Water-based tire wax agent and car wash machine

Abstract

To provide an aqueous tire wax agent which can coat on a tire in a wet state to enhance brightness, as well as, to make the tire difficult to be corroded.SOLUTION: An aqueous tire wax agent contains: a high viscosity organopolysiloxane; a first surface active agent which emulsifies the high viscosity organopolysiloxane; and a second surface active agent which comprises a nonionic polymer surface active agent of which molecular mass is larger than that of the first surface active agent.SELECTED DRAWING: None

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an aqueous tire wax agent applied to the tires of a vehicle to be washed and a car wash machine for applying the aqueous tire wax agent.

Background Art

[0002] A conventional car wash machine is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The conventional car wash machine has a spray gun for manually applying tire wax to the tires by an operator. In the conventional car wash machine, after the washing and drying of the vehicle are completed, when tire wax is selected, the tire wax is supplied to the spray gun, and the operator sprays the tire wax from the spray gun to apply the tire wax to the tires.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] Conventional tire wax cannot obtain a sufficient wax effect even when sprayed on wet tires. In addition, there is a risk that the wax applied to the tires may be removed by spraying the washing water after applying the tire wax.

[0005] An object of the present invention is to provide an aqueous tire wax agent that can be applied to wet tires, enhances the gloss of the tires, and is resistant to corrosion of the tires.

[0006] Another object of the present invention is to provide a car wash machine capable of automatically performing a tire wax treatment on wet tires.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To achieve the above object, the aqueous tire wax agent of the present invention comprises a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant for emulsifying the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, and a second surfactant composed of a nonionic polymer surfactant having a larger molecular weight than the first surfactant.

[0008] With such a configuration, even when applied to a wet tire, the tire can be made shiny and is less likely to be corroded. Also, for example, even when it adheres to the body, wheels, brakes, etc. of the vehicle to be washed, it can be removed by water washing. Furthermore, even when it adheres to the body, it can be easily wiped off.

[0009] In addition, in the aqueous tire wax agent having the above configuration, the second surfactant includes an ethylene oxide adduct of any one of corn starch, methyl cellulose (MC), ethyl cellulose (EC), hydroxyethyl cellulose (HEC), hydroxyethyl methyl cellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose (HPMC), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ether, polyacrylamide, and an alkylphenol formaldehyde condensate.

[0010] In addition, in the aqueous tire wax agent having the above configuration, the kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is 1000 to 100000 mPa·s.

[0011] In addition, in the aqueous tire wax agent having the above configuration, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane includes at least one of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, an organopolysiloxane containing a long-chain alkyl group, an organopolysiloxane containing an amino group, and an organopolysiloxane containing an epoxy group.

[0012] To achieve the above object, the car washer of the present invention includes a car washer main body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, and a spraying unit that is arranged on the car washer main body and sprays the above-mentioned aqueous tire wax agent onto the tires of the vehicle to be washed. The spraying unit includes a pedestal portion having a nozzle for ejecting the aqueous tire wax agent, a diameter calculating unit for calculating the diameter of the tire of the vehicle to be washed, and a moving unit for moving the spraying unit to a position where the aqueous tire wax agent can be sprayed onto a predetermined position of the tire based on the diameter of the tire calculated by the diameter calculating unit.

[0013] With such a configuration, in order to spray the aqueous tire wax agent onto the tire by moving the nozzle according to the size of the tire, the aqueous tire wax agent can be sprayed onto the tire without excess or deficiency. In addition, the amount of the aqueous tire wax agent sprayed on parts other than the tire can be reduced, and even when wax treatment is performed on the tire, dirt on parts other than the tire can be suppressed. Also, the amount of the aqueous tire wax agent sprayed on parts other than the tire can be reduced.

[0014] Further, in the car washer having the above configuration, the moving unit moves the spraying unit in the vertical direction so that the rotation axis of the pedestal portion approaches the central axis of the tire.

[0015] Further, in the car washer having the above configuration, the moving unit moves the spraying unit in the direction along the rotation axis of the spraying unit so that a predetermined distance is formed between the pedestal portion and the tire.

[0016] Further, in the car washer having the above configuration, the moving unit reciprocates between a lower position close to the tire and an upper position away from the tire of the pedestal portion.

[0017] Further, in the car washer having the above configuration, it further includes a side air supply nozzle that is arranged on the car washer main body and is movable in the left-right direction, and the moving unit is attached to the side air supply nozzle.

[0018] In addition, in the car wash machine with the above configuration, the left - right movement of the side air - blowing nozzle and the movement of the pedestal by the moving part are performed independently of each other.

Effects of the Invention

[0019] According to the present invention, an aqueous tire wax agent that can be applied to a wet tire, enhances gloss, and is resistant to tire corrosion can be provided.

[0020] In addition, according to the present invention, a car wash machine capable of automatically performing tire wax treatment on a wet tire can be provided.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Figure 12

Figure 13

Figure 14

Figure 15

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a side view showing a car washer 100 according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a front view of the car washer 100 shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the car washer 100. The car washer 100 includes a car washer main body 10 and a rail 60. The car washer main body 10 is formed in a portal shape having two opposing left and right stand portions 10d and a ceiling portion 10c connecting the upper ends of the stand portions 10d.

[0023] A pair of left and right rails 60 are provided on the ground G, and wheels 10e provided on the bottom surface of the stand portion 10d are arranged on the rail 60. Thereby, the car washer main body 10 is erected on the rail 60 and moves in the front-rear direction with respect to the vehicle CA to be washed by driving a traveling motor 101 (see FIG. 3), that is, moves relative to the vehicle CA to be washed. The traveling motor is connected to the control unit 70 and operates based on an instruction from the control unit 70.

[0024] Here, the control unit 70 will be described. The control unit 70 has an arithmetic circuit such as a CPU or an MPU. The control unit 70 may be configured such that the circuit itself performs calculations. The control unit 70 includes a storage circuit. The storage circuit may include, for example, a ROM which is a non-volatile storage element, a RAM which can read and write information, and the like. Note that the control unit 70 may be configured to operate a program read from the storage circuit by the arithmetic circuit, for example.

[0025] It has a remote panel Rp arranged along the access path to the car washer main body 10. The remote panel Rp has a plurality of buttons and sets car wash conditions. Also, an operation panel Cp is arranged on the surface on the entrance surface 10a side of one stand part 10d of the car washer main body 10. Similar to the remote panel Rp, the operation panel Cp can set car wash conditions. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote panel Rp and the operation panel Cp are connected to the control unit 70.

[0026] Examples of the car wash conditions that can be set with the remote panel Rp and the operation panel Cp include, for example, shampooing, waxing, water repellent coating, etc. Also, it may include high - grade shampoo, high - grade wax, high - grade water repellent coating, special coating, etc.

