Sauna apparatus

Abstract

To provide a sauna apparatus that prevents a decrease in temperature and a decrease in humidification amount in a sauna room due to water replacement operation.SOLUTION: In a sauna device including a plurality of mist generators 1, when water replacement operation is performed in one of the mist generators 1, a control unit 35 performs, on the other of the mist generators 1, support operation of switching an ON / OFF state of a heating heater 9 and performing control such that a water storage temperature becomes a second predetermined temperature higher than a first predetermined temperature and making a rotation speed of a mist motor 22 to be higher than that in normal operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna apparatus that enables a person to enjoy a sauna bath by supplying mist, the temperature of which has been increased by a mist generator made from water heated by a heater, into a sauna room. [Background technology]

[0002] For example, Patent Document 1 describes a sauna device that performs sauna operation and includes a water storage section for storing water, a heating means for heating the water in the water storage section, a water crushing means for crushing the warm water in the water storage section to generate fine water droplets, and a blower for supplying the fine water droplets into the sauna room.

[0003] Patent Document 2 describes a humidifier that includes a water storage tank for storing water, a water supply pipe with a water supply valve and a drain pipe with a drain valve connected to the water storage tank, mist generating means for generating mist from the water in the water storage tank, and a mist operation that blows humidified air containing mist using a blower fan, and when the mist operation continues for a predetermined time, the water storage tank is drained by opening and closing the drain valve, and when the drainage is completed, the water supply valve is opened and closed to supply water into the water storage tank, thereby performing a water replacement operation to replace the water in the water storage tank. The water replacement operation cleans the inside of the water storage tank and prevents the deposition of scale. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2010-017298 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2019-152365 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] If the sauna room of Patent Document 1 is relatively large, multiple sauna devices are required to ensure the amount of mist generated. In this case, if some of the sauna devices perform the water replacement operation of Patent Document 2 while the sauna is in operation, the sauna device cannot generate mist during the water replacement, so the amount of heat released into the sauna room decreases, causing a drop in the temperature inside the sauna room. Furthermore, the amount of humidification released into the sauna room also decreases, making it impossible to supply a sufficient amount of humidification to the sauna room. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, the sauna apparatus of the present invention according to claim 1 has a water storage tank to which a water supply pipe and a drain pipe are connected and which can store and drain water, a heater that is installed underwater in the water storage tank and can be switched on and off, a water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the water in the water storage tank, a rotor that rotates to pump up the water in the water storage chamber and scatter it in an outer circumferential direction, a mist motor that is connected to a drive shaft that rotatably supports the rotor, and a collision body against which the water scattered by the rotor collides, and the sauna apparatus has a plurality of mist generators, a blower fan that blows the mist generated by each mist generator into a room, an indoor temperature sensor that detects the indoor temperature, and a heater that switches the ON / OFF state of the heater to detect the indoor temperature. a control unit that controls the stored water temperature to a desired temperature while controlling the stored water temperature to a first predetermined temperature, performs normal operation in which the mist generated by the mist generating device is blown into the room by the blower fan, and when the normal operation has continued for a predetermined time a, stops the heater and the mist motor and performs a water replacement operation to replace the water in the water tank, wherein when the water replacement operation is performed in one of the mist generating devices, the control unit controls the other mist generating device by switching the heater on / off state so that the stored water temperature is a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature, and performs a support operation of increasing the rotation speed of the mist motor above that of the normal operation.

[0007] In addition, in the sauna apparatus of claim 2, the control unit is characterized in that after the water replacement operation of one of the mist generators is completed, it starts the support operation of one of the mist generators, and also ends the support operation of the other mist generator and starts the water replacement operation.

[0008] In addition, in the sauna apparatus of claim 3, the control unit performs a support operation in one of the mist generators from a predetermined time b before the water replacement operation performed in the other mist generator is started.

[0009] The sauna apparatus of claim 4 has a water storage tank to which a water supply pipe and a drain pipe are connected and which can store and drain water, a heater installed in the water storage tank and capable of switching ON / OFF states, a water temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the water in the water storage tank, a rotor for drawing up water in the water storage tank by rotation and scattering it in an outer circumferential direction, a mist motor connected to a drive shaft which supports the rotor so as to be rotatable, and a collision body against which the water scattered by the rotor collides, and the sauna apparatus has a plurality of mist generating devices, a blower fan for blowing the mist generated by each mist generating device into a room, an indoor temperature sensor for detecting the indoor temperature, and a heater for switching ON / OFF states of the heater to set the indoor temperature to a desired temperature and the water temperature to a first predetermined temperature. and a control unit that controls one of the mist generating devices, performs normal operation in which the mist generated by the mist generating device is blown into the room by the blower fan, and periodically stops the heater and the mist motor during the normal operation and performs a water replacement operation to replace the water in the water tank. Before the water replacement operation is performed in one of the mist generating devices, the control unit controls the other mist generating device by switching the heater on / off state so that the stored water temperature becomes a second predetermined temperature that is higher than the first predetermined temperature, and performs a support operation of making the rotation speed of the mist motor higher than that of the normal operation, and when the stored water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature, starts the water replacement operation of one of the mist generating devices.

[0010] In addition, in the sauna apparatus of claim 5, the control unit is characterized in that after the water replacement operation of one of the mist generators is completed, it starts the support operation of one of the mist generators, and when the stored water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature, it ends the support operation of the other mist generator and starts the water replacement operation.

[0011] In addition, in the sauna apparatus of claim 6, multiple blower fans are provided, configured in pairs for multiple mist generators, and the rotation speed of the blower fan corresponding to the mist generator during the support operation is higher than during the normal operation. Effect of the Invention

[0012] According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent a decrease in temperature and a decrease in humidification amount inside the sauna room due to the implementation of a water replacement operation in the sauna apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0013] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of a sauna apparatus showing one embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the sauna apparatus of the same embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view of the sauna apparatus of the same embodiment. [Figure 4] A horizontal cross-sectional view of the sauna apparatus of the same embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 2 is an external view of the sauna apparatus of the same embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is an electrical circuit block diagram of the same embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flow chart showing a series of operations of the same embodiment; [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an operation of a cleaning mode in the same embodiment. [Figure 9] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a sterilization mode A in the same embodiment. [Figure 10]10 is a flow chart showing the operation of a start-up mode of the same embodiment. [Figure 11] 11 is a flow chart illustrating the stable mode operation of the same embodiment. [Figure 12] 13 is a flowchart showing the operation of a sterilization mode B in the same embodiment. [Figure 13] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of a drying mode in the same embodiment. [Figure 14] 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the same embodiment in a standard mode. [Figure 15] 11 is a flowchart showing the operation of the weak mode of the same embodiment. [Figure 16] 11A and 11B are diagrams illustrating control contents in a standard mode and a weak mode in the same embodiment. [Figure 17] A timing chart illustrating the water replacement operation and the support operation in the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 11 is a timing chart showing a case where a support operation is performed early in the first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 19] A timing chart illustrating the water replacement operation and the support operation in the second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0014] Next, a sauna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0015] In Figure 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a mist generating device installed under a bench 3 in a low-temperature sauna room 2. Air from within the sauna room 2 is sucked in by a blower fan 35 through a suction duct 4 extending to the top of the sauna room 2, and after dust and bacteria are removed, heated mist and negative ions are supplied to the sauna room 2 from an air outlet 5 formed below the bench 3. This process is repeated in sequence to circulate the air in the sauna room 2, thereby creating the atmosphere of a low-temperature, high-humidity sauna with an operating room temperature of 38 to 42°C and a relative humidity of 90% or more.

[0016] In this embodiment, multiple mist generators 1 are provided inside the sauna room 2. When using a sauna device for multiple people, it is necessary to make the sauna room 2 larger to ensure a large space, and in this case, by using multiple mist generators 1, it is possible to appropriately maintain the temperature and humidity inside the sauna room 2. Note that the configuration and operation of the mist generators 1 are the same for multiple mist generators 1, so hereinafter, unless otherwise specified, a description will be given of one mist generator 1.

[0017] Reference numeral 6 denotes a water tank for storing a certain amount of water, 7 a water supply pipe connected to one side wall of the water storage tank 6 and supplying water to the water storage tank 6, 8 a water supply valve provided midway along the water supply pipe 7 for opening and closing the water supply pipe 7, 9 a heating heater which heats the water stored in the water storage tank 6 and is installed horizontally in an M-shape in a plan view near the bottom of the water storage tank 6 below the water surface of the water storage tank 6 and has three U-shaped sections 10, 11 an overflow pipe provided on one side wall of the water storage tank 6, 12 a drain pipe connected to the bottom of the water storage tank 6 for draining the water stored in the water storage tank 6 or the heated water heated by the heating heater 9, and 13 a drain valve provided midway along the drain pipe 12 for opening and closing the drain pipe 12.

[0018] Reference numeral 14 denotes a partition wall which divides the inside of the water storage tank 6 into two chambers, a treatment chamber 15 and a separation chamber 16. By bending the lower end towards the separation chamber 16 and lowering the communication passage 17 between the water surface to near the water surface, it also serves as a gas-liquid separator which causes large mist particles in the air moving from the treatment chamber 15 to the separation chamber 16 (large diameter mist described later) to collide with the water surface and fall.

[0019] In the treatment chamber 15, the lower half of a mist motor 22 is inserted into an insertion hole 19 provided in the lid 18 of the water storage tank 6 and into a recess 21 in a waterproof cover 20, and the mist motor 22 is connected to a support shaft 23. A mortar-shaped rotor 24, with its lower part submerged and its diameter expanding upward, is suspended from the U-shaped section 10 furthest from the water supply pipe 7 of the heater 9. This rotor 24 is rotated by the mist motor 22, and the centrifugal force of this rotor 24 sucks up the warm water in the water storage tank 6, which has been heated by the heater 9, along the front and even back surface of the rotor 24, and splashes it around from a number of fine holes 25 formed at the top end.

[0020] In the separation chamber 16, a first baffle plate 26 formed by inclining and bending the lower end of the partition wall 14 downward in the separation chamber 16 and a second baffle plate 27 attached to the side wall opposite the partition wall 14 and inclining downward are alternately protruded to form a serpentine path 28 in the center extending from the lower communication passage 17 toward the upper air outlet 5.

[0021] Reference numeral 29 denotes a cylindrical porous body located at a predetermined distance from the outer periphery of the rotor 24 and rotating together with the rotor 24, and reference numeral 30 denotes a porous portion acting as an impact body consisting of a number of slits, wire mesh, punched metal, etc. formed on the entire circumferential wall of the porous body 29. The mist generating means is made up of the water tank 6, heater 9, mist motor 22, rotor 24 and porous portion 30.

[0022] The mist motor 22, which constitutes the mist generating means, is driven, and the rotor 24 is rotated, generating centrifugal force which draws up water from the water storage tank 6 and scatters the air. Water droplets which pass through the porous section 30 are crushed, resulting in the water particles being broken down into nanometer (nm) sized mist (hereinafter referred to as fine mist), as well as water droplets with relatively large diameters (hereinafter referred to as large mist). Due to the Leonard effect caused by the water being broken down into fine particles, the fine mist becomes charged with negative ions, and the large mist becomes charged with positive ions.

[0023] Reference numeral 31 denotes an elliptical air guide tube arranged around the outer periphery of the porous body 29 so as to cover the porous body 29 with a predetermined gap therebetween, and is attached to an inner lid 34 that covers the upper part of the treatment chamber 15 so as to form a pair of large flow passages 32, 32 and a pair of small flow passages 33, 33 between the cylindrical porous body 29. Reference numeral 35 denotes a variable speed air blower fan consisting of a cross-flow fan that is provided at the upper part of the separation chamber 16 at a position that communicates the separation chamber 16 with the air outlet 5. When the air blower fan 35 is driven, the air in the sauna room 2 sucked through the suction duct 4 from the air inlet 36 between the lid 18 and the inner lid 34 flows into the air supply chamber 37 formed in the space between the lid 18 and the inner lid 34, which has an air inlet 36 connected to the suction duct 4 on one side wall, and flows from the air supply chamber 37 at the upper part of the treatment chamber 15 toward the treatment chamber 15 from above the rotor 24 into the air guide tube 31. This increases the number of times the water particles are crushed, and also increases the negative charge of the air, resulting in the generation of a large amount of fine mist and negative ions. For example, approximately 7,000 negative ions / CC are detected at the middle position in the center of the sauna room 2.

