JPH0443826B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A. Object of the Invention (1) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a method for raising and lowering a processing device that performs a cleaning process on the upper surface of a vehicle body in a vehicle body cleaning device.

(2) Conventional technology Conventionally, in a vehicle body cleaning device, cleaning processes such as brushing the top surface of the vehicle body with a rotating brush, washing with high-pressure water jetting from a shower nozzle, and drying with a drying nozzle are performed. The treatment equipment used was a top brush, a top shower nozzle, and a top drying nozzle, respectively. An elevating device is used to move the processing device up and down so as to follow the top surface shape of the vehicle body.

The processing device of the vehicle body cleaning device includes:
The one described in Utility Model Publication No. 12382/1982 is known. The vehicle body cleaning device has a stylus and a flexible guide roller in contact with the top surface of the vehicle body to maintain a constant gap between the top surface drying nozzle and the top surface of the vehicle body.

It is also known to control the drive of the cylinder to maintain a constant gap between the upper surface drying nozzle and the upper surface of the vehicle body without contacting the vehicle body.

(3) Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, the method using the stylus and the flexible guide roller has the problem that it comes into contact with the top surface of the vehicle body, which may cause damage to the vehicle body. .

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides a vehicle body cleaning device that is capable of keeping the gap between the processing device and the top surface of the vehicle body accurately and constant at all times without contacting the vehicle body. An object of the present invention is to provide a method for raising and lowering a processing device.

B. Structure of the Invention (1) Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above object, a method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device of the present invention includes the following steps:
A processing device for cleaning the top surface of a vehicle body is supported on a gate-shaped frame so as to be able to rise and fall freely, and the device is operated and controlled by a lifting device, so that the processing device is moved up and down so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle body. In the method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device, a first sensing switch and a second sensing switch are provided below the processing device and spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle, and the first sensing switch and the second sensing switch are provided below the processing device, and A third sensing switch K is provided at the center of the lower part of the second sensing switch, and when the leading sensing switch among the first and second sensing switches detects the body of the vehicle,
The processing device is raised by controlling the lifting device to raise the processing device, and the sensing switch on the preceding side does not detect the body of the vehicle, and the sensing switch on the trailing side and the third sensing switch do not detect the body of the vehicle.
When at least one of the sensing switches detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device is controlled to stop the lifting and lowering of the processing device, and when the leading sensing switch does not detect the body of the vehicle and the sensing switch on the trailing side the sensing switch and the third
The present invention is characterized in that when both of the sensing switches do not detect the body of the vehicle, the lifting device is idle and the processing device is lowered by its own weight.

Here, the cleaning process refers to processes such as brushing, water washing, and drying that are performed when cleaning the vehicle body.

(2) Effect A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device according to the present invention having the above-described configuration includes supporting a processing device for washing the top surface of a vehicle body on a gate-shaped frame, and supporting the processing device on a gate-shaped frame. The gap between the processing device and the top surface of the vehicle body is controlled to a constant size suitable for the cleaning process by raising and lowering the device so as to follow the shape of the top surface of the vehicle. At this time, when the preceding one of the three sensing switches provided in the processing device detects a rising portion of the vehicle body, the lifting device is activated to raise the processing device along the rising portion. In addition, when the processing device reaches a flat part of the car body and the leading sensing switch no longer detects the car body, and at least one of the other two sensing switches detects the car body, the operation of the lifting device will be stopped. to hold the processing equipment at a constant height. When the processing device moves further and reaches the falling portion of the vehicle body, and all the sensing switches no longer detect the vehicle body, the lifting device is disabled and the processing device descends along the falling portion under its own weight.

(3) Embodiment Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention using a top drying nozzle for performing drying processing as a processing device will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a side view of essential parts of one embodiment of the present invention. In FIGS. 1 and 2, wheels 8, 8 are pivotally supported on the gate-shaped frame 1 so as to be able to reciprocate along running rails 7, 7. As shown in FIGS. Further, blowers 9, 9 are provided on both upper sides of the gate-shaped frame 1, respectively. A top drying nozzle 2 as a processing device is connected to the tips of the blower pipes 10, 10 connected to the discharge ports of the blowers 9, 9.

Support rods 11 are provided at both left and right ends of the drying nozzle 2,
11 are provided. Elevating members 12, 13 are fixed to the tips of the support rods 11, 11, and are movable up and down along guide members 3, 3 provided on both sides of the gate-shaped frame 1.

