Liquid injection device and liquid injection method

Abstract

To increase injection pressure of injection fluid and thus improve collision force of liquid to be collided with an object in a configuration for injecting the injection fluid through connection to waterworks.SOLUTION: A liquid injection device 1 includes: a pump 10 that has a storage chamber 13 for storing injection fluid and a power chamber 14 supplied with power fluid for moving a piston 16 capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber 13 and in which both of the injection fluid and the power fluid are tap water supplied from waterworks; a flow passage 4 that is connected to the waterworks 2, supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber 13 and supplies the power fluid to the power chamber 14; a switching part 8 provided in the flow passage 4 and switching flowing of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid; and a nozzle 3 that is connected to the storage chamber 13, injects liquid L serving as the injection fluid to form a continuous flow L1 and causes the continuous flow L1 to be converted into liquid droplets L2 and collided with an object in the form of the liquid droplets L2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid ejection apparatus and a liquid ejection method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, various liquid injection devices have been used. Among them, there is a liquid injection device that is connected to a water supply and injects an injection fluid by water supply pressure. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a cleaning water ejection device that is capable of ejecting cleaning water from an ejection nozzle by connecting the upstream end of a cleaning water flow path to a water pipe. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2009-257022 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in conventional liquid ejection devices that are connected to a water supply and eject fluid at water pressure, such as the cleaning water ejection device disclosed in Patent Document 1, the cleaning effect may be insufficient due to insufficient ejection pressure. This is because water pressure varies greatly depending on the environment in which the water supply is installed. The cleaning water ejection device disclosed in Patent Document 1 is provided with a structure that draws liquid detergent into the cleaning liquid using the ejection pressure of tap water to improve cleaning performance for objects that cannot be adequately washed with running water at tap pressure alone, but even so, the cleaning effect may be insufficient due to insufficient ejection pressure. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The liquid injection device of the present invention for solving the above problem has a storage chamber that stores an injection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber to which a power fluid is supplied for moving a piston that can change the volume of the storage chamber, and is characterized in that it is equipped with a pump in which both the injection fluid and the power fluid are tap water supplied from a water supply, a flow path whose upstream end is connected to the water supply and supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber, a switching unit provided in the flow path and switching the flow of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the storage chamber and injects the injection fluid, which is a liquid, in a continuous flow and converts the continuous flow into droplets to collide with an object in the form of droplets.

[0006] Further, a liquid ejection method of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems includes a pump having a storage chamber for storing an ejection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber to which a power fluid for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber is supplied, the ejection fluid and the power fluid both being tap water supplied from a water supply, a flow path having an upstream end connected to the water supply and supplying the ejection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber, a switching unit provided in the flow path and switching the flow of at least one of the ejection fluid and the power fluid, and a pump connected to an outlet of the storage chamber and ejecting the ejection fluid, which is a liquid, as a continuous flow and breaking the continuous flow into droplets. and a nozzle that jets the jet fluid to the storage chamber and causes the jet fluid to collide with an object in the form of droplets, and the switching unit is capable of switching between a first state in which the jet fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber, the liquid injection method in a liquid injection device being characterized in that by setting the switching unit to the first state, the jet fluid is ejected from the nozzle at a first pressure that is the water pressure of the water supply, and by setting the switching unit to the second state, the piston is moved in a direction that reduces the volume of the storage chamber, thereby increasing the pressure in the storage chamber and ejecting the jet fluid from the nozzle at a second pressure higher than the water pressure. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the liquid ejecting device of the first embodiment, illustrating a state in which the piston is at an end in a direction in which the volume of the storage chamber is reduced. [Diagram 2] 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating the liquid ejection device of FIG. 1, illustrating a state in which the piston is at an end in a direction in which the volume of the storage chamber is increased. [Diagram 3] 2 is a graph showing the ejection pressure in the liquid ejection device of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a third embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a sixth embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram illustrating a liquid ejecting apparatus according to a seventh embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] First, the present invention will be briefly described. In order to solve the above problem, a liquid injection device of a first aspect of the present invention has a storage chamber that stores an injection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber to which a power fluid is supplied for moving a piston that can change the volume of the storage chamber, and is characterized in that it comprises a pump in which the injection fluid and the power fluid are both tap water supplied from a water supply, a flow path whose upstream end is connected to the water supply and supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber, a switching unit provided in the flow path and switching the flow of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid, and a nozzle connected to the outlet of the storage chamber and injects the injection fluid, which is a liquid, in a continuous flow and converts the continuous flow into droplets to collide with a target object in the form of droplets.

[0009] According to this aspect, the device has a storage chamber for storing the ejection fluid, and a power chamber to which a power fluid for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber is supplied, and is provided with a pump to which both the ejection fluid and the power fluid are supplied from a water supply. By providing this pump, the ejection pressure of the ejection fluid can be increased relative to the water supply pressure to cause it to impinge on an object, and the impact force of the liquid ejected from the nozzle can be improved. In addition, the device is configured to eject the liquid in a continuous flow and cause the continuous flow to impinge on an object in the form of droplets. In this way, by ejecting the liquid in a continuous flow and turning the continuous flow into droplets to impinge on an object in the form of droplets, the impact force of the liquid can be dramatically improved compared to a configuration in which the liquid is simply ejected in a continuous flow and impinged as a continuous flow.

[0010] A second aspect of the liquid injection device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the switching unit switches between a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber.

[0011] According to this aspect, the switching unit switches between a first state in which the jet fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber. With this configuration, the jet fluid can be jetted from the nozzle at two types of jet pressure. For example, it is possible to jet the jet fluid from the nozzle at the tap water pressure in the first state and at a pressure higher than the tap water pressure in the second state, as necessary.

[0012] A third aspect of the liquid injection device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the second aspect, and is characterized in that when the switching unit is in the first state, the injection fluid is injected from the nozzle at a first pressure which is the water pressure of the water supply, and when the switching unit is in the second state, the pressure in the storage chamber is increased by moving the piston in a direction which reduces the volume of the storage chamber, thereby injection fluid is injected from the nozzle at a second pressure which is higher than the water pressure.

[0013] According to this aspect, when the switching unit is in the first state, the jet fluid is jetted from the nozzle at a first pressure that is the tap water pressure, and when the switching unit is in the second state, the jet fluid is jetted from the nozzle at a second pressure that is higher than the tap water pressure. Therefore, it is possible to jet the jet fluid from the nozzle at the tap water pressure in the first state, and to jet the jet fluid from the nozzle at a pressure higher than the tap water pressure in the second state, as necessary.

[0014] A fourth aspect of the liquid injection device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that the flow path comprises a first flow path connecting the water main and the storage chamber, and a second flow path connecting the water main and the power chamber.

[0015] According to this aspect, the first flow path connects the water main and the storage chamber, and the second flow path connects the water main and the power chamber. With this configuration, it is possible to easily form a configuration for supplying the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber.

[0016] A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, characterized in that the switching unit is an opening / closing valve provided in the second flow path.

[0017] According to this aspect, the switching unit is an on-off valve provided in the second flow path. With this configuration, it is possible to easily form a configuration for supplying the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber.

[0018] A sixth aspect of the liquid injection device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fourth aspect, and is characterized in that the switching unit is a three-way valve connected to the water supply, and switches the destination of the tap water supplied from the water supply between the first flow path and the second flow path.

[0019] According to this aspect, the switching unit is a three-way valve connected to a water supply and switches the supply destination of tap water supplied from the water supply between the first flow path and the second flow path. With this configuration, it is possible to easily form a configuration in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber.

[0020] A liquid ejecting device according to a seventh aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and further includes a discharge flow passage that discharges the motive fluid supplied to the motive chamber.

[0021] According to this aspect, the device is provided with a discharge flow path for discharging the motive fluid supplied to the motive chamber. With this configuration, it is possible to easily realize a configuration for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber. In addition, it is possible to reuse the liquid discharged through the discharge flow path for, for example, rinsing an object.

[0022] The liquid injection device of an eighth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the seventh aspect, and is characterized in that the discharge flow path is connected to an injection fluid flow path connecting the outlet and the nozzle, and a check valve is provided in the discharge flow path.

[0023] According to this aspect, the discharge flow path is connected to the ejection fluid flow path that connects the outlet and the nozzle, and the ejection flow path is provided with a check valve, which makes it possible to prevent the ejection fluid flowing from the storage chamber to the nozzle from flowing toward the ejection flow path, thereby making it possible to prevent a decrease in the ejection pressure.

[0024] A ninth aspect of the liquid injection device of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the eighth aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises an opening / closing valve upstream of the connection of the injection fluid flow path with the discharge flow path in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid flow path.

[0025] According to this aspect, the opening and closing valve is provided upstream of the connection part of the ejection fluid flow path with the discharge flow path in the direction in which the ejection fluid flows through the ejection fluid flow path, which makes it possible to switch between ejection of the ejection fluid and discharge of waste liquid, and also makes it possible to prevent the motive fluid supplied to the motive chamber from flowing into the storage chamber and becoming unable to be discharged when the motive fluid is discharged.

[0026] A liquid injection device according to a tenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the eighth or ninth aspect, and is characterized in that it comprises an opening / closing valve downstream of the connection of the injection fluid flow path with the discharge flow path in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid flow path.

[0027] According to this aspect, the opening and closing valve is provided downstream of the connection part of the ejection fluid flow path with the discharge flow path in the direction in which the ejection fluid flows through the ejection fluid flow path, so that the timing of discharging the motive fluid can be easily controlled.

[0028] The liquid injection device of an eleventh aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the seventh aspect, and is characterized in that the discharge flow path is connected to the inlet, and the switching unit is an opening / closing valve provided in the discharge flow path.

[0029] According to this aspect, the discharge flow passage is connected to the inlet, and the switching unit is an on-off valve provided in the discharge flow passage. With this configuration, the motive fluid can be easily reused as the injection fluid.

[0030] A liquid injection device of a twelfth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that it includes a biasing portion that biases the piston in a direction that increases the volume of the storage chamber.

[0031] According to this aspect, the device includes a biasing portion that biases the piston in a direction that increases the volume of the storage chamber. With this configuration, it is possible to easily make the nozzle eject the ejection fluid at a pressure higher than the tap water pressure in the initial state.

[0032] A liquid injection device of a thirteenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the first aspect, and is characterized in that, as the flow path, a connecting flow path connecting the power chamber and the storage chamber is provided in the piston, and the connecting flow path is equipped with a check valve.

[0033] According to this aspect, the piston is provided with a connecting passage connecting the power chamber and the storage chamber, and the connecting passage is provided with a check valve. With this configuration, the power fluid can be easily reused as the injection fluid.

[0034] A liquid injection device of a 14th aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the second or third aspect, and is characterized in that it has two pump units, a first pump unit and a second pump unit, each pump unit having the pump, the flow path, and the switching portion.

[0035] According to this aspect, the first pump unit and the second pump unit are provided, each of which has a pump, a flow path, and a switching unit. With this configuration, the ejection fluid can be efficiently ejected from the nozzle at a pressure higher than tap water pressure.

[0036] A liquid injection device of a 15th aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the 14th aspect, and is characterized in that when a first switching unit as the switching unit of the first pump unit is in the first state, a second switching unit as the switching unit of the second pump unit is in the second state, and when the first switching unit is in the second state, the second switching unit is in the first state.

[0037] According to this aspect, when the first switching part of the first pump unit is in the first state, the second switching part of the second pump unit is in the second state, and when the first switching part of the first pump unit is in the second state, the second switching part of the second pump unit is in the first state. That is, the two pump units are alternately driven. With this configuration, it is possible to continuously and stably eject the ejection fluid from the nozzle at a pressure higher than tap water pressure.

[0038] A liquid ejecting apparatus according to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention is an aspect dependent on the fifteenth aspect, and further includes a control unit that controls driving of the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

[0039] According to this aspect, the device includes a control unit that controls the driving of the first switching unit and the second switching unit, and therefore, under the control of the control unit, the jet fluid can be automatically and stably jetted from the nozzle at a pressure higher than tap water pressure.

[0040] A liquid ejection method according to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention includes a pump having a storage chamber for storing an ejection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber to which a motive fluid for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber is supplied, the ejection fluid and the motive fluid both being tap water supplied from a water supply, a flow path having an upstream end connected to the water supply and supplying the ejection fluid to the storage chamber and the motive fluid to the motive chamber, a switching unit provided in the flow path and switching the flow of at least one of the ejection fluid and the motive fluid, and a pump connected to an outlet of the storage chamber and ejecting the ejection fluid, which is a liquid, as a continuous flow and converting the continuous flow into droplets to form droplets. and a nozzle for colliding a jet of fluid against an object in a state in which the fluid is ejected, the switching unit being switchable between a first state in which the jet fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber, the liquid ejection method for a liquid ejection device comprising: a nozzle for ejecting the jet of fluid from the nozzle at a first pressure, which is the water pressure of the water supply, by setting the switching unit to the first state; and a nozzle for ejecting the jet of fluid from the nozzle at a second pressure higher than the water pressure, by setting the switching unit to the second state, the piston is moved in a direction in which the volume of the storage chamber is reduced, thereby increasing the pressure in the storage chamber.

[0041] According to this aspect, the switching unit is set in a first state to cause the jet fluid to be jetted from the nozzle at a first pressure, and the switching unit is set in a second state to cause the jet fluid to be jetted from the nozzle at a second pressure higher than the tap pressure. By carrying out such a liquid jetting method, the jet fluid can be alternately jetted from the nozzle at the tap pressure and at a pressure higher than the tap pressure, making it possible to suitably jet the liquid from the nozzle.

[0042] [Example 1] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a liquid ejection device 1A of Example 1, which is an example of a liquid ejection device 1 of the present invention, will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The liquid ejection device 1A of this example is capable of ejecting a liquid L as a continuous flow L1, and converting the continuous flow L1 into droplets L2, and colliding the liquid L in the form of droplets L2 against an object.

[0043] 1 and 2, the liquid ejection device 1A of this embodiment includes a flow path 4 for liquid L connected to a water supply 2, and a nozzle 3 connected to the flow path 4 for ejecting the liquid L as a continuous flow L1 and turning the continuous flow L1 into droplets L2 to collide with an object in the form of droplets L2. A pump 10 capable of increasing the water pressure of the water supply 2 is provided between the water supply 2 and the nozzle 3.

[0044] Here, the pump 10 has a cylinder 11, and the cylinder 11 has a storage chamber 13 that stores the injection fluid supplied from an inlet 13a via a first flow path 4A described later, and a power chamber 14 to which a power fluid for moving a piston 16 capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber 13 is supplied. The liquid L, which is tap water supplied from the water supply 2, is used as the injection fluid and the power fluid. The pump 10 can move the piston 16 in the vertical direction in the figure from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. 2. Specifically, the state shown in FIG. 2 can be changed to the state shown in FIG. 1 by supplying the liquid L from the water supply 2 to the power chamber 14 via a second flow path 4B described later. The liquid L stored in the power chamber 14 is discharged from the power chamber 14 via a discharge flow path 4C described later as waste liquid L3 via the discharge nozzle 7, so that the state shown in FIG. 1 can be changed to the state shown in FIG. 2. The waste liquid L3 discharged from the discharge nozzle 7 can be used to rinse an object.

[0045] In addition, the cylinder 11 is provided with a flow path forming member 12 having an internal flow path 40 that constitutes the flow path 4, and the storage chamber 13 is divided into an upper storage chamber 13A and a lower storage chamber 13B by the flow path forming member 12. Then, by moving the piston 16 to narrow the area of ​​the power chamber 14 from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. 2, the area of ​​the lower storage chamber 13B is expanded, and liquid L as a jet fluid is supplied from the upper storage chamber 13A to the lower storage chamber 13B through the internal flow path 40. On the other hand, by moving the piston 16 to widen the area of ​​the power chamber 14 from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 1, the area of ​​the lower storage chamber 13B is narrowed, and liquid L as a jet fluid is supplied from the lower storage chamber 13B to the upper storage chamber 13A through the internal flow path 40. Note that when the piston 16 is moved from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 1, the internal pressure of the storage chamber 13 increases. In addition, a pressure sensor 15 that measures the pressure of the storage chamber 13 is provided in the cylinder 11.

[0046] The flow path 4 has an upstream end 4a connected to the water supply 2, and is configured to supply the liquid L as the injection fluid to the storage chamber 13 through the first flow path 4A, and to supply the liquid L as the motive fluid to the power chamber 14 through the second flow path 4B. The upstream end 4a may be directly connected to the faucet of the water supply 2, or may be indirectly connected to the water supply 2 through an attachment part (not shown) attached to the faucet of the water supply 2. The liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment is also provided with, as the flow path 4, an exhaust flow path 4C that connects the power chamber 14 and the exhaust nozzle 7 and constitutes an exhaust path of the liquid L as the motive fluid stored in the power chamber 14, an injection fluid flow path 4D that connects the outlet 13b of the storage chamber 13 and the nozzle 3 and constitutes a circulation path of the liquid L as the injection fluid injected from the nozzle 3, and an internal flow path 40 that is provided inside the flow path forming member 12 and connects the upper storage chamber 13A and the lower storage chamber 13B.

[0047] 1 and 2, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment is provided with a three-way valve 8A as a switching unit that is provided in the flow path 4 and switches the flow of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid. The three-way valve 8A is a three-way valve 8 connected to the water supply 2, and is configured to be able to switch the supply destination of the liquid L, which is tap water supplied from the water supply 2, between a first flow path 4A and a second flow path 4B. The first flow path 4A is provided with a check valve 5 that suppresses the backflow of the liquid L. The second flow path 4B is provided with a three-way valve 8B that is connected to the flow path 4 connected to the power chamber 14 and the exhaust flow path 4C, and is configured to be able to switch between a state in which the flow path 4 connected to the power chamber 14 is connected to the second flow path 4B and a state in which the flow path 4 connected to the power chamber 14 is connected to the exhaust flow path 4C.

[0048] As described above, the nozzle 3 is connected to the outlet 13b of the storage chamber 13, and is configured to be able to eject the liquid L, which is the ejection fluid, in a continuous flow L1, while also converting the continuous flow L1 into droplets L2 and allowing the droplets L2 to collide with the target. In this way, by ejecting the liquid L in a continuous flow L1, while also converting the continuous flow L1 into droplets L2 and allowing the droplets L2 to collide with the target, the impact force of the liquid L can be dramatically improved compared to a configuration in which the liquid L is simply ejected in a continuous flow L1 and allowed to collide as the continuous flow L1, or a configuration in which the liquid L is initially ejected in the form of droplets L2 and allowed to collide with the target.

[0049] As described above, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment has a storage chamber 13 that stores the injection fluid, a power chamber 14 to which a power fluid is supplied for moving a piston 16 that can change the volume of the storage chamber 13, and is equipped with a pump 10 to which both the injection fluid and the power fluid are supplied from the water supply 2. By being equipped with the pump 10 configured in this manner, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment can increase the injection pressure of the injection fluid relative to the water supply pressure to cause it to impinge on an object, and can improve the impact force of the liquid L injected from the nozzle 3.

[0050] Here, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment can inject the liquid L from the nozzle 3 by moving the piston 16 upward, for example, from the state shown in FIG. 2 to the state shown in FIG. 1. On the other hand, the liquid L can be injected from the nozzle 3 while moving the piston 16 downward, for example, from the state shown in FIG. 1 to the state shown in FIG. 2, or the liquid L can be injected from the nozzle 3 without moving the piston 16 while maintaining the state shown in FIG. 2. When the piston 16 is moved upward to inject the liquid L from the nozzle 3, the liquid L can be injected at an injection pressure of 2.5 MPa. On the other hand, when the piston 16 is moved downward to inject the liquid L from the nozzle 3 or when the liquid L is injected from the nozzle 3 without moving the piston 16, the liquid L can be injected at an injection pressure of 0.5 MPa corresponding to water tap pressure.

[0051] Here, an example of a liquid ejection method in the liquid ejection device 1A of this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 3. From time T0 to time T1 in Fig. 3, the water tap 2 is closed and liquid L is not ejected from the nozzle 3. In this state, the position of the piston 16 corresponds to the state in Fig. 1, and the three-way valve 8A is disposed so as to connect the water tap 2 to the first flow path 4A.

[0052] At time T1, when the tap of the water 2 is opened and the liquid L starts to be sprayed from the nozzle 3, the liquid L is sprayed from the nozzle 3 at a spray pressure of 0.5 MPa corresponding to the water pressure. At this time, the piston 16 starts to move downward from the state of FIG. 1 to the state of FIG. 2. At this time, the waste liquid L3 is discharged from the discharge nozzle 7 at a spray pressure of 0.1 MPa. At time T2 when the position of the piston 16 is in the state of FIG. 2, the three-way valve 8A is arranged to connect the water 2 to the second flow path 4B. This causes the piston 16 to move upward, and the storage chamber 13 is pressurized, and the liquid L is sprayed from the nozzle 3 at a spray pressure of 2.5 MPa. Then, the piston 16 moves upward from the state of FIG. 2 to the state of FIG. 1, and the liquid L is sprayed from the nozzle 3 at a spray pressure of 2.5 MPa until time T3 when the state of FIG. 1 is reached.

[0053] 3, when time T3 is reached, the tap of the water supply 2 is turned off, ending the spraying of the liquid L from the nozzle 3. However, after time T3 is reached, the three-way valve 8A is arranged to connect the water supply 2 to the first flow path 4A, so that the liquid L can again be sprayed from the nozzle 3 at a spray pressure of 0.5 MPa. By repeating this process, it is possible to alternately spray the liquid L from the nozzle 3 at a spray pressure of 0.5 MPa, which corresponds to the water supply pressure, and at a spray pressure of 2.5 MPa, which is higher than the water supply pressure.

[0054] In this way, by using the liquid injection device 1A of the present embodiment, by switching the three-way valve 8A, which is the switching unit, it is possible to alternately execute the following: a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber 13, thereby injecting the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a first pressure, which is the water pressure of the water supply 2; and a second state in which the pressure of the storage chamber 13 is increased by moving the piston 16 in a direction in which the volume of the storage chamber 13 decreases, thereby injecting the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a second pressure higher than the water pressure of the water supply 2. By executing such a liquid injection method, it is possible to alternately eject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at the water pressure of the water supply 2 and eject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a pressure higher than the water pressure, and it becomes possible to eject the liquid L from the nozzle 3 suitably.

[0055] In the above liquid injection method, when the piston 16 is moving downward from the state in Fig. 1 to the state in Fig. 2, that is, when the liquid L is being injected from the nozzle 3 at an injection pressure of 0.5 MPa corresponding to tap water pressure, the waste liquid L3 can be discharged at an injection pressure of 0.1 MPa through the discharge nozzle 7. Then, the waste liquid L3 can be used to rinse the object.

[0056] As described above, in the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment, the three-way valve 8A as a switching unit is configured to be able to switch between a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber 13 and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber 14. The liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment is configured in this way, and is therefore able to inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at two types of injection pressure. Specifically, it is possible to inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at the tap water pressure (0.5 MPa) in the first state, and to inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a pressure (2.5 MPa) higher than the tap water pressure in the second state, as necessary.

[0057] In detail, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment is configured to inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a first pressure, which is the water pressure of the water tap 2, when the three-way valve 8A is in a first state, and to inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a second pressure higher than the water tap pressure by increasing the pressure of the storage chamber 13 by moving the piston 16 upward, which is the direction in which the volume of the storage chamber 13 decreases. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment can, as necessary, inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at the water tap pressure of the water tap in the first state, and in the second state, inject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 at a pressure higher than the water tap pressure.

[0058] As described above, in the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment, the flow path 4 includes a first flow path 4A that connects the water supply 2 and the storage chamber 13, and a second flow path 4B that connects the water supply 2 and the power chamber 14. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment can easily form a configuration that supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber 13 and supplies the power fluid to the power chamber 14.

[0059] As described above, in the liquid ejection device 1A of this embodiment, the switching unit is a three-way valve 8A connected to the water supply 2, and is configured to be able to switch the destination of tap water supplied from the water supply 2 between the first flow path 4A and the second flow path 4B. By configuring the switching unit in this way, it is possible to particularly easily form a configuration for supplying the ejection fluid to the storage chamber 13 and supplying the power fluid to the power chamber 14.

[0060] As described above, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment includes, as the flow path 4, the discharge flow path 4C that discharges the motive fluid supplied to the motive chamber 14. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1A of this embodiment can easily realize a configuration for moving the piston 16 that can change the volume of the storage chamber 13. In addition, it is possible to reuse the liquid L discharged via the discharge flow path 4C, for example, for rinsing an object.

[0061] [Example 2] A liquid injection device 1B of Example 2 will be described below with reference to FIG. 4. FIG. 4 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1B of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1B of this example has the same characteristics as the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 4, components common to Example 1 above are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0062] 4, in the liquid injection device 1B of the present embodiment, there is no three-way valve 8 at a branching portion 41 between the first flow path 4A and the second flow path 4B, where there was the three-way valve 8A in the liquid injection device 1A of the embodiment 1. In addition, there is no three-way valve 8 at a branching portion 42 between the second flow path 4B and the discharge flow path 4C, where there was the three-way valve 8B in the liquid injection device 1A of the embodiment 1. Furthermore, there is an opening / closing valve 9 as a switching portion in the second flow path 4B, which was not present in the liquid injection device 1A of the embodiment 1.

[0063] From another perspective, in the liquid injection device 1B of this embodiment, the switching unit is an opening / closing valve 9 provided in the second flow path 4B. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1B of this embodiment can easily form a configuration for supplying the injection fluid to the storage chamber 13 and the power fluid to the power chamber 14 by a method different from that of the liquid injection device 1A of the first embodiment.

[0064] [Example 3] A liquid injection device 1C of Example 3 will be described below with reference to FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1C of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 and 2 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1C of this example has similar features to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 and 2 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 5, components common to Examples 1 and 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0065] 5, the liquid ejecting device 1C of this embodiment does not have the discharge nozzle 7 that is provided in the liquid ejecting device 1 of the embodiment 1 and the embodiment 2, and the discharge flow path 4C is connected to the ejection fluid flow path 4D. That is, the liquid ejecting device 1C of this embodiment is configured to be able to eject the waste liquid L3 from the nozzle 3.

[0066] In this manner, in the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment, the discharge flow path 4C is connected to the injection fluid flow path 4D that connects the outlet 13b of the storage chamber 13 and the nozzle 3, and further, as shown in Fig. 5, the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment is provided with a check valve 5B in the injection flow path 4C. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment can prevent the injection fluid flowing from the storage chamber 13 to the nozzle 3 from flowing to the discharge flow path 4C side, and can prevent a decrease in injection pressure.

[0067] 5, the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment is provided with an opening / closing valve 9B upstream of the connection portion 43 of the injection fluid flow path 4D with the discharge flow path 4C in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid flow path 4D. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment can switch between injection of the injection fluid and discharge of the waste liquid L3, and can suppress the power fluid from flowing into the storage chamber 13 and being unable to be discharged when discharging the power fluid supplied to the power chamber 14. Note that, although the liquid injection device 1C of this embodiment is provided with the opening / closing valve 9B, the injection pressure can be adjusted by providing a regulator instead of the opening / closing valve 9B, and the waste liquid L3 can be reused as the injection fluid by providing an open valve instead of the opening / closing valve 9B.

[0068] Other than the above-mentioned features, the liquid ejecting device 1C of this embodiment has the same configuration as the liquid ejecting device 1B of Example 2. For example, the first flow path 4A is also provided with a check valve 5 (check valve 5A) like the first flow path 4A of the liquid ejecting device 1B of Example 2. Moreover, the second flow path 4B is also provided with an opening / closing valve 9 (opening / closing valve 9A) like the second flow path 4B of the liquid ejecting device 1B of Example 2.

[0069] [Example 4] A liquid injection device 1D of Example 4 will be described below with reference to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1D of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 3 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1D of this example has similar features to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 3 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 6, components common to Examples 1 to 3 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0070] 6, the liquid injection device 1D of this embodiment has the same configuration as the liquid injection device 1C of the third embodiment, except that an opening / closing valve 9C is provided between the connection portion 43 and the nozzle 3. In other words, the liquid injection device 1D of this embodiment has the opening / closing valve 9C downstream of the connection portion 43 with the discharge flow path 4C of the injection fluid flow path 4D in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid flow path 4D. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1D of this embodiment can easily control the timing of discharging the motive fluid.

[0071] [Example 5] A liquid injection device 1E of Example 5 will be described below with reference to FIG. 7. FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1E of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 4 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1E of this example has similar features to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 4 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 7, components common to Examples 1 to 4 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0072] 7, the liquid injection device 1E of this embodiment does not have the discharge nozzle 7 that the liquid injection device 1 of the embodiment 1 and the embodiment 2 has, like the liquid injection device 1 of the embodiment 3 and the embodiment 4. And the discharge flow path 4C is connected to the inlet 13a of the storage chamber 13. Also, because of this configuration, the first flow path 4A that connects the water supply 2 and the inlet 13a of the storage chamber 13 is not included.

[0073] In this manner, in the liquid injection device 1E of this embodiment, the discharge flow path 4C is connected to the inlet 13a. The discharge flow path 4C is provided with an opening / closing valve 9D as a switching unit. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1E of this embodiment can easily reuse the motive power fluid once stored in the motive power chamber 14 as an injection fluid.

[0074] As shown in FIG. 7, the liquid injection device 1E of this embodiment includes a spring 6 as a biasing part that biases the piston 16 downward in FIG. 7, that is, in the direction in which the volume of the storage chamber 13 increases. The spring 6 is disposed in the lower storage chamber 13B, that is, between the flow path forming member 12 and the piston 16. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1E of this embodiment can move the piston 16 downward in the initial state, and can easily be made to be in a state in which the injection fluid is injected from the nozzle 3 at a pressure higher than the tap water pressure in the initial state. Note that such a biasing part can also be provided in the liquid injection device 1 of the first to fourth embodiments.

[0075] [Example 6] A liquid injection device 1F of Example 6 will be described below with reference to FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1F of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 5 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1F of this example has similar features to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 5 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 8, components common to Examples 1 to 5 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0076] 8, in comparison with the liquid injection device 1E of the fifth embodiment, the liquid injection device 1F of the present embodiment does not have a discharge flow path 4C outside the syringe 11, and is configured such that a flow path 4 (connection flow path 4E) that connects the power chamber 14 and the storage chamber 13 to the piston 16 is provided. The connection flow path 4E is provided with a check valve 5. With this configuration, the liquid injection device 1F of the present embodiment can easily reuse the power fluid as an injection fluid, similar to the liquid injection device 1E of the fifth embodiment.

[0077] In the liquid ejecting device 1F of this embodiment, the connection flow path 4E also serves as the discharge flow path 4C. The upper end of the connection flow path 4E in the figure serves as an inlet 13a, which is an inlet into the storage chamber 13 for the ejection fluid.

[0078] [Example 7] A liquid injection device 1G of Example 7 will be described below with reference to FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the liquid injection device 1A of Example 1. The liquid injection device 1G of this example is similar to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 6 except for the configuration described below. Therefore, the liquid injection device 1G of this example has similar features to the liquid injection device 1 of Examples 1 to 6 except for the points described below. Therefore, in FIG. 9, components common to Examples 1 to 6 are indicated by the same reference numerals, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

[0079] 9, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment is configured by combining two pumps 10 of the liquid injection device 1B of the embodiment 2. Specifically, it includes a first pump unit 101A connected to a waterworks 2 and a second pump unit 101B connected to another waterworks 2. In each of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B, a first flow path 4A and a second flow path 4B are connected to the pump 10, and the injection fluid flow paths 4D connected to the pumps 10 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B are finally connected to the nozzle 3 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B, and the discharge flow path 4C connected to the pumps 10 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B are finally connected to the discharge nozzle 7 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B. In addition, a check valve 5 for preventing backflow is provided in the ejection fluid flow path 4D connected to each of the pumps 10 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B, and in the discharge flow path 4C connected to each of the pumps 10 of the first pump unit 101A and the second pump unit 101B.

[0080] Explaining the above from another perspective, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment includes two pump units 101, a first pump unit 101A and a second pump unit 101B, each having a pump 10, a flow path 4, and an on-off valve 9 serving as a switching unit. Here, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment includes a control unit 100, and under the control of the control unit 100, when a first switching unit 91 serving as a switching unit of the first pump unit 101A is in a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber 13, a second switching unit 92 serving as a switching unit of the second pump unit 101B is in a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber 14, and when the first switching unit 91 is in the second state, the second switching unit 92 is in the first state.

[0081] That is, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment alternately drives the two pump units 101. By alternately driving the two pump units 101 in this manner, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment can continue to eject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 continuously and stably at a pressure higher than the tap pressure. As described above, the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment controls the driving of the first switching unit and the second switching unit with the control unit 100, so that the liquid injection device 1G of this embodiment can automatically continue to eject the injection fluid from the nozzle 3 continuously and stably at a pressure higher than the tap pressure. Note that, in the liquid injection devices 1 of Examples 1 to 6, the three-way valve 8, the opening / closing valve 9, and the like, which are the switching units, may also be automatically controlled by the control unit.

[0082] The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiments, and can be realized in various configurations without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The technical features in the embodiments corresponding to the technical features in each aspect described in the Summary of the Invention can be appropriately replaced or combined in order to solve some or all of the above-mentioned problems or to achieve some or all of the above-mentioned effects. Furthermore, if a technical feature is not described as essential in this specification, it can be appropriately deleted. [Explanation of symbols]

[0083] 1...liquid injection device, 1A...liquid injection device, 1B...liquid injection device, 1C...liquid injection device, 1D...liquid injection device, 1E...liquid injection device, 1F...liquid injection device, 1G...liquid injection device, 2...water supply, 3...nozzle, 4...flow path, 4A...first flow path, 4B...second flow path, 4C...discharge flow path, 4D...jet fluid flow path, 4E...connection flow path, 4a...upstream end, 5...check valve, 5A...check valve, 5B...check valve, 6...spring (biasing portion), 7...discharge nozzle, 8...three-way valve (switching portion), 8A...three-way valve, 8B...three-way valve, 9...opening / closing valve (switching portion), 9A... Opening and closing valve, 9B...opening and closing valve, 9C...opening and closing valve, 9D...opening and closing valve, 10...pump, 11...cylinder, 12...flow path forming member, 13...storage chamber, 13A...upper storage chamber, 13B...lower storage chamber, 13a...inlet, 13b...outlet, 14...power chamber, 15...pressure sensor, 16...piston, 40...internal flow path, 91...first switching unit, 92...second switching unit, 100...control unit, 101...pump unit, 101A...first pump unit, 101B...second pump unit, L...liquid, L1...continuous flow, L2...droplet, L3...waste liquid

Claims

1. A pump having a storage chamber for storing the injection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber supplied with power fluid for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber, wherein both the injection fluid and the power fluid are tap water supplied from a water supply, A flow path whose upstream end is connected to the water supply, which supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber, A switching unit is provided in the flow path and switches the flow of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid, A nozzle connected to the outlet of the storage chamber, which sprays the liquid injection fluid in a continuous flow and atomizes the continuous flow into droplets that collide with the target object, A liquid injection device characterized by being equipped with the following features.

2. In the liquid injection device according to claim 1, The liquid injection device is characterized in that the switching unit switches between a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber.

3. In the liquid injection device according to claim 2, When the switching unit is in the first state, the injection fluid is injected from the nozzle at a first pressure, which is the water pressure of the water supply. A liquid injection device characterized in that, when the switching unit is in the second state, the piston is moved in a direction that decreases the volume of the storage chamber, thereby increasing the pressure in the storage chamber, and the injection fluid is injected from the nozzle at a second pressure higher than the water pressure.

4. In the liquid injection device according to claim 1, The liquid injection device is characterized in that the flow path comprises a first flow path connecting the water supply and the storage chamber, and a second flow path connecting the water supply and the power chamber.

5. In the liquid injection device according to claim 4, The liquid injection device is characterized in that the switching unit is an on / off valve provided in the second flow path.

6. In the liquid injection device according to claim 4, The switching unit is a three-way valve connected to the water supply, and is characterized by switching the destination of the tap water supplied from the water supply between the first flow path and the second flow path.

7. In the liquid injection device according to claim 1, A liquid injection device characterized by having a discharge channel for discharging the power fluid supplied to the power chamber.

8. In the liquid injection device according to claim 7, The liquid injection device is characterized in that the discharge channel is connected to the injection fluid channel connecting the outlet and the nozzle, and the discharge channel is provided with a check valve.

9. In the liquid injection device according to claim 8, A liquid injection device characterized in that an on / off valve is provided upstream of the connection point between the injection fluid passage and the discharge passage in the injection fluid passage, in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid passage.

10. In the liquid injection device according to claim 8 or 9, A liquid injection device characterized in that an on / off valve is provided downstream of the connection point between the injection fluid passage and the discharge passage in the injection fluid passage, in the direction in which the injection fluid flows through the injection fluid passage.

11. In the liquid injection device according to claim 7, The aforementioned discharge channel is connected to the aforementioned inlet, The liquid injection device is characterized in that the switching section is an on / off valve provided in the discharge channel.

12. In the liquid injection device according to claim 1, A liquid injection device characterized by comprising a biasing unit that biases the piston in a direction that increases the volume of the storage chamber.

13. In the liquid injection device according to claim 1, As the aforementioned flow path, a connecting flow path connecting the power chamber and the storage chamber is provided in the piston. A liquid injection device characterized by having a check valve in the aforementioned connecting channel.

14. In the liquid injection device according to claim 2 or 3, A liquid injection device characterized by comprising two pump units, a first pump unit and a second pump unit, each having the pump, the flow path, and the switching unit.

15. In the liquid injection device according to claim 14, A liquid injection device characterized in that when the first switching unit of the first pump unit is in the first state, the second switching unit of the second pump unit is in the second state, and when the first switching unit is in the second state, the second switching unit is in the first state.

16. In the liquid injection device according to claim 15, A liquid injection device characterized by comprising a control unit that controls the driving of the first switching unit and the second switching unit.

17. A pump having a storage chamber for storing the injection fluid supplied from an inlet, and a power chamber supplied with power fluid for moving a piston capable of changing the volume of the storage chamber, wherein both the injection fluid and the power fluid are tap water supplied from a water supply, A flow path whose upstream end is connected to the water supply, which supplies the injection fluid to the storage chamber and the power fluid to the power chamber, A switching unit is provided in the flow path and switches the flow of at least one of the injection fluid and the power fluid, A nozzle connected to the outlet of the storage chamber, which sprays the liquid injection fluid in a continuous flow and atomizes the continuous flow into droplets that collide with the target object, Equipped with, The switching unit is a liquid injection method in a liquid injection device that can switch between a first state in which the injection fluid is supplied to the storage chamber and a second state in which the power fluid is supplied to the power chamber, By setting the switching unit to the first state, the injection fluid is ejected from the nozzle at a first pressure, which is the water pressure of the water supply. By setting the switching unit to the second state, the piston is moved in a direction that reduces the volume of the storage chamber, thereby increasing the pressure in the storage chamber, and the injection fluid is ejected from the nozzle at a second pressure higher than the water pressure. A liquid injection method characterized by performing the following steps alternately.

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