[0024] The air guide tube 31 has a flange portion 38 that protrudes inward from its inner periphery, and this flange portion 38 is provided at a height position above the upper surface of the rotor 24 to prevent the water that is pumped up from the water tank 6 by the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the rotor 24 and scattered through the porous body 29 and rebounds off the air guide tube 31 from scattering in unintended locations, such as near the connection between the mist motor 22 fixed to the lid 18 and the support shaft 23, or into the air supply chamber 37.

[0025] Reference numeral 39 denotes a water level detection means that is provided at the bottom of the water tank 6 and outputs a detection signal when there is water or hot water in the water tank 6. The water level detection means 39 is composed of two float switches 40 and 41.

[0026] Here, the float switch 40 outputs an OFF signal when the water level is low before the heating heater 9 is exposed above the water surface, and outputs an ON signal when the water level rises from the low water level. The float switch 41 outputs an OFF signal when the water level at which the float switch 40 outputs an ON signal, and outputs an ON signal when the water level in the water storage tank 6 rises further and detects that it is above a predetermined water level.

[0027] Reference numeral 42 denotes a protective frame with a U-shaped cross section that protects the two float switches 40, 41 from being affected by fluctuations in the water level in the water tank 6. The frame body protrudes above the water surface on the front and both sides and surrounds the two float switches 40, 41 together with one side wall of the water tank 6. The two float switches 40, 41 are fixed hanging down from the top surface.

[0028] Reference numeral 43 denotes a U-shaped air heater attached to the air intake port 36 which constitutes the air intake path together with the suction duct 4. The air heater 43 protrudes from the side wall of the air intake port 36 and is inclined with the upper part slightly backward with respect to the side wall, and is arranged so that the U-shaped heater parts do not overlap and efficiently contact the air blown from the sauna room 2 with a small surface, thereby heating the air from the sauna room 2. Furthermore, when the sauna device starts operating, the blower fan 35 is driven and electricity is passed through the air heater 43 to heat the air circulating in the sauna room 2, raising the ambient temperature of the sauna room 2 and shortening the start-up time. Furthermore, after the operation of the sauna device ends, the blower fan 35 is driven and electricity is passed through the air heater 43 to dry the sauna room 2 with hot air and maintain good hygiene.

[0029] Reference numeral 44 denotes a water temperature sensor that is installed at a predetermined water level on the lower outer wall of the water tank 6 and detects the temperature of the water in the water tank 6. Reference numeral 45 denotes a thermostat that is also installed at a predetermined water level on the lower outer wall of the water tank 6. When the water tank 6 becomes abnormally overheated, the thermostat 45 ensures safety by disconnecting the wiring connecting the heater 9 and the power source.

[0030] Furthermore, it is desirable to install the thermostat 45 in a position where it can quickly and reliably detect if the water tank 6 has reached an abnormally overheated state, and it is preferable to install it on the side wall of the water tank 6 at the low water level where the float switch 40 outputs an OFF signal.

[0031] In FIG. 1, 46 is a room temperature sensor (room temperature sensor) that is attached to the upper part of the sauna room 2 and detects the room temperature inside the sauna room 2. 47 is a ventilation fan that ventilates the sauna room 2, 48 is a door for entering and exiting the sauna room 2, 49 is a sight glass provided at the top of the door 48, and 50 is an air intake provided at the bottom of the door 48 that takes air into the sauna room 2 from outside. The air intake 50 is structured to open when the ventilation fan 47 is driven to supply air into the sauna room 2 from outside the sauna room 2. Also, 51 is an emergency switch. When an abnormality occurs in the sauna room 2 for a user who is bathing, when the user operates this emergency switch 51, a buzzer or the like is sounded to notify the outside of the sauna room 2 that an abnormality has occurred in the sauna room 2, the drain valve 13 is opened to drain the hot water in the water tank 6, and the ventilation fan 47 is operated, thereby lowering the temperature and humidity inside the sauna room 2 and returning the sauna room 2 to its normal state.

[0032] Reference numeral 52 in FIG. 5 denotes a remote control for remotely operating the sauna device. The remote control 52 includes an indoor set temperature display unit 53 that displays the indoor set temperature in the sauna room 2, an indoor temperature display unit 54 that displays the temperature in the sauna room 2 detected by the room temperature sensor 46, a room temperature setting switch 55 as a room temperature setting means for setting the set temperature that is the room temperature desired by the user in the sauna room 2, for example, 38°C to 42°C in 1°C increments, an operation switch 56 that instructs the start and stop of operation of the sauna device, an operation lamp 57 that indicates the ON / OFF state of the operation switch 56, and a ventilation switch that drives the ventilation fan 47 to perform ventilation operation in the sauna room 2, etc. a ventilation lamp 59 which indicates whether the ventilation switch 58 is on or off; a bathing lamp 60 which lights up when the temperature inside the sauna room 2 reaches the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55 to indicate permission to enter the sauna room 2; a speaker 61 which announces by voice the set temperature inside the sauna room 2 which was set by the room temperature setting switch 55; a mode selection switch 62 which selects between standard mode and weak mode which are normal operation modes; and a mode indicator lamp 63 which lights up the lamp corresponding to the mode selected by the mode selection switch 62.

[0033] A control block diagram of the present invention is shown in Figure 6. Reference numeral 64 denotes a control unit which has functions such as storage, calculation, and time counting and controls the sauna apparatus, and the control unit 64 and remote control 52 are connected to each other so that they can communicate wirelessly or by wire. The float switches 40, 41, water temperature sensor 44, thermostat 45, room temperature sensor 46, and emergency switch 51 are connected to the input side of the control unit 64, and the water supply valve 8, heater 9, drain valve 13, mist motor 22, blower fan 35, air heater 43, and exhaust fan 47 are connected to the output side, and the control unit 64 is provided with a switching means 65 which switches the power supply to heater 9 between ON and OFF depending on the operating state of the sauna apparatus.

[0034] Next, the operation of this embodiment of the sauna apparatus will be described with reference to the flow charts of FIGS.

[0035] First, the set temperature (38-42°C) of the sauna room 2 is set using the room temperature setting switch 55 on the remote control 52 provided on the side wall of the sauna room 2, and when the operation switch 56 is turned ON, the operation lamp 57 lights up, the sauna device starts operating, and the cleaning mode, which is a preparatory operation of the sauna device, starts (step S100). In this cleaning mode, the drain valve 13 that opens and closes the drain pipe 12 that drains the cold or hot water in the water tank 6 is opened, and the water supply valve 8 that opens and closes the water supply pipe 7 that supplies water to the water tank 6 is opened to supply water into the water tank 6, and dirt, dust, bacteria, etc. remaining at the bottom of the water tank 6 are washed and drained before the water is stored in the water tank 6.

[0036] (Cleaning mode explanation) Next, the operation of the above-mentioned cleaning mode will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0037] The control unit 64 opens the drain valve 13 (step S101), determines whether the float switch 40 for detecting low water levels has output an OFF signal (step S102), and repeats the processing of step S102 as long as it determines that the float switch 40 has not output an OFF signal.If it determines that the float switch 40 has output an OFF signal, it opens the water supply valve 8 after a certain delay (step S103).

[0038] After the water supply valve 8 is opened in step S103 to start supplying water to the water tank 6, it is then determined whether or not a predetermined time has elapsed (step S104). If it is determined that the predetermined time has elapsed, the drain valve 13 is closed (step S105) and the cleaning mode is terminated. If the predetermined time has not elapsed, the determination in step S104 is repeated.

[0039] When the cleaning mode of step S100 is completed, the process proceeds to sterilization mode A (step S200). In this sterilization mode A, the power supply to the heater 9 disposed near the bottom of the water storage tank 6 is turned on by the switching means 65 to heat the water in the water storage tank 6 to a temperature at which sterilization is possible, and the mist motor 22 is driven to rotate the rotor 24. This sterilizes the water stored in the water storage tank 6, and washes away dust, dirt, bacteria, etc. adhering to the rotor 24 which draws up heated water from the water storage tank 6, the porous body 29 which is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor 24 and rotates together with the rotor 24, and the air guide cylinder 31 which is disposed so as to cover the porous body 29, to make them clean, and sterilizes and disinfects the rotor 24, the porous body 29, and the air guide cylinder 31.

[0040] (Explanation of sterilization mode A) Next, the operation of the sterilization mode A will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0041] The control unit 64 determines whether the float switch 40 for detecting low water levels has output an ON signal (step S201), and if it determines that the float switch 40 has output an ON signal, it turns on the electricity to the heater 9, which heats the water in the water tank 6, using the switching means 65, and starts driving the mist motor 22, which rotates the rotor 24 (step S202), and determines whether the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44 is equal to or higher than a predetermined value (e.g., 60°C) at which sterilization is possible (step S203).

[0042] If it is determined in step S203 that the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 is 60°C or higher, the control unit 64 turns off the power to the heater 9 using the switching means 65 and simultaneously starts counting a predetermined time for heating and sterilizing the water in the water tank 6, i.e., the sterilization time (step S204).

[0043] After step S204, the control unit 64 turns on the power to the heating heater 9 when the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44 becomes 58°C or lower, and turns off the power to the heating heater 9 when the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44 becomes 60°C or higher, thereby switching the ON / OFF state of the heating heater 9 using the switching means 65 to maintain the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 at a sterilizable temperature (step S205), and repeats step S205 until the countdown of the 1-minute sterilization time is completed (step S206).

[0044] Then, when the control unit 64 determines that the sterilization time count has ended (YES in step S206), it turns off the power to the heater 9 (step S207), ends the sterilization mode A, and ends the preparatory operation of the sauna apparatus.

[0045] If it is determined in step S203 that the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 is lower than 60°C, the control unit 64 determines whether the specified time of 30 minutes has elapsed since sending a signal to switch the power to the heater 9 to the ON state using the switching means 65 (step S208), and if it determines that 30 minutes have elapsed since sending a signal to switch the power to the heater 9 to the ON state, it opens the drain valve 13 to drain the water in the water tank 6, and issues an audio alert from the speaker 61 that the switching means 65 has a short-circuit failure and it is impossible to switch the power to the heater 9 between the ON / OFF state (step S209), thereby ending the preparatory operation of the sauna apparatus and preventing it from proceeding to the next step.

[0046] If 30 minutes have not elapsed since the power supply to the heater 9 was turned on in step S208 (No in step S208), the determination in step S203 as to whether the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 is 60° C. or higher is repeated.

[0047] In addition, after the float switch 40 outputs an ON signal in step S201, if water supply continues and the float switch 41 for detecting high water levels outputs an ON signal, the control unit 64 closes the water supply valve 8 to end the water supply, and based on the detection signal from the water level detection means 39 (float switches 40, 41), the control unit 64 controls the water supply valve 8 to supply water and maintain the water storage tank 6 within a specified water level range.

[0048] When the sterilization mode A of step S200 ends and the preparatory operation of the sauna apparatus ends, the sauna apparatus transitions to a start-up mode (step S300), which is the normal operation of the sauna apparatus. In this start-up mode, the blower fan 35 is set to high operation and starts to operate, the air heater 43 attached to the air intake port 36 is energized, and further, the ON / OFF state of the heater 9 is switched by the switching means 65 so that the temperature of the water stored in the water tank 6 is kept higher than the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55, thereby heating the air in the sauna room 2 by the air heater 43, and the fine mist and negative ions generated by crushing the hot water in the water tank 6, which has been heated to a temperature higher than the set temperature by the mist generator 1, are supplied to the sauna room 2 from the air outlet 5 by the blower fan 35. Furthermore, this is repeated in sequence to circulate the air in the sauna room 2, and the sauna room 2 is started up quickly.

