Spray nozzle

Abstract

The purpose of this invention is to improve the reach of mist particles generated by the atomization of the liquid through impact in a spray nozzle in which liquid is sprayed from a pair of nozzles by impact. By setting one of the nozzle body 1's two nozzle outlets 15 as elongated holes extending parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the two nozzle outlets 15, the liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body 1 through the liquid passage 14 and ejected from the nozzle outlet 15 becomes a flat jet that diffuses in the same direction as the nozzle outlet 15. Compared with the jet ejected from the circular nozzle outlet as before, it more reliably impacts and atomizes at a specific location. Furthermore, the larger droplets generated on both sides of the fan-shaped spray pattern formed by the impacted liquid attract smaller droplets, allowing the overall droplets to reach a farther location than before.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a spray nozzle for spraying liquids such as pesticides or water. Prior Technology

[0002] As a spray nozzle for spraying liquids such as pesticides, there was a previous type of spray nozzle (generally called a rotary type), which has: a cylindrical nozzle body with an opening at the rear side and a spray outlet at the center of the closed front side; and a nozzle core housed inside the nozzle body, which has a plurality of inclined grooves on its outer periphery; the liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body passes through the inclined grooves of the nozzle core, rotates in the space between the nozzle core and the front side of the nozzle body, and is sprayed out from the spray outlet, forming a hollow cone-shaped spray pattern.

[0003] However, rotary spray nozzles, as described above, atomize the liquid by rotating it while spraying, resulting in finer droplets that diffuse at a wider angle. This provides good adhesion to crops and other objects, but it is not suitable for applications where the droplets need to reach farther locations. On the other hand, increasing the droplet size by changing the nozzle size improves the droplet reach but reduces adhesion.

[0004] In this regard, as a spray nozzle suitable for spraying pesticides or water on tall crops, where the reach of the mist particles to a distant location is important, it is proposed that a structure be provided in front of the nozzle body in such a way that a pair of nozzle outlets intersect each other with their respective center lines in front of the nozzle body (for example, see Patent Document 1).

[0005] In the spray nozzle proposed in the aforementioned patent document 1, liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body through the liquid passage and sprayed from each nozzle outlet collides with each other at a specific position in front of the nozzle body and atomizes, thinning in the direction connecting the two nozzle outlets, forming a spray pattern that diffuses in a planar fan shape orthogonal to that direction. In this way, compared to a rotary spray nozzle, coarser mist particles are sprayed out within a narrow range to reach a farther location. [Previous Technical Documents] [Patent Literature]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent No. 3890121 Summary of the Invention

[0007] [The problem the invention aims to solve]

[0008] However, spray nozzles that spray by colliding the liquid ejected from a pair of nozzles as described above are prone to spraying because the liquid ejected from the circular nozzle has a diameter slightly smaller than the nozzle diameter. Therefore, it is impossible to make the two water streams collide at a specific position according to the usage conditions, which may result in a chaotic spray pattern and reduced reach of the mist particles.

[0009] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve the reach of mist particles generated by the atomization of the liquid through the collision in a spray nozzle in which liquid is sprayed from a pair of nozzles by collision. [Technical means to solve the problem]

[0010] To solve the above problems, the spray nozzle of the present invention includes a nozzle body having a liquid passage through which liquid supplied from the rear side passes, and a pair of spray outlets communicating with the liquid passage and opening at the front side; the pair of spray outlets of the nozzle body are arranged such that their respective center lines intersect each other in front of the nozzle body; the liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body through the liquid passage and sprayed from the pair of spray outlets collides with each other in front of the nozzle body and is atomized to form a flat fan-shaped spray pattern; and the spray nozzle adopts the configuration of the pair of spray outlets as elongated holes extending parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the two spray outlets.

[0011] According to the above configuration, the liquid ejected from one of the two nozzle outlets on the front side opening of the nozzle body is a flat jet that diffuses in the same direction as the nozzle outlet. Compared with the case where the nozzle outlet is set to be circular as before, it can reliably impact and atomize at a specific position, and become thinner in the direction extending from each nozzle outlet, forming a spray pattern that diffuses in a planar fan shape orthogonal to that direction. Furthermore, the particle size of the mist particles on both sides of the fan shape forming the spray pattern is increased. The larger mist particles attract smaller mist particles, thus improving the reach of the mist particles.

[0012] Here, it is preferable that one of the nozzle bodies is configured such that the angle (intersection angle) between the centerlines of the two nozzles is 60 to 80 degrees. This is because when the angle between the centerlines of the two nozzles is less than 60 degrees, the central angle (spray angle) of the spray pattern fan becomes smaller and the reach of the mist particles is improved, but the spray force is too strong and there is a risk of damaging the target object (such as the leaves of crops). On the other hand, when the angle is greater than 80 degrees, the spray angle is too large and there is a risk that the reach of the mist particles will not reach the desired level.

[0013] Furthermore, if each of the above-mentioned nozzle outlets is provided with a liquid passage of the nozzle body, the flow of liquid from the rear side of the nozzle body to each nozzle outlet is more stable, and the liquid ejected from each nozzle outlet becomes a jet with higher straight-line velocity and collides with each other, thus further improving the reach of the mist particles.

[0014] Furthermore, by setting one of the nozzle bodies as a pair of nozzle outlets in a manner that offsets the positions of the corresponding single ends in the length direction on both sides or one side of the two nozzle outlets, the reachability of the mist particles can be further improved. That is, if the pair of nozzle outlets are offset in the length direction, then on at least one side of the fan shape of the spray pattern, the liquid sprayed from one nozzle outlet will not collide with the liquid sprayed from the other nozzle outlet, creating an area where the mist particles with a larger diameter than the mist particles on the inner side of the fan shape advance at a greater speed. Therefore, the fine mist particles on the inner side of the fan shape attracted by the advancing mist particles also reach a farther location. [Effects of the Invention]

[0015] As described above, the spray nozzle of this invention, by setting one of the two nozzle outlets, which is open on the front side of the nozzle body, as an elongated hole, ensures that the liquid sprayed from each nozzle collides with each other effectively. Therefore, compared to nozzles with circular nozzle outlets as before, the reach of the mist particles can be improved. Furthermore, since fine mist particles can reach farther locations, adhesion to the target object is also ensured. Therefore, if this spray nozzle is used for applications where the reach of the mist particles is important, such as spraying pesticides on tall crops, the spraying operation can be carried out effectively. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0016] Figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of the spray nozzle in the implementation configuration. Figure 2 is a perspective view of the assembled state of the nozzle body in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the spray nozzle in Figure 1. Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional front view showing the main part of the nozzle body in Figure 2 in an enlarged view. Figures 5(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the spray patterns of the spray nozzle in Figure 1. Figure 6 is a top view of a variation of the nozzle body in Figure 1. Figures 7(a) and (b) are explanatory diagrams of the behavior of the liquid ejected from the nozzle body in Figure 6 before and after impact. Figure 8 is an illustration of the spray state of the liquid immediately after impact when using the nozzle body of Figure 6 (viewed from the front side). Figures 9(a) and (b) are illustrations of the spray patterns when using the nozzle body shown in Figure 6. Implementation

[0017] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described based on Figures 1 to 9. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the spray nozzle comprises: a nozzle body 1, which includes two nozzle blades 1a and 1b; a nozzle support 2, which supports the nozzle body 1; a nozzle guide 3, which seals the rear opening of the nozzle body 1; a cylindrical gasket 4, which is disposed in close contact with the rear end faces of the nozzle support 2 and the nozzle guide 3; a filter 5, which is disposed inside the gasket 4; a holder 6, which includes a retaining portion 6a externally embedded in the rear half of the nozzle support 2 and the gasket 4, and a connecting portion 6b connected to an external liquid supply source; and a cover 7, which is externally embedded in the front half of the nozzle support 2 and screwed into the retaining portion 6a of the holder 6. Furthermore, in these figures and Figure 4, the upper part represents the front of the spray nozzle (the direction of liquid ejection).

[0018] The nozzle body 1 is made of resin. The body portion 11 has a generally elliptical cross-section from the front end to near the rear end, and a flange 12 is provided at the cylindrical portion at the rear end. Furthermore, a V-groove is formed on the front side of the body portion 11, comprising a pair of inclined surfaces 13 orthogonal to the opposite width of the side surface. Inside the body portion 11, a pair of liquid passages 14 are provided, extending from the rear side opening to the inner side of each inclined surface 13. Additionally, a pair of nozzle outlets 15 are provided in the V-groove of the body portion 11, each communicating with the liquid passages 14 and opening at the inclined surface 13.

[0019] Here, as shown in Figure 4, a pair of inclined surfaces 13 on the front side of the nozzle body 1 are formed at an angle of 110 degrees to each other. The center lines C of a pair of nozzle outlets 15, which are orthogonal to each of the inclined surfaces 13, intersect each other at a specific position in front of the nozzle body 1. That is, the pair of nozzle outlets 15 are arranged such that the angle θ between their respective center lines C is 70 degrees. Liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body 1 through each liquid passage 14 and ejected from each nozzle outlet 15 collides with each other at a 70-degree angle in front of the nozzle body 1.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, each nozzle 15 is an elongated hole extending parallel to the direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the two, and is symmetrically arranged with respect to the centerline of the nozzle body 1, which is parallel to both. The specific shape of the elongated hole is an elongated oval with semi-circular edges at both ends in the length direction and parallel edges on both sides of the central part.

[0021] Furthermore, the nozzle body 1 is divided into two nozzle plates 1a and 1b, each having a liquid passage 14 and an inclined surface 13 (and a nozzle outlet 15). The nozzle plates are integrated by engaging the locking claws 16 extending from the opposite width portion of one nozzle plate 1a to the other nozzle plate 1b with engaging recesses 17 formed on the opposite width portion of the other nozzle plate 1b. The engagement of the locking claws 16 and the engaging recesses 17 can be easily achieved by a snap-fit ​​mechanism. Additionally, the resin used to form the nozzle body 1 is preferably PPS (polyphenylene sulfide) or POM (polyacetal), which have excellent wear resistance.

[0022] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, the nozzle support 2 is a cylindrical component with rearward-facing stepped surfaces on both the inner and outer circumferences. The stepped surface of the inner circumference is fitted into the body portion 11 of the nozzle body 1 in a state of contact with the front surface of the flange 12 of the nozzle body 1, and is positioned and fixed to the holder 6 by a plurality of protrusions 21 extending from the stepped surface of the outer circumference, as described later.

[0023] The nozzle guide portion 3 has an opening on its rear side, and a flange 32 is provided at the rear end of the cylindrical portion 31 that is closed at the front. Furthermore, a pair of small-diameter cylindrical portions 33 protrude from the front of the cylindrical portion 31, and holes in each small-diameter cylindrical portion 33 connect to the opening on the rear side. With each small-diameter cylindrical portion 33 inserted into the liquid passage 14 of the nozzle body 1, the flange 32 is embedded into the inner circumference of the rear end of the nozzle support portion 2, and the liquid supplied from the rear side is evenly delivered to each liquid passage 14 of the nozzle body 1. Additionally, O-rings 8 and 9 are respectively inserted between the outer circumferential surface of each small-diameter cylindrical portion 33 and the inner circumferential surface of the rear end of the nozzle body 1, and between the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical portion 31 and the inner circumferential surface of the nozzle support portion 2.

[0024] The aforementioned pad 4 is embedded in the inner periphery of the retaining part 6a of the retainer 6 with its front end face abutting against the rear end face of the nozzle support part 2 and the nozzle guide part 3.

[0025] The filter 5 includes a mesh portion 51 formed in a hemispherical shape and a mounting portion 52 extending radially outward from the periphery of the mesh portion 51. The mounting portion 52 is embedded in the annular recess 41 at the rear end of the liner 4 and fixed by the connection portion 6b between the liner 4 and the retainer 6.

[0026] The aforementioned retainer 6 is positioned such that the liner 4, filter 5, nozzle support 2, and nozzle guide 3 are housed within its retaining portion 6a at their rear end. Multiple notches 61 located at the front end of the retaining portion 6a engage with the protrusions 21 of the nozzle support 2, thereby fixing it in place with the nozzle support 2. Furthermore, the male thread on the outer periphery of the retaining portion 6a is screwed into the female thread on the inner periphery of the cover 7. Additionally, the female thread on the inner periphery of the hole in the through-connecting portion 6b is screwed into the male thread on the front end of a pipe (not shown) on the liquid supply source side, thereby delivering liquid to the inner side of the liner 4.

[0027] The aforementioned cover 7 is a cylindrical member through which the body portion 11 of the nozzle body 1 passes. Furthermore, with its stepped surface on its inner circumference abutting against the front end face of the nozzle support portion 2, the female thread on the inner circumference of the rear end side engages with the male thread of the retaining portion 6a of the retainer 6, thereby fixing the nozzle body 1 via the nozzle support portion 2 to prevent it from falling off.

[0028] The spray nozzle is configured as described above. Liquid supplied from the liquid supply source is conveyed from the connection 6b of the holder 6 to the inside of the liner 4 and passes through the filter 5. It is then sent through the nozzle guide 3 into one of the liquid passages 14 of the nozzle body 1 and sprayed out from the spray outlet 15. As shown in Figures 5(a) and (b), the liquid sprayed from each spray outlet 15 collides with each other in front of the nozzle body 1 and atomizes, becoming thinner in the direction extending from each spray outlet 15, forming a spray pattern that diffuses in a planar fan shape orthogonal to that direction.

[0029] Here, since one of the nozzle body 1's two nozzle outlets 15 is an elongated hole extending parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the two nozzle outlets 15, the liquid ejected from each nozzle outlet 15 becomes a flat jet that diffuses in the same direction as the nozzle outlet 15. Furthermore, this flat jet, compared to the previously seen circular jet ejected from a circular nozzle outlet, can reliably collide at a specific location. Moreover, the fan-shaped diffusion direction of the liquid spray pattern after collision differs from the case where the nozzle outlet is circular; the particle size of the mist particles on both sides of the fan shape increases, and the larger-diameter mist particles attract smaller-diameter mist particles. Therefore, the mist particles from this spray nozzle reach a farther location than before, i.e., the reachability of the mist particles is excellent. Furthermore, since smaller-diameter mist particles also reach a farther location, adhesion to the target object is also ensured.

[0030] Furthermore, since each nozzle body 1 has a liquid passage 14 for each nozzle outlet 15, the flow of liquid from the rear side of the nozzle body 1 to each nozzle outlet 15 is stable. The liquid ejected from each nozzle outlet 15 becomes a jet with higher straight-line velocity and collides with each other. This is also one of the factors that improves the reachability of the mist particles.

[0031] Furthermore, by setting the angle θ between the center lines C of the two nozzles 15 of the nozzle body 1 to 70 degrees, the reach of the mist particles can be fully ensured, and the mist particles can be sprayed onto crops and other objects with appropriate spray force. In addition, the optimal angle θ is 70 degrees, but almost the same effect can be obtained as long as it is in the range of 60 to 80 degrees.

[0032] Furthermore, in this spray nozzle, since the nozzle body 1, which has a slightly complex overall shape, is divided into two nozzle pieces 1a and 1b, and can be integrated by snap-fit, it has the advantage of being easier to manufacture compared to the case where the nozzle body is formed as a single piece.

[0033] Figure 6 shows an example of changing the configuration of the nozzle outlets 15 of the nozzle body 1. In this variation, a pair of nozzle outlets 15 are arranged such that the corresponding single-end positions on both sides of the length direction are offset in the length direction. When the configuration of the two nozzle outlets 15 is offset in the length direction, as shown in Figures 7(a), (b) and 8, most of the liquid A ejected from the two nozzle outlets 15 collides with each other at a specific position in front of the nozzle body 1, becoming smaller mist particles B that spread in a fan shape. However, the liquid ejected from the ends of each nozzle outlet 15 that are biased towards the length direction does not collide at the specific position and moves forward. Furthermore, the liquid A that does not collide and moves forward then becomes mist particles with a larger particle size and velocity than the mist particles on the inner side of the fan shape, spreading slightly as it moves forward. Thus, as shown in Figures 9(a) and (b), since the larger fog particles form fan-shaped sides, the fine fog particles attracted by the larger fog particles can reach a farther location than in the examples shown in Figures 1 to 5, thereby further improving the reachability of fog particles.

[0034] Alternatively, in the examples shown in Figures 6 to 9, each nozzle 15 is arranged such that the positions of its corresponding two ends are offset in the length direction. However, each nozzle can also be arranged such that the positions of its corresponding single ends are offset in the length direction on one side of the length direction.

[0035] It should be noted that all embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative only and not limiting. The scope of this invention is intended to include, and is equivalent to, the claims shown in the patent application and all modifications within that scope, but not the foregoing meaning.

[0036] For example, the shape of the nozzle outlet is not limited to an elongated oval as shown in the embodiment; it can also be an elliptical or rectangular orifice. Furthermore, the angle between the centerlines of each nozzle outlet can be appropriately set according to the application, outside the range shown in the embodiment.

[0037] Furthermore, for ease of manufacture, the nozzle body is preferably divided into two resin parts as shown in the embodiment, but it can also be made as a single piece or as a metal part.

[0038] 1: Nozzle body 1a: Nozzle plate 1b: Nozzle plate 2: Nozzle support 3: Nozzle guide section 4: Padding 5: Filter 6: Holder 6a: Retention section 6b: Connecting part 7: Cover 8: O-ring 9: O-ring 11: Ontology part 12: Flange 13: Inclined surface 14: Liquid pathway 15: Spray outlet 16: Claw engagement 17: Engagement recess 21: Protrusion 31: Cylindrical section 32: Flange 33: Small-diameter cylindrical section 41: Annular recess 51: Reticulate part 52: Installation Department 61: Gap A: Liquid B: Fog particles C: Centerline θ: Angle of intersection

Claims

1. A spray nozzle comprising: a nozzle body having a liquid passage through which liquid supplied from a rear side passes, and a pair of spray outlets communicating with the liquid passage and opening at a front side; the pair of spray outlets of the nozzle body are arranged such that their respective center lines intersect each other in front of the nozzle body; liquid supplied from the rear side of the nozzle body through the liquid passage and sprayed from the pair of spray outlets collides with each other in front of the nozzle body and atomizes to form a flat fan-shaped spray pattern; characterized in that the pair of spray outlets are elongated holes of the same shape extending parallel to each other in a direction orthogonal to the direction connecting the two spray outlets, and are arranged such that the angle between their respective center lines is 60 to 80 degrees; and the spray pattern is thinned in the direction in which the pair of spray outlets extend, and diffuses in a fan shape along a plane orthogonal to that direction.

2. The spray nozzle of claim 1, wherein each of the above-mentioned spray outlets is provided with one liquid passage of the nozzle body.

3. The spray nozzle of claim 1 or 2, wherein one of the nozzle bodies is configured such that, on both sides or one side of the length direction of the two spray outlets, the positions of the corresponding ends are offset in the length direction.

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