JP7035855B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a car wash machine that determines an abnormality in a water supply route.

A conventional car wash machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1. This car wash machine is equipped with a gate-type car wash machine body that moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle to be washed. The main body of the car wash machine is provided with a plurality of injection nozzles, a rotary brush and a blower nozzle. The injection nozzle is supplied with water from a water storage tank and injects water, water containing detergent, water containing wax, etc. toward the vehicle to be washed. The rotary brush rotates and slides on the vehicle to be cleaned, which is sprayed with the cleaning water, to clean the vehicle to be cleaned. The blower nozzle dries the vehicle to be washed by blowing air.

A main pipe is led out to the water storage tank, and an injection nozzle is connected to each of a plurality of branch pipes branched from the main pipe via a solenoid valve. A pump and a pressure sensor are arranged on the main pipe.

In the car wash machine, when the water storage tank becomes drought during washing of the vehicle to be washed, the pressure sensor detects a decrease in water pressure in the main pipe, and the rotating brush is retracted to stop the car wash. As a result, it is possible to prevent scratches on the vehicle to be cleaned and poor application of wax due to brush cleaning without water supply.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 07-205769 (pages 3 to 7, FIG. 4)

However, according to the above-mentioned conventional car wash machine, when the nozzle clogging of the injection nozzle occurs, the pressure sensor cannot detect the nozzle clogging because the water pressure by the pump is applied. For this reason, there is a problem that water is not ejected from the injection nozzle, and problems of car washing such as scratches on the vehicle to be washed and poor application of wax due to brush washing without water supply occur.

An object of the present invention is to provide a car wash machine capable of preventing car wash problems.

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention draws water from a car wash machine main body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, a rotary brush provided on the car wash machine main body, a water storage tank, and the water storage tank. A pump to be discharged, a plurality of injection nozzles connected in parallel to the pump via a pipe, and a plurality of electromagnetic valves for opening and closing each of the pipes are provided, and water supplied from the water storage tank is injected from the injection nozzle. In a car wash machine for washing a vehicle to be washed with the rotary brush, a flow meter is arranged between the injection nozzle and the pump, and the flow meter when the predetermined electromagnetic valve is opened while driving the pump. It is characterized by providing an inspection mode in which an abnormality is determined based on the detection result of the above and the determination result is notified.

Further, according to the present invention, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, a plurality of standard ranges of the flow rate per unit time when each solenoid valve is selectively opened are stored corresponding to each solenoid valve, and in the inspection mode. When the plurality of solenoid valves are opened and closed in order and the detected flow rate of the flow meter is out of the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal, and when the detected flow rate of the flow meter is not zero for at least one injection nozzle, the detected flow rate is not zero. It is characterized in that it is determined that the path of the injection nozzle is out of the standard range and the notification content includes that fact.

Further, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, when the detected flow rate of the flow meter is zero for all the injection nozzles, it is determined that the abnormality is due to the freezing of the piping or the drought of the water storage tank to that effect. Is included in the content of the notification.

Further, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, the standard range includes the flow rate per unit time when a plurality of the solenoid valves are opened at the same time, and the plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time in the inspection mode. It is characterized by making it possible to select to judge.

Further, according to the present invention, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, the standard range of the flow rate per unit time when the plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time is stored in advance, and the plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time in the inspection mode. If the detected flow rate of the flow meter is out of the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal, and if the detected flow rate of the flow meter is not zero, it is determined to be an abnormality in the path of any of the injection nozzles, and that fact is included in the notification content. It is characterized by that.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, when the detected flow rate of the flow meter is zero, it is determined that the pipe is frozen or the water storage tank is drought, and that fact is included in the notification content. ..

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in a car wash machine having the above configuration, when water is sprayed from a predetermined injection nozzle to perform washing, the car wash is stopped when the detected flow rate of the flow meter becomes lower than the predetermined flow rate. There is.

Further, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, when water is sprayed from a plurality of the injection nozzles to perform cleaning, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter becomes zero, it is determined that the water storage tank is drought to that effect. It is characterized by notifying and stopping the car wash.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the car wash machine having the above configuration includes a database for accumulating history data of the car wash and the inspection mode, and the determination result is included in the history data.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, the history data includes the location where an abnormality occurs during the car wash or the inspection mode.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, the flow rate of each of the injection nozzles in the inspection mode is included in the history data.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, in the car wash machine having the above configuration, the accumulated flow rate detected by the flow meter from the start of the car wash to the end of the car wash is included in the history data.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the car wash machine having the above configuration includes a communication unit that communicates via a network, and the database can be accessed from an external terminal via the network.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that the database is arranged on the network in the car wash machine having the above configuration.

According to the present invention, a flow meter is arranged between the injection nozzle and the pump, and an inspection mode is provided in which an abnormality is determined based on the detection result of the flow meter and the determination result is notified. Therefore, an abnormality can be detected by the flow meter when the water storage tank is drought and when the injection nozzle is clogged. Therefore, it is possible to prevent problems in car washing such as brush washing without water supply.

Front view showing the car wash machine of the first embodiment of the present invention Side view showing the car wash machine of 1st Embodiment of this invention A piping diagram showing a water supply route of the car wash machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing the operation of the inspection mode of the car wash machine according to the first embodiment of the present invention. A flowchart showing the operation of the inspection mode of the car wash machine according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

<First Embodiment>
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. 1 and 2 are a front view and a side view showing the car wash machine 1 of the first embodiment. The car wash machine 1 includes a car wash machine main body 2 and a remote panel 65. The car wash machine main body 2 is formed in a gate shape having two left and right facing stand portions 3 and a ceiling portion 4 connecting the upper ends of the stand portions 3.

A pair of left and right rails 66 are laid on the ground G, and wheels 2c provided on the bottom surface of the stand portion 3 are arranged on the rails 66. As a result, the car wash machine main body 2 is erected on the rail 66, travels on the rail 66 by the drive of the traveling motor 10 (see FIG. 4), and moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle to be washed 70.

The remote panel 65 is arranged along the approach path A of the vehicle to be washed 70 with respect to the car wash machine main body 2. The remote panel 65 has a display unit and an input unit including a plurality of buttons. The guidance screen, notification screen, etc. are displayed on the display unit, and the car wash conditions are set on the input unit. As car wash conditions, set the washing method (washing with water, shampoo washing, presence / absence of wax coating, etc.), presence / absence of equipment (front guard, fender pole, side under mirror, rear wiper, roof spoiler, roof carrier, etc.). Can be done.

An operation panel 8 is arranged in front of one stand portion 3 of the car wash machine main body 2. Like the remote panel 65, the operation panel 8 is provided with a display unit and an input unit, and car wash conditions can be set.

A shape sensor 9 is provided at the end of the stand portion 3 of the car wash machine main body 2 on the entrance surface 2a side. The shape sensor 9 is formed by a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged side by side in the vertical direction on the stand portion 3. The vehicle shape of the vehicle to be cleaned 70 is detected by passing light from the vehicle to be cleaned 70 between the light emitting unit provided on one stand unit 3 and the light receiving unit provided on the other stand unit 3. The shape sensor 9 may be formed by another ultrasonic sensor or the like.

The car wash machine main body 2 is provided with a plurality of rotary brushes that rotate and slide on the vehicle to be washed 70 for brushing. The rotating brush consists of a top brush 5 and a side brush 6. The top brush 5 is arranged on the ceiling portion 4 and rotates on a horizontal rotation axis, and is moved up and down by a brush elevating motor 5b (see FIG. 4) to clean the upper surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 70. The side brushes 6 are arranged in pairs on the stand portion 3 on the left and right sides, and rotate on a rotation axis extending vertically to clean the front and rear surfaces and both side surfaces of the vehicle 70 to be cleaned.

A blower 20 that generates an air flow is arranged above the car wash machine main body 2. A plurality of blow nozzles for blowing air toward the vehicle to be washed 70 are connected to the blower 20. The blower nozzle is composed of a top blower nozzle 21 and a side blower nozzle 22.

The top blower nozzle 21 is arranged on the ceiling portion 4, and is moved up and down by the nozzle elevating motor 21a (see FIG. 4), and the front surface, the upper surface, and the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 70 are dried by blowing air. The side blow nozzles 22 are provided on both stand portions 3, respectively, and the side surfaces of the vehicle to be cleaned 70 are dried by blowing air.

A distribution piping section 30 is provided in one of the stand sections 3. The distribution piping unit 30 stores a plurality of liquid storage tanks 31 and 32 (see FIG. 3), and distributes tap water and detergents and liquids from each liquid storage tank. Detergent is stored in the liquid storage tank 31, and wax is stored in the liquid storage tank 32. Further, although not shown, a liquid storage tank for storing the coating agent is also provided.

A plurality of injection nozzles are provided on the ceiling portion 4 and the stand portion 3. The injection nozzle has a water purification nozzle 11 to 13, a shampoo nozzle 14, a wax nozzle 15, and a high-pressure water nozzle 16. The water purification nozzles 11 and 12 are arranged at the end of the car wash machine main body 2 on the inlet surface 2a side, and inject tap water for washing water. The water purification nozzle 11 is provided on the ceiling portion 4, and the water purification nozzle 12 is provided on both stand portions 3. The water purification nozzle 13 is arranged on the ceiling portion 4 at the end of the car wash machine main body 2 on the outlet surface 2b side, and injects tap water wash water.

The shampoo nozzle 14 is arranged on the ceiling portion 4 between the water purification nozzle 11 and the top brush 5, and sprays washing water containing a detergent. The wax nozzle 15 is provided on the ceiling portion 4 at the end of the car wash machine main body 2 on the outlet surface 2b side, and sprays water containing a predetermined concentration of wax. The high-pressure water nozzle 16 is provided on the ceiling portion 4 at the end of the car wash machine main body 2 on the inlet surface 2a side, and injects wash water composed of tap water having a higher pressure than the water purification nozzles 11 to 13. Although not shown, an injection nozzle for injecting a coating agent is arranged on the ceiling portion 4.

FIG. 3 shows a piping diagram of the water supply path of the car wash machine 1. A water storage tank 34 for storing tap water is installed on the outside of the outlet surface 2b of the car wash machine main body 2. Water other than tap water (for example, well water, groundwater, river water, recovered water) may be stored in the water storage tank 34.

A water pump 35 (pump) for pumping water is immersed in the water storage tank 34, and a pipe 40 is led out from the water pump 35. A flow meter 39 is connected to the drain side of the water pump 35 via a three-way valve 38, and a high pressure pump 36 is connected to the downstream side of the flow meter 39. The high-pressure pump 36 raises the water pressure of the washing water and sends it out, and a high-pressure water supply path 42 for supplying high-pressure (for example, 2 MPa) tap water is formed downstream of the high-pressure pump 36. Further, the pipe 40 is branched between the flow meter 39 and the high pressure pump 36, and a low pressure water supply path 41 for supplying tap water having a lower pressure (for example, 0.2 MPa) than the high pressure water supply path 42 is formed.

An air pump 37 that supplies high-pressure compressed air is connected to the three-way valve 38. By switching the three-way valve 38, air and tap water are selectively circulated in the low-pressure water supply path 41 and the high-pressure water supply path 42. High-pressure air is supplied to the low-pressure water supply path 41 and the high-pressure water supply path 42 after the car wash is completed. As a result, the water purification nozzles 11 to 13, the shampoo nozzle 14, the wax nozzle 15, and the high-pressure water nozzle 16 are drained.

The high-pressure water supply path 42 is connected to the high-pressure water nozzle 16 via the solenoid valve 56 downstream of the high-pressure pump 36. By opening and closing the solenoid valve 56, the execution and stop of the injection of the washing water by the high-pressure water nozzle 16 are switched.

The low-pressure water supply path 41 is branched into a plurality of branches, and is connected to the water purification nozzles 11 to 13, the shampoo nozzle 14, and the wax nozzle 15, respectively, via the solenoid valves 52 to 55. The water purification nozzles 11 and 12 branch off downstream of the solenoid valve 52, and the execution and stop of the injection of the washing water are switched by opening and closing the solenoid valve 52.

Similarly, by opening and closing the solenoid valve 53, the execution and stop of the injection of the washing water by the water purification nozzle 13 are switched. By opening and closing the solenoid valve 54, the execution and stop of the injection of the washing water containing the detergent by the shampoo nozzle 14 are switched. By opening and closing the solenoid valve 55, the execution and stop of the injection of water containing wax by the wax nozzle 15 are switched.

An injector 44 is arranged upstream of the shampoo nozzle 14. The suction portion 31a connected to the injector 44 via the check valve 47 is immersed in the liquid storage tank 31 for storing the detergent. The detergent in the liquid storage tank 31 is sucked into the injector 44 by the water flowing through the pipe 40, and the washing water containing the detergent is supplied to the shampoo nozzle 14.

Similarly, an injector 45 is arranged upstream of the wax nozzle 15. The suction portion 32a connected to the injector 45 via the check valve 48 is immersed in the liquid storage tank 32 for storing the wax. The wax in the liquid storage tank 32 is sucked into the injector 45 by the water flowing through the pipe 40, and the wax diluted to a predetermined concentration is supplied to the wax nozzle 15. The check valves 47 and 48 prevent the inflow of tap water into the liquid storage tanks 31 and 32. The injection nozzle for injecting the coating agent is connected in the same manner as the wax nozzle 15.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine 1. The car wash machine main body 2 is provided with a control unit 60 that controls each unit. The control unit 60 includes a communication unit 61, a remote panel 65, an operation panel 8, a traveling motor 10, a rotary motor 5a, 6a, a brush elevating motor 5b, an opening / closing motor 6b, a blower 20, a nozzle elevating motor 21a, a water pump 35, and a high pressure. A pump 36, an air pump 37, electromagnetic valves 52 to 56, a three-way valve 38, a flow meter 39, a shape sensor 9, and a storage unit 62 are connected.

The communication unit 61 communicates via a network such as an Internet network. This makes it possible to remotely control the car wash machine 1 from an external terminal via a network.

The rotary motor 5a rotationally drives the top brush 5 (see FIG. 1), and the rotary motor 6a rotationally drives the side brush 6 (see FIG. 1). The brush elevating motor 5b raises and lowers the top brush 5 along the upper surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 70. The opening / closing motor 6b moves the side brush 6 in the left-right direction along the side surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 70. The nozzle elevating motor 21a elevates and elevates the top blower nozzle 21 (see FIG. 1) along the upper surface and the rear surface of the vehicle to be cleaned 70.

The flow meter 39 detects the flow rate (volume of fluid) per unit time in the pipe 40 and the integrated flow rate for a predetermined period. Since the low-pressure water supply path 41 and the high-pressure water supply path 42 branch off downstream of the flow meter 39, the flow meter 39 detects the flow rate of water flowing through the low-pressure water supply path 41 and the high-pressure water supply path 42. Therefore, by opening one or more of the solenoid valves 52 to 56, the flow rate of the injection nozzle corresponding to the opened solenoid valves 52 to 56 can be detected.

The storage unit 62 is composed of a ROM and a RAM, stores an operation program of the car wash machine 1, control data, and the like, and temporarily stores the calculation result by the control unit 60. Further, the storage unit 62 is provided with a database 63 for accumulating car wash history data and inspection mode history data described later. The database 63 can be accessed from an external terminal via the communication unit 61.

The control data stored in the storage unit 62 includes data in a standard range of the flow rate of water injected from each injection nozzle per unit time. The standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from the water purification nozzle 11 and the water purification nozzle 12 by opening the solenoid valve 52 is, for example, 13 to 17 L / min. The standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from the water purification nozzle 13 by opening the solenoid valve 53 is, for example, 13 to 17 L / min.

The standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from the shampoo nozzle 14 by opening the solenoid valve 54 is, for example, 4 to 6 L / min. The standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from the wax nozzle 15 by opening the solenoid valve 55 is, for example, 8 to 12 L / min. The standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from the high-pressure water nozzle 16 by opening the solenoid valve 56 is, for example, 18 to 22 L / min.

Further, the standard range of the flow rate when the plurality of solenoid valves are opened is also stored in the storage unit 62. The standard range of the flow rate of water injected from the water purification nozzles 11 to 13, the shampoo nozzle 14 and the wax nozzle 15 by opening the solenoid valves 52 to 55 of the low pressure water supply path 41 at the same time is, for example, 36 to 44 L / min. The flow rate when a plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time is smaller than the total flow rate when the piping 40 is selectively opened due to the large pressure loss. Further, the standard range of the flow rate of water ejected from a plurality of injection nozzles at the same time according to the car wash condition is also stored in the storage unit 62.

In the car wash machine 1 having the above configuration, an inspection is performed at the start of work when the power is turned on. The inspection mode for inspecting the car wash machine 1 is selected by operating the operation panel 8 by the staff. The inspection mode may be automatically set when the power is turned on.

FIG. 5 shows a flowchart of the inspection mode. When the inspection mode is started, the water pump 35 is driven in step # 11. In steps # 12 to # 17, the solenoid valves 52 to 56 are alternately opened and closed in order. Here, the solenoid valve 52, the solenoid valve 53, the solenoid valve 54, the solenoid valve 55, and the solenoid valve 56 are opened and closed in this order. Although not shown, the high pressure pump 36 is driven when the solenoid valve 56 is opened.

When the first solenoid valve 52 is opened in step # 12, the flow rate is detected by the flow meter 39 in step # 13. In step # 14, the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 62. In step # 15, the solenoid valve 52 is closed. In step # 16, it is determined whether or not the last solenoid valve (here, the solenoid valve 56) is closed. If the last solenoid valve 56 is not opened or closed, the process proceeds to step # 17, the next solenoid valve is opened, and steps # 13 to # 17 are repeated.

