Washing device

Abstract

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

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a car wash equipped with an emergency stop device that has a proximity switch that detects contact with an obstacle. When the proximity switch turns off and the control device confirms that an obstacle has been detected, it stops the car wash machine from moving. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-276577 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There are cleaning devices that have a cleaning unit with multiple nozzles that spray cleaning liquid, which travels along the installation surface. With such cleaning devices, there is a possibility that an obstacle, for example, an object blown by the wind, may become trapped between the cleaning unit and another component while the cleaning device is moving. However, if the cleaning unit is operated with the obstacle trapped, there is a risk of the cleaning device malfunctioning.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to reduce the risk of a cleaning device breaking down. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a cleaning device according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a cleaning device for cleaning vehicles, and includes a guide rail extending along an installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed, a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid and guided along the guide rail by a driving force from a drive unit, a braking device for braking the cleaning unit, and a controller, wherein the controller performs a braking process for braking the cleaning unit after an emergency stop signal is input to bring the cleaning unit to an emergency stop, and a release process for releasing the brake on the cleaning unit after the emergency stop signal is input. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, the risk of breakdown of the cleaning device can be reduced. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing an overview of a cleaning device according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning device. [Figure 4] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method executed by a controller. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a control method executed by a controller. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] [Embodiment 1] In this embodiment, a washing device 100 that washes a compactor vehicle 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3. Figs. 1 and 2 are perspective views showing an overview of the washing device 100. Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of the washing device 100. For ease of explanation, the up-down direction, the front-rear direction, and the left-right direction are defined as shown by arrows in Fig. 1 etc. The front direction is the direction in which the compactor vehicle 1 to be washed is parked relative to the washing device 100. The front-rear direction is the length direction of the compactor vehicle 1, the left-right direction is the width direction of the compactor vehicle 1, and the up-down direction is the height direction of the compactor vehicle 1. In this embodiment, the up-down direction is a direction perpendicular to the front-rear direction and the left-right direction, and the front-rear direction is a direction perpendicular to the left-right direction.

[0010] In this embodiment, the vehicle to be washed by the washing device 100 is a compactor vehicle 1, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The vehicle to be washed by the washing device 100 may be a large vehicle such as a truck or bus, or a specialized vehicle such as a dump truck or compactor vehicle. For example, the compactor vehicle 1 to be washed by the washing device 100 may be a compactor vehicle or truck equipped with a dumpable cargo box or bed.

[0011] As shown in FIG. 1, the compactor truck 1 is equipped with a garbage storage section 2 and a hopper 3. As shown in FIG. 2, the garbage storage section 2 has an internal storage space 2A for storing collected garbage. The hopper 3 opens and closes an opening 2B of the garbage storage section 2, which is located at the rear of the compactor truck 1. The closed position 3A of the hopper 3 shown in FIG. 1 is the position in which the compactor truck 1 closes the hopper 3. When the hopper 3 is in the closed position 3A, the opening 2B is closed by the hopper 3. The open position 3B of the hopper 3 shown in FIG. 2 is the position in which the compactor truck 1 opens the hopper 3. When the hopper 3 is in the open position 3B, the opening 2B is open. As shown in FIG. 1, the hopper 3 is provided with an inlet 4 through which garbage is introduced during garbage collection.

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

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the cleaning unit 10 extends in the left-right direction. The cleaning unit 10 has one or more nozzles 11 that spray cleaning liquid toward the compactor truck 1. The cleaning unit 10 is attached to a pair of guide rails 20. The cleaning unit 10 travels while being guided by the guide rails 20 by the driving force from a traveling drive motor 40. The cleaning unit 10 has a rotation shaft 12 that extends in the left-right direction. When driving force is applied from a rotation drive motor 13, the cleaning unit 10 can rotate around the rotation shaft 12. This makes it possible to spray cleaning liquid from each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10 upward or downward.

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

[0015] The pair of guide rails 20 are supported by a plurality of support columns 21 and are disposed at a distance from the installation surface on which the cleaning device 100 is installed. The pair of guide rails 20 are disposed so as to be positioned lower than the top surface 2C of the waste storage unit 2 in the vertical direction. The pair of guide rails 20 are also disposed so as to be positioned higher than the inlet 4 of the hopper 3 in the vertical direction. The pair of guide rails 20 are disposed, for example, at a distance of approximately 150 cm from the installation surface.

[0016] The pair of guide rails 20 are arranged so that the compactor 1 can enter between them. That is, the distance between the pair of guide rails 20 in the left-right direction is greater than the width of the compactor 1. The pair of guide rails 20 extend to a position where they overlap with the compactor 1 when viewed from the side when the compactor 1 is in the cleaning position. Note that the pair of guide rails 20 only need to extend so as to overlap with the hopper 3, which is in the closed position 3A when viewed from the side when the compactor 1 is in the cleaning position. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 10 can be positioned below the hopper 3, which is in the open position 3B. This allows the back side of the hopper 3 to be cleaned. Note that the pair of guide rails 20 may be positioned so as not to overlap with the compactor 1 when viewed from the side when the compactor 1 is in the cleaning position.

[0017] The supply device 30 is a device that supplies the cleaning liquid to be sprayed from each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10. The supply device 30 supplies pressurized cleaning liquid to each nozzle 11 of the cleaning unit 10 via supply piping (not shown). The supply device 30 includes, for example, a compressor, a tank, a high-pressure pump unit, etc.

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

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

[0020] More specifically, the first sensor 60 is a sensor that detects slack in the traveling chain that moves the cleaning unit 10 in the forward and backward directions. When the cleaning unit 10 comes into contact with an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10, the movement of the cleaning unit 10 in the forward and backward directions is obstructed. When the movement of the cleaning unit 10 in the forward and backward directions is obstructed, the traveling chain becomes loose. The first sensor 60 detects slack in the traveling chain, thereby detecting an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10. The first sensor 60 may be, for example, a proximity sensor. The first sensor 60 may be disposed at the front end of each guide rail 20.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0028] The controller 50 handles the output signals from each of the first sensors 60 and each of the second sensors 71 as emergency stop signals. Here, the emergency stop signal is a signal that causes the washing unit 10 to make an emergency stop. The emergency stop of the washing unit 10 is an operation that differs from the stopping of travel that is performed during normal operation of the washing unit 10. The normal operation of the washing unit 10 is an operation that is performed when washing the compactor truck 1 according to a program stored in advance in the memory of the controller 50.

[0029] The operation panel 80 is an input device that can accept input by a user's touch operation. An operation screen is displayed on the operation panel 80. The operation panel 80 is, for example, a touch panel. The user operates the operation panel 80 to perform various settings of the cleaning apparatus 100.

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

[0031] (Control method using a controller) An example of the flow of a control method performed by the controller 50 of the cleaning device 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 4. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control method executed by the controller 50.

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

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

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

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

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

[0037] In the case of a cleaning apparatus 100 in which the cleaning unit 10 travels along the installation surface as in this embodiment, the pair of guide rails 20 are exposed to the outside. Therefore, for example, an obstacle such as a bag or a tree branch may enter the travel range of the cleaning unit 10 due to a strong wind. If there is an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit 10, the cleaning unit 10 may come into contact with the obstacle. If the cleaning unit 10 is traveled while the obstacle is in contact with the cleaning unit 10, the cleaning unit 10 may malfunction.

[0038] According to the above configuration, the travel of the washing unit 10 is stopped, and then the brake of the washing unit 10 is released. Even after an obstacle is caught and an emergency stop signal is output, the washing unit can be moved manually. Therefore, the obstacle can be removed while manually moving the washing unit. This reduces the risk of the washing device breaking down.

[0039] Furthermore, according to the above configuration, the travel of the washing unit 10 is stopped when an obstacle is detected by the first sensor 60 or the second sensor 71. As a result, if an obstacle is detected within the travel range of the washing unit 10, the washing unit 10 can be automatically brought to an emergency stop.

[0040] According to the above configuration, the operation of the cleaning unit 10 is confirmed by the return operation of the cleaning unit 10. This allows the cleaning unit 10 to operate normally even after an emergency stop. [Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their description will not be repeated. The cleaning device 100A according to the second embodiment differs from the cleaning device 100 according to the first embodiment in that the travel of the cleaning device 100 is braked by operating the emergency stop button 91.

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

[0042] The cleaning device 100A is provided with an emergency stop button 91, which allows the operator to stop the movement of the cleaning unit 10 at any time. In addition, the cleaning device 100A is provided with a release button 92, which allows the operator to return the cleaning unit 10 to normal operation at any time.

[0043] (Control method using a controller) An example of the flow of a control method by the controller 50 of the cleaning device 100A will be described with reference to Fig. 6. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the control method executed by the controller 50. Note that the braking process S12, release process S13, and operation check process S15 shown in Fig. 6 are similar to the braking process S2, release process S3, and operation check process S5 shown in Fig. 4, and therefore their description will be omitted.

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

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

[0046] According to the configuration of the cleaning device 100A, the cleaning unit 10 can be brought to an emergency stop by the operator pressing the emergency stop button 91. This allows the operator to bring the cleaning unit 10 to an emergency stop at any timing desired by the operator. Other embodiments In the first embodiment described above, the first sensor 60 and the second sensor 71 detect an obstacle, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. The cleaning device 100 may include, for example, a camera for detecting an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit. When the camera detects an obstacle, it outputs an emergency stop signal to the controller 50 to bring the cleaning unit 10 to an emergency stop.

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

[0048] 〔summary〕 A cleaning device according to aspect 1 of the present invention is a cleaning device for cleaning vehicles, and comprises a guide rail extending along an installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed, a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying cleaning liquid and guided along the guide rail by a driving force from a drive unit, a braking device for braking the cleaning unit, and a controller, wherein the controller performs a braking process for braking the cleaning unit after an emergency stop signal is input to bring the cleaning unit to an emergency stop, and a release process for releasing the brake on the cleaning unit after the emergency stop signal is input.

[0049] According to the configuration of the first aspect, even after an emergency stop signal is output due to an obstruction, the cleaning unit can be moved manually. Therefore, the obstruction can be removed while manually moving the cleaning unit. This reduces the risk of the cleaning device breaking down.

[0050] A cleaning device according to aspect 2 of the present invention may be configured in accordance with aspect 1 above, further comprising a detection unit that detects an obstacle within the travel range of the cleaning unit, and when the detection unit detects the obstacle, it outputs the emergency stop signal to the controller.

[0051] According to the configuration of the second aspect, the travel of the cleaning unit is stopped when the detection unit detects an obstacle. As a result, if an obstacle is detected within the travel range of the cleaning unit, the cleaning unit can be automatically brought to an emergency stop.

[0052] The cleaning device according to a third aspect of the present invention, in the above-mentioned first aspect, may further include an emergency stop button that outputs an emergency stop signal to the controller.

[0053] According to the configuration of the third aspect, the washing unit can be brought to an emergency stop by the operator operating a button, thereby enabling the washing unit to be brought to an emergency stop at any timing.

[0054] In a cleaning device according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 2 or 3 above, the controller may, when an operation return command permitting normal operation of the cleaning unit is input after the release process is executed, execute an operation confirmation process to move the cleaning unit forward and backward before the normal operation.

[0055] According to the configuration of the fourth aspect, the operation of the cleaning unit is confirmed by the recovery operation, so that the cleaning unit can operate normally even after an emergency stop.

[0056] [Additional Notes] The present disclosure 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 disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0057] 10 Cleaning Unit 20 Guide rail 40 Travel drive motor 45 Brake equipment 50 Controllers 60 First sensor (detection unit) 71 Second sensor (detection unit) 91 Emergency stop button 100 Cleaning equipment

Claims

1. A washing device for washing a vehicle, a guide rail extending along an installation surface on which the cleaning device is installed; a cleaning unit having a nozzle for spraying a cleaning liquid, the cleaning unit being guided by the guide rail by a driving force from a driving unit and traveling; a brake device for braking the washing unit; a controller; The controller a braking process for braking the cleaning unit after an emergency stop signal for emergency stopping the cleaning unit is input; and executing a release process for releasing the brake of the washing unit after the emergency stop signal is input. Cleaning equipment.

2. a detection unit that detects an obstacle within a travel range of the cleaning unit; When the detection unit detects the obstacle, the detection unit outputs the emergency stop signal to the controller. The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

3. an emergency stop button for outputting an emergency stop signal to the controller; The cleaning device according to claim 1 .

4. when an operation return command permitting a normal operation of the washing unit is input after the execution of the release process, the controller executes an operation confirmation process of moving the washing unit forward and backward before the normal operation.

4. The cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3.

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