JP2003265339A - Bathtub water reuse system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a bathtub water reuse system by which the surface of a bathtub is uniformly cleaned by effectively utilizing hot water remained in the bathtub for cleaning the bathtub, and further excessive remaining hot water after cleaning of the bathtub can effectively be utilized for the other reuse equipment. <P>SOLUTION: The bathtub water reuse system is equipped with a remaining hot water collecting means for collecting the remaining hot water in the bathtub, a water reservoir tank connected to the remaining hot water collecting means, a water feeding means for feeding the water in the water reservoir tank, a channel switching means arranged on the downstream portion of the water feeding means for switching a piping channel toward the bathtub and a piping channel toward the other remaining hot water reuse equipment, and a control part for supplying the water in said water reservoir tank to bathtub cleaning spout by operating said water feeding means and said channel switching means after the operation end of the remaining hot water collecting means is detected. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2003,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath water reusing apparatus for effectively reusing the remaining hot water in a bathtub, and more particularly to a bath water reusing apparatus for reusing the remaining hot water in the bathtub as cleaning water for the body of the bathtub. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-28
No. 330, a method of draining bath water and then injecting cleaning water to wash away stains in the bath water, and, as in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-224755, use a circulating pump to remove residual water in the bath. There is known a method of cleaning the bathtub body by using.

[0003]

However, in the bathtub cleaning method described in JP-A-04-28330,
It is not economical to wash the remaining hot water after draining it from the viewpoint of the amount of remaining hot water discharged and the amount of clean water used as washing water.

On the other hand, in the method for cleaning the bathtub described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 04-224755, the above-mentioned drawbacks can be solved because the remaining hot water in the bathtub is used for cleaning. There is a drawback that the bathtub cannot be washed because it cannot be circulated. Also, when the washing water is spouted from the washing nozzle to wash off dirt on the surface of the bathtub, the residual hot water in the bathtub becomes an obstacle, and the above-mentioned cleaning effect is reduced on the surface of the bathtub below the remaining hot water level. It becomes impossible to clean evenly.

An object of the present invention is to clean a bathtub,
To provide a bath water reusing device that can effectively use the remaining hot water in the bathtub to wash the surface of the bathtub evenly, and also effectively use the surplus remaining hot water after washing the bathtub with other reusing equipment. Especially.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems and Actions / Effects] In order to solve the above problems, a remaining hot water collecting means for collecting the remaining hot water in the bathtub, a water storage tank connected to the remaining hot water collecting means, and this water storage tank A water supply means for supplying internal water, a flow path switching means disposed in a downstream portion of the water supply means for switching a pipe flow path to a bathtub and a pipe flow path to another remaining hot water reusing device, and the rest. After detecting the end of operation of the hot water recovery means, the water supply means and the flow path switching means are operated,
And a controller that supplies the water in the water storage tank to the spout for cleaning the bathtub.

As a result, the remaining hot water in the bathtub is reused as water for washing the bathtub without draining it to the sewer when the bathtub is washed, or a device for reusing the remaining hot water in the bathtub such as a toilet bowl or a washing machine. It becomes possible to use it as reused water. In addition, when cleaning the bathtub, after the remaining hot water is completely drained from the bathtub, the cleaning water can be sprayed directly onto the bathtub surface from the spout, so that dirt and dust on the inner wall surface and bottom surface of the bottom of the bathtub can be prevented. It is possible to clean evenly. Furthermore, since the bath cleaning can be started immediately after the collection of the remaining hot water in the bath, the slimming of the bath surface that increases in proportion to the contact time between the remaining hot water and the surface of the bath and the accompanying increase in the number of bacteria can be minimized. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the load on the cleaning side. Further, the remaining hot water left over by one washing is also retained in the water storage tank, so that the remaining hot water can be reused more effectively by the other recycling device.

Further, a detergent introducing means for adding a detergent for bath cleaning is disposed in a pipe flow channel connecting the flow channel switching means and the spout for bath cleaning.

As a result, the wash water with the detergent for bathtub cleaning added to the remaining hot water can be supplied to the spout for bathtub cleaning, so that it is possible to perform bathtub cleaning with higher cleaning efficiency. In addition, even if human body harmful bacteria such as Legionella spp. Or Escherichia coli enter the remaining hot water in the bathtub, it is safer for the user by using a detergent with high sterilization performance as the bathtub detergent. It is possible to provide a bathtub water reuse device.

Further, a feature is that a clean water supply means for supplying clean water is disposed in a pipe flow path connecting the flow path switching means and the detergent charging means.

After the washing water containing the detergent is sprinkled on the surface of the bathtub, the above-mentioned tap water supply means discharges tap water to remove the detergent component remaining on the bath surface and the organic component peeled off by the detergent component. It is possible to rinse with clean water and drain from the bath. Further, after the rinsing process is completed, the surface of the bathtub can be kept clean by chlorine in the clean water until the user uses the bathtub.

Further, the control section is capable of instructing opening / closing of an automatic drain plug provided at the bottom of the bathtub, and this opening / closing operation is interlocked with the operation of the water supply means and the flow path switching means.

As described above, the automatic drain plug provided in the bathtub, the water supply means, and the flow path switching means are interlocked with each other, whereby the bathtub is automatically cleaned without the user's trouble. It becomes possible. As a specific example, first, at the time of collecting the remaining hot water, the remaining hot water collecting means operates, after finishing collecting all the remaining hot water, and after stopping the operation of the remaining hot water collecting means,
The automatic drain plug is opened via the control unit. After that, the remaining water or detergent-containing cleaning water is discharged from the bathtub cleaning spout by the operation of the water supply means and the flow path switching means, and the operation of the water supply means is stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed. After stopping the operation of this water supply means, start supplying clean water,
After stopping the supply of clean water, activate the flow path switching means,
Connect the water storage tank with the reuse equipment. It is conceivable that the automatic drain plug is closed in response to the operation of the flow path switching means or the operation stop of the clean water supply means, and the bath water supply for the next time is started. Further, as a bathtub cleaning method, when the remaining hot water spouted from the spout or detergent-containing washing water is allowed to stay in the bathtub for a predetermined time without flowing from the drain tap, the automatic drain tap is used even after the above-mentioned remaining hot water collection is completed. It is also conceivable that the automatic drain plug is held in the closed state, and the automatic drain plug is opened in response to the operation stop of the water supply means or the operation start of the clean water supply means. In such a cleaning method, instead of spraying cleaning water onto the bathtub surface, the cleaning method of dipping and cleaning the bathtub surface can prevent the cleaning water from splashing when cleaning the bathtub. It is possible to reduce the risk of the cleaning water being sucked into the cleaning water as an aerosol. In any case, by incorporating the drainage operation into a series of cleaning systems, it becomes possible to supply a bath water reusing device that is more convenient for the user.

Further, a circulation path for connecting the remaining hot water collecting means and the spout for cleaning the bathtub is provided, and flow path switching means is provided at each of inlets and outlets of the circulation path.

By thus providing the bypass path which does not pass through the water storage tank, it is possible to repeatedly circulate a predetermined amount of cleaning water without passing the cleaning water containing detergent into the water storage tank. Becomes By providing such a circulation path that does not pass through the water storage tank, it is possible to reduce the load on the purification unit side, especially in the specification of disposing the purification unit in the water storage tank. Further, in the physical cleaning with the cleaning water ejected from the spout, by repeating the spray cleaning for a certain period of time, it is possible to achieve more effective cleaning. In addition to the cleaning effect, the amount of water used and the amount of detergent can be kept to a minimum, which enables more economical bath cleaning. In addition, the amount of drainage of wash water containing detergent can be reduced,
It is also possible to reduce the environmental load in one bath cleaning.

[0016]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic mechanism diagram of a bath water reusing apparatus according to the present invention, in which a recovery pump 2 which is a residual hot water recovery means for recovering the residual hot water in the bath 1 and a recovery pump 2 which is a residual hot water recovery means are used for recovery. A storage tank 3 for temporarily storing the remaining hot water, a water supply pump 4 as a water supply means for supplying the water in the water storage tank 3 to a reuse point, and a bathtub cleaning spout 6 provided in the main body of the bathtub 1. , A remaining hot water reuse device 7 such as a toilet bowl, a three-way valve 5 which is a flow path switching means for switching a piping flow path connecting the water supply pump 4, the bath washing water spout 6, and the residual hot water reuse device 7. The control unit 8 controls the unit.

The operation of the bath water reusing apparatus configured as described above will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the bath water reusing apparatus of FIG. First, after the user finishes taking a bath, when the user presses a bath washing switch (not shown) that is linked with the control unit 8, the recovery pump 2 which is the residual hot water recovery means is activated, and the residual hot water in the bath 1 is transferred to the water storage tank 3. Water is sent. The end of recovery of the remaining hot water is detected by a water flow switch or a pressure switch (not shown), and based on this detection signal, the control unit 8 causes the recovery pump 2 to recover.
Stop driving. At the same time, the control unit 8 operates the water supply pump 4 which is the means for supplying the water in the water storage tank 3, and connects the three-way valve 5 which is the flow path switching means to the side of the bath washing water discharge port 6. After that, the water supply pump 4 is operated for a predetermined time, and after the cleaning of the surface of the bathtub 1 is completed, the operation of the water supply pump 4 is stopped,
The three-way valve 5 is connected to the remaining hot water reuse device 7 side. In this state, when the remaining hot water reuse device 7 such as a toilet is used, this use is detected by a water flow switch or a pressure switch (not shown), and the control unit 8 sends a water pump 4 based on this detection signal. To supply the remaining hot water in the water storage tank 3 to these reuse devices 7. In addition, a plurality of bathtub cleaning spouts 6 provided in the bathtub 1 main body are provided in the bathtub 1 main body, and the respective installation positions and the water spouting form thereof are not limited.

In addition, after the remaining hot water in the bathtub is collected, in case the remaining hot water in the water storage tank 3 is too small to carry out a predetermined cleaning step, the water storage tank 3 is connected to a water tap (not shown). It is also conceivable that a ball tap or the like is provided, and when the water in the water storage tank 3 is below a certain water level, clean water is supplied to constantly wash the bath.

Further, for the purpose of more hygienic bathtub cleaning, a purifying mechanism (not shown) is provided in the water storage tank 3 so that only the water obtained by purifying the remaining hot water in the bathtub 1 to a certain level or more is washed. A form used as water is also conceivable. As the simplest purification mechanism, a sedimentation filtration tank is provided for the purpose of filtering solid matters such as hair mixed in the remaining hot water,
A mode in which a purifying material having pores such as activated carbon is arranged is possible. Furthermore, for the purpose of sterilizing human body harmful bacteria such as Legionella spp. And Escherichia coli that may be mixed in the remaining hot water, a form in which a bactericidal component is added to the remaining hot water is considered. By disposing such a purifying mechanism, it is possible to reuse the remaining hot water in a cleaner and safer manner even in the remaining hot water reuse device 7 other than the cleaning of the body of the bathtub 1.

FIG. 3 shows an embodiment in which a detergent for bathtub cleaning is added to the remaining hot water temporarily collected in the water storage tank, and then a rinsing step with clean water is incorporated. Here, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the bath water reusing apparatus of FIG. As described above, when the user presses the bath washing switch (not shown) that is interlocked with the control unit 8 after the bath is finished, the recovery pump 2 which is the residual hot water recovery means is activated, and the residual hot water in the bath 1 is stored in the water storage tank. Water is sent to 3. The completion of the remaining hot water recovery is detected by a water flow switch or a pressure switch (not shown), and the control unit 8 stops the operation of the recovery pump 2 based on the detection signal. At the same time, the control unit 8 operates the water supply pump 4 which is a means for supplying water in the water storage tank 3, connects the three-way valve 5 which is a flow path switching means to the side of the water discharge port 6 for bathtub cleaning, and is a detergent injection means. Detergent injection valve 1 provided in the detergent container 10
Open one. After that, the remaining hot water in the water storage tank 3 to which the detergent for washing the bath is added is supplied to the spout for washing the bath by the water pump 4 to wash the surface of the bath. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the operation of the water supply pump 4 is stopped, the detergent feeding valve 11 is closed, and the clean water supply valve 12 connected to the clean water tap is connected.
open. After that, the detergent component remaining on the surface of the bath 1 is washed away by the clean water supplied from the clean water supply valve 12 to the spout 6 for bath cleaning. After performing this rinsing for a predetermined time, the clean water supply valve 12 is closed, and the three-way valve 5 is connected to the remaining hot water reuse device 7 side. Further, it is necessary to provide a backflow prevention means such as a check valve 13 at an upstream side of the detergent feeding valve 11 to prevent the detergent from being mixed into the water storage tank side and other reuse equipment side.

Further, as a cleaning form different from the above-mentioned cleaning method by spraying the surface of the bathtub from the water discharge port, it is arranged in the lower part of the bathtub 1 in conjunction with the opening operation of the detergent injection valve 11 described above. It is also conceivable that the automatic drain plug 9 is closed, the remaining hot water mixed with the detergent is retained in the bathtub 1 for a predetermined time, and then a clean water rinse is performed. However, in the case of this cleaning mode, it is necessary to separately control the amount of remaining hot water after mixing the detergent to be retained in the bathtub 1 with a water level sensor (not shown) provided in the body of the bathtub 1.

In FIG. 5, a circulation path that connects the recovery pump and the spout for washing the bath is provided without passing through the water storage tank, and when rinsing, the clean water supplied to the bath 1 is repeatedly circulated and used. It is an example of a case. Here, FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the bath water reusing apparatus shown in FIG.
As described above, when the user presses the bath washing switch (not shown) that is interlocked with the control unit 8 after the bath is finished, the recovery pump 2 which is the residual hot water recovery means is activated, and the residual hot water in the bath 1 is stored in the water storage tank. Water is sent to 3. The completion of the remaining hot water recovery is detected by a water flow switch or a pressure switch (not shown), and the control unit 8 stops the operation of the recovery pump 2 based on the detection signal. At the same time, the control unit 8 operates the water supply pump 4 which is a means for supplying water in the water storage tank 3, connects the three-way valve 5 which is a flow path switching means to the side of the water discharge port 6 for bathtub cleaning, and is a detergent injection means. The detergent injection valve 11 provided in the detergent container 10 is opened. After that, the remaining hot water in the water storage tank 3 to which the detergent for washing the bath is added is supplied to the spout for washing the bath by the water pump 4 to wash the surface of the bath. After a lapse of a predetermined time, the operation of the water supply pump 4 is stopped, the detergent feeding valve 11 and the automatic drain plug are closed, and the tap water supply valve 12 connected to the tap tap is opened. Then, a predetermined amount of clean water is supplied from the clean water supply valve 12 to the bathtub cleaning spout 6. The amount of clean water supplied at this time is controlled by a timer (not shown). After the lapse of this predetermined time, the clean water supply valve 12 is closed, the recovery pump 2 is operated, and the circulation valves 14 and 15 are connected to the pipe path side connecting the water supply pump 2 and the bath spout 6 for spouting. The clean water previously retained in 1 is repeatedly circulated and used.
This circulation time is also controlled by a timer (not shown) or the like, and after a lapse of a predetermined time, the operation of the recovery pump 2 is stopped, the automatic drain plug 9 is opened, and the circulation valves 14 and 15 are moved to the water storage tank 3 piping route side. Connecting. As described above, by repeatedly circulating the clean water for rinsing the detergent components for a predetermined time, it is possible to supply the bath water reusing device having a higher cleaning effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view conceptually showing a bath water reusing apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the second embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure of the third embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bathtub 2 Recovery pump 3 water storage tank 4 water pump 5 three-way valve 6 Faucet for bathtub cleaning 7 Remaining hot water reuse equipment 8 control unit 9 Automatic drain plug 10 detergent containers 11 Detergent injection valve 12 Water supply valve 13 Check valve 14 Three-way valve for circulation 15 Three-way valve for circulation

   ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page    (72) Inventor Masahiro Tsuneda             2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture             No. Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yoshiaki Araki             2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture             No. Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinyo Endo             2-1-1 Nakajima, Kokurakita-ku, Kitakyushu City, Fukuoka Prefecture             No. Totoki Equipment Co., Ltd. F-term (reference) 2D005 FA00                 2D060 AA03

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A residual hot water recovery means for recovering residual hot water in a bathtub, a water storage tank connected to the residual hot water recovery means, a water supply means for supplying water in the water storage tank, and a downstream portion of the water supply means. A flow path switching means that is provided and switches between a piping flow path toward the bathtub and a piping flow path toward another remaining hot water reusing device; and the water supply means and the flow after detecting the end of operation of the remaining hot water recovery means. A bath water reusing apparatus, comprising: a control unit that operates a channel switching means to supply the water in the water storage tank to the bath spout for spouting. 2. A detergent introducing means for adding a detergent for bath cleaning is disposed in a pipe flow channel connecting the flow channel switching means and the spout for bath cleaning. The bath water reusing device described in. 3. The bathtub according to claim 2, wherein a water supply means for supplying water is provided in a pipe flow path connecting the flow path switching means and the detergent feeding means. Water reuse device. 4. The control unit is capable of instructing opening / closing of an automatic drain plug provided at the bottom of a bathtub, and this opening / closing operation is interlocked with the operation of the water supply unit and the flow path switching unit. The bath water reusing device according to any one of 1 to 3. 5. A circulation path connecting the remaining hot water collecting means and the bath washing water outlet is provided, and flow path switching means is provided at each of the inlets and outlets of the circulation path. The bath water reusing device according to any one of 1 to 4.