JPH04811Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (a) Field of Industrial Application The present invention relates to a steam cleaning device that is mainly used for dental techniques such as the production of porcelain teeth used as dental prostheses.

(B) Prior art In the conventional steam cleaning device described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 198142, which precedes the present invention, superheated steam generated in a steam generator is ejected from a handpiece through a steam separator. However, since the steam storage capacity of the steam separator is constant, the quality of the steam emitted from the steam separator is also constant, and therefore the steam emitted from the handpiece can be divided between wet and dry depending on the application. There is the inconvenience of not being able to use them properly.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention In view of these points, the present invention is designed to enable switching of steam quality between wet and dry with a simple configuration.

(d) Means for solving the problem The present invention generates superheated steam by heating an electric heater in a steam generator, and blows out the superheated steam from a nozzle of a handpiece through an upper space in a steam-water separator. The steam-water separator is provided with a plurality of electrodes for water level detection, and the water level of the steam-water separator is set to a high level corresponding to the quality of steam based on the water level detection results of the electrodes. It is used to switch between low and low levels.

(e) Effect According to the present invention, when the water level in the steam separator is switched between a high level and a low level, the volume of the upper space within the steam water separator changes correspondingly.
The steam flowing into the steam separator from the steam generator is polarized as the particles are larger and heavier, and the lighter the particles are, the more the steam is polarized upward. Correspondingly, the steam discharged from the upper part of the steam-water separator becomes stronger, and the larger the volume of the upper space is, the stronger the polarization tendency becomes, and the particles become smaller and dryer. As the temperature increases, the polarization tendency becomes smaller and wetter.

(f) Examples Next, one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a water storage tank for storing water 2 as a cleaning liquid, and a float switch 3 is attached thereto. Reference numeral 4 denotes an ion exchanger that removes calcium contained in tap water and the like to prevent the water supply pipe 5 from being blocked due to adhesion of calcium. 6 is a water supply pump consisting of an electromagnetic pump, and water storage tank 1
The water sucked in from the side is fed to the check valve 7 side. 8 is a steam generator into which water flows from the check valve 7 side, and an electric heater 9 is attached. Reference numeral 10 denotes a cylindrical steam/water separator into which superheated steam flows from the steam generator 8, and in addition to the steam communication pipe 11 that communicates with the upper part of the separator, a water supply communication pipe 12 that communicates with the lower part also communicates with the steam generator 8. The water level is maintained at the same level as the steam generator 8 via this water supply communication pipe 12 based on the siphon principle. A pressure switch 13 detects the pressure in a steam pipe line 14 communicating with the upper end of the steam separator 8.
Reference numeral 15 denotes a safety valve that is pushed open when the pressure in the steam line 14 rises above a predetermined safety value to discharge superheated steam and water from the discharge pipe 16. Reference numeral 17 denotes a solenoid valve interposed in the steam pipe line 14, which can be opened and closed as desired by a user's manual operation. 1
A hand piece 8 communicates with the electromagnetic valve 17 via a steam hose 19, and spouts superheated steam from a tip nozzle 20 in conjunction with the opening and closing operations of the electromagnetic valve 17. 21 is the water supply pump 6 and the heater 9
A control device that controls energization, and is specifically formed of an electric circuit or the like, and turns on and off the electric heater 9 based on the detection result of the pressure switch 13, thereby removing superheated steam in the steam/water separator 10. It is configured to maintain a temperature of approximately 170° C. and a pressure of approximately 7 kg/cm ² .

As shown in FIG. 2, the steam/water separator 10 is provided with a plurality of electrodes 22, 23, 24 for detecting water level, each having a different detection level, specifically three electrodes. . Each electrode 22, 23, 24 is
Steam/water separator 10 with surrounding insulators 25, 26, 27
However, when the water level rises and reaches the lower end of each electrode 22, 23, 24, it is electrically connected to the steam water separator 10 through the water storage, and this steam water separator 10 The water level is detected by changing to the ground level through the ground. On the other hand, the control device is provided with a vapor quality changeover switch 28, as shown in FIG. . The steam quality changeover switch 28 has a pair of switch parts 2
When switching the electrodes 9 and 30 to the upper side in conjunction with each other, the electrodes 23 and 2
4, water storage is controlled within the range of water level detection levels 23L to 24L, and conversely, when the pair of switch parts 29 and 30 are linked to switch downward, the water level is controlled based on the detection signals of the electrodes 22 and 23. Leverage electrode 2
It is configured to control water storage within a range of water level detection levels 22L to 23L.

In the steam cleaning apparatus, when the power switch (not shown) of the control device 21 is turned on, power is supplied to the water supply pump 6 and the electric heater 9, water is supplied to the steam-water separator 10 and the steam generator 8, and the steam generator 8
The stored water is heated by an electric heater 9 and turned into superheated steam. A part of the moisture is separated and recovered by a steam separator 10 and then pushed into a steam pipe line 14. After that, when the user manually opens the solenoid valve 17, the superheated steam flows into the hand piece 18 due to the pressure.
It is ejected from the tip nozzle 20 of.

Further, in the steam cleaning device, when the steam quality changeover switch 28 is switched upward, the water level in the steam water separator 10 is regulated to a range of 23L to 24L level, and the volume of the upper space 10a in the steam water separator 10 is reduced. It becomes smaller and the vapor quality becomes wet. Wet steam is suitable for use in cleaning and removing wax.

Further, in the steam cleaning device, when the steam quality changeover switch 28 is switched to the lower side, the water level in the steam water separator 10 is regulated to a range of 22L to 23L level, and the volume of the upper space 10a in the steam water separator 10 is becomes larger and the vapor quality becomes dry. When the dry steam is used for cleaning prostheses and metal frames, it is convenient because it makes the metal frames shiny.

(g) Effects of the invention Since the invention is constructed as described above, the quality of the steam ejected from the nozzle can be switched between wet and dry with a simple structure of just providing a plurality of water level detection electrodes in the steam/water separator. A steam cleaning device that is easy to use can be provided.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention,
Figure 1 is a schematic configuration diagram, Figure 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the main parts,
FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of the steam quality changeover switch. 8...Steam generator, 9...Electric heater, 10
...Sea water separator, 10a... Upper space, 18...
Handpiece, 20... Nozzle, 22, 23, 2
4...Electrode, 28...Steam selection switch.

Claims (1)

[Claims for Utility Model Registration] Superheated steam is generated in a steam generator by heating with an electric heater, and the superheated steam is ejected from a nozzle of a handpiece through an upper space in a steam/water separator. , the steam-water separator is provided with a plurality of electrodes for water level detection, and the water level of the steam-water separator is switched between a high level and a low level in accordance with the steam quality based on the water level detection result of the electrodes. A steam cleaning device characterized by: