Car washer and car washing method

Abstract

To clean side surface lower parts of a vehicle with rocker brushes more properly.SOLUTION: A car washer (2) includes a car washer body (4) and a control unit (44) which controls the car washer body. The car washer body includes: a pair of left and right side brushes (16) which cleans side surfaces of a vehicle (X); and a pair of left and right rocker brushes (18) which cleans side surface lower parts of the vehicle. The car washer (2) moves in an anteroposterior direction relative to the vehicle to clean the vehicle. The control unit controls the rocker brushes based on contents of controlling of the side brushes.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a car washer for washing a vehicle and a car washing method.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a car washer provided with a rocker brush mainly for washing the lower part of a vehicle. In Patent Document 1, the position control of the rocker brush is performed using the repulsive force generated in the rocker brush due to the contact between the rocker brush and the vehicle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the method of position control of the rocker brush disclosed in Patent Document 1, in a portion where a repulsive force against the rocker brush cannot be obtained, such as between the tire and the fender or on the rear side of the vehicle of the rear bumper, the rocker brush may protrude toward the vehicle more than necessary. In this case, it becomes difficult to appropriately control the position of the rocker brush, and as a result, it becomes difficult to appropriately wash the vehicle with the rocker brush.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A car washer according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes a pair of left and right side brushes for washing the side surfaces of a vehicle and a pair of left and right rocker brushes for washing the lower parts of the side surfaces of the vehicle, and a car washer body for washing the vehicle by relative movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle, and a control unit for controlling the car washer body, wherein the control unit controls the rocker brush based on the control content for the side brush.

[0006] In addition, a car washing method according to an aspect of the present disclosure is a car washing method for washing a vehicle by a car washing machine body that performs relative movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle, the car washing machine body including a pair of left and right side brushes for washing the sides of the vehicle and a pair of left and right rocker brushes for washing the lower sides of the vehicle, the method including a step of controlling the rocker brushes based on control contents for the side brushes.

Effects of the Invention

[0007] Washing of the lower sides of the vehicle by the rocker brushes becomes more appropriate.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] 〔Embodiment 1〕 <Overview of the car wash machine> FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a car wash machine body 4 and a remote panel 6 included in the car wash machine 2 according to the present embodiment, and a schematic front view of the car wash machine body 4. As shown in FIG. 1, the car wash machine 2 according to the present embodiment includes a car wash machine body 4 that washes a vehicle X, which is a vehicle to be washed. The car wash machine 2 may include a remote panel 6 that acquires the car wash conditions of the vehicle X by the car wash machine body 4. In FIG. 1, in order to show that the vehicle X is located deeper toward the paper surface than the remote panel 6, the outer shape of the vehicle X is shown by a dotted line.

[0010] As shown in the schematic front view 4F of the car wash machine body 4 in FIG. 1, the car wash machine body 4 includes, for example, two stand portions 8 and a ceiling portion 10 that connects the upper ends of the two stand portions 8. The car wash machine body 4 has a structure in which the vehicle X can pass through a space 4S surrounded by the stand portion 8 and the ceiling portion 10 along the entry direction DA of the vehicle X shown in the schematic side view 2S of the car wash machine 2 in FIG. 1. Here, in this specification, the entry direction DA is defined as the direction from the front to the back of the car wash machine body 4.

[0011] The car wash machine body 4 has, for example, wheels 12 at the lower portions of the respective stand portions 8, and by rotationally driving the wheels 12 by a driving portion (not shown), it relatively moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle X along a rail R arranged on the ground G. The rail R is formed, for example, along the entry direction DA. Here, the car wash machine body 4 performs the cleaning of the vehicle X in the space 4S while relatively moving with respect to the vehicle X.

[0012] On the car washer main body 4, as one of the cleaning parts, a plurality of rotating brushes that slide on the vehicle X and perform brushing are provided. For example, the rotating brushes included in the car washer main body 4 include a top brush 14, a side brush 16, and a rocker brush 18, each of which is rotated by a rotating motor (not shown). The top brush 14 moves along the upper surface of the vehicle X and cleans the upper surface of the vehicle X. The side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 clean both side surfaces of the vehicle X. In particular, the rocker brush 18 is arranged below the side brush 16 and cleans the lower part of the side surface of the vehicle X.

[0013] On the side part of the car washer main body 4, a tank storage part 20 for storing a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) containing various liquid agents such as detergents or waxes is arranged. Above the tank storage part 20, a distribution pipe part 22 for distributing water containing city water or liquid agents from each liquid storage tank is provided. In the distribution pipe part 22, a first clean water nozzle 24, a second clean water nozzle 26, a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34 included in the cleaning part are respectively led out via solenoid valves (not shown).

[0014] The first clean water nozzle 24 and the second clean water nozzle 26 are respectively arranged on the front side and the rear side of the car washer main body 4, and spray water containing city water onto the vehicle X. The first detergent nozzle 28 and the second detergent nozzle 30 are respectively arranged on the front side and the rear side of the car washer main body 4, and spray a cleaning liquid containing shampoo or the like onto the vehicle X. The water repellent coating nozzle 32 and the wax nozzle 34 are arranged on the rear surface of the car washer main body 4. The water repellent coating nozzle 32 sprays a liquid agent of a water repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 sprays wax onto the vehicle X.

[0015] In addition, the car washer main body 4 is provided with a blower 36 that generates an air flow to dry the vehicle X. A top air supply nozzle 38 and a side air supply nozzle 40 are connected to the blower 36. The top air supply nozzle 38 is provided at the upper center of the car washer main body 4 and blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle X. The side air supply nozzle 40 is provided on both sides of the car washer main body 4 and blows air toward the side surface of the vehicle X. The car washer main body 4 dries the washed vehicle X by the air blowing of the top air supply nozzle 38 and the side air supply nozzle 40.

[0016] In addition, in FIG. 1, for the sake of simplicity of illustration, the illustration of each device for washing the vehicle X provided in the car washer main body 4 described above may be omitted. In addition, each device provided in the car washer main body 4 shown in FIG. 1 is merely an example, and the car washer main body 4 may be provided with devices for washing the vehicle X including conventionally known configurations in addition to the devices described above, and devices for assisting the washing on the stand portion 8 or the ceiling portion 10.

[0017] An operation panel 42 is arranged on the front surface of one stand portion 8 of the car washer main body 4. The operation panel 42 is provided with operation buttons (not shown) for setting washing conditions, and accepts washing or sets washing conditions by the operation of a user or the like who has got out of the vehicle X.

[0018] Furthermore, the car washer 2 is provided with a control unit 44 that controls the car washer main body 4. In particular, the control unit 44 controls the washing of the vehicle X by the car washer main body 4 by controlling the movement along the rail R of the car washer main body 4 and the operations of each part of the washing unit. As shown in FIG. 1, the control unit 44 may be provided in the car washer main body 4, or may be located outside the car washer main body 4. The control unit 44 may transmit and receive information to and from the car washer main body 4 or a remote panel 6 described later by a communication device or the like not shown, and control the car washer main body 4. The control unit 44 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, for example, and each control is realized by the control program stored in the memory being executed on the processor.

[0019] The remote panel 6 is located, for example, on the front side of the car washer main body 4 and is arranged approximately along the moving direction of the car washer main body 4. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the front surface of the remote panel 6 is arranged to face the vehicle X before being washed by the car washer main body 4, in other words, before entering the interior of the car washer main body 4. For this reason, in FIG. 1, the back surface of the remote panel 6 is illustrated.

[0020] As shown in FIG. 1, the remote panel 6 includes a housing 46 and a support column 48 that stands on the ground G and supports the housing 46. The remote panel 6 may acquire at least a part of the car washing conditions of the vehicle X by the car washer main body 4 through operations such as a touch panel or buttons (not shown) provided on the housing 46. The control unit 44 may control the car washer main body 4 based on at least a part of the car washing conditions acquired by the remote panel 6 to wash the vehicle X.

[0021] <Side brush and rocker brush> The side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18, which are part of the washing unit of the car washer main body 4 according to the present embodiment, will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the car washer main body 4 according to the present embodiment. In this specification, in the plan view of the car washer main body 4 including FIG. 2, only the outer shape of the upper surface 4T of the car washer main body 4 is shown in order to more clearly show the details including the positional relationship between the side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18. Further, in the plan view of the car washer main body 4 including FIG. 2, the side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 are shown through the stand portion 8 and the ceiling portion 10. Furthermore, in FIG. 2, illustrations of each part included in the car washer main body 4 are omitted except for the side brush 16, the rocker brush 18, and the members that support these brushes.

[0022] The car washer main body 4 includes a pair of left and right side brushes 16 and rocker brushes 18 that face each other via a space 4S. In particular, the side brush 16 includes a first side brush 16A located on the left side of the vehicle X and a second side brush 16B located on the right side of the vehicle X during the washing of the vehicle X. The rocker brush 18 also includes a first rocker brush 18A located on the left side of the vehicle X and a second rocker brush 18B located on the right side of the vehicle X during the washing of the vehicle X.

[0023] Each of the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B is supported by a pair of left and right arms 50 that face each other via the space 4S. For example, each of the arms 50 includes a plurality of slide portions 52 that are connected so as to move parallel to each other. Each of the arms 50 is provided with a brush support portion 54 that rotatably supports the side brush 16 at the tip of the slide portion 52 closest to the space 4S side among the slide portions 52.

[0024] The other end side of each arm 50, which is opposite to the end side where the side brush 16 is located, is fixed to the stand portion 8 of the car washer main body 4. Therefore, the control unit 44 of the car washer main body 4 controls the position of each side brush 16 by controlling the mutual parallel movement of the plurality of slide portions 52 of each arm 50. The control unit 44 also controls the rotation of the side brush 16 around the brush support portion 54.

[0025] Note that each side brush 16 is not limited to the above and may be mounted on a dedicated rail formed on the upper part of the car washer main body 4. In this case, the control unit 44 may control the position of each side brush 16 by moving each side brush 16 along the dedicated rail. Also, the position of each side brush 16 may be controlled by controlling a power unit (not shown) including an air cylinder or the like.

[0026] In this embodiment, the locker brush 18 includes a first locker brush 18A located on the left side of the vehicle X and a second locker brush 18B located on the right side of the vehicle X when the vehicle X is being washed. Also, the locker brush 18 includes a first locker brush 18A located on the left side of the vehicle X and a second locker brush 18B located on the right side of the vehicle X when the vehicle X is being washed.

[0027] Each of the first locker brush 18A and the second locker brush 18B is supported by a pair of left and right arms 56 that face each other via the space 4S. For example, each of the arms 56 includes a plurality of slide portions 58 that are connected so as to move parallel to each other. Also, each of the arms 56 includes a brush support portion 60 that rotatably supports the locker brush 18 at the tip of the slide portion 58 closest to the space 4S side among the slide portions 58.

[0028] The other end side of each arm 56, which is opposite to the one end side where the locker brush 18 is located, is fixed to the stand portion 8 of the car wash machine main body 4. For this reason, the control unit 44 of the car wash machine main body 4 controls the position of each locker brush 18 by controlling the mutual parallel movement of the plurality of slide portions 58 of each arm 56. Also, the control unit 44 controls the rotation of the locker brush 18 around the brush support portion 60.

[0029] In this embodiment, each arm 50 and each arm 56 extend, for example, in a direction substantially perpendicular to the entry direction DA of the vehicle X and in a direction substantially horizontal to the ground G. Thereby, the control unit 44 controls the mutual parallel movement of the plurality of slide portions 52 of each arm 50 to control the distance of each side brush 16 from each stand portion 8 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the entry direction DA of the vehicle X and in a direction substantially horizontal to the ground G. Similarly, the control unit 44 controls the mutual parallel movement of the plurality of slide portions 58 of each arm 56 to control the distance of each locker brush 18 from each stand portion 8 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the entry direction DA of the vehicle X and in a direction substantially horizontal to the ground G.

[0030] In this embodiment, each arm 50 is located on the rear surface 4B side of the car washer main body 4 rather than on the front surface 4A side of the car washer main body 4 with respect to each arm 56. Therefore, in this embodiment, when the car washer main body 4 washes the vehicle X, each side brush 16 is located on the front side in the traveling direction DA of the vehicle X with respect to each rocker brush 18.

[0031] <Overview of the car washing method> A method for washing the vehicle X by the car washer 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a car washing method by the car washer 2.

[0032] In the car washing method according to this embodiment, first, the car washer 2 accepts car washing from the user or the like of the vehicle X (step S2). The acceptance of car washing may be implemented, for example, by the user operating the remote panel 6 or the operation panel 42 or the like to set the car washing conditions of the vehicle X and pay the car washing fee.

[0033] <First washing step> Following the acceptance of car washing, the car washer 2 washes the vehicle X by moving the car washer main body 4 relative to the vehicle while operating the washing unit. In washing the vehicle X, first, a first washing step is executed (step S4). The first washing step will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 4.

[0034] FIG. 4 is a process plan view showing an example of the first washing step in the car washing method according to this embodiment. In each process plan view of this specification including FIG. 4, similar to FIG. 2, the side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 are shown through the stand portion 8, the ceiling portion 10, and further the vehicle X. Also, in each process plan view, similar to FIG. 2, the illustration of each part provided in the car washer main body 4 is omitted except for the side brush 16, the rocker brush 18, and the members supporting these brushes.

[0035] Immediately before the first cleaning step in this embodiment, the vehicle X is positioned in front of the car wash machine main body 4. In the first cleaning step, first, as shown in step S4-2 of FIG. 4, the car wash machine main body 4 advances in a first advancing direction D1, which is from the front to the rear of the vehicle X. In other words, the control unit 44 relatively moves the car wash machine main body 4 backward with respect to the vehicle X. In this specification, in the cleaning step of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4 in this embodiment, the period during which the car wash machine main body 4 is relatively moved backward with respect to the vehicle X is defined as the first period.

[0036] During the first period in this embodiment, the control unit 44 rotates the first side brush 16A and the first rocker brush 18A in a first rotation direction R1, which is clockwise when viewed from above the vehicle X. On the other hand, during the first period in this embodiment, the control unit 44 rotates the second side brush 16B and the second rocker brush 18B in a second rotation direction R2, which is counterclockwise when viewed from above the vehicle X. The rotation of each brush may start before each brush contacts the vehicle X.

[0037] During the first period, as shown in step S4-4 of FIG. 4, the control unit 44 may control each arm 50 to move the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B until they contact each other. In this state, by relatively moving the car wash machine main body 4 backward with respect to the vehicle X, the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B contact the front surface XF of the vehicle X, as shown in step S4-4 of FIG. 4.

[0038] In a state where the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B are in contact with the front surface XF of the vehicle X, the control unit 44 rotates the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B to clean the front surface XF. During the cleaning of the vehicle X by the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B, the control unit 44 may control each nozzle of the car wash machine main body 4 to spray city water, a cleaning agent, or the like onto the surface of the vehicle X.

[0039] Here, the control unit 44 may further control each arm 56 to move the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B to a position where they contact the side surface XS of the vehicle X. In a state where the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B are in contact with the side surface XS of the vehicle X, the control unit 44 rotates the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B to clean the side surface XS. In particular, the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B clean the lower part of the side surface XS. During the cleaning of the vehicle X by the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B, the control unit 44 may control each nozzle of the car wash body 4 to spray city water or a cleaning agent or the like onto the surface of the vehicle X.

[0040] From the above, in the first period, the first rocker brush 18A rotates in the first rotation direction R1 while contacting the lower part of the side surface XS, and the second rocker brush 18B rotates in the second rotation direction R2 while contacting the lower part of the side surface XS. With the above configuration, the biasing force of each rocker brush 18 on the lower part of the side surface XS becomes more appropriate in the first period.

[0041] <Brush Position Control> For example, each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 may always be externally forced in a direction approaching each other by a spring or the like (not shown). In this case, the control unit 44 may move each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 in a direction approaching each other by not applying a force other than the above external force to each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18. Further, the control unit 44 may move each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 in a direction away from each other by controlling a power unit (not shown) including an air cylinder or a motor.

[0042] The control unit 44 moves each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 in a direction approaching each other until they contact each other or until they contact the vehicle X. For example, as shown in step S4-4 of FIG. 4, each side brush 16 becomes stationary with respect to the car wash machine main body 4 by contacting the other side brush 16. Also, as shown in step S4-4 of FIG. 4, each rocker brush 18 becomes stationary with respect to the car wash machine main body 4 by contacting the surface of the vehicle X.

[0043] As described above, each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 may maintain a position in contact with the other brush or the vehicle X in the extending direction of each arm. Also, in this state, the control unit 44 may clean the vehicle X by rotating each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18. In other words, the control unit 44 may perform position control on each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 based on the repulsive force from the other brush or the repulsive force from the vehicle X.

[0044] Next, as shown in step S4-6 of FIG. 4, the control unit 44 controls each arm 50 in accordance with the relative movement of the car wash machine main body 4, moves each side brush 16 along the surface of the vehicle X, and causes each side brush 16 to clean the side surface XS of the vehicle X. For example, when the urging force from the front surface XF of the vehicle X on each side brush 16 becomes equal to or greater than a certain value, the control unit 44 may move each side brush 16 in a direction away from each other.

[0045] In this way, the control unit 44 rotates each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 while the car wash machine main body 4 is relatively moved backward with respect to the vehicle X in a state where each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 are in contact with the vehicle X. Thereby, the control unit 44 cleans the vehicle X with each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 by moving the contact surface with the vehicle X while rotating each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18.

[0046] As described above, each locker brush 18 is located on the front surface 4A side of the car wash machine main body 4 rather than each side brush 16. Therefore, in the first period, the cleaning of the side surface XS by each locker brush 18 starts earlier than the cleaning of the side surface XS by each side brush 16.

[0047] In the first period, the control unit 44 records the control content of each side brush 16 while each side brush 16 is cleaning the side surface XS of the vehicle X. For example, the control unit 44 may record the position information along the extending direction of each arm 50 of each side brush 16 as the control content of each side brush 16 for each position of the car wash machine main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X. Alternatively, the control unit 44 may record the external force applied to each side brush 16 as the control content of each side brush 16 for each position of the car wash machine main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X. The control content of each side brush 16 by the control unit 44 may be recorded in a recording device (not shown) such as a memory.

[0048] In a part of the first period, the control unit 44 may release the contact between each locker brush 18 and the vehicle X by controlling each locker brush 18 to retract to each stand portion 8. For example, as shown in step S4-8 of FIG. 4, the control unit 44 moves each locker brush 18 in a direction away from each other to retract to each stand portion 8. For example, in the first period, the cleaning of the side rear portion XSB of the side surface XS, which is located on the rear side of the vehicle X among the lower parts of the side surface XS, by each locker brush 18 is not performed. Thus, in the first period, the control unit 44 may cause each locker brush 18 to clean only a part of the lower part of the side surface XS.

[0049] During the first period, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine body 4 backward relative to the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car wash machine body 4. Thereby, the first washing step is completed. Immediately before the completion of the first washing step, the control unit 44 may control each side brush 16 to perform washing of the rear surface of the vehicle X by each side brush 16. During the first washing step, the control unit 44 may control the position of the top brush 14 in the vertical direction while rotating the top brush 14. Thereby, the control unit 44 may cause the top brush 14 to wash the upper surface of the vehicle X.

[0050] <Second Washing Step> As shown in FIG. 3, following the first washing step, a second washing step is performed (step S6). The second washing step will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a process plan view showing an example of the second washing step in the car washing method according to the present embodiment. Note that FIG. 5 also shows a process plan view showing an example of a drying step that will be described in detail later.

[0051] Since the second washing step in the present embodiment is executed following the first washing step, immediately before the second washing step, the vehicle X is located on the rear side of the car wash machine body 4. In the second washing step, first, as shown in step S6-2 of FIG. 5, the car wash machine body 4 proceeds in the second traveling direction D2, which is the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle X. In other words, the control unit 44 relatively moves the car wash machine body 4 forward relative to the vehicle X. In this specification, in the washing step of the vehicle X by the car wash machine body 4 in the present embodiment, the period during which the car wash machine body 4 is relatively moved forward relative to the vehicle X is defined as the second period.

[0052] During the second period in the present embodiment, the control unit 44 rotates the first side brush 16A and the first rocker brush 18A in the direction of the second rotation direction R2. On the other hand, during the second period in the present embodiment, the control unit 44 rotates the second side brush 16B and the second rocker brush 18B in the direction of the first rotation direction R1. The rotation of each brush may start before each brush comes into contact with the vehicle X.

[0053] In the second period, as shown in step S6-2 of FIG. 5, the control unit 44 may rotate the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B while the first side brush 16A and the second side brush 16B are in contact with the rear surface XB of the vehicle X. Thereby, the control unit 44 cleans the rear surface XB with each side brush 16.

[0054] Subsequently, the control unit 44 controls each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 while relatively moving the car wash body 4 forward with respect to the vehicle X. Here, as shown in step S6-4 of FIG. 5, the control unit 44 controls each arm 50 in accordance with the relative movement of the car wash body 4, moves each side brush 16 along the surface of the vehicle X, and causes each side brush 16 to clean the side surface XS of the vehicle X. For example, when the urging force from the rear surface XB of the vehicle X to each side brush 16 becomes a certain value or more, the control unit 44 may move each side brush 16 in a direction away from each other.

[0055] As described above, in the second period, the first rocker brush 18A contacts the lower part of the side surface XS while rotating in the second rotation direction R2, and the second rocker brush 18B contacts the lower part of the side surface XS while rotating in the first rotation direction R1. With the above configuration, the urging force of each rocker brush 18 on the lower part of the side surface XS becomes more appropriate in the second period.

[0056] <Control of Rocker Brush Based on Control Content of Side Brush> In the second period, the control unit 44 further controls each arm 56 and moves the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B to a position where they contact the side surface XS of the vehicle X. In a state where the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B are in contact with the side surface XS of the vehicle X, the control unit 44 rotates the first rocker brush 18A and the second rocker brush 18B to clean the side surface XS.

[0057] As described above, each locker brush 18 is located on the front surface 4A side of the car washer main body 4 rather than each side brush 16. Therefore, in the second period, the cleaning of the side surface XS by each locker brush 18 starts later than the cleaning of the side surface XS by each side brush 16.

[0058] Here, in the second period, the control unit 44 controls each locker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period. For example, the control unit 44 controls the forces acting on each side brush 16 in directions approaching each other and separating from each other to perform position control of each side brush 16, while causing each side brush 16 to clean the lower part of the side surface XS. In particular, in the second period, each locker brush 18 may clean the side surface XS including the rear side part XSB.

[0059] For example, the control unit 44 may calculate an appropriate position for the first locker brush 18A to clean each position of the side surface XS in the second period from the position information when the first side brush 16A cleaned each position of the side surface XS in the first period. In the second period, the control unit 44 rotates the first locker brush 18A while placing it at the calculated appropriate position to clean the lower part of the side surface XS. Also, the control unit 44 may control the second locker brush 18B in the second period based on the control content of the second side brush 16B in the first period.

[0060] As shown in step S6-6 of FIG. 5, in the second period, the control unit 44 moves the car washer main body 4 in the forward direction of the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car washer main body 4. Thereby, the second cleaning process is completed. As shown in step S6-6 of FIG. 5, immediately before the completion of the second cleaning process, the control unit 44 may cause each side brush 16 to clean the front surface XF of the vehicle X.

[0061] <Drying process> As shown in FIG. 3, following the second washing step, a drying step is performed (step S8). In the drying step, as shown in step S8-2 of FIG. 5, the control unit 44 moves the car washer main body 4 relative to the vehicle X in the rearward direction. Here, in the drying step, the control unit 44 controls the blower 36 to control the air blowing from the top air blowing nozzle 38 or the side air blowing nozzle 40. During the drying step, the control unit 44 may control the positions of the top air blowing nozzle 38 or the side air blowing nozzle 40. During the drying step, the control unit 44 may control each arm 50 and each arm 56, and store each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 in each stand portion 8.

[0062] Thereby, in the drying step, the car washer 2 dries the vehicle X by blowing off or volatilizing moisture such as water droplets adhering to the vehicle X by the air blowing from each air blowing nozzle of the car washer main body 4. The control unit 44 controls the air blowing from each air blowing nozzle while relatively moving the car washer main body 4 in the rearward direction with respect to the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car washer main body 4. As described above, the drying step is completed, and the washing of the vehicle X by the car washer 2 is completed.

[0063] Note that the drying step according to the present embodiment is performed by blowing air to the vehicle X while relatively moving the car washer main body 4 in the rearward direction with respect to the vehicle X, but is not limited thereto. For example, in the drying step according to the present embodiment, the control unit 44 may move the car washer main body 4 to the rear of the vehicle X and then execute the air blowing to the vehicle X while moving the car washer main body 4 again in the forward direction of the vehicle X.

[0064] Also, in the method for washing the vehicle X by the car washer 2 according to the present embodiment, the first washing step and the second washing step may be performed once each, but are not limited thereto. For example, in the present embodiment, following the first second washing step, the second first washing step and the second washing step may be sequentially performed. The second first washing step and the second washing step may be performed in the same manner as the first first washing step and the second washing step. Further, in the present embodiment, the first washing step and the second washing step may be performed three or more times.

[0065] <Summary of Embodiment 1> In the present embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 during at least a part of the period. During this control, the position or biasing force of each rocker brush 18 with respect to the lower part of the side surface XS when the lower part of the side surface XS is cleaned by each rocker brush 18 becomes more appropriate. Therefore, compared with the case where each rocker brush 18 is controlled using only the repulsive force between each rocker brush 18 and the vehicle X, the car washer 2 according to the present embodiment can clean the lower part of the side surface XS more appropriately.

[0066] In particular, there may be a space between the tire and the wheelhouse of the vehicle X at the lower part of the side surface XS to be cleaned by each rocker brush 18. In this case, the car washer 2 according to the present embodiment reduces the situation where each rocker brush 18 enters the above space too much. Further, at the rear side surface XSB, there may be a structure that protrudes more than the surrounding area on the side surface XS, such as the corner of the bumper of the vehicle X. In this case, the car washer 2 according to the present embodiment can clean more appropriately a portion where it is difficult to control the position of each rocker brush 18 during cleaning by each rocker brush 18, such as the above protruding structure.

[0067] In the present embodiment, during both the first period and the second period in the cleaning process of the vehicle X, the vehicle X is cleaned by at least a part of the cleaning unit of the car washer main body 4. Therefore, compared with the case where cleaning is performed during either the first period or the second period, the cleaning of the vehicle X by the car washer 2 is more thorough.

[0068] Also, in the present embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 in the second period based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period. In other words, the control unit 44 does not need to control each rocker brush 18 in the first period based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period. Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary for the control unit 44 to simultaneously record the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period and control each rocker brush 18 according to the control content. Thus, in the present embodiment, the control of each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 by the control unit 44 becomes simpler.

[0069] In the present embodiment, the control unit 44 also causes each rocker brush 18 to clean only a part of the lower portion of the side surface XS even in the first period. Thereby, the control unit 44 can cause each rocker brush 18 to clean, in the first period as well, the portion of the lower portion of the side surface XS where sufficiently appropriate cleaning can be performed without performing strict position control. Therefore, the car washer 2 can more thoroughly clean the portion of the lower portion of the side surface XS that is cleaned by each rocker brush 18 even in the first period.

[0070] In particular, for the first period, for the side surfaces XS that are at the same position in the front - rear direction of the vehicle X, the cleaning by each rocker brush 18 is performed earlier than the cleaning by each side brush 16. Also, generally, the lower portion of the side surface XS of the vehicle X tends to have a lot of dirt such as mud adhering to it. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the car washer 2 can clean the side surface XS with the side brush 16 after cleaning the lower portion of the side surface XS of the vehicle X, where dirt easily adheres, with each rocker brush 18 in the first period. Thus, in the present embodiment, the car washer 2 can reduce the re - adhesion of the dirt on the lower portion of the side surface XS to the vehicle X in the first period and can more appropriately wash the vehicle X.

[0071] The car washer main body 4 according to this embodiment includes a rocker brush 18 attached to an arm 56 including a plurality of slide portions 58 that move parallel to each other. Therefore, the control unit 44 can control the position of the rocker brush 18 with respect to the car washer main body 4 by controlling the mutual parallel movement of the plurality of slide portions 58.

[0072] Here, regarding the position of each rocker brush 18 in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X, the control unit 44 can control it by relatively moving the car washer main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X. In other words, in order to control the position of each rocker brush 18 with respect to the vehicle X, it is only necessary to be able to control the distance that each rocker brush 18 protrudes from each stand portion 8.

[0073] In this embodiment, the car washer main body 4 includes an arm 56 that extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the entry direction DA of the vehicle X and in a direction substantially horizontal with respect to the ground G. Thereby, the control of the distance that each rocker brush 18 protrudes from the stand portion 8 by the control unit 44 can be realized by controlling the expansion and contraction of the arm 56. In other words, the control unit 44 does not need to change the angle of the arm 56 with respect to the car washer main body 4 in order to control the distance that each rocker brush 18 protrudes from the stand portion 8. Therefore, the car washer 2 enables the control of the position of each rocker brush 18 with a simpler configuration.

[0074] Also, due to the configuration of the arm 56 described above, regardless of the direction of movement of the car washer main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X, the extending direction of the arm 56 with respect to the side surface XS is always substantially perpendicular. Therefore, the car washer 2 can wash the lower part of the side surface XS under the same conditions by each rocker brush 18 in both the first period and the second period. In particular, the car washer 2 can wash the lower part of the side surface XS more appropriately without changing the extending direction of each arm 56 between the first period and the second period.

[0075] 〔Embodiment 2〕 <Another example of the arm> FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of the car washer main body 62 according to the present embodiment. Also in FIG. 6, only the outer shape of the upper surface 62T of the car washer main body 62 is shown, and the side brushes 16 and the rocker brushes 18 are shown passing through the stand portion 8 and the ceiling portion 10. In this specification, each member having the same function is given the same name and reference numeral even in different embodiments, and the same description will not be repeated unless there is a difference in configuration.

[0076] The car washer 2 according to the present embodiment is different in configuration only in that it includes a car washer main body 62 instead of the car washer main body 4 compared to the car washer 2 according to the previous embodiment. The car washer main body 62 according to the present embodiment includes a pair of left and right arms 64 and a shaft 66 that face each other via a space 4S, instead of the arm 56, compared to the car washer main body 4 according to the previous embodiment.

[0077] Each arm 64 includes a beam 68 and a brush support portion 70 that rotatably supports a rocker brush 18 at the tip end portion of the beam 68 on the space 4S side. The other end side of each arm 64 opposite to the one end side where the rocker brush 18 is located is rotatably supported in the horizontal direction with respect to the stand portion 8 of the car washer main body 62 by the shaft 66. For this reason, each rocker brush 18 is rotatably supported at the other end portion on the side opposite to the one end portion supported by the shaft 66 of each arm 64.

[0078] The control unit 44 controls the rotation of the arm 64 around the shaft 66 to control the distance of the rocker brush 18 from the stand portion 8. Further, since each brush support portion 70 is located on the front surface 62A side of the car washer main body 62 rather than each shaft 66, each rocker brush 18 is located on the front surface 62A side of the car washer main body 62 rather than each shaft 66.

[0079] Except for the above-described configuration, the car washer main body 62 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the car washer main body 4 according to the previous embodiment.

[0080] The method of washing the vehicle X by the car washer 2 according to the present embodiment is executed along the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. In the washing method according to the present embodiment, first, the washing from the user or the like of the vehicle X is received by the same method as in step S2 according to the previous embodiment. Next, the first washing step is executed. The first washing step according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a process plan view showing an example of the first washing step in the washing method according to the present embodiment.

[0081] The first washing step in the present embodiment is executed in the first period in which the car washer main body 62 travels in the first traveling direction D1, which is the direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle X, as shown in step S4-10 of FIG. 7, similar to the first washing step according to the previous embodiment. Here, in the present embodiment, in the first period, the control unit 44 controls each arm 64 to store each rocker brush 18 in each stand portion 8.

[0082] Therefore, in the first period according to the present embodiment, each rocker brush 18 does not contact the vehicle X. In other words, in the first washing step according to the present embodiment, the control unit 44 stops washing the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18.

[0083] On the other hand, in the first washing step according to the present embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each side brush 16 by the same method as the control of each side brush 16 in the first washing step according to the previous embodiment. Therefore, in the first washing step according to the present embodiment, the side surface XS is washed by each side brush 16.

[0084] Also in this embodiment, as shown in each of steps S4-10 to S4-14 in FIG. 7, in the first period, the first side brush 16A rotates in the direction of the first rotation direction R1, and the second side brush 16B rotates in the direction of the second rotation direction R2. Also in this embodiment, in the first period, the control unit 44 records the control content of each side brush 16 while each side brush 16 is cleaning the side surface XS of the vehicle X. The recording of the control content of each side brush 16 may be executed in the same manner as the recording of the control content of each side brush 16 according to the previous embodiment.

[0085] In the first period, the control unit 44 moves the car wash main body 62 in the rearward direction of the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car wash main body 62. Thereby, the first washing step is completed.

[0086] Subsequent to the first washing step, a second washing step is executed. The second washing step according to this embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a process plan view showing an example of the second washing step in the car washing method according to this embodiment. Note that FIG. 8 also shows a process plan view showing an example of a drying step, which will be described in detail later.

[0087] The second washing step in this embodiment is executed in the second period in which the car wash main body 62 travels in the second traveling direction D2, which is the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle X, as shown in step S6-8 of FIG. 8, similar to the second washing step according to the previous embodiment. Here, in this embodiment, in the second period, the control unit 44 controls each arm 64 to control the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18.

[0088] Here, in the present embodiment, each locker brush 18 is located on the front surface 62A side of the car wash machine main body 62 with respect to each shaft 66. Therefore, in the second period during which the lower part of the side surface XS is cleaned by each locker brush 18, each locker brush 18 is located on the rear side with respect to the advancing direction DA rather than each shaft 66. In other words, when the car wash machine main body 4 cleans the vehicle X, each shaft 66 is located on the side of each side brush 16 rather than each locker brush 18.

[0089] In the second period according to the present embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each locker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period. For example, the control unit 44 may control the rotation of the arm 64 around the shaft 66 based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period.

[0090] Also in the present embodiment, as shown in each of steps S6-8 to S6-12 in FIG. 8, in the second period, the first side brush 16A and the first locker brush 18A rotate in the second rotation direction R2. Also, in the second period, the second side brush 16B and the second locker brush 18B rotate in the first rotation direction R1.

[0091] In the second period, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 62 forward in the direction of the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car wash machine main body 62. Thereby, the second cleaning step is completed.

[0092] Subsequent to the second cleaning step, a drying step is executed. The drying step according to the present embodiment may be executed by the same method as the drying step according to the previous embodiment. In particular, as shown in step S8-4 in FIG. 8, in the drying step, the control unit 44 may control each arm 64 to store each locker brush 18 in each stand portion 8. With the completion of the drying step, the cleaning of the vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 is completed.

[0093] Also in this embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 at least in a part of the period. Therefore, the car washer 2 according to this embodiment can also more appropriately clean the lower part of the side surface XS using each rocker brush 18.

[0094] Further, in this embodiment, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 stops in the first period. For this reason, in this embodiment, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 is not performed in the first period when the information on the control content of the side brush 16 is not sufficiently obtained. Therefore, the car washer 2 according to this embodiment more surely prevents inappropriate cleaning from being performed by each rocker brush 18 in the first period.

[0095] Here, in the second period in this embodiment, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 is executed in a state where each rocker brush 18 is located on the rear side of the vehicle X with respect to the shaft 66. Thereby, when the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 is executed while moving the car washer main body 62 forward with respect to the vehicle X, the force in the direction in which each rocker brush 18 bites into the vehicle X is less likely to be applied to each rocker brush 18. Therefore, the car washer 2 can more appropriately clean the lower part of the side surface XS using each rocker brush 18.

[0096] Note that, in this embodiment, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 is executed only in the second period. For this reason, the control unit 44 does not need to control the arm 64 so that each rocker brush 18 is located on the front side of the vehicle X with respect to the shaft 66, for example, in order to clean the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 in the first period. Therefore, the designs of each rocker brush 18 and each arm 64 may be designs suitable for the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 in the second period, and the design of the car washer 2 and the control of each rocker brush 18 by the control unit 44 become simpler.

[0097] 〔Embodiment 3〕 <Another example of the positional relationship between the side brush and the rocker brush> FIG. 9 is a schematic side view of the car washer body 74 and the remote panel 6 provided in the car washer 72 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of the car washer body 74 according to the present embodiment. Also in FIG. 10, only the outer shape of the upper surface 74T of the car washer body 74 is shown, and the side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 are shown through the stand portion 8 and the ceiling portion 10. The car washer 72 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the car washer 2 according to the first embodiment, except that the car washer body 4 is replaced with the car washer body 74. Further, the car washer body 74 according to the present embodiment has the same configuration as the car washer body 4 according to the first embodiment, except that the positional relationship of the rocker brush 18 with respect to the side brush 16 is different.

[0098] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, in the car washer body 74 according to the present embodiment, the rocker brush 18 is located closer to the rear surface 74B side of the car washer body 74 with respect to the side brush 16. For example, the car washer body 74 according to the present embodiment may have a structure in which the positions of the side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 in the entry direction DA in the car washer body 4 according to the first embodiment are interchanged. Along with this, for example, as shown in FIG. 9, the position of the second clean water nozzle 26 or the second detergent nozzle 30 may move to the front surface 74A side of the car washer body 74 with respect to the rocker brush 18.

[0099] The method of washing the vehicle X by the car washer 72 according to the present embodiment is executed along the flowchart shown in FIG. 3. In the washing method according to the present embodiment, first, washing from the user or the like of the vehicle X is received in the same manner as in step S2 according to the first embodiment. Next, a first cleaning step is executed. The first cleaning step according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a process plan view showing an example of the first cleaning step in the washing method according to the present embodiment.

[0100] The first cleaning step in this embodiment is executed in the first period in which the car washer main body 74 travels in the first traveling direction D1, which is the direction from the front to the rear of the vehicle X, as shown in step S4-16 of FIG. 11, just like the first cleaning step according to Embodiment 1.

[0101] For example, as shown in step S4-16 of FIG. 11, in the first period, the front surface XF of the vehicle X may be cleaned by each side brush 16 first. Next, as shown in step S4-18 of FIG. 11, in the first period, the side surface XS of the vehicle X may be cleaned by each side brush 16. The cleaning of the vehicle X by each side brush 16 may be performed by the same method as the cleaning of the vehicle X by each side brush 16 in any of the above-described embodiments.

[0102] Here, in this embodiment, each rocker brush 18 is located on the rear surface 74B side of the car washer main body 74 with respect to each side brush 16. Therefore, during the cleaning of the front surface XF by each side brush 16, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 has not started. Further, the cleaning of the side surface XS by each side brush 16 starts prior to the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18.

[0103] Also in this embodiment, in the first period, the control unit 44 records the control content of each side brush 16 while each side brush 16 is cleaning the side surface XS of the vehicle X. The recording of the control content of each side brush 16 may be performed in the same method as the recording of the control content of each side brush 16 according to Embodiment 1.

[0104] In this embodiment, as shown in step S4-20 of FIG. 11, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 in the first period to perform the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18. Here, the control unit 44 according to this embodiment controls each rocker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 obtained so far in the first period.

[0105] In this embodiment, for the first period, with respect to the side surface XS that is at the same position in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle X, the cleaning by each rocker brush 18 is performed after the cleaning by each side brush 16. Therefore, in the first period, the control unit 44 can achieve the control of each rocker brush 18 described above by recording the control content of each side brush 16 and sequentially using it for the control of each rocker brush 18.

[0106] In the first period, the control unit 44 moves the car wash main body 4 in the rearward direction of the vehicle X until the vehicle X completely passes through the space 4S of the car wash main body 4. Thereby, the first cleaning step is completed. As shown in step S4-22 of FIG. 11, immediately before the completion of the first cleaning step, the control unit 44 may control each side brush 16 to perform cleaning of the rear surface XB of the vehicle X by each side brush 16.

[0107] Thereafter, for the first cleaning step, the second cleaning step and the drying step are sequentially executed. In this embodiment, the second cleaning step and the drying step are executed by the same method as the second cleaning step and the drying step according to any of the foregoing embodiments, except that the positions of the side brushes 16 and the rocker brushes 18 of the car wash main body 74 are different.

[0108] Specifically, for example, in the second cleaning step, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 recorded so far while moving the car wash main body 74 in the second traveling direction D2, which is the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle X. In other words, the second cleaning step according to the embodiment is executed in the second period.

[0109] Also, for example, in the drying step, the control unit 44 controls the blower 36 while moving the car wash main body 74 in the first traveling direction D1 to blow air from each air nozzle to the vehicle X. Here, in the drying step, the control unit 44 stores each side brush 16 and each rocker brush 18 in each stand portion 8. With the completion of the drying step, the cleaning of the vehicle X by the car wash 72 is completed.

[0110] In this embodiment, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 in the first period based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period. Therefore, in this embodiment, even in the first period, the lower part of the entire side surface XS including the side rear part XSB by each rocker brush 18 can be more appropriately cleaned. Further, the control unit 44 controls each rocker brush 18 based on the control content of each side brush 16 in the first period even in the second period. Therefore, the car washer 72 according to this embodiment can more appropriately and surely clean the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18.

[0111] Note that the second cleaning step according to this embodiment is executed in the second period in which the car washer main body 74 travels in the second traveling direction D2 which is the direction from the rear to the front of the vehicle X. Here, in the second period according to this embodiment, the cleaning of the lower part of the side surface XS by each rocker brush 18 starts earlier than the cleaning of the side surface XS by each side brush 16. Therefore, the car washer 72 according to this embodiment can clean the side surface XS by the side brush 16 after cleaning the lower part of the side surface XS of the vehicle X where more dirt is likely to adhere by each rocker brush 18 in the second period. Thus, in this embodiment, the car washer 2 can reduce the re - adhesion of the dirt on the lower part of the side surface XS to the vehicle X in the second period and can more appropriately wash the vehicle X.

[0112] The present disclosure is not limited to the above - described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope shown in the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining different technical means disclosed in the embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present disclosure.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0113] 2, 72 Car washer 4, 62, 74 Car washer main body 16 Side brush 18 Rocker brush 44 Control unit 50, 56, 64 Arm 52, 58 Slide part 66 Shaft

Claims

1. A car wash machine body including a pair of left and right side brushes for cleaning the sides of a vehicle and a pair of left and right rocker brushes for cleaning the lower part of the sides of the vehicle, and the vehicle is cleaned by relative movement in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle, A control unit for controlling the car wash machine body, The rocker brush is located on the rear surface side of the car wash machine body with respect to the side brush, The control unit controls the rocker brush based on the control content for the side brush, In a first period in which the car wash machine body is relatively moved rearward with respect to the vehicle and a second period in which the car wash machine body is relatively moved forward with respect to the vehicle, at least one of the side brush and the rocker brush is used to clean the vehicle, and In the first period, the side is cleaned by the side brush, a part of the lower part of the side is cleaned by the rocker brush, and the rocker brush is retracted from another part of the lower part of the side, In the second period, the lower part of the side is cleaned by the rocker brush based on the control content for the side brush in the first period, The control unit controls the rocker brush in the first period based on the control content for the side brush in the first period. A car wash machine.

2. The rocker brush includes a first rocker brush located on the left side of the vehicle and a second rocker brush located on the right side of the vehicle, The control unit, In the first period, when viewed from above the vehicle, the first rocker brush is rotated clockwise and the second rocker brush is rotated counterclockwise, respectively, In the second period, when viewed from above the vehicle, the first rocker brush is rotated counterclockwise and the second rocker brush is rotated clockwise, respectively. The car wash machine according to claim 1.

3. The car washer main body further includes a pair of left and right arms each including a plurality of slide portions connected to move parallel to each other. Each of the rocker brushes is rotatably supported at the tip of each of the arms. The car washer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the position of each of the rocker brushes by moving the plurality of slide portions of each of the arms parallel to each other.

4. The car washer main body further includes a pair of left and right arms and a shaft that rotatably supports the arms in the horizontal direction. Each of the rocker brushes is rotatably supported at the other end of the arm opposite to the one end supported by the shaft of the arm. The shaft is located on the side of the side brush rather than the rocker brush when the vehicle is being washed by the car washer main body. The car washer according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control unit controls the position of each of the rocker brushes by rotating the arm around the shaft.

5. A car washing method for washing a vehicle by a car washer main body that includes a pair of left and right side brushes for washing the sides of the vehicle and a pair of left and right rocker brushes for washing the lower part of the sides of the vehicle, and that moves relative to the vehicle in the front-rear direction, the method comprising: The rocker brush is located on the rear side of the car washer main body with respect to the side brush. A first washing step of moving the car washer main body relative to the vehicle in the rear direction while causing the side brush to wash the side and causing the rocker brush to wash a part of the lower part of the side and retracting the rocker brush from another part of the lower part of the side. A second washing step of moving the car washer main body relative to the vehicle in the front direction after the first washing step and causing the rocker brush to wash the lower part of the side based on the control content for the side brush in the first washing step. A car washing method for controlling the locker brush based on the control content for the side brush in the first washing step.

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