Car wash machine

Abstract

To more efficiently achieve both securing of a washing time of a lower surface of a vehicle and shortening of a total washing time of the vehicle, while reducing interference between a jet liquid from the lower surface side of the vehicle and blown air from a car washing machine body.SOLUTION: A car washing machine (2) includes a car washing machine body (4), a lower surface washing part (6), and a control part (44). The car washing machine body includes blast nozzles (38, 40) for blowing air to a vehicle (X), and the lower surface washing part includes a plurality of lower nozzles (46) for jetting a liquid to the lower surface of the vehicle. The control part controls the car washing machine body and the lower surface washing part so that a blowing object position and a jet object position in the vehicle are different in plan view, in at least a part of a period during which it allows the blast nozzles to blow air, and it allows the lower nozzle to jet a liquid.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a car wash for washing a vehicle. On the spot Regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses a car wash machine that includes a car wash machine body that moves relative to the vehicle to wash the vehicle, and a nozzle that is laid on the ground to wash the underside of the vehicle. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2019-217882 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] For example, to rinse the underside of a vehicle, When the car wash machine described in Patent Document 1 blows air onto a vehicle to dry it, if wash water is sprayed onto the underside of the part of the vehicle where air is being blown onto the vehicle, the wash water may get caught in the air current used for drying and wet the top and sides of the vehicle. To avoid this, it is necessary to stop spraying wash water onto the underside of the vehicle at that position before air blowing begins. ,car It is necessary to wait until spraying of cleaning water onto the underside of both vehicles is complete before blowing air onto the vehicle. Therefore, when the underside of a vehicle is rinsed and dried using the car wash machine described in Patent Document 1, the car wash time may become long. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A car wash according to one aspect of the present disclosure includes a car wash main body that washes a vehicle by moving relative to the vehicle in a longitudinal direction, an underside washing unit that sprays liquid onto the underside of the vehicle to clean the underside of the vehicle, and a control unit that controls the car wash main body and the underside washing unit, wherein the car wash main body includes an air blowing nozzle that blows air onto the vehicle, and the underside washing unit includes a plurality of lower nozzles that are laid on the ground within a range of movement of the car wash main body and spray the liquid onto the underside of the vehicle, cleaning the underside of the vehicle includes rinsing the underside of the vehicle; The control unit causes the blower nozzle to blow air, and Rinse the underside of the vehicle At least part of the period but , the above The duration and duration of blowing air from the blower nozzle The car wash machine main body and the underside cleaning unit are controlled so as to [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] Underside of vehicle Rinse and blow air for drying. While ,car Total washing time for both of shortening vinegar do. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are a schematic side view and a schematic front view showing a car wash machine according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic perspective side view showing a part of a lower surface cleaning unit according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] 2 is a schematic plan view of a vehicle and its surroundings, showing the positional relationship between a lower nozzle and the vehicle while the vehicle is being washed using the car wash machine according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 4] 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a car washing method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a Gantt chart showing a method of controlling each part of the washing unit and the underside washing unit of the car wash machine main body of the car wash machine according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 1A to 1C are plan views illustrating steps of an example of a car washing method according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 5 is another plan view showing the steps of the car washing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8]5 is another plan view showing the steps of the car washing method according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 9] 10 is a schematic perspective side view showing a part of a lower surface cleaning unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 10] 10 is a Gantt chart showing a method for controlling each part of the washing unit and the underside washing unit of the car wash machine main body of the car wash machine according to the second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] [Embodiment 1] <Car wash machine body> 1 is a schematic side view of a car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment and a schematic front view of a car wash machine main body 4 included in the car wash machine 2. However, in FIG. 1, a part of an underside cleaning unit 6 (described later) is shown through the ground G. Also, in FIG. 1, the outline of the vehicle X is shown by a dotted line to indicate that the vehicle X is located further back in the page than a remote panel 58 (described later).

[0009] As shown in Fig. 1, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment includes a car wash machine main body 4 that washes a vehicle X, which is a vehicle to be washed, and an underside cleaning unit 6. First, the car wash machine main body 4 will be described in detail below with reference to Fig. 1.

[0010] As shown in the schematic front view 4F of the car wash machine main body 4 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, shown in the schematic side view 2S of the car wash machine 2 in Fig. 1. In this specification, the approach direction DA is defined as the direction from the front to the back of the car wash machine main body 4.

[0011] The car wash machine main body 4 has, for example, wheels 12 at the bottom of each of the frames 8, and by rotating the wheels 12 using a drive unit (not shown), the car wash machine main body 4 moves in the front-to-rear direction relative to the vehicle X 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 washes the vehicle X in the space 4S while moving relative to the vehicle X.

[0012] The car wash machine main body 4 is provided with a plurality of rotating brushes that slide over and brush the vehicle X as one of the cleaning sections. For example, the rotating brushes provided in the car wash machine main body 4 include 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 moves along the top surface of the vehicle X and cleans the top surface of the vehicle X. The side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 clean both side surfaces of the vehicle X. In particular, the rocker brush 18 is disposed below the side brush 16 and cleans the lower side surfaces of the vehicle X.

[0013] A tank storage section 20 is arranged 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. Above the tank storage section 20, a distribution piping section 22 is provided that distributes water, including city water, or liquid agents from each liquid storage tank. A first water purification nozzle 24, a second water purification nozzle 26, a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water-repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34, which are included in the washing section, are each led out to the distribution piping section 22 via an electromagnetic valve (not shown).

[0014] The first water purification nozzle 24 and the second water purification nozzle 26 are arranged on the front and rear sides, respectively, of the car wash machine main body 4, and spray water including city water onto the vehicle X. The first detergent nozzle 28 and the second detergent nozzle 30 are arranged on the front and rear sides, respectively, of the car wash machine main body 4, and spray cleaning liquid including shampoo etc. onto the vehicle X. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 and the wax nozzle 34 are arranged on the rear surface of the car wash machine main body 4. The water-repellent coating nozzle 32 sprays a liquid water-repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 sprays wax onto the vehicle X.

[0015] The car wash machine main body 4 is also provided with a blower 36 that generates an air current to dry the vehicle X. A top air blowing nozzle 38 and a side air blowing nozzle 40 are connected to the blower 36 as air blowing nozzles. 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 dries the vehicle X after washing by blowing air from the top air blowing nozzle 38 and the side air blowing nozzle 40. Note that the car wash machine main body 4 may also blow air to the underside of the vehicle X by adjusting the position and air blowing angle of each air blowing nozzle to direct the air from each air blowing nozzle around to the underside of the vehicle X.