When the last solenoid valve 56 is opened and closed, the process proceeds to step # 21 and the water pump 35 is stopped. In step # 22, it is determined whether or not the flow rate of each injection nozzle corresponding to each solenoid valve 52 to 56 is within the standard range. If the flow rates of all the injection nozzles are in the standard range, the process proceeds to step # 27, and if the flow rates of at least one injection nozzle are not in the standard range, the process proceeds to step # 23.

In step # 27, the display on the operation panel 8 and the remote panel 65 informs that it is normal.

In step # 23, it is determined whether or not water is not flowing to all the injection nozzles (the flow rate detected by the flow meter 39 is zero). If the flow rate of all the injection nozzles is zero, the process proceeds to step # 24, and if the flow rate of at least one injection nozzle is not zero, the process proceeds to step # 25.

In step # 24, it is determined that the pipe 40 of each injection nozzle is frozen or the water storage tank 34 is drought. In step # 25, it is determined that there is an abnormality on the path of the injection nozzle whose flow rate is out of the standard range. Specifically, when the flow rate is less than the standard range, it is determined that the nozzle is clogged, and when the flow rate is higher than the standard range, it is determined that the pipe 40 connected to the injection nozzle is leaking.

In step # 26, an abnormality is notified by the display on the operation panel 8 and the remote panel 65. At this time, an abnormality occurrence location such as freezing of the pipe 40 or drought of the water storage tank 34, clogging of the injection nozzle, and water leakage of the pipe 40 of the injection nozzle may be notified at the same time.

Note that the communication unit 61 may transmit the notification content including the determination result in steps # 26 and # 27, and notify the external terminal via the network.

In step # 28, the history data of the inspection mode is saved in the database 63, and the inspection mode is terminated. The history data includes the execution date and time of the inspection mode, the determination result (normal or abnormal), the location where the abnormality occurs, the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39, and the like.

Next, the car wash operation of the car wash machine 1 will be described. When the vehicle to be washed 70 stops in front of the remote panel 65, the car wash conditions are set. After setting the car wash conditions, the car wash is started when the vehicle to be washed 70 moves to a predetermined wash start position and stops by the user's driving.

By operating the remote panel 65, a car wash course including a water wash course, a shampoo course, a wax course, and a coating course can be selected. In the washing course, the rotating brush is rotated to inject tap water for washing, and the vehicle to be washed 70 is washed with water. In the shampoo course, the rotating brush is rotated to inject washing water containing detergent, and the vehicle to be washed 70 is washed with detergent.

In the wax course, the vehicle to be cleaned 70 is washed in the same manner as the shampoo course, and then wax is applied to the vehicle to be cleaned 70 by the wax nozzle 15. Similar to the shampoo course, the coating course cleans the vehicle to be cleaned 70, and then applies the coating agent to the vehicle to be cleaned 70. In addition, cleaning with high-pressure water ejected from the high-pressure water nozzle 16 can be added as an option.

For example, when the shampoo course is selected and the car wash is started, the first outbound route in which the car wash machine main body 2 moves toward the rear of the vehicle to be washed 70 is performed. On the first outbound route, the shape sensor 9 detects the vehicle shape of the vehicle to be washed 70. The water purification nozzles 11 and 12 near the inlet surface 2a inject tap water for washing water. The shampoo nozzle 14 arranged between the water purification nozzles 11 and 12 and the rotating brush sprays washing water containing detergent. Further, the top brush 5 and the side brush 6 are rotationally driven. As a result, the top brush 5 and the side brush 6 slide on the vehicle body surface of the vehicle to be washed 70 wet with the washing water, and are washed with the washing water containing the detergent.

When the washing to the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed 70 is completed, the first return route in which the car wash machine main body 2 is inverted and moved to the front of the vehicle to be washed 70 is performed. In the first return route, tap water wash water is ejected from the water purification nozzle 13 that precedes the rotating rotary brush and the water purification nozzles 11 and 12 that follow. As a result, the vehicle to be washed 70 is washed with water and the detergent is rinsed and washed.

When the first return route is completed, the second outward route is performed in which the car wash machine main body 2 is inverted and moves to the rear of the vehicle to be washed 70. On the second outbound route, the rotating brush is stopped, and air is blown from each blow nozzle to dry the vehicle 70 to be washed. When the drying is completed, the history data is saved in the database 63 and the car wash is completed.

In the first outward route and the first return route, the flow rate is monitored by the flow meter 39 when the washing water is injected from the water purification nozzles 11 to 13 and the shampoo nozzle 14. When the flow meter 39 detects a flow rate outside the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal, and the rotating brush is retracted to stop the car wash. Then, an abnormality is notified by the operation panel 8 and the remote panel 65, the history data is stored in the database 63, and the car wash is completed.

At this time, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 when water is sprayed from a plurality of injection nozzles at the same time is zero, it is determined that the abnormality is due to the drought of the water storage tank 34. When the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is zero, there is a possibility that the pipe 40 is frozen, but since it is highly possible that the freezing of the pipe 40 has been resolved at the time of the start-up inspection, it is determined that the water storage tank 34 is drought.

Further, when the flow rate of one or more injection nozzles is not zero and is less than the standard range, it is judged that the nozzle is clogged, and when it is more than the standard range, it is judged as water leakage. At this time, by opening the plurality of solenoid valves in order with a predetermined time difference, it is possible to identify the injection nozzle in which the nozzle is clogged or water leaks.

If a predetermined flow rate is secured when a flow rate outside the standard range is detected, the car wash may be continued and an abnormality may be notified after the drying is completed. That is, when washing by injecting water from a predetermined injection nozzle, the car wash may be stopped when the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is lower than the predetermined flow rate.

The car wash history data includes the car wash execution date and time, the car wash conditions, the vehicle length detected by the shape sensor 9, the car wash execution result (normal end or abnormal end), the location where the abnormality occurred, and the car wash start detected by the flow meter 39. The integrated flow rate until the end of car wash is included. Since the amount of water used at the time of car wash is acquired from the integrated flow rate from the start of car wash to the end of car wash, the running cost of the car wash machine 1 can be grasped.

If water washing is selected as the car wash condition, the shampoo nozzle 14 is stopped on the first outward route.

When wax or coating is selected as the car wash condition, the wax or coating agent is sprayed from a predetermined injection nozzle (wax nozzle 15 or the like) on the second outward route and the second return route after the completion of the first return route. As a result, a film of wax or a coating agent is formed on the vehicle to be cleaned 70, and drying is performed on the third outward route. If high-pressure washing is added as an option, high-pressure water is sprayed from the high-pressure water nozzle 16 on the first outward route. In these cases as well, the flow rate of the injection nozzle is monitored by the flow meter 39 in the same manner as described above.

According to this embodiment, a flow meter 39 is arranged between the injection nozzle and the water pump 35, and an inspection mode is provided in which an abnormality is determined based on the detection result of the flow meter 39 and the determination result is notified. Therefore, an abnormality can be detected by the flow meter 39 when the water storage tank 34 is drought and when the injection nozzle is clogged. Further, when the pipe 40 or the flow meter 39 freezes, the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 becomes zero, so that an abnormality can be detected. As a result, it is possible to eliminate the abnormality and wash the car, and it is possible to prevent problems in the car wash such as brush washing without water supply and poor application of wax.

Further, the standard range of the flow rate per unit time when the solenoid valves 52 to 56 are selectively opened is stored in the storage unit 62 corresponding to each solenoid valve 52 to 56. In the inspection mode, the plurality of solenoid valves 52 to 56 are opened and closed in order, and when the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is out of the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal and an abnormality is notified. At this time, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is not zero for at least one injection nozzle, it is determined that the path of the injection nozzle is out of the standard range (nozzle clogging or water leakage), and that fact is notified. include. As a result, the staff can easily grasp the abnormal portion, and the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be improved.

In addition, when the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is zero for all the injection nozzles that are opened and closed in order in the inspection mode, it is determined that there is an abnormality due to freezing of the pipe 40 or drought of the water storage tank 34, and that fact is notified. include. As a result, the staff can easily grasp the abnormal portion, and the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be improved.

Further, when water is sprayed from the injection nozzle to perform cleaning, the car wash is stopped when the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 becomes lower than the predetermined flow rate. This makes it possible to stop the car wash when an abnormality occurs during the car wash and more reliably prevent the car wash without water supply.

Further, when water is sprayed from a plurality of injection nozzles to perform cleaning, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 becomes zero, it is determined that the water storage tank 34 is drought, and a notification to that effect is given and the car wash is stopped. As a result, when the water storage tank 34 becomes drought during the car wash, the car wash can be stopped to more reliably prevent the car wash without water supply, and the abnormal portion can be easily grasped to improve the convenience of the car wash machine 1.

Further, since the determination result of the inspection mode is included in the history data stored in the database 63, the occurrence status of the abnormality can be grasped, and the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be improved.

Further, since the history data includes the location where the abnormality occurs during the car wash or the inspection mode, the abnormality analysis can be easily performed, and the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be further improved.

Further, since the flow rate of each injection nozzle in the inspection mode is included in the history data, the abnormality analysis can be performed in more detail, and the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be further improved.

Further, since the accumulated flow rate detected by the flow meter 39 from the start of the car wash to the end of the car wash is included in the history data, the amount of water used at the time of the car wash is acquired, and the running cost of the car wash machine 1 can be grasped. Therefore, the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be further improved.

Further, since the database 63 is provided with a communication unit 61 that communicates via the network and the database 63 can be accessed from the external terminal via the network, it is possible to browse the database 63 at a place away from the car wash machine 1 and perform abnormality analysis and the like. can. Therefore, the convenience of the car wash machine 1 can be improved.

The database 63 may be arranged on the network, and the history data may be transmitted from the communication unit 61 and stored in the database 63. As a result, the database 63 can be accessed from the external terminal via the network.

<Second Embodiment>
Next, the car wash machine 1 of the second embodiment will be described. The car wash machine 1 of the present embodiment is configured in the same manner as the first embodiment, and the operation of the inspection mode is different. Other parts are the same as those in the first embodiment.

FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of the inspection mode of the car wash machine 1 of the present embodiment. When the inspection mode is started, the water pump 35 is driven in step # 11. In step # 12, the solenoid valves 52 to 55 of the low pressure water supply path 41 are opened. In step # 13, the flow rate is detected by the flow meter 39. In step # 14, the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is temporarily stored in the storage unit 62. In step # 15, the solenoid valves 52 to 55 are closed.

In step # 16, it is determined whether or not the solenoid valve 56 of the high-pressure water supply path 42 is opened or closed. If the solenoid valve 56 of the high-pressure water supply path 42 is not opened or closed, the process proceeds to step # 17, the solenoid valve 56 is opened, and steps # 13 to # 16 are performed again.

When the solenoid valve 56 is opened and closed, the process proceeds to step # 21 and the water pump 35 is stopped. In step # 22, it is determined whether or not the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 when the solenoid valves 52 to 55 are opened at the same time and the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 when the solenoid valve 56 is opened are within the standard range. If the detected flow rates of all the flow meters 39 are in the standard range, the process proceeds to step # 27, and if any of the detected flow rates is not in the standard range, the process proceeds to step # 23.

In step # 27, the display on the operation panel 8 and the remote panel 65 informs that it is normal.

In step # 23, it is determined whether or not water is not flowing to all the injection nozzles (the flow rate detected by the flow meter 39 is zero). If the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is zero, the process proceeds to step # 24, and if water flows through at least one injection nozzle and the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is not zero, the process proceeds to step # 25.

In step # 24, it is determined that the pipe 40 of any of the injection nozzles is frozen or the water storage tank 34 is drought. In step # 25, it is determined that there is an abnormality on the path of one of the injection nozzles. In step # 26, an abnormality is notified by the display on the operation panel 8 and the remote panel 65. Then, in step # 28, the history data is saved in the database 63.

According to the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, it is possible to prevent problems in car washing such as brush washing without water supply and poor application of wax.

Further, since a plurality of solenoid valves 52 to 55 are opened at the same time in the inspection mode and the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is determined to be abnormal when the flow rate is out of the standard range, the working time in the inspection mode should be shortened as compared with the first embodiment. Can be done. At this time, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is not zero, it is determined that the path of one of the injection nozzles is abnormal and the notification content includes that fact. Can be improved.

Further, when the detected flow rate of the flow meter 39 is zero in the inspection mode, it is determined that the pipe 40 is frozen or the water storage tank 34 is drought, and that fact is included in the notification content. The convenience of 1 can be improved.

Since the solenoid valves 52 to 55 are opened at the same time, it is not possible to identify the injection nozzle in which the abnormality is generated from a plurality of injection nozzles when the path of the injection nozzle is abnormal. However, since the operator can manually inspect and identify the injection nozzle in which the abnormality has occurred, the abnormality can be eliminated and the brush cleaning without water supply can be prevented.

In the present embodiment, both the inspection mode shown in FIG. 5 and the inspection mode shown in FIG. 6 may be provided, and one of them may be selectable. As a result, it is possible to properly use the detailed inspection that takes time and the simple inspection that shortens the time according to the situation, and it is possible to further improve the convenience of the car wash machine 1.

In the first and second embodiments, a plurality of flow meters 39 may be provided corresponding to each injection nozzle. Further, the car wash machine main body 2 may be a car wash machine that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed 70, and may be a car wash machine in which the vehicle to be washed 70 moves in the front-rear direction to wash the car.

According to the present invention, it can be used in a car wash machine for determining an abnormality in a water supply route.

1 Car wash machine 2 Car wash machine body 3 Stand part 4 Ceiling part 5 Top brush 5a, 6a Rotation motor 5b Brush lift motor 6 Side brush 6b Open / close motor 8 Operation panel 9 Shape sensor 10 Travel motor 11-13 Water purification nozzle 14 Shampoo nozzle 15 Wax Nozzle 16 High-pressure water nozzle 20 Blower 21 Top blower nozzle 21a Nozzle lift motor 22 Side blower nozzle 30 Distribution piping section 31, 32 Liquid storage tank 34 Water storage tank 35 Water pump 36 High-pressure pump 37 Air pump 38 Three-way valve 39 Flow meter 40 Piping 41 Low pressure water supply route 42 High pressure water supply route 44, 45 Injector 47, 48 Check valve 52-56 Electromagnetic valve 60 Control unit 61 Communication unit 62 Storage unit 63 Database 65 Remote panel 66 Rail 70 Cleaned vehicle G Ground

Claims (8)

A car wash machine body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, a rotary brush provided on the car wash machine body, a water storage tank, a pump that pumps water from the water storage tank, and a pump to the pump via a pipe. A plurality of injection nozzles connected in parallel and a plurality of electromagnetic valves for opening and closing each of the pipes are provided, and water supplied from the water storage tank is injected from the injection nozzles to wash the vehicle to be washed with the rotary brush. In the car wash machine, a flow meter is arranged between the injection nozzle and the pump, and an abnormality is determined and determined based on the detection result of the flow meter when the predetermined electromagnetic valve is opened while driving the pump. An inspection mode is provided to notify the results .
A plurality of standard ranges of flow rates per unit time when each solenoid valve is selectively opened are stored corresponding to each solenoid valve, and the plurality of solenoid valves are sequentially opened and closed in the inspection mode to obtain the flow rate. If the detected flow rate of the meter is outside the standard range, it is determined to be abnormal, and if the detected flow rate of the flow meter is not zero for at least one of the injection nozzles and the flow rate is less than the standard range, the injection is performed. A car wash machine characterized in that it is determined that the nozzle is clogged, and if it is more than the standard range, it is determined that there is a water leak in the pipe connected to the injection nozzle, and that fact is included in the notification content . When the detected flow rate of the flow meter is zero for all the injection nozzles in the inspection mode, it is determined that the abnormality is due to the freezing of the piping or the drought of the water storage tank, and the notification content includes that fact. The car wash machine according to claim 1 . The standard range includes the flow rate per unit time when a plurality of the solenoid valves are opened at the same time, and it is possible to select to open the plurality of solenoid valves at the same time to determine an abnormality in the inspection mode. The car wash machine according to claim 2 . A car wash machine body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, a rotary brush provided on the car wash machine body, a water storage tank, a pump that pumps water from the water storage tank, and a pump to the pump via a pipe. A plurality of injection nozzles connected in parallel and a plurality of electromagnetic valves for opening and closing each of the pipes are provided, and water supplied from the water storage tank is injected from the injection nozzles to wash the vehicle to be washed with the rotary brush. In the car wash machine, a flow meter is arranged between the injection nozzle and the pump, and an abnormality is determined and determined based on the detection result of the flow meter when the predetermined electromagnetic valve is opened while driving the pump. An inspection mode is provided to notify the results.
When the standard range of the flow rate per unit time when the plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time is stored in advance, and when the plurality of solenoid valves are opened at the same time in the inspection mode and the detected flow rate of the flow meter is outside the standard range. When it is determined that the flow rate is abnormal and the detected flow rate of the flow meter is not zero, and the flow rate is less than the standard range, it is determined that the injection nozzle is clogged outside the standard range, and the flow rate is larger than the standard range. Is a car wash machine, which is determined to be a water leak in the path of the injection nozzle outside the standard range and includes that fact in the notification content. The car wash machine according to claim 4 , wherein when the detected flow rate of the flow meter is zero in the inspection mode, it is determined that the pipe is frozen or the water storage tank is drought, and that fact is included in the notification content. .. According to any one of claims 1 to 5 , the car wash is stopped when the detected flow rate of the flow meter drops below the predetermined flow rate when water is injected from the predetermined injection nozzle to perform cleaning. The car wash machine described. When cleaning is performed by injecting water from a plurality of the injection nozzles, if the detected flow rate of the flow meter becomes zero, it is determined that the water storage tank is drought and a notification to that effect is given and the car wash is stopped. The car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 6 . The car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7 , further comprising a database for accumulating history data of the car wash and the inspection mode, and including the determination result in the history data.

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