JP2001153452A - Method of heating bath water, and heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bath water heating method and a bath device which enables an apparatus to be used for a long period without causing corrosion in the apparatus such as a bathtub or a calorifier, even if mineral spring water or hot spring water or bath water wherein the hot spring components extracted from the hot spring water are mixed is used, and besides which is excellent in energy efficiency and can heat the bath water quickly to proper temperature, and further causes stimulus in the skin at bathing without making the bath water the so-called hard hot water. SOLUTION: The hot water from a hot water supplier is supplied into a heat exchanging vessel installed at the bottom inside a bathtub so as to indirectly heat the bat water through the heat exchanging vessel, and also the boiling water supplied into the heat exchanging vessel is jetted into bath water via a through hole made in the heat exchanging vessel, whereby the bath water within the bathtub and the boiling water are agitated naturally, and at the same time, the bath water is indirectly heated with the boiling water supplied from the hot water supplier, and besides the boiling water supplied from the hot water supplier is utilized directly as bath water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath apparatus that can be used in homes, public baths, etc., and more particularly, mineral spring water, hot spring water containing highly corrosive sulfur components, etc.
Also, the present invention relates to a bath apparatus for effectively heating bath water mixed with natural hot water and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, it is said that components contained in natural mineral spring water and hot spring water are good for the body, and these mineral spring water and hot spring water, hot water extracted from natural hot spring water, etc. There is a strong demand in ordinary households to take a bath with water containing this ingredient. However, these mineral spring waters and hot spring waters contain many components that corrode metals such as sulfur, so in bath equipment that is widely used in ordinary households, all parts, including the bathtub itself, have to be considered for corrosion resistance. As such, mineral spring water and hot spring water could not be easily used in ordinary households and public baths.

Further, a hot water circulating bath is disclosed in
One described in Japanese Patent No. 67647 is known.
In this technology, a heat exchanger is placed at the bottom of a bathtub, hot water heated by a heater is circulated through a copper pipe that constitutes the heat exchanger, and water placed in the bathtub is heated by the heat exchanger. It has become. The hot water circulating bathtub also has no consideration for corrosion resistance regarding the material of the bathtub body, heat exchangers, pipes, and plugs placed in the bathtub, and mineral springs containing highly corrosive sulfur components etc. When water, hot spring water, natural hot water or the like is used as bath water, there is a serious problem that various devices are corroded in a relatively short period of time and cannot be used. In addition, the heat exchanger is also one in which the pipe for hot water circulation is simply meanderingly arranged, and there is a problem that the heat exchange efficiency in the bathtub is poor.

