JP3168153B2 - Prevention device for wiper breakage in vehicle body upper surface cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper breakage in a body upper surface cleaning apparatus in which a frame provided with an upper surface rotating brush and a vehicle are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to clean the vehicle upper surface with the brush. It relates to a prevention device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such a body upper surface cleaning apparatus, in order to prevent a wiper mounted on a windshield and a rear glass from being damaged by the upper surface rotating brush, the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush is set at a position where the wiper is located. (Therefore, a wiper breakage prevention device for reducing the rotation speed) is already known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-165).
No. 025).

[0003]

However, the structure of the wiper breakage prevention device is directly applied to a body upper surface cleaning device in which the upper surface rotating brush moves up and down along the vehicle body upper surface by a contact reaction force received from the vehicle body upper surface. If you do
The following problems were found. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the rotation speed of the upper-surface rotating brush is reduced at a position corresponding to the wiper Wf (the brush position B in FIG. 14).
_L ), the rotation axis of the brush is closer to the upper surface of the vehicle body as compared with the case where it is not decreased (see the brush position B _H in FIG. 14), and the wiper digs deeply into the brush. The effect of preventing the wiper from being damaged due to the reduction is small, and the wiper is repelled or deformed and damaged by the brush, even though the rotational speed of the upper surface rotating brush is reduced at the position corresponding to the wiper. This is remarkable when a top-surface rotating brush having a structure in which a woven or nonwoven fabric having water absorbency is fixed is used. The reason why the rotation axis of the brush becomes closer to the upper surface of the vehicle body as the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush decreases as described above is, for example, that the reaction force due to the rotation of the rotating brush received from the upper surface of the vehicle body decreases as the rotation speed of the brush decreases. It is conceivable that the strength of the brush itself (i.e., the force with which the brush sticks to the upper surface of the vehicle body) due to the centrifugal force acting on the rotating brush decreases as the number of rotations of the brush decreases.

Further, in the case where a woven cloth or a nonwoven fabric having a water absorbing property is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating body as the upper surface rotating brush, if the woven cloth or the nonwoven fabric is changed depending on the operating state of the upper body cleaning apparatus. There is a problem that the amount of the washing water entering the gap between the fibers changes, the weight of the upper rotating brush changes not less, and the wiper is broken because the surface pressure of the upper rotating brush is unstable. For example, if the car wash is started from a dry state of the woven or non-woven fabric, only the woven or non-woven fabric at the outer periphery of the upper rotating brush absorbs the washing water at first, and the woven or non-woven fabric at the center near the rotating body is The top rotating brush is relatively light because it does not absorb the wash water. However, when the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device is continuously operated, as the number of vehicles to be washed increases, the woven or nonwoven fabric in the center gradually absorbs the cleaning water, and the upper surface rotating brush becomes heavier. Therefore, if the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush is set to a value that does not damage the wiper when the car wash is started from the dry state of the woven or nonwoven fabric, the continuous operation of the body upper surface cleaning device causes The surface pressure increases and the wiper is damaged. In addition, it is conceivable to perform a water-repellent treatment on the woven or nonwoven fabric to prevent weight increase due to the absorption of the washing water, but even in this case, the water-repellent effect gradually increases as the number of car washes increases. The same problem as described above arises because the washing water is absorbed by the washing water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus for cleaning an upper surface of a vehicle body capable of improving the effect of preventing the wiper from being damaged by reducing the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush at the position corresponding to the wiper. An object of the present invention is to provide a wiper breakage prevention device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the present invention, an upper surface rotating brush is provided on a frame so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame and a vehicle are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the upper surface rotating brush is cleaned with an upper surface rotating brush, and at the time of the cleaning, the upper surface rotating brush is moved up and down along the vehicle upper surface by a contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body. Rotating speed variable driving means for rotating, descending force varying means for varying the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush, predetermined portion detecting means for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle, and a front wiper or In a section including the portion where the rear wiper is mounted, the rotational speed of the upper-surface rotating brush is reduced, and the wiper is broken based on the reduced rotational speed.
Control means for controlling the variable rotation speed driving means and the variable descent force means based on a detection signal of the predetermined portion detection means so as to reduce the descent force of the brush for cleaning in order to improve the loss prevention effect; It is characterized by having.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the frame is provided with
An upper surface rotating brush that changes its weight when containing water is provided so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame and the vehicle are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to wash the upper surface of the vehicle body with the upper surface rotating brush. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, wherein the upper surface rotating brush is moved up and down along the vehicle body upper surface by a contact reaction force received from the vehicle body upper surface, a rotation speed variable driving means for rotating the upper surface rotating brush, and a lowering of the upper surface rotating brush a descending force variation means for the force variable, and the predetermined portion detecting means for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle, a weight detecting means for detecting the weight of said top rotary brush, of the vehicle body upper surface at the time of the cleaning, the front wiper or In a section including a portion where a rear wiper is mounted, the rotation speed of the upper-surface rotating brush is reduced, and further, the wiper based on the reduction in the rotation speed is reduced.
Controlling the rotation speed variable driving means based on a detection signal of the predetermined part detecting means so as to reduce and lower the downward force of the brush to improve the damage prevention effect, and Control means for controlling the descending force variable means based on each detection signal of the weight detection means . The invention of claim 3 is
The upper surface rotating brush is provided on the
Relative movement of the vehicle and the vehicle in the front-rear direction of the vehicle.
Clean the upper surface of the body with a rotating brush on the upper surface.
The contact rotating force received by the surface rotating brush from the upper surface of the vehicle
The top surface cleaning device is designed to move up and down along the surface.
Rotation speed variable drive for rotating the upper surface rotation brush
Means for lowering the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush
Force varying means and a predetermined portion for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle
Detecting means and a weight for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush
Detecting means, and a front wipe
Partial section including part where par or rear wiper is attached
Thus, the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush is reduced, and
To improve the wiper breakage prevention effect based on the reduction in the number of turns.
To lower the brush's lowering force to clean
The rotation speed is determined based on a detection signal of the predetermined portion detection means.
The variable drive means is controlled, and the predetermined portion detecting means and the weight detecting means are controlled.
The descending force variable means is controlled based on each detection signal of the output means.
Controlling means for controlling, the descending force variable means,
Elevating position detecting means for detecting the elevating position of the upper surface rotating brush
If, you output to the downward force varying means control signal and lifting
The upper surface rotating brush based on a detection signal of a position detecting means;
And the descending force detecting means for detecting the descending force of
It is characterized in that the weight detecting means is constituted. According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above feature of the second or third aspect, the control means reduces the downward force of the upper surface rotating brush based on a detection signal of the weight detecting means. And a control unit that controls the descending force varying unit based on the set decreasing force and a detection signal of the predetermined portion detecting unit.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the above features, the predetermined portion detecting means is a glass position detecting means for detecting a position of a windshield or a position of a rear glass of the vehicle, Further, the invention of claim 6 provides:
In addition to the above features, the frame and the vehicle further include a relative speed variable driving unit that performs a relative motion with a relative motion speed being variable, and the control unit includes an upper surface rotating brush on a vehicle body upper surface, and a rear wiper mounted. The variable relative speed driving means is controlled based on a detection signal of the predetermined portion detecting means so that the relative movement speed is controlled at a low speed when a part including the part is being washed. The invention according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in addition to the above features, a swing arm is supported on the frame so as to be able to swing up and down, and the top rotating brush is supported at the tip of the swing arm.

The invention according to claim 8 is characterized in that, in addition to the above features, the upper surface rotating brush is a brush in which a woven or nonwoven fabric having a water absorbing property is fixed to an outer periphery of a rotating body.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below based on one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, FIGS. 1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus, in particular, FIG. 1 is a front view, and FIG. 2 is a side view (a view taken in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1). 4 is a block diagram of a control system, FIG. 4 is a process diagram of a brushing process of the upper surface of the vehicle body (at the time of going forward), and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the brushing process. 6 to 9 show a second embodiment of the apparatus for cleaning the upper surface of a vehicle body. FIG.
FIG. 8 is a side view (viewed in the direction of arrow 7 in FIG. 6), FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart of brushing processing (at the time of going forward) of the upper surface of the vehicle body. FIG. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 2 showing a third embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, and FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting drive system in the third embodiment. (a) shows the case where the brush is at the lower limit position, (b) shows the case where the brush is at the approximate middle position, and (c) shows the case where the brush is at the upper limit position. Furthermore, FIG.
FIG. 13 is a side view similar to FIG. 2 illustrating a fourth embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus, FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a brushing process in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows simply the difference of the contact state with an upper surface.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A pair of driving wheels 3, 3 and a pair of driven wheels 4, 4 that roll on a pair of left and right traveling rails 2, 2 are provided on a traveling frame 1 having a gate shape so that the vehicle V as a vehicle can be straddled. Provided. The traveling frame 1 is equipped with traveling motors 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ with reduction gears, and sprockets 6, 6 fixed to output shafts of the traveling motors 5 ₁ , 5 ₂ , and fixed to the driving wheels 3, 3. The sprockets 7, 7 are linked and connected by chains 8, 8. Thus, the traveling motor 5 _1, 5 ₂ if normal and reverse rotation drive, along a traveling frame 1 to the running rail 2 (i.e. along the longitudinal direction of the automobile V) can be round trip.

The right and left sides of the traveling frame 1 have the same shaft.
A pair of left and right first and second support shafts 9 arranged on a line₁, 9
_TwoAre rotatably supported. Its both support shafts
9₁, 9 _TwoA pair of left and right first and second swinging arms
10₁, 10_TwoThe middle part of each is fixed,
The two swing arms 10₁, 10_TwoBetween the tips of the
The rotation support shaft J that integrally connects the
An upper surface rotating brush B is rotatably provided on the support shaft J.
You. The upper rotating brush B rotates on the rotation supporting shaft J.
Brush pipe 11 as a rotating body freely inserted and supported
₁And the brush pipe 11₁Radially fixed around
Plural nonwoven fabrics 11_TwoIt is composed of That each
Woven cloth 11_TwoIs composed of, for example, polyester filament.
Weight change of the upper surface rotating brush B when cleaning water is included.
Is what comes. The nonwoven fabric 11_TwoWoven instead of
A cloth is used as a brush pipe 11 as a rotating body.₁Fixed to the outer circumference of
May be.

[0014] With the second end of the swing arm 10 ₂ reducer brush rotation motor 12 is provided, a sprocket 13 fixed to the output shaft of the brush rotating motor 12, the one end of the brush pipe 11 ₁ Fixed sprocket 1
4 and are connected by chain 15 at the second swing arm 10 _2. Thus, the upper-surface rotating brush B can be rotated by driving the brush rotating motor 12 to rotate. Also the first end of the swing arm 10 ₁ balance weight 16 is fixed.

The stopper arm 17 is fixed to the first support shaft 9 _1, the stopper arm 17, the traveling frame 1
The lower limit position D and the upper limit position U of the upper surface rotating brush B are respectively regulated by hitting the lower limit stopper 18 and the upper limit stopper 19, respectively, which are respectively fixed.

[0016] The first supporting shaft 9 ₁ cylinder arm 5
0 is fixed, and a piston rod 52 of a cylinder 51 which is pivotally supported on the traveling frame 1 on the side opposite to the rod so as to be swingable on the distal end of the cylinder arm 50 is pivotally connected. In the cylinder 51, on the opposite side of the hydraulic oil chamber and the piston rod 52, the lower portion 53 ₁ of the oil tank 53 is connected for converting the air pressure to the hydraulic shuttle to the top 53 ₂ of the oil tank 53 Valve 54 is connected. One IN of the shuttle valve 54 is connected to a high-pressure air supply source 56 via a first solenoid valve 55. The other IN of the shuttle valve 54 is connected to a high-pressure air supply source 56 via a second solenoid valve 57 and a pressure reducing valve 58. Thus, when the first solenoid valve 55 is actuated (excited), a high-pressure (for example, 6 kg / cm ² ) air pressure acts on the oil tank 53 from the high-pressure air supply source 56 to raise the upper surface rotating brush B to move the upper limit position U Can be held. If both solenoid valves 55 and 57 are deactivated (demagnetized), cylinder 5
1 becomes inactive, that is, becomes free, and the upper surface rotating brush B descends by its own weight and comes into contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with an appropriate surface pressure. At this time, the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body causes the brush B to rotate. It can move up and down along the shape. Further, when the second solenoid valve 57 is actuated (excited), a low-pressure (for example, 1 kg / cm ² ) air pressure acts on the oil tank 53 from the high-pressure air supply source 56 via the pressure-reducing valve 58. By reducing the descending force, the surface pressure on the upper surface of the vehicle body can be reduced. Thus, the cylinder 51, the two solenoid valves 55,
The 57 and the pressure reducing valve 58 cooperate with each other to constitute the descending force varying means G of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the second support shaft 9 _2, magnet arms 25 fitted with a magnet 24 integrally is fixed, the magnet 2
4, an upper limit switch 26 and a lower limit switch 27 are fixed to the traveling frame 1. Upper limit switch 26
Operates when the magnet 24 approaches within a predetermined distance, and detects that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U. The lower limit switch 27 operates when the magnet 24 approaches within a predetermined distance to detect that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the lower limit position U.

