Car washer

Abstract

To wash a car more efficiently with a loading platform kept raised to an inclined position, while avoiding interference with the loading platform.SOLUTION: A car washing machine (2) for washing a car (X) having a truck (T) and a loading platform (C) capable of rising and falling between a storage position (C1) and an inclined position (C2) includes: a base portion (4), a sensor (6), a nozzle (8), and a control unit (26). The base portion moves in a front-rear direction of the car. The sensor is supported by the base portion and configured to detect presence or absence of the loading platform at a position higher than when the loading platform is at the storage position. The nozzle (8) is supported by the base portion, is movable between a washing position and a retracted position (P1) at which interference with the loading platform at the inclined position due to movement of the base portion is avoided, and is configured to jet a liquid toward the loading platform disposed at the inclined position of the washing position. The control unit controls each part of the car washing machine.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a car wash machine for washing vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes a car wash machine that is provided with a car wash machine main body that moves relatively to a vehicle to wash the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2006-205932 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] The car wash machine described in Patent Document 1 does not assume that a vehicle with a platform that can be raised and lowered relative to a dolly, such as a dump truck, will be washed with the platform raised. For example, with the car wash machine described in Patent Document 1, it is difficult to wash a vehicle with a raised platform while reducing interference with the vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A car wash machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a car wash machine for washing a vehicle having a trolley and a loading platform provided on the trolley that can be raised and lowered between a storage position and an inclined position, and includes a base that moves in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, a sensor supported on the base for detecting the presence or absence of the loading platform which is at a higher position than when it is in the storage position, a nozzle supported on the base that is movable between a washing position and a retracted position that avoids interference with the loading platform when in the inclined position due to movement of the base, and that sprays liquid toward the loading platform when in the inclined position when in the washing position, and a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine. Effect of the Invention

[0006] This allows the vehicle to be washed more efficiently with the loading platform raised to an inclined position while avoiding interference with the loading platform. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a car wash machine and a vehicle, illustrating a state in which the vehicle is washed by the car wash machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 2] 1A and 1B are schematic side and rear views of a vehicle. [Diagram 3] 1 is a schematic side view of a car wash machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic rear view of a car wash machine according to an embodiment. [Diagram 5] 1 is a schematic rear view of a car wash machine and a vehicle, illustrating a state in which the vehicle is washed by the car wash machine according to an embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a car washing method using the car wash machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a vehicle guidance process by the car wash machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart for explaining a first washing step performed by the car wash machine according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] 5 is a flowchart for explaining a second washing step performed by the car wash machine according to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] [Embodiment] <Overview of the vehicle to be washed> First, a vehicle to be washed by the car wash machine according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic side surface X1 and a schematic rear surface X2 of a vehicle X which is a vehicle to be washed.

[0009] Vehicle X, which is a vehicle to be washed according to this embodiment, has a dolly T and a loading platform C provided on the dolly T. The loading platform C can be raised and lowered between a storage position C1 and an inclined position C2, which will be described later. Note that Fig. 2 illustrates a schematic side view X1 and a schematic rear view X2 of vehicle X, in which the loading platform C is positioned at the storage position C1 and the inclined position C2, respectively.

[0010] The trolley T can move together with the platform C by the rotational drive of a number of tires TT, and has a driver's cab TS at the front. The trolley T is equipped with a power unit (not shown) for raising and lowering the platform C, which will be described later. A driver in the driver's cab TS can operate the power unit to raise and lower the platform C by operating an operation unit of the driver's cab TS.

[0011] The loading platform C includes, for example, a bottom U and side walls W erected around the bottom U. For example, among the side walls W, a rear side wall WB located on the rear side of the vehicle X may be rotatably connected to the upper sides of the left and right side walls WS located on the left and right sides of the vehicle X. The rear side wall WB may also be detachably connected to the bottom U. When the rear side wall WB and the bottom U are connected to each other, the rear side wall WB and the bottom U are in close contact with each other, and the vehicle X prevents materials from flowing out from between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U. On the other hand, when the connection between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U is released, the rear side wall WB can be detached from the bottom U by rotating with respect to the left and right side walls WS, and the vehicle X can allow materials to flow out from between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U.

[0012] When the loading platform C is in the storage position C1, the loading platform C is in a position where the normal direction of the main surface of the bottom part U approximately coincides with the normal direction of the ground surface G. Therefore, when the normal direction of the ground surface G approximately coincides with the vertical direction, the loading platform C can accumulate materials in the space surrounded by the side wall W on the bottom part U. Therefore, when the loading platform C is in the storage position C1, the vehicle X can transport the materials.

[0013] When the loading platform C is in the tilted position C2, it is tilted so that the front side is positioned higher than the rear side. In other words, the tilted position C2 is a position where the front side of the loading platform C is raised upward from the storage position C1. When the loading platform C is in the tilted position C2 and the connection between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U is released, the rear side wall WB rotates relative to the left and right side walls WS due to gravity and separates from the bottom U. As a result, when the loading platform C is in the tilted position C2, the vehicle X can unload materials stored in the loading platform C to the rear side of the vehicle X by releasing the connection between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U.

[0014] <Car wash machine overview> Next, the car wash machine 2 that washes the vehicle X in this embodiment will be described with reference to Figs. 3 and 4. Fig. 3 is a schematic side view of the car wash machine 2, and Fig. 4 is a schematic rear view of the car wash machine 2. In this embodiment, as will be described in detail later, the entrance side when the vehicle X enters the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2 is the rear side of the car wash machine 2. Therefore, as will be described in detail later, the vehicle X is washed by the car wash machine 2 with the rear side of the car wash machine 2 as the rear side. However, this is not limited to this in this embodiment, and the car wash machine 2 may wash the vehicle X with the front side of the vehicle X facing the rear side of the car wash machine 2.

[0015] The car wash machine 2 includes a base 4, a sensor 6, a nozzle 8, a cart nozzle 10, a movable cart sensor 12, a discharge unit 14, a fixed cart sensor 16, an alarm unit 18, a lower rail 20, an upper rail 22, a rail fixing unit 24, and a control unit 26. Note that, as described later, Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 show the discharge unit 14 and the control unit 26, which are located below the ground surface G, in a see-through manner.

[0016] <Base> The base 4 moves in a moving direction D along a lower rail 20 and an upper rail 22 described later. The moving direction D is approximately the same as the front-rear direction of the vehicle X while the vehicle X is being washed by the car wash machine 2. In particular, the car wash machine 2 has a pair of left and right bases 4, and the two bases 4 are linked to each other and are located at approximately the same position in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X. However, this is not limited to this in the present embodiment, and each base 4 may move independently without being linked to each other. Note that, in this embodiment, among the directions along the moving direction D, the direction from the rear side to the front side of the car wash machine 2 is the forward direction D1, and the direction from the front side to the rear side of the car wash machine 2 is the backward direction D2.

[0017] Each base 4 has, for example, a support 28 extending in the up-down direction, a nozzle arm 30 extending in a direction different from the extension direction of the support 28, and a sensor arm 32 extending across the support 28 along the movement direction D of each base 4. In particular, the nozzle arm 30 includes a lower nozzle arm 34 and an upper nozzle arm 36 located above the lower nozzle arm 34 in the up-down direction. In addition, the sensor arm 32 includes a lower sensor arm 38 and an upper sensor arm 40 located above the lower sensor arm 38 in the up-down direction.

