JP2006191946A - Mist sauna apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mist sauna apparatus which prevents spray water from dropping out of a spray nozzle while spraying by improving heat exchange ratio of the spray water. <P>SOLUTION: The mist sauna apparatus 1A generates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water as mist from one or more spray nozzles 4 arranged in a bathroom 17. The mist sauna apparatus comprises a spray water supply conduit 3 for supplying stored hot water heated by a heat source 15 and stored in a hot-water storing tank 2 to the spray nozzle 4 using the internal pressure of the hot-water storing tank 2, a pressure sensor 9 for detecting the water pressure of the hot-water sprayed from the spray nozzle 4, a three-way solenoid valve 10 arranged on the spray water supply conduit 3 for blocking the spray water supply conduit 3, and a control apparatus 13 for determining whether the water pressure detected by the pressure sensor 9 is lower than a predetermined value or not and for making the three-way solenoid valve 10 to block the spray water supply conduit 3 when the detected water pressure is determined to be lower than the predetermined value. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist sauna device that creates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water into a mist in a bathroom.

  In recent years, saunas and half-body baths that can be enjoyed at the time of bathing have attracted attention as health and beauty-consciousness grows. Responding to consumer needs to enjoy a full-fledged sauna at home, home-use mist saunas have been commercialized and are becoming popular. Mist saunas can be roughly classified into two types: hot water supply direct use method and liquid-liquid heat exchange method.

  FIG. 12 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mist sauna apparatus 100 that employs a hot water supply direct use system. A mist sauna apparatus 100 that employs a hot water supply direct use system heats the bathroom 101 by directly spraying hot water heated by the water heater 103 from a spray nozzle 102 installed on the ceiling of the bathroom 101. In this mist sauna apparatus 100, since hot water is sprayed directly, there exists an advantage with little heat exchange loss (for example, refer patent document 1).

  FIG. 13 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mist sauna apparatus 200 that employs a liquid-liquid heat exchange system. The mist sauna apparatus 200 adopting the liquid-liquid heat exchange system has a spray device mounted in a bathroom heating unit 203 that supplies heating water to a heater 202 installed in a bathroom 201, and water supplied from a water supply source 204. Is heated indirectly by the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 205 in the bathroom heating unit 203 and sprayed from the spray nozzle 206 installed on the ceiling of the bathroom 201. Since the water for mist is heated using the warm water for heating, there is an advantage that there is no restriction on the minimum operating flow rate and the amount of spray water can be reduced (for example, see Patent Document 2).

JP-A-8-131507 JP 2000-237273 A

However, the conventional mist sauna devices 100 and 200 have the following problems.
In other words, the mist sauna device 100 adopting the hot water supply direct use system is connected to the hot water heater 103 to make mist, so that the minimum operating flow rate (about 5 L / min) necessary to turn on the hot water heater 103 is secured. I had to. In general, mist sauna equipment can efficiently create heat in the mist sauna environment by spraying hot water at 1 liter per minute, but when using a hot water supply direct use system, it is 4 liters per minute. Running water was wasted and the running cost was high.
In addition, the mist sauna apparatus 200 that employs the liquid-liquid heat exchange system requires a separate apparatus such as the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 205, and thus the equipment cost is high and the structure is complicated.

  In contrast, hot water heated by collecting exhaust heat generated by the generator of the cogeneration system or hot water heated by an electric water heater is stored in a hot water storage tank, and sprayed to the hot water storage tank via a pipe. A technique for spraying hot water from a spray nozzle by connecting a nozzle is also conceivable. According to this technique, there is no minimum flow rate restriction as in the hot water supply direct use method, and the running cost can be reduced. Further, since there is no need to provide the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 205 unlike the liquid-liquid heat exchange system, the structure is simple and the equipment cost can be reduced.

  However, in the case of the hot water supply direct use method or the liquid-liquid heat exchange method, the spray water is sprayed using the original pressure of the water supply sources 104 and 204. In the hot water storage tank method, the spray water is used using the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank. Spray. The hot water storage tank stores hot water by reducing the original pressure with a decompression pump or the like from the viewpoint of controlling the flow rate of hot water and pressure resistance. Therefore, when the water pressure or flow rate of the spray water is insufficient to spray the spray water in a mist form, the heat exchange efficiency between the spray water and air decreases, or high temperature spray water is dropped from the spray nozzle and used. There is a risk of burns.

  Moreover, the hot water storage tank does not always store hot water stored at a predetermined temperature, and when the heat is insufficient, the spray water must be heated by a hot water heater. In this case, the same problem as in the hot water supply direct use method occurs. Even if the water heater is replaced with a liquid-liquid heat exchanger, the heater 202, the bathroom heating unit 203, the heat exchanger 205, etc. must be driven, which is not economical and energy efficient.

In order to solve the above problems, a first object of the present invention is to provide a mist sauna device that can improve the heat exchange ratio of spray water and prevent the spray water from dripping from the spray nozzle during spraying. And
Moreover, this invention makes it the 2nd objective to provide the mist sauna apparatus which can suppress the quantity of water of spray water and can improve economical efficiency and energy saving property.

The mist sauna apparatus according to the present invention has the following configuration in order to achieve the first object.
(1) In a mist sauna device that creates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water in a mist form from one or more spray nozzles attached to the bathroom, hot water stored in a hot water storage tank heated by a heat source, Spray water supply piping that supplies the spray nozzle using the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank, state detection means that detects the water pressure or flow rate of hot water sprayed from the spray nozzle, and spray water supply that is disposed on the spray water supply piping A shut-off means for shutting off the piping and a shut-off means for judging whether or not the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detecting means is smaller than a predetermined value and causing the shut-off means to shut off the spray water supply pipe when it is judged to be smaller than the predetermined value. And a control means.

(2) In the invention described in (1), when the state detection means detects the water pressure, the shutoff control means causes the shutoff means to shut off the spray water supply pipe, and then the water pressure detected by the state detection means. When the pressure becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the blocking of the spray water supply pipe by the blocking means is released.

(3) The invention described in (1) is characterized by having drainage means for draining the spray water to the drain pipe when the shut-off means shuts off the spray water supply pipe.

(4) In the invention described in (3), the drainage means switches between two positions: a first position where the spray water supply pipe is connected to the spray nozzle and a second position where the spray water supply pipe is connected to the drain pipe. It is determined whether the water pressure or flow rate detected by the flow path switching means and the state detection means is smaller than a predetermined value. When it is determined that the water pressure or flow rate is not smaller than the predetermined value, the flow path switching means is switched to the first position, And switching control means for switching the flow rate switching means to the second position when judged to be smaller.

(5) In the invention described in (3) or (4), the drain pipe is connected to a hot water storage tank.

(6) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (5), when the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detection means becomes smaller than a predetermined value, the water pressure / flow rate is displayed to indicate that the water pressure or the flow rate is insufficient. It has a shortage display means.

(7) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (6), the temperature adjustment for adjusting the temperature of the spray water so that the low temperature spray water and the high temperature spray water are sprayed from the spray nozzle at predetermined intervals. It has the means.

(8) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (7), a remaining hot water amount detecting means for detecting a remaining hot water amount in the hot water storage tank is provided, and the shutoff control means is a remaining amount detected by the remaining hot water amount detecting means. When the amount of hot water is equal to or less than a predetermined amount, the blocking means is configured to block the spray water supply pipe.

(9) The invention described in (8) is characterized by having hot water display means for displaying hot water shortage when the remaining hot water amount detected by the remaining hot water amount detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount.

(10) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (9), the heat source is a generator of a cogeneration system or an electric water heater.

(11) In a mist sauna device that creates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water from one or more spray nozzles attached to the bathroom into a mist sauna environment, the spray nozzle is connected to a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, Spray water supply pipe for supplying hot water to the spray nozzle, heating means disposed on the spray water supply pipe, branch from the hot water supply pipe downstream of the heating means, and connected to the top of the hot water storage tank A hot water recovery pipe is provided on the downstream side of the heating means, and a diversion means for diverting the hot water heated by the heating means to the spray nozzle and the hot water recovery pipe.

(12) In the invention described in (11), the hot water storage temperature detecting means for detecting the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank is compared with the hot water storage temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detecting means and the set temperature of the spray water. When the temperature is lower than the set temperature of water, the heating means has heating control means for heating the hot water stored in the spray water supply pipe.

(13) In the invention described in (11) or (12), the flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of the spray water flowing through the spray water supply pipe, and the flow dividing means is based on the detection result of the flow rate detection means. It has the diversion control means which determines the ratio which diverts spray water to a warm water collection | recovery piping, It is characterized by the above-mentioned.

(14) In the invention according to any one of (11) to (13), the hot water storage tank is included in a cogeneration system that supplies both heat and electric power, and the spray water supply pipe is a hot water storage tank. A water supply source is connected to the top of the exhaust, and the heat recovery pipe is provided with a heat exchanger that exchanges heat with the generator of the cogeneration system, and it branches from the heat recovery pipe between the heat exchanger and the hot water storage tank. And connected to the spray nozzle, and the supply pipe in which the heating means and the diversion means are sequentially arranged from the upstream side, and the exhaust heat recovery pipe branches from the upstream side of the heat exchanger, and the bottom of the hot water storage tank Hot water storage for detecting the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank, including a water supply pipe connected to the exhaust pipe and a supply pipe branched from the exhaust heat recovery pipe upstream from the water supply pipe and connected upstream from the heating means to the supply pipe With temperature detection means The hot water storage temperature on the supply pipe is compared with the set temperature of the spray water, and the hot water storage temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means is arranged on the supply pipe upstream of the supply pipe. An opening / closing control means for opening the common pipe in the opening / closing means when the temperature is higher than the set temperature, and closing the common pipe in the opening / closing means when the hot water storage temperature is lower than the set temperature of the spray water. To do.

(15) In the invention described in (14), the replenishment pipe is disposed at a connection portion connected to the common pipe, and the high temperature water supplied from the opening / closing means and the low temperature water supplied from the replenishment pipe are mixed. And a temperature adjusting means for adjusting the spray water to a set temperature.

(16) In the invention according to any one of (1) to (15), in the mist sauna device according to any one of claims 1 to 15, the flow rate of the spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle. Spray amount storage means for detecting and storing the fuel at predetermined intervals, operation time storage means for storing the operation time of the mist sauna device, and data stored in the spray amount storage means and the operation time storage means are averaged. A usage pattern predicting means for predicting the usage pattern of the mist sauna device on the prediction target date, and a hot water storage pattern determining means for determining a hot water storage pattern to be stored in the hot water storage tank on the prediction target date based on the usage pattern predicted by the prediction means It is characterized by having.

Next, the effect of the mist sauna apparatus which has the said structure is demonstrated.
The spray nozzle is connected to the hot water storage tank via the hot water storage supply pipe, and sprays the hot water in a mist state with the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank. There is no restriction on the minimum operating flow rate as in the hot water supply direct use system, and the spray water can be sprayed in an appropriate amount from the spray nozzle, so that the spray water is not consumed wastefully and the running cost is low. Further, since there is no need to provide a liquid-liquid heat exchanger as in the liquid-liquid heat exchange system, the structure is simple and the equipment cost is low.

The water pressure or flow rate of the spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle is detected by the state detection means. The shutoff control means inputs the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detection means, and determines whether or not the water pressure or flow rate is smaller than a predetermined value. Here, the predetermined value means a water pressure or a flow rate necessary for spraying the spray water from the spray nozzle in a mist form. When it is determined that the water pressure or the flow rate is smaller than the predetermined value, the spraying water supply pipe is blocked by the blocking means, and spraying of the spray water is stopped. Thereby, spray water is not sprayed in the form of mist, and there is no fear that the heat exchange ratio decreases or spray water drops from the spray nozzle and burns the user.
Therefore, according to the mist sauna device of the present invention, the heat exchange ratio of the spray water can be improved, and the spray water can be prevented from dripping from the spray nozzle during spraying.

  When the state detection means detects the water pressure, when the shutoff control means recognizes that the water pressure has exceeded a predetermined value, the spray water supply pipe is shut off by the shutoff means, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is sprayed to the spray nozzle. Since the spraying is started again from the above, spraying or stopping is automatically controlled based on the water pressure, and a mist sauna environment can be efficiently created.

If the spraying water is drained to the drain pipe by the drainage means when the shutting means shuts off the spray water supply pipe, dripping of the spray water can be prevented more reliably.
In particular, when the drainage means has a flow path switching means and a switching control means, when the switching control means determines that the water pressure or flow rate is not smaller than a predetermined value, the flow path switching means is switched to the first position to store hot water. When the hot water in the tank is sprayed from the spray nozzle and when it is determined that the water pressure or flow rate is smaller than the predetermined value, the flow path switching means is switched to the second position, and the hot water in the hot water tank is not sprayed from the spray nozzle. Since it drains to a drain pipe, it can prevent physically hot spray water dripping from a spray nozzle.
When the drain pipe is connected to the hot water storage tank, the spray water drained from the spray water supply pipe to the drain pipe is returned to the hot water storage tank and reused, which is economical.

  When the water pressure or flow rate becomes smaller than the specified value, if the fact is displayed on the water pressure / flow rate shortage display means, the user may mistakenly recognize that there is a failure even if spraying is stopped due to water pressure or flow rate shortage. Can be prevented. The display may be visually shown on a display or the like, or may be shown audibly such as a buzzer or announcement.

  When the temperature adjusting means adjusts the temperature of the spray water to a low temperature (for example, 50 ° C.) and a high temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) at predetermined intervals, the high temperature spray water and the low temperature spray water are automatically switched from the spray nozzle alternately. Because it is sprayed on, you can take a mist sauna bath comfortably for a long time.

If the hot water in the hot water storage tank runs out during bathing in the mist sauna, cold water may be sprayed from the spray water, which may drastically lower the bathroom temperature. Therefore, if the amount of remaining hot water in the hot water storage tank detected by the remaining hot water amount detecting means is compared with a predetermined amount, and the spray water supply pipe is shut off by the shut-off means when the remaining hot water amount falls below the predetermined amount, The mist sauna environment can be properly maintained without spraying and lowering the bathroom temperature.
In this case, if hot water is displayed on the hot water display means, it is possible to prevent the user from erroneously recognizing a failure when spraying is stopped due to hot water.

  If the heat source of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is a generator or electric water heater of a cogeneration system, a mist sauna device can be easily installed simply by connecting a spray water supply pipe to a cogeneration system or electric water heater installed at home. Can be added.

By the way, when the hot water in the hot water storage tank is insufficient, the spray water is heated by the heating means provided on the spray water supply pipe, and then sprayed directly from the spray nozzle. In this case, since the spray water is directly heated by the heating means, it is necessary to supply the spray water to the heating means in accordance with the minimum operating flow rate of the heating means. Even if the minimum operating flow rate is higher than the flow rate required to create a mist sauna environment, the flow required to create a mist sauna environment by the diversion means diverting the spray water heated to the spray nozzle and hot water recovery pipe The spray water is sprayed only from the spray nozzle, and at the same time, the remaining spray water is returned to the hot water storage tank through the hot water recovery pipe. In this way, heat is stored in the hot water storage tank while spraying the spray water, so it is a different heat source than when using a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that heats the spray water at the required flow rate to create a mist sauna environment. Opportunities to drive and store heat in hot water storage tanks are reduced. Moreover, since the spray water returned to the hot water storage tank is used as hot water storage water, it does not waste water as compared with the hot water supply direct use system.
Therefore, according to the mist sauna device of the present invention, the amount of spray water can be suppressed, and the economical efficiency and energy saving performance can be improved.

  Since the heating means automatically heats the spray water when the temperature of the spray water is lower than the set temperature, the bathroom can be efficiently warmed by continuously spraying the spray water above the set temperature.

  The flow rate of the spray water flowing through the spray water supply pipe is detected by the flow rate detecting means. The diversion control means inputs the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means, determines the ratio of spray water to be diverted to the spray nozzle and the hot water recovery pipe, and controls the diversion operation of the diversion means according to the ratio. Therefore, it is possible to stably create a mist sauna environment by spraying spray water at a substantially constant flow rate regardless of the heating operation of the heating means.

  When a cogeneration system generator is used as a heat source, the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank is detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means. When the hot water storage temperature is higher than the set temperature of the spray water, open the supply pipe to the switching means, and the hot water exchanged by the heat exchanger and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank are passed through the exhaust heat recovery pipe, the switching means, and the supply pipe. And supply to the spray nozzle. On the other hand, when the hot water storage temperature is lower than the set temperature of the spray water, the supply pipe is closed by the opening / closing means. Then, the hot water whose exhaust heat has been recovered by the heat exchanger is input to the top of the hot water storage tank, and the hot water is pushed out from the bottom of the hot water storage tank to the water supply pipe by the input flow rate. The stored hot water flows from the water supply pipe to the supply pipe, and is further supplied to the spray nozzle through the supply pipe. Thus, the mist sauna device of the present invention includes a hot water supply circuit that uses hot water stored in a hot water storage tank as a spray nozzle, and a hot water storage circuit that stores hot water heated by a heat source, simply by opening and closing the open / close means according to the hot water storage temperature. And the flow path switching structure can be made compact.

  The temperature adjustment means is installed at the connection part where the supply pipe and the supply pipe are connected, and the temperature of the spray water is adjusted by mixing the high-temperature water supplied from the switching means with the low-temperature water before being heated by the heat exchanger. By doing so, the temperature adjustment mechanism can be provided with a simple structure.

  When the mist sauna device is used, the spray amount of spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle to the bathroom is detected at a predetermined interval and stored in the spray amount storage means, and the operation time of the mist sauna device is detected and stored. It is memorized in the means. Then, for example, on the day before the prediction target date, past data is read from the spray amount storage means and the operation time storage means and averaged to predict the usage pattern of the mist sauna on the prediction target date. Since the data variation is reduced by the averaging process, the mist sauna usage pattern can be accurately predicted. A hot water storage pattern is created in accordance with this usage pattern, and hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank in accordance with the hot water storage pattern on the prediction target day. In this way, the mist sauna device of the present invention stores the amount of heat necessary for bathing the mist sauna in the hot water storage tank in accordance with the operation start time of the mist sauna, so that heat loss can be reduced, and hot water is stored when bathing in the mist sauna. You can avoid the deficiencies.

(First embodiment)
Next, a first embodiment of a mist sauna apparatus according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a mist sauna apparatus 1A.
The mist sauna device 1A is assembled in a system including a hot water storage tank 2 such as a cogeneration system or an electric hot water system. The mist sauna device 1A includes a spray water supply pipe 3, a spray nozzle 4, a mixing valve (corresponding to “temperature adjusting means”) 5, a water supply pipe 6, a flow rate adjusting valve 7, a temperature sensor 8, a pressure sensor (“state detecting means”). 9), three-way solenoid valve (corresponding to "blocking means", "flow path switching means") 10, drain pipe 11, heating device 12, control device ("blocking control means", "switching control means") 13), remote control (corresponding to “water pressure / flow shortage display means”, “hot water display means”) 14 and the like, 1 attached to the bathroom 17 using the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 Spray water is sprayed in a mist form from one or two or more spray nozzles 4 to create a mist sauna environment.

  Hot water heated by the heat source 15 flows into the hot water storage tank 2 via the hot water storage pipe 16. Usually, the original pressure of the water supply source is about 0.3 MPa, but the hot water storage tank 2 is provided with a pressure reducing valve (not shown) upstream, and stores hot water depressurized from the original pressure. The hot water storage tank 2 supplies hot water to a plurality of thermal equipment such as baths, kitchens, and floor heaters, so a certain level of water pressure is required. However, if the water pressure is too high to the original pressure, it is difficult to control the flow rate. The pressure is lower than the original pressure. Further, if the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is high up to the original pressure, equipment costs such as increasing the thickness of the hot water storage tank 2 to ensure pressure resistance, the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is set lower than the original pressure. . Specifically, for example, when the heat source 15 is an electric water heater, the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is set to about 0.08 MPa for low pressure, and the internal pressure is about 0.15 for high pressure. It is set to ˜0.17 MPa. Further, when the heat source 15 is a cogeneration system generator, the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is set to about 0.15 MPa. In the present embodiment, the mist sauna device 1A is assembled to the cogeneration system, and the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is set to 0.15 MPa.

  The hot water storage tank 2 is connected to the spray nozzle 4 via the spray water supply pipe 3 and sends hot water to the spray nozzle 4 using the internal pressure. One or two or more spray nozzles 4 are disposed on the ceiling or the like of the bathroom 17 and spray the spray water supplied from the spray water supply pipe 3 into the bathroom 17 in a mist form. The bathroom 17 is provided with a room temperature meter 18 to detect the room temperature of the bathroom 17.

  The mixing valve 5 includes a first valve portion that communicates the first port 5a and the second port 5b, and a second valve portion that connects the second port 5b and the third port 5c, and energizes the coil. A three-way solenoid valve that adjusts the opening degree of the first valve portion and the second valve portion according to the amount, and is disposed on the spray water supply pipe 3. The mixing valve 5 has a first port 5 a connected to the hot water storage tank 2, a second port 5 b connected to the temperature sensor 8, and a third port 5 c connected to the flow rate adjusting valve 7. The temperature is adjusted by mixing water. The temperature sensor 8 detects the temperature of the spray water output from the second port 5 b of the mixing valve 5.

  The pressure sensor 9 is disposed on the spray water supply pipe 3 and detects the water pressure of the spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle 4. A three-way solenoid valve 10 is disposed on the downstream side of the pressure sensor 9 to control the opening and closing of the spray water supply pipe 3. The three-way solenoid valve 10 incorporates a first valve portion that communicates the first port 10a and the second port 10b, and a second valve portion that communicates the first port and the third port 10c, and energizes the coil. The opening degree of the first valve part and the second valve part is adjusted according to the amount. The three-way solenoid valve 10 has a first port 10 a connected to the pressure sensor 9, a second port 10 b connected to the spray nozzle 4, and a third port 10 c connected to the drain pipe 11. The drain pipe 11 is connected to the hot water storage pipe 16 and returns the spray water drained from the spray water supply pipe 3 to the hot water storage tank 2. The hot water storage pipe 16 is provided with a heating device 12 so that water flowing through the hot water storage pipe 16 can be heated.

  The hot water storage tank 2 is provided with a remaining hot water amount detection sensor 19. Since the hot water storage tank 2 forms a layer according to the temperature, the amount of hot water remaining in the hot water storage tank 2 can be detected by detecting the temperature of the hot water sent from the hot water storage tank 2 to the spray water supply pipe 3. The remaining hot water amount detection sensor 19 calculates the remaining hot water amount by detecting the hot water storage temperature at the top of the hot water storage tank 2. The mist sauna device 1 </ b> A includes a remote controller 14.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the remote controller 14.
The remote controller 14 is provided with a power switch 20 for turning on / off the power of the mist sauna apparatus 1A. The remote controller 14 includes a time setting switch 21 for setting a bathing specified time and bathing time for the mist sauna, and a temperature setting switch 22 for setting the bathing temperature of the mist sauna, and the time setting switch 21 or the temperature setting. By pressing the switch 22 and operating the up switch 23 and the down switch 24, the bathing designated time, bathing time, and bathing temperature can be arbitrarily set. The bathing specified time, bathing time, and bathroom temperature are displayed on the display unit 25 and can be easily set. The remote controller 14 is provided with a speaker 26 so that a buzzer sound, an announcement, etc. can be output.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of the control device 13.
The control device 13 is a commercially available microcomputer, and includes an input / output interface 27, a CPU 28, a ROM 29, a RAM 30, a memory 31, a timer 32, a time detector 33, and the like. The control device 13 comprehensively controls the cogeneration system, the electric power device and the heat device connected thereto, and includes the mist sauna device 1A as a control target.

The input / output interface 27 controls transmission / reception of signals to / from an external device, and includes a temperature sensor 8, a pressure sensor 9, a room temperature meter 18, a remaining hot water detection sensor 19, a mixing valve 5, a flow rate adjustment valve 7, and a three-way solenoid valve 10. The heating device 12 and the remote controller 14 are connected to transmit and receive signals.
The CPU 28 is a central processing unit that performs calculations and processing.
The ROM 29 stores various programs such as a program for controlling the thermal equipment connected to the hot water storage tank 2 and a program for controlling the generator 15 of the cogeneration system, as well as various data necessary for executing the program. As one of programs stored in the ROM 29, a mist sauna control program 34 for controlling the mist sauna device 1A is included.

The RAM 30 and the memory 31 input and output data, and store a bathing specified time, bathing time, bathing temperature, and the like set by the remote controller 14.
The control device 13 includes a timer 32 for measuring elapsed time and a time detector 33 for detecting time.

Next, the operation of the mist sauna device 1A will be described. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a mist sauna control process.
The control device 13 reads the mist sauna control program 34 from the ROM 29 and executes it to control the mist sauna device 1A. The mist sauna control program 34 is characterized in that spraying is controlled based on water pressure when creating a mist sauna environment in accordance with set conditions.

  Specifically, in step 1 of FIG. 4 (hereinafter abbreviated as “S1”), it is determined whether or not there is a hot water supply request. Although the mist sauna apparatus 1A varies depending on the season, for example, to raise the room temperature of the bathroom 17 to around 40 degrees, it is necessary to continuously spray hot water of about 60 ° C. for about 30 minutes. In this case, the mist sauna apparatus 1A must be operated about 30 minutes before the designated bathing time to raise the room temperature of the bathroom. Therefore, when the time detector 33 detects an operation start time at which the mist sauna device 1A starts spraying spray water, the mist sauna device 1A recognizes that there is a hot water supply request.

  Even if there is a hot water supply request, if the time detector 33 has not detected the operation start time, it is determined that the hot water supply request is other than the mist sauna device 1A (S2: NO), and a normal hot water supply operation is performed in S3. . On the other hand, when the time detector 33 detects the operation start time, it is determined that the hot water supply request is the mist sauna device 1A (S2: YES). In S4, it is determined whether or not the tank heat storage amount is larger than the set value. to decide. Here, the set value refers to the amount of heat consumed in the mist sauna bath. For example, when hot water of 60 ° C. is sprayed onto the bathroom 17 at a rate of 1 L / min per minute, the room temperature of the bathroom 17 can be raised to the bathing temperature of 41 ° C. in about 30 minutes, and the bathing time is set to 10 minutes. If this is done, about 40 to 50 L of hot water stored at 60 ° C. or higher is required for bathing in the mist sauna, so the amount of heat when 50 L of 60 ° C. hot water is stored is set as the set value.

  When the detection result of the remaining hot water detection sensor 19 is input and hot water of 60 ° C. or more is not stored in the hot water storage tank 2 for 50 L or more, it is determined that the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 2 is not larger than the set value (S4: NO). . In this case, even if hot water is sprayed onto the bathroom 17, the room temperature of the bathroom 17 cannot be increased efficiently, or the bathroom room temperature may be lowered. In S5, the heating device 12 is driven. The hot water storage tank 2 stores heat. In S6, the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is closed to block communication between the first port 10a and the second port 10b, and the spray water supply pipe 3 is closed. And the 2nd valve part of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is opened, the 1st port 10a is connected to the 3rd port 10c, the spray water of the spray water supply piping 3 is supplied to the hot water storage piping 16 via the drain pipe 11, and is heated. After heating with the device 12, it is returned to the hot water storage tank 2.

  On the other hand, when the detection result of the remaining hot water detection sensor 19 is input and hot water of 60 ° C. or higher is stored for 50 L or more, it is determined that the heat storage amount of the hot water storage tank 2 is larger than the set value (S4: YES). In S7, the water pressure detected by the pressure sensor 9 is input, and it is determined whether or not the water pressure is greater than a set value. Here, the set value refers to a water pressure necessary for spraying spray water from the spray nozzle 4 in a mist form. Generally, since the water pressure required for spraying spray water in a mist form is 0.05 MPa, the set value is set to 015 MPa in the present embodiment.

  Since the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is 0.15 MPa, if the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is used, the spray water can be sprayed in a mist form from the spray nozzle 4. However, for example, when hot water is used in a kitchen or the like simultaneously with the mist sauna device 1A, the water pressure of the spray water may decrease. In this case, it is determined that the water pressure is smaller than 015 MPa (S7: NO), the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is closed, the spray water supply pipe 3 is closed, and hot water is not sprayed from the spray nozzle 4. . At this time, if the second valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is closed, the process waits until the water pressure reaches 0.15 MPa. If the second valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is open, the hot water is returned to the hot water storage tank 2 via the drain pipe 11 and the hot water storage pipe 16.

  On the other hand, when it is determined that the water pressure is 0.15 MPa or more (S7: YES), in S8, the temperature of the spray water detected by the temperature sensor 8 is input, and whether the temperature of the spray water is higher than the set temperature. Determine whether. Here, the set temperature refers to a temperature at which the room temperature can be efficiently raised to the set temperature by exchanging heat with the air in the bathroom 17 and is set to 60 ° C. in the present embodiment. When the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 is higher than 60 ° C. (S8: YES), the valve opening degree of the first valve portion and the second valve portion of the mixing valve 5 is adjusted in S9 to store hot water. Water is mixed and the temperature of spray water is adjusted to 60 ° C.

  After adjusting the water pressure of the spray water to 0.15 Mpa or more and the temperature to 60 ° C. in this way, in S10, the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is opened and the flow rate of the spray water is controlled to 1 L / min. Supply to the spray nozzle 4. The spray nozzle 4 sprays spray water on the bathroom 17 in a mist state by 1 L / min. The spray water exchanges heat with air and raises the room temperature of the bathroom 17.

  In S11, it is determined whether or not the room temperature of the bathroom 17 has reached 41 ° C., which is a set temperature. When the room temperature of the bathroom 17 has not reached the set temperature (S11: NO), the process returns to S4 to continue the process, and the room temperature of the bathroom 17 is continuously raised. Also in this case, since the spray water is controlled while monitoring the water pressure, the spray water is sprayed in an appropriate amount in a mist state, and the bathroom temperature rises efficiently.

  When the room temperature of the bathroom 17 reaches the set temperature (S11: YES), in S12, it is determined whether or not the remote bathing designated time is set. When the bathing designated time is set (S12: YES), in S13, it is determined whether or not the time detector 33 has detected the bathing designated time. When the time detector 33 does not detect the bathing designated time (S13: NO), the process returns to S4 and the process is continued to maintain the room temperature of the bathroom 17 at the set temperature.

  When the time detector 33 detects the designated bathing time (S13: YES), in S14, a buzzer is sounded from the speaker 26 of the remote controller 14 to inform the user that mist sauna bathing is possible. The control device 13 stores a predetermined bathing time (for example, 10 minutes) input by the user to the remote control 14, and starts the timer 32 at the same time as the bathing specified time to measure the bathing time. start. When the bathing designated time is not set (S13: NO), the room temperature of the bathroom 17 reaches 41 ° C. (S11: YES), and a buzzer is sounded to start the timer 32.

  Until the bathing time elapses (S15: NO), the processing after S4 is repeatedly executed, and the room temperature of the bathroom 17 is maintained at 41 ° C. while monitoring the water pressure, and the mist sauna environment is continuously created. Also in this case, since the supply of the spray water is controlled while monitoring the water pressure, the spray water does not drip from the spray nozzle 4 even if the water pressure decreases. If bathing time passes (S15: YES), the 1st valve part and 2nd valve part of the three-way solenoid valve 10 will be closed, the spray water supply piping 3 will be closed, and the spray from the spray nozzle 4 will be stopped automatically. .

  Therefore, in the mist sauna apparatus 1A of the present embodiment, the spray nozzle 4 is connected to the hot water storage tank 2 via the hot water supply pipe 3 and sprays the hot water in a mist state with the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2. There is no restriction on the minimum operating flow rate as in the hot water supply direct use system, and spray water can be sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 in an appropriate amount, so that spray water is not consumed wastefully and the running cost is low. Further, since there is no need to provide a liquid-liquid heat exchanger as in the liquid-liquid heat exchange system, the structure is simple and the equipment cost is low.

The water pressure of the spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 is detected by a pressure sensor 9. The three-way solenoid valve 10 inputs the water pressure detected by the pressure sensor 9, and determines whether the water pressure is 0.15 Mpa or more (S7 in FIG. 4). When it is determined that the water pressure is less than 0.15 Mpa (S7: NO in FIG. 4), the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is closed, the spray water supply pipe 3 is shut off, and spray water is sprayed. Stop (S6 in FIG. 4). Thereby, spray water is not sprayed in the form of mist, and there is no fear that the heat exchange ratio is lowered or the spray water is dripped from the spray nozzle 4 while taking a mist sauna and burns the user.
Therefore, according to the mist sauna device 1A of the present embodiment, it is possible to improve the heat exchange ratio of the spray water and prevent the spray water from dripping from the spray nozzle 4 during spraying.

  Thereafter, when it is recognized that the water pressure detected by the pressure sensor 9 has become a predetermined value or more (S7 in FIG. 4: YES), the blocking of the spray water supply pipe by the blocking means is released, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank is sprayed by the spray nozzle. Since spraying is started again (S8 to S10 in FIG. 4), spraying or stopping is automatically controlled based on the water pressure, and a mist sauna environment can be created efficiently.

When the three-way solenoid valve 10 shuts off the spray water supply pipe 3, the second valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is opened to drain the spray water from the spray water supply pipe 3 to the drain pipe 11. Dripping can be prevented more reliably.
In particular, since the drain pipe 11 is connected to the hot water storage tank 2 and the spray water drained from the spray water supply pipe 3 to the drain pipe 11 is returned to the hot water storage tank 2 and reused, it is economical.

  When the water pressure becomes smaller than 0.15 MPa (S7: NO in FIG. 4), if the fact is displayed on the display unit 25 of the remote controller 14, even if the spraying is stopped due to insufficient water pressure, the user is mistaken for a failure. It can prevent recognition. The display may be visually shown on the display unit 25 or the like, or may be shown audibly by sending a buzzer sound or an announcement from the speaker 26.

  If the valve opening degree of the first valve portion and the second valve portion of the mixing valve 5 is adjusted, and the temperature of the spray water is adjusted to a low temperature (for example, 50 ° C.) and a high temperature (for example, 60 ° C.) at predetermined intervals. Since the high temperature spray water and the low temperature spray water are automatically sprayed alternately from the spray nozzle 4, it is possible to comfortably take a mist sauna bath for a long time.

If the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 runs out during bathing in the mist sauna, cold water may be sprayed from the spray water, which may drastically lower the bathroom temperature. In response to this problem, the remaining hot water amount detected in the hot water storage tank 2 detected by the remaining hot water amount detection sensor 19 is compared with a predetermined amount (S4 in FIG. 4), and when the remaining hot water amount becomes less than the predetermined amount (S4 in FIG. 4: NO), the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is closed and the spray water supply pipe 3 is shut off (S5, S6 in FIG. 4), so that the mist sauna is not sprayed by spraying cold water. The environment can be maintained appropriately.
In this case, if the hot water is displayed on the display unit 25 of the remote controller 14 or if a buzzer is sounded from the speaker 26 to notify the user that the hot water has run out, Can be prevented from being mistaken as a malfunction.

  In addition, since the heat source 15 of hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 is a generator of a cogeneration system, the mist sauna device 1A can be easily added by simply connecting the spray water supply pipe 3 to the cogeneration system installed at home. .

(Second Embodiment)
Next, 2nd Embodiment of the mist sauna apparatus of this invention is described with reference to drawings. FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of the mist sauna apparatus 1B.
The mist sauna apparatus 1B according to the present embodiment is the first in that the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 is adjusted to a predetermined temperature and is sprayed in a mist form from the spray nozzle 4 attached to the bathroom 17 to create a mist sauna environment. Although common to the mist sauna apparatus 1 </ b> A of the first embodiment, the first embodiment is that the spray water heated by the gas water heater (corresponding to “heating means”) 44 is divided into the spray nozzle 4 and the hot water recovery pipe 51. This is different from the mist sauna device 1A in the form. Therefore, here, it demonstrates centering on the point which is different from 1st Embodiment, About the point which is common in 1st Embodiment, the same code | symbol is used for drawing and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The mist sauna apparatus 1B is assembled in a home cogeneration system. The cogeneration system generates electric power to be supplied to power equipment installed in the home with a generator (fuel cell, gas engine, etc.), collects exhaust heat from the generator with a heat exchanger 43, and stores heat in the hot water storage tank 2 In addition, the hot water storage water is supplied from the hot water storage tank 2 in response to a hot water supply request of the thermal equipment. The mist sauna device 1B is provided with a spray water supply pipe 41 so as to supply hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 to the spray nozzle 4, and branches from the spray water supply pipe 41 to supply the spray water to the top of the hot water storage tank 2. A hot water recovery pipe 51 is provided so as to return.

The spray water supply pipe 41 includes an exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a, a supply pipe 41b, a water supply pipe 41c, and a supply pipe 41d.
The exhaust heat recovery pipe 41 a connects the water supply source 42 to the top of the hot water storage tank 2. A heat exchanger 43 connected to the generator of the cogeneration system is disposed on the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a.
The supply pipe 41 b branches from between the heat exchanger 43 of the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41 a and the hot water storage tank 2 and is connected to the spray nozzle 4.
The water supply pipe 41 c branches from the upstream side of the heat exchanger 43 of the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41 a and is connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2.
The supply pipe 41d branches from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a and is connected to the supply pipe 41b on the upstream side from the first branch position P1 where the water supply pipe 41 branches from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a.

  In the supply pipe 41b, a gas water heater 44 is disposed between a first connection position to which the supply pipe 41d is connected and a second connection position to which the hot water recovery pipe 51 is connected. The gas water heater 44 is provided with a flow meter 45 to detect the flow rate of the spray water flowing through the supply pipe 41b. A fourth temperature sensor 49 is provided at the outlet of the gas water heater 44 to detect the temperature of the spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle 4.

  In the supply pipe 41b, a three-way solenoid valve (corresponding to a “diverter”) 10 is disposed at the second connection position. The three-way solenoid valve 10 incorporates a first valve portion for communicating the first port 10a and the second port 10b and a second valve portion for communicating the first port 10a and the third port 10c. The 1 valve part and the 2nd valve part are fully closed, and the opening degree of the 1st valve part and the 2nd valve part is adjusted in proportion to the energization amount to the coil part. The three-way solenoid valve 10 has a first port 10a connected to the gas water heater 44, a second port 10b connected to the spray nozzle 4, and a third port 10c connected to the hot water recovery pipe 51, and is supplied from upstream. The sprayed water can be diverted to the spray nozzle 4 and the hot water recovery pipe 51 at an arbitrary ratio.

In addition, a mixing valve (corresponding to “temperature adjusting means”) 5 is disposed in the supply pipe 41b at the first connection position. The mixing valve 5 includes a first valve portion that communicates the first port 5a and the second port 5b, and a second valve portion that communicates the second port 5b and the third port 5c. The part is fully open and the second valve part is fully closed. In the mixing valve 5, the first port 5a is connected to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a, the second port 5b is connected to the gas water heater 44, and the third port 5c is connected to the supply pipe 41d. A first temperature sensor 46 is disposed in the first port 5a and detects the temperature of hot water supplied from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a. A second temperature sensor 47 is disposed in the second port 5b and detects the temperature of the spray water output from the mixing valve 5. A third temperature sensor 48 is disposed at the third port 5c, and detects the temperature of the water flowing through the supply pipe 41d. The mixing valve 5 determines the amount of current supplied to the coil portion based on the detection results of the first to third temperature sensors 46 to 48, and adjusts the valve opening degrees of the first valve portion and the second valve portion.
Further, an opening / closing valve (corresponding to “opening / closing means”) 50 is disposed on the supply pipe 41 b upstream of the mixing valve 5. The on-off valve 50 is a normally open type electromagnetic valve.

The devices constituting the mist sauna device 1B are controlled by a control device 52 (corresponding to “diversion control means”, “heating control means”, “opening / closing control means”) 52. FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control device 52.
The control device 52 comprehensively controls the operation of the components, power devices, and thermal devices of the cogeneration system, and includes the mist sauna device 1B as its control target. The control device 52 basically has the same structure as the control device 13 of the first embodiment. The input / output interface 27 includes a room temperature meter 18, a remaining hot water amount detection sensor (corresponding to “hot water storage temperature detection means”) 19, a flow meter (corresponding to “flow rate detection means”) 45, a first temperature sensor 46, a second temperature sensor. A temperature sensor 47, a third temperature sensor 48, a fourth temperature sensor 49, a mixing valve 5, a three-way solenoid valve 10, a heat exchanger 43, a gas water heater 44, an on-off valve 50, a remote controller 14, etc. are connected to transmit and receive signals. Do.
In addition to the mist sauna control program 34, the ROM 29 stores a diversion control program 53 that switches the flow path according to the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank 2 and diverts the spray water to the spray nozzle 4 and the hot water recovery pipe 51. Yes.

The operation of the mist sauna device 1B having such a configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the diversion control process. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the contents of the diversion control, and is a conceptual diagram showing a hot water supply operation when the tank heat storage is used. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the content of the diversion control, and is a conceptual diagram showing a hot water supply operation when the tank hot water runs out.
The control device 52 reads the diversion control program 53 from the ROM 29 and executes it when the spray water is sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 by the mist sauna device 1B. In the initial state of the mist sauna device 1B, the on-off valve 50 is fully opened, the mixing valve 5 is fully opened, the second valve portion is fully closed, and the three-way solenoid valve 10 is further closed. And the second valve portion is fully closed.

  When it is confirmed in S21 of FIG. 7 that there is a hot water supply request, in S22, it is confirmed whether or not the hot water supply request is the mist sauna device 1B. If it is not the mist sauna device 1B, a normal hot water supply operation is performed in S23, and if it is the mist sauna device 1B, it is determined in S24 whether the tank heat storage amount is larger than the set value. In addition, since the process of S21-S24 is the same as that of S1-S4 of FIG. 4, description is abbreviate | omitted.

  When the amount of heat stored in the tank is larger than the set value and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 can cover the heat load of the mist sauna (S24: YES), the first port of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is shown in FIG. 10a is connected to the second port 10b and the on-off valve 50 is opened. When the cogeneration system is not operating, only the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 flows into the supply pipe 41b from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a via the on-off valve 50, and a predetermined flow rate X (L / min) from the spray nozzle 4. Sprayed one by one.

  In S26, the temperature of the spray water is adjusted. The control device 52 inputs the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 47 and checks whether or not the temperature of the spray water is adjusted to a predetermined temperature. Here, the predetermined temperature refers to a temperature necessary for efficiently raising the room temperature of the bathroom 17 when sprayed water is sprayed, and is set to 60 ° C. in the present embodiment. The control device 52 inputs the temperatures detected by the first temperature sensor 46 and the third temperature sensor 47, and controls the first and second valve portions so that the temperature detected by the second temperature sensor 47 becomes 60 ° C. Adjust the valve opening.

  When the mixing valve 5 adds W (L / min) water to the hot water and adjusts the temperature when the cogeneration system is not generating power, the hot water storage tank 2 supplies the hot water from the top to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a. -Send out W (L / min). Accordingly, X-W (L / min) of water is supplied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a via the water supply pipe 41c. The water supply source is equivalent to the sum of the mixing water W (L / min) and the water X-W (L / min) for supplying water to the hot water storage tank 2, that is, the same amount as the spray amount of spray water. Water is supplied to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a by X (L / min).

  On the other hand, when the cogeneration system is generating power, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 and the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 43 are merged and supplied to the on-off valve 50 and supplied to the spray nozzle 4 from the supply pipe 41b. (S25 in FIG. 7). The spray nozzle 4 sprays spray water by X (L / min). When the mixing valve 5 adds water W (L / min) to the hot water storage and the heat exchanger 43 is supplied with water Z (L / min) from the water supply source 42 by Z (L / min), the hot water storage tank 2 becomes X-W- Hot water is sent out from the top to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a by Z (L / min). Along with this, water is supplied to the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a via the water supply pipe 41c by XWZ (L / min). The hot water heated by the heat exchanger 43 and the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 merge at the third branch position P3 where the supply pipe 41b branches off from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a, and the open / close valve is X-W (L / min). 50 flows. The mixing valve 5 adds W (L / min) to the hot water that has passed through the on-off valve 50 and outputs the water to the three-way solenoid valve 10. The three-way solenoid valve 10 supplies spray water to the spray nozzle 4 in X (L / min) increments. Supply (S26 in FIG. 7). At this time, water W (L / min) for temperature adjustment supplied to the mixing valve 5 and water X-W-Z (L / W for water supply to the hot water storage tank 2) are supplied from the water supply source 42 to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a. min) and water Z (L / min) to be supplied to the heat exchanger 43, that is, water is supplied by X (L / min) which is the same amount as the spray amount of spray water.

  On the other hand, when the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 2 is less than the set value and cannot cover the heat load of the mist sauna (S24: NO in FIG. 7), the spray water heated by the gas water heater 44 is used. Spray from the spray nozzle 4. That is, in S27, as shown in FIG. 9, the first valve portion and the second valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve are opened, and the first port 10a is communicated with the second port 10b and the third port 10c. Further, the energization to the on-off valve 50 is cut off, and the on-off valve 50 is fully closed. In S27, the temperature and flow rate of the spray water are confirmed by the second temperature sensor 47 and the flow meter 45, respectively, so that the temperature of the spray water detected by the fourth temperature sensor 49 is 60 ° C. Heat the spray water with. When the gas water heater 44 is driven, it is necessary to supply the mixing valve 5 with spray water of X + Y (L / min), which is the minimum operating flow rate, even if the appropriate spray amount is X (L / min). In this case, as shown in S28, the three-way solenoid valve 10 supplies spray water to the spray nozzle 4 by an appropriate spray amount X (L / min) and the remaining spray water Y (L / min) to the hot water supply pipe. The opening degree of the first valve portion and the second valve portion is adjusted so as to be supplied to 51 and returned to the hot water storage tank 2.

When the cogeneration system is not generating power, the hot water storage tank 2 sends out low temperature hot water from the bottom to the water supply pipe 41c by Y (L / min) when hot water flows in by Y (L / min). Since the heat exchanger 43 is not driven, the low-temperature hot water is joined to the water supplied from the water supply source through the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a and flows into the supply pipe 41d. At this time, the water supply source supplies water to the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a in increments of X (L / min) so as to supplement the spray amount of the spray water. The water from the water supply source 42 is combined with the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 through the supply pipe 41 d, and the same amount of water as the minimum operating flow rate is supplied to the third port 5 c of the mixing valve 5. Since the mixing valve 5 closes the first valve part and opens the second valve part, it supplies water to the gas water heater 44 as it is from the supply pipe 41d.
The spray water is heated to 60 ° C. when passing through the gas water heater 44, and X (L / min) is supplied to the spray nozzle 4 by the three-way solenoid valve 10 and sprayed in the bathroom 17, and the remaining Y (L / min) is supplied to the hot water supply pipe 51 and stored in the hot water storage tank 2.

  If the cogeneration system is operated when the heat of the mist sauna is insufficient, the hot water recovered from the exhaust heat of the generator is also stored in the hot water storage tank 2. If the water supplied to the heat exchanger 43 is Z (L / min), the hot water storage tank 2 has hot water Z (L / min) recovered from the exhaust heat recovery pipe 41a and the hot water recovery pipe 51. Hot water Y (L / min) is introduced. Then, low-temperature hot water is sent from the bottom of the hot water storage tank 2 to the water supply pipe 41c by Y + Z (L / min). Since the heat exchanger 43 is operating, the low-temperature hot water flows Z (L / min) to the heat exchanger 43 side, and the remaining Y (L / min) flows to the mixing valve 5 side. The low-temperature hot water storage water merges with the water X (L / min) supplied from the water supply source, flows into the supply pipe 41d, and is supplied to the gas water heater 44 through the mixing valve 5. The gas water heater 44 heats the spray water by X + Y (L / min) and supplies it to the three-way solenoid valve 10. The three-way solenoid valve 10 supplies the spray water X (L / min) to the spray nozzle 4 and supplies the spray water Y (L / min) to the hot water recovery pipe 51. Adjust the valve opening. The heated spray water is returned to the hot water storage tank 2 through the hot water recovery pipe 51 and stored.

Such a mist sauna device 1B of the present embodiment is arranged on the spray water supply pipe 41 as shown in FIG. 9 when the amount of heat stored in the hot water storage tank 2 is insufficient (S24: NO in FIG. 7). After spray water is heated by the gas water heater 44 provided, it is sprayed directly from the spray nozzle (S27, S28 in FIG. 7). In this case, since the spray water is directly heated by the gas water heater 44, it is necessary to supply the spray water to the gas water heater 44 in accordance with the minimum operating flow rate X + Y (L / min) of the gas water heater 44. Spray in which the three-way solenoid valve 10 is heated by the spray nozzle 4 and the hot water recovery pipe 51 even if the minimum operating flow rate X + Y (L / min) is larger than the flow rate X (L / min) necessary for creating a mist sauna environment. The spray water is sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 at a flow rate X (L / min) necessary to split the water and create a mist sauna environment, and at the same time, the remaining spray water Y (L / min) is passed through the hot water recovery pipe 51. Through the hot water storage tank 2 (S29 in FIG. 7). Since the hot water storage tank 2 stores heat while spraying spray water from the spray nozzle 4 in this way, a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that heats the flow at a flow rate X (L / min) necessary to create a mist sauna environment is used. Compared to the case, the opportunity to store the heat in the hot water storage tank 2 by driving the generator of the cogeneration system with a low load is reduced. Moreover, since the spray water returned to the hot water storage tank 2 is used as hot water storage water, it does not waste water as compared with the hot water supply direct use system.
Therefore, according to the mist sauna device 1B of the present embodiment, the amount of spray water can be suppressed, and the economical efficiency and the energy saving performance can be improved.

  The gas water heater 44 automatically heats the spray water when the temperature of the spray water is lower than 60 ° C. (S24: NO in FIG. 7). The bathroom 17 can be efficiently warmed.

  The flow rate of the spray water flowing through the spray water supply pipe 41 is detected by the flow meter 45. The control device 52 inputs the flow rate detected by the flow meter 45, determines the ratio of spray water to be diverted to the spray nozzle 4 and the hot water recovery pipe 51, and the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 according to the ratio. And the opening degree of the second valve portion is controlled (S29 in FIG. 7). Therefore, regardless of the heating operation of the gas water heater 44, the spray water can be sprayed at a substantially constant flow rate X (L / min) to stably create a mist sauna environment.

  Further, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the mist sauna device 1B of the present embodiment merely stores the hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 simply by opening and closing the open / close valve 50 in accordance with the hot water storage temperature detected by the remaining hot water amount detection sensor 19. A hot water supply circuit that uses water for the spray nozzle 4 and a hot water storage circuit that stores hot water that is heated by exchanging heat with the generator of the cogeneration system by the heat exchanger 53 in the hot water storage tank 2 can be easily switched. The path switching structure can be made compact.

  A mixing valve 5 is disposed at a connection portion where the replenishing pipe 41d and the supply pipe 41b are connected. The high-temperature water supplied from the on-off valve 50 is mixed with the low-temperature water before being heated by the heat exchanger 43 and sprayed. Since the temperature of the water is adjusted (S26 in FIG. 7), the temperature adjusting mechanism can be provided with a simple structure.

(Third embodiment)
Next, a third embodiment according to the mist sauna device of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 10 is a block diagram of the control device 61.
The mist sauna device 1C of the present embodiment has the same device configuration as that of the second embodiment, but differs from the second embodiment in that the control device 61 has a learning function. Therefore, here, it demonstrates centering on a different point from 2nd Embodiment, about a common point, the same code | symbol as 2nd Embodiment is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted suitably.

  The control device 61 has the same basic structure as the control device 52 of the second embodiment, but further stores a learning function program (corresponding to “prediction means” and “hot water storage pattern determination means”) 62 in the ROM 29. is doing. The learning function program 62 accumulates the hot water supply load of the mist sauna, predicts the hot water supply load of the mist sauna on the prediction target day, and determines the hot water storage pattern.

  The memory (corresponding to “spray amount storage means” and “operation start time storage means”) 31 stores and stores the operation time and operation start time detected by the timer 32, the time detector 33 and the like. The operating time refers to the time from when the mist sauna device 1C starts to operate as a mist sauna environment until the mist sauna bathing is completed. The operation start time is the time when the mist sauna device 1C starts to operate. Further, the memory 31 stores and stores the flow rate of the spray water detected by the flow meter 45. Further, the memory 31 stores conditions set by the user using the remote controller 14 (such as bathing time, bathing time, bathing temperature, etc.). Further, the thermal load and the power load are accumulated and stored in the memory 31 for the thermal equipment and power equipment other than the mist sauna device 1C.

The operation of the mist sauna device 1C having such a configuration will be described with reference to a flowchart. FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing the learning function process.
The control device 61 reads and executes the learning function program 62 on the day before the prediction target date, predicts the heat load and the power load on the prediction target date, and drafts a cogeneration system operation plan.

That is, first, in S31, bathing specified time, bathing time, and bathing temperature data are input from the memory 31 and stored in the memory 31 of the control device 52.
In S32, the bathing specified time, bathing time, and bathing temperature data are averaged for each day of the week to create prediction data for predicting the usage pattern of the mist sauna apparatus 1C.

  In S33, it is predicted whether or not the mist sauna will be used the next day from the prediction data, and whether or not it is used is determined. When the mist sauna is not used on the next day (S33: NO), the process returns to S31 and waits.

  When the mist sauna is used on the next day (S33: YES), in S34, the flow rate of the spray water sprayed by the mist sauna device 1C in the past, the bathing temperature, the operation time, etc. are read out to determine the amount of heat consumed by the mist sauna. Predict. Moreover, the operation start time required to create the mist sauna environment is predicted from the predicted bathing time.

  In S35, a heat load consumed by a thermal device other than the mist sauna device 1C such as a bath, a kitchen, and a washing machine is calculated, and a heat amount consumed by the thermal device other than the mist sauna device 1C and a heat amount consumed by the mist sauna device 1C. And predicting the heat load pattern for the next day. Further, the power load consumed by the home power device on the next day is predicted from the past power load data, and the power load pattern for the next day is predicted. Then, using the heat load pattern and the power load pattern, calculate the generator start time, stop time, and operating load so as to cover the heat load of the next day, and create the operation pattern of the cogeneration system on the prediction target date . Thus, not only the mist sauna device 1C, but also the heat load of the entire heat equipment connected to the hot water storage tank 2 and the heat load of the power equipment connected to the cogeneration system are taken into account, thereby operating the cogeneration system efficiently. In addition, energy saving and economic efficiency can be obtained.

In S36, when the next day's operation control time comes, the generator, the power device, and the thermal device are operated according to the operation pattern created in S35. Accordingly, the mist sauna device 1C also starts spraying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 from the spray nozzle 4 onto the bathroom 17 when the time detector 33 detects the operation start time. At the operation start time, the hot water storage tank 2 stores at least the amount of heat that is expected to be consumed by the mist sauna device 1C on the prediction target day, so that the stored hot water is unlikely to be insufficient during the operation of the mist sauna device 1C. .
When the operation of the cogeneration system ends, the process returns to S31 and waits.

  In such a mist sauna device 1C of the present embodiment, the amount of spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 onto the bathroom 17 is detected by the flow meter 45 at a predetermined interval (for example, 0.1 msec) and stored in the memory 31. In addition, the operating time of the mist sauna device 1 </ b> C is detected by the time detector 33 and stored in the memory 31. Then, on the day before the prediction target date, the past data is read from the memory 31 and averaged to predict the use pattern of the mist sauna on the prediction target date (S32, S34: YES, S35 in FIG. 11). Since the data variation is reduced by the averaging process, the mist sauna usage pattern can be accurately predicted. When planning the operation plan of the cogeneration system including this usage pattern, a hot water storage pattern is created at the same time (S35 in FIG. 11), the cogeneration system is operated according to the operation plan on the day of the prediction target, and Hot water is stored in the tank 2 (S36 in FIG. 11). In this way, the mist sauna device 1C stores the amount of heat necessary for the mist sauna in the hot water storage tank 2 in accordance with the operation start time of the mist sauna, so that the heat dissipation loss can be reduced and the hot water is insufficient when bathing in the mist sauna. The trouble can be avoided.

  Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various applications are possible.

(1) For example, in the said embodiment, the case where the preset temperature of mist sauna bathing was controlled was demonstrated. In contrast, the first valve portion and the second valve portion of the mixing valve 5 are configured so as to increase and decrease the ratio of mixing water with hot water and alternately supply high-temperature spray water and low-temperature spray water to the three-way solenoid valve 10. The degree of opening may be controlled. In this case, high-temperature spray water and low-temperature spray water are sprayed alternately from the spray nozzle, and the effect of fluctuation in which the bathroom temperature rises and falls is obtained, so that a mist sauna can be input comfortably for a long time.

(2) For example, in the first embodiment, the blocking of the spray water supply pipe 3 by the three-way solenoid valve 10 is controlled based on the water pressure, but a flow meter is provided on the spray water supply pipe 3 to form a spray nozzle. The flow rate of the spray water sprayed from 4 may be detected, and the blocking of the spray water supply pipe 3 by the three-way solenoid valve 10 may be controlled based on the flow rate. When the flow rate detected by the flow meter exceeds a predetermined value, the first value of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is supplied so that spray water of a predetermined value is supplied to the spray nozzle 4 and the excess spray water is drained to the drain pipe 11. By adjusting the opening of the valve part and the second valve part so that the spray water is sprayed from the spray nozzle 4 by a certain amount, a mist sauna environment can be created in accordance with the bathing time. Good energy saving. In this case, if the waste water is returned to the hot water storage tank 2, the spray water can be reused, which is economical.

(3) For example, in the above embodiment, the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is fully closed and the second valve portion is fully opened for the first few seconds, and remains in the spray water supply pipes 3 and 41. The spray water may be sprayed by opening the first valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 after draining the spray water to the drain pipe 11 or the hot water recovery pipe 51. In this case, it is possible to prevent unnecessary spraying of low temperature spray water that does not contribute to the temperature rise of the bathroom 17.

(4) For example, in the above embodiment, the temperature is adjusted only by the mixing valve 5. On the other hand, a mechanism for adjusting the temperature by providing a plurality of valves and mixing hot water and water may be provided. Further, the three-way solenoid valve 10 may be provided with a plurality of valves to perform the same function.

(5) In the said embodiment, the case where the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 2 was used at the time of use of mist sauna apparatus 1A-1C was demonstrated. In contrast, the amount of heat consumed by the mist sauna devices 1A to 1C may be increased in advance. In addition, when a plurality of thermal devices are connected to the hot water storage tank 2, when hot water supply is requested from the mist sauna devices 1A to 1C, the hot water consumed by the mist sauna devices 1A to 1C is preferentially secured. May be.

(6) For example, in the said 1st Embodiment, the heat source 15 was used as the generator of the cogeneration system, and the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 was set to 0.15 MPa. On the other hand, when the heat source 15 is an electric water heater and the internal pressure of the hot water storage tank 2 is 0.08 MPa, a booster pump that boosts the spray water may be disposed upstream of the pressure sensor 9. In this case, even if the water pressure or flow rate fluctuates due to the operation of the booster pump, if the water pressure or flow rate of the spray water is detected by a sensor and the opening / closing operation of the first valve portion and the second valve portion of the three-way solenoid valve 10 is controlled. Moreover, the fall of a heat exchange ratio and dripping of spray water can be prevented appropriately.

(7) For example, in the second and third embodiments, the case where the mist sauna devices 1B and 1C are assembled to the hot water storage tank 2 that stores hot water using the generator of the cogeneration system as a heat source has been described. In contrast, the mist sauna devices 1B and 1C may be assembled in the hot water storage tank 2 that stores hot water using an electric water heater of the electric hot water system as a heat source. In the electric hot water system, since the capacity of the hot water storage tank 2 (for example, 900 L) is larger than the capacity of the hot water storage tank of the cogeneration system (for example, 150 to 200 L), the heat loss is effectively reduced by executing the learning function program 62. it can.

It is a schematic block diagram of the mist sauna apparatus concerning 1st Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a top view of a remote control. Similarly, it is a block diagram of a control device. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows a mist sauna control process. It is a schematic block diagram of the mist sauna apparatus concerning 2nd Embodiment of this invention. Similarly, it is a block diagram of a control device. Similarly, it is a flowchart which shows a shunt control process. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing explaining the content of diversion control, Comprising: It is a conceptual diagram which shows hot water supply operation | movement at the time of tank heat storage utilization. Similarly, it is explanatory drawing explaining the content of diversion control, Comprising: It is a conceptual diagram which shows the hot_water | molten_metal supply operation | movement at the time of tank hot water run out. It is a block diagram of a control device concerning a 3rd embodiment of the present invention and used with a mist sauna device. Similarly, it is a flowchart showing learning function processing. It is a schematic block diagram of the mist sauna apparatus which employ | adopted the hot water supply direct utilization system. It is a schematic block diagram of the mist sauna apparatus which employ | adopted the liquid-liquid heat exchange system.

Explanation of symbols

1A, 1B, 1C Mist sauna device 2 Hot water storage tank 3, 41 Spray water supply piping 4 Spray nozzle 5 Mixing valve 9 Pressure sensor 10 Three-way solenoid valve 11 Drain pipe 12 Heating device 13, 52, 61 Control device 14 Remote control 15 Heat source 19 Remaining Hot water detection sensor 31 Memory 34 Mist sauna control program 41a Waste heat recovery pipe 41b Supply pipe 41c Water supply pipe 41d Supply pipe 42 Water supply source 43 Heat exchanger 44 Gas water heater 45 Flow meter 50 On-off valve 51 Hot water recovery pipe 53 Split flow control program 62 Learning function program

Claims (16)

In a mist sauna device that creates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water in a mist form from one or more spray nozzles attached to the bathroom,
Spray water supply piping for supplying hot water stored in a hot water storage tank heated by a heat source to the spray nozzle using an internal pressure of the hot water storage tank;
State detection means for detecting the water pressure or flow rate of hot water sprayed from the spray nozzle;
A blocking means disposed on the spray water supply pipe and blocking the spray water supply pipe;
It is determined whether or not the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detecting means is smaller than a predetermined value, and when it is determined that the water pressure or flow rate is smaller than the predetermined value, the shutoff control means is configured to shut off the spray water supply pipe. Mist sauna device characterized by that. In the mist sauna apparatus according to claim 1,
The shut-off control means includes
When the state detection means detects water pressure, after the spraying water supply pipe is shut off by the shut-off means, and when the water pressure detected by the state detection means becomes a predetermined value or more, the shut-off means A mist sauna device for releasing the blockage of the spray water supply pipe due to the above. In the mist sauna apparatus according to claim 1,
A mist sauna apparatus comprising drainage means for draining the spray water into a drain pipe when the shut-off means shuts off the spray water supply pipe. In the mist sauna apparatus according to claim 3,
The drainage means is
A flow path switching means that can be switched at two positions, a first position for connecting the spray water supply pipe to the spray nozzle and a second position for connecting the spray water supply pipe to the drain pipe;
It is determined whether or not the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detection means is smaller than a predetermined value, and when it is determined that the water pressure or flow rate is not smaller than the predetermined value, the flow path switching means is switched to the first position and determined to be smaller than the predetermined value. In some cases, the mist sauna apparatus includes switching control means for switching the flow rate switching means to the second position. In the mist sauna device according to claim 3 or claim 4,
The mist sauna apparatus, wherein the drain pipe is connected to the hot water storage tank. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 5,
A mist sauna apparatus comprising water pressure / flow rate deficiency display means for displaying water pressure or flow rate deficiency when the water pressure or flow rate detected by the state detection means becomes smaller than a predetermined value. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 6,
A mist sauna apparatus comprising temperature adjusting means for adjusting a temperature of the spray water so that low temperature spray water and high temperature spray water are sprayed from the spray nozzle at predetermined intervals. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claim 1 thru | or 7,
A remaining hot water amount detecting means for detecting the remaining hot water amount of the hot water storage tank;
The mist sauna apparatus, wherein the shut-off control means causes the shut-off means to shut off the spray water supply pipe when the remaining hot water amount detected by the remaining hot water amount detecting means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. The mist sauna device according to claim 8,
A mist sauna apparatus comprising hot water display means for displaying a hot water outage when a remaining hot water amount detected by the remaining hot water amount detection means is equal to or less than a predetermined amount. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 9,
The mist sauna device, wherein the heat source is a cogeneration system generator or an electric water heater. In a mist sauna device that creates a mist sauna environment by spraying hot water in a mist form from one or more spray nozzles attached to the bathroom,
A spray water supply pipe for connecting the spray nozzle to a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and supplying hot water stored in the hot water storage tank to the spray nozzle;
Heating means disposed on the spray water supply pipe;
A hot water recovery pipe branched from the hot water supply pipe on the downstream side of the heating means and connected to the top of the hot water storage tank;
A mist sauna apparatus, comprising: a diversion unit disposed downstream of the heating unit and diverts hot water heated by the heating unit to the spray nozzle and the hot water recovery pipe. In the mist sauna apparatus according to claim 11,
Hot water storage temperature detecting means for detecting the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank;
The hot water storage temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means is compared with the set temperature of the spray water, and when the hot water storage temperature is lower than the set temperature of the spray water, the hot water storage water that flows through the spray water supply pipe to the heating means A mist sauna device comprising a heating control means for heating the mist sauna. The mist sauna device according to claim 11 or claim 12,
A flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the spray water flowing through the spray water supply pipe;
A mist sauna apparatus, comprising: a diversion control unit that determines a rate at which the diversion unit diverts the spray water to the spray nozzle and the hot water recovery pipe based on a detection result of the flow rate detection unit. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claim 11 thru | or 13,
The hot water storage tank is included in a cogeneration system that supplies both heat and electric power,
The spray water supply pipe is
An exhaust heat recovery pipe connected to a water supply source at the top of the hot water storage tank and provided with a heat exchanger for exchanging heat with the generator of the cogeneration system;
A supply branching from the exhaust heat recovery pipe between the heat exchanger and the hot water storage tank and connected to the spray nozzle, wherein the heating means and the diversion means are sequentially arranged from the upstream side Piping,
A water supply pipe branched from the exhaust heat recovery pipe upstream of the heat exchanger and connected to the bottom of the hot water storage tank;
Branching from the exhaust heat recovery pipe upstream from the water supply pipe, and including a supply pipe connected to the supply pipe upstream from the heating means,
Hot water storage temperature detecting means for detecting the hot water storage temperature of the hot water storage tank;
On the supply pipe, disposed on the upstream side of the supply pipe, opening and closing means for opening and closing the supply pipe,
The hot water storage temperature detected by the hot water storage temperature detection means is compared with the set temperature of spray water, and when the hot water storage temperature is higher than the set temperature of the spray water, the open / close means is made to open the common pipe, and the hot water storage temperature When the temperature is lower than the set temperature of the spray water, the mist sauna device further comprises an opening / closing control means for causing the opening / closing means to close the common pipe. The mist sauna device according to claim 14,
The replenishment pipe is disposed at a connection portion connected to the common pipe, and the spray water is brought to a set temperature by mixing high temperature water supplied from the opening / closing means and low temperature water supplied from the replenishment pipe. A mist sauna device comprising temperature adjusting means for adjusting. In the mist sauna apparatus as described in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 15,
Spray amount storage means for detecting and storing the flow rate of spray water sprayed from the spray nozzle at predetermined intervals;
An operating time storage means for storing the operating time of the mist sauna device;
A usage pattern prediction unit that averages data stored in the spray amount storage unit and the operation time storage unit to predict a usage pattern of the mist sauna device on a prediction target day;
A mist sauna apparatus comprising hot water storage pattern determining means for determining a hot water storage pattern to be stored in the hot water storage tank on a prediction target day based on a usage pattern predicted by the prediction means.

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