Car wash machine

Abstract

Prevents increases in manufacturing costs. The car wash (2) is a car wash that washes vehicles with tap water and pure water. The car wash (2) includes a pump (21) that pressurizes and supplies cleaning liquid to spray nozzles (24, 26), and the pure water is generated using the pump and a filtration element that includes a pre-filter unit (70P) and a reverse osmosis membrane unit (70R).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a car washer.

Background Art

[0002] When washing a car with a car washer, the water used for car washing is tap water (piped water) sourced from surface water, groundwater, etc., or industrial water, etc. For example, tap water contains residues of chlorine for disinfection and minerals such as sodium, calcium, and magnesium. Therefore, when the water droplets remaining on the vehicle surface after car washing dry as they are, these impurities remain on the vehicle surface as ionic deposits (water spots).

[0003] In recent years, in order to reduce this ionic deposit, a car washer that uses pure water as the car washing water has been developed.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] The above-mentioned conventional technology requires a pure water generation device for producing pure water, so the manufacturing cost becomes higher compared to a car washer that does not perform pure water washing.

[0006] One aspect of the present disclosure aims to suppress an increase in manufacturing cost.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0007] To solve the above problems, a car wash machine according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a car wash machine that washes a vehicle with tap water and pure water, wherein the car wash machine body for washing the vehicle is equipped with a pump that pressurizes and supplies the washing liquid used for washing the vehicle to a spray nozzle, and the pure water is produced using the pump and a filtration element including a pre-filter unit and a reverse osmosis membrane unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of this disclosure, it is possible to suppress increases in manufacturing costs. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] A schematic front view showing a car wash machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a schematic side view showing a car wash machine according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] This is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine according to Embodiment 2. [Figure 5] This is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine according to Embodiment 3. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment 1] Figure 1 is a schematic front view showing the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment. Figure 2 is a schematic side view showing the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment. Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine 2 according to Embodiment 1.

[0011] (Configuration of car wash machine 2) Car wash machine 2 is a finishing pure water type car wash machine. More specifically, car wash machine 2 is a car wash machine capable of performing a car wash process that includes a washing process with brushing and a finishing washing process that uses pure water for the final wash. The liquid used in the washing process performed by car wash machine 2 is called the washing solution, and the water used in the finishing washing process is called pure water.

[0012] In this disclosure, the cleaning solution includes, for example, tap water, detergent, and wax. Tap water includes tap water, well water, and industrial water, which are sourced from surface water, groundwater, etc. Tap water varies depending on the region from which it is drawn and the type of raw water, but it usually has an electrical conductivity of about 70 to 300 μS / cm. Pure water is water with a lower electrical conductivity than tap water. For example, the electrical conductivity of pure water in this disclosure may be 0 μS / cm or more and 20 μS / cm or less.

[0013] As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the car wash machine 2 comprises a car wash machine body 4, a first tank 62 for storing tap water, a second tank 72 for storing pure water, a first path 61, and a second path 71. The first path 61 is a path that supplies tap water from the first tank 62 to the car wash machine body 4, and the second path 71 is a path that supplies pure water from the second tank 72 to the car wash machine body 4.

[0014] The car wash machine 2 further includes a third path 85 connecting the car wash machine body 4 and the first tank 62, and a filtration element 70. Each component is described in detail below.

[0015] (Configuration of the car wash machine unit 4) First, let's explain the configuration of the car wash machine body 4 that is equipped with car wash machine 2.

[0016] As shown in FIG. 1, the car wash machine main body 4 includes, for example, two frames 8 and a ceiling portion 10 that connects the upper ends of the two frames 8. The car wash machine main body 4 has a structure in which the vehicle X can pass through a space 4S surrounded by the frames 8 and the ceiling portion 10 along the entry direction DA of the vehicle X shown in FIG. 2. In this specification, the entry direction DA is defined as the direction from the front surface 4A to the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4. In this embodiment, the front surface 4A is, for example, the surface provided with an operation panel 42 described later.

[0017] The car wash machine main body 4 includes wheels 12 provided at the lower part of each of the frames 8. When the wheels 12 are rotationally driven, the car wash machine main body 4 moves relative to the vehicle X in the front-rear direction along a rail R arranged on the ground G. The rail R is formed, for example, along the entry direction DA. Here, while the car wash machine main body 4 makes a relative movement with respect to the vehicle X, it performs cleaning (car washing) on the vehicle X in the space 4S.

[0018] The car wash machine main body 4 includes a plurality of rotating brushes that slide on the vehicle X and perform brushing. For example, the car wash machine main body 4 includes a top brush 14, a side brush 16, and a rocker brush 18 that are each rotated by a rotation motor (not shown). The top brush 14 slides along the upper surface of the vehicle X and cleans the upper surface of the vehicle X. The side brush 16 and the rocker brush 18 clean both side surfaces of the vehicle X.

[0019] The car wash machine main body 4 also has a plurality of nozzles that inject liquid onto the vehicle X. The plurality of nozzles include a first nozzle 24 and a second nozzle 26. The first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 are nozzles that inject a cleaning liquid or pure water onto the vehicle X, and are an example of the injection nozzles according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 2, the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 may be respectively arranged, for example, on the front surface 4A side and the rear surface 4B side of each frame 8 of the car wash machine main body 4. Nozzles that inject a cleaning liquid or pure water may also be arranged on the ceiling portion 10 in addition to the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26.

[0020] The car wash machine main body 4 includes a distribution pipe section 22 that distributes supplied raw water, pure water, detergent, wax, etc. to corresponding nozzles. A drain path 23 may be connected to the distribution pipe section 22. The raw water or pure water supplied from the first tank 62 or the second tank 72 is sent out from the distribution pipe section 22 to the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 via a solenoid valve (not shown).

[0021] The car wash machine main body 4 also includes a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34. These nozzles are an example of the injection nozzles according to the present disclosure. The first detergent nozzle 28 and the second detergent nozzle 30 are respectively arranged on the front surface 4A side and the rear surface 4B side of each frame 8, and inject a detergent including shampoo, etc. onto the vehicle X. The water repellent coating nozzle 32 and the wax nozzle 34 are arranged on the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine main body 4. The water repellent coating nozzle 32 injects a liquid agent of a water repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 injects wax onto the vehicle X. A tank storage section 20 for storing a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) storing various liquid agents including detergent or wax, etc. is arranged on the side portion of the car wash machine main body 4. The liquid agents from each liquid storage tank are respectively supplied to the above-described distribution pipe section 22 and distributed to the corresponding various nozzles via a solenoid valve (not shown).

[0022] The car wash machine main body 4 further includes a pump 21. The pump 21 may be a high-pressure pump that pressurizes and supplies a cleaning liquid or pure water used for cleaning the vehicle X to the injection nozzles for high-pressure injection. Specifically, the pump 21 is connected to the distribution pipe section 22, and when performing injection at a pressure higher than the normal injection pressure, pressurizes the cleaning liquid or pure water supplied to the distribution pipe section 22 and can supply it to the corresponding nozzles at a supply pressure of, for example, 0.7 MPa or more and 1.0 MPa or less.

[0023] In this disclosure, "normal injection pressure" may generally be a pressure of 0.5 MPa or less, for example, a pressure of about 0.3 MPa. In this disclosure, "high pressure" may generally be a pressure of 0.5 MPa or more and 2.0 MPa or less, for example, a pressure of about 0.7 MPa or about 1.0 MPa.

[0024] Furthermore, the car wash machine body 4 is equipped with a blower 36 that generates airflow. A top air blower nozzle 38 and side air blower nozzles 40 are connected to the blower 36. The top air blower nozzle 38 is located at the top center of the car wash machine body 4 and blows air toward the roof surface of the vehicle X. The side air blower nozzles 40 are located on both sides of the car wash machine body 4 and blow air toward the sides of the vehicle X. The car wash machine body 4 removes water from or dries the vehicle X after washing by blowing air toward the vehicle X from the top air blower nozzle 38 and the side air blower nozzles 40.

[0025] In addition, for the sake of simplicity, the attached figures may omit illustrations of the various devices provided by the car wash machine body 4 for washing the vehicle X. Furthermore, the devices provided by the car wash machine body 4 shown in the figures are merely examples, and the car wash machine body 4 may also be equipped with devices for washing the vehicle X, including conventionally known configurations, and devices to assist in said washing, on the frame 8 or ceiling 10, in addition to the devices described above.

[0026] An operation panel 42 is located on the front of one frame 8 of the car wash machine body 4. The operation panel 42 is equipped with operation buttons (not shown) for setting car wash conditions. For example, a user who has gotten out of vehicle X, or another technician, may operate the operation buttons to set car wash conditions, etc.

[0027] (Water supply and purified water route configuration) The first tank 62 is a tank for storing tap water, and the first route 61 is a route for supplying washing fluid from the first tank 62 to the car wash machine body 4. The first tank 62 is equipped with a first pump P1. The first pump P1 can be controlled by a control unit 44, which will be described later. Note that the first tank 62 is not essential, and the first route 61 may be connected to a water pipe or the like via a valve that can be opened and closed. In this case, the valve can be controlled by the control unit 44.

[0028] The second tank 72 is a tank for storing pure water, and the second path 71 is a path for supplying pure water from the second tank 72 to the car wash machine body 4. The second tank 72 is equipped with a second pump P2. The second pump P2 can be controlled by a control unit 44, which will be described later.

[0029] In car wash machine 2, the second route 71 merges with the first route 61 upstream of the car wash machine body 4. Route 80 is a route that connects the point where the first route 61 and the second route 71 merge to the car wash machine body 4 (specifically the distribution piping section 22, which will be described later), and is a route through which both tap water and pure water pass.

[0030] The filtration element 70 is a component for producing pure water by reducing the electrical conductivity of tap water, and includes a pre-filter unit 70P and a reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R. The pre-filter unit 70P is a filtration unit for pre-treating tap water before passing it through the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, removing impurities and / or free substances such as free chlorine compounds. For example, an activated carbon filter can be used as the pre-filter unit 70P. The reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R includes at least one reverse osmosis membrane module having a reverse osmosis membrane wound in a cylindrical shape. A reverse osmosis membrane (RO membrane) is a cross-linked polymer membrane that basically allows only water molecules to pass through, thus separating impurities from water molecules and obtaining pure water with low electrical conductivity.

[0031] In order to efficiently produce pure water using the filtration element 70, particularly the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, it is preferable to pressurize the tap water and pass it through the RO membrane.

[0032] The car wash machine 2 is equipped with piping that connects the pump 21, which is part of the car wash machine body 4, to the filtration element 70. In the car wash machine 2, the pure water used for washing cars is produced using the pump 21, which is part of the car wash machine body 4, and the filtration element 70, which includes a reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R and a pre-filter unit 70P. In the car wash machine 2, the pre-filter unit 70P is positioned between the pump 21 and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R. By positioning the pre-filter unit 70P between the pump 21 and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, impurities in the liquid supplied to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R can be further reduced, thereby reducing the deterioration of the RO membrane.

[0033] In the car wash machine 2, the pure water used in the final washing process can be produced as follows. Specifically, tap water supplied from the first tank 62 to the car wash machine body 4 via the first path 61 and path 80 is supplied to the pump 21 via the distribution piping section 22. The tap water pressurized by the pump 21 is supplied to the filtration element 70, which passes through the pre-filter unit 70P and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R. This produces pure water with a lower electrical conductivity than tap water, and the produced pure water is stored in the second tank 72.

[0034] Since the pre-filter unit 70P used in the car wash machine 2 according to Embodiment 1 is located downstream of the pump 21, a filter with a pressure resistance of about 1.0 MPa may be used.

[0035] Furthermore, the generation of pure water can be carried out during periods when the pump 21 is not being used for spraying from each nozzle, such as when the car wash machine 2 is not performing a car wash, when the car wash machine 2 is performing a car wash but the pump 21 is not pressurizing, or when the car wash machine 2 is drying with the blower 36.

[0036] By using the pump 21 provided in the car wash machine body 4 as a pump to supply pressurized water to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, the number of pumps provided in the car wash machine 2 can be reduced. This reduces manufacturing costs and also reduces the effort required for maintaining the pump 21.

[0037] The car wash machine 2 may further include a third path 85. The third path 85 is a pipe connecting the distribution piping section 22 and the first tank 62, and can return tap water from the distribution piping section 22 to the first tank 62. The third path 85 may be equipped with an openable and closable valve, the operation of which can be controlled by the control unit 44.

[0038] (Control unit and remote panel) The car wash machine 2 includes a control unit 4 that controls the car wash machine body 4. The control unit 44 controls the washing of the vehicle X by the car wash machine body 4 by controlling the movement of the car wash machine body 4 along the rail R and the operation of each part. The control unit 44 can also control the first pump P1 and the second pump P2. The control unit 44 may be installed in the car wash machine body 4 as shown in Figure 2. Alternatively, the control unit 44 may be located outside the car wash machine body 4. The control unit 44 may transmit and receive information between the car wash machine body 4, the first pump P1 and the second pump P2 or the remote panel 6 (described later) using a communication device (not shown) or the like, and control each part of the car wash machine 2. The control unit 44 is composed of a processor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in memory on the processor.

[0039] The remote panel 6 is located, for example, on the front side of the car wash machine body 4 and is positioned along the direction of movement of the car wash machine body 4. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the front of the remote panel 6 is positioned to face the side of the vehicle X before it is washed by the car wash machine body 4, in other words, before it enters the interior of the car wash machine body 4. For this reason, Figure 2 shows the back of the remote panel 6.

[0040] As shown in Figure 2, the remote panel 6 comprises a housing 46 and support columns 48 erected on the ground G to support the housing 46. The remote panel 6 may acquire at least a portion of the car wash conditions for the vehicle X by the car wash machine body 4 through operation of a touch panel or buttons (not shown) provided on the housing 46. The control unit 44 may control the car wash machine body 4 and wash the vehicle X based on at least a portion of the car wash conditions acquired by the remote panel 6.

[0041] <Sensor> The car wash machine body 4 may also be equipped with a sensor 52. The sensor 52 is located, for example, on the front side 4A of the car wash machine body 4, closer to the side brush 16.

[0042] Sensor 52 is a sensor for acquiring information about the external shape of the vehicle X to be washed. More specifically, sensor 52 can detect the height of vehicle X as it crosses a predetermined point. For example, sensor 52 may be a multi-axis optical sensor in which a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving units are arranged on the front side and space 4S side of the frame 8 of the car wash machine body 4, on each of the two frames 8. In this multi-axis optical sensor, individual optical axis sensors are arranged so that multiple optical axes are aligned in the vertical direction, and each optical axis is on a substantially horizontal plane. Therefore, each optical axis sensor in the multi-axis optical sensor is configured to detect the presence or absence of a vehicle at different heights. In this case, sensor 52 may detect the height of vehicle X by, for example, checking the number of optical axis sensors detecting vehicle X while the car wash machine body 4 moves relative to vehicle X from the front to the rear.

[0043] As a result, the car wash machine body 4 can estimate the height of vehicle X for each position in a plan view from the change in the number of optical axis sensors that detect vehicle X among the multi-axis optical axis sensors included in sensor 52. In other words, sensor 52 generates information for estimating at least a part of the shape of vehicle X. As a result, sensor 52 may determine at least a part of the outer shape of vehicle X for each position in a plan view. Based on the outer shape of vehicle X determined by sensor 52, the control unit 44 may control each part of the cleaning unit to wash vehicle X.

[0044] (Control of the car wash machine 2 by the control unit 44) The following describes an exemplary car washing process of a vehicle X using the car wash machine 2, performed by the control unit 44.

[0045] <Reception Process> In this embodiment, the car wash machine 2 first performs a reception process to receive a request to wash vehicle X from the user of vehicle X. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls various parts of the car wash machine body 4 or the remote panel 6 to obtain the car wash conditions for vehicle X from the user of vehicle X. For example, the control unit 44 controls the remote panel 6 or the operation panel 42 to receive operations from the user on the remote panel 6 or the operation panel 42, etc. As a result, the car wash machine 2 obtains information from the user regarding the car wash conditions for vehicle X and payment of car wash fees.

[0046] Next, the control unit 44 controls the speaker or monitor of the car wash machine body 4 to guide the user inside the vehicle X to move and stop the vehicle X to a predetermined position. As a result, the user stops the vehicle X, for example, at a predetermined position in front of the car wash machine body 4.

[0047] <Washing Process> The car wash machine 2 performs a cleaning process in which it cleans the vehicle X using a cleaning solution. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the first pump P1, the second pump P2, and the car wash machine body 4 to clean the surface of the vehicle X as it passes through the space 4S. Immediately before the execution of the cleaning process, the car wash machine body 4 is positioned in front of the vehicle X. During the cleaning process, the control unit 44 controls the drive unit of the car wash machine body 4 to move the car wash machine body 4 forward while cleaning with the cleaning solution. Moving the car wash machine body 4 forward means that the front surface 4A of the car wash machine body 4 moves facing the direction of travel. Moving the car wash machine body backward means that the rear surface 4B of the car wash machine body 4 moves facing the direction of travel.

[0048] Specifically, during the washing process, the control unit 44 controls the first pump P1 and supplies tap water to the car wash machine body 4 via the first path 61. The control unit 44 controls the distribution piping section 22 and sprays washing liquid onto the vehicle X via the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26. Furthermore, the control unit 44 controls various parts such as brushes to wash the vehicle X.

[0049] In the washing process, a washing process is performed based on the car wash conditions selected by the user via the remote panel 6, such as a brushing process in which tap water is sprayed while brushing, or a brushing shampoo process in which detergent and tap water are sprayed while brushing. Depending on the car wash conditions, the washing process may be performed during the first forward pass, when the car wash machine 2 moves forward and vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2; the first return pass, when the car wash machine 2 moves backward and vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2; and the second forward pass, when the car wash machine 2 moves forward again and vehicle X passes through the car wash machine 2. Alternatively, the washing process may be performed during the first forward pass and the first return pass.

[0050] The control unit 44 may appropriately change the movement speed of the car wash machine body 4 during the washing process according to the car wash conditions, and may also temporarily stop the movement of the car wash machine body 4 if necessary.

[0051] Furthermore, the control unit 44 moves the car wash machine body 4 forward and causes the sensor 52 to detect the vehicle X, thereby acquiring information about the external shape of the vehicle X.

[0052] Here, the next step, the final cleaning step, is a step in which the final cleaning is performed with pure water. Therefore, it is desirable that, once the final cleaning step is started, the liquid sprayed from the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26 be quickly switched to pure water.

[0053] The control unit 44 may, at the end of the cleaning process, switch the supply of tap water via the first path 61 to the supply of pure water via the second path 71. This switching process can shorten the time until pure water is sprayed in the next step, the finishing cleaning process.

[0054] Switching to pure water supply may be performed during the washing process. Alternatively, switching to pure water supply may be performed after the washing process. In this case, during the switching process, the control unit 44 may replace the water in the path between the second tank 72 and the car wash machine body 4 with pure water by returning tap water to the first tank 62 via the third path 85 while supplying pure water via the second path 71. Specifically, the path between the second tank 72 and the car wash machine body 4 may be the path connecting the second tank 72 and the distribution piping section 22. By returning the mixture of tap water and pure water to the first tank 62 instead of discharging it as wastewater until the liquid in the path is replaced with pure water, tap water used for car washing can be saved.

[0055] <Final cleaning process> After the washing process, the car wash machine 2 performs a final washing process using pure water to give the vehicle a final wash. Specifically, the control unit 44 controls the second pump P2 and the various parts of the car wash machine body 4 to perform the final washing process. In the final washing process, the control unit 44 controls the drive unit of the car wash machine body 4, moving the car wash machine body 4 forward while spraying pure water onto the vehicle X to perform the final wash. Specifically, in the final washing process, the control unit 44 controls the second pump P2, supplying pure water to the car wash machine body 4 via the second path 71, and spraying the pure water onto the vehicle X via the first nozzle 24 and the second nozzle 26.

[0056] In the final washing process, the control unit 44 may control the car wash machine body 4 to temporarily stop or repeatedly move at a predetermined designated area of ​​the vehicle X based on information about the vehicle X's external shape from the sensor 52. This control allows for concentrated spraying of pure water at the designated area. The predetermined designated area of ​​the vehicle X may be an area with a complex structure where cleaning residue is likely to occur, such as the area with the side mirrors, the area with the wipers, the boundary between the roof and the rear window, or the step between the back door and the bumper. Alternatively, it may be an area where the occurrence of ion deposits is to be significantly reduced, such as the door mirrors or windows.

[0057] <Drying process> After the final washing process, the car wash machine 2 performs a drying process. Specifically, the drying process is performed by the control unit 44 controlling each part of the car wash machine body 4. In the drying process, the control unit 44 may also operate the blower 36 while retracting the car wash machine body 4 to blow air onto the vehicle X and dry the vehicle X.

[0058] <Another embodiment of Embodiment 1> The configuration of the car wash machine having a third path 85, as described in Embodiment 1 above, can also be applied to a car wash machine equipped with a pure water generator (not shown) instead of the filtration element 70 described in Embodiment 1. The pure water generator is equipped with a high-pressure pump, in which case the pump 21 is not used for generating pure water. The pure water generated by the pure water generator can be stored in the first tank 62.

[0059] In other words, the car wash machine according to the present disclosure may be in the following form: A car wash machine capable of performing a finishing wash step in which the vehicle is washed with pure water which has lower electrical conductivity than tap water, comprising: a car wash machine body 4 for washing the vehicle; a first path 61 for supplying tap water used for washing the vehicle to the car wash machine body 4; a second path 71 for supplying pure water used for the finishing wash of the vehicle; a third path 85 for returning tap water from the car wash machine body 4 to a first tank 62; and a control unit 44 for controlling various parts of the car wash machine body 4, wherein the second path 71 merges with the first path 61 upstream of the car wash machine body 4, and when the finishing wash step is performed after a washing step in which the vehicle is washed with the washing liquid, the control unit, at the end of the washing step, returns the tap water to the first tank via the third path while supplying the pure water via the second path, thereby replacing the water in the path between the second tank and the car wash machine body with the pure water.

[0060] A car wash machine having this configuration can conserve water by returning the mixture of tap water and pure water to the first tank 62 instead of discharging it as wastewater until the liquid in the path is replaced with pure water.

[0061] [Embodiment 2] Other aspects and embodiments of this disclosure are described below. For the sake of clarity, components having the same function as those described in the above embodiments are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are not repeated. The same applies to all of the following embodiments.

[0062] Embodiment 2, another embodiment of the car wash machine according to this disclosure, will be described with reference to Figure 4. Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine 2B according to Embodiment 2.

[0063] Car wash machine 2B differs from car wash machine 2 of Embodiment 1 in that the first route 61 and the second route 71 do not merge upstream of the car wash machine body. The first route 61, which supplies tap water, and the second route 71, which supplies pure water, are each connected to the distribution piping section 22 of the car wash machine body 4. The other configurations are the same as those of car wash machine 2 of Embodiment 1. The car wash machine according to this disclosure may also have a configuration as shown in Embodiment 2.

[0064] The car wash machine 2B according to Embodiment 2 also uses a pump 21 to supply pressurized water to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, thereby reducing the number of pumps the car wash machine has. This can reduce manufacturing costs and also make pump maintenance easier.

[0065] [Embodiment 3] Embodiment 3, another embodiment of the car wash machine according to this disclosure, will be described with reference to Figure 5. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the characteristic piping configuration of the car wash machine 2C according to Embodiment 3.

[0066] The car wash machine 2C differs from the car wash machine 2B of Embodiment 2 in the position of the pre-filter unit 70P. Like the car wash machine 2C, the pre-filter unit 70P may be mounted on the car wash machine 2C and located upstream of the pump 21. More specifically, the pre-filter unit 70P may be located inside the car wash machine body 4, between the distribution piping section 22 and the pump 21.

[0067] In the car wash machine 2C, the pure water used in the final washing process can be produced as follows. Specifically, tap water supplied from the first tank 62 to the car wash machine body 4 via the first path 61 passes through the distribution piping section 22 and then through the pre-filter unit 70P. The tap water, pre-treated by the pre-filter unit 70P, is supplied to the pump 21. The tap water, pressurized by the pump 21, passes through the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R. This produces pure water with a lower electrical conductivity than tap water, and the produced pure water is stored in the second tank 72.

[0068] This configuration eliminates the need to use a pressure-resistant filter with high pressure resistance as the pre-filter unit 70P, thereby reducing costs. The other configurations are the same as those of the car wash machine 2B in Embodiment 2.

[0069] The car wash machine according to this disclosure may have a configuration as shown in Embodiment 3. The car wash machine 2B according to Embodiment 3 also uses a pump 21 to supply pressurized water to the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, thereby reducing the number of pumps the car wash machine has. This can reduce manufacturing costs and also make pump maintenance easier.

[0070] [Embodiment 4] If the car wash machine according to this disclosure is a large-scale car wash machine for washing large vehicles such as tour buses, the pre-filter unit 70P and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R may be housed in the car wash machine body because the car wash machine body has sufficient capacity. This configuration can reduce the deterioration of the pre-filter unit 70P and the reverse osmosis membrane unit 70R, and can also reduce the installation area of ​​the car wash machine.

[0071] 〔summary〕 Embodiment 1 of the car wash machine according to the present disclosure is a car wash machine that washes a vehicle with tap water and pure water, wherein the car wash machine body for washing the vehicle is equipped with a pump that pressurizes and supplies the washing liquid used for washing the vehicle to a spray nozzle, and the pure water is produced using the pump and a filtration element including a pre-filter unit and a reverse osmosis membrane unit.

[0072] Embodiment 2 of the car wash machine according to the present disclosure comprises, in Embodiment 1, a first path for supplying tap water from a first tank for storing tap water to the car wash machine body, and a second path for supplying pure water from a second tank for storing pure water to the car wash machine body, wherein the second path merges with the first path upstream of the car wash machine body.

[0073] Embodiment 3 of the car wash machine according to the present disclosure is further provided with a third path for returning the tap water from the car wash machine body to the first tank, and by returning the tap water to the first tank via the third path while supplying the pure water via the second path, the path between the second tank and the car wash machine body is replaced with the pure water.

[0074] Embodiment 4 of the car wash machine according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the pre-filter unit is positioned between the pump and the reverse osmosis membrane unit.

[0075] Embodiment 5 of the car wash machine according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the pre-filter unit is mounted on the car wash machine and positioned upstream of the pump.

[0076] Embodiment 6 of the car wash machine according to this disclosure is one of embodiments 1 to 5 in which the car wash with pure water is performed in the final washing step.

[0077] [Additional Notes] This disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above, 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]

[0078] 2, 2B, 2C, 2D car wash machine 4 Car wash machine body 21 pumps 22 Distribution piping section 24. First nozzle (injection nozzle) 26. Second nozzle (injection nozzle) 28. First detergent nozzle (spray nozzle) 30. Second detergent nozzle (spray nozzle) 32. Water-repellent coating nozzle (spray nozzle) 34. Wax nozzle (spray nozzle) 44 Control Unit 61 First Route 62 Tank No. 1 70P Pre-filter Unit 70R Reverse Osmosis Membrane Unit 71 Second Route 72 Tank No. 2 80 routes 85 Third Route

Claims

1. A car wash machine that washes vehicles with tap water and purified water, The car wash machine is equipped with a pump that pressurizes and supplies the cleaning solution used to wash the vehicle to the spray nozzles, in the car wash machine body that washes the vehicle. The pure water is produced using the pump and a filtration element including a pre-filter unit and a reverse osmosis membrane unit in a car wash machine.

2. A first path for supplying the tap water from the first tank that stores the tap water to the car wash machine body, The system includes a second path for supplying the pure water from a second tank that stores the pure water to the car wash machine body, The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the second path merges with the first path upstream of the car wash machine body.

3. The car wash machine body is further provided with a third path for returning the tap water to the first tank. The car wash machine according to claim 2, wherein the purified water is supplied through the second path while the tap water is returned to the first tank via the third path, thereby replacing the water in the path between the second tank and the car wash machine body with purified water.

4. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the pre-filter unit is disposed between the pump and the reverse osmosis membrane unit.

5. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the pre-filter unit is mounted on the car wash machine and is positioned upstream of the pump.

6. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the car wash with the aforementioned pure water is performed in the final washing step.

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