Car wash machine

Abstract

To provide a car washing machine which allows a foam detergent scattering and flowing out of foam detergent nozzles arranged in a portal frame to be easily visible from the outside of a frame inlet of the portal frame, can enhance a show effect by the foam detergent, makes the foam detergent nozzles close to a vehicle body surface by lifting together with a lifting support, prevents the foam detergent from being affected by wind, and has a simple structure and is compact.SOLUTION: A car washing machine includes a lifting support 24 provided in a part close to a frame inlet 1i in a portable frame 1 so as to be liftable, and coating agent nozzles Ctn which are supported by the lifting support 24 so as to lift together with the lifting support 24, and can discharge a coating agent toward a vehicle body surface B of an automobile V, wherein the foam detergent nozzles Atn capable of discharging the foam detergent toward the vehicle body surface B are supported by the lifting support 24 so as to lift together with the lifting support 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

Technical Field

[0005]

[0001] The present invention relates to a car washer, particularly a gantry frame capable of reciprocatingly traveling in the front - rear direction across an automobile, and car washing equipment provided on this gantry frame and used for washing the car body surface along with the traveling. The car washer is configured such that car washing is started from a state where the automobile is at a predetermined start position facing a frame entrance opened at one end surface in the front - rear direction of the gantry frame.

Background Art

[0002] In a conventional car washer of this type, there is known one in which a high - pressure washing water nozzle capable of injecting high - pressure washing water onto the car body surface and a foam detergent nozzle capable of discharging a foam detergent toward the car body surface are disposed at a position near the other end surface in the front - rear direction inside the gantry frame.

[0003] Also, there is known a car washer in which the high - pressure washing water nozzle and the foam detergent nozzle are installed on an overhanging frame protruding from one end surface in the front - rear direction of the gantry frame (for example, refer to Patent Document 1 below).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

[0006] Furthermore, in the car wash machine described in Patent Document 1, the high-pressure washing water nozzle and foam detergent nozzle are fixed to an overhanging frame that protrudes to a considerable extent from one end face in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame. As a result, the foam detergent is clearly visible from the outside of the gantry frame, and while the show effect of the foam detergent can be fully expected, there are other problems. Specifically, because the distance between the high-pressure washing water nozzle and foam detergent nozzle, which are fixed to the overhanging frame (and therefore cannot be raised or lowered), and the vehicle body is long, the foam detergent is particularly susceptible to wind (and therefore scattered around), which may cause it to be wasted by not reaching the intended area of ​​the vehicle body, or may cause detection errors in surrounding vehicle shape sensors, etc. In addition, the overhanging frame that protrudes from one end face in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame causes problems such as the gantry frame becoming larger in the front-rear direction.

[0007] Incidentally, while there is prior knowledge of car wash machines that have a lifting support located near the frame entrance within a gantry frame, and that allows the coating agent nozzle to be raised and lowered along with it, in these known car wash machines, the lifting support is used solely to support the coating agent nozzle.

[0008] The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and aims to provide a car wash machine that can solve at least one of the above problems of conventional car wash machines, with a simple structure in which a foam detergent nozzle is supported so as to be able to move up and down together with a lifting support that is provided so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support that is provided so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support that is provided so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support that is provided in a part of the gate-type frame near the frame entrance. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] To achieve the above objective, the present invention provides a car wash machine comprising a gantry frame that can travel back and forth in the longitudinal direction of an automobile, and a car wash machine provided on the gantry frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the automobile is in a predetermined starting position facing a frame entrance opening on one end face of the gantry frame in the longitudinal direction, the machine comprising a lifting support provided on the gantry frame so as to be able to move up and down around the frame entrance, and a foam detergent nozzle supported by the lifting support so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support, and capable of discharging foam detergent toward the body surface of the automobile, The system includes a top nozzle lifting support provided at a portion of the gate-type frame near the other end face in the front-rear direction, which supports a top nozzle capable of spraying drying air onto the upper surface of the vehicle body in a movable manner, and a high-pressure cleaning water nozzle supported by the top nozzle lifting support so as to be able to move up and down together with the top nozzle lifting support, which is capable of spraying high-pressure cleaning water onto the vehicle body surface. Its first characteristic is this.

[0010] A second feature of the present invention is a car wash machine comprising a gantry frame that can travel back and forth in the front-rear direction of an automobile, and a car wash machine provided on the gantry frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the automobile is in a predetermined starting position facing a frame entrance opening on one end face of the gantry frame in the front-rear direction, and further comprising a lifting support provided in a portion of the gantry frame near the frame entrance so as to be able to move up and down, and a foam detergent nozzle supported by the lifting support so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support, and capable of discharging foam detergent from the lower end of the lifting support toward the body surface of the automobile.

[0011] The present invention also relates to a car wash machine comprising a gantry frame that can travel back and forth in the longitudinal direction of an automobile, and a car wash device provided on the gantry frame and used to wash the body surface of the automobile as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the automobile is in a predetermined starting position facing a frame entrance opening on one end face in the longitudinal direction of the gantry frame, wherein the car wash device includes a lifting support provided on the gantry frame (1) so as to be able to move up and down around the frame entrance (1i), and a coating agent nozzle supported by the lifting support so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support and capable of discharging a coating agent toward the body surface, wherein the lifting support is supported so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support and capable of discharging foam detergent toward the body surface, and the foam detergent nozzle and the coating agent nozzle are The aforementioned portal frame is positioned so that it overlaps when viewed from the left and right directions. The aforementioned lifting support (24) Distributed to The third characteristic is that it is placed in a certain position. 。

[0012] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the second or third In addition to the features mentioned above, the gate-type frame is provided with a high-pressure water nozzle capable of spraying high-pressure cleaning water onto the vehicle body surface, near the other end face in the front-rear direction of the gate-type frame. 4 This is a characteristic of this product.

[0013] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the above-mentioned 3 In addition to the features described above, the coating agent nozzles and foam detergent nozzles are provided in multiples on the lifting support, and the gate-type frame is provided with a coating agent supply pipe that distributes and supplies the coating agent to the multiple coating agent nozzles via a branched piping section, and a foam detergent supply pipe that distributes and supplies foam detergent to the multiple foam detergent nozzles via a branched piping section, and the branched piping section of either the coating agent supply pipe or the foam detergent supply pipe is located inside the lifting support, while the branched piping section of the other supply pipe is located outside the lifting support. 5 This is a characteristic of this product.

[0014] Furthermore, the present invention relates to the above-mentioned 3 In addition to the features described above, the coating agent nozzles and foam detergent nozzles are provided in multiples on the lifting support, and the gate-type frame is provided with a coating agent supply pipe that distributes and supplies the coating agent to the multiple coating agent nozzles via a branched piping section, and a foam detergent supply pipe that distributes and supplies foam detergent to the multiple foam detergent nozzles via a branched piping section, and the branched piping section of the foam detergent supply pipe and the branched piping section of the coating agent supply pipe are either located inside the lifting support, or both are located outside the lifting support. 6 This is a characteristic of this product. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] According to the first feature of the present invention, a foam detergent nozzle capable of discharging foam detergent onto the vehicle body surface is provided on a lifting support that is movable up and down on the gate-type frame around the frame entrance. As a result, the foam detergent spraying out from the foam detergent nozzle can be easily seen from the outside of the frame entrance of the gate-type frame, and a show effect from the foam detergent can be fully expected. Moreover, by raising and lowering the foam detergent nozzle together with the lifting support, the foam detergent nozzle can be brought closer to the vehicle body surface. Therefore, the foam detergent is less affected by wind, and scattering to the surroundings due to wind is effectively suppressed. Consequently, not only can the foam detergent be efficiently sprayed onto the vehicle body surface, but the decrease in detection accuracy of surrounding vehicle shape sensors, etc., due to the foam detergent can be suppressed. Furthermore, since the high-pressure water nozzle and the foam detergent nozzle can be sufficiently separated in the front-to-back direction, the inconvenience of the foam detergent being wasted by the high-pressure water can be avoided, and the foam detergent can be used efficiently for cleaning.