The traveling frame 1 is provided with a start position detection switch 29.
9 operates by hitting a cam 28 fixed to the installation surface, and detects that the traveling frame 1 is at the start position. The traveling frame 1 has one traveling motor 5
A traveling position detecting rotary encoder 30 connected to the _second output shaft is provided.

The traveling frame 1 is provided with a washing water jetting pipe 31 for jetting washing water to the upper rotating brush B, and the washing water jetting pipe 31 can continuously supply the washing water to the pipe 31. A water pump 32 is connected.

In the traveling frame 1, a light emitter 60a and a light receiver 60b, which form a pair of the _first photoelectric switch K1, are disposed at a predetermined height corresponding to the glass surface of the automobile V. ₂ pairs of the light transmitter 61a and the light receiver 6
1b is disposed at a predetermined height lower than the glass surface of the vehicle V. The photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ are provided at predetermined portions of the vehicle V (in the illustrated example, the first photoelectric switch K ₁ is a front glass f and a rear glass r, and the second photoelectric switch K ₂
Constitutes the predetermined portion detecting means of the present invention for detecting the rear end of the vehicle.

The traveling frame 1 is provided with a control panel 33, and on the surface of the control panel 33, a start switch 34 for starting car washing is provided. The inside of the control panel 33, a control unit 35 for controlling the vehicle body upper surface washing apparatus, a traveling motor 5 _1, 5 ₂ inverters 62 connected to, and the inverter 63 connected to the brush rotation motor 12 is provided . Thus traveling motor 5 _1, 5 ₂ and the inverter 62 constitute the relative speed variable drive means Dv for relative movement of both the relative speed between the frame 1 and the vehicle V as a variable, and the brush rotating motor 12 and the inverter 63
Constitutes a rotation speed variable driving means Db which makes the rotation speed of the motor 12 variable and drives it to rotate.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 35 has the functions of the traveling position detecting means D ₁ and the storing means M, and furthermore, the output signals from these means D ₁ and M and the detection of the predetermined portion. Output signals from the photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ as means are arithmetically processed based on a control program, and the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ , the brush rotating motor 12, and the solenoid valve 5 are operated.
A control circuit C as control means for operating the water pumps 5, 57 and the water pump 32 is provided.

The traveling position detecting means D₁Is a running frame
1 starts the forward running from the start position and detects the start position.
Running based on when the output switch 29 becomes inactive
While the frame 1 is traveling forward, the traveling position detection rotor
The output pulse from the re-encoder 30 is added and
While the traveling frame 1 is returning, the rotary encoder
By subtracting the output pulse from the
The traveling position L of the traveling frame 1 from the port position is detected.
be able to. Therefore, the traveling position detecting means D ₁Is
A traveling frame 1 as a frame and an automobile as a vehicle
Functions as relative position detection means for detecting the relative position to V
Can be done.

The storage means M has a predetermined format described later.
Travel position L₁~ L_FourAnd the position of the rear glass r
Travel position L for_FiveAnd a storage unit M for storing₁~
M_Four, M _FiveIs provided.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the traveling frame 1 is at the start position (the left end position in FIG. 4), the first solenoid valve 55 is operated, the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U, and the vehicle V is at the predetermined position (solid line in FIG. 4). Car wash is to be started from the state where the vehicle is stopped at (position).

When the start switch 34 is pressed while the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 is operated, the running position when the running frame 1 reaches the right end of the running rail 2 Travel position Lma larger than
Each write x in the memory unit M ₁ ~M ₄ memory means M, to drive the water pump 32, driven further rotation of the brush rotating motor 12 the rotated by the top rotary brush B at high speed fast, first
The solenoid valve 55 is deactivated and the cylinder 51 is deactivated. As a result, when the upper surface rotating brush B is at the lower limit position D, while maintaining the high speed rotating state of the upper surface rotating brush B,
The traveling frame 1 is made to travel forward at high speed (step S
1).

Next, the travel position L is read (step S).
2). Then, NO is determined in steps S3, S4, S6 to S8, and YES is determined in step S9, so steps S2 to S9 are repeated.

When the traveling frame 1 travels forward and the first photoelectric switch K ₁ reaches the K ₁ A position and detects the windshield f (step S6), X is added to the current position L at this time and R _The travel position L _{1 obtained} by subtracting ₁ and the current position L
It calculates the traveling position L ₂ obtained by adding the X and R _2, the L ₁ in the storage unit M _1, and also stores each of L ₂ in the storage section M ₂ (step S10) to. X is the horizontal distance between the brush support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ and the photoelectric switch K ₁ .
R ₁ is the brush support shaft 9 ₁ , 9 at the running position L _1.
The predetermined horizontal distance between position ₂ and the K ₁ A position, and also R _2, is the predetermined horizontal distance between the brush support shafts 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ and the K ₁ A position when in the running position L ₂ . This is the horizontal distance, and in step S6, it becomes YES when the first non-detection has changed to the detection. Thus, the current position L is L ₁ ≦
When L ≦ L _2, the result is YES in step S3, and the upper surface rotating brush B is driven to rotate at a low speed, and the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is further reduced by the descending force reducing means G.
Damage to the front wiper Wf can be prevented (step S13). When the current position L exceeds L _2, top rotary brush B is rotated at a high speed, the cylinder 51 is deactivated (step S5).

The first photoelectric switch K₁Is not detected from detection
Every time it comes out (step S7), the current position L at that time is
L_FiveAs storage unit M_Five(Step S11).
And the second photoelectric switch K_TwoBut K_TwoFrom detection at position A
When the rear end of the vehicle V is detected without being detected (step
S8) At that time, the storage unit M_FiveL stored in_Five(No.
1 photoelectric switch K₁Is K₁At the B position, detection changes to non-detection.
The running position when the rear glass r of the vehicle V is detected)
X and R_ThreeTravel position L_ThreeAnd L_FiveX and
R_FourTravel position L_FourAnd calculate L_ThreeRemember
Part M_ThreeAnd L_FourIs the storage unit M_FourRemember each
(Step S12). Note that R_ThreeIs the travel position L_ThreeAt the time
Brush support shaft 9₁, 9_TwoAnd K₁Predetermined between position B
Horizontal distance, and R_FourIs the travel position L_FourBra at the time
Shi support shaft 9₁, 9_TwoAnd K₁Predetermined between position B
Horizontal distance. As a result, the current position L becomes L_Three≤L
≤L _FourYES at step S4 at the time of
The brush B is driven to rotate at a low speed, and the lowering force reducing means G
The lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B is reduced by the
Data 5₁, 5_TwoRunning at low speed and running frame 1 is low speed
The rear wiper Wr is prevented from being damaged
Stop (step S14). And the current position L is L_FourTo
If it exceeds, the upper surface rotating brush B is driven to rotate at high speed, and
The cylinder 51 is deactivated (step S5).

[0030] When the second photoelectric switch K ₂ is only forward traveling a predetermined distance from the detection of the rear end of the car V, ending the body wash with往走line (step S9).

Thus, the upper surface rotating brush B is partially covered with the front and rear wipers Wf and Wr on the upper surface of the vehicle body (predetermined sections L _{1 to} L ₂ corresponding to the windshield f in the illustrated example, while traveling a predetermined segment L ₃ ~L ₄₎ corresponding to the rear window r reduces the rotational speed of the brush B, because it so as to further reduce its downward force is also reduced by surface pressure, the rotation of the brush B It is possible to minimize the possibility that the shaft approaches the upper surface of the vehicle body as the number of rotations of the brush decreases, thereby improving the effect of preventing the breakage of the wiper based on the reduction in the number of rotations.

In general, the rear wiper Wr is more easily damaged than the front wiper Wf. Therefore, when cleaning the automobile V equipped with the rear wiper Wr, a switch (not shown) is operated by operating a switch (not shown). B
There Either inoperative the top rotary brush B in running position L ₃ reaching the beginning of the rear window r, or or covered with a protection to the rear wiper Wr, by fixing the rear wiper Wr with duct tape or the like, the rear wiper Wr unit In principle, cleaning with the upper rotating brush B is performed. However, rear wiper W
overlooking the switch operation or use of protective equipment,
If the user has forgotten to fix with the adhesive tape,
By the operation of 14, the effect of preventing the rear wiper Wr from being damaged can be improved as much as possible.

When the descending force of the upper rotating brush B is reduced, the upper rotating brush B cannot follow the rear glass r when the running frame 1 is running at a high speed and the rear glass r is steeply inclined. And the cleaning effect of the trunk part is deteriorated.
By controlling the traveling speed of the traveling frame 1 at low speed, even when the rear glass is steeply inclined, the upper surface rotating brush B
Can be accurately followed, so that the cleaning effect can be improved. As a result, even when the rear glass is steep or gentle, the rear wiper breakage prevention effect based on the rotation decrease of the upper surface rotating brush B can be prevented. Can be improved, and the cleaning time can be reduced.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This second embodiment is obtained by such nonwoven 11 ₂ of the top surface rotating brush B corrects the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B for reasons such as a wash water to change. Hereinafter, only differences from the first embodiment will be described, and the same components as those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of a cylinder as an actuator for driving the support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ to rotate,
A fixed torque motor 20 with a speed reducer is used for the traveling frame 1. The first supporting shaft 9 _1, cylinder arm 24
Instead, a sprocket 22 is fixed, and the sprocket 22 and a sprocket 21 fixed to an output shaft of the torque motor 20 are connected by a chain 23. The sprockets 21, 22 and the chain 23 constitute a transmission mechanism TM that transmits the driving force to the support shaft 9 _1.

Further second support shaft 9 _2, traveling frame 1
Is connected to a rotary encoder 70 for detecting the elevation position.

Inside the control panel 33, the torque motor 20 is provided.
Is connected to the inverter 36.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 35 comprises a traveling position detecting means D ₁ , a lifting position detecting means D ₂ , an ascending position detecting means D ₃ , a descending force detecting means D ₄ , a storage means M, a level counter LC, has been provided with the functions of the timer T _1,
Moreover they D ₁ to D _4, M, LC, the traveling motor 5 ₁ performs calculation process on the basis of the output signal to the control program from the T _1, 5 _2, the brush rotating motor 12, the torque motor 20
And a control circuit C as control means for operating the water pump 32.

The vertical position detector D _2, based on the time that the top rotating brush B limit switch 26 starting the descent from the upper limit position U becomes inoperative, while the upper surface rotary brush B is lowered vertical position The output pulse from the detection rotary encoder 70 is added, and while the upper rotary brush B is rising, the output pulse from the rotary encoder 27 is subtracted to set the upper and lower position θ of the upper rotary brush B to the upper limit. It is detected as an angle from the position U.

The ascending position detecting means D ₃ is configured such that the ascending and descending position θ detected by the ascending and descending position detecting means D ₂ is a predetermined ascending position Z set between the upper and lower limit positions U and D of the upper surface rotating brush B (in the illustrated example, FIG. determining whether predetermined set vertical position theta ₁ is less than corresponding to the set to the lower limit position D closer) as shown in 7. That is, it is detected that the upper surface rotating brush B is at a position higher than the rising position Z.

The descending force detecting means D ₄ starts from the lowest voltage Vs _{0 of the} descending force measurement voltages Vs shown in Table 1 below.
The sequentially higher voltages Vs ₁ , Vs ₂ ,...
6, and the ascending position detecting means D ₃ when the descending force measurement voltage Vs is applied to the torque motor 20
The lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B is detected based on the detection signal from.

That is, the upper rotating brush B is moved to the set elevation position θ.
_When it is below _1, the predetermined downward force measurement voltage Vs ₀ in the direction of raising the upper surface rotating brush B is applied to the torque motor 20, and the upper surface rotating brush B still does not rise to the set lifting position θ ₁ At the time, a predetermined descending force measurement voltage Vs ₁ next to Vs ₀ is applied to the torque motor 20. Still, the upper surface rotating brush B is at the set elevating position θ ₁
When not rise to applies a downward force measurement voltage Vs ₂ a predetermined high next Vs ₁ torque motor 20, sequentially applied to high lowering force measuring voltage Vs by repeating such that the torque motor 20 it allows to detect the voltage of when the upper surface rotating brush B rises to the set vertical position theta _1. Thus, the lowering force of the upper rotating brush B can be detected as a voltage applied to the torque motor 20.

The inverter 36 controls the control of the control device 35.
The output frequency is changed by the control signal output from the path C.
Frequency changing means K₁And a voltage changer that changes the output voltage
Stage K _TwoOutput the specified voltage even if the input voltage fluctuates
Constant voltage means K_ThreeAnd And this second fruit
In the embodiment, the inverter 36 and the torque motor 20
Cooperating with each other to make the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B variable
This constitutes the descending force varying means G of the present invention. In addition, this implementation
In the example, the output frequency of the inverter 36 is fixed and used.
I have.

In the above configuration, the balance weight 16
And the reduction ratio of the torque motor 20 with a reducer are
When the upper rotating brush B is in a dry state, the torque motor 20
Is deactivated (de-energized), the upper surface rotating brush B descends by its own weight and contacts the upper surface of the vehicle body with an appropriate surface pressure, and the upper surface rotating brush B receives a contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body of the automobile V. It is set so that it can move up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body.

For example, the contents of Table 1 below are stored in the storage means M in advance.

[0045]

[Table 1] In Table 1, the first drop voltage Va is determined by the travel position L corresponding to L ₁ ≦ L ≦ L ₂ and L ₃ ≦ L ≦ L ₄ in accordance with the drop force measurement voltage corresponding to the drop force of the upper surface rotating brush B. At other times, the voltage is applied to the torque motor 20 to correct the contact surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B against the upper surface of the vehicle body to a surface pressure appropriate for cleaning.

The second falling voltage Vb is determined when the traveling position L is L ₁ ≤L≤L ₂ , L ₃ ≤L≤L ₄ according to the descending force measurement voltage corresponding to the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B. To
The upper surface rotating brush B is applied to the torque motor 20 respectively.
Is a voltage for correcting the contact surface pressure on the upper surface of the vehicle body to a surface pressure suitable for preventing breakage of the wipers Wf and Wr.

Since the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B increases as the weight of the brush B including the washing water increases, the lowering force of the lowering brush B is adjusted to cope with the change in the lowering force accompanying the change in the weight. Magnitude (measured level of descending force measurement voltage Vs)
(In the illustrated example, seven levels) are set, and the first falling voltage V is set for each level LE.
a and the set values of the second falling voltage Vb are set. In addition, the force of pulling the tension side 23A of the chain 23 by the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B becomes maximum when the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ are horizontal, and decreases as the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ move upward or downward from horizontal. The first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage V correspond to a change in the pulling force due to the position change.
The value b is set in advance according to the angle from the horizontal (for example, at intervals of 15 degrees from the horizontal), and is stored in the storage unit M.

Since the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₀ is a descending force measurement voltage when the surface pressure of the upper rotating brush B is within an appropriate range, the corresponding descending voltage V ₀ is independent of the elevation position θ. "0 volt" may be used.

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, the traveling frame 1 is at the start position (the left end position in FIG. 4), and the torque motor 20 is large enough to raise the upper surface rotating brush B to the upper limit position U even when the weight is maximum. It is assumed that the car wash is started from a state where the voltage Vu is applied and the vehicle V is stopped at a predetermined position (the position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4).

When the start switch 34 is pressed while the upper-surface rotating brush B is at the upper-limit position U and the upper-limit switch 26 is operated, the travel position Lm is the same as in the first embodiment.
Write the ax in the storage unit M ₁ ~M _4, a brush rotating motor 12 drives the water pump 32 is driven to rotate at a high speed, lowering the top rotary brush B and further the torque motor 20 inoperative. As a result, the washing water is jetted from the washing water jet pipe 31, and the upper surface rotating brush B descends from the upper limit position U while rotating at high speed (step S101).

When the lower limit switch 27 detects that the upper surface rotating brush B has moved down to the lower limit position D (step S1).
02), to stop the rotation and the injection of wash water on the upper surface rotating brush B, the level LE level counter LC is "0" (step S103), the timer T ₁ to "0" (step S104). Next, the descending force measurement voltage Vs at the level LE of “0” is read from Table 1. Then, while applying the falling force measuring voltage Vs ₀ to the torque motor 20, it operates a timer T ₁ (step S105).

Next, the elevation position θ is read (step S1).
06), it is determined whether the elevation position θ is smaller than the set elevation position θ ₁ , that is, the upper surface rotating brush B
Is detected (step S1).
07). When top rotary brush B is lower than the predetermined raised position Z, the detection time t ₁ of the timer T ₁ is determined whether exceeds a predetermined time ts ₁ (step S108), the predetermined time ts ₁
If not, the process returns to step S106. And either the upper surface rotating brush B is at a position higher than the predetermined raised position Z, step up exceeds the predetermined time ts ₁ S106 to
S108 is repeated.

[0053] Without the top rotary brush B detects that it is now in a position higher than the predetermined raised position Z in step S107, when it is detected that exceeds a predetermined time ts ₁ at step S108, the level LE of Reberukaunka LC It is set to "1" (step S109), and the process returns to step S104. Steps S104 to S109 are repeated until it is detected in step S107 that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z.

When it is detected in step S107 that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined raising position Z, the level LE of the level counter LC at that time is stored in the storage means M (step S110). For example, when the lowering force measurement voltage Vs ₂ when the level LE is “2” is applied to the torque motor 20 and it is detected that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined raising position Z, the level LE is stored as “2”. This step S1
The descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected from 04 to S110.

Next, the water pump 32 is driven to spray cleaning water, and the brush rotating motor 12 is rotated at high speed to rotate the upper rotating brush B at high speed. It is lowered (step S111). When the lower limit switch 27 detects that the upper surface rotating brush B has reached the lower limit position D (Step S).
112), the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ are driven to rotate forward at a high speed to make the traveling frame 1 travel forward at a high speed (step S11).
3).

Next, in the first embodiment, step S in FIG.
Basically the same processing as in 2 to S14 is executed. In this case, in step S5, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a high speed and the elevation position θ is read, and from Table 1, the first falling voltage Va (for example, when the level LE is “1”) corresponding to the level LE number stored in step S110. V for "2"
In a ₂ ), the voltage corresponding to the read up / down position θ is read out from the storage means M, and the first down voltage Va is applied to the torque motor 20. Steps S13 and S14
Then, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a low speed and the elevation position θ is read, and from Table 1, the second falling voltage Vb corresponding to the number of the level LE stored in step S110 (for example, when the level LE is “2”, Vb ₂ ) and the voltage corresponding to the read up / down position θ is read out from the storage means M, and the second down voltage Vb is applied to the torque motor 20. In particular, in step S14, the traveling speed of the traveling frame 1 is controlled to be low.

As a result, if the current position L is L ₁ ≤L≤
When L ₂ , L ₃ ≤L≤L ₄ , the upper surface rotating brush B
Can be rotated at high speed, and can be washed at an appropriate surface pressure for washing. On the other hand, when the current position L is L ₁ ≦ L ≦ L ₂ , the upper surface rotating brush B can be rotated at a low speed to reduce the surface pressure for cleaning, and when the current position L is L ₃ ≦ L ≦ L ₄ At this time, since the upper surface rotating brush B can be rotated at a low speed, the surface pressure can be reduced, and the running speed can be reduced, the washing can be performed at a low speed. This is effective for preventing the front and rear wipers Wf, Wr from being damaged.

As described above, the hood surface, the ceiling surface, and the trunk surface of the automobile V can be sequentially brushed and washed with the upper surface rotating brush B during the forward traveling of the traveling frame 1, and in particular, the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B is reduced. Step S10
4 to decrease based on the descending force detected in S110,
Since an appropriate descending force can be obtained, the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B against the upper surface of the vehicle body during forward traveling can be controlled to an appropriate surface pressure.

[0059] Thus to in the second embodiment, the torque motor 20 and the inverter 36 forming the downward force variation means G, the vertical position detecting means D ₂ for detecting the vertical position of the top rotary brush B, inverter 36 cooperate with each other and lowering force detecting means D ₄ is to detect the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B on the basis of the control signal and the detection signal of the vertical position detecting means D ₂ and outputs the detection to the weight of the top rotary brush B The weight detecting means _DW of the present invention.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
An example will be described. The device of the third embodiment, the structure of the transmission mechanism TM that transmits the output of the torque motor 20 to the first support shaft 9 _1, which differs from the device of the second embodiment,
Since the structure of the other parts is the same as that of the second embodiment, members having the same configuration as those of the second embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment, and description thereof is omitted.

[0061] the first support shaft 9 _1, in place of the sprocket 22 of the second embodiment, the shape of the cam plate 80 by cutting out a sector from a disk is fixed. The cam plate 80 and the sprocket 21 are connected by a chain 81, and both ends of the chain 81 are connected and fixed respectively to one end portion 81a and an intermediate portion 81b of the outer peripheral portion of the cam plate 80 which form an arc. . A tension arm 83 is swingably provided on a shaft 82 fixed to the traveling frame 1, and an idle sprocket 84 that engages with the chain 81 is rotatably provided at the tip of the tension arm 83. A tension spring 85 is provided between the tension arm 83 and the traveling frame 1, and the tension of the chain 81 is constantly applied by the spring force of the spring 85.

According to the transmission mechanism TM of the third embodiment, the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ shown in FIG.
When the upper surface rotating brush B descends toward the lower limit position D shown in (a) or rises toward the upper limit position U shown in FIG. Thus, the pulling force on the tension side 81A of the chain 81 can be made substantially constant at all times. Therefore, as the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb in Table 1 stored in the storage means M, a constant voltage is stored at each level LE regardless of the elevation position θ.

The operation of the third embodiment differs from the operation of the second embodiment only in steps S5, S13 and S14, and the other operations are exactly the same as those of the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, in steps S5, S13, and S14, the set values of the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb are changed according to the elevation position θ, but in the third embodiment,
Each set value of the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb is constant irrespective of the elevation position θ, and there is an advantage that the configuration of the control device 35 can be simplified accordingly.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The device of the fourth embodiment uses an extendable cylinder 61 and an electro-pneumatic decompressor 93 instead of the torque motor 20 and the inverter 36 of the third embodiment as the descending force varying means G of the upper surface rotating brush B. The third embodiment is different from the third embodiment, and the structure of the other parts is the same as that of the third embodiment. Therefore, members having the same configurations as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment. The description is omitted. Therefore, in this fourth embodiment, the telescopic cylinder 6
The configuration of the brush lifting / lowering drive system including the electro-pneumatic decompressor 1 and the electro-pneumatic pressure reducer 63 will be described below.

[0065] The first supporting shaft 9 _1, instead of the cam plate 80 of the third embodiment, the cylinder arm 90 is fixed between the tip and the traveling frame 1 of the cylinder arm 90,
A hydraulically operated telescopic cylinder 91 is provided. In the cylinder 91, on the opposite side of the hydraulic oil chamber and the piston rod, the bottom 92 ₁ of the oil tank 92 is connected to the upper portion 92 ₂ of the oil tank 92, a known electric-air pressure reducer ( A high-pressure air supply source 94 is connected via an electric / pneumatic regulator 93. This electric / pneumatic decompressor 9
Reference numeral 3 controls an air pressure on the output side to be a predetermined pressure according to the input signal, based on an electric input signal from the control device 35. The oil tank 92 has a function of converting air pressure into hydraulic pressure.

In Table 1 stored in the storage means M in the fourth embodiment, air pressure is stored in place of the voltage in the third embodiment. In this embodiment, as in the third embodiment, the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ are substantially horizontal.
Whether the upper surface rotating brush B descends toward the lower limit position D,
Alternatively, even when the brush moves toward the upper limit position U, the force applied to the telescopic cylinder 91 can be made substantially constant by the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B. Therefore, as the first descending air pressure Va 'and the second descending air pressure Vb' in Table 1 stored in the storage means M, constant air pressures are stored irrespective of the elevation position θ.

In the fourth embodiment, the "torque motor 20" of the third embodiment is replaced by the "telescopic cylinder 91" and the "voltage"
Is replaced by “pneumatic pressure”, so that the operation of the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the third embodiment except for the difference between the torque motor 20 and the telescopic cylinder 91 and the difference between the voltage and the air pressure. Is the same. Therefore, in the fourth embodiment, the level of the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is detected by the descending force measurement air pressure to be applied to the telescopic cylinder 91,
Based on the detection result, the first descending air pressure Va 'and the second descending air pressure Vb' in Table 1 stored in the storage means M
Is applied to the telescopic cylinder 91, the contact surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B against the upper surface of the vehicle body can always be controlled to an appropriate surface pressure.

[0068] Thus to in the fourth embodiment, telescopic cylinder 91, electric-air pressure reducer 93, the raised position detector D ₃ and lowering force detecting means D ₄ are each cooperate with weight detecting the top rotary brush B Means _DW is constituted.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control device 35 of the fifth embodiment includes a descending force detecting means D ₄ ′ for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B in another procedure, instead of the descending force detecting means D ₄ of the second embodiment. The second embodiment differs from the second embodiment in that timers T ₂ and T ₃ are further provided, and the structure of the other parts is the same as the second embodiment.

That is, the descending force detecting means D ₄ ′ detects the descending force measurement voltage V in Table 1 when the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U.
s, the highest voltage Vs ₇ , and sequentially lower voltages Vs ₆ , Vs
s ₅ · · · · so on are applied to the torque motor 20, the upper limit switch 2 is top rotary brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U
6 detects the voltage at which it becomes inactive.

The operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 13. When the upper limit switch 26 detects that the upper rotary brush B is at the upper limit position U shown in FIG. step S51), the start switch 34 is pressed, and the timer T ₂ to "0" (step S5
2) operating the water pump 32 and the brush rotating motor 1
2 is rotated at a high speed, the timer T ₂ is operated, thereby, the washing water from the washing water injection pipe 31 is injected, top rotary brush B rotates at high speed (step S5
3).

The detection time t ₂ of the timer T ₂ is equal to the predetermined time t.
Once beyond the s ₂ (step S54), the upper surface rotating brush B
And the injection of the washing water are stopped, and the level LE of the level counter LC is set to "7" (step S5).
5), the timer T ₃ to "0" (step S5
6). The predetermined time ts _2, the time is top rotary brush B increases rapidly weight by water washing water (e.g. 5
10 seconds).

Next, the descending force measurement voltage Vs at the level L of "7" is read from Table 1. Then, while applying the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₈ to the torque motor 20,
Operating a timer T ₃ (step S57).

[0074] Then the upper limit switch 26 to determine whether non-detection (step S58), when the detection, the detection time t ₃ of the timer t ₃ is determined whether or exceeds a predetermined time ts ₃ (step S59). When it does not exceed the predetermined time ts ₃ returns to step S58. Then, steps S58 and S59 are repeated.

At step S58, the upper limit switch 26 does not become undetected, and at step S59, the predetermined time ts ₃
Is detected, the level counter LC is set to "7" (step S60), and the process returns to step S56. Then, steps S56 to S60 are repeated.

If the upper limit switch 26 is not detected in step S58, the same processing as steps S110 to S114 shown in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment is performed (step 6).
1). That is, when the process proceeds to step S110 in FIG. 9, the number of the level LE of the level counter LC at the time when no detection is made in step S58 is stored. For example, the level LE is "6"
When it is detected that the upper limit switch 26 has become inoperative (that is, the upper surface rotating brush B has dropped from the upper limit position U) when the lowering force measurement voltage Vs ₆ at the time of (1) is applied to the torque motor 20, The level LE is stored as “6”. By the steps S55 to S60, the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper limit switch 26 can function as a vertical position detecting means.

Although the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the third and fourth embodiments as well, the lowering force is detected in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment, that is, when the upper surface rotating brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 is not detected. The lowering force of the upper rotating brush B can be detected by the voltage or the air pressure. Further, the present invention can be implemented in a fixed-type vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which the frame is fixed and the vehicle is moved by a transfer device such as a conveyor so that the frame and the vehicle move relative to each other. The present invention can also be applied to a vertical lifting type vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which the upper surface rotating brush is displaced up and down substantially vertically along the provided lifting rail.

In each of the above embodiments, the upper surface rotating brush B
Torque motor 20 or telescopic cylinder
In the present invention, the motor or the cylinder is used.
Swing arm 10 of balance weight 16₁
The mounting position with respect to the position may be controlled.
In this case, the balance weight 16 is moved to the swing arm 10. ₁
To be movable in the longitudinal direction of the
A swing arm of the weight is provided by an actuator provided therebetween.
10₁By controlling the mounting position with respect to
The lowering force of the upper rotating brush B may be reduced.
No. Furthermore, to detect the weight of the upper rotating brush B
Next, the piezoelectric element that can be engaged with the stopper arm 17 is set at the lower limit.
It is provided on the topper 18 and the upper surface rotating brush B is
The weight may be detected, and in this case,
The piezoelectric element is the weight detecting means D of the present invention. _WIs composed.

Further, as the predetermined portion detecting means, FIGS.
The reflection type ultrasonic detection device 100 provided in the traveling frame 1 shown in FIG. That is, the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 100 detects each position of the windshield f and the rear glass r by utilizing the fact that the reflection mode of the ultrasonic wave is different due to the difference in the inclination angle between the glass surface and the other surface on the upper surface of the vehicle body. It moves to the roof surface from the windshield surface where the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter does not return to the receiver due to a large inclination, for example, at the 100A position shown in FIG. When the ultrasonic waves from the container return to the receiver, the end position of the windshield f can be detected. Also, the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter moves from the roof surface where the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter returns to the receiver to the rear glass surface with a large inclination, and the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter does not return to the receiver. Can be detected.

In the above embodiment, the upper surface rotating brush B
Are swingably supported by the traveling frame 1 via the oscillating arms 10 ₁ and 10 _2, and the longitudinal displacement of the brush B with respect to the traveling frame 1 is caused by the oscillating displacement. Moreover, there is also a deviation between the mounting position of the arm support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 _{2 on} the traveling frame 1 and the mounting position of the predetermined portion detecting means (the photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ and the ultrasonic detecting device 100). In order to determine whether or not the upper surface rotating brush B is at the wiper corresponding position by using the detection signal of the predetermined portion detection means, it is necessary to take the above-mentioned shift into account. In addition to the detection signals of means K ₁ , K ₂ , 100, traveling position detecting means D ₁ (ie, relative position detecting means between the frame and the vehicle)
Is output to the control device 35 to control the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B at the position corresponding to the wiper. However, if you deploy the top rotary brush and a predetermined location detector so that the deviation does not occur in the running frame does not need to considering the deviation, i.e., without using a detection signal of the traveling position detecting means D ₁ also, since it is possible to perform in lowering force control the wiper corresponding position of the upper surface rotary brush without trouble, the traveling position detecting means D ₁ is not included in the items necessary to identify the present invention.

[0081]

As described above, according to the invention of each claim,
During cleaning, the contact surface that the top rotating brush receives from the top of the vehicle body
Washing the upper surface of the car body so as to move up and down along the upper surface of the car body by force
In the cleaning device, when the upper rotating brush is at the position corresponding to the wiper , the rotation speed of the brush is reduced, and the rotation speed is further reduced.
Since as lowering force of the <br/> brush also reduces the surface pressure is decreased to improve the wiper damage prevention effect based on small, when the top rotary brush is in the wiper corresponding position
In addition, it is possible to minimize the possibility that the rotation axis of the brush approaches the upper surface of the vehicle body as the brush rotation speed decreases, thereby improving the effect of preventing the wiper from being damaged based on the reduction in the rotation speed.

According to each of the second to fourth aspects of the present invention,
Even if the weight of the upper rotating brush changes, the surface pressure of the brush can be automatically corrected by controlling the decrease amount of the descending force according to the change in the weight. Can be further improved.

According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the relative movement speed between the frame and the vehicle can be controlled to be low when the rear glass is washed, so that the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush is reduced in this section. However, the brush can be accurately followed along the rear glass surface, and a reduction in the cleaning effect can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a body upper surface cleaning apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment (a view taken in the direction of arrow 2 in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a process diagram of a brushing process (at the time of going forward) of the upper surface of the vehicle body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the brushing process;

FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment (a view as seen from arrow 7 in FIG. 6).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a brushing process of the upper surface of the vehicle body (at the time of going forward) in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus, FIG.
Side view similar to

11A and 11B show the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting / lowering drive system in the third embodiment, where FIG. 11A shows a case where the brush is at a lower limit position, FIG. (C) shows the case in which it is at the upper limit position, respectively.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus,
Side view similar to

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a brushing process in a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing a difference in a state of contact of the brush with the upper surface of the vehicle body depending on a rotation speed of the upper-surface rotating brush.