[0018] Here, each nozzle arm 30 can rotate around a vertical shaft 42 fixed to the support 28. In particular, each nozzle arm 30 can rotate between a position extending along the moving direction D of the base 4 shown in FIG. 3 and a position extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction D of the base 4 shown in FIG. 4 by rotating around the vertical shaft 42. In addition, the lower nozzle arm 34 and the upper nozzle arm 36 can rotate independently of each other. In this embodiment, each nozzle arm 30 moves between a position extending from each support 28 along the rearward direction D2 shown in FIG. 3 and a position extending from each support 28 toward the other support 28 shown in FIG. 4.

[0019] Each base 4 has a plurality of wheels 44 and a wheel arm 46 formed on an end in the vertical direction and extending along the movement direction D. Each wheel 44 is formed on the wheel arm 46 and is driven to rotate by a power unit (not shown) to move along a lower rail 20 or an upper rail 22 (described later), thereby moving the base 4 along the movement direction D.

[0020] <Sensor> The sensor 6 is an optical axis sensor supported by the base 4 and includes, for example, a light receiving element formed on one base 4 and a light emitting element formed on the other base 4 that irradiates light or the like toward the light receiving element. The light emitting element includes, for example, a laser element or an LED (Light Emitting Diode) element. In this case, the sensor 6 detects the presence or absence of an object between the light receiving element and the light emitting element depending on whether or not light from the light emitting element is detected by the light receiving element. Particularly, in this embodiment, the sensor 6 detects the presence or absence of a loading platform C that is at a higher position than when it is in the storage position C1.

[0021] In addition, when each base 4 moves independently, the sensor 6 may include a light receiving element and a light emitting element for each base 4. In this case, the sensor 6 may detect the vehicle X by detecting light from the light emitting element reflected by the vehicle X with the light receiving element. Furthermore, in this case, the sensor 6 may measure the distance from each base 4 to the vehicle X based on the time from the emission of light from the light emitting element to the detection of the light by the light receiving element, and may determine a part of the vehicle shape of the vehicle X.

[0022] The sensor 6 includes, for example, a lower sensor 48 formed on the lower sensor arm 38 and an upper sensor 50 formed on the upper sensor arm 40. Therefore, the upper sensor 50 is located above the lower sensor 48 in the up-down direction.

[0023] Further, the lower sensor 48 includes a first lower sensor 52 as a first sensor formed at one end of the lower sensor arm 38, and a second lower sensor 54 as a second sensor formed at the other end of the lower sensor arm 38. In addition, the upper sensor 50 includes a first upper sensor 56 as a first sensor formed at one end of the upper sensor arm 40, and a second upper sensor 58 as a second sensor formed at the other end of the upper sensor arm 40. In other words, each of the lower sensor 48 and the upper sensor 50 includes a first sensor and a second sensor located on either side of the first sensor in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X. In this embodiment, the first lower sensor 52 is located closer to the front of the car wash machine 2 than the second lower sensor 54. In addition, in this embodiment, the first upper sensor 56 is located closer to the front of the car wash machine 2 than the second upper sensor 58.

[0024] <Nozzle> The nozzles 8 are supported by the base 4, and spray the liquid upon receiving a supply of liquid from, for example, a connected pump (not shown). In particular, the nozzles 8 are oriented so as to spray the liquid vertically downward. Thus, the nozzles 8 are nozzles for spraying the liquid from above the vehicle X to wash the vehicle X. However, each nozzle 8 may spray the liquid in a diffused manner toward a certain range, or may be capable of changing the spray direction within a certain range. Furthermore, the liquid sprayed by the nozzles 8 may include, for example, city water or detergent, and the liquid sprayed by the nozzles 8 may be switchable.

[0025] The nozzle 8 includes, for example, a lower nozzle 60 supported by the lower nozzle arm 34 and an upper nozzle 62 supported by the upper nozzle arm 36. Therefore, each of the lower nozzle 60 and the upper nozzle 62 moves in accordance with the rotation of the lower nozzle arm 34 and the upper nozzle arm 36, respectively.

[0026] In particular, in this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 3, when the lower nozzle arm 34 and the upper nozzle arm 36 are in positions extending from the respective supports 28 in the rearward movement direction D2, the lower nozzle 60 and the upper nozzle 62 are in the retracted position P1. Also, as shown in Fig. 4, when the lower nozzle arm 34 and the upper nozzle arm 36 are in positions extending from the respective supports 28 toward the other support 28, the lower nozzle 60 and the upper nozzle 62 are in the cleaning position P2. In other words, the lower nozzle 60 and the upper nozzle 62 move between the retracted position P1 and the cleaning position P2 in accordance with the rotation of the lower nozzle arm 34 and the upper nozzle arm 36, respectively.

[0027] When each nozzle 8 is in the retracted position P1, it is possible for each nozzle 8 to avoid interference with the loading platform C. When each nozzle 8 is in the cleaning position P2, it is possible for each nozzle 8 to spray liquid toward the loading platform C and clean the loading platform C. The functions of each nozzle 8 in the retracted position P1 and the cleaning position P2 will be described in detail later.

[0028] The lower nozzle arm 34 is positioned higher than the lower sensor arm 38, and the upper nozzle arm 36 is positioned higher than the upper sensor arm 40. Therefore, the lower nozzle 60 is positioned higher than the lower sensor 48, and the upper nozzle 62 is positioned higher than the upper sensor 50.

[0029] <Carriage nozzle> The cart nozzle 10 is supported by the base 4, and for example receives a supply of liquid from a connected pump (not shown) and sprays the liquid. For example, a plurality of cart nozzles 10 are formed directly on each support 28, and spray liquid toward the other support 28. In other words, each cart nozzle 10 sprays liquid toward between the two bases 4. Except for the configuration described above, each cart nozzle 10 may have the same configuration as any of the nozzles 8.

[0030] The dolly nozzle 10 sprays liquid toward at least the dolly T while the vehicle X is being washed by the car wash machine 2, thereby washing the surface of the vehicle X including the dolly T. More specifically, as will be described later, the dolly nozzle 10 may be a nozzle for washing not only the dolly T but also the side surface of the vehicle X, such as the side surface of the loading platform C. The washing of the surface of the vehicle X by the dolly nozzle 10 will be described in detail later.

[0031] In this embodiment, the cart nozzles 10 are formed on both the forward direction D1 side and the backward direction D2 side of the support 28. The cart nozzles 10 are formed at different heights of the support 28. In particular, at least two cart nozzles 10 are aligned along an inclination direction DT inclined from the vertical direction DV. The inclination direction DT is inclined with respect to the vertical direction DV so that the upper side is the front side of the car wash machine 2.

[0032] <Movable cart sensor> The movable cart sensor 12 is formed, for example, on each support 28, and is located vertically lower than the sensor 6. Therefore, the movable cart sensor 12 moves in conjunction with the movement of the base 4, and in particular, the movable cart sensor 12 detects the cart T crossing the base 4. Except for the configuration described above, the movable cart sensor 12 may have the same configuration as any of the sensors 6.

[0033] <Discharge section> The discharge unit 14 is installed on the ground G between the two bases 4 and at the rear side of the movement range of the bases 4. The discharge unit 14 has an opening 64 on the upper side, and receives and discharges liquid, foreign objects, etc. that flow in from above. The discharge unit 14 may be connected to a sewer system (not shown). In addition, a lid 66 having a plurality of holes is fitted into the opening 64, and objects that flow into the inside of the discharge unit 14 are limited to liquids or foreign objects that have fallen off the vehicle X.

[0034] <Fixed Cart Sensor> The fixed cart sensor 16 is formed, for example, on the ground G, and its position with respect to the ground G is fixed regardless of the movement of the base 4. In particular, the fixed cart sensor 16 detects the cart T of the vehicle X that is stopped while the vehicle X is being washed by the car wash machine 2.

[0035] The fixed cart sensor 16 includes a first fixed cart sensor 68 and a second fixed cart sensor 70 located on the rear side of the car wash machine 2 relative to the first fixed cart sensor 68. In particular, the first fixed cart sensor 68 and the second fixed cart sensor 70 are formed so that when the first fixed cart sensor 68 detects the cart T and the second fixed cart sensor 70 does not detect the cart T, the rear end of the loading platform C is positioned to coincide with the discharge section 14 in a plan view.

[0036] Therefore, when only the first fixed cart sensor 68 of the first fixed cart sensor 68 and the second fixed cart sensor 70 detects the cart T, the fixed cart sensor 16 can detect that the vehicle X is at a position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge unit 14 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the position of the vehicle X where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge unit 14 in a plan view is the stopping position where the car is washed by the car wash machine 2.

[0037] <Notification Department> The notification unit 18 is formed, for example, on the front side of the car wash machine 2 on the ground G. The notification unit 18 has, for example, three lamps 72 that can be turned on and off individually. The notification unit 18 guides the user of the car wash machine 2 to move the vehicle forward, stop, or reverse by turning on and off each of the lamps 72. When the vehicle X is located at a position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge unit 14 in a plan view, the notification unit 18 guides the user of the car wash machine 2 to stop the vehicle X by a method described later. In this way, the notification unit 18 notifies the user of the car wash machine 2 that the vehicle X is located at a position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge unit 14 in a plan view.

[0038] <Rail> The lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 guide the movement of the support 28 caused by the rotational drive of each wheel 44 formed on the support 28, thereby guiding the support 28. For this reason, the lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 extend in the movement direction of the base 4. In addition, the upper rail 22 is disposed parallel to the lower rail 20 and above the lower rail 20.

[0039] The lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 are each fixed by a rail fixing portion 24. In particular, since the rail fixing portion 24 is formed on the ground G, the positions of the lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 are fixed relative to the ground G by the rail fixing portion 24. However, in this embodiment, the lower rail 20 may be formed directly on the ground G, and the position of the upper rail 22 relative to the lower rail 20 may be fixed by the rail fixing portion 24, thereby fixing the positions of the lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 relative to the ground G.

[0040] The movement of the base 4 is guided by the lower rail 20 and the upper rail 22 which are fixed to the ground by the rail fixing portion 24. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can more stabilize the base 4 by the lower rail 20, the upper rail 22, and the rail fixing portion 24, and can more reliably guide the movement of the base 4.

[0041] <Control Unit> The control unit 26 is installed, for example, on the ground G, and controls each part of the car wash machine 2. The control unit 26 is configured, for example, by a processor such as a CPU, and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in a memory on the processor. For example, the control unit 26 may receive a signal transmitted from each part of the car wash machine 2 by a communication means (not shown). The control unit 26 may generate a control signal for controlling each part of the car wash machine 2 based on the signal, and transmit the control signal to each part of the car wash machine 2 by the communication means to control each part of the car wash machine 2. In this embodiment, the control unit 26 may be installed at any position as long as it does not hinder the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine 2, such as a position that does not hinder the movement of the base 4, a position that does not hinder the entry and exit of the vehicle X into and out of the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2, etc. The method of controlling each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 will be described later through the explanation of the car wash method by the car wash machine 2.

[0042] <Overview of car washing method> Next, a car washing method using the car wash machine 2 will be described with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 to Fig. 9. In this embodiment, the method will be described by taking as an example a method in which the vehicle X enters the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2 with the loading platform C of the vehicle X in the storage position C1, and the vehicle X is washed with the loading platform C in the inclined position C2.

[0043] 1 and 5 are schematic side and rear views of the car wash machine 2 and the vehicle X while the vehicle X is being washed by the car wash machine 2. In particular, Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 show the same positions as the schematic side and rear views of the car wash machine 2 shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4, respectively. Also, Fig. 1 and Fig. 5 show cases where the loading platform C of the vehicle X to be washed by the car wash machine 2 is in the storage position C1 and the inclined position C2, respectively, in an overlapping manner.

[0044] 1 shows the base 4 positioned at a first washing start position 4A on the rear side of the vehicle X and at a second washing start position 4B on the front side of the vehicle X in the same drawing. In addition, FIG. 5 shows the car wash machine 2 washing the loading platform C with each nozzle 8 by a method to be described later.

[0045] 6 is a flowchart for explaining the car wash method by the car wash machine 2. In the car wash method by the car wash machine 2, first, the car wash machine 2 accepts a request for a car wash from a user of the car wash machine 2, including the driver of the vehicle X, etc. (Step S2). The acceptance of the request for a car wash is executed, for example, by the control unit 26 controlling an operation unit such as a remote panel (not shown) and acquiring information on the operation of the operation unit by the user. The information may include information on the car wash method, or payment information for the car wash fee, etc.

[0046] <Vehicle guidance process> As shown in Fig. 6, after the reception of the car wash, the car wash machine 2 executes a vehicle guidance process through the control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S4). The vehicle guidance process will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the vehicle guidance process.

[0047] In the vehicle guiding process, the car wash machine 2 first determines whether all of the fixed cart sensors 16 have detected the cart T by having the control unit 26 acquire the detection results of the cart T from the fixed cart sensors 16 (step S4-2). In this embodiment, "all of the fixed cart sensors 16 detect the cart T" refers to both the first fixed cart sensor 68 and the second fixed cart sensor 70 included in the fixed cart sensors 16 detecting the cart T of the vehicle X. Note that the fixed cart sensor 16 is disposed in a position that does not detect the cart T immediately after reception for the car wash.

[0048] If in step S4-2 the car wash machine 2 determines that the cart T has not been detected by any of the fixed cart sensors 16, the car wash machine 2 guides the user to move the vehicle X forward (step S4-4). For example, the car wash machine 2 urges the user to move the vehicle X forward by controlling the control unit 26 to turn on and off the lamps 72 of the notification unit 18, or by controlling audio guidance from a speaker (not shown), etc. In particular, in this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 guides the user to move the vehicle X forward between the bases 4, from the rear side to the front side of the car wash machine 2.

[0049] Steps S4-2 and S4-4 are repeated until the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-2 that all of the fixed cart sensors 16 have detected the cart T. If the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-2 that all of the fixed cart sensors 16 have detected the cart T, then the control unit 26 of the car wash machine 2 determines whether only the first fixed cart sensor 68 has detected the cart T (step S4-6) using the same method as in step S4-2. In other words, in step S4-6, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the first fixed cart sensor 68 has detected the cart T and the second fixed cart sensor 70 has not detected the cart T.

[0050] As described above, when only the first fixed cart sensor 68 detects the cart T, the vehicle X is in a parking position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge section 14 in a plan view. In this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 performs a car wash when the vehicle X is in the parking position. Therefore, when the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-6 that only the first fixed cart sensor 68 is not detecting the cart T, the car wash machine 2 determines that further guidance of the vehicle X is necessary. In this case, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the second fixed cart sensor 70 has detected the cart T by the same method as in step S4-2 (step S4-8).

[0051] Assume that in step S4-8, the car wash machine 2 determines that the second fixed cart sensor 70 detects the cart T. In this case, first, it is possible that all of the fixed cart sensors 16 are still detecting the cart T. Second, it is possible that after all of the fixed cart sensors 16 have once detected the cart T, the vehicle X moves backward, and only the second fixed cart sensor 70 detects the cart T. Therefore, in the above case, the car wash machine 2 determines that it is necessary for the vehicle X to move further forward, and guides the user to move the vehicle X forward in the same manner as in step S4-4 (step S4-10).

[0052] On the other hand, suppose that in step S4-8, the car wash machine 2 determines that the second fixed cart sensor 70 has not detected the cart T. In this case, in light of the fact that the car wash machine 2 has determined in step S4-6 that not only the first fixed cart sensor has detected the cart T, it is considered that none of the fixed cart sensors 16 has detected the cart T. In other words, in the above-mentioned case, it is considered that the vehicle X has continued to move forward and passed the first fixed cart sensor 68. Therefore, in the above-mentioned case, the car wash machine 2 determines that it is necessary to reverse the vehicle X, and guides the user to reverse the vehicle X (step S4-12). For example, the car wash machine 2 prompts the user to reverse the vehicle X by controlling the control unit 26 to change the lamps 72 that are turned on and off, or to change the voice guidance, or the like.

[0053] Steps S4-6 to S4-12 are repeated until the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-6 that only the first fixed cart sensor 68 has detected the cart T. In step S4-6, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the rear end of the platform C is at a position that coincides with the discharge unit 14 in a plan view, in other words, whether the vehicle X is at a stopped position. Here, the car wash machine 2 uses the control unit 26 to control changes to the lamps 72 that are turned on and off, and notifies the user via the notification unit 18 that the vehicle X is at that position.

[0054] In the above case, the car wash machine 2 then guides the user to operate the loading platform C and exit from the vehicle X through the control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26, and accepts an operation to start washing from the user (step S4-14). In step S4-14, for example, the control unit 26 first controls the change of the lamps 72 to be turned on and off, or the change of the voice guidance, etc. As a result, the car wash machine 2 prompts the user to tilt the loading platform C of the vehicle X to the tilt position C2 and exit from the vehicle X. Next, the control unit 26 controls the operation unit and acquires information on the operation of the operation unit by the user, thereby accepting an operation to start washing from the user. In step S4-14 according to this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 may further guide the user to release the connection between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U.

[0055] In the vehicle guiding process according to this embodiment, it is assumed that the base 4 is in the first cleaning start position 4A shown in Fig. 1. Here, when the vehicle X is in the parked position, the base 4 is in the first cleaning start position 4A, and the cargo platform C is in the stored position C1, none of the sensors 6 detects the cargo platform C. On the other hand, when the vehicle X is in the parked position, the base 4 is in the first cleaning start position 4A, and the cargo platform C is in the inclined position C2, the cargo platform C passes only between the first lower sensors 52 of the sensors 6, and therefore only the first lower sensor 52 detects the cargo platform C.

[0056] Therefore, when the vehicle X is in the parked position, the car wash machine 2 can determine whether the platform C has moved from the stored position C1 to the inclined position C2 by checking whether the platform C has been detected by the first lower sensor 52. When the vehicle X is in the parked position and the base 4 is in the first washing start position 4A, the movable platform sensor 12 detects the platform T of the vehicle X.

[0057] Following step S4-14, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the first lower sensor 52 has detected the loading platform C through control of the first lower sensor 52 by the control unit 26 (step S4-16). If the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-16 that the first lower sensor 52 has not detected the loading platform C, the car wash machine 2 determines that the loading platform C is not in the tilted position C2. In this case, the car wash machine 2 guides the user how to operate the loading platform C through control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S4-18). Guiding the user how to operate the loading platform C in step S4-18 may be executed consecutively from step S4-14.

[0058] In this embodiment, for example, following step S4-18, the car wash machine 2 executes step S4-6 again. This allows the car wash machine 2 to again guide the vehicle X to move forward or backward even if the vehicle X has moved from the correct washing position after step S4-14 has been executed. Note that when guiding the movement of the vehicle X after executing step S4-14 even once, the car wash machine 2 may guide the user to return the loading platform C to the storage position C1 once before moving the vehicle X.

[0059] If the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-16 that the first lower sensor 52 has detected the loading platform C, the car wash machine 2 determines that the loading platform C is in the tilted position C2. In this case, the car wash machine 2 causes the control unit 26 to determine whether the user has performed an operation to start washing through control of the operation unit of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S4-20). If the control unit 26 does not confirm the user's operation to start washing in step S4-20, the car wash machine 2 executes step S4-6 again.

[0060] When the control unit 26 confirms the user's operation to start washing in step S4-20, the car wash machine 2 transitions to a first washing step (described later) through control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S4-22). In other words, even if the control unit 26 confirms the user's operation to start washing, the car wash machine 2 does not transition to the first washing step until the car wash machine 2 determines in step S4-16 that the first lower sensor 52 has detected the loading platform C.

[0061] Through the above vehicle guidance process, the car wash machine 2 guides the user to move the vehicle X to a position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge section 14 in a planar view, and once the loading platform C has been moved to the inclined position C2, it can proceed to the first cleaning process described below.

[0062] <First cleaning process> As shown in Fig. 6, following the vehicle guiding step, the car wash machine 2 executes a first washing step through control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S6). The first washing step will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a flow chart for explaining the first washing step.

[0063] In the first washing step, the car wash machine 2 first moves the lower nozzle 60 to the washing position P2 as shown in Fig. 5, and sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 60 (step S6-2). For example, the car wash machine 2 rotates each lower nozzle arm 34 about the vertical shaft 42 under the control of the base 4 by the control unit 26 to move the lower nozzle 60 to the washing position P2 by moving the lower nozzle 60 in a direction extending from each support column 28 to the other support column 28. In addition, the car wash machine 2 sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 60 under the control of a pump (not shown) connected to the lower nozzle 60. As a result, the lower nozzle 60 is used to wash the loading platform C by spraying liquid from the lower nozzle 60 into the inside of the loading platform C, etc.

[0064] In the first cleaning step, the platform C is in an inclined position C2 where the front end is higher than the rear end. Therefore, when liquid is sprayed onto the inside of the platform C, the liquid flows from the front end side to the rear end side on the bottom U of the platform C in the inclined position C2, and flows out from the rear end of the platform C to the outside of the platform C.

[0065] Here, by the vehicle guiding process, the vehicle X is guided to a parking position where the rear end of the loading platform C coincides with the discharge section 14 in a plan view. For this reason, the liquid sprayed onto the inside of the loading platform C in the first washing process flows into the discharge section 14 from the rear end of the loading platform C, and is discharged from the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2 by the discharge section 14. For the same reason, foreign matter that has detached from the loading platform C due to the spraying of the liquid onto the inside of the loading platform C in the first washing process flows into the discharge section 14 from the rear end of the loading platform C together with the liquid.

[0066] As a result, in step S6-2 and onwards, the car wash machine 2 can wash the inside of the loading platform C while discharging liquid, foreign matter, etc. remaining inside the loading platform C from the rear end of the inclined loading platform C to the discharge section 14. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can effectively discharge liquid containing foreign matter washed away by washing the loading platform C from the car wash section of the car wash machine 2. In particular, if the connection between the rear side wall WB and the bottom U is released by the time the vehicle guiding process is completed, in the first washing process and onwards, liquid, foreign matter, etc. inside the loading platform C are effectively discharged by the discharge section 14 from the rear end of the loading platform C.

[0067] Following step S6-2, the car wash machine 2 starts moving the base 4 forward by the control of the control unit 26. In other words, the car wash machine 2 controls a power unit (not shown) of each base 4 by the control unit 26 to rotate the wheels 44, thereby moving each base 4 from the first wash start position 4A toward the forward direction D1. Therefore, the lower nozzle arm 34 and the lower nozzle 60 move as each base 4 moves forward, and the inside of the loading platform C is washed using the lower nozzle 60 while changing the spray position of the liquid from the lower nozzle 60 on the loading platform C.

[0068] In addition, from step S6-4 onwards, in the first cleaning process, unless otherwise specified, liquid is sprayed from the bogie nozzle 10 while the base 4 is moved forward. As described above, each bogie nozzle 10 sprays liquid toward the space between the two bases 4. Therefore, if a vehicle X is present between the two bases 4, the liquid from each bogie nozzle 10 is sprayed onto the vehicle X. Therefore, in the first cleaning process, the bogie nozzle 10 sprays liquid while the base 4 is moving forward, thereby spraying liquid onto the vehicle X from the rear end side to the front end side of the vehicle X, and the vehicle X can be washed with the liquid.

[0069] In particular, the cart nozzle 10 cleans the cart T by spraying liquid onto the outer surface of the cart T. The cart nozzle 10 may also clean a part of the cart C by spraying liquid onto the outer surface of the cart C, such as a side surface of the cart C. During the first cleaning step, the control unit 26 may swing each cart nozzle 10 through control of each cart nozzle 10 to expand the range over which the liquid is sprayed.

[0070] In the washing process according to this embodiment, the vehicle X is stopped with its front side facing the front of the car wash machine 2. As described above, the inclination direction DT is inclined with respect to the vertical direction DV so that the upper side is toward the front side of the car wash machine 2. Therefore, the inclination direction DT is inclined toward the inclination direction of the loading platform C at the inclined position C2 more than the vertical direction DV. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can more efficiently wash the side of the inclined loading platform C by using at least two cart nozzles 10 aligned along the inclination direction DT. For example, the inclination direction DT may be parallel to the inclination direction of the loading platform C.

[0071] The car wash machine 2 may include a cart nozzle 10 that is not arranged along the inclination direction DT, and may have, for example, two cart nozzles 10 arranged along the vertical direction DV. Furthermore, the car wash machine 2 may spray liquid from any one of the cart nozzles 10 to wash the vehicle X with the cart nozzle 10, regardless of whether the loading platform C of the vehicle X is in the storage position C1 or the inclined position C2.

[0072] Following step S6-4, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the movable cart sensor 12 has detected the cart T by having the control unit 26 acquire the detection result of the cart T from the movable cart sensor 12 (step S6-6). As described above, when the vehicle guiding process is completed, if the vehicle X is in the parked position and the base 4 is in the first washing start position 4A, the movable cart sensor 12 detects the cart T of the vehicle X. Furthermore, at the start of the first washing process, the base 4 is in the first washing start position 4A, so that at the start of the first washing process, the movable cart sensor 12 detects the vicinity of the rear end of the cart T.

[0073] Therefore, in the first washing step, the movable cart sensor 12 continues to detect the cart T until each base 4 moves from the front end of the vehicle X to the front side of the vehicle X. Therefore, while the movable cart sensor 12 detects the cart T, the car wash machine 2 determines that the vehicle X is located between the bases 4 and washing of the vehicle X from the rear end to the front end in the first washing step is not completed. On the other hand, the car wash machine 2 determines that the base 4 has moved forward from the front end of the vehicle X and washing of the vehicle X from the rear end to the front end in the first washing step is completed at the point in time when the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart T. Note that the car wash machine 2 may determine that washing of the vehicle X from the rear end to the front end in the first washing step is completed when the base 4 advances to the front end of the lower rail 20 or the upper rail 22.

[0074] If in step S6-6 the car wash machine 2 determines that the movable cart sensor 12 has detected the cart T, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the lower nozzle 60 is at the washing position P2 and the second lower sensor 54 has detected the platform C (step S6-8). For example, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the lower nozzle 60 is at the washing position P2 by having the control unit 26 acquire information on the position of the lower nozzle arm 34 from the base 4. In addition, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the second lower sensor 54 has detected the platform C by having the control unit 26 acquire detection information on the platform C from the second lower sensor 54.

[0075] The second lower sensor 54 is located further rearward of the vehicle X than the first lower sensor 52. Therefore, when the second lower sensor 54 detects the loading platform C as the base 4 moves forward, the lower nozzle 60, which is located at the cleaning position P2, is closer to the loading platform C compared to when step S6-2 is completed. However, the lower nozzle 60 is located higher than the second lower sensor 54, and the loading platform C, which is in the inclined position C2, has its upper side located closer to the front of the vehicle X than its lower side. Therefore, at the time when the second lower sensor 54 detects the loading platform C, there is a sufficient distance between the lower nozzle 60 and the loading platform C.

[0076] In step S6-8, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the lower nozzle 60 is in the washing position P2 and that the second lower sensor 54 has detected the cargo bed C. In this case, the car wash machine 2, through control by the control unit 26, stops spraying of liquid from the lower nozzle 60 and moves the lower nozzle 60 to the retracted position P1 (step S6-10).

[0077] For example, the car wash machine 2 has the control unit 26 control the pump connected to the lower nozzle 60 to stop the supply of liquid to the lower nozzle 60, thereby stopping the spray of liquid from the lower nozzle 60. The car wash machine 2 also has the control unit 26 control the rotation of the lower nozzle arm 34 about the vertical shaft 42, and moves the lower nozzle arm 34 to a position where the lower nozzle arm 34 extends from the support 28 to the rear side of the vehicle X, thereby moving the lower nozzle 60 to the retracted position P1.

[0078] In other words, the car wash machine 2 executes step S6-10 when the second lower sensor 54 changes from a state in which it does not detect the loading platform C to a state in which it does. In particular, the car wash machine 2 executes step S6-10 when the state changes from a state in which one of the first lower sensor 52 and the second lower sensor 54 detects the loading platform C to a state in which both the first lower sensor 52 and the second lower sensor 54 detect the loading platform C. Also, in step S6-10, the car wash machine 2 moves the lower nozzle 60 from the washing position P2 to the retracted position P1, and sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 60.

[0079] When step S6-10 is performed, the lower nozzle 60 moves to the retracted position P1, so that after step S6-10, the lower nozzle 60 and the lower nozzle arm 34 can avoid interference with the platform C in the inclined position C2 regardless of the forward movement of the base 4. Meanwhile, after step S6-2, until step S6-10 is performed, the car wash machine 2 sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 60 in the washing position P2 toward the inside of the platform C. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can avoid interference between the lower nozzle 60 and the lower nozzle arm 34 and the platform C in the inclined position C2 while washing the platform C with the lower nozzle 60.

[0080] Following step S6-10, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1 and only the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 has detected the platform C (step S6-12). For example, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1 by having the control unit 26 acquire information on the position of the upper nozzle arm 36 from the base 4. In addition, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the first upper sensor 56 has detected the platform C by having the control unit 26 acquire detection information on the platform C from the first upper sensor 56.

[0081] In step S6-12, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1 and that the first upper sensor 56 has detected the loading platform C. In this case, the car wash machine 2, through the control of the control unit 26, moves the upper nozzle 62 to the washing position P2 and sprays liquid from the upper nozzle 62 (step S6-14).

[0082] For example, the car wash machine 2 causes the control unit 26 to control the rotation of the upper nozzle arms 36 around the vertical shaft 42, and moves each upper nozzle arm 36 to a position where it extends from each support column 28 toward the other support column 28. As a result, the car wash machine 2 moves the upper nozzle 62 to the washing position P2. The car wash machine 2 also causes the control unit 26 to control a pump connected to the upper nozzle 62, and supplies liquid to the upper nozzle 62, thereby spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62.

[0083] In other words, the car wash machine 2 executes step S6-14 when a state changes from one in which neither the first upper sensor 56 nor the second upper sensor 58 detects the cargo bed C to one in which either the first upper sensor 56 or the second upper sensor 58 detects the cargo bed C. Also, in step S6-14, the car wash machine 2 moves the upper nozzle 62 from the washing position P2 to the retracted position P1, and sprays liquid from the upper nozzle 62.

[0084] The upper nozzle 62 is located higher than the lower nozzle 60. Therefore, at the start of the first cleaning step, the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the inner surface including the bottom U of the platform C is longer than the distance between the lower nozzle 60 and said surface. Furthermore, the first upper sensor 56 is located higher than the first lower sensor 52. Therefore, the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the inner surface of the platform C at the time when the first upper sensor 56 detects the platform C as the base 4 advances is shorter than the distance at the start of the first cleaning step.

[0085] In this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 stops spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 at the start of the first washing step when the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the platform C is relatively long. In addition, the car wash machine 2 starts spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 when step S6-14 is executed, in other words, when the first upper sensor 56 detects the platform C and the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the platform C becomes sufficiently close.

[0086] Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can stop spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 during a period when the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the cargo platform C is relatively long and the efficiency of cleaning the cargo platform C with the liquid sprayed from the upper nozzle 62 is relatively low. Also, the car wash machine 2 can start spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 from the point when the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the cargo platform C becomes sufficiently short so that the liquid sprayed from the upper nozzle 62 can efficiently clean the cargo platform C. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can reduce the amount of liquid used and cut costs while more appropriately cleaning the cargo platform C.

[0087] Following step S6-14, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is at the washing position P2 and the second upper sensor 58 has detected the platform C (step S6-16). For example, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is at the washing position P2 by having the control unit 26 acquire information regarding the position of the upper nozzle arm 36 from the base 4. In addition, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the second upper sensor 58 has detected the platform C by having the control unit 26 acquire detection information of the platform C from the second upper sensor 58.

[0088] In step S6-16, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the upper nozzle 62 is in the washing position P2 and that the second upper sensor 58 has detected the loading platform C. In this case, the car wash machine 2 stops the spray of liquid from the upper nozzle 62 and moves the upper nozzle 62 to the retracted position P1 through control by the control unit 26 (step S6-18). The stopping of the spray of liquid from the upper nozzle 62 and the movement of the upper nozzle 62 to the retracted position P1 may be performed in the same manner as the stopping of the spray of liquid from the lower nozzle 60 and the movement of the lower nozzle 60 to the retracted position P1.

[0089] When step S6-18 is performed, the upper nozzle 62 moves to the retracted position P1, so that after step S6-18, the upper nozzle 62 and the upper nozzle arm 36 can avoid interference with the platform C in the inclined position C2 regardless of the forward movement of the base 4. On the other hand, after step S6-14, until step S6-18 is performed, the car wash machine 2 sprays liquid from the upper nozzle 62 in the washing position P2 onto the inside of the platform C. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can avoid interference between the upper nozzle 62 and the upper nozzle arm 36 and the platform C in the inclined position C2 while washing the platform C with the upper nozzle 62.

[0090] Following step S6-18, the car wash machine 2 executes the determination of step S6-6 again. Therefore, after execution of step S6-4, the car wash machine 2 repeats steps S6-6 to S6-18 until the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C in step S6-6.

[0091] In step S6-8, if the lower nozzle 60 is not at the washing position P2 or the second lower sensor 54 does not detect the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S6-10 and makes a judgment in step S6-12. In step S6-12, if the upper nozzle 62 is not at the retracted position P1 or if the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 is not the only one detecting the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S6-14 and makes a judgment in step S6-16. In step S6-16, if the upper nozzle 62 is not at the washing position P2 or the second upper sensor 58 does not detect the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S6-18 and makes a judgment in step S6-6.

[0092] Therefore, in the first washing step, the car wash machine 2 executes each of steps S6-10, S6-14, and S6-18 only once in repeating steps S6-6 to S6-18. After execution of steps S6-10 and S6-18, each nozzle 8 remains in the retracted position P1 until the first washing step is completed.

[0093] In the first washing step, when the base 4 moves further forward of the front end of the vehicle X, the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C. Therefore, when the car wash machine 2 determines in step S6-6 that the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C, the car wash machine 2 determines that the step of washing the vehicle X while moving the base 4 forward has been completed. Therefore, when the car wash machine 2 determines in step S6-6 that the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C, the car wash machine 2 transitions to a second washing step (described later) through control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S6-20).

[0094] In step S6-20, the car wash machine 2 may move each base 4 to the second wash start position 4B through control of each base 4 by the control unit 26. When the vehicle X is in the parked position and the base 4 is in the second wash start position 4B, the movable cart sensor 12 detects the cart T of the vehicle X. In other words, in step S6-20, the car wash machine 2 may move each base 4 by the control unit 26 in the backward direction D2 to a position where the movable cart sensor 12 detects the cart T of the vehicle X.

[0095] <Second cleaning process> As shown in Fig. 6, following the first washing step, the car wash machine 2 executes a second washing step through control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26 (step S8). The second washing step will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a flow chart for explaining the second washing step.

[0096] In the second washing step, the car wash machine 2 first starts moving the base 4 backward (step S8-2) by the control of the base 4 by the control unit 26. In other words, the car wash machine 2 controls a power unit (not shown) of each base 4 by the control unit 26 to rotate the wheels 44, thereby moving each base 4 from the second washing start position 4B toward the backward direction D2.

[0097] After step S8-2, in the second cleaning step, unless otherwise specified, the base 4 is moved backward while spraying liquid from the carriage nozzle 10. Cleaning of the vehicle X by spraying liquid from the carriage nozzle 10 may be performed by the same method as that described in the first cleaning step.

[0098] Following step S8-2, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the movable cart sensor 12 has detected the cart T by having the control unit 26 acquire the detection result of the cart T from the movable cart sensor 12 (step S8-4). At the start of the second washing process, the base 4 is at the second washing start position 4B, so at the start of the second washing process, the movable cart sensor 12 detects the vicinity of the front end of the cart T. Therefore, in step S8-4, the car wash machine 2 can determine the completion of washing of the vehicle X from the front end to the rear end of the vehicle X in the second washing process by a method similar to that in step S6-6. Note that the car wash machine 2 may determine that washing of the vehicle X from the front end to the rear end of the vehicle X in the second washing process is completed when the base 4 has moved backward to the rear end of the lower rail 20 or the upper rail 22.