A cable 1 is provided at the center of the upper end of the upper surface drying nozzle 2.
4 and 14 are fixed at one end. Said cable 1
4 and 14 pass through guide pulleys 15, 15, 16, and 16 which are pivotally supported on the gate-shaped frame 1, and then are suspended to suspend movable pulleys 17 and 17, and the other end is fixed to the gate-shaped frame 1. . The movable pulley 17,1
7 is pivotally supported by a movable pulley frame 18, and the lower end of the movable pulley frame 18 is fixed to the upper end of the piston rod 5 of the cylinder 4 which is pivotally supported by the portal frame 1. A stopping device 6, which will be described later, is provided at the upper end of the cylinder 4 to stop the piston rod 5.

The elevating members 12 and 13 are pivoted at the lower portions of the elevating members 12 and 13 so as to be able to swing in the direction of movement of the gate-shaped frame 1 (in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the paper in FIG. 1) using lower guide rollers 19 and 19 as fulcrums. It is engaged with the guide members 3,3. Also, one elevating member 12
A swinging arm 20 is pivotally supported on the upper part of the swinging arm 20, and an upper guide roller 21 is pivotally supported at the tip of the swinging arm 20. Further, a neutral spring 22 is stretched between the elevating member 12 and the swinging arm 20. Further, a limit switch 23 is provided on the upper part of the other lifting member 13, which is activated when the lifting members 12 and 13 swing beyond a predetermined angle, and outputs a signal to stop the movement of the portal frame 1. . A guide roller 25 is pivotally supported at the tip of the actuator 24 of the limit switch 23.

On the lifting member 12 side of the support rods 11, 11,
Photoelectric switches K ₁ and K ₂ as sensing switches are provided at symmetrical positions below the upper surface drying nozzle 2, and a photoelectric switch K is provided at the lower center thereof.
On the side of the elevating member 13, a photoelectric switch K ₁ ,
Light sources L ₁ , L ₂ and L are provided at positions corresponding to K ₂ and K.

Further, a cylinder fall prevention fitting 26 is provided around the cylinder 4 and extends from the portal frame 1 with a certain gap, and a stopper for controlling the lowering of the movable pulley frame 18 is provided on the upper part of the cylinder 4. 2
7 is provided. The gate-shaped frame 1 is provided with a stopper 28 for restricting the upward movement of the movable pulley frame 18. Further, a solenoid valve 42 is connected to the stop device 6, a check valve 46 with a fixed throttle is connected to the cylinder 4,
The pressurized containers 45 are each connected to check valves 46 with fixed throttles, which are connected to air and hydraulic circuits to be described later.

Thus, the cylinder 4 and the stop position 6 constitute a lifting device E for the upper surface drying nozzle 2.

Furthermore, side drying nozzles 29, 29 are provided on both sides of the portal frame, and rotating rollers 30, 30 are provided at the center of the lower part of the top drying nozzle 2, respectively.

FIG. 3 shows the specific structure of the stop device 6 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. A ring-shaped brake shoe 31 is wrapped around the outer periphery of the piston rod 5 of the cylinder 4. A cylindrical casing 6 ₁ of the stop device 6 is arranged so as to surround the piston rod 5 including the brake shoe 31 . A brake piston 35 defining an air chamber 6 ₂ is slidably fitted into the casing 6 ₁ , and the piston 35 is pressed to reduce the volume of the air chamber 6 ₂ . A working brake spring 34 is accommodated. The air chamber 6 ₂ is communicated with a source of pressurized air via a supply port 36 . In addition, a plurality of brake arms 32 are housed radially in the air chamber ₆₂ so as to surround the piston rod 5, and the base ends (upper ends) of these brake arms 32 are connected to the inner surface of the brake shoe 31 and the casing ₆₁ . The piston rod 5 is slidably supported in the radial direction of the piston rod 5, and a roller 33 is rotatably supported at its tip (lower end). The tapered surface ₃₅₁ of the brake piston 35, which is urged upward, is pressed against the brake piston 35. Therefore, when pressurized air is not supplied to the air chamber ₆₁ , the brake spring 34
The elastic force causes the brake piston 35 to rise, and its tapered surface ₃₅₁ swings the brake arm 32 inward through the roller 33, and the brake shoe 31 is pressed against the piston rod 5, causing the piston rod 5 to apply the brake. is applied. Further, when pressurized air is supplied from the pressurized air source to the air chamber ₆₂ , the brake piston 35 is pushed down against the biasing force of the brake spring 34, and the roller 33 moves outward. Therefore, the brake arm 32 no longer presses the brake shoe 31 against the piston rod 5, so the piston rod 5 can operate freely.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the air and hydraulic circuits. The piping 40 connected to the pressurized air source includes a pressure reducing valve 41 that adjusts the pressure and a normally open three-way solenoid valve 42.
It is connected to the air supply port 36 of the stop device 6 via. The pipe 40 is also connected to the upper part of the pressurized container 45 via a pressure reducing valve 43 and a normally open three-way solenoid valve 44 . The hydraulic oil contained in the pressurized container 45 is supplied to the cylinder 4 via a check valve 46 with a fixed throttle. The check valve 46 with a fixed throttle is opened when the cylinder 4 contracts, and closed when the cylinder 4 extends.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the connection between a photoelectric switch as a sensing switch and a coil of a solenoid valve. The coil 44C of the solenoid valve 44 includes a photoelectric switch.
A contact point K ₁ S, which opens when the light of K ₁ is interrupted, and a contact point RAS, which closes when the portal frame 1 goes back, are connected. Further, the coil 42C of the solenoid valve 42 has a contact KS that closes when the light from the photoelectric switch K is cut off, a contact K ₂ S that opens when the light from the photoelectric switch K ₂ is cut off, and a gate-shaped frame. 1
The contact RBS, which closes when the is going out, is connected.
Then, between the contact K ₁ S and the coil 44C, and the contact
A connection is made between K ₂ S and contact KS.

