The Control System for the Cleancar self-service car wash is a comprehensive hardware-software solution designed to fully automate self-service car wash operations.
The project involved full embedded software development alongside the collaborative design of the electrical schematic in strict accordance with the Statement of Work (SOW). The system underwent multiple iterations to incrementally expand its functional capabilities over time.
System Features
For the User
The system interfaces seamlessly with both bill acceptors and coin acceptors, allowing users to easily deposit funds. Upon detecting a positive balance, the bay lighting automatically turns on, and the user can select, pause, or switch between up to nine different wash functions. Depending on the selected function’s price and the remaining account balance, the display dynamically calculates and shows the remaining wash time. One minute before the time expires, an audible warning signal is emitted. Once the wash session ends (when the balance hits zero), the bay lighting remains on for a brief grace period to allow the user to exit safely.
For the Owner
In addition to standard user functions, the owner has access to financial accounting and operating hours tracking.
The owner’s settings menu provides the following capabilities:
- Setting individual prices for Functions 1 through 9;
- Controlling the anti-freeze (winter mode) function;
- Setting an idle timeout before the system starts deducting funds for occupying the bay while a balance remains;
- Setting the specific amount to be deducted during this idle time;
- Viewing total machine operating hours;
- Viewing the total revenue collected via the coin acceptor;
- Viewing the total revenue collected via the bill acceptor.
When paired with the Cleancar Wi-Fi / LAN Gateway and backend application, owners can remotely monitor bay status and adjust settings over the Internet using any web browser on any device.
For Technical Personnel
Technicians have access to all User and Owner functions.
The Administrator menu allows for:
- Flexible hardware configuration, mapping specific physical outputs to each of the 9 wash functions;
- Setting owner identification data to register the car wash within the Cloud Web application when using the Cleancar Wi-Fi / LAN Gateway;
- Configuring hardware outputs to operate in a pulsating mode (modulation);
- Inputting the controller’s hardware serial number;
- Configuring the duration of the trial period (demo mode);
- Restoring factory default settings;
- Resetting the total revenue counters.
The control system includes a built-in trial period (demo mode) feature. Once this period expires, the system automatically restricts certain commercial functions until fully activated.