JPH08324392A - Car washing machine with ultrasonic washing nozzle - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To wash off dirt sticking rigidly without using a cleaning brush by providing an ultrasonic washing nozzle for jetting ultrasonic wash water generated by applying ultrasonic vibration to flowing water, and providing this ultrasonic washing nozzle in the inclined state to an automobile body to be washed. CONSTITUTION: An upper face washing nozzle 35 approaches an automobile body as a car washing machine moves forward. At this time, the car washing machine elongates the lot part 81a of air cylinders 81, 82 that are the variable means of the upper face washing nozzle 35 so as to incline the wash water jet direction of the upper face washing nozzle 35 obliquely downward to the front of a frame, that is, toward the automobile body, to wash the front face of the automobile body. The car washing machine then moves forward in association with the forward movement of the frame, and shortens the lot parts 81a, 82a of the air cylinders 81, 82 and inclines the wash water jet direction of the upper face washing nozzle 35 obliquely downward to the rear of the frame, that is, toward the front of the automobile body, to wash the bonnet part of the automobile body.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is provided with a car-washing machine such as a water spray nozzle and a blower in a car-washing machine body formed in a gate shape. The present invention relates to a car wash machine that sequentially performs processes such as washing and drying.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a car washing machine of this type is equipped with a cleaning brush, and water is sprayed from a water spray nozzle and the vehicle body is rubbed by the cleaning brush to wash the car.

However, in a car wash using a cleaning brush, there is a problem in that the cleaning brush rubs fine stones sticking to the vehicle body, leaving small scratches on the vehicle body. In addition, it is necessary to avoid contact of the cleaning brush with the car body in order to clean automobiles of various shapes and to avoid spoilers, carriers, etc. provided on the car body. Was left unwashed.

[0004]

In a car wash machine equipped with a cleaning brush, in order to wash the car body without damaging the vehicle body, a car wash course is provided in which only the washing water is applied without using the cleaning brush. A method of washing the car by hand washing is considered.

However, when a car wash course for hand washing is provided to wash the car, it is possible to prevent scratches from the car wash, but the worker must perform the hand washing work.
It takes time and effort.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a car-washing machine main body formed in a gate shape.
In a car wash machine that is equipped with a car wash processing device such as a water spray nozzle and a blower, and that carries out processing such as washing and drying of the car body as the car wash machine or the automobile travels, ultrasonic vibration is applied to running water to produce ultrasonic wash water. An ultrasonic cleaning nozzle for generating and spraying is used to wash a car with ultrasonic cleaning water. The ultrasonic cleaning nozzle is provided so as to be inclined with respect to the vehicle body to be cleaned.

[0007]

As a result, it is possible to remove dirt that has been strongly adhered by cleaning with ultrasonic cleaning water, so that it is not necessary to use a cleaning brush. Also, if the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle is provided vertically to the car body surface, the ultrasonic vibration reflected on the car body is reflected on the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle side and is difficult to be transmitted to the cleaning water flowing on the car body surface. Since the nozzle is provided obliquely to the car body, the ultrasonic cleaning water acts obliquely on the car body surface, and the ultrasonic vibration reflected on the car body is transmitted to the cleaning water flowing on the car body surface.
Effective cleaning is possible.

[0008]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a front view illustrating a traveling system and a vehicle shape detecting means of the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a car-washing machine main body formed in a gate shape so as to straddle the body of an automobile.
The wheels 2 and 2 are rotationally driven by 4 to travel back and forth along the rails 3 and 3.

Reference numeral 5 denotes a rotary encoder for detecting the traveling position of the car wash machine. The rotary encoder is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 4 and outputs a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation while detecting the rotational direction of the electric motor 4 to wash the car body 1. Gives the running position of.

A position sensor 6 detects the position of the car wash machine.
Then, the dog 7, which is a protrusion provided on the lower portion of the car wash machine body 1 and fixed to the laying surface of the rail 3, is sensed and switched to give the position of the car wash machine body 1. The dog 7 gives the running start position of the car wash machine body.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a vehicle height detecting means for detecting the vehicle height, which is provided at the front portion of the car wash machine body 1. Numerals 9 and 9 are trolleys, and are formed so that they can be moved up and down by being guided by guide rails 10 and 10 standing on both sides of the car wash machine body 1. Reference numeral 11 is an electric motor capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions, and a rotating shaft 13 through a chain 12.
Is driven to rotate, and the chains 14 and 14 fixed to the carriages 9 and 9 are driven to rotate by the rotation of the rotary shaft 13, so that the carriages 9 and 9 are moved up and down. A rotary encoder 15 is connected to the rotary shaft 13 and outputs a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the rotary shaft to give the positions of the carriages 9, 9.

Projectors 16a arranged at opposite positions,
The photoelectric switches 17a and the light receivers 16b and 17b are provided on the carriages 9 and 9, and the photoelectric switches 16a and 16b located at the front of the car wash machine body 1 are mounted at the rear of the photoelectric switches 17a and 17b. It is higher than the mounting position of 17b. When the photoelectric switches 16a, 16b located in front of the car wash machine body 1 detect the vehicle body, the electric motor 1
1 is driven in the forward direction to raise the trucks 9 and 9, and conversely, when the vehicle body is not detected, the electric motor 11 is driven in reverse to lower the trucks 9 and 9, while the photoelectric switches 17a and 17b located on the rear side are driven.
When the vehicle body is detected, the driving of the electric motor 11 is stopped to hold the carriages 9 and 9, and the carriages 9 and 9 are relatively moved up and down along the shape of the body.

Numerals 18 and 18 are ultrasonic sensors constituting a vehicle width measuring means, each of which is a distance from an automobile to a time required for transmitting an ultrasonic signal in a lateral direction and receiving a reflected wave from an automobile body. To measure.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a vehicle body drying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 19 denotes a top nozzle elevating and lowering driving means for vertically moving the top nozzle 20 for drying the upper surface of the vehicle body along the shape of the vehicle body, which is arranged next to the vehicle height detecting means 8. The top nozzle 20 is provided with carriages 22 and 22 at both ends of arms 21 and 21 extending outward from both side surfaces thereof, and guide rails 23 provided upright on both sides of the car wash machine body 1.
23 is formed so that it can be moved up and down. Reference numeral 24 is an electric motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions.
6 is driven to rotate. By the rotation of the rotary shaft 26, the carriage 2
2, 22 and chains 28, 28 fixed to weights 27, 27, which are in balance with the load of the top nozzle 20, are rotationally driven to move the carts 22, 22 up and down. 29
Is a rotary encoder connected to the rotary shaft 26,
While detecting the rotation direction of the rotating shaft, a pulse signal is output for each unit angle rotation to give the positions of the carriages 22 and 22.

Reference numerals 30 and 30 denote blowers for generating high-pressure air, and 3
1,31 are side nozzles arranged on both sides of the car wash main body 1,
32, 32, 33, and 33 are ducts that connect the blowers 30 and 30 to the nozzles 20, 31, and 31, respectively, and the top nozzle 2
0 and the side nozzles 31 and 31 blow high-pressure air supplied from the blowers 30 and 30 toward the upper surface and side surfaces of the vehicle body to remove water droplets attached to the vehicle body surface.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory view showing an upper surface ultrasonic cleaning nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 4A, 34
Is an upper surface cleaning nozzle elevating and lowering driving means for vertically moving the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 for cleaning the upper surface of the vehicle body along the shape of the vehicle body,
It is arranged next to the top nozzle elevating means 19. The upper surface washing nozzle 35 is provided with carriages 38, 38 at both ends of arms 37, 37 extending outward from both side surfaces thereof, and can be moved up and down on guide rails 39, 39 provided upright on both sides of the car wash machine body 1. Is formed. Reference numeral 40 is an electric motor capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions, and rotationally drives the rotating shaft 42 via a chain 41. By the rotation of the rotary shaft 42, the weights 43, 38 that balance the load of the carriages 38, 38 and the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35.
The chains 44, 44 fixed to 43 are rotationally driven, and the carriages 38, 38 are moved up and down. A rotary encoder 45 is connected to the rotary shaft 42 and outputs a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the rotary shaft to give the positions of the carriages 38, 38.

The upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 is constructed as shown in FIG. Reference numeral 46 is an ultrasonic cleaning nozzle, which is a carriage 4
It is fixed to the guide rail 7 and can be moved along the guide rail 48. 49 is an electric motor capable of rotating in the normal and reverse directions,
The carriage 47 is reciprocally driven via the chain 50. A rotary encoder 51 is connected to the output shaft of the electric motor 49 and outputs a pulse signal for each unit rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the output shaft to give the position of the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the tilting means of the upper surface ultrasonic cleaning nozzle according to the embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, 8
0 is a variable means for changing the angle of the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35,
Lot portion 81 of first and second air cylinders 81 and 82
Actuating plate 83 in which one lot portion 82a of a two-stage cylinder in which a and 82a are connected to the opposite side is fixed to a support shaft 37
In addition, the other lot portion 81a is connected to the side surface of the carriage 38 to shorten the lot portion 81a of the first air cylinder 81 and the lot portion 82a of the second air cylinder 82.
To extend the cleaning water jet direction of the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 vertically downward, and to extend the lot portions 31a and 32a of the air cylinders 31 and 32 during operation so that the cleaning water spraying direction of the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 is forward of the frame 1. The air cylinders 31, 32 are formed so that the lot portions 31a, 32a of the air cylinders 31, 32 are shortened obliquely downward so that the direction of washing water sprayed from the upper surface washing nozzle 35 can be changed diagonally downward toward the rear of the frame 1.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing a side surface ultrasonic cleaning nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 6A, 52
Is a side surface cleaning nozzle elevating and lowering driving means for vertically moving the side surface cleaning nozzles 53, 53 for cleaning the side surface of the vehicle body along the shape of the vehicle body, and is arranged adjacent to the upper surface cleaning nozzle elevating means 34. The side surface cleaning nozzles 53, 53 are provided with carriages 56, 56 at the ends of arms 55, 55 extending outward from the side surfaces thereof, and guide rails 57 are provided upright on both sides of the car wash machine body 1.
57 is formed so that it can be moved up and down. Reference numeral 58 is an electric motor capable of rotating in the forward and reverse directions.
0 is rotationally driven. By the rotation of the rotating shaft 60, the carriage 5
6, 56 and the chain 62 fixed to the weights 61, 61, which are in equilibrium with the loads of the side surface cleaning nozzles 56, 56, are rotated and the carts 56, 56 are moved up and down. 6
A rotary encoder 3 is connected to the rotary shaft 60 and outputs a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the rotary shaft to give the positions of the carriages 56, 56. Reference numerals 68 and 68 are air cylinders provided in the arms 55 and 55. Normally, the arms 55 and 55 are shortened to position the side surface cleaning nozzles 53 and 53 on the side surface of the car wash machine body 1 and extend the arms 55 and 55. Then, the side surface cleaning nozzles 53, 53 are moved inward of the car wash machine body 1.

As shown in FIG. 6B, the side surface cleaning nozzle 53 is provided with an ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46. As shown in FIG. 6C, the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46 is attached obliquely downward from a horizontal position at which the ultrasonic cleaning water is sprayed vertically to the side surface of the vehicle body, by a predetermined angle θ downward. The ultrasonic cleaning water is installed so as to be jetted obliquely to the side surface of the vehicle body.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle of the embodiment. The nozzle casing 69 has a hollow interior, and has a water inlet 70 from a water source on one side and a wash water outlet 71 on the bottom. An ultrasonic transducer 72 is attached at a position facing the discharge port 71 of the casing 69, that is, at the upper part of the casing 69.
An ultrasonic signal can be propagated to the cleaning water supplied into the casing 69 to generate ultrasonic cleaning water.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing the control system of the embodiment. Reference numeral 75 is a microcomputer, which is composed of a CPU 76 for performing arithmetic processing, a memory 77 for storing programs and various data, and an input / output interface 78,
The input / output interface 78 includes a main body traveling position detecting encoder 5, a main body position sensor 6, a vehicle height detecting means lifting / lowering motor 11, a vehicle height detecting means position detecting encoder 15, and vehicle height detecting photoelectric switch projectors 16a, 17.
a, light receivers 16b and 17b, vehicle width detection ultrasonic sensor 18, top nozzle elevation motor 24, top nozzle position detection encoder 29, blower 30, top cleaning nozzle elevation motor 40, top cleaning nozzle position detection encoder 45, ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46, air cylinders 81, 82 for changing the angle of the upper surface cleaning nozzle, electric motor 49 for moving the upper surface ultrasonic cleaning nozzle, encoder 51 for detecting the position of the upper surface ultrasonic cleaning nozzle, electric motor 5 for lifting the side surface cleaning nozzle 5.
8, a side surface cleaning nozzle position detection encoder 63, and a side surface cleaning nozzle moving air cylinder 68 are connected.

Reference numeral 64 denotes an inverter which constitutes a vehicle washing machine running speed varying means, which is connected to the input / output interface 78 and changes the frequency of the power source supplied to the vehicle washing machine main body running electric motor 4 to change the rotation speed of the electric motor 4. Change the running speed of the car wash machine as appropriate.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. FIG. 9 shows a cleaning process using ultrasonic cleaning water, which is one forward process. The car washer starts car washing from the car wash start position shown in FIG. 9 (a) and, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), runs at a low speed so as to be uniformly cleaned with ultrasonic cleaning water, and has a photoelectric switch. While detecting the vehicle body by 16a, 16b, 17a, 17b, the truck 9 is moved up and down along the vehicle body as shown by the arrow. The microcomputer 75 detects the pulse of the encoder 5 that detects the traveling position of the car wash machine and the pulse of the encoder 15 that detects the position of the carriage 9 and stores it in the memory 77 to measure the shape of the vehicle body in the height direction. Further, the shape in the width direction is measured by the detection of the vehicle width measuring ultrasonic sensor 18. The car washing machine controls the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 located at a distance X from the carriage 9 so that the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 can approach the vehicle body as close as possible based on the stored vehicle height data. Ultrasonic cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 46 toward the car body to wash the car.

Simultaneously with the cleaning by the upper surface cleaning nozzle, the cleaning by the side surface cleaning nozzle is also performed. The car wash machine controls the side surface cleaning nozzle 53 located at a distance Y from the carriage 9 based on the stored vehicle height data so as to reciprocate up and down so as to cover the side surface of the vehicle body and measured by the ultrasonic sensor 18. The air cylinder 68 that extends the arm 55 is appropriately operated according to the vehicle width to control the side surface cleaning nozzle so as to be as close to the vehicle body as possible. At the same time, ultrasonic cleaning water is sprayed from the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46 provided on the side surface cleaning nozzle 53 toward the vehicle body to wash the car.

FIG. 10 is a front view for explaining the operation of the cleaning process using ultrasonic cleaning water. The upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 uses the guide rails 39, 3 based on the stored vehicle shape data.
9 while moving up and down along with the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46,
Based on the vehicle width data, the ultrasonic cleaning water is jetted toward the automobile A while reciprocating according to the vehicle width. The side surface cleaning nozzles 53, 53 repeatedly move up and down along the guide rails 57, 57 according to the stored vehicle height data,
The air cylinders 68, 68 are extended according to the vehicle width data to extend the arms 55, 55 toward the automobile A, and the ultrasonic cleaning water is jetted toward the automobile A.

In this way, the car wash machine is run while performing cleaning by the upper surface cleaning nozzle and the side surface cleaning nozzle,
As shown in FIG. 9C, when reaching the rear of the vehicle body, the car wash process using ultrasonic cleaning water, which is one forward process, is completed.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory view showing the tilting operation of the upper surface cleaning nozzle in the cleaning step using ultrasonic cleaning water. As shown in the figure, the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 approaches the vehicle body of the automobile A as the car washing machine moves forward. At this time, the car wash machine has air cylinders 81 and 8 which are variable means of the upper surface cleaning nozzle.
The lot portions 81a and 81b of No. 2 are extended to inject the cleaning water of the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35 obliquely downward from the front of the frame 1, that is, toward the vehicle body of the vehicle A, and the vehicle body front surface of the vehicle A is washed. Then, as the frame 1 moves forward, the car wash machine advances to the lot parts 81a, 8 of the air cylinders 81, 82.
2a is shortened and the hood portion of the vehicle body of the automobile A is washed so that the direction of jetting the washing water from the upper surface washing nozzle 35 is directed obliquely downward to the rear of the frame 1, that is, toward the front direction of the vehicle body of the automobile A.
In the windshield portion of the vehicle body of the automobile A, the car wash machine shortens the lot portion 81a of the air cylinder 81 and extends the lot portion 82a of the air cylinder 82 to extend the upper surface cleaning nozzle 35.
Clean the windshield with the direction of the water spray of (3) vertically downward. Next, in the front part of the roof of the car A, the front part of the car A, the rear part of the car A in the rear part, the rear glass part vertically downward, the trunk part in the rear part of the car A, and the rear part in the whole part of the car A. It is tilted and washed according to the shape of the car A car body.

FIG. 12 is an explanatory view showing how ultrasonic vibrations are transmitted in ultrasonic cleaning water, taking as an example the case of cleaning the side surface of a vehicle body. As shown in FIG. 12A, when the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46 is provided perpendicularly to the vehicle body surface of the automobile A, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted in the ultrasonic cleaning water is reflected by the vehicle body of the automobile A and ultrasonically cleaned. Returning to the direction of the nozzle 46, the ultrasonic vibration acts only on the nozzle diameter portion of the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46, and the cleaning effect by the ultrasonic cleaning appears only in a narrow range. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 12B, when the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle 46 is provided obliquely downward with respect to the vehicle body surface of the automobile A, the ultrasonic vibration transmitted in the ultrasonic cleaning water is reflected by the vehicle body of the automobile A. Thus, the cleaning water flowing down on the vehicle body surface of the automobile A is transmitted, so that the cleaning effect by ultrasonic cleaning can be applied to a wide range.

FIG. 13 shows a drying step, which is one returning step. The car washing machine starts the drying process from the rear position of the vehicle shown in FIG. 13 (a) and, as shown in FIG. 13 (b), runs at a low speed so that water droplets adhering to the vehicle body can be sufficiently blown off, and the carriage 9 The top nozzle 20 which is further away from the vehicle by a distance Z runs along the body of the vehicle based on the stored vehicle height data while controlling elevation, and at the same time, the air sent from the blower 30 from the top nozzle 20 and the side nozzles 31 is conveyed to the body of the vehicle. Then, the adhered water is blown off to be dried, and when the car wash start position shown in FIG. 13 (c) is reached, the car is stopped and the drying process is finished to finish the car wash.

[0031]

As described above, according to the present invention, a car-washing machine such as a water spouting nozzle and a blower is provided in a car-washing machine body formed in a gate shape. In car wash machines that perform processing such as washing and drying,
An ultrasonic cleaning nozzle that applies ultrasonic vibration to running water to generate and jet ultrasonic cleaning water is used to wash the car with ultrasonic cleaning water.The ultrasonic cleaning nozzle is tilted with respect to the vehicle body to be cleaned. Prepare.

As a result, as in the case where the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle is provided vertically to the vehicle body surface, the ultrasonic vibration reflected on the vehicle body is reflected on the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle side and the cleaning water flows on the vehicle body surface. Without not being transmitted to
The ultrasonic vibrations reflected on the car body are transmitted to the cleaning water flowing on the surface of the car body, and a wide range of ultrasonic cleaning can be performed along the flow of the cleaning water. Further, along with this, the inconvenience that the ultrasonic wave reflected on the vehicle body surface is reflected to the nozzle side and interferes with the ultrasonic wave emitted from the nozzle is eliminated, and efficient and stable ultrasonic cleaning can be obtained. Therefore, it is possible to remove the firmly adhered dirt without using a cleaning brush.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front explanatory view of the traveling system and the vehicle shape detecting means of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front explanatory view of the vehicle body drying apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a front explanatory view of the upper surface cleaning nozzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing tilting means of the upper surface cleaning nozzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front explanatory view of the side surface cleaning nozzle according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an ultrasonic cleaning nozzle according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a control system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Car Washing Machine Main Body 4 Car Washing Machine Driving Motor 8 Vehicle Height Detecting Device 18 Vehicle Width Measuring Device Ultrasonic Sensor 19 Top Nozzle Elevating Driving Device 30 Blower 31 Side Nozzle 34 Top Cleaning Nozzle Elevating Device 49 Motor for Moving Top Ultrasonic Cleaning Nozzle 46 Ultrasonic Cleaning Nozzle 52 Side Cleaning Nozzle Elevating Means 64 Inverter as Traveling Speed Changing Means 68 Air Cylinder for Moving Side Cleaning Nozzles 75 Microcomputer as Control Means 80 Top Cleaning Nozzle Angle Changing Means

Front Page Continuation (72) Inventor Kazuya Takazawa 1825 Amamiya, Sarahaku-shi, Nagano MK Seiko Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A car-washing machine body formed in a gate shape is provided with a car-washing treatment device such as a water spray nozzle and a blower, and the car body is washed or dried as the car-washer body or the car travels. The car washing machine is provided with an ultrasonic cleaning nozzle that applies ultrasonic vibration to running water to generate and inject ultrasonic cleaning water, and the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle is provided so as to be inclined with respect to an automobile body to be cleaned. And a car wash machine. 2. A car washing machine equipped with the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the ultrasonic cleaning nozzle causes ultrasonic waves to act at an obtuse angle with respect to the flow direction of the cleaning water on the surface of the automobile body to be cleaned. A car wash machine characterized by being tilted.