Car wash machine

Abstract

To reduce a used amount of pure water to reduce car washing costs.SOLUTION: A car washing machine (2) includes a control unit (44) for controlling a car washing machine body, a first cleaning mechanism (60) configured to jet a cleaning fluid, and a second cleaning mechanism (70) configured to jet pure water having electric conductivity lower than that of the cleaning fluid. The control unit (44) executes car washing process including: a cleaning step in which the first cleaning mechanism (60) is controlled to clean a vehicle; a draining step in which a blower is controlled to drain the cleaning fluid; and a finish washing step in which the second cleaning mechanism (70) is controlled to perform finish cleaning of the vehicle.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a car wash machine for washing vehicles. [Background technology]

[0002] The water used in car washes is either tap water (water sourced from surface water or groundwater) or industrial water. For example, tap water contains residual chlorine used for disinfection and minerals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Therefore, if water droplets remaining on the vehicle surface after washing dry, these impurities remain on the vehicle surface as ion deposits (water spots).

[0003] In recent years, in order to reduce these ion deposits, car wash machines that use pure water for washing have been developed.

[0004] Known car washes capable of washing using pure water include fully pure water car washes that use pure water in all car wash processes, and pure water finishing car washes that use pure water only in the final rinsing process. Compared to regular washing water, the use of pure water is costly. Pure water finishing car washes offer cost advantages by reducing the amount of pure water used. An example of a pure water finishing car wash is the car wash device described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2016-60329 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] Patent Document 1 discloses a vehicle washing system that includes a pure water generator that generates pure water and a finish washing unit that performs finish washing by spraying the pure water generated by the pure water generator onto a vehicle that has been washed by a brush washing unit. In the vehicle washing system described in Patent Document 1, after washing by the brush washing device, finish washing is performed by the finish washing unit.

[0007] In such a car wash using a pure water finishing car wash, further reduction of ion deposits is desired. It is thought that ion deposits can be reduced by increasing the amount of pure water used in the rinsing process, but this increases costs. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to solve the above problems, a car wash machine according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a car wash machine main body that washes a vehicle, a first washing mechanism that sprays a washing liquid, a second washing mechanism that sprays pure water having a lower electrical conductivity than the washing liquid, and a control unit that controls each part of the car wash machine main body, the first washing mechanism, and the second washing mechanism, wherein the car wash machine main body is equipped with a blower that generates an airflow, and the control unit performs a car wash process that includes a washing process that controls the first washing mechanism to wash the vehicle, a water draining process that controls the blower to drain the washing liquid, and a finishing washing process that controls the second washing mechanism to finish washing the vehicle. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to one aspect of the present invention, ion deposits can be reduced more than in a conventional car wash using a finishing pure water type car wash without increasing the amount of pure water used. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic front view showing a car wash machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic side view showing a car wash machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3]1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a car wash machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of a car wash process performed by a control unit according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] [Embodiment] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0012] Fig. 1 is a schematic front view showing a car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment, Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing the car wash machine according to this embodiment, and Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine according to this embodiment.

[0013] (Car wash configuration) The car wash machine 2 is a pure water finishing car wash machine. More specifically, the car wash machine 2 is capable of performing a car wash process including a washing process involving brushing and a finish washing process using pure water. The water used in the washing process performed by the car wash machine 2 is referred to as washing liquid, and the water used in the finish washing process is referred to as pure water.

[0014] In the present disclosure, the cleaning liquid is, for example, clean water (tap water) derived from surface water, groundwater, or the like, or industrial water. Cleaning liquids vary depending on the region where the water is taken and the type of raw water, but typically have an electrical conductivity of about 70 to 300 μS / cm. Pure water is water with a lower electrical conductivity than the cleaning liquid. For example, the electrical conductivity of pure water according to the present disclosure may be 0 μS / cm or more and 20 μS / cm or less.

[0015] As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , the car wash machine 2 includes a car wash machine main body 4, a first washing mechanism 60, and a second washing mechanism 70. The first washing mechanism 60 is a mechanism for spraying washing liquid onto the vehicle X, and includes a first tank 62, a first passage 61 that supplies washing liquid to the car wash machine main body 4, and a first nozzle 24 and a second nozzle 26 that spray washing liquid onto the vehicle X. The first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 are nozzles included in the car wash machine main body 4 and will be described in detail later. The first tank 62 is a tank that stores washing liquid and includes a first pump P1. The first pump P1 can be controlled by the control unit 44, which will be described later. In the first washing mechanism 60, the first tank 62 is not essential, and the first passage 61 may be connected to a water pipe or the like via a valve that can be controlled to open and close. In this case, the valve can be controlled by the control unit 44.

[0016] The second washing mechanism 70 is a mechanism for spraying pure water onto the vehicle X, and includes a pure water generator 73, a second tank 72, a second path 71 for supplying pure water to the car wash machine body, and a first nozzle 24 and a second nozzle 26 for spraying pure water onto the vehicle X. The first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 are used for spraying both the washing liquid and the pure water. In other words, the nozzle for spraying the washing liquid in the first washing mechanism 60 and the nozzle for spraying the pure water in the second washing mechanism 70 are the same. The pure water generator 73 is a device for reducing the electrical conductivity of a liquid. The pure water generator 73 may be a device for generating pure water by, for example, a reverse osmosis membrane method. The second tank 72 is a tank for storing the pure water generated by the pure water generator 73, and includes a second pump P2. The second pump P2 can be controlled by the control unit 44, which will be described later. The pure water according to the present disclosure may be water produced by a pure water production device 73 and having an electrical conductivity of 0 μS / cm or more and 6 μS / cm or less.

[0017] The second path 71 merges with the first path 61 upstream of the car wash machine main body 4. The first path 61 for supplying the cleaning liquid may be connected to the car wash machine main body 4, and the second path 71 for supplying the pure water may be connected to the first path 61 upstream of the connection. In this case, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the car wash machine main body 4 via the first path 61, and the pure water is supplied to the car wash machine main body 4 via the second path 71 and a part of the first path 61. Alternatively, the first path 61 and the second path 71 may merge and be connected to one path 80, and the path 80 may be connected to the car wash machine main body 4. In this case, the cleaning liquid is supplied to the car wash machine main body 4 via the first path 61 and the path 80, and the pure water is supplied to the car wash machine main body 4 via the second path 71 and the path 80.

[0018] The car wash machine 2 further includes a remote panel 6 that acquires the car wash conditions of the vehicle X from the car wash machine main body 4. In FIG. 2, the outline of the vehicle X is shown by a dotted line to indicate that the vehicle X is located further back than the remote panel 6 toward the page.

[0019] In this specification, a sedan-type vehicle will be described as an example of the vehicle X. For example, the vehicle X has, on its upper surface, a hood, a windshield, a roof, a rear window, and a trunk, in this order from the front. However, in this specification, the type and shape of the vehicle X are not particularly limited as long as it can be washed by the car wash machine main body 4.

[0020] (Car wash machine configuration) As shown in Fig. 1, the car wash machine main body 4 includes, for example, two frames 8 and a ceiling portion 10 connecting the upper ends of the two frames 8. The car wash machine main body 4 has a structure that allows a vehicle X to pass through a space 4S surrounded by the frames 8 and the ceiling portion 10 along an approach direction DA of the vehicle X, as shown in Fig. 2. Note that in this specification, the approach direction DA is defined as the direction from the front surface 4A toward the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4. Note that in this embodiment, the front surface 4A is the surface on which, for example, an operation panel 42, which will be described later, is provided.

[0021] The car wash machine main body 4 includes a drive unit 4X and a cleaning unit 4Y. The drive unit 4X includes wheels 12 provided at the bottom of each frame 8, and a drive device 11 that drives and rotates the wheels 12. As the drive device 11 drives and rotates the wheels 12, the car wash machine main body 4 moves relative to the vehicle X in the front-to-rear direction along rails R arranged on the ground G. The rails R are formed, for example, along the approach direction DA. Here, the car wash machine main body 4 performs washing (car washing) of the vehicle X in the space 4S while moving relative to the vehicle X.

[0022] The cleaning unit 4Y includes a plurality of rotating brushes that slide over and brush the vehicle X. For example, the cleaning unit 4Y includes a top brush 14, a side brush 16, and a rocker brush 18, each of which is rotated by a rotary motor (not shown). The top brush 14 slides along the top surface of the vehicle X and cleans the top surface of the vehicle X. The side brushes 16 and the rocker brushes 18 clean both side surfaces of the vehicle X.

[0023] The cleaning unit 4Y also has a plurality of nozzles that spray liquid onto the vehicle X. The plurality of nozzles include a first nozzle 24 and a second nozzle 26. The first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 are nozzles that spray cleaning liquid or pure water onto the vehicle X. As shown in FIG. 2 , the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 may be arranged, for example, on the front surface 4A side and the rear surface 4B side of each frame 8 of the car wash machine main body 4, respectively. In addition to the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26, nozzles that spray cleaning liquid or pure water may also be arranged on the ceiling portion 10.

[0024] The car wash machine main body 4 has a first connection pipe that connects a passage 80 located outside the car wash machine main body 4 with the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26. The first connection pipe includes a distribution pipe section 22 that distributes the liquid that has flowed in via the passage 80 to each nozzle, and a drainage passage 23 that communicates with the distribution pipe section 22. The first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 are each led out from the distribution pipe section 22 via an electromagnetic valve (not shown).

[0025] The cleaning unit 4Y also includes a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water-repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34. The first detergent nozzle 28 and the second detergent nozzle 30 are disposed on the front surface 4A and rear surface 4B of each frame 8, respectively, and spray detergent containing shampoo or the like onto the vehicle X. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 and the wax nozzle 34 are disposed on the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 sprays a water-repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 sprays wax onto the vehicle X. A tank storage unit 20 is disposed on the side of the car wash machine main body 4, and stores multiple liquid storage tanks (not shown) that store various liquid agents including detergent or wax. The liquid agents from each liquid storage tank are distributed to the corresponding nozzles via distribution piping similar to the distribution piping 22 described above.

[0026] The car wash machine main body 4 also includes a blower 36 that generates an air current as part of the cleaning section 4Y. A top air blowing nozzle 38 and a side air blowing nozzle 40 are connected to the blower 36. The top air blowing nozzle 38 is provided at the upper center of the car wash machine main body 4 and blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle X. The side air blowing nozzles 40 are provided on both sides of the car wash machine main body 4 and blow air toward the sides of the vehicle X. The car wash machine main body 4 blows air toward the vehicle X from the top air blowing nozzle 38 and the side air blowing nozzles 40 to drain or dry the vehicle X after washing.

[0027] In the attached drawings, for simplicity of illustration, the devices for washing the vehicle X that are provided in the car wash machine main body 4 described above may be omitted. Furthermore, the devices provided in the car wash machine main body 4 shown in the drawings are merely examples, and the car wash machine main body 4 may be provided with, in addition to the devices described above, devices for washing the vehicle X and devices assisting in the washing, including conventionally known configurations, on the frame 8 or the ceiling portion 10.

[0028] An operation panel 42 is disposed on the front of one frame 8 of the car wash machine main body 4. The operation panel 42 has operation buttons (not shown) for setting the car wash conditions. For example, a user who has gotten out of the vehicle X, or another technician, etc. may operate the operation buttons to set the car wash conditions, etc.

[0029] <Control unit and remote panel> The car wash machine 2 includes a control unit 44 that controls the car wash machine main body 4. The control unit 44 controls the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 along the rail R and the operation of each part of the cleaning unit 4Y, thereby controlling the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4. The control unit 44 can also control the first washing mechanism 60 and the second washing mechanism 70. The control unit 44 may be provided in the car wash machine main body 4 as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively, the control unit 44 may be located outside the car wash machine main body 4. The control unit 44 may send and receive information between the car wash machine main body 4, the first washing mechanism 60, the second washing mechanism 70, or a remote panel 6 (described later) via a communication device (not shown) or the like, and control each part of the car wash machine 2. The control unit 44 is configured with a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in memory on the processor.

