JP3739022B2 - Body upper surface detection device for automatic car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a vehicle body upper surface detection apparatus in an automatic car wash machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The automatic car wash machine is equipped with a top surface processing device and a side surface processing device in a gate-type frame, and a self-propelled automatic car wash machine that moves along the body to be cleaned and various top surface processing devices in the frame. It can be broadly classified into a stationary automatic car wash machine that carries out a car wash while moving the vehicle body.
[0003]
In any case, the vehicle is washed through relative movement between the vehicle body and the top surface processing device, etc., and the top surface processing device is against the outer surface of the vehicle body, that is, the outer peripheral surface of the hood, front window, roof, rear window, trunk room, etc. Ascending and descending movements are performed while maintaining a certain interval. Accordingly, since direct contact with the vehicle body is eliminated, it is possible to perform processing such as cleaning by spraying cleaning water without damaging the vehicle body.
[0004]
In general, the up-and-down movement of the top surface processing device is controlled by detection data from a non-contact type detection sensor such as an optical sensor or an ultrasonic sensor, thereby avoiding a collision during relative movement between the vehicle body and the top surface processing device. Measures are taken.
[0005]
However, when the upper surface processing apparatus is moved up and down relying only on such a non-contact type distance sensor, the upper surface processing apparatus directly contacts the vehicle body due to malfunction due to a sensor failure or the like. There is a risk of damage.
[0006]
Therefore, in general, contact sensors such as limit switches are used in combination with these non-contact sensors to reliably detect the presence of the vehicle body before the top surface processing device contacts the outer surface of the vehicle body. Means such as stopping the relative movement with the vehicle body or avoiding a collision between the two by raising the upper surface processing apparatus is employed.
[0007]
By adopting such a contact sensor, the present invention relates to a vehicle body upper surface detection device in a car wash machine, which is disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-77544 as an example of adopting a collision avoidance means between the upper surface processing device and the vehicle body relative to each other. I have a suggestion.
[0008]
In this proposal, as shown in FIG. 5A, a contact-type ring-shaped detector 52 is provided in an upper surface processing device 51 such as a nozzle so as to surround it. When the upper surface processing apparatus moves in the front-rear direction relative to the relative movement of the vehicle body or moves up and down, the detection body comes into contact before the nozzle 53 comes into contact with the vehicle body, and is provided on the upper portion of the detection body. The detection piece 54 can be operated by being brought into and out of contact with a proximity switch 55 fixed on the upper surface processing apparatus 51.
[0009]
The ring-shaped detection body 52 is stably held at the neutral position by the spring 56 when not in contact with the vehicle body. When the detection body contacts and displaces the vehicle body, the detection body resists the spring force of the spring. Oscillates around the support shaft 57, and the detection piece 54 provided integrally with the support shaft 57 moves toward and away from the proximity sensor.
[0010]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The above-described prior art is intended to avoid collision between the upper surface processing apparatus and the upper surface of the vehicle body during relative movement of the upper surface processing apparatus by the detection body, and plays an important role as compensating for the disadvantages of the non-contact type sensor. .
[0011]
However, since the neutrality of the detection body is held by using the spring, it cannot be denied that the cause of failure due to breakage of the spring or complicated construction is included.
[0012]
In addition, in the case of employing a swivel type nozzle, the spraying direction of the washing water from the nozzle changes from the front to the bottom and back, but when this spraying direction becomes nearly horizontal, FIG. As shown in FIG. 3, the injection force F acts outward from the inside of the detection body. This force acts as a rotational moment with respect to the detection body 52, and this is swung around the support shaft 57 against the spring force of the spring 56, and the detection piece 54 is displaced. It may end up.
[0013]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a vehicle body upper surface detection device for an automatic car wash machine that is less likely to cause a malfunction and does not cause a malfunction.
[0014]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, a vehicle body upper surface detection device for an automatic car wash machine according to the present invention is provided with a flat detection plate above a detection sensor provided on the upper surface of the upper surface processing device, and the upper surface processing device is provided on the detection plate. The upper part of the annular contact provided so as to surround is fixed, and the detection plate is swung or moved up and down by the annular contact.
[0015]
Both sides of the detection plate are in contact with the inner surface of a pair of brackets fixed to the upper surface of the upper surface processing apparatus, and are held inside the bracket by being held via holding means that are in contact with the outer surface of the bracket. The swing mechanism is simplified by allowing planar movement along. The detection plate moves up and down or swings along the inner surface of the bracket according to the displacement of the annular contact, thereby moving toward and away from the detection sensor to detect the approach of the upper surface of the vehicle body.
[0016]
When the annular contactor is not in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body, the detection plate is in a state of being close to the detection sensor in the horizontal state. When the contact is made, the detection plate moves together with the annular contact and moves away from the detection sensor, so that the approach of the upper surface processing apparatus to the vehicle body can be detected.
[0017]
In addition, if the front or rear part of the annular contactor comes into contact with the vehicle body and swings during the relative movement of the upper surface processing apparatus, the detection plate also swings accordingly and moves away from the detection sensor in the same manner. Is detected. In any case, when the approach state between the vehicle body and the upper surface processing apparatus is released, both the annular contactor and the detection plate return to the original state due to their own weight.
[0018]
In the present invention, when the top surface processing apparatus is provided with a swing type top nozzle, the detection plate is displaced and malfunctions even if a rotational moment is applied to the annular contact by the washing water spray force of the top nozzle. Means for preventing this are provided. That is, only a small rotating moment generated by the jet force of the nozzle is obtained by engaging support members provided at both ends of the detection plate with engaging portions formed at the lower ends of the window portions of the pair of brackets. In some cases, malfunctions do not occur.
[0019]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 shows an appearance of a vehicle body upper surface detection device according to the present invention, and the upper surface processing device 1 is shown as a black box. A pair of brackets 2 and 2 are erected on the upper end surface of the upper surface processing apparatus 1 so as to face each other. In the bracket 2, a horizontal portion 2 b having an L-shaped cross section is fixed to the upper surface of the upper surface processing apparatus 1 with screws 3. The vertical part 2a of the bracket 2 is wider than the horizontal part 2b, and the outer shape is rectangular. Inside the vertical portion 2a, window portions 2d and 2d formed in a shield shape by narrowing a lower portion of a vertically long rectangle are arranged in parallel. The lower end portion of each window portion 2d is rounded to form engaging portions 2e and 2f with which a support member 5 described later can be engaged (see FIGS. 2 to 4).
[0020]
A flat detection plate 4 is attached between the pair of brackets 2 and 2. Both end portions of the detection plate 4 are in slidable contact with the vertical portions 2a and 2a of the bracket 2, respectively. Support members 5 and 5a each formed in a rod shape are fixed to the front and rear portions of the lower surface of the detection plate 4 in parallel (see FIG. 2). Each front end portion of each support member 5 is extended so that both ends of the detection plate 4 protrude outward from the bracket when the detection plate 4 is attached between the brackets 2 and 2. The protruding portion is provided with a male screw portion (not shown).
[0021]
When the detection plate 4 is mounted between the brackets 2 and 2, each male screw portion is applied with the support plates 6 and 6 on the outside of the bracket, and a nut (not shown) is screwed into the male screw portion protruding from the hole portion. By doing so, it is impossible to detach the detection plate from between the brackets. When the detection plate is in a stable state, the portion corresponding to the thickness of the vertical portion 2a of the bracket 2 in the support member 5 engages with the engaging portions 2e and 2f formed by the concave portions formed in the lower end portion of the window portion. ing.
[0022]
An annular contact 7 formed so as to surround the entire circumference of the upper surface processing apparatus 1 is fixed to the upper surface of the detection plate 4. The annular contact 7 is made of an elastic plastic pipe having a substantially annular outer shape and an upper portion 7a formed horizontally. The annular contactor 7 is fixed so as to be integrated with the detection plate by cutting the central portion of the upper portion 7a and press-fitting both ends thereof into a fixing auxiliary member 8 formed on the upper surface of the detection plate 4. The material of the annular contact 7 may be a metal wire coated with rubber or plastic, etc., and may be fixed to the detection plate 4 by press-fitting, bonding, screwing, or the like.
[0023]
FIG. 2 shows the relationship between the detection plate and the detection sensor in the present invention, but the internal configuration of the upper surface processing apparatus 1 is also omitted here. As shown in FIG. 2, a proximity switch 9 serving as a detection sensor is provided on the upper surface of the upper surface processing apparatus 1 that faces the center of the lower surface of the detection plate 4. The proximity switch 9 may be a high-frequency oscillation type when a metal plate is used as the detection plate 4 and a capacitance type when the detection plate is a dielectric such as plastic. The proximity switch 9 operates by detecting a change in magnetic flux and capacitance, and is a non-contact type. The proximity switch 9 has a feature that it can obtain a longer life and higher reliability than a limit switch. Since the current value of the output circuit changes when the detection plate 4 is in contact with or separated from the proximity switch 9, the control of the top surface processing apparatus 1 by the control circuit is easily performed.
[0024]
FIG. 3 shows a state when the annular contact 7 detects the vehicle body V. FIG. 3A shows an example of lower side contact, FIG. 3B shows an example of vertical contact, and FIG. Figure (c) shows an example of upper side contact.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 5A, when the upper surface processing apparatus 1 moves in the left direction of the drawing, a carrier member or the like provided on the upper portion of the vehicle body V comes into contact with the front portion of the annular contact 7 and this annular contact is made. Together with the child, the detection plate 4 (located on the back side of the support plate 6) is inclined to the upper right. When the detection plate 4 is tilted, the lower surface of the detection plate is separated from the proximity switch 9, so that the current in the output circuit changes to detect the approach of the object. This detected current is output to the control circuit, and measures are taken to avoid collision such as stopping the movement of the frame and raising the upper surface processing apparatus 1.
[0026]
In FIG. 5B, when the upper surface processing apparatus 1 is lowered below the normal washable position, the lower portion of the annular contact 7 hits the upper surface of the vehicle body V and is relatively raised. Is shown. In this state, the detection plate 4 integrated with the annular contactor 7 is lifted to leave the proximity switch 9, so that the control circuit similarly operates to take measures to avoid collision.
[0027]
In FIG. 6C, when the upper surface processing apparatus 1 moves in the left direction of the drawing, a spoiler or the like provided on the upper portion of the vehicle body V comes in contact with the upper portion of the annular contactor 7 and is relatively lifted. It shows the state of letting. In this state, the external force received by the annular contact 7 acts as a substantially horizontal force on the detection plate 4, but is converted into an upward acting force by the inclined shape of the engaging portions 2e and 2f. The detection plate 4 is displaced upward, and the measures for avoiding the collision are taken as described above.
[0028]
Next, malfunction prevention means will be described. In this case, when the top surface processing apparatus 1 is provided with a swing-type top nozzle, an attempt is made to prevent the occurrence of malfunction caused by the displacement of the jet of washing water acting on the annular contactor. It is.
[0029]
FIG. 4 shows the operation of this malfunction prevention means, and has the same configuration as FIGS. 1 and 2 except that the top nozzle 10 is shown.
[0030]
Normally, the top nozzle 10 faces downward as shown by a solid line in the figure, so that the washing water injection force F is also generated downward, and this injection force exerts a downward force on the annular contact 7. The downward force on the annular contact is stable when the supporting members 5 and 5a integrated therewith are engaged with engaging portions 2e and 2f formed at the lower end of the window portion 2d of the bracket 2, respectively. Supported by Therefore, no displacement of the detection plate 4 occurs, and no malfunction is caused by the detection sensor 9.
[0031]
On the other hand, when the top nozzle is turned to the right, particularly when it is horizontally oriented, the washing water injection force F works from the inside to the outside with respect to the right inner portion of the annular contact 7, counterclockwise. The force to lift the right side of the detection plate acts due to the generation of the rotational moment.
[0032]
At this time, the annular contactor 7 tries to swing counterclockwise about the support member 5 as the swinging shaft, but the inner peripheral portion where the injection force F from the top nozzle 10 works and the upper side 7a are at an angle of about 90 °. Therefore, the component force for pulling the upper side to the right is large, but the component force for swinging around the engaging portion 2e is small. Therefore, if the weight of the detection plate is set to an appropriate size, the detection plate 4 is hardly displaced by the force generated by the action of the spraying force on the annular contact due to the jetting power of the washing water, so that a malfunction occurs. It will not be. When the top nozzle 10 is turned to the left, the malfunction preventing means acts in the same manner due to the engagement between the right engaging portion 2f and the support member 5a. In order to improve the function of preventing malfunction, it is desirable to increase the distance between the engaging portions 2e and 2f (and the support members 5 and 5a) as much as possible.
[0033]
The detection sensor according to the present invention may be a contact type sensor such as a limit switch or a micro switch in addition to a proximity switch. Further, the top nozzle of the upper surface processing apparatus can be applied to a blower nozzle other than a spray nozzle.
[0034]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the detection plate held between the pair of brackets contacts and separates from the detection sensor provided on the upper surface of the upper surface processing apparatus, thereby converting the operation by the annular contact into a control signal. Since it is configured, it is possible to provide a low-cost apparatus for detecting the upper surface of an automatic car wash machine that has a simple configuration and few failures.
[0035]
In addition, when the top surface processing device is equipped with a swinging top nozzle, the support part provided at the end of the detection plate is engaged with the engagement part provided on the window of the bracket, and the ring contact is made. When the injection force is applied from the inside to the outside of the child, the component force of the force to swing the annular contact is regulated, so that malfunction due to the washing water injection force may occur. Disappears.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a main part of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of the present invention.
FIGS. 3A and 3B are explanatory views showing the relationship between the detection switch and the displacement of the detection plate; FIG. 3A shows a case where the vehicle body contacts the side of the annular contact; FIG. ) Shows the case where the vicinity of the upper part of the annular contact is in contact with the protrusion of the vehicle body.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of the malfunction prevention means.
FIG. 5 is a front view showing the configuration and operation of the prior art.
[Explanation of symbols]
V Car body 1 Upper surface processing device 2 Brackets 2e and 2f Engaging portion 4 Detection plates 5 and 5a Support member 7 Annular contact 9 Detection sensor (proximity switch)
10 Top nozzle

Claims (2)

An upper surface processing apparatus is provided on the upper part of the frame that moves relative to the vehicle body so as to be orthogonal to the moving direction.
A pair of brackets are erected on the upper end surface of the upper surface processing apparatus,
Between the pair of brackets, there are provided detection plates supported on both sides so as to be capable of plane movement,
A detection sensor for detecting contact and separation of the detection plate is provided between the brackets on the upper surface of the upper surface processing apparatus,
An automatic contact characterized in that an annular contact that can be displaced by contact with an object approaching the upper surface processing apparatus from at least the front, rear and lower sides of the outer periphery of the upper surface processing apparatus is fixed to the detection plate. A vehicle body upper surface detection device in a car wash machine. The upper surface processing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the top surface processing apparatus includes a swing-type top nozzle, the washing water jetting force by the top nozzle works outward from the inside of the annular contactor. When a force for swinging the annular contact works, at least one engaging portion formed on the bracket engages with a support member provided integrally with the detection plate, thereby An apparatus for detecting the upper surface of a vehicle body in an automatic car wash machine, characterized in that the swing of the annular contactor can be regulated.

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