JP2004324979A

JP2004324979A - Bath device

Info

Publication number: JP2004324979A
Application number: JP2003119919A
Authority: JP
Inventors: Nobushige Nakamura; 信重中村
Original assignee: NAKAMURA DENKI KAKOSHO KK
Current assignee: NAKAMURA DENKI KAKOSHO KK
Priority date: 2003-04-24
Filing date: 2003-04-24
Publication date: 2004-11-18

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To clean the hot water in safety and to shorten a boiling time. <P>SOLUTION: In this bath device 1, a bathtub 2 and a bath boiler 3 are connected by means of a plurality of connection pipes 4, 5 vertically arranged, a boiling-out port 6 and a suction port 7 are formed on an inner face of the bathtub 2, and a hot water stopping cover 8 is mounted on the boiling-out port 6. Further a filter 9 for filtrating the sucked hot water is mounted on the suction port 7, and the hot water stopping cover 8 of the boiling-out port 6 can selectively open an outlet-side front face of the boiling-out port 6. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
この発明は、例えば、風呂の湯の浄化とともに、沸き時間の短縮を図ることができるようにするための技術に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
一般家庭で使用される風呂の多くは、浴槽と風呂釜とを上下２本の連結管で連結して構成され、浴槽内に沸き出し口と吸い込み口とを上下に形成している。そして上側の沸き出し口には、風呂釜内で熱くなった湯が出る隙間を隔てて沸き出し口よりも大径で板状をなす湯止めカバーを取り付けている。
【０００３】
このような構成の風呂において、湯水の浄化を図るものとして、フィルタと逆止弁を組み合わせたのがある（特許文献１参照）。
【０００４】
すなわち、上側の沸き出し口と下側の吸い込み口に取り付けるアダプタを設け、このアダプタの各口に対応する位置に、口全体を覆うフィルタを張り付けるとともに下側の吸い込み口に対応する位置の内側面には、逆止弁も備えている。
【０００５】
つまり、浴槽内の湯水は下側のフィルタでろ過して、風呂釜内から出る湯水は上側のフィルタでろ過する。
【０００６】
しかし、このような構成のアダプタを設けたのでは、沸き出し口と吸い込み口を全体的に塞ぐフィルタの存在のため、湯水の循環が悪い。つまり風呂釜内に入る湯水は、フィルタの存在のため入る量が制限される上に、風呂釜内で熱くなった湯は、フィルタの存在のため出る量が制限される。このため風呂釜内で湯が沸騰してしまい、安全性の面で問題がある。しかも、循環が悪いので沸くのに時間が掛かる。
【０００７】
また、逆止弁が必要なため、部品点数が多くなり、構造も複雑となってコストが掛かる上に、洗浄などの絶対不可欠な作業がしにくいという難点もある。
【０００８】
【特許文献１】
特開平９−４２７７５号公報。
【０００９】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
そこでこの発明は、湯水の浄化を図ることが安全に行えるとともに、沸き時間の短縮を図り、さらに掃除等の作業も容易に行えるような風呂装置の提供を主たる課題とする。
【００１０】
【課題を解決するための手段】
そのための手段は、浴槽と風呂釜とを上下に配設された複数本の連結管で連結して、浴槽内面に沸き出し口と吸い込み口とを形成し、上記沸き出し口には湯止めカバーを取り付けた風呂装置であって、上記吸い込み口に、吸い込まれる湯水をろ過するフィルタを備えるとともに、上記沸き出し口の湯止めカバーは、沸き出し口の出口側正面を選択して開放可能に形成した風呂装置であることを特徴とする。
【００１１】
すなわち、上記構成によれば、沸かすときには湯止めカバーを操作して、沸き出し口の出口側正面を開放しておく。つまり、浴槽内の湯水は、吸い込み口に備えたフィルタを通ってろ過され、風呂釜内で加熱される。そして加熱された湯水は、沸き出し口から流れ出るが、沸き出し口の出口側正面を開放しているので、沸き出し口のみを通じても浴槽内での湯水の対流が起こり、吸い込み口からの吸い上げ量が制限されても良好に沸かすことができる。
【００１２】
また、吸い込み口からの吸い上げ量（流量）が制限されるので、風呂釜内の水温を効率よく上昇させることができる。
【００１３】
浴槽内の湯が所定温度に沸いたあとは、湯止めカバーを操作して沸き出し口の出口側正面を閉じる。このことによって、浴槽内の湯が風呂釜内に入るのを抑制し、風呂釜内の湯の温度の低下に起因する対流の発生を抑制する。そして、吸い込み口のフィルタは、風呂釜内の湯の温度の低下により風呂釜内の湯が浴槽内に流入するのを抑制する。
【００１４】
上記フィルタは、吸い込み口に着脱可能に差し込まれる筒状の差込部と、ろ材を納める収納部とを有する本体部材と、該本体部材の収納部に着脱可能に嵌着するキャップ部材と、ろ材とで構成するとよい。洗浄や着脱などの作業が容易に行える。
【００１５】
また上記ろ材は、金属たわしを用いて構成するとよい。金属たわしは、カール品でもウール品でも、いずれでもよく、金属にはステンレスを用いたものである方が錆びないのでよい。
【００１６】
上記湯止めカバーは、沸き出し口から出る湯の流れに対して垂直な湯止め位置と、湯の流れに対して平行な流れ促進位置とに開閉可能な変位部を有する構成であるのが好ましい。変位部は、湯止めカバーの一部でも、全部でもよい。沸き出し口の出口側正面を選択して開放することが、変位部の開閉で行えるので、操作が簡単である。
【００１７】
別の手段は、前記風呂装置に用いる湯止めカバーであることを特徴とする。
【００１８】
また別の手段は、前記風呂装置に用いるフィルタであることを特徴とする。
【００１９】
【発明の効果】
以上のようにこの発明によれば、吸い込み口に湯水浄化のためのフィルタを付けて湯水の浄化を図っても、吸い込み口から吸い込んだ湯水の対流に加え、主として沸き出し口を通しての湯水の対流ができ、風呂釜内の湯の温度が異常に上がることを抑制して、安全性を確保できる。
【００２０】
しかも、吸い込み口に付けたフィルタの存在のため風呂釜内に入る湯水の量が制限されるので、風呂釜内に入った湯水の温度上昇が効率よく行え、上述した２種類の対流との相乗効果により、沸き時間の短縮を図ることができる。
【００２１】
また湯止めカバーの操作は、開閉操作で行えるので、簡単である。
【００２２】
湯止めカバーを操作して沸き出し口の出口側正面を閉じると、吸い込み口に取り付けたフィルタによる湯水の流通制限作用との相乗効果で、湯温の低下を抑制することができる。
【００２３】
湯温の低下抑制は、従来のようにシート状のフィルタに逆止弁を組み合わせずとも、湯止めカバーとフィルタで充分に行えるので、構成が簡素で、コストを抑えることも出来る。また洗浄等の作業も容易に行える。
【００２４】
このように、湯水の浄化と沸き時間の短縮を図ることができ、さらに、加熱に際しての安全性を確保できる。またフィルタは吸い込み口に取り付けているだけであるので、風呂の掃除は従来例のように複数のフィルタを備えた場合に比して簡単である。
【００２５】
またフィルタを、吸い込み口に着脱可能に差し込まれる筒状の差込部と、ろ材を納める収納部とを有する本体部材と、該本体部材の収納部に着脱可能に嵌着するキャップ部材と、ろ材とで構成すると、吸い込み口に対する着脱やろ材の着脱が容易に行えるので、洗浄作業が簡単に行える。
【００２６】
特に、ろ材を金属たわしで構成すると、洗浄等の作業がより簡単に行えるうえに、錆びることも無いので長期間にわたって使用することができ、経済的でもある。
【００２７】
前記湯止めカバーを、沸き出し口から出る湯の流れに対して垂直な湯止め位置と、湯の流れに対して平行な流れ促進位置とに開閉可能な変位部を用いて構成すると、切替は変位部の開閉動作で行えるので操作が簡単であり、開閉操作に困難性や煩雑さはない。このため、上記効果を確実なものとすることができる。
【００２８】
【発明の実施の形態】
この発明の一実施の形態を、以下図面を用いて説明する。
図１は、風呂装置１の概略構成図であり、この図に示すように風呂装置１は、浴槽２と風呂釜３と、これらを連結する上下２本の連結管４，５とからなる。そして浴槽２内の上側に形成される沸き出し口６と下側に形成される吸い込み口７とに、それぞれ湯止めカバー８、フィルタ９を備えている。
【００２９】
湯止めカバー８は、主として入浴中の入浴者の安全を確保するためのもので、沸き出し口６から湯が出入りする隙間を隔てて、沸き出し口６を塞ぐように取り付けている。フィルタ９は、主として湯水の浄化を行うためのもので、吸い込み口７に対して、湯水の吸い込みが可能な状態で吸い込み口７を塞ぐように取り付けている。
【００３０】
まずフィルタ９から説明すると、フィルタ１は図２に示したように、３つの部材からなる。すなわち、吸い込み口７に着脱可能に取り付ける本体部材１０と、該本体部材１０の収納部１０ａに収納するろ材１１と、上記本体部材１０の収納部１０ａに嵌着するキャップ部材１２とで構成する。
【００３１】
本体部材１０は、吸い込み口７に着脱可能に差し込まれる筒状の差込部１０ｂと、これの先端に一体形成され、差込部１０ｂよりも大径の収納部１０ａとからなり、収納部１０ａは、差込部１０ｂよりも短い有底筒状にに形成している。そしてその底面には、流体の流通が可能な複数の貫通孔１０ｂを形成している。
【００３２】
上記差込部１０ｂには、２本のスリット１０ｄを長さ方向に形成し、差込しやすくするとともに抜けにくくしている。
【００３３】
上記キャップ部材１２は、本体部材１０の収納部１０ａに上から被さる有蓋筒状に形成し、その蓋面には、流体の流通が可能な複数の貫通孔１２ａを形成している。
【００３４】
これら本体部材１０とキャップ部材１２は、薄いステンレス板で形成する。その他適宜の材料を用いるもよい。
【００３５】
また、ろ材１１は、収納部１０ａに収納可能な大きさに成形した金属たわしで構成している。この金属製たわしは、カール品であるもウール品（ステンレスウール）であるもいずれでもよい。また、両者を組み合わせたり、他の適宜の部材と組み合わせたりするもよい。
【００３６】
湯止めカバー８は、沸き出し口６の出口側正面を横切るように形成した帯状の固定部４ａにねじ止めする本体部１３と、該本体部１３の上下両側に枢着した変位部１４，１４とで構成する。変位部１４，１４は、沸き出し口６から出る湯の流れに対して垂直な湯止め位置と、湯の流れに対して平行な流れ促進位置とに開閉可能である。
【００３７】
上記固定部４ａは、湯止めカバー８を取り付けても沸き出し口６を完全に閉塞しないように長さ方向の中間部位を適宜張り出して形成し、その中央に雌ねじ４ｂを形成している。
【００３８】
湯止めカバー８は全体として正面視円形に形成する。そして上記本体部１３は、上下方向の中間部に位置して、上記固定部４ａよりも幅広の横一文字状である。またその本体部の中央には、固定ねじ１５を挿通する貫通孔１３ａを形成している。
【００３９】
変位部１４の枢着は、図４、図５に示したように行っている。すなわち、本体部１３の左右両側部分に、上下に突出する枢着受け部１６を形成する。この枢着受け部１６は、枢着軸１７を上下動可能に保持すべく、上下方向に長い長孔部１６ａを形成している。
【００４０】
また各変位部１４における枢着受け部１６対応位置には、切欠１８を形成し、これの裏面側に橋渡しするように上記枢着軸１７を固定している。枢着軸１７と長孔１６ａの関係は、枢着軸１７を本体部１３側に寄せたときに変位部１４の基部に形成した係合段部１４ａが本体部の上下両側縁に係合し、その付勢力に抗して引っ張って枢着軸１７を長孔１６ａの端に移動したときに係合段部１４ａの係合が外れるように設定している。係合段部１４ａが本体部１３に係合した状態が上記湯止め位置である。
【００４１】
また、各変位部１４の表面における切欠１８側の位置には、係止突部１４ｂを形成して、図５に示したように、変位部１４を引き起こして流れ促進位置に変位したときに、係止突部１４ｂが本体部１３に係合するように設定している。
【００４２】
このような２種類の係合を補助するため、図４、５に示したように、上下方向で相対向する枢着軸１７同士を引っ張りコイルばね１９で連結している。
【００４３】
この湯止めカバー８では、変位部１４を、引っ張りコイルばね１９の付勢力に抗して本体部１３から離間する方向に引っ張って、図４に示したように手前側に引き起こす方向に回転することで流れ促進位置に変位することができる。開いた状態は上記係止突部１４ｂと本体部１３との係止と引っ張りコイルばね１９の付勢力とで保持される。
【００４４】
このように構成した風呂装置１では、湯を沸かすには浴槽２に水を張って風呂釜３に点火するが、このときに、沸き出し口６に取り付けた湯止めカバー８の変位部１４を手前側に引き起こして、沸き出し口６の出口側正面を開放しておく。
【００４５】
すると、浴槽２内の水はフィルタ９を通って（ろ過されて）吸い込み口７から風呂釜３内に入り、風呂釜３内の水は加熱されて上昇し沸き出し口６から出る。このとき湯止めカバー８は沸き出し口６の出口側正面すべてを覆っていないので、湯は円滑に流出する。同時に、沸き出し口６からは水の流入も行われて、流入した水は風呂釜３内で加熱されてから排出される。特に湯止めカバー８は、上下に変位部１４を設けているので、湯水の流れを上下で分けることができ、円滑な対流を生むことができる。
【００４６】
このため、図１に矢印で示したように、吸い込み口７から吸い込まれて風呂釜３を通って浴槽２内に出る通常の循環と、上側の沸き出し口６から吸い込まれて風呂釜３内で加熱されて浴槽２内に出る循環とが同時に行われて、これの繰り返しと浴槽２内で起こる対流とで、浴槽２内の湯水が温まる。
【００４７】
また、吸い込み口７から風呂釜３内に入る湯水は、フィルタ９の存在のためその吸い上げ量に制限を受ける。このため風呂釜３内に入った湯水の温度上昇は無制限に吸い上げられる場合に比して効率よく行える。
【００４８】
つまり風呂釜３内の湯水の温度上昇率が高いので、沸き出し口から出る湯の温度は、フィルタのない場合よりも高い。
【００４９】
この温度の高さと上記２種類の循環との相乗作用により、浴槽２内の湯の沸きは早い。
【００５０】
また、吸い込み口７から入る湯水は、フィルタ９のろ材１１によってろ過され、浄化される。
【００５１】
そして、浴槽２内の湯の加熱を止めたあとは、湯止めカバー８の変位部１４を、沸き出し口６を塞ぐ姿勢になるように元に戻す。すると浴槽２内の湯が沸き出し口６を通って風呂釜３内に入るのは抑制されると同時に、風呂釜３内の湯が沸き出し口６を通って浴槽２に入るのも抑制される。また、フィルタ９の存在のため、風呂釜３内の湯が吸い込み口７を通って浴槽２内に入るのも抑制される。つまり、火を止めると温度降下が著しい風呂釜３内の湯が浴槽２との間を行き来（循環）するのを抑制することができる。
このため、浴槽２内の湯温の低下を抑えることが出来る。
【００５２】
以上のように、浴槽２内の水を早く沸かすことができるとともに、湯水の浄化と湯温低下の抑制もできる。また、湯止めカバー８は変位部１４を開閉動作するだけであるので簡単である。さらにフィルタ９は、本体部材１０とろ材１１とキャップ部材１２で簡素に構成しているので、洗浄等のメンテナンス作業も容易に行える。また上記ろ材１１には金属たわしを用いているので、長期間にわたって使用でき経済的であるという効果も有する。
【００５３】
この上記沸きの速さと冷めにくさを示す次のような実験を行った。
すなわち、図６に示したような４つの実験区ごとに湯の沸き方と冷め方を調べた。
【００５４】
実験は、浴槽に２００リットルの水を張って、その時間の経過に伴う温度の変化を調べて行った。
【００５５】
実験区１では、沸き出し口６に、変位部１４を有しない円板状の普通の湯止めカバー２０を取り付け、吸い込み口７には何も取り付けない。
実験区２では、沸き出し口６および吸い込み口７には何も取り付けない。
実験区３では、沸き出し口６には何も取り付けないが、吸い込み口７には、前記構造のフィルタ９を取り付ける。
実験区４では、沸き出し口６に、変位部１４を有しない円板状の普通の湯止めカバー２０を取り付け、吸い込み口７には前記構成のフィルタ９を取り付けた。
【００５６】
また温度は、浴槽２内の水面部分と、水中部分と、底部分との３箇所について調べ、加熱は、水面部分が５０℃になるまで行ったあと、火を止めて水温の推移を見た。
【００５７】
測定機器には、次のものを用いた。
記録装置はＣＨＩＮＯ製ＪＰｔ１００を、気温は温度センサＣＨＩＮＯ製ＩＹＲＥ６３０２Ｚ、底温度は温度センサＣＨＩＮＯ製ＺＢ３１Ａ３００３Ｆ、水中温度は温度センサＣＨＩＮＯ製ＺＢ３１Ａ３００４Ｆ、水面温度は温度センサＣＨＩＮＯ製ＺＢ３１Ａ３００５Ｆを用いた。
【００５８】
なお、上記水中とは、張った水の深さの半分の位置である。
【００５９】
また試験区では、加熱時に湯止めカバー８の変位部１４を流れ促進位置に変位させ、消火後は、湯止め位置に変位させる。
【００６０】
実験はそれぞれ６回行い、平均値を出して図６のグラフにした。また実験の時の気温はおよそ１０℃前後で、経時的変化の少ない時間帯に行った。
【００６１】
結果は図７に示した通りであり、およそ３つのパターン（特性）に分けられるものとなった。
【００６２】
ひとつは実験区１と２であり、沸くまでの時間がおよそ５０分である。また、火を止めたあとは特に水中の温度の降下が始まる。
【００６３】
そのほかは、実験区３と４であり、実験区４では沸くまでの時間がおよそ５０分で、実験区１や２と大差はないが、消火後の湯温、特に水中の温度の降下は、実験区１や２と比べて起こらないことがわかる。一方、実験区３では沸くまでの時間がおよそ４５分と、実験区１、２、４よりも早い。そして消火後の温度低下は、実験区４の場合と同様に、起きにくい。
【００６４】
実験区１と２で沸くまでの時間と温度変化に大差がないのは、吸い込み口７にフィルタ９を取り付けていないため、吸い込み口から吸い上げられる水がどんどん循環し、風呂釜３から浴槽２内に出る湯の温度が実験区３や４の場合よりも低いからだと考えられる。
【００６５】
また、消火後の温度変化について降下が著しいのは、浴槽２と風呂釜３との間に相互間の出入りを制限するものが無く、冷めやすい風呂釜３内の湯が浴槽２内に流入し、温度差に基づく自然対流が活発に起こるからであると考えられる。
【００６６】
一方で、実験区３において沸きが早いのは、次のような理由によると考えられる。すなわち、吸い込み口７から吸い上げる水の量が制限を受けるので、風呂釜３内での水の温度上昇が効率よく充分に行える。そして、充分に加熱された湯は、開放された沸き出し口から円滑に流出し、浴槽２内を対流する。同時に、沸き出し口６からは、沸き出し口が開放されているため、水の吸い込みも行われ、沸き出し口のみでの加熱循環も行われる。このような２種類の循環と風呂釜３内の温度変化との相乗作用により、沸きが早まると考えられる。
【００６７】
実験区４で実験区３よりも沸きが早くないのは、湯止めカバー２０の存在のため、沸き出し口６から流出する湯の流れが制限を受けるからであると考えられる。
【００６８】
上述のような結果から、湯を早く沸かすには、沸き出し口７にフィルタ９を備え、沸き出し口６は開放しておくのが最もよいことが分かる。そして冷めにくくするには、吸い込み口７にフィルタ９を備え、沸き出し口には湯止めカバー２０を取り付けるのがよいことが分かる。
【００６９】
したがって、変位部１４を有した湯止めカバー８とフィルタ９とを組み合わせて構成し、湯を沸かすときには湯止めカバー８の変位部１４を変位させて沸き出し口６を開放し、消火後には湯止めカバー８の変位部１４を変位させて沸き出し口６を閉じるようにするのがよいことが分かる。
【００７０】
上記構成はこの発明の一実施の形態であって、他の構成を採用することもできる。例えば、湯止めカバー８は、沸き出し口６の出口側正面すべて覆う円板状の変位部と、これを沸き出し口６の傍らに回動可能に支持する部分とで構成して、ほぼ全体を変位部とするもよい。
【００７１】
枢着構造は単なるヒンジで構成し、適宜のストッパ構造を付設して、湯止め位置と流れ促進位の２位置への変位を固定できるようにするもよい。
【００７２】
また変位部１４は、例えば形状記憶合金や温度センサ等を用いて適宜構成すれば、浴槽内の湯の温度等に基づいて自動的に変位するように構成することもできる。
【００７３】
さらにまた、湯止めカバー１４を沸き出し口６の出口側正面を選択して開放可能にする変位は、枢着構造によらずに他の構造、例えばスライド構造などで行うもよい。
【００７４】
さらに、ろ材には、不織布状のろ材など、様々な種類のろ材を用いることができるとともに、例えば遠赤外線を放射する天然石など、適宜の材料を組み合わせるもよい。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】風呂装置の説明図。
【図２】フィルタの分解斜視図。
【図３】湯止めカバーの斜視図。
【図４】湯止めカバーの裏面図。
【図５】図４のＡ−Ａ線位置における、湯止めカバーの作用状態の断面図。
【図６】実験の方法を示す説明図。
【図７】実験結果を示すグラフ。
【符号の説明】
１…風呂装置
２…浴槽
３…風呂釜
４，５…連結管
６…沸き出し口
７…吸い込み口
８…湯止めカバー
９……フィルタ
１０…本体部材
１０ａ…収納部
１０ｂ…差込部
１１…ろ材
１２…キャップ部材
１４…変位部[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a technique for purifying hot water in a bath and shortening a boiling time, for example.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Most baths used in ordinary households are configured by connecting a bathtub and a bathtub with two upper and lower connecting pipes, and have an outlet and a suction port formed vertically in the bathtub. The upper outlet is provided with a plate-shaped water stop cover having a diameter larger than that of the outlet through a gap through which hot water in the bath pot flows out.
[0003]
In a bath having such a configuration, a filter and a check valve are combined to purify hot water (see Patent Document 1).
[0004]
That is, an adapter to be attached to the upper outlet and the lower suction port is provided, and a filter covering the entire mouth is attached to a position corresponding to each port of the adapter, and an adapter is provided at a position corresponding to the lower suction port. A check valve is also provided on the side.
[0005]
That is, hot water in the bathtub is filtered by the lower filter, and hot water coming out of the bath kettle is filtered by the upper filter.
[0006]
However, when an adapter having such a configuration is provided, circulation of hot and cold water is poor due to the presence of a filter that entirely blocks the outlet and the inlet. That is, the amount of hot water entering the bath kettle is limited due to the presence of the filter, and the amount of hot water heated in the bath kettle is restricted due to the presence of the filter. For this reason, hot water boils in the bath kettle, and there is a problem in terms of safety. In addition, it takes time to boil because of poor circulation.
[0007]
In addition, since a check valve is required, the number of parts is increased, the structure is complicated, cost is increased, and there is a problem that it is difficult to perform an indispensable operation such as cleaning.
[0008]
[Patent Document 1]
JP-A-9-42775.
[0009]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is a main object of the present invention to provide a bath apparatus capable of safely purifying hot and cold water, shortening a boiling time, and further easily performing operations such as cleaning.
[0010]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
Means for this is to connect the bathtub and the bath pot with a plurality of connecting pipes arranged vertically, to form a water outlet and a suction port on the inner surface of the bathtub, and a water stopper cover at the water outlet. A suction device, wherein the suction port is provided with a filter for filtering suctioned hot water, and the water stop cover of the water outlet is formed to be openable by selecting the outlet side front face of the water outlet. It is characterized by being a bath device.
[0011]
That is, according to the above configuration, when boiling, the water stop cover is operated to open the front side of the outlet side of the outlet. That is, the hot water in the bathtub is filtered through the filter provided in the suction port and heated in the bath kettle. The heated water flows out of the outlet, but since the outlet side of the outlet is open, convection of the water in the bathtub occurs only through the outlet and the amount of water drawn from the inlet Can be satisfactorily boiled even if is restricted.
[0012]
In addition, since the amount of suction (flow rate) from the suction port is limited, the water temperature in the bath can be efficiently increased.
[0013]
After the hot water in the bath tub has boiled to a predetermined temperature, the water stop cover is operated to close the outlet side front of the water outlet. This suppresses the hot water in the bathtub from entering the bath kettle, and suppresses the generation of convection due to a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the bath kettle. Then, the filter at the suction port suppresses the hot water in the bath kettle from flowing into the bathtub due to a decrease in the temperature of the hot water in the bath kettle.
[0014]
The filter includes a main body member having a tubular insertion portion detachably inserted into the suction port, a storage portion for storing the filter material, a cap member detachably fitted to the storage portion of the main body member, and a filter material. It is good to consist of Operations such as cleaning and detachment can be performed easily.
[0015]
The filter medium may be formed using a metal scourer. The metal scourer may be either a curled product or a wool product, and stainless steel is preferable because it does not rust.
[0016]
It is preferable that the water stopper cover has a displacement part that can be opened and closed at a water stop position perpendicular to the flow of the hot water flowing out of the outlet and a flow promotion position parallel to the flow of the hot water. . The displacement part may be a part or the whole of the water stopper cover. Since the opening and closing of the displacement portion can be performed by selecting and opening the front side of the outlet side of the outlet, the operation is simple.
[0017]
Another means is a water stopper used for the bath apparatus.
[0018]
Still another means is a filter used for the bath apparatus.
[0019]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if the suction port is provided with a filter for purifying hot water, in addition to the convection of the hot water sucked from the suction port, the convection of the hot water mainly through the outlet is also provided. It is possible to prevent the temperature of the hot water in the bath kettle from rising abnormally, thereby ensuring safety.
[0020]
In addition, since the amount of hot water entering the bath kettle is limited due to the presence of the filter attached to the suction port, the temperature of the hot water entering the bath kettle can be efficiently raised, and synergistic with the two types of convection described above. By the effect, the boiling time can be shortened.
[0021]
In addition, the operation of the hot water cover is simple because it can be performed by opening and closing operations.
[0022]
When the water stop cover is operated to close the front side of the outlet side of the outlet, the drop in the hot water temperature can be suppressed by a synergistic effect with the flow restriction operation of the hot water by the filter attached to the inlet.
[0023]
The suppression of the decrease of the hot water temperature can be sufficiently performed by the hot water cover and the filter without combining the check filter with the sheet-shaped filter as in the related art, so that the configuration is simple and the cost can be reduced. Further, operations such as cleaning can be easily performed.
[0024]
In this way, purification of hot water and shortening of the boiling time can be achieved, and safety during heating can be ensured. Further, since the filter is merely attached to the suction port, cleaning of the bath is simpler than the case where a plurality of filters are provided as in the conventional example.
[0025]
Also, a main body member having a tubular insertion portion for detachably inserting the filter into the suction port, a storage portion for storing the filter material, a cap member detachably fitted to the storage portion of the main body member, and a filter material. With this configuration, the attachment / detachment of the suction port and the attachment / detachment of the filter medium can be easily performed, so that the cleaning operation can be easily performed.
[0026]
In particular, when the filter medium is made of a metal scourer, the work such as cleaning can be performed more easily, and the filter medium does not rust, so that it can be used for a long period of time and is economical.
[0027]
When the water stopper cover is configured by using a displacement part that can be opened and closed at a water stop position perpendicular to the flow of the hot water flowing out of the outlet and a flow promotion position parallel to the flow of the hot water, the switching is performed. Since the operation can be performed by opening and closing the displacement unit, the operation is simple, and there is no difficulty or complexity in the opening and closing operation. For this reason, the above effects can be ensured.
[0028]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a bath apparatus 1. As shown in the figure, the bath apparatus 1 includes a bathtub 2, a bathtub 3, and two upper and lower connecting pipes 4 and 5 connecting these. A water outlet cover 6 and a filter 9 are provided at an outlet 6 formed on the upper side of the bathtub 2 and a suction port 7 formed on the lower side, respectively.
[0029]
The hot water cover 8 is mainly for securing the safety of a bather during bathing, and is attached so as to close the hot water outlet 6 with a gap through which hot water flows in and out of the hot water outlet 6. The filter 9 is mainly for purifying hot water, and is attached to the suction port 7 so as to close the suction port 7 in a state where the hot water can be sucked.
[0030]
First, the filter 9 will be described. The filter 1 includes three members as shown in FIG. That is, it is composed of a main body member 10 detachably attached to the suction port 7, a filter medium 11 stored in a storage portion 10a of the main body member 10, and a cap member 12 fitted in the storage portion 10a of the main body member 10.
[0031]
The main body member 10 includes a cylindrical insertion portion 10b that is removably inserted into the suction port 7, and a storage portion 10a that is integrally formed at the tip of the insertion portion 10b and has a larger diameter than the insertion portion 10b. Is formed in a bottomed cylindrical shape shorter than the insertion portion 10b. A plurality of through holes 10b through which fluid can flow are formed on the bottom surface.
[0032]
Two slits 10d are formed in the insertion portion 10b in the length direction to make it easy to insert and make it hard to come off.
[0033]
The cap member 12 is formed in a cylindrical shape with a cover that covers the storage portion 10a of the main body member 10 from above, and a plurality of through holes 12a through which fluid can flow is formed on the cover surface.
[0034]
The main body member 10 and the cap member 12 are formed of a thin stainless plate. Other appropriate materials may be used.
[0035]
Further, the filter medium 11 is formed of a metal scourer formed into a size that