JP2007222729A - Electrostatic sprayer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To control the high voltage for charging of a sprayed liquid efficiently according to the flow rate of the liquid. <P>SOLUTION: The electrostatic sprayer has a storage tank 1 storing and supplying a chemical, a pump 2 pressurizing the chemical supplied from the storage tank 1, a nozzle section 9 connected to the pump 2, and a high voltage generator 6 which charges drops D sprayed from the spraying nozzle 17 of the nozzle section 9. It is also equipped with a flow rate sensor 20 which is arranged in the passage for the chemical supplied from the storage tank 1 and detects the flow rate of the chemical and a controlling section 24 which controls the high voltage generator 6 so as to operate when the flow rate of the chemical becomes equal to or higher than a predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an electrostatic spraying apparatus that efficiently attaches liquid droplets such as a chemical solution to agricultural products using static electricity and has a function of measuring the flow rate of the liquid.

  As a sprayer equipped with a flow meter for measuring the flow rate of a chemical solution, the back-loaded power sprayer described in Patent Document 1 is exemplified. This sprayer is equipped with a flow meter in the nozzle base and a display unit of the flow meter in the visible part of the spraying worker. Then, as shown in FIG. 7, when the chemical solution is discharged to the display unit 80 with the measured value of the flow meter, the spraying amount of the chemical solution per desired field area and the spraying speed corresponding to the spraying amount or It is configured to convert and display the number of steps per minute of the spray worker.

Japanese Patent No. 2732491

  However, since the spraying speed and the number of steps per minute of the spraying worker displayed on the display unit 80 are based on the instantaneous flow rate, they are only a guideline for spraying work, and an accurate amount of chemical solution is applied to the entire field. There is a problem that it cannot be sprayed.

  In addition, for a vast field, it is common to use a stationary power sprayer that can increase the tank capacity. In this sprayer, a spray nozzle connected to the sprayer via a long hose is used. Since the spray is carried while being held by the person, it is convenient if the remaining amount of the chemical in the tank can be accurately grasped on the spray nozzle side when the sprayer and the worker are far away from each other.

  Moreover, in the electrostatic spraying apparatus using a high voltage, it is preferable if the voltage can be controlled efficiently according to the flow rate.

In order to solve the above-described problem, an electrostatic spraying apparatus according to a first invention
A liquid supply section for containing and supplying the liquid;
A liquid pressure generating unit that pressurizes the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit;
A nozzle connected to the liquid pressure generator;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising a high voltage generator for charging droplets ejected from the spray nozzle of the nozzle part,
A flow rate detection unit that is provided in a flow path of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit and detects the flow rate;
A controller that controls the high voltage generator to operate when the flow rate of the liquid exceeds a predetermined amount.

According to this configuration, the following effects can be obtained.
(1) A high voltage for charging the atomized liquid can be automatically generated when it is actually needed. Therefore, the high voltage can be efficiently controlled according to the liquid flow rate.
(2) There is no need for the operator to directly control the high voltage related circuit system. Further, since it is not necessary to provide an operation means for directly performing the control operation, measures such as leakage and waterproofing to the outside of the high voltage related circuit system are facilitated, and the operation means design of the electrostatic spraying device is designed. The degree of freedom increases.

The electrostatic spraying device of the second invention is
A liquid supply section for containing and supplying the liquid;
A liquid pressure generating unit that pressurizes the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit;
A nozzle connected to the liquid pressure generator;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising a high voltage generator for charging droplets ejected from the spray nozzle of the nozzle part,
A flow rate detection unit that is provided in a flow path of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit and detects the flow rate;
And a control unit that controls the high voltage generator to increase the output voltage as the flow rate of the liquid increases.

According to the applicant's research, the following was found.
(A) The spray angle variable type spray nozzle has a feature that the particle diameter of the droplet changes depending on the spray angle. Specifically, the smaller the spray angle, the larger the particle diameter. At this time, when the supply pressure of the liquid supplied to the spray nozzle is constant, the flow rate of the liquid increases as the spray angle decreases.
(B) In the spray angle fixed type spray nozzle or the spray angle variable type spray nozzle when the spray angle is constant, the particle diameter of the droplet increases as the flow rate of the liquid supplied to the spray nozzle increases. Become.
(C) In the electrostatic spraying device, the charging efficiency of the droplet decreases as the particle size of the droplet increases.

