key 40 is used to cause the printer 36 to issue a receipt for a car wash fee or to output the result of the inspection performed in the inspection mode.

In FIG. 3, reference numerals 41 and 42 denote body detection devices each having a plurality of transmission-type beam sensors in which a light-emitting device and a light-receiving device are opposed to each other across a car wash space.
It detects that the beam signal from the light emitter has been blocked by the vehicle. Reference numeral 41 denotes a required number of the beam sensors arranged at different mounting heights in front of the car washer body 1, and is used for detecting the front and rear end positions of the vehicle body and the vehicle type. Reference numeral 42 is provided so as to move up and down integrally with the top nozzle 6, and controls the up and down movement of the top nozzle 6 according to a detection signal from the beam sensor arranged at an appropriate position.

The brushes 43, 44 are the brushes 3, 4,
Reference numeral 43 denotes a device for detecting rotational loads 4, 5, and 5, and a thermal switch 43 for detecting and opening heat of a specific portion in accordance with the amount of current supplied to the brush rotating motors 12, 17, 17, 22, 22 to open and close. , 44 are current sensors for detecting the occurrence of an overcurrent exceeding a certain level, particularly for the rotation motor 12 of the top brush 3.

Reference numeral 45 denotes a data communication unit which is connected to a terminal device 46 such as a personal computer or the like provided at the management source via a telephone line 47, receives an inspection operation command from the management source, and receives a result of the inspection. Or transfer to the management source. That is, in addition to performing an inspection operation using the operation panel 32 and the mode changeover switch 33, an inspection operation can be performed in response to an operation command from the terminal device 46, and a result of the inspection is transferred to the terminal device 46 to be managed by the management device. The operation can be confirmed with.

Hereinafter, the operation in the inspection mode will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a procedure for setting the inspection mode. When the inspection mode is set by pressing the mode changeover switch 33 (1), the following executable inspection menus are sequentially displayed on the display 35 (2). ). 1 Automatic operation inspection 2 Individual operation inspection 3 Water system diagnosis 4 Air system diagnosis 5 Sensor diagnosis 6 Driving diagnosis

Here, a desired check is executed by designating any check item of the menu selection key 37 and then pressing the start key 38. Further, when there is a check operation execution command from the terminal device 46 (3), it is checked whether or not it is in the business hours registered in the control board 30 in advance (4). An automatic operation check is executed, and if the check is impossible during the business hours, the terminal device 46 is notified to the terminal device 46 (5).

In the above-mentioned inspection menu, the operation of each rotating brush 3, 4, 4, 5, 5 and the nozzle 6 can be automatically and continuously inspected in "automatic operation inspection", and in the "individual operation inspection". The operation of each brush and nozzle can be checked individually. In “Water system diagnosis”, the main body 1
The spraying operation is performed sequentially from a plurality of watering nozzles provided on the main body 1 to diagnose the spraying state of water and the liquid agent. In the "air system diagnosis", pneumatic devices such as an air cylinder provided in the main body 1 are sequentially operated to perform the same operation. And diagnosis of the air line. Further, in "sensor diagnosis", the operation of sensors provided in each part of the main body 1 is checked, and in "running check", the running operation of the main body 1 is checked.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure when "automatic operation inspection" is selected from the inspection menu. This “automatic operation check” can be executed in response to an input from the operation panel 32, or can be executed in response to a command signal from the terminal device 46 as described above. It can be used for operation check.

First, the measurement data at the previous inspection stored in the control board 30 is cleared to secure a storage area for the current measurement data, and an alarm device (provided on the operation panel 32) (not shown) is operated. A voice notification is given to start the inspection operation (11). Then, the vehicle body detector 41
・ Check 42 (12). Here, a plurality of beam sensors provided as vehicle body detectors sequentially transmit and receive a beam signal, and check the detection signal.A beam signal is transmitted from a light emitter, and reception is confirmed by a corresponding light receiver. If so, the beam sensor is determined to be operating normally, and if reception is not confirmed, it is determined that there is an abnormality.

Thereafter, the operation of the top nozzle 6 is checked (13). Here, the top nozzle 6 is lowered and raised from the standby position to the lower limit operation limit position, and the time required for the lowering and raising is measured, similarly to the method of checking the elevation of the top brush 3 described later. The determined time is compared with each of the reference times, and if the time is within the reference time, it is determined to be normal. If the time exceeds the reference time, it is determined to be abnormal. At this time, if the vehicle is accidentally stopped in the car washer, the vehicle detector 4 provided on the top nozzle 6 when descending.
In step 2, this is detected and an emergency stop is performed. In this case, it is determined that there is an abnormality, the measurement is interrupted, and the process proceeds to the next step.

Subsequently, the operation check of the top brush 3 (14),
The work proceeds in the order of the operation check (15) of the rocker brushes 5 and 5 and the operation check (16) of the side brushes 4 and 4.
Hereinafter, the contents of such a brush operation check will be described by taking the case of the top brush 3 as an example.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure for checking the operation of the top brush 3. First, the operation of the air cylinder 9 is released and the lowering of the top brush 3 is started (21). Proximity switch 10 ₁ due to falling counts the time until the on-the proximity switch 10 ₂ from OFF (22) to (24),
The time required for the top brush to descend from the standby position to the lower end position is measured.

Next, the air cylinder 9 is operated to start raising the top brush 3 (25). Counting the time until the on proximity switch 10 ₁ is the proximity switch 10 ₂ with increasing from OFF (26) to (28), measures the time the top brush took to increase to the standby position from the lower end position I do. The fall time and the rise time thus measured are compared with a reference time registered in advance in the control board 30. If the measured time is within the reference time, it is determined to be normal, and if the measured time exceeds the reference time, it is determined to be abnormal. You. In addition,
Such determination results are displayed on the display 35 in the order in which the results are given.

Subsequently, the motor 12 is driven to rotate to one side to rotate the top brush 3 forward for a predetermined time (for example, 10 seconds) (29), during which signals from the rotational load detectors 43 and 44 are monitored. . During this normal rotation operation, the detection device 43
Is determined to be abnormal if the thermal switch is operated, and it is determined to be abnormal if the current sensor as the detecting device 44 continuously detects overcurrent for a reference time (upper limit of the overcurrent occurrence time that normally occurs at startup). If such an abnormal state is not detected, it is determined to be normal.

Next, after waiting for a predetermined time and substantially stopping the rotation of the top brush (30), the motor 12 is driven to rotate to the other side to reverse the top brush for the predetermined time (3).
1) During this time, the rotational load detecting devices 43 and 44 are
Monitor the signal from the controller to determine whether there is any abnormality.

Further, after waiting for a certain period of time and waiting until the rotation of the top brush is almost stopped (32), the top brush is rotated forward for a short time once (33), and then the rotation of the brush is not stopped. The rotation is reversed (34), and during this time, signals from the rotational load detectors 43 and 44 are monitored in the same manner as described above to determine the presence or absence of an abnormality.

When the operation check of the top brush is completed in this manner, the process proceeds to the next step. The judgment result obtained by the above inspection work and the measurement data serving as the basis of the judgment are sequentially recorded in the storage area cleared in the step (11), and this storage data is sequentially displayed on the display 35 during the inspection. In addition, when the print key 40 is pressed in the inspection mode, a list of the stored data is printed out as shown in FIG. 7, and if there is a transmission request from the terminal device 46 via the telephone line 47, the terminal device 46 Sent.

As described above, in the "automatic operation check", the operation check of the brush and the blower nozzle is continuously and automatically performed.
This inspection result is displayed on the display 35 or the printer 36 so that anyone can determine whether there is an abnormality. When an abnormal part is repaired, "individual operation check" may be set and only a necessary part may be checked for operation. In this "individual operation check", the steps (12) to (16) in FIG. 5 are individually executed according to the designated portion. The results and measurement data obtained by the inspection work are stored in the terminal device 46.
The data can be saved and added to the date data, which can be used as a maintenance record for the car washer.

[0036]

As described above, when the inspection mode is set by the mode setting means, the processing means can be sequentially moved between the standby position and the operation position as the inspection operation, and the time is measured accordingly. The means measures the time required for movement, and the control means can automatically determine the quality of the movement operation of each processing means based on the measured time data.

When the inspection mode is set by the mode setting means, the rotating brushes can be sequentially rotated as an inspection operation. In accordance with this, the detection means detects overcurrents at the time of the rotation of the brushes. The control means can automatically determine the quality of the rotating operation of each rotating brush based on the time of each overcurrent. The reason why the overcurrent time was used as a criterion in the determination of the quality of the rotation operation was that a current exceeding the load current at the time of normal brushing cleaning instantaneously flows when the rotation of the brush is started even if there is no abnormality. Therefore, the pass / fail judgment is made by looking at the time during which such overcurrent continues, so that the instantaneous overcurrent at startup is not erroneously determined to be abnormal. Will be possible.

With such a configuration, even a worker who does not have sufficient knowledge can easily perform the inspection work in a short time.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory front view of an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for setting an inspection mode in the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure of an inspection operation in the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a procedure for checking operation of the top brush in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a display example of an inspection result in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Gate-type car wash machine 3 Top brush which is a processing means 4, 4 Side brush which is a processing means 5, 5 Rocker brush which is a processing means 6 Top nozzle which is a processing means 10 ₁ , 16 ₁ , 21 ₁ , 25 ₁ First detection means 10 ₂ , 16 ₂ , 21 ₂ , 25 ₂ Second detecting means 30 Control board including time measuring means and control means 35 Display as display means 36 Printer as display means

Continuation of front page (58) Field surveyed (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60S 3/00-3/06

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A method for cleaning a vehicle body by moving along the vehicle body.
In a car washer of a type including a plurality of processing means for performing processing such as drying and automatically cleaning an automobile, a mode setting means for setting an inspection mode in which an operation check of the processing means can be performed; and First detecting means for detecting that the vehicle is at a predetermined standby position evacuated from the vehicle body; second detecting means for detecting that the processing means has reached a predetermined operating position that can be taken during a car washing operation; A timer for measuring a time required for the unit to move between the standby position and the operating position; a unit for displaying a pass / fail result of the operation check in the check mode; and the plurality of processes in the check mode. Means is sequentially moved between the standby position and the operation position, and the quality of the operation is determined based on each time data measured by the timing means accompanying the movement. Car washes, wherein the means for controlling so that the the quality result and outputs it to the display means, further comprising: a. 2. The car washer according to claim 1, further comprising means for displaying time data measured in an inspection mode. 3. A car washer provided with a plurality of rotating brushes for brushing and cleaning an automobile body, wherein a mode setting means for setting an inspection mode for enabling an operation inspection of the rotating brushes; Overcurrent of brush rotation motor due to rotation
Means for detecting the flow , means for displaying the result of the operation check in the check mode, and, in the check mode, the plurality of rotating brushes are sequentially rotated, and the detecting means detects an overcurrent with the rotation.
Means for judging the quality of the operation based on the issued time, and means for controlling the result of the judgment to be output to the display means. 4. The car washer according to claim 3, further comprising means for displaying a time at which the overcurrent detected in the inspection mode is detected. 5. The car washer according to claim 1, further comprising: means for transferring a pass / fail result obtained in the inspection mode to a monitoring source via a telephone line.