JP2001303646A - Sanitary washing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent heating of a heating means in a state without water, and to prevent damage of the heating means and peripheral parts thereof. SOLUTION: There is provided a sanitary washing apparatus which is comprised of the heating means 11 for heating washing water, a flow rate detecting means 9 for detecting the flow rate of washing water, and a control means for controlling the heating means 11. According to the sanitary washing apparatus, even if the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detecting means 9, control of the heating means 11 is halted over a predetermined period of time until the interior of the heating means 11 is filled with washing water.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a sanitary washing apparatus for boiling necessary washing water to a predetermined temperature instantaneously to locally wash a human body.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 11 is an external view of a conventional sanitary washing device. FIG. 12 is a diagram of a water channel configuration of a pump-type sanitary washing device. FIG. 13 is a block diagram relating to control of the heating means. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described.

The cleaning water supply means 6 comprises a water stop electromagnetic valve 7 and a pump motor 8. The water is supplied by opening the water stop electromagnetic valve 7 and driving the pump motor 8. The incoming water temperature detecting means 10 detects the temperature of the washing water flowing into the heating means 11, and the outgoing water temperature detecting means 12 detects the temperature of the washing water flowing out of the heating means 11 and inputs it to the control means 13. The flow rate detecting means 9 detects the flow rate of the washing water and inputs it to the control means 13. FIG. 14 is an external view of the flow rate detecting means for converting the flow rate into rotation of the impeller 14 and detecting the rotation. Since the sanitary washing device needs to detect the flow even at a relatively low flow (about 200 ml), the impeller 14 is lightweight and the friction of the rotating shaft 15 is small.

Therefore, the rotary shaft 15 and the impeller 14
If scale or the like generated when tap water is heated adheres to itself and accumulates, the rotation characteristics of the impeller 14 are affected, and the detection characteristics of the flow rate detecting means 9 may be changed. Therefore, in order to maintain the reliability of the flow rate detection, the flow rate detecting means 9 is provided before the heating means 11 as shown in FIG.

When the user sits on the toilet seat 1 and operates the operating means 2 to instruct the washing operation, the washing water supply means 6 arranged in the control box 3 is operated, and the washing water flows through the water passage and the heating means 11 After being boiled to a predetermined temperature, the liquid is discharged from the cleaning nozzle 5 to perform local cleaning of the human body.

The control of the heating means 11 is performed by the flow rate detecting means 9,
Based on the information detected by the incoming water temperature detecting means 10 and the outgoing water temperature detecting means 12, the control amount is determined and performed. The control amount for the heating means 11 is theoretically expressed by the following equation.

Theoretical control amount = coefficient × flow rate × (predetermined temperature−incoming water temperature) Further, the control amount is determined by performing feedback on the above control amount based on the outflow water temperature. Feedback is performed so as to increase the control amount when the water discharge temperature is lower than the predetermined temperature, and to decrease the control amount when the water discharge temperature is higher than the predetermined temperature. Assuming that a function related to feedback is F (), the actual control amount actually used for control is expressed as: actual control amount = F (theoretical control amount, water discharge temperature).

At the time of washing, the heating means is controlled in accordance with the control amount, and the washing water is kept at a predetermined temperature.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a water channel configuration of a hydraulic type sanitary washing apparatus. The difference from the pump type is that the washing water supply means 6 is constituted by a water shutoff solenoid valve 7 and a flow control valve 16, and a water shutoff solenoid valve is provided. 7
The cleaning water is supplied by the tap water pressure by opening the flow control valve 16.

[0010]

However, in the conventional sanitary washing apparatus, since the flow rate detecting means is provided before the heating means, if there is no washing water in the water channel, the flow rate detecting means may detect the flow rate. There is a period during which there is no wash water in the heating means. Even during that period, the control amount of the heating means is calculated according to the detected flow rate, and the control is performed according to the control amount. When the empty heating of the heating means occurs, stress is applied to the heating means,
There was a problem that the reliability of the heating means was reduced.

[0011] In addition, the components disposed around the heating means also have a problem that if the heating means is abnormally high in temperature, the temperature is affected by the temperature and the reliability is reduced, and furthermore, the parts are damaged. In addition, when cold water flows into the heating means that has been heated without heating, very large stress is applied to the heating means, and if the degree is severe, the heating means is damaged.For example, when the heating means is a ceramic heater, Has a problem that cracking of the ceramic heater occurs.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The control of the heating means is stopped until the condition is satisfied.

According to the above invention, when there is no washing water in the heating means, for example, immediately after the installation of the sanitary washing device or after the washing water in the water channel is removed to prevent freezing, heating is performed even if the flow rate is detected. Since the control of the heating means is stopped until the means is filled with the washing water, it is possible to prevent the heating means from being idle and to prevent the heating means and its peripheral parts from being damaged.

[0014]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention has a heating means for heating washing water, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of washing water, and a control means for controlling the heating means, wherein the control means is a flow rate detecting means. Is to stop the control of the heating means until the cumulative period in which a predetermined flow rate or more is detected reaches the predetermined period.

[0015] Even if the flow rate detecting means detects the flow rate, the control of the heating means is stopped for a predetermined period of the first energization, so that the first heating after the installation of the sanitary washing device prevents the heating means from being idle. In addition, it is possible to prevent the heating means and its peripheral parts from being damaged.

Further, the control means stops the control of the heating means until the cumulative washing water amount calculated based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means reaches a predetermined water amount.

Since the fact that the heating means is filled with washing water is detected in accordance with the amount of washing water that has actually flowed, control of the heating means is surely stopped until the heating means is filled with washing water. Can be.

Further, a heating means for heating the washing water, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the washing water, a control means for controlling the heating means, a washing water supply means for supplying the washing water, A storage unit for storing the presence of the wash water, and an operation unit for receiving an operation, wherein the storage unit stores that the wash water is present when a cumulative period in which the flow rate detection unit detects a predetermined flow rate or more reaches a predetermined period, When the operation means receives the predetermined operation, the control means stores that no wash water is present, and the control means stores the total absence of the wash water in the storage means when the flow rate detection means detects a predetermined flow rate or more. The control of the heating means is stopped until a predetermined period is reached.

When the operation of removing the washing water in the water channel is performed, it is stored that there is no washing water, and when it is stored that there is no washing water, the heating means is filled with the washing water. Since the control of the heating means is stopped until this time, even if the washing water in the water channel is removed after the energization, it is possible to prevent the heating means from being idlely fired, and to prevent the heating means and its peripheral parts from being damaged.

Further, a heating means for heating the washing water, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the washing water, a control means for controlling the heating means, a washing water supply means for supplying the washing water, Storage means for storing the presence of the wash water,
The storage means stores that when the cumulative period in which the flow rate detecting means has detected the predetermined flow rate or more reaches the predetermined time period, the cleaning water is present, and the flow rate detecting means continues the operation of the cleaning water supply means for less than the predetermined flow rate for a predetermined time period. It is characterized in that when detection detects that there is no wash water, the control means reaches the predetermined period when the storage means stores that there is no wash water, and when the flow rate detection means detects the predetermined flow rate or more than the predetermined flow rate. Until the control of the heating means is stopped.

The storage means stores that the washing water is present when the cumulative water amount calculated based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means reaches a predetermined water amount. When the flow rate is detected as being less than the flow rate for a predetermined period of time, the control means stores the absence of the wash water in the storage means. The control of the heating means is stopped until the cumulative amount of cleaning water calculated in (1) reaches a predetermined amount of water.

If the washing water supply means is operating when the flow rate is not detected, it is determined that there is no washing water in the water channel, and the control of the heating means is stopped. Is automatically detected, and the empty heating of the heating means can be reliably prevented, and the damage of the heating means and its peripheral parts can be prevented.

Further, there is provided a backup means capable of retaining data even when the power is not supplied. The backup means reads information stored in the storage means when the power is supplied, and holds the read information when the power is not supplied. The information read for the first time is written in the storage means.

Since the presence of the cleaning water in the water channel is maintained even when the power is not supplied, control of the heating means is performed only when necessary according to the presence of the cleaning water in the water channel at the first power supply. Can be stopped.

[0025]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a block diagram relating to control of a heating means 104 of a sanitary washing apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a water channel of the sanitary washing device of the present embodiment.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 101 denotes cleaning water supply means for supplying cleaning water, and in this embodiment, is constituted by a water stop solenoid valve and a pump motor. Reference numeral 104 denotes a heating unit for heating the cleaning water, and in this embodiment, is constituted by a ceramic heater.
103 is an incoming water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water flowing into the heating means 104, and 105 is an outgoing water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the washing water flowing out of the heating means. The temperature is detected using the temperature characteristic of the resistance value. Reference numeral 102 denotes a flow rate detecting means for detecting the flow rate of the cleaning water. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the impeller 108 is rotated by the flow of the cleaning water, and the rotation is controlled by a switching circuit using a light emitting diode 109 and a phototransistor 110. Is configured to detect the flow rate by converting to the frequency of the pulse voltage. 1 in FIG.
Reference numeral 07 denotes control means for controlling the heating means, which is constituted by a microcomputer in this embodiment.

Next, the operation and operation will be described. When the washing water supply means 101 is driven, the washing water in the water channel starts flowing, and the washing water is supplied to the flow rate detecting means 102 and the incoming water temperature detecting means 1.
03, the liquid is discharged from the cleaning nozzle 106 via the heating means 104 and the water discharge temperature detecting means 105 to perform local cleaning of the human body.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the heating means 104. S103 to S109 are repeated to control the heating means 104. First, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means 102 is input (S103), and it is determined whether the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more (S104). If the flow rate is less than 50 ml / min, it is determined that the cleaning water is not supplied, and the control of the heating means 104 is not performed (S10).
9). If the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more, it is determined that the cleaning water is being supplied, and it is determined whether the control stop timer has elapsed for 4.8 seconds or more (S105). This 4.8 seconds corresponds to a time delay from when the flow rate detecting means 102 detects the flow rate when no washing water exists in the water channel to when the heating means 104 is filled with the washing water.

In this embodiment, the volume of the water passage from the rear end of the flow detecting means 102 to the rear end of the heating means 104 is 20 ml.
It is assumed that the minimum flow rate used for washing is 250 ml / min. The time required to fill a volume of 20 ml at a flow rate of 250 ml / min is 4.8 seconds (= 20 ÷ (250 ÷ 60))
It is. In other words, when no washing water is present in the water channel, the time delay from when the flow rate detecting means 102 detects the flow rate to when the heating means 104 is filled with the washing water is at most 4.8 seconds. . Therefore, heating means 1 for 4.8 seconds
04 is stopped (S108). Since the clearing of the control stop timer is performed in the initial processing after the energization (S102), the control of the heating means 104 is delayed only for the first time after the energization of the sanitary washing device. When the control stop timer elapses 4.8 seconds or more, the control amount is determined based on the information detected by the incoming water temperature detecting means 103, the outgoing water temperature detecting means 105, and the flow rate detecting means 102, and the heating means 104 is controlled (S10).
6). The method for determining the control amount is the same as that described in the conventional example, and thus the description is omitted.

(Embodiment 2) FIG. 5 is a block diagram relating to the control of the heating means 104 of the sanitary washing apparatus according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. Since the configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment, the description is omitted.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the heating means 104. S203 to S209 are repeated to control the heating means 104. First, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 102 is input (S203), and it is determined whether the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more (S204). If the flow rate is less than 50 ml / min, it is determined that the cleaning water has not been supplied, and the control of the heating means 104 is not performed (S20).
9). If the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more, it is determined that the wash water is being supplied, and it is determined whether the total amount of the wash water is 20 ml or more (S205). This 20 ml is the volume of the water channel from the rear end of the flow detecting means 102 to the rear end of the heating means 104.

Therefore, even if the flow rate detecting means detects the flow rate, the control of the heating means is stopped while the accumulated water amount of the flowing washing water is less than 20 ml (S208), and the accumulated water amount is kept until the accumulated water amount reaches 20 ml. (S207). Since the clearing of the accumulated water amount is performed in the initial processing after the energization (S202), the control of the heating means 104 is delayed only for the first time after the energization of the sanitary washing device. When the accumulated water amount reaches 20 ml or more, the control amount is determined based on the information detected by the incoming water temperature detecting means 103, the outgoing water temperature detecting means 105, and the flow rate detecting means 102, and the heating means 104 is controlled (S20).
6). The method for determining the control amount is the same as that described in the conventional example, and thus the description is omitted.

(Embodiment 3) FIG. 7 is a block diagram relating to the control of the heating means of the sanitary washing apparatus according to Embodiment 3 of the present invention. Reference numeral 301 denotes storage means for storing the presence of cleaning water in the heating means 104, and in this embodiment, is constituted by a RAM of a microcomputer. Reference numeral 302 denotes an operation unit for inputting an operation for the sanitary washing device, and in this embodiment, is constituted by a switch.

The components having the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have the same structure, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the heating means 104. S304 to S316 are repeated to control the heating means 104. First, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means 102 is input (S307), and it is determined whether the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more (S308). If the flow rate is less than 50 ml / min, it is determined that the cleaning water is not supplied, and the control of the heating means 104 is not performed (S31).
6). If the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more, it is determined that the cleaning water is being supplied, and it is determined whether the control stop timer has elapsed for 4.8 seconds or more (S309). This 4.8 seconds corresponds to a time delay from when the flow rate detecting means 102 detects the flow rate when no washing water exists in the water channel to when the heating means 104 is filled with the washing water.

In this embodiment, it is assumed that the volume of the water passage from the rear end of the flow detecting means to the rear end of the heating means 104 is 20 ml, and the minimum flow rate used for washing is 250 ml / min. 2
The time required to fill a 0 ml volume at a flow rate of 250 ml / min is 4.8 seconds (= 20 ÷ (250 ÷ 60)).
This means that if there is no wash water in the channel,
After the flow rate detecting means 102 detects the flow rate, the heating means 10
The time delay until the cleaning water is filled in 4 is 4.8 seconds at the maximum. Therefore, the control of the heating means 104 is stopped for 4.8 seconds (S315). The control stop timer is cleared after the initial process after power is supplied (S302) and when the drain switch provided on the operation means 302 is operated (S3).
13). The drain switch is a switch operated when draining the washing water in the water channel.

Therefore, the control of the heating means 104 is delayed only in the first operation after the power supply to the sanitary washing device and in the first operation after the cleaning water in the water channel is removed. When the control stop timer elapses 4.8 seconds or more, the incoming water temperature detecting means 10
3. The control amount is determined based on the information detected by the water discharge temperature detecting means 105 and the flow rate detecting means 102, and the heating means 104
Is performed (S310). The method for determining the control amount is the same as that described in the conventional example, and thus the description is omitted.
At this time, the presence of the cleaning water is stored in the storage unit 301 (S311).

(Embodiment 4) FIG. 9 is a block diagram relating to the control of the heating means 104 of the sanitary washing apparatus according to Embodiment 4 of the present invention. Reference numeral 401 denotes storage means for storing that cleaning water is present in the heating means 104. In this embodiment, the storage means 401 is constituted by a RAM of a microcomputer. Reference numeral 402 denotes cleaning water supply means for supplying cleaning water, and in this embodiment, is constituted by a water stop solenoid valve and a flow control valve. Reference numeral 403 denotes a backup unit that retains information stored in the storage unit even when the sanitary washing device is not energized.
It is composed of PROM.

The components having the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment have the same structure, and the description is omitted.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of control of the heating means 104. S403 to S415 are repeated to control the heating means 104. First, the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means 102 is input (S405), and it is determined whether the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more (S406). If the flow rate is less than 50 ml / min, it is determined that the cleaning water is not supplied, and the control of the heating means 104 is not performed (S41).
3). If the flow rate is 50 ml / min or more, it is determined that the cleaning water is being supplied, and it is determined whether the total amount of the cleaning water is 20 ml or more (S407). This 20 ml is the volume of the water channel from the rear end of the flow detecting means 102 to the rear end of the heating means 104.

Therefore, even if the flow rate detecting means 102 detects the flow rate, the control of the heating means 104 is stopped while the accumulated water amount of the flowing washing water is less than 20 ml (S412), and the control is continued until the accumulated water amount reaches 20 ml. Calculation of the total water volume is performed (S41).
1). The clearing of the accumulated water amount is performed based on the information stored in the storage unit 401. The accumulated water amount is cleared when it is stored in the storage means that there is no wash water (S4).
04). It is remembered that the flow rate is 5
This is a time when the cleaning water supply means 402 is operating for less than a prescribed time at less than 0 ml / min. The case where the washing water is not supplied while the washing water supply means 402 is operating, that is, the time when the washing water in the water channel is eliminated.

Thus, the control of the heating means 104 is delayed when the washing water does not exist in the water channel. The information stored in the storage unit 401 is stored in the backup unit 40.
3 (S410), the backup information is reflected in the storage unit 401 in the initial processing after the energization (S402). Stop control of. When the accumulated water amount reaches 20 ml or more, the control amount is determined based on the information detected by the incoming water temperature detecting means 103, the outgoing water temperature detecting means 105, and the flow rate detecting means 102, and the heating means 104 is controlled (S408). The method for determining the control amount is the same as that described in the conventional example, and thus the description is omitted. At this time, the fact that the cleaning water is present is stored in the storage means 401 (S409).

[0044]

As described above, according to the present invention, at the first time after energization, the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detecting means and the control to the heating means is performed with a time delay after the flow rate is detected. At the time of energization after the installation of the cleaning device, even if there is no cleaning water in the heating means, the control of the heating means is stopped until the heating means is filled with the cleaning water, thereby preventing the heating means from being idled and thus heating. It is possible to prevent the means and its peripheral parts from being damaged.

Further, the control of the heating means is stopped until the washing water corresponding to the volume from the rear end of the flow detecting means to the rear end of the heating means flows, so that the heating means is surely filled with the washing water. Control of the heating means can be stopped.

Further, when the drainage operation in the waterway is performed, the control of the heating means is stopped even after the first energization, so that even if the cleaning water in the waterway is removed by the water removal operation. It is possible to prevent the heating means from being idle and prevent damage to the heating means and its peripheral components.

If the washing water supply means is operating when the flow rate is not detected, the control of the heating means is stopped because there is no washing water in the water channel. It is automatically detected, and it is possible to reliably prevent the heating means from being idle and to prevent the heating means and its peripheral parts from being damaged.

Further, since the presence of the cleaning water in the water channel is maintained even when the power is not supplied, the control to the heating means is performed only when necessary according to the presence of the cleaning water in the water channel at the first power supply. Can be stopped.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram related to control of a heating unit of a sanitary washing device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram of a water channel configuration of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flow rate detecting means of the sanitary washing device as seen through.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of a heating unit of the sanitary washing device.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram related to control of a heating unit of the sanitary washing device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the heating means.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram related to control of a heating unit of the sanitary washing device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a control flow of the heating means.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram related to control of a heating unit of the sanitary washing device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of control of a heating unit.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a conventional sanitary washing device.

FIG. 12 is a configuration diagram of a pump-type water channel of the device.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram relating to control of a heating unit of the apparatus.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view showing a flow rate detecting unit of the apparatus in a see-through manner.

FIG. 15 is a diagram of a hydraulic channel of a conventional sanitary washing device.

[Explanation of symbols]

 101 washing water supply means 102 flow rate detection means 104 heating means 107 control means 301 storage means 302 operation means

Claims (6)

[Claims] A heating means for heating the washing water; a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the washing water; and a control means for controlling the heating means. A sanitary washing device, wherein the control of the heating means is stopped until a cumulative period in which the above is detected reaches a predetermined period. 2. The sanitary washing according to claim 1, wherein the control means stops the control of the heating means until the cumulative washing water amount calculated based on the flow rate detected by the flow detecting means reaches a predetermined water amount. apparatus. 3. A heating means for heating the washing water, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the washing water, a control means for controlling the heating means, a washing water supply means for supplying the washing water, and the heating means. Storage means for storing the presence of the wash water in the inside, and operation means for receiving an operation, wherein the storage means detects the presence of the wash water when a cumulative period in which the flow rate detection means detects a predetermined flow rate or more reaches a predetermined period. Then, when the operation means receives a predetermined operation, it is stored that there is no wash water, and the control means stores the absence of wash water in the storage means and the flow rate detection means A sanitary washing apparatus characterized in that the control of the heating means is stopped until a cumulative period in which a predetermined flow rate or more is detected reaches a predetermined period. 4. A heating means for heating the cleaning water, a flow rate detecting means for detecting a flow rate of the cleaning water, a control means for controlling the heating means, a cleaning water supply means for supplying the cleaning water, and the heating means. Storage means for storing the presence of wash water in the storage means, wherein the storage means stores that the wash water is present when the cumulative period in which the flow rate detection means has detected a predetermined flow rate or more reaches a predetermined period, and stores the flow rate detection value. When the means continuously detects a flow rate less than a predetermined flow rate during the operation of the cleaning water supply means for a predetermined period, it stores that there is no cleaning water, and the control means stores that there is no cleaning water in the storage means. The sanitary washing device is characterized in that the control of the heating means is stopped until the cumulative period in which the flow rate detecting means detects a predetermined flow rate or more reaches a predetermined time period during the operation. 5. The storage means stores that the washing water is present when the accumulated water amount calculated based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate detecting means reaches a predetermined water amount. When the flow rate is detected by the flow rate detection means when the storage means stores the absence of the wash water, the control means stores the absence of the wash water when the flow rate less than the predetermined flow rate is continuously detected for the predetermined time period. 5. The sanitary washing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the control of the heating means is stopped until the cumulative amount of washing water calculated based on the amount reaches a predetermined amount. 6. A backup means which can retain data even when power is not supplied, said backup means reads information stored in a storage means when power is supplied, and retains the read information when power is not supplied. The sanitary washing device according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the read information is written to the storage means at the first energization.