[0016] According to the second feature of the present invention, a foam detergent nozzle capable of discharging foam detergent from the lower end of a lifting support, which is provided to be vertically movable at a portion of the gate-type frame near the frame entrance, is installed on the lifting support, which is provided to be vertically movable at a portion of the gate-type frame near the frame entrance. As a result, the foam detergent spraying out from the foam detergent nozzle can be easily seen from the outside of the frame entrance of the gate-type frame, and a show effect from the foam detergent can be fully expected. Moreover, by raising and lowering the foam detergent nozzle together with the lifting support, the foam detergent nozzle can be brought closer to the vehicle body, so that the foam detergent is less affected by wind, and scattering to the surroundings due to wind is effectively suppressed. Therefore, not only can the foam detergent be efficiently sprayed onto the vehicle body, but the decrease in detection accuracy of surrounding vehicle shape sensors, etc., due to the foam detergent can be suppressed.

[0017] Furthermore, according to the third feature, a foam detergent nozzle capable of discharging foam detergent onto the vehicle body surface is provided on a lifting support that is movable up and down on the gantry frame around the frame entrance. As a result, the foam detergent spraying out from the foam detergent nozzle can be easily seen from the outside of the frame entrance of the gantry frame, and a show effect from the foam detergent can be fully expected. Moreover, by raising and lowering the foam detergent nozzle together with the lifting support, the foam detergent nozzle can be brought closer to the vehicle body surface, so the foam detergent is less affected by wind, and scattering to the surroundings due to wind is effectively suppressed. Therefore, not only can the foam detergent be efficiently sprayed onto the vehicle body surface, but the decrease in detection accuracy of surrounding vehicle shape sensors, etc. due to the foam detergent can also be suppressed. In addition, the lifting support for the coating agent nozzle is also used as a lifting support means for the foam detergent nozzle, and the foam detergent nozzle and the coating agent nozzle are... The gate-shaped frame is designed to overlap when viewed from the left and right directions. Lifting support Distributed to Because it is positioned in such a way, it can greatly contribute to simplifying and miniaturizing the structure of the portal frame.

[0018] Also, 4According to this feature, since the high-pressure washing water nozzle is provided on the gantry frame near the other end surface in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame, even if the high-pressure washing water nozzle and the detergent foam nozzle are arranged inside the gantry frame, the two nozzles can be sufficiently separated in the front-rear direction, avoiding the inconvenience that the detergent foam is wasted by the high-pressure washing water, and enabling the detergent foam to be efficiently used for washing.

[0019] Also, according to the 5 feature, the branch pipe portion of either one of the coating agent supply pipe and the detergent foam supply pipe is arranged inside the lifting support body, and the branch pipe portion of the other supply pipe is arranged outside the lifting support body. Thereby, even if a plurality of coating agent nozzles and detergent foam nozzles are provided on the lifting support body, since the branch pipe portion of either one of the coating agent supply pipe and the detergent foam supply pipe is placed outside the lifting support body, there is more space for the pipes inside the lifting support body, so the degree of freedom in routing each supply pipe inside the lifting support body is increased, and the pipe layout inside the relatively narrow lifting support body becomes easier.

[0020] Also, according to the 6 feature, both the branch pipe portion of the detergent foam supply pipe and the branch pipe portion of the coating agent supply pipe are either arranged inside the lifting support body or both are arranged outside the lifting support body. Thereby, especially when both branch pipe portions are outside the lifting support body, not only is there more space for the pipes inside the lifting support body and the degree of freedom in routing the pipes is further increased, but the size of the lifting support body can be reduced. On the other hand, when both branch pipe portions are inside the lifting support body, while the routing of the pipes inside the lifting support body becomes complicated, the simplification of both supply pipes outside the lifting support body (i.e., inside the gantry frame) is achieved, which is particularly advantageous for simplifying the lifting movable parts of both supply pipes that are interlocked with the lifting movement of the lifting support body.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] This shows an overview of a car wash according to an embodiment of the present invention, where (a) is an overall side view and (b) is an overall plan view. [Figure 2] Side view showing the main parts of the car wash machine. [Figure 3] A cross-sectional view of a car wash machine (3X-3X section in Figure 2) showing an overview of the top nozzle lifting mechanism. [Figure 4] Figure 3: 4X-4X enlarged cross-sectional view [Figure 5] This is a cross-sectional view of a car wash machine (5X-5X section in Figure 2) showing an overview of the upper supply piping lifting mechanism for coating agent and foam detergent, and illustrating the discharge pattern from the coating agent nozzle. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a corresponding cross-sectional view illustrating the dispensing pattern from the foam detergent nozzle. [Figure 7] A partially broken cross-sectional view (enlarged cross-sectional view of section 7X in Figure 5) showing the main parts of the upper coating agent supply piping and upper foam detergent supply piping within the second lifting frame. [Figure 8] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the swivel mechanism of the upper coating agent nozzle in its lowest position (8A-8A cross-sectional view in Figure 7), and (B) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 8(A) in a swivel state where the upper coating agent nozzle is facing inward from the aforementioned downward position. [Figure 9] (A) is a cross-sectional view showing the main part of the oscillating mechanism of the upper foam detergent nozzle in its lowest position (9A-9A cross-sectional view in Figure 7), and (B) is a cross-sectional view corresponding to Figure 9(A) in the oscillating state where the upper foam detergent nozzle is facing inward from the aforementioned downward position. [Figure 10] Overall piping diagram showing the general layout of the coating agent supply piping and foam detergent supply piping. [Figure 11] Control block diagram showing an overview of the control system. [Figure 12] (A) is a process diagram showing the spray pattern of high-pressure cleaning water from the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle during the first forward stroke, (B) is a process diagram showing the discharge pattern of foam detergent from the upper foam detergent nozzle during the first return stroke, and (C) is a process diagram showing the discharge pattern of coating agent from the upper coating agent nozzle during the second return stroke. [Figure 13] Figure 10 shows a corresponding piping diagram illustrating another example of coating agent supply piping and foam detergent supply piping. [Figure 14]Figure 10 shows another example of piping for coating agent supply piping and foam detergent supply piping. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0022] Embodiments of the present invention will be specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] In Figures 1 to 6, the gantry frame 1 that constitutes the main body of the car wash machine A is formed in a gantry shape that straddles the car V to be washed and is movable relative to it in the front-to-back direction. A pair of wheels 3 and 4 are rotatably supported at the lower part of both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1, and these wheels 3 and 4 are capable of rolling on a pair of left and right running rails 2 and 2 laid on the ground E which serves as the installation surface for the car wash machine A. As is clear from Figure 5, a running motor 5 is linked to one of the left and right wheels 4 and 4 on each side via a reduction mechanism, and by driving this running motor 5, the gantry frame 1 can be made to move back and forth on the running rails 2 and 2.

