JP2000230751A - Automatic bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To permit the extraction of air, remaining in a pipeline, surely by a method wherein the operating period of time of a circulating pump is preset based on a flow speed in the pipeline, which is generated by the operation of the circulating pump, and the length of the pipeline between a bathtub and the device, or based on a pipeline volume between the bathtub and the device as well as the flow rate in the pipeline, which is generated by the circulating pump. SOLUTION: A bath device is provided with a flow switch 6 and a water level sensor 7, which are arranged in the sending pipeline 5a of a re-heating circulation circuit 5, and a circulation pump 4, arranged in a returning pipeline 5b, while the operating period of time of the circulation pump 4 for extracting air in a pipeline, which is effected upon filling water into a bathtub 11, is preset based on a flow speed V in the pipeline, which is generated by the operation of the circulation pump 4, and a pipeline length L between the bathtub 11 and the device, or based on a pipeline volume between the bathtub 11 and the device as well as the flow rate Q of water in the pipeline, which is generated by the circulation pump 4.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic bath apparatus capable of automatically filling a bathtub with hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional automatic bath apparatus. In the figure, A is a main body of the automatic bath apparatus, 1 is a pouring circuit for supplying hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, and A mixing valve 2 for mixing water and an on-off valve 3 for opening and closing the supply of hot water after mixing are provided. Reference numeral 5 denotes a reheating circuit 5 connected to the pouring circuit.
a and a return pipe 5b, a heater 8 is provided in the outgoing pipe 5a, and a circulation pump 4, a water level sensor 7, a two-way valve 13, and a flow switch 6 are provided in the return pipe 5b. Further, a bath adapter 10 is attached to the bathtub 11, and the reheating circuit 5 and the bathtub adapter 1 are attached.
Numeral 0 is connected by a bath going pipe 9a and a bath returning pipe 9b. A temperature sensor 12 is provided at the intersection of the forward pipe 5a, the return pipe 5b, and the on-off valve 3 of the reheating circuit 5, and circulates by hot water supplied from the on-off valve 3 direction or the circulation pump 4. Detects bath water temperature.

[0003] Next, the operation of the conventional apparatus having the above configuration will be described. First, hot water and water supplied to a pouring circuit 1 from a separate water source and a hot water supply device (not shown) are mixed by a mixing valve 2 so as to obtain hot water at a desired temperature, and the on-off valve 3 is opened to reheat and recirculate. Hot water is supplied to the circuit 5. At this time, the two-way valve 13 is in the open state. The supplied hot water is supplied to a temperature sensor 12
The hot water supply temperature is detected by the
b, the water is supplied from the bath adapter 10 to the bathtub 11 via the bath going pipe 9a and the bath returning pipe 9b, and hot water supply is started. If the water level sensor 7 detects that the water level in the bathtub 11 has risen higher than the bath adapter 10 during the filling,
a, return pipe 5b, bath pipe 9a, bath return pipe 9
The operation of operating the circulation pump 4 is performed for a certain period of time to remove the air remaining in b. During the filling, the two-way valve 13 is closed at any time to stop the pouring from the return pipe 5b side, and the head pressure from the bathtub 11 generated in the water level sensor 7 is detected. Is detected. When it is detected that the water level in the bathtub 11 has risen to the water level set in advance, the filling operation is completed.

[0004] In addition to the above prior art, Japanese Patent Publication No.
No. 66581 and Japanese Patent Publication No. 7-324812 also disclose methods of removing air remaining in the pipe, but in any case, the correct water level cannot be detected unless the air remaining in the pipe is removed. In this regard, they use water source water pressure, but it is doubtful that they can be used when the water source water pressure is low as described later.

[0005]

Since the conventional automatic bath apparatus has the above configuration and operation, it has the following disadvantages. That is, in the conventional automatic bath apparatus, components related to filling the hot water are arranged on the return pipe 5b side of the reheating circuit 5 and the heater 8 arranged on the outgoing pipe 5a side has a relatively low pressure loss. Therefore, the pipe resistance is significantly higher on the return pipe 5b side than on the return pipe 5a side, and a large amount of hot water flows on the return pipe 5a side when hot water is supplied to the bathtub 11, and almost no water flows on the return pipe 5b side. The phenomenon that hot water did not flow occurred. This phenomenon occurs especially when the water source or hot water supply source is a device equipped with a pressure reducing valve such as an electric water heater, or when there is a torii pipe etc. in the middle of a bath pipe and the height difference between the pipes is large. Tends to occur due to water level loss. Therefore, hot water cannot be supplied to the circulation pump 4 disposed in the return pipe 5b, and the circulation pump 4
Runs idle and the air in the return pipe 5b does not easily escape, so air remains in the pipe, and the head pressure in the bathtub 11 cannot be accurately detected due to the influence of the air in the pipe. There was a problem that hot water could not be normally filled.
In addition, the circulation pump 4 for removing air remaining in the return pipe 5b cannot remove air in idle operation unless the circulation pump capacity required in a normal operation state of the equipment is not exceeded. There were also problems such as an increase in cost and an increase in noise during operation. Further, the water level sensor 7 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 11 has the same return pipe 5b as the circulation pump.
Because it is located on the side, when trying to detect the water level,
It is necessary to close the two-way valve 13 to stop the flow on the water level sensor 7 side. As a result, the priming water to the circulation pump 4 is intermittent, so that air is likely to be mixed. Further, when the water level is continuously detected, hot water cannot be supplied to the circulating pump 4 side, and the circulating pump 4 cannot be primed at all, which hinders the operation of the circulating pump 4. There is. In addition, although the circulation pump 4 is operated as needed to remove the air in the pipe, it is detected or confirmed that the residual air in the pipe has really escaped and a correct head pressure can be detected. Could not. For this reason, it has not been possible to determine whether or not proper operation is being performed, and eventually there has been a problem that a hot water filling problem occurs.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and has a pouring circuit for supplying hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, and a pouring circuit connected to the pouring circuit.
A recirculation circuit comprising an incoming pipe and a return pipe, a control unit for controlling the operation of the present apparatus, a flow switch for detecting at least the circulation of hot water in the outflow pipe of the reheating circuit, and a water level in the bathtub. And a circulating pump for circulating hot water in the bathtub in the return pipe of the reheating circuit, and operating time of the circulating pump for venting air in the pipe when filling the bathtub with hot water. Based on the flow rate in the pipe generated by the operation of the circulation pump and the length of the pipe between the bathtub and the apparatus, or based on the volume of the pipe between the bathtub and the apparatus and the flow rate in the pipe generated by the circulation pump in advance. It is set.

Further, the control section compares the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a predetermined operation time and the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump again for a predetermined time. It is determined whether or not the air in the pipe has escaped based on whether the difference is within a preset range.

Further, the control unit determines that a difference between a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a preset operation time and a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump again for a predetermined time. If the difference is outside the preset range, the circulating pump is re-executed from the operation for the first preset operation time, and the operation is repeatedly executed until the difference falls within the preset range. .

[0009]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiment 1 Hereinafter, Embodiment 1 of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic bath apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram thereof, and FIG. 3 is a control flowchart. In FIG. 1, A is a main body of an automatic bath apparatus, 1 is a pouring circuit for supplying hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, a mixing valve 2 for mixing hot water and water, and an on-off valve 3 for opening and closing the supply of hot water after mixing.
It has. Reference numeral 5 denotes a reheating circuit 5 connected to a pouring circuit. The reheating circuit 5 includes a forward pipe 5a and a return pipe 5b. The forward pipe 5a detects a flow of hot water in the pipe. 6, a water level sensor 7 for detecting a water level applied to the pipe, a heater 8 for heating bath water circulating in the pipe, an outgoing pipe 5a, a return pipe 5b, and an on-off valve 3.
A two-way valve 13 that can shut off hot water flowing in from the direction of the on-off valve 3 is provided at each of the intersections with the valve. On the other hand, only the circulation pump 4 for circulating bath water is provided in the return pipe. FIG. 2 is a control block diagram. Reference numeral 15 denotes a control unit which is built in the automatic bath apparatus main body A and controls the apparatus.
5b, each control target of the device (flow switch 6,
Water level sensor 7, circulation pump 4, two-way valve 13, heater 8,
Controls the operation of the on-off valve 3 and the mixing valve 2). Reference numeral 16 denotes an input unit for inputting a control instruction to the control unit 15, to which a desired operation such as a hot water filling operation or a heat retaining operation is input.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described. When the filling is started, water and hot water are mixed by the mixing valve 2,
Open the on-off valve 3, detect the hot water supply temperature with the temperature sensor 12,
Hot water is supplied into the bathtub 11 via the outgoing pipe 5a and the return pipe 5b, the bath outgoing pipe 9a, the bath return pipe 9b, and the bath adapter 10 of the reheating circuit 5. Here, since the water level sensor 7 for detecting the level of the bath water supplied to the bathtub 11 is arranged on the side of the outgoing pipe 5a, the operation of filling the bathtub 11 with the two-way valve 13 closed is performed. In the above, since the water level in the bathtub 11 can be constantly detected by the water level sensor 7, it is necessary to detect the water level in the bathtub 11 with the water level sensor 7 in the closed state by opening and closing the two-way valve 13 as needed in the conventional manner. Disappears. In the first embodiment, the two-way valve 13
Even if is open or closed, hot water can be filled.

Next, when the water level sensor 7 detects that the water level in the bathtub 11 has risen to the bath adapter 10, the circulating pump 4 is operated to remove air remaining inside the piping of the reheating circuit 5. to go into. This air bleeding operation will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Steps S1 to S5 in FIG. 3 are a flowchart showing a series of operations for removing air remaining in the piping of the reheating circuit 5.

When it is detected that the bath water has risen to the bath adapter 10, the process proceeds to step S1 in FIG. 3 and the operation of the circulation pump 4 is started. Subsequently, the operation of the flow switch 6 is determined in step S2. Here, as shown in FIG. 2, since the flow switch 6 is connected to the control unit 15, its operation state is always input to the control unit 15, and the operation state is determined by the determination unit 15a. If the flow switch 6 is operating in step S2, the process proceeds to step S3, and if not, the operation is in a loop state until the operation of the flow switch 6 is detected.

The operation point of the flow switch 6 is set so that the flow switch 6 is operated when the flow velocity in the pipe becomes equal to or higher than a certain flow velocity V at which the air layer remaining in the pipe can be pushed out. However, for example, if the flow switch 6 is of a type that operates not at the flow velocity V but at the flow rate Q, if the assumed maximum sectional area of the pipe is A, it is calculated as Q = A × V. It suffices to select a type of flow switch 6 that operates at the value of Q or more.

In step S2, when the operation of the flow switch 6 is detected, the operation proceeds to step S3 to start counting the continuous operation time of the flow switch 6, and simultaneously stores the continuous operation time of the flow switch 6 in the storage unit 15b in the control unit 15. Is counted and stored, and this is set as t. Subsequently, step S4
Then, the operation time t stored in the storage unit 15b is compared with a preset time T, and if the determination unit 15a determines whether t ≧ T, the process proceeds to step S5. If it is determined that t <T, the process proceeds to step S5. A loop state is set in S4.

Here, the time T set in advance is defined as the time required to operate the circulating pump 4 and to set the piping set by the bath going pipe 9a, the bath returning pipe 9b, and the reheating circuit 5 of the automatic bath apparatus main body A. When the total value of the maximum length (total length of the pipe) is L, a value obtained by dividing the maximum length L by the flow velocity V in the pipe in which the flow switch 6 operates, that is, L,
This is a numerical value that is set when T ≧ L / V, and is set while appropriately setting a margin for L / V. That is,
The operating time of the circulating pump 4 necessary for bleeding air in the pipes is theoretically calculated in advance and stored in the storage unit 15b of the control unit 15 in accordance with the environmental conditions in which the apparatus is installed.

When the operation proceeds to step S5, the operation of the circulating pump is terminated, and the operation for removing the air remaining in the pipe is terminated.

The operation up to the completion of filling is the same as in the conventional example, and the description is omitted. As described above, according to the configuration of the first embodiment, the water level sensor 7 that detects the level of the hot water in the bathtub 11 and the circulation pump 4 that circulates the hot water in the bathtub 11
Are divided into the outgoing pipe 5a and the return pipe 5b of the reheating circuit 5 so that the two-way valve 13 for opening and closing the pipe path is provided upstream of the water level sensor 7 on the hot water supply side to detect the water level. Bathing is possible while priming the circulation pump 4. Further, since the pressure loss of each component arranged in the outgoing pipe 5a is larger than that of the circulation pump 4 arranged in the return pipe 5b, the pipe resistance of the return pipe 5b is smaller than that of the outgoing pipe 5a, When hot water is supplied, a lot of hot water flows into the return pipe 5b,
Almost no hot water flows into a. If the two-way valve 13 is closed, this effect is more remarkable, and the hot water is supplied to the return pipe 5b, and the circulating pump 4 can be sufficiently primed. Even if the equipment is equipped with a pressure reducing valve such as an electric water heater, or if there is a large difference in pipe height, such as when there is a torii pipe in the middle of the bath pipe,
The problem of the conventional example in which air remains in the pipe, the head pressure in the bathtub 11 cannot be accurately detected due to the influence of the air in the pipe, and the filling cannot be performed normally can be solved. Further, an excessive circulation pump for removing air from the return pipe 5b where air remains does not need to be provided, and there is no problem such as an increase in equipment cost and an increase in noise during operation.

Embodiment 2 FIG. Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. The system configuration diagram of FIG. 1 and the control block diagram of FIG. 2 can be similarly used in the case of the second embodiment, and will be described with reference to the control flowchart of FIG. 4 and FIG. 1 and FIG.

In the control flow chart of FIG. 4, the steps up to step S4 are completely the same as those in the first embodiment, so that the description will be omitted, and the subsequent control operation relating to the operation of the circulation pump 4 will be described.

In step S5, the operation of the circulation pump 4 is stopped, the two-way valve 13 is closed, and the water level in the bathtub 11 is measured by the water level sensor 7 as the head pressure. 15b. Subsequently, in step S6, the circulation pump 4 is operated again. The operation time of the circulation pump 4 at this time may be the same as the above-mentioned set time T or may be another time. The circulation pump 4 is operated for a preset time, and the process proceeds to step S7. In step S7, the operation of the circulation pump 4 is stopped again, the two-way valve 13 is closed, the water level in the bathtub 11 is measured as the head pressure by the water level sensor 7, and the value is stored as P1 in the storage unit 15b of the control unit 15. It memorizes and it progresses to step S8.
In step S8, the head pressure P0 in the bathtub 11 previously stored in the storage unit 15b is compared with the head pressure P1 measured in step S7, and if the difference is within a certain value set in advance, circulation is performed. It is determined that there is no change in the water level before and after the operation of the pump, and the process proceeds to step S9. In step S9, since the difference between the water head pressures P0 and P1 is within a certain value, it is determined that the air bleeding in the pipe has been completed, and the operation of the residual air bleeding in the pipe is ended.

According to the second embodiment, even in the event that air has not escaped or it is determined that the air has not escaped due to the theoretical air bleeding operation, recovery is performed by performing recovery. It is possible to ensure the reliability of the hot water filling operation.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, at least the detecting means for detecting the circulation of hot water and the water level sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub are provided at the outgoing pipe of the reheating circuit, and the return pipe is provided at the return pipe. A circulation pump for circulating hot water in the bath tub is provided, and the operation time of the circulation pump for bleeding air in the pipe when filling the bath tub is determined by the flow rate in the pipe generated by the operation of the circulation pump, the flow rate in the bath tub, Since it is set in advance based on the length of the piping between the devices or based on the volume of the piping between the bathtub and the device and the flow rate in the piping generated by the circulating pump, the air remaining in the piping is reliably discharged. It becomes possible.

Further, the control unit compares the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a preset operation time with the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump again during the main presentation. However, since it is determined whether or not the difference is within the preset range, whether or not the air in the pipe has escaped is determined. It is possible to perform an operation of confirming that the operation is being performed, and it is possible to reduce problems with the filling operation.

Further, the control unit determines that the difference between the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a preset operation time and the bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump again for a predetermined time. If the difference is outside the preset range, the circulating pump is re-executed from the operation for the first preset operation time, and the operation is repeatedly executed until the difference falls within the preset range. one,
Even in the case where the air has not escaped or it is determined that the air has not escaped due to the theoretical air bleeding required operation, it is possible to secure the reliability of further filling operation by performing the recovery. .

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic bath apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a control block diagram showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a control flowchart showing the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a control flowchart showing a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a system configuration diagram showing a conventional automatic bath apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

A Automatic bath unit, 1 pouring circuit, 2 mixing valve, 3
On-off valve, 4 pump, 5 reheating circuit, 5a
Outgoing piping, 5b return piping, 6 flow switch, 7
Water level sensor, 11 bathtub, 15 control unit.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Takashi Saito 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation F-term (reference) 3L024 CC09 DD01 DD17 DD23 DD27 GG12 GG41 HH02 HH32

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A pouring circuit for supplying hot water mixed at an appropriate temperature, a reheating circuit connected to the pouring circuit, comprising a feed pipe and a return pipe, and a control unit for controlling the operation of the present apparatus. A circulation switch for detecting the circulation of hot water and a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub in at least the outgoing pipe of the reheating circuit, and a circulation for circulating the hot water in the bathtub to the return pipe of the reheating circuit. A pump is provided, and the operation time of the circulating pump for bleeding air in the pipe when filling the bathtub with hot water is determined based on the flow rate in the pipe generated by the operation of the circulating pump and the length of the pipe between the bathtub and the device. Alternatively, the automatic bath apparatus is set in advance based on a pipe volume between the bathtub and the apparatus and a flow rate in the pipe generated by the circulation pump. 2. The control unit compares a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a predetermined operation time and a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump again for a predetermined time. 2. The automatic bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein it is determined whether or not the air in the pipe has escaped based on whether the difference is within a preset range. 3. The controller according to claim 1, wherein a difference between a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a preset operation time and a bathtub water level value after operating the circulation pump for a predetermined time again. If the difference is outside the preset range, the circulating pump is re-executed from the operation for the first preset operation time, and the operation is repeatedly executed until the difference falls within the preset range. The automatic bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein