TW201636108A - Spraying apparatus and spray head for a spraying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a spraying apparatus comprising a liquid inlet (2) being adapted to be coupled with a water supply line or water hose, a spray head (3) comprising a liquid outlet (4) for providing liquid to liquid receiving objects and a liquid channel (5) fluidly coupling the liquid inlet (2) with the liquid outlet (4). In addition, a valve entity (6) is provided between the liquid inlet (2) and the liquid outlet (4), said valve entity (6) comprising a membrane (7) made of elastic material, said membrane (7) comprising one or more slits (7.1) in order to enable a liquid flow through said valve entity (6) when the liquid pressure provided to the valve entity (6) is above a certain pressure threshold and disable a liquid flow out of the liquid outlet when the liquid pressure provided to the valve entity (6) is below said threshold.

Description

Spraying device and sprinkler head for spraying device

The present invention relates to a spray device, and more particularly to a spray device including a valve body for avoiding dripping or idling after stopping the irrigation program.

Spraying devices, particularly spray devices in the form of spray guns or spray bars, are well known in the art. After the irrigation program is stopped, the spray device contains a large amount of residual liquid in the liquid passage inside the spray device. The residual liquid dripped due to gravity. The drip is considered by the user to be a liquid leak and most users consider the dripping to be annoying.

One of the objects of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a spray device and a spray head that avoid dripping of residual liquid. This object is achieved by the technical features of the independent claim. Preferred embodiments of the invention are set forth in the dependent claims. Embodiments of the invention may be freely combined with any of the features of the invention, unless otherwise stated.

According to the present invention, the present invention provides a spray device. The spraying device comprises: a liquid inlet for coupling with a water supply pipe or a water pipe; a shower head including a liquid outlet for supplying the liquid to the plurality of liquid receiving objects; and a liquid passage for the liquid An inlet is fluidly coupled to the liquid outlet. In order to avoid undesired dripping of residual water, a valve body is disposed at the liquid inlet and the Between the liquid outlets. The valve body includes a diaphragm made of an elastic material. In addition, the diaphragm includes one or more slits for allowing a liquid to flow through the valve body when a liquid pressure applied to the valve body is above a certain pressure threshold, and when the liquid pressure applied to the valve body is low At this threshold, a liquid stream cannot be allowed to flow out of the liquid outlet.

By utilizing the above valve body, an inexpensive means for avoiding dripping of residual water (generally residual liquid) is provided, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the spray device including the drip stop.

According to an embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a plurality of cracks and/or a plurality of curved cracks arranged in a cross or star shape. The curved cracks may comprise a circular segmented shape and may be arranged such that the circularly split shaped cracks are disposed along a circular path. Based on the plurality of cracks, a liquid passage including a significant outlet is obtained.

According to an embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a plurality of lobes that are bent based on the pressure of the liquid applied to the valve body, thereby providing a liquid passage when the liquid pressure is above a certain threshold, and when the liquid pressure is low At a certain threshold, the liquid passage is sealed. Thus, in other words, by the plurality of slits, a flap forming a flexible sealing element for a liquid passage disposed in the diaphragm is provided. The lobes are bent based on the pressure of the liquid applied to the diaphragm, thereby opening the liquid passage, or the lobes are held in their unbent position, thereby providing a liquid-tight seal of the liquid passage. Therefore, an inexpensive liquid valve is obtained by reversibly deforming the lobes.

According to an embodiment, when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold or when no liquid pressure is applied to the valve body, the lobes serve to seal the liquid passage such that air permeates into a liquid passage portion after the valve body . Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that not only is a liquid-tight seal of the liquid passage necessary, but a hermetic seal of the liquid passage is also necessary. When the outside air can penetrate into the liquid passage including the residual liquid, that is, the outside air can penetrate into the area behind the valve body, resulting in a pressure balance that causes the residual water to fall. Due to the hermetic sealing of the valve body, it is possible to prevent the dripping of residual water for a long time.

According to an embodiment, the membrane is made of silicone. Silicone rubber includes suitable material properties, particularly durable and good recovery properties necessary for long-term handling of the valve body.

According to an embodiment, the valve body is contained in the sprinkler head. Thereby, the valve body is disposed adjacent to the liquid outlet of the spray device to reduce the liquid passage portion containing residual liquid between the valve body and the liquid outlet.

According to an embodiment, the valve body is disposed directly behind the nozzle opening or nozzle plate of the showerhead. This position is preferred because the liquid passage portion between the valve body and the liquid outlet is reduced to a minimum.