[0004] The applicant of the present invention has already proposed a technique described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 11-132553 as a bath apparatus capable of obtaining sufficient durability even when mineral spring water or hot spring water is used, corresponding to the above-mentioned prior art. did. According to this, the bathtub body, heat exchangers, pipes, plugs, etc. disposed in the bathtub are all made of a corrosion-resistant (chemical-resistant) material, and a heat medium heated by a heating source disposed outside the bathtub. Is circulated through a plurality of heat exchangers arranged in the bathtub, so that the bath water can be heated indirectly with this heat exchanger, using mineral spring water or hot spring water containing sulfur components as bath water. It has become possible to have sufficient durability. However, in this technique, since the heat exchanger is formed of a corrosion-resistant synthetic resin having a low thermal conductivity, the efficiency of heat exchange is extremely low, and it takes time to raise bath water to an appropriate temperature. There is also a new problem that the bath water in the bathtub becomes so-called hard hot water and stimulates the skin when taking a bath.
This is thought to be due to the effect of oxygen in the bath water when the bath water is indirectly heated via the heat exchanger.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to solve the above-described problems, and it is possible to use a bathtub or a bath water mixed with mineral water, hot spring water or hot spring component extracted from hot spring water. It can be used for a long time without causing corrosion of equipment such as water heaters, it is energy efficient and it is possible to quickly heat bath water to an appropriate temperature, and furthermore, make bath water so-called hard water Provides a method for heating bath water that does not cause skin irritation when taking a bath without any difficulty, and also provides a method and device for heating bath water that allows you to enjoy a hot spring mood with peace of mind over a long period of time The task is to do so.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, a method of heating bath water according to the present invention is to supply hot water from a water heater to a heat exchange tank installed in a bottom of a bathtub. While indirectly heating the bath water through, the hot water supplied into the heat exchange tank is blown out into the bath water through a through-hole formed in the heat exchange tank, and thereby the bath water in the bathtub and The hot water supplied from the water heater is heated directly by the hot water supplied from the water heater, while the hot water supplied from the water heater is directly used as the bath water. Further, the bath water heating device of the present invention, a hot water tank capable of storing high-temperature hot water supplied from a water heater is disposed in the bath tub so that the outer surface thereof can contact the bath water in the bath tub, A through hole is formed in the hot water tank that connects the inside of the hot water tank and the inside of the bath tub, so that the hot water from the hot water heater indirectly heats the bath water with radiant heat and conductive heat, and also heats the hot water in the hot water tank. It is characterized in that the bath water is directly heated by spouting into the bathtub, and the hot water supplied from the water heater can be used as the bath water.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 3 show a first embodiment of the present invention, in which a lower portion 2 is formed at the bottom of a bathtub 1 made of a corrosion-resistant material so as to cover the lower portion. A heat exchange plate 3 formed of a corrosion-resistant synthetic resin such as cross-linked high-density polyethylene is disposed so as to form a slight gap with the peripheral wall surface of the bathtub 1. A partition 4 for supporting the heat exchange plate 3 at a predetermined height from the bottom of the bathtub 1 is integrally formed on the lower surface of the heat exchange plate 3.
Is placed on the bottom of the bathtub 1 so that a hot water tank 5 surrounded by a partition wall 4 is formed between the heat exchange plate 3 and the bottom surface of the bathtub 1, and the hot water tank 5 is supplied to the hot water tank 5 from a water heater. Hot water can be stored. The partition wall 4 is formed with a large number of through holes 6 for communicating the inside of the hot water tank 5 with the inside of the bathtub 1 so that the bath water in the bathtub 1 and the hot water in the hot water tank 5 can flow in and out freely. . The hot water storage tank 5 has a hot water supply pipe 8 having one end connected to the hot water supply 7, and is inserted into the hot water storage tank 1 so that hot water from the hot water supply 7 is supplied into the hot water storage tank 5. The water heater 7 uses gas, kerosene, or energy such as electricity to heat tap water connected by a water supply pipe 8a to, for example, 75 degrees Celsius or higher, and pumps P into the hot water storage tank 5 through the hot water supply pipe 8. Supply to The hot water supply pipe 8 is also made of a plastic material having high corrosion resistance. Further, a drain hole is formed at an appropriate position on the bottom of the bathtub 1 and a detachable plug 9 is provided. The drain plug 9 is also made of a corrosion-resistant material.

In the above-described embodiment, bath water is put in the bathtub 1 in advance. In this case, the bath water may be mineral spring water, natural hot spring water, or bath water mixed with hot water or the like obtained by extracting components contained in a natural hot spring. Since the hot water supplied from the water heater 7 is mixed with the bath water in the bathtub 1, it is preferable to keep the bath water small. The bath water put in the bathtub 1 also enters the hot water tank 5 through the through-hole 6 and the hot water tank 5
The inside is filled with bath water. Thereafter, the water heater 7 is operated to send hot water heated to 75 ° C. or higher into the hot water storage tank 5. The hot water mixes with the bath water in the hot water tank 5 to heat the bath water in the hot water tank 5 to increase the temperature of the hot water in the hot water tank 5. The bath water in the bathtub 1 in contact with the outer peripheral surface of the heat exchange plate 3 forming the hot water storage tank 5 is heated by heat conduction and radiation to gradually heat the bath water. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 5 is jetted into the bathtub 1 through the through holes 6 formed in the partition wall 4 and mixes with the bath water to directly heat the bath water. At the same time, the bath water is naturally stirred to soften the hot water.

The bathtub 1 is made of wood, stainless steel, enamel,
It is made of a general corrosion-resistant material such as a casting enamel and an unsaturated polyester resin. The materials of the heat exchange plate 3 and the partition walls 4 and the hot water supply pipe 8 installed in the bathtub 1 are also made of a cross-linked high-density polyethylene resin or the like. It is desirable to form with a material excellent in corrosion resistance and chemical resistance. Even if mineral spring water or hot spring water containing highly corrosive components such as sulfur is used as bath water, all parts that come in contact with bath water are made of corrosion-resistant materials, so they are damaged by corrosion. Can be reliably prevented. Further, since the water heater 7 only heats tap water and supplies it to the hot water storage tank 5, it does not come into contact with bath water, and no special equipment is prepared. Further, it is also effective to form the surface of the heat exchange plate 3 into a corrugated or uneven shape to increase the contact area with the bath water to increase the efficiency of heat conduction.

A large number of through holes 6 formed in the partition wall 4
The hot water that has undergone heat exchange in the bath is jetted into the bathtub 1, and the height position of the through-hole 6 is preferably formed at a portion near the bottom of the bathtub so as to be jetted from a lower portion of the hot water tank 5. . FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the heat exchange plate 3 and the partition 4. In this embodiment, the partition 4 is formed integrally with the upper end of the partition 4 in contact with the lower surface of the heat exchange plate 3, and semicircular through holes 6a are formed at the lower end of the partition 4 at substantially equal intervals. . According to this, hot water having a lower temperature at a portion in contact with the bottom of the bathtub 1 in the hot water storage tank 5 is jetted into the bathtub 1, so that high-temperature hot water can jet into the bathtub 1 even during bathing. Absent.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 5 to 7 will be described. In this embodiment, the present invention is implemented using a bathtub 10 conventionally used at home. A heat exchange plate 11 made of a corrosion-resistant material is disposed in a horizontal state at the bottom of a bathtub 10, and a range surrounded by a partition 12 formed on the lower surface side of the heat exchange plate 11 is a hot water storage tank 1.
3 is formed. The heat exchange plate 11 and the partition 12 are integrally formed so that they can be easily taken out when the bathtub 10 is washed. A large number of through-holes 14 are formed around the partition wall 12 to communicate the inside and outside of the hot water storage tank 13, so that bath water can flow between the hot water storage tank 13 and the inside of the bathtub 10. The hot water storage tank 13 is a hot water supply pipe 1 of a water heater 15.
6 and is configured such that tap water supplied from a water supply pipe 16a can be heated by the water heater 15 and supplied into the hot water storage tank 13.

In the above embodiment, the hot water supplied from the water heater 15 is stored in the hot water storage tank 13, and the bath water in contact with the heat exchange plate 11 is indirectly heated by heat conduction and radiation. The hot water in the hot water storage tank 13 is jetted into the bath water through the through-holes 14 and heated directly while mixing, as in the previous embodiment. Further in this example,
Since the heat exchange plate 11 is formed on the entire bottom surface of the bathtub 10, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 10 is the same in all portions, and the upper layer hot water seems to be high like a conventional bath. Troubles such as accidents or unexpected mixing of bath water can be eliminated.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
This will be described below. In this embodiment, a heat exchange plate 21 is provided at a bottom of the bathtub 20 at a predetermined distance from the bottom surface, and a partition 26 is provided between the lower surface of the heat exchange plate 21 and the bottom of the bathtub 20.
A hot water storage tank 22 partitioned by is formed. The partition 2
6, a large number of through-holes 27 are formed for communicating the inside of the hot water storage tank 22 and the inside of the bathtub 20, and a bath is provided between the outer peripheral edge of the heat exchange plate 21 and the peripheral wall surface of the bathtub 20. Gaps allowing water to flow are maintained. The hot water storage tank 22
Inside, a hot water supply pipe 23 connected to a hot water supply 24 is wound around a support 25 arranged on the lower surface of the heat exchange plate 21 and is arranged in an annular shape. In the embodiment, three hot water supply pipes 23 are guided from the hot water supply 24 into the bathtub 20 and divided into three blocks. I have. On the outer periphery of the hot water supply pipe 23 arranged at the bottom of the bathtub 20, a large number of holes are formed for uniformly blowing hot water supplied from the hot water supply 24 into the hot water storage tank 22.

The operation unique to this embodiment is as follows.
Since the hot water from 4 is evenly jetted into hot water storage tank 22 through hot water supply pipe 23, the inside of hot water storage tank 22 is evenly heated, and the indirect heating temperature difference by heat exchange plate 21 is eliminated, so that the bath water is removed. It becomes possible to heat on average. Also,
Even when the hot water is directly heated by jetting the hot water, the temperature of the hot water becomes uniform in the hot water storage tank 22, so that the hot water partially does not jet into the bathtub 20. In this embodiment, the hot water supply pipe 23 is made of a cross-linked high-density polyethylene resin and is connected to the water heater 24 through the edge of the bathtub 20. It can be naturally considered that the side wall is penetrated. Further, the point that the heat exchange plate 21 is disposed on the entire bottom surface of the bathtub 20 is the same as in the above-described embodiment, and the same action is produced.

Further, the fourth embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS.
An example will be described. In this embodiment, a hot water storage tank 32 is disposed in a heating tank 31 partitioned from a bathtub 30,
It is characterized in that it is connected to the bathtub 30 by a circulation hole 33. Inside the heating tank 31, a hot water tank 32 formed of a corrosion-resistant material and formed in a box shape is arranged.
Hot water is supplied into the interior 2 from a water heater (not shown) via a hot water supply pipe 34. Upper wall 35 forming hot water tank 32
The side wall 36 constitutes a heat exchange plate, and a through hole 37 is formed in a lower portion of the side wall 36 so that hot water in the hot water storage tank 32 can be jetted into the heating tank 31. As described above, the heating tank 31 accommodating the hot water storage tank 32 to which the hot water is supplied and the bathtub 30 for taking a bath are partitioned and configured.
Since the human body does not directly touch the hot water tank 32, the material constituting the hot water tank 32 can be made thinner, and as a result, the efficiency of indirect heating by heat conduction is improved. In addition, since the heating tank 31 is formed so as to be separated from the bathtub 30, there is no need to worry about the body coming into direct contact with the hot water spouting from the hot water tank 32 during bathing, and safety during bathing is improved. Further, in this embodiment, by adding the heating tank 31 to a conventional bath tub, it is possible to easily remodel using the conventional equipment and reduce the cost of the equipment.

FIG. 13 shows still another embodiment.
In this embodiment, a hot water storage tank 41 for storing hot water is formed in a portable manner so that it can be mounted on a part of the bottom of the bathtub 40. The hot water storage tank 41 is made of a corrosion-resistant resin or the like as in the above-described embodiment, and is connected to a water heater (not shown) by a hot water supply pipe 42. Upper surface and side wall 43 of hot water storage tank 41
Is formed as a heat exchange plate, and a through hole 44 is formed in a lower portion of the side wall 43 to communicate the inside and outside of the hot water storage tank 41 so that hot water can be jetted into the bathtub 40.
The hot water supply pipe 42 connecting the hot water supply device and the hot water storage tank 41 is made of a flexible material, and is disposed through the edge of the bathtub 40. Therefore, in this embodiment, the hot water storage tank 41 can be installed in the bath tub 40 as necessary, using a bath tub conventionally used, and a bath such as hot spring water can be used. When not in use, hot water tank 41 is placed in bathtub 40.
It can be pulled up from the inside and used as a normal bath.

In each of the above embodiments, the temperature of bath water such as mineral water in a bathtub is detected by a sensor, and the operation of a combustor of a water heater and a water suction valve is controlled to bring the temperature of bath water to a predetermined temperature. It is also possible to keep it. Further, by using a material obtained by coating the heat exchange plate in the embodiment with a material having a high heat storage property such as stone or concrete with the corrosion-resistant resin, bath water can be supplied for a long time by using the heat storage property of the material. It is also possible to maintain the temperature.

[0016]

As described above in detail, according to the present invention, in addition to the hot water in the hot water tank and the indirect heating via the heat exchange plate, the hot water in the hot water tank is bathed. Because the direct heating that mixes by spouting into the water is used together, bath water can be effectively heated even when using materials with low thermal conductivity such as corrosion-resistant (chemical-resistant) resin. It is possible to enjoy the feeling of a hot spring easily and safely even at home without worrying about corrosion of bath equipment. In addition, since the hot water tank is located at the bottom of the bathtub, the bath water in the bathtub can be heated evenly,
Eliminates the hassle of stirring before bathing. Furthermore, since the indirect heating and the direct heating by squirting and mixing are used together, the bath water is soft, and excellent effects such as a bath apparatus having an extremely good bathing feeling can be obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a vertical sectional side view of a bath apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing another embodiment of a partition portion forming a hot water storage tank.

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a bath apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 7 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same embodiment as FIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view of a bath apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a plan view of the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 10 is a longitudinal sectional front view of the same embodiment as FIG.

FIG. 11 is a longitudinal sectional side view of a bath apparatus according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a plan view of the same embodiment as FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a longitudinal side view of a bath apparatus according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1, 10, 20, 30, 40 Bathtub 3, 11, 21, 35 Heat exchange plate 4, 12, 26, 36 Partition wall 5, 13, 22, 32, 41 Hot water tank 6, 14, 27, 37, 43 Through-hole 7, 15, 24 Hot water supply 8, 16, 23, 34, 42 Hot water supply pipe

Claims (7)

[Claims] 1. Hot water from a water heater is supplied to a heat exchange tank installed at the bottom of a bathtub to indirectly heat bath water through the heat exchange tank and to supply the hot water into the heat exchange tank. The heated hot water is blown out into the bath water through the through hole formed in the heat exchange tank, whereby the bath water in the bathtub and the hot water are naturally stirred, and at the same time, the bath water is directly supplied with the hot water supplied from the water heater. A hot water supplied from a water heater and used directly as bath water. 2. A hot water storage tank capable of storing high-temperature hot water supplied from a water heater is disposed in a bath tub so that an outer surface thereof can be brought into contact with bath water in the bath tub. Along with indirectly heating water with radiant heat and conduction heat, hot water in the hot water tank is jetted into the bath tub through a through hole formed in the hot water tank that connects the inside of the hot water tank with the inside of the bath tub. A bath water heating apparatus characterized in that the bath water is heated by mixing with the bath water, and the hot water supplied from the water heater can be used as the bath water. 3. A plate-like heat exchange plate made of a corrosion-resistant material such as a chemical-resistant unsaturated polyester resin is disposed at the bottom of the bathtub so that a margin is formed at the peripheral edge from the inside of the bathtub. A hot water tank for temporarily storing hot water supplied from a water heater is formed between the bottom of the bathtub and the lower surface of the heat exchange plate by a partition wall arranged on the lower surface side of the heat exchange plate, and the inside of the hot water tank is heated to a high temperature. A hot water supply for supplying hot water is connected via a corrosion-resistant pipe, and furthermore, a through hole is formed in the partition separating the hot water tank and the bath tub so that the inside of the bath tub communicates with the inside of the hot water tank. The bath water heating device according to claim 2, wherein the bath water is heated. 4. A stepped lower portion is formed in at least a part of the bottom of the bathtub, and a plate-shaped heat exchange plate is provided to cover the lower portion. The lower surface is separated from the lower surface of the heat exchange plate in the concave portion by the partition. The bath apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the inside is a hot water tank, and a pipe of a water heater is connected in the hot water tank. 5. In the hot water storage tank, a pipe connected to the hot water supply unit is disposed so as to be wound around the hot water storage tank for a long time, and a large number of through holes are formed in the pipe. 4. The bath water heating device according to claim 3, wherein the supplied hot water is ejected into the hot water storage tank through the through hole. 6. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water from a water heater is disposed in a heating tank installed separately from the bathtub, and the heating tank and the bathtub are connected by a conduction pipe, and bath water is connected to the bathtub. The bath water heating apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the bath water can be distributed between the heating tanks. 7. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water of a water heater is made of a corrosion-resistant material such as a chemical-resistant unsaturated polyester resin and is portable, and is connected to the water heater by a flexible pipe material. 4. The bath water heating device according to claim 3, wherein the bath water can be used in a bathtub as needed.