WO2009088193A2

WO2009088193A2 - Far-infrared ray generation device

Info

Publication number: WO2009088193A2
Application number: PCT/KR2009/000032
Authority: WO
Inventors: Hang Baek Cho; Hang Bum Cho
Original assignee: Hang Baek Cho; Hang Bum Cho
Priority date: 2008-01-04
Filing date: 2009-01-05
Publication date: 2009-07-16
Also published as: WO2009088193A3

Abstract

A far infrared ray generation device is disclosed. A far infrared ray generation device includes a housing comprising a gas injection part to inject gas, with a receiving room formed therein; a base plate spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection inside the housing, with a plurality of communication holes formed thereon; a catalyst layer provided on the base plate inside the housing, being a porous ceramics layer on which a precious catalyst is coated; and a preheating part provided in the housing to preheat the catalyst layer until the catalyst layer is combusted by the gas.

Description

FAR-INFRARED RAY GENERATION DEVICE

The present invention relates to a far-infrared ray generation device. More specifically, the present invention relates to a far-infrared ray generation device capable of improving combustion efficiency by air supplied therein to minimize harmful gases which might be generated by incomplete combustion during an operation.

Infrared rays are kinds of electric waves which have long wavelength only to have much heat generation, compare with red region of visible rays. Far-infrared rays are infrared rays with long and far waves and near-infrared rays are ones with short and near waves.

Such the far-infrared rays are invisible and absorbed in materials, with strong resonant and sympathetic activation with organic compounds of water elements. In general, light with short waves is well-reflected and light with long waves is well-absorbed if reaching objects. The far-infrared rays with long waves have good permeability. If exposed to such the far-infrared rays, a human body is getting warm. For example, a person may feel warmness little in water at the temperature of 30℃. In contrast, if sitting under the sunshine at the same temperature, a person may feel warmness. That is because far infrared rays of sunshine penetrate deep into the skin to generate heat.

Such the heat generation is also helpful to removal of bacteria which might cause various kinds of diseases and to generation of cellar tissues and circulation of blood by vasodilatation. In addition, if contacting with moisture and protein molecules, the far infrared rays wave 2,000 times per one minute subtly to activate tissue cells and thus there may be effective against aging and adult diseases such as chronic fatigue syndrome and effective for speeding up metabolism.

In addition, the wavelength of far infrared rays is substantially similar to a proper vibration frequency of water molecules. As a result, the far infrared ray makes water waves absorbed well and the energy of far infrared ray increases temperature fast. If activated directly with water molecules which occupy 70% of a human body, the far infrared rays are useful to human health as well as heat transmission.

Because of its resonant and sympathetic action, the far infrared rays can heat a heating object in residential heating and can reduce the heating time which leads to energy saving. As a result, the far infrared rays can heat a surface and inside of an object almost simultaneously.

It is typical to use functional ceramics in order to generate such the far infrared rays, for example, metal oxides including Al203 and SiO2 which are mixture of one or more metallic elements and not-metallic elements,

To utilize such the various advantages of far infrared rays for human bodies, various far infrared ray generation structures applied to a heating device have been invented and suggested.

For example, recently has been developed a far infrared ray heater including a burner combusting supplied fuel to generate heat and a combustion tube connected therewith to discharge the generated heat outside. Ceramics material is coated on a surface of the combustion tube of such the far infrared ray heater to generate the far infrared rays and then the ceramics material having absorbed combustion heat generates the far infrared rays which are helpful to human bodies.

However, According to the above conventional far infrared ray heater, the combustion tube is bent in various layers to reduce the heat which could be lost in the air and to increase an area of the combustion tube contacting with air.

Even if the combustion is bent in plural layers, the remaining heat occupies substantially a lot of the overall heat and thus the heat wasted in the air could be generated as much as bad to heat efficiency.

In addition, the configuration of far infrared ray generation by using ceramic material coated on the surface of the combustion tube has limitation on the increase of the heat generated by the far infrared rays.

To solve the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared ray generation device capable of generating substantially much far infrared ray, with a simple structure.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared ray generation device capable of minimizing heat loss to improve energy efficiency.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a far infrared ray generation device capable of generating far infrared ray by heating supplied gas, by extension, of performing complete gas combustion by supplying enough air or oxygen during the heating to generate the far infrared ray in order to minimize generation of harmful gases.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a far infrared ray generation device includes a housing comprising a gas injection part to inject gas, with a receiving room formed therein; a base plate spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection inside the housing, with a plurality of communication holes formed thereon; a catalyst layer provided on the base plate inside the housing, being a porous ceramics layer on which a precious catalyst is coated; and a preheating part provided in the housing to preheat the catalyst layer until the catalyst layer is combusted by the gas.

The precious catalyst may include at least one of Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh) and Palladium (Pd).

A heat insulation layer configured of porous fibers may be provided adjacent to the preheating part. The heat insulation layer may be configured of ceramic fibers.

The preheating part may stop to operate in a predetermined preheating time period after a primary operation or the far infrared ray generation device may further include a temperature measuring part measuring a temperature near the catalyst layer. The preheating part may stop to operate after the primary operation if the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part is over a preset value.

To supply oxygen to continuously, the far infrared ray generation device may further include an oxygen supplying part supplying oxygen to the housing. The far infrared ray generation device may further include an oxygen sensing part sensing oxygen concentration. The oxygen sensing part may shut off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if the sensed oxygen concentration is below a preset percentage.

The far infrared ray generation device may further include a carbon dioxide sensing part sensing carbon dioxide-concentration. The carbon dioxide sensing part may shut off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if the sensed carbon dioxide concentration is over a preset value. To prevent safety danger, the far infrared ray generation device may further include a reverse sensing part sensing an attitude of the housing. The reverse sensing part may shut off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if it is determined that the housing is reversed.

The far infrared ray generation device may further include a leakage sensing part sensing the leakage of gas. The leakage sensing part may shut off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if it is determined that the gas is leaked. A pressure controller may be provided on a path toward the gas injection part to control the pressure of the gas supplied to the housing to be over a preset value.

An adjustment valve may be provided on a path toward the gas injection part to adjust the amount of the gas supplied to the housing.

Here, the far infrared ray generation device may further include an air guider guiding air outside the housing toward the catalyst layer. The far infrared ray generation device may further include an air inlet to draw the air outside the housing into the housing.

In addition, the air inlet may include a plurality of air inlet holes formed at a rear surface of the housing.

At this time, the air guider may include an inner path to guide the air drawn via the air inlet to pass side portions of the housing and to move to an upper surface of the catalyst layer.

The far infrared ray generation device may further include a fan sucking the air outside the housing and forcibly blowing the air to the air guider.

An outer duct may be provided to guide outer air into the air guider, in communication with the housing.

An outer fan may be provided on a path of the outer duct to suck the air toward the air guider.

The present invention has following advantageous effects.

First, a simple structure of the present invention may enable much amount of far infrared ray to be generated. Specifically, a plurality of communication holes may be formed at a base plate and gas is supplied to a catalyst layer uniformly via the communication holes. As a result, the combustion reaction may be performed at the catalyst layer smoothly only to generate the substantially much amount of the far infrared ray.

Furthermore, heat loss which might be leaked outside can be reduced as possible. As a result, energy efficiency can be improved.

Especially, the catalyst layer is formed in the housing forming a receiving room and gas combustion is performed within the housing. As a result, heat loss can be minimized. In addition, a heat insulation layer is provided adjacent to a preheating part preheating the catalyst layer and the heat insulation layer is configured of porous fibers. As a result, effective preheating is possible and effective combustion reaction can be performed at the catalyst layer.

A still further, various sensing parts are provided to sense oxygen or carbon dioxide concentration or reverse or leakage of the housing. As a result, in case of using the far infrared ray generation device according to the present invention for human bodies, safety dangerous accidents may be prevented effectively.

A still further, during the gas combustion, only carbon dioxide and water may be generated, not nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxide and carbon monoxide and any pollutants. As a result, harmful elements for human bodies can be prevented in advance.

A still further, an air guider is provided to supply air to the catalyst layer and thus it is possible to combust the gas completely at the catalyst layer. As a result, harmful gases which might be generated in case of incomplete combustion may be prevented efficiently.

Lastly, if the present invention is used in an enclosed space such as Gimzilbang or residential spaces, an oxygen supplying part is provided to supply oxygen to the catalyst layer continuously. The combustion reaction can be performed securely and incomplete combustion which might be created by insufficient oxygen can be prevented in advance.

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance of a far infrared ray generation device according to an exemplary embodiment

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a combustion unit of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a heat insulation layer and a pre-heating part shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating a base plate shown in FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an inner structure of the far infrared ray generation device shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a plane view illustrating an outer surface of a control panel shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance of a far infrared ray generation device according to another embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of I-I line shown in FIG. 9; and

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically illustrating that the far infrared ray generation device according to the embodiment of FIG. 9 is installed.

Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

In reference to FIGS. 1 to 4, a far infrared ray generation device according to an exemplary embodiment will be described. Here, FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance of a far infrared ray generation device according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a combustion unit of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of FIG. 2 and FIG. 4 is a sectional view of FIG. 2.

A far infrared ray generation device 10 according to an exemplary embodiment includes a body 100, a combustion unit 200 mounted in the body 100 and various sensing parts (310, 320, 330 and 340, see FIG. 7).

The combustion unit 200 and the

sensing parts

310, 320, 330 and 340 may be installed in the body 100 and a control panel 110 may be provided at a lower portion of a front surface of the body 100 to control various operations of the far infrared ray generation device.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exterior appearance of the body 100 of the assembled far infrared ray generation device 10 and the body 100 may be configured of a stand type to stand on a floor and alternatively, it may be configured of a wall-mounted type.

According to this embodiment, a support frame 120 is extending from a lower surface of the body 100 in a forward and backward direction and wheels 130 are provided at both opposite ends of the support frame 120, respectively, for the far infrared ray generation device to move smoothly, corresponding to an installation place. Here, the wheel 130 enables the far infrared ray generation device to move smoothly but there could be danger of turnover while moving. Because of that, the wheel 130 may be omitted, different from this embodiment.

The combustion unit 200 includes a housing 210, a base plate 220, a

heat insulation layer

240 and 260, a catalyst layer 270 and a pre-heating part 250.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 210 defines a receiving room, with its top being open and a gas injection part 212 is provided at a lower surface of the housing 210 to receive combustion gas. Here, the combustion gas may be LPG, natural gas (NG) and Butane gas.

The base plate 220 is provided in the housing 220, spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection part 212. Here, the base plate 220 is plate-shaped with a plurality of small communication holes (222, see FIG. 6) aligned vertically and horizontally.

As shown in FIG. 4, according to this embodiment, a spacer 114 is provided on a side end of the lower surface of the housing 210 to secure the base plate 220 in the housing 210, being spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection part 212.

Because of that, the combustion gas drawn into the housing 210 via the gas injection part 212 passes the communication holes 222 of the base plates 220 and then it is spread in a predetermined area uniformly.

The preheating part 250 is provided on the base plate 220 to generate heat such that an inside of the housing 210 may have a high temperature. The preheating part 250 preheats the catalyst layer 270 which will be burned by the combustion gas and it is operated to generate heat for a preset time period after a primary operation.

At least one

heat insulation layer

240 and 260 may be provided adjacent to the preheating part 250. FIG. 4 presents an upper heat insulation layer 260 and a lower heat insulation layer 270 provided on and underneath the preheating part 250.

The heat insulation layers 240 and 260 prevent the heat from being lost outside and it transmits the combustion gas having passed the base plate 220 to a surface of the catalyst layer 270 uniformly.

The heat insulation layers 240 and 260 may be made of porous heat insulating material capable of remaining it original shape, without deformity, even at the high temperature caused by the combustion which occurs at the catalyst layer 270 by the combustion gas, such that the combustion gas may pass the heat insulation layers smoothly. Fore example, fiber glass or ceramic fibers may be applicable to the heat insulation layers 240 and 260. Especially, if the ceramic fibers are used as a heat insulation material, there may be an advantage of good safety and Kaowool which is valuable in the market as ceramic fibers may be useable.

The catalyst layer 270 is provided on the preheating part 250 it is porous material having precious metals coated on a ceramic layer. The precious metal catalyst may be Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh) or Palladium (Pd).

If the combustion gas is supplied on the surface of the catalyst layer 270 uniformly and the catalyst layer 270 has a predetermined high temperature, the combustion gas creates oxidizing action without flames only to generate heat and during this process substantially much amount of far infrared ray may be generated.

In case of LPG, a combustion reaction formula is:

[Formula 1]

C₃H₉+5O₂ = 3CO₂ + 4H₂O + H (Heat generation reaction)

In case of NG, a combustion reaction formula is:

[Formula 2]

CH₄+2O₂ = CO₂ + 2H₂O + H(Heat generation reaction)

As identified in the above reaction formulas, the present embodiment has an advantage that only carbon dioxide and water are generated without any harmful gases including nitrogen oxide, sulfur oxides and carbon monoxide. Because of that, the present embodiment can prevent in advance safety danger caused by harmful elements to human bodies in case of a heating device using petroleum or coal.

The catalytic combustion generates much amount of far infrared ray and the usage of the far infrared ray for human bodies may create effective heat transmission and medical effects. Here, this embodiment presents a direct heating method without heat loss and with high energy efficiency without little heat loss. Further, the moisture generated during the combustion is decomposed and negative ions may be generated enough to create deodorization and antifungal effects.

Furthermore, mesh-

type layers

230 and 280 may be provided in the housing 210. FIG. 4 presents that upper and lower mesh layers 230 and 280 are provided on the catalyst layer 270 and the base plate 220, respectively.

The far infrared ray generation deice 10 according to the embodiment includes various sensing

parts

310, 320, 330 and 340 to secure safety if used for the human body and detailed description of the

sensing parts

310, 320, 330 and 340 will be described later.

Next, in reference to FIGS. 5 and 6, detailed structures and appearances of the preheating part and the base plate inside the combustion unit will be described.

As shown in FIG. 5, the preheating part 250 is configured of an electrothermal wire capable of generating heat by the external power and it is mounted between the heat insulation layers 240 and 260. According to this embodiment, the preheating part 250 has curvature in plural layers to generate the heat on the surfaces of the heat insulation layers 240 and 260 uniformly.

The base plate 220, as shown in FIG. 6, is configured of a thin plate type having a predetermined thickness and the plurality of the small communication holes 222 may be aligned vertically and horizontally at the base plate 220, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other in all directions.

Because of the communication holes 222, the combustion gas is drawn into the housing 210 via the gas injection part 212 and supplied to specific areas uniformly and then the gas is transmitted to the catalyst layer 270, such that combustion reaction may be generated at the catalyst layer 270 smoothly.

In reference to FIG. 7, an operation of the far infrared ray generation device 10 according to the above embodiment will be described.

As mentioned above, the combustion unit 200 includes the catalyst layer 270 where the actual combustion reaction occurs and the preheating part 250 preheating the catalyst layer 270.

A gas supplying part 170 and a power 180 are provided outside the combustion unit. The gas supplying part 170 supplies gas to the catalyst layer 270 and the power 180 supplies electricity to the preheating part 250 generating heat.

If the combustion reaction occurs at the catalyst layer 270, much amount of oxygen should be supplied continuously as shown in Reaction formulas 1 and 2. Especially, in case of using the far infrared ray generation device 10 in enclosed spaces, for example, Gimzilbang which is a kind of a Korean public sauna for hot bath treatment, oxygen should be supplied continuously.

According to this embodiment, an auxiliary oxygen supplying part 150 is provided to supply oxygen to the catalyst layer 270 continuously such that the combustion reaction may occur at the catalyst layer 270 smoothly.

The oxygen supplying part 150 may be configured in the body 100 to receive external air from a fan or it may be separate from the body 100 to supply oxygen by circulating air inside an enclosed space.

By the way, the preheating part 250 is employed to preheat the catalyst layer 270 which will be combusted. Thus, the preheating part 250 may be configured to stop to operate in a preset time period for the preheating, using a timer.

Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7, a temperature measuring part 290 is provided in the combustion unit 200 to measure an ambient temperature near the catalyst layer 270. Then, if the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part 290 is over a preset standard value, the preheating part 250 may stop to operate.

In this embodiment, the standard temperature value is preset to 250℃ and the preheating part 250 stops to operate until the temperature of the preheating part 250 reaches the preset valve.

Here, the standard temperature may be preset to a substantially low temperature to reduce the primary preheating time and it may be preset to a substantially high temperature to perform the complete combustion. As a result, the standard temperature value may be variable based on a design or installation condition.

According to this embodiment, various sensing

parts

310, 320, 330 and 340 are further provided for safety.

Firstly, an oxygen sensing part 310 senses oxygen-concentration near the catalyst layer 270. If the concentration of the sensed oxygen is below a preset percent, the oxygen sensing part 310 shuts off the supply of the combustion gas toward the gas injection part 212.

In this embodiment, the percentage of oxygen included in the air is between 17.5% ~ 19. 4%, the supply of the combustion gas is shut off automatically.

Next, a carbon dioxide sensing part 320 is provided to sense carbon dioxide-concentration near the catalyst layer 270. If the concentration sensed by the carbon dioxide sensing part 320 is over a preset value, the carbon dioxide sensing part 320 shuts off the supply of the combustion gas toward the gas injection part 212.

In this embodiment, carbon dioxide is sensed to 5000 ppm or more, the supply of the combustion gas is shut off automatically.

Next, a reverse sensing part 330 is provided to sense an attitude of the housing 210. If the attitude variation of the housing is over a preset value, the reverse sensing part 330 shuts off the supply of the combustion gas toward the gas injection part 212.

That is, if the far infrared ray generation device 10 is shaken or external shock is applied to the far infrared ray generation device 10, the reverse sensing part 330 senses the attitude variation of the housing 210 and the supply of the combustion gas is shut off automatically.

Further, a leakage sensing part 340 is provided on a path toward the gas injection part 212. if the leakage sensing part 340 senses gas leakage, the leakage sensing part 340 shuts off the supply of the combustion gas toward the gas injection part 212.

In addition, a pressure controller 160 may be provided on the path toward the gas injection part 212 to control the pressure of the gas supplied to the housing 210 to be over a preset value.

In this embodiment, the pressure controller 160 which is a diagram type is provided for the gas pressure to be over a preset value, for example, 4 mmH2O.

A control valve 172 is provided on a path of the gas toward the catalyst layer 270 from the gas supplying part 170 to adjust the amount of the combustion gas, by extension, to adjust the temperature of the far infrared ray generation device 10.

In reference to FIG. 8, the configuration of the control panel 110 according to this exemplary embodiment will be described.

The control panel 110 includes a plurality of

display lights

114 and 116, a temperature adjustment lever 118 and an on-off button 112.

The display lights 114 and 116 are configured of a preheating light 114 and a function display light 116. The preheating light 114 is turned on while the preheating part 250 is operated.

The function display light 116 is configured to identify a user that far infrared ray, deodorization, negative ion and anti-bacteria functions are put into operation.

The temperature adjustment lever 118 is in communication with the adjustment valve 172. If the temperature adjustment lever 118 is turned toward a high temperature, the amount of gas supply is increased and if turned toward a low temperature, the amount of gas supply is decreased.

The on-off button 112 is selectively on and off whenever being pushed.

If a user pushes the on-off button 112, a primary operation starts and the preheating light is turned on for a predetermined time period while the preheating part 250 is operated. If the preheating part 250 stops to operate and the combustion starts at the catalyst layer 270, the preheating light 114 is turned off and the function display light 116 is turned on to inform the user of the operations of the far infrared ray, deodorization, negative ion and anti-bacteria functions.

An LID panel is provided on the control panel according to this embodiment to provide the user with overall information, for example, states of the present device or room temperatures.

The above configuration of the display light, adjustment lever and button composing the control panel 110 may be variable according to user selection or usage environments.

In the meanwhile, FIGS. 9 and 10 illustrate a far infrared ray generation device according to another embodiment.

From now on, in reference to FIGS. 9 and 10, the far infrared generation device according to another embodiment will be described.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view illustrating an exterior appearance of the far infrared ray generation device according to another embodiment and FIG. 10 is a sectional view illustrating I-I line of FIG. 9.

The far infrared ray generation device 20 according to this embodiment also includes a body 300, a combustion unit 200 and a plurality of sensing parts (310, 320, 330 and 340, see FIG. 7). The body 300 defines an exterior appearance of the far infrared ray generation device 10 and the combustion unit 200 is mounted in the body 300.

In the body 300 are mounted the combustion unit 200 and the various kinds of sensing

parts

310, 320, 330 and 340. A control panel 110 is provided on a lower portion of a front surface of the body 300. At this time, of course, the body 300 may be configured of a wall-mounted type alternatively.

A support frame 120 is extending from a lower surface of the body 300 in a forward and backward direction and wheels 130 are provided at both opposite ends of the support frame 120, respectively, for the far infrared ray generation device 20 to move smoothly, corresponding to an installation place.

The combustion unit 200 provided in the far infrared ray generation device 20 according to this embodiment also includes a housing 210, a base plate 220, a

heat insulation layer

240 and 260, a catalyst layer 270 and a pre-heating part 250, like the far infrared ray generation device according to the above embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the housing 210 is installed in an open portion and it defines a receiving room, with its top being open.

A gas injection part 212 is provided at a lower surface of the housing 210.

In addition, a spacer 114 is provided on a side end of the lower surface of the housing 210 to secure the base plate 220 in the housing 210, being spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection part 212.

Then, after being spread in space between the lower surface of the housing 210 and the base plate 220, the combustion gas drawn into the housing 210 via the gas injection part 212 passes the communication holes 222 of the base plates 220 and then it is spread in a predetermined area uniformly.

The preheating part 250 is provided on the base plate 220 to generate heat such that an inside of the housing 210 may have a high temperature.

The preheating part 250 preheats the catalyst layer 270 which will be burned by the combustion gas and it is operated to generate heat for a preset time period after a primary operation.

At least one

heat insulation layer

The heat insulation layers 240 and 260 may be made of porous heat insulating material capable of remaining it original shape, without deformity, even at the high temperature caused by the combustion which occurs at the catalyst layer 270 by the combustion gas, such that the combustion gas may pass the heat insulation layers smoothly.

In addition, mesh-

type layers

230 and 280 may be provided in the housing 210.

In the body 300 of the far ray infrared ray generation device 20 according to this embodiment, external air is induced toward the catalyst layer 270 such that the gas may be combusted completely at the catalyst layer 270, using oxygen in the induced air.

Specifically, in the combustion of the air at the catalyst layer 270, substantially enough oxygen should be supplied for the smooth gas combustion and thus the air containing oxygen should be supplied to the catalyst layer 270. For that, an air guider 310 is provided in the body 300 of the far infrared ray generation device 20 according to this embodiment to make external air induced toward the catalyst layer 270.

Although the air guider 310 may be embodied in various ways, it is preferable as shown in FIG. 10 that the air guide 310 is an inner duct type formed in the body 300. Further, an air inlet is formed at the body 300. Here, as shown in FIG. 10, the air inlet may be an air inlet hole 410 formed at a lower surface of the body 300 (in reference to FIG. 9, a rear surface of the body 300). The air drawn into the body 300 via the air inlet hole 310 is drawn into the air guider 310 smoothly to flow toward an upper surface of the body 300 (in reference to FIG. 9, a front surface of the body 300 which is open).

At this time, the air guider 310 may include an inner path (no numeral reference) for the air drawn via the air inlet hole to move an upper surface of the catalyst layer 270 after passing side portions of the body 300.

The inner path is formed for the air drawn via the lower surface of the body 300 to pass side portions of the catalyst layer 270 and to move to the upper surface of the body 300.

FIG. 10 presents that the air guider 310 is formed at each side portion of the body 300. However, the air guider 310 may be provided at upper and lower portions of the body 300 or at all of the side, upper and lower portions of the body 300.

That is, FIG. 10 presents only one example of the air guider and the air guider may be any structures capable of passing the air toward the catalyst layer.

A fan 400 and a motor (not shown) operating the fan 400 may be installed in the body 300 to forcibly suck external air and to supply the air to the body 300.

Here, the fan sucks external air and circulates the air inside the body 300. As a result, there may be a cooling effect that inner parts inside the body may be prevented from being overheated by the heat of the combustion inside the body 300.

Although not shown in FIG. 10, an induction guide (not shown) may be further provided in the body 300 to induce the external air drawn via the lower surface of the body 300 to be induced toward the side portion of the catalyst layer 270 smoothly. At this time, the induction guide may have a predetermined curvature.

The sensing parts (310, 320, 330 and 340, see FIG. 7) for safety and the control panel for the operation control, according to the above exemplary embodiment, may be applicable to the far infrared ray generation device 20 according to this embodiment.

The specific structures and appearances of such the sensing parts and control panel according to this embodiment is identical to those of the sensing parts and control panel according to the above exemplary embodiment and thus the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 11, outer air, not room air, may be drawn into the body to operate the far infrared ray generation device.

Specifically, an outer duct 600 is installed to connect a room and an outside and an outer fan 501 sucking outer air and outer body 500 are provided outside.

In this case, outer fresh air may be continuously supplied to the body 300 via the outer duct 600 by the operation of the outer fan 501. If then, substantially more oxygen can be used during the heating of the far infrared ray generation device, which will improve combustion efficiency enough to reduce harmful gases.

If air is injected as mentioned above, more safe combustion may be possible.

In case of the conventional gas combustion type of far infrared ray generation device, quite an amount of Total-hydrocarbon (THC) is generated. Because of that, it is actually inappropriate to install the conventional far infrared ray generation device in an enclosed room. If the far infrared ray generation device according to above embodiments is operated, combustion efficiency may be improved enough to noticeably reduce the amount of Total-hydrocarbon (THC) and thus to make it possible to install the far infrared ray generation device in such the enclosed room.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

A far infrared ray generation device comprising:

a housing comprising a gas injection part to inject gas, with a receiving room formed therein;

a base plate spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection inside the housing, with a plurality of communication holes formed thereon;

a catalyst layer provided on the base plate inside the housing, being a porous ceramics layer on which a precious catalyst is coated; and

a preheating part provided in the housing to preheat the catalyst layer until the catalyst layer is combusted by the gas.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein the base plate is provided underneath the catalyst layer, spaced apart a predetermined distance from the gas injection part, the base plate having the plurality of the communication holes.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein the precious catalyst comprises at least one of Platinum (Pt), Rhodium (Rh) and Palladium (Pd).
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein a heat insulation layer configured of porous fibers is provided adjacent to the preheating part.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein the heat insulation layer is configured of ceramic fibers.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein the preheating part stops to operate in a predetermined preheating time period after a primary operation.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a temperature measuring part measuring a temperature near the catalyst layer,

wherein the preheating part stops to operate after the primary operation, if the temperature measured by the temperature measuring part is over a preset value.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

an oxygen supplying part supplying oxygen to the housing.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

an oxygen sensing part sensing oxygen concentration, the oxygen sensing part shutting off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if the sensed oxygen concentration is below a preset value.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a carbon dioxide sensing part sensing carbon dioxide-concentration, the carbon dioxide sensing part shutting off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if the sensed carbon dioxide concentration is over a preset value.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a reverse sensing part sensing an attitude of the housing, the reverse sensing part shutting off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if it is determined that the housing is reversed.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

a leakage sensing part sensing the leakage of gas, the leakage sensing part shutting off the supply of the gas to the gas injection part if it is determined that the gas is leaked.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein a pressure controller is provided on a path toward the gas injection part to control the pressure of the gas supplied to the housing to be over a preset value.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, wherein an adjustment valve is provided on a path toward the gas injection part to adjust the amount of the gas supplied to the housing.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

an air guider guiding air outside the housing toward the catalyst layer.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 1, further comprising:

an air inlet drawing the air outside the housing into the housing.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 16, wherein the air inlet comprises a plurality of air inlet holes formed at a rear surface of the housing.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 16, wherein the air guider comprises an inner path to guide the air drawn via the air inlet to pass side portions of the housing and to move to an upper surface of the catalyst layer.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 15, further comprising:

a fan sucking the air outside the housing and forcibly blowing the air to the air guider.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 15, wherein an outer duct is provided to guide outer air into the air guider, in communication with the housing.
The far infrared ray generation device of claim 20, wherein an outer fan is provided on a path of the outer duct to suck the air toward the air guider.