Car wash machine

Abstract

Remove any obstacles that could potentially enter the driving area of ​​the car wash machine. [Solution] The car wash machine (100) comprises a car wash machine body (1) that travels in the forward and backward direction relative to the vehicle to be washed, and a photoelectric sensor (400) provided outside the travel area (R1) on which the car wash machine body (1) travels, which detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area (R2) including the travel area (R1).

Description

【Technical Field】 【0001】 The present invention relates to a car washer. 【Background Art】 【0002】 For example, Patent Document 1 describes a car washing device in which human body sensors are arranged at the four corners of the upper part of the machine frame of the car washing device. When the human body sensor detects a person, the car washing device notifies workers in the gas station of danger. 【Prior Art Documents】 【Patent Documents】 【0003】 【Patent Document 1】 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-347585 【Summary of the Invention】 【Problems to be Solved by the Invention】 【0004】 By the way, obstacles existing around the traveling area of the car washer main body that travels in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle may enter the inside of the traveling area of the car washer main body. If an obstacle exists inside the traveling area of the car washer main body, the car washer main body and the obstacle will come into contact. The contact between the car washer main body and the obstacle may lead to a failure of the car washer or damage to the vehicle to be washed. Therefore, it is necessary to move an object that may become an obstacle to a position away from the traveling area of the car washer main body before it enters the inside of the traveling area of the car washer main body. 【0005】 One aspect of the present invention aims to remove obstacles that may enter the inside of the traveling area of the car washer main body. 【Means for Solving the Problems】 【0006】 To solve the above problems, a car wash machine according to one aspect of the present invention comprises a car wash machine body that performs washing on a vehicle to be washed, and a photoelectric sensor provided outside the passage area that detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area including the passage area, wherein the passage area is the area through which the car wash machine body, which travels in the forward and backward direction relative to the vehicle, passes, or the area through which the vehicle, which is transported in the forward and backward direction of the car wash machine body, passes. [Effects of the Invention] 【0007】 According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to remove obstacles that may enter the inside of the driving area of ​​the car wash machine body. [Brief explanation of the drawing] 【0008】 [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the overview of a car wash machine. [Figure 2] This is a cylinder showing the configuration of a car wash machine. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the relationship between the driving area of ​​the car wash machine and the car wash area. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of how a car wash machine is controlled by a controller. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing an overview of a modified car wash machine. [Modes for carrying out the invention] 【0009】 [Embodiment] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. 【0010】 (Overview of the car wash machine) An example of the car wash machine 100 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the car wash machine 100. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine 100. Figure 3 is a diagram showing the relationship between the driving area R1 of the car wash machine body 1 and the car wash area R2. For the sake of explanation, the front-rear direction and the left-right direction are defined as shown by the arrows in Figure 1, etc. The front direction is the direction in which the vehicle X to be washed is parked relative to the car wash machine body 1 located at the standby position P1. In this embodiment, the front-rear direction is the vehicle length direction of the vehicle X, and the left-right direction is the vehicle width direction of the vehicle X. 【0011】 As shown in Figure 1, the car wash machine 100 according to this embodiment includes a car wash machine body 1 that washes (washes) a vehicle X to be washed. The car wash machine body 1 is a so-called gate-type car wash machine body, for example, comprising two vertical frames extending in the vertical direction and a horizontal frame connecting the upper ends of the two vertical frames. The car wash machine body 1 is installed in a car wash area R2 (see Figure 3), which will be described later. The car wash machine body 1 is guided by rails 2 that extend in the front-rear direction and are arranged inside the car wash area R2, and travels in the front-rear direction relative to the vehicle X. When the car wash machine body 1 travels along rails 2, the vehicle X passes through the space enclosed by the vertical frames and horizontal frames. 【0012】 The car wash machine body 1 is equipped with rotating brushes that rotate by the driving force of a rotary motor and slide across the surface of the vehicle X to brush it. The car wash machine body 1 is equipped with, for example, a top brush 11 and side brushes 12 as rotating brushes. The top brush 11 slides along the top surface of the vehicle X to clean the top surface of the vehicle X. The side brushes 12 slide along the front, sides, and rear surfaces of the vehicle X to clean the front, sides, and rear surfaces of the vehicle X. The car wash machine body 1 may also be equipped with rocker brushes that slide along the underside of the vehicle X, the tires, and the wheels to clean the underside of the vehicle X, the tires, and the wheels. 【0013】 The touch panel 13 is located on the car wash machine body 1. More specifically, the touch panel 13 is located on the front of the left vertical frame of the car wash machine body 1. The touch panel 13 is an input device capable of receiving input such as instructions for washing the vehicle X. The touch panel 13 displays an input screen that can be operated by touch. Various settings of the car wash machine 100 can be made by operating the touch panel 13. For example, a user such as an occupant of vehicle X who has disembarked from vehicle X, or another worker, may operate the operation buttons displayed on the input screen to set the car wash conditions. The touch panel 13 may also display a start button that accepts input for washing the vehicle. 【0014】 Exit sensors 14 may be provided on the rear surfaces of the two vertical frames of the car wash machine body 1. The exit sensors 14 detect the rear of the vehicle X passing through the inside of the car wash machine body 1 in the front-rear direction. 【0015】 As shown in Figure 2, the car wash machine body 1 further includes a drive unit 15, a nozzle 16, a blower 17, a blower nozzle 18, and a controller 50. 【0016】 The drive unit 15 rotates the wheels (not shown) located at the bottom of each of the vertical frames. As the drive unit 15 rotates the wheels, the car wash machine body 1 moves relative to the vehicle X in the forward and backward directions along the rails 2. The car wash machine body 1 washes the vehicle X while moving relative to the vehicle X. 【0017】 The nozzle 16 is provided on the car wash machine main body 1 and injects liquid onto the vehicle X. The nozzle 16 includes, for example, a nozzle that injects water including city water onto the vehicle X, a nozzle that injects a cleaning liquid including shampoo or the like onto the vehicle X, a nozzle that injects a liquid agent of a water repellent coating agent, and a nozzle that injects wax onto the vehicle X. The nozzle 16 is arranged on the front side and / or the rear side of the vertical frame of the car wash machine main body 1. The car wash machine main body 1 includes a distribution pipe (not shown) that distributes water including city water or a liquid agent from each liquid storage tank. Through the distribution pipe, water including city water or various liquid agents supplied from a liquid storage tank (not shown) that stores various liquid agents is supplied to the nozzle 16. 【0018】 The blower 17 is provided on the car wash machine main body 1 and generates an air flow to dry the vehicle X. A blower nozzle 18 is connected to the blower 17. The blower nozzle 18 includes a blower nozzle provided at the central part of the horizontal frame of the car wash machine main body 1 and / or on each vertical frame of the car wash machine main body 1. The blower nozzle 18 blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle X and / or toward the side surface of the vehicle X. The car wash machine main body 1 dries the washed vehicle X by the air blown by the blower nozzle 18. 【0019】 The controller 50 controls each part of the car wash machine 100. The controller 50 is connected to the top brush 11, the side brush 12, the touch panel 13, the exit sensor 14, the traveling drive device 15, the nozzle 16, the blower 17, the blower nozzle 18, the start button 31, the stop button 32, and the photoelectric sensor 400. The controller 50 includes a processor 51, a memory 52, and an input / output IF 53. The processor 51, the memory 52, and the input / output IF 53 are interconnected by a bus. 【0020】 The processor 51 executes various controls in accordance with instructions included in a control program stored in advance in the memory 52. The processor 51 includes, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. The memory 52 stores various information. The memory 52 includes, for example, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), or a HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or the like. 【0021】 The input / output IF 53 is an interface for communicating with each part included in the car washer 100. The controller 50 outputs a signal to each part included in the car washer 100 via the input / output IF 53. Also, a signal output from each part included in the car washer 100 is input to the controller 50 via the input / output IF 53. The input / output IF 53 includes, for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus), an ATA (Advanced Technology Attachment), a SCSI (Small Computer System Interface), serial communication, and an HDMI (High-Definition Multimedia Interface) (registered trademark) or the like. 【0022】 The car washer 100 may include an external stand 3. The external stand 3 is installed outside the car washer main body 1. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 1, it is arranged outside the travel area R1 of the car washer main body 1 and the car wash area R2. The relationship between the travel area R1 and the car wash area R2 will be described later. 【0023】 The external stand 3 is provided with a start button 31 and a stop button 32. The start button 31 is a button (input device) capable of receiving an input for performing washing of the vehicle X. After the user stops the vehicle X at a predetermined stop position, the user gets out of the vehicle X and presses the start button 31. When the start button 31 is pressed, the controller 50 controls the car washer 100 and starts washing the vehicle X. 【0024】 The stop button 32 is a button (input device) for emergency stopping the washing of vehicle X being performed by the car wash machine unit 1. When the stop button 32 is pressed, the controller 50 stops the operation of the car wash machine unit 1. 【0025】 The car wash machine 100 may be equipped with sensor stands 40 to 43. As shown in Figure 3, the sensor stands 40 to 43 are each installed outside the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1. The travel area R1 is an example of a passage area. The travel area R1 is the area through which the car wash machine body 1, traveling in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle X, passes, and is the area through which the car wash machine body 1 passes when traveling from the standby position P1 to the foremost position P2. The standby position P1 is the position where the car wash machine body 1 is located when it is not washing the vehicle X, i.e., when it is in standby mode. The standby position P1 is the position where the car wash machine body 1 is located furthest back in the travel area R1. The foremost position P2 is the position where the car wash machine body 1 is located furthest forward in the travel area R1. 【0026】 The car wash machine 100 is equipped with a photoelectric sensor 400. The photoelectric sensor 400 is located outside the travel area R1 and detects the intrusion of obstacles into the car wash area R2, which includes the travel area R1. The car wash machine 100 may be equipped with multiple photoelectric sensors 400. In this embodiment, an example in which the car wash machine 100 is equipped with four pairs of photoelectric sensors 400 will be described. Here, the car wash area R2 is an area that includes the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1, the travel area of ​​each part of the car wash machine 100 that moves with the travel of the car wash machine body 1, and the installation area of ​​at least some of the various devices necessary for performing various processing by the car wash machine 100. Obstacles present in the car wash area R2 are considered to have a high probability of intruding into the travel area R1. Obstacles detected by the photoelectric sensor 400 include, for example, tools used by users working on site, vehicle parts, and items blown away by strong winds, etc. In other words, the obstacles are items that are unnecessary for various processes such as car washing by the car wash machine 100. 【0027】 The photoelectric sensor 400 comprises a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light and a light-receiving unit 402 that receives the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401. The photoelectric sensor 400 is a transmissive type photoelectric sensor. The light-emitting unit 401 and / or light-receiving unit 402 provided on each sensor stand 40-43 may be provided, for example, at a height of 700mm to 800mm from the ground. 【0028】 The photoelectric sensor 400 is not limited to a transmissive type. The photoelectric sensor 400 may be a reflective type photoelectric sensor that utilizes retroreflection or the like. If the photoelectric sensor 400 is reflective, it may include a reflector (hereinafter simply referred to as a reflector) that reflects light from the light-emitting unit 401 toward the light-receiving unit 402. If the photoelectric sensor 400 is reflective, the light-receiving unit 402 may, for example, receive light from the light-emitting unit 401 that has been reflected by the reflector. In this case, a reflector may be provided on at least one of the sensor stands 40 to 43. The reflective type photoelectric sensor includes, for example, a photoelectric distance sensor that emits light toward a reflector and measures the distance to an object. Since the distance between the photoelectric distance sensor and the obstacle is shorter than the distance between the photoelectric distance sensor and the reflector, the obstacle can also be detected by the photoelectric distance sensor. 【0029】 The light-emitting unit 401 has a light-emitting element that is driven based on a command signal from the controller 50. The light-receiving unit 402 has a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401. When the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 402 receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401, it outputs a received signal to the controller 50. The photoelectric sensor 400 detects the presence of an obstacle, for example, if the light received by the light-receiving unit 402 from the light-emitting unit 401 is blocked by an obstacle. That is, the photoelectric sensor 400 detects obstacles that cross the detection area through which the light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401 passes. 【0030】 Sensor stands 40-43 are installed at positions corresponding to the four corners of the driving area R1. More specifically, sensor stand 40 is installed at the rear and to the right of the driving area R1. Sensor stand 41 is installed at the rear and to the left of the driving area R1. Sensor stand 42 is installed at the front and to the right of the driving area R1. Sensor stand 43 is positioned at the front and to the left of the driving area R1. In the front-to-back direction, sensor stands 40 and 41 are located at approximately the same position, and sensor stands 42 and 43 are located at approximately the same position. In the left-to-right direction, sensor stands 40 and 42 are located at approximately the same position, and sensor stands 41 and 43 are located at approximately the same position. 【0031】 Sensor stands 40 to 43 are each provided with at least one of the light-emitting section 401 and the light-receiving section 402 of the photoelectric sensor 400. Sensor stand 40 is provided with a light-emitting section 401 that emits light toward the light-receiving section 402 provided on sensor stand 41, and a light-emitting section 401 that emits light toward the light-receiving section 402 provided on sensor stand 42. That is, sensor stand 40 is provided with a light-emitting section 401 that emits light with an optical axis parallel to the left-right direction behind the driving area R1, and a light-emitting section 401 that emits light with an optical axis parallel to the front-rear direction to the right of the driving area R1. In Figures 1 and 3, the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting section 401 is indicated by a dashed arrow. The light-emitting part 401 of the sensor stand 40 emits light toward the light-receiving part 402 of the sensor stand 42 so as to pass through the space between the driving area R1 of the car wash machine body 1 and the wall Y1, which is a structural element of the building where the car wash machine 100 is installed. 【0032】 Sensor stand 41 is provided with a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light toward a light-receiving unit 402 provided on sensor stand 43. That is, sensor stand 41 is provided with a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light with an optical axis parallel to the front-rear direction to the left of the travel area R1. The light-emitting unit 401 of sensor stand 41 emits light toward the light-receiving unit 402 of sensor stand 43 so as to pass through the space between the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1 and the column Y2, which is a structural element of the building where the car wash machine 100 is installed. Sensor stand 42 is provided with a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light toward a light-receiving unit 402 provided on sensor stand 43. That is, sensor stand 42 is provided with a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light with an optical axis parallel to the front-rear direction to the front of the travel area R1. 【0033】 As shown in Figure 3, the car wash area R2 is a region defined by the optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 of the photoelectric sensor 400. That is, the car wash area R2 may be a region defined by the optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of multiple photoelectric sensors 400. When the car wash machine 100 is viewed from above, the optical axis of light emitted from the light-emitting part 401 constitutes the boundary between the inside and outside of the car wash area R2. In this embodiment, the four directions of the car wash area R2 (front, back, left, and right) are defined by the optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting part 401. That is, the four sides of the driving area R1 are surrounded by the optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of multiple photoelectric sensors 400. The optical axis of light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 is located outside the driving area R1. 【0034】 Furthermore, (i) a photoelectric sensor 400 composed of the light-emitting part 401 of sensor stand 40 and the light-receiving part 402 of sensor stand 41, and / or (ii) a photoelectric sensor 400 composed of the light-emitting part 401 of sensor stand 42 and the light-receiving part 402 of sensor stand 43 may function as a sensor for detecting the entry and exit of a vehicle X into and out of the car wash area R2. 【0035】 (Car wash machine control method) Next, with reference to Figure 4, an example of a control method for the car wash machine 100 performed by the controller 50 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a control method for the car wash machine 100 performed by the controller 50. 【0036】 In step S1, the controller 50 determines whether it has received an input to wash the vehicle X. More specifically, the processor 51 determines whether there has been input from the start button 31 of the external stand 3. If there is no input from the start button 31 (NO in S1), the processor 51 repeats step S1. If there is input from the start button 31 (YES in S1), the processor 51 executes step S2. 【0037】 In step S1, by determining whether or not there is input from the start button 31, the washing of vehicle X can be started with the user located outside the car wash area R2. If a start button for initiating the washing of vehicle X is displayed on the touch panel 13, the processor 51 may determine in step S1 whether or not the start button on the touch panel 13 has been tapped. 【0038】 In step S2, the controller 50 starts detecting the intrusion of obstacles into the car wash area R2 using each photoelectric sensor 400. More specifically, the processor 51 outputs a command signal to the light-emitting unit 401 of each photoelectric sensor 400 to cause it to emit light. Based on the output signal output from the light-receiving unit 402, the processor 51 detects obstacles that have entered the car wash area R2. If the start button displayed on the touch panel 13 is tapped, in step S2, the processor 51 starts detecting obstacles using each photoelectric sensor 400 after a predetermined time has elapsed since the start button on the touch panel 13 was tapped. Since the user can move outside the car wash area R2 after operating the touch panel 13, the photoelectric sensors 400 can be prevented from detecting the user moving from the inside to the outside of the car wash area R2 as an obstacle. 【0039】 In step S3, the controller 50 drives the car wash machine body 1 to perform car washing. More specifically, in step S3, the processor 51 controls the top brush 11, side brushes 12, drive unit 15, and nozzle 16 respectively according to the car wash program included in the control program. If drying of the vehicle X is performed in addition to washing the vehicle X in step S3, the processor 51 may also control the blower 17 and air blower nozzle 18 respectively according to the car wash program. 【0040】 In step S4, the controller 50 determines whether each photoelectric sensor 400 has detected an obstacle entering the car wash area R2. More specifically, in step S4, the processor 51 determines whether each photoelectric sensor 400 has detected an obstacle based on the output signal from the light receiving unit 402 of each photoelectric sensor 400. If the photoelectric sensor 400 has not detected an obstacle (NO in S5), the processor 51 executes step S5. If the photoelectric sensor 400 has detected an obstacle (YES in S5), the processor 51 executes step S7. 【0041】 In step S5, the controller 50 determines whether the car wash is complete. More specifically, the processor 51 determines whether the car wash program executed to perform the car wash has finished. If the car wash is not complete, the processor 51 executes step S3 again. If the car wash is complete, the processor 51 executes step S6. 【0042】 In step S6, the controller 50 terminates the detection of obstacles by each photoelectric sensor 400. More specifically, the processor 51 stops outputting command signals to cause light to be emitted from the light-emitting parts 401 of each photoelectric sensor 400. After step S6 is executed, the flow shown in Figure 4 is terminated. 【0043】 In step S7, the controller 50 abnormally stops the car wash machine body 1. More specifically, in S7, the processor 51 controls the travel drive unit 15 to stop the movement of the car wash machine body 1. In step S7, the processor 51 stops the rotation of the top brush 11 and side brush 12, and also stops the spraying of liquid from the nozzle 16. Also, in step S7, if the vehicle X is being dried, the processor 51 stops the operation of the blower 17 and the air blower nozzle 18. In step S7, the processor 51 terminates the detection of obstacles by each photoelectric sensor 400. Because step S7 is executed, the user can enter the car wash area R2, and the user can remove obstacles inside the car wash area R2. Also, in step S7, the processor 51 may display a safety confirmation button for the car wash machine body 1 on the touch panel 13. The safety confirmation button may be provided on the external stand 3. 【0044】 In step S8, the controller 50 notifies the user that the car wash machine unit 1 has stopped abnormally. More specifically, the processor 51 displays a message on the touch panel 13 indicating that the car wash machine unit 1 has stopped abnormally. In step S8, the processor 51 may also output a warning sound from the speaker to notify the user that the car wash machine unit 1 has stopped abnormally. This allows the user to remove obstacles that are located outside the travel area R1 of the car wash machine unit 1. 【0045】 In step S9, the controller 50 determines whether or not the safety confirmation button has been pressed. More specifically, in step S9, the processor 51 determines whether or not the safety button has been pressed by the user by tapping the safety button displayed on the touch panel 13. If there is no input from the safety button (NO in S9), the processor 51 executes step S9 again. If there is input from the safety button (YES in S9), the processor 51 executes step S10. 【0046】 In step S10, the controller 50 moves the car wash machine body 1 to the standby position P1. More specifically, in step S10, the processor 51 controls the drive unit 15 to move the car wash machine body 1 in reverse after a predetermined time has elapsed since the input of the safety button. In step S10, the processor 51 stops driving the drive unit 15 when the car wash machine body 1 is in the standby position P1. After executing step S10, the processor 51 executes step S1 again. In step S10, the processor 51 may also perform obstacle detection using each photoelectric sensor 400. 【0047】 According to the car wash machine 100 described above, a photoelectric sensor 400, located outside the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1, detects the intrusion of obstacles into the car wash area R2, which includes the travel area R1. Therefore, if the photoelectric sensor 400 detects an obstacle, the car wash machine body 1 can be stopped. This makes it possible to remove obstacles that may enter the inside of the travel area R1. 【0048】 Furthermore, by equipping the car wash machine 100 with an inexpensive photoelectric sensor 400, it can detect obstacles around the outside of the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1. This reduces the cost of the car wash machine 100. In addition, by using the photoelectric sensor 400, it is easy to retrofit the photoelectric sensor 400 to an existing car wash machine 100. 【0049】 Furthermore, the car wash machine 100 is not limited to being installed in a spacious area; it may also have to be installed in a limited, narrow space within the premises. When the car wash machine 100 is installed indoors, building structures such as walls Y1 or columns Y2 may be located around the outside of the driving area R1. Also, if the installation space for the car wash machine 100 is narrow, various devices and other equipment (hereinafter simply referred to as "installations") for performing various tasks other than car washing may be installed around the outside of the driving area R1 in order to make effective use of the space. Installations are usually devices and other equipment that are not moved from their installed positions. In such a car wash machine 100 installed in a limited, narrow space, if an obstacle detection sensor with a wide detection area or one that is attached to the car wash machine body 1 that moves relative to the vehicle is used, building structures or installations around the outside of the driving area R1 may be mistakenly detected as obstacles. 【0050】 However, since the car wash area R2 is demarcated by the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 of the photoelectric sensor 400, it is possible to define the car wash area R2 while avoiding building structures and installations around the outside of the driving area R1 of the car wash machine body 1. This prevents the photoelectric sensor 400 from mistakenly detecting building structures or installations as obstacles. Furthermore, even if there are small gaps between the driving area R1 and building structures or installations, it is possible to illuminate those small gaps with light from the light-emitting part 401. This makes it possible to define the car wash area R2 according to the installation environment of the car wash machine 100. 【0051】 [Variation] Referring to Figure 5, a modified example of the above-described embodiment will be explained below. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing an overview of the modified car wash machine 100A. For the sake of explanation, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions will not be repeated. In Figure 5, the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 401 is indicated by a dashed-dotted arrow. 【0052】 The car wash machine 100A according to this modified example further comprises a boom 60 and a water storage tank 70. The boom 60 supports the supply pipe 63, which supplies liquid to the nozzle 16, while keeping the supply pipe 63 separated from the ground. The boom 60 is installed inside the car wash area R2. In this embodiment, the boom 60 is installed to the right of the car wash machine body 1 in the left-right direction. The boom 60 has a fixing part 61 and a support pole 62. 【0053】 The fixed part 61 is fixed to the ground, and the lower end of the support pole 62 is attached to it. The fixed part 61 is located behind the travel area R1. That is, in the front-rear direction, the fixed part 61 is located behind the car wash machine body 1 located at the standby position P1. In this modified example, the fixed part 61 is located to the rear right of the travel area R1. The support pole 62 is attached to the fixed part 61 so as to be able to tilt in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed part 61. The support pole 62 supports the supply pipe 63 at its upper end. As the car wash machine body 1 travels in the front-rear direction, the support pole 62 tilts in the front-rear direction relative to the fixed part 61. 【0054】 The water storage tank 70 stores water containing city water that is sprayed from the nozzle 16. The water storage tank 70 is installed outside the travel area R1. The water storage tank 70 is an example of peripheral equipment. Here, peripheral equipment is equipment provided by the car wash machine 100A that is installed around the outside of the travel area R1, and includes various devices necessary for the operation of the car wash machine 100A. Peripheral equipment is usually equipment that is not moved from its installed position. The water stored in the water storage tank 70 is supplied to the nozzle 16 via the supply pipe 63 and distribution pipe. The water storage tank 70 is located behind the travel area R1. That is, in the front-rear direction, the water storage tank 70 is located behind the car wash machine body 1 which is located at the standby position P1. In this modified example, the water storage tank 70 is located on the rear left side of the travel area R1. 【0055】 The photoelectric sensor 400 may be provided on the outer wall surface of the water storage tank 70. More specifically, the outer wall surface of the water storage tank 70 is provided with a light receiving unit 402 that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401 of the sensor stand 40, and a light-emitting unit 401 that emits light toward the light-emitting unit 402 provided on the sensor stand 43. That is, in the car wash machine 100A, there is no sensor stand on which the photoelectric sensor 400 is provided behind and to the left of the traveling area R1 of the car wash machine body 1. 【0056】 Furthermore, if the photoelectric sensor 400 is of the reflective type, a reflector may be provided on the outer wall surface of the water storage tank 70. That is, a reflector provided on the sensor stand 40 may be provided on the outer wall surface of the water storage tank 70. Also, if a reflective type photoelectric sensor 400 is provided on the sensor stand 43, a reflector provided on the sensor stand 43 may be provided on the outer wall surface of the water storage tank 70. Also, if a reflective type photoelectric sensor 400 is provided on the water storage tank 70, reflectors may be provided on the sensor stand 40 and / or 43. 【0057】 In the left-right direction, the distance between the photoelectric sensor 400, which detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area R2 from the right, and the driving area R1 is longer than the distance between the photoelectric sensor 400, which detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area R2 from the left, and the driving area R1. This will be explained in more detail. Distance L1 is the distance in the left-right direction between the light-emitting part 401 of sensor stand 40, which emits light toward the light-receiving part 402 of sensor stand 42, and the driving area R1. Distance L2 is the distance in the left-right direction between the light-receiving part 402 of sensor stand 42, which receives the light emitted from the light-emitting part 401 of sensor stand 40, and the driving area R1. Distance L3 is the distance in the left-right direction between the light-emitting part 401 of water storage tank 70, which emits light toward the light-receiving part 402 of sensor stand 43, and the driving area R1. Distance L4 is defined as the distance in the left-right direction between the light-receiving unit 402 of the sensor stand 43, which receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit 401 of the water storage tank 70, and the travel area R1. The distance in the left-right direction between the light-emitting unit 401 and the travel area R1 is the distance between the light-emitting element of the light-emitting unit 401 and the travel area R1. The distance between the light-receiving unit 402 and the travel area R1 is the distance between the light-receiving element of the light-receiving unit 402 and the travel area R1. 【0058】 Distance L1 is longer than distances L3 and L4. Also, distance L2 is longer than distances L3 and L4. Distance L2 is longer than distance L1. In this embodiment, distances L3 and L4 are substantially the same length. Note that distances L3 and L4 may be different lengths. Each sensor stand 40, 42, and 43 is installed within the premises of the car wash machine 100A so as to satisfy the respective conditions of distances L1 to L4. 【0059】 At least one of the light-emitting unit 401 and the light-receiving unit 402, which are provided on the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43, is movably mounted relative to the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 on which it is provided. 【0060】 The light-emitting unit 401 and the light-receiving unit 402 are mounted on sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 on which the device is mounted. For example, the light-emitting unit 401 and the light-receiving unit 402 mounted on sensor stand 42 are mounted so as to be rotatable about the central axis of the sensor stand 42. At least one of the light-emitting unit 401 and the light-receiving unit 402 mounted on sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 may be configured to be movable in the vertical, horizontal, or left-right directions relative to the sensor stand 40, 42, and 43 on which it is mounted. By mounting the light-emitting unit 401 and / or the light-receiving unit 402 so as to be movable relative to the sensor stand 40, 42, and 43 on which it is mounted, the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting unit 401 and / or the direction in which the light-receiving unit 402 receives light can be changed. Furthermore, if the photoelectric sensor 400 is of the reflective type, the reflectors provided on the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 may be movable relative to the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43 on which they are provided. 【0061】 By installing a photoelectric sensor 400 and / or a reflector in the water storage tank 70 of the car wash machine 100A, there is no need to install a sensor stand. This allows the photoelectric sensor 400 to be installed even in narrow spaces where a sensor stand cannot be installed. Furthermore, by installing the photoelectric sensor 400 to demarcate the car wash area R2 of the car wash machine 100A equipped with a boom 60, the photoelectric sensor 400 can detect obstacles before they come into contact with the support pole 62 of the boom 60 or the supply pipe 63 supported by the support pole 62. 【0062】 The supply pipe 63, supported by the boom 60, may sway from side to side due to wind or other factors, especially when the car wash machine 100A is installed outdoors. For example, if wind blows from left to right relative to the car wash machine body 1 when viewed from above, the swaying portion of the supply pipe 63 may sway to the right, as shown by the dashed line. To address this, the distance in the lateral direction between the photoelectric sensor 400 on the right side where the boom 60 is located and the travel area R1 is made longer than the distance between the photoelectric sensor 400 on the left side where the boom is not located and the travel area R1. This reduces the risk of the photoelectric sensor 400 mistakenly detecting the supply pipe 63 swaying due to wind or other factors as an obstacle. 【0063】 Furthermore, as shown by the dashed line in Figure 5, the optical axis of the light-emitting part 401 of the sensor stand 40 is directed forward and to the right, taking into account the swaying supply pipe 63. In this case, the sensor stand 42 of the car wash machine 100A needs to be positioned to the right of the sensor stand 40 in the left-right direction. Moreover, due to the installation environment of the car wash machine 100A, it may not be possible to set the optical axis of the light-emitting part 401 parallel to the periphery of the travel area R1. 【0064】 In the car wash machine 100A, the light-emitting part 401 or the light-receiving part 402 of the photoelectric sensor 400 is movable relative to the sensor stands 40, 42, and 43, respectively. Therefore, even if the installation environment of the car wash machine 100A makes it impossible to position the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 parallel to the periphery of the travel area R1 of the car wash machine body 1, the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 can be made to correspond to the direction in which the light-receiving part 402 receives light. For example, by rotating the light-emitting part 401 of the sensor stand 40 relative to the sensor stand 40, and / or rotating the light-receiving part 402 of the sensor stand 42 relative to the sensor stand 42, the direction of the optical axis of the light emitted by the light-emitting part 401 of the sensor stand 40 can be made to correspond to the direction in which the light-receiving part 402 of the sensor stand 42 receives light. 【0065】 In this modified example, a photoelectric sensor 400 or a reflector is provided on the water storage tank 70 as a peripheral device, but the configuration is not limited to this. The photoelectric sensor 400 or reflector may be provided on peripheral devices such as (i) a wiring relay box that houses various wiring connected to the car wash machine body 1, (ii) a high-pressure pump unit that supplies liquid to the nozzle 16, (iii) a rail heating unit that heats the rail 2, or (iv) a compressed air compressor unit that supplies compressed air to the blower 17. 【0066】 [Other Embodiments] In the above-described embodiment, the car wash area R2 is partitioned in four directions (front, rear, left, and right) by the optical axes of the light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of the multiple photoelectric sensors 400. However, the configuration is not limited to this. If it is not necessary to install photoelectric sensors 400 in a part of the car wash area R2 due to factors such as the presence of building structures, the other parts of the car wash area R2, excluding the part in question, may be partitioned by the optical axes of the light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of the photoelectric sensors 400. For example, if the gap between the building structure (wall Y1) and the driving area R1 in the left-right direction is very narrow to the right of the car wash area R2, and it is not necessary to install photoelectric sensors 400, the car wash area R2 may be configured to surround three directions (front, rear, and left) by the optical axes of the light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of the multiple photoelectric sensors 400. Furthermore, if, for example, the right, left, and rear of the car wash R2 are surrounded by building structures, only the front of the car wash R2 may be demarcated by the optical axes of the light emitted by the light-emitting parts 401 of the multiple photoelectric sensors 400. 【0067】 Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the photoelectric sensor 400 and the reflector are provided on various parts of the car wash machine 100,100A (sensor stands 40-43 or water storage tank 70), but the configuration is not limited to this. At least one of the photoelectric sensor 400 and the reflector may be provided on an installation located on the outer perimeter of the driving area R1. For example, at least one of the photoelectric sensor 400 and the reflector may be provided on a lighting pole or the like that provides lighting to illuminate the car wash area of ​​a car wash machine 100,100A installed outdoors. Alternatively, at least one of the photoelectric sensor 400 and the reflector may be provided on the structure of the building where the car wash machine 100,100A is installed. For example, at least one of the photoelectric sensor 400 and the reflector may be provided on the wall or pillar of the building where the car wash machine 100,100A is installed. The photoelectric sensor 400 and / or reflector may be embedded in the building structure or attached to the exterior wall surface of the building structure. 【0068】 Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the controller 50 is configured to abnormally stop the car wash machine body 1 when the photoelectric sensor 400 detects an obstacle, but the configuration is not limited to this. If the photoelectric sensor 400 detects an obstacle, the controller 50 may stop the operation of the car wash machine body 1 in the middle of the car wash course that is being executed. In this case, the controller 50 may resume washing the vehicle X from where the car wash course was stopped when the restart button displayed on the touch panel 13 is tapped or the restart button provided on the external stand 3 is pressed. 【0069】 Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the configuration is such that obstacle detection by the photoelectric sensor 400 is performed while the vehicle X is being washed, but the configuration is not limited to this. Obstacle detection by the photoelectric sensor 400 may be performed while the car wash machine body 1 is operating when the vehicle X is not being washed. When the car wash machine body 1 is operating when the vehicle X is not being washed, for example, it may be during the warm-up operation of the car wash machine body 1, or after the vehicle X has exited the car wash area R2 after being washed, the operation of moving the car wash machine body 1 from the foremost position P2 to the standby position P1. For example, when the controller 50 performs the warm-up operation of the car wash machine body 1, it may start detecting obstacles by each photoelectric sensor 400 before starting the warm-up operation. Alternatively, the controller 50 may start detecting obstacles by each photoelectric sensor 400 after detecting that the vehicle X has exited the car wash area R2 using the exit sensor 14 and the photoelectric sensor 400 that demarcates the rear of the car wash area R2. After the controller 50 starts detecting obstacles using each photoelectric sensor 400, it executes an operation to move the car wash machine body 1 from the forward position P2 to the standby position P1 after the car wash. 【0070】 Furthermore, although the above-described embodiments have included car wash machines 100 and 100A equipped with a car wash machine body 1 that travels in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle X, the invention is not limited to such configurations. The car wash machine according to the present invention may also be a car wash machine in which the car wash machine body does not travel, that is, a car wash machine equipped with a conveyor or the like that transports vehicles in the longitudinal direction relative to the car wash machine body. In this case, the photoelectric sensor 400 detects obstacles entering the inside of the car wash area, which includes a transport area that transports vehicles in the longitudinal direction relative to the car wash machine body by the conveyor or the like. The transport area is an example of a passage area, and is the area through which vehicles transported by the conveyor or the like pass. 【0071】 〔summary〕 A car wash machine according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention comprises a car wash machine body that performs washing on a vehicle to be washed, and a photoelectric sensor provided outside the passage area that detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area including the passage area, wherein the passage area is an area through which the car wash machine body, which travels in the forward and backward direction relative to the vehicle, passes, or an area through which the vehicle, which is transported in the forward and backward direction of the car wash machine body, passes. 【0072】 A car wash machine according to aspect 2 of the present invention further comprises a peripheral device provided around the outer perimeter of the passage area in the above-described aspect 1, wherein the peripheral device may be configured to include at least one of the photoelectric sensor and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light-emitting part of the photoelectric sensor toward the light-receiving part of the photoelectric sensor. 【0073】 A car wash machine according to embodiment 3 of the present invention further comprises a boom provided inside the car wash area and supporting a supply pipe that supplies liquid to nozzles that spray liquid onto the vehicles, wherein the boom is tiltable in the front-rear direction and has a support pole that supports the supply pipe. 【0074】 In the car wash machine according to embodiment 4 of the present invention, in embodiment 3 described above, the boom is installed on one side in the left-right direction relative to the car wash machine body, and the distance between the photoelectric sensor that detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area from the one side and the passage area in the left-right direction may be configured to be longer than the distance between the photoelectric sensor that detects the intrusion of the obstacle into the car wash area from the other side opposite to the one side and the passage area. 【0075】 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. [Explanation of Symbols] 【0076】 1 Car wash machine body 3. External stand 31 Start button 40-43 Sensor Stand 50 Controllers 400 Photoelectric Sensors 401 Light-emitting part 402 Light receiving part 100, 100A car wash R1 Travel area (passing area) R2 car wash

Claims

[Claim 1] A car wash machine that performs washing on the vehicle to be washed, It includes a photoelectric sensor located outside the passage area, which detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area, including the passage area, The passage area is the area through which the car wash machine body, which travels in the longitudinal direction relative to the vehicle, passes, or the area through which the vehicle, which is transported in the longitudinal direction relative to the car wash machine body, passes. Car wash machine. [Claim 2] The device further comprises peripheral equipment provided around the outer periphery of the aforementioned passage region, The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral device is provided with at least one of the photoelectric sensor and a reflector that reflects the light emitted from the light-emitting part of the photoelectric sensor toward the light-receiving part of the photoelectric sensor. [Claim 3] The car wash area is further provided with a boom that supports a supply pipe that supplies liquid to a nozzle that sprays liquid onto the vehicle, The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the boom is tiltable in the front-rear direction and has a support pole for supporting the supply pipe. [Claim 4] The boom is installed on one side in the left-right direction relative to the car wash machine body. The car wash machine according to claim 3, wherein, in the left-right direction, the distance between the photoelectric sensor that detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area from one side and the passage area is longer than the distance between the photoelectric sensor that detects the intrusion of an obstacle into the car wash area from the other side opposite to the one side and the passage area.

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