Spraying device and spraying method

Abstract

To provide a spraying device capable of preventing arch action phenomenon and the like.SOLUTION: A spraying device 20 is a device for spraying antifreeze agent stored in a hopper 1 mounted on a vehicle by allowing the agent to fall from an opening 16 in the bottom of the hopper 1 onto a rotating disk 9 to splay the agent from the rotating disk 9. Inside the hopper 1, an arch action prevention plate 13 that is formed in a mountain shape in the front and back direction of the vehicle is provided above the opening 16. A vibrator 15 is attached to the arch action prevention plate 13. The arch action prevention plate 13 is fixed to the front wall and the rear wall of the vehicle inside the hopper 1. The vibrator 15 vibrates the arch action prevention plate 13 to thereby prevent the arch action phenomenon and the like.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a spraying device, and more particularly to a spraying device having a mechanism for preventing an arch action phenomenon or the like in a hopper.

Background Art

[0002] For example, in winter, in order to prevent obstacles to traffic due to snow accumulation and road surface freezing, a freezing prevention agent (snow melting agent) composed of calcium chloride, sodium chloride, etc., which are spraying substances, is sprayed on the road surface to melt the snow accumulated on the road surface and prevent the road surface from freezing.

[0003] In the spraying device described in Patent Document 1, the freezing prevention agent in the hopper mounted on the vehicle is dropped onto a rotating disk (spraying disk), and the rotation of the rotating disk and the blades arranged on the rotating disk are used to spray the freezing prevention agent on the road surface.

[0004] In such a freezing prevention agent spraying device, the freezing prevention agent sequentially exits from an opening at the lower part of the hopper and falls onto the rotating disk. However, since the freezing prevention agent is granular, for some reason, the particles may stick to each other and not fall well, and an arch-shaped cavity may form at the bottom of the hopper. This is called an arch action phenomenon or a bridge phenomenon. Also, even if it does not form an arch shape, the freezing prevention agent may stick at the bottom of the hopper and not fall well. This is called a blocking phenomenon. Also, when discharging the powder, the powder may stick to the side surface of the container and the upper part of the discharge port (a state called a rat hole). In the following description, these phenomena will be collectively referred to as an arch action phenomenon or the like.

[0005] In the spraying device described in Patent Document 1, a configuration is adopted in which the lower part of the front side wall surface of the hopper is struck with a hammer body to prevent an arch action phenomenon or the like.

[0006] In addition, de-icing agent spreading vehicles generally include a hopper for storing the de-icing agent, a conveyor belt provided below the hopper, a chute provided at the end of the conveyor belt, and a rotating disc for spreading the de-icing agent that falls from the chute to the rear of the vehicle (see Patent Documents 2-7).

[0007] In such de-icing agent spreading vehicles, a conveyor belt moves at the bottom of the hopper to dispense the de-icing agent. In the de-icing agent spreading vehicles described in Patent Documents 2 to 7, arch action phenomena and the like were not taken into consideration.

[0008] To prevent arch action phenomena in de-icing agent spreading vehicles equipped with conveyor belts, a structure is known in which two elongated, mountain-shaped plates (hereinafter referred to as "arch action prevention plates") are installed horizontally in the direction of vehicle travel inside the hopper. For example, the two horizontally elongated, mountain-shaped plates shown in Figures 1 and 2 of Patent Documents 8 and 9 are arch action prevention plates (see Figure 9 of this application). The arch action prevention plates are attached to plate members in the left-right direction of the vehicle, which are mounted so as to straddle the left and right inclined surfaces of the hopper. The arch action prevention plates also function as protective covers for the conveyor belt installed below the hopper, and are therefore also called conveyor covers.

[0009] The arch action prevention plate separates the de-icing agent in the hopper to the left and right, causing the agent to flow down along the sloping surfaces on either side of the hopper. Therefore, based on experience, arch action phenomena and other issues have not occurred, and such arch action prevention plates have been used for many years in de-icing agent spreading vehicles equipped with conveyor belts. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0010] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6646529 [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 11-222827 [Patent Document 3] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2000-27139 [Patent Document 4] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2002-173923 [Patent Document 5] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2006-161471 [Patent Document 6] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2012-144888 [Patent Document 7] Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 5-94308 [Patent Document 8] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2010-24723 [Patent Document 9] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2011-94450 [Patent Document 10] Microfilm of Utility Model Application No. 63-65015 [Patent Document 11] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2004-324291 [Overview of the project] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0011] The spraying device described in Patent Document 1 claims that arch action phenomena can be prevented by striking the lower part of the hopper with a hammer. However, striking the lower part of the hopper with a hammer repeatedly applies impact to the same spot on the hopper, which may lead to dents or damage to the hopper.

[0012] Furthermore, the de-icing agents used in recent years have smaller particles compared to those used conventionally, making them more prone to sticking together. As a result, arch action and other phenomena are more likely to occur. Therefore, simply tapping the hopper itself may not be able to completely prevent arch action and other phenomena.

[0013] Similar problems can occur when spraying agents other than de-icing agents.

[0014] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spraying device that can prevent arching action phenomena and the like.

[0015] The device described in Patent Document 10 does not use an arching prevention plate. Also, just placing a vibrator on the mesh does not ensure that the vibration is transmitted throughout, so it is unclear whether arching can be reliably prevented.

[0016] In the device described in Patent Document 11, at first glance, it appears that a mountain-shaped plate (33) is provided, but the plate (33) is not an arching prevention plate. In the device described in Patent Document 11, a vertical wall (31) vibrates or the like to prevent the bridge phenomenon.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0017] In order to solve the above problems, the present invention has the following configuration. The present invention is a spraying device for dropping an agent stored in a hopper mounted on a vehicle from an opening at the lower part of the hopper onto a rotating disk and spraying the agent from the rotating disk. Inside the hopper, an arching prevention plate is attached in the vehicle longitudinal direction above the opening. Two pieces that are extended and fixed in place, with a cross-section formed in the shape of an inverted V-shape An arching prevention plate is attached. The device is configured to span across the inside of two arch action prevention plates, and includes a vibrator support fixed to the two arch action prevention plates, and a vibrator fixed to the vibrator support. The vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the entire arch action prevention plate via the vibrator support, causing the arch action prevention plate to vibrate and loosen the surrounding material, thereby preventing sticking and arch action phenomena within the hopper. 。

[0018] Preferably, the arching prevention plate is fixed to the wall surface on the front side of the vehicle inside the hopper and the wall surface on the rear side of the vehicle inside the hopper.

[0019] Preferably, it further includes a support part for a vibrator attached to the arching prevention plate, and the vibrator is attached to the support part for the vibrator.

[0020] Preferably, the intensity of the vibration of the vibrator is automatically adjusted according to the vehicle speed of the vehicle.

[0021] Preferably, the vibrator's vibration intensity is automatically adjusted in accordance with the rotation speed of the rotating disk.

[0022] Preferably, the device may further include a volume control for adjusting the intensity of the vibrator's vibrations.

[0023] Preferably, at the joint between the hopper and the arch action prevention plate, at least one vibration-damping rubber is attached to the inside of the arch action prevention plate.

[0024] Preferably, the spraying method involves dropping an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle onto a rotating disc through an opening at the bottom of the hopper, and then spraying the agent from the rotating disc, wherein inside the hopper, at the top of the opening, in the direction of the vehicle's front-rear direction. Two pieces that are extended and fixed in place, with a cross-section formed in the shape of an inverted V-shape An arch action prevention plate is installed. Inside the hopper, a vibrator support is provided, positioned to straddle the inside of two arch action prevention plates. The vibrator is fixed to the two arch action prevention plates, and the vibrator is fixed to the vibrator support. The vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the entire arch action prevention plate via the vibrator support. The vibration of the vibrator causes the arch action prevention plate to vibrate, loosening the surrounding material and preventing sticking and arch action within the hopper. Meanwhile, the agent falling from the hopper is sprayed by a rotating disc. [Effects of the Invention]

[0025] According to the present invention, a spraying device is provided that can prevent the agent from solidifying at the bottom of the hopper and prevent arch action phenomena within the hopper by vibrating an arch action prevention plate using a vibrator.

[0026] By fixing the arch action prevention plate to the front and rear walls inside the hopper, vibrations can be reliably transmitted to the agent at the bottom of the hopper.

[0027] By using the vibrator support, the vibrator can be easily and securely fixed to the arch action prevention plate.

[0028] By vibrating the vibrator in accordance with the vehicle's speed and the rotation speed of the rotating disc, it is possible to prevent the agent from solidifying in response to changes in vehicle speed or rotation speed.

[0029] Using the volume control, the user can adjust the intensity of the vibrator's vibrations as needed.

[0030] By using vibration-damping rubber, the vibrations of the vibrator transmitted to the hopper can be suppressed, ensuring that the arch action prevention plate vibrates reliably and effectively preventing arch action phenomena.

[0031] These and other purposes, features, aspects, and effects of the present invention will become even clearer from the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0032] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a front view of a spraying device 20 in one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a left side view of the spraying device 20. [Figure 3] Figure 3 is a plan view of the spraying device 20. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows the arch action prevention plate 13. [Figure 5] Figure 5 shows the hopper 13 with the arch action prevention plate 13 and vibrator 15 attached. [Figure 6] Figure 6 is a photographic representation of an embodiment of the hopper 13, showing the position of the opening 16. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a photographic representation of an embodiment in which an arch action prevention plate 13 is attached to a hopper 13, and shows the positional relationship between the opening 16 and the arch action prevention plate 13. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an arch action prevention plate 13 in an embodiment in which vibration-damping rubber 17 is attached to the inside. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an arch action prevention plate (conveyor cover) used in conventional de-icing agent spreading vehicles. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0033] The configuration of the spraying device 20 will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. The spraying device 20 is a device mounted on the cargo bed of a vehicle such as a truck. The spraying device 20 comprises a hopper 1, a screen 2, a frame 3 consisting of multiple pipes, an engine 4, a hydraulic pump 5, a hydraulic oil tank 6, a cylinder with a gate 7, a hydraulic motor 8, a rotating disc 9, a disc cover 10, a rotating shaft 11, a chute 12, and an arch action prevention plate 13.

[0034] The hopper 1 narrows towards the bottom. The hopper 1 has an opening 16 at its lower part, on the vehicle rear side (see the photograph of the embodiment in Figure 6). The inner wall of the hopper 1 on the vehicle rear side is configured vertically. The inner wall of the side of the hopper 1 is inclined diagonally. The opening 16 is provided at the bottom of the inner wall on the vehicle rear side. However, the shape of the hopper 1 and the position of the opening 16 are not limiting to the present invention. In the present invention, any hopper with an opening at the bottom may be used.

[0035] Screen 2 is a mesh-like lid installed on top of hopper 1.

[0036] Frame 3 is assembled from multiple pipe members so that hopper 1 can be placed on it.

[0037] Engine 4 powers the hydraulic pump 5. The hydraulic oil tank 6 supplies hydraulic oil for the hydraulic circuit. The hydraulic circuit is configured such that the pressurized oil from the hydraulic pump 5 drives the gated cylinder 7 and the hydraulic motor 8. The up and down movement of the gated cylinder 7 opens and closes the gate attached to the bottom, which opens and closes the opening 16. The rotation of the hydraulic motor 8 rotates the rotating disc 9 attached to the lower end of the rotating shaft 11.

[0038] When spraying the agent (referring to de-icing agents or other spraying agents; the same applies hereinafter) to the rear of the vehicle, the gate-equipped cylinder 7 is operated to raise it, opening the opening 16 of the hopper 1. This causes the agent in the hopper 1 to fall from the opening 16 into the chute 12. By rotating the hydraulic motor 8, the rotating disc 9 rotates, and the agent that has fallen from the chute 12 is sprayed to the rear of the vehicle. The rotating disc 9 is equipped with blades, which blow the agent away. The rotating disc 9 is equipped with a disc cover 10, which directs the agent blown away by the blades towards the rear of the vehicle.

[0039] To adjust the rotational speed of the rotating disc 9, the pressurized oil supplied by the hydraulic motor 8 is controlled by a control unit and a hydraulic valve (not shown).

[0040] In Figures 1 to 3, as shown by the thick dashed lines, the arch action prevention plate 13 shown in Figure 4 is attached to the inner wall of the hopper 1. Figure 7 shows an example in which the arch action prevention plate 13 is attached to the inner wall of the hopper 1.

[0041] The arch action prevention plate 13 is mounted in the front-rear direction of the vehicle at the top of the opening 16 at the bottom of the hopper 1 and is provided in a mountain shape. As shown in Figure 4, the arch action prevention plate 13 has a triangular mounting portion 13a (see view of arrow A) that is attached to the front wall of the vehicle inside the hopper 1, a triangular mounting portion 13b (see right side view) that is attached to the rear wall of the vehicle inside the hopper 1, and a mountain-shaped portion 13c that is bent into a mountain shape.

[0042] Mounting portions 13a and 13b have holes, and nuts are welded to these holes. The arch action prevention plate 13 can be attached to the inner wall of the hopper 1 by drilling a hole in the hopper 1, passing a bolt through the hole from the outside of the hopper 1, and tightening the bolt with the nut. Alternatively, the arch action prevention plate 13 itself may be welded to the inner wall of the hopper 1.

[0043] Here, the arch action prevention plate 13 is constructed by bending a single plate, but this is not limited to this method. For example, the arch action prevention plate 13 may be constructed by welding two plates together or attaching them with hinges.

[0044] In this way, by attaching a mountain-shaped arch action prevention plate 13 to the inner wall of hopper 1, the agent inside hopper 1 is separated to the left and right by the arch action prevention plate 13, flows between the inner wall and the arch action prevention plate 13, and falls towards the opening 16. Therefore, by using the arch action prevention plate 13, arch action phenomena can be prevented. However, if the particle size of the agent is small or if an agent that easily solidifies is used, the arch action prevention plate 13 alone cannot completely prevent arch action phenomena.

[0045] Therefore, in this embodiment, a vibrator 15 is attached to vibrate the arch action prevention plate 13. Specifically, as shown in Figure 5, a vibrator support part 14 is attached to the inside of the arch action prevention plate 13 by welding or the like, and the vibrator 15 is attached to the vibrator support part 14. In Figure 5, the vibrator 15 is shown as being attached to the lower side of the vibrator support part 14, but it may also be attached to the upper side.

[0046] The vibrator 15 should preferably be electric, but a hydraulic type is also acceptable.

[0047] To adjust the intensity of the vibration of the vibrator 15, a volume control (not shown) may be provided to allow adjustment of the vibration strength.

[0048] The vibration intensity of the vibrator 15 may be automatically adjusted using a control unit (not shown) that can automatically adjust the vibration intensity according to the vehicle speed. For example, the vibration may be increased when the vehicle speed is high, and decreased when the vehicle speed is low. The reverse is also possible.

[0049] Alternatively, the vibration intensity of the vibrator 15 may be automatically adjusted using a control unit (not shown) that can automatically adjust the vibration intensity in accordance with the rotation speed of the rotating disk 9. For example, the vibration may be increased if the rotation is fast, and decreased if the rotation is slow. The reverse is also possible.

[0050] Thus, according to this embodiment, by using the vibrator 15 to vibrate the arch action prevention plate 13, the agent can be prevented from solidifying at the bottom of the hopper 1, and the spraying device 20 is provided that can prevent arch action phenomena and the like within the hopper 1.

[0051] (Other embodiments) Using Figure 8, an arch action prevention plate 13 in an embodiment in which vibration-damping rubber 17 is installed inside will be described. Inside the arch action prevention plate 13, an engine-side bracket 18 is attached to the inner wall on the engine side (vehicle front side). A chute-side bracket 19 is attached to the inner wall on the chute side (vehicle rear side). Both the engine-side bracket 18 and the chute-side bracket 19 have an inner wall plate fastened to the inner wall, two plates connected to the inner wall plate and provided in parallel, and a vibration-damping rubber-side plate connected to the two plates. However, the shapes of the engine-side bracket 18 and the chute-side bracket 19 shown are merely examples and do not limit the present invention.

[0052] Vibration-damping rubbers 17 are attached to one end of the engine-side bracket 18 and the chute-side bracket 19, respectively. The vibration-damping rubbers 17 shown here are of the male screw type on both ends, but are not limited to this type. The number of vibration-damping rubbers 17 is also not limited to that shown.

[0053] An inner bracket 21 is attached to the other end of the vibration-damping rubber 17. The inner bracket 21 is provided so as to straddle the left and right inner walls of the arch action prevention plate 13 and is preferably fixed to the inner wall. The shape of the inner bracket 21 is not limited to the example shown.

[0054] As shown in Figure 8, in this embodiment, one or more vibration-damping rubbers 17 are attached to the joint between the arch action prevention plate 13 and the hopper 1 (on the engine side and the chute side). Experiments conducted by the inventors have shown that this ensures that the vibrations of the vibrator 15 are reliably transmitted to the arch action prevention plate 13, and not unnecessarily transmitted to the hopper 1. As a result, it is possible to vibrate the arch action prevention plate 13 while suppressing the vibrations of the hopper 1, preventing the effects of the two vibrations from canceling each other out, and thus further preventing arch action phenomena.

[0055] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, vibration-damping rubber 17 is provided on both the engine side and the chute side. However, if it is provided on at least one of these sides, the transmission of vibrations to the hopper 1 can be suppressed, and an effect of preventing arch action phenomena and the like can be expected.

[0056] Although the present invention has been described in detail above, the above description is merely illustrative in all respects and is not intended to limit its scope. Needless to say, various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Each constituent element of the invention disclosed herein shall stand as an independent and standalone invention. Inventions obtained by combining each constituent element in any way shall also be included in the present invention. [Industrial applicability]

[0057] The present invention is a spraying device that is industrially applicable. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0058] 1 Hoppa 2 screens 3 frames 4 engines 5. Hydraulic pump 6. Hydraulic oil tank 7 Gated Cylinder 8. Hydraulic motor 9 Rotating Discs 10 Disc Covers 11 Rotation axis 12 shots 13. Arch action prevention plate 13a, 13b Mounting part 13c Chevron-shaped part 14. Support part for vibrator 15 Vibrators 16 Aperture 17 Vibration-damping rubber 18 Engine-side bracket 19. Chute-side bracket 20 Spraying equipment 21 Inner bracket

Claims

1. A dispensing device for dropping an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle onto a rotating disc through an opening at the bottom of the hopper, and dispensing the agent from the rotating disc, Inside the hopper, two arch action prevention plates are installed, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction above the opening and fixed in place with a V-shaped cross-section. A vibrator support is positioned to straddle the two arch action prevention plates from left to right and fixed to the two arch action prevention plates, The system comprises a vibrator fixed to the vibrator support part, The vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the entire arch action prevention plate via the vibrator support portion. A spraying device characterized in that the vibration of the vibrator causes the arch action prevention plate to vibrate, loosening the agent around it and preventing sticking and arch action phenomena in the hopper.

2. A dispensing device for dropping an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle onto a rotating disc through an opening at the bottom of the hopper, and dispensing the agent from the rotating disc, Inside the hopper, an arch action prevention plate is installed in a V-shape at the top of the opening in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The arch action prevention plate is equipped with a vibrator for vibrating it, The spraying device is characterized in that the vibration intensity of the vibrator is automatically adjusted in accordance with the vehicle speed.

3. A dispensing device for dropping an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle onto a rotating disc through an opening at the bottom of the hopper, and dispensing the agent from the rotating disc, Inside the hopper, an arch action prevention plate is installed in a V-shape at the top of the opening in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The arch action prevention plate is equipped with a vibrator for vibrating it, The spraying device is characterized in that the vibration intensity of the vibrator is automatically adjusted in accordance with the rotation speed of the rotating disk.

4. A dispensing device for dropping an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle onto a rotating disc through an opening at the bottom of the hopper, and dispensing the agent from the rotating disc, Inside the hopper, an arch action prevention plate is installed in a V-shape at the top of the opening in the vehicle's longitudinal direction. The arch action prevention plate is equipped with a vibrator for vibrating it, A spraying device characterized in that at the joint between the hopper and the arch action prevention plate, at least one vibration-damping rubber is attached to the inside of the arch action prevention plate.

5. The spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the arch action prevention plate is fixed to the wall surface on the front side of the vehicle inside the hopper and the wall surface on the rear side of the vehicle inside the hopper.

6. The spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising a volume for adjusting the intensity of the vibration of the vibrator.

7. A spraying method for dispensing an agent contained in a hopper mounted on a vehicle, by dropping the agent from an opening at the bottom of the hopper onto a rotating disc, wherein the agent is sprayed from the rotating disc. Inside the hopper, two arch action prevention plates are installed, extending in the vehicle's longitudinal direction above the opening and fixed in place with a V-shaped cross-section. Inside the hopper, there is a vibrator support section fixed to the two arch action prevention plates, which is positioned to straddle the two arch action prevention plates in the left-right direction, and a vibrator fixed to the vibrator support section. The vibration of the vibrator is transmitted to the entire arch action prevention plate via the vibrator support portion. A spraying method characterized in that the vibration of the vibrator causes the arch action prevention plate to vibrate, loosening the agent around it, thereby preventing sticking and arch action phenomena in the hopper, while the agent falling from the hopper is sprayed by the rotating disc.

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