JP2002195660A - Connector for hot water circulation of bathtub - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To ensure hot water circulation action, even when a filter cap is removed. SOLUTION: The connector for hot water circulation is fixed in a through- hole, made at the side face part of a bathtub in order to circulate hot water forcibly between the bathtub and a hot water supply apparatus. The connector comprises a hot water passage separating/forming unit 3, having a hot water passage 19 which becomes the side for sucking hot water in the bathtub and a hot water passage 20 which becomes the side for delivering hot water into the bathtub. The hot water passage 19 has a suction opening opening to the outer circumference of the hot water passage separating/forming unit 3, the hot water passage 20 has a delivery opening opening to the outer circumference of the hot water passage separating/forming unit 3, and a through-hole 21 is made in the wall face of a passage forming the hot water passage 19.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water circulation connector attached to a through hole formed in a side surface of a bath tub for forcibly circulating hot water between the bath tub and a hot water supply device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, bathtubs installed in households and the like are provided with side surfaces of the bathtubs, for example, in order to forcibly circulate hot water between a hot water supply device installed outdoors and a bathtub installed indoors. A hot water circulation connector is attached to the drilled hole. This hot water circulation connector includes a hot water connection pipe,
The hot / cold return connection pipe and the extension connection pipe are connected to each other. And each extension connection pipe is connected to a water heater.

[0003] The connecting device for hot water circulation includes a hot water passage separation forming device having two hot water passages for circulating hot water between the bathtub and the hot water supply device. Each hot water passage opens to the outer periphery of the hot water circulation connector.

[0004] Inside the bath tub of the above connection device for hot water circulation,
A filter cap is worn. Filter holes for hot and cold water distribution are formed in the front and outer peripheral portions of the filter cap, respectively.

[0005] By operating a circulation pump incorporated in the hot water supply device, hot water in the bathtub is supplied through a filter cap, a hot water circulation connector, a hot water outgoing connection pipe, a hot water return connection pipe, and an extension connection pipe. , Is forcedly circulated between the bathtub and the water heater.

At this time, hot and cold water is sucked in from one of the hot and cold water passages, and hot water and hot water is discharged from the other. The hot and cold water is heated in a combustion section in the hot water supply device.

[0007]

In the hot water circulation connector of the type having a pair of hot water passages as described above, the opening area of the inlet and the outlet of the hot water passage is relatively small. Therefore, the suction force of the hot and cold water at the suction port is relatively large.

Normally, since the filter cap is attached to the hot water passage separation forming tool, it is possible to prevent foreign substances from being clogged in the suction port even if the suction force of the hot water at the suction port of the hot water passage is large.

However, when the filter cap is used with the filter cap removed, for example, for washing or replacing the filter cap, foreign matters other than hot water are sucked into the suction port because the hot water inlet is exposed. This may cause a problem that the circulation of hot and cold water is hindered. In particular, this problem becomes remarkable when the suction port is almost completely blocked by foreign matter.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to secure a circulation function of hot water even when a filter cap is removed and used.

[0011]

A hot water circulation connector according to the present invention is attached to a through hole formed in a side surface of a bathtub, and forcibly circulates hot water between the bathtub and a hot water supply device. And a hot water passage separation forming tool having a first hot water passage on the suction side of hot water in the bathtub and a second hot water passage on the discharge side of hot water into the bathtub. The first hot water passage has a suction opening that opens on the outer periphery of the hot water passage separation forming tool, and the second hot water passage has a discharge opening that opens on the outer circumference of the hot water passage separating forming tool, forming the first hot water passage. A through hole is provided in the wall of the passage.

By providing the through hole in the wall of the passage forming the first hot and cold water passage as described above, for example, even when foreign substances are sucked into the suction port and the suction port is closed,
Hot water can be sucked through the through hole. Therefore, even in such a case, it is possible to ensure the circulation of hot and cold water.

[0013] It is preferable to provide a through hole also in the passage wall surface forming the second hot and cold water passage. Thus, both the first and second hot and cold water passages can be used as the suction side, and it is possible to avoid redoing the pipe connection due to an incorrect pipe connection.

The hot water circulation connector according to the present invention includes a filter cap attached to the hot water channel separation forming tool, and the filter cap has a closing portion for closing the through hole.

Accordingly, in addition to the above-described effects, when the filter cap is mounted, the through hole can be closed by the closing portion, and unnecessary leakage of hot water from the first or second hot water passage is prevented. can do. This makes it possible to improve the circulation efficiency of hot and cold water as compared with the case where no closing portion is provided.

A frame may be provided inside the filter cap for fixing the filter cap to the hot and cold water channel separation forming device, and a part of the frame may function as a closing portion. The first and second hot water passages extend in the radial direction of the hot water passage separation forming tool, respectively, and filter holes are provided on the axial end surface and the outer peripheral surface of the filter cap to allow hot water to pass therethrough. The above-described radially extending rib may be provided on the frame body along the hole on the first and second hot and cold water passages, and this rib may function as a closing portion.

The closing portion includes a convex portion provided on the rib and fitted into the through hole. Thereby, when the filter cap is attached to the hot water path separation forming tool, the above-mentioned through hole can be reliably closed.

[0018]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the connector for hot and cold water circulation according to the present invention.

The connection device for hot water circulation according to the present invention is attached to a through hole formed in a side portion of a bathtub (not shown), and forcibly circulates hot water between the bathtub and a hot water supply device (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, a filter cap 1, a screw 2, and a hot and cold water channel separating and forming device 3 are provided.
, Seal members 4, 7, 8, intermediate connector 5, sheet material 6, O-ring 9, and circulation port body 10.

The filter cap 1 is attached to the hot water channel separating and forming device 3 and has a plurality of filter holes (openings through which filters to be described later are exposed) 24 and 25 on the front surface (axial end surface) and the outer peripheral surface. Each filter hole 24, 25
Prevents the passage of foreign substances while allowing the passage of hot and cold water.

At the front surface of the filter cap 1, filter holes 24 are provided radially at a plurality of locations as shown in FIG. 1, and the outer peripheral surface of the filter cap 1 has a suction port and a discharge port A filter hole 25 is provided at a position facing the outlet.

A resin frame 22 is mounted inside the filter cap 1 as shown in FIG. Frame 22
The filter is sandwiched between the filter cap 1 and the filter.
Fixed to.

The frame body 22 has a plurality of engaging claws 33 on its inner periphery for engaging with the hot water passage separating and forming device 3, and the engaging claws 33 are formed by rotating the filter cap 1 or the like. The filter cap 1 is attached to the hot and cold water channel separation forming tool 3 by engaging with the outer periphery of the tool 3. The frame 22 has an opening having substantially the same shape as the filter holes 24 and 25,
And a rib 23 for defining the opening.

The hot water passage separating and forming device 3 is entirely formed of synthetic resin, and is screwed to the intermediate connector 5 as shown in FIG. 1, and has a substantially circular front portion 26 and a rear portion from the center of the rear portion. And an extending cylindrical portion 17.

FIG. 3 is a view of the hot water passage separating and forming device 3 as viewed from the front side. As shown in FIG. 3, a pair of hot and cold water passages 19 and 20 are provided in the front part 26. Hot water passage 19, 20
Extend at a predetermined angle (for example, about 90 degrees to 120 degrees) in the radial direction of the front surface portion 26, and
Has a suction port 27 and a discharge port 28 on the outer periphery thereof.

Thus, when the hot / water passage separation forming device 3 is attached to the side surface of the bathtub, the suction port 27 and the discharge port 2
8 can both be directed downward. In addition, it is possible to secure a large space between the suction port 27 and the discharge port 28,
It is also possible to eliminate the problem of recirculation in which hot and cold water immediately after discharge is sucked from the suction port 27.

The above-described suction port 27 and discharge port 28
It is determined depending on whether the extension connection pipe to which the connection pipes 11 and 12 described later are connected is the forward side or the return side. Therefore, depending on the connection mode of the connection pipes 11 and 12, the suction port 27 can be a discharge port, and the discharge port 28 can be a suction port. In addition, the connection pipes 11 and 12 are connected to the hot water supply device via each extension connection pipe.

In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 3, the through hole 21 is provided in the wall surface of the passage forming the hot water passage 19 having the suction port 27. Thereby, even when the suction port 27 is almost blocked by foreign matter, hot water can be sucked from the through hole 21, and even when the filter cap 1 is removed and used, the hot water circulating action can be ensured. It becomes.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, a through hole 21 is also provided on the wall of the passage forming the hot water passage 20 having the discharge port 28. Thereby, any of the hot and cold water passages 19 and 20 can be used as the suction side.

In the example shown in FIG. 3, the hot water passage 19,
Although two through holes 21 are provided in each of the holes 20, the number, the forming position, the shape and the size of the through holes 21 as long as they can suck in hot water even when the suction port 27 is almost closed by foreign matter. The degree can be arbitrarily selected.

When the through holes 21 are provided in the hot and cold water passages 19 and 20 as described above, it is preferable that the filter cap 1 be provided with a closing portion for closing the through holes 21. Accordingly, in addition to the above-described effects, when the filter cap 1 is attached, the through-hole 21 can be closed by the above-described closing portion, and unnecessary leakage of hot water from the hot water passages 19 and 20 is prevented. can do.

In this case, a part of the frame 22 provided inside the filter cap 1 may function as the closing portion. Specifically, the rib 2 of the frame 22 shown in FIG.
3 can function as the above-mentioned closing part.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the filter cap 1 is attached to the hot / water passage separation forming tool 3. As shown in FIG. 5, it can be seen that the ribs 23 of the frame 22 are located on the through holes 21. Thereby, when the filter cap 1 is mounted, the through hole 21 can be closed by the rib 23, and the above-described effects can be obtained.

As shown in FIG. 6,
Protrusions 23a provided on ribs 23 and fitted into through holes 21
May be used. Thereby, the filter cap 1
Is attached to the hot water passage separating / forming device 3, the through hole 21 can be reliably closed.

Next, the structure on the rear surface side of the hot / water passage separation forming device 3 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
A communication port 18 is provided in a rear surface portion 29 of the hot water passage separating / forming device 3, and a passage extending from the communication port 18 to the inside of the hot water passage separating / forming device 3 communicates with the hot water passage 20.

On the other hand, the rear surface portion 29 of the hot water passage separation forming device 3
The passage defined by the cylindrical portion 17 protruding from the hot water passage 19 communicates with the hot water passage 19. The wall portion forming the cylindrical portion 17 is extended to separate the hot water passage 19 from the hot water passage 20.

The intermediate connector 5 is formed by forming a flange portion 30 connected to the rear surface portion 29 of the hot water passage separating / forming device 3 at one end of a cylindrical portion 31. A plurality of convex portions 32 having screw holes are formed in the flange portion 30 in the circumferential direction at predetermined intervals. A male screw portion is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical portion 31.

The circulation port body 10 is, as shown in FIG.
A cylindrical portion 13 formed of a metal member and having a bottom and having a cylindrical portion 13 for receiving the cylindrical portion 17 of the hot water channel separating and forming device 3 at the center, and a hot water channel portion 14 between the cylindrical portion 13 and the outer peripheral wall portion. ing.

As shown in FIG. 2, a passage (not shown) communicating with the inside of the cylindrical portion 13 through the communication port 15, and a hot water passage portion 14 through the communication port 16 are provided at the bottom of the circulation port body 10. A communicating passage (not shown) is formed so as to open outward. The connection pipes 11 and 12 are connected to these opening portions.

On the inner peripheral surface of the outer peripheral wall of the circulation port body 10 on the open end side, a female screw portion to be screwed with the male screw portion of the intermediate connector 5 is formed.

The connecting device for hot and cold water circulation composed of the above-mentioned components is attached to the hole formed in the side wall of the bathtub as follows.

First, the opening side of the circulation port body 10 is brought into contact with the outside of the bathtub, and the intermediate connecting body 5 in which the sheet material 6 and the sealing members 7, 8 are inserted from the inside of the bathtub is bored in the side wall (not shown). ) Is inserted from the cylindrical portion 31, and the male screw portion of the cylindrical portion 31 is screwed into the female screw portion of the circulation port body 10. Thus, the circulation port body 10 and the intermediate connector 5 are provided on the side wall of the bathtub.
Pinch.

Then, the hot and cold water channel separation forming device 3 is removed from the bathtub.
Is inserted into the cylindrical portion 31 of the intermediate connector 5, and the cylindrical portion 17 is fitted into the cylindrical portion 13 of the circulation port body 10. A screw 2 is inserted into each through-hole of the hot water passage separating and forming tool 3, and the screw 2 is screwed into a screw hole of the corresponding convex portion 32 of the intermediate connector 5, and the hot water passage separating and forming tool 3 is connected to the intermediate connector 5. Fixed to. In this case, the suction port and the discharge ports 27 and 28 opened on the outer periphery of the hot water passage separating / forming device 3 are directed to the bottom side of the bathtub.

Next, the filter cap 1 is mounted on the hot water passage separation forming tool 3 exposed in the bathtub. At this time, the suction port and the discharge ports 27 and 28 are made to face the filter hole 25 provided on the outer periphery of the filter cap 1.

The hot water circulation connector provided in the hole formed in the side wall of the bathtub as described above is connected to each connection pipe 1.
1, 12 and connected to a hot water supply device via an extension pipe (not shown). Note that the object of the present invention can be achieved even if one of the connecting pipes 11 and 12 is used for the hot water path and the hot water return path.

Next, the operation of the connector for hot and cold water circulation of the present invention will be described. In the following description, the flow of hot water when the connecting pipe 12 is connected to the hot water supply apparatus with the connecting pipe 11 side as the hot water forward path side and the connecting pipe 11 side as the hot water returning path side will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water sent from the hot water supply device to the connection pipe 12 flows into the hot water passage 14 of the circulation port body 10 from the communication port 16 and passes through the inside of the intermediate connector 5. Communication port 18 on rear surface 29 of hot water passage separation forming device 3
From the hot water passage 20. At this time, the hot water flowing into the hot water passage separation forming tool 3 from the communication port 18 hits a wall constituting a part of the front surface part 26 and is discharged obliquely downward from the discharge port 28 into the bathtub. Stir hot water. Therefore, hot water does not discharge from the filter hole 24 on the front surface of the filter cap 1.

On the other hand, the hot and cold water in the bathtub is sucked by the action of a pump (not shown) built in the hot water supply device, and flows from the filter holes 24 and 25 and the suction port 27 into the hot and cold water passage 19 of the hot water passage separating and forming device 3. Inflow.

Here, when the filter cap 1 is attached to the hot water / water channel separation forming tool 3, the suction port 27 is covered with the filter, so that the foreign matter does not directly clog the suction port 27. Therefore, hot water can be efficiently sucked into the hot water passage 19 from the suction port 27. Further, since the through hole 21 provided in the wall of the hot water passage 19 can be closed by the rib 23 of the frame 22 installed in the filter cap 1, it is possible to prevent hot water from leaking from the through hole 21. .

On the other hand, if the filter cap 1 is left detached for the reason of washing the filter cap 1 or the like, foreign substances may be adsorbed to the suction port 27. Since the suction can be performed, it is possible to prevent the foreign substances from being strongly adsorbed to the suction port 27 while securing the suction amount of hot and cold water.

The hot and cold water flowing into the hot and cold water passage 19 passes through the inside of the cylindrical portion 17 of the hot and cold water passage separating and forming device 3 and reaches the inside of the cylindrical portion 13 of the circulation port body 10 as shown in FIG. It passes through a passage in the mouth body 10 and reaches the connection pipe 11. Thereafter, the water is returned to the hot water supply device through the connection pipe 11.

Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it should be understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all aspects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is defined by the appended claims, and includes all modifications within the scope and meaning equivalent to the claims.

[0053]

According to the present invention, the circulation of hot water can be ensured even when the filter cap is removed and used, so that the circulation efficiency is extremely high even when the suction port is almost blocked by foreign matter. It is possible to avoid the drop. In addition, since the adsorbing force of the foreign matter to the suction port can be reduced, the foreign matter can be easily removed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a connector for hot water circulation according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a view for explaining the flow of hot water inside the intermediate connector, circulation port body and hot water passage separation forming tool of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a front view of the hot and cold water channel separation forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an internal structural view of the filter cap of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a view showing a state in which a filter cap is attached to the hot and cold water channel separation forming device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing one structural example of the closing portion of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Filter cap, 2 screw, 3 hot water passage separation forming tool, 4, 7, 8 sealing member, 5 intermediate connecting body, 6
Sheet material, 9 O-ring, 10 circulation port body, 11,
12 connecting pipe, 13, 17, 31 cylinder, 14 hot water passage, 15, 16, 18 communication port, 19, 20 hot water passage, 21 through hole, 22 frame, 23 rib, 23a, 3
2 convex part, 24, 25 filter hole, 26 front part,
27 suction port, 28 discharge port, 29 rear face part, 30 flange part, 33 engaging claw.

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────の Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Yutaka Okano 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masazumi Iwanaga 1006 Kadoma Kadoma, Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture Inside Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Hiroto Fukui 1006 Odaka Kadoma, Kadoma City, Osaka Pref. 2D032 AA10 3L036 AD31 3L037 DA02 DB07

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A hot water circulation connector attached to a through hole formed in a side portion of a bath tub for forcibly circulating hot water between the bath tub and a hot water supply device, wherein the hot water is sucked into the bath tub. A hot water passage separation forming tool having a first hot water passage serving as a side and a second hot water passage serving as a discharge side of hot water into the bathtub, wherein the first hot water passage is provided on an outer periphery of the hot water passage separating forming tool. A second hot water passage having an opening, an outlet opening on an outer periphery of the hot water passage separation forming tool, and a through hole formed in a wall surface of the passage forming the first hot water passage. Hot water circulation connector. 2. The connection device for hot water circulation of a bathtub according to claim 1, wherein a through hole is provided in a passage wall surface forming the second hot water passage. 3. The connection for hot and cold water circulation of a bathtub according to claim 1, further comprising a filter cap attached to the hot water passage separation forming tool, wherein the filter cap has a closing portion for closing the through hole. Utensils. 4. A frame for fixing the filter cap to the hot and cold water channel separation forming device is provided inside the filter cap, and a part of the frame functions as the closing portion. A connector for circulating hot and cold water in a bath tub according to claim 1. 5. The first and second hot water passages extend in a radial direction of the hot water passage separation forming tool, respectively, and the filter cap has an axial end surface and an outer peripheral surface that allow hot water to pass therethrough. The frame has a rib extending in the radial direction on the first and second hot and cold water passages along a filter hole in the axial end face, and the rib functions as the closing portion. Item 5. A connection device for hot and cold water circulation of a bathtub according to Item 4. 6. The connection device for hot and cold water circulation of a bathtub according to claim 5, wherein the closing portion includes a projection provided on the rib and fitted into the through hole.