Automatic sprayer

Abstract

The present invention provides an automatic sprayer that can appropriately swap and attach spray cans of different shapes, and can automatically spray the liquids filled in these swapped spray cans. [Solution] The automatic sprayer 1 comprises a main body 2 to which spray cans 91 and 92 are attached. The main body has a mounting unit 204, a support unit 205, a nozzle operation unit 206, a drive unit 207, and a control unit 208. The mounting unit comprises a plurality of mounting parts 41 and 42 to which each of a plurality of spray cans of different shapes is attached. The support unit comprises a plurality of support parts 51 and 52 to support the posture of the spray cans attached to each of the plurality of mounting parts. The nozzle operation unit comprises a plurality of nozzle operation parts 61 and 62 to operate the nozzles of the spray cans attached to each of the plurality of mounting parts to spray liquid from the spray cans. The drive unit drives the nozzle operation unit. The control unit controls the operation of the drive unit.

Description

[Technical Field] ,

[0004] , , , , , , , , ,

[0005]

[0001] Embodiments of the present invention relate to an automatic sprayer that automatically sprays a liquid agent filled in a spray can, such as a pesticide, a fragrance, or a deodorant. [Background Art]

[0002] Automatic sprayers for automatically spraying a liquid agent filled in a spray can are known (see Patent Document 1). These automatic sprayers are used with a spray can filled with a liquid agent such as a pesticide to be sprayed attached to the automatic sprayer. Such spray cans exist in various forms depending on, for example, the filling volume (internal volume) of the liquid agent, the efficacy, the spray range, and the like. Spray cans with different forms may, for example, have different outer diameters, lengths, and positions of the spray button for spraying the liquid agent. Therefore, in an automatic sprayer, it is desired that spray cans with different forms can be appropriately replaced and attached, and the liquid agent filled in the replaced spray cans can be automatically sprayed. [[ID=​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​According to the embodiment, the automatic sprayer is equipped with a spray can filled with a liquid, and the nozzle of the spray can is operated to spray the liquid. The automatic sprayer comprises a main body to which the spray can is mounted. The main body includes a mounting unit, a support unit, a nozzle operation unit, a drive unit, and a control unit. The mounting unit comprises a plurality of mounting parts to which each of a plurality of spray cans of different shapes is mounted. The support unit comprises a plurality of support parts to support the posture of the spray cans mounted on each of the plurality of mounting parts. The nozzle operation unit comprises a plurality of nozzle operation parts to operate the nozzle of the spray can mounted on each of the plurality of mounting parts to spray the liquid from the spray can. The drive unit drives the nozzle operation unit. The control unit controls the operation of the drive unit. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the automatic sprayer of the present invention, spray cans of different shapes can be appropriately swapped and attached, and the liquids filled in these swapped spray cans can be automatically sprayed. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] This is a schematic perspective view showing the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment with the cover closed. [Figure 2] This is a schematic perspective view showing the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment with its cover open. [Figure 3] This is a schematic perspective view showing the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment disassembled into predetermined components. [Figure 4] This diagram schematically shows the first mounting portion of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 5] This diagram schematically shows the second mounting portion of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment, viewed from the front. [Figure 6] This is a schematic perspective view showing the support unit of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment, disassembled into predetermined components. [Figure 7] This is a schematic perspective view showing the support unit of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment, with the lever of the support unit tilted as far forward as possible, so that the distance between the pair of clamps is maximized. [Figure 8] This is a schematic perspective view showing the slider, which is the nozzle operating unit of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment. [Figure 9] This diagram schematically shows, from the front, the state in which the slider is at the upper limit of its lifting range when the first spray can is attached to the first mounting part of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment. [Figure 10] The area indicated by arrow A9 in Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the automatic sprayer from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 11] This diagram schematically shows, from the front, the state in which the slider is at the lower limit of its lifting range when the first spray can is attached to the first mounting part of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment. [Figure 12] The area indicated by arrow A11 in Figure 11 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the automatic sprayer from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 13] This diagram schematically shows, from the front, the state in which the slider is at the upper limit of its lifting range when a second spray can is attached to the second mounting part of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment. [Figure 14] The area indicated by arrow A13 in Figure 13 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the automatic sprayer from the direction of the arrow. [Figure 15] This diagram schematically shows, from the front, the state in which the slider is at the lower limit of its lifting range when a second spray can is attached to the second mounting part of the automatic sprayer according to this embodiment. [Figure 16] The area indicated by arrow A15 in Figure 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing the automatic sprayer from the direction of the arrow. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] Hereinafter, an automatic sprayer according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The automatic sprayer is a device that is equipped with a spray can filled with a liquid agent, and automatically sprays the liquid agent by operating the nozzle of the equipped spray can. The liquid agent filled in the spray can is a liquid agent used for spraying into a room, such as an insecticide, air freshener, or deodorizer, and is not particularly limited in terms of its use or efficacy.

[0009] Figures 1 to 3 are schematic perspective views of the automatic sprayer 1 according to this embodiment. Figure 1 shows the automatic sprayer 1 with the cover (described later) closed, and Figure 2 shows the automatic sprayer 1 with the cover open. Figure 3 shows the automatic sprayer 1 disassembled into predetermined components. In the following description, the X, Y, and Z directions are defined as shown in Figures 1 to 3 (the same applies to all other figures). These X, Y, and Z directions are orthogonal to each other. In this embodiment, as an example, the plane defined by the X and Y directions is considered a horizontal plane. In this case, in the X direction, the direction of the arrow is forward (front side), and the opposite direction is backward (back side). In the Y direction, the direction of the arrow corresponds to left (left side) when viewed from the front (front side), and the opposite direction corresponds to right (right side). The Z direction is parallel to the vertical direction. In the Z direction, the direction of the arrow corresponds to upward (top side), and the opposite direction corresponds to downward (bottom side).

[0010] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the automatic sprayer 1 mainly includes a main body 2 and a cover 4. The main body 2 is the main body part of the automatic sprayer 1, on which a spray can filled with a liquid to be sprayed is mounted, and is also the part where components for spraying the liquid from the spray can are installed. The cover 4 is a part that covers the main body 2 to form the appearance of the automatic sprayer 1. It opens when the spray can is mounted on the main body 2 and closes when the mounting of the spray can is completed. The opening and closing of the cover 4 are manually performed by the user of the automatic sprayer 1. In the illustrated example, an assembly hole 401 formed in the cover 4 is inserted into a pin 201 provided on the main body 2, and the main body 2 and the cover 4 are assembled together. The cover 4 rotates with respect to the main body 2 so as to fall forward around the pin 201 of the main body 2. As described above, FIG. 1 shows the state where the cover 4 is open, and FIG. 2 shows the state where the cover 4 is closed.

[0011] In the state where the cover 4 shown in FIG. 1 is closed, the front part 2a, the left side part 2c, the right side part 2d, and the top part 2e of the main body 2 are covered by the cover 4, and the back part 2b and the bottom part 2f of the main body 2 are exposed without being covered by the cover 4. In the state where the cover 4 shown in FIG. 2 is open, the main body 2 and the cover 4 engage the engaging parts 202 and 402 with each other. In the illustrated example, the engaging parts 202 and 402 are claw-shaped elastic protrusions that engage with each other. In this case, by pushing the engaging part 402 of the cover 4 downward, the engagement with the engaging part 202 of the main body 2 is released, and the cover 4 can be rotated with respect to the main body 2. However, the form of the engaging parts 202 and 402 is not limited to the illustrated example and can be any form.

[0012] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the cover 4 has a spray window 403 that faces the spray port of the nozzle part of the spray can mounted on the mounting unit 204 of the main body 12 described later to the outside in the state where the cover 4 is closed, and a display window 404 that faces the display part 83 of the control unit 208 described later to the outside.

[0013] The automatic sprayer 1 is used with the cover 4 closed after the spray can is mounted with the cover 4 open. For example, the automatic sprayer 1 is used when the main body 2 is placed on a flat surface such as a shelf, a desk, a floor surface, a predetermined installation base, or the like, or when it is attached to a wall surface or the like. The main body 2 is formed with wall mounting holes 203 (see FIG. 3) for attaching the automatic sprayer 1 to a wall surface or the like. For example, by hooking the wall mounting holes 203 on screws fixed to a wall surface or the like, the automatic sprayer 1 is attached to the wall surface.

[0014] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the main body 2 mainly includes a mounting unit 204, a support unit 205, a nozzle operation unit 206, a drive unit 207, and a control unit 208.

[0015] The mounting unit 204 is a part of the main body 2 where the spray can is mounted. The mounting unit 204 is provided with a plurality of mounting parts so that each of a plurality of spray cans with different forms can be mounted. In the present embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the mounting unit 204 includes a first mounting part 41 and a second mounting part 42 on which spray cans with different forms are mounted.

[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram schematically showing the first mounting part 41 from the front. FIG. 5 is a diagram schematically showing the second mounting part 42 from the front. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the first mounting part 41 mounts the first spray can 91, and the second mounting part 42 mounts the second spray can 92 having a different form from the first spray can 91. The first spray can 91 and the second spray can 92 have different outer diameters of the barrel parts 911, 921 and the collar parts 912, 922 of the barrel parts 911, 921, and different positions of the nozzle parts 913, 923, for example.

[0017] In the spray cans 91 and 92, the body portions 911 and 921 correspond to the cylindrical metal containers for the liquids filled in the spray cans 91 and 92. The neck portions 912 and 922 of the body portions 911 and 921 taper to a smaller diameter at the upper end of the body portions 911 and 921 and are continuous around the entire circumference, surrounding the nozzle portions 913 and 923. The nozzle portions 913 and 923 are made of, for example, resin and have spray nozzles 914 and 924 that spray the liquids filled in the body portions 911 and 921 when the nozzle portions 913 and 923 are pressed down.

[0018] In this embodiment, as an example, the outer diameter of the body 911 of the first spray can 91 is smaller than the outer diameter of the body 921 of the second spray can 92, and the outer diameter of the neck 912 of the body 911 is smaller than the outer diameter of the neck 922 of the body 921. In the illustrated example, the body 911 of the first spray can 91 has a wavy curved portion 915 that creates a constriction, and the outer diameter of the body 911 is the maximum outer diameter dimension of the body 911. In contrast, the body 921 of the second spray can 92 is not constricted like the first spray can 91, and the outer diameter of the body 921 is substantially constant.

[0019] Furthermore, in the first spray can 91, the push position of the nozzle portion 913 is located on the central axis of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91. In contrast, the push position of the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92 is located at a position offset from the central axis of the body portion 921 of the second spray can 92. The push position is the downward position of the nozzle portion 913, as viewed from above, for spraying the liquid agent filled in the bodies 911 and 921 of the spray cans 91 and 92.

[0020] As shown in Figure 4, the first mounting portion 41 has projections (hereinafter referred to as "first projections") 411 that hook onto the neck 912 of the body 911 of the first spray can 91, in other words, onto the boundary between the neck portion of the body 911 and the rest of the body (container portion 916). The first projections 411 are arranged in pairs on both sides (left and right) in the Y direction, flanking the neck 912, and protrude toward each other, ultimately toward the first spray can 91 which is mounted on the first mounting portion 41, and hook onto the neck 912 of the first spray can 91. As shown in Figure 2, these first projections 411, when viewed from the Z direction (above), have guide projections 412 that are linearly continuous along the X direction, and fixing projections 413 that are concavely curved along the neck 912 of the first spray can 91 and are continuous in the X direction. The first spray can 91 slides along the guide projection 412 and is pushed in until it reaches the fixing projection 413, where the neck 912 catches on the fixing projection 413 and is positioned and fixed relative to the main body 2.

[0021] The first mounting portion 41 further has a support piece 414 that abuts against the outer circumferential surface of the container portion 916 of the body portion 911. The support pieces 414 are arranged in pairs facing each other on both sides (left and right) in the Y direction, sandwiching the container portion 916 of the body portion 911, and protrude toward each other, with their ends projecting toward the first spray can 91 whose neck 912 is hooked onto the fixing projection 413 of the first projection 411, and abutting against the container portion 916 of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91. In this way, the support pieces 414 support the first spray can 91 whose neck 912 is hooked onto the fixing projection 413.

[0022] As shown in Figure 5, the second mounting portion 42 has a projection (hereinafter referred to as the second projection) 421 that hooks onto the neck 922 of the body 921 of the second spray can 92, in other words, onto the boundary between the neck portion of the body 921 and the rest of the body (container portion 926). The second projection 421 is arranged continuously on both sides (left and right) in the Y direction, flanking the neck 922, and on the back side between them, protruding toward the second spray can 92 to be mounted on the second mounting portion 42, and hooking onto the lower part of the neck 922 of the spray can 92. As shown in Figure 2, the second projection 421 has a guide projection 422 that is linearly continuous along the X direction when viewed from the Z direction, and a fixing projection 423 that is concavely curved along the neck 922 of the second spray can 92 and continuous in the Y direction. The second spray can 92 slides along the guide projection 422 and is pushed in until it reaches the fixing projection 423, where the neck 922 catches on the fixing projection 423 and is positioned and fixed relative to the main body 2.

[0023] As shown in Figure 2, the fixing projection 423 of the second projection 421 is positioned behind the fixing projection 413 of the first projection 411, and the fixing projection 413 of the first projection 411 is positioned in front of the fixing projection 423 of the second projection 421. In other words, the fixing projection 413 is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the fixing projection 423, and the fixing projection 423 is positioned closer to the back of the main body 2 than the fixing projection 413. As a result, the second spray can 92, which is positioned and fixed by the fixing projection 423, is positioned further back (rear) than the first spray can 91, which is positioned and fixed by the fixing projection 413, and is mounted on the main body 2. In other words, the first spray can 91, which is positioned and fixed by the fixing projection 413, is positioned further forward (front) than the second spray can 92, which is positioned and fixed by the fixing projection 423, and is mounted on the main body 2.

[0024] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 2 has markings indicating the mounting positions of the first spray can 91 and the second spray can 92 when viewed from the front. Specifically, the markings indicate the position where the first spray can 91 is slid along the guide projection 412 and the neck cap 912 is hooked onto the fixing projection 413, and the position where the second spray can 92 is slid along the guide projection 422 and the neck cap 922 is hooked onto the fixing projection 423. In the illustrated example, a marking sticker S21 indicating these positions with arrows is affixed to the main body 2.

[0025] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, when viewed from the front of the main body 2, the mounting position of the first spray can 91 on the main body 2 is higher than the mounting position of the second spray can 92 on the main body 2. In other words, when viewed from the front of the main body 2, the mounting position of the second spray can 92 on the main body 2 is lower than the mounting position of the first spray can 91 on the main body 2. Specifically, the fixing projection 413 of the first projection 411 is positioned higher on the main body 2 than the fixing projection 423 of the second projection 421, and the fixing projection 423 is positioned lower on the main body 2 than the fixing projection 413.

[0026] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the support unit 205 supports the orientation of the spray can mounted on the mounting unit 204 relative to the mounting unit 204, and ultimately to the main body 2. The support unit 205 is attached to the front side of the main body 2, for example, with mounting screws.

[0027] The support unit 205 is equipped with multiple support parts so that it can support each of several spray cans of different shapes. In this embodiment shown in Figures 2 and 3, the mounting unit 204 is equipped with a first support part 51 that supports the posture of a first spray can 91 mounted on a first mounting part 41, and a second support part 52 that supports the posture of a second spray can 92 mounted on a second mounting part 42.

[0028] Figure 6 is an exploded perspective view that schematically shows such a support unit 205 disassembled into predetermined components. As shown in Figure 6, the support unit 205 comprises, as its main elements, a camshaft 53, a pair of clamps 54a and 54b, a pair of guide members 55a and 55b, and a lever 56.

[0029] The camshaft 53 extends linearly in the Y direction, and a pair of helical grooves 531 and 532 are formed on its outer circumference. These helical grooves are formed so that their directions of advance and retraction are opposite to each other. Of the pair of clamps 54a and 54b, one (clamp 54a) screws into one helical groove 531 of the camshaft 53, and the other (clamp 54b) screws into the other helical groove 532 of the camshaft 53. When the camshaft 53 rotates in a predetermined direction, these clamps 54a and 54b move away from each other to increase the distance between them in the Y direction (see Figure 7), and when the camshaft 53 rotates in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction, they move closer to each other to decrease the distance between them in the Y direction.

[0030] A pair of clamps 54a, 54b have bases 57a, 57b connected to the camshaft 53, and arm portions 58a, 58b extending from the bases 57a, 57b. The bases 57a, 57b are cylindrical, and the inner circumference of the cylindrical portion is provided with helical grooves (reference numerals omitted) that screw into the helical grooves 531, 532 of the camshaft 53. The arm portions 58a, 58b extend forward from the bases 57a, 57b and each have two concave surfaces 581, 582. The concave surfaces 581, 582 are curved concavely when viewed from the Z direction along the outer circumferential surface of the container portions 916, 926 of the body portions 911, 921 of the spray cans 91, 92, and extend in the X and Z directions.

[0031] One of these concave surfaces 581 and 582 (hereinafter referred to as the first concave surface 581) corresponds to the first support portion 51. In contrast, the other of these concave surfaces 581 and 582 (hereinafter referred to as the second concave surface 582) corresponds to the second support portion 52. In the illustrated example, the first concave surface 581, which is the first support portion 51, has a curvature approximately equal to that of the outer circumferential surface of the container portion 916 of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91. The second concave surface 582, which is the second support portion 52, has a curvature approximately equal to that of the outer circumferential surface of the container portion 926 of the body portion 921 of the second spray can 92. Therefore, the curvature of the first concave surface 581 is greater than the curvature of the second concave surface 582. In other words, the curvature of the second concave surface 582 is smaller than the curvature of the first concave surface 581.

[0032] Specifically, the first support portion 51 supports the posture of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting portion 41 by sandwiching the container portion 916 of the body portion 911 between the first concave curved surfaces 581 of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b from both sides in the Y direction. The second support portion 52 supports the posture of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting portion 42 by sandwiching the container portion 926 of the body portion 921 between the second concave curved surfaces 582 of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b from both sides in the Y direction.

[0033] The first concave curved surface 581 of each of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b contacts the container portion 916 of the body 911 of the first spray can 91 and clamps the container portion 916 when the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b in the Y direction is narrowed to the minimum. The second concave curved surface 582 of each of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b contacts the container portion 926 of the body 921 of the second spray can 92 and clamps the container portion 926 when the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b in the Y direction is narrowed to the minimum. The state in which the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b in the Y direction is narrowed to the minimum is the state in which the tip 56a of the lever 56, which will be described later, is facing upward.

[0034] In the illustrated example, a non-slip rubber sheet 59 is embedded in the first concave curved surface 581. The rubber sheet 59 is curved with a curvature approximately equal to that of the outer circumferential surface of the container portion 916 of the body 911 of the first spray can 91, and when embedded in the first concave curved surface 581, it conforms almost to the first concave curved surface 581. This makes it possible to stabilize the position of the container portion 916 when it is sandwiched between the first concave curved surfaces 581 of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b. In this embodiment, as an example, the rubber sheet 59 is embedded in this way because the outer diameter of the body 911 of the first spray can 91 is smaller than the outer diameter of the body 921 of the second spray can 92. However, a rubber sheet for anti-slip purposes may be similarly embedded in the second concave surface 582, in addition to or instead of the first concave surface 581.

[0035] The pair of arm portions 58a and 58b are positioned on the camshaft 53 such that their respective first concave curved surface 581 and second concave curved surface 582 face each other. In the main body 2, the first concave curved surface 581 is positioned in front of the second concave curved surface 582. That is, the first concave curved surface 581 is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second concave curved surface 582, and the second concave curved surface 582 is positioned closer to the back of the main body 2 than the first concave curved surface 581. As a result, the orientation of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting portion 41 is supported by the first support portion 51 in front (to the front) of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting portion 42. In other words, the orientation of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting part 42 is supported by the second support part 52 at a rearward (rearward) side compared to the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting part 41.

[0036] The pair of guide members 55a and 55b are assembled together to guide the rotation of the camshaft 53 and also guide the opening and closing of the pair of clamps 54a and 54b. These guide members 55a and 55b are assembled and integrated together, for example, with mounting screws.

[0037] The lever 56 is attached to the camshaft 53, and by operating the lever 56, the camshaft 53 is rotated relative to a pair of guide members 55a and 55b. For example, as shown in Figure 6, by operating the lever 56 to tilt it forward (down) from a state where the tip 56a of the lever 56 is pointing upward (the state shown in Figures 2 and 3), the camshaft 53 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the pair of clamps 54a and 54b move away from each other so as to increase the distance between them in the Y direction. Figure 7 shows the lever 56 tilted to its maximum extent forward, with the tip 56a of the lever 56 pointing downward, in which case the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b in the Y direction is maximized.

[0038] In contrast, by operating the lever 56 backward (raising it), the camshaft 53 rotates in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction, and the pair of clamps 54a and 54b move closer to each other, reducing the distance between them in the Y direction. When the tip 56a of the lever 56 is pointing upward (as shown in Figures 2 and 3), the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b in the Y direction is reduced to the minimum. The lever 56 is attached to the camshaft 53, for example, with mounting screws.

[0039] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the main body 2 indicates the operating direction of the lever 56. In the illustrated example, a sticker S22 indicating the operating direction of the lever 56 with an arrow is attached to the main body 2. When the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "open," the camshaft 53 rotates in a predetermined direction, and the pair of clamps 54a and 54b move away from each other, increasing the distance between them in the Y direction. When the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "close," the camshaft 53 rotates in the opposite direction to the predetermined direction, and the pair of clamps 54a and 54b move closer to each other, decreasing the distance between them in the Y direction.

[0040] When attaching the first spray can 91 to the first mounting section 41, the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "open" to widen the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b, and the neck 912 of the first spray can 91 is hooked onto the first projection 411. After attaching the first spray can 91 to the main body 2 in this way, the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "close" to narrow the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b. As a result, the container portion 916 of the first spray can 91 is sandwiched between the first concave curved surfaces 581 of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b, and the mounting position on the main body 2 is supported (as shown in Figures 9 and 11, which will be described later).

[0041] When attaching the second spray can 92 to the second mounting section 42, the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "open" to widen the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b, and the neck 922 of the second spray can 92 is hooked onto the second projection 421. After attaching the second spray can 92 to the main body 2 in this way, the lever 56 is operated in the direction of the arrow indicated by "close" to narrow the distance between the pair of clamps 54a and 54b. As a result, the container portion 926 of the second spray can 92 is sandwiched between the second concave curved surfaces 582 of the pair of arm portions 58a and 58b, and the mounting position on the main body 2 is supported (as shown in Figures 13 and 15, which will be described later).

[0042] The nozzle operation unit 206 operates the nozzle portion of a spray can mounted on the mounting unit 204 to spray liquid from the spray can. The nozzle operation unit 206 is equipped with multiple nozzle operation sections for spraying liquid from each of a plurality of spray cans of different shapes. In this embodiment, the nozzle operation unit 206 is equipped with a nozzle operation section (hereinafter referred to as the first nozzle operation section) for operating the nozzle portion 913 of a first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting section 41 to spray liquid from the first spray can 91, and a nozzle operation section (hereinafter referred to as the second nozzle operation section) for operating the nozzle portion 923 of a second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting section 42 to spray liquid from the second spray can 92.

[0043] As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 8, such a nozzle operating unit 206 is configured as a slider 60 that moves up and down in the Z direction (up and down) within the main body 2. Figure 8 is a schematic perspective view showing the slider 60, which is the nozzle operating unit 206.

[0044] Figure 9 is a schematic front view showing the slider 60 at the upper limit of its lifting range when the first spray can 91 is mounted on the first mounting part 41. Figure 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic sprayer 1 from the direction of the arrow at the location indicated by arrow A9 in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a schematic front view showing the slider 60 at the lower limit of its lifting range when the first spray can 91 is mounted on the first mounting part 41. Figure 12 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic sprayer 1 from the direction of the arrow at the location indicated by arrow A11 in Figure 11. For convenience, Figures 9 and 11 show the state without the cover 4. The upper limit of the lifting range of the slider 60 is the position (height) in the Z direction where the slider 60 stops and begins to descend, i.e., the initial position. The lower limit of the slider 60's range of motion is the position (height) in the Z direction where the descending slider 60 stops briefly and then begins to rise (turns upward).

[0045] Figure 13 is a schematic front view showing the slider 60 at the upper limit of its lifting range when the second spray can 92 is mounted on the second mounting part 42. Figure 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic sprayer 1 from the direction of the arrow at the location indicated by arrow A13 in Figure 13. Figure 15 is a schematic front view showing the slider 60 at the lower limit of its lifting range when the first spray can 91 is mounted on the second mounting part 42. Figure 16 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the automatic sprayer 1 from the direction of the arrow at the location indicated by arrow A15 in Figure 15. For convenience, Figures 13 and 15 show the device with the cover 4 omitted.

[0046] As shown in Figures 8 to 15, the slider 60 has as its main elements a first nozzle operating section 61, a second nozzle operating section 62, and a guide groove 63 that is linearly continuous in the Z direction for a predetermined length. On the main body 2, a guide 209 (see Figures 2 and 3) that engages with the guide groove 63 is provided above the mounting unit 204, linearly continuous in the Z direction for a predetermined length. The slider 60 is driven by a drive unit, which will be described later, and moves up and down in the Z direction (up and down) guided by the guide 209 that engages with the guide groove 63. As the slider 60 moves up and down, the first nozzle operating section 61 and the second nozzle operating section 62 also move up and down in the Z direction (up and down).

[0047] The vertical range of the slider 60, that is, the distance over which the first nozzle operating section 61 and the second nozzle operating section 62 can move up and down, is set to a length that allows the first nozzle operating section 61 to operate the nozzle section 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting section 41, thereby spraying liquid from the first spray can 91, and allows the second nozzle operating section 62 to operate the nozzle section 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting section 42, thereby spraying liquid from the second spray can 92. The predetermined length of the guide 209 is sufficient to ensure the above vertical distance.

[0048] When the slider 60 is at the upper limit of its lifting range, the first nozzle operating part 61 does not come into contact with the nozzle part 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting part 41, and the second nozzle operating part 62 does not come into contact with the nozzle part 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting part 42. As the slider 60 descends from its initial position and reaches the lower limit of its lifting range, the first nozzle operating part 61 comes into contact with the nozzle part 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting part 41, and the second nozzle operating part 62 comes into contact with the nozzle part 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting part 42.

[0049] When the slider 60 is at the lower limit of its lifting range, the first nozzle operating unit 61 lowers to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting unit 41, and the second nozzle operating unit 62 lowers to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting unit 42. The pressed positions of the nozzle portions 913 and 923 of the spray cans 91 and 92 are the positions (heights) in the Z direction of the nozzle portions 913 and 923 that have been pushed down to the point where liquid is sprayed from the spray cans 91 and 92.

[0050] The first nozzle operating section 61 contacts the nozzle section 913 of the first spray can 91 and pushes down the nozzle section 913. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 9 to 12, the slider 60 has a downward-hanging pressing piece (hereinafter referred to as the first pressing piece) 601. The first pressing piece 601 corresponds to the first nozzle operating section 61.

[0051] The first pressing pieces 601 are arranged in pairs in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction. When viewed from the Z direction, these first pressing pieces 601 are curved in a concave shape so as to overlap with the base portion 918 of the push button 917 of the nozzle portion 913 and are continuous in the X direction. In the nozzle portion 913, the push button 917 is a substantially cylindrical part having a spray port 914 for spraying the liquid agent filled in the first spray can 91. The base portion 918 is a part that is continuous in a flange shape around the entire circumference of the lower end of the push button 917.

[0052] As the slider 60 descends from its initial position and reaches its lower limit position, the first pressing piece 601 comes into contact with the nozzle portion 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting portion 41, specifically with the base portion 918 of the push button 917 of the nozzle portion 913. From this state until the slider 60 reaches its lower limit position, the first pressing piece 601 pushes down the base portion 918 of the push button 917 to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 913 (as shown in Figures 11 and 12). As a result, liquid is sprayed from the first spray can 91.

[0053] Then, the slider 60 rises to its upper limit position, and during this time, the first pressing piece 601 separates from the base 918 of the push button 917 that it was in contact with (as shown in Figures 9 and 10). When the first pressing piece 601 separates from the base 918 of the push button 917, the spraying of the liquid from the first spray can 91 ends.

[0054] The second nozzle operating section 62 contacts the nozzle section 923 of the second spray can 92 and pushes down the nozzle section 923. As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 13 to 16, the slider 60 has a separate pressing piece (hereinafter referred to as the second pressing piece) 602, in addition to the first pressing piece 601 that hangs downward. The second pressing piece 602 corresponds to the second nozzle operating section 62.

[0055] The second pressing pieces 602 are arranged in pairs in the Y direction when viewed from the Z direction. These second pressing pieces 602 are linearly continuous in the X direction so as to overlap with the push button 927 of the nozzle portion 923 when viewed from the Z direction. In the nozzle portion 923, the push button 927 is a roughly rectangular cylindrical portion having a spray port 924 for spraying the liquid agent filled in the second spray can 92.

[0056] As the slider 60 descends from its initial position to its lower limit position, the second pressing piece 602 comes into contact with the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting portion 42, specifically with the push button 927 of the nozzle portion 923. From this state until the slider 60 reaches its lower limit position, the second pressing piece 602 pushes the contacted push button 927 down to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 923 (as shown in Figures 15 and 16). As a result, liquid is sprayed from the second spray can 92.

[0057] Then, the slider 60 rises to its upper limit position, and during this time, the second pressing piece 602 separates from the push button 927 it was in contact with (as shown in Figures 13 and 14). When the second pressing piece 602 separates from the push button 927, the spraying of the liquid from the second spray can 92 ends.

[0058] As shown in Figures 10 and 14, the second nozzle operating section 62, which is the second pressing piece 602, is positioned behind the first nozzle operating section 61, which is the first pressing piece 601. That is, the first pressing piece 601 is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second pressing piece 602, and the second pressing piece 602 is positioned closer to the rear of the main body 2 than the first pressing piece 601.

[0059] As a result, the first pressing piece 601 is able to push down the base portion 918 of the push button 917 to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 913 of the first spray can 91, which is mounted closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second spray can 92. Similarly, the second pressing piece 602 is able to push down the push button 927 to the pressed position of the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92, which is mounted closer to the rear of the main body 2 than the first spray can 91. As mentioned above, the pushed position of the nozzle portion 913 is located on the central axis of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91, while the pushed position of the nozzle portion 923 is located off-center from the central axis of the body portion 921 of the second spray can 92.

[0060] As shown in Figures 9, 10, 13, and 14, when viewed from the front and the side (Y direction), the tip of the first pressing piece 601, which is the first nozzle operating part 61 (the part that presses the nozzle part 913 of the first spray can 91), is positioned above the tip of the second pressing piece 602, which is the second nozzle operating part 62 (the part that presses the nozzle part 923 of the second spray can 92). In other words, when viewed from the front and the side (Y direction) of the main body 2, the tip of the second pressing piece 602, which is the second nozzle operating part 62 (the part that presses the nozzle part 923 of the second spray can 92), is positioned below the tip of the first pressing piece 601, which is the first nozzle operating part 61 (the part that presses the nozzle part 913 of the first spray can 91). In other words, the tip of the first pressing piece 601 is positioned above the tip of the second pressing piece 602 on the main body 2, and the tip of the second pressing piece 602 is positioned below the tip of the first pressing piece 601 on the main body 2.

[0061] When the first spray can 91 is mounted on the first mounting portion 41, at any position within the vertical range of the slider 60, i.e., from the upper limit position to the lower limit position, the slider 60 will not have any part of the slider 60 other than the first pressing piece 601 (including the second pressing piece 602) in contact with the nozzle portion 913 of the first spray can 91. When the second spray can 92 is mounted on the second mounting portion 42, at any position within the vertical range of the slider 60 (from the upper limit position to the lower limit position), the slider 60 will not have any part of the slider 60 other than the second pressing piece 602 (including the first pressing piece 601) in contact with the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92.

[0062] The drive unit 207 drives the nozzle operating unit 206. Specifically, the drive unit 207 applies driving force to the slider 60, causing the slider 60 to move up and down in the Z direction (up and down). The drive unit 207 is attached to the back side of the main body 2, for example, with mounting screws. As shown in Figure 3, the drive unit 207 is powered by a predetermined power source, which in this example is a battery installed in a battery box 210. The drive unit 207 and the battery box 210 are electrically connected via a connecting cable 71.

[0063] The drive unit 207 comprises, as its main components, a motor 72 and a plurality of gears 73. The motor 72 is held in a motor holder 74 and mounted on a base plate 75. The plurality of gears 73 include various gears such as drive gears, idler gears, and pinion gears, and these gears are mounted on shafts provided on the base plate 75. The base plate 75, to which the motor 72 and the plurality of gears 73 are mounted, is assembled to the main body 2, for example, with assembly screws. The base plate 75 attached to the main body 2 is closed off by a back cover 211, which is assembled to the main body 2, for example, with assembly screws.

[0064] For example, when the motor 72 rotates, its rotation is reduced by multiple gears 73 and converted into linear motion by the cam groove 64 (see Figure 8) of the slider 60, which meshes with the shaft 76 of the drive gear. The driving force generated by this conversion causes the slider 60 to move up and down.

[0065] The control unit 208 controls the operation of the drive unit 207. The control unit 208 is constructed by mounting various electronic components for controlling the operation of the drive unit 207 onto a circuit board, and then housing the circuit board in a circuit board holder. The electronic components include a microchip, memory, input / output elements, timer elements, operation switches, and displays. The control unit 208 is attached to the right side of the main body 2, as viewed from the front, for example, using mounting screws.

[0066] The control unit 208 operates using a predetermined power source, which in the illustrated example is a battery installed in the battery box 210. The control unit 208 and the battery box 210 are electrically connected via a connecting cable (not shown). The control unit 208 can also operate using a maintenance button battery installed on the circuit board as a power source, and can retain settings such as the schedule described later, even if the battery box 210 is removed or the battery in the battery box 210 runs out. When the battery level of the battery box 210 becomes low, this is indicated on the display of the control unit 208.

[0067] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the control unit 208 is equipped with an operation panel 81, such as a sheet, for operating electronic components to set the operation of the drive unit 207, in other words, for inputting the setting content. The operation panel 81 has a plurality of button sections 82 for inputting the operation settings of the drive unit 207, and a display section 83 for visually confirming the display content of the display that shows the content entered by these button sections 82. By operating the operation panel 81, a schedule (reservation information) such as the day of the week, time, and number of times to spray liquid from a spray can is set as the operation of the drive unit 207. The contents of the set schedule are displayed on the display and can be confirmed from the display section 83. The control unit 208 is capable of setting and managing multiple schedules, for example, up to eight. In normal operation after the operation settings of the drive unit 207 are completed, the display shows, for example, the current time, the cumulative number of times liquid has been sprayed since it was reset to zero, etc.

[0068] In the example shown in Figure 2, pressing the display switching button 82a switches between displaying the contents of a newly set schedule and displaying the contents of an already set schedule to be changed. Pressing the change button 82c changes the day of the week, time, and number of times the liquid agent is sprayed from the spray can corresponding to the schedule. The changes are confirmed on the display unit 83, and if there are no discrepancies, pressing the set button 82b sets or modifies the contents.

[0069] Furthermore, by pressing and holding the test-firing button 82d, the drive unit 207 is activated, and liquid is sprayed once from the spray can attached to the main unit 2. By pressing the counter reset button 82e, the cumulative number of liquid sprays in the current schedule is reset to zero. These test-firing button 82d and counter reset button 82e are used when replacing the spray can. In this embodiment, when replacing the spray can, it is either when replacing the current first spray can 91 with a new spray can 91, when replacing the current second spray can 92 with a new spray can 92, when replacing the first spray can 91 with the second spray can 92, or when replacing the second spray can 92 with the first spray can 91.

[0070] As described above, the automatic sprayer 1 according to this embodiment includes a mounting unit 204 equipped with multiple mounting parts, a first mounting part 41 and a second mounting part 42, so that each of the spray cans with different shapes can be mounted. The first mounting part 41 can be fitted with the first spray can 91. The second mounting part 42 can be fitted with the second spray can 92. Therefore, the first spray can 91 and the second spray can 92, which have different shapes, can be swapped and mounted as appropriate.

[0071] The nozzle operation unit 206 includes a first nozzle operation unit 61 and a second nozzle operation unit 62, which are multiple nozzle operation units for spraying liquid from each of a plurality of spray cans of different shapes. The first nozzle operation unit 61 operates the nozzle 913 of the first spray can 91 mounted on the first mounting unit 41 to spray liquid from the first spray can 91. The second nozzle operation unit 62 operates the nozzle 923 of the second spray can 92 mounted on the second mounting unit 42 to spray liquid from the second spray can 92. These nozzle operation units 61 and 62 are operated by a drive unit 207 controlled by a control unit 208 to automatically spray liquid from the spray cans 91 and 92 according to a set schedule.

[0072] Therefore, the first spray can 91 and the second spray can 92, which have different shapes, can be swapped and attached as appropriate, and the liquid filled in the attached first spray can 91 or second spray can 92 can be automatically sprayed according to a set schedule. In other words, even if the spray can attached is swapped between the first spray can 91 and the second spray can 92 as appropriate depending on the use and effect of the liquid, the liquid can be automatically sprayed from the swapped spray can according to the set schedule.

[0073] In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91 is smaller than the outer diameter of the body portion 921 of the second spray can 92, and the outer diameter of the neck portion 912 of the body portion 911 is smaller than the outer diameter of the neck portion 922 of the body portion 921. Furthermore, the push position of the nozzle portion 913 of the first spray can 91 lies on the central axis of the body portion 911 of the first spray can 91, and the push position of the nozzle portion 923 of the second spray can 92 lies at a position offset from the central axis of the body portion 921 of the second spray can 92.

[0074] Therefore, according to the automatic sprayer 1 of this embodiment, any spray can 91 or 92 with different outer diameters of the body 911, 921 and neck 912, 922 can be attached, and liquid can be automatically sprayed from the attached spray can 91 or 92 according to a desired schedule. In addition, any spray can 91 or 92 with different push positions of the nozzle 913 or 923 can be attached, and liquid can be automatically sprayed from the attached spray can 91 or 92 according to a desired schedule.

[0075] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, these embodiments are presented as examples only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The novel embodiments described above can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their variations are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as in the claims of the invention and its equivalents. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0076] 1...Automatic sprayer, 2...Main body, 4...Cover, 41...First mounting part, 42...Second mounting part, 51...First support part, 52...Second support part, 53...Camshaft, 54a, 54b...Clamp, 55a, 55b...Guide member, 56...Lever, 57a, 57b...Base, 58a, 58b...Arm part, 59...Rubber sheet, 60...Slider, 61...First nozzle operating part, 62...Second nozzle operating part, 81...Operation panel, 82...Button part, 83...Display part, 91...First spray can, 92...Second spray can, 204...Mounting unit, 205...Support unit, 206...Nozzle operating unit, 2 07...Drive unit, 208...Control unit, 210...Battery box, 411...First projection, 412...Guide projection, 413...Fixing projection, 414...Support piece, 421...Second projection, 422...Guide projection, 423...Fixing projection, 581...Concave curved surface (first concave curved surface), 582...Concave curved surface (second concave curved surface), 601...Pressing piece (first pressing piece), 602...Pressing piece (second pressing piece), 911, 921...Body section, 912, 922...Neck fitting of body section, 913, 923...Nozzle section, 914, 924...Spray nozzle, 915...Bent section, 916, 926...Container section, 917, 927...Push button, 918...Bottom section.

Claims

1. An automatic sprayer equipped with a spray can filled with a liquid, wherein the spray can's nozzle is operated to spray the liquid, The main body comprises the spray can to which the spray can is attached, The main body comprises a mounting unit having multiple mounting parts to which each of the multiple spray cans of different shapes is attached, A support unit comprising a plurality of support parts that support the posture of the spray cans attached to each of the plurality of mounting parts, A nozzle operation unit comprising a plurality of nozzle operation units for operating the nozzle portion of the spray can attached to each of the plurality of mounting units to spray the liquid from the spray can, A drive unit that drives the nozzle operating unit, The drive unit is characterized by having a control unit that controls the operation of the drive unit. Automatic sprayer.

2. The mounting unit comprises a first mounting section on which a first spray can, which is one of the two spray cans of different shapes, is mounted, and a second mounting section on which a second spray can, which is the other of the two spray cans of different shapes, is mounted. The first mounting portion has a first projection that hooks onto the neck of the first spray can, which is positioned around the nozzle portion of the first spray can that is mounted on the first mounting portion. The second mounting portion has a second projection that hooks onto the neck of the second spray can, which is positioned around the nozzle portion of the second spray can that is mounted on the second mounting portion. The automatic sprayer according to feature 1.

3. The first projection is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second projection, and in the vertical direction, the first projection is positioned above the second projection. The automatic sprayer according to feature 2.

4. The support unit comprises a first support portion that supports the posture of the first spray can mounted on the first mounting portion, and a second support portion that supports the posture of the second spray can mounted on the second mounting portion. The first support portion has a first concave curved surface having the same curvature as the outer circumferential surface of the body of the first spray can mounted on the first mounting portion. The second support portion has a second concave curved surface having the same curvature as the outer surface of the body of the second spray can mounted on the second mounting portion. The automatic sprayer according to feature 2.

5. The curvature of the first concave surface is greater than the curvature of the second concave surface. The automatic sprayer according to feature 4.

6. The first concave surface is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second concave surface. The automatic sprayer according to feature 4.

7. The nozzle operating unit includes a first nozzle operating unit for operating the nozzle portion of the first spray can mounted on the first mounting portion to spray the liquid from the first spray can, and a second nozzle operating unit for operating the nozzle portion of the second spray can mounted on the second mounting portion to spray the liquid from the second spray can. The first nozzle operating section has a first pressing piece that contacts the nozzle portion of the first spray can and pushes down the nozzle portion. The second nozzle operating section has a second pressing piece that contacts the nozzle portion of the second spray can and pushes the nozzle portion downward. The automatic sprayer according to feature 2.

8. The first pressing piece is positioned closer to the front of the main body 2 than the second pressing piece, and in the vertical direction, the portion of the first pressing piece that contacts the nozzle portion of the first spray can mounted on the first mounting portion is positioned higher than the portion of the second pressing piece that contacts the nozzle portion of the second spray can mounted on the second mounting portion. The automatic sprayer according to feature 7.

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