JP7169680B2 - drug applicator - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a drug applicator for applying a drug to an object.

Conventionally, a sprayer has been used to spray chemicals. The chemicals sprayed in this manner include herbicides for exterminating weeds and the like, insecticides for exterminating insects and insect eggs, and fungicides for killing bacteria. However, when the chemical is sprayed using a sprayer, the chemical is sprayed not only on the target such as weeds, but also on the surroundings (for example, nearby useful crops, trees, soil, rivers, lakes, etc.). Workers may also be exposed.

Accordingly, various devices have been proposed for directly applying chemicals to weeds or the like to be removed. For example, Patent Literature 1 discloses a weeding roller device that directly applies weeds with a herbicide dropped from a chemical liquid tank onto an applicator roller. Further, Patent Document 2 discloses a herbicide applicator that supplies a herbicide from a chemical liquid tank to two applicator rollers by a reciprocating pump, sandwiches the weeds between the two applicator rollers, and directly applies the herbicide to the weeds. It is

However, with the weeding roller device disclosed in Patent Document 1 and the herbicide applicator disclosed in Patent Document 2, it is difficult to control the application amount, and depending on the type of chemical used, the medicinal ingredients may not sufficiently permeate weeds. was there.

In order to solve such problems, there has been proposed an applicator that foams a predetermined amount of herbicide and directly applies it to weeds (for example, Patent Document 3). This applicator is provided with a piston interlocked with the opening and closing motions of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, and with one opening and closing movement of the upper jaw and the lower jaw, a predetermined amount of the chemical solution is supplied to the air mixture to form a foam, which is then discharged. It is configured to be applied to the foliage.

With such an applicator, there is no variation in the amount of herbicide to be applied, and since the herbicide is applied in the form of foam, it does not drip. Weeds can be sufficiently infiltrated.

JP-A-11-220994 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2007-117010 JP 2011-15661 A

However, the applicator disclosed in Patent Document 3 has a structure in which the operator grips the upper jaw and the lower jaw to open and close, so when trying to exterminate many weeds over a wide area, the grip strength decreases and the workability becomes tiring. there was a problem. In addition, when workers get tired, their attention becomes distracted, so there is a risk of exposure to useful crops, soil, water surface, etc. due to mistakes in work.

An object of the present invention is to provide a drug applicator with better work efficiency.

A drug applicator according to the present invention comprises a container for containing and holding a drug solution, a bellows portion configured to be expandable and contractable in a predetermined direction, a sliding guide attached to the bellows portion, and a bellows portion to be accommodated and held. a bubble generator, an air check valve, a chemical liquid supply means for supplying the chemical liquid from the container to the bellows section, and a drive for expanding and contracting the bellows section by sliding the sliding guide member in the predetermined direction. means, when the bellows portion expands, external air is introduced into the bellows portion through the air check valve, and when the bellows portion contracts, the bubble generator is compressed, thereby The chemical solution and air in the bellows portion are mixed and discharged from the bellows portion in the form of bubbles. and a drive transmission mechanism for sliding the guide in the predetermined direction.

According to the medicine applicator of the present invention, since the bellows part is expanded and contracted by the rotational driving force of the motor, the worker is less tired even after working for a long time, and the workability can be improved.

The figure which shows the use condition of the medicine applicator which concerns on embodiment of this invention. (a) is a schematic diagram showing the internal structure of the medicine applicator shown in FIG. 1, and (b) is an exploded perspective view showing driving means and its periphery provided in the medicine applicator. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the drug applicator shown in FIG. 1; 2 is a schematic circuit diagram of the drug applicator shown in FIG. 1; FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a lever device included in the medicine applicator shown in FIG. 1;

Hereinafter, a drug applicator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Referring to FIG. 1, a drug applicator 1 of this embodiment is a device for applying a drug to an object, and examples of the object include plants, insects, and insect eggs. Further, examples of chemicals include herbicides, plant growth agents, insecticides, fungicides, and the like. Here, weed W is used as an object and a herbicide is used as an example. Additives (surfactant, etc.) are added to the medicine as necessary to improve foaming.

The drug applicator 1 includes a container 2 containing a liquid drug (medical solution), a foam generator 3 for making the drug foamy, a foam conveying pipe 4 for transporting the foamy drug solution, and a power supply unit 5 . And prepare. As shown in FIG. 2 , the container 2 includes a container body 21 that stores the liquid medicine, a lid 22 that covers an upper opening of the container body 21 , and a hose 23 . A through hole 22a through which a hose 23 is inserted is provided in the lid 22, and a packing 24 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the through hole 22a. This prevents the liquid medicine from leaking from the through hole 22a even if the container 2 rolls over. A check valve 25 is provided on the lid 22 to prevent the inside of the container 2 from being decompressed when the foam generator 3 sucks the liquid medicine from the container 2 as will be described later.

One end 23 a of the hose 23 is installed to reach the bottom of the container body 21 , and the other end of the hose 23 is provided with a hose fitting 23 b connected to the foam generator 3 . Furthermore, a hanging string 26 is attached to the container 2, and the worker P can carry the container 2 by hanging the hanging string 26 around his neck or shoulder.

The foam generator 3 includes a main body cover 31, a foam generating section 6, a rotary pump (medicine supply means) 7 for supplying a chemical solution to the foam generating section 6, a drive means 8, a grip section 9, and a foam generator. and an air intake device 10 for supplying air to the part 6 .

2 and 3, the bubble generating portion 6 includes a bellows fitting 61 screwed and fixed to the main body cover 31, a hollow bellows portion 62 capable of extending and contracting in the front-rear direction (predetermined direction) D1, and a slide. A movement guide member 63 and a sponge 64 as a bubble generator accommodated in the bellows portion 62 are provided. As shown in FIG. 3, one end (rear end) of the bellows portion 62 is fixed to the bellows mounting fixture 61 by a mounting screw 65, and a through hole 65a is provided in the center of the mounting screw 65 for passing the chemical solution from the rotary pump 7. is provided. The sliding guide member 63 is attached to the other end (front end) of the bellows portion 62 and held by the main body cover 31 so as to be slidable in the front-rear direction D1.

In such a configuration, when the sliding guide member 63 slides in the front-rear direction D1, the bellows portion 62 expands and contracts (peristalsis), and the sponge 64 inside the bellows portion 62 is compressed/restored. By compressing/restoring the sponge 64 in this manner, the chemical solution and air are mixed to generate bubbles. Details will be described later.

The rotary pump 7 is a general positive displacement rotary pump, and a rice ball-shaped rotor (not shown) rotates in a circular casing 71 to suck liquid medicine from an inlet 72 and discharge it from an outlet 73. is configured to The discharge port 73 of the rotary pump 7 communicates with the bellows portion 62 via the hose H1, the bellows fitting 61, and the mounting screw 65. As shown in FIG.

Referring to FIG. 2, the driving means 8 includes a motor M for rotationally driving the rotary pump 7, and the rotational driving force of the motor M is transmitted to the sliding guide member 63 to move the sliding guide member 63 in the longitudinal direction D1. and a drive transmission mechanism 80 that slides. The motor M is a small DC motor driven by a battery such as a dry battery.

The drive transmission mechanism 80 includes a first spur gear 81 mounted on the output shaft Ma of the motor M, a second spur gear 82 meshing with the first spur gear 81, and a crank provided on the upper surface of the second spur gear 82. It includes a pin 83 , a connecting plate 84 , and a substantially semicircular sensor cam 85 provided coaxially with the second spur gear 82 . The second spur gear 82 has a larger diameter than the first spur gear 81 . One end (rear end) of the connecting plate 84 is rotatably attached to the crankpin 83 , and the other end (front end) is rotatably attached to the sliding guide 63 .

In such a configuration, when the motor M is driven, the rotary pump 7 is rotationally driven, and the first spur gear 81, the second spur gear 82, and the sensor cam 85 are also rotated. As the second spur gear 82 rotates, the connecting plate 84 slides in the front-rear direction D1, causing the sliding guide member 63 to slide in the front-rear direction D1.

With reference to FIG. 3 , the gripping portion 9 includes a hollow gripping portion body 91 attached to the rear end of the body cover 31 and a connection fitting 92 provided inside the rear end of the gripping portion body 91 . The front end of the connection fitting 92 is connected to the suction port 72 of the rotary pump 7 via the hose H2, and the rear end of the connection fitting 92 is provided with a mounting screw 93, to which the above-described hose fitting 23b can be attached and detached. attached to the Thus, the suction port 72 of the rotary pump 7 communicates with the container body 21 via the hose H2, the connection fitting 92, the hose fitting 23b, and the hose 23. As shown in FIG. Further, an air check valve 94 is provided inside the connection fitting 92 to prevent backflow and leakage of the chemical solution from the bubble generating portion 6 when the hose fitting 23b is removed from the mounting screw 93. FIG. As the air check valve 94, for example, a duckbill valve can be used.

The air intake device 10 is connected to the tip of the bellows portion 62, and includes a hollow air intake main body 11 communicating with the bellows portion 62, a foam check valve 12 provided at the front end of the air intake main body 11, A mounting screw 13 provided in front of the foam check valve 12 and an air check valve 14 provided in the middle of the air intake main body 11 are provided. As the air check valve 14, for example, a duckbill valve can be used.

As described above, when the bellows portion 62 shrinks and the sponge 64 is compressed, the chemical liquid in the bellows portion 62 mixes with air and becomes foamy. The chemical liquid thus foamed becomes nodules E and is sent out to the foam conveying pipe 4 via the air intake device 10 . Next, when the bellows portion 62 is restored, the foam check valve 12 prevents the nodule foam E from flowing back from the foam conveying pipe 4 , and the negative pressure inside the bellows portion 62 causes the air check valve 14 to flow to the outside. Air is taken in from and supplied into the bellows portion 62 . That is, the air check valve 14 is closed when the bellows portion 62 is contracted, and is opened to take in air when the bellows portion 62 is restored. When it does, it opens to send out the nodule foam E.

A base end (rear end) of the foam transport pipe 4 is provided with a coupling 41 that engages with the mounting screw 13 , whereby the foam transport pipe 4 is detachably connected to the air intake device 10 . . A wire mesh 42 is provided at the tip (front end) of the foam conveying pipe 4 to prevent the nodule foam E sent from the foam generating section 6 from dripping. Furthermore, a support 43 is detachably provided in front of the wire mesh 42 . The applicator 43 has a Y shape, which makes it easier to catch the stems of the weeds W and to easily apply the chemical solution to the intended position. It should be noted that the foam conveying pipe 4 of this embodiment is composed of a long pipe.

Thus, in this embodiment, the chemical liquid is sucked from the container 2 by the rotary pump 7 and supplied to the bellows portion 62 . Further, when the bellows portion 62 is restored (expanded) from the compressed state, the internal pressure of the bellows portion 62 becomes negative pressure, so that external air is introduced into the bellows portion 62 via the air check valve 14 . When the bellows portion 62 contracts from this state and the internal sponge 64 is compressed, the air and the chemical solution are mixed inside the bellows portion 62 to form foam (nodule foam E), which is discharged to the foam transport pipe 4 . . Repeated contraction and expansion (peristaltic motion) of the bellows portion 62 produces a plurality of nodule bubbles E in succession, which move in a rolling manner within the bubble conveying pipe 4 and are discharged from the tip.

Referring to FIG. 2, power supply unit 5 includes a battery case 51 containing a plurality of batteries (not shown). The extraction plug C1 of the code C is inserted and connected to the bubble generator 3.

The drive means 8 further comprises an operation switch S1, a sensor switch S2 and a lever device L as a continuous operation part. The operation switch S1 has a push button S11 provided in front of the grip portion 9 .

The sensor switch S2 senses the rotation of the sensor cam 85 as a rotating body, and includes a casing S21 positioned below the sensor cam 85, a pressing member S22 supported by the casing S21, and a pressing member S22. and a pressed portion S23 arranged below. The pressing member S22 is vertically swingable about its base end S22a and is biased toward the second spur gear 82. As shown in FIG.

In such a configuration, when the sensor cam 85 rotates integrally with the second spur gear 82 and contacts the tip of the pressing member S22, the pressing member S22 is pressed downward by the sensor cam 85, and the base end of the pressing member S22 is pressed downward. It swings about S22a, and pushes down the pressed part S23. When the sensor cam 85 further rotates and separates from the pressing member S22, the pressing of the pressing member S22 by the sensor cam 85 is released, and the pressing member S22 swings around the base end S22a and returns to its original posture. do. As a result, the pressure applied to the pressed portion S23 is also released.

In other words, the sensor switch S2 senses the rotational angular position of the sensor cam 85. When the rotating sensor cam 85 reaches a predetermined first rotational angular position, the sensor cam 85 pushes the pressing member S22. This is sensed by being pressed, and when the sensor cam 85 rotates further and reaches a predetermined second rotational angular position, the pressing member S22 is separated from the sensor cam 85 to sense this.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operation switch S1 has a c-contact type switch S10 having a movable contact T0 and a pair of fixed contacts T1 and T2. The connection state of the contact T0 is switched. Normally, the movable contact T0 is kept connected to the fixed contact T1 as shown in FIG. 4(a), and when the push button S11 is pressed, the movable contact T0 is fixed as shown in FIG. 4(b). When the push button S11 is released from the contact T2, the movable contact T0 returns to the state in which it is connected to the fixed contact T1 as shown in FIG. 4(a).

The sensor switch S2 has a c-contact type switch S20 having a movable contact T5 and a pair of fixed contacts T3 and T4. is switched. Normally, the movable contact T5 is kept connected to the fixed contact T4 as shown in FIG. 4(a), and when the pressed portion S23 is pressed, the movable contact T5 is opened as shown in FIG. 4(c). When the pressed portion S23 is released from the fixed contact T3, the movable contact T5 returns to the state in which it is connected to the fixed contact T4 as shown in FIG. 4(a).

A plus power supply connected to the power supply unit 5 (FIG. 2) is connected to the movable contact T0, and a minus power supply is connected to the motor M. Further, the fixed contact T1 is always connected to the fixed contact T3, the fixed contact T2 is always connected to the fixed contact T4, and the movable contact T5 is always connected to the motor M.

Therefore, in the initial state shown in FIG. 4A, the movable contact T0 is connected to the fixed contact T1 and the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T4, so the motor M is not energized. When the push button S11 is pressed in this state, the movable contact T0 is connected to the fixed contact T2 as shown in FIG. 4(b). At this time, since the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T4, the motor M is energized and driven. When the motor M is driven in this manner, the rotary pump 7 is rotationally driven and the chemical solution is supplied to the bellows portion 62 . At the same time, the first and second spur gears 81 and 82 rotate, the sliding guide 63 slides backward, and the bellows portion 62 contracts. As a result, one lump bubble E is generated and pushed out to the bubble conveying pipe 4 . At this time, the sensor cam 85 coaxial with the second spur gear 82 also rotates, and when the sensor cam 85 reaches the first rotation angle position (that is, the sensor cam 85 reaches the pressed portion through the pressing member S22). When S23 is pressed), the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T3 as shown in FIG. 4(c), and the motor M stops. That is, when the push button S11 is pushed by the operator P, the motor M rotates by a predetermined amount and automatically stops, and the bellows portion 62 is maintained in a contracted state.

Next, when the push button S11 is released, the movable contact T0 is connected to the fixed contact T1 as shown in FIG. 4(d). At this time, since the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T3, the motor M is energized again and driven. Then, the rotary pump 7 is rotationally driven, and at the same time, the sliding guide member 63 slides forward, and the bellows portion 62 is restored. At this time, the sensor cam 85 also rotates, and when the sensor cam 85 reaches the second rotation angle position (that is, when the sensor cam 85 separates from the pressing member S22 and the pressure on the pressed portion S23 is released). , the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T4 as shown in FIG. That is, when the operator P releases the push button S11, the motor M rotates by a predetermined amount and automatically stops, and the bellows portion 62 is maintained in the restored state.

In this way, every time the sensor cam 85 rotates together with the second spur gear 82, the rotary pump 7 supplies a predetermined amount of chemical solution to the bellows portion 62, and the sliding guide member 63 reciprocates once to move the bellows portion. 62 operates once (contracts and expands/peristals), and one lump bubble E is generated and discharged from the bellows portion 62 .

Note that the amount of chemical solution per one nodule bubble E generated by one operation of the bellows portion 62, the mixing ratio of the chemical solution and air, the hardness of the bubbles, etc., depend on the volume ratio of the sponge 64 and the rotation of the rotary pump 7. The number of rotations of the rotary pump 7 can be adjusted by the number of teeth of the first spur gear 81 and the second spur gear 82 .

The lever device L drives the motor M continuously. For example, when the chemical solution is injected into the empty container 2 before starting the application work, air remains in the piping including the hose 23 and the rotary pump 7. Alternatively, the inside of the rotary pump 7 can be filled with the chemical solution. The lever device L is also used when the inside of the pipe is washed with water after the work is finished.

2 and 5, the lever device L includes a lever L1, a piston L2, and a spring L3 fitted around the piston L2. When the lever L1 is pulled, the piston L2 slides backward, the tip of the piston L2 pushes down the pressing member S22 of the sensor switch S2, and the pressed portion S23 is pressed downward. When the lever L1 is released, the biasing force of the spring L3 causes the piston L2 to slide forward and return to its original position, releasing the pressure on the pressed portion S23.

Therefore, when the operator P pulls the lever L1 in the initial state shown in FIG. 4(a), the movable contact T5 is connected to the fixed contact T3 and the motor M rotates as shown in FIG. 4(d). When the lever L1 is released and the piston L2 returns to its original position, the initial state shown in FIG. 4(a) is restored and the motor M stops. That is, as long as the operator P continues to pull the lever L1, the motor M is continuously driven regardless of the angular position of the rotating sensor cam 85. FIG.

Next, the work of applying the chemical to the weeds W will be described. First, an appropriately diluted drug is injected into the container 2 , and the hose fitting 23 b provided at the tip of the hose 23 is connected to the mounting screw 93 of the grip portion 9 . A hanging string 26 is used to hang the container 2 around the neck or shoulder. A battery is set in the battery case 51, the plug C1 of the power cable C is inserted into the insertion port 52, and the battery case 51 is fixed to a waist band or the like.

Next, the operator P operates the lever device L (pulls the lever L1) to drive the motor M continuously. As a result, the rotary pump 7 is rotationally driven and the bellows portion 62 is peristaltic, so that the nodule foam E is continuously generated. A plurality of nodule bubbles E generated in this way are sequentially moved toward the tip of the foam conveying pipe 4 in a tokoroten manner, and are discharged from the tip of the foam conveying pipe 4 (the discharge port of the pad 43). After confirming that the nodule foam E is discharged from the tip of the foam conveying pipe 4 in this manner, the operator P releases the lever L1 to release the operation of the lever device L and stop the driving of the motor M. At this point, the inside of the foam conveying pipe 4 is filled with the nodule foam E.

Next, the worker P grips the grip portion 9, applies the bifurcated portion of the support 43 to the stem of the weed W, and operates the operation switch S1 (presses the push button S11). Then, the motor M is driven as described above, and one lump bubble E is generated and delivered to the bubble conveying pipe 4 . As a result, one lump foam E on the most downstream side in the foam conveying pipe 4 is pushed out from the discharge port of the applicator 43 and applied to the weeds W, and the motor M is automatically stopped in this state. Thereafter, when the operator P releases the operation of the operation switch S1 (releases the push button S11), the motor M is driven again as described above, and the motor M automatically stops with the bellows portion 62 restored.

As described above, according to the medicine applicator 1 of the present embodiment, since the rotational driving force of the electric motor M is used to generate the nodular foam E, it is compared with a conventional applicator that manually generates nodular foam. The fatigue of the operator P can be reduced, and the occurrence of work mistakes due to fatigue can be suppressed.

By using a long pipe as the foam conveying pipe 4, it is possible to work while standing even when applying to a low place, and the burden on the lower back can be reduced. Further, since the foam conveying pipe 4 is detachably attached to the foam generator 3, working efficiency can be further improved by replacing it with a foam conveying pipe of arbitrary length.

Furthermore, since the drug applicator 1 of this embodiment can be driven with a weak current, the entire drug applicator 1 can be made smaller and lighter, and one-handed operation can be facilitated.

In addition, since the motor M is automatically stopped each time the sensor cam 85 (second spur gear 82) makes a half rotation in accordance with the operation and release of the operation switch S1, the sensor cam 85 rotates once. Unlike the case where the motor M is automatically stopped each time the motor M is driven, malfunction such as the motor M being driven beyond a predetermined amount is less likely to occur.

Although the drug applicator according to the embodiment of the present invention has been described above with reference to the accompanying drawings, the present invention is not limited to such embodiment, and various modifications and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is possible.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the lever device L is used as the continuous operation unit, but the configuration is not limited as long as it can be driven by continuously energizing the motor M. For example, a push button switch can be used. It doesn't matter if it's something.

In the above embodiment, the sensor cam 85 is used as the rotating body, and the amount of rotation of the rotating body is detected by sensing the rotation angle position of the sensor cam 85. However, the rotating body is limited to the sensor cam 85. not. In the above embodiment, the amount of rotation of the second spur gear 82 is sensed by sensing the amount of rotation (rotational angular position) of the sensor cam 85. The amount of rotation may be sensed directly, in which case the second spur gear 82 functions as the rotating body.

Furthermore, the abutment 43 is not limited to the one described above, and its shape is not limited as long as it is suitable for the shape of the object. Also, the support 43 can be omitted depending on the shape of the object.

In the above-described embodiment, the sponge 64 is used as the foam generator, but the sponge 64 is not limited to any other material as long as it can generate foam by mixing the chemical solution and air by stretching. , a stainless steel scrubber, etc.), a coil spring, or the like may be used.

1 drug applicator 2 container 3 foam generator 4 foam conveying pipe 6 foam generating part 7 rotary pump (medicine supply means)
8 drive means 14 air check valve 62 bellows portion 63 sliding guide member 64 sponge (bubble generator)
80 drive transmission mechanism 81 first spur gear 82 second spur gear 85 sensor cam (rotating body)
E Nodule foam L Lever device (continuous operation part)
M Motor S1 Operation switch S2 Sensor switch

Claims (6)

a container for containing and holding a chemical solution;
a bellows section configured to be expandable and contractable in a predetermined direction;
a sliding guide attached to the bellows portion;
a foam generator accommodated and held in the bellows portion;
an air check valve;
a chemical supply means for supplying the chemical from the container to the bellows;
driving means for expanding and contracting the bellows portion by sliding the sliding guide in the predetermined direction;
When the bellows section expands, external air is introduced into the bellows section through the air check valve,
When the bellows section contracts, the bubble generator is compressed, and the chemical solution and air in the bellows section are mixed to form a foam, which is discharged from the bellows section,
The drug, wherein the driving means comprises a motor, and a drive transmission mechanism for transmitting rotational driving force of the motor to the sliding guide to slide the sliding guide in the predetermined direction. applicator. The drive means further comprises an operation switch,
When the operation switch is operated, the drive means contracts the bellows portion,
2. The drug applicator according to claim 1, wherein said driving means extends said bellows portion when the operation of said operating switch is released. The drive means further comprises a continuous operation part,
When the continuous operation section is operated, the drive means continuously expands and contracts the bellows section,
3. The medicine applicator according to claim 1, wherein said driving means stops expanding and contracting said bellows portion when the operation of said continuous operation portion is released. The drive means further comprises an operation switch and a sensor switch,
The drive transmission mechanism includes a rotating body that rotates in synchronization with the output shaft of the motor,
When the operation switch is operated, the motor is energized to rotate the rotating body in synchronization with the output shaft, and when the rotating body reaches the first rotation angle position, the sensor switch senses it. to stop the energization of the motor,
When the operation of the operation switch is released, the motor is energized to rotate the rotating body in synchronism with the output shaft. When the rotating body reaches the second rotation angle position, the sensor switch 2. The drug applicator according to claim 1, wherein the motor is de-energized by sensing The medicine applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said medicine supply means comprises a rotary pump that is rotationally driven by said motor. Further comprising a foam conveying pipe communicating with the bellows portion,
The chemical liquid foamed in the bellows portion is discharged to the foam conveying pipe,
The medicine applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a foam check valve is provided between the bellows portion and the foam conveying pipe.

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