[0027] The car washer main body 10 is provided with a plurality of rotating brushes that rotate around on the vehicle CA to be washed and perform brushing. The rotating brushes include a top brush 31, a side brush 32, and a tire brush 33.

[0028] The top brush 31 is provided on the ceiling part 10c so as to be movable up and down and rotates around a rotating shaft arranged in the left - right direction to wash the upper surface of the vehicle CA to be washed. The side brush 32 is provided on the outlet surface 10b side of both stand parts 10d so as to be movable forward and backward in the left - right direction and rotates around a rotating shaft arranged in the up - down direction to wash the front surface, both side surfaces, and the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed. As shown in FIG. 3, the top brush 31 and the side brush 32 are connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and rotate and move up and down based on the instructions of the control unit 70.

[0029] The tire brush 33 is provided on the lower part of both stand parts 10d so as to be movable forward and backward in the left - right direction and washes the outer surface of the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed. The tire brush 33 is arranged on the entrance surface 10a side of the car washer main body 10 rather than the side brush 32. As shown in FIG. 3, the tire brush 33 is connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and rotates and moves up and down based on the instructions of the control unit 70. Note that instead of or in addition to the tire brush 33, a rocker brush for washing the lower part of the vehicle CA to be washed may be provided.

[0030] The car washer main body 10 is provided with a blower 20 that generates an air flow. A plurality of air blowing nozzles that send an air flow toward the vehicle CA to be washed are connected to the blower 20. The air blowing nozzles include a top air blowing nozzle 21 and a side air blowing nozzle 22. The blower 20 is connected to a control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and operates based on an instruction from the control unit 70.

[0031] The top air blowing nozzle 21 is provided on the ceiling portion 10c so as to be movable up and down. The top air blowing nozzle 21 moves along the upper surface and the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed and dries the upper surface and the rear surface by air blowing. The top air blowing nozzle 21 is connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and moves up and down based on an instruction from the control unit 70.

[0032] The side air blowing nozzle 22 is provided on both stand portions 10d so as to be movable forward and backward in the left - right direction. The side air blowing nozzle 22 dries the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed by air blowing. At this time, the air blowing from the side air blowing nozzle 22 is also blown onto the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed, and the tire Ty is also dried. The side air blowing nozzle 22 may be movable steplessly. The side air blowing nozzle 22 is connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3) and moves in the left - right direction based on an instruction from the control unit 70.

[0033] A vehicle shape sensor Sr is provided on the entrance surface 10a side of the top brush 31 of both stand portions 10d of the car washer main body 10. The vehicle shape sensor Sr is composed of a photoelectric sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, etc., and detects the vehicle shape obtained by laterally projecting the vehicle CA to be washed entering the car washer main body 10. The vehicle shape sensor Sr is configured to be able to detect, for example, the upper end and the lower end of the vehicle CA to be washed.

[0034] The vehicle shape sensor Sr is connected to the control unit 70 (see Fig. 3) and transmits the detection result to the control unit 70. The vehicle shape sensor Sr is configured to be able to distinguish between the outer surface of the vehicle of the vehicle to be washed CA and the tire Ty. The vehicle shape sensor Sr also detects information necessary for the diameter calculation unit 46 described later to calculate the diameter of the tire Ty. The details of the information necessary for the calculation of the diameter of the tire Ty will be described later.

[0035] The stand portion 10d is provided with a tank storage portion 50 that stores a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) storing various liquid agents such as detergents and coating agents. Above the tank storage portion 50, a distribution pipe portion 51 for distributing city water and the liquid agents from each liquid storage tank is provided. The detergent nozzle 11, water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 are respectively led out from the distribution pipe portion 51 via solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, 55 (see Fig. 3). The solenoid valves 52, 53, 54, 55 are connected to the control unit 70 and are controlled to open and close based on the instructions of the control unit 70.

[0036] The detergent nozzle 11 is provided at a plurality of locations in the left - right direction of the ceiling portion 10c and, although not shown, is also provided at both stand portions 10d. Further, the detergent nozzle 11 is arranged between the inlet surface 10a and the top brush 31 and injects an aqueous solution of the detergent.

[0037] The water nozzles 12, 13, 15 are provided at a plurality of locations in the left - right direction of the ceiling portion 10c and, although not shown, are also provided at both stand portions 10d. The water nozzle 12 is arranged between the detergent nozzle 11 and the inlet surface 10a. The water nozzle 13 is arranged between the top brush 31 and the outlet surface 10b. The water nozzle 15 is arranged between the water nozzle 13 and the outlet surface 10b.

[0038] The water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 spray cleaning water consisting of city water onto the vehicle CA to be washed. The water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 perform washing of the vehicle CA by water washing and also perform rinsing of the detergent by water washing. In the car wash machine 100 of the present embodiment, although a configuration for washing the vehicle with detergent and city water is shown, a configuration for spraying a coating agent to coat the surface of the vehicle CA to be washed may also be used. In this case, the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 perform rinsing of the coating agent by water washing.

[0039] The car wash machine 100 has a spraying unit 40 that performs a tire waxing process on the outer surface of the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view of the vicinity of the spraying unit 40. FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the vicinity of the spraying unit 40. The spraying unit 40 is attached to the side air supply nozzle 22. The spraying unit 40 includes a first nozzle 41, a second nozzle 42, a pedestal portion 43, a rotation actuator 44, a moving portion 45, and a diameter calculation unit 46 (see FIG. 3).

[0040] The pedestal portion 43 is attached to the inlet surface 10a side of the side air supply nozzle 22. The pedestal portion 43 extends in a direction along the central axis Ax of the vehicle CA to be washed and is rotatably arranged around the rotation axis Bx. Note that the rotation axis Bx extending along the central axis Ax includes the case where the rotation axis Bx coincides with the central axis Ax and also includes the case where it is displaced within a range where the aqueous tire wax agent ejected from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can surely adhere to the tire.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 4, 5, etc., the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged on the pedestal portion 43 so as to face the outer surface of the tire Ty. The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged on opposite sides across the rotation axis Bx and at positions equidistant from the rotation axis Bx, that is, in a facing position.

[0042] The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are connected to the distribution pipe portion 51 and are connected to an aqueous tire wax agent storage tank (not shown) accommodated in the tank storage portion 50. Further, compressed air is supplied to the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42, and the aqueous tire wax agent is ejected simultaneously with the compressed air, thereby being atomized into a mist and sprayed onto the tire Ty.

[0043] The first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 have the same shape and are arranged rotationally symmetrically about the rotation axis Bx. As shown in FIG. 5, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are inclined so as to approach the rotation axis Bx as they approach the tire Ty.

[0044] Further, as shown in FIG. 4, when viewed from the direction of the rotation axis Bx, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are inclined in the first direction Rt1. The inclination direction may be reversed, that is, inclined in the second direction Rt2.

[0045] When viewed from the entrance surface 10a side, the aqueous tire wax agent ejected from the first nozzle 41 is sprayed onto the opposite side of the outer surface of the tire Ty across the rotation axis Bx. Similarly, the aqueous tire wax agent ejected from the second nozzle 42 is sprayed onto the opposite side of the outer surface of the tire Ty across the rotation axis Bx. Therefore, the length from the tip of each of the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 to the surface where the aqueous tire wax agent is sprayed becomes longer.

[0046] By increasing the length from the tips of the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 to the surface where the aqueous tire wax agent adheres to the outer surface of the tire Ty, the flow velocity of the aqueous tire wax agent when it collides with the tire Ty decreases. Therefore, the aqueous tire wax agent sprayed on the outer surface of the tire Ty is less likely to bounce off, and adhesion of the aqueous tire wax agent to the body, wheel, brake, and tire house of the vehicle CA to be washed can be suppressed.

[0047] The rotary actuator 44 rotates the pedestal portion 43 around the rotation axis Bx. The rotary actuator 44 adopts a configuration that is rotationally driven by pneumatic pressure, but is not limited thereto. For example, a configuration using an electric motor may also be used.

[0048] The diameter calculation unit 46 is connected to the control unit 70 (see FIG. 3). In the car wash machine 100 shown in FIG. 3, the diameter calculation unit 46 is provided outside the control unit 70. For example, as the diameter calculation unit 46, a configuration having an arithmetic circuit (CPU, MPU, etc.) independent of the control unit 70 and performing calculations with the arithmetic circuit can be cited. Further, the diameter calculation unit 46 may be included in the circuit constituting the control unit 70. Furthermore, it may be a program executed by the arithmetic circuit of the control unit 70. The diameter calculation unit 46 calculates the diameter of the tire Ty based on the information of the vehicle shape sensor Sr sent to the control unit 70.

[0049] The moving unit 45 reciprocates the pedestal portion 43 between a lower position close to the vehicle CA to be washed and an upper position away from the vehicle CA to be washed. That is, the moving direction of the pedestal portion 43 by the moving unit 45 forms a certain angle with respect to the ground G. The angle of the moving direction of the pedestal portion 43 by the moving unit 45 with respect to the ground G is not particularly limited and may be adjustable.

[0050] The moving unit 45 moves the pedestal portion 43 based on the diameter of the tire Ty calculated by the diameter calculation unit 46 and the information on the position of the center of the tire Ty so that the rotation axis Bx of the pedestal portion 43 approaches the central axis Ax of the tire Ty. The moving unit 45 stops the pedestal portion 43 at a position where the rotation axis Bx and the central axis Ax approach each other. Then, the moving unit 45 can stably hold the pedestal portion 43 at the stopped position.

[0051] Note that, as the moving unit 45, for example, a pneumatic cylinder that expands and contracts by pneumatic pressure can be adopted, but it is not limited thereto, and a configuration that can reciprocate the pedestal portion 43 in the above-described direction can be widely adopted. The pedestal portion 43 is moved in the left-right direction as it moves in the up-down direction by the moving unit 45. Note that the moving unit 45 may be configured to move the pedestal portion 43 independently in the up-down direction and the left-right direction, respectively.

[0052] Further, as the moving part 45, a configuration is cited in which the rotation axis Bx of the spraying part 40 is moved downward from above so as to approach the central axis Ax of the tire Ty, but it may be made possible to approach from below upward. By doing so, even if the rotation axis Bx of the spraying part 40 is displaced downward from the central axis Ax, it is possible to suppress the adhesion of the aqueous tire wax agent to the body of the vehicle to be washed CA.

[0053] The pedestal part 43 is moved in the left - right direction by the movement of the side blowing nozzle 22. Further, the pedestal part 43 is moved not only in the left - right direction but also in the up - down direction by the moving part 45. The spraying part 40 can change the position of the pedestal part 43 by operating at least one of the side blowing nozzle 22 and the moving part 45.

[0054] Note that the left - right movement of the side blowing nozzle 22 and the up - down movement of the moving part 45 are performed independently of each other. Therefore, the spraying part 40 can be moved independently in the left - right direction and the up - down direction. As a result, for example, when all four corners are 90 degrees, it becomes the lowest point, and compared with the case where the spraying part 40 is moved using a link mechanism using a parallelogram - shaped link frame that moves vertically in conjunction with the movement in the left - right direction, the degree of freedom of the possible positions of the spraying part 40 is increased. Note that the side blowing nozzle 22 may be configured to move to a plurality of positions. Also, the moving part 45 may be configured to move to a plurality of positions.

[0055] As a result, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can accurately spray the aqueous tire wax agent onto a predetermined position of the tire Ty. Here, the predetermined position of the tire Ty is the outer surface of the tire Ty excluding the tire wheel. That is, in the spraying portion 40, since the aqueous tire wax agent is accurately sprayed onto the predetermined position of the tire Ty, when performing the tire wax treatment on the tire Ty, adhesion of the aqueous tire wax agent to the body, wheel, brake, and tire house of the vehicle CA to be washed can be suppressed. Note that in the car wash 100 of the present embodiment, by configuring the aqueous tire wax agent as described above, even when the aqueous tire wax agent adheres to the body, wheel, brake, and tire wax, it can be easily removed by water washing. Also, wiping up with a cloth or the like is easy.

[0056] The car wash 100 can wash vehicles CA to be washed with different sizes. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the positions of vehicles CA to be washed with different sizes and tires. Usually, large-diameter tires Ty1 are mounted on the large vehicle CA1 to be washed. Also, small-diameter tires Ty2 are mounted on the small vehicle CA2 to be washed.

[0057] As shown in FIG. 6, the large vehicle CA1 to be washed has a wider width than the small vehicle CA2 to be washed. Therefore, when the car wash 100 is applied, the outer surface of the large-diameter tire Ty1 is arranged closer to the stand portion 10d than the outer surface of the small-diameter tire Ty2. Also, the central axis Ax1 of the large-diameter tire Ty1 is above the central axis Ax2 of the small-diameter tire Ty2.

[0058] Therefore, by moving the pedestal portion 43 in the upward direction and approaching the stand portion 10d by the moving portion 45, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can be opposed to the outer surface of the large-diameter tire Ty1. At this time, the rotation axis Bx of the pedestal portion 43 extends along the central axis Ax1 of the large-diameter tire Ty1. As a result, a tire wax treatment for spraying the aqueous tire wax agent onto a predetermined position of the large-diameter tire Ty1 can be executed.

[0059] Similarly, by moving the pedestal portion 43 downward and away from the stand portion 10d at the moving portion 45, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 can be opposed to the outer surface of the small-diameter tire Ty2. At this time, the rotation axis Bx of the pedestal portion 43 extends along the central axis Ax2 of the small-diameter tire Ty2. Thereby, a tire waxing process of spraying an aqueous tire wax agent onto a predetermined position of the small-diameter tire Ty2 can be executed.

[0060] Further, when cleaning a cleaning target vehicle having a size between the large cleaning target vehicle CA1 and the small cleaning target vehicle CA2, by stopping the pedestal portion 43 during the movement by the moving portion 45, a tire waxing process can be executed in the same manner as for the large cleaning target vehicle CA1 and the small cleaning target vehicle CA2.

[0061] In addition, the position of the cleaning target vehicle CA in the left-right direction with respect to the car wash 100 may deviate from the position assumed in advance. In this case, the position of the tire Ty in the left-right direction also deviates from the position determined in advance. In such a case, the distance between the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 and the outer surface of the tire Ty can be adjusted by the movement of the side air blowing nozzle 22. With such a configuration, when the position of the cleaning target vehicle CA in the left-right direction deviates, or when a tire Ty larger or smaller than the assumed size is mounted, the tire waxing process for the tire Ty of the cleaning target vehicle CA can also be accurately performed.

[0062] When performing car wash, the spraying portion 40 is arranged at a neutral position where it does not interfere with the cleaning target vehicle CA. The neutral position is not particularly limited, but for example, it is a position between the position where the tire waxing process is performed on the smallest-diameter tire assumed and the position where the tire waxing process is performed on the largest-diameter tire. Thereby, the movement amount of the spraying portion 40 can be reduced, and the movement time of the spraying portion 40 in the tire waxing process can be shortened. Therefore, the time required for the tire waxing process can be shortened.

[0063] The movement of the pedestal part 43 by the moving part 45 shown above is executed based on the information on the diameter of the tire Ty calculated by the diameter calculation part 46 and the information on the position in the left - right direction on the side surface of the vehicle to be washed CA. Note that the information on the position in the left - right direction on the side surface of the vehicle to be washed CA may be detected by the vehicle shape sensor Sr, or alternatively, a sensor for detecting the information on the position in the left - right direction may be provided separately. Here, the vehicle shape sensor Sr measures the distance to the side surface of the vehicle to be washed CA and sends it to the control part 70 as the information on the position of the side surface of the vehicle to be washed CA based on that distance.

[0064] Here, the information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty and the calculation of the diameter of the tire Ty will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 7 is a schematic side view showing the state of measuring the tire Ty.

[0065] The vehicle shape sensor Sr detects the upper end and the lower end of the vehicle to be washed CA as the washing machine main body 10 moves. In the vehicle to be washed CA, if the length in the front - rear direction at the position of the height h of the tire Ty is L, the radius r of the tire Ty is the hypotenuse of a right - angled triangle with the lengths of the sides forming the right angle being (L / 2) and (r - h) (see FIG. 7). Therefore, r, (L / 2), and (r - h) satisfy Equation (1).

[0066] r 2 =(r - h) 2 +(L / 2) 2 ····Equation (1)

[0067] When this Equation (1) is rearranged, Equation (2) is derived.

[0068] r = h / 2+L 2 / 8h ····Equation (2)

[0069] That is, the diameter calculation part 46 can obtain the radius r of the tire Ty based on the length L and the height h, and can calculate the diameter. This length L and height h are the information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty.

[0070] When the car washer body 10 moves in the front-rear direction, the shape of the vehicle CA to be washed is detected. At this time, the length L is the moving distance of the car washer body 10 from the time when the height of the lowest part of the vehicle CA to be detected by the vehicle shape sensor Sr becomes h until it becomes h again. After receiving the length L and the height h from the vehicle shape sensor Sr, the control unit 70 transmits them to the diameter calculation unit 46. The diameter calculation unit 46 calculates the radius and diameter of the tire Ty using Equation (2). The control unit 70 can obtain the position of the tire Ty at the height h (coordinates in the front-rear direction and height direction, hereinafter may be simply referred to as coordinates), and calculate the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty from the obtained position.

[0071] In general, vehicles often have tires Ty of a size and shape determined by standards. For example, when the calculated diameter of the tire Ty is different from the diameter determined by the standard, the diameter calculation unit 46 may select a value close to the calculated diameter from among the diameters of the tire Ty determined by the standard as the diameter of the tire Ty. In this case, the position of the center of the tire Ty may also be corrected according to the selected diameter of the tire Ty. Note that the above method for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty is an example and is not limited thereto.

[0072] Next, the tire waxing process for the tire Ty by the spraying unit 40 will be described. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing a state in which the aqueous tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 is being sprayed. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state in which the aqueous tire wax agent from the second nozzle 42 is being sprayed. In FIGS. 8 and 9, it is described as the aqueous tire wax agent CL.

[0073] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the spraying unit 40, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are arranged at an interval of 180 degrees in the circumferential direction. The state where the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 are aligned in the vertical direction and the first nozzle 41 is arranged below the second nozzle 42 is set as the rotation initial position. Further, the portion of the aqueous tire wax agent CL ejected from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 that contacts the tire Ty is defined as the spraying region Sp.

[0074] While the spraying unit 40 rotates from the initial rotation position to the inverted position rotated 180 degrees in the first direction Rt1, the aqueous tire wax agent CL is ejected from the first nozzle 41. As a result, the spraying area Sp where the aqueous tire wax agent CL of the tire Ty is sprayed moves from the first spraying area Sp1 at the upper part on the inlet surface 10a side of the tire Ty, passes through the inlet surface 10a side of the tire Ty, and reaches the second spraying area Sp2 at the lower part on the outlet surface 10b side of the tire Ty (see FIG. 8).

[0075] Further, while the spraying unit 40 rotates from the inverted position to the initial position in the second direction Rt2, the aqueous tire wax agent CL is ejected from the second nozzle 42. As a result, the spraying area Sp where the aqueous tire wax agent CL of the tire Ty is sprayed moves from the first spraying area Sp1 at the upper part on the inlet surface 10a side of the tire Ty, passes through the outlet surface 10b side of the tire Ty, and reaches the second spraying area Sp2 at the lower part on the outlet surface 10b side of the tire Ty (see FIG. 9).

[0076] By doing so, it is possible to accurately apply the aqueous tire wax agent CL over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the tire Ty. And since the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 operate alternately, the amount of compressed air supplied simultaneously can be reduced. Therefore, the required amount of compressed air per unit time can be reduced, so that the compressor that generates the compressed air can be miniaturized, and the car washer 100 itself can be miniaturized. Also, the maximum discharge amount of the compressed air by the compressor can be suppressed, and the energy consumption can be reduced.

[0077] The aqueous tire wax agent CL sprayed from the spraying unit 40 includes a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant, and a second surfactant composed of a nonionic polymer surfactant having a larger molecular weight than the first surfactant.

[0078] The first surfactant emulsifies the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane. As the first surfactant, for example, any of a nonionic surfactant, a cationic surfactant, an anionic surfactant, and an amphoteric surfactant can be used.

[0079] Examples of nonionic surfactants include polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers, polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters, sorbitan fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters, polyoxyethylene alkyl amines, glycerin fatty acid esters, fatty acid alkanolamides, sucrose fatty acid esters, and the like. Examples of cationic surfactants include aliphatic amine salts, aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts, and the like. Examples of anionic surfactants include carboxylates, sulfonates, sulfate esters, phosphate esters, and the like. Examples of amphoteric surfactants include carboxybetaines, sulfobetaines, glycines, alanines, derivatives of 2-alkylimidazolines, amine oxides, and the like.

[0080] Furthermore, examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl ethers, which are nonionic surfactants, include polyoxyethylene cetyl ether, polyoxyethylene stearyl ether, polyoxyethylene oleyl ether, and the like. Examples of polyoxyethylene alkyl phenyl ethers include polyoxyethylene octyl phenyl ether, polyoxyethylene nonyl phenyl ether, and the like. Examples of polyoxyethylene fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene glycol monolaurate, polyoxyethylene glycol monostearate, polyoxyethylene glycol distearate, polyoxyethylene glycol monooleate, and the like.

[0081] Examples of polyoxyethylene sorbitan fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitan monolaurate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monopalmitate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monostearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan tristearate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate, polyoxyethylene sorbitan trioleate, etc. Examples of sorbitan fatty acid esters include sorbitan monolaurate, sorbitan monopalmitate, sorbitan monostearate, sorbitan distearate, sorbitan tristearate, sorbitan monooleate, sorbitan trioleate, sorbitan sesquioleate, etc.

[0082] Examples of polyoxyethylene sorbitol fatty acid esters include polyoxyethylene sorbitol tetraoleate, etc. Examples of polyoxyethylene alkylamines include polyoxyethylene laurylamine, polyoxyethylene stearylamine, etc. Examples of glycerin fatty acid esters include monoglyceride stearate, monoglyceride oleate, etc. Examples of fatty acid alkanolamides include diethanolamine laurate, etc. Examples of sucrose fatty acid esters include sucrose palmitate, sucrose stearate, etc.

[0083] Examples of aliphatic amine salts, which are cationic surfactants, include salts of higher aliphatic amines such as monolaurylamine, monostearylamine, distearylamine, tristearylamine, etc. and inorganic acids such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid or lower carboxylic acids such as acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, etc., and more specifically, laurylamine acetate, stearylamine acetate, etc.

[0084] Examples of aliphatic quaternary ammonium salts include salts of higher aliphatic ammonium such as lauryltrimethylammonium, stearyltrimethylammonium, cetyltrimethylammonium, didecyldimethylammonium, benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium, etc. with chlorine, bromine, etc. More specifically, examples include lauryltrimethylammonium chloride, stearyltrimethylammonium chloride, cetyltrimethylammonium chloride, didecyldimethylammonium chloride, benzyldimethyltetradecylammonium chloride, etc.

[0085] Examples of carboxylates, which are anionic surfactants, include salts of higher fatty acids such as lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, etc. with alkali metals such as sodium, potassium, etc. More specifically, examples include potassium oleate, sodium lauroyl sarcosinate, sodium N-myristoyl-N-methyl-β-alanine, sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether acetate, etc.

[0086] Examples of sulfonates include salts of alkylbenzene sulfonic acids such as laurylbenzene sulfonic acid, naphthalene sulfonic acids such as dipropylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, dibutylnaphthalene sulfonic acid, sulfosuccinic acids such as dioctyl sulfosuccinate, etc. with sodium, etc. More specifically, examples include sodium laurylbenzene sulfonate, sodium dipropylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium dibutylnaphthalene sulfonate, sodium dioctyl sulfosuccinate, etc.

[0087] Examples of sulfate salts include salts of higher alcohol sulfates such as lauryl sulfate, polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfates such as polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate, and salts with sodium, ammonium, etc. More specifically, examples include higher alcohol sulfate salts such as sodium lauryl sulfate and ammonium lauryl sulfate, and polyoxyethylene alkyl ether sulfate esters such as sodium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether sulfate.

[0088] Examples of phosphate salts include salts of monostearyl phosphate, monolauryl phosphate, polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, etc. with alkali metals such as sodium and potassium. More specifically, examples include sodium monostearyl phosphate, sodium monolauryl phosphate, potassium polyoxyethylene lauryl ether phosphate, etc.

[0089] Examples of carboxybetaines, which are amphoteric surfactants, include lauric acid amidopropyl betaine, lauryl dimethylaminoacetic acid betaine, sodium N-lauroyl-N'-carboxymethyl-N'-hydroxyethyl ethylenediamine, etc. Examples of sulfobetaines include lauric acid amidopropyl hydroxysulfobetaine, etc. Examples of glycines include sodium lauryldiaminoethyl glycine, etc. Examples of derivatives of 2-alkylimidazoline include 2-alkyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaines such as 2-lauroyl-N-carboxymethyl-N-hydroxyethylimidazolinium betaine, etc. Examples of amine oxides include lauryl dimethylamine oxide, etc.

[0090] In addition, the aqueous tire wax agent may contain one or more of the above-mentioned first surfactants. A preferred specific example of the surfactant is polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate.

[0091] Examples of the nonionic polymer surfactant constituting the second surfactant include starch, methylcellulose (MC), ethylcellulose (EC), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), hydroxyethylmethylcellulose (HEMC), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol, polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinyl ether, polyacrylamide, and ethylene oxide adducts of any of alkylphenol formaldehyde condensates. In addition, the aqueous tire wax agent may contain one or more of the above-mentioned second surfactants. A preferred specific example of the surfactant is polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol. The molecular weight of the second surfactant is about 1000 to 100,000.

[0092] The second surfactant suppresses the foaming of the aqueous tire wax agent. As a result, the aqueous tire wax agent can be removed by simply rinsing with water. As a result, the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the outer surface of the vehicle CA to be washed can be removed by water washing. In addition, by including the second surfactant, corrosion of the tire Ty by the aqueous tire wax agent can be suppressed. By including the second surfactant, the aqueous tire wax agent can remove the water film adhering to the surface of the tire Ty. That is, by using such an aqueous tire wax agent, even when sprayed on a wet tire, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, which is the wax component, can be adhered to the surface of the tire Ty.

[0093] In addition, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane forms a coating with high water repellency. The kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane can be mentioned as 1,000 to 100,000 mPa·s. And as the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, for example, a configuration containing at least one of dimethylpolysiloxane, methylphenylpolysiloxane, organopolysiloxane containing a long-chain alkyl group, organopolysiloxane containing an amino group, and organopolysiloxane containing an epoxy group can be mentioned. As a preferable specific example of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, dimethylpolysiloxane can be mentioned. In addition, a low-temperature stabilizer, an emulsion stabilizer, a preservative, a pH adjuster, etc. may be added to the aqueous tire wax agent within a range that does not interfere with the characteristics of the aqueous tire wax agent.

[0094] As described above, the tire wax agent is atomized and sprayed together with air from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42. And the tire wax agent contains a second surfactant, and the water film on the surface of the tire Ty is removed by the air and the liquid agent rich in oil content. And because the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is highly viscous and is atomized and sprayed onto the tire Ty, it is likely to adhere to the surface of the tire Ty. As a result, the tire Ty becomes shiny.

[0095] In the car washer 100 having the above configuration, the user drives and parks the vehicle to be washed CA in front of the remote panel Rp, and sets the car wash conditions of the vehicle to be washed CA from inside the vehicle to be washed CA. After setting the car wash conditions, the user moves the vehicle to be washed CA to a predetermined car wash start position.

[0096] By operating the remote panel Rp, the user can select a water wash course, a shampoo course, or a tire wax course to perform a car washing process. In the water wash course, the rotating brush rotates and city water is sprayed from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 to wash the vehicle CA to be washed. In the shampoo course, the rotating brush rotates and cleaning water containing a detergent is sprayed from the detergent nozzle 11 to wash the vehicle CA to be washed. At this time, city water is sprayed from the water nozzles 12 and 13 for pre-washing the vehicle CA to be washed and rinsing the detergent. In the tire wax course, after washing the vehicle CA to be washed in the same manner as the shampoo course, an aqueous tire wax agent is applied to the outer surface of the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed.

[0097] Figs. 10 to 15 are side views showing the car washing state of the tire wax course. In Figs. 10 to 15, the moving direction of the car washing machine body 10 is indicated by an arrow, and the moving direction during movement is indicated by a solid line. Also, in the same operating state, when moving after stopping or moving in the direction opposite to the current moving direction, the moving direction is indicated by a dotted line.

[0098] When the car washing is started by selecting the tire wax course, as shown in Fig. 10, the car washing machine body 10 moves at a predetermined traveling speed (for example, 5 m / min) to the rear (arrow E1) of the vehicle CA to be washed, and the first forward pass process is performed. In the first forward pass process, while the vehicle shape sensor Sr acquires information necessary for calculating the shape of the vehicle CA to be washed and the diameter of the tire Ty, each rotating brush rotates to wash the front, rear, and upper surfaces of the vehicle CA to be washed.

[0099] At this time, the cleaning liquid S2 is sprayed from the detergent nozzle 11 that precedes the top brush 31. Also, the city water cleaning water S1 is sprayed from the water nozzle 12 that precedes the detergent nozzle 11. Thereby, the top brush 31 and the side brush 32 slide on the vehicle body surface of the vehicle CA to be washed wetted by the cleaning water S1, and cleaning with the cleaning liquid S2 containing the detergent is performed.

[0100] Also, the information necessary for calculating the diameter of the tire Ty is sent to the control unit 70 immediately after being acquired, and then sent from the control unit 70 to the diameter calculation unit 46. The diameter calculation unit 46 calculates the diameter of the tire Ty and sends it to the control unit 70. The control unit 70 stores the sent diameter of the tire Ty and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty in the memory circuit. Note that the control unit 70 maintains the information on the diameter of the tire Ty and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty until the car wash process of the vehicle CA to be washed is completed, and calls it as needed.

[0101] Also, the tire brush 33 slides on the outer surfaces of the tire Ty and the wheel, and the tires Ty and wheels of the front wheels Wh1 and rear wheels Wh2 are washed with the cleaning liquid S2 containing detergent. Note that the operations including the movement of the tire brush 33 are performed based on the diameter and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty. However, it is not limited to this, and the operation of the tire brush 33 may be predetermined.

[0102] Also, in the first forward pass process, the city water cleaning water S1 is sprayed from the water nozzles 13 and 15 that follow the top brush 31, the side brush 32, and the tire brush 33. Thereby, a part of the detergent that has washed the vehicle CA to be washed is washed away.

[0103] Note that the control unit 70 stores the diameter and the position (coordinates) of the center of each of the tires Ty of the front wheels Wh1 and the rear wheels Wh2 in the first forward pass process, and calls them as needed. And the control unit 70 currently uses the stored diameter and the position (coordinates) of the centers of the tires Ty of the front wheels Wh1 and the rear wheels Wh2 for the vehicle CA being washed. However, it is not limited to this, and the control unit 70 may calculate the diameter and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty in processes other than the first forward pass process using the diameter calculation unit 46.

[0104] When the cleaning is completed up to the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, as shown in FIG. 11, a first return process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved forward (arrow E2) of the vehicle CA to be cleaned. In the first return process, while the rotary brush rotates, the city water cleaning water S1 is sprayed from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15. Thereby, rinsing is performed in which the vehicle surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned is washed with the cleaning water S1 to wash away the detergent. The first forward process and the first return process are cleaning processes.

[0105] When the cleaning is completed up to the front surface of the vehicle CA to be cleaned, the first return process ends and the rotation of the rotary brush stops. Then, a second forward process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 is reversed and moved rearward (arrow E1) of the vehicle CA to be cleaned.

[0106] As shown in FIG. 12, in the second forward process, the car wash machine main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 of the vehicle CA to be cleaned can be subjected to tire waxing treatment and stops. The position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 can be subjected to tire waxing treatment can be, for example, a position where the position in the front-rear direction of the central axis Ax of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 and the position in the front-rear direction of the spraying unit 40 overlap, but is not limited thereto. A position where the spraying unit 40 can face the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 with a certain interval in the front-rear direction can be widely adopted.

[0107] Then, based on the stored diameter and the position (coordinates) of the center of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1, the control unit 70 moves the side air blowing nozzles 22 left and right and moves the pedestal portion 43 by the moving unit 45. Thereby, the spraying unit 40 is arranged at a position where the rotation axis Bx extends along the central axis Ax of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. Then, the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 face the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 with a certain interval (see FIG. 6). The movement of the side air blowing nozzles 22 may be performed only when necessary.

[0108] The rotating actuator 44 rotates the pedestal portion 43 in the first direction Rt1 and sprays the aqueous tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 onto the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. After the pedestal portion 43 has rotated 180 degrees, the pedestal portion 43 is reversed in the second direction Rt2 and the aqueous tire wax agent is sprayed from the second nozzle 42 onto the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1. Thereby, the aqueous tire wax agent is sprayed over the entire circumference of the outer surface of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1.

[0109] After the coating of the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 is completed, the spraying of the aqueous tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 is stopped. Then, the car washer main body 10 resumes moving rearward of the vehicle to be washed CA. When the car washer main body 10 moves, if the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 interfere with or may interfere with the vehicle to be washed CA, at least one of the side air blowing nozzles 22 and the moving portion 45 is operated to separate the spraying portion 40 from the vehicle to be washed CA. When the car washer main body 10 moves, the spraying portion 40 may always be separated from the vehicle to be washed CA, for example, moved to the neutral position.

[0110] As shown in FIG. 13, in the second forward path process, the car washer main body 10 moves to a position where the coating process can be performed on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 of the vehicle to be washed CA and stops. The position where the coating process can be performed on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is set in the same manner as the position where the coating process can be performed on the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1.

[0111] Then, a tire wax process is executed on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 with the same operation as when coating the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 described above. After the tire wax treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is completed, the spraying of the aqueous tire wax agent from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42 is stopped, and the spraying portion 40 is moved as necessary. Then, the car washer main body 10 moves rearward of the vehicle to be washed CA. When the car washer main body 10 has moved rearward of the rear surface of the vehicle to be washed CA, the second forward path process ends.

[0112] After that, a second return path process is performed in which the car washer main body 10 reverses and moves forward (arrow E2) of the vehicle CA to be washed. In the second return path process, the car washer main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 can be subjected to tire waxing treatment and stops (see FIG. 13). Then, in the same procedure as described above, the car washer main body 10 performs a tire waxing treatment on the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 of the vehicle CA to be washed. After the tire waxing treatment on the rear wheel Wh2 is completed, the car washer main body 10 resumes moving forward of the vehicle CA to be washed.

[0113] After that, the car washer main body 10 moves to a position where the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 can be subjected to tire waxing treatment and stops (see FIG. 12). Then, in the same procedure as described above, the car washer main body 10 performs a tire waxing treatment on the tire Ty of the front wheel Wh1 of the vehicle CA to be washed. After the tire waxing treatment on the front wheel Wh1 is completed, the car washer main body 10 resumes moving forward of the vehicle CA to be washed. When the car washer main body 10 moves forward of the front surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, the second return path process ends.

[0114] The second forward path process and the second return path process are tire waxing processes. In the tire waxing course of the car washer main body 10, the tire waxing treatment is executed twice for each of the tires Ty of the front and rear wheels. Note that the car washer main body 10 moves behind the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed at the end of the second forward path process, but is not limited thereto. For example, after the tire waxing treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 is completed and a certain period of time has elapsed, the tire waxing treatment of the tire Ty of the rear wheel Wh2 may be performed again, and then the second return path process of moving the car washer main body 10 in front of the vehicle CA to be washed may be performed.

[0115] Also, in the present embodiment, in the second return path process as well, an aqueous tire waxing agent is sprayed on the tire Ty, but it is not limited thereto, and the tire Ty may be rinsed by spraying washing water. Also in this case, the second return path process is a tire waxing process. Note that before spraying the aqueous tire waxing agent on the tire Ty, a partial drying process of removing the water film on the surface of the tire Ty by spraying an air flow on the tire Ty may be included.

[0116] After the second return path process is completed, as shown in FIG. 14, a third forward path process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 rotates and moves to the rear (arrow E1) of the vehicle CA to be washed. In the third forward path process, city water washing water S1 is sprayed from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15. Thereby, a rinsing process for making the aqueous tire wax agent adhere is performed. At this time, the washing water S1 is also sprayed on the upper surface and the side surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, and the remaining detergent and the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the vehicle surface of the vehicle CA to be washed are washed away.

[0117] In the third forward path process, a third return path process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 that has reached the rear surface of the vehicle CA to be washed rotates and moves to the front (arrow E2) of the vehicle CA to be washed. At this time, in the third return path process, the city water washing water S1 is sprayed from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 in the same manner as in the third forward path process. When switching from the third forward path process to the third return path process, the spraying of the washing water S1 from the water nozzles 12, 13, and 15 may be stopped. The third return path process and the third forward path process are, for example, a rinsing process for washing away unnecessary aqueous tire wax agents adhering to the vehicle body surface of the vehicle CA to be washed, excessive aqueous tire wax agents adhering to the tires Ty, etc.

[0118] After the third return path process is completed, as shown in FIG. 15, a fourth forward path process is performed in which the car wash machine main body 10 rotates and moves to the rear (arrow E1) of the vehicle CA to be washed. In the fourth forward path process, an air flow K1 is sent out from the top air supply nozzle 21 and the side air supply nozzle 22 to dry the vehicle CA to be washed. That is, the second forward path process forms a drying process. In the fourth forward path process, the aqueous tire wax agent sprayed on the outer surface of the tire Ty is also dried. Thereby, the aqueous tire wax agent can be stably fixed on the outer surface of the tire Ty.

[0119] As described above, in the car washer 100, after washing the tires Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed, an aqueous tire wax agent is applied to the outer surface of the tire Ty. Then, by blowing an air flow onto the outer surface of the tire Ty to which the aqueous tire wax agent has been applied to dry it, the aqueous tire wax agent is fixed to the outer surface of the tire Ty. Thereby, it is possible to perform a tire wax treatment on the outer surface of the tire Ty when washing the vehicle CA to be washed by the car washer 100.

[0120] In addition, in the spraying unit 40 of the present embodiment, the aqueous tire wax agent is ejected from the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42. At this time, in order to suppress the attachment of the aqueous tire wax agent to portions other than the outer surface of the tire Ty, a guide member for controlling the spraying direction of the aqueous tire wax agent may be attached. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the attachment of the aqueous tire wax agent to the body, wheels, brakes, etc. of the vehicle CA to be washed. Note that the guide member is disposed on the rotation axis Bx side, that is, on the inner side in the radial direction, rather than the first nozzle 41 and the second nozzle 42.

[0121] According to the present embodiment, the aqueous tire wax agent includes a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, a first surfactant for emulsifying the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, and a second surfactant composed of a nonionic polymer surfactant having a larger molecular weight than the first surfactant. Thereby, even when the tire Ty is constructed in a wet state, a water film can be removed from the surface of the tire Ty and the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane can be attached.

[0122] Also, with the first surfactant, a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is emulsified and sprayed together with air, and is atomized and sprayed onto the tire Ty. Due to the high viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane and its atomized state, it easily adheres to the tire Ty and easily gives the tire Ty a gloss. Also, since the spraying amount of the tire wax agent is adjusted according to the diameter of the tire Ty, the usage amount of the tire wax agent can be optimized. Also, in order to adjust the usage amount of the tire wax agent according to the size of the tire Ty, the amount of the tire wax agent adhering to parts other than the tire Ty such as the body, wheel, brake, and tire house can be reduced.

[0123] Also, since the second surfactant is difficult to foam, the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to parts other than the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed, such as the body, wheel, brake, and tire house, can be removed by water washing. Thereby, after the tire wax process, the aqueous tire wax agent adhering to the body, wheel, brake, and tire house can be removed by water washing in the third forward process and the third return process, and the dirt on parts other than the tire Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed can be suppressed.

[0124] By setting the kinematic viscosity of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane to 1000 to 100000 mPa·s, the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane easily adheres to the tire Ty. Thereby, the gloss of the tire Ty can be further enhanced.

[0125] Examples formed for evaluating the tire wax agent will be described below.

[0126] (Example) The tire wax agent of the example emulsifies a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) with a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100000 mPa·s using a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) and contains a nonionic polymer surfactant (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1000 to 100000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of the surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of the nonionic polymer surfactant.

[0127] (Comparative Example 1) Also, for comparison, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared. The tire wax agent of the comparative example emulsifies a low- to medium-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) with a kinematic viscosity of 10 to 1000 mPa·s using a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) and contains a nonionic polymer surfactant (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1000 to 100000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of the low- to medium-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of the surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of the nonionic polymer surfactant.

[0128] (Comparative Example 2) Also, for comparison, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared. The tire wax agent of the comparative example emulsifies a low-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) with a kinematic viscosity of 1 to 10 mPa·s using a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) and contains a nonionic polymer surfactant (polyoxyethylene polyoxypropylene glycol). The molecular weight of the nonionic polymer surfactant is 1000 to 100000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is 1 to 50% by mass of the low-viscosity organopolysiloxane, 1 to 10% by mass of the surfactant, and 1 to 10% by mass of the nonionic polymer surfactant.

[0129] (Comparative Example 3) Also, a tire wax agent of a comparative example was prepared for comparison. The tire wax agent of the comparative example emulsifies a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane (dimethylpolysiloxane) with a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100,000 mPa·s using a surfactant (polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate) and contains a nonionic low-molecular surfactant (polyoxyethylene alkyl ether). The molecular weight of the nonionic low-molecular surfactant is 20 to 1000. The mixing ratio of the tire wax agent is such that the high-viscosity organopolysiloxane is 1 to 50% by mass, the surfactant is 1 to 10% by mass, and the nonionic low-molecular surfactant is 1 to 10% by mass.

[0130] Regarding the tire wax agents of the above-described examples and each comparative example, an experiment was conducted in which they were sprayed toward the tires Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed by the car washer 100. That is, after washing with a detergent and city water until the tires Ty of the vehicle CA to be washed were in a water-wetted state, the tire wax agent was sprayed onto the tires Ty and then washed with city water to remove the oil adhering to the body. Table 1 shows the results of visually evaluating the corrosiveness and glossiness of the tires Ty for each experiment.

[0131] (Table 1) ┌───────┬───────┬──────┐ │ │ Tire corrosiveness │ Tire glossiness │ ├───────┼───────┼──────┤ │ Example │ 〇 │ 〇 │ ├───────┼───────┼──────┤ │ Comparative Example 1 │ △ │ △ │ ├───────┼───────┼──────┤ │ Comparative Example 2 │ × │ × │ ├───────┼───────┼──────┤ │ Comparative Example 3 │ × │ 〇 │ └───────┴───────┴──────┘

[0132] In Table 1, for tire corrosiveness, after immersing a tire slice in tire wax and leaving it standing at 50°C for one week, if the immersion liquid did not change color more than in the examples, it was marked as "〇"; if it changed color more than in the examples, it was marked as "×"; and if it was partially discolored, it was marked as "△". For glossiness, if it was visually shiny, it was marked as "〇"; if there were uneven glosses in parts, it was marked as "△"; and if there was no gloss, it was marked as "×".

[0133] According to Table 1, in the examples where the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane is 1000 - 100000 mPa·s, there is no corrosion. In contrast, as shown by the results of Comparative Example 1 and Comparative Example 2, the lower the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane is compared to the examples, the higher the tire corrosiveness becomes. From this, it is considered that by increasing the kinematic viscosity of the organopolysiloxane, the corrosiveness of the tire can be suppressed.

[0134] Furthermore, in Comparative Example 3 which contains a nonionic surfactant with a lower molecular weight than in the examples where the molecular weight of the nonionic surfactant is 1000 - 100000, tire corrosion was observed. From this, it is considered that by including a nonionic high-molecular surfactant with a molecular weight of 1000 - 100000, the corrosiveness of the tire with the tire wax agent attached can be suppressed.

[0135] Also, in Comparative Example 1, the glossiness of the tire surface is "△", and in Comparative Example 2, the glossiness of the tire surface is "×". The organopolysiloxane in Comparative Example 2 has a low kinematic viscosity of 1 - 10 mPa·s. Therefore, in Comparative Example 2, it is considered that most of the organopolysiloxane attached to the tire flowed down before fixing to the tire, resulting in a decrease in the gloss of the tire. Also, in Comparative Example 1 where an organopolysiloxane with a higher kinematic viscosity (10 - 1000 mPa·s) than in Comparative Example 2 was used, the tire had more gloss than in Comparative Example 2, but less gloss than in the examples.

[0136] Therefore, it is considered that the glossiness of the tire can be enhanced by using a high-viscosity organopolysiloxane having a kinematic viscosity of 1000 to 100000 mPa·s.

[0137] As described above, the embodiments of the present invention have been explained, but the present invention is not limited to this content. Also, various modifications can be made to the embodiments of the present invention without departing from the gist of the invention.

Industrial Applicability

[0138] According to the present invention, it can be used in a car wash machine for washing a vehicle to be washed.

Explanation of Signs

[0139] 10 Car wash machine body 10a Inlet surface 10b Outlet surface 10c Ceiling part 10d Stand part 10e Wheels 11 Detergent nozzle 11 Liquid agent nozzle 12 Water nozzle 13 Water nozzle 15 Water nozzle 20 Blower 21 Top air supply nozzle 22 Side air supply nozzle 31 Top brush 32 Side brush 33 Tire brush 40 Spraying part 41 First nozzle 42 Second nozzle 43 Pedestal part 44 Rotation actuator 45 Moving part 46 Diameter calculation part 50 Tank storage part 51 Distribution piping part 52 Solenoid valve 53 Solenoid valve 54 Solenoid valve 55 Solenoid valve 60 Rails 70 Control Unit 100 Car Wash Machine 101 Travel Motor

Claims

1. A car wash machine body that moves relative to the vehicle to be washed in the front-rear direction, a sensor that detects the vehicle shape of the vehicle, a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine body, a spraying unit arranged on the car wash machine body that sprays an aqueous tire wax agent onto the tires of the vehicle to be washed, having, the spraying unit, a pedestal part having a nozzle that sprays the aqueous tire wax agent, a diameter calculation unit that calculates the diameter of the tire of the vehicle to be washed based on the information detected by the sensor, a moving part that is controlled by the control unit and moves the pedestal part to a position where the aqueous tire wax agent can be sprayed onto a predetermined position of the tire based on the diameter of the tire calculated by the diameter calculation unit, and having, further having a side air supply nozzle arranged on the car wash machine body and movable in the left-right direction, the moving part is attached to the side air supply nozzle, and the car wash machine is characterized by this.

2. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the left-right movement of the side air supply nozzle and the movement of the pedestal part by the moving part are each independently performed.

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