JP5862500B2 - Car wash machine and car wash method - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a car wash machine installed in a gas station, for example, and used for car washing, and more particularly, to a car wash machine and a car wash method including a side brush for washing a side surface of a vehicle to be cleaned and a side blowing nozzle for drying.

  Conventionally, as a car wash machine used for car washing, it is installed in a gas station, etc., and the liquid agent and washing stored in the liquid storage tank in the car to be washed are moved relative to each other in the front-rear direction. 2. Description of the Related Art A gate type car wash machine is known which is configured to inject water and to perform car washing by brushing.

  In the cleaning process of a conventional gate-type car wash machine, first, dirt is removed using washing water, then washing is performed using a liquid agent such as shampoo, and further washing is performed using washing water. After this washing process, a drying process is performed in which air is blown from each blowing nozzle and dried. In addition, car washing is performed by appropriately combining liquid agent application processes such as wax and water repellent coating as necessary. In this way, various shampoos, waxes and coats are used as liquid agents used in car washing, and each car wash process is stored in a dedicated liquid storage tank and inserted into the tank. It is injected and consumed according to the process. In addition, an operation panel and a remote panel are provided for selecting a desired mode from a plurality of car wash modes, selecting a type of liquid agent to be used, and setting a predetermined car wash mode. The operation panel is installed in the car wash machine body, but the remote panel is installed at a position away from the car wash machine body, and the remote panel is electrically connected to the operation panel. The car wash machine can be driven by the car wash mode.

  The above-described car wash machine includes a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a top brush for cleaning the upper surface, a side blowing nozzle and a top blowing nozzle for drying after washing. It has been known. Also, in order to perform cleaning with the side brush and top brush lightly in contact with the vehicle to be cleaned, for example, a pair of left and right side brushes are supported so that they can be moved left and right (openable and closable), and the top brush is moved up and down. The brush position is maintained at a certain distance from the surface of the vehicle body by the repulsive balance between the brush and the vehicle body. In addition, by detecting the current value of the motor that rotationally drives each brush, and controlling the opening / closing movement or raising / lowering movement so as to suppress this current value within a predetermined range, washing is performed along the shape of the vehicle to be cleaned. Has been done.

  For this reason, in the case of a side brush that cleans the side of the vehicle body, the side brush is moved closer until the current of the drive motor when rotating in contact with the side of the vehicle body reaches a predetermined current value. Therefore, by setting a predetermined current value as a threshold value in advance, the degree of proximity of the side brush to the side of the vehicle body is made constant, and the pressing operation is always maintained at a constant strength to execute the cleaning operation.

  Moreover, in order to improve the drying effect after washing, it is preferable that the side (air blowing) nozzle and the top (air blowing) nozzle are also blown and dried close to the vehicle body surface of the vehicle to be cleaned. It has already been proposed to detect the exit / retreat position and bring the side nozzle close to a position corresponding to the exit / retreat position (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in order to satisfactorily dry both side surfaces of a vehicle having a high vehicle height, a second side (air blowing) nozzle is provided above the first side (air blowing) nozzle. In the case of a vehicle having a high vehicle height, a car wash machine for drying using both the first nozzle and the second nozzle has already been proposed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  Also, a lower side (air blowing) nozzle and an upper side (air blowing) nozzle are provided, and the upper side nozzle injects air toward a position where air is ejected substantially in the horizontal direction and below the horizontal position. There has already been proposed a vehicle drying apparatus that can take a position (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

JP-A-5-147503 JP-A-5-238359 JP 2007-161117 A

  In order to improve the drying effect after washing of the vehicle to be washed, it is important to sufficiently blow the drying air over the entire side surface of the vehicle body even for a vehicle having a high vehicle height. Furthermore, it is desirable to blow the drying air with the side blowing nozzle sufficiently close to the side surface of the vehicle body.

  In addition, it is important that the drying air is sufficiently blown to the entire side of the vehicle body even when the vehicle height is low, and it is desirable to blow the drying air sufficiently close to the vehicle side. Are the same. At the same time, it is required to reduce the cost of car washing by avoiding the waste of drying air, and it is not desirable to spray the drying air on an area outside the vehicle body.

  For example, in the case of a configuration in which a pair of upper and lower side nozzles is simply provided as in the car wash machine described in Patent Document 2, it is effective for a vehicle of a predetermined size, but for various vehicle types having different vehicle heights. On the other hand, it is difficult to respond sufficiently effectively. Further, in the case of the vehicle drying apparatus described in Patent Document 3, the upper side nozzle can be displaced horizontally and downward to inject drying air, so that it can be easily applied to a plurality of types of vehicles to be cleaned having different vehicle heights. It is possible. However, this is a configuration provided with a second blower for the upper side nozzle, which increases the equipment cost and is a problem. Furthermore, since the lower side nozzle and the upper side nozzle are not configured to approach the side surface of the vehicle body, the drying effect is not sufficient.

  Therefore, in response to various vehicle types with different vehicle heights, it is possible to blow drying air from the side blowing nozzles over the entire side of the vehicle body, and do not waste without blowing drying air to areas other than the vehicle body surface, It is a car wash machine configuration that is sufficiently close to the vehicle body surface and exhibits a sufficient drying effect, and is preferably a car wash method.

  In view of the above problems, the present invention provides a car washing machine and a car washing method capable of obtaining a good drying effect by adjusting a blowing area of drying air from a side blowing nozzle according to the shape of a vehicle body to be cleaned. The purpose is to provide.

  To achieve the above object, the present invention provides vehicle height detection means for detecting the height of a vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle for blowing drying air after cleaning, The vehicle is equipped with a control device for controlling the drive, and performs a car wash of the vehicle to be cleaned while relatively moving the vehicle to be cleaned and the car wash body in the front-rear direction. A lower nozzle and an upper nozzle having a blow-out port for discharging the drying air supplied from the lower nozzle, the lower nozzle being fixed in a posture with a blow-out port extending in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle horizontally leveling the blow-out port The lower nozzle and the upper nozzle can be moved in the horizontal direction integrally, and the upper nozzle can be moved to an initial position in the direction and an inclined position downward from the initial position. And it is characterized in that a configuration of tilting in accordance with the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detecting means.

  According to this configuration, it is possible to inject the drying air blown from the upper nozzle toward the vehicle body surface by inclining the upper nozzle according to the detected vehicle height. Moreover, a drying effect can be improved by moving a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle integrally, and approaching a vehicle body side surface. That is, it is possible to obtain a car wash machine that can obtain a good drying effect by adjusting the blowing area of the drying air from the side blower nozzle according to the shape of the vehicle body to be cleaned.

  According to the present invention, in the car wash machine configured as described above, the upper nozzle is disposed above the lower nozzle and is exposed above the lower nozzle; and the inclined position is accommodated in the lower nozzle at the initial position. An inner frame exposed from the lower nozzle at the position, and the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates integrally with the blowout outlet in the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position. It is characterized by doing. According to this configuration, the drying air supplied from the same blower can be either in a tall state where the upper nozzle is in the initial position or in a short state where the upper nozzle is in the inclined position. All the drying air can be uniformly blown toward the vehicle body surface.

  According to the present invention, in the car wash machine having the above-described configuration, the upper nozzle is disposed above the lower nozzle and is exposed above the lower nozzle; the outer frame is connected to the lower nozzle; An expansion frame that is exposed from the lower nozzle at a position, and in the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates and the outlet are integrated. It is characterized by communication. According to this configuration, the drying air supplied from the same blower can be either in a tall state where the upper nozzle is in the initial position or in a short state where the upper nozzle is in the inclined position. All the drying air can be uniformly blown toward the vehicle body surface.

  According to the present invention, in the car wash machine having the above-described configuration, the side blowing nozzles are a pair of left and right, each of the left and right can be individually driven, and each is individually driven and controlled. According to this configuration, the left and right side air blowing nozzles are appropriately driven by independently driving the left and right side air blowing nozzles even when the position of the vehicle to be cleaned with respect to the car wash machine body is shifted in the left and right direction. It can arrange | position to a position and can exhibit the stable drying effect.

  The present invention also provides vehicle height detection means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle that blows drying air after cleaning, and controls the driving thereof. A car wash method for a car wash machine comprising a control device, wherein the car to be washed and the car wash machine body are moved relative to each other in the front-rear direction, wherein the side blow nozzles are supplied from the same blower. A lower nozzle and an upper nozzle having a blow-out port for discharging dry air, and the lower nozzle is fixed in a posture having a blow-out port directed in a horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle is directed to the blow-out port in a horizontal direction. It is possible to displace an initial position and an inclined position downward from the initial position, and the lower nozzle and the upper nozzle can be moved together in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle A configuration that is inclined in accordance with the vehicle height detected by the high detection means, all the drying air is characterized by blowing towards the body surface.

