JPH10324227A - Car washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a car washing machine which permits as well a familiar operator as unfamiliar to the machine manipulation to perform car washing in a satisfactory workmanship without risk of damaging the car body. SOLUTION: A car washing machine works in two operating modes; the auto-washing mode in which the car washing apparatus operates in avoiding automatically any projection on the car body to be sensed by a photo-electric switch 10, etc., and the manual washing mode in which the apparatus operates in avoiding only such a projection or projections as specified by a user from a key 34 provided on an operation panel 12. Changing-over between the two modes is made by opening and closing a cover 41 provided on the front surface of the key 34.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a so-called gate-type car washer in which a gate-type frame is reciprocated so as to straddle a vehicle body to perform car washing. This is to prevent you from doing so.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, automobiles have been increasingly diversified, and vehicles with special shapes and automobiles equipped with various antennas, spoilers, carriers and the like have been increasing. Such car accessories may be damaged by the operation of the car wash brush and the drying nozzle.
At the same time as selecting a car wash course, an accessory to be avoided is specified, and the car wash brush and the drying nozzle are operated while escaping the accessory.

[0003]

When the car wash brush and the drying nozzle are operated so as to avoid the accessory,
The area around the accessories is left unwashed. In particular, even when there is an accessory on only one of the left and right sides of the vehicle body, such as a custom mirror, the left and right car wash brushes perform the avoiding operation in the same manner, so that satisfactory cleaning could not be performed. On the other hand, for a person who is not accustomed to using a car washer, specifying an accessory was a very troublesome and difficult operation. Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a car washer that can be easily operated by both those who can use the car washer and those who are not so capable of performing a satisfactory car wash.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a car wash frame formed in a gate shape so as to straddle a vehicle, a car wash brush provided inside the frame, a drying nozzle, and the like. A car wash device, and a car shape detecting means for detecting a shape of a car body to be washed, and the car wash machine controlling the car wash device along a shape of the car body detected by the detection means as the car wash frame travels. An auto-washing mode, comprising: a projection specifying means for arbitrarily designating, among the projections of the vehicle body, those for which the car-washing device is desired to be avoided; and automatically avoiding all the projections of the vehicle body detected by the vehicle-type detecting means. And a manual car wash mode for avoiding only the protrusion of the vehicle body specified by the specifying means. Further, the projection specifying means includes a plurality of key switches provided for each projection, and a cover is mounted on the surface of the switch group so as to be openable and closable. Car wash was performed, and the car was washed in the manual car wash mode with the cover open.

[0005]

According to the present invention, a user who is accustomed to a car washer can perform a fine car wash while finely specifying a projection to be avoided by the vehicle body to be washed through the projection specifying means, and is unfamiliar with the car washer. Such a user can more safely perform a car wash by judging a protrusion on the vehicle body that the vehicle shape detecting means automatically avoids. These car wash modes can be switched by a very simple method of opening and closing the cover.

[0006]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a car washer of the present invention.
Reference numeral 1 denotes a gate-shaped car wash frame which rotates a wheel 2 by a forward / reverse traveling motor 4 and reciprocates on a rail 3 laid on the floor. Reference numeral 5 denotes a rotary encoder for detecting the traveling position of the car wash frame 1, which is connected to the output shaft of the traveling motor 4 and outputs a pulse signal every unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the motor 4, and outputs a pulse signal. The traveling position is given. 6 is an upper surface cleaning brush which moves up and down along the upper surface of the vehicle body, 7 and 7 are side cleaning brushes which open and close along the side surface of the vehicle body, 8 is an upper surface drying nozzle, and 9 and 9 are side drying nozzles. To perform processing such as washing and drying of the vehicle body.

[0007] Reference numeral 10 denotes a photoelectric switch for transmitting and receiving light in front of the legs of the car wash frame 1. A light emitting unit 10 a and a light receiving unit 10 b are provided opposite to each other, and detect the height of the vehicle body to be washed by the car wash frame 1. . The position where light between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion of the photoelectric switch 10 is blocked by the vehicle body is determined as the height of the vehicle body, and is recognized by a known vehicle shape detection method in which the vehicle is recognized as a continuous vehicle body shape as the car wash frame 1 travels. is there.

