JPS5830181B2 - Automobile lower part cleaning method and device - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a technique for cleaning the lower part of an automobile as a pre-process for periodic inspection and maintenance of automobiles, and particularly for inspection and maintenance of the undercarriage area.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In conventional automobile lower part cleaning techniques, there are techniques in which an injection nozzle that injects cleaning liquid to an automobile lower part is moved along a predetermined path, and the injection nozzle is oscillated or drawn in an arcuate trajectory.

In this prior art, a vehicle is generally provided with a truck that is movable back and forth in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and this truck carries an injection nozzle.

In addition, the injection nozzles are swingably mounted on the truck, and some are arranged in large numbers in the vehicle width direction.On the other hand, there are configurations in which one or two injection nozzles are used and the injection nozzles are moved in a predetermined arc. There are some that do.

However, the vehicles to be cleaned have different lengths and widths.

In conventional lower part cleaning technology, the movement range of the injection nozzle is not determined according to the length or width of the car to be cleaned, but is uniquely determined by the internal configuration of the cleaning device itself. This is what is being done.

Therefore, in the case of large vehicles, complete cleaning may not be carried out, and in the case of small vehicles, the cleaning fluid is sprayed far beyond the width of the vehicle, resulting in disadvantages such as wasted cleaning fluid and spraying of cleaning fluid and muddy water around the vehicle. was there.

On the other hand, in the conventional technology, it is difficult to align the central axis of the cleaning device in the reciprocating path in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle with the central axis of the automobile to be cleaned. There is also the drawback that the cleaning liquid is sprayed out to the side, on the one hand, and the cleaning liquid is not sufficiently sprayed onto the lower part of the vehicle on the other hand.

The present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and controls the movement range of the injection nozzle according to the dimensions of the vehicle, such as length and width, so that the cleaning liquid can always be sprayed to the required part of the lower part of the vehicle. The purpose is to make it possible.

In the present invention, at least one of the vehicle width and/or length of the vehicle is detected, and the cleaning liquid injection nozzle is moved in an arbitrary direction within a predetermined area determined from the detected vehicle width and/or vehicle length. It cleans the entire surface.

That is, in the present invention, the width and length of the vehicle to be washed are detected, the range in which the injection nozzle should move is determined in that state, and the injection nozzle is moved in any direction within the determined predetermined area. to spray the cleaning liquid.

Therefore, even when lifting a car onto the floor to clean the lower part, the range of movement of the injection nozzle is determined only by the dimensions of the car, so the cleaning liquid is not sprayed in areas other than the necessary areas. Injection is always performed.

On the other hand, the present invention provides a detection means for detecting the width and/or length of an automobile, a bogie that can reciprocate along a rail laid on the floor, and a bogie that moves on the bogie in a direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bogie. an injection nozzle that is reciprocally movable and capable of injecting cleaning liquid to the lower part of the vehicle; a direction changing means that changes the moving direction of the truck and/or the injection nozzle in response to the detection means; and one drive for the truck and the injection nozzle. This configuration has a driving means for.

That is, in order to move the injection nozzle in any direction within a predetermined area, the device of the present invention uses a truck that can reciprocate along a rail and an injection jet installed on the truck so that it can reciprocate in a direction perpendicular to the traveling direction of the truck. It has a nozzle configuration.

The movement range of the injection nozzle is limited within a predetermined area determined by cooperation between the detection means and the direction changing means.

Furthermore, considering that this device is used in a water-immersed environment, a turbine (impeller) is used instead of an electric motor to utilize the flow energy of the pressure cleaning fluid to minimize the cause of failure. There is.

Note that this does not exclude the use of an electric motor in this device.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one example of the device of the present invention, illustrating the overall configuration.

An automobile 2 is held at a predetermined height above the lower part cleaning device 1.

The automobile 2 may be held suspended from above, or may be lifted by a lift or other appropriate method.

The lower part cleaning device 1 has a vehicle width detecting means 3 and a vehicle length detecting means 3' for detecting the vehicle width and vehicle length of the automobile 2.

A pair of vehicle width detecting means 3 and a vehicle length detecting means 3' are provided on the left, right, front and rear sides.

Each of the vehicle width detection means 3 has a detection pole 4 that comes into contact with the side surface of the body of the automobile 2, and a regulation member 5 to which the detection pole 4 is fixedly attached.

The detection pole 4 is preferably made of an elastic material such as rubber so as not to damage the body.

Further, normally two detection poles 4 may be provided on each side, but the number of detection poles 4 can be changed as desired.

