Washing device

Abstract

The present invention provides a cleaning device that allows a person to easily evacuate from the cleaning area before the cleaning operation begins, even if the person enters the cleaning area before the object to be cleaned arrives. [Solution] The cleaning device comprises a spraying device that sprays cleaning liquid onto objects to be cleaned as they pass through the cleaning area, and a sensor that detects objects crossing the boundary of the cleaning area. When the sensor detects an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, the spraying device performs a preliminary operation and a cleaning operation following the preliminary operation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a cleaning device.

Background Art

[0002] As an example of a cleaning device, for example, a car washer for automatically washing a vehicle is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In the car washer described in Patent Document 1, the washing operation is started triggered by the fact that the entry of the vehicle into the washing area is detected by a sensor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In general, in a cleaning device that performs automatic cleaning, like the above-described car washer, the operation of automatic cleaning may be controlled to start the cleaning operation triggered by the fact that the entry of the object to be cleaned into the cleaning area is detected by a sensor.

[0005] The conditions for object detection by the sensor can also be satisfied, for example, by a person entering the cleaning area before the object to be cleaned. That is, the washing operation such as the injection of high-pressure cleaning liquid may be started triggered by a person entering the cleaning area.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a cleaning device according to an aspect of the present disclosure includes an injection device that injects a cleaning liquid onto an object to be cleaned passing through a cleaning area, and a sensor that detects an object crossing a boundary of the cleaning area. When the sensor detects an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, the injection device performs a preliminary operation and a cleaning operation following the preliminary operation. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, even if a person enters the cleaning area before the object to be cleaned, it is possible to provide a cleaning device that makes it easy for the person to evacuate from the cleaning area before the cleaning operation begins. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This block diagram shows a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] This flowchart shows an example of the flow of the cleaning process performed by a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 6] Figure 5 shows a flowchart illustrating an example of the pre-operation process in the cleaning process flow. [Figure 7] This is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] Figure 1 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device 1 in one embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 1. Figure 4 is a block diagram showing a schematic configuration of the cleaning device 1.

[0010] As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the cleaning device 1 includes a spraying device 10 that sprays cleaning liquid onto objects X to be cleaned as they pass through the cleaning area WA, and a sensor 20 that detects objects crossing the boundary of the cleaning area WA.

[0011] In this embodiment, we will describe an example where the object to be washed X is a vehicle and the washing device 1 is a car wash machine. Examples of vehicles include ordinary passenger cars, campervans, large vehicles such as trucks and buses, or special vehicles such as dump trucks and garbage collection trucks. The washing device 1 is not limited to these examples and may be applied to washing other types of vehicles. The object to be washed X may also be, for example, a small boat such as a towed boat, or an aerial vehicle such as a towed or self-propelled drone.

[0012] In this embodiment, the washing device 1 may be a so-called drive-through type car wash machine in which the position of the spraying device 10 is fixed and the vehicle, which is the object to be washed X, moves and passes through the washing area WA. The vehicle may be self-driving or transported by a conveyor belt or the like. Not limited to the above example, the washing device 1 may be configured so that the spraying device 10 moves relative to the stationary object to be washed X to wash the object X. Furthermore, the washing device 1 may be a so-called brushless type car wash machine that washes the vehicle with washing liquid sprayed from the spraying device 10 without using car wash brushes.

[0013] In some car washes, automatic car wash control is implemented so that the washing operation is triggered when an object is detected by a sensor. When such automatic car wash control is applied to a car wash that sprays high-pressure cleaning fluid from a sprayer, the sprayer starts spraying high-pressure cleaning water when an object is detected by a sensor. For example, even if a person or other object enters the car wash area before a vehicle, the sprayer may be controlled to start spraying high-pressure cleaning water.

[0014] In the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the spraying device 10 is controlled to perform a preliminary operation and a cleaning operation following the preliminary operation, based on the detection of an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area WA by the sensor 20. In the cleaning device 1, the preliminary operation is performed before the cleaning operation starts, that is, before the spraying of the cleaning liquid at high pressure from the spraying device 10 begins. This makes it easier to ensure that even if a person enters the cleaning area WA before the object to be cleaned X, the person can be more reliably evacuated from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation starts.

[0015] Furthermore, in the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the sensor 20 detects the intrusion of a person into the cleaning area WA, as well as the intrusion of the object to be cleaned X into the cleaning area WA. Therefore, it is possible to provide a cleaning device 1 that makes it easy to evacuate people from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation starts, while suppressing an increase in costs.

[0016] In the following explanation, for the sake of clarity, we define the first to third directions D1 to D3 as indicated by the arrows in Figure 1, etc. The first direction D1 is the front-to-back direction, the second direction D2 is the left-to-right direction, and the third direction D3 is the up-and-down direction. In the first direction D1, the front side is the side where the object to be cleaned X, which is about to enter the cleaning device 1, is located in the example shown in Figure 1. In the example shown in Figure 1, the left and right sides from the position of the object to be cleaned X toward the cleaning device 1 are defined as the left and right sides in the second direction D2.

