Car wash equipment

Abstract

To provide a vehicle washer which can eliminate a washing body such as a washing agent and washing water from a vehicle even when washing is stopped in the middle of a vehicle washing process.SOLUTION: A vehicle washer comprises a main body part which is movable forward and backward with respect to a vehicle, a processing unit which is capable of washing the vehicle, and a control part which is capable of controlling movement of the main body part and washing process of the processing unit. The control part urgently stops the movement of the main body part on the basis of a prescribed condition and moves the main body part to a prescribed position while driving the processing unit after urgent stop.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a car wash apparatus. [Background technology]

[0002] Car washes that can stop a vehicle washing process in an emergency are widely known. For example, Patent Document 1 describes a car wash that has an emergency stop means and a sensor unit, and can stop the car washing operation in an emergency depending on the input / output state of the sensor unit. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6308174 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, if the vehicle washing process is stopped midway, some detergent may remain on the vehicle depending on the process that was stopped, which means that the owner of the vehicle that was in the middle of washing may have to wait for the car wash to resume or wash off the detergent by hand, which can be inconvenient.

[0005] Furthermore, car washes often use highly foaming detergents to thoroughly cover the vehicle surface with foam so that anyone can visually see that the vehicle is being washed. If the vehicle washing process is stopped midway while the vehicle is completely covered in foam, it becomes even more troublesome, and not only is it difficult to wash off the voluminous foam by hand, but the foam can also be blown around by the wind and end up adhering to nearby vehicles and equipment, so a solution was needed.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a car washing apparatus that can remove cleaning agents, washing water, and other cleaning materials from a vehicle even if the vehicle washing process is stopped midway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One solution relates to a car wash device that includes a main body that can move back and forth relative to a vehicle, a treatment device that can perform a washing process on the vehicle, and a control unit that can control the movement of the main body and the washing process of the treatment device, wherein the control unit brings the movement of the main body to an emergency stop based on predetermined conditions, and after the emergency stop, moves the main body to a predetermined position while driving the treatment device. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one solution, even if the vehicle washing process is stopped midway, the cleaning agent or other cleaning agent can be removed from the vehicle. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view of a car wash apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention (embodiment 1). [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. [Figure 3] 2 is a block diagram showing a control system of the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of a safety device provided in the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 5] 2 is a flow chart showing an example of a washing process performed by the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. 1. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of processing when the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. 1 stops a washing process midway. [Figure 7] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a car wash apparatus according to another embodiment (embodiment 2) of the present invention. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a schematic top view of a car wash apparatus according to another embodiment (third embodiment) of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a control system of the car wash apparatus shown in FIG. 8. BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0010] In the following embodiments of the present invention, the description will be divided into multiple sections, etc., as necessary. In principle, these sections are not unrelated to one another, and one section is a partial or complete modification, detail, etc. of the other. For this reason, in all drawings, components having the same function are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repeated description thereof will be omitted. Furthermore, the number of components (including the number, numerical value, amount, range, etc.) is not limited to a specific number unless otherwise specified or clearly limited to a specific number in principle, and may be greater than or less than the specific number. Furthermore, when referring to the shape of a component, etc., it is intended to include those that are substantially similar or approximate to that shape, etc., unless otherwise specified or clearly considered not to be the case in principle.

[0011] (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a schematic front view of a car wash apparatus 10 according to this embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a side view of the car wash apparatus 10. As shown in FIG.

[0012] The car wash apparatus 10 includes a main body 11 that stands on the ground G (laying surface). The main body 11 is configured with a gate-shaped frame (housing) that straddles the vehicle C to be treated. Therefore, the main body 11 has a pair of leg frames 11a that stand on the ground G and a beam frame 11b that hangs on the pair of leg frames 11a.

[0013] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes rails 12 and wheels 13 and 14. The pair of rails 12 extend parallel to each other and are provided on the ground G. The wheels 13 and 14 are respectively provided on the bottom of a pair of leg frames 11a. In the car wash apparatus 10, the wheels 13 are drive wheels and the wheels 14 are driven wheels. In the car wash apparatus 10, with a vehicle C parked between the pair of rails 12, the main body 11 moves back and forth (travels back and forth) on the pair of rails 12 via the wheels 13 and 14 (a total of four wheels). Note that the right side of FIG. 2 (for example, the side where the vehicle C and the reception device 51 are shown) is the front side of the main body 11, and the left side is the rear side.

[0014] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes a travel motor 15 and a travel encoder 16. The travel motor 15 is provided on each of a pair of leg frames 11a of the main body 11 so as to be connected to the wheels 13 from a position higher than the wheels 13 relative to the ground G. The travel motor 15 is configured to be rotatable forward and reverse, and moves the main body 11 back and forth via the wheels 13 (drive wheels). The travel encoder 16 is provided on one of the leg frames 11a of the main body 11 and is connected to the output shaft of the travel motor 15 on that side. The travel encoder 16 detects the traveling position of the main body 11 on the rail 12. That is, the travel encoder 16 detects the rotation direction of the travel motor 15, i.e., the rotation direction of the wheels 13, and outputs a pulse signal for each unit angle rotation.

[0015] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes a front / rear switch 17 and docks 18a and 18b. The front / rear switch 17 is provided at the bottom of one of the leg frames 11. The dock 18a is provided at one end of one of the rails 12 (the front side of the main body 11 in the front-rear direction), and the dock 18b is provided at the other end of the same rail 12 (the rear side of the main body 11 in the front-rear direction). The front / rear switch 17 switches between the docks 18a and 18b as the main body 11 moves, and detects the movement limit of the main body 11 between the docks 18a and 18b. Therefore, in the car wash apparatus 10, the main body 11 can move within the movement limit range so as to straddle a stopped vehicle C and pass in the vehicle length direction. When the car wash apparatus 10 is waiting for a vehicle to enter (standby state), the front / rear switch 17 switches to the dock 18b and the main body 11 is stopped. In this description, the position of the main body 11 in this stopped state is referred to as the standby position of the main body 11.

[0016] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes, as a cleaning processing device, a top brush 30 and a pair of side brushes 31 provided on the main body 11. The top brush 30 (rotating brush) is housed in a beam frame 11b of the gate-shaped main body 11 when on standby. As a movable part, the top brush 30 moves up and down while rotating in accordance with the movement of the main body 11, and is able to brush mainly the top surface of the vehicle C. The pair of side brushes 31 (rotating brushes) are housed in a pair of frames 11a of the gate-shaped main body 11 when on standby. As a movable part, the pair of side brushes 31 rotate and open and close (move towards and away from each other) in accordance with the movement of the main body 11, and are able to brush mainly the front, side, and rear of the vehicle C.

[0017] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes, as a cleaning treatment device, a top spray 32 and a pair of side sprays 33 provided on the main body 11. The top spray 32 is housed in a beam frame 11b of the gate-shaped main body 11. The top spray 32 sprays cleaning liquid such as water or a detergent from multiple spray nozzles (not shown) provided on a pipe as the main body 11 moves, thereby cleaning mainly the top surface of the vehicle C. The pair of side sprays 33 are also housed in a pair of leg frames 11a of the gate-shaped main body 11. The pair of side sprays 33 spray cleaning liquid such as water or a detergent from multiple spray nozzles (not shown) provided on a pipe as the main body 11 moves, thereby cleaning mainly the sides of the vehicle C. In the car wash apparatus 10, the top spray 32 and the side sprays 33 are provided further forward on the main body 11 than the top brush 30 and the side brush 31, in order to brush and clean the vehicle C as the main body 11 moves forward.

[0018] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes, as washing processing devices, a top nozzle 34 (blower nozzle) and a pair of side nozzles 35 (blower nozzles) provided on the main body 11. The top nozzle 34 is housed in a beam frame 11b of the gate-shaped main body 11 when on standby. The top nozzle 34 is a movable part that moves up and down without coming into contact with the vehicle C while blowing air as the main body 11 moves, and is therefore able to mainly dry the top surface of the vehicle C. The pair of side nozzles 35 are also housed in a pair of leg frames 11a of the gate-shaped main body 11 when on standby. The pair of side nozzles 35 are movable parts that open and close without coming into contact with the vehicle C while blowing air as the main body 11 moves, and are therefore able to mainly dry the side surfaces of the vehicle C.

[0019] The car wash apparatus 10 also includes a vehicle detection unit 36 ​​in the main body 11 that detects the vehicle C. The vehicle detection unit 36 ​​is provided on the front side of the main body 11, extending in the upright direction of the main body 11 (the vehicle height direction of the vehicle C). The vehicle detection unit 36 ​​can detect the shape of the vehicle C from the side. More specifically, it can read the shape (silhouette) of the vehicle C from the side as the main body 11 moves. Since the car wash apparatus 10 brushes and washes the vehicle C along the shape of the vehicle C as the main body 11 moves forward, the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​is provided further forward on the main body 11 than the top brush 30 and the side brushes 31.

[0020] The vehicle detector 36 has multiple (n) detector elements 36-1 to 36-n that detect vehicles C. For example, each detector element 36-1 to 36-n is configured as a transmission-type photoelectric sensor having a pair of a light-emitting element 36a and a light-receiving element 36b. The light-emitting element 36a and the light-receiving element 36b as photoelectric sensors are housed in the left and right sides of the opening of the gate-shaped main body 11 (a pair of leg frames 11a), respectively, and are arranged opposite each other at the same height, forming a horizontal optical axis between the light-emitting element 36a and the light-receiving element 36b. By determining the light-blocking and light-passing states of this horizontal optical axis, the presence or absence of a vehicle C between the light-emitting element 36a and the light-receiving element 36b can be detected. Furthermore, the multiple detector elements 36-1 to 36-n are arranged in order from the ground G side, starting with the lowest detector element 36-1, followed by the next detector element 36-2, and so on, at predetermined intervals (e.g., equal pitches) along the upright direction (vertical direction) of the main body 11. As a result, the car wash apparatus 10 can determine the height of the upper surface of the vehicle C from the one of the plurality of detection elements 36-1 to 36-n that has detected the vehicle C and the installation height at which it is installed.

[0021] The car wash apparatus 10 drives the processing device that performs the cleaning process, such as the top brush 30 and the top nozzle 34, based on the detection results of the vehicle detection unit 36. By driving the processing device along the shape of the vehicle C acquired by the vehicle detection unit 36, it is possible to prevent, for example, the top brush 30 from being pressed too hard against the vehicle C during brushing, and to prevent the top nozzle 34 from coming into contact with the vehicle C during drying.

[0022] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the control system of this embodiment. As shown in Figure 3, the car wash apparatus 10 is equipped with a control unit 50 (for example, a semiconductor element or an electronic board on which the semiconductor element is mounted). The control unit 50 is provided in the main body 11 and is electrically connected to the travel encoder 16, the front / rear switch 17, the vehicle detection unit 36, the reception device 51, and the drive unit 52. The control unit 50 executes a pre-programmed sequence (means) in accordance with the washing process received by the reception device 51.

[0023] The washing process is a washing treatment course, which defines when and in what order various washing treatment devices provided in the main body 11 are driven to wash the vehicle C. This washing process may be pre-programmed in the control unit 50, or may be defined by the user of the car wash device 10 (for example, the owner of the vehicle C, or someone who wants to have the vehicle C washed) via the reception device 51 or the like each time the vehicle C is washed.

[0024] The control unit 50 includes a traveling detection means 53 , a vehicle detection means 54 , a data creation means 55 , a data storage means 56 , an emergency stop means 57 , and a processing means 58 .

[0025] The travel detection means 53 can detect the travel position (movement position) of the main body 11 from the pulse signal of the travel encoder 16 and the signal of the front / rear switch 17. The vehicle detection means 54 can detect the top surface of the vehicle C by driving the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​each time it moves a unit distance, triggered by the pulse signal of the travel encoder 16. The data creation means 55 can create vehicle shape data from the detection results of the travel detection means 53 and the vehicle detection means 54. The data storage means 56 can store the vehicle shape data. The emergency stop means 57 can send a signal to the processing means 58 to stop (emergency stop) the drive of each washing treatment device, the drive motor 15, etc. based on predetermined conditions during the washing process. The processing means 58 can control the drive of the car wash treatment device, the drive motor 15, etc. via the drive unit 52 based on the vehicle shape data, etc. The processing means 58 can also emergency stop the drive of the car wash treatment device, the drive motor, etc. via the drive unit 52 based on the emergency stop signal from the emergency stop means 57.

[0026] The predetermined condition for the control of the emergency stop means 57 can be set as appropriate depending on the manner in which the car wash apparatus is used, but may be, for example, "activation of a safety device provided in the main body 11." As a safety device, the car wash apparatus 10 is provided with a rod-shaped body 70 at the front of the opening of the main body 11, which is formed in a gate shape as shown in FIG. 4. The rod-shaped body 70 is swingably mounted by a bracket 71. The rod-shaped body 70 is connected to a displacement detection unit 72, which can detect when the rod-shaped body 70 comes into contact with, for example, a door mirror of the vehicle C and is displaced. When the displacement detection unit 72 detects displacement of the rod-shaped body 70, the displacement detection unit 72 can send a signal to the control unit 50. When the control unit 50 receives a signal from the displacement detection unit 72 during the washing process, the emergency stop means 57 stops the washing process.

[0027] Furthermore, the predetermined condition for the control of the emergency stop means 57 may be, for example, "detection of a malfunction in any of the elements constituting the car wash apparatus 10." More specifically, for example, a sensor capable of detecting whether the top brush 30 is in the storage position (standby position) may be provided in the main body 11, and if the sensor does not detect the top brush 30 at the start of a washing process using the top brush 30, the emergency stop means 57 may stop the washing process.

[0028] Furthermore, the predetermined condition related to the control of the emergency stop means 57 may be, for example, "the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​or the like detects that the vehicle C has moved during the cleaning process." More specifically, for example, the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​may be allowed to scan the vehicle C at all times during the cleaning process, and the emergency stop means 57 may stop the cleaning process when the position and shape of the vehicle C acquired at a certain stage in the cleaning process do not match the position and shape of the vehicle C acquired at an earlier stage.

[0029] In this way, the car wash apparatus 10 is provided with various means (functions), and each means is executed by the control unit 50. Note that although each means has been described as being included in the control unit 50, it may also be provided as a member (device) separate from the control unit 50.

[0030] Next, the operation of the car wash apparatus 10 (the washing process of the vehicle C) will be described. First, the operation will be described when the car wash apparatus 10 completes the washing process without stopping midway (emergency stop). The user decides the washing process (washing process course) to be performed by the car wash apparatus 10 via the reception device 51. The car wash apparatus 10 then guides the user by display, audio, etc. to stop the vehicle C at a predetermined stopping position. When the vehicle C reaches the predetermined stopping position, the washing process decided by the user is executed. In this example, the following explanation will be given assuming that the user has decided to execute the washing process shown in FIG. 5.

[0031] When the vehicle C stops at a predetermined stopping position, the first process (first trip) begins. In the first process, the main body 11 moves forward while spraying a mixture of cleaning water and detergent from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. As the main body 11 moves forward, the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​also detects the vehicle C, and the top brush 30 and side brush 31 brush along the determined shape of the vehicle C.

[0032] As the main body 11 moves forward, when the front / rear switch 17 detects the front movement limit (dock 18a) of the main body 11, the second process (first compound) is started. In the second process, the main body 11 moves rearward while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. In the second process, the cleaning agent sprayed on the vehicle C in the first process can be washed away. Furthermore, as the main body 11 moves rearward, the top brush 30 and side brush 31 brush along the shape of the vehicle C determined by the vehicle detection unit 36.

[0033] As the main body 11 moves rearward, the front / rear switch 17 detects the rearward movement limit (dock 18b) of the main body 11, and the third process (second trip) is initiated. In the third process, the main body 11 moves forward while spraying a mixture of cleaning water and a coating agent such as a water repellent from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. Furthermore, as the main body 11 moves forward, the top brush 30 and side brush 31 brush along the shape of the vehicle C determined by the vehicle detection unit 36.

[0034] As the main body 11 moves forward, when the front / rear switch 17 detects the forward movement limit (dock 18a) of the main body 11, the fourth process (second compound) is initiated. In the fourth process, the main body 11 moves rearward while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. In the fourth process, excess coating agent sprayed on the vehicle C in the third process can be washed away.

