JP2006071119A - Vapor generating device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a vapor generating device easy to install on a ceiling portion of a bathroom by simplifying a draining structure with no need for a drain solenoid valve while surely preventing the overflow of hot water from a tank. <P>SOLUTION: The vapor generating device comprises a heat exchanger for generating vapor, a hot water circulating means for collecting hot water dissipated into the heat exchanger in the tank and dissipating the hot water pumped from the tank by a circulating pump into the heat exchanger again, and a draining means for draining the hot water from the tank of the hot water circulating means with a siphon principle. In the tank, an overflow means is provided for preventing the overflow of the hot water. The suction port of the draining means is located at the deepest recessed portion in the bottom of the tank. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a steam generator that is installed in a bathroom such as a system bathroom and generates steam in the bathroom.

Conventionally, as a steam generator installed in a bathroom, it is indicated by patent documents 1, for example. In this steam generator, a heat exchanger having a large number of fins connected by a connecting member to which hot water is circulated and supplied is arranged in a vertically long main body case, and a predetermined temperature is supplied from a hot water jet pipe onto the fins of the heat exchanger. The steam is generated by dissipating the hot and cold water, and the steam is blown out from the outlet onto the washing area of the bathroom by the blower of the blower fan. In addition, the hot water that has been diffused from the hot water jet pipe and flowed down along the fins is collected in the hot water recovery tank of the hot water circulation means, pumped up by the circulation pump, and supplied to the hot water jet pipe again to enable reuse of hot water. At the same time, the hot water in the hot water recovery tank after the stop of the device is drained to the outside of the device by opening the drain electromagnetic valve of the drain means connected to the tank.
JP 2003-235930 A

  However, in this steam generator, since it is necessary to connect a drain electromagnetic valve for draining hot water in the hot water recovery tank to the drainage means, the drainage structure becomes complicated, and the cost of the apparatus itself tends to increase. Moreover, since it is assumed that the device itself is installed inside the counter of the bathroom washroom, the device does not require any special measures against leakage from the hot water recovery tank. For example, the device is installed on the ceiling of the bathroom. In such a case, it is difficult to reliably prevent leakage from the ceiling of hot water.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and its purpose is to simplify the drainage structure by eliminating the need for a drainage solenoid valve and the like, and to reliably prevent overflow of hot water from the tank. It is an object of the present invention to provide a steam generating device that can be easily installed even on the ceiling portion of the roof.

  In order to achieve such an object, the invention described in claim 1 of the present invention includes a heat exchanger provided with heating means and capable of generating steam when hot water is diffused, and hot water diffused in the heat exchanger. Hot water circulating means for pumping hot water in the tank with a circulation pump and dissipating it again to the heat exchanger, and draining means for draining hot water in the tank of the hot water circulating means by the principle of siphon It is characterized by comprising.

  And as for this invention, it is preferable that the overflow means which prevents the overflow of hot water is provided in the said tank like the invention of Claim 2, Moreover, like the invention of Claim 3, the said The suction port of the drainage means is preferably located in the deepest recess provided in the bottom of the tank. Moreover, it is preferable to provide the control means which detects abnormality of the said pump based on the temperature of the said heat exchanger like invention of Claim 4.

  Further, as in the invention described in claim 5, a second heat exchanger having a heating means and capable of generating hot air is provided, and the second heat exchanger and the heat exchanger include a plurality of sheets. The fins are connected by a hot water supply pipe as a heating means, and the second heat exchanger is disposed in the case in a substantially horizontal state and the heat exchanger in an inclined state. It is preferable to be installed on the ceiling part of the bathroom. In this case, as in the invention described in claim 6, at least one of the drainage means and the overflow means is accommodated in a sheath pipe and disposed on the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron from the ceiling portion of the bathroom. It is preferable that air is blown into the space on the waterproof pan through the pipe or the space is sucked.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, the steam generating hot water collected in the tank of the hot water circulation means is drained outside the apparatus by the drainage means on the principle of siphon. Valves are not required, the drainage structure can be simplified and the device can be formed at low cost, and overflow from the hot water tank due to failure of the solenoid valve etc. can be prevented, for example, even if the device is on the ceiling part of the bathroom Can be installed.

  According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the effect of the invention of claim 1, the tank is provided with overflow means for preventing overflow of hot water, so that overflow of hot water from the tank is prevented. It can be reliably prevented by the overflow means, and can be suitably installed, for example, on the ceiling portion of the bathroom.

  According to the invention described in claim 3, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 1 or 2, since the suction port of the drainage means is located in the deepest recess provided in the bottom of the tank, the drainage means Therefore, the amount of hot water that cannot be drained can be suppressed to a minimum, and retention of a predetermined amount or more of hot water in the tank when the apparatus is not used can be prevented.

  According to the invention described in claim 4, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 1 to 3, the control means for detecting abnormality of the pump based on the temperature of the heat exchanger is provided. By detecting a decrease in the temperature of the heat exchanger due to a decrease in the circulating amount of hot water in the hot water circulation means, it is possible to detect an abnormality such as a pump suction failure.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 5, in addition to the effects of the invention described in claims 1 to 4, in the same manner as the heat exchanger for generating steam in which a large number of fins are connected by a hot water supply pipe. Since the heat exchanger for generating hot water in which a large number of fins are connected by a hot water supply pipe is arranged in a predetermined form in the case, for example, hot air that has been heat-exchanged by a heat exchanger for generating hot air is used. Steam and hot air can be generated efficiently, such as for use in steam generation, and the external shape of the device can be made thin corresponding to the height of the inclined heat exchanger for steam generation. Thus, the device can be easily installed on the ceiling of the bathroom.

  Further, according to the invention described in claim 6, in addition to the effect of the invention described in claim 5, the drainage means and the overflow means are accommodated in the sheath pipe, and are placed on the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron from the ceiling of the bathroom. In addition to being arranged and blowing air to the space on the waterproof pan or sucking the space through the sheath tube, the space inside the bathtub apron where moisture is likely to stay can be ventilated by air blowing or air intake, It can be kept clean.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1-14 shows one Embodiment of the steam generator concerning this invention, FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram which shows the basic structure, FIG. 2 is a perspective view, FIG. 3 is the schematic which shows the installation state in a bathroom FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram showing a specific structure of the steam generator, FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the basic structure of the heat exchanger, FIGS. 6 and 7 are a configuration diagram and a cross-sectional view of the main part of the buffer tank, and FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a modified example of the buffer tank, FIG. 9 is a block diagram of a control system of the steam generator, FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of the operation mode, and FIGS. 11 to 14 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the steam generator 1 includes a first heat exchanger 3a in which a large number of fins 4a are connected by a hot water supply pipe 5a as a heating means, and a large number of fins 4b as a heating means. The second heat exchanger 3b connected by the hot water supply pipe 5b and water or hot water (called hot water) are circulated and diffused from the hot water jet pipe 6 onto the fins 4a of the first heat exchanger 3a (discharge or jet) (Including injection, spraying, spraying, etc.), a hot water circulation means 7, a blower fan 10 that forms a ventilation path R1 between the suction port 8 and the blowout port 9, and a ventilation fan that forms a ventilation passage R2 to be described later 11 etc.

  The hot water circulating means 7 is disposed below the first heat exchanger 3a and collects the hot water flowing down along the fins 4a of the heat exchanger 3a and the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is pumped up. It has the circulating pump 13 and the hot water jet pipe 6 etc. which are arranged at predetermined intervals above the fins 4a of the first heat exchanger 3a and diffuse hot water pumped up by the circulating pump 13 onto the fins 4a.

  The buffer tank 12 of the hot water circulating means 7 is provided with a lid body portion 12b formed with, for example, a slit-like collection hole 12a for collecting the flowing hot water on the upper surface thereof. For example, a float switch 15 for detecting the upper limit water level of hot water in the water 12 is disposed, and a water temperature sensor 16 for detecting the temperature of the hot water is disposed in the buffer tank 12. The buffer tank 12 is connected to a drain pipe 24 (drain means) and an overflow pipe 28 (overflow means) for draining hot water in the tank 12 according to the principle of siphon as will be described later.

  In addition, an intake air temperature sensor 17 that detects the temperature of the air in the bathroom that is inhaled is disposed in the suction port 8, and for example, a support plate 39 (see FIG. 5) of the first heat exchanger 3 a described later. Or the temperature sensor 18 which detects the temperature of the said heat exchanger 3a is arrange | positioned at the hot water supply pipe | tube 5a. Further, a louver 19 that opens the air outlet 9 by rotation of the louver motor 19a is disposed at the air outlet 9 so as to be opened and closed.

  The blower fan 10 is formed by, for example, a crossflow fan, a sirocco fan, a turbo fan, etc., and the blower fan motor 10a is rotated by a control signal of a control board 20 to be described later, and the ventilation fan 11 is, for example, a sirocco fan The ventilation fan motor 11a is rotated by a control signal from the control board 20. And these members are arrange | positioned in the thin main body case 2 in the horizontal direction, As shown in FIG. 2, the steam generator 1 itself is formed in the flat thin shape. At this time, the main body case 2 is removably mounted with a grill plate 2a at the opening on the lower surface thereof. The grill plate 2a is provided with the suction port 8 and the air outlet 9, and an indicator 45 and the like to be described later. It is arranged.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the control board 20 and the reception / display board 21 to which various cables 14 are connected are arranged in the main body case 2 and are connected to the hot water supply pipes 5a and 5b. A forward piping 22a and a return piping 22b, a water supply piping 23 connected to the buffer tank 12, and a part of the drainage piping 24 are arranged.

  Among these pipes, a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 26 and a water supply electromagnetic valve 25 are connected in the main body case 2 of the forward pipe 22a and the water supply pipe 23, and the case main body of the forward pipe 22a and the return pipe 22b. A water heater 29 such as a kerosene boiler with a circulation function and a gas water heater is connected to the outer end of 2. In addition, the end of the water supply pipe 23 is connected to a water supply or a water supply pipe in the water heater 29. A waterproof infrared wireless remote controller 30 is connected to the reception / display board 21 in the main body case 2, and a wired remote controller 31 is connected to the control board 20 as necessary.

  This steam generator 1 is installed in a bathroom 32 as shown in FIG. 3, for example. That is, a plurality of main body cases 2 whose outer shape is flat and thin are provided on the ceiling panel 34 above the bathtub 33 forming the bathroom ceiling, for example, on the housing 36 above the bathroom 32 as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. The suspension port 37 is suspended and the suction port 8 and the air outlet 9 of the grill plate 2 a of the main body case 2 are opened in the bathroom 32.

  The forward piping 22a, the return piping 22b, and the water supply piping 23 of the steam generator 1 are placed in, for example, a sheath pipe (not shown) and disposed on the upper surface (back of the ceiling) of the ceiling panel 34, and the drainage piping 24 and the overflow pipe. 28 is accommodated in, for example, a sheath tube 58 (see FIG. 6) and placed on the waterproof pan in the bathtub apron 38 from the upper surface of the ceiling panel 34 through the outer surface of the wall panel 35 of the bathroom 32. At this time, the water supply pipe 23 guides the condensed water adhering to the outer surface of the water supply pipe 23 into the steam generator 1 by inclining the end of the steam generator 1 side located on the upper surface of the ceiling panel 34 by a predetermined angle α. Set to be.

  Further, the drain pipe 24 and the overflow pipe 28 which are located on the outer surface of the wall panel 35 and are formed as will be described later are disposed at an angle β with respect to the vertical line, and the drain ports of the drain pipe 24 and the overflow pipe 28 are provided. It is located at a predetermined position of the waterproof pan, and the drainage flow rate can be adjusted. The various cables 14 for power supply, remote control or so-called intelligent communication drawn from the steam generator 1 are wired on the upper surface side of the ceiling panel 34, and the ventilation duct 11b of the ventilation fan 11 is also the ceiling panel 34. It is arrange | positioned at the upper surface side.

  Next, a specific structure of the steam generator 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. First, as shown in the conceptual diagram of FIG. 4, the second heat exchanger 3 b of the steam generator 1 is disposed horizontally, for example, on the grill plate 2 a side in the partition wall 2 b of the main body case 2. The first heat exchanger 3a is disposed above the left end side of the heat exchanger 3b in a state inclined at a predetermined angle γ with respect to the vertical direction. The buffer tank 12 is disposed below the first heat exchanger 3a, and the blower fan 10 is disposed on the lower left side of the first heat exchanger 3a.

  And the blower outlet 9 which has the said louver 13 is provided in the grill plate 2a below the ventilation fan 10, and the said suction port 8 is provided in the grill plate 2a below the 2nd heat exchanger 3b. As a result, when the blower fan 10 is rotated, the suction port 8 → the second heat exchanger 3b → the first heat exchanger 3a → the blower fan 10 as shown by a two-dot chain line in the figure in the main body case 2. → A ventilation path R1 communicating with the air outlet 9 is formed. A ventilation passage R2 that connects the suction port 8 and the ventilation duct 11b of the ventilation fan 11 is also formed in the main body case 2 where the ventilation path R1 is formed. In addition, a filter or the like (not shown) is detachably disposed inside the suction port 8 and the air outlet 9 of the grill plate 2a as necessary.

  Further, the hot water jet pipe 6 is arranged above the first heat exchanger 3a arranged in an inclined state with a predetermined interval, and the hot water supply pipes 5a of both the heat exchangers 3a and 3b, As shown in FIG. 1, the two hot water supply pipes 5 a and 5 b are connected in parallel by connecting the forward pipe 22 a and the return pipe 22 b to both ends of 5 b. The first heat exchanger 3a arranged in an inclined state is mainly used for steam generation, and the second heat exchanger 3b arranged in a horizontal state is mainly used for hot air generation. It has become.

  The basic structure of the first heat exchanger 3a and the second heat exchanger 3b is configured as shown in FIG. That is, both the heat exchangers 3a and 3b include a pair of left and right support plates 39, a plurality of thin plates 4a and 4b arranged in parallel at a predetermined pitch between the support plates 39, and the fins 4a and 4b. And the hot water supply pipes 5a, 5b as heating means for connecting the fins 4a, 4b and the support plate 39, etc. The outer shape such as the height dimension is formed substantially the same (or different).

  In the first heat exchanger 3a and the second heat exchanger 3b, the pitch P1 between the fins 4a and 4b is set to be the same or different from each other, the areas of the fins 4a and 4b, etc. Are set differently, the shape of the heat exchangers 3a and 3b themselves can be set to an appropriate shape suitable for steam generation and hot air generation, and the pitch P1 between the fins 4a of the first heat exchanger 3a. Can be set to be the same as or different from the pitch P2 between the adjacent jet holes 6a of the hot water jet pipe 6.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the buffer tank 12 has a shallow bottom portion 12 c positioned below the first heat exchanger 3 a and an end corner portion connected to the shallow bottom portion 12 c. And a deep bottom portion 12d in which a circular deepest concave portion 55 is formed in a plan view. Note that the bottom walls of the shallow bottom portion 12 c and the deep bottom portion 12 d are formed with inclined surfaces that gently slope toward the deepest recess 55. In the deep bottom portion 12d of the buffer tank 12, the above-described circulation pump 13 and the float switch 15 are disposed, and the drainage pipe 24 and the side wall 12e on the anti-shallow bottom side of the deep bottom portion 12d An overflow pipe 28 is arranged.

  At this time, the drainage pipe 24 is bent into a substantially inverted U shape from the upper side in the side wall 12e portion of the buffer tank 12, and a suction portion 24b made of a circular resin pipe or the like having a suction port 24a (see FIG. 7) at the tip, The suction port 24b is connected to the suction port 24b via the joint 56 and is arranged along the wall panel 35 from the ceiling panel 34 of the bathroom 32 as described above. The discharge port 24c at the tip of the suction port 24b extends from the through hole 60 of the wall panel 35 to the bathtub apron. 38 is formed by a drainage portion 24d formed of a circular flexible tube, a resin pipe, or the like located on a waterproof pan inside 38.

  Further, the suction port 24a of the suction portion 24b of the drainage pipe 24 has a predetermined interval t (dimension that the lower end of the suction port 24a is lower than the bottom surface of the deep bottom portion 12d) with respect to the bottom surface of the deepest recess 55 of the deep bottom portion 12d. The upper end portion 24e that is arranged in this manner and bent in an inverted U shape of the suction portion 24b is set to a position that becomes the drainage water level h2 of the hot water in the buffer tank 12. Due to the shape of the drain pipe 24, the principle of siphon acts on the drain pipe 24, and the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is drained as described later.

  Further, the overflow pipe 28 is formed of a circular flexible pipe, a resin pipe, or the like, and a bottom surface of the overflow part 57 provided in a state in which the base end side discharges outward to the upper end part of the side wall 12e of the buffer tank 12. The tip end side extends downward, and is located in the space inside the bathtub apron 38 like the drainage pipe 24. That is, the overflow pipe 28 is disposed on the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron 38 from the buffer tank 12 in a completely separate system from the drainage pipe 24.

  As shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. 6, the overflow pipe 28 and the drain pipe 24 are simultaneously accommodated in a sheath pipe 58 at least at a portion facing the wall panel 35, and the upper end portion of the sheath pipe 58 For example, a duct 59 branched from the duct 11 b of the ventilation fan 11 in the steam generator 1 is connected to the lower end of the sheath pipe 58 and opens in the space inside the bathtub apron 38. As a result, when the ventilation fan 11 is activated, the air that is also blown into the sheath pipe 58 and flows through the sheath pipe 58 is supplied (blowed) into the space inside the bathtub apron 38 as indicated by the arrow D. The space is ventilated (dried), for example. In addition, ventilation of the space inside the bathtub apron 38 can be performed not only by ventilation from the ventilation fan 11 but also by inhaling air with an unillustrated intake device disposed in or near the steam generator 1.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the buffer tank 12 configured as described above is configured such that the level of hot water contained therein rises from the normal water level h <b> 1 when steam is generated and reaches the drainage water level h <b> 2 of the drain pipe 24. According to the principle of siphon, the hot water contained in the suction portion 24b flows from the suction portion 24b in the direction of the drainage portion 24d as shown by the arrow A, so that the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is sucked from the suction port 24a as shown by the arrow B. This flows through the suction portion 24b and the drainage portion 24c and is drained from the drainage port 24d onto the waterproof pan. In other words, the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is drained according to the principle of siphon without requiring opening / closing operation of a solenoid valve or the like. In the unlikely event that the suction portion 24b of the drainage pipe 24 is clogged and the drainage is not normally drained, when the water level rises to the abnormal water level h3, the hot water drains onto the waterproof pan through the overflow pipe 28 as shown by arrow C. Will be.

  Note that the structure of the drainage pipe 24 in the present invention is not limited to the structure shown in FIG. 6, and may be configured as shown in FIG. 8, for example. That is, the suction port 24a of the suction part 24b of the drainage pipe 24 is connected to the lower end of the side wall 12e of the deep bottom part 12d of the buffer tank 12, and the drainage port 24c of the drainage part 24d of the drainage pipe 24 is connected to the space inside the bathtub apron 38. To place. Also in this configuration, the hot water in the buffer tank 12 can be drained through the drainage pipe 24 by the principle of siphon. In this case, the bottom surface of the deep bottom portion 12d of the buffer tank 12 is formed in the shape shown by the two-dot chain line a in the figure, so that the deepest recess 55 is formed in the suction port 24a portion, and the remaining hot water in the buffer tank 12 The amount of can also be reduced.

  FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of a control system of the steam generator 1. This will be described below. Mounted on the control board 20 of the steam generator 1 are a microcomputer 40, a drive circuit 41 for operating a motor, a solenoid valve, and the like, a power circuit 42 connected to an external power source by a power cable 14a, and the like. On the input side of the control board 20, a main body switch 43 for setting the steam generating device 1 in an operable state, the wired remote controller 31, the receiver 44 of the reception / display board 21, the float switch 15, the water temperature sensor 16, An intake air temperature sensor 17, a temperature sensor 18, and the like are connected.

  Further, on the output side of the control board 20, a buzzer 46 that emits an alarm sound when an abnormality occurs, a display 45 comprising a plurality of LEDs on the reception / display board 21, a circulation pump 13, a blower fan motor 10a, a louver, etc. A motor 19a, a ventilation fan motor 11a, two electromagnetic valves 25, 26, and the like are connected. Based on the operation information input from the wireless remote controller 30 or the wired remote controller 31, a motor or solenoid valve connected to the output side of the control board 20 is driven by a program stored in the microcomputer 40 of the control board 20 in advance. A predetermined operation is performed by a drive signal from 41 or the like.

  Note that the wired remote controller 31 connected to the control board 20 and the wireless remote controller 30 connected to the reception / display board 21 include a dry heating operation in which heating with dry hot air is performed as shown in FIG. Operation switches such as a switch 47, a mist heating operation switch 48 for heating the bathroom with steam or warm air containing steam, a drying operation switch 49 for drying the bathroom 32, and a ventilation operation switch 50 for ventilating the bathroom 32; In addition, a timer setting unit 51 for setting the time in each operation mode, a display unit 52 for displaying various times, error codes, and the like are provided, and an operation signal for each switch is received / displayed on the display board 21 and the control board 20. To be input.

  Next, an example of operation | movement of the steam generator 1 by this control board 20 is demonstrated. First, the steam generator 1 can be operated in, for example, four operation modes of “drying”, “mist heating”, “dry heating”, and “ventilation” shown in FIG. The fan motor 10a, the louver motor 19a, and the ventilation fan motor 11a are configured to perform predetermined operations (actuation or stoppage) shown in FIG.

  When the “mist heating” operation is selected as the operation mode, the operation is performed as shown in FIG. That is, when the main body switch 43 of the steam generator 1 is turned on and the program is started (S100), it is determined whether or not the mist heating operation switch 48 is turned on (S101), and this determination S101 is “YES”. Repeat until. For example, when the mist heating operation switch 48 of the wireless remote controller 30 is turned on, “YES” is determined in the determination S101, and water supply / circulation processing for supplying water from the water supply pipe 23 into the buffer tank 12 for circulation is performed. (S102) is executed.

  In this water supply / circulation process S102, the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is first opened by the control signal of the control board 20, and after determining whether or not the float switch 15 is turned on, the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is set to "closed". For example, hot water is circulated in the hot water circulation means 7 and the hot water level in the buffer tank 12 is maintained at the normal water level h1. . During the water supply / circulation process S102, the blower fan motor 10a and the louver motor 19a are maintained in a stopped state, and the blowing of cold air from the outlet 9 is prohibited.

  When the water supply / circulation process is executed in step S102, the hot water circulation process (S103) is executed next. In the hot water circulation process S103, first, a hot water supply solenoid valve 26 is opened by a control signal from the control board 20, and hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipes 5a and 5b of the first heat exchanger 3a and the second heat exchanger 3b. This is performed by supplying hot water of a predetermined temperature (for example, 80 ° C. or more) from the machine 29 and rotating the blower fan motor 10a. By circulating and supplying the hot water to the hot water supply pipes 5a and 5b, the fins 4a and 4b of the heat exchangers 3a and 3b connected to the hot water supply pipes 5a and 5b are respectively heated to a predetermined temperature. Due to the rotation of the blower fan motor 10a, the air sucked into the main body case 2 from the suction port 8 is heated by the second heat exchanger 3b to become warm air, and this hot air is discharged from the first heat exchanger 3a. Supply between the fins 4a, that is, the air flows through the ventilation path R1.

  And by the start of this warm water circulation process S103, the water supplied in the buffer tank 12 circulates, passes between the fins 4a of the first heat exchanger 3a, and flows down, so that the first heat exchanger Heat is exchanged at 3a, and hot water of a predetermined temperature is obtained in a short time. When the hot water having reached the predetermined temperature is diffused from the hot water jet pipe 6 onto the fins 4a of the first heat exchanger 3a, the first heat exchanger is passed from the second heat exchanger 3b through the ventilation path R1. A part of the hot water diffused due to a pressure difference with the air (warm air) supplied between the fins 4a of 3a becomes steam, and this steam flows through the ventilation path R1 and flows from the outlet 9 to the bathroom 32. Will be blown in.

  At this time, the two heat exchangers 3a and 3b are arranged in the main body case 2, and the ventilation path R1 connecting both the heat exchangers 3a and 3b is changed from the second heat exchanger 3b to the first heat exchanger 3a. Therefore, the high-temperature hot air heat-exchanged by the second heat exchanger 3b is supplied to the first heat exchanger 3a, and the steam in the first heat exchanger 3a is supplied. Occurrence is promoted. As a result, the contact time between the diffused hot water and the fins 4a in the first heat exchanger 3a can be shortened, for example, as compared with the prior art, and the first heat exchanger 3a itself can be made smaller and its height can be reduced. Even so, a sufficient amount of steam can be generated. It should be noted that the above steps S102 and S103 are executed at a predetermined timing such that all or some of the steps are operated in parallel.

  When the steam is blown into the bathroom 32 in this way, as shown in FIG. 11A, the water level control (S104) in the buffer tank 12 and the temperature of the steam or hot air blown from the outlet 9 For example, temperature control (S105) is performed in parallel. Of these, the water level control S104, when hot water circulates in the hot water circulation means 7, decreases partly as steam and decreases to the lower limit water level that does not adversely affect the generation of steam, for example, the amount of evaporation of hot water When the time has elapsed, the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is opened, and water is supplied into the buffer tank 12 until the float switch 15 detects the normal water level h1.

  In addition, the temperature control S105 compares, for example, a temperature detected by a room temperature sensor (not shown) provided in the bathroom 32 with a reference temperature stored in advance in the microcomputer 40, for example, on / off control of the circulation pump 13. Thus, the temperature and amount of hot water diffused on the first heat exchanger 3a are increased or decreased, or the current value of the circulation pump 13 is detected, and this detected value and a reference value set in the microcomputer 40 in advance are detected. Are compared to increase or decrease the electrical characteristic value such as the operating current value of the circulation pump 13 to increase or decrease the circulation amount of hot water and control the amount of steam generated.

  Then, the water level control S104 and the temperature control S105 are repeated until the mist heating operation switch 48 is turned off or the timer time elapses (S106). Then, a stop process (S107) is performed, and then a series of programs are terminated (S108). The stop process S107 at this time is executed as shown in FIG. 12, for example.

  That is, first, the water heater 29 is stopped (S1071), the circulation pump 13 is stopped (S1072), the blower fan 10 is further stopped (S1073), and then the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is set to “open” (S1074). Then, water is supplied into the buffer tank 12 through the water supply pipe 23. Next, it is determined whether or not a predetermined time set in the microcomputer 40 in advance as the opening time of the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 has passed (S1075). If this determination S1075 is “NO”, the process returns to step S1074 to return to the water supply electromagnetic The open state of the valve 25 is maintained. On the other hand, if “YES” in the determination S1075, that is, if water is supplied into the buffer tank 12 for a predetermined time and the water level in the tank 12 rises to the drainage water level h2, the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is drained at this water level h2. At the same time, the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is set to “closed” (S1076).

  Thus, as described above, the hot water in the buffer tank 12 is drained onto the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron 38 through the drainage pipe 24 by the principle of siphon, and this is the same as the hot water in the bathtub 33 and the like outside the bathroom. To be drained. That is, when the time of drainage is reached, the water supply solenoid valve 25 is opened for a predetermined time to replenish water, and the hot water in the buffer tank 12 that has not reached the drainage water level h2 is temporarily raised to the drainage water level h2, The hot water in the tank 12 is automatically drained by the principle of siphon.

  In the flowchart of FIG. 12, a preset time is used to raise the hot water in the buffer tank 12 to the drainage water level h2, but for example, as shown in FIG. The water level in the buffer tank 12 can also be detected by the switch 15 (or a dedicated float switch provided separately). That is, when the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 is set to “open” (S1074), the float switch 15 detects the water level hi in the tank 12 (S10751), and determines whether or not the water level hi is the drainage water level h2 (S10752). .

  If “NO” in this determination S10752, the process returns to the step S1074. If “YES” in the determination S10752, that is, if the detected water level hi reaches the drainage water level h2 and the drainage is started, the water supply electromagnetic valve 25 Is set to “closed” (S1076). In the case of this example, since hot water is drained based on the actual water level in the buffer tank 12, the drainage operation based on the siphon principle can be performed more reliably.

  By the way, in the said steam generator 1, at the time of the drainage of the hot water in the buffer tank 12, for example, the hot water is not drained normally due to the clogging of the drainage pipe 24, and the water level exceeds the drainage water level h2 by supplying water. When the water level rises, hot water exceeding the abnormal water level h3 is drained through the overflow pipe 28 onto the waterproof pan. At this time, since the overflow pipe 28 is completely separated from the drain pipe 24 and is disposed between the buffer tank 12 and the waterproof pan, the overflow pipe 28 overflowed without being affected by the clogging of the drain pipe 24. The hot water can be drained reliably.

  Moreover, in the steam generator 1, the temperature of the 1st heat exchanger 3a is monitored by the control board 20 in each step of Fig.11 (a), and operation | movement of the circulation pump 13 is shown, for example in FIG. To be controlled. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, the temperature sensor 18 detects the temperature Ti of the first heat exchanger 3a (S201), and detects the detected temperature Ti and the reference temperature Ts preset in the microcomputer 40. In comparison, it is determined whether Ti <Ts (S202).

  If “YES” in this determination S202, that is, if the detected temperature Ti is lower than the reference temperature Ts, it is determined that the amount of hot water dissipated in the first heat exchanger 3a is an appropriate amount, and the control board 20 It is then determined whether or not there is a stop signal for the circulation pump 13 (S203). If “NO” in this determination S203, that is, if the steam generator 1 is in operation and the circulation pump 13 is operating, the process returns to step S201 to detect the temperature of the first heat exchanger 3a again. If “YES” in the determination S203, that is, if the operation of the steam generator 1 is stopped and the circulation pump 13 is stopped, the process proceeds to the step S108 and the program is ended.

  On the other hand, if “NO” in the determination S202, that is, if the detected temperature Ti of the first heat exchanger 3a is equal to or higher than the reference temperature Ts, the amount of hot water diffused to the first heat exchanger 3a Is abnormal, thereby determining that the temperature of the heat exchanger 3a has risen, and immediately performs an abnormal stop process (S204), and proceeds to step S108. The abnormal stop process S204 at this time is performed by, for example, outputting a stop signal to the circulation pump 13 or stopping the hot water supply device 29 or the blower fan 10, and the flow of the hot water caused by the suction failure of the circulation pump 13 is performed by this flow. It is possible to detect a decrease in the circulation amount.

  The above is the operation when “mist heating” is selected as the operation mode, but when the dry heating operation switch 47 is turned on with the remote controllers 30 and 31 and “dry heating” operation is selected as the operation mode. As shown in FIG. 11B, the hot water circulation process (S103) and the temperature control (S105) are performed without performing the water supply / circulation process in step S102 and the water level control in step S104 in FIG. 11 (a). To determine whether or not the dry heating operation switch 47 is turned off (S106). Further, the stop process in step S107 is performed by, for example, turning the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 26 “closed” after stopping the hot water supply apparatus 29 by a control signal from the control board 20.

