Car wash system

Abstract

This system provides a car wash that can automatically wash vehicles parked in a parking space, even if they are not autonomous vehicles. [Solution] When the car wash server (90) receives car wash reservation information indicating that a vehicle (40) parked in the parking space will be washed, it sends a first transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot (50) indicating that the vehicle should be transported to the car wash machine (20). When the vehicle transport robot (50) receives the first transport instruction, it transports the vehicle from the parking space to the car wash machine, and once the vehicle has been transported to the car wash machine, it sends a first transport completion notification to the car wash server indicating the completion of the first transport process. When the car wash server (90) receives the first transport completion notification, it sends a car wash instruction to the car wash machine indicating that the vehicle should be washed. When the car wash machine (20) receives the car wash instruction, it washes the vehicle according to the car wash instruction, and once the vehicle has been washed, it sends a car wash completion notification to the car wash server indicating the completion of the car wash process.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a car wash system.

Background Art

[0002] In an autonomous vehicle used for carsharing, when a predetermined condition such as the outer surface being dirty is satisfied, an invention is known in which the autonomous vehicle is moved to a car wash by autonomous driving to perform car washing (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the method described in Patent Document 1, although car washing can be performed even when the driver is absent, it can only be applied to autonomous vehicles, and the scope of application is limited.

[0005] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to provide a car wash system that can automatically wash a vehicle parked in a parking space even if the vehicle is not an autonomous vehicle.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a car wash system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a self-propelled vehicle transport robot capable of transporting vehicles, a car wash machine for washing the vehicles, and a car wash server that can communicate with the vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine and manages the vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine, wherein when the car wash server receives car wash reservation information indicating that a vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position will be washed, it executes a first transmission process to transmit a first transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot indicating that the vehicle parked in the predetermined parking position should be transported to the car wash machine, and when the vehicle transport robot receives the first transport instruction, it transports the vehicle to the predetermined parking position The system performs a first transport process to transport the vehicle from the vehicle transport robot to the car wash machine, and a first transport completion transmission process to send a first transport completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the first transport process once the vehicle has been transported to the car wash machine. When the car wash server receives the first transport completion notification from the vehicle transport robot, it performs a second transmission process to send a car wash instruction to the car wash machine to wash the vehicle. When the car wash machine receives the car wash instruction, it performs a car wash process to wash the vehicle according to the car wash instruction, and when it finishes washing the vehicle, it performs a car wash completion transmission process to send a car wash completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the car wash process. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of the present invention, a car wash system can be realized that can automatically wash a vehicle parked in a parking space, even if the vehicle is not autonomous. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This figure illustrates the overview of the car wash system according to this embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a side view showing an example of a vehicle transport robot when it is not transporting vehicles. [Figure 3] This is a side view showing an example of a vehicle transport robot transporting a vehicle. [Figure 4]This diagram shows the electrical configuration and connection relationships of the car wash server, vehicle transport robot, car wash machine, terminal device, and parking management device that constitute the car wash system according to this embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of various devices in a car wash system when washing a vehicle parked in a designated parking area. [Figure 6] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of various devices in a car wash system when washing a vehicle parked in a designated parking area. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram illustrating an example of the operation of various devices in a car wash system when washing a vehicle parked in a designated parking area. [Figure 8] This diagram illustrates an example of a car wash machine washing a vehicle while the vehicle transport robot is stationary. [Figure 9] This figure shows an example of a car wash machine washing a car while the car wash machine and a vehicle transport robot move relative to each other, according to Modification 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a car wash machine washing two vehicles while the vehicle transport robot according to Modification 2 is carrying two vehicles. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings, identical or substantially identical components will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be repeated in the description.

[0010] [Overview of the car wash system] Figure 1 is a diagram illustrating the outline of the car wash system 1 according to this embodiment. As an example of the car wash system 1, the car wash system 1 comprises a car wash machine 20 installed on the premises of a shopping mall 10 to wash vehicles, and a self-propelled vehicle transport robot 50 capable of transporting vehicles 40 that visit the shopping mall 10 and park in the parking lot 30. The car wash system 1 also comprises a communication terminal device 70 carried by the user 60 of the vehicle 40, and a parking management device 80. Furthermore, the car wash system 1 comprises a car wash server 90 capable of communicating with the car wash machine 20, the vehicle transport robot 50, the communication terminal device 70, and the parking management device 80 via a communication network NT.

[0011] As described later, the car wash server 90 manages the car wash machine 20, the vehicle transport robot 50, the communication terminal device 70, and the parking management device 80 via the communication network NT. The parking management device 80 also manages the parking restriction lamps L1 to L6 that restrict vehicle parking at each parking position P1 to P6 in the parking lot 30. For example, if the parking restriction lamps L1 to L6 are off, parking at each parking position P1 to P6 is permitted. On the other hand, if the parking restriction lamps L1 to L6 are on, each parking position P1 to P6 is in use and therefore parking is prohibited. The parking restriction lamps L1 to L6 function as an example of a vehicle entry restriction device.

[0012] The scene shown in Figure 1 depicts a user 60 arriving at a shopping mall 10 in a vehicle 40 to shop. The user 60 parks in the shopping mall 10's parking lot 30, launches an application program downloaded to a portable communication terminal device 70, and requests a car wash for the vehicle 40 from the car wash server 90 via the communication network NT, as described later. After that, as indicated by arrow A1, the user 60 heads to the shopping mall 10. The communication terminal device 70 may be a mobile device such as a mobile phone, smartphone, tablet, PHS, or PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), or an information processing device such as a notebook personal computer.

[0013] Here, the position where the vehicle 40 of the user 60 is parked is referred to as the parking position P4. On the left side of the vehicle 40, a vehicle 41 of another user 61 (not shown) different from the user 60 is parked. Also, on the right side of the vehicle 40, a vehicle 42 of another user 62 (not shown) different from the user 60 is parked. The position where the vehicle 41 is parked is referred to as the parking position P5, and the position where the vehicle 42 is parked is referred to as the parking position P3. It is assumed that the parking position P6 on the left side of the vehicle 41 is vacant. Also, it is assumed that each of the parking positions P2 and P1 on the right side of the vehicle 42 is vacant. Moreover, parking restriction lamps L1 to L6 for restricting vehicle parking are arranged at each of the parking positions P1 to P6.

[0014] In the present embodiment, after the user 60 gets out of the vehicle 40 and heads for the shopping mall 10, as shown by the arrow A2, the self-propelled vehicle transport robot 50 automatically loads the vehicle 40 onto the carriage part 502 by the automatic driving function and transports it to the car wash 20 as shown by the arrow A3. The automatic driving function mentioned here refers to a function that automatically controls vehicle control functions such as steering control, braking force control, driving force control, vehicle loading and unloading. The automatic driving function mounted on the vehicle transport robot 50 is assumed not to require human monitoring. That is, the level of automatic driving is assumed to be level 3 or higher.

[0015] Then, the vehicle transport robot 50 that has recognized that the car wash has been completed automatically transports the vehicle 40 back to the original parking position P4 and unloads it using the automatic driving function as shown by the arrow A2, and then returns to the car wash 20 as shown by the arrow A3. After that, as shown by the arrow A4, when the user 60 finishes shopping at the shopping mall 10 and returns to the parking position P4, the vehicle 40 is in a state where the car wash has been completed. Thereby, even if the vehicle 40 is a non-automatic driving vehicle, the vehicle 40 parked at the parking position P4 (parking space) in the parking lot 30 can be automatically washed.

[0016] [Schematic Configuration of Vehicle Transport Robot] Next, the schematic configuration of the vehicle transfer robot 50 will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the vehicle transfer robot 50 includes a main body portion 501, a carriage portion 502, a pair of drive wheels 503, a pair of rear wheels 504 that are driven wheels, and a pair of lifting link devices 505 disposed between the rear wheels 504 and the carriage portion 502. The carriage portion 502 is connected to the rear side of the main body portion 501 and is configured to be able to move up and down. The carriage portion 502 has an extension mechanism (not shown) that can extend in the front-rear direction at a substantially central portion in the front-rear direction. The carriage portion 502 can enter under the vehicle to be transferred.

[0017] Further, on the side surfaces of both the left and right sides of the carriage portion 502, a pair of front arm pairs 506A and a pair of rear arm pairs 506B that can be rotated 90 degrees outward from the retracted position shown in FIG. 2 as shown in FIG. 3 are disposed. Each of the front arm pairs 506A, each of the rear arm pairs 506B, and the extension mechanism of the carriage portion 502 are driven by a hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor that constitutes a vehicle drive portion 53 (see FIG. 4) disposed in the main body portion 501.

[0018] On the other hand, the carriage portion 502 is controlled to move up and down between the lowered position shown in FIG. 2 and the raised position shown in FIG. 3. A hydraulic cylinder or an electric motor for controlling the lifting of the carriage, which constitutes the vehicle drive portion 53 (see FIG. 4), is provided at the connecting portion between the carriage portion 502 and the main body portion 501. The lifting and lowering of the carriage portion 502 and the lifting link device 505 are controlled by this hydraulic cylinder or electric motor for controlling the lifting of the carriage.

[0019] When loading a vehicle onto the vehicle transfer robot 50, as shown in FIG. 2, the carriage portion 502 is held at the lowered position, and each of the front arm pairs 506A and each of the rear arm pairs 506B are held at the retracted position. Subsequently, in such a state, after the vehicle transfer robot 50 moves to a position where the carriage portion 502 faces the front-rear direction of the vehicle, it retreats to allow the carriage portion 502 to enter under the vehicle.

[0020] Then, as shown in Figure 3, each front arm pair 506A and each rear arm pair 506B are rotated 90 degrees outward, and with each wheel of the vehicle 43 in between, the bogie section 502 is raised, and the vehicle 43 is loaded onto the vehicle transport robot 50. The distance between each front arm pair 506A and each rear arm pair 506B is adjusted according to the wheelbase of the vehicle to be loaded onto the vehicle transport robot 50 via an extension mechanism (not shown) of the bogie section 502.

[0021] On the other hand, when loading or unloading a vehicle from the vehicle transport robot 50, the vehicle transport robot 50 moves to the loading / unloading location using its automatic driving function. Subsequently, the trolley section 502 is lowered, the loaded vehicle is lowered to the ground, and each front arm pair 506A and each rear arm pair 506B are rotated to their retracted positions. Then, the vehicle transport robot 50 moves forward, moving the trolley section 502 out in front of the vehicle, and returns to the car wash machine 20.

[0022] [Electrical configuration of a car wash system] Next, the electrical configurations and connection relationships of the car wash server 90, vehicle transport robot 50, car wash machine 20, communication terminal device 70, and parking management device 80, which constitute the car wash system 1, will be explained based on Figure 4.

[0023] [Car wash server] As shown in Figure 4, the car wash server 90 is a management device that manages the vehicle transport robot 50, the car wash machine 20, and the parking management device 80. The car wash server 90 comprises a server control unit 91, a server memory 92, and a server communication unit 93. The server control unit 91 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the car wash server 90. The server memory 92 is a storage device that stores data necessary for the operation of the car wash server 90.

[0024] The server control unit 91 has internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and required data, and performs various information processing based on these stored programs. For example, the server control unit 91 stores car wash reservation information in the server memory 92 according to the car wash reservation information received from the communication terminal device 70. The car wash reservation information includes user identification ID, vehicle type, vehicle number, parking location, car wash reservation time, and car wash course. The server control unit 91 also stores a user identification ID in the server memory 92 to identify members who will use the car wash machine 20.

[0025] The server memory 92 is RAM, ROM, HDD, and / or SSD, and stores various databases and tables. The server memory 92 has a car wash reservation information unit 921 and a registration unit 922. The server memory 92 stores car wash reservation information received from the communication terminal device 70 in chronological order in the car wash reservation information unit 921. The server memory 92 stores in the registration unit 922 a user identification ID that identifies members who use the car wash machine 20, the make and model of the member's vehicle, and the vehicle number of the member's vehicle, linked together. Members who use the car wash machine 20 register their user identification ID, the make and model of their vehicle, and the vehicle number of their vehicle with the car wash server 90 in advance.

[0026] The server communication unit 93 is a communication interface that communicates with the vehicle transport robot 50, the car wash machine 20, the parking management device 80, and the communication terminal device 70 via the communication network NT. The server communication unit 93 outputs various data, notifications, and requests received from the vehicle transport robot 50, the car wash machine 20, the parking management device 80, and the communication terminal device 70 to the server control unit 91. The server communication unit 93 transmits various data and instruction information input from the server control unit 91 to the vehicle transport robot 50, the car wash machine 20, the parking management device 80, and the communication terminal device 70.

[0027] For example, the server communication unit 93 receives car wash reservation information from the communication terminal device 70 and outputs it to the server control unit 91. The server control unit 91 stores the input car wash reservation information in the server memory 92. The server memory 92 stores the car wash reservation information in the car wash reservation information unit 921.

[0028] [Vehicle transport robot] As shown in Figure 4, the vehicle transport robot 50 is equipped with a robot control unit 51, a robot memory 52, a vehicle drive unit 53, various sensors 54, a camera 55, and a GPS receiver 56 in its main body 501. The robot control unit 51 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the vehicle transport robot 50. The robot control unit 51 is electrically connected to the robot memory 52, the vehicle drive unit 53, the various sensors 54, the camera 55, and the GPS receiver 56.

[0029] The robot control unit 51 has an internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and required data, and executes vehicle transport processing based on these stored programs. For example, the robot control unit 51 executes transport processing to load vehicles parked in the parking lot 30 onto the trolley unit 502 and transport them to the car wash machine 20, in accordance with vehicle transport information received from the car wash server 90. The vehicle transport information includes the vehicle number, vehicle type, and parking position of the vehicle to be transported in the parking lot 30.

[0030] The robot memory 52 is a RAM, ROM, HDD, and / or SSD, and stores various databases and tables. The robot memory 52 stores map information 521, including the locations of the parking lot 30 and car wash machine 20, which are necessary for the vehicle transport robot 50 to perform autonomous driving.

[0031] The vehicle drive unit 53 consists of a vehicle drive device, for example, an electric motor, for providing driving force to the drive wheels 503 of the vehicle transport robot 50; a braking device for braking the vehicle transport robot 50; and a steering device for steering the drive wheels 503. The vehicle drive unit 53 also includes a hydraulic cylinder or electric motor for controlling the lifting and lowering of the bogie section 502 and the lifting link device 505. The vehicle drive unit 53 also includes a hydraulic cylinder or electric motor for driving the extension mechanism of the bogie section 502.

[0032] The various sensors 54 include sensors for detecting the status of the vehicle transport robot 50 and surrounding detection sensors for detecting the area around the vehicle transport robot 50. Sensors for detecting the status of the vehicle transport robot 50 include acceleration sensors, velocity sensors, and azimuth sensors. Surrounding detection sensors for detecting the area around the vehicle transport robot 50 include ultrasonic sensors and radar.

[0033] Camera 55 is an on-board camera that captures images of the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle transport robot 50. Camera 55 also captures images of license plates of vehicles parked in the parking lot 30, obtains the vehicle number, and outputs it to the robot control unit 51. Camera 55 also functions as a surrounding detection sensor that detects the area around the vehicle transport robot 50.

[0034] The GPS receiver 56 detects the current position of the vehicle transport robot 50 (for example, the latitude and longitude of the vehicle transport robot 50) based on information obtained from multiple satellites and outputs it to the robot control unit 51.

[0035] The robot communication unit 57 is a communication interface that communicates with the car wash server 90 via the communication network NT. The robot communication unit 57 outputs various data and instruction information received from the car wash server 90 to the robot control unit 51. The robot communication unit 57 transmits various data, notifications, and requests input from the robot control unit 51 to the car wash server 90. The robot communication unit 57 may also function as a communication interface that communicates with the car wash machine 20 and the parking management device 80 via the communication network NT.

[0036] [Car wash machine] As shown in Figure 4, the car wash machine 20 comprises a car wash machine control unit 21, a car wash machine memory 22, a car wash drive unit 23, and a car wash machine communication unit 24. The car wash machine control unit 21 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the car wash machine 20. The car wash machine control unit 21 is electrically connected to the car wash machine memory 22, the car wash drive unit 23, and the car wash machine communication unit 24.

[0037] The car wash control unit 21 has internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and required data, and executes car washing processes based on these stored programs. For example, the car wash control unit 21 executes a car washing process to wash a vehicle mounted on the trolley section 502 of the vehicle transport robot 50, according to car washing information received from the car wash server 90. The car washing information includes the vehicle type and car wash course.

[0038] The car wash machine memory 22 is a RAM, ROM, HDD, and / or SSD, and stores various databases and tables. The car wash machine memory 22 has a car wash information unit 221 and a vehicle information unit 222. The car wash machine memory 22 stores car wash information received from the car wash server 90 in chronological order in the car wash information unit 221. The car wash machine memory 22 also stores car wash procedures corresponding to each car wash course in the car wash information unit 221. Car wash courses include, for example, water wash, shampoo wash, wax wash, and coating wash. The car wash machine memory 22 also stores in the vehicle information unit 222 the setting positions of multiple rotating brushes according to the vehicle type, the distance the frame moves according to the vehicle type during car washing of the car wash machine 20, and so on.

[0039] The car wash drive unit 23 consists of a drive device that moves the frame of the car wash machine 20 during car washing, a rotary motor that rotates multiple rotating brushes that slide and brush over the vehicle, and solenoid valves that open and close each of the multiple water purification nozzles, multiple detergent nozzles, multiple wax nozzles, and multiple coating nozzles.

[0040] The car wash machine communication unit 24 is a communication interface that communicates with the car wash server 90 via the communication network NT. The car wash machine communication unit 24 outputs various data and instruction information received from the car wash server 90 to the car wash machine control unit 21. The car wash machine communication unit 24 transmits various data, notifications, and requests input from the car wash machine control unit 21 to the car wash server 90. The car wash machine communication unit 24 may also function as a communication interface that communicates with the vehicle transport robot 50 via the communication network.

[0041] [Parking Management System] As shown in Figure 4, the parking management device 80 comprises a management control unit 81, a management communication unit 82, and parking restriction lamps L1 to L6. The management control unit 81 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the parking management device 80. The management control unit 81 is electrically connected to the management communication unit 82 and each of the parking restriction lamps L1 to L6.

[0042] The management control unit 81 has an internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and necessary data, and executes the process of turning on and off each parking restriction lamp L1 to L6 based on these stored programs. For example, in response to a parking space reservation instruction received from the car wash server 90, the management control unit 81 turns on the parking restriction lamp L1 to L6 that is installed at the specified parking position (parking space) to notify that parking at the parking position (parking space) is not permitted.

[0043] [Communication terminal equipment] As shown in Figure 4, the communication terminal device 70 includes a terminal control unit 71, a terminal memory 72, a display 73, a touch panel 74, a speaker 75, a microphone 76, and a terminal communication unit 77. The terminal control unit 71 is a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that comprehensively controls the communication terminal device 70. The terminal control unit 71 is electrically connected to the terminal memory 72, the display 73, the touch panel 74, the speaker 75, the microphone 76, and the terminal communication unit 77.

[0044] The terminal control unit 71 has internal memory for storing control programs such as the OS, programs that define various processing procedures, and necessary data, and executes car wash reservation processing based on these stored programs. For example, the terminal control unit 71 executes car wash reservation processing by sending car wash reservation information entered via the touch panel 74 to the car wash server 90. The car wash reservation information includes the vehicle number, parking location, vehicle type, user (member) identification ID, car wash reservation time, and car wash course of the vehicle to be washed. The vehicle number, vehicle type, and user (member) identification ID of the vehicle to be washed are pre-stored in the terminal memory 72.

[0045] The terminal memory 72 is RAM, ROM, HDD, and / or SSD, and stores various databases and tables. The terminal memory 72 has a registration information unit 721 and a program unit 722. The terminal memory 72 stores in the registration information unit 721 an identification ID that identifies the user (member) who will use the car wash machine 20, as well as the vehicle number and type of vehicle used by the user. The terminal memory 72 also pre-stores in the program unit 722 an application program for registering members who will use the car wash machine 20 and for reserving the use of the car wash machine 20.

[0046] Therefore, by launching this application program and registering as a user of the car wash machine 20, the user (member) is assigned an identification ID by the car wash server 90. As a result, the terminal memory 72 stores the identification ID that identifies the user (member) using the car wash machine 20, as well as the vehicle number and make of the vehicle used by the user, in the registration information unit 721. The car wash server 90 also stores the identification ID that identifies the user (member) in the registration unit 922, associating it with the vehicle number and make of the vehicle used by the user.

[0047] The display 73 is a display screen such as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL (Electro-Luminescence) display, and displays images. The touch panel 74 is located on the screen of the display 73 and detects the position of a press on the screen and outputs it to the terminal control unit 71. The speaker 75 outputs audio data input from the terminal control unit 71. The microphone 76 outputs the input audio data to the terminal control unit 71.

[0048] The terminal communication unit 77 is a communication interface that communicates with the car wash server 90 via the communication network NT. The terminal communication unit 77 outputs various data and instruction information received from the car wash server 90 to the terminal control unit 71. The terminal communication unit 77 transmits various data, notifications, and requests input from the terminal control unit 71 to the car wash server 90.

[0049] [Control flow of the car wash system] Next, the process of washing a vehicle 40 parked in a user's (client's) parking lot 30 using the car wash system 1 configured as described above will be explained based on the sequence diagrams in Figures 5 to 7 and Figure 8.

[0050] In step S11 of Figure 5, user 60 logs in by launching an application program stored in the terminal memory 72 of the communication terminal device 70 to reserve the use of the car wash machine 20.

[0051] In step S21, the terminal control unit 71 of the communication terminal device 70 displays a car wash setting screen on the display 73 for making a car wash reservation using the car wash machine 20.

[0052] In step S12, user 60 presses the touch panel 74 of the communication terminal device 70 and enters the car wash reservation time, car wash course, parking position P4 of vehicle 40, etc. from the car wash setting screen to make a car wash reservation for vehicle 40. After that, user 60 heads to the shopping mall.

[0053] In step S22, the terminal control unit 71 of the communication terminal device 70 stores the reserved car wash time, car wash course, and parking position P4 of the vehicle 40, which were entered via the touch panel 74, in the terminal memory 72. The terminal control unit 71 then reads the user identification ID that identifies the user (member) from the registration information unit 721 of the terminal memory 72. Subsequently, the terminal control unit 71 creates car wash reservation information including the reserved car wash time, car wash course, parking position P4 of the vehicle 40, and the user identification ID. The terminal control unit 71 then transmits this car wash reservation information to the car wash server 90 via the terminal communication unit 77 and the communication network NT.

[0054] In step S101, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 reads a user identification ID that identifies the user (member) from the car wash reservation information received via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT. The server control unit 91 then determines whether or not this user identification ID is stored in the registration unit 922 of the server memory 92. If the server control unit 91 determines that this user identification ID is not stored in the registration unit 922 of the server memory 92, it terminates the process.

[0055] On the other hand, if the server control unit 91 determines that the user identification ID is stored in the registration unit 922 of the server memory 92, it reads the vehicle number and vehicle type of the vehicle 40 associated with the user identification ID from the registration unit 922. The server control unit 91 then creates car wash reservation information that includes the reserved time for car washing, the car wash course, the parking position P4 of the vehicle 40, and the user identification ID, as well as the vehicle number and vehicle type of the vehicle 40, and stores it chronologically in the car wash reservation information unit 921.

[0056] The server control unit 91 then reads the parking position P4 of vehicle 40, as well as the vehicle number and vehicle type of vehicle 40, from the car wash reservation information stored in the car wash reservation information unit 921. Subsequently, the server control unit 91 creates vehicle transport information including the parking position P4 of vehicle 40, as well as the vehicle number and vehicle type of vehicle 40. The server control unit 91 then transmits this vehicle transport information to the vehicle transport robot 50 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT.

[0057] In step S201, the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 stores vehicle transport information, including the parking position P4 of the vehicle 40 received via the robot communication unit 57, as well as the vehicle number and vehicle type of the vehicle 40, in the robot memory 52. ​​Then, as shown by arrow A2 in Figure 1, the robot control unit 51 moves to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30 using its automatic driving function, analyzes the vehicle number of the vehicle 40 using the camera 55, and compares it with the vehicle number in the vehicle transport information stored in the robot memory 52. ​​If the parking position P4 of the vehicle 40 is not received, the process may start from the step of searching for the vehicle by analyzing the vehicle number of the vehicle 40 using the camera 55 and comparing it with the vehicle number in the vehicle transport information.

[0058] Then, if the vehicle number of the vehicle 40 matches the vehicle number of the vehicle transport information stored in the robot memory 52, the robot control unit 51 loads the vehicle 40 onto the trolley unit 502 via the vehicle drive unit 53. Then, as shown by arrow A3 in Figure 1, the robot control unit 51 automatically transports the vehicle 40 to the car wash machine 20.

[0059] Furthermore, in step S102, the server control unit 91 reads the reserved time for the car wash, the car wash course, and the vehicle number and vehicle type of the vehicle 40 from the car wash reservation information stored in the car wash reservation information unit 921. Subsequently, the server control unit 91 creates car wash information including the reserved time for the car wash, the car wash course, and the vehicle number and vehicle type of the vehicle 40. Then, the server control unit 91 transmits this car wash information to the car wash machine 20 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT.

[0060] In step S301, the car wash control unit 21 of the car wash machine 20 stores the car wash information, including the reserved time for washing, the car wash course, and the vehicle number and type of vehicle 40, received via the car wash communication unit 24, in chronological order in the car wash information unit 221 of the car wash memory 22.

[0061] Furthermore, in step S103, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 calculates the estimated time for the car wash to be completed by the car wash machine 20 of the vehicle 40 and transmits it to the communication terminal device 70 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT.

[0062] In step S23, if the terminal control unit 71 of the communication terminal device 70 receives the scheduled car wash completion time via the terminal communication unit 77, it displays the scheduled car wash completion time on the display 73. The terminal control unit 71 may also provide voice guidance to the user 60 via the speaker 75 regarding the scheduled car wash completion time.

[0063] Furthermore, in step S104, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 reads the parking position P4 of the vehicle 40 from the car wash reservation information stored in the car wash reservation information unit 921. The server control unit 91 then transmits a parking space reservation instruction to the parking management device 80 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT, instructing it to light up the parking restriction lamp L4 installed at parking position P4 in the parking lot 30 to reserve parking position P4.

[0064] In step S401, when the management control unit 81 of the parking management device 80 receives a parking space reservation instruction via the management communication unit 82, which instructs the management control unit 81 to illuminate the parking restriction lamp L4 installed at parking space P4 to reserve parking space P4, the management control unit 81 illuminates the parking restriction lamp L4. This notifies the user that parking at parking space P4 where vehicle 40 was parked is not permitted.

[0065] Next, in step S202 in Figure 6, when the vehicle transport robot 50 has transported the vehicle 40 to the car wash machine 20 by automatic operation, the robot control unit 51 stops at the car wash position of the car wash machine 20 with the vehicle 40 loaded on the trolley unit 502, as shown in Figure 8. Then, in step S203, the robot control unit 51 transmits car wash machine arrival information, indicating that the transport of the vehicle 40 to the car wash machine 20 has been completed, to the car wash server 90 via the robot communication unit 57 and the communication network NT.

[0066] In step S105, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 receives car wash machine arrival information via the server communication unit 93, indicating that the transport of the vehicle 40 to the car wash machine 20 has been completed. The server control unit 91 then sends a car wash start instruction to the car wash machine 20 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT, instructing it to start washing the vehicle 40.

[0067] In step S302, when the car wash control unit 21 of the car wash machine 20 receives a car wash start instruction via the car wash communication unit 24 to start washing the vehicle 40, it reads the car wash information of the vehicle 40 from the car wash information unit 221 of the car wash memory 22. The car wash control unit 21 then reads the car wash course and the vehicle type of the vehicle 40 from this car wash information. Subsequently, the car wash control unit 21 reads from the vehicle type information unit 222 the setting positions of the multiple rotating brushes according to the vehicle type of the vehicle 40, the distance the frame moves according to the vehicle type during car washing of the car wash machine 20, etc. Alternatively, the car wash process may be executed by measuring the vehicle shape using a vehicle shape sensor provided in the car wash machine.

[0068] Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, the car wash control unit 21 moves the frame 20A via the car wash drive unit 23 by a distance corresponding to the vehicle type, while sliding multiple rotating brushes (not shown) over the vehicle 40 to perform a car wash process according to the car wash course.

[0069] Then, in step S303, when the car wash machine control unit 21 has finished washing the vehicle 40, it moves the frame 20A to the position it was in before the car wash started and stops. Subsequently, the car wash machine control unit 21 transmits car wash completion information, indicating that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed, to the car wash server 90 via the car wash machine communication unit 24 and the communication network NT.

[0070] In step S106, when the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 receives car wash completion information via the server communication unit 93 indicating that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed, it reads the parking position P4 of the vehicle 40 from the car wash reservation information unit 921 of the server memory 92. The server control unit 91 then sends a return instruction to the vehicle transport robot 50 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT, instructing it to return the car wash completed vehicle 40 to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30.

[0071] In step S204, the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 receives a return instruction via the robot communication unit 57, instructing it to return the vehicle 40 to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30. Then, with the vehicle 40 loaded onto the trolley unit 502, the robot control unit 51 reverses away from the car wash machine 20 and moves away from the car wash position, and then, as shown by arrow A2 in Figure 1, transports the vehicle to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30 using its automatic driving function.

[0072] Next, in step S205 of Figure 7, the robot control unit 51 lowers the trolley unit 502 via the vehicle drive unit 53 and loads the vehicle 40 onto the parking position P4. After that, as shown by arrow A3 in Figure 1, the robot control unit 51 moves to the car wash machine 20 by automatic driving and stops at the standby position. Then, in step S206, the robot control unit 51 transmits vehicle transport completion information, indicating that the washed vehicle 40 has been returned to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30, to the car wash server 90 via the robot communication unit 57 and the communication network NT.

[0073] In step S107, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 receives vehicle transport completion information via the server communication unit 93, indicating that the washed vehicle 40 has been returned to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30. Subsequently, the server control unit 91 transmits a light-off instruction to the parking management device 80 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT, instructing it to turn off the parking restriction lamp L4 installed at the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30.

[0074] In step S402, the management control unit 81 of the parking management device 80 receives a light-off instruction via the management communication unit 82 to turn off the parking restriction lamp L4 installed at parking position P4 in the parking lot 30. The management control unit 81 then turns off the parking restriction lamp L4. As a result, the vehicle 40 can park at parking position P4.

[0075] Then, in step S108, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 transmits car wash completion information, indicating that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed, to the communication terminal device 70 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT.

[0076] In step S24, when the terminal control unit 71 of the communication terminal device 70 receives car wash completion information via the terminal communication unit 77 indicating that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed, it displays on the display 73 that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed. The terminal control unit 71 may also provide voice guidance to the user 60 via the speaker 75 that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed.

[0077] [Effects and Effects] As described in detail above, in the car wash system 1 according to this embodiment, the car wash server 90 receives car wash reservation information from the communication terminal device 70, causing the vehicle transport robot 50 to transport the vehicle 40 to the car wash machine 20, where the car wash can be performed. As a result, even if the vehicle 40 is not autonomous, the system can automatically wash the vehicle 40 parked in the parking position (parking space) P4.

[0078] When the car wash server 90 receives a notification from the car wash machine 20 that the car wash is complete, the vehicle transport robot 50 transports the washed vehicle 40 from the car wash machine 20 to the parking position P4. This allows the user 60 to complete their errands and return to the parking position P4, automatically getting into the washed vehicle 40.

[0079] When the vehicle 40 is transported from parking position P4 to the car wash machine 20 by the vehicle transport robot 50, the parking restriction lamp L4 is illuminated, restricting other vehicles from parking in the parking position (parking space) 40 where the vehicle 40 was parked. As a result, the parking position (parking space) P4 of the vehicle 40 transported by the vehicle transport robot 50 can be reserved until the vehicle 40, after the car wash is completed, is returned to parking position P4 by the vehicle transport robot 50.

[0080] The vehicle transport robot 50 can transport the vehicle 40 to the car wash position, allowing it to be washed while in that position, and enabling the vehicle 40 to be precisely positioned relative to the car wash machine 20 for washing.

[0081] The car wash server 90 accepts car wash reservation information only if the identification ID (identification information) that identifies the user 60 stored in the registration unit 922 of the server memory 92 is included in the car wash reservation information, thereby preventing mischief such as car wash requests being made by others.

[0082] When the user's (client's) communication terminal device 70 receives information indicating that the vehicle 40 has been washed, the user can quickly find out that the vehicle wash is complete.

[0083] [Differentiation] Modified examples of the above embodiments will now be described. For the sake of convenience, in the following description, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated.

[0084] [Example 1] Another example of washing a vehicle 40 loaded onto a vehicle transport robot 50 using a car wash machine 20 will be described with reference to Figure 9. In step S105 of Figure 6, the server control unit 91 of the car wash server 90 may send a car wash start instruction to the car wash machine 20 and the vehicle transport robot 50 via the server communication unit 93 and the communication network NT to instruct them to start washing the vehicle 40. Alternatively, in step S302 of Figure 6, the car wash machine control unit 21 may send a car wash start instruction to the vehicle transport robot 50 via the car wash machine communication unit 24 and the communication network NT when starting to wash the vehicle 40, that is, when starting to move the frame 20A.

[0085] As shown in Figure 9, when the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 receives a car wash start instruction via the robot communication unit 57, it may perform a driving process to move the vehicle 40 relative to the car wash machine 20 from the start of car washing by the car wash machine 20 until the end of car washing.

[0086] In step S303 of Figure 6, the car wash machine control unit 21 of the car wash machine 20 may transmit car wash completion information, indicating that the car wash of the vehicle 40 has been completed, to the car wash server 90 and the vehicle transport robot 50 via the car wash machine communication unit 24 and the communication network NT. The robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 may, upon receiving the car wash completion information via the robot communication unit 57, return to the car wash start position and stop.

[0087] As a result, the vehicle transport robot 50 moves the vehicle 40 relative to the car wash machine 20 while the car wash machine 20 is washing, which shortens the travel distance of the frame 20A of the car wash machine 20 and helps to save space in the car wash area.

[0088] [Differentiation 2] Alternatively, as shown in Figure 10, for example, the trolley section 502 of the vehicle transport robot 50 may be made longer in the front-to-back direction so that, for example, two vehicles, 40 and 41, can be loaded onto the trolley section 502. The vehicle transport robot 50 may then automatically transport the two vehicles 40 and 41 to the car wash machine 20 and stop at the car wash position of the car wash machine 20. After that, similar to the first modification described above, the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 may perform a driving process to move the vehicles 40 and 41 relative to the car wash machine 20 from the start of car washing to the end of car washing.

[0089] As a result, the vehicle transport robot 50 moves the vehicle 40 relative to the car wash machine 20 while the car wash machine 20 is washing, which shortens the travel distance of the car wash machine 20's frame 20A and saves space in the car wash area. In addition, it becomes possible to wash two vehicles 40 and 41 simultaneously, improving the efficiency of the car wash operation.

[0090] [Difference 3] Alternatively, for example, a pair of entry rails into which the left and right drive wheels 503 of the vehicle transport robot 50 can enter may be arranged facing each other in the left-right center of the car wash machine 20. This allows the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 to easily center the vehicle transport robot 50 relative to the car wash machine 20 by automatically guiding each drive wheel 503 into the pair of entry rails.

[0091] [Differentiation Example 4] Furthermore, for example, the car wash machine 20 may be a belt conveyor type car wash machine or a roller conveyor type car wash machine. In this case, the vehicle transport robot 50 may transport the vehicles 40 loaded onto the trolley section 502 to the car wash machine 20, unload the vehicles 40 onto the belt conveyor or roller conveyor, and then wait at the exit of the car wash machine 20.

[0092] The vehicle transport robot 50 may then load the vehicle 40, which has been washed and emerged, back onto the trolley unit 502 and transport it to the parking position P4 in the parking lot 30. This allows for automatic car washing of vehicles 40 parked in the parking position (parking space) P4, even if the vehicle 40 is not autonomously driven.

[0093] [Difference 5] Furthermore, for example, the parking management device 80 may be configured to accept car wash reservations for vehicles 40 parked in the parking lot 30. The management control unit 81 of the parking management device 80 may then transmit the received car wash reservation information to the car wash server via the management communication unit 82 and the communication network NT. This allows for automatic car washing of vehicles 40 parked in parking positions (parking spaces) P4, even if the vehicle 40 is not autonomous.

[0094] [Modification 6] Alternatively, instead of the communication terminal device 70, a dedicated device for accepting car wash reservations may be placed near each of the parking spaces P1 to P6. When a driver parks their vehicle in a parking space, they can use the nearby dedicated device to request a car wash course and other car wash options, thereby making a reservation. This prevents mischief such as car wash requests being made by someone other than the driver without user authentication of the car wash machine 20.

[0095] [Difference 7] Alternatively, for example, instead of parking restriction lamps L1 to L6, entry prevention bars that can swing and rotate vertically may be installed at each parking position P1 to P6. Under normal circumstances, the entry prevention bars are swung and rotated upward to allow parking at each parking position P1 to P6. Then, the entry prevention bar at parking position P4 where the vehicle 40, transported to the car wash machine 20 by the vehicle transport robot 50, was parked may be rotated downward to be held in a nearly horizontal position.

[0096] This ensures that the entry prevention bar reliably prevents vehicles from entering parking position P4, thus securing a parking space for vehicle 40 to return to while it is being washed. The entry prevention bar functions as an example of a vehicle entry restriction device.

[0097] [Differentiation 8] Alternatively, for example, instead of the process in step S104 of Figure 5 above, the robot control unit 51 of the vehicle transport robot 50 may transmit a parking space reservation instruction to the parking management device 80 via the robot communication unit 57 and the communication network NT. Specifically, the robot control unit 51 may transmit a parking space reservation instruction to the parking management device 80 via the vehicle drive unit 53, instructing the device to illuminate the parking restriction lamp L4 to reserve the parking space P4 when the vehicle 40 is loaded onto the trolley unit 502 and leaves the parking space P4, or just before leaving. This makes it possible to reserve the parking space P4 where the vehicle 40 was parked until the vehicle 40, after washing is complete, is returned to the parking space P4.

[0098] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0099] [Additional Notes] A car wash system according to the first embodiment includes a self-propelled vehicle transport robot capable of transporting vehicles, a car wash machine for washing the vehicles, and a car wash server that can communicate with the vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine and manages the vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine. When the car wash server receives car wash reservation information indicating that a vehicle parked in a predetermined parking position should be washed, it performs a first transmission process to transmit a first transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot indicating that the vehicle parked in the predetermined parking position should be transported to the car wash machine. When the vehicle transport robot receives the first transport instruction, it transports the vehicle from the predetermined parking position to the car wash machine. The system performs a first transport process to transport the vehicle, and a first transport completion transmission process to send a first transport completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the first transport process when the vehicle has been transported to the car wash machine. When the car wash server receives the first transport completion notification from the vehicle transport robot, it performs a second transmission process to send a car wash instruction to the car wash machine to wash the vehicle. When the car wash machine receives the car wash instruction, it performs a car wash process to wash the vehicle according to the car wash instruction, and when it has finished washing the vehicle, it performs a car wash completion transmission process to send a car wash completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the car wash process.

[0100] The second embodiment is a car wash system according to the first embodiment, wherein the car wash server, upon receiving a car wash completion notification from the car wash machine, executes a third transmission process to transmit a second transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot indicating that the vehicle should be transported from the car wash machine to a predetermined parking position, and the vehicle transport robot, upon receiving the second transport instruction, executes a second transport process to transport the vehicle from the car wash machine to a predetermined parking position, and, upon transporting the vehicle to the predetermined parking position, executes a second transport completion transmission process to transmit a second transport completion notification to the car wash server indicating the completion of the second transport process.

[0101] A third embodiment is a car wash system according to the second embodiment, further comprising: a vehicle entry restriction device that restricts the entry of other vehicles into a parking space where the vehicle transported by the vehicle transport robot was parked; and a parking management device that can communicate with the car wash server and manages the vehicle entry restriction device, wherein the car wash server, after executing the first transmission process, executes a fourth transmission process to send an operation start instruction to the parking management device to activate the vehicle entry restriction device; the parking management device, upon receiving the operation start instruction, executes an operation start process to start the operation of the vehicle entry restriction device; the car wash server, upon receiving the second transport completion notification, executes a fifth transmission process to send an operation end instruction to the parking management device to terminate the operation of the vehicle entry restriction device; and the parking management device, upon receiving the operation end instruction, executes an operation end process to terminate the operation of the vehicle entry restriction device.

[0102] The fourth embodiment is a car wash system according to any one embodiment of the first to third embodiments, wherein when the car wash machine receives the car wash instruction, it washes the vehicle after the vehicle transport robot has transported the vehicle to the car wash position.

[0103] The fifth embodiment is a car wash system according to any one embodiment of the first to fourth embodiments, wherein the vehicle transport robot performs a driving process that moves the vehicle relative to the car wash machine from the start of car washing by the car wash machine until the end of car washing.

[0104] The sixth embodiment is a car wash system according to any one embodiment of the first to fifth embodiments, wherein the car wash server has a registration unit that stores identification information for identifying a user of the car wash machine, and when the car wash reservation information includes the identification information stored in the registration unit, the server receives the car wash reservation information and executes the first transmission process.

[0105] The seventh embodiment is a car wash system according to any one embodiment of the second to sixth embodiments, wherein when the car wash server receives the second transport completion notification from the vehicle transport robot, it performs a completion notification process which sends a car wash completion notification to the user's communication terminal device indicating that the car wash has been completed. [Explanation of symbols]

[0106] 1: Car wash system 20: Car wash machine 40, 41, 42: Vehicles 50: Vehicle transport robot 80: Parking Management System 90: Car Wash Server 922: Registration Department L1~L6: Parking restriction ramps

Claims

1. A self-propelled vehicle transport robot capable of transporting vehicles, A car wash machine for washing the aforementioned vehicle, The vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine are able to communicate with each other, and the car wash server manages the vehicle transport robot and the car wash machine, The aforementioned car wash server When a car wash reservation information is received indicating that a vehicle parked in a designated parking space should be washed, a first transmission process is executed to send a first transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot indicating that the vehicle parked in the designated parking space should be transported to the car wash machine. The aforementioned vehicle transport robot is Upon receiving the first transport instruction, a first transport process is performed to transport the vehicle from the predetermined parking position to the car wash machine, When the vehicle is transported to the car wash machine, the first transport completion transmission process is executed, which transmits a first transport completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the first transport process. The aforementioned car wash server Upon receiving the first transport completion notification from the vehicle transport robot, a second transmission process is executed to send a car wash instruction to the car wash machine indicating that the vehicle should be washed. The aforementioned car wash machine, Upon receiving the car wash instruction, a car wash process is performed to wash the vehicle in accordance with the car wash instruction. When the vehicle washing process is completed, the system performs a car wash completion notification process, which involves sending a car wash completion notification to the car wash server to indicate the completion of the car wash process. Car wash system.

2. The aforementioned car wash server Upon receiving the car wash completion notification from the car wash machine, a third transmission process is executed to transmit a second transport instruction to the vehicle transport robot indicating that the vehicle should be transported from the car wash machine to the predetermined parking position. The aforementioned vehicle transport robot is Upon receiving the second transport instruction, a second transport process is performed to transport the vehicle from the car wash machine to the predetermined parking position, When the vehicle is transported to the predetermined parking position, a second transport completion transmission process is performed, which transmits a second transport completion notification to the car wash server to notify the completion of the second transport process. The car wash system according to claim 1.

3. A vehicle entry restriction device that restricts other vehicles from entering the parking space where the vehicle transported by the vehicle transport robot was parked, The system further includes a parking management device that can communicate with the car wash server and manages the vehicle entry restriction device, The aforementioned car wash server After executing the first transmission process, a fourth transmission process is performed to send an operation start instruction to the parking management device indicating that the vehicle entry restriction device should be activated. The aforementioned parking management device is Upon receiving the aforementioned activation start instruction, the system executes an activation start process to activate the vehicle entry restriction device. The aforementioned car wash server Upon receiving the second transport completion notification, a fifth transmission process is executed to send an operation termination instruction to the parking management device indicating that the operation of the vehicle entry restriction device should be terminated. The aforementioned parking management device is Upon receiving the aforementioned termination instruction, the system executes a termination process to end the operation of the vehicle entry restriction device. The car wash system according to claim 2.

4. The aforementioned car wash machine, Upon receiving the car wash instruction, the vehicle transport robot transports the vehicle to the car wash location and then washes the vehicle. The car wash system according to claim 1.

5. The aforementioned vehicle transport robot is From the start of washing by the car wash machine until the end of washing, a driving process is performed to move the vehicle relative to the car wash machine. The car wash system according to claim 1.

6. The aforementioned car wash server The car wash machine has a registration unit that stores identification information to identify the user of the car wash machine, If the car wash reservation information includes the identification information stored in the registration unit, the car wash reservation information is received and the first transmission process is executed. The car wash system according to claim 1.

7. The aforementioned car wash server Upon receiving the second transport completion notification from the vehicle transport robot, the system executes a completion notification process that sends a car wash completion notification to the user's communication terminal device indicating that the car wash has been completed. The car wash system according to claim 2.

Images