Patent Description:
A proposed nozzle includes a nozzle tip that is press-fitted in a nozzle case (for example, <CIT>). The nozzle has a tapered thread (for example, Ceramax Spray Nozzle Catalog, No. J983D, manufactured by Spraying Systems Japan, Inc. In these conventional nozzles, the jet may be inclined with respect to a mounting hole of the nozzle. Further, the nozzle tip can not be replaced in the conventional nozzle. <CIT> describes an orifice housing, comprising a head portion and a stem portion and a central longitudinal bore extending through the head portion and the stem portion. The stem portion provides first and second concentric annular surfaces being coaxial with the longitudinal bore and being separated by an annular groove. <CIT> describes an automatic hair washer equipped with a spray nozzle. <CIT> describes a body injection handpiece, wherein a hollow needle-like needle portion is provided in a nozzle tip in the downstream direction.

An object of the present invention is to provide a nozzle capable of jetting liquid in an accurate direction with respect to a nozzle mounting hole.

A first aspect of the present invention provides a nozzle configured to be mounted to a nozzle holder having a nozzle mounting hole having a right cylindrical shape, an outlet port connected to a bottom surface of the nozzle mounting hole, and a mounting internal thread disposed at the outlet port, the nozzle including:.

A second aspect of the present invention provides a nozzle configured to be mounted to a nozzle holder having a nozzle mounting hole having a right cylindrical shape, an outlet port connected to a bottom surface of the nozzle mounting hole, and a mounting internal thread disposed at the outlet port, the nozzle including:.

The nozzle mounting hole has a first restraining plane, and the cylindrical portion has a first abutting plane that comes in contact with the first restraining plane. The cylindrical portion is in contact with the nozzle mounting hole.

The mounting hole has a right cylindrical shape. The outlet port is connected to the bottom surface of the mounting hole. The mounting internal thread is disposed at the opening of the outlet port.

The mounting external thread and the cylindrical portion are arranged in this order from a basal end of the nozzle. The mounting external thread is directly connected to the basal end of the cylindrical portion. The cylindrical portion has a larger outer diameter than the mounting external thread.

The first introducing passage extends from the first end of the nozzle. The cylindrical choke portion extends from a second end that is the opposite to the first end of the nozzle. The cylindrical portion is disposed in the middle portion of the nozzle. The cylindrical portion fits with the bottom surface and side surface of the nozzle mounting hole. The conical portion is frustoconical. The conical portion has a base at the first end having the same diameter as the first introducing passage, and has a base at the second end having the same diameter as the cylindrical choke portion. The conical portion smoothly connects the first introducing passage and the cylindrical choke portion. The conical portion is coaxial with the cylindrical portion.

The first restraining plane is disposed on the end face of the nozzle mounting hole. The first abutting plane is disposed on the first end face of the cylindrical portion. A first packing for sealing between the first abutting plane and the first restraining plane may be disposed.

The mounting external thread is disposed at a first end of the body. A cap external thread is disposed at a second end that is opposite to the first end of the body. The cylindrical portion is disposed in the middle portion and nearer to the first end of the body. The tip mounting hole extends from the second end of the body. A second introducing passage extends from the first end of the body. The second introducing passage is directly connected to the tip mounting hole. The third introducing passage is disposed at the first end of the nozzle tip. The cylindrical choke portion is disposed from the second end toward the middle portion of the nozzle tip.

The conical portion is frustoconical. The conical portion has a base at the first end having the same diameter as the third introducing passage, and has a base at the second end having the same diameter as the cylindrical choke portion. The conical portion smoothly connects the third introducing passage and the cylindrical choke portion. The conical portion is coaxial with the outer cylindrical surface.

The first abutting plane is disposed on the first end face of the cylindrical portion. A first packing for sealing between the first abutting plane and the first restraining plane may be disposed.

The second restraining plane is disposed on the first end face of the tip mounting hole. The second abutting plane is disposed on the first end face of the nozzle tip. A second packing for sealing between the second abutting plane and the second restraining plane may be disposed.

The cap is fastened to the body with the nozzle tip. The cap presses the nozzle tip against the body.

The second introducing passage has a smaller diameter than the tip mounting hole. The diameter of the cylindrical choke portion is the diameter of the nozzle hole. The second introducing passage and the third introducing passage forms an introducing passage which is a single cylindrical hole.

The nozzle according to the present invention allows to jet the liquid in the accurate direction with respect to the mounting hole of the nozzle.

As shown in <FIG>, a nozzle <NUM> is mounted to a nozzle holder <NUM>. For example, the nozzle holder <NUM> is a metal member. The nozzle holder <NUM> has a outlet port <NUM>, a mounting internal thread <NUM>, and a nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. The nozzle holder <NUM> has a first restraining plane <NUM>.

The nozzle mounting hole <NUM> has a right cylindrical shape. The cylindrical surface of the nozzle mounting hole <NUM> is smoothly finished. The nozzle mounting hole <NUM> has a larger diameter than the outlet port <NUM>.

The outlet port <NUM>, which is a cylindrical hole, is a liquid flow path. The outlet port <NUM> is connected to a bottom surface of the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. Preferably, the outlet port <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>.

The mounting internal thread <NUM> is a parallel thread. Preferably, a thread diameter of the mounting internal thread <NUM> is substantially the same as the diameter of the outlet port <NUM>. The first restraining plane <NUM> is an end face of the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. The first restraining plane <NUM> is planar and smoothly finished.

The nozzle <NUM> includes a mounting external thread <NUM>, a cylindrical portion <NUM>, a spanner applying portion <NUM>, an introducing passage (first introducing passage) <NUM>, a cylindrical choke portion <NUM>, and a conical portion <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> has a first abutting plane <NUM> and may have an inlet port <NUM>. <FIG> shows a cross-sectional view taken along a center axis <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM>.

The mounting external thread <NUM> is disposed at a basal end (first end) of the nozzle <NUM>. The mounting external thread <NUM>, which is a parallel thread, fits into the mounting internal thread <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> is disposed in a middle portion nearer to the basal end of the nozzle <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM>, which has a right cylindrical shape, is inserted into the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> has a larger diameter than the mounting external thread <NUM>. The cylindrical portion <NUM> fits into the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. The first abutting plane <NUM>, which is disposed on the end face of the cylindrical portion <NUM>, is smoothly finished.

The first abutting plane <NUM> is in close contact with the first restraining plane <NUM> to seal liquid. The first abutting plane <NUM> and the first restraining plane <NUM> are in close contact with each other with the first restraining plane <NUM> slightly crushed. Thus, the gap between the first abutting plane <NUM> and the first restraining plane <NUM> is liquid-sealed.

The spanner applying portion <NUM> is disposed in the middle portion of the nozzle <NUM> and toward the distal end of the cylindrical portion <NUM>. For example, the spanner applying portion <NUM> has two parallel planes. The spanner applying portion <NUM> may be, for example, a hexagonal prism.

The introducing passage <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion <NUM> inside the nozzle <NUM>. The introducing passage <NUM> is disposed from the basal end toward the middle portion of the nozzle <NUM>. An inner diameter of the introducing passage <NUM> is an introducing passage diameter <NUM>.

The inlet port <NUM> is disposed at the basal end of the introducing passage <NUM>. Preferably, the inlet port <NUM> has a cross-section rounded with a quarter circle. The inlet port <NUM> smoothly connects the base end face and the introducing passage <NUM> of the nozzle <NUM>.

When the introducing passage <NUM> has a relatively small diameter than the mounting external thread <NUM>, the inlet port <NUM> may include a conical portion having a decreasing diameter toward the distal end.

The cylindrical choke portion <NUM>, which is a cylindrical hole, is disposed at the distal end (second end) of the nozzle <NUM>. The cylindrical choke portion <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion <NUM>. An inner diameter of the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> is a nozzle hole diameter <NUM>. A length of the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> is a choke length <NUM>.

The conical portion <NUM> is a cavity connecting the introducing passage <NUM> and the cylindrical choke portion <NUM>. The conical portion <NUM>, which has a right conical surface, is disposed coaxially with an outer cylindrical surface <NUM>.

The conical portion <NUM> may connect the introducing passage <NUM> and the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> with a smooth curved surface.

For example, the nozzle <NUM> according to the present embodiment is applied to a numerically controlled cleaning apparatus. The cleaning apparatus is disclosed, for example, in <CIT> and <CIT>. The nozzle <NUM> ejects, for example, water or an aqueous cleaning liquid. The ejection pressure is, for example, <NUM> MPa to <NUM> MPa.

The nozzle <NUM> according to the present embodiment has a right cylindrical shape as a whole. The nozzle <NUM> has an inner shape that is a rotary shape coaxial with the cylindrical portion <NUM>. Thus, the nozzle <NUM> is easy to manufacture, and easy to finish to an accurate shape. This improves the convergence, biting property and inclination of the jet ejected from the nozzle <NUM>.

The convergence is the extent of the liquid jet to diverge. The jet having a higher convergence is linear. The biting property indicates the power to damage and destroy a workpiece by erosion when the jet collides with the workpiece. The inclination refers to an inclination of the center of the jet from the nozzle <NUM>.

By mounting the mounting external thread <NUM> that is a parallel thread to the nozzle holder <NUM>, the cylindrical portion <NUM> is fitted to the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. Thus, the nozzle <NUM> and the nozzle holder <NUM> are assembled coaxially to each other. Then, the cylindrical choke portion <NUM>, the conical portion <NUM> and the introducing passage <NUM> are accurately positioned with respect to the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. This suppresses the inclination of the nozzle <NUM> with respect to the nozzle holder <NUM> when the nozzle <NUM> is screwed into the nozzle holder <NUM>.

As the cylindrical portion <NUM> is coaxially disposed in the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>, the first abutting plane <NUM> uniformly presses the first restraining plane <NUM>. This increases the sealing of the first abutting plane <NUM> and the first restraining plane <NUM>.

The first abutting plane <NUM> is in contact with the first restraining plane <NUM> to be pressed against the first restraining plane <NUM> by an axial force applied to the mounting external thread <NUM>. This causes the nozzle <NUM> to be constrained by two surfaces of the cylindrical surface and the plane, which further suppresses the inclination of the nozzle <NUM> with respect to the nozzle holder <NUM>. The height of the nozzle <NUM> from the nozzle holder <NUM> is accurately positioned. This accurately determines the dimensions and position of the entire nozzle <NUM> with respect to the nozzle holder <NUM>.

The cylindrical portion <NUM> fitted with the nozzle mounting hole <NUM> causes the first abutting plane <NUM> to be in contact with the first restraining plane <NUM>. This allows the nozzle <NUM> to be mounted to the nozzle holder <NUM> with high accuracy even if the nozzle <NUM> mounted to a numerically controlled cleaning apparatus is replaced. This suppresses the change in the position and angle at which the jet collides with the cleaning workpiece even after replacing the nozzle <NUM>. This easily keeps the degree of cleaning of the workpiece constant.

The first abutting plane <NUM> is in surface contact with the first restraining plane <NUM> to seal the liquid. This improves the assembling property. The nozzle <NUM> is assembled to the nozzle holder <NUM> without interposing a sealing tape or a sealing material or the like. This further suppresses the inclination of the nozzle <NUM> when the nozzle <NUM> is assembled to the nozzle holder <NUM>. Further, this eliminates the possibility of the sealing material sticking out to the inside of the nozzle <NUM> and the outlet port <NUM>. This suppresses the convergence, the biting property and the inclination of the jet ejected from the nozzle <NUM>.

The nozzle <NUM> is thus precisely positioned relative to the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. This allows the liquid jet ejected from the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> to be more accurately ejected along the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>.

A straightener may be disposed inside the introducing passage <NUM>. The rectifier is, for example, a rectifier described in <CIT>.

For example, the nozzle hole diameter <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM>. Preferably, the choke length <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> times the nozzle hole diameter <NUM>. Preferably, the introducing passage diameter <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> times the nozzle hole diameter <NUM>. Preferably, the length <NUM> of the introducing passage <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> times the nozzle hole diameter <NUM>. Preferably, an apex angle <NUM> of the conical portion <NUM> is <NUM> to <NUM> degrees.

As shown in <FIG> and <FIG>, a nozzle <NUM> according to the present embodiment includes a body <NUM>, a nozzle tip <NUM>, and a cap <NUM>. The body <NUM> has a cylindrical portion <NUM>. <FIG> is a cross-sectional view taken in a plane passing through the center axis <NUM> of the cylindrical portion <NUM>.

The body <NUM> includes a mounting external thread <NUM>, a cylindrical portion <NUM>, a cap external thread <NUM>, a tip mounting hole <NUM>, and a second introducing passage <NUM>. The body <NUM> has a first abutting plane <NUM>, and may have a second restraining plane <NUM>, a spanner applying portion <NUM>, an inlet port <NUM>, and a distal end face <NUM>.

The mounting external thread <NUM>, the cylindrical portion <NUM>, the spanner applying portion <NUM>, and the cap external thread <NUM> are arranged on the outer surface of the body <NUM> in this order from the basal end. The cylindrical portion <NUM> is disposed in the middle portion and nearer to the basal end of the body <NUM>.

The cap external thread <NUM>, which is a parallel screw, is disposed at the distal end of the body <NUM>.

The body <NUM> has the distal end face <NUM> at the distal end. The distal end face <NUM> is, for example, a flat surface.

The tip mounting hole <NUM>, which is a bottomed cylindrical hole, is disposed from the distal end toward the middle portion of the body <NUM>. The tip mounting hole <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The tip mounting hole <NUM> has a smooth inner surface. The second restraining plane <NUM> is the bottom surface of the tip mounting hole <NUM>.

The second introducing passage <NUM> penetrates from the basal end of the body <NUM> into the tip mounting hole <NUM>. The second introducing passage <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The introducing passage diameter <NUM> of the second introducing passage <NUM> is smaller than the tip mounting hole <NUM>. The inlet port <NUM> is disposed at the basal end of the second introducing passage <NUM>.

The nozzle tip <NUM> includes an outer cylindrical surface <NUM>, a third introducing passage <NUM>, a cylindrical choke portion <NUM>, and a conical portion <NUM>. The nozzle tip <NUM> may have a second abutting plane <NUM> and a distal end face <NUM>. The nozzle tip <NUM> is a member made of metal or ceramic.

The nozzle tip <NUM> has an outer shape of a right cylinder. The outer cylindrical surface <NUM>, which is a cylindrical surface, fits with the tip mounting hole <NUM>. The distal end face <NUM> is, for example, a flat surface. The second abutting plane <NUM> is disposed at the basal end of the nozzle tip <NUM>. The second abutting plane <NUM> is, for example, a flat surface.

The second abutting plane <NUM> is in close contact with the second restraining plane <NUM> to seal liquid. The second abutting plane <NUM> and the second restraining plane <NUM> are in close contact with each other with the second restraining plane <NUM> slightly crushed. Thus, the gap between the second abutting plane <NUM> and the second restraining plane <NUM> is liquid-sealed. The outer cylindrical surface <NUM> contacting with the tip mounting hole <NUM> allows the body <NUM> and the nozzle tip <NUM> to be assembled coaxially. Further, the second restraining plane <NUM> contacting with the second abutting plane <NUM> allows the nozzle tip <NUM> to be accurately assembled in the axial direction with respect to the body <NUM>.

The second abutting plane <NUM> and the second restraining plane <NUM> may not be in direct contact with each other to arrange a packing between them. The packing is, for example, an O-ring or a liquid seal. A packing groove may be arranged on the second abutting plane <NUM> to receive the packing.

The third introducing passage <NUM> is disposed at the basal end of the nozzle tip <NUM>. The third introducing passage <NUM> is a cylindrical hole having an introducing passage diameter <NUM>. The third introducing passage <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>.

The cylindrical choke portion <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the outer cylindrical surface <NUM> at the distal end of the nozzle tip <NUM>. The conical portion <NUM> connects the third introducing passage <NUM> and the cylindrical choke portion <NUM>. The conical portion <NUM> is disposed coaxially with the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>. The conical portion <NUM> may connect the third introducing passage <NUM> and the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> with a smooth curved surface.

The cap <NUM> has a jet passage hole <NUM> and a cap internal thread <NUM>. The cap <NUM> may include a tip support hole <NUM> and a spanner applying portion <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is a cylindrical or hexagonal cylindrical shape. The cap <NUM> is largely hollowed out from the basal end. The cap <NUM> has a cap internal thread <NUM> on its inner surface. The cap internal thread <NUM> fits with the cap external thread <NUM>.

The jet passage hole <NUM> penetrates the center of the cap <NUM>. The jet passage hole <NUM> is substantially coaxial with the cap internal thread <NUM>. The jet passage hole <NUM> has a slightly larger diameter than the nozzle hole diameter <NUM>, and significantly smaller than the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>.

The spanner applying portion <NUM> is disposed on the outer surface of the cap <NUM>. When the cap <NUM> has a hexagonal prism shape, the outer surface of the cap <NUM> becomes the spanner applying portion <NUM>. The spanner applying portion <NUM> may be two parallel surfaces.

The tip support hole <NUM> is disposed on the bottom surface of the cap internal thread <NUM>. The tip support hole <NUM> has a bottom surface <NUM>. The tip support hole <NUM> is substantially coaxial with the cap internal thread <NUM>. The tip support hole <NUM> has a substantially the same diameter as the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>. The tip support hole <NUM> may be fitted with the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>.

The cap <NUM> sandwiches the nozzle tip <NUM> to be fastened to the body <NUM> together with the nozzle tip <NUM>. The distal end face <NUM> is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM>. The cap <NUM> presses nozzle tip <NUM> against the body <NUM>. Then, the second abutting plane <NUM> is in close contact with the second restraining plane <NUM>.

Preferably, the nozzle tip <NUM> protrudes from the distal end face <NUM>. At this time, the outer cylindrical surface <NUM> is fitted with the tip support hole <NUM>. The cap <NUM> is thus coaxially disposed on the cylindrical portion <NUM>. The distal end face <NUM> is in contact with the bottom surface <NUM>. This accurately positions the height of the cap <NUM> from the nozzle holder <NUM>. Thus, the dimensions and position of the entire nozzle <NUM> with respect to the nozzle holder <NUM> are accurately determined.

The cap <NUM> is coaxially disposed on the center axis <NUM>. The cap <NUM> thus uniformly presses the nozzle tip <NUM> against the body <NUM>. The second abutting plane <NUM> uniformly pressing the second restraining plane <NUM> increases the sealing of the second abutting plane <NUM> and the second restraining plane <NUM>.

The nozzle tip <NUM> is inserted into the tip mounting hole <NUM> to be fixed by the cap <NUM>. When the nozzle tip <NUM> is mounted on the body <NUM>, the second introducing passage <NUM> and the third introducing passage <NUM> forms an introducing passage <NUM>. As the nozzle tip <NUM> and the body <NUM> are coaxially assembled, the introducing passage <NUM> forms a single cylindrical bore.

According to the present embodiment, the nozzle tip <NUM> and the body <NUM>, and the body <NUM> and the nozzle holder <NUM> are assembled coaxially to each other. Thus, the cylindrical choke portion <NUM>, the conical portion <NUM> and the introducing passage <NUM> are accurately positioned with respect to the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>. The liquid jet ejected from the cylindrical choke portion <NUM> is thus more accurately ejected along the nozzle mounting hole <NUM>.

The nozzle tip <NUM> is a right cylinder as a whole. The nozzle tip <NUM> has an internal shape that is a rotary shape disposed coaxially with the outer cylindrical surface <NUM>. Thus, the nozzle tip <NUM> is easy to manufacture, and easy to finish to an accurate shape. This improves the convergence, biting property and inclination of the jet ejecting from the nozzle <NUM>.

The nozzle tip <NUM> is removable. Thus, the nozzle tip <NUM> and the body <NUM> are respectively replaceable. The nozzle tip <NUM> is more easily worn than the body <NUM>. The nozzle <NUM> according to the embodiment is economical as each member can be replaced according to the wear amount.

Claim 1:
A nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) configured to be mounted to a nozzle holder (<NUM>) having a nozzle mounting hole (<NUM>) having a right cylindrical shape, an outlet port (<NUM>) connected to a bottom surface of the nozzle mounting hole (<NUM>), and a mounting internal thread (<NUM>) disposed at the outlet port (<NUM>), the nozzle (<NUM>, <NUM>) comprising:
a mounting external thread (<NUM>) disposed at a first end, the mounting external thread (<NUM>) being a parallel thread that fits with the mounting internal thread (<NUM>);
a cylindrical portion (<NUM>) configured to fit with the bottom surface and a side surface of the nozzle mounting hole (<NUM>);
a first introducing passage (<NUM>) disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion (<NUM>);
a cylindrical choke portion (<NUM>) disposed coaxially with the cylindrical portion (<NUM>), the cylindrical choke portion (<NUM>) having a smaller diameter than the first introducing passage (<NUM>); and
a conical portion (<NUM>) connecting the first introducing passage (<NUM>) to the cylindrical choke portion (<NUM>),
wherein
the nozzle mounting hole (<NUM>) has a first restraining plane (<NUM>), and
the cylindrical portion (<NUM>) has a first abutting plane (<NUM>) that is configured to, in use, come in contact with the first restraining plane (<NUM>), and wherein the cylindrical portion (<NUM>) is configured to, in use, be in contact with the side surface of the nozzle mounting hole (<NUM>).