JPH02270659A - Supersonic-wave detector for car washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the intrusion of splashes of the processing liquid such as washing water which is generated in car washing into a receiving part and a transmission part by installing a shielding cylinder which extends along the propagation direction of the supersonic wave which are received and transmitted by the receiving and transmission pars of a supersonic wave detector onto the receiving and transmission part. CONSTITUTION:A car washer is equipped with an upper surface rotary brush 4 and a pair of side surface rotary brushes 5 which are arranged on a gate-shaped traveling frame 1 which travels in reciprocation on a traveling rail 2 on the ground and equipped with a drying device including a pair of side surface blower nozzles 12. A reflection type supersonic wave detector 50 consisting of a transmission part 52 and a receiving part 53 is installed in the upper part in front of the traveling frame 1. In this case, shielding cylinders 52a and 53a which are made of synthetic resin and extend in slender and straight line form along the propagation direction of the received supersonic wave are integrally installed at the top edges of the transmission part 52 and the receiving part 53. Therefore, the intrusion of the splashes of water, etc. in car washing into the transmission parts 52 and 53 can be prevented by the shielding cylinders 52 and 53.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention] A0 Purpose of invention (1) Industrial application field The present invention relates to an ultrasonic detection device in a car wash device.

(2) Prior Art Conventionally, a system has already been proposed in which the ultrasonic detection device described above is used to detect a vehicle to be washed and to control the operation of each processing device of a car wash device.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention The above-mentioned conventional ultrasonic detection device malfunctions due to splashes of processing liquid such as washing water generated during the operation of a car wash device and entering the receiving section. There was a problem.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above, and an object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic detection device for a car wash device that can solve the above problems.

B1 Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, the present invention provides a means for solving the problems and for achieving the above-mentioned objects. It is characterized by a series of shielding tubes extending along.

(2) Effect According to the above structure, the shielding cylinder effectively prevents splashes of treatment liquid such as wash water generated during car washing from entering the transmitting and receiving parts. Thus, there is no possibility that the ultrasonic detection device will malfunction.

(3) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a car washing device equipped with the device of the present invention. In FIG. 1, a gate-shaped traveling frame 1 is mounted on a traveling rail 2 laid on the ground so as to be movable via a traveling wheel 3 pivotally supported thereon. This gate-shaped traveling frame 1 supports a top rotating brush 4 and a pair of side rotating brushes 5, 5 as rotating brushes.

The upper surface rotating brush 4 is swingably supported via a swinging arm 7 on a horizontal shaft 6 that is horizontally suspended on a gate-shaped traveling frame l, and the swinging arm 7 is supported by a prime mover 8 provided on the swinging arm 7. It is rotatably driven through a transmission mechanism inside, and can come into contact with the upper surface of the vehicle body to brush and clean the surface. A sprocket 9 is fixed to the horizontal shaft 6, and another sprocket 11 is supported to freely rotate on an intermediate shaft 10 fixed to the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 below the horizontal shaft 6. An endless chino 12 is suspended between the sprockets 9 and 11. A mounting bracket 13 is fixed in the middle of the endless chino 12, and the upper end of an air cylinder 14 whose lower end is pivotally supported 14' on the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 is connected to the mounting bracket 13. Therefore, if the air cylinder 14 is pressurized, the upper rotating brush 4 will be moved to the first position.
It can be held in the upper retracted position as shown in phantom. Further, when the air cylinder 14 is in an inoperative state, the upper rotating brush 4 can freely swing back and forth with respect to the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 about the horizontal shaft 6.

At the rear of the concave traveling frame 1, the pair of side rotating brushes 5.5 are suspended, that is, the pair of movable frames 16.16 are attached to the guide rail 15 horizontally suspended on the portal traveling frame 1. are slidably engaged, and each moving frame 16.16 is fitted with a vertical shaft 17.17 from which a pair of lateral rotating brushes 5.5 is suspended.
and the vertical shaft 17 can swing in the traveling direction of the portal traveling frame 1 using the support shaft 18 of the guide rail 15 as a fulcrum. A prime mover 19 is supported by each moving frame 16, and the side rotating brush 5 can be rotated by this prime mover 19. A pair of side rotating brushes 5.5 are attached to the guide rail 15.
It is controlled so that it can move to open and close along the lines, and can brush the front, both sides, and rear of the vehicle body. The supporting and operating mechanisms for the upper surface and the pair of side rotating brushes 4 and 5.5 are those that are conventionally known and will not be described in detail.

