JP2011193925A - Mist generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a mist generator which suppresses a decrease in a temperature in a space to be sprayed because of a halt of heating operation of an outside heat source.SOLUTION: To solve the problem, the mist generator 1 includes a spray part 3 to which water is supplied from the outside for squirting a mist to the space 22 to be sprayed, a control part 9 for controlling the spray part 3, a heat exchanger 2 for heating the water supplied to the spray part 3, and a halt operation detecting part for detecting the halt of the heating operation of the outside heat source heating a fluid for the heat exchange which is supplied to the heat exchanger 2. The control part 9 controls to restrict the spraying for halting the spraying of the spray part 3 or for reducing the amount of spraying based on the detection of the halt of the heating operation of the outside heat source by the halt operation detecting part.

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generating device, and more particularly to a mist generating device that forms a mist sauna environment in a spray target space using hot water.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is a mist generating apparatus that forms a high-humidity mist sauna environment by spraying hot water in a mist in a bathroom (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

  Such a mist generating device heats water supplied from the outside with a heat exchanger and sprays it with warm water. The heat exchanger is a spray for heat exchange fluid heated by an external heat source device. The water is made warm.

  As shown in FIG. 2A, the mist temperature change curve M, which is the temperature of the hot water, is delayed with respect to the change curve H of the temperature of the heat exchange fluid (outward temperature) flowing into the heat exchanger. And draw almost the same curve. That is, the mist temperature is determined by the outward temperature, and this outward temperature changes due to the heating operation of the heat exchange fluid of the external heat source machine. Curve L is a change curve of the temperature (return temperature) of the heat exchange fluid after heat exchange that has flowed out of the heat exchanger.

  Moreover, when adding a mist generating apparatus to the existing house, the heating water heater etc. which are existing in this house may be used for a heat source machine (external heat source) from a cost viewpoint. When the existing heating water heater reaches the thermo OFF temperature during the heating operation, the heating operation is interrupted (stopped) to prevent overheating of the heat exchange fluid or the heat source device.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2003-462

  Therefore, when an existing heating water heater or the like is used as the heat source device, there is a problem in that the forward temperature of the heat exchange fluid is lowered and the mist temperature is lowered as the heating operation is stopped. And when the mist with lowered temperature is ejected into the bathroom, the measured temperature curve R at room temperature falls below the planned temperature rise curve Q as shown in the region B in FIG. There is also a problem that the time until formation (room temperature reaches the target temperature) becomes long.

  Therefore, in view of this situation, an object of the present invention is to provide a mist generator that suppresses a decrease in the temperature of the spray target space due to the stop of the heating operation of the external heat source.

  In order to solve this problem, the first invention warms water supplied from the outside to spray a mist into a spray target space, a control unit for controlling the spray unit, and water supplied to the spray unit. A stop operation detecting unit that detects a stop of the heating operation of the external heat source that heats the heat exchange fluid of the heat exchanger, and the control unit detects the stop of the heating operation of the external heat source by the stop operation detecting unit. The mist generating device is characterized in that it performs spray restriction control to stop spraying or to reduce the spray amount based on the above.

  Moreover, 2nd invention provides the operation part which outputs an operation signal to the said control part inside and outside the said spray object space, respectively, The said control part receives an operation signal from the operation part provided outside the said spray object space. A mist generating device that performs the spray restriction control when input, and does not perform the spray restriction control when an operation signal is input from an operation unit provided in the spray target space. is there.

  Moreover, 3rd invention has a humidity detection part which detects the humidity of the said spraying target space, and the said control part judges whether the said spray restriction control is performed according to the detection result of the said humidity detection part. It is a mist generator characterized by being a thing.

  In this way, the control unit performs the spray control control, thereby restricting the ejection of the mist whose temperature has been lowered, and lengthening the heat exchange time with the heat exchange fluid to suppress the mist temperature from being lowered. It is possible to suppress a temperature drop in the spray target space due to the stop. Therefore, it is suppressed that the mist with lowered temperature is ejected into the spray target space, and the time required to form a good mist sauna environment can be reduced. And even if it uses an existing heating water heater etc. for an external heat source, in order to suppress the temperature fall in the spray object space, even if it does not newly add an external heat source, it can be installed in the existing house cheaply.

  Also, an operation unit is provided inside and outside the spray target space, and the control unit performs spray control control with an operation signal from the inside of the spray target space, and does not perform spray restriction control with an operation signal from the outside of the spray target space. As a result, the control unit can determine the presence / absence of the user in the spray target space from the operation signal, and can suppress the influence on the user's experience by the spray restriction control.

