JP2024118024A - Car wash equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a vehicle washer which reduces concerns of users about the issue that sand, gravel and the like adhering to a vehicle surface cause scratches on the surface by pressure from a brush and which can be used by the users safely.SOLUTION: A vehicle washer comprises an acquisition unit which acquires vehicle information concerning a state of a vehicle to be washed about which the vehicle outputs, a planning unit which plans a preliminary washing plan concerning water washing executed before washing of the vehicle on the basis of the vehicle information and a control unit which controls washing equipment which washes the vehicle by water on the basis of the preliminary washing plan.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a car wash device.

Car wash devices that automatically wash vehicles such as passenger cars are known. In order to perform efficient washing, for example, a technology is known that acquires vehicle information from the vehicle to be washed and performs washing processing appropriate for that vehicle (for example, see Patent Document 1).

JP 2020-17970 A

The cleaning process using a car wash generally involves pressing and rotating a brush soaked in detergent against the vehicle surface, and users often fear that the pressure from the brush will cause sand or gravel adhering to the vehicle surface to scratch the surface. In fact, there have been frequent reports of such scratches, and it is conceivable that this causes many potential users to give up on washing their cars with a car wash.

The present invention was made to solve these problems and provide a car wash device that many users can use with peace of mind.

In a specific embodiment of the present invention, the car wash device includes an acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information related to the vehicle condition output by the vehicle to be washed, a planning unit that develops a pre-wash plan for washing the vehicle before washing it based on the vehicle information, and a control unit that controls the washing device that washes the vehicle based on the pre-wash plan.

This invention provides a car wash device that many users can use with peace of mind.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a usage state of the car wash apparatus according to the embodiment. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of the car wash device. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of a vehicle. FIG. 13 is a diagram for explaining the concept of coefficient calculation in a pre-washing plan. 11A and 11B are diagrams for explaining the operation of the upper brush. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing a processing procedure of the car wash device.

The present invention will be described below through embodiments of the invention, but the invention according to the claims is not limited to the following embodiments. Furthermore, not all of the configurations described in the embodiments are necessarily essential as means for solving the problem. In addition, in each figure, items with the same reference numerals have the same or similar configurations, and when there are multiple identical or similar configurations, some may be referenced and the others may be omitted.

Figure 1 is a diagram showing the usage of a car wash device 100 according to this embodiment. The car wash device 100 is a device that automatically washes a vehicle 200. The car wash device 100 includes a gate frame 141, a nozzle 142, a brush 143, and a running rail 144. The nozzle 142 is installed at various locations in addition to the top of the gate frame 141 shown in the figure, and sprays water toward the passing vehicle 200 and the brush 143. The brush 143 is arranged along the inside of the gate frame 141, and rotates and swings in contact with the surface of the vehicle 200 during washing. The gate frame 141 moves on the running rail 144 so as to move back and forth relative to the vehicle 200 stopped at a predetermined position.

The car wash apparatus 100 further includes a control unit 101, a camera 120, and an operation panel 161. The control unit 101 is housed in, for example, a waterproof box and installed on the back of the gate frame 141. The control unit 101 includes a control board electrically connected to each element, and is responsible for the control function of automatic washing. The camera 120 is installed, for example, on the side of the gate frame 141. The camera 120 constitutes a detection unit for detecting the vehicle 200 to be washed, and transmits a captured image signal to the control unit 101. The operation panel 161 is installed, for example, on the side of the gate frame 141, and includes operation buttons that accept input operations from users and administrators, and a display unit that displays information according to the input operations.

A user in vehicle 200 drives vehicle 200 to the wash start position. When the control unit 101 detects by the camera 120 that the vehicle 200 has "entered" and reached the wash start position, the control unit 101 requests vehicle information on the state of the vehicle 200 from the control unit 201 of the vehicle 200. When the control unit 101 acquires the vehicle information from the vehicle 200, the control unit 101 creates a pre-wash plan for a pre-wash, which is a water wash performed before the vehicle is washed, and a main wash plan for a main wash performed using detergent after the pre-wash, based on the vehicle information, and performs a pre-wash and main wash on the vehicle 200 in accordance with these plans. Specific processing will be described later.

Next, the hardware configuration of the car wash device 100 will be described. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the main hardware of the car wash device 100 involved in this embodiment. The car wash device 100 mainly includes a control unit 110, a camera 120, a washing device 140, a memory unit 150, an input/output interface 160, and a communication unit 170. The control unit 110 is a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that controls the car wash device 100 and executes programs. The processor may be configured to work in conjunction with a calculation processing chip such as an ASIC or a GPU. The control unit 110 reads out the car wash control program stored in the memory unit 150 and executes various processes related to washing the vehicle.

The camera 120 is installed on the gate frame 141 as described above, and sends back to the control unit 110 an image signal captured in response to an instruction signal from the control unit 110. The control unit 110 uses image data formed from the image signal to detect the presence and movement of the vehicle 200 to be washed. That is, the camera 120 works in cooperation with the control unit 110 to function as a detection unit that detects the vehicle 200.

The cleaning device 140 includes various units for washing the vehicle, such as a gate frame 141, a nozzle 142, a brush 143, a running rail 144, a pump, a drain, a dryer, various sensors, etc. The control unit 110 transmits drive signals to a motor that moves the gate frame 141 along the running rail 144 and a motor that rotates the brush 143, and receives output signals from sensors.

The memory unit 150 is a non-volatile storage medium, and is composed of, for example, a flash memory. The memory unit 150 stores various parameters, etc., in addition to programs that control and process the car wash device 100. The input/output interface 160 includes an operation panel 161, and receives input operations from users and administrators, and displays the status of the car wash device 100. The communication unit 170 includes a communication module that can communicate with a control unit 201 mounted on the vehicle, and transmits and receives information between the vehicle 200. The above-mentioned control unit 101 houses or supports the control unit 110, the memory unit 150, the input/output interface 160, and the communication unit 270.

The control unit 110 also serves as a functional calculation unit that executes various calculations in response to the processing instructed by the car wash program. The control unit 110 functions as an acquisition unit 111 in cooperation with the communication unit 170. The acquisition unit 111 acquires, for example, vehicle information relating to the vehicle condition output by the vehicle 200 to be washed. The control unit 110 also functions as a planning unit 112 that creates a pre-wash plan and a main wash plan for washing the vehicle 200 based on the vehicle information acquired by the acquisition unit 111. The control unit 110 also functions as a washing control unit 113 that controls the washing device 140 to wash the vehicle 200 based on the pre-wash plan and the main wash plan created by the planning unit 112.

Next, the hardware configuration of the vehicle 200 will be described. FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the main hardware of the vehicle 200 involved in this embodiment. The vehicle 200 mainly includes a control unit 210, a sensor 220, a drive unit 240, a memory unit 250, an input/output interface 260, and a communication unit 270. The control unit 210 is a processor (CPU: Central Processing Unit) that controls the vehicle 200 and executes programs. The processor may be configured to work in conjunction with a calculation processing chip such as an ASIC or a GPU.

The sensor 220 includes various monitoring elements that monitor the state of the vehicle 200 and the surrounding environment, and detects, for example, the mileage of the vehicle 200 and whether the wipers are operating. The drive unit 240 is a device for self-propelling the vehicle 200, and in the case of a gasoline-powered vehicle, includes a gasoline engine that drives the drive wheels. The memory unit 250 is a non-volatile storage medium, and is composed of, for example, a solid state drive. The memory unit 250 stores various parameters, etc., in addition to programs that execute control and processing of the vehicle 200.

The input/output interface 260 includes an input/output device that receives input operations from the user and displays the status of the vehicle 200. The communication unit 270 includes a communication module that can communicate with the communication unit 170 of the car wash apparatus 100, and transmits and receives information between the car wash apparatus 100. Note that the communication unit 170 of the car wash apparatus 100 and the communication unit 270 of the vehicle 200 are not limited to short-range wireless modules that directly establish communication with each other, but may be, for example, wireless LAN modules that are connected via an Internet network. Note that the above-mentioned control unit 201 houses or supports the control unit 210, the memory unit 250, the input/output interface 260, and the communication unit 270.

Now, the washing process by a car wash apparatus generally involves pressing and rotating a brush soaked in detergent against the vehicle surface. The car wash apparatus 100 according to this embodiment is also a type of apparatus that washes the vehicle 200 by rotating and translating the brush 143. With this type of car wash apparatus, users often worry that sand, gravel, etc. adhering to the surface of the vehicle will cause scratches on the surface due to the pressure from the brush. Therefore, in this embodiment, in order to allow many users to use it with peace of mind, before starting the washing process using detergent, a water wash (pre-wash) is performed according to the degree of dirt on the vehicle 200 using the acquired vehicle information, thereby appropriately removing sand, gravel, etc. adhering to the vehicle at the time of entry.

The process of creating a pre-wash plan using vehicle information is described below. Figure 4 is a diagram for explaining the concept of calculating the condition coefficient in a pre-wash plan. The condition coefficient is a coefficient calculated, for example, by accumulating multiple dirt coefficients, and represents the strength of the pre-wash plan set as a standard.

Figure 4 (A) shows a three-dimensional graph of the function that determines the dirt coefficient α. The dirt coefficient α is calculated from a function that uses the time elapsed since the last car wash and the distance traveled since the last car wash as variables. A function is applied to the dirt coefficient α such that the dirt coefficient α increases as the time elapsed since the last car wash increases and as the distance traveled since the last car wash increases. α is also set to vary within a range of 1.0 or greater.

Here, the time that has passed since the last car wash and the distance traveled since the last car wash are information that is substantially included in the vehicle information. The time that has passed since the last car wash is calculated from the car wash history information recorded in the memory unit 250, and the distance traveled since the last car wash is calculated from the car wash history information and the odometer record information. At this time, each calculated value may be included in the vehicle information, or the car wash history information and the odometer record information before the calculation may be included in the vehicle information.

Figure 4 (B) is a diagram showing a three-dimensional graph of the function that determines the dirt coefficient β. The dirt coefficient β is calculated from a function whose variables are the time that has passed since the last car wash and the amount of driving time since the last car wash that occurred in bad weather. The dirt coefficient α is a function that increases the dirt coefficient β as the time that has passed since the last car wash increases and as the amount of time that bad weather has occurred since the last car wash increases. β is also set to vary within a range of 1.0 or more.

Here, the time during which bad weather has occurred since the last car wash is also information that is substantially included in the vehicle information. The time during which bad weather has occurred since the last car wash is calculated from the car wash history information and the information on the wiper operation time. At this time, the calculated value may be included in the vehicle information, or the information on the wiper operation time before the calculation may be included in the vehicle information. Furthermore, the time during which bad weather has occurred may be calculated from recorded weather information, etc., rather than the wiper operation time.

The condition coefficient is calculated as dirt coefficient α × dirt coefficient β. As described above, the condition coefficient is the strength of the pre-wash plan set as the standard. For example, if the pre-wash time set as the standard is 5.0 minutes and the condition coefficient is 1.8, the pre-wash time for the vehicle 200 is set to 5.0 x 1.8 = 9.0 (minutes). Furthermore, the item that is changed using the state variable is not limited to the pre-wash time, but may be, for example, the pressure of the water sprayed from the nozzle 142. Furthermore, the dirt coefficients are not limited to α and β, and dirt coefficients γ, ε, etc. may be set by adopting further items as parameters. In this case, the condition coefficient can be calculated as the product of these.

The pre-wash item that is changed based on the calculated condition coefficient is not limited to a continuously changing item such as the pre-wash time, but may be a pre-wash item whose operation is changed based on whether the condition coefficient exceeds a preset threshold. For example, the contact operation of the brush 143 with the vehicle 200 may be changed. Figure 5 is a diagram for explaining the contact operation of the upper brush 143a when the condition coefficient exceeds the threshold.

If the condition coefficient is equal to or less than the threshold value, the cleaning control unit 113 moves the upper brush 143a while rotating it in one direction so that it sequentially contacts the top surface of the vehicle 200 from the front to the rear. On the other hand, if the condition coefficient exceeds the threshold value, the cleaning control unit 113 divides the top of the vehicle 200 into the front and rear and contacts the upper brush 143a in two stages.

Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5(A), in the first step, the cleaning control unit 113 brings the upper brush 143a into contact with the top of the vehicle 200, rotates the brush in a direction that scrapes up any adhering sand, etc., toward the front, and moves the brush forward so as to make contact with the top surface in a sequential manner. In the second step, the upper brush 143a comes into contact with the top of the vehicle 200, rotates the brush in a direction that scrapes up any adhering sand, etc., toward the rear, and moves the brush backward so as to make contact with the top surface in a sequential manner. By changing the operation of the upper brush 143a in this way, it is expected that even in a state where a large amount of adhering sand, etc. is expected, the sand, etc., can be appropriately removed without causing scratches on the top surface of the vehicle 200.

