JP3118765U - Heating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention provides a thermal apparatus that can easily warm up the body at any time in a familiar place as well as a bedrock bath that is expected to have a thermal effect by far-infrared rays, and can be manufactured at a relatively low cost with a simple configuration.
A thermal apparatus (1) includes a flow pipe (3) through which a fluid is circulated, a holding body (20) formed with a recess (30) capable of holding the flow pipe (3), and a recess (30) of the holding body (20). The far-infrared radiator 10 formed in a predetermined shape by mixing at least one powder of a mineral 13 and ceramics that radiates far-infrared by heating into the matrix material 12, and circulation for heating the far-infrared radiator 10 A heat medium circulated in the pipe 3, a tank for storing the heat medium, an electric heater for heating the heat medium stored in the tank, and a heat medium heated by the electric heater in the flow pipe 3 And a circulating pump.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a thermal apparatus, and more particularly to a thermal apparatus that warms a human body by far infrared rays emitted from a heated substance.

  Traditionally, so-called bedrock bathing has been performed among people with a high interest in health. It is intended to warm the body, promote blood circulation and increase metabolism by lying or sitting on a warm bedrock. For example, it is said that it is not affected by water pressure compared to the case where it is immersed in hot water or hot water in a hot spring or bath. Further, since the frequency of far infrared rays is close to the natural frequency of molecules constituting organic substances including the human body, receiving far infrared rays has an effect of increasing body temperature due to amplification by resonance of molecular vibrations. Here, the amount of far-infrared radiation emitted by a substance also depends on the type of substance, so a rock bath with a rock mass that is said to contain minerals with a high emissivity of far-infrared has a high thermal effect due to far-infrared It is expected and is gaining popularity.

  However, in order to take a bedrock bath, there was a problem that it was necessary to go to a specific place where the bedrock heated by geothermal heat such as a hot spring resort was exposed on the ground surface. In particular, because there are many people who are sick or elderly, it is difficult to go out, even if they want to go to bedrock. In addition, even people who are not inconvenienced to go out often find it difficult to go out to bedrock baths frequently. In addition, rocks are brought into the house to make a bedrock bathroom, but there is a problem that the construction of such facilities is extremely expensive. Therefore, there has been a demand for means that can warm the body in the same way as a rock bath without limiting the economic burden in a familiar place such as a home without going out to a rock bath.

  Therefore, in view of the above circumstances, the present invention can easily warm the body at any time in a familiar place, like a bedrock bath where a thermal effect by far infrared rays is expected, and is relatively inexpensive with a simple configuration. An object is to provide a thermal apparatus that can be manufactured.

  The thermal mat according to the present invention includes a “circulation pipe for circulating a fluid therein, a holding body in which a recess capable of holding the flow pipe is formed, and at least a part of which is fitted in the recess of the holding body. A far-infrared radiator formed in a predetermined shape by mixing a powder made of at least one of mineral and ceramics that emits far-infrared rays with a matrix material, and circulating in the flow pipe for heating the far-infrared radiator A heat medium to be heated, a tank for housing the heat medium, an electric heater for heating the heat medium housed in the tank, and a pump for circulating the heat medium heated by the electric heater in the flow pipe "".

  The reason for using “at least one of minerals and ceramics” as the structure of the far-infrared radiator is that it exhibits a higher emissivity in the far-infrared wavelength region than metals. For example, it is said that the emissivity of far infrared rays is high and a lot of negative ions are generated. Ceramics made from a metal oxide such as titania can be used. The particle diameter of these powders can be set as appropriate. However, if the diameter is large, mixing with the matrix material described later tends to be non-uniform, and if the diameter is small, it becomes expensive. Moreover, since the ratio with respect to the below-mentioned matrix material will be hard to carry | support to a matrix material if too large, and when the amount is too small, the amount of far-infrared radiation will reduce, For example, it is desirable to set to the range of 10-40%. As minerals and ceramics, a single type of powder can be used, or a plurality of types of powders can be mixed and used.

  The “distribution pipe” can be set with an appropriate material in consideration of the corrosion resistance according to the type of fluid, the heat resistance according to the heating temperature, and the like, and a steel pipe, a stainless pipe, a copper pipe and the like can be used. In addition, the far-infrared radiator which is a to-be-heated body can be heated in a plane by meandering the flow pipes or connecting a plurality of pipes in parallel.

  The “holding body” holds the flow tube and the far-infrared radiator, and further holds the human body when the user places at least a part of the body on the far-infrared radiator. For example, it can be formed into a chair type, a bed type, a footrest type, a cushion type, or a mat type. In addition, the configuration in which the far-infrared radiator is “at least partially fitted into the concave portion of the holding body” is, for example, by making the cross-section of the bottom surface of the concave portion substantially coincide with the cross-sectional shape of the far-infrared radiator to be described later. At least the bottom side of the body is fitted into the recess. Alternatively, the far-infrared radiator has elasticity, and the inserted far-infrared radiator is less likely to be displaced by being pushed into a recess having a smaller cross-sectional area than the far-infrared radiator using elasticity. Or by making the bottom area of a recessed part larger than a far-infrared radiator, the attachment or detachment of the far-infrared radiator inserted in a recessed part becomes easy. Note that the far-infrared radiator at least part of which is fitted in the concave portion can have a surface height substantially equal to the surface of the holding body, or can be convex or concave with respect to the surface of the holding body.

  The “matrix material” is not particularly limited as long as it is a material that can be mixed with mineral or ceramic powder and can be formed into a predetermined shape after mixing. Organic materials such as rubber and resin, inorganic materials such as cement and ceramic bodies, etc. Materials can be exemplified. The “predetermined shape” of the far-infrared radiator can be exemplified by a rectangular or circular sheet shape or a plate shape. It is also possible to form a “predetermined shape” by foaming a rubber or resin as a matrix material.

  Examples of the “heat medium” include oils such as mineral oil and animal and vegetable oils, and water. The “heating by the electric heater” may be configured to directly heat the heat medium with the electric heater, or may be configured to heat the entire tank with the electric heater wound around the tank.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the heat medium heated by the electric heater is sent by the pump and circulates in the flow pipe, and the far-infrared radiator held in the recess together with the flow pipe is transferred to the heat medium via the flow pipe. Heated. Thereby, far infrared rays are radiated from the heated far-infrared radiator, and the body temperature can be raised by activation of molecular vibration by resonance. This heating of the human body by far-infrared radiation is a radiant heat transfer that does not require a medium in between, so as long as there is a temperature difference between the far-infrared radiator that is the heating body and the human body that is the heated body, Is maintained, and the body can be warmed more efficiently than when heated via a medium such as hot air or hot water. The body can also be warmed by conduction heat transfer from a heated far-infrared radiator. And it is expected that the increase in body temperature promotes blood circulation and enhances metabolism and natural healing power. That is, the body can be warmed easily by a thermal effect by far-infrared rays similar to a rock bath at any time in a familiar place such as a home. In addition, since it has a simple configuration using powders of minerals, distribution pipes, electric heaters, etc., it becomes a relatively widespread general-purpose thermal apparatus.

  In addition, since minerals and ceramics are mixed with the matrix material in a powder state, they can be uniformly dispersed in the far-infrared radiator. As a result, the far-infrared radiation characteristics of the far-infrared radiator are unlikely to vary, and a uniform thermal effect can be exhibited over the entire surface of the far-infrared radiator.

  Furthermore, since the heat medium that heats the far-infrared radiator, which is a part that touches the user's body, is a fluid, and the far-infrared radiator itself is not configured to electrically heat, it can be used without causing a problem due to electric leakage. be able to. In addition, it becomes a thermal apparatus that can be used with peace of mind even for users who are concerned about the adverse effects of electromagnetic waves generated by the flow of current on the human body and the effect of reducing the relaxation effect due to negative ions.

  Furthermore, the heating device according to the present invention may be configured such that “the heating medium is oil”.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, since the heat medium is oil, rust and corrosion can be obtained even if a metal distribution pipe suitable for heat resistance, mechanical strength, ease of piping, price, etc. is used. It becomes difficult to occur. In addition, since oil is less likely to deteriorate than water, it can be used for a long time with reduced replacement effort and costs. Further, since the specific heat of the oil is small, it is easy to heat to a predetermined temperature, and the response to a desired set temperature is good.

  In addition to the above configuration, the heating device of the present invention may include “a temperature control unit that controls heating by the electric heater and adjusts the temperature of the heat medium”.

  The “temperature control means” may be any means that appropriately detects the temperature of the heating medium, controls the heating by the electric heater based on the result, and can maintain the temperature at a set temperature of 35 to 45 ° C., for example, thermistor, thermocouple, It is possible to configure a temperature sensor such as a temperature resistor, by combining known means such as a controller that compares the measured temperature with the set temperature, intermittently heats the electric heater, or continuously increases or decreases the current. is there. This temperature control means can be positioned at an appropriate location such as near the tank containing the heating medium, but the operation for inputting the temperature setting may be performed by the user of the heating device. desirable.

  Therefore, according to the present invention, the temperature of the far-infrared radiator can be set to a user's favorite temperature for each user. And since it is automatically hold | maintained at preset temperature, it becomes a thermal apparatus which a user can use relaxedly, without requiring complicated troubles, such as performing temperature adjustment by operating ON / OFF of an electric heater. In addition, there is no need to adjust the temperature with thick rugs, such as when the bedrock is hot at the bedrock bath, so there is no need for thick rugs that can absorb far-infrared radiation, and radiation from far-infrared radiators. It becomes possible to make far infrared rays act effectively.

  Further, the heating device of the present invention may be “the holding body is formed in a chair shape or a bed shape”.

  The “chair type” can be a chair with a leg or a seat, and can be provided with auxiliary parts such as a headrest, a rest, a footrest, an armrest, and a reclining function. And the recessed part which fits a far-infrared radiator can be provided in each part, such as a backrest part, a seat part, and a recess part, or can be provided only in a specific part. The “bed type” may be a bed with legs or a mattress type bed without legs, and may have an armrest and an angle adjustment function.

  Therefore, according to this invention, it becomes a thermal apparatus which can be used with a relaxed attitude | position by integrating a holding body with a chair or a bed. Moreover, since it is not a special shape, it can be used as a part of furniture in a general home, and can also be used as a substitute for a normal chair or bed when not used as a heating device.

  As described above, according to the present invention, the body can be warmed up easily at any time in a familiar place, like a bedrock bath that is expected to have a thermal effect by far-infrared rays, and is relatively inexpensive with a simple configuration. A thermal apparatus that can be manufactured can be provided.

  Hereinafter, a heating apparatus which is the best embodiment for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. In addition, in this embodiment, the case where the thermal device of this invention is applied as a chair type | mold is illustrated. 1 is an overall perspective view of the thermal apparatus of the present embodiment, FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the thermal apparatus of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the configuration of the thermal apparatus of FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram specifically showing an example of control of the heating device of FIG.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heating device 1 of the present embodiment includes a circulation pipe 3 that circulates a fluid therein, a holding body 20 in which a recess 30 that can hold the circulation pipe 3 is formed, and heating. A far-infrared radiator 10 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “radiator 10”) formed by mixing a powder of a mineral 13 that emits far-infrared into a matrix material, and an oil 2 that is a heat medium circulated in the flow pipe 3 And a tank 5 for storing the oil 2, an electric heater 6 for heating the oil 2, and a pump 7 for circulating the heated oil 2 into the flow pipe 3.

  More specifically, the holding body 20 fixes the holding body 20 to an installation surface such as a backrest portion 21, a seat portion 22, a recess portion 23, a headrest portion 27, and a floor in which an appropriate cushioning material is covered with a skin material. A leg portion (not shown) and an armrest portion 28 are mainly formed in a chair shape. Each of the backrest 21, the seat 22, and the recess 23 is provided with a box-shaped recess 30 having a U-shaped cross section. The depth of the recess 30 depends on the outer diameter of the flow pipe 3 and the radiation described later. It is set to be approximately equal to the sum of the thickness of the body 10. In addition, the footrest part which hold | maintains a sole can be provided instead of the recess part 23 or with the recess part 23, and the recessed part 30 can also be provided in a footrest part in that case. Further, in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the illustration of one armrest portion 28 (the front side of the drawing) is omitted in order to clarify the configuration.

  The flow pipe 3 is a steel pipe having an inner diameter of 12 mm, and one end of the flow pipe 3 is connected to a tank 5 (see FIG. 3) containing the oil 2 via a rubber joint (not shown). Further, the distribution pipe 3 is curved and arranged so as to crawl the bottom surface of the recess 30 provided in each of the backrest portion 21, the seat portion 22, and the recess portion 23, and the other end is made of rubber in the tank 5. It is connected through the joint part. The distribution pipe 3 may be composed of a plurality of pipes and may be appropriately connected by joint portions. A bendable bellows tube may be used as the flow tube 3.

  Here, in this embodiment, as the mineral 13, a powder of a contact metamorphic rock having a particle diameter of 200 to 500 mesh, which is a tuff called horosite (registered trademark), is used, and the silicone rubber 12 as a matrix material is used. The radiator 10 is formed by blending at a ratio of 10 to 40%. The radiator 10 can be molded, for example, by sufficiently mixing the liquid type silicone rubber 12 and the powder of the mineral 13 and then injecting it into a mold having a predetermined shape and heat-curing it. In addition, the radiator 10 of the present embodiment is formed in a sheet shape having a thickness of 3 to 10 mm, substantially the same shape as the bottom surface of each of the recesses 30 provided in the backrest part 21, the seat part 22, and the recess part 23, It can be inserted into the remaining space of the recess 30 in which the flow pipe 3 is arranged. In addition, small irregularities (not shown) are formed on the surface of the radiator 10 as a whole.

  The radiator 10 can be appropriately colored by mixing a coloring agent at the time of molding. For example, a warm color with a warm taste can be given, or a color pattern imitating a rock can be given to create a rocky bathing atmosphere. Or the external appearance of the chair-type thermal apparatus 1 of this embodiment used with other furniture in a familiar place can be improved by harmonizing with the color tone of the skin material of the holding body 20. In particular, since the matrix material of the present embodiment is the light-colored (milky white) silicone rubber 12, the natural color can be easily colored in any color.

  Further, as shown mainly in FIG. 3, oil 2 as a heat medium is accommodated in a tank 5 (capacity 10 liters), and an electric heater 6 for heating the oil 2 is disposed in the tank 5, A temperature sensor 49 for measuring the temperature of the oil 2 in the tank 5 is attached. Further, a pump 7 is attached to the flow pipe 3 between the tank 5 and the holding body 20. Further, the configuration of the tank 5, the pump 7, the motor 47, and the like are accommodated in a space formed between the bottom surface of the seat portion 22 and the installation surface between the leg portions that fix the holding body 20 to the installation surface. ing.

  Furthermore, the thermal apparatus 1 includes a control unit 40, and the control unit 40 controls operations such as driving of the pump 7 by the motor 47 and power-off by the timer 42. In addition, the temperature adjusting means 9 in the control unit 40 controls the current supplied to the electric heater 6 and controls the temperature of the oil 2. Further, in the present embodiment, there is further provided an operation unit 50 that can be operated by a user at hand and can input the set temperature and the operation time of the timer 42 to the control unit 40.

  An example of the control in the control unit 40 is shown in FIG. According to this example, when the power switch 45 is turned on, the indicator lamp 41 is turned on, and the timer 42, the temperature adjusting means 9 and the motor 47 start to operate, and the contact 43s is connected by energizing the coil section 43 of the relay. close. Here, if the power switch 45 is an automatic return type, the power switch 45 is again opened. When the temperature measured by the temperature sensor 49 is lower than the set temperature, the contact 9s is closed by the output of the temperature adjusting means 9 and the electric heater 6 is energized. When the measured temperature is higher than the set temperature, the temperature adjusting means 9 With the output, the contact 9s is opened, the electric heater 6 is de-energized, and the measured temperature is maintained to match the set temperature. When the timer 42 detects the elapse of the set time, the contact 42s is opened, the relay coil section 43 is de-energized, the contact 43s is opened, and the entire circuit is opened. As a result, the indicator lamp 41 is turned off, and the supply of current to the temperature adjusting means 9, the motor 47, and the electric heater 6 is stopped.

  Next, the usage method of the thermal apparatus 1 of this embodiment is demonstrated using FIG. 1 thru | or FIG. First, prior to the use of the thermal apparatus 1, the radiator 10 is installed so as to be fitted into the recesses 30 provided in the backrest part 21, the seat part 22, and the regress part 23, respectively. Here, in order to warm the body with the heating device 1, in order to effectively receive radiant heat conduction and conduction heat transfer by the radiation of far infrared rays from the heated heating device 1, a part of the body is brought into contact with the radiator 10 However, in this embodiment, since the holding body 20 is a chair type, by sitting on the seat portion 22, sitting on the backrest portion 21, and placing the calf portion on the rest portion 23, The body can be brought into contact with the radiator 10 inserted into the recess 30 of each part. In addition, you may make skin touch the radiator 10 directly, or a towel, a sheet, etc. are laid in the thermal apparatus 1, or a user wears a yukata, a bathrobe, etc., and skin is indirectly attached to the radiator 10. You may make it contact | abut.

  When the control unit 40 is operated by turning on the power switch 45 by operating the operation unit 50, electric power is supplied from the external power input terminal 55, and the oil 2 in the tank 5 is supplied by the electric heater 6 by the control exemplified above. The oil 2 heated and heated by the pump 7 driven by the motor 47 is sent to the flow pipe 3. And the heated oil 2 distribute | circulates the inside of the distribution | circulation pipe | tube 3 distribute | arranged to the back surface of the radiator 10, and provides a thermal energy to the radiator 10 in the backrest part 21, the seat part 22, and the recess part 23. At this time, since the flow pipe 3 is curved and disposed in the recess 30, the radiator 10 is heated in a surface. Then, the oil 2 whose temperature has decreased due to the loss of heat energy is returned to the tank 5 and heated again by the electric heater 6, and is heated to the set temperature by the temperature control exemplified above. Then, the radiator 10 is continuously heated by the circulation of the oil 2 having reached the set temperature. As a result, the body of the user sitting on the chair-type holding body 20 is warmed by radiant heat conduction and conduction heat transfer by the far infrared rays radiated from the heated radiator 10. Here, the set temperature can be set to 35 to 45 ° C., which is close to the body temperature, for example. If the user feels that the temperature is too high or too low, the set temperature is set by operating the operation unit 50. If the change is input, the supply of current to the electric heater 6 for heating the oil 2 is adjusted under the control of the temperature control means 9.

  By setting a default value for the operation time of the timer 42, the power is automatically turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed even if the user does not set the time. Further, the operation time of the timer 42 can be set by the user by an input from the operation unit 50.

  In addition, the thermal apparatus 1 of this embodiment is provided with the sheet-like aluminum top (not shown), and the user can hang this top from the body so that the upper part of the holding body 20 may be covered. This utilizes the high reflectivity of the far-infrared rays of the metal having a gloss on the surface, and reflects the far-infrared rays emitted from the radiator 10 at the portion not contacting the user's body to the user side. The thermal effect by far infrared rays can be made more effective.

  As described above, according to the heating device 1 of the present embodiment, the radiator 10 is heated by the circulation of the heated oil 2 in the circulation pipe 3, and the radiant heat and conduction heat transfer due to the radiation of far infrared rays. The user's body is warmed. This is expected to promote blood circulation, improve metabolic function and natural healing power. And you can warm up your body easily at any time, such as at home, just like a rock bath where the thermal effect of far infrared rays is expected. In addition, when the radiator 10 contains the mineral 13 having a high emissivity in the far-infrared wavelength region, the thermal effect by the far-infrared rays can be more effectively exhibited. Furthermore, the powdered mineral 13 can be uniformly dispersed in the radiator 10 and can exhibit a uniform thermal effect over the entire surface of the radiator 10. Moreover, the radiation effect | action of the far infrared rays by the silica contained as a powder reinforcement material is anticipated to the silicone rubber 12 used as a matrix material.

  Moreover, the small unevenness formed on the surface of the radiator 10 increases the surface area of the radiator 10 and increases the amount of far-infrared radiation, improves the cushioning property of the radiator 10, and exhibits an anti-slip effect. It becomes. Furthermore, since the radiator 10 is detachable with respect to the holding body 20, when sweat or dirt adheres, it can be removed from the recess 30 and washed away, and can be kept clean.

  In addition, by providing the temperature control means 9, the temperature setting can be adjusted as appropriate according to the user's preference, physical condition, weather, and the like. In addition, the provision of the timer 42 eliminates the possibility of excessive heating for a long time even if a user who has become uncomfortable due to forgetting to turn off the power or the user who has become comfortable with the use of the heating device 1 sleeps. Can be used with confidence. And the energization state of the thermal apparatus 1 can be easily identified by the presence or absence of lighting of the indicator lamp 41.

  Furthermore, since the heat medium is oil 2, there is no risk of leakage, rust is not easily generated in the steel distribution pipe 3, and the oil 2 itself is not easily deteriorated. Therefore, maintenance is easy and the maintenance cost is low. It becomes the thermal apparatus 1. Moreover, since the powdery mineral 13 is used without using an expensive bedrock that is difficult to transport and the entire apparatus has a simple configuration, the heating apparatus 1 is relatively inexpensive and can be widely spread generally. Further, since the holding body 20 is formed in a chair shape, it can be used in a relaxed posture and can be used as a part of furniture in place of a normal chair.

  The present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment. However, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention as described below. Design changes are possible.

  For example, in the present embodiment, the case where the holding body is formed in a chair shape is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a familiar place can be formed by forming it in a bed type, a footrest type, a cushion type, or the like. It becomes a heating device that can be used on a daily basis. In the case of a chair type or a bed type, the angle of each part can be adjusted so that the user can take various postures. Moreover, it can also be set as the thermal apparatus to which the massage function was added.

  In the present embodiment, the case where silicone rubber is used as the matrix material is exemplified, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the type and blending ratio of the matrix material can be changed for each part to vary the texture and softness. . For example, the cushioning property can be improved by using rubber having elasticity as a matrix material in the seat portion and the backrest portion, and the sole can be configured to support the sole with a hard feeling by using a resin having poor elasticity as the matrix material in the footrest portion.

  Further, the control in the control unit is not limited to the one exemplified above. For example, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the measured temperature and the set temperature are compared and the current to the electric heater is turned ON / OFF is exemplified, but the current supplied to the electric heater may be continuously increased or decreased. it can. Further, in the present embodiment, the configuration in which the temperature of the circulating oil is controlled at one place is illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the temperature of the radiator is separately provided in each of the backrest, the seat, and the recess. It can also be set as the structure which can control.

It is a whole perspective view of the thermal apparatus of this embodiment. It is a disassembled perspective view of the thermal apparatus of FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the thermal apparatus of FIG. 1 typically. It is explanatory drawing which shows an example of control of the thermal apparatus of FIG. 1 concretely.

Explanation of symbols

1 Heating device 2 Oil (heat medium)
3 Flow pipe 5 Tank 6 Electric heater 7 Pump 9 Temperature control means 10 Radiator (far-infrared radiator)
12 Silicone rubber (matrix material)
13 Mineral 20 Holder 30 Recess

Claims (4)

A distribution pipe for circulating fluid inside,
A holder formed with a recess capable of holding the flow pipe;
A far-infrared radiator that is formed into a predetermined shape by mixing a powder made of at least one of a mineral and ceramics, which is at least partially fitted in the concave portion of the holding body, and radiates far-infrared rays by heating, and a matrix material;
A heat medium circulated in the flow tube to heat the far-infrared radiator,
A tank containing the heat medium;
An electric heater for heating the heat medium housed in the tank;
And a pump for circulating the heat medium heated by the electric heater into the flow pipe.   The heating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heat medium is oil.   The heating apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising temperature control means for controlling heating by the electric heater and adjusting a temperature of the heat medium.   The thermal apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the holding body is formed in a chair shape or a bed shape.

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