Vehicle Processing Device

Abstract

To provide an art capable of efficiently jetting cleaning fluid to a vehicle.SOLUTION: A vehicle processing device is provided with a body. A portal body having right and left leg parts and a beam part supported by the leg parts is movable relatively to a vehicle stopping on a laying surface. The vehicle processing device includes: a pipe which is mounted along the beam part and through which cleaning fluid flows toward both ends from the center; a first electromagnetic valve which is mounted on the way to one end from the center of the pipe; a second electromagnetic valve which is mounted on the way to the other end from the center of the pipe; a first jetting nozzle which is mounted between one end of the pipe and the first electromagnetic valve; and a second jetting nozzle which is mounted between the other end of the pipe and the second electromagnetic valve.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a vehicle treatment device for treating a vehicle, and more particularly to a car wash device having a function of washing a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In the car wash of JP 60-174350 A (hereinafter referred to as Patent Document 1), a high-pressure water injection device is operated to send high-pressure water to a pipe that runs across the inside of the car wash frame. The sent high-pressure water blows away dirt and sand adhering to the surface of the vehicle through multiple nozzles installed at intervals on the pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 174350 / 1983 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] In a device such as that described in Patent Document 1, high-pressure water is sprayed toward the top surface of the vehicle body, but when the vehicle body is small, such as a minicar, the driver may enter the car wash machine leaning to one side or the left from the center of the main body of the gate-shaped car wash machine. In this case, some of the washing water sprayed from the multiple washing nozzles arranged in parallel on the top of the car wash machine may not hit the small vehicle parked to one side from the center. In light of recent environmental issues, the washing liquid that does not hit the vehicle body and flows away is wasted and is a problem.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that can efficiently spray cleaning liquid onto a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] A vehicle treatment device according to one solution of the present invention comprises a main body, the gate-shaped main body having left and right legs and a beam supported by the left and right legs, which is movable relative to a vehicle parked on a laying surface, and desirably comprises a pipe arranged along the beam through which cleaning liquid flows from the center to both ends, a first solenoid valve arranged halfway from the center of the pipe to one end, a second solenoid valve arranged halfway from the center of the pipe to the other end, a first spray nozzle arranged between one end of the pipe and the first solenoid valve, and a second spray nozzle arranged between the other end of the pipe and the second solenoid valve. Effect of the Invention

[0007] According to one solution, the cleaning liquid can be efficiently sprayed onto the vehicle. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle processing device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the vehicle processing device of FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of the vehicle processing device of FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a block diagram of a control system of the vehicle processing device of FIG. 1. [Diagram 5] 4 is a flowchart for detecting the distance between the main body of the vehicle processing device in FIG. 1 and the side surface of the vehicle. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a vehicle processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THEINVENTION

[0009] In the following embodiments of the present invention, the description will be divided into multiple sections as necessary, but in principle, they are not unrelated to each other, and one is related to the other as a partial or complete modification, details, etc. For this reason, in all the drawings, members having the same function are given the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted.

[0010] In addition, the number of components (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is not limited to a specific number, and may be more or less than a specific number, unless otherwise specified or clearly limited in principle to a specific number. In addition, when referring to the shape of a component, etc., it includes things that are substantially similar or similar to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or clearly considered not to be the case in principle.

[0011] In an embodiment of the present invention, a vehicle processing device will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a vehicle processing device 10. FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of the vehicle processing device 10 of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the vehicle processing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system of the vehicle processing device of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flow chart for detecting the distance between the main body of the vehicle processing device of FIG. 1 and the side of the vehicle. FIG. 6 is a schematic front view of a vehicle processing device according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] The gate-shaped main body 11 of the vehicle treatment device 10 has left and right legs 13R, 13L and a beam 12 supported by the legs 13. The main body 11 travels back and forth on a pair of rails 14 laid on a laying surface G, and washes a vehicle C parked between the rails 14. In terms of positional relationship, the front of the main body 11 is to the right in Fig. 1, and the rear of the main body 11 is to the left in Fig. 1.

[0013] The vehicle treatment device 10 includes a tank 18 for storing the cleaning liquid. Tank 18 is connected to a water supply pipe, and cleaning liquid (well water, tap water, etc.) is supplied to the tank. Tank 18 is also provided with a constant water valve that has the function of keeping the amount of water in the tank constant. The constant water valve has the function of supplying cleaning liquid when the amount of cleaning liquid in the tank decreases. Therefore, tank 18 can always store a constant amount of cleaning liquid. The tank 18 is connected to a pressure pump P, and the cleaning liquid supplied by the pump P is sent to the main body 11 via a water supply pipe 20.

[0014] In addition, the water supply pipe 20 that supplies water from the tank 18 is provided with a length that corresponds to the position where the main body 11 is at its most forward position (when the distance between the tank 18 and the main body 11 is the furthest) as the main body 11 travels back and forth on the rails 14. Then, when the main body 11 moves backwards (when the distance between the tank 18 and the main body 11 is the closest), the water supply pipe 20 will adhere to the installation surface G and get caught on the main body 11. For this reason, a pole 19 with a U-shaped cross section is provided between the tank 18 and the main body 11. The water supply pipe 20 is aligned along the recess of the pole 19, and the middle of the water supply pipe 20 is raised to prevent it from adhering to the installation surface G and getting caught on the main body 11.

[0015] When the pump is operated, the cleaning liquid in the tank 18 is sent to the main body 11 through the water supply pipe 20. The water supply pipe 20 branches off at a branch pipe 21 and is connected to a top jet unit 32 that is piped to the beam 12 and a side jet unit 31 that is piped to the leg 13 of the main body 11. Accordingly, the cleaning liquid is also sent to the top jet unit 32 and the side jet unit 31.

[0016] The vehicle treatment device 10 includes a top brush 22 and a pair of left and right side brushes 23, 23. The top brush 22 has a rotation axis along the beam portion 12, and rotates together with the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the vehicle C to clean mainly the upper surface of the vehicle C. The top brush 22 also moves up and down as the main body portion 11 travels, and has the function of cleaning in accordance with the shape of the upper surface of the vehicle C. Furthermore, the pair of left and right side brushes 23, 23 provided on both legs 13 have a rotation axis along both legs 13, and rotate with the cleaning liquid sprayed onto the vehicle C from the top spray unit 32 and the side spray unit 31 to wash mainly the sides of the vehicle C. Furthermore, the pair of left and right side brushes 23, 23 have the function of cleaning the front, rear and sides (surroundings) of the vehicle C by opening and closing as the main body 11 travels.

[0017] The vehicle treatment device 10 has a top blower 24 and a pair of left and right side blowers 25, 25 that blow off the cleaning liquid adhering to the vehicle C by blowing gas (eg, air) toward the vehicle C that has been washed. The top blower 24 is provided along the beam portion 12, and moves up and down as the main body portion 11 travels, blowing high-pressure air mainly toward the upper surface of the vehicle C. The pair of left and right side blowers 25, 25 are provided along the legs 13R, 13L and move open and closed as the main body 11 travels, blowing high-pressure air mainly toward the sides of the vehicle C.

[0018] When the pump P is operated, the cleaning liquid in the tank passes through the water supply pipe 20 and is supplied to the main body 11. The cleaning liquid supplied to the main body 11 is branched by the branch pipe 21 and flows into the top jet part 32 and the side jet parts 31, 31. The top jet part 32 is connected at the center of the water supply pipe 20 extending from the branch pipe 21 and the top jet part pipe 33, and the cleaning liquid flows into the top jet part 32. The pipe 33 has a plurality of jet nozzles 34a to 34f provided at intervals and a plurality of solenoid valves 35a, 35b. In addition, since pipe 33 is connected to water supply pipe 20 at the center in the longitudinal direction, cleaning liquid flows in from the center of pipe 33. The cleaning liquid that flows into pipe 33 flows in the order of jet nozzles 34d, 34e, and 34f toward the right in Fig. 3, and at the same time flows in the order of jet nozzles 34c, 34b, and 34a toward the left in the same figure. In other words, the cleaning liquid flowing in pipe 33 flows from center 37 of pipe 33 toward both sides. The nozzle of the spray nozzle 34 is directed directly downward so that the cleaning liquid can be sprayed toward the installation surface G, and the spray nozzle 34 mainly cleans the upper surface of the vehicle. The spray nozzle 34 is embedded in the pipe 33 so that the bristles of the top brush 22 and the side brushes 23, 23 do not get caught in the nozzle when they rotate. The spray nozzles 34a to 34f are provided at a predetermined distance apart so that the sprayed cleaning liquid overlaps with each other in the width direction of the main body 11. This allows the cleaning liquid to be sprayed evenly between both leg portions 13. The top jet unit 32 is provided with solenoid valves 35a, 35b between jet nozzles 34b and 34a, and between jet nozzles 34e and 34f of the pipe 33. The solenoid valves 35a, 35b have the function of blocking the cleaning liquid flowing in from the center 37 of the pipe 33 midway through the pipe, thereby stopping the cleaning liquid being sprayed from the jet nozzles 34a and 34f.

[0019] The side jetting sections 31, 31 each have a pipe connected to the water supply pipe 20 extending from the branch pipe 21, and a plurality of jet nozzles. The side spray units 31, 31 have multiple spray nozzles arranged at intervals on a pipe. The spray nozzles have nozzles that spray cleaning liquid horizontally, and mainly wash the sides of the vehicle.

[0020] The vehicle processing device 10 includes a reception unit (not shown). The reception unit includes a voice guidance unit, a key input unit for selecting or canceling a car wash course (for example, water wash, foam wash, wax, underside wash), and a fee reception unit for paying the fee, and has a function of receiving instructions from the driver of the vehicle C.

[0021] The vehicle processing device 10 is equipped with a tire detection unit 17 that detects the tires of the vehicle C. After selecting a car wash menu at the reception unit, the driver approaches the front of the vehicle processing device 10 and stops the vehicle to receive the car wash treatment. The optimal position for receiving the car wash treatment is set as the vehicle stopping position. The tire detection unit 17 is provided between the rails 14 so that the front wheels of the vehicle C stop at the vehicle stopping position. A pair of left and right tire detection units 17 are provided to sandwich the tire detection units 17 in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle C. Each pair of left and right tire detection units 17 has a sensor unit, one of which has a light-emitting unit that causes a light-emitting element to emit light, and the other of which has a light-receiving unit that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit. When a tire enters between the tire detection units 17, the light emitting sensor emitting light from the light emitting unit is blocked by the tire and the light receiving unit cannot receive the light. In other words, when the light emitting sensor is blocked, the tire detection unit 17 can detect that the vehicle C has stopped at the vehicle stopping position.

[0022] The vehicle processing device 10 includes a vehicle shape sensor 40 that detects the shape of the vehicle C after the vehicle C stops at the vehicle stop position. The vehicle shape sensor units 40 are provided in the top-bottom directions of both legs 13 as the main body unit 11 travels while straddling the vehicle C. The vehicle shape sensor unit 40 includes, for example, a light emitting unit 41 that emits signal light by illuminating a plurality of light emitting elements, and a light receiving unit 42 that receives the signal light. When the signal light is switched from being received to being blocked by the body of the vehicle C as the main body unit 11 travels, the light receiving unit 42 also switches from detection to non-detection. In other words, the vehicle shape sensor 40 has a function of detecting the vehicle shape (silhouette) of the vehicle C. In addition, since the vehicle shape sensor unit 40 detects the shape of the vehicle C and then performs brushing and drying in accordance with the shape of the vehicle, this needs to be performed prior to the processing steps of the brushes 22, 23, 23 and the blowers 24, 25, 25, it is desirable for it to be provided at the front ends of both legs.

[0023] The vehicle processing device 10 also includes position sensor units 15R and 15L that detect the position of the vehicle C in the width direction when the vehicle C is parked at a vehicle parking position. The distance between the position sensors 15R, 15L provided on the support parts protruding forward of both legs 13 is set to be the same as the width of the inner surface of the legs of the main body 11. The position sensor 15 is also set at a height of approximately 60 cm above the ground, based on the Fire Service Act and vehicle recognition standards. The position sensor unit 15L has a reflection type detection function that measures the distance by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to the side of the vehicle, for example, and measures the distance from the position sensor 15L to the left side of the vehicle. Similarly, the position sensor unit 15R has a reflection type detection function for measuring the distance from the position sensor 15R to the right side of the vehicle by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the side of the vehicle. The position sensors 15R and 15L can measure the distance to the right side and the distance to the left side of the vehicle C, respectively, and can also measure the distance when the vehicle C is parked against the main body 11.

