JPH01178050A - Elevating/lowering operation of processing device in car body washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To permit the elevation and lowering free from the contact of a processing device with a car body by installing three sensing switches separated in the longitudinal direction under the processing device, in the constitution in which the processing device installed in the upper part of a gate-shaped frame is raised and lowered, following the shape of the upper surface of the car body. CONSTITUTION:A car body washer is equipped with an upper surface drying nozzle 2 as processing device in the upper part of a gate-shaped frame 1 which can be moved in reciprocation along a traveling rail 7. The both edges of the drying nozzle 2 are supported in movable manners in the vertical direction by the elevating/lowering members 12 and 13 and raised and lowered through a cable 14. In this case, the photoelectric switches K1 and K2 separated in the longitudinal direction are installed at the both edges of the drying nozzle 2, and a photoelectric switch K is installed at the lower part at the center of the switches K1 and K2. When the photoelectric switch K1 on the preceding side detects a car body, the processing device 2 is raised, and when other switch K2 or K detects the car body, the above-described raising and lowering operation is suspended, while if all the switches K-K2 do not detect the car body, the processing device 2 is lowered by its dead weight.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A0 OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION (1) Industrial Field of Application The present invention relates to a method for lifting and lowering a processing device for cleaning 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. An elevating device is used to move the processing device up and down so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle body.

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. .

The present invention has been 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 method for raising and lowering a processing device.

B0 Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the method for raising and lowering the processing device in the vehicle body cleaning device of the present invention includes a gate-shaped frame that is mounted on the top surface of the vehicle body. A vehicle body cleaning device for a vehicle, which supports a processing device that performs a cleaning process so as to be able to move up and down, and controls the operation of the device by a lifting device to move the processing device up and down so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle body. In the method for raising and lowering a processing device, a first
In addition to providing a sensing switch and a second sensing switch,
Said 1st. a third sensing switch is provided at the center of the lower part of the second sensing switch; When the preceding sensing switch among the second sensing switches detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device is controlled to raise the processing device, and the sensing switch on the preceding side detects the body of the vehicle. and when at least one of the trailing side sensing switch and the third sensing switch detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device is stopped and controlled to stop the lifting and lowering of the processing device; When the switch does not detect the body of the vehicle and both the trailing side sensing switch and the third sensing switch do not detect the body of the vehicle, the lifting device is disabled and the processing device is lowered by its own weight. Features.

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

(2) Function A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body cleaning device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration includes supporting a processing device for cleaning the top surface of a vehicle body on a concave frame; The gap between the processing device and the top surface of the vehicle body is controlled to a constant size suitable for the cleaning process by raising and lowering the device so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle.

At this time, when the preceding one of the three sensing switches provided in the processing device detects a rising portion of the vehicle body, the lifting device is activated to raise the processing device along the rising portion. In addition, when the processing device reaches a flat part of the car body and the preceding sensing switch no longer detects the car body, and at least one of the other two sensing switches detects the car body, the operation of the lifting device will be stopped. to hold the processing equipment at a constant height. When the processing device moves further and reaches the falling portion of the vehicle body, and all the sensing switches no longer detect the vehicle body, the lifting device is disabled and the processing device descends along the falling portion under its own weight.

(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 10110 connected to the outlet 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 concave 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 has a guide pulley 15° 15.16.16 pivotally supported on a concave frame l.
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 pulley 17.17 is 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 concave 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 moving direction of the concave 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 l. 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 Kl and Kt as sensing switches 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, photoelectric switches Kl and Kt are provided.
Light sources L+, Lz and L are provided at corresponding positions of and K.

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. A stopper 28 for restricting the upward movement of the movable pulley frame 18 is provided on the gate-shaped frame l. Further, a solenoid valve 42 is connected to the stop device 6, a check valve 46 with a fixed throttle is connected to the cylinder 4,
The pressurized containers 45 are each connected to check valves 46 with fixed throttles, which are connected to air and hydraulic circuits to be described later.

Thus, the cylinder 4 and the stop device 6 constitute a lifting device E for the upper surface drying nozzle 2.

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 shows a concrete structure of the stop device 6 shown in FIG. 1.2. A ring-shaped brake shoe 31 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the piston rod 5 of the cylinder 4. A cylindrical casing 61 of the stop device 6 is arranged to surround the piston rod 5 including the brake shoe 31. A brake piston 35 defining an air chamber 6□ is slidably fitted into the casing 6, and the piston 35 is pressed to reduce the volume of the air chamber 6. A working brake spring 34 is accommodated. The air chamber 6□ is communicated with a pressurized air source via a supply port 36. Also air chamber 6. Inside, a plurality of brake arms 32 are housed radially so as to surround the piston rod 5 , and the base ends (upper ends) of the brake arms 32 are connected to the brake shoe 31 and the inner surface of the casing 61 . The roller 33 is rotatably supported at its tip (lower end), and the brake spring 34 is mounted on the outer surface of the roller 33.
The brake piston 3 is urged upward by
5 tapered surface 35. are pressed together. Therefore, air chamber 6. When pressurized air is not supplied inside, the brake piston 35 is raised by the elastic force of the brake spring 34,
The tapered surface 351 is connected to the brake arm 3 via the roller 33.
2 inward, the brake shoe 31 is pressed against the piston rod 5, and a brake is applied to the piston rod 5. Further, when pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air source to the air chamber 6t, the brake piston 35 is pushed down against the biasing force of the brake spring 34, and the roller 33 moves outward.

Therefore, the brake arm 32 no longer presses the brake shoe 31 against the piston rod 5, so the piston rod 5
operates freely.

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 sensing switch and a coil of a solenoid valve. The coil 44C of the solenoid valve 44 is connected to a contact +S that opens when the first light is cut off to the photoelectric switch, and a contact RAS that closes when the portal frame 1 returns. Further, the coil 42C of the solenoid valve 42 has a contact KS that closes when the light from the photoelectric switch is cut off, a contact 2S that opens when the light from the photoelectric switch Kt is cut off, and a contact 2S that opens when the light from the photoelectric switch Kt is cut off. A contact RBS that closes during forward movement is connected. and,
At the contact point, between S and coil 44C, and at the contact point, between S and contact K
S is connected.

Further, at both ends of the contact KS, a first auxiliary circuit is connected in series with a contact KzS' that closes when the light of 2 is interrupted by the photoelectric switch and a contact RAS' that closes when the portal frame 1 returns; A second auxiliary circuit is arranged in parallel with a contact point S' that closes when the photoelectric switch 1 is cut off, and a contact point RBS' that closes when the portal frame l moves in series.

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 drying processing is performed by returning the gate-shaped frame 1. Prior to the go-around of the portal frame 1, the portal frame 1 moves as shown in the figure (A
) from the position shown in (B) to the position shown in (B).
．． Go along 7. At this time, a plus treatment such as washing with water is performed. Then, at the position shown in (B), the contact RAS is closed, and the light from the light source passes through the photoelectric switch, and since the contact S is also closed, current flows through the coil 44C and the solenoid valve 44. is released (left position in Figure 4).

Furthermore, the light from light source L2 corresponding to light source 2 is also passing through the photoelectric switch, so contact K
S and the contact point KtS' are both open, and since the concave frame 1 is in the going-back process, the contact point RBS' is also open. For this reason, no current flows through the coil 42C and the electromagnetic valve 42 is not excited, so that the stoppage of the piston rod 5 by the stopper W6 is released. Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is lowered by its own weight from the upper limit position (A) determined by the stopper 27 to the lower limit position (B) determined by the stopper 28. At this time, since the check valve of the fixed throttle check 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 portal frame l starts going back from the position shown in (B) and moves in the direction of the arrow, and the top drying nozzle 2 is located at (c), the light from the light source L+ corresponding to 1 is sent to the photoelectric switch to illuminate the vehicle. Since it is interrupted by the rear window part, the contact point is
S is opened and no current flows through the coil 44C. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 44 is opened (right position in Figure 4), the cylinder 4
is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 rises.

