JPH10295836A - Infrared ray treatment unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent the damages of an article and a fire by providing a safety device for forcibly non-energizing a heater even when a grip part is bent while a power supply switch is kept ON in an infrared ray treatment unit for performing a treatment by holding a freely bendable grip part. SOLUTION: On the side face of the freely bendable grip part 3 of this infrared ray treatment unit, a safety switch 11 is provided separately from the power supply switch 10. When the grip part 3 is bent and the safety switch 11 is abutted to the outer shell of an infrared ray irradiation part 1, the energizing of a coil heater provided in the inside and a ceramic heater for far infrared ray radiation is interrupted, a blowing fan is operated, cold air is sent, cooling is accelerated and a series of safety operations are executed so as to prevent the damage of the grip part 3 or the like by the heat generation of the infrared ray irradiation part 1.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an infrared treatment device for easily irradiating a desired part such as an affected part of a human body or a so-called acupoint with infrared rays such as far infrared rays.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, this type of infrared therapy device is of a fixed type in which an infrared therapy unit is attached to a stand via a flexible arm, and is more easily used by holding it like a hair dryer. Some hand-types are now available.

[0003] This hand type device has a configuration in which a grip portion having a built-in electrical unit for operating the infrared irradiating unit is attached to an infrared irradiating unit on the head that irradiates the infrared.
A coil heater, a ceramic heater that radiates far-infrared radiation, and a blower fan are provided inside the infrared irradiation unit.When the power switch provided on the grip unit is turned on, both heaters are energized and the ceramic heater is turned on. Until it rises, the heat of the coil heater is blown by a blower fan, so that the cold air initially hits the affected area so that the healer does not feel discomfort, and when the ceramic heater rises, treatment is started with far infrared rays. I have.

By the way, in this hand type, the grip portion is rotatable, and when not in use, the grip portion is bent until the side surface of the infrared irradiation portion and the side surface of the grip portion are in contact with each other. There are also things that can be closed.

[0005]

However, in the above configuration, if the grip portion is bent and stored without turning off the power switch, the power switch cannot be operated and the heater is turned on. It stays and fever continues,
There is a problem that the grip portion made of resin near the high-temperature infrared irradiation portion is damaged, and in the worst case, a fire occurs.

[0006] Further, even if the grip portion is returned to its original state after being stored in a bent state, the infrared ray irradiating portion and the grip portion are hot and cannot be grasped. I was

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above points, and a safety operation in which at least energization of the heater can be forcibly passed even when the grip portion is bent with the power switch ON. It is an object of the present invention to provide an infrared therapy device capable of preventing damage to articles and fire.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention comprises an infrared irradiating section having a heater for radiating infrared rays and a blower fan, and an electric section for operating the infrared irradiating section. In addition, a grip is provided on the infrared irradiator so that the grip can be bent, and the side of the infrared irradiator and the side of the grip are bent and contact with each other, and the heater is energized by operating a power switch provided on the grip during treatment. In the infrared therapy device, which generates heat and operates the blower fan to perform treatment, when the grip portion is bent, the grip portion is in contact with the outer shell of the infrared irradiation portion and is pressed to operate, and at least the heater is cut off. The safety switch is provided separately from the power switch on the side surface of the grip portion.

The present invention is characterized in that it has a heater control circuit which cuts off the power supply to the heater when the safety switch is pressed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a control means is provided for controlling the blower fan to continue operating when the safety switch is pressed.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that, when the safety switch is pressed, the blower fan, which continues to operate, is stopped for a predetermined time by the control means.

Further, the present invention provides a starting operation safety means which is conditioned so that the operation is not started unless the power switch is once turned off when the safety switch is not pressed after the blower fan is stopped. It is characterized by having.

[0013]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an external view of a state in which an infrared treatment device of the present invention is held and held for treatment.
A grip section 3 is attached to an infrared irradiation section 1 with a rotating shaft 2 so as to be freely rotatable (bendable). As shown in FIG. 2, the infrared irradiator 1 has a coil case 6, a ceramic heater 5 coated with a far-infrared radiating substance, and a blower fan 7 built in the cylindrical case 4. At the front end of the air outlet (irradiation) grill 8A,
An inlet grille 8B is attached to the rear end.

The grip portion 3 made of a resin member contains an electric component for operating the infrared irradiating portion 1 as shown in a circuit diagram to be described later. Has been pulled out. A power switch 10 of, for example, a push-acting type is provided at a central portion on the front side of the grip portion.

Then, when the power switch 10 is turned on, the coil heater 6 and the ceramic heater 5 are energized, and the power is supplied to the blower fan 7. The treatment is performed by far infrared rays emitted by the heat generated by the ceramic heater 5. The power switch is not limited to a push-operation type, and an appropriate switch such as a vertical slide operation type can be used.

When the treatment is completed, the power switch 10
There is no problem in the case of a normal usage in which the power switch 10 is turned off (turned off).
When the grip portion 3 is bent while the pressure is N, the power switch 10 cannot be operated, so that the heat generation of the heaters 5 and 6 continues, the temperature of the infrared irradiation portion 1 becomes high, and the grip portion 3 in contact with the infrared irradiation portion 1 There is a risk of melting or fire.

Therefore, in the present invention, a safety switch 11 is provided separately from the power switch 10 on the grip 3. The location where the safety switch 11 is provided is the center part on the front side of the grip portion 3 where the power switch 10 is provided, and a position slightly higher than the power switch 10. Further, the safety switch 11 is a push-operation type, and when the grip portion 3 is bent, it hits the outer shell of the infrared irradiation portion 1, that is, the outer surface of the cylindrical case 4, and is pressed to operate at least the coil heater. The heat generating parts such as the ceramic heater 6 and the ceramic heater 5 are forcibly cut off from the power supply part to provide safety protection.

In the present invention, in addition to the safety control of turning off the heater, the blower fan is allowed to continue operating, and to send cool air to cool the infrared irradiating section 1 in the high-temperature section more quickly and effectively. Control and the grip part 3
When the safety switch 11 is returned to the original state, the safety switch 11 is returned to the ON state, and in order to prevent the problem that the power is turned on and suddenly driven due to the relationship with the power switch 10 which is originally in the ON state, the power switch 10 is temporarily reset to "ON". It is configured to have a safety operation circuit function that enables operation based on a condition operation such as "cut off".

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a circuit configuration for performing the above-described control. As a control means, a general microcomputer (hereinafter abbreviated as a microcomputer) 1 is used.
5 is used. On the input side of this microcomputer 15,
The power switch 10 and the safety switch 11 described above are connected.

On the other hand, on the output side of the microcomputer 15, a coil heater 6, a fan motor 7M of the blower fan 7, and a ceramic heater 5 are controlled by the microcomputer 15 to control relays 17, 18, and 19, respectively. A heater and a blower fan control circuit 13 having a circuit configuration connected in parallel to a power supply 16 of 100 V AC are provided via relay contacts 17b, 18b, and 19b.

That is, the microcomputer 15 sends the relay coils 17a, 18a, 1
Output lines 12A, 12B, and 12C are provided to be connected to the output coil 9a. For example, when an excitation signal is output to the output line 12A, the relay coil 17a is excited and the relay contact 17b is closed, so that the coil heater 6 is turned on. When electricity is supplied to the power supply 16 and heat is generated and the output of the excitation signal is lost, the relay coil 17a is de-energized, the relay contact 17b is opened, the power supply 16 is cut off, and no heat is generated.

Similarly, when the excitation signal / non-excitation signal is output from the microcomputer 15 to the other control relays 18 and 19 via the output lines 12B and 12C,
Each of the relay coils 18a and 19a is energized / de-energized,
The opening / closing operation of each relay contact 18b, 19b causes the operation / stop of the blower fan 7 and the heat generation /
Independent control that the stop is performed is performed by the microcomputer 15.

The above-described heater and blower fan control circuit 13 is controlled by the microcomputer 15 so as to perform normal operation and safety protection based on the control flow shown in FIG.

Next, the control flow will be described. When the control flow starts, it is first determined whether or not the safety switch (push-type switch) 11 is ON (decision 31). Now, when the grip portion 3 is being treated normally with the grip portion 3 at a substantially vertical position, the safety switch (push type switch) 11 is turned off.
Since it is F, the determination 31 is NO, and it is next determined whether or not the power switch 10 is turned ON (determination 32).

If the power switch 10 is pressed (ON), the judgment 32 becomes YES, and the coil heater 6 is energized (step 33) and the ceramic heater 5 is energized (step 3).
4) Then, the operation of operating the blower fan 7 (process 35) is executed.

When the operation of the treatment is started by pressing the power switch 10 in this manner, from the time when the treatment is started,
An operation of integrating the elapsed treatment time T (infrared irradiation time) by the timer is executed (process 36). Here, the treatment time T can be arbitrarily set by a treatment time setting timer or the like.
Irradiation time generally required for infrared treatment is 10 minutes or more
Since it is 30 minutes and it is desirable to end within that time, the allowable treatment time of the upper limit of 30 minutes is compared with the treatment time up to that time (decision 37).

If the treatment time T is still within 30 minutes (NO at decision 37), the procedure returns to decision 31 and thereafter proceeds to decision 3
The operation subsequent to step 36 is executed to continue the treatment.
However, if the treatment time exceeds 30 minutes (NO in decision 37), the operation of turning off the coil heater 6 (process 3)
8) and the operation of turning off the ceramic heater 5 (process 39). Further, the blower fan 7 is turned off (process 44).

Then, it is determined whether or not the power switch 10 is turned off (decision 45).
If it is not FF (determination 45 is NO), processing 44
Is executed again, and the blower fan 7 is maintained in the OFF state. If the power switch 10 is off (judgment 4
5 is YES), the control flow returns to the beginning, reaches the judgment 31, and prepares for the next use control. Of course, the power switch 10
Is turned off (turned off) in a timely manner, the power supply is cut off, the judgment 32 becomes NO, the heater is de-energized, and the operation of the blower fan is stopped (step 47).

The above is the control during normal use, but when the grip portion 3 is folded and stored, the power switch 10 is turned off.
In the case where the safety switch 11 is bent to be ON without being set to the FF, the safety switch 11 hits the outer surface of the cylindrical case 4 of the infrared irradiation unit 1 and is pressed (ON). Accordingly, the determination 31 of the control flow becomes YES, the operation of turning off the coil heater 6 (de-energization) (process 40), and the turning off of the ceramic heater 5
An operation (process 41) for F (non-energized) is executed. This is the circuit diagram of FIG.
No excitation signal is output to the output lines 12A and 12C of the ceramic heater 5 and the control relays 17 and 1
The switch 9 is deactivated and its relay contacts 17b and 19b are cut off, thereby forcibly turning off the heaters 5 and 6.

Here, the heaters 5 and 6 are connected to the power supply 1.
An operation of shutting off from the fan 6 is performed, but the blower fan 7 is controlled to continue the operation. That is, the excitation signal is output from the microcomputer 15 to the output line 12B, the control relay 18 is kept operating, the relay contact 18b is closed, and the blower fan 7 is rotating. This is because the heaters 5 and 6 are de-energized, and cool air is sent by the blower fan 7 to quickly cool the infrared irradiating unit 1 that is generating heat to a low temperature.

The elapsed time during which the heaters 5 and 6 are de-energized and are in the air blowing state is determined by setting the heaters 5 and 6 to O
From the time when it is set to FF, integration is performed by a timer (process 42).
Then, it is determined whether or not a time, for example, 5 minutes, when it is considered that the temperature of the infrared irradiator 1 has become sufficiently low (normal temperature), has elapsed (determination 43). If 5 minutes have not passed (NO in decision 43), the process returns to step 40, and steps 41 → 42.
Is performed again, and the heater is kept de-energized.

When the time has passed 5 minutes (judgment 4
3 is YES), an operation of turning off the blower fan 7 is executed (process 44). Therefore, by performing such control, the blower fan 7 is controlled to automatically stop when a predetermined time (5 minutes) elapses after being operated for cooling. That is, at the elapse of 5 minutes, the excitation signal output from the microcomputer 15 to the output line 12B disappears, the control relay 18 is deactivated, and the relay contact 18b
Opens, and the blower fan 7 stops.

After the blower fan 7 is stopped, the OFF state of the power switch 10 is determined in the determination 45 in the same manner as described above.
Continue to execute the operation flow that keeps
, The control flow returns to the beginning.

Here, after stopping the blower fan 7, a decision 4 is made.
There is a reason that when the power switch 10 is turned OFF, the control flow returns to the beginning of the control flow. When the power switch is turned back on, the safety switch 11 that has been in the power-off state returns to the ON state, and the power switch 10 is turned on. There is. Therefore, in consideration of this problem, at the time of re-use, unless the power switch 10 is once turned off (OFF), the control flow does not function, and the condition is set in this judgment 45 so that the operation cannot be performed.

Accordingly, the processing 44 indicated by the one-dot chain line and the judgment 4
In the flow of the part consisting of 5, the power switch 10 must be
A control flow 46 for starting operation safety that operation is not started unless the FF is established is constructed, and forms what should be called a starting operation safety means. Then, by the control flow 46, when the grip portion 3 is returned, a situation in which the driving is suddenly prevented is prevented, and anxiety in use is eliminated.

Although the case of the infrared irradiator 1 to which the safety switch 11 is applied has been described as the cylindrical case 4, it is not limited to the cylindrical case, but may be a square or flat. In short, it is only necessary that the outer shell of the infrared irradiating unit 1 is formed in a shape that only needs to be operated by hitting the safety switch 11.

[0038]

As described above, according to the present invention, the infrared treatment device has a bendable grip portion, and the infrared irradiation device having a built-in heater is applied to the grip portion while the power switch of the grip portion is kept ON. Even if the power switch cannot be operated by folding and storing it in contact with the part, the grip part has a safety switch that is pressed against the outer shell of the infrared irradiation part and forcibly shuts off the heater from the power supply. Since the infrared irradiating unit is not heated to a high temperature, the grip unit and the electrical unit in the grip unit can be reliably prevented from being damaged or causing a fire. Also, when trying to use again after bending the grip part, when holding back the grip part and infrared irradiation part by hand, the heater has already been turned off and the temperature of both parts has not risen, so It can be safely returned.

When the safety switch is activated, the heater control circuit immediately shuts off the heater circuit of the coil heater and the infrared radiation ceramic heater from the power supply, so that a highly reliable safe operation is established. Is done.

Further, since the heater is de-energized and the blower fan provided in the infrared irradiator is operated continuously to send cool air, the infrared irradiator can be cooled more effectively. And safety can be further improved.

Since the blower fan is automatically stopped after a predetermined period of time, it is not necessary to control the blower fan to be uselessly, and efficient operation control can be performed.

In the present invention, if the grip is returned after the blower fan is stopped and the safety switch is no longer pressed, the operation will not start unless the power switch is turned off once for the next use. When the grip is bent and the operation is stopped, when the grip is returned to the original position, the safety switch is turned on and the power is restored and the operation does not suddenly start and the emergency operation is started. Be safe.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an external view of an infrared therapy device having a rotatable grip according to the present invention, wherein (a) is a front view and (b) is a side view.

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the infrared therapy device schematically showing the internal structure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the infrared therapy device showing a state in which the grip portion having the safety switch is in the vertical position and a state in which the grip portion is bent and closed.

FIG. 4 is a side view of the infrared therapy device showing a state in which a safety switch operates when a grip portion is bent.

FIG. 5 is a control circuit configuration diagram of the infrared therapy apparatus of the present invention that controls ON / OFF of a heater and a blower fan in relation to the operation of a power switch and a safety switch.

FIG. 6 is a control flow chart for controlling the control circuit in relation to the operation of the power switch and the safety switch, and performing normal operation and safety protection operation of the heater and the blower fan.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Infrared irradiation part 2 Rotation axis 3 Grip part 5 Ceramic heater for infrared radiation 6 Coil heater 7 Blow fan 10 Power switch 11 Safety switch 15 Microcomputer 16 Power supply 17, 18, 19 Control relay

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. An infrared irradiator having a built-in heater and a blower fan for radiating infrared light, and an electrical unit for operating the infrared irradiator, and a grip is provided on the infrared irradiator so as to be bent, The infrared irradiation unit side surface and the grip unit side surface are configured to bend and contact each other, and during treatment, the heater is energized and heated by operating a power switch provided on the grip unit, and the blowing fan is operated to perform the treatment. In the treatment device, when the grip portion is bent, a safety switch that is pressed against the outer shell of the infrared irradiation portion and is operated to be turned off at least to turn off the power to the heater is provided on a side surface of the grip portion. An infrared therapy device that is provided separately. 2. The infrared therapy apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a heater control circuit for cutting off the power supply to the heater when the safety switch is pressed. 3. The infrared therapy apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising control means for controlling the blower fan to continue operating when the safety switch is pressed. 4. The infrared therapy according to claim 1, wherein when the safety switch is pressed, the blower fan, which continues to operate, is stopped for a predetermined time by the control means. vessel. 5. A start-up operation safety means, which is conditioned so that the operation is not started unless the power switch is once turned off when the safety switch is no longer pressed after the blower fan is stopped. Claim 1 characterized by the above-mentioned.
An infrared therapy device as described.