[0024] Fig. 3 is a schematic front view of the vehicle treatment device of Fig. 1. Note that some devices are omitted for clarity of explanation. The diagonal lines in Fig. 3 represent the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 34. In addition, X1 indicated by the arrow in the figure represents the distance between the injection nozzle 34 located at the end of the top injection section 32 and the inner surface of the horizontal leg section 13, X2 represents the distance to the left side of the vehicle measured by the position sensor 15L, and X3 represents the distance to the right side of the vehicle measured by the position sensor 15R.

[0025] Vehicle C in FIG. 3 is designed to be a compact car with a width of 1.7 meters or less as defined by the Road Transport Vehicle Act, and vehicle K is designed to be a light car with a width of 1.48 meters or less. After the drivers of cars C and K have finished the reception, they drive their cars forward to the car parking position to be washed. At this time, drivers who are unfamiliar with the car treatment equipment may stop the cars to the left or right instead of driving in the center of the 14 rails. FIG. 3 will be described with reference to an example in which the vehicle is parked close to the driver's side (the right side in FIG. 3) of the main body 11.

[0026] If the vehicle K is parked off to one side, most of the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle 34a of the top spray unit will not hit the vehicle K and will instead flow onto the laying surface G. The position sensor 15 measures the measured distances X2 and X3. When the vehicle processing device 10 compares the distances X2 and X3 measured by the position sensor 15 with a preset distance X1, the vehicle processing device 10 measures that the distance X2 is longer and that the distance X3 is shorter than the distance X1. In other words, the vehicle processing device 10 determines that the vehicle K is parked leaning to the right leg 13R, and closes the solenoid valve 35a provided in the top injection unit 30. The top jet unit 30 is connected to the water supply pipe 20 extending from the branch pipe at the center of the pipe 33, so that the cleaning liquid flows from the center 37 of the pipe 33 toward both ends. Therefore, the cleaning liquid flowing inside the pipe 33 is jetted out from the jet nozzles 34c and 34b provided at intervals on the pipe 33, and also from the jet nozzles 34d, 34e and 34f at the same time. However, when the solenoid valve 35a is closed, the cleaning water jetted out from the jet nozzle 34a located downstream of the solenoid valve 35a is stopped.

[0027] The vehicle processing device 10 also includes a control unit 60 as shown in Fig. 4. This control unit 60 is provided in the main body unit 11, electrically connected to the sensor unit and the drive unit, and executes pre-programmed means according to the car wash menu (operation panel) received by the reception unit. The control unit 60 has a tire detection means 63 , a position detection means 64 , a vehicle shape detection means 65 , a data creation means 66 , a data storage means 67 , and a processing means 68 . In the control unit 60, the detection means 63, 64, 65 detect the vehicle stopping position, the position of the vehicle side from the inside of the main body 11, and the shape of the vehicle, and the data creation means 66 creates data based on the detection results detected by the tire detection unit 17, the position sensor unit 15, and the vehicle shape sensor unit 40. The data storage means 67 stores the data (vehicle stopping position, vehicle shape data, vehicle offset) created by the data creation means 66, and the processing means 68 controls a device that drives the injection nozzle and the like by a drive unit based on the stored data. Note that although each means has been described as being included in the control unit 60, it may be provided as a separate control unit.

[0028] Next, a process for controlling the solenoid valve in accordance with the distance X between the main body 11 and the side surface of the vehicle, detected by the position sensor unit 15 in the vehicle processing device 10, will be described with reference to FIG. First, in vehicle position detection, it is determined whether or not the vehicle K is parked at a vehicle parking position (S10). When it is detected that the vehicle K is parked, the position sensor unit 15 measures the distances X2 and X3 between the side of the vehicle K and the inner surface of the main body 11 (S20). After measuring the distances X2 and X3 between the vehicle K and the main body, it is determined whether or not the measured values ​​of the distances X2 and X3 between the main body 11 and the side of the vehicle K are longer than the preset distance X1 between the main body 11 and the injection nozzle (S30). At this time, if the distance X2 is not longer than or equal to the distance X1, the solenoid valve 35a opens, and if it is determined that the distance X2 is longer than X1, the solenoid valve 35a closes. Furthermore, if the distance X3 is longer than the distance X1, the solenoid valve 35b is closed.

[0029] The vehicle treatment device 10 supplies the cleaning liquid to the center 37 of the pipe 33, and causes the cleaning liquid to flow from the center 37 to both ends of the pipe 33. In addition, solenoid valves 35a and 35b are provided between the injection nozzles 34a and 34b and between the injection nozzles 34e and 34f. Furthermore, the position sensor units 15R and 15L measure the distance between the vehicle and the main body unit 11, and when it determines that the distance X2 is longer than the distance X1, it closes the solenoid valve 35L, and stops the cleaning liquid from being sprayed from the spray nozzle 34a located downstream of the solenoid valve. This stops the cleaning liquid that has been flowing out without hitting the vehicle, and allows the cleaning liquid to be sprayed efficiently onto the vehicle.

[0030] FIG. 6 is a schematic top view of the vehicle processing device 10A. In the vehicle processing device 10, the position sensor unit 15 is used to detect the deviation of the vehicle, but as in the vehicle processing device 10A of Fig. 6, the vehicle shape sensor 40A is configured in a gate shape so as to fit along the main body. The light emitting unit 41A and the light receiving unit 42A of the vehicle shape sensor 40A detect the shape of the vehicle side in the same way as the light emitting unit 41 and the light receiving unit 42. The vehicle shape sensor 40A also has an upper surface vehicle shape sensor unit 43 that detects the distance between the upper surface of the vehicle and the beam portion 12A. The upper surface sensor unit 43 is, for example, a TOF (Time of Flight) sensor having a light emitting unit and a light receiving unit, and light emitted from the light emitting unit is reflected by the upper surface of the vehicle and received by the light receiving unit. The upper surface vehicle shape sensor unit 43 measures the time from light emission to light reception to detect the shape of the upper surface of the vehicle C, and can also detect when the vehicle C is stopped in an off-center position.

[0031] The vehicle processing device 10B also includes a vehicle shape sensor 40B. The vehicle shape sensor 40B includes a plurality of light-emitting units 41B and a plurality of light-receiving units 42B, such as the vehicle shape detection device configured in Patent No. 6002516. The light-emitting unit 41B emits light, for example, in the horizontal direction, the upward inclination direction, and the downward inclination direction, and the light-receiving unit 42B receives light emitted by the light-emitting element of the light-emitting unit 41B in the horizontal direction, the upward inclination direction, and the downward inclination direction. As a result, the signal light emitted horizontally from the light-emitting element 41B is detected by the light-receiving element 42B facing the horizontal direction. At this time, the light-receiving element 42B that receives the signal light emitted in an oblique direction intersecting with the signal light emitted horizontally can detect the case where the vehicle C is stopped offset to one side.

[0032] The configuration of the present invention has been described above based on the embodiment with reference to the drawings. In the above embodiment, the vehicle K is parked close to the left leg 13L of the main body 11, but the present invention is not limited to this and the same applies to the case where the vehicle is parked close to the right leg 13R. In addition, in the case of an ultra-small vehicle, when it is determined that the distances X2 and X3 on both sides of the vehicle are longer than X1, the solenoid valves 35a and 35b can be closed to stop the cleaning liquid from being sprayed from the spray nozzles 34a and 34f. In addition, the position of the solenoid valve 35 has been described as being between the spray nozzles 34a and 34b, and between the spray nozzles 34e and 34f, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the position of the solenoid valve may be changed depending on the angle at which the cleaning liquid sprayed from the spray nozzle spreads, and the number of spray nozzles is not limited. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 10, 10A, 10B Vehicle processing device 11, 11A Main unit 12, 12A beam section 13, 13L, 13R legs 33 tube 34a, 34b, 34c, 34d, 34e, 34f injection nozzle 35a, 35b Solenoid valve 37 center C Vehicle K vehicle (light car) G Laying surface

Claims

[Claim 1] A vehicle treatment device comprising a main body, the main body being shaped like a gate and having left and right legs and a beam supported by the left and right legs, the main body being movable relative to a vehicle parked on a laying surface, a pipe provided along the beam portion and through which a cleaning liquid flows from the center to both ends; A first solenoid valve is provided midway between the center and one end of the pipe; A second solenoid valve is provided midway between the center of the pipe and the other end of the pipe; a first injection nozzle provided between one end of the pipe and the first solenoid valve; a second injection nozzle provided between the other end of the pipe and the second solenoid valve. A vehicle processing device comprising:

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