JPH0347634Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial Application Field] The present invention relates to a steam sauna that creates a high humidity environment within a sauna booth.

[Prior Art] A conventional steam sauna of this type is shown in FIG. 9. That is, in the conventional steam sauna 91, the exhaust passage 3 is formed in the upper part of the sauna booth 92, and the steam supply pipe 94 is opened and arranged in the lower part. The steam supply pipe 94 is
Steam generated by heating the water stored in the water tank 95 with a heater 96 and boiling it is supplied to the room 97 . On the other hand, fresh air is forcibly blown through a fan 99 to an air supply pipe 98 disposed within the steam supply pipe 94 and is discharged near the outlet side of the steam supply pipe 94 . Then, by mixing the steam and fresh air and spouting it into the indoor room 99 of the sauna booth 92, the temperature of the steam is lowered and
This creates an atmosphere of appropriate temperature and high humidity. The reason for supplying fresh air is that if only the steam generated by boiling the stored water is spouted into the room 97, the room temperature 97 will become high and there is a risk of getting burned. The air-fuel mixture injected into the chamber 97 sequentially rises to the upper part of the chamber and is discharged from the exhaust passage 93 to the outside. During use, the air-fuel mixture is continuously ejected into the interior 97.

[Problem to be solved by the invention] As described above, in the conventional steam sauna 91, steam generated by boiling and fresh air are mixed and supplied, and this is exhausted from the exhaust passage 93. However, the heat capacity of the exhausted air-fuel mixture was lost, making it impossible to effectively utilize the heat capacity.
That is, there were disadvantages in that heat loss was large and the total amount of steam used increased. In addition, since the water stored in the water tank 95 is boiled (heated to 100°C) to generate steam, a large-capacity heater 96 of 3200 W or more is usually required just to boil the stored water. This has caused an increase in the size and cost of the device.

Further, the inner surfaces of the water tank 95, the steam supply pipe 94, the inner wall surface of the sauna booth 92, etc. are damp and prone to mold and the like.

[Means for Solving the Problems] The steam sauna according to claim 1 includes a sauna booth; the sauna is arranged outside the sauna booth, one end side thereof is opened in a part of the sauna booth, and the other end side is open in the sauna booth. an air flow path that is open in another part of the booth; a blower device that is provided in the air flow path and blows air from the one end side to the other end side of the air flow path; an electric heater provided in the air flow path for heating the air flowing in the air flow path; a container for storing water and an ultrasonic oscillator provided in the container for generating steam; a steam generating means installed in the air flow path so that the generated steam is mixed with the air flowing through the air flow path; a drainage passage for discharging water from the container; a midway through the drainage passage; a solenoid valve disposed in the steam generating means for opening and closing the drainage passage; a solenoid valve disposed in the steam generating means;
and control means for sending a signal to the electromagnetic valve to open the drainage passage when at least one of the ultrasonic oscillator and the electric heater is stopped, thereby draining the container. shall be.

The steam sauna according to claim 2 is the steam sauna according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for operating the blower device for a predetermined period of time to dry the air flow path or the inside of the sauna booth after the operation of stopping the operation of the ultrasonic oscillator. It is characterized by having the following.

The steam sauna according to claim 3 includes a sauna booth; the steam sauna is arranged outside the sauna booth, one end thereof is opened in a part of the sauna booth, and the other end thereof is opened in another part of the sauna booth. an air flow path provided in the air flow path for blowing air from the one end side to the other end side of the air flow path; , an electric heater for heating the air flowing in the air flow path; a container for storing water and an ultrasonic oscillator for generating steam provided in the container, and the generated steam is A steam sauna, comprising: a steam generating means installed in an air flow path so as to be mixed with the air flowing through the air flow path; It is characterized by comprising a control means for activating it.

[Operation] In the steam sauna of the present invention, the ultrasonic oscillator is operated to vibrate the water stored in the water tank and generate mist-like water vapor. This atomized water vapor is ejected into the room as a mixed fluid of steam and humid air and circulated. The temperature of the circulating fluid with steam is usually between 38 and 45°C. Since this is a circulation type steam sauna, the heat capacity of the circulating fluid does not directly escape to the outside, and effective heat utilization can be achieved.

In the steam sauna of claim (1), the water in the container is discharged after the steam sauna is stopped.
It can prevent corrosion on the inner surface of the container and the generation of microorganisms such as mold. In addition, since moisture is prevented from entering not only into the container but also into the flow path for air circulation, mold growth in the flow path is also prevented. Furthermore, since water is drained from the container, even if there is sediment at the bottom of the container, it is possible to drain the water together with the sediment.

In the steam sauna of claim (2), after the steam sauna is stopped, warm air is further circulated through the air circulation channel for a predetermined period of time, thereby drying the inside of the channel and preventing the growth of mold, etc. It can be prevented. Note that by drying not only the channel but also the inside of the booth, it is possible to prevent the growth of mold and the like on the inside of the booth.

In the steam sauna according to claim (3), when the steam generating means is not operated, for example when the steam sauna is not being used, hot air is circulated,
By drying the flow path and the inside of the steam booth, it is possible to prevent the growth of mold and the like, and even if mold or the like does occur, it can be killed.

[Embodiments] The present invention will be described below with reference to embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic vertical sectional view of a steam sauna 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. This steam sauna 1 is provided with a seat part 8 in a steam booth (hereinafter abbreviated as "booth") 2, so that a user can sit down and use the steam sauna 1. A suction port 18 is provided in the upper part of the booth 2, and a suction port 18 is provided in the upper part of the booth 2.
The air flows through the duct 39, blower 36 and duct 41.
The steam is introduced into the steam generator 37 through the steam generator 37, heated and humidified in the steam generator 37, and then blown out through the duct 62 from the outlet 19 into the booth interior 11, thereby creating a high-temperature and humid atmosphere in the booth interior 11. It is configured like this.

The steam generator 37 includes an ultrasonic oscillator 52 and an air heating heater 46 in a container 37A, and mixes water vapor generated by atomization of water W with air introduced into the container 37A from an inlet 44. At the same time, heating is performed by the heater 46.
High-humidity, high-temperature air is blown out into the booth interior 11 from the outlet 19 through the duct 62.

In the steam generator 37, water is introduced into the container 37A from a water supply pipe 47 with a valve 48. Further, the container 37A is provided with a drain pipe 49 with a valve 50, etc. In this steam generator 7, when the switch is operated to end the use of the steam sauna 1, the valve 5
0 is opened and water is drained from the container 37A. In addition, the blower 36 continues to operate for a predetermined time even after use, and the air heated by the residual heat of the heater 46 flows through the ducts 39, 41, 62, etc., thereby drying the insides of these ducts 39, 41, 62, etc. This prevents the growth of microorganisms such as mold. Furthermore, in addition to the ducts 39, 41, and 62, the inside of the booth interior 11 and the container 37A are also dried, thereby preventing the growth of mold and the like.

Next, the configuration of the booth 2, the steam generator 37, etc. will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 8.

Figure 2 is a front view of the booth, Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view showing the detailed configuration of booth 2 (cross-sectional view taken along line A-A' in Figure 2), Figure 4 is a perspective view of booth 2, and Figure 5 is a perspective view of booth 2. The figure is a sectional view taken along line C-C' in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the vicinity of the bottom of the booth. 7 and 8 are configuration diagrams of the steam generator 37, with FIG. 7 being a sectional view in the longitudinal direction, and FIG. 8 being a sectional view taken along the line -- in FIG.

The bottom of the steam sauna 1 is the base plate 2A.
above which a waterproof pan 4 is placed through a space 3.
is located. This waterproof pan 4 is made of FRP (glass fiber-reinforced synthetic resin), and the support portion 5 shown in FIG. 4 and the side skirt portion 6 shown in FIG. It is integrally molded together with the mounting portion 9 and the like. waterproof pan 4
A drainage trap 10 is provided on the floor portion 7 of the tank.

The inner panel 1 is placed on this side panel mounting portion 9.
2. A frame 13 and an outer panel 14 are erected.

As mainly shown in FIG. 3, the inner panel 12 is provided with a shelf 15 consisting of a concave portion projecting from the booth interior 11 toward the outside, and is configured to store shampoo, conditioner, shaver, etc. . The FRP inner panel 12 has
Openings are provided for inhaling and blowing out gas in the booth chamber, and vent members 16 and 17 having slits are attached to the openings to form an inlet 18 and an outlet 19. Note that the vent member 17 is provided so that the blowing direction can be changed freely. The inner panel 12 has a thermostatic mixing valve 2 equipped with a connection fitting 21 at the base end of the shower hose 20, a hook 23 for the shower head 22, and a handle 24 for adjusting the water amount and temperature of the shower.
5. Temperature of the air blown into the booth interior 11;
Indoor operation panel 27 equipped with switches for controlling humidity and exhaust fan 26 shown in FIG.
is provided. A panel-shaped far-infrared heater 28 (FIG. 5) that irradiates far-infrared rays toward people inside the booth 11 is attached to the inner panel 12.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the FRP frame 13 rises from the four corners of the waterproof pan, and outer panels 1 are provided at three locations between the frames 13.
4 is removably attached, allowing inspection of internal piping, electrical wiring, etc. A door 30 is provided at the remaining location between the frames. A translucent glass 31 is attached to this door 30. An external operation panel 32 is provided adjacent to the door 30. This operation panel 32 includes main switches for electrical equipment in the sauna booth, switches for heating and humidifying, and lights 33 on the ceiling.
A switch for ON and OFF is provided.

A ceiling panel 35 is provided above the frame 13, and a lighting 33 for illuminating the booth interior 11 and a fan 26 for exhausting air from the booth interior 11 are installed. Further, a blower 36 is provided at the top of the booth 2 as a ventilation means. A steam generator 37 is installed below the seat portion 8 of the waterproof pan 4, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. Blower 3
6 is connected to the inner panel 1 through the duct 39.
The discharge port 40 of the blower 36 is connected to the steam generator 37 via a flexible duct 41.

The structure of the steam generator 37 will now be described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.

Reference numerals 42 and 43 indicate an upper can body and a lower can body, and the flange portions 42a of these can bodies 42 and 43,
43a are overlapped and connected by bolts (not shown) to form a container 37A, in which water W is stored.

The upper can body 42 has an air inlet 44 and an air outlet 45 to which the duct 41 is connected, and is provided with a heater (sheathed heater in this embodiment) 46 as a heating means. Lower can body 43
A water supply pipe 47 is connected to the solenoid valve 48 via a solenoid valve 48, and a drain pipe 49 is connected to the solenoid valve 50 as a drainage means.
connected via.

The lower can body 43 is provided with an ultrasonic oscillator 52, a water temperature sensor 53, a float switch 54, and an overflow pipe 55.

Reference numeral 56 denotes a partition plate, which is provided substantially horizontally so as to partition the interior of the container 37A made up of the can bodies 42 and 43 into upper and lower sections. This partition plate 56
The air introduced from 4 is directly blown onto the water surface of the water W, thereby preventing the water surface from undulating. That is, if the water surface of the water W ripples excessively, the atomization effect of the water W by the ultrasonic oscillator 52 may be inhibited, and the amount of steam generated may decrease. Therefore, in this embodiment, the partition plate 56 is configured to prevent the airflow from the inlet 44 from being blown directly onto the water surface. The partition plate 56 is provided with an opening 57 above the ultrasonic oscillator 52 so that atomized water vapor can easily flow toward the discharge port 45 .

The partition plate 56 is configured to surround the lower portion of the heater 46 so that the radiant heat of the heater 46 is not absorbed by the water W. With this configuration, the radiant heat radiated downward from the heater 46 is absorbed or reflected by the partition plate 56,
It is used to heat the air flowing above the partition plate 56, improving heating efficiency.

A side plate 58 and a ceiling plate 59 are provided on the sides and above the heater 46 , and a gap is interposed between the side plate 58 and the ceiling plate 59 and the upper can body 42 . These side plates 58 and ceiling plate 59 also absorb or reflect the radiant heat from the heater 46, thereby preventing the radiant heat from being transferred from the upper can body 42 to the outside, thereby improving heating efficiency. Further, if the partition plate 56 and the side plate 58 are provided as in this embodiment, the water vapor atomized from the water W passes through the opening 57 and is mixed with the circulating air flow in the zone downstream from the heater 46. . Therefore, water vapor does not come into direct contact with the heater 46,
This prevents water scale from adhering to the surface of the heater 46. As a result, the heat dissipation characteristics of the heater 46 are high over a long period of time. The ceiling plate 59 is fixed to the ceiling surface of the can body 42 with bolts (not shown), and the side plates 58 and the partition plate 56 are suspended from the ceiling plate 59.

Reference numeral 60 indicates a can temperature sensor attached to the upper can body. Further, reference numeral 61 indicates a heater terminal.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, a flexible duct 62 is connected to the outlet 45 of the upper can body 42, and the duct 62 is connected to the outlet 19 provided in the inner panel 14 of the booth 2. Therefore, in this embodiment, the ducts 39, 41, 62 and the steam generator 37 constitute a flow path for circulating the air in the booth interior 11.

As shown in FIG. 3, the inner panel 14 is provided with a fresh air port 63 for introducing fresh air from outside the booth 2 into the booth interior 11. A vent member 63a is provided in the fresh generation port 63 so that the blowing direction can be changed freely.
In this embodiment, a is provided toward the vicinity of the face of the user sitting on the seat portion 8. As shown in FIG. 4, the fresh air port 63 is connected to a duct 64 and a damper device 65.
It is possible to communicate with the outside of the booth via. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the exhaust fan 26 also communicates with the outside of the booth via a duct 66, a damper device 67, and a duct 68.

When the exhaust fan 26 is operated with the damper devices 65 and 67 open, the air is exhausted from the booth interior 11, and fresh air is introduced into the booth interior 11 from the fresh air port 63, causing the seat section 8 to be seated. Since fresh air is blown toward the face of the sauna user, it is possible to prevent hot flushes while using the sauna.

An electric circuit box 70 is installed below the waterproof pan 4 as shown in FIG.
A circuit for controlling electrical equipment of the steam sauna such as a blower 36, an ultrasonic oscillator 52, and a heater 46 based on signals from the box 62 is built into the box 62. A panel 71 is detachably attached to the side surface of the waterproof pan 4.

In the steam sauna configured in this way, a user opens the door 30 to enter and exit. According to the normal usage method, before entering the booth room 11, the heating/humidifying switch provided on the external operation panel 32 is pressed. As a result, first the solenoid valve 48
is opened and a predetermined amount of water W is stored in the container 37A. Further, the blower 36, heater 46, and ultrasonic oscillator 52 are operated, and the booth interior 11 becomes warm and sufficiently humid. After this, I went inside the booth to warm up and take a shower.

In the booth room 11, the user operates the blower 36 by operating the switch on the indoor operation panel 27.
The rotation of the airflow outlet 19 can be controlled to adjust the flow rate of the airflow blown out from the air outlet 19. Further, by operating a switch on the operation panel 27, the output of the air heating heater 46 can be controlled to adjust the temperature of the blown air stream, and the output of the ultrasonic oscillator 52 can be controlled to adjust the air stream humidity. Similarly, the output of the far-infrared heater 28 can be adjusted and the exhaust fan 26 can be turned on and off. Note that output adjustment also includes turning off the device.
In this steam sauna, while staying in the booth room 11, the temperature and humidity inside the booth can be controlled by the far infrared heater 2.
8 operations, allowing booth users to create the most comfortable environment.

When the heating/humidifying switch provided on the external operation panel 32 is turned off after the steam sauna is finished, the ultrasonic oscillator 52 and the heater 46 are stopped, the solenoid valve 48 is closed, and then the solenoid valve 50 is turned off. is opened and the container 37A of the steam generator 37 is opened.
All water is drained from inside. Note that the blower 36 continues to operate, and warm air generated by being heated by the residual heat of the heater 46 circulates through the ducts 39, 41, 62, the booth interior 11, and the container. This dries the inside of the container, the ducts 39, 41, 62, and the booth interior 11, and prevents corrosion and generation of microorganisms such as mold on the inner surface of the container 37A, the ducts 39, 41, and 62, and the booth interior 11. In addition, the heater 46
It is also possible to promote cooling. In addition, the container 37
Since water is drained from the bottom of container A, let's assume that container 37A
Even if there is sediment at the bottom of the tank, it can be discharged together with water.

The operation of the blower 36 and the heater 46 is continued for a predetermined period of time even after the completion of draining water from the container.
7A, ducts 39, 41, 62, booth interior 11
After sufficient time has elapsed for drying of the
Blower 36 and heater 46 are stopped. Also,
The solenoid valve 50 is closed and the steam sauna is in a standby state until the next use.

In the above operation description, after the use of the steam sauna, the container 37A is drained and dried by hot air circulation, but in the present invention, the container 37A is dried.
It is also possible to only drain water from the tank. Even in this way, it is possible to prevent mold from forming inside the container 37A. Further, moisture is prevented from entering the ducts 41, 62, etc., and mold and the like can be prevented from forming in the ducts 41, 62, etc.

In the present invention, only the blower 36 and heater 46 may be operated to circulate warm air when the steam sauna is not in use. Even in this manner, it is possible to dry the ducts 39, 41, 62 and the booth interior 11, and to prevent and kill mold caused by the drying. During this hot air circulation, normally the water is drained from the container 37A as in the above embodiment. In order to perform such a drying operation, a drying switch may be provided on the external operation panel 32, for example. Note that at the end of this drying operation, first the heater 46 is turned off.
It is preferable to turn off the heater 46 and then operate the blower 36 for a predetermined period of time to cool the heater 46.

In the present invention, when hot air is circulated after use of the steam sauna or when the sauna booth is not in use, it is preferable that the temperature of the hot air be 60°C or higher. This will ensure that mold bacteria are killed.

Note that the far-infrared heater 28 allows a sufficiently comfortable steam sauna to be used even without the use of the far-infrared heater 28. Furthermore, by operating the blower 36 and heater 46 without operating the ultrasonic oscillator 52,
It can also be used as a hot air sauna.

In the above embodiment, the electric circuit box 70 is provided under the floor of the booth, but it may be provided elsewhere, for example, on the upper surface of the ceiling of the booth. Since the upper surface of the ceiling has good ventilation, heat radiation from the electric circuit box 70 can be promoted.

In this invention, the electric circuit box 70 is installed in booth 2.
It may be installed on the top of the ceiling. In this way, the upper surface of the ceiling has good ventilation, so that heat dissipation from the electric circuit box 70 can be promoted.

[Effects] As mentioned above, in the steam sauna of the present invention, water is drained from the container of the steam generating means after the use of the steam sauna, so that the growth and adhesion of microorganisms such as mold in the container is prevented. can.

In particular, when configured as claimed in claim (2), hot air is ventilated in addition to drainage from the container, which dries the flow path, container, and booth interior, and more reliably prevents the growth of mold, etc. It can be prevented. Furthermore, early cooling of the heater can also be achieved.

According to claim (3), it is possible to dry the inside of the sauna booth and the flow path and prevent the growth of mold as needed. Furthermore, even if mold occurs, it is possible to kill it.

Furthermore, according to the present invention, the steam to make the room humid can be obtained using an ultrasonic device, and there is no need to heat the stored water to 100° C. and boil it as in the past. Therefore, the heating source only needs to be of a small capacity to heat indoor air to an appropriate temperature, and it is possible to significantly reduce the thermal energy used compared to the conventional case. In addition, the circulating fluid, which is a mixture of steam and hot air, repeatedly circulates in a closed flow path, so the thermal energy of the circulating fluid does not directly escape to the outside as in the past, which improves thermal efficiency. Are better.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of a sauna booth schematically showing the entire steam sauna according to an embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2 is a front view of the sauna booth according to the embodiment, Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line A-A' in Fig. 2, Fig. 4 is a perspective view showing the assembled state of the steam sauna, and Fig. 5 is the second 6 is a perspective view of the bottom of the steam sauna, and FIGS. 7 and 8 are sectional views of the steam generator. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing a conventional example. 1...Steam sauna, 2...Booth, 11...
...booth interior, 18...inlet, 19...outlet, 26...exhaust fan, 37...steam generator,
37A... Container, 39, 41, 62... Duct,
46... Heater, 47... Water supply pipe, 48, 50...
... Solenoid valve, 49 ... Drain pipe, 55 ... Overflow pipe, 56 ... Partition plate, 65, 67 ... Damper device.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] (1) A sauna booth; located outside the sauna booth, one end of which opens in a part of the sauna booth, and the other end opens in another part of the sauna booth. an air flow path that is open at; a blower provided in the air flow path for blowing air from the one end side to the other end side of the air flow path; It is equipped with an electric heater for heating the air flowing through the air flow path; and an ultrasonic oscillator installed in the container for storing water and for generating steam. a steam generating means installed in the air flow path so that the steam is mixed with the air flowing through the air flow path; a drainage passage for discharging water from the container; a solenoid valve that opens and closes the drainage passage; provided in the steam generation means, the solenoid valve opens and closes the drainage passage when at least one of the blower, the ultrasonic oscillator, and the electric heater is stopped; a control means for sending a signal to drain water from the container; and a steam sauna. (2) A utility model registration claim characterized in that the claim includes a control means for operating the air blower for a predetermined period of time in order to dry the air flow path or the inside of the sauna booth after the operation of the ultrasonic oscillator is stopped. A steam sauna as described in Scope 1. (3) Sauna booth: An air flow path that is placed outside the sauna booth and has one end open in a part of the sauna booth and the other end open in another part of the sauna booth. and; A blower device provided in the air flow path and configured to flow air from the one end side to the other end of the air flow path; an electric heater for heating the air flowing inside; a container for storing water; and an ultrasonic oscillator installed in the container for generating steam, and the generated steam flows through the air flow path. A steam sauna comprising: a steam generating means installed in the air flow path so as to be mixed with the air; and a control means for operating the blower device and the electric heater when the steam generating means is not activated. A steam sauna characterized by the following: