Setting up a cleaning process for a self-service car wash facility
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- ES · ES
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- WASHTEC HLDG
- Filing Date
- 2017-01-25
- Publication Date
- 2026-07-15
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Setting up a cleaning process for a self-service car wash facility The present invention relates to a self-service vehicle washing facility, a control unit for this vehicle washing facility, and a procedure and program for setting up a cleaning process for a self-service vehicle washing facility. In self-service car washes, vehicle owners clean their vehicles themselves, so no service personnel are required. Vehicle cleaning is typically performed using a cleaning lance, as described, for example, in document DE 698 12 064 T2. In the first stage, the lance sprays cleaning fluid—usually water mixed with chemical washing agents—onto the vehicle's surface. The water may be applied at high pressure (high-pressure lance) and / or with a specific water quality, such as softened water. The selection and display of the wash program, as well as the input and display of individual wash stages, is generally carried out on a central automatic machine, into which coins or other forms of payment can be inserted to start the washing process. Document WO 02 / 099579 A2 describes a central control system for a washing train via a control station connected to a touchscreen. In this system, the individual units of the washing system must be controlled and reconfigured individually via a central point. However, the washing program itself is operated using predefined and programmed software function blocks. This document does not suggest free configuration of a washing program. US patent 2008 / 0235614 describes the possibility of controlling devices for various applications (including washing machines) that can be used by multiple users through a graphical user interface. The user can define parameters used to control the devices, and these parameters can be stored individually for each user. This patent does not address the control of car wash facilities, where multiple operating devices must be managed. In the prior art, it is also known to provide the user with a selection of pre-configured wash programs (e.g., quick wash, high-pressure wash, active foam wash, rinse aid, etc.). These pre-configured wash programs are associated with a fixed sequence of instructions. This sequence of instructions is then used to control and operate the self-service washing system. To select the wash program, the user is currently offered only two options at an input terminal: "buy time" or "buy program." With the first option, the customer purchases wash time, during which they can operate all the appliances in any combination. With the second option, the customer is offered pre-defined wash programs for selection.For example, selecting program number 1 ("shampoo") activates the following cleaning process steps for the user to perform: application of shampoo via a high-pressure lance, washing the vehicle with water at a predefined temperature (which cannot currently be adjusted by the user) – for example, using a wash brush – and rinsing with cold water via the high-pressure lance, followed by waxing via the high-pressure lance. Based on the predefined or fixed program settings, these steps, according to the state of the art, cannot be modified. However, in practice, it has been shown that greater flexibility is desired. In particular, it should be possible to control and operate the self-service car wash system in ways that are tailored to the specific needs of the current situation. US patent 5381962 A1 discloses a self-service vehicle washing installation according to the preamble of claim 1. Furthermore, research has shown that it is desirable to give the user even more opportunity to influence the washing process. In particular, it has proven to be a disadvantage that the current situation or condition of the vehicle (e.g., degree of soiling) and the ambient conditions (e.g., humidity, temperature) cannot be taken into account when configuring the vehicle washing program. In previous systems, the washing process could not be modified or adapted due to the current state. Thus, for example, drying after the washing process in case of rain is pointless. It has therefore proven to be a disadvantage in known systems that a vehicle washing program can only be controlled based on predefined wash programs.If the user wanted to specify, for example, that they wanted to perform an environmentally friendly wash, then they should have the opportunity to influence parameters such as temperature or the use of certain environmentally friendly cleaning agents. This is not currently possible. The present invention has therefore set itself the objective of improving the operation of self-service vehicle washing facilities and, in particular, controlling them more flexibly. In the case of light soiling, it should be possible, for example, to detect this situation automatically or semi-automatically and offer the user specific washing programs for selection, so that, for example, the use of detergent or cleaning agents can be optimized and reduced. Furthermore, greater flexibility in configuring the washing process by the user should be facilitated, making it possible to activate an individualized wash and, in this regard, offering, for example, an option to reduce the demand for resources and / or energy during the washing process. This objective is achieved according to the invention by means of a vehicle washing installation, a control unit and a procedure as well as by means of a computer program product in accordance with the discretionary subordinate patent claims. The invention is then described by means of the objective solution according to the device and, consequently, by means of the control unit. In this respect, the aforementioned features, advantages, and alternative embodiments must also be adapted to the other claimed objects and vice versa. In other words, the current claims (which relate, for example, to a washing installation or a control unit) can be improved by the features described or claimed in relation to the process. The corresponding functional features of the process are configured in this respect by means of specific corresponding modules, in particular by means of electronic switching circuit functional blocks or microprocessor modules of the devices and vice versa. According to one aspect, the invention relates to a control unit for operating a self-service vehicle washing facility, and in particular for controlling the working equipment of the self-service vehicle washing facility. The control unit is designed to read configuration signals via an input / output unit, which serves as a user interface and can be configured as a touch panel. In response to these configuration signals, the unit uses control logic to configure a cleaning process and generate command instructions for the working equipment, executing them under configurable activation conditions. At its core, the present invention relates to the dynamic and situational control of a car wash system, based on currently registered configurations (customer specifications). Furthermore, in addition to configuration settings, sensor data, environmental conditions, and / or input signals can also be considered for configuring the cleaning process. In this respect, the supply units and individual machine components of the self-service car wash system, and / or the respective working devices of the car wash system (such as lances and brushes and their supply equipment for water, temperature, pressure, etc.), can be controlled in a modular and dedicated manner, particularly depending on the configuration settings and / or registered sensor data. The invention has several advantages. For the first time, it is possible to configure individualized wash programs for each specific case based on customer settings (and, where applicable, sensor signals) and combine these into a single wash program. The user can be offered a vehicle wash specifically designed for them, tailored not to fixed, predefined wash programs, but rather to individualized and specifically configured wash program stages. According to the invention, the individual wash program stages can be configured situationally. Furthermore, the resource demand required for the washing process can be significantly reduced, not only in terms of the dosage of the cleaning agent used, but also in terms of overall energy consumption.For example, the temperature of the washing agents or water can be reduced depending on the specific situation, if a certain temperature range has been recorded for the washing environment or the vehicle body. This allows for the omission of additional water heating when a sensor unit has registered that the ambient temperature exceeds a predefined threshold. Therefore, the control unit is coupled, according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, via data technology with a sensor unit to record sensor signals for the temperature and humidity of the current washing environment and calculate this data for configuring the cleaning process. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit for operating the working devices calculates the configuration signals and recorded input signals. The latter may be, in particular, input signals from a sensor of a medium-value receiving unit and / or additional sensors. This has the technical advantage that only the specific cleaning processes that are useful in the respective case can be offered to the user, depending on the situation (for example, in humidity / rainfall recording, no drying step is offered as a cleaning process step, so the configurations offered in this case do not include any drying step). Advantageously, the command instructions comprise the following instructions to activate the corresponding control processes: - a time-phase-based activation and / or deactivation of different working devices; - an automatic and dedicated pressure control, temperature control and / or time control, therefore: - an automatic and dedicated control of a volumetric flow and thus a nozzle outlet speed / spray jet impact (e.g., soft jet for convertible covers) for a working device in each case; - an automatic and decisive determination of a concentration of cleaning agent for a working apparatus in each case; - an automatic determination of water quality, in particular the use of reverse osmosis water, for each working device; - a display of the total duration of the cleaning process, automatically configured on the input and output unit; - a visualization of an automatically calculated time duration for a cleaning stage of the cleaning process configured on one of the working devices in each case; - an adjustment of the foam quality; which can be done, for example, indirectly through a parameter setting. - an adjustment of the volumetric flow for a working device, such as a foam brush. Preferably, the control unit includes or has access to a memory. The calculated and configured cleaning process can be stored in this memory using the control logic. This can preferably be done by associating a user ID. This has the advantage that the user can directly access their entered data for future washes without re-entering it. They can also select different cleaning processes they have already performed. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a self-service vehicle washing facility with: - cleaning equipment such as brushes and lances, which must be supplied with energy and resources (e.g., cleaning substances and - a control station with an input / output unit that serves as a user interface, wherein a selection of configuration settings is output to the input / output unit and, in response to the (predefined) configuration settings displayed, configuration signals are recorded, which are transmitted to a control unit and with: - the control unit, which is determined to, in response to the recorded configuration signals, configure a cleaning process using control logic and generate command instructions for the working devices and control the working devices according to the generated control instructions. The control station or control terminal is a three-dimensional component comprising a user interface for signal input and output. Preferably, the control station includes a medium receiver unit, which can be configured to receive various types of valuables and can also be configured as a coin-operated machine. Essentially, the control station according to the invention is not limited to coin operation but can also operate with other types of valuables (such as a stamp dispenser, car wash cards with a magnetic stripe or other electronic access codes based on RFID, or banknotes).Up to now, the control station comprises a display screen, possibly in combination with a card reader, several program keys for predefined fixed wash programs, a numeric keypad, a START and STOP key, and a coin mechanism. According to the invention, the control station comprises a combined input / output unit, preferably configured as a graphical user interface, such as a touchscreen, and a control unit designed to generate or configure cleaning programs based on inputs and / or signals. The input / output unit functions as a user interface. It can be integrated into a control terminal or exchange data with it. Preferably, it is a graphical user interface. However, other types of interfaces can also be used, such as an audio interface, allowing the user to input data via voice commands. If a graphical surface is used, a capacitive touchscreen, for example, can be employed. Preferably, the touchscreen has multi-sensor functionality so that simultaneous touches can be detected. Typically, in addition to the display screen (the display unit itself), the touchscreen includes a sensor as an input unit for user signals, a control system, and optionally, a controller that may be located in the control terminal.In an alternative and equally preferred embodiment of the invention, the touchscreen sensor can be configured as a projected capacitive touch (PCT) sensor. In this configuration, the sensor uses two planes with a conductive pattern (e.g., stripes or rhombuses). The planes are installed insulated from each other. If a finger is placed at the intersection of two stripes, the capacitance of the capacitor changes, resulting in a stronger signal in the receiving strip. This signal change can therefore be precisely measured using X and Y coordinates, and several contact points can be precisely defined. The current flow from the corners of the touchscreen to the contact point is proportional to the X and Y coordinates.The essential advantage of this system is that the sensor can be installed on the back of the cover glass, since the touch detection through the glass is "projected through." This allows for virtually wear-free operation on the glass surface. Furthermore, gesture and multi-touch detection is possible. However, in another embodiment of the invention, resistive, inductive, or other sensor technologies can also be used for the user interface of the control terminal. The user interface (also called the monitor) serves as the output for specifically configured wash programs, which are created based on configuration signals. The user can specify the displayed configurations according to their preferences and select them by inputting a configuration signal. In this regard, they can also select several of the displayed options or configurations.The selection process includes at least one parameter, preferably several, for configuring a wash program. The user interface may also display a menu, created specifically for each use case, which guides the user through the process of generating their wash program. Additional information may also be available (e.g., the energy required for the selected stages and / or the associated costs), particularly for finalizing settings and / or automatically generating proposed settings (referred to here as configuration settings). The configuration settings are calculated automatically from input signals and / or sensor signals. The control unit is an electronic component and can be configured as software and / or as a hardware component (e.g., as an integrated switching circuit, such as an FGPA, programmable gate array, or in the form of a microprocessor board). It comprises control logic. The control logic can be configured as a software or hardware module and can be implemented on a processor. The control unit serves to control the self-service car wash system. The control unit can be implemented directly on a component of the car wash system or indirectly on a processor unit, which exchanges data with the car wash system. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit exchanges data with a sensor unit.In this respect, a unidirectional data connection is preferable, through which the sensor unit sends recorded sensor data to the control unit. The sensor data represents the state of the vehicle to be cleaned, parts thereof, and / or technical washing conditions or a washing environment, such as air humidity, temperature, environmental requirements, etc. The sensor data is transformed by the control unit's logic into command instructions for the state-dependent control of the self-service car wash system, with wash programs configured or generated specifically for selection via a user interface. The control logic is a switching circuit and / or a program that determines how the configuration signals and, where applicable, the input signals, which may come from different sensors, are calculated, and what washing programs (these are also called stages of a cleaning process) in each case based on the recorded input data. The configuration settings are a set of technical parameters for running a wash program in a self-service car wash. These settings can be represented for different technical parameters in each case as a menu in the user interface (such as graphical displays for user selection). Thus, the configuration settings include, for example, entering data to determine theoretical values for various parameters, such as water pressure, water temperature, etc., desired energy and / or resource consumption for the cleaning process, maximum wash time, etc. For this purpose, the user is provided with typically configurable input fields with suggested options, which they can select or enter directly (using a keyboard or other input device).In a preferred embodiment of the invention, input fields are created with suggestions, i.e., configuration options, which can be determined by the user based on sensor data. This has the technical advantage that the current environmental conditions in each case can be configured for washing. The sensor data can be read from a sensor module or from external sensors. The working devices are manually operated cleaning devices, such as a foam brush - optionally with an air injector - and / or a lance, which can be configured as a high-pressure lance. The self-service car wash facility can be configured as a single-station system or a multi-station system. In the latter case, the vehicle wash facility, in addition to a central technical unit with a control module, comprises several wash units (preferably configured as wash stations), each equipped with a local control terminal and local operating equipment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each wash unit comprises a local control unit. However, control may also be exercised solely by the central control module. In this case, several instances of the control module are provided, so that each wash station can be controlled individually.A washing unit preferably comprises, in each case, the working devices (different working devices may also be configured in different washing stations) and a control station. The central control module exchanges data with the local control unit and is designed to control the washing units in a modular manner and the working devices in the respective washing unit in each case. This embodiment of the invention clearly offers greater flexibility for both the washing system manufacturer and the user. For example, it is possible to control the mechanical components in a dedicated manner for each washing unit or for each washing station.This allows, for example, a first wash station to operate with one cleaning agent mixture and a second wash station—according to the user's specifications and configurations—with a different cleaning agent mixture. To achieve this, the necessary resources (such as pushbuttons, valves, mixers, pumps, distributors, etc.) are provided for each wash station and controlled in a coordinated manner based on the user's configurations. For instance, the respective mixing valve for each wash station is specifically controlled to allow the first station to operate at a different cleaning agent concentration, water temperature, and / or water pressure than the second station. Other parameters can also be differentiated in this case.Thus, different concentrations of cleaning agents and / or different temperatures can also be configured in the individual washing units of the multi-station system. Consequently, in this embodiment of the invention, the control of the multi-station self-service washing installation is not carried out simultaneously for each washing station, but rather in a dedicated, station-specific manner, and possibly differently for each station. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the vehicle washing installation comprises a medium-value receiving unit with a sensor for recording an actual value of a medium-value level (e.g., coin insertion), the control unit comprising a comparator as an electronic circuit, which is determined to compare the actual recorded value with a theoretical value, which is associated in each case with a configured cleaning process, and in case of a match, it outputs an initialization signal to operate working devices with the created control instructions. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control unit is configured to, in response to registered configuration signals, read specific adaptive usage instructions and / or a theoretical value from a memory and output them to the input and output unit. The memory contains configuration settings in combination with usage instructions and prices for the configured wash (i.e., for example {parameter 1 =..., parameter 2 =..., parameter 4 =..., no data for parameter 5 - {instruction 1, instruction 2, price xyz as theoretical value}). According to one further embodiment, the self-service vehicle washing facility, and in particular each washing station, comprises an acoustic and / or optical signal emitter, controlled by the control unit, to alert the user to an imminent change in the operation of the working equipment according to the configured cleaning process. The acoustic indication can also be combined with an optical indication on the touch panel, displaying step-by-step instructions on the user interface regarding the change in the operation of the working equipment or the technical effect of the current and / or subsequent working method. In a further embodiment of the invention, the control instructions calculated by the control logic serve to control supply units (such as a pressure regulator, a temperature regulator, or other technical components, which are arranged in the central technical unit) of a technical unit of the vehicle washing installation. According to a further aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling a self-service vehicle washing facility with at least one working apparatus and comprises the following procedural steps: - after system activation: output of configuration settings for selection on an input and output unit; - configuration signal recording; - Automatic configuration of a cleaning process based on the recorded configuration signals; - Control of at least one working device for the execution of the configured cleaning process. In one embodiment of the invention, the following parameters can be configured or adjusted in the input and output unit: - a working pressure of a pressure regulator for a pump or setting of a frequency converter for a pump drive, - a temperature and / or a concentration of the cleaning agent (adjustment on a dosing pump, in the Hydrominder filling system or in the powder dosing unit), - a degree of water hardness, - a type of vehicle, - a configured cleaning process duration and / or a configured cleaning process stage duration, - Adjustment of foam quality, for example indirectly through the configuration of other parameters - Adjustment of the volumetric flow of the foam brush or other working devices Preferably, before starting or shutting down the washing machines, a check is performed to verify that the user has also deposited a sufficient amount of liquid for the configured wash cycle. If not, an indication may appear on the user interface; otherwise, the washing machines are shut down. The procedure for this additional step includes: - determination of a theoretical value associated with the configured cleaning process - Reading an actual value from a sensor of a medium-value receiving unit - Compare the theoretical value with the actual value read and if they match: operate the working devices to carry out the configured cleaning process. In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the procedure, as a first step, comprises activating the configuration system for the vehicle washing installation. This activation includes reading input signals and / or sensor signals and generating the corresponding configuration settings in response to these signals. This has the advantage that not only can the user's configuration preferences be calculated and taken into account, but also other technical data for configuring the cleaning process, such as the vehicle type (length, bicycle, car or truck, convertible, boxy, etc.) and the current weather conditions (humidity, degree of soiling, etc.). This allows the washing process to be specifically adapted to the current conditions. Preferably during the operating time of the workpieces (i.e., during the cleaning process or corresponding waiting times), additional cleaning process-specific configuration settings are created and sent to the input and output units (e.g., as indicators). In response, additional configuration signals are recorded and calculated for the modified recursive control of the workpieces. These additional configuration signals can be generated based on input signals and / or sensor signals. For example, sensors can detect that although a workpiece is switched on and available for use, it is not currently being operated. An indicator could then be displayed on the user interface, prompting the user to continue the cleaning process or informing them of the remaining cleaning time. As a general rule, the procedure responding to the recorded configuration signals outputs the recorded configuration signals (as a sort of confirmation) and / or the configured cleaning process in the input and output unit, prompting the user, via a confirmation signal, to confirm the inputs made and / or the calculated cleaning process. Alternatively, the user can correct their input in a correction loop to obtain a modified result. In one advantageous variant, the control instructions executed during the operation of the working equipment are monitored and fed into a calculation unit. This unit automatically calculates the costs for the current cleaning process and transmits this value as a theoretical price to the control unit, which then outputs it to an input / output unit. This has proven particularly useful when the user modifies their inputs during cleaning, reserving additional cleaning stages, thereby increasing the price or requiring fewer resources, thus lowering costs. According to one variant, the user is then charged only for the costs they actually requested. Subsequently, a new price calculation and display are automatically triggered during the cleaning process. In one embodiment, the self-service car wash and preferably the central technical unit comprise a sensor unit, which in turn may contain several sensor modules. The sensor modules, in turn, comprise several sensors. The sensor modules may be permanently and permanently attached to at least one component or temporarily (e.g., to the vehicle). The sensor modules and / or the sensors are preferably arranged in different positions. The sensors and / or sensor modules may be mounted on the car wash itself, on components of the car wash, and / or on the respective interfaces between the component and the car wash. Preferably, however, the sensors and / or sensor modules are not arranged within the car wash or its components, but externally to the car wash. They are therefore located outside the car wash.The sensors and / or sensor modules can be temporarily installed on the vehicle to be cleaned and / or on a control terminal. Furthermore, the sensor module in the preferred embodiment of the invention is configured with a receiving unit, which reads sensor data from external signal emitters or external servers (e.g., central stations). Thus, the sensor unit can be configured to record meteorological data from a meteorological service server. This data can include current local meteorological data for the geographical location of the washing site as well as forecast data.The sensors are preferably constructed as different types of sensors and also include optical sensors, acoustic sensors, humidity sensors, position and / or proximity sensors, temperature sensors, reverberation sensors and other types of sensors, also switches, probes and / or potentiometers, etc. Sensors are used to record analog and / or digital signals. The recorded signals can be discrete measurement values (e.g., temperature) or continuous sensor signals (e.g., temperature change over time). The cleaning process comprises several stages, which can be carried out on different workpieces, either sequentially or in parallel. Washing programs are therefore a collection of different cleaning process stages, which can be combined to form a washing process, for example: - a tire wash using configurable cleaning agent(s) - an insect cleaning with a configurable action time and automatically proposed insect cleaning agent, also configurable - a polish with a configurable or selectable polishing agent - A pre-wash without contact with water or other means, with configurable quality, duration and / or energy consumption - a cleaning agent action time configurable to a selectable value - a duration of a cleaning stage configurable to a selectable value - a duration of the entire washing process configurable to a selectable value - a surface seal with a selectable sealing agent. The respective configurations can be registered via configuration signals in the user interface. This can be done by displaying configuration menus for selecting specific configurations, from which the user can then choose one or more of the indicated settings. According to the invention, the washing programs are no longer pre-configured (e.g., "quick wash," "intensive wash," "foam wash"), but rather the user can configure the stages themselves. To do this, the user can select configuration settings in the form of menus, for example, to adjust the contact time of a cleaning agent or maintenance product and / or the duration and / or intensity of the washing program, etc. Multiple cleaning stages or wash program sections can also be selected and applied accordingly. Based on the selected configuration setting (e.g., long contact time, high-quality products), the calculation of the specifically configured cleaning stages (e.g., "intensive wash - high quality") is then performed and displayed on the user interface, adapted to the situation. In an advantageous refinement of the invention, the control logic of the control unit is configured to determine a state from received configuration signals, input signals, and / or sensor signals, and compare this state with a reference state stored in memory, in order to perform a state-dependent calculation of the washing program steps. By compensating with reference values, which may be stored in a central database, the control task can be carried out in an accelerated manner. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the control logic comprises an optimization module that optimizes the configured and calculated cleaning process with respect to cleaning agent dosage, water consumption, and / or energy consumption. Optionally, it can be pre-configured, in which case other optimization criteria can still be considered, such as cost optimization and / or process duration optimization, etc. According to the invention, the control module can generate optimization proposals specific to each state. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the optimization criteria in the pre-configured field can be set up during a definition phase to configure the control unit.To avoid inconsistent and conflicting inputs in an improvement of the invention, it may be possible to check the consistency of the user's inputs and, if necessary, offer correction suggestions and request corrective inputs, for example, if the user selects a quick wash with low energy and short duration. In this regard, a warning may also appear in the user interface with additional information. Further information may also be displayed regarding the consequences of the user's selection, such as the costs associated with the user's selection or the time associated with the selected cleaning process steps and / or energy consumption. Based on this data, a correction option is then provided in the user interface, allowing the user to review their previous inputs. According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, the control logic comprises a configuration module that configures the calculated wash program sections according to predetermined criteria specific to each user. For example, it can be defined that a user X, with a vehicle Y, always wants to perform a specific wash process and / or always wants to optimize the wash process to save water and energy. These user-specific settings are stored in memory and can be recalled for confirmation during subsequent wash processes for the same user X and / or the same vehicle Y. The memory can be a mobile memory in the form of a transponder card or a stationary memory, for example, in the form of a database. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the sensor unit—as previously mentioned—comprises several sensors that record different physical measurement values of a vehicle and / or a washing environment, in particular a thermoelectric sensor, a time sensor (e.g., in the form of a clock), an air humidity sensor, and a sensor for recording vehicle size and / or vehicle soiling level. In an alternative configuration, a touch key or other input field may also be provided in the user interface, through which the user manually confirms the data that the sensor automatically records or enters the data directly. The sensor unit generally features at least one, and preferably several, sensors in different components and / or positions, typically and preferably outside the vehicle washing facility.The sensor unit can also exchange data with external sensors (for example, in the vehicle and / or on a remote server, such as a weather station). The configurable control of a self-service car wash described above is more complex than before, as it now requires consideration of multiple data points from different sources. Therefore, the control function based on the configuration signal is designed to be selectively activated and deactivated via a switch. When deactivated, control is based on pre-configured program modules—as before—rather than on configuration data. The additional units are, as previously described, electronic modules that exchange data via a suitable communication channel, preferably a wireless network connection or a mobile network, Bluetooth, or an NFC interface. Naturally, the units can also be connected to a central server or database, for example, via a WLAN, LAN, or other suitable connection. The command instructions are also stored in memory for later use. This allows the user to access their customized wash program repeatedly, as needed. A database stores an association between the user or a set of data that identifies the user and the generated control instructions and / or their configuration signals. An additional preferred embodiment involves externalizing parts of the control unit to an external terminal (preferably mobile). This external terminal could be, for example, a smartphone, tablet, or PDA (personal digital assistant) that the user carries and on which an application is loaded and can be run to configure and control the operation of the self-service installation for that user. In a further refinement, it is also possible for the procedure according to the invention to be activated only via the control terminal (e.g., through user interaction) and then carried out entirely via the mobile terminal.Furthermore, individual user settings and configurations can also be stored directly on the user's dedicated device (mobile phone) locally for later reference during subsequent washes. This has the advantage of eliminating the need to monitor critical network boundaries for safety reasons, as data storage occurs locally on the user's device. Additionally, all signals directed to the user during operation (for example, requesting a change of device or a transition to the next cleaning stage) are not only displayed on the control station of the washing unit but also directly on a mobile terminal. The signal can be delivered as an audible, visual, or other form of alert, such as a vibration signal.This has the advantage that the user can be informed by the change from one cleaning process stage to the next, without having to directly focus their attention on a display screen or an audible signal. Additionally, individual user settings can be centrally stored. This can be advantageously achieved through association with a unique identification number (e.g., an IMSI (International Mobile Subscriber Identity) code). A significant advantage of the invention is that information can be sent to the user during self-service washing while the workpieces are in operation, indicating the current status of the configured cleaning process or wash. This can show, for example—as mentioned earlier—a change in a workpiece or a change of control on the same workpiece (e.g., changing from rinsing to wax application on the same lance), optionally with additional metadata (e.g., how much time and / or energy the stage requires, which cleaning agent is being used, etc.). An additional important aspect can be seen in that the user can also, during the washing process configured individually by him, introduce modification settings (for example, additional accounting of additional cleaning stages and / or change to alternative cleaning stages, etc.) and be able to apply them directly (using these for the control of the vehicle washing facility). Another solution to the objective consists of a software product that can be loaded into an internal memory of a digital computer in a self-service vehicle washing facility and comprises software routines that carry out the steps of the procedure described above when the software routines are executed on the digital computer. Another solution to the objective involves a computer program to carry out all the procedural steps described above in more detail, when the computer program is run on a computer or electronic device. In this respect, the computer program may be stored on a medium readable by the computer or electronic device. The following detailed description of figures deals with examples of implementation that should be understood in a non-limiting way, with their characteristics and other advantages through the drawing. Brief description of the figures Fig. 1 shows in a schematic general representation a self-service vehicle washing facility in an embodiment with four or more washing bays, which is controlled via a control unit according to the invention. Fig. 2 is a schematic representation of a control unit according to the invention with instances in a technical unit and a command unit, which exchange data Fig. 3 is a flowchart according to a preferred embodiment of the invention Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of a technical unit for washing bays of a self-service vehicle washing facility according to an embodiment example and Fig. 5 is a detailed representation of pumps of the technical unit for the control of the different washing stations according to an example of embodiment. Detailed description of the figures The invention is described in more detail below by means of exemplary embodiments in relation to the figures. The invention relates to the configuration of a vehicle washing facility 1, which is represented as a self-service vehicle washing facility and is schematically represented in Figure 1. Figure 1 shows a schematic view of a self-service car wash installation 1 with various components, in particular a technical unit 2 and four or more wash bays, also referred to as wash units 12. A wash unit 12 comprises an automatic control machine or control station 20 and the working units or working devices provided in the wash unit 12, in particular a foam brush 14, which may include an air injector 16. In addition to the brushes, lances 18 are used, which may be configured as high-pressure lances. It is also possible to combine a high-pressure lance with a foam lance; this is then called a changeover lance. Foam lances alone may also be provided, and brushes as well. In other embodiments of the invention, other working devices or additional working devices may be provided.The working devices are preferably operated manually and controlled via a central control module 3 of the technical unit 2. The control station 20 comprises an input / output unit 20, which includes, in particular, a graphical user interface and can be configured as a touch panel or touchscreen. Furthermore, the control station 20 includes a medium of value reception unit 22, which is designed to receive medium of value. This may be a coin insertion station, comprising a sensor unit for recording the number of coins inserted. Alternatively, or in addition, it may be a cashless payment system, in which access codes are recorded and associated with an account and / or a credit card holder (e.g., a Codex system). In this case as well, a sensor unit is provided to record the amount accounted for or available.Data can be transmitted via discretionary wireless data transmission protocols. The central control module 3 of the technical unit 2 exchanges data via an NW network with the washing units 12. In each case, one of the washing units 12, with its working devices 14, 16, and 18, is controlled according to the invention via a (local) control unit 10. The control unit 10 can be configured as a distributed system and be located in the technical unit 2 and / or in the washing unit 12 or its control station 20. Figure 1 therefore shows four instances 101, 102, 103, and 104 of the control unit 10. In this respect, one control unit 10 serves to control all the working devices 14, 16, and 18 of a washing station. For this purpose, the control unit 10 can comprise a control module in the form of an electronic functional block (e.g., an FPGA) or an application in the form of software. In one embodiment of the invention, the control unit 10 comprises an input interface, a control logic 100, and an output interface. As described in more detail with reference to Figure 2, several instances of the control unit 10 can be configured: a central instance 10' (in or at least associated with the central technical unit 2) and a local instance 10 in (or associated with) the washing unit 12. The latter serves to perform local control of the washing station and manage the resources available there. Alternatively, the central control module 3 can exchange data with the control units 10 of the washing station or the washing unit 12 to perform control tasks for the resources and their supply units. Preferably, the control unit 10 comprises a local memory (MEM) for data storage. In this respect, the MEM can store command instructions, executed command instructions, issued configuration settings and / or recorded configuration signals, as well as configured cleaning processes—in particular, associated with a user through unambiguous user recognition. Additionally, the control unit 10 comprises control logic, specifically an electronic control logic circuit 100. The control unit 10 exchanges data with the washing unit 1, the technical unit 2, and optionally with a sensor unit S, which is typically located in or near the washing unit 12, and with an input / output unit 24, which serves as a user interface—preferably in the form of a control terminal—for the user.The control unit 10 can also exchange data with a central Z server, where wash data and / or user data (e.g., previous wash settings) are also available. The Z server can be accessed via a public network, such as the Internet. Figure 3 shows a flowchart according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. After the procedure begins in step a, a selection of configuration settings appears on the touchscreen 24. These are not fixed, pre-configured washing programs, as in the prior art (e.g., high-pressure wash, active foam, rinse, polish), but rather parameters with which the wash can be configured. In step b, user inputs are recorded on the user interface as configuration signals. This can be done by selecting menu items from a menu. In step c, the cleaning process is configured based on these user specifications and their configuration settings. This is done in the control logic 100 and can also be done by accessing a database or a central server Z.In step d, a price for the configured wash is calculated and provided as a theoretical value. The price calculation can be performed by accessing a database containing associations of wash processes and prices. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, in step e, the price and the configured wash program are displayed on the touch panel 24. In step f, a user confirmation signal is recorded. However, steps e and f are optional. Then, in steps g and h, it is checked whether the user has also provided a sufficient amount of money. If so, and if the theoretical value matches the recorded actual value, the operation of the working devices 1-18 is triggered or activated. The user can then begin their wash in step i. They are guided in this regard by the configured wash program via the control panel 24.Additionally, for each stage of the cleaning process, indicators may appear on the control panel 24, providing further information (e.g., how much time remains, how much energy is currently being consumed, what the next stage is, etc.). The procedure can then be completed or repeated for the next user. Thus, among other things, it is possible to configure which of the working devices mounted in the vehicle washing installation 1 or in the washing unit 12 should be operated and for how long for the cleaning process (for example, only the high-pressure lance 18 and no drying unit) and / or how and in what way they should be operated. The following configurations are possible, for example: - with which cleaning product should the respective work device be loaded, - How should the cleaning product be applied: for example, with or without foam? If the product is applied as a foam, for example, then surface adhesion is increased. This, in turn, affects the contact time (in this case: a longer contact time). - What should the concentration of the cleaning agent and / or maintenance product be? For example, when moisture is detected on the vehicle surface, a higher dosage of a pre-cleaner should be applied to achieve a specific / desired concentration. This is automatically recorded, and the pre-cleaner unit is monitored accordingly. - What quality of water should be used. This can be configured as follows: high-quality fresh water, water from a stored reserve circuit system with lower quality, or treated water (e.g., softened water such as reverse osmosis water). - The quality of cleaning agents or maintenance products to be used in the respective working equipment (for example, high quality in the first working equipment (brush) and low quality in the second working equipment (lance). In this respect, the individual working equipment (brushes, spray systems, etc.) used within the same washing process can also be configured differently. For example, after configuring their washing process, the user can receive the first working unit 14 and lather their vehicle, for example, with the high-power foam lance, to dissolve the dirt. Optionally, an operating time can be configured (for example, in a system proposal confirmed by the user, which is generated automatically, for example, via a database access). This results in the user being notified, via an output signal (acoustic, visual, or vibration), when the operating time has elapsed and they can begin the washing or the next cleaning stage. Then, according to the configured cleaning process, a switch is made to another working unit, specifically the brush lance 18.For this purpose, the user can receive a vibration signal via their smartphone, in addition to a graphical output (on the smartphone and / or the control terminal). A 20-second pause is provided for changing the working attachments. The user can then operate the brush lance 18 for the configured time interval to mechanically loosen the dirt. Optionally, optical sensors can be provided to record the status of the cleaning process. The sensor signals are fed to the control unit 10, which performs further control based on the recorded signals. For example, the user can be informed that the dirt has not yet been sufficiently loosened and that an extension of the current cleaning stage is proposed. The user is then given the option to do this via a corresponding control panel in the user interface.This can also be done on the user's mobile terminal, which exchanges data with control unit 10 and / or control module 3. The user can then switch to the high-pressure lance. This can be indicated by an audible signal. The user can then operate the high-pressure lance with shampoo for two minutes before switching to high-pressure washing with desalinated water / CTH for another wash without changing the lance. This process can be indicated by a visual signal. Ideally, the different changes in the cleaning process (with or without a change of the working device) should be indicated by different signals in each case (for example, a different type of signal: acoustic / vibration / optical; or the same type of signal but a different color / vibration pattern / frequency). This has the advantage that the user can register the respective change more easily and intuitively. Figure 4 is a further general representation of components of technical unit 2. In this embodiment, this unit comprises a storage container with network separation and water meter 401, a compensation container and a pressure booster pump 402, a softening unit 403, a distributor 404, a heating unit 405, and a pumping unit 406, comprising a number of pumps corresponding to the number of washing sets or stations 12 (in this case, four). Furthermore, technical unit 2 comprises a reverse osmosis system 407, a chemical supply 408, an antifreeze unit 409, and a heating fan 410. As shown in Figure 4, four pump units 406 are provided, each individually controlling the working equipment of the respective washing station.In a more complex embodiment of the invention, the other components of technical unit 2 can also be provided specifically for the respective washing stations, i.e., a first chemical supply unit for the first washing station, a second chemical supply unit for the second washing station, and so on. The same applies to the outlets of other components such as the softening unit 403 and additional elements. In the latter case, it is not necessary to configure the component itself in multiple ways; instead, the control is implemented so that the washing stations can be supplied individually (e.g., with softened water, hot water, or fresh water). Figure 5 again shows in detail that specific control of each washing station, and even of each individual piece of equipment, is possible when control module 3 cooperates, for example, with the various pumps 406, allowing the high-pressure lance to be requested at a different pressure than the foam brush. However, this is just one example; control module 3 can also cooperate with other mechanical or technical resources and supply units of the washing system to enable control of individual washing stations. The freely configurable capability allows for a significantly higher degree of flexibility. Therefore, not only can pre-configured programs be selected, but programs can also be created and configured according to individual user specifications, dynamically and adaptively, and even differently for each washing station.The local control unit 10 may be associated with the respective washing assembly 12 or may be a component of the washing assembly 12. In a further embodiment of the invention, the control unit 10 may also be housed for the different washing assemblies 12 in a central server Z and / or in a central control module 3. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the consistency of user inputs (configuration signals) recorded in a test unit is checked. The consistency test is preferably carried out in the control unit 10. In this case, the recorded signals are transmitted to the control unit for verification, and the result is then communicated to the user via the user interface 24. If an inconsistency is detected, the user is prompted for new input, in which only input fields or settings that can be reliably selected from a displayed menu can be activated. In conclusion, it should be noted that the description of the invention and the examples of its embodiment should not be understood as fundamentally limiting to any specific physical embodiment of the invention. All the features shown and explained, along with the individual embodiments of the invention, may be provided for in different combinations in the object of the invention, in order to achieve their advantageous effects. Therefore, for example, in addition to the input / output unit 24 configured as a control terminal, the invention also allows for the alternative or cumulative configuration of other interface instances.Thus, an improvement of the invention may include, for example, making available all signals to be displayed on the input / output unit 24 and all user signals to be recorded there, additionally on electronic terminal devices, such as smartphones, tablets, or mobile phones, which are in wireless communication with the control unit 10 (e.g., mobile phone connection). To achieve this, the user can specify in the configuration settings which unique device address to which they wish to transmit the signal exchange. This would allow them to control their wash program in advance or via their tablet computer. This could involve, for example, manually operated or stylus-operated user interfaces.For an expert in the field, it is particularly obvious that the invention can be applied not only to self-service installations with four washing stations, but also to individual washing stations or more complex washing installations, whose washing operation and washing program are configured and controlled depending on user signals at control terminals. Furthermore, the components of the self-service vehicle wash installation 1 can be distributed across several physical products. In particular, the vehicle wash installation 1, the control unit 10 and / or the control terminal 20, as well as the touch panel 24, can be configured as a distributed system with independently constructed data exchange units. The scope of protection of the present invention is given by the claims and is not limited by the features explained in the description or shown in the figures. References 1 self-service car wash facility 2 technical unit 3 control module 10 control unit 100 control logic, in particular electronic control logic circuit MEM memory NW network Z server 20 control station or control terminal 12 washing set or washing station 14 foam brush 16 air injector 18 lances, in particular high-pressure lances 22 medium of value receiving unit 24 input and output unit, in particular touch panel 401 storage container with network separation and water meter 402 Compensation container and pressure booster pump 403 Water softening installation 404 distributor 405 heating 406 high pressure pump 407 reverse osmosis installation 408 chemical supply 409 antifreeze 410 fan heater Exit configuration settings b configuration signal register c. Cleaning process configuration d determination of the theoretical value and data output on the touch panel, in particular price and configured cleaning process f reading a confirmation signal on the touch panel g reading of an actual value from the sensor of the receiving unit of the medium value h comparison of theoretical value and actual value i activation and control of the work devices
Claims
1. A self-service vehicle washing installation (1) comprising: - working appliances (14, 16, 18) and - a control station (20) with an input / output unit (24) serving as a user interface, wherein a selection of configuration settings is output from the input / output unit (24) and configuration signals are recorded in response to the represented configuration settings, which are transmitted to a control unit (10) - the control unit (10), which is determined to configure a cleaning process and generate control instructions for the working appliances (14, 16, 18) and control the working appliances (14, 16, 18) according to the generated control instructions, in response to the recorded configuration signals, by means of a control logic (100), characterized in that the vehicle washing installation (1) comprises several washing assemblies (12) and a central technical unit (2) with a central control module (3),comprising in each case a washing assembly (12), working apparatus (14, 16, 18), and a control station (20), and wherein the central control module (3) exchanges data with the control unit (10) and is configured to control the washing assemblies (12) in a modular and dedicated manner.
2. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to claim 1, wherein the working apparatus comprises a brush, in particular a foam brush (14), and / or a lance (18), which may be configured as a high-pressure lance.
3. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to the immediately preceding claim, wherein the control unit (10) is configured in the washing assembly (12) and serves to control the working apparatus (14, 16, 18) specific to each washing assembly.
4. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to any one of the preceding claims,wherein the command instructions calculated by the control logic (100) serve to control supply units (401, 402, 403, 404, 405, 406, 407, 408, 409, 410) of a technical unit (2) of the vehicle washing installation (1).
5. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle washing installation (1) comprises a medium-value receiving unit (22) with a sensor for recording an actual value of a medium-value level, and wherein the control unit (10) comprises a comparator, which is configured to compare the recorded actual value with a theoretical value, which is associated in each case with a configured cleaning process, and in case of coincidence, outputs an initialization signal and operates the working devices (14, 16,18) with the generated control instructions.
6. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control unit (10) is configured to, in response to the recorded configuration signals, read usage indications and / or a theoretical value from a memory (MEM) and output them to the input and output unit (24).
7. Vehicle washing installation (1) according to any of the preceding claims, further comprising an acoustic and / or optical signal emitter, controlled by the control unit (10), for signaling an imminent change in operation of the working devices (14, 16, 18) in accordance with the configured cleaning process.
8. Control unit (10) for controlling working devices (14, 16, 18) of a self-service vehicle washing installation (1),wherein the control unit reads configuration signals by means of an input / output unit (24) and is further configured, in response to the configuration signals read, to configure a cleaning process by means of control logic and to generate and execute command instructions for the working devices, characterized in that the vehicle washing installation (1) comprises several washing assemblies (12) and a central technical unit (2) with a central control module (3), each comprising a washing assembly (12), the working devices (14, 16, 18), and a control station (20), and wherein the central control module (3) exchanges data with the control unit (10) and is configured to control the washing assemblies (12) in a modular and dedicated manner.
9. Control unit (10) according to the preceding claim, wherein the control unit (10) for the control of the working devices (14, 16,18) calculates the configuration signals and recorded input signals, in particular input signals from a sensor of a medium-value receiving unit (22).
10. Control unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims relating to the control unit, wherein the control instructions control the following parameters: - activation and / or deactivation based on time phases of different working devices (14, 16, 18); - dedicated automatic pressure control, temperature control and / or time control for each working device (14, 16, 18); - dedicated automatic determination of a cleaning agent concentration for each working device (14, 16, 18); - automatic determination of water quality, in particular the use of reverse osmosis water, for each working device (14, 16, 18).18) in each case; - a display of an automatically calculated total duration of the cleaning process configured in the input and output unit (24); - a display of an automatically calculated time duration for a cleaning stage of the cleaning process configured in one of the working devices (14, 16, 18) in each case; - a composition of a cleaning agent, in particular a foam quality; - a determination of the volumetric flow rate for a working device (14, 16, 18).
11. Control unit (10) according to any of the preceding claims relating to the control unit, wherein the control unit (10) comprises or can access a memory (MEM) configured to store the cleaning process configured and calculated by the control logic (100).
12. Method for controlling a self-service vehicle washing installation (1),wherein the vehicle washing installation (1) comprises several washing assemblies (12) and a central technical unit (2) with a central control module (3), wherein in each case a washing assembly (12) comprises working devices (14, 16, 18) and a control station (20), and wherein the central control module (3) exchanges data with a control unit (10) and controls the washing assemblies (12) in a modular and dedicated manner, with the following procedural steps: - After system activation: output of configuration settings for selection in an input and output unit (24); - recording of configuration signals; - automatic configuration of a cleaning process based on the recorded configuration signals; - modular and dedicated control of the working devices (14, 16, 18) for carrying out the configured cleaning process.
13. Method according to the preceding claim,wherein the configuration settings represented in the input and output unit (24) refer to the following parameters: - a working pressure of a pressure regulator for a pump, a temperature and / or a concentration of the cleaning agent, a degree of water hardness, a vehicle type, a configured cleaning process time and / or a time duration of stages of the configured cleaning process.
14. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method further comprises: - determining a theoretical value associated with the configured cleaning process - reading an actual value from a sensor of a medium-value receiving unit (22) - comparing the theoretical value with the actual value read and, in case of agreement: operating the working devices (14, 16,18) for carrying out the configured cleaning process.
15. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises, as a first step, activating the configuration system for the vehicle washing installation (1), the activation comprising reading input signals and / or sensor signals and generating the configuration settings to be output in response to the input signals and / or sensor signals read.
16. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, during a period of operation of the working devices (14, 16, 18), additional configuration settings specific to the cleaning process are generated and output to the input and output unit (24), and in response thereto, additional configuration signals are recorded and calculated for the modified, recursive control of the working devices (14, 16,17. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein, in response to recorded configuration signals, an output of the recorded configuration signals and / or the configured cleaning process is generated in the input / output unit (24).
18. A method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the control instructions executed during the operation of the working devices (14, 16, 18) are monitored and fed to a calculation unit, which automatically calculates costs for the cleaning process and transmits them as a theoretical value to the control unit (10) and outputs them to the input / output unit (24).
19. A software product, loadable into the internal memory of a digital computer in a vehicle washing installation (1) and comprising software routines,with which the steps of the procedure are carried out in accordance with the preceding procedural claims, when the software routines are executed on the digital computer.