[0035] As the main body 11 moves rearward, when the front / rear switch 17 detects the rearward movement limit (dock 18b) of the main body 11, the fifth process (third go) is started. In the fifth process, the main body 11 moves forward while blowing air from the top nozzle 34 and the side nozzle 35 to the vehicle C. In the fifth process, water droplets that have adhered to the vehicle C by the previous processes can be blown off and removed.

[0036] After the fifth process is completed, the car wash apparatus 10 guides the user to exit the vehicle C from the specified parking position, and the washing process ends. The above is an example of the operation of the car wash apparatus 10 when the washing process is completed without any problems. The main body 11 stops at the limit of movement position (toward the dock 18a) forward as viewed from the main body 11, and the washing process ends. The movement to the standby position is performed, for example, after a certain time has elapsed since the washing process ended.

[0037] Next, an example of the operation of the car wash apparatus 10 when the washing process is stopped midway by the emergency stop means 57 will be described. The operation of the car wash apparatus 10 in this example will be described using the flow chart in Fig. 6. Note that in this example, the processing content of the washing process determined by the user is the same as that shown in Fig. 5.

[0038] When the vehicle C stops at a predetermined stopping position, the first process (first trip) begins. In the first process, the main body 11 moves forward while spraying a mixture of cleaning water and detergent from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. As the main body 11 moves forward, the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​also detects the vehicle C, and the top brush 30 and side brush 31 brush along the determined shape of the vehicle C.

[0039] As the main body 11 moves forward, when the front / rear switch 17 detects the front movement limit of the main body 11, the second process (first compound) is started. In the second process, the main body 11 moves rearward while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. Assume that the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​detects that the vehicle C has moved slightly during the second process (for example, at the stage where the cleaning agent adhering to the vehicle C has been partially washed away). In this case, the control unit 50 determines that the conditions for an emergency stop have been met and temporarily stops the movement of the main body 11 and the operation of each cleaning processing device provided in the main body 11 by the emergency stop means 57.

[0040] After the stop, the control unit 50 refers to the content of the cleaning process immediately before the cleaning process when the main body unit 11 was stopped in an emergency. For example, if the main body unit 11 was stopped in an emergency while performing the second process of the cleaning process step shown in Fig. 5, the immediately preceding cleaning process was the first process. If the immediately preceding process referred to in this way includes spraying of a cleaning agent, the control unit 50 moves the main body unit 11 to the standby position while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33.

[0041] By performing such processing, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the car wash device 10 is unable to resume its washing service, for example, while detergent remains sprayed on the vehicle C. Even if it takes a long time to restore the car wash device 10, the vehicle C will not be left covered in foam, so the user can, for example, receive a refund through the reception device 51 and immediately head to another destination in the vehicle C.

[0042] In addition, by performing such processing, the user can be given the illusion that the cleaning process is continuing even after the emergency stop, which prevents the user from getting out of vehicle C due to being surprised by the emergency stop.

[0043] If the immediately preceding cleaning process was a cleaning water spraying process, when the main body 11 returns to the standby position, air may be blown from the top nozzle 34 or the side nozzle 35 instead of spraying cleaning water. In this way, if the cleaning agent on the body of the vehicle C has been rinsed off in the immediately preceding process, there is no need to spray cleaning water again.

[0044] In cases such as when the main body 11 makes an emergency stop during a cleaning agent spraying process, control may be made to exceptionally spray cleaning water when the main body 11 returns to the standby position, regardless of the type of process that was performed immediately before. It is also possible that cleaning water spraying is not necessary even when the main body 11 makes an emergency stop during a spraying process, such as when the main body 11 makes an emergency stop immediately after the start of a cleaning agent spraying process. The need for cleaning water spraying may be determined based on the position of the main body 11 when the emergency stop occurred, and the cleaning operation may be controlled accordingly. In this way, the cleaning operation after the emergency stop does not necessarily have to be determined based on the immediately preceding cleaning operation, but may be determined based on, for example, the type of cleaning operation that occurred when the emergency stop occurred or the elapsed time since the start of the operation.

[0045] Depending on the position of the main body unit 11 during an emergency stop, there is a risk that the main body unit 11 will return to the standby position without being able to completely wash away the cleaning agent adhering to the vehicle C. To prepare for such a case, the main body unit 11 may be controlled so that after an emergency stop, it makes a round trip across the vehicle C (for example, one round trip) before returning to the standby position. The same applies to drying the vehicle C; in the event that an emergency stop occurs and the main body unit 11 may return to the standby position without being able to completely dry the cleaning water adhering to the vehicle C, the main body unit 11 may be controlled so that it makes a round trip across the vehicle C before returning to the standby position.

[0046] To prevent contact between the vehicle C and the main body 11 due to the movement of the main body 11 after such an emergency stop, the main body 11 may be controlled to make a round trip across the vehicle C and then return to the standby position only when certain conditions among those for an emergency stop of the main body 11 are met.

[0047] Note that the position to which main body unit 11 is moved after an emergency stop does not necessarily have to be the standby position. For example, after an emergency stop, a sensor or the like may be used to detect the presence or absence of an obstacle around main body unit 11, and if it is impossible to move main body unit 11 to the standby position, main body unit 11 may be controlled to move to the other end side of the standby position (the dock 18a side).

[0048] (Embodiment 2) In the first embodiment, the washing treatment device (top spray 32 and side spray 33) provided in the main body 11 is used to spray washing water after an emergency stop, but a washing treatment device provided separately from the main body 11 may also be used for the washing treatment after an emergency stop. In this embodiment, a car wash apparatus 10A equipped with a bottom washing device 80 that mainly washes the bottom of a vehicle C as the washing treatment device will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of the car wash apparatus 10A according to this embodiment as seen from above.

[0049] The car wash apparatus 10A is equipped with an underbody washing device 80. The underbody washing device 80 has a plurality of spray nozzles 81. The spray nozzles 81 are arranged along the rails 12, and can wash mainly the underbody of the vehicle C as the vehicle C moves between the rails 12 toward a predetermined stopping position, for example, before the start of the washing process. Each spray nozzle 81 is provided midway in the pipeline of a spray pipe buried in the ground G. The spray pipe is connected to a water storage tank 82 equipped with a high-pressure pump, which enables the spraying of washing water from the spray nozzles 81.

[0050] The high-pressure pump of the water storage tank 82 is connected to the control unit 50A. The presence or absence and timing of spraying from each spray nozzle of the lower cleaning device 80 are controlled by the control unit 50A.

[0051] Next, the operation of the car wash apparatus 10A according to the second embodiment, mainly during an emergency stop, will be described.

[0052] The user determines the washing process (washing treatment course) to be performed by the car wash apparatus 10A via the reception device 51. The car wash apparatus 10A then guides the user by means of a display, voice, or the like to park the vehicle C at a predetermined parking position. Furthermore, as the washing process is determined, the underside washing device 80 starts spraying washing water. The user follows the guidance and slowly moves the vehicle C forward toward the predetermined parking position. At this time, the underside washing device 80 can wash away dirt such as mud adhering to the underside of the vehicle C.

[0053] When vehicle C reaches a predetermined stopping position, the washing process determined by the user is executed. In this example, as in the description of embodiment 1, the following description will be given assuming that the user has determined to execute the washing process shown in FIG.

[0054] When the vehicle C stops at a predetermined stopping position, the first process (first trip) is started. In the first process, the main body 11 moves forward while spraying a mixture of cleaning water and cleaning agent from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. As the main body 11 moves forward, the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​also detects the vehicle C, and the top brush 30 and side brush 31 brush along the determined shape of the vehicle C. In the first process, the underside cleaning device 80 may be driven to clean the underside of the vehicle C.

[0055] As the main body 11 moves forward, when the front / rear switch 17 detects the front movement limit (dock 18a) of the main body 11, the second process (first compound) is started. In the second process, the main body 11 moves rearward while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33. Suppose that the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​detects that the vehicle C has moved slightly during the second process (for example, when the cleaning agent adhering to the vehicle C has been partially washed away). In this case, the control unit 50 uses the emergency stop means 57 to temporarily stop the movement of the main body 11 and the operation of each cleaning processing device provided in the main body 11.

[0056] After the stop, the control unit 50 sprays cleaning water from the lower washing device 80 regardless of what cleaning process was in progress immediately before the cleaning process when the main body 11 was emergency stopped. Spraying cleaning water from the lower washing device 80 after the emergency stop gives the user the illusion that the cleaning process is continuing, preventing a situation in which a user who is surprised by the emergency stop gets out of the vehicle C. In addition, because the lower washing device 80 sprays cleaning water from the side of the vehicle C, the user cannot open the door of the vehicle C and cannot get out of the vehicle C.

[0057] Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 7, by arranging a spray nozzle 81 so that cleaning water can be sprayed onto the rail 12, it is also possible to remove obstacles on the rail 12 with high-pressure water from the spray nozzle 81. This allows the main body 11 to move smoothly after an emergency stop, reducing the time the user has to wait.

[0058] (Embodiment 3) Control after an emergency stop of the main body unit 11 may not be performed completely automatically, but rather, for example, when the main body unit 11 makes an emergency stop, staff at a car wash (for example, a place where the main body unit 11 is installed and where vehicle washing services are performed) may first check the state of the car wash at the time of the emergency stop using an imaging device such as a camera. In this embodiment, a car wash apparatus 10B equipped with a surveillance camera 90 that can acquire images and videos of the main body unit 11 and the area around the main body unit 11 when the main body unit 11 makes an emergency stop will be described with reference to the drawings. Fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of the car wash apparatus 10B according to this embodiment as seen from above, and Fig. 9 is a configuration diagram of a communication system according to this embodiment.

[0059] The car wash apparatus 10B is equipped with a surveillance camera 90. The surveillance camera 90 has the function of capturing images of the main body 11 and its surroundings. The surveillance cameras 90 may be installed at any position and in any number depending on the installation location of the main body 11. FIG. 8 shows an example of an installation form of such surveillance cameras 90. In this embodiment, the following description will be given assuming that the car wash apparatus 10B is equipped with four surveillance cameras (i.e., surveillance cameras 90a to 90d) as shown in FIG.

[0060] Both surveillance camera 90a and surveillance camera 90b are installed on an extension of rail 12. One of surveillance camera 90a and surveillance camera 90b is installed on the front side of main body 11B, and the other is installed on the rear side of main body 11B. Surveillance camera 90a and surveillance camera 90b may be installed on an extension of the same rail among the multiple rails that make up rail 12, but it is more preferable to install them on extensions of different rails as shown in FIG. 8. By installing them on extensions of different rails, the imaging range of the two surveillance cameras 90a and 90b can be expanded.

[0061] The monitoring camera 90c is provided on a beam frame 11b of the main body 11. The monitoring camera 90c is provided so as to be able to capture an image of the inside of the opening of the main body 11, which is formed in a gate shape, from above.

[0062] The monitoring camera 90d is installed at a position higher than the main body 11 relative to the ground G. The monitoring camera 90d is installed so as to be able to capture an overhead image from a high position of the main body 11 and the surrounding area of ​​the main body 11 (for example, the entrance road through which the vehicle C passes to undergo the cleaning process, and the exit road through which the vehicle C passes after the cleaning process, etc.).

[0063] By arranging the monitoring cameras 90a to 90d in this manner, images and videos of the main body 11 and the area around the main body 11 can be acquired efficiently even with a small number of cameras.

[0064] Furthermore, each of the surveillance cameras 90a to 90d has a communication unit and is provided so as to be able to communicate with an administrator terminal 92 via a network 91. The administrator terminal 92 is a terminal that can be operated by an administrator of the car wash apparatus 10B. The administrator terminal 92 can communicate with the control unit 50B of the main body unit 11 via the network 91. The administrator can use the administrator terminal 92 to manage and control the car wash apparatus 10B. More specifically, the administrator can use the administrator terminal 92 to, for example, remotely turn the power to the main body unit 11 on or off, restart or stop the washing process by the main body unit 11 if an emergency stops the process, and check the images from the surveillance cameras 90a to 90d.

[0065] The control unit 50B has the functions of the control unit 50 shown in the first embodiment, and also has a communication unit (not shown) for communicating with the administrator terminal 92 via the network 91.

[0066] Next, the operation of the car wash apparatus 10B according to the third embodiment, mainly during an emergency stop, will be described.

[0067] The user determines the washing process (washing treatment course) to be performed by the car wash apparatus 10B via the reception device 51. The car wash apparatus 10B then guides the user by display, audio, etc. to stop the vehicle C at a predetermined parking position. When the vehicle C reaches the predetermined parking position, the washing process determined by the user is executed. In this example, as in the previous examples, the following explanation will be given assuming that the user has determined to execute the washing process shown in FIG. 5.

[0068] The processing operation in the first process is omitted because it is the same as in the first and second embodiments. Assume that the vehicle detection unit 36 ​​detects that the vehicle C has moved slightly during the second process (for example, at the stage where the cleaning agent adhering to the vehicle C has been partially washed away). In response, the control unit 50B uses the emergency stop means 57 to temporarily stop the movement of the main body 11 and the operation of each cleaning processing device provided in the main body 11.

[0069] After the stop, the control unit 50B notifies the administrator terminal 92 that the main body unit 11 has made an emergency stop. The administrator receives the notification and can check the images from the monitoring cameras 90a to 90d on the administrator terminal 92. Based on the state of the car wash facility captured by the monitoring cameras 90a to 90d, the administrator can restart or stop the washing process on the administrator terminal 92.

[0070] In this way, the monitoring cameras 90a to 90d and the control unit 50B are provided so as to be able to communicate with the manager's terminal 92, so that the manager of the car wash apparatus 10B can respond flexibly to an emergency stop of the main body unit 11.

[0071] When the cleaning process is stopped, the control unit 50B refers to the content of the cleaning process immediately before the emergency stop of the main body 11. If the content of the immediately preceding process referred to includes, for example, spraying of a cleaning agent, the control unit 50B moves the main body 11 to the standby position while spraying cleaning water from the top spray 32 and side spray 33.

[0072] By performing such a process, it is possible to prevent a situation in which the car wash device 10 is unable to resume the washing service while the detergent remains sprayed on the vehicle C, for example.

[0073] The present invention has been specifically described above based on an embodiment, but it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment and can be modified in various ways without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0074] For example, the reception device 51 may be provided separately as in the reception device 51 shown in Fig. 2, or may be provided at any location in the main body 11. Furthermore, a terminal owned by the user may be made available as the reception device 51 via an application for using the car wash apparatus 10, or the like. [Explanation of symbols]

[0075] 10 Car wash equipment 11 Main body 30 Top Brush 31 Side brush 32 Top Spray 33 Side spray 34 Top nozzle 35 Side Nozzle 50 control section

Claims

1. a main body portion that is movable back and forth relative to the vehicle; a treatment device capable of performing a cleaning treatment on the vehicle; a control unit capable of controlling the movement of the main body unit and the cleaning process of the processing device; A car wash device comprising: The treatment device has a cleaning body spray nozzle that sprays cleaning water and a cleaning agent, When the control unit makes an emergency stop on the movement of the main body unit based on a predetermined condition after the processing of spraying the cleaning agent on the vehicle by the processing device, after the emergency stop, the control unit moves the main body unit to a predetermined position while spraying cleaning water on the vehicle by the processing device. A car wash device characterized by:

2. A main body that can move back and forth relative to the vehicle; a treatment device capable of performing a cleaning treatment on the vehicle; a control unit capable of controlling the movement of the main body unit and the cleaning process of the processing device; A car wash device comprising: the treatment device has a cleaning water spray nozzle that sprays cleaning water, The treatment device further includes a drying nozzle for blowing air onto the vehicle, When the control unit makes an emergency stop on the movement of the main body unit based on a predetermined condition after the processing of spraying wash water onto the vehicle by the processing device, after the emergency stop, the control unit moves the main body unit to a predetermined position while blowing air onto the vehicle by the processing device. A car wash device characterized by:

3. A main body that can move back and forth relative to the vehicle; a treatment device capable of performing a cleaning treatment on the vehicle; a control unit capable of controlling the movement of the main body unit and the cleaning process of the processing device; A car wash device comprising: the treatment device has a vehicle underside washing device that washes the underside of the vehicle from a vehicle width direction of the vehicle, The vehicle underside cleaning device is provided on a floor surface along a vehicle length direction of the vehicle, The control unit brings the movement of the main body unit to an emergency stop based on a predetermined condition, and then controls the vehicle underside cleaning device to move the main body unit to a predetermined position while spraying cleaning water onto the vehicle. A car wash device characterized by:

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