[0099] If the car wash machine 2 determines in step S8-4 that the movable cart sensor 12 has detected the cart T, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1 and only the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 has detected the platform C (step S8-6). After this, the car wash machine 2 may determine the position of each nozzle 8 and the detection of the platform C by each sensor 6 in the second washing step in the same manner as the determination of the position of each nozzle 8 and the determination of the detection of the platform C by each sensor 6 in the first washing step.

[0100] In step S8-6, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1 and only the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 is detecting the loading platform C. In this case, the car wash machine 2 moves the upper nozzle 62 to the washing position P2 and causes the upper nozzle 62 to spray liquid (step S8-8). Thereafter, the car wash machine 2 may control the position of each nozzle 8 and the spray of liquid from each nozzle 8 in the second washing step in the same manner as the control of the position of each nozzle 8 and the control of the spray of liquid from each nozzle 8 in the first washing step.

[0101] In other words, the car wash machine 2 executes step S8-8 when the second upper sensor 58 changes from a state in which it detects the loading platform C to a state in which it does not detect the loading platform C. Also, in step S8-8, the car wash machine 2 moves the upper nozzle 62 from the retracted position P1 to the washing position P2 and sprays liquid from the upper nozzle 62.

[0102] As described above, at the completion of the first cleaning step, each nozzle 8 including the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1. Therefore, from the start of the second cleaning step to the execution of step S8-8, each nozzle 8 can avoid interference with the platform C regardless of the movement of the base 4.

[0103] Furthermore, in this embodiment, when the base 4 moves backward to a position where only the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 detects the platform C, the portion of the support 28 at the height where the upper nozzle arm 36 is formed has moved to the rear of the platform C in the movement direction D. Therefore, by step S8-8, the car wash machine 2 can wash the inside of the platform C with the liquid sprayed from the upper nozzle 62 while avoiding interference between the upper nozzle 62 and the platform C.

[0104] Note that from the start of the second washing step to the execution of step S8-8, even if the upper sensor 50 detects the loading platform C, the upper nozzle 62 does not move to the washing position P2 if the second upper sensor 58 detects the loading platform C. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can maintain the position of the upper nozzle 62 in the retracted position P1 until the base 4 moves backward to a position where interference between the upper nozzle 62 and the loading platform C can be more reliably avoided, thereby more reliably reducing interference between the upper nozzle 62 and the loading platform C.

[0105] Following step S8-8, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the lower nozzle 60 is in the retracted position P1 and only the first lower sensor 52 of the lower sensors 48 detects the cargo platform C (step S8-10). In step S8-8, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the lower nozzle 60 is in the retracted position P1 and only the first lower sensor 52 of the lower sensors 48 detects the cargo platform C. In this case, the car wash machine 2 moves the lower nozzle 60 to the cleaning position P2 and sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 60 (step S8-12). For the same reason as that described for step S8-8, in step S8-12, the car wash machine 2 can wash the inside of the cargo platform C with the liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 60 while avoiding interference between the lower nozzle 60 and the cargo platform C.

[0106] Following step S8-12, the car wash machine 2 determines whether the upper nozzle 62 is at the washing position P2 and none of the upper sensors 50 are detecting the cargo platform C (step S8-14). In step S8-14, it is assumed that the car wash machine 2 determines that the upper nozzle 62 is at the washing position P2 and none of the upper sensors 50 are detecting the cargo platform C. In this case, the car wash machine 2 stops spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 and moves the upper nozzle 62 to the retracted position P1 (step S8-16).

[0107] When the base 4 moves backward to a position where none of the upper sensors 50 detects the loading platform C, the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the loading platform C is relatively long compared to when the first upper sensor 56 detects the loading platform C. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can stop spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 during a period when the distance between the upper nozzle 62 and the loading platform C becomes long and the cleaning effect of the loading platform C by spraying liquid from the upper nozzle 62 decreases. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can reduce the amount of liquid used and cut costs while more appropriately washing the loading platform C.

[0108] Following step S8-16, the car wash machine 2 executes the determination of step S8-4 again. Therefore, after execution of step S8-2, the car wash machine 2 repeats steps S8-4 to S8-16 until the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C in step S8-4.

[0109] In step S8-6, if the upper nozzle 62 is not at the retracted position P1 or if only the first upper sensor 56 of the upper sensors 50 is not detecting the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S8-8 and performs the determination in step S8-10. In step S8-10, if the lower nozzle 60 is not at the retracted position P1 or if only the first lower sensor 52 of the lower sensors 48 is not detecting the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S8-12 and performs the determination in step S8-14. In step S8-14, if the upper nozzle 62 is not at the washing position P2 or if any of the upper sensors 50 is detecting the platform C, the car wash machine 2 skips step S8-16 and performs the determination in step S8-4.

[0110] Therefore, in the second washing step, the car wash machine 2 executes each of steps S8-8, S8-12, and S8-16 only once in repeating steps S8-4 to S8-16. Note that, after execution of step S8-16 until the completion of the first washing step, the upper nozzle 62 is in the retracted position P1, but the lower nozzle 60 may be in the washing position P2, and the lower nozzle 60 may continue to spray liquid.

[0111] In the second washing step, when the base 4 moves further rearward from the rear end of the vehicle X, the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C. Therefore, when the car wash machine 2 determines in step S8-4 that the movable cart sensor 12 no longer detects the cart C, the car wash machine 2 determines that the step of washing the vehicle X while moving the base 4 backward has been completed. In this case, the car wash machine 2 stops spraying liquid from the nozzle 8 through the control of each part of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 26, and guides the user to operate the loading platform C and exit the vehicle X (step S8-18).

[0112] For example, the car wash machine 2 stops the spray of liquid from each nozzle 8 by causing the control unit 26 to stop the supply of liquid to the lower nozzle 60 that is still spraying liquid. Also, the car wash machine 2 controls the control unit 26 to change the lamps 72 that are turned on and off, or to change the voice guidance, to guide the user to operate the loading platform C, for example, to lower the loading platform C from the tilt position C2 to the storage position C1. In addition, the car wash machine 2 prompts the user to move the vehicle X forward and exit the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2.

[0113] This completes the second washing step, and the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine 2. After executing step S8-18, the car wash machine 2 may confirm that the fixed cart sensor 16 has stopped detecting the vehicle X, and prepare to accept another vehicle X for washing.

[0114] <Summary> The car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment includes a sensor 6 and a nozzle 8 supported on a base 4 that moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X. The nozzle 8 moves between a retracted position P1, which avoids interference with the loading platform C, and a washing position P2, which sprays liquid toward the loading platform C, based on the result of detection by the sensor 6 of the presence or absence of a loading platform C of the vehicle X, which is at a higher position than when the nozzle 8 is in the storage position C1. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can wash the vehicle X more efficiently with the loading platform C raised to the inclined position C2 while avoiding interference between the loading platform C and the nozzle 8.

[0115] In particular, the car wash machine 2 causes the control unit 26 to move the nozzle 8 to the retracted position P1 or the washing position P2 in response to a change in the detection result of the loading platform C by the sensor 6. By moving the nozzle 8 in response to the detection result of the sensor 6 in this manner, the car wash machine 2 can appropriately avoid interference between the nozzle 8 and the loading platform C.

[0116] Here, the sensor 6 includes a first sensor and a second sensor located rearward of the vehicle X from the first sensor. The car wash machine 2 causes the control unit 26 to move the nozzle 8 to the retracted position P1 or the washing position P2 in response to changes in the detection results of the loading platform C by the first sensor and the second sensor. In this way, by using the detection results of the loading platform C by the first sensor and the second sensor arranged in the front-rear direction, the car wash machine 2 can more appropriately determine the timing of movement of the nozzle 8.

[0117] Furthermore, the sensor 6 includes a lower sensor 48 and an upper sensor 50 located above the lower sensor 48. The car wash machine 2 causes the control unit 26 to move the nozzle 8 to the retracted position P1 or the washing position P2 in response to changes in the detection results of the loading platform C by the lower sensor 48 and the upper sensor 50. In this way, by using the detection results of the loading platform C by the lower sensor 48 and the upper sensor 50 formed at different heights, the car wash machine 2 can more appropriately determine the timing of movement of the nozzle 8.

[0118] In particular, the nozzle 8 includes a lower nozzle 60 and an upper nozzle 62 located above the lower nozzle 60. The car wash machine 2 also moves the lower nozzle 60 in response to a change in the detection result of the loading platform C by the lower sensor 48, and moves the upper nozzle 62 in response to a change in the detection result of the loading platform C by the upper sensor 50.

[0119] As a result, the car wash machine 2 can be designed to spray liquid from the lower nozzle 60 or the upper nozzle 62 to wash the loading platform C only during a period when the distance between the loading platform C and the lower nozzle 60 or the upper nozzle 62 is sufficiently close. With this design, the car wash machine 2 can reduce the amount of liquid used and cut costs while more appropriately washing the loading platform C. In particular, the car wash machine 2 can contribute to achieving Goal 6 "Clean Water and Sanitation" and Goal 12 "Responsible Consumption and Production" of the SDGs, as it reduces the wasteful consumption of city water or detergent, etc.

[0120] The car wash machine 2 is supported by a vertically extending support column 28 and includes a nozzle arm 30 that rotates about a vertical axis 42, and has a nozzle 8 formed on the nozzle arm 30. With the above configuration, the car wash machine 2 can realize the movement of the nozzle 8 between the retracted position P1 and the washing position P2 by rotating the nozzle arm 30, so that the nozzle 8 that can move between the retracted position P1 and the washing position P2 can be realized with a simple configuration.

[0121] The car wash machine 2 is supported by a support 28 extending in the vertical direction, and includes a sensor arm 32 extending in the moving direction of the base 4, with the sensor 6 formed on the sensor arm 32. With the above-described configuration, the car wash machine 2 can easily install the sensor 6 forward or rearward of the support 28 of the base 4 in the moving direction of the base 4. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can be designed to more appropriately determine the timing of movement of the nozzle 8 with a simpler configuration.

[0122] The car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment may further include a blower supported by the base 4. The car wash machine 2 may dry the vehicle X by blowing air to the vehicle X located between the two bases 4 using the blower. In this case, the car wash machine 2 may be capable of adjusting the position of the blower through control by the control unit 26. The car wash machine 2 may adjust the position of the blower and change whether or not to blow air from the blower through control by the control unit 26 according to the detection result of the loading platform C by the sensor 6.

[0123] As a comparative example of a car wash machine that washes the vehicle X while moving relative to the vehicle X, a car wash machine body having two frames located on the left and right sides of the vehicle X, respectively, and a ceiling portion connecting the two frames at the top, can be considered. The car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment can prevent interference between the loading platform C in the tilted position C2 and the ceiling portion, compared to the car wash machine according to the comparative example described above. Furthermore, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment can increase the upper limit of the height of the vehicle X, compared to the car wash machine according to the comparative example described above. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment can wash the vehicle X while reducing interference with the loading platform C, regardless of the length of the loading platform C of the vehicle X and the tilt angle of the loading platform C in the tilted position C2.

[0124] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining different technical means disclosed in the respective embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0125] 2 car wash machine 4 base 6 Sensors 8 Nozzles 14 Discharge section 16 Fixed Cart Sensor 18. Notification Department 20 Bottom Rail 22 Top rail 24 Rail fixing part 26 Control Unit 28 Posts 30 Nozzle Arm 32 Sensor arm 42 Vertical axis 48 Lower Sensor 50 Upper sensor 52 First lower sensor (first sensor) 54 Second lower sensor (second sensor) 56 First upper sensor (first sensor) 58 Second upper sensor (second sensor) 68 First fixed cart sensor 70 Second fixed cart sensor X Vehicle C. Cargo bed C1 Storage position C2 tilt position T dolly P1 Evacuation position P2 cleaning position

Claims

1. A car wash machine for washing a vehicle, the car wash machine having a dolly and a loading platform provided on the dolly and capable of being raised and lowered between a storage position and an inclined position, A base portion that moves in the front-rear direction of the vehicle; a sensor supported on the base for detecting the presence or absence of the platform at a higher position than when the platform is in the stowed position; a nozzle supported on the base, the nozzle being movable between a cleaning position and a retracted position for avoiding interference with the platform in the inclined position due to movement of the base, and the nozzle spraying liquid at the cleaning position toward the platform in the inclined position; A control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine.

2. The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit moves the nozzle from the washing position to the retracted position when the sensor changes from a state in which the sensor does not detect the loading platform to a state in which the sensor detects the loading platform.

3. When the sensor changes from a state in which the sensor detects the loading platform to a state in which the sensor does not detect the loading platform, The car wash machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle is moved from the retracted position to the washing position.

4. the sensors include a first sensor and a second sensor located on either side of the first sensor in a front-rear direction of the vehicle; The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the control unit moves the nozzle from the retracted position to the cleaning position when a state changes from one in which neither the first sensor nor the second sensor detects the loading platform to one in which one of the first sensor and the second sensor detects the loading platform.

5. The car wash machine according to claim 4, wherein the control unit moves the nozzle from the washing position to the retracted position when a state changes from one of the first sensor and the second sensor detecting the loading platform to a state in which both the first sensor and the second sensor detect the loading platform.

6. The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor includes a lower sensor and an upper sensor located above the lower sensor.

7. The base portion is A support extending in the vertical direction; a nozzle arm extending in a direction different from the extending direction of the support and rotatable around a vertical axis fixed to the support; The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein the nozzle is supported by the nozzle arm, and moves between the washing position and the retracted position by rotation of the nozzle arm.

8. The base portion is a sensor arm extending from the support in a direction of movement of the base, The car wash of claim 7 , wherein the sensor is supported by the sensor arm.

9. A lower rail that is fixed to the ground and extends in the direction of movement of the base and guides the support pole; an upper rail disposed parallel to and above the lower rail and configured to guide the support; The car wash machine according to claim 7 or 8, further comprising a rail fixing portion that fixes at least the upper rail to the ground.

10. a discharge unit installed on the ground that receives and discharges the liquid flowing out from the loading platform in the inclined position; a fixed dolly sensor that is fixed to the ground and detects the presence or absence of the dolly to detect the presence of the vehicle at a position where the rear end of the loading platform coincides with the discharge portion; The car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 9, further comprising an alarm unit that notifies the user when the fixed cart sensor detects that the vehicle is present at a position where the rear end of the loading platform coincides with the discharge section.

11. a plurality of carriage nozzles supported on the base and configured to spray liquid toward the carriage; The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein at least two of the cart nozzles are aligned along an inclination direction inclined from the vertical toward a direction in which the loading platform in the inclined position is inclined.

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