Car wash machine

Abstract

Extends the lifespan of the rotating brush. [Solution] The car wash machine (2) is equipped with a controller (50), and when the usage state of the brushes (14, 16) meets predetermined conditions, the controller (50) corrects the reference value using a correction coefficient set according to the usage state of the brushes (14, 16), and moves the brushes (14, 16) toward or toward the vehicle so that the motor load value of the detected rotary motors (15, 17) becomes the corrected reference value.

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] When washing a car, a car washer moves a rotating brush that brushes the vehicle in accordance with the shape of the vehicle. As one method of controlling the rotating brush for moving the rotating brush in accordance with the shape of the vehicle, there is a control method based on the contact pressure generated on the rotating brush due to contact with the vehicle. In this method, the rotating brush may be controlled based on, for example, the current value indicating the load of the rotating motor generated by the contact pressure, instead of directly using the contact pressure generated on the rotating brush.

[0003] For example, the car washer of Patent Document 1 includes means for approaching and separating a side brush with respect to an automobile body, and means for detecting the current of an electric motor that rotationally drives the side brush. The car washer controls so as to appropriately maintain the contact pressure between the side brush and the automobile body by approaching and separating the side brush with respect to the automobile body based on the current detected by the current detection means.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] By the way, due to deterioration caused by use, the rotating brush included in the car washer causes wear of the brush and / or a decrease in the repulsive force. Between a new rotating brush and a rotating brush with advanced deterioration, even if the current value indicating the load of the rotating motor is the same, the contact pressure generated on the rotating brush may be different. In the car washer of Patent Document 1, the deterioration of the rotating brush is not considered. Therefore, there is a possibility that the contact pressure of the rotating brush is not appropriately maintained at a predetermined contact pressure.

[0006] One aspect of the present invention aims to appropriately maintain the contact pressure of a rotating brush. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve the above problems, a car wash machine according to one aspect of the present invention is a car wash machine for washing a vehicle, comprising: a rotating brush that rotates by the driving force of a rotary motor and slides across the surface of the vehicle to brush it; a moving mechanism that moves the rotating brush in a direction toward or toward the vehicle; and a controller that moves the rotating brush toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value, which represents the load of the rotary motor, becomes a predetermined reference value, wherein the controller, when the usage state of the rotating brush satisfies predetermined conditions, corrects the reference value using a correction coefficient set according to the usage state of the rotating brush, and moves the rotating brush toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value becomes the corrected reference value. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, the contact pressure of the rotating brush can be appropriately maintained. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a general side view of the car wash machine body and remote panel, and a general front view of the car wash machine body, according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of a car wash machine according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a correction coefficient table. [Figure 4] This flowchart shows an example of a control method performed by the controller. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] [Embodiment] One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below.

[0011] (Overview of the car wash machine) An example of the car wash machine 2 will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing the general side view 2S of the car wash machine body 4 and the remote panel 6, and the general front view 4F of the car wash machine body 4, which are part of the car wash machine 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the car wash machine 2 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0012] In this specification, the positive direction of the X-axis is referred to as the forward direction, and the negative direction of the X-axis is referred to as the backward direction. The positive direction of the Y-axis is referred to as the upward direction, and the negative direction of the Y-axis is referred to as the downward direction. The positive direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the right direction, and the negative direction of the Z-axis is referred to as the left direction. In Figure 1, for configurations that are symmetrical vertically or horizontally with respect to a certain axis, a reference numeral may be assigned to only one of the symmetrical configurations, while the reference numeral is omitted for the other configuration.

[0013] As shown in Figure 1, the car wash machine 2 according to this embodiment includes a car wash machine body 4 that washes (washes) the vehicle X to be washed. The car wash machine 2 further includes a remote panel 6 that acquires the washing conditions of the vehicle X by the car wash machine body 4. In the schematic side view 2S, the outline of the vehicle X is shown with a dotted line to indicate that the vehicle X is located further back from the remote panel 6 in the view of the paper. The vehicle X to be washed by the car wash machine 2 is not particularly limited and may be a passenger car, taxi, truck, etc.

[0014] As shown in the general front view 4F, the car wash machine body 4 comprises, for example, two frames 8 and a ceiling portion 10 connecting the upper ends of the two frames 8. The car wash machine body 4 has a structure that allows a vehicle X to pass through a space 4S enclosed by the frames 8 and the ceiling portion 10 along the vehicle X's entry direction DA, as shown in the general side view 2S. In this specification, the entry direction DA is the direction from the front 4A to the rear 4B of the car wash machine body 4.

[0015] The car wash machine body 4 comprises wheels 12 provided at the bottom of each frame 8, and a drive unit 11 that rotates the wheels 12. As the drive unit 11 rotates the wheels 12, the car wash machine body 4 moves relative to the vehicle X in the longitudinal direction along rails R arranged on the ground G. The rails R are formed, for example, along the entry direction DA. Here, the car wash machine body 4 washes the vehicle X in the space 4S while moving relative to the vehicle X.

[0016] The car wash machine body 4 is equipped with rotating brushes that rotate using the driving force of a rotary motor and slide across the surface of the vehicle X to brush it. The car wash machine body 4 is equipped with, for example, a top brush 14, side brushes 16, and a rocker brush 18 as rotating brushes. The top brush 14 slides along the top surface of the vehicle X to clean the top surface of the vehicle X. The side brushes 16 slide along the front, sides, and rear surfaces of the vehicle X to clean the front, sides, and rear surfaces of the vehicle X. The rocker brush 18 slides along the underside of the vehicle X, the tires, and the wheels to clean the underside, tires, and wheels of the vehicle X. The car wash machine body 4 does not necessarily have to be equipped with a rocker brush 18.

[0017] Brushes 14, 16, and 18 each have a brush member composed of multiple bristles attached around a rotating shaft. However, brushes 14, 16, and 18 are not limited to having a brush member composed of multiple bristles. Brushes 14, 16, and 18 may also have a brush member composed of one or more cloth or sponge materials attached around a rotating shaft. The material of the brush member of brushes 14, 16, and 18 is not particularly limited and may be natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or rubber materials, etc.

[0018] As shown in FIG. 2, the car wash machine main body 4 includes a first rotation motor 15, a second rotation motor 17, and a third rotation motor 19. The top brush 14 rotates by the driving force of the first rotation motor 15. The side brush 16 rotates by the driving force of the second rotation motor 17. The rocker brush 18 rotates by the driving force of the third rotation motor 19. The car wash machine main body 4 includes a first current detection circuit 15A and a second current detection circuit 17A. The first current detection circuit 15A detects the current flowing through the first rotation motor 15. The second current detection circuit 17A detects the current flowing through the second rotation motor 17. The first current detection circuit 15A and the second current detection circuit 17A provide a signal representing the detected current value to the controller 50. The current values detected by the first current detection circuit 15A and the second current detection circuit 17A are motor load values representing the loads of the first rotation motor 15 and the second rotation motor 17, respectively.

[0019] The car wash machine main body 4 includes a first moving mechanism 14A, a second moving mechanism 16A, and a third moving mechanism 18A. The first moving mechanism 14A moves the top brush 14 in the vertical direction with respect to the vehicle X. That is, the first moving mechanism 14A moves the top brush 14 in a direction approaching or separating from the vehicle X. The second moving mechanism 16A moves the side brush 16 in the left - right direction. That is, the second moving mechanism 16A moves the side brush 16 in a direction approaching or separating from the vehicle X. The third moving mechanism 18A moves the rocker brush 18 between a storage position, which is the position where the rocker brush 18 is stored in the frame 8, and a cleaning position, where the rocker brush 18 is located within the space 4S. The rocker brush 18 has a biasing member (not shown). When the rocker brush 18 is located at the cleaning position, the rocker brush 18 is biased in a direction approaching the vehicle X by the biasing member.

[0020] Returning to FIG. 1, on the side of the car washing machine main body 4, there is arranged a tank storage part 20 for storing a plurality of liquid storage tanks (not shown) storing various liquid agents including detergents or waxes. Above the tank storage part 20, a distribution pipe part 22 for distributing water containing city water or the liquid agents from each liquid storage tank is provided. From the distribution pipe part 22, a first clean water nozzle 24, a second clean water nozzle 26, a first detergent nozzle 28, a second detergent nozzle 30, a water repellent coating nozzle 32, and a wax nozzle 34 are respectively led out via electromagnetic valves (not shown).

[0021] The first clean water nozzle 24 and the second clean water nozzle 26 are respectively arranged on the front surface 4A side and the rear surface 4B side of each frame 8 of the car washing machine main body 4, and spray water containing city water onto the vehicle X. 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 spray a cleaning liquid containing shampoo or the like 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 washing machine main body 4. The water repellent coating nozzle 32 sprays a liquid agent of a water repellent coating agent onto the vehicle X. The wax nozzle 34 sprays wax onto the vehicle X.

[0022] Also, a blower 36 for generating an air flow to dry the vehicle X is provided on the car washing machine main body 4. A top air blowing nozzle 38 and a side air blowing nozzle 40 are connected to the blower 36. The top air blowing nozzle 38 is provided at the upper center of the car washing machine main body 4 and blows air toward the ceiling surface of the vehicle X. The side air blowing nozzle 40 is provided on both sides of the car washing machine main body 4 and blows air toward the side surface of the vehicle X. The car washing machine main body 4 dries the washed vehicle X by the air blowing of the top air blowing nozzle 38 and the side air blowing nozzle 40.

[0023] A touch panel 42 is located on the front of one frame 8 of the car wash machine body 4. The touch panel 42 is an example of an input device. The touch panel 42 displays an input screen that accepts input via touch operation. Various settings for the car wash machine 2 are entered by operating the touch panel 42. For example, a user who has disembarked from vehicle X, a maintenance worker who is maintaining the car wash machine 2, or other worker may operate the touch panel 42 to set car wash conditions, etc.

[0024] The remote panel 6 is located, for example, on the front side of the car wash machine body 4 and is positioned roughly along the direction of movement of the car wash machine body 4. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 1, 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 1 shows the back of the remote panel 6.

[0025] As shown in Figure 1, 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 the operation of a touch panel or buttons (not shown) provided on the housing 46. The car wash machine 2 includes a controller 50 that controls various parts of the car wash machine body 4. The controller 50 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.

[0026] The controller 50 moves the top brush 14 and the side brushes 16 toward or toward the vehicle X so that the contact pressure of the top brush 14 and the contact pressure of the side brushes 16 are appropriate for the vehicle X. The contact pressure of the top brush 14 is the pressure generated on the top brush 14 when it comes into contact with the vehicle X, and the contact pressure of the side brushes 16 is the pressure generated on the side brushes 16 when they come into contact with the vehicle X. The controller 50 uses the current value of the first rotary motor 15 as a parameter representing the change in the contact pressure of the top brush 14, and the current value of the second rotary motor 17 as a parameter representing the change in the contact pressure of the side brushes 16.

[0027] Specifically, when washing the vehicle X, the controller 50 controls the first moving mechanism 14A so that the current value detected by the first current detection circuit 15A becomes a predetermined reference value, thereby moving the top brush 14 closer to or further away from the vehicle X. The controller 50 also controls the second moving mechanism 16A so that the current value detected by the second current detection circuit 17A becomes a predetermined reference value, thereby moving the top brush 14 closer to or further away from the vehicle X. The reference value is the target value (control target value) of the motor load value of the rotary motors 15 and 17. As the reference value, a motor load value can be set such that, when the brushes 14 and 16 are new, the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16 against the vehicle X becomes a desired pressure. In this embodiment, the reference value is a value indicating the current value of the rotary motors 15 and 17. This appropriately maintains the distance between the vehicle X and the top brush 14, and the distance between the vehicle X and the side brushes 16. The reference value for the contact pressure of the top brush 14 and the reference value for the contact pressure of the side brush 16 may be the same or different.

[0028] Furthermore, if the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16 satisfies predetermined conditions, the controller 50 corrects the reference value using a correction coefficient set according to the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. For example, the controller 50 may correct the reference value by multiplying it by a correction coefficient set according to a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. The predetermined conditions may be, for example, conditions indicating the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16, indicated by the number of times the car wash machine 2 is used and / or the usage time. For example, in this embodiment, the conditions are conditions related to the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated, and "when the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16 satisfies predetermined conditions" may mean that the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated, as a value representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16, exceeds a predetermined number. In this embodiment, the predetermined conditions are set based on the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated. Furthermore, if the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16 meets predetermined conditions, the controller 50 moves the brushes 14 and 16 closer to or further away from the vehicle X so that the current values ​​detected by the current detection circuits 15A and 17A become the corrected reference values. Details will be described later. The controller 50 also controls each of the rotating motors 15 and 17 so that their rotation speeds remain constant.

[0029] Next, an example of the internal configuration of the controller 50 will be described with reference to Figure 2. The controller 50 comprises a control unit 5 and a storage unit 56. The control unit 5 is the main unit that performs various controls. The control unit 5 includes a counting unit 51, a calculation unit 52, an acquisition unit 53, an adjustment unit 54, and a determination unit 55.

[0030] The counting unit 51 counts the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated as a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. In the following description, the number of operations represents the cumulative number of times the car wash machine 2 has been operated to wash a vehicle X. For example, if the car wash machine 2 washes two different vehicles X once each, the number of operations is increased by 2, and if the same (one) vehicle X is washed twice, the number of operations is also increased by 2. Note that the number of operations does not necessarily include operations of the car wash machine 2 when the brushes 14 and 16 do not come into contact with the vehicle X, such as for checking the operation of the car wash machine 2.

[0031] The calculation unit 52 calculates a corrected reference value using a correction coefficient on the reference value, depending on the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16. In this embodiment, the calculation unit 52 refers to the correction coefficient table TB stored in the storage unit 56 and multiplies the reference value by the correction coefficient.

[0032] The acquisition unit 53 acquires the motor load values ​​of the rotating motors 15 and 17. Specifically, the acquisition unit 53 acquires signals representing the current values ​​from the current detection circuits 15A and 17A as the motor load values ​​of the rotating motors 15 and 17.

[0033] The adjustment unit 54 controls the moving mechanisms 14A and 16A to move the brushes 14 and 16 closer to or further away from the vehicle X, so that the current values ​​detected by the current detection circuits 15A and 17A become predetermined reference values. Furthermore, if the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16 meets predetermined conditions, the adjustment unit 54 controls the moving mechanisms 14A and 16A to move the brushes 14 and 16 closer to or further away from the vehicle X, so that the current values ​​detected by the current detection circuits 15A and 17A become corrected reference values.

[0034] The determination unit 55 performs various determinations. For example, the determination unit 55 determines whether the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16 meets predetermined conditions.

[0035] The storage unit 56 stores various types of information. The storage unit 56 includes, for example, ROM (Read Only Memory), RAM (Random Access Memory), HDD (Hard Disk Drive), flash memory, and SSD (Solid State Drive). The storage unit 56 stores the correction coefficient table TB.

[0036] An example of the correction coefficient table TB will be explained with reference to Figure 3. Figure 3 is a diagram showing an example of the correction coefficient table TB. As shown in Figure 3, in the correction coefficient table TB, the correction coefficient is associated with the number of operations. In the correction coefficient table TB, the number of operations increases in the order of A, AA, and AAA. In the correction coefficient table TB, the correction coefficient is set according to the number of operations. In the correction coefficient table TB, the value of the correction coefficient decreases as the number of operations increases. The correction set in the correction coefficient table TB is a coefficient set considering the decrease in the repulsive force of brushes 14 and 16 due to deterioration from use, and is a coefficient for maintaining an appropriate distance between brushes 14 and 16 and vehicle X in accordance with the deterioration from use of brushes 14 and 16 during car washing. The correction coefficient set in the correction coefficient table is set considering the material of the brush members of brushes 14 and 16. The correction coefficient may decrease in proportion to the number of operations, or it may decrease inversely in proportion to the number of operations.

[0037] In the correction coefficient table TB shown in Figure 3, the correction coefficient is set to 1.00 when the number of operations is less than A, to 0.95 when the number of operations is A or more but less than AA, to 0.90 when the number of operations is AA or more but less than AAA, and to 0.85 when the number of operations is AAA or more. For example, if the number of operations of the car wash machine 2 is A or more but less than AA, the controller 50 multiplies the standard value by 0.95.

[0038] [Control method by controller 50] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the control method of the car wash machine 2 performed by the controller 50 will be described. Figure 4 is a flowchart of an example of a control method performed by the controller 50. The flowchart shown in Figure 4 shows the control of the top brush 14, which moves the top brush 14 closer to or further away from the vehicle X. Since the side brushes 16 are controlled in the same way as the top brushes 14, the control of the side brushes 16 will be omitted from the explanation.

[0039] In step S1, the determination unit 55 determines whether the number of operations counted by the counting unit 51 is equal to or greater than a predetermined number. In step S1, the determination unit 55 determines, based on the correction coefficient table TB stored in the storage unit 56, whether the counted number of operations is one to which a correction coefficient should be applied to the reference value. In this embodiment, the predetermined numbers are A, AA, and AAA. That is, if the number of operations is A or greater, a correction coefficient is applied to the reference value. If the determination unit 55 determines that the number of operations is A or greater (YES in S1), the controller 50 executes step S2. If the determination unit 55 determines that the number of operations is not A or greater (NO in S1), the controller 50 executes step S3.

[0040] In step S2, the calculation unit 52 corrects the reference value by multiplying it by a correction coefficient. Based on the correction coefficient table TB, the calculation unit 52 corrects the reference value by multiplying it by a correction coefficient corresponding to the number of operations. For example, if the number of operations is A or more and less than AA, the calculation unit 52 multiplies the reference value by 0.95.

[0041] In step S3, the acquisition unit 53 acquires a signal representing the current value of the first rotating motor 15 from the first current detection circuit 15A.

[0042] In step S4, the adjustment unit 54 adjusts the position of the brushes 14 and 16 relative to the vehicle X. In step S4, the adjustment unit 54 controls the first moving mechanism 14A based on the acquired current value of the first rotating motor 15 to move the top brush 14 toward or toward the vehicle X. In step S4, if the number of operations is less than or equal to a predetermined A, the adjustment unit 54 controls the first moving mechanism 14A so that the current value detected by the first current detection circuit 15A becomes the reference value. Also, in step S4, if the number of operations is greater than or equal to a predetermined A, the adjustment unit 54 controls the first moving mechanism 14A so that the current value detected by the first current detection circuit 15A becomes the corrected reference value.

[0043] In conventional technology, the method of controlling the movement of a rotating brush during car washing, based on the contact pressure of the rotating brush, allowed for control of the brush's movement without using expensive area sensors that detect the vehicle's shape. However, the repulsive force of the rotating brush decreases due to deterioration (wear and tear, etc.) of the brush with use.

[0044] The inventors have found that the motor load value of the rotary motor that rotates the rotary brush also decreases due to the deterioration of the rotary brush. For example, when the contact depth of the rotary brush with the vehicle X is the same, it was found that the current value of the rotary motor rotating the deteriorated rotary brush is lower than the current value of the rotary motor rotating the new rotary brush. The contact depth of the rotary brush is the bending of the brush member of the rotary brush due to contact with the vehicle X, and corresponds to the difference between the distance from the rotation center of the rotary brush to the outer end of the brush member of the rotary brush and the distance from the rotation center of the rotary brush to the vehicle X.

[0045] As the rotating brush deteriorates, the motor load value of the rotating brush decreases. When the car wash machine's controller controls the movement of the rotating brush based on this reduced motor load value, it detects insufficient contact between the rotating brush and the vehicle and controls the rotating brush to move closer to the vehicle. As a result, the car wash is performed with excessive contact pressure compared to the intended contact pressure of the rotating brush.

[0046] According to the above configuration, the reference values ​​of the rotary motors 15 and 17, which are set so that the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16 against the vehicle X becomes the desired pressure, are corrected. That is, the movement of the brushes 14 and 16 is controlled by the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16, taking into account the deterioration state of the brushes 14 and 16. As a result, even if the repulsive force of the brushes 14 and 16 decreases due to deterioration from use, the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16 can be appropriately maintained.

[0047] Furthermore, with the above configuration, the movement of the brushes 14 and 16 is controlled by the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16, taking into account the deterioration state of the brushes 14 and 16. This reduces the progression of deterioration (wear or sagging, etc.) of the rotating brushes. As a result, the lifespan of the brushes 14 and 16 can be extended.

[0048] Furthermore, with the configuration described above, the standard values ​​are automatically corrected. Therefore, maintenance personnel who maintain the car wash machine 2 do not need to visit the site regularly and adjust the standard values ​​each time. This allows maintenance personnel to extend the interval between regular inspections of the car wash machine 2. It also reduces the workload of maintenance personnel. In addition, when maintenance personnel adjust the standard values, the car wash machine 2 cannot be used while the adjustment is being made, but if the car wash machine 2 automatically corrects the standard values, the period during which the car wash machine 2 can be used can be shortened.

[0049] Furthermore, the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated is used as the usage status of brushes 14 and 16. This allows the reference value to be corrected according to the counted number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated.

[0050] [Other Embodiments] In the embodiment described above, the controller 50 uses the current value of the rotary motors 15 and 17 as the motor load value of the rotary motors 15 and 17, which is a parameter representing the change in contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the controller 50 may use the power, rotational speed, or torque of the rotary motors 15 and 17 as the motor load value of the rotary motors 15 and 17. Furthermore, the motor load value of the rotary motors 15 and 17 may be detected using sensors that detect various loads, or it may be detected by an inverter that drives the rotary motors 15 and 17.

[0051] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the number of times the car wash machine 2 is operated is used as a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the controller 50 may count the operating time of the car wash machine 2 as a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. The operating time of the car wash machine 2 is the cumulative time that the car wash machine 2 was operated to wash vehicle X. The operating time of the car wash machine 2 does not necessarily include time when the car wash machine 2 is operating without the brushes 14 and 16 coming into contact with vehicle X, such as during operational checks of the car wash machine 2. The controller 50 may also count the number of times the car wash machine 2 was operated to wash vehicle X of a type where the brushes 14 and 16 are prone to deterioration, as a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. Whether or not a vehicle is prone to deterioration of the brushes 14 and 16 may be determined from the vehicle height and the equipment of the input vehicle X. The controller 50 may also count the number of times the car wash machine body 4 is moved back and forth as a parameter representing the usage status of the brushes 14 and 16. The number of round trips represents the cumulative number of times the car wash machine body 4 moves back and forth relative to vehicle X while the brushes 14 and 16 are in contact with vehicle X during the car wash. For example, in a single car wash course selected by the user, if the car wash machine body 4 makes two round trips while the brushes 14 and 16 are in contact with vehicle X, it is counted as 2. If the car wash machine body 4 moves only in the forward direction while the brushes 14 and 16 are in contact with vehicle X, it is counted as 0.5. In these cases, the correction coefficient is set according to the operating time of the car wash machine 2, the number of times the car wash machine 2 was operated to wash vehicle X, which is prone to deterioration of the brushes 14 and 16, and the number of round trips made by the car wash machine body 4.

[0052] Furthermore, the correction coefficient may be a value set by taking into account factors that further degrade the brushes 14 and 16 in addition to the parameters representing the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16. That is, the correction coefficient may be set by weighting the factors that degrade the brushes 14 and 16 in addition to the parameters representing the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16. Factors that degrade the brushes 14 and 16 include, for example, the number of years that have passed since the installation of the car wash machine 2, the installation environment of the car wash machine 2 (indoors or outdoors, etc.), the size of the vehicle X, or the presence or absence of specific equipment attached to the vehicle X.

[0053] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the correction coefficient is set for the top brush 14 and the side brush 16, but the configuration is not limited to this. The correction coefficient may be set for either the top brush 14 or the side brush 16. Alternatively, the correction coefficient may be set for the rocker brush 18.

[0054] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the correction coefficient is preset using the correction coefficient table TB, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the touch panel 42 may allow input of changes to the correction coefficient or changes to the number of operations to which the correction coefficient is multiplied by the reference value. In this case, the controller 50 multiplies the reference value by the changed correction coefficient if the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16 meets the predetermined conditions. The controller 50 also multiplies the reference value by the correction coefficient if the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16 meets the changed conditions. With such a configuration, maintenance personnel who have checked the deterioration state of the brushes 14 and 16 on-site can change the correction coefficient or change the conditions for the usage state of the brushes 14 and 16 to which the correction coefficient is applied. This makes it possible to maintain the contact pressure of the brushes 14 and 16 more appropriately.

[0055] Furthermore, in the embodiment described above, the car wash machine 2 was a car wash machine that washes automobiles such as passenger cars as vehicle X, but the configuration is not limited to this. The car wash machine 2 may also be a car wash machine that washes railway vehicles or aircraft.

[0056] [Examples of implementation using software] The function of the controller 50 (hereinafter referred to as the "device") is a program that causes the device to function as a computer, and can be realized by a program that causes each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 5) to function as a computer.

[0057] In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, the functions described in each of the embodiments are realized.

[0058] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the above device. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the above device via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0059] The present invention 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]

[0060] 2 car wash machine 4 Car wash machine body 5. Control Unit 14 Top Brush 14A 1st movement mechanism 15. First Rotation Motor 15A First Current Detection Circuit 16 Side Brushes 16A 2nd movement mechanism 17. Second Rotation Motor 17A Second Current Detection Circuit 50 Controllers TB Correction Factor Table

Claims

1. A car wash machine for washing vehicles, A rotating brush that rotates using the driving force of a rotary motor to clean the vehicle, A moving mechanism for moving the rotating brush in a direction that moves it closer to or further away from the vehicle, The system includes a controller that moves the rotating brush toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value, which represents the load of the rotating motor, becomes a predetermined reference value, The aforementioned controller, If the deterioration state of the rotating brush meets predetermined conditions, the reference value is corrected using a correction coefficient set according to the deterioration state of the rotating brush, and the rotating brush is moved in a direction toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value becomes the corrected reference value. Car wash machine.

2. A car wash machine for washing vehicles, A rotating brush that rotates using the driving force of a rotary motor and slides across the surface of the vehicle to brush it, A moving mechanism for moving the rotating brush in a direction that moves it closer to or further away from the vehicle, The system includes a controller that moves the rotating brush toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value, which represents the load of the rotating motor, becomes a predetermined reference value, The aforementioned controller, If the operating condition of the rotating brush satisfies predetermined conditions, the reference value is corrected using a correction coefficient set according to the operating condition of the rotating brush, and the rotating brush is moved in a direction toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value becomes the corrected reference value. A car wash machine in which the correction coefficient is set according to at least one of the following: the number of times the car wash machine has been operated to wash the vehicle, the operating time of the car wash machine, and the number of times the car wash machine body to which the rotating brush is attached has been moved back and forth.

3. A car wash machine for washing vehicles, A rotating brush that rotates using the driving force of a rotary motor and slides across the surface of the vehicle to brush it, A moving mechanism for moving the rotating brush in a direction that moves it closer to or further away from the vehicle, The system includes a controller that moves the rotating brush toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value, which represents the load of the rotating motor, becomes a predetermined reference value, The aforementioned controller, If the operating condition of the rotating brush satisfies predetermined conditions, the reference value is corrected using a correction coefficient set according to the operating condition of the rotating brush, and the rotating brush is moved in a direction toward or toward the vehicle so that the detected motor load value becomes the corrected reference value. A car wash machine in which the correction coefficient is set according to at least one of the following factors that degrade the rotating brush: the number of years the car wash machine has been installed, the installation environment of the car wash machine, the size of vehicles that have been washed in the past, and the presence or absence of specific equipment attached to the vehicles that have been washed in the past.

4. The car wash machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising an input device capable of inputting a change in the correction coefficient or a change in the conditions.

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