Drive-through car wash

Abstract

To provide a drive-through type car washing machine which enhances a degree of freedom of design and layout of a second signal lamp and reduces cost while sufficiently securing visibility of both a first signal lamp for guiding an automobile to a start position before start of car washing and the second signal lamp of promoting a driver of the washed automobile to exit by independently arranging the first signal lamp and the second signal lamp inside and outside a portal frame.SOLUTION: A lifting body Nt liftable in a portal frame 1 is arranged closer to a frame outlet 1o side than an intermediate point between one end face and the other end face of the portal frame. A first signal lamp L1 for issuing to a driver guide information for guiding an automobile V to a start position V2 in the state where the portal frame stands by at a predetermined car washing start position 1S is supported by the lifting body Nt, and a second signal lamp L2 for promoting the driver of the washed automobile V to exit is arranged on a ground surface E positioned on the outside of an end face 1eo on the side of a frame outlet 1o of the portal frame 1 during stand-by at the car washing start position 1S.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a car wash machine, particularly a drive-through car wash machine, which includes a portal frame that can straddle a vehicle and travel back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction, and car wash equipment that is attached to the portal frame and used to wash the surface of the vehicle as it travels, and the car wash begins when the vehicle moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position opposite a frame entrance that opens on one end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction, and after the car wash is completed, the vehicle moves forward and exits, away from a frame exit that opens on the other end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction. [Background technology]

[0002] In conventional drive-through car washes, a signal light unit that combines a first signal light that guides the car to enter the starting position before the wash begins and a second signal light that prompts the car to exit after the wash is completed is known to be installed on the ground outside the frame exit of the gate-shaped frame when the car is in the starting position for the wash (see, for example, Patent Document 1 below).In this machine, the signal light unit is configured to be movable so as not to interfere with the car exiting.

[0003] There is also known a mobile car wash machine in which a signal light that guides a car to approach a starting position before the car wash begins is supported on a top nozzle within a portal frame (see, for example, Patent Document 2 below). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6459890 [Patent Document 2] Patent No. 3546218 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in the drive-through car wash of Patent Document 1, the signal light unit is installed on the ground outward from the frame exit of the portal frame, so that drivers of cars moving toward the starting position can see the distant signal light unit (first signal light) through the portal frame, and this signal light unit is positioned to one side of the exit path so as not to obstruct the exit of cars after washing, resulting in poor visibility. To solve this problem, for example, if the signal light unit is positioned closer to the inside (i.e., on the exit path side) so that it is easier for drivers to see, this would result in the problem of the exit path becoming narrower, and if the signal light unit were made movable so that it could be easily moved out of the way of cars, this would result in problems such as increased costs.

[0006] Furthermore, in general, in drive-through car washes, the end position of the car wash on the portal frame is set behind the car to make it easier for the car to exit after washing. For this reason, if the signal light support structure using a top nozzle as in Patent Document 2 were applied to the drive-through car wash of Patent Document 1 and the signal light unit were supported on the top nozzle, the signal light unit on the top nozzle would not be visible to the driver inside the car when the car wash was finished, making it difficult to encourage the driver to exit the car.

[0007] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and aims to provide a drive-through car wash machine that has a simple structure and can solve at least one of the above problems of conventional car wash machines. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for washing a vehicle comprising: a portal frame capable of straddling an automobile and traveling back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the automobile; and a car washing device provided on the portal frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as the automobile travels; the car washing is started when the automobile moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position opposite a frame entrance that opens on one end face of the portal frame in the longitudinal direction; but end The portal frame then reaches the end of the car wash behind the car. After 、In a drive-through car wash in which an automobile exits by moving forward so as to move away from a frame outlet that opens on the other end surface of the portal frame in the front-rear direction, a portion of the frame outlet side from the midpoint between the one end surface and the other end surface for, The two longitudinal ends are placed opposite the left and right sides of the gate-shaped frame, A lifting body that can be raised and lowered within the portal frame Distributed The elevator is provided with a first signal light that issues guidance information to the driver of a car to guide the car moving forward to the start position when the portal frame is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position. The horizontally long signal light body is fixed so as to be offset to one side in the left-right direction of the lifting body, on the side where most of the driver's seats of the automobiles facing the portal frame waiting at the car wash start position are located. and a ground surface located on the outer side of the other end surface of the portal frame waiting at the car wash start position is provided with a warning sign for the driver of the car whose car wash has been completed to leave the car. A fixed structure that emits guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light The second signal light , so as not to exceed the width of the frame exit and enter the exit road of the car. Arranged The system further includes a reception machine capable of receiving a reception operation input for car wash reception, and a control device for controlling the elevation of the lifting body, and when the reception machine confirms the reception operation input while the portal frame is waiting, the control device lowers the lifting body to a predetermined height that makes the first signal light easily visible. This is the first feature. In the present invention, the term "fixed structure" refers to a structure in which the positions of the components constituting the structure are fixed and the structure does not have any movable parts.

[0009] The present invention also provides a method for washing a vehicle comprising: a portal frame capable of straddling an automobile and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the automobile; and a car washing device attached to the portal frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as the automobile travels; the car washing is started when the automobile moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position opposite a frame entrance that opens on one end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction; but end The portal frame then reaches the end of the car wash behind the car. After 、 A drive-through car wash in which a car exits by moving forward and away from a frame exit that opens on the other end face of the portal frame in the front-rear direction. In the above, a lifting body capable of moving up and down within the portal frame is disposed at a portion of the portal frame outlet side from a midpoint between the one end surface and the other end surface, with both longitudinal ends facing the left and right sides of the portal frame, and the lifting body a first signal light that issues guidance information to a driver of a vehicle to guide the vehicle to the start position when the portal frame is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position; The horizontally long signal light body is fixed so as to be offset to one side in the left-right direction of the lifting body, on the side where most of the driver's seats of the automobiles facing the portal frame waiting at the car wash start position are located. and the other end surface of the gate-shaped frame waiting at the car wash start position is located outward from the other end surface of the gate-shaped frame. of On the ground, a sign is provided to prompt the driver of the car whose washing has finished to exit the car. A fixed structure that emits guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light The second signal light The visibility of the second signal light by the driver in the vehicle is difficult to ensure from a position facing the portal frame while the vehicle is waiting at the car wash start position because the visibility is obstructed by the portal frame, but after the vehicle reaches the car wash end position, the visibility is easily ensured without being obstructed by the portal frame. Arranged The system further includes a reception machine capable of receiving a reception operation input for car wash reception, and a control device for controlling the elevation of the lifting body, and when the reception machine confirms the reception operation input while the portal frame is waiting, the control device lowers the lifting body to a predetermined height that makes the first signal light easily visible. The second feature is that

[0010] The present invention also provides a drive-through car wash machine comprising a portal frame capable of straddling an automobile and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the automobile, and a car wash device attached to the portal frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as the automobile travels, the car wash starting when the automobile moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position opposite a frame entrance opening on one end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction, and after the car wash is completed, the automobile moves forward and exits away from a frame exit opening on the other end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction. In the above, a lifting body capable of moving up and down within the portal frame is disposed at a portion of the portal frame outlet side from a midpoint between the one end surface and the other end surface, with both longitudinal ends facing the left and right sides of the portal frame, and the lifting body a first signal light that issues guidance information to a driver of a vehicle to guide the vehicle to the start position when the portal frame is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position; The horizontally long signal light body is fixed so as to be offset to one side in the left-right direction of the lifting body, on the side where most of the driver's seats of the automobiles facing the portal frame waiting at the car wash start position are located. and a car wash start position is provided on the ground located outward of the other end face of the portal frame waiting at the car wash start position. A support pillar is erected, and at the top of the pillar , prompting the driver of the vehicle whose car washing has been completed to leave the vehicle. , and emits guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light. A second signal light is installed. , washing A reception machine capable of inputting reception operations for car reception; Lifting body a control device for controlling the lifting and lowering of the But further Preparation Be The control device Gate-shaped frame When the reception machine confirms the reception operation input during standby, Lifting body of , making the first signal light more visible. Lower it to a specified height, The predetermined height of the lifting body is set to a height position where a part of the second signal light overlaps with the lifting body or the first signal light in the height direction of the portal frame, and is set to a height position above the ground. The second signal light Position of teeth, When viewed from the driver's perspective as he moves forward toward the starting position, At least a part of the second signal light is hidden by the elevator body or the first signal light. setting The third feature is that

[0011] Furthermore, in addition to any one of the first to third features, the present invention has a fourth feature in that the first signal light is fixed to the top of the lifting body so that a portion of the side of its horizontally long signal light body overlaps the top surface of the lifting body when viewed in the front-to-rear direction of the portal frame.

[0012] Furthermore, in addition to any of the first to fourth features, the present invention has a fifth feature in that it further comprises a sensor device arranged on the portal frame and capable of detecting whether the automobile is at the start position or further or further in front of the start position during the waiting period, and the control device is capable of controlling the operation of the first signal light and the raising and lowering of the lifting body based on the reception operation input and the detection results of the sensor device from the time the reception operation input is made until the car wash starts.

[0013] The present invention also provides a drive-through car wash machine comprising a portal frame capable of straddling a vehicle and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle, and a car wash device attached to the portal frame and used to wash the vehicle body surface as the vehicle travels, the car wash starting when the vehicle moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position opposite a frame inlet opening at one end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction, and after the car wash is completed, the vehicle moves forward and exits, moving away from a frame outlet opening at the other end face of the portal frame in the fore-and-aft direction, the car wash device including a top nozzle that is mounted in a position within the portal frame close to the frame outlet and capable of spraying drying air onto the vehicle body surface, the top nozzle supporting a first signal light that issues guidance information to the driver of the vehicle to guide the advancing vehicle to the start position when the portal frame is waiting at the predetermined car wash start position, and a front signal light is mounted on the ground located outward of the other end face of the portal frame while waiting at the car wash start position. The system is further provided with a second signal light that prompts the driver of a vehicle that has finished washing to exit the vehicle, a reception machine that can input a reception operation for receiving a car wash reception, a control device that controls the operation of the first signal light and the raising and lowering of the top nozzle, and a sensor device that is disposed on the portal frame and can detect whether the vehicle is at the start position or further or further in front of the start position during the waiting period, and the control device can control the operation of the first signal light and the raising and lowering of the top nozzle based on the reception operation input and the detection result of the sensor device during the period from after the reception operation input until the car wash starts, and the control device lowers the top nozzle to a predetermined height when the reception machine confirms the reception operation input during the waiting period, and raises the top nozzle to a retraction height that is higher than the predetermined height but lower than an upper limit position when the vehicle has gone beyond the start position by a predetermined distance or more, and also variably controls the retraction height according to the height distribution of the upper surface of the front body of the vehicle. 6 The characteristics of this system are as follows:

[0014] The present invention also provides 5 or 6In addition to the above features, the sensor device includes a multi-axis sensor for detecting the height of the upper surface of the body of the vehicle, which is configured by arranging a plurality of pairs of light emitters and light receivers facing each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle side by side at intervals in the vertical direction within the portal frame near the frame entrance, and an entrance sensor that is disposed in the portal frame closer to the one end face than the multi-axis sensor in the front-rear direction of the vehicle and can detect the front end of the vehicle. 7 The characteristics of this system are as follows:

[0015] The present invention also relates to the first to second 7 In addition to any one of the features above, the first signal light is configured with a plurality of light units arranged in a horizontal direction and a signal light body that surrounds them and extends horizontally. 8 The characteristics of this system are as follows:

[0016] The present invention also provides 8th In addition to the features, The signal light body has the plurality of lamps and horizontal letter indications representing their meanings arranged in two layers, and vertical letter indications representing the meanings of each lamp are arranged between the lamps and horizontal letter indications so as to be aligned in the left-right direction with the lamps and horizontal letter indications. That is the first 9 The characteristics of this system are as follows: [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to a first aspect of the present invention, the portal frame has The two longitudinal ends are placed opposite each other on both the left and right sides. A lifting body that can rise and fall inside is disposed on the frame exit side from the midpoint between one end face and the other end face of the portal frame, and the lifting body is provided with a first signal light that issues guidance information to the driver to guide the car to the start position while the portal frame is waiting at the car wash start position. The horizontally long signal light body is fixed so as to be offset to one side of the lifting body in the left-right direction, on the side where most of the drivers' seats of the cars facing the gate-shaped frame waiting at the car wash start position are located. The car wash start position is provided with a warning sign on the ground outside the other end face of the gate-shaped frame, which is waiting at the start position of the car wash. , and issues guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light.The second signal light is installed so that the first signal light can guide a moving vehicle to the starting position before the car wash begins, and the second signal light can prompt the driver to exit the car after the wash is completed. In this case, the first and second signal lights are independently located inside and outside the portal frame, and the first signal light is supported by a liftable body that can be raised and lowered within the portal frame and is located near the exit of the frame. This makes the light of the first signal light easily and clearly visible at an appropriate height, even during the day. On the other hand, since the portal frame is located behind the vehicle when the wash is completed, the second signal light outside the portal frame can be easily seen by drivers from a relatively close distance without passing through the portal frame (i.e., without being obstructed by the portal frame). This not only eliminates the need to move the second signal light inward to ensure visibility and narrow the exit path, but also eliminates the need for it to be movable to avoid being in the way of vehicles exiting the car. This ensures the visibility of both the first and second signal lights, while increasing the degree of freedom in designing and layout of the second signal light and achieving cost savings.

[0018] According to the second feature, the elevator is installed in the gate-shaped frame near the frame exit and can be raised and lowered. Lifting body The first signal light is supported on the gate frame, and the second signal light is disposed on the ground located on the outer side of the other end face of the waiting gate frame. Lifting body The first signal light above can guide the car to the starting position, while the second signal light can prompt the driver to exit the car after the car wash is finished. In this case, the first and second signal lights are separately arranged inside and outside the portal frame, and the first signal light inside the portal frame is located closer to the exit of the frame. Lifting bodyBy supporting the second signal light on the gate-shaped frame, the light from the first signal light can be easily and clearly seen at an appropriate height, even in bright daylight. On the other hand, since the gate-shaped frame is located behind the vehicle when the car wash is complete, the second signal light, which is located outside the gate-shaped frame, is not obstructed by the gate-shaped frame and can be easily seen by drivers from a relatively close distance. This eliminates the need to move the second signal light inward to ensure visibility and narrow the exit / exit path, and also eliminates the need to make it movable to avoid being in the way of vehicles exiting. This allows for greater freedom in the design and layout of the second signal light and reduces costs, while ensuring sufficient visibility of both the first and second signal lights.

[0019] According to a third feature, a reception machine for car wash reception, Lifting body and a control device for controlling the raising and lowering of the reception machine, and the control device Lifting body is lowered to a specified height, so before starting the car wash Lifting body Even if the waiting position is high, Lifting body The second signal light is automatically lowered to a predetermined height, i.e., a height at which the first signal light is easily visible, thereby making the first signal light more conspicuous and increasing its visibility. Lifting body When the signal light is lowered to a predetermined height, at least a part of the second signal light Lifting body Alternatively, the second signal light is arranged in a position where it is hidden by the first signal light, so that the second signal light can be prevented as much as possible from coming into the driver's field of vision before the car wash starts, further increasing the visibility of the first signal light.

[0020] According to the fifth characteristic, During the standby period, the sensor device can detect whether the car is at the start position or further ahead or in front of the start position, and the control device can control the operation of the first signal light and the elevation of the top nozzle based on the reception operation input and the detection results of the sensor device from the time of the reception operation input until the start of the car wash. As a result, the control device can not only control the operation of the first signal light in accordance with the detection results of the sensor device to accurately guide the car to the start position, but also accurately control the elevation of the top nozzle based on the detection results of the sensor device.

[0021] Also, 6According to the feature of the present invention, during the waiting period, the sensor device can detect whether the vehicle is at the start position or further or further in front of the start position, and the control device can control the operation of the first signal light and the elevation of the top nozzle based on the reception operation input and the detection result of the sensor device from the time of receiving the operation input until the start of the car wash. As a result, the control device can not only control the operation of the first signal light to accurately guide the vehicle to the start position in accordance with the detection result of the sensor device, but also accurately control the elevation of the top nozzle based on the detection result of the sensor device. Furthermore, during the waiting period, the control device can lower the top nozzle to a predetermined height when the reception machine confirms the reception operation input, and if the vehicle has traveled a predetermined distance beyond the start position, can raise the top nozzle to a retraction height that is higher than the predetermined height but lower than the upper limit position, and can variably control the retraction height in accordance with the height distribution of the upper surface of the front body of the vehicle. As a result, if the vehicle has traveled beyond the start position during the waiting period, the top nozzle can be retracted and raised to a retraction height that is lower than the upper limit position. Furthermore, the retraction height can be variably adjusted according to the height distribution of the upper surface of the front body of the vehicle, so the amount of retraction of the top nozzle can be kept to a minimum depending on the height of the front body of the vehicle, eliminating the need to uniformly raise it to the upper limit position each time, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0022] Also, 7 According to the feature of the present invention, the sensor device includes a multi-axis sensor for detecting the height of the upper surface of the vehicle body, which is configured by arranging a plurality of pairs of light emitters and light receivers facing each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle side-by-side at intervals in the vertical direction within the portal frame near the frame entrance, and an entrance sensor that is disposed on the portal frame closer to the one end face of the portal frame on the frame entrance side than the multi-axis sensor in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle and can detect the front end of the vehicle. This makes it possible to accurately detect whether the vehicle is at the start position or further ahead or in front of the start position based on the detection results of the multi-axis sensor for detecting the height of the upper surface of the vehicle body and the entrance sensor that can detect the entry of the front end of the vehicle into the portal frame, which can contribute to reducing the cost of the sensor device. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0023] [Figure 1] 1A and 1B are diagrams showing an outline of a car wash machine according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1A is an overall side view and FIG. 1B is an overall plan view. [Figure 2] FIG. 3 is a side view showing a main part of the car wash machine. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of a car wash machine showing an overview of the top nozzle and its lifting mechanism (a cross-sectional view taken along line 3X-3X in Figure 2). [Figure 4] Enlarged cross-sectional view of Fig. 3 taken along line 4X-4X [Figure 5] 5A is an enlarged plan view of the top nozzle (enlarged view of arrow 5A in FIG. 3), and FIG. 5B is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5B-5B in FIG. 5A. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a front view of the second signal light alone, showing the flashing state of its forward light section; [Figure 7] A perspective view of the first signal light as seen from the driver's seat of a car with the top nozzle lowered to a predetermined intermediate position after reception and before the start of the car wash. [Figure 8] 1A and 1B are explanatory diagrams showing an example of the operation of the first signal light when the vehicle advances toward the starting position after receiving the car wash; (A) shows the vehicle entrance sensor in the off state; (B) shows the vehicle entrance sensor in the on state and the multi-axis sensor in the off state; and (C) shows both sensors in the on state. [Figure 9] 8(D) shows a state in which the vehicle has moved back a little from the state of FIG. 8(C) and only the multi-axis sensor has turned off, and FIG. 8(E) shows a state in which the vehicle has moved back further from the state of FIG. 8(D) and the vehicle entry sensor has also turned off. [Figure 10]1A and 1B are diagrams showing an example of the upward retraction operation of the top nozzle and the operation of the first signal light when the multi-axis sensor is turned on while the car is moving forward toward the starting position after receiving the car wash. (A) shows the case where the multi-axis sensor is blocked by the front end (low part) of a standard car, (B) shows the case where the multi-axis sensor is blocked by the windshield part (middle part) of a standard car, (C) shows the case where the multi-axis sensor is blocked by the roof part (high part) of a standard car, and (D) shows the case where the multi-axis sensor is blocked by the roof part (even higher part) of a minivan, i.e., a high-profile car. [Figure 11] Control block diagram showing an overview of the control system [Figure 12] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of control of a first signal light during a period from reception to start of a car wash. [Figure 13] A flowchart showing an example of the top nozzle lift control during the period from reception to the start of the car wash. [Figure 14] 10 is a flowchart showing another example of control of raising and lowering the top nozzle during the period from reception to the start of the car wash. [Figure 15] A flowchart showing an example of control from reception to start and end of car wash [Figure 16] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing an example of the arrangement of various sensors on the front side of the entrance of the portal frame, and particularly shows an example in which a sensing bar as a vehicle width safety device and an emergency operation bar as an emergency stop device are added to the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] 1 to 3, a portal frame 1 constituting the main body of the car wash machine A is formed in a portal shape that straddles the car V to be washed and is relatively movable in the front-to-rear direction. A pair of front, rear, left, and right wheels 3, 4 are rotatably supported at the bottom of both the left and right sides of the portal frame 1, and these wheels 3, 4 can roll on a pair of left and right traveling rails 2, 2 laid on the ground E that forms the installation surface of the car wash machine A. A traveling motor 5 (see FIG. 11) is linked to the left and right wheels 4, 4 on one of the front and rear sides via a reduction mechanism, and by driving this traveling motor 5, the portal frame 1 can travel back and forth on the traveling rails 2, 2.

[0026] Thus, the traveling rail 2, the wheels 3, 4, the traveling motor 5 and the reduction mechanism cooperate with each other to form a relative movement means Dm that moves the portal frame 1 and the automobile V relatively in the front-rear direction.

[0027] The car wash machine A of the embodiment is a drive-through type car wash machine, and the car wash process thereof, as described below, starts from a state in Figure 1 where the portal frame 1 is waiting at the processing start position 1S and the automobile V is at a predetermined start position V2, and ends when the portal frame 1 makes the first forward movement after starting and reaches the processing end position 1E, or when the portal frame 1 makes the first and second forward movements (i.e., 1.5 forward movements), or when the portal frame 1 makes the first and second forward movements and the third forward movement (i.e., 2.5 forward movements) and reaches the processing end position 1E.

[0028] As is clear from FIG. 1, an openable / closable barrier 41 is installed on the ground E near the front end of the traveling rail 2, and a reception machine U is installed on the ground E further ahead of the barrier 41. teeth, It has an operation panel for performing various reception operations (for example, selection of a treatment course, payment of fees, etc.).

[0029] Then, before the start of the car wash, the driver of the car V parked at the reception position V1 beside the reception machine U inputs the reception operation into the operation panel, and then moves the car V forward to the start position V2, thereby starting the first forward movement of the portal frame 1. After that, when the car wash according to the treatment course selected at the reception machine U is completed and the portal frame 1 reaches the treatment end position 1E, the driver moves the car V forward from the start position V2 and exits the car wash machine A.

[0030] Thus, one end face (hereinafter referred to as the front end face 1ei in this specification) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame 1 has a frame entrance 1i through which the front end of the automobile V enters first, and the other end face (hereinafter referred to as the rear end face 1eo in this specification) has a frame exit 1o through which the rear end of the automobile V exits last. In other words, the fore-and-aft direction of the car wash machine A and the fore-and-aft direction of the automobile V are opposite, so that the front of the car wash machine A is the rear of the automobile V and the rear of the car wash machine A is the front of the automobile V.

[0031] In the car wash machine A, when the portal frame 1 is waiting at the processing start position 1S, a first signal light L1 is provided inside the portal frame 1 to issue guidance information to the driver of the vehicle V moving forward from the reception position V1 to the start position V2, and a second signal light L2 is provided to prompt the driver of the vehicle V to exit the vehicle V immediately after the car wash is completed. , different from the guidance information of the first signal light L1 Guidance information is emitted from outside the portal frame 1. Fixed structure (i.e., the position of each component that makes up the structure is fixed and there are no moving parts) It is equipped with a second signal light L2.

[0032] In particular, the second signal light L2 has a signal light body 68 attached to the top of a support 67 erected on the ground E located outward from the rear end face 1eo of the portal frame 1 waiting at the processing start position 1S. , so as not to exceed the width of the frame exit 1o and enter the exit path of the automobile V. It is fixed. Furthermore, the second signal light L2 is arranged in a position where the driver in the vehicle V can easily see the second signal light L2 without being obstructed by the portal frame 1 after the vehicle V has reached the car wash end position 1E, although it is difficult to ensure visibility of the second signal light L2 from a position facing the portal frame 1 while the vehicle V is waiting at the car wash start position 1S because the portal frame 1 obstructs the visibility.The signal light body 68 is formed in the shape of a vertically long hollow block, and within the signal light body 68, an exit light unit L2o is disposed facing forward, i.e., toward the frame exit 1o, so that it can be seen by the driver in the driver's seat of the automobile V immediately after the car wash has finished. The exit light unit L2o emits light in an appropriate color (e.g., blue) depending on its intended use. Note that various conventionally known light sources (e.g., electric lamps, LEDs, liquid crystal panels, etc.) can be used as the exit light unit L2o.

[0033] Furthermore, a display board 66 is fixed to the front of the signal light body 68, positioned around the exit light portion L2o and indicating the meaning of the exit light portion L2o (for example, the words "Go to Exit with Flashing Arrow"). The display board 66 may be provided with a reflector function as needed.

[0034] On the other hand, unlike the second signal light L2, the first signal light L1 is installed inside the portal frame 1, particularly in the top nozzle Nt. Therefore, the structure of the first signal light L1 will be explained later in relation to the structure of the top nozzle Nt. The top nozzle Nt is an example of the lifting body in the first aspect of the present invention.

[0035] A control device C (shown only in the control block diagram of FIG. 11) that controls the operation of the car wash machine A is provided on a control panel (not shown) installed in an appropriate location on the portal frame 1, and this control device C mainly comprises an electronic control unit incorporating a microcomputer, etc. The control device C is connected to actuators and sensors that are linked to the various car wash devices installed in the car wash machine A, as well as the reception machine U, the barrier 41, the first and second signal lights L1, L2, etc.

[0036] The control device C controls the various car wash devices of the car wash machine A based on the reception operation input to the reception device U and the detection results of the sensors, so that the received car wash processing mode is executed.

[0037] Position detection means 7 (see FIG. 11) is provided between the lower part of the portal frame 1 and the ground E, which can detect whether the portal frame 1 is at the return end or the forward end illustrated in FIG. 1. Here, the return end corresponds to the processing start position 1S as the car wash start position, and the forward end corresponds to the processing end position 1E as the car wash end position.

[0038] A rotary encoder 8 (see FIG. 11) capable of detecting the amount of rotation of the output shaft (and therefore the travel distance of the portal frame 1) is connected to the output shaft of one of the travel motors 5. Based on the detection results of the position detection means 7 and the rotary encoder 8, the control device C can detect the amount of travel from the processing start position 1S of the portal frame 1, and therefore the travel position.

[0039] An entrance sensor 71 is disposed on or near the front end face 1ei of the portal frame 1 to detect the entrance of the front end of the vehicle V into the frame entrance 1i, and an exit sensor 72 is disposed on or near the rear end face 1eo to detect the exit of the rear end of the vehicle V into the frame exit 1o. The entrance sensor 71 and the exit sensor 72 are photoelectric sensors each consisting of a pair of a light emitter and a light receiver arranged side by side at the same height on the left and right.

[0040] In particular, the entering vehicle sensors 71 are located at a height position where they can detect a vehicle entering the frame entrance 1i when the front end of the vehicle V (for example, the front bumper) blocks light from the light emitter to the light receiver, and are disposed on both the left and right sides of the front end face 1ei of the portal frame 1. On the other hand, the exiting vehicle sensors 72 are located at a height position where they can detect a vehicle leaving the frame exit 1o when light enters the light receiver from the light emitter as the rear end of the vehicle V (for example, the rear bumper) passes through, and are disposed on both the left and right sides of the rear end face 1eo of the portal frame 1.

[0041] A multi-axis sensor 10 is provided inside the portal frame 1 near the front end surface 1ei as a vehicle shape detection device capable of detecting the shape of the upper surface of the body of the vehicle V (i.e., the vehicle shape). This multi-axis sensor 10 is configured by arranging a large number of photoelectric sensors 11, each consisting of a pair of light emitters and light receivers arranged in parallel on the left and right at the same height, at equal intervals up and down on both the left and right sides of the portal frame 1. The multi-axis sensor 10 is set at a position a predetermined distance (e.g., 40 cm) forward of the vehicle V from the longitudinal position of the entrance sensor 71.

[0042] Based on the detection results of this multi-axis sensor 10 and the detection results of the rotary encoder 8, the control device C can detect not only the front and rear end positions of the automobile V, but also the vehicle shape (more specifically, the shape of the hood surface, the shape of the front and rear glass surfaces, the shape of the roof surface, etc.) and the vehicle model, etc.

[0043] A group of car wash brushes capable of brushing and cleaning the body surface B of the automobile V is arranged within the portal frame 1. The group of car wash brushes includes a top brush T capable of brushing and cleaning the upper body surface Bt, left and right side brushes S, S capable of brushing and cleaning the left and right body side surfaces Bs, respectively, and left and right rocker brushes R, R capable of brushing and cleaning the lower parts of the left and right body side surfaces Bs, respectively.

[0044] Additionally, a drying device capable of spraying drying air onto the body surface B of the automobile V is disposed inside the portal frame 1 near the rear end surface 1eo. This drying device includes a top nozzle Nt capable of spraying drying air onto the body upper surface Bt of the automobile V, and left and right side nozzles Ns, Ns capable of spraying drying air onto the left and right body side surfaces Bs of the automobile V, respectively.

[0045] As is clear from FIGS. 3 and 4, the nozzle body Ntm of the top nozzle Nt is disposed inside the portal frame 1 near the rear end surface 1eo, and is integrally supported at both left and right ends by a first lifting frame 14 that is movable up and down relative to the portal frame 1. The two longitudinal ends of the gate frame 1 face each other on both sides.The first lifting frame 14 can be raised and lowered together with the first lifting frame 14. Lifting carriages 14a provided on both the left and right ends of the first lifting frame 14 are guided and supported by left and right lifting rails 13, 13 fixed to the left and right sides of the portal frame 1 and extending in the vertical direction so as to be able to rise and fall.

[0046] Between the lifting carriage 14a and the portal frame 1, there is provided lifting drive means Dn as first lifting drive means that is operable and controlled by the control device C to lift and lower the first lifting frame 14 (and therefore the top nozzle Nt). In this embodiment, this first lifting drive means Dn includes a chain transmission mechanism 15 in which a part of a chain is connected to the lifting carriage 14a, and a motor 16 that rotationally drives one sprocket of the chain transmission mechanism 15 via another chain transmission mechanism. The control device C can detect the lift height of the top nozzle Nt based on the amount of rotation of this motor 16 from a reference position.

[0047] Furthermore, drying air can be pressure-fed through a duct 63 into the nozzle body Ntm of the top nozzle Nt, which extends in the left-right direction, from a blower 9 (see FIG. 11) mounted on the portal frame 1, and the drying air can be sprayed toward the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body from a nozzle opening at the bottom end of the nozzle body Ntm. The middle part of the duct 63 is made of a flexible material to allow the top nozzle Nt to move up and down.

[0048] A pair of left and right first stays 61 are fixed to the center of the flat upper surface of the nozzle body Ntm, and a second stay 62 is fixed to the upper part of the first lifting frame 14 on one of the left and right sides (the driver's seat side of a right-hand drive automobile V). At least one of the first stays 61 and the second stay 62 is fixed to the upper part of the first signal light L1, which is in an upright position near the front end of the upper part of the nozzle body Ntm, so that the left and right ends of the signal light body 60 of the first signal light L1 are fixed to the first stay 61 and the second stay 62 when viewed in the front-rear direction of the portal frame 1. Part of the side are fixed (for example, with screws) so as to overlap the upper surface of the top nozzle Nt. The first signal light L1 is offset from the center on the top nozzle Nt to the right (i.e., closer to the driver on the driver's seat) on the side where most of the driver's seats of the automobiles V facing the waiting portal frame 1 are located.

[0049] The signal light body 60 is formed as a flat, horizontally elongated, hollow rectangular plate extending in the longitudinal direction of the car wash machine A. Within this signal light body 60, a forward light L1f, which prompts the driver in the driver's seat of the automobile V to move forward, a stop light L1s, which prompts the driver to stop, and a reverse light L1b, which prompts the driver to reverse, are arranged side by side facing forward, i.e., toward the frame entrance 1i, so that they can be seen by the driver. The forward light L1f, stop light L1s, and reverse light L1b emit light in appropriate colors according to their intended use (e.g., blue for the forward light L1f, red for the stop light L1s, and yellow for the reverse light L1b). Note that various conventionally known light sources (e.g., electric lamps, LEDs, liquid crystal panels, etc.) can be used as the forward light L1f, stop light L1s, and reverse light L1b.

[0050] In addition, on the front of the signal light body 60, a display board 64f is positioned around the forward light section L1f and indicates the meaning of the forward light section L1f (for example, the letters "Forward GO"), a display board 64s is positioned around the stop light section L1s and indicates the meaning of the stop light section L1s (for example, the letters "Stop"), and a display board 64b is positioned around the reverse light section L1b and indicates the meaning of the reverse section L1b (for example, the letters "Reverse BACK"), and are arranged adjacent to each other. In the signal light body 60 of this embodiment, each light section L1f, L1s, L1b and the horizontal letter displays "GO", "STOP", and "BACK" representing their meanings are arranged in two rows, and between these light sections and horizontal letter displays, vertical letter displays "Go Forward", "Stop", and "Reverse" representing the meaning of each light section L1f, L1s, and L1b are arranged so that they are lined up in the left-right direction with these light sections and horizontal letter displays, respectively. The display plates 64f, 64s, and 64b may be provided with a reflector function as needed.

[0051] Furthermore, an upper high-pressure washing water supply pipe Jt having a plurality of upper high-pressure washing water nozzles Jtn capable of spraying high-pressure washing water from above onto the body surface of the automobile V is attached to the first stay 61, and is driven to move up and down together with the top nozzle Nt. Meanwhile, a pair of left and right side high-pressure washing water nozzles Jsn capable of spraying high-pressure washing water from the sides onto the body sides of the automobile V are fixed to both the left and right sides of the portal frame 1, at approximately the same positions as the top nozzle Nt in the front-to-rear direction. High-pressure washing water can be supplied to the side high-pressure washing water nozzles Jsn and upper high-pressure washing water nozzle Jtn from a high-pressure washing water supply source 85 (see Figure 11) whose operation is controlled by the control device C.

[0052] The left and right side nozzles Ns are attached to the left and right sides of the portal frame 1. Drying air can be pressure-fed to each side nozzle Ns by the blower 9, and the drying air can be sprayed from the nozzle opening of each side nozzle Ns toward the side surface Bs of the vehicle body.

[0053] The top brush T is supported by the portal frame 1 at a position near the frame inlet 1i so that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical direction. A conventionally known lifting and lowering drive means Dta (see FIG. 11) is provided between the top brush T and the portal frame 1, and is operable and controlled by the control device C to drive the top brush T to move up and down. The lifting and lowering drive means Dta for the top brush T can have a structure similar to that of the first lifting and lowering drive means Dn of the top nozzle Nt described above, for example. In addition, a rotation drive means Dtb (see FIG. 11) is interlocked with the top brush T and can drive it to rotate.

[0054] The pair of left and right side brushes S, S are arranged closer to the top nozzle Nt (closer to the rear of the portal frame 1) than the rotation axis of the top brush T in the front-to-rear direction, and are suspended and supported on the upper part of the portal frame 1 via a conventionally known side nozzle guide support means (not shown) so that they can open and close in the left-to-right direction. Also, a conventionally known left-to-right drive means Dsa (see FIG. 11) that can drive the side brush S in the left-to-right direction is provided between each side brush S and the portal frame 1. Also, a rotation drive means Dsb (see FIG. 11) that can rotate the side brush S is interlocked with the side brush S.

[0055] Furthermore, the pair of left and right rocker brushes R, R are linked to left and right drive means and rotation drive means in the same manner as the side brushes S, S, but these drive means are all well known in the art for car washes and will not be described further here.

[0056] A coating agent supply device CS for applying a coating agent to the vehicle body surface B is also installed on the portal frame 1, immediately behind the multi-axis sensor 10 in the longitudinal direction. This coating agent supply device CS includes an upper coating agent supply pipe Ct having multiple upper coating agent nozzles Ctn (a pair of upper and lower coating agent nozzles in the illustrated example) spaced apart in the left-right direction and capable of discharging the coating agent from above onto the vehicle body upper surface Bt, side coating agent supply pipes Cs having multiple side coating agent nozzles Csn, Csn provided on both the left and right sides of the portal frame 1 and capable of laterally discharging the coating agent onto the vehicle body side surface Bs, and a coating agent supply source 83 (see also FIG. 11 ) whose operation is controlled by the control device C to pressure-feed and supply the coating agent to the supply pipes Ct, Cs.

[0057] The downstream piping portion of the upper coating agent supply pipe Ct and the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn are attached to a second lifting frame 24 disposed inside the portal frame 1 near the frame inlet 1i. This second lifting frame 24 is disposed so as to be movable up and down relative to the portal frame 1 immediately behind the multi-axis sensor 10 in the front-to-rear direction, and lifts and lowers the downstream piping portion of the upper coating agent supply pipe Ct and the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn together with the second lifting frame 24. The structure of the second lifting frame 24, which can drive the second lifting frame 24 up and down (see FIG. 11), is similar to the lifting and lowering drive means Dn of the first lifting frame 14 described above, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0058] Furthermore, an upper rinse water supply pipe Wt having a plurality of upper rinse water nozzles Wtn capable of discharging rinse water (clean water in this embodiment, the same applies hereinafter in this specification) onto the upper body surface Bt of the automobile V after brushing is disposed at approximately the center in the front-to-rear direction on the upper part of the portal frame 1, and a pair of left and right side rinse water supply pipes Ws having a plurality of side rinse water nozzles Wsn capable of discharging rinse water onto the body side surface Bs of the automobile V after brushing is disposed on both left and right sides of the portal frame 1. A rinse water supply source 86 (see FIG. 11) whose operation is controlled by the control device C is connected to the rinse water supply pipes Wt, Ws so as to pressure-feed and supply rinse water to them.

[0059] Furthermore, an upper shampoo detergent supply pipe St having a plurality of upper shampoo detergent nozzles Stn capable of discharging shampoo detergent onto the upper body surface Bt of the automobile V during brushing is disposed at the upper part of the portal frame 1, intermediate between the top brush T and the second lifting frame 24, and a pair of left and right side shampoo detergent supply pipes St having a plurality of side shampoo detergent nozzles Ssn capable of discharging shampoo detergent onto the body side surface Bs of the automobile V during brushing is disposed on each of the left and right sides of the portal frame 1, in front of the side rinse water supply pipes Ws. A shampoo detergent supply source 87 (see FIG. 11) whose operation is controlled by the control device C is connected to these shampoo detergent supply pipes St, Ss so as to pressure-feed shampoo detergent or fresh water to them.

[0060] Meanwhile, elongated sensing rings 51, 52 are attached to the center of the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24. These rings are larger in side view than their outlines and surround the lower halves of the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24. When these sensing rings 51, 52 come into contact with an obstacle, the control device C can prevent the obstacle from colliding with the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24 by moving the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24 upward to avoid the obstacle or by completely stopping the car wash machine A based on the contact pressure.

[0061] Next, the operation of the embodiment will be described.

[0062] When the car wash machine A is in a standby state, the gate-shaped frame 1 is stopped at the processing start position 1S at the rear end of the traveling rail 2 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 1, and the barrier 41 is closed.

[0063] The driver of the vehicle V before the wash first drives the vehicle V forward to reception position V1 in front of the barrier 41 (i.e., next to the reception machine U), and then performs reception operation inputs for car wash reception (e.g., selecting the desired treatment course and paying the fee corresponding to the selected course) at the reception machine U. Payment can be made using a variety of payment methods conventionally known for car washes, such as inserting cash, inserting a prepaid card, or paying with a smartphone.

[0064] Upon completion of the car wash reception, the control device C opens the barrier 41, and the driver drives the vehicle V forward toward the start position V2. Also, upon completion of the car wash reception, the top nozzle Nt descends to an intermediate waiting height (i.e., a predetermined height) that makes the first signal light L1 easier to see, and the forward light L1f of the first signal light L1 flashes to encourage the driver to move forward. Thereafter, the vehicle V is guided by the first signal light L1 to reach the start position V2, and upon arrival, the control device C starts the car wash process selected at the reception device U, and the first forward movement of the portal frame 1 begins. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 7, the intermediate waiting height of the top nozzle Nt is set to a height position where a portion of the second signal light L2 overlaps with the top nozzle Nt or the first signal light L1 in the height direction of the portal frame 1, and the position of the second signal light L2 on the ground surface E is set to a position on one side of the top nozzle Nt in the left-right direction where the first signal light L1 is offset, where at least a portion of the second signal light L2 is hidden by the top nozzle Nt or the first signal light L1 when viewed from the line of sight of the driver moving forward toward the start position V2.

[0065] Thus, the control device C controls each car wash device of the car wash machine A so that the selected car wash processing mode (for example, various washing courses with optional additions of coating treatment, high-pressure washing, etc., in addition to the normal shampoo washing course) is executed based on the reception operation input at the reception machine U, and this control method is conventionally well known in the field of car washes. During the car wash processing, the driver of the automobile V basically remains in the automobile V. Note that the car wash reception may be performed by an operator or the like operating a control panel installed in an appropriate position on the portal frame 1.

[0066] The car wash processing modes that the control device C can execute and control include, for example, a "one-way shampoo wash course" performed using only the first forward movement of the portal frame 1 (i.e., 0.5 back and forth), a "1.5 back and forth shampoo wash course" performed using the first and second forward movements of the portal frame 1, and a "2.5 back and forth special wash course" performed using the first, second and third forward movements, and the contents of these courses can be set individually for each car wash machine A. Whatever course is selected, the portal frame 1 stops at the processing end position 1E at the end of the car wash, after which the driver drives the automobile V forward to exit the car wash machine A, and the portal frame 1 is automatically returned to the processing start position 1S.

[0067] Next, we will explain in order the display mode of the first signal light L1 after the car wash reception is completed, when the driver driving the car V is guided by the first signal light L1 and reaches the start position V2, as well as an example of the lifting and lowering control of the top nozzle Nt. [Display mode of first signal light L1] As shown in the flowchart of Figure 12, when the control device C determines in step S1 that the reception operation input to the reception device U has been completed, it proceeds to step S2 and flashes the forward light portion L1f of the first signal light L1 to urge the driver to move forward (see Figure 8(A)).

[0068] Next, the process proceeds to step S3, where it is determined whether the vehicle entrance sensor 71 is blocked (i.e., turned on). If it is blocked, the process proceeds to step S4, where it is determined whether the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully illuminated (i.e., fully off). If the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully illuminated, it is assumed that the vehicle has reached the start position V2, and the process proceeds to step S5, where the stop light portion L1s of the first signal light L1 is turned on to prompt the driver to stop (see FIG. 8(B)). If the driver immediately performs a stop operation in response, the vehicle V will stop at the start position V2. In other words, the start position V2 is a position in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle V at the front end of the vehicle V where the vehicle entrance sensor 71 is blocked but the multi-axis sensor 10 is not blocked.

[0069] When the stop light L1s is turned on in step S5, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether a predetermined first waiting time T1 (for example, a few seconds or less) has elapsed since the stop light L1s was turned on, and if not, the process returns to step S3. Then, in steps S3 and S4, it is determined again whether the light blocking of the vehicle entrance sensor 71 and the full light reception of the multi-axis sensor 10 continue, and if it is determined in step S6 that the first waiting time T1 has elapsed while this state remains the same, it is assumed that the vehicle V is at the start position V1, so the process proceeds to step S7, where a car wash permission signal 1 is output, and the process ends.

[0070] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S3 that the vehicle entrance sensor 71 has received light, the process proceeds to step S8, where it is determined whether any part of the multi-axis sensor 10 has been blocked by light. If it is determined in step S8 or step S4 that the multi-axis sensor 10 has been blocked by light, it is assumed that the vehicle V has passed the start position V2, so the process proceeds to step S9, where the reversing light portion L1b of the first signal light L1 is flashed to prompt the driver to perform a reverse operation (see FIG. 8(C)), and then the process returns to step S3.

[0071] Then, when the vehicle V reverses due to the flashing of the backing light unit L1b, and the vehicle entrance sensor 71 remains blocked and the multi-axis sensor 10 receives all light, the stop light unit L1s is turned on again in step S5 to prompt the driver to stop (see FIG. 9 (See (D)). In step S9, an additional reverse notification means (for example, an announcement by a speaker or a display by an indicator light other than the first signal light L1) may be set to be activated in order to further strongly urge the driver to reverse.

[0072] If the multi-axis sensor 10 determines that all light is incident in step S8, it is assumed that the vehicle V is still in front of the start position V2, so the process returns to step S2 and the forward light unit L1f is made to flash to prompt the driver to move forward further (see FIG. 9 (See (E)). [Top nozzle Nt lift control 1] When the car wash machine A is in a standby state (ie, before a car is received for washing), the top nozzle Nt is in a standby state at the upper limit position indicated by the solid line in FIG.

[0073] 13, from this standby state, when the control device C determines in step S1 that the reception operation input to the reception device U has been completed, the process proceeds to step 11, where the top nozzle Nt is lowered, and then proceeds to step S12. In step S12, it is determined whether the top nozzle Nt has reached a predetermined intermediate standby height (for example, 1600 mm from the ground at the height of the center position of each light unit of the first signal light L1: this setting can be changed as appropriate), and if it has reached that height, the process proceeds to step S13, where it is determined whether the entrance sensor 71 has been blocked by the front end of the vehicle V, and if it has been blocked, the process proceeds to step S14.

[0074] In step S14, it is determined whether the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully light-receiving, and if so, the process proceeds to step S15, where it is determined whether a predetermined second waiting time T2 (for example, several seconds or less) has elapsed since it was determined that the entering vehicle sensor 71 is light-blocking and the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully light-receiving, and if not, the process returns to step S13, and if it is determined that the second waiting time T2 has elapsed, it is assumed that the vehicle V is at the start position V1, and the process proceeds to step S16 to prepare for the end of the lift control 1. That is, in step S16, the top nozzle Nt is raised, and then, if it is determined in step S17 that the top nozzle Nt has reached the upper limit position, the process proceeds to step S18, where a car wash permission signal 2 is output, and the process ends.

[0075] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S13 that the vehicle entrance sensor 71 has received light, the process proceeds to step S19, where it is determined whether the multi-axis sensor 10 has been partially blocked by light, and if not, the process returns to step S13. If it is determined in step S19 or step S14 that the multi-axis sensor 10 has been blocked by light, the process proceeds to step S20, where it is determined whether a predetermined third waiting time T3 (e.g., 15 seconds) has elapsed since the start of the light blocking, and if not, the process returns to step S13. If it is determined in step S20 that the third waiting time T3 has elapsed, the process proceeds to step S21.

[0076] In step S21, the top nozzle Nt is raised, and then, when it is determined in step S22 that the top nozzle Nt has reached its upper limit position, the process proceeds to step S23, where it is determined whether the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully incident on light. If the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully incident on light in step S23, the process returns to step S11, and the top nozzle Nt is caused to resume its descent from its upper limit position.

[0077] Thus, if the automobile V has gone too far beyond the start position V2 and a relatively long time T3 has elapsed, steps S21 and S22 raise the top nozzle Nt to the upper limit position, and after the backward movement of the automobile V (i.e., full light reception by the multi-axis sensor 10) is confirmed in step S23, the top nozzle Nt is again lowered to the intermediate standby height.

[0078] Incidentally, in the control device C of the car wash machine A, instead of the above-described lifting / lowering control 1 of the top nozzle Nt, it is also possible to set the following lifting / lowering control 2, and an example of control in that case will be described next. [Top nozzle lift control 2] As is clear from the flowchart of FIG. 14, the processes in steps S1, S11 to S19 of this lift control 2 are the same as those in the lift control 1, and therefore a description of the same processes will be omitted.

[0079] Next, a control mode specific to the lift control 2 will be described. If the control device C determines in step S14 or S19 that at least a portion of the multi-axis sensor 10 is shaded, the process proceeds to step S30, where it checks the detected vehicle height at the multi-axis sensor corresponding position (hereinafter simply referred to as the "shade height") based on the result of the shaded state of the multi-axis sensor 10. Next, it proceeds to step S31, where it raises the top nozzle Nt to a retracted height obtained by adding a predetermined correction value ΔH to the shade height confirmed in step S30. The predetermined correction value ΔH is set to a vertical distance (e.g., 200 mm from the shade height to the bottom end of the sensing ring 51; this can be changed as needed) that allows the top nozzle Nt to avoid interference with the vehicle body upper surface Bt. If it is determined in step S31 that the top nozzle Nt has reached the retracted height, the process proceeds to step S32.

[0080] In step S32, the light blocking height is maintained at the maximum value of the light blocking height since the car was received for the wash (hereinafter simply referred to as the "maximum light blocking height"), and then the process proceeds to step S33. In step S33, it is determined whether the multi-axis sensor 10 continues to be light-blocked. If it is, the process returns to step S30, and steps S31 to S33 are repeated. In this case, according to the special provision of step S32, even if the actual light blocking height of the multi-axis sensor 10 temporarily drops, the light blocking height confirmed in step S30 remains the maximum light blocking height, and therefore the retracted height of the top nozzle Nt used in the process of step S31 is also maintained high; that is, the top nozzle Nt is not lowered.

[0081] Thus, as is clear from Figures 10(A) to (D), the retraction height of the top nozzle Nt increases as the shading height of the multi-axis sensor 10, which is shaded by the front end of the automobile V, increases. However, if the shading height temporarily drops during this rise, the retraction height of the top nozzle Nt is maintained at the maximum retraction height corresponding to the maximum shading height, thereby avoiding a temporary descent of the top nozzle Nt.

[0082] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S33 that the multi-axis sensor 10 is fully light-receiving, the process proceeds to step S34, where it is determined whether the entering vehicle sensor 71 is light-blocking, and if it is light-blocking, the process proceeds to step S35, where it is determined whether the maximum light-blocking height at that time is equal to or greater than a predetermined limit height (e.g., 1,800 mm). If it is determined that the maximum light-blocking height is equal to or greater than the predetermined limit height, the process returns to step S11, where the top nozzle Nt is lowered toward the intermediate standby height; on the other hand, if it is determined that the maximum light-blocking height is lower than the predetermined limit height, the process returns to step S13, whereby the process of lowering the top nozzle Nt to the intermediate standby height (steps S11 and S12) is omitted, and the process from step S13 onwards is resumed.

[0083] Furthermore, the specified limit height is set as the height at which the first signal light L1 begins to become difficult to see because it is hidden by the internal structure of the portal frame 1 if the maximum shading height becomes higher and the retracted height of the top nozzle Nt becomes too high, but the optimal setting value of the specified limit height changes depending on the internal structure and the installation position of the first signal light L1, etc.

[0084] Furthermore, if it is determined in step S34 that the entrance sensor 71 has received light, the process proceeds to step S36, where it is determined whether the exit sensor 72 has received light. If it has received light, the process proceeds to step S35. On the other hand, if it is determined in step S36 that the exit sensor 72 has blocked light (i.e., if the driver continues driving the vehicle V without noticing the flashing of the reversing light unit L1b, causing the vehicle V to pass the entrance sensor 71 and the multi-axis sensor 10 and block light from only the exit sensor 72), the process proceeds to step S37. In step S37, a reverse notification means (for example, an announcement by a speaker or a display by an indicator lamp disposed in front of the vehicle V) is used to specifically urge the driver to reverse the vehicle V, and the process then returns to step S32. [Control flow from reception to start and finish of car wash] As is clear from the flowchart in Figure 15, when the control device C determines in step S1 that the reception operation input to the reception device U has been completed, it proceeds to step 41 to open the barrier 41 to allow the vehicle V to move forward toward the start position V2, and then proceeds to step S42 to wait for both car wash permission signals 1 and 2 to be output. In this case, the car wash permission signals 1 and 2 are output via the operation control process for the first signal light L1 described above (see Figure 12) and the elevation control process for the top nozzle Nt (see Figure 13 or Figure 14).

[0085] If the output of both car wash permission signals 1 and 2 is confirmed in step S42, the process proceeds to step S43, where the car wash is started using the wash course selected by the reception operation input, then the process proceeds to step S44, where the stop light section L1s of the first signal light L1 is turned off, and then the process proceeds to step S45, where the barrier 41 is closed to prevent the next car to be washed from entering the car wash area while the car is being washed.

[0086] Thereafter, the process proceeds to step S46 to wait for the car wash to finish, and once it is confirmed that the car wash has finished, the process proceeds to step S47 to flash the exit light portion L2o of the second signal light L2 to prompt the driver to move forward (i.e., exit), as is clear from Fig. 6. Next, the process proceeds to step S48 to wait for the portal frame 1 to return (go back) to the processing start position 1S, and if the return movement is not completed, the process returns to step S47.

[0087] Furthermore, even if the exit light L2o of the second signal light L2 flashes, it is possible that the exit sensor 72 will be blocked by the rear end of the vehicle V during the returning movement of the portal frame 1 due to a delay in the exit of the vehicle V. Even in such a case, it is possible to set a control mode that temporarily suspends the returning movement of the portal frame 1 until the next time the exit sensor 72 receives light, thereby preventing the vehicle V from being caught up by the portal frame 1.

[0088] Then, in step S48, when it is confirmed that the portal frame 1 has returned to the processing start position 1S, the process proceeds to step S49, the exit light L2o of the second signal light L2 is turned off, and the process ends. In this way, all the selected cleaning course contents are completed.

[0089] When the exit of the automobile V from the car wash machine A is detected by the exit detection means (not shown) as described above, the car wash machine A is placed in a standby state until the next car wash reception operation is performed at the reception machine U. Note that the next car wash reception operation may be performed while the previous automobile V is being washed.

[0090] According to the present embodiment described above, the top nozzle Nt is provided with a first signal light L1 that emits guidance information to the driver to guide the advancing automobile V to the start position V2 while waiting at the processing start position 1S of the portal frame 1, and a second signal light L2 is arranged on the ground E located outward from the rear end face 1eo of the waiting portal frame 1 to urge the driver of the automobile V to exit the automobile V after washing has finished.

[0091] As a result, before the start of the car wash, the first signal light L1 can be used to guide the advancing vehicle V to the start position V2, while after the car wash is completed, the second signal light L2 can be used to prompt the driver of the vehicle V to exit. In this case, the first and second signal lights L1, L2 are independently arranged inside and outside the portal frame 1, and in particular, the first signal light L1 inside the portal frame 1 is supported by the top nozzle Nt, making the light of the first signal light L1 easily and clearly visible even in bright daylight. On the other hand, since the portal frame 1 is located behind the vehicle V when the car wash is completed, the second signal light L2 outside the portal frame 1 can be easily seen by the driver from a relatively close distance without passing through the portal frame 1 (i.e., without being obstructed by the portal frame 1). This not only eliminates the need to move the second signal light L2 inward to ensure visibility and narrow the exit path, but also eliminates the need for it to be movable to avoid the vehicle V when exiting. As a result of the above, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in designing and layout of the second signal light L2 and reduce costs while ensuring sufficient visibility of both the first and second signal lights L1, L2.

[0092] Also Book The control device C of the embodiment lowers the top nozzle Nt to an intermediate standby height (i.e., a predetermined height) when the reception device U confirms a reception operation input while the portal frame 1 is on standby. Therefore, even if the standby position of the top nozzle Nt before the start of the car wash is high, the top nozzle Nt is automatically lowered to the intermediate standby height, i.e., a height at which the first signal light L1 is easily visible, in response to the reception of the car wash, making the presence of the first signal light L1 stand out and increasing its visibility. Moreover, the second signal light L2 is When viewed from the driver's perspective as he moves forward towards the starting position V2, When the top nozzle Nt is lowered to the intermediate waiting height, the second signal light L2 is positioned so that at least a portion of it is hidden by the top nozzle Nt or the first signal light L1, so that the second signal light L2 can be prevented from entering the driver's field of vision as much as possible before the car wash begins, further increasing the visibility of the first signal light L1.

[0093] In this case, particularly in the embodiment, the first signal light L1 is offset to the right of the center of the top nozzle Nt (i.e., closer to the driver above the driver's seat), on the side where most of the driver's seats of the automobiles V facing the waiting portal frame 1 are located. This offset arrangement not only makes it easier to bring the first signal light L1 closer to a position directly in front of the driver, thereby increasing visibility from the driver, but also has the advantage of making it easier to hide at least a portion of the second signal light L2 from the driver's perspective.

[0094] In addition, in the embodiment, while the portal frame 1 is waiting, a sensor device (in this embodiment, an entrance sensor 71 and a multi-axis sensor 10) can detect whether the automobile V is at the start position V2 or further ahead or in front of the start position V2, and in accordance with the detection results of these sensor devices, the control device C can control the operation of the first signal light L1 to accurately guide the automobile V to the start position V2. Not only that, the top nozzle Nt can be accurately raised and lowered based on the detection results of the sensor device, so that, for example, the top nozzle Nt can easily and reliably be retracted upward if the automobile V goes too far from the start position V2.

[0095] Furthermore, the above-mentioned sensor device includes a multi-axis sensor 10 for detecting the height of the top surface of the vehicle body and an entrance sensor 71 that is arranged on the portal frame 1 closer to the front end surface 1ei of the portal frame 1 in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle V than the multi-axis sensor 10 and can detect the front end of the vehicle V. Therefore, based on the detection results of the multi-axis sensor 10 and the entrance sensor 71, it is possible to accurately detect whether the vehicle V is at the start position V2 or further ahead or in front of the start position V2, eliminating the need to prepare a dedicated sensor device for this detection, thereby reducing costs.

[0096] Furthermore, in the embodiment, when the reception machine U confirms the reception operation input during standby, the control device C lowers the top nozzle Nt to an intermediate standby height (i.e., a predetermined height), and when the automobile V goes beyond the start position V2 by more than a predetermined distance, the control device C raises the top nozzle Nt to a retraction height that is higher than the intermediate standby height but lower than the upper limit position, and can also variably control the retraction height according to the height distribution of the upper surface Bt of the body at the front of the automobile V.

[0097] As a result, if the vehicle V goes beyond the start position V2 during standby, the top nozzle Nt can be raised and retracted to a retraction height that is lower than the upper limit position. Moreover, because the retraction height can be variably adjusted according to the height distribution of the upper surface Bf of the vehicle body at the front of the vehicle V, the amount of retraction of the top nozzle Nt can be kept to a minimum according to the height of the front body of the vehicle V, eliminating the need to uniformly raise it to the upper limit position each time, thereby improving work efficiency.

[0098] In the car wash machine A of the above embodiment, as can be seen in Figure 16, a pair of left and right detection bars 91 extending linearly in the vertical direction can be provided on the front end surface 1ei of the portal frame 11 to detect when the side of the body of the automobile V comes too close to the inner edge of either the left or right side of the portal frame 1, and an emergency operation lever 92 can be provided to completely stop the car wash machine A in the event of an emergency during the car wash, as necessary.

[0099] In this case, the left and right detection bars 91 are arranged along the inner edges of both the left and right sides of the portal frame 1, slightly inward of the inner edges, and are floatingly supported in a fixed position on the portal frame 1 via elastic members. When the side of the body of the automobile V comes into contact with one of the left and right detection bars 91, the contact pressure detects the approach of the side of the body to the inner surface of the portal frame 1, and a detection signal is sent to the control device C. In addition, an emergency operation lever 92 is arranged below the front end face 1ei of the portal frame 1, and when an operator operates this lever, an operation signal is sent to the control device C, completely stopping the car wash machine A.

[0100] Thus, for example, when the side of the vehicle body comes into contact with the detection bar 91 while the forward light portion L1f of the first signal light L1 is flashing and the vehicle V is moving forward after the car wash reception is completed (during execution of steps S1 and S2), the control device C switches the first signal light L1 from flashing the forward light portion L1f to flashing the reverse light portion L1b based on the detection signal, and further activates a reverse notification means (for example, an announcement) to urge the driver to back up the vehicle. As a result, if the front end of the vehicle V moves out of the path of the entrance sensor 71 and the sensor 71 detects light reception, the process returns to step S2 again to flash the forward light portion L1f and urge the vehicle V to move forward again. Thereafter, the process returns to step S3.

[0101] In addition, when the side of the body of the automobile V comes into contact with the detection bar 91 during a car wash, the recovery operation can be selectively set in advance to either an "automatic recovery mode" or a "manual recovery mode."

[0102] For example, when the "automatic recovery mode" is selected, if the side of the vehicle body contacts the detection bar 91 during a car wash, the control device C, based on the detection signal, automatically returns the portal frame 1 to the processing start position 1S, returns the top nozzle Nt to its upper limit position, then lowers it to the intermediate standby position, flashes the reverse light portion L1b of the first signal light L1, and activates a reverse notification means (e.g., an announcement) to prompt the driver to back up. If the vehicle V moves forward during this operation and blocks the light from the multi-axis sensor 10, the top nozzle Nt is raised to a retracted height calculated by adding a predetermined correction value ΔH to the light blocking height, thereby avoiding contact between the vehicle body upper surface Bt and the top nozzle Nt (sensing ring 51). Thus, if the front end of the vehicle V moves out of the path of the entrance sensor 71 and the sensor 71 detects light, the process returns to step S2, flashes the forward light portion L1f, and prompts the vehicle V to move forward again. The process then returns to step S3.

[0103] In contrast, when the "manual recovery mode" is set, if the side of the vehicle body comes into contact with the detection bar 91 during washing, the control device C will stop the car wash machine A completely based on the detection signal. Then, the driver, following the instructions of the worker, performs driving operations to re-enter the vehicle V (for example, return it to the reception position V1), and then moves the vehicle V forward to the processing start position V2, after which the car wash will be restarted. Note that while this manual recovery mode is being executed, the first signal light L1 remains in an inactive state throughout.

[0104] Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.

[0105] For example, in the above embodiment, the first signal light L1 is supported on the top nozzle Nt as a lifting body that is arranged to be able to rise and fall near the frame exit 1e within the portal frame 1, but the first feature of the present invention not only includes the above embodiment, but also includes a case where the first signal light L1 is supported on another lifting body that is arranged offset from the midpoint between the front and rear of the portal frame 1 toward the frame exit and is arranged to be able to rise and fall (for example, a lifting body for supporting an upper coating agent nozzle, a lifting body for supporting an upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle, etc.).

[0106] In addition, in the above embodiment, the arrival of the vehicle V at the start position V2 is detected using a sensor device (in the embodiment, an entrance sensor 71 and a multi-axis sensor 10) that can detect whether the vehicle V is at the start position V2 or further ahead or in front of the start position V2 by detecting the front end of the vehicle V. However, the arrival of the vehicle V at the start position V2 can also be detected using a wheel sensor that can detect the underside of the wheels of the vehicle V with or without contact.

[0107] In addition, in the above embodiment, an example of a sensor device capable of detecting whether the automobile V is at the start position V2 or further ahead or in front of the start position V2 is one that combines a multi-axis sensor 10 for detecting the height of the top surface of the vehicle body and an entry sensor 71 that can detect the entry of the front end of the automobile into the portal frame 1, but the sensor device may also be constituted by a pair of dedicated sensors arranged at a distance in the fore-and-aft direction on the portal frame 1.

[0108] In the above embodiment, the first signal light L1 is disposed on the top nozzle Nt offset to the right of the center of the top nozzle Nt. However, instead of this arrangement, the first signal light L1 may be disposed at another position on the top nozzle Nt. Offset to It may be placed.

[0109] In the above embodiment, the first signal light L1 includes a forward light L1f that urges the driver to go forward, a stop light L1s that urges the driver to stop, and a reverse light L1b that urges the driver to reverse, and provides guidance to the start position V2. However, the guidance method is not limited to the embodiment, and any display that urges the driver to go forward, stop, or reverse may be used. For example, the first signal light L1 may be configured as a message indicator using an LED, a liquid crystal panel, or the like, and in this case, the message indicator displays a message urging the driver to go forward, stop, or reverse. Furthermore, as described in the description of the embodiment, additional notification means other than the first signal light L1 (e.g., an announcement, another indicator, etc.) may be used in combination.

[0110] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the portal frame 1 has been shown to have a one-piece structure that is not divided into front and rear parts, but the portal frame of the present invention may also be configured as a portal frame with a front and rear divided structure composed of a pair of front and rear frame halves that can move toward and away from each other (see, for example, JP 2004-131020 A). In this case, one end face (front end face) of the portal frame is the front end face of the front frame half, and the other end face (rear end face) of the portal frame is the rear end face of the rear frame half, so "disposed on the frame outlet side of the midpoint between one end face and the other end face of the portal frame" means disposed on the frame outlet side of the midpoint between the front end face of the front frame half and the rear end face of the rear frame half. [Explanation of symbols]

[0111] A...Car wash machine C...Control device L1,L2...1st, 2nd signal light Nt: Top nozzle as a lifting body V...Automotive V2...Start position U······ Reception machine 1. Gate-type frame 1i, 1o··Frame inlet, frame outlet 1ei, 1eo ··Front and rear end faces as one and the other end faces of the portal frame 1S: Processing start position for starting washing of the portal frame 10. Multi-axis sensor as a sensor device 71. Vehicle entry sensor as a sensor device

Claims

1. a drive-through car wash comprising a portal frame (1) capable of straddling a vehicle (V) and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (V), and a car wash device mounted on the portal frame (1) and used to wash a body surface (B) of the vehicle (V) as the vehicle (V) travels; the car wash begins when the vehicle (V) moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position (V2) opposite a frame entrance (1i) opening at one end face (1ei) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1); and after the car wash is completed and the portal frame (1) reaches a car wash completion position (1E) behind the vehicle (V), the vehicle (V) moves forward and exits away from a frame exit (1o) opening at the other end face (1eo) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1), Within the portal frame (1), in a portion closer to the frame exit (1o) than the midpoint between the one end face (1ei) and the other end face (1eo), a lifting body (Nt) that can be raised and lowered within the portal frame (1) is disposed, with both longitudinal ends facing the left and right sides of the portal frame (1), and a first signal light (L1) that issues guidance information to the driver of a moving vehicle (V) to guide the vehicle (V) to the start position (V2) when the portal frame (1) is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position (1S) is fixed to the lifting body (Nt) so that its horizontally elongated signal light body (60) is offset to one left-right side of the lifting body (Nt) on the side where most of the driver's seats of the vehicles (V) facing the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S) are located. On the ground (E) located outward of the other end face (1eo) of the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S), a second signal light (L2) of a fixed structure that emits guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light (L1) to prompt the driver of the automobile (V) that has finished the car wash to exit the automobile (V) is disposed so as not to exceed the width of the frame exit (1o) and enter the exit path of the automobile (V), A drive-through car wash machine further comprising a reception machine (U) capable of inputting reception operations for car wash reception, and a control device (C) for controlling the raising and lowering of the lifting body (Nt), wherein when the reception machine (U) confirms the reception operation input while the portal frame (1) is waiting, the control device (C) lowers the lifting body (Nt) to a predetermined height that makes the first signal light (L1) easier to see.

2. a drive-through car wash comprising a portal frame (1) capable of straddling a vehicle (V) and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (V), and a car wash device mounted on the portal frame (1) and used to wash a body surface (B) of the vehicle (V) as the vehicle (V) travels; the car wash begins when the vehicle (V) moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position (V2) opposite a frame entrance (1i) opening at one end face (1ei) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1); and after the car wash is completed and the portal frame (1) reaches a car wash completion position (1E) behind the vehicle (V), the vehicle (V) moves forward and exits away from a frame exit (1o) opening at the other end face (1eo) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1), Within the portal frame (1), in a portion closer to the frame exit (1o) than the midpoint between the one end face (1ei) and the other end face (1eo), a lifting body (Nt) that can be raised and lowered within the portal frame (1) is disposed, with both longitudinal ends facing the left and right sides of the portal frame (1), and a first signal light (L1) that issues guidance information to the driver of a moving vehicle (V) to guide the vehicle (V) to the start position (V2) when the portal frame (1) is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position (1S) is fixed to the lifting body (Nt) so that its horizontally elongated signal light body (60) is offset to one left-right side of the lifting body (Nt) on the side where most of the driver's seats of the vehicles (V) facing the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S) are located. On the ground surface (E) outward of the other end face (1eo) of the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S), a second signal light (L2) of a fixed structure is disposed, which emits guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light (L1) to prompt the driver of the automobile (V) whose car wash has finished to exit the automobile (V). Although visibility of the second signal light (L2) by the driver in the automobile (V) is difficult to ensure from a position facing the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S) because it is obstructed by the portal frame (1), visibility is easily ensured without being obstructed by the portal frame (1) after the automobile (V) has reached the car wash end position (1E). A drive-through car wash machine further comprising a reception machine (U) capable of inputting reception operations for car wash reception, and a control device (C) for controlling the raising and lowering of the lifting body (Nt), wherein when the reception machine (U) confirms the reception operation input while the portal frame (1) is waiting, the control device (C) lowers the lifting body (Nt) to a predetermined height that makes the first signal light (L1) easier to see.

3. A drive-through car wash machine comprising: a portal frame (1) capable of straddling a vehicle (V) and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (V); and a car wash device mounted on the portal frame (1) and used to wash a body surface (B) of the vehicle (V) as the vehicle (V) travels; the car wash begins when the vehicle (V) moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position (V2) opposite a frame inlet (1i) opening at one end face (1ei) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1); and after the car wash is completed, the vehicle (V) moves forward and exits away from a frame outlet (1o) opening at the other end face (1eo) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1), Within the portal frame (1), in a portion closer to the frame exit (1o) than the midpoint between the one end face (1ei) and the other end face (1eo), a lifting body (Nt) that can be raised and lowered within the portal frame (1) is disposed, with both longitudinal ends facing the left and right sides of the portal frame (1), and a first signal light (L1) that issues guidance information to the driver of a moving vehicle (V) to guide the vehicle (V) to the start position (V2) when the portal frame (1) is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position (1S) is fixed to the lifting body (Nt) so that its horizontally elongated signal light body (60) is offset to one left-right side of the lifting body (Nt) on the side where most of the driver's seats of the vehicles (V) facing the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S) are located. A support pillar (67) is erected on the ground (E) located outward of the other end face (1eo) of the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S), and a second signal light (L2) is disposed on the top of the support pillar (67) for emitting guidance information different from the guidance information of the first signal light (L1) to prompt the driver of the automobile (V) whose car wash has finished to exit the automobile (V), The system further includes a reception machine (U) capable of receiving operation inputs for car wash reception, and a control device (C) for controlling the raising and lowering of the lifting body (Nt), and when the reception machine (U) confirms the reception operation input while the portal frame (1) is on standby, the control device (C) lowers the lifting body (Nt) to a predetermined height that makes the first signal light (L1) easily visible, a drive-through car wash characterized in that the predetermined height of the lifting body (Nt) is set to a height position where a portion of the second signal light (L2) overlaps with the lifting body (Nt) or the first signal light (L1) in the height direction of the portal frame (1), and the position of the second signal light (L2) on the ground (E) is set to a position where at least a portion of the second signal light (L2) is hidden by the lifting body (Nt) or the first signal light (L1) when viewed from the line of sight of a driver moving forward toward the start position (V2).

4. The drive-through car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the first signal light (L1) is fixed to the top of the lifting body (Nt) so that a portion of the side of its horizontally elongated signal light body (60) overlaps the top surface of the lifting body (Nt) when viewed in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1).

5. The vehicle further comprises a sensor device (71, 10) disposed on the portal frame (1) and capable of detecting whether the vehicle (V) is at the start position (V2) or ahead of or in front of the start position (V2) during the waiting period; The drive-through car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the control device (C) is capable of controlling the operation of the first signal light (L1) and the raising and lowering of the lifting body (Nt) based on the reception operation input and the detection results of the sensor device (71, 10) from the time the reception operation input is received until the car wash starts.

6. A drive-through car wash machine comprising: a portal frame (1) capable of straddling a vehicle (V) and traveling back and forth in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (V); and a car wash device mounted on the portal frame (1) and used to wash a body surface (B) of the vehicle (V) as the vehicle (V) travels; the car wash begins when the vehicle (V) moves forward and arrives at a predetermined start position (V2) opposite a frame inlet (1i) opening at one end face (1ei) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1); and after the car wash is completed, the vehicle (V) moves forward and exits away from a frame outlet (1o) opening at the other end face (1eo) in the fore-and-aft direction of the portal frame (1), In the car wash machine, the car wash device includes a top nozzle (Nt) that is provided in a position near a frame outlet (1o) in the portal frame (1) so as to be able to move up and down and that can spray drying air onto the vehicle body surface (B), The top nozzle (Nt) supports a first signal light (L1) that emits guidance information to a driver of a moving vehicle (V) to guide the vehicle (V) to the start position (V2) when the portal frame (1) is waiting at a predetermined car wash start position (1S), A second signal light (L2) is provided on the ground (E) located outward of the other end face (1eo) of the portal frame (1) waiting at the car wash start position (1S) to prompt the driver of the vehicle (V) whose washing has been completed to exit the vehicle (V), The system further comprises a reception machine (U) capable of receiving operation input for car wash reception, a control device (C) that controls the operation of the first signal light (L1) and the lifting and lowering of the top nozzle (Nt), and a sensor device (71, 10) that is disposed on the portal frame (1) and is capable of detecting whether the automobile (V) is at the start position (V2) or is further or further in front of the start position (V2) during the waiting period, and the control device (C) is capable of controlling the operation of the first signal light (L1) and the lifting and lowering of the top nozzle (Nt) based on the reception operation input and the detection result of the sensor device (71, 10) from the time the reception operation input is made until the start of the car wash, The control device (C) lowers the top nozzle (Nt) to a predetermined height during the standby state when the reception machine (U) confirms the reception operation input, and raises the top nozzle (Nt) to a retraction height that is higher than the predetermined height but lower than an upper limit position when the automobile (V) has traveled a predetermined distance or more beyond the start position (V2), and also variably controls the retraction height in accordance with the height distribution of the front body upper surface (Bt) of the automobile (V).

7. The drive-through car wash of claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the sensor device includes a multi-axis sensor (10) for detecting the height of the top surface of the body of the vehicle (V), which is configured by arranging multiple pairs of light-emitting elements and light-receiving elements facing each other in the left-right direction of the vehicle (V) side by side at intervals in the vertical direction within the portal frame (1) near the frame entrance (1i), and an entrance sensor (71) arranged on the portal frame (1) on a side closer to the one end face (1ei) than the multi-axis sensor (10) in the fore-and-aft direction of the vehicle (V) and capable of detecting the front end of the vehicle (V).

8. The drive-through car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first signal light (L1) is composed of a plurality of light sections (L1b, L1f, L1s) arranged horizontally and a signal light main body (60) that extends horizontally and surrounds them.

9. A drive-through car wash machine as described in Claim 8, characterized in that in the signal light body (60), the plurality of light units (L1b, L1f, L1s) and horizontal letter displays indicating their meanings are each arranged in two layers, and between the light units and horizontal letter displays, vertical letter displays indicating the meaning of each light unit (L1b, L1f, L1s) are arranged so as to be aligned in the left-right direction with the light units and horizontal letter displays.

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