  In this dry heating operation mode, hot water is supplied to the hot water supply pipes 5a and 5b connected in parallel between the first heat exchanger 3a and the second heat exchanger 3b, and thus flows through the ventilation path R1. The air can be heat-exchanged by the heat exchangers 3a and 3b to obtain hot air, and a predetermined amount of hot air can be efficiently obtained in a short time. In this dry heating operation mode, depending on the required hot air, only the first heat exchanger 3a or the heat exchangers 3a, 3b and the hot water heater 29 are connected by a switching valve. Of course, it is possible to supply hot water only to the second heat exchanger 3b and generate hot air only from the one heat exchanger 3a, 3b.

  Although not shown, when the drying operation switch 49 is turned on and the “drying” operation mode is selected, the ventilation fan motor 11a is activated in addition to the dry heating operation. In addition, when the ventilation operation switch 50 is turned on and the “ventilation” operation mode is selected, only the ventilation fan motor 11a is activated, and the inside of the bathroom 32 sucked from, for example, the suction port 8 of the main body case 2 is operated. Air flows through the ventilation path R2 and is exhausted from the ventilation duct 11b to the outside of the bathroom 32, whereby the inside of the bathroom 32 is ventilated. Further, during the ventilation operation, air is blown from the duct 59 into the space inside the bathtub apron 38 through the sheath pipe 58, so that the space is ventilated.

  Thus, in the steam generator 1 of the above-described embodiment, the drain pipe 24 that can be drained according to the principle of siphon is connected to the buffer tank 12 of the hot water circulation means 7, so that the conventional drain pipe 24 is connected to the drain pipe 24. It is not necessary to connect such a solenoid valve for drainage, the drainage structure can be simplified, and the steam generator 1 can be formed at low cost.

  In addition, since an electromagnetic valve for drainage is not required, overflow of hot water from the buffer tank 12 due to failure of the electromagnetic valve or the like can be prevented, and an overflow pipe 28 for preventing overflow of hot water is connected to the buffer tank 12. Therefore, even if the water level of the buffer tank 12 rises abnormally, it can be drained onto the waterproof pan by the overflow pipe 28. At this time, since the overflow pipe 28 is arranged separately from the drain pipe 24, even if the drain pipe 24 is clogged, the hot water overflowing from the buffer tank 12 is mechanically and It will be possible to drain reliably. As a result, even when the steam generator 1 is installed on the ceiling panel 34 of the bathroom 32, for example, it can be easily installed without worrying about leakage of hot water and the like.

  Furthermore, since the suction port 24a of the drain pipe 24 is located in the deepest recess 55 provided at the bottom of the buffer tank 12, the amount of hot water that cannot be sucked from the suction port 24a can be minimized, The remaining amount of hot water in the buffer tank 12 when the generator 1 is not used can be made extremely small. Further, the drainage pipe 24 and the overflow pipe 28 are accommodated in the sheath pipe 58 and arranged on the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron 38 from the ceiling portion of the bathroom 32, and air is blown into the space on the waterproof pan through the sheath pipe 58. Or, if the air is sucked into the space, it can be ventilated by blowing or sucking into the space inside the bathtub apron 38 where moisture tends to stay, and the generation of soot in the space is suppressed, etc. It becomes possible to always keep the inside of the bathroom 32 clean.

  Further, the first heat exchanger 3a for generating steam, in which a large number of fins 4a are connected by a hot water supply pipe 5a, and the first heat exchanger for generating hot water in which a large number of fins 4b are connected by a hot water supply pipe 5b. Since the second heat exchanger 3b is disposed in the main body case 2 in an inclined state and a horizontal state, for example, the hot air heat-exchanged by the second heat exchanger 3b for generating hot air can be used for steam generation. Steam and hot air can be efficiently generated, and the outer shape of the steam generator 1 can be formed thinly corresponding to the height of the inclined heat exchanger 3a. 1 can be more easily installed on the ceiling portion of the bathroom 32.

  Furthermore, since the control board 20 detects a suction failure of the circulation pump 13 based on the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 18 provided in the first heat exchanger 3a, For example, the steam generator 1 can be stopped abnormally by detecting a decrease in the circulation amount of hot water, and the safety of the device 1 itself can be improved. Further, as a sensor for detecting the amount of circulating hot water, for example, the apparatus 1 is stopped by detecting an abnormality in the heat exchanger 3a itself, or the apparatus 1 is stopped at a temperature at which a good dry state is obtained in the heat exchanger 3a. Since the temperature sensor 18 used at the time is used, the sensor mechanism can be simplified and the inexpensive steam generator 1 can be provided.

  In addition, since hot water for steam generation is circulated and used in the hot water circulation means 7, it is possible to obtain a steam generator 1 having an excellent energy saving effect, such as effective use of water (hot water), and steam. Since the generator 1 can be operated in four operation modes under the control of the control board 20, for example, clothes drying with dry hot air (during dry operation) with one device, bathroom heating with mist hot air (mist heating) In operation, bathroom heating with dry warm air (during dry heating operation) and ventilation in the bathroom (ventilation operation) can be performed, and the usability and operability of the apparatus 1 can be improved.

  In the above-described embodiment, the case where one ventilation path R1 is provided in the main body case 2 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, a plurality of (for example, two) ventilation paths are provided in the main body case 2. It is good also as a structure which provides a path | route. That is, in the main body case 2, the first heat exchanger 3 a is inclined and the second heat exchanger 3 b is disposed in a horizontal state, and the blower fan 10 is disposed on the right side of the second heat exchanger 3 b. A blower outlet 9 is provided below the blower fan 10 of the grill plate 2a, and a pair of suction ports 8 are provided below the first heat exchanger 3a and the second heat exchanger 3b of the grill plate 2a. Inside, a first ventilation path extending from one suction port 8 → the first heat exchanger 3 a → the blower fan 10 → the blowout port 9, and the other suction port 8 → the second heat exchanger 3 b → the blower fan 120. → A second ventilation path leading to the air outlet 9 is formed.

  In this embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the above embodiment, the first ventilation path passing through the first heat exchanger 3a and the second passage passing through the second heat exchanger 3b are obtained. Since it has a ventilation path, the air passing through the heat exchanger 3a when steam is generated by the first heat exchanger 3a, or both heat exchangers 3a and 3b when hot air is generated by the heat exchangers 3a and 3b. The pressure loss of the air that passes through each of the two heat exchangers 3a and 3b can be reduced, and the effects such as more efficient use of both heat exchangers 3a and 3b can be obtained.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, although the steam generator 1 was installed on the ceiling panel 34 of the bathroom 32, for example, a corner part of the ceiling panel 34 and the wall panel 35 (the ceiling part including this corner part and the ceiling panel 34). Of course, it is also possible to install it inside the counter 53 of the washing place as shown by a two-dot chain line in FIG. Further, in each of the above embodiments, the shape of the main body case 2, the overall shape of the buffer tank 12, the shape of the suction port 8 and the outlet 9 of the grill plate 2a, the shape and the like, the arrangement positions of various sensors, etc. The form of the exchangers 3a and 3b itself is an example, and an appropriate configuration can be adopted without departing from the gist of each invention according to the present invention.

  The present invention can be applied not only to a bathroom such as a system bathroom but also to a steam generator such as a sauna room or a shower room.

1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a basic structure of an embodiment of a steam generator according to the present invention. The perspective view Schematic perspective view showing the installation state in the bathroom Conceptual diagram showing the specific structure of the steam generator Perspective view showing the basic structure of the heat exchanger Configuration diagram of the buffer tank The enlarged sectional view of the principal part Configuration diagram showing a modification of the buffer tank portion Block diagram of the control system of the steam generator Explanation of each operation mode Flow chart showing basic operation in each operation mode The flowchart showing the specific operation The flowchart which shows the other example of the same specific operation The flowchart which shows further another example of the specific operation

Explanation of symbols

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Steam generator, 2 ... Main body case, 3a ... 1st heat exchanger, 3b ... 2nd heat exchanger, 4a, 4b ... Fin, 5a, 5b ... -Hot water supply pipe, 6 ... hot water jet pipe, 7 ... hot water circulation means, 8 ... suction port, 9 ... air outlet, 10 ... blower fan, 11 ... ventilation fan, 12 ... Buffer tank, 13 ... Circulation pump, 15 ... Float switch, 16 ... Water temperature sensor, 18 ... Temperature sensor, 19 ... Louver, 20 ... Control board (control means) 21 ... Reception / display board, 23 ... Water supply piping, 24 ... Drainage piping, 24a ... Suction port, 24c ... Drainage port, 25 ... Water supply solenoid valve, 26 ... Hot water solenoid valve, 29 ... Hot water heater, 30 ... Wireless remote control, 31 ... Wired remote control, 32 ... Bathroom, 3 ... ceiling panel, 55 ... deepest recesses, 58 ... sheath tube, h1 ... normal water level, h2 ... drainage water, h3 ... abnormal water level.

Claims (6)

  A heat exchanger provided with heating means and capable of generating steam by dissipating hot water, and recovering the hot water dissipated in the heat exchanger into the tank and pumping up the hot water in the tank with a circulation pump to heat again A steam generator characterized by comprising hot water circulating means to be diffused into the exchanger and drainage means capable of draining hot water in a tank of the hot water circulating means by the principle of siphon.   The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the tank is provided with overflow means for preventing overflow of hot water.   The steam generator according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the suction port of the drainage means is located in the deepest recess provided in the bottom of the tank.   The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a control unit that detects abnormality of the pump based on a temperature of the heat exchanger.   A second heat exchanger having a heating means and capable of generating warm air is provided, and the second heat exchanger and the heat exchanger are connected to a plurality of fins by a hot water supply pipe as a heating means. The second heat exchanger is disposed in a case in a substantially horizontal state and the heat exchanger is inclined, and the case is installed on a ceiling portion of a bathroom. The steam generator according to any one of claims 1 to 4.   Whether at least one of the drainage means and the overflow means is accommodated in a sheath pipe and is arranged on the waterproof pan inside the bathtub apron from the ceiling of the bathroom, and is blown into the space on the waterproof pan through the sheath pipe Alternatively, the steam generator according to claim 5, wherein a space is sucked.

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