Reference numeral 11 denotes an ultrasonic sensor for recognizing the side shape of the vehicle body. The ultrasonic sensor oscillates ultrasonic waves from the inside of the legs of the car wash frame 1 toward the vehicle body and reflects the ultrasonic wave on the side of the vehicle body to reflect the ultrasonic waves. Is to detect the distance. Reference numeral 12 denotes an operation panel provided on the front surface of the car wash frame 1, and performs operations such as selection of a car wash menu, designation of a protrusion on the vehicle body, start and stop of the car wash, and the like.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the side cleaning brush. The side cleaning brushes 7, 7 are supported on a single rail 13 which is laid on the rear upper portion of the car wash frame 1 via carts 14, 14, and run in the left-right direction. 15,15
Is a chain connected to the trolleys 14, 14, and the rail 13
Sprockets 16, 16, 17, 1 provided at both ends of the
It is linked endlessly between the seven. Reference numerals 18 and 18 denote motors for rotating the sprockets 16 and 17 forward and backward, and drive the side cleaning brushes 7 and 7 right and left via a chain 15 linked to the sprockets by driving. Reference numerals 19 and 19 denote rotary encoders which are connected to the output shaft of the motor 18 and detect the rotational direction of the motor to output a pulse signal every unit angle rotation to detect the positions of the carts 14 and 14, ie, the side cleaning brush. I have. With such a shape, the left and right side cleaning brushes can be independently controlled.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing the structure of the upper surface cleaning brush. The upper surface cleaning brush 6 is provided by a carriage 21 provided at the tip of an arm 20 extending outward from both sides.
It is supported by rails 22 erected on the frame 1. 2
Reference numeral 3 denotes a chain connected to the cart 21. The chain 3 is linked to a shaft 24 disposed horizontally above the frame 1 and has a weight 25 balanced with the load of the upper surface cleaning brush 6 fixed thereto. Reference numeral 26 denotes a motor for rotating the shaft 24 forward and backward, and moves up and down the upper surface cleaning brush 6 via a chain 23 linked to the shaft 24 by driving. Reference numeral 27 denotes a rotary encoder, which is connected to the shaft 24 and outputs a pulse signal every unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the rotating shaft to give the position of the carriage 21. With such a shape, the upper surface cleaning brush 6 can perform a delicate elevating operation.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the present invention. Reference numeral 28 denotes a control unit comprising a microcomputer having a CPU 29, a memory 30, and an input / output port 31, and a memory 30 according to an input from the operation panel 12.
Is executed to control various car wash processing devices. The operation panel 12 includes an LCD display 32 for performing a guide display of a car washing operation, a course key 33 for selecting a car washing course, a projection key 34 for designating a projection of a vehicle body, and a start key 35 for starting car washing.
A cancel / pause key 36; a reverse key 37 for reversing the car wash frame in an emergency;
8, a special key 39, and a manual operation key 40.

Of the course keys 33, different car wash courses 1 to 0 are set for each of the plurality of keys, and a desired course can be selected from the car wash courses. The projection key 34 is used to specify and input a characteristic accessory of the car body to be washed. In addition to specifying a taxi carrier, a roof spoiler, and the like, various mirrors and side mirrors provided only on one of the right and left sides of the car body are designated. The mounting position of the pole can also be specified, and by this specification, the side cleaning brush and the like are controlled in a safe direction in accordance with the location of the projection, thereby preserving the vehicle body.

An openable / closable cover 41 is provided on the front surface of the projection key 34, and the projection key 34 is normally closed by the cover 41.
The cover 41 is provided with an open / close switch 42 for recognizing the open / closed state, so that it is possible to determine whether or not to specify a projection (that is, whether or not the cover is opened). .

Next, the operation of the present invention thus configured will be described. When the ultrasonic sensor 11 detects that the vehicle has been stopped at a predetermined stop position by the user, the operation panel 12 enters a car wash acceptance state and waits for input of various settings related to the car wash. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the setting procedure.

First, the system waits for an input of a car wash course by the course key 33 (1), and the user selects a desired car wash course from a plurality of car wash courses. Next, protrusion key 3
The open / close switch 42 determines whether the cover 41 that covers the cover 4 is open or closed (2). If the cover 41 is closed, the automatic operation according to the vehicle body shape detected by the photoelectric switch 10 of the car wash frame 1 is performed. When the vehicle is in the car wash mode and the cover 41 is open, the user presses the projection key 3
A manual car wash mode for designating a protrusion (accessory) that hinders the car wash using the button 4 is set.

When the mode is shifted to the manual car washing mode, a stand-by state is entered for the designation of a projection by the projection key 34 (3).
The input of the start key 35 is not accepted until the projection is specified or the cover 41 is closed and the mode is switched to the automatic car wash mode. After that, when the start key 35 is pressed (4), the car wash corresponding to the selected car wash course and the automatic car wash / manual car wash is started.

