JP2005087328A - Steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To improve usability for a user and save time, electricity and water resources required for sterilizing work by automatically executing the sterilizing work of bacteria proliferated in a steam generation route and a tank. <P>SOLUTION: This steam generator is provided with a sterilizing mode of filling a heat exchange tank 3 with hot water till a full water level and heating and circulating the high temperature water by a sheath heater 5 and a circulating pump 7. After finishing the sterilizing work, a sterilizing mode completion flag is set in a nonvolatile memory and at the same time a drain valve 8 is opened to discharge the high temperature water in the heat exchange tank 3. After being set, the sterilizing mode completion flag is cleared a predetermined time later. Once the sterilizing work is executed, the sterilizing work is omitted within the predetermined time when the sterilizing mode completion flag is set. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam generator that generates steam toward a bathtub that is used as a normal bath (full body bath, half body bath, etc.), and that can make a sauna bath with steam that stays in the bathtub.

In the conventional steam generator, a steam generator main body is installed next to, for example, a bathtub in a bathroom. The steam generator main body takes in the air in the bathroom by the negative pressure generated by the hot water injection from the nozzle and the fan provided behind the nozzle, and mixes this air with the hot water of the nozzle injection. The heated air is discharged into the bathroom through the duct, and the hot water droplets adhering to the duct are collected and stored in the hot water recovery tank. The recovered water is heated again and sprayed from the nozzle, thereby forming a recycle type steam generator. (For example, refer to Patent Document 1).
In such a steam generator that generates high-temperature and high-humidity steam, there are environments in which miscellaneous bacteria such as Legionella bacteria can easily propagate in the steam generation / supply path and the hot water recovery tank inside the apparatus. In particular, in the case of a steam generator for the purpose of sauna bathing, since steam enters the human body directly from the bather's nose and mouth, it is necessary to reliably prevent the generation of germs.
However, in the case of the conventional steam generating device, no special mechanism has been proposed for countermeasures against this germ. Therefore, it is necessary for the bather to clean the steam generation / supply path and the hot water recovery tank every time the sauna is used, which is a very troublesome work for the bather. There was a problem that it was not easy to use.
Also, if a power outage occurs during use, there is no means to keep track of how long the power outage has been during the power outage, so for safety reasons, sterilization is performed each time. When waking up, sterilization is performed for 10 minutes or more, and then normal operation is performed. As a result, there was a problem that the user had to wait for 10 minutes or more during bathing.

JP 2000-55397 A

  The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to automatically perform sterilization of steam generation paths and tanks, as well as the time, power, and water resources required for sterilization work. It is providing the steam generator which aims at saving.

  In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, water level detection means for detecting the water level of the hot water storage tank, and temperature detection for detecting the hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank. Means, a heater for boiling hot water in the hot water tank, a suction port and a jet port provided in the hot water tank, a circulation pump for sucking the hot water from the suction port and ejecting the hot water from the jet port, and the jet port In a steam generator including a gas-liquid separation plate that separates jetted hot water and water vapor that is supplied with heat by the hot water, and control means that controls the water level detection means, temperature detection means, heater, and circulation pump The steam generator has an operation mode in which hot water is jetted to the gas-liquid separation plate to generate steam, and hot water is injected into the hot water tank to a full water position to heat the heater and to operate the operation mode. In addition to having a sterilization mode for sterilization at a high hot water temperature, the control means includes a nonvolatile storage means for storing an operation state, and stores a sterilization mode completion flag in the nonvolatile storage means when the sterilization mode is completed. As a result, it is possible to automatically perform the sterilization of the steam generation path and the tank, and to store and hold the information on whether or not the sterilization operation is performed even if a power failure occurs.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the steam generator according to the first aspect, the sterilization mode completion flag is turned on by confirming the ON state of the sterilization mode completion flag. When the operation is completed, the operation in the sterilization mode can be omitted thereafter.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the control means has a timer means for measuring the operation, and after a predetermined time has elapsed from the completion of the sterilization mode, by turning off the sterilization mode completion flag. Once the operation in the sterilization mode is completed, the operation in the sterilization mode can be omitted until the predetermined time has elapsed.

  According to the invention of claim 4, after the start of energization, the control means stores the ON state in the sterilization mode omission permission flag if the output of the hot water detection means of the hot water tank is within a predetermined temperature range. The hot water temperature of the hot water tank is out of the temperature range by performing the operation based on the operation determination by the sterilization mode omission permission flag in addition to the operation determination by the sterilization mode completion flag at the start of operation in the operation mode. In the case of a power outage for a long time, the operation in the sterilization mode can be surely executed.

  According to the invention described in claim 5, after the energization is started, the control means turns on the sterilization mode omission permission flag if the outputs of the hot water detection means and the water level detection means of the hot water tank are within a predetermined range. By storing the state, the necessity of the sterilization mode operation can be determined with higher accuracy.

ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to perform the generation | occurrence | production path | route of a vapor | steam and a germ in a tank reliably, the sterilization operation | work is performed automatically and there exists an effect of improving a user's usability.
In addition, after performing sterilization work once, sterilization work is omitted within a predetermined time, so that the time, power, and water resources required for sterilization work are compared with those that always execute sterilization work in each operation. Has the effect of saving money.
In addition, the sterilization mode completion flag, which is information indicating whether or not the sterilization operation has been performed, is stored and retained in the nonvolatile storage means, and at the start of operation, the operation determination based on the sterilization mode completion flag, and the hot water temperature and / or hot water level at the start of energization By performing the operation determination based on the information, there is an effect that the effect can be continued even after the power failure is restored.

FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 are block diagrams of a steam generator showing an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator includes a main body 1, an upper cover 2 attached to the upper surface of the main body 1, and a remote controller 30 for operating the device. FIG. 1 shows a state in which an upper cover 2 is attached to the main body 1. In the main body 1, a heat exchange tank 3 for storing hot water is sucked into a water supply pipe 4 for supplying water from a water supply source (not shown), a sheathed heater 5 for heating the supplied water, and heated hot water. At the same time, it is composed of a circulation pump 7 for injecting from a nozzle 6 which is an outlet, and a drain valve 8 for draining water in the heat exchange tank 3. Further, the water supply pipe 4 is provided with a water injection electromagnetic valve 9 for starting / stopping water supply, a flow rate sensor 10 for detecting the water supply flow rate, and a water injection thermistor 11 for detecting the water supply temperature. Further, in the heat exchange tank 3, level sensors 12 and 13 as water level detecting means, a hot water thermistor 14 as hot water detecting means, a suction thermistor 15 for detecting the outside air temperature of the steam generator, and a blowing thermistor 16 for detecting the steam temperature. Is provided.
Further, the water level detecting means may be a pressure type capable of continuously detecting the water level.

  Further, the upper cover 2 receives heat supply from the suction port 17 for sucking in the outside air of the steam generator, the blowout port 18 for blowing out steam, the hot water jetted from the nozzle 6 (spout port) and the hot water. A gas-liquid separation plate 19 for separating the water vapor is provided.

  The remote controller 30 also includes a preparation switch 31 for preparing for steam operation, a preparation LED 32 for indicating that preparation is in progress, an operation switch 33 for starting / stopping steam operation after the preparation is completed, and steam operation. An operation LED 34 for indicating that the medium is in the middle, a temperature setting switch 35 for setting the steam temperature, and a set temperature LED 36 for displaying the set temperature are provided.

  The steam generator further includes a water injection electromagnetic valve 9, a circulation pump 7, a sheath based on the operation of the switches 31, 33, 35 and the detection signals of the sensors 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16. A control unit 40 for controlling the heater 5, the drain valve 8 and the like is also provided. The control unit 40, each sensor, the water injection electromagnetic valve 9, the circulation pump 7, the sheathed heater 5, the drainage valve 8, and the like can transmit and receive signals by wire or wireless (not shown).

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control unit 40. A microcomputer (hereinafter referred to as a microcomputer) 41 that controls the steam generator according to the present invention, and a non-volatile storage means 42 (E ² PROM or the like) that stores an operation state are shown. Applicable)), a water level detecting unit 43 for inputting signals from the level sensors 12 and 13 as water level detecting means, a hot water temperature detecting unit 44 for inputting signals from the hot water thermistor 14 as hot water detecting means, and a flow rate. A flow rate detection unit 45 that inputs a signal from the sensor 10, a water injection electromagnetic valve drive unit 46 that drives the water injection electromagnetic valve 9, a circulation pump drive unit 47 that drives the circulation pump 7, and a sheathed heater that drives the sheath heater 5. A drive unit 48 and a communication I / F unit 49 for transmitting and receiving signals to and from the remote controller 30 are provided.

  Next, an operation example of the steam generating apparatus according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

  First, when the preparation switch 31 of the remote controller 30 is pressed (step S100), the preparation LED 32 starts blinking, and at the same time, the water injection electromagnetic valve 9 is opened and water supply to the heat exchange tank 3 is started (step S102). Next, the state of a sterilization mode completion flag to be described later is confirmed (step S104). If it is cleared (in the case of 0), the process proceeds to step S106. If it is set (in the case of 1), the process proceeds to step S124. In addition, the operation | movement (henceforth, sterilization mode) after step S106 mentioned later and step S114 aims at disinfection of Legionella bacteria etc. which may be propagated in the heat exchange tank 3. FIG.

  When the sterilization mode completion flag is cleared (in the case of 0), the water level eventually rises and reaches the position of the upper level sensor 13 provided at the uppermost part of the heat exchange tank 3 (step S106). The solenoid valve 9 is closed and water supply is stopped (step S108).

  Next, energization of the circulation pump 7 and the sheathed heater 5 is started to circulate and heat the water in the heat exchange tank 3 (step S110). Eventually, when the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 reaches a temperature sufficient for killing germs (for example, 75 ° C.) (step S112), energization of the circulation pump 7 and the sheathed heater 5 is stopped and the sterilization mode completion flag is set. (Step S114), and the sterilization mode ends. Here, the sterilization mode completion flag is set in the nonvolatile storage means 42 mounted on the control unit 40.

  Subsequently, the drain valve 8 is opened and drainage of the high temperature water in the heat exchange tank 3 is started (step S116). When the water level eventually falls and falls below the position of the lower level sensor 12 provided at the lower part of the heat exchange tank 3 (step S118), the drain valve 8 is closed and drainage is stopped (step S120). Next, the water injection electromagnetic valve 9 is opened so that the water level is suitable for steam operation (step S122), and when the water level reaches the position of the lower level sensor 12, the detected flow rate of the flow sensor 10 is a predetermined amount of water (for example, 1 liter). ) (Step S124), the water injection electromagnetic valve 9 is closed (step S126). Here, in order to secure a water level suitable for steam operation, the signals of the lower level sensor 12 and the flow rate sensor 10 are used. Alternatively, the lower level sensor 12 and the upper level sensor 13 are positioned between the lower level sensor 12 and the upper level sensor 13. A middle level sensor may be added from the position of the sensor 12 to a position of a predetermined amount of water (for example, 1 liter), and the signal of the middle level sensor may be used.

  Here, the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 is compared with a temperature suitable for the steam temperature (eg 60 ° C.) (step S128), and the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 is equal to or lower than the temperature suitable for the steam operation (eg 60 ° C.). If so, the energization of the sheathed heater 5 is subsequently started (step S130), and when the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 eventually reaches a temperature optimum for steam operation (for example, 60 ° C.) (step S132), the sheathed heater 5 At the same time as the power supply to is stopped, the display of the preparation LED 32 is switched from the blinking state to the lighting state (step S134), and the preparation is completed. If the temperature suitable for the steam temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) is exceeded in step S128, the process returns to step S116 again, and thereafter the operation is repeated until the temperature is suitable for the steam operation (for example, 60 ° C.) or less.

  On the other hand, when the sterilization mode completion flag is set in step S104 (in the case of 1), the operation in the sterilization mode is omitted, and the process proceeds to step S124 and subsequent steps.

  Here, as an effect of omitting the operation in the sterilization mode, it is possible to shorten the time required for preparation from step S100 to step S134. The sterilization mode completion flag is cleared when a predetermined time elapses (for example, 24 hours) from the set time using a timer means (not shown) provided in the microcomputer 42 mounted on the control unit 40. is there.

  When the operation switch 33 of the remote controller 30 is pressed (step S136) after the preparation is completed (step S134), energization of the circulation pump 7 is started (step S138), and the hot water in the heat exchange tank 3 is discharged. It is ejected vigorously from the ejection nozzle 6.

  By this injection, a negative pressure is generated in the vicinity of the suction port 17, and the outside air is sucked into the steam generator and collides with the gas-liquid separation plate 19 while exchanging heat with the injected hot water. Most of the hot water (liquid) that has collided with the gas-liquid separation plate 19 is recovered in the heat exchange tank 3, and a part thereof is discharged from the outlet 18 as steam (gas).

  Due to the discharge of the steam, the temperature of the hot water in the heat exchange tank 3 is lowered and the water level of the hot water is lowered. When the detected temperature of the hot water thermistor 14 detects a temperature not suitable for steam operation (for example, 50 ° C.) or less (step S140), energization of the sheathed heater 5 is started (step S142), and a predetermined temperature range (ON / OFF control) For example, the temperature keeping operation is performed at 50 to 60 ° C. (steps S140 to S146). When the lower level sensor 12 detects the absence of water (step S148), the water injection electromagnetic valve 9 is opened (step S150), and a predetermined water level range (for example, a range of 1 liter from the lower level sensor position) based on the signal from the flow sensor 10. ) (Steps S148 to S154).

  Here, when the operation switch 33 of the remote controller 30 is pressed (step S156), the energization to the circulation pump 7, the water injection electromagnetic valve 9, and the sheathed heater 5 is stopped (step S158), and the steam operation is temporarily stopped. It should be noted that the energization of the water injection electromagnetic valve 9 and the sheathed heater 5 may be continued until the hot water level and the hot water temperature reach the predetermined range.

  After use, when the preparation switch 31 of the remote controller 30 is pressed (step S160), the LED 32 in preparation is turned off, the drain valve 8 is opened (step S162), the hot water in the heat exchange tank 3 is drained, and the series of operations is completed. It becomes.

  When the temperature setting switch 35 of the remote controller 30 is pressed during operation, one of the corresponding set temperature LEDs 36 is turned on, and the sheathed heater 5 is turned on so that the detected temperature of the suction thermistor 15 and the blowout thermistor 16 becomes the target temperature. Adjust the / OFF control.

  Next, another operation example of the steam generating apparatus of the present embodiment will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

  5 and 6 show a flowchart regarding the operation of the sterilization mode omission permission flag at the start of energization.

  FIG. 5 determines whether the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 is within a predetermined range (for example, within a range of 50 ° C. to 60 ° C.) at the start of energization (step S200). A permission flag is set (step S201), and if it is out of the range, the sterilization mode omission permission flag is cleared (step S202). The sterilization mode omission permission flag is stored in the RAM of the microcomputer. Here, the judgment in step S200 means that when a power failure occurs during the operation mode and the power failure is restored, the hot water temperature in the heat exchange tank 3 is within the control temperature range before the power failure (step in FIG. 4). Whether or not a short-time power outage of about 10 minutes or less has occurred or a long-time power outage of over about 10 minutes has occurred. Judgment.

  FIG. 6 shows a level sensor in addition to the condition that whether the temperature detected by the hot water thermistor 14 described with reference to FIG. 5 is within a predetermined range (for example, within a range of 50 ° C. to 60 ° C.) (Step S300). Whether the water level based on the detection signals 12 and 13 is within a predetermined water level range (for example, a water level located between the lower level sensor and the upper level sensor) (step S301), both the hot water temperature and the hot water level are predetermined. The sterilization mode omission permission flag is set when it is within the range (step S302), and the sterilization mode omission permission flag is cleared when at least one of the conditions of the hot water temperature and the hot water level is not satisfied (step S302). S303). Here, the determination in step S301 means that when a power failure occurs during the operation mode and the power failure is restored, the hot water level in the heat exchange tank 3 is within the control water level range before the power failure (steps S148 to S148 in FIG. 4). It is possible to more accurately determine whether the operation state before the power failure is the operation mode or not.

  FIG. 7 shows another example of operation using the sterilization mode omission permission flag described in the flowchart shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. Note that the same reference numerals as those in FIG. 4 are the same operations, and therefore, the description of the overlapping parts will be omitted, and the description will focus on the differences.

  The difference from FIG. 4 is that after determining whether or not the sterilization mode completion flag is set in step S104, a step (step S105) for determining whether or not the sterilization mode omission permission flag is set is added. It is. As an effect, the steam generator of the present embodiment was used in a villa, etc., and the power breaker was turned off after being used and the preparation switch 31 of the remote control 30 was forgotten to be turned off. When the situation is assumed, the operation in the sterilization mode can be surely performed in the next operation.

The block diagram of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. The another block diagram of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. The block diagram of the control part of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation | movement of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. The flowchart which shows operation of the sterilization mode omission permission flag at the time of the energization start of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. The another flowchart which shows operation of the sterilization mode omission permission flag at the time of the energization start of the steam generator concerning one Example of this invention. 4 is another flowchart showing the operation of the steam generator according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Main body 2 ... Upper cover 3 ... Heat exchange tank 4 ... Water supply pipe 5 ... Seed heater 6 ... Nozzle 7 ... Circulation pump 8 ... Drain valve 9 ... Water injection solenoid valve 10 ... Flow sensor 11 ... Water injection thermistor 12 ... Lower level sensor 13 ... Upper level sensor 14 ... Hot water thermistor 15 ... Suction thermistor 16 ... Blowing thermistor 17 ... Suction port 18 ... Blowing port 30 ... Remote control 31 ... Preparation switch 32 ... Preparation LED
33 ... Run switch 34 ... Run LED
35 ... Temperature setting switch 36 ... Set temperature LED

Claims (5)

Hot water storage tank for storing hot water, water level detection means for detecting the water level of the hot water storage tank, hot water temperature detection means for detecting the hot water temperature of the hot water storage tank, a heater for boiling the hot water in the hot water storage tank, and the hot water storage tank A suction port and a spout provided in the above, a circulation pump for sucking the warm water from the suction port and ejecting it from the spout, hot water ejected from the spout, and steam supplied with heat by the warm water A steam generator comprising a gas-liquid separation plate to be separated and a control means for controlling the water level detection means, the hot water temperature detection means, a heater and a circulation pump, wherein the steam generation apparatus ejects hot water to the gas-liquid separation plate An operation mode for generating steam and a sterilization mode for injecting hot water to the hot water tank to a full water position and heating the heater to sterilize at a hot water temperature higher than the operation mode. Moni, the control means includes a nonvolatile storage means for storing the operating state, the steam generating device and to store the ON state to the non-volatile memory means the sterilizing mode completion flag upon completion of the sterilizing mode. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein an ON state of the sterilization mode completion flag is confirmed, and the operation mode is shifted to. 3. The steam generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means has a timer means for timing the operation, and turns off the sterilization mode completion flag after a predetermined time has elapsed since the completion of the sterilization mode. A steam generator characterized by. 4. The steam generator according to claim 3, wherein after the start of energization, the control means stores the ON state in the sterilization mode omission permission flag if the output of the hot water detection means of the hot water tank is within a predetermined temperature range. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the operation is performed based on an operation determination based on the sterilization mode omission permission flag in addition to the operation determination based on the sterilization mode completion flag when the operation mode starts. 5. The steam generator according to claim 4, wherein after the start of energization, the control means turns on the sterilization mode omission permission flag if the outputs of the hot water detection means and the water level detection means of the hot water tank are within a predetermined range. A steam generator characterized by memorizing.

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