[0024] Thus, the running rail 2, wheels 3 and 4, running motor 5, and reduction mechanism cooperate with each other to constitute a relative movement means Dm that moves the gantry frame 1 and the automobile V relative to each other in the front-rear direction.

[0025] The car wash machine A of this embodiment is a drive-through type car wash machine, and as will be described later, the car wash process starts from a state in Figure 1 where the gantry 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 gantry frame 1 completes the first forward movement and reaches the processing end position 1E, or when the gantry frame 1 completes the first and second forward movements (i.e., 1.5 forward movements), or when it completes the first and second and third forward movements (i.e., 2.5 forward movements) and reaches the processing end position 1E.

[0026] In this case, one end face of the portal frame 1 in the front-rear direction (hereinafter referred to as the front end face 1ei in this specification) has a frame entrance 1i into which the front end of the automobile V first enters, and the other end face (hereinafter referred to as the rear end face 1eo in this specification) has a frame exit 1o into which the rear end of the automobile V last exits.

[0027] In other words, the front-to-back direction of car wash machine A is opposite to the front-to-back direction of car V, so the front of car wash machine A is the rear of car V, and the rear of car wash machine A is the front of car V.

[0028] As is clear from Figure 1, a barrier 41 that can be opened and closed is installed on the ground E near the front end of the running rail 2, and a reception machine U is installed on the ground E further ahead. This reception machine U has an operation panel for performing various reception operations (for example, selecting a processing course or paying a fee), and the car washing process starts after waiting for reception operation input from a driver or worker to the operation panel. In addition, a guide display 42 is installed behind the rear end of the running rail 2 to inform the driver of the car V of the car washing process. The guide display 42 can also display information to guide the car V to the starting position V2 facing the frame entrance 1i, and to prompt the driver to exit after the car washing process is complete.

[0029] A control panel (not shown) installed in a suitable location on the gantry frame 1 is equipped with a control device C (shown only in the control block diagram of Figure 11) that controls the operation of the car wash machine A. The control device C mainly consists of an electronic control unit with a built-in microcomputer and the like. Actuators and sensors that are linked to various car wash equipment installed on the car wash machine A, as well as a reception machine U, a barrier 41, a guide display 42, and the like are connected to the control device C.

[0030] The control device C controls the various car wash equipment of the car wash machine A based on the reception operation input to the reception machine U and the detection results of sensors, so that the selected car wash processing mode is executed.

[0031] A position detection means 7 (see Figure 11) is provided between the lower part of the gantry frame 1 and the ground E, which can detect whether the gantry frame 1 is at the return end and the forward end as illustrated in Figure 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.

[0032] Furthermore, a rotary encoder 8 (see Figure 11) capable of detecting the amount of rotation of the output shaft (and consequently the amount of travel of the gantry frame 1) is connected to the output shaft of the travel motor 5. Based on the detection results of these position detection means 7 and rotary encoder 8, the control device C can detect the amount of travel of the gantry frame 1 from the processing start position 1S, and therefore the travel position.

[0033] An entry sensor 71 is positioned on the front end surface 1ei of the gantry frame 1 to detect when the front end of a vehicle V enters the frame entrance 1i, and an exit sensor 72 is positioned on the rear end surface 1eo of the gantry frame 1 to detect when the rear end of a vehicle V exits the frame exit 1o. The entry sensor 71 and exit sensor 72 are composed of photoelectric sensors consisting of a set of light emitter and light receiver arranged in parallel on the left and right sides at the same height. In particular, the entry sensor 71 is positioned at a height where it can detect when the front end of the vehicle V (e.g., the front bumper) blocks the light from the light emitter to the light receiver, and is positioned on both the left and right sides of the front end surface 1ei of the gantry frame 1. On the other hand, the exit sensor 72 is positioned at a height where it can detect when the rear end of the vehicle V (e.g., the rear bumper) passes and light enters the light emitter to the light receiver, and is positioned on both the left and right sides of the rear end surface 1eo of the gantry frame 1.

[0034] A multi-axis sensor 10, which serves as a vehicle shape detection device capable of detecting the shape of the upper surface of the automobile V, is installed inside the front end surface 1ei of the gantry frame 1. This multi-axis sensor 10 is composed of numerous photoelectric sensors 11, each consisting of a set of light emitters and light receivers arranged in parallel on the left and right sides at the same height, arranged vertically at equal intervals on both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1. The multi-axis sensor 10 is set at a predetermined distance (for example, 40 cm) in front of the automobile V from the front-to-rear position of the vehicle entry sensor 71.

[0035] Based on the detection results of the 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 shape of the vehicle (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 type of vehicle.

[0036] A group of car wash brushes capable of brushing and cleaning the body surface B of an automobile V is arranged within the gantry frame 1. This group of car wash brushes includes a top brush T capable of brushing and cleaning the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body, left and right side brushes S, S capable of brushing and cleaning the left and right sides Bs of the vehicle body, respectively, and left and right rocker brushes R, R capable of brushing and cleaning the lower parts of the left and right sides Bs of the vehicle body, respectively.

[0037] Furthermore, a drying device is installed inside the rear end surface 1eo of the gantry frame 1, which is capable of spraying drying air onto the body surface B of the automobile V. This drying device includes a top nozzle Nt that can spray drying air onto the upper body surface Bt of the automobile V, and left and right side nozzles Ns, Ns that can spray drying air onto the left and right side surfaces Bs of the automobile V, respectively.

[0038] As is clear from Figures 3 and 4, the top nozzle Nt is located inside the rear end face 1eo of the gantry frame 1 and is supported by a first lifting frame 14 that is movable up and down relative to the gantry frame 1, and is movable up and down together with the first lifting frame 14. The lifting trolleys 14a provided at both the left and right ends of the first lifting frame 14 are guided and supported so as to be movable up and down by left and right lifting rails 13, 13 that are fixed to both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1 and extend vertically.

[0039] Between the lifting trolley 14a and the gantry frame 1, a lifting drive means Dn is provided as a first lifting drive means that is operated under control by a control device C and can drive the first lifting frame 14 (and therefore the top nozzle Nt) up and down. In this embodiment, this first lifting drive means Dn comprises a chain transmission mechanism 15 to which a part of the chain is connected to the lifting trolley 14a, and a motor 16 that rotationally drives one sprocket of the chain transmission mechanism 15 via another chain transmission mechanism.

[0040] Furthermore, drying air can be pressurized and supplied to the top nozzle Nt from a blower 9 (see Figure 11) mounted on the gantry frame 1 via a flexible duct, and the drying air can be sprayed from the nozzle opening of the top nozzle Nt toward the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body. In addition, an upper high-pressure cleaning water supply pipe Jt, which has multiple upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzles Jtn that can spray high-pressure cleaning water onto the vehicle body surface V from above, is attached to a stay fixed to the top nozzle Nt, and is driven to move up and down together with the top nozzle Nt.

[0041] The upper high-pressure cleaning water supply pipe Jt of this embodiment is attached to the top nozzle Nt via a conventionally known swivel mechanism Dw (see Figure 11). This swivel mechanism Dw allows the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn to swivel in the front-rear direction by a predetermined angle together with the upper high-pressure cleaning water supply pipe Jt, and the spray direction of the high-pressure cleaning water can be changed according to the area of ​​the vehicle body surface B to be sprayed, as will be described later. The swivel mechanism Dw may have the same structure as the swivel mechanism Dk (see Figures 7 and 8) that drives the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn and the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn to swivel, as will be described later. Alternatively, the swivel mechanism Dw may be omitted, and the upper high-pressure cleaning water supply pipe Jt may be fixed to the top nozzle Nt in a manner that prevents swiveling.

[0042] Furthermore, a pair of left and right side high-pressure cleaning water nozzles Jsn are fixed to both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1 at approximately the same position as the top nozzle Nt in the front-rear direction, allowing high-pressure cleaning water to be sprayed from the side onto the side of the vehicle body V.

[0043] The side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn and the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn described above can be supplied with high-pressure cleaning water from a conventionally known high-pressure cleaning water supply source (not shown) which is operated and controlled by the control device C. This high-pressure cleaning water supply source includes a high-pressure cleaning water tank, a pressure pump, a pump drive actuator, a control valve for supplying high-pressure cleaning water, etc., and these are operated and controlled by the control device C. The high-pressure cleaning water is as follows: High pressure Clean water, or water mixed with a small amount of detergent. High pressure Washing water is used.

[0044] The left and right side nozzles Ns are attached to the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1, respectively. Drying air can also be supplied to each side nozzle Ns from the blower 9, and the drying air can be sprayed from the nozzle opening of each side nozzle Ns toward the side Bs of the vehicle body.

[0045] The top brush T is supported by the gantry frame 1 at a position near the frame entrance 1i so as to be able to move up and down vertically. Between the top brush T and the gantry frame 1, there is a conventionally known lifting drive means Dta (see Figure 11) which is operated by a control device C and can drive the top brush T up and down. For example, the lifting drive means Dta of the top brush T can have the same structure as the first lifting drive means Dn of the top nozzle Nt described above. In addition, a rotation drive means Dtb (see Figure 11) is linked to the top brush T so as to be able to rotate it.

[0046] The left and right pair of side brushes S,S are positioned on the side of the top nozzle Nt (towards the rear of the gantry frame 1) relative to the rotation axis of the top brush T in the front-rear direction, and are suspended and supported from the top of the gantry frame 1 via conventionally known side nozzle guide support means (not shown) so as to be movable in the left-right direction. A conventionally known left-right drive means Dsa (see Figure 11) capable of driving the side brushes S in the left-right direction is provided between each side brush S and the gantry frame 1. A rotational drive means Dsb (see Figure 11) capable of rotating the side brushes S is also interlocked and connected to the side brushes S.

[0047] The control device C controls the opening and closing drive means Ds so that the left and right side brushes S contact and follow the front and rear end faces Bf, Br and side faces Bs of the automobile V with appropriate contact pressure, and the history of the movement trajectory of the side brushes S is also stored in the control device C. Therefore, when the gantry frame 1 is stopped, the left and right side brushes S can open and close to follow the shape of the front and rear end faces of the automobile V, enabling brushing and cleaning of the front and rear end faces Bf, Br, and as the gantry frame 1 moves, they can move to follow the shape of the side faces of the automobile body, enabling brushing and cleaning of the side faces Bs of the automobile body over their entire length in the front and rear direction.

[0048] Furthermore, the left and right pair of rocker brushes R,R, like the side brushes S,S, have their left and right drive means and rotation drive means linked together. However, these drive means are all conventionally well known in car wash machines, so no further explanation is necessary.

[0049] Furthermore, the gantry frame 1 is equipped with a coating agent supply device CS capable of dispensing a coating agent onto the vehicle body surface B, and a foam detergent supply device AS capable of dispensing foam detergent onto the vehicle body surface B, located immediately behind the multi-axis sensor 10 in the front-rear direction. Next, specific examples of the coating agent supply device CS and the foam detergent supply device AS will be described sequentially with reference to Figures 5 to 10.

[0050] First, regarding the coating agent supply device CS, as is clear from Figure 10, it consists of multiple upper coating agent nozzles Ctn (in the illustrated example, a pair on the left and right) arranged at intervals in the left-right direction and capable of discharging the coating agent from above onto the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body, an upper coating agent supply pipe 80 that distributes and supplies the coating agent to these upper coating agent nozzles Ctn via a branch pipe section 80a, left and right first side coating agent nozzles Csn1 provided on both the left and right sides of the gate-type frame 1 and capable of discharging the coating agent from the side onto the side Bs of the vehicle body, and above these first side coating agent nozzles Csn1 The mold frame 1 is provided with left and right second side coating agent nozzles Csn2 on both sides, respectively, which can discharge the coating agent from the side toward the side of the vehicle body Bs; first and second side coating agent supply pipes 81 and 82 which distribute and supply the coating agent to the first and second side coating agent nozzles Csn1 and Csn2 via branch pipes 81a and 82a, respectively; and a coating agent supply source 83 (see also Figure 11) which is connected in parallel to the upper coating agent supply pipe 80 and the first and second side coating agent supply pipes 81 and 82, and is capable of pressurizing and supplying the coating agent to these supply pipes 80 to 82.

[0051] The coating agent supply source 83 includes a tank for the concentrated coating agent, a water tank, a pressure pump, an actuator for driving the pump, and control valves responsible for selective and mixed supply of the coating agent and water. These are operated and controlled by the control device C, and are configured to selectively supply pressurized coating agent or clean water to each of the coating agent supply pipes 80-82. The coating agent discharged during the second return process may be a mixture of the concentrated coating agent and clean water adjusted to a predetermined concentration, or it may be the concentrated coating agent.

[0052] Incidentally, the downstream piping section of the upper coating agent supply pipe Ct and the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn are attached to a second lifting frame 24 located inside the gate-type frame 1 near the frame inlet 1i. As is clear from Figures 2, 5, and 6, this second lifting frame 24 is composed of a hollow frame body with a polygonal cross-section that extends linearly in the left-right direction, and is positioned to be vertically movable relative to the gate-type frame 1 immediately behind the multi-axis sensor 10 in the front-rear direction, and raises and lowers the downstream piping section of the upper coating agent supply pipe Ct and the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn together with the second lifting frame 24. Lifting trolleys 24a are provided at both the left and right ends of the second lifting frame 24, and these lifting trolleys 24a are guided and supported so as to be vertically movable on left and right lifting rails 23, 23 that are fixed to both the left and right sides of the gate-type frame 1 and extend vertically. In this invention, the second lifting frame 24 is referred to as the lifting support, and the first lifting frame 14 is referred to as the lifting support for the top nozzle.

[0053] Between the lifting trolley 24a and the gantry frame 1, a second lifting drive means Dc is provided that can drive the second lifting frame 24 (and therefore the upper coating agent supply piping Ct) up and down. The structure of the second lifting drive means Dc is the same as that of the lifting drive means Dn of the first lifting frame 14 described above, and includes, for example, a chain transmission mechanism 25 to which a part of the chain is connected to the lifting trolley 24a, and a motor (not shown) that rotationally drives one sprocket of the chain transmission mechanism 25 via another chain transmission mechanism.

[0054] Furthermore, at least the branch pipe section 80a and the downstream pipe section of the upper coating agent supply pipe 80 are located inside the second lifting frame 24.