[Explanation of symbols]

B Upper surface rotating brush C Control circuit as control means D ₁ Running position detecting means as relative position detecting means Db Variable speed driving means Dv Relative speed variable driving means _DW Weight detecting means G Lowering force variable means K ₁ , K ₂ Predetermined site detecting means (glass position detecting means)
First and second photoelectric switches V Vehicle as a vehicle Vb Second descending voltage Vb 'as a force Second descending air pressure as a force Wf Front wiper Wr Rear wiper f Front glass r Rear glass 1 Running frame as frame 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ First and second swing arms 11 as a swing arm 11 ₁ Brush pipe as a rotating body 11 ₂ Nonwoven fabric 35 Control device 100 Predetermined site detecting means (glass position detecting means)
Reflection Type Ultrasonic Detector

Claims (8)

(57) [Claims] An upper surface rotating brush (B) is provided on a frame (1).
Is provided so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle (V) to wash the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) with the upper surface rotating brush (B); At the time of cleaning, the upper surface rotating brush (B) is moved up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body by a contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body.
A vehicle-body upper-surface cleaning device, comprising: a rotation-speed variable driving unit (Db) for rotating the upper-surface rotating brush (B); a descending-force varying unit (G) for varying a descending force of the upper-surface rotating brush (B); A predetermined portion detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1) for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle (V);
00) and at the time of the washing, the upper surface rotation is performed in a partial section (L _{1 to} L ₂ , L _{3 to} L ₄ ) of the upper surface of the vehicle body including the portion where the front wiper (Wf) or the rear wiper (Wr) is mounted. Reduce the number of rotations of the brush (B) and further increase the number of rotations
In order to improve the effect of preventing the breakage of the wiper based on the reduction, the brush (B) is washed by reducing the lowering force thereof.
Control means (C) for controlling the rotation speed variable driving means (Db) and the descending force variable means (G) based on a detection signal of the predetermined portion detection means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 100). A device for preventing a wiper from being damaged in a body upper surface cleaning device. 2. When the frame (1) contains washing water, the weight is reduced.
The upper surface rotating brush (B) having a change in height is provided so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) are connected to the vehicle (V).
The upper surface of the vehicle (V) is washed with the upper surface rotating brush (B) by relative movement in the front-rear direction of the vehicle, and the upper surface rotating brush (B) is moved along the upper surface of the vehicle by the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body during the cleaning. A top surface cleaning device configured to move up and down, a variable rotation speed driving means (Db) for rotating the top surface rotating brush (B), and a descending force variable for varying a descending force of the top surface rotating brush (B). Means (G) and predetermined portion detection means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1) for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle (V).
00), the weight detecting means for detecting the weight of said top rotating brush (B) (D _W) of the vehicle body upper surface at the time of the cleaning, the front wiper (Wf) or rear wiper (W
r) (L _{1 to} L ₂ , L)
_{3 to} L ₄ ), the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush (B) is reduced, and the wiper is prevented from being broken based on the reduction in the number of rotations.
The predetermined portion detecting means (K ₁ , K ₁ ) is designed to reduce the downward force of the brush (B) for cleaning to improve the result.
_2, 100) based on a detection signal and controls the variable rotational speed drive means (Db), said predetermined location detector (K _1,
K ₂ , 100) and control means (C) for controlling the descending force varying means (G) based on the respective detection signals of the weight detecting means (D _W ). Wiper breakage prevention device. 3. A top surface rotating brush (B) on a frame (1).
Is provided so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame (1) and the vehicle (V)
Is moved relative to the vehicle (V) in the front-rear direction.
(V) Clean the upper surface of the body with the upper surface rotating brush (B), and
The upper rotating brush (B) receives from the upper surface of the body when cleaning
To rise and fall along the upper surface of the vehicle body by the contact reaction force,
In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus, a rotation speed variable drive for rotating the upper surface rotating brush (B).
Means (Db) and the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush (B).
A variable descending force varying means (G);
A predetermined site detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1) for detecting a predetermined site
00) and detecting the weight of the upper rotating brush (B).
Weight detection means (D _W ),
Front wiper (Wf) or rear wiper (Wr)
Some sections (L _{1 to} L ₂ , L _{3 to} L
₄ ) reduce the number of rotations of the upper rotating brush (B).
Furthermore, the wiper breakage prevention effect based on the reduction in the number of rotations is improved.
Wash the brush (B) by reducing the lowering force to raise it.
The predetermined site detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1)
00) based on the detection signal
(Db), and the predetermined site detecting means (K ₁ ,
K ₂ , 100) and weight detection means (D _W )
Control means for controlling the descending force variable means (G) based on
A step (C), the descending force varying means (G), and the upper surface rotating brush
Elevating position detecting means (D ₂ ) for detecting the elevating position of (B )
And a control signal to be output to said descending force varying means (G).
Based on the detection signal of the lifting and lowering position detecting means (D ₂ )
Descending force detecting means for detecting the descending force of the upper rotating brush (B)
And the step (D ₄ ) cooperates with each other to determine the weight detection means.
A device for preventing a wiper from being damaged in a body upper surface cleaning device, comprising: (D _W ) . 4. The control means (C) determines the magnitude of the force (Vb, Vb ') for reducing the downward force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on the detection signal of the weight detecting means (D _W ). set, characterized by controlling the reduction force and the set (Vb, Vb ') to the predetermined location detector _{(K 1, K 2, 100} ) the downward force variation means based on a detection signal (G) The wiper breakage preventing device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3 . 5. A glass position detecting means (K ₁ , K) for detecting a position of a windshield (f) or a position of a rear glass (r) of the vehicle (V).
The wiper breakage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the wiper damage prevention device is ( ₂ , 100). 6. The frame (1) and a vehicle (V)
A relative speed variable driving means (Dv) for performing a relative movement with a variable relative movement speed, wherein the control means (C) includes a rear wiper (Wr) having an upper surface rotating brush (B) on the upper surface of the vehicle body;
There detection interval portion comprising a mounting portion wherein the predetermined location detector so that the relative movement speed is slow controlled when (L ₃ ~L ₄₎ are washed _{(K 1, K 2, 100} ) The wiper breakage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the variable relative speed driving means (Dv) is controlled based on a signal. 7. A swing arm (10) is attached to the frame (1).
₁ and 10 ₂ ) are supported so as to be able to swing up and down, and the upper surface rotating brush (B) is attached to the tip of the swing arm (10 ₁ and 10 ₂ ).
The wiper breakage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the device is supported. 8. A woven or non-woven fabric (11) having a water-absorbing property on the outer periphery of a rotating body (11 ₂ ).
Characterized in that it is a fixed brush _2), the wiper damage prevention device of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 7.