[0016] In addition, in the drawings of this specification, for simplicity of illustration, the illustration of each of the devices for washing the vehicle X that are provided in the car wash machine main body 4 as described above may be omitted. Furthermore, the devices provided in the car wash machine main body 4 shown in Fig. 1 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 that assist the washing, including conventionally known configurations, on the frame 8 or ceiling portion 10.

[0017] An operation panel 42 is arranged 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, and is operated by a user who has exited the vehicle X to accept the car wash or set the car wash conditions.

[0018] Furthermore, the car wash machine 2 is equipped with a control unit 44 that controls the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside washing unit 6, which will be described later. In particular, 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 car wash machine main body 4, thereby controlling the washing and drying of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4. Furthermore, the control unit 44 controls the operation of each part of the underside washing unit 6, which will be described later, thereby controlling the washing of the underside of the vehicle X by the underside washing unit 6.

[0019] 1, the control unit 44 may be provided in the car wash machine main body 4, or 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 or a remote panel 58 (described later) using a communication device (not shown) or the like, and control the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside cleaning unit 6. The control unit 44 is configured with a processor such as a CPU, for example, and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in memory on the processor.

[0020] <Underside cleaning section> Next, the underside cleaning unit 6 will be described in more detail with reference to Fig. 2 in addition to Fig. 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic side view showing part of the underside cleaning unit 6 according to this embodiment, seen through the ground. In Fig. 2, the various parts above the ground G, including the car wash machine main body 4 and the vehicle X, are not shown.

[0021] The underside cleaning unit 6 includes, for example, a plurality of lower nozzles 46, pipes 48 connecting to each of the lower nozzles 46, and a pump system 50. Each part of the underside cleaning unit 6 is buried underground in the car wash facility where the car wash machine main body 4 is located. However, each part of the underside cleaning unit 6 may be located above the ground G as long as it does not interfere with the movement of the vehicle X and the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4.

[0022] The lower nozzle 46 is a nozzle that sprays the liquid transported via the connected pipe 48 further upward from the ground G, for example, through an opening formed in the ground G. In particular, the lower nozzle 46 is laid on the ground G within the movement range of the car wash machine main body 4. In this embodiment, the underside cleaning unit 6 includes a first nozzle 46A, a second nozzle 46B, a third nozzle 46C, and a fourth nozzle 46D, each having a plurality of lower nozzles 46, as shown in the schematic side view 2S of FIG. 1 .

[0023] The first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, the third nozzle 46C, and the fourth nozzle 46D are arranged in this order from the front side in the approach direction DA. In other words, the lower nozzle 46 includes at least the first nozzle 46A located furthest forward in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle X, and the second nozzle 46B located rearward of the first nozzle 46A in the front-to-rear direction of the vehicle X.

[0024] The pipe 48 is a liquid flow path that transports liquid sent from a pump system 50 (described later) to each lower nozzle 46 and sprays it from each lower nozzle 46. The pipe 48 branches into a first pipe 48A, a second pipe 48B, a third pipe 48C, and a fourth pipe 48D, for example, inside the pump system 50. The first pipe 48A, for example, further branches and connects to each first nozzle 46A. The second to fourth pipes 48B to 48D also further branch and connect to each second to fourth nozzles 46B to 46D, respectively.

[0025] The pump system 50 includes a cleaning liquid tank 52, a pump 54, and a plurality of first valves 56. The cleaning liquid tank 52 is connected, for example, to one end of the pipe 48 opposite each of the lower nozzles 46 and stores cleaning liquid WL therein. The cleaning liquid WL may be, for example, city water or may contain a detergent. The pump 54 is a liquid pump that is formed, for example, from the cleaning liquid tank 52 to the branching portion of the pipe 48 and draws up the cleaning liquid WL from the cleaning liquid tank 52 and sends the cleaning liquid WL to each of the lower nozzles 46 via the pipe 48. The first valves 56 are formed in each of the first to fourth pipes 48A to 48D and restrict the flow of liquid in each pipe 48 by opening and closing.

[0026] For example, let us assume that, of the first valves 56, only the first valve 56 formed in the first pipe 48A is open, and the other first valves 56 are closed. In this case, as shown in Fig. 2, the cleaning liquid WL pumped up from the cleaning liquid tank 52 by the pump 54 is sprayed from each of the first nozzles 46A via the first pipe 48A.

[0027] The control unit 44 may operate the pump system 50 so that the pump 54 constantly delivers the cleaning liquid WL from the cleaning liquid tank 52 to each lower nozzle 46. In this case, the control unit 44 may control the opening and closing of each first valve 56 to select the lower nozzle 46 from which the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed and to control the timing at which the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed from the lower nozzle 46.

[0028] <Remote Panel> The car wash machine 2 may be equipped with a remote panel 58 that acquires the car wash conditions for the vehicle X to be washed by the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside cleaning unit 6. In Fig. 1, 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 58 in the plane of the page.

[0029] The remote panel 58 is located, for example, on the front side of the car wash machine main body 4, and is disposed approximately along the direction of movement of the car wash machine main body 4. As shown in Fig. 1, the remote panel 58 is disposed 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 interior of the car wash machine main body 4. For this reason, Fig. 1 illustrates the back surface of the remote panel 58.

[0030] 1, the remote panel 58 includes a housing 60 and a support column 62 that is erected on the ground G and supports the housing 60. The remote panel 58 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, buttons, or the like (not shown) that are provided on the housing 60. The control unit 44 may control the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside washing unit 6 to wash the vehicle X based on at least some of the car wash conditions acquired by the remote panel 58.

[0031] <Car wash method overview and reception process> A method for washing vehicle X using the car wash machine 2 will be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of the method for washing vehicle X using the car wash machine 2. In the car wash method according to this embodiment, first, as a reception process, the car wash machine 2 receives a request for washing from a user of vehicle X or the like (step S2). The reception for the car wash may be performed, for example, by the user operating the remote panel 58 or the operation panel 42 or the like to set the car wash conditions for vehicle X and pay the car wash fee.

[0032] <Relative position of the lower nozzle and the vehicle> After the reception for the car wash is completed, the vehicle X is washed by the car wash machine 2. In order to explain each of the subsequent steps in more detail, the relative positional relationship between the vehicle X and the lower nozzle 46 while the car wash machine 2 is washing the vehicle X will be explained with reference to FIG.

[0033] 4 is a plan view of the vehicle X and its surroundings while the vehicle X is being washed by the car wash machine 2. In order to clearly show the relative positions of the vehicle X and the lower nozzles 46, the car wash machine main body 4 is not shown in FIG. 4, and the lower nozzles 46 and the pipes 48 connected to the lower nozzles 46 are shown through the vehicle X.

[0034] As shown in Fig. 4, each lower nozzle 46 may be formed at a position overlapping with a pipe 48 in a plan view. In Fig. 4, the pipes 48 extending from each lower nozzle 46 are all extended to the left side in order to more clearly illustrate the pipes 48, but the layout of the pipes 48 is not limited to this. For example, the pipes 48 may be extended individually from each of the lower nozzles 46 on the left and right sides in the traveling direction DA.

[0035] For example, in step S2, after the setting of the washing conditions for vehicle X and the payment of the washing fee are completed, the car wash machine 2 may provide guidance to the driver of vehicle X to move vehicle X to a specified stopping position. The guidance provided by the car wash machine 2 may be provided by a speaker, a display, or the like provided on the car wash machine main body 4 or the remote panel 58.

[0036] A stop line SL, a left approach guide ALL, and a right approach guide ALR may be formed on the ground G within the car wash facility where the car wash machine main body 4 is placed, as guides for the stopping position of the vehicle X. The stop line SL is, for example, positioned forward of the first nozzle 46A in the approach direction DA and extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the approach direction DA. The left approach guide ALL and the right approach guide ALR extend, for example, substantially parallel to the approach direction DA and are formed at positions sandwiching each lower nozzle 46 in the left-right direction relative to the approach direction DA. For example, the car wash machine 2 may guide the driver of the vehicle X to stop the vehicle X before the stop line SL and between the left approach guide ALL and the right approach guide ALR.

[0037] Furthermore, the car wash machine 2 may be equipped with a sensor for detecting whether the position of vehicle X is within a specified stopping position. For example, the car wash machine 2 may detect the position of vehicle X using a vehicle shape detection sensor for detecting the shape of vehicle X. The vehicle shape detection sensor may be, for example, an area sensor consisting of multiple photoelectric sensors aligned in the vertical direction on the front side of the car wash machine main body 4. In this case, if the vehicle shape detection sensor cannot detect vehicle X during the reception process, the car wash machine main body 4 may determine that vehicle X is located behind the specified stopping position in the traveling direction DA.

[0038] Alternatively, the car wash machine 2 may be provided with a plurality of sensors (not shown) on the ground G within the car wash premises, and the parked position of the vehicle X may be detected by checking whether or not the sensors detect the vehicle X. Alternatively, the car wash machine 2 may further be provided with a sensor that is erected within the car wash premises separately from the car wash machine main body 4.

[0039] For example, the car wash machine 2 may use multiple sensors to detect the position of vehicle X and provide guidance to the vehicle X. For example, if the presence of vehicle X cannot be detected by one sensor, the car wash machine 2 may determine that vehicle X is located behind the specified stopping position in the traveling direction DA and provide guidance to the user to move vehicle X forward. Alternatively, if the presence of vehicle X is detected by another sensor, the car wash machine 2 may determine that vehicle X has gone too far forward in the traveling direction DA from the specified stopping position and provide guidance to the user to move vehicle X backward.

[0040] When vehicle X stops before stop line SL and between the left approach guide ALL and the right approach guide ALR, at least the first nozzle 46A overlaps with vehicle X in a plan view. In this embodiment, when vehicle X stops at the above-mentioned stop position, the first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, and the third nozzle 46C overlap with vehicle X in this order from the front side of vehicle X in a plan view. Note that the number of lower nozzles 46 overlapping with vehicle X may vary depending on the length of vehicle X, and for example, the fourth nozzle 46D may not overlap with vehicle X.

[0041] When the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 overlapping with the vehicle X in a plan view, the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed onto the underside of the vehicle X overlapping with the lower nozzle 46 in a plan view and its vicinity. In this way, the underside cleaning unit 6 cleans the underside of the vehicle X by spraying the cleaning liquid WL from the lower nozzle 46.

[0042] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 4, the underside of the vehicle X cleaned with the cleaning liquid WL from each of the first to third nozzles 46A-C are referred to as first to third undersides U1-U3, respectively. Furthermore, the regions overlapping with the first to third undersides U1-U3 in a plan view are referred to as first to third regions A1-A3, respectively. Furthermore, as shown in Fig. 4, of the surfaces excluding the underside of the vehicle X, the surfaces included in the first to third regions A1-A3 are referred to as first to third surfaces F1-F3, respectively. Therefore, the underside of the vehicle X has, in order from the front of the vehicle X, a first underside U1, a second underside U2, and a third underside U3, and the surfaces excluding the underside of the vehicle X have, in order from the front of the vehicle X, a first surface F1, a second surface F2, and a third surface F3.

[0043] <Processing in each process> Returning to FIG. 3, in the car wash method according to this embodiment, after the reception of the car wash request, the control unit 44 executes the first washing step through control of the car wash machine main body 4 (step S4). The first washing step may be executed, for example, when an area sensor (not shown) in the car wash area of ​​the car wash machine 2 confirms that the vehicle X has stopped at a stopping position. Each step of the car wash method according to this embodiment from the first washing step onwards will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 5 to 8.

[0044] 5 is a Gantt chart showing a control method for the car wash machine 2 from the first washing step onward, particularly a control method for the washing unit and air blowing nozzle of the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside washing unit 6. FIG. 5 illustrates the control method for the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment by showing the processes performed by each unit of the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment and the period during which these processes are performed. In FIG. 5, the horizontal axis represents time, and from left to right on the page represents time T0, when the first washing step (described below) starts, to time T3, when the drying step is completed. The hatched periods for each process in FIG. 5 are the periods during which the process is performed in this embodiment.

[0045] In Fig. 5, the "Process" column on the vertical axis represents the processes executed by each part of the car wash machine 2, in other words, it shows the control details of each part of the car wash machine 2. In the "Process" column of Fig. 5, "1st to 3rd Surface Cleaning" represents the cleaning process of the 1st to 3rd surfaces F1 to F3 by the cleaning part of the car wash machine main body 4, respectively. "1st to 3rd Surface Drying" represents the drying process of the 1st to 3rd surfaces F1 to F3 by blowing air from the car wash machine main body 4, respectively. "1st to 3rd Nozzle Cleaning Liquid Spraying" represents the cleaning process of the 1st to 3rd undersides U1 to U3 by spraying cleaning liquid WL from the 1st to 3rd nozzles 46A to 46C, respectively.

[0046] 6 to 8 are plan views showing the steps of the car washing method according to this embodiment from the first washing step onwards. In order to show the relative positions of the car wash machine main body 4, the lower nozzle 46, and the vehicle X in more detail, only the outline of the frame 8 and ceiling 10 of the car wash machine main body 4 is shown, with the lower nozzle 46 and the vehicle X shown in perspective. Furthermore, in order to simplify the illustrations, other members than the car wash machine main body 4, the lower nozzle 46, and the vehicle X are omitted from the illustrations in FIGS. 6 to 8.

[0047] <First cleaning process> As shown in step S4-2 of FIG. 6, at the start of the first washing step according to this embodiment, the car wash machine main body 4 is located on the front side of the vehicle X. During the first washing step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X in a first direction D1 shown in steps S4-2 and S4-4 of FIG. 6, in other words, from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle. In the first washing step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X, while causing the washing units to wash the surfaces of the vehicles X that overlap in a plan view. For example, the control unit 44 causes the car wash machine main body 4 to spray washing liquid from the nozzles described above and rotate each brush while abutting against the surface of the vehicle X, thereby causing the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the surface of the vehicle X.

[0048] In the first washing step, the car wash machine 2 may wash the vehicle X while detecting the shape of the vehicle X using the above-mentioned vehicle shape detection sensor. In this case, for example, the control unit 44 may check whether the vehicle X has been detected by the vehicle shape detection sensor while moving the car wash machine main body 4 in the first direction D1. The control unit 44 may then determine the shape of the vehicle X by linking the relative position of the car wash machine main body 4 with respect to the vehicle X and the position of the sensor where the detection of the vehicle X was confirmed. The control unit 44 may also wash the surface of the vehicle X by controlling the washing unit of the car wash machine main body 4 based on the determined shape of the vehicle X.

[0049] The first washing step is performed, for example, during a first period P1 from time T0 to time T1 shown in FIG. 5. As described above, during the first washing step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 in the first direction D1 while causing the washing unit of the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the surface of the vehicle X. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5, during the first period P1, the control unit 44 causes the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 in this order. The car wash machine main body 4 may wash the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 for, for example, 20 seconds each. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, during the first period P1, there may be a period during which the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 are washed simultaneously, and a period during which the second surface F2 and the third surface F3 are washed simultaneously, each lasting, for example, 5 seconds.

[0050] The first washing step is completed when the car wash machine main body 4 has completed washing of the third surface F3 and has moved to the rear side of the vehicle X, as shown in step S4-6 of Fig. 6. For example, the first washing step may be performed for a total of 50 seconds. Here, as shown in Fig. 5, spraying of the washing liquid WL from each lower nozzle 46 and washing of the underside of the vehicle X are not performed during the first period P1.

[0051] <Second cleaning process> Returning to FIG. 3, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, following the first washing step, the control unit 44 controls the car wash machine main body 4 to execute the second washing step (step S6). As shown in step S4-6 of FIG. 6, at the end of the first washing step, the car wash machine main body 4 is located on the rear side of the vehicle X. During the second washing step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X in a second direction D2 shown in steps S6-2 and S6-4 of FIG. 7, in other words, from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle. In the second washing step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X, while causing the washing units to clean the surfaces of the vehicle X that overlap in a plan view.

[0052] The second washing step is performed, for example, during a second period P2 from time T1 to time T2 shown in Fig. 5. As described above, during the second washing step, the control unit 44 causes the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the surface of the vehicle X while moving the car wash machine main body 4 in the second direction D2. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 5, during the second period P2, the control unit 44 causes the car wash machine main body 4 to wash the third surface F3, the second surface F2, and the first surface F1 in this order. Note that, as shown in Fig. 5, the second period P2 may also include a period during which the third surface F3 and the second surface F2 are washed simultaneously, and a period during which the second surface F2 and the first surface F1 are washed simultaneously.

[0053] The cleaning method and cleaning time for the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 in the second cleaning step may be the same as the cleaning method and cleaning time for the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 in the first cleaning step. For example, the control unit 44 may execute the second cleaning step by controlling the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 and the operation of each cleaning unit in the reverse order of the first cleaning step. Furthermore, the control unit 44 may wash the vehicle X in the second cleaning step using information about the shape of the vehicle X obtained in the first cleaning step.

[0054] The second washing step is completed when the car wash machine main body 4 has completed washing of the first surface F1 and has moved to the front side of the vehicle X, as shown in step S6-6 of Figure 7. For example, the second washing step may be performed for a total of 50 seconds.

[0055] <Bottom surface cleaning process> 3, following the first washing step, the control unit 44 controls the underside washing unit 6 in parallel with controlling the car wash machine main body 4 in the second washing step, thereby causing the control unit 44 to execute the underside washing step (step S8). The underside washing step may be started, for example, at time T1 when the second washing step starts.

[0056] In the underside washing process, first, the number of lower nozzles 46 to be used in the underside washing process is determined based on the length of the vehicle X. The length of the vehicle X may be calculated, for example, from information about the shape of the vehicle X obtained in the first washing process. As described above, the vehicle X overlaps at least the first nozzle 46A in a plan view and is located inside the specified parking position. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can determine the lower nozzles 46 that overlap the vehicle X in a plan view from the length of the vehicle X. By not using a lower nozzle 46 that does not overlap the vehicle X in a plan view, the car wash machine 2 can spray liquid from that lower nozzle 46, thereby preventing the liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 from splashing around without coming into contact with the vehicle X. In this embodiment, a case is shown in which the car wash machine 2 determines that the lower nozzle 46 is one in which the first to third nozzles 46A to 46C overlap the vehicle X in a plan view.

[0057] 5, the control unit 44 causes the first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, and the third nozzle 46C to spray the cleaning liquid WL in this order. Therefore, in the lower surface cleaning step, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 6 to clean the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 in this order.

[0058] 5, in the lower surface cleaning step, a set of processes may be performed in which the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 are each cleaned once, and the set of processes may be performed consecutively a total of three times. For example, in each of the set of processes, cleaning of the first lower surface U1 may be performed for 5 seconds, cleaning of the second lower surface U2 may be performed for 10 seconds, and cleaning of the third lower surface U3 may be performed for 5 seconds.

[0059] In this case, the above set of processes is performed for a total of 20 seconds, so the lower surface cleaning process is performed for a total of 60 seconds. If the second cleaning process is performed for a total of 50 seconds as described above, the lower surface cleaning process is also performed after time T2, which is the end time of the second period P2, as shown in FIG.

[0060] <Drying process> Returning to FIG. 3, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, following the second washing step, the control unit 44 controls the car wash machine main body 4 to execute the drying step (step S10). As shown in step S6-6 of FIG. 7, at the end of the second washing step, the car wash machine main body 4 is located on the front side of the vehicle X. During the drying step, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X in the first direction D1 shown in steps S10-2 and S10-4 of FIG. 8. In the drying step, the control unit 4 moves the car wash machine main body 4 relative to the vehicle X while operating the blower 36 to blow air from each blower nozzle toward the surface of the vehicle X, thereby causing the car wash machine main body 4 to dry the vehicle X.

[0061] The drying process is performed, for example, during a third period P3 from time T2 to time T3 shown in FIG. 5. As described above, during the drying process, the control unit 44 dries the vehicle X while moving the car wash machine main body 4 in the first direction D1. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 5, during the third period P3, the control unit 44 dries the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 of the car wash machine main body 4 in this order. However, during the third period P3, the control unit 44 may also dry the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 of the car wash machine main body 4 in this order. Note that, as shown in FIG. 5, during the third period P3, there may be a period in which the first surface F1 and the second surface F2 are dried simultaneously, and a period in which the second surface F2 and the third surface F3 are dried simultaneously.

[0062] The movement of the car wash machine main body 4 in the drying step may be performed in the same manner as the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 in the first washing step. In this case, the drying times of the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 in the drying step may be the same as the washing times of the first surface F1, the second surface F2, and the third surface F3 in the first washing step, respectively.

[0063] The drying process is completed when the car wash machine main body 4 has completed drying of the third surface F3 and has moved to the rear side of the vehicle X, as shown in step S10-6 of FIG. 8. For example, the drying process may be performed for a total of 50 seconds. Upon completion of the drying process, control of the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment is completed, and washing of the vehicle X is completed. Note that in this embodiment, the underside washing process is also completed by the time the drying process is completed.

[0064] The control unit 44 controls the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside cleaning unit 6 in accordance with the control method of each unit of the car wash machine 2 shown in Fig. 5, thereby realizing the above-described method of washing the vehicle X by the car wash machine 2. The control method of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 44 may be determined in accordance with the car wash conditions, including the car wash conditions for the vehicle X, acquired in the reception process, for example.

[0065] For example, the control unit 44 may control the movement of the car wash machine main body 4 and the operation of each part of the car wash machine main body 4 so that the car wash and drying of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4 is performed as shown in Fig. 5. Furthermore, the control unit 44 may control the opening and closing of each first valve 56 so that the spraying of the cleaning liquid WL from each lower nozzle 46 is performed as shown in Fig. 5.

[0066] <Overlapping period> In this embodiment, the lower surface cleaning process is performed not only during the second cleaning process but also after time T2 when the second cleaning process is completed, and the drying process starts at time T2 following the second cleaning process. Therefore, in this embodiment, the control unit 44 simultaneously performs the lower surface cleaning process and the drying process, thereby performing the air blowing and spraying process in which the control unit 44 blows air from the air blowing nozzle and sprays liquid from the lower nozzle 46. The air blowing and spraying process is performed during the overlap period DP, which is from time T2 until the completion of the lower surface cleaning process, as shown in FIG. 5.

[0067] During the overlap period DP, as can be seen from Fig. 5, the first surface F1 is dried. Also, during the overlap period DP, as can be seen from Fig. 5, the second nozzle 46B and the third nozzle 46C spray the cleaning liquid WL, but the first nozzle 46A does not spray the cleaning liquid WL. In other words, during the overlap period DP, the second lower surface U2 and the third lower surface U3 are cleaned, but the first lower surface U1 is not cleaned.

[0068] In particular, in this embodiment, cleaning of the first lower surface U1 is completely completed by time T2 when the drying process starts. In other words, during the drying process, while the car wash machine body 4 moves in the first direction D1, spraying of the cleaning liquid WL from at least the first nozzle 46A of the lower nozzles 46 is stopped.

[0069] Therefore, during the overlap period DP, the target positions to which the air blowing nozzle of the car wash machine main body 4 blows air are the first front surface F1 and the first lower surface U1. Also, during the overlap period DP, the target positions to which the lower nozzle 46 sprays the cleaning liquid WL are the second lower surface U2 and the third lower surface U3. In other words, in this embodiment, during at least a part of the overlap period DP, which is the period during which the air blowing nozzle of the car wash machine main body blows air and the lower nozzle 46 sprays, the target positions to which the air blowing and the spraying are performed on the vehicle X are different in a plan view.

[0070] For this reason, although the car wash machine 2 performs the underside washing process during part of the drying process, it is possible to reduce interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can simultaneously reduce the extension of the washing time of the vehicle X and extend the washing time of the underside of the vehicle X while reducing interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X.

[0071] <Addendum> In the drying process according to this embodiment, the car wash machine main body 4 dries the vehicle X from the front side to the rear side of the vehicle X. In addition, spraying from the first nozzle 46A, which is located furthest forward of the vehicle X among the lower nozzles 46, is stopped. Therefore, when drying of the vehicle X is performed from the front side of the vehicle X as in this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 can more reliably reduce interference between washing the underside of the vehicle X and drying of the vehicle X from the start of the drying process.

[0072] In the car washing method according to this embodiment, the underside washing process is also performed while the second washing process is being performed. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can further extend the washing time for the underside of the vehicle X while reducing the extension of the washing time for the vehicle X. Note that even if the washing position for the underside of the vehicle X and the washing position for the surface excluding the underside of the vehicle X overlap in plan view, the influence of each on the washing is small.

[0073] In particular, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, the underside washing process is performed across time T2, when the process transitions from the second washing process to the drying process. In other words, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, the underside washing process is performed between a certain point in the second period P2 and a certain point in the third period P3. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 does not stop washing the underside of the vehicle X even during the transition from the second washing process to the drying process, and therefore the washing time of the underside of the vehicle X can be further extended.

