JP2002333202A - Method of controlling reheating of bathtub water heater and bathtub water heater - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a method of controlling reheating of bathtub water heater to which high safety is imparted by taking an accident avoiding measure even when the reheating switch of a bathtub water heater applied to a bathtub having a circulation adaptor installed on either the side face or the bottom face of the bathtub not identifiable to the user is turned on by the misoperation of the user or the accidental contact of the user with the switch, and to provide a bathtub water heater. SOLUTION: When the reheating switch is turned on (S1), the installed location of the circulation adaptor is discriminated, whether the side face or bottom face of the bathtub (S2). When the adaptor is installed to the side face of the bathtub ('YES' in S2), the reheating of the bathtub water heater is permitted and the heater is reheated until the hot water in the bathtub reaches a set temperature by turning on a circulation pump and a burner (S4-S7). When the discriminated result is the bottom face of the bathtub, whether or not the surface level of the hot water in the bathtub is higher than a set level Ha is discriminated (S3). When the surface level is higher than the set level Ha ('YES' in S3), the reheating is permitted (S4, etc.). When the surface level is lower than the set level Ha ('NO' in S3), the reheating is inhibited and a remote controller is caused to notify the user that the quantity of the hot water in the bathtub is insufficient and the user must fill the bathtub with water or must turn off the reheating switch when the user does not want the reheating (S8). When the reheating switch is turned off ('YES' in S9), the control is discontinued. When the switch is kept turned on ('NO' in S9), the control returns to S3 and whether or not the user has filled the bathtub with water is confirmed.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathtub having a circulation adapter installed therein, the bathtub being connected to a bathtub via a circulation pipe connected to the circulation adapter, and forcing hot and cold water in the bathtub by forced circulation. The present invention relates to a method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle to be fired and a bath kettle for realizing the method for controlling reheating.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a bathtub with a water heater and a bathtub are connected to each other by a circulation pipe, and hot water in the bathtub is forcibly circulated between the bathtub and the bathtub by the operation of a circulation pump. It is generally known that hot water can be reheated. In such a case, a circulation adapter having a water suction port and a water discharge port is installed on the bathtub side, and a bathtub-side end of a circulation pipe extending from the bath kettle is connected to the circulation adapter. Then, after pouring water from a bath curan into the bath tub and filling it to a predetermined water level, or after pouring hot water of a predetermined temperature from the water heater through the circulation pipe into the bath tub and filling the bath water to a predetermined water level, reheating is performed. .

[0003] The above-mentioned reheating is often performed by automatic control by a controller of the bath kettle. That is, a predetermined control program or control circuit relating to reheating control is stored in the controller in advance, and for example, reheating that is output when a user turns on a reheating switch of a bath remote control installed in a bathroom. In response to the command, the reheating control is performed to control the operation of various devices such as the combustion heating unit of the bath kettle and the circulating pump and to automatically reheat to the bath set temperature.

In the above-mentioned bath kettle, as shown in FIG. 1, a circulation adapter 11 is generally installed on a side surface of the bathtub 100 near a bottom surface thereof. The water port is usually opened at a position above the bottom surface by a predetermined dimension. For this reason, the reheating control by the controller 5 'is also performed on the premise that the water level W.L1 in the bathtub is above the installation position of the circulation adapter 11 (for example, W.L1 = 200 mm or more). In other words, since the hot water in the bathtub 100 needs to be forcibly circulated between the bathtub 100 'and the bathtub 200' through the circulation pipe 300 in order to reheat the water, at least the hot water in the bathtub 100 is large enough to make the circulation adapter 11 submerged. If the water level W.L2 in the bathtub is reduced to a position lower than the circulation adapter 11, a circulation flow is no longer generated in the circulation pipe 300, so For this reason, reheating is forcibly stopped. For this reason, when the water flow switch is interposed in the circulation pipe 300 and the circulation pump is operated, the water flow switch is turned ON, that is, the reheating control is performed on the condition that the generation of the circulation flow is detected. Execution is allowed. In other words, the reheating switch is ON
Even if it is operated, a countermeasure is taken that if the water flow switch is not turned ON, the subsequent reheating control is stopped.

[0005]

However, the circulation adapter 11 may be installed at a different installation position (bottom position) from the bathtub 100 as shown in FIG. If the automatic reheating control by the above-mentioned conventional controller 5 'is applied as it is even to the bottom installation, the following inconveniences may occur.

[0006] That is, the circulation adapter 11 is
If the amount of hot water in the bathtub 100 remains only a very small amount up to the water level W.L2 in the above-described reduced state, the circulation adapter 11 installed on the bottom side is submerged, and the circulation pump is When operated, a circulating flow is generated in the circulating pipe 300, and the above-mentioned water flow switch is turned ON. Although the situation is as described above, since the reheating control is not executed unless a reheating command based on the user's intention is output, no inconvenience occurs in this respect. However, it cannot be said that there is no case where a reheating switch such as a remote controller is accidentally turned ON, and when the reheating switch is turned on even though the user does not intend to reheat, the water flow switch is turned on. Is satisfied even if the amount of hot and cold water in the bathtub is very small, so that the reheating control is executed.

[0007] For example, in a very rare case, a user collects a small amount of water as washing water in the bathtub to wash the inside of the bathtub, and a part of the body is washed while bathing in this state. There is a case where the reheating switch is pushed down by contacting the reheating switch. Here, if the user himself / herself recognizes that the erroneous operation has been performed, the user himself / herself can perform the release operation. However, in the above case, since the user himself / herself has pressed the reheating switch without knowing, the reheating control proceeds as it is. Will be done. The bath heater manufacturer circulates and heats the very small amount of hot water as the reheating control proceeds, and the hot water in the bathtub 100 is quickly raised to a high temperature exceeding the bath set temperature, which surprises the user.・
An unexpected phenomenon will occur for the provider.

The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to set a circulating adapter of a bathtub to which a bath kettle is applied, whether it is a side-mounted or a bottom-mounted. Regardless of the present invention, it is an object of the present invention to provide a reheating control method for a bath kettle which exhibits a higher level of safety and takes measures for avoiding any situation, and a bath kettle realizing the control method.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a circulation adapter is connected via a circulation pipe to a bathtub in which the installation position is unspecified, and an output of a reheating command is output. In response to this, the following specific items are provided for a reheating control method for a bath kettle configured to execute reheating control in which reheating is performed while forcibly circulating hot and cold water in the bathtub. That is, an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation. If the determination result is a bottom installation, the current water level in the bathtub is further set based on detection information from the water level detection means. It is determined whether or not the water level is equal to or higher than the water level. If the current water level is lower than the set water level, the execution of the reheating control is prohibited.

[0010] Here, the "reheating command" is output based on a switch operation by the user, and is directly output by a physical operation such as an ON operation of a reheating switch provided on a remote controller or the like. Or a physical operation on another operation switch, indirectly such that a reheating command is generated in association with execution of a certain control based on the ON operation of the operation switch. May be output.
Further, the above-mentioned "water level detecting means" may be constituted by a water level electrode or the like for detecting whether there is hot water in the bathtub up to the set water level, or may be constituted by a means for indirectly detecting the water level. You may. Indirectly detecting means detecting indirectly by detecting a parameter relating to the water level or the amount of hot water, for example, detecting the water level in the bathtub based on the detection of the head pressure or the fluctuation of the internal pressure of the circulation pipe based on the fluctuation of the water level. (For example, a pressure detection type water level sensor). Furthermore, the above-mentioned "bath pot" can be applied to the present invention as long as it is forcibly circulated by reheating control, and a bath pot having only a reheating function, a hot water filling bath and a hot water bath can be used. It includes a bath kettle with a water heater. The same applies to the following claims.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, if the actual water level in the bathtub (current water level) is lower than the set water level when the circulation adapter of the bathtub is installed on the bottom, even if the reheating command is output. Even if it is performed, the execution of the reheating control is prohibited. For this reason, even if a reheating command is output based on a user's erroneous operation or a user's unintended accidental contact, execution of the reheating control is prohibited, and higher safety can be exhibited as the reheating control.

Further, in the invention according to claim 2, the installation position of the circulation adapter is connected to the bathtub whose circulation position is unspecified via the circulation pipe, and the hot water in the bathtub is forcibly circulated in response to the output of the reheating command. The following specific items are provided for a reheating control method for a bath kettle configured to perform reheating control while reheating. That is, an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation. If the determination result is a bottom installation, the current water level in the bathtub is further set based on detection information from the water level detection means. A water level determination is made as to whether or not the water level is higher than the water level, and the reheating control is permitted to be executed on condition that the current water level is higher than or equal to the set water level.

According to this second aspect, when the reheating command is output, if the current water level in the bathtub is equal to or higher than the set water level when the circulation adapter of the bathtub is installed on the bottom surface, the reheating control is performed. Although the execution is permitted, if the current water level is lower than the set water level, the execution condition is not satisfied, and the execution of the reheating control is prohibited. Therefore, claim 1
As in the case of, even if a reheating command is output based on a user's erroneous operation or a user's unintended accidental contact, execution of the reheating control is prohibited, and higher safety can be exhibited as the reheating control. .

In the reheating control method according to the first or second aspect, the tapping line of the water heater is connected to the circulation pipe through an open / close control valve, and as a result of the water level determination, the current water level is set. When the water level is lower than the water level, the execution of the reheating control is temporarily prohibited, the opening / closing control valve is controlled to open, and the bath is poured or poured into the bathtub through the circulation pipe to a set water level or higher, and then the execution of the reheating control is permitted. (Claim 3). By doing so, when the user outputs a reheating command with the intention of reheating, it is possible to automatically perform reheating control after injecting or pouring water to a set water level or higher. On the other hand, even when a reheating command is output due to erroneous operation or accidental contact without user's intention, it is automatically refilled with water or pouring so as not to be in an excessively high temperature heating state. Higher security will be ensured.

In the reheating control method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, when the current water level is lower than the set water level as a result of the water level determination, the water level is notified by the notification means that the water level is insufficient. (Claim 4). By notifying in this way, it is possible to recognize that it is necessary to refill the bath with water or hot water when the user performs an operation for outputting a reheating command based on his / her own intention. On the other hand, if the user does not intend to reheat, it is possible to notice that there is an erroneous operation or accidental contact. In the case where the user is not intended to reheat by the notification by the notification means, the user noticed by the notification is given an opportunity to perform an operation of canceling the reheating command. While it is possible to stop the execution of hot water, if the user intends to reheat, it can also play a role of confirming the user's true intention.

In the reheating control method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, the adapter may be determined by performing some processing each time the control is performed. In this case, or at the time of the first operation after the construction, information about the installation position of the circulation adapter may be input by some input means.
For example, input setting means for manually inputting and setting adapter information relating to the actual installation position of the circulation adapter is provided, and adapter determination is performed based on the adapter information output from the input setting means. (Claim 5). In this case, it is possible to easily and easily determine whether the adapter is installed on the bottom surface or the side surface based on the adapter information input and stored by the input setting means. The input setting means may be constituted by a remote controller or a dip switch of a bath kettle controller.

Further, in the invention according to claim 6, the installation position of the circulation adapter is connected to the bathtub whose circulation position is unspecified via the circulation pipe, and the hot water in the bathtub is forcibly circulated in response to the output of the reheating command. The following specific items are provided for a reheating control method for a bath with a water heater configured to execute reheating control while reheating. That is, an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation. If the determination result is a bottom installation, the current water level in the bathtub is further set based on detection information from the water level detection means. Perform a water level determination of whether or not there is a water level or higher, if the current water level is less than the set water level, even if there is an output of the reheating command, the execution of the reheating control is once prohibited, and from the water heater to the bathtub After injecting or pouring water to or above the set water level, the execution of the reheating control is permitted.

According to the sixth aspect of the invention, in the bath with a water heater, since the hot water can be poured into the bathtub from the water heater side in a heated state or in a non-heated state, the user attempts to reheat. When the reheating command is output with the intention, it becomes possible to automatically execute the reheating control after pouring or pouring water up to the set water level or higher, but due to erroneous operation or accidental contact without the user's intention Even when the reheating command is output, water is poured or hot water is supplied to prevent reheating in an excessively high temperature state, so that higher safety is ensured.

On the other hand, in the invention according to claim 7 as a bath kettle for realizing the above-mentioned reheating control, a circulation adapter is connected to a bathtub installed at an unspecified position via a circulation pipe, and a reheating command is issued. The following specific items are provided for a bath kettle provided with a reheating control means for performing reheating control for performing reheating while forcibly circulating hot and cold water in the bathtub in response to the output. That is, an adapter determination unit that determines whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a bottom surface installation or a side installation, a water level detection unit that detects a current water level in the bathtub, and a determination result by the adapter determination unit is a bottom installation. When the current water level detected by the water level detecting means is lower than the set water level, the apparatus further comprises a reheating prohibiting means for prohibiting execution of the reheating control by the reheating control means.

According to the seventh aspect, in particular, the reheating control method according to the first aspect can be reliably performed, and the operation thereof can be reliably obtained.

Further, in the invention according to claim 8, the circulation adapter is connected to the bathtub provided at the unspecified position via the circulation pipe, and receives the output of the reheating command to forcibly circulate the water in the bathtub. The following specific items are to be provided for a bath kettle with a water heater provided with reheating control means for performing reheating control while reheating. That is, water level detection means for detecting the current water level in the bathtub,
Adapter determination means for determining whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is bottom installation or side installation, and the determination result by the adapter determination means is bottom installation and the current water level detected by the water level detection means is less than a set water level. One day,
Pre-processing means is provided for temporarily prohibiting the execution of the reheating control and injecting or pouring water from the water heater to the bathtub until the water level exceeds a set level, and then permitting the execution of the reheating control.

According to the eighth aspect, in particular, the reheating control method according to the third or sixth aspect can be reliably performed, and the operation thereof can be reliably obtained.

Further, in the invention according to the ninth aspect, the circulation adapter is connected to the bathtub provided on the bottom surface through the circulation pipe, and receives the output of the reheating command to forcefully circulate the hot water in the bathtub. For a bath kettle provided with reheating control means for performing reheating control for heating, water level detection means for detecting the current water level in the bathtub, and the current water level detected by the water level detection means is less than a set water level. At one time, a reheating control means for prohibiting the reheating control by the reheating control means is provided.

According to the ninth aspect of the present invention, a high-level safety can be ensured in the reheating control of the bath kettle in which the circulation adapter is applied to a bathtub installed at the bottom position. In other words, even if the output of the reheating command is received, if the current water level detected by the water level detecting means is lower than the set water level, the execution of the reheating control by the reheating control means is prohibited by the reheating prohibiting means. Become. Thereby, even when the output of the reheating command is due to the user's intention, or due to an erroneous operation or accidental contact not intended by the user, the occurrence of a situation in which the reheating control is performed to cause an excessively high temperature state due to the execution of the reheating control is avoided. Therefore, a higher level of security can be ensured.

In the bath kettle according to any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, the notifying means and the notifying means for notifying that the water level is insufficient when the current water level is lower than the set water level by the notifying means. Means may be provided (claim 10). As a result, even when the output of the reheating command is due to the user's intention or due to an unintended operation or accidental contact by the user, the water level is insufficient for the user, or an erroneous operation or accidental contact occurs. In addition to being able to notice the fact, it is also possible to confirm the user's intention as to whether or not to proceed with the control.

[0026]

As described above, according to the method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle according to claim 1 or 2, as a result of the adapter determination and the water level determination, the circulation adapter of the bathtub is installed on the bottom surface, and If the current water level in the bathtub is lower than the set water level, the execution of the reheating control can be prohibited even if the reheating command is output. For this reason, even if a reheating command is output based on a user's erroneous operation or an accidental contact that the user does not intend, it is possible to prevent the bathtub from being excessively heated by the reheating. Thus, even if the bath kettle is applied to a bathtub in which the installation position of the circulation adapter is not specified, higher safety can be provided as reheating control. Further, since it is possible to reliably prevent a situation in which hot water and hot water is supplied into the bathtub, the hot water and hot water can be supplied particularly when the bathtub is formed of a material having low heat resistance such as artificial marble. The possibility of occurrence of cracks, deterioration, discoloration, and the like due to this can be reliably avoided, and durability can be improved.

According to the third aspect, in the reheating control method according to the first or second aspect, when the user outputs a reheating command with the intention of reheating, the current water level is lower than the set water level. Even if the water level is higher than the set water level, the reheating control can be executed after the water level is higher than the set water level. If the temperature is below the set water level, water can be automatically injected or hot water can be added to prevent excessive heating at a high temperature, and then reheating can be executed.

According to a fourth aspect, in the reheating control method according to any one of the first to third aspects, the water level is insufficient for the user by the notification by the notification means. While it is possible to notice that it is necessary to supplement water or hot water, or that there has been an erroneous operation or accidental contact, it is possible to give the user an opportunity to perform an operation to cancel the reheating command.

According to the fifth aspect, in the reheating control method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects, it is determined whether the adapter is to be installed on the bottom or the side based on the adapter information input by the input setting means. It can be done easily and easily.

According to the reheating control method of the bath kettle with the water heater according to the sixth aspect, when the circulation adapter is installed on the bottom surface, if the current water level is lower than the set water level, the water is automatically injected to the set water level or higher. After the pouring, the reheating control can be executed, so that the convenience can be improved and the higher safety can be ensured.

According to the bath kettle of claim 7, in particular, claim 1
It is possible to reliably implement the reheating control method according to
The effect can be surely obtained.

According to the bath kettle with a water heater of the eighth aspect, the reheating control method according to the third or sixth aspect can be reliably implemented, and the effect can be surely obtained. Become.

According to the bath kettle of the ninth aspect, the circulation adapter is applied to a bathtub installed at the bottom position,
It is possible to provide a device that achieves reheating control that can ensure higher safety. In other words, in a state of insufficient water level, even if a reheating command is output due to a user's intention or an unintended operation or accidental contact by the user, even if the reheating is prohibited, the execution of the reheating is prohibited and the excessively high heating state due to the reheating is performed. It is possible to avoid the occurrence of such a situation.

According to the tenth aspect, in any one of the seventh to ninth aspects, even if the output of the reheating command is due to a user's intention, an erroneous operation not intended by the user, or an accidental contact. , The notification through the notification means that the water level is insufficient for the user, or
It is possible to positively notice that erroneous operation or accidental contact has occurred.

[0035]

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

The bath kettle according to the embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS.
As shown in FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, a circulation pipe 300 is attached to the circulation adapter 11, 11 or 12 installed for the bathtub 100.
The water bath 200 with a water heater is connected via the water heater. The water bath 200 with the water heater is operated and controlled by the controller 5 to perform a hot water supply function, a hot water filling function, and a forced circulation type reheating function. . Regardless of whether the circulating adapters 11 and 12 are installed on the side of the bathtub 100 on the side (see FIG. 1) or on the bottom (see FIGS. 2 and 3), the type of circulating adapter on the bottom is usually set. Regardless of whether the circulation adapter 12 is an integrated type with an automatic drain plug (integrated with an automatic drain plug) (see FIG. 3) instead of the circulation adapter 11 of the type, a bath kettle 200 with the same specification and equipped with the same controller 5 is installed. The construction and construction of a bath system was made possible by applying the same.

The bath kettle 200 with a water heater will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In FIG. 4, a state where the normal type circulation adapter 11 is installed on the side of the bathtub 100 (corresponding to the state of FIG. 1) is shown by a solid line, and a state where the circulation adapter 11 is installed on the bottom of the bathtub 100 ( FIG.
(Corresponding to the state of (1)) is indicated by a dashed line. The above-described bath kettle 200 with a water heater is supplied to the hot water supply circuit 2, a bath reheating circuit 3 for reheating the hot water in the bathtub 100, and pouring water from the hot water supply circuit 2 into the reheating circuit 3. And a pouring circuit 4 for filling the bathtub 1 with hot water.

The hot water supply circuit 2 heats the water introduced into the hot water supply side heat exchanger 22 from the water supply line 21 connected to the water supply pipe by the combustion heat of the hot water supply side combustion burner 23 and discharges the heated hot water. Hot water is supplied to the hot water tap 25 at the downstream end through the pipe 24. A bypass pipe 26 is provided between the water supply pipe 21 and the tapping pipe 24, and the temperature is adjusted by adjusting the mixing of water by the adjustment valve 27.

A water supply sensor 28 is provided in the water supply line 21.
And a water inlet temperature sensor 29, while a water amount adjusting valve 30 and a hot water supply temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of hot water supplied to the hot water tap 25 or the pouring circuit 4 are provided in the tapping line 24. 31 are provided.

The reheating circuit 3 includes a circulation pipe 300 composed of a return pipe 32 and an outgoing pipe 36 connected to the circulation adapter 11, respectively.
The hot and cold water in the bathtub 1 returned to the reheating heat exchanger 34 by the operation of the circulation pump 33 from 2 is heated by the combustion heat of the reheating combustion burner 35, and the heated hot water is sent to the pipeline 3.
6 and is supplied again into the bathtub 1 to reheat and circulate the heat. In the return line 32, a water level sensor 37 for detecting the water level of the bathtub 1 by detecting water pressure, the circulation pump 33, and a flap opened by passage of the circulation flow to determine the circulation in order from the upstream side in the circulation direction of the circulation hot water. And a bath water temperature sensor 39 for detecting the temperature (bath water temperature) of the circulating hot water flowing into the reheating-side heat exchanger 34. Further, a can body temperature sensor 40 for detecting the temperature of the circulating hot and cold water after heating is provided in the going pipe 36.

The pouring circuit 4 has an upstream end branched from the downstream side of the tapping line 24, branches into two on the way, and has one downstream end connected to the return line 32 on the discharge side of the circulation pump 33. And a second pouring line 42 having the other downstream end communicating with the outgoing line 36.
The pouring water from the hot water supply circuit 2 is fed through the pouring lines 41 and 42 to return the return line 32 of the circulation circuit 3.
The hot water can be poured into the bathtub 100 by a two-way transport system in which the hot water flows into both the outflow pipe 36 and the outflow pipe 36. A pouring amount sensor 43 for detecting a pouring flow rate is interposed at an upstream end position of the pouring circuit 4, and each of the pouring lines 41 and 42 has an opening / closing control valve for switching the pouring by opening / closing control. Pouring solenoid valves 44 and 45 are provided.
Two-stage check valves 46 and 47 are disposed at downstream positions of the hot water supply circuits 2 and 4 to prevent reverse flow into the hot water supply circuit 2.

In FIG. 4, reference numerals 61 and 62 denote blower fans for supplying combustion air, respectively, and 63 a gas supply pipe for supplying fuel gas. Fuel gas is supplied to each of the hot water supply side combustion burner 23 and the additional heating side combustion burner 36 via the valve 65.

Next, the circulation adapter 12 integrated with the automatic drain plug 13 in the case of the bathtub 100 shown in FIG. 3 will be briefly described. The circulation adapter 12 is attached so as to penetrate the bottom wall 101 of the bathtub 100. The drainage plug 13 is guided and supported so as to be vertically movable at the center position of the circulation adapter main body. When the drain plug 13 moves upward, the drain passage 124 is communicated with the inside of the bathtub 100 and is opened, while when the drain plug 13 moves downward, the drain passage 124 is closed. It has become.

The reciprocal conversion between the open state and the closed state of the drain plug 13 is performed by pushing and pulling an operating wire 14 connected to the drain plug 13, and the operating wire 14 is connected to the bathtub 100.
The drive unit 15 disposed on the flange portion 102 is driven to slide in a guide tube (not shown) to be pushed and pulled. The operation of the drive unit 15 is controlled by an automatic drain plug controller 16. The automatic drain plug controller 16 receives the operation signal of an open / close switch 161 disposed on the upper surface of the flange unit 102 and sets the drive unit 15 to the drain plug 13. Is operated by a predetermined amount required for opening / closing conversion. This operation is detected by, for example, a magnetic position sensor, and upon receiving this detection signal, the automatic drain controller 16 detects whether the drain plug 13 is open or closed. When the automatic drain plug controller 16 is connected to the controller 5 of the bathtub 200 with a water heater by a connection terminal or the like, the controller 5 has its own identification information,
That is, while outputting adapter information indicating that the circulation adapter 12 is an automatic drain plug integrated type installed on the bottom surface, it outputs information on the open / close state of the drain plug 13.

The above-described bath kettle 200 with a water heater is provided with a hot water tap 2 by a controller 5 having an MPU and a memory.
Hot water supply control for the hot water supply 5, hot water filling control for pouring the water from the hot water supply circuit 2 to the bathtub 100 to a predetermined water level through the hot water supply circuit 4,
Various controls such as reheating control for circulating and heating the hot water in the bathtub 100 for reheating are performed based on the output from the bath remote controller 50 or the like as the input setting means and the notification means and the output from the various sensors described above. Is being done.

The controller 5 includes a filling control unit 51 for performing filling control as shown in FIG. 5 particularly showing portions related to filling control and reheating control, and a reheating control unit serving as reheating control means. 52, an adapter determining unit 53 as an adapter determining unit, and a reheating prohibiting unit 54 as a reheating prohibiting unit.

The adapter judging section 53 is provided with circulation adapters 11 and 12 to which the bath kettle 200 with a water heater can be applied.
Storage unit 5 for storing adapter information regarding the installation position of the camera
31 and stores adapter information obtained by one or a combination of two or more of various input settings or processes to be described later, and based on the adapter information, determines whether the installation position of the circulation adapters 11 and 12 is the bottom installation. The adapter is determined to be installed on the side. The adapter information is used when the bath kettle 200 with a water heater is connected to the bathtub 100 installed at the actual construction site, at the time of a trial run after the construction, or at the first use after the construction. Alternatively, the information is acquired by processing for input setting or acquisition by the user, and is stored and held in advance.

In other words, in the case of FIG. 1 or FIG. 2, a switch (for example, a dip switch) assigned to the controller 5 by the installer or user for inputting adapter information to the bath remote controller 50 for inputting adapter information. The adapter information is acquired by inputting and setting the adapter information by the operation of (1), or by executing the automatic acquisition processing at the time of trial operation or at the first use after construction. In the case of FIG. 3, by connecting the automatic drain cock controller 16 to the controller 5, the adapter information output from the automatic drain cock controller 16 is directly stored in the storage unit 531. The bath remote controller 50 and the dip switch constitute input setting means.

In the automatic acquisition process described above, the circulation is determined by injecting a predetermined amount of water for determination through the pouring circuit 4, and adapter information is acquired. That is, first, a predetermined amount (for example, 10 L) of water is injected into the bathtub 100 so as to be lower than the opening of the circulation adapter 11 (see the solid line in FIG. 1 or FIG. 4) on the side of the bathtub 100. In this water pouring, the pouring solenoid valves 44 and 45 (see FIG. 4) are controlled to open so that water from the water supply pipe 21 is dropped into the bathtub 100 through the hot water supply circuit 2, the pouring circuit 4 and the circulation pipe 300. Next, the circulation pump 33 is operated to make a circulation determination based on whether or not an ON signal (there is a circulating flow) is output from the water flow switch 38. If the ON signal is output, the circulating adapter 11 is injected by the above-described water injection. Is submerged,
That is, while it is determined that the circulation adapter 11 is installed on the bottom surface, conversely, if the ON signal is not output from the water flow switch 38 (there is no circulation flow), the circulation adapter 1 is not used in the above water injection.
It is determined that 1 is not submerged, that is, the circulation adapter 11 is installed on the side. Then, the determination result is stored and held in the storage unit 531 as adapter information.

Hereinafter, the control by the reheating control unit 52, the adapter determination unit 53 and the reheating prohibition unit 54 will be described with reference to FIG.

First, it is determined whether or not the reheating switch provided on the bath remote controller 50 is turned on. If the switch is turned on, the adapter is determined by the adapter determining unit 53 (YES in step S1, step S2). In this adapter determination, based on the adapter information stored and held in the storage unit 531, it is determined whether the installation position of the circulation adapter connected by the circulation pipe 300 is bottom installation or side installation, and the determination result is determined. Output.

If the result of the determination is side installation (step S
2; NO), skip step S3 and skip steps S4-S
The reheating control 7 is executed. That is, the circulation pump 3
3 (step S4), and the reburning-side combustion burner 35 is burned with a predetermined amount of combustion (step S4).
5). This combustion is continued until the bath water temperature detected by bath water temperature sensor 39 reaches the bath set temperature set by the user on bath remote controller 50 (NO in step S6),
When the temperature rises to the bath set temperature, the operation of the circulation pump 33 is stopped after the combustion burner 35 is extinguished (YES in step S6, step S7). In step S4, the process proceeds to step S5 on the condition that an ON signal is output from the water flow switch 38 by the operation of the circulation pump 33 (circulation flow is generated). In the event that is not output, although not shown, an abnormality is displayed on the bath remote controller 50 and the subsequent control is stopped.

On the other hand, if the adapter determination result in step S2 is that the bottom surface is installed (YES in step S2), whether the current water level in the bathtub 100 is equal to or higher than the set water level Ha based on the detection information from the water level sensor 37 A water level determination of whether or not to perform is performed (step S3). As the set water level Ha,
A water level (for example, about 150 mm from the bottom surface) corresponding to the amount of hot water that does not exceed the bath set temperature early and does not enter an excessively high temperature heating state even after the reheating is executed is set. If the current water level is equal to or higher than the set water level Ha (step S3).
YES), execution of reheating is permitted, and step S4 is performed.
-Reheating of step S7 is executed.

Conversely, if the current water level is lower than the set water level (NO in step S3), the execution of reheating is prohibited, and the bath remote controller 50 displays output or audio output indicating that the water level is insufficient and guidance for the countermeasure. To notify the user (step S8). For example, "The reheating command has been accepted but the water level is insufficient. Add water to reheat. Turn off the reheating switch to cancel reheating."

Here, if the ON operation of the reheating switch in step S1 is a user's intentional operation, that is, the execution of the reheating is intended, the user keeps the reheating switch ON and sends the above notification. On the basis of this, the water tap in the bath should be opened and water should be added to raise the water level in the bathtub 100. For this reason, if it is determined in step S9 whether the reheating switch has been turned off and the process returns to the water level determination in step S3 (NO in step S9), the current water level at that time becomes equal to or higher than the set water level Ha, and the reheating control is performed. Execution is permitted (YES in step S3, steps S4 to S7).

Conversely, if the ON operation of the reheating switch in step S1 is an operation not intended by the user, that is, an erroneous operation or an accidental contact, the user turns OFF the reheating switch based on the notification.
After confirming that the reheating switch has been turned off in step S9, the control is stopped (YE in step S9).
S). As described above, after confirming the user's intention, it is possible to perform a process as to whether or not to perform reheating.

The above step S2 is performed by the adapter judging section 53.
Steps S3, S8, and S9 constitute control by the additional heating prohibiting unit 54, and step S8 among them constitutes control by the notification processing unit 541 (see FIG. 5) as notification processing means.

The circulation adapters 11 and 12 are controlled by the above control.
In the bath kettle 200 with a water heater, which is applied to a bathtub whose installation position is unspecified, it is possible to perform reheating with higher safety secured. In addition, the reheating control that exhibits such high safety is performed by the water level sensor 3.
7 is particularly preferably applied to a fully automatic bathtub 200 with a water heater in which the water level in the bathtub 100 can be detected.

<Other Embodiments> The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, but includes various other embodiments. That is, in the above embodiment,
When the user intends to reheat the water, the notification processing unit 541 notifies the user (see step S8 in FIG. 6) that the user himself / herself fills the bathtub 100 with water. However, the present invention is not limited to this. Alternatively, the water filling or hot water filling for the shortage may be performed by automatic control. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the reheating switch is not turned off (remains in the ON state) despite the notification in step S8 (NO in step S9),
In step S10, a pre-process of performing the water injection process or the hot water injection process at least up to the set water level Ha or the water level set by the user on the bath remote controller 50 may be performed. Then, after returning to step S3 and checking the water level, execution of the reheating control in steps S4 to S7 is permitted. In this case, the pre-processing means for performing the above pre-processing may be included in the additional heating prohibition unit 54 (see FIG. 5).

In the above embodiment, the bath kettle 200 with a water heater is provided.
Has been described for the case where the present invention is applied to the bathtub 100 where the position of the circulation adapter is unknown. In the case of a configuration with a attached bathtub, the adapter determination in step S2 in FIGS. 6 and 7 may be omitted. And the controller 5
The configuration of (see FIG. 5) is such that the adapter determination unit 53 is omitted and the reheating control unit 52 permits or prohibits the execution of the reheating control based on the water level determination.
May be added.

In the above embodiment, the bath remote control 50 installed in the bathroom is used as the input setting means. However, when the kitchen remote control 50a (see FIG. 3) is installed, the kitchen remote control 50a is used as the input setting means. May be used.

In the above embodiment, the permission or prohibition of the execution of the reheating control based on the water level judgment in step S3 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) is realized as a part of the control program. Permission or prohibition may be realized by a control circuit.

In the above embodiment, the case where the bath kettle 200 with the water heater is used is shown. However, the present invention is not limited to this. The invention can be applied.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of a bath kettle with a water heater according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of a type different from that of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an application example of a type different from those in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing details of the bath kettle with a water heater.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a controller.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing control contents of the controller relating to reheating control.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing control contents different from those in FIG. 6;

[Explanation of symbols]

2 Hot water supply circuit 3 Reheating circuit 11 and 12 Circulation adapter 24 Hot water supply line 37 Water level sensor (water level detection means) 44, 45 Pouring solenoid valve (open / close control valve) 50 Bath remote control (input setting means, notification means) 52) Reheating control unit (reheating control means) 53 Adapter determination unit (adapter determination means) 54 Reheating prohibition unit (reheating prohibition means) 100 Bathtub 200 Bathtub with water heater 300 Circulation pipe 541 Notification processing unit (Notification processing) means)

Claims (10)

[Claims] 1. A reheating control which is connected via a circulation pipe to a bathtub in which the installation position of a circulation adapter is unspecified and which receives an output of a reheating command and forcibly reheats water in the bathtub while forcibly circulating the water. A reheating control method for a bath kettle configured to be executed, wherein an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation, and if the determination result is a bottom installation, furthermore, Based on the detection information from the water level detecting means, a water level determination is made as to whether or not the current water level in the bathtub is equal to or higher than the set water level, and if the current water level is lower than the set water level, the reheating control is prohibited. A method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle, characterized in that: 2. A reheating control which is connected via a circulation pipe to a bathtub whose installation position of the circulation adapter is unspecified and which receives the output of the reheating command and forcibly reheats the hot water in the bathtub while recirculating the water. A reheating control method for a bath kettle configured to be executed, wherein an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation, and if the determination result is a bottom installation, furthermore, Based on the detection information from the water level detecting means, a water level determination is made as to whether or not the current water level in the bathtub is equal to or higher than a set water level, and execution of the reheating control is permitted on condition that the current water level is equal to or higher than the set water level. A method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle, characterized in that: 3. A method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle according to claim 1, wherein a tapping line of a water heater is connected to a circulation pipe via an opening / closing control valve, and the water level is determined. As a result, when the current water level is lower than the set water level,
A method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle, wherein after the opening / closing control valve is opened and water is poured or poured into the bathtub through the circulation pipe to or above a set water level, execution of reheating control is permitted. 4. The method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein as a result of the water level determination, when the current water level is lower than the set water level,
A reheating control method for a bath kettle, wherein the water level is notified by the notification means. 5. The method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle according to claim 1, wherein input information for manually inputting adapter information relating to an actual installation position of the circulation adapter is provided. A method for controlling reheating of a bath kettle, wherein a means is provided, and adapter determination is performed based on the adapter information output from the input setting means. 6. A reheating control which is connected via a circulation pipe to a bathtub whose installation position of the circulation adapter is unspecified and receives the output of the reheating command for forcibly recirculating the hot water in the bathtub while reheating. It is a reheating control method of a bath kettle with a water heater configured to be executed, wherein an adapter determination is made as to whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a side installation or a bottom installation, and when the determination result is a bottom installation. Performs a water level determination as to whether or not the current water level in the bathtub is equal to or higher than the set water level based on the detection information from the water level detection means.If the current water level is lower than the set water level, there is an output of the reheating command. The method further comprises temporarily prohibiting the execution of the reheating control and permitting the reheating control to be executed after water is poured or poured into the bathtub from the water heater to a set water level or higher. Reheating method of controlling the water heater with a bathtub. 7. A reheating control in which a circulation adapter is connected to a bathtub installed at an unspecified position via a circulation pipe, and receives the output of the reheating command to recirculate hot water in the bathtub while forcibly circulating the water. A bath kettle provided with reheating control means to be executed, an adapter determination means for determining whether the installation position of the circulation adapter is a bottom installation or a side installation, and a water level detection means for detecting a current water level in the bathtub. When the result of the determination by the adapter determining means is the bottom installation and the current water level detected by the water level detecting means is less than the set water level, the reheating control means for prohibiting the execution of the reheating control by the reheating control means. A bath kettle comprising: 8. A reheating control in which a circulation adapter is connected to a bathtub installed at an unspecified position via a circulation pipe, and receives the output of the reheating command to forcibly recirculate the hot water in the bathtub and reheat the bath. A bathtub with a water heater provided with reheating control means to be executed, a water level detection means for detecting a current water level in the bathtub, and an adapter for judging whether an installation position of the circulation adapter is a bottom installation or a side installation. Determining means, when the result of the determination by the adapter determining means is the bottom installed and the current water level detected by the water level detecting means is lower than the set water level, the execution of the reheating control is temporarily prohibited and the bathtub is removed from the water heater. And a preprocessing means for permitting execution of the reheating control after water is poured or poured until the water level exceeds a set water level. . 9. A recirculation adapter is connected to a bathtub provided on the bottom surface through a circulation pipe, and upon receiving an output of a reheating command, performs reheating control for forcibly recirculating hot and cold water in the bathtub. A bath kettle provided with reheating control means, wherein a water level detection means for detecting a current water level in the bathtub, and when the current water level detected by the water level detection means is lower than a set water level, the reheating control means And a reheating prohibiting means for prohibiting the reheating control from being performed by the refueling heater. 10. The bath kettle according to any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein the notifying means and the notifying means notifies that the water level is insufficient when the current water level is lower than the set water level. A bath kettle comprising processing means.