JP3354315B2 - Vehicle body upper surface treatment device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the present invention, the upper surface of a vehicle such as an automobile is rotated by contacting an upper surface treatment body such as a top buff or a top brush, so that the upper surface of the vehicle body is subjected to a treatment such as polishing and washing. The present invention relates to a vehicle body upper surface processing apparatus.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a guide rail slidably suspended on a frame movable relative to a vehicle to be processed,
A top brush as an upper surface processing body rotatably drivable supported up and down along the guide rail, elevating drive means for driving the top brush up and down, return means for returning the guide rail to a neutral position, and top brush Detecting means for detecting the swing of the guide rail due to contact between the frame and the vehicle, and control means for controlling the operation of the elevating drive means based on the detection of the swing detecting means. Occasionally, when the swing detecting means detects that the guide rail swings by a predetermined angle or more due to the contact between the top brush and the vehicle, the lifting drive means is driven up, whereby the swing of the guide rail returns to the predetermined angle or less. When the rocking detection means detects that, the lifting drive of the lifting drive means is stopped, the top brush is brought into contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body, and the upper surface is cleaned. Body top surface cleaning apparatus are known (e.g. U.S. Pat. No. 3,688,329, JP-A-59-
In these known devices, as shown in FIG. 8, a guide rail G is pivotally supported at its upper end by a frame at its upper end, and a top brush T
The direction of rotation R _T of, in order to exhibit the brushing effect efficiently, the rotational direction of the contact side of the vehicle body upper surface of the brush T is set to be the same direction as the direction X of the relative motion with respect to the vehicle frame I have.

[0003]

In the conventional apparatus THE INVENTION An object you try solving] Since the rotation direction R _T of the guide upper end of the rail G is rotatably supported P 'in the frame and the top brush T is defined as described above, the brush T by the reaction force m by rotation, the swing biasing force M ₀ in the opposite direction R (i.e. a direction away from the vehicle) acts of the relative motion direction X relative to the vehicle frame to the guide rails G, as a result, the following Inconvenience occurs.

That is, in the conventional device, the guide rail G is moved from the neutral position N by the contact reaction force in the opposite direction R due to the contact between the top brush T and the vehicle during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle as described above. When the swing detecting unit detects that the swinging unit has swung in the opposite direction R by a predetermined angle or more, the vertical drive unit is driven upward, the top brush T rises, and the contact reaction force decreases accordingly. When the swing detecting means detects that the guide rail G attempts to return to the neutral position N direction by the urging means and returns to a predetermined angle or less, the lifting drive of the elevating drive means is stopped. , particularly when the guide rails G attempts to return to the neutral position N direction, the return operation, because of the swing biasing force M ₀ acting on the guide rails G due to the reaction force m by rotating the top brush T Is anti, return of the rail G is deteriorated as a result. Therefore, the guide rail G returns to a predetermined angle or less after the surface pressure of the top brush T becomes smaller than the appropriate surface pressure range or after the brush T separates from the upper surface of the vehicle body. There is a problem that the surface pressure of the brush T becomes less than an appropriate value or the brush T separates from the upper surface of the vehicle body, so that subsequent cleaning is insufficient. When the top brush moves from the rear glass surface to the ceiling surface when moving to the surface, or when going home, the top brush may be separated from the ceiling surface.

[0005] Such a problem is described, for example, in US Pat.
As disclosed in the specification of JP-A-88329, while the raising / lowering drive means is being raised, the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle is stopped to lower the rising speed of the top brush, but this can be solved to some extent. On the other hand, another problem arises in that the car washing time becomes longer. JP-A-59-96
In the system disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 034, it is necessary to reduce the running speed of the running frame to lower the rising speed of the top brush, so that the same problem as in the above-mentioned US Pat. No. 3,688,329 arises.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide an upper surface processing apparatus for a vehicle, which can solve the above problem by quickly returning a guide rail toward a neutral position. Is what you do.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame capable of relatively moving in the front-rear direction with respect to a vehicle to be processed, and a swingable frame. , A rotatable and drivable upper surface processing body supported along the guide rail, a vertical drive unit for raising and lowering the upper surface processing body, and returning the guide rail to a neutral position. Means, during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, the upper surface processing body to follow the upper surface of the vehicle body by swinging the guide rail and control of the elevating drive means, to process the upper surface, In the vehicle body upper surface processing apparatus, the lower end of the guide rail is pivotally supported on a frame to swing the guide rail.
The upper surface processing body rotates so that the rotation direction of the upper surface processing body on the side of contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body is the same as the direction of relative movement of the frame with respect to the vehicle. Are urged to swing in the relative movement direction.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a frame capable of relatively moving in the front-rear direction with respect to a vehicle to be processed, a guide rail provided on the frame so as to swing freely,
A rotatable upper surface processing body supported so as to be able to move up and down along the guide rail, elevating drive means for driving the upper surface processing body up and down, return means for returning the guide rail to a neutral position, and the upper surface processing body Swing detection means for detecting the swing of the guide rail due to contact with the vehicle, and control means for controlling the operation of the lifting drive means based on the detection of the swing detection means, the frame and the vehicle and to process the upper surface during the relative movement of said upper surface processed so as to follow the vehicle body upper surface, the vehicle body upper surface treatment apparatus for a vehicle, and axially supports the lower end of the guide rail on the frame該Ga
The idle rail is swingable, and the upper surface processing body rotates so that the rotation direction of the contact side of the upper surface processing body with the vehicle body upper surface is the same as the direction of relative movement of the frame with respect to the vehicle,
The guide rail is urged to swing in the relative movement direction by the reaction force of this rotation.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, in addition to the features of the first or second aspect, the guide rail at the neutral position is inclined in the relative movement direction with respect to a vertical line. According to the invention of claim 4, claim 1 or 2
In addition to the features of the invention, the frame reciprocates relative to the vehicle, and a neutral position moving means for moving the neutral position of the guide rail is provided between the frame and the guide rail, The neutral position is such that the guide rail in the neutral position inclines in the respective relative movement directions when the frame relatively moves in one direction or the other direction with respect to the vertical line with respect to the vertical line. Activate the position moving means.

[0010]

According to the constitution of the invention of each claim, the swing urging force acting on the guide rail by the reaction force due to the rotation of the upper surface processing body is:
Working in the direction to return the guide rail toward the neutral position, the guide rail can be quickly returned from the swinging position to the neutral position, and as a result, the upper surface treatment body is always reliably pressed against the upper surface of the vehicle body with the appropriate surface pressure. Can be contacted. Also, despite the fact that the rotation direction of the upper processing body is set as described above for the return biasing of the guide rails, the rotation direction of the upper processing body on the side of contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body is the same as that of the conventional apparatus in the frame relative to the vehicle. Because it is the same direction of the movement,
The effect of treating the upper surface of the vehicle body by the upper surface treatment body is efficiently exhibited.

[0011] In particular, according to the configuration of the invention of claim 3,
Since the guide rail in the neutral position is inclined relative to the vertical line in the direction of movement of the frame relative to the vehicle, the weight of the upper surface treatment body is minimized when the guide rail returns to the neutral position. Not only can it be avoided, but rather the same weight can be used for the return bias, and the return of the guide rail towards said neutral position is even faster.

Further, according to the configuration of the fourth aspect of the invention, the operation and effect of the third aspect of the present invention are effectively achieved when the frame relatively moves in one direction and in the other direction with respect to the vehicle. Achieved.

[0013]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention applied to a so-called mobile car washer in which a frame is moved with respect to a vehicle to be processed will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway front view of a mobile car washer equipped with the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the car washer along a line 2 in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3. In these figures, the traveling frame 1 of the mobile car washer W is formed in a gate shape so that the vehicle V can pass through. the front and rear side frame 1 _1, 1 _1, the drive wheels 3 and the driven wheels 4, 4 are respectively rotatably Jikuka, drive wheels 3 are side frames 1 ₁ of the traveling frame 1 It is connected via a reduction transmission mechanism to the travel motor 2, 2 is supported by the 1 _1. The drive wheels 3, 3 and the driven wheels 4, 4 are rollably mounted on traveling rails 5, 5 laid on an installation surface,
The traveling frame 1 is capable of forcibly reciprocating traveling by driving the traveling motor 2 in forward and reverse rotations.

The traveling frame 1 has a gate
A guide frame 6 formed in a mold is provided. This guide
The frame 6 is a left and right side frame of the traveling frame 1
1₁, 1 ₁A pair of left and right guides extending vertically along
Rails 8, 8 and ceiling frame 1 of running frame 1_Two
Extending in the left-right direction along the pair of guide rails
A connecting beam 9 that connects the upper ends of 8, 8 together in a bridge.
It is configured. Lower left and right of the guide frame 6,
The lower portions of the pair of guide rails 8, 8
The running of the running frame 1 is performed by the bearings 7 provided at the lower left and right sides.
It is pivoted P, P so that it can swing up and down along the row direction
I have.

The combined beam 9 is formed by a round pipe, and a synchronous shaft 11 is vertically passed through the inside thereof.
Both ends of the synchronous shaft 11 are connected to the pair of guide rails 8,
8 are rotatably supported by bearings 10 provided at the upper end.

As is clearly shown in FIG. 3, the pair of guide rails 8, 8 are constituted by channel members having cross-sections having open inner surfaces facing each other and having an open U-shape. Guide plates 12, 12 extending in the vertical direction are fixed to the wall surface.