Furthermore, depending on the value of the state coefficient, the operations in Figures 5 (A) and (B) may be set to be performed multiple times, or the pressure of the water discharged in combination may be changed. When performing the operations multiple times, for example, the pressing force may be gradually increased. Also, depending on the threshold value, the rotation speed of the brush 143 may be changed, or the type and amount of detergent to be applied may be changed. Air spraying may also be used in combination.

Next, the processing procedure of the car wash device 100 will be described. FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing the processing procedure of the car wash device 100. Note that the following flow does not explain all the processes described so far, but only explains the main processes executed by the car wash device 100.

In step S101, the control unit 110 checks whether it has detected that the vehicle 200 to be washed has reached the storage position. Specifically, it obtains an image signal from the camera 120 and detects whether the vehicle 200 is in a specified position. The control unit 110 periodically executes step S101, and when it has confirmed that the vehicle 200 has reached the storage position, it proceeds to step S102.

In step S102, the acquisition unit 111 establishes communication between the communication unit 170 and the communication unit 270 of the vehicle 200, and requests vehicle information from the vehicle 200. Then, in step S103, it is confirmed whether or not the vehicle information output by the vehicle 200 has been acquired. If it has been acquired, the process proceeds to step S104, and if it has not been acquired, the process proceeds to step S106. Note that if communication cannot be established with the vehicle 200, the process also proceeds to step S106.

When the process proceeds to step S104, the planning unit 112 plans a pre-wash plan based on the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 acquired by the acquisition unit 111. Specifically, as explained using Figures 4 and 5, the pre-wash plan calculates a condition coefficient and determines the operating mode of the washing device 140 according to the value. The main-wash plan can be planned in the same way as the pre-wash plan, but it does not have to be changed according to the vehicle information. After planning the pre-wash plan, the planning unit 112 passes it over to the washing control unit 113.

In step S105, the cleaning control unit 113 performs a water wash according to the pre-wash plan as a pre-wash, and then performs a main wash. If a main wash plan has also been handed over from the planning unit 112, the main wash is performed according to that main wash plan. When the main wash process is completed, the process proceeds to step S107.

When the process proceeds from step S103 to step S106, the cleaning control unit 113 performs a water wash according to the pre-wash schedule set as the standard, and then performs a main wash. When the main wash process is completed, the process proceeds to step S107.

When the car wash process is completed, in step S107, an end sound is emitted, for example, to notify the user that the car wash is complete. In step S108, the control unit 110 checks whether the user has evacuated the vehicle 200. Steps S107 and S108 are repeated until the evacuation is complete, and when the evacuation is complete, the series of processes ends.

Although this embodiment has been described above, the acquisition of vehicle information is not limited to the case where communication is established directly between the car wash device 100 and the vehicle 200, but may be performed via the Internet network. Furthermore, if the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 is stored, for example, in a server connected to the Internet, the acquisition unit 111 may acquire the vehicle information of the vehicle 200 from the server.

In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the strength of the pre-wash plan set as a standard is increased according to the vehicle information has been described, but conversely, a case where it is decreased may also be considered. For example, if the vehicle information includes information that the vehicle is provided with a surface coating that prevents sludge adhesion or a surface coating that has enhanced resistance to scratches, a value less than 1.0 may be assigned as the dirt coefficient. In that case, the value may be changed according to the type of surface coating, etc.

100...Car wash device, 101...Control unit, 110...Control unit, 120...Camera, 140...Washing device, 141...Gate frame, 142...Nozzle, 143...Brush, 143a...Upper brush, 144...Running rail, 150...Memory unit, 160...Input/output interface, 161...Operation panel, 170...Communication unit, 200...Vehicle, 201...Control unit, 210...Control unit, 220...Sensor, 240...Drive device, 250...Memory unit, 260...Input/output interface, 270...Communication unit

Claims (1)

An acquisition unit that acquires vehicle information regarding a state of a vehicle to be washed outputted by the vehicle;
A planning unit that plans a pre-washing plan for washing the vehicle with water before the vehicle is washed based on the vehicle information;
A car wash apparatus comprising: a control unit that controls a washing device that washes the vehicle with water based on the pre-wash plan.

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