JPH01103561A - Lifting actuator for handling equipment in body washer for vehicle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make accurate lifting control performable in noncontact with a car body by installing a top drying nozzle part in a portal mobile car washing machine free of lifting motion via a lifting drive cylinder, a guide pulley and a cable or rope, and performing the lifting drive with a sensor such as a photoswitch or the like. CONSTITUTION:A top drying nozzle 2 connected to a blower 9 by a blast pipe 10 is liftably attached to a frame 1 of a portal mobile car washing machine being reciprocatively travelable along a rail 7 via a support rod 11, lifting members 12, 13 and a guide member 3, and lifting drive is carried out by a cable 14, fixed pulleys 15, 16, and a running block 17 attached to a piston shaft end of a lifting cylinder 4. Photoswitches K and L for detecting height of a car body to be washed are attached to the support rod 11, and thereby lifting position control over the drying nozzle 2 takes place. The photoswitch is thus used in place of the conventional body contact detecting means whereby accurate detection can be done without entailing any damage to the car body because of noncontact with it, thus lifting control is well performable.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A0 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION (1) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a lifting/lowering operating device for a processing device that performs cleaning treatment on the upper surface of a vehicle body in a vehicle body cleaning device.

(2) Conventional technology Conventionally, in a vehicle body cleaning device, cleaning processes such as brushing with a rotating brush, washing with high-pressure water jet from a shower nozzle, and drying with a drying nozzle are performed on the top surface of the vehicle body. They used processing equipment such as a top brush, a top shower nozzle, and a top drying nozzle, respectively. A cylinder is used to move the processing device up and down so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle.

As a processing device for the vehicle body washing device, there is a
Those described in Japanese Patent No. 7-12382 are known. The vehicle body cleaning device has a stylus and a flexible guide roller in contact with the top surface of the vehicle body to maintain a constant gap between the top surface drying nozzle and the top surface of the vehicle body.

It is also known to control the drive of the cylinder to maintain a constant gap between the upper surface drying nozzle and the upper surface of the vehicle body without contacting the vehicle body.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the method using the stylus and flexible guide roller has the problem that it comes into contact with the top surface of the vehicle body, which may cause damage to the vehicle body. .

Furthermore, the controller that controls the drive of the cylinder drives the cylinder in such a way that when the gap between the upper surface drying nozzle as a treatment device and the top surface of the car body becomes large, the treatment device moves downward, and when the gap becomes small, the cylinder The processing device is driven to rise.

Therefore, even if the top surface of the vehicle body is relatively horizontal, the processing device repeatedly rises and descends, following the shape of the top surface of the vehicle body in a undulating manner. Therefore, there has been a problem in that the gap between the processing device and the upper surface of the vehicle body cannot always be kept constant.

The present invention was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vehicle body cleaning device that is capable of keeping the gap between the processing device and the top surface of the vehicle body accurately and constant at all times without contacting the vehicle body. An object of the present invention is to provide a lifting/lowering operating device for a processing device.

B0 Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the elevating and lowering actuating device for the processing device in the vehicle body cleaning device of the present invention is provided with a gate-shaped frame that is mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle body. It supports a guide member that guides the lifting and lowering of a processing device that performs cleaning processing, and a cylinder that drives the processing device up and down along the guide member, and controls the driving of the cylinder to move the processing device to the upper surface of the vehicle body. In a lifting/lowering operation device for a processing device in a vehicle body cleaning device that moves up and down to follow the shape of the vehicle, the cylinder is provided with a stop device for its piston rod, and the cylinder is provided with a stop device for the piston rod, and The apparatus is characterized in that it includes a sensor that detects whether the upper surface is in a position suitable for cleaning processing, and operates the stop device based on the output of the sensor.

Here, the term "cleaning process" refers to processes such as a plascing process, a water washing process, and a drying process that are performed when washing a vehicle body.

(2) Function The lifting device for the processing device in the vehicle body cleaning device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration includes a guide member that guides the lifting and lowering of the processing device that performs the cleaning process on the upper surface of the vehicle body on a gate-shaped frame; A cylinder that drives the processing device up and down is supported along the guide member, and the drive of the cylinder is controlled to move the processing device up and down so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle. Therefore, even if the top surface of the vehicle is uneven, the processing device is moved up and down so that the gap between the processing device and the top surface of the vehicle body becomes a constant size suitable for the cleaning process. At that time, an output from a sensor is obtained that detects that the upper surface of the vehicle body is in a position suitable for the cleaning process relative to the processing device. Based on the output, a stop device provided in the cylinder stops the piston rod. Therefore, the processing device is fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle body at a position where the piston rod is stopped.

(3) Example Hereinafter, an example of the present invention using a top drying nozzle for performing drying processing as a processing device will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of essential parts of one embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1-2, wheels 8.8 are pivotally supported on the concave frame 1 so as to be able to travel back and forth along running rails 7.7. Then, air blowers 9 and 9 are installed at the upper sides of the concave frame 1.
is provided. A top drying nozzle 2 as a processing device is connected to the tip of a blow pipe 10.10 connected to the discharge port of the blower 9.9.

Support rods 11.degree. 11 are provided at both left and right ends of the drying nozzle 2. An elevating member 12.13 is fixed to the tip of the support rod 11.11 and is movable up and down along guide members 3.3 provided on both sides of the portal frame l.

A cable 14.14 is provided at the center of the upper end of the upper drying nozzle 2.
One end is fixed. The cable 14゜14 is a guide pulley 15゜15.16.16 which is pivotally supported on the portal frame 1.
After passing through, it is suspended and the moving pulley 17.17 is suspended.
The other end is fixed to the portal frame 1. The movable pulleys 17.17 are pivotally supported by a movable pulley frame 18, and the lower end of the movable pulley frame 18 is fixed to the upper end of the piston rod 5 of the cylinder 4 which is pivotally supported by the portal frame 1. A stopping device 6, which will be described later, is provided at the upper end of the cylinder 4 to stop the piston rod 5.

the lifting member 12.13 is pivoted at its lower part;
The lower guide roller 19.19 is engaged with the guide member 3.degree. 3 so as to be able to swing in the direction of movement of the portal frame 1 (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1). Further, a swinging arm 20 is pivotally supported on the upper part of one of the elevating members 12.
An upper guide roller 21 is pivotally supported at its tip.

Further, a neutral spring 22 is stretched between the elevating member 12 and the swinging arm 20. Further, a limit switch 23 is provided at the top of the other lifting member 13, which is activated when the lifting member 12.13 swings beyond a predetermined angle and outputs a signal to stop the movement of the portal frame 1. There is.

A guide roller 25 is pivotally supported at the tip of the actuator 24 of the limit switch 23.

On the lifting member 12 side of the support rod 11.11, photoelectric switches + and Kz as sensors are provided at symmetrical positions below the upper surface drying nozzle 2, and a photoelectric switch K is provided at the lower center thereof. On the elevating member 13 side, there is a light source at a position corresponding to the photoelectric switch Kr, 2,
,L,,L are provided.

Further, around the cylinder 4, there is a cylinder overturn prevention fitting 2 that extends from the gate-shaped frame 1 with a certain gap.
6 is provided, and a stopper 27 for controlling the lowering of the movable pulley frame 18 is provided at the upper part of the cylinder 4. The gate-shaped frame 1 is provided with a stopper 28 for restricting the movement of the movable pulley frame 18 from rising. Further, the solenoid valve 42 is connected to the stop device 6, the fixed throttle stop valve 46 is connected to the cylinder 4, and the pressurized container 45 is connected to the fixed throttle stop valve 46, and these are connected to the air and hydraulic circuits described later. It is connected.

Furthermore, side drying nozzles 29, 29 are provided on both sides of the concave frame, and rotating rollers 30, 30 are provided at the center of the lower part of the top drying nozzle 2, respectively.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the stopping device 6 shown in FIG. 1.2. A ring-shaped brake shoe 31 is provided on the piston rod 5, and the upper part of the brake arm 32 is pressed against this brake shoe 31. The upper part of the brake arm 32 is supported between the brake shoe 31 and the casing of the stop device 6 so as to be swingable in the radial direction of the piston rod 5. A roller 3 is installed at the bottom of the brake arm 32.
3 is pivotally supported, and the roller 33 is attached to a tapered portion 35 of a brake piston 35 that is urged upward by a brake spring 34.
1 is pressed inward. Since the brake shoe 31 is pressed against the piston rod 5 by the brake arm 32, the pressurized air from the solenoid valve 42 is supplied to the air supply port 3.
6, the piston rod 5 is stopped. When pressurized air is supplied, the brake piston 35 is pushed down against the biasing force of the brake spring 34, and the rollers 33 move outward. Therefore, the brake arm 32 no longer presses the brake shoe 31 against the piston rod 5, so the piston rod 5 can freely operate.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air and hydraulic circuits.

A pipe 40 connected to the pressurized air source is connected to the air supply port 36 of the stop device 6 via a pressure reducing valve 41 that adjusts the pressure and a normally open three-way solenoid valve 42 .

The pipe 40 is also connected to the upper part of the pressurized container 45 via a pressure reducing valve 43 and a normally open three-way solenoid valve 44 . The hydraulic oil contained in the pressurized container 45 is supplied to the cylinder 4 via the fixed throttle stop valve 46. The fixed throttle stop valve 46 is opened when the cylinder 4 contracts, and closed when the cylinder 4 is extended.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a connection between a photoelectric switch as a sensor and a coil of a solenoid valve. Coil 4 of the solenoid valve 44
4C has a contact S that opens when light 1 is interrupted in the photoelectric switch, and a contact R that closes when the drying process returns.
AS is connected. Further, the coil 42C of the solenoid valve 42 has a contact KS that closes when the light to the photoelectric switch is cut off, and a contact S that opens when the light to the photoelectric switch 2 is cut off. A contact RBS is connected which closes during forward movement. The contact point is connected between S and the coil 44C, and the contact point is connected between S and the contact point KS.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle 2 when the drying process is performed by returning the portal frame l. The portal frame 1 moves back and forth along the running frame 7.7 from the position shown in (A) to the position shown in (B) in the figure. At this time, brushing treatment and water washing treatment are performed. And (B)
At the position shown, the contact RAS is closed, and since the light from the light source is passing through the photoelectric switch, the contact S is also closed, so current flows through the coil 44C, opening the solenoid valve 44. . Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle is lowered by its own weight from the upper limit position (a) determined by the stopper 28 to the lower limit position (o) determined by the stopper 27.

At this time, since the check valve of the fixed throttle stop valve 46 is closed, the hydraulic oil from the cylinder 4 is regulated by the fixed throttle and returns to the pressurized container 45. Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends at a slow speed. When the gate-shaped frame l moves in the direction of the arrow from the position shown in (B) and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is located at (c), the light 'aL1 corresponding to 1 is blocked by the vehicle. , the contact S opens, and no current flows through the coil 44C.

Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 is opened, the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper drying nozzle is raised. At this time, the check valve of the fixed throttle stop valve 46 is opened.

Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 rises at a fast speed. Then, when the top drying nozzle 2 reaches position (d),
The light 'tAL corresponding to the photoelectric switch K is blocked by the vehicle, and the light from the light source L1 corresponding to the photoelectric switch passes through, so the contact KS is closed, the contact S is also closed, and the coils 42C and 44C are closed. Current flows. Therefore, the solenoid valves 42, 44 are energized and the piston rod 5 is stopped by the stop device 6, so that the top drying nozzle is kept in a position suitable for the drying process. Top drying nozzle 2 is in position (N)
When it reaches , the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K passes through, so the contact KS opens and no current flows through the coil 42C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 42 is opened, the stoppage of the piston rod 5 by the stop device 6 is released, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is lowered to the lower limit position, and the portal frame 1 is moved to the position shown in (A). When reaching , contact RAS
opens, and no current flows through the coil 44C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 is opened, the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is raised to the upper limit position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle when the drying process is performed by returning the portal frame.

The gate-shaped frame 1 travels from the position shown in (C) to the position shown in (D). At this time, the contact RBS closes and becomes a photoelectric switch! Since the light from the light source Lt corresponding to passes through, the contact S is also closed, and current flows through the coil 44C.

Therefore, the electromagnetic valve 44 is excited, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends from the upper limit position (g) to the lower limit position (h). When the top drying nozzle 2 reaches the position, the light from the light source Lt corresponding to the photoelectric switch 2 is blocked by the vehicle, so the contact S opens and no current flows through the coil 44G. Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 is opened, the cylinder is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is raised. When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (nu), the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K is blocked by the vehicle, and the light from the light source L2 corresponding to the photoelectric switch 2 passes through the contact point KS. Closed, the contact 2S is also closed, and current flows through the coils 42C and 44C. Therefore, the solenoid valves 42, 44 are energized and the piston rod 5 is stopped by the stop device 6, so that the top drying nozzle 2 is kept in a position suitable for the drying process. When the top drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (L), the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K passes through, so the contact KS opens and no current flows through the coil 42C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 42 is opened and the piston rod 5 is stopped by the stop device 6.
The stoppage of is released, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends and reaches the lower limit position (X), and when the gate-shaped frame 1 reaches the position shown in (D) and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (W). ,
The rearmost part of the vehicle is detected by an ultrasonic detection device 50 provided on the gate-shaped frame l. Therefore, the traveling direction of the gate-shaped frame 1 changes from going forward to going backward.

In the case of going back, the same operation as in the case of FIG. 6 described above is performed.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention described above. In step S1, it is determined whether the drying process is to be performed. If it is a drying process, the process advances to step S; otherwise, the process advances to step S2 to perform other processes. Step S
, and if it is a return trip, go to step S4, and if it is an outbound trip, go to step S. Make a decision to proceed. In step S4, if the light iEt L + corresponding to 1 is blocked by the photoelectric switch, the process proceeds to step S5, and if it passes, the process proceeds to step S.
, proceed to . In step S, the upper surface drying nozzle is raised. In step S6, if the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K is blocked, the process proceeds to step S, and if it passes, the process proceeds to step S6. In step S, the stop device 6
The piston rod 5 is stopped. Step Sll
Now, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is lowered. If it is determined in step S that the process has not ended, the process returns to step S4, and the above-described operations are repeated. In addition, in the case of going out, the only difference from the case of going out is that in step S1, it is determined whether the light from light source L2 corresponding to 2 is blocked or passed by the photoelectric switch, and step S1 l 5 is
This is similar to steps S, ~S.

Next, effects specific to the above-described embodiment of the present invention will be described.

According to the embodiment of the present invention described above, the limit switch 2 is activated when the elevating member 12, 13 swings beyond a predetermined angle, and outputs a signal to stop the movement of the concave frame 1.
3 is provided. Therefore, if a malfunction occurs in the photoelectric switch, air or hydraulic circuit, etc., the rotating roller 30.
It is prevented along with 0. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the vehicle body.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. Is possible. For example, although a top drying nozzle is used as the processing device, it is also possible to use a top brush or a top shower nozzle. Furthermore, the present invention can also be applied to cases in which the gate-shaped frame is fixed and the vehicle is driven instead of running the gate-shaped frame.

C0 Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the lifting device for the processing device in the vehicle body washing apparatus of the present invention, it is detected that the top surface of the vehicle body is in a position suitable for body surface processing with respect to the processing device. Based on the output of the sensor, a stop device installed in the cylinder stops its piston rod. Therefore, the processing device is fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle body at a position where the piston rod is stopped. Therefore, the processing device and the upper surface of the vehicle body can always maintain a constant gap suitable for the cleaning process without contacting the vehicle body.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the stop device, Figure 4 is a diagram showing the air and hydraulic circuits, and Figure 5 is the connection between the photoelectric switch as a sensor and the coil of the solenoid valve. Figure 6 is a diagram showing the position of the top drying nozzle when drying is performed by going back and forth with the gate-shaped frame, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the position of the top drying nozzle when the drying process is performed by going back and forth with the gate-shaped frame. FIG. 8, which shows the position of the drying nozzle, is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. 1... Gate-shaped frame, 2... Top surface drying nozzle, 3...
...Indoor member, 4...Cylinder, 5...Piston rod, 6...Stop device, K, 1. Kz”, Photoden Sui, 7chi, L, L,, Lz...Light source patent applicant Takeuchi Tekko Co., Ltd. Representative Patent Attorney Takeoka Ochiai 1) Takahide Naka Figure 5 Figure 4 Procedural Amendment (Diagram) ) Showa 63tl: '+0 7111 0 ■, Display of the case 1988 Patent Application No. 261042 3, Person making the amendment Relationship with the case Patent applicant name Takeuchi Tekko Co., Ltd. 4, Agent 〒105 5, Amendment Contents of the amendment in the "Detailed Description of the Invention" column of the subject specification, page 10, lines 10 to 16 of the specification, the statement "The support rod... is provided." , amended as below. A sensor is provided on the lifting member 12 side of the support rod 11.11, and the sensor is provided with a photoelectric switch K provided at a symmetrical position below the upper surface drying nozzle 2. It consists of a photoelectric switch and .Then, on the elevating member 13 side, lights aL, , L!, L are provided at positions corresponding to , , , , on the photoelectric switch.''2. Page 13, lines 4 and 6
Delete "Always open" from each line. 3. On page 15, line 3 of the specification, "stopper 28" is corrected to "stopper 27." 4. On page 15, line 4 of the specification, "Totsupa 27" is corrected to "Totsupa 28."that's all

Claims (1)

[Claims] A guide member (3) that guides the lifting and lowering of a processing device (2) that performs a cleaning process on the upper surface of a vehicle body on a gate-shaped frame (1);
A cylinder (4) for driving the processing device (2) up and down is supported along the guide member (3), and the cylinder (4) is supported along the guide member (3).
), in which the processing device (2) is raised and lowered to follow the top surface shape of the vehicle body by controlling the drive of the processing device (4). , its piston rod (5)
A stop device (6) is provided, and a sensor (K) is provided for detecting that the upper surface of the vehicle body is in a position suitable for cleaning processing with respect to the processing device (2), and the output of the sensor (K) is A lifting/lowering operating device for a processing device in a vehicle body washing device, characterized in that the stopping device (6) is actuated based on the above.