JP4007566B2 - Car wash machine - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial application fields]
The present invention includes at least a pair of left and right side brushes, brushes while opening and closing the side brushes along the shape of the vehicle body, and automatically cleaning the side and front and rear surfaces of the vehicle body. Related to car wash machines.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, as a gate type car wash machine, for example, a car wash machine described in JP-A-10-1032 is known. The car wash machine reciprocates so as to straddle the automobile, and the car body is brushed and automatically washed as the car wash machine travels. Here, the car wash machine main body is provided with a vehicle shape detection means for reading the side and plane contours of the vehicle body, and controls to move the brush along the contour, and detects the presence or absence of protrusions from the detected contour, The brush is controlled so as not to damage the protrusion, and the contact is reduced.
[0003]
By the way, even if it is a car wash machine that has the function of reading the outline of the automobile as described above and can recognize the protrusions on the vehicle body surface, even if it is somewhat protruding about the license plate attached to the front and rear of the automobile It was difficult to detect as a protrusion on the detected contour, which was covered with the bumper of the vehicle body. For this reason, when brushing the front and rear surfaces of the vehicle body with the side brush, the bristle material of the brush is caught by the corners of the license plate and the like, causing the problem of bending the license plate or damaging the brush. In particular, it is sufficient that the car is allowed to enter and stop with a space equal to the left and right of the car wash machine (that is, the car center line is aligned with the center line in the width direction of the car wash machine). If the center of the car washer and the suspension of the car were shifted, there was a problem that the number plate was easily damaged.
[0004]
Further, as a conveyor type car wash machine, for example, a car wash machine described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 9-193753 is known. A car washing machine main body having a configuration in which a car can pass through in a tunnel shape is conveyed through a conveyor by a conveyor, and a brush is sequentially applied during this time to perform automatic washing. And in the car wash machine illustrated here, when the position of the license plate of the automobile is shifted laterally, the side brush is actuated in the opened state to prevent the license plate from being damaged.
[0005]
By the way, in the example of the conveyor type car wash machine, in order to prevent the license plate from being damaged, the side brush is applied to the vehicle body with the side brush opened, and further opened from there for brushing. There is a drawback that leaves behind. Moreover, it is necessary for the user to specify the displacement of the license plate position by input, and there is always a risk of forgetting to specify. In addition, there is an example where it is estimated that the license plate is misaligned when it is determined that the car is a light car, and the side brush is controlled to open. Even though there are a lot of light vehicles, many of the existing light vehicles have a license plate attached at the center, and there is a problem that the unnecessary operation is prevented even in an unnecessary vehicle and the washing is left behind.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Here, a typical example when a side brush is caught on a license plate in a conventional car wash machine will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 10 shows a case where the front surface of the automobile A is brushed by the left and right side brushes SL and SR, and the automobile A is parked on the right side where the driver's seat is located with respect to the car wash machine main body W. CL1 is a car center line, and CL2 is a car wash machine center line. As shown in the drawing, the side brushes SL and SR are closed just at the center of the car wash machine and come into contact with the vehicle body. The left side brush SL is rotated clockwise so that the bristle material of the brush acts from the inside to the outside. Is rotating counterclockwise. At this time, if the automobile is located on the right side as shown in the figure, the right side brush SR comes into contact with the left edge EL of the number plate NP and acts to cause this. The plate is bent and the bristle material of the brush is torn. Many of these problems are related to the number plate on the front surface of the vehicle body, and the number plate is often attached to the recess of the vehicle body on the rear surface of the vehicle body, and it is rare that it becomes a problem. Therefore, the present invention mainly deals with the brushing process of the license plate on the front surface of the vehicle body.
[0007]
Accordingly, the object of the present invention is to provide a car washer that does not damage the plate or the brush because the side brush is caught by the license plate even if the car is stopped with respect to the car washer. In that point.
[0009]
The present invention relates to a car wash machine of a type that includes at least a pair of left and right side brushes, brushes while opening and closing the side brush along the shape of the car body, and automatically washing the side and front and rear faces of the car body. Means for detecting the side surface position of the vehicle, means for estimating the license plate position at the front end of the vehicle based on the side surface position provided by the detection means, and preventing damage to the license plate with respect to the license plate position provided by the estimation means And a means for controlling to perform soft brushing to solve the above problem.
[0010]
Here, the control means may be controlled so as to perform soft brushing by decelerating the rotation of the side brush at the position of the license plate. Further, the control means may perform control so that soft brushing is performed at a position of the license plate such that the distance between the side brush and the vehicle body surface is greater than that at other portions.
[0011]
【Example】
Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Here, an example will be described in which the invention is applied to a gate-type car wash machine that reciprocates so that the car washer straddles an automobile, and the car body is brushed and automatically washed as the car wash machine travels.
[0012]
FIG. 1 is a front view showing the basic configuration of the embodiment, FIG. 2 is a side view of the same, and the car washer 1 reciprocates on a pair of left and right rails 2, 2. Move to straddle. Reference numerals 3, 4, and 4 are brushes provided on the car wash machine body 1, 3 is a top surface brush that is disposed horizontally and moves up and down in the vertical direction to clean the upper surface of the vehicle body, and 4 and 4 are directions orthogonal to the traveling direction of the main body 1. It is a pair of left and right side brushes that cleans the side surface and the front and back surfaces of the vehicle body by opening and closing.
[0013]
Reference numeral 5 denotes an end surface detection sensor that is provided in front of the brushes 3, 4, and 4 of the car wash machine body 1 and detects a front end position and a rear end position of the automobile. These are reflection type ultrasonic sensors 6L and 6R which are located in front and detect the distance to the side of the vehicle on the left and right respectively. Reference numeral 7 denotes an encoder that outputs a pulse every time the car wash machine body 1 travels a unit distance, and is attached to motors 8 and 8 that run the car body 1 and is used to detect the travel distance of the car wash machine body 1.
[0014]
FIG. 3 illustrates the configuration of the side brushes 4 and 4. The side brushes 4 and 4 are suspended from carriers 4C and 4C that run along rails 4R that are horizontally mounted on the upper rear side of the main body 1. It is rotationally driven by motors 4M1 and 4M1 fixed to 4C and 4C. The carriers 4C and 4C are connected to wire loops 4L and 4L stretched according to the movement ranges on the rails of the side brushes 4 and 4, respectively, and forward and reverse drive of motors 4M2 and 4M2 that feed and operate the loops 4L and 4L. Is opened and closed. With such a configuration, the side brushes 4 and 4 can be operated separately (asymmetrically) by driving the motors 4M1 and 4M2 individually, and the left and right side brushes are respectively connected from one end of the rail to the other. It can move over almost the entire length of the rail to a position where it meets the brush.
[0015]
4E is an encoder for detecting the open / closed position of each of the side brushes 4 and 4, and is attached to the motors 4M2 and 4M2 and outputs a pulse every time the carriers 4C and 4C move a unit distance on the rail, and counts the pulses. Then, the positions of the side brushes 4 and 4 are detected. The position of the side brushes 4, 4 detected in this way is adjusted to a position corresponding to the position of the left and right side surfaces of the vehicle body detected by the ultrasonic sensors 6 L, 6 R so that the side brushes 4, 4 are in a predetermined range suitable for brushing from the vehicle body surface. It is controlled to be at a distance.
[0016]
FIG. 4 illustrates the end face detection sensor 5 and the ultrasonic sensor 6. The end face detection sensor 5 is provided with a light emitting element 5E installed at a height that can detect an automobile end (front and rear bumper parts), and a light receiving element 5R provided corresponding to the light emitting element 5E. Facing each other. Each time a pulse is output from the rotary encoder 7 as the car wash machine body 1 travels, an optical signal is also transmitted and received between the light emitting element 5E and the light receiving element 5R. Based on the released position, the front end position and the rear end position of the vehicle body are detected.
[0017]
The reflective ultrasonic sensors 6L and 6R are respectively provided at substantially right and left symmetrical positions on both sides of the main body 1, and each receive a reflected wave from the vehicle body of a transmitter that radiates ultrasonic waves toward the side surface of the vehicle body. And a receiver. Each time a pulse is output from the rotary encoder 7 as the main body 1 travels, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from the sensors 6L and 6R, and the time from the transmission to reception of the reflected wave is counted, and the sensors 6L and 6R Measure the distance to the side of the car body.
[0018]
FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the control system of the above embodiment. 10 is a control unit including a microcomputer, 11 is a drive unit for driving the brushes 3, 4, and 4 by a signal from the control unit 10, and 12 is a car wash start input. It is an operation panel for performing designation input of protrusions to be avoided. When there is a car wash start input on the operation panel 12, the control unit 10 performs a car wash operation via the drive unit 11, and during the car wash, the side brushes 4, 4 are matched to the side positions provided by the ultrasonic sensors 6 </ b> L, 6 </ b> R. Control to open and close. The front end surface and the rear end surface of the vehicle body stop the traveling of the car wash machine body 1 based on the front end position and the rear end position given by the end surface detection sensor 5, and the side brushes 4 and 4 are opened and closed here for brushing.
[0019]
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the control system of the side brushes 4 and 4 in more detail in the above control system. Reference numeral 10a denotes an end face position detection unit, based on a signal from the end face detection sensor 5, a position where the car wash machine main body 1 moves forward and the optical signal of the sensor 5 is first blocked is defined as a front end position. The position where the state is released is set as the rear end position. 10b is a detection unit for the position of the left side surface of the vehicle body. The detection operation is started after the end surface detection sensor 5 is in a light-shielded state, and the time from when the left ultrasonic sensor 6L outputs a signal until the reflected signal is received is indicated. Count the distance from the sensor 6L to the left side of the vehicle body. Reference numeral 10c denotes a detection unit for the right side surface position of the vehicle body. The detection operation starts after the end surface detection sensor 5 is in a light-shielded state, and the time from when the right ultrasonic sensor 6R outputs a signal until the reflected signal is received. And the distance from the sensor 6R to the right side of the vehicle body is measured.
[0020]
Reference numeral 10d denotes a travel position detection unit of the car wash machine main body 1, which counts pulses output from the encoder 7 as the main body 1 travels, and measures the distance of the car wash machine main body 1 from the travel start position. Reference numeral 10e denotes an opening / closing position detection unit for the left side brush 4, which counts pulses from the encoder 4E attached to the motor 4M2 on the side that moves the left side brush, and from the standby position where the brushes 4 and 4 are opened. Measure distance. Reference numeral 10f denotes an opening / closing position detection unit for the right side brush 4, which counts pulses from the encoder 4E attached to the motor 4M2 on the side for moving the right side brush, and from the standby position where the brushes 4 and 4 are opened. Measure distance.
[0021]
10g is a position setting unit that sets a control position related to the license plate of the vehicle based on the respective side surface positions given by the left side surface position detection unit 10b and the right side surface position detection unit 10c, and a center position for detecting the center position in the width direction of the vehicle It comprises a detection unit 10h and a plate position estimation unit 10i that estimates the position of a license plate attached to the automobile. Hereinafter, the function of each part will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In the center position detection unit 10h, the distance Lh from the sensor 6L to the left side of the vehicle body A provided by the left side position detection unit 10b and the right side position detection unit 10c The center position CW in the vehicle body width direction is calculated using the distance Lm from the sensor 6R to the right side of the vehicle body A. That is, it is calculated | required by the formula of center position CW = (Ls-Lh-Lm) / 2. However, the value Ls is a numerical value corresponding to the distance between the sensors 6L and 6R given as a predetermined value. Further, the plate position detection unit 10i sets a position range RP where the license plate will exist at a distance of a predetermined value L1 left and right with the center position given by the center position detection unit as a midpoint.
[0022]
Reference numeral 10j denotes a car wash control unit which controls the left and right side brushes 4 and 4 via the drive unit 11 based on various information given by the units 10a to 10i. The drive unit 11 is provided with a left drive unit 11L and a right drive unit 11R for driving the side brushes 4 and 4 respectively. The drive units 11L and 11R individually drive motors 4M1 and 4M2 for operating the side brushes 4 and 4, respectively, and are provided with inverters 11a and 11a on the output side to the motor 4M1, and the rotational speeds of the brushes 4 and 4 are controlled. Can be varied. In addition, 13 is a drive part of the cylinder 20 at the time of employ | adopting the Example of FIG.
[0023]
FIG. 8 is an operation explanatory view when the front end surface of the vehicle body is brushed by the side brush in the embodiment. Hereinafter, the operation of the embodiment will be described based on this drawing. The automobile A is parked with a dimension L on the right side where the driver's seat is located with respect to the car wash machine body 1. CL1 is a car center line, and CL2 is a car wash machine center line.
[0024]
When the car wash is started, the car wash machine main body 1 moves forward to the car A side, and the front face detection sensor 5 detects the front end position of the vehicle body, and the ultrasonic sensor 6 detects the side face position of the vehicle body before the side brushes 4 and 4. To do. A center position CW in the width direction of the vehicle body is detected based on the detected vehicle body side position, and when the center position CW is detected, the left and right side brushes 4 and 4 are operated to close in accordance with the center position as shown. When it is detected that the front end surface of the vehicle body that has been detected at the position of the side brushes 4, 4 has reached the position where the main body 1 has traveled, the travel of the main body 1 is stopped and the side brushes 4, 4 are rotated here to rotate the front end Start brushing the surface.
[0025]
The side brushes 4 and 4 move so that the bristle acts from the inside to the outside, that is, the left side brush rotates clockwise and the right side brush rotates counterclockwise and opens outward as shown. Here, while the side brushes 4 and 4 are within the predetermined range RP set as described above, both the left and right side brushes 4 and 4 are rotated at a low speed. Switching is performed for brushing. Further, when the side brushes 4 and 4 are rotated at the closed positions, the bristle materials interfere with each other and the bristle material does not hit the central position CW and often causes unwashed areas. Before opening to the left and right, the reciprocating operation is performed one side at a time not exceeding the predetermined range RP to eliminate the unwashed residue.
[0026]
When the side brushes 4 and 4 are opened on the front side of the vehicle body to reach the detected vehicle side surface position and the brushing of the vehicle body front is finished, the car wash machine body 1 starts running again, and the side brushes 4 and 4 are adjusted to the detected vehicle side surface position. The position is controlled and the side of the vehicle body is brushed. In this way, the side of the vehicle body is brushed while the main body 1 is traveling. When the vehicle body reaches the rear end of the vehicle body, the side brushes 4 and 4 are closed to the center position CW, and the series of brushing ends. Even at the rear surface position, the rear surface number plate may be protected by rotating the side brushes 4 and 4 at a low speed during the predetermined range RP detected in the same manner as described above.
[0027]
As described above, in this embodiment, the side brushes 4 and 4 are closed not at the center position of the car wash machine but at the detected center position of the vehicle body, and the front surface of the vehicle body is brushed from this position, as shown in FIG. In addition, the right brush does not catch on the left edge of the license plate in the center of the end face, and there is no risk of damaging the license plate or damaging the brush. In addition, the rotation of the brush is reduced at the center portion where the license plate is located to reduce the catch, and even if it is caught, the damage can be minimized. In addition, even if the license plate is mounted off the center of the end face, both are located closer to the center than both sides. Generation can be significantly reduced.
[0028]
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view of the configuration of a side brush in another embodiment. The rail 4L of the side brush 4, 4 can be rotated on a shaft 4LC protruding at both ends thereof, and the side brush is rotated along with the rotation of the rail 4L. 4, 4 can be tilted back and forth. An arm 21 is fixed to the shaft 4LC in a direction perpendicular to the shaft 4LC, and a cylinder 20 is attached via the arm 21. The cylinder 20 is operated by air pressure or hydraulic pressure to expand and contract, and can hold the side brushes 4 and 4 either in a suspended state or in a tilted state.
[0029]
In the embodiment having such a configuration, when the front end face of the vehicle body is brushed, the car wash control unit 10j operates the cylinder 20 to tilt backward when the side brushes 4 and 4 are within the predetermined range RP. Soft brushing is performed so that only the 4th and 4th ends touch the front of the vehicle body. As a result, only the hair tips of the side brushes 4 and 4 act on the number plate on the front surface of the vehicle body, and the possibility of catching is significantly reduced, and damage to the number plate and the brush can be prevented.
[0030]
The present invention is implemented as described above and solves the problem that the side brushes 4 and 4 are caught on the license plate. In addition, this invention is not limited to the said Example, A various embodiment is possible in the range which does not deviate from a claim. For example, in the above embodiment, an example is shown for a gate type car wash machine, but even in a conveyor type car wash machine, it is easily implemented by carrying out the travel control of the car wash machine main body instead of the transport control of the automobile by the conveyor. Is possible.
[0032]
As described above, the side position of the automobile with respect to the car wash machine body is detected, the license plate position at the front end of the automobile is estimated based on this side position, and soft brushing is performed on the estimated license plate position. Even if the license plate is mounted shifted from the center of the front of the vehicle body to the left or right, the license plate will not be damaged by soft brushing for a predetermined range in the center.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory front view showing a configuration of an example car wash machine.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory side view showing a configuration of an example car wash machine.
FIG. 3 is a front explanatory view of a main part showing a side brush part of an embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of relevant parts showing an example of use of detection means in the embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a control system according to the embodiment.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a main control system of the embodiment.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating information detected in an embodiment.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing the operation of the embodiment.
FIG. 9 is a main part explanatory view showing a side brush part of another embodiment.
FIG. 10 is an operation explanatory diagram of a conventional example.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Car wash machine main body 4,4 Side brush 5 End face detection sensor which is end face detection means 6 Ultrasonic sensor which is side face position detection means 7 Encoder which is travel position detection means 10 Control part 10g Center position detection means 10i Plate position estimation means 11 Drive part 11a , 11a Inverter as means for changing the rotational speed of the side brush

Claims (3)

In a car wash machine of the type comprising at least a pair of left and right side brushes, brushing while opening and closing the side brushes along the shape of the car body, and automatically washing the side and front and rear faces of the car body,
  Means for detecting the side position of the automobile relative to the car washer body, means for estimating the license plate position at the front end of the automobile based on the side position provided by the detection means, and the license plate relative to the license plate position provided by the estimation means And a means for controlling to perform soft brushing to prevent damage to the car. 2. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control so as to perform soft brushing by decelerating the rotation of the side brush at the position of the license plate. 2. The car wash machine according to claim 1, wherein the control means performs control to soft brush the distance between the side brush and the vehicle body surface at the position of the number plate from that of the other part.

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