The front part of the portal-shaped traveling frame 1 is equipped with a drying device, and in other words, a pair of side blowing nozzles 21 as processing devices are provided on both sides of the portal-shaped traveling frame 1 and open inward. .21 is provided, and an upper surface blowing nozzle 22 as a processing device, which also opens inward on the upper surface thereof, is pivoted so as to be able to rise and fall via a parallel link mechanism 24, and the parallel link mechanism 24 is controlled to rotate in the vertical direction around pivot points 25 and 26 by the expansion and contraction operation of the rental cylinder 27. These side and top blower nozzles 21, 21 and 22 are communicated with blowers 23 installed at the lower ends of both sides of the portal traveling frame 1. Since this drying bag JD also has a conventionally known structure, detailed explanation thereof will be omitted.

A rinsing water injection device R serving as a processing device is provided outside the side rotating brush 5° 5 of the concave traveling frame 1 and is capable of injecting rinsing water onto the vehicle body surface. Next, the structure of this rinsing water injection device R will be explained mainly with reference to FIG. The rinsing water injection pipe 31 is disposed across the gate-shaped traveling frame 1, and a plurality of nozzles 32 with their nozzles facing inward of the concave traveling frame 1 are provided at intervals. A rinsing water supply pipe 34 is connected to the middle of the rinsing water injection pipe 31 via a solenoid valve 33, and this rinsing water supply pipe 34 is connected to a water pump P supported by the gate-shaped traveling frame 1. By opening the electromagnetic valve 33, fresh water can be injected from the nozzle 32.

Further, the supporting frame 28 is provided with a Wax coating device W as a processing device inside the rinsing water injection device R. This Wanx applicator W includes a gate-shaped aqueous Wanx injection pipe 3 disposed approximately parallel to the rinsing water injection pipe 31.
7, and this aqueous Wanx injection pipe 37 is provided with a plurality of nozzles at intervals of 3 days, the nozzles facing inward of the gate-shaped traveling frame 1. A water-based wax supply pipe 39 is connected in the middle of the water-based wax injection pipe 37, and this supply pipe 39 is connected to a water supply pipe 42 via an ejector 40 and a solenoid valve 41. It is connected to the. A wax stock solution supply pipe 43 connected to the wax tank 1' is connected to the ejector 40. Therefore, when the solenoid valve 41 is opened after the water pump P is driven, the pressure water reaches the ejector 40, where the ejector effect sucks the aqueous Wax stock solution from the wax stock solution supply pipe 43, and the water-based wax mixed with water is extracted. It can be ejected from a plurality of nozzles 38.

Further, in the gate-shaped traveling frame 1, between the upper rotating brush 4 and the pair of side rotating brushes 5, 5, there is provided a cleaning water injection device C as a processing device capable of injecting cleaning water onto the vehicle body surface of the vehicle. ing.

This cleaning water injection device C, like the Wanx injection device W, connects a gate-shaped cleaning water injection pipe 45 to a concave traveling frame 1.
The cleaning water injection pipe 45 is provided with a plurality of nozzles 46 at intervals, the nozzles facing inward of the gate-shaped traveling frame 1. The cleaning water injection pipe 45 is connected to a water supply pipe 47 connected to a water supply source S such as a tap, and a solenoid valve 48 is inserted in the middle of the water supply pipe 47, and when the solenoid valve 48 opens, the nozzle 46 More cleaning water is sprayed.

Further, above the front part of the gate-shaped traveling frame 1, there is a system according to the present invention that detects the body position and ijt height of the vehicle to be washed or polished and sends the information to the washing control circuit 59 as a control means. A detection device 1A is installed, and the following 4th,
The configuration of this detection device will be explained with reference to FIG.

At the front upper part of the concave traveling frame 1, there is a transmitter 52 that receives pulsed ultrasonic waves transmitted from a transmitter circuit 51 and emits them toward the upper surface of the vehicle body, and a receiver that receives reflected waves from the vehicle body surface. parts 53 are provided close to each other, and the reflected ultrasound received by the receiving part 53 is sent to a receiving circuit 54,
Then, it is determined whether the reflected ultrasonic wave was emitted from the transmitter 52 or not, and if it is the ultrasonic wave emitted from the transmitter 52, it is sent to the arithmetic circuit 55. Arithmetic circuit 55
When the transmitting circuit 51 transmits an ultrasonic wave, the ultrasonic wave is received at the same time, and due to the difference in reception time between the ultrasonic wave from the transmitting circuit 51 and the reflected ultrasonic wave from the receiving circuit 54, the ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the transmitting section 52 or the receiving section 53 to the vehicle body. The distance to a reflector such as a surface is calculated, and voltage signals that increase in proportion to the distance are sent to the first to third comparison circuits 56, 57, and 58. The transmitter 52, the receiver 53, the transmitter circuit 51, the receiver circuit 54, and the arithmetic circuit 55 cooperate with each other to configure the reflection-type ultrasonic detection device 50.

