Sauna equipment

Abstract

To provide a sauna device capable of obtaining a more comfortable sauna effect by heating mist generated in an ultrasonic sprayer by a heater and spraying it toward a high-temperature air layer in the upper part of a sauna room. [Solution] The sauna device Z is installed on the floor side of the sauna room 1 and is equipped with a heating device 2 that heats the air in the lower area of ​​the sauna room 1 and gradually raises it to the upper area, and an ultrasonic sprayer 3 that atomizes liquid with ultrasonic waves and supplies it as a spray from a spray duct 4 to the upper space of the sauna room 1, and is configured so that the high-temperature air and the spray are mixed and mixed. With this configuration, the mixing action of the high-temperature air and the spray is promoted, the temperature of the sauna room 1 is set to an appropriate temperature more quickly, and the sauna effect is promoted.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sauna apparatus that supplies spray generated in an ultrasonic atomizer toward a layer of dry air that is heated by a heating device and moves buoyantly to the upper part of a sauna room. [Background technology]

[0002] In sauna devices, it has been common to adjust the temperature and humidity inside the sauna room by pouring an appropriate amount of water onto a heater placed inside the sauna room, a method known as "loyly" (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] " However, with this "loyly" method, since water is poured by hand, it is difficult to constantly manage it. For example, pouring too much water can lead to dangerous conditions such as excessive humidity in the sauna room, leaving room for improvement in terms of safety.

[0004] In light of this, as an alternative to the "loyly" method, for example, a sauna apparatus using a mist sprayer as shown in Patent Document 2 has been proposed.

[0005] However, in such sauna equipment that uses a mist sprayer, high-pressure piping is required because high-pressure water is used, which makes the structure of the equipment complicated and increases costs. Furthermore, the amount of mist is controlled by intermittent operation of the mist spray, but because high-pressure water is used, dripping occurs when switching between operations, making it difficult to control the temperature accurately. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-96111 A [Patent Document 2] Jitsugan No. 2024-1150 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] Therefore, this invention aims to provide a sauna device that uses an ultrasonic sprayer instead of a compression sprayer as a mist generating means, making it easier to control the sauna room temperature and achieving a comfortable sauna effect. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The present invention adopts the following configuration as a specific means for solving the above problems.

[0009] (a) The first invention of the present application is characterized by comprising a heating device that is installed on the floor side of the sauna room and heats the air in the lower region of the sauna room, causing it to gradually rise by buoyancy to the upper region, and an ultrasonic sprayer that uses ultrasound to atomize liquid and supply it as a spray from a spray duct to the upper space of the sauna room, configured so that the high-temperature air and the spray are mixed and stirred.

[0010] (b) A second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that in the first aspect, the heater and the ultrasonic atomizer are disposed at substantially diagonal positions in a plan view.

[0011] (c) The third invention of the present application is characterized in that, in the first or second invention, the ultrasonic sprayer is configured to generate mist from the surface side of the liquid by vibrating the liquid stored in a liquid container having an oscillator on the bottom surface at a high frequency using the oscillator, and is configured to be able to freely select from a mode using only water as the liquid, a mode using chlorine water, and a mode using mineral water containing radioactive substances. Effect of the Invention

[0012] The present invention provides the following advantages:

[0013] (a) The sauna apparatus according to the first aspect of the present application is equipped with a heating device that is installed on the floor side of the sauna room and heats the air in the lower area of ​​the sauna room, causing it to rise sequentially due to buoyancy to the upper area, and an ultrasonic sprayer that uses ultrasonic waves to atomize liquid and supplies it as a spray from a spray duct to the upper space of the sauna room. The high-temperature air and the spray are mixed and stirred, so: (a) The temperature gradient in the sauna room is improved more quickly, allowing a comfortable sauna temperature to be achieved more quickly, improving the sauna effect. (b) The mist particles generated by the ultrasonic sprayer and sprayed into the sauna room are extremely fine, measuring 5 to 10 microns. (Row 1) When this mist is sprayed into the sauna room and mixed with the high-temperature air heated by the heater, the mist particles are smaller, which promotes the mixing and mixing action with the high-temperature air, allowing the temperature in the sauna room to be adjusted more quickly. (Law 2) The high-temperature air mixed with the spray can easily get into narrow gaps in the sauna room because the mist particles are small. For example, it can easily reach the back of a sauna user who is sitting on the seat of the sauna room and enjoying a sauna bath, allowing the sauna user to enjoy the sauna effect with their entire body. The following effects can be obtained: (c) The adjustment of the air temperature inside the sauna room is governed mainly by the amount of spray from the ultrasonic sprayer relative to the air heated by the heater, and this is usually achieved by appropriately operating the ultrasonic sprayer intermittently. In this case, the amount of spray from the ultrasonic sprayer does not use high-pressure water as in the case of the compression type sprayer, so there is almost no dripping phenomenon when switching between operations as occurs with the compression type sprayer, and the amount of spray can be easily and reliably adjusted, resulting in a more comfortable sauna effect. The above-mentioned practical effects can be achieved.

[0014] (b) In addition to the effect described in (a) above, the sauna device according to the second invention of the present application has the following unique effect. That is, in this second invention, the heater and the ultrasonic sprayer are installed at approximately diagonal positions in a plan view, so that a horizontal swirling flow C1 is generated that flows from the ultrasonic sprayer through the heater and returns to the ultrasonic sprayer side as shown in Fig. 1, and at the same time, the spray from the ultrasonic sprayer is blown out toward the ceiling surface of the sauna room as shown in Fig. 2. Therefore, the high-temperature air from the heater installed on the floor surface of the sauna room is suppressed by the spray, and a vertical swirling flow C2 is generated in the sauna room from the ceiling side to the floor side. The synergistic effect of these two promotes the mixing and stirring effect of the high-temperature air and the spray from the ultrasonic sprayer in the sauna room, which promotes the optimization of the indoor temperature of the sauna room, and ultimately improves the sauna effect.

[0015] (c) In addition to the effects described in (a) or (b) above, the sauna device according to the third invention of the present application has the following unique effects. That is, the third invention is configured so that the liquid stored in the liquid container of the ultrasonic sprayer can be selected from among a mode in which only water is used, a mode in which chlorine water (e.g., hypochlorous acid water) is used, and a mode in which mineral spring water containing radioactive materials is used. (a) When water is used as the liquid, it is possible to take a sauna bath using normal mist. (b) If chlorine water (e.g. hypochlorous acid water) is used as the liquid, it becomes possible to take a sauna bath with a high sterilizing effect. (c) When mineral water containing radioactive materials (for example, radon water containing radon) is used as the liquid, it is possible to provide a sauna bathing experience that is expected to have the effects of radiation therapy, thereby providing a highly versatile sauna apparatus. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view of a sauna apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 2 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1; [Diagram 3]FIG. 3 is a structural explanatory diagram of the ultrasonic atomizer shown in FIG. 2. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] The present invention will be described in detail below based on preferred embodiments.

[0018] 1 to 3 show the overall configuration of a sauna apparatus Z according to an embodiment of the present invention. This sauna apparatus Z is equipped with a seating section 12 and a footrest section 15 near one side of a sauna room 1, while a heater 2 (described below) is installed in a corner of the floor surface 10c in front of the seating section 12 and the footrest section 15 and close to the sauna room entrance 14. Furthermore, an ultrasonic sprayer 3 (described below) is disposed in a corner diagonally opposite the heater 2.

[0019] "Heating device 2" The heating device 2 is configured by arranging an electric heater (not shown) as a heat source and a number of heat storage stones 2a inside a mesh cylinder of a predetermined size. The surrounding air is heated by this heater 2 to become high-temperature air 22, which then rises due to buoyancy toward the ceiling wall 10b side, raising the indoor temperature on the ceiling wall 10b side of the sauna room 1.

[0020] This dry air layer on the ceiling wall 10b side gradually diffuses and descends toward the floor surface 10c side while mixing with the mist particles 36 of the spray 21 that is sprayed and supplied to the ceiling wall 10b side from the ultrasonic sprayer 3 described below through the spray duct 4, thereby lowering the temperature inside the sauna room 1 and creating a comfortable sauna environment.

[0021] "Ultrasonic atomizer 3" The ultrasonic sprayer 3 supplies spray 21 consisting of fine mist particles to the ceiling wall 10b side of the sauna room, and is configured by storing liquid 33 in a liquid container 32 equipped with an oscillator 34 on the bottom wall portion 32a, as shown in Fig. 3. When the oscillator 34 is vibrated at high frequency to concentrate strong ultrasonic energy on the liquid surface, waves are formed at the center position where the sound pressure is high, and the ultrasonic energy is further concentrated to create a liquid column 35. When capillary waves (surface waves) formed on the surface of this liquid column 35 break, droplets are scattered from the tip of the wave as mist particles 36, and thus the spray 21 is generated.

[0022] As shown in Fig. 2, the ultrasonic sprayer 3 is stored in a sprayer storage chamber 11 provided in the lower part of the seating portion 12, and the interior of the chamber is separated from the sauna room 1. Furthermore, one side of the sprayer storage chamber 11 is formed as an open ventilation section 15, and the ventilation section 15 is connected to the outside air by facing an opening provided by cutting out a part of the sauna room peripheral wall 10.

[0023] 1 and 2, in the sauna device Z of this embodiment, a sprayer storage chamber 11 that is separated from the sauna room 1 but communicates with the outside air via a ventilation section 15 is provided below one end of the seating section 12 in the sauna room 1, and the ultrasonic sprayer 3 is stored in this sprayer storage chamber 11. Therefore, the liquid stored in the liquid container 32 of the ultrasonic sprayer 3 is not exposed to the high-temperature air in the sauna room 1.

[0024] Furthermore, the spray duct 4 erected on the upper surface of the ultrasonic sprayer 3 is arranged penetrating the top surface of the sprayer storage chamber 11 and a part of the seating part 12, and the upper end of the spray outlet 5 opens in the diagonal direction of the sauna room 1 so as to be directed toward the heater 2. With this arrangement, the spray duct 4 is exposed to the corner of the sauna room 1, but since the spray 21 passes through the spray duct 4, there is no risk of getting burned even if you touch it, but if necessary, it is possible to cover the entire spray duct 4 with a heat-insulating cover. In some cases, the spray duct 4 can be exposed outside the sauna room 1 and its upper end can be pulled back into the sauna room 1.

[0025] In the sauna apparatus Z of this embodiment, the heater 2 and the ultrasonic sprayer 3 are installed at approximately diagonal positions in a plan view, so that the spray 21 ejected in the direction of arrow La from the nozzle 5 at the upper end of the spray duct 4 of the ultrasonic sprayer 3 generates a horizontal swirling flow C1 in the sauna room 1 that returns to the ultrasonic sprayer 3 side via the heater 2. At the same time, as shown in Fig. 2, the spray 21 from the ultrasonic sprayer 3 is ejected from the nozzle 5 of the spray duct 4 toward the ceiling surface 10a of the sauna room 1 as indicated by arrow Lb, so that the high-temperature air rising from the heater 2 installed on the floor surface 10c of the sauna room 1 is suppressed by the spray 21, and a vertical swirling flow C2 is generated in the sauna room 1 that flows from the ceiling wall 10b side toward the floor surface 10c side. The synergistic action of these swirling flows C1 and C2 promotes the mixing and stirring effect of the high-temperature air and the spray 21 from the ultrasonic sprayer 3 in the sauna room 1, which helps to optimize the indoor temperature of the sauna room 1, and is thus expected to improve the sauna effect.

[0026] The amount of spray generated by the ultrasonic sprayer 3 can be increased or decreased by appropriately controlling the ON / OFF of the oscillator 34. However, since the ultrasonic sprayer 3 does not use high-pressure water as in a compression type sprayer, for example, the amount of spray generated can be quickly and accurately adjusted by controlling the ON / OFF of the oscillator 34.

[0027] In addition, the sauna device Z of this embodiment is configured so that the liquid stored in the liquid container 32 of the ultrasonic sprayer 3 can be selected from a mode in which only water is used (first mode), a mode in which chlorine water (e.g., hypochlorous acid water) is used (second mode), and a mode in which mineral water containing a radioactive substance (e.g., radon water containing radon) is used (third mode).

[0028] Therefore, in the case of the first embodiment, it becomes a sauna bath using normal mist, and can be used by people of all ages and genders, and has the widest range of application.

[0029] On the other hand, in the case of the second embodiment, a sauna bath with a high sterilizing effect is possible, and it is possible to use it as part of the treatment for an injury, for example, to enhance the rehabilitation effect.

[0030] Furthermore, in the case of the third approach mentioned above, it is possible to expect a radiotherapy effect according to the type of radioactive material contained in the mineral water, making it possible to enjoy a sauna bath with a similar sensation to hot spring therapy, for example.

[0031] It should be noted that "radon water," which is one liquid belonging to the third embodiment, can be obtained relatively easily, for example, by immersing beitoulite (radium ore) in water and allowing radon to leach out from it. [Industrial Applicability]

[0032] The sauna equipment according to the present invention can be widely used as a home sauna equipment and a commercial sauna equipment. [Explanation of symbols]

[0033] 1. Sauna room 2...heater 4. Spray duct 5... spout 10. Sauna room wall 11. Sprayer storage room 12 Seating area 13 Footrest 15 Ventilation section 21...Spraying 22. Hot air 31. Fog Generation Chamber 32...liquid container 33...Liquid 34. Oscillator 35...liquid column 36 Fog particles C1...Swirling flow C2...Swirling flow

Claims

1. This sauna apparatus is characterized by being equipped with a heating device that is installed on the floor side of the sauna room and heats the air in the lower region of the sauna room, causing it to gradually rise due to buoyancy to the upper region, and an ultrasonic sprayer that uses ultrasound to atomize liquid and supply it as a spray from a spray duct to the upper space of the sauna room, and is configured so that the high-temperature air and the spray are mixed and stirred.

2. 2. The sauna apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the heater and the ultrasonic sprayer are disposed at substantially diagonal positions in a plan view.

3. In claim 1 or 2, The ultrasonic atomizer is configured to generate mist from the surface side of the liquid by vibrating the liquid stored in a liquid container having an oscillator on the bottom surface of the liquid at a high frequency by the oscillator, This sauna apparatus is characterized in that it is configured so that the liquid can be selected from three modes: a mode using only water, a mode using chlorine water, and a mode using mineral spring water containing radioactive substances.

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