JP2005342087A - Mist sauna apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mist sauna apparatus which sprays supplied hot water in the form of a mist, fills the inside of a bathroom with the mist, and enables comfortable sauna bathing by an operation using a remote controller and/or automatic control. <P>SOLUTION: The mist sauna apparatus enables a user to enter the sauna quickly since the mist sauna apparatus sprays hot water of a first preset temperature which is somewhat high for the user in the form of a mist when nobody is in the bathroom, and the mist sauna apparatus sprays the mist of a second preset temperature lower then the first preset temperature when the bathroom reaches a prescribed target temperature. The mist sauna apparatus sprays hot water of the second preset temperature in the form of a mist regardless of whether the bathroom reaches the target temperature or not when a user is in the bathroom. The mist sauna apparatus enables the user of the sauna to enjoy the conformable sauna bathing by reducing the waiting time. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a mist sauna device that can spray supplied hot water in a mist, fill it in a bathroom, and control start and stop by a remote controller and / or automatic control.

  In recent years, as health and beauty orientation has increased, there has been an increasing need to enjoy saunas at home. A dry sauna requires a high temperature close to 100 ° C., and not only is the power and equipment for that expensive, but also measures against the high temperature make it difficult to put it into practical use at home.

  On the other hand, a low temperature mist sauna has a lower temperature than the dry sauna, which is about 40 to 60 degrees C. Therefore, the low temperature mist sauna is not only low in price, but also has a mist-like shape in the bathroom, which causes stress on the body. Less is. Therefore, the low temperature mist sauna has come into practical use for home use.

For example, the mist sauna device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 09-327494 easily grasps the heating resumption timing at the time of bathroom temperature control while the device is operating, and can accurately measure the temperature in the bathroom. I am doing so. Further, the spray type mist sauna system disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-126033 is easy to use because the start of the ventilation fan is linked to the use of the mist sauna and the ventilation fan is automatically stopped. It ’s good. Furthermore, the mist sauna device disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-24084 changes the heating capacity by changing the supply amount to the heat exchanging unit without changing the supply flow rate of the heated hot water from the water heater. Therefore, the hot water supply temperature is kept constant, and temperature control in the bathroom is stably performed.
JP 09-327494 A JP 2002-126033 A JP-A-10-24084

  The person using the mist sauna can take a bath in the mist sauna by selecting the setting of the temperature of the mist sauna and the start or stop of the operation by the remote controller even when bathing or not bathing.

  However, the person using the mist sauna waits until the temperature in the bathroom and the temperature of the mist sauna sprayed into the bathroom become appropriate after turning on the switch by a remote controller or the like. In order to shorten the waiting time, those who use the mist sauna have a discomfort when the set temperature is increased by a remote controller, the temperature in the bathroom and the temperature of the mist sauna are high, and the bathroom enters the bathroom. To remember.

  Those who use the mist sauna may want to take a mist sauna while taking a bath, but if they try to take a mist sauna early, the bathroom will be hot at a low temperature, or the set temperature will be hot. You will be exposed to mist. It has been difficult for a person who uses the mist sauna to be able to take a mist of good temperature in a short time.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention automatically determines whether or not the user is in the bathroom, and controls the temperature of the mist and the temperature in the bathroom based on the determination. It aims at providing the mist sauna apparatus which can aim at the improvement of a user's convenience.

  The present invention also provides a mist sauna device that can be used in a short time after the hot water temperature from the hot water supply device is raised and the mist sauna is started when there is no person in the bathroom. With the goal.

  Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a mist sauna device provided with setting means for arbitrarily selecting only the low temperature mist injection and the automatic switching between the high temperature mist injection and the low temperature mist injection.

(First invention)
The mist sauna device according to the first aspect of the present invention is to spray hot water supplied from a hot water supply device into the bathroom as mist and control the hot water temperature and the temperature in the bathroom, and detects the hot water temperature for producing the mist. The hot water temperature is first set by a first temperature sensor, a second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the bathroom, a human body sensor for detecting presence or absence of movement of the human body in the bathroom, and the first temperature sensor. Depending on whether or not the temperature has been reached, a hot water supply control valve that controls the supply of hot water to the mist injection device, a detection circuit that detects an output from the human body sensor, and a movement of the human body is not detected by the detection circuit, When the hot water supply control valve is opened, hot water heated at the first set temperature is sprayed into the bathroom, and the temperature in the bathroom detects a target temperature by a second temperature sensor, the first set temperature is reached. Characterized in that it comprises at least a control for the control circuit to mist spraying the hot water which is heated in the bathroom lower second set temperature.

(Second invention)
The mist sauna device according to the second invention is for spraying hot water supplied from a hot water supply device into the bathroom as mist and controlling the hot water temperature and the temperature in the bathroom, and detects the hot water temperature for producing the mist. The first temperature sensor, the human body sensor for detecting presence or absence of movement of the human body in the bathroom, and whether the hot water temperature has reached the first set temperature by the first temperature sensor, the mist injection device A hot water supply control valve for controlling the supply of hot water, a detection circuit for detecting an output from the human body sensor, and when no movement of the human body is detected by the detection circuit, the hot water supply control valve is opened and heated at the first set temperature. When the detected hot water is sprayed into the bathroom and the detection circuit detects the movement of the human body, the hot water heated to a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature is sprayed into the bathroom. Characterized in that it comprises at least a control circuit for controlling such.

(Third invention)
The mist sauna device of the third invention is the mist sauna apparatus according to the first invention or the second invention, in the case where there is no person in the bathroom, the mist injection is performed at the first set temperature having a high temperature, and the temperature in the bathroom reaches the target temperature Alternatively, when there is a person in the bathroom, the control for performing the mist injection at the second set temperature lower than the first set temperature includes a selection means that can be selected in advance.

(Fourth invention)
In the mist sauna device of the fourth invention, the first set temperature and the second set temperature in the first to third inventions can be set from a remote controller.

(Fifth invention)
In the mist sauna device of the fifth invention, the hot water supply control valve in the first to fourth inventions is characterized in that the hot water temperature in the hot water supply device does not open below a certain temperature.

(Sixth invention)
In the mist sauna apparatus according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the hot water supply control valve according to the first to fifth aspects of the present invention is characterized in that it does not close for a predetermined time even if the movement of the human body is not detected by the detection circuit.

(Seventh invention)
The mist sauna apparatus of the seventh invention is characterized in that the function of the sixth invention can be selected by setting.

  According to the present invention, when there is no person in the bathroom, the waiting time can be shortened by setting the set temperature higher than the comfortable mist temperature and injecting the mist into the bathroom. In particular, for those who use only the mist sauna, the waiting time is shortened, so the convenience is improved.

  According to the present invention, when there is no person in the bathroom, mist is injected at a high temperature, and after the bathroom reaches the target temperature, the mist is injected at a set temperature lower than the set temperature, so the waiting time is short, The temperature is comfortable when you enter the mist sauna, preventing unnecessary temperature rise in the bathroom.

  According to the present invention, when there is a person in the bathroom, the temperature of the mist injection can be immediately set to a low set temperature so as not to cause discomfort to the user.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to select between the case where the mist injection is performed at the first set temperature and the second set temperature and the case where the mist injection is performed only at the second set temperature. Either can be selected.

  According to the present invention, when the hot water temperature is set to the second set temperature, in order to prevent the mist injection from being stopped due to the human body not moving, by providing the control setting by the human body sensor, You can take a sauna slowly at the time set by the user.

(First invention)
The mist sauna device according to the first aspect of the invention can spray the hot water supplied from the hot water supply device into the bathroom as mist and control the hot water temperature and the temperature in the bathroom. The first temperature sensor detects the hot water temperature for producing the mist, and is provided in the middle of the hot water supply pipe connecting the mist injection device and the hot water supply device.

  A 2nd temperature sensor detects the temperature in the said bathroom, and detects the set target temperature in a bathroom. The human body sensor outputs a signal by detecting the presence or absence of movement of the human body in the bathroom. The hot water supply control valve for opening and closing the hot water supply pipe controls the supply of hot water to the mist injection device depending on whether or not the hot water temperature has reached a first set temperature by the first temperature sensor.

  The detection circuit senses that the human body in the bathroom has moved by the human body sensor, and detects the output signal. When the movement of the human body is not detected by the detection circuit, the control circuit opens the hot water supply control valve and sprays hot water heated at the first set temperature into the bathroom. In addition, when the temperature provided in the bathroom detects the target temperature by the second temperature sensor, the control circuit supplies hot water heated at the second set temperature set lower than the first set temperature. Control is performed so that mist is injected into the bathroom.

  The mist sauna apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention can enter the sauna quickly because hot water having a first set temperature that is slightly higher for the sauna user is sprayed when there is no person in the bathroom. In order to maintain a predetermined target temperature for the temperature in the bathroom and to make the temperature comfortable for the sauna user, the mist heated at the second set temperature set lower than the first set temperature is used. By spraying, the sauna user can enjoy a comfortable sauna bath with less waiting time.