[0055] Incidentally, as is clear from Figures 5, 7, and 10, the left and right upper coating agent nozzles Ctn are in an inclined position with the discharge direction tilted downward toward the center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front of the gantry frame 1. Furthermore, they are configured to be able to swing back and forth between a first position (see Figure 8(A)) where they face almost directly downward when viewed from the side of the gantry frame 1, and a second position (see Figure 8(B)) where they face further rearward than the first position (therefore, the discharge direction can be changed).

[0056] The swivel mechanism Dk comprises a channel-shaped support frame 90 fixed to the lower part of the second lifting frame 24, a pivot 92 that extends left and right and is fitted and supported in the support frame 90 via a plurality of bearing brackets 91, a mounting plate 94 fixed to the outer circumference of the nozzle body of each upper coating agent nozzle Ctn, a U-shaped holding frame 93 that has both ends detachably fixed to the mounting plate 94 and holds the pivot 92 rotatably between itself and the mounting plate 94, a link 97 that is pivotably fitted and supported on the pivot 92, an extendable and retractable air cylinder 98 whose middle part is rotatably pivoted 98p1 on a bracket 96 erected on the support frame 90 and whose lower end is rotatably pivoted 98p2 on the link 97, and a control valve (not shown) that controls the supply and discharge of working air in an air tank to the air cylinder 98.

[0057] Thus, as is clear from Figure 8, the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn oscillates back and forth, or swivels, around the axis of the pivot 92, so that it assumes the first position when the air cylinder 98 is retracted and the second position when it is extended. The switching of the operation of the above swivel mechanism Dk (more specifically, the control valve that controls the supply and discharge of working air to the air cylinder 98) is controlled by the control device C.

[0058] On the other hand, as is clear from Figure 10, a normally closed on-off valve 85 is interposed in the second side coating agent supply pipe 82, which is on the higher side of the first and second side coating agent supply pipes 81 and 82, in the piping portion upstream of the branch pipe section 82a. This on-off valve 85 is normally kept in a closed state during the coating process or rinsing process by the car wash machine A, stopping the discharge of coating agent or water from the second side coating agent nozzle Ctn2. However, if the vehicle V is high-riding, the control device C switches it to an open state, allowing coating agent or rinsing water to be discharged from the second side coating agent nozzle Ctn2, so that coating or rinsing treatment can be accurately applied to high-riding vehicles V. Furthermore, when coating a low-riding vehicle V, the discharge of coating agent or rinsing water from the second side coating agent nozzle Ctn2 can be stopped to conserve coating agent or rinsing water.

[0059] Furthermore, the first side coating agent supply pipe 81 is not equipped with the on / off valve 85 described above. Therefore, during the coating or rinsing process, the coating agent or rinsing water is always discharged from the first side coating agent nozzle Ctn1.

[0060] Incidentally, as the coating agent, a liquid surface treatment agent (for example, special modified silicone, other silicone polymer agents: previously sold by the applicant company under the trade name "FK-2") that can form a strong protective film on the vehicle body surface B in a short time by being dispensed and applied to the vehicle body surface B can be used, or a liquid wax agent may be used instead of such a surface treatment agent. Furthermore, in order to make the protective film stronger, for example, multiple types of coating agents with different compositions may be sprayed and applied to the vehicle body surface at different timings, or the same type of coating agent may be dispensed and applied to the vehicle body surface at different timings. Note that these different timings may be either dispensing at different timings during the same stroke of the gantry frame 1 (for example, forward movement), or dispensing at different strokes of the gantry frame 1 (i.e., forward and return movement).

[0061] Next, the foam detergent supply device AS will be described. As is clear from Figure 10, it comprises a plurality of upper foam detergent nozzles Atn (in the illustrated example, a pair on the left and right) capable of discharging foam detergent from above onto the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body, an upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 that distributes and supplies foam detergent to these upper foam detergent nozzles Atn via a branch pipe section 60a, left and right side foam detergent nozzles Asn provided on both the left and right sides of the gate-type frame 1, capable of discharging foam detergent from the side onto the side Bs of the vehicle body, a side foam detergent supply pipe 61 that distributes and supplies foam detergent to the left and right side foam detergent nozzles Asn via a branch pipe section 61a, and a foam detergent supply source 63 (see also Figure 11) connected in parallel to the upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 and the side foam detergent supply pipe 61, capable of pressurizing and supplying foam detergent to these supply pipes 60 and 61.

[0062] The foam detergent supply source 63 includes a detergent tank, a pressure pump, and an actuator for driving the pump, as well as foaming means (e.g., an ejector) that causes the detergent drawn in and pressurized by the pressure pump from the detergent tank to foam up, and a control valve for supplying foam detergent. These are operated and controlled by the control device C, and are configured to supply foam detergent (i.e., foamed detergent) to each of the foam detergent supply pipes 60 and 61.

[0063] Furthermore, the downstream end of the upper foam detergent supply pipe At and the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn are mounted on the gantry frame 1 so as to be movable up and down, similar to the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn. More specifically, the downstream end of the upper foam detergent supply pipe At and the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn are supported by the second lifting frame 24 and are movable up and down together with the second lifting frame 24. The left and right upper foam detergent nozzles Atn are arranged to be aligned to the left and right outer sides of the left and right upper coating agent nozzles Ctn, respectively, and are mounted on the gantry frame 1. When viewed from the left or right The coating agent nozzle Ctn is mounted on the second lifting frame 24, with a gap between them in the left-right direction, so as to overlap with it.

[0064] Furthermore, at least the branched pipe section 60a and the upstream pipe section of the upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 are located outside the second lifting frame 24. Thus, although the second lifting frame 24 in this embodiment is provided with multiple upper coating agent nozzles Ctn and multiple foam detergent nozzles Atn, by placing at least the branched pipe section 60a and the upstream pipe section of the upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 outside the second lifting frame 24, as in the embodiment, more piping space is created inside the second lifting frame 24. As a result, the flexibility of routing the upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 and the upper coating agent supply pipe 80 inside the second lifting frame 24 is increased, making it easier to arrange the piping inside the relatively narrow second lifting frame 24.

[0065] Furthermore, in the opposite configuration to the embodiment, another piping example can be implemented in which at least the branched piping section 60a and its downstream piping portion of the upper foam detergent supply pipe 60 are placed inside the second lifting frame 24, and at least the branched piping section 80a and its upstream piping portion of the upper coating agent supply pipe 80 are placed outside the second lifting frame 24. In this piping example as well, since there is extra space for piping inside the second lifting frame 24, the same effects and advantages as described above can be expected.

[0066] Figures 13 and 14 also show yet another piping example for the foam detergent supply pipe 60 and the coating agent supply pipe 80. That is, in the above embodiment, one of the branch pipe sections 60a and 80a of the foam detergent supply pipe 60 and the coating agent supply pipe 80 is located inside the second lifting frame 24, and the other is located outside the second lifting frame 24. However, as in the piping example in Figure 13, when both branch pipe sections 60a and 80a are located outside the second lifting frame 24, there is even more piping space inside the second lifting frame 24, which not only increases the freedom of piping routing but also allows for miniaturization of the second lifting frame 24. On the other hand, when both branch piping sections 60a and 80a are located within the second lifting frame 24, as shown in the piping example in Figure 14, the piping space within the second lifting frame 24 becomes limited, complicating the piping layout. However, the foam detergent supply piping 60 and coating agent supply piping 80 outside the second lifting frame 24 (i.e., inside the gantry frame 1) are simplified, which is particularly advantageous in simplifying the lifting and lowering movable parts of each supply piping 60 and 80 that are linked to the lifting and lowering operation of the second lifting frame 24.

[0067] By the way, the upper foam detergent nozzles Atn on the left and right are as is clear from Figures 5 and 7. It is positioned at the lower end of the second lifting frame 24. The gantry frame 1 is initially positioned in a tilted posture, with the discharge direction inclined downwards toward the center in the left-right direction when viewed from the front. Furthermore, it is configured to be able to swing back and forth between a first posture (see Figure 9(A)) in which the gantry frame 1 is tilted downwards and rearward when viewed from the side, and a second posture (see Figure 9(B)) which faces even further rearward than the first posture (therefore, the discharge direction can be changed).

[0068] The mechanism for oscillating the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn is shared with the oscillating mechanism Dk for the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn. Therefore, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn and the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn oscillate at the same displacement angle. As is clear from Figure 9, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn oscillates back and forth around the axis of the pivot 92 in conjunction with the extension and retraction of the air cylinder 98, resulting in the first posture (see Figure 9(A)) when the air cylinder 98 is retracted, and the second posture when it is extended (see Figure 9(B)).

[0069] Furthermore, an upper rinse water supply pipe Wt is provided at the top of the gantry frame 1 approximately in the center in the front-rear direction, 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 surface Bt of the vehicle body Bt of the automobile V after brushing. On both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1, a pair of left and right side rinse water supply pipes Ws are provided, each having a plurality of side rinse water nozzles Wsn capable of discharging rinse water onto the side surfaces Bs of the vehicle body Bs of the automobile V after brushing. A rinse water supply source 86 (see Figure 11) capable of pressurizing and supplying rinse water to these rinse water supply pipes Wt and Ws is connected. The rinse water supply source 86 includes a rinse water tank, a pressure pump, a pump drive actuator, a control valve for supplying rinse water, etc., and these are operated and controlled by a control device C to supply pressurized rinse water to each of the rinse water supply pipes Wt and Ws.

[0070] Furthermore, an upper shampoo detergent supply pipe St is provided on the upper part of the gantry frame 1, located between the top brush T and the second lifting frame 24, having a plurality of upper shampoo detergent nozzles Stn capable of discharging shampoo detergent onto the upper surface Bt of the automobile V during brushing cleaning. Additionally, a pair of left and right side shampoo detergent supply pipes St are provided on both the left and right sides of the gantry frame 1, each having a plurality of side shampoo detergent nozzles Ssn capable of discharging shampoo detergent onto the side surfaces Bs of the automobile V during brushing cleaning, located in front of the side rinse water supply pipes Ws.

[0071] A shampoo detergent supply source 87 (see Figure 11) capable of pressurizing and supplying shampoo detergent or clean water to these shampoo detergent supply pipes St and Ss is connected to them. The shampoo detergent supply source 87 includes a shampoo detergent tank, a clean water tank, a pressure pump, a pump drive actuator, a control valve for selective supply of shampoo detergent or water, etc. These are operated and controlled by a control device C, and are configured to selectively supply pressurized shampoo detergent or clean water to each of the shampoo detergent supply pipes St and Ss.

[0072] Incidentally, elongated sensing bars 51 and 52 are attached to the central parts of the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24, respectively. These bars are larger in a side view than their contours and surround the lower halves of the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24. When these sensing bars 51 and 52 come into contact with an obstacle, the control device C, based on the contact pressure, can either move the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24 upward to avoid it, or completely stop the car wash machine A, thereby preventing the obstacle from colliding with the top nozzle Nt and the second lifting frame 24.

[0073] Next, the operation of the above embodiment will be explained.

[0074] In the standby state of car wash machine A, the gantry frame 1 is stationary at the processing start position 1S at the rear end of the running rail 2, as shown by the solid line in Figure 1, and the barrier 41 is closed.

[0075] The driver of the vehicle V before processing first moves the vehicle V forward to the reception position V1 in front of the barrier 41 (i.e., next to the reception machine U), and then performs the reception operation input for car wash reception at the reception machine U (for example, selecting the desired processing course and paying the fee corresponding to the selected course). Payment can be made using various conventional payment methods for car wash machines, such as cash insertion, prepaid card insertion, or smartphone payment.

[0076] Upon completion of the car wash registration, the control device C opens the barrier 41, and the driver drives the vehicle V forward to the starting position V2. Then, the driver brings the right front wheel of the vehicle V against the stopper 43 protruding from the ground E, stopping the vehicle V at the starting position V2. When a wheel detection means (not shown) detects this state, the detection signal is sent to the control device C, which then initiates a series of car wash processes, and the first forward movement of the gantry frame 1 begins. Alternatively, instead of using the stopper 43, the vehicle V may be guided to the starting position V2 by activating the guidance display 42 based on detection signals from the vehicle entry sensor 71 or the multi-axis sensor 10.

[0077] Thus, the control device C of the car wash machine A controls the various car wash equipment equipped in the car wash machine A so that the selected car wash processing mode (for example, various washing courses in which foam washing, coating, high-pressure washing, etc. can be optionally added, in addition to the normal shampoo washing course) is executed based on the reception operation input at the reception machine U. During the execution of this process, the driver of the automobile V remains in the automobile V in principle. In addition, the car wash reception may be performed by an operator or other person operating an operation panel installed in an appropriate place on the gantry frame 1, in which case the installation of the reception machine U and the barrier 41 can be omitted.

[0078] Incidentally, the processing modes that control device C can execute and control include, for example, a "one-way shampoo washing course" performed only on the first return journey of the gantry frame 1 (i.e., 0.5 round trips), and a "1.5 round trip shampoo washing course" performed on the first and second return journeys of the gantry frame 1. Furthermore, as illustrated below, there is a "2.5 round trip special washing course" performed on the first and second return journeys of the gantry frame 1, as well as the third return journey, and the course content can be set individually for each car wash machine A.

[0079] For example, if the 2.5 round-trip special cleaning course is selected, the following processes are performed in parallel and sequentially during each round-trip process of the gantry frame 1 as it travels. [First Outbound Trip] During the process of the gantry frame 1 making its first return journey from the processing start position 1S, the control device C detects the travel position of the gantry frame 1 based on the detection results of the position detection means 7 and the rotary encoder 8. Furthermore, based on this travel position and the position of the vehicle body top detected by the multi-axis sensor 10, the control device C detects and stores the shape of the automobile V (including the shape of the vehicle body top surface and front and rear end surfaces). The top nozzle Nt is then raised and lowered by the control device C so as to roughly follow the detected vehicle shape (hereinafter simply referred to as the detected vehicle shape) (see the raising and lowering trajectory in Figure 12(A)). At the same time, high-pressure cleaning water is sprayed from the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn and the side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn toward the vehicle body top surface Bt and the vehicle body sides Bs, and high-pressure cleaning is performed.

[0080] In this case, as is clear from Figure 12(A), the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn is held in its most downward position until it reaches near the rear end of the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body V. After reaching this point, it pivots to a downward-tilting position towards the front of the vehicle, enabling efficient high-pressure cleaning of the rear surface Br and upper surface Bt of the vehicle body. During the spraying of the high-pressure cleaning water, the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn and the side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn are located away from the multi-axis sensor 10 in the front-rear direction, thus reducing the impact of splashing of high-pressure cleaning water onto the multi-axis sensor 10 and suppressing a decrease in vehicle shape detection accuracy. The top nozzle Nt rises to its upper limit position when the gantry frame 1 approaches the processing end position 1E, and the spraying of high-pressure cleaning water stops at the same time.

[0081] In this embodiment, a control example was shown in which high-pressure cleaning water is sprayed not only from the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn but also from the side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn during the first forward stroke. However, it is also possible to implement a control example in which the spraying of high-pressure cleaning water from the side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn is not performed during the first forward stroke but during the following first return stroke. In this case, there is an advantage in that the pump capacity of the pressurizing pump can be reduced by performing the spraying of high-pressure cleaning water from either the upper high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jtn or the side high-pressure cleaning water nozzle Jsn. [First round trip] Next, as the gantry frame 1 begins its first return movement from the processing completion position 1E, the control device C lowers the second lifting frame 24 from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, and thereafter controls the lifting and lowering of the second lifting frame 24 so as to substantially conform to the detected vehicle shape (see the lifting and lowering trajectory in Figure 12(B)). That is, when the second lifting frame 24, having reached the lower limit position, approaches the rear end surface of the automobile V, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn and the side foam detergent nozzle Asn begin to discharge foam detergent toward the vehicle body surface B, and the foam detergent is applied to the vehicle body surface B, covering the vehicle body surface B with cloudy foam detergent. In this case, as is clear from Figure 12(B), the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn is held in a downward-facing forward-facing position until it reaches near the rear end of the roof surface of the automobile V, and after reaching that point, it oscillates to its most downward position, enabling efficient application of foam detergent to the vehicle body surface B. Then, when the gantry frame 1 reaches the processing start position 1S, the second lifting frame 24 rises to its upper limit position, and at the same time, the discharge of foam detergent stops. [Second Outbound Trip] Next, as the gantry frame 1 moves from the processing start position 1S to the second forward movement, the control device C discharges clean water from the upper shampoo detergent nozzle Stn and the side shampoo detergent nozzle Ssn onto the vehicle body surface B, partially washing away the foam detergent remaining on the vehicle body surface B in the previous stroke (first return movement), while operating the top brush B, side brush S, and rocker brush R to brush and clean the vehicle body surface B. In this case, the control device C controls the raising and lowering of the top brush T so that it substantially conforms to the detected vehicle shape, so that the contact pressure of the top brush T on the vehicle body surface B is maintained at an appropriate level. Then, as the gantry frame 1 approaches the processing end position 1E, the discharge of clean water from each shampoo detergent nozzle Stn and Ssn stops.

[0082] Furthermore, during this second forward pass, in addition to the discharge of clean water from each shampoo detergent nozzle Stn, Ssn, clean water may also be discharged from each coating agent nozzle Ctn, Csn1 (and especially from Csn2 if the vehicle V is tall) to more thoroughly wash away any foam detergent remaining on the vehicle surface in the previous pass (first return pass). In this case, the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn is raised and lowered together with the second lifting frame 24, which is controlled to move up and down by the control device C.

[0083] Furthermore, the above control example assumes that a processing course that dispenses foam detergent is selected during the first return stroke. However, if a processing course that does not dispense foam detergent is selected, the control device C will dispense shampoo detergent from the upper shampoo detergent nozzle Stn and the side shampoo detergent nozzle Ssn onto the vehicle body surface B, while operating the top brush B, side brush S, and rocker brush R to brush and clean the vehicle body surface B. [Second round trip] Next, as the gantry frame 1 begins its second return movement from the processing completion position 1E, the control device C controls the second lifting frame 24 to move up and down so as to substantially conform to the detected vehicle shape described above, and its lifting trajectory is the same as the lifting trajectory of the second lifting frame 24 during the first return movement process (see Figure 12(B)). During this second return movement process, the coating agent is discharged from the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn and the side coating agent nozzle Csn1 (and also from Csn2 if the vehicle V is tall) toward the vehicle body surface B, and the vehicle body surface B is coated.

[0084] In parallel with this, the control device C discharges rinse water (clean water) from each rinse water nozzle Wtn, Wsn toward the vehicle body surface B, and activates the top brush B and side brush S to brush the vehicle body surface B. However, since each rinse water nozzle Wtn, Wsn is located further rearward from the gate-type frame 1 than each coating agent nozzle Ctn, Csn1, Csn2, any detergent remaining on the vehicle body surface B in the previous process (second forward pass) can be thoroughly washed off with rinse water just before the coating process, thereby improving the adhesion of the coating agent to the vehicle body surface B. [Third journey] Next, as the gantry frame 1 begins its third forward movement from the processing start position 1S, the control device C controls the second lifting frame 24 to move up and down so as to substantially follow the detected vehicle shape, and its lifting trajectory is the same as the lifting trajectory of the second lifting frame 24 during the second return process (see Figure 12(B)). During this third forward movement, clean water is discharged from the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn and the side coating agent nozzle Csn1 (and Csn2, especially if the vehicle V is tall) toward the vehicle body surface B, and a rinsing process is performed to wash away excess coating agent from the vehicle body surface B. Before and after this, the top nozzle Nt and side nozzle Sn are activated to dry the vehicle body surface B, and in this case as well, the top nozzle Nt is controlled to move up and down so as to substantially follow the detected vehicle shape (see Figure 12(A)). Thus, when the gantry frame 1 reaches the processing end position 1E and stops during this third forward movement, the series of washing courses is completed.

[0085] Furthermore, when rinsing is performed by discharging rinse water from each coating agent nozzle Ctn, Csn1, and Csn2 (i.e., during the second and third forward passes) and when coating is performed by discharging the coating agent (i.e., during the second return pass), the amount of clean water supplied from the coating agent supply source 83 to each coating agent nozzle Ctn, Csn1, and Csn2 is changed; in other words, more water is used during rinsing than during coating.

[0086] When the washing course is completed as described above, the guidance display 42 displays an indication that the process is finished and a "Forward" indicator prompting the driver to exit. Upon seeing this indicator, the driver inside the car V moves the car V forward from the starting position V2 and exits outside the installation surface of the car wash machine A. The control device C, which detects this exit using a detection signal from the wheel detection means (not shown), reverses the movement of the gantry frame 1, returning it to the processing start position 1S, where it waits.

[0087] As a result of the above process, the car wash machine A is placed in a standby state until the next car wash registration operation is performed at the reception machine U. Note that the next car wash registration operation may be performed while the previous car V is being washed. 。

[0088] As mentioned above, the settings for the processing course can be individually configured for each car wash machine A. For example, if the body surface B of car V is clean and brushing is not required, the foam wash (first return pass) and shampoo wash (second forward pass) can be omitted, and the coating process can be performed in 1.5 passes by connecting the first forward pass to the second return pass.

[0089] According to the embodiment described above, in a car wash machine A in which the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn is supported so as to be able to move up and down together with the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn is supported on the second lifting frame 24 so as to be able to move up and down together with the second lifting frame 24. As a result, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn can be positioned on the second lifting frame 24 located in a part close to the frame entrance 1i of the gantry frame 1, so that the cloudy foam detergent that is sprayed out from the nozzle Atn can be easily seen from the outside of the frame entrance 1i of the gantry frame 1, and a show effect from the foam detergent can be fully expected.

