JP2006158629A - Sauna bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a sauna bath deice for facilitating the perspiration of a user in a bathroom by heating or humidifying the bathroom, capable of achieving the resource saving and energy saving by efficiently vaporizing water and spraying the water as fine mist to the bathroom while inhibiting the cost increase, upsizing, and deterioration in the sanitation. <P>SOLUTION: The sauna bath device comprises a high-temperature gas generating means 21 for generating overheat steam HS as high-temperature gas by overheating water W, a gas pathway 22 for guiding the high-temperature gas HS generated by the high-temperature gas generating means 21 to the bathroom, and a water spray means 30 for spraying water to the high-temperature gas HS flowing in the gas pathway 22. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a sauna device that heats and humidifies a bathroom and promotes sweating by a user in the bathroom.

  By heating and humidifying the bathroom in the home as described above, it is possible to obtain a good sweating action for the user in the bathroom, and as a sauna apparatus that can promote beauty and health, the bathroom air Is heated by a heat exchanger in which hot water circulates between the hot water heater and the hot water of about 40 ° C. to about 50 ° C. supplied from the hot water heater while blowing hot air of about 40 ° C. into the bathroom. There is known a mist sauna device configured to be vaporized by blowing it into a bathroom as a mist (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Further, in such a mist sauna device, in order to make the mist blown into the bathroom very fine, the mist is made fine by blowing the mist to the heat exchanger and vaporizing, and the fine mist is heated with warm air. At the same time, it may be configured to blow into the bathroom (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

JP 2001-276170 A JP-A-8-103480

  In the sauna apparatus as described above, the vaporization efficiency of the mist blown out in the bathroom or heat exchanger is not so good, and a part of the mist is condensed and dripped and drained as water without being supplied to the bathroom. Therefore, in order to sufficiently increase the humidity of the bathroom, a relatively large amount of water and energy are required.

  In addition, in order to improve resource saving and energy saving, it is conceivable that the water that has been drained is reused by blowing it back into the bathroom as a mist. Furthermore, since there are problems such as sanitary deterioration, it is difficult to realize.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and its purpose is to efficiently evaporate water while suppressing cost increase, enlargement and sanitary deterioration as a fine mist in the bathroom. It is in the point which implement | achieves the sauna apparatus which can achieve resource saving and energy saving by blowing in.

In order to achieve the above object, a sauna apparatus according to the present invention is a sauna apparatus that heats and humidifies a bathroom and promotes sweating by a user in the bathroom. The first feature of the sauna apparatus is to overheat water. High temperature gas generating means for generating superheated steam as a high temperature gas,
A gas path for guiding the hot gas generated by the hot gas generating means to the bathroom;
It is in the point provided with the water blowing means which blows off water to the said high temperature gas which distribute | circulates the said gas path.

According to the first characteristic configuration, in the gas path leading from the high temperature gas generation means to the bathroom, the high temperature gas generated by the high temperature gas generation means as a high temperature gas (for example, within a range of about 100 ° C. or more and 115 ° C. or less). The temperature of the superheated steam is within a temperature range suitable for heating the bathroom by blowing water at a relatively low temperature (for example, room temperature) to the superheated steam of preferably about 110 ° C.). The temperature can be lowered (for example, within a range of about 48 ° C. to 70 ° C., preferably about 60 ° C.), and the bathroom can be appropriately heated.
Furthermore, in the water blowing means, the blown water is vaporized with a very high vaporization efficiency with high-temperature superheated steam to form a very fine mist, and the fine mist is blown into the bathroom together with the superheated steam, and the bathroom is It can be humidified well.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there are no problems such as high cost, large size and sanitary deterioration, and water is efficiently vaporized and blown into the bathroom as a fine mist, thereby saving resources and energy. A sauna device that can be achieved can be realized.

The second characteristic configuration of the sauna apparatus according to the present invention includes a heat exchanger that generates water by heating water by heat exchange with a heating heat medium that circulates between the hot water heater and the hot water heater.
The high temperature gas generating means is constituted by an electric heater that superheats hot water supplied from the heat exchanger.

According to the said 2nd characteristic structure, further energy saving can be achieved by comprising a heat exchanger as mentioned above and comprising a high temperature gas production | generation means with an electric heater.
That is, the heat exchanger exchanges heat with a heating medium of about 80 ° C. that circulates between the hot water heater and the heater and relatively high temperature (for example, a range of about 60 ° C. or more and 80 ° C. or less). (Preferably about 80 ° C.), and the superheated steam can be generated by heating the hot water with relatively little power consumption by the electric heater as the high temperature gas generating means. Furthermore, since the heat exchanger and the electric heater are relatively small, they can be easily installed in the vicinity of the bathroom, and the gas path from the heat exchanger or the electric heater to the bathroom can be as much as possible. The heat loss when conveying warm water or superheated steam from the heat exchanger or the electric heater to the bathroom can be suppressed by shortening.

  A third characteristic configuration of the sauna apparatus according to the present invention is that the water blowing means is configured by a venturi portion in which the diameter of the gas passage is reduced and a nozzle portion that guides water to the venturi portion.

According to the third characteristic configuration, by configuring the water blowing means with the venturi portion and the nozzle portion, water can be vaporized more efficiently and blown into the bathroom as a finer mist. Furthermore, further energy saving can be achieved.
That is, when the superheated steam generated by the high temperature gas generating means passes at high speed through the venturi section whose diameter is reduced in gas path, a stable pressure drop phenomenon as a venturi effect in the nozzle section provided in the venturi section. Therefore, the superheated steam that passes through the venturi part is made to blow out water from the nozzle part well, and the water is efficiently vaporized by the high-temperature superheated steam that passes through the water at a high speed, so that the bathroom becomes a finer mist. Can be blown out.
Further, since water can be blown from the nozzle part to the venturi part without the need for a power source such as a pump, it can be easily installed in the vicinity of the bathroom, and the gas path from the venturi part to the bathroom is connected to the venturi part. The heat loss from the venturi part to the bathroom can be suppressed by making it as short as possible.

The fourth characteristic configuration of the sauna device according to the present invention is a high temperature gas generating means for generating a high temperature gas,
A gas path for guiding the hot gas generated by the hot gas generating means to the bathroom;
Water blowing means for blowing water to the high-temperature gas flowing through the gas path,
The water blowing means is composed of a venturi portion in which the diameter of the gas passage is reduced and a nozzle portion that guides water to the venturi portion.

  According to the fourth characteristic configuration, the high-temperature gas generated by the high-temperature gas generation means in the third characteristic configuration is high-temperature gas including high-temperature air generated by heating air in a bathroom or the like in addition to superheated steam. Even if there is, the same effect as the third characteristic configuration can be exhibited, water can be efficiently vaporized, and it can be blown into the bathroom as a fine mist, and further energy saving can be achieved. it can.

That is, in the gas path leading from the high temperature gas generating means to the bathroom, the high temperature gas generated by the high temperature gas generating means is relatively high temperature (for example, in the range of about 100 ° C. to 115 ° C., preferably about 110 ° C.). In addition, by blowing out water at a relatively low temperature (for example, room temperature) by the water blowing means, the temperature of the high-temperature gas is within a temperature range appropriate for heating the bathroom (for example, about 48 ° C. or more and about 70 ° C. or less). Within a range of preferably 60 ° C.), and the bathroom can be heated appropriately.
Furthermore, in the water blowing means, the blown water is vaporized with a high temperature gas with a very high vaporization efficiency to form an extremely fine mist, and the fine mist is blown into the bathroom together with the high temperature gas to improve the bathroom. Can be humidified.
Furthermore, by configuring the water blowing means with the venturi portion and the nozzle portion, water can be vaporized more efficiently and blown into the bathroom as a finer mist, and further savings can be achieved. Energization can be achieved.
That is, when the high-temperature gas generated by the high-temperature gas generating means passes through the venturi part formed by constricting the gas passage at high speed, a stable pressure as a venturi effect in the nozzle part provided in the venturi part Since a drop phenomenon occurs, the high temperature gas passing through the venturi section is made to blow water well from the nozzle, and the water is vaporized more efficiently by the high temperature gas passing at high speed, so that it becomes a finer mist in the bathroom. Can blow out.
Moreover, since water can be blown out from the nozzle part without requiring a power source such as a pump, it can be easily installed in the vicinity of the bathroom, and the gas path from the venturi part to the bathroom is as short as possible. And the heat loss from a venturi part to a bathroom can be suppressed.
Therefore, according to the present invention, there are no problems such as high cost, large size and sanitary deterioration, and water is efficiently vaporized and blown into the bathroom as a fine mist, thereby saving resources and energy. A sauna device that can be achieved can be realized.

  The fifth characteristic configuration of the sauna apparatus according to the present invention is that an adjustment valve capable of adjusting the amount of water blown by the water blowing means is provided.

  According to the fifth characteristic configuration, the amount of mist blown into the bathroom and the water blown out by adjusting the amount of low-temperature water blown into the high-temperature gas in the water blow-out means described above by the adjustment valve. Thus, the temperature of the hot gas whose temperature is lowered can be adjusted to an appropriate value that can provide a comfortable sweating action for the user.

  The 6th characteristic structure of the sauna apparatus which concerns on this invention exists in the point provided with the functional water supply part which can supply functional water as water to the said water blowing means.

According to the sixth characteristic configuration, the functional water supply unit mixes water mixed with an additive having a function such as a relaxing and skin-beautifying effect such as an aroma essence (such as aromatic oil) or a herbal extract, Functional water having a specific function for the human body, such as water generated by treating water such as electrolyzed water having a function such as an effect of oxidizing effect, is blown into a high-temperature gas in the water blowing means. Since it can be vaporized with extremely high vaporization efficiency and blown into the bathroom as a very fine mist, the user can efficiently bathe the body with fine functional water mist and obtain the effect of the functional water Can do.
In addition, since functional water is blown into the bathroom as a very efficient fine mist in this way, it is possible to reduce the amount of storage as much as possible and suppress the increase in size due to the structure for storing functional water. it can.
Moreover, in order to produce | generate the said functional water, if it comprises so that an additive may be mixed with a tap water or a tap water may be processed, the enlargement can be suppressed further.

FIG. 1 shows a state of a bathroom 1 in which a sauna apparatus 50 according to the present invention is installed.
The bathroom 1 has a bathtub 6 and a washing place 7, and hot water is applied to the bathtub 6 so that the body can be washed in the washing place 7.

A ventilation fan 4 for ventilating the bathroom 1 is provided above the side wall of the bathroom 1, and the ventilation fan 4 is controlled by a control device 40 including a computer provided in a sauna device 50 described later.
Further, a bathroom unit 20 whose operation is controlled by the control device 40 of the sauna device 50 and a remote controller 10 that gives a driving instruction to the control device 40 are provided on the side wall of the bathroom 1.
Although not shown, the remote controller 10 includes a display unit that displays information in a state that can be recognized by the user 70, an operation unit in which buttons and the like for the user 70 to operate are arranged, and the like. Yes.

  The above is the schematic configuration of the bathroom 1, and the details of the sauna device 50 that enables the bathroom 1 to be used as a sauna space will be described below.

  The sauna device 50 includes a bathroom unit 20 installed in a lower part of the inner side wall of the bathroom 1 (for example, a lower part of the height of the bathroom 1 and specifically a sleeve part of a washing counter). Furthermore, the hot water heater 45 that can supply hot water for hot water supply or hot water for heating (an example of a heating medium) to the bathroom unit 20 in addition to the bathtub 6 and the hot water tap, and the operation of the bathroom unit 20 and the hot water heater 45. The control apparatus 40 etc. which control a state are provided.

  Then, when the sauna operation start button of the remote controller 10 is pressed, the control device 40 operates the sauna device 50 to execute the sauna operation for heating and humidifying the bathroom 1, and the user who is in the bathroom 1. It is configured to encourage 70 perspiration.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the bathroom unit 20 of the sauna apparatus 50 includes an electric heater 21 configured as a high-temperature gas generation unit that superheats water W and generates superheated steam HS as a high-temperature gas, and an electric heater 21. A gas path 22 that guides the generated superheated steam HS to the bathroom 1 and water blowing means 30 that blows water W to the superheated steam HS that flows through the gas path 22 are provided.

  That is, when the sauna operation is executed, in the gas passage 22 leading from the electric heater 21 to the bathroom 1, the relatively hot superheated steam HS of about 110 ° C. generated by the electric heater 21 is compared with the normal temperature by the water blowing means 30. The low-temperature water W is cooled by being blown out, and becomes a water vapor S of about 60 ° C. suitable for heating the bathroom 1, and the water vapor S is blown into the bathroom 1 so that the bathroom 1 is appropriate. To be heated.

  On the other hand, when the sauna operation is performed, the water W blown by the water blowing means 30 is vaporized with a very high vaporization efficiency by the high-temperature superheated steam HS to become an extremely fine mist M, and the mist M is relatively warm. By being blown into the bathroom 1 together with the water vapor S, the mist M is further vaporized in the bathroom 1 and the bathroom 1 is well humidified.

  Hereinafter, a further detailed configuration of the sauna device 50 will be described with reference to FIG.

The bathroom unit 20 of the sauna apparatus 50 is provided with a heat exchanger 24 that heats the water W by heat exchange with the hot water HC for heating circulated between the hot water heater 45 and generates the hot water HW. Furthermore, the electric heater 21 is configured to overheat the hot water HW supplied from the heat exchanger 24.
That is, the hot water HC for heating heated to, for example, about 80 ° C. by the hot water heater 45 circulates between the hot water heater 45 and the heat exchanger 24 provided in the bathroom unit 20, and in the heat exchanger 24. The water W is heated by the heat exchange with the heating hot water HC to generate, for example, about 75 ° C. hot water HC.
Then, the hot water HC generated by the heat exchanger 24 is supplied to the electric heater 21, and the electric heater 21 is overheated with relatively little power consumption to generate the superheated steam HS having a temperature of about 110 ° C., for example. .

  Furthermore, since the heat exchanger 24 and the electric heater 21 are relatively small, the heat exchanger 24 and the electric heater 21 are easily built in the bathroom unit 20 installed on the bathroom 1 side. The gas path 22 up to 1 is designed to be relatively short, and heat loss in the gas path 22 is suppressed.

  In addition, as a high temperature gas production | generation means which superheats water W and produces | generates superheated steam HS as a high temperature gas, it replaces with this electric heater 21, and the boiler which burns gas and superheats water W and produces | generates superheated steam HS. Other configurations such as the above may be provided.

Further, the heat exchanger 24 is omitted, for example, hot water generated by the hot water heater 45 is supplied to high-temperature gas generation means such as the electric heater 21, and the hot water is superheated by the high-temperature gas generation means to superheat steam HS. May be generated.
Furthermore, you may comprise so that a high temperature gas production | generation means may produce superheated steam by superheating low temperature tap water instead of warm water.

  The water blowing means 32 includes a venturi section 31 in which the diameter of the gas passage 22 through which the superheated steam HS as the high-temperature gas flows is reduced (that is, constricted), and a nozzle section 31 that guides water to the venturi section 31. It is configured.

  That is, since the superheated steam HS passes through the venturi section 31 at a high speed, a stable pressure drop phenomenon as a venturi effect occurs in the nozzle section 32 provided in the venturi section 31, and the overheat passing through the venturi section 31 is generated. Water W is blown out well from the nozzle part 32 to the steam HS. Therefore, the water W is vaporized more efficiently by the high-temperature superheated steam HS passing at high speed, and a finer mist M is generated and blown out into the bathroom 1.

  Further, the water blowing means 30 constituted by the venturi part 31 and the nozzle part 32 is also relatively small, so that it is easily built in the bathroom unit 20 installed on the bathroom 1 side, and the bathroom part 20 is connected to the bathroom from the venturi part 31. The gas path 22 up to 1 is designed to be relatively short, and heat loss in the gas path 22 is suppressed.

An adjustment valve 33 capable of adjusting the amount of water W blown by the water blowing means 32 is provided in a water supply pipe 34 that communicates with the nozzle portion 32 of the water blowing means 30.
That is, the amount of the mist M blown into the bathroom 1 is adjusted by adjusting the opening degree of the adjustment valve 33 by the control device 40 and adjusting the amount of water W blown to the superheated steam HS by the water blowing means 30. In the form in which the temperature of the water vapor S whose temperature has decreased due to the water W being blown out is set to an arbitrary temperature set by the remote controller 10, for example, it is possible to obtain a comfortable sweating action for the user 70. Can be adjusted to anything.

Further, the bathroom unit 20 is provided with a functional water supply unit 60 capable of supplying the functional water W1 as the water W blown by the water blowing means 30.
As shown in FIG. 3, the functional water supply unit 60 introduces the water W supplied from the water supply side water supply pipe 36 leading to the water supply side into the hermetic mixing chamber 61, as well as an aroma essence and a herbal extract. As described above, the additive A is introduced into the mixing chamber 61 from the additive supply pipe 66 leading to the additive storage tank 65 in which the liquid additive A having functions such as relaxation and skin beautification is stored. In 61, it is comprised so that the functional water W1 which added the additive A to the water W may be produced | generated, and the functional water W1 may be supplied to the water supply pipe 34 which leads to the water blowing means 30.

Specifically, the water supply pipe 34 is inserted to the bottom of the mixing chamber 61, and the water supply pipe 36 and the additive supply pipe 66 are connected to the upper surface.
Furthermore, the mixing chamber 61 accommodates a float 62 that floats in the functional water W1 supported in a vertically swingable manner about the shaft 62a and is stored in the mixing chamber 61. The opening of the water supply side water supply pipe 36 is opened and closed by a water side opening / closing valve 63 that swings in the direction, and the additive supply is similarly performed by an additive side opening / closing valve 64 that swings up and down by the swing of the float 62. The opening of the tube 66 is opened and closed.

  Accordingly, in the mixing chamber 61, as the float 62 moves downward, an appropriate amount of water W and additive A are supplied from the water supply side water supply pipe 36 and the additive supply pipe 66. Thus, an appropriate amount of functional water W1 is always stored, and the functional water W1 can be supplied to the nozzle portion 32 of the water blowing means 30 via the water supply pipe 34.

  Moreover, the said additive storage tank 65 is provided detachably with respect to the bathroom unit 20, for example, and is comprised so that the additive A can be replenished easily.

  The functional water supply unit 60 does not generate the functional water W1 by mixing the additive A with the water W supplied from the water supply side, but stores the functional water W1 generated in advance in the tank, You may comprise so that the functional water W1 may be supplied as the water W blown by the water blowing means 30. FIG. Further, the functional water supply unit 60 may be configured to supply the electrolyzed water generated by electrolyzing the water W as the water W blown out by the water blowing means 30 as the functional water W1.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the sauna device 50 is configured to blow warm air into the bathroom 1, and has a blowout opening 12, a suction opening 13 that opens into the bathroom 1, and a suction opening at the ceiling of the bathroom 1. 13 is heated by heat exchange between the fan 16 for blowing the air of the bathroom 1 sucked from the air outlet 13 through the air outlet 12 and the hot water circulating between the hot water heater 45 and the air sent from the air inlet 13 to the air outlet 12. The heat exchanger 17 is provided.

And the control apparatus 40 can further heat the bathroom 1 by operating the said fan 16 and the heat exchanger 17 at the time of sauna operation execution, and blowing out warm air from the said blower outlet 12 to the bathroom 1. .
In addition, about the structure for blowing out warm air to this bathroom 1, you may abbreviate | omitting suitably.

[Another embodiment]
(1) Although the bathroom unit 20 is installed below the side wall of the bathroom 1 in the above embodiment, the bathroom unit 20 may be installed at an arbitrary position such as above the side wall of the bathroom 1 or the ceiling.

(2) In the above embodiment, when the water blowing means 30 is constituted by the venturi part 31 and the nozzle part 32, the superheated steam HS generated by the high temperature gas generating means constituted by the electric heater 21 is generated. The high temperature gas generating means is different from the superheated steam HS, for example, another high temperature gas such as high temperature air generated by heating the air in the bathroom 1 or the like. May be configured so that the high temperature gas passes through the venturi section 31.

  The present invention is a sauna apparatus that heats and humidifies a bathroom and promotes sweating by a user in the bathroom, and efficiently supplies water while suppressing an increase in cost, an increase in size, and a deterioration in hygiene. It can be applied as a sauna device for achieving resource saving and energy saving by being vaporized and blown out into the bathroom as a fine mist.

The figure which shows the state of the bathroom provided with the sauna apparatus Schematic configuration diagram of sauna equipment Schematic configuration diagram of functional water supply unit

Explanation of symbols

1: Bathroom 21: Electric heater (high temperature gas generating means)
22: Gas passage 31: Venturi section 30: Water blowing means 32: Nozzle section 33: Adjustment valve 45: Hot water heater 50: Sauna device 60: Functional water supply section W: Water W1: Functional water HS: Superheated steam (high temperature gas )
HW: Hot water

Claims (6)

A sauna device that heats and humidifies a bathroom and promotes sweating by a user in the bathroom,
High-temperature gas generating means for heating water to generate superheated steam as a high-temperature gas;
A gas path for guiding the hot gas generated by the hot gas generating means to the bathroom;
The sauna apparatus provided with the water blowing means which blows off water to the said high temperature gas which distribute | circulates the said gas path. A heat exchanger that generates hot water by heating water by heat exchange with a heating heat medium that circulates between the hot water heater and heater,
The sauna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high-temperature gas generating unit is configured by an electric heater that superheats hot water supplied from the heat exchanger.   3. The sauna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the water blowing means includes a venturi portion in which the diameter of the gas passage is reduced, and a nozzle portion that guides water to the venturi portion. A sauna device that heats and humidifies a bathroom and promotes sweating by a user in the bathroom,
Hot gas generating means for generating hot gas;
A gas path for guiding the hot gas generated by the hot gas generating means to the bathroom;
Water blowing means for blowing water to the high-temperature gas flowing through the gas path,
The sauna apparatus in which the water blowing means is composed of a venturi portion in which the diameter of the gas passage is reduced and a nozzle portion that guides water to the venturi portion.   The sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-4 provided with the adjustment valve which can adjust the amount of water blowing by the said water blowing means.   The sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1-5 provided with the functional water supply part which can supply functional water as water to the said water blowing means.

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