JPH09243120A - Steam humidifier - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To make it possible to generate steam where it is required without transporting steam to a nozzle after having generated the steam by arranging water to be heated with a heater while the water is flowing from the inlet side of a water supply pipe to the discharge side and to be turned into steam and ejected at the discharge side. SOLUTION: A water passages 1a is formed inside a water supply pipe 1 where a steam generation unit 2 is formed in double structure. A sheath heater is provided in the central part of an inner pipe. A solenoid valve 5 is provided as a water supply valve on an inlet side 1a of the water supply pipe 1. This valve is opened and closed by a signal transmitted from a thermostat 6 or the like. While water is arranged to flow from the inlet side 1c to the discharge side 1b, water heated with the sheath heater 3 is turned into steam finally at the discharge side so that expanded hot water may be produced with the steam. Only the steam is ejected out from a steam discharge hole 4.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a discontinuous heating type steam humidifier, for humidification (home use, office use, hotel use, small animal breeding room, laboratory use, etc.).
Of course, steam supply to cooker (adopted in non-pressure system)
The present invention relates to a steam humidifier suitable for use in a steam towel device or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a humidifier, a steam humidifier for generating steam and an ultrasonic humidifier for generating fine particles are known.

[0003] Among them, an ultrasonic humidifier uses an oscillator for generating ultrasonic waves to scatter fine particles of water into the air. A steam humidifier generates steam by heating a heater. In order to automatically cope with the subsequent loss of water, a configuration is generally used in which a ball tap (automatic water supply device) and a float are used to cope with these actions.

[0004] Some steam humidifiers use a high water level sensor and a low water level sensor to open and close an electromagnetic valve on the water supply side based on these signals.

[0005]

However, in the ultrasonic humidifier of the prior art, since the vibrator for generating ultrasonic waves is weak at high temperatures, it is operated at a low temperature. Released by fans with the mineral content of Therefore, when the fine particles condense in the air, calcium and the like therein are deposited to form white particles, which causes a problem of so-called white fluff scattering in the air.

[0006] The milt may appear as fine particles flying in the air, falling on a desk or table, and then drying out and remaining on the desk or table. Since water accumulated at room temperature is scattered, bacteria are liable to multiply and become unsanitary, and if attached to equipment, there is a problem that the equipment may be adversely affected.

[0007] In the ultrasonic humidifier, there is also a problem that the minute particles take latent heat from the heated air, thereby lowering the heating efficiency.

On the other hand, in the steam humidifier, there is no problem of milt or the like, but there is a problem in the treatment of condensed water or heat of the condensed water, that is, the heat of heated hot water which is always "drips". In addition to the problems of energy processing, various problems in the transfer of steam, etc., the ball tap type described above has a problem of increasing the size, and the sensor and solenoid valve use the same size. And the cost is high.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and it is not necessary to convert steam to a nozzle and then to transfer the steam to a nozzle where it is necessary to generate steam. It solves the problem of wasteful use, enables easy treatment of condensed water, and also enables downsizing and weight reduction, as well as constantly flushing sludge deposited on the heater surface by adjusting the amount of water and accumulating sludge. It is an object of the present invention to provide a highly safe steam humidifier that can be maintenance-free without any additional components and that is open to the atmosphere.

[0010]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a water supply pipe having a water channel inside, a heater attached to the water channel of the water supply pipe to heat water flowing in the water channel, and a water supply system. A thermostat for detecting the temperature of water in the pipe and controlling the temperature, and a water supply valve that opens and closes based on a signal from the thermostat are provided, and while water flows from the inlet side of the water supply pipe to the discharge side. Further, the water is heated by the heater and the water is jetted as steam on the discharge side.

Further, an initial water supply thermostat for opening and closing the water supply valve to perform initial water supply is provided.

An overheat thermostat for stopping the operation of the heater and the water supply valve is provided.

Further, the present invention is characterized in that a fumidist which detects the humidity and controls the operation of the heater and the water supply valve is provided.

Further, a drain pipe for discharging condensed water is provided on the discharge side of the water supply pipe.

Further, the drain pipe is configured to exchange heat with the water supply pipe.

Further, a needle valve for adjusting the amount of water flowing through the water passage of the water supply pipe is provided.

Further, the water supply pipe has a ring shape.

Further, a water storage pipe for storing water therein, a heater arranged around the water storage pipe, a thermostat for detecting the temperature of the water in the water storage pipe and controlling the temperature, and a thermostat from this thermostat. A water supply valve that opens and closes based on a signal, and is configured so that water that has entered from the lower part of the water storage pipe is heated by the heater and becomes steam at the upper part of the water storage pipe and spouts out. It is a thing.

Still further, it is characterized in that the heater is wound around the water storage pipe.

With the above configuration, the water flowing through the water channel in the water supply pipe is gradually warmed by the heater attached to the water channel, and is finally discharged as steam on the discharge side of the water supply pipe. Therefore, there is no steam transport there,
The heat of the condensed water is also transferred to the inlet side of the water supply pipe, minimizing the energy loss, and the sludge deposited on the heater surface is constantly washed away, so that maintenance is free.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the discharge side of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG.
5 is a chart for explaining the operation of each device, FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment according to the present invention, FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5, FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG. 5, and FIG. Plan view of an embodiment of
9 is a front view of FIG. 8, and FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG.

1 to 3, reference numeral 1 denotes a water supply pipe. The water supply pipe 1 has a water passage 1a formed therein, and a discharge side 1b whose rear half is bent in a U-shape. Has become. This steam generating part 2 has a double structure, and the inner tube 2a
A sheath heater 3 as a heater is disposed at the center of the heater, and water is heated around the sheath heater 3 to be heated. When the steam turns into steam, the steam blows out from the lateral hole 2c of the inner pipe 2a into the outer pipe 2b. Further, the steam is discharged to the outside from the steam discharge port 4 on the upper part of the outer tube 2b. This is for the separation of vapor and liquid.

A solenoid valve 5 as a water supply valve is provided at the inlet side 1c of the water supply pipe 1, and is opened and closed by a signal from a thermostat 6 or the like described later.

Reference numeral 7 denotes a needle valve provided near the solenoid valve 5, and the flow rate of water is adjusted by the needle valve 7. In other words, the flow rate is increased to cause overflow, but if the flow rate is reduced too low, empty heating may occur (although the overheat thermostat 12 described later will operate even if empty heating is performed). By adjusting, the scale and sludge deposited on the sheathed heater 3 can be washed away in a timely manner.
It should be noted that the needle valve may be of an integral type with the solenoid valve.

The water supply pipe 1 is linear and is bent in a U-shape on the discharge side 1b. During the flow of water from the inlet side 1c to the discharge side 1b, the sheath heater is particularly provided in the steam generating section 2. The water heated by 3 finally becomes steam on the discharge side 1b, and the steam and expanded hot water flows out of the lateral hole 2c into the outer tube 2b. Then, only steam is spouted from the steam discharge port 4.

A drain pipe 8 for draining condensed water is installed in the steam generating section 2 on the discharge side 1b of the water supply pipe 1. After drain water from the drain pipe 8 is received by a drain pan 9,
It is discharged outside.

The drainage pipe 8 is disposed so as to be in contact with the water supply pipe 1, and the contact portion serves as a heat exchanging part 10 to allow heat exchange between the high-temperature drainage pipe 8 and the low-temperature water supply pipe 1. The temperature of the drainage from the drainage pipe 8 which has been replaced is reduced, while the water inside the water supply pipe 1 to be heated is preheated to minimize the energy loss.

An initial water supply thermostat 11 for opening and closing a solenoid valve 5 serving as a water supply valve to perform initial water supply is provided.
Further, an overheat thermostat 12 for stopping the operation of the solenoid valve 5 is provided. They are,
It is controlled by a humistat (not shown) for controlling humidity.

In FIGS. 1 to 3, reference numeral 14 denotes a thermostat temperature sensing part, 15 denotes a duct, an air han unit, and the like, and 16 denotes an electric box.

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

That is, since the humidity is low and the water temperature is low (about room temperature) in the initial state of use, the humistat is in the ON state, and the initial water supply thermostat 11 is also the thermostat 6.
Is also turned on, the solenoid valve 5 is opened, and water supply is started. At the same time, the sheath heater 3 is also turned on, and the temperature of the water rises.

Then, to some extent (about 50 ° C. in the embodiment)
Then, the initial water supply thermostat 11 is turned off, and at the same time, the solenoid valve 5 is turned off to stop water supply.

At this time, since the sheath heater 3 is still operating, the temperature of the water rises and when the temperature reaches 80 to 90 ° C., the thermostat 6 is turned off and the sheath heater 3 is also turned off to stop heating. .

At this time, the solenoid 5 is turned ON at the same time to restart the water supply. Then, the temperature is lowered because it is cooled by the water supply, but when it reaches about 70 ° C., both the thermostat 6 and the sheath heater 3 are turned on again to start heating, and at the same time, the solenoid valve 5 is turned off and the water supply is stopped.

The above is repeated. Here, the initial water supply thermostat 11 is turned on at 40 ° C. to prepare for the initial water supply.

The humistat which is installed outside and constantly detects the humidity in the room is in the ON state. However, when the room is sufficiently humidified and turned OFF, the thermostat 6 and the sheath heater 3 are turned OFF. Also, the solenoid valve 5 is turned off. Further, when the room dries and the humidity decreases, the humistat is turned on, and if the water temperature at that time is sufficiently low, the operation returns to the initial operation, and the thermostat 6, the sheathed heater 3, and the initial water supply thermostat 1 are turned on.
1 is turned on and solenoid valve 5 is also turned on.

Further, when the thermostat 6 does not work and the device is broken, the overheat thermostat 12 is turned off (it is always on), the thermostat 6 and the sheath heater 3 are turned off, and the solenoid valve 5 is turned off.
To

In the present embodiment as described above, the steam is generated where it is necessary, instead of transferring the steam to the nozzle after the steam is formed. Therefore, the size and weight of the apparatus can be reduced. .

The sludge generated in the steam generating section 2 is washed by running water, so that it can be maintenance-free.

Further, since it is an open-to-atmosphere type, it can be made extremely safe, and since the watt density of the heater is suppressed to about 3 to 4 W / cm ² , the life of the sheathed heater can be extended. it can.

Although the water supply pipe is bent in a U-shape in this embodiment, it may be straight without being bent.
In addition, it is of course possible to provide a heater from near the inlet side of the water supply pipe.

FIGS. 5 to 7 show another embodiment according to the present invention, in which the water supply pipe is annular.

Such a configuration is also possible in the present invention.

5 to 7, reference numeral 21 denotes a water supply port, 22 denotes a steam discharge port, 23 denotes a thermostat, 24 denotes an initial water supply thermostat, and 25 denotes an overheat thermostat. The operation, effects, and the like are the same as those in the above-described embodiment, and a description thereof is omitted.

FIGS. 8 to 10 show still another embodiment according to the present invention.

That is, a water storage pipe 31 for storing water therein, a sheath heater 32 disposed as a heater around the water storage pipe 31, and a temperature control unit for detecting and controlling the temperature of water in the water storage pipe 31. And a needle valve 34 integrated with an electromagnetic valve as a water supply valve that opens and closes based on a signal from the thermostat 33, and water entering from the lower part of the heat exchange pipe 36 passes through high-temperature condensed water. The heat is exchanged with the drain pipe 42 and exits from the outlet 43 at the upper part of the heat exchange pipe 36, and this water enters through the lower part 44 of the water storage pipe 31 and is further heated by the sheath heater 32, and becomes steam at the upper part of the water storage pipe 31. It is configured to blow out from the steam discharge port 35.

In this embodiment, a sheath heater 32 is wound around the water storage pipe 31 and disposed.

The high-temperature condensed water in the upper part of the water storage pipe 31 is exchanged with the heat exchange pipe 36 and discharged.

In the figure, reference numeral 37 denotes a water supply port, 38 denotes a drain port, 39 denotes a thermostat for initial water supply, 40 denotes an overheat thermostat, and 41 denotes a thermostat temperature sensing part.

In this embodiment, not only the same operation and effect as in the above-described embodiment are obtained, but also sludge is not deposited on the sheath heater 32, so that it is not necessary to wash the sludge. And
The sludge on the upper part of the water storage pipe 31 is discharged together with the condensed water, so that it is also maintenance-free.

[0052]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the steam is not generated and then sent to the nozzle, but the steam is generated where necessary. It can be reduced in size and weight, can be easily installed in a duct or the like, and has improved maintenance by discharging condensed water to the pan. Further, since the heat of the condensed water is transferred to the water supply side by the water supply pipe, it is possible to eliminate the need for special equipment for heat loss measures.

Since sludge generated on the discharge side is washed by running water, it can be maintenance-free.

Further, since it is an open-to-atmosphere type, it can be made extremely safe, and the watt density of the heater is suppressed to about 3 to 4 W / cm ² , so that the life can be extended.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the initial water supply thermostat is provided, the initial water supply can be stably performed.

According to the third aspect of the present invention, since the overheat thermostat is provided, the safety can be improved.

According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the humidity can be reliably adjusted by the signal from the humistat.

According to the fifth aspect of the invention, since the drainage pipe is provided, the condensed water can be surely treated.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, since the drainage pipe is heat-exchanged, lukewarm drainage can be discharged, the safety can be further enhanced, and extremely economical operation can be performed.

According to the seventh aspect of the invention, since the flow rate is adjusted by the needle valve, the sheath heater can be washed by overflowing and the maintenance can be made free.

According to the invention described in claim 8, since the water supply pipe is annular, it can be made more compact.

Further, according to the invention of claim 9, since the heater is arranged around the water storage pipe, sludge is not deposited on the heater itself, and the inside of the water storage pipe can be easily cleaned.

Furthermore, according to the tenth aspect of the invention, since the heater is wound around the water storage pipe, a more reliable heating action can be performed.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of an embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a discharge side in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a chart for explaining the operation of each device.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a side view of FIG.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of still another embodiment according to the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a front view of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a side view of FIG. 8;

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Water Supply Pipe 1a Water Channel 1b Discharge Side 1c Inlet Side 2 Steam Generation Part 3 Sheath Heater 4 Steam Discharge Port 5 Solenoid Valve (Water Supply Valve) 6 Thermostat 7 Needle Valve 8 Drain Pipe 10 Heat Exchange Section 11 Initial Water Supply Thermostat 12 Overheat Thermostat

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A water supply pipe having a water passage inside, a heater attached to the water passage of the water supply pipe to heat water flowing in the water passage, and a temperature control device for detecting the temperature of the water in the water supply pipe. A thermostat and a water supply valve that opens and closes based on a signal from this thermostat are provided, and while the water flows from the inlet side of the water supply pipe to the discharge side, it is warmed by the heater and the water becomes steam on the discharge side. A steam humidifier characterized in that it is configured so as to eject. 2. The steam humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising an initial water supply thermostat for opening and closing the water supply valve to perform initial water supply. 3. A steam humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising an overheat thermostat for stopping the operation of the heater and the water supply valve. 4. A steam humidifier according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a fumidist which detects the humidity and controls the operation of the heater and the water supply valve. vessel. 5. The steam humidifier according to claim 1, wherein a drain pipe for discharging condensed water is provided on the discharge side of the water supply pipe. 6. The steam humidifier according to claim 5, wherein the drain pipe is configured to exchange heat with the water supply pipe. 7. The steam humidifier according to claim 1, further comprising a needle valve for adjusting the amount of water flowing through the water passage of the water supply pipe. 8. The steam humidifier according to claim 1, wherein the water supply pipe has an annular shape. 9. A water storage pipe for storing water therein, a heater arranged around the water storage pipe, a thermostat for detecting the temperature of the water in the water storage pipe and controlling the temperature, and a thermostat from this thermostat. A water supply valve that opens and closes based on a signal, and is configured so that water that has entered from the lower part of the water storage pipe is heated by the heater and becomes steam at the upper part of the water storage pipe and spouts out. Steam humidifier. 10. The steam humidifier according to claim 9, wherein the heater is provided so as to be wound around the water storage pipe.