JP4356671B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to car wash that may be employed in, for example, the installed car wash machine filling station.

Conventionally, as a detection device used in a car wash machine, the following configuration is provided. That is, a detection device for detecting a shift in the stop position of the vehicle is provided at both inner surfaces of the portal body in the car wash machine and at the end on the outgoing side. Both detection devices consist of limit switches, and a rubber cap is attached to the detection rod to prevent scratches on the painted surface of the car. Therefore, when performing a car wash operation, when the stop position of the car is shifted, one of the detection devices detects the painted surface through the rubber cap, and gives the detection signal to the control unit to stop the operation of the car wash machine. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the car wash machine from colliding with the car in advance and automatically (see, for example, Patent Document 1).
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 55-155665 (page 2-4, Fig. 1-2)

  However, according to the conventional configuration described above, the normal limit switch is configured by incorporating a micro switch, an operation support mechanism for the detection rod, a return spring for restoring the detection rod to a neutral position, etc. inside the case body. Its structure is complicated. In addition, a rubber cap is attached to the tip of the limit switch and the detection rod (detection bar) is extended, but since it is configured to be restored to the neutral position by the return spring in the limit switch, the detection rod, that is, the detection distance is not much. Can't be long. In addition, the limit switch is mostly covered by the case body, but the part where the detection rod protrudes from the case body (the part that penetrates) cannot be sufficiently covered, so that a drop of water can enter the case body. This is inferior in durability and is difficult to be adopted particularly in outdoor car wash machines.

Accordingly, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a car wash machine that can simplify the structure, extend the detection distance, and provide sufficient waterproofing , so that it can be suitably employed even when installed outdoors. It is intended to do.

To achieve the above object, car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the present invention is, while relatively moving the car wash machine body of the washing vehicle and gate-shaped in the longitudinal direction, the cleaning of the object to be cleaned vehicle by cleaning means And a detection device that detects disturbance of a stop position of the vehicle to be cleaned by contact with the vehicle to be cleaned . The detection device includes a cylindrical body having elasticity, and a play in the cylindrical body. A reflective mirror provided on the end side and a reflective photoelectric sensor provided on the proximal end side of the cylindrical body, and the optical axis from the reflective photoelectric sensor is reflected when the cylindrical body is straight due to elasticity. Reflected by a mirror and configured to enter a reflective photoelectric sensor, arm bodies project from the front of the left and right vertical frame portions of the car wash machine body toward the front, respectively, and the free ends of these arm bodies Attach the base end side of the cylindrical body, detect contact a free end that is opposite It is obtained by characterized in that a detection device and parts.

Therefore, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the vehicle to be cleaned is in the correct position (position within the allowable range) when the vehicle to be cleaned and the car wash machine body are relatively moved to perform the intended car wash , the detection is made. Since the contact portion does not come into contact with the vehicle to be cleaned , the cylindrical body maintains a straight shape due to elasticity, so that the optical axis is reflected by the reflecting mirror and enters the reflective photoelectric sensor. by the detection device, resulting detects that the cleaning vehicle is in the correct position, that obtained by performing the intended wash Te following. Further, when the vehicle to be cleaned is at a disturbed position (a position outside the allowable range), the detection contact portion comes into contact with the vehicle to be cleaned and the cylindrical body is bent (deformed) against elasticity. As a result, the optical axis does not reach the reflecting mirror, or even if it is reflected by the reflecting mirror, it does not enter the reflective photoelectric sensor, that is, the optical axis shifts and an abnormality is detected. depending obtained by detecting that a position to be cleaned vehicle is disturbed, it may stop the intended wash Te following. Thus when the car wash is stopped, to modify the position of the cleaning vehicle, Ru obtained moved to desired wash again. The cylindrical body is automatically restored to a straight shape by its own elasticity when the contact of the detection contact portion with the detected body is released.

The car wash machine according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that, in the configuration according to claim 1, the cylindrical body is made of rubber.
Therefore, according to the invention of claim 2, the rubber cylindrical body can contact (detect an abnormality) without damaging the detected body.

And the car wash machine according to claim 3 of the present invention is the structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the free end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflecting mirror and the cylindrical body provided with the reflective photoelectric sensor are provided. The base end portion is sealed with a sealing material.

  Therefore, according to the invention of claim 3, the free end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflecting mirror in the embedded shape and the base end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflective photoelectric sensor in the embedded shape are respectively sealed by the sealing material. By sealing, water droplets can be prevented from entering more suitably.

According to claim 1 of the present invention described above, when the vehicle to be cleaned is in the correct position (position within the allowable range) when the vehicle to be cleaned and the car wash machine main body are relatively moved to perform the intended car wash , Since the detection contact portion does not contact the vehicle to be cleaned , the cylindrical body maintains a straight shape due to elasticity, so that the optical axis is reflected by the reflection mirror and enters the reflective photoelectric sensor . depending on the detection device can detect that the object to be cleaned vehicle is in the correct position, Ru can perform desired wash Te following. Further, when the vehicle to be cleaned is at a disturbed position (a position outside the allowable range), the detection contact portion comes into contact with the vehicle to be cleaned and the cylindrical body is bent (deformed) against elasticity. This by the optical axis, not reach the reflecting mirror, or be reflected by the reflecting mirror will not enter the reflection type photoelectric sensor, i.e. ready to the optical axis has detected an abnormality displaced, by the detection device It is possible to detect that the vehicle to be cleaned is in a disturbed position, and thus the intended car wash can be stopped. Thus when the car wash is stopped, to modify the position of the cleaning vehicle, Ru can move the intended wash again. The cylindrical body can be automatically restored to a straight shape by its own elasticity by releasing the contact of the detection contact portion with the detected body.

Since the detection device that operates in this manner is composed of a cylindrical body, a reflection mirror, and a reflective photoelectric sensor, and employs a cylindrical body that is restored by its own elasticity, there is almost no mechanical mechanism. Thus, the structure can be simplified, and the length of the cylindrical body, that is, the detection distance can be sufficiently increased by the elastic strength of the cylindrical body. Moreover, since the reflecting mirror and the reflective photoelectric sensor are provided in the cylindrical body, that is, there is no portion protruding (exposed) from the cylindrical body, the applied water droplets enter the cylindrical body. Therefore, a sufficient waterproofing can be performed, and thus a detection device with excellent durability can be obtained. Furthermore, although a reflection type photoelectric sensor is used, since it is in a cylindrical body, it can be structured to be resistant to disturbances such as sunlight. Thereby, even if it is a car wash machine in which water (wash water) scatters, and even if it is a car wash machine of the outdoors installation to which rain water pours down, it can adopt suitably without any trouble.

Further, according to claim 2 of the present invention described above, the rubber of the tubular body, it is possible to contact without damaging the object to be detected (abnormality detection), Ru can be provided at low cost configuration to perform a suitable elastic action.

  According to the third aspect of the present invention described above, the free end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflecting mirror in an embedded shape and the proximal end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflective photoelectric sensor in an embedded shape, respectively. By sealing with the sealing material, it is possible to more suitably prevent water droplets from entering.

[Embodiment 1]
Below, Embodiment 1 of this invention is demonstrated based on FIGS. 1-5 as the state employ | adopted as the mobile car wash machine.

  As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the gate-shaped car wash machine main body 10 in the car wash machine 9 is placed on the rail 1 on the floor side via a plurality of wheels 11, and a travel drive device (not shown). )), The vehicle travels back and forth on a fixed route in the front-rear direction A. The car wash machine body 10 includes a first wash water nozzle 12, a first detergent nozzle 13, and a second wash water nozzle 14 as an example of a cleaning means of a vehicle to be cleaned (an example of an object to be detected in a normal passenger car or the like) 5. The water repellent coating agent nozzle 15, the second detergent nozzle 16, and the wax nozzle 17 are arranged in this order from the front to the rear. Here, each nozzle 12-17 is comprised by the arch shape, for example.

  The car wash machine 10 is provided with a side brush 18, a rocker brush 19, and a top brush 20 as examples of brushing means for the vehicle 5 to be cleaned. Further, in the car wash machine body 10, as an example of a drying means of the vehicle 5 to be cleaned, a pair of left and right top nozzles 21, a pair of left and right side nozzles 22, and a pair of left and right connected to the top nozzle 21 via a duct hose 23. A pair of left and right side blower devices 26 connected to the top blower device 24 and the side nozzle 22 via a duct hose 25 are provided.

  An operation panel 27 is provided on the front surface of the right vertical frame portion in the car wash machine body 10, and a control device 28 that controls the operation of each unit is provided on the back surface side of the operation panel 27. A vehicle height sensor (not shown) is provided in the upper part of the car wash machine body 10.

  On the front side of both vertical frame portions of the car wash machine body 10, the car wash machine body 10 is moved (relatively moved) in the front-rear direction A with respect to the car to be washed 5, and touched by the vehicle to be washed 5. A detection device 30 is provided for detecting disturbance of the stop position of the cleaning vehicle 5.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 1, both detection devices 30 are made of a rubber-made cylindrical body 31, a reflection mirror 32 embedded in the free end side of the cylindrical body 31, The reflection type photoelectric sensor 33 is embedded in the base end side of the cylindrical body 31. At that time, when the cylindrical body 31 is straight due to elasticity, the optical axis 34 from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 is reflected by the reflection mirror 32 and enters the reflective photoelectric sensor 33.

  A rubber cap body 31A is provided at the free end portion of the cylindrical body 31 provided with the reflecting mirror 32 in an embedded shape, and the space between the corresponding contact surfaces of the cylindrical body 31 and the cap body 31A is a sealing material. 35 is sealed. Further, an annular body 31B is provided at the base end portion of the cylindrical body 31 in which the reflection type photoelectric sensor 33 is provided in an embedded shape, and a gap between the corresponding contact surfaces of the cylindrical body 31 and the annular body 31B is provided by a sealing material 36. It is sealed. Here, as the sealing materials 35 and 36, for example, a creamy silicone sealant is used. According to this, since there is an adhesive action, not only water resistance but also a function as an adhesive is exhibited.

  The detection device 30 having such a configuration attaches the cylindrical body 31 to the car wash machine main body 10 side at the base end side thereof, and uses the free end side as the detection contact portion 30A. That is, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 to 5, arm bodies 38 project forward from the front surfaces of both vertical frame portions in the car wash machine body 10, and are provided at the free ends of these arm bodies 38. The base end side of the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 is supported on the support 39 thus formed. At that time, the cylindrical body 31 protrudes in the left-right direction B along the opposite side, so that both the detection contact portions 30A are opposed to each other. The reflective photoelectric sensor 33 is connected to the control device 28 via a wiring 37 disposed from the support body 39 to the arm body 38.

Hereinafter, the operation in the first embodiment will be described.
When performing the car wash, first, the driver or the operator operates the operation panel 27 in a state where the vehicle 5 to be cleaned is stopped, so that one desired car wash course (cleaning condition) is set. By turning on the car wash start switch in this state, the brush 18, 19, 20 spreads by rotation while the car wash machine body 10 reciprocates, and the water through the wash water nozzles 12, 14 is moved. Supply of (washing water), supply of diluted detergent through detergent nozzles 13, 16, supply of diluted water repellent coating agent through water repellent coating agent nozzle 15, dilution through wax nozzle 17 The desired cleaning process and drying process for the vehicle 5 to be cleaned can be performed by appropriately combining the operation of supplying the wax and blowing (blowing) the wind from the nozzles 21 and 22. When performing such a car wash, the vehicle height, the vehicle length, and the like are detected by a vehicle height sensor and appropriate detection means, and the above-described operating units are preferably operated via the control device 28 and the like.

  In this way, the intended car wash can be performed. At that time, when the car wash machine main body 10 first travels in a state where the car 5 to be washed is stopped, the car 30 to be washed is It is detected whether the vehicle stops at a correct position (position within the allowable range) or stops at a disordered position (position outside the allowable range). That is, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the detection device 30 is not in contact with the vehicle 5 to be cleaned before traveling, so that the cylindrical body 31 is straight due to elasticity, and from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33. Is reflected by the reflection mirror 32 and enters the reflection type photoelectric sensor 33. Thereby, no abnormal signal is emitted from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33.

  In this state, the vehicle is moved to the intended car wash, and the car wash machine main body 10 performs the first forward travel. When the vehicle to be washed 5 stops at the correct position (position within the allowable range), both detections are made. As shown in the phantom line (a) in FIG. 1 and FIG. 3, the device 30 has a cylindrical contact 31 that is not in contact with the vehicle 5 to be cleaned. As a result, no abnormal signal is emitted from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33, and the desired car wash is performed.

  Further, when the car wash machine body 10 first travels forward, when the vehicle 5 to be cleaned is stopped at a disturbed position (a position outside the allowable range), one of the detection devices 30 is shown in FIGS. As shown in phantom line B, the detection contact portion 30A comes into contact with the vehicle 5 to be cleaned, and the cylindrical body 31 is bent (deformed) against elasticity. As a result, the optical axis 34 from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 does not reach the reflective mirror 32, or even if it is reflected by the reflective mirror 32, it does not enter the reflective photoelectric sensor 33. Will be detected. As a result, an abnormal signal is issued from the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 to the control device 28, and the intended car wash is stopped by the control of the control device 28.

  In addition, when the car wash is stopped in this way, the car wash machine main body 10 travels backward to return to the home position. Therefore, the vehicle to be washed 5 is corrected to the correct position, so that the intended car wash is performed again. It can move. Moreover, by making the car wash machine main body 10 travel backward, the contact of the detection contact portion 30A with respect to the vehicle 5 to be cleaned is released, so that the cylindrical body 31 is elasticized by its own elasticity as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. It will be restored automatically in a straight line.

  The detection device 30 that operates in this manner is composed of a cylindrical body 31, a reflection mirror 32, and a reflective photoelectric sensor 33, and employs a cylindrical body 31 that is restored by its own elasticity, and therefore mechanically. Therefore, the length of the cylindrical body 31, that is, the detection distance can be made sufficiently long by the elastic strength of the cylindrical body 31. Moreover, since the reflection mirror 32 and the reflection type photoelectric sensor 33 are provided in the cylindrical body 31, that is, there is no portion protruding (exposed) from the cylindrical body 31, the applied water droplets are cylindrical. The detector 30 can be sufficiently waterproofed without entering the body 31 and thus has excellent durability. Thereby, even if it is the car wash machine 9 in which water (wash water) scatters, and even if it is the car installation machine 9 of the outdoors installation which rain water pours into, the detection apparatus 30 can be employ | adopted suitably without any trouble.

Furthermore, although the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 is used, since it is in the cylindrical body 31, it can be made a structure that is resistant to disturbances such as sunlight. Then, the material of the cylindrical body 31 is made of rubber, so that contact (abnormality detection) can be made without damaging the vehicle 5 to be cleaned. Moreover, the free end portion of the cylindrical body 31 provided with the reflecting mirror 32 in an embedded shape and the base end portion of the cylindrical body 31 provided with the reflective photoelectric sensor 33 in an embedded shape are respectively sealed by sealing materials 35 and 36. by being sealed, Ru can be performed intrusion preventing water droplets more favorably.

  In the above-described first embodiment, the car wash machine main body 10 and the vehicle to be cleaned 5 are relatively moved by moving only the car wash machine main body 10, and the car wash of the vehicle to be cleaned 5 is shown. This is such that the car wash machine main body 10 is fixed, a detection device 30 is provided at the front thereof, and the vehicle 5 to be cleaned is moved back and forth or one side using a roller conveyor (vehicle moving means) so as to move relatively. It may be in the format. Further, the car wash machine main body 10 is separated into a front main body having a detection device 30 and a cleaning means, and a rear main body having a drying means, and the front main body and the rear main body can be moved separately. It may be.

  In the first embodiment described above, a form using a rubber tubular body 31 is shown as an elastic tubular body, but this is a form using a flexible resin tubular body. There may be.

  In the first embodiment described above, for example, a cream-like silicone sealant is used as the sealing materials 35, 36, but this is a ring-shaped member (rubber gasket) having weather resistance such as silicone rubber or chloroprene rubber. In this case, the ring-shaped member is sandwiched between the tubular body 31 and the cap body 31A, or between the tubular body 31 and the annular body 31B, and is fixed by an adhesive. .

1 is a partially cutaway plan view of a detection device portion in a car wash machine, showing Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. It is a partially notched top view at the time of the detection of the detection apparatus part in the car wash. It is a top view of the car wash machine. It is a side view of the car wash machine. Ru front view der of the car wash machine.

Explanation of symbols

5 to be cleaned cars both
9 car wash 10 wash machine 27 operation panel 28 the control device 30 detection device 30A detects the contact portion 31 the cylindrical body 32 reflecting mirror 33 reflective photoelectric sensor 34 optical axis 35 sealing material 36 sealing material 37 Wiring
A Front-rear direction B Left-right direction

Claims (3)

While relatively moving the car wash machine body of the washing vehicle and gate-shaped in the longitudinal direction, the a car wash to clean the cleaning target vehicle by cleaning means, stop position of the object to be cleaned vehicle by contact to the object to be cleaned vehicle The detector includes a cylindrical body having elasticity, a reflection mirror provided on the free end side in the cylindrical body, and a reflection provided on the proximal end side in the cylindrical body. When the cylindrical body is straight due to elasticity, the optical axis from the reflective photoelectric sensor is reflected by the reflective mirror and enters the reflective photoelectric sensor . Arms protrude from the front of the left and right vertical frame parts toward the front, respectively, and the base end side of the cylindrical body is attached to the free ends of these arm bodies, and the free end sides facing each other are detected and contacted A car wash machine comprising a detection device as a part. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the cylindrical body is made of rubber. 3. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein a free end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflection mirror and a proximal end portion of the cylindrical body provided with the reflective photoelectric sensor are sealed with a sealing material.

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