JPH114869A - Steam generator - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily and surely suppress the ejection of hot condensed water droplets even when nozzle temperature is low. SOLUTION: In a steam generator, a nozzle 6 taking the form of a cylinder of a predetermined length and having its end formed into an opening for ejecting steam is located within a steam flow passage filled with steam heated and vaporized by a boiler having a heater built in. The inner surface of the nozzle 6 is a water-retaining part. The water retaining property of the water retaining part and the surface tension of water are utilized to prevent condensed water produced within the nozzle 6 from flying out as it is forced out by the flow of steam.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a steam generator for use in a steam-type facial or inhaler.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a steam-type beautifier or an inhaler, steam generated by a steam generator is ejected toward a human body. For this reason, the steam generator for the above-mentioned application must be designed to prevent the emission of dewdrops.

[0003] Steam generator 1 for a steam-type beautifier
An example is shown in FIG. Boiler 3 with built-in heater 2
A steam flow path 5 extends from an upper part of a steam chamber 4 formed integrally with the steam flow path 5, and a cylindrical nozzle 6 is housed at a tip end of the steam flow path 5. The nozzle 6 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 13, an annular rib 7 is provided on the outer periphery at the front end and the middle outer periphery, and a rib 7 ′ is provided on the lower part at the rear end.
Condensation line 8 hangs down from the lower end of rib 7 ′, and nozzle 6 installed with its axis inclined so that the tip faces obliquely upward is generated by heating by heater 2 in boiler 3. The steam that has passed through the steam chamber 4 and the steam flow path 5 is ejected to the outside. At this time, hot water droplets W condensing near the nozzle 6 and adhering to the outer surface of the nozzle 6 are removed by the ribs 7 and 7 ′. This prevents the nozzle 6 from entering the entrance, and drops from the lower end of the rib 7 or the lower end of the condensate line 8 and returns to the boiler chamber 3.

[0004] Further, since a cylindrical nozzle 5 considerably smaller than the inner diameter of the steam flow path 5 is disposed in the steam flow path 5, dew condensation water is less likely to flow into the nozzle 6. However, the condensed water W that has adhered to or flowed into the inner surface of the nozzle 6 is pushed by the flow of steam passing through the nozzle 6 and moves to the tip side of the nozzle 6 and sometimes blows out as a large hot water ball. Will be lost.

[0005] In order to suppress the discharge of such dewdrops, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 62-22526 discloses a highly water-repellent member provided on the inner surface of the nozzle on the steam inflow side to prevent condensation of dewdrop water and prevent water droplets from condensing. In this example, a heat conductor is disposed at the tip of the steam discharge side so that water droplets extruded by the steam flow are evaporated by contact with the heat conductor. .

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai) No. Hei 3-16664 discloses that the condensed water is prevented from agglomerating at the nozzle tip by forming the tip of the nozzle at an acute angle or forming a groove on the tip. In this case, a large hot water ball is not blown out.

[0007]

The above-mentioned publications can certainly reduce the blowing of hot water drops, but the hot water blowing still occurs at the start of the steam discharging. It has become something. This is because at the start of the steam ejection, the temperature of the nozzle is considerably lower than the temperature of the steam, so that dew is inevitably formed inside the nozzle, and the condensation of the condensed water cannot be completely prevented. For this reason, there is a demand for a device that can suppress the ejection of hot water drops at the start of the ejection of steam.

[0008] Of course, dew condensation occurs due to the temperature difference between the nozzle and the steam. Therefore, if a heater is built in the nozzle so that the temperature of the nozzle is high at the time of starting the steam ejection, the inside of the nozzle can be improved. However, providing such a heater increases the cost. The present invention has been made in view of such a point, and an object of the present invention is to provide a steam generator capable of easily and surely suppressing ejection of hot dew drops even when a nozzle temperature is low. It is in.

[0009]

According to the present invention, there is provided a steam flow path filled with steam heated and vaporized by a boiler having a built-in heater. The steam generator in which the nozzle having the opening is located is characterized in that the inner surface of the nozzle is a water retaining portion.

It is possible to prevent the dew water generated inside the nozzle from being pushed out by the flow of steam and jumping out by the water retention of the water retention section and the surface tension of the water. In this case, the water retention portion can be formed by irregularities provided on the inner surface of the nozzle. As the irregularities, a spiral groove provided on the inner surface of the nozzle and having one end reaching the tip surface of the nozzle can be suitably used.

The water retaining portion may be formed by a hydrophilic treatment applied to the inner surface of the nozzle, or may be formed by a water absorbing material such as flocking applied to the inner surface of the nozzle. In addition, the nozzle may be made of a porous member, so that the nozzle itself may have water retention. In this case, a more preferable result can be obtained by forming the nozzle with a porous high heat conductive material. .

The water retention portion may be formed of the inner layer itself, with the nozzle comprising an inner layer made of a porous high heat conductive material and an outer layer provided on the outer surface of the inner layer. in this case,
A void may be provided between the outer layer and the inner layer, or a water absorbing member may be provided between the outer layer and the inner layer. Further, the outer layer may be formed of a porous high heat conductive material, or the outer layer may be formed of a high density porous high heat conductive material.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described.
Since only the nozzle 6 is different from that shown in FIG. 7, only the nozzle 6 will be described. The nozzle 6 shown in FIG. 1 has the same outer shape as that shown in the conventional example, but is provided with irregularities 60 on the entire inner surface. The irregularities 60 hold the dew water adhering to the inner surface of the nozzle 6 together with the surface tension of the dew water to prevent the dew water from being pushed to the discharge side by the flow of steam. In addition, since the surface area of the inner surface of the nozzle 6 is increased by the unevenness 60, the water retention amount is large, and
When is heated by the heat of steam, the contact area with the condensed water is large, which promotes the evaporation of the condensed water.

FIG. 2 shows another example. This is one in which unevenness 60 is formed by forming a spiral groove on the inner surface of the nozzle 6. The reason why both ends of the spiral groove reach both end surfaces of the nozzle 6 is such that when the dew water W flows in the spiral groove due to the flow of steam or the own weight of the dew water, the water reaches the both end surfaces of the nozzle 5. Because it is. The nozzle 6 shown in FIG. 3 is provided with a hydrophilic treatment film 61, for example, a 5 μm thick layer of titanium oxide TiO ₂ known as a photocatalyst on its inner surface.
Since the dew water W spreads thinly along the hydrophilic processing film 61, it does not agglomerate and evaporates promptly when the nozzle 6 becomes hot.

In the nozzle 6 shown in FIG. 4, a flocking 62 is formed on the inner surface. Since the dew condensation water W is absorbed and held by the flocking 62, it does not jump out together with the steam. As shown in FIG. 5, the nozzle 6 itself may be formed of a porous material 65 made of a sintered resin or a sintered metal. Since the dew water W is absorbed by the nozzle 6 itself by the capillary phenomenon, it does not flow out as hot water balls with steam. In particular, when the nozzle 6 is formed of a porous material 65 having high thermal conductivity such as a sintered metal, the absorbed water evaporates as the temperature of the nozzle 6 rises, so that the saturated water absorption is obtained. The state does not occur, so that the jumping out of the hot water ball can be prevented more reliably.

In FIG. 6, the nozzle 6 is formed of an outer layer 6a and an inner layer 6b provided on the inner surface thereof and made of a porous material 65 having a high thermal conductivity such as a sintered metal or ceramic or resin. Even if dew water W adheres to the inner surface of the nozzle 6,
All of the water is absorbed by the capillary phenomenon peculiar to the inner layer 6b made of a high heat conductive porous material, and all the dew water W absorbed due to the temperature rise by steam evaporates. That is,
The higher the thermal conductivity of the porous material 65, the smaller the heat capacity and the lower the relative density, the faster the temperature rise, but the heat capacity increases due to the absorption of dew water. However, since the outer layer 6a of the nozzle 6 is not made of the highly heat-conductive porous material 65, the dew water W on the outer surface does not absorb water, and only the dew water W generated inside is absorbed. As compared with the case where water W is absorbed, the increase in heat capacity is small, the temperature of the inner layer 6b made of a high thermal conductive porous material can be increased quickly, and the evaporation speed is improved. The dew water W on the inner surface is absorbed and evaporated one after another without causing the saturated water absorption state, thereby preventing the dew water W from jumping out together with the steam.

The outer layer 6a is made of, for example, brass having good thermal conductivity.
By forming with copper etc. and keeping the heat capacity small,
The effect of greatly increasing the temperature rise efficiency by the steam of the inner layer 6b can be obtained. The outer layer 6a may be formed of a material having a high heat insulating property, for example, formed of silicon with a small heat capacity. Further, the outer layer 6a may be formed as a coating treatment layer provided on the outer surface of the inner layer 6b made of the high thermal conductive porous material 65. Also, as shown in FIG.
The outer layer 6a of the nozzle 6 is also formed of the high thermal conductive porous material 65 ', and the density of the high thermal conductive porous material 65' of the outer layer 6a is higher than the density of the high thermal conductive porous material 65 of the inner layer 6b. Good. Also in this case, the condensed water W
Hardly absorb water.

A space 6c may be provided between the outer layer 6a and the high thermal conductive porous material 6b as shown in FIG. In this case, while the vapor pressure is applied to the inside of the inner layer 6b, only the atmospheric pressure is applied to the outer surface of the inner layer 6b on the side of the gap 6c, and a pressure difference is generated between the inner and outer surfaces of the inner layer 6b and the inner surface Is higher, the dew condensation water W absorbed on the inner surface of the inner layer 6b made of the high heat conductive porous material 65 is pushed out to the outer surface by a pressure difference, and the dew water W Evaporates due to temperature rise and exits from the outside. Further, since the outer layer 6a is provided, the external dew water W
Does not absorb water, and the evaporation speed of the internal dew water W is improved.

As shown in FIG. 9, a water absorbing member 66 may be provided between the outer layer 6a and the inner layer 6b. The dew condensation water W extruded to the outer surface of the inner layer 6b made of the highly heat-conductive porous material 65 due to the pressure difference is positively sucked up by the further capillary action of the water absorbing member 66, and one after another regardless of the temperature rising speed of the inner layer 6b. And the dew water W is absorbed from the inner layer 6b to prevent the dew water W from jumping out together with the steam. The dew water W absorbed by the water absorbing member 66 is finely dispersed by the water absorbing member 66 and quickly evaporates due to heat radiation and heat conduction from the inner layer 6b and the outer layer 6a made of the high heat conductive porous material 65. In addition, the outer layer 6a does not absorb the dew water W attached to the outer surface of the nozzle 6, and the increase in the heat capacity that suppresses the temperature rise is small, and the evaporation speed is improved. That is, the mutual effect between the improvement of the evaporation speed and the presence of the water absorbing member 66 causes the inner layer 6b
Can be reliably prevented from becoming a saturated water absorbing state.

In the structure shown in FIG. 10, the outer layer 6a located on the outer peripheral side of the inner layer 6b via the air gap 6c is also formed of the high thermal conductive porous material 65. In the figure, reference numeral 67 denotes a connecting member fixedly connected at the ends of the outer layer 6a and the inner layer 6b. The dew water W attached to the outer surface of the nozzle 6 is absorbed by the outer layer 6a and evaporates as the temperature of the outer layer 6a rises. Never jump out with steam. When the connection member 67 is formed of a material having good heat conduction, for example, copper with a small heat capacity, the temperature rise of the outer layer 6a is accelerated and the evaporation speed is improved. The connecting member 67 may have a high heat insulating property.

[0021]

As described above, in the present invention, since the inner surface of the nozzle is used as the water retaining portion, the dew water generated inside the nozzle is pushed out by the steam flow. It is prevented by the surface tension of water, etc., and is extremely effective in preventing hot dew condensation water from blowing out when the nozzle temperature at the start of steam blowing is low. In addition, large steam particles are also trapped in the water retaining portion, so that the steam density becomes uniform, and when used in a facial treatment device, an improvement in the facial effect can be obtained.

In this case, if the water retaining portion is formed by the irregularities provided on the inner surface of the nozzle, it is possible to prevent the dew of the dew water from being spouted at extremely low cost. When using the spiral groove, even if there is dew water that exceeds the water retention,
The dew water can be pushed out by steam flow.

When the water retention portion is formed by a hydrophilic treatment applied to the inner surface of the nozzle, the dew water spreads without coagulation on the inner surface of the nozzle. Evaporation can be promoted. If the water retention part is formed of a water absorbing material such as flocked material applied to the inner surface of the nozzle, the water retention of the dew water can be reliably performed, and the dew water may jump out due to the flow of steam. There will be none.

The nozzle may be made of a porous material so that the nozzle itself has water retention. In this case, it is more preferable to form the nozzle with a porous material having high thermal conductivity. Obtainable. The nozzle may be composed of an inner layer made of a porous high heat conductive material and an outer layer provided on the outer surface of the inner layer, and the water retaining portion may be formed by the inner layer itself. Since it is possible to absorb only the dew condensation water inside the nozzle, it is possible to reduce an increase in the heat capacity of the high thermal conductive porous material, and as a result, the temperature rising speed is improved,
Since water absorption can be evaporated quickly, it is possible to prevent a saturated water absorption state from being generated in the highly thermally conductive porous material. Water can be absorbed and dew condensation water does not flow out. The outer layer may be formed of a high heat conductive material or a high heat insulating material.

A gap may be provided between the outer layer and the inner layer, and internal condensed water absorbed by using a pressure difference between the inner layer and the outer layer can be evaporated while being pushed out to the gap side. It is possible to prevent a saturated water absorption state from occurring in the inner layer made of the conductive porous material. Even if a water-absorbing member is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer, the water-absorbing member actively absorbs water held by the inner layer, so that a saturated water-absorbing state occurs in the inner layer made of a porous material having high thermal conductivity. Can be prevented.

Further, if the outer layer is also formed of a porous high heat conductive material, dew water adhering to the outer surface of the nozzle can be absorbed, and problems due to dew water adhering to the outer surface of the nozzle can be avoided. Even if the outer layer is formed of a high-density porous high-thermal-conductivity material, it becomes possible to efficiently absorb and evaporate only the internal dew water, and to prevent the dew water from jumping out at an extremely low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a nozzle according to an example of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a nozzle according to another example of the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a nozzle according to still another example of the above.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of a nozzle in another example of the above.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a nozzle in still another example of the nozzle.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a nozzle in another example of the above.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a nozzle in another example of the above.

FIG. 8 is a sectional view of a nozzle in still another example of the nozzle.

FIG. 9 is a sectional view of a nozzle in still another example of the above.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a nozzle in another example of the above.

FIG. 11 is a sectional view of the entire steam generator.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a nozzle in a conventional example.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle.

[Explanation of symbols]

 6 nozzles 60 irregularities

Claims (12)

[Claims] 1. A cylindrical nozzle having a predetermined length and having a distal end serving as an opening for steam ejection is located in a steam flow path filled with steam heated and vaporized by a boiler having a built-in heater. A steam generator, wherein the inner surface of the nozzle is a water retaining portion. 2. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the water retention section is formed by irregularities provided on the inner surface of the nozzle. 3. The steam generator according to claim 2, wherein the irregularities on the inner surface of the nozzle are provided on the inner surface of the nozzle and one end is formed by a spiral groove reaching the tip surface of the nozzle. 4. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the water retaining portion is formed by a hydrophilic treatment applied to the inner surface of the nozzle. 5. The water-retaining part is formed of a water-absorbing material such as flocking applied to the inner surface of the nozzle.
A steam generator as described. 6. The steam generator according to claim 1, wherein the water retention section is formed by the nozzle itself made of a porous member. 7. The steam generator according to claim 6, wherein the nozzle is made of a porous high heat conductive material. 8. The nozzle according to claim 1, wherein the nozzle comprises an inner layer made of a porous high heat conductive material and an outer layer provided on the outer surface of the inner layer, and the water retention portion is formed by the inner layer itself. A steam generator as described. 9. The steam generator according to claim 8, wherein a gap is provided between the outer layer and the inner layer. 10. The steam generator according to claim 8, wherein a water absorbing member is arranged between the outer layer and the inner layer. 11. The steam generator according to claim 8, wherein the outer layer is also formed of a porous high heat conductive material. 12. The steam generator according to claim 8, wherein the outer layer is formed of a high-density porous high heat conductive material.