JP2004173864A

JP2004173864A - Hair-dryer

Info

Publication number: JP2004173864A
Application number: JP2002342940A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Koichi Yoshioka; 浩一吉岡; Kentaro Kobayashi; 健太郎小林; Shigeaki Tomonari; 恵昭友成; Hironori Katayama; 弘典片山
Original assignee: Matsushita Electric Works Ltd
Current assignee: Panasonic Electric Works Co Ltd
Priority date: 2002-11-26
Filing date: 2002-11-26
Publication date: 2004-06-24
Anticipated expiration: 2022-11-26
Also published as: JP4333127B2

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a hair-dryer which can heat blowing air by a catalytic combustion wherein the combustion efficiency is excellent, and also, can drive a blowing device by utilizing a thermoelectric conversion element, is compact and light-weight, and also, of which the thermoelectric conversion efficiency is good. <P>SOLUTION: This hair-dryer is equipped with an air blower 5 which sucks in the outside air from a suction port 2 into an air blowing passage, and blows out from a blowing out port 4. The hair-dryer is also equipped with a pre-mixing unit 6 which mixes air and a combustion gas fed from a gas cylinder 13. The hair-dryer is equipped with a catalyst combustion unit 7 which catalyst-burns the mixed gas of air and the combustion gas. The catalyst combustion unit 7 is formed into a combustion device 8a. Also, a heat absorbing unit 9 which is heated by the combustion device 8a, and a heat radiation unit 10 which radiates the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing unit 9 to the air blowing passage are provided. At the same time, a thermoelectric conversion element 11 which generates an electromotive force by a temperature difference between the heat absorbing unit 9 and the heat radiation unit 10 is provided. The air blower 5 is driven by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、ヘアードライヤに関するものであり、詳しくは触媒燃焼により送風空気を加熱する携帯用ヘアードライヤに関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来から、モータの駆動により回転して外気を吸込口から送風流路内に吸い込んで吹出口から吹き出すファンと、モータを駆動する電池と、混合気体を触媒燃焼させる触媒燃焼部とを備えた携帯用ヘアードライヤが知られている。このものは、炎燃焼と比して燃焼効率の良い触媒燃焼の熱により送風流路内を通る空気を加熱し、これにより吹出口から温風を吹き出していた（例えば特許文献１、特許文献２参照）。
【０００３】
また別の従来例として、モータの駆動により回転して外気を吸込口から送風流路内に吸い込んで吹出口から吹き出すファンと、混合気体を炎燃焼させる炎燃焼部と、炎燃焼部により加熱される吸熱部と吸熱部で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部との温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子を設け、熱電変換素子で発生した起電力により前記送風装置を駆動する携帯用ヘアードライヤが知られている（特許文献３参照）。
【０００４】
【特許文献１】
特開昭６１−１８７８０６号公報
【特許文献２】
特開平５−１３７６１２号公報
【特許文献３】
特開昭６３−１５８００５号公報
【０００５】
しかしながら、特許文献１や特許文献２に示す上記従来例においては、ファンを駆動する動力として電池を設けているため、ヘアードライヤが大型化して重くなり携帯性に欠けるという問題があり、また電池の寿命は短いため、ヘアードライヤを長時間使用できないという問題があった。
【０００６】
また特許文献３に示す従来例においては、炎燃焼させることで送風空気を加熱してあり、この炎燃焼は触媒燃焼と比して燃焼効率が悪く、また不完全燃焼に伴ってガスが発生してしまうという問題がある。さらに、この特許文献３に示す従来例においては、起電力を発生させる熱源として触媒燃焼よりも高温となる炎燃焼熱を利用しているため、耐熱性が低く且つ熱電変換効率の高いＢｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、Ｓｅ元素などを含有したものを熱電変換素子の熱電材料として使用することができず、熱電変換効率が低かった。
【０００７】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
本発明は上記の点に鑑みてなされたものであり、その目的とするところは、燃焼効率が優れた触媒燃焼により送風空気を加熱でき、尚且つ熱電変換素子を利用して送風装置を駆動することができ、小型で軽く、また熱電変換効率の良いヘアードライヤを提供することを課題とするものである。
【０００８】
【課題を解決するための手段】
上記課題を解決するために本発明に係るヘアードライヤーは、外気を吸込口２から送風流路内に吸い込んで吹出口４から吹き出す送風装置５と、空気とガスボンベ１３から供給される燃焼ガスとを混合する予混合部６と、この空気と燃焼ガスとの混合気体を触媒燃焼する触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ａとを備え、触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０を具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動して成ることを特徴とするものである。
【０００９】
このようにヘアードライヤ１に空気と燃焼ガスとの混合気体を触媒燃焼する触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ａを備え、触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０を具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備えることで、触媒燃焼熱で送風空気を加熱することができ、この触媒燃焼は炎燃焼と比して燃焼効率が良いため、ヘアードライヤ１全体としての燃焼効率を向上できる。また、熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動することで、触媒燃焼による熱エネルギーを送風装置５を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができる。また、熱電変換素子１１は炎燃焼と比して低温の触媒燃焼熱を利用して発電するものであるので、熱電材料として、Ｂｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素などを含んだ耐熱性の低い材料を使用することが可能となる。
【００１０】
また請求項２記載のヘアードライヤは請求項１記載のヘアードライヤにおいて、上記熱電変換素子１１の熱電材料１２を、Ｂｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素のうち少なくとも一種以上の元素を含有したものとすることを特徴とするものである。
【００１１】
このように熱電材料１２を、Ｂｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素のうち少なくとも一種以上の元素を含有したものとすることで、熱電変換効率を向上させることができる。
【００１２】
また請求項３記載のヘアードライヤは、外気を吸込口から送風流路内に吸い込んで吹出口２から吹き出す送風装置５と、空気とガスボンベ１３から供給される燃焼ガスとを混合する予混合部６と、予混合部６で混合された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部１５及び炎燃焼部１５により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ｂとを備え、炎燃焼部１５及び触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０とを具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動して成ることを特徴とするものである。
【００１３】
このように、ヘアードライヤ１に、予混合部６で混合された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部１５及び炎燃焼部１５により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ｂを備え、炎燃焼部１５及び触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０とを具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備えることで、触媒燃焼熱及び炎燃焼熱で送風空気を加熱することができ、ヘアードライヤ１全体としての燃焼効率をより一層向上できる。また、この熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動することで、触媒燃焼熱及び炎燃焼熱を送風装置５を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができる。
