JP2561802B2 - Lawn irrigation device - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a lawn irrigation apparatus for intermittently driving a lawn with a high-pressure liquid to perform fertilization, injection of a chemical solution, or aeration.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Fertilization and aeration are indispensable for maintenance and management of lawns in golf courses and the like. Aeration work is to introduce air into the root of the lawn to help the growth of the lawn.For example, a high-pressure water sprayed from the nozzle onto the lawn surface can develop many small cavities in the ground. Has been done. Fertilizer application and pesticide spraying can be performed at the same time by mixing fertilizer, pesticide, etc. into the high-pressure water as needed.

[0003] Recently, as irrigation apparatus for performing this type of work, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Application No. flat 4-321821, a frame movable along the grass surface, the grass surface injection port A plurality of nozzles mounted on the frame, a pump for sequentially sending out high-pressure liquid, and a plurality of switching valves provided between the pump and the nozzles for intermittently supplying the high-pressure liquid to each nozzle. And a switching valve energizing mechanism that sequentially opens each of these switching valves at different timings for a fixed period of time.

[0004]

However, the previously developed irrigation system has one nozzle for each nozzle as described above.
Switching valves are provided one by one, and each nozzle and each switching valve are assembled as a set in each block. A plurality of these blocks are arranged in a horizontal row, and a plurality of cams are axially attached to a common rod with different phases to form a switching valve urging mechanism, and the operating end of each switching valve is switched to this switching valve. The corresponding cams of the valve biasing mechanism are used to open and close at different timings. For this reason, a large number of blocks that are relatively heavy and bulky are required, and the switching valve energizing mechanism also becomes large-scaled, which leads to an increase in the size and weight of the entire device, leading to a vast and rugged golf course. There is an operational problem in applying it.

The present invention has been made in view of such a situation, and the entire apparatus can be effectively reduced in size without losing the function of performing ejection from a plurality of nozzles at different timings. It is intended to provide a lawn irrigation device that is lightweight.

[0006]

Each invention of the present Application SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above object, in which took measures as described below. That is, the invention according to claim 1 of the present Application
This lawn irrigation device is a frame that can move along the lawn surface, a plurality of nozzles mounted on the frame with the jets facing the lawn surface, a pump that sequentially sends high-pressure liquid, and a pump that pumps this liquid. the Ri Na comprises a plurality of nozzles distributed supply distribution mechanism of high pressure liquid one by a period of time at a predetermined timing, the distribution mechanism, the rotary body
To interrupt the supply of high pressure liquid to each nozzle around the
A plurality of switching valves are installed and
Protruding the operating ends at the required intervals,
Can be sequentially pressed by a common pressing element provided on the rotating body.
It is characterized in that it is configured as .

[0007] A lawn according to the invention of claim 2 of the present application.
The irrigation device consists of a frame that can move along the grass
A plurality of units attached to the frame with the mouth facing the grass surface.
The nozzle, the pump that pumps high-pressure liquid in sequence, and this pump
High-pressure liquid delivered from the pump at the required timing
Distributing mechanism that sequentially supplies to multiple nozzles for a fixed period
The distribution mechanism is provided with a plurality of switching valves inside a common block, and the operating ends of the switching valves are projected on one surface of the block with a required space between them. It is characterized in that the operating end can be sequentially pressed by a common pressing member .

Particularly preferably, a rotating body which is rotationally driven by a motor is arranged on one surface of the block, and the operating ends of the switching valves are arranged around the rotating body at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction. It is preferable that the operating elements are sequentially pressed by pressing elements provided on the outer periphery of the rotating body.

[0009]

With such a structure, the high-pressure liquid supplied from the pump is distributed by the distribution mechanism and supplied to each nozzle at a predetermined timing, and the high-pressure liquid is sequentially supplied from these nozzles for a certain period of time. It will gush out and be driven into the grass. Such a structure has an action of making pressure fluctuations at the pump outlet much gentler than, for example, the case of intermittently injecting high-pressure liquid from a large number of nozzles all at once. This has an effect that the capacity can be significantly reduced as compared with that of an object.

In addition, the distribution mechanism of the present invention functions to distribute the high-pressure liquid supplied from the pump to each nozzle, in other words, has one inlet and a plurality of outlets, and the pressurized liquid between them. Is to be integrated functionally. Therefore, for example, a common block may have a common inlet and a plurality of switching valves may be internally provided so that their operating ends are projected to one surface of the block, and these operating ends can be sequentially pressed by a common presser. In this configuration, the switching valves can be assembled around the common pusher and can be installed in the block with a relatively high density, and the individual switching valves can be discretely arranged near the corresponding nozzles and the switching valves and the nozzles can be arranged. Compared to the one in which the block is made into a block and those switching valves are driven by a common switching valve energizing mechanism, the weight, volume and waste space of the block can be substantially reduced, and the pusher also has a switching valve. Compared to the power mechanism, a much smaller and simpler one will suffice.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 1, the irrigation system 1 has a frame 4 having nozzles 31 to 38 mounted on a self-propelled vehicle 2.

The self-propelled vehicle 2 comprises a chassis 2c supported by front wheels 2a for steering and rear wheels 2b for driving, and a driver's seat 8 is provided in the front half of the chassis 2c. At the same time, a tank 9 is mounted on the rear half portion, and the left and right rear wheels 2b are rotationally driven by the power of the engine 10.

The frame 4 is arranged between the rear wheels 2b, and a plurality of, for example, eight nozzles 31 to 38 are mounted on the frame 4 at regular intervals in the left-right direction. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 2, the frame 4 has a front nozzle cover 42 horizontally extending between left and right side plates 41, and the nozzles 31 to 38 are provided on the back surface of the front nozzle cover 42 at predetermined intervals. Of the nozzles 3a are fixed so that their injection ports 3a are directed downward, and a rear nozzle cover 43 is attached to the rear surface of each of the nozzles 31 to 38. Nozzle cover 4
Reference numerals 2 and 43 are curved in a U-shape when viewed from the side, and are arranged with their lowermost ends positioned below the ejection ports 3a of the nozzles 31 to 38, and the ejection ports 3a of the nozzles 31 to 38. A certain distance is maintained between the grass surface G and the grass surface. The frame 4 is provided between the lower ends of the left and right side plates 41.
Is held in a proper posture and the wheels 20 for properly grounding the nozzle covers 42 and 43 on the lawn surface G are pivotally mounted. Then, the frame 4 is attached to the chassis 2
It is connected to c so as to be able to move up and down and tilt left and right so that the lawn surface G is pressed by its own weight and the vehicle 2 can be driven as it runs. Specifically, the left and right side plates 41 are attached to the chassis 2
The parallel links 22 are respectively attached to the left and right mounting portions 21 provided in c.
And the frame 4 is connected to the nozzle retracting mechanism 2
It is possible to hang it up and retract it by means of 3.

The nozzle retracting mechanism 23 is provided with a hydraulic cylinder 25 on a support frame 24 fixed to the chassis 2c of the vehicle.
Is mounted, and the frame 4 is pulled up at the working end of the hydraulic cylinder 25. The hydraulic cylinder 25 is a double-acting type that is driven by hydraulic oil from a hydraulic pump (not shown), and can be controlled by a switch (not shown) provided in the driver's seat 8. A horizontal pin 28 is fixed to the operating end of the hydraulic cylinder 25, while a bracket 29 is provided between the side plates 41 via a horizontal member 44, a valve case 6 and a motor mount 7 which will be described later.
Is installed, and the pin 28 is attached to the bracket 29.
Is engaged with the long hole 29a of FIG. That is, when the wheel 20 is in contact with the flat traveling surface G,
Pin 28 projecting from cylinder 25 of nozzle retracting mechanism 23
Is set so as to be engaged with an intermediate position in the longitudinal direction of the long hole 29a of the bracket 29, and when the road surface on which the wheel 20 travels is uneven, the pin 28 extends along the longitudinal direction of the long hole 29a. It relatively moves within the regulation range to absorb the unevenness of the road surface.

A dedicated engine 92 is provided at the rear end of the vehicle 2.
A pump 95 driven by the pump is mounted, and the liquid in the tank 9, for example, water is pressurized by the pump 95 and supplied to each of the nozzles 31 to 38 through the distribution mechanism 5.

The distribution mechanism 5 is, as shown in FIGS.
It is incorporated in the valve case 6 and the motor mount 7 which are the blocks of the present invention. Valve case 6
Includes a bearing member 60a that receives a radial load at the center of its upper surface 60. Four switching valves 6a, 6 are provided at equiangular positions on the circumference centered on the bearing member 61.
b, 6c and 6d are incorporated respectively. Each switching valve 6
a, 6b, 6c or 6d are a housing 61 fastened to a hole 61a formed in the valve case 6, a valve seat 62 connected to the lower end of the housing 61, and a valve seat 62.
And a spherical valve body 63 between the housing and the bottom wall of the housing hole 61a.
A spring 64 that is elastically installed via the valve body 63 and presses the valve body 63 toward the valve seat 62; and a lower end 65b that penetrates through the axial center position of the housing hole 61a.
Of the valve case 6 and an upper end 65a of the valve case 6 projecting above the upper surface 60 of the valve case 6. The upper end 65a of the valve rod 65 constitutes the operating end of the present invention. And the valve rod 65 of the valves 6a to 6d
Is normally seated on the valve seat 62 by a spring 64,
Although the port P that opens to the housing hole 61a below the valve seat 62 and the port A, B, C, or D that opens to the housing hole 61a above the valve seat 62 are blocked,
When a downward urging force acts on the valve rod 65, the valve body 63 is pushed down to separate from the valve seat 62, and the port P and the port A, B, C or D are made to communicate with each other.

On the other hand, the motor mount 7 is fixed to the upper surface 60 of the valve case 6 by a bolt 70, and a bearing member (not shown) for receiving a thrust load is fixedly provided at the center of the lower surface. A cam shaft 71 as a rotating body is supported between the bearing member 60a of the valve case 6 and the bearing member 60a. Further, a hydraulically operated orbit motor 72 is fastened to the upper surface of the motor mount 7, and an output shaft 72a of the orbit motor 72 is fitted into a shaft hole 71a of the hollow cam shaft 71 to output the output. Axis 72
The key 72b provided in a and the key groove 71b provided in the shaft hole 71a of the cam shaft 71 are engaged with each other in a synchronously rotatable manner. Thus, the cam shaft 71 has a cam follower 71d, which is a pusher, around a shaft perpendicular to the cam shaft 71 at one location on the outer circumference of the large-diameter flange portion 71c. Of the switching valves 6a to 6d.
It is arranged such that 5 is sequentially and periodically sunk.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the port P of each of the switching valves 6a to 6d is communicated with an inlet port 6P formed on one side surface of the valve case 6 through an internal flow path. Also, the ports A to D of the switching valves 6a to 6d are a pair of outlets (6 ₁ , 6 ₂ ), (6 ₃ , 6 ₄ ) formed on each side surface of the valve case 6 through internal flow paths. ), (6 ₅ , 6
₆ ) and (6 ₇ , 6 ₈ ) respectively. Then, the tank 9 and the inlet 6P are connected via the trunk water supply passage 80, and the nozzles 31 to 3 corresponding to the outlets 6 _{1 to} 6 ₈ are connected.
8 are connected to each other via branch water supply channels 81 to 88.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main water supply system passage 80 has a structure in which the water in the tank 9 is pumped through a strainer 79.
The high-pressure water that has been made to flow into the pump 5 and is pressurized in the pump 95 is guided to the introduction port 6P through the unloader valve 90 and the opening / closing valve 91. The opening / closing valve 91 is opened / closed by an ON-OFF switch (not shown) provided in the nozzle retraction mechanism 23, and is set to open only while the wheel 20 is in contact with the lawn surface G. The unloader valve 90 has a known structure configured to detect that the opening / closing valve 91 is opened and the pressure in the main water supply passage 80 is changed to control the throttle valve 93 of the pump engine 92 in the opening direction. Is. Further, the accumulator 94 arranged in parallel with the pump 95 reduces fluctuations in the discharge side pressure of the pump 95.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. To start the work, the cylinder 25 of the nozzle retracting mechanism 23 is projected downward while moving the self-propelled vehicle 2. Then, the pin 28 fixed to the working end of the cylinder 25 is lowered, and the wheel 20 and both nozzle covers 42 axially attached to the frame 4,
43 is attached to the lawn surface G, and the injection ports 3a of the nozzles 31 to 38 are arranged close to the lawn surface G. When the wheel 20 is driven as the vehicle 2 travels, the open / close valve 91 that is set to keep the open state only while the wheel 20 is in contact with the grass surface G is in the open state, and the water in the tank 9 is the trunk. It is pressure-fed to the ports P of the switching valves 6a to 6d through the water supply passage 80 and the introduction port 6P of the distribution mechanism 5. At this time, if the orbit mode 72 is configured to operate at the same time, the cam shaft 71 rotates. And
Along with the rotation of the cam shaft 71, the cam follower 71d axially attached to the cam shaft 71 causes the valve rod 65 of the switching valves 6a to 6d.
Since it rotates at a constant cycle in a plane that can press the operating end 65a of the switch, the specific switching valve 6a, 6b, 6c or 6d
When it reaches a position where it can be pressed, the valve rod 65 is urged in the retracted direction, and the valve rod 65 urges the valve element 63 in the direction away from the valve seat 62 against the spring force, so that the port P
And a pair of nozzles (31, 32), (33, 34), which are opened between the ports A, B, C, or D and correspond to the liquid,
It is supplied to (35, 36) or (37, 38), and the high pressure water is jetted from the jet port 3a toward the lawn surface G. After that, when the cam shaft 71 further rotates and moves away from the position where the cam follower 71d can press the operating end 65a, the urging force acting on the valve rod 65 is deenergized and the valve rod 6 is released.
5 is urged by the spring force in the protruding direction together with the valve element 63, the valve element 63 is seated on the valve seat 62 again, and the port P
And the port A, B, C or D is shut off, and the nozzle (3
The liquid supply to 1, 32), (33, 34), (35, 36), or (37, 38) is shut off. Such an operation is periodically induced in the switching valves 6a to 6d existing in the circumferential direction with a phase difference of 90 °, and the liquid is ejected from the nozzles 31 to 38 at different timings, not simultaneously. Will be done. Moreover, in this embodiment, the nozzle 31
1 to 38 are divided into four groups one by one as described above, and they are arranged irregularly along the longitudinal direction of the frame 4 as shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, when the liquid is jetted while the vehicle 2 is running, The injection timing of the nozzles is set as shown in FIG. 7, and the liquid can be uniformly and evenly irrigated on the entire lawn surface G.

Upon completion of the work, when the cylinder 25 of the nozzle retracting mechanism 23 is contracted upward and retracted, the pin 28 is raised and the frame 4 is also raised upward via the bracket 29 and the horizontal member 44. The wheel 20 and the nozzle covers 42 and 43 provided on the No. 4 are separated from the traveling surface G together with the nozzles 31 to 38. And
Since the open / close valve 91 is set to be in the closed state when the wheels 20 are not in contact with the running surface G,
Injection of high-pressure water from the nozzles 31 to 38 also stops.

However, this irrigation device has the effect of making pressure fluctuations at the outlet of the pump 95 much slower than in the case of intermittently injecting high-pressure liquid simultaneously from a large number of nozzles. As a result, it is possible to make the accumulator 94 have a much smaller capacity than that of the conventional one.

In addition, in the distribution mechanism 5 of the present embodiment, a plurality of common valve cases 6 are provided in order to functionally integrate the action of distributing the high pressure liquid supplied from the pump 95 to the nozzles 31 to 38. Of the switching valves 6a to 6d are provided internally, and their operating ends 65a are projected on the upper surface 60 of the valve case 6, and these operating ends 65a are common to the cam followers 71d.
It is possible to collect the switching valves 6a to 6d around the common cam follower 71d and to install the switching valves 6a to 6d in the valve case 6 at a relatively high density. Compared with the one in which the switching valves are discretely arranged near the corresponding nozzles and the switching valves and nozzles are blocked and those switching valves are driven by a common switching valve energizing mechanism, the weight and volume of the block, It is possible to substantially reduce the wasted space, and the structure around the cam follower can be made much smaller and simpler than the switching valve urging mechanism.

Therefore, this lawn irrigation apparatus can exert excellent operability without exception even when it is applied to a golf course that is vast and has a lot of undulations.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, although only one cam follower is mounted on the cam shaft in the above embodiment, a plurality of cam followers may be provided at equiangular positions if the injection cycle is desired to be shortened. In addition, when irrigation covers a wide area,
A plurality of the above distribution mechanisms may be provided.
Further, the number of switching valves and nozzles is arbitrary, and it is not always necessary to inject nozzles in pairs, and conversely, three or more nozzles may be injected in pairs. In addition, the correspondence between the switching valve and the nozzle can be variously set according to the purpose and application.

[0027]

According to the present invention, the injections from a plurality of nozzles are opened at different timings, so that pressure fluctuations on the pump discharge side can be alleviated to a large extent without difficulty. Therefore, the accumulator, which is installed in parallel with the pump for sending the high-pressure liquid toward the nozzle, has a small capacity, and therefore the device is made compact and the generation of vibrations due to the water hammer etc. is prevented and the water supply is improved. It has the basic effect of improving the durability of each part including the system path.

In addition, according to the present invention, since the function of distributing the high-pressure liquid supplied from the pump to the nozzles is functionally integrated in the distribution mechanism, the switching valve is provided around the common presser. It can be configured to operate collectively and each component can be incorporated within the block at a relatively high density. Therefore, the weight and volume of the block and the waste space can be substantially reduced, and the periphery of the presser can be made extremely small and simple, and the overall size and weight of the device can be reduced. Then, it has an excellent effect of surely improving the operability when applied to a vast and rugged golf course.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view showing the main part.

FIG. 3 is a distribution perspective view showing the distribution mechanism of the embodiment in a further enlarged manner.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the relationship between the switching valve and the cam follower of the same embodiment.

5 is an assembled perspective view corresponding to FIG.

FIG. 6 is a functional block diagram showing the function of the distribution mechanism in the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a state of injection timing from a nozzle in the embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 G ... Lawn surface 3a ... Jet port 4 ... Frame 5 ... Distribution mechanism 6 ... Block (valve case) 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d ... Switching valve 31-38 ... Nozzle 60 ... One surface (upper surface) 65a ... Operating end 71 ... Rotation Body (cam shaft) 71d ... Pusher (cam follower) 72 ... Orbit motor 95 ... Pump

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A frame movable along a lawn surface, a plurality of nozzles mounted on the frame with an injection port directed toward the lawn surface, a pump for sequentially delivering a high-pressure liquid, and a high pressure delivered from this pump. of liquid Ri Na sequentially and a plurality of nozzles in the distribution supply distributor mechanism by a predetermined period at a predetermined timing, the distribution mechanism, each around the rotary body
Multiple cuts to interrupt the supply of high pressure liquid to the nozzle.
In addition to installing the switching valves, place the operating end of each switching valve
Make sure that each operation end is rotated by
It is designed to be able to press sequentially by a common presser provided on the body.
Lawn irrigation system, characterized in that is obtained form. 2. A frame movable along a lawn surface;
A plurality of units attached to the frame with the mouth facing the grass surface.
The nozzle, the pump that pumps high-pressure liquid in sequence, and this pump
High-pressure liquid delivered from the pump at the required timing
Distributing mechanism that sequentially supplies to multiple nozzles for a fixed period
The distribution mechanism is provided with a plurality of switching valves inside a common block, and the operating ends of the switching valves are projected on one surface of the block with a required space between them. A lawn irrigation device, characterized in that the operating end is configured to be sequentially pressed by a common pressing member. 3. A rotary body which is rotationally driven by a motor is arranged on one surface of the block, and the operating ends of the switching valves are arranged around the rotary body at a predetermined pitch in the circumferential direction.
The lawn irrigation device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing elements provided on the outer periphery of the rotating body are configured to sequentially press the operation ends.