JPH08112328A - Heater controller for sauna - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To pleasantly and effectively take a far infrared-ray bath at low temperature even in a general electric heater type sauna wherein a high- temperature bath can be taken. CONSTITUTION: This controller is equipped with a rectifying circuit element 10 incorporated in the AC power circuit 9 of heaters 2a-2e for heating in the sauna, a phase control circuit 11 which adjusts the output by shifting the phase where the rectifying circuit element 10 turns ON, an in-sauna temperature detector 8, and a control means 12. Then the control means 12 compares the detected temperature of, at least, an in-sauna temperature detector 8 with set temperature at constant intervals of time after the detected temperature reaches the set temperature, and controls the control angle of the phase control circuit 11 to a larger angle when the detected temperature is higher than the set temperature and a smaller angle when not.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heater control device for an electric heater type sauna, which is particularly suitable for performing a far infrared ray bath at a low temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a sauna is expected to have an intended effect by encouraging a bather to sweat by heating the bathroom to a high temperature of, for example, 60 degrees Celsius or more. For him, the physical burden is large and it is dangerous. Therefore, the temperature inside the bathroom is set to a low temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius that does not cause sweating, and the far infrared rays emitted from the heater are exposed to the bather to expect activation of cells due to the so-called thermal effect. But there was a sauna available for the far infrared bath.

When an electric heater-type sauna capable of a general high temperature bath is used for a far infrared ray bath at a low temperature as described above, the heater power supply circuit is turned on / off to maintain the temperature in the bathroom at the set temperature. In a normal control method, the set temperature is set to a low temperature of, for example, about 40 degrees Celsius. However, since the amount of heat generated by the heater during energization is large, the temperature inside the bathroom pulsates largely above and below the set temperature. Change,
I can't have a comfortable far-infrared bath. Moreover, since the heater is deenergized for a long time, the surface temperature of the heater is lowered when the heater is de-energized, and the far infrared rays cannot be continuously and efficiently radiated. I can't take a bath.

Further, a plurality of heaters are provided in order to uniformly heat the inside of the bathroom, but there is also a method of controlling the temperature inside the bathroom by changing the number of energizing heaters for the plurality of heaters. Even with such a method, not only the above-mentioned problems cannot be solved for the far-infrared ray bath at a low temperature, but also the service life of each heater varies due to the non-uniform energizing and operating time, which causes a problem in terms of maintenance. is there.

As a method for solving the problem when the power supply circuit of the heater is controlled to be turned on and off, for example, the actual open shovel 60-1
As disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 5333, when the temperature in the bathroom reaches a set temperature, the AC power supply voltage of the heater is half-wave rectified by a rectifying circuit element to halve the current supplied to the heater. A control method is known in which the amount of heat generated is reduced while the heater is energized. However, this control method was effective as a control method for maintaining the temperature in the bathroom at the set temperature while constantly energizing the heater in the high temperature bath sauna where the set temperature is 60 degrees Celsius or more. When the temperature is set lower than 50 degrees, for example, about 40 degrees, a heater for a high temperature bath, which has a large heat generation capacity, is used. Therefore, even if the heat generation amount of the heater is halved, the heat amount dissipated outside the bathroom is reduced. The calorific value of the heater could not be made lower than the consumed heat amount, and the temperature inside the bathroom became higher than the set temperature, and the far infrared ray bath at a low temperature as expected could not be performed.

Further, since the control is such that the current supplied to the heater is reduced to 50% above the set temperature and is returned to 100% below the set temperature, it is assumed that a heater with a small heat generation capacity is used and the heater is always operated. Even if the temperature inside the bathroom can be maintained at a relatively low temperature while electricity is being supplied, the pulsation fluctuation range of the temperature inside the bathroom with respect to the set temperature may vary due to the effect of the ambient temperature outside the bathroom, which differs significantly between summer and winter. There is also a situation where it becomes too large to provide a comfortable and effective far-infrared bath.

