Car wash machines and systems

Abstract

To wash a car of a type comprising a component which may be damaged, by such a manner that the possibility of breakage of the component is reduced.SOLUTION: A control section (44) comprised in a car washing machine discriminates whether a car (X) is a specific car model on the basis of information related to an outer shape acquired by a sensor (52). If the car (X) is the specific car model, the car washing machine washes the car according to a procedure which has been changed according to changed information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to car washes and car wash systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Among the vehicle models available on the market, there are some that are not suitable for the general washing course selected in a car wash machine.

[0003] For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a car wash equipped with a vehicle shape detection device that detects protrusions. The car wash described in Patent Document 1 can wash the front and rear mirrors while avoiding protrusions that may be damaged. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-301427 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Among the parts that are highly susceptible to damage, there are some that are difficult to detect using the vehicle shape detection device described in Patent Document 1.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to perform a car wash that reduces the possibility of damage when washing a vehicle type that has parts that may be damaged. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] A car wash machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a car wash machine main body that washes a vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle, a sensor that moves relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle and acquires information regarding the vehicle's external shape, a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine, and a memory unit that stores a database of modification information for modifying the procedure at a specific part of a specific vehicle model, and the control unit determines whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle model based on the information regarding the external shape acquired by the sensor, and if the vehicle is the specific vehicle model, performs the car wash according to the procedure modified based on the modification information.

[0008] In addition, a car wash system according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a car wash system including a car wash machine and a server capable of communicating with the car wash machine, wherein the car wash machine includes a car wash machine main body that washes the vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle, a sensor that moves relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle and acquires information regarding the vehicle's external shape, and a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine, wherein the server includes a memory unit that stores a database of change information for changing the procedure at a specific part of a specific vehicle model, and the control unit determines whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle model based on the information acquired by the sensor, and if the vehicle is the specific vehicle model, performs the car wash according to the procedure that has been changed based on the change information. Effect of the Invention

[0009] According to one aspect of the present disclosure, when washing a vehicle type having parts that may be damaged, it is possible to wash the vehicle while reducing the possibility of damage. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic side view of a car wash machine main body and a remote panel provided in a car wash machine according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure, and a schematic front view of the car wash machine main body. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car wash machine according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 3] 13 is an example of an output result in which the external shape data of the vehicle X created by the external shape creation unit according to the first embodiment is output as a graph. [Figure 4] 5 is a flowchart showing an example of control by a control unit according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a car wash system according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0011] Some commercially available car models have parts that may be damaged by the brush control in the general course washing selected in the car wash. Such car models that are not suitable for the general course washing in the car wash are called specific car models. Conventionally, for such specific car models, measures were taken to prohibit the use of car washes through notices on explanatory signs, but prohibiting the use of car washes would result in a decrease in the number of vehicles that can be washed.

[0012] In addition, in order to allow certain car models to be used in car washes, measures may be taken to avoid brushing areas of all vehicles that have parts that may be damaged. However, since brushes are avoided on all vehicles, the cleaning power may decrease, which may lead to a decrease in customer satisfaction.

[0013] Below, we will explain the configuration of a car wash machine that can perform washing in a way that reduces the risk of damaging parts of a specific vehicle model by modifying part of the general washing course to wash specific parts of the specific vehicle model.

[0014] [Embodiment 1] A car wash machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure will be described in detail below. In this specification, the positive direction of the X axis is referred to as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the X axis is referred to as the rearward direction. The positive direction of the Y axis is referred to as the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Y axis is referred to as the downward direction. The positive direction of the Z axis is referred to as the rightward direction, and the negative direction of the Z axis is referred to as the leftward direction. In addition, in Figures 1 to 5, for configurations that are vertically symmetrical or horizontally symmetrical with respect to a certain axis, a reference symbol may be attached to only one of the symmetrical configurations, and the reference symbol may be omitted for the other configuration.

[0015] <Car wash machine overview> Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a schematic side view 2S of a car wash machine main body 4 and a remote panel 6, which are provided in a car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment, and a schematic front view 4F of the car wash machine main body 4. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment includes a car wash machine main body 4 that washes a vehicle X, which is a vehicle to be washed. The car wash machine 2 further includes a remote panel 6 that acquires the car wash conditions of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4. In the schematic side view 2S, the outline of the vehicle X is shown by a dotted line to indicate that the vehicle X is located further back than the remote panel 6 toward the page.

[0016] As shown generally in the front view 4F, the car wash machine main body 4 includes, for example, two frames 8 and a ceiling portion 10 connecting upper ends of the two frames 8. The car wash machine main body 4 has a structure that allows the vehicle X to pass through a space 4S surrounded by the frames 8 and the ceiling portion 10 along an approach direction DA of the vehicle X, as shown generally in the side view 2S. In this specification, the approach direction DA is defined as a direction from the front surface 4A of the car wash machine main body 4 toward the rear surface 4B.

[0017] The car wash machine main body 4 includes a drive unit 4X and a cleaning unit 4Y. The drive unit 4X includes wheels 12 provided on the lower part of each of the frames 8, and a drive device 11 that drives and rotates the wheels 12. The drive device 11 drives and rotates the wheels 12, causing the car wash machine main body 4 to move relatively to the vehicle X in the front-rear direction along rails R arranged on the ground G. The rails R are formed, for example, along the approach direction DA. Here, the car wash machine main body 4 performs washing (car washing) of the vehicle X in the space 4S while moving relatively to the vehicle X.

[0018] The cleaning unit 4Y includes a plurality of rotating brushes that slide and brush over the vehicle X. For example, the cleaning unit 4Y includes a top brush 14, a side brush 16, and a rocker brush 18, each of which is rotated by a rotary motor (not shown). The top brush 14 slides along the top surface of the vehicle X and cleans the top surface of the vehicle X. The side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 clean both side surfaces of the vehicle X.

[0019] The side brush 16 according to this embodiment includes, for example, a rotating shaft 16S extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ground G, and a plurality of bristles 16T formed on the rotating shaft 16S. In other words, the side brush 16 is a brush that includes the rotating shaft 16S parallel to at least a portion of the side surface of the vehicle X, and cleans the side surface by bringing the bristles 16T rotating around the rotating shaft 16S into contact with at least a portion of the side surface of the vehicle X. Furthermore, the side brush 16 may include an arm 16A that supports the rotating shaft 16S and moves the rotating shaft 16S in the left-right direction of the vehicle X by a power unit (not shown).

[0020] A tank storage section 20 is disposed on the side of the car wash machine main body 4, and stores a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) that store various liquid agents including detergent or wax. A distribution piping section 22 that distributes water including city water or liquid agents from each liquid storage tank is provided above the tank storage section 20. From the distribution piping section 22, a first water purification nozzle 24, a second water purification nozzle 26, a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water-repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34, which are included in the cleaning section 4Y, are each led out via an electromagnetic valve (not shown).

[0021] The first water purification nozzle 24 and the second water purification nozzle 26 are arranged on the front surface 4A and rear surface 4B of each frame 8 of the car wash machine main body 4, respectively, and spray water including city water onto the vehicle X. The first detergent nozzle 28 and the second detergent nozzle 30 are arranged on the front surface 4A and rear surface 4B of each frame 8, respectively, and spray cleaning liquid including shampoo etc. onto the vehicle X. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 and the wax nozzle 34 are arranged on the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 sprays a liquid water-repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 sprays wax onto the vehicle X.

[0022] The car wash machine main body 4 is also provided with a blower 36 that generates an air current to dry the vehicle X. A top air blowing nozzle 38 and a side air blowing nozzle 40 are connected to the blower 36. The top air blowing nozzle 38 is provided at the upper center of the car wash machine main body 4 and blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle X. The side air blowing nozzle 40 is provided on both sides of the car wash machine main body 4 and blows air toward the sides of the vehicle X. The car wash machine main body 4 dries the vehicle X after washing by blowing air from the top air blowing nozzle 38 and the side air blowing nozzle 40.

[0023] An operation panel 42 is disposed on the front of one of the frames 8 of the car wash machine main body 4. The operation panel 42 includes operation buttons (not shown) for setting the car wash conditions. For example, a user who has got off the vehicle X, or another technician, etc. may operate the operation buttons to set the car wash conditions, etc.

