Car washing device

Abstract

To provide a vehicle washer which can detect a door mirror surely by confirming a position of the door mirror by a plurality of sensors and furthermore collating the detection results of the plurality of sensors with each other.SOLUTION: A vehicle washer 10 comprises: a main body part 11 relatively movable backward and forward with respect to a vehicle C; a first sensor part 29 and a second sensor part 30 which detect the vehicle C; and a control part 31 which collates detection results of the first sensor part 29 and the second sensor part 30 and controls driving of a washer processing unit on the basis of a collation result.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a car washing device.

Background Art

[0002] As described in Patent Document 1, in a conventional car washing device, a method has been adopted in which the upper surface contour of a vehicle is detected from the side of the vehicle, and a washing brush or a drying nozzle is driven along the contour. In this method, since only the upper surface portion of the vehicle is detected for the contour of the vehicle, it has been difficult to accurately drive a washing body such as a brush along the side surface of the vehicle. Regarding the door mirror, since it is an equipment that is easily damaged by the contact of the brush, it has been necessary to make a large avoidance movement in the vicinity, and thus there has been a large unwashed portion.

[0003] As a vehicle detection device capable of detecting the overall image of a vehicle, the device of Patent Document 2 is known. The vehicle detection device described in Patent Document 2 includes a distance measuring sensor at the upper part of a portal gate, and detects the distance between the vehicle body and the distance measuring sensor as the portal gate moves across the vehicle to be washed. Further, the detection result at each detection time is obtained as coordinates in an XYZ coordinate space with the traveling direction of the gate as the X axis, the longitudinal direction of the upper side portion of the gate as the Y axis, and the height direction of the vehicle body as the Z axis. It is characterized in that a set of these coordinates is used as vehicle shape data for controlling a washing brush and a drying nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in order to detect and clean a door mirror that is easily damaged by a brush, it is not certain to detect the vehicle only from the vehicle height direction with only one type of sensor as in Patent Document 2.

[0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a car wash device that can surely detect a door mirror by obtaining the position of the door mirror with a plurality of sensors and further collating the detection results of the plurality of sensors.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] A car wash device according to one solution means has a frame formed in a portal shape so as to straddle a vehicle to be washed, a main body portion that can move back and forth relative to the vehicle, a first light projecting portion and a first light receiving portion that face each other, and a vehicle detection portion that detects the vehicle between the first light projecting portion and the first light receiving portion, a second light projecting portion that emits an optical signal, and a second light receiving portion that can receive the reflection of the optical signal, and a convex portion detection portion that can detect the presence and position of a convex portion on the side surface of the vehicle by the reflection of the optical signal, and a car wash control portion that collates the detection data of both the vehicle detection portion and the convex portion detection portion and controls the drive of the car wash processing device based on the collation result.

Effects of the Invention

[0008] According to one solution means, by obtaining the position of the door mirror with a plurality of sensors and further collating the detection results of the plurality of sensors, the door mirror can be surely detected.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

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Figure 7

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] Hereinafter, in the embodiments of the present invention, if necessary, it will be described by dividing it into a plurality of sections or the like. In principle, they are not independent of each other, and one is related to a modification, details, etc. of a part or all of the other. Therefore, in all the drawings, members having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof is omitted. Also, the number of components (including the number, numerical value, quantity, range, etc.) is not limited to a specific number unless otherwise specified or limited to a specific number in principle. It may be more than or less than the specific number. Also, when referring to the shape of components or the like, unless otherwise specified or considered not to be so in principle, it includes those substantially approximate or similar to the shape.

[0011] (First Embodiment) Hereinafter, the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of the car washing device 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view thereof. The car washing device 10 includes a main body 11 erected on the ground G (paving surface). The main body 11 has a housing (frame) configured in a portal shape so as to straddle the vehicle C to be processed. For this reason, the main body 11 has legs 12 and 13 standing up from the ground G. Further, the main body 11 has beam portions 14 related to the legs 12 and 13.

[0012] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes rails 15 and wheels 16, 17. The pair of rails 15 extend in parallel with each other and are provided on the ground G. The wheel 16 is provided on the front side of the bottoms of the legs 12, 13. The wheel 17 is provided on the rear side of the bottoms of the legs 12, 13. The main body 11 moves back and forth (reciprocates) on the pair of rails 15 via the wheels 16, 17. In this embodiment, the wheel 16 is a drive wheel and the wheel 17 is a driven wheel.

[0013] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a motor 18 and an encoder 19. The motor 18 is provided on each of the legs 12, 13 of the main body 11 so as to be connected to the wheel 16 from a position higher than the wheel 16 with respect to the ground G. The motor 18 is configured to be reversible, and moves the main body 11 back and forth (reciprocates) via the wheel 16 (drive wheel). The encoder 19 is provided on either one of the legs 12 or 13 of the main body 11 (on the leg 13 side in this embodiment), and is connected to the output shaft of the motor 18 on that side. The encoder 19 detects the traveling position of the main body 11 on the rail 15. That is, the encoder 19 can give the position of the main body 11 on the rail 15 by outputting a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation while detecting the rotation direction of the motor 18, that is, the rotation direction of the wheel 16.

[0014] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a forward and backward switch 20 and dogs 21a, 21b. The forward and backward switch 20 is provided at the bottom of either one of the legs 12 or 13. The dog 21a is provided at one end side (front side with respect to the main body 11) of one rail 15, and the dog 21b is provided at the other end side (rear side with respect to the main body 11) of the same rail 15. The forward and backward switch 20 is switched by the dogs 21a, 21b as the main body 11 moves, and detects the movement limit of the main body 11 between the dog 21a and the dog 21b. For this reason, the main body 11 of the car wash device 10 can move within the range of the movement limit so as to pass over the parked vehicle C in the vehicle length direction. Note that the state where the car wash device 10 is waiting for a vehicle to enter (standby state) is a state where the forward and backward switch 20 is switched to the dog 21a and the main body 11 has stopped.

[0015] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a top brush 22 and a pair of side brushes 23 provided in the main body 11 as a car wash processing device. The top brush 21 (rotating brush) is housed in the upper part of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the side of the beam part 14) during standby. This top brush 22 can move up and down while rotating as the main body 11 moves as a movable part, and can mainly brush the upper surface of the vehicle C. On the other hand, the pair of side brushes 23 (rotating brushes) are housed on the side parts of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the side of the leg parts 12 and 13 respectively) during standby. The pair of side brushes 23 can perform an opening and closing operation (an operation of approaching or separating from each other) while rotating as the main body 11 moves as a movable part, and can mainly brush the front, side, and rear surfaces of the vehicle C. The opening and closing operations of the top brush 22 and the side brushes 23 with respect to the vehicle C are controlled by the control unit 31 described later along the shape of the vehicle C.

[0016] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a top spray 24 and a pair of side sprays 25 provided in the main body 11 as a car wash processing device. The top spray 24 is housed on the upper side of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the side of the beam part 14). The top spray 24 can spray a cleaning liquid such as water from a plurality of injection nozzles (not shown) provided in the pipe as the main body 11 moves, and can mainly clean the upper surface of the vehicle C. Also, the pair of side sprays 25 are housed on the side parts of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the side of the leg parts 12 and 13 respectively). The pair of side sprays 25 can spray a cleaning liquid such as water from a plurality of injection nozzles (not shown) provided in the pipe as the main body 11 moves, and can mainly clean the side surface of the vehicle C. In the car wash device 10, in order to brush and clean the vehicle C as the main body 11 moves forward, the top spray 24 and the side sprays 25 are provided on the front side of the main body 11 with respect to the top brush 22 and the side brushes 23.

[0017] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a top nozzle 26 (blower nozzle) and a pair of side nozzles 27 (blower nozzles) provided in the main body 11 as a car wash processing device. The top nozzle 26 is housed in the upper part of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the side of the beam portion 14) during standby. The top nozzle 26 can move up and down while blowing air as the main body 11 moves as a movable part, and can mainly dry the upper surface of the vehicle C. Further, the pair of side nozzles 27 are housed in the side portions of the opening of the gantry-shaped main body 11 (on the sides of the leg portions 12 and 13 respectively) during standby. The pair of side nozzles 27 perform an opening and closing operation (an operation of approaching or separating from each other) while blowing air as the main body 11 moves as a movable part, and can mainly dry the side surfaces of the vehicle C. The opening and closing operations of the top nozzle 26 and the side nozzles 27 with respect to the vehicle C are controlled along the shape of the vehicle C by a control unit 31 described later, similar to the top brush 22 and the side brush 23.

[0018] In addition, the car wash device 10 includes a vehicle detection unit 28 provided in the main body 11 that detects the vehicle C over time as the main body 11 moves. The vehicle detection unit 28 includes a first sensor unit 29 and a second sensor unit 30. Among these, the first sensor unit 29 is provided to extend in the standing direction of the main body 11 (the vehicle height direction of the vehicle C) in front of the main body 11. The first sensor unit 29 can detect the upper surface shape of the vehicle C. More specifically, as the main body 11 moves, the shape of the vehicle C from the side (the silhouette of the vehicle C) can be read. In the car wash device 10, since brushing and cleaning are performed along the shape of the vehicle C as the main body 11 moves forward, the first sensor unit 29 is provided in front of (outside) the main body 11 compared to the top brush 22 and the side brush 23.

[0019] The first sensor unit 29 has a plurality (m) of detection elements 29-1 to 29-m for detecting the vehicle C. In this embodiment, each of the detection elements 29-1 to 29-m is composed of a transmissive photoelectric sensor having a paired light-emitting element 29a and a light-receiving element 29b. The light-emitting element 29a is housed on the leg portion 12 side of the portal-shaped main body portion 11, and the light-receiving element 29b is housed on the leg portion 13 side. The light-emitting element 29a is arranged to face the corresponding light-receiving element 29b at the same height on a one-to-one basis, and a horizontal optical axis is formed therebetween. By knowing the light-transmitting / light-blocking state of this horizontal optical axis, the presence or absence of the vehicle C can be detected. The plurality of detection elements 29-1 to 29-m are arranged at a predetermined interval (for example, equal pitch) along the standing direction (vertical direction) of the main body portion 11 from the ground G side in order, from the lowermost detection element 29-1 to the uppermost detection element 29-m. Thereby, in the car wash device 10, the height of the upper surface of the vehicle C can be obtained from the detection element among the plurality of detection elements 29-1 to 29-m that has detected the vehicle C and the installation height at which it is provided. Note that since the height of the upper surface of the vehicle C is obtained as the main body portion 11 moves, it is associated with the moving distance of the main body portion 11 and stored in the control unit 31 described later.

[0020] The second sensor unit 30 is provided to extend in the width direction of the main body portion 11 (the vehicle width direction of the vehicle C) on the front side of the main body portion 11. The second sensor unit 30 can detect the shape of the vehicle C from above. More specifically, as the main body portion 11 moves, the convex portion in the width direction of the vehicle C mainly composed of door mirrors and the like can be read. For the same reason as the first sensor unit 29, the second sensor unit 30 is provided on the front side (outer side) of the main body portion 11 with respect to the top brush 22 and the side brush 23.

[0021] The second sensor unit 30 has a plurality (n) of detection elements 30-1 to 30-n for detecting the vehicle C. In this embodiment, each of the detection elements 30-1 to 30-n is composed of a reflection-type photoelectric sensor that integrally includes a light-emitting element 30a and a light-receiving element 30b. The detection elements 30-1 to 30-n are housed in the beam portion 14 of the portal-shaped main body portion 11. The light-emitting element 30a emits an optical signal toward the ground G (the vertical direction of the main body portion 11), and the light-receiving element 30b receives the reflected signal. At this time, the distance estimation unit 30c provided in the detection elements 30-1 to 30-n calculates the distance between the detection element and the signal reflection surface from the phase difference between the optical signal emitted from the light-emitting element 30a and the reflected signal received by the light-receiving element 30b. When washing the car, if the optical signal is reflected at a position closer to the second sensor unit 30 than the ground G, it can be estimated that the vehicle C exists there. Further, the plurality of detection elements 30-1 to 30-n are arranged side by side at a predetermined interval (for example, an interval of 50 mm at equal pitch) from the right side (the leg portion 13 side) to the left side of the main body portion 11 up to the detection element 30-n located on the leftmost side, such as the detection element 30-1 and the detection element 30-2. Therefore, in the car wash device 10, the presence and position of the convex portion in the width direction of the vehicle C composed of a door mirror or the like can be read from the position of the main body portion 11 and the position of the detection element that has detected the vehicle C among the plurality of detection elements 30-1 to 30-n.

[0022] Note that the number of detection elements provided in the beam portion of the main body portion of the second sensor unit 30 can be appropriately changed mainly according to what equipment of the vehicle is to be detected. Since this embodiment is mainly aimed at detecting the door mirror, the detection elements 30-1 to 30-n are provided close to the leg portion 13 side of the main body portion 11. Detecting only one side of the vehicle C by such an arrangement of the detection elements is due to the property that "the mounting positions on each of the left and right sides of the door mirror are equal".

[0023] In addition, as shown in FIG. 3, the car wash apparatus 10 includes a control unit 31 (for example, a semiconductor element or an electronic board on which the semiconductor element is mounted). The control unit 31 is provided in the main body 11 and is electrically connected to the encoder 19, the front-rear switch 20, the vehicle detection unit 28, the operation panel 32, and the drive unit 33. It executes a pre-programmed sequence (means) according to the processing course received by the operation panel 32. The control unit 31 has a travel detection means 34, a vehicle detection means 35, a vehicle upper surface data creation means 36, a convex portion position data creation means 37, a vehicle shape matching means 38, a data storage means 39, and a processing means 40. The operation panel 32 may be provided on the front side of either the legs 12 or 13 of the main body 11, or may be provided separately from the main body 11 and erected from the ground G.

[0024] The travel detection means 34 can detect the travel position (moving position) of the main body 11 from the pulse signal of the encoder 19. The vehicle detection means 35 drives the vehicle detection unit 28 composed of the first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30 every time it moves a unit distance triggered by the pulse signal of the encoder 19, and can detect the upper surface shape of the vehicle C and the shape in the width direction of the vehicle C. The vehicle upper surface data creation means 36 can create upper surface shape data of the vehicle C from the detection results of the travel detection means 34 and the first sensor unit 29. The convex portion position data creation means 37 can create convex portion data in the width direction of the vehicle C from the detection results of the travel detection means 34 and the second sensor unit 30. The vehicle shape matching means 38 collates the upper surface shape data of the vehicle C created by the vehicle upper surface data creation means 36 with the convex portion data in the width direction of the vehicle C created by the convex portion position data creation means 37, and can confirm whether the position of the convex portion in the width direction of the vehicle C overlaps with a position where, for example, a door mirror of the vehicle C is assumed to be provided. The data storage means 39 can store the data created by the vehicle upper surface data creation means 36 and the data created by the convex portion position data creation means 37. The processing means 40 can control a device that drives a brush or the like in the drive unit 33 based on the data collated by the vehicle shape matching means 38.

[0025] Of these functions provided by the control unit 31, the data matching by the vehicle type matching means 38 when collating and detecting the door mirror will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIG. 4 is an example of the upper surface shape data of the vehicle C created by the vehicle upper surface data creation means 36. The upper surface shape data in FIG. 4 is created from the detection results of the first sensor unit 29. When the upper surface shape data is created during car washing, the vehicle type matching means 38 sets the position where the door mirror of the vehicle C is presumed to be provided (hereinafter referred to as the presumed door mirror position) based on the positions of the reference lines 41 to 44. The reference line 41 is set at the position of the front end (vehicle front end side) of the vehicle ceiling part estimated from the inclination angle of the vehicle body. The reference line 42 is set at the position of the lower bottom of the windshield part (the side closer to the ground G) estimated from the position where the inclination angle becomes gentle at a certain level or more when going back from the reference line 41. The reference line 43 is set at a position 100 mm back from the reference line 42 in the vehicle front end direction. The reference line 44 is set at a position 1000 mm advanced from the reference line 42 in the vehicle rear end direction. Since generally the door mirror is provided near the windshield, the position between the reference lines 43 and 44 can be regarded as the presumed door mirror position. Note that how far the reference lines 43 and 44 are provided from the reference line 42, and where the reference position is set on which part of the vehicle, etc. should be appropriately changed according to the characteristics of the vehicle that is often washed.

[0026] Once the estimated door mirror position is determined, the vehicle shape matching means 38 matches the convex portion data in the width direction of the vehicle C created by the convex portion position data creating means 37 with the estimated door mirror position. FIG. 5 shows an example of the matching by the vehicle shape matching means 38. In FIG. 5, the x-axis corresponds to the moving distance of the main body 11 detected by the traveling detection means 34, and the y-axis corresponds to the distance from the detection element of the second sensor unit 30 to the ground G. The element 45 in the plot area is the convex portion position data created by the convex portion position data creating means 37. For example, the element 45-1 corresponds to the detection element 30-1, and the element 45-2 corresponds to the detection element 30-2, corresponding to the detection results of the detection elements 30-1 to 30-n of the second sensor unit 30. In the example of FIG. 5, among the detection elements provided on the beam portion 14 of the main body 11, the detection results from the rightmost detection element 30-1 to the 10th detection element 30-10 counted from the left direction are plotted as the elements 45-1 to 45-10. In FIG. 5, the detection elements 30-1 (corresponding to the element 45-1), 30-2 (corresponding to the element 45-2), and 30-3 (corresponding to the element 45-3) detect a rapid change in the reflection distance at a point about 2000 mm of the traveling distance of the car wash machine. The vehicle C can be regarded as having a convex portion in the range corresponding to this car wash machine traveling distance point and the mounting positions of the detection elements 30-1, 30-2, and 30-3. Further, by overlapping the position of the convex portion with the estimated door mirror position, it can be determined whether the convex portion is a door mirror. As described above, since the height of the upper surface of the vehicle C is stored in the data storage means in association with the traveling position of the main body 11, the reference lines 41 to 44 forming the estimated door mirror position can be applied on the x-axis. When the convex portion is between the reference lines 41 to 44 as shown in FIG. 5, it can be determined that the convex portion is a door mirror. In general, since the left and right mounting positions of the door mirror are equal, it can be known that the door mirror is also mounted at a point about 2000 mm of the traveling distance of the car wash machine on the side not detected by the second sensor unit 30.

[0027] Incidentally, there are also vehicles such as box trucks with a high-roof specification where the distance between the door mirror attachment position and the front end position of the vehicle ceiling (reference line 41) is greater than normal. Therefore, when an estimated door mirror position is provided based on the front end position of the vehicle ceiling, there is a risk of door mirror detection omission depending on the vehicle. Since the larger the vehicle, the more the door mirror attachment position tends to be away from the front end of the vehicle ceiling, as a countermeasure, for example, when the vehicle detection unit 28 detects a vehicle having a certain height or more, the matching by the vehicle type matching means 38 is not performed, and the drive unit 33 is controlled assuming that the convex part detected by the second sensor unit 30 is a door mirror. Further, a button to be pressed when the vehicle height is a certain height or more or a button to be pressed when the vehicle corresponds to a specified vehicle type may be provided on an operation panel 32 or the like operated by the user, and whether or not the button is pressed may be used to determine before starting the car wash whether the vehicle has a risk of door mirror detection omission.

[0028] As described above, the car wash device 10 is provided with various means and functions, which are executed by the control unit 31. Although each means and function has been described as being possessed by the control unit 31, it may be provided separately from the control unit 31.

[0029] Next, the operation of the car wash device 10 (steps of the vehicle processing method) will be described. When the car wash device 10 is accepted by the user using the operation panel 32, the user is guided by a display (not shown) or the like to stop the vehicle C at a predetermined stop position. Next, when a process of reciprocating the main body 11 once to wash the vehicle (one-way wash course) is selected, in the forward process, while moving the main body 11 forward (forward running), washing water is sprayed from the top spray 24 and the side spray 25 onto the vehicle C. At the same time, the vehicle C is detected by the vehicle detection unit 28 composed of the first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30, and the vehicle body surface of the vehicle C is brushed and washed using the top brush 22 and the side brush 23 in accordance with the shape of the vehicle C obtained therefrom. Next, in the return process, while moving the main body 11 backward (return running), water droplets are removed by blowing air onto the vehicle C using the top nozzle 26 or the like to dry the vehicle. Thereafter, the car wash device 10 guides the user to reverse the vehicle by a display or the like, and the car wash course ends.

[0030] In the process, since the detection of the vehicle C is performed prior to brushing and washing, the control unit 31 can send, for example, a drive command for each car wash processing device according to the presence or absence of the door mirror and a proper brush control command according to the mounting position of the door mirror to the drive unit 33. As a result of collating the detection results of the first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30, when the convex part is not within the range of the estimated door mirror position, control such as not approaching the side brush 23 to the convex part and the estimated door mirror position during brushing of the vehicle side can be performed with the door mirror position unknown. Conversely, when it can be determined as a result of the collation that the convex part is within the estimated door mirror position, the side brush 23 can be made to approach the convex part as closely as possible based on the position information of the convex part (door mirror) detected by the second sensor unit 30, and it is possible to reduce the remaining dirt near the convex part. In addition, when the door mirror position is unknown, the operation of each car wash processing device may be stopped by the control of the control unit 31 to cancel the car wash, or only the operation of the side brush 23 that touches the door mirror among the car wash processing devices may be stopped and the car wash process may be continued.

[0031] In the present embodiment, as described above, the sensors provided on the leg portions 12 and 13 and the beam portion 14 of the main body portion 11 capture the side surface of the vehicle in a multi-faceted manner, and by further collating their detection results, it becomes possible to surely obtain the position of equipment provided on the side surface of the vehicle such as a door mirror and perform a car wash with less remaining dirt without damaging the parts.

[0032] (Second Embodiment) In the above example, the case where the second sensor unit is provided on the beam portion of the main body portion 11 has been described. However, the second sensor unit may be provided on each of the leg portions 12 and 13 of the main body portion 11. FIG. 6 is a front view of the car wash device 10A according to the present example, and FIG. 7 is a side view thereof.

[0033] The car wash device 10A is provided on the legs 12 and 13 of the main body 11 and includes a vehicle detection unit 28A for detecting the vehicle C. The vehicle detection unit 28A includes a first sensor unit 29 and a second sensor unit 30A. Both the first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30A are provided on the front side of the main body 11 and extend in the standing direction of the main body 11 (the vehicle height direction of the vehicle C).

[0034] The detection elements 29-1 to 29-m of the first sensor unit 29 and the detection elements 30A-1 to 30A-n of the second sensor unit 30A are provided on the front side (outer side) of the main body 11 with respect to the top brush 22 and the side brush 23, and it is preferable to configure them to be able to detect the shape of the vehicle C prior to the brushing process. The first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30A may be provided on the legs 12 and 13 in any manner as long as they can detect the vehicle C. In this embodiment, a configuration is adopted in which the first sensor unit 29 and the second sensor unit 30A are arranged side by side in the front-rear direction. Further, for the second sensor unit 30A, detection elements composed of a light emitting element 30A-a and a light receiving element 30A-b are provided on both sides of the legs 12 and 13. Therefore, it is also possible to detect equipment provided only on one side of the left and right of the vehicle C.

[0035] As described above, the first sensor unit 29 can detect the upper surface shape of the vehicle C. More specifically, as the main body 11 moves, the shape (the silhouette of the vehicle C) from the side of the vehicle C can be read. The first sensor unit 29 has a plurality (m) of detection elements 29-1 to 29-m for detecting the vehicle C. In this embodiment, each of the detection elements 29-1 to 29-m is composed of a transmissive type photoelectric sensor having a pair of a light emitting element 29a and a light receiving element 29b. The light emitting element 29a is arranged to face the corresponding light receiving element 29b at the same height in a one-to-one manner, and a horizontal optical axis is formed therebetween. By knowing the light transmission / light blocking state of this horizontal optical axis, the presence or absence of the vehicle C can be detected.

[0036] The second sensor unit 30A has a plurality (n) of detection elements 30A-1 to 30A-n each of which is a reflection type photoelectric sensor, and can detect unevenness on the side surface of the vehicle C. The detection elements 30A-1 to 30A-n integrally include a light emitting element 30Aa and a light receiving element 30Ab (not shown). The light emitting element 30Aa emits an optical signal toward the side surface of the vehicle C, and the light receiving element 30Ab receives the reflected signal. At this time, a distance estimation unit 30Ac (not shown) provided in the detection elements 30A-1 to 30A-n calculates the distance between each point on the detection element and the side surface of the vehicle C from the phase difference between the optical signal emitted from the light emitting element 30Aa and the reflected signal received by the light receiving element 30Ab, thereby detecting the side surface shape of the vehicle C.

[0037] In this way, the car wash device 10A is provided with various means and functions, which are executed by the control unit 31.

[0038] By providing the second sensor unit 30A on the leg portions 12 and 13 sides (in the width direction of the vehicle C) of the main body portion 11, in addition to the door mirror, it becomes possible to detect equipment that was difficult to detect from the beam portion 14 in the first embodiment. For example, it becomes possible to detect that the fuel filler cap of the vehicle C is open before brushing cleaning. It is also possible to confirm by the vehicle shape matching means 38 provided in the control unit 31 that the convex portion detected by the second sensor unit 30A is the fuel filler cap. In that case, taking the position of the rear end portion of the vehicle C detected by the first sensor unit 29 as the reference line 42a, for example, 500 mm in front of the reference line 42a may be set as the estimated fuel filler port position. As a result of the matching, if the convex portion detected by the second sensor unit 30A is within the range of the estimated fuel filler port position, it is preferable to cause the control unit 31 to urgently stop the car wash process. An accident in which the side brush 23 gets entangled with the fuel filler cap can be prevented.

[0039] Furthermore, the second sensor unit 30A is provided on the leg portions 12 and 13 side (in the vehicle width direction of the vehicle C) of the main body unit 11, and by capturing the space between the vehicle C and the second sensor unit 30A from both the left and right sides, it becomes possible to accurately detect the positions of the left and right side surface portions of the vehicle C with respect to the main body unit 11. For example, when bringing the side brushes 23 closer to the side surface portions of the vehicle C, it becomes possible to set target positions for each of the left and right side brushes 23 based on the actual shape and inclination of the vehicle C.

[0040] As described above, the present invention has been specifically described based on the embodiments. However, it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and can be variously modified without departing from the gist thereof.

[0041] In the above embodiment, a car wash apparatus (vehicle processing apparatus) in which the main body unit moves with respect to a vehicle parked on the ground has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a case where a vehicle is mounted on a carrier (conveyor) movable in the vehicle length direction of the vehicle and the vehicle moves with respect to the main body unit, or a case where both the vehicle and the main body unit move may also be applicable. For this reason, the present invention includes a relationship in which the main body unit moves relative to the vehicle to be processed.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0042] 10 Car wash apparatus 11 Main body unit 28 Vehicle detection unit 29 First sensor unit 30 Second sensor unit 31 Control unit

Claims

1. A washing device having a frame formed in a portal shape so as to straddle the vehicle to be washed, a main body portion that can move back and forth relative to the vehicle, a vehicle detection unit having an opposing first light projection unit and first light reception unit, and detecting the vehicle between the first light projection unit and the first light reception unit, a second light projection unit that emits an optical signal, and a second light reception unit that can receive the reflection of the optical signal, the second light projection unit being capable of detecting the presence and position of convex portions on the side surface of the vehicle by the reflection of the optical signal, a car wash control unit that collates the detection data of both the vehicle detection unit and the convex portion detection unit, and controls the drive of the car wash processing device based on the collation result, and a car wash device comprising the same.

2. The vehicle detection unit is provided on the leg portion of the frame, the convex portion detection unit is provided on the beam portion of the frame, and the second light projection unit emits an optical signal in the vertical direction The car wash device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

3. Both the vehicle detection unit and the convex portion detection unit are provided on the leg portion of the frame The car wash device according to claim 1, characterized in that.

4. The car wash control unit can control the car wash processing device according to whether the convex portion detection unit detects a convex portion within a preset distance range from a reference based on the portion of the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection unit The car wash device according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. When the vehicle detected by the vehicle detection unit exceeds a predetermined size, the car wash control unit does not collate the detection data of both the vehicle detection unit and the convex portion detection unit The car wash device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that.

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