Each of the comparison circuits 56, 57, and 58 is connected to the ultrasonic detection device 5.
The voltage signal output from the arithmetic circuit 55 of 0 is compared with a plurality of reference voltages corresponding to predetermined distances, and when the voltage signal is less than the reference voltage, an output signal is sent to a car wash control circuit 59 to be described later. For example, the first comparator circuit 56 sends the voltage signal from the arithmetic circuit 55 at a certain low height from the ground (the first 1 level) 11
), the second comparison circuit 57 generates an output signal when the voltage signal from the arithmetic circuit 55 is smaller than the first reference voltage E1 corresponding to The third comparator circuit 58 generates an output signal when the voltage signal from the arithmetic circuit 55 is lower than the second reference voltage E2 corresponding to the high voltage (second level 1]2). Maximum vehicle height for vehicles with high vehicle height (3rd level H3
) are each configured to generate an output signal when: The detection device A outputs an output signal from the first comparator circuit 56 when a vehicle such as an ordinary passenger car whose vehicle height is H, thicker, or smaller than I]2 enters the concave traveling frame 1. , and when a vehicle such as a pan-shaped automobile whose vehicle height is greater than 142 and smaller than I]3 enters the gate-shaped traveling frame 1, the first . Output signals are simultaneously issued from the second comparison circuits 56 and 57, and furthermore, a vehicle whose vehicle height exceeds Hl has entered the concave traveling frame 1, and the vehicle and the frame 1 are in an inappropriate relative positional relationship. When it is determined that 1st, 2nd. The third comparison circuits 56, 57, and 58 are all configured to simultaneously issue output signals.

As shown in the fourth part, the transmitter 52 of the ultrasonic detection device 50
Since the receiving part 53 is formed in a conical shape, when washing the car, washing water is scattered by the rotation of the top and side rotating brushes 4, 5.5 and adheres to the inner surfaces of the conical transmitting part 52 and the receiving part 53. However, there is a risk that the ultrasonic waves emitted from the transmitting section 52 will directly enter the receiving section 53 and cause malfunction.
In addition, weak ultrasonic waves called side lobes are generated along the conical side wall of the transmitter 52, but the propagation direction and intensity of these side lobes change depending on the temperature, density, etc. of the atmosphere. In some cases, the receiving section 53 may receive a reflected wave from an object located laterally instead of a reflected wave from a reflector directly below it, causing a malfunction.

Therefore, at the tips of the transmitting section 52 and the receiving section 53, there is a
Synthetic resin shielding tubes 52a and 53a, each of which extends linearly and thinly along the line [ ] and have one open bottom end, are integrally connected to each other, and these shielding tubes 52a and 53a provide
It is possible to effectively prevent splashes of wash water and the like during car washing from entering the receiving sections 52 and 53, and also to shield the side ropes of the ultrasonic waves. If a constant gap 50s is set between the lower ends of the openings of the shielding bearing tubes 52a and 53a as shown in the illustrated example, and a discontinuous portion is formed between the lower ends of the openings, the shielding of the side lobe can be prevented. The effect can be obtained even more reliably.

In addition, when the car wash equipment is operated in cold weather, the temperature and humidity of the air inside the car wash equipment rises because the temperature of the washing water is higher than the outside air, resulting in condensation on the cold emitter 2 receiver 52 and 53. Water droplets may adhere to the inner surface of the unit, causing failure or malfunction.

Since the tip of the receiving section 52.53 is covered with the shielding tubes 52a, 53a, the convection of air inside and outside the shielding tubes 52a, 53a can be suppressed. It is possible to prevent the occurrence of dew condensation.

In FIG. 1, a control panel 61 attached to the front surface of m parts of the concave traveling frame 1 includes a car wash method selection switch 62 for selecting a predetermined car wash program and a driving motor of the car wash device (not shown). A start button 63 for starting the car wash method selection switch 62 is provided in the control panel 61.
Also, the car wash control circuit 59 (FIG. 5) as a control means is built in, which receives an output signal from the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 and operates the car wash device according to a predetermined III<8 program.

The car wash control circuit 59 consists of a first control B program for washing and drying the car body and a second control program for waxing, rinsing and drying the car body, and when the first control program is selected, the gate type traveling frame 1, the cleaning water injection device C is activated to spray the cleaning water injection pipe 45.
Spray cleaning water from the top and side rotating brushes 4.5
．． Wash the car body surface while performing rebrushing according to step 5,
Also, when the concave traveling frame 1 goes back, the drying device is activated to dry the wet car body surface after cleaning with the pressure air jetted from the top and side air blowing nozzles 22, 21, while the second control program is selected. Then, when the concave traveling frame 1 moves back and forth, the wax applicator W and the rinsing water injection device R are operated to spray clean water from the water-based Wanks injection pipe 37 to wash away excess Wanks, and to wash away excess Wanks. When the gate-type traveling frame 1.1 goes back, a drying device is operated to dry the car body surface after waxing and rinsing.

Next, the operation of the device of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIG. Second
When one of the control programs, for example, the first control program, is selected and the start button 63 is pressed, a driving motor (not shown) is started and the recessed traveling frame 1 starts moving toward the vehicle (2). Reflection type ultrasonic detection device
50 reaches directly above the front end of the vehicle V, as shown in FIG.
As shown in (a), the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects that the vehicle body has entered the gate-shaped traveling frame L, that is, that the vehicle height is greater than the first level H1, and controls the car wash from the first comparison circuit 56. An output signal is sent to the circuit 59, and the car wash control circuit 59
The prime mover 8° 19 is actuated to rotate the top and side rotating brushes 4° 5.5, and the solenoid valve 48 of the cleaning water injection device C is opened to inject cleaning water from the nozzle 46 of the cleaning water injection pipe 45. Make it spray. Concave running frame 1
When the vehicle advances further and the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 reaches the front upper surface of the vehicle (3rd step 1 (b)), the vehicle height is relatively low like an ordinary passenger car, and the Luher H,
and the second level H2, the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 5O detects this and sends a signal from the first comparison circuit 56 to the car wash control circuit 59, and the car wash control circuit 59 operates to turn off the air. The cylinder 14 is extended and the upper rotary bushing 4 is lowered from the upper limit position (indicated by the third chain line) to the lower limit position (indicated by the dotted line in the third figure). and the third level H, the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects this and selects the first level.
A signal is sent from the second comparison circuit 56, 57 to the car wash control circuit 59, and the air cylinder 14 is contracted to hold the upper rotating brush 4 at the upper limit position.

Furthermore, if the vehicle height exceeds the third level H1,
1. Because it is determined that the vehicle and the gate-type traveling frame 1 are in a relative positional relationship that is inappropriate for car washing. The car wash control circuit 59 receives output signals from the first to third comparison circuits 56 to 58, and deactivates the driving motor (not shown) to control the gate-type traveling frame 1.
At the same time, the operation of all processing devices including the rotating brushes 4 and 5 of the car wash device is also stopped. This prevents a collision between the vehicle and the gate-shaped traveling frame 1, etc., and also prevents the rotating brushes 4 and 5 from continuously rubbing and damaging a specific surface of the vehicle more than necessary.

In the above, if the vehicle height is below the third level H3,
The driving motor is continuously operated by the car wash control circuit 59 to keep the concave traveling frame 1 running, and the vehicle height is set to the second level.
For vehicles such as passenger cars (shown by solid lines in Figure 3) that are lower than level 1] level 2, the upper rotating brush 4 performs cleaning while brushing along the upper surface shape of the vehicle; Vehicles such as pan-shaped cars that are higher than 2 level H2 ■
(shown by chain lines in Figure 3), the top surface of the vehicle body is brushed and cleaned while the top rotating brush 4 is held at the upper limit position, and at the same time, the side rotating brushes 5.5 are opened and closed laterally. Move along the front, sides, and rear of the vehicle, brushing and cleaning these surfaces. When the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 passes the rear end of the vehicle body (Fig. 3 (c)
), the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects that the vehicle height has reached the first level, activates a timer (not shown), and after a certain period of time has elapsed, that is, when the rear end of the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 reaches the vehicle height. (1) After passing through the rear end, the electromagnetic valve 48 is closed to stop the injection of washing water from the nozzle 46 of the washing water injection pipe 45, and the driving motor (not shown) and brush drive The prime movers 8 and 19 are deactivated to stop the travel of the concave traveling frame 1, and at the same time, the rotation of the top rotating brush 4 and the side rotating brush 5.5 is stopped.

Next, the drying process begins, and the gate-type traveling frame 1 starts going back with the upper rotating brush 4 raised to the upper limit position, and when the rear of the vehicle (■) enters the gate-type traveling frame 1, The sound wave detection device 50 detects that the height of the vehicle is the second level H.
2 is detected, an output signal is sent from the first comparison circuit 56 to the car wash control circuit 59 to drive the blower 23.

