Cleaning equipment

Abstract

To improve washing quality.SOLUTION: A washing device includes: a washing device body (3) with a jetting mechanism (30); and a control unit (4). The jetting mechanism (30) includes: a nozzle element (31); and a distance sensor (8) that acquires first information on a distance from the nozzle element (31) to a surface to be washed. The nozzle element (31) is configured to be able to adjust a spray angle for regulating spread of jetted washing liquid. The control unit (4) adjusts the spray angle by controlling the nozzle element (31) on the basis of the first information.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a washing device for washing a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] Various washing devices have been developed for washing specialized vehicles such as trucks, compactors, and construction vehicles. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a car washing device primarily for washing the tracks of construction vehicles such as hydraulic excavators and bulldozers. The car washing device described in Patent Document 1 washes the vehicle by a car washing robot having a spray nozzle that can be raised and lowered and swiveled, spraying water while reciprocating along a track surrounding the vehicle. The car washing device described in Patent Document 1 also discloses a configuration in which the spray range from the spray nozzle is changed based on data related to the dimensions of the hydraulic excavator's traveling gear, which is input into an operation control device. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 06-127344 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] One aspect of the present invention aims to improve the cleaning quality in cleaning special vehicles. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] In order to solve the above problem, a cleaning device according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises a cleaning device main body having a spray mechanism and a control unit, wherein the spray mechanism includes a nozzle element that sprays cleaning liquid toward a vehicle and a distance sensor that acquires first information regarding the distance from the nozzle element to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle, and the nozzle element is configured to be able to adjust a spray angle that determines the spread of the sprayed cleaning liquid, and the control unit adjusts the spray angle by controlling the nozzle element based on the first information. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, cleaning quality can be improved. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic side view of a washing device according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing a state in which the rear of a vehicle is being washed. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the cleaning device, showing how the inside of a luggage box of a vehicle is cleaned. [Figure 3] 1 is a schematic front view of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a region R in FIG. [Figure 5] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modified example of an injection mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The vehicle to be cleaned by the cleaning device according to the present disclosure may be a truck or a specialized vehicle such as a garbage collection truck. Such specialized vehicles generally have complex shapes. In addition, in the case of a garbage collection truck or truck equipped with a dumpable container or bed, cleaning of the inside of the container or bed may be required. Therefore, the distance from the cleaning device to the cleaning surface may change significantly during cleaning.

[0009] [Embodiment 1] Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0010] <Overview of cleaning equipment> In this embodiment, a washing device 100 for washing a vehicle X will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6. In this embodiment, a case where the vehicle X is a compactor truck is illustrated. FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of the washing device 100. FIG. 1 shows the rear of the vehicle X being washed. FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the washing device 100. FIG. 2 shows the inside of a cargo box of the vehicle X being washed. FIG. 3 is a schematic front view of the washing device main body 3 of the washing device 100. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of region R in FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the washing device 100. FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a modified example of the spray mechanism 30. In this specification and drawings, the xyz coordinate system is defined so that the xy plane is a horizontal plane. The x-axis direction is the traveling direction of the vehicle X, and the y-axis direction is the width direction of the vehicle X. In this embodiment, an example is shown where the vehicle X is a compactor truck, but the vehicle X is not limited to a compactor truck and may be a truck. For example, the vehicle X to be washed by the washing apparatus 100 may be a compactor or truck with a dumpable box or bed.

[0011] The washing device 100 of this embodiment includes a washing device main body 3 equipped with a spray mechanism 30, and a control unit 4. The washing device 100 may include a vehicle width sensor 2 and / or a vehicle height sensor 5.

[0012] The control unit 4 controls each part of the cleaning device main body 3. The control unit 4 may be provided in the cleaning device main body 3 or may be located outside the cleaning device main body 3. The control unit 4 may control the cleaning device main body 3 by transmitting and receiving information between the cleaning device main body 3 and various sensors described below using a communication device (not shown) or the like. The control unit 4 is composed of a processor such as a CPU, for example, and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in a memory on the processor.

[0013] The washing device main body 3 includes a spraying mechanism 30. The washing device main body 3 washes the vehicle X, for example, by spraying washing liquid onto the vehicle X from the front or rear of the vehicle X. The spraying mechanism 30 includes a nozzle element 31 that sprays washing liquid onto the vehicle, and a distance sensor 8 that acquires first information regarding the distance from the nozzle element 31 to the surface to be washed on the vehicle X.

[0014] The cleaning device main body 3 includes a support column 32 and a horizontal section 33 supported by the support column 32, and the spray mechanism 30 is provided on the horizontal section 33. As shown in FIG. 3 , the support columns 32 may be a pair of support columns erected on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle X. Furthermore, the horizontal section 33 may be installed between the pair of support columns 32. For example, in the cleaning device 100, a plurality of nozzle elements 31 may be arranged horizontally on the horizontal section 33.

[0015] The horizontal section 33 may be supported by the support column 32 so as to be movable up and down. The washing device main body 3 may include a drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the horizontal section 33 up and down along the Z-axis direction. The drive mechanism may be controlled by the control unit 4. The control unit 4 controls the drive mechanism so that the horizontal section 33 moves up and down in the Z-axis direction. Washing the vehicle X while the horizontal section 33 moves up and down enables higher quality car washing.

[0016] The spray mechanism 30 sprays cleaning liquid from the nozzle element 31 toward the surface of the vehicle X, thereby cleaning the surface. The surface of the vehicle X may be, for example, the front or rear of the vehicle X, or the inside of a cargo box or bed of the vehicle X. The nozzle element 31 is configured to be able to adjust the spray angle that determines the spread of the sprayed cleaning liquid. More specifically, the spray angle may be the angle between two straight line portions of a fan-shaped section formed by the cleaning liquid sprayed from the nozzle when the nozzle is viewed from above while spraying the liquid.

[0017] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the nozzle element 31 may have a first nozzle 311 capable of wide-angle spraying and a second nozzle 312 capable of narrow-angle spraying. The first nozzle 311 has a spray angle ranging from approximately 15° to 65°. Alternatively, the first nozzle 311 may be a nozzle whose spray angle is adjustable within a range of approximately 15° to 65°. The second nozzle 312 has a spray angle ranging from 0° to 15°. Alternatively, the second nozzle 312 may be a nozzle whose spray angle is adjustable within a range of 0° to 15°. Although FIG. 4 shows an example in which the nozzle element 31 includes only the first nozzle 311 and the second nozzle 312, the nozzle element 31 may further include a plurality of nozzles with different spray angles. Alternatively, the nozzle element 31 may include a switchable nozzle whose spray angle is switchable.

[0018] The first nozzle 311 and the second nozzle 312 may be swiveling. By making the first nozzle 311 and the second nozzle 312 swiveling, higher quality car washing is possible.

[0019] The distance sensor 8 is a sensor that acquires first information regarding the distance from the nozzle element 31 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X. The distance sensor 8 is a sensor that can acquire the first information over time. The distance sensor 8 may be provided at a position adjacent to the nozzle element 31 on the horizontal section 33. For example, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, multiple distance sensors 8 may be arranged adjacent to each of the multiple nozzle elements 31 arranged on the horizontal section 33. Alternatively, the distance sensor 8 may be arranged at any position on the horizontal section 33. For example, one distance sensor 8 may be arranged in the horizontal center of the horizontal section 33. The distance sensor 8 may be a reflective optical sensor that can measure the distance from the distance sensor 8 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X. The distance from the distance sensor 8 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X may be measured in a direction parallel to the spray direction of the nozzle of the nozzle element 31. Data on the distance from the distance sensor 8 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X is an example of first information. The control unit 4 may calculate the distance from the nozzle element 31 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X based on data on the distance from the distance sensor 8 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X.

[0020] The vehicle width sensor 2 is a sensor that acquires second information related to the vehicle width of the vehicle X. The vehicle width sensor 2 may include two sensors 21. For example, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the two sensors 21 included in the vehicle width sensor 2 may be respectively attached to support bases 20 installed on both sides of the vehicle X in the width direction. The sensors 21 may each be a reflective optical sensor that is capable of measuring the distance from the sensor 21 to the side of the vehicle X. In other words, the sensor 21 may be a sensor that is capable of acquiring information related to the distance between the sensor 21 and the vehicle X.

[0021] The vehicle height sensor 5 is a sensor that acquires information related to the vehicle height of the vehicle X. The type and installation location of the vehicle height sensor 5 are not particularly limited as long as the sensor is capable of acquiring information related to the vehicle height of the vehicle X. For example, the vehicle height sensor 5 may be a sensor that can acquire vehicle height data of the vehicle X. The vehicle height sensor 5 may be attached to the upper part of the support pillar 32.

[0022] (Regarding control of the control unit) 1 and 2, the control performed by the control unit 4 in the washing operation of the vehicle X will be described. In this embodiment, as an example, the vehicle X is a compactor truck, and a series of washing operations for washing the rear surface and the inside of the packing box of the vehicle X will be described.

[0023] [Until cleaning begins] First, the vehicle X to be washed moves backward relative to the washing device main body 3. The driver of the vehicle X drives the vehicle X until the rear wheels reach a stopping position, and then stops the vehicle X. The stopping position may be a wheel stopper 7 having a convex shape relative to the ground as shown in FIG. 1, or may be a stopping instruction system that indicates the stopping position by displaying or providing audio guidance.

[0024] [Back cleaning process] When it is detected that the vehicle X has stopped at the parking position, the control unit 4 starts the car washing operation. First, the washing device 100 washes the rear of the vehicle X with the cover located on the rear side closed as shown in FIG.

[0025] The control unit 4 includes a nozzle control unit 45. The control unit 4 acquires first information regarding the distance from the spray mechanism 30 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X from the distance sensor 8. The nozzle control unit 45 adjusts the spray angle by controlling the nozzle element 31 based on the first information. For example, the nozzle control unit 45 switches the nozzle that sprays the cleaning liquid between the first nozzle 311, which can spray at a wide angle, and the second nozzle 312, which can spray at a narrow angle, based on the first information regarding the distance from the spray mechanism 30 to the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X. A series of controls, from acquiring the first information to switching between the first nozzle 311 and the second nozzle, may be repeated at predetermined time intervals. The predetermined time interval may be set arbitrarily, for example, between one second and one minute. This allows switching to an appropriate nozzle even when the distance between the nozzle element 31 and the surface to be cleaned changes over time due to adjustment of the spray direction or lifting and lowering of the horizontal unit 33, as described below.

[0026] More specifically, the control unit 4 may include a distance calculation unit 46. The distance calculation unit 46 may calculate the distance L between the nozzle element 31 and the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X based on the first information. If the nozzle control unit 45 determines that the distance L is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance, it switches to the first nozzle 311, and if it determines that the distance L is longer than the threshold distance, it switches to the second nozzle 312. FIG. 1 shows the nozzle control unit 45 determining that the distance L is shorter than the threshold distance and spraying cleaning liquid from the first nozzle 311.

[0027] Furthermore, the nozzle control unit 45 may adjust the horizontal spray direction of the nozzle element 31 based on second information relating to the width of the vehicle X from the vehicle width sensor 2. By being able to adjust the horizontal spray direction of the nozzle element 31 based on the first information relating to the vehicle width, it is possible to perform control to reduce water splashing to the surroundings in accordance with the vehicle width.

[0028] Furthermore, the nozzle control unit 45 may control the nozzle element 31 to perform washing while oscillating. By washing the vehicle X while spraying the washing liquid while oscillating, the washing ability can be improved.

[0029] The control unit 4 may include a lifting / lowering operation control unit 44. The lifting / lowering operation control unit 44 may raise and lower the horizontal unit 33 within a range of vehicle height of the vehicle X by controlling the drive mechanism described above based on vehicle height data from the vehicle height sensor 5. For example, the washing device 100 may wash the rear of the vehicle X while moving the horizontal unit 33 back and forth. By performing washing while raising and lowering the horizontal unit 33 within a range corresponding to the vehicle height of the vehicle X, the washing device 100 can achieve high-quality car washing with reduced splashing of water onto the surrounding area.

[0030] [Packing box cleaning process] After the rear surface washing process is completed, the washing device 100 then performs a cargo box washing process to wash the inside of the cargo box. The driver of the vehicle X follows instructions such as an audio guide to open the lid and place the cargo box in the dump position, as shown in Figure 2.

[0031] When it is confirmed that the container is ready for cleaning, the nozzle control unit 45 controls the nozzle element 31 so that the spray direction of the nozzle element 31 is directed toward the surface of the container to be cleaned. Next, the control unit 4 acquires first information from the distance sensor 8. The distance calculation unit 46 calculates the distance L between the nozzle element 31 and the surface of the container to be cleaned on the vehicle X based on the first information. If the nozzle control unit 45 determines that the distance L is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance, it switches to the first nozzle 311. If the nozzle control unit 45 determines that the distance L is longer than the threshold distance, it switches to the second nozzle 312. FIG. 2 shows the nozzle control unit 45 determining that the distance L is longer than the threshold distance and spraying cleaning liquid from the second nozzle 312. The control unit 4 may clean the inside of the container while oscillating the second nozzle 312 and raising and lowering the horizontal unit 33.

[0032] By using a nozzle with a different spray angle than that used during rear surface cleaning, the cleaning liquid can be effectively sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned even if the distance to the surface to be cleaned changes significantly, thereby improving cleaning quality.

[0033] [Lid cleaning process] After the packing box cleaning process is completed, the cleaning device 100 subsequently performs a lid cleaning process to clean the back side of the lid.

[0034] The control unit 4 may include a movement control unit 47. The cleaning device main body 3 may include a second drive mechanism (not shown) that moves the cleaning device main body 3 along rails 6 provided on the installation surface of the cleaning device main body 3. The movement control unit 47 controls the second drive mechanism to cause the cleaning device main body 3 to reciprocate along the X-axis direction. In the lid cleaning step, the movement control unit 47 may move the cleaning device main body 3 in the positive direction of the X-axis to a position where the nozzle element 31 can clean the back side of the lid.

[0035] When it is confirmed that the underside of the lid is ready to be cleaned, the nozzle control unit 45 controls the nozzle element 31 so that the spray direction of the nozzle element 31 faces the underside of the lid. Next, the control unit 4 acquires first information from the distance sensor 8. The distance calculation unit 46 calculates the distance L between the nozzle element 31 and the surface to be cleaned on the vehicle X based on the first information. If the nozzle control unit 45 determines that the distance L is shorter than a predetermined threshold distance, it switches to the first nozzle 311, and if it determines that the distance L is longer than the threshold distance, it switches to the second nozzle 312. The control unit 4 may clean the underside of the lid while oscillating the first nozzle 311 or the second nozzle 312 and raising and lowering the horizontal unit 33.

[0036] As described above, even if the distance to the surface to be cleaned changes significantly during the cleaning operation, by switching the nozzle depending on the nozzle element 31 and the distance to the surface to be cleaned, the cleaning liquid can be sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned with a more appropriate water pressure than without switching, thereby improving the cleaning quality.

[0037] [Modification] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a modified example of the injection mechanism 30, and is an enlarged view of region R in FIG. 3. The nozzle element 31 of the injection mechanism 30 shown in FIG. 6 has a switching nozzle 313 (third nozzle) that can switch the spray angle. The switching nozzle 313 is a nozzle that can switch the spray angle in at least two stages. The nozzle control unit 45 may adjust the spray angle by switching the spray angle of the switching nozzle 313 based on the first information.

[0038] This configuration makes it possible to switch the spray angle with one nozzle.

[0039] 〔summary〕 (1) A cleaning device according to a first aspect of the present disclosure includes a cleaning device main body having a spray mechanism and a control unit. The spray mechanism includes a nozzle element that sprays cleaning liquid toward a vehicle and a distance sensor that acquires first information related to the distance from the nozzle element to a surface to be cleaned on the vehicle. The nozzle element is configured to be able to adjust a spray angle that determines the spread of the sprayed cleaning liquid. The control unit adjusts the spray angle by controlling the nozzle element based on the first information.

[0040] This configuration allows the spray angle to be adjusted based on the distance between the nozzle element and the surface to be cleaned, even in a vehicle wash where the distance to the surface to be cleaned varies greatly during the cleaning operation. This allows the cleaning liquid to be sprayed onto the surface to be cleaned with a more appropriate water pressure than when spraying at a constant spray angle, thereby improving cleaning quality.

[0041] (2) In a cleaning device according to aspect 2 of the present disclosure, in the above-described aspect 1, the nozzle element includes a first nozzle capable of wide-angle spraying and a second nozzle capable of narrow-angle spraying, and the control unit switches the nozzle that sprays the cleaning liquid between the first nozzle and the second nozzle based on the first information.

[0042] With this configuration, the spray angle can be adjusted by switching between the first nozzle and the second nozzle, which have different spray angles.

[0043] (3) A cleaning device according to aspect 3 of the present disclosure is, in aspect 1 above, wherein the spray mechanism includes a third nozzle capable of switching the spray angle, and the control unit switches the spray angle of the third nozzle based on the first information.

[0044] This configuration allows the spray angle to be adjusted by a single third nozzle.

[0045] (4) A cleaning device according to aspect 4 of the present disclosure is any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, wherein the cleaning device body includes a support pillar and a horizontal section supported between the support pillars and capable of moving up and down, and the nozzle elements are arranged in multiple rows horizontally on the horizontal section.

[0046] With this configuration, the horizontal section on which the nozzle elements are provided can be raised and lowered, thereby achieving higher quality car washing.

[0047] (5) A fifth aspect of the present disclosure provides a washing device according to the fifth aspect, wherein the support pillars are a pair of support pillars erected on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle.

[0048] This configuration allows for high-quality car washing with a simple structure.

[0049] [Additional Notes] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0050] 100 Cleaning equipment 2. Vehicle width sensor 3. Cleaning device body 4. Control section 5. Vehicle height sensor 6···rail 8. Distance sensor 30...Injection mechanism 31 Nozzle element 32...post 33...Horizontal part 44 Lifting operation control section 45 Nozzle control section 311···First nozzle 312...Second nozzle 313···Switching nozzle (third nozzle)

Claims

1. a cleaning device body having a spray mechanism; a control unit; and the spray mechanism includes a nozzle element that sprays cleaning fluid onto the vehicle, and a distance sensor that acquires first information regarding a distance from the nozzle element to a surface to be cleaned on the vehicle; The nozzle element is configured to be able to adjust a spray angle that determines the spread of the sprayed cleaning liquid, A cleaning device wherein the control unit acquires the first information from the distance sensor at a plurality of predetermined timings during a cleaning operation, and adjusts the spray angle by controlling the nozzle element based on the first information.

2. the nozzle element includes a first nozzle capable of wide-angle injection and a second nozzle capable of narrow-angle injection, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches the nozzle that sprays the cleaning liquid between the first nozzle and the second nozzle based on the first information.

3. The spray mechanism includes a third nozzle capable of switching the spray angle, The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein the control unit switches the spray angle of the third nozzle based on the first information.

4. The cleaning device body includes: a horizontal section supported between the columns and capable of moving up and down; The cleaning device according to claim 1 , wherein a plurality of the nozzle elements are arranged in the horizontal direction in the horizontal portion.

5. The washing device according to claim 4 , wherein the support pillars are a pair of support pillars erected on both sides in the width direction of the vehicle.

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