JPH04141168A - Infrared sauna apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To make it possible to heat sufficiently a required position by means of a infrared rays generator with a small capacity and to suppress loss of energy as small as possible by bending or curving both side parts of a radiating plate in a front face-recessed shape and concentrating the infrared rays at the central part. CONSTITUTION:A radiating plate 18 has a bent crosssectional shape wherein both right and left side parts are bent in a front face-recessed shape over the whole region in the height direction and is formed in such a way that infrared rays travelling straightly like light are concentrated at a required region A at about central part in the right and left direction as shown with a one point chain line. The radiating plate 18 has the same crosssectional shape at any position in the upper and lower direction. The region A can be selected at a usual utilizing position of a sauna user for example, at a position of about 10-60cm in front of approximately central part in the width direction of a front grill 11. The infrared rays are concentrated thereby at a usual use region in the right and left direction and therefore, even when the capacity of an infrared generator 20 is small, density of the infrared rays at a use position can be remarkably elevated and a sufficient heating effect can be obtd. thereby.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to the structure of a sauna device that emits infrared rays such as far infrared rays.

[Conventional technology]

With the aim of promoting metabolism and improving health,
Sauna equipment is used.

Some sauna devices generate water vapor, some emit infrared rays, or some use both.

Recently, sauna devices for home use as well as public use have become popular.

In addition to box-type home saunas, there are also saunas that are installed in the corners of the bathroom.

The present invention relates to a sauna device that emits infrared rays, and in particular,
The present invention relates to an infrared sauna device suitable for installation in a bathroom for home use.

This type of sauna device has a structure in which the infrared rays are installed in an infrared generator case consisting of a radiant plate and a heater, and the infrared rays generated by heating the radiant plate with the heater are radiated far through the front grill of the case. are used.

[Technical problem to be solved by the invention] However, in conventional sauna devices of this type, a flat plate was used as the radiation plate, so the infrared rays from the front grill were distributed almost uniformly. Technical problem 1 is that when used by individuals, there is a large amount of infrared rays that goes unused, resulting in wasted energy.

In addition, it is not possible to intensively heat desired parts of the human body,
Furthermore, there was a technical problem in that the capacity of the infrared generator had to be larger than necessary in order to sufficiently heat the desired location.

The present invention is based on such technical features! The purpose of the present invention is to provide an infrared sauna device that can sufficiently heat a desired area using a small-capacity infrared generator and can minimize energy waste. be.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an infrared sauna device that can minimize energy waste and further accelerate the metabolism of the human body even with the same amount of infrared rays (or temperature). It is to be.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention provides an infrared sauna device in which an infrared generator consisting of a radiation plate and a heater is installed in a case, and infrared rays generated by heating the radiation plate with the heater are radiated through the front grill of the case. By bending or curving both sides of the radiation plate into a concave shape on the front, the infrared rays are concentrated in the center, allowing a small-capacity infrared generator to sufficiently heat the desired area, thereby reducing wasted energy. To provide an infrared sauna device that can be minimized.

In addition to the above configuration, the invention according to claim 2 has a configuration in which at least a part of the radiation plate is bent or curved vertically into a concave shape on the front surface to concentrate infrared rays at a predetermined height position. The present invention provides an infrared sauna device that can achieve the following objectives.

In addition to the above configuration, the invention according to claim 3 further includes a fan installed in the case to suck outside air into the case,
By discharging the air inside the case from the lower front of the case to create air convection, a small-capacity infrared generator can sufficiently heat the desired area, reducing wasted energy. To provide an infrared sauna device that can minimize the amount of infrared rays (or temperature) and further promote the metabolism of the human body even with the same amount of infrared rays (or temperature).

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

In the drawings below, the same reference numerals indicate the same or corresponding parts.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire infrared sauna device according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, a grill 11 for infrared radiation is provided on the front surface of a case 10, and an air outlet 12 is provided on the lower front surface of the case.

The case 10 is long and has a shape that allows it to be installed in a corner of a bathroom or the like using a minimum amount of space.

As clearly shown in FIG. 3, the cross section of this case 10 has slopes 13 and 14 of approximately 45 degrees formed in the rear half of both sides, and there is almost no gap between the case 10 and the corner walls 15. It has a shape that allows it to be installed easily.

An air suction port 16 is formed at the upper side of the case 10 (usually on both sides).

Further, the upper front surface of the case 10 is an operation panel section 17, and the operation panel section is provided with a power switch, adjustment knobs for adjusting infrared temperature, air flow rate, etc.

Inside the case 10 are a radiation plate 18 and a heater 19.
An infrared generator 20 consisting of is installed.

As the infrared ray generator 20, it is preferable to use an infrared ray that generates far infrared rays, which has a relatively long wavelength, is easily absorbed by the human body, and can perform an efficient infrared shower.

The radiation plate 18 is provided to cover almost the entire area of the grill 11, and is provided on a stay 21 fixed to the case IO.
It is held with a predetermined gap inside the grill.

Note that on both sides of the grill 11 inside the case 10,
As shown in FIG. 3, a heat insulating material 22 is bonded to prevent heat dissipation from the side surface of the case.

In FIG. 2, an electrical component 23 for controlling the sauna device is installed in the upper part of the interior of the case 10, and an electrical component 23 is installed in the upper part of the back of the case 10.
A power cord take-out portion 24 is provided.

Further, the electrical equipment 23 is provided at the upper part inside the case 10.
A fan 2 that is driven through the
5 is installed.

When this fan 25 is driven, the air suction port 16
outside air is sucked in from the infrared generator 2.
The air flows downward on the rear side of the air blower 2, and is further discharged from the air blower 2.

Therefore, by driving the fan 25, air convection (circulation) is formed in the room (usually a bathroom) in which the sauna device is installed.

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the radiation plate 18. In the figure, the radiation plate 18 is made of porous ceramics made by thermally spraying ceramics such as alumina titania on the surface of a metal plate 31 made of aluminum or the like. It has a structure in which a layer 32 is formed.

The ceramic layer 32 is more porous and has a larger surface area per unit weight, so that the infrared radiation efficiency can be increased.

As an example, an aluminum plate having a thickness of 2 mm is used as the metal plate 31, and a ceramic layer 3 having a thickness of 50 μcm is formed by spraying alumina titania having a particle size of approximately 10 μm on the surface of the aluminum plate.
2, approximately 50% per gram of ceramics
It was possible to form a fine porous layer with a surface area of 1.

Therefore, the radiation plate 1 has a cross-sectional shape in which the left and right sides are bent into a concave shape in the front surface over the entire height direction, as shown in FIG. are formed so as to be concentrated in a desired area A approximately at the center in the left-right direction, as shown by the dashed line.

In the illustrated example, the radiation plate 1 has the same cross-sectional shape at any position in the vertical direction.

The area A includes the sauna user's normal usage position;
For example, approximately 10 mm in front of the approximately central portion of the front grill 11 in the width direction.
It can be selected at a position of about 60C11.

In this way, by concentrating infrared rays on the normal usage area in the left and right direction, even if the capacity of the infrared generator 20 is small, the infrared ray density at the usage position can be greatly increased and a sufficient heating effect can be obtained.

The illustrated radiation plate 18 has a shape in which a flat part remains at the center and only the sides thereof are inclined, but it is also possible to bend the center part and make it inclined in the shape of a Δ mountain.

In addition, instead of bending discontinuously as described above, it can be curved continuously or in a polygonal shape over the entire width direction, and if the curve is locally concentrated,
Infrared rays can be concentrated at a desired location with even higher density.

As shown in FIG. 2, the radiation plate 18 in this embodiment has a shape 26 whose lower half region is bent vertically into a concave shape on the front surface, and the infrared rays radiated from the concave portion 26 are , as shown by the dashed line in FIG. 2, is configured to be concentrated in a region B of a desired height.

This desired height region B can be selected, for example, at a height corresponding to the waist of a person who uses the grille 11 while sitting at a position 20 to 60C1 in the front direction.

In this embodiment, since the upper half of the radiation plate 18 is flat in the vertical direction, infrared rays from the upper half are concentrated in the horizontal direction, but in the vertical direction, as shown in FIG. As shown by the dashed line C, the radiation is emitted with a substantially uniform distribution.

In this way, by concentrating infrared rays on the waist of a person, even if the capacity of the infrared generator 20 is small, the density of the infrared rays at the desired infrared irradiation position can be greatly increased, and the area to be sufficiently warmed, such as the waist, can be heated. An infrared sauna device has been obtained which can significantly enhance the effect.

In the illustrated radiation plate work 8, the recess 26 is formed in a trapezoidal shape, but it can also be formed in a Δ-shape.

In addition, instead of bending discontinuously as described above, it can also be bent continuously in the vertical direction or in a polygonal shape, and by creating a curve that concentrates locally, the infrared rays can be directed to the desired position with higher density. You can concentrate.

In the illustrated example, the recess 26 is provided in the lower half of the radiation plate 18, but such a recess for concentrating infrared rays may be provided in the upper half or between the lower and upper halves, if necessary. It can be provided in each section or can be provided over the entire area in the vertical direction.

If the recess is provided in the upper part, even if the infrared ray generator has a relatively small capacity, a sauna apparatus suitable for sufficiently warming the shoulders and neck can be constructed.

Further, the degree of concentration and the distribution of the degree of concentration based on the shape of the recess can be freely selected for each sauna device.

In this way, since the infrared rays emitted from the radiation plate 18 are configured to be concentrated in a desired area, the desired location can be sufficiently warmed by a small-capacity infrared generator, and the infrared rays that can minimize energy waste. A sauna device was obtained.

Furthermore, in the illustrated embodiment, a fan 25 is installed inside the case 10 to draw outside air into the case from the suction port I6, and to direct the air inside the case 10 to the air outlet at the lower front of the case. By discharging from 12,
The infrared sauna device is configured to generate air convection in a sauna room such as a bathroom, so that even with the same amount of infrared rays (or temperature), the infrared sauna device can further accelerate the metabolism of the human body.

(A) to (E) in FIG. 5 are diagrams showing the shape and structure of the heater 19 in FIGS. 1 to 3; (A) is a front view as seen from the grill 11; ) is a plan view seen from above, (C) is a bottom view, (D) is a right side view, and (E) is a partially enlarged sectional perspective view showing the cross-sectional structure of the heater 19.

In FIG. 5, the heater 19 of this embodiment is generally U-shaped in the form of a pipe or rod, and substantially the entirety of the heater 19 is capable of heat transfer along the back surface of the radiation plate. It is joined.

The heater 19 has a substantially U-shape, and connectors 41 and 42 for receiving power supply through the electrical component 23 are connected to both sides of the upper end.

As shown in (E), this heater 19 has a structure in which a nichrome wire 45 is inserted together with a filler 44 inside an insulating Incoloy pipe 43.

When the nichrome wire 45 is energized, the surface of the Incoloy pipe 43 is heated to a maximum of about 300° C. due to the heat generated, and the radiation plate 18 is heated by this heat, and the porous ceramic layer 32 in the radiation plate is heated. Infrared rays are emitted from the

Note that various other types of heaters can be used as the heater 19 as long as it can heat the radiation plate 18 to a desired temperature.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating a state in which the sauna apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3 is used in a bathroom.

In FIG. 6, a sauna user 35 is taking an infrared shower while sitting on a stool 37 in front of the grill 11 of an infrared sauna device 36 with his back to the grill.

In the illustrated example, the area A where the infrared rays are concentrated (FIG. 3)
and region B (FIG. 2) is set at the waist of the user 36, and the infrared rays emitted from the concave portion 26 of the radiation plate 18 are concentrated at the waist of the user.
Therefore, even if the capacity of the sauna device is relatively small, the user can easily and sufficiently warm the lower back area.

In normal use, the distance between the infrared irradiation target area (for example, the waist area) and the grille 11 is, for example, 20 to 60 mm.
It is about cm.

Further, in the illustrated example, infrared rays from the upper half of the radiation plate 18 are emitted uniformly and in parallel, and are used to warm the neck and shoulders.

Furthermore, since infrared rays have a straight propagation property, infrared rays that do not directly hit the human body are reflected by the curtain or partition plate 38 on the opposite side and are used to shower the front of the user.

The position of the front 5C11 of the radiator plate when the radiator plate 18 has a height of 80C1 and a width of 331 and has the shape shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 and is heated with a 2kW heater 19. We measured the temperature distribution at

As a result, the highest temperature was 193° C. at the lower center, the lowest temperature was 81° C. at both upper ends, and the other regions showed temperatures that roughly corresponded to the density of infrared rays.

In this case, the globe temperature of the infrared generator 20 was 68°C, and the dry bulb temperature was 52°C.

In addition, when a 1 kW auxiliary heater is used in addition to the 2 kW heater 19, and other conditions are the same, the maximum temperature at the bottom center will be 251°C, and the minimum temperature at the upper ends on both sides will be 95°C. became.

In this case, the globe temperature of the infrared generator 20 was 85°C, and the dry bulb temperature was 61°C.

According to the embodiment described above, the following effects were obtained.

1) Since the infrared rays emitted from the infrared generator 20 are concentrated at the desired location, even when using a relatively small-capacity infrared generator, the desired part of the human body can be sufficiently and easily warmed, and it is compact. An infrared sauna device with excellent energy savings was obtained.

■) The infrared generator 20 is housed in the case 10 of the desired shape, and the structure emits radiation from the front grille, so it can be easily installed in a corner of a bathroom, etc., making it ideal for home use. A convenient and handy infrared sauna device was obtained.

ii) Since it can be easily installed in the bathroom, there is no need for a dedicated shower room and no hassle (it is now possible to keep it clean at all times).

iv) By installing it in the bathroom and using it in conjunction with a ventilation fan, it could easily be used as a drying room.

(2) Air is sent out from the bottom of the case 10 to cause forced convection of the air in the sauna room, making it possible to further accelerate the human body's metabolism even with the same amount of infrared rays (or temperature).

〔Effect of the invention〕

As is clear from the above description, according to the present invention, an infrared generator consisting of a radiation plate and a heater is installed in the case, and the infrared rays generated by heating the radiation plate with the heater are transmitted to the front surface of the case. In an infrared sauna device that emits radiation through a grill, by bending or curving both sides of the radiation plate into a concave shape on the front side,
Since the structure is such that infrared rays are concentrated in the central part, an infrared sauna device is provided in which a desired area can be sufficiently warmed by a small-capacity infrared generator, and energy waste can be minimized.

According to the invention of claim 2, in addition to the above configuration, at least a part of the radiation plate is bent or curved in the vertical direction to form a concave front surface, so that infrared rays are concentrated at a predetermined height position. An infrared sauna device is provided that can more easily and sufficiently heat a desired location and can achieve significant energy savings.

According to the invention of claim 3, in addition to the above configuration, a fan is installed in the case to suck outside air into the case and exhaust the air in the case from the lower front of the case. Because the configuration generates air convection, the desired area can be sufficiently heated using a small capacity infrared generator, minimizing energy waste. )
However, an infrared sauna device is provided that can achieve the effect of further promoting the metabolism of the human body.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of an embodiment of an infrared sauna device according to the present invention, Fig. 2 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along the line ■-■ in Fig. A cross-sectional view along the line ■-■, FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the structure of the radiation plate in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 shows the heater in FIG. 2, and (A) is a front view. , (B) is a plan view, (C) is a bottom view, (D) is a side view, (E) is a sectional view, and FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the state in which the infrared sauna device of FIG. 1 is used. It is. Below, symbols representing main components in the drawings are listed. ! 0・---・・Case, 11・・・・・Grill, 12・・・・Air outlet, I6・・・・Air suction port, I El‐m---・・Radiation Board, work 9...
-Heater, 20.-1 to -1.-Infrared generator, 23
−・−・−Electrical equipment, 25−・・−Fan, 26−・−・
--- Concavity (radiation plate), 36 --- Infrared sauna device, A, B --- Infrared concentrated area. Figure 2 Figure 3 Figure 5

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An infrared sauna device in which an infrared generator consisting of a radiation plate and a heater is installed in a case, and the infrared rays generated by heating the radiation plate with the heater are emitted through the front grill of the case. An infrared sauna device characterized by concentrating infrared rays in the center by bending or curving both sides of the board into a concave shape. (2) The infrared sauna device according to claim 1, wherein infrared rays are concentrated at a predetermined height position by bending or curving at least a portion of the radiation plate in a concave shape in the vertical direction. (3) A claim characterized in that a fan is installed in the case to draw outside air into the case and to exhaust air in the case from the front lower part of the case, thereby causing air convection. The infrared sauna device according to item 1 or 2.