JPH0441099B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a method for washing vehicles, particularly automobiles.

[Conventional method] In the conventional car washing method, () when washing with water (detergent) and when applying wax, () heavily soiled cars, old cars that are difficult to remove dirt, luxury cars with easy to see scratches, new cars, () The number of rotations of the brush was the same for both the upper part of the car, which was not very dirty, and the lower part of the car, which was very dirty.

However, in the case of () above, the water (detergent) washing process to remove the dirt will not remove the dirt unless the brush is applied to the car body with some force and the rotation is fast, but the wax is rubbed on the painted surface of the car body in the waxing process. Compared to the water (detergent) washing process, there is no need to apply the brush forcefully to the car body or to rotate it quickly.

In addition, in the above case (), if the car is heavily soiled or an old car that is difficult to remove dirt, the dirt will not come off unless you apply a strong brush and rotate it quickly.
For luxury cars and new cars where scratches are easily noticeable, brushing too hard or rotating too quickly will cause scratches on the painted surface.

Furthermore, in the case of () above, the top brush and side brush that wash the top part of the car that is not very dirty do not need to be applied strongly to the car body or rotate quickly, while the bottom brush that is used to wash the bottom part of the car that is heavily dirty does not need to be applied strongly to the car body and rotated quickly. I need to do it quickly.

In addition, conventional car wash devices have been proposed in which the rotation speed of the rotating brush is variable, but simply changing the rotation speed of the brush is not sufficient to change the car wash operation depending on the type of car or the degree of dirt. .

[Problems to be Solved] Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a car washing method that can be suitably adapted to the type of car and the degree of dirt.

[Means for Solving the Problem] According to the present invention, in a car washing method in which a car is washed by reciprocating a car washing device while rotating a rotary brush, the rotation of the rotary brush is adjusted depending on the car to be washed and the dirt condition of the car. The number of brushes is variable, and when rotating at high speed, the rotating brush is pressed against the car with a strong pressing force, and when rotating at low speed, the rotating brush is pressed against the car with a low pressing force.

[Explanation of function and effect] Therefore, when washing with water, in the case of an old car or the like that is difficult to remove dirt, rotate the brush quickly and press with strong force. Also, when applying wax on luxury cars, etc., rotate the brush slowly and press with a weak force.

If the brush is pressed against the vehicle with strong pressure and rotated quickly, the coated surface will be damaged and the brush will also wear out quickly, but the dirt can be removed quickly and the work time can be shortened by that amount. No need to wipe your hands afterwards.

Also, if the brush is rotated slowly with a weak pressing force, the painted surface and the brush will not be damaged, and it is suitable for luxury cars and ordinary cars that are not very dirty.

Therefore, it is possible to perform car washing operations according to the customer's preferences. At that time, the worker or the customer can select the rotation speed of the brush by pressing the speed selection button to make it rotate faster or slower than the standard speed, or by giving the customer a card with the car wash pattern memorized, and the brush rotation speed being memorized on the card. The speed may be controlled using a different car wash pattern.

As described above, according to the present invention, a rational car washing operation can be performed.

[Examples] Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an example of a car wash apparatus in which the car wash method of the present invention is implemented, and various devices shown in FIG. 2 are arranged within a gate-shaped frame 1.

That is, inside the frame 1, there is a drying device 2 for blowing dry air onto the car body surface from the front side to the rear side, and a high pressure device 2 for blowing away dirt and sand stuck to the car body surface. A water injection device 3, a finishing wax applicator 4 for spraying finishing wax onto the car body surface, and a cleaning water injection device 5 for spraying wash water (water or water mixed with detergent) for washing the car body surface. , a top brush 6 that mainly brushes the roof of the vehicle, a rocker brush 7 that mainly brushes around the tires of the vehicle and the bottom of the doors, and a side brush 8 that mainly brushes the front, rear, and side surfaces of the vehicle.
and a polish wax applicator 9 for spraying polish wax for undercoating onto the vehicle body surface.
and a rinsing device 10 for spraying clean water onto the vehicle body surface to wash off excess wax. Note that FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining the car washing method of the present invention, and for example, the liquid feed pipe 13 also extends in the vertical direction as shown in FIG. 1, but for the sake of explanation, in FIG. Shown only.

The drying device 2 is used in the final stage of cleaning the vehicle, and is installed at the front of the frame 1 and has a top blower section 11 and a pair of left and right side blowers 12, and the drying device 2 is used in the final stage of cleaning the vehicle. It is sent via a blower (not shown).

High-pressure water injection device 3 and finishing wax application device 4
and the cleaning water injection device 5, both of which are attached to the frame 1.
A liquid feed pipe 1 that runs across the inside of the
3, 14, 15, and these liquid feed pipes 1
3, 14, and 15 each have a plurality of nozzles 1.
8, 19, and 20 are provided at intervals.
These liquid feed pipes 13, 14, 15 are connected to the frame 1.
All of them are arranged in front of each of the brushes 6, 7, and 8, among which at least the liquid feed pipe 13 in the high-pressure water injection device 3 is arranged in front of the liquid feed pipe 15 in the cleaning water injection device 5. It is located in

The top brush 6 is arranged horizontally across the inside of the frame 1 by a rocker brush 7 and a side brush 8.
The pairs are arranged vertically so that they are both located on the left and right sides of the vehicle, and are rotated by a drive device (not shown).

Polish wax application device 9 and rinsing device 1
0 has liquid feed pipes 16 and 17 that are piped across the inside of the frame 1, and each of these liquid feed pipes 16 and 17 is equipped with a plurality of nozzles. 21 and 22 are provided with an interval. Both of these liquid feed pipes 16 and 17 are arranged behind each of the brushes 6, 7, and 8 in the frame 1.

The frame body 1 is provided with an operation switch 23, and by turning on the operation switch 23, the frame body 1 travels back and forth on the rail 24 twice based on a preset program, and during that time It is used for cleaning.

Note that the cleaning water injection device 5, the rinsing device 10, the finishing wax coating device 4, and the polishing wax coating device 9 can each have one and share the other by using, for example, a switching valve.

The car wash apparatus configured as described above washes a car according to the car wash steps shown in FIGS. 3A to 3C.
Note that the hatched parts in these figures are parts that are operating in that process.

The vehicle C is stopped at a predetermined position between the rails 24, 24. When the gate-shaped frame 1 shown in FIG. Inject. This high-pressure water blows away the dirt and sand that has stuck to the surface of the vehicle body, especially the dirt that has stuck around the tires and the bottom surface of the doors of the vehicle C. Next, the cleaning water injection device 5 is activated to spray the cleaning water sent to the liquid supply pipe 15 onto the vehicle body surface through the nozzle 20 to wash away dust while cleaning the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8, respectively. Vehicle C is brushed and washed while rotating. During this brushing cleaning, the dirt and sand that has already adhered to the car body surface is removed, so that the painted surface of the car body is prevented from being damaged due to the adhering sand and dirt acting as an abrasive. 7 and 8 are also prevented from being wasted. Note that when the cleaning water is composed of a detergent mixed therein, the cleaning effect can be further enhanced.

Next, when the frame 1 shown in FIG. While spraying polish wax as an undercoat onto the vehicle body surface, the vehicle C is polished while rotating the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8, respectively.

Furthermore, when the frame 1 is moved back and forth as shown in FIG. Waxing is performed on the vehicle C by rotating the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8 while spraying the wax onto the surface.

When the frame 1 is finally returned to its original position as shown in FIG.
After completely washing off the excess wax that has been sprayed onto the car body surface through the By blowing dry air from a side blower section 12, water droplets on the surface of the vehicle body are blown away or evaporated, thereby drying the surface of the vehicle body and completing the entire process of cleaning the vehicle.

By the way, when washing a car according to each of the above steps, as mentioned above, when washing with water and waxing, there are different types of cars: heavily dirty cars, old cars that are hard to remove, luxury cars with easy scratches, new cars, and cars that are not very dirty. It is preferable to change the number of rotations of the brushes between the top brush and side brushes that wash the upper part of the car and the rocker brush that washes the heavily soiled lower part of the car, and it is also preferable to change the pressing force of the brushes.

Therefore, the rotation of each brush is made variable so that each of the above-mentioned conditions can be dealt with. To achieve this, the rotational speed of the motor that rotationally drives the brushes may be made variable, or a transmission device may be provided in the rotational power transmission system. Furthermore, it is desirable that the pressing force of each brush be variable. For example, the axis of rotation of the brush may be movable so that the brush can be moved toward or away from the vehicle.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the operation switch 23, which includes a wet car wash button 25, an ordinary car wash button 26, a high-class car wash button 27, a start button 28, an emergency stop button 29, and brush rotation speed and brush pressing force selection buttons. is provided. In the illustrated example, there is a two-stage switching operation using the high-speed, high-pressure button 30 and the low-speed, low-pressure button 31, but it is of course possible to switch to three or more stages. Further, a card reader 32 is provided so that the number of rotations of the brush and the pressing force of the brush according to the customer's car can be stored on the customer's card, and the number of rotations and the pressing force of the brush according to the type of car can be obtained by reading the card. There is. Note that a brush pressing force selection button for changing the pressing force of the brush may be provided separately, and the brush rotation speed and brush pressing force may be freely selected and combined.

An example of the rotational speed and pressing force of each brush is as follows.

In the washing process shown in Fig. 3A, the top brush 6
is a medium speed of 130rpm, a medium pressure force, and a Rocker brush 7
is a strong pressing force at a high speed of 150rpm, and side brush 8 is
Low pressing force at low speed of 100rpm. Also, in the polishing process shown in Figure 3B, the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8 are all
Low pressing force at low speed of 100rpm. Furthermore, in the finishing waxing step shown in FIG. 3C, the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8 are all set at a low speed of 100 rpm and a low pressing force, as in the polishing waxing step.

If you have a heavily soiled car or an old car that is hard to clean, press the high-speed, high-pressure button 30 to increase the pressure by 20%.For a luxury car or a new car, press the low-speed, low-pressure button 31 to increase the pressure by 20%. The speed is reduced and the pressure is reduced to change the rotational speed and pressing force of the brush. Of course, the rotational speed and pressing force of the brush described above are merely examples. Further, in the waxing process, the rotational speed and pressing force of the top brush 6, rocker brush 7, and side brush 8 may be changed significantly.

In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the car wash process was explained as two round trips, but the car wash process could be one round trip or even three round trips.
The same can be done for round trips. It would be more effective if both the number of rotations of the brush and the pressing force were changed depending on the state of the car wash, but it is also sufficiently effective to change only the number of rotations depending on the state of the car wash.

[Effects of the Invention] As described above, according to the present invention, the following excellent effects are achieved.

(1) When waxing luxury cars or lightly soiled vehicles, by slowing down the rotation speed of the brush and reducing the pressing force, you can avoid scratches on the painted surface and wear and tear on the brush, allowing for careful work. .

(2) When washing heavily soiled vehicles or washing with water, the brush rotation speed is increased and the pressing force is increased, making it easier to wash hands after work.

(3) Therefore, it is possible to perform car wash work that is suitable for the vehicle according to the customer's request.

(4) As a result, wear and tear on the brushes can be reduced and manual work etc. can be omitted.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show an example of a car wash device used to carry out the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of the car wash device, and FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the arrangement of various devices in a gate frame. The plan view and Figure 3 A to B are explanatory diagrams showing the operating states of various devices inside the gate frame body. , a diagram showing the drying process, and FIG. 4 is a plan view of the operating switch. 1... Frame body, 2... Drying device, 3... High pressure water injection device, 4... Finishing wax application device, 5...
Cleaning water injection device, 6...Top brush, 7...Rocker brush, 8...Side brush, 9...Polish wax application device, 10...Rinse device,
11...Top ventilation section, 12...Side ventilation section, 1
3, 14, 15, 16, 17...Liquid feed pipe, 18,
19, 20, 21, 22... Nozzle, 23... Operation switch, 24... Rail, 25... Button for washing with water, 26... Button for applying polish wax, 30
... Button for high speed and high pressure, 31 ... Button for low speed and low pressure.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1 In a car washing method in which a car washing device is reciprocated while rotating a rotating brush to wash a car, the number of rotations of the rotating brush is varied depending on the car to be washed and the dirtiness of the car, and when rotating at high speed, a strong pressing force is applied. A car washing method characterized by pressing a rotating brush against the car with a low pressing force when rotating at low speed.