Washing device

Abstract

To reduce a risk that a washing device fails.SOLUTION: A controller (50) of a washing device (100) executes a braking process for braking a washing unit (10) after an emergency stop signal for causing an emergency stop of the washing unit (10) is input, and executes a release process for releasing braking of the washing unit (10) after the braking process is executed.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning apparatus.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a car wash machine provided with an emergency stop device having a proximity switch that detects contact with an obstacle. When the proximity switch is turned off and it is confirmed that an obstacle has been detected, the control device stops the traveling of the car wash machine body.

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Incidentally, there is a cleaning apparatus that causes a cleaning unit having a plurality of nozzles for injecting cleaning liquid to travel along an installation surface. In such a cleaning apparatus, a situation can be envisaged in which, for example, an obstacle blown by wind gets caught between the traveling cleaning unit and another member. However, if the cleaning unit is driven while the obstacle remains caught, there is a risk that the cleaning apparatus will break down.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present disclosure is to reduce the risk of breakdown of a cleaning apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, a cleaning device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cleaning device for cleaning a vehicle, comprising: a guide rail extending along an installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed; a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid and traveling guided by the guide rail by a driving force from a drive unit; a braking device for braking the cleaning unit; and a controller, wherein the controller performs a braking process to brake the cleaning unit after an emergency stop signal is input to cause the cleaning unit to make an emergency stop, and a release process to release the brake on the cleaning unit after the emergency stop signal is input. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, the risk of the cleaning device malfunctioning can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a perspective view showing an overview of the cleaning device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing an overview of the cleaning device according to Embodiment 1 of this disclosure. [Figure 3] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of a cleaning device. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of the control methods that the controller performs. [Figure 5] This block diagram shows an example of the configuration of a cleaning device according to Embodiment 2 of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] This flowchart shows an example of the control methods that the controller performs. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 100 for cleaning the packer truck 1 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figures 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an overview of the cleaning device 100. Figure 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the cleaning device 100. For the sake of explanation, the vertical direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are defined as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, etc. The front direction is the direction in which the packer truck 1 to be cleaned is parked relative to the cleaning device 100. The front-rear direction is the length direction of the packer truck 1, the left-right direction is the width direction of the packer truck 1, and the vertical direction is the height direction of the packer truck 1. In this embodiment, the vertical direction is perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction is perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0010] In this embodiment, the example shown is when the vehicle cleaned by the cleaning device 100 is a garbage truck 1, but the configuration is not limited to this. The vehicle cleaned by the cleaning device 100 may be a large vehicle such as a truck or bus, or a special vehicle such as a dump truck or garbage truck. For example, the garbage truck 1 cleaned by the cleaning device 100 may be a garbage truck or truck equipped with a dumpable cargo box or cargo bed.

[0011] As shown in Figure 1, the garbage truck 1 is equipped with a garbage storage section 2 and a hopper 3. As shown in Figure 2, the garbage storage section 2 has a storage space 2A inside for storing collected garbage. The hopper 3 opens and closes the opening 2B of the garbage storage section 2, which is located at the rear of the garbage truck 1. The closed position 3A of the hopper 3 shown in Figure 1 is the position when the garbage truck 1 has closed the hopper 3. When the hopper 3 is in the closed position 3A, the opening 2B is closed by the hopper 3. The open position 3B of the hopper 3 shown in Figure 2 is the position when the garbage truck 1 has opened the hopper 3. When the hopper 3 is in the open position 3B, the opening 2B is open. As shown in Figure 1, the hopper 3 is provided with an input port 4 for loading garbage during garbage collection.

[0012] (Configuration of the cleaning device) The general outline of the cleaning device 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The cleaning device 100 of this embodiment includes a cleaning unit 10, a guide rail 20, a brake device 45 (see Figure 3), and a controller 50. The cleaning device 100 may further include a supply device 30, a travel drive motor 40, a first sensor 60, and a wire 70. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the cleaning device 100 may further include a rotary drive motor 13, a second sensor 71, and an operation panel 80.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning unit 10 extends along the left-right direction. The cleaning unit 10 has one or more nozzles 11 that spray cleaning fluid toward the packer truck 1. The cleaning unit 10 is attached to a pair of guide rails 20. The cleaning unit 10 travels guided by the guide rails 20 by the driving force from the travel drive motor 40. The cleaning unit 10 has a rotating shaft 12 that extends along the left-right direction. When driving force is applied to the cleaning unit 10 from the rotary drive motor 13, the cleaning unit 10 can rotate around the rotating shaft 12. This allows the cleaning fluid sprayed from each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10 to be sprayed upward or downward.

[0014] The guide rails 20 extend along the installation surface (ground) on which the cleaning device 100 is installed. The guide rails 20 extend in the front-rear direction and guide the movement of the cleaning unit 10 in the front-rear direction. A pair of guide rails 20 are provided. However, the movement of the cleaning unit 10 may be guided by a single guide rail 20.

[0015] The pair of guide rails 20 are supported by a plurality of support columns 21 and are positioned at a distance from the installation surface on which the washing device 100 is installed. The pair of guide rails 20 are positioned below the top surface 2C of the waste storage section 2 in the vertical direction. The pair of guide rails 20 are also positioned above the inlet 4 of the hopper 3 in the vertical direction. The pair of guide rails 20 are positioned, for example, at a distance of approximately 150 cm from the installation surface.

[0016] The pair of guide rails 20 are provided such that the packer truck 1 can enter between the guide rails 20. That is, the interval between the pair of guide rails 20 in the left-right direction is larger than the vehicle width of the packer truck 1. When the packer truck 1 is at the washing position, the pair of guide rails 20 extend to a position overlapping the packer truck 1 when viewed from the side. It should be noted that the pair of guide rails 20 only need to extend so as to overlap the hopper 3 located at the closed position 3A when viewed from the side when the packer truck 1 is at the washing position. According to this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the washing unit 10 can be positioned below the hopper 3 located at the open position 3B. This enables washing of the back side of the hopper 3. It should be noted that the pair of guide rails 20 may be located at a position that does not overlap the packer truck 1 when viewed from the side when the packer truck 1 is at the washing position.

[0017] The supply device 30 is a device that supplies cleaning liquid to be ejected from each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10. The supply device 30 supplies pressurized cleaning liquid to each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10 via a supply pipe not shown in the figure. The supply device 30 includes, for example, a compressor, a tank, a high-pressure pump unit, and the like.

[0018] The travel drive motor 40 is a motor that applies a driving force to the cleaning unit 10 to move the cleaning unit 10 in the front-rear direction. For example, the travel drive motor 40 drives a sprocket (not shown) around which a travel chain (not shown) attached to the cleaning unit 10 is wound. When the sprocket is rotationally driven by the driving force from the travel drive motor 40, the travel chain travels. The cleaning unit 10 moves in the front-rear direction along with the travel of the travel chain. The travel drive motor 40 may be provided inside the connecting member 22 that straddles between the pair of guide rails 20. It should be noted that the travel drive motor 40 may drive a pulley around which a travel belt attached to the cleaning unit 10 is wound.

[0019] The first sensor 60 is a sensor for detecting an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10. The first sensor 60 is an example of a detection unit. When the first sensor 60 detects an obstacle, it outputs an output signal to the controller 50.

[0020] More specifically, the first sensor 60 is a sensor that detects looseness of a travel chain for moving the cleaning unit 10 in the front-rear direction. When the cleaning unit 10 comes into contact with an obstacle existing within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10, the movement of the cleaning unit 10 in the front-rear direction is hindered. When the movement of the cleaning unit 10 in the front-rear direction is hindered, the travel chain loosens. The first sensor 60 detects an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10 by detecting looseness of the travel chain. The first sensor 60 may be, for example, a proximity sensor. The first sensor 60 may be arranged at a front end portion of each guide rail 20.

[0021] The wire 70 is a member for detecting an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit. A plurality of wires 70 are arranged outside the travel range of the cleaning unit 10. In the present embodiment, one end of the wire 70 is attached to the support column 21, and the other end of the wire 70 is attached to the guide rail 20.