  Thus, the larger the flow rate of the liquid, the larger the particle diameter of the droplet and the lower the charging efficiency of the droplet, that is, by detecting the change in the flow rate of the liquid, It turns out that changes in efficiency can be detected.

  According to the electrostatic spraying apparatus of the second invention, the decrease in the charging efficiency is detected by detecting the flow rate of the liquid, and the decrease in the charging efficiency is compensated by the increase in the output voltage of the high voltage generator. be able to. Therefore, the high voltage can be efficiently controlled according to the liquid flow rate.

In the electrostatic spraying device,
The aspect provided with the integrated value calculation part which calculates the integrated value of the flow volume which the said flow volume detection part detected, and the display part which is arrange | positioned in the said nozzle part or its vicinity and displays this integrated value is illustrated.

  The display unit may be disposed in the nozzle unit or in the vicinity thereof, and may be configured separately from the nozzle unit.

  According to this configuration, since the display unit for displaying the integrated value is provided at or near the nozzle unit, the operator can know the accurate integrated value at hand during the operation, and the liquid application to the farm field It is possible to efficiently manage the amount and the remaining amount of liquid in the liquid supply unit.

In the electrostatic spraying device,
The aspect provided with the data output part which outputs the data of the said flow volume or integrated value to the outside is illustrated.

  According to this configuration, since the accurate flow rate detected by the flow rate detection unit or the accurate integration value data calculated by the integration value calculation unit can be output, the data is recorded or aggregated. Thus, accurate control management can be realized.

  The electrostatic spraying apparatus according to the present invention has an excellent effect that a high voltage for charging the atomized liquid can be efficiently controlled according to the flow rate of the liquid.

  1 to 6 show an electrostatic spraying apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an electrostatic spraying device according to the present invention. The electrostatic spraying device contains a storage tank 1 as a chemical solution supply unit for storing and supplying a chemical solution for controlling diseases and insects of crops. And a pump 2 serving as a chemical pressure generating unit that pressurizes the chemical supplied from the storage tank 1, and a hand-held nozzle unit 9 connected to a discharge port of the pump 2 via a hose 3. The pump 2 is not particularly limited as long as a predetermined spraying pressure for spraying can be obtained. Examples of the pump 2 are those driven by a prime mover such as an engine or a motor.

  The hand-held nozzle unit 9 includes a hand-held grip unit 4, a jet tube 11 as a support attached to the tip side of the grip unit 4, and a nozzle unit 15 connected to the tip of the jet tube 11. I have. The nozzle unit 15 is configured to be able to adjust the spray angle A. In this example, the spray nozzle 17 formed of a conductive material and the diffusion range of the droplet D ejected from the spray nozzle 17 are set. An annular electrode 19 as an electrode disposed so as to be close to the outside, and an electrode holder 18 made of an insulating material that couples the annular electrode 19 to the spray nozzle 17 are integrally coupled. ing.

  The spray nozzle 17 includes a jet plate 34 attached to the tip of the jet tube 11 with a nozzle cap 33 via an elastic body 32 as a spacer. A nozzle hole 34 a is provided at the center of the ejection plate 34. A core 31 attached to the tip end of the adjustment shaft 30 is disposed on the inner surface of the nozzle plate 34. A groove 31a is formed obliquely on the outer periphery of the core 31 so as to form a spiral flow. In addition, an annular groove 35 is provided in a part of the inner peripheral surface of the injection tube 11 that is slightly spaced from the injection plate 34. When the core 31 is moved closer to the injection plate 34 by operating the core position adjusting means (not shown), the chemical solution flows out only from the outer periphery of the core 31 as shown in FIG. The flow becomes strong and the spray S has a large spray angle A. Further, when the core 31 is separated from the nozzle plate 34, the chemical liquid flows through the outer periphery of the core 31 and the annular groove 35 as shown in FIG. 2 (b), so that the flow rate becomes large and the spiral flow becomes gentle. The spray S has a small spray angle A.

  Such a spray angle variable type spray nozzle 17 is characterized in that the particle diameter of the droplet D varies depending on the spray angle A on the configuration. FIG. 3 shows the qualitative characteristics of the spray nozzle 17 of this example. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3A, the particle diameter of the droplet D decreases as the spray angle A increases. FIG. 3B is a graph showing the relationship between the spray angle A and the flow rate in the spray nozzle 17 of the present example. As shown in FIG. 3B, the greater the spray angle A (droplet D). It can be seen that the smaller the particle diameter, the smaller the flow rate. FIG. 3C is a graph showing the relationship between the spray angle A and the charge amount of spray when the output voltage of the high voltage generator 6 is constant in the spray nozzle of this example. The charge amount of the spray is measured by spraying the spray onto an aluminum plate and monitoring the current with an ammeter, and is corrected per unit time flow rate. As shown in FIG. 3C, it can be seen that the spray charge amount increases as the spray angle A increases (as the particle diameter of the droplet D decreases). Therefore, in the spray nozzle 17 of this example, it can be seen that the charge amount increases as the flow rate decreases (that is, the spray angle A increases and the particle diameter of the droplet D decreases). In the configuration in which the annular electrode 19 is disposed so as to be close to the outside of the diffusion range of the droplet D ejected from the spray nozzle 17 as in the nozzle unit 15, the spray and the annular shape increase as the spray angle A increases. The electrode 19 becomes closer, and this also contributes to an increase in the charge amount as the spray angle A increases.

  The grip portion 4 is connected to a hose 3 from the pump 2, a chemical solution supply control valve 5 for controlling supply of the chemical solution from the hose 3 to the spray nozzle 17, and a high voltage generator for generating a DC high voltage. 6, a storage battery 7 as a drive source for the high voltage generator 6, and a flow meter system 8 provided in the flow path of the chemical solution.

  In this example, a so-called ball cock is adopted as the chemical solution supply control valve 5, and the flow of the chemical solution can be controlled by rotating the lever 5a. The chemical solution supply control valve 5 of this example is an exemplification, and a valve having a different structure (for example, a solenoid valve) or a cock can be appropriately employed.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the flow meter system 8 inputs a flow rate sensor 20 as a flow rate detection unit provided in a chemical flow path, a display unit 21 for displaying the flow rate, etc., and an operation instruction. Control unit 22, a storage unit 23 for storing the flow rate, and the like, and a control for controlling the display unit 21, the storage unit 23, and the high voltage generator 6 based on inputs from the flow rate sensor 20 and the operation unit 22. Part 24. The flow meter system 8 of this example is driven by the storage battery 7.

  In this example, the flow rate sensor 20 is provided in the chemical liquid flow path on the spray nozzle 17 side (downstream side) of the chemical liquid supply control valve 5. The flow rate detection method of the flow rate sensor 20 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include Karman vortex method and propeller method (tangential flow impeller method, axial flow turbine method, etc.). Further, the output method of the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 20 is not particularly limited, but a method of outputting a number of pulse signals corresponding to the flow rate and a method of outputting an analog signal having a magnitude corresponding to the flow rate are exemplified.

  Although it does not specifically limit as the display part 21, The thing using a liquid crystal display panel or a LED display panel is illustrated. As shown in FIG. 5, the display contents on the display unit 21 are as follows. In this example, the operating state 21a of the high voltage generator 6, the remaining amount 21b of the storage battery, the operating state 21c of the flow sensor 20, the instantaneous flow rate (liter / minute). ) 21d and the integrated flow rate (liter) 21e are displayed. The display unit 21 may be configured to display the pressure (Mpa) of the chemical solution, the remaining amount of the chemical solution in the storage tank 1, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the operation unit 22 includes a reset switch for resetting the integrated flow rate in this example.

  The storage unit 23 includes a nonvolatile memory, and in this example, the integrated flow rate is stored. Note that a data output unit 26 that outputs data stored in the storage unit 23 to the external device 27 may be provided as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Examples of the data output unit 26 include an aspect in which an interface unit is provided with a connector for outputting data and an aspect in which the data output unit 26 is a wireless communication unit for wirelessly outputting data.

  The control unit 24 is configured to perform the following processing.

  [Flow detection process] While the flow rate signal of the flow sensor 20 is monitored and the flow rate signal is detected, the following instantaneous flow rate calculation process, integrated flow rate calculation process, and high voltage generator control process are repeatedly executed. To do.

[Calculation of instantaneous flow rate]
The flow rate data is calculated based on the flow rate signal and displayed on the instantaneous flow rate 21d of the display unit 21.

  [Calculation processing of integrated flow rate] The current integrated flow rate data is read from the storage unit 23, the flow rate data obtained by the calculation processing of the instantaneous flow rate is added to this, and the updated integrated flow rate data obtained thereby is The accumulated flow rate data in the storage unit 23 is overwritten. The updated integrated flow rate data is displayed on the integrated flow rate 21e of the display unit 21.

  [Control processing of high voltage generator] When the flow rate data obtained by the calculation processing of the instantaneous flow rate is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (that is, when the flow rate of the chemical liquid is higher than a predetermined amount), the high voltage generator 6 is Activate and generate a high voltage. At this time, the higher the flow rate data value (that is, the higher the flow rate of the chemical solution), the higher voltage generator 6 is controlled so that its output voltage becomes higher.

  [Reset Processing of Integrated Flow] When it is detected that the reset switch of the operation unit 22 is pressed, the integrated flow rate data in the storage unit 23 is set to 0, and this 0 is displayed on the integrated flow rate 21e of the display unit 21.

  The flow meter system 8 may be provided with a clock unit that outputs the current date and time data, and the control unit 24 may be configured to store a log of the integrated flow rate in the storage unit 23 together with the date and time data.

  FIG. 6 is a timing chart showing the operating state of the flow meter system 8. As shown in this figure, when the control unit 24 detects the output of the flow rate signal of the flow rate sensor 20 ((a) in the figure) ((b) in the figure), the instantaneous flow rate and the integrated flow rate are calculated, In addition to the display on the display unit 21 (FIGS. (C) and (d)), the high-voltage generator 6 is operated (FIG. (E)). When the reset switch of the operation unit 22 is pressed, the integrated flow rate data in the storage unit 23 is set to 0, and this is displayed on the integrated flow rate 21e of the display unit 21 ((f) in the figure). In this example, the display unit 21 is operated only while the control unit 24 detects the flow rate signal in order to save power. For example, the integrated flow rate display may be configured to operate for a while after the flow rate signal is not detected as indicated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. It can also be configured to always display.

According to the electrostatic spraying apparatus of the present example configured as described above, the flow rate sensor 20 that is provided in the flow path of the chemical solution supplied from the storage tank 1 and detects the flow rate, and the flow rate of the chemical solution is a predetermined amount. Since it has the control part 24 which controls to operate the high voltage generator 6 when it becomes above, the following effect is acquired.
(1) A high voltage for charging the atomized chemical liquid can be automatically generated when it is actually necessary, that is, the high voltage can be efficiently controlled according to the flow rate of the liquid. it can.
(2) There is no need for the operator to directly control the high voltage related circuit system. Further, since it is not necessary to provide an operation means for directly performing the control operation, measures such as leakage and waterproofing to the outside of the high voltage related circuit system are facilitated, and the operation means design of the electrostatic spraying device is designed. The degree of freedom increases.

  Further, the electrostatic spraying device of the present invention is provided in the flow path of the chemical solution supplied from the storage tank 1, and the flow rate sensor 20 for detecting the flow rate and the higher voltage generator 6 as the flow rate of the chemical solution increases. And a control unit 24 for controlling the output voltage to be high. As shown in FIG. 3, according to the research of the present applicant, it is known that the charging efficiency of the droplet D decreases as the flow rate of the chemical solution increases in the electrostatic spraying device having this configuration. Therefore, the decrease in charging efficiency can be detected by detecting the flow rate of the chemical solution, and the decrease in charging efficiency can be compensated by the increase in the output voltage of the high voltage generator 6. Therefore, the high voltage can be efficiently controlled according to the flow rate of the chemical solution.

  Moreover, since the control part 24 as an integrated value calculation part which calculates the integrated value of the flow volume which the flow sensor 20 detected and the display part 21 which is arrange | positioned at the nozzle part 9 and displays this integrated value is provided. The operator can know the accurate integrated value at hand during the work, and can efficiently manage the amount of the chemical solution applied to the field and the remaining amount of the chemical solution in the storage tank 1.

  The data output unit 26 for outputting the instantaneous flow rate or the accumulated flow value data to the outside can be provided. According to this configuration, the accurate instantaneous flow rate or control unit 24 detected by the flow sensor 20 can be provided. Can be output to the external device 27, and by recording or tabulating the data with the external device 27, accurate control management can be realized.

In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, For example, it can also be suitably changed and embodied as follows, for example in the range which does not deviate from the meaning of invention.
(1) An electrostatic spraying device is configured for application of liquid fertilizer, for example.
(2) The nozzle unit 9 is not hand-held, but is configured to be supported by the airframe.
(3) The display unit 21 is configured to display the remaining amount of the storage tank 1. In addition to this, an alarm or instruction relating to the remaining amount should be displayed, notified by alarm sound, voice or the like.
(4) An alarm or instruction regarding the flow meter replacement time is displayed, alarm sound, or voice is notified based on the integrated flow rate after the flow sensor 20 is attached.
(5) The flow meter system is configured to be driven by a power source (for example, a dry battery) different from the storage battery 7.
(6) The flow rate sensor 20 is provided in the chemical liquid flow path on the storage tank 1 side (upstream side) of the chemical liquid supply control valve 5.
(7) When the detected flow rate value in the flow rate sensor 20 includes an error corresponding to the temperature, dilution rate, viscosity, etc. of the chemical solution, the operation unit 22 is provided with a flow rate correction amount changeover switch, and the correction information set thereby Based on this, the control unit 24 is configured to correct the detected flow rate value.

It is sectional drawing which shows the whole structure of the electrostatic spraying apparatus which concerns on one Embodiment which actualized this invention. It is a sectional side view of the spray nozzle of the electrostatic spray device, (a) is a state in which the spray angle is increased, (b) is a diagram showing a state in which the spray angle is decreased. It is a graph which shows the qualitative characteristic of the spray nozzle, (a) is the relationship between the spray angle and the average particle diameter of the droplet, (b) is the relationship between the spray angle and the flow rate of the chemical solution, (c) is the spray angle and It is a graph which shows the relationship of the charge amount of spray, respectively. It is a block diagram which shows the structure of the flowmeter system of the electrostatic spraying apparatus. It is a figure which shows the structure of the panel surface of the same flowmeter system. It is a timing chart which shows the operating state of the same flow meter system. It is a figure which shows the display part of the flowmeter with which the conventional sprayer was equipped.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Storage tank 2 Pump 4 Grip part 5 Chemical solution supply control valve 6 High voltage generator 7 Storage battery 8 Flowmeter system 9 Nozzle part 11 Jet pipe 15 Nozzle unit 17 Spray nozzle 19 Annular electrode 20 Flow rate sensor 21 Display part 22 Operation part 23 Memory | storage Unit 24 Control unit A Spray angle D Droplet S Spray

Claims (4)

A liquid supply section for containing and supplying the liquid;
A liquid pressure generating unit that pressurizes the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit;
A nozzle connected to the liquid pressure generator;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising a high voltage generator for charging droplets ejected from the spray nozzle of the nozzle part,
A flow rate detection unit that is provided in a flow path of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit and detects the flow rate;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising: a control unit that controls to operate the high-voltage generator when the flow rate of the liquid exceeds a predetermined amount. A liquid supply section for containing and supplying the liquid;
A liquid pressure generating unit that pressurizes the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit;
A nozzle connected to the liquid pressure generator;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising a high voltage generator for charging droplets ejected from the spray nozzle of the nozzle part,
A flow rate detection unit that is provided in a flow path of the liquid supplied from the liquid supply unit and detects the flow rate;
An electrostatic spraying device comprising: a control unit that controls the high voltage generating device to increase its output voltage as the flow rate of the liquid increases.   The integrated value calculation part which calculates the integrated value of the flow volume which the said flow volume detection part detected, and the display part which is arrange | positioned in the said nozzle part or its vicinity, and displays this integrated value is provided. Electrostatic spray device.   The electrostatic spraying apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-3 provided with the data output part which outputs the data of the said flow volume or integrated value to the exterior.

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