[0049] (Explanation of launch mode) Next, the operation of the above-mentioned start-up mode will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0050] The control unit 64 sets the blower fan 35 to high operation and starts driving the blower fan 35, while turning on the air heater 43 (step S301), and switches the power to the heating heater 9 to the ON state when the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44 falls below 46°C, and switches the power to the heating heater 9 to the OFF state when the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44 falls to 48°C or higher, thereby switching the power to the heating heater 9 ON / OFF state using the switching means 65 to keep the hot water temperature in the water tank 6 at a temperature a predetermined value higher than the set temperature (step S302).

[0051] After step S302, when the control unit 64 determines that the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 installed at the top of the sauna room 2 has reached the set temperature (YES in step S303), it turns on the bathing lamp 60 on the remote control 52 and notifies through the speaker 61 that the sauna room 2 has become a low-temperature sauna atmosphere with a relative humidity of 90% or more at the set temperature and that entry is now possible, and the start-up mode is terminated.

[0052] Furthermore, even if the amount of hot water in the water tank 6 decreases during this start-up mode, the control unit 64 maintains the water tank 6 within a specified water level range by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valve 8 based on a detection signal from the water level detection means 39 (float switches 40, 41).

[0053] When the start-up mode of step S300 ends, the process transitions to a stable mode (step S400) as normal operation in which the user can take a bath. In this stable mode, the heater 9 is switched ON / OFF based on the water temperature sensor 44 and the set temperature until the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 reaches the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55 on the remote control 52, and once the temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 reaches the set temperature, the heater 9 is switched OFF, allowing for a stable and comfortable sauna bath at the set temperature in the sauna room 2.

[0054] (Stable mode explanation) Next, the operation of the above-mentioned stable mode will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

[0055] The control unit 64 turns off the power supply to the air heater 43 and starts counting a preset predetermined time (for example, 60 minutes) which is the continuous operation time (step S401). The continuous operation time starts to be counted when the temperature inside the sauna room 2 reaches the set temperature.

[0056] After step S401, the control unit 64 determines whether the normal operation mode selected by the mode selection switch 62 on the remote control 52 is the standard mode (step S402), and if the selected mode is the standard mode, drives the mist motor 22 and the blower fan 35 at the rotation speed set in the standard mode, and switches the heater 9 ON / OFF based on the set temperature set by the remote control 52 and the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 (step S403).

[0057] In addition, if the normal operation mode selected by the mode selection switch 62 is the weak mode, the control unit 64 drives the mist motor 22 and the blower fan 35 at the rotation speed set in the weak mode, and switches the heater 9 on and off based on the set temperature set by the remote control 52 and the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 (step S404).

[0058] The rotation speeds of the mist motor 22 and the blower fan 35 in the standard mode and the weak mode, and the ON / OFF switching control of the heater 9 based on the set temperature set by the remote control 52 and the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 will be described later.

[0059] After various controls are performed in the standard mode in step S403 or in the weak mode in step S404, the control unit 64 determines whether the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 has reached or exceeded the set temperature set in the remote control 52 (step S405), and if it determines that the room temperature has reached or exceeded the set temperature, switches the heater 9 to the OFF state and interrupts control of the heater 9 based on the set temperature and the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 (step S406). If the control unit 64 determines in step S405 that the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 is not equal to or higher than the set temperature, the process returns to step S402 and makes another determination.

[0060] After switching the heater 9 to the OFF state in step S406 and interrupting the control of the heater 9 based on the set temperature and the water temperature sensor 44, the control unit 64 determines whether the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 has become a predetermined temperature, i.e., the set temperature -0.5°C or less (step S407), and if it is determined that the room temperature has become the set temperature -0.5°C or less, it transitions to the next step, and if the room temperature has not become the set temperature -0.5°C or less, it repeats the determination of step S407.

[0061] In step S407, if it is determined that the room temperature detected by room temperature sensor 46 has fallen below the set temperature -0.5°C, the control unit 64 determines whether the counting of the continuous operation time has ended (step S408). If it is determined that the counting of the continuous operation time has ended, the control unit 64 issues an audible notification through the speaker 61 that the continuous operation time has ended, turns off the bath lamp 60 and the operation lamp 57, and stops the blower fan 35 (step S409). The operation switch is automatically turned OFF, the stable mode is terminated, and normal operation is terminated. If it is determined in step S408 that the counting of the continuous operation time has not ended, the process returns to the determination in step S402 and the control of the heater 9 based on the set temperature and the stored water temperature detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44 is resumed.

[0062] Furthermore, even if the amount of hot water in the water tank 6 decreases during this stable mode, the control unit 64 maintains the water tank 6 within a specified water level range by controlling the opening and closing of the water supply valve 8 based on the detection signal from the water level detection means 39 (float switches 40, 41).

[0063] When the stable mode ends and the normal operation ends in step S400, the sauna apparatus transitions to sterilization mode B (step S500), which is the end operation of the sauna apparatus. In this sterilization mode B, the hot water in the water tank 6 that has taken in bacteria and the like as a result of driving the blower fan 35 in normal operation to circulate the air in the sauna room 2 is heated to a sterilizable temperature by the heater 9, and the mist motor 22 is driven to rotate the rotor 24. This sterilizes the hot water stored in the water tank 6, and washes away dust, dirt, bacteria, and the like that have adhered to the rotor 24 that draws up heated hot water from the water tank 6 with the hot water, the porous body 29 that is disposed on the outer periphery of the rotor 24 and rotates together with the rotor 24, and the air guide tube 31 that is disposed to cover the porous body 29, to make them clean, and sterilizes and disinfects the rotor 24, the porous body 29, and the air guide tube 31.

[0064] (Explanation of sterilization mode B) Next, the operation of the sterilization mode B will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. The control unit 64 judges whether the hot water temperature in the water storage tank 6 detected by the water storage temperature sensor 44 is a predetermined temperature (for example, 60°C or higher) that allows sterilization (step S501), and when it judges that the hot water temperature in the water storage tank 6 is 60°C or higher, it switches the power supply to the heater 9 to the OFF state and starts counting a predetermined time for heating and sterilizing the water (hot water) in the water storage tank 6, that is, a sterilization time (step S502). Then, when the hot water temperature in the water storage tank 6 detected by the water storage temperature sensor 44 becomes 58°C or lower, it switches the power supply to the heater 9 to the ON state, and when the hot water temperature in the water storage tank 6 detected by the water storage temperature sensor 44 becomes 60°C or higher, it switches the power supply to the heater 9 to the OFF state, so that the hot water temperature in the water storage tank 6 is kept at a sterilizable temperature (step S503). Then, step S503 is repeated until the sterilization time, for example, one minute, is counted up (step S504).

[0065] Then, when it is determined that the sterilization time count has ended (YES in step S504), the control unit 64 switches the power supply to the heater 9 to the OFF state using the switching means 65, stops the driving of the mist motor 22 (step S505), and determines whether the predetermined time of 20 minutes has elapsed since the driving of the heater 9 and the mist motor 22 was stopped (step S506). If 20 minutes have elapsed since the sterilization time count ended, the drain valve 13 is opened and sterilization mode B is ended (step S507), and if 20 minutes have not elapsed, the determination in step S506 is repeated.

[0066] When the sterilization mode B in step S500 is completed, the process proceeds to a drying mode (step S600). In this drying mode, the blower fan 35 is started, the air heater 43 attached to the air intake 36 is energized, and the ventilation fan 47 is driven to dry out the inside of the mist generating device 1, the inside of the suction duct 4, and the inside of the sauna room 2.

[0067] (Drying mode explanation) Next, the operation of the drying mode will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. The control unit 64 sets the blower fan 35 to high operation and starts driving the blower fan 35, energizes the air heater 43, and drives the ventilation fan 47 (step S601), and starts the drying mode. Then, the ventilation lamp 59 turns on, and it is determined whether a preset drying time, for example, 90 minutes, has ended (step S602). If it is determined that the drying time has ended, it stops driving the blower fan 35, turns off the electricity to the air heater 43, and stops driving the ventilation fan 47 (step S603). Then, the ventilation lamp 59 goes out, the drying mode ends, and the sauna device ends its final operation, and the sauna device is shut down. The sauna apparatus remains stopped while the drain valve 13 remains open.

[0068] (Explanation of standard and weak modes) Next, detailed control contents of the standard mode implemented in the step S403 and the weak mode implemented in the step S404 will be described.

[0069] First, regarding the standard mode, as shown in the flowchart of FIG. 14, the control unit 64 switches the heater 9 to the ON state, drives the mist motor 22 at 1200 rpm, and drives the blower fan 35 at 1180 rpm, thereby blowing humidified air heated in the water tank 6 through the air outlet 5 into the sauna room 2, thereby heating the sauna room 2 (step S701).

[0070] Once step S701 is completed, the control unit 64 compares the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55 on the remote control 52 with the water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the water temperature sensor 44, and determines whether the water temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 has reached or exceeded the set temperature + 1°C, which is a predetermined switching temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set temperature (step S702).If the water temperature is at or above the set temperature + 1°C, it switches the heater 9 to the OFF state (step S703), and if the water temperature is not at or above the set temperature + 1°C, it repeats the determination of step S702.

[0071] When step S703 is completed, the control unit 64 determines whether the stored water temperature detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44 has fallen below the set temperature -1°C, which is a predetermined switching temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set temperature (step S704), and if the stored water temperature has fallen below the set temperature -1°C, it switches the heater 9 to the ON state (step S705), and if the stored water temperature has not fallen below the set temperature -1°C, it repeats the determination of step S704. Then, when step S705 is completed, the process returns to step S702 and the determination is repeated.

[0072] The above-mentioned judgments from step S701 to step S705 are repeated until the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 in step S405 becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0073] For example, if the set temperature is set to 40°C using the room temperature setting switch 55, then when the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 falls below 39°C, the heater 9 is switched ON, and when the temperature reaches 41°C or above, the heater 9 is switched OFF. This allows heated, warm, humidified air to be blown out from the air outlet 5 into the sauna room 2, thereby maintaining the temperature inside the sauna room 2 near the set temperature.

[0074] In addition, since the amount of humidified air blown into the sauna room 2 is greater in the standard mode than in the weak mode, the sauna room 2 is filled with a large amount of negative ions and mist, allowing the user to fully enjoy a sauna bath.

[0075] Next, the weak mode will be described. As shown in the flow chart of Fig. 15, the control unit 64 switches the heater 9 to the ON state, drives the mist motor 22 at 800 rpm, and drives the blower fan 35 at 800 rpm to blow humidified air heated in the water tank 6 from the blower opening 5 into the sauna room 2, thereby heating the sauna room 2 (step S801).

[0076] Once step S801 is completed, the control unit 64 compares the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55 on the remote control 52 with the stored water temperature in the water tank 6 detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44, and determines whether the stored water temperature detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44 has reached or exceeded the set temperature + 3°C, which is a predetermined switching temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set temperature (step S802).If the stored water temperature is at or above the set temperature + 3°C, it switches the heater 9 to the OFF state (step S803), and if the stored water temperature is not at or above the set temperature + 3°C, it repeats the determination of step S802.

[0077] When step S803 is completed, the control unit 64 determines whether the stored water temperature detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44 has fallen below the set temperature + 1°C, which is a predetermined switching temperature obtained by adding a predetermined value to the set temperature (step S804), and if the stored water temperature has fallen below the set temperature + 1°C, switches the heater 9 to the ON state (step S805), and if the stored water temperature has not fallen below the set temperature + 1°C, repeats the determination of step S804. Then, when step S805 is completed, the process returns to step S802 and the determination is repeated.

[0078] The above-mentioned judgments from step S801 to step S805 are repeated until the room temperature detected by the room temperature sensor 46 in step S405 becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature.

[0079] For example, if the set temperature is set to 40°C using the room temperature setting switch 55, then when the temperature detected by the water temperature sensor 44 falls below 41°C, the heater 9 is switched ON, and when the temperature rises above 43°C, the heater 9 is switched OFF. In this way, humidified air at a higher temperature than that in the standard mode can be blown into the sauna room 2 from the air outlet 5, thereby maintaining the sauna room 2 at a temperature close to the set temperature.

[0080] In addition, since the rotation speed of the mist motor 22 and the blower fan 35 is lower in the weak mode than in the standard mode, the noise level is higher than in the standard mode, so that the user can enjoy a sauna bath in a quiet sauna room 2.

[0081] In the standard mode of Fig. 14, the control unit 64 switches the ON / OFF state of the heater 9 to control the stored water temperature to be within a range of -1°C or more and +1°C or less of the set temperature. In other words, if the set temperature is 40°C, it can be said that the stored water temperature is controlled to be 40°C, with the set temperature of 40°C being the median set temperature as the target value. Here, the set temperature is set to the first predetermined temperature as the target value for controlling the stored water temperature.

[0082] 15, the control unit 64 similarly switches the ON / OFF state of the heater 9 to control the stored water temperature to be in the range of the set temperature +1° C. or more and +3° C. or less. In other words, if the set temperature is 40° C., the stored water temperature is controlled to be 42° C., with the target value being 42° C., which is the median value of the set temperature +2° C. In this case, the first predetermined temperature described above is 42° C., which is the set temperature +2° C., in the weak mode.

[0083] Here, the first predetermined temperature is a temperature that changes depending on the settings such as standard mode or weak mode, and may be, for example, the same as the set temperature set by the room temperature setting switch 55, or the set temperature +2° C., or the set temperature +7° C. In any case, the stored water temperature is controlled to be the first predetermined temperature.

[0084] Next, the water replacement operation will be described. During normal operation, the water level in the water storage tank 6 is maintained within a predetermined water level range by opening the water supply valve 8 to supply water based on detection signals from the float switches 40 and 41. If water supply continues, the concentration of calcium carbonate, the main component of scale, increases in the water storage tank 6, causing scale to precipitate from the water. Therefore, the control unit 64 periodically performs a water replacement operation to drain the water in the water storage tank 6 and supply new water, thereby cleaning the water storage tank 6 and preventing the precipitation of scale.

[0085] When the control unit 64 determines that it is time to perform the water replacement operation, it stops the mist motor 22 and the heater 9 and opens the drain valve 13 to drain the water in the water storage tank 6. If the water level in the water storage tank 6 drops and the float switch 40 for detecting the low water level detects the lower limit water level before a predetermined drain time has elapsed, the drain valve 13 is closed. At the same time, the water supply valve 8 is opened to start supplying water to the water storage tank 6, and when the float switch 41 for detecting the high water level detects the upper limit water level or a predetermined water supply time has elapsed, the water supply valve 8 is closed. After repeating this series of operations a predetermined number of times, the mist motor 22 and the heater 9 are driven at a predetermined timing. By performing this water replacement operation, the inside of the water storage tank 6 is cleaned and the deposition of scale is prevented.

[0086] Next, a first embodiment of control during a water replacement operation in a sauna apparatus using a plurality of mist generation devices 1 will be described with reference to Figs.

[0087] When using the sauna apparatus of the present invention for multiple people, it is necessary to enlarge the sauna room 2 to ensure a large space, but in this case, by using multiple mist generators 1, it is possible to appropriately maintain the temperature and humidity inside the sauna room 2. On the other hand, when some of the multiple mist generators 1 perform the water replacement operation described above, the amount of mist released into the sauna room 2 decreases, resulting in a drop in the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0088] Here, it is assumed that there are n mist generators 1 in the sauna room 2, and among them, one mist generator X1, X2, ... Xi (hereinafter referred to as mist generator X) performs water replacement operation. As shown in FIG. 16, the control unit 64 judges that it is time to perform the water replacement operation when a predetermined time a has elapsed since the start of normal operation, and performs the water replacement operation of the mist generator X. On the other hand, the control unit 64 switches the ON / OFF state of the heater 9 for the other mist generators Y1, Y2, ... Yj (hereinafter referred to as mist generator Y) to control the stored water temperature to a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature, and performs a support operation of making the rotation speed of the mist motor 22 higher than that during normal operation. Here, the relationship of n=i+j is established for the number of mist generators 1.

[0089] For example, in the standard mode described above, the mist generator Y is controlled so that the second predetermined temperature is set to 41° C., which is 1° C. higher than the first predetermined temperature of 40° C., and the rotation speed of the mist motor 22 is set to 1300 rpm, which is higher than 1200 rpm.

[0090] By performing the support operation, the mist generator Y can assist (support) the indoor temperature and humidity that would otherwise drop when the mist generator X performs the water replacement operation. In other words, the temperature inside the sauna room 2 can be kept close to the set temperature, and high humidity mist can be supplied into the sauna room 2.

[0091] The time required for the water replacement operation performed by one mist generator X varies depending on the amount of water in the water tank 6 and the flow rate during drainage and supply, but is generally completed in about 20 minutes. At this time, the support operation performed by the other mist generator Y is continued until the water replacement operation performed by the mist generator X is completed.

[0092] After the water replacement operation of one mist generator X is completed, the other mist generator Y also needs to perform a similar water replacement operation from the viewpoint of preventing scale deposition. Therefore, after the water replacement operation of one mist generator X is completed, the control unit 64 starts the support operation of the mist generator X, and terminates the support operation being performed in the other mist generator Y and starts the water replacement operation. In other words, the water replacement operation and support operation are performed in reverse in the mist generators X and Y. As a result, during a period when there is a risk of scale deposition, the mist generators X and Y alternately perform the water replacement operation to prevent scale deposition in both, while the other, which does not perform the water replacement operation, performs the support operation, thereby suppressing a decrease in the indoor temperature and humidity.

[0093] 18, by carrying out the support operation of one mist generator Y a predetermined time b earlier than the start of the water replacement operation of the other mist generator X, the temperature of the water stored in the mist generator Y can be brought to the second predetermined temperature earlier. In other words, if the mist generator Y carrying out the support operation has reached the second predetermined temperature at the start of the water replacement operation of the mist generator X, the drop in indoor temperature and humidity due to the water replacement operation can be further suppressed. Furthermore, after the water replacement operation of one mist generator X has ended, the support operation of the mist generator X can be similarly carried out a predetermined time b earlier than the start of the water replacement operation of the other mist generator Y.

[0094] Here, the number of blower fans 35 may be one or as many as necessary to ensure a desired air volume. The mist generated by the multiple mist generators 1 passes through the separation chamber 16 and the serpentine path 28, and then flows through a communication pipe (not shown) that is collected and connected to the blower fan 35, and reaches the blower fan 35.

[0095] Next, a second embodiment of the water replacement operation and the support operation will be described with reference to Fig. 19. In the first embodiment, the timing of the water replacement operation and the support operation is controlled by time, but in the second embodiment, it is controlled by the stored water temperature.

[0096] First, as a guideline for the timing when one mist generator X starts the water replacement operation, it is assumed that it starts at about a predetermined time a from the start of normal operation. The control unit 64 performs the support operation of the other mist generator Y before this timing (for example, 10 minutes before), and performs the water replacement operation of the mist generator X when the stored water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature. Here, if the stored water temperature Tw before the support operation of the mist generator Y starts is the first predetermined temperature, the second predetermined temperature is reached after about 10 minutes by the support operation. If the stored water temperature Tw is lower than the first predetermined temperature, the support operation starts earlier than 10 minutes, and if the stored water temperature Tw is higher than the first predetermined temperature, the support operation starts later than 10 minutes. In other words, the timing to start the support operation of the mist generator Y is determined from the stored water temperature Tw detected by the stored water temperature sensor 44 so that the water replacement operation of the mist generator X can start near the lapse of the predetermined time a. As a result, once the temperature of the other stored water has reliably reached the second specified temperature, the water replacement operation in one side begins, so that the support operation reliably assists with the indoor temperature and humidity, thereby maintaining an optimal environment in the sauna room 2.

[0097] Similarly, the timing for starting the water replacement operation of the mist generator Y after the water replacement operation of one mist generator X has been completed is also controlled by the stored water temperature. That is, in the support operation performed after the mist generator X has completed the water replacement operation, the water replacement operation of the mist generator Y is started when the stored water temperature reaches a second predetermined temperature.

[0098] In the first and second embodiments, the blower fan 35 is provided for each of the mist generators 1, or in a number sufficient to ensure a desired air volume. However, a pair of blower fans may be provided for each mist generator 1. In other words, each mist generator 1 is provided with a blower fan 35, and the rotation speed can be changed individually. At this time, the rotation speed of the blower fan 35 in the mist generator X or mist generator Y performing the support operation is set to be higher than that during normal operation. For example, in the above-mentioned standard mode, the rotation speed of the blower fan 35 is set to 1280 rpm, which is higher than 1180 rpm. This allows the relatively high temperature and large amount of mist generated during the support operation to be efficiently released into the sauna room 2.

[0099] In addition, the other configurations used in the present embodiment are presented as examples, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention, and may be embodied in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0100] 1. Mist generator 2. Sauna room 6. Water Tank 7 Water supply pipe 9 Heater 12 Drain pipe 22 Mist Motor 24 Rotating Body 30 Porous part (collision body) 35 Blower fan 44 Reservoir temperature sensor 46 Room temperature sensor (room temperature sensor) 64 Control section

Claims

1. a water storage tank to which a water supply pipe and a drain pipe are connected and which can store and drain water; a heater that is installed underwater in the water storage tank and can be switched on and off; A water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of water in the water tank; A rotor that pumps up the water in the water storage chamber by rotation and scatters it in an outer circumferential direction; A mist motor connected to a drive shaft that supports the rotor so as to be rotatable; and a collision body against which the water scattered by the rotor collides. a blower fan that blows the mist generated by each mist generator into the room; an indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature; a control unit that controls the stored water temperature to a first predetermined temperature while switching the ON / OFF state of the heater to set the indoor temperature to a desired temperature, and performs a normal operation in which the mist generated by the mist generating device is blown into the room by the blower fan, and when the normal operation has continued for a predetermined time a, stops the heater and the mist motor and performs a water replacement operation to replace the water in the water tank, When the water replacement operation is performed in one of the mist generators, the control unit A sauna device characterized by performing a support operation for the other mist generating device by switching the ON / OFF state of the heating heater to control the stored water temperature to a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature, and by increasing the rotation speed of the mist motor higher than that of the normal operation.

2. The control unit starts the support operation of one of the mist generators after the water replacement operation of one of the mist generators is completed, and 2. The sauna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the supporting operation of the other mist generating device is terminated and the water replacing operation is started.

3. The sauna apparatus according to claim 2, characterized in that the control unit performs the support operation in one of the mist generators from a predetermined time b before the water replacement operation performed in the other mist generator is started.

4. a water storage tank to which a water supply pipe and a drain pipe are connected and which can store and drain water; a heater that is installed underwater in the water storage tank and can be switched on and off; A water temperature sensor that detects the temperature of water in the water tank; A rotor that pumps up the water in the water storage chamber by rotation and scatters it in an outer circumferential direction; A mist motor connected to a drive shaft that supports the rotor so as to be rotatable; and a collision body against which the water scattered by the rotor collides. a blower fan that blows the mist generated by each mist generator into the room; an indoor temperature sensor for detecting an indoor temperature; a control unit that controls the stored water temperature to a first predetermined temperature while switching the ON / OFF state of the heater to set the indoor temperature at a desired temperature, and performs a normal operation in which the mist generated by the mist generating device is blown into the room by the blower fan, and that periodically stops the heater and the mist motor during the normal operation and performs a water replacement operation to replace the water in the water tank, The control unit, before the water replacement operation is performed in one of the mist generation devices, A sauna apparatus characterized in that for the other mist generating device, the heater is switched on / off to control the stored water temperature to a second predetermined temperature higher than the first predetermined temperature, and a support operation is performed to make the mist motor rotation speed higher than in normal operation, and when the stored water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature, the water replacement operation of one of the mist generating devices is started.

5. The sauna apparatus according to claim 4, characterized in that the control unit starts the support operation of one of the mist generators after the water replacement operation of one of the mist generators is completed, and when the stored water temperature reaches the second predetermined temperature, ends the support operation of the other mist generator and starts the water replacement operation.

6. The blower fans are provided in plurality, and are configured as pairs for the plurality of mist generating devices, 6. The sauna apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the rotation speed of the blower fan corresponding to the mist generating device during the support operation is higher than that during the normal operation.

Images