Sprayer

Abstract

To provide a sprayer capable of reducing defects due to intrusion of liquid.SOLUTION: A sprayer A1 includes a pump 6 as a pressure source for spraying liquid, a motor 5 for driving the pump 6, a battery 4 for supplying power to the motor 5, and a case 1 storing the battery 4 and the motor 5. The case 1 includes a first chamber 2 storing the battery 4 and a second chamber 3 storing the motor 5, and a first bottom part 21 regulating the lower end of the first chamber 2, and further includes a plug 49 where the battery 4 is attached / detached, and at least a part of which is stored in the first chamber 2. The first bottom part 21 has a first liquid-receiving part 211 overlapping at least a part of the plug when viewed in a vertical direction and a first discharge port 213 for discharging the liquid received by the first liquid-receiving part 211.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 6

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sprayer. [Background technology]

[0002] Various sprayers for spraying liquids such as herbicides and insecticides have been proposed. Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a conventional sprayer. The sprayer disclosed in this document includes a tank, a pump, a motor, and a battery. The liquid stored in the tank is sent to a nozzle by the pump and sprayed from the nozzle. The pump is driven by the motor. The battery supplies power to the motor and is detachable from the sprayer. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-231296 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] A sprayer may be exposed to liquids being sprayed or liquids present in the environment in which it is used. For example, if liquid seeps into the battery connection, there is a risk of short circuit or corrosion.

[0005] The present invention has been devised in light of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a sprayer that can reduce problems caused by liquid intrusion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The sprayer provided by the present invention is a sprayer comprising a pump which is a pressure source for spraying a liquid, a motor for driving the pump, a battery which supplies power to the motor, and a case which houses the battery and the motor, wherein the case includes a first chamber which houses the battery and a second chamber which houses the motor, and a first bottom which defines the lower end of the first chamber, and further comprises a plug to which the battery is connected and at least a portion of which is housed in the first chamber, and the first bottom has a first liquid receiving portion which overlaps with at least a portion of the plug when viewed vertically, and a first outlet through which liquid received in the first liquid receiving portion is discharged.

[0007] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first bottom portion has a first discharge groove connecting the first liquid receiving portion and the first discharge port.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first bottom portion has a second drain groove provided around the periphery of the plug and a second drain port for draining liquid from the second drain groove.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the first chamber is located vertically above the second chamber, the case includes a second bottom defining a lower end of the second chamber, the second bottom having a third discharge groove and a third discharge outlet for discharging liquid from the third discharge groove, and the second discharge outlet and the third discharge outlet at least partially overlap when viewed vertically.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second bottom portion has a second liquid receiving portion that at least partially overlaps with the first discharge outlet when viewed vertically, and a fourth discharge outlet for discharging liquid from the second liquid receiving portion.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case has an opening for attaching and detaching the battery, a cover that can be in an open state to release the opening and a closed state to cover the opening, and a peripheral drain groove provided at a position corresponding to the periphery of the cover. [Effects of the Invention]

[0012] According to the present invention, problems caused by the intrusion of liquid can be reduced.

[0013] Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] 1 is a partial perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4] 1 is a partial perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 5] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 1 is a partial perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 1 is a partial perspective view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a partial plan view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 1 is a partial plan view showing a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a sprayer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0016] The terms "first," "second," "third," etc. in this disclosure are used for identification purposes only and are not intended to impose any ranking on their objects.

[0017] 1 to 9 show a sprayer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The sprayer A1 of this embodiment includes a cart 91, a tank 92, a spray nozzle 93, a hose reel 94, a case 1, a battery 4, a motor 5, and a pump 6. The sprayer A1 is basically configured to be placed on the ground and moved by the user by pushing it. However, the basic configuration of the sprayer according to the present invention is not limited in any way and may be a variety of basic configurations, such as a stationary type or a type carried on the user's back. Furthermore, the sprayer according to the present invention may be sold and distributed without the tank 92, spray nozzle 93, etc., and equivalent parts such as the tank 92 and spray nozzle 93 may be provided as needed for use. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view along the zx plane with the battery 4 installed, passing through the center of the battery 4 in the y direction.

[0018] In these figures, the z direction is the vertical direction in the present invention, the x direction is perpendicular to the z direction and may be referred to as the front-to-back direction, and the y direction is perpendicular to the z and x directions.

[0019] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the dolly 91 is used to support and move other components, and the specific configuration is not limited thereto. In the illustrated example, the dolly 91 has a support frame 911 and a pair of wheels 912. The support frame 911 is formed of a metal pipe, such as aluminum. The support frame 911 includes a handle 913. The handle 913 is a part that a user holds when moving the sprayer A1. The wheels 912 are rotatably supported on the support frame 911 and are arranged spaced apart on both sides in the y direction. The sprayer A1 moves as the wheels 912 roll.

[0020] The tank 92 stores the liquid to be sprayed by the sprayer A1. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the tank 92, and in the illustrated example, the tank 92 includes a tank body 921 and a lid 922. The tank body 921 is a portion that stores the liquid and is formed of a material that is highly resistant to corrosion by the liquid used, such as resin. The lid 922 closes the liquid inlet of the tank body 921 and is detachable from the tank body 921. In the illustrated example, the tank 92 is located forward in the x direction.

[0021] The spray nozzle 93 is a part that sprays the liquid stored in the tank 92 toward the surrounding area. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the spray nozzle 93, and in the example shown, it includes, for example, a long pipe portion and a spray nozzle attached to the tip of the pipe portion.

[0022] The hose reel 94 has a hose 941 wound therearound for guiding the liquid from the tank 92 to the spray nozzle 93. In the example shown, the hose reel 94 is attached to the rear of the cart 91 in the x direction. The hose 941 has, for example, one end connected to the pump 6 and the other end connected to the spray nozzle 93.

[0023] The pump 6 is a pressure source for sending the liquid stored in the tank 92 to the spray nozzle 93 and spraying it from the spray nozzle 93. The specific configuration of the pump 6 is not limited in any way.

[0024] The motor 5 is a drive source for driving the pump 6. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the motor 5. For example, the output shaft of the motor 5 is connected to the pump 6.

[0025] The battery 4 supplies power to the motor 5. The battery 4 is rechargeable and can be attached to and detached from a plug 49 (described later) provided on the case 1. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the battery 4, and it may, for example, have a plurality of battery cells built in.

[0026] 4 to 9, case 1 houses battery 4 and motor 5. In this embodiment, case 1 is disposed above tank 92, but the location of case 1 is not limited in any way. Case 1 is made of a material such as resin or metal, and in this embodiment, it is, for example, a resin molded product.

[0027] The case 1 includes a first chamber 2 and a second chamber 3. The first chamber 2 houses a battery 4. The second chamber 3 houses a motor 5. In this embodiment, the pump 6 is adjacent to the second chamber 3 (motor 5) in the y direction. In this embodiment, the first chamber 2 is located above the second chamber 3 in the z direction.

[0028] In this embodiment, the case 1 includes an upper case 11, a lower case 12, a first bottom 21, and a second bottom 31. The upper case 11 and the first bottom 21 define a first chamber 2. The first bottom 21 defines a lower end of the first chamber 2, and in this embodiment, separates the first chamber 2 from a second chamber 3. The lower case 12 and the second bottom 31 define the second chamber 3. The second bottom 31 defines a lower end of the second chamber 3.

[0029] In this embodiment, the sprayer A1 is equipped with a control board 7. The control board 7 controls the drive of, for example, the motor 5, and includes, for example, a CPU, memory, etc. The location of the control board 7 is not limited in any way, and in this embodiment, it is housed in the upper part of the first chamber 2 in the z direction. In addition, an operation unit 71 is provided at the upper end of the case 1 in the z direction. The operation unit 71 includes buttons, etc., which the user uses to operate the sprayer A1, a display unit, etc.

[0030] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the case 1 has an opening 201 and a cover. In this embodiment, the opening 201 is provided in the upper case 11 and connects the first chamber 2 to the outside. The opening 201 opens forward in the x direction and is used for attaching and detaching the battery 4 from the front in the x direction. In this embodiment, the cover is rotatably supported by the upper case 11 and can be in an open state that exposes the opening 201 or a closed state that closes the opening 201.

[0031] 4 and 5, in this embodiment, the case 1 is provided with a peripheral discharge groove 231. The peripheral discharge groove 231 is provided at a position corresponding to the periphery of the cover in the closed state. Specifically, the peripheral discharge groove 231 is formed by providing a peripheral rib 232 on the case 1. The peripheral rib 232 is provided so as to surround the battery 4 when viewed in the x direction or the z direction, and is positioned slightly inward from the periphery of the cover.

[0032] 6 and 8, the upper case 11, battery 4, and control board 7 are omitted for ease of understanding. In FIG. 8, the battery 4 is shown by imaginary lines. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, the case 1 has a battery holder 24. The battery holder 24 is an annular member that allows the battery 4, which is loaded from the front in the x direction, to pass through. Note that the case 1 may be configured without the battery holder 24.

[0033] The sprayer A1 includes a plug 49. The plug 49 is connected to the battery 4 and forms part of a conductive path that conducts power from the battery 4 to the motor and the like. At least a portion of the plug 49 is housed in the first chamber 2. In the illustrated example, the plug 49 is fixed to the first bottom 21. The plug 49 has, for example, two blades 491. The two blades 491 are made of, for example, metal, each protruding forward in the x direction and aligned in the y direction. In this embodiment, the connector 41 of the battery 4 is connected to the two blades 491 from the front in the x direction.

[0034] 5, 6, and 8, the first bottom portion 21 has a first liquid receiving portion 211 and a first discharge port 213. The first liquid receiving portion 211 overlaps with at least a portion of the plug 49 when viewed in the z direction. In the example shown, the first liquid receiving portion 211 overlaps with all of the two blades 491. The specific configuration of the first liquid receiving portion 211 is not limited in any way, and it may be configured, for example, by having a portion of the first bottom portion 21 recessed downward in the z direction.

[0035] First discharge port 213 is an opening for discharging the liquid received by first liquid receiving portion 211. In the illustrated example, first discharge port 213 discharges the liquid downward in the z direction. Case 1 may also have first discharge groove 212. First discharge groove 212 connects first liquid receiving portion 211 and first discharge port 213, and is a path that guides the liquid received by first liquid receiving portion 211 to first discharge port 213. Note that, unlike the illustrated example, for example, an opening may be provided in a part of first liquid receiving portion 211, so that peripheral discharge groove 231 is located inside first liquid receiving portion 211, and a configuration without first discharge groove 212 may also be employed.

[0036] The first bottom 21 has a second discharge groove 221 and a plurality of second discharge ports 223. The second discharge groove 221 is provided around the periphery of the plug 49 when viewed in the z direction. The periphery of the plug 49 is not limited to a configuration that completely surrounds all four sides of the plug 49. In the illustrated example, the second discharge groove 221 is provided on both sides of the plug 49 in the y direction and at the rear of the plug 49 in the x direction, and extends along the periphery of the first bottom 21. There are no particular limitations on the specific configuration of the second discharge groove 221. In the illustrated example, the second discharge groove 221 is formed by providing a first rib 222 on the first bottom 21. The first rib 222 is provided around the periphery of the plug 49 and stands up in the z direction.

[0037] The plurality of second discharge ports 223 are openings that discharge the liquid from the second discharge groove 221. The second discharge ports 223 penetrate the first bottom portion 21 in the z direction, and discharge the liquid from the second discharge groove 221 downward in the z direction.

[0038] 7 and 9, the upper case 11, battery 4, plug 49, control board 7, first bottom portion 21, and lower case 12 are omitted for ease of understanding. In FIG. 9, the first exhaust port 213 and the plurality of second exhaust ports 223 are shown by imaginary lines. In the illustrated example, as shown in FIGS. 5, 7, and 9, the second bottom portion 31 has a third exhaust groove 313 and a plurality of third exhaust ports 314. The third exhaust groove 313 is disposed so as to cross the second bottom portion 31 in the x and y directions. The specific configuration of the third exhaust groove 313 is not limited in any way, and in the illustrated example, the third exhaust groove 313 is formed by the second bottom portion 31 being partially recessed downward in the z direction. In addition, in the illustrated example, the third exhaust groove 313 includes a portion that overlaps with the motor 5 when viewed in the z direction.

[0039] The multiple third outlets 314 are openings that discharge liquid from the third outlet grooves 313. The third outlets 314 penetrate the second bottom 31 in the z direction and discharge liquid from the third outlet grooves 313 downward in the z direction. In this embodiment, the multiple second outlets 223 and the multiple third outlets 314 partially overlap when viewed in the z direction. More specifically, the two second outlets 223 located rearward in the x direction partially overlap with the two third outlets 314 located rearward in the x direction when viewed in the z direction. Note that the configuration is not limited to partial overlap, and one may entirely overlap the other.

[0040] In this embodiment, the second bottom 31 has a second liquid receiving portion 311 and a fourth outlet 312. The second liquid receiving portion 311 and the first outlet 213 at least partially overlap when viewed in the z direction. In the illustrated example, the entire first outlet 213 overlaps with the second liquid receiving portion 311 when viewed in the z direction. The specific configuration of the second liquid receiving portion 311 is not limited in any way, and it may be configured, for example, by having a portion of the second bottom 31 recessed downward in the z direction.

[0041] The fourth outlet 312 is an opening that discharges liquid from the second liquid receiving portion 311. The fourth outlet 312 penetrates the second bottom portion 31 in the z direction, and discharges liquid from the second liquid receiving portion 311 downward in the z direction. In the example shown, the fourth outlet 312 is formed by providing an opening in the second liquid receiving portion 311. Unlike this example, the second liquid receiving portion 311 and the fourth outlet 312 may be separated from each other, and a discharge groove may be provided to connect them.

[0042] Next, the operation of the sprayer A1 will be described.

[0043] When sprayer A1 is in use or cover 202 is in the open state, liquid may enter from the outside. As shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 8, near plug 49, this liquid is received by first liquid receiving portion 211 and discharged from first discharge port 213. This makes it possible to prevent liquid from adhering to plug 49. Therefore, problems caused by liquid intrusion can be reduced.

[0044] The first liquid receiving portion 211 and the first discharge port 213 are connected by the first discharge groove 212. This makes it possible to place the first liquid receiving portion 211 directly below the plug 49 located near the center in the y direction, and to place the first discharge port 213 at a position offset to one side in the y direction. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid discharged from the first discharge port 213 from splashing on, for example, the motor 5 in the second chamber 3.

[0045] 7 to 9, second liquid receiving portion 311 overlaps with first outlet 213 when viewed in the z direction. This allows second liquid receiving portion 311 to receive the liquid discharged from first outlet 213, and prevents the liquid from spreading unduly within second bottom portion 31. In addition, the liquid received by second liquid receiving portion 311 can be quickly discharged from fourth outlet 312.

[0046] As shown in Figures 5, 6, and 8, the first bottom portion 21 is provided with a second discharge groove 221. As a result, if liquid seeps in through a gap between the upper case 11 and the lower case 12, for example, the liquid can be discharged from the second discharge groove 221 through the multiple second discharge ports 223. This prevents the liquid from reaching the plug 49 and other components. The configuration in which the second discharge groove 221 is formed by providing the first rib 222 is suitable for preventing the liquid from reaching the plug 49 and other components. Furthermore, due to this effect, the sprayer A1 can be configured without providing a packing, O-ring, or the like between the upper case 11 and the lower case 12 to prevent the liquid from entering.

[0047] As shown in FIGS. 5 and 7 to 9, the second bottom 31 is provided with a third discharge groove 313 and a plurality of third discharge ports 314. This allows liquid that has entered the second chamber 3 to be discharged from the third discharge groove 313 through the plurality of third discharge ports 314. That is, when liquid that has entered the first chamber 2 is discharged from the second discharge ports 223 to the second chamber 3, this liquid can be discharged from the third discharge groove 313 to the outside through the plurality of third discharge ports 314. Furthermore, since the two second discharge ports 223 at the rear in the x direction and the two third discharge ports 314 at the rear in the x direction partially overlap each other, the liquid discharged from these second discharge ports 223 can be more reliably discharged to the outside through these third discharge ports 314.

[0048] 4 and 5, a peripheral drain groove 231 is provided at a position corresponding to the periphery of the cover 202. This allows liquid that seeps in through the gap between the upper case 11 and the cover 202 to be discharged to the outside through the peripheral drain groove 231. This makes it possible to prevent the liquid from reaching the battery 4, plug 49, etc. Furthermore, by forming the peripheral drain groove 231 with the peripheral rib 232, it is possible to more reliably prevent the liquid that seeps in through the gap between the upper case 11 and the cover 202 from reaching the battery 4, plug 49, etc.

[0049] Figure 10 shows a sprayer according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this figure, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Furthermore, the configurations of the various parts in each embodiment can be combined with each other as appropriate within the scope of not causing technical contradictions.

[0050] In the sprayer A2 of this embodiment, the first chamber 2 is located below the second chamber 3 in the z-direction. The first chamber 2 is defined by the lower case 12 and the first bottom 21. The second chamber 3 is defined by the upper case 11 and the first bottom 21. The second bottom 31 separates the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3. The opening 201 and the cover 202 are provided in the lower case 12.

[0051] In this embodiment, the first bottom 21 may also be provided with the first liquid receiving portion 211 and first discharge port 213 described above, and may also be provided with the first discharge groove 212. The liquid received by the first liquid receiving portion 211 is discharged downward in the z direction from the first discharge port 213. The first bottom 21 may also be provided with the second discharge groove 221, first rib 222, and multiple second discharge ports 223 described above. The second bottom 31 may also be provided with the third discharge groove 313 and multiple third discharge ports 314 described above. The control board 7 may be housed in the second chamber 3, and the operation unit 71 may be attached to the upper case 11.

[0052] This embodiment also reduces problems caused by liquid intrusion. As can be seen from this embodiment, the relative positional relationship between the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 is not limited in any way. For example, the first chamber 2 and the second chamber 3 may be configured to be located front to back in the x direction. In this case, the battery 4 may be inserted into and removed from the first chamber 2 from above in the z direction.

[0053] The sprayer according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the specific configuration of each part of the sprayer according to the present invention can be freely designed and modified in various ways. [Explanation of symbols]

[0054] A1,A2: Sprayer 1: Case 2: Room 1 3: 2nd room 4: Battery 5: Motor 6: Pump 7: Control board 11: Upper case 12: Lower case 21: 1st bottom 24: Battery holder 31: 2nd bottom 41: Connector 49: Plug 71 :Operation section 91: Cart 92: Tank 93: Spray nozzle 94: Hose reel 201 :Aperture 202: Cover 211: 1st liquid receiving part 212: 1st discharge groove 213: 1st outlet 221:Second discharge groove 222: First Rib 223:Second outlet 231: Peripheral drainage groove 232: Peripheral rib 311: 2nd liquid receiving part 312: 4th outlet 313: 3rd discharge groove 314: 3rd outlet 491: Blade 911: Support frame 912 :Wheel 913: Handle 921: Tank body 922: Lid 941: Hose

Claims

1. a pump that is a pressure source for spraying the liquid; a motor for driving the pump; a battery for supplying power to the motor; a case that houses the battery and the motor, the case includes a first chamber that houses the battery and a second chamber that houses the motor, and a first bottom that defines a lower end of the first chamber; a plug to which the battery is connected and at least a portion of which is housed in the first chamber; The first bottom portion has a first liquid receiving portion that overlaps with at least a portion of the plug when viewed in the vertical direction, and a first discharge port through which the liquid received in the first liquid receiving portion is discharged.

2. The sprayer according to claim 1 , wherein the first bottom portion has a first discharge groove connecting the first liquid receiving portion and the first discharge port.

3. 3. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the first bottom portion has a second drain groove provided around the periphery of the plug and a second drain port for draining liquid from the second drain groove.

4. the first chamber is located vertically above the second chamber, the case includes a second bottom defining a lower end of the second chamber; the second bottom portion has a third drain groove and a third drain port for draining liquid from the third drain groove; The sprayer according to claim 3 , wherein the second outlet and the third outlet at least partially overlap each other when viewed in the vertical direction.

5. 5. The sprayer according to claim 4, wherein the second bottom portion has a second liquid receiving portion that at least partially overlaps with the first discharge port when viewed in the vertical direction, and a fourth discharge port for discharging liquid from the second liquid receiving portion.

6. 3. The sprayer according to claim 1, wherein the case has an opening for attaching and detaching the battery, a cover that can be opened to expose the opening and closed to cover the opening, and a peripheral discharge groove provided at a position corresponding to the periphery of the cover.

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