Liquid ejector

Abstract

To provide a liquid sprayer that is configured so that a pipe that can be folded back is arranged at a gripping part that a user grips, which can be easily used even in a state where the pipe is folded back.SOLUTION: A liquid sprayer 1 comprises an operation switch 24 that operates a pump 21, and a folding-back mechanism 40 that can switch a pipe 30 between a stretched-state where the pipe is stretched and a folded-state. The pipe 30 in the folded-state is arranged so as not to overlap with the operation switch 24.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

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[0001] The present invention relates to a liquid injector for injecting various liquids.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a handy type of liquid injector that can be held and used by a user for injecting various liquids is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). The liquid injector of Patent Document 1 includes a pump for sending liquid, a motor for driving the pump, and a housing for housing these. The housing is formed in an elongated shape so that it can be held by hand by the user, and a trigger button that can be pushed is provided on its outer peripheral surface. Further, an elongated tube made of a hard resin or the like is foldably connected to the tip of the housing, and a nozzle is provided at the tip of the tube. When in use, after extending the tube, when the user presses the trigger button, the motor rotates and the pump operates, whereby the liquid is sent into the tube and ejected from the nozzle.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in the liquid injector of Patent Document 1, since the tube is foldable, when in use, the tube can be extended to eject the liquid far away, and when not in use, the tube can be folded and stored, so that the length of the liquid injector can be shortened.

[0005] However, when the tube is folded, it is positioned so as to overlap with the trigger switch, making it difficult to operate the trigger switch while the tube is folded. For example, when spraying liquid at a short distance, a long tube is not necessary, and it is conceivable that one would want to use the device with the tube folded as described above. However, in Patent Document 1, the presence of the folded tube makes it difficult to operate the trigger switch, so it is not possible to use the device with the tube folded. Moreover, the liquid sprayer in Patent Document 1 is not designed to be used with the tube folded.

[0006] The present invention has been made in view of the above, and its purpose is to enable easy use of a liquid sprayer even when the tube is folded, when the tube is provided on the gripping part that the user holds. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To achieve the above objective, the present invention ensures that the folded tube does not overlap with the operating switch.

[0008] The first invention is a liquid sprayer comprising a gripping part for a user to grasp and a tube from which liquid is sprayed, characterized in that it comprises a pump for drawing liquid from the outside and discharging it into the tube, an operating switch provided on the gripping part for operating the pump, and a folding mechanism that allows switching between an extended state in which the tube is extended so that the tip is away from the gripping part and a folded state in which the tube is folded so that the tip is closer to the gripping part than when it is in the extended state, and positions the tube in the folded state in a position that does not overlap with the operating switch.

[0009] This configuration allows for the spraying of liquid over a distance by extending the tube and moving its tip away from the grip. Conversely, folding the tube shortens the overall length of the liquid sprayer, making it easier to store. Also, folding the tube brings its tip closer to the grip, allowing for the spraying of liquid closer to the target. When the tube is folded, it is positioned so as not to overlap with the operating switch, preventing it from interfering with the operation of the switch. This results in improved operability of the operating switch.

[0010] The second invention is characterized in that the gripping portion is provided with a pipe housing portion that accommodates the longitudinal middle portion of the pipe in a folded state, located in a portion of the outer surface of the gripping portion that is circumferentially separated from the operating switch.

[0011] With this configuration, the longitudinal middle portion of the folded tube is housed in the gripping section, making it easier to store the liquid sprayer compared to when the tube protrudes outside the gripping section, and also making it easier to grip the gripping section when using the liquid sprayer in the folded state.

[0012] The third invention is characterized in that the gripping portion is composed of a housing member that houses the pump, and the pipe housing portion is open to the outer circumferential surface of the housing member.

[0013] With this configuration, when folding the pipe, the pipe housing portion of the housing member opens onto the outer surface of the housing member, so the longitudinal middle portion of the pipe can be easily housed in the pipe housing portion.

[0014] The fourth invention is characterized in that the pipe comprises an outer pipe member made of a hard resin material and a flexible tube provided inside the outer pipe member, a liquid is supplied to the tube by the pump, and the folding mechanism comprises a base-side connecting shaft that rotatably connects the base end of the outer pipe member to the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the housing member, and the outer pipe member is rotated by the base-side connecting shaft to switch between the extended state and the folded state.

[0015] With this configuration, the outer tube member can be made rotatable by a connecting shaft at the base end, allowing the tube to be easily switched between an extended and folded state. In this case, since a flexible tube through which liquid flows is provided inside the outer tube member, the liquid can be delivered to the tip of the tube without hindering the rotational movement of the outer tube member.

[0016] The fifth invention is characterized in that the pipe housing and the operating switch are provided on opposite sides of the housing member in the radial direction, and the folding mechanism includes a stopper portion that prevents the outer pipe member from rotating toward the operating switch.

[0017] With this configuration, when the user attempts to rotate the outer tube member toward the operating switch, the stopper prevents the rotation of the outer tube member, thus preventing the outer tube member from accidentally rotating toward the operating switch.

[0018] The sixth invention is characterized in that the outer tube member comprises a first outer tube member and a second outer tube member arranged to be aligned in the longitudinal direction of the tube in the extended state, the base end connecting shaft rotatably connects the first outer tube member to the vicinity of the longitudinal end of the housing member, and the folding mechanism comprises an intermediate connecting shaft extending in the same direction as the base end connecting shaft and rotatably connecting the tip of the first outer tube member to the base end of the second outer tube member, and the second outer tube member is rotated relative to the first outer tube member by the intermediate connecting shaft to switch between the extended state and the folded state.

[0019] According to this configuration, since the first outer tube member and the second outer tube member can be folded, even when the tube is long, it can be shortened when the liquid injector is stored by folding it in the middle of the tube.

[0020] The seventh invention is characterized in that the longitudinal intermediate portion of the first outer tube member and the longitudinal intermediate portion of the second outer tube member in the folded state are accommodated in the tube accommodating portion.

[0021] According to this configuration, since the first outer tube member and the second outer tube member can be accommodated in the tube accommodating portion, even when the tube is long, the tube can be prevented from getting in the way.

Effect of the Invention

[0022] According to the present invention, since the folded tube does not overlap with the operation switch, the operability of the operation switch does not deteriorate even when the tube is in the folded state, and the liquid injector can be easily used.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0023] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view seen from above showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector according to the embodiment of the present invention is extended. [Figure 2] It is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is folded. [Figure 3] It is a perspective view seen from below showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is extended. [Figure 4] It is a view corresponding to FIG. 3 showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is folded. [Figure 5] It is a side view showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is extended. [Figure 6] It is a view corresponding to FIG. 5 showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is folded. [Figure 7] It is a cross-sectional view along the longitudinal direction showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector is extended. [Figure 8]This is a diagram equivalent to Figure 7, showing the case where the tube of the liquid injector described above is folded. [Figure 9] This is a cross-sectional view along the line IX-IX in Figure 6. [Figure 10] This is a cross-sectional view along line XX in Figure 6. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0024] Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The following description of preferred embodiments is essentially illustrative and is not intended to limit the present invention, its applications, or its uses.

[0025] Figure 1 is a perspective view showing the pipe 30 of the liquid sprayer 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention extended, and Figure 2 is a perspective view showing the pipe 30 of the liquid sprayer 1 folded. The liquid sprayer 1 comprises a main body 10 and a foldable pipe 30, and is configured to draw liquid contained in an external container 100 into the main body 10 via a pipe 101, and to spray the liquid drawn into the main body 10 from the tip of the pipe 30. The container 100 can be of any type, and may be a portable container that can be carried by the user of the liquid sprayer 1, or a fixed container. The liquid contained in the container 100 may be a chemical such as a herbicide, insecticide, pest repellent, disinfectant, or antibacterial agent, or it may be water, and is not particularly limited. A liquid mixture of multiple types of liquids can also be sprayed by the liquid sprayer 1. Furthermore, the liquid can be sprayed by the liquid injector 1 onto, for example, grass, trees, crops, the ground, floors, walls, ceilings, spaces, rooms, furniture, etc., but is not limited to these. The length of the piping 101 can also be set as appropriate. The piping 101 is made of a flexible material. The liquid injector 1 may include a container 100 and piping 101, or it may not include a container 100 and piping 101. The container 100 may be integrated with the liquid injector 1, in which case the liquid injector 1 can be equipped with a tank.

[0026] In this description of the embodiment, the base end and tip end of the main body 10 of the liquid injector 1 are defined as shown in each figure. The upper and lower sides of the main body 10 are also defined as shown in each figure. Furthermore, the side that is to the left from the user's perspective during use is defined as left, and the side that is to the right is defined as right. This is defined solely for the sake of explanation and does not limit the actual orientation during use or storage. During use, the top and bottom or left and right may be reversed. The orientation of the liquid injector 1 during use can be arbitrarily determined by the user.

[0027] (Configuration of the main body 10) As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the main body 10 comprises a housing member 11 which serves as a gripping portion for the user to hold, and a liquid supply portion 20 housed within the housing member 11. The housing member 11 is cylindrical in shape and elongated in a predetermined direction, and is made of, for example, a hard resin material. The housing member 11 can be composed of multiple components, and by attaching or detaching some of the components, for example, the internal battery 23 can be replaced.

[0028] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, the portion of the housing member 11 from near the longitudinal center to near the base end is a small-diameter portion 11a, which has a smaller diameter than the portion from near the longitudinal center to near the tip. The small-diameter portion 11a is the part that the user grips during normal use. As shown in Figure 10, the small-diameter portion 11a has a cross-sectional shape that is long in the vertical direction. Also, as shown in Figures 1 and 5, the portion of the housing member 11 from near the longitudinal center to near the tip is a large-diameter portion 11b. This large-diameter portion 11b may be a part that the user does not grip, but the user may grip the large-diameter portion 11b when using it. Also, when the user grips the small-diameter portion 11a, the thumb can be positioned to rest on the large-diameter portion 11b. As shown in Figure 9, the large-diameter portion 11b has a cross-sectional shape that is long in the vertical direction.

[0029] As shown in Figures 1 and 5, a bulge 11c is provided at the boundary between the small-diameter portion 11a and the large-diameter portion 11b, which is formed to bulge radially outward (upward) from the housing member 11. The user can also place their thumb on the bulge 11c when gripping the small-diameter portion 11a. Furthermore, the formation of the bulge 11c prevents the hand holding the small-diameter portion 11a from slipping towards the large-diameter portion 11b.

[0030] A switch mounting section 11d, which will be described later, is provided on the upper part of the outer circumferential surface of the large-diameter section 11b. The switch mounting section 11d is located near the bulging section 11c. This allows the user to place, for example, the tip of their thumb on the switch mounting section 11d while gripping the small-diameter section 11a. In other words, the position of the switch mounting section 11d is set so that the thumb of the hand gripping the small-diameter section 11a can reach it.

[0031] As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the housing member 11 contains a liquid supply unit 20. The liquid supply unit 20 includes a pump 21, a motor 22 that drives the pump 21, a battery 23 that supplies power to the motor 22, an operating switch 24, and a suction tube 25. The pump 21 is configured to pump liquid under pressure and, when driven by the motor 22, can pump liquid at a predetermined pressure. The motor 22 rotates using power supplied from the battery 23. The output shaft (not shown) of the motor 22 is connected to the pump 21.

[0032] An electrical circuit is configured including a motor 22, a battery 23, and an operating switch 24. When the operating switch 24 is turned ON, the electrical circuit is closed and power is supplied to the motor 22. When the operating switch 24 is turned OFF, the electrical circuit is opened and power is no longer supplied to the motor 22. This electrical circuit is just an example, and any circuit configuration is possible.

[0033] The outer diameters of the pump 21 and motor 22 are larger than the outer diameters of the batteries 23. Furthermore, multiple batteries 23 are connected in series along their longitudinal direction, and the longitudinal dimension of the connected batteries 23 is longer than the longitudinal dimension of the pump 21 and motor 22. In this embodiment, two batteries 23 are used, with the positive terminal of one directly connected to the negative terminal of the other.

[0034] The upper part of the interior of the housing member 11 is provided with a mechanism housing section R1, which is a housing space for housing the pump 21 and the motor 22, and a battery housing section R2, which is a housing space for housing the battery 23. The mechanism housing section R1 is partitioned off inside the large-diameter section 11b of the housing member 11 and is located towards the tip of the battery housing section R2. On the other hand, the battery housing section R2 is partitioned off inside the small-diameter section 11a of the housing member 11, extending to the portion corresponding to the bulging section 11c, and is located towards the base of the mechanism housing section R1. The mechanism housing section R1 and the battery housing section R2 are in communication with each other, and there are no partition walls or other members between the two housing sections R1 and R2.

[0035] Since the outer diameter of the battery 23 is smaller than the outer diameters of the pump 21 and motor 22, the vertical dimension of the battery housing R2 is set to be shorter than the vertical dimension of the mechanism housing R1. By utilizing this difference in vertical dimensions, the battery housing R2 is positioned to correspond to the small diameter section 11a, and the mechanism housing R1 is positioned to correspond to the large diameter section 11b, so that the small diameter section 11a and the large diameter section 11b, which have different circumferences, can be formed in the housing member 11. The small diameter section 11a and the large diameter section 11b have different circumferences due to the difference in diameter, and this difference in circumference makes the small diameter section 11a easier to grip. In other words, the battery housing R2 is positioned in an appropriate location in order to provide a small diameter section 11a with an easy-to-grip shape. If the outer diameters of the pump 21 and motor 22 are small, the pump 21 and motor 22 may be housed in the small diameter section 11a.

[0036] The pump 21 is positioned so that the rotational centerline of the impeller (not shown) located inside it is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing member 11, and is positioned at the front end of the mechanism housing R1. The motor 22 is positioned so that its rotational centerline extends in the same direction as the rotational centerline of the pump 21, and is positioned at the base end of the mechanism housing R1. The pump 21 and motor 22 can be integrated, in which case a pump module can be used. The battery 23 is aligned in the direction of the rotational centerline of the motor 22. In this way, the housing member 11 is long in a predetermined direction so that the pump 21, motor 22 and battery 23 can be housed in a series configuration. Note that the arrangement of the pump 21 and motor 22 may be reversed.

[0037] The operating switch 24 is provided in the switch mounting section 11d of the housing member 11. Since the switch mounting section 11d is located in the upper part of the housing member 11, the operating switch 24 is provided in the upper part of the housing member 11. The operating switch 24 can be, for example, a switch configured to turn ON when pressed with a finger and automatically turn OFF when the finger is released, or a switch configured to remain ON after being pressed once and then turn OFF when pressed again. As shown in Figure 9, a switch support plate section 11e is provided inside the housing member 11 above the mechanism housing section R1. The operating switch 24 is fixed to the upper surface of the switch support plate section 11e. Although not shown, the operating switch 24 may also be provided on the left or right side of the housing member 11. Furthermore, the operating switch 24 may also be provided on the base end side of the housing member 11.

[0038] As shown in Figure 1, the upstream end of the suction tube 25 extends outward from the base end of the housing member 11. The downstream end of the piping 101 is connected to the upstream end of the suction tube 25. Note that the suction tube 25 and the piping 101 may be made of the same material. As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the suction tube 25 is arranged to extend towards the tip of the upper part inside the housing member 11. As shown in Figure 9, the suction tube 25 passes to the side of the operating switch 24. As shown in Figure 10, the suction tube 25 passes to the side of the battery 23. The downstream end of the suction tube 25 is connected to the suction port (not shown) of the pump 21.

[0039] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, the lower part of the housing member 11 is provided with a pipe housing section 13 that accommodates the longitudinal middle portion of the pipe 30 in a folded state. The pipe housing section 13 is located below the mechanism housing section R1 and the battery housing section R2, and therefore the pipe housing section 13, the mechanism housing section R1, and the battery housing section R2 are arranged to be aligned in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction of the housing member 11 (vertical direction).

[0040] A partition wall 14 is provided between the pipe housing section 13 and the mechanism housing section R1 and the battery housing section R2. The partition wall 14 can be integrally molded with the housing member 11 and constitutes the upper wall of the pipe housing section 13. The pipe housing section 13 has a left wall section 13a and a right wall section 13b. The left wall section 13a extends downward from the left end of the partition wall section 14 and extends continuously from the base end to the tip of the housing member 11. This left wall section 13a is formed so that it is located to the right as it goes down. The right wall section 13b extends downward from the right end of the partition wall section 14 and extends continuously from the base end to the tip of the housing member 11. This right wall section 13b is formed so that it is located to the left as it goes down. The lower end of the left wall portion 13a and the lower end of the right wall portion 13b are separated in the left-right direction, and a slit 13c extending along the longitudinal direction of the housing member 11 is formed between the lower end of the left wall portion 13a and the lower end of the right wall portion 13b. Due to the formation of this slit 13c, the pipe housing portion 13 opens to the lower part of the outer circumferential surface of the housing member 11. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, for example, since the slit 13c extends to the tip of the housing member 11, the pipe housing portion 13 also opens to the tip surface of the housing member 11. Moreover, since the slit 13c extends to the base end of the housing member 11, the pipe housing portion 13 also opens to the base end surface of the housing member 11.

[0041] Since the pipe housing section 13 is located on the lower part of the housing member 11 and the operating switch 24 is located on the upper part of the housing member 11, the pipe housing section 13 and the operating switch 24 are located on opposite sides of the housing member 11 in the radial direction. As a result, the pipe housing section 13 is positioned at a circumferential distance from the operating switch 24 on the outer surface of the housing member 11.

[0042] In the example described above, the battery 23 is housed in the housing member 11, but this is not the only option, and the system may be configured to supply power from outside the housing member 11, although this is not shown.

[0043] (Tube 30 and its folding mechanism) The pipe 30 is a component for spraying liquid supplied from the pump 21 built into the main body 10 from its tip. That is, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the pipe 30 has a double-walled structure and comprises an outer pipe member 31 made of a hard resin material and a flexible tube 32 provided inside the outer pipe member 31. The pump 21 supplies liquid to the tube 32. The length of the pipe 30 is not particularly limited, but it can be, for example, 50 cm or longer.

[0044] The resin material constituting the outer tube member 31 can be any resin material that can ensure sufficient rigidity to prevent deformation during normal use, thereby preventing the outer tube member 31 from easily bending when the housing member 11 is held and liquid is sprayed. The outer tube member 31 comprises a first outer tube member 33 and a second outer tube member 34, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction of the extended tube 30. Both the first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34 are molded into a straight tube shape. The first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34 can be made of tubes having a substantially circular cross-section.

[0045] The folding mechanism 40 is a mechanism that allows switching between an extended state in which the tip of the pipe 30 is extended away from the housing member 11, and a folded state in which the pipe 30 is folded so that the tip of the pipe 30 is closer to the housing member 11 than when it is extended. This folding mechanism 40 is also part of the liquid injector 1.

[0046] Specifically, the folding mechanism 40 includes a base-side connecting shaft 41 and an intermediate connecting shaft 42. The base-side connecting shaft 41 is for rotatably connecting the base end of the first outer tube member 33, i.e., the base end of the outer tube member 31, to the vicinity of the front end of the housing member 11. The base-side connecting shaft 41 is located in the middle of the housing member 11 in the vertical direction and extends in the left-right direction. The base-side connecting shaft 41 may be fixed to the housing member 11 so that the base end of the first outer tube member 33 is rotatable relative to the base-side connecting shaft 41, or the base-side connecting shaft 41 may be fixed to the base end of the first outer tube member 33 so that the base-side connecting shaft 41 is rotatably supported relative to the housing member 11. In either configuration, the base end of the first outer tube member 33 can be rotated relative to the housing member 11.

[0047] The rotation range of the first outer tube member 33 is restricted by the base-side stopper portion 16. The base-side stopper portion 16 is provided at the tip of the housing member 11. When the first outer tube member 33 is rotated around the base-side connecting shaft 41 until its centerline is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the housing member 11, the base-side stopper portion 16 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the first outer tube member 33 from above. This prevents the first outer tube member 33 from rotating toward the operating switch 24. The configuration of the base-side stopper portion 16 is not limited to the configuration described above, and it may also restrict the rotation range of the first outer tube member 33 from within the housing member 11.

[0048] The intermediate connecting shaft 42 extends in the same direction as the base-end connecting shaft 41 and rotatably connects the tip of the first outer tube member 33 to the base end of the second outer tube member 34. The intermediate connecting shaft 42 may be fixed to the tip of the first outer tube member 33 so that the base end of the second outer tube member 34 can rotate around the intermediate connecting shaft 42, or the intermediate connecting shaft 42 may be fixed to the base end of the second outer tube member 34 so that the tip of the first outer tube member 33 can rotate around the intermediate connecting shaft 42.

[0049] As shown in Figure 5, the intermediate connecting shaft 42 is offset above the first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34, which are in their extended state. The range of rotation of the second outer tube member 34 relative to the first outer tube member 33 is restricted by the intermediate stopper portion 36. The intermediate stopper portion 36 is provided at the tip of the first outer tube member 33. When the second outer tube member 34 is rotated around the intermediate connecting shaft 42 until its centerline is aligned with the centerline of the first outer tube member 33, the intermediate stopper portion 36 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second outer tube member 34 from below. This prevents the second outer tube member 34 from rotating. At this time, the centerlines of the first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34 are aligned on the same straight line. The configuration of the intermediate stopper 36 is not limited to the configuration described above, and it is sufficient if it is configured to prevent the rotation of the second outer tube member 34 relative to the first outer tube member 33 when the angle between the first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34 becomes any angle between 150° and 180°.

[0050] A nozzle 37 is attached to the tip of the second outer tube member 34. A liquid outlet 37a is formed on the tip surface of the nozzle 37. The nozzle 37 can be attached to the second outer tube member 34 in an angle-adjustable manner. The user can change the direction of liquid spray by moving the nozzle 37.

[0051] Tube 32 has flexibility and pliability that allows it to be easily bent so as not to hinder the folding and extending movements of pipe 30. Tube 32 may be formed in a bellows shape. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the upstream side of tube 32 is connected to a discharge port (not shown) of pump 21. Tube 32 has a wound portion 32a formed by winding one or more turns inside the housing member 11. That is, a rod-shaped portion 18 extending in the left-right direction is provided at the tip side inside the housing member 11. A part of tube 32 is wound around this rod-shaped portion 18, and the wound portion 32a is formed by winding around the rod-shaped portion 18. The wound portion 32a may have two or more turns. The wound portion 32a is for absorbing the excess length of tube 32, and details will be described later.

[0052] The tube 32 is arranged to pass through the inside of the first outer tube member 33 and the second outer tube member 34 and reach the nozzle 37. The downstream end of the tube 32 is connected to the outlet 37a of the nozzle 37. The outlet 37a may spray the liquid in a mist or in a shower. The nozzle 37 may be omitted, and the fluid may be sprayed directly from the downstream end of the tube 32.

[0053] (Instructions for using liquid injector 1) Figures 1, 3, 5, and 7 show the pipe 30 in its extended state. To switch the pipe 30 from the extended state to the folded state shown in Figures 2, 4, 6, and 8, the second outer pipe member 34 is rotated relative to the first outer pipe member 33 around the intermediate connecting shaft 42, so that the second outer pipe member 34 and the first outer pipe member 33 overlap radially. Then, the first outer pipe member 33 is rotated relative to the housing member 11 around the base connecting shaft 41, so that the first outer pipe member 33 is housed in the pipe housing section 13. At this time, since the slit 13c of the pipe housing section 13 opens to the lower surface of the housing member 11, the first outer pipe member 33 can be inserted into the pipe housing section 13 through the slit 13c. Alternatively, the first outer tube member 33, which is in an extended state, may be rotated relative to the housing member 11 around the base connecting shaft 41, and then the second outer tube member 34 may be rotated relative to the first outer tube member 33 around the intermediate connecting shaft 42.

[0054] As shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the pipe 30 is folded, at least the middle portion in the longitudinal direction of the first outer pipe member 33 can be housed in the pipe housing 13. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the entire first outer pipe member 33 can be housed in the pipe housing 13. Although not shown, both longitudinal ends of the first outer pipe member 33 may protrude from the pipe housing 13.

[0055] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, when the pipe 30 is folded, at least a portion of the longitudinal middle section of the second outer pipe member 34 can be housed in the pipe housing section 13. In this embodiment, as shown in Figure 6, the portion located below the second outer pipe member 34 protrudes downward from the lower end of the pipe housing section 13, but this protrusion is minimal. Specifically, less than half of the radial region of the second outer pipe member 34 protrudes from the pipe housing section 13. Alternatively, the entire second outer pipe member 34 may be housed in the pipe housing section 13.

[0056] As shown in Figure 8, when the pipe 30 is folded, the downstream side of the tube 32 is pulled as the tube 32 bends. This reduces the coiled portion 32a of the tube 32, allowing the tube 32 to be moved outside the housing member 11.

[0057] Furthermore, the nozzle 37 is positioned to protrude outward from the pipe housing 13. This allows the liquid sprayer 1 to be used with the pipe 30 folded. In this case, the user will grip the small-diameter portion 11a of the housing member 11, but since most of the middle portion of the pipe 30 in the longitudinal direction is housed in the pipe housing 13, relative displacement between the housing member 11 and the pipe 30 is likely to occur when gripped by hand, making the liquid sprayer 1 easier to hold.

[0058] Furthermore, the folded pipe 30 is not located on the side of the operation switch 24, but is housed in the pipe housing 13, so it does not overlap with the operation switch 24. In other words, the folding mechanism 40 is configured to position the folded pipe 30 in a position that does not overlap with the operation switch 24, so the pipe 30 does not interfere with the operation switch 24.

[0059] Then, for example, when the operation switch 24 is turned ON with the thumb, the motor 22 rotates and the pump 21 starts. When the pump 21 starts, negative pressure is generated in the suction tube 25, and the liquid in the container 100 is sucked in through the piping 101. The liquid sucked into the pump 21 flows through the tube 32 and is ejected from the nozzle outlet 37a of the nozzle 37.

[0060] On the other hand, when extending the folded tube 30, the first outer tube member 33 is rotated relative to the housing member 11 around the base end connecting shaft 41 so that the first outer tube member 33 comes into contact with the base end stopper portion 16. Then, the second outer tube member 34 is rotated relative to the first outer tube member 33 around the intermediate connecting shaft 42 so that the intermediate stopper portion 36 comes into contact with the outer circumferential surface of the second outer tube member 34. Alternatively, the second outer tube member 34 may be rotated relative to the first outer tube member 33 around the intermediate connecting shaft 42, and then the first outer tube member 33 may be rotated relative to the housing member 11 around the base end connecting shaft 41. By extending the tube 30, the nozzle 37 moves far away from the housing member 11, so that liquid can be sprayed over a distance.

[0061] When the pipe 30 is extended, the first outer pipe member 33 can be held in place relative to the housing member 11 so as not to rotate, and the second outer pipe member 34 can be held in place relative to the first outer pipe member 33 so as not to rotate. For example, the first outer pipe member 33 can be held in place relative to the housing member 11 in the extended state, and the second outer pipe member 34 can be held in place relative to the first outer pipe member 33 in the extended state, by means of a groove-and-groove fitting structure or a claw-based engagement structure. Similarly, the first outer pipe member 33 and the second outer pipe member 34 can also be held in place by increasing the sliding resistance of the rotating portion.

[0062] As shown in Figure 7, when the pipe 30 is extended, there will be excess tube 32, which can then be housed inside the housing member 11. Specifically, the circumference of the coiled portion 32a of the tube 32 is increased compared to when it is folded, by making the coiled portion 32a larger. In other words, it is preferable to set the length of the tube 32 based on the folded state of the pipe 30.

[0063] (Effects of the embodiment) As described above, according to this embodiment of the liquid sprayer 1, by extending the tube 30 and moving the tip of the tube 30 away from the housing member 11, it is possible to spray liquid over a distance. On the other hand, by folding the tube 30, the overall length of the liquid sprayer 1 is shortened, making it easier to store the liquid sprayer 1. Also, by folding the tube 30, the tip of the tube 30 approaches the housing member 11, making it possible to spray liquid close by. Furthermore, since the longitudinal middle portion of the tube 30 in the folded state is housed in the housing member 11, it is easier to store the liquid sprayer 1 compared to when the entire tube 30 protrudes outside the housing member 11, and it is easier to grip the housing member 11 when using the liquid sprayer 1 with the tube 30 folded.

[0064] Furthermore, when the tube 30 is folded, it is positioned so that it does not overlap with the operation switch 24, and the tube 30 does not interfere with the operation of the operation switch 24. This improves the operability of the operation switch 24.

[0065] The embodiments described above are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted restrictively. Furthermore, any modifications or changes within the equivalent scope of the claims are all within the scope of the present invention. In the embodiments described above, the case in which the pipe 30 comprises a first outer pipe member 33 and a second outer pipe member 34 has been described, but the pipe 30 may be composed of one outer pipe member 31 and a tube 32. Also, the outer pipe member 31 may be composed of three or more outer pipe members, i.e., first, second and third outer pipe members, rotatably connected to one another.

[0066] Furthermore, the pipe 30 can be configured to be held in place while housed in the pipe housing 13. For example, by providing claws or projections on the edges of the slit 13c of the pipe housing 13, the pipe 30 can be held in place while housed in the pipe housing 13 by hooking the claws or projections onto the pipe 30 housed in the pipe housing 13 and engaging them. [Industrial applicability]

[0067] As described above, the liquid sprayer according to the present invention can be used, for example, when spraying herbicides, insecticides, pest repellents, etc. [Explanation of symbols]

[0068] 1 liquid injector 11 Housing component (gripping part) 13 Pipe housing 20 Liquid supply section 21 pumps 22 motors 23 Batteries 24 Operating switches 30 tubes 31 Outer pipe member 32 tubes 33 First outer pipe member 34 Second outer pipe member 37 nozzles 40 Folding mechanism 41 Proximal connection shaft 42 Intermediate connecting shaft R1 Mechanism housing R2 Battery housing

Claims

[Claim 1] A liquid sprayer comprising a gripping part for the user to hold and a tube from which liquid is sprayed from the tip, wherein liquid contained in an external container separate from the gripping part is supplied to the tube by piping, A nozzle is attached to the aforementioned tip. The device is equipped with a folding mechanism that allows switching between an extended state in which the tube is extended so that the nozzle is away from the user gripping the gripping part, and a folded state in which the tube is folded so that the nozzle is closer to the user gripping the gripping part than when it is in the extended state. When the tube is folded, the nozzle protrudes from the tip side of the gripping part to the outside of the gripping part. A liquid injector characterized in that a suction tube, which is connected to the aforementioned piping and through which the liquid supplied to the piping flows, extends from the base end of the gripping portion to the outside of the gripping portion.

Images