JP2004041466A

JP2004041466A - Steam generator with cool breeze function

Info

Publication number: JP2004041466A
Application number: JP2002203630A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Seiichi Yamamoto; 山本　清市; Yoshiyuki Nojima; 野島　良之; Masahito Ichikawa; 市川　雅仁
Original assignee: Yamaha Living Tech Co Ltd
Current assignee: Yamaha Living Tech Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-07-12
Filing date: 2002-07-12
Publication date: 2004-02-12

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a steam generator achieving the effective use of water by reutilizing hot water diffused to a heat exchange accelerator from a jet pipe and generating cool breeze other than steam and hot air by simple control to achieve the enhancement of user's convenience. <P>SOLUTION: A steam generator is equipped with a steam generation means, a blower means, a circulating means recovering hot water diffused from the jet pipe of the generation means and recovering hot water and brought into contact with a heat exchange accelerator to circulate the same and a control means for controlling the generation means, the blower means and the circulating means. The control means diffuses water to the heat exchange accelerator from the jet pipe of the generation means and operating the blower means to blow a cool breeze from a blowoff port. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、例えば一般家庭の浴室等に設置されて浴室内に蒸気を発生させ得る蒸気発生装置に係わり、特に蒸気等の他に涼風をも発生させ得る涼風機能付き蒸気発生装置に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来、浴室内に設置される蒸気発生装置としては、例えば特許第２８７１３４０号公報あるいは特許第２７７３０１４号公報に開示されている。前者（特許第２８７１３４０号公報）に開示の蒸気発生装置は、蒸気吹出口と空気吸込口を有する外装体の内部に、複数の湯噴出口を有する湯噴出管と熱交換促進部材及びファンをそれぞれ配置し、湯噴出管の湯噴出口から熱交換促進部材に湯を放散することにより蒸気を発生させ、この蒸気をファンの回転で蒸気吹出口から吹き出すようにしたものである。
【０００３】
そして、この蒸気発生装置１０１は、一般的に図７に示すように、温水循環回路を有さない給湯機１０２の給湯口１０２ａに湯噴出管１０３が配管１０４を介して接続される。これにより、湯噴出管１０３から放散される湯が、ファン１０６の作動で熱交換促進部材１０７の平行な各薄板１０７ａ間を通過する空気を加湿して温度上昇させ、この空気の温度上昇に伴い蒸気圧差を生じさせて、湯の一部を蒸発させて蒸気とするようになっており、この蒸気によって浴室内が加温加湿される。
【０００４】
また、後者（特許第２７７３０１４号公報）に開示の蒸気発生装置は、蒸気吹出口と空気吸込口が開口する外装体の内部に、複数の湯噴出口を有する湯噴出管と熱交換促進部材及びファンをそれぞれ配置し、湯噴出管の湯噴出口から熱交換促進部材に湯を放散すると共に、熱交換促進部材の薄板を連結するパイプ状の連結部材の内部に高温の湯を供給することにより蒸気を発生させ、この蒸気をファンの回転で蒸気吹出口から吹き出すようにしたものである。
【０００５】
そして、この蒸気発生装置１０１は、一般的に図８に示すように、温水循環回路１０２ｂを有する給湯暖房機１０２の給湯口１０２ａに湯噴出管１０３が配管１０４を介して接続されると共に、給湯暖房機１０２の温水循環回路１０２ｂの出口と入口に熱交換促進部材１０７の連結部材１０７ｂの両端が配管１０８を介して接続されることによって設置される。これにより、湯噴出管１０３から熱交換促進部材１０７に放散される湯と連結部材１０７ｂを流れる湯との熱によって、前者の蒸気発生装置１０１と同様に蒸気を発生させて浴室内の加温加湿が行えると共に、湯噴出管１０３から湯を放散させずに連結部材１０７ｂ内に高温水を循環供給してファン１０６を作動させることで、浴室内を加湿させずに加温して暖房するようになっている。
【０００６】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、これらの蒸気発生装置１０１においては、湯噴出管１０３から熱交換促進部材１０７の薄板１０７ａ間に放散されて下方に流下する温度が下がった湯を、熱交換促進部材１０７の下部に配置したドレンパン１０９で受け、このドレンパン１０９に設けた排湯口から排水管１１０を介して、例えば浴室の排水路に排水しているため、湯噴出管１０３に供給される湯（水）の有効活用を図ることが困難であり、経済的にも省エネルギーの面においても好ましくないという問題点を有している。
【０００７】
また、これらの蒸気発生装置１０１においては、給湯機１０２等の湯を使用して周囲温度より温度が高い蒸気を発生させたり温風を発生させて、浴室内を例えば暖房することができるものの、夏期等において涼風機能を望む場合には、別途涼風機能のための構造や装置が必要になるなど限られたスペースの浴室等に設置するには問題があった。
【０００８】
本発明は、このような事情に鑑みてなされたもので、その目的は、噴出管から熱交換促進部材に放散される湯を再利用することによって水の有効活用を図ると共に、簡易な制御により蒸気や温風の他に涼風をも発生させて使い勝手の向上を同時に図り得る涼風機能付き蒸気発生装置を提供することにある。
【０００９】
【課題を解決するための手段】
かかる目的を達成すべく、本発明のうち請求項１に記載の発明は、加熱手段を有する熱交換促進部材上に噴出管から湯を放散することにより蒸気を発生させ得る発生手段と、該発生手段で発生した蒸気をその送風により吹出口から吹き出す送風手段と、前記発生手段の噴出管から放散され熱交換促進部材に接触させた湯を回収して前記噴出管に戻す循環手段と、前記発生手段と送風手段及び循環手段を制御する制御手段と、を備え、前記制御手段は、前記発生手段の噴出管から熱交換促進部材上に水を放散させると共に、前記送風手段を作動させることにより前記吹出口から涼風を吹き出す制御が可能であることを特徴とする。
【００１０】
このように構成することにより、発生手段の噴出管から加熱手段を有する熱交換促進部材に放散される湯は、熱交換促進部材と接触することによりその一部が蒸気となって送風手段の作動で吹出口から吹き出され、残りの湯が循環手段によって再び噴出管に戻されて熱交換促進部材上に再放散されることから、湯噴出管で使用される湯を外部に排水する必要がなくなって、湯（水）の再利用が図れる。また、制御手段で熱交換促進部材に水を放散させつつ送風手段の作動させることにより涼風を発生させることから、吹出口から蒸気以外に涼風を吹き出す制御もできて、蒸気発生装置の使い勝手の向上が図れる。
【００１１】
そして、前記制御手段は、請求項２に記載の発明のように、切換手段を有し、該切換手段によって、少なくとも、前記加熱手段を作動させて熱交換促進部材に湯を放散し蒸気を発生させる蒸気発生状態と、前記加熱手段を作動させないで熱交換促進部材に水を放散し涼風を発生させる涼風発生状態とに切り換え操作可能であることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、制御手段の切換手段によって熱交換促進部材の加熱手段の作動を制御するだけで蒸気発生状態と流風発生状態とを切り換えることが可能になる。
【００１２】
また、前記切換手段は、請求項３に記載の発明のように、前記加熱手段から発生手段の熱交換促進部材に湯及び水を放散させないで温風を発生させる温風発生状態に切り換え操作可能であることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、切換手段によって蒸気を含まない温風を吹き出す温風発生状態に切り換えできることから、例えば、蒸気を含んだ温風発生状態、蒸気を含まないドライな温風発生状態、涼風発生状態の３つの状態が得られて、蒸気発生装置の使い勝手の一層の向上が図れる。
【００１３】
また、切換手段は、請求項４に記載の発明のように、制御手段に電気的に接続されたリモコンに設けられていることが好ましい。このように構成することにより、リモコンの切換手段の操作で例えば前記３つの状態が簡単に得られて、切換操作の操作性向上が図れる。
【００１４】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明の実施の形態を図面に基づいて詳細に説明する。
図１〜図６は、本発明に係わる涼風機能付き蒸気発生装置の一実施例を示し、図１がその基本的構成を示す概念図、図２がその概略縦断面図、図３が熱交換促進部材の斜視図、図４が制御系のブロック図、図５が蒸気発生装置の浴室への設置状態を示す概略斜視図、図６がその動作の一例を示すフローチャートである。
【００１５】
図１において、蒸気発生装置１は、蒸気、温風、涼風の何れかを発生させ得る発生手段２と、この発生手段２で使用する湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを循環させる循環手段３と、この循環手段３に水Ｗを供給（補給）する水供給手段４と、前記循環手段３内の湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを外部に排水する排水手段５と、これらを制御する制御手段６等で構成されている。
【００１６】
前記発生手段２は、多数の薄板１５とこれらを連結する連結部材１６及び左右の支持板１７からなる熱交換促進部材７と、この熱交換促進部材７の薄板１５上部に水Ｗや湯ＨＷ１を放散する噴出管８と、発生した蒸気等を所定方向に送風する送風手段としてのファン９等を有している。そして、後述する如く噴出管８に湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを供給したり連結部材１６内に前記湯ＨＷ１より温度の高い湯ＨＷ２を循環供給しつつファン９を作動させること等により、蒸気や温風あるいは涼風を発生させ、これらを所定方向に送風（吹き出す）するようになっている。
【００１７】
この蒸気発生装置１は、図２に示すように、金属板で箱型に形成された外装体１０を有し、この外装体１０の傾斜した前面上部には空気吸込口１１が形成されると共に、その下部には蒸気吹出口１２が形成されている。また、外装体１０の内部には、空気吸込口１１に対向して熱交換促進部材７が外装体１０の前面と略平行に傾斜して配置されると共に、この熱交換促進部材７の前面上端部に噴出管８が配置され、さらに熱交換促進部材７の後方側の下部には前記ファン９が配置されている。なお、熱交換促進部材７の下部には、湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを回収するドレンパン１３が設けられ、ファン９の下部には蒸気吹出口１２方向に向けて吹出流路１４が形成されている。
【００１８】
また、発生手段２の前記熱交換促進部材７は、例えば図３に示すように、縦方向に所定間隔を有して略平行に配置された多数枚の前記薄板１５と、この薄板１５を横方向に連結する円形金属パイプからなる前記連結部材１６と、この連結部材１６を支える左右一対の前記支持板１７等で構成されている。なお、薄板１５、連結部材１６及び支持板１７は、例えばステレンススチール、アルミニウム、銅等の熱伝導率の高い金属材で形成され、連結部材１６は、１本のパイプを上部から下部に向け連続して蛇行状に折り曲げ形成され、その両端開口部が例えば図３の右側に指向している。
【００１９】
そして、この連結部材１６の例えば上部側の開口部には、図１及び図３に示すように、給湯暖房機１９の出口２０ｂに配管２１で接続され、下部側の開口部は給湯暖房機１９の入口２０ａに配管２２で直接接続されている。なお、給湯暖房機１９は、高温水循環回路２０、ポンプ２３、バーナ２４及び制御回路２５、図示しない給湯口等を有し、制御回路２５によってバーナ２４やポンプ２３を制御することにより、制御回路２５で設定された所定温度の湯ＨＷ２を、配管２１、２２を介して熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に循環供給して該熱交換促進部材７を加熱するようになっている。
【００２０】
また、発生手段２の前記噴出管８は、ステンレス等の金属パイプによって形成され、その軸方向に沿って所定間隔で複数の噴出口８ａ（図２参照）が下方に指向するように穿設されており、その噴出口８ａから噴出される湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗが熱交換促進部材７の前面上端部の薄板１５上に放散され得るように配置されている。前記ファン９は、例えばシロッコファン等で構成され、図示しないファンモータが回転することにより、図２の矢印イ方向に回転して、熱交換促進部材７から発生する蒸気や涼風を矢印ハの如く吹出流路１４を介して送風するようになっている。
【００２１】
前記循環手段３は、図１に示すように、熱交換促進部材７の下部に配置されて該促進部材７に放散された湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを回収する前記ドレンパン１３と、このドレンパン１３の排出口１３ａと噴出管８の供給口８ｂとの間の戻り配管２７の途中に連結された循環ポンプ２８等を有し、制御手段６の制御信号で循環ポンプ２８が作動することにより、ドレンパン１３に回収した湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを再び噴出管８に戻すようになっている。
【００２２】
また、前記水供給手段４は、水供給源２９と、この水供給源２９と前記ドレンパン１３との間の配管３０に配置された給水電磁弁３１等を有し、制御手段６の制御信号で給水電磁弁３１が開くことにより、水供給源２９から所定量の水Ｗをドレンパン１３内に供給（補給）するようになっている。なお、水供給源２９としては、例えば後述する浴室に水や湯を供給する給水配管が使用されて、例えば水道水等の所定温度の水Ｗが循環手段３内に供給される。
【００２３】
さらに、前記排水手段５は、循環手段３のドレンパン１３の排出口１３ａと外部排水口３２との間の配管３３に配置された排水電磁弁３４等を有し、制御手段６の制御信号で排水電磁弁３４が開くことにより、ドレンパン１３内の水Ｗや湯ＨＷ１を外部に排水するようになっている。
【００２４】
前記制御手段６は、図４に示すように、マイコン等を有する制御回路３５と電源回路３６及びリモコン３７等を備え、制御回路３５の入力側には、前記ドレンパン１３に設けられて該ドレンパン１３内の湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの水温を検知する水温センサ３８、ドレンパン１３内の湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの水位を検知する水位センサ３９、及び蒸気発生装置１が設置される例えば浴室内の室温を検知する室温センサ４０等のセンサ群が接続されると共に、リモコン３７が接続され、また、制御回路３５の出力側には、前記ファン９、循環ポンプ２８、各種電磁弁３１、３４等が接続されている。
【００２５】
前記リモコン３７は、図１に示すように、例えば加湿加温された蒸気を発生させる加湿加温運転スイッチ３７ａと、加温された温風を発生させる加温運転スイッチ３７ｂ及び涼風を発生させる涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃ等を有し、これらの各運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃが無線もしくは有線で制御回路３５に電気的に接続されている。なお、各運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃとしては、プッシュスイッチ等が使用されて択一的に切り換え可能に構成されている。
【００２６】
また、蒸気発生装置１の制御回路３５は、給湯暖房機１９の制御回路２５と、例えば双方向通信回線４２によって電気的に接続されると共に、蒸気発生装置１の電源回路３６が給湯暖房機１９の電源回路４３から電力を供給され得るよう接続されている。これにより、蒸気発生装置１のリモコン３７で給湯暖房機１９の電源のオン・オフ操作が可能になると共に、前記各運転スイッチ３７の択一的操作により加温加湿運転（サウナ＆ミスト）、加温運転（ドライ）、涼風運転の各運転が可能になるように構成されている。
【００２７】
また、給湯暖房機１９のリモコン４４でも蒸気発生装置１の電源のオン・オフや各種操作が可能になるように構成されており、この場合、リモコン４４にリモコン３７の各運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃと同様のスイッチを設ければ、該リモコン４４から前述した３つの運転が操作できることになる。なお、蒸気発生装置１と給湯暖房機１９の各制御回路３５、２５の接続構造はこの例に限らず、それぞれ個別に配置して個別に操作することもできるし、図４の二点鎖線で示すように、電源回路３６、４３のみを蒸気発生装置１と給湯暖房機１９で共用する接続構造を採用することもできる。
【００２８】
そして、この蒸気発生装置１は、図５に示すように、浴室を形成する例えばユニットバスルーム４１（バスルーム４１という）の洗い場４６のカウンタ４７内部に設置される。この場合のバスルーム４１は、壁パネル４８と天井パネル４９等によって略箱状に形成され、内部の防水パン上にはバスタブ５０が設置されると共に洗い場４６が設けられ、この洗い場４６の壁パネル４８側に前記カウンタ４７が設けられ、また天井パネル４９には浴室換気扇５１が設けられている。
【００２９】
また、図２に示すように、上面壁４７ａと前面壁４７ｂからなるカウンタ４７の前面壁４７ｂは、その上部に空気導入口５２が形成された状態で取付金具５３等によって上面壁４７ａに取り付けられると共に、その下部には蒸気発生装置１の前記蒸気吹出口１２に対応した吹出口５４が設けられている。この空気導入口５２から矢印ニの如くカウンタ４７内部に導入された空気が、蒸気発生装置１の空気吸込口１１から該装置１内に矢印ロの如く吸い込まれ、またファン９によって送風された蒸気が蒸気吹出口１２及び吹出口５４から矢印ハの如く洗い場４６内に吹き出されるようになっている。
【００３０】
なお、蒸気発生装置１のカウンタ４７への配置構造はこの例に限定されず、前記取付金具５３等を使用することなく、例えば上面壁４７ａと前面壁４７ｂが一体成形されたカウンタ４７の、前面壁４７ｂの所定位置に空気導入口５２を形成し、この空気導入口５２後方のカウンタ４７の内部に蒸気発生装置１を配置することもできるし、蒸気発生装置１を浴槽エプロン５７の内部に配置する等、他の適宜の配置構造を採用することができる。
【００３１】
次に、この蒸気発生装置１の動作の一例を図６のフローチャートに基づいて説明する。なお、これらのフローチャートは前記制御回路３５のマイコン等に予め記憶されたプログラムによって自動的に実行される。先ず、プログラムが開始（Ｓ１００）されると、前記リモコン３７に設けられた３つの運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃのうち涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃ（図では涼風ＳＷと記す）がオンしたか否かが判断（Ｓ１０１）される。
【００３２】
この判断Ｓ１０１で「ＹＥＳ」の場合、すなわち、入浴者が蒸気発生装置１を作動させて涼風運転状態で入浴しようとして涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃをオンすると、判断Ｓ１０１で「ＹＥＳ」となって、循環手段３の循環流路内（循環手段３内という）に水Ｗを供給する水供給処理（Ｓ１０２）を行い、この水供給処理Ｓ１０２と略同時か所定時間後にファン９を作動（Ｓ１０３）させる。
【００３３】
この時の水供給処理Ｓ１０２は、例えば制御回路３５の制御信号によって、先ず給水電磁弁３１を開き水供給源２９から水Ｗをドレンパン１３内に供給し、その後循環ポンプ２８をオン（作動）させドレンパン１３内に供給された水Ｗを循環手段３内で循環させつつ噴出管８の噴出口８ａから熱交換促進部材７上に水Ｗを放散させると共に、この放散された水Ｗをドレンパン１３で回収しつつその水位を前記水位センサ３９で検知し、その値が所定値になった時点で給水電磁弁３１を閉じることによって行う。また、ファン９の作動は、制御回路３５の制御信号で所定方向に回転することによって行われる。
【００３４】
このステップＳ１０２における水Ｗの供給処理とステップＳ１０３におけるファン９の作動により、次のようにして涼風が発生する。すなわち、循環手段３内の水Ｗが噴出管８から熱交換促進部材７の薄板１５上部に放散されると、この水Ｗが薄板１５間を該薄板１５の表面に接触しつつ下方に流れ、この水Ｗがファン９から送風される風を冷却して涼風が発生する。
【００３５】
