JPH0352508Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an operating unit for a steam sauna, and particularly to a technique for increasing the sensitivity of a temperature sensor provided in this operating unit.

<Prior Art> In a conventional steam sauna operation unit, a temperature sensor such as a thermistor is incorporated in the internal space of the box-shaped unit body.

In this way, by incorporating the temperature sensor inside the unit body and creating a structure in which the temperature sensor is not exposed inside the steam sauna, the risk of a bather coming into contact with the temperature sensor due to mischief or carelessness is avoided.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, the above conventional example has the following disadvantages.

There is a slight difference between the internal temperature of the unit body where the temperature sensor is located and the temperature inside the steam sauna chamber. Nevertheless, in the conventional structure, the temperature sensor directly detects the internal temperature of the unit body, so it does not detect the actual temperature inside the steam sauna chamber, but it is a rough estimate of the temperature inside the steam sauna chamber. It merely detects the temperature of the

Additionally, if the temperature sensor is built into the unit, when the temperature inside the steam sauna fluctuates, it takes time for the fluctuation to be transmitted to the inside of the unit, resulting in a response as shown in Figure 8. causing delays.

In particular, if the temperature inside the refrigerator fluctuates rapidly,
Since the tracking ability of the temperature sensor is poor, a considerable error occurs between the detected temperature and the actual temperature inside the refrigerator. Therefore, even if feedback control is performed to maintain the internal temperature at the set temperature Ts based on the detected temperature, if the internal temperature deviates from the allowable range ΔTs of the set temperature Ts, the response delay and error of the temperature sensor will occur. For, set temperature Ts
It takes too much time to return to normal temperature, and during this time, the temperature inside the refrigerator deviates significantly from the allowable range ΔTs. In addition, even if the temperature inside the refrigerator fluctuates dangerously due to some reason, the abnormality determination may be delayed due to the poor followability of the temperature sensor, and the steam source may be turned off or an alarm may be issued. This could result in significant delays, which could lead to personal injury. Furthermore, even when the set temperature is changed to Ts', a hunting phenomenon occurs until the internal temperature reaches the changed set temperature Ts', so it takes too long.

The present invention was devised in view of these circumstances, and aims to accurately detect the temperature inside the refrigerator and to improve the ability of a temperature sensor to follow fluctuations in the temperature inside the refrigerator.

<Means for Solving the Problems> In order to achieve the above-mentioned purpose, the present invention detects the temperature inside the steam sauna and the operating unit attached to the wall inside the steam sauna and operated by the bather. A steam sauna operation unit having a temperature sensor has the following configuration.

In the steam sauna operation unit of the present invention, the temperature sensor is provided so as to protrude beyond the front surface of the unit body, and a sensor cover for concealing and protecting the temperature sensor is attached to the unit body, and the sensor cover is , which forms a tunnel-shaped steam passage along the vertical direction through which steam flowing from the bottom to the top inside the steam sauna chamber can pass, and is characterized in that a plurality of slits are provided on the front surface of the sensor cover.

<Function> In the above configuration, the temperature sensor protruding from the front of the unit body receives heat directly from the steam passing through the tunnel-shaped steam passage inside the sensor cover, and also receives radiant heat from inside the refrigerator through the slit. By receiving this information, comprehensive temperature detection can be performed. Therefore, the temperature inside the refrigerator is accurately detected, and the temperature detection operation of the temperature sensor can better follow the fluctuations in the temperature inside the refrigerator.

Moreover, even if the temperature sensor protrudes into the steam sauna, it is covered by the sensor cover, so there is no danger of it touching the bather.

<Example> Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described in detail based on the drawings. An embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 to 7.

Generally, as shown in FIG. 7, in order to equalize the temperature inside the steam sauna 1, a steam outlet 2 is provided on the wall surface of the steam sauna 1 near the floor surface, and the steam outlet 2 is connected to the floor surface. The steam is blown onto the ceiling, causing the steam to rise from the floor to the ceiling. Based on such a flow of steam, an operating unit A, which will be described later, is placed, for example, above the steam outlet 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, the operating unit A includes an electric circuit board 4 inside the unit main body 3.
A display section 5, a remote control operation section 6, and a sensor cover 7 are provided on the front surface of the unit main body 3. The display section 5 is connected to the electric circuit board 4 and is adapted to display the set temperature, detected temperature, time, etc. The remote control operation unit 6 includes a power switch 6a, a sauna switch 6b, and a heating switch 6, each configured as a touch switch.
c, a ventilation switch 6d, a set temperature up switch 6e, and a down switch 6f, each of which is connected to the electric circuit board 4. The sensor cover 7 hides and protects a temperature sensor 8 such as a thermistor.

The temperature sensor 8 is projected to the outside of the unit body 3 through the front plate 3a of the unit body 3.
That is, as shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 4, a threaded portion of the holder 8a of the temperature sensor 8 and an O-ring 9 fitted onto the threaded portion are inserted into the through hole formed in the front plate 3a of the unit main body 3 from the outside. is inserted, the washer 10 is inserted into the threaded part, and the nut 11 is screwed into the threaded part, so that the holder 8a and the washer 10 are
The ring 9 is compressed to make it airtight, and the temperature sensor 8 is fixed to the front plate 3a in a state protruding outward from the front plate 3a. Temperature sensor 8 is connected to electric circuit board 4 via lead wire 12 .

As shown in an enlarged view in FIG. 5, the sensor cover 7 includes a pair of upper and lower pivoting tongues 7a that are rotatably supported around a vertical axis with respect to one end side of the unit main body 3.
and a semi-cylindrical portion 7c that integrally projects the double-axis supporting tongue piece 7a to form a tunnel-shaped steam passage 7b along the vertical direction inside, and a state in which the outside and the steam passage 7b are communicated in the semi-cylindrical portion 7c. A plurality of upper and lower slits 7d formed in and a semi-cylindrical portion 7c.
The front plate 3 of the unit body 3 is integrally extended from the front plate 3 of the unit body 3.
It is composed of a backing plate portion 7e that comes into contact with the backing plate portion 7e, and an opening/closing operation portion 7f that is integrally formed at the end of the backing plate portion 7e.

The temperature sensor 8 protruding from the front plate 3a of the unit main body 3 is connected to the sensor cover 7 in the closed state.
Since the steam 13 blown out from the steam outlet 2 and flowing from the bottom to the top by convection passes through the tunnel-shaped steam passage 7b, it comes into direct contact with the steam 13. and receives heat from the steam 13, as well as radiant heat 14 from the central part of the chamber of the steam sauna 1 through the slit 7d,
Performs comprehensive temperature detection.

The sensor cover 7 covers the temperature sensor 8 so as not to be exposed to the outside in its closed state, and prevents the bather's hands etc. from coming into contact with the temperature sensor 8, and also prevents the user's body or other objects from coming into contact with the temperature sensor 8. This prevents damage to the temperature sensor 8 due to The reason why the sensor cover 7 can be opened and closed is for maintenance of the temperature sensor 8.

As described above, the temperature sensor 8 is connected to the unit main body 3.
A sensor cover 7 for protecting the temperature sensor 8 which protrudes outward from the front plate 3a of the
By forming a tunnel-shaped steam passage 7b along the vertical direction inside the semi-cylindrical part 7c and a plurality of upper and lower slits 7d formed in the semi-cylindrical part 7c, the steam passage 7 is
The temperature sensor 8 is configured to provide heat directly from the rising steam 13 and at the same time provide radiant heat 14 from the central part of the interior of the steam sauna 1, thereby causing the temperature sensor 8 to perform comprehensive temperature detection. Therefore, the temperature inside the steam sauna 1 can be detected accurately, and the temperature detection operation of the temperature sensor 8 can follow the fluctuations in the temperature inside the steam sauna very well.

That is, as shown in FIG. 6, even if the temperature inside the refrigerator fluctuates rapidly, the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 8 quickly follows the temperature inside the refrigerator without being delayed by the fluctuation in the temperature inside the refrigerator. Therefore, if the internal temperature falls outside the allowable range ΔTs of the set temperature Ts, the feedback loop immediately performs temperature control to return it to the set temperature Ts. Even if an abnormality occurs in this temperature control for some reason, bathers can be quickly evacuated from the chamber by turning off the steam source or issuing an alarm based on the abnormality determination of the detected temperature. .

In addition, the set temperature can be adjusted by operating the up switch 6e (or down switch 6f).
When changing to Ts', accurate and prompt temperature control is performed so that the internal temperature matches the changed set temperature Ts'. Of course, the display unit 5 also displays the detected temperature that is substantially equal to the temperature inside the refrigerator, so that the bather can be informed of the accurate temperature inside the refrigerator.

<Effects of the invention> The steam sauna operation unit according to the invention provides the following effects.

In other words, since the temperature sensor protruding from the front of the unit body is covered by the sensor cover, it is possible to prevent the bather's hands from coming into contact with the temperature sensor, and to prevent the bather's body or other objects from touching the temperature sensor. Damage to the temperature sensor due to contact can be prevented.

Even though the temperature sensor is covered with a sensor cover,
By forming a tunnel-shaped steam passage along the vertical direction and a plurality of slits that communicate this tunnel-shaped steam passage to the outside, the temperature sensor can be directly exposed to the steam passing through the steam passage. The temperature sensor is configured to perform comprehensive temperature detection by applying heat as well as radiant heat from inside the chamber, so in addition to accurately detecting the temperature inside the steam sauna chamber, It is possible to significantly improve the followability of the temperature detection operation of the temperature sensor with respect to temperature fluctuations.

Therefore, when automatically adjusting the temperature inside the refrigerator using feedback control using a temperature sensor,
The temperature inside the refrigerator can be quickly controlled to the set temperature, and even if an abnormality occurs in this temperature control for some reason, the steam source can be turned off or an alarm can be issued based on the abnormality judgment of the detected temperature. By doing so, it is possible to improve safety by allowing bathers to quickly evacuate from the inside of the bath.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

1 to 7 relate to one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partially cutaway side view of the operating unit;
Figure 2 is a front view of the operating unit, Figure 3 is a top view of the operating unit, Figure 4 is an enlarged sectional view of the temperature sensor mounting structure, Figure 5 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor cover, and Figure 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the sensor cover. The figure is an explanatory diagram of the operation of temperature control, and FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the steam sauna. Further, FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the operation of temperature control in a conventional example. A...Operation unit, 1...Steam sauna,
3...Unit body, 6...Operation section, 7...Sensor cover, 7b...Steam passage, 7d...Slit, 8...Temperature sensor.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claim for Utility Model Registration] An operating unit for a steam sauna, which includes an operation unit attached to the wall inside the steam sauna chamber and operated by a bather, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature inside the steam sauna chamber, comprising: A sensor cover is provided on the unit body to protrude beyond the front surface of the unit body, and a sensor cover for concealing and protecting the temperature sensor is attached to the unit body, and the sensor cover prevents steam flowing upward from the bottom inside the steam sauna chamber. An operation unit for a steam sauna, which forms a tunnel-like steam passage along the vertical direction through which the steam can pass, and is characterized in that a plurality of slits are provided on the front surface of a sensor cover.