JP2004298782A - Spray apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent spraying by mistake in mounting a fresh spray can in a spray apparatus detachably housing the spray can housing an deodorant or the like and for automatically spraying every interval of a prescribed time. <P>SOLUTION: The spray is carried out by rotating a cam shaft 31 once every interval of the prescribed time and pressing a pressing operation part 12 of a nozzle 11 of the spray can 1 by a 1st lever provided on the cam shaft. The cam shaft is stopped by operating a switch 51 with a 2nd lever provided at a position on the cam shaft 31 rotated to precede the 1st lever 32 by 90°. Then, the 1st lever is usually placed at a position not interfering with press operation part 12 of the nozzle 11 when the cam shaft 31 is stopped and the contact with the 1st lever in mounting the fresh spray can 1 is surely prevented to never cause spraying by mistake. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a spray device for automatically spraying a deodorant fragrance, an insecticide, and the like at regular time intervals.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a spray can containing a deodorant, a fragrance, an insecticide, etc. is removably housed, and the spray nozzle of the spray can is opened at predetermined time intervals by a driving means such as a small motor and a timer, and the automatic operation is performed. There have been proposed various types of spray devices for spraying liquid (for example, see Patent Documents 1 to 4).
[0003]
[Patent Document 1]
Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 60-86471 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-63-28155 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-63-35458 (page 1, FIG. 1)
[Patent Document 4]
JP-A-10-328590 (page 1-2, FIG. 1-3)
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the above-described spray device is configured to removably store the spray can so that it can be replaced with a new spray can when the spray can containing the deodorant is used up. At the time of mounting, there is a problem that the nozzle of the spray can comes into contact with the means for opening the nozzle and sprays erroneously.
[0005]
Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a spray device that does not accidentally spray when a new spray can is mounted.
[0006]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above problems, a first feature of a spray device according to the present invention is that a spray can having a pressing operation portion for opening a nozzle, a case in which the spray can is detachably mounted, and a case mounted in the case. An operating mechanism for pressing the pressing operation unit of the spray can, a driving unit for driving the operating mechanism, and a switch for stopping the operation of the operating mechanism are provided. There is a pressing means for rotating and pressing the pressing operation portion of the spray can. When the spray can is mounted on the case, the pressing means operates the switch at a rotational position where the pressing means does not interfere with the pressing operation portion.
[0007]
A second feature of the spray device according to the present invention is that a spray can having a pressing operation portion for opening a nozzle, a case for detachably mounting the spray can, and a pressing operation portion for the spray can mounted on the case. , A driving unit for driving the operating mechanism, and a switch for stopping the operation of the operating mechanism. The operating mechanism presses a pressing operation unit of the spray can. And a switch operating means for operating the switch. The pressing means and the switch operating means rotate integrally with each other, and the switch operating means is configured such that when the spray can is mounted on the case, the pressing means is in contact with the pressing operation portion. Activate this switch in a non-interfering rotational position.
[0008]
With this configuration, the operating mechanism that presses the pressing operation portion of the spray can always positively moves to a rotation position that does not interfere with the pressing operation portion of the spray can, except when spraying at regular time intervals. , It is possible to reliably prevent a problem that the spray can is accidentally sprayed when the spray can is mounted on the case. The first feature is that the pressing means itself for pressing the pressing operation part of the spray can activates the stop switch, but the stop switch is operated by another switch operating means which rotates integrally with the pressing means. This is different from the second feature of operating the above.
[0009]
A third feature of the spray device according to the present invention is that the pressing means described in the above feature 1 or 2 is a rotating crank lever. A fourth feature of the spray device according to the present invention is that the pressing means and the switch actuating means described in the above feature 2 comprise a rotating first lever and a second lever, and are mutually rotated at a predetermined rotation angle. Is provided at a distance.
[0010]
That is, the third feature is that when the crank lever as the pressing means rotates and presses the pressing operation part of the spray can to spray, and then comes to a position where it does not interfere with this pressing operation part, The crank lever itself is to actuate the switch. That is, it is assumed that a switch is mounted at a position where the pressing means is stopped. On the other hand, the fourth feature assumes that the position at which the pressing means is stopped and the position at which the switch is mounted are different due to structural reasons and the like. In this case, the pressing means is used. When the first lever rotates to a position where the first lever is to be stopped, the second lever, which is a switch operating means, activates a switch mounted at a position different from the stop position of the first lever.
[0011]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
The configuration of the spray device according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. That is, the spray device includes a case 2 for detachably mounting the spray can 1, an operating mechanism 3 for opening and closing the nozzle 11 of the spray can 1 mounted on the case, and a driving unit 4 for driving the operating mechanism. And a control unit 5 for controlling the drive unit 4 so as to operate the operation mechanism unit 3 at predetermined time intervals, and a switch 9 for supplying electric power to the control unit. The control unit 5 incorporates a voltage monitoring means 7 for monitoring the drive voltage of the drive unit 3. Then, the drive unit 4 and the control unit 5 operate with the power of the battery 8 mounted on the case 2.
[0012]
Now, in order to facilitate understanding of the contents of the present invention, first, the configuration and function of the components of the above-described spray device will be described. After that, switching of the control of the control unit 5 by the switch 9 will be described. The spray can 1 is a commercially available fragrance spray can, in which a nozzle 11 is attached to the upper end of a vertically long cylindrical container body 12 for storing the fragrance. The nozzle is sprayed in the axial direction from the tip of the nozzle. The case 2 is a thin container made of plastic, and is formed in a vertically long shape slightly larger than the spray can 1. The rear side of the case 2 is configured to receive the spray can 1 in a freely insertable manner. The openable bottom cover 21 is opened, and the spray can is inserted. The nozzle 11 of the spray can 1 is inserted into a guide hole 22 provided above the case 2.
[0013]
The front side surface of the case 2 is substantially flat, and an operation mechanism 3, a driving unit 4 for driving the operation mechanism, and a drive unit for operating the operation mechanism at predetermined time intervals are provided inside the case 2. A control unit 5 for controlling the unit is housed. The lower part on the front side of the case 2 is a battery holder with a front cover 23 that can be opened, and the battery 8 is loaded in this battery holder. An LED 6 is provided on the top of the case 2, and this LED indicates the remaining amount of the contents of the spray can 1 and the state of the drive voltage of the drive unit 4. On the front surface of the case 2, a switch 9 and a spray interval setting switch 10 capable of switching an opening time interval of the nozzle 11 to three stages are provided.
[0014]
Now, as shown in FIG. 3, the operating mechanism 3 for opening and closing the nozzle 11 of the spray can 1 includes a cam shaft 31 that rotates orthogonally to the nozzle, a first lever 32 provided on the cam shaft, The first lever has a position different from that of the first lever in the cam shaft direction, and includes a second lever 33 provided at a position preceding by 90 degrees in the rotation direction. Therefore, when the camshaft 31 rotates clockwise R, the first lever 32 presses the side surface of the nozzle 11 to incline this nozzle in the horizontal direction F to spray. The operation of the second lever 33 will be described later.
[0015]
The cam shaft 31 of the operating mechanism 3 is driven to rotate by the drive unit 4. That is, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the drive unit 4 includes a gear mechanism and a motor, and the first spur gear 41 is supported by the camshaft 31. Then, the first spur gear is driven to rotate by the second spur gear 42. A worm gear 43 is rotatably supported on the rotation shaft of the second spur gear 42, and the worm gear is rotationally driven by a worm 44 supported on a rotation shaft of a motor 45.
[0016]
The control unit 5 is configured by an electronic circuit including a microchip, and incorporates a timer 5a in addition to the voltage monitoring means 7 for monitoring the drive voltage of the drive unit 3 described above. Next, the function of the control unit 5 will be described. First, the time interval set by the time interval setting switch 10 is stored, the time signal from the timer 5a is integrated, and the current is supplied from the battery 8 to the drive unit 3 every time the set time interval elapses. Then, the cam shaft 31 of the operation mechanism 3 is rotated once at a predetermined rotation speed. Therefore, the nozzle 11 sprays when the cam shaft 31 rotates and the first lever 32 is opened only for a predetermined time while the nozzle is inclined. Therefore, if the rotation speed of the camshaft 31 is changed by changing the gear ratio or the rotation speed of the motor 45, the spraying time of the nozzle 11 can be adjusted, and the amount of one spraying can be easily increased or decreased. .
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 3, the stop position of the first lever 32 is always set to a position delayed by 90 degrees from the position in contact with the nozzle 11 by the operation of the initial position switch 51. That is, when the first lever 32 opens the nozzle 11 for a predetermined time and then further rotates and comes to the above-described position, the position of the cam lever in the cam shaft direction is different from that of the first lever. The second lever 33 provided at a position preceding by 90 degrees in the rotation direction activates the initial position switch 51 provided on the drive unit 4 and cuts off the current supplied from the battery 8 to the drive unit 3. Stop the part. Therefore, when the supply of current to the drive unit 3 is cut off, the first lever 32 is always placed at a position where it does not interfere with the nozzle 11, so that when the spray can 1 is mounted, the first lever 32 is It is possible to reliably avoid the problem that the first lever 32 stops while being in contact with the nozzle 11 due to accidental spraying by hitting the nozzle 11 or erroneous operation of the control unit 5.
[0018]
The second function of the control unit 5 is to accumulate the number of times of operation of the operation mechanism unit 4 and to cause the LED 6 to display a display corresponding to the number of times of operation. That is, the number of actuations of the actuating mechanism 4 for opening the nozzle 11 every predetermined time is integrated. If the number of actuations is equal to or less than the preset number, the LED 6 blinks at a normal speed (for example, once every two seconds). If the number of times exceeds the set number, this LED blinks at twice the normal speed (for example, once a second) to warn that the remaining amount of the spray can 1 is running low and replace it. Prompt. In addition, when the spray can 1 is replaced, the spray can is actuated by a predetermined reset switch (not shown) to reset the operation number of the operation mechanism unit 4 to an initial value of zero accumulated number.
[0019]
A third function of the control unit 5 is to measure the voltage of the battery 8 by the built-in voltage monitoring means 7 and to blink the LED 6 at a normal speed when the measured voltage is equal to or higher than a preset voltage (for example, (Once every 2 seconds) to inform that the voltage of this battery is sufficient, and when the measured voltage is lower than a preset voltage, the LED 6 is constantly lit to replace the battery or Prompt charging. When the measured voltage drops to a voltage at which normal operation of the microchip of the control unit 5 becomes difficult, it becomes difficult to turn on the LED 6, and the LED 6 is turned off. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to warn that the battery 8 needs to be replaced or charged immediately.
[0020]
Now, the configuration and function of the switch 9 will be described with reference to FIGS.
The switch 9 is a push slide switch, and includes a mount plate 91 and a slider body 92 slidable in the horizontal direction X with respect to the mount plate. At the upper end of the slider body 92, a button 93 that can be pushed in the vertical direction Y with respect to the slider body 92 is attached. At the lower end of the button 93, a projection 93b, a left groove 93a, and a right groove 93c are provided on the left and right sides of the projection, and each section is formed in a shape connected by a smooth arc. . A slide contact 96 made of a conductive member is integrally provided at a lower end of the slider body 92.
[0021]
Below the button 93, an elastic contact element 94 made of a conductive member and fixed contacts 95a, 95b, 95c are mounted on a mount plate 91, respectively. The elastic contact element 94 is a spring that bends a flat plate into a substantially flat C-shaped cross section, the lower end of which is fixed to the mount plate 91, and the other end 94a of which can move up and down. A projection 94b is provided on the upper portion of the elastic contact element 94, and the projection is pressed by a spring force into a left groove 93a and a right groove 93c formed at the lower end of the button 93, respectively. Engage. The switch 9 is energized by the contact between the other end 94 a of the elastic contact element 94 and the fixed contact 95. Further, power is supplied also when the slider contact 96 provided at the lower end of the slider body 92 engages with the fixed contact 95c.
[0022]
Next, the operation of the switch 9 will be described. FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 show the case where the switch 9 is in the second position, the first position, and the third position, respectively. That is, at the second position in FIG. 5, the button 93 is slid leftward, and the upper protrusion 94b of the elastic contact element 94 is engaged with the right groove 93c. The button 93 also slides the slide contact 96 to the left via the slider body 92, and de-energizes the fixed contacts 95b and 95c. Next, as shown in FIG. 6, when the button 93 is slid in the right direction X from the second position, the protrusion 94b separates from the right groove 93c of the button 93, gets over the protrusion 93c, and engages with the left groove 93a. Move to the first position. Therefore, the slide contact 96 also slides rightward, and the fixed contacts 95b and 95c are energized. Next, as shown in FIG. 7, when the button 93 is pushed in the downward direction Y in the first position, the elastic contact element 94 bends downward, and the other end 94a comes into contact with the fixed contact 95a to energize. Moves to the third position.
[0023]
Next, switching of the control of the control unit 5 by the displacement of the switch 9 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 shows a case where the switch 9 is in the second position shown in FIG. 5 (state (2)). That is, the protrusion 94b of the elastic contact element 94 engages with the right groove 93c of the button 93, the slide contact 96 does not contact the fixed contact 95c, and the other end 94a does not contact the fixed contact 95a. 5 is not energized. Therefore, the control unit 5 cuts off the power supply and stops the control function. In addition, the voltage monitoring means 7 to which power is supplied via the control unit 5, the driving unit 4, and the LED 6 also stop operating.
[0024]
Even if the button 93 is pushed in this state, the other end 94a of the elastic contact element 94 does not contact the fixed contact 95.
[0025]
On the other hand, when the button 93 is slid to the right, the protrusion 94b of the elastic contact element 94 engages with the left groove 93a of the button 93, and the slide contact 96 also slides to the right to contact the fixed contact 95c. To supply power to the control unit 5 from the battery 8. Therefore, the control unit 5 is activated, and when the elapsed time from the timer 5a reaches a predetermined spray interval time, the drive unit 4 is driven to rotate the cam shaft 31 of the operation mechanism 3 once, and the first After the lever 32 presses the nozzle 11 to spray, the second lever 33 operates the initial position switch 51 to stop this driving unit. When the button 93 is pushed in this state, the other end 94a of the elastic contact element 94 contacts the fixed contact 95a (state {circle around (3)}) and energizes the control unit 5. That is, the switch 9 moves to the third position shown in FIG. Then, the control unit 5 drives the driving unit 4 to rotate the cam shaft 31 of the operating mechanism 3 once, and the first lever 32 presses the nozzle 11 to spray, and then the second lever 33 moves to the initial position. By operating the switch 51, the driving unit is stopped.
[0026]
FIG. 9 shows a configuration in which power is supplied to the control unit 5 by another power switch 100. The switch 9 operates in a state where the power switch 100 is turned on and the control unit 5 is activated. , The control for the drive unit 4 is changed. That is, when the switch 9 is in the first position shown in FIG. 6, the control path to the drive unit 4 is energized (state {circle around (1)}), and the elapsed time from the timer 5a is equal to the predetermined spray interval time. In this case, the driving unit 4 is driven to rotate the camshaft 31 of the operating mechanism 3 once, and the first lever 32 presses the nozzle 11 to spray, and then the second lever 33 is initially moved. By actuating the position switch 51, the drive is stopped. In this state, when the switch 9 is moved to the third position shown in FIG. 7 (state {circle around (3)}), the control unit 5 immediately drives the driving unit 4 to cause the cam shaft 31 of the operating mechanism 3 to move. Is rotated once, the first lever 32 presses the nozzle 11 to spray, and then the second lever 33 operates the initial position switch 51 to stop this driving unit.
[0027]
On the other hand, when the switch 9 is in the second position shown in FIG. 5, since the control path for the drive unit 4 is interrupted (state {circle over (2)}), the elapsed time from the timer 5a is equal to the predetermined spray interval time. In this case, the driving unit 4 is kept stopped.
[0028]
Finally, the control steps of the control unit 5 will be collectively described with reference to FIG. That is, when the switch 9 is set to the first position shown in FIG. 6, power is supplied from the battery 8 and the control unit 5 is activated (A). Then, when the control unit 5 is started, the control unit is reset to an initial state (B) to prevent occurrence of an erroneous operation. In the state reset to the initial state, the control unit 5 puts the LED 6 in a control state in which the LED 6 blinks every two seconds to indicate that the voltage of the battery 8 and the remaining amount of the spray can 1 are normal (C ). Next, the voltage of the battery 8 is measured by the voltage monitoring means 7 (D). If the voltage is lower than a predetermined value, the control unit 5 turns on the LED 6 continuously (E) to warn of the consumption of the battery. . If the measured voltage is equal to or more than the predetermined value, the control unit 5 keeps the LED 6 blinking every two seconds to display that the voltage is normal (C).
[0029]
Next, the control unit 5 checks whether the switch 9 is pushed, that is, whether the switch 9 is set to the third position (F). If the switch 9 is not set to the third position, the control unit 5 uses the spray interval setting switch 10. The set spray interval is checked (G). Then, the elapsed time from the timer 5a is measured (H), and it is checked whether the set spray interval has elapsed (I). Then, when the set spray interval has elapsed, the control unit 5 drives the motor 45 (J) to rotate the camshaft 31 and the first lever 32 presses the nozzle 11 to spray. . The control unit 5 checks whether or not the second lever 33 has operated the initial position switch 51 (K), and when the initial position switch is operated, stops the motor 8 at that position (L). ).
[0030]
When the initial position switch 51 is activated (K), the controller 5 resets the elapsed time from the timer 5a to zero (M), and accumulates and stores the number K of times of operation of the initial position switch. (N). Then, when the number of times of operation K becomes 150 times or more which has been set in advance (O), the control unit 5 blinks the LED 6 every other second twice as fast as usual, and the spray can 1 becomes empty. Warning (P). When the switch 9 is pushed, that is, when the switch 9 is set to the third position (F), the control unit 5 drives the motor 5 (J) and executes the above-described steps (K) to (P). And perform monitor spraying. In this way, the control unit 5 performs the above-described control at the first position, the second position, and the third position of the switch 9, respectively.
[0031]
The spray device according to the present invention uses a spray can that sprays by pressing the nozzle 11 from the side, but is configured to use a spray can that sprays by pressing the nozzle in the axial direction. Is also good. Further, the present invention is not limited to the configuration in which the operating mechanism 3 is rotated by the motor 8 via the driving unit 4 including a gear mechanism, and may be configured to use a solenoid valve to spray the nozzle by pressing the nozzle for a predetermined time. Good. That is, for example, every predetermined time, power is supplied to the solenoid valve, the nozzle is pressed for a predetermined spraying time, then the power is shut off, and the solenoid valve is returned to a position that does not interfere with the nozzle by a spring or the like. Is also good.
[0032]
Further, the LED 6 is not limited to one LED, and two LEDs may be used to separately display the voltage drop and the remaining drop of the spray can 1. Further, three or more LEDs may be used, each of the LEDs may be covered with a cover of a different color, and a light emission display of a different color may be performed according to a signal from the control unit 5. The display means is not limited to the LED, and is configured to use a dial meter or a bar-shaped meter to swing the indicating needle or the like in response to a signal from the control unit 5 or to emit a predetermined warning sound. Is also good.
[0033]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, in the spray device according to the present invention, when the spray can is mounted on the case, the operation of the operation mechanism is performed at a position where the pressing means or the switch operating means of the operation mechanism does not interfere with the pressing operation section of the spray can. Since the stop switch is operated, when the spray can is mounted, the pressing operation part of the spray can is sprayed by mistake, or the pressing means or the switch operating means of the operating mechanism is kept in contact with the pressing operation part of the spray can. The malfunction of stopping can be avoided reliably.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a front view of a spray device.
FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of the spray device.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an opening / closing operation of a nozzle.
FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged view of an operation mechanism for opening and closing a nozzle and a driving unit. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a switch in a first position.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the switch in a second position.
FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the switch in a third position.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing a relationship between a switch position and control.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram showing another relationship between a switch position and control.
FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing control steps.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Spray can 11 Nozzle 2 Case 21 Bottom cover 22 Guide hole 23 Front cover 3 Operating mechanism 31 Cam shaft 32 First lever 33 Second lever 4 Drive unit 45 Motor 5 Control unit 6 LED
7 Voltage monitoring means 8 Battery 9 Switch

Claims (4)

A case for detachably mounting a spray can having a pressing operation part for opening the nozzle,
An operating mechanism for pressing the pressing operation portion of the spray can mounted on the case,
A drive unit for driving the operation mechanism unit,
A switch for stopping the operation of the operation mechanism,
The operating mechanism has a pressing unit that rotates to press the pressing operation unit of the spray can,
The spray device, wherein the pressing means operates the switch at a rotational position where the pressing means does not interfere with the pressing operation part when the spray can is mounted on the case. A case for detachably mounting a spray can having a pressing operation part for opening the nozzle,
An operating mechanism for pressing the pressing operation portion of the spray can mounted on the case,
A drive unit for driving the operation mechanism unit,
A switch for stopping the operation of the operation mechanism,
The operating mechanism has a pressing means for pressing a pressing operation part of the spray can and a switch operating means for operating the switch.
The pressing means and the switch operating means rotate integrally with each other,
The spray device, wherein the switch operating means operates the switch at a rotational position where the pressing means does not interfere with the pressing operation part when the spray can is mounted on the case. 3. The spray device according to claim 1, wherein the pressing means is a rotating crank lever. 3. The spray device according to claim 2, wherein the pressing means and the switch operating means comprise a first lever and a second lever which rotate, and are provided at a predetermined rotation angle from each other. .

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