  According to this configuration, the upper nozzle is tilted according to the detected vehicle height, and all the drying air blown from the upper nozzle is blown toward the vehicle body surface, so that waste of drying air is suppressed and drying efficiency is deteriorated. do not do. Moreover, a drying effect can be improved by moving a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle integrally, and approaching a vehicle body side surface. That is, it is possible to obtain a car washing method that can obtain a good drying effect by adjusting the blowing area of the drying air from the side blowing nozzle according to the shape of the vehicle body of the vehicle to be cleaned.

  Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the car wash method having the above-described configuration, the side air blowing nozzles are paired on the left and right sides, each of the left and right sides can be individually driven, and each of them is driven and controlled individually. According to this configuration, the left and right side air blowing nozzles are appropriately driven by independently driving the left and right side air blowing nozzles even when the position of the vehicle to be cleaned with respect to the car wash machine body is shifted in the left and right direction. It can arrange | position to a position and can exhibit the stable drying effect.

  According to the present invention, a configuration having a lower nozzle provided with a blower outlet that extends in the horizontal direction, and an upper nozzle that is displaceable to an initial position in which the blower outlet extends in the horizontal direction and an inclined position that extends downward from the initial position. The side blowing nozzle and the upper nozzle are inclined according to the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detecting means, so that the drying air blowing area from the side blowing nozzle is determined according to the vehicle body shape of the vehicle to be cleaned. It is possible to obtain a car washing machine and a car washing method capable of obtaining a good drying effect by adjusting the above.

It is a schematic front view of the car wash machine concerning the present invention. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the operating state of a side ventilation nozzle. It is a schematic explanatory drawing explaining the structure of a side ventilation nozzle. It is a schematic front view explaining the car wash state of a car wash machine. It is a schematic front view explaining the car wash state of a car wash machine. It is a schematic front view explaining the car wash state of a car wash machine. It is a schematic front view explaining the car wash state of a car wash machine. It is a side view which shows the example of whole structure of one car wash machine.

  Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Moreover, the same code | symbol is used about the same structural member, and detailed description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  As shown in the schematic front view of FIG. 1 and the side view of FIG. 8, the car wash machine WA according to the present embodiment has a ceiling portion 91 that connects the upper ends of two left and right opposing stand portions 90 and has a gate shape. The car wash machine main body (main body part) 1 is formed. A remote panel 7 </ b> A is disposed on the approach path of the car wash machine body 1. The vehicle to be cleaned CA stops in front of the remote panel 7A, and receives a car wash by operating the remote panel 7A.

  Wheels 3 arranged on a pair of left and right rails 2 provided on the ground are provided on the bottom surface of the car wash machine main body 1. As a result, the car wash machine main body 1 is erected so as to travel on the rail 2 and move relative to the vehicle to be cleaned CA.

  The car wash machine main body 1 is provided with a plurality of rotating brushes for brushing the vehicle to be cleaned CA. The brush comprises a top brush 4, a side brush 5 and a rocker brush 6. The top brush 4 is formed by brushing and cleaning the upper surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, and radially fixing brush bodies made of cloth (woven fabric, knitted fabric, non-woven fabric, etc.) or resin fibers.

  A pair of left and right side brushes 5 is provided, and slides on both side surfaces and front and rear surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned CA to clean the vehicle to be cleaned CA. A pair of left and right rocker brushes 6 are provided to clean the lower portion of the side surface including the tire of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. The side brush 5 and the rocker brush 6 also have the same rotating shaft and brush body as the top brush 4.

  On one side of the car wash machine main body 1 is disposed a tank storage portion 17 for storing a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) for storing various liquid agents such as detergents and waxes. Distributing piping 18 for distributing city water and the liquid agent from each liquid storage tank via an electromagnetic valve or the like is provided above the tank housing 17. First and second water purification nozzles 11 and 13, first and second detergent nozzles 12 and 15, a water-repellent coating nozzle 14, and a wax nozzle 16 are led out to the distribution pipe portion 18. A supply unit (not shown) for supplying cleaning liquid and high-pressure air is provided behind the car wash machine body 1 and connected to the distribution pipe unit 18. The cleaning liquid may be mixed not only with city water but also with various liquid agents such as detergents and waxes.

  The first and second water purification nozzles 11 and 13 are respectively arranged on the front side and the back side of the car wash machine body 1 and inject city water to the vehicle to be cleaned CA. The first and second detergent nozzles 12 and 15 are respectively arranged on the near side and the far side of the car wash machine main body 1 and spray detergent onto the vehicle to be cleaned CA. The water repellent coating nozzle 14 is disposed on the back side of the car wash machine body 1 and sprays a water repellent coating agent onto the vehicle CA to be cleaned. The wax nozzle 16 is disposed on the back side of the car wash machine body 1 and injects wax onto the vehicle CA to be cleaned.

  The car wash machine main body 1 is provided with a top blow nozzle 21 and a side blow nozzle 22 as blow nozzles for drying the vehicle CA to be cleaned. A top blowing nozzle 21 is provided at the upper rear portion of the car wash machine main body 1, and side blowing nozzles 22 are further provided on both sides on the rear side. The top blower nozzle 21 and the side blower nozzle 22 blow the blown air from the blower 20 against the vehicle CA to be cleaned.

  A vehicle sensor 8 is provided on the front upper portion of the car wash machine body 1. The vehicle sensor 8 includes a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, and the like, and detects the vehicle to be cleaned CA that enters the car wash machine body 1. In addition, a vehicle shape detection unit (not shown) that detects the vehicle shape of the vehicle CA to be cleaned may be provided at the entrance of the car wash machine body 1. The vehicle shape detection unit is preferably an area sensor composed of a transmissive photoelectric sensor, and is provided with a projector in the vertical direction on one side of the car wash machine body 1 and in the vertical direction on the other side facing these projectors. By installing the light receiver, the vehicle shape of the vehicle to be cleaned entering the cleaning position is detected, and the front end portion, the rear end portion, and the hood height are detected.

  An operation panel 7 is disposed on the front surface on one side of the car wash body 1. The operation panel 7 has the same operation buttons as the remote panel 7A, and accepts a car wash and sets car wash conditions by the operation of a user who gets off the vehicle to be cleaned CA.

  As setting of the car wash conditions, buttons for adding shampoo, waxing, water repellent coat, etc. to the water wash are provided on the operation panel 7 and the remote panel 7A. In addition, buttons for performing high-grade shampoo, high-grade wax (for example, glazing coating), high-grade water repellent coating, special coating, and the like are also provided. In addition, equipment setting buttons such as front guard, fender pole, door mirror, rear wiper, and no applicable equipment are provided.

  The side brush 5 is suspended so as to be swingable via a swing support portion, and is configured to be slidable in the left-right direction. The side brush 5 is initially in an open position away from the vehicle CA to be cleaned. 5 is moved in the closed position direction (direction approaching the side surface of the vehicle), brought into contact with the side surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, and gradually tilted (oscillates by a predetermined angle) when moved further. For this purpose, the movement in the closing direction is stopped at a position that has been swung by a predetermined angle, and cleaning is performed by rotating at a position that has moved in the opening direction by a predetermined return distance from this position.

  Each of the pair of left and right side brushes 5 has an individual drive motor and is individually driven and controlled. For this purpose, the left and right side brushes 5 are brought into contact with the side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned CA and tilted by a predetermined angle, and then each side brush 5 is rotated at a position where the tilt is reduced by returning a predetermined distance, The car can be washed on both sides of the vehicle by reducing the pressing force on the side. At this time, in order to maintain the inclined posture to be washed, the pressing force may be obtained by using the biasing force of the weight.

  The top brush 4 also has an individual drive motor, and is driven to rotate and cleaned in a state where the brush body is in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. For this purpose, the top brush 4 is configured to be movable up and down, and is driven up and down in accordance with the vehicle shape detected by the vehicle sensor 8 or the area sensor described above. Further, the proximity to the surface of the vehicle body is controlled by detecting the current value of the drive motor that rotationally drives the top brush 4.

  The brushes such as the side brush 5 and the top brush 4 keep the brush position at a certain distance from the vehicle body surface due to the repulsive balance between the brush and the vehicle body. In addition, by detecting the current value of the motor that rotationally drives each brush, and controlling the opening / closing movement or raising / lowering movement so as to suppress this current value within a predetermined range, washing is performed along the shape of the vehicle to be cleaned. Has been done.

  The cleaning process using the top brush 4 and the side brush 5 and the drying process using the side blowing nozzle 22 are driven and controlled via a control device (not shown) installed in the car wash machine body 1. That is, the cleaning members and the drying members are uniformly driven and controlled via the control device.

  For example, the control device stores left and right position data based on the movement of the side brush 5 and the vertical position data based on the vertical movement of the top brush 4, and controls the movement of the side blowing nozzle 22 based on the left and right position data. .

  If it is this structure, the side ventilation nozzle 22 will be moved to the suitable position which approached the vehicle body side surface by controlling the exit / retraction of the side ventilation nozzle 22 based on the left-right position data of the side brush 5, and a drying process will be performed can do.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, after the cleaning process using the top brush 4 and the side brush 5, the side blowing nozzle 22 is moved closer to the side of the vehicle body as shown by the arrow in the drawing to execute the drying process. That is, when the driving of the side blowing nozzle 22 is started, the cleaning process using the top brush 4 and the side brush 5 has already been completed, and the movement trajectory (vertical position data) of the top brush 4 and the movement of the side brush 5 are completed. In this state, the trajectory (left / right position data) can be acquired.

  For this purpose, by providing storage means in the control device and storing the left and right position data by the movement of the side brush 5, it is possible to control the movement of the side blowing nozzle 22 using this data. Become.

  However, since the vehicle height of the to-be-cleaned vehicle CA varies from vehicle type to vehicle type, it is difficult to exhibit a good drying effect efficiently for all vehicle types using one type of side blowing nozzle 22. For example, in the case of the car wash machine WA equipped with the side air blowing nozzles 22 having the upper and lower outlets so as to be compatible with a vehicle with a high vehicle height, an area other than the vehicle is used for a vehicle with a low vehicle height. The drying air is blown on the top, and the efficiency deteriorates. Further, in the case of the car wash machine WA equipped with the side blow nozzle 22 having a short vertical outlet, corresponding to a vehicle having a low vehicle height, it is used for drying on the entire side surface of the vehicle body with respect to a vehicle having a high vehicle height. It becomes difficult to blow air, and the drying effect deteriorates.

  Therefore, in this embodiment, as a nozzle configuration having a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle that can be tilted in accordance with the vehicle height, drying from the side blowing nozzle 22 is performed according to the vehicle body shape of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. It is possible to obtain a good drying effect by adjusting the spray area of the working air.

  Next, the side blowing nozzle 22 having the lower nozzle and the upper nozzle will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The side air blowing nozzle 22 shown in FIG. 3 has an upper nozzle 22B indicated by hatching in the drawing on the lower nozzle 22A. The lower nozzle 22A has a height H11, and the upper nozzle 22B has a height H12.

  Therefore, in a state where the upper nozzle 22B is erected on the lower nozzle 22A (initial position), the height of the nozzle connected in the vertical direction is a height H1 that is the sum of the height H11 and the height H12. Further, at the inclined position where the upper nozzle 22B is inclined downward by about 60 °, the nozzle height is higher than the height H12 and lower than the height H1.

  The upper nozzle 22B in the inclined position where the upper end portion is inclined and moved to the front of the distance L1 blows out the drying air obliquely downward, so that the vehicle having a vehicle height lower than the height H11 described above is discharged from the outlet. All of the sprayed drying air is blown onto the surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle to be cleaned CA and does not leak outside the surface of the vehicle body. That is, utilization efficiency does not deteriorate without wastefully diffusing drying air. Therefore, the operation efficiency of the blower 20 is also improved.

  Therefore, by detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle CA to be cleaned in advance and inclining the upper nozzle 22B downward according to the detected vehicle height, the utilization efficiency of the drying air is improved and the drying effect is improved. be able to. Further, the inclination angle at this time may be inclined at an appropriate angle according to the vehicle height, or may be set in advance at a constant inclination angle.

  The vehicle height of the vehicle CA to be cleaned can be detected by using, for example, the vehicle sensor 8 or the area sensor described above. It can also be detected by the movement locus (vertical position data) of the top brush 4 that is in contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  That is, the car wash machine according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle height detection means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, a side brush 5 for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle VA to be cleaned, and a side air blow that blows drying air after cleaning. This is a car wash machine WA that includes a nozzle 22 and a control device that controls these driving operations, and performs car washing while relatively moving the vehicle to be cleaned CA and the car wash machine body 1 in the front-rear direction. Further, the side air blowing nozzle 22 has a lower nozzle 22A and an upper nozzle 22B having a blow-out port for discharging the drying air supplied from the same blower 20, and the lower nozzle 22A has a blow-out port directed in the horizontal direction. The upper nozzle 22B can be displaced to an initial position in the horizontal direction of the upper nozzle 22B and an inclined position in a downward direction from the initial position. The lower nozzle 22A and the upper nozzle 22B are integrated with each other. It is configured to be movable in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle 22B is inclined according to the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detection means.

  According to this configuration, the upper nozzle 22B is inclined according to the detected vehicle height, and the drying air blown from the upper nozzle 22B can be injected toward the vehicle body surface. Further, the drying effect can be improved by moving the lower nozzle 22A and the upper nozzle 22B together to approach the side surface of the vehicle body. That is, it is possible to obtain the car wash machine WA that can obtain a good drying effect by adjusting the blowing area of the drying air from the side blowing nozzle 22 according to the vehicle body shape of the vehicle CA to be cleaned.

  In addition, even if the upper nozzle 22B moves between the initial position and the inclined position, it is desired that the drying air supplied from the blower 20 be injected from the outlet without leaking. A cylinder member 24 is disposed in the interior 22, and the upper nozzle 22 </ b> B is tilted through the cylinder member 24. Moreover, even if the upper nozzle 22B tilts, the frame structure is configured such that the drying air does not leak.

  For example, the upper nozzle 22B is disposed above the lower nozzle 22A and is exposed above the lower nozzle 22A, and an inner frame that is accommodated in the lower nozzle 22A at an initial position and exposed from the lower nozzle 22A at an inclined position. In the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower 20 circulates and the air outlet are integrally communicated with each other. Further, an outer frame disposed above the lower nozzle 22A and exposed above the lower nozzle 22A, and an extensible frame body (for example, exposed from the lower nozzle 22A at an inclined position by connecting the outer frame and the lower nozzle 22A) The flow path through which the drying air supplied from the blower 20 circulates and the air outlet may be integrated with each other in the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position.

  With the above-described configuration, the drying air supplied from the same blower 20 is either a tall state in which the upper nozzle 22B is in the initial position or a short state in which the upper nozzle 22B is in the inclined position. Even in the state, all the drying air can be uniformly blown toward the vehicle body surface.

  The side blowing nozzles 22 are a pair of left and right, and the left and right sides can be individually driven, and are individually driven and controlled. If it is this structure, even if it is the position where the position of the right-and-left direction of washed vehicle CA with respect to car wash machine main part 1 shifted, right and left side ventilation is carried out by driving left and right side ventilation nozzle 22 independently, respectively. The nozzle 22 can be disposed at an appropriate position, and a stable drying effect can be exhibited.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, when the vehicle to be cleaned CA1 having a low vehicle height is stopped at the central portion of the car wash machine body 1 and the car is washed, both the left and right side air blowing nozzles 22 are moved closer to the side of the vehicle body. It becomes the ventilation nozzle 22a. At this time, the upper nozzle 22B is displaced to the inclined position, and the top blowing nozzle 21 also becomes the top blowing nozzle 21a close to the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  When the vehicle to be cleaned CA2 having a high vehicle height shown in FIG. 5 is stopped at the central portion of the car wash machine body 1 and the car is washed, both the left and right side air blowing nozzles 22 are moved closer to the side of the vehicle body, Become. At this time, the upper nozzle 22B is standing at the initial position, and the top blowing nozzle 21 becomes the top blowing nozzle 21b close to the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  In addition, when the vehicle to be cleaned CA1 having a low vehicle height shown in FIG. 6 is stopped at a position shifted to the right side of the figure from the central portion of the car wash machine body 1, only the side blowing nozzle 22 on the left side of the figure is used. Becomes the side air blowing nozzle 22c that has moved closer to the side of the vehicle body. At this time, the right side air blowing nozzle 22 in the figure becomes the side air blowing nozzle 22d that hardly moves. Further, both the upper nozzles 22B are displaced to the inclined position, and the top blowing nozzle 21 is also a top blowing nozzle 21a that is close to the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  When the vehicle to be cleaned CA2 having a high vehicle height shown in FIG. 7 is stopped at a position shifted to the right side of the figure from the center of the car wash machine body 1, only the side blowing nozzle 22 on the left side of the figure is mounted on the vehicle body. It becomes the side ventilation nozzle 22e which moved close to the side. Further, at this time, the side air blowing nozzle 22 on the right side of the drawing becomes the side air blowing nozzle 22f that hardly moves. Further, both the upper nozzles 22B are erected at the initial position, and the top blowing nozzle 21 becomes the top blowing nozzle 21b close to the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  Next, the car wash method of the car wash machine according to the present embodiment will be further described.

  The car washing method according to the present embodiment includes a vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, a side brush 5 for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, and a side air blowing nozzle 22 for blowing drying air after cleaning. The car wash method of the car wash machine WA is provided with a control device for controlling these drives, and the car wash machine CA and the car wash machine body 1 are moved relative to each other in the front-rear direction. The lower nozzle 22A and the upper nozzle 22B are provided with a blowout port for discharging the drying air supplied from the blower 20, and the lower nozzle 22A is fixed in a posture with a blowout port directed in the horizontal direction. The air outlet can be displaced to an initial position in the horizontal direction and an inclined position in the downward direction from the initial position, and the lower nozzle 22A and the upper nozzle 22B are integrated. The horizontally movable, the upper nozzle 22B, so that a configuration of tilting in accordance with the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detection means, blowing all drying air towards the vehicle body surface.

  With this configuration, the upper nozzle 22B is inclined according to the detected vehicle height, and all the drying air blown from the upper nozzle 22B is blown toward the vehicle body surface, so that drying of waste of drying air is suppressed. Does not deteriorate efficiency. Further, the drying effect can be improved by moving the lower nozzle 22A and the upper nozzle 22B together to approach the side surface of the vehicle body. That is, it is possible to obtain a car wash method capable of obtaining a good drying effect by adjusting the blowing area of the drying air from the side blowing nozzle 22 according to the vehicle body shape of the vehicle CA to be cleaned.

  A vehicle height detection means is not specifically limited, For example, the vehicle sensor 8 mentioned above, an area sensor, etc. correspond. The vehicle height of the vehicle CA to be cleaned can also be detected from the movement locus (vertical position data) of the top brush 4 that contacts the upper surface of the vehicle body.

  Further, the side blowing nozzles 22 are paired on the left and right sides, and the left and right sides can be individually driven, and are individually driven and controlled. If it is this structure, even if it is the position where the position of the right-and-left direction of washed vehicle CA with respect to car wash machine main part 1 shifted, right and left side ventilation is carried out by driving left and right side ventilation nozzle 22 independently, respectively. A nozzle can be arrange | positioned in a suitable position and the stable drying effect can be exhibited.

  As described above, according to the car wash machine according to the present invention, the side blowing nozzle configuration having the lower nozzle and the upper nozzle that can be tilted according to the vehicle height is provided on the car wash machine according to the shape of the vehicle to be cleaned. Thus, it is possible to obtain a car wash machine capable of obtaining a good drying effect by adjusting the blowing area of the drying air from the side blowing nozzle.

  Further, according to the car wash method according to the present invention, since the upper nozzle is inclined downward and the drying air is blown according to the detected vehicle height, the waste of the drying air is suppressed and the drying efficiency is suppressed. A car wash method capable of obtaining a good drying effect without deteriorating the temperature can be obtained.

  For this reason, the car wash machine and the car wash method according to the present invention enable efficient car washing with a good drying effect regardless of the height of the car. Therefore, it is required to perform car washing on various car types. The present invention is suitably applied as a car wash machine and a car wash method of a car wash station.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car wash machine body 2 Rail 3 Wheel 4 Top brush 5 Side brush 8 Vehicle sensor 21 Top ventilation nozzle 22 Side ventilation nozzle 22A Lower nozzle 22B Upper nozzle CA Car to be cleaned CA1 Vehicle to be cleaned (vehicle height is low)
CA2 Vehicle to be cleaned (high vehicle height)
WA car wash machine

Claims (6)

A vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle for blowing drying air after cleaning, and a control device for controlling driving of these, A car wash machine that performs a car wash of the vehicle to be cleaned while relatively moving the vehicle to be cleaned and the car wash machine body in the front-rear direction,
The side blowing nozzle has a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle each having a blowout port for discharging drying air supplied from the same blower.
The lower nozzle is fixed in a posture with a blowout port directed in the horizontal direction,
The upper nozzle is displaceable between an initial position in the horizontal direction of the outlet and an inclined position in a downward direction from the initial position,
The lower nozzle and the upper nozzle are integrally movable in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle is configured to be inclined according to the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detection means ,
The upper nozzle includes an outer frame disposed above the lower nozzle and exposed above the lower nozzle, and an inner frame accommodated in the lower nozzle at the initial position and exposed from the lower nozzle at the inclined position. Prepared,
In the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates and the air outlet integrally communicate with each other. A vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle for blowing drying air after cleaning, and a control device for controlling driving of these, A car wash machine that performs a car wash of the vehicle to be cleaned while relatively moving the vehicle to be cleaned and the car wash machine body in the front-rear direction,
The side blowing nozzle has a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle each having a blowout port for discharging drying air supplied from the same blower.
The lower nozzle is fixed in a posture with a blowout port directed in the horizontal direction,
The upper nozzle is displaceable between an initial position in the horizontal direction of the outlet and an inclined position in a downward direction from the initial position,
The lower nozzle and the upper nozzle are integrally movable in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle is configured to be inclined according to the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detection means ,
The upper nozzle is disposed above the lower nozzle and is exposed above the lower nozzle; and an extendable frame body that connects the outer frame and the lower nozzle and is exposed from the lower nozzle at the inclined position. With
In the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates and the air outlet integrally communicate with each other. 3. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the side blowing nozzles are a pair of left and right, and the left and right are individually driven and controlled. A vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle for blowing drying air after cleaning, and a control device for controlling driving of these, A car wash method of a car wash machine for washing a vehicle to be cleaned while moving the vehicle to be cleaned and a car wash machine body in the front-rear direction,
The side blowing nozzle has a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle each having a blowout port for discharging drying air supplied from the same blower.
The lower nozzle is fixed in a posture with a blowout port directed in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle is displaceable to an initial position in which the blower port is directed in the horizontal direction and an inclined position in which the lower nozzle is directed downward.
And these lower nozzle and an upper nozzle to be movable in the horizontal direction together, the upper nozzle, the tilting in accordance with the vehicle height detected by said vehicle height detection means,
The upper nozzle is disposed above the lower nozzle and is exposed above the lower nozzle; and an extendable frame body that connects the outer frame and the lower nozzle and is exposed from the lower nozzle at the inclined position. With
In the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates and the outlet are integrally communicated, and all the drying air is directed toward the vehicle body surface. A car washing method characterized by spraying. A vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side brush for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned, a side air blowing nozzle for blowing drying air after cleaning, and a control device for controlling driving of these, A car wash method of a car wash machine for washing a vehicle to be cleaned while moving the vehicle to be cleaned and a car wash machine body in the front-rear direction,
The side blowing nozzle has a lower nozzle and an upper nozzle each having a blowout port for discharging drying air supplied from the same blower.
The lower nozzle is fixed in a posture with a blowout port directed in the horizontal direction, and the upper nozzle is displaceable to an initial position in which the blower port is directed in the horizontal direction and an inclined position in which the lower nozzle is directed downward.
And these lower nozzle and an upper nozzle to be movable in the horizontal direction together, the upper nozzle, the tilting in accordance with the vehicle height detected by said vehicle height detection means,
The upper nozzle is disposed above the lower nozzle and is exposed above the lower nozzle; and an extendable frame body that connects the outer frame and the lower nozzle and is exposed from the lower nozzle at the inclined position. With
In the entire region from the initial position to the inclined position, the flow passage through which the drying air supplied from the blower circulates and the outlet are integrally communicated , and all the drying air is directed toward the vehicle body surface. A car washing method characterized by spraying. 6. The car wash method according to claim 4, wherein the side blowing nozzles are paired on the left and right sides, and the left and right sides can be individually driven, and are individually driven and controlled.

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