Patent Description:
In the related art, a device capable of discharging moisture toward a treatment target such as a human face is known. For example, <CIT>discloses a device which discharges steam generated by heating water stored in a tank by a heater to a treatment target via a steam introduction pipe. <CIT> discloses a device in which a plurality of moisture absorption/release units, which are changed to a moisture absorption state in which moisture in air is absorbed and a moisture release state in which the absorbed moisture is released to generate fine water, are disposed in series (single row) along a flow direction of the air. In this device, each moisture absorption/release unit is independently controlled to be in a moisture absorption state or a moisture release state to discharge the fine water to a treatment target. <CIT> discloses a humidity control device. <CIT> discloses a fine water particle generation and discharge element.

Unlike the device of <CIT>, in the device of <CIT> described above, there is no need to supply water to the tank, and since high-temperature steam is not discharged, each portion is not necessary to have a heat-resistant structure. However, since the moisture absorption/release units are disposed in series, it is necessary to prevent the fine water released from the moisture absorption/release unit on an upstream side of the air from being absorbed by the moisture absorption/release unit on the downstream side. Therefore, after each moisture absorption/release unit is in the moisture absorption state, when the moisture is sequentially released from the moisture absorption/release unit on the upstream side to the moisture absorption/release unit on the downstream side, the moisture absorption/release unit which has completed the moisture release is controlled to be in the moisture absorption state again. However, after a moisture absorption/release unit on a most downstream side is finally brought into the moisture release state and completes the moisture release, the moisture absorption/release unit on the upstream side needs to wait the moisture release until the moisture absorption/release unit on the most downstream side is brought into the moisture absorption state and completes the moisture absorption. As described above, even if the plurality of moisture absorption/release units are provided, an operation may be restricted, and thus, there is still room for improvement.

Thus, a need exists for a fine water discharge device of human body provided with a plurality of fine water generating units which suppress restriction in operation to perform an operation suitable for a treatment target.

This disclosure adopts the following means to achieve the above-described main object.

A fine water discharge device of human body according to an aspect of this disclosure discharges fine water to the human body, and the device includes: a plurality of fine water generating units which are brought into a moisture absorption state in which moisture in air is absorbed in a conductive polymer film due to a decrease in temperature and a moisture release state in which the absorbed moisture is released from the conductive polymer film as fine water due to an increase in temperature and are disposed in parallel; a blowing unit which blows air so that air flows through the fine water generating units; an electrifying portion which individually electrifies the plurality of fine water generating units so that a temperature of each fine water generating unit is changed depending on presence or absence of electrification; and a control portion which controls the electrifying portion and the blowing unit so that the plurality of fine water generating units are individually switched between the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state to discharge the fine water by blowing air.

The fine water discharge device of human body according to the aspect of this disclosure includes the plurality of fine water generating unit which are disposed in parallel and the electrifying portion which individually electrifies the plurality of fine water generating units so that the temperature of each fine water generating unit is changed depending on the presence or absence of the electrification, and it is possible to control the electrifying portion and the blowing unit so that the plurality of fine water generating units are individually switched between the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state to discharge the fine water by blowing air. Accordingly, the plurality of fine water generating units can be switched to the moisture release state at any timing irrespective of states of the other fine water generating units and restriction in the operation can be suppressed. Therefore, an operation suitable for a treatment target (discharge target) of the human body such as a face or hair can be performed. The fine water generating unit is configured to release the moisture as uncharged fine water having a particle size of <NUM> nanometers or less from the conductive polymer film. Accordingly, when the fine water is discharged to the treatment target, the fine water can easily penetrate into a skin, hair, or the like, and a moisturizing effect can be enhanced. When a medicine is applied to the skin or hair, an effect of penetrating the medicine into the skin or hair can be enhanced.

In the fine water discharge device of human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the blowing unit may include a plurality of fans which are disposed to correspond to the plurality of fine water generating units. According to the configuration, it is possible to easily realize a configuration which can individually blow air to the plurality of fine water generating units. A discharge unit in which one fine water generating unit and one fan are unitized may be configured and a plurality of the discharge units may be disposed in parallel.

In the fine water discharge device of a human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the blowing unit individually may blow air to the plurality of fine water generating units, and the control portion may control the electrifying portion and the blowing unit in a predetermined moisture release mode in which the plurality of fine water generating units are brought into the moisture release state in a predetermined order and discharge the fine water by blowing air. According to this configuration, the fine water can be easily discharged continuously, and thus, the fine water can be stably supplied to the treatment target.

In the fine water discharge device of human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the device may further include a receiving unit which receives a selection of one of a plurality of the moisture release modes, and the control portion may control the electrifying portion and the blowing unit in a moisture release mode selected from the plurality of moisture release modes including the predetermined moisture release mode and a moisture release mode in which the plurality of fine water generating units are simultaneously brought into the moisture release state and discharge the fine water by blowing air. In the moisture release mode in which the plurality of fine water generating units are simultaneously brought into the moisture release state, a state where a large amount of fine water exists around the treatment target can be generated. Accordingly, the fine water can be sufficiently supplied to the treatment target. One moisture release mode can be selected from the plurality of moisture release modes in accordance with the treatment target. Accordingly, an operation more suitable for the treatment target can be performed. In each of the moisture release modes, the blowing unit may be controlled to blow air in a predetermined direction in which the fine water is discharged in the moisture release state and the blowing unit may be controlled to blow air in a direction opposite to the predetermined direction in the moisture absorption state, or the air blowing unit may be controlled so as to blow air in a predetermined direction in both the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state.

In the fine water discharge device of a human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the control portion may control the electrifying portion and the blowing unit to simultaneously blow air in a state where electrification to the plurality of fine water generating units is stopped, before an operation in the moisture release mode ends. According to this configuration, air having a relatively low-temperature is blown toward the treatment target before the operation ends. Accordingly, an effect of tightening a skin of the human body or the like can be exhibited, and the end of the operation can be notified. The temperature of the conductive polymer film can decrease to realize the moisture absorption state. Accordingly, preparation for the next operation can be performed.

The fine water discharge device of human body according to the aspect of this disclosure may further include an arm which is turnably attached to a device main body and has a tip to which a head is attached, in which the plurality of fine water generating units are disposed in parallel in the head so that each of the fine water generating units discharges the fine water from the head. According to this configuration, the fine water can be discharged to the treatment target in a state where the treatment target and each of the fine water generating units are close to each other. Therefore, the fine water can be effectively supplied to the treatment target.

In the fine water discharge device of a human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the plurality of fine water generating units may be symmetrically disposed in pair with respect to a center of the head, and the control portion may control the electrifying portion and the blowing unit so that each pair of the fine water generating units is switched between the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state at the same timing to discharge the fine water by blowing air. According to this configuration, the fine water can be discharged to be dispersed around the treatment target. Therefore, the fine water can be evenly supplied to the treatment target.

In the fine water discharge device of a human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the conductive polymer film may be formed of a conductive polymer compound such as a thiophene-based conductive polymer. According to this configuration, it is possible to absorb moisture sufficient to discharge the fine water.

In the fine water discharge device of a human body according to the aspect of this disclosure, the control portion may perform a bidirectional rotation control for rotating the blowing unit in a forward direction and a reverse direction. In addition, in the bidirectional rotation control, the blowing unit may be rotated in the reverse direction in a case where electrification to the electrifying portion is stopped and the blowing unit may be rotated in the forward direction in a case where the electrifying portion is electrified. According to this configuration, although air is blown toward the treatment target at the time of the moisture release, the air cannot be blown toward the treatment target at the time of the cooling or moisture absorption.

The foregoing and additional features and characteristics of this disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description considered with the reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:.

Next, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described.

<FIG> is an external perspective view of a fine water discharge device <NUM>, <FIG> are a front view and a side view of the fine water discharge device <NUM>, and <FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the fine water discharge device <NUM>. <FIG> is the front view and <FIG> is the side view. The fine water discharge device <NUM> of the present embodiment is used for a beauty purpose, a medical purpose, or the like which discharges fine water to a treatment target of a human body such as a facial skin and hair. As shown in <FIG>, this fine water discharge device <NUM> includes a device main body <NUM>, a movable arm <NUM>, and a discharge head <NUM>. The movable arm <NUM> includes a first arm 21a which is attached to an upper portion of the device main body <NUM> so as to be vertically expandable and contractable and to be horizontally turnable, and a second arm 21b attached to a tip of the first arm 21a so as to be turnable horizontally. A holding arm <NUM> of the discharge head <NUM> is attached to a tip of the second arm 21b so as to be horizontally turnable. Accordingly, the discharge head <NUM> can move and turn in an up- down direction, a left-right direction, and a front-rear direction with respect to the device main body <NUM>, and can be adjusted to a position suitable for a treatment target.