According to an embodiment, the sprinkler head includes a first sprinkler body and a second sprinkler body, the first sprinkler body is detachably coupled to the second sprinkler body and the valve body is disposed on the first sprinkler head Between the body and the second showerhead body. For example, the first showerhead body can be a showerhead base and the second showerhead body can be a nozzle or nozzle plate of the showerhead.

According to an embodiment, the valve body, and in particular the diaphragm of the valve body, includes a seal for providing a fluid-tight seal between the first spray head body and the second spray head body. In other words, the valve body not only provides valve characteristics but also ensures a fluid-tight seal between the first spray head body and the second spray head body. This reduces the number of parts and assembly costs installed in the assembly process.

According to an embodiment, the valve body or a further valve body is disposed between the liquid inlet of the spray device and a valve assembly of the spray device, the valve assembly providing an element for controlling the flow of a liquid through the spray device. For example, the valve body may be disposed between a connecting portion forming the liquid inlet and the valve assembly detachably mounting the connecting portion. In addition to being included in a first valve body or in the sprinkler head of the spray device, the valve body may be a second valve body contained in the spray device. Thereby, the dripping of residual water in the liquid inlet region when separated from the water pipe is also avoided.

According to an embodiment, the spraying device is a spray bar or a spray gun.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the invention provides a spray head for a spray gun or spray bar. The sprinkler head includes a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and A liquid inlet is coupled to a liquid passage of the liquid outlet. Further, a valve body is disposed between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, and the valve body includes a diaphragm made of an elastic material. The diaphragm includes one or more slits that cause a liquid flow through the valve body when a liquid pressure applied to the valve body is above a certain pressure threshold, and when a liquid pressure applied to the valve body is below the threshold So that a liquid stream cannot flow out of the liquid outlet.

According to an embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a plurality of slits arranged in a cross or star shape or comprises a plurality of curved cracks. Based on the plurality of cracks, a liquid passage including a significant outlet is obtained.

According to an embodiment, the diaphragm comprises a plurality of lobes that are bent based on the pressure of the liquid applied to the valve body, thereby providing a liquid passage when the liquid pressure is above a certain threshold, and when the liquid pressure is low At a certain threshold, the liquid passage is sealed. Thus, in other words, by the plurality of slits, a flap forming a flexible sealing element for a liquid passage disposed in the diaphragm is provided. The lobes are bent based on the pressure of the liquid applied to the diaphragm, thereby opening the liquid passage, or the lobes are held in their unbent position, thereby providing a liquid-tight seal of the liquid passage. Therefore, an inexpensive liquid valve is obtained by reversibly deforming the lobes.

According to an embodiment, when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold or when no liquid pressure is applied to the valve body, the lobes serve to seal the liquid passage such that air permeates into a liquid passage portion after the valve body . Surprisingly, the Applicant has found that not only is a liquid-tight seal of the liquid passage necessary, but a hermetic seal of the liquid passage is also necessary. When the outside air can penetrate into the liquid passage including the residual liquid, that is, the outside air can penetrate into the area behind the valve body, resulting in a pressure balance that causes the residual water to fall. Due to the hermetic sealing of the valve body, it is possible to prevent the dripping of residual water for a long time.

Preferably, in the present invention, the term "substantially" or "substantially" means that there may be an error of +/- 10%, preferably +/- 5%, with respect to the exact value. And/or the type of error that does not affect the function.

1‧‧‧Spray device

1.1‧‧‧ Grip

1.2‧‧‧Activation components

2‧‧‧Liquid inlet

3‧‧‧ sprinkler head

3.1‧‧‧Nozzle plate

3.2‧‧‧Spray head substrate

3.3‧‧‧Guiding the liquid department

3.4‧‧‧Spray opening

3.5‧‧‧Nozzle body

4‧‧‧Liquid exports

5‧‧‧Liquid channel

6‧‧‧ valve body

6.1‧‧‧ Sealing Department

7‧‧‧Separator

7.1‧‧‧ crack

7.2‧‧‧Separator network

8‧‧‧ petals

9‧‧‧Liquid channel

10‧‧‧Valve components

FD‧‧‧flow direction

In order to be able to describe in detail various aspects of the present invention, particularly the features and advantages of the present invention, the following embodiments are described with reference to the accompanying drawings, including: FIG. 1 is a hand-held spray device in the form of a boom 2 is a perspective view showing an exemplary first embodiment of a valve body including a star-shaped crack configuration; and FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing an example second embodiment of a valve body including a cross-shaped crack configuration; 4 is a perspective view showing the valve body when liquid pressure is applied to the diaphragm of the valve body according to FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an exemplary third embodiment of the valve body including a circular ring slit configuration; A perspective view showing an exemplary fourth embodiment of a valve body including a cruciform fracture configuration; FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing an exemplary fifth embodiment of a valve body including a cruciform fracture configuration; and FIG. 8 is a view showing A cross-sectional view of an example sprinkler head of a valve body in a first position; and a ninth view is a cross-sectional view showing an example sprinkler head having a valve body disposed in a second position.

Hereinafter, the contents of the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the exemplary embodiments shown in the drawings. However, the scope of protection of the present invention should not be limited by the contents of the embodiments. In the following, similar reference symbols are used to identify similar elements, components, articles or features.

Figure 1 shows a spray device 1. The spraying device 1 can be a hand-held device, such as a spray gun or a spray bar, for supplying liquid (especially water) to Receive liquid objects such as flowers or plants. According to another embodiment, the spraying device 1 can be a showerhead in a sanitary device. The spray device 1 can include a housing having a grip portion 1.1 for manually holding the spray device 1. The spray device 1 can further comprise a valve assembly 10 comprising at least one liquid valve disposed within the interior of the spray device 1. Furthermore, the spraying device 1 may further comprise an activation element 1.2, such as a button, coupled to the valve assembly 10 for enabling/not passing a liquid stream through the spray device 1 or controlling a liquid flow through the spray device 1 .

Furthermore, the spraying device 1 comprises a liquid inlet 2. The liquid inlet 2 can be constructed as a connector for coupling the spray device 1 to a water pipe connector. In other words, the liquid inlet 2 is for coupling with a water pipe to couple the spray device 1 to a water supply line. Furthermore, the spraying device 1 comprises a sprinkler head 3 comprising a liquid outlet 4. The showerhead 3 may further comprise one or more nozzles, in particular a nozzle plate comprising a plurality of nozzles for providing liquid to the irrigation zone in a distributed manner. The liquid outlet 4 is fluidly coupled to the liquid inlet 2 via a liquid passage 5. The liquid passage 5 of the spray device 1 can be formed in a spray device housing (e.g., an embodiment of a spray gun) or can be constructed of a conduit (e.g., an embodiment of a spray bar).

The showerhead 3 can include a first showerhead body (e.g., a showerhead base) and a second showerhead body (e.g., a showerhead component including a nozzle plate 3.1). The nozzle plate 3.1 can be made of a sheet comprising a plurality of openings for providing a flow of shower-type liquid through the nozzle plate 3.1. The openings may be spatially distributed on the nozzle plate 3.1 to provide smooth irrigation. The nozzle plate 3.1 can be made of any suitable material, such as metal, plastic, rubber or silicone. The openings of the nozzle plate 3.1 may be formed by a plurality of drilled holes or a plurality of nozzles.

In order to avoid slow dripping or idling of the spraying device 1 after the irrigation program, the spraying device 1 further comprises a valve body 6. The valve body 6 is shown in Figs. 2 to 4. The valve body 6 comprises a diaphragm 7 made of an elastic material or the valve body 6 is composed of a diaphragm 7 made of an elastic material. For example, the elastic material can be silicone. The valve body 6 can be constructed as a one-way fluid valve. The diaphragm 7 can include one or more cracks 7.1. With the at least one crack 7.1, a plurality of flexible diaphragm portions A resealable liquid passage 9 provided based on the liquid pressure is formed. The valve body 6 can be adapted or placed in the spray device 1, thereby preventing residual water from dripping from the spray device 1.

In more detail, the diaphragm 7 includes a plurality of slits 7.1 which are disposed such that the slits 7.1 form a star shape or a cross shape. By using such a cracked pattern, a plurality of lobes 8, also referred to as slats, are formed in the valve body 6. The flaps 8 comprise a triangular or substantially triangular shape. Due to the elasticity of the diaphragm 7, the petals 8 are reversibly deformable. The flaps 8 include at least two edges. When no liquid pressure or only a very low liquid pressure is applied to the diaphragm 7, the flaps 8 are positioned in an initial position in which the liquid passage 9 is sealed in a liquid-tight manner at the initial position (Fig. 2 and 3) Figure). When the liquid passage is sealed, the edges of the adjacent lobes 8 abut each other, thereby providing the seal. In other words, the petals 8 are arranged in a common plane. When a liquid pressure above a certain pressure threshold is applied to the diaphragm 7, the lobes 8 are curved (as shown in Fig. 4). Thereby, a liquid passage 9 is provided through the membrane 7, which is capable of providing a liquid flow along a particular flow direction FD. This flow direction FD corresponds to the flow direction FD of the liquid passing through the spraying device 1. When the liquid pressure is reduced below the pressure threshold, particularly when no liquid pressure is applied to the diaphragm 7, the flap 8 returns to where the edges of the flaps 8 abut each other (Fig. 2 or Fig. 3) The initial position of the liquid passage 9 is thereby closed. The flaps 8 are moved to their original positions by the restoring force of the elastic material of the diaphragm 7.

The valve body 6, preferably the diaphragm 7, can be adjusted such that not only a liquid-tight seal is obtained in the closed state of the valve, but also a liquid passage after the permeated air enters the diaphragm 7 in the flow direction FD is prevented. The permeation of the air can cause a pressure balance between the liquid passage provided inside the spray device 1 and the surrounding environment, which is the cause of the dripping of the liquid.

Figures 5 through 7 show a further embodiment of a valve assembly 6 comprising a diaphragm 7. The valve body 6 can include a plurality of curved cracks 7.1. For example, the curved cracks 7.1 may be formed by cracks of a ring-shaped shape. For example, as the plurality of diaphragm webs 7.2 are spaced apart from the curved cracks 7.1, a plurality of curved cracks 7.1 are disposed along a circular path (Fig. 5). The valve body 6 includes a sealing portion 6.1 which is provided by the sealing portion 6.1 A liquid-tight seal between a sprinkler head member (e.g., the sprinkler head base) disposed below the valve body 6 and a sprinkler head member (e.g., nozzle plate 3.1 or a single spray nozzle) disposed above the valve body 6.

Figure 6 shows a further embodiment of a valve body 6 comprising a cruciform fracture configuration and a plurality of annular split-shaped slits 7.1. By utilizing a combination of straight and curved cracks 7.1, the flow rate through the valve body 6 can be significantly increased and undesired limitations on the flow of liquid through the spray device can be avoided.

Figure 7 shows a further embodiment of the valve body 6. The valve body 6 comprises a concave or funnel shaped diaphragm 7. The concave or funnel-shaped diaphragm 7 can be tapered towards the liquid inlet 2. Thereby, the restoring force of the flap 8 is improved, which leads to an improvement in the closing and sealing characteristics of the valve body 6. Furthermore, the valve body 6 can comprise a sealing portion 6.1 consisting of a sealing lip. The sealing lip can be inclined with respect to the flow direction FD passing through the valve body 6 and can protrude toward the center of the diaphragm 7. Thereby, the sealing property of the sealing portion 6.1 can be improved. It is worth mentioning that the sealing lip can also be used in the embodiment according to Figures 2 to 6.

The valve body 6 can be placed at different locations within the spray device 1. For example, the valve body 6 can be disposed within the showerhead 3. According to a preferred embodiment, the valve body 6 can be arranged immediately after the nozzle or nozzle plate 3.1 of the showerhead 3. In more detail, the showerhead 3 can include a showerhead base and a nozzle plate 3.1. The valve body 6 can be disposed between the nozzle plate 3.1 and the showerhead base.

Figures 8 and 9 show the showerhead 3 including the valve body 6. The sprinkler head 3 includes a sprinkler head body 3.2 that includes a pilot liquid portion 3.3 for directing liquid from a liquid inlet of the sprinkler head 3 to a liquid outlet. When the sprinkler head 3 includes a single spray opening 3.4 which should be closed by the valve body 6, the valve body 6 can be placed directly after the spray opening 3.4 (Fig. 8). When the plurality of spray openings 3.4 have to be closed by the valve body 6, the valve body 6 must be placed before the liquid is supplied to the branch of the pilot liquid portion of the plurality of spray openings 3.4. For example, the valve body 6 is placed immediately before the branch of the guiding liquid portion (Fig. 9). Alternatively, a plurality of valve bodies 6 may be included in the showerhead 3 and the plurality of spray openings 3.4 may be sealed.

As described above, the valve body 6 or the diaphragm 7 of the valve body 6 may include a seal portion 6.1. The seal 6.1 can be used to provide a liquid-tight seal between the nozzle plate 3.1 or a nozzle body 3.5 and the showerhead base 3.2. According to an embodiment, the nozzle plate 3.1 or the nozzle body 3.5 is detachably provided to the showerhead base 3.2 and the diaphragm 7 not only provides a liquid valve for preventing residual water from dripping from the spray device 1, but also provides a nozzle plate 3.1/nozzle body 3.5 A seal with the sprinkler head base 3.2.

The valve body 6 can also be included in the region of the liquid inlet 2 of the spraying device 1. In more detail, the valve body 6 may be included between the liquid inlet 2 of the spray device 1 and the valve assembly 10. Thereby, undesired emptying of the spraying device 1 in the region of the liquid inlet 2 after separation from the water pipe is prevented. For example, the valve body 6 may be disposed between a coupling portion for coupling the spray device 1 with a water pipe and a spray device portion including the valve assembly 10. The coupling portion is detachably disposed to the spray device portion including the valve assembly 10 and the valve body 6 may include a seal portion for providing a liquid-tight seal between the coupling portion and the spray device portion.

It should be noted that the contents of the present specification and the accompanying drawings are merely illustrative of the principles of the methods and systems provided herein. Various configurations that are not explicitly described or illustrated in this specification can be implemented by those skilled in the art using the principles of the present invention.

1‧‧‧Spray device

1.1‧‧‧ Grip

1.2‧‧‧Activation components

2‧‧‧Liquid inlet

3‧‧‧ sprinkler head

3.1‧‧‧Nozzle plate

4‧‧‧Liquid exports

5‧‧‧Liquid channel

10‧‧‧Valve components

FD‧‧‧flow direction

Claims (15)

A spraying device comprising: a liquid inlet (2) for coupling with a water supply line or a water pipe; a shower head (3) comprising a liquid outlet for supplying liquid to a plurality of liquid receiving objects (4) And a liquid passage (5) fluidly coupling the liquid inlet (2) with the liquid outlet (4), characterized in that a valve body (6) is disposed at the liquid inlet (2) and the liquid outlet ( Between 4), the valve body (6) comprises a diaphragm (7) made of an elastic material, the diaphragm (7) comprising one or more cracks (7.1) for application to the valve body (6) When the liquid pressure is above a certain pressure threshold, a liquid flow can pass through the valve body (6), and when the liquid pressure applied to the valve body (6) is below the threshold, a liquid flow cannot be The liquid outlet flows out. A spraying device according to claim 1, wherein the diaphragm (7) comprises a plurality of slits (7.1) and/or a plurality of curved cracks (7.1) arranged in a cross or star shape. A spraying device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the diaphragm (7) comprises a plurality of lobes (8) based on a liquid pressure applied to the valve body (6) Bending whereby a liquid passage (9) is provided when the liquid pressure is above a certain threshold and the liquid passage (9) is sealed when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold. The spraying device according to claim 3, wherein the valve (8) is used to seal the liquid passage when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold or when no liquid pressure is applied to the valve body (6). (9) such that a liquid passage portion after the air permeates into the valve body (6) is prevented. The spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the diaphragm (7) is made of silicone rubber. A spraying device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the valve body (6) is contained in the shower head (3). A spraying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (6) is disposed directly behind the nozzle opening or nozzle plate (3.1) of the shower head (3). The spraying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sprinkler head (3) comprises a first sprinkling head body and a second sprinkling head body, the first sprinkling head body and The second showerhead body is detachably coupled and the valve body (6) is disposed between the first showerhead body and the second showerhead body. The spraying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (6), in particular the diaphragm (7) of the valve body (6), comprises a sealing portion, The sealing portion is for providing a liquid-tight seal between the first showerhead body and the second showerhead body. The spraying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the valve body (6) or a further valve body is disposed at the liquid inlet (2) and a valve assembly of the spraying device Between (10), the valve assembly (10) provides an element for controlling the flow of a liquid through the spray device. A spraying device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spraying device is a spray bar or a spray gun. A sprinkler head for a spray gun or spray bar, the sprinkler head (3) comprising: a liquid inlet, a liquid outlet, and a liquid passage coupling the liquid inlet to the liquid outlet, wherein a valve body (6) Between the liquid inlet and the liquid outlet, the valve body (6) comprises a diaphragm (7) made of an elastic material, the diaphragm (7) comprising one or more slits (7.1) for application When the liquid pressure to the valve body (6) is above a certain pressure threshold, a liquid flow can pass through the valve body (6), and when the liquid pressure applied to the valve body (6) is below the threshold, A liquid stream is prevented from flowing out of the liquid outlet (4). A sprinkler head according to claim 12, wherein the diaphragm (7) comprises a plurality of cracks (7.1) and/or a plurality of curved cracks (7.1) arranged in a cross or star shape. A sprinkler head according to claim 12, wherein the diaphragm (7) comprises a plurality of lobes (8) based on the pressure of the liquid applied to the valve body (6) Bending whereby a liquid passage (9) is provided when the liquid pressure is above a certain threshold and the liquid passage (9) is sealed when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold. The sprinkler head according to claim 14, wherein the flap (8) is used to seal the liquid passage when the liquid pressure is below a certain threshold or when no liquid pressure is applied to the valve body (6). (9) such that a liquid passage portion after the air permeates into the valve body (6) is prevented.