JPH0234812B2 - SENSHAKINYORUSENJOHOHO - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] A. Purpose of the invention (1) Industrial application field The present invention relates to a washing method using a car wash machine.

(2) Prior Art Using a car wash machine, the frame is equipped with a side brush that can move in the left-right direction of the vehicle, and the frame and the vehicle are moved relative to each other in the front-back direction of the vehicle during the washing process. Methods for automatically cleaning vehicles are known in the art.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention Conventionally, when using such a car wash machine to wash a vehicle equipped with door mirrors, a large surface pressure is applied from the side brushes to the door mirrors that protrude to the sides of the vehicle. As a result, the door mirrors were sometimes damaged due to the side brushes.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and it is possible to prevent the side brush from being damaged by the side brush by automatically moving the side brush toward the outside of the vehicle at the side mirror portion.
The purpose is to provide a washing method using a car wash machine.

B. Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, the first invention is such that a frame is equipped with a side brush that can move in the left and right direction of the vehicle, and the frame and the vehicle are connected during the cleaning process. In a washing method using a car wash machine in which a frame is moved relative to the front and rear directions of the vehicle, an ultrasonic detection device installed on the frame detects the front window, bonnet surface, or ceiling surface of the vehicle during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle. When a boundary between the frame and the vehicle is detected, the side brush is moved away from the side of the vehicle, and when the frame and the vehicle move relative to each other by a predetermined amount, the side brush is moved closer to the side of the vehicle. 2. During the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, when the ultrasonic detection device provided on the frame detects the boundary between the front window of the vehicle and the bonnet surface or ceiling surface, the frame and the vehicle begin to move. When a certain amount of relative movement occurs, the side brush moves away from the side of the vehicle,
The present invention is characterized in that when the frame and the vehicle move relative to each other by a second predetermined amount, the side brush is moved close to the side surface of the vehicle.

(2) Effect According to the configuration of the first invention, during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, based on the detection of the boundary between the front window and the bonnet surface or the ceiling surface by the ultrasonic detection device, approximately It is possible to detect when a side brush approaches a door mirror in the same position and automatically move the side brush away from the side of the vehicle.
When the side brush passes the door mirror, the side brush can be moved as far away from the door mirror as possible.

Particularly, according to the configuration of the second invention, during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, when the ultrasonic detection device detects the boundary between the front window and the bonnet surface or the ceiling surface, the frame and the vehicle are in the first position.
Since the side brush is moved away from the side of the vehicle when the side brush moves a predetermined amount relative to the vehicle, it is possible to prevent misalignment between the ultrasonic detection device in a car wash and the side brush in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, or the difference between the door mirror and the boundary in a general vehicle. By appropriately setting the first predetermined amount according to the positional deviation in the longitudinal direction, the timing at which the avoidance operation of the side brush with respect to the door mirror starts can be set.
This can be delayed as long as possible without hindering the effect of preventing damage to the door mirror as described above.

(3) Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, in FIG. 1 showing a first embodiment of the present invention, a car wash machine 1 is formed in a gate shape so that it can straddle a vehicle (not shown). A frame 2 is provided, and a pair of front and rear wheels 3 provided on the frame 2 are placed on a rail 4 extending along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and one of the wheels 3 is driven by a traveling drive device M. Rotationally driven. Therefore, the frame 2 is movable along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

The frame 2 is provided with a rotating brush device B, a drying device D, and other processing devices (not shown). It is controlled by a control circuit 42 (see FIG. 2) in the control panel 5 provided in the control panel 5.

The rotating brush device B includes a top brush 6 and a pair of side brushes 7 arranged behind the top brush 6 along the forward direction of the frame 2 as indicated by an arrow 8.

The top brush 6 is swingably supported via a swing arm 10 on a horizontal shaft 9 that is rotatably supported on the frame 2 . A prime mover 11 is provided on the upper part of the swinging arm 10, and the top brush 6 is rotationally driven from the prime mover 11 via a transmission mechanism (not shown) within the swinging arm 10. A sprocket 12 is fixed to the horizontal shaft 9, and a drive shaft 13 is rotatably supported on the frame 2 on the side of the horizontal shaft 9. This drive shaft 13 has another sprocket 14.
is fixed. An endless chain 15 is suspended between both sprockets 12 and 14, and a piston rod 18 of an air cylinder 17 whose lower end is supported by the frame 2 is connected to the drive shaft 13. Therefore, by driving the air cylinder 17 to extend, the top brush 6 can be held in the upper retracted position as shown by the two-dot chain line. Furthermore, when the air cylinder 17 is inactivated, the top brush 6 can freely swing between its vertical position and the storage position, using the horizontal axis 9 as a fulcrum, at least toward the rear along the traveling direction 8; During the cleaning process, the top brush 6 comes into contact with the top surface of the vehicle and swings according to the shape of the top surface of the vehicle.

The rotating shafts 22 of the pair of side brushes 7 are held by a holding cylinder 23 that extends vertically.
3 is fixed to the moving frame 24. The moving frame 24 is slidably engaged with a guide rail 25 that is horizontally mounted on the frame 2 and extends in the left-right direction of the vehicle (not shown).
It is driven laterally by a drive means (not shown). Further, both ends of the guide rail 25 are rotatably supported by the frame 2 via a support shaft 26, and therefore,
The guide rail 25, the movable frame 24, the holding tube 23, the rotation shaft 22, and the side brush 7 are swingable along the running direction of the frame 2 with the support shaft 26 as a fulcrum. Further, a prime mover 27 is supported on the movable frame 24, and an endless chain 30 is attached to a sprocket 28 fixed to the output shaft of the prime mover 27 and a sprocket 29 fixed to the end of the rotating shaft 22.
is suspended, and the side brush 7 is driven by the prime mover 27.
is driven to rotate.

The drying device D is disposed on the frame 2 in front of the rotating brush device B along the traveling direction 8, and has a pair of side nozzles 31 that open inward on both sides of the frame 2, and a pair of side nozzles 31 that open downward at the top. A top nozzle 32 opened toward the air blower 32 is connected to a blower 33. The top nozzle 32 is moved up and down by a lifting means (not shown) in accordance with the height of the vehicle to be dried.

At the front upper part of the frame 2 along the forward direction 8,
A reflective ultrasonic detection device 35 is provided to detect the high speed and body position of the vehicle to be cleaned.
Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 2, this ultrasonic detection device 3
The configuration of No. 5 will be explained.

In FIG. 2, the ultrasonic detection device 35 includes a transmitting section 36 and a receiving section 3 disposed close to each other.
Equipped with 7. The transmitter 36 is given a pulsed ultrasonic signal from the transmitter circuit 38 to be transmitted toward the upper surface of the vehicle, and the receiver 37 receives the reflected wave reflected from the upper surface of the vehicle and inputs it to the receiver circuit 39 . The receiving circuit 39 determines whether the reflected wave is an ultrasonic wave transmitted from the receiving section 36 or not, and inputs the received signal to the arithmetic circuit 40 when it is transmitted from the transmitting section 36. On the other hand, the arithmetic circuit 4
0, a transmission signal is input from the transmission circuit 38, and the vertical distance from the ultrasonic detection device 35 to the top of the vehicle is calculated based on the time difference between transmission and reception, and a voltage signal proportional to the distance is calculated. The signal is input from the arithmetic circuit 40 to the comparison circuit 41 . Comparison circuit 4
1, a preset reference distance, for example, the bonnet surface BT of the vehicle V and the ceiling surface as shown in FIG.
A reference voltage signal Vb is input corresponding to the vertical distance between the ultrasonic detection device 35 and the ultrasonic detection device 35 located at a predetermined reference height H ₁ between the RF and the ultrasonic detection device 35 . Therefore, the predetermined reference height is below the transmitting section 36 and the receiving section 37.
When the horizontal upper surface of the vehicle V is located at H ₁ or higher, a detection signal is output from the comparison circuit 41, and this detection signal is given to the control circuit 42 in the control panel 5.

Here, the transmitting part 36 and the receiving part 37 of the ultrasonic detection device 35 are formed in a conical shape that becomes larger in diameter toward the bottom. There is a risk that the cleaning water will adhere to the inner surfaces of the transmitting section 36 and the receiving section 37, and the ultrasonic waves emitted from the transmitting section 36 will directly enter the receiving section 37, causing malfunction. Also, transmitting section 3
Weak ultrasonic waves called side lobes are generated along the conical side walls of 6, but the propagation direction and intensity of these side lobes change depending on the temperature, density, etc. of the atmosphere. Therefore, depending on the atmospheric condition, the receiving section 37 may receive a reflected wave from an object located laterally, rather than a reflected wave from a reflector directly below it, causing a malfunction.

Therefore, shielding cylinders 36a and 37a made of synthetic resin, which are elongated in the vertical direction and whose lower ends are open, are suspended from the ends of the transmitting part 36 and the receiving part 37, respectively. This prevents droplets from emitting and entering the receiving sections 36 and 37, and also shields the side lobes of the ultrasonic waves described above. Also, if you operate car wash machine 1 in cold weather,
Since the temperature of the washing water is higher than the outside air, the temperature and humidity of the air inside the car wash machine 1 rises, and the cold air causes dew condensation on the receivers 36 and 37, causing water droplets to adhere to their inner surfaces, resulting in a malfunction. or cause malfunction. However, the tips of the receiving parts 36 and 37 are covered with the shielding cylinders 36a and 37a, and the shielding cylinders 36a and 37
By suppressing the convection of air inside and outside a,
It is possible to prevent dew condensation in the emitting and receiving sections 36 and 37 as described above.

In such an ultrasonic detection device 35, the upper surface of the vehicle V is set at a certain angle with respect to the horizontal plane, for example, 15
If the vehicle V is tilted more than a degree, the receiving unit 37 does not receive the reflected ultrasonic waves from the top surface of the vehicle V.
On the other hand, the front window FW of the vehicle V is generally inclined at an angle of 15 degrees or more with respect to the horizontal plane.
is not detected. Therefore, when the frame 2 is moving forward, a detection signal is output from the ultrasonic detection device 35 only at the front edge of the ceiling surface RF, that is, at the boundary _P1 between the front window FW and the ceiling surface RF. .

Next, the operation of the rotary brush device B, especially the side brush 7, during the cleaning process will be explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. During the cleaning process,
The frame 2 runs in the outbound direction 8, and the 1
By the forward movement, the cleaning process for the vehicle V in the stopped state with respect to the frame 2 is completed.

When the frame 2 starts moving forward, both side brushes 7 are located at the innermost position, and when the frame 2 reaches a position where it comes into sliding contact with the front of the vehicle V, the forward movement of the frame 2 starts. Once stopped, the side brush 7 moves outward while cleaning the front of the vehicle V. Next, the forward motion of the frame 2 is resumed, and the side brushes 7 move inward to clean the side surfaces of the vehicle V. This side brush 7
When the vehicle reaches the position indicated by 7A, the ultrasonic detection device 35 is located at the position indicated by 35A and detects the boundary _P1 between the front window FW and the ceiling surface RF. That is, the ultrasonic detection device 35 detects the predetermined reference height H ₁
Even if the angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal plane is above a certain value, the front window FW will not be detected and the boundary
Outputs the detection signal for the first time at P ₁ . When this detection signal is input to the control circuit 42, or when the first set time T1 has elapsed from the time of input as shown in FIG. ₄ and the frame 2 has moved by the first predetermined amount with respect to the vehicle V ( That is, the side brush 7 is a door mirror.
When the side brush 7 reaches a position 7B in front of the DM), the side brush 7 starts moving outward and separates from the side of the vehicle V. Thereafter, when the second set time T ₂ has elapsed and the frame 2 has moved relative to the vehicle V by a second predetermined amount, the side brush 7 starts moving toward the vehicle V.

Here, the first predetermined amount, that is, the first set time
T ₁ is caused by the positional deviation between the ultrasonic detection device 35 and the side brush 7 in the vehicle longitudinal direction in the car wash machine,
Door mirror DM and the boundary in general vehicles
This is determined based on the longitudinal positional deviation between the ultrasonic detector 35 and the side brush 7 _, the relative speed of movement between the frame 2 and the vehicle V, etc. is relatively small, so that there is almost no time difference between the time when the ultrasonic detection device 35 detects the boundary _P1 and the time when the side brush 7 reaches the optimum position 7B at which it should be moved away. In the car wash machine, in order to start the separating operation of the side brush 7 early, the first set time T ₁ is set to zero as described above, that is, the side brush 7 is started at the same time as the ultrasonic detection device 35 detects the boundary P ₁ . It may be made to move away from the side of the vehicle V. Also, the second set time T ₂ is
The time is set to be sufficient for the side brush 7 to leave the door mirror DM and pass.

After the second set time _T2 has elapsed, the side brush 7 comes close to the side surface of the vehicle V and brushes the side surface. When the frame 2 has passed the vehicle V, the side brush 7 is in the closed position shown at 7C, and the cleaning process is completed.

Thus, based on the detection of the boundary P ₁ between the front window FW and the ceiling surface RF by the ultrasonic detection device 35, it is possible to accurately detect that the side brush 7 has approached the door mirror DM located at a position substantially coincident with the front window FW. Since the side brush 7 can be detected and the side brush 7 can be automatically moved away from the side of the vehicle, when the side brush 7 passes the door mirror DM, the side brush 7
can be placed as far away from the door mirror DM as possible to prevent damage to the door mirror DM.

In addition, there may be a positional shift between the ultrasonic detection device 35 and the side brush 7 in a car wash machine in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and a difference between the door mirror DM and the boundary P ₁ in a general vehicle.
By appropriately setting the first set time T ₁ according to the longitudinal positional deviation between the side brush 7 and the door mirror DM, the start timing of the side brush 7's avoidance operation with respect to the door mirror DM can be changed to prevent the door mirror from being damaged as described above. Since the cleaning speed can be made as slow as possible within a range that does not cause any damage, the cleaning effect of the side brush 7 on the side surface of the vehicle can be increased accordingly.

5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the preset reference distance is a predetermined distance lower than the bonnet surface BT of the vehicle V, as shown in FIG. A reference voltage signal Vb is input corresponding to the vertical distance between the ultrasonic detection device 35 and the reference height H ₂ . Therefore, when the horizontal upper surface of the vehicle V is located below the transmitting section 36 and the receiving section 37 and has the predetermined reference height H2 _or more, a detection signal is output from the comparator circuit 41, and this detection signal is sent to the control panel. Control circuit 42 in 5
given to.

As a result, when the frame 2 moves back and forth, the ultrasonic detection device 35 detects the height of the bonnet surface BT, but the height of the bonnet surface BT and the front window FW are
After passing the boundary P ₂ , it becomes undetectable due to the inclination of the front window FW. As a result, when the boundary P ₂ is detected or the side brush 7 separates from the side of the vehicle V after the first set time T ₁ ' has elapsed, and then when the second set time T ₂ has elapsed, the side brush 7 It is operated in proximity to the side of the vehicle V.

In this second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, damage to the door mirror DM caused by the side brush 7 can be prevented.

In the present invention, the frame 2 may be fixed and the mounting surface of the vehicle V may be movable. Even in that case, the relative movement between the frame 2 and the vehicle V is exactly the same as in the previous embodiment. be.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the first invention, during relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, the boundary between the front window of the vehicle and the bonnet surface or ceiling surface is detected by the ultrasonic detection device provided on the frame. When I did,
The side brush is moved away from the side of the vehicle, and when the frame and the vehicle move relative to each other by a predetermined amount, the side brush is moved closer to the side of the vehicle, so that the ultrasonic detection is performed during the relative movement between the frame and the vehicle. Based on the detection of the boundary between the front window and the bonnet surface or ceiling surface by the device, it detects when a side brush approaches the door mirror located approximately in line with the front window, and automatically removes the side brush from the side of the vehicle. Therefore, when the side brush passes the door mirror, the side brush can be moved as far as possible from the door mirror, and damage to the door mirror can be effectively prevented.

Particularly, according to the second aspect of the present invention, during relative movement between the frame and the vehicle, the frame and the vehicle begin to move when the ultrasonic detection device provided on the frame detects the boundary between the front window and the bonnet surface or the ceiling surface. When the first predetermined amount of relative movement occurs, the side brush moves away from the side of the vehicle.
The first predetermined amount is appropriately set depending on the positional deviation in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle between the ultrasonic detection device and the side brush in a car wash machine, or the positional deviation in the longitudinal direction between the door mirror and the boundary in a general vehicle. This makes it possible to delay the start of the avoidance action of the side brush against the door mirror as much as possible without interfering with the above-mentioned damage prevention effect on the door mirror, thereby increasing the cleaning effect of the side brush on the side of the vehicle. be able to.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 4 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional side view of a car wash machine, FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an ultrasonic detection device, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing the locus of the side brush when the frame is moving back and forth, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show a second embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 is a side view corresponding to Figure 3, Figure 6 is a side view corresponding to Figure 4.
It is a top view corresponding to the figure. 1... Car wash machine, 2... Frame, 7... Side brush, 35... Ultrasonic detection device, BT... Bonnet surface, FW... Front window, P ₁ , P ₂ ...
...boundary, RF...ceiling surface, V...vehicle.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. The frame 2 is equipped with a side brush 7 that can move in the left-right direction of the vehicle V, and the frame 2 and the vehicle V are moved relative to each other in the front-back direction of the vehicle V during the cleaning process. In the washing method using a car wash machine, during relative movement between the frame 2 and the vehicle V,
When the ultrasonic detection device 35 provided on the frame 2 detects the boundaries P ₂ and P ₁ between the front window FW of the vehicle V and the bonnet surface BT or ceiling surface RF, the side brush 7 is moved from the side of the vehicle V. A cleaning method using a car wash machine, characterized in that when the frame 2 and the vehicle V move relative to each other by a predetermined amount by moving away from each other, the side brush 7 is moved close to the side surface of the vehicle V. 2. In a washing method using a car washing machine, the frame 2 is equipped with a side brush 7 that can move in the left-right direction of the vehicle V, and the frame 2 and the vehicle V are moved relative to each other in the front-rear direction of the vehicle V during the washing process. , during the relative movement between the frame 2 and the vehicle V,
When the ultrasonic detection device 35 provided on the frame 2 detects the boundaries P ₂ and P ₁ between the front window FW of the vehicle V and the bonnet surface BT or the ceiling surface RF, the frame 1 and the vehicle V are in contact with each other. When the side brush 7 is moved a predetermined amount relative to the vehicle V, the side brush 7 is moved away from the side of the vehicle V, and the frame 2 and the vehicle V are moved away from each other.
A cleaning method using a car wash machine, characterized in that when the side brushes 7 and 7 move relative to each other by a second predetermined amount, the side brushes 7 are moved close to the side surface of the vehicle V.