JPH10203319A - Car wash device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To wash an automobile safely, even when a foreman does not stay, by receiving a car wash request and permitting the advance of the automobile to a car wash position, when a car body detection sensor installed in a car wash device exit side does not detect the automobile and the existence of the automobile in the car wash device is not detected. SOLUTION: A reception unit 29 and a vehicle detection sensor 18 for detecting that the vehicle is stopped to the stand by position of the car wash device entrance are provided in the car wash device entrance side. A car wash request operation unit 33 for requesting a car wash start is provided to a position where the driver of the vehicle stopped on the stand by position can operate in the vehicle and also a lightening indicator 27 for guiding the operation is provided. The car body detection sensor provided in the car wash device exit side receives the car wash request and permits the advance to the car wash device of the vehicle by an advance permittion means, when the vehicle reached the end of a conveyer 2 as a vehicle movement device is not detected and the existence of the vehicle not reaching the car body detection sensor position is not recognized.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a car washing apparatus body provided with a car washing processing apparatus for performing processing such as washing and drying of an automobile,
The present invention relates to a car washing device that includes a moving device that moves an automobile, and that automatically performs washing when the automobile is moved by the moving device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a car washing machine of this kind, a car washing receiving device is provided at an entrance side of a car washing device, and after the car washing receiving device accepts a car washing, the car enters a standby position at an entrance of the car washing device and stops. , When it detects that the car has stopped in the standby position,
The car has been started to be moved by the moving device to wash the car.

[0003] As a vehicle moving device, for example, an endless chain is stretched from the entrance to the exit of a car washing device, a roller for pressing a wheel of the vehicle is fixed to the chain, and the motor is driven to rotate the chain, and the roller is driven by the roller. The car is moved by pushing the wheels of the car. At this time,
The automobile travels in the body of the car washer according to the guidance of the rollers with the engine stopped, the gears in neutral, and the side brakes released. Then, with the movement of the car, the washing water is sprayed from a water spray nozzle provided in the car wash apparatus main body, the car body is washed with a washing brush, and finally the high pressure air is blown from the top nozzle to perform a drying process. . After completion of the drying process, the vehicle is released from the moving device by releasing the pressing of the wheels by the rollers.

[0004]

Such a car washing apparatus is constructed so that two or more automobiles can be continuously washed in order to increase the number of washings per hour and to increase the washing efficiency. When the first vehicle is being transported and car washing is being performed, the second vehicle is transported and washed at appropriate intervals so as not to collide with the first vehicle. Then, after the first car is conveyed to the car wash device exit and the car wash is completed, if the leaving is delayed, the second car is conveyed to the car wash device exit and collides with the first car. Therefore, a means for detecting the vehicle body is provided near the exit of the car washing device, and when an automobile is present at the exit of the car washing device, the transportation of the second vehicle is temporarily stopped to avoid a rear-end collision. Therefore, the car wash of the second car is temporarily suspended, and the car wash processing device such as the wash brush is evacuated.
When restarting the car wash, replace this car wash processing device,
It takes time to restart conveyance. In addition, there is still a danger that a second vehicle will collide with a vehicle that has moved slightly by an amount not detected by the vehicle body detection means at the exit of the car wash device.

[0005] In such a car washing apparatus, when the car enters and stops at the standby position at the entrance of the car washing apparatus, the car washing apparatus stops the engine of the car, shifts the gear to neutral, and releases the side brake. After a predetermined time is set for performing a preparation operation before the start of car washing, the movement of the automobile by the moving device is automatically started. For this reason, the driver of the car takes time to prepare for car washing such as stopping the engine, shifting the gear to neutral, releasing the side brake, and even if the operation is not completed, the car washing starts automatically and moves The movement of the vehicle by the device is started, and the gears are locked and the vehicle cannot be transported, or the vehicle cannot be transported because the side brake is applied.

[0006] In such a car washing device, a car that desires to be car washed finishes receiving the car washing with the car washing receiving device.
Proceed in the direction of the car wash device body, pass through the inside of the car wash device body, perform car washing, and exit from the car wash device body, so-called drive-through type, the car that wants car wash comes to the car wash reception device, If the car cannot be washed due to the size of the car that cannot be washed with the car wash device or the car washing fee is insufficient, the car must be exited by going back to the flow of the drive-through.

[0007]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve such a problem, the present invention provides a car washing apparatus main body in which a car washing processing apparatus for performing processing such as washing and drying of an automobile is provided, and a moving apparatus for moving the automobile. A car wash mode for automatically washing the car as the car is moved by the moving device, a car wash mode for washing the cars one by one, and a car wash receiving means for receiving a car wash at the car wash apparatus entrance side; Vehicle detecting means for detecting that the vehicle has stopped at the standby position at the entrance, entry permitting means for permitting the vehicle to enter the car wash device, and a driver of the vehicle stopped at the standby position at the car wash device entrance Car washing request means for requesting the start of car washing to a position where it can be operated, operation notification means for guiding the operation of the car washing request means, Vehicle body detecting means for detecting the body of the vehicle that has reached the end of the vehicle, and vehicle recognizing means for recognizing the presence or absence of a vehicle that has been conveyed by the moving device from the standby position and has not reached the position of the vehicle body detecting means. Means to guide the operation of the car wash request means, and a car wash mode in which the cars are washed one by one, and car wash reception is performed by the car wash reception means, and the vehicle detection means detects that the car is When it is detected that the vehicle is at the standby position, and the vehicle body is not detected by the vehicle body detecting means, and the presence of the vehicle is not recognized by the vehicle recognizing means, After the request is received and the request for car washing is made, there is provided a means for permitting entry into the car washing apparatus of the automobile by the entry permitting means.

[0008] Further, the present invention provides a car washing apparatus,
The car body detecting means provided on the exit side of the car washing device is located at the exit side of the car washing device, near the front end of the car that has been transported by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device, and a space for one vehicle at the end of the moving device. It is provided to detect whether it is secured.

[0009] The present invention also provides a car washing apparatus comprising:
An exit path is provided between the car wash accepting means and a standby position at the entrance of the car wash device for letting out a car that is not washed by the car wash device.

[0010]

With this, continuous car washing can be performed when there are many cars that want to be washed, and when there are few cars that want to be washed, one car can be surely washed one by one. If you wash your car one by one,
After confirming that the car that has finished washing is not staying at the exit of the car wash device, the car wash has been accepted, and the car that has stopped at the standby position and has completed the preparatory operations before starting car washing can be washed. From the reception to the exit of the car after the car washing is completed, the car can be safely washed.

In addition, since a car wash is started after securing a space for one automobile at the car wash apparatus exit side, after the car wash has been completed, the preceding automobile which is stopped at the car wash apparatus exit side is washed. It is no longer possible for the following vehicle to crash.

[0012] Further, the vehicle driver accepts a car wash, and prepares for the driver of the car, which has entered the parking position at the entrance of the car wash device and stopped, to stop the engine, shift the gears to neutral, and release the side brakes before starting the wash. Notifying the driver to perform the operation, the driver of the car that has completed the preparation operation, after confirming and inputting the car wash start request by himself, can start the movement of the car by the moving device and perform the car wash, Cars can be transported reliably.

[0013] Further, an automobile that comes to the car wash reception device and cannot be washed for any reason can exit through the exit path, and can smoothly use the car wash device along the flow of drive-through. it can.

[0014]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a top view showing an entrance side of a car washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a top view showing an exit side of the car washing apparatus,
FIG. 3 is a top view showing the main body of the car wash apparatus, and FIG. 4 is a side view showing the main body of the car wash apparatus. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a car washing apparatus main body, and reference numeral 2 denotes a conveyor as a moving device for moving an automobile. The car washer body 1 has watering nozzles 3, 3, 3, 3 for spraying fresh water, detergent water, and wax water, front and side brushes 4 for cleaning the front and side surfaces of the vehicle.
4. Rear side brushes 5 and 5 for cleaning the side and rear of the vehicle, rocker brushes 6 and 6 for cleaning the lower side of the vehicle, top brush 7 for cleaning the upper surface of the vehicle, and side nozzles 8 for drying the side of the vehicle. , 8, and a car wash processing device such as a top nozzle 9 for drying the upper surface of the vehicle.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a photoelectric switch for detecting the shape of the vehicle body, which comprises a pair of left and right light emitters and light receivers arranged at appropriate heights at the entrance of the car wash apparatus main body 1, and is irradiated from the light emitter to the light receiver. The vehicle light is blocked by the vehicle body to detect the vehicle body.

The conveyor 2 includes a front wheel T of an automobile A to be cleaned.
F and rollers 11a, 11b pressing the rear wheel TR,
An endless chain 12 that holds 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f at appropriate intervals is wound around sprockets 13, 13 disposed in front and behind the car wash device main body 1, and is installed behind the car wash device main body 1. The drive unit 15 is rotatably driven by a drive motor 15 provided in the drive unit 14. Reference numeral 16 denotes a rotary encoder connected to the output shaft of the drive motor 15, which outputs a pulse every unit angle rotation of the drive motor 15 to detect the moving distance of the conveyor 2. Reference numerals 20 and 20 denote wheel guides disposed along the conveyor 2 so that the front wheels T of the vehicle A move so that the vehicle A travels straight.
Guide F and rear wheel TR.

The rollers 11a, 11b,..., 11f
The interval is longer than the wheelbase of the car, and
In order not to become too long, it is arranged at a minimum necessary distance according to the length of the car. As a result, the roller following the roller that presses the front wheel of the vehicle does not hinder the rear wheel of the vehicle, and it takes time to transport the next vehicle, and the number of washable vehicles per hour in the car wash device is reduced. It does not mean that it will end up.

Reference numeral 17 denotes a stop plate for controlling the entry of the vehicle into the car washer body, which normally protrudes from the ground and functions as a tire stopper. When the car A is washed, the car A falls down and the car A enters the car washer body 1. The entrance permission means of the present invention is constituted. Reference numeral 18 denotes a vehicle detection sensor provided adjacent to the stop plate 17, which is switched by being stepped on by the front wheel TF of the vehicle A to be cleaned, detects the presence or absence of the vehicle A to be cleaned, and constitutes a vehicle detection means of the present invention. . 19
Is a slide plate, which moves in the left-right direction of the car A that enters, and the front wheel TF and the rear wheel TR of the car A
The vehicle body is moved in the left-right direction so as to facilitate the approach between 0 and 20 to assist the approach.

Reference numeral 26 denotes a roller detection switch which is provided in the vicinity of the sprocket 13 on the entrance side of the car washing device, detects the moving rollers 11a, 11b,..., 11f and performs switching, and switches the positions of the rollers 11a, 11b,. Is detected.

Reference numeral 29 denotes a car wash receiving unit which constitutes the car wash receiving means of the present invention. An automobile which desires to wash with a car wash apparatus stops at the position of the car wash receiving unit, and a driver of the automobile operates the car wash receiving unit. Then, payment of a car washing fee, selection of a car washing course, designation of a car washing method such as avoiding projections such as a carrier and a spoiler, and the like are performed.

Numeral 31 denotes an ultrasonic sensor for detecting the height of the vehicle, which is provided upright from the vicinity of the car wash receiving unit 29, and has a sensor portion extending in the upper direction of the automobile stopped at the position of the car wash receiving unit 29. Then, the vehicle height of the vehicle stopped at the position of the car wash reception unit 29 to receive the car wash is detected. Numerals 32 and 32 denote ultrasonic sensors for detecting the width of the vehicle, which are provided in the vicinity of the car wash receiving unit 29 so as to sandwich the left and right sides of the vehicle stopped at the position of the car wash receiving unit 29 so as to receive the car wash. Is detected. The ultrasonic sensor transmits an ultrasonic signal toward the car body and detects the time until the reflected wave is received.
The distance between the ultrasonic sensor and the car body is measured to detect the height and width of the car.

Reference numerals 30a and 30b denote car wash reception units 29.
The vehicle exit is provided between the car wash device main body 1 and is secured by, for example, drawing a white line on the ground floor of the car wash device, and the vehicle height detected by the vehicle height detecting ultrasonic sensor 31 is the highest that the car wash device can wash. Vehicles that are judged to be impossible to wash because the vehicle height is exceeded or the vehicle width detected by the vehicle width detecting ultrasonic sensors 32, 32 exceeds the maximum vehicle width that can be washed by the car wash device, Make it possible to exit through this exit path. In addition, a vehicle stopped at a standby position at the entrance of the car washing apparatus without accepting the car washing can also exit through the exit path.

Reference numeral 27 denotes an electric light indicator, which displays a message such as "This car cannot be washed. Please proceed to the direction of ←" to the driver of the car, and displays a message indicating that car washing is impossible. Notify that it is required to exit from the exit road. Reference numeral 28 denotes a voice unit which generates a voice such as "This car cannot be washed. Please exit to the left." Notify that you want to leave.

Reference numeral 33 denotes a car washing request operation unit, which is provided at a position where the driver of the car can operate when the car stops at the standby position at the entrance of the car washing apparatus, and constitutes a car washing request means of the present invention. The car washing request operation unit 33 is shown in FIG.
As shown in the figure, a start switch 35 for requesting the start of car washing, an LCD display 34, an LED 36, and a speaker 37 constituting operation notification means for guiding operation of the car washing requesting means.
Is provided. As shown in FIG. 5B, the LCD display 34 displays “engine stop”, “gear neutral”,
A display for guiding a preparatory operation before the start of car washing such as "release of the side brake" or a guidance for a case where the car wash cannot be started such as "Please wait until the preceding car comes out" as shown in FIG. 5B. A display is performed, or a guidance display for an operation requesting the start of car washing, such as "Please press <start>", as shown in FIG. 5C. From the speaker 37, as in the case of the guidance display on the LCD display 34, "Stop the engine", "Make the gear neutral", "Release the handbrake",
Information such as "Please wait for the preceding car to come out" and "Press the start switch" is announced by voice.

The light projector 39a and the light receiver 39b are photoelectric switches for detecting the vehicle body. The light emitted from the light projector 39a and received by the light receiver 39b is switched by blocking the vehicle body to detect the vehicle body. . The light emitter 39a and the light receiver 39b are provided on the exit side of the car wash device so as to detect the vehicle body of the automobile that has been transported by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device, and constitutes the vehicle body detecting means of the present invention. The light emitter 39a and the light receiver 39b are provided so as to be displaced from each other with respect to the front-rear direction of the transported vehicle, and the optical axis of the light emitted from the light emitter 39a and received by the light receiver 39b is aligned with the front and rear of the vehicle body. The width is set to be oblique with respect to the direction so that the vehicle body can be detected. The light emitter 39a and the light receiver 39b are positioned near the front end of the vehicle that has been transported by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device, in order to detect whether space for one vehicle has been secured at the end of the moving device. , From the end of the moving device, at least 3 m in consideration of a light vehicle. The light transmitter 39a and the light receiver 39b are provided at a distance of at least 3 m from the end of the moving device and at most 6 m in consideration of a large-sized vehicle so that the installation space of the car washing device is not taken more than necessary.

Reference numeral 41 denotes an electric light indicator, which indicates to the driver of the car, which has been moved to the end of the moving device after the car washing has been completed.
A message such as "Car wash has been completed. Please move forward." Is displayed to guide the driver to leave the car. Reference numeral 40 denotes a voice unit which generates a voice such as "Car wash has been completed. Go ahead." From a speaker to notify the driver of the car whose car wash has been completed to prompt the driver to leave the car.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Reference numeral 21 denotes a microcomputer constituting control means of the present invention, which comprises a CPU 22 for performing arithmetic processing, a memory 23 for storing programs and various data, and an input / output interface 24. The input / output interface 24 includes a rotary for detecting a conveyor position. Encoder 16, photoelectric switch 10, watering nozzle 3, 3, 3,
3, front side brushes 4, 4, rear side brushes 5, 5, rocker brushes 6, 6, top brush 7, side nozzles 8, 8, top nozzle 9, vehicle detection switch 18, roller detection switch 26, lightning display Vessels 27, 4
1, voice units 28 and 40, car wash reception unit 29,
Vehicle height detecting ultrasonic sensor 31, vehicle width detecting ultrasonic sensors 32, 32, vehicle body detecting photoelectric switches 39a, 39
b, the car wash request operation unit 33 is connected.