[0030] The remote panel 6 is located, for example, on the front side of the car wash machine main body 4, and is arranged along the direction of movement of the car wash machine main body 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the remote panel 6 is arranged so that its front surface faces the side surface of the vehicle X before it is washed by the car wash machine main body 4, in other words, before it enters the car wash machine main body 4. For this reason, the back surface of the remote panel 6 is shown in Fig. 2.

[0031] 2, the remote panel 6 includes a housing 46 and a support pole 48 that is erected on the ground G and supports the housing 46. The remote panel 6 may acquire at least some of the car wash conditions for the vehicle X to be washed by the car wash machine main body 4 by operating a touch panel or buttons (not shown) provided on the housing 46. The control unit 44 may control the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the vehicle X based on at least some of the car wash conditions acquired by the remote panel 6.

[0032] <Sensor> The car wash machine main body 4 further includes a sensor 52. The sensor 52 is located closer to the front surface 4A of the car wash machine main body 4 than the side brushes 16, for example.

[0033] The sensor 52 is a sensor for acquiring information about the external shape of the vehicle X to be washed. More specifically, the sensor 52 can detect the height of the vehicle X crossing a predetermined point. For example, the sensor 52 may be configured as a multi-axis optical axis sensor, in which a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit are arranged as a pair on each of the two frames 8 on the front side of the frame 8 of the car wash machine main body 4 and on the side of the space 4S. Here, in the multi-axis optical axis sensor, each optical axis sensor is arranged so that multiple optical axes are aligned in the vertical direction and each optical axis is on a substantially horizontal plane. Therefore, each optical axis sensor in the multi-axis optical axis sensor is configured to be able to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle at different heights. In this case, the sensor 52 may detect the height of the vehicle X by, for example, checking the number of optical axis sensors that detect the vehicle X while the car wash machine main body 4 moves relatively from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle X.

[0034] As a result, the car wash machine main body 4 can estimate the height of the vehicle X for each position in a planar view from a change in the number of optical axis sensors that detect the vehicle X among the multi-axis optical axis sensors included in the sensor 52. In other words, the sensor 52 generates information for estimating at least a part of the shape of the vehicle X. As a result, the sensor 52 may determine at least a part of the outer shape of the vehicle X for each position in a planar view. The control unit 44 may control each part of the cleaning unit to wash the vehicle X based on the outer shape of the vehicle X determined by the sensor 52.

[0035] (Control of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 44) An exemplary car wash process for vehicle X using the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 44 will be described below. Fig. 4 is a flow diagram showing an example of the car wash process by the control unit 44. As shown in Fig. 4, the car wash process using the car wash machine 2 includes a reception step S1, a washing step S2, a water draining step S3, a finish washing step S4, and a drying step S5.

[0036] <Reception process> In this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 first performs a receiving step S1 of receiving a request for washing the vehicle X from a user of the vehicle X or the like. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls each part of the car wash machine main body 4 or the remote panel 6 to acquire the car wash conditions for the vehicle X from the user of the vehicle X or the like. For example, the control unit 44 controls the remote panel 6 or the operation panel 42 and accepts operations of the remote panel 6 or the operation panel 42 or the like from the user. In this way, the car wash machine 2 acquires information such as the car wash conditions for the vehicle X and payment of the car wash fee from the user.

[0037] Next, the control unit 44 controls the speaker or the monitor of the car wash machine main body 4 to guide the user in the vehicle X to move the vehicle X to a predetermined position and stop it. As a result, the user stops the vehicle X at a predetermined position, for example, in front of the car wash machine main body 4.

[0038] <Cleaning process> Following the reception step S1, the car wash machine 2 performs a washing step S2 in which the vehicle X is washed using washing liquid. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the first washing mechanism 60 and each part of the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the surface of the vehicle X passing through the space 4S. Immediately before the execution of the washing step S2, the car wash machine main body 4 is positioned on the front side of the vehicle X. In the washing step S2, the control unit 44 controls the drive unit 4X of the car wash machine main body 4 to perform washing using washing liquid while moving the car wash machine main body 4 forward. Moving the car wash machine main body 4 forward means that the front surface 4A of the car wash machine main body 4 moves forward facing the direction of travel. Moving the car wash machine main body 4 backward means that the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4 moves forward facing the direction of travel.

[0039] Specifically, in the washing step S2, the control unit 44 controls the first pump P1 to supply the washing liquid to the car wash machine main body 4 via the first path 61, and sprays the washing liquid onto the vehicle X via the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26. Furthermore, the control unit 44 controls each part of the cleaning unit 4Y, such as various brushes, to wash the vehicle X.

[0040] In the washing process S2, a washing process is performed based on the car wash conditions selected by the user via the remote panel 6, such as a brushing process in which the vehicle X is brushed while a washing liquid is sprayed, or a brushing shampoo process in which the vehicle X is brushed while a detergent and a washing liquid are sprayed. Depending on the car wash conditions, the washing process may be performed during a first outward journey in which the car wash machine 2 moves forward and the vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2, a first return journey in which the car wash machine 2 moves backward and the vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2, and a second outward journey in which the car wash machine 2 moves forward again and the vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2. Alternatively, the washing process may be performed during both the first outward journey and the first return journey.

[0041] The control unit 44 may appropriately vary the moving speed of the car wash machine main body 4 during the washing step S2 depending on the car wash conditions, and may also temporarily stop the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 as necessary.

[0042] Furthermore, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 forward and causes the sensor 52 to detect the vehicle X, thereby acquiring information about the outer shape of the vehicle X.

[0043] The control unit 44 may switch the supply of the cleaning liquid via the first path 61 to the supply of pure water via the second path 71 in the latter half of the cleaning step S2.

[0044] <Draining process> After the washing step S2, the car wash machine 2 executes a draining step S3 in which the cleaning liquid is drained. Specifically, the control unit 44 executes the draining step S3 by controlling each unit of the car wash machine main body 4. In the draining step S3, the control unit 44 controls the drive unit 4X to move the car wash machine main body 4 forward (backward) in the direction opposite to the forward direction, while controlling the blower 36 to blow air toward the vehicle X and drain the cleaning liquid from the surface of the vehicle X. If the washing step S2 has been performed up to any return path, such as the first return path or the second return path, in the draining step S3, the control unit 44 may move the car wash machine main body 4 forward (forward) in the forward direction, while controlling the blower 36 to drain the cleaning liquid. Furthermore, the draining step S3 may be executed while the car wash machine main body 4 moves between the return path and the forward path, or between the forward path and the return path.

[0045] In the water-draining step S3, the control unit 44 may adjust the distance between the blower 36 and the vehicle X based on information about the outer shape of the vehicle X from the sensor 52. The control unit 44 can estimate the height of the vehicle X for each position in a planar view from a change in the number of optical axis sensors that detect the vehicle X among the multi-axis optical axis sensors included in the sensor 52. The control unit 44 can adjust the distance between the blower 36 and the vehicle X based on the height of the vehicle X for each position in a planar view. For example, the control unit 44 may control the position of the blower 36 so that it is close to the vehicle X while maintaining a substantially constant distance. This makes it possible to maintain the strength of the air blown from the blower 36 toward the vehicle X, thereby more reliably draining the water. By improving the effect of draining the cleaning liquid, the generation of ion deposits can be significantly reduced.

[0046] Alternatively, when the blower 36 is fixed to the ceiling 10, the control unit 44 may adjust the air volume of the blower 36 in the water-draining step S3 according to the distance between the blower 36 and the vehicle X, based on information about the external shape of the vehicle X from the sensor 52. For example, the control unit 44 may increase the air volume of the blower 36 the greater the distance between the vehicle X and the blower 36, and decrease the air volume of the blower 36 the shorter the distance. This makes it possible to maintain the strength of the air blown from the blower 36 toward the vehicle X even when the blower 36 is fixed to the car wash machine main body 4, thereby more reliably draining the water. By improving the effect of draining the cleaning liquid, the generation of ion deposits can be significantly reduced.

[0047] Furthermore, in the water-draining step S3, the control unit 44 may control the blower 36 to temporarily stop moving or to move repeatedly at a predetermined designated portion of the vehicle X, based on information about the outer shape of the vehicle X from the sensor 52. The predetermined designated portion of the vehicle X may be a portion that has an area that is difficult for the air blown by the blower 36 to reach, such as a portion where a side mirror is attached, a portion where a wiper is attached, a boundary between the roof and the rear window, or a step between the back door and the bumper.