The pair of left and right guide rails 8,
Paired left that is guided by
Right bogie C₁, C_TwoAre respectively provided. Right and left carriage
C₁, C _TwoAre mounted on the bogie bodies 15, 15 in pairs.
The riders 13 and 13 and a pair of guide rollers 14 and 14
And the sliders 13 and 13 are provided on the guide plate 1.
It is formed in a fork shape so as to sandwich 2 and 12
It is slidable along the guide plates 12, 12, and
In addition, the guide rollers 14 and 14
Rollably engaged with the inner wall surface,
Dolly C₁, C_TwoAre proposed for left and right guide rails 8,8 respectively
It can be moved up and down inside.

A top buff support shaft 16 extending across the guide frame 6 is fixedly supported by the left and right trolleys C ₁ and C _2. The top buff support shaft 16 has a hollow rotary shaft 18 to which a top buff 17 is attached. Are rotatably inserted and supported. A driven sprocket 19 is fixed to one end (the right end in FIG. 1) of the rotating shaft 18. On one bogie C ₂ (right side in FIG. 1), the bogie main body 15 has a support frame 1.
5a are provided integrally, and this support frame 15a has
The rotational drive means of the top buff 17, ie, the motor 20
The driving sprocket 21 fixed to the driving shaft of the motor 20 is connected to the driven sprocket 19 via an endless chain 22. The forward / reverse driving of the motor 20 causes the top buff 17 and the rotating shaft 18 to rotate. It can rotate forward and backward.

At the lower part of the left and right guide rails 8,
The right and left bogies C respectively₁, C_TwoLifting drive, lifting drive
A torque motor with reduction gears 31, 31 forming a pair as a means.
Are supported symmetrically.
The motors 23 and 23 are provided on the front surface of the traveling frame 1.
Connected to the voltage changing means VR. Torque motor
Drive sprockets 2 are provided on the driving shafts 23 and 23, respectively.
4 and 24 are fixed, while both ends of the synchronous shaft 11 are fixed.
The driven sprockets corresponding to the driving sprockets 24, 24
Prokets 25, 25 are fixed, and drive and
And between driven sprockets 24, 24 and 25, 25
Are chains 26, 2 housed in the guide rails 8, 8.
6 are suspended, and one of the chains 26, 26 is
The free end is the trolley C₁, C_TwoAttached to the underside of the
The other free end of them is the cart C ₁, C_TwoOn the top of
Is being worn. Therefore, the torque motors 23, 23
According to the synchronous forward / reverse rotation drive of the left and right carriages C₁, C_TwoThe same
It can be driven up and down in anticipation.

On the outer side of the upper part of the left and right guide rails 8,
Each of the pulleys 27, 27 is rotatably supported and guide bars 29, 29 are fixed along the vertical direction thereof, and the guide bars 29, 29 are guided by the guide bars 29, 29 so that they can move up and down. Balance weights 28, 28 are inserted so as to be able to move up and down. One free end of the wire 30, 30 to be suspended around each pulley 27 and 27, are bound to the top surface of the balance weight 28, also those of the other free end of the carriage C _1, C ₂ It is bound to the upper surface.

The weights of the balance weights 28, 28 and the torque motors 23, 23
Is set so that the frictional resistance of the lifting drive system of the top buff 17 and the weight of the top buff 17 are substantially balanced, whereby the torque motors 23 and 23 are inoperative and the top buff 17 is in a free state ( When the top buff 17 is not in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle, and when a lifting force of a predetermined value or more is not acting on the top buff 17, the top buff 17 does not move in any of the upper and lower directions.
The current position is maintained, while the top buff 1
The top buff 17 is raised when a predetermined lifting force acts on the upper surface of the vehicle body 7 in contact with the vehicle body 7.

In a middle portion of one guide rail 8 (left side in FIG. 1), a lower limit position detecting switch 32 for detecting the lower limit position of the top buff 17 and an upper limit position detecting switch 33 thereof are provided vertically. Provided at intervals,
These switches 32 and 33 are operated by magnets 34 provided on the carriage main body 15, respectively. Upper limit stoppers 53, 53 are fixed to the upper portions of the left and right guide rails 8, 8 and lower limit stoppers 54, 54 are fixed to the lower portions thereof. These stoppers 53, 53, 54, 5
4 is a top buff 17 by abutting with the bogie bodies 15 and 15.
The upper and lower limit positions are regulated.

The left and right guide movable spring receiving piece 55, 55 to the upper end of the rail 8, 8 are provided integrally, and on the ceiling frame portion 1 ₂ of the traveling frame 1, the movable spring receiving pieces 55,
55, fixed spring receiving pieces 56, 56 and 5
7 and 57 are fixed, and each movable spring receiving piece 5
5 and a fixed spring receiving piece 56, 57, a neutral spring 35 composed of a pair of coil springs as return means.
_1, 35 ₂ are compressed state. The resilient force of these neutral springs 35 _1, 35 ₂ acts as a return force returning the guide rails 8,8 in a substantially vertical neutral position N. Above the combined beam 9 of the guide frame 6, a small-angle detection switch 39 and a large-angle detection switch 40 are provided on the traveling frame 1 at an interval, while the combined beam 9 is provided with the two switches 39. , 40 and an actuator 41 for operating them is provided. The small-angle switch 39 is actuated by the actuator 41 when the guide frame 6 swings from the substantially vertical neutral position N to the front F or the rear R around the shaft support P by a predetermined small angle or more. The large angle switch 40 swings the guide frame 6 from the substantially vertical neutral position N to the front F or the rear R around the shaft support P at a predetermined large angle or more. In this case, the angle can be detected by being actuated by the actuator 41. Thus, the small-angle switch 39 and the actuator 41 constitute a swing detecting means of the guide frame 6.

On the front surface of the traveling frame 1, a traveling position detecting means 42, a start switch 48, a control means 47 for controlling the car washer W, and a voltage changing means V for the torque motor 23 are provided.
R and the like are collectively arranged, and the traveling position detecting means 4
Reference numeral 2 denotes traveling by adding the pulse of the rotary encoder 45 from when the start position detection switch 43 provided on the traveling frame 1 is separated from the operation cam 44 in the case of going forward and subtracting in the case of going backward. The running position from the start position of the frame can be detected, and a conventionally known one is used. A photoelectric sensor for detecting the rear end of the vehicle V to be polished is located forward of the rotation center of the top buff 17 when the guide rails 8 and 8 are at the neutral position N at a lower front portion of the traveling frame 1. The light emitter 46A and the light receiver 46B of the sensor 46 are fixed. Stop position indicators 50, 50 indicating the stop positions of the front wheels of the vehicle V to be polished are fixed on the installation surface between the traveling rails 5, 5.

The control means 47 rotates the top buff 17 in the forward rotation of the traveling frame 1 as described later (FIG. 4,
Counter-clockwise rotation) and reverse rotation when going back (Fig. 5,
(Clockwise rotation). When the traveling frame 1 moves in the forward direction, the top buff 17 rotates forward, so that the rotation direction of the buff 17 on the contact side with the upper surface of the vehicle body is the front F, that is, the relative movement direction X of the traveling frame 1 with respect to the vehicle V. In the same direction, the polishing effect of the top buff 17 on the upper surface of the vehicle body is efficiently exhibited. In addition, with the forward rotation of the top buff 17, the guide frame 6, which supports the buff 17, pivots around the center of rotation of the top buff 17 in a direction opposite to the rotation direction (ie, the reaction force) as shown in FIG. A force torque m) acts, and the reaction force causes the guide frame 6 to move the guide frame 6 around a pivot P at the lower end of the frame 6 in a forward F direction.
(I.e., a swing urging force M that oscillates in the direction X of the relative movement of the traveling frame 1 with respect to the vehicle V). The swinging guide frame 6 can be quickly returned to the neutral position N.

When the traveling frame 1 moves backward, the top buff 17 rotates in the reverse direction so that the rotation direction of the buff 17 on the contact side with the upper surface of the vehicle body is the rearward direction R, that is, the relative movement direction X of the traveling frame 1 with respect to the vehicle V. ', The polishing effect of the top buff 17 on the upper surface of the vehicle body is efficiently exhibited. In addition, with the reverse rotation of the top buff 17, the guide frame 6 supporting the buff 17 has a reaction force (that is, a reaction force) around the rotation center of the top buff 17 in the direction opposite to the rotation direction as shown in FIG. The reaction torque causes the guide frame 6 to swing around the pivot P at the lower end of the frame 6 toward the rear R (that is, the direction X 'of relative movement of the traveling frame 1 with respect to the vehicle V). As a result, an oscillating urging force M 'is generated.
The guide frame 6 that has swung forward F can be quickly returned to the neutral position N as described later.

Reference numeral 49 in the figure denotes a side buff for polishing the side surface of the vehicle.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention will be described mainly with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 4 is a polishing process diagram of the upper surface of the vehicle body when the traveling frame 1 moves in the forward direction, and FIG.
FIG. 8 is a polishing process diagram of the upper surface of the vehicle body at the time of returning.

[0031] The running frame 1 is stopped at a start position (FIG. 4, left end position). This position is detected when the start position detection switch 43 is operated by the cam 44. If you press the start switch 48 here,
Due to the rotation of the motor 20, the top buff 17 at the upper limit position (a) is rotated forward (rotation in the counterclockwise direction in FIG. 4), and the elevating torque motors 23 are driven to rotate forward with the first voltage. The top buff 17 descends from the upper limit position (a). When Toppubafu 17 is moved down to a lower limit position (B) position, the torque motor 23, 23 by the operation of the lower limit detection switch 32 is deactivated, the carriage C _1, C ₂ is abutting the lower limit stopper 54 As a result, the top buff 17 stops descending, and the traveling frame 1 starts going forward by the forward rotation of the traveling motors 2 and 2.

[0032] As the traveling frame 1 moves forward, the top buff 17 at the lower limit position reaches the position (c) and reaches above the front end of the hood surface of the vehicle V.

At this time, when the height of the hood of the vehicle V is relatively low as shown in FIG. 4C, the guide frame 6 is held at the substantially vertical neutral position and the top buff 17 is The lower surface comes into contact with the front end of the hood of the vehicle V, and the top buff 17 rises along the guide rails 8 by applying a predetermined or more lifting force to the top buff 17 due to the contact reaction force at that time. Next, if the lifting force acting on the top buff 17 decreases to a predetermined value or less due to the elevation of the top buff 17, the elevation of the top buff 17 stops. In this manner, the top buff 17 moves along the hood surface of the vehicle V, and the top buff 17 can buff or polish the hood surface with an appropriate surface pressure.

As shown in FIG. 4C, in the case of the vehicle V 'having a relatively high bonnet surface, when the top buff 17 comes into contact with the front end of the bonnet, the contact reaction force causes the rearward reaction. pushed, thereby guiding frame 6 is swung backwards R (Fig. 4 left) axially supported P portion around a substantially vertical neutral position N against the return force by the neutral spring 35 _1, 35 _2. As a result, the small-angle switch 39 is actuated, and the lift torque motors 23, 23 are reversely driven with the second voltage by the control signal from the control means 47 which receives the detection signal therefrom, and the top buff 17 is forcibly raised. Is done. According Toppubafu 17 is raised by the raised operative, gradually reduces the contact reaction force pushing the Toppubafu 17 rearwardly R, the guide frame 6 is rocking in a direction back to the neutral position N by the return force by the neutral spring 35 _1, 35 ₂ Move. If the small-angle switch 39 becomes inoperative due to this swing, the elevating torque motors 23 become inoperative, and the top buff 17 is raised by the lifting force due to the contact reaction force. At this time, as described above, the swing urging force M acting on the guide frame 6 by the reaction force due to the rotation of the top buff 17 moves the frame 6 to the neutral position N.
The guide frame 6 quickly returns from the swinging position of the rear R to the neutral position N, and the top buff 17.
The small-angle switch 39 is deactivated before the contact pressure of the second contact becomes smaller than the appropriate contact pressure range. Thereby, the top buff 17
Can polish the bonnet surface with an appropriate surface pressure. Next, the top buff 17 is raised and the top buff 1 is increased.
If the lifting force acting on the pressure 7 decreases to a predetermined value or less, the top buff 17 stops rising.

[0035] If the top buff 17 comes to the position (d), which is the boundary between the hood and the front glass surface, from the position (c) due to the continuation of the traveling of the traveling frame 1, the top buff 17 comes into contact with the inclined surface of the windshield and becomes neutral. The small angle switch 39 is operated by swinging leftward against the return force of the springs 35 ₁ and 35 ₂ . Thereby, the control means 47
, The torque motors 23, 23 are driven again in the reverse direction with the second voltage, and the top buff 17 is guided by the guide rails 8, 8.
Rise along. As the top buff 17 rises,
Toppubafu 17 continue to decrease the contact reaction force that pushes backward R is, the guide frame 6 swings in the direction back to the neutral position N by the return force by the neutral spring 35 _1, 35 _2. When the small angle switch 39 becomes inoperative due to this swing, the torque motors 23 also become inoperative. Then, the top buff 17 is raised by receiving a repulsive force due to contact with the windshield of the vehicle body. As described above, the top buff 17 rises along the front glass surface while polishing the front glass surface by repeating the operation and non-operation of the lifting torque motors 23 based on the forward and backward swing of the guide frame 6. At this time, similarly to the bonnet surface, the swing biasing force M acting on the guide frame 6 by the reaction force due to the rotation of the top buff 17 acts in the direction of returning the frame 6 to the neutral position N, so that the guide frame 6 swings rearward R. From the position to the neutral position N in the direction of the top buff 1
The small angle switch 39 is deactivated before the surface pressure of 7 becomes smaller than the appropriate surface pressure range. Thereby, top buff 1
7 can polish the windshield surface with an appropriate surface pressure.

[0036] As the traveling frame 1 continues to move forward, the top buff 17 comes to the position (e) and moves from the windshield surface to the roof surface. At this time, when the small angle switch 39 is operated, as the top buff 17 is raised by the operation of the lifting / lowering torque motors 23, the contact reaction force for pushing the top buff 17 rearward R is reduced, and the guide frame 6 is neutralized. swings in a direction to return to the neutral position N by the return force of the spring 35 _1, 35 _2. If the small angle switch 39 becomes inoperative due to this swing, the torque motors 23, 23
Will also be disabled. At this time, like the bonnet surface,
Since the swing biasing force M acting on the guide frame 6 by the reaction force due to the rotation of the top buff 17 acts in a direction to return the frame 6 to the neutral position N, the guide frame 6 quickly moves from the swing position rearward R toward the neutral position N. Returning, the small angle switch 39 is deactivated before the surface pressure of the top buff 17 becomes smaller than the appropriate surface pressure range, so that the top buff 17 can polish the roof surface from the windshield surface with the appropriate surface pressure.

In this process, depending on the shape of the body of the automobile, the guide frame 6 swings largely to the left, and the large-angle switch 40 may operate.
When the traveling of the traveling frame 1 is temporarily stopped by stopping the operation of the traveling motor 2 and the large-angle switch 40 is deactivated,
The traveling of the traveling frame 1 is restarted.

[0038] As the traveling frame 1 continues to travel, the top buff 17 reaches the position (f) on the roof surface of the vehicle body,
Polices the roof surface, that the traveling frame 1 has reached a predetermined distance L ₁ which is previously set from the start position, the traveling position detecting means 42 detects, thereby elevating motor 23 is in the third voltage The top buff 17 is driven forward, and the top buff 17 descends.
The top buff 17 can be efficiently polished on the roof surface by contacting the roof surface with an appropriate surface pressure by balancing with the contact reaction force received from the roof surface.

[0039] When the top buff 17 polishes the roof surface and reaches the rear end position (g), the contact reaction force received from the vehicle body surface decreases, and the top buff 17 descends along the rear glass surface. At this time, since the elevating torque motors 23, 23 continue the forward rotation drive from the position (f) of the previous stroke, the top buff 17 can polish the rear glass surface without leaving the surface.

[0040] The top buff 17 has finished polishing on the rear glass surface and is at the front position on the trunk surface (h).
When it reaches the position, the top buff 17 is
When the lowering force by the lever 23 and the contact reaction force received from the trunk surface are balanced, the lowering of the top buff 17 stops,
The top buff 17 can polish the trunk surface with an appropriate surface pressure.

[0041] The forward stroke continues traveling frame 1, a photoelectric sensor 46 provided on the traveling frame 1 detects the rear end of the vehicle V, the travel position L ₂ to be detected by the traveling position detecting means 42 are stored.

When the top buff 17 passes the rear end of the vehicle V, its lowering is stopped by the lower limit stopper 54. When the traveling frame 1 reaches the forward stop position (the right end position in FIG. 4, the return start position), the traveling frame 1
Stops, the top buff 17 reaches the position (i), and the polishing of the upper surface of the vehicle body by the forward movement of the traveling frame 1 ends.

Next, at the forward end position of the traveling frame 1, that is, the return start position (the right end position in FIG. 5), the top-down buff 1
7 is driven in the reverse direction (clockwise direction in FIG. 5) to move the traveling frame 1 backward. Thereafter, when the traveling frame 1 goes forward (b)
By the same action as from to (f), the trunk surface of the vehicle,
The rear glass surface can be polished. In this case, the guide frame 6 comes into contact with the vehicle body surface and the front F (FIG. 5,
(Right side), and when returning from the swinging position in front F toward the neutral position N, as described above, the top buff 17
The swing urging force M 'acting on the guide frame 6 due to the reaction force due to the reverse rotation assists the return operation of the guide frame 6, so that the return can be performed quickly.

As the traveling frame 1 continues to return, the top buff 17 reaches the roof surface and the traveling position detecting means 42
But when it detects that became traveling position go-around by a predetermined distance B set in advance from the traveling position L _2, lifting the torque motor 23 is driven to rotate normally at the third voltage.
As a result, the top buff 17 is moved to (
The roof surface and the bonnet surface are polished by the same operation as in (1) to (4).

When the traveling frame 1 reaches the forward end position, that is, the start position (the left end position in FIG. 5), the reversing of the traveling frame 1 and the rotation of the top buff 17 are stopped, and the torque motors 23, 23 are driven in reverse to drive the top buff. The top buff 17 is stopped at the upper limit position when the carriages C ₁ , C ₂ abut against the upper limit stoppers 53, 53, and the polishing of the traveling frame 1 in the regression is completed.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. This embodiment differs from the previous embodiment in that a neutral position moving means 58 is provided in the apparatus of the previous embodiment. That is, the neutral position moving means 58
A pair of front and rear fixed spring receiving pieces 56 and 57 integrally connected via a connecting member extending in the front and rear direction, a spring receiving joint J, and a cylinder 59 having the joint J fixed to the tip of the piston rod 60; The base end of the cylinder 59 is pivotally supported 61 on the traveling frame 1. In a state where the cylinder 59 is extended, the guide rail 8 is moved forward of the traveling frame 1 as shown by a solid line in FIG.
(I.e., in the forward direction), it can be held at the forward neutral position 8A in a state of being inclined by a predetermined angle, while in the state where the cylinder 59 is contracted, the guide rails 8 are shown as chain lines in FIG. Can be held at the neutral position 8B at the time of going-back in a state where it is inclined at a predetermined angle to the rear R (that is, the backward direction) of the traveling frame 1. In the illustrated example, the spring受結combined weight of J or the like via the neutral spring 35 _1, 35 ₂ have been so as to support the guide frame 6, allowing the expansion and contraction of the cylinder 59 and spring受結coalescence J Stopper means (not shown) that engages with the cylinder 59 or the spring receiving joint J or the like may be provided on the traveling frame 1 so as to support such weight.

The small angle switch 39 and the large angle switch 4
0 is set so as to operate when the guide rail 8 swings from the neutral position 8A at the time of going forward to the neutral position 8B at the time of going backward at the time of going forward of the traveling frame 1 by a predetermined small angle and a large angle, respectively. Also, when the traveling frame 1 moves backward, the guide rail 8 is actuated when the guide rail 8 swings from the neutral position 8B at the time of returning to the neutral position 8A at the time of going forward by a predetermined small angle and a large angle, respectively. Arranged in pairs (not shown)
Have been. The small angle switch 39 is provided so as to operate before swinging from the neutral position 8A (8B) to the vertical position. The rest of the configuration is exactly the same as in the previous embodiment.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. When the traveling frame 1 moves forward as shown in FIG. 4, the cylinder 59 is extended to set the neutral position of the guide rail 8 to the neutral position 8A during traveling, and as shown in FIG.
During the return, the cylinder 59 is contracted to set the neutral position of the guide rail 8 to the return neutral position 8B. According to such a configuration, the top buff 17 is brought into the neutral position 8A (8) by the contact reaction force due to the contact between the top buff 17 and the vehicle V.
B) When returning in the direction, not only can the weight of the top buff 17 itself be reduced as much as possible, but rather the same weight can be used for the return bias, so that the guide rail 8 can be used in comparison with the previous embodiment. Can be returned to the neutral position more quickly.

Incidentally, as disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 5-3055862, the return means and the neutral position moving means 58 may be biasing holding means comprising a cylinder, a torque motor or the like.

In each of the above embodiments, instead of controlling the lifting / lowering drive means based on the detection of the small angle switch 39, the load of the motor 20 is detected based on the detection of the load by means of current, power, rotation speed, and the like. Thus, the lifting drive means may be controlled so that the load of the motor 20 is within a predetermined load value. Also in this case, the guide rail can be quickly returned from the swinging position toward the neutral position, so that the top buff 17 does not repeatedly rise and stop when the upper surface of the vehicle body is inclined upward, so that the top buff 17 can follow the upper surface of the vehicle body. Will be better.
The small angle switch 39 and the load detecting means of the motor 20 are contact state detecting means for detecting a state in which the top buff 17 is in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body.

In each of the above embodiments, the height of the vehicle is detected as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 1-164654 instead of controlling the elevation drive means based on the detection of the small angle switch 39. A vehicle height sensor may be provided, and the elevation drive unit may be controlled based on the detection signal of the vehicle height sensor and the traveling position detection unit. Also in this case, since the guide rail can be quickly returned from the swinging position toward the neutral position, the top buff 17 can follow the upper surface of the vehicle body when the upper surface of the vehicle body is inclined upward.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments, and various embodiments are possible within the scope of the present invention. For example, in the above-described embodiment, the case where the present invention is applied to a mobile car washer has been described. However, it is needless to say that this can be applied to a fixed car wash in which the vehicle V is moved back and forth with respect to a fixed frame. Outside the top buff, a top brush or other top surface treatment body may be used, and a single lifting torque motor may be used. Alternatively, a normal three-phase induction motor may be used. Further, the guide frame for supporting the upper surface processing body such as the top buff may not be a gate type, and the guide rail constituting the frame may be one. The return means for returning the guide frame to the neutral position may be an elastic member such as another spring or rubber in addition to the coil spring. In the case of an apparatus that performs processing with the upper surface processing body only at the time of going forward or only at the time of returning, the guide frame 6 may be capable of swinging upward and downward from the neutral position N to either the front F or the rear R.

[0053]

As described above, according to the present invention, the guide rail
The lower end of the rail to the frame to swing the guide rail
And freely, its guide rail a top processed vertically movable support, its upper surface treating body, rotated such that the rotational direction of the contact side with that of the vehicle body upper surface a relative motion in the same direction relative to the vehicle frame Since the guide rail is oscillated in the relative movement direction by the reaction force of the rotation, the oscillating urging force acting on the guide rail by the reaction force due to the rotation of the upper surface processing body is neutralized by the guide rail. It can work in the direction to return to the position direction, which allows the guide rail to be quickly returned from the swinging position to the neutral position, so that the upper surface treatment body always comes in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with the proper surface pressure. In addition, since the upper surface treatment body also serves as an urging means for quickly returning the guide rail toward the neutral position, the structure of the apparatus can be simplified. Even if the rotation direction of the upper processing body is set as described above for the return bias of the guide rail, the rotation direction of the upper processing body on the contact side with the upper surface of the vehicle body is the same as that of the conventional device in the relative motion of the frame with respect to the vehicle. Since the direction is the same as the direction, there is no fear that the processing effect on the upper surface of the vehicle body by the upper surface processing body is reduced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the guide rail in the neutral position is inclined in the direction of the relative movement of the frame with respect to the vertical line, the guide rail is moved toward the neutral position. In addition to minimizing the resistance of the upper surface treatment body when returning, the same weight can be used for return biasing, so that the guide rail can be returned to the neutral position more quickly. it can.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the above-mentioned effect of claim 3 can be effectively exerted both when the frame is moved relative to the vehicle in one direction and when the frame is moved relative to the vehicle in another direction. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway schematic front view of a mobile car washer equipped with the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the car washer taken along line 2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged sectional view taken along line 3-3 in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a polishing process of the upper surface of the vehicle body when the traveling frame travels forward.

FIG. 5 is a polishing process diagram of the upper surface of the vehicle body when the traveling frame goes home.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the rotation of the upper surface processing body when the traveling frame goes forward and backward, and the swing biasing force of the guide rail due to the rotation.

FIG. 7 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, showing a main part of another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a schematic explanatory view of a conventional apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Running frame as frame 8 Guide rail 17 Top buff as upper surface treatment body 20 Motor as rotation drive means 23 Torque motor as elevation drive means 35 ₁ Neutral spring as return means 35 ₂ Neutral spring as return means 39 Swing Small angle detection switch as detection means 40 Large angle detection switch as rocking detection means 41 Actuator as rocking detection means 47 Control means 58 Neutral position moving means P Shaft support N Neutral position V Vehicle

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. A frame (1) that can move relative to a vehicle (V) to be processed in the front-rear direction, a guide rail (8) swingably provided on the frame (1), An upper surface processing body (17) supported rotatably up and down along a rail (8), and an upper surface processing body (1);
Lifting means (23) for lifting and lowering the guide rail (8); and returning means (35 ₁ , 3) for returning the guide rail (8) to the neutral position.
5 ₂ ), and the upper surface treatment body (1) is controlled by the swing of the guide rail (8) and the control of the elevation drive means (23) during the relative movement between the frame (1) and the vehicle (V).
7) following the upper surface of the vehicle body to process the upper surface, wherein the lower end of the guide rail (8 ) is supported by the frame (1).
(P) to allow the guide rail (8) to swing freely, and the upper surface processing body (17) has a rotation direction on the side of contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the vehicle (V) of the frame (1). An apparatus for processing the upper surface of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the guide rail (8) is rotated so as to be in the same direction as the relative movement direction, and the guide rail (8) is oscillated in the relative movement direction by a reaction force of the rotation. 2. A frame (1) capable of relatively moving in the front-rear direction with respect to a vehicle (V) to be processed, a guide rail (8) swingably provided on the frame (1), An upper surface processing body (17) supported rotatably up and down along a rail (8), and an upper surface processing body (1);
Lifting means (23) for lifting and lowering the guide rail (8); and returning means (35 ₁ , 3) for returning the guide rail (8) to the neutral position.
5 and _2), the top surface treated with (17) and the vehicle (the shaking motion detecting section for detecting the guide swing rail (8) by contact with V) (39, 41), the shaking motion detecting section ( 39,
41) a control means (47) for controlling the operation of the elevating drive means (23) based on the detection of 41), and the upper surface processing body (17) is moved when the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) move relative to each other. In the vehicle body upper surface processing apparatus configured to process the upper surface by following the upper surface of the vehicle body, a lower end of the guide rail (8 ) is supported by a frame (1).
(P) to allow the guide rail (8) to swing freely, and the upper surface processing body (17) has a rotation direction on the side of contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with respect to the vehicle (V) of the frame (1). An apparatus for processing the upper surface of a vehicle body of a vehicle, wherein the guide rail (8) is rotated so as to be in the same direction as the relative movement direction, and the guide rail (8) is oscillated in the relative movement direction by a reaction force of the rotation. 3. A guide rail (8) in said neutral position.
The vehicle body upper surface processing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the device is inclined in the relative movement direction with respect to a vertical line. 4. The frame (1) reciprocates relative to the vehicle (V), and a neutral position of the guide rail (8) is provided between the frame (1) and the guide rail (8). A neutral position moving means (58) is provided for moving the guide rail (8) in the neutral position with respect to a vertical line and the frame (1) relative to the vehicle (V) in one direction. 3. The vehicle body according to claim 1, wherein the neutral position moving means (58) is actuated so as to be inclined in the respective relative movement directions when the vehicle moves and also in the other direction. Upper surface processing equipment.