特に、熱交換促進部材７に放散された水Ｗは、ファン９から送風される風によってその一部が蒸発し、蒸発熱が奪われることで水温が低下する。従って、運転を継続し循環手段３によって水Ｗを循環させることにより次第に水温が低下し、より涼しい涼風を発生させることができる。例えば水温が２５℃の水を使用した場合でも、循環手段３による循環によって２〜３分程度で水温が２０℃位に下がり、効果的な涼風を発生させることが可能になる。この涼風が蒸気発生装置１内の吹出流路１４からカウンタ４７の吹出口５４を介して、バスルーム４１内に吹き出され、バスルーム４１内の入浴者が涼風効果を得ることができる。
【００３６】
このような涼風がバスルーム４１内に吹き出されると、涼風温度制御（Ｓ１０４）が行われる。この涼風温度制御Ｓ１０４は、バスルーム４１内の温度が前記室温センサ４０で検知され、この検知された室温を予め制御回路３５内に記憶してある基準温度と比較し、制御回路３５の制御信号でファン９の作動と水Ｗの循環手段３内への供給等を例えばオン・オフ制御することによって行われ、これによりバスルーム４１内の温度が所定温度に維持される。
【００３７】
ステップＳ１０４で涼風温度制御が行われると、次に前記涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃがオフしたか否かが判断（Ｓ１０５）され、この判断Ｓ１０５は「ＹＥＳ」になるまで繰り返される。そして、入浴者がバスルーム４１から出ようとしてリモコン３７の涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃをオフすると、判断Ｓ１０５で「ＹＥＳ」となり、停止処理（Ｓ１０６）を行い、その後一連のプログラムを終了（Ｓ１０７）する。
【００３８】
この時の停止処理Ｓ１０６は、先ずファン９の作動を停止させると共に、前記排水手段５の排水電磁弁３４を所定時間開動作させることによって行い、この停止処理Ｓ１０６により、循環手段３内の水Ｗが、排水手段５の外部排水口３２から蒸気発生装置１の外部である例えばバスルーム４１の排水孔等に排水される。
【００３９】
一方、前記判断Ｓ１０１で「ＮＯ」の場合、すなわち、涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃがオンされず入浴者が涼風運転を選択しなかった場合は、加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａ（図では加湿等ＳＷと記す）がオンしたか否かが判断（Ｓ２０１）される。この判断Ｓ２０１で「ＹＥＳ」の場合は、水供給処理（Ｓ２０２）を行い、その後、湯循環処理（Ｓ２０３）と蒸気温度制御（Ｓ２０４）を行う。この時の水供給処理Ｓ２０２は前記ステップＳ１０２と同様に行われる。
【００４０】
また、湯循環処理Ｓ２０３は、先ず給湯暖房機１９を作動させて、その制御回路２５により湯循環回路２０の湯を高温の湯ＨＷ２に設定すると共にポンプ２３を作動させ、熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に湯ＨＷ２を循環させることによって行い、これにより熱交換促進部材７が加熱される。
【００４１】
この湯循環処理Ｓ２０３により、給湯暖房機１９で加熱された例えば８０℃以上の湯ＨＷ２が、熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に供給されて、該連結部材１６の温度が所定温度まで上昇させられる。また、熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に湯ＨＷ２が循環することにより、連結部材１６及び薄板１５の温度が上昇し、その温度によって薄板１５上に放散される水Ｗの温度が上昇して、これが循環手段３内を循環することで、水Ｗの温度が除々に上昇して湯ＨＷ２の温度に応じた所定温度の湯ＨＷ１となる。
【００４２】
さらに、前記蒸気温度制御Ｓ２０４は、先ず、例えば前記水供給処理Ｓ２０２における循環ポンプ２８のオン開始から所定時間が経過した場合に、制御回路３５の制御信号でファン９を回転させることで、カウンタ４７の前面壁４７ｂの空気導入口５２からカウンタ４７内部に導入されたユニットバスルーム４１内の空気が、蒸気発生装置１の外装体１０の空気吸込口１１から吸い込まれ、これが熱交換促進部材７の薄板１５間を通過することにより、次のようにして蒸気が発生する。
【００４３】
すなわち、熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６に循環供給されている湯ＨＷ２で連結部材１６自体が所定温度まで上昇させられると共に、この連結部材１６に固定されている薄板１５もその表面が所定温度まで上昇させられる。また、この温度上昇された薄板１５上に噴出管８から放散され下方に流下する湯ＨＷ１が、各薄板１５間を通過する前記空気を加湿してその温度を上昇させ、この空気の温度上昇に伴い蒸気圧差が生じることで、放散された湯ＨＷ１の一部が蒸発して蒸気を発生させることになる。そしてこの発生した蒸気は、回転しているファン９による送風で、吹出流路１４から蒸気吹出口１２と吹出口５４を介してバスルーム４１の洗い場４６内に吹き出される。
【００４４】
このようにして蒸気がバスルーム４１内に吹き出されると、蒸気温度制御（Ｓ２０４）が行われる。この蒸気温度制御Ｓ２０４は、バスルーム４１内の温度が前記室温センサ４０で検知され、この検知された室温を予め制御回路３５内に記憶してある基準温度と比較して、制御回路３５の制御信号で例えば循環ポンプ２８と給湯暖房機１９のポンプ２３とを略同時にオン・オフ制御することによって行われ、これによりバスルーム４１内の温度が所定温度に維持される。
【００４５】
また、この蒸気温度制御Ｓ２０４と同時に、循環ポンプ２８の電流値や循環手段３内を循環する湯ＨＷ１の湯量等を検知し、これらの検知値と予め制御回路３５内に設定した基準値とを比較して、循環ポンプ２８の作動電流値等の電気的特性値や循環する湯量自体あるいは湯ＨＷ１の温度等を増減させることで、蒸気の発生量等が制御される。
【００４６】
さらに、蒸気温度制御Ｓ２０４中において、蒸気の発生により循環手段３内を循環する湯ＨＷ１が予め定めた所定湯量まで減少すると、この減少による水位を前記ドレンパン１３に設けた水位センサ３９が検知し、制御回路３５の制御信号で給水電磁弁３１を所定時間開状態とさせて水Ｗを補給することで、循環する湯ＨＷ１が常に所定湯量となるように制御される。
【００４７】
そして、このようにして蒸気温度制御Ｓ２０４が行われると、前記加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａがオフしたか否かが判断（Ｓ２０５）され、この判断Ｓ２０５は「ＹＥＳ」になるまで繰り返され、入浴者がバスルーム４１から出ようとしてリモコン３７の加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａをオフした時点で、停止処理（Ｓ２０６）を行い、その後一連のプログラムを終了（Ｓ１０７）する。
【００４８】
この時の停止処理Ｓ２０６は、例えば、先ず給湯暖房機１９のポンプ２３等をオフすることにより停止状態とし、循環手段３内の湯ＨＷ１の温度をドレンパン１３に配置した水温センサ３８で検知して、この検知温度が制御回路３５内に予め記憶してある排水基準温度以下となった場合に、循環ポンプ２８を停止させ、この循環ポンプ２８の停止と略同時にファン９を停止させると共に、排水電磁弁３４を所定時間開動作させることによって行う。
【００４９】
この停止処理Ｓ１０７により、所定温度以下の循環手段３内の湯ＨＷ１が、排水手段５の外部排水口３２から蒸気発生装置１の外部である例えばユニットバスルーム４１の排水孔等に排水される。そして、この時排水される湯ＨＷ１の温度が排水基準温度以下になっていることから、排水時の安全性が確保されることになる。
【００５０】
また、この停止処理Ｓ２０６が加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａがオフされた後に必ず実行されることから、蒸気発生装置１の使用後にドレンパン１３内等に蒸気発生に使用した湯ＨＷ１が残留することがなくなり、例えば雑菌の増殖等が確実に防止されると共に、循環ポンプ２８の作動で前記涼風時と同様、循環手段３内のゴミ等が循環動作によって除去されつつ外部に排出され、次に蒸気発生装置１を運転する場合に、循環手段３内が清潔な状態で使用できることになる。
【００５１】
一方、前記判断Ｓ２０１で「ＮＯ」の場合、すなわち、涼風運転スイッチ３７ｃも加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａもオンされない場合は、加温運転スイッチ３７ｂ（図では加温ＳＷと記す）がオンしたか否かが判断（Ｓ３０１）される。この判断Ｓ３０１で「ＹＥＳ」の場合は、湯循環処理（Ｓ３０２）と温風温度制御（Ｓ３０３）を行う。この時の湯循環処理Ｓ３０２は、前記湯循環処理Ｓ２０３と同様にして行われ、熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に湯ＨＷ２を循環させることにより熱交換促進部材７が加熱される。
【００５２】
この熱交換促進部材が加熱された状態で、前記ファン９を作動させることにより、ファン９から送風される風が熱交換促進部材７に接触することで温風となり、この温風が吹出流路１４から蒸気吹出口１２と吹出口５４を介してバスルーム４１の洗い場４６内に吹き出される。この時の温風は、熱交換促進部材上７に噴出管８から湯ＨＷ１が放散されていないことから、湿度を含まないドライな温風となる。
【００５３】
このようにして温風がバスルーム４１内に吹き出されると、前記涼風温度制御や蒸気温度制御と同様に、温風温度制御（Ｓ３０３）が行われ、制御回３５の制御信号で例えばファン９と給湯暖房機１９のポンプ２３をオン・オフ制御することにより、バスルーム４１内の温度が所定温度に維持される。
【００５４】
そして、このようにして温風温度制御Ｓ３０３が行われると、前記加温運転スイッチ３７ｂがオフしたか否かが判断（Ｓ３０４）され、この判断Ｓ３０４は「ＹＥＳ」になるまで繰り返され、入浴者がバスルーム４１から出ようとしてリモコン３７の加温運転スイッチ３７ｂをオフした時点で、停止処理（Ｓ３０５）を行い、その後一連のプログラムを終了（Ｓ１０７）する。この時の停止処理Ｓ３０５は、例えば、先ず給湯暖房機１９のポンプ２３等をオフすることにより停止状態とすると共に、ファン９を停止させることによって行う。
【００５５】
なお、このフローチャートは一例であって、例えば３つの運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃのオン・オフ判断の順番を適宜に変更することもできるし、涼風によってバスルーム４１内の温度が所定温度以下まで低下しない場合は、ステップＳ１０４の涼風温度制御を省略する等、適宜に変更することができる。
【００５６】
このように、上記実施例の蒸気発生装置によれば、熱交換促進部材７の上部に配置される噴出管８から放散され下部に流下する湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを、熱交換促進部材７の下部に配置したドレンパン１３で回収すると共に、このドレンパン１３と噴出管８との間に設けた戻り配管２７や循環ポンプ２８で噴出管８に再び戻すことができるため、蒸気発生に使用した湯ＨＷ１や涼風発生に使用した水Ｗを従来のように外部にそのまま排水することがなくなり、湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの再利用が図れて水資源の有効活用が可能になる。この有効活用によって、一般家庭等において、水道料金の低減化や給湯暖房機１９の燃料代の低減化を図ることができる。
【００５７】
また、制御回路３５の制御信号により循環手段３内に水Ｗを循環供給しつつファン９を作動させることで涼風を発生させることができ、また熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に湯ＨＷ２を循環させるだけで、例えばバスルーム４１内に蒸気を吹き出してサウナやミスト等の加温加湿状態を得ることができるため、簡易な制御によって涼風及び加温加湿状態を得ることが可能になる。さらに、ポンプ２８を停止し、噴出管８からの湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの放散を止めれば、バスルーム４１内に温風を吹き出してドライな加温状態をも得ることができる、
【００５８】
特に、熱交換促進部材７に放散される湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗをファン９を作動させた状態で循環させるため、連結部材１６内に湯ＨＷ２を循環させるか否かによって比較的短時間で、湯ＨＷ１から水Ｗ、あるいは水Ｗから湯ＨＷ１に変えることができるので、涼風状態と加温加湿状態との変更が容易に、しかも比較的短時間で対応可能となる。
【００５９】
また、３つの運転状態の切り換えを、制御回路３５に接続されたリモコン３７に設けた３つの運転スイッチ３７ａ〜３７ｃの択一的な切換操作によって行うことができるため、その操作性を向上させることができる。なお、各運転状態の停止時に各運転に応じた停止処理を行うようにすれば、例えば加温加湿運転から涼風運転に切り換える場合であっても、循環手段３内の湯ＨＷ１等を排水した後に新たな水Ｗが供給されるため、加温加湿運転の後に更に短時間のうちに涼風運転を行うことができる。
【００６０】
また、涼風運転が可能であるため、例えば夏期に入浴する際に、浴室から出る前に涼風にあたることで火照った体を冷やすことができる等、入浴者の体への負担の軽減等が図れ、快適な入浴が可能になり、これらのことから、この蒸気発生装置１をカウンタ４７内に設置することで、使い勝手に一層優れたバスルーム４１を得ることができる。
【００６１】
また、上記実施例によれば、次のような付随的な作用効果を得ることができる。すなわち、水供給手段４から供給（補給）された水Ｗを循環手段３によって噴出管８に再び戻すことにより、湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの流路と熱交換促進部材７の連結部材１６内に循環供給される湯ＨＷ２の流路とが完全に別流路を形成しているため、湯ＨＷ１、ＨＷ２をそれぞれ個別に制御できて、各湯ＨＷ１、ＨＷ２の温度を高精度に維持でき、例えば冬季のユニットバスルーム４１内の温度が低い場合等であっても、その温度に応じた湯ＨＷ１、ＨＷ２等が容易に得られて、季節等に係わらず蒸気の安定した発生状態を得ることができる。その結果、例えば蒸気による暖まり方の程度の認識違いに基づくユーザーの誤解等の発生を防止することが可能になる。
【００６２】
また、循環手段３がドレンパン１３等の湯回収部材、循環ポンプ２８、水供給手段４及び排水手段５等によって形成され、ドレンパン１３で回収した湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを戻り配管２７と循環ポンプ２８により噴出管８に直接戻す構成であるため、例えば従来の噴出管や連結部材に対する配管構造を変更すること等で対応できて、循環手段３自体の構成を簡略化できると共に、循環手段３を発生手段２の外装体１０内に一体的に組み込むこと等が容易にできて、蒸気発生装置１の構成の簡素化を図り安価な装置１を得ることが可能になる。
【００６３】
さらに、加温加湿運転スイッチ３７ａがオフした際に、循環手段３内を循環する湯ＨＷ１が所定温度以下になるまで排水手段５による排水が禁止されるため、所定温度以上の湯ＨＷ１の外部への排水が確実に防止されて、排水に係わる安全性の十分な確保を図ることができると共に、蒸気発生装置１の使用後に循環手段３内における湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗの残留が防止されて、常に清潔な湯ＨＷ１や水Ｗを使用することが可能になる。
【００６４】
また、水供給手段４による水Ｗの循環手段３内への供給（補給）が、水位センサ３９等の検知に基づいて制御されるため、循環手段３内における湯ＨＷ１の循環量を所定に維持することができて、常に所定量で所定温度の湯ＨＷ１を噴出管８から熱交換促進部材７に放散することができ、蒸気の発生状態を一層安定させることができる。
【００６５】
またさらに、発生手段２及び循環手段３を制御する制御回路３５と、発生手段２の連結部材１６に湯ＨＷ２を供給する給湯暖房機１９の制御回路２５とが双方向通信回線４２によって接続されているため、例えば制御回路３５で給湯暖房機１９を制御することができて、制御自体の重複を省いてその構成の簡略化を図り、蒸気発生装置１を一層コスト安価に形成することができると共に、例えば蒸気発生装置１の電源を給湯暖房機１９から配線すること等により、配線構造の簡素化を図ったり蒸気発生装置１の使い勝手の一層の向上を図ることが可能になる。
【００６６】
なお、上記実施例においては、加温加湿運転時に水供給手段４から循環手段３内に水Ｗを供給し、これを加熱して湯ＨＷ１としたが、例えば循環手段３内に給湯暖房機１９もしくは他の適宜の加熱手段の湯を直接供給するようにして、加温加湿運転時の速暖化を図ることもできる。また、上記実施例におけるユニットバスルーム４１の形態や、蒸気発生装置１の外装体１０の形状、熱交換促進部材７自体の形状や噴出管８の配置関係等は一例であって、例えば噴出管８を複数のノズル形式で構成し、これをその前面が略垂直に配置された熱交換促進部材７の上部に所定距離隔てて配置したり、熱交換促進部材７の形状を比較的幅の狭い横長や縦長に形成する等、本発明に係わる各発明の要旨を逸脱しない範囲において適宜に変更することができる。
【００６７】
【発明の効果】
以上詳述したように、請求項１に記載の発明によれば、制御手段によって熱交換促進部材に水を放散させつつ送風手段の作動させて涼風を発生させることができるため、吹出口から蒸気以外に涼風も吹き出すことができて、蒸気発生装置の使い勝手の向上を図ることができる。
【００６８】
また、請求項２に記載の発明によれば、請求項１に記載の発明の効果に加え、熱交換促進部材の加熱手段の作動を制御するだけで、蒸気発生状態と涼風発生状態とを簡単に切り換えることができる。
【００６９】
また、請求項３に記載の発明によれば、請求項２に記載の発明の効果に加え、切換手段が熱交換促進部材上に湯を放散させないで温風を発生させる温風発生状態に切り換え操作可能であるため、蒸気を含んだ温風発生状態、蒸気を含まないドライな温風発生状態、涼風発生状態の３つの状態が簡単に得られて、蒸気発生装置の使い勝手のより一層の向上を図ることができる。
【００７０】
また、請求項４に記載の発明によれば、請求項２または３に記載の発明の効果に加え、切換手段が制御手段に電気的に接続されたリモコンに設けられているため、リモコンの切換手段の操作で例えば前記３つの状態が簡単に得られて、切換操作の操作性の向上を図ることができる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明に係わる蒸気発生装置の一実施例の基本的構成を示す概念図
【図２】同その概略縦断面図
【図３】同その熱交換促進部材の斜視図
【図４】同その制御系のブロック図
【図５】同蒸気発生装置の浴室への設置状態を示す斜視図
【図６】同その基本的動作の一例を示すフローチャート
【図７】従来の蒸気発生装置の使用形態を示す概念図
【図８】従来の蒸気発生装置の他の使用形態を示す概念図
【符号の説明】
１・・・・・・・・・蒸気発生装置
２・・・・・・・・・発生手段
３・・・・・・・・・循環手段
４・・・・・・・・・水供給手段
５・・・・・・・・・排水手段
６・・・・・・・・・制御手段
７・・・・・・・・・熱交換促進部材
８・・・・・・・・・噴出管
８ａ・・・・・・・・噴出口
９・・・・・・・・・ファン
１１・・・・・・・・空気吸込口
１２・・・・・・・・蒸気吹出口
１３・・・・・・・・ドレンパン
１３ａ・・・・・・・排出口
１５・・・・・・・・薄板
１６・・・・・・・・連結部材
１９・・・・・・・・給湯暖房機
２７・・・・・・・・戻り配管
２８・・・・・・・・循環ポンプ
２９・・・・・・・・水供給源
３５・・・・・・・・制御回路
３７・・・・・・・・リモコン
３７ａ・・・・・・・加温加湿運転スイッチ
３７ｂ・・・・・・・加温運転スイッチ
３７ｃ・・・・・・・涼風運転スイッチ
４１・・・・・・・・ユニットバスルーム
４６・・・・・・・・洗い場
４７・・・・・・・・カウンタ[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a steam generator that is installed in, for example, a bathroom of a general household and can generate steam in the bathroom, and particularly to a steam generator with a cool air function that can also generate cool air in addition to steam.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, a steam generator installed in a bathroom is disclosed in, for example, Japanese Patent No. 2871340 or Japanese Patent No. 2773014. The steam generator disclosed in the former (Japanese Patent No. 2871340) includes a hot water ejection pipe having a plurality of hot water outlets, a heat exchange promoting member, and a fan inside an exterior body having a steam outlet and an air inlet. The steam is generated by dispersing the hot water from the hot water outlet of the hot water discharge pipe to the heat exchange promoting member, and the steam is blown out from the steam outlet by the rotation of the fan.
[0003]
As shown in FIG. 7, in the steam generator 101, a hot water jet pipe 103 is connected to a hot water supply port 102 a of a water heater 102 having no hot water circulation circuit via a pipe 104. As a result, the hot water radiated from the hot-water jet pipe 103 humidifies the air passing between the parallel thin plates 107a of the heat exchange promoting member 107 by the operation of the fan 106, thereby increasing the temperature. A steam pressure difference is generated to evaporate part of the hot water to form steam, and the steam heats and humidifies the bathroom.
[0004]
Further, the steam generator disclosed in the latter (Japanese Patent No. 2773014) includes a hot water ejection pipe having a plurality of hot water outlets, a heat exchange promoting member, By disposing the fans and dissipating the hot water from the hot water outlet of the hot water discharge pipe to the heat exchange promoting member, and supplying high-temperature hot water to the inside of the pipe-shaped connecting member connecting the thin plates of the heat exchange promoting member Steam is generated, and the steam is blown out from a steam outlet by rotation of a fan.
[0005]
As shown in FIG. 8, the steam generator 101 is generally connected to a hot water outlet 102 a of a hot water heater 102 having a hot water circulation circuit 102 b via a pipe 104. It is installed by connecting both ends of the connecting member 107b of the heat exchange promoting member 107 to the outlet and the inlet of the hot water circulation circuit 102b of the heater 102 via the pipe 108. Thereby, steam is generated by the heat of the hot water radiated from the hot-water jet pipe 103 to the heat exchange promoting member 107 and the hot water flowing through the connecting member 107b, similarly to the former steam generating device 101, thereby heating and humidifying the inside of the bathroom. By circulating and supplying high-temperature water into the connecting member 107b without dissipating hot water from the hot-water spouting tube 103 and operating the fan 106, the bathroom is heated and heated without humidification. Has become.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in these steam generators 101, the hot water, which has been diffused from the hot-water jet pipe 103 between the thin plates 107 a of the heat exchange promoting member 107 and has a downward temperature, has been disposed below the heat exchange promoting member 107. Since the water is received by the drain pan 109 and drained from a drain outlet provided in the drain pan 109 to a drainage channel in a bathroom, for example, through a drain pipe 110, the hot water (water) supplied to the hot water jet pipe 103 is effectively used. However, there is a problem that it is difficult in terms of economy and energy saving.
[0007]
Further, in these steam generators 101, although hot water such as a hot water heater 102 is used to generate steam having a higher temperature than the ambient temperature or to generate hot air, the bathroom can be heated, for example. When the cool air function is desired in summer or the like, there is a problem in that the air conditioner is installed in a bathroom or the like in a limited space because a structure or device for the cool air function is required separately.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to achieve effective use of water by reusing hot water radiated from an ejection pipe to a heat exchange promoting member, and to achieve simple control. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generator with a cool air function that can generate cool air as well as steam and warm air and can improve usability at the same time.
[0009]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides a generating means capable of generating steam by dispersing hot water from a jet pipe onto a heat exchange promoting member having a heating means, Blowing means for blowing out the steam generated by the means from the outlet by blowing the air; circulating means for collecting hot water radiated from the discharge pipe of the generating means and brought into contact with the heat exchange promoting member and returning the hot water to the discharge pipe; Means, and a control means for controlling a blowing means and a circulating means, wherein the control means disperses water from an ejection pipe of the generating means onto a heat exchange promoting member, and activates the blowing means to form the air. It is characterized in that it is possible to control to blow cool air from the outlet.
[0010]
With this configuration, the hot water radiated from the ejection pipe of the generating means to the heat exchange promoting member having the heating means is partially turned into steam by contact with the heat exchange promoting member to operate the blowing means. And the remaining hot water is returned to the jet pipe again by the circulation means and re-dissipated on the heat exchange promoting member, eliminating the need to drain hot water used in the hot jet pipe to the outside. Thus, hot water (water) can be reused. In addition, since cool air is generated by operating the air blowing means while dispersing water to the heat exchange promoting member by the control means, it is possible to control the blowing of cool air other than steam from the outlet, thereby improving the usability of the steam generator. Can be achieved.
[0011]
Further, the control means has a switching means as in the invention according to claim 2, and the switching means activates at least the heating means to diffuse hot water to the heat exchange promoting member to generate steam. It is preferable that the operation can be switched between a steam generating state in which the heating means is operated and a cool wind generating state in which water is diffused to the heat exchange promoting member to generate cool wind without operating the heating means. With this configuration, it is possible to switch between the steam generation state and the flowing wind generation state only by controlling the operation of the heating means of the heat exchange promoting member by the switching means of the control means.
[0012]
Also, the switching means can be switched to a hot air generating state in which hot air is generated without dissipating hot water and water from the heating means to the heat exchange promoting member of the generating means, as in the invention according to claim 3. It is preferable that With this configuration, it is possible to switch to a hot air generating state in which hot air containing no steam is blown out by the switching unit, for example, a hot air generating state containing steam, a dry hot air generating state containing no steam, The three states of the cool air generation state are obtained, and the usability of the steam generator can be further improved.
[0013]
Preferably, the switching means is provided on a remote controller electrically connected to the control means. With this configuration, the three states, for example, can be easily obtained by operating the switching means of the remote controller, and the operability of the switching operation can be improved.
[0014]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 to 6 show an embodiment of a steam generator with a cool air function according to the present invention. FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration thereof, FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view thereof, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the accelerating member, FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a control system, FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing an installation state of the steam generator in a bathroom, and FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation.
[0015]
In FIG. 1, a steam generator 1 includes a generation unit 2 that can generate any of steam, warm air, and cool air, a circulation unit 3 that circulates hot water HW1 and water W used in the generation unit 2, and a circulation unit. A water supply means 4 for supplying (supplementing) water W to the means 3, a drainage means 5 for draining the hot water HW1 and the water W in the circulation means 3 to the outside, a control means 6 for controlling these, and the like. I have.
[0016]
The generating means 2 includes a heat exchange promoting member 7 composed of a number of thin plates 15, a connecting member 16 for connecting the thin plates 15, and left and right support plates 17, and water W or hot water HW 1 is placed on the thin plates 15 of the heat exchange promoting member 7. It has a blow-off pipe 8 for radiation and a fan 9 as a blowing means for blowing generated steam and the like in a predetermined direction. Then, as will be described later, the fan 9 is operated while supplying the hot water HW1 or the water W to the ejection pipe 8 or circulating and supplying the hot water HW2 having a higher temperature than the hot water HW1 into the connecting member 16, for example. Alternatively, cool winds are generated and blown (blown out) in a predetermined direction.
[0017]
As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 1 has an exterior body 10 formed of a metal plate in a box shape, and an air suction port 11 is formed on an inclined front upper portion of the exterior body 10. A steam outlet 12 is formed in the lower part. Further, inside the exterior body 10, a heat exchange promoting member 7 is disposed so as to face the air suction port 11 and is inclined substantially in parallel with the front surface of the exterior body 10, and the upper end of the front surface of the heat exchange promotion member 7 A discharge pipe 8 is disposed in the portion, and the fan 9 is disposed in a lower portion on the rear side of the heat exchange promoting member 7. A drain pan 13 for collecting the hot water HW1 and the water W is provided below the heat exchange promoting member 7, and an outlet passage 14 is formed below the fan 9 toward the steam outlet 12.
[0018]
Further, as shown in FIG. 3, for example, the heat exchange promoting member 7 of the generating means 2 includes a plurality of the thin plates 15 arranged substantially in parallel with a predetermined interval in the longitudinal direction, and It comprises the connecting member 16 formed of a circular metal pipe connected in the direction, and a pair of left and right support plates 17 supporting the connecting member 16. The thin plate 15, the connecting member 16 and the support plate 17 are formed of a metal material having a high thermal conductivity such as stainless steel, aluminum, or copper, for example. It is bent and formed in a meandering shape, and the openings at both ends thereof are directed to the right side in FIG. 3, for example.
[0019]
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, for example, an upper opening of the connecting member 16 is connected to an outlet 20 b of a hot water supply / heating unit 19 by a pipe 21, and a lower opening is connected to the hot water supply / heating unit 19. Is directly connected to the inlet 20a of the hopper by a pipe 22. The hot water supply / heater 19 has a high-temperature water circulation circuit 20, a pump 23, a burner 24, a control circuit 25, a hot water supply port (not shown), and the like. The hot water HW2 having the predetermined temperature set in the above is circulated and supplied into the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7 through the pipes 21 and 22, and the heat exchange promoting member 7 is heated.
[0020]
The jet pipe 8 of the generating means 2 is formed of a metal pipe such as stainless steel, and is formed so that a plurality of jet ports 8a (see FIG. 2) are directed downward at predetermined intervals along the axial direction. The hot water HW1 and the water W spouted from the spout 8a are arranged to be radiated on the thin plate 15 at the upper end of the front surface of the heat exchange promoting member 7. The fan 9 is formed of, for example, a sirocco fan or the like, and rotates by a fan motor (not shown) in a direction indicated by an arrow A in FIG. 2 so that steam or cool air generated from the heat exchange promoting member 7 is generated as indicated by an arrow C. The air is blown through the blowing passage 14.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, the circulation means 3 is disposed below the heat exchange promoting member 7 to collect the hot water HW1 and the water W diffused to the promoting member 7, and the drain pan 13 A circulation pump 28 and the like are connected in the middle of the return pipe 27 between the outlet 13a and the supply port 8b of the ejection pipe 8, and the circulation pump 28 is operated by a control signal of the control means 6 so that the drain pan 13 The recovered hot water HW1 and water W are returned to the jet pipe 8 again.
[0022]
The water supply means 4 has a water supply source 29, a water supply electromagnetic valve 31 disposed on a pipe 30 between the water supply source 29 and the drain pan 13, and the like. When the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 is opened, a predetermined amount of water W is supplied (supplied) from the water supply source 29 into the drain pan 13. As the water supply source 29, for example, a water supply pipe for supplying water or hot water to a bathroom described later is used, and water W at a predetermined temperature such as tap water is supplied into the circulation means 3.
[0023]
Further, the drainage means 5 includes a drainage electromagnetic valve 34 and the like disposed in a pipe 33 between the discharge port 13 a of the drain pan 13 of the circulation means 3 and the external drainage port 32, and the like. By opening the solenoid valve 34, the water W and the hot water HW1 in the drain pan 13 are drained to the outside.
[0024]
As shown in FIG. 4, the control means 6 includes a control circuit 35 having a microcomputer and the like, a power supply circuit 36, a remote controller 37, and the like. The input side of the control circuit 35 is provided on the drain pan 13 A water temperature sensor 38 for detecting the water temperature of the hot water HW1 and the water W in the inside, a water level sensor 39 for detecting the water level of the hot water HW1 and the water W in the drain pan 13, and a room temperature in, for example, a bathroom where the steam generator 1 is installed. A sensor group such as a room temperature sensor 40 is connected, a remote controller 37 is connected, and an output side of the control circuit 35 is connected to the fan 9, the circulating pump 28, various electromagnetic valves 31, 34, and the like. I have.
[0025]
As shown in FIG. 1, the remote controller 37 includes, for example, a humidifying / heating operation switch 37a for generating humidified / heated steam, a heating operation switch 37b for generating a heated hot air, and a cool air for generating a cool air. It has an operation switch 37c and the like, and these operation switches 37a to 37c are electrically connected to the control circuit 35 wirelessly or by wire. In addition, as each of the operation switches 37a to 37c, a push switch or the like is used so as to be selectively switched.
[0026]
Further, the control circuit 35 of the steam generator 1 is electrically connected to the control circuit 25 of the hot water supply / room heater 19 by, for example, a two-way communication line 42, and the power supply circuit 36 of the steam generator 1 is connected to the hot water supply / room heater 19. Are connected so that power can be supplied from the power supply circuit 43. This allows the remote control 37 of the steam generator 1 to turn on and off the power supply of the hot water supply / room heater 19, and alternatively operates the operation switches 37 to perform the heating and humidifying operation (sauna & mist), heating and humidifying operation. It is configured such that each operation of a warm operation (dry) and a cool air operation can be performed.
[0027]
In addition, the remote control 44 of the hot water supply / room heater 19 is also configured so that the power of the steam generator 1 can be turned on / off and various operations can be performed. In this case, the remote control 44 includes the operation switches 37 a to 37 c of the remote control 37. If the same switches are provided, the three operations described above can be operated from the remote controller 44. The connection structure of the control circuits 35 and 25 of the steam generator 1 and the hot water supply / room heater 19 is not limited to this example, and can be individually arranged and operated individually, or can be separately operated by a two-dot chain line in FIG. As shown, a connection structure in which only the power supply circuits 36 and 43 are shared by the steam generator 1 and the hot water supply / room heater 19 may be employed.
[0028]
As shown in FIG. 5, the steam generator 1 is installed inside a counter 47 of a washing place 46 of, for example, a unit bathroom 41 (referred to as a bathroom 41) forming a bathroom. In this case, the bathroom 41 is formed in a substantially box shape by a wall panel 48, a ceiling panel 49, and the like. A bathtub 50 is provided on a waterproof pan inside and a washing place 46 is provided. The counter 47 is provided on the 48 side, and a bathroom ventilation fan 51 is provided on the ceiling panel 49.
[0029]
Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the front wall 47b of the counter 47 composed of the upper wall 47a and the front wall 47b is attached to the upper wall 47a by a mounting bracket 53 or the like in a state where the air inlet 52 is formed on the upper wall. In addition, an outlet 54 corresponding to the steam outlet 12 of the steam generator 1 is provided at a lower portion thereof. The air introduced into the counter 47 from the air inlet 52 as shown by the arrow D is sucked into the steam generator 1 from the air suction port 11 as shown by the arrow B, and the steam blown by the fan 9. Is blown out from the steam outlet 12 and the outlet 54 into the washing place 46 as shown by an arrow C.
[0030]
The arrangement structure of the steam generator 1 on the counter 47 is not limited to this example. For example, the front surface of the counter 47 in which the upper wall 47a and the front wall 47b are integrally formed without using the mounting bracket 53 or the like. An air inlet 52 is formed at a predetermined position on the wall 47b, and the steam generator 1 can be arranged inside the counter 47 behind the air inlet 52, or the steam generator 1 can be arranged inside the bathtub apron 57. For example, another suitable arrangement structure can be adopted.
[0031]
Next, an example of the operation of the steam generator 1 will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. These flowcharts are automatically executed by a program stored in advance in the microcomputer of the control circuit 35 or the like. First, when the program is started (S100), it is determined whether or not the cool air operation switch 37c (shown as cool air SW in the figure) among the three operation switches 37a to 37c provided on the remote controller 37 is turned on (S101). ) Is done.
[0032]
If “YES” in this determination S101, that is, if the bather operates the steam generator 1 and turns on the cool air operation switch 37c to take a bath in the cool air operation state, the determination becomes “YES” in the determination S101, and the circulation means A water supply process (S102) for supplying water W into the circulation channel 3 (referred to as the circulation means 3) is performed, and the fan 9 is operated substantially simultaneously with the water supply process S102 or after a predetermined time (S103).
[0033]
In the water supply processing S102 at this time, for example, the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 is first opened to supply the water W from the water supply source 29 into the drain pan 13 according to a control signal of the control circuit 35, and then the circulation pump 28 is turned on (operated). While circulating the water W supplied into the drain pan 13 in the circulation means 3, the water W is dissipated from the ejection port 8 a of the ejection pipe 8 onto the heat exchange promoting member 7, and the dissipated water W is drained by the drain pan 13. While collecting, the water level is detected by the water level sensor 39, and when the value reaches a predetermined value, the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 is closed. The operation of the fan 9 is performed by rotating in a predetermined direction according to a control signal of the control circuit 35.
[0034]
By the supply process of the water W in step S102 and the operation of the fan 9 in step S103, cool air is generated as follows. That is, when the water W in the circulation means 3 is diffused from the ejection pipe 8 to the upper portion of the thin plate 15 of the heat exchange promoting member 7, the water W flows downward between the thin plates 15 while contacting the surface of the thin plate 15, The water W cools the wind blown from the fan 9 to generate cool wind.
[0035]
In particular, the water W diffused to the heat exchange promoting member 7 partially evaporates due to the wind blown from the fan 9, and the temperature of the water decreases due to loss of evaporation heat. Therefore, by continuing the operation and circulating the water W by the circulating means 3, the water temperature gradually decreases, and a cooler breeze can be generated. For example, even when water having a water temperature of 25 ° C. is used, the water temperature falls to about 20 ° C. in about 2 to 3 minutes by the circulation of the circulation means 3, and it is possible to generate an effective cool wind. This cool air is blown out of the outlet channel 14 of the steam generator 1 through the outlet 54 of the counter 47 into the bathroom 41, so that a bather in the bathroom 41 can obtain a cool air effect.
[0036]
When such cool air is blown into the bathroom 41, cool air temperature control (S104) is performed. In the cool air temperature control S104, the temperature in the bathroom 41 is detected by the room temperature sensor 40, and the detected room temperature is compared with a reference temperature stored in the control circuit 35 in advance. The operation of the fan 9 and the supply of the water W into the circulating means 3 are performed by, for example, on / off control, whereby the temperature in the bathroom 41 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
[0037]
When the cool air temperature control is performed in step S104, it is next determined whether or not the cool air operation switch 37c is turned off (S105), and this determination S105 is repeated until “YES” is obtained. Then, when the bather turns off the cool air operation switch 37c of the remote controller 37 to get out of the bathroom 41, the determination at S105 becomes "YES", a stop process (S106) is performed, and then a series of programs is ended (S107).
[0038]
The stop processing S106 at this time is performed by first stopping the operation of the fan 9 and opening the drain electromagnetic valve 34 of the drain means 5 for a predetermined time. Is discharged from the external drain port 32 of the drain unit 5 to a drain hole or the like outside the steam generator 1, for example, in a bathroom 41.
[0039]
On the other hand, if "NO" in the determination S101, that is, if the cool air operation switch 37c is not turned on and the bather does not select the cool air operation, the heating and humidifying operation switch 37a (shown as humidification etc. SW in the figure). Is determined (S201). If "YES" in the determination S201, the water supply process (S202) is performed, and then the hot water circulation process (S203) and the steam temperature control (S204) are performed. The water supply process S202 at this time is performed in the same manner as in step S102.
[0040]
In the hot water circulation process S203, first, the hot water supply / room heater 19 is operated, and the hot water in the hot water circulation circuit 20 is set to the high-temperature hot water HW2 by the control circuit 25, and the pump 23 is operated. This is performed by circulating hot water HW2 in connecting member 16, whereby heat exchange promoting member 7 is heated.
[0041]
By this hot water circulation process S203, hot water HW2 of, for example, 80 ° C. or higher heated by the hot water supply / room heater 19 is supplied into the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7, and the temperature of the connecting member 16 rises to a predetermined temperature. Let me do. Further, the circulation of the hot water HW2 in the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7 raises the temperature of the connecting member 16 and the thin plate 15, and the temperature of the water W radiated onto the thin plate 15 increases due to the temperature. Then, by circulating in the circulating means 3, the temperature of the water W gradually increases to become the hot water HW1 having a predetermined temperature corresponding to the temperature of the hot water HW2.
[0042]
Further, first, for example, when a predetermined time has elapsed from the start of turning on of the circulation pump 28 in the water supply process S202, the fan 9 is rotated by the control signal of the control circuit 35, and thus the counter 47 is controlled. The air in the unit bathroom 41 introduced into the inside of the counter 47 from the air inlet 52 of the front wall 47b is sucked in from the air inlet 11 of the exterior body 10 of the steam generator 1, and this is By passing between the thin plates 15, steam is generated as follows.
[0043]
That is, the connecting member 16 itself is raised to a predetermined temperature by the hot water HW2 circulated and supplied to the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7, and the surface of the thin plate 15 fixed to the connecting member 16 also has the predetermined temperature. Up to Also, the hot water HW1 radiated from the ejection pipe 8 and flows downward onto the thin plate 15 whose temperature has been increased humidifies the air passing between the thin plates 15 to increase its temperature, and the temperature of the air increases. When the steam pressure difference is generated, a part of the hot water HW1 that has been diffused evaporates to generate steam. The generated steam is blown out of the outlet channel 14 into the washing room 46 of the bathroom 41 through the steam outlet 12 and the outlet 54 by blowing air from the rotating fan 9.
[0044]
When steam is blown into the bathroom 41 in this way, steam temperature control (S204) is performed. In the steam temperature control S204, the temperature in the bathroom 41 is detected by the room temperature sensor 40, and the detected room temperature is compared with a reference temperature stored in the control circuit 35 in advance. The control is performed by turning on / off the circulation pump 28 and the pump 23 of the hot water supply / heating unit 19 substantially simultaneously by a signal, whereby the temperature in the bathroom 41 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
[0045]
At the same time as the steam temperature control S204, the current value of the circulation pump 28 and the amount of hot water HW1 circulating in the circulation means 3 are detected, and these detected values are compared with a reference value set in the control circuit 35 in advance. In comparison, by increasing or decreasing the electrical characteristic value such as the operating current value of the circulation pump 28, the amount of circulating hot water itself or the temperature of the hot water HW1, the amount of generated steam or the like is controlled.
[0046]
Further, during the steam temperature control S204, when the hot water HW1 circulating in the circulating means 3 decreases to a predetermined predetermined hot water amount due to generation of steam, a water level sensor 39 provided in the drain pan 13 detects the water level due to the decrease, By supplying the water W by opening the water supply electromagnetic valve 31 by the control signal of the control circuit 35 for a predetermined time, the circulating hot water HW1 is controlled to always have the predetermined hot water amount.
[0047]
When the steam temperature control S204 is performed in this manner, it is determined whether or not the heating / humidifying operation switch 37a has been turned off (S205). This determination S205 is repeated until "YES", and the bather When the user turns off the heating / humidifying operation switch 37a of the remote controller 37 in order to get out of the bathroom 41, a stop process (S206) is performed, and then a series of programs is ended (S107).
[0048]
In the stop processing S206 at this time, for example, the pump 23 and the like of the hot water supply / room heater 19 are first turned off, and the temperature of the hot water HW1 in the circulation means 3 is detected by the water temperature sensor 38 arranged in the drain pan 13. When the detected temperature becomes equal to or lower than the drainage reference temperature stored in the control circuit 35 in advance, the circulating pump 28 is stopped, and the fan 9 is stopped almost simultaneously with the stoppage of the circulating pump 28. This is performed by opening the valve 34 for a predetermined time.
[0049]
By this stop process S107, the hot water HW1 in the circulation means 3 having a temperature equal to or lower than the predetermined temperature is drained from the external drain port 32 of the drain means 5 to a drain hole of the unit bathroom 41 outside the steam generator 1, for example. Then, since the temperature of the hot water HW1 drained at this time is equal to or lower than the drainage reference temperature, safety at the time of drainage is ensured.
[0050]
Further, since the stop process S206 is always executed after the heating / humidifying operation switch 37a is turned off, the hot water HW1 used for steam generation does not remain in the drain pan 13 or the like after the use of the steam generation device 1. For example, the growth of various germs is reliably prevented, and the circulating pump 28 is operated to remove dust and the like in the circulating means 3 while being removed by the circulating operation as in the case of the cool air. When the device 1 is operated, the inside of the circulation means 3 can be used in a clean state.
[0051]
On the other hand, if “NO” in the determination S201, that is, if neither the cool air operation switch 37c nor the heating / humidification operation switch 37a is turned on, it is determined whether or not the heating operation switch 37b (shown as heating SW in the figure) is turned on. It is determined (S301). If "YES" in this determination S301, hot water circulation processing (S302) and hot air temperature control (S303) are performed. The hot water circulation process S302 at this time is performed in the same manner as the hot water circulation process S203, and the heat exchange promoting member 7 is heated by circulating the hot water HW2 in the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7.
[0052]
By operating the fan 9 in a state in which the heat exchange promoting member is heated, the wind blown from the fan 9 comes into contact with the heat exchange promoting member 7 to become hot air, and this hot air is blown out from the outlet channel. 14 is blown out into the washing room 46 of the bathroom 41 via the steam outlet 12 and the outlet 54. The hot air at this time is a dry hot air that does not contain humidity because the hot water HW1 is not diffused from the ejection pipe 8 onto the heat exchange promoting member 7.
[0053]
When the hot air is blown into the bathroom 41 in this manner, the hot air temperature control (S303) is performed in the same manner as the cool air temperature control and the steam temperature control, and the control signal of the control circuit 35 controls the fan 9 for example. By controlling on / off of the pump 23 of the hot water supply / room heater 19, the temperature in the bathroom 41 is maintained at a predetermined temperature.
[0054]
When the hot air temperature control S303 is performed in this way, it is determined whether or not the heating operation switch 37b has been turned off (S304). This determination S304 is repeated until "YES", and the bather When the user turns off the heating operation switch 37b of the remote controller 37 in order to get out of the bathroom 41, stop processing (S305) is performed, and then a series of programs is ended (S107). The stop processing S305 at this time is performed, for example, by first turning off the pump 23 and the like of the hot water supply / room heater 19 to set the stop state and stop the fan 9.
[0055]
This flowchart is an example. For example, the order of the on / off determination of the three operation switches 37a to 37c can be appropriately changed, and the temperature in the bathroom 41 does not drop below the predetermined temperature due to the cool wind. In this case, the temperature can be changed as appropriate, such as omitting the cool air temperature control in step S104.
[0056]
As described above, according to the steam generator of the above-described embodiment, the hot water HW1 and the water W that are radiated from the ejection pipe 8 disposed above the heat exchange promoting member 7 and flow down to the lower portion are removed from the lower portion of the heat exchange promoting member 7. Can be collected by the drain pan 13 disposed in the drain pipe 13 and returned to the ejection pipe 8 by the return pipe 27 and the circulation pump 28 provided between the drain pan 13 and the ejection pipe 8, so that the hot water HW1 used for the steam generation can be removed. The water W used for the generation of the cool wind is not drained to the outside as it is conventionally, so that the hot water HW1 and the water W can be reused, and the water resources can be effectively used. By this effective use, it is possible to reduce the water bill and the fuel cost of the hot water supply / room heater 19 in ordinary households and the like.
[0057]
Further, by operating the fan 9 while circulating and supplying the water W into the circulating means 3 according to the control signal of the control circuit 35, it is possible to generate cool air, and the hot water HW 2 is provided in the connecting member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7. By simply circulating air, for example, steam can be blown out into the bathroom 41 to obtain a heated and humidified state such as a sauna or a mist. Therefore, it is possible to obtain a cool air and a heated and humidified state by simple control. Further, if the pump 28 is stopped to stop the hot water HW1 and the water W from being discharged from the ejection pipe 8, hot air can be blown into the bathroom 41 to obtain a dry heating state.
[0058]
In particular, since the hot water HW1 and the water W radiated to the heat exchange promoting member 7 are circulated while the fan 9 is operated, the hot water HW2 can be circulated in the connecting member 16 in a relatively short time depending on whether or not the hot water HW2 is circulated. Since it is possible to change from HW1 to water W or from water W to hot water HW1, it is possible to easily change between the cool air state and the heated and humidified state, and to respond in a relatively short time.
[0059]
In addition, the switching between the three operating states can be performed by selectively switching the three operating switches 37a to 37c provided on the remote controller 37 connected to the control circuit 35, so that the operability is improved. Can be. In addition, if the stop processing according to each operation is performed when each operation state is stopped, for example, even when switching from the heating and humidification operation to the cool air operation, after the hot water HW1 and the like in the circulation means 3 are drained, Since the new water W is supplied, the cool air operation can be performed in a shorter time after the heating and humidifying operation.
[0060]
In addition, since cool wind driving is possible, for example, when taking a bath in the summer, it is possible to cool the body that is illuminated by hitting the cool wind before leaving the bathroom, and to reduce the burden on the body of the bather, etc. Bathing can be performed comfortably. For these reasons, by installing the steam generator 1 in the counter 47, it is possible to obtain a more convenient bathroom 41.
[0061]
According to the above embodiment, the following additional effects can be obtained. That is, the water W supplied (supplied) from the water supply means 4 is returned to the jet pipe 8 by the circulation means 3 again, so that the water HW1 and the flow path of the water W and the connection member 16 of the heat exchange promoting member 7 are circulated. Since the flow path of the supplied hot water HW2 completely forms a separate flow path, the hot water HW1 and HW2 can be individually controlled, and the temperatures of the hot water HW1 and HW2 can be maintained with high accuracy. Even when the temperature in the unit bathroom 41 is low, hot water HW1, HW2, etc. corresponding to the temperature can be easily obtained, and a stable generation state of steam can be obtained regardless of the season or the like. . As a result, for example, it is possible to prevent the user from misunderstanding or the like based on a difference in recognition of the degree of warming by steam.
[0062]
The circulation means 3 is formed by a hot water recovery member such as a drain pan 13, a circulation pump 28, a water supply means 4, a drainage means 5, and the like, and the hot water HW 1 and water W collected by the drain pan 13 are returned by a return pipe 27 and a circulation pump 28. Since the structure is directly returned to the ejection pipe 8, it can be dealt with, for example, by changing the piping structure for the conventional ejection pipe and the connecting member, so that the configuration of the circulation means 3 itself can be simplified, and the circulation means 3 is generated by the generation means. The steam generator 1 can be easily integrated into the outer package 10, and the configuration of the steam generator 1 can be simplified, so that an inexpensive device 1 can be obtained.
[0063]
Further, when the heating / humidifying operation switch 37a is turned off, the drainage by the drainage unit 5 is prohibited until the hot water HW1 circulating in the circulation unit 3 becomes lower than the predetermined temperature. Is reliably prevented, and the safety related to the drainage can be sufficiently ensured. Also, after the steam generator 1 is used, the hot water HW1 and the water W are prevented from remaining in the circulating means 3 so that It becomes possible to use clean hot water HW1 and water W.
[0064]
Further, since the supply (supplement) of the water W into the circulation means 3 by the water supply means 4 is controlled based on the detection of the water level sensor 39 and the like, the circulation amount of the hot water HW1 in the circulation means 3 is maintained at a predetermined value. The hot water HW1 having a predetermined temperature and a predetermined temperature can always be diffused from the ejection pipe 8 to the heat exchange promoting member 7, so that the state of generating steam can be further stabilized.
[0065]
Further, a control circuit 35 for controlling the generating means 2 and the circulating means 3 and a control circuit 25 of the hot water supply / room heater 19 for supplying hot water HW2 to the connecting member 16 of the generating means 2 are connected by a two-way communication line 42. Therefore, for example, the hot water supply / heating unit 19 can be controlled by the control circuit 35, and the control itself can be omitted, the configuration thereof can be simplified, and the steam generator 1 can be formed at a lower cost. For example, by wiring the power supply of the steam generator 1 from the hot water supply / room heater 19, the wiring structure can be simplified and the usability of the steam generator 1 can be further improved.
[0066]
In the above-described embodiment, the water W is supplied from the water supply unit 4 into the circulation unit 3 during the heating and humidification operation, and is heated to form the hot water HW1. Alternatively, it is also possible to directly supply hot water of another appropriate heating means to achieve quick heating during the heating and humidifying operation. In addition, the form of the unit bathroom 41, the shape of the exterior body 10 of the steam generator 1, the shape of the heat exchange promoting member 7 itself, the arrangement relationship of the ejection pipe 8, and the like in the above embodiment are merely examples. 8 is composed of a plurality of nozzles, and is arranged at a predetermined distance above the heat exchange promoting member 7 whose front surface is arranged substantially vertically, or the shape of the heat exchange promoting member 7 is relatively narrow. The present invention can be appropriately changed within a range not departing from the gist of each invention according to the present invention, such as a horizontally long or vertically long one.
[0067]
【The invention's effect】
As described above in detail, according to the first aspect of the present invention, since the control means can operate the air blowing means while radiating water to the heat exchange promoting member to generate cool wind, the steam can be discharged from the outlet. Besides, cool air can be blown out, and the usability of the steam generator can be improved.
[0068]
According to the second aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first aspect of the invention, the steam generation state and the cool air generation state can be simplified simply by controlling the operation of the heating means of the heat exchange promoting member. Can be switched to
[0069]
According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the second aspect, the switching means switches to a hot air generating state in which hot air is generated without dispersing hot water on the heat exchange promoting member. Operable, easy to obtain three states of hot air containing steam, dry hot air without steam, and cool air, further improving the usability of the steam generator Can be achieved.
[0070]
According to the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the effects of the second or third aspect, the switching means is provided in the remote controller electrically connected to the control means, so that the remote control can be switched. By operating the means, for example, the above three states can be easily obtained, and the operability of the switching operation can be improved.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a conceptual diagram showing a basic configuration of one embodiment of a steam generator according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of the same.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the heat exchange promoting member.
FIG. 4 is a block diagram of the control system.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a state where the steam generator is installed in a bathroom.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of the basic operation.
FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram showing a usage form of a conventional steam generator.
FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram showing another usage of a conventional steam generator.
[Explanation of symbols]
1. Steam generator
2 ... Generating means
3. Circulation means
4 Water supply means
5 Drainage means
6 Control means
7 ... Heat exchange promoting member
8 ・・・・・・ Squirt pipe
8a ..... spout
9 ... fan
11 ······ Air inlet
12. ・・・・・・ Steam outlet
13 ....... Drain pan
13a ····· Outlet
15 ・・・・・・・・ Thin plate
16 ・・・・・・・・ Connecting member
19 ······ Hot water heater
27 ... Return piping
28 Circulating pump
29 ・・・・・・・ Water supply source
35 ... Control circuit
37 Remote control
37a ······ Heating and humidifying operation switch
37b ····· Heating operation switch
37c ······ Cool air operation switch
41 unit bathroom
46 ・・・・・ Washing place
47 ······ Counter

Claims

Generating means capable of generating steam by dispersing hot water from a jet pipe on a heat exchange promoting member having a heating means, blowing means for blowing steam generated by the generating means from an outlet by blowing the steam, and the generating means Circulating means for collecting hot water radiated from the ejection pipe and coming into contact with the heat exchange promoting member and returning the hot water to the ejection pipe; andcontrol means for controlling the generation means, the blowing means and the circulation means,
The control means is capable of dispersing water from the ejection pipe of the generation means onto the heat exchange promoting member and controlling the blowing of the cool air from the outlet by activating the blowing means. Steam generator with function.

The control means has a switching means. By the switching means, at least the heating means is operated to diffuse hot water to the heat exchange promoting member to generate steam, and the heating means is not operated. 2. The steam generator with a cool air function according to claim 1, wherein the operation can be switched to a cool air generating state in which water is diffused to the heat exchange promoting member to generate cool air. 3.

The steam generator with a cool air function according to claim 2, wherein the switching means is operable to switch to a hot air generating state in which hot air is generated without dissipating hot water and water to the heat exchange promoting member.

4. The steam generator with a cool air function according to claim 2, wherein the switching means is provided on a remote controller electrically connected to the control means.