When the top drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (d), the photoelectric switch 1 moves above the roof of the vehicle and becomes a light source, allowing light to pass through. Then, the contact S closes, current flows through the coil 44C, the solenoid valve 44 opens, and the pressurization of the cylinder 4 is stopped. When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 attempts to descend by stopping the pressurization of the cylinder 4 as described above, the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K located at the lowest position is blocked by the roof of the vehicle. Then,
The contact KS is closed, the solenoid valve 42 is 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 drying the roof of the vehicle.

Next, when the top drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (e),
The charging switch and the photoelectric switch 8 move from the roof of the vehicle to the front window.

At this time, if the light from the light source L2 and the light source L2 both pass through the photoelectric switch and the photoelectric switch 2, contact K
S and S' are both opened, current no longer flows through the coil 4.20, the solenoid valve 42 is opened, the stoppage of the piston rod 5 by the stop device 6 is released, and the upper drying nozzle 2 is connected to the bonnet of the vehicle. It is lowered to a position corresponding to the lower limit position and stopped at the lower limit position by a stopper 28.

Also, while the top drying nozzle 2 moves from the (E) position to the (V) position corresponding to the hood of the vehicle from the roof to the front window, the photoelectric switch is blocked by the front window. (When the inclination angle of the front window becomes steep, the photoelectric switch 2 is more likely to be cut off before the photoelectric switch K.) Contact KS or contact K of the first auxiliary circuit
c, I is closed, current flows through the coil 42C, and the stop device 6
is activated, the lowering of the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is stopped, and contact between the drying nozzle 2 and the vehicle body is prevented.

When the portal frame l completes its backward movement and reaches the position shown in (A), the contact RAS opens and current no longer flows through the coil 44C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 opens and the cylinder 4
is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 rises to the raised position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle when the drying process is performed while the gate-shaped frame l moves back and forth.

The portal frame 1 travels from the position shown in (C) to the position shown in (D), and at this time, contrary to the case of the go-around described above, the contact RBS and the contact RBS' close, and the contact RAS and Contact RAS' is open.

When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is at the upper limit position (G), the light from the light source L3 corresponding to 8 passes through the photoelectric switch, so that the contact point S is closed. At this time, since light also passes through the other photoelectric switches KI and K, the contacts +S' and KS are both opened.

Therefore, since current flows through the coil 44C, the cylinder 4 is not pressurized, and because no current flows through the coil 42C, the stop device 6 is in a released state, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is moved to the lower limit position by its own weight. descend to h).

When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (wa), the photoelectric switch 2 on the preceding side is blocked by the front windshield of the vehicle, and the contact point S opens, cutting off the current to the coil 44C. For this purpose, the electromagnetic valve 44 is opened, the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is raised along the front windshield.

Subsequently, when the top drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (nu), the photoelectric switch causes the nozzle 2 to move above the roof of the vehicle.
Pressurization of cylinder 4 is stopped.

When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 moves further and reaches the position corresponding to the rear window of the vehicle, in addition to the photoelectric switch 2 on the preceding side, the photoelectric switch KI and the photoelectric switch KI
Light also passes through the coil 42C, and the current to the coil 42C is cut off. Then, the stop device 6 is released, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends along the rear window portion to a position (E) corresponding to the trunk portion, and stops at the lower limit position.

In addition, when the photoelectric switch K or the photoelectric switch is blocked by the rear window while the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is lowered to the (L) position and (O) position, (if the inclination angle of the rear window becomes steep), Contact KS is more likely to be cut off before photoelectric switch K.
Alternatively, +S' is closed at the contact point of the second auxiliary circuit, current flows through the coil 42C, and the stop device 6 is activated to stop the upper surface drying nozzle 2 from descending, thereby preventing contact between the drying nozzle 2 and the vehicle body. .

When the portal frame l reaches the position shown in (D) and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position (wa), the ultrasonic detection device 50 provided on the concave frame 1 detects the rearmost part of the vehicle. Therefore, the running direction of the concave frame l changes from forward to 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
In step 3, it is determined that the process proceeds to step S4 if the vehicle is going home, or to step S1□ if the vehicle is going out. In step S4, if the light from the light source L1 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. In step S, the upper surface drying nozzle is raised. In step S, if the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch is blocked, the process proceeds to step S, and if it has passed, the process proceeds to step S. In step S, the stop device 6 causes the piston rod 5 to will be stopped. If the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K is blocked in step S, the process proceeds to step S9; if it passes, the process proceeds to step S. Proceed to.

In step S, the stopping device is activated in the same manner as in step S described above. Step S. Now, top drying nozzle 2
is lowered. That is, step S, and step S8
Top drying nozzle 2
stops, and if it is determined that both step S6 and step S have passed, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 will descend.

If it is determined in step S that the process is not finished, the process returns to step S4 and the above-described operations are repeated.

In addition, if it is determined in step S3 that the going is going forward, the photoelectric switch 1 and the photoelectric switch are simply replaced with those in the above-mentioned case of going backward, and the steps Sl□ to S1 are the same as steps 84 to 311. It is similar.

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 rollers 30 and 3 prevent the upper surface drying nozzle 2 from coming into contact with the vehicle.
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, an electric motor may be used as the elevating device to control it.Furthermore, the present invention is also applicable to cases in which the gate-shaped frame is fixed and the vehicle is run instead of moving the gate-shaped frame. Can be done.

C0 Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the method for raising and lowering 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 sensing switch, the lifting device is actuated to raise and lower the processing device, and the processing device is fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle body by controlling the stopping of the lifting device. 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.

Also, when the processing device descends along the vehicle window, etc., the lifting device is stopped until both the third sensing switch and the 11th or 2nd sensing switch on the trailing side are separated from the vehicle body and the light passes through. By controlling this, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing device from coming into contact with the vehicle body when it is lowered.

[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.
3 is a diagram showing the configuration of the stop device, FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air and hydraulic circuit, and FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the arrangement of the photoelectric switch as a sensing switch and the coil of the solenoid valve Figure 6 is a diagram showing the connections, Figure 6 is a diagram showing the position of the top drying nozzle when the gantry frame goes back and forth for drying, and Figure 7 is a diagram showing the position of the top drying nozzle when the gantry frame goes back and forth for drying. FIG. 8, which shows the position of the top drying nozzle, is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. E... Lifting device, K, Ni+, Kg... Photoelectric switch, L, L+, Lt... Light source l... Gate-shaped frame, 2... Top drying nozzle, 3.
・Guide members

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] [1] A processing device (2) for cleaning the upper surface of a vehicle body is supported on a gate-shaped frame (1) so as to be movable up and down.
2) is controlled by a lifting device (E) to raise and lower the processing device (2) so as to follow the top surface shape of the vehicle body. , Below the processing device (2), a first sensing switch (K_1) and a second sensing switch (K_1) are spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.
_2), and a third sensing switch (K_1, K_2) at the center of the lower part of the first and second sensing switches (K_1, K_2).
K) is provided, and when the preceding sensing switch among the first and second sensing switches (K_1, K_2) detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device (E) is controlled to ascend and the processing device (E) is activated. 2)
is raised, the preceding side sensing switch does not detect the body of the vehicle, and the following sensing switch and the third sensing switch (
When at least one of K) detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device (E) is controlled to stop the lifting and lowering of the processing device (2), and the preceding sensing switch detects the body of the vehicle. and when both the trailing side sensing switch and the third sensing switch (K) do not detect the body of the vehicle, the lifting device (E) is idle and the processing device (2) is lowered by its own weight. A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device, characterized in that: [2] The method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device according to claim [1], wherein the sensing switches (K_1, K_2, K) are photoelectric switches. [3] A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing apparatus according to claim [1], wherein the vehicle is stopped and the gate-shaped frame (1) moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. [4] A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body cleaning apparatus according to claim [1], wherein the processing device (2) is a nozzle for drying the upper surface of a vehicle body.