[0007]

The present invention has been made for the purpose of solving the above-mentioned conventional problems, and the features of the solving means are designated by the reference numerals of the embodiments described later. The rectifier circuit element (10) interposed in the AC power supply circuit (9) of the heater (2a to 2e) for heating in the bathroom and the phase in which the rectifier circuit element (10) turns on are changed. A phase control circuit (11) for adjusting the output, a bathroom temperature detector (8) and a control means (12) are provided, and the control means (12) at least detects the temperature detected by the bathroom temperature detector (8). After (THd) reaches the set temperature (THs), the detected temperature (THd) is compared with the set temperature (THs) at regular intervals, and the detected temperature (THd) is set to the set temperature.
When it is higher than (THs), the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11) is increased, and when the detected temperature (THd) is lower than the set temperature (THs), the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11). It is characterized in that control is performed to reduce the.

In carrying out the present invention, the control means (12)
Shows the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11) and the AC power supply circuit (9).
Is adjusted within the latter half cycle of the input voltage phase angle of 1π to 2π, and the control means (12) causes the temperature (THd) detected by the bathroom temperature detector (8) to reach the set temperature (THs). Up to 100%, the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit (9) can be controlled to be applied to the heaters (2a to 2e).

Furthermore, a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor (13) is used as the rectifier circuit element (10), and the phase control circuit (11) controls whether the thyristor (13) is continuously conductive in both positive and negative directions and either positive or negative. It can be configured such that control for continuous conduction in only one direction is possible.

[0010]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a foldable simple sauna apparatus, which is an example of a sauna apparatus. Heaters 2a and 2b located on the surface, heater 2c located on the back surface, heater 2 located on the bottom surface
Although not shown in the drawing, a chair, a backrest, a floor sludge and the like are provided in the bathroom, provided with d and a heater 2e located at the lower front part. Of course, it is not limited to the foldable simple sauna 1, and may be a box-type sauna having an opening / closing door.

Each of the heaters 2a to 2e is a planar heater formed by covering a planar heating element made of, for example, glass carbon with an insulating layer such as an epoxy resin. In the figure, one heater is provided on each inner surface of the bathroom. However, in order to reduce the temperature unevenness in the bathroom, for example, the heaters 2a to 2c on the left and right side surfaces and the back surface are divided into a plurality of heaters. Can be installed. A thermal fuse is attached to each heater or a selected specific heater.

A controller 3 is attached to an appropriate place in the bathroom of the sauna device 1. This controller 3
In addition to incorporating the main body of the heater control device of the present invention, which will be described later, in addition to the temperature setter 4, a bathing time setting timer (power-off timer) 5, a power-on indicator light 6, and a bath are available An indicator light 7, an earth leakage breaker, etc. are attached. Further, a temperature detector 8 connected to the controller 3 is arranged at an appropriate place in the bathroom. The bath ready indicator light 7 indicates that the bath bath temperature (for example, 40 degrees Celsius) set when the temperature in the bathroom detected by the temperature detector 8 reaches the temperature set by the temperature setter 4 or regardless of the set temperature. Lights up when reached.

As shown in FIG. 2, in the heater control device in this embodiment, in addition to the temperature setter 4 and the temperature detector 8 described above, an AC power supply for supplying power to the heaters 2a to 2e connected in parallel is provided. Rectifier circuit element 1 interposed in the circuit 9
0, a phase control circuit 11 that adjusts the output by changing the phase at which the rectifying circuit element 10 is turned on, and a control means 12 including a microcomputer or the like. The temperature setting unit 4 and the temperature detector 8 are connected to the signal input terminal of the control unit 12, but the output temperature signals of the temperature setting unit 4 and the temperature detector 8 are analog signals, and the control unit 12 When the analog / digital conversion function is not built in,
Although not shown, an analog / digital converter is used together when the temperature setting device 4 and the temperature detector 8 are connected.

As the rectifying circuit element 10, a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor (triac) 13 is used. The phase control circuit 11 includes a forward-acting light actuated thyristor (LASCR) 1 connected to the gate of the thyristor 13.
4a, light-actuated thyristor 14b for negative direction ignition, and light-emitting diode 15 for turning on light-actuated thyristor 14a.
a and a light emitting diode 15b for turning on the light actuated thyristor 14b, and a switching transistor 16a and a light emitting diode 15 for energizing the light emitting diode 15a.
and a switching transistor 16b that energizes b. These switching transistors 16a, 16b
Is controlled to be turned on / off by an output signal of the control means 12.

The control means 12 includes an internal memory 17, an internal clock 18, and a central processing unit (CPU) 1.
9 and so on. This central processing unit 19
Is the temperature information input from the temperature setter 4 and the temperature detector 8, the clock signal of the internal clock 18, and the heaters 2a to 2
AC power source 20 connected to AC power source circuit 9 for powering e
The control program written in the internal memory 17 is executed based on the information such as the frequency and the phase angle obtained from the switching transistor 1 of the phase control circuit 11.
6a and 16b are controlled to be turned on / off. When the internal clock 18 is not provided, the clock signal of the connected external clock may be fetched.

The control program executed by the control means 12 will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. 3 and the graph of FIG. 5. When the power switch is turned on and the temperature setting device 4 sets the temperature, the control means 12 operates. The switching transistor 1 is provided on the assumption that the temperature THd in the bathroom detected by the temperature detector 8 is lower than the set temperature THs.
Both 6a and 16b are turned on. As a result, the light emitting diodes 15a and 15b of the phase control circuit 11 shown in FIG.
a and 14b are alternately conducted every half cycle of the AC power supply 20. Therefore, the thyristor 13 which is the rectifier circuit element 10
Is always conductive in both positive and negative directions, and the heater 2a
~ 2e is the sine wave voltage of the AC power source 20 in both positive and negative directions.
When the amount of heat generated by the heaters 2a to 2e is maximized, the interior of the bathroom is rapidly heated.

When the detected temperature THd of the temperature detector 8 becomes equal to the set temperature THs of the temperature setter 4 due to the rise in the bathroom temperature, the switching transistors 16a and 16b.
Turn off and switch to phase control. In the phase control of this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 5, the phase angle of the AC power source 20 is 1π to 2
The latter half cycle of π is used, and the initial value of the control angle (firing angle) R is the phase angle (2π-2π / x) = 3π / 2 when the division value x is 4. .

Therefore, by switching to the phase control, the control means 12 causes one of the switching transistors 16a and 16b, that is, the thyristor 13 to shift the phase angle from 1π to 1π every time the phase angle of the AC power source 20 becomes 270 degrees. The switching transistor 16b which is turned on in the direction corresponding to the half cycle of 2π is turned on for a fixed time, for example, the minimum unit time of the internal clock 18 (eg, 1 msec). As a result, the light emitting diode 15b of the phase control circuit 11 shown in FIG. 2 emits light for 1 msec each time the phase angle of the AC power source 20 reaches 270 degrees, and the thyristor 13 is turned on by the light actuated thyristor 14b. Of each cycle of the AC power supply 20, one with a phase angle of 3π / 2 to 2π
/ 4 cycles will be conducted. Therefore, the average voltage applied to each of the heaters 2a to 2e becomes about 1/4 of that of the AC power source 20, the amount of heat generated by these heaters 2a to 2e rapidly decreases, and the temperature rise in the bathroom is suppressed.

After the above phase control is started, the temperature T detected by the temperature detector 8 is set every time a set time is passed, for example, 1 sec.
Hd and the set temperature THs of the temperature setter 4 are compared and calculated,
When the detected temperature THd is higher than the set temperature THs, the division value x is incremented by +1. When the detected temperature THd is lower than the set temperature THs, the division value x is decremented by -1, and the control angle R is changed. When the detected temperature THd is equal to the set temperature THs, the control angle R is not changed and the next 1 second is awaited.

When the division value x is changed from 4 to 5, the control angle R becomes 8π / 5, and the thyristor 13 is connected to the AC power source 20.
In each cycle of, the conduction is made for 1/5 cycle of the phase angle 8π / 5 to 2π. Therefore, each heater 2a-
The average voltage applied to 2e is about ⅕ of that of the AC power supply 20, the heat generation amount of these heaters 2a to 2e is further reduced, and the temperature rise in the bathroom is suppressed. Next 1se
When the detected temperature THd is higher than the set temperature THs even after the elapse of c, the thyristor 13 is turned on for 1/6 cycle of the phase angle 5π / 3 to 2π in each cycle of the AC power supply 20. In this way, the detected temperature TH
While d is higher than the set temperature THs, the average value of the alternating voltage applied to the heaters 2a to 2e is 1/4 to 1/5, 1/6 of the rated voltage and the denominator is 1 every 1 second. The amount of heat generation is suppressed as it gradually increases.

When the detected temperature THd becomes equal to the set temperature THs as a result of the above phase control, the control angle R is not changed until the next temperature comparison when 1 second has elapsed. Then, when the detected temperature THd becomes lower than the set temperature THs, the division value x becomes smaller than the division value x at the time of the immediately preceding phase control by 1 and the control angle R becomes smaller, and the thyristor 13 makes the phase angle 3 smaller.
The conduction time becomes long within a half cycle of π / 2 to 2π. Therefore, the average voltage applied to each of the heaters 2a to 2e increases, the amount of heat generated by these heaters 2a to 2e increases, and the temperature inside the bathroom rises. That is, the detected temperature TH
While d is lower than the set temperature THs, if the average value of the AC voltage applied to the heaters 2a to 2e every 1 second elapses, for example, if the AC voltage average value immediately before is 1/10 of the rated voltage, then 1 As the denominator becomes smaller by 1 such as / 9 and 1/8, it becomes larger and the amount of heat generation increases.

In the sauna apparatus provided with the heaters 2a to 2e having a capacity capable of setting the temperature up to 80 degrees Celsius by the phase control, even if the temperature is set to 40 degrees Celsius, all the heaters 2a to 2e are substantially heated. The temperature inside the bathroom could be stabilized at about 40 degrees Celsius while continuously energizing. At this time, the ambient temperature outside the bathroom was 23 degrees Celsius. As a comparative experiment, under the same conditions, the control angle of the phase control was fixed at 270 degrees, and 1 cycle of each cycle of the AC power supply 20 was performed.
I turned on the power only for / 4 minutes, but the temperature in the bathroom was 42 degrees Celsius to 4 degrees Celsius.
It went up to 3 degrees, and the error with the set temperature was large.

Although the phase control is theoretically performed based on the control angle R calculated as described above, the actual control is performed as shown in the flowchart of FIG. That is, first, the time T1 of one cycle is set based on the frequency information of the AC power supply 20. For example, in the case of 60Hz, T1
= 16.7 msec. When the detected temperature THd and the set temperature THs become equal to each other and switching to the phase control is performed, T1 is divided by the division value x described above to obtain the value T
1 / x is subtracted from T1 and the start point of one cycle (phase angle 0
The time T2 from π) to the phase angle corresponding to the control angle R is calculated. On the other hand, based on the interrupt signal input when the phase angle of the AC power source 20 is 0π, the elapsed time T3 is measured from the time when the phase angle is 0π using the clock pulse of the internal clock 18, and this elapsed time T3 is first. Calculation time T
When it becomes equal to 2, the switching transistor 16
The thyristor 13 is turned on by turning on b for a predetermined time. It should be noted that instead of the phase angle 0π, the time from the phase angle 1π to the control angle R is calculated to obtain the phase angle 1
It is also possible to control the thyristor 13 to turn on when the elapsed time from the phase angle 1π is measured based on the interrupt signal at π and the elapsed time becomes equal to the calculation time.

In the above embodiment, the initial value of the control angle R in the phase control is set to 3π / 2, and the heaters 2a to 2e are energized for only 1/4 of each cycle of the AC power supply 20 at the start of the phase control. However, the initial value of the control angle R is 3π /
The phase control is not limited to 2, and the phase control can be started from a state in which the initial value of the control angle R is set to 1π and the heaters 2a to 2e are energized for ½ of each cycle of the AC power supply 20. Further, when the set temperature THs is high, after the phase control is started after the detected temperature THd reaches the set temperature THs, even if the phase is continuously controlled by the initial value of the control angle R, the temperature in the bathroom (detected temperature THd) May fall below the set temperature THs. Therefore, during the phase control, the detected temperature THd becomes lower than the set temperature THs so that the control angle R is controlled to become smaller at regular intervals. However, the control angle R is controlled to become smaller than the initial value. You can also do it.

In principle, the control angle R in phase control
Can be changed within the range of the minimum value close to the phase angle 0π to the maximum value close to 2π based on the result of comparison between the detected temperature THd and the set temperature THs. It is desirable to adjust the control angle R within the range of the latter half cycle of ˜2π. Because the phase angle is 0π
When the control is performed using the interrupt signal at the time point, since the time margin until the control angle R is reached is at least half cycle, it is easy to implement by hardware. Also,
The initial value of the control angle R in the phase control is set to the set temperature THs so as to increase the initial value of the control angle R when the set temperature THs is low and decrease the initial value of the control angle R when the set temperature THs is high. It can be configured to be automatically changed accordingly.

Further, in the above embodiment, the divided value x is ± 1 based on the comparison result of the detected temperature THd and the set temperature THs.
Although the control is performed so as to change each step, it is also possible to control so as to change each unit having an absolute value of 1 or less, for example, by ± 0.5.

Further, according to the configuration of the above embodiment, the three-terminal bidirectional thyristor 13 is realized by continuously turning on both the switching transistors 16a and 16b.
Can be continuously conducted in both positive and negative directions, and the three-terminal bidirectional thyristor 13 can be continuously conducted in either positive or negative direction by continuously turning on only one of the switching transistors 16a and 16b. You can In other words, the heaters 2a to 2e
Can be made equal to the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9, or the average voltage applied to each of the heaters 2a to 2e can be about 1/2 of the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9.

Therefore, as described in the embodiment, the phase control is not performed until the detected temperature THd of the bathroom temperature detector 8 reaches the set temperature THs, and the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9 is 100% for the heater 2a. It can be applied to 2e to shorten the waiting time until the bathroom temperature reaches the set temperature THs. Further, when the set temperature THs is a high temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or higher, for example, the bathroom temperature is set to the set temperature TH.
Since it is recognized that the temperature inside the bathroom is lowered by continuously applying the average voltage of about 1/2 of the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9 to the heaters 2a to 2e in a state of exceeding s,
When the set temperature THs is, for example, a high temperature of 60 degrees Celsius or more, the detected temperature THd is set without performing the phase control of the present invention.
Is lower than the set temperature THs, the 3-terminal bidirectional thyristor 13 is continuously conducted in both positive and negative directions to apply 100% of the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9 to the heaters 2a to 2e.
When the detected temperature THd is higher than the set temperature THs, 3
The terminal bidirectional thyristor 13 can be continuously conducted only in one of the positive and negative directions, and the average voltage applied to each of the heaters 2a to 2e can be set to about ½ of the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit 9.

[0029]

As described above, according to the sauna heater control device of the present invention, the control means (12) determines that at least the detected temperature (THd) of the bathroom temperature detector (8) is equal to the set temperature (TH).
(s) is reached, the detected temperature (THd) is compared with the set temperature (THs) at regular intervals to detect the detected temperature (THd).
Is higher than the set temperature (THs), increase the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11) so that the detected temperature (THd) is the set temperature (THs).
When the temperature is lower, the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11) is controlled to be small, so even in a general sauna where a heater with a large heating capacity for a high temperature bath is used, The temperature inside the bathroom, which could not be realized by the full-wave / full-wave switching method, was set at a low set temperature of 40 to 50 degrees Celsius (T
Hs) can be maintained.

Moreover, instead of controlling the power circuit of the heater on / off, the amount of heat generated by the heater is substantially continuously energized and the amount of heat generated is set to the set temperature (THs) and the detected temperature (T
Since it is automatically adjusted based on the result of comparison with Hd), it is possible to efficiently radiate far infrared rays at a low temperature with the heater always in a heat generating state. Further, even when a plurality of heaters are used, it is possible to control the heat generation amount while substantially continuously energizing all of these heaters under the same conditions, and therefore the number of energized heaters is switched to adjust the total heat generation amount. As in the case, the service life does not vary among the heaters.

Therefore, according to the device of the present invention, the far infrared ray bath without sweating action, which requires the set temperature to be a low temperature of about 40 degrees Celsius, can be performed in a sauna which is capable of a general high temperature bath. This makes it possible to easily and comfortably perform a far infrared bath at low temperature.

In particular, according to the second aspect of the invention, when control is performed using the interrupt signal at the phase angle 0π, the time margin until the control angle R is reached is at least half cycle. Therefore, the hardware implementation becomes easy. According to the structure of claim 3, the heater (2a
It is possible to heat the inside of the bathroom to the set temperature (THs) in a short time by maximizing the calorific value of ~ 2e), so that it is possible to shorten the waiting time before bathing is possible. Further, according to the configuration of claim 4, the means for performing the phase control of the device of the present invention can be used as it is, and the temperature control by the conventional half-wave / full-wave switching method can be performed, and the set temperature ( TH
It is easy and easy to combine a sauna for low-temperature far-infrared bath where s) is around 40 degrees Celsius and a sauna for high temperature bath where the set temperature (THs) is over 60 degrees Celsius.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view showing a configuration of a folding simple sauna device.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a heater control device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a control program.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a specific example of phase control.

FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating phase control.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2a heater 2b heater 2c heater 2d heater 2e heater 3 controller 4 temperature setting device 8 temperature detector 9 heater AC power supply circuit 10 rectifying circuit element 11 phase control circuit 12 control means (microcomputer) 13 three-terminal bidirectional thyristor (triac) 14a Light-Actuated Thyristor (LASCR) for Positive Direction 14b Light-Actuated Thyristor (LASCR) for Negative Direction Ignition 15a Light Emitting Diode 15b Light Emitting Diode 16a Switching Transistor 16b Switching Transistor 17 Internal Memory 18 Internal Clock 19 Central Processing Unit (CPU) 20 AC power supply

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A rectifier circuit element (10) interposed in an AC power supply circuit (9) of a heater (2a to 2e) for heating in a bathroom and a phase in which the rectifier circuit element (10) is turned on. Phase control circuit (11) for adjusting the output, bathroom temperature detector (8), and control means
(12) and, the control means (12), at least after the detection temperature (THd) of the bathroom temperature detector (8) reaches the set temperature (THs),
The detection temperature (THd) is compared with the set temperature (THs) at regular intervals.If the detected temperature (THd) is higher than the set temperature (THs), increase the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11). If the detected temperature (THd) is lower than the set temperature (THs), the phase control circuit
Sauna heater control device that controls to reduce the control angle (R) of (11). 2. The control means (12) controls the control angle (R) of the phase control circuit (11) to the phase angle 1π of the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit (9).
The heater control device for a sauna according to claim 1, wherein adjustment is performed within a second half cycle of 2π. 3. The control means (12) controls the input voltage of the AC power supply circuit (9) to 100% of the heater voltage until the detected temperature (THd) of the bathroom temperature detector (8) reaches a set temperature (THs). The heater control device for a sauna according to claim 1 or 2, which controls to apply to 2a to 2e). 4. A rectifier circuit element (10) is a three-terminal bidirectional thyristor (13), and the phase control circuit (11) is the thyristor.
4. The sauna heater control device according to claim 1, wherein a control for continuously conducting (13) in both positive and negative directions and a control for continuously conducting only in one of the positive and negative directions are possible.