[0048] If vehicle X is a large vehicle, the predetermined designated portion of vehicle X may be a location where ion deposits are likely to be noticeable. For example, if vehicle X is a bus, the designated portion may be the door mirrors and window glass. If vehicle X is a truck, the designated portion may be the cabin including the door mirrors.

[0049] The sensor 52 can determine the position of the designated area in a plan view from a change in the number of optical axis sensors that detect vehicle X among the multi-axis optical axis sensors included in the sensor 52. For example, the control unit 44 may control the drive unit 4X to slow down the movement speed of the car wash machine main body 4 or to move the car wash machine main body 4 repeatedly while the blower 36 is draining water from the designated area. Alternatively, the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 may be temporarily stopped as needed. By controlling the draining of water intensively from the designated area, draining can be more reliably performed. By improving the draining effect of the cleaning solution, the generation of ion deposits can be significantly reduced.

[0050] During the draining process S3, the control unit 44 may replace the cleaning liquid in the path between the second tank 72 and the drainage path 23 with pure water by supplying pure water from the second tank 72 while discharging the cleaning liquid through the drainage path 23.

[0051] <Finishing cleaning process> After the water-draining step S3, the car wash machine 2 executes a finish washing step S4 in which pure water is used to perform a finish washing of the vehicle. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the second washing mechanism 70 and each part of the car wash machine main body 4 to execute the finish washing step S4. In the finish washing step S4, the control unit 44 controls the drive unit 4X of the car wash machine main body 4 to perform a finish washing by spraying pure water onto the vehicle X while moving the car wash machine main body 4 forward. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the second pump P2 to supply pure water to the car wash machine main body 4 via the second path 71 and spray the pure water onto the vehicle X via the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26.

[0052] <Drying process> After the finish washing step S4, the car wash machine 2 executes the drying step S5. Specifically, the drying step is executed by the control unit 44 controlling each part of the car wash machine main body 4. In the drying step S5, the control unit 44 may operate the blower 36 while moving the car wash machine main body 4 backward to blow air onto the vehicle X and dry the vehicle X.

[0053] 〔summary〕 (1) A car wash according to aspect 1 of the present disclosure comprises a car wash main body for washing a vehicle, a first washing mechanism for spraying a washing liquid, a second washing mechanism for spraying pure water having a lower electrical conductivity than the washing liquid, and a control unit for controlling each part of the car wash main body, the first washing mechanism, and the second washing mechanism, wherein the car wash main body comprises a blower for generating an airflow, and the control unit performs a car wash process including a washing step for controlling the first washing mechanism to wash the vehicle, a water draining step for controlling the blower to drain the washing liquid, and a finishing washing step for controlling the second washing mechanism to finish washing the vehicle.

[0054] By performing a water-draining process before the finish washing process using pure water, the amount of cleaning liquid used in the washing process remaining on the vehicle body surface is significantly reduced. Since the remaining cleaning liquid, which is the main cause of ion deposits, is reduced in the water-draining process, when the same amount of pure water is used in the finish washing process as in the conventional case, the amount of ion deposits can be significantly reduced compared to conventional pure water finishing car washes. In other words, the quality of the pure water finish can be improved. In addition, because the remaining cleaning liquid on the vehicle body surface is reduced in the water-draining process, there is also the effect of reducing the amount of pure water used in the finish washing process.

[0055] (2) The car wash machine according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure is the same as in aspect 1 above, but further includes a sensor that moves relative to the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction and acquires information about the vehicle's external shape, and the control unit controls the blower to temporarily stop moving or move repeatedly at a predetermined designated location of the vehicle based on the information from the sensor during the water-draining process.

[0056] This configuration can improve the effect of draining water from designated areas, such as areas that are difficult to reach with air from a blower, thereby improving the quality of the pure water cleaning.

