WO2007126209A1

WO2007126209A1 - A moxa combustor

Info

Publication number: WO2007126209A1
Application number: PCT/KR2007/001408
Authority: WO
Inventors: Young Ja Sung; Soo Hwan Kim
Original assignee: Young Ja Sung; Soo Hwan Kim
Priority date: 2006-04-27
Filing date: 2007-03-22
Publication date: 2007-11-08
Also published as: JP2009535086A; KR100703071B1

Abstract

Disclosed is a moxa combustor capable of achieving more pleasant usage environment by exhausting ashes and smoke generated by combusting materials of moxibustion to the outside. Especially, a transfer-type moxa combustor according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises a material inlet for input of the moxibustion materials, a ventilation unit for transferring the moxibustion materials input through the material inlet, a moxa feeding pipe guiding the moxibustion materials being transferred by the ventilation unit, to an ignition unit, a combustion unit having an ash storage at a lower part, a viewing window at a middle part, and a smoke flue connected to an upper part, the ignition unit connected to an upper part of the ash storage to ignite the moxibustion materials transferred through the moxa feeding pipe, a heat insulation plate connected to an upper part of the viewing window, a suction unit drawing in the ashes stored in the ash storage, and an ash flue exhausting the ashes drawn in by the suction unit to the outside.

Description

A MOXA COMBUSTOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a transfer- type moxa combustor and a storage-type moxa combustor. More particularly, the present invention relates to a moxa combustor capable of achieving more pleasant usage environment by exhausting ashes and smoke generated by combusting materials of moxibustion to the outside. Background Art

[2] Moxibustion is one of stimulation therapy of oriental medicine, curing an affected part of body by heat, more specifically, by putting a dab of moxa on an acupuncture point and igniting the moxa. According to the oriental medicine, since the moxa, the materials of moxibustion, has warm property, energy can be supplied throughout the body by thermal stimulation when the moxa is applied to the body along with heat.

[3] The moxibustion is divided into direct moxibustion and indirect moxibustion according to the operation method.

[4] The direct moxibustion puts a dab of dried moxa at the acupuncture point on the skin and ignites the dried moxa, so that the heat is transmitted to the skin in direct contact. This is illustrated in FIG. 6.

[5] FIG. 6 shows a state performing general moxibustion.

[6] As shown in FIG. 6, according to the direct moxibustion, a moxibustion materials

10 is put on a skin 14 of a patient, and ignited.

[7] However, the direct moxibustion has a problem in that pain is accompanied causing a burn to the skin 14 as the moxibustion materials 10 combusts.

[8] In order to overcome the above problem, the indirect moxibustion uses a medium such as aconite, salt, ginger, and yellow earth, applied between the moxibustion materials 10 and the skin 14. Since the heat from combustion of the moxibustion materials 10 is not directly transmitted to the skin 14, danger of getting burnt is reduced. Accordingly, the pain is relieved.

[9] However, the above conventional moxibustion are still incomplete since combustion of the moxibustion materials causes smoke. The smoke flowing into respiratory organs of an operator and/or the patient may even cause difficulty in breathing. Especially to whom with a weak bronchus, the smoke is too stimulative to continuously perform moxibustion. Moreover, the smoke and its stinging smell are not easily removed even by an air cleaner or a ventilation fan. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem [10] Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and it is an object of the present invention to provide a moxa combustor not causing stinging smoke and smell for comfortable use.

[11] It is another object of the present invention to provide a moxa combustor capable of performing moxibustion to plural people simultaneously. Technical Solution

[12] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a moxa combustor comprising a combustion unit combusting moxibustion materials put therein and having a heat conduction unit for conducting moxibustion heat generated from the combustion to the outside; and a smoke exhaustion unit formed at one upper side of the combustion unit to exhaust the smoke generated in the combustion unit to the outside.

[13] The moxa combustor further comprises an ash storage fluidly communicated with the combustion unit so that ashes generated in the combustion unit are dropped therein.

[14] The moxa combustor further comprises a suction unit for drawing in the ashes stored in the ash storage; and an ash flue fluidly communicated with the suction unit to exhaust the ashes drawn in by the suction unit to the outside.

[15] The combustion unit includes an ignition unit for igniting the moxibustion materials, and a heat insulation plate disposed at an upper part of the combustion unit to prevent radiation of the moxibustion heat of the combustion unit to other parts but the heat conduction unit. The combustion unit further comprises a heat insulation film connected above the heat insulation plate and bent downward to have smaller inner diameter than outer circumference of the heat insulation plate.

[16] The suction unit comprises an ash inhaler drawing in the ashes from the ash storage by wind force; an ash suction motor transmitting rotative force to the suction unit; and an ash transfer pipe disposed between the ash inhaler and the ash storage to thereby supply a transferring path of the ashes.

[17] The moxa combustor further comprises a material inlet for input of the moxibustion materials; a ventilation unit for transferring the moxibustion materials input through the material inlet; and a moxa feeding pipe guiding the moxibustion materials being transferred by the ventilation unit, to the ignition unit.

[18] The material inlet further comprises a feeding amount control valve disposed at a lower end thereof to control a feeding amount of the moxibustion materials.

[19] The ventilation unit comprises a material feeding motor; a rotation belt connected to a rotational shaft of the material feeding motor; a material feeding screw transferring the moxibustion materials by screwing according to rotation of the rotation belt; a ventilator transferring the moxibustion materials transferred by the material feeding screw, by wind force; and a ventilation motor transmitting rotative force to the ventilator. [20] The moxa combustor further comprises a material mounter for putting the moxibustion materials thereon; a ventilation unit blowing from a lower part to an upper part of the material mounter; and an ignition unit for igniting the moxibustion materials. The ventilation uint comprises a ventilator generating wind force; and a ventilation motor transmitting rotative force to the ventilator. [21] The material mounter includes an ash exhaustion pipe formed as a hollow tube and penetrating the moxibustion materials put on an upper part of the material mounter, or an ash drop hole letting the ashes drop into the ash storage. [22] The heat conduction unit is made of any one substance among soil, stone, glass, and heat-resistant synthetic resin, having high thermal conductivity. The heat conduction unit includes a viewing window.

Advantageous Effects

[23] According to an embodiment of the present invention, a moxa combustor capable of not causing breathing difficulty and respiratory ailments, by effectively exhausting smoke and smell generated from combustion of moxibustion materials through a smoke flue.

[24] The moxa combustor is designed so that ashes generated by the combustion is thrown to an ash storage by gravity and manually removed from the ash storage.

[25] The moxa combustor can be managed more conveniently when additionally equipped with an ash suction motor and an ash inhaler for automatically and conveniently exhausting the ashes to the outside.

[26] A combustion unit of the moxa combustor has a heat insulation plate so that heat of moxibustion can be efficiently utilized without loss to parts other than a heat conduction unit. Especially, when a heat insulation film is additionally formed above the heat insulation plate, the radiation of moxibustion heat can be prevented doubly.

[27] In case of a transfer-type moxa combustor, the moxibustion materials are continuously fed through a material inlet, transferred by a ventilation unit, and exhausted from an exhaustion unit by a suction unit automatically. Therefore, the moxa combustor can be used continuously without regard to combustion time of the moxibustion materials.

[28] Since a feeding amount control valve is further provided to the material inlet, degree of the moxibustion heat can be adjusted by controlling a feeding amount of the moxibustion materials.

[29] By comprising a material feeding motor, a rotation belt, a material feeding screw, a ventilator and a ventilation motor, the ventilation unit is capable of automatically drawing in the wind while a user controls the ventilation time. [30] In case of a storage-type moxa combustor comprising a moxibustion material mounter, the ventilation unit, and the ignition unit, the structure can be simplified compared to the transfer-type moxa combustor. [31] The ventilator and the ventilation motor are also equipped to the storage-type moxa combustor. Therefore, the storage-type moxa combustor is capable of automatically drawing in the wind under the time control of the user, too. [32] Additionally, since the moxibustion material mounting part has an ash flue and an ash drop hole, ashes can easily be thrown into the ash storage. [33] Furthermore, in the moxa combustor according to the present invention, the heat conduction unit is made of a material having high thermal conductivity so that the moxibustion heat can be radiated to the user. Especially, the heat conduction unit has a viewing unit for the user to observe the materials currently generating the heat therein and the combustion state.

Brief Description of the Drawings [34] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [35] FIG. 1 is a sectional view schematically showing a transfer-type moxa combustor according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [36] FIG. 2 shows transfer of moxibustion materials in FIG. 1;

[37] FIG. 3 shows transfer of ashes from combustion in FIG. 1;

[38] FIG. 4 is a sectional view schematically showing a storage-type moxa combustor according to a second embodiment of the present invention; [39] FIG. 5 shows transfer of moxibustion materials of FIG. 4;

[40] FIG. 6 shows a state of performing general moxibustion.

Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention [41] Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [42] In the following description, well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail since they would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail. Terms described herein are determined in consideration of functions in this invention, and definition of the terms may vary according to a producer's intention or custom. Also, the definition of the terms is determined based on the contents throughout the specifications. [43] [44] (First Embodiment) [45] A moxa combustor according to a first embodiment of the present invention

(hereinafter, referred to as 'transfer-type moxa combustor') will now be described with reference to FIG. 1.

[46] FIG. 1 is a schematic sectional view showing a transfer- type moxa combustor 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[47] Referring to FIG. 1, the transfer-type moxa combustor 100 comprises a combustion unit 110 and a feeding unit 150. Materials of moxibustion are combusted in the combustion unit 110 so that heat from the moxibustion can be supplied to a user. The feeding unit 150 feeds the moxibustion materials to the combustion unit 110.

[48] A combustion unit body 112, the main part of the combustion unit 110, is fluidly communicated with an ash storage 126 by a lower part thereof, and equipped with a heat conduction unit in the center part. Substances having high thermal conductivity, such as soil, glass, stone and heat-resistant synthetic resin, are adopted for the material of the heat conduction unit so that inner heat can be efficiently conducted to a place for users.

[49] In this embodiment, a viewing window 118 made of glass is used for the heat conduction unit. However, the viewing window 118 may be separately formed at one side of the heat conduction unit so that the users can check the inside of the moxa combustor during use, while forming the heat conduction unit of a different material among the soil, stone and heat-resistant synthetic resin.

[50] A smoke flue 120 is connected to an upper end of the combustion unit 110.

[51] The ash storage 126 receives and stores ashes generated from the ignition unit 122.

[52] The viewing window 118 enables the users to check the operation of the transfer- type moxa combustor 100 from the outside and receive the moxibustion heat.

[53] The smoke flue 120 exhausts smoke generated by combusting the moxibustion materials, to the outside. Although not shown, a forcible exhaustion fan may be additionally formed at one end of the smoke flue 120.

[54] The ignition unit 122 that ignites moxibustion materials transferred by a moxa feeding pipe 128 is connected to an upper part of the ash storage 126. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) or liquefied natural gas (LNG) is appropriate for fuel of the ignition unit 122, considering convenient use. An ash exhaustion path 124 is formed along outer circumference of the ignition unit 122. Therefore, the ashes from the moxibustion materials can be transferred to the ash storage 126 passing through the ash exhaustion path 124.

[55] The heat insulation plate 116 is connected to an upper part of the viewing window

118 in order to prevent the moxibustion heat from being conducted to an upper part of the combustion unit body 112. Additionally, a heat insulation film 114 bent downward is formed above the heat insulation plate 116. Inner diameter of the heat insulation film 114 is smaller than outer diameter of the heat insulation plate 116. Through this structure, the moxibustion heat can be insulated effectively while the smoke is smoothly guided to the smoke flue 120. [56] A material inlet 152 for inputting the moxibustion materials is disposed at an upper part of the feeding unit 150. A feeding amount control valve 158 is additionally connected to a lower end of the material input 152 to control a feeding amount of the moxibustion materials. Control of the feeding amount determines an amount of the moxibustion materials to be combusted in the combustion unit 110. Consequently, strength of the moxibustion heat can be adjusted by the feeding amount control valve

158. [57] The ventilation unit comprises a material feeding screw 154, a material feeding motor 160, a rotation belt 156, a ventilation motor 170, and a ventilator 172. [58] The material feeding screw 154 is connected to a lower part of the material inlet

152. The material feeding screw 154 is driven by rotative force transmitted from the material feeding motor 160 through the rotation belt 156, thereby transferring the moxibustion materials to a screw. [59] The ventilator 172 transfers the moxibustion materials blown to the screw by rotation of the feeding motor 170, to the ignition unit 122 through the moxa feeding pipe 128. [60] A suction unit comprises an ash transfer pipe 130, an ash inhaler 132, an ash suction motor 136, and an ash flue 134. [61] The ash inhaler 132 draws in the ashes, blown into the ash storage 126 by rotation of the ash suction motor 136, through the ash transfer pipe 130 and exhausts the ashes through the ash flue 134. [62]

[63] (Transfer of moxibustion materials)

[64] Hereinafter, transfer of moxibustion materials 180 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.

[65] FIG. 2 shows the moxibustion materials of FIG. 1 being transferred.

[66] As shown in the drawing, in the transfer- type moxa combustor 100, the moxibustion materials 180 are input through the material inlet 152 first. [67] Second, the moxibustion materials 180 are dropped to the material feeding screw

154 as much as set by the feeding amount control valve 158. [68] Third, the material feeding screw 154 is rotated by the material feeding motor 160 and the rotation belt 156, thereby transferring the moxibustion materials 180 up to the ventilator 172. [69] Fourth, the moxibustion materials 180 transferred to the ventilator 172 are transferred to an upper part of the ignition unit 122 through the moxa feeding pipe 128, by wind force generated by the ventilator 172 as the ventilation motor 170 rotates. [70] Fifth, the moxibustion materials 180 transferred to the upper part of the ignition unit

122 is ignited by the ignition unit 122. [71] Heat from the moxibustion materials being ignited by the ignition unit 122 is radiated to the outside of the viewing window 118, through the heat insulation plate

116 and the heat insulation film 114. Thus, the users can receive the radiated moxibustion heat. Smoke and smell generated by combustion of the moxibustion materials 180 are exhausted to the outside through the smoke flue 120. Meanwhile, the ashes are transferred into the ash storage 126. [72]

[73] (Transfer of ashes)

[74] Referring to FIG. 3, transfer of the ashes of FIG. 1 will now be explained.

[75] FIG. 3 shows transfer of the ashes generated in FIG. 1.

[76] As shown in FIG. 3, first, the ashes generated in the ignition unit 122 are dropped into the ash storage 126 through the ash exhaustion path 124. [77] Second, the ash inhaler 132 driven by the suction motor 136 draws in the ashes stored in the ash storage 126, through the ash transfer pipe 130. [78] Third, the ashes are exhausted through the ash flue 134.

[79] Through the above processes, the ashes of the combusted moxibustion materials are exhausted to the outside.

Mode for the Invention

[80] (Construction of storage-type moxa combustor)

[81] A moxa combustor according to a second embodiment of the present invention

(hereinafter, referred to as 'storage-type moxa combustor') will now be explained with reference to FIG. 4. [82] FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a storage-type moxa combustor 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention. [83] Referring to FIG. 4, the storage-type moxa combustor 200 comprises a combustion unit 210, a ventilation unit, and an exhaustion unit. Moxibustion materials 280 are combusted in the combustion unit 210 so that users can receive heat from the combusting moxibustion materials. [84] The ventilation unit comprising a ventilation motor 270 and a ventilator 272 helps supply oxygen required for combustion of the moxibustion materials 280 and conduct the combustion heat upward. [85] The exhaustion unit comprises an ash suction motor 236, an ash inhaler 232, an ash transfer pipe 230, and an ash flue 234, in order to help exhaust the ashes generated by combustion of the moxibustion materials 280 to the outside. [86] The storage-type moxa combustor 200 comprises a smoke flue 220, a heat insulation film 214, a heat insulation plate 216, a viewing window 218, an ash storage 226, an ash transfer pipe 230, an ash inhaler 232, an ash suction motor 236, and an ash flue 234. Since those parts function the same as in the transfer-type moxa combustor 100, detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[87] The moxibustion materials 280 are put on an upper part of a material mounter 281 fixed between the ash storage 226 and the viewing window 218.

[88] The material mounter 281 is additionally equipped with an ash exhaustion pipe 282 having a hollow tube form and penetrating the moxibustion materials 280 put on the material mounter 281. The ash exhaustion pipe 282 guides ashes generated from combustion of the moxibustion materials 280, to the ash storage 226 through an ash drop hole 227.

[89] An ignition nozzle 222 ignites the moxibustion materials 280, being disposed above the moxibustion materials 280.

[90]

[91 ] (Transfer of ashes)

[92] Hereinafter, transfer of the ashes of FIG. 1 will be explained with reference to FIG.

5.

[93] FIG. 5 illustrates transfer of the ashes and heat of FIG. 4.

[94] As shown in FIG. 5, first, the ashes generated from combustion of the moxibustion materials 280 by the ignition nozzle 222 is collided with the heat insulation plate 216 and the heat insulation film 214 by wind force of the ventilator 272, and passed through the ash exhaustion pipe 282.

[95] Second, the ashes passed through the ash exhaustion pipe 282 is dropped into the ash storage 226 through the ash drop hole 227.

[96] Third, the ashes stored in the ash storage is transferred through the ash transfer pipe

230 by the ash inhaler 232 that is driven by the ash suction motor 236, and exhausted through the ash flue 234.

[97] Thus, exhaustion of the ashes is performed through the above steps.

[98] An oxygen supply step may be further included to supply oxygen for promoting the combustion while adjusting the wind force of the ventilator 272. Industrial Applicability

[99] While the invention has been shown and described with reference to certain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

[ 1 ] A moxa combustor comprising: a combustion unit combusting moxibustion materials put therein and having a heat conduction unit for radiating moxibustion heat generated from the combustion to the outside; and a smoke exhaustion unit formed at one upper side of the combustion unit to exhaust the smoke generated in the combustion unit to the outside.

[2] The moxa combustor of claim 1, further comprising an ash storage fluidly communicated with the combustion unit so that ashes generated in the combustion unit are dropped therein. [3] The moxa combustor of claim 2, further comprising: a suction unit for drawing in the ashes stored in the ash storage; and an ash flue fluidly communicated with the suction unit to exhaust the ashes drawn in by the suction unit to the outside. [4] The moxa combustor of claim 3, wherein the combustion unit includes an ignition unit for igniting the moxibustion materials, and a heat insulation plate disposed at an upper part of the combustion unit to prevent radiation of the moxibustion heat of the combustion unit to other parts but the heat conduction unit. [5] The moxa combustor of claim 4, wherein the combustion unit further comprises a heat insulation film connected above the heat insulation plate and bent downward to have smaller inner diameter than outer circumference of the heat insulation plate. [6] The moxa combustor of claim 3, wherein the suction unit comprises: an ash inhaler drawing in the ashes from the ash storage by wind force; an ash suction motor transmitting rotative force to the suction unit; and an ash transfer pipe disposed between the ash inhaler and the ash storage to thereby offer a transferring path of the ashes. [7] The moxa combustor of claim 3, further comprising: a material inlet for input of the moxibustion materials; a ventilation unit for transferring the moxibustion materials input through the material inlet; and a moxa feeding pipe guiding the moxibustion materials being transferred by the ventilation unit, to the ignition unit. [8] The moxa combustor of claim 7, wherein the material inlet further comprises a feeding amount control valve disposed at a lower end thereof to control a feeding amount of the moxibustion materials. [9] The moxa combustor of claim 7, wherein the ventilation unit comprises: a material feeding motor; a rotation belt connected to a rotational shaft of the material feeding motor; a material feeding screw transferring the moxibustion materials as screwing according to rotation of the rotation belt; a ventilator transferring the moxibustion materials transferred by the material feeding screw, by wind force; and a ventilation motor transmitting rotative force to the ventilator. [10] The moxa combustor of claim 3, further comprising: a material mounter for putting the moxibustion materials thereon; a ventilation unit blowing from a lower part to an upper part of the material mounter; and an ignition unit for igniting the moxibustion materials. [11] The moxa combustor of claim 10, wherein the ventilation uint comprises: a ventilator generating wind force; and a ventilation motor transmitting rotative force to the ventilator. [12] The moxa combustor of claim 10, wherein the material mounter includes an ash exhaustion pipe formed as a hollow tube and penetrating the moxibustion materials put on an upper part of the material mounter, or an ash drop hole letting the ashes drop into the ash storage. [13] The moxa combustor of any one of claim 1 through claim 12, wherein the heat conduction unit is made of any one substance among soil, stone, glass, and heat- resistant synthetic resin, having high thermal conductivity. [14] The moxa combustor of claim 13, wherein the heat conduction unit includes a viewing window.