[0074] 5, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, there is an independent period IP in the second washing step in which washing of the first to third undersides U1 of the vehicle X is performed independently from washing of the surfaces of the vehicle X that overlap with each underside in a plan view. In other words, in the independent period IP in the second washing step, the target positions to be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 and the target positions to be washed by the car wash machine main body 4 are different.

[0075] For this reason, during the independent period IP, the underside of any one of the first to third undersides U1 to U3 is performed, and the surface of the vehicle X that overlaps with that underside in a plan view is not washed by the car wash machine main body 4. In this case, there is an increased probability that the sound or vibration, etc. generated when the washing liquid WL is sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 onto that underside will be transmitted to the user inside the vehicle X without being affected by the sound or vibration, etc. generated by the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine main body 4.

[0076] Therefore, during the independent period IP, the user inside the vehicle X can more easily sense that the cleaning fluid WL is being sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 onto the underside of the vehicle X. Therefore, by providing the independent period IP, the car wash machine 2 can give the user inside the vehicle X a stronger sense that the underside of the vehicle X is being cleaned.

[0077] 5, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, there is also an independent period IP in the drying process in which the washing of the first to third undersides U1 of the vehicle X is carried out independently of the drying of the surfaces of the vehicle X that overlap with each underside in a plan view. Therefore, even in the independent period IP in the drying process, the car wash machine 2 can give the user inside the vehicle X a stronger sense that the underside of the vehicle X is being washed.

[0078] For example, suppose that when accepting vehicle X at car wash machine 2, the user adds an option to wash the underside of vehicle X. In this case, car wash machine 2 gives the user a stronger sense that the underside of vehicle X is being washed, and the user is more likely to realize the result of adding the option, that the underside of vehicle X has been washed. Therefore, for example, car wash machine 2 can give the user a stronger desire to add the option the next time they use car wash machine 2.

[0079] In addition, in this embodiment, the spray time of the cleaning liquid WL from the lower nozzle 46 onto the second lower surface U2 is longer than the spray time of the cleaning liquid WL from the lower nozzle 46 onto each of the first lower surface U1 and the third lower surface U3. In other words, in this embodiment, the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed for a longer period onto the central portion of the underside of the vehicle X compared to the end portions in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X.

[0080] Generally, the central part of the underside of the vehicle X is more likely to get dirty and has more mechanisms to be cleaned than the ends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X. Furthermore, when the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 to the central part of the underside of the vehicle X, the user inside the vehicle X is more likely to feel the sound or vibration caused when the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed onto the underside of the vehicle X than when the cleaning liquid WL is sprayed onto the ends in the front-rear direction of the vehicle X. Therefore, the above configuration can more appropriately clean the underside of the vehicle X, and can give the user inside the vehicle X a stronger sense that the underside of the vehicle X is being cleaned.

[0081] As described above, the spraying of the cleaning liquid WL from each lower nozzle 46 in the underside washing process is performed intermittently. This allows the user inside the vehicle X to feel that the underside is being washed multiple times by the lower nozzles 46. Therefore, with the above configuration, the car wash machine 2 can give the user inside the vehicle X a stronger feeling that the underside of the vehicle X is being washed by the lower nozzles 46.

[0082] In this embodiment, as long as the overlap period DP described above is provided and the air blowing target position and the spraying target position are different in plan view during the overlap period DP, the method of washing the vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 is not limited to the above-described method. For example, in this embodiment, the moving direction of the car wash machine main body 4 in the drying process may be either the front or rear direction of the vehicle X.

[0083] Also, for example, the cleaning liquid WL may be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 during at least a portion of the drying process, and the spraying of the cleaning liquid WL from each lower nozzle 46 may be stopped from the time when the lower nozzle 46 overlaps with the car wash machine main body 4 in a plan view until the end of the drying process. With the above configuration, the car wash machine 2 can more thoroughly wash the underside of the vehicle X while reducing interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X.

[0084] Furthermore, the number of lower nozzles 46 used in the underside washing process may be changed as appropriate depending on the length of the vehicle X. For example, if the length of the vehicle X is longer and the vehicle X overlaps with the fourth nozzle 46D in a plan view while the car wash machine 2 is washing the vehicle X, a period during which the washing liquid WL is sprayed from the fourth nozzle 46D may be further provided in the underside washing process. Also, for example, if the length of the vehicle X is shorter and the vehicle X does not overlap with the third nozzle 46C in a plan view while the car wash machine 2 is washing the vehicle X, spraying of the washing liquid WL from the third nozzle 46C may be omitted in the underside washing process.

[0085] In this embodiment, when the first valves 56 are opened, only one of the first valves 56 is opened, and therefore the cleaning liquid is sprayed from only one of the first to fourth nozzles 46A to D. However, this is not limiting, and multiple first valves 56 may be opened simultaneously, in other words, the cleaning liquid may be sprayed from two or more of the first to fourth nozzles 46A to D.

[0086] In this embodiment, the first nozzle 46A of the lower nozzles 46 is disposed at a position overlapping in a plan view with the first lower surface U1, which is located at the frontmost position of the underside of the vehicle X from the first cleaning process onwards, but is not limited to this. For example, from the first cleaning process onwards, the first nozzle 46A may overlap in a plan view with the third lower surface U3, which is located at the rearmost position of the underside of the vehicle X. In other words, of the lower nozzles 46 that overlap with the vehicle X in a plan view during the drying process, the first nozzle 46A is located at the end-most position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle X. Therefore, of the lower nozzles 46 that overlap with the vehicle X in a plan view during the drying process, the second nozzle 46B is located closer to the center in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle X than the first nozzle 46A.

[0087] When the first nozzle 46A is located at the rearmost position on the underside of the vehicle X, during the drying process, the car wash machine main body 4 may move from the rear side to the front side of the vehicle X while blowing air from the blowing nozzle to the vehicle X. Even in this case, by stopping the spraying of the cleaning liquid WL by at least the first nozzle 46A during the drying process, it is possible to more reliably reduce interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X from the start of the drying process.

[0088] [Embodiment 2] <Rust inhibitor spraying mechanism> Next, a description will be given of a car wash machine 2 according to another embodiment and a method for washing a vehicle X using the car wash machine 2. The car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment differs in configuration from the car wash machine 2 according to the previous embodiment only in that it includes an underside washing unit 64 instead of the underside washing unit 6.

[0089] Fig. 9 is a schematic side view showing part of the underside cleaning unit 64 according to this embodiment seen through the ground. Fig. 9 shows the same position as part of the underside cleaning unit 6 shown in Fig. 2, and does not show parts above the ground G, including the car wash machine main body 4 and the vehicle X.

[0090] The underside cleaning unit 64 according to this embodiment differs in configuration from the underside cleaning unit 6 according to the previous embodiment only in that it includes a pump system 66 instead of the pump system 50 according to the previous embodiment. Compared to the pump system 50 according to the previous embodiment, the pump system 66 according to this embodiment further includes an anticorrosive liquid tank 68 and a second valve 70.

[0091] The antirust liquid tank 68 may have the same configuration as the cleaning liquid tank 52 according to the previous embodiment, except that the liquid stored therein is changed from the cleaning liquid WL to the antirust liquid RP. The material contained in the antirust liquid RP may be any conventionally known material used for rust prevention, as long as it is capable of imparting antirust properties to the components onto which it is sprayed, such as a material that is resistant to oxidation or a material that forms a passivation state upon oxidation. Inside the pump system 66, the pipe 48 further branches off between the cleaning liquid tank 52 and the pump 54 and also connects to the antirust liquid tank 68.

[0092] A second valve 70 is formed in each of the pipes 48 connecting to each tank. The control unit 44 controls the opening and closing of the second valves 70 to switch the liquid to be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 between the cleaning liquid WL and the rust-preventive liquid RP. In other words, the control unit 44 causes the lower nozzle 46 to spray the cleaning liquid WL and the rust-preventive liquid RP in a switchable manner. Note that, in order to reduce mixing of different liquids in the pipes 48 from each tank of the pump system 66 to the lower nozzle 46, the pump 54 may have a function of drawing the liquid in the pipes 48 back to one of the tanks of the pump system 66.

[0093] For example, let us assume that, of the first valves 56, only the first valve 56 formed in the first pipe 48A is open, and the other first valves 56 are closed. In addition, let us assume that, of the second valves 70, only the one on the anti-rust liquid tank 68 side is open, and the one on the cleaning liquid tank 52 side is closed. In this case, as shown in FIG. 9 , the anti-rust liquid RP pumped up from the anti-rust liquid tank 68 by the pump 54 is sprayed from each of the first nozzles 46A via the first pipe 48A. By causing the anti-rust liquid RP sprayed from the lower nozzles 46 to adhere to the underside of the vehicle X, the underside cleaning unit 64 can perform anti-rust treatment on the underside of the vehicle X.

[0094] Except for the above, the pump system 66 according to this embodiment has the same configuration as the pump system 50 according to the previous embodiment.

[0095] <Other car washing methods> The method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment may be executed according to the flowchart shown in Fig. 3, as with the method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to the previous embodiment. The method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment differs from the method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to the previous embodiment only in the control content of the underside washing unit 64 in the underside washing process. In other words, in the method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment, first, the vehicle is accepted for washing in the same manner as step S2 of the method for washing vehicle X by the car wash machine 2 according to the previous embodiment.

[0096] In the car washing method according to this embodiment, after receiving a request for car washing, the first washing step, the second washing step, and the drying step are carried out in this order using the same methods as steps S4, S6, and S10 in the previous embodiment. Furthermore, in the car washing method according to this embodiment, the underside washing step is carried out in parallel with the second washing step and the drying step. In this embodiment, too, after the first washing step, the vehicle X is assumed to be stopped at the stopping position shown in FIG. 4.

[0097] The car wash method according to this embodiment is realized by the same method as the car wash method according to the previous embodiment, except for the control method of the car wash machine 2 from the first washing step onwards. The control method of the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment from the first washing step onwards will be described in more detail with reference to FIG.

[0098] FIG. 10 is a Gantt chart showing a control method for the car wash machine 2 from the first washing step onward, particularly a control method for the washing unit and air blowing nozzle of the car wash machine main body 4 and the underside washing unit 6. FIG. 10 illustrates the control method for the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment by showing the processes performed by each unit of the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment and the period during which these processes are performed. As with FIG. 5, in FIG. 10, the horizontal axis represents time, and from left to right on the page it represents time T0, when the first washing step starts, to time T3, when the drying step is completed. The hatched period for each process in FIG. 10 is the period during which this process is performed in this embodiment.

[0099] Among the "Processing" columns on the vertical axis shown in Fig. 10, those that are the same as the "Processing" columns shown in Fig. 5 indicate the same processing as that explained in Fig. 5. In other words, among the "Processing" columns on the vertical axis shown in Fig. 10, those that are the same as the "Processing" columns shown in Fig. 5 indicate that the content of control of each part of the car wash machine 2 is the same.

[0100] 10, "liquid type change" indicates a process of switching between the cleaning liquid WL and the antirust liquid RP as the liquid to be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46. "First to third nozzles spraying antirust liquid" indicates a rust prevention process of the first to third lower surfaces U1 to U3 by spraying the antirust liquid RP from the first to third nozzles 46A to 46C, respectively.

[0101] 10, the control of the car wash machine main body 4 by the control unit 44 from the first period P1 to the third period P3 is executed by the same control method as in the previous embodiment. In this embodiment, only the control method of the underside cleaning unit 64 by the control unit 44 after time T1 is different from the previous embodiment.

[0102] 10 , the control unit 44 causes the first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, and the third nozzle 46C to spray the cleaning liquid WL in this order, starting from time T1. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 6 to clean the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 in this order, starting from time T1. For example, according to this embodiment, the first cleaning of the first lower surface U1 may be performed for 5 seconds, the first cleaning of the second lower surface U2 may be performed for 10 seconds, and the first cleaning of the third lower surface U3 may be performed for 5 seconds.

[0103] In this embodiment, after the first cleaning of the third lower surface U3, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 64 to execute a liquid type change process, which changes the liquid to be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 from the cleaning liquid WL to the rust-preventive liquid RP, as shown in FIG. 10 . For example, in the first liquid type change process, the control unit 44 controls the pump 54 to temporarily return the cleaning liquid WL in the pipe 48 to the cleaning liquid tank 52. Next, the control unit 44 controls the opening and closing of the second valve 70 and the operation of the pump 54 to discharge the rust-preventive liquid RP into the pipe 48. In this way, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 64 to change the liquid to be sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 from the cleaning liquid WL to the rust-preventive liquid RP while reducing mixing of the cleaning liquid WL and the rust-preventive liquid RP in the pipe 48. The liquid type change process may be executed for, for example, five seconds.

[0104] 10, following the initial change of liquid type, the control unit 44 causes the first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, and the third nozzle 46C to spray the rust-preventive liquid RP in this order. Therefore, in this embodiment, following the process of changing the liquid type, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 6 to perform rust-preventive treatment on the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 in this order. For example, the rust-preventive treatment on the first lower surface U1, the second lower surface U2, and the third lower surface U3 according to this embodiment may each be performed for five seconds.

[0105] 10, after the rust prevention treatment of the third lower surface U3, the control unit 44 causes the lower surface cleaning unit 6 to perform a second liquid type change process, in which the liquid to be sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 is changed from the rust prevention liquid RP to the cleaning liquid WL. The control of the lower surface cleaning unit 6 by the control unit 44 may be realized by executing the control of the lower surface cleaning unit 6 in the reverse order of the control performed during the first liquid type change process. The second liquid type change process may also be performed for, for example, five seconds.

[0106] 10, after the second change in the type of liquid, the control unit 44 causes the first nozzle 46A, the second nozzle 46B, and the third nozzle 46C to spray the cleaning liquid WL in this order. Therefore, after the second change in the type of liquid, the control unit 44 causes the first underside U1, the second underside U2, and the third underside U3 to be cleaned again in this order. For example, the second cleaning of the first underside U1, the second underside U2, and the third underside U3 according to this embodiment may be performed for 5 seconds each. Upon completion of the second cleaning process of the underside of the vehicle X, the underside cleaning process according to this embodiment is completed.

[0107] <Effects of the car wash according to other embodiments> In this embodiment, the underside washing process is also performed during the second washing process, and also after time T2 when the second washing process is completed, and the drying process starts at time T2 following the second washing process. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 10, the car washing method according to this embodiment also has an overlapping period DP in which the underside washing process and the drying process are performed simultaneously. In this embodiment, too, spraying of the washing liquid WL onto the first underside U1 is completed at time T2, which is the start time of the overlapping period DP. Therefore, in this embodiment, too, the air blowing target position of the car wash machine main body 4 on the vehicle X and the spraying target position of the lower nozzle 46 are different in plan view during the overlapping period DP.

[0108] For this reason, although the car wash machine 2 performs the underside washing process during part of the drying process, it is possible to reduce interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can simultaneously reduce the extension of the washing time of the vehicle X and extend the washing time of the underside of the vehicle X while reducing interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X.

[0109] In this embodiment as well, there is an independent period IP during which the target positions to which the cleaning liquid WL or anti-rust liquid RP is sprayed from each lower nozzle 46 differ from the target positions to be washed or dried by the car wash machine main body 4. Therefore, in this embodiment as well, during the independent period IP, the user inside the vehicle X can more easily sense that the cleaning liquid WL or anti-rust liquid RP is being sprayed from the lower nozzles 46 onto the underside of the vehicle X. Therefore, by providing the independent period IP, the car wash machine 2 can give the user inside the vehicle X the sense that the underside of the vehicle X is being washed or that a rust prevention treatment is being performed on that underside.

[0110] In this embodiment, in the underside washing process, rust prevention liquid RP is sprayed onto the underside of the vehicle X, thereby performing rust prevention treatment on the underside. Here, in this embodiment, washing of the underside is performed prior to rust prevention treatment of the underside of the vehicle X. As a result, the car wash machine 2 can perform rust prevention treatment on the underside of the vehicle X after cleaning foreign matter and the like adhering to the underside of the vehicle X, thereby further enhancing the rust prevention effect on the underside. Also, in this embodiment, washing of the underside is performed after rust prevention treatment of the underside of the vehicle X. As a result, the car wash machine 2 can perform a rinsing treatment on the underside of the vehicle X onto which the rust prevention liquid RP has been sprayed.

[0111] 10, in this embodiment, the rinsing process of the underside of the vehicle X after the rust preventive liquid RP has been sprayed onto the underside of the vehicle X is also performed sequentially, starting with the first underside U1 on the front side of the vehicle X. For this reason, as shown in FIG. 10, during the overlap period DP, the rinsing process of the first underside U1 has already been completed, and spraying of the cleaning liquid WL onto the first underside U1 is not performed. Therefore, for the same reasons as those described in the previous embodiment, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment can more reliably reduce interference between the washing of the underside of the vehicle X and the drying of the vehicle X.

[0112] The underside washing unit 64 according to this embodiment can switch the liquid sprayed from the lower nozzle 46 between the washing liquid WL and the rust prevention liquid RP by controlling the opening and closing of the second valve 70. As a result, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment can achieve the above-mentioned first washing process, rust prevention process, and second washing process for the underside of the vehicle X with simpler control of the underside washing unit 64.

[0113] 10, after the rust prevention treatment of the underside of the vehicle X is completed, an overlap period DP exists during part of the period during which the second cleaning treatment of the underside is being performed. In other words, during the drying process according to this embodiment, spraying of the rust prevention liquid from the lower nozzle 46 is stopped. Therefore, the car wash machine 2 can more reliably reduce adhesion of the rust prevention liquid RP to the surface of the vehicle X due to the air blown by the car wash machine main body 4, which leads to prevention of contamination of the vehicle X.

[0114] The present disclosure 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 disclosure. [Explanation of symbols]

[0115] 2 car wash machine 4 Car wash machine body 6, 64 Underside cleaning section 38 Top air blower nozzle 40 Side blower nozzle 44 Control Unit 46 Lower Nozzle WL cleaning solution RP Rust Prevention Liquid

Claims

[Claim 1] a car wash machine body that washes a vehicle by moving relative to the vehicle in a front-to-rear direction; an underside cleaning unit that sprays a liquid onto the underside of the vehicle to clean the underside of the vehicle; a control unit that controls the car wash machine main body and the underside cleaning unit, The car wash machine body includes an air blowing nozzle that blows air onto the vehicle, the underside cleaning unit is laid on the ground within a range of movement of the car wash machine body and includes a plurality of lower nozzles that spray the liquid onto the underside of the vehicle; washing the underside of the vehicle includes rinsing the underside of the vehicle, wherein the liquid sprayed onto the underside of the vehicle is city water; The control unit controls the car wash machine main body and the underside cleaning unit to blow air through the air blowing nozzle and so that at least a portion of the period for rinsing the underside of the vehicle overlaps with the period for blowing air through the air blowing nozzle.

Images