[0017] Figure 1 shows an example where the object to be cleaned X enters the cleaning area WA from the rear side, but this is just one example, and the orientation of the object to be cleaned X entering the cleaning area WA is not particularly limited.

[0018] As shown in the examples of FIGS. 1 to 3, the cleaning device 1 may include, as the injection device 10, a first injection device 110 located on the left side in the second direction D2 and a second injection device 120 located on the right side in the second direction D2. The first injection device 110 and the second injection device 120 each have a plurality of nozzles N. The nozzles N may be provided on the device bodies of the first injection device 110 and the second injection device 120. The nozzle N may include a nozzle body for injecting the cleaning liquid and a swing mechanism for rotating and swinging the nozzle body up and down within a predetermined angle range.

[0019] As shown in FIG. 2, the injection device 10 in one embodiment may include an upper injection portion 30 and a lower injection portion 40 provided respectively at the upper and lower portions in the third direction D3 of the device body. The number of nozzles N in the upper injection portion 30 and the lower injection portion 40 is not particularly limited. Hereinafter, the nozzles N located in the upper injection portion 30 may be collectively referred to as upper nozzles N30. Also, the nozzles N located in the lower injection portion 40 may be collectively referred to as lower nozzles N40.

[0020] In the cleaning device 1 of the present embodiment, the first injection device 110 may include two first upper nozzles N11, 12 located in the upper injection portion 30 and two first lower nozzles N15, 16 located in the lower injection portion 40. The second injection device 120 may include two second upper nozzles N21, 22 located in the upper injection portion 30 and two second lower nozzles N25, 26 located in the lower injection portion 40.

[0021] The upper nozzle N30 located in the upper injection portion 30 may be, for example, a straight - through nozzle. By injecting a high - pressure cleaning liquid from the straight - through nozzle, it is easier to clean the object to be cleaned X. By the first injection device 110 and the second injection device 120 each including two swingable straight - through nozzles, the upper part of the object to be cleaned X can be efficiently cleaned. The injection directions (in other words, the phases of the swing motion) of the two straight - through nozzles arranged in the third direction D3 in the upper injection portion 30 may be aligned with each other.

[0022] Furthermore, the first lower nozzles N15, 16 and the second lower nozzles N25, 26 located in the lower spray section 40 may be, for example, straight-line nozzles. This allows for efficient cleaning of the sides and bottom of the object to be cleaned X. The spray directions (in other words, the phases of the oscillating motion) of the two straight-line nozzles located side by side in the third direction D3 in the lower spray section 40 may be aligned with each other.

[0023] Furthermore, in the cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, the first spray device 110 may include a first lowest nozzle N19 located below the first lower nozzles N15 and 16 in the lower spray section 40. The second spray device 120 may include a second lowest nozzle N29 located below the second lower nozzles N25 and 26 in the lower spray section 40.

[0024] The first lowest nozzle N19 and the second lowest nozzle N29 located in the lower spray section 40 may be, for example, straight nozzles or fan-shaped nozzles. When the first lowest nozzle N19 and the second lowest nozzle N29 are fan-shaped nozzles, the following effects are achieved. That is, the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the straight nozzles and fan-shaped nozzles while the straight nozzles and fan-shaped nozzles are oscillated in the lower spray section 40. This makes it easier to more efficiently clean the dirt on the lower part of the object to be cleaned X. In one embodiment, it is possible to more efficiently clean dirt on the tires and wheels of a vehicle. Also, for example, control equipment may be located near the bottom of the object to be cleaned X. By cleaning the part near the bottom of the object to be cleaned X with fan-shaped nozzles, it is possible to distribute the water pressure more easily than when cleaning with straight nozzles. In the lower injection section 40, the injection direction of the straight nozzles aligned in the third direction D3 and the direction of the injection center of the fan-shaped nozzles (in other words, the phase of the oscillating motion) may be aligned with each other.

[0025] The cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzle N may be, for example, water. Typically, tap water may be used as the cleaning fluid. Depending on the installation location of the cleaning device 1 and the type of object X to be cleaned, recycled water or industrial water may be used as the cleaning fluid. The cleaning device 1 may include, for example, piping for supplying cleaning fluid to the nozzle N, provided within the main body of the spraying device 10. The cleaning device 1 may include a cleaning fluid unit 2 (see Figure 4). The cleaning fluid unit 2 may include, for example, a water tank for storing water and a high-pressure pump for pressurizing and sending water to the nozzle N.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 4, the cleaning device 1 may have an operation panel P. The operation panel P may be installed, for example, on the front side of the device body of the second spraying device 120 in the first direction D1. The operation panel P may be an input device that receives input to start the cleaning process described later on the object to be cleaned X by the cleaning device 1. The operation panel P may have, for example, a button-type switch. The operation panel P may also be a touch panel.

[0027] The control panel P may be installed on the rear side of the first direction D1 of the main body of the first injection device 110. The cleaning device 1 may be used in a manner that cleans objects X that enter the cleaning area WA from the rear side of the first direction D1. Various settings related to the cleaning process may be made by operating the control panel P.

[0028] Further explanation of the control panel P is as follows: The control panel P may be located on the front side of the device body of the spraying device 10 in the first direction D1, or it may be located on the rear side of the device body in the first direction D1. The control panel P may be positioned so that it is easy for a user attempting to clean the object to be cleaned X to operate the control panel P. The control panel P may be located on both the front and rear sides of the device body of the spraying device 10 in the first direction D1. In this case, it is possible to easily operate the control panel P even when the object to be cleaned X attempts to enter the cleaning area WA from either the front or rear side of the first direction D1.

[0029] In the cleaning device 1, the operation panel P is not limited to being installed on the main body of the spray device 10; the operation panel P may be provided separately from the spray device 10. For example, the operation panel P may be provided at a location away from the main body of the spray device 10. The operation panel P and the controller 50 (see Figure 4), described later, only need to be connected in a way that allows communication via wired or wireless communication.

[0030] In the cleaning device 1, the operation panel P is an example of an input means for the user to input the start of the cleaning process and to make various settings related to the cleaning process. Various communication terminals may be used as such input means. User operations related to the cleaning process of the cleaning device 1 may be performed, for example, by inputting into an application, website, etc., associated with the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1, or by using a dedicated terminal.

[0031] In one embodiment of the cleaning device 1, the user can select whether to clean the upper or lower part of the object to be cleaned X by operating the control panel P. In this case, the required performance level of the high-pressure pump can be lowered. Therefore, the installation cost of the cleaning device 1 can be easily reduced. For example, the cleaning process may be performed by the object to be cleaned X moving back and forth through the cleaning area WA, as follows: That is, after the user operates the control panel P to select to perform lower cleaning, the user moves the object to be cleaned X to pass through the cleaning area WA at a low speed, and the cleaning device 1 performs cleaning on the lower part of the object to be cleaned X. After that, after the user operates the control panel P to select to perform upper cleaning, the user moves the object to be cleaned X to pass through the cleaning area WA at a low speed, and the cleaning device 1 performs cleaning on the upper part of the object to be cleaned X.

[0032] In one embodiment of the cleaning device 1, for example, when the user inputs the start of a cleaning operation, the user may be able to select whether to clean the object to be cleaned X by moving back and forth in the cleaning area WA to clean the upper and lower parts of the object to be cleaned X. Specifically, based on the user's selection, the cleaning device 1 may perform the cleaning process as follows: That is, the cleaning device 1 cleans the lower part of the object to be cleaned X as it passes through the cleaning area WA from front to rear in the first direction D1. Next, after the entire object to be cleaned X has passed through the cleaning area WA, the object to be cleaned X passes through the cleaning area WA in the reverse direction, from rear to front in the first direction D1. At this time, the cleaning device 1 cleans the upper part of the object to be cleaned X. The cleaning device 1 may perform the cleaning process according to the flow described later (see Figures 5 and 6) for both the forward and backward movement of the object to be cleaned X, and may switch the spray of the cleaning liquid from the lower spray unit 40 to the upper spray unit 30 once the entire object to be cleaned X has passed through the cleaning area WA. It goes without saying that the user may be able to select the order in which the cleaning process of the lower part and the cleaning process of the upper part are performed by the cleaning device 1.

[0033] The cleaning area WA is located in the space between the first spray device 110 and the second spray device 120, which are aligned in the second direction D2. The boundary of the cleaning area WA in the first direction D1 may be defined by a sensor 20. The sensor 20 may be, for example, a photoelectric sensor. The sensor 20 may be incorporated into the main body of the spray device 10.

[0034] In the example shown in Figures 1-4, the cleaning device 1 includes a first sensor 21 and a second sensor 22 as sensors 20. The first sensor 21 and the second sensor 22 may each include a pair of light-emitting and light-receiving units. The light-emitting unit has a light-emitting element. The light-receiving unit has a light-receiving element that receives light emitted from the light-emitting unit. The sensor 20 detects when an object crosses the boundary of the cleaning area WA based on the fact that light is blocked between the light-emitting and light-receiving units. If the sensor 20 is a transmissive photoelectric sensor, for example, the light-emitting unit may be provided in one of the first spraying device 110 and the second spraying device 120, and the light-receiving unit may be provided in the other. The sensor 20 is not limited to this example, and the sensor 20 may also be a reflective photoelectric sensor.

[0035] In the example shown in Figures 1-4, the first sensor 21 is positioned in front of the first direction D1 of the first injection device 110 and the second injection device 120, and the second sensor 22 is positioned behind the first direction D1 of the first injection device 110 and the second injection device 120.

[0036] As shown in Figure 4, the cleaning device 1 includes a controller 50. The controller 50 controls each part of the cleaning device 1. The controller 50 includes a control unit 51 and a storage unit 52. The control unit 51 is composed of, for example, a CPU (Central Processing Unit) processor, and each control is realized by executing a control program stored in memory on the processor. The storage unit 52 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory).

[0037] The control unit 51 may include an operation control unit 511, a determination unit 512, and a reception unit 513. The storage unit 52 may store cleaning history data 521 and abnormal stop history data 522. Each part of the controller 50 will be described below along with an example of the cleaning process flow performed by the cleaning device 1.

[0038] Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an example of the flow of a cleaning process performed by a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. The cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 may be started, for example, when the receiving unit 513 receives an input signal to start the cleaning process. In one example, the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 may be started when the user selects either upper cleaning or lower cleaning, or both, using the operation panel P, and inputs to start the cleaning process. Upon the start of the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1, the operation control unit 511 may output a control signal to the sensor 20 to start detecting objects crossing the boundary of the cleaning area WA. The sensor 20 may, for example, start emitting light from its light-emitting unit upon receiving the above control signal.

[0039] As shown in Figure 5, when the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 is started, the determination unit 512 first performs a process to determine whether or not an object has been detected by the sensor 20 (step S1). Hereafter, each step Sn (where n is a natural number) will be simply abbreviated as Sn.

[0040] In the example shown in Figure 1 above, the user operates the control panel P and then moves the vehicle, which is the object to be cleaned X, toward the cleaning device 1 (or moves it backward). For example, when the rear end of the vehicle crosses the boundary of the front cleaning area WA in the first direction D1 where the first sensor 21 is located, a detection signal indicating that an object has been detected is transmitted from the first sensor 21. Based on the receipt of the detection signal from the first sensor 21, the determination unit 512 determines that sensor detection has occurred (YES in S1). Not limited to this example, if the vehicle enters the cleaning area WA from the rear in the first direction D1, the determination unit 512 may determine whether sensor detection has occurred based on whether or not a detection signal has been received from the second sensor 22.

[0041] If the answer to S1 is YES, the operation control unit 511 then transmits a control signal to the injection device 10 to initiate a predetermined preparatory operation. The injection device 10 initiates the preparatory operation based on the control by the operation control unit 511 (S2).

[0042] The preliminary action may be an action performed by a component of the cleaning device 1. The preliminary action may be a visually verifiable action performed by a part of the components of the cleaning device 1. For example, the preliminary action may be an action of oscillating the nozzle N without spraying the cleaning fluid. Alternatively, the preliminary action may be an action of spraying the cleaning fluid from the nozzle N at a low pressure. The preliminary action may be an action of spraying the cleaning fluid from the nozzle N at a low pressure while oscillating the nozzle N. Spraying the cleaning fluid at a low pressure means spraying the cleaning fluid at a lower pressure than the cleaning action described later. The oscillation speed of the nozzle N in the preliminary action may be set slower than the oscillation speed of the nozzle N in the cleaning action described later.

[0043] The operation control unit 511 may, for example, control the operation of the spray device 10 so that the upper nozzle N30 operates and the lower nozzle N40 operates during the preliminary operation if the user has selected upper cleaning. Similarly, the operation control unit 511 may control the operation of the spray device 10 so that the lower nozzle N40 operates and the upper nozzle N30 operates during the preliminary operation if the user has selected lower cleaning. The operation control unit 511 may, for example, control the operation of the spray device 10 so that one of the following operations (i) to (iii) is performed during the preliminary operation if the user has selected both upper and lower cleaning. (i) The upper nozzle N30 does not operate, but the lower nozzle N40 operates. (ii) The lower nozzle N40 does not operate, but the upper nozzle N30 operates. (iii) Both the upper nozzle N30 and the lower nozzle N40 are in operation.

[0044] The preliminary operations performed by the injection device 10 based on control by the operation control unit 511 may be pre-set. For example, the control content of the preliminary operations may be incorporated into the execution program of the operation control unit 511. Alternatively, for example, the setting data for the preliminary operations may be stored in the storage unit 52, and the operation control unit 511 may control the injection device 10 based on the setting data read from the storage unit 52.

[0045] The following effects are achieved when the spraying device 10 performs a preliminary action. For example, if a person enters the cleaning area WA before the object to be cleaned X after the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 has started, the determination unit 512 determines that sensor detection is present based on the detection signal from the first sensor 21 (i.e., it determines YES in S1). This causes the spraying device 10 to start a preliminary action (proceeding to S2). The person who has entered the cleaning area WA can perceive the preliminary action of the spraying device 10. For example, the oscillation of the nozzle N makes it easier for the person to visually recognize that the cleaning operation, i.e., the spraying of high-pressure cleaning fluid from the nozzle N, is about to begin. Therefore, it is easier to evacuate the person from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation begins. Also, because the cleaning fluid is sprayed from the nozzle N at low pressure, people instinctively try to avoid getting wet. As a result, it is easier to more reliably evacuate the person from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation begins. For example, if nozzle N oscillates at a low speed and cleaning fluid is sprayed from nozzle N at low pressure, the above-mentioned effects will occur in combination. Therefore, it becomes easier to more reliably evacuate people from within the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation begins. As mentioned above, the nozzle N that oscillates in the preliminary operation may be determined in response to the user's selection of either upper cleaning or lower cleaning, or both.

[0046] In general, people may be notified by sound or light. However, depending on the environment surrounding the cleaning device 1, it may be difficult for people to perceive notifications by sound or light, that is, it may be difficult for people to clearly recognize that the cleaning operation is about to begin. In contrast, in one embodiment of the cleaning device 1 of this disclosure, people can be notified by the preliminary operation of the spraying device 10. This reduces the influence of the environment surrounding the cleaning device 1 and makes it easier for people to recognize that the cleaning operation is about to begin.

[0047] Furthermore, because the spraying device 10 performs a preliminary operation, in addition to the above-mentioned effects when a person enters the cleaning area WA, the user moving the object to be cleaned X can easily determine when the end of the object to be cleaned X in the direction of travel (the rear end of the object to be cleaned X in the example shown in Figure 1) has reached the boundary of the cleaning area WA.

[0048] The user may, for example, start moving the object to be cleaned X after inputting the start of the cleaning process (the operation corresponding to START shown in Figure 5), and continue moving the object to be cleaned X even after the preliminary operation has started via S1 and S2. Alternatively, the user may temporarily stop the object to be cleaned X between the start of the preliminary operation in S2 and the start of the cleaning operation (S4 described below). In this case, the user moving the object to be cleaned X can temporarily stop it based on the start of the preliminary operation. This makes it easier to stop the object to be cleaned X when its edge in the direction of travel is located near the boundary of the cleaning area WA. Therefore, by resuming the movement of the object to be cleaned X after the cleaning operation has started, the edge of the object to be cleaned X in the direction of travel can be easily cleaned by the high-pressure cleaning liquid sprayed from the nozzle N.

[0049] For example, if the lower nozzle N40 operates in a preliminary operation based on the user's selection of lower cleaning, the lower nozzle N40 may be oscillated at a low speed. This reduces the impact of the lower nozzle N40 on a person even if they come into contact with the oscillating nozzle N40.

[0050] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main bodies of the first spraying device 110 and the second spraying device 120 may be provided with covers that cover both sides of the lower nozzle N40 in the first direction D1. In this case, the oscillation of the lower nozzle N40 may be difficult to see visually. By spraying cleaning fluid at low pressure from the lower nozzle N40 during the preparatory operation, the preparatory operation can be more reliably perceived by a person.

[0051] In the cleaning device 1, the nozzle N that performs a preliminary operation under control from the operation control unit 511 and the nozzle N that sprays cleaning fluid at high water pressure under control from the operation control unit 511 during the subsequent cleaning operation may be the same as or different from each other. For example, if the user has selected upper cleaning, the operation control unit 511 may control the operation of the spray device 10 so that the upper nozzle N30 does not operate and the lower nozzle N40 operates during the preliminary operation. Specifically, during the preliminary operation, the upper nozzle N30 may not operate while the lower nozzle N40 oscillates and cleaning fluid may be sprayed from the lower nozzle N40 at low water pressure, or the lower nozzle N40 may oscillate and cleaning fluid may be sprayed from the lower nozzle N40 at low water pressure. Since the lower nozzle N40 is located at a relatively low position, it is relatively easy for people to perceive. For example, if the cover is transparent, or if the lower nozzle N40 is not covered by the cover, the oscillation of the lower nozzle N40 during the preparatory movement makes the preparatory movement easily perceptible to a person. Therefore, even if a person enters the cleaning area WA before the object to be cleaned X, it is easier to evacuate the person from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation begins.

[0052] After S2 above (i.e., after the start of the preparatory operation), the spraying device 10 continues to perform the preparatory operation until a predetermined first time has elapsed (S3). The predetermined first time may be set from the perspective of the grace period required for a person to perceive the preparatory operation and evacuate from the cleaning area WA if a person were to enter the cleaning area WA. The predetermined first time may be set in advance as appropriate. The predetermined first time may be, for example, 5 seconds.

[0053] After a predetermined first time has elapsed (YES in S3), the operation control unit 511 transmits a control signal to the spray device 10 to start the first cleaning operation. The spray device 10 starts the first cleaning operation based on the control by the operation control unit 511 (S4). In the first cleaning operation, the nozzle N is oscillated while the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the nozzle N at high pressure. After the start of the first cleaning operation, the spray device 10 performs the first cleaning operation for a predetermined second time (S5). The predetermined second time may be set in advance as appropriate. The predetermined second time may be, for example, 10 seconds. The advantages of the process from S4 to S7 described above will be explained later for ease of understanding.

[0054] After a predetermined second time has elapsed (YES in S5), the determination unit 512 determines whether or not the sensor 20 has detected an object at the time the predetermined second time has elapsed (S6). If the determination unit 512 receives a detection signal from the sensor 20 at the time the predetermined second time has elapsed, it determines that sensor detection is present (YES in S6). For example, based on a request from the determination unit 512, if the sensor 20 has detected an object at the time the predetermined second time has elapsed, the sensor 20 may transmit a detection signal to the determination unit 512. Alternatively, for example, the sensor 20 may transmit a signal regarding the presence or absence of object detection to the controller 50 at predetermined time intervals, and the determination unit 512 may determine whether or not the sensor 20 has detected an object based on the signal received from the sensor 20 at the time the predetermined second time has elapsed.

[0055] If the answer in S6 is YES, the operation control unit 511 transmits a control signal to the spray device 10 to start a predetermined second cleaning operation. Based on the control from the operation control unit 511, the spray device 10 starts the second cleaning operation following the first cleaning operation (S7). The operation of the nozzle N and the spray pressure of the cleaning liquid from the nozzle N during the second cleaning operation may be the same as during the first cleaning operation.

[0056] In one embodiment of the cleaning device 1, for example, the nozzle N may be controlled by the operation control unit 511 so that the nozzle N oscillates during both the preliminary operation and the cleaning operation. In the cleaning device 1, the nozzle N may be controlled by the operation control unit 511 so that the oscillation speed of the nozzle N during the preliminary operation is slower than the oscillation speed of the nozzle N during the cleaning operation.

[0057] On the other hand, if the answer in S6 is NO, the operation control unit 511 sends a control signal to the spray device 10 to stop the first cleaning operation and also stops the cleaning process in the cleaning device 1.

[0058] The spraying device 10 continues the second washing operation after the start of the second washing operation until the determination unit 512 determines that the sensor 20 has stopped detecting an object (S8). In the example shown in Figure 1 above, the user moves the object to be washed X in reverse at a low speed so that it passes through the washing area WA. When the front end of the vehicle passes the rear boundary of the washing area WA where the second sensor 22 is located, a signal indicating that the object has stopped being detected is transmitted from the second sensor 22. Based on receiving the above signal from the second sensor 22, the determination unit 512 determines that the sensor 20 has stopped detecting an object (YES in S8).

[0059] If the answer in S8 is YES, the operation control unit 511 sends a control signal to the spray device 10 to stop the second cleaning operation and also stops the cleaning process in the cleaning device 1.

[0060] In the example of cleaning process using the cleaning device 1 described above, the user can, for example, start moving the object to be cleaned X so that it passes through the cleaning area WA after inputting the start of the cleaning process (the operation corresponding to START shown in Figure 5). Since the object to be cleaned X is located within the cleaning area WA, the result in S6 is determined to be YES, and the second cleaning operation is started.

[0061] On the other hand, as mentioned above, if a person accidentally enters the cleaning area WA before the object to be cleaned X after the cleaning process of the cleaning device 1 has started, the system will determine YES in S1 and start a preliminary operation. Subsequently, it is conceivable that for some reason the user does not move the object to be cleaned X into the cleaning area WA. In this case, the system will determine NO in S6 and the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 can be stopped.

[0062] In the example shown in Figure 1, the cleaning process may be performed as follows. That is, when the user moves the object to be cleaned X, and the rear end of the object to be cleaned X crosses the boundary of the front cleaning area WA in the first direction D1 where the first sensor 21 is located, S1 is determined to be YES, and the preliminary operation is started. The user may, for example, continue to move the object to be cleaned X at a low speed. Then, S4 is determined to be YES, and the first cleaning operation is started. Subsequently, S6 is determined to be YES, and the second cleaning operation is started immediately following the first cleaning operation. When the front end of the object to be cleaned X crosses the boundary of the rear cleaning area WA in the first direction D1 where the second sensor 22 is located, S8 is determined to be YES, and the cleaning operation (and cleaning process) is terminated.

[0063] Furthermore, it is conceivable that a user moving the object to be cleaned X may temporarily stop the object before the cleaning operation by the cleaning device 1 begins. For example, a user may request that the object to be cleaned be cleaned from the edge in the direction of travel by the cleaning fluid sprayed at high pressure. In the example shown in Figure 1, if S1 is determined to be YES and the preliminary operation is started, the user may temporarily stop the object to be cleaned X based on the fact that the preliminary operation has started. At this time, the detection of the object by the first sensor 21 may change from present to absent depending on the change in the position of the object to be cleaned X when it is stopped. Here, if S6 is performed after the start of the preliminary operation without performing S4 and S5, and if the sensor 20 does not detect the object due to the change in the position of the object to be cleaned X when it is stopped, then S6 will be determined to be NO and the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 will stop.

[0064] Therefore, as shown in the example in Figure 5, an example of the flow of the cleaning process performed by the cleaning device 1 includes the processes S4 to S6 described above. This has the following effect. That is, when the first cleaning operation (S4 described above) starts following the preliminary operation (S3 described above), high-pressure cleaning fluid starts to be sprayed from the nozzle N. The user can perceive visually and audibly that high-pressure cleaning fluid has started to be sprayed from the nozzle N. Therefore, the user can start moving the object to be cleaned X based on the start of the first cleaning operation. As a result, even if, at the time of S2 described above, the detection of an object by the first sensor 21 changes from present to absent due to a change in the position when the user's object to be cleaned X is temporarily stopped, it is easier to determine YES in S6 described above. Therefore, it is easier to reduce the possibility of the cleaning process in the cleaning device 1 being unnecessarily stopped. Thus, it is easier to improve the convenience of users who want to clean from the edge of the object to be cleaned X in the direction of travel.

[0065] The cleaning history of the cleaning device 1 may be stored in the storage unit 52 as cleaning history data 521. The cleaning history data 521 may include a history of when the cleaning process in the cleaning device 1 was stopped because NO was determined in S6 above.

[0066] Furthermore, in an example of the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1, the following process may be performed before the start of the preliminary operation (S10 in Figure 5). Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the process before the start of the preliminary operation in the cleaning process flow shown in Figure 5.

[0067] As shown in Figure 6, after the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 has started, the determination unit 512 may determine whether or not an object has been detected by the sensor 20 within a predetermined determination time. The predetermined determination time may be set in advance as appropriate. For example, the predetermined determination time may be 60 seconds. If no detection signal indicating the detection of an object is received from the sensor 20 within the predetermined determination time (YES in S11), the operation control unit 511 stops the cleaning process in the cleaning device 1 (S12). The operation control unit 511 may execute the stop process in S12 as an abnormal stop. In this case, the cleaning device 1 may be in an abnormal stop state. The history of abnormal stops by the cleaning device 1 may be stored in the storage unit 52 as abnormal stop history data 522.

[0068] By using the washing history data 521 and the abnormal stop history data 522, for example, by confirming the actual operation of the washing device 1 at a car wash where the washing device 1 is installed, it becomes easier to make improvements that enhance the convenience of users of the washing device 1.

[0069] In the example shown in Figure 6, after the receiving unit 513 receives an input signal to start the cleaning process, the operation control unit 511 sends a control signal to the spraying device 10 to perform a preliminary operation, which is an operation that precedes the preparatory operation. Based on the control signal from the operation control unit 511, the spraying device 10 starts the preliminary operation. The preliminary operation may be, for example, an operation that oscillates the nozzle N without spraying the cleaning liquid.

[0070] The user, for example, uses the control panel P to input a command to start the cleaning process, and then starts moving the object to be cleaned X. The spraying device 10 performs a preliminary operation, making it easier for the user to recognize that the operation to start the cleaning process by the cleaning device 1 has been accepted. In the example shown in Figure 1 above, when the user moves the object to be cleaned X to a position where its rear end crosses the front boundary of the cleaning area WA, the spraying device 10 starts a preliminary operation. For example, as a preliminary operation, cleaning liquid may be sprayed from the nozzle N at low pressure. This allows the user to stop the object to be cleaned X at a predetermined stopping position. After that, the first cleaning operation of the spraying device 10 starts, and the spray of cleaning liquid from the nozzle N switches to high pressure. This allows the user to clean the object to be cleaned while moving the object to be cleaned X at a low speed and passing through the cleaning area WA. In this way, the operation of the spraying device 10 in the cleaning device 1 changes in stages. As a result, the cleaning device 1 can easily evacuate a person from the cleaning area WA before the cleaning operation begins if the person enters the cleaning area WA before the object to be cleaned X, and it can also easily improve the convenience of the user who moves the object to be cleaned X for cleaning.

[0071] (Other configuration examples) The number of nozzles N in the spraying device 10 is not limited to the example above. The nozzles N and the sensor 20 are positioned a certain distance apart in the first direction D1 so that false detections by the sensor 20 are less likely to occur due to the cleaning fluid sprayed from the nozzles N.

[0072] The oscillating motion of the first upper nozzles N11 and N12 and the oscillating motion of the second upper nozzles N21 and N22 may have a phase difference with respect to each other.

[0073] In the cleaning device 1, for example, if the pressure of the cleaning fluid required to clean the object to be cleaned X is relatively low, the cleaning process of the object to be cleaned X may be performed by both the upper spray section 30 and the lower spray section 40. Furthermore, by improving the performance of the high-pressure pump in the cleaning fluid unit 2 or by equipping the cleaning fluid unit 2 with multiple high-pressure pumps, the water pressure of both the upper spray section 30 and the lower spray section 40 can be increased.

[0074] The cleaning solution may contain liquids other than water. The cleaning solution unit 2 may include a liquid tank for storing the liquid. The cleaning device 1 may be equipped with nozzles N that dispense different types of liquids. For example, the cleaning device 1 may use detergent to clean an object X that moves forward and passes through the cleaning area WA, and use water to clean an object X that moves backward and passes through the cleaning area WA.

[0075] The cleaning device 1 may be configured such that, regardless of whether or not a liquid agent is used for the cleaning process, the cleaning process for the return journey (i.e., the process from START in Figure 5) is automatically started after, for example, the cleaning process for the forward journey (see S1 to S8 in Figure 5) has been performed.

[0076] The spraying device 10 may spray mist-like cleaning water from the nozzle N during the preliminary operation. The operation control unit 511 may control the spraying device 10 during the preliminary operation so that low-pressure cleaning liquid is sprayed in a fan shape from the first lowest nozzle N19 and the second lowest nozzle N29. This makes it easier to notify (in other words, warn) a person if they enter the cleaning area WA while reducing the degree to which they get wet. The spraying device 10 may also be equipped with a member for the preliminary operation, for example, a member that generates a water curtain.

[0077] The sensor 20 may be located outside the main body of the device. For example, the cleaning device 1 may include a sensor stand on which the sensor 20 is mounted. Additionally, a patrol lamp that illuminates upon receiving notification of the start of the cleaning process may be installed.

[0078] [Embodiment 2] Other 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.

[0079] Figure 7 is a plan view showing a schematic configuration of a cleaning device in one embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the object to be cleaned X is a garbage truck, and the cleaning device 1 may be installed in combination with an internal cleaning device 3 for cleaning the inside of the garbage truck. As shown in the example in Figure 7, the internal cleaning device 3 may be installed on the rear side of the cleaning device 1 in the first direction D1.

[0080] For example, first, the cleaning device 1 cleans the underside of the packer truck as it moves backward into the cleaning area WA from the front in the first direction D1. Next, the internal cleaning device 3 cleans the inside of the packer truck. At this time, dirt may adhere to the exterior of the packer truck. After that, the cleaning device 1 cleans the upper part of the packer truck as it moves forward into the cleaning area WA from the front in the first direction D1. This allows the packer truck to be cleaned efficiently.

[0081] [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 this disclosure.

[0082] 〔summary〕 A cleaning apparatus in embodiment 1 of the present disclosure comprises a spraying device that sprays a cleaning liquid onto an object to be cleaned as it passes through a cleaning area, and a sensor that detects an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, wherein when the sensor detects an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, the spraying device performs a preliminary operation and a cleaning operation following the preliminary operation.

[0083] In the cleaning apparatus of embodiment 2 of the present disclosure, in embodiment 1, the cleaning fluid is sprayed from the spraying device at a lower water pressure than that of the cleaning operation during the preliminary operation.

[0084] The cleaning apparatus in embodiment 3 of the present disclosure, in embodiment 1 or 2, the spraying apparatus has a nozzle, and in the preliminary operation, the nozzle is oscillated.

[0085] The cleaning apparatus in embodiment 4 of the present disclosure, in any one embodiment of embodiments 1 to 3, oscillates the nozzle during the preliminary operation and the cleaning operation, wherein the oscillation speed of the nozzle during the preliminary operation is slower than the oscillation speed of the nozzle during the cleaning operation. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0086] 1. Washing device 10 Injector 20 sensors 21 First Sensor 22 Second Sensor 30 Upper injection part 40 Lower injection part 110 1st injection device 120 Second injection device D1 1st direction D2 2nd direction D3 Third direction N11, N12 First upper nozzle N15, N16 First lower nozzle N19 First lowest nozzle N21, N22 Second upper nozzle N25, N26 Second lower nozzle N29 Second lowest nozzle N30 Upper Nozzle N40 Lower Nozzle

Claims

1. A spraying device that sprays cleaning solution onto objects to be cleaned as they pass through the cleaning area, The system includes a sensor for detecting an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, The spraying device is a cleaning device that, when the sensor detects an object crossing the boundary of the cleaning area, performs a preliminary operation and a cleaning operation following the preliminary operation.

2. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein in the preliminary operation, cleaning fluid is sprayed from the spraying device at a lower water pressure than that of the cleaning operation.

3. The injection device has a nozzle, The cleaning apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the nozzle is oscillated during the preliminary operation.

4. In the aforementioned preliminary operation and the aforementioned cleaning operation, the nozzle is oscillated. The cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the oscillation speed of the nozzle in the preliminary operation is slower than the oscillation speed of the nozzle in the cleaning operation.

Images