JPH09193754A - Car body top surface washer - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To stabilize the surface pressure of a brush even if a top rotary brush drips with water to be changed in its weight. SOLUTION: The car body top surface washer is adapted to control a brush elevation driving means 20 in such a manner that the distance between a rotating shaft of a top surface rotary brush B and the car body top of a vehicle V is a designated distance according to the respective signals of a car body top profile detecting means Ds, a brush elevating position detecting means D2 and a relative position detecting means D1 for a vehicle and a frame 1, whereby the top rotary brush B is forced to follow up the car body top surface shape of the vehicle V. In this case, the washer further includes a weight detecting means Dw for detecting the weight of the top rotary brush B and a correcting means Dk for correcting the climbing force of the top rotary brush B according to the detection signal of the weight detecting means Dw.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vehicle body top surface cleaning device for cleaning a vehicle body top surface of a vehicle such as an automobile with an upper surface rotating brush.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an upper surface rotating brush supported by a frame so as to be able to move up and down, an elevating and lowering driving means for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush, a vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface, and an upper surface. Equipped with an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting the ascending / descending position of the rotating brush, and a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the frame and the vehicle, and relatively moving the frame and the vehicle to detect the vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means and the ascending / descending position. Based on each detection signal of the means and the relative position detection means,
A vehicle body upper surface cleaning device that controls the lifting drive means so that the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush and the vehicle body upper surface becomes a predetermined distance so that the upper surface rotating brush follows the vehicle body upper surface shape. For example, it is publicly known as described in JP-A No. 7-165025.

[0003]

In the above-described known vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the elevation position of the brush is controlled so that the distance between the rotary shaft of the upper surface rotating brush and the vehicle body upper surface becomes a predetermined distance. Therefore, it was effective in stabilizing the surface pressure of the brush on the vehicle body surface. However, the above-mentioned vehicle body upper surface cleaning device is such that the upper surface rotating brush is lifted when a force in a lifting direction more than a predetermined value is applied to the upper surface rotating brush, and a cleaning member such as a non-woven fabric having water absorption is fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating member. When a brush is used, the weight of the upper surface rotating brush changes not a little depending on the amount of water contained in the cleaning body, which causes a problem that the surface pressure of the brush is not stable.

For example, in the conventional apparatus, when the upper surface rotating brush is controlled to rise to the target ascending / descending position, even if the brush contains a large amount of water and becomes the maximum weight, the brush can be reliably lifted. Since a large ascending force was applied to the brush, when the brush weight is comparatively light, the brush jumps up vigorously and rises above the target lifting position,
Until the final convergence to the target lifting position, the brush fluctuates up and down, the surface pressure on the upper surface of the vehicle body fluctuates, and the cleaning effect is reduced.

Further, a detection error or the like occurs in any of the contour of the upper surface of the vehicle body, the relative position between the frame and the vehicle, and the vertical position of the upper rotary brush, and the vertical position of the upper rotary brush is the normal position (that is, the above-mentioned detection error). If there is no such thing, it is controlled below the target lift position, or if the driver accidentally moves the vehicle when the vehicle is washed while the driver is in the vehicle. Has a problem that the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush increases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device that stabilizes the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush even if the weight of the brush changes. And

[0007]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention of claim 1 is directed to an upper surface rotating brush supported by a frame so as to be vertically movable, an elevating driving means for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush, and a vehicle. A vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface; an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush; and a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the frame and the vehicle, The frame and the vehicle are moved relative to each other, and the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush and the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle based on the detection signals of the vehicle body upper surface contour detection means, the elevation position detection means, and the relative position detection means. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the upper and lower drive means is controlled so that the distance becomes a predetermined distance so that the upper surface rotating brush follows the shape of the vehicle body upper surface. It has a weight detecting means for detecting the weight of the rolling brush and a correcting means for correcting the up-and-down force of the upper surface rotating brush based on the detection signal of the weight detecting means. In addition to the features of claim 1, the correction means is a lifting force correction means for correcting the lifting force of the upper surface rotary brush based on a detection signal of the weight detection means, and also in claim 3, In addition to the features of claim 1, the invention is characterized in that the correcting means is a descending force correcting means for correcting the descending force of the upper surface rotary brush based on a detection signal of the weight detecting means. Further, in addition to the features of the inventions of claims 1 to 3, the invention of claim 4 is characterized in that the weight detecting means includes the elevating and lowering driving means, and a drive output varying means for varying the output of the elevating and lowering driving means. And a descending force detecting means for detecting a descending force of the upper surface rotating brush based on a control signal output to the drive output varying means and a detection signal of an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush. According to the invention of claim 5, in addition to the features of each invention of claims 1 to 4, the correction means makes the elevating drive means and the output of the elevating drive means variable. It is composed of drive output varying means and control means for controlling the drive output varying means based on a detection signal of the weight detecting means.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, an upper surface rotating brush supported by a frame so as to be capable of moving up and down, an elevating and lowering drive means for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush, and a vehicle body upper surface contour detection for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface. Means, an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush, and a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the frame and the vehicle, and relatively moving the frame and the vehicle, Based on the detection signals of the upper surface contour detecting means, the ascending / descending position detecting means, and the relative position detecting means, the ascending / descending driving means is arranged so that the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush and the vehicle body upper surface becomes a predetermined distance. In a vehicle body top surface cleaning device in which the upper surface rotating brush is made to follow the vehicle body surface shape of a vehicle by controlling Transforming means, descending force detecting means for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush based on a control signal output to the drive output varying means and a detection signal of the ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting the ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush. And a control means for controlling the drive output varying means based on the detection signal of the descending force detecting means.

Further, according to the invention of claim 7, an upper surface rotating brush which is supported by a frame so as to be capable of moving up and down, an elevating driving means for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush, and a vehicle body upper surface contour detection for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface. Means, an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush, and a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the frame and the vehicle, and relatively moving the frame and the vehicle, Based on the detection signals of the upper surface contour detecting means, the ascending / descending position detecting means, and the relative position detecting means, the ascending / descending driving means is arranged so that the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush and the vehicle body upper surface becomes a predetermined distance. In a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device configured to cause the upper surface rotating brush to follow the shape of the vehicle body upper surface of the vehicle, the upper surface rotation controlled by using the lifting drive means. Clutch means for temporarily disconnecting the lifting drive means and the upper surface rotating brush so as to allow the brush to move up and down by a contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body above the target lifting position of the brush; And a weight detecting means for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush, and a lowering force correcting means for correcting the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush on the basis of a detection signal of the weight detecting means, the lowering force correcting means being independent of the lifting drive means. In addition to the feature of the invention of claim 7, the invention of claim 8 is characterized in that the weight detecting means is provided on the upper surface rotating brush side of the clutch means and drives the brush up and down. An elevating and lowering driving means, and a drive output varying means for varying an output of the second elevating and lowering driving means,
Second upper and lower position detecting means provided on the upper surface rotating brush side of the clutch means for detecting the upper and lower position of the brush, a control signal output to the drive output varying means and the second upper and lower position detecting means. And a descending force detecting means for detecting a descending force of the upper surface rotating brush based on a detection signal. Further, the invention of claim 9 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the invention of claim 7, The descending force correction means
Second lifting drive means provided on the upper surface rotating brush side of the clutch means for lifting the brush, drive output varying means for varying the output of the second lifting drive means, and the weight detecting means. And control means for controlling the drive output varying means based on the detection signal.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10, an upper surface rotating brush supported by a frame so as to be vertically movable, an elevating drive means for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush, and a vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface. Means, an ascending / descending position detecting means for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush, and a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the frame and the vehicle, and relatively moving the frame and the vehicle, Based on the detection signals of the upper surface contour detecting means, the ascending / descending position detecting means, and the relative position detecting means, the ascending / descending driving means is arranged so that the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush and the vehicle body upper surface becomes a predetermined distance. In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device configured to cause the upper surface rotating brush to follow the shape of the vehicle body upper surface of the vehicle. Clutch means for temporarily disconnecting the lifting drive means and the upper surface rotating brush so as to allow the brush to move up and down by a contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body above the target lifting position of the brush; Second raising / lowering driving means provided on the upper surface rotating brush side of the clutch means for raising and lowering the brush, drive output varying means for varying the output of the second raising / lowering driving means, and the clutch means for driving the brush. Based on a second lifting position detecting means provided on the upper surface rotating brush side to detect a lifting position of the brush, a control signal output to the drive output varying means, and a detection signal of the second lifting position detecting means. Lowering force detecting means for detecting the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush, and control means for controlling the drive output varying means based on the detection signal of the lowering force detecting means. And butterflies.

Further, in addition to the features of the inventions of claims 1 to 10, claim 11 is characterized in that the upper surface rotating brush is supported at the tip of a swing arm swingably supported by the frame. According to a twelfth aspect of the invention, in addition to the features of the first to eleventh aspects of the invention, the vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means includes a vehicle body upper surface position detecting means for detecting a vehicle body upper surface position, and a vehicle body upper surface thereof. It is characterized by comprising relative movement means for relatively moving the position detection means and the vehicle, and relative position detection means for detecting the relative position between the vehicle body upper surface position detection means and the vehicle. Furthermore, the invention of claim 13 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the inventions of claims 1 to 11, the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means is composed of a plurality of photoelectric sensors arranged in the vertical direction. The invention of claim 14 is characterized in that, in addition to the features of the inventions of claims 1 to 13, the upper surface rotating brush is a brush whose weight increases when water is contained.

[0012]

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 7 show a first embodiment of a vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus, in particular FIG. 1 is an overall side view, and FIG. 2 is an arrow view (overall plane) of FIG. 3), FIG. 3 is a view from the arrow 3 of FIG. 1 (a front view of the frame), and FIG.
4 is a view (side view of the main part of the frame) of FIG. 5, FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the control system, FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view of the first embodiment, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the brushing process. Also, FIGS.
8 shows a second embodiment of the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, and FIG.
FIG. 9 is a side view of a main part of the frame, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting drive system. Furthermore, FIG.
FIG. 11 is a side view of the main part of the frame of the third embodiment, and FIG. 11 is a flowchart of the brushing process of the fourth embodiment. Furthermore, FIG. 12 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing a frame of the fifth embodiment, and FIG. 13 is a side view of a main part of the frame of the fifth embodiment (a view from arrow 13 in FIG. 12). FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a control system of the fifth embodiment.

First, a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The vehicle cleaning apparatus WA of this embodiment is formed in a gate shape so as to be able to straddle a vehicle V as a vehicle, and various processing apparatuses for cleaning the vehicle body (that is, upper surface rotating brush B, side surface rotating brush B ', upper surface). A frame 1 equipped with a drying nozzle Nt, a side drying nozzle Ns, etc., and a slat conveyor SC for transporting the vehicle V so that the vehicle V passes through the frame 1 in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 1) thereof. And a vehicle body upper surface position detecting means P ₁ capable of detecting the vehicle body upper surface position of the automobile V. The frame 1, the slat conveyor SC, and the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means P
_{All of 1} are installed on an installation surface F such as the ground, and in particular, the frame 1 is fixed to the installation surface F so as to straddle a predetermined route through which the automobile V is to be conveyed when cleaning the vehicle body.

The slat conveyor SC is disposed on the installation surface F along the transportation path of the automobile V and on the left and right sides thereof (right side in the illustrated example). That is, the slat conveyor SC is installed in the pit recessed on the installation surface F.
A conveyor frame 2 having an open upper surface is housed and fixed, and a drive shaft 3 and a driven shaft 4 are rotatably provided at both front and rear ends of the conveyor frame 2, and the left and right ends of the drive shaft 3 are respectively provided. Sprockets 3 provided
s, 3s and sprockets 4s, 4s respectively provided at the left and right ends of the driven shaft 4 include a pair of left and right endless chains Ch.
Is wrapped around. Between the corresponding inner links of the right and left chains Ch, a plurality of endless side-by-side slats 5 are integrally and horizontally connected, and these slats 5 are integrated with the links of the chain Ch. The slat 5 cooperates to form an endless conveyor belt T. Guide rails 2g for guiding the respective rollers of the left and right chains Ch in a rollable manner are integrally provided on the upper and lower ends of the left and right side walls of the conveyor frame 2, and in particular, the guide action of the upper guide rail 2g is provided. Thus, the upper half portion of the conveyor belt T (that is, the conveyor surface of the slat conveyor SC on which the wheels W of the automobile V are mounted) moves rearward from the front of the frame 1 while being substantially flush with the installation surface F. .

The drive shaft 3 is connected with a conveyor motor 6 for rotating the drive shaft 3 and a rotary encoder 7. Further, the transport belt T is provided with engaging recesses 8 as engaging means capable of engaging with the wheels W of the automobile V so as not to move relative to each other in the front-rear direction. The vehicle W can be transported by dropping the wheel W.

The vehicle body upper surface position detecting means P ₁ is composed of a plurality of photoelectric sensors S ₁ and these photoelectric sensors S ₁
The projector S ₁ A and the receiver S ₁ B forming a pair are of the same height, and a pair of left and right sensor support frames F ₁ and F ₁ which are vertically fixed to the installation surface F, which is a predetermined distance before the frame _1. ′ Are fixed vertically at equal intervals.

Further, the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means P₁Predetermined distance of
In front of this, there is a photoelectric sensor S for entering the vehicle that detects the tip of the vehicle V.
_TwoA pair of floodlights S_TwoA and receiver S_TwoB is the same height
It is arranged in. These floodlights S_TwoA and receiver S_TwoB and
Is a pair of left and right sensor support frames F ₁, F₁’Before that
A pair of left and right horizontal frames F extending horizontally_Two, F_Two′
Fixed to each.

The same axis is provided on both left and right sides of the 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
A brush support shaft J that integrally connects the two is fixed.
The upper surface rotating brush B is rotatable on the brush support shaft J.
The upper surface rotating brush B is provided on the brush support shaft J.
A brush pipe as a rotating body that is rotatably fitted and supported.
11₁And the brush pipe 11₁Fixed on the outer periphery of
Cleaner 11 with water absorption_TwoIt is composed of That
Cleaning body 11_TwoIn the illustrated example, the brush pipe 11₁
A plurality of non-woven fabrics (for example
Reester long fibers, etc.) are used and include cleaning water
The weight of the rotating brush B changes. In addition, this
Of course, a woven fabric may be used instead of the non-woven fabric.

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. The} lower limit stopper 18 and the upper limit stopper 19 fixed to the frame 1 are fixed to the stopper arm 17.
By hitting each of the above, the lower limit position D and the upper limit position U of the upper surface rotating brush B are respectively regulated. A torque motor 20 with a reducer is fixed to the frame 1, and a sprocket 21 fixed to the output shaft of the torque motor 20 and a sprocket 22 fixed to the first support shaft 9 ₁ are connected by a chain 23. Both the sprockets 21 and 22 and the chain 23 are attached to the torque motor 20.
Constitutes a transmission mechanism TM for transmitting the driving force of the above to the support shaft 9 ₁ . Thus, the torque motor 20 has the upper surface rotating brush B.
The ascending / descending driving means of the present invention (the invention of claims 1 to 6) for vertically moving the

[0022] Second supporting shaft 9 _2, the magnet arm 25 fitted with a magnet 24 integrally is fixed, the upper limit switch 26B and a lower limit switch 26A is fixed to the frame 1 in correspondence with the magnets 24. The upper limit switch 26B and the lower limit switch 26A operate respectively when the magnet 24 approaches within a predetermined distance, and detect that the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U and the lower limit position D. Also in the second support shaft 9 _2, the vertical position detection rotary encoder 27 provided on the frame 1 is connected.

The frame 1 is provided with a cleaning water injection pipe 31 for injecting cleaning water onto the upper surface rotary brush B, and the cleaning water injection pipe 31 has a water capable of continuously supplying the cleaning water to the pipe 31. The pump 32 is connected.

The frame 1 is provided with a control board 33. Inside the control board 33, a control device 35 for controlling the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, an inverter 36 connected to the torque motor 20, and a brush rotation motor 12 are provided. An inverter 37 connected to is provided.

As shown in FIG. 5, 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 ₅ , a storing means M, which will be described below. Level counter LC and timers T ₁ , T ₂
And each of the functions D _{1 to} D ₃ , D
₅ , output signals from M, LC, T ₁ and T ₂ are arithmetically processed based on a control program to conveyer motor 6, brush rotary motor 12, torque motor 20 and water pump 32.
Is provided with a control circuit C as a control means.

The traveling position detecting means D ₁ as the relative position detecting means adds the output pulse from the traveling position detecting rotary encoder 7 with reference to the time when the incoming photoelectric sensor S ₂ detects the front end of the automobile V. By doing so, the traveling position X of the automobile V from the entry photoelectric sensor S ₂ (therefore, the relative position between the automobile V and the frame 1) is detected.

In the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ , the upper surface rotating brush B starts rising from the lower limit position D and the lower limit switch 26
Top rotating brush B, based on when A becomes inoperative
Is increased, the output pulse from the rotary encoder 27 for detecting the ascending / descending position is added, and while the brush B is being decreased, the output pulse from the rotary encoder 27 is subtracted, so that the upper surface rotary brush is rotated. The ascending / descending position θ of B is detected as an angle from the lower limit position D.

The ascending position detecting means D ₃ detects that the ascending / descending position θ detected by the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ is the upper surface rotating brush B.
And whether it is larger than a preset rising / lowering position θ ₁ corresponding to a predetermined ascending position Z set between the upper and lower limit positions U and D (in the illustrated example, set near the lower limit position D as shown in FIG. 6). to decide. 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 ₅ 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 to 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 of the control device 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. Then the inverter
36 is the output of the torque motor 20 as the lifting drive means
Of the present invention (the invention of claims 4 to 6) in which the variable
It constitutes a variable means. In addition, in this embodiment,
The output frequency of the controller 36 is constant and used.

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 is lowered by its own weight, and the upper surface rotating brush B can be raised by contact between the upper surface rotating brush B and the vehicle V.

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

[0034]

[Table 1]

In Table 1, the rising voltage Va is the upper surface rotating brush B when the rising voltage Va is applied to the torque motor 20.
Is a voltage of a magnitude capable of forcibly increasing the upper surface rotating brush B by changing the rising voltage Va according to the lifting position θ and the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B as described later. It is possible to prevent the upper surface rotary brush B from being lifted more than the ascending / descending position θ _Y + θ _A described later due to inertia when the brush is raised.

Further, the holding voltage Vb is such that when the holding voltage Vb is applied to the torque motor 20, even if the upper surface rotating brush B is not in contact with the automobile V, the brush B does not move up and down and can be stopped at that position. It's a voltage.

Further, the lowering voltage Vc is such that the upper surface rotating brush B can be lowered by its own weight, and the increase in the lowering force due to the increase in the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is reduced, so that the contact surface pressure against the upper surface of the vehicle body is appropriately adjusted. It is a voltage applied to the torque motor 20 to correct the surface pressure.

Since the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B increases as the brush B contains the cleaning water and becomes heavier, the descending force of the descending force is increased in order to respond to the descending force change accompanying the weight change. Size (hence the measuring level of the descending force measuring voltage Vs)
A plurality of (8 in the illustrated example) levels L are set in accordance with the above, and each set value of the rising voltage Va, the holding voltage Vb, and the falling voltage Vc is set for each level L. 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 goes upward or downward from horizontal. The rising voltage Va, the holding voltage Vb, and the falling voltage Vc corresponding to the change in the tensile force due to the change in the ascending / descending position are spaced from the lower limit position D of the upper surface rotary brush B by a constant angle (for example, 15 °, 30 °, 4 ° from the lower limit position D).
The set value is determined at each ascending / descending position θ) of 5 degrees, and is stored in the storage means M.

Since the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₀ is the descending force measurement voltage when the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating 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 first embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. First, the torque motor 20 is deactivated,
It is assumed that car washing is started with the upper surface rotating brush B in the lower limit position D. A vehicle V to be washed is driven by a driver therein so that the side surface of the vehicle body is along the conveyor belt T of the slat conveyor SC, and one front wheel (right side in the illustrated example) is attached to the front end of the conveyor belt T. As W is placed, it is moved to the start position in front of the frame 1 (the solid line position in FIG. 6) and stopped there. After the front wheel W is placed on the upper surface of the transport belt T, the engaging recess 8 of the belt T is moved as the transport belt T moves.
When the front wheel W falls and engages with the front wheel W, the front wheel W, and thus the entire vehicle V, begins to move forward together with the transport belt T, and the transport belt T
Is gradually conveyed so as to pass through the frame 1.

When the upper surface rotating brush B is at the lower limit position D and the lower limit switch 26A is in operation, the vehicle V
When the incoming photoelectric sensor S ₂ detects the front end of the vehicle V along with the conveyance by the slat conveyor SC, each photoelectric sensor S ₁ of the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means P ₁ starts detecting the vehicle body upper surface position. By this detection, the vehicle body upper surface position H is stored in the storage unit M in association with the traveling position X. Then, the target traveling position X _Y of the upper surface rotating brush B at the predetermined traveling position X'is calculated from the stored traveling position X-vehicle body upper surface position H, and the actual traveling position X becomes the predetermined traveling position X '. The vertical position of the upper surface rotary brush B is controlled based on the actual vertical position θ and the target vertical position θ _Y. That is, the actual lift position θ is the target lift position θ _Y
From the vertical angle θ _A above (θ _Y ≤ θ
≦ θ _Y + θ _A ) is the holding voltage Vb, the actual ascending / descending position θ is lower than the target ascending / descending position θ _Y (θ <θ _Y ), and the ascending voltage Va is the actual ascending / descending position θ. θ
When higher than the predetermined angle theta _A above the lifting range of _Y (theta _Y
+ Θ _A <θ is the falling voltage Vc for the torque motor 2
By applying 0, the up-and-down position control of the upper surface rotating brush B is performed, whereby the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotating brush B and the upper surface of the vehicle body can be maintained within a predetermined appropriate range.

When the incoming photoelectric sensor S ₂ detects the front end of the automobile V, the water pump 32 is driven, the brush rotary motor 12 is reversely rotated at a low speed, and the timer T ₁ is activated. As a result, the wash water is jetted from the wash water jet pipe 31, and the upper surface rotating brush B rotates at a low speed in the direction of the arrow b shown in FIG. 6 (step S1).

The timer T ₁ of the detection time t ₁ is a predetermined period of time t
When s ₁ is exceeded (step S2), level counter LC
Sets the level L of the timer to "0" (step S3), and the timer T
_{1 is set} to "0" (step S4). The predetermined time ts
₁ is set so that the automobile V does not reach the upper surface rotating brush B before the descent force measurement is completed.

Next, the descending force measurement voltage Vs when the level L is "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 ₂ is activated (step S5).

Next, the elevation position θ is read (step S
6) It is judged whether or not the ascending / descending position θ is larger than the set ascending / descending position θ ₁ , that is, it is detected whether or not the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than a predetermined ascending position Z (step S).
7). When the upper surface rotating brush B is lower than the predetermined rising position Z, it is judged whether the detection time t ₂ of the timer T ₂ exceeds the predetermined time ts ₂ (step S8). If it does not exceed the predetermined time ts ₂ , step S6. Return to. And either the upper surface rotating brush B is at a position higher than the predetermined raised position Z, repeats step S6~S8 until it exceeds a predetermined time ts _2.

If it is detected in step S8 that the upper surface rotating brush B has reached a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z and that the predetermined time ts ₂ has been exceeded in step S8, the level L of the level counter LC is set to It is set to "1" (step S9), and the process returns to step S4. Until it is detected in step S7 that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z, steps S4 to S4.
Repeat step 9.

When it is detected in step S7 that the upper surface rotating brush B has been raised to a position higher than the predetermined raising position Z,
The level L of the level counter LC at that time is stored (step S10). For example, when it is detected that the upper surface rotating brush B has risen to a position higher than the predetermined rising position Z when the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₂ when the level L is “2” is applied to the torque motor 20, Store L as "2". The descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected by these steps S4 to S10.

Next, the brush rotary motor 12 is driven to rotate forward at high speed to rotate the upper surface rotary brush B at high speed in the direction of arrow a (step S11).

Next, the elevation position θ of the upper surface rotating brush B is read.
(Step S12). Then, from Table 1,
Rising voltage corresponding to the level L number stored in step S10
Va, holding voltage Vb, falling voltage Vc (for example, stored voltage
Va when the bell L is "2" _Two, Vb_Two, Vc_Two)so,
Moreover, it corresponds to the ascending / descending position θ read in step S12.
Read out the voltage from the memory means M and rotate the voltage from the top
It is used when controlling the elevation position of the brush B (step S
13).

Then, steps 12 to 14 are repeated until the rear end of the automobile V passes the position of the upper surface rotating brush B (step 14).

As described above, the slat conveyor SC
While the vehicle V conveyed by the above-mentioned process passes through the frame 1, the bonnet surface, the ceiling surface, and the trunk surface of the vehicle V can be sequentially brushed and cleaned by the upper surface rotating brush B. In particular, according to steps S12 to S14, S
By controlling the ascending voltage Va, the holding voltage Vb, and the descending voltage Vc applied to the torque motor 20 based on the descending force detected in 4 to S10, it is possible to stabilize the above without being influenced by the weight change of the upper surface rotating brush B. Elevating position control can be performed.

Further, in particular, according to the control of the falling voltage Vc, in the case where the cleaning body 11 ₂ contains a large amount of water and the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is heavy, the contour of the vehicle body upper surface of the automobile V, the frame 1 and When the target elevating position θ _Y of the upper surface rotating brush B is determined to be lower than the normal position due to an error in detecting the relative position with respect to the vehicle V and the elevating position of the upper surface rotating brush B, or when the driver gets on the vehicle. While the vehicle V is being washed as it is, the driver accidentally moves the vehicle V, and the traveling position X detected by the traveling position detecting means D ₁ deviates from the position where the actual vehicle V is present, thereby rotating the upper surface. When the target elevation position θ _Y of the brush B is apparently lower than the normal position, it is effectively prevented that the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush B becomes large and a large force is applied to the upper surface of the vehicle body. To do Kill.

Thus, in the first embodiment, the torque motor 20 as an elevating and lowering means for vertically moving the upper surface rotary brush B, the inverter 36 as a drive output varying means for varying its output, and the inverter 36 thereof. Control signal to be output to the upper surface rotating brush B ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂
The weight detecting means D _W of the present invention for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B in cooperation with the lowering force detecting means D ₅ for detecting the lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush B based on the detection signal of
Is composed. Further, the torque motor 20 as an ascending / descending driving means for ascending / descending the upper surface rotating brush B and the inverter 36 as a driving output varying means for varying the output thereof.
And the control circuit C as a control means for controlling the inverter 36 on the basis of the detection signal of the weight detection means D _W , cooperates with each other to increase or decrease the lifting force (ascending force or descending force) of the upper surface rotating brush B. The correction means D _K (the ascending force correcting means or the descending force correcting means) of the present invention for making a correction is configured. Furthermore the vehicle body upper surface position detecting unit P _1, and the slat conveyor SC of the detection means P ₁ and (frame 1) and a vehicle V as the vehicle as a relative movement means for causing relative movement, detection means P
₁ (frame 1) and a traveling position detecting means D ₁ as a relative position detecting means for detecting a relative position between the vehicle V as a vehicle cooperate with each other to detect the contour of the upper surface of the vehicle body of the present invention. The contour detecting means D _S is configured.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The apparatus of the second embodiment, the structure of the transmission mechanism TM that transmits the output of the torque motor 20 to the first support shaft 9 _1, which differs from the device of the first embodiment, the structure of the other parts the Since it is the same as that of the first embodiment, the members having the same configurations as those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the first embodiment, and the description thereof will be omitted. Therefore, in the second embodiment, the structure of the transmission mechanism TM will be specifically described below.

[0055] The first supporting shaft 9 _1, in place of the sprocket 22 of the first embodiment, the shape of the cam plate 50 by cutting out a sector from a disk is fixed. The cam plate 50 and the sprocket 21 are connected by a chain 51, and both ends of the chain 51 are connected and fixed to one end portion 51a and an intermediate portion 51b of the outer peripheral portion of the cam plate 50 having a superior arc shape. The tension arm 5 is attached to the shaft 52 fixed to the traveling frame 1.
3 is swingably provided, and an idle sprocket 54 that engages with the chain 51 is rotatably provided at the tip of the tension arm 53. A tension spring 55 is provided between the tension arm 53 and the traveling frame 1, and the spring force of the spring 55 constantly applies tension to the chain 51.

According to the transmission mechanism TM of the second embodiment as described above, the upper surface rotary brush B is moved to (a) from when the swing arms 10 ₁ and 10 ₂ shown in (b) of FIG. 9 are substantially horizontal. Even if it descends toward the lower limit position D shown, or rises toward the upper limit position U shown in (c), the force of pulling the tension side 51A of the chain 51 by the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is always substantially constant. be able to. Therefore, as the rising voltage Va, the holding voltage Vb, and the falling voltage Vc of Table 1 stored in the storage unit M, constant voltages are stored at each level L regardless of the ascending / descending position θ.

The operation of the second embodiment is different from the operation of the first embodiment only in step S13, and other operations are the same as those of the first embodiment. That is, in the first embodiment,
In step S13, the rising voltage Va and the holding voltage Vb
The respective set values of the rising voltage Vc and the falling voltage Vc are changed according to the ascending / descending position θ, but in the second embodiment, the rising voltage Va and the holding voltage V
Since the set values of b and the falling voltage Vc are constant regardless of the ascending / descending position θ, there is an advantage that the configuration of the control device 35 can be simplified.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The device of the third embodiment is a torque motor 2 of the first embodiment as an elevating and lowering drive means for the upper surface rotating brush B.
A telescopic cylinder 61 is used in place of 0, and as the drive output varying means, electric power is used in place of the inverter 36 of the first embodiment.
The point that the air pressure reducer 63 is used is different from the first embodiment, and the structure of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment. Therefore, regarding the members having the same configuration as the first embodiment, The same reference numerals as those in FIG.
Therefore, in the third embodiment, the structure of the brush lifting drive system including the telescopic cylinder 61 and the electro-pneumatic pressure reducer 63 will be described below.

A cylinder arm 60 is fixed to the first support shaft 9 ₁ instead of the sprocket 22 of the first embodiment.
A hydraulically-operated telescopic cylinder 61 is provided between the tip of the cylinder arm 60 and the traveling frame 1. A lower portion 62 ₁ of an oil tank 62 is connected to the hydraulic oil chamber on the side opposite to the piston rod in the cylinder 61,
A high pressure air supply source 64 is connected to the upper portion 62 ₂ of the oil tank 62 via a conventionally known electric / pneumatic pressure reducer (also referred to as electric / pneumatic regulator) 63. The electric / pneumatic decompressor 63 controls an electric input signal from the control device 35 so that the air pressure on the output side becomes a predetermined pressure according to the input signal. The oil tank 62
Has a function of converting air pressure into hydraulic pressure.

In Table 1 stored in the storage means M in the third embodiment, the air pressure is stored instead of the voltage in the first embodiment. In this embodiment, as in the second 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 if the upper end position U is raised, the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B can always make the force applied to the telescopic cylinder 61 substantially constant. Therefore, the rising air pressure Va ′ and the holding air pressure Vb ′ shown in Table 1 stored in the storage unit M are stored.
As the descending air pressure Vc ′, a constant voltage is stored at each level L regardless of the ascending / descending position θ.

In the third embodiment, the "torque motor 20" of the second embodiment is replaced by an "extendable cylinder 61" and a "voltage".
Are replaced by "pneumatic pressure", the operation of the third embodiment is basically the same as that of the second embodiment except for the difference between the torque motor 20 and the telescopic cylinder 61 and the difference between the voltage and the air pressure. Is the same. Therefore, in this third 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 61,
Based on the detection result, the set values of the rising air pressure Va ′, the holding air pressure Vb ′, and the falling air pressure Vc ′ of Table 1 stored in the storage means M are applied to the telescopic cylinder 61, whereby the upper surface rotary brush B The contact surface pressure with respect to the upper surface of the vehicle body can always be controlled to an appropriate surface pressure.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The control device 35 of the fourth embodiment is provided with a descending force detecting means D ₆ for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B by another procedure, instead of the descending force detecting means D ₅ of the above embodiment, Further, it is different from the first embodiment in that timers T ₃ and T ₄ are provided, and the structure of the other parts is the same as that of the first embodiment.

That is, the descending force detecting means D ₆ is provided with the descending force measuring voltage Vs shown in Table 1 when the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U.
From the highest voltage Vs ₈ to the sequentially lower voltage Vs ₇ , Vs
₆ ... is applied to the torque motor 20, the upper surface rotating brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U, and the upper limit switch 26
Detect the voltage at which B becomes inoperative.

The operation of the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. Torque motor 20 when starting car wash
Is applied with a voltage Vu having a magnitude capable of raising the upper surface rotating brush B to the upper limit position U even when the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is maximum, and the upper surface rotating brush B is at the upper limit position U shown in FIG. When the entry photoelectric sensor S ₂ detects the automobile V while the upper limit switch 26 is detecting (step S51), the timer T _{3 is set} to “0” (step S52),
The water pump 32 is driven and the brush rotation motor 12 is normally rotated at a high speed, and at the same time, the timer T ₃ is activated, whereby the cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning water spray pipe 31, and the upper surface rotating brush B is shown in FIG. It rotates in the direction of arrow a shown (step S53).

[0065] The detection time of the timer T ₃ t ₃ is a predetermined period of time t
Once beyond the s ₃ (step S54), the upper surface rotating brush B
And the injection of washing water are stopped, and the level L of the level counter LC is set to "8" (step S5).
5), the timer T _{4 is set} to "0" (step S5)
6). The predetermined time ts ₃ 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 "8" is read from Table 1. Then, while applying the descending force measurement voltage Vs ₈ to the torque motor 20,
The timer T ₄ is activated (step S57).

[0067] Then the upper limit switch 26B is determined whether non-detection (step S58), when the detection, the detection time t ₄ of the timer t ₄ determines whether or exceeds a predetermined time ts ₄ (step S59). When it does not exceed the predetermined time ts ₄ , the process returns to step S58. Then, steps S58 and S59 are repeated.

In step S58, the upper limit switch 26B is not detected, and in step S59, the predetermined time ts is reached.
_When it is detected that the value exceeds ₄ , the level counter LC is set to "7" (step S60), and the process returns to step S56. Then, steps S56 to S60 are repeated.

When the upper limit switch 26B is not detected in step S58, the process proceeds to step S10 in FIG. 5 and the level counter LC when it is not detected in step S58.
The level L number of is stored. For example, level L is "6"
When it is detected that the upper limit switch 26B is inactive (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 L is stored as "6" (step S10). The descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B can be detected by these steps S55 to S60.
The procedure after step S10 is exactly the same as that of the first embodiment. Thus, in this embodiment, the upper limit switch 26B can function as the ascending / descending position detecting means.

Next, a fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. In the fifth embodiment, the lifting motor 203, which functions as a lifting driving means for the upper surface rotating brush B, is dedicated to the lifting position control of the brush B and is independent of the descending force correcting means D _K and the weight detecting means D _W. This is different from the first embodiment. That is, the sprocket 20 is attached to the output shaft of the frame 1.
Lifting motor 2 with reducer for self-braking, 2 fixed
03 is fixed, whereas, in the first support shaft 9 _1, the round bar 200 has a sprocket 201 which is integrally projected is rotatably supported on the outer peripheral portion on one side, the sprockets 202 and 201 A chain 206 is spanned between the chains, and the elevating motor 203 can forcibly rotate the round bar 200 integrally with the sprocket 202. The round bar 200 exists in the rotation locus of the stopper arm 17 and can come into contact with and separate from the arm 17, so that the lifting drive force of the upper surface rotating brush B is transmitted to the round bar 200 from the lifting motor 203. At times, the round bar 200 can be engaged with the stopper arm 17 to forcibly raise the upper surface rotating brush B, and when the contact reaction force from the vehicle body upper surface acts on the upper surface rotating brush B, The round bar 200 is separated from the stopper arm 17, and the upper surface rotating brush B can be moved up and down along the shape of the upper surface of the vehicle body by the contact reaction force. The output shaft of the lifting motor 203 has a frame 1
Is connected to the rotary encoder 204 provided in
Further, the frame 1 has a lower limit switch 20 which is operated by the round bar 200 when the upper surface rotating brush B is at the lower limit position D.
5 is fixed.

Further, a torque motor 20 'having the same structure as that of the first embodiment is interlockingly connected to the first support shaft 9 ₁ via a transmission mechanism TM. The torque motor 20 'constitutes the second elevating / lowering drive means of the present invention (claims 7 to 10), and further, the descending force correction means _DK and the weight detection means D _{W of the} invention (claims 7 to 10). Form part of the.

Table 1 stored in the storage means M shows the level L and the torque motor 2 as the second lifting drive means.
Measuring voltage Vs and falling voltage Vc to be applied to 0 '
And are remembered. That is, the rising voltage Va and the holding voltage Vb
Is unnecessary.

Further, the control device 35 is provided with an upper surface rotating brush B.
Elevating position detecting means D ₄ that uses a detection signal for controlling the ascending / descending position is provided, and the ascending / descending motor 203 operates in the direction of raising the upper surface rotating brush B with reference to the time when the lower limit switch 205 becomes inoperative. The output pulse from the rotary encoder 204 is added while the output pulse from the rotary encoder 204 is added, and the output pulse from the rotary encoder 204 is subtracted while the output pulse from the rotary encoder 204 is added. Detect the vertical position θ _M.

Also in this fifth embodiment, in order to detect the actual ascending / descending position θ of the upper surface rotary brush B, the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ having the same structure as the ascending / descending position detecting means D _{2 of} the first embodiment. ′ Is provided, and the ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ ′ is not used for controlling the ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush B, but is used for weight detection and downward force correction. A second lifting position detecting means is defined in claims 8 and 10. Thus, the apparent lifting position θ _M and the actual lifting position θ are set on the round bar 200 by the stopper arm 17
Are in contact with each other and the upper surface rotating brush B is moving up and down, but they are different when the stopper arm 17 is separated from the round bar 200.

Next, the operation of the fifth embodiment will be described. In the first embodiment, the actual raising / lowering position θ and the torque motor 20 as the raising / lowering driving means are used for the raising / lowering position control, but in the fifth embodiment, instead of the actual raising / lowering position θ for the raising / lowering position control. The apparent elevation position θ _M is used, and the torque motor 20 'is used.
Instead, a dedicated lifting motor 203 with a braking function is used. That is, the apparent elevation position θ _M is the target elevation position θ
When the _Y in the predetermined angle theta _A above the lifting range (theta _Y ≦
θ _M ≤ θ _Y + θ _A ) stops the lift motor 203 (that is, the lift motor 203 is locked in a rotation stopped state by self-braking), and when the apparent lift position θ _M is lower than the target lift position θ _Y. For (θ _M <θ _Y ), a predetermined voltage (200 volts in the illustrated example) is applied to the lifting motor 203 in the direction in which the upper surface rotating brush B is raised, and the apparent lifting position θ _M is set to a predetermined lifting position θ _Y from the target lifting position θ _Y. When the angle is higher than the elevation range above the angle θ _A (θ _Y + θ _A <θ _M ), a predetermined voltage (200 volts in the illustrated example) is applied to the elevation motor 203 in the direction in which the upper surface rotating brush B descends to rotate the upper surface. The elevation position control of the brush B can be performed stably and accurately.

The operation of step 13 of the fifth embodiment is different from that of the first embodiment. That is, in the fifth embodiment, the falling voltage Vc corresponding to the level L number stored in step 10 and the voltage corresponding to the actual ascending / descending position θ read in step 12 are read from the memory means M, and the falling voltage is obtained. Vc is applied to the torque motor 20 'as the second lifting drive means. Therefore, when the target ascending / descending position θ _Y of the upper surface rotating brush B is determined to be lower than the normal position due to the above detection error or the like, or the traveling position X and the actual vehicle V
Displaced and a position where there, the target vertical position theta _Y is apparent,
When it is below the normal position, the upper surface rotating brush B
The stopper arm 17 is separated from the round bar 200 by the contact reaction force received from the upper surface of the vehicle body, but at this time, the descending force is controlled according to the change in brush weight by the torque motor 20 'as the second elevating and lowering drive means. It is possible to prevent a large force from being applied to the upper surface of the vehicle body.

Thus, in the fifth embodiment, the round bar 20
0 and the stopper arm 17 cooperate with each other to form the clutch means CL of the present invention.
Is normally connected between the upper surface rotary brush B and the upper surface rotary brush B so that the upper and lower position of the upper surface rotary brush B can be controlled by using the vertical motor 203 as an ascending / descending driving means. The motor 20 so as to allow the brush B to move up and down by the contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body above the target lifting position θ _M of the upper surface rotating brush B.
3 and the upper surface rotating brush B are temporarily cut off.

Also of the first to third embodiments and the fifth embodiment
Then, the swing arm 10₁, 10_TwoActually move the top
Since the descending force of the rotating brush B is detected, its swing arm
10 ₁, 10_TwoResistance of machine parts involved in moving
Is large due to wear, deformation, running out of oil, etc.
The same as if the upper surface rotating brush B became heavier.
It seems that the frictional resistance of the machine part has increased.
Sometimes it is possible to prevent the contact surface pressure from becoming too large.
it can.

The first to fifth embodiments of the present invention have been described above, but 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 second, third and fifth embodiments, the lowering force is detected in the same manner as in the fourth embodiment, that is, the upper surface rotating brush B is lowered from the upper limit position U and the upper limit switch 26 is not detected. It is possible to detect the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush B by the voltage or the air pressure at the time of application. The present invention can also be applied to a mobile type vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which an automobile is stopped and the frame is moved to move the both relative to each other. It can also be applied to a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device in which a rotating brush is vertically displaced.

In each of the above embodiments, the upper surface rotating brush B
A torque motor 20 or a telescopic cylinder
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 upper surface rotating brush B is moved up and down, or the upper surface rotating brush
The descending force of B may be reduced. Yet again
In order to detect the weight of the surface rotating brush B, the stopper arm
The lower limit stopper 18 is provided with a piezoelectric element capable of engaging with the frame 17.
Then, the weight of the upper surface rotating brush B is detected by the element.
However, in this case, the piezoelectric element of the present invention is
Weight detection means D_WIs configured.

[0081]

As described above, according to the present invention, even if the upper surface rotating brush contains water and its weight changes, the lifting force of the brush can be corrected. However, the surface pressure of the brush can be stabilized.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, the rising force when the upper surface rotating brush is controlled to be lifted can be corrected in accordance with the change in the weight of the brush, so that the brush can be prevented from wobbling up and down. The cleaning effect can be enhanced.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, the vertical position of the upper surface rotating brush is normal because of the contour of the upper surface of the vehicle body, the relative position between the frame and the vehicle, or an error in detecting the vertical position of the upper surface rotating brush. Prevents the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush from increasing when it is controlled below the position, or when the driver accidentally moves the vehicle while the driver is washing the vehicle while riding. be able to.

Further, according to the invention of claim 4, the elevating and lowering drive means for the upper surface rotating brush can be used for both the ascending / descending position control of the upper surface rotating brush and the weight detection. Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced. be able to.

Further, according to the invention of claim 5, the lifting drive means for the upper surface rotary brush can be used both for controlling the vertical position of the upper surface rotary brush and for compensating the lifting force (raising force and / or lowering force). The structure is simplified, which can contribute to cost reduction.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, the lifting drive means for the upper surface rotating brush is used for controlling the lifting position of the upper surface rotating brush, detecting the weight, and correcting the lifting force (raising force and / or lowering force). Therefore, the structure can be simplified and the cost can be reduced.

Further, according to each of the inventions of claims 7 to 10, since the elevating and lowering drive means used for controlling the elevating and lowering position of the upper surface rotating brush and the descending force correcting means are independently provided.
It is possible to stabilize the vertical position control of the upper surface rotating brush.

Further, according to the invention of claim 10, the second elevating and lowering drive means of the upper surface rotating brush can be used for both weight detection and lowering force correction of the upper surface rotating brush, so that the structure is simplified and the cost is reduced. Can contribute to savings.

According to the eleventh aspect of the invention, in a place where the upper surface of the vehicle body has a large inclination (for example, among various automobiles, the windshield surface of an automobile having a particularly large inclination), When the up / down position of the upper surface rotating brush is controlled below the target position due to an error in detecting the contour, the relative position between the frame and the vehicle, or the up / down position of the upper surface rotating brush, or when the upper surface rotating brush moves the upper surface of the vehicle body with a large inclination. When the driver accidentally moves the vehicle while washing, the swing arm swings, thereby preventing the surface pressure of the upper surface rotating brush from increasing.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall side view showing a first embodiment of a vehicle body top surface cleaning device.

FIG. 2 is a view on arrow 2 in FIG. 1 (overall plan view of the first embodiment).

FIG. 3 is a view on arrow 3 in FIG. 1 (a front view of the frame of the first embodiment).

FIG. 4 is a view taken in the direction of arrow 4 in FIG. 3 (side view of the main part of the frame of the first embodiment).

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control system.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory view of the operation of the first embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart of brushing processing according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the main part of the frame of the second embodiment.

9A and 9B show the relationship between the upper surface rotating brush and the brush lifting drive system in the second embodiment. FIG. 9A shows a case where the brush is at the lower limit position, and FIG. 9B shows a case where the brush is at a substantially intermediate position.
(C) shows the case at the upper limit position

FIG. 10 is a side view of a main part of a frame according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart of brushing processing according to the fourth embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a front view similar to FIG. 3, showing a frame of a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a side view of the main part of the frame of the fifth embodiment (FIG. 12).
13)

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of a control system of a fifth embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

B upper surface rotating brush C control circuit as control means CL clutch means D ₁ traveling position detection means as relative position detection means D ₂ , D ₄ ascending / descending position detecting means D ₂ ′ second ascending / descending position detecting means D ₅ descent force detection Means D ₆ Lowering force detecting means D _K Ascending force (lowering force) correcting means as correcting means D _W Weight detecting means D _S Vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means P ₁ Vehicle body upper surface position detecting means SC Slat conveyor S ₁ as relative moving means S ₁ Photoelectric sensor 1 Frames 10 ₁ and 10 _{2 First} and _second swinging arms as swinging arms 11 ₁ Brush pipe as a rotating body 11 ₂ Nonwoven fabric as a cleaning body 20 Torque motor 20 'as a lifting drive means Second' Torque motor 26B as lift drive means Upper limit switch 35 as lift position detection means 35 Control device 36 Inverter as drive output varying means 61 Elevating motor as electric-air pressure reducer 203 lift drive means as telescopic cylinder 63 driving output variable means as later drive means

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. An upper surface rotating brush (B) supported by a frame (1) so as to be capable of moving up and down, and an elevating drive means (20, 61, 203) for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush (B).
A vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means for detecting a vehicle body upper surface of the contour of (V) (D _S), the vertical position detecting means for detecting a vertical position of the top rotary brush (B) and (D _2, D _4), the The frame (1) is provided with relative position detecting means (D ₁ ) for detecting a relative position between the frame (1) and the vehicle (V).
And a vehicle (V) is relative motion, the vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means (D _S), based on the detection signal of the vertical position detecting means (D _2, D ₄₎ and the relative position detecting means (D ₁₎ The upper and lower rotation brushes (20, 61, 203) are controlled so that the distance between the rotation axis of the upper surface rotation brush (B) and the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) becomes a predetermined distance. In a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device configured to make (B) follow the vehicle body upper surface shape of a vehicle (V), a weight detecting means (D _W ) for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush (B), and a weight detecting means (D _W ). And a correction means ( _DK ) for correcting the lifting force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on the detection signal of _DW ). 2. The correction means is the weight detection means (D).
_2. The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 1, which is a rising force correction means ( _DK ) for correcting the rising force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on a detection signal of _W ). 3. The correction means is the weight detection means (D).
_2. The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device is a descending force correcting means ( _DK ) for correcting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on a detection signal of _W ). 4. The weight detecting means (D _W ) comprises the lifting drive means (20, 61) and the lifting drive means (20, 61).
Drive output varying means (36, 6) for varying the output of 61).
3) and the control signal output to the drive output varying means (36, 63) and the detection signal of the elevation position detecting means (D ₂ , 26B) for detecting the elevation position of the upper surface rotating brush (B). characterized in that it is constituted from a downward force detecting means for detecting a lowering force of the upper surface rotating brush _{(B) (D 5, D} 6), the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 . 5. The correction means (D _K ) comprises the elevation drive means (20, 61) and the elevation drive means (20, 6).
Drive output varying means (36, 6) for varying the output of 1)
3) and control means (C) for controlling the drive output varying means (36, 63) based on a detection signal of the weight detecting means (D _W ). 4. The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of 3 to 3. 6. An upper surface rotating brush (B) supported by a frame (1) so as to be capable of moving up and down, an elevating drive means (20, 61) for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush (B), and a vehicle (V). body top surface contour detecting means for detecting a contour of a vehicle body upper surface and (D _S), the the vertical position detecting means for detecting the vertical position of the top rotating brush (B) (D _2), said frame (1) and the vehicle (V ) and a relative position detecting means (D ₁₎ for detecting the relative position of the frame (1) and moved relative to the vehicle (V), the vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means (D _S), the lifting position The distance between the rotary shaft of the upper surface rotating brush (B) and the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) becomes a predetermined distance based on the detection signals of the detection means (D ₂ ) and the relative position detection means (D ₁ ). As described above, the lifting drive means (2
0, 61) to control the upper surface rotating brush (B) to follow the shape of the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V), the output of the lifting drive means (20, 61) is variable. Drive output varying means (36, 63), a control signal output to the drive output varying means (36, 63), and an elevation position detecting means (D) for detecting the elevation position of the upper surface rotating brush (B).
₂ and 26B) and the descending force detecting means (D ₅ , D) for detecting the descending force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on the detection signal.
₆ ) and a control means (C) for controlling the drive output varying means (36, 63) based on the detection signal of the descending force detecting means (D ₅ , D ₆ ). , Car body top surface cleaning device. 7. An upper surface rotating brush (B) supported by a frame (1) so as to be able to move up and down, an elevating drive means (203) for vertically moving the upper surface rotating brush (B), and an upper surface of a vehicle body of a vehicle (V). a vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means for detecting a contour (D _S), the vertical position detecting means for detecting a vertical position of the top rotary brush (B) (D _4), the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) and a relative position detecting means for detecting the relative position of (D _1), said frame (1) and moved relative to the vehicle (V), the vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means (D _S), the vertical position detecting means Based on the detection signals of (D ₄ ) and the relative position detecting means (D ₁ ), the distance between the rotation shaft of the upper surface rotating brush (B) and the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) becomes a predetermined distance. The lifting drive means (20
In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the upper surface rotating brush (B) is made to follow the vehicle body upper surface shape of the vehicle (V) by controlling 3), and the upper surface rotation controlled by using the lifting drive means (203). The lifting drive means (203) and the upper surface rotating brush so as to allow the brush (B) to move up and down by the contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body above the target lifting position (θ _M ) of the brush (B). (B) The clutch means (C
L), a weight detecting means (D _W ) for detecting the weight of the upper surface rotating brush (B), and a descending force of the upper surface rotating brush (B) based on the detection signal of the weight detecting means (D _W ). correcting, and having an independent lowering force correcting means (D _K) from the lifting drive means (203), the vehicle body upper surface washing apparatus. 8. The weight detecting means (D _W ) is a second elevating and lowering driving means (elevating and lowering means) which is provided on the upper surface rotating brush (B) side of the clutch means (CL) and vertically drives the brush (B). 20 ') and this second lifting drive means (20')
Drive output varying means (36) for varying the output of the brush, and a second one provided on the side of the upper surface rotating brush (B) with respect to the clutch means (CL) to detect the vertical position of the brush (B).
The vertical position detecting means (D ₂ ') the top rotary brush on the basis of the detection signal and the control signal output the to drive the variable output means (36) a second vertical position detection means (D _2') 8. The descending force detecting means (D ₅ ) for detecting the descending force of (B).
The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device described in. 9. The descending force correcting means (D _K ) is a second elevating and lowering driving means which is provided on the upper surface rotating brush (B) side of the clutch means (CL) and vertically drives the brush (B). (20 ') and this second lifting drive means (2
Drive output varying means (36) for varying the output of 0 ')
And a control means (C) for controlling the drive output varying means (36) based on the detection signal of the weight detecting means (D _W ).
The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 7, wherein 10. An upper surface rotating brush (B) supported by a frame (1) so as to be vertically movable, and the upper surface rotating brush (B).
Up-down drive means (203) for vertically moving the vehicle, and a vehicle (V)
Body top surface contour detection means (D
_S ), an ascending / descending position detecting means (D ₄ ) for detecting an ascending / descending position of the upper surface rotating brush (B), and a relative position detecting means (D) for detecting a relative position between the frame (1) and the vehicle (V). ₁ ), the frame (1) and the vehicle (V) are moved relative to each other, and the vehicle body upper surface contour detection means (D _S ),
The distance between the rotation shaft of the upper surface rotating brush (B) and the upper surface of the vehicle body of the vehicle (V) is predetermined based on the detection signals of the ascending / descending position detecting means (D ₄ ) and the relative position detecting means (D ₁ ). In the vehicle body upper surface cleaning device, the upper and lower drive means (203) is controlled so that the distance becomes a distance so that the upper surface rotating brush (B) follows the vehicle body upper surface shape of the vehicle (V). 203) to allow the brush (B) to move up and down by the contact reaction force from the upper surface of the vehicle body above the target lifting position (θ _M ) of the upper surface rotating brush (B). Clutch means (C) capable of temporarily disconnecting between the lifting drive means (203) and the upper surface rotating brush (B).
L), a second lifting drive means (20 ') provided on the upper surface rotating brush (B) side of the clutch means (CL) and driving the brush (B) up and down, and the second lifting drive. The drive output varying means (36) for varying the output of the means (20 ') and the upper surface rotating brush (B) side of the clutch means (CL) to detect the ascending / descending position of the brush (B). second lift position detecting means (D ₂ ') the top surface based on a detection signal of said control signal for outputting the to drive the variable output means (36) a second vertical position detection means (D _2') The descending force detecting means (D ₅ ) for detecting the descending force of the rotating brush (B), and the control means (36) for controlling the drive output varying means (36) based on the detection signal of the descending force detecting means (D ₅ ). C) and a vehicle body upper surface cleaning device characterized by comprising . 11. A swing arm (1) in which the upper surface rotating brush (B) is swingably supported by the frame (1).
The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that it is supported at the tip of 0 ₁ , 10 ₂ ). 12. The vehicle body upper surface contour detecting means (D _S ).
Is a vehicle body upper surface position detecting means (P
₁ ), a relative movement means (SC) for relatively moving the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means (P ₁ ) and the vehicle (V), and a relative movement between the vehicle body upper surface position detecting means (P ₁ ) and the vehicle (V). characterized in that it is constructed from the relative position detecting means for detecting the position and (D _1), the vehicle body upper surface cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 11. 13. The vehicle body upper surface position detecting means (P ₁ )
13. The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of photoelectric sensors (S ₁ ) are arranged in the vertical direction. 14. The vehicle body upper surface cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the upper surface rotating brush (B) is a brush whose weight increases when it contains water.