Cleaning device

Abstract

To realize a cleaning device which may be operated stably.SOLUTION: A cleaning device (1) includes: a cleaning unit (10) having nozzles (11) configured to jet a cleaning fluid to a vehicle; and a lifting mechanism (20) which moves up or down the cleaning unit. The lifting mechanism has: traction members (21) for hanging the cleaning unit; and sensor units (22) each of which detects looseness of the traction member.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing device for washing a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a car wash equipped with a spray pipe for spraying a chemical or the like onto the body surface of an automobile. The spray pipe is supported by a lifting frame that can rise and fall relative to the frame, and includes an upper coating agent spray pipe that can rise and fall together with the lifting frame. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2017-222215 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The car wash machine disclosed in Patent Document 1 may not operate normally if there is something near the lifting frame that obstructs the lifting operation.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a cleaning device that can operate stably. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid onto a vehicle, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the cleaning unit, the lifting mechanism having a towing member for suspending the cleaning unit, and a sensor unit for detecting slackness of the towing member. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a cleaning device capable of stably operating can be realized. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a front view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment, seen from a first direction parallel to a horizontal plane. [Diagram 2] 4 is a side view of the cleaning device according to the embodiment, as viewed from a second direction parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first direction. FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a plan view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment, as viewed vertically from above. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the guide rail and the cleaning unit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0009] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0010] Fig. 1 is a front view of a cleaning device 1 according to an embodiment, seen from a first direction parallel to a horizontal plane. Fig. 2 is a side view of the cleaning device 1, seen from a second direction parallel to the horizontal plane and perpendicular to the first direction. Fig. 3 is a plan view of the cleaning device 1, seen from vertically above. Figs. 1 to 3 show not only the external appearance of the cleaning device 1, but also the internal components.

[0011] The washing device 1 is a device for washing a vehicle. For example, the washing device 1 is a device for washing the inside of a hopper of a compactor vehicle. As shown in Figs. 1 to 3, the washing device 1 includes a washing unit 10, a lifting mechanism 20, and a control unit 30. For simplicity, the control unit 30 is shown only in Fig. 1.

[0012] The cleaning unit 10 has nozzles 11 that spray cleaning liquid onto the vehicle. In this embodiment, the cleaning unit 10 has three nozzles 11. However, the number of nozzles 11 that the cleaning unit 10 has may be two or less, or four or more.

[0013] A flow path 19 is connected to the nozzle 11. The flow path 19 is a flow path for supplying the cleaning liquid from a storage tank (not shown) in which the cleaning liquid is stored to the nozzle 11. The flow path 19 may be equipped with a pump (not shown) for pressure-feeding the cleaning liquid.

[0014] The cleaning unit 10 also has a main body 12 to which the nozzle 11 is attached, and a support shaft 13 that supports the main body 12. The support shafts 13 are disposed on both sides of the main body 12. However, the support shaft 13 may be a single member that penetrates the main body 12 from one side to the other.

[0015] Furthermore, the cleaning unit 10 has a main body angle change mechanism 14 that changes the orientation of the main body 12 with respect to the support shaft 13, and a nozzle direction change mechanism 15 that can change the orientation of the nozzle 11 with respect to the main body 12. The main body angle change mechanism 14 can change the orientation of the main body 12 with respect to the support shaft 13 around an axis parallel to the support shaft 13. The nozzle direction change mechanism 15 can change the orientation of the nozzle 11 with respect to the main body 12 around an axis perpendicular to the support shaft 13. Therefore, by combining the main body angle change mechanism 14 and the nozzle direction change mechanism 15, the nozzle 11 can be directed in any direction.

[0016] In this embodiment, the directions of all the nozzles 11 can be changed by a single nozzle direction changing mechanism 15. However, the cleaning device 1 may be provided with a nozzle direction changing mechanism 15 for each of the nozzles 11. In this case, the directions of the nozzles 11 can be changed individually.

[0017] The lifting mechanism 20 lifts and lowers the cleaning unit 10. The lifting mechanism 20 includes a traction member 21 and a sensor unit 22. The lifting mechanism 20 further includes a motor 23, a shaft 24, and a take-up drum 25.

[0018] The towing member 21 suspends the cleaning unit 10. The towing member 21 may be a wire or a belt. In this case, the lifting mechanism 20 can lift and lower the cleaning unit 10 by changing the length of the towing member 21 that is wound up. The material of the towing member 21 is not particularly limited as long as it has the strength to support the weight of the cleaning unit 10.

[0019] The lifting mechanism 20 may include a plurality of towing members 21. In other words, the cleaning unit 10 may be suspended at a plurality of points by the towing members 21. This makes it possible to stabilize the posture of the cleaning unit 10 compared to a case in which the cleaning unit 10 is suspended by a single towing member 21. In the following description, the lifting mechanism 20 is assumed to include two towing members 21.

[0020] The sensor unit 22 detects slack in the towing member 21. The slack in the towing member 21 occurs when the lifting and lowering operation, particularly the lowering operation, of the cleaning unit 10 is hindered. By detecting the slack in the towing member 21 with the sensor unit 22, it is possible to detect the presence of something that is hindering the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10. The sensor unit 22 may be provided on each of the multiple towing members 21.

[0021] The sensor unit 22 may be a switch whose state changes according to the tension of the pulling member 21. When slack occurs in the pulling member 21, the tension of the pulling member 21 decreases. Therefore, the slack of the pulling member 21 can be detected by the switch whose state changes according to the tension of the pulling member 21. For example, the sensor unit 22 may be a so-called limit switch, but is not limited to this.

[0022] The motor 23 is a power source that causes the lifting mechanism 20 to lift and lower the cleaning unit 10. In this embodiment, the lifting mechanism 20 includes only one motor 23.

[0023] The shaft 24 is a substantially cylindrical member attached to the rotating shaft of the motor 23. The shaft 24 does not need to be a perfect cylinder, and may have, for example, unevenness on a portion of its surface. The shaft 24 may be attached directly to the rotating shaft of the motor 23, or may be attached via a gear or the like. The shaft 24 rotates around its axis by the power from the motor 23. There are no particular limitations on the material of the shaft 24, as long as it has enough strength to withstand the load associated with raising and lowering the cleaning unit 10.

[0024] The winding drum 25 is a member for winding up the pulling member 21. As the shaft 24 rotates, the length of the pulling member 21 wound around the winding drum 25 changes. The winding drum 25 is provided corresponding to each of the multiple pulling members 21.

[0025] According to such a lifting mechanism 20, the cleaning unit 10 suspended at multiple points can be lifted and lowered by a single motor 23. Therefore, the number of parts of the cleaning device 1 can be reduced compared to when multiple motors 23 are used. Furthermore, if the cleaning unit 10 is lifted and lowered by multiple motors 23, the rotation of the multiple motors 23 needs to be synchronized. In the cleaning device 1, by using a single motor 23, it becomes easier to control the lifting and lowering of the cleaning unit 10 compared to when multiple motors 23 are used. However, it is not essential that the cleaning device 1 uses a single motor 23. In other words, the cleaning device 1 may be provided with multiple motors 23.

[0026] The lifting mechanism 20 further includes a guide rail 26. The guide rail 26 extends in the vertical direction. The guide rail 26 guides the lifting and lowering of the cleaning unit 10. This reduces the shaking of the cleaning unit 10 in the suspended state in the horizontal plane.

[0027] Fig. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the guide rail 26 and the cleaning unit 10. In Fig. 4, reference numeral 401 denotes a front view seen from the same direction as Fig. 1. Reference numeral 402 denotes a side view seen from the same direction as Fig. 2. Reference numeral 403 denotes a plan view seen from the same direction as Fig. 3.

[0028] Guide rail 26 has a rectangular shape with one side open in a plan view seen from vertically above. Guide rail 26 has first surface 26a and second surface 26b that extend in the vertical direction and face each other, and third surface 26c that extends in the vertical direction and connects first surface 26a and second surface 26b.

[0029] The cleaning unit 10 further includes sliding members 16a, 16b, and 16c that slide in contact with the guide rail 26 as the cleaning unit 10 ascends and descends. The sliding members 16a, 16b, and 16c are disposed on the ends of the support shafts 13 located on both sides of the main body 12, the ends being on the opposite side to the main body 12. The sliding members 16a and 16b abut against the first surface 26a and the second surface 16b of the guide rail 26. The sliding member 16c is located between the sliding members 16a and 16b, and abuts against the third surface 26c.

[0030] However, the configuration of the guide rail 26 of the lifting mechanism 20 is not limited to the above example. The guide rail 26 may have a different orientation and / or number of surfaces from the first surface 26a, the second surface 26b, and the third surface 26c. In addition, the number and / or positions of the sliding members of the cleaning unit 10 may be appropriately changed according to the orientation and / or number of surfaces of the guide rail 26. In addition, the cleaning unit 10 may include rollers that rotate by friction with the guide rail 26 instead of the sliding members.

[0031] The lifting mechanism 20 further includes a housing 27 and a plurality of guide rollers 28. The housing 27 houses at least some of the other components of the lifting mechanism 20. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the lifting mechanism 20 includes two housings 27. Each housing 27 houses one winding drum 25, one traction member 21, and one guide rail 26. The shaft 24 is disposed so as to straddle the two housings 27. The guide rollers 28 guide the traction member 21 from the winding drum 25 to the cleaning unit 10 inside the housing 27.

[0032] The housing 27 is provided with an elongated hole 27a whose longitudinal direction is the vertical direction. The elongated hole 27a is provided along the guide rail 26. The tip of the support shaft 13 of the cleaning unit 10 and its vicinity are inserted into the housing 27 through the elongated hole 27a. The tip of the support shaft 13 abuts against the guide rail 26 inside the housing 27. The traction member 21 is connected to the area of ​​the support shaft 13 inserted into the housing 27 to suspend the cleaning unit 10.

[0033] The control unit 30 controls the operation of the lifting mechanism 20. Specifically, the control unit 30 changes the length of the pulling member 21 wound around the winding drum 25 by controlling the rotation of the motor 23. The control unit 30 increases the length of the pulling member 21 wound around the winding drum 25, thereby lifting the cleaning unit 10. The control unit 30 also decreases the length of the pulling member 21 wound around the winding drum 25, thereby lowering the cleaning unit 10.

[0034] When the sensor unit 22 detects slack in the towing member 21, the control unit 30 stops the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10 by the lifting mechanism 20. That is, the control unit 30 stops the rotation of the motor 23. When the sensor unit 22 is provided for each of the multiple towing members 21, the control unit 30 may stop the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10 when the sensor unit 22 detects slack in any of the multiple towing members 21.

[0035] The control unit 30 may stop the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10 or notify the user of the stop at the same time as, or before or after, stopping the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10. In this case, the cleaning device 1 may include a device for notifying the user, such as a speaker or an indicator light.

[0036] As described above, the towing member 21 becomes loose when the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10 is hindered. Specifically, the towing member 21 becomes loose when the cleaning unit 10 collides with a person or the like during the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10. Therefore, in such a case, the control unit 30 stops the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10, thereby improving the safety of the cleaning device 1.

[0037] Furthermore, in the cleaning device 1, while the vehicle is being cleaned, dirt adhering to the vehicle may fly off and adhere to the cleaning device 1. If such dirt blocks a part of the long hole 27a, the cleaning unit 10 may be prevented from ascending and descending. In this case, the traction member 21 may become loose.

[0038] In this case, it is necessary to perform maintenance such as removing the adhering dirt on the cleaning device 1. Therefore, in this case, the control unit 30 stops the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10, so that the maintenance of the cleaning device 1 can be performed smoothly.

[0039] The control unit 30 may also control the change in the orientation of the nozzle 11 by the main body angle change mechanism 14 and the nozzle direction change mechanism 15. In this case, the main body angle change mechanism 14 and the nozzle direction change mechanism 15 may include a drive mechanism such as a motor controlled by the control unit 30, for example.

[0040] Furthermore, the control unit 30 may control the start and stop of spraying the cleaning liquid from the nozzle 11. In this case, the nozzle 11 may control the driving and stopping of the pump provided in the flow path 19 described above.

[0041] As described above, in the cleaning device 1, when the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10 is impeded, the towing member 21 becomes loose. By detecting the looseness of the towing member 21 with the sensor unit 22, it is possible to detect the presence of an obstacle that is impeding the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit 10. When the sensor unit 22 detects the looseness of the towing member 21, the cleaning device 1 can operate stably by removing the cause.

[0042] 〔summary〕 The present invention can also be expressed as follows.

[0043] The cleaning device according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid onto a vehicle, and a lifting mechanism for raising and lowering the cleaning unit, the lifting mechanism having a towing member for suspending the cleaning unit, and a sensor unit for detecting slackness of the towing member.

[0044] A second aspect of the present invention relates to a cleaning device according to the first aspect, wherein the sensor unit is a switch whose state changes in response to the tension of the pulling member.

[0045] A cleaning device according to a third aspect of the present invention is the cleaning device of the first or second aspect, wherein the traction member is a wire or a belt.

[0046] The cleaning device of aspect 4 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 3, further includes a control unit that controls the operation of the lifting mechanism, and when the sensor unit detects slack in the towing member, the control unit stops the lifting and lowering operation of the cleaning unit by the lifting mechanism.

[0047] A cleaning device according to aspect 5 of the present invention is any of aspects 1 to 4, wherein the lifting mechanism includes a plurality of the towing members, a single motor, a shaft attached to the rotating shaft of the motor, and a plurality of winding drums that change the winding state of each of the plurality of towing members by rotating the shaft.

[0048] A cleaning device according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is any one of the first to fifth aspects, further comprising a guide rail extending in a vertical direction to guide the cleaning unit as it moves up and down.

[0049] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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 the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 1 Cleaning equipment 10 Cleaning unit 11 Nozzle 16a, 16b, 16c Sliding members 20 Lifting mechanism 21 Traction member 22 Sensor section 30 Control section

Claims

1. a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid onto the vehicle; a lifting mechanism for lifting and lowering the cleaning unit, The lifting mechanism includes: A towing member for suspending the cleaning unit; A sensor unit that detects slack in the towing member.

2. The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor portion is a switch whose state changes in response to the tension of the pulling member.

3. The cleaning apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the traction member is a wire or a belt.

4. A control unit for controlling the operation of the lifting mechanism is further provided. The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein when the sensor unit detects slack in the traction member, the control unit stops the lifting mechanism from lifting and lowering the cleaning unit.

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