  In addition, since the control unit determines whether or not to perform spray restriction control according to the detection result of the humidity detection unit, control such as giving priority to humidity stability at the initial stage of spray when humidity is not stable is performed. It is possible to reduce the time required to form a good mist sauna environment.

It is explanatory drawing of an example of embodiment of this invention. It is the graph of (a) mist temperature with respect to the change of the going path temperature of the heat exchange fluid of the heat exchanger in the conventional mist generating apparatus, and (b) the graph of room temperature.

  Hereinafter, an example of an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings.

  The mist generating apparatus 1 of this example is for spraying hot water in the bathroom which is the spray target space 22 in the form of a mist, and as shown in FIG. 1, a mist sauna having a heating apparatus 15 for discharging warm air into the bathroom. It is provided in a functional heating and drying device. The mist generating device 1 includes a heat exchanger 2 that converts spray water supplied from an external water supply pipe 21 or the like into hot water using heat of a heat exchange fluid, and a spray unit 3 that sprays the hot water into a bathroom. The control unit 9 that controls the spray unit 3 and the operation unit 10 that outputs an operation signal to the control unit 9 are provided.

  A heat exchange fluid (hereinafter referred to as a heat medium) heated by an external heat source device 20 and water for spraying flow in the heat exchanger 2 respectively, and the heat exchanger 2 is sprayed by the heat of the heat medium. Water is heated to warm water. The temperature of the heat medium is detected by a temperature detection unit 7 such as a thermistor provided upstream of the heat exchanger 2, and the detected temperature is output to the control unit 9. Reference numeral 2 a is a water proportional valve that switches on and off the supply of the heat medium to the heat exchanger 2.

  Further, water for spraying (hot water) heated by the heat exchanger 2 is supplied to the spraying section 3. The spray unit 3 includes a plurality of mist nozzles 4 that spray the supplied hot water into the bathroom in the form of a mist, an electromagnetic valve 5 that switches on / off the supply of hot water to the mist nozzle 4, and a spray amount from the spray unit 3 And a switching valve 6 that adjusts.

  The switching valve 6 adjusts the spray amount by changing the number of mist nozzles 4 that perform spraying. In this example, the number of mist nozzles 4 that spray hot water is halved by closing the switching valve 6. This reduces the amount of spray.

  The switching valve 6 may be provided for each mist nozzle 4 so that the adjustment of the spray amount can be finely changed. In addition, if the electromagnetic valve 5 can adjust the supply amount of hot water, the switching valve 6 can also be used. You can also.

  Furthermore, the opening and closing of the electromagnetic valve 5 and the switching valve 6 is controlled by the control unit 9, and the control unit 9 sprays the spray unit 3 when the detected temperature output from the temperature detection unit 7 during spraying becomes less than a certain value. Is stopped, and spraying is interrupted until a certain value or more is reached. And when the outward temperature which is detection temperature falls below a fixed value, it is the state which the heat-source equipment 20 has stopped the heating operation of the heat medium by overheating prevention.

  That is, the control unit 9 recognizes the stop of the heating operation of the heat source unit 20 from the temperature detected by the temperature detection unit 7, and does not spray the hot water whose temperature has decreased with the stop of the heating operation into the bathroom. Therefore, the mist with the lowered temperature is not ejected into the bathroom, and the room temperature is prevented from being lowered by the mist with the lowered temperature.

  Since this heating operation is resumed after about 1 or 2 minutes have passed since the stop, the room temperature does not substantially change unless mist with a lowered temperature is ejected, and spraying is resumed after 1 or 2 minutes have passed. Is. Further, while the spraying is stopped, the heating medium flows in the heat exchanger 2 whereas the spraying water does not flow. Therefore, the spraying water gives heat from the heating medium for a longer time than the spraying state. The mist temperature of the mist ejected when spraying is resumed is prevented from being lowered.

  Thus, since the mist generating apparatus 1 of this example can suppress the temperature fall in the spraying target space 22 even if it uses the existing heating water heater etc. for the external heat source machine 20, it is not necessary to newly add a heat source machine. Can be installed in existing houses at low cost. And the temperature detection part 7 which detects an outward path temperature is a stop operation | movement detection part which detects the stop of the heating operation of the heat source machine 20. FIG.

  Of course, the stop operation detection unit is not limited to the temperature detection unit 7 for the forward path temperature, and may be arranged around the heat source device 20 to directly detect the stop of the heating operation. The stop operation detection signal may be output to the control unit 9 when stopping. In addition, since a time lag occurs until the heat medium is supplied to the heat exchanger 2 due to the length (pipe distance) of the pipe connecting the heat source apparatus 20 and the heat exchanger 2, the heating operation of the heat source apparatus 20 is stopped directly. In the case of what is to be detected or the heat source device 20 also serves as the operation detection unit, the control unit 9 delays the spraying and restarting for a predetermined time, so that the heat medium whose temperature has decreased due to the heating operation being stopped is heat exchanged. It is preferable that the control for interrupting the spraying can be performed in accordance with the timing of circulation in the vessel 2.

  Hereinafter, control in which the control unit 9 interrupts spraying when a stop operation is detected is referred to as spray restriction control. Note that the spray restriction control is not limited to stopping the spray unit 3, and may be one that reduces the spray amount of the spray unit 3 by closing the switching valve 6 as long as it can suppress a decrease in room temperature and mist temperature. It may be a combination of selecting and stopping either spraying stop or spraying amount depending on the humidity or the like.

  Moreover, the mist generating apparatus 1 has the humidity detection part 8 in the bathroom, the humidity (detection result) detected by the humidity detection part 8 is output to the control part 9, and the control part 9 is made into a detection result. Accordingly, it is determined whether or not to perform the spray restriction control when the stop operation is detected.

  For example, when the humidity is less than the set value, the controller 9 does not perform the spray restriction control even if the stop operation is detected by the stop operation detector. In this case, when the humidity reaches the set value, the mode is changed to a mode for performing the spray restriction control. After that, when the stop operation is detected, the spray is interrupted. And by setting the humidity setting value to the humidity at which the mist is stable in the bathroom, the humidity increase is prioritized over the increase in room temperature until the humidity stabilizes, and the humidity reduction due to spray restriction control can be suppressed. This is preferable.

  The operation unit 10 is provided outside the bathroom such as a dressing room and inside the bathroom, for example, an operation panel or a remote controller operated externally. The operation signals to be output are a start signal for starting spraying by the spraying unit 3, a stop signal for stopping spraying, a setting signal for changing spray settings such as a spray amount and a spray time, and the like.

  When this start signal is input to the control unit 9, the control unit 9 determines whether the output source of the signal is the operation unit 10a in the bathroom or the operation unit 10b outside the bathroom, and starts from the operation unit 10b outside the bathroom. If it is a signal, a mist sauna environment is formed while performing spray restriction control. And if a signal output source is the operation part 10a in a bathroom, even if a stop operation is detected, a mist sauna environment is formed without performing spray restriction control.

  That is, the control unit 9 determines whether the user who uses the mist generator 1 is in the bathroom or outside the bathroom from the signal output source, depending on the presence or absence of the user in the spray target space 22. It is determined whether or not to perform spray restriction control.

  As a result, when the user is in the bathroom, the influence on the sensation by the spray restriction control is reduced, and misidentification of the mist generating device 1 as a failure is prevented. The influence on the bodily sensation is, for example, a sense of incongruity caused by a decrease in the amount of spray or interruption of spraying, or an uncomfortable feeling caused by irregularly interrupting spraying.

  In addition, when a setting signal or the like is output from the operation unit 10a in the bathroom in the mode for performing the spray restriction control, the control unit 9 determines that the user has moved into the bathroom and does not perform the spray restriction control. It may shift to the mode. And the control part 9 judges that the user has gone out of the bathroom when the operation signal is outputted from the operation part 10b outside the bathroom after the input of the operation signal from inside the bathroom when the humidity is not less than the set value, and the spray restriction You may switch to the mode which performs control. Of course, each operation unit 10 may perform a mode selection operation of whether or not to perform the spray restriction control.

  Reference numeral 11 denotes a notifying unit for notifying the outside of the operation operation such as spraying of the mist generating device 1 or each operation mode or failure by performing buzzer, sound, lamp lighting / flashing, character display, and the like.

  In addition, the heating device 15 includes an air inlet (not shown) that sucks air in the bathroom, a heat exchanger 16 for heating that heats the air taken in the air inlet, and an air outlet that blows the heated air into the bathroom. (Not shown in particular) and a circulation fan 17 for flowing the taken-in air. That is, after the air is sucked into the apparatus through the air inlet by the circulation fan 17 and heated by the heat exchanger 16 for heating, the warm air is discharged into the bathroom through the air outlet. It is.

  Therefore, this heating device 15 warms the interior of the bathroom with warm air and ventilates (dehumidifies) the interior of the bathroom with a ventilator equipped with an external ventilation fan, so that the laundry or the like disposed in the bathroom can be used. It can also be used as a drying apparatus for drying. When the mist is ejected by the mist generating device 1 during the warm air discharge operation of the heating device 15, the mist rides on the air flow generated by the heating device 15 and diffuses into the bathroom, and the humidity in the bathroom. In addition, the unevenness of temperature distribution can be reduced, and a more comfortable mist sauna environment can be formed.

  Reference numeral 16a is a heat operated valve for turning on and off the supply of the heat medium to the heating heat exchanger 16, and reference numeral 16b is a temperature (room temperature) in the bathroom from the air sucked into the heating device 15 from the bathroom. It is a room temperature detection part to detect.

  Moreover, the control part 9 of the mist generator 1 also serves as a heating control part that controls the driving of the circulation fan 17 and the opening and closing of the thermal valve 16a, and controls each part according to each detection result and interlocking between the apparatuses. Can be easily performed. Of course, you may provide a control part in the heating apparatus 15 and the mist generator 1, respectively.

  Here, an example of the formation operation of the mist sauna environment of the heating / drying apparatus with the mist sauna function will be described.

  When the start signal for forming the mist sauna environment is input to the control unit 9 from the operation unit 10b outside the bathroom, the control unit 9 opens the thermal valve 16a and supplies the heating medium to the heat exchanger 16 for heating. The circulation fan 17 is started, and the air in the bathroom is circulated through the heating device 15. At this time, the air in the bathroom becomes warm air by the heat exchanger 16 for heating and returns to the bathroom, so that the room temperature rises.

  When the room temperature exceeds a certain value (preheating temperature for the mist sauna), the control unit 9 opens the water proportional valve 2a to supply a heat medium to the heat exchanger 2 of the mist generating device 1 so that the water for spraying becomes warm water. Then, the notification unit 11 notifies the completion of spray preparation to the outside.

  After notifying the completion of the preparation for spraying, the control unit 9 opens the electromagnetic valve 5 and the switching valve 6 and starts spraying into the bathroom by the mist nozzle 4, and also determines the humidity in the bathroom from the detection result of the humidity detection unit 8. To grasp. When the humidity reaches the set value, the control unit 9 shifts to a mode for performing the spray restriction control and starts measuring the operation time with a timer or the like built in the control unit 9.

  And the control part 9 performs spray restriction | limiting control whenever a stop operation | movement is detected, and when the set time is reached, while stopping the spray by the spray part 3, it notifies the completion | finish of mist sauna from the alerting | reporting part 11. FIG. At this time, the control unit 9 also stops the air circulation operation of the heating device 15 and the heat exchange operation by each heat exchanger 2.

  In addition, if a stop signal is input from the operation unit 10 to the control unit 9 during preparation for spraying or during spraying, the control unit 9 stops each unit regardless of the measurement time or the like. Of course, when the start signal is output from the operation unit 10a in the bathroom, spraying is performed without shifting to the mode for performing the spray restriction control even when the humidity reaches the set value.

  The spray target space 22 is not limited to a bathroom having a bathtub, but covers a part of the body such as a lower part of the user's neck as well as a unit room for a sauna without a bathtub. It may be in the case of a sauna for performing. The mist generating device 1 is not limited to the one provided in the heating / drying apparatus having the heating device 15, and is configured by a single mist generating device 1 or a blower that generates an airflow (wind) for carrying the mist. It may be provided in an air-conditioning device or an air purifier.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Mist generator 2 Heat exchanger 3 Spray part 8 Humidity detection part 9 Control part 10 Operation part 10a Operation part in spray object space (bathroom) 10b Operation part outside spray object space (bathroom) 11 Notification part 20 Heat source machine 22 Spraying space

Claims (3)

  A spray unit for supplying water from the outside and ejecting mist to the spray target space, a control unit for controlling the spray unit, and an external heat source for heating a heat exchange fluid of a heat exchanger for heating water supplied to the spray unit A stop operation detection unit that detects the stop of the heating operation, and the control unit stops spraying of the spray unit based on detection of the heating operation stop of the external heat source by the stop operation detection unit or a spray amount A mist generating device that performs spray restriction control to reduce the mist.   An operation unit that outputs an operation signal to the control unit is provided inside and outside the spray target space, and the control unit is configured to perform the spray restriction when an operation signal is input from the operation unit provided outside the spray target space. 2. The mist generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the spray restriction control is not performed when an operation signal is input from an operation unit provided in the spray target space.   It has a humidity detection part which detects the humidity of the spray object space, and the control part judges whether to perform the spray restriction control according to the detection result of the humidity detection part. The mist generator according to claim 1 or 2.

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