(Second invention)
The mist sauna device of the second invention is different from the first invention in that it assumes a case where a sauna user enters the bathroom before the bathroom reaches the target temperature. That is, when the control circuit detects the movement of the human body by the detection circuit, the hot water from the hot water supply device is set at a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature regardless of whether the bathroom has reached a target temperature. Heat and control to mist spray into the bathroom.

  The mist sauna device according to the second aspect of the invention enters the sauna early by mist-spraying hot water heated to the second set temperature set low even when the temperature in the bathroom does not reach the target value. The user is controlled to eliminate discomfort due to high temperature mist.

(Third invention)
The mist sauna device of the third invention uses the first set temperature set to a high temperature and the second set temperature set to a low temperature or uses the second set temperature in the first invention and the second invention. Setting means is provided so that only the temperature can be selected. The user selects the first setting temperature and the second setting temperature so that a comfortable and comfortable sauna bath is made by the setting means, or only the second setting temperature set to a low temperature is selected. Therefore, it is possible to select whether to save energy.

(Fourth invention)
In the mist sauna device according to the fourth aspect of the invention, a high first set temperature and a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature can be set in advance by a remote controller. The second set temperature can be set to an optimum temperature for the user by a remote controller. 4th invention can take a comfortable mist sauna while shortening the waiting time to enter a sauna.

(Fifth invention)
The mist sauna device according to the fifth aspect of the present invention is controlled by a control circuit so that the hot water supply control valve provided in the hot water supply pipe connecting the hot water supply device and the mist injection device is not opened below a certain temperature. That is, the control circuit prevents the user from being exposed to cold mist below a certain temperature. The constant temperature can be set in advance at the time of shipment of the remote controller or the mist sauna device as necessary.

(Sixth invention)
In the mist sauna device according to the sixth aspect of the invention, the hot water supply control valve is closed by the human body sensor so as not to stop the mist injection even if the time during which the user is slowly resting is prolonged. That is, the hot water supply control valve does not close for a predetermined time even if no movement of the human body is detected by the detection circuit, and stops the mist injection only when the predetermined time has passed and no movement of the human body is detected. So that it is closed.

(Seventh invention)
In the mist sauna device of the seventh invention, in the sixth invention, when it is determined that there is a person even if the timer has elapsed for a predetermined time, the mist injection is forcibly continued, and when the predetermined time has elapsed, there is no person. If it is determined, the function of stopping the mist injection can be selected by setting. The seventh invention provides for the need to take a bath in a state in which the mist injection is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed.

  FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a mist sauna apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the mist sauna device includes a mist injection device 1 for injecting mist attached in or near the bathroom 3, a hot water supply device 2 for supplying warm water to the bathroom 3 and the mist injection device 1, It comprises a control means 4 for controlling the mist injection device 1 and the hot water supply device 2 and the like, and a remote controller 5 for setting the setting means in the control means 4 or operating the mist sauna device.

  Connected to the hot water supply apparatus 2 are a water supply pipe 11 for supplying water from a water pipe and a hot water supply pipe 12 connected to the mist injection apparatus 1 and the like. The hot water supply pipe 12 is provided with a first temperature sensor 21 and a hot water supply control valve 13 that can be opened and closed by the control means 4 under the control of a servo motor (not shown), for example. The bathroom 3 is provided with a second temperature sensor 22 that is used when the internal temperature is set to a target temperature, and a human body sensor 23 such as an infrared ray that detects the movement of the human body.

  The hot water supply device 2 is supplied with, for example, tap water from a water supply pipe 11 and warms the tap water at a temperature set based on a control signal from the control means 4. When the hot water temperature in the hot water supply device 2 exceeds a certain level, the control means 4 opens the hot water supply control valve 13 by, for example, a servo motor (not shown) and sends hot water to the mist injection device 1.

  The mist injection device 1 injects mist of a predetermined temperature into the bathroom 3 based on the control of the control means 4. The second temperature sensor 22 detects the temperature in the bathroom 3 and feeds it back to the control means 4 to set the temperature in the bathroom 3 to a target temperature or to maintain the mist temperature at a desired temperature. Is called.

  FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram for explaining a mist sauna apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2, the difference from the first embodiment is that a mixing valve 14 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 12, and a water supply pipe 11 is connected to the mixing valve 14. The mixing valve 14 is configured such that water selectively flows through the hot water supply pipe 12 by adjusting the opening area ratio. For example, the mixing valve 14 is driven by a drive source such as a servo motor so that water is added to hot water and the temperature can be adjusted.

  FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing in detail the control means of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. The control means 4 includes a first setting means 41 for setting the mist injection temperature high, and a first setting for setting the mist injection temperature to a temperature lower than the first setting temperature, for example, 5 degrees C to 10 degrees C. 2 detecting means 43 for detecting the movement of the human body by the human body sensor 23 and detecting the signal, the first temperature sensor 21 for detecting the temperature in the hot water supply pipe 12, and the temperature in the bathroom 3 The second temperature sensor 22 to be detected, the comparison circuit 44 for comparing the set temperatures of the first setting means 41 or the second setting means 42, and each circuit or means are controlled by commands or settings from the remote controller 5. And a control circuit 45 for controlling.

  FIG. 4 is a flowchart when the mist sauna apparatus is controlled by the control means of the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining a case where there is no person in the bathroom in the first and second embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining a case where there is a person in the bathroom in the first and second embodiments of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, the mist sauna apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 to 6, for example, the operation of the mist sauna device is started by the remote controller 5 (step 41). The control circuit 45 checks in advance whether there is a setting for the high-temperature mist injection control using the remote controller 5 or the like (step 42).

  When the control circuit 45 determines that the high temperature mist injection control is not set, the hot water is heated at the second set temperature in order to perform the low temperature mist injection in step 50 described later. When the control circuit 45 determines that there is a setting for high-temperature mist injection control, the hot water from the hot water supply device 2 is supplied to water up to X degree C (see FIG. 5), which is a preset high first set temperature. Control is performed to heat the water from the tube 11 (step 43).

  The control circuit 45 compares the temperature detected by the first temperature sensor 21 installed in the hot water supply pipe 12 with the temperature of the first setting means 41 (X degree C) by the comparison circuit 44 to obtain the first set temperature. It is checked whether or not (step 44). When the control circuit 45 determines that the hot water temperature of the hot water supply device 2 does not reach the first set temperature by the comparison of the comparison circuit 44, the control circuit 45 closes the hot water control valve 13 (step 45), returns to step 43, Is controlled so that the first set temperature is reached.

  When the control circuit 45 determines that the hot water temperature of the hot water supply device 2 has reached the first set temperature X degree C by comparison of the comparison circuit 44, the control circuit 45 opens the hot water supply control valve 13 (step 46), and the mist injection device. The mist of 1st preset temperature is injected from 1 (step 47).

  The control circuit 45 checks whether or not there is a person in the bathroom 3 using the human body sensor 23 installed in the bathroom 3 (step 48). If the control circuit 45 determines that there is no person, the second temperature sensor 22 checks whether the temperature in the bathroom 3 has reached the target temperature α degree C (step 49). When the inside of the bathroom 3 does not reach the target temperature, the process returns to step 43, and the hot water is controlled to be heated at the first set temperature.

  When it is determined by the second temperature sensor 22 installed in the bathroom 3 that the temperature in the bathroom 3 has reached the target temperature α degree C, the control circuit 45 is set to 5 degrees C to 10 degrees from the first set temperature. The hot water is heated at the second set temperature Y degree C which is lower by degree C (step 50).

  The control circuit 45 checks whether the hot water temperature has reached the second set temperature by the first temperature sensor 21 (step 51). When it is determined that the hot water temperature has reached the second set temperature, the control circuit 45 injects mist of the second set temperature (step 52). When the control circuit 45 determines that the hot water temperature does not reach the second set temperature, the control circuit 45 returns to step 50 to heat the hot water at the second set temperature. When it is determined that the hot water temperature has reached the second set temperature, the control circuit 45 controls to perform mist injection at the second set temperature (step 52).

  The control circuit 45 starts counting by a timer (not shown) (step 53), and checks whether or not a predetermined time or a set time has come (step 54). When it is determined that the predetermined time has not elapsed, the control circuit 45 heats the hot water at the second set temperature (step 50).

  When the control circuit 45 determines that the predetermined time has elapsed by the timer, the control circuit 45 checks whether there is a control setting by the human body sensor 23 (step 55). When it is determined that there is a control setting by the human body sensor 23, the control circuit 45 checks whether there is a movement by the human body sensor 23 (step 56). When the detection circuit 43 detects that the person is moving by the human body sensor 23, the control circuit 45 returns to step 50 in order to heat the hot water at the second set temperature.

  In step 56, when the control circuit 45 determines that a person has not moved after a predetermined time has elapsed, and when it is determined in step 55 that there is no human body sensor control setting, the hot water supply control valve 13 is closed to open the sauna. Stop (step 57). The human body sensor 23 is composed of, for example, an infrared sensor, and outputs a signal according to the movement of a person. When the person taking the mist sauna rests without moving in the bathroom 3, the human body sensor 23 determines that there is no person and prevents the mist heated at the first hot set temperature from being jetted. .

  In step 48, when the human body sensor 23 determines that there is a person, the control circuit 45 supplies the hot water to the second set temperature regardless of whether the temperature in the bathroom 3 becomes the target temperature α ° C. (Step 50). The relationship between the set temperature and the temperature in the bathroom is shown in FIG.

  As mentioned above, although the Example of this invention was explained in full detail, this invention is not limited to the said Example. The present invention can be modified in various ways without departing from the scope of the claims. The block diagram shown in the embodiments of the present invention can be achieved by known or well-known techniques.

  In the present invention, the bathroom, the hot water supply device, the sensor, the control valve, and the like described in the embodiments are configured by known or well-known techniques.

It is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating the mist sauna apparatus which is 1st Example of this invention. Example 1 It is a schematic block diagram for demonstrating the mist sauna apparatus which is 2nd Example of this invention. (Example 2) It is a block block diagram for explaining the control means of 1st Example and 2nd Example of this invention in detail. It is a flowchart at the time of controlling a mist sauna apparatus by the control means of 1st Example of this invention, and 2nd Example. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where there is no person in a bathroom in 1st Example and 2nd Example of this invention. It is a figure for demonstrating the case where there exists a person in a bathroom in 1st Example and 2nd Example of this invention.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Mist injection apparatus 2 ... Hot water supply apparatus 3 ... Bathroom 4 ... Control means 5 ... Remote controller 11 ... Water supply pipe 12 ... Hot water supply pipe 13 ... Hot water supply control valve 14 ... Mixing valve 21 ... First temperature sensor 22 ... Second temperature sensor 23 ... Human body sensor 41 ... First setting means 42 ... Second setting means 43 ... Detection circuit 44 ... Comparison circuit 45 ... Control circuit

Claims (7)

In a mist sauna device that sprays hot water supplied from a hot water supply device into the bathroom as mist, and controls the hot water temperature and the temperature in the bathroom,
A first temperature sensor for detecting a hot water temperature for producing the mist;
A second temperature sensor for detecting the temperature in the bathroom;
A human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of movement of the human body in the bathroom;
A hot water supply control valve that controls supply of hot water to the mist injection device according to whether or not the hot water temperature has reached a first set temperature by the first temperature sensor;
A detection circuit for detecting an output from the human body sensor;
When the movement of the human body is not detected by the detection circuit, the hot water supply control valve is opened, hot water heated at the first set temperature is sprayed into the bathroom, and the temperature in the bathroom is set to the target temperature by the second temperature sensor. A control circuit that controls to mist spray hot water heated to a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature into the bathroom;
A mist sauna device comprising at least In a mist sauna device that sprays hot water supplied from a hot water supply device into the bathroom as mist, and controls the hot water temperature and the temperature in the bathroom,
A first temperature sensor for detecting a hot water temperature for producing the mist;
A human body sensor for detecting the presence or absence of movement of the human body in the bathroom;
A hot water supply control valve that controls supply of hot water to the mist injection device according to whether or not the hot water temperature has reached a first set temperature by the first temperature sensor;
A detection circuit for detecting an output from the human body sensor;
When the movement of the human body is not detected by the detection circuit, the hot water supply control valve is opened, the hot water heated at the first set temperature is sprayed into the bathroom, and the movement of the human body is detected by the detection circuit. A control circuit for controlling so that hot water heated to a second set temperature lower than the first set temperature is sprayed into the bathroom.
A mist sauna device comprising at least   When there is no person in the bathroom, mist injection is performed at a high first set temperature, and when the temperature in the bathroom reaches a target temperature or when there is a person in the bathroom, the second lower than the first set temperature. 3. The mist sauna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control for performing the mist injection at the set temperature includes a selection means that can be selected in advance.   The mist sauna device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first set temperature and the second set temperature can be set from a remote controller.   The mist sauna device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hot water supply control valve does not open when a hot water temperature in the hot water supply device is equal to or lower than a certain temperature.   The mist sauna device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hot water supply control valve does not close for a predetermined time even if a movement of a human body is not detected by the detection circuit.   The mist sauna apparatus characterized by being able to select the function described in Claim 6 by setting.

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