[0024] Furthermore, the car wash machine 2 includes a control unit 44 that controls each unit of the car wash machine main body 4. In this embodiment, the control unit 44 includes a car wash control unit 441, an outer shape creation unit 442, a vehicle type discrimination unit 443, and a counting unit 444. The outer shape creation unit 442, the vehicle type discrimination unit 443, and the counting unit 444 will be described later. The car wash control unit 441 controls the operation of each unit of the drive unit 4X and the cleaning unit 4Y of the car wash machine main body 4, thereby controlling the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4.

[0025] 1, the control unit 44 may be provided in the car wash machine main body 4, or may be located outside the car wash machine main body 4. The control unit 44 may transmit and receive information between the car wash machine main body 4 or a remote panel 6 described below using a communication device (not shown) or the like, and control the car wash machine main body 4. The control unit 44 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, for example, and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in a memory on the processor.

[0026] The remote panel 6 is, for example, located on the front side of the car wash machine main body 4, and disposed approximately along the moving direction of the car wash machine main body 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the remote panel 6 is disposed so that its front face faces the side face of the vehicle X before it is washed by the car wash machine main body 4, in other words, before it enters the inside of the car wash machine main body 4. For this reason, the rear face of the remote panel 6 is illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0027] 1, the remote panel 6 includes a housing 46 and a support pole 48 that is erected on the ground G and supports the housing 46. The remote panel 6 may acquire at least a portion of the car wash conditions for the vehicle X to be washed by the car wash machine main body 4 through the operation of a touch panel or buttons (not shown) provided on the housing 46. The control unit 44 may control the car wash machine main body 4 based on at least a portion of the car wash conditions acquired by the remote panel 6 to wash the vehicle X.

[0028] The car wash machine 2 further includes a vehicle shape detection sensor 52 located in front of the car wash machine main body 4 for reading the vehicle shape (silhouette) from the side of the vehicle X as the car wash machine main body 4 enters. Also, the car wash machine 2 includes an encoder 13 connected to a drive device 11 that drives the wheels 12 of the drive unit 4X.

[0029] The vehicle shape detection sensor 52 may be an area sensor equipped with a plurality of photoelectric switches each composed of a light transmitting / receiving unit having an optical axis that crosses the relative movement path between the vehicle X and the car wash machine main body 4. The optical axis of the photoelectric switch includes an optical axis that crosses the relative movement path between the vehicle X and the car wash machine main body 4 at a right angle. The optical axis may include an optical axis that is horizontal to the ground, and may include an optical axis that is angled from the horizontal optical axis in order to improve reading accuracy. By using such an area sensor, vehicle shape data of the vehicle X can be created.

[0030] The vehicle shape detection sensor 52 can obtain vehicle height data indicating the vehicle height of the vehicle X at the position of the vehicle shape detection sensor 52. The vehicle shape detection sensors 52 are arranged facing each other at the left and right lateral positions near the entrance of the car wash machine main body 4, as shown in FIG. 1. The vehicle shape detection sensors 52 move relatively in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X in accordance with the relative movement of the car wash machine main body 4 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X, and obtain detection signals from each photoelectric switch. The detection signals from each photoelectric switch are an example of information regarding the outer shape of the vehicle X. The multiple photoelectric switches are arranged, for example, at a predetermined interval (for example, 15 mm) in the up-down direction (vertical direction) from a height of 650 mm above the ground G. The number of photoelectric switches is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 106. The vehicle height of the vehicle X at the position of the vehicle shape detection sensor 52 is detected by detecting the photoelectric switch whose optical axis is blocked by the vehicle X.

[0031] The control unit 44 of the car wash machine 2 performs a car wash in accordance with a predetermined procedure by controlling the drive unit 4X and the cleaning unit 4Y based on at least a portion of the car wash conditions acquired by the remote panel 6, the detection signals from each photoelectric switch of the vehicle shape detection sensor 52, and the pulse signal of the encoder 13.

[0032] Specifically, the control unit 44 receives data necessary for car washing, such as setting signals for a selected car wash course pattern, and operation signals such as start and stop, from the remote panel 6. The control unit 44 also receives detection signals from the photoelectric switches of the vehicle shape detection sensor 52, a pulse signal from the encoder 13, and the like. Based on these signals from the remote panel 6 and the detection signals from the sensors, the car wash control unit 441 of the control unit 44 controls the operation of the entire car wash machine main body 4 by controlling the drive unit 4X, the cleaning unit 4Y, and the like, and performs the car wash operation.

[0033] The control unit 44 includes an external shape creation unit 442. The external shape creation unit 442 acquires information on the external shape of the vehicle X from each unit of the sensor system 7, and creates external shape data of the vehicle X. In this embodiment, the sensor system 7 includes a vehicle shape detection sensor 52 and a distance sensor 71.

[0034] The distance sensor 71 is composed of the encoder 13 provided in the drive unit 4X of the car wash machine main body 4 and the count unit 444 provided in the control unit 44. The count unit 444 has a function of counting the pulse signal of the encoder 13. The count by the count unit 444 is reset when the vehicle X stops at a predetermined stopping position and the car wash machine main body 4 starts moving toward the vehicle X. For example, the car wash control unit 441 transmits a drive start instruction to the drive device 11 to start driving the wheels 12, and transmits a signal indicating that the car wash machine main body 4 has started moving to the count unit 444. The count unit 444 may reset the count when it receives the signal. The travel distance of the car wash machine main body 4 is detected based on the count by the count unit 444. The travel distance of the car wash machine main body 4 is, in other words, the relative movement distance between the vehicle X and the car wash machine main body 4. The distance sensor 71 may output information indicating the travel distance (relative movement distance) as travel count data.

[0035] The contour creation unit 442 creates contour data of the vehicle X from the detection signals of the photoelectric switches output by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52 and the travel count data output by the distance sensor 71. Fig. 3 shows an example of an output result in which the contour data of the vehicle X created by the contour creation unit 442 is output as a graph. The contour data created by the contour creation unit 442 is, for example, data showing a silhouette of the vehicle X when viewed from the side, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0036] The contour creation unit 442 can determine that the position where the photoelectric switch is first blocked after the car wash machine main body 4 starts moving is the leading edge position of the vehicle X. For example, in FIG. 3, it can be seen that the optical axis is first blocked at count (travel count) 15 counted by the counting unit 444. In this case, the contour creation unit 442 determines the position of count 15 as the leading edge position of the vehicle X.

[0037] The vehicle type discrimination unit 443 discriminates whether or not the vehicle X is a specific vehicle type by comparing the external shape data of the vehicle X created by the external shape creation unit 442 with the specific vehicle type external shape data described later. Alternatively, the vehicle type discrimination unit 443 may be configured with a discrimination model (discrimination algorithm) in which the external shape data of the vehicle X created by the external shape creation unit 442 is an explanatory variable and the vehicle type information is an objective variable. Such a discrimination model may be a model generated by a classification algorithm or machine learning that discriminates and outputs the vehicle type when external shape data is input. The discrimination model may be recorded as data in the storage unit 45.

[0038] The car wash machine 2 further includes a storage unit 45. The storage unit 45 includes specific vehicle model exterior data 451 and a change procedure database 452. The specific vehicle model exterior data 451 is a database related to the exterior data of a specific vehicle model. The specific vehicle model exterior data 451 includes exterior data of at least one specific vehicle model.

[0039] The specific vehicle model is a vehicle model that is not suitable for a general course washing, and may be a vehicle model that has parts that may be damaged due to the shape of the parts or the weak mounting strength of the parts in the brush control in the general course washing selected in the car wash machine 2. Examples of such parts include side mirrors, antennas, and rear bumpers. Alternatively, the specific vehicle model may be a vehicle model that has parts that are not easily reflected in the vehicle's external shape data detected by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52. Examples of such parts include fenders, door opening and closing handles, front grilles, and rear garnishes. Alternatively, the specific vehicle model may be a vehicle model that has parts that are attached below the lower detection limit height of the vehicle shape detection sensor 52. Examples of such parts include side spoilers, lower parts of the front and rear bumpers, door side moldings, and splash guards (mud guards). Alternatively, the specific vehicle model may be a vehicle model that has parts with shapes different from those of normal vehicle models at low positions where the shape is difficult to grasp by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52. Examples of such parts include fenders and rear bumpers. Alternatively, the specific vehicle model may be a vehicle model that has a characteristic vehicle shape or is equipped with equipment having a characteristic shape, and it is preferable to perform brushing, rinsing, or drying at the characteristic shaped parts by special control. The external shape data of the specific vehicle model may be data showing the silhouette of the specific vehicle model when viewed from the side.

[0040] The change procedure database 452 is a database related to change information for changing a predetermined procedure of the car wash machine 2 in a specific part of a specific vehicle model. The specific part means a part of a specific vehicle model where a part that may be damaged as described above is installed or a part with a characteristic shape is installed.

[0041] The change procedure database 452 stores change information for specific parts of the specific vehicle model. The change information includes a specific distance linked to each specific vehicle model and information indicating a change procedure for control of each part of the car wash machine 2 at the specific distance. The specific distance is the distance from the start to the end of a change in a predetermined car wash procedure. In other words, the vehicle X is washed according to the changed procedure at the specific distance. The specific distance is defined, for example, with the front end position of the vehicle as the reference (zero). Since the change information includes the specific distance and information indicating the change procedure for control of each part of the car wash machine 2 at the specific distance, the control unit 44 can change the predetermined procedure at the specific distance by referring to the change information.

[0042] Here, the change procedure includes, for example, a procedure regarding avoidance control of the brush (top brush 14, side brush 16, or rocker brush 18) in a specific portion, a procedure regarding change of cleaning strength by the brush, or a procedure regarding change of the rinsing amount. For example, in the brushing process, the brush may be avoided or the cleaning strength by the brush may be reduced in a specific portion. In the rinsing process, the rinsing amount may be increased or reduced in a specific portion. The change procedure also includes a procedure regarding change of the distance between the blower and the vehicle, and the wind speed and air volume of the blower. For example, in the blower process, the distance between the blower and the vehicle in a specific portion may be increased or the wind speed and air volume of the blower may be reduced. In a car wash equipped with high-pressure water washing, the change procedure also includes a procedure regarding change of the distance between the high-pressure water nozzle and the vehicle, and the water pressure and water volume of the high-pressure water. For example, in the high-pressure water washing process, the distance between the high-pressure water nozzle and the vehicle in a specific portion may be increased or the water pressure and water volume of the high-pressure water may be reduced.

[0043] In the change procedure, a change in control of each part included in the car wash machine 2 is instructed, so that the control unit 44 can control each part to change the predetermined procedure at a specific distance.

[0044] The change procedure database 452 may store the change information in the form of a table such as that shown in Table 1 below. In Table 1 below, the change procedure start position and the change procedure end position indicate the distance (mm) from the tip position of the vehicle X. In Table 1 below, the distance from the change procedure start position to the change procedure end position corresponds to the specific distance. TB in Table 1 means the top brush.

[0045] [Table 1] 1 and 2, in order to simplify the illustration, the illustration of each device for washing the vehicle X provided in the car wash machine main body 4 may be omitted. Also, the devices provided in the car wash machine main body 4 shown in Fig. 1 are merely examples, and the car wash machine main body 4 may include, in addition to the above-mentioned devices, a device for washing the vehicle X and a device for assisting the washing, including a conventionally known configuration, on the frame 8 or the ceiling part 10.

[0046] (Control of the control unit during car washing) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the control of the control unit 44.

[0047] In the flowchart shown in FIG. 4, the description begins from the point where the car wash control unit 441 controls the drive unit 4X to start relative movement of the car wash machine main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X, and also controls the cleaning unit 4Y to start car washing in accordance with a predetermined procedure.

[0048] When the car wash starts, the outline creation unit 442 acquires information required for creating the outline data from each part of the sensor system 7, and starts creating the outline data (step S1). Specifically, the outline creation unit 442 creates the outline data using the detection signals of each photoelectric switch output by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52 and the travel count data output by the distance sensor 71.

[0049] When a predetermined vehicle type discrimination point is passed (S2: YES), the vehicle type discrimination unit 443 compares the external shape data created by the external shape creation unit 442 with the specific vehicle type external shape data 451 stored in the storage unit 45 to determine whether the vehicle X corresponds to the specific vehicle type (S3). In other words, the vehicle type discrimination unit 443 determines whether the vehicle X corresponds to the specific vehicle type based on the information on the external shape acquired by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52. Alternatively, the vehicle type discrimination unit 443 may determine whether the vehicle X corresponds to the specific vehicle type by executing a discrimination model recorded as data in the storage unit 45.

[0050] The predetermined vehicle type discrimination point is a point at which the control unit 44 executes the discrimination of the vehicle type, which is set in advance, and may be specified by, for example, a specified value of the travel count data output by the distance sensor 71. Alternatively, it may be specified as a time point at which the detection signal of each photoelectric switch output by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52 satisfies a specific condition. The time point at which the specific condition is satisfied may be, for example, a time point at which the change in the vehicle height data indicated by the detection signal becomes small or the vehicle height data becomes constant in the change over time of the vehicle height data. The time point at which the change in the vehicle height data becomes small or the vehicle height data becomes constant may indicate a time point at which the position measured by the vehicle shape detection sensor 52 passes the windshield of the vehicle X and reaches the roof of the vehicle X. That is, the control unit 44 discriminates whether the vehicle X is a specific vehicle type while the vehicle X is being washed. Since the control unit 44 can discriminate whether the vehicle X is a specific vehicle type while the vehicle X is being washed, it is not necessary to provide a sensor for discriminating the vehicle X outside the car wash machine main body 4. Furthermore, since it is possible to discriminate whether the vehicle X is a specific vehicle type at the predetermined vehicle type discrimination point, the time required for the vehicle type discrimination can be shortened.

[0051] When the vehicle type discrimination unit 443 determines that the vehicle X corresponds to the specific vehicle type (S3: YES), the car wash control unit 441 refers to the change procedure database 452 stored in the storage unit 45, and controls each unit of the cleaning unit 4Y to change the predetermined car wash procedure based on the change information of the corresponding specific vehicle type (step S4). In other words, when the vehicle X is the specific vehicle type, the control unit 44 performs the car wash according to the predetermined car wash procedure changed according to the change information. Note that the car is washed according to the above-mentioned predetermined procedure for distances other than the specific distance.

[0052] If the vehicle type determination unit 443 determines that the vehicle X does not correspond to the specific vehicle type (S3: NO), the car wash control unit 441 performs the car wash without changing the predetermined procedure.

[0053] When the car washing process is completed according to the predetermined procedure, the control unit 44 ends the control.

[0054] With the above configuration, the car wash machine 2 according to the present disclosure can identify a specific vehicle model. In addition, the predetermined car wash procedure for a specific part of the identified specific vehicle model can be changed to a car wash procedure appropriate for the specific vehicle model based on the change information. This makes it possible to perform washing that reduces the possibility of damaging parts of the specific vehicle model.

[0055] [Embodiment 2] Other embodiments of the present disclosure will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals will be given to components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

[0056] Fig. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a car wash system 200 according to the second embodiment. The car wash system 200 shown in Fig. 5 includes a car wash machine 2A and a server 80. The server 80 includes a storage unit 85, which includes a change procedure database 852 and specific vehicle model external shape data 851. The server 80 can communicate with an external communication device (for example, an administrator terminal of the car wash machine) through a communication network such as the Internet.

[0057] The car wash system 200 of the second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the memory unit provided in the car wash machine 2 in the first embodiment is provided in an external server 80 capable of communicating with the car wash machine 2A. The other points are the same as those of the first embodiment. The memory unit 45 of the first embodiment and the memory unit 85 of the second embodiment have the same function.

[0058] By providing the server 80 with the storage unit 85, it is possible to easily perform tasks such as updating the change procedure database 852 and the specific vehicle shape data 851.

[0059] 〔summary〕 (1) A car wash machine according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure includes a car wash machine main body that washes a vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving fore-and-aft relative to the vehicle, a sensor that moves fore-and-aft relative to the vehicle and acquires information regarding the vehicle's external shape, a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine main body, and a memory unit that stores a database of modification information for modifying the procedure at a specific part of a specific vehicle model, wherein the control unit determines whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle model based on the information regarding the external shape acquired by the sensor, and if the vehicle is the specific vehicle model, performs car washing according to the procedure modified based on the modification information.

[0060] (2) A car wash machine according to a second aspect of the present disclosure is the car wash machine according to the first aspect described above, wherein the determination of whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle type is performed while the vehicle is being washed.

[0061] (3) A car wash machine according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure is a car wash machine according to aspect 1 or 2 above, wherein the sensor is a vehicle shape detection sensor formed by arranging in the vertical direction a plurality of photoelectric switches having a horizontal optical axis that intersects at a right angle the relative movement path between the vehicle and the car wash machine main body.

[0062] (4) A car wash machine according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is a car wash machine in any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, wherein the change information includes a specific distance for each of the specific parts and change information indicating a procedure for changing the control of each part of the car wash machine main body at the specific distance.

[0063] (5) A car wash machine according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure is a car wash machine according to aspect 4 above, wherein the change procedure is a procedure relating to avoidance control of a brush provided in the car wash machine main body, a procedure relating to changing the cleaning strength of the brush, or a procedure relating to changing the rinsing amount.

[0064] (6) A car wash system according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is a car wash system including a car wash machine and a server capable of communicating with the car wash machine, wherein the car wash machine includes a car wash machine main body that washes the vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle, a sensor that moves relatively in the fore-and-aft direction with respect to the vehicle and acquires information regarding the vehicle's external shape, and a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine, wherein the server includes a memory unit that stores a database of change information for changing the procedure at a specific part of a specific vehicle model, and the control unit determines whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle model based on the information acquired by the sensor, and if the vehicle is the specific vehicle model, performs the car wash according to the procedure that has been changed based on the change information.

[0065] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0066] 2, 2A...Car wash machine 4...Car wash machine body 4X... Drive unit 4Y...Cleaning department 6 Remote Panel 7 Sensor System 14 Top Brush (Brush) 16 Side brush (brush) 18 Rocker Brush (Brush) 44 Control section 45, 85 Storage section 52 Vehicle shape detection sensor (sensor) 71 Distance Sensor 80 Servers 200 Car Wash System

Claims

1. a car wash machine body that washes the vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving relative to the vehicle in a forward / rearward direction; A sensor that moves relatively in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and acquires information regarding an external shape of the vehicle; A control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine body; A storage unit that stores a database of change information for changing the procedure for a specific part of a specific vehicle model, The control unit is When the car wash is started, creating external shape data of the vehicle is started based on the information regarding the external shape acquired by the sensor; By comparing the external shape data with specific vehicle type external shape data stored in the storage unit, it is determined whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle type; If the vehicle is the specific vehicle type, the car wash is performed according to the procedure changed based on the change information.

2. The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein the determination as to whether the vehicle is the specific model is performed while the vehicle is being washed.

3. 2. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the sensor is a vehicle shape detection sensor formed by vertically arranging a plurality of photoelectric switches having optical axes that cross a relative movement path between the vehicle and the car wash machine body.

4. The car wash machine according to claim 1 , wherein the change information includes a specific distance for each of the specific portions, and change information indicating a change procedure for control of each part of the car wash machine body at the specific distance.

5. The car wash machine according to claim 4 , wherein the change procedure is a procedure relating to avoidance control of a brush included in the car wash machine body, a procedure relating to change of cleaning strength by the brush, or a procedure relating to change of a rinsing amount.

6. A car wash system including a car wash machine and a server capable of communicating with the car wash machine, The car wash machine is a car wash machine body that washes the vehicle according to a predetermined procedure by moving relative to the vehicle in a forward / rearward direction; A sensor that moves relatively in a front-rear direction of the vehicle and acquires information regarding an external shape of the vehicle; A control unit that controls each unit of the car wash machine, The server, A storage unit is provided for storing a database of change information for changing the procedure for a specific part of a specific vehicle model, The control unit is When the car wash is started, creating external data of the vehicle is started based on the information acquired by the sensor; By comparing the external shape data with specific vehicle type external shape data stored in the storage unit, it is determined whether the vehicle is the specific vehicle type; If the vehicle is the specific vehicle type, the car wash is performed according to the procedure changed based on the change information.

7. A car wash machine as described in claim 1, wherein the control unit determines whether the vehicle is of the specific vehicle model after a predetermined vehicle model discrimination point has passed.

8. A car wash machine as described in claim 1, wherein the specific vehicle model exterior data includes exterior data for a plurality of specific vehicle models.

Images