Vehicle processing device

Abstract

To reduce a time for a subsequent driver to wait for a turn of processing start, after cleaning processing and drying processing.SOLUTION: A vehicle processing device (1) that applies processing on a vehicle includes a first unit (30) fixed to a laying surface, and a second unit (10). The second unit (10) can move so as to be able to contact with and separate from the first unit (30).SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

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

[0002] Japanese Patent Laid-Open Publication No. 2002-193079 (hereinafter referred to as "Patent Document 1") describes a vehicle treatment device that performs washing and drying processes on vehicles. The vehicle treatment device runs on rails laid on the ground (rail surface), and washes and dries vehicles that stop while running from one end of the rail to the other.

[0003] FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a conventional vehicle processing device. FIG. 11G shows the position of the vehicle processing device 100 at the start of processing, and FIG. 11H shows the position of the vehicle processing device 100 at the end of processing. At the start of processing, the vehicle processing device 100 is located at the upper side of the figure, as shown in FIG. 11G. The vehicle processing device 100 performs cleaning and drying processes on the vehicle 101 that stops while traveling from one end of the rails 102, 102 to the other end (from the top to the bottom in the figure). After the cleaning and drying processes are completed, the vehicle processing device 100 is located at the lower side of the figure, i.e., the other end of the rails 102, as shown in FIG. 11H. After the processing is completed, the vehicle 101 exits as indicated by the arrow in the figure. When the exit of the vehicle 101 is detected, the vehicle processing device 100 travels from the other end of the rails 102, 102 to one end (from the bottom to the top in the figure) to return to the processing start position (the position in FIG. 11G). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-193079 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While the vehicle processing device 100 travels from the other end to one end of the rails 102, 102 (from the bottom to the top in the figure), the driver of the vehicle behind it waiting for processing to start is kept waiting. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An object of the present invention is to shorten the waiting time for drivers who are waiting for their turn to start subsequent processes after the completion of the cleaning and drying processes.

[0007] A vehicle treatment device according to one solution of the present invention treats a vehicle. The vehicle treatment device comprises a first unit fixed to a road surface and a second unit, and the second unit is movable toward and away from the first unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one solution of the present invention, it is possible to reduce the waiting time of drivers who are waiting their turn to start subsequent processes after the cleaning process and drying process are completed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the blower unit shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the vehicle processing device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of vehicle shape data creation. [Figure 6] 1. FIG. 4 is a flow chart illustrating the process of removing the washing unit shown in FIG. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a drying process of the blower unit shown in FIG. [Figure 8] 2 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the vehicle processing device shown in FIG. 1 and the vehicle. FIG. [Figure 9] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a blower unit in a drying process. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a schematic side view of a blower unit in a drying process. [Figure 11] 1 is a schematic plan view of a prior art vehicle processing device; BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] In the embodiments of the present invention, the description will be divided into multiple sections as necessary, but in principle, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is related to the other as a partial or complete modification, detail, etc. For this reason, in all the drawings, components having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated explanations thereof will be omitted.

[0011] Furthermore, the number of components (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is not limited to a specific number, and may be more or less than a specific number, unless otherwise specified or clearly limited in principle to a specific number. Furthermore, when referring to the shape of a component, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or approximate to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or clearly considered not to be the case in principle.

[0012] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle treatment device. FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the cleaning unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the blower unit shown in FIG. 1. The right side of FIG. 1 is referred to as the forward direction or front of the cleaning unit or blower unit, and the left side is referred to as the rear direction or rear. Furthermore, the left-right direction in FIGS. 2 and 3 is referred to as the width direction of the cleaning unit or blower unit. Furthermore, some parts of the figures are shown with dashed lines to facilitate explanation.

[0013] The vehicle treatment device 1 mainly performs processes such as washing and drying on parked vehicles. The vehicle treatment device 1 includes a washing unit 10 (second unit) that mainly performs washing processes on vehicles, and a blower unit 30 (first unit) that performs drying processes.

[0014] The cleaning unit 10 has a gate-like shape and includes a beam 26 supported by legs 28, 28. The legs 28 are provided with drive wheels 12 and driven wheels 13 so that the cleaning unit 10 can travel on a pair of rails 11 laid on a laying surface (ground) G. A travel motor 15 is connected to the drive wheels 12. The travel motor 15 drives the cleaning unit 10 via the drive wheels 12. The cleaning unit 10 can perform a cleaning process on a parked vehicle 60 while traveling on the rails 11.

[0015] The cleaning unit 10 is equipped with a travel encoder 14. The travel encoder 14 has a function of outputting a pulse signal every time the cleaning unit 10 travels a unit distance. Specifically, the travel encoder 14 detects the rotation direction of the travel motor 15, i.e., the rotation direction of the drive wheels 12, and outputs a pulse signal every unit angle of rotation.

[0016] The cleaning unit 10 is provided with a limiter switch 29 and docks 54, 55 on the rail 11. The limiter switch 29 is provided at the bottom of one of the legs 28. The docks 54, 55 are provided on one of the rails 11. The limiter switch 29 switches with the docks 54, 55 as the cleaning unit 10 moves, and detects the movement of the cleaning unit 10 between the docks 54, 55. The limiter switch 29 and the docks 54, 55 can detect the limit positions of the cleaning unit 10 moving on the rail 11. Therefore, the cleaning unit 10 can be stopped at a position where it does not come into contact with the drying unit 30. When the cleaning unit 10 starts processing, the limiter switch 29 switches with the dock 54, and the cleaning unit 10 is stopped.

[0017] The inner surface of the gate-shaped washing unit 10 is partially open. The washing unit 10 can spray a cleaning solution toward the vehicle 60 from the open surface and brush the vehicle 60. The washing unit 10 is equipped with brushes 18, 19, and 20 for brushing the vehicle 60. The brush 18 is attached to a beam 26, has a rotation axis along the width direction, and moves while rotating in the upright direction of the washing unit 10. The brush 18 can mainly clean the upper surface of the vehicle 60. The washing unit 10 also has brushes 19 on legs 28. The brushes 19 have a rotation axis along the upright direction and move open and closed while rotating in the width direction of the washing unit 10. The brushes 19 can mainly clean the front, side, and rear of the vehicle 60. The washing unit 10 is equipped with brushes 20 on legs 28. The brushes 20 are mainly used to brush the underside of the vehicle 60.

[0018] The washing unit 10 includes nozzles 16, 17, 21, and 22. The nozzles 16 and 17 are nozzles that mainly spray cleaning liquid such as cleaning water and detergent toward the vehicle 60. The nozzles 16 and 16 are provided on the legs 28 and spray cleaning liquid toward the sides of the vehicle 60, while the nozzle 17 is provided on the beam 26 and sprays cleaning liquid toward the top surface of the vehicle 60. The nozzles 21 and 22 are nozzles that mainly spray polishing agents such as wax and coating agents. The nozzles 21 and 21 are provided on the legs 28 and spray polishing agent toward the sides of the vehicle 60, while the nozzle 22 is provided on the beam 26 and sprays polishing agent toward the top surface of the vehicle 60.

[0019] The cleaning unit 10 travels from one end of the rail 11 to the other end (from dock 54 to dock 55), and washes, brushes, and waxes the vehicle 60 while traveling from dock 54 to dock 55. Therefore, it is preferable that the nozzles 16, 17, brushes 18, 19, 20, and nozzles 21, 22 are arranged in this order from the front to the rear of the cleaning unit 10.

[0020] Vehicle shape detection units 23, 23 are provided on the legs 28, 28 of the washing unit 10 facing each other and forward of the nozzles 16, 17. The vehicle shape detection units 23 are provided on the legs 28 along the standing direction and include a plurality of transmission-type photoelectric sensors n. The photoelectric sensors n are provided side by side at equal intervals on the vehicle shape detection unit 23, so that light emitted from one photoelectric sensor n can be received by the other photoelectric sensors n. The vehicle shape detection unit 23 can detect the shape of the vehicle 60 from the side by detecting whether light emitted from the plurality of photoelectric sensors n is transmitted or blocked.

[0021] The legs 28 of the washing unit 10 are provided with a pair of first position sensor units 24 that protrude rearward. The first position sensor units 24 have transmission-type photoelectric sensors 41 as detection elements. The first position sensor units 24 are provided opposite each other, so that light emitted from one photoelectric sensor 41 can be received by the other photoelectric sensor 41. The first sensor units 24 also have transmission-type photoelectric sensors 42 as detection elements. The first position sensor units 24 are provided opposite each other, so that light emitted from one photoelectric sensor 42 can be received by the other photoelectric sensor 42. The first position sensor units 24 can detect a vehicle 60 passing between the photoelectric sensors 42 when the photoelectric sensor 42 is in a light-blocking state.

[0022] The photoelectric sensors 41, 42 are arranged in this order from the front of the washing unit 10. For example, when the photoelectric sensors 41, 42 are in a light-blocking state, and then the photoelectric sensor 41 transmits light and the photoelectric sensor 42 is in a light-blocking state, the vehicle 60 is located behind the washing unit 10. When the photoelectric sensors 41, 42 are again in a light-blocking state from the above state, it is determined that the vehicle 60 is located in a short distance behind the washing unit 10. In other words, by arranging the photoelectric sensors 41, 42 in this order, the position of the vehicle 60 located behind the washing unit 10 can be detected.

[0023] The vehicle processing device 1 is equipped with a blower unit 30 that performs a drying process. The blower unit 30 has legs 33, 33 and a beam 34 supported by the legs 33, 33. The blower unit 30 has a gate-like shape. The distance L2 between the legs 33, 33 of the blower unit 30 is longer than the distance L1 between the legs 22, 22 of the washing unit 10. In other words, the opening of the blower unit 30 is wider than the opening of the washing unit 10. By making the opening wider, the first sensor 24 will not come into contact with the legs 33, 33 of the blower unit 30 even if the washing unit 10 approaches the blower unit 30.

[0024] The blower unit 30 is fixed to the ground G. The blower unit 30 includes blowers 31 and 32 that blow gas toward a vehicle 60 entering the gate. The blower 31 is provided along a beam 34 of the blower unit 30 and blows gas toward the upper surface of the vehicle 60. The blower 31 has the function of moving up and down. The blower 31 also has a swing mechanism that changes the direction of the blown air in the front-to-rear direction. By swinging the blower 31, it is possible to blow away cleaning liquid that tends to accumulate, for example, between the hood and windshield, around the trunk, and the like of the vehicle 60. The blower 32 is provided along a leg 33 of the blower unit 30 and blows gas toward the side of the vehicle 60.

[0025] The blower unit 30 is provided with second position sensor units 25, 25 on legs 33, 33. The second position sensor units 25, 25 are provided facing each other and are equipped with transmission-type photoelectric sensors 43, 43, 44, 44 as detection elements. The photoelectric sensors 43, 43 are provided in front of the blowers 31, 32, so that light emitted from one photoelectric sensor 43 can be received by the other photoelectric sensor 43. The photoelectric sensors 44, 44 are provided behind the blowers 31, 32, so that light emitted from one photoelectric sensor 44 can be received by the other photoelectric sensor 44.

[0026] In a side view of the blower unit 30, the photoelectric sensor 43 is provided in front of the blowers 31, 32. The photoelectric sensor 44 is provided behind the blowers 31, 32. In other words, the photoelectric sensors 43, 44 are provided on either side of the blowers 31, 32. By providing the photoelectric sensors 43, 44 in this manner, the position of a vehicle 60 passing through the blower unit 30 can be detected.

[0027] The vehicle treatment device 1 is equipped with a reception desk 51. The reception desk 51 is provided on the installation surface G in front of the washing unit 10. The reception desk 51 receives the washing contents and accessories (antenna, side under mirror, etc.) of the vehicle 60 desired by the driver of the vehicle 60. For this reason, the reception desk 51 is equipped with selection keys that allow the driver to select the washing contents, accessories, etc.

[0028] The vehicle treatment device 1 is equipped with a gate 52. The gate 52 is provided between the reception desk 51 and the washing unit 10. The gate 52 is used to inform the vehicle 60 whether or not it is permitted to enter the washing unit 10. The gate 52 has a bar (not shown), and by opening and closing the bar, it informs the vehicle 60 whether or not it is permitted to enter the washing unit 10.

[0029] The vehicle treatment device 1 is equipped with a guidance display unit 53. The guidance display unit 53 is provided behind the blower unit 30 and displays guidance such as "Go Forward" and "Stop" to the driver of the vehicle 60. When the driver of the vehicle 60 selects the car wash contents and equipment at the reception desk 51 and the gate 52 opens, the guidance display unit 53 displays "Go Forward." When the vehicle 60 moves forward to the specified position of the washing unit 10, the guidance display unit 53 displays "Stop." When drying the vehicle 60, the guidance display unit 53 displays "Go Forward" to encourage the vehicle 60 to enter the blower unit 30. During the drying process, the remaining drying time is also displayed.

[0030] 4 is a block diagram showing the control system of the vehicle processing device 1. The vehicle processing device 1 is equipped with a control unit 60. The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the travel encoder 14, photoelectric sensors 41-44, limiter switch 29, vehicle shape detection unit 23, reception 51, gate 52, and guide display unit 53. The car wash drive unit 27 can drive the nozzles 16, 17, 21, and 22, brushes 18-20, and travel motor 15 of the washing unit 10. The car wash drive unit 27 can also drive the blowers 31-32.

[0031] The control unit 60 includes a travel detection unit 61, a vehicle position detection unit 62, a vehicle shape data detection unit 63, a vehicle shape data creation unit 64, and an operation control unit 66. The travel detection unit 61 detects the position of the washing unit 10 traveling on the rail 11 from the travel encoder 14. The vehicle position detection unit 62 detects the light-transmitting or light-blocking state of the photoelectric sensors 41 to 44. The operation control unit 66 commands the car wash driving unit 27 to move the washing unit 10 forward, stop, or reverse depending on the position of the vehicle 60 based on the results of the travel detection unit 61 and the vehicle position detection unit 62.

[0032] 5 is an explanatory diagram showing an image of vehicle shape data creation. The vehicle shape data detection unit 63 detects the light transmission or light blocking state obtained from the vehicle shape detection unit 23 when the washing unit 10 passes the vehicle 60. The vehicle shape data creation unit 64 creates the shape of the vehicle 60 in a side view and the length L3 (vehicle length) of the vehicle 60 from the detected results. The operation control unit 66 commands the car wash drive unit 27 to drive the brushes 18, 19 according to the shape of the vehicle 60.

[0033] Based on the data obtained from the travel detection unit 61, vehicle position detection unit 62, and vehicle shape data creation unit 64, the operation control unit 66 commands the car wash driving unit 27 to drive the blowers 31, 32 and nozzles 16, 17, 21, 22, etc. in accordance with the shape of the vehicle 60. The car wash driving unit 27 drives the blowers 31, 32 and nozzles 16, 17, 21, 22 in accordance with the commands of the operation control unit 66.

[0034] The reception desk 51 transmits to the control unit 60 the details of the car wash desired by the driver of the vehicle 60, details of the vehicle's 60 equipment (antenna, side under mirrors, etc.). The control unit 60 also controls the opening and closing of the bar of the gate 52, which notifies the driver whether or not entry into the washing unit 10 is permitted. The control unit 60 also controls the guidance display unit 53 to display "Go Forward," "Stop," and "Remaining Drying Time."

[0035] The following describes the processing performed by the vehicle processing device 1 on the vehicle 60. When the vehicle processing device 1 starts processing, the washing unit 10 is positioned in front of the blower unit 30 at one end of the rail 11 (the dock 54 side) (hereinafter referred to as the start position). After the driver of the vehicle 60 has completed reception, the vehicle processing device 1 performs a washing process using the washing unit 10, which involves washing, brushing, and applying a polishing agent. Thereafter, the blower unit 30 performs a drying process by blowing gas onto the vehicle 60.

[0036] <Reception> The driver of vehicle 60 selects the contents of the car wash, equipment, etc. at reception 51. The driver of vehicle 60 confirms that the bar of gate 52 has opened and that "Go Forward" is displayed on guide display unit 53. The driver slowly drives vehicle 60 forward between rails 11. When the vehicle shape detection unit 23 detects the front end of vehicle 60, vehicle processing device 1 displays "Stop" on guide display unit 53 to guide the driver of vehicle 60. When the driver confirms this, he stops vehicle 60.

[0037] When the vehicle 60 stops, the washing unit 10 starts moving forward. The vehicle processing device 1 detects the results of the transmission and blocking of light emitted from the photoelectric sensor n of the vehicle shape detection unit 23, and detects the shape of the vehicle 60 from the side and the vehicle length L3 from the detection results.

[0038] <Cleaning process> The vehicle treatment device 1 sprays cleaning liquid toward the vehicle 60 from nozzles 16 and 17, and drives brushes 18, 19 and 20 along the shape of the vehicle 60. Furthermore, the vehicle treatment device 1 sprays polishing agent toward the vehicle 60 from nozzles 21 and 22. The vehicle treatment device 1 can wash the vehicle 60 while moving the washing unit 10 from one end of the rail 11 to the other end (from dock 54 to dock 55).

[0039] <Drying process> FIG. 6 is a flow diagram illustrating the exit process of the washing unit 10. FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating the drying process of the blower unit 30. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the positional relationship between the vehicle processing device 1 and the vehicle. When the washing process of the washing unit 10 completes washing of the vehicle 60, the vehicle processing device 1 displays, for example, "Please move the vehicle forward" on the guidance display unit 53 (S320). When the driver of the vehicle 60 confirms this, he or she slowly moves the vehicle 60 forward and approaches the blower unit 30.

[0040] When the vehicle 60 moves forward, the vehicle processing device 1 starts an exit process to move the washing unit 10 to the start position (S100). When the vehicle processing device 1 detects light transmission through the photoelectric sensors 41 and 42 (S110), it moves the washing unit 10 backward (S120). When the washing unit 10 moves backward and the vehicle processing device 1 detects light blocking from the photoelectric sensor 43, the vehicle processing device 1 maintains a certain distance L5 or more between the washing unit 10 and the vehicle 60, as shown in FIG. 8A. Specifically, the vehicle processing device 1 can detect the shape of the vehicle 60 in a side view and the length L3 (vehicle length) of the vehicle 60 using the vehicle shape data creation unit 64. In addition, the vehicle processing device 1 can detect the position of the washing unit 10 on the rail 11 using the vehicle position detection unit 62. When the photoelectric sensor 43 detects that light is interrupted, the vehicle processing device 1 moves the washing unit 10 backward so as to maintain a distance L5 or greater, which is the sum of the length L3 of the vehicle 60 and a predetermined distance L4 from the photoelectric sensor 43 (S140, S160). When the distance from the photoelectric sensor 43 to the washing unit 10 becomes shorter than the distance L5, the vehicle processing device 1 stops the washing unit 10 (S150).

[0041] In addition, the vehicle processing device 1 starts the drying process (S300). When the vehicle 60 enters the blower unit 30 and the vehicle processing device 1 detects that the photoelectric sensor 43 is blocked, the vehicle processing device 1 drives the blowers 30, 31 to blow gas toward the vehicle 60 for a predetermined period of time (S340).

[0042] When the vehicle 60 moves forward and the vehicle processing device 1 detects that the photoelectric sensor 44 is blocked as shown in Figure 8B, the vehicle processing device 1 moves the washing unit 10 backward so that the distance from the photoelectric sensor 44 to the washing unit 10 is equal to or greater than a distance L5, which is the sum of the length L3 of the vehicle 60 and a predetermined distance L4 (S180, S200). When the distance from the photoelectric sensor 44 to the washing unit 10 becomes shorter than the distance L5, the vehicle processing device 1 stops the washing unit 10 (S190).

[0043] The blowers 30, 31 blow gas toward the vehicle 60 for a predetermined period of time. Therefore, the vehicle processing device 1 displays the remaining drying time on the guidance display unit 53 (S350). A preferable example of the display is "There is ○ seconds of drying time remaining."

[0044] While the cleaning unit 10 is moving backward, if the photoelectric sensors 41 and 42 are in a light-transmitting state and the sensors 43 and 44 are in a light-blocking state, the cleaning unit 10 continues to move backward. As the cleaning unit 10 moves backward, if the photoelectric sensor 42 is in a light-blocking state and the photoelectric sensor 41 is in a light-transmitting state (S210), the vehicle processing device 1 stops the cleaning unit 10 (S230). If the photoelectric sensors 41 and 42 are in a light-blocking state (S230), the vehicle processing device 1 determines that the distance between the cleaning unit 10 and the vehicle 60 is too close and moves the cleaning unit 10 forward (S240). In this way, the vehicle processing device 1 maintains the distance between the vehicle 60 and the cleaning unit 10. When the photoelectric sensors 43 and 44 are in a light-blocking state, the vehicle processing device 1 moves the cleaning unit backward while maintaining the distance from the vehicle 60 according to the light-transmitting and light-blocking states of the sensors 41 and 42.

[0045] When the blowing of air from the blowers 31, 32 has exceeded a predetermined time, the vehicle processing device 1 stops the blowers 31, 32 (S360) and displays a message to the vehicle 60 on the guidance display unit 53 instructing the vehicle 60 to "exit" (S370). When the driver of the vehicle 60 confirms the "exit" message, the driver causes the vehicle 60 to exit from the blower unit 30. The vehicle processing device 1 ends the drying process (S380).

[0046] When the vehicle 60 leaves the blower unit 30, the photoelectric sensors 41-44 enter a light-transmitting state (S130). When the photoelectric sensors 41-44 detect light transmission, the vehicle processing device 1 determines that the vehicle 60 has left the blower unit 30 and causes the washing unit 10 to move backward (S250). When the washing unit 10 returns to the processing start position (the limiter switch 29 switches to the dog 54), the vehicle processing device 1 ends the vehicle exit processing of the washing unit 10 (S260).

[0047] Here, the drying process of the blower unit 30 on the vehicle 60 will be specifically described. FIGS. 9 and 10 are schematic side views of the blower unit 30 during the drying process. The blower unit 30 and the cleaning unit 10 are electrically connected. As described above, the blower 31 has the ability to move up and down. The vehicle shape data creation unit 64 creates the shape of the vehicle 60 in a side view from the detection data of the vehicle shape detection unit 23. The operation control unit 66 sends a command to the car wash driving unit 27 to move the blower 31 based on the obtained shape. Specifically, the blower 31 is moved (lowered) upward from the vehicle height (top) of the vehicle 60 to a position a predetermined distance away. The moved blower 31 blows gas toward the vehicle 60. By moving the blower 31 close to the top of the vehicle 60, the cleaning liquid adhering to the vehicle 60 can be blown away.

[0048] The blower 31 also has a swinging mechanism. When the vehicle processing device 1 detects that the photoelectric sensor 44 is blocked, it swings the nozzle of the blower 31 forward. This makes it possible to blow away the cleaning fluid that tends to accumulate around the front wipers of the vehicle 60. When the vehicle processing device 1 detects that the photoelectric sensor 43 is light-transmitting, it swings the nozzle of the blower 31 backward. This makes it possible to blow away the cleaning fluid that tends to accumulate around the back door glass and trunk. In other words, by swinging the blower 31 according to the position of the vehicle 60, it is possible to effectively blow away the cleaning fluid that adheres to the vehicle 60.

[0049] In conventional vehicle treatment devices that perform washing and drying processes while moving from one end of the rail to the other (from dock 54 to dock 55), a process is required to return from the other end of the rail to the one end (from dock 55 to dock 54) after the process is completed in order to return to the starting position. While the conventional vehicle treatment device travels from the other end to the one end, the driver of the vehicle 61 that is waiting to be washed behind it is kept waiting. However, in the vehicle treatment device 1 of the present invention, the washing unit 10 travels on the rail 11, and the blower unit 30 is fixed to the ground G. Therefore, the washing unit 10 can move close to the starting position while the vehicle 60 is being dried.

[0050] Furthermore, the vehicle treatment device 1 of the present invention is equipped with a blower unit 30 that is fixed to the ground G. In other words, the vehicle 60 passes through the fixed blower unit 30. As the vehicle 60 passes through the blower unit 30, the driver of the vehicle 60 can drive the vehicle 60 slowly when the air blown out from the blowers 31 and 32 hits the area around the rear wiper. This allows the washer fluid that tends to accumulate around the rear wiper to be blown away. In other words, as the vehicle 60 passes through the fixed blower unit 30, the driver can thoroughly dry areas of the vehicle 60 where washer fluid tends to accumulate.

[0051] The vehicle processing device 1 of the present invention is equipped with photoelectric sensors 41-44. By providing the photoelectric sensors 41-44, the vehicle processing device 1 can detect the position of the vehicle 60. The vehicle processing device 1 can determine the distance between the vehicle 60 and the washing unit 10 based on the light-transmitting and light-blocking states of the photoelectric sensors 41-44. The vehicle processing device 1 can then move the washing unit 10 while maintaining the distance between the vehicle 60 and the washing unit 10 based on the detection results of the photoelectric sensors 41-44. After processing is completed, the washing unit 10 has moved to the start position, so the vehicle 61 can be processed without keeping the driver of the subsequent vehicle 61 waiting for processing waiting.

[0052] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the shape and configuration can be changed without departing from the spirit of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1 Vehicle processing equipment 10 Cleaning unit (second unit) 24 First position sensor unit 25 Second position sensor part 41~44 Photoelectric sensors 30 Blower unit (1st unit) Vehicles 60, 61, and 101

Claims

1. A vehicle processing device that performs processing on a vehicle, a first unit fixed to the installation surface; a second unit, the second unit is movable toward and away from the first unit; A vehicle processing device comprising:

2. The first unit is provided with a sensor for detecting a vehicle and a nozzle for blowing gas toward the vehicle, When the sensor detects a vehicle, the nozzle is directed toward the vehicle.

2. The vehicle processing device according to claim 1.

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