JP2002005510A - Bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To enable a bath device for securing a continuous cleaning operation able state by immediately performing water level restoring operation, when a prescribed quantity or more bathtub water is bailed out in a short time, during cleaning operation. SOLUTION: This bath device 2, which can execute cleaning operation for filtering bathtub water while the water is circulated between a bathtub 1 and a circulating path 3, is constituted to restore the water level in the bathtub, without giving a user trouble, when the prescribed quantity or more bathtub water is bailed out in a short time by immediately recognizing it. Accordingly, the occurrence of such a state can be avoided, where a circulating pump 4 runs dry until the pump 4 goes out of order.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention makes it possible to execute a purification operation for filtering while circulating bath water between a bathtub and a circulation path, and a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path. Bath equipment.

[0002] The present invention also relates to a bath apparatus which, in addition to the above two operations, is capable of performing an external water supply operation of taking out bathtub water into a circulation path and then pouring water to the outside such as a washing machine without returning the water to the bathtub. .

[0003]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional bath apparatus, a purifying operation for removing foreign substances such as dirt and dust mixed in bath water is executed for a limited time or continuously. During this purification operation, a warming operation for keeping the temperature of the bathtub water at the set temperature specified by the bather can be performed, and a water replenishing operation for keeping the bathtub water level at a constant level every time the required time elapses. Making it executable.

[0004]

By the way, during the cleaning operation, when a bather takes out a predetermined amount or more of bathtub water in a short period of time, the bathtub water level may drop below the connection portion of the circulation path to the bathtub. is there.

[0005] In such a situation, hot water in the circulation path runs out, and the circulation pump installed in the circulation path runs idle, which may lead to failure of the circulation pump.

In addition, in the above-mentioned bath apparatus, in order to use the bathtub water for the washing machine, the bathtub water is returned to the bathtub in the circulation path to the outside of the washing machine via the flow path switching valve. There has been proposed a configuration in which a water injection path for water injection is connected, and an external water injection operation for injecting bathtub water into the washing machine can be executed as required.

[0007] In this case, when the above-mentioned external water injection operation is performed, a bathtub water level higher than a predetermined amount may be consumed and the bathtub water level may be lower than that of the portion where the circulation path is connected to the bathtub. The above-mentioned problems can occur.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention provides a bath apparatus in which a water level recovery procedure is immediately performed when a predetermined amount or more of bath water is taken out in a short time during a cleaning operation, and the cleaning operation can be continued. The purpose is to be able to ensure a proper state.

Further, the present invention has the same object as described above, assuming a bath apparatus capable of executing an external water injection operation.

[0010]

A first bath apparatus according to the present invention comprises a purifying operation for filtering while circulating bathtub water between a bathtub and a circulation path, and supplying hot water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path. And a circulation determination that determines whether or not a connection part of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged based on the output of the water flow detection element installed in the circulation path during the purification operation. When the non-submerged state is determined, the driving of the circulation pump is stopped, a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub through the circulation path, and then the circulation pump is driven again to perform the purification operation. It is characterized by performing a maintenance process for restoring.

[0011] A second bath apparatus of the present invention comprises a circulation path connected to the bathtub for taking out bathtub water from the bathtub and returning to the bathtub, a circulation pump provided in the circulation path, and a circulation water provided in the circulation path. A filter for filtering water, a water flow detecting element provided in the circulation path to detect the circulation of bathtub water, a hot water supply element connected to the circulation path to supply hot water or normal temperature water at a required temperature as required, and a bathtub. A circulation path for circulating bathtub water with the circulation path, a path switching element for selectively securing a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the circulation path, and a bathtub water between the bathtub and the circulation path as required. Including a purification operation for filtering while circulating, and a management element for executing a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path, wherein the management element is based on the output of the water flow detection element during the purification operation. Against the bathtub A circulation determination is performed to determine whether or not the connecting portion of the annulus is submerged. When it is determined that the submerged state is not submerged, the drive of the circulation pump is stopped, and a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub through the circulation path. After the hot water is supplied, a maintenance process is performed to restart the circulation pump to return to the cleaning operation.

The third bath apparatus of the present invention can execute a purifying operation for filtering while circulating bath water between the bathtub and the circulation path, and a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path. It is possible to execute an external water injection operation in which the bath water is taken out to the circulation path according to the request and then returned to the bath tub without being returned to the bathtub, and the external water injection operation can be interrupted during the purification operation. After that, based on the output of the water flow detection element installed in the circulation path, a circulation determination is made to determine whether or not the connection portion of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged. Stopping the operation of the pump, performing hot water supply for supplying a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub through the circulation path, and then performing a maintenance process of re-driving the circulation pump to return to the purification operation. .

A fourth bath apparatus according to the present invention comprises a circulation path connected to the bathtub for taking out bathtub water from the bathtub and returning it to the bathtub; a circulation pump provided in the circulation path; A filter for filtering the water, a water flow detecting element provided in the circulation path for detecting the flow of bathtub water, a hot water supply element connected to the circulation path to supply hot water at a required temperature or room temperature water as required, and a circulation path And a circulation path for circulating bathtub water between the bathtub and the circulation path, which is connected to a bathtub water return side to the bathtub, and for injecting bathtub water to the outside such as a washing machine as necessary. A path switching element for selectively securing a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the path, and an external water supply path for externally supplying water from the water supply path to the outside without returning to the bathtub from the circulation path, and between the bathtub and the circulation path as required. While circulating bath water Management to execute a purification operation, a hot water supply operation that supplies hot water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path, and an external water injection operation that takes out bathtub water into the circulation path and injects water from the water injection path to the outside without returning to the bathtub Element, the control element interrupts the external water injection operation during the purification operation, and then the connection part of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged based on the output of the water flow detection element installed in the circulation path. Perform a circulation determination to determine whether
When it is determined that the water is not submerged, the driving of the circulation pump is stopped, a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub through the circulation path, and then the circulation pump is driven again to return to the cleaning operation. And perform a maintenance process for causing the maintenance process to be performed.

In the fifth bath apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth configurations, after the hot water is supplied for the maintenance processing, the circulation determination is performed again, and it is determined that the bath apparatus is in a non-submerged state. When it is determined, the form of performing the hot water is again performed, the number of times to repeat the hot water and the circulation determination is finite, and when it is determined that the final circulation determination is in the non-submerged state, It is characterized in that return to the purification operation is stopped without performing hot water.

The sixth bath apparatus of the present invention, in any one of the first to fourth constructions, further comprises a drain plug apparatus installed in the bathtub and controlled to open and close as required. In the above, after performing hot water, the circulation determination is performed again, and when it is determined that the water is not submerged, the bathtub water is drained by opening the drain plug device, and the return to the purification operation is stopped. , Is characterized.

In summary, according to the present invention, when the bathtub water level becomes lower than the circulation path due to the removal of a predetermined amount or more of bathtub water during the purification operation, the bathtub water level is immediately recognized and the user's hand is recognized. The water level is restored to a state where the circulation path is submerged without bothering. As a result, it is possible to avoid a situation in which the circulating pump runs idle and causes a failure, and it is possible to smoothly return to the purification operation.

The third and fourth configurations are based on the premise that a water can be externally injected into a washing machine or the like.
By executing this external water injection operation during the purification operation, when the bathtub water level becomes lower than the circulation path by consuming a predetermined amount or more of the bathtub water, the bathtub water level is reduced without bothering the user. Can be recovered.

Further, in the fifth configuration, when the water level does not recover even after the hot water is supplied, the hot water can be repeated, so that the reliable water level recovery can be expected. In addition, since the number of repetitions of the hot water is limited, wasteful use of an excessively large amount of hot water can be eliminated.

Further, in the sixth configuration, when the water level does not recover even after the hot water is supplied, the bathtub water is drained to stop returning to the purification operation. In addition to eliminating waste such as performing hot water, it is possible to make the user himself or herself perform a desired after-action by, for example, notifying the user.

[0020]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.

Here, a reheating unit with hot water supply will be described as an example of the bath unit. 1 to 3 show one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a reheating unit with hot water supply, FIG. 2 is a flowchart used for explaining the operation of the washing water injection operation, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG.

In the figure, 1 is a bathtub, and 2 is a reheating device with hot water supply. The reheating unit 2 with hot water here mainly includes a circulation path 3 connected to the bathtub 1 and a circulation pump 4 for bathtub water circulation.
, A reheating unit 5, a hot water supply heating unit 7, a filter 8, an ultraviolet sterilization tank 9, and a controller 10. In addition, 11 is a remote control device for controlling each part of the reheating device with hot water supply.

The circulation path 3 has its bathtub water introduction end and bathtub water recirculation end connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1 through a circulation fitting 12, and the circulation path 3 has a return side 3a as a bathtub water introduction side. A bypass 15 is connected to the outgoing side 3b as the bathtub water recirculation side. In addition, manual drain plugs 13a and 13b are attached to the bathtub water introduction end and the bathtub water return end of the circulation path 3 arranged in the apparatus case.

An electromagnetic or motor-driven first two-way valve 16 is provided in the bypass passage 15 at a position downstream of the connection position of the bypass passage 15 to the return side 3 a of the circulation passage 3. 17 is the circuit 3
An electromagnetic or motor-driven second two-way valve 18 is provided downstream of the connection position of the bypass passage 15 with respect to the outgoing side 3b.
, Respectively. A drain pipe 19 is connected to the three-way valve 17, and the drain pipe 19 is provided with an electromagnetic or motor-driven drain two-way valve 20.

In addition, a pressure sensing type water level sensor 21 such as a semiconductor pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub 1 is provided upstream of the connection position of the bypass 15 with respect to the return side 3a of the circulation path 3. Downstream of the connection position of the bypass 15 with respect to the return side 3a of the circulation path 3,
A water flow switch 22 that is turned on and off in accordance with the bathtub water circulation amount in the inside of the bath, and a water temperature sensor 23 such as a thermistor upstream of the reheating furnace 5 a in the circulation path 3.
Are provided respectively.

Further, in a region upstream of the connection position of the bypass passage 15 with respect to the return side 3a of the circulation passage 3, an inverted U-shaped tube 40 as described below is provided. This inverted U-shaped tube 40 has a lower end of the rising channel 41 of about 9
The bent portion 43 is connected to the connecting position of the bypass 15 with respect to the return side 3a of the circulation path 3 so as to be linearly connected to the bypass 15 and the lower end of the falling flow path 42 is It is connected to a position closer to the bathtub 1 than the connection position. In addition, it is preferable that the height dimension of the rising channel 41 in the inverted U-shaped tube 40 is set to be larger than the pressure amplitude of the circulation pump 4.

The circulating pump 4 is disposed downstream of the three-way valve 17 in the circulating path 3 and forcibly flows hot and cold water in the circulating path 3.

The reheating heater 5 heats the bath water flowing through the circulation path 3 as necessary, and comprises a reheating heat exchanger 5.
a, a reheating heater 5b, and a reheating fan 5c. The additional heating heat exchanger 5a is disposed in the circulation path 3 in a region from the circulation pump 4 to the connection position of the bypass path 15 with respect to the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3 and is heated by the additional heating heater 5b. Heat exchange is performed.

The hot water supply heating unit 7 is connected via a hot water supply path 24b to a region in the circulation path 3 from the downstream of the additional heat exchanger 5a to the connection position of the bypass path 15 with respect to the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3; It supplies hot and cold water at a required temperature into the bathtub 1 through the circulation path 3, and includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 7a;
It has a heater 7b for hot water supply and a fan 7c for hot water supply. In the hot water supply heating section 7, a water supply path 24a is connected to the upstream of the hot water supply heat exchanger 7a, and a hot water supply path 24b is connected to the downstream of the hot water supply heat exchanger 7a. And a hot water supply path 24b are connected to a bypass path 24c. This hot water supply channel 24
In FIG. 3B, an overflow prevention valve 25 such as a flow control valve, an electromagnetic or motor-driven hot water supply two-way valve 26, and a check valve 27 are installed in this order downstream of the connection position of the bypass passage 24c. The hot water supply path 24b is branched between an overflow prevention valve 25 and a hot water supply two-way valve 26, and is connected to a curan 28 installed in a kitchen or the like. Further, an electromagnetic or motor-driven flow control valve 29 is provided in the middle of the bypass passage 24c. In addition, the above-mentioned overflow prevention valve 25 is based on the detection output of the flow sensors 30 and 31 installed at two places of the hot water supply path 24b and the water supply path 24a, for example, based on the detection output of the flow sensor 30 from the backwash path. The priming flow rate is controlled, and the hot water supply flow rate is controlled based on the detection output of the flow rate sensor 31 to a flow rate that matches the heating capacity for obtaining hot water supply at the set temperature.

The filter 8 and the ultraviolet sterilizing tank 9 are provided in the bathtub 1.
It constitutes a purification unit that purifies the bathtub water inside. The filter 8 includes a three-way valve 17 and a circulation pump 4 in the circulation path 3.
Is installed between the tub and water to separate foreign substances such as dirt and debris contained in the bathtub water.The air that accumulates inside is discharged to the outside with an air release valve, or to the outside without using an air release valve. It is structured to discharge. The ultraviolet sterilizing tank 9 is disposed between the circulation pump 4 and the additional heat exchanger 5a in the circulation path 3, and sterilizes bath water by ultraviolet irradiation. The filter 8 is installed upstream of the circulation pump 4 in order to prevent foreign matter such as dirt and dust mixed in the bath water taken out of the bathtub 1 from flowing into the circulation pump 4. It is.

The controller 10 comprises, for example, a microcomputer and executes the following automatic operation mode. That is, when the automatic driving mode is instructed, first,
An automatic hot water filling operation for supplying hot water to the inside of the bathtub 1 is performed, and a purification operation for maintaining the quality of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 for a required time (for example, 96 hours) from the completion of the hot water filling. During the purification operation, the warming of the bathtub water and the execution of the water replenishment operation are permitted until the required time (for example, 4 hours) elapses from the start, and when the permissible execution time elapses, the required time (for example, from this time) 1 hour), the circulating water is circulated inside the circulation path 3 without returning to the bathtub 1 from the circulation path 3 and the circulating water is heated to a required temperature (for example, 80 degrees).
, A heat sterilization operation for heat sterilizing the circulation path 3 and all the components (4, 5a, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17) attached thereto is performed. After waiting for a required time (for example, 5 minutes) to elapse from the end of the heat sterilization operation, the required amount of backwash operation (for example, 20 minutes) for washing the filter 8 is performed.
Liters) and then purify the water to maintain only the water quality.

In this embodiment, the washing water injection operation for injecting bathtub water into a washing machine (not shown) can be interrupted during the cleaning operation, and the washing water injection operation can be interrupted during the cleaning operation for maintaining only the water quality. When the water level in the bathtub 1 drops to a state that exposes the circulating metal fittings 12 by the execution, the water level is restored to a state where the circulating metal fittings 12 are submerged, and the cleaning operation can be returned without any trouble. There are features.

Here, in order to be able to execute the above-mentioned washing water injection operation, a three-way valve 35 is provided with respect to the outgoing side 3b as the bathtub water return side in the circulation path 3 of the reheating unit 2 with hot water supply shown in FIG. A water supply passage 36 leading to a washing machine (not shown) is connected to the three-way valve 35, and further, a function of controlling the controller 10 to perform the washing water supply operation shown in the flowchart of FIG. Has been added.

Next, each of the above operations will be described in detail.

[Automatic Filling Operation] In the first automatic filling operation after the construction, when the automatic filling operation is performed by the remote control device 11, the two-way hot water supply valve 26 is opened, and the bathtub is circulated through the circulation path 3. The hot water heated to the set bath temperature by the hot water supply heating unit 7 is supplied to 1 to fill the hot water.

At the time of this automatic filling, the above-mentioned valves are opened and closed and switched to form a backwashing path, a return-side single-conveying path, a forward-side single-conveying path, and both conveying paths.

In the backwashing path, the first two-way valve 16 and the second two-way valve 18 are closed and the three-way valve 17 is switched to the drain side to supply hot water at the set bath temperature along the path shown by the one-dot chain line in the figure. Is what you do.

The return one-sided conveyance path is set only through the return side 3a of the circulation path 3 by opening the first two-way valve 16, closing the second two-way valve 18, and switching the three-way valve 17 to the shut-off position. The bath temperature is supplied to the bathtub 1.

The one-side transport path on the outgoing side is set only through the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3 by closing the first two-way valve 16, opening the second two-way valve 18, and switching the three-way valve 17 to the shut-off position. The bath temperature is supplied to the bathtub 1.

The two transport paths are connected to the first two-way valve 16 and the second
The two-way valve 18 is opened and the three-way valve 17 is switched to the shut-off position to supply hot water at the set bath temperature to the bathtub 1 from both the return side 3a and the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3.

Of these paths, the backwash path is mainly for priming and air purging of the filter 8, the circulation pump 4 and the ultraviolet sterilizing tank 9, and is formed at the beginning of the automatic filling operation. After a predetermined amount of hot water at a set bath temperature is supplied from the backwashing path, a return-side one-side transport path and an outgoing-side one-side transport path are sequentially formed, and air purging on the return side 3a and the outward side 3b of the circulation path 3 is performed. Done.

After a predetermined amount of hot water at a set bath temperature or a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) is supplied from these routes, the circulation pump 4 is driven to check the flow of the bath water with the water flow switch 22. When the bathtub water flow is detected as a result of the circulation determination, it is determined that the bath surface of the bathtub 1 is above the circulation fitting 12, the three-way valve 17 is switched to the shut-off position, and the water level sensor 21 detects the water level. Then, the output value of the water level sensor 21 is stored. After that, the three-way valve 17 is returned to the original circulation side to form both transport paths, a predetermined amount of hot water at the set bath temperature is supplied from the return side 3a and the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3, and the bathtub water is determined by the circulation determination. After confirming the flow, the three-way valve 17 is again switched to the shut-off position and the water level sensor 21 detects the water level.

Thereafter, the water level sensor 2 detected before and after the above
The bathtub cross-sectional area is calculated from the relationship between the difference between the output value of No. 1 and the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub 1 between before and after water level detection, and from the calculated cross-sectional area, the water level sensor 21 has a required output value. The required amount of additional hot water is calculated, the three-way valve 17 is returned to the original state, and the calculated amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1 via both transport paths.
Finally, the output value of the water level sensor 21 at the set water level is stored.

Then, the first two-way valve 16 is closed and the second
With the two-way valve 18 opened, the three-way valve 17 is switched to the circulation side to drive the circulation pump 4, and the reheating heater 5b is operated to perform the reheating operation.

When it is confirmed by the water temperature sensor 23 that the bath water has risen to the set bath temperature by the reheating operation, the combustion operation of the reheating heater 5b is stopped and the automatic hot water filling operation is terminated.

When priming the filter 8, the circulation pump 4 and the ultraviolet sterilizing tank 9 from the backwashing path at the beginning, since the filter medium in the filter 8 is in a dry state, a large amount of the set bath temperature is suddenly obtained. When hot water is supplied, the filter media is likely to flow out. Therefore, at the beginning of the priming, it is desirable to control the flow rate so that the supplied hot water amount is small (for example, 2 liters / minute) and the subsequent hot water supply amount is increased (for example, 8 liters / minute).

When the circulation pump 4 is driven to determine the circulation, if the flow of the bath water cannot be confirmed, first,
Since it is expected that the hot water inside the filter 8 and the like has flowed into the circulation path 3, a backwash path is formed in order to perform air purging inside the filter 8 and the like again. After supplying hot water having a fixed set bath temperature, a return-side one-side transport path is formed, and after a predetermined amount of hot water having a set bath temperature is supplied to the bathtub 1, circulation determination is performed again.

Further, when switching from the return-side one-side transport path to the outgoing-side one-side transport path, or vice versa, once both the transport paths are formed so that the closed state does not occur,
For example, it is preferable that both the first two-way valve 16 and the second two-way valve 18 are once opened, and then one of the two-way valves is closed.

As described above, the automatic filling operation that is performed first after the construction is described. However, the automatic filling operation that is performed after that is also performed. Return side 3a from the route
And the circulation path 3 from the one-sided conveyance path to the
b, priming and air purging from the backwash path again when the flow of the bathtub water is not confirmed by the circulation judgment, and the return side 3
a, and the details of the air purging will be omitted.

It should be noted that priming is performed if it is determined in the circulation determination that there is no circulation. However, the number of times this priming is performed is limited to several times. Since it is considered that the drain plug (not shown) of the bathtub 1 is missing, an error is displayed and the hot water filling operation is terminated. The number of times of priming is set so that, if all priming is performed, even if the bathtub 1 is empty, the amount of priming is sufficient to submerge the circulation fitting 12 in the bathtub 1. By the way, if the circulation fitting 12 is submerged,
By driving the circulation pump 4, the bathtub water can be circulated between the bathtub 1 and the circulation path 3, and the water level can be accurately determined.

[Purification Operation] After the completion of the automatic hot water filling operation, a purification operation of filtering and circulating bath water for a required time (for example, 96 hours) is performed. Until the elapse of 4 hours), the execution of the heat retention and water replenishment operations is permitted as necessary. After the permissible execution time of the heat retention / water replenishment operation has elapsed, the heat retention / water replenishment operation is not performed, but the circulating pump 4 is continuously driven unless the remote operation device 11 cancels the purification operation. Continue the purification operation. Then, when the entire execution time of the purification operation has elapsed,
The operation is terminated, and a message such as “Please replace the bath water” is displayed on the display unit of the remote control device 11 as necessary.

By the way, in the purification operation in which the heat retention and water replenishment operations are performed, the purification operation is suspended for 5 minutes after 25 minutes have elapsed, and the water replenishment operation is performed every 30 minutes in total. It checks whether it is necessary or not and takes action if necessary. In the process of the purification operation in which the heat retention and water replenishment operations are performed, the heat retention operation is performed as necessary. In this embodiment, in the purification operation in which the heat retention and water replenishment operations are performed and in the purification operation in which only the water quality is maintained, The above-described washing and watering operation can be interrupted and executed.

Specifically, when the hot water filling operation in the automatic operation mode is completed and the cleaning operation is entered, the hot water supply two-way valve 26 and the first two-way valve 16 are closed, and the second two-way valve 18 is opened. By driving the circulating pump 4 with the three-way valve 17 on the circulating side, circulation is performed along a path indicated by a broken arrow in FIG. By this circulation, the bath water is filtered and sterilized by the filter 8 and the ultraviolet sterilizing tank 9.

In the process of circulating bath water as described above, when it is detected by the incoming water temperature sensor 23 that the bath water temperature has dropped below the set bath temperature, the reheating heater 5b is operated to perform reheating. The heat exchanger 5a is heated, and when the water temperature sensor 23 detects that the bath water temperature has risen again to the set bath temperature, the combustion operation of the reheating heater 5b is stopped.

On the other hand, after the circulation has continued for a predetermined time (for example, 25 minutes), the circulation pump 4 is temporarily stopped, and the three-way valve 1 is stopped.
7 is switched to the shutoff position, and the water level sensor 21 detects the bathtub water level. At this time, when it is confirmed that the bathtub water level maintains the set water level, the three-way valve 17 is returned to the circulation side again, and the circulation pump 4 is driven. However, when it is confirmed that the bathtub water level is equal to or lower than the set water level, the return-side transport path is formed, the hot water supply two-way valve 25 is opened, and the hot water at the set bath temperature is adjusted until it reaches the set water level or a predetermined amount. Supply. The confirmation of the bathtub water level is performed at predetermined time intervals until the required time elapses.

By the way, during such a cleaning operation, the washing water injection operation can be interrupted and executed, and will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS.

For example, when the user operates the remote controller 11 to request the washing water injection operation, it is determined in step S1 whether or not the cleaning operation is being performed. Here, unless the purifying operation is being performed, the circulation pump 4 is not driven.
The process skips step S2 and proceeds to step S3. If the purifying operation is being performed, the circulation pump 4 is stopped in step S2, and in the subsequent step S3, the three-way valve 35 is communicated from the outgoing side 3b of the circulation passage 3 to the water injection passage 36. To secure the washing water supply path. After that, in step S4, the circulation pump 4 is driven to inject the bathtub water taken out of the bathtub 1 into the washing machine.

Here, when the user terminates the washing water supply operation by operating the remote controller 11 or the like, step S5
In step S6, the drive of the circulation pump 4 is stopped.

Then, in the following step S7, it is checked whether or not the above-mentioned washing and watering operation has been executed by interruption from the cleaning operation. If the interruption has not been executed, the operation is terminated. To restore the circulation path. Thereafter, in order to check whether or not the forward side 3b of the circulation path 3 is submerged, the circulation pump 4 is driven in step S9, and the output of the water flow switch 22 installed in the circulation path 3 is turned off in step S10. Is determined. The processing of steps S9 and S10 corresponds to the circulation determination described in the claims.

If the outgoing side 3b of the circulation path 3 is submerged and the water flow switch 22 is turned on, it is recognized that the bathtub water level is a necessary and sufficient amount, and the counter C is reset in step S11. After resetting, the process returns to the purification operation in step S12.

However, if the outflow side 3b of the circulation path 3 is not submerged and the water flow switch 22 is turned off, the off output from the water flow switch 2 is continued for a predetermined time (1 minute and 30 seconds) in step S13. In the purifying operation for maintaining only the water quality, the circulating pump 4 is stopped in step S14, and the counter is checked. C is incremented, and the following step S1
From 5 to S17, a hot water supply operation of supplying a predetermined amount of hot water from the hot water supply heating unit 7 to the bathtub 1 is performed. In addition, at the time of the purification operation in which the heat retention and water replenishment operations are performed, step S1 is performed.
If the water level is recognized to be insufficient in step 3, the operation after the above-mentioned automatic circulation operation is determined to have no circulation in the circulation determination is performed.

Here, the above-described hot water pouring operation will be described in detail. First, in step S15, the return side one-side conveyance path described in the automatic hot water filling operation is secured, and a predetermined amount (10 liters) of hot water having a set bath temperature is supplied from the hot water supply heating unit 7 to the bathtub 1. Also, in step S16, the one-side transport path on the outgoing side described in the automatic hot water filling operation is secured,
Hot water having a set bath temperature of a predetermined amount (10 liters) is supplied from the hot water supply heating unit 7 to the bathtub 1. Further, in step S17, the backwashing path described in the automatic hot water filling operation is secured, and hot water having a predetermined bath temperature of a predetermined amount (4 liters) is supplied from the hot water supply heating unit 7 to the filter 8 as priming water. .

Thereafter, in step S18, the hot water supply operation of steps S15 to S17, ie, the counter C
Is determined to be a predetermined number of times (for example, 5 times). Here, if it is determined that the number of times is not the specified number of times, the process returns to step S9, and the process is repeated. Cancel return to.

As described above, when the washing water injection operation is interrupted during the cleaning operation, when the bathtub water falls below a certain level, the bathing operation is performed as many times as necessary during the cleaning operation for maintaining only the water quality. In this way, we try to recover the bathtub water level and return to the purification operation as much as possible without any trouble. Therefore, idle operation of the circulation pump 4 can be avoided, and it is possible to contribute to improvement in durability. In addition, when the bathtub water level does not sufficiently recover due to the bathing operation, the bathing operation is not performed more than necessary, and consideration is given to preventing waste of hot water.

[Heat Sterilization Operation] When a required time (for example, one hour) elapses after the permissible execution time of the heat retention / water replenishment operation in the purification operation, the heat sterilization operation is performed.

In this heat sterilization operation, a heat sterilization path shown by a two-dot chain line arrow in FIG. 1 is formed. That is, the circulation pump 4
Is stopped, the first two-way valve 16 is opened and the second two-way valve 18 is opened.
Close. At this time, since the hot water supply two-way valve 26 is closed and the three-way valve 17 is on the circulation side, a heat sterilization path is secured.

Then, the reheating heater 5b is operated at the maximum heating amount to heat the reheating heater 5a. By this heating, when the bathtub water temperature rises to the first set temperature (for example, 78 degrees), the heating amount of the reheating heater 5b is halved, and further, the bathtub water temperature reaches the second set temperature (for example, 80 degrees). When it rises, the combustion operation of the reheating heater 5b is stopped, the drive of the circulation pump 4 is continued for a certain time (for example, 5 minutes) from this stop, and the heat sterilization operation is ended when the certain time elapses. This allows
Bacteria remaining in the circuit 3 can be killed.

By the way, the heat sterilization path is completely connected to the bathtub 1 by connecting the upstream area and the downstream area of the connection position of the bypass path 15 on the return side 3a of the circulation path 3 as in the conventional case. However, by providing the inverted U-shaped tube 40 in the circulation path 3, the heat sterilization path is separated from the bathtub 1 by hot water stored in the rising channel 41 and the bent portion 43 of the inverted U-shaped tube 40. As a result, the circulating water circulating in the heat sterilization path does not flow out to the bathtub 1 side. With this water seal structure, even if the internal pressure of the heat sterilization path increases due to the heating of the circulating water circulating in the heat sterilization path in the heat sterilization operation, the pressure is increased from the return side 3a of the circulation path 3 to the bathtub 1.
You will be able to escape inside.

[Backwashing Operation] When the above heat sterilization operation is completed, first, the drive of the circulation pump 4 is stopped, and then the first two-way valve 16 and the second two-way valve 18 are closed and the three-way valve 1 is closed.
7 is switched to the discharge side to form a backwashing path indicated by an alternate long and short dash line arrow in FIG. In this state, the hot water supply two-way valve 26 and the drainage two-way valve 20 are opened to supply a predetermined amount (for example, 20 liters) of hot water at a set bath temperature or a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.). By passing the filter in the opposite direction, that is, from the bottom to the top, the foreign matter accumulated inside the filter 8 is discharged from the drain pipe 19 to the outside.

In this backwashing operation, hot water at a set bath temperature or a predetermined temperature (for example, 37 ° C.) is introduced from the hot water supply heating unit 7, so that it is easily peeled off by thermal action during the above-mentioned heat sterilization operation. It becomes easy to discharge the foreign matter that has become. Moreover, if the backwash operation is continuously performed after the execution of the heat sterilization operation as in this embodiment, the residue such as bacteria killed by the heat sterilization operation can be quickly removed by the backwash operation, It is possible to discharge to the outside, and it is possible to prevent bathtub water from becoming dirty.

In the above-described embodiment, not only the washing water injection operation for effectively using the bathtub water as the washing water can be performed even during the cleaning operation, but also the washing water injection operation is performed during the cleaning operation, so that a temporary Even if the bathtub water is consumed by a certain amount or more and the water level of the bathtub 1 becomes lower than that of the circulation fitting 12, the bathtub water level is restored to a state where the circulation fitting 12 is submerged without bothering the user. Return to purification operation is possible without any trouble. In addition, even if the bathtub water does not return, measures are taken to be advantageous to the user. Thus, more kindness functions are added.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and various applications and modifications are conceivable.

(1) In the above embodiment, an example in which the automatic hot water filling operation, the cleaning operation, the heat sterilization operation, and the backwashing operation are sequentially performed as the automatic operation mode is described. A switch (not shown) for performing each of the above-mentioned operations individually may be provided in the device 11, and the device 11 may be selectively and independently performed in response to each switch operation.

(2) In the above embodiment, the bypass 15
The first two-way valve 16 is placed closer to the bathtub 1 than the connection position of the bypass 15 to the outgoing side 3 b of the circulation path 3.
Although an example is shown in which the two two-way valves 16 and 18 are arranged, instead of the two two-way valves 16 and 18,
The present invention also includes a configuration in which one electromagnetic or motor-driven three-way valve is disposed at the connection position of the bypass passage 15 with respect to the outgoing side 3b. The three-way valve is used to perform a hot water filling operation or a purifying operation, to a first state in which circulating water is introduced only from the circulation path 3 to the bathtub 1, and to secure a heat sterilization path or a backwashing path. The state is switched to the second state in which the circulating water of No. 3 is guided only to the bypass 15 without returning to the bathtub 1. In addition,
The two-way drainage valve 20 may be omitted.

(3) In the above embodiment, although not shown, the remote control 1
The drainage plug device controlled to be opened and closed by the operation 1 is installed, and the maintenance process by the controller 10 is performed when the circulation fitting 12 is not submerged even when hot water is supplied. Thereby, the bathtub water may be drained, and the return to the purification operation may be stopped.

(4) In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the washing water injection operation can be executed has been described. However, even if the configuration does not include a structure related to the washing water injection operation, the description in the above-described embodiment will be omitted. Similarly, the invention can be applied. That is, the output of the water flow switch 22 is constantly monitored during the purifying operation for maintaining only the water quality, and when the bathtub water level falls below a required level by removing a large amount of bathtub water in a short time, the water level is recovered. It is only necessary to perform a maintenance process that causes the cleaning operation to be continued without any trouble. However, if the water level drops without washing water during the purification operation that maintains only this water quality, it is considered that this drop in water level is the result of the user draining the bathtub water, so the above-mentioned maintenance process is not performed. Alternatively, after a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to replace the miscellaneous water in the circulation path with fuel water, the operation may be forcibly terminated.

[0077]

The bath apparatus according to the first to sixth aspects of the present invention is characterized in that when the bathtub water level becomes lower than the circulation path due to the drainage of a predetermined amount or more of the bathtub water during the purification operation, the bathtub water level is reduced. Since the water level is restored to a state where the circulation path is submerged without immediate user recognition and bothering the user, it is possible to avoid the situation where the circulating pump runs idle and break down, and to purify operation It can contribute to the improvement of the purification efficiency, for example, the smooth recovery of the wastewater.

In particular, the third and fourth aspects of the present invention are based on the premise that water can be injected into the outside of a washing machine or the like, and this external water injection operation is performed during the cleaning operation, so that a bathtub having a predetermined amount or more can be obtained. When water is consumed and the bathtub water level becomes lower than the circulation path, the bathtub water level can be recovered without bothering the user, which is advantageous in improving usability.

According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the water level is not recovered even after the hot water is supplied, the hot water can be repeatedly supplied, so that the reliable recovery of the water level can be expected and the reliability can be improved. In addition, since the number of repetitions of the hot water is limited, wasteful use of an excessively large amount of hot water can be eliminated.

Further, according to the invention of claim 6, when the water level does not recover even after the hot water is supplied, the bathtub water is drained to stop the return to the purification operation. In addition to eliminating waste such as performing hot water, the usability is improved, for example, by notifying the user and allowing the user to perform his / her desired post-action.

Thus, it is possible to provide an easy-to-use reheating unit with hot water supply to which more kindness functions are added.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing a reheating unit with hot water supply according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart used to explain the operation of the washing water injection operation.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a continuation of FIG. 2;

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 bath tub 2 reheating device with hot water supply 3 circulation path 3a return side of circulation path (bath water take-out side) 3b reciprocation side of circulation path (bath bath water return side) 4 circulation pump 5 reheating heater 7 hot water supply heating unit 8 filter 10 Controller 22 Water flow switch

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoshihide Nakajima 93 Edocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo F-term in Noritz Co., Ltd. 3L024 CC02 CC30 DD06 DD13 DD14 DD17 DD19 DD21 DD27 DD28 DD34 EE02 EE12 FF15 GG06 GG12 GG22 GG24 GG28 GG38 GG41 HH05 HH13 HH22 HH24 HH31 HH32 HH33 HH40 HH42 HH44 HH45 HH48 HH54 4D064 AA11 BF34 BF37 BF39 BF40

Claims (6)

[Claims] A bath apparatus capable of executing a purification operation for filtering while circulating bathtub water between a bathtub and a circulation path, and a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at a set bath temperature to a bathtub through a circulation path. When performing a circulation determination to determine whether or not a connection portion of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged based on the output of the water flow detection element installed in the circulation path during the purification operation, and when it is determined that the state is non-submerged. And stopping the driving of the circulating pump, performing hot water supply for supplying a predetermined amount of hot water to the bathtub through the circulating path, and then performing a maintenance process of driving the circulating pump again to return to the purification operation. And bath equipment. A circulation path connected to the bathtub to take out bathtub water from the bathtub and return to the bathtub; a circulation pump provided in the circulation path; a filter provided in the circulation path to filter the circulation water; A water flow detection element provided in the circulation path for detecting the flow of bathtub water; a hot water supply element connected to the circulation path to supply hot or normal temperature water at a required temperature as required; and a bathtub between the bathtub and the circulation path A circulation route that circulates water,
A path switching element that selectively secures a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the circulation path, a purification operation that filters bathtub water between the bathtub and the circulation path as required, and a setting to the bathtub through the circulation path A management element for executing a hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at a bath temperature, wherein the management element determines whether or not the connection portion of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged based on the output of the water flow detection element during the purification operation. A circulation determination is performed, and when it is determined that the water is not submerged, the drive of the circulation pump is stopped, a predetermined amount of hot water is supplied to the bathtub through the circulation path, and then the circulation pump is restarted. A bath apparatus which performs a maintenance process for driving and returning to a purification operation. 3. A bath apparatus capable of executing a purification operation for filtering while circulating bathtub water between a bathtub and a circulation path, and a hot water supply operation for supplying hot and cold water at a set bath temperature to the bathtub through the circulation path. , It is possible to execute an external water injection operation in which the bath water is taken out to the circulation path as required and then returned to the bath tub without being returned to the bathtub, and the external water injection operation is interrupted during the cleaning operation, and then circulated. Based on the output of the water flow detection element installed on the road, a circulation determination is made to determine whether or not the connection portion of the circulation path to the bathtub is submerged. When it is determined that the submerged state is not submerged, the circulation pump is driven. A bath apparatus which stops, performs hot water supply for supplying a predetermined amount of hot and cold water to the bathtub through the circulation path, and then performs a maintenance process of driving the circulation pump again to return to the cleaning operation. A circulation path connected to the bathtub for taking out bathtub water from the bathtub and returning to the bathtub; a circulation pump provided in the circulation path; a filter provided in the circulation path to filter the circulation water; A water flow detection element installed in the circulation path to detect the flow of bathtub water, a hot water supply element connected to the circulation path to supply hot or normal temperature water at the required temperature as required, and a bathtub water return to the bathtub in the circulation path A water supply channel connected to the side and for injecting bathtub water to the outside such as a washing machine as needed; a circulation path for circulating bathtub water between the bathtub and the circulation path;
A path switching element for selectively securing a hot water supply path for supplying hot water to the bathtub through the circulation path, and an external water injection path for supplying water from the water supply path to the outside without returning to the bathtub from the circulation path; Purification operation for filtering while circulating bath water between the baths, hot water supply operation for supplying hot water at the set bath temperature to the bath tub through the circulation path, and taking out the bath tub water to the circulation path and going out of the water supply path without returning to the bath tub A management element for performing an external water injection operation for injecting water, wherein the management element interrupts and executes the external water injection operation during the purification operation, and then controls the bathtub based on the output of the water flow detection element installed in the circulation path. A circulation determination is performed to determine whether or not the connection part of the circulation path is submerged. When it is determined that the connection part is not submerged, the drive of the circulation pump is stopped, and the connection to the bathtub is performed through the circulation path. The hot water in an amount from performing feed water supply, performs maintenance processing to return to the purifying operation of the circulation pump driven again to it bath apparatus according to claim. 5. The bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein after performing hot water for the maintenance process, the circulation determination is performed again. The form of performing hot water, the number of times to repeat this hot water and circulation determination is finite, when it is determined that the final circulation determination is also non-submerged state, without performing subsequent hot water, A bath apparatus, wherein returning to the purification operation is stopped. 6. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a drain plug device installed in said bath tub and controlled to be opened and closed as required, wherein hot water is supplied in said maintenance processing. Thereafter, the circulation determination is performed again, and when it is determined that the water is not submerged, the bathtub water is drained by opening the drain plug device,
A bath apparatus, wherein returning to the purification operation is stopped.