Furthermore, a photoelectric switch K ₂ is installed at both ends of contact KS.
A first auxiliary circuit connects in series a contact K ₂ S' that closes when the light of the gate type frame 1 is cut off and a contact RAS' that closes when the portal frame 1 returns, and a contact K that closes when the photoelectric switch K ₁ is cut off. ₁ S′ and portal frame 1
A second auxiliary circuit is arranged in parallel with contacts RBS' which are connected in series when the contact RBS' closes when the motor goes back and forth.

Next, the operation of the embodiment of the present invention having the above-described configuration will be explained.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle 2 when drying processing is performed by returning the gate-shaped frame 1. Prior to the backward movement of the gate-shaped frame 1, the gate-shaped frame 1 moves back and forth along the traveling frames 7, 7 from the position indicated by A in the figure to the position indicated by B. At this time, brushing treatment such as washing with water is performed. Then, at the position shown by B, the contact RAS closes, and the light from the light source _L1 passes through the photoelectric switch _K1 , and the contact
Since K ₁ S is also closed, current flows through the coil 44C and the solenoid valve 44 is opened (left position in FIG. 4). Furthermore, photoelectric switch K and photoelectric switch K ₂
Since the light from the light source L and the light source L ₂ corresponding to 2 are also passing through, both the contact KS and the contact K ₂ S' are open, and since the portal frame 1 is in the go-around process, the contact RBS' is also open. ing. For this purpose, the coil 42
Since no current flows through C and the solenoid valve 42 is not excited, the stoppage of the piston rod 5 by the stop device 6 is released. Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is lowered by its own weight from the upper limit position A determined by the stopper 27 to the lower limit position B determined by the stopper 28. At this time, since the check valve of the fixed throttle check valve 46 is closed, the hydraulic oil from the cylinder 4 is regulated by the fixed throttle and returns to the pressurized container 45. Therefore, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends at a slow speed.

When the portal frame 1 starts going back from the position shown by B and moves in the direction of the arrow, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is located at C, the light source L ₁ corresponding to the photoelectric switch K ₁ is turned on.
Since the light is blocked by the rear window of the vehicle, the contact K ₁ S opens and no current flows through the coil 44C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 opens (the fourth
(right position in the figure), the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper drying nozzle 2 rises.

When the top drying nozzle 2 reaches position N, the photoelectric switch _K1 moves above the roof of the vehicle, allowing light from the light source _L1 to pass through. Then,
Contact K ₁ S closes, current flows through coil 44C, solenoid valve 44 opens, and pressurization of cylinder 4 is stopped. When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 attempts to descend by stopping the pressurization of the cylinder 4 as described above, the light from the light source L corresponding to the photoelectric switch K located at the lowest position is blocked by the roof of the vehicle. Then, the contact point KS closes, the solenoid valve 42 is energized, and the piston rod 5 is stopped by the stop device 6, so that the top drying nozzle 2 is maintained at a position suitable for drying the roof of the vehicle.

Subsequently, when the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position E, the photoelectric switch K and the photoelectric switch _K2 move from the roof of the vehicle to the front window. At this time, if the light from the light source L and the light source _L2 both pass through the photoelectric switch K and the photoelectric switch _K2 ,
Contact KS and contact _K2S ' both open, current no longer flows through coil 42C, solenoid valve 42 opens, piston rod 5 is no longer stopped by stop device 6, and top drying nozzle 2 is placed on the bonnet of the vehicle. It descends to the corresponding position (F) and is stopped at the lower limit position by the stopper 28.

Also, when the photoelectric switch K or photoelectric switch K 2 is shut off by the front window while the top drying nozzle ₂ is moving from the roof to the front window from the E position to the H position corresponding to the bonnet of the vehicle. , (as the angle of inclination of the front window becomes steeper, the probability that the photoelectric switch K ₂ is cut off before the photoelectric switch K increases), the contact KS or the contact K ₂ S' of the first auxiliary circuit is closed. A current flows through the coil 42C and the stop device 6 is activated to stop the upper surface drying nozzle 2 from descending, thereby preventing contact between the drying nozzle 2 and the vehicle body.

When the portal frame 1 completes its return journey and reaches the position indicated by A, the contact RAS opens and no current flows through the coil 44C. Therefore, the solenoid valve 44 opens, the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2
rises to the raised position.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle when the drying process is performed while the portal frame 1 is moving back and forth. The gate-shaped frame 1 travels from the position shown by C to the position shown by D, and at this time, contrary to the case of the go-around described above, the contacts RBS and RBS' close, and the contacts
RAS and contact RAS′ are open. When the top drying nozzle 2 is at the upper limit position (G), the photoelectric switch K ₂
Since the light from the light source L ₂ corresponding to passes through, the contact K ₂ S is closed. At this time, since light also passes through the other photoelectric switch _K1 and photoelectric switch K, both the contact _K1S ' and the contact KS are opened. Therefore, coil 4
4C, the cylinder 4 is not pressurized, and since no current flows to the coil 42C, the stop device 6 is in a released state, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends to the lower limit position C by its own weight. do.

When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position, the photoelectric switch K ₂ on the leading side is blocked by the front window of the vehicle and the contact K ₂ S opens, and the coil 44
Current to C is cut off. For this purpose, solenoid valve 4
4 opens, the cylinder 4 is pressurized, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 rises along the front window.

Subsequently, when the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches position N, the photoelectric switch _K2 moves above the roof of the vehicle, and pressurization of the cylinder 4 is stopped.

When the upper surface drying nozzle 2 moves further and reaches a position corresponding to the rear window of the vehicle, light passes through the photoelectric switch K and the photoelectric switch _K1 in addition to the photoelectric switch _K2 on the preceding side. become,
Current to coil 42C is cut off. Then, the stop device 6 is released, and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 descends along the rear window portion to a position O corresponding to the trunk portion, and stops at the lower limit position.

Also, while the top drying nozzle 2 is lowered to the ``L'' and ``O'' positions, the photoelectric switch K or the photoelectric switch is activated.
When K ₁ is blocked by the rear window,
(When the angle of inclination of the rear window becomes steeper, the probability that photoelectric switch K1 is cut off before photoelectric switch K increases.) Contact KS or contact _{K1 S} ' of the second auxiliary circuit closes, and coil 42C closes. An electric current flows to actuate the stop device 6 to stop the upper surface drying nozzle 2 from descending, thereby preventing contact between the drying nozzle 2 and the vehicle body.

When the gate-shaped frame 1 reaches the position indicated by D and the upper surface drying nozzle 2 reaches the position W, the ultrasonic detection device 50 provided on the gate-shaped frame 1 detects the rearmost part of the vehicle. Therefore, gate frame 1
The direction of travel changes from outbound to outbound. In the case of going back, the same operation as in the case of FIG. 6 described above is performed.

FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the operation of the embodiment of the present invention described above. In step _S1 , it is determined whether or not drying processing is to be performed. If it is a drying process, step S ₃
Otherwise, proceed to step _S2 to perform other processing. At step S ₃ , if it is a go-around, step
In _S4 , if it is an outbound trip, a determination is made to proceed to step _S12 . If the light from the light source _L1 corresponding to the photoelectric switch _K1 is blocked in step _S4 , the process proceeds to step _S5 .
If it has passed, proceed to step _S6 . In step _S5 , the upper drying nozzle is raised. Step S ₆
If the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch _K2 is blocked, the process proceeds to step _S7 ; if it passes, the process proceeds to step _S8 . In step _S7 , the piston rod 5 is stopped by the stopping device 6. Step S ₈
If the light from the light source corresponding to the photoelectric switch K is blocked, the process proceeds to step _S9 , and if it passes, the process proceeds to step _S10 . In step S ₉ , the steps mentioned above
The stop device is activated as in S ₇ . In step _S10 , the top drying nozzle 2 is lowered. That is,
The top drying nozzle 2 will stop if either step S ₆ or step S ₈ is judged to be blocked, and if both step S ₆ or step S ₈ is judged to have passed, the top drying nozzle 2 will stop. It will go down. If it is determined in step _S11 that the process has not ended, the process returns to step _S4 , and the above-described operations are repeated.

Furthermore, if it is determined in step _S3 that it is a return trip, the photoelectric switch _K1 and the photoelectric switch _K2 are simply replaced with those in the case of the return trip described above, and steps _S12 to _S19 are replaced by steps _S4 to _S11. It is similar to

According to the embodiment of the invention described above, the lifting member 1
A limit switch 23 is provided which is activated when the gates 2 and 13 swing beyond a predetermined angle and outputs a signal to stop the portal frame 1 from traveling. Therefore, in the event that a photoelectric switch, air or hydraulic circuit or the like malfunctions, the upper surface drying nozzle 2 is prevented from coming into contact with the vehicle, together with the rotating rollers 30, 30. Therefore, there is no risk of damaging the vehicle body.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various design changes can be made without departing from the scope of the invention described in the claims. Is possible. For example, although a top drying nozzle is used as the processing device, a top brush or a top shower nozzle may also be used. Alternatively, an electric motor may be used as the lifting device to control it. Furthermore, the present invention can be applied to cases in which the gate-shaped frame is fixed and the vehicle is driven instead of running the gate-shaped frame.

C. Effects of the Invention As described above, according to the method for raising and lowering the processing device in the vehicle body cleaning device of the present invention, it is detected that the top surface of the vehicle body is in a position suitable for body surface treatment with respect to the processing device. Based on the output of the sensing switch, the lifting device is actuated to raise and lower the processing device, and the processing device is fixed to the upper surface of the vehicle body by controlling the stopping of the lifting device. Therefore, a constant gap suitable for the cleaning process can be maintained at all times between the processing device and the upper surface of the vehicle body without contacting the vehicle body.

Furthermore, when the processing device is lowered along the window of the vehicle, both the third sensing switch and the first or second sensing switch on the trailing side are separated from the vehicle body and the lifting device is turned off until the light passes through. By controlling the stop, it is possible to reliably prevent the processing device from coming into contact with the vehicle body when it is lowered.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a side view of the main parts of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of a stop device, and FIG. 4 is an air and hydraulic circuit. Figure 5 is a diagram showing the connection between the photoelectric switch as a sensing switch and the coil of the solenoid valve, and Figure 6 is the position of the top drying nozzle when drying is performed by going back and forth with the portal frame. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the position of the upper surface drying nozzle when the drying process is performed by reciprocating the portal frame, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the embodiment. E...lifting device, K, _K1 , _K2 ...photoelectric switch, L, _L1 , _L2 ...light source, 1...gate frame,
2... Upper surface drying nozzle, 3... Guide member.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A processing device 2 for cleaning the upper surface of a vehicle body is supported on a gate-shaped frame 1 so as to be movable up and down, and the processing device 2 is controlled by an elevating device E. In a method for raising and lowering a processing device in a car body cleaning device for a vehicle, the raising and lowering operation is performed so as to follow the shape of the upper surface of the vehicle body. ₁ and 2nd sensing switch
A third sensing switch _K2 is provided at the center of the lower part of the first and second sensing switches _K1 and _K2 .
Of the first and second sensing switches K ₁ and K ₂ ,
When the sensing switch on the leading side detects the body of the vehicle, the raising/lowering device E is controlled to raise the processing device 2, and when the sensing switch on the leading side does not detect the body of the vehicle, the sensing switch and the third
When at least one of the sensing switches K detects the body of the vehicle, the lifting device E is controlled to stop the lifting and lowering of the processing device 2, and the sensing switch on the preceding side does not detect the body of the vehicle; and the sensing switch on the trailing side and the third
A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device, characterized in that when both sensing switches K do not detect the vehicle body, the lifting device E is idle and the processing device 2 is lowered by its own weight. 2. A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device according to claim 1, wherein the sensing switches K ₁ , K ₂ , and K are photoelectric switches. 3. A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body washing device according to claim 1, wherein the vehicle is stopped and the gate-shaped frame 1 moves in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle. 4. A method for raising and lowering a processing device in a vehicle body cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the processing device 2 is a nozzle for drying the top surface of a vehicle body.