At the same time, the vehicle height is 2nd level H2 and 2nd level 1]
2, an output signal is sent from the first comparison circuit 56 to the car wash control circuit 59, and the lifting cylinder 27 is extended and the upper air blowing nozzle 22 is once lowered to the lower limit position. While raising and lowering the vehicle along the upper surface of the rear vehicle body, if the vehicle height is greater than the second level H2, the first level. By sending output signals from the second comparison circuits 56 and 57 to the car wash control circuit 59, the upper air blower nozzle 22 and the side air blower nozzle are 21 blows pressurized air onto the top and side surfaces of the car body to efficiently dry the car body surface. When the concave traveling frame 1 further continues its go-around and leaves the front end of the vehicle (FIG. 3 (A)), the car wash control circuit 59 turns on the blower 23 and the vehicle for traveling based on the detection by the reflective ultrasonic detector 50. Prime mover (not shown)
is deactivated, the air blowing from the air blowing nozzles 21, 22, and 22 is stopped, and traveling of the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 is stopped, thereby completing the drying process.

Further, when the second control program is selected, as in the case where a water-based wax is applied to a vehicle that has already been washed and then dried, the operation of the car wash apparatus is controlled as follows. That is, when the start button 54 is pressed, the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 starts moving toward the vehicle (2), and at this time, the upper rotating brush 4 is held at the upper limit position, and the prime mover 8.19 for rotating the brush is also turned on. kept inactive.

When the reflection-type ultrasonic detection device 50 reaches directly above the front end of the vehicle (2) due to the advancement of the gate-type traveling frame 1, the reflection-type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects this and activates a timer (not shown) to maintain a constant state. After a period of time, when the water-based wax injection pipe 37 and the rinse water injection pipe 31 reach the front of the vehicle body, the solenoid valves 33 and 41 are opened by the timer, and the water-based wax is sprayed from the nozzle 38 of the water-based wax injection pipe 37 onto the vehicle body. After spraying on the surface, clean water was sprayed onto the vehicle surface from the nozzle 32 of the rinse water injection pipe 31 to wash away excess wax liquid, and the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 passed directly above the rear end of the vehicle body. When the water-based wax injection pipe 39 and the rinsing water injection pipe 31 pass the rear of the vehicle body, the reflection-type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects this and activates a timer (not shown). The valve is closed to stop the injection of aqueous wax and rinsing water, and at the same time, the operation of the driving motor (not shown) is stopped to stop the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 from moving back and forth. Next, the drying process begins, and when the concave traveling frame 1 starts going back, if the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects that the vehicle height is higher than the second level H2 during going out, the upper surface The blow nozzle 22 is held at the upper limit position, and if it is detected that the vehicle height is between the second level H2 and the second level H, the upper blow nozzle 22 is moved by the extension operation of the lifting cylinder 27. is lowered and raised and lowered along the top surface of the vehicle body. When the reflection-type ultrasonic detection device 50 detects the rear end of the vehicle body due to the go-around of the gate-type traveling frame 1, the air blower a23 is driven and pressurized air is sent from the top air blowing nozzle 22 and the side air blowing nozzles 21, 21 to the upper surface of the car body and It is sprayed onto the sides and efficiently dries these surfaces. When the gate-shaped traveling frame 1 moves away from the front end of the vehicle (2) during a go-around, both the blower 23 and the traveling prime mover (not shown) are deactivated based on the detection by the reflection type ultrasonic detection device 50. The air blowing from the upper and side air blowing nozzles 22, 21, and 21 is stopped, and the traveling of the gate-shaped traveling frame is stopped to complete the drying process.

C1 Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the present invention, since the transmitting and receiving sections of the ultrasonic detection device are provided with a shielding tube extending along the propagation direction of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving sections, The shielding cylinder can effectively prevent splashes of processing liquid such as washing water that occur during car washing from entering the transmitting and receiving parts, thereby preventing malfunctions of the ultrasonic detection device due to the splashes entering. This can contribute to improving the accuracy of the operation.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

The drawings show one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a car washing device, FIG.
4 is an enlarged view of the main parts of the reflection type ultrasonic detection device, and FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the reflection type ultrasonic detection device and its related parts. 50... Ultrasonic detection device, 52... Transmission unit, 53.
... Receiving section, 52a, 53a... Shielding tube patent Applicant: Takeuchi Iron Works Co., Ltd.

Claims (1)

[Claims] The transmitting and receiving sections (52, 53) of the ultrasonic detection device (50) are connected to shielding tubes (52a, 53a) extending along the propagation direction of the ultrasonic waves transmitted and received by the transmitting and receiving sections (52, 53). An ultrasonic detection device for a car wash device, which is characterized by: