JPH02109577A - Steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To promptly generate steam and to reduce the cost of the title genera tor by heating and boiling water in a feed water tank in a heating room having small capacity and changing the hot water into steam in another heating room having large capacity. CONSTITUTION:The water in a feed water tank 2 passes through the first waterpassage (check valve 4) 3, flows in the first heating room 5 having the small capacity, and boils by a heater 51. The hot water in which pressure has been risen by boiling passes through the second waterpassage 7 due to the expansion of its volume and flows in the second heating room 6. At this time, the back flow of the hot water to the feed water tank 2 is prevented by the check valve 4. The hot water come in the heating room 6 is heated by a heater 61 again, completely changed into steam here, and ejected from a steam port part 12 to an external part. Thus, standby time until steam is generated can be extremely shortened, and since the device has a simple structure, it is possible to obtain the inexpensive steam generator having satisfactory assembling characteristics.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (a) Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a steam generator used in, for example, a humidifier or a facial beauty device.

(b) Conventional technology In general, a steam generator is a water supply tank with a steam nozzle at the top, and a heater (heating plate) arranged in the shape of a bottom lid at the bottom of the opening, and the water in the water supply tank is directly heated to a boiling point by the heater. The generated steam is then injected to the outside from a steam nozzle (not shown).

A steam generator with this structure heats and boils a large amount of water metal stored in a water supply tank to vaporize it, so it has the disadvantage that it takes too long to generate steam after turning on the power to the heater. Ta.

Therefore, in recent years, a steam generator as shown in FIG. 7 has been proposed.

This steam generator is equipped with a removable water tank 92 at an appropriate location of a housing 91, and
1 has a built-in steam generation chamber 93. The water supply tank 92 and the steam generation chamber 93 communicate with each other via a connecting pipe 94 provided with a solenoid valve 94a, and a steam nozzle 93a protruding from the steam generation chamber 93 is provided to protrude outward from the housing 91. In addition, the water supply tank 92 is equipped with a water level sensor (float type switch) 92a that detects the remaining amount of water stored inside, and the steam generation chamber 93 is equipped with a water level sensor (float type switch) 92a that detects the upper and lower limit water levels of the stored water.
A water level sensor (float type switch) 93b is provided to turn on and off the heater 95 and the solenoid valve 94a.

In this steam generator, water in a water supply tank 92 is supplied to a steam generation chamber 93, and a water level sensor 9 in the steam generation chamber 93
3b detects full water, the solenoid valve 94a is closed and the heater 95 is energized.

The full water capacity of the steam generation chamber 93 is set to a small capacity.

As a result, the water supplied to the steam generation chamber 93 is transferred to the heater 9
5, the steam is boiled in a short time and the generated steam is sent to the steam nozzle 9.
Inject from 3a. When the water level sensor 93b detects the lower limit of the stored water due to the injection of steam in the steam generation chamber 93,
At the same time as stopping the power supply to the heater 95, the solenoid valve 94a is opened, and a small amount of water is again supplied from the water supply tank 92 to the steam generation chamber 93, and the same vaporization is continuously performed.

Further, when the water stored in the water supply tank 92 is consumed and the water level sensor 92a of the water supply tank 92 detects the lower limit, a notification buzzer sounds to prompt replenishment of the water supply water.

Thereby, the user is notified in advance of the replenishment of water to the water supply tank 92.

According to this steam generator, steam generation can be obtained immediately after power is applied to the heater, and the conventional disadvantages are eliminated.

(c) Problems to be solved by the invention As mentioned above, a steam generator that has been proposed in recent years (Fig. 7)
can provide rapid steam generation after power is turned on to the heater. However, in this steam generator, a solenoid valve is installed in the communication pipe between the water supply tank and the steam generation chamber, and a water level sensor (float switch) is installed in each of the water supply tank and the steam generation chamber to turn them on and off. The relay is controlled by a microcomputer. Therefore, the structure and control are complicated and the steam generator is extremely expensive.

An object of the present invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems and provide an inexpensive steam generator that has a simple structure and can quickly generate steam.

(d) Means and operation for solving the problem In order to achieve this object, the steam generator of the present invention has the following configuration.

The steam generator includes a water supply tank that stores water, a small-capacity first heating chamber that heats water in the water tank, and a first passageway that guides water from the water tank to the first heating chamber. , a check valve provided in the first water passage to prevent backflow of water from the first heating chamber to the water supply tank; a large-capacity second heating chamber that injects
and a second passageway communicating with the heating chamber.

In the steam generator having such a configuration, water in the water supply tank passes through the first water passage (check valve) and flows into the small-capacity first heating chamber. Water is heated and boiled in this first heating chamber. The hot water whose pressure has increased due to boiling passes through the second passageway due to its volumetric expansion and flows into the second heating chamber. At this time, the check valve prevents hot water from flowing back from the first heating chamber to the water supply tank. The hot water that has flowed into the second heating chamber is completely vaporized here and is injected to the outside. When the hot water in the first heating chamber runs out, a small volume of water is again supplied to the first heating chamber from the water supply tank, which has a higher pressure than the first heating chamber, and is vaporized through the same process. Ru. That is, in this steam generator, water in the water supply tank is sent in small volumes to the first heating chamber, and is vaporized by two-stage heating in the first heating chamber and the second heating chamber. Therefore, rapid steam generation is obtained.

(E) Embodiment FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a specific embodiment of the steam generator according to the present invention.

The steam generator includes a housing 1 having a water supply port 11 and a steam port 12 in an upper wall surface, a water supply tank 2 with upper and lower openings disposed in the housing 1 corresponding to the water supply port 11, and a water supply tank 2 with vertical openings. A cylindrical first water passage 3 arranged in communication with the lower part of the water supply tank 2, a check valve (spring ball) 4 arranged inside the first water passage 3, and the first water passage 3. 3 and a heater (positive temperature coefficient thermistor) at the bottom 5
1, a small-capacity first heating chamber 5 having a steam port 1;
2, a large-capacity second heating chamber 6 with an upper opening and a heater (positive temperature coefficient thermistor) 61 at the bottom, and a water pipe connected to the first heating chamber 5 at one end. A tubular second water passage 7 is connected to the connecting pipe section 52 and the other end thereof is introduced into the upper interior of the second heating chamber 6 .

In the steam generator shown in FIG.
The water inside passes through the first water passage (check valve 4) 3 and flows into the small-capacity first heating chamber 5. Water is heated in the first heating chamber 5 by the heater 51 and boils. The hot water, whose pressure has increased due to boiling, flows through the second passageway 7 due to its volumetric expansion.
and flows into the second heating chamber 6. At this time, check valve 4
This prevents hot water from flowing back from the first heating chamber 5 to the water supply tank 2. The hot water that has flowed into the second heating chamber 6 is heated again by the heater 61, where it is completely vaporized and injected to the outside from the steam port 12. And the first heating chamber 5
When the hot water runs out, a small volume of water is again supplied to the first heating chamber 5 from the water supply tank 2, which has a higher pressure than the first heating chamber 5, and is vaporized through the same process. This operation continues until the water in the water tank 2 runs out or the heater 5
1.61 is continuously executed until the power supply to the 1.61 is stopped.

That is, in this steam generator, the water in the water supply tank 2 is sent to the first heating chamber 5 in small amounts at a time.
and vaporized by two-stage heating in the second heating chamber 6,
After the power is turned on, the waiting time until steam is generated is extremely short. Moreover, since it has a simple structure, it is easy to assemble and it is possible to provide an inexpensive steam generator.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator. The overall structure of the steam generator of this example is as follows:
It has almost the same configuration as the steam generator shown in FIG. 1 above. In the steam generator shown in Fig. 1, the water supply tank 2
, the first heating chamber 5 including the first water passage 3, the second heating chamber 6, and the second water passage 7 are formed separately and assembled by connecting each component. However, in the steam generator of this embodiment, the water supply tank 2, the first water passage 3, and the second heating chamber 6 are integrally molded into a unit, and the first heating is performed by a single heater 51. Room 5 and 2
This forms the bottom of the heating chamber 6. Therefore, in this steam generator, one end of the second water passage (pipe body) 7, which is a separate member, is connected to the water passage pipe section 52 of the first heating chamber 5, and the other end is connected to the water passage pipe section 52 of the first heating chamber 5. It can be assembled extremely easily by simply introducing it into the interior.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the steam generator.

The structure of this steam generator is almost the same as the steam generator shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, but in this embodiment, the lower part of the second heating chamber 6 and the water tank 2
It is characterized by the provision of a steam return passageway 8 that connects the upper part of the pipe. In this steam generator, for example, when excessive hot water is supplied into the second heating chamber 6, the steaming rate is delayed, and the hot water may accumulate in the second heating chamber 6. In this case, the steam return conduit 8 returns this excess water to the water tank 2 together with steam due to the difference between the pressure generated in the second heating chamber 6 and the atmospheric pressure in the water tank 2 . Also,
When the second heating chamber 6 becomes high-pressure due to steam, the steam return passageway 8 transmits the high pressure to the water supply tank 2 at atmospheric pressure, and smoothly flows water from the water supply tank 2 through the first passageway 3. is supplied to the first heating chamber 5.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator.

The structure of this steam generator is almost the same as that of the steam generator shown in FIG. 8 and the second heating chamber 6 are integrally molded into a unit. In this embodiment, the first heating chamber 5 and the second
The bottom of the heating chamber 6 is constituted by a single heater 51.

Therefore, in the steam generator of this embodiment, one end of the tubular second passage 7, which is a separate member, is connected to the water passage pipe section 52 of the first heating chamber 5, and the other end is connected to the second heating chamber 5. It can be easily assembled by simply connecting it to the water pipe section 61 on the upper part of 6. Further, in this embodiment, the upper part of the water supply tank 2 is provided to protrude from the housing 1, and a cap 2a is removably fitted to the upper opening, and an upper steam exhaust port 6 of the second heating chamber 6 is provided.
2 protrudes outward from the housing 1.

FIG. 5(A) is a sectional view showing still another embodiment of the steam generator. The structure of this steam generator is almost the same as that of the steam generator shown in FIG. 4, but as shown in FIG. The second heating chamber 6 is extended to the vicinity of the second heating chamber 6, and this extended cavity 5a and the second heating chamber 6 are connected by a short tubular second water passage 7.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator.

The structure of this steam generator is almost the same as that of the steam generator shown in FIG.
A funnel part 2b is formed in the upper opening, and the steam generated in the second heating chamber 6 is passed through the steam return passageway 8 to the funnel part 2.
b, and after hitting the inclined surface of the funnel part 2b, it is sprayed to the outside. Further, excess water (hot water) in the second heating chamber 6 is guided together with steam to the funnel section 2b via the steam return conduit 8, and the excess water is returned to the water supply tank 2 from the tube opening 2C of the funnel section 2b. be done.

Moreover, if this steam generator were to fall down by mistake, the water in the water tank 2 would accumulate between the wall surface of the funnel part 2b and the inner wall of the water tank 2, and would not flow out to the outside.

(f) Effects of the Invention In this invention, as described above, the water in the water supply tank is heated to boiling in the first heating chamber with a small capacity, this hot water is guided to the second heating chamber, and the hot water is guided into the second heating chamber with a large capacity. Since the steam is vaporized in a heating chamber and then injected, there is almost no waiting time until steam is generated, and steam can be generated quickly. In addition, since the structure is simple and the components are extremely easy to assemble, there is no need for conventional expensive electronic components and their control systems, and the purpose of the invention is achieved, such as providing a safe and inexpensive steam generator. Shake the excellent effect achieved.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a sectional view showing the steam generator according to the embodiment;
The figure is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator, FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a steam generator equipped with a steam return passage, and FIG. 4 is a steam generator equipped with a steam return passage. A sectional view showing another embodiment of the device, FIG. 5(A),
A sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator, FIG.
B) is an explanatory diagram of the main part of FIG. 5(A), FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing another embodiment of the steam generator, and FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the conventional steam generator. . 2: Water supply tank, 3: First water passage, 4: Check valve,
5: first heating chamber, 6: second heating chamber, 7: second water passage. Figure 2 Patent applicant Tateishi Electric Co., Ltd. agent
Patent Attorney Shigeru Nakamura Figure (A) Figure (B) Figure

Claims (1)

[Claims] (1) A water supply tank that stores water, a small-capacity first heating chamber that heats the water in this water supply tank, a first water passage that leads water from the water supply tank to the first heating chamber, and a check valve provided in a first water passage to prevent backflow of water from the first heating chamber to the water supply tank; and a check valve that evaporates hot water boiled in the first heating chamber and injects steam. A steam generator comprising: a large-capacity second heating chamber; and a second passageway that communicates the first heating chamber and the second heating chamber.