[0090] Furthermore, by raising and lowering the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn together with the second lifting frame 24, the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn can be brought as close as possible to the upper surface Bt of the vehicle body. As a result, the foam detergent that is scattered and flowed out from the nozzle Atn is less affected by the wind, and scattering to the surroundings due to the wind is effectively suppressed. This not only allows for efficient application of foam detergent to the vehicle body surface B, but also prevents the detection accuracy of the vehicle shape sensor (i.e., multi-axis sensor 10) around the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn from being reduced by the foam detergent.

[0091] Furthermore, since the second lifting frame 24, which is a means of supporting the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn from above, is also used as a means of supporting the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn from above, it can contribute to simplifying and miniaturizing the structure of the gantry frame 1.

[0092] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the high-pressure cleaning water nozzles Jtn and Jsn are arranged on the gantry frame 1 near the rear end surface 1eo. Therefore, even if the high-pressure cleaning water nozzles Jtn and Jsn and the foam detergent nozzle Atn are both located within the gantry frame 1, they can be sufficiently separated in the front-rear direction. This avoids the inconvenience of foam detergent being wasted by the high-pressure cleaning water, and allows for efficient use of foam detergent for cleaning.

[0093] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and various embodiments can be implemented within the scope of the present invention.

[0094] For example, in the above embodiment, the car wash A is exemplified as a so-called drive-through car wash machine in which the car wash starts with the driver still inside the car V, and the car V moves forward and exits after the car wash is completed. However, the present invention may also be applied to a conventional type of car wash machine that is not a drive-through type.

[0095] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second lifting frame 24 as a lifting support was shown to be used for both lifting support for the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn and lifting support for the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn. However, the first feature of the present invention includes not only the above embodiment, but also another embodiment (not shown) in which the second lifting frame 24 as a lifting support is used only for lifting support for the upper foam detergent nozzle Atn (i.e., not for lifting support for the upper coating agent nozzle Ctn).

[0096] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the second lifting frame 24 as a lifting support is shown to be provided so as to be able to move up and down inside the gate-type frame 1 near the frame entrance 1i. However, the first feature of the present invention includes not only the above embodiment, but also another embodiment (not shown) in which the second lifting frame 24 as a lifting support is provided so as to be able to move up and down in an arrangement in which part or all of the second lifting frame 24 extends outward from the front end surface 1ei (one end surface) of the gate-type frame 1. [Explanation of symbols]

[0097] A...Car wash machine atn······Upper foam detergent nozzle as foam detergent nozzle Ctn······Upper coating agent nozzle as a coating agent nozzle Jtn, Jsn... Upper high-pressure water nozzle, side high-pressure water nozzle as a high-pressure water nozzle V······Automobile V2·····Starting position 1. Gate-type frame 1i····· frame entrance 1ei, 1eo... Front end face and rear end face as one end face and the other end face of a portal frame. 24. Second lifting frame as a lifting support. 60..Upper foam detergent supply pipe as foam detergent supply pipe 80..Upper coating agent supply piping as coating agent supply piping 60a, 80a... Branch piping section

Claims

1. A car wash machine comprising a gantry frame (1) that straddles a car (V) and can travel back and forth in the front-rear direction of the car (V), and a car wash device provided on the gantry frame (1) and used to wash the body surface (B) of the car (V) as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the car (V) is in a predetermined starting position (V2) facing a frame entrance (1i) that opens on one end face (1ei) in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame (1), A car wash machine characterized by comprising: a lifting support (24) provided on the gate-type frame (1) around the frame entrance (1i) so as to be able to move up and down; a foam detergent nozzle (Atn) supported by the lifting support (24) so ​​as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support (24) and capable of discharging foam detergent toward the vehicle body surface (B); a lifting support (14) for a top nozzle provided on a part of the gate-type frame (1) near the other end face (1eo) in the front-rear direction, which supports a top nozzle (Nt) so as to be able to move up and down, capable of spraying drying air toward the upper surface (Bt) of the vehicle body (V); and a high-pressure washing water nozzle (Jtn) supported by the lifting support (14) for a top nozzle so as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support (14) and capable of spraying high-pressure washing water toward the vehicle body surface (B).

2. A car wash machine comprising a gantry frame (1) that straddles a car (V) and can travel back and forth in the front-rear direction of the car (V), and a car wash device provided on the gantry frame (1) and used to wash the body surface (B) of the car (V) as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the car (V) is in a predetermined starting position (V2) facing a frame entrance (1i) that opens on one end face (1ei) in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame (1), A car wash machine characterized by comprising: a lifting support (24) provided so as to be able to move up and down in a portion of the gate-type frame (1) near the frame entrance (1i); and a foam detergent nozzle (Atn) supported by the lifting support (24) so ​​as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support (24), and capable of discharging foam detergent from the lower end of the lifting support (24) toward the vehicle body surface (B).

3. A car wash machine comprising a gantry frame (1) that straddles a car (V) and can travel back and forth in the front-rear direction of the car (V), and a car wash device provided on the gantry frame (1) and used to wash the body surface (B) of the car (V) as it travels, wherein the car wash is started when the car (V) is in a predetermined starting position (V2) facing a frame entrance (1i) that opens on one end face (1ei) in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame (1), The car wash equipment includes a lifting support (24) that is provided on the gate-type frame (1) around the frame entrance (1i) so as to be able to move up and down, and a coating agent nozzle (Ctn) that is supported by the lifting support (24) so ​​as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support (24) and can discharge a coating agent toward the vehicle body surface (B), A car wash machine characterized in that a foam detergent nozzle (Atn), capable of discharging foam detergent toward the vehicle body surface (B), is supported on the lifting support (24) so ​​as to be able to move up and down together with the lifting support (24), and the foam detergent nozzle (Atn) and the coating agent nozzle (Ctn) are arranged on the lifting support (24) such that they overlap when viewed from the left and right directions of the gantry frame (1).

4. The car wash machine according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the gantry frame (1) is provided with high-pressure washing water nozzles (Jtn, Jsn) capable of spraying high-pressure washing water onto the vehicle body surface (B) near the other end face (1eo) in the front-rear direction of the gantry frame (1).

5. Multiple coating agent nozzles (Ctn) and foam detergent nozzles (Atn) are provided on the lifting support (24). The gate-type frame (1) is provided with a coating agent supply pipe (80) that distributes and supplies the coating agent to a plurality of coating agent nozzles (Ctn) via a branched pipe section (80a), and a foam detergent supply pipe (60) that distributes and supplies foam detergent to a plurality of foam detergent nozzles (Atn) via a branched pipe section (60a). The car wash machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the branch pipe portion (80a) of either the coating agent supply pipe (80) or the foam detergent supply pipe (60) is located inside the lifting support (24), and the branch pipe portion (60a) of the other supply pipe (60) is located outside the lifting support (24).

6. Multiple coating agent nozzles (Ctn) and foam detergent nozzles (Atn) are provided on the lifting support (24). The gate-type frame (1) is provided with a coating agent supply pipe (80) that distributes and supplies the coating agent to a plurality of coating agent nozzles (Ctn) via a branched pipe section (80a), and a foam detergent supply pipe (60) that distributes and supplies foam detergent to a plurality of foam detergent nozzles (Atn) via a branched pipe section (60a). The car wash machine according to claim 3, characterized in that the branch pipe section (60a) of the foam detergent supply pipe (60) and the branch pipe section (80a) of the coating agent supply pipe (80) are either located inside the lifting support (24) or both are located outside the lifting support (24).

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