A pair of approaching/retracting means 6, 6' are provided connected to the regulating member 5.

The approaching/separating moving means 6 has a pressing arm 6av rotatably pin-coupled to the regulating member 5, and a rotating shaft 5 having one end fixed to the other end of the pressing arm 6a and a driving arm 6b fixed to the other end.
c, and a cylinder device 6e in which the tip of a rod 6d is connected to a drive arm 6b.

On the other hand, in the other free moving means 6', an intermediate arm 6f is interposed between the regulating member 5 and the pressing arm 6a, and both ends of the intermediate arm 6f are rotatably connected with a pin.

Vehicle length detection means 3' are provided at the front and rear positions of the automobile 2, respectively.

A detection pole 4' for detecting the vehicle length is fixed to a regulating member 5', and the regulating member 5' is operatively connected to a drive arm 6'b rotatably supported on the main frame 7.

The tip of a rod 6'd of a cylinder device 6/e is connected to the middle of the drive arm 6'b, and operates to move the detection pole 4' back and forth.

Therefore, after the automobile 2 is positioned at a predetermined height above the lower part cleaning device 1, the detection poles 4 and 4' are moved by applying a desired pressure to the cylinder device 6 e l 6'e. The position of the regulating member 5 in the vehicle width direction according to the vehicle width of the automobile 2 and the regulating member in the vehicle length direction according to the vehicle length. It is possible to determine the position of 5'.

In this case, the vehicle 2 is not necessarily on the same center line as the device 1.

Even when the vehicle 2 is oriented somewhat diagonally with respect to the center line of the device 1, since the present detection means uses the intermediate arm 6f, the regulating member 5 in the width direction is parallel to the side surface of the vehicle 2 body. It is possible to locate

This state can be easily understood by referring to the principle diagram of the guide means shown in FIG.

However, it goes without saying that instead of using the intermediate arm 6f, it can be easily replaced with other equivalent means, such as connecting the suppressing arm 6a and the regulating member 5 via a spring.

Next, the mechanism for spraying the cleaning liquid of the present device 1 will be explained.

A pair of rails 8.8 are fixedly installed on the main frame 7, and a truck 9 is carried on the rails 8, 8 so as to be able to move back and forth.

As shown in FIG. 3, the truck 9 has wheels 9a.
rolls on the rails 8, causing the bogie 9 to reciprocate in the vehicle length direction.

A pair of injection nozzles 10° 10 are provided on the truck 9 and are fixed to a sensing member 11.

The sensing member 11 is made of a plate bent into a predetermined shape, and reciprocates on the truck 9 to reciprocate the injection nozzle 10 in the vehicle width direction.

Therefore, the injection nozzle 10 is moved in the vehicle length direction by the movement of the truck 9, and is also moved in the vehicle width direction by the movement of the sensing member 11.

Incidentally, the injection nozzle 10 simultaneously makes a rocking motion in the vehicle length direction, and this point will become clear from the description below.

While the injection nozzle 10 is moved as described above, the pressurized cleaning liquid from an external cleaning liquid supply source (not shown) such as a pump or water heater flows from the connection part 12 shown in FIG. 3 to the pipe 13a.
, 13b into the truck 9, and after rotationally driving the turbine installed in the truck 9, the liquid passes through the pipe 13c to the injection nozzle 10 and is injected toward the lower part of the automobile.

On the other hand, it goes without saying that a configuration in which the fuel is directly supplied to the injection nozzle 10 from an external supply source is also possible.

The sensing member 11 that moves in the vehicle width direction on the truck 9 collides with the regulating member 5 and changes its moving direction, so that the cleaning liquid sprayed from the injection nozzle 10 crosses the vehicle width and moves upward. There is no gushing.

Further, a pair of second sensing members 14.14 are provided on the truck 9, and these are in collision engagement with vehicle length regulating members 5' and 5', respectively, which are positioned according to the vehicle length of the automobile 2. The movement range of the truck 9 in the vehicle length direction is restricted.

Therefore, since the injection nozzle 10 does not move beyond the length of the vehicle, there is no possibility of spraying cleaning liquid or muddy water.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 4 to 9, a specific example of a drive mechanism for moving the injection nozzle 10 in the lower cleaning device 1 and a control mechanism for controlling the movement range in the vehicle width direction and vehicle length direction will be described. Please explain.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan view showing the drive unit mounted inside the truck 9. FIG.

The cleaning liquid supplied from an external cleaning liquid supply source is connected to the pipe 13b.
The water passes through the nozzle 15 attached to the tip and is ejected toward the blades of the turbine 16.

The relationship between the nozzle 15 and the turbine 16 is clear from FIG.

Therefore, the cleaning liquid jetted from the nozzle 15 drives and rotates the turbine 16 and the drive shaft 17 integrally connected thereto.

The rotation of the drive shaft 17 rotates the worm gear 18 via the worm 17a.

The crank arm 19 is integrally connected to the worm gear 18, and the crank arm 19 is operatively connected to a bracket 21 via a connecting rod 20.

The bracket 21 is a guide rod 2 rotatably supported by a bearing 23 attached to a frame 22 of the truck 9.
4 is fixed at one end.

Further, a swing rod 25 is fixed to the bracket 21 in the middle thereof.

Therefore, the rotational movement of the worm gear 18 is transmitted to the bracket 21 via the crank arm 19 and the connecting rod 20, causing the swinging rod 25 to swing around the guide rod 24.

As will become clear from the description below, this rocking motion is used for rocking the injection nozzle 10 in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

A first bevel gear (not shown) is integrally coupled with the worm gear 18.
is provided, and the second bevel gear 26 meshes with the first bevel gear.

A first sprocket 27 and a second sprocket 28 are provided integrally with the second bevel gear 26.

The first sprocket 21 is operatively connected to the third sprocket 29 by a chain.
is configured to rotate integrally with the clutch 30.

The clutch 30 is slidable left and right on a clutch shaft 31 to which a third sprocket 29 is fixed.

The control lever 33 is rotated via the control shaft 32, and the clutch 30 operatively connected to the control lever 33 is moved left and right.

Therefore, the clutch 30 is selectively engaged with the third bevel gear 34 or the fourth bevel gear 35.

The position of the clutch 30 shown in FIG. 4 is a neutral position in which it is not engaged with either bevel gear.

The third and fourth bevel gears 34°35 are always in mesh with the fifth bevel gear 36, and the fifth bevel gear 36 is connected to the fourth bevel gear 34 through the shaft 37.
It is integrally constructed with the sprocket 38 and the fifth sprocket 39.

The fourth and fifth sprockets 38 and 39 are operatively connected by chains to wheel sprockets t-40 and t-40, respectively, which are integrally formed with wheels 9a and 9a for running the truck 9.

Therefore, the clutch 30 is connected to the third bevel gear 34 or the fourth gold gear 3.
5, the rotational force of the drive shaft 17 is transmitted to the wheels 9a to move the truck 9 forward or backward, and by engaging the clutch 30 with the other bevel gear, the rotational force of the drive shaft 17 is transmitted to the wheels 9a to move the truck 9 in the opposite direction. It can be moved.

As is clear from the above description, it is possible to control the forward and backward movement of the truck 9 by controlling the control shaft 32, and an example of a specific implementation thereof is shown in FIG.

In FIG. 6, a sliding rod 42 is slidably provided on a grip 41, 41 fixed to the frame 22 of the truck 9.

Sensing members 14.14 are fixed to both ends of the sliding rod 42.

A protruding arm 44 is fixed to one of the sensing members 14 at a suitable position, and a notch 44a is cut into the protruding arm 44, into which one end of a toggle switch 45 is engaged.

Further, a locking portion 42a is integrally formed at a suitable position on the sliding rod 42, and the other end of the toggle switch 45 is engaged with the locking portion 42a.

The sensing member 14.14 can collidingly engage with regulating members 5', 5' positioned apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle shown in FIG.

Therefore, the toggle switch 45 is operatively connected to the control shaft 32 (
For example, by connecting the end of the toggle switch 45 that is engaged with the locking portion 42a with the operating lever 33,
Each time the sensing member 14.14 collides with the regulating member 5', 5', the clutch 30 moves left and right, and the wheels 9a, 9a
The direction of rotation of is transformed.

As described above, it is clear that the forward and backward movement of the truck 9 is limited depending on the length of the automobile 2.

Next, FIGS. 7 to 9 show specific configurations regarding the movement of the injection nozzle 10 in the left and right directions on the trolley 9 and its control.
This will be explained with reference to the figures.

In Fig. 7, the second sprocket 28 (see Fig. 4)
A chain 50 is stretched between the free sprocket 28' and the floating sprocket 28', and the chain 50 is constantly driven in the direction indicated by the arrow X.

The sensing member 11 in the vehicle width direction is bent and formed from a plate material, and a guide rod 24 is loosely inserted into a through hole 11a formed in a part of the sensing member 11.

A first control lever 51 is rotatably supported on the sensing member 11, and a second control lever 52 is rotatably supported on the shaft 51a.
It is pivotably supported around 2a.

A pin 53,54 is provided upright on the second control lever 52, and in a normal state is engaged with a side of the first control lever 51 to define the relative positional relationship of the lever 51,52.

Further, a spring 55 is installed between an appropriate position of the head of the second control lever 52 and the protrusion 11b formed by bending a part of the sensing member 11.
is installed.

As shown in FIG. 8, a part of the chain 50 has an engaging pin 5.
6 is provided protrudingly, and the retaining pin 56 is connected to the first control lever 5.
1 and the upper and lower parts thereof.

FIG. 8 shows a state in which the engagement pin 56 is engaged with the first control lever 51 at its upper portion.

Therefore, the driving force of the chain 50 in the X direction is applied to the engagement pin 5.
6 to the sensing member 11, the sensing member 1
1 is guided by a guide rod 24 and moved in the X direction (vehicle width direction).

As shown in FIG. 7, an injection nozzle support member 11' is provided in operative connection with the sensing member 11, and as the sensing member 11 moves, the support member 11' is also moved along the guide rod 24. , the injection nozzle 10 is moved in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the truck 9, that is, in the vehicle width direction.

A bifurcated protrusion 11'a is protruded from the lower part of the support member 11, and a swing rod 25 is engaged with the protrusion 11'a.

Therefore, as described above, the swing rod 25 is guided by the guide 07124.
As the support member 11' swings around, the injection nozzle 10 swings in the direction of movement of the truck 9, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle.

On the other hand, since a portion of the sensing member 11 is inserted into the groove of the guide 57 fixed to the frame of the truck 9, the sensing member 11 does not swing.

Next, in the apparatus having the configuration shown in FIG. 7, in particular, the ninth
This will be explained with reference to the diagram.

9AB shows the sensing member 11 shown in FIG. The operational relationship between the first control lever 51, the second control lever 52, and the retaining pin 56 of the chain 50 is diagrammatically shown.

That is, in FIG. 9A, when the chain 50 is driven in the X direction, the engagement pin 56 engages with the upper part of the first control lever 51, and attempts to rotate the lever 51 clockwise about the shaft 51a. .

The lever 51 is connected to the pin 54 of the second control lever 52.
, the lever 52 attempts to rotate counterclockwise around the shaft 52a.

However, since a spring 55 is stretched between the head of the lever 52 and the protrusion 11b, both the levers 51 and 5
2 is prevented from rotating, and as the engagement pin 56 moves, the sensing member 11 and the support member 11' are moved along the guide rod 24.

Therefore, the spring 55 is connected to the sensing member 11 and the supporting member 1.
1' and the frictional force on the guide rod 24.

On the other hand, the state shown in FIG. 9B shows a state in which the injection nozzle 10 has reached one limit position of the vehicle width.

That is, the sensing member 11 is in a collisionally engaged state with the regulating member 5, which is positioned according to the width of the automobile 2.

As explained with reference to FIG. 1, the regulating member 5 is kept stationary by applying a predetermined pressure (cylinder device 6e), so even if the engagement pin 56 moves forward, the sensing member 11 will not touch the regulating member 5. Its movement is prevented by.

The spring 55 then succumbs to the force of the engagement pin 56, and the levers 51 and 52 are rotated as shown by the arrows.

When the lever 51 is rotated by a predetermined angle, the engagement pin 56 is disengaged from the lever 51, and the floating ratchet 28'
The direction is progressing.

On the other hand, the levers 51 and 52 are rotated in the direction opposite to the arrow in response to the return force of the spring 55, and the side surface of the lever 51 comes into contact with the pin 53 of the lever 52, returning to its original state.

After the engaging pin 56 moves around the floating ratchet 28', it comes into contact with the lower part of the first control lever 51, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 9A, and moves the sensing member 11 in the direction of the arrow Y.

In this case, if the abutment position of the engagement pin 56 is symmetrical to the above-mentioned case with respect to the shaft 51a, the force relationship acting on the lever 5L52 is exactly the same.

Then, the sensing member 11 is collidingly engaged with the other regulating member 5, which is positioned according to the vehicle width, so that the movement of the sensing member 11 is prevented, and the same effect as described with reference to FIG. 9B is performed.

As described above, since the movement range of the injection nozzle 10 is controlled according to the width of the vehicle, cleaning liquid can always be sprayed within a predetermined area regardless of the size of the vehicle.

Furthermore, this device has a simple mechanical configuration using levers 51 and 52, and is not only easy to manufacture, but also prevents failures as much as possible even under humid conditions in which this device is used.

Furthermore, in this device, since the sensing member 11 is temporarily stopped near the inner side of the vehicle width limit, it is possible to thoroughly clean the tire house, which is the part of the lower part of the car that needs cleaning the most. Contributes to improving cleaning effectiveness.

In the above description, the restriction member 5 has been described as a part of the vehicle width detection means 3 shown in FIG.

However, the regulating member 5 is not limited to this, and can be provided separately, and the sensing member 11 itself can be modified to be able to detect the vehicle width. Of course.

Furthermore, in the above description, the case where the sensing member 11 is used to detect the vehicle width of the automobile and the sensing member 14 is used to detect the vehicle length direction is explained, but the present invention is not limited to these. , the sensing member 11 is used to detect the vehicle length, and the sensing member 1 is used to detect the vehicle length.
It goes without saying that a configuration in which 4 is used for detecting the vehicle width also falls within the technical scope of the present invention.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a specific embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a principle diagram showing the operating principle of the vehicle width and vehicle length detection means, and Fig. 3 ABC shows the movement of the bogie and the injection nozzle. 4 is a partial cross-sectional plan view showing the drive mechanism inside the bogie, FIG. 5 is an explanatory view showing the relationship between the nozzle and the turbine, and FIG. 6 is an example of a sensing member for controlling movement in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing a mechanism for moving the injection nozzle in the vehicle width direction, FIG. 8 is a partially enlarged view of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9AB is a partial plan view of the vehicle in the vehicle width direction. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing movement range control. Explanation of symbols of main parts, 1...lower cleaning device,
3...Vehicle width detection means, 3'...Vehicle length detection means, 44'...Detection pole, 5,5'...
...Restriction member, 6, 6'... Retreating means, 9... Cart, 10... Injection nozzle,
ICl3... Sensing member, 24... Guide rod, 50... Chain, 51, 2...
...Control lever 55...Spring.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A method for automatically cleaning the lower part of a car by spraying a cleaning liquid into the lower part of the car using a cleaning injection nozzle, which includes detecting at least one of the width and length of the car to be cleaned. determining a washing area for the vehicle; and
The cleaning spray nozzle is moved in any direction within the cleaning area by detecting the boundary of the determined cleaning area and changing the direction of movement, thereby automatically cleaning the lower part of the automobile. How to do it. 2. Detection means for detecting at least one of the vehicle width and length of an automobile; a bogie that can reciprocate along a rail having a predetermined length; and a bogie that reciprocates on the bogie in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction of movement of the bogie. an injection nozzle that is freely disposed and capable of injecting a cleaning liquid toward the lower part of the automobile; a direction changing means that changes the moving direction of at least one of the truck and the injection nozzle in response to the detection means; and a direction change means that drives the truck and the injection nozzle. An automobile lower part cleaning device characterized by having a driving means. 3. In the above item 2, the detection means includes an appropriate number of detection poles that can come into contact with the outer surface of the body of the automobile, a regulating member on which the detection poles are fixed at appropriate positions and determines the cleaning area, and the an actuating means for positioning the regulating member by bringing a detection pole into contact with the outer surface of the vehicle body; An automobile lower part cleaning device characterized by changing. 4. The automobile lower part cleaning device according to item 3 above, wherein the operating means includes a link mechanism connected to the regulating member and a cylinder device connected to the link mechanism. 5 In the above item 3, the direction changing means has a first sensing member provided on the truck and configured to be movable integrally with the injection nozzle, and the first sensing member An automobile lower part cleaning device characterized in that the direction of movement of the injection nozzle is changed by colliding with the restriction member positioned at the limit of a movement range of the nozzle. 6 In the above item 5, the direction changing means further includes a second sensing member provided on the trolley, and the second sensing member is configured to act on the regulating member positioned at the limit of the moving range of the trolley. An automobile lower part cleaning device characterized in that the moving direction of the truck is changed by a collision. 7 In the above item 2, the driving means has a turbine, and the turbine is driven and rotated by pressure cleaning fluid supplied from the outside, and transmits this driving rotational force to the trolley and the injection nozzle via a transmission mechanism. An automobile lower part cleaning device characterized by transmitting information.