An inverter 25 for changing the moving speed of the conveyor is connected to the input / output interface 24.
The frequency of the power supply supplied to the conveyor driving motor 15 is changed to change the number of rotations of the motor, and the moving speed of the conveyor is appropriately changed.

The microcomputer 21 includes a rotary encoder 16 for detecting a conveyor position, the photoelectric switch 1
0, vehicle detection switch 18, roller detection switch 2
6. The photoelectric switches 39a and 39b interact with each other,
The presence / absence of an automobile being washed in the car wash apparatus main body 1 is recognized, and the vehicle recognition means of the present invention is configured.

The car wash request operation unit 33 connects an LCD display 34, a start switch 35, an LED 36, and a speaker 37 to a one-chip microcomputer 38, and the input / output port 24 and the one-chip microcomputer 38 are connected by a communication cable. I have.

Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described. As shown in FIG. 1A, the automobile A desiring to wash the car stops at the position of the car wash reception unit 29. The car wash reception unit 29 is normally set so that the operation cannot be performed. The stop of the car A at the position of the car wash reception unit 29 is detected by the vehicle height detecting ultrasonic sensors 31 and the vehicle width detecting ultrasonic sensors 32 and 32. The vehicle height of the vehicle A is detected by the vehicle height detecting ultrasonic sensor 31, and the vehicle width detecting ultrasonic sensor 32,
At 32, the vehicle width is detected. The detected vehicle height data and vehicle width data are transmitted to the microcomputer 21, and it is determined whether the vehicle can be washed by the car washing device. If it is determined that the car can be washed, the car wash reception unit 29 is ready to receive an operation, and the driver of the car A operates the car wash reception unit 29 to pay a fee, select a car wash course, and specify a car wash method. And so on.

When it is determined that the car A stopped at the position of the car wash receiving unit 29 cannot be washed by the car wash apparatus, the car wash apparatus keeps the car wash receiving unit 29 in a state of not accepting the operation, and displays an electric light. A message "This car cannot be washed. Please go to the direction of ←" is displayed on the container 27, and the voice of "This car cannot be washed. Please exit to the left." Output. The driver of the car A has an electric light indicator 27
In accordance with the instruction of the voice unit 28, the vehicle A is moved to the left and exits from the exit path 30a.

After the reception of the car wash at the car wash reception unit is completed, the driver of the car A drives the car A and, as shown in FIG. It is made to enter the entrance of the apparatus main body 1. The wheel guides 20, 20 are open in a C-shape at the entrance, and when the front wheel TF and the rear wheel TR of the automobile A are out of the center of the wheel guides 20, 20, the front wheel TF, the rear wheel TR, and the wheel guide. The slide plate 19 moves in the left-right direction to absorb the left-right force received by the vehicle due to the contact of the front wheel 20 with the front wheel TF and the rear wheel TR so that the wheel guides 20, 2
It should be between 0. The stop plate 17 is erected while the car washer is on standby, and the vehicle A is stopped at the standby position by the stop plate. Whether or not the vehicle has entered the standby position is recognized by switching when the vehicle detection switch 18 is depressed by the front wheel TF.

When the vehicle detection switch 18 detects the vehicle body of the automobile A, the car wash device operates the L of the car wash request operation unit 33.
"Stop the engine" is displayed on the CD display 34,
In addition to displaying guidance for preparation operations before the start of car washing, such as "Please shift gears to neutral" and "Release the side brakes", the same operation guidance is output from the speaker 37 as voice and the It informs the driver to perform a preparatory operation before the start of car washing, blinks the LED 36, and prompts the driver to input the start switch 35. The driver of the car A stops the engine according to the operation guide,
Perform a preparatory operation before the start of car washing, such as shifting the gear to neutral and releasing the side brake, and confirming the completion of the preparatory operation before the start of car washing by referring to the description on the LCD display 34.
The start switch 35 is pressed according to the guidance of 35.

At this time, as shown in FIG. 7, there is an automobile A2 desiring to wash the car at the entrance of the car washing apparatus, and the automobile A which has finished the car washing and is conveyed to the end of the moving apparatus at the exit of the car washing apparatus.
Suppose there is one. When the car A1 at the exit of the car washing device is detected by the vehicle body detection photoelectric switches 39a and 39b,
The car wash device does not accept the input of the start switch 35 even if there is an input of the start switch 35, and as shown in FIG.
4, a message "Please wait until the preceding car comes out" is displayed, and a similar sound is output from the speaker 37 to guide the driver of the car A2 to stand by. For the driver of the car A1, a message "Car wash has been completed. Please move forward." Is displayed on the electric light indicator 41, and the same sound output is output from the speaker of the sound unit 40, and the car leaves. To the effect of prompting.

At this time, when the roller that pushes the front wheel of the vehicle and transports the vehicle reaches the position of the front wheel of the vehicle, the car washing device sets the stop plate 17 as shown in FIG. 9A. The vehicle A2 is stopped at the standby position, and the stop plate 17 is kept upright even if the roller 11a is detected by the roller detection switch 26. As shown in FIG. 1, since the wheel pressed by the stop plate and the wheel pressed by the roller are different, FIG.
As shown in the figure, the vehicle A2 moves one wheel TF to the stop plate 1
While being pressed by 7, the roller 11a passes under the wheel TF on the opposite side, and the vehicle A2 is not transported.

When the microcomputer 21 recognizes that there is a car being washed in the car wash apparatus main body 1 even if the car body detecting photoelectric switches 39a and 39b at the exit of the car wash apparatus do not detect the car. The car washing device does not accept the input of the start switch 35 even if the start switch 35 is input, waits until the car washing of the car being washed is finished, and the car is transported to the terminal position of the moving device at the car washing device exit, The following control is performed.

As shown in FIG. 8, the car A1 at the exit of the car washing device moves forward and the car body detecting photoelectric switches 39a, 39b
As a result, when the vehicle body of the automobile A1 is no longer detected and it is detected that the space for one automobile is secured at the end of the moving device, the car washing device operates as shown in FIG. 33 is displayed on the LCD display 34.

Press [Start]. Is displayed from the speaker 37, the LED 36 is blinked, and the driver of the car A2 at the entrance of the car washing device is guided to press the start switch 35. When the driver of the car A2 presses the start switch 35, the car wash apparatus starts a car wash operation.

It should be noted that the car wash request confirmation unit 33 normally does not accept the operation, and accepts the operation after the car wash acceptance unit 29 has accepted the car wash. Therefore, when the car enters the standby position without receiving the car wash in the car wash reception unit 29, the car wash request confirmation unit 33 does not accept the operation, and the speaker 37 indicates "Car wash has not been accepted. Please leave the car. ", And prompt the car to leave.
The car stops washing and exits through the exit path 30b.

The car body detection photoelectric switch 3 at the exit of the car washing device
When the microcomputer 9a and 39b do not detect the car body and the microcomputer 21 does not recognize that there is a car being washed in the car wash apparatus body 1, the start switch 3
When the input of 5 is confirmed, the car washing apparatus starts the car washing operation. As shown in FIG. 10A, the car washing apparatus raises the stop plate 17 to stop the automobile A at the standby position, and waits for the detection of the roller 11 a by the roller detection switch 26. When the roller 11a is detected, the stop plate 17 is lowered as shown in FIG. 10B so that the vehicle A2 can enter. The vehicle is carried into the car washing device by pressing the wheels TF by the rollers 11a. The vehicle A2 is moved by the front wheel TF being pushed by the roller 11a, and is guided by the wheel guides 20 and 20 and travels in the car wash apparatus main body.

When the vehicle is not permitted to enter and the rollers pass through the wheels of the vehicle, vibrations are applied as if the vehicle were riding on a step. Therefore, the driver of the automobile feels anxiety.
In the embodiment, since the car wash request operation unit has a speaker, when the entry of the car is not permitted, a voice saying "Please continue the operation" is output from the speaker, so that the driver's anxiety can be eliminated.

Also, when the vehicle is permitted to enter and the transportation of the vehicle is started, if the vehicle starts moving after a while after pressing the start switch, the driver is suddenly moved and feels surprised. Will be. At this time, the voice of "the car moves" is output from the speaker of the voice unit to notify the driver that the vehicle is being conveyed, so that the driver is not surprised.

