JP5222170B2 - Mist generator - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a mist generator for spraying mist such as steam.

  As one of the mist generating devices such as humidifiers and facial devices that spray mist such as steam to moisturize the human skin and throat, a large-diameter mist generator that generates micro-size large-diameter mist from water And a small-diameter mist generating section that generates nano-sized small-diameter mist using an electrostatic atomization mechanism (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In such a mist generator, a composite effect can be obtained with two kinds of mists of different kinds.

JP 2004-361909 A

  By the way, in place of the small-diameter mist generating part in the mist generating apparatus as described above, a liquid agent spraying mechanism for spraying a liquid agent such as a moisturizing agent or a whitening agent from the spray nozzle (the tip opening part) is provided, and the mist generated from water An apparatus that sprays the liquid agent (its mist) simultaneously or sequentially is conceivable. However, in such a case, there is a possibility that the raw material of the liquid agent is fixed to the spray nozzle before the next use, for example, and the spray nozzle is clogged. For example, this makes it difficult to spray the liquid agent when it is used next time, and causes a spray failure.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a mist generator capable of spraying a mist and a liquid agent simultaneously or sequentially and spraying the liquid agent stably. Is to provide.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, in the invention according to claim 1, a heating type mist generating part for generating mist by heating water from a water storage tank, and a mist discharge port for discharging the generated mist A liquid agent spray mechanism for spraying the liquid agent from the tip opening of the spray nozzle, and a heat transfer means for transferring the heat generated in the mist generator to the spray nozzle. And the heat transfer means has a mist branch passage branched from the mist transfer path between the mist generating section and the mist discharge port and adjacent to the spray nozzle, and the mist passing through the mist branch passage is provided. The gist is to transfer heat to the spray nozzle .

  According to the same structure, mist and a liquid agent can be sprayed simultaneously or sequentially. Moreover, since heat generated by the heating mist generating part can be transferred to the spray nozzle by the heat transfer means, for example, the viscosity of the liquid agent stuck to the inside of the spray nozzle or the tip opening is reduced, or the liquid agent It is possible to prevent the raw material of the liquid agent from being removed or fixed to the spray nozzle (the spray nozzle is clogged) by dissolving the raw material. Therefore, a liquid agent can be sprayed stably. Of course, since the heat generated in the heating type mist generating section is used from the beginning, the apparatus will not be scaled up.

In addition , since the heat of the mist passing through the mist branch passage adjacent to the spray nozzle is transferred to the spray nozzle, the heat generated in the mist generator is less than that in a configuration in which the mist generator is simply brought close to the spray nozzle. Heat can be efficiently transferred to the spray nozzle.

The invention according to claim 2 is summarized in that in the mist generating apparatus according to claim 1 , a branch on-off valve is provided in the mist branch passage.
According to this configuration, since the branch opening / closing valve is provided in the mist branch passage, the mist is appropriately supplied to the mist branch passage manually or automatically, and the heat of the mist is appropriately transferred to the spray nozzle. it can. That is, when heat transfer is unnecessary, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily transferring heat, and further reducing the viscosity of the liquid agent more than necessary.

The gist of the invention described in claim 3 is that the mist generator according to claim 2 comprises a timer and a control unit that operates the branch on-off valve based on the measurement time of the timer.

  According to this configuration, since the branch on / off valve is operated based on the measurement time of the timer by the control unit, for example, the elapsed time after the spraying of the liquid agent is measured by the timer, and the elapsed time is preset. When the execution of spraying of the liquid agent is operated with the operation switch after the predetermined time has passed, it is possible to automatically transfer the heat of the mist to the spray nozzle first. That is, when the preset time has elapsed since the end of the previous spraying of the liquid agent and there is a high possibility that the raw material of the liquid agent is stuck inside the spray nozzle etc., the heat of the mist is transferred to the spray nozzle, and so on Sometimes unnecessary heat transfer can be avoided. Further, for example, when the total spray time of the liquid agent is measured by a timer and the total spray time exceeds a preset time, the heat of the mist can be automatically transferred to the spray nozzle. As a result, for example, it is possible to automatically prevent the raw material of the liquid agent from adhering to the spray nozzle and clogging the spray nozzle.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the mist generating apparatus according to the second aspect , the pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the spray nozzle, and the branch on / off valve based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The gist of the present invention is that it includes a control unit to be operated.

  According to this configuration, the branch on / off valve is operated by the control unit based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. For example, when the detected pressure falls outside the preset specified range, the mist is automatically generated. This heat can be transferred to the spray nozzle. That is, when the liquid material is fixed on the downstream side (tip opening side) from the pressure sensor and the detected pressure exceeds the specified range, or the liquid material is fixed on the upstream side of the pressure sensor, the detected pressure is It becomes possible to automatically transfer the heat of the mist to the spray nozzle when it becomes less than the specified range.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the mist generating device according to the second aspect , a concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the liquid agent in the spray nozzle, and the branch based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor The gist of the invention is that it includes a control unit that operates the on-off valve.

  According to the same configuration, the branch on / off valve is operated by the control unit based on the concentration of the liquid agent detected by the concentration sensor. For example, when the detected concentration falls outside the preset specified range, In addition, the heat of the mist can be transferred to the spray nozzle. That is, when the raw material of the liquid agent adheres on the downstream side (tip opening side) from the concentration sensor and the detected concentration exceeds the specified range, or the raw material of the liquid agent adheres on the upstream side of the concentration sensor, the detected concentration is It becomes possible to automatically transfer the heat of the mist to the spray nozzle when it becomes less than the specified range.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the mist generating apparatus according to the second aspect , the counter for counting the number of times the liquid spray mechanism is used and the branch on-off valve are operated based on the count value counted by the counter. The gist of the invention is that it includes a control unit.

  According to this configuration, the branching on / off valve is operated by the control unit based on the count value (number of times the liquid spray mechanism is used) counted by the counter. For example, the count value (number of times the liquid spray mechanism is used) is set in advance. When the execution of spraying of the liquid agent is operated with the operation switch after the set number of times has been exceeded, the heat of the mist can be automatically first transferred to the spray nozzle. That is, the mist heat is transferred to the spray nozzle when the number of times the liquid spray mechanism is used exceeds the preset number of times and there is a high possibility that the raw material of the liquid is stuck inside the spray nozzle, etc. The necessary heat transfer can be avoided.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the mist generating device according to any one of the second to sixth aspects, the mist discharge port or the mist branch passage in the mist transfer path is closer to the mist discharge port side. The gist of the present invention is that a main path opening / closing valve that is closed when the branch opening / closing valve is open is provided.

  According to this configuration, the mist discharge port or the mist discharge passage side (downstream side) of the mist discharge passage in the mist transfer path is closed when the branch on-off valve is open (when the spray nozzle is washed). Since the main path opening / closing valve is provided, the heat of the mist can be efficiently transferred to the spray nozzle by the high-pressure mist.

The invention according to claim 8 is the mist generating apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the mist branch passage is made of a metal member .

  ADVANTAGE OF THE INVENTION According to this invention, while being able to spray mist and a liquid agent simultaneously or sequentially, the mist generator which can spray a liquid agent stably can be provided.

Schematic diagram of a mist generator in this embodiment The schematic diagram of the mist generator in another example. The schematic diagram of the mist generator in another example. The schematic diagram of the mist generator in another example. The schematic diagram of the mist generator in another example.

Hereinafter, an embodiment embodying the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
As shown in FIG. 1, the mist generating apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a case 11, a mist generating / discharging mechanism 12 and a liquid spray mechanism 13 that are substantially accommodated in the case 11, and a control that is accommodated in the case 11. Unit 14 and timer 15.

  The case 11 is formed with a mist opening 11a that opens upward (top direction) and a liquid agent opening 11b that opens laterally (horizontal direction). Note that the case 11 includes, for example, a bottomed rectangular tube-shaped case main body that is open at the top, a lid member that covers the upper end opening of the case main body, and the like. Show. Further, the liquid agent opening 11b of the present embodiment projects from the side surface of the case 11 to the side (in the horizontal direction, leftward in FIG. 1) in a cylindrical shape and communicates with the inside and outside of the case 11. It is formed at the tip.

  The mist generating / discharging mechanism 12 is connected to a water storage tank 22 to which water W is supplied from a detachable tank 21, and the water tank 22 through a communication pipe 23 to generate mist M 1 from the water W in the water storage tank 22. The generator 24 and the mist discharge port 26 for discharging the mist M1 generated via the mist transfer path 25 communicated with the mist generator 24 are provided.

  The mist generating unit 24 is a heating type that generates water mist M1 by heating the water W, and includes a heater 24a. The mist discharge port 26 protrudes from the mist opening 11a to the outside of the case 11 and bends at a substantially right angle. The discharge opening 26a is parallel to the liquid agent opening 11b (in the horizontal direction). Therefore, it is provided so as to face in the left direction in FIG. The positional relationship between the mist discharge port 26 (discharge opening 26a) and the liquid agent opening 11b is not limited to this, and may be provided so as to face directions other than parallel to each other.

  The liquid agent spraying mechanism 13 is for spraying a liquid agent (its mist) M2 such as a moisturizing agent and a whitening agent from the tip opening 31a of the spray nozzle 31. Specifically, the liquid agent spraying mechanism 13 is provided to spray a liquid agent storage unit 32 for storing a liquid agent such as a moisturizing agent and a whitening agent, and the liquid agent from the liquid agent storage unit 32 as a mist due to a venturi effect. An air pump 33 and the spray nozzle 31 for spraying the liquid agent (its mist) M2 from the air pump 33 to the outside from the tip opening 31a are provided. The tip opening 31a of the spray nozzle 31 is disposed inside the cylindrical portion 11c of the case 11 and faces in a direction parallel to the liquid agent opening 11b (that is, in the horizontal direction, leftward in FIG. 1). It is provided as follows.

  And the control part 14 performs various control based on operation of the operation switch etc. which are not shown in figure. For example, an operation of a normal course (for example, pressing a normal course button) for spraying the mist M1 and the liquid agent M2 alternately for 3 minutes each time by using an operation switch and repeating it twice (12 minutes in total). When performed, the control unit 14 alternately performs control for energizing the heater 24a and control for driving the air pump 33, thereby performing a desired operation.

  Here, the mist generator includes a heat transfer means 41 for transferring heat generated by the mist generator 24 to the spray nozzle 31. The heat transfer means 41 of the present embodiment has a mist branch passage 42 that branches off from the mist transfer path 25 between the mist generator 24 and the mist discharge port 26 and that is adjacent to the spray nozzle 31. The heat of the mist M1 passing through the passage 42 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31.

  Specifically, the mist branch passage 42 of the present embodiment abuts along the tip side of the spray nozzle 31, and the tip opening 42a faces in the same direction as the tip opening 31a of the spray nozzle 31 and the tip opening It is juxtaposed with the part 31a. Further, the branch opening / closing valve 43 is connected to the mist branch passage 42 when the mist transfer path 25 and the tip opening 42a are in communication with each other when the mist branch passage 42 is open, and when the mist transfer path 25 and the tip opening 42a are not connected when closed. Is provided.

  Then, the control unit 14 operates the branch opening / closing valve 43 based on the measurement time of the timer 15. The control unit 14 of the present embodiment measures the elapsed time after the spraying of the liquid M2 is completed by the timer 15, and after the elapsed time exceeds a preset time (for example, 72 hours), the liquid agent is operated with the operation switch. When the execution of spraying of M2 (including the execution of the normal course) is operated, the heater 24a is energized and the branch on / off valve 43 is opened to automatically supply the mist M1 to the mist branch passage 42. The heat of the mist M1 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31.

Next, characteristic effects of the above embodiment will be described below.
(1) The mist M1 and the liquid M2 can be sprayed simultaneously or sequentially (alternately). In addition, since the heat generated by the heating type mist generating section 24 can be transferred to the spray nozzle 31 by the heat transfer means 41, for example, the liquid M2 stuck to the inside of the spray nozzle 31 or the tip opening 31a. It is possible to prevent the liquid material M2 from being removed by reducing the viscosity or dissolving the raw material of the liquid M2, or the raw material of the liquid M2 being fixed to the spray nozzle 31 (the spray nozzle 31 being clogged). Therefore, the liquid M2 can be stably sprayed. Of course, since the heat generated by the heating type mist generating unit 24 is originally used, the scale of the apparatus does not increase.

  (2) Since the heat of the mist M1 passing through the mist branch passage 42 adjacent to the spray nozzle 31 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31, the mist is compared with a configuration in which the mist generating unit 24 is simply brought close to the spray nozzle 31. The heat generated by the generator 24 can be efficiently transferred to the spray nozzle 31.

  (3) Since the branch opening / closing valve 43 is provided in the mist branch passage 42, the mist M1 is appropriately supplied to the mist branch passage 42 manually or automatically (automatically in the present embodiment), and the heat of the mist M1 Can be appropriately transferred to the spray nozzle 31. That is, when heat transfer is unnecessary, it is possible to avoid unnecessarily transferring heat, and thus reducing the viscosity of the liquid agent M2 more than necessary.

  (4) The branch opening / closing valve 43 is operated by the control unit 14 based on the measurement time of the timer 15. Therefore, as in the present embodiment, for example, the elapsed time from the end of spraying of the liquid M2 is measured by the timer 15, and the operation switch is set after the elapsed time exceeds a preset time (for example, 72 hours). When the execution of spraying of the liquid M2 is operated, the branch opening / closing valve 43 is opened by the control unit 14, and the heat of the mist M1 can be automatically first transferred to the spray nozzle 31. That is, when the preset time (for example, 72 hours) has elapsed since the end of the previous spraying of the liquid M2, and when there is a high possibility that the raw material of the liquid M2 is stuck in the spray nozzle 31 or the like, the heat of the mist M1 Is transferred to the spray nozzle 31. If not, it is possible to avoid unnecessary heat transfer.

The above embodiment may be modified as follows.
In the above embodiment, the timer 15 is provided, and the control unit 14 operates the branch opening / closing valve 43 based on the measurement time of the timer 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the branch opening / closing valve based on other conditions. 43 may be operated.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 2, a pressure sensor 51 for detecting the pressure in the spray nozzle 31 is provided instead of the timer 15 of the above embodiment, and the control unit 14 is based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 51. The branch on / off valve 43 may be operated. In this way, for example, when the detected pressure falls outside the preset specified range, the heat of the mist M1 can be automatically transferred to the spray nozzle 31. That is, the raw material of the liquid agent M2 adheres on the downstream side (the tip opening 31a side) of the pressure sensor 51, and the raw material of the liquid agent M2 adheres on the upstream side of the pressure sensor 51 when the detected pressure exceeds the specified range. When the detected pressure falls below the specified range, the heat of the mist M1 can be automatically transferred to the spray nozzle 31.

  Further, the pressure sensor 51 shown in FIG. 2 is changed to a concentration sensor 52 for detecting the concentration of the liquid M2 in the spray nozzle 31, and the control unit 14 branches based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor 52. May be operated. If it does in this way, when the detected density | concentration will be outside the preset regulation range, it will become possible to transmit the heat | fever of the mist M1 to the spray nozzle 31 automatically, for example. That is, the raw material of the liquid agent M2 adheres on the downstream side (the tip opening 31a side) of the concentration sensor 52 and the detected concentration exceeds the specified range, or the raw material of the liquid agent M2 adheres on the upstream side of the concentration sensor 52. When the detected concentration falls below the specified range, the heat of the mist M1 can be automatically transferred to the spray nozzle 31. As the density sensor 52, for example, an optical sensor that detects the density from the light transmittance may be used. If the density can be detected, the sensor other than the optical system may be used. May be used.

  Further, for example, as shown in FIG. 3, the number of times of use of the liquid spray mechanism 13 (for example, the number of times that the normal course operation (the normal course button is pressed)) is counted instead of the timer 15 of the above embodiment. The control unit 14 may operate the branch opening / closing valve 43 based on the count value counted by the counter 53. In this case, for example, after the count value (number of times the liquid spray mechanism 13 is used) exceeds a preset number (for example, 10 times), the liquid M2 is sprayed by the operation switch (including the execution of the normal course). ) Is automatically operated, it is possible to automatically transfer the heat of the mist M1 to the spray nozzle 31 first. That is, the heat of the mist M1 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31 when the number of times of use of the liquid spray mechanism 13 exceeds the preset number of times and there is a high possibility that the raw material of the liquid M2 is fixed inside the spray nozzle 31 or the like. Otherwise, it is possible to avoid unnecessary heat transfer.

  For example, in the above embodiment, the timer 15 measures the elapsed time from the end of spraying of the liquid M2, and after the elapsed time exceeds a preset time (for example, 72 hours), the operation agent switches the liquid agent. When the spray execution of M2 is operated, the heat of the mist M1 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31. However, the time condition is not limited to this, and the heat of the mist M1 is sprayed based on other times. Heat may be transferred to the nozzle 31 (the branch on-off valve 43 is operated). For example, the total spray time of the liquid M2 is measured by the timer 15, and when the total spray time exceeds a preset time, the heat of the mist M1 may be automatically transferred to the spray nozzle 31. . In this way, for example, it is possible to automatically prevent the raw material of the liquid M2 from adhering to the spray nozzle 31 and clogging the spray nozzle 31.

  Of course, the heat of the mist M1 may be transferred to the spray nozzle 31 under conditions other than those described above (for example, by pressing a heat transfer button of an operation switch), or a plurality of the above conditions may be combined. The heat of the mist M1 may be transferred to the spray nozzle 31 based on the conditions.

  In the above embodiment, the mist generating unit 24, the mist transfer path 25, and the mist discharge port 26 are always in communication with the outside, but as shown in FIG. 4, the mist branch passage 42 is closer to the mist discharge port 26 side. A main path opening / closing valve 54 is provided, and the controller 14 closes the main path opening / closing valve 54 when the branch opening / closing valve 43 is opened (that is, when the heat of the mist M1 is transferred to the spray nozzle 31). May be.

  In this way, the flow of the mist M1 generated in the mist generator 24 is concentrated on the mist branch passage 42 side, and the heat of the mist M1 can be efficiently transferred to the spray nozzle 31 by the high-pressure mist M1. .

  In the above embodiment, the heat transfer means 41 has the mist branch passage 42 and transfers the heat of the mist M1 passing through the mist branch passage 42 to the spray nozzle 31. It is sufficient if the generated heat can be transferred to the spray nozzle 31. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, the heat generation means is changed to a heat transfer means including a metal member (heat transfer metal plate) 55 that connects the mist generating section 24 and the spray nozzle 31. May be. In this way, since the mist generating unit 24 and the spray nozzle 31 are connected by the metal member 55, the heat generated in the mist generating unit 24 due to heat conduction through the metal member 55 is efficiently supplied to the spray nozzle 31. Heat can be transferred. Of course, the mist branch passage 42 of the above embodiment is used as a metal pipe as a metal member, and the heat generated in the mist generator 24 is transferred to the heat conduction through the metal pipe (the movement of heat not related to the movement of the mist M1). Then, heat may be transferred to the spray nozzle 31 and the heat of the mist M1 may be transferred to the spray nozzle 31 efficiently.

In the above embodiment, the branch opening / closing valve 43 is provided in the mist branch passage 42. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the branch opening / closing valve 43 may be omitted.
-Although the liquid agent spraying mechanism 13 of the said embodiment shall spray a liquid agent as a mist (mist) by venturi effect, what is necessary is just to spray a liquid agent from the front-end | tip opening part of a spray nozzle, for example, a liquid agent May be changed to one that is atomized (as a fine mist) and sprayed from the tip opening of the spray nozzle.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 13 ... Liquid spraying mechanism, 14 ... Control part, 15 ... Timer, 22 ... Water tank, 24 ... Mist generating part, 25 ... Mist transfer path, 26 ... Mist discharge port, 31 ... Spray nozzle, 31a ... Tip opening part, 41 ... Heat transfer means, 42 ... Mist branch passage, 43 ... Branch opening / closing valve, 51 ... Pressure sensor, 52 ... Concentration sensor, 53 ... Counter, 54 ... Main path opening / closing valve, 55 ... Metal member, W ... Water, M1 ... Mist , M2 ... Liquid (its mist).

Claims (8)

A heating-type mist generating section that generates mist by heating water from the water storage tank;
A mist generating device comprising a mist discharge port for discharging the generated mist,
A liquid agent spray mechanism for spraying the liquid agent from the tip opening of the spray nozzle;
A heat transfer means for transferring heat generated in the mist generating section to the spray nozzle ,
The heat transfer means is
A mist branch passage that branches off from the mist transfer path between the mist generating portion and the mist discharge port and that is adjacent to the spray nozzle is provided, and heat of the mist that passes through the mist branch passage is transferred to the spray nozzle. A mist generating device characterized by: The mist generating apparatus according to claim 1 ,
A mist generating device, wherein a branch opening / closing valve is provided in the mist branch passage. The mist generator according to claim 2 ,
Timer,
A mist generating apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates the branch on-off valve based on a measurement time of the timer. The mist generator according to claim 2 ,
A pressure sensor for detecting the pressure in the spray nozzle;
A mist generating apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates the branch on-off valve based on the pressure detected by the pressure sensor. The mist generator according to claim 2 ,
A concentration sensor for detecting the concentration of the liquid agent in the spray nozzle;
A mist generating apparatus, comprising: a control unit that operates the branch on-off valve based on the concentration detected by the concentration sensor. The mist generator according to claim 2 ,
A counter for counting the number of times the liquid spray mechanism is used;
A mist generating apparatus comprising: a control unit that operates the branch on-off valve based on a count value counted by the counter. In the mist generating device according to any one of claims 2 to 6 ,
A main path opening / closing valve that is closed when the branch opening / closing valve is open is provided on the mist discharge opening side of the mist discharge opening or the mist branch passage in the mist transfer path. A mist generator. The mist generating apparatus according to claim 1,
The mist generating device according to claim 1, wherein the mist branch passage is made of a metal member .

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