JP2001174052A - Automatic bath apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain an automatic bath apparatus without water leakage from a check valve and waste of hot water. SOLUTION: A bathtub side mixing valve 2 for mixing hot water fed from a water supply-hot water supply source with water to get a desired temperature, and a faucet side mixing valve 3, are provided. A first piping route 6 for supplying hot water to a bathtub connected to the bathtub side mixing valve 2 and provided with a solenoid valve 7 equipped with an open valve to atmosphere, and a second piping route 11 for supplying hot water to a faucet and the like connected to the faucet side mixing valve 3 and provided with a flow sensor 13 and the like, are provided. When hot water is supplied to the bathtub, in the automatic bath apparatus 1 for supplying the hot water to the bathtub by automatically closing the solenoid valve 7 equipped with the open valve to atmosphere, closing motion of the solenoid valve 7 equipped with the open valve to atmosphere is controlled by a flow rate detected by the flow sensor 13 provided on the second piping route 11.

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 for automatically filling a bathtub with water, and more particularly, to judge whether or not a bathing operation on the bathtub can be performed based on a used flow rate at a faucet or the like. The present invention relates to an automatic bath apparatus that can perform the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of an automatic bath apparatus according to the present invention. The operation of a conventional automatic bath apparatus will be described below with reference to FIG. 1 according to the present invention. When a desired temperature and a desired amount of hot water are set by an input device such as a remote controller, and automatic hot water filling is started, the opening of the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve opens the solenoid valve portion 7a. The hot water adjusted to the desired temperature is supplied to the atmosphere opening valve portion 7b through the solenoid valve portion 7a of the solenoid valve 7 with the atmosphere opening valve. Then, the check valve portion 7c is closed by the action of the supplied hot water, and a route to the bathtub-side pipe 6 is secured. Hot water is supplied from the atmosphere release valve portion 7b to the bathtub via the bathtub-side pipe 6. Is done.
The warm water on the primary side that flows in at the start of the operation of the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve passes through the drain hose 8 until the check valve portion 7c completely flows the water flow for completely closing the drain hose 8 side. Then a small amount is drained to the outside. After the value measured by the bathtub side flow sensor 10 matches the value previously set by an input device such as a remote controller, the amount of water supplied to the bathtub reaches the desired amount of hot water. Part 7a
Close and stop hot water supply to the bathtub.

[0003]

According to the automatic bath apparatus configured as described above, in the operation of automatically supplying hot water to the bathtub, the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve is operated by the primary pressure of the water source. The check valve portion 7c is closed by the water flow from the water source side to secure the watertightness in the closed state, and the path to the bathtub side pipe 6 is secured. However, due to the relative decrease of the water source side primary pressure due to the simultaneous use of the faucet side, the water source primary pressure for ensuring water tightness when the valve 7 with the air release valve is closed and the check valve portion 7c closed. There is a possibility that a sufficient flow rate cannot be supplied to the bathtub side, and in particular, an electromagnetic valve with an atmosphere release valve required to supply a sufficient flow rate to the bathtub side to close the latter check valve portion 7c. Since the water pressure on the primary side of the valve 7 is larger than the necessary water source primary pressure for ensuring water tightness when the valve is closed, the form of the problem often occurs in the latter case. The former measure can be used as it is.

[0004] Due to the above-mentioned factors, the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve is
If a sufficient flow rate to close the check valve portion 7c cannot be supplied to the bathtub side, the function of the check valve portion 7c is not sufficiently exhibited by the hot water intended for supply to the bathtub side. As a result, a part or the whole is discharged via the drain hose 8. For this reason, the flow rate detected by the bathtub-side flow rate sensor 10, that is, the flow rate counted as being supplied to the bathtub as a device, and the flow rate actually supplied to the bathtub will be different. Not only can not realize the amount of hot water but also waste water. If the hot water supply source has a limited capacity, such as an electric water heater of a hot water storage type, not only the waste water from the drain hose 8 is wasted, but also the shortage of hot water in the supply source. There is also a risk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and the function of the check valve portion of the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is sufficiently exhibited, so that water leakage from the check valve portion is prevented. An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic bath apparatus that does not generate water and does not waste hot water.

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first piping path for supplying hot water to a bathtub provided with a solenoid valve with an atmosphere release valve and the like, and a flow sensor and the like connected to a faucet side mixing valve. A second piping path for supplying hot and cold water to a faucet or the like, and automatically supplies and closes a solenoid valve with an air release valve to supply hot water to the bathtub when hot water is supplied to the bathtub. hand,
The opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is controlled by the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor provided in the second piping path.

If the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or greater than a predetermined value when the solenoid valve with the air release valve is closed, the solenoid valve with the air release valve is not opened. When the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or greater than a preset value while the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is open, the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is closed. Further, if the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path becomes less than a preset value after closing the solenoid valve with the air release valve, the solenoid valve with the air release valve is opened again.

[0008]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a control block diagram of FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control state of FIG. . First, referring to FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes an automatic bath apparatus, which includes a bathtub-side mixing valve, a faucet-side mixing valve, a bathtub-side flow sensor, a bathtub-side temperature sensor, and a solenoid valve with an atmosphere opening valve (described later).

Reference numerals 2 and 3 denote water supply and hot water sources, respectively (not shown).
And a faucet-side mixing valve for mixing hot water and water supplied from the mixer to a desired temperature. Reference numeral 4 denotes a water supply pipe having one end connected to a water supply source, and a first water supply branch pipe 4 at the other end.
a and a second water supply branch pipe 4b, and the respective branch pipes 4a and 4b are connected to the bathtub side mixing valve 2 and the faucet side mixing valve 3, respectively. Reference numeral 5 denotes a hot water supply pipe having one end connected to a hot water supply source. The other end of the hot water supply pipe is branched into a first hot water supply branch pipe 5a and a second hot water supply branch pipe 5b.
Are connected to the bathtub side mixing valve 2 and the faucet side mixing valve 3.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a bathtub side pipe having one end connected to the bathtub side mixing valve 2 and the other end connected to a bathtub (not shown).
Numeral 7 denotes an electromagnetic valve with an air release valve disposed on the bathtub side pipe 6, which opens and closes a path when hot water is supplied to the bathtub via the bathtub side pipe 6, and a solenoid valve section and an air release valve. Department. Numeral 7a denotes an electromagnetic valve section constituting the electromagnetic valve 7 with an atmosphere opening valve, which secures water tightness in a state where the valve is closed by using a water source primary pressure, and opens and closes a path by using a pilot valve. 7
b is an atmosphere opening valve portion constituting the solenoid valve 7 with an atmosphere opening valve.
Normally, a check valve portion 7c which is open to the drain side and has a function of closing the drain side by a water flow from the primary side is provided,
It has a function of cutting off a secondary side such as a bathtub side and a primary side of a water source with a water discharge space which is a predetermined space. Reference numeral 8 denotes a drain hose connected to a check valve portion 7c of the solenoid valve 7 with an atmosphere release valve.

Reference numeral 9 denotes a bathtub-side temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the hot water mixed by the bathtub-side mixing valve 2. Reference numeral 10 denotes a bathtub-side flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of the mixed hot water. Is disposed between the bathtub side mixing valve 2 of the bathtub side piping 6 and the solenoid valve 7 with the atmosphere release valve. Reference numeral 11 denotes a faucet-side pipe having one end connected to the faucet-side mixing valve 3 and the other end connected to, for example, a faucet (not shown). Reference numeral 12 denotes a faucet-side temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of the hot water mixed by the faucet-side mixing valve 3, and reference numeral 13 denotes a faucet-side flow sensor for measuring the flow rate of the mixed hot water. It is arranged near the upstream side of the pipe 11.

Referring now to FIG. 2, reference numeral 14 denotes a control device which is built into the automatic bath apparatus 1 and controls the apparatus 1. The control unit 14 includes a judgment unit 14a and a storage unit 14b. The control device 14 includes a bathtub-side mixing valve 2, a faucet-side mixing valve 3, an electromagnetic valve portion 7 a of an electromagnetic valve 7 with an air release valve, and a bathtub-side flow sensor 1, which are the control targets of the device 14.
0, connected to the faucet-side flow sensor 13, the bathtub-side temperature sensor 9, and the faucet-side temperature sensor 12, from the bathtub-side flow sensor 10, the faucet-side flow sensor 13, the bathtub-side temperature sensor 9, and the faucet-side temperature sensor 12. These signals are received, and commands are given to the bathtub-side mixing valve 2, the faucet-side mixing valve 3, and the solenoid valve portion 7a of the solenoid valve 7 with an atmosphere release valve to control these operations. Reference numeral 15 denotes an input device, such as a remote controller, for inputting to the control device 14, whereby a desired operation such as a filling operation is input to the control device 14.

The operation of the embodiment constructed as described above will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, focusing on the flowchart of FIG. First, the supply operation on the bathtub side will be described.
And the desired hot water amount Q1, and instructs the control device 14 to start automatic hot water filling. Thereby, automatic filling is started by the control device 14 (step S-1).

The value detected by the faucet side flow sensor 13 is sent to the control unit 14 as a signal, and the detected value is set in advance and stored in the storage unit 14b of the control device 14.
It is determined by the determination unit 14a of the control device 14 whether or not the value is equal to or greater than the set value Qa stored in the storage device 14 (step S-).
2). When the detected value is equal to or larger than the set value Qa, the filling is temporarily stopped (step S-3), and the fact that the filling is temporarily stopped is notified via the input device 15, and the detected value is reduced to less than the set value Qa. The detection is continued until the time is reached (a loop-like process over step S-2 and step S-3). When the detected value is less than the set value Qa, the electromagnetic valve 7 with the air release valve is opened to start hot water supply to the bathtub (step S-4).

Here, the previously stored set value Q
a is a pressure P0 (a sufficient flow rate Q0 for closing the check valve portion 7c is released to the atmosphere even when the pressure loss is maximized in the installation conditions of the piping to the bathtub including the bathtub piping 6). This is the maximum permissible flow rate on the faucet side that can ensure more than the pressure that can flow through the valved solenoid valve 7). Since this value usually changes depending on the water source water pressure, here, the maximum allowable flow rate when the water source water pressure is used at the minimum use water pressure under the use conditions specified by the automatic bath apparatus 1 is set.

In this way, when the detected value is less than the set value Qa, the opening operation of the solenoid valve 7 for opening the atmosphere opens the solenoid valve portion 7a, and the hot water and the water supplied by the hot water supply source are removed.
The water is mixed by the bathtub-side mixing valve 2 so as to have a desired temperature, and the temperature is checked by the bathtub-side temperature sensor 9. If necessary, the temperature is adjusted by feedback control. The hot water adjusted to the desired temperature is supplied to the atmosphere opening valve section 7b through the solenoid valve section 7a of the solenoid valve 7 with the atmosphere opening valve while measuring the flow rate by the bathtub side flow sensor 10. Then, the check valve portion 7c is closed by the action of the flow of the supplied hot water, a route to the bathtub-side pipe 6 is secured, and the hot water is supplied to the bathtub via the bathtub-side pipe 6. The warm water on the primary side that flows in at the start of the operation of the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve passes through the drain hose 8 until the check valve portion 7c completely flows the water flow for completely closing the drain hose 8 side. Then, a small amount is drained to the outside.

The hot water adjusted to the desired temperature in this manner is supplied to the bathtub via the bathtub-side piping 6, and during this time, the flow rate of the faucet-side piping 11 is constantly monitored by the faucet-side flow sensor 13. Measured. That is, the determination unit 14a of the control device 14 determines whether or not the detection value of the faucet side flow sensor 13 is equal to or greater than the set value Qa (step S-5). If the detected value is equal to or greater than the set value Qa, the solenoid valve 7 with the air release valve is closed (step S-6). Then, the filling is temporarily stopped (step S-3), and it is determined whether or not the detection value of the faucet side flow sensor 13 is equal to or more than the set value Qa (step S-2). The process proceeds to step S-3, and if it is equal to or smaller than the set value Qa, step S
Go to -4.

In step S-5, if the detected value of the faucet side flow sensor 13 is less than the set value Qa, the detected flow rate of the bathtub side flow sensor 10 is sent to the control device 14, and the supply flow rate to the bathtub is stored by the storage unit 14b. And the accumulated flow rate is calculated (step S-7). Then, the determination unit 14a of the control device 14 compares the accumulated hot water supply amount and Q1 which is a desired hot water supply amount to the bathtub set in advance by the user (step S-8). The electromagnetic valve portion 7a of the electromagnetic valve 7 is closed (step S-9), and the supply of hot water to the bathtub is stopped. At the same time, the check valve portion 7c returns to its original state,
The bathtub is separated from the water source side with a predetermined discharge space, and the filling of the bathtub is completed (step S-10). If the accumulated hot water supply amount in step S-8 is equal to or smaller than the desired amount Q1, the process returns to step S-5, and it is determined whether the detection value of the faucet side flow sensor 13 is equal to or larger than the set value Qa (step S-8). , Step S-5, and a loop-like process over step S-7).

Next, the supply operation on the faucet side will be described. A desired temperature to be supplied to the faucet is set in advance by an input device 15 such as a remote controller. Then, when the faucet is opened, the hot water and the water supplied by the hot / cold water supply source are mixed by the faucet side mixing valve 3 so as to become hot water at a desired temperature, and the temperature is confirmed by the faucet side temperature sensor 12, Temperature adjustment is performed by feedback control as needed. The hot water adjusted to the predetermined temperature is delivered to each faucet via the faucet side pipe 11 while the presence or absence of flow is detected by the faucet side flow sensor 13.

According to the embodiment, even under the minimum working water pressure environment specified by the automatic bath apparatus 1, the pressure loss is reduced in the installation conditions of the piping up to the bathtub including the bathtub-side piping 6 at the start of filling. Even when the maximum value, the flow rate of the faucet side flow rate that can secure the flow rate of the solenoid valve 7 with the atmosphere release valve to a pressure P0 or more that can flow the flow rate (Q0) sufficient to close the check valve section 7c can be secured. The hot water filling is started only when the temperature is less than Qa, and while the hot water is being supplied to the bathtub, the hot water supply to the bathtub is continued only when the value is less than the set value Qa. 7 check valve part 7c
There is no water leakage.

In the above description, the case where the bathtub side mixing valve 2 and the faucet side mixing valve 3 for mixing the hot water and the water supplied from the hot water supply source to a desired temperature are provided, but the present invention is the same. It suffices to branch from the hot water supply to two or more pipe routes,
Therefore, the faucet side mixing valve 3 may be omitted, or the faucet side pipe 11 may be branched from the middle of the bathtub side pipe 6.

[0022]

As is apparent from the above description, the automatic bath apparatus according to the present invention comprises a bathtub side mixing valve and a faucet side mixing valve for mixing hot water and water supplied from a hot water supply source with a desired temperature. A first piping path that is connected to the bathtub side mixing valve, is provided with a solenoid valve with an atmosphere release valve, and supplies hot water to the bathtub;
A second piping path connected to the faucet side mixing valve and provided with a flow sensor and the like for supplying hot and cold water to the faucet and the like, and automatically opens and closes the solenoid valve with an atmosphere release valve when supplying hot water to the bathtub. An automatic bath apparatus for filling a bathtub with water, wherein the opening and closing operation of a solenoid valve with an atmosphere opening valve is controlled by the flow rate detected by a flow rate sensor provided in a second piping path. No water leaks from the check valve of the attached solenoid valve.

If the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or higher than a preset value when the solenoid valve with the air release valve is closed, the solenoid valve with the air release valve is not opened. When the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or greater than a preset value while the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is open, the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is closed. Therefore, at the start of filling or during the supply of hot water to the bathtub, even if the pressure loss is maximized due to fluctuations in installation conditions, a flow rate sufficient to close the check valve part of the solenoid valve with the atmospheric release valve is provided. The hot water filling is started only when the flow rate is less than the faucet side flow value that can secure the pressure, and the hot water supply to the bathtub is continued only when the flow rate is less than the above-described flow rate. For solenoid valve with air release valve Water leakage does not occur from the check valve portion.

Further, if the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor provided in the second piping path becomes smaller than a preset value after closing the solenoid valve with the air release valve, the solenoid valve with the air release valve is opened again. As a result, in the restart of the filling operation, even if the pressure loss is maximized due to a change in installation conditions at the time of the restart, a flow rate sufficient to close the check valve portion of the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is provided. The hot water filling is restarted only when the flow rate is less than the faucet side flow value at which the pressure can be secured, and the hot water is supplied to the bathtub only when the flow rate is maintained below the above-mentioned flow rate during the hot water supply to the bathtub. Therefore, water leakage from the check valve portion of the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve does not occur.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system diagram according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the control device of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating the operation of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 automatic bath equipment, 2 bathtub side mixing valve, 3 faucet side mixing valve, 6 bathtub side piping, 7 air release valve with solenoid valve, 7a
Solenoid valve, 7b Atmospheric release valve, 7c Check valve, 10
Bathtub side flow sensor, 11 faucet side piping, 13 faucet side flow sensor.

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[Procedure amendment]

[Submission date] January 19, 2000 (2000.1.1)
9)

[Procedure amendment 1]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] Claim 1

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[Procedure amendment 2]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0006

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0006]

According to the present invention, there is provided a first piping path provided with a solenoid valve with an atmosphere release valve for supplying hot water to a bathtub, and provided with a flow rate sensor and the like to supply hot water to a faucet or the like. And a second piping path for supplying water, wherein when supplying hot water to the bathtub, an electromagnetic valve with an atmosphere release valve is automatically opened and closed to fill the bathtub with hot water. The opening / closing operation of the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is controlled by the flow rate detected by the flow rate sensor provided in the apparatus.

[Procedure amendment 3]

[Document name to be amended] Statement

[Correction target item name] 0022

[Correction method] Change

[Correction contents]

[0022]

As is apparent from the above description, the automatic bath apparatus according to the present invention is provided with a first piping path for supplying hot water to the bathtub, provided with a solenoid valve with an air release valve, and a flow sensor. And a second piping path for supplying hot and cold water to a faucet, etc., and an automatic bath that automatically opens and closes an electromagnetic valve with an air release valve to supply hot water to the bathtub when hot water is supplied to the bathtub. The opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve with the air release valve is controlled by the detection flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path. No water leakage occurs.

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Tetsuya Matsuyama 2-3-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Mitsubishi Electric Corporation F-term (reference) 3L024 CC28 DD14 GG22 HH13 HH60

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A first piping path provided with an electromagnetic valve with an atmosphere release valve for supplying hot water to a bathtub, and a flow sensor connected to the faucet side mixing valve and provided with a flow sensor and the like to supply hot water to the faucet or the like. A second piping path for supplying water, wherein when supplying hot water to the bathtub, the electromagnetic valve with an air release valve is automatically opened and closed to fill the bathtub with hot water. An automatic bath apparatus, wherein an opening and closing operation of the solenoid valve with an atmosphere release valve is controlled by a detection flow rate of a flow rate sensor provided in a piping path. 2. When the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is closed,
When the detected flow rate of the flow sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or greater than a preset value, the solenoid valve with the air release valve is not opened, and when the solenoid valve with the air release valve is open. 2. The automatic bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor provided in the second piping path is equal to or greater than a preset value, the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is closed. 3. After the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is closed, the second
3. The automatic bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein when the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor provided in the piping path becomes less than a preset value, the solenoid valve with the atmosphere release valve is opened again.