The car washing apparatus performs the car washing operation by sequentially applying each car washing processing device provided in the car washing apparatus main body 1 to the body of the car A2 as the car A2 moves. The moving position of the car A2 is detected from the pulse output of the rotary encoder 16 that detects the moving distance of the conveyor 2. First, the car wash device detects the shape of the car A2 by the photoelectric switch 10 provided at the entrance of the car wash device body 1. This vehicle shape detection is based on the presence / absence of light received by a plurality of photoelectric switches 10 provided in the height direction and the pulse output of the rotary encoder 16 for detecting the moving distance of the conveyor 2. This is done by storing the height in the memory 38. Roller 11a pushing front wheel TF of car A2
Is detected by the roller detection switch 26, and the moving distance of the roller 11a is
Roller 11a
On the conveyor 2 can be detected. Roller 11
The positions of b, 11c, 11d, 11e, and 11f on the conveyor 2 can be similarly detected. Thereby, the position on the conveyor 2 of the vehicle conveyed by the rollers is detected.

Next, the car washing device injects washing water or the like from the watering nozzles 3, 3, 3, 3 according to the detected vehicle shape data, and the front side brushes 4, 4, the rear side brushes 5, 5, Rocker brush 6,6, Top brush 7
Are sequentially applied to the body of the automobile A2 to wash the car. At first, the car A2 is pushed by the front wheel TF and proceeds. However, when the roller 11a pushing the front wheel TF reaches the end of the conveyor 2 and starts to return to the entrance side, the roller 11a separates from the front wheel TF, and the car A2 temporarily stops. Then, following the driving of the conveyor 2, the next roller 11f pushes the rear wheel TR to restart the traveling.

As a final step of car washing, the body of the car A2 is dried. The car washing apparatus performs drying by blowing high-pressure air from the side nozzles 8 and 8 and the top nozzle 9 toward the vehicle body of the automobile A2. The top nozzle 9 is controlled to move up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body of the automobile A2. When the roller 11f pushing the rear wheel TR reaches the end of the conveyor 2, the car washing device raises the top nozzle 9 to the upper limit position. Roller 1
The vehicle A2 having released the pressing of the rear wheel TR by 1f runs by driving the engine and exits from the car wash device.

[0046]

As described above, the present invention provides a method for cleaning automobiles,
A car washing apparatus that includes a car washing apparatus main body in which a car washing processing apparatus for performing processing such as drying is disposed, and a moving apparatus that moves an automobile. In the car washing apparatus that automatically performs washing as the automobile is moved by the moving apparatus, the automobile is washed one by one. In addition to providing a car wash mode, a car wash receiving means for receiving a car wash on the car wash apparatus entrance side, a vehicle detecting means for detecting that the vehicle has stopped at a standby position at the car wash apparatus entrance, and a car entering the car wash apparatus. An access permitting means for permitting, a car wash requesting means for requesting a car wash start to a position where a driver of the car stopped at a standby position at the car wash device entrance can operate while riding on the car, and an operation for guiding the operation of the car wash requesting means An informing means, a car body detecting means for detecting a car body which is conveyed by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device, on the exit side of the car washing device, and a moving device from the standby position. A vehicle recognizing means is provided for recognizing the presence or absence of a car which has been conveyed and has not reached the position of the vehicle body detecting means. Yes, and car wash reception is being performed by the car wash reception means, and the vehicle detection means has detected that the car is in a standby position, and the car body is detected by the car body detection means When the vehicle is not recognized by the vehicle recognizing means, the request for car washing is accepted by the car washing requesting means, and after the request for car washing is made, the vehicle is allowed to enter the car washing device of the car by the entry permitting means. Have means to allow.

Further, the present invention provides a
The car body detecting means provided on the exit side of the car washing device is located at the exit side of the car washing device, near the front end of the car that has been transported by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device, and a space for one vehicle at the end of the moving device. It is provided to detect whether it is secured.

Thus, when an attendant is installed at the place where the car washing apparatus is installed, continuous car washing can be performed to increase the number of car washes. It is possible to adopt an operation method such as ensuring that it is secured. When there are many cars that want to be washed, continuous car washing can be performed. When there are few cars that want to be washed, one car can be washed.
It is also possible to properly use the car wash for each car, and the car wash apparatus can be appropriately operated according to the situation of the user.
Then, when washing cars one by one, after confirming that no cars remain at the exit of the car washing device,
In addition, after securing the space for one car at the exit of the car wash device, the car wash reception has been completed, and the car that has stopped at the standby position and completed the preparatory operations before starting the car wash can be washed. It is possible to reliably perform the exit of the car after the completion of car washing, and to perform safe car washing.

[0049] Also, the vehicle driver accepts a car wash, and prepares for the driver of the car, which has entered the parking position at the entrance of the car wash device and stopped, to stop the engine, shift the gears to neutral, and release the side brakes before starting the wash. Notifying the driver to perform the operation, the driver of the car that has completed the preparation operation, after confirming and inputting the car wash start request by himself, can start the movement of the car by the moving device and perform the car wash, Cars can be transported reliably.

Further, the present invention provides a
Since an exit path is provided between the car wash receiving means and the standby position at the entrance of the car wash device to allow a car not to be washed by the car wash device to leave, the vehicle comes to the position of the car wash reception device and cannot be washed for any reason. A car that has entered a waiting position at the entrance of the car washing device without accepting a car wash can exit through the exit path, thereby making it possible to smoothly use the car washing device along the flow of drive-through. Can be.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a top view of an entrance side of a car washing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a top view on the exit side of the car washing apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a car wash device main body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side view of a car wash device main body according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing a car wash request operation unit according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a control system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory diagram of the embodiment of the present invention.

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

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

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car wash apparatus main body 2 Conveyor 10 Car type detection photoelectric switch 11a, 11b, 11c, 11d, 11e, 11f Roller 16 Conveyor movement position detection rotary encoder 17 Stop plate 21 Microcomputer 26 Roller detection switch 27, 41 Electric light indicator 28 , 40 voice unit 29 reception unit 30a, 30b exit road 31 ultrasonic sensor for vehicle height detection 32 ultrasonic sensor for vehicle width detection 33 car wash request operation unit 34 LCD display 35 start switch 37 speaker 39a, 39b photoelectric switch for vehicle body detection

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hirokazu Kitamura 1825 Amemiya Azamiya, Shohani, Nagano Prefecture MK Seiko Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A car washing apparatus comprising: a car washing apparatus main body in which a car washing processing apparatus for performing processing such as washing and drying of an automobile is arranged; and a moving apparatus for moving the automobile, wherein the car washing apparatus automatically performs washing as the automobile is moved by the moving apparatus. A car wash mode for washing cars one by one, a car wash receiving means for receiving a car wash on the car wash apparatus entrance side, and a vehicle detecting means for detecting that the car has stopped at a standby position at the car wash apparatus entrance. An entry permitting means for permitting the car to enter the car wash, a car wash requesting means for requesting a car wash start at a position where the driver of the car stopped at the standby position at the car wash entry can be operated while riding on the car, Operation notification means for guiding the operation of the car wash request means, body detection means for detecting the body of the automobile which has been conveyed by the moving device and has reached the end of the moving device at the car wash device exit side, A vehicle recognizing means for recognizing the presence or absence of a car which is conveyed from a standby position by a moving device and has not reached the position of the vehicle body detecting means is provided, and the operation notifying means guides the operation of the car wash requesting means and one car A car wash mode in which the car wash is being performed one by one, and the car wash receiving means is accepting a car wash, and the vehicle detecting means detects that the vehicle is at a standby position; and When the vehicle body is not detected by the vehicle recognition means and the presence of the vehicle is not recognized by the vehicle recognition means, the request for car washing by the car washing request means is accepted, and after the request for car washing is made, the entry permission means A car washing device having means for permitting entry into a car washing device of an automobile. 2. The car washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle body detecting means provided on the exit side of the car washing apparatus is provided near the front end of the car which is conveyed by the moving device and reaches the end of the moving device on the exit side of the car washing device. A car washing device, which is provided at a position to detect whether a space for one automobile is secured at the end of the moving device. 3. The car washing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein
A car washing apparatus characterized in that an exit path is provided between a car washing receiving means and a standby position at an entrance of the car washing apparatus, for leaving an automobile that does not perform car washing with the car washing apparatus.