【００１４】
また請求項４記載のヘアードライヤは請求項１〜請求項３のいずれかに記載のヘアードライヤにおいて、上記熱電変換素子１１をヘアードライヤ１に複数備え、各熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９と燃焼装置８の外面とが接するように燃焼装置８を複数の熱電変換素子１１で挟み込んで配置して成ることを特徴とするものである。
【００１５】
このように、熱電変換素子１１をヘアードライヤ１に複数備え、各熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９と燃焼装置８の外面とが接するように燃焼装置８を複数の熱電変換素子１１で挟み込んで配置することで、燃焼装置８からの熱を効率よく熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９に伝えることができ、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つより一層燃焼装置８で発生した熱を送風空気の加熱に効率よく利用できる。
【００１６】
また請求項５記載のヘアードライヤは、請求項１〜４のいずれかに記載のヘアードライヤにおいて、上記熱電変換素子１１の放熱部１０に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設け、放熱部１０の熱を放熱部材１６を介して送風流路へ放熱して成ることを特徴とするものである。
【００１７】
このように上記熱電変換素子１１の放熱部１０に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設け、放熱部９の熱を放熱部材１６を介して送風流路へ放熱することで、放熱部１０と送風空気の熱交換率を向上でき、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つ送風空気の加熱に燃焼装置８で発生した熱を効率よく利用できる。
【００１８】
また請求項６記載のヘアードライヤは、請求項３記載のヘアードライヤにおいて、上記各熱電変換素子１１の夫々の放熱部１０に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設け、該放熱部材１６を介して放熱部１０から吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱して成ることを特徴とするものである。
【００１９】
このように、燃焼装置８を挟み込んだ複数の熱電変換素子１１の夫々の放熱部１０に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設け、該放熱部材１６を介して放熱部１０から吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱することで、放熱部１０と送風空気の熱交換率を向上でき、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つ燃焼装置８で発生した熱を送風空気の加熱に効率よく利用できる。
【００２０】
【発明の実施の形態】
以下、本発明を添付図面に示す実施形態に基づいて説明する。
【００２１】
図１に示すように本実施形態におけるヘアードライヤ１は、ハウジング１７の内部に、外気を吸込口２から送風流路内に吸い込んで吹出口４から吹き出す送風装置５と、燃焼ガスを収容するガスボンベ１３と、ハウジング１７の内部の空気とガスボンベ１３から供給される燃焼ガスとを混合する予混合部６と、予混合部６によって混合された燃焼ガスと空気との混合気体を所定の温度にまで加熱する予熱部１４と、予熱部１４で加熱された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部１５と、炎燃焼部１５により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８とを備えている。また同ハウジング１７内部には、上記触媒燃焼部７の触媒燃焼熱により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０を具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動している。以下具体的構成について詳述する。
【００２２】
ハウジング１７は耐熱性の成形品により形成され、筒状のケース本体１８と、ケース本体１８の後部からケース本体１８の軸方向と垂直な方向に突出する把持部１９とからなる。ケース本体１８の後面には吸込口２を設けてあり、前面には吸込口２と連通する吹出口４を設けている。そして上記ケース本体１８の内部には軸方向の吸込口２側から順に、送風装置５、予混合部６、予熱部１４、炎燃焼部１５、触媒燃焼部７を配置してあり、また把持部１９内にはガスボンベ１３を配置している。
【００２３】
送風装置５はケース本体１８の内部の吸込口２側の端部に配置してあり、電動モータ２０と、電動モータ２０の駆動により回転するファン２１とからなる。電動モータ２０はハウジング１７に内蔵した制御用電気回路２２にリード線２３を介して接続されている。
【００２４】
ガスボンベ１３は、プロパン、ブタン等の液化ガスを貯蔵する容器であり、把持部１９の内部に固定あるいは着脱自在に収容されている。ガスボンベ１３には内部がガス供給路２４となったケース本体１８側に突出する中継パイプ２５を設けてあり、前記送風装置５の電動モータ２０よりもやや吹出口４側に位置する中継パイプ２５の先端部は吹出口４側に向かって折り曲げられノズル部２６となっている。ノズル部２６の先端部には予混合部６に設けた燃焼ガス入口２７に向かって開口する噴射口２８が形成されており、該噴射口２８は、ガスボンベ１３内の液化ガスがガス供給路２４で気化されてガス化した燃焼ガスを燃焼ガス入口２７を介して予混合部６内へ所定の速度で噴射するものである。また、ガス供給路２４の途中には後述する操作スイッチ２９の操作によりガス供給路２４の開閉を切替える開閉弁のような開閉手段（図示せず）を設けている。
【００２５】
予混合部６は筒形状を有し、その吸込口２側の開口を前述の燃焼ガス入口２７とし、吹出口４側の開口を混合気体出口３０としている。そしてノズル部２６の噴射口２８から燃焼ガスが噴射された場合には、燃焼ガスと共にハウジング１７の内部の空気も燃焼ガス入口２７から予混合部６内に流れ込み、予混合部６内を通過している間に燃焼ガスと空気とが充分に混合されて混合気体となり、この後混合気体は混合気体出口３０から下流側の予熱部１４、炎燃焼部１５の上流側開口３１を通って炎燃焼部１５内へと流れる。
【００２６】
予熱部１４は通気性のある金属製の網目状ネットであり、この予熱部１４は炎燃焼部１５の炎燃焼熱により加熱され、これにより予混合部６から送られてくる混合気体を所定の温度にまで予め加熱する。
【００２７】
炎燃焼部１５は、内部で混合気体の炎燃焼を行う筒状体３２と、筒状体３２の内部に設けられた筒状体３２の内部の混合気体の点火を行う着火部３３とからなる。そして筒状体３２の吸込口２側の開口を前述の上流側開口３１とし、また吹出口４側の開口を触媒燃焼部７に設けた通気口３４に向かって開口する下流側開口３５としている。着火部３３は放電極３６と、アース電極と、操作スイッチ２９の操作により放電極３６に電圧をかけて火花放電を起こす圧電装置（図示せず）とで構成されている。なお、本実施形態においては、前述した筒状体３２を導電性を有する部材で形成し、この筒状体３２をアース電極としている。
【００２８】
触媒燃焼部７は炎燃焼部１５の下流側に位置し、ハニカムや発泡体のような多孔質性のセラミックまたは金属からなる担体３７と、この担体３７に保持される白金やパラジウム等の触媒とで構成されている。担体３７は断面四角形状であり、吸込口２側の端部に通気口３４と、吹出口４に向かって開口する排気口３９とを有している。触媒は炎燃焼部１５に発生した火炎により所定温度（約２００℃）以上に加温されることで、混合気体を触媒燃焼するものである。しかして通気口３４から流れ込んだ混合気体は触媒燃焼部７により触媒燃焼された後、排気口３９から排気ガスとして排出されて、吹出口４より吹き出される。
【００２９】
上記触媒燃焼部７（燃焼装置８ａ）には熱電変換素子１１が設けられている。熱電変換素子１１は、その一方の面が担体３７の外面に面接するように設けた板状の吸熱部９と、吸熱部９の他方の面に一端部が接続され且つＢｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素のうち少なくとも一種以上の元素を主成分として含有した材料で形成された熱電材料１２と、その一方の面が熱電材料１２の他端部に接続される板状の放熱部１０とを備えている。そして本実施形態においては上記熱電変換素子１１をヘアードライヤ１に複数備え、各熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９と燃焼装置８ａの外面とが接するように燃焼装置８ａを複数の熱電変換素子１１で挟み込んで配置してある。すなわち触媒燃焼部７の担体３７の送風方向と平行な一対の外面の夫々に上記の熱電変換素子１２を設けている。なお本実施形態においては、熱電変換素子１１を担体３７の送風方向と平行な一対の外面の夫々に設けた例を示したが、これに限定されるものではなく、例えば断面四角形状の担体３７の四辺に相当する全ての外面に熱電変換素子１１を設けても良いものとする。各熱電変換素子１１は制御用電気回路２２にリード線４０を介して接続されており、熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力は制御用電気回路２２を介して送風装置５の電動モータ２０に供給される。
【００３０】
そして本実施形態においては、図１に示すように上記放熱部１０の吸込口２側の端部を予混合部６の吹出口４側の端部まで延設して予熱部１４、炎燃焼部１５、触媒燃焼部７、熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９及び熱電材料１２の夫々を覆っており、これにより送風装置５からの送風空気が混合気体の流路（燃焼ガス流路）内に流れ込むことを防止している。すなわちケース本体１８内には、吸込口２から順にファン２１、ケース本体１８と放熱部１０の間の空間、吹出口４と流れる送風流路（矢印イ）と、ノズル部２６の噴射口２８から順に、予混合部６、予熱部１４、炎燃焼部１５、触媒燃焼部７、吹出口４と流れる燃焼ガス流路（矢印ロ）との２つの流路が形成される。なお、予混合部６の燃焼ガス入口２７は電動モータ２０の風裏側に配設されており、これによ送風装置５からの送風が直接予混合部６内に流れ込むことを防止している。
【００３１】
前記各熱電変換素子１１の夫々の放熱部１０には送風流路の途中に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設けてあり、放熱部１０の熱を放熱部材１６を介して送風流路へ放熱するようにしている。放熱部材１６は、その一方の面が放熱部１０の他方の面（熱電材料１２と反対側の面）に面接するように設けられた放熱板４２と、放熱板４２の他方の面から軸方向と直交する方向、すなわち熱電変換素子１１と反対側に突出する複数の放熱フィン４３とからなり、送風流路への表面積が大きくなるように形成され、これにより熱交換率を高めている。なお、本実施形態においては、燃焼装置８ａを挟み込んだ複数の熱電変換素子１１の全てに放熱部材１６を設けた例を示したが、これに限定されるものではなく、燃焼装置８ａを挟み込んだ複数の熱電変換素子１１のうち少なくとも一つの熱電変換素子１１に放熱部材１６を設けてあっても良いものとする。
【００３２】
そして上記ヘアードライヤ１の把持部１９には操作スイッチ２９を設けている。以下ヘアードライヤ１の動作について説明する。まず使用者が操作スイッチ２９を押すと、操作スイッチ２９と連動する開閉手段によりガス供給路２４は閉から開になり、これによりノズル部２６の噴射口２８より燃焼ガスの噴射が行われる。続いてこの状態から上記操作スイッチ２９をさらに押しこむことで、圧電装置が作動して放電極３６からアース電極へ火花放電が起こり、この火花放電を火種として炎燃焼部１５の筒状体３２内を流れる混合気体が点火され、筒状体３２の内部にて炎燃焼が開始される（図１中４４は炎である）。炎燃焼部１５にて炎燃焼が開始されると、炎燃焼熱（炎燃焼によって発生する熱エネルギー）により触媒燃焼部７は加熱され始め、そして触媒燃焼部７が所定温度にまで達すると、触媒燃焼部７の触媒によって混合気体の触媒燃焼が開始される。またこの場合、触媒燃焼部７の加温に伴って、吸熱部９と放熱部１０との間には温度差が発生し、この温度差により熱電変換素子１１で起電力が発生する。この発生した起電力は前述したように制御用電気回路２２を介して送風装置５の電動モータ２０に供給され、これにより電動モータ２０は駆動してファン２１による微弱な送風が開始される。
【００３３】
触媒燃焼部７が所定温度に達する頃にはファン２１の回転は全速回転となって送風流路の熱電変換素子１１の放熱部１０及び放熱部材１６に定常風を送り込むようになり、同時に担体３７に設けた熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９は触媒燃焼熱（触媒燃焼によって発生する熱エネルギー）により加熱され、この吸熱部９で吸収した熱は放熱部１０へ伝わり、放熱部１０から送風流路へ放熱されて、送風流路内を通る送風空気を加熱し、これにより以後は吹出口４より温風が継続して吹き出されることとなる。
【００３４】
ヘアードライヤ１の運転停止は再び操作スイッチ２９を押すことで行われる。すなわち、再び操作スイッチ２９を押すことで、開閉手段によりガス供給路２４は開から閉になり、これにより噴射口２８からの燃焼ガスの噴射が停止され、触媒燃焼及び炎燃焼が終了し、触媒燃焼及び炎燃焼の終了に伴って電動モータ２０への給電が停止してファン２１の回転が停止する。なおこの場合、操作スイッチ２９と前記制御用電気回路２２とを接続し、運転停止のために再度操作スイッチ２９を押した場合、開閉手段によりガス供給路２４を開から閉にすると共に、制御用電気回路２２により電動モータ２０への給電を停止するように設定しても良いものとする。
【００３５】
上記のように炎燃焼部１５にて混合気体の炎燃焼を行うと共に炎燃焼部１５の下流側にて混合気体の触媒燃焼を行うことで、混合気体の燃焼効率は向上し、これにより不完全燃焼によって発生するガスの発生量を抑制することができる。
【００３６】
また一般的に触媒燃焼は炎燃焼と比して燃焼効率が良いため、例えば触媒燃焼部７の触媒燃焼熱のみにより送風空気を加熱しても良い。すなわち上記では触媒燃焼が開始された後も継続して炎燃焼を行った例を示したが、触媒燃焼が開始された後に炎燃焼を停止させるように設定し、この場合触媒燃焼部７は自身の触媒燃焼熱により加熱されながら触媒燃焼を継続するのである。このようにした場合も混合気体の燃焼効率は向上し、不完全燃焼に伴うガスの発生を抑制することができる。
【００３７】
また、ヘアードライヤ１に、空気と燃焼ガスとの混合気体を触媒燃焼する触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ａと、触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０を具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１とを備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動したのは以下の理由による。すなわちこのように構成することで、触媒燃焼熱を送風装置５を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができ、これにより特許文献１や特許文献２に示す従来例のように送風装置５を駆動する動力として電池などを設ける必要がなくなり、ヘアードライヤ１の小型化及び軽量化を実現でき、また送風装置５を半永久的に継続して使用できるようになる。また、熱電変換素子１１は炎燃焼と比して低温の触媒燃焼熱を利用して発電するものであるので、本実施例に示すように熱電材料１２として、耐熱性が低く且つ熱電変換効率が高いＢｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素のうち少なくとも一種以上の元素を含有したものを使用することができ、またこれによりヘアードライヤ１の発電量を増加させることができる。
【００３８】
また、熱電変換素子１１をヘアードライヤ１に複数備え、各熱電変換素子１の吸熱部９と燃焼装置８ａの外面とが接するように燃焼装置８ａを複数の熱電変換素子１１で挟み込んで配置することで、触媒燃焼熱をより一層効率よく熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９に伝えることができ、これにより熱電変換効率を向上させることができ、放熱部１０からの送風空気への放熱量を増加でき、触媒燃焼熱をより一層有効に利用することができる。なお本実施形態においては、熱電変換素子１１を燃焼装置８ａに複数設けた例を示したがもちろん燃焼装置８ａに１つの熱電変換素子１１を設けてあっても良いものとする。
【００３９】
また、上記のように各熱電変換素子１１の夫々の放熱部１０に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材１６を設け、該放熱部材１６を介して放熱部から吸熱部で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱することで、放熱部１０と送風空気との熱交換率が向上し、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、尚且つ放熱部１０からの送風空気への放熱量を増加でき、触媒燃焼熱をより一層有効に利用することができる。
【００４０】
また、上記では熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９を直接燃焼装置８ａの担体３７に設けた例を示したが、図２に示すように燃焼装置８ａに伝熱性の良い熱伝導部材４５を備え、該熱伝導部材４５を介して触媒燃焼熱を吸熱部９に伝えるようにしても良い。すなわち、触媒燃焼部７に吹出口４側の内面が担体３７の外面に接する筒状の熱伝導部材４５を備え、該熱伝導部材４５の吸込口４側の外面に熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９を設け、担体３７の触媒燃焼熱を熱伝導部材４５を介して吸熱部９に伝えるのである。
【００４１】
また上記実施形態に示すものを、図３に示すブラシ付きヘアードライヤ１ａに適用しても良い。詳述すると、ハウジング１７は図に示すように棒形状を有する中空のケースで形成され、軸方向前側に位置するケース本体１８と、後側に位置する把持部１９とからなる。ケース本体１８の外周面の前側端部には吹出口４が設けてあり、後側端部には吸込口２が設けてある。またケース本体１８には図１に示す例と同様に、吸込口２側から順に、送風装置５、予混合部６、予熱部１４、炎燃焼部１５、触媒燃焼部７を配置してあり、また把持部１９内にはガスボンベ１３を配置している。そして吹出口４には、ブラシ４７が設けてあり、これにより使用者はブラシ４７で髪を梳きながら、髪に吹出口４から温風を当てることが可能となる。
【００４２】
次に上記とは異なる実施形態を以下に示す。なお上記実施形態と同一の構成については同一の番号を付与してあり、重複する説明については説明を省略する。
【００４３】
図４には本実施形態におけるヘアードライヤ１を示してあり、予混合部６で混合された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部１５及び炎燃焼部１５により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ｂを備え、触媒燃焼部７及び炎燃焼部１５により加熱される吸熱部９と吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０を具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１を備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により送風装置５を駆動している。すなわち、上記実施形態における炎燃焼部１５及び触媒燃焼部７とで燃焼装置８を構成している。
【００４４】
詳述すると、炎燃焼部１５の筒状体３２の触媒燃焼部７側の端部は触媒燃焼部７の担体３７の炎燃焼部１５側の端部と接してあり、触媒燃焼部７と炎燃焼部１５との間で熱伝達が行われるようにしている。そして触媒燃焼部７の担体３７及び炎燃焼部１５の筒状体３２の外面（燃焼装置８ｂの外面）には熱電変換素子１１が設けてあり、本実施形態においても上記実施形態と同様に、触媒燃焼部７を複数の熱電変換素子１１で挟み込んで各熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９と燃焼装置８ｂの外面とが接するように配置してある。各熱電変換素子１１は、その一方の面が担体３７の外面及び筒状体３２の外面の触媒燃焼部７側部分に面接するように設けた板状の吸熱部９と、吸熱部９の他方の面に一端部が接続された熱電材料１２と、その一方の面が熱電材料１２の他端部に接続される板状の放熱部１０とを備えている。なお、本実施形態における熱電変換素子１１の熱電材料１２は上記実施形態で使用したＢｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素含有した熱電材料１２を使用せず、従来から知られている耐熱性を有する種々の熱電材料１２を使用するものとする。また図４には上記実施形態と同様に燃焼装置８ｂを挟み込んだ複数の熱電変換素子１１の全てに放熱部材１６を設けた例を示してあるが、これに限定されるものではなく、複数の熱電変換素子１１のうち少なくとも一つの熱電変換素子１１に放熱部材１６を設けてあっても良いものとする。また本実施形態においても、上記実施形態と同様に触媒燃焼部７及び又は炎燃焼部１５に熱伝導部材を備え、該熱伝導部材４５を介して触媒燃焼熱を吸熱部９に伝えるようにしても良いものとする。
【００４５】
上記のようにヘアードライヤ１に、予混合部６で混合された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部１５及び炎燃焼部１５により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部７よりなる燃焼装置８ｂと、炎燃焼部１５及び触媒燃焼部７により加熱される吸熱部９及び吸熱部９で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部１０とを具備すると共に前記吸熱部９と放熱部１０の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子１１とを備え、該熱電変換素子１１で発生した起電力により前記送風装置５を駆動するように構成したのは以下の理由による。すなわち、熱電変換素子１１の吸熱部９を触媒燃焼部７及び炎燃焼部１５により加熱することで、触媒燃焼熱だけでなく触媒燃焼部７を加熱する炎燃焼部１５の炎燃焼熱も送風空気を加熱するエネルギーとして利用でき、これによりヘアードライヤ１の省エネを実現できる。尚且つ触媒燃焼熱だけでなく炎燃焼熱も送風装置５を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができ、より一層熱電変換素子１１による発電量が増加する。
【００４６】
【発明の効果】
上記のように本発明の請求項１記載の発明にあっては、ヘアードライヤに空気と燃焼ガスとの混合気体を触媒燃焼する触媒燃焼部よりなる燃焼装置を備え、触媒燃焼部により加熱される吸熱部及び吸熱部で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部を具備すると共に前記吸熱部と放熱部の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子を備えることで、触媒燃焼熱で送風空気を加熱することができ、この触媒燃焼は炎燃焼と比して燃焼効率が良いため、ヘアードライヤとしての燃焼効率を向上させて不完全燃焼に伴うガスの発生を抑制することができる。また、該熱電変換素子で発生した起電力により前記送風装置を駆動することで、触媒燃焼による熱エネルギーを送風装置を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができ、これにより送風装置を駆動する動力として電池などを設ける必要がなくなり、ヘアードライヤの小型化及び軽量化を実現でき、また送風装置を半永久的に継続して使用できるようになる。また、上記熱電変換素子は炎燃焼と比して低温の触媒燃焼熱を利用して発電するものであるので、熱電材料として、Ｂｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素などを含んだ耐熱性の低い材料を使用することが可能となる。
【００４７】
また請求項２記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１記載の発明の効果に加えて熱電材料を、Ｂｉ、Ｔｅ、Ｓｂ、及びＳｅ元素のうち少なくとも一種以上の元素を含有した材料とすることで、熱電変換効率を向上させることができる。
【００４８】
また請求項３記載の発明にあっては、予混合部で混合された混合気体を炎燃焼する炎燃焼部及び炎燃焼部により加温されることで混合気体の触媒燃焼を行う触媒燃焼部よりなる燃焼装置を備え、炎燃焼部及び触媒燃焼部により加熱される吸熱部及び吸熱部で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱する放熱部とを具備すると共に前記吸熱部と放熱部の温度差により起電力を発生させる熱電変換素子を備えることで、触媒燃焼熱及び炎燃焼熱で送風空気を加熱することができ、ヘアードライヤとしての燃焼効率を向上させて不完全燃焼に伴うガスの発生をより一層抑制することができる。また、該熱電変換素子で発生した起電力により前記送風装置を駆動することで、触媒燃焼及び炎燃焼による熱エネルギーを送風装置を駆動する電気エネルギーとして利用することができ、これにより送風装置を駆動する動力として電池などを設ける必要がなくなり、ヘアードライヤの小型化及び軽量化を実現でき、また送風装置を半永久的に継続して使用できるようになる。
【００４９】
また請求項４記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１〜請求項３のいずれかに記載の発明の効果に加えて、上記熱電変換素子をヘアードライヤに複数備え、各熱電変換素子の吸熱部と燃焼装置の外面とが接するように燃焼装置を複数の熱電変換素子で挟み込んで配置することで、燃焼装置からの熱を効率よく熱電変換素子の吸熱部に伝えることができ、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つより一層燃焼装置で発生した熱を送風空気の加熱に効率よく利用できる。
【００５０】
また請求項５記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項１〜請求項４のいずれかに記載の発明の効果に加えて、上記熱電変換素子の放熱部に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材を設け、放熱部の熱を放熱部材を介して送風流路へ放熱することで、放熱部と送風空気の熱交換率を向上でき、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つ燃焼装置で発生した熱を送風空気の加熱に効率よく利用できる。
【００５１】
また請求項６記載の発明にあっては、上記請求項４記載の発明の効果に加えて、燃焼装置を挟み込んだ複数の熱電変換素子の夫々の放熱部に送風流路に位置する金属製の放熱部材を設け、該放熱部材を介して放熱部から吸熱部で吸収した熱を送風流路へ放熱することで、放熱部と送風空気の熱交換率を向上でき、これによってより一層熱電変換効率を向上でき、且つ燃焼装置で発生した熱を送風空気の加熱に効率よく利用できる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の実施の形態の一例を示すヘアードライヤの説明図である。
【図２】他例のヘアードライヤを示す説明図である。
【図３】更に他例のヘアードライヤを示すものであり、（ａ）は側面視における説明図であり、（ｂ）は正面視における説明図である。
【図４】上記と異なる実施の形態の一例を示すヘアードライヤの説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１ヘアードライヤ
２吸込口
４吹出口
５送風装置
６予混合部
７触媒燃焼部
８燃焼装置
９吸熱部
１０放熱部
１１熱電変換素子
１２熱電材料
１３予混合部
１５炎燃焼部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hair dryer, and more particularly, to a portable hair dryer that heats blown air by catalytic combustion.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a portable device including a fan that rotates by driving a motor, sucks outside air into an air flow passage from an intake port and blows out from an outlet, a battery that drives the motor, and a catalytic combustion unit that catalytically combusts the mixed gas. Hair dryers are known. According to this method, air passing through an air flow passage is heated by the heat of catalytic combustion, which has a higher combustion efficiency than flame combustion, whereby hot air is blown out from an outlet (for example, Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2). reference).
[0003]
Further, as another conventional example, a fan that is rotated by driving a motor to suck outside air into an air flow passage from an air inlet and blows out from an air outlet, a flame combustion unit that burns the mixed gas by flame, and heated by the flame combustion unit. A thermoelectric conversion element for generating an electromotive force based on a temperature difference between a heat absorbing portion and a heat dissipating portion that radiates heat absorbed by the heat absorbing portion to the air flow path, and drives the blower by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element. A portable hair dryer is known (see Patent Document 3).
[0004]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-61-187806
[Patent Document 2]
JP-A-5-137612
[Patent Document 3]
JP-A-63-158005
[0005]
However, in the above-mentioned conventional examples shown in Patent Document 1 and Patent Document 2, since a battery is provided as power for driving the fan, there is a problem that the hair dryer becomes large and heavy, and lacks portability. Since the life is short, there is a problem that the hair dryer cannot be used for a long time.
[0006]
Further, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 3, the blown air is heated by flame combustion, and this flame combustion has lower combustion efficiency than catalytic combustion and generates gas with incomplete combustion. Problem. Further, in the conventional example shown in Patent Document 3, since the flame combustion heat which is higher than the catalytic combustion is used as the heat source for generating the electromotive force, Bi, Te having low heat resistance and high thermoelectric conversion efficiency are used. , Sb, Se, etc. cannot be used as the thermoelectric material of the thermoelectric conversion element, and the thermoelectric conversion efficiency was low.
[0007]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and it is an object of the present invention to heat a blown air by catalytic combustion having excellent combustion efficiency and to drive a blower using a thermoelectric conversion element. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hair dryer that is small, light, and has high thermoelectric conversion efficiency.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the hair dryer according to the present invention comprises: a blowing device 5 that sucks outside air into a blowing channel from a suction port 2 and blows the air from a blowing port 4; and air and a combustion gas supplied from a gas cylinder 13. A premixing section 6 for mixing, and a combustion device 8a comprising a catalytic combustion section 7 for catalytically combusting the mixed gas of the air and the combustion gas, the heat absorbing section 9 and the heat absorbing section 9 heated by the catalytic combustion section 7 are provided. A heat radiating section 10 for radiating the absorbed heat to the air flow path is provided, and a thermoelectric conversion element 11 for generating an electromotive force by a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section 9 and the heat radiating section 10 is provided. The air blower 5 is driven by electric power.
[0009]
Thus, the hair dryer 1 is provided with the combustion device 8a including the catalytic combustion unit 7 that catalytically combusts the mixed gas of the air and the combustion gas, and the heat absorption unit 9 heated by the catalyst combustion unit 7 and the heat absorbed by the heat absorption unit 9 And a thermoelectric conversion element 11 for generating an electromotive force due to a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section 9 and the heat radiating section 10 to heat the blast air with the heat of catalytic combustion. Since the catalytic combustion has higher combustion efficiency than the flame combustion, the combustion efficiency of the hair dryer 1 as a whole can be improved. In addition, by driving the blower 5 with the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11, heat energy by catalytic combustion can be used as electric energy for driving the blower 5. In addition, since the thermoelectric conversion element 11 generates electricity by using catalytic combustion heat at a lower temperature than flame combustion, it has low heat resistance including elements such as Bi, Te, Sb, and Se as thermoelectric materials. Material can be used.
[0010]
A hair dryer according to a second aspect is the hair dryer according to the first aspect, wherein the thermoelectric material 12 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 contains at least one element of Bi, Te, Sb, and Se. It is characterized by doing.
[0011]
As described above, the thermoelectric material 12 contains at least one of Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved.
[0012]
In the hair dryer according to the third aspect, a blowing device 5 that sucks outside air into a blowing channel from a suction port and blows out from a blowing port 2, and a premixing unit 6 that mixes air with a combustion gas supplied from a gas cylinder 13. And a combustion device 8b including a flame combustion unit 15 that flame-combustes the mixed gas mixed in the premixing unit 6 and a catalytic combustion unit 7 that performs catalytic combustion of the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion unit 15. And a heat absorbing section 9 heated by the flame burning section 15 and the catalytic burning section 7 and a heat radiating section 10 for radiating heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section 9 to the air flow passage. A thermoelectric conversion element 11 for generating an electromotive force based on a temperature difference is provided, and the blowing device 5 is driven by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11.
[0013]
In this manner, the hair dryer 1 is subjected to flame combustion of the mixed gas mixed in the pre-mixing unit 6, and the catalytic combustion unit 7 which performs catalytic combustion of the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion unit 15. And a heat absorbing section 9 heated by the flame burning section 15 and the catalytic burning section 7 and a heat radiating section 10 for radiating heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section 9 to the ventilation passage. By providing the thermoelectric conversion element 11 which generates an electromotive force by the temperature difference between the heat dryer 9 and the heat radiating section 10, the blown air can be heated by the catalytic combustion heat and the flame combustion heat, and the combustion efficiency of the hair dryer 1 as a whole can be further improved. Can be further improved. Further, by driving the blower 5 with the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11, the catalytic combustion heat and the flame combustion heat can be used as electric energy for driving the blower 5.
[0014]
A hair dryer according to a fourth aspect is the hair dryer according to any one of the first to third aspects, wherein a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are provided in the hair dryer 1, and the heat absorbing portion 9 of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11 and the combustion. It is characterized in that the combustion device 8 is sandwiched between a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 so as to be in contact with the outer surface of the device 8.
[0015]
As described above, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are provided in the hair dryer 1, and the combustion device 8 is sandwiched between the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 so that the heat absorbing portion 9 of each thermoelectric conversion element 11 is in contact with the outer surface of the combustion device 8. By doing so, the heat from the combustion device 8 can be efficiently transmitted to the heat absorbing portion 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved, and the heat generated in the combustion device 8 can be further blown. It can be used efficiently for heating air.
[0016]
A hair dryer according to a fifth aspect is the hair dryer according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the heat radiation part 10 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided with a metal heat radiation member 16 located in a ventilation flow path, It is characterized in that the heat of the heat radiating portion 10 is radiated through the heat radiating member 16 to the air flow passage.
[0017]
As described above, the heat radiating member 10 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided with the metal heat radiating member 16 located in the air flow path, and the heat of the heat radiating section 9 is radiated to the air flow path via the heat radiating member 16, thereby radiating heat. The heat exchange rate between the unit 10 and the blast air can be improved, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved, and the heat generated by the combustion device 8 can be efficiently used for heating the blast air.
[0018]
A hair dryer according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is the hair dryer according to the third aspect, wherein a metal heat radiating member 16 located in a ventilation channel is provided in each of the heat radiating portions 10 of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11. The heat is absorbed by the heat absorbing section 9 from the heat radiating section 10 via the heat radiating section 16 and is radiated to the air flow path.
[0019]
In this way, the metal heat radiating members 16 located in the ventilation passage are provided in the heat radiating portions 10 of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 sandwiching the combustion device 8, and heat is absorbed from the heat radiating portions 10 via the heat radiating members 16. By dissipating the heat absorbed by the section 9 to the air flow passage, the heat exchange rate between the heat radiating section 10 and the blown air can be improved, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved, and the heat generated in the combustion device 8 can be reduced. It can be used efficiently to heat the blast air.
[0020]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.
[0021]
As shown in FIG. 1, a hair dryer 1 according to the present embodiment includes a blower device 5 that sucks outside air from a suction port 2 into a blower passage and blows out from a blower outlet 4 inside a housing 17, and a gas cylinder that stores combustion gas. 13, a premixing unit 6 for mixing the air inside the housing 17 with the combustion gas supplied from the gas cylinder 13, and a mixed gas of the combustion gas and air mixed by the premixing unit 6 to a predetermined temperature. It comprises a preheating section 14 for heating, a flame combustion section 15 for flame-burning the mixed gas heated by the preheating section 14, and a catalytic combustion section 7 for catalytically burning the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion section 15. And a combustion device 8. Further, inside the housing 17, there are provided a heat absorbing section 9 heated by the catalytic combustion heat of the catalytic burning section 7 and a heat radiating section 10 for radiating the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section 9 to the ventilation passage. A thermoelectric conversion element for generating an electromotive force based on a temperature difference between the thermoelectric conversion element and the heat radiation unit; Hereinafter, a specific configuration will be described in detail.
[0022]
The housing 17 is formed of a heat-resistant molded product, and includes a cylindrical case main body 18 and a grip 19 protruding from a rear portion of the case main body 18 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction of the case main body 18. The suction port 2 is provided on the rear surface of the case body 18, and the air outlet 4 communicating with the suction port 2 is provided on the front surface. A blower 5, a premixing unit 6, a preheating unit 14, a flame burning unit 15, and a catalytic burning unit 7 are arranged inside the case body 18 in this order from the suction port 2 side in the axial direction. The gas cylinder 13 is disposed in the inside of the gas cylinder 19.
[0023]
The blower 5 is disposed at an end of the case body 18 on the side of the suction port 2, and includes an electric motor 20 and a fan 21 that is rotated by driving the electric motor 20. The electric motor 20 is connected via a lead wire 23 to a control electric circuit 22 built in the housing 17.
[0024]
The gas cylinder 13 is a container for storing a liquefied gas such as propane, butane, or the like, and is fixed or detachably accommodated inside the grip portion 19. The gas cylinder 13 is provided with a relay pipe 25 protruding toward the case body 18 having a gas supply passage 24 inside. The relay pipe 25 is located slightly closer to the outlet 4 than the electric motor 20 of the blower 5. The tip is bent toward the outlet 4 to form a nozzle 26. An injection port 28 that opens toward the combustion gas inlet 27 provided in the premixing section 6 is formed at the tip of the nozzle section 26, and the injection port 28 is used to supply the liquefied gas in the gas cylinder 13 to the gas supply path 24. The combustion gas, which has been vaporized and gasified by the above, is injected into the premixing unit 6 through the combustion gas inlet 27 at a predetermined speed. Further, an opening / closing means (not shown) such as an on-off valve for switching the opening and closing of the gas supply path 24 by operating an operation switch 29 described later is provided in the middle of the gas supply path 24.
[0025]
The premixing section 6 has a cylindrical shape, and the opening on the suction port 2 side is the above-described combustion gas inlet 27, and the opening on the blowout port 4 side is the mixed gas outlet 30. When the combustion gas is injected from the injection port 28 of the nozzle portion 26, the air inside the housing 17 flows into the premixing section 6 from the combustion gas inlet 27 together with the combustion gas, and passes through the premixing section 6. During this time, the combustion gas and the air are sufficiently mixed to form a mixed gas. After that, the mixed gas passes through the mixed gas outlet 30 through the preheating portion 14 on the downstream side and the upstream opening 31 of the flame burning portion 15 to perform flame combustion. It flows into the part 15.
[0026]
The pre-heating unit 14 is a mesh net made of a gas-permeable metal, and the pre-heating unit 14 is heated by the flame combustion heat of the flame combustion unit 15, whereby the mixed gas sent from the pre-mixing unit 6 is cooled by a predetermined amount. Preheat to temperature.
[0027]
The flame combustion unit 15 includes a cylindrical body 32 that internally performs flame combustion of a mixed gas, and an ignition unit 33 that is provided inside the cylindrical body 32 and ignites the mixed gas inside the cylindrical body 32. . The opening on the suction port 2 side of the tubular body 32 is the upstream opening 31 described above, and the opening on the outlet 4 side is the downstream opening 35 opening toward the ventilation port 34 provided in the catalytic combustion section 7. . The ignition section 33 is composed of a discharge electrode 36, a ground electrode, and a piezoelectric device (not shown) that generates a spark discharge by applying a voltage to the discharge electrode 36 by operating the operation switch 29. In the present embodiment, the above-described cylindrical body 32 is formed of a conductive member, and the cylindrical body 32 is used as a ground electrode.
[0028]
The catalytic combustion section 7 is located downstream of the flame combustion section 15 and includes a carrier 37 made of a porous ceramic or metal such as a honeycomb or a foam, and a catalyst such as platinum or palladium held by the carrier 37. It is composed of The carrier 37 has a rectangular cross section, and has a vent 34 at the end on the suction port 2 side and an exhaust port 39 opening toward the outlet 4. The catalyst is heated to a predetermined temperature (about 200 ° C.) or more by the flame generated in the flame combustion unit 15 to catalytically burn the mixed gas. Thus, the mixed gas flowing from the vent 34 is catalytically combusted by the catalytic combustion unit 7, discharged as exhaust gas from the exhaust port 39, and blown out from the outlet 4.
[0029]
A thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided in the catalytic combustion section 7 (combustion device 8a). The thermoelectric conversion element 11 has a plate-shaped heat absorbing portion 9 provided so that one surface thereof is in contact with the outer surface of the carrier 37, and one end is connected to the other surface of the heat absorbing portion 9 and Bi, Te, Sb, A thermoelectric material 12 formed of a material containing at least one element of Se and Se as a main component, and a plate-shaped heat radiating portion 10 having one surface connected to the other end of the thermoelectric material 12. Have. In the present embodiment, a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are provided in the hair dryer 1, and the combustion device 8 a is combined with the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 so that the heat absorbing portion 9 of each thermoelectric conversion element 11 is in contact with the outer surface of the combustion device 8 a. It is sandwiched and arranged. That is, the above-described thermoelectric conversion elements 12 are provided on each of a pair of outer surfaces parallel to the blowing direction of the carrier 37 of the catalytic combustion unit 7. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided on each of a pair of outer surfaces parallel to the air blowing direction of the carrier 37. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The thermoelectric conversion elements 11 may be provided on all outer surfaces corresponding to the four sides. Each thermoelectric conversion element 11 is connected to a control electric circuit 22 via a lead wire 40, and the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is supplied to the electric motor 20 of the blower 5 via the control electric circuit 22. Is done.
[0030]
In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the end of the heat radiating section 10 on the side of the suction port 2 is extended to the end of the premixing section 6 on the side of the outlet 4 to form a preheating section 14, a flame combustion section. 15, the catalytic combustion section 7, the heat absorbing section 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11, and the thermoelectric material 12, respectively, whereby the blast air from the blower 5 flows into the mixed gas flow path (combustion gas flow path). Is preventing that. That is, in the case main body 18, the fan 21, the space between the case main body 18 and the heat radiating section 10, the air flow passage (arrow A) flowing through the outlet 4, and the injection port 28 of the nozzle 26 In this order, two flow paths including a premixing section 6, a preheating section 14, a flame combustion section 15, a catalytic combustion section 7, and a combustion gas flow path (arrow B) flowing through the outlet 4 are formed. Note that the combustion gas inlet 27 of the premixing section 6 is disposed on the wind side of the electric motor 20, thereby preventing the air from the blower 5 from flowing directly into the premixing section 6.
[0031]
The heat radiating portion 10 of each thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided with a metal heat radiating member 16 located in the middle of the air flow passage, and radiates heat of the heat radiating portion 10 to the air flow passage via the heat radiating member 16. I am trying to do it. The heat radiating member 16 has a heat radiating plate 42 provided so that one surface thereof is in contact with the other surface of the heat radiating portion 10 (the surface opposite to the thermoelectric material 12), and the heat radiating member 16 extends in the axial direction from the other surface of the heat radiating plate 42. And a plurality of radiating fins 43 projecting in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the thermoelectric conversion element 11, that is, formed so as to have a large surface area to the ventilation passage, thereby increasing the heat exchange rate. Note that, in the present embodiment, an example is shown in which the heat radiating members 16 are provided on all of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 that sandwich the combustion device 8a. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the combustion device 8a is sandwiched. It is assumed that at least one of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 may be provided with the heat radiating member 16.
[0032]
An operation switch 29 is provided on the grip 19 of the hair dryer 1. Hereinafter, the operation of the hair dryer 1 will be described. First, when the user presses the operation switch 29, the gas supply path 24 is changed from closed to open by the opening / closing means interlocked with the operation switch 29, whereby the combustion gas is injected from the injection port 28 of the nozzle portion 26. Subsequently, when the operation switch 29 is further depressed from this state, the piezoelectric device is activated and a spark discharge occurs from the discharge electrode 36 to the ground electrode, and the spark discharge is used as a fire in the cylindrical body 32 of the flame burning portion 15. Is ignited, and flame combustion starts inside the cylindrical body 32 (44 in FIG. 1 is a flame). When the flame combustion is started in the flame combustion unit 15, the catalytic combustion unit 7 starts to be heated by the flame combustion heat (thermal energy generated by the flame combustion), and when the catalytic combustion unit 7 reaches a predetermined temperature, the catalyst burns. Catalytic combustion of the mixed gas is started by the catalyst in the combustion section 7. In this case, a temperature difference is generated between the heat absorbing section 9 and the heat radiating section 10 with the heating of the catalytic combustion section 7, and the thermoelectric conversion element 11 generates an electromotive force due to the temperature difference. The generated electromotive force is supplied to the electric motor 20 of the air blower 5 via the control electric circuit 22 as described above, whereby the electric motor 20 is driven and the fan 21 starts weak air blowing.
[0033]
By the time the catalytic combustion unit 7 reaches a predetermined temperature, the rotation of the fan 21 is rotated at full speed, and the steady air is sent to the heat radiating unit 10 and the heat radiating member 16 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 in the air flow path. The heat-absorbing portion 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is heated by catalytic combustion heat (thermal energy generated by catalytic combustion), and the heat absorbed by the heat-absorbing portion 9 is transmitted to the heat radiating portion 10, and the radiating portion 10 The heat is radiated to the blast air to heat the blast air passing through the blast passage, and thereafter, the warm air is continuously blown out from the outlet 4.
[0034]
The operation of the hair dryer 1 is stopped by pressing the operation switch 29 again. That is, by pressing the operation switch 29 again, the gas supply path 24 is changed from open to closed by the opening / closing means, whereby the injection of the combustion gas from the injection port 28 is stopped, and the catalytic combustion and the flame combustion are terminated. With the end of the combustion and the flame combustion, the power supply to the electric motor 20 is stopped, and the rotation of the fan 21 is stopped. In this case, when the operation switch 29 is connected to the control electric circuit 22 and the operation switch 29 is pressed again to stop the operation, the gas supply path 24 is changed from open to closed by the opening / closing means. The power supply to the electric motor 20 may be set to be stopped by the electric circuit 22.
[0035]
As described above, by performing the flame combustion of the gas mixture in the flame combustion unit 15 and performing the catalytic combustion of the gas mixture downstream of the flame combustion unit 15, the combustion efficiency of the gas mixture is improved, and the The amount of gas generated by combustion can be suppressed.
[0036]
In general, catalytic combustion has higher combustion efficiency than flame combustion, and therefore, for example, the blown air may be heated only by the catalytic combustion heat of the catalytic combustion unit 7. That is, in the above, an example in which the flame combustion is continuously performed even after the catalytic combustion is started has been described. However, the flame combustion is set to be stopped after the catalytic combustion is started. The catalytic combustion is continued while being heated by the catalytic combustion heat. Also in this case, the combustion efficiency of the mixed gas is improved, and generation of gas accompanying incomplete combustion can be suppressed.
[0037]
Further, the hair dryer 1 is provided with a combustion device 8a including a catalytic combustion unit 7 for catalytically combusting a mixed gas of air and combustion gas, a heat absorbing unit 9 heated by the catalytic burning unit 7, and heat absorbed by the heat absorbing unit 9. A thermoelectric conversion element for generating an electromotive force based on a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section and the heat radiation section; and an electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element. The blower 5 was driven for the following reason. That is, with this configuration, the heat of catalytic combustion can be used as electric energy for driving the blower 5, thereby driving the blower 5 as in the conventional examples shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2. It is not necessary to provide a battery or the like as power, so that the size and weight of the hair dryer 1 can be reduced, and the blowing device 5 can be used semi-permanently. In addition, since the thermoelectric conversion element 11 generates power using catalytic combustion heat at a lower temperature than flame combustion, as shown in this embodiment, the thermoelectric material 12 has low heat resistance and low thermoelectric conversion efficiency. A material containing at least one or more of high Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements can be used, and the power generation of the hair dryer 1 can be increased.
[0038]
Further, a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are provided in the hair dryer 1, and the combustion device 8 a is interposed between the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 so that the heat absorbing portion 9 of each thermoelectric conversion element 1 is in contact with the outer surface of the combustion device 8 a. Thus, the heat of catalytic combustion can be transmitted to the heat absorbing portion 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 more efficiently, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved and the amount of heat released from the heat radiating portion 10 to the blown air can be increased. In addition, the heat of catalytic combustion can be more effectively utilized. In the present embodiment, an example is shown in which a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 are provided in the combustion device 8a, but it is needless to say that one thermoelectric conversion element 11 may be provided in the combustion device 8a.
[0039]
Further, as described above, the heat radiating member 10 of each thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided with the metal heat radiating member 16 located in the ventilation passage, and the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing portion from the heat radiating portion through the heat radiating member 16 is provided. By radiating the heat to the air flow passage, the heat exchange rate between the heat radiating portion 10 and the blast air is improved, whereby the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved, and the amount of heat radiated from the heat radiating portion 10 to the blast air is increased. Therefore, the heat of catalytic combustion can be more effectively utilized.
[0040]
Further, in the above, an example is shown in which the heat absorbing portion 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided directly on the carrier 37 of the combustion device 8a. However, as shown in FIG. 2, the combustion device 8a is provided with a heat conducting member 45 having good heat conductivity, The heat of catalytic combustion may be transmitted to the heat absorbing section 9 via the heat conducting member 45. That is, the catalytic combustion section 7 is provided with a cylindrical heat conducting member 45 whose inner surface on the side of the outlet 4 is in contact with the outer surface of the carrier 37, and the heat absorbing section of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided on the outer surface of the heat conducting member 45 on the side of the suction port 4. 9 is provided, and the heat of catalytic combustion of the carrier 37 is transmitted to the heat absorbing section 9 via the heat conducting member 45.
[0041]
Moreover, the thing shown in the said embodiment may be applied to the hair dryer 1a with a brush shown in FIG. More specifically, the housing 17 is formed of a hollow case having a rod shape as shown in the figure, and includes a case main body 18 located on the front side in the axial direction and a grip 19 located on the rear side. An outlet 4 is provided at a front end of the outer peripheral surface of the case body 18, and a suction port 2 is provided at a rear end. 1, the blower 5, the premixing unit 6, the preheating unit 14, the flame combustion unit 15, and the catalyst combustion unit 7 are arranged in the case body 18 in order from the suction port 2 side. In addition, the gas cylinder 13 is arranged in the holding portion 19. The outlet 4 is provided with a brush 47 so that the user can apply warm air to the hair from the outlet 4 while combing the hair with the brush 47.
[0042]
Next, an embodiment different from the above will be described below. Note that the same components as those of the above-described embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, and description of overlapping descriptions will be omitted.
[0043]
FIG. 4 shows the hair dryer 1 according to the present embodiment, in which the mixed gas mixed in the premixing unit 6 is flame-burned, and the mixed gas catalyst is heated by the flame-burning unit 15. A combustion device 8b including a catalytic combustion unit 7 for performing combustion is provided, and a heat absorbing unit 9 heated by the catalytic burning unit 7 and the flame burning unit 15 and a heat radiating unit 10 that radiates heat absorbed by the heat absorbing unit 9 to the ventilation passage are provided. A thermoelectric conversion element 11 that is provided and generates an electromotive force based on a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section 9 and the heat radiating section 10 is provided. The blowing device 5 is driven by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11. That is, the combustion device 8 is configured by the flame combustion unit 15 and the catalytic combustion unit 7 in the above embodiment.
[0044]
More specifically, the end of the tubular body 32 of the flame combustion section 15 on the side of the catalyst combustion section 7 is in contact with the end of the carrier 37 of the catalyst combustion section 7 on the side of the flame combustion section 15, and the flame of the catalyst combustion section 7 and the flame Heat transfer is performed with the combustion unit 15. The thermoelectric conversion element 11 is provided on the outer surface of the carrier 37 of the catalytic combustion unit 7 and the outer surface of the cylindrical body 32 of the flame combustion unit 15 (the outer surface of the combustion device 8b). The catalytic combustion section 7 is sandwiched between a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 and arranged so that the heat absorption section 9 of each thermoelectric conversion element 11 and the outer surface of the combustion device 8b are in contact with each other. Each of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11 has a plate-shaped heat absorbing portion 9 provided such that one surface thereof is in contact with the outer surface of the carrier 37 and the portion of the outer surface of the cylindrical body 32 on the side of the catalytic combustion portion 7, and the other of the heat absorbing portion 9. A thermoelectric material 12 having one end connected to the surface of the thermoelectric material 12 and a plate-shaped heat radiating portion 10 having one surface connected to the other end of the thermoelectric material 12. The thermoelectric material 12 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 in the present embodiment does not use the thermoelectric material 12 containing Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements used in the above embodiment, and has a conventionally known heat resistance. It is assumed that various thermoelectric materials 12 are used. FIG. 4 shows an example in which the heat radiating member 16 is provided on all of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements 11 sandwiching the combustion device 8b as in the above-described embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this. It is assumed that at least one of the thermoelectric conversion elements 11 may be provided with a heat radiating member 16. Also in this embodiment, a heat conducting member is provided in the catalytic combustion section 7 and / or the flame burning section 15 similarly to the above-described embodiment, and the heat of catalytic combustion is transmitted to the heat absorbing section 9 via the heat conducting member 45. Is also good.
[0045]
As described above, the hair dryer 1 is provided with a flame combustion unit 15 for flame-burning the mixed gas mixed in the pre-mixing unit 6 and a catalytic combustion unit 7 for performing catalytic combustion of the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion unit 15. And a heat absorbing section 9 heated by the flame burning section 15 and the catalytic burning section 7 and a heat radiating section 10 for radiating the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section 9 to the ventilation passage. And a thermoelectric conversion element 11 for generating an electromotive force by a temperature difference between the heat radiating unit 10 and the blower 5 is driven by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element 11 for the following reason. That is, by heating the heat absorbing section 9 of the thermoelectric conversion element 11 by the catalytic combustion section 7 and the flame combustion section 15, not only the catalytic combustion heat but also the flame combustion heat of the flame combustion section 15 for heating the catalytic combustion section 7 is supplied to the blowing air. Can be used as energy for heating, whereby energy saving of the hair dryer 1 can be realized. In addition, not only the catalytic combustion heat but also the flame combustion heat can be used as electric energy for driving the blower 5, and the amount of power generation by the thermoelectric conversion element 11 is further increased.
[0046]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the hair dryer is provided with a combustion device including a catalytic combustion unit that catalytically combusts a mixed gas of air and combustion gas, and is heated by the catalytic combustion unit. By providing a heat absorbing section and a heat radiating section for radiating heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section to the air flow path, and having a thermoelectric conversion element for generating an electromotive force by a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section and the heat radiating section, the air blown by catalytic combustion heat The air can be heated, and the catalytic combustion has higher combustion efficiency than the flame combustion. Therefore, the combustion efficiency as a hair dryer can be improved, and generation of gas accompanying incomplete combustion can be suppressed. In addition, by driving the blower with the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element, heat energy generated by catalytic combustion can be used as electric energy for driving the blower, thereby providing power for driving the blower. There is no need to provide a battery or the like, so that the hair dryer can be reduced in size and weight, and the blower can be used semi-permanently. In addition, since the thermoelectric conversion element generates power using catalytic combustion heat at a lower temperature than flame combustion, it has low heat resistance including Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements as thermoelectric materials. Material can be used.
[0047]
In the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effects of the invention of claim 1, the thermoelectric material is a material containing at least one of Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements. Thereby, the thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be improved.
[0048]
Further, in the invention according to claim 3, there is provided a flame combustion section that flame-combustes the mixed gas mixed in the premixing section, and a catalytic combustion section that performs catalytic combustion of the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion section. And a heat-absorbing section heated by the flame-combustion section and the catalytic combustion section, and a heat-dissipating section that radiates heat absorbed by the heat-absorbing section to the ventilation passage, and a temperature difference between the heat-absorbing section and the heat-dissipating section. By providing a thermoelectric conversion element that generates an electromotive force, it is possible to heat the blast air with catalytic combustion heat and flame combustion heat, improve the combustion efficiency as a hair dryer, and reduce the generation of gas accompanying incomplete combustion. It can be further suppressed. In addition, by driving the blower with the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element, heat energy from catalytic combustion and flame combustion can be used as electric energy for driving the blower, thereby driving the blower. It is not necessary to provide a battery or the like as a power to perform the operation, the size and weight of the hair dryer can be reduced, and the blower can be used semi-permanently.
[0049]
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the effects of any one of the first to third aspects, a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements are provided in a hair dryer, and heat absorption of each thermoelectric conversion element is achieved. By arranging the combustion device sandwiched between a plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements such that the portion and the outer surface of the combustion device are in contact with each other, heat from the combustion device can be efficiently transmitted to the heat absorbing portion of the thermoelectric conversion element, and The thermoelectric conversion efficiency can be further improved, and the heat generated in the combustion device can be more efficiently used for heating the blown air.
[0050]
In the invention according to claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 4, a metal-made heat radiation portion of the thermoelectric conversion element is located in a ventilation channel. By providing a heat dissipating member and dissipating the heat of the heat dissipating portion to the air flow passage through the heat dissipating member, the heat exchange rate between the heat dissipating portion and the blown air can be improved, thereby further improving the thermoelectric conversion efficiency and burning. The heat generated in the device can be efficiently used for heating the blast air.
[0051]
In the invention according to claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claim 4, the metal radiating portion of each of the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements sandwiching the combustion device is located in the ventilation channel. By providing a heat dissipating member and dissipating the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing portion from the heat dissipating portion to the blowing passage via the heat dissipating member, the heat exchange rate between the heat dissipating portion and the blown air can be improved, thereby further improving the thermoelectric conversion efficiency. And the heat generated by the combustion device can be efficiently used for heating the blown air.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a hair dryer showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a hair dryer of another example.
FIGS. 3A and 3B show a hair dryer of still another example, wherein FIG. 3A is an explanatory diagram in a side view, and FIG. 3B is an explanatory diagram in a front view.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a hair dryer showing an example of an embodiment different from the above.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Hair dryer
2 Suction port
4 outlet
5 Blower
6 Premixing part
7 Catalytic combustion section
8 Combustion device
9 Endothermic part
10 Heat radiation part
11 Thermoelectric conversion element
12 Thermoelectric materials
13 Premixing part
15 Flame burning part

Claims

A blower that sucks outside air into the airflow passage from the inlet and blows it out from the outlet, a premixing unit that mixes air and combustion gas supplied from a gas cylinder, and catalytically combusts the mixed gas of air and combustion gas A combustion device comprising a catalytic combustion section that performs heat, a heat absorbing section that is heated by the catalytic combustion section, and a heat radiating section that radiates heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section to the ventilation passage, and a temperature difference between the heat absorbing section and the heat radiating section. A hair dryer, comprising: a thermoelectric conversion element that generates an electromotive force according to (1), wherein the blower is driven by the electromotive force generated by the thermoelectric conversion element.

2. The hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein the thermoelectric material of the thermoelectric conversion element contains at least one of Bi, Te, Sb, and Se elements.

A blower that sucks outside air into the airflow passage from the suction port and blows it out of the outlet, a premixing unit that mixes air and combustion gas supplied from a gas cylinder, and flame combustion of the mixed gas mixed in the premixing unit And a combustion device comprising a catalytic combustion unit that performs catalytic combustion of the mixed gas by being heated by the flame combustion unit and a heat absorbing unit that is heated by the flame combustion unit and the catalytic combustion unit. A heat-dissipating unit that radiates the absorbed heat to the airflow passage; and a thermoelectric conversion element that generates an electromotive force by a temperature difference between the heat-absorbing unit and the heat-dissipating unit. A hair dryer characterized by driving a device.

The hair dryer is provided with a plurality of the thermoelectric conversion elements, and a combustion device is arranged between the plurality of thermoelectric conversion elements so that a heat absorbing portion of each thermoelectric conversion element is in contact with an outer surface of the combustion device. The hair dryer according to any one of 1 to 3, above.

5. The heat radiation part of said thermoelectric conversion element is provided with a metal heat radiation member located in a ventilation flow path, and radiates the heat of a heat radiation part to a ventilation flow path via a radiation member. The hair dryer according to any one of the above.

A metal heat radiating member located in the air flow path is provided in each heat radiating section of each of the thermoelectric conversion elements, and the heat absorbed by the heat absorbing section from the heat radiating section to the heat absorbing section is radiated to the air blowing path via the heat radiating member. The hair dryer according to claim 4, characterized in that: