JP3401064B2 - Car wash equipment - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car washer for automatically cleaning the body of an automobile that has entered a car wash space by running the car wash main body or the automobile, and more particularly to a car wash space. The present invention relates to a car wash device provided with a car wash receiving device that is installed nearby and that receives a selection input of a car wash fee, car wash contents, and the like, separately from the car wash machine. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this kind of car washing apparatus, for example, one described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 48-5267 is known. In other words, a car wash receiving device separate from the car wash machine is provided in front of the car wash space, and a car wash fee is charged to the accepting device, and then a car can be received by entering the car wash space. . [0003] In the conventional car washing apparatus as described above, when a customer stands up, the next car waits for the previous car to complete the car washing operation and to leave the car washing space, and then the next customer pays a fee to enter the car washing space. You will enter. By the way, recent car wash apparatuses are prepared with various kinds of car wash menus in response to diversification of needs and vehicle types, and customers need to select a favorite menu from such various car wash menus. For this reason, in the conventional method of charging a fee and selecting a menu after the previous car wash has been completed,
It took time and effort for the next car to enter the car wash space, and there was an inconvenience that a smooth car wash service was not possible. In addition, it is necessary for unskilled customers to have enough time to select and operate from various menus, but if customers are eager, they will not be able to spend enough time on operations and will be inadvertently operated. There was also. [0004] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to make it possible to promptly enter the next car after the previous car has been washed, and for the customer to select a car wash menu. The problem is whether a car wash device that can take a sufficient time for the car wash can be obtained. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a car washer for automatically cleaning the body of an automobile that has entered a car wash space by running the car washer body on rails, and is separate from the car washer. A car wash receiving device that is installed near the car wash space and receives a car wash fee and a selection input of car wash contents, etc., and operates a car wash machine in accordance with the content received after the car wash receiving device accepts a car wash. In, the car washer and the car wash accepting device are connected via a signal line, and in a standby state in which the car wash is not performed, the car wash machine stops at the rear end of the travel range given by the rail as a standby position and stops. When a car wash request signal is received from the car wash reception device, the car wash operation starts after the car enters, and the car wash machine returns to the standby position and the car wash ends. Then, the car wash machine body is continuously advanced to urge the car to leave, and when it is determined that the car has left, the car wash machine body is retracted to the standby position, and when it returns to the standby position, an end signal is output to the car wash reception device. The car wash receiving device enables the reception of a reservation for the next car wash during the car wash operation of the car wash machine, stores the contents of the received car wash, waits for an end signal from the car wash machine, and stores the stored car wash. A feature of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problem by outputting a car wash request signal. Thus, while the previous car is being washed, a reservation can be accepted in the car wash receiving device, and selection inputs of the car wash fee and the content of the car wash can be received in advance. Since the car wash request is output for the reserved car wash after waiting for the end of the car wash by the machine, it is possible to immediately move to the next car wash when the car wash of the previous car is completed. An embodiment will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 is an explanatory plan view of the embodiment, and FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of the same. Reference numeral 1 denotes a car washer provided in a car wash space, which is formed in a gate shape and reciprocates on the rails 2.2 so as to straddle the car A, and the body of the car A is automatically moved by brushes and various nozzles provided there. It is a well-known portal type car washer for washing and drying. Here, the car wash space refers to a space within a range in which the car wash machine 1 can be moved by at least the rails 2. The car washer 1 normally stops at the rear end of the travel range provided by the rails 2 and 2 and starts car washing from this position. The car wash machine 1 is different from a normal gate-type car wash machine in that the following various safety devices 3, 4,... Are provided so that ordinary customers can receive a car wash by self-service without the assistance of a clerk.
5 are provided. Reference numeral 3 denotes a touch sensor protruding below each of the front and rear of the car washer 1, and detects that a person, an automobile, or the like comes into contact with the protruding portion, and stops traveling of the car washer 1. Reference numeral 4 denotes an object detection sensor provided at the rear of the car washer 1, which emits ultrasonic waves and detects reflected waves to detect whether or not there is an object approaching within a predetermined range.
When the vehicle is moved backward, for example, if an automobile or the like is behind the car washer 1, it is detected and the traveling of the car washer 1 is stopped. Reference numeral 5 denotes a horn detection sensor for detecting generation of a sound pressure of a predetermined level or more in a predetermined frequency band. The horn detects a horn emitted from the car A during car washing and stops the car washing operation. Reference numeral 6 denotes the rails 2.2 without the car A being biased.
An entrance guide 7 guides the tires so that the vehicle can enter the middle position of the vehicle. Reference numeral 7 denotes a tire stopper that stops the entering vehicle at a predetermined position. The tire stopper 7 has a built-in air cylinder or the like and normally functions as a tire stopper by protruding from the ground, and operates such that when the car A exits, it falls down so that the car can pass through the car washer 1 and exit. Reference numeral 8 denotes a stop position sensor provided adjacent to the tire stopper 7, which detects with a limit switch or the like that a plate protruding from the ground due to spring pressure is stepped on by the tire and falls down.
It detects that it stopped at the position of. Reference numeral 9 denotes a stop guide light provided on the front of the car washer 1 to turn on a display such as "Please stop" so as to guide the vehicle that has entered the car wash space to stop at a predetermined stop position. Reference numeral 10 denotes an exit guide light standing behind the car washer 1 to illuminate an arrow or a display such as "Please exit" to prompt the exit after the car wash. Reference numeral 11 denotes a car wash receiving device installed at the entrance of the car in front of the car wash space, for selecting and inputting a car wash fee, car wash contents, etc., which will be described in detail later. 12 is a gate installed between the car wash reception device 11 and the car wash space,
It is a type that raises and lowers by rotating a well-known pole in a parking lot or the like.
To give permission. Reference numeral 13 denotes an approach guide light provided at the gate 12, which illuminates an arrow or a display such as "Please enter" to prompt the approach of a car. Reference numeral 14 denotes an automobile detection sensor provided in the car wash reception device 11, and the object detection sensor 4
And detects the approach of the car to the car wash receiving device 11 and the gate 12. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of this embodiment. Reference numeral 20 denotes a control board of the car wash machine 1, reference numeral 21 denotes a reception control board of the car wash reception device 11, both of which are provided with microcomputers. Are connected by a serial transmission cable 22 such as RS485. The control board 20 is connected to the reception control board 21 via a cable 22.
Based on the transmitted car wash request signal, the signal from each of the sensors 3, 4, 5, and 8 is monitored to execute the car wash, and also controls the operation of the tire stopper 7 and the exit guide light 10. The reception control board 21 receives a car wash fee and a selection input on the operation panel 23, outputs a car wash request signal to the control board 20 based on the received signal, and detects an end signal and the like from the control board to detect the gate 12 and the entrance guidance. The light 13 is controlled. Reference numeral 38 denotes an audio guide unit provided in the car wash receiving device 11, which performs an operation guide on the operation panel 23, an entrance guide to a car wash space, and the like by voice. For example, when a car is placed sideways on the car wash reception device 11, this is detected by the car detection sensor 14, and an announcement such as "Please come and insert a card or coin" is output, and thereafter operation on the operation panel 23 is performed. Each time a request is made, the next necessary operation is announced in an interactive manner, and the first customer is guided to operate without being confused. In addition, when car washing becomes possible, an announcement such as "Please enter" is prompted to enter the car. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation panel 23. The operation panel 23 includes a charge receiving unit 24 that receives a car wash fee.
And a key input unit 25 for receiving a selection input or the like, and a status display unit 26 for lighting and displaying the reception status with an LED. The fee receiving unit 24 includes a card reader / writer 27 that accepts a known prepaid card, a coin insertion unit 28 that accepts coins, and an amount display unit 29 that displays the remaining number of inserted cards or the inserted amount of coins. We accept car wash fee by card or coin. The key input unit 25 includes a course selection key 30 in which two types of car washing courses “A” and “B” are set according to the presence / absence of waxing processing for each vehicle type such as “normal car”, “jeep type”, and “wagon”. And "side pole" and "roof carrier"
A projection designation key 31 for designating the presence or absence of a projection such as a “roof spoiler” or a “rear spoiler”, and a reservation key 32 for confirming the contents inputted by the selection key 30 and the designation key 31
And a cancel key 33 for canceling the input contents. An operation guide lamp 34, which is lit in accordance with the operation procedure and indicates operation support, is arranged in an appropriate place in the fee reception section 24 and the key input section 25 as shown in the figure, so that even an unfamiliar customer can operate easily. I will guide you. That is, first, a card or coin is inserted into the fee receiving section 24, and then a vehicle type and a car wash course are designated with the course selection key 30, and the presence / absence of a projection is designated with the projection designation key. If you press 32, car wash reception is completed. When the car wash fee is received by card, when the reservation key 32 is pressed, the card data is subtracted according to the selected vehicle type and the amount of the car wash course, and the card is returned. If there is a mistake in the key input or the like, pressing the cancel key 33 before pressing the reservation key 32 cancels the specification by the previous key input, so that the key input may be performed again. The status display sections 26 each indicate "acceptable".
Lamp 35 indicating each state such as "reserving" and "pausing"
If the car wash can be accepted, "acceptable"; if the reservation input has already been completed, "reserved"; if the car cannot be washed out of business hours, "paused". Are lit respectively. FIG. 5 shows the operation of the embodiment and the accompanying car wash machine 1.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a communication procedure between the car and the car wash receiving device 11. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. If the car wash reception device 11 has received a car wash and the car wash machine 1 is not recognized as being in the car wash, a car wash request signal is output from the car wash reception device 11 to the car wash machine 1, the gate 12 is opened and the entry guide light 13 is turned on to turn on the car. To enter. Information such as a vehicle type, a car wash course, and the presence / absence of a protrusion selected at the time of car wash reception is added to the car wash request signal. When the car wash machine 1 receives the car wash request signal, it returns a reception acknowledgment signal ACK while executing the car wash in the procedure shown in FIG. When the reception confirmation signal ACK is received after the transmission of the car wash request signal, the car wash reception device 11 clears the previous car wash reception data and makes it possible to receive a reservation for the next car wash. If there is a reservation input here, the car wash reception is further suspended and a car wash end signal from the car wash machine 1 is waited. If there is a car wash end signal, a car wash request signal is output for the next car wash reserved and the next car wash is executed as described above. FIG. 6 is a flowchart for explaining the car wash operation of the car wash machine 1 executed as described above. In a standby state in which car washing is not executed, the car washer 1 is at a standby position at the rear end of the rails 2.2 shown by solid lines in FIGS. The vehicle is stopped. If there is a car wash request signal from the car wash receiving device 11, the contents of the car wash such as the type of car, the car wash course, and the presence or absence of protrusions are read from the signal (1), and the contents are checked (2). If collation and confirmation are performed, a reception confirmation signal ACK is returned (3). In step (2), the same car wash request signal is repeatedly received and checked by continuous collation for collation.
If a signal that cannot be collated or identified is found, an unreceived signal NCK is transmitted to request retransmission of the signal (4). After transmitting the acknowledgment signal ACK, the vehicle waits for the vehicle to enter, and when the stop position sensor 8 confirms that the vehicle has entered the predetermined position given by the tire stopper 7 (5), the stop guide light 9 is turned on to stop the vehicle. Then, the vehicle is washed based on the contents read in step (1) (7). When the car washer is thus executed and the car washer 1 returns to the standby position and the car wash is completed, the car washer 1 moves forward and moves to a predetermined position, and the tire stopper 7 is tilted to advance the car. The backward exit light 10 is turned on to urge the vehicle to exit (8). The stop position sensor 8 detects that the vehicle has moved from the stop position, and if this state continues for a certain period of time required for the vehicle to leave the car wash area, it is determined that the vehicle has left (9), and the car washer 1 Moves back to the standby position (10). When the vehicle is thus returned to the standby position, the traveling of the car wash machine 1 is stopped, and the car wash receiving device 11 is stopped.
A car wash end signal is output to (11). In this manner, the car washer 1 performs the car wash operation. During the execution of the car wash routine in step (6), the touch sensor 3 detects that something has been touched, or the horn detection sensor detects the horn sound. When detected, the car washer 1
Stops the car washing operation including the traveling of the car, and outputs an alarm to the monitoring station where the staff waits. This stopped state can be released on the operation panel of the car washer 1 (not shown), and when released, the car wash operation can be continued from the stopped position. Also, use the car wash routine or step (1
If the object detection sensor 4 confirms the presence of an automobile or the like behind the car washer at the time of retreat by 0), the traveling of the car washer 1 is also stopped and an alarm is output. This stop state is automatically released when the detection state by the sensor 4 is canceled. FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing a process at the time of receiving a car wash in the car wash receiving device 11. In the car wash receiving device 11 which is energized and in a business state, the operation panel 23 is usually
Then, the "reception possible" lamp 35 is lit on the status display section 26, and the vehicle is ready for car wash reception. here,
When the reservation key 32 is pressed after the car wash fee is input and selected and input in accordance with the procedure, the reception control board 21 writes the selected vehicle type, car wash course, presence / absence of protrusions and the like in the memory M, and the status display section 26 The "reservation" lamp 36 is turned on to temporarily suspend the car wash reception (21). Subsequently, it is confirmed whether or not the car is being washed by the car wash flag F (22), and if it is recognized that the car is being washed at F = 1, it waits for the car wash machine 1 to input a car wash end signal (23). Here, when a car wash end signal is input from the car wash machine 1, a car wash request signal is created based on the data stored in the memory M and output to the car wash machine 1 (24). If F = 0 in step (22) and it is not recognized that the car is being washed, the process immediately proceeds to step (24) and a car wash request signal is output. When the car wash request signal is output, the system waits for an acknowledgment signal ACK from the car wash machine 1 (25). When this signal is confirmed, the gate 12 is opened, the approach guide light 13 is turned on, and the sound guide unit 38 outputs sound to prompt entry. And let the car enter (26). The car detection sensor 14 detects that the car has left the car wash reception device 11 and the gate 12 upon entry, and if the state continues for a certain period of time, it is determined that the car has entered the car wash space (2
7), the gate 12 is closed, the memory M is cleared, and the "acceptable" lamp 35 of the status display section is turned on to enable the next car wash reception (28). This embodiment is constructed as described above. Even if the car is standing up, if the preceding car enters the car wash space, the next car can be washed, and the preceding car receives the car wash. It is only necessary to operate the reception slowly while you are there. The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various embodiments can be considered without departing from the scope of the claims. As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, a reservation can be accepted for the next car wash during the car wash operation of the car washer, so that the next car wash is completed before the previous car was washed. Since the reception of the car can be completed, the next car wash can be started immediately and the car wash area can be smoothly operated. In addition, the input of the car washing fee, the selection input of the car washing content, and the like can be performed slowly and with a margin while the preceding car is washing, and no erroneous operation occurs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an explanatory plan view of an embodiment. FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a control system of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an operation panel in the car wash receiving device of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation and a communication procedure of the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating a car washing operation of the embodiment. FIG. 7 is a flowchart illustrating a process at the time of receiving a car wash in the embodiment. [Description of Signs] 1 Car wash machine 11 Car wash reception device 20 Control board 21 serving as control means Reception control board 22 serving as reception control means Signal line A automobile

Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-6-255454 (JP, A) JP-A-5-16530 (JP, U) JP-A-63-131857 (JP, U) U.S. Pat. (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) B60S 3/00-13/02 G07F 17/20

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] [Claim 1] A car wash machine for running a car wash machine body on a rail and automatically washing a body of an automobile that has entered the car wash space, and a car wash space which is separated from the car wash machine. A car wash receiving device that is installed near the vehicle and receives a selection input of a car wash fee, car wash contents, and the like, and operates a car wash machine according to the content received after the car wash receiving device accepts the car wash. The car washer and the car wash receiving device are connected via a signal line, and the car washer is in a standby state where car washing is not being performed.
Stop at the rear end of the travel range given by the
Car wash starts from this position, and if there is a car wash request signal from the car wash reception device, the car waits for the car to enter and then
Car operation starts, the car wash machine returns to the standby position and the car is washed
Is completed, continue to advance the car wash machine body and
Prompts you to leave the car, and if it is determined that the car has left, the car wash machine book
A control means for retracting the body to the standby position and outputting an end signal to the car wash receiving device when returning to the standby position;
If there is a car behind the car wash machine body when retreating
And a sensor for stopping the running of the car wash machine body , and the car wash receiving device enables the reception of a reservation for the next car wash during the car wash operation of the car wash machine, stores the contents of the received car wash and stores the car wash. A car washing apparatus characterized by comprising a reception control means for outputting a car wash request signal for a car wash having contents stored after waiting for an end signal from the machine.