JPS6061352A - Car washing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To grasp easily the presence of troubles related to sensors by setting the inspection mode of the sensor separately from the car washing mode through a car washing machine controler to inform the presence of the detection of the sensor. CONSTITUTION:When the input operation is carried out at an input port 31 according to the screen of a display unit 30, various control modes in addition to car washing are selected for control operation. In the sensor inspection mode, an operator can inform the presence of normal sensing operation according to the inspecting operation of the sensor individually manually with voice output and screen display by setting the mode to the screen. Thus, the operation of the each sensor can be extremely easily confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an improvement in a type of car wash machine in which cleaning brushes are disposed within a self-propelled gate-shaped frame and automatically wash a car body according to an appropriate sequence.

Generally, this type of car wash machine has a large number of drive devices, mechanical parts, sensors, etc., so in the unlikely event that it breaks down and requires repair, half of the repair work will be completed to determine the location and cause of the failure. This is the reality, especially in the case of sensor-related failures, which are difficult to determine visually and require individual inspections using electrical meters, which usually takes a long time.

The present invention has been made to address the above-mentioned problems, and is capable of arbitrarily setting a sensor inspection mode in the car wash machine control section in addition to the car wash mode in which the car wash is performed.
When inspecting the sensing operation of each sensor, the system is configured to notify the presence or absence of sensing by a buzzer or the like, so that it can be easily determined whether there is a sensor-related failure or not. Hereinafter, a detailed explanation will be given based on an example illustrated in the drawings.

1 and 2 are a front view and a perspective explanatory view showing the configuration of an embodiment according to the present invention. Reference numeral 1 denotes a car washing machine main body that is gate-shaped and has various rotating brushes arranged inside, and is configured to run on a pair of rails 2, 2 and wash cars stopped between the rails 2, 2. There is. Reference numerals 3 and 3 denote a pair of left and right side brushes, which are suspended from a brush rail 4 installed horizontally on the left and right sides of the main body, and move while rotating on the rails 4 according to the shape of the car to be washed, and brush the sides of the car body. Perform cleaning. Reference numeral 5 denotes a top brush supported by a pair of swing arms 6, which are pivotally supported on both sides of the main body, and moves up and down according to the shape of the car to clean the top surface of the car body. Reference numerals 7 and 7 designate a pair of left and right rocker brushes provided in the lower half of both sides of the main body, which are supported by swing arms 8 and 8 and move from side to side, and are mainly used to clean the tires of the car and the lower half of the sides of the car body. Reference numeral 9 denotes a blower nozzle for drying supported on the top of the main body, which moves up and down according to the shape of the car via a link arm 10, and blows high-pressure air onto the car body to scatter adhering water droplets and promote drying. Reference numeral 11 denotes an operation panel provided on the front side of the main body, which includes a display device and an input board, and is used to operate and manage the operation of the main body, the details of which will be described later. In addition, the main body is equipped with nozzle pipes for spraying water, detergent, and wax liquid, respectively, and sprays each in accordance with an appropriate sequence.

Next, we will explain each part around the sensor. Reference numeral 12 denotes a traveling sensor provided at the lower end of the main body, which detects the curved piece 13 bow 3' formed at the front and rear along the rails 2 and 2 and indicates the forward and backward movement limit position of the main body 1, and performs a switching operation. detects the range within which the vehicle can travel. ] 4 is a vehicle body detection sensor attached to the arms 15 and 15' that hang the side brushes 3 and 3, and detects when the side brushes touch the bumper of the car to be washed and tilts back and forth, and performs a switching operation. Detects the position of the front of the vehicle. Reference numerals 16 and 17 are side brush opening/closing sensors attached to the air cylinders 18 for opening and closing the side brushes 3 and 3, which are composed of reed switches that switch in response to magnets built into the pistons of the air cylinders. Detects opening and closing by moving above. Reference numerals 19 and 2o are top brush lift sensors provided for the sensor rod 21 that rotates together with the swing arms 6 and 6 of the top brush 5;
It consists of a reed switch that responds to a magnet built into the top brush 1, and detects the vertical state of the top brush 5. Reference numeral 22 denotes a mouth/anchor brush opening/closing sensor provided on the air cylinder 23 that drives the swing arms 8, 8 of the rocker brushes 7, 7. Like the sensors 16, 17, it is composed of a reed switch and detects the opening/closing state of the rocker brush 7. ing. A blower nozzle elevation sensor 24 is provided on an air cylinder 25 that drives the link arm 10 of the blower nozzle 9. Like the sensors 16, 17, and 22, the blower nozzle lift sensor 24 is composed of a reed switch and detects the lifting state of the blower nozzle. Reference numeral 26 denotes a vehicle height abnormality sensor provided for the sub-link 27 of the nozzle 9, which performs switching by sensing when the vehicle body contacts the nozzle 9 and the nozzle tilts due to an abnormality in the vehicle height setting or the like. Reference numeral 28 denotes a vehicle height sensor installed on the top of the front of the vehicle body. Fig. 3 shows an explanatory diagram of the sensing operation of this vehicle height sensor. The height of the car body to be cleaned is detected by receiving the reflected liquid and measuring the time from transmission to reception. In particular, this ultrasonic sensor detects each level from a to e as shown in FIG.
It is possible to identify the type of car, such as ``passenger car'' or ``e, empty car.'' It not only determines whether a car wash is possible, but also automatically controls the car wash to be appropriate for that type of car. Further, regarding this sensor, a vehicle height scale 52 indicating its sensing level is provided on the inner wall surface of the main body 1 for convenient inspection as will be described later. 29, 29' is a vehicle width sensor with a sensing rod protruding from the main body.It indicates the limit of the width of the car that can be washed depending on whether or not you touch the sensing rod, and detects abnormalities in the width of the vehicle, uneven parking positions, etc. are doing. In addition,
The air pressure pipe and water pipe provided in the main body are each equipped with a pressure sensor to sense the respective air pressure and water pressure.

FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory view of the operation panel 11, in which a display device 30 is arranged above and an input board 31 is arranged below. The display device 30 is an LCD (
The system uses a liquid crystal display (liquid crystal display), and displays necessary data, operating procedures, etc. in an interactive manner in response to inputs to the input board 31, and guides Oto Shikawa to perform car wash work and management according to his wishes. Each key on the input board 31 will be explained below. Reference numeral 32 denotes a car wash course selection button in which a different car wash sequence is set for each button, which are distinguished by the presence or absence of waxing, the speed of the car wash, etc., and can be selected according to the customer's preference. Reference numeral 33 is a manual button for manual avoidance in emergencies and fine adjustments that cannot be covered by automatic car washing using the selection button 32. Manual buttons 33 are used to manually open and close the side brushes 3 and 3', raise and lower the top brush 5, and move the main body 1 forward and backward. Can be operated. 34 is a start button for starting the car wash course selected and set using the selection button 32; 35 is a water drain button, which introduces compressed air from the compressor into the water pipe line to forcefully drain the water, and also drains each brush 3, 3, 5,
Rotate 7/7' to drain water. 36 is a key switch for turning on the power, and has two modes: "Management" and "Driving". In the management mode, the display 30 is mainly used for daily and monthly totals, and for car washing such as start-up and end-of-work inspections. It manages the machine and performs the original car washing work in driving mode. 37 is a membership card insertion slot, and 38 is a coin insertion slot. Of these, each button 32, 33, 34, 35
Each has a built-in lamp, and the card insertion slot 37 and coin insertion slot 38 are each equipped with auxiliary lamps 39 and 40, and the lamps of the parts to be operated are lit or blinking according to the operating procedure. is,
The car wash machine is configured so that even a customer who does not know how to operate the car wash machine can easily operate the car wash machine by operating the lamps in the order in which they light up or flash. Reference numeral 41 denotes an input key set having a numeric keypad 42, a return key 43, a cursor key 44, and a confirmation key 45. movement of,
The confirmation key 45 is used to confirm and register input data, and the return key 43 is used to return to the previous screen/mode by one step, and each operation input in the management mode is performed.

FIG. 51 is a block diagram showing the transmission and reception of control signals in this embodiment, 46 is the main control board, 47 is each brush
Output devices such as motors and solenoid valves that drive nozzles, etc. 48 is a relay board that centrally performs relay operations to the output device. 49 is a display device 30 and an input board 3
A sub-control board that exchanges signals with 1. Reference numeral 50 denotes an input device consisting of each of the above-mentioned sensors. Reference numeral 51 denotes an audio output section consisting of an electronic buzzer or the like, which receives a signal from the sub-control board 49 and outputs an alarm. Therefore, when the key switch 36 is set to the operation mode, the flow of the control signal is as follows:
First, when a desired car wash is selected on the input board 31, it is sent to the main board 46 via the sub-board 49.
An output signal corresponding to the input is outputted from the main board to the relay board 47 according to a programmed sequence to drive the car wash machine. Sensing signals from the input device 50 are input to the main board 46 at any time, and the main board 46 sequentially controls output signals to the beam relay board 47 in accordance with the input signals. If the main board judges and detects that the signal from the power equipment 50 indicates an abnormality, it outputs an emergency stop output to the relay board 47 and outputs an abnormality detection signal to the sub-board 49,
The sub-board outputs abnormality notification data to the display device 30 according to the signal. In addition, when the management mode is set, management programs such as member registration, aggregation, and inspection stored in the sub-board 49 can be read out by performing a selection operation on the input board guided by the display on the display device 30. , writing member data etc. to the built-in memory of the sub-board 49 according to each program,
Reading of aggregated data from the memory, main board 4
6 to each output device 47 for various management purposes.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart mainly showing the part related to the sensor inspection mode according to the present invention in the embodiment. The mode setting method and each mode will be explained below based on this flowchart. (See Table 1) (1) When the power is turned on by the key switch 36, it is first detected whether the key switch is set to the management mode or the car wash mode, and if it is the car wash mode, a car wash routine is executed.

(Table 1) (2) If the key switch is set to the management mode, the selection screen A is displayed on the display device 51, and if there is an input to select membership registration using the numeric keypad 42 according to the manual instructions of this selection screen A. Execute membership registration routine. In this routine, the car number and
The system receives input of contract details and writes them into the memory of the control board, and when a membership card is inserted into the card insertion slot 37 at the time of car washing, this written data is read out.

(3) Based on screen A, if there is an input to select aggregation, execute the aggregation routine. This routine performs aggregation management of daily and monthly totals, and processes and reads monetary data, membership card reception data, etc. stored in the control board at any time.

(4) Based on screen A, if there is an input to select an inspection, the inspection routine is entered and selection screen B is displayed first. According to the input instructions on this screen B, if there is an input to select the start-up inspection on the numeric keypad 63, the routine for the start-up inspection is executed. In this routine, necessary inspection items are displayed at the beginning of each day's work, and inspection and confirmation work is performed in accordance with these items.

(5) Based on screen B, if there is an input to select end-of-work inspection, the end-of-work inspection routine is executed. In this routine,
The necessary inspection items at the end of each day are displayed, and inspection and confirmation work is performed in accordance with these items.

(6) If there is an input to select drive section inspection on screen B, the drive section inspection routine is executed. In the conor routine, each output device 47 such as a motor or solenoid valve is individually energized to rotate and open/close the brushes, raise and lower the blower nozzle 9, spray water or liquid from the water pipe, etc., as desired. Drive unit can be inspected.

(7) If there is an input to select sensor inspection on screen B, first display selection screen C so that the user can input the type of sensor to be inspected. On screen C, if there is an input to select the vehicle height sensor, a vehicle height sensor inspection routine is executed. In this routine, each sensing item of the vehicle height sensor 28 as shown on the display screen DIC is checked and it is detected whether or not the sensing operation is normal. If you hold up an ultrasonic reflector and change the height of this reflector along the vehicle height scale 52,
A sound output section 51 outputs a different sound every time the height of the reflector changes, and a corresponding detected item among the displayed items is displayed blinking on the screen to notify the sensing operation of the sensor.

The output sounds related to the sensing of each item are exemplified onomatopoeia: 1. Abnormal vehicle height ``Beep''.

2. Wagon: "Pi Pi Pi", 3. Small wagon: [Hi Pi Pi J, 4.1 car = "Pi Pi Pi", 6. error:"
It outputs a sound similar to "beep beep beep" and is set so that the sensing operation of each level can be immediately determined. In addition, in the error item on this screen, sensor 28
This shows a case where ultrasonic waves are emitted at the output side of the sensor, but are not received at the input end for a certain period of time. In this case, the sensor itself may be contaminated or malfunction.

(8) If there is an input to select an abnormal sensor on screen C, the abnormal sensor inspection routine is executed. In this routine, each sensor 12, 14, 26, 29, 16, etc. other than the vehicle height sensor 28 as shown in screen E1.2
17, 19, 20, 22, and 24, it detects whether or not the sensing operation is normal.As soon as this routine is entered, air pressure is automatically released from each air cylinder, and each part is manually operated. If the worker manually performs the sensing operation according to each item of opening/closing the brush and upper and lower rings, the audio output unit 52 will output a sound every time the corresponding sensor performs a normal sensing operation. At the same time, the screen El
.

2, the detected item is notified by blinking. If you follow the signal flow at this time using the block diagram in Figure 5, you will see that
When one of the sensors of the input device 50 senses and operates due to manual work by a worker, this sensing signal is transmitted to the sub-board 49 via the main board 46, and the sub-board 49
Then, the audio output unit 51 outputs an alarm, and also outputs a control signal to the display device 30 to blink according to the sensor receiving the input.

Therefore, by inputting information on the input board 31 while being guided by the screen of the display device 30, it is possible to select various management modes other than car washing and perform management work.

In particular, in the sensor inspection mode, if the mode is set on the screen, the operator can manually notify the presence or absence of normal sensing operation according to the individual sensor inspection work through audio output and screen display. In addition, in the flowchart (a),
As shown in (b) and (c), the system is configured to give priority to the car wash so that it always detects that the key switch 36 is switched to the driving mode during the selection operation, cancels the selection screen display at any time, and shifts to the car wash routine. There is. Furthermore, by pressing the return key 43, the user can return to the previous selection mode by one step as shown in (b) and (c), which is convenient for correction of selection operations, etc.

The present invention is configured as described above, and in addition to the car washing mode, it is possible to set at least a sensor inspection mode, and in this mode, the presence or absence of sensor sensing operation is automatically determined for the sensor inspection operation. Since the system notifies you, you can easily check the operation of each sensor without having to disassemble any instruments or disassemble them, making it possible to perform periodic inspections and find out the cause of failures extremely quickly. In addition, since the presence or absence of sensing operation of the sensors is reported by voice, the sensing position of each sensor can be easily known while performing inspection work, so there is an advantage that the sensing position can be adjusted and corrected quickly and accurately.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front external view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the mechanism of the embodiment. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing the vehicle height sensor sensing operation of the embodiment. FIG. 4 is an enlarged explanatory diagram showing the operation panel section of the embodiment. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing transmission and reception of control signals in the embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the main operations of the embodiment. Figure 2 Figure 4 Figure 5 Procedural amendment (method) 1. Display of case 1982 Patent Application No. 170179 2 Name of invention Car wash machine 3 Relation to case by person making amendment Patent applicant address 1825 Amemiya, Koshoku City, Nagano Prefecture 1988 1
March 31st (Delivery 8) 5. Engravement of the specification subject to amendment (rewritten in print equivalent to No. 4, no changes to the contents)
6. Details of the amendment as shown in the attached sheet.

Claims (1)

[Claims] It is possible to arbitrarily set a sensor inspection mode to check whether there is any abnormality in the sensors installed in each part, and in this shade, at least a sound is output by a buzzer etc. to notify the presence or absence of sensing operation for each sensor. A car wash machine that is characterized by: