JPH09188229A - Wiper damage prevention device in vehicle upper surface cleaning device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enhance an effect of wiper damage prevention in the vehicle cleaning device which attempts to prevent a wiper from being damaged by reducing the rotation speed of an upper rotation brush at a place corresponding to the wiper. SOLUTION: The device is provided with a variable rotation speed dividing means Db rotating an upper surface rotation brush B, a variable descending force means G, specified area detecting means K1 , K2 and 100, and with a control means C which controls the variable rotation speed driving means Db and the variable descending force means G based on detected signals from the specified area detecting means K1 , K2 and 100 in such a way that cleaning is carried out by reducing the rotation speed of the upper surface rotation brush B, and also reducing the descending force of the brush B in part blocks L1 through L2 , and L3 through L4 , including a part to which a front wiper Wf or a rear wiper Wr is mounted.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a wiper breakage in a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which a frame provided with an upper surface rotating brush and a vehicle are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to clean the vehicle body upper surface with the brush. Regarding prevention device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in such a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, in order to prevent the windshield wiper and the rear glass wiper from being damaged by the upper surface rotating brush, the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush at the position of the wiper. A wiper breakage prevention device that reduces (therefore rotational speed) is already known (for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-165).
No. 025).

[0003]

However, the structure of the wiper breakage prevention device is applied as it is to a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device of a type in which the upper surface rotating brush is moved up and down along the vehicle body upper surface by a contact reaction force received from the vehicle body upper surface. If you do,
It turned out that there were the following problems. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, when the rotation number of the upper surface rotating brush is decreased at a position corresponding to the wiper Wf (brush position B in FIG. 14).
₍ See _L ), the rotation axis of the brush becomes closer to the upper surface of the vehicle body compared to the case where it is not decreased (see brush position B _H in FIG. 14), and the wiper is deeply inserted into the brush. The effect of preventing the wiper damage due to the decrease is small, and even though the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush is decreased at the position corresponding to the wiper, the wiper can be splashed or deformed and damaged by the brush. This is remarkable when using an upper surface rotating brush having a structure in which a woven or non-woven fabric having water absorbency is fixed). The reason why the rotation axis of the brush becomes closer to the upper surface of the vehicle body as the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush decreases as described above is that, for example, the reaction force due to rotation of the rotating brush received from the upper surface of the vehicle body decreases as the number of rotations of the brush decreases. It is conceivable that the strength of the waist (that is, the force by which the brush stretches against the upper surface of the vehicle body) generated in the brush itself by the centrifugal force acting on the rotating brush decreases as the rotation speed of the brush decreases.

Further, when the upper surface rotating brush has a structure in which a water absorbent woven cloth or non-woven cloth is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating body, the woven cloth or non-woven cloth may be changed depending on the operating state of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device. There is a problem that the amount of cleaning water entering the gap between the fibers is changed, the weight of the upper rotary brush is not a little changed, and the surface pressure of the upper rotary brush is not stable, so that the wiper is damaged. For example, when car washing is started from a dry woven or non-woven fabric, initially only the woven or non-woven fabric on the outer peripheral portion of the upper surface rotating brush absorbs the cleaning water, and the woven or non-woven fabric on the central portion near the rotating body is The top rotating brush is relatively light because it does not absorb cleaning water. However, if the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device is continuously operated, as the number of car washings increases, the woven cloth or the non-woven cloth in the central portion gradually absorbs the cleaning water, and the upper surface rotating brush becomes heavy. Therefore, if the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush is set to a value that does not damage the wiper when the car wash is started from the dry state of the woven or non-woven fabric, when the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device is continuously operated, The surface pressure increases and the wiper is damaged. It is also possible to apply a water repellent treatment to the woven or non-woven fabric to prevent an increase in weight due to the absorption of washing water, but even in this case, the water repellent effect gradually increases as the number of car wash increases. As a result, the cleaning water is absorbed and the same problem as described above occurs.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and relates to a vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus capable of improving the wiper breakage prevention effect based on the reduction of the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush at the wiper corresponding position. An object is to provide a wiper breakage prevention device.

[0006]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is such that an upper surface rotating brush is provided on a frame so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame and the vehicle are moved relative to each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the vehicle body upper surface of the vehicle is cleaned with the upper surface rotating brush, and the upper surface rotating brush is moved up and down along the vehicle body upper surface by a contact reaction force received from the vehicle body upper surface during the cleaning. Rotational speed variable driving means, descending force varying means for varying the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush, predetermined part detecting means for detecting a predetermined part of the vehicle, front windshield wiper on the top surface of the vehicle body at the time of cleaning, or In a partial section including the portion where the rear wiper is mounted, the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush is reduced and the descending force of the brush is further reduced to perform cleaning. It is characterized by comprising a control means for controlling the lowering force varying means and the variable rotational speed drive means based on a detection signal of the location detector.

According to a second aspect of the invention, an upper surface rotating brush is provided on the frame so as to be able to move up and down, and the frame and the vehicle are relatively moved in the front-rear direction of the vehicle to clean the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle with the upper surface rotating brush. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the upper surface rotating brush is moved up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body by the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body during the cleaning. Descending force varying means for varying the descending force of the rotating brush, predetermined portion detecting means for detecting a predetermined portion of the vehicle, weight detecting means for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush, and the upper surface of the vehicle body during the cleaning, Cleaning is performed by reducing the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush and further reducing the descending force of the brush in a partial section including a portion where the front wiper or the rear wiper is attached. As described above, the control means for controlling the rotation speed variable drive means based on the detection signal of the predetermined part detection means, and the descending force change means based on each detection signal of the predetermined part detection means and the weight detection means. According to a third aspect of the invention, in addition to the features of the second aspect of the invention, the control means lowers the upper surface rotating brush based on the detection signal of the weight detection means. The magnitude of the force for reducing the force is set, and the descending force varying means is controlled based on the set reducing force and the detection signal of the predetermined portion detecting means.

In addition to the above respective features, the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the predetermined portion detecting means is a glass position detecting means for detecting the position of the windshield or the rear glass of the vehicle. Further, the invention of claim 5 is
In addition to the above respective features, a relative speed variable drive means for moving the frame and the vehicle relative to each other with a variable relative movement speed is provided, and the control means is equipped with a rear wiper having an upper surface rotating brush on the upper surface of the vehicle body. It is characterized in that the relative speed variable drive means is controlled based on a detection signal of the predetermined portion detection means so that the relative movement speed is controlled at a low speed while cleaning a partial section including a portion. Further, in addition to the above respective features, the invention of claim 6 is characterized in that a swing arm is supported by a frame so as to be vertically swingable, and the upper surface rotating brush is supported at a tip of the swing arm.

Further, in addition to the above respective features, the invention of claim 7 is characterized in that the upper surface rotating brush is a brush in which a water absorbent woven or non-woven fabric is fixed to an outer periphery of a rotating body.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below based on one embodiment of the present invention illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

1 to 5 show a first embodiment of a vehicle body top surface cleaning apparatus, in particular FIG. 1 is a front view and FIG. 2 is a side view (a view from the arrow 2 in FIG. 1). 4 is a block diagram of a control system, FIG. 4 is a process diagram of a brushing process (when going forward) on the upper surface of the vehicle body, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the brushing process. 6 to 9 show a second embodiment of the vehicle body top surface cleaning device, and particularly FIG. 6 is a front view and FIG.
Is a side view (a view from arrow 7 in FIG. 6), FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system, and FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a brushing process (when going forward) on the upper surface of the vehicle body. 10 is a side view similar to FIG. 2, showing a third embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, and FIG. 11 shows the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting drive system in the third embodiment. (a) shows the case where the brush is at the lower limit position, (b) shows the case where it is at the substantially intermediate position, and (c) shows the case where it is at the upper limit position. Furthermore, FIG.
A side view similar to FIG. 2 showing a fourth embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, FIG. 13 is a flow chart of the brushing process in the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 14 is a vehicle body of a brush according to the rotation speed of the upper surface rotating brush. It is explanatory drawing which shows simply the difference of the contact state to an upper surface.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. A pair of driving wheels 3, 3 and driven wheels 4, 4 rolling on a pair of left and right traveling rails 2, 2 are provided on a traveling frame 1 having a gate shape so as to be able to straddle an automobile V as a vehicle. It is provided. Further, the traveling frame 1 is equipped with traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ with reduction gears, and the sprocket wheels 6 and 6 fixed to the output shafts of the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ and the drive wheels 3 and 3 are fixed. Chains 8 and 8 are interlocked with the sprockets 7 and 7. As a result, by driving the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ to rotate forward and backward, the traveling frame 1 can be reciprocated along the traveling rail 2 (that is, along the front-rear direction of the automobile V).

The same axis is provided on both left and right sides of the traveling frame 1.
A pair of left and right first and second support shafts 9 arranged on a line₁, 9
_TwoAre rotatably supported. Its both support shafts
9₁, 9 _TwoA pair of left and right first and second swing arms are provided at the inner end of the
10₁, 10_TwoThe middle part of each is fixed,
Both swinging arms 10₁, 10_TwoBetween the tips of the
The rotation support shaft J that integrally connects the
An upper surface rotating brush B is rotatably provided on the support shaft J.
You. The upper surface rotating brush B rotates on the rotation support shaft J.
Brush pipe 11 as a rotating body freely inserted and supported
₁And the brush pipe 11₁Fixed radially around the
Nonwoven fabric 11_TwoIt is composed of That each
Woven cloth 11_TwoIs composed of polyester filaments, etc.
And the weight change of the upper surface rotating brush B when the cleaning water is included
Is what comes. The nonwoven fabric 11_TwoInstead of woven
Brush cloth 11 as a rotating body₁Fixed to the outer periphery of
May be.

A brush rotary motor 12 with a speed reducer is provided at the other end of the second swing arm 10 _2. The sprocket 13 fixed to the output shaft of the brush rotary motor 12 and one end of the brush pipe 11 _1. Fixed sprocket 1
4 is connected by a chain 15 in the second swing arm 10 ₂ . Thereby, the upper surface rotating brush B can be rotated by rotationally driving the brush rotating motor 12. A balance weight 16 is fixed to the other end of the first swing arm 10 ₁ .

A stopper arm 17 is fixed to the first support shaft 9 _1, and the stopper arm 17 is attached to the traveling frame 1.
The lower limit position D and the upper limit position U of the upper surface rotating brush B are regulated by hitting the lower limit stopper 18 and the upper limit stopper 19 respectively fixed to the upper side rotary brush B.

A cylinder arm 5 is attached to the first support shaft 9 _1.
0 is fixed, and a piston rod 52 of a cylinder 51 pivotally connected to the traveling frame 1 on the side opposite to the rod is pivotally connected to the tip of the cylinder arm 50. A lower portion 53 ₁ of an oil tank 53 for converting air pressure into hydraulic pressure is connected to a hydraulic oil chamber on the opposite side of the piston rod 52 in the cylinder 51, and an upper portion 53 ₂ of the oil tank 53 is connected to the shuttle 53 _2. The valve 54 is connected. One IN of the shuttle valve 54 is connected to the high-pressure air supply source 56 via the first electromagnetic valve 55. The other IN of the shuttle valve 54 is connected to the high pressure air supply source 56 via the second electromagnetic valve 57 and the pressure reducing valve 58. As a result, when the first solenoid valve 55 is operated (excited), a high-pressure (for example, 6 kg / cm ² ) air pressure from the high-pressure air supply source 56 acts on the oil tank 53, and the upper surface rotating brush B is raised to raise the upper limit position U. Can be held at. If both solenoid valves 55 and 57 are deactivated (demagnetized), the cylinder 5
1 becomes inoperative, that is, becomes free, and the upper surface rotating brush B descends by its own weight and comes into contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with an appropriate surface pressure. It can go up and down according to the shape. When the second solenoid valve 57 is further operated (excited), a low pressure (for example, 1 kg / cm ² ) air pressure from the high pressure air supply source 56 acts on the oil tank 53 via the pressure reducing valve 58, whereby the upper rotary brush B The descent force can be reduced to reduce the surface pressure on the upper surface of the vehicle body. Thus, the cylinder 51, both solenoid valves 55,
57 and the pressure reducing valve 58 cooperate with each other to constitute the descending force varying means G of the present invention.

Meanwhile, the second support shaft 9 _2, magnet arms 25 fitted with a magnet 24 integrally is fixed, the magnet 2
4, the upper limit switch 26 and the lower limit switch 27 are fixed to the traveling frame 1. Upper limit switch 26
Detects that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U by operating when the magnet 24 approaches within a predetermined distance. Further, the lower limit switch 27 operates when the magnet 24 approaches within a predetermined distance, and detects that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the lower limit position U.

The traveling frame 1 is provided with a start position detection switch 29, and the start position detection switch 2
9 operates by hitting a cam 28 fixed on the installation surface, and detects that the traveling frame 1 is at the start position. Further, the traveling frame 1 has one traveling motor 5
_A rotary encoder 30 for detecting a traveling position connected to the _second output shaft is provided.

The traveling frame 1 is provided with a washing water jet pipe 31 for jetting washing water to the upper surface rotary brush B, and the washing water jet pipe 31 can be continuously supplied with washing water. The water pump 32 is connected.

Further, on the traveling frame 1, a projector 60a and a photoreceiver 60b forming a pair of the _first photoelectric switch K ₁ are arranged at a predetermined height corresponding to the glass surface of the automobile V, and the second photoelectric switch K 1 is provided. _Two pairs of projector 61a and receiver 6
1b and 1b are arranged at a predetermined height lower than the glass surface of the automobile V. The photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ are a predetermined portion of the automobile V (in the illustrated example, the first photoelectric switch K ₁ is the windshield f and the rear glass r, and the second photoelectric switch K _{2 is}
Is a predetermined portion detecting means of the present invention for detecting the rear end of the automobile.

A control board 33 is provided on the traveling frame 1, and a start switch 34 for starting a car wash is provided on the surface of the control board 33. Further, inside the control panel 33, a control device 35 for controlling the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, an inverter 62 connected to the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ and an inverter 63 connected to the brush rotation motor 12 are provided. . Thus, the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ and the inverter 62 constitute relative speed variable drive means Dv which makes the relative speed between the frame 1 and the vehicle V variable and moves the both relatively, and the brush rotation motor 12 and the inverter. 63
Constitutes a rotation speed variable drive means Db for rotating the motor 12 by changing the rotation speed of the motor 12.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control device 35 has the functions of the traveling position detecting means D ₁ and the memory means M, and further, the output signals from these means D ₁ and M and the above-mentioned predetermined portion detection. The output signals from the photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ as means are arithmetically processed based on a control program, and the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ , the brush rotation motor 12 and the solenoid valve 5 are processed.
A control circuit C as a control means for operating the water pumps 5, 57 and the water pump 32 is provided.

The traveling position detecting means D₁Is the traveling frame
Mu 1 starts going out from the start position and starts
Traveling on the basis of when the output switch 29 is inactive
Rotor for traveling position detection while the frame 1 is traveling forward
Add the output pulses from the re-encoder 30 and
While the traveling frame 1 is returning, the rotary encoder
By subtracting the output pulse from the feeder 30,
The traveling position L of the traveling frame 1 from the start position is detected.
be able to. Therefore, this traveling position detecting means D ₁Is
Running frame 1 as a ram and automobile as a vehicle
Functions as relative position detection means for detecting relative position with V
It is possible.

Further, the storage means M has a predetermined storage capacity described later.
Running position L₁~ L_FourAnd the position of the rear glass r
Travel position L for_FiveA storage unit M for storing and₁~
M_Four, M _FiveIs provided.

Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the traveling frame 1 is at the start position (the left end position in FIG. 4), the first electromagnetic valve 55 is operated, the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U, and the automobile V is at a predetermined position (solid line in FIG. 4). Car wash shall be started from the state where the car is parked at (position).

When the start switch 34 is pressed while the upper surface rotating brush B is in the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 is operating, the traveling position when the traveling frame 1 reaches the right end of the traveling rail 2. Larger running position Lma
x is written in each of the storage units M _{1 to} M ₄ of the storage unit M, the water pump 32 is driven, the brush rotation motor 12 is further rotated at high speed, and the upper surface rotation brush B is rotationally driven at high speed.
The solenoid valve 55 is deactivated and the cylinder 51 is deactivated. As a result, when the upper surface rotating brush B reaches the lower limit position D, while maintaining the high speed rotation state of the upper surface rotating brush B,
The traveling frame 1 is moved forward at high speed (step S
1).

Next, the traveling position L is read (step S
2). Then, the determinations in steps S3, S4, S6 to S8 are NO, and the determination in S9 is YES, so steps S2 to S9 are repeated.

When the traveling frame 1 travels forward and the first photoelectric switch K ₁ is in the K ₁ A position to detect the windshield f (step S6), X is added to the current position L at this time and R ₁ and the traveling position L ₁ obtained by subtracting the current position L
Then, the traveling position L ₂ is calculated by adding X and R ₂ to L _1, and L ₁ is stored in the storage unit M ₁ , and L ₂ is stored in the storage unit M ₂ (step S10). Incidentally, X is the horizontal distance between the brush support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ and the photoelectric switch K ₁ .
Further, R ₁ is the brush support shafts 9 ₁ , 9 at the traveling position L _1.
A predetermined horizontal distance between ₂ and the K ₁ A position, and also R _2, is a predetermined horizontal distance between the brush support shafts 9 ₁ , 9 ₂ and the K ₁ A position when in the running position L ₂ . It is a horizontal distance, and when the change from the first non-detection to the detection is made in step S6, YES is obtained. As a result, the current position L is L ₁ ≦
When L ≦ L ₂ , YES is obtained in step S3, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotationally driven at a low speed, and the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is further reduced by the descending force reducing means G.
It is possible to prevent the front wiper Wf from being damaged (step S13). When the current position L exceeds L _2, top rotary brush B is rotated at a high speed, the cylinder 51 is deactivated (step S5).

The first photoelectric switch K₁Detected but not detected
Each time it comes out (step S7), the current position L at that time is
L_FiveAs storage unit M_Five(Step S11).
And the second photoelectric switch K_TwoBut K_TwoFrom detection at position A
When it becomes undetected and the rear end of the automobile V is detected (step
S8), then the storage unit M_FiveL stored in_Five(No.
1 photoelectric switch K₁Is K₁From detection to non-detection at position B
The traveling position when the rear glass r of the automobile V is detected)
X and R_ThreeRunning position L_ThreeAnd L_FiveX and
R_FourRunning position L_FourAnd calculate L_ThreeRemember
Part M_ThreeTo L again_FourStorage unit M_FourRemember each
(Step S12). Note that R_ThreeIs the travel position L_ThreeAt the time
Brush support shaft 9₁, 9_TwoAnd K₁Predetermined between B position
Horizontal distance, and R_FourIs the travel position L_FourBra at time
Support shaft 9₁, 9_TwoAnd K₁Predetermined between B position
It is a horizontal distance. As a result, the current position L is L_Three≤L
≤L _FourIs YES in step S4, the upper surface is rotated.
The brush B is rotationally driven at a low speed, and the descending force reducing means G is further used.
The lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B is reduced by the
Data 5₁, 5_TwoBecomes low rotation speed of the traveling frame 1
As it is driven, it prevents damage to the rear wiper Wr.
Stop (step S14). And the current position L is L_FourTo
When it exceeds, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotationally driven at high speed,
The binder 51 is deactivated (step S5).

When the second photoelectric switch K ₂ detects the rear end of the automobile V and then travels forward for a predetermined distance, the vehicle body washing in the travel is completed (step S9).

Thus, the upper surface rotating brush B is a part of the upper surface of the vehicle body including the portions where the front and rear wipers Wf and Wr are attached (in the illustrated example, predetermined sections L _{1 to} L ₂ corresponding to the windshield f, While traveling the predetermined section L _{3 to} L ₄ corresponding to the rear glass r, the rotation speed of the brush B is reduced and the descending force thereof is also reduced to reduce the surface pressure. It is possible to prevent the shaft from approaching the upper surface of the vehicle body as the rotation speed of the brush decreases, and it is possible to improve the wiper damage prevention effect based on the reduction in the rotation speed.

Further, in general, the rear wiper Wr is more easily damaged than the front wiper Wf. Therefore, when cleaning an automobile V equipped with the rear wiper Wr, an upper surface rotary brush is operated by operating a switch (not shown). B
At the traveling position L ₃ where the rear end of the rear glass r is reached, the upper surface rotating brush B is inactivated, or the rear wiper Wr is covered with a protector, or the rear wiper Wr is fixed with a piece of gum tape or the like to remove the rear wiper Wr. It is a principle to wash with the upper surface rotating brush B. However, the rear wiper W
If you overlook r, operate the switch or use protective equipment,
If you forget to fix it with duct tape, go to step S
By the operation of 14, the effect of preventing damage to the rear wiper Wr can be improved as much as possible.

Further, when the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is reduced, when the traveling frame 1 travels at high speed, when the rear glass r is steeply inclined, the upper surface rotating brush B cannot follow the rear glass r to descend, and the rear glass r Although the cleaning effect on the trunk and the trunk is poor, the rear glass r
By controlling the traveling speed of the traveling frame 1 at a low speed, the upper surface rotating brush B
Therefore, the cleaning effect can be improved, and as a result, the rear wiper damage prevention effect based on the decrease in the rotation of the upper surface rotating brush B can be achieved even when the rear glass is steep or gentle. The cleaning time can be shortened.

Next, a second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. This second embodiment is obtained by such nonwoven 11 ₂ of the top surface rotating brush B corrects the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B for reasons such as a wash water to change. Only the differences from the first embodiment will be described below, and the same components as those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment. In this embodiment, instead of a cylinder as an actuator for rotationally driving the support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 ₂ ,
A torque motor 20 with a reduction gear fixed to the traveling frame 1 is used. The cylinder arm 24 is attached to the first support shaft 9 _1.
Instead of this, a sprocket 22 is fixed, and the sprocket 22 and the sprocket 21 fixed to the output shaft of the torque motor 20 are connected by a chain 23. The sprockets 21 and 22 and the chain 23 are connected to the torque motor 20. Constitutes a transmission mechanism TM for transmitting the driving force of the above to the support shaft 9 ₁ .

The traveling frame 1 is attached to the second support shaft 9 _2.
The rotary encoder 70 for detecting the ascending / descending position provided in the above is connected.

Inside the control panel 33, the torque motor 20
An inverter 36 connected to is provided.

As shown in FIG. 8, the control device 35 includes a traveling position detecting means D ₁ , an ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ , an ascending position detecting means D ₃ , a descending force detecting means D ₄ , a storage means M, a level counter LC and It has each function of timer T ₁ ,
Moreover they D ₁ to D _4, M, LC, the traveling motor 5 ₁ performs calculation process on the basis of the output signal to the control program from the T _1, 5 _2, the brush rotating motor 12, the torque motor 20
And a control circuit C as a control means for operating the water pump 32.

The ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ moves up and down while the upper surface rotating brush B is descending with reference to the time when the upper surface rotating brush B starts descending from the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 becomes inoperative. The output pulse from the detection rotary encoder 70 is added, and the output pulse from the rotary encoder 27 is subtracted while the upper surface rotary brush B is rising, so that the upper and lower position θ of the upper surface rotary brush B is increased. It is detected as an angle from the position U.

The ascending position detecting means D ₃ has a raising / lowering position θ detected by the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ set at a predetermined ascending position Z set between the upper and lower limit positions U and D of the upper surface rotating brush B (in the example shown in the figure, It is determined whether or not it is smaller than a predetermined set up / down position θ ₁ corresponding to the lower limit position D (as shown in 7). That is, it is detected that the upper surface rotating brush B is at a position higher than the raised position Z.

The descending force detecting means D ₄ starts from the lowest voltage Vs ₀ among the descending force measuring voltages Vs shown in Table 1 below.
Inverter 3 applies successively higher voltages Vs ₁ , Vs ₂ , ...
When the descending force measuring voltage Vs is applied to the torque motor 20 via 6, the ascending position detecting means D ₃
The descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is detected based on the detection signal from.

That is, the upper surface rotating brush B is set at the set up / down position θ.
_When lower than _1, the predetermined lowering force measurement voltage Vs ₀ in the direction of raising the upper surface rotating brush B is applied to the torque motor 20, and the upper surface rotating brush B still does not rise to the set elevating position θ _1. At this time, a predetermined descending force measurement voltage Vs ₁ which is the next highest voltage Vs ₀ is applied to the torque motor 20. Still, the upper surface rotating brush B is set up / down position θ ₁
When it does not rise, the predetermined descending force measuring voltage Vs ₂ which is next to Vs ₁ is applied to the torque motor 20. By repeating such a process, the descending force measuring voltage Vs is sequentially increased to the torque motor 20. As a result, the voltage when the upper surface rotating brush B is raised to the set lifting position θ ₁ is detected. Thus, the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected as the voltage applied to the torque motor 20.

The inverter 36 controls the control circuit 35.
The output frequency is changed by the control signal output from the path C.
Frequency changing means K₁And a voltage changer that changes the output voltage
Step K _TwoOutput the specified voltage even if the input voltage fluctuates
Constant voltage means K_ThreeIncludes and. So this second real
In the embodiment, the inverter 36 and the torque motor 20 are
The lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B is made variable in cooperation with each other.
The descending force varying means G of the present invention is configured. In addition, this implementation
In the example, the output frequency of the inverter 36 is constant
I have.

In the above structure, the balance weight 16
And the reduction ratio of the torque motor 20 with reduction gear are
When the upper surface rotating brush B is in a dry state, the torque motor 20
Is deactivated (non-energized), the upper surface rotating brush B descends by its own weight and comes into contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body with an appropriate surface pressure, and the upper surface rotating brush B receives a contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body of the automobile V. It is set so that it can be elevated and lowered along the upper surface of the vehicle body.

The contents of the following Table 1 are stored in the storage means M in advance.

[0045]

[Table 1] In Table 1, the first falling voltage Va indicates that the traveling position L is L ₁ ≦ L ≦ L ₂ and L ₃ ≦ L ≦ L ₄ according to the descending force measurement voltage corresponding to the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B. In addition to the above, it is a voltage applied to the torque motor 20 to correct the contact surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B on the vehicle body upper surface to a surface pressure suitable for cleaning.

The second lowering voltage Vb depends on the lowering force measurement voltage corresponding to the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B when the traveling position L is L ₁ ≤L≤L ₂ and L ₃ ≤L≤L ₄ . To
Applied to the torque motor 20 respectively, the upper surface rotating brush B
It is a voltage for correcting the contact surface pressure of the above with respect to the vehicle body upper surface to a surface pressure suitable for preventing damage to the wipers Wf and Wr.

Since the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B increases as the brush B contains the cleaning water and increases in weight, the descending force of the descending force is changed in order to cope with the descending force change due to the weight change. Size (hence the measuring level of the descending force measuring voltage Vs)
A plurality of (7 levels in the illustrated example) level LEs are set in accordance with the above, and the first falling voltage V is set for each level LE.
Each set value of a and the second falling voltage Vb is set. Moreover, the force of pulling the tension side 23A of the chain 23 due to the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B becomes maximum when the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ are horizontal, and decreases as it moves upward or downward from the horizontal direction. The first lowering voltage Va and the second lowering voltage V corresponding to the change in the tensile force due to the position change
For b, a preset value is determined in advance by an angle from the horizontal (for example, at intervals of 15 degrees from the horizontal) and stored in the storage unit M.

Since the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₀ is the descending force measurement voltage when the surface pressure of the upper surface rotary brush B is within an appropriate range, the corresponding descending voltage V ₀ does not depend on the ascending / descending position θ. It may be "0 volt".

Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In FIG. 4, even when the traveling frame 1 is at the start position (the left end position in FIG. 4) and the torque motor 20 has a size capable of raising it to the upper limit position U even when the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is maximum. It is assumed that the car wash is started from the state where the voltage Vu is applied and the vehicle V is stopped at a predetermined position (position indicated by the solid line in FIG. 4).

When the start switch 34 is pressed while the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 is operating, the traveling position Lm is the same as in the first embodiment.
The ax is written in the storage units M _{1 to} M ₄ , the water pump 32 is driven, the brush rotation motor 12 is rotationally driven at high speed, and the torque motor 20 is deactivated to lower the upper surface rotation brush B. As a result, the cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning water spray pipe 31, and the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a high speed and descends from the upper limit position U (step S101).

When the lower limit switch 27 detects that the upper surface rotating brush B has descended to the lower limit position D (step S1).
02), the rotation of the upper surface rotary brush B and the injection of the cleaning water are stopped, the level LE of the level counter LC is set to "0" (step S103), and the timer T _{1 is set} to "0" (step S104). Next, the descending force measurement voltage Vs at the level LE of "0" is read from Table 1. Then, the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₀ is applied to the torque motor 20 and the timer T ₁ is activated (step S105).

Next, the elevation position θ is read (step S1
06), it is judged whether or not the ascending / descending position θ is smaller than the set ascending / descending position θ ₁ , that is, the upper surface rotating brush B is moved to the predetermined ascending position Z.
It is detected whether or not the position has risen to a higher position (step S1).
07). When the upper surface rotating brush B is lower than the predetermined raised position Z, it is judged whether the detection time t ₁ of the timer T ₁ exceeds the predetermined time ts ₁ (step S108), and the predetermined time ts ₁
If it does not exceed, the process returns to step S106. And either the upper surface rotating brush B is at a position higher than the predetermined raised position Z, step up exceeds the predetermined time ts ₁ S106 to
S108 is repeated.

[0053] Without the top rotary brush B detects that it is now in a position higher than the predetermined raised position Z in step S107, when it is detected that exceeds a predetermined time ts ₁ at step S108, the level LE of Reberukaunka LC It is set to "1" (step S109), and the process returns to step S104. Then, steps S104 to S109 are repeated until it is detected in step S107 that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z.

When it is detected in step S107 that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z, the level LE of the level counter LC at that time is stored in the storage means M (step S110). For example, when it is detected that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined raising position Z when the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₂ when the level LE is “2” is applied to the torque motor 20, The LE is stored as "2". This step S1
From 04 to S110, the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected.

Next, the water pump 32 is driven to inject the cleaning water, the brush rotary motor 12 is rotated at a high speed to rotate the upper surface rotary brush B at a high speed, and the torque motor 20 is deactivated to remove the upper surface rotary brush B. It is lowered (step S111). When the lower limit switch 27 detects that the upper surface rotating brush B has reached the lower limit position D (step S
112), the traveling motors 5 ₁ and 5 ₂ are normally driven at a high speed to cause the traveling frame 1 to travel forward at a high speed (step S11).
3).

Next, step S of FIG. 4 in the first embodiment.
2 to S14 are basically the same. In this case, in step S5, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at high speed and the ascending / descending position θ is read, and from Table 1, the first falling voltage Va corresponding to the level LE number stored in step S110 (for example, the level LE is 2 "for V
a ₂ ), and also the voltage corresponding to the read ascending / descending position θ is read from the storage means M, and the first falling voltage Va is applied to the torque motor 20. Also, steps S13 and S14
Then, the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a low speed, the ascending / descending position θ is read, and from Table 1, the second falling voltage Vb corresponding to the level LE number stored in step S110 (for example, when the level LE is “2”, Vb ₂ ), and the voltage corresponding to the read ascending / descending position θ is read from the storage means M, and the second falling voltage Vb is applied to the torque motor 20. Further, particularly in step S14, the traveling speed of the traveling frame 1 is controlled to a low speed.

As a result, the current position L is L ₁ ≤L≤
_{L 2, L 3 ≦ L ≦} L 4 at other times, the upper surface rotating brush B
Can be rotated at a high speed, and cleaning can be performed at a surface pressure suitable for cleaning. On the other hand, when the current position L is L ₁ ≦ L ≦ L ₂ , the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a low speed to reduce the surface pressure for cleaning, and the current position L is L ₃ ≦ L ≦ L ₄ . At this time, the upper surface rotating brush B can be rotated at a low speed to reduce the surface pressure, and the running speed can be made to run at a low speed for cleaning, which is effective in preventing damage to the front and rear wipers Wf, Wr.

As described above, the bonnet surface, the ceiling surface, and the trunk surface of the automobile V can be sequentially brush-cleaned by the upper surface rotating brush B when the traveling frame 1 travels forward. Step S10
4-decrease based on the descending force detected in S110,
Since an appropriate descending force can be obtained, the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B on the vehicle body upper surface during forward traveling can be controlled to an appropriate surface pressure.

Thus, in the second embodiment, the torque motor 20 and the inverter 36 constituting the descending force varying means G, the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ for detecting the ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush B, and the inverter 36. And the descending force detecting means D ₄ for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B on the basis of the control signal output to the above and the detection signal of the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ detect the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B. The weight detecting means D _W of the present invention is configured.

Next, referring to FIGS. 10 and 11, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.
An example will be described. The device of the third embodiment differs from the device of the second embodiment in the structure of the transmission mechanism TM that transmits the output of the torque motor 20 to the first support shaft 9 ₁ .
Since the structure of the other portions is the same as that of the second embodiment, the members having the same configurations as those of the second embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the second embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted.

[0061] the first support shaft 9 _1, in place of the sprocket 22 of the second embodiment, the shape of the cam plate 80 by cutting out a sector from a disk is fixed. The cam plate 80 and the sprocket 21 are connected by a chain 81, and both ends of the chain 81 are connected and fixed to one end portion 81a and an intermediate portion 81b of the outer peripheral portion of the cam plate 80 which has a superior arc shape. . A tension arm 83 is swingably provided on a shaft 82 fixed to the traveling frame 1, and an idle sprocket 84 engaging with the chain 81 is rotatably provided at the tip of the tension arm 83. Further, a tension spring 85 is provided between the tension arm 83 and the traveling frame 1, and the spring force of the spring 85 constantly applies tension to the chain 81.

According to the transmission mechanism TM of the third embodiment, the swing arms 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ shown in FIG.
When the upper surface rotating brush B descends toward the lower limit position D shown in (a) or rises toward the upper limit position U shown in (c) from when the upper surface rotating brush B is substantially horizontal, the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is Thus, the force for pulling the tension side 81A of the chain 81 can be made substantially constant at all times. Therefore, as the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb of Table 1 stored in the storage means M, constant voltages are stored at each level LE regardless of the ascending / descending position θ.

The operation of the third embodiment differs from the operation of the second embodiment only in steps S5, S13 and S14, and the other operations are the same as those of the second embodiment. That is, in the second embodiment, in steps S5, S13, and S14, the set values of the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb are changed according to the ascending / descending position θ, but in the third embodiment,
Each set value of the first falling voltage Va and the second falling voltage Vb is constant regardless of the ascending / descending position θ, and there is an advantage that the configuration of the control device 35 can be simplified accordingly.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. In the device of the fourth embodiment, as the descending force varying means G of the upper surface rotating brush B, the telescopic cylinder 61 and the electro-pneumatic pressure reducer 93 are used instead of the torque motor 20 and the inverter 36 of the third embodiment. Since the third embodiment is different from the third embodiment and the structure of the other parts is the same as that of the third embodiment, members having the same configurations as those of the third embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the third embodiment. , The description is omitted. Therefore, for this fourth embodiment, the telescopic cylinder 6
The configuration of the brush lifting drive system including the No. 1 and the electro-pneumatic pressure reducer 63 will be described below.

A cylinder arm 90 is fixed to the first support shaft 9 ₁ in place of the cam plate 80 of the third embodiment. Between the tip of the cylinder arm 90 and the traveling frame 1,
A hydraulically-operated telescopic cylinder 91 is provided. A lower portion 92 ₁ of an oil tank 92 is connected to a hydraulic oil chamber on the opposite side of the piston rod in the cylinder 91, and an upper portion 92 ₂ of the oil tank 92 is connected to a conventionally known electric / pneumatic pressure reducer ( A high-pressure air supply source 94 is connected via an electric / pneumatic regulator) 93. This electric / pneumatic decompressor 9
3 controls by an electric input signal from the control device 35 so that the air pressure on the output side becomes a pressure predetermined according to the input signal. The oil tank 92 also has a function of converting air pressure into oil pressure.

In Table 1 stored in the storage means M in the fourth embodiment, the air pressure is stored instead of the voltage in the third embodiment. Further, in this embodiment, similarly to the third embodiment, since the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ are substantially horizontal,
Whether the upper surface rotating brush B descends toward the lower limit position D,
Alternatively, even when it is moved up toward the upper limit position U, the force applied to the telescopic cylinder 91 can be made substantially constant by the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B. Therefore, the first descending air pressure Va 'and the second descending air pressure Vb' in Table 1 stored in the storage means M are stored as constant air pressures independent of the ascending / descending position θ.

In the fourth embodiment, the "torque motor 20" of the third embodiment is replaced by an "extendable cylinder 91" and a "voltage".
Are replaced by "pneumatic pressure", the operation of the fourth embodiment is basically the same as that of the third embodiment except for the difference between the torque motor 20 and the telescopic cylinder 91 and the difference between the voltage and the air pressure. Is the same. Therefore, in this fourth embodiment, the level of the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B is detected by the descending force measuring air pressure to be applied to the telescopic cylinder 91,
Based on the detection result, the first descending air pressure Va ′ and the second descending air pressure Vb ′ in Table 1 stored in the storage means M are stored.
By applying each set value of the above to the telescopic cylinder 91, the contact surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B with respect to the vehicle body upper surface can always be controlled to an appropriate surface pressure.

Thus, in the fourth embodiment, the telescopic cylinder 91, the electro-pneumatic decompressor 93, the ascending position detecting means D ₃ and the descending force detecting means D ₄ cooperate with each other to detect the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B. Means D _W.

Next, a fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control device 35 of the fifth embodiment is provided with a descending force detecting means D ₄ ′ for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B by another procedure, instead of the descending force detecting means D ₄ of the second embodiment. However, it is different from the second embodiment in that it further includes timers T ₂ and T ₃ , and the other parts of the structure are the same as those of the second embodiment.

That is, the descending force detecting means D ₄ ′ uses the descending force measuring voltage V shown in Table 1 when the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U.
from the highest voltage Vs _{7 of s} to the sequentially lower voltage Vs ₆ , V
s ₅ · · · · so on are applied to the torque motor 20, the upper limit switch 2 is top rotary brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U
Detect the voltage at which 6 becomes inoperative.

The operation of the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 13. When the upper limit switch 26 detects that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U shown in FIG. step S51), the start switch 34 is pressed, and the timer T ₂ to "0" (step S5
2), operate the water pump 32 and the brush rotation motor 1
2 is rotated at a high speed and the timer T ₂ is activated, whereby cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning water spray pipe 31, and the upper surface rotating brush B is rotated at a high speed (step S5).
3).

[0072] The detection time of the timer T ₂ t ₂ is a predetermined period of time t
When it exceeds s ₂ (step S54), the upper surface rotating brush B
And the injection of washing water are stopped, and the level LE of the level counter LC is set to "7" (step S5).
5), the timer T _{3 is set} to "0" (step S5)
6). The predetermined time ts ₂ is a time (for example, 5 to 5) during which the upper surface rotating brush B absorbs the cleaning water to rapidly increase the weight.
10 seconds).

Next, the descending force measurement voltage Vs at the level L of "7" is read from Table 1. Then, while applying the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₈ to the torque motor 20,
The timer T ₃ is activated (step S57).

[0074] Then the upper limit switch 26 to determine whether non-detection (step S58), when the detection, the detection time t ₃ of the timer t ₃ is determined whether or exceeds a predetermined time ts ₃ (step S59). When it does not exceed the predetermined time ts ₃ , the process returns to step S58. Then, steps S58 and S59 are repeated.

In step S58, the upper limit switch 26 is not detected, and in step S59, the predetermined time ts ₃ is reached.
When it is detected that the value exceeds, the level counter LC is set to "7" (step S60), and the process returns to step S56. Then, steps S56 to S60 are repeated.

If the upper limit switch 26 is not detected in step S58, the same processing as steps S110 to S114 shown in FIG. 9 of the second embodiment is performed (step 6).
1). That is, when the process proceeds to step S110 of FIG. 9, the number of the level LE of the level counter LC when it is not detected in step S58 is stored. For example, level LE is “6”
When it is detected that the upper limit switch 26 is inoperative (that is, the upper surface rotating brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U) when the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₆ at the time of is applied to the torque motor 20, The level LE is stored as "6". The descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected by these steps S55 to S60. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper limit switch 26 can function as the ascending / descending position detecting means.

Although the first to fifth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments and various embodiments can be made within the scope of the present invention. For example, also in the third and fourth embodiments, the descending force is detected in the same manner as in the fifth embodiment, that is, when the upper surface rotating brush B descends from the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 becomes undetected. It is possible to detect the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B by voltage or air pressure. Further, the present invention can be implemented in a fixed type vehicle body top surface cleaning device in which the frame and the vehicle are relatively moved by fixing the frame and transferring the vehicle by a transfer device such as a conveyor. The present invention can also be applied to a vertically elevating type vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which the upper surface rotating brush is vertically moved up and down along the provided elevating rail.

In each of the above embodiments, the upper surface rotating brush B
The torque motor 20 or the expansion / contraction cylinder is used as the descending force varying means.
However, in the present invention, these motors or cylinders are used.
In place of the da, the swing arm 10 of the balance weight 16₁
The mounting position for the
In the case of, the balance weight 16 is attached to the swing arm 10. ₁
Movably along its length and
A swing arm of the weight is mounted by an actuator provided between
10₁By controlling the mounting position for
The lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B may be reduced.
Yes. Furthermore, in order to detect the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B,
The lower limit of the piezoelectric element that can engage with the stopper arm 17.
It is provided on the topper 18 and the element allows the upper surface rotating brush B
The weight may be detected. In this case, this
The piezoelectric element is the weight detecting means D of the present invention. _WIs configured.

Further, as the predetermined part detecting means, there are shown in FIGS.
The reflection type ultrasonic wave detection device 100 provided in the traveling frame 1 shown in FIG. That is, the reflection type ultrasonic detecting device 100 detects each position of the windshield f and the rear glass r by utilizing the difference in the reflection mode of the ultrasonic wave due to the difference in the inclination angle between the glass surface and the other surface of the vehicle body. The position is 100A as shown in FIG. 4, and the ultrasonic wave from the transmitter does not return to the receiver due to the large inclination. When the ultrasonic wave from the vessel returns to the receiver, the end position of the windshield f can be detected. Also, at the 100B position, the ultrasonic waves from the transmitter return to the receiver, move from the roof surface to the rear glass surface with a large inclination, and the ultrasonic waves from the transmitter stop returning to the receiver. It is possible to detect the start position of the.

In the above embodiment, the upper surface rotating brush B
Is swingably supported on the traveling frame 1 via the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 _2, and the relative position of the brush B with respect to the traveling frame 1 is displaced due to the swing displacement. Moreover, there is a deviation between the mounting positions of the arm support shafts 9 ₁ and 9 _{2 on} the traveling frame 1 and the mounting positions of the predetermined part detecting means (photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ , the ultrasonic detecting device 100). Since it exists, it is necessary to take the above deviation into consideration in determining whether or not the upper surface rotating brush B is at the wiper corresponding position by using the detection signal of the predetermined portion detecting means, and therefore the predetermined portion detection is performed there. In addition to the detection signals of the means K ₁ , K ₂ and 100, the traveling position detection means D ₁ (that is, the relative position detection means between the frame and the vehicle)
By also outputting the detection signal of the above to the control device 35, the descending force control at the wiper corresponding position of the upper surface rotating brush B is performed. However, when the upper surface rotating brush and the predetermined portion detecting means are provided on the traveling frame so that the deviation does not occur, it is not necessary to take the deviation into consideration, that is, the detection signal of the traveling position detecting means D ₁ is not used. However, since the descent force control at the wiper corresponding position of the upper surface rotating brush can be performed without any trouble, the traveling position detecting means D ₁ is not included in the items necessary for specifying the present invention.

[0081]

As described above, according to the invention of each claim,
When the upper surface rotating brush is at the position corresponding to the wiper, the rotating speed of the brush is reduced, and the descending force of the brush is also reduced to reduce the surface pressure. It is possible to suppress approaching as much as possible, and therefore it is possible to improve the wiper breakage prevention effect based on the reduction in the rotation speed.

According to the inventions of claims 2 to 4,
Even if the weight of the upper surface rotating brush changes, it is possible to automatically correct the surface pressure of the brush by controlling the amount of decrease in the descending force according to the change in the weight. Can be further improved.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the relative movement speed between the frame and the vehicle can be controlled to be low when cleaning the rear glass, the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush can be reduced in this section. However, the brush can be made to accurately follow the rear glass surface, and a decrease in cleaning effect can be suppressed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view showing a first embodiment of a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the first embodiment (a view from arrow 2 in FIG. 1).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a control system of the first embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a process diagram of a brushing process (when going forward) on the upper surface of the vehicle body in the first embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart of the brushing process.

FIG. 6 is a front view similar to FIG. 1, showing a second embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the second embodiment (a view from arrow 7 in FIG. 6).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a control system according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a brushing process (when going forward) on the upper surface of the vehicle body in the second embodiment.

FIG. 10 shows a third embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, FIG.
Side view similar to

11A and 11B show the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting drive system in the third embodiment, where FIG. 11A shows the case where the brush is at the lower limit position, and FIG. 11B shows the case where the brush is at the intermediate position. (C) shows the case at the upper limit position.

FIG. 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, FIG.
Side view similar to

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of brushing processing in the fifth embodiment.

FIG. 14 is an explanatory view schematically showing the difference in the contact state of the brush with the upper surface of the vehicle body due to the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush.

[Explanation of symbols]

B upper surface rotary brush C control circuit as control means D ₁ traveling position detection means as relative position detection means Db rotational speed variable drive means Dv relative speed variable drive means D _W weight detection means G down force variable means K ₁ , K ₂ Predetermined part detection means (glass position detection means)
1st and 2nd photoelectric switch as V V automobile as vehicle Vb 2nd falling voltage as force Vb '2nd falling air pressure as force Wf Front wiper Wr Rear wiper f Front glass r Rear glass 1 Running frame as frame 10 ₁ , 10 ₂ First and _second swing arms as swing arm 11 ₁ Brush pipe as a rotating body 11 ₂ Non-woven fabric 35 Control device 100 Predetermined part detecting means (glass position detecting means)
Reflective Ultrasonic Detector

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. An upper surface rotating brush (B) on a frame (1)
And the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) are moved relative to each other in the front-back direction of the vehicle (V) to wash the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) with an upper surface rotating brush (B). During the cleaning, the upper surface rotating brush (B) is moved up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body by the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body.
In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, a rotation speed variable drive means (Db) for rotating the upper surface rotating brush (B), a lowering force varying means (G) for varying a lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush (B), Predetermined part detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1) for detecting a predetermined part of the vehicle (V)
00) and the partial rotation (L _{1 to} L ₂ , L _{3 to} L ₄ ) including the portion where the front wiper (Wf) or the rear wiper (Wr) is mounted on the upper surface of the vehicle body at the time of the cleaning. Based on the detection signal of the predetermined portion detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 100), the rotation of the brush (B) is reduced to further reduce the descending force of the brush (B) for cleaning. A wiper breakage prevention device in a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, comprising: a control means (C) for controlling the number variable drive means (Db) and the descending force variable means (G). 2. The upper surface rotating brush (B) on the frame (1)
And the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) are moved relative to each other in the front-back direction of the vehicle (V) to wash the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) with an upper surface rotating brush (B). During the cleaning, the upper surface rotating brush (B) is moved up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body by the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body.
In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, a rotation speed variable drive means (Db) for rotating the upper surface rotating brush (B), a lowering force varying means (G) for varying a lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush (B), Predetermined part detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 1) for detecting a predetermined part of the vehicle (V)
00), weight detection means (D _W ) for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush (B), and
Partial section (L _{1 to} L ₂ , L _{3 to} L) including the part where the front wiper (Wf) or the rear wiper (Wr) is mounted
_{In 4} ), the number of rotations of the upper surface rotating brush (B) is reduced, and further, the descending force of the brush (B) is reduced to clean the predetermined portion detecting means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 100). The rotation speed variable drive means (Db) is controlled based on the detection signal, and the lowering force is detected based on the detection signals of the predetermined portion detection means (K ₁ , K ₂ , 100) and the weight detection means (D _W ). A wiper damage prevention device in a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, comprising: a control means (C) for controlling a variable means (G). 3. The control means (C) determines the magnitude of the force (Vb, Vb ′) for reducing the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on the detection signal of the weight detection means (D _W ). set, characterized by controlling the reduction force and the set (Vb, Vb ') to the predetermined location detector _{(K 1, K 2, 100} ) the downward force variation means based on a detection signal (G) The wiper damage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 2. 4. The glass position detecting means (K ₁ , K) for detecting the position of the windshield (f) or the rear glass (r) of the vehicle (V) by the predetermined part detecting means.
_2. The wiper damage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein 5. The frame (1) and the vehicle (V),
The control means (C) is provided with a relative speed variable drive means (Dv) for performing relative movement with the relative movement speed being variable, and the control means (C) has a rear wiper (Wr) whose upper surface rotating brush (B) is on the upper surface of the vehicle body.
There detection interval portion comprising a mounting portion wherein the predetermined location detector so that the relative movement speed is slow controlled when (L ₃ ~L ₄₎ are washed _{(K 1, K 2, 100} ) The wiper breakage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the relative speed variable drive means (Dv) is controlled based on a signal. 6. A swing arm (10) is attached to the frame (1).
₁ , 10 ₂ ) is swingably supported, and the upper surface rotating brush (B) is attached to the tip of the swing arm (10 ₁ , 10 ₂ ).
The wiper damage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the wiper damage prevention device is supported. 7. The upper surface rotating brush (B) has a water absorbing woven or non-woven fabric (11) around the outer periphery of the rotating body (11 ₂ ).
The wiper damage prevention device in the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that it is a brush to which ₂ ) is fixed.