The discharge head <NUM> includes a head main body <NUM> which is curved in an arc shape in a side view, the holding arm <NUM> which holds the head main body <NUM>, is attached to the second arm 21b, and is curved along an upper surface of the head main body <NUM>, and a plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> which are disposed in the head main body <NUM>. <FIG> are perspective views of the discharge head <NUM>, <FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of the fine water discharge unit <NUM>, and <FIG> are configuration diagrams schematically illustrating a configuration of a fine water generation cartridge <NUM>. <FIG> is an overall perspective view illustrating an appearance of the discharge head <NUM>, and <FIG> is a partially perspective view illustrating an inside of the discharge head <NUM>. <FIG> is a perspective view illustrating the configuration of the fine water generation cartridge <NUM>, and <FIG> is a cross-sectional view illustrating a configuration of a fine water generation element <NUM>. As illustrated in <FIG>, the plurality (for example, eight) of fine water discharge units <NUM> are disposed in parallel in the head main body <NUM> of the discharge head <NUM>. The eight fine water discharge units <NUM> are disposed in four sets of two adjacent units, and two fine water discharge units in each of pairs are disposed at two positions which are point-symmetric with respect to a center C (turning center) of the discharge head <NUM>. Pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM> are referred to as fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), <NUM>(<NUM>), and <NUM>(<NUM>), respectively. As illustrated in <FIG>, each fine water discharge unit <NUM> includes one fine water generation cartridge <NUM>, one fan <NUM>, and filters 47a and 47b.

In the fine water generation cartridge <NUM>, the fine water generation element <NUM> is accommodated in a substantially cylindrical case <NUM>, the filter 47a is attached to one end of the case <NUM>, and the filter 47b is attached to the other end thereof. The fan <NUM> is a propeller fan which is rotatably driven by a motor (not illustrated) and is accommodated in a substantially cylindrical case <NUM>. The fan <NUM> may be a sirocco fan or the like. The case <NUM> of the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> and the case <NUM> of the fan <NUM> are formed to have substantially the same inner diameter and form one cylindrical flow path <NUM> in the discharge head <NUM>. The fan <NUM> sucks air into the flow path <NUM> from a suction port 41a at one end of the case <NUM> via a filter cover <NUM> by a forward rotation of the motor. The air sucked into the flow path <NUM> flows through the filter 47a, the fine water generation element <NUM> of the fine water generation cartridge <NUM>, and the filter 47b, and is blown from the discharge port 41b at one end of the case <NUM> to an outside via a filter cover <NUM>. Each fine water discharge unit <NUM> is disposed so that an axis center thereof is orthogonal to an arc of the head main body <NUM>. Accordingly, each of the plurality of fans <NUM> blows air from the flow path <NUM> toward an arc center O (refer to <FIG>). As illustrated in <FIG>, the head main body <NUM> includes a single oval LED light <NUM> of which a center is narrowed around the filter covers <NUM> of one set of adjacent two fine water discharge units <NUM>. Accordingly, in a case where a position of the head main body <NUM> is adjusted so that the head main body <NUM> faces a face of a treatment target person, the treatment target person can visually recognize light of the LED light <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the fine water generation element <NUM> of the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> includes a base material 44a and a conductive polymer film 44b formed on a surface of the base material 44a. The base material 44a is formed of a conductive material such as a metal material such as a stainless metal or a copper metal, a carbon material, or a conductive ceramic material. In the present embodiment, a stainless steel metal foil to which aluminum is added is used. The fine water generation element <NUM> may be constituted by a plurality of the flat base materials 44a so that air can flow therethrough and a surface area of the base material 44a (conductive polymer film 44b) is as large as possible, or may be constituted by a base material 44a formed in a honeycomb shape or a spiral shape.

The conductive polymer film 44b is formed of a conductive polymer compound such as a thiophene-based conductive polymer. In the present embodiment, the conductive polymer film 44b is formed of PEDOT/PSS (poly (<NUM>,<NUM>-ethylenedioxythiophene)/poly (styrenesulfonic acid)) out of the thiophene-based conductive polymers. PEDOT/PSS is a core-shell structure having a core of PEDOT and a shell of a sulfonic acid group which is an acidic functional group capable of hydrogen bonding. In the conductive polymer film 44b, a laminated structure in which PEDOT/PSS shells are arranged is formed, and for example, a nanochannel, which is a nanometer-sized flow path such as <NUM> nanometers, is formed between the shells. A large amount of sulfonic acid groups exist in the nanochannel. Accordingly, in a case where a moisture content on the surface of the conductive polymer film 44b is large and a moisture content therein is small, the moisture existing on the surface of the conductive polymer film 44b moves inside the conductive polymer film 44b through the sulfonic acid groups in the nanochannel due to a concentration difference between the surface and the inside. Accordingly, the conductive polymer film 44b absorbs (adsorbs) the moisture. In a case where the moisture content on the surface is small and the moisture content inside is large in a state where the moisture is absorbed to the inside, the moisture moves to the surface through the sulfonic acid groups in the nanochannel due to the concentration difference between the surface and the inside. Therefore, the moisture is released from the conductive polymer film 44b as the fine water. If a temperature of the conductive polymer film 44b is increased by electrification from a power supply unit <NUM> described later, quick release of the moisture (fine water) is promoted as compared with a case where the moisture is moved only by the concentration difference. Moreover, if the temperature of the conductive polymer film 44b is reduced by the air blown from the fan <NUM> in a state in which the electrification from the power supply unit <NUM> is stopped, quick absorption of the moisture is promoted as compared with the case where the moisture is moved only by the concentration difference. As described above, the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> (the fine water generation element <NUM>) is changed into a moisture absorption state in which the moisture in the air is absorbed by the conductive polymer film 44b due to the decrease in the temperature and a moisture release state in which the absorbed moisture is released from the conductive polymer film 44b by the increase in the temperature. A thickness of the conductive polymer film 44b can be appropriately determined according to a required moisture absorption amount (moisture release amount) of the fine water. For example, in a case where the conductive polymer film 44b is formed so as to have a thickness of <NUM> to <NUM> micrometers or the like, it is possible to absorb sufficient moisture to discharge the fine water for about ten seconds to several tens of seconds.

The fine water generation cartridge <NUM> generates uncharged fine water having a water particle size of <NUM> nanometers or less, for example, <NUM> nanometers or less, from the conductive polymer film 44b of the fine water generation element <NUM>. It is considered that the reason why the fine water has the particle size because a size of the nanochannel is <NUM> nanometers or less, and thus, mobility of the water in the nanochannel is improved or a pressure increases due to the increase in the temperature of the conductive polymer film, and the moisture jumps out of the nanochannel. Even if the water particles aggregate after the water jumps out, the particle size is distributed in a range of <NUM> nanometers or less. The generation of the fine water in the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> (conductive polymer film 44b) is described in detail in the specification of <CIT> of the applicant of the present disclosure, and thus, more detailed descriptions are omitted.

The device main body <NUM> includes a control portion <NUM>, the power supply unit <NUM>, and an operation unit <NUM>. The operation unit <NUM> is provided on an upper surface of the device main body <NUM> and includes a plurality of operation switches or operation buttons for turning on/off power, selecting an operation mode, selecting energy saving, or the like. The power supply unit <NUM> includes a power supply circuit <NUM> to which electric power such as AC <NUM> V is supplied and which converts the electric power into electric power suitable for driving each unit such as the motor of the fan <NUM>, the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> (fine water generation element <NUM>), or the LED light <NUM> as necessary and outputs the converted electric power, and change-over switches <NUM> and <NUM> for switching whether or not to electrify each unit. An operation signal from the operation unit <NUM> is input to the control portion <NUM>. The control portion <NUM> controls the change-over switch <NUM> which switches whether or not to electrify the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> (the fine water generation element <NUM>) of each fine water discharge unit <NUM>, or controls the change-over switch <NUM> which switches whether or not to operate the fan <NUM> of each fine water discharge unit <NUM>. In <FIG>, illustration of a configuration for switching whether or not to electrify the LED light <NUM> is omitted.

Here, <FIG> are explanatory diagrams illustrating an example of a control pattern of the fine water discharge unit <NUM>. <FIG> illustrates a pattern of a bidirectional rotation control for rotating the fan <NUM> in a forward direction and a reverse direction, and <FIG> illustrates a pattern of a unidirectional rotation control for rotating the fan <NUM> in the forward direction without rotating the fan <NUM> in the reverse direction. In the bidirectional rotation control of <FIG>, the electrification to the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> (the fine water generation element <NUM>) is stopped and the fan <NUM> is rotated in the reverse direction, and thus, the fine water generation element <NUM> is cooled. Accordingly, moisture is absorbed by the conductive polymer film 44b which has a relatively low temperature due to the cooling. Next, the fan <NUM> is stopped and the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> is electrified to heat the fine water generation element <NUM> so as to increase the temperature of the fine water generation element <NUM>. Then, the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> is electrified to rotate the fan <NUM> in the forward direction such that the fine water is released from the conductive polymer film 44b which has a relatively high temperature and is discharged to the outside by blowing air. In this way, the cooling, the moisture absorption, the heating, and the moisture release are defined as one cycle, and each fine water discharge unit <NUM> is controlled by repeating this cycle. In the bidirectional rotation control, air is blown toward the treatment target at the time of the moisture release. However, the air is not blown toward the treatment target at the time of the cooling, the moisture absorption, or the heating. According to a temperature state of the fine water generation element <NUM>, the moisture absorption is performed during the cooling, and the moisture release is performed during the heating. Meanwhile, in the unidirectional rotation control of <FIG>, the electrification to the fine water generation cartridge <NUM> is stopped and the fan <NUM> is rotated in the forward direction such that the cooling and the moisture absorption are performed. The fan <NUM> is rotated in the forward direction not only at the time of the moisture release but also at the time of the heating. Therefore, the cooling and the moisture absorption have the same operation content as each other, and the heating and the moisture release also have the same operation content as each other. As described above, in the unidirectional rotation control, air is blown toward the treatment target not only at the time of the moisture release but also at the time of the cooling, the moisture absorption, or the heating. At the time of the heating, as in the case of the bidirectional rotation control, the fan <NUM> may be stopped (refer to dotted lines) so that air is not blown.

Next, an operation of the fine water discharge device <NUM> configured as described above will be described. <FIG> is a flowchart illustrating an example of fine water discharge processing. The fine water discharge processing is performed in a case where power of the fine water discharge device <NUM> is turned on. In the fine water discharge processing, first, the control portion <NUM> determines whether or not a mode selection operation is performed by a practitioner or a user operating the operation unit <NUM> (S100), determines whether or not an energy saving selection operation is performed (S110), and determine whether or not a driving start operation is performed (S120).

If it is determined that the mode selection operation is performed in S100, it is determined whether or not a sequential moisture release mode is selected (S130). If it is determined that the sequential moisture release mode is selected, the sequential moisture release mode is set, and if it is determined that a simultaneous moisture release mode is selected instead of the sequential moisture release mode (S140), the simultaneous moisture release mode is set (S150). The sequential moisture release mode is a mode in which the pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) are set to the moisture release state in that order (predetermined order) to discharge the fine water, and the simultaneous moisture release mode is a mode in which all the fine water discharge units <NUM> to be used are simultaneously set to the moisture release state to discharge the fine water. The mode is set to the sequential moisture release mode in default. If it is determined that the energy saving selection operation is performed in S110, it is determined whether or not energy saving off is selected (S160). If it is determined that the energy saving off is selected, a normal operation is set (S170), and if it is determined that energy saving on instead of the energy saving off is selected, an energy saving operation is set (S180). In the normal operation, the operation is performed using all the fine water discharge units <NUM> (total of eight) in order to supply sufficient fine water. In the energy saving operation, a half (total of four) of the eight fine water discharge units <NUM> is operated by stopping one of each pair of the pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) and using the other thereof in order to supply necessary fine water while suppressing power consumption. The mode is set to the normal operation (energy saving off) in default.

If it is determined that the driving start operation is performed in S120, it is determined whether or not the operation mode is set to the sequential moisture release mode (S190) and whether or not the operation mode is set to the energy saving off (S200, S210). When it is determined that the normal operation (energy saving off) in the sequential moisture release mode is performed, the operation starts in the sequential moisture release mode using all the fine water discharge units <NUM> (S220), and lighting of the LED light <NUM> starts (S230). If it is determined that the energy saving operation (energy saving on) in the sequential moisture release mode is performed, the operation starts in the sequential moisture release mode using the half of the fine water discharge units <NUM> (S240). Meanwhile, if it is determined that the normal operation in the simultaneous moisture release mode is performed, the operation starts in the simultaneous moisture release mode using all the fine water discharge units <NUM> (S250), and the lighting of the LED light <NUM> starts (S230). If it is determined that the energy saving operation in the simultaneous moisture release mode is performed, the operation starts in the simultaneous moisture release mode using the half of the fine water discharge units <NUM> (S260). In S230, for example, the LED light <NUM> is turned on when the fine water discharge unit <NUM> corresponding to disposition of the LED light <NUM> is in the moisture release state and is turned off in other cases, or the LED light <NUM> is turned on in a first lighting color when the corresponding the fine water discharge unit <NUM> is in the moisture release state and is turned on in a second lighting color in other cases. Alternatively, regardless of the operation state of the fine water discharge unit <NUM>, the LED light <NUM> may be turned on in a predetermined lighting mode, or the LED light <NUM> may be turned on in a different lighting mode for each mode. The lighting effect of the LED light <NUM> enhances stage effects during the treatment, and provides effects such as relaxing the practitioner. In the energy saving operation, the LED light <NUM> is not turned on during the operation. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the LED light <NUM> may be turned on during the operation.

If the operation starts in this way, it waits for an operation stop timing (S270). In S270, in a case where the practitioner or the user operates the operation unit <NUM> to instruct stop of the operation or in a case where a time reaches an operation time set by a timer (not illustrated), it is determined that the timing is the operation stop timing. If the timing reaches the operation stop timing, the fan <NUM> is rotated in the forward direction in a state where the electrification to the fine water generation element <NUM> of each fine water discharge unit <NUM> used for the operation is stopped. Accordingly, after performing a finishing cold air control for simultaneously blowing the cold air from each fine water discharge unit <NUM> used for the operation, the operation is stopped (S280), and the fine water discharge processing ends.

Here, <FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation cycle in the sequential moisture release mode, <FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an example of an operation cycle in the simultaneous moisture release mode, and <FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating an operation state in the sequential moisture release mode. (<NUM>) to (<NUM>) in <FIG> illustrate the pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>). In the sequential moisture release mode, as illustrated in <FIG>, each unit of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) is controlled by the bidirectional rotation control while being shifted by a time ΔT without synchronizing the cycles of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>). The time ΔT is set so that any one of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) always releases moisture so as not to interrupt the discharge of the fine water. Therefore, in the discharge head <NUM>, the fine water is continuously discharged by blowing hot air in order of the fine water discharge unit <NUM>(<NUM>) (<FIG>), the fine water discharge unit <NUM>(<NUM>) (<FIG>), the fine water discharge unit <NUM>(<NUM>) (<FIG>), and the fine water discharge unit <NUM>(<NUM>) (<FIG>). In the sequential moisture release mode, the control may be performed by the unidirectional rotation control, and the cold air may be blown toward the treatment target at the time of the cooling and at the time of the moisture absorption.

Meanwhile, in the simultaneous moisture release mode of <FIG>, the cycles of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) are synchronized, and each unit is controlled by the unidirectional rotation control. That is, in the simultaneous moisture release mode, the plurality of fine water generation cartridges <NUM> always blow air toward the treatment target while being individually switched between the moisture absorption (cooling/moisture absorption) and the moisture release (heating/moisture release). Accordingly, the hot air at the time of the heating/moisture release and the cold air at the time of the cooling/moisture absorption are alternately blown to the treatment target. In both modes, in the normal operation, each of the pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) is switched to the cooling, the moisture absorption, the heating, and the moisture release at the same timing. In both modes, the finishing cold air control is performed before the operation is stopped. The plurality of moisture release modes are switched in this manner, and thus, it is possible to perform an operation suitable for the treatment target or a treatment purpose or an operation suitable for a practitioner's preference.

In the fine water discharge device <NUM> of the present embodiment described above, the plurality of fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are disposed in parallel, and each fine water generation cartridge <NUM> can be individually switched between the moisture absorption (cooling/moisture absorption) and the moisture release (heating/moisture release). Accordingly, each fine water generation cartridge <NUM> can be switched to the moisture release at any timing to discharge the fine water, and restriction in the operation can be suppressed to increase a degree of freedom. Therefore, the operation suitable for the treatment target can be performed.

In the sequential moisture release mode, the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are sequentially brought into the moisture release state. Accordingly, the discharge of the fine water is prevented from being interrupted, and the fine water can be stably supplied to the treatment target. Meanwhile, in the simultaneous moisture release mode, the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are simultaneously brought into the moisture release state. Accordingly, a state where a large amount of fine water exists around the treatment target can be generated, and thus, the fine water can be sufficiently supplied to the treatment target. In the simultaneous moisture release mode, the hot air and the cold air are alternately blown. Accordingly, compared to a case where only the hot air is blown, it is possible to suppress the increase in the temperature around the treatment target and a comfortable treatment space can be provided. One moisture release mode out of the plurality of moisture release modes is selected and the operation is performed. Accordingly, the operation can be performed more appropriately according to the treatment target or the like. As described above, even in the sequential moisture release mode, the air may be always blown toward the treatment target so that the hot air and the cold air are alternately blown.

The fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are disposed in parallel in the discharge head <NUM> at the tip of the movable arm <NUM>. Accordingly, the treatment target and the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are close to each other, and thus, the fine water can be effectively supplied to the treatment target. The plurality of pairs of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center C of the discharge head <NUM>, and each pair of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> is switched between the moisture absorption and the moisture release at the same timing. Therefore, each pair of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> discharges the fine water at the same timing. Accordingly, it is possible to uniformly disperse the fine water around the treatment target (treatment space) and supply fine water evenly to the treatment target.

The finishing cold air control is performed before the operation is stopped. Accordingly, an effect of tightening the skin of the treatment target can be exhibited, and the end of the operation (end of the treatment) can be notified. The conductive polymer film 44b is kept at a low temperature to promote the moisture absorption. Accordingly, preparation for the next treatment can be performed.

One fine water generation cartridge <NUM> and one fan <NUM> are provided as a set and the plurality of sets of the fine water discharge units <NUM> are disposed in parallel. Accordingly, it is possible to easily realize a configuration in which air can be individually blown to each fine water generation cartridge <NUM>.

In the embodiment, the plurality of pairs of the fine water discharge units <NUM> (fine water generation cartridges <NUM>) are disposed symmetrically with respect to the center C of the discharge head <NUM>, and each pair of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> is switched between the moisture absorption and the moisture release at the same timing. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, each pair of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM> may be switched between the moisture absorption and the moisture release at timings different from each other, or one set of the two fine water generation cartridges <NUM> may be switched between the moisture absorption and the moisture release at the same timing. As long as the plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> is disposed in parallel in the discharge head <NUM>, the fine water discharge units <NUM> may not be symmetrically disposed, and the fine water discharge unit <NUM> may be biased toward any area of the discharge head <NUM> depending on the treatment target or the treatment purpose.

In the embodiment, the finishing cold air control is performed before the operation is stopped. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the finishing cold air control may not be performed.

In the embodiment, an example is described in which any one of the two moisture release modes such as the sequential moisture release mode and the simultaneous moisture release mode is selected. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and any one of a plurality of moisture release modes including the sequential moisture release mode (predetermined moisture release mode) may be selected. Alternatively, the present disclosure is not limited to a case where the moisture release mode can be selected, and the operation may be performed in one predetermined moisture release mode, for example, the sequential moisture release mode.

In the embodiment, in the case of the energy saving operation, one of each of the pairs of two fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) is stopped and the operation is performed using the other. However, the disclosure is not limited to this, and any operation may be performed as long as the operation is performed with a smaller number of the fine water discharge units <NUM> used for the operation than in the normal operation. For example, in the case of the energy saving operation, only the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) and <NUM>(<NUM>) out of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) may be used, or four fine water discharge units <NUM> located at a right half or a left half of the discharge heads <NUM> may be used.

In the embodiment, the plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> are disposed in the discharge head <NUM> attached to the tip of the movable arm <NUM>. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> may be disposed in a discharge head fixed to the device main body <NUM> or the like. Alternatively, the plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> may be disposed in the device main body <NUM>. <FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a fine water discharge device 10B of a modification example and <FIG> is a configuration diagram schematically illustrating a configuration of a fine water discharge unit <NUM> according to the modification example. In the modification example, the same reference numerals are assigned to the same configurations as those of the embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof are omitted. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fine water discharge device 10B of the modification example includes a plurality (for example, four) of fine water discharge units <NUM> and an air duct <NUM> through which air is blown toward a treatment target. A fine water storage chamber (fine water storage portion) <NUM> is formed in a device main body <NUM>. Four fine water discharge units <NUM> are disposed adjacent to each other for convenience of illustration, but may be disposed to be arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference when viewed from above, for example.

Similarly to the fine water discharge unit <NUM> of the embodiment, each fine water discharge unit <NUM> includes the fan <NUM>, the fine water generation cartridge <NUM>, and the filters 47a and 47b, and air is sucked from the suction port 41a in the flow path <NUM> and discharged from the discharge port 41b. Each of the fine water discharge units <NUM> has the discharge port 41b communicating with the fine water storage chamber <NUM>, and includes an opening/closing switching unit <NUM> capable of switching the opening and closing of the discharge port 41b. The opening/closing switching unit <NUM> has a switching plate 148a which is operated by driving a motor (not illustrated), and the switching plate 148a is normally located at a position (dotted lines in <FIG>) which closes the discharge port 41b. The opening/closing switching unit <NUM> operates the switching plate 148a so that the switching plate 148a is rotated upward to a position (solid line in <FIG>) where the discharge port 41b is opened by driving of the motor. The opening/closing switching unit <NUM> is controlled to be opened/closed by the control portion <NUM>. The fine water storage chamber <NUM> communicates with the air duct <NUM> so that the fine water discharged from each fine water discharge unit <NUM> can be temporarily stored. For example, the air duct <NUM> is formed of a bellows-shaped duct having flexibility so that a position of a discharge port 121a at a tip of the air duct <NUM> can be adjusted up and down, right and left, and forward and rearward. The air duct <NUM> discharges the fine water, which is discharged from the fine water discharge unit <NUM> and is temporarily stored in the fine water storage chamber <NUM>, toward the treatment target. Similarly to the embodiment, the plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> repeat the cycle of the cooling, the moisture absorption, the heating, and the moisture release, and is controlled by the unidirectional rotation control (refer to dotted lines in <FIG>) for stopping the fan <NUM> at the time of the heating.

<FIG> is an explanatory diagram illustrating a state in which the fine water discharge device 10B is operated in the sequential moisture release mode. As illustrated in <FIG>, the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) are controlled so as to be operated while being shifted without synchronizing the cycles of the cooling, the moisture absorption, the heating, and the moisture release. The opening/closing switching units <NUM> of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) are controlled so that the switching plate 148a opens the discharge port 41b at the time of the moisture release, and the switching plate 148a closes the discharge port 41b at the time of the cooling, the moisture absorption, and the heating. Therefore, at the time of the cooling or the moisture absorption, the air blown by the driving of the fan <NUM> is not rebounded by the switching plate 148a and does not flow into the fine water storage chamber <NUM>, and the fine water is discharged to (flows into) the fine water storage chamber <NUM> at the time of moisture release. Each of the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) can discharge (blow) the fine water in the fine water storage chamber <NUM> from the air duct <NUM> to the treatment target without interruption while always discharging the fine water from any of the units to the fine water storage chamber <NUM>. Therefore, it is possible to stably supply the fine water to the treatment target while suppressing uneven discharge of fine water. In this modification example, the sequential moisture release mode and the simultaneous moisture release mode can be selected, and the finishing cold air control for simultaneously blowing the cold air from the fine water discharge units <NUM>(<NUM>) to <NUM>(<NUM>) may be performed before the operation is stopped.

In the modification example, in the opening/closing switching unit <NUM>, the discharge port 41b is opened or closed by the switching plate 148a which is operated so as to rotate upward. However, the present disclosure is not limited to this, and the discharge port 41b may be opened and closed by a shutter which is operated to slide horizontally. The plurality of fine water discharge units <NUM> may be disposed at equal intervals on the same circumference, and a disk-shaped shutter capable of switching the opening and closing of each discharge port 41b may be disposed. The shutter may have at least one opening formed on the same circumference, and may be configured to be rotatable about a central axis so that the opening sequentially moves to a position corresponding to each discharge port 41b to open the discharge port 41b.

In the embodiment and the modification example, a configuration may be adopted, in which the disk-shaped shutter is provided between one fan <NUM> and the plurality of fine water generation cartridges <NUM> and the air from one fan <NUM> is switchable so as to selectively flow to any one of the fine water generation cartridges <NUM>. That is, in each of the fine water discharge units <NUM> and <NUM>, one fan <NUM> and one fine water generation cartridge <NUM> are configured as one set. However, the plurality of fine water generation cartridges <NUM>, one fan <NUM>, and a switching unit such as a shutter for switching an air blowing destination of the fan <NUM> may be configured as one set. One set of units may be provided or a plurality of sets of units may be provided.

A correspondence between main elements of the embodiment and main elements of the disclosure described in the section of "SUMMARY" will be described. In the embodiment, the fan <NUM> corresponds to a "blowing unit", the conductive polymer film 44b corresponds to a "conductive polymer film", the eight fine water generation cartridges <NUM> correspond a plurality of "fine water generating units", the power supply unit <NUM> (the power supply circuit <NUM> and the change-over switch <NUM>) corresponds to an "electrifying portion", the control portion <NUM> corresponds to a "control portion", and the fine water discharge device <NUM> corresponds to a "fine water discharge device of a human body". The operation unit <NUM> corresponds to a "receiving unit". The device main body <NUM> corresponds to a "device main body", the movable arm <NUM> corresponds to an "arm", and the discharge head <NUM> corresponds to a "head".

The correspondence between the main elements of the embodiment and the main elements of the disclosure described in the section of SUMMARY is an example for the embodiment specifically to describe a best mode for carrying out the disclosure described in the section of SUMMARY. Accordingly, the embodiment does not limit the elements of the disclosure described in the section of SUMMARY. That is, an interpretation of the disclosure described in the section of SUMMARY should be interpreted based on the description of the section, and the embodiment is only a specific example of the disclosure described in the section of SUMMARY.

Hereinbefore, the best mode for carrying out the present disclosure is described with reference to the embodiments.

The present disclosure is applicable to a manufacturing industry of the fine water discharge device of a human body.

The principles, preferred embodiment and mode of operation of the present invention have been described in the foregoing specification.

Claim 1:
A fine water discharge device (<NUM>, 10B) for a human body which discharges fine water to the human body, the device comprising:
a plurality of fine water generating units (<NUM>) which are brought into a moisture absorption state in which moisture in air is absorbed in a conductive polymer film (44b) due to a decrease in temperature and a moisture release state in which the absorbed moisture is released from the conductive polymer film (44b) as fine water due to an increase in temperature and are disposed in parallel;
a blowing unit (<NUM>) which blows air so that air flows through the fine water generating units (<NUM>);
an electrifying portion (<NUM>) which individually electrifies the plurality of fine water generating units (<NUM>) so that a temperature of each fine water generating unit is changed depending on presence or absence of electrification; and
a control portion (<NUM>) which controls the electrifying portion (<NUM>) and the blowing unit (<NUM>) so that the plurality of fine water generating units (<NUM>) are individually switched between the moisture absorption state and the moisture release state to discharge the fine water by blowing air,
characterized in that the fine water discharge device (<NUM>, 10B) is configured to discharge fine water having a particle size of <NUM> nanometers or less.