Here, the difference between the car wash in the automatic mode and the car wash in the manual mode will be compared. FIG.
Shows the operation of the side cleaning brush 7 when a 1 BOX vehicle equipped with a custom mirror and a rear mirror is washed in each of the auto / manual washing modes.

The car washing operation is carried out by the preceding photoelectric switch 10 in the car washing frame 1, the shape of the car body detected by the rotary encoder 5 for detecting the running position of the car washing frame 1, and the side of the car body obtained from the ultrasonic sensor 11. The upper surface cleaning brush 6 and the side surface cleaning brush 7 are brought into contact with and separated from each other in accordance with the distance between them, and the cleaning is performed while approaching the vehicle body as much as possible.

Auto car wash mode: Since the shape of the vehicle body detected by the photoelectric switch 10 traces the silhouette of the upper surface of the vehicle body in a plane, it is attached to only one of the left and right sides of the vehicle body, such as a custom mirror or a rear mirror. It is not possible to grasp the mounting position of the projection. Therefore, in the auto car wash mode, FIG.
As shown in (a), the left and right side cleaning brushes 7 are operated to avoid the positions at which the custom mirror is detected. Then, the side cleaning brush 7 is avoided so as to largely escape the protrusion so as to minimize the influence on the vehicle body.

Manual car wash mode: Since the position of the projection is specified by the projection key 27, FIG.
As shown in the figure, only the side cleaning brush on the designated side (here, the left side) is avoided. If the rear mirror is not designated by the projection key 27, the photoelectric switch 1
Even if it is detected as 0, the avoidance operation is not performed, and the side cleaning brush 7 is operated along the detected outline of the vehicle body. The avoidance operation is smaller than that of the automatic car wash, and emphasizes washing of the vehicle body.

As described above, the automatic car wash operates such that, when a protrusion on the vehicle body is detected, the cleaning brush performs an evasive operation so that the cleaning brush does not hit the protrusion, and the vehicle is washed with an emphasis on damage to the vehicle body. Therefore, there is an advantage that anyone can easily and safely perform a car wash, although the detail of the washing is lacking. In addition, in the manual car washing, the avoiding operation is performed only on the protrusions to be avoided, and the vehicle is washed with an emphasis on the effect of cleaning the vehicle body. Therefore, there is an advantage that the specification of the protrusions is troublesome, but a detailed car wash can be performed. The car washer according to the present invention, which can use both of them, can be used according to the needs of the user.

[0022]

As described above, the present invention is constituted by the first protrusion avoiding means for controlling the car washing equipment so as to avoid the vehicle body protrusion detected by the vehicle shape detecting means, and the protrusion specifying means. It is provided with a second projection avoiding means for controlling the car washing apparatus so as to avoid the specified projection of the vehicle body, so that even a user who is unfamiliar with the car washing machine or a user who is familiar with the car washing machine can be satisfied. Car wash can be done. In addition, the switching between the first avoiding operation and the second avoiding operation is performed by opening and closing the cover, so that the selection can be made very easily.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view showing a car washer of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a side cleaning brush of the car washer.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a structure of a top cleaning brush of the car washer.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a control system of the car washer.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a car wash setting procedure in the car wash machine.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing an operation of the car washer.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car wash frame 12 Operation panel 28 Control part 34 Projection key 41 Cover

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Kazuaki Shinozaki 1825 Amemiya Amemiya, Koshoku-city, Nagano Prefecture (72) Inventor Mitsuru Danbara 1825 Amemiya Amemiya, Koshoku-shi, Nagano MK Seiko Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A car wash frame formed in a gate shape so as to straddle a vehicle, a car wash device such as a car wash brush and a drying nozzle provided inside the frame, and a vehicle shape detecting means for detecting a shape of a vehicle body to be washed. A car wash machine that controls the car wash equipment in accordance with the shape of the car body detected by the detection means as the car wash frame travels, wherein any one of the protrusions of the car body that wants to avoid the car wash equipment is optional. And an automatic car wash mode for automatically avoiding all of the vehicle body protrusions detected by the vehicle shape detection means, and avoiding only the vehicle body protrusions specified by the specification means. A car washer characterized by having a manual car wash mode. 2. The projection designating means includes a plurality of key switches provided for each projection, and a cover is attached to a surface of the switch group so as to be openable and closable.
2. The car washer according to claim 1, wherein the car washes in the automatic car wash mode when the cover is closed, and performs the car wash in the manual car wash mode when the cover is open.