[0057] (3) The car wash machine according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure is in aspect 1 or 2 above, and further includes a sensor that moves relative to the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction and acquires information about the vehicle's external shape, and the control unit adjusts the air volume of the blower in the water-draining process based on the information from the sensor and in accordance with the distance between the blower and the vehicle.

[0058] This configuration can improve the effect of draining in the draining step, thereby improving the quality of the pure water cleaning.

[0059] (4) In a car wash machine according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure, in any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, the nozzle that sprays the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning mechanism and the nozzle that sprays the pure water in the second cleaning mechanism are the same.

[0060] By using a common nozzle, the manufacturing cost of the car wash machine can be reduced, and the maintenance labor can also be reduced.

[0061] (5) A car wash machine according to aspect 5 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 4 above, wherein the blower includes a top air blowing nozzle that blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle and a side air blowing nozzle that blows air toward the side of the vehicle.

[0062] During the water-draining process, the top and side blower nozzles allow the air from the blower to be efficiently blown over the entire vehicle surface, improving the water-draining effect and the quality of the pure water washing.

[0063] (6) A car wash machine according to aspect 6 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 5 above, further comprising a sensor that moves relative to the vehicle in the fore-and-aft direction and acquires information about the vehicle's external shape, and the control unit adjusts the distance between the blower and the vehicle based on the information from the sensor during the water draining process.

[0064] This configuration can improve the effect of draining in the draining step, thereby improving the quality of the pure water cleaning.

[0065] (7) A car wash machine according to aspect 7 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 6 above, wherein the second cleaning mechanism is equipped with a pure water generating device that reduces the electrical conductivity of the liquid, and the pure water is water having a conductivity of 0 μS / cm or more and 6 μS / cm or less that is generated by the pure water generating device.

[0066] By performing the final cleaning using pure water with an electrical conductivity of 0 μS / cm or more and 6 μS / cm or less, ion deposits can be further reduced, further improving the quality of the pure water cleaning.

[0067] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 2...Car wash machine 4...Car wash machine body 4X... Drive unit 4Y...Cleaning department 24 No. 1 nozzle 26...Second nozzle 36···Blower 44 Control section 60 First cleaning mechanism 61···First Route 62···1st Tank 70 Second cleaning mechanism 71...Second Route 72...2nd Tank 73...Pure water generator

Claims

1. A car wash machine body for washing a vehicle; a first cleaning mechanism that sprays a cleaning liquid; a second cleaning mechanism that sprays pure water having a lower electrical conductivity than the cleaning liquid; a control unit that controls each of the car wash machine main body, the first washing mechanism, and the second washing mechanism, The car wash machine body is provided with a blower that generates an airflow, the control unit executes a car wash process including a washing step of controlling the first washing mechanism to wash the vehicle, a water draining step of controlling the blower to drain the washing liquid, and a finish washing step of controlling the second washing mechanism to finish washing the vehicle, a sensor that moves relatively in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and acquires information about the outer shape of the vehicle; The control unit adjusts the air volume of the blower in accordance with the distance between the blower and the vehicle based on the information from the sensor during the water draining process.

2. A car wash machine as described in Claim 1, wherein the control unit controls the blower to temporarily stop moving or move repeatedly at a predetermined designated part of the vehicle during the water draining process based on the information from the sensor.

3. A car wash machine as described in Claim 1, wherein the control unit adjusts the distance between the blower and the vehicle based on the information from the sensor during the water draining process.

4. A car wash machine body for washing a vehicle; a first cleaning mechanism that sprays a cleaning liquid; a second cleaning mechanism that sprays pure water having a lower electrical conductivity than the cleaning liquid; a control unit that controls each of the car wash machine main body, the first washing mechanism, and the second washing mechanism, The car wash machine body is provided with a blower that generates an airflow, the control unit executes a car wash process including a washing step of controlling the first washing mechanism to wash the vehicle, a draining step of controlling the blower to drain the washing liquid, and a finish washing step of controlling the second washing mechanism to finish washing the vehicle after the draining step, a nozzle for spraying the cleaning liquid in the first cleaning mechanism and a nozzle for spraying the pure water in the second cleaning mechanism are common, The control unit switches the supply of the cleaning liquid to the car wash machine body to the supply of pure water during the water draining process.

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