[0022] The controller 50 controls each part provided in the cleaning device 100. The controller 50 is attached to the support column 21 that supports a central portion of the right guide rail 20 in the front-rear direction.

[0023] The controller 50 is a computer equipped with a processor, memory, and input / output interfaces. An example of a processor is a CPU (Central Processing Unit). Memory includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory) and RAM (Random Access Memory). Input / output interfaces include, for example, USB (Universal Serial Bus), serial communication, and HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark). The processor of the controller 50 performs various processes by executing programs pre-stored in memory.

[0024] As shown in Figure 3, the controller 50 is electrically connected to the rotary drive motor 13, the supply device 30, the travel drive motor 40, the brake device 45, the first sensor 60, the second sensor 71, and the operation panel 80.

[0025] The braking device 45 is a device that brakes the forward and backward movement of the cleaning unit 10. The braking device 45 brakes the movement of the cleaning unit 10 by, for example, braking the rotation of the travel drive motor 40. The braking device 45 may also be a device that includes brake pads and brakes the movement of the cleaning unit 10 by pressing the brake pads against the guide rails.

[0026] The second sensor 71 is a sensor for detecting obstacles within the travel range of the cleaning unit. The second sensor 71 is an example of a detection unit. When the second sensor 71 detects an obstacle, it outputs an output signal to the controller 50.

[0027] More specifically, the second sensor 71 is a sensor that detects slack or tension in the wire 70. When an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10 comes into contact with the wire 70, the wire 70 slackens or is pulled. The second sensor 71 detects the obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10 by detecting the slack or tension in the wire 70. The second sensor 71 may be, for example, a proximity sensor. Multiple second sensors 71 are arranged in the vicinity of each wire 70.

[0028] The controller 50 treats the output signals from each of the first sensors 60 and each of the second sensors 71 as emergency stop signals. Here, an emergency stop signal is a signal that causes the washing unit 10 to make an emergency stop. An emergency stop of the washing unit 10 is a different operation from the stopping of movement that occurs during the normal operation of the washing unit 10. The normal operation of the washing unit 10 is the operation performed when washing the garbage truck 1 according to a program that is pre-stored in the memory of the controller 50.

[0029] The control panel 80 is an input device that can accept input from the user via touch operation. An operation screen is displayed on the control panel 80. The control panel 80 is, for example, a touch panel. The user makes various settings of the cleaning device 100 by operating the control panel 80.

[0030] In this embodiment, the operation panel 80 displays a reset button 81 that can output an operation return command to allow the normal operation of the cleaning unit 10. When the reset button 81 is tapped after the cleaning unit 10 has made an emergency stop, the operation of the cleaning unit 10 is checked. During the operation check of the cleaning unit 10, the cleaning unit 10 is moved forward and backward.

[0031] (Control method using a controller) Referring to Figure 4, an example of the control method by the controller 50 of the cleaning device 100 will be explained. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control method performed by the controller 50.

[0032] First, in step S1, the controller 50 determines whether or not an output signal has been input from the first sensor 60 or the second sensor 71. If no output signal has been input (NO in step S1), the controller 50 terminates the control method shown in Figure 4. If an output signal has been input (YES in step S1), the controller 50 executes the braking process S2.

[0033] In braking process S2, the controller 50 transmits a command signal to the brake device 45 to brake the cleaning unit 10.

[0034] In the release process S3, the controller 50 sends a command signal to the brake device 45 to release the brake of the cleaning unit 10. The controller 50 executes the release process S3 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the output signal was input. For example, the controller 50 executes the release process S3 after 1 to 2 seconds have elapsed since the output signal was input. This predetermined time can be appropriately set depending on factors such as the travel speed or weight of the cleaning unit 10.

[0035] In step S4, the controller 50 determines whether or not it has received an operation recovery command. If it has not received an operation recovery command (NO in S4), the controller 50 executes step S4 again. If it has received an operation recovery command (YES in S4), the controller 50 executes the operation confirmation process S5.

[0036] In operation confirmation process S5, the controller 50 controls the travel drive motor 40 to move the cleaning unit 10 forward and backward. Operation confirmation process S5 is performed before the cleaning unit 10 returns to normal operation. That is, after operation confirmation process S5 is performed, the cleaning unit 10 returns to normal operation and the packer truck 1 is cleaned as usual. If the controller 50 determines in operation confirmation process S5 that there is an abnormality in the forward or reverse movement of the cleaning unit 10, it controls the travel drive motor 40 and the brake device 45 to stop the movement of the cleaning unit 10. In this case, the controller 50 may display an error on the operation panel indicating an abnormality in the movement of the cleaning unit 10.

[0037] In the case of a cleaning device 100 in which the cleaning unit 10 travels along the installation surface, as in this embodiment, the pair of guide rails 20 are exposed to the outside. Therefore, for example, strong winds may cause obstacles such as bags or tree branches to enter the travel range of the cleaning unit 10. If there are obstacles within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10, it is possible that the cleaning unit 10 will come into contact with the obstacles. If the cleaning unit 10 is driven while in contact with obstacles, it is possible that the cleaning unit 10 may malfunction.

[0038] According to the above configuration, the movement of the cleaning unit 10 is stopped, and then the brakes on the cleaning unit 10 are released. Even after an obstacle is caught and an emergency stop signal is output, the cleaning unit can be moved manually. Therefore, the obstacle can be removed while the cleaning unit is moved manually. This reduces the risk of the cleaning device malfunctioning.

[0039] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the movement of the cleaning unit 10 is stopped when an obstacle is detected by the first sensor 60 or the second sensor 71. This allows the cleaning unit 10 to be automatically brought to an emergency stop if an obstacle is detected within the movement range of the cleaning unit 10.

[0040] With the above configuration, the operation of the cleaning unit 10 is confirmed by the recovery operation of the cleaning unit 10. As a result, the cleaning unit 10 can operate normally even after being emergency stopped. [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For the sake of convenience of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. The cleaning device 100A according to Embodiment 2 differs from the cleaning device 100 according to Embodiment 1 in that the movement of the cleaning device 100 is braked by the operation of the emergency stop button 91.

[0041] In this embodiment, the cleaning device 100A is equipped with an input device 90. The input device 90 has an emergency stop button 91 and a release button 92. The emergency stop button 91 outputs an emergency stop signal to stop the cleaning unit in an emergency. The emergency stop button 91 may also output a command to stop the power supply to the travel drive motor 40. The release button 92 outputs an operation return command to allow the cleaning unit 10 to operate normally. That is, when the release button 92 is pressed, the braking state of the cleaning unit 10 is released.

[0042] Because the cleaning device 100A is equipped with an emergency stop button 91, the operator can brake the movement of the cleaning unit 10 at any time. Furthermore, because the cleaning device 100A is equipped with a release button 92, the operator can return the cleaning unit 10 to normal operation at any time.

[0043] (Control method using a controller) Referring to Figure 6, an example of the control method flow by the controller 50 of the cleaning device 100A will be explained. Figure 6 is a flowchart of an example of a control method executed by the controller 50. Note that the braking process S12, release process S13, and operation confirmation process S15 shown in Figure 6 are the same processes as the braking process S2, release process S3, and operation confirmation process S5 shown in Figure 4, so their explanation will be omitted.

[0044] In step S1, the controller 50 determines whether or not the emergency stop button 91 has been pressed. If the emergency stop button 91 has not been pressed (NO in S11), the controller 50 terminates the control method shown in Figure 6. If the emergency stop button 91 has been pressed (YES in S11), the controller 50 executes the braking process S12.

[0045] In step S14, the controller 50 determines whether the release button 92 has been pressed. If the release button 92 has not been pressed (NO in S14), the controller 50 executes step S14 again. If the release button 92 has been pressed (YES in S14), the controller 50 executes the operation confirmation process S15.

[0046] According to the configuration of the cleaning device 100A, the cleaning unit 10 can be emergency stopped by the operator pressing the emergency stop button 91. This allows the operator to emergency stop the cleaning unit 10 at any time they wish. [Other embodiments] In the above-described embodiment 1, the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 71 detected the obstacle, but the configuration is not limited to this. The cleaning device 100 may, for example, be equipped with a camera for detecting obstacles within the travel range of the cleaning unit. When the camera detects an obstacle, it outputs an emergency stop signal to the controller 50 to cause the cleaning unit 10 to stop.

[0047] In the embodiment 1 described above, the controller 50 executed the operation confirmation process S5 after the return button 81 on the operation panel 80 was operated, but the configuration is not limited to this. The controller 50 may be configured to execute the operation confirmation process S5 when, for example, the first sensor 60 or the second sensor 71 no longer detects an obstacle.

[0048] 〔summary〕 A cleaning device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention is a cleaning device for cleaning a vehicle, comprising: a guide rail extending along an installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed; a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid and being guided along the guide rail by a driving force from a drive unit; a braking device for braking the cleaning unit; and a controller, wherein the controller performs a braking process to brake the cleaning unit after an emergency stop signal is input to cause the cleaning unit to make an emergency stop, and a release process to release the brake on the cleaning unit after the emergency stop signal is input.

[0049] According to the configuration of Embodiment 1, even after an obstacle has become lodged and an emergency stop signal has been output, the cleaning unit can be moved manually. Therefore, the obstacle can be removed while the cleaning unit is moved manually. This reduces the risk of the cleaning device malfunctioning.

[0050] A cleaning device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention, in embodiment 1 described above, is further equipped with a detection unit that detects obstacles within the travel range of the cleaning unit, and when the detection unit detects an obstacle, it may output the emergency stop signal to the controller.

[0051] According to the configuration of Embodiment 2, the movement of the cleaning unit is stopped when an obstacle is detected by the detection unit. This allows the cleaning unit to be automatically brought to an emergency stop if an obstacle is detected within the movement range of the cleaning unit.

[0052] The cleaning apparatus according to embodiment 3 of the present invention may be equipped with an emergency stop button that outputs an emergency stop signal to the controller in embodiment 1 described above.

[0053] According to the configuration of Embodiment 3, the cleaning unit can be emergency-stopped by the operator pressing a button. This allows the cleaning unit to be emergency-stopped at any desired time.

[0054] In the cleaning apparatus according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in embodiment 2 or 3 described above, if an operation return command permitting normal operation of the cleaning unit is input after the execution of the release process, the controller may perform an operation confirmation process to move the cleaning unit forward and backward before the normal operation.

[0055] According to the configuration of Embodiment 4, the operation of the cleaning unit is confirmed by the recovery operation. As a result, the cleaning unit can operate normally even after being emergency stopped.

[0056] [Additional Notes] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of this disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Washing Units 20 Guide Rails 40. Drive motor 45 Brake system 50 Controllers 60 First sensor (detection unit) 71 Second sensor (detection unit) 91 Emergency Stop Button 100 Washing device

Claims

1. A washing device for washing vehicles, A guide rail extending along the installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed, A cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning fluid and traveling guided by the drive force from the drive unit on the guide rail, A braking device for braking the aforementioned cleaning unit, Equipped with a controller, The aforementioned controller, After an emergency stop signal is received to stop the cleaning unit, a braking process is performed to brake the cleaning unit. After the emergency stop signal is received, a release process is performed to release the brake on the cleaning unit and maintain the released state of the cleaning unit's brake until a return-to-operation command is received that permits the normal operation of the cleaning unit. Washing device.

2. The cleaning unit is equipped with a detection unit that detects obstacles within its travel range, When the detection unit detects the obstacle, it outputs the emergency stop signal to the controller. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

3. The controller is equipped with an emergency stop button that outputs an emergency stop signal. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1.

4. If the controller receives the operation return command after the release process has been executed, it will perform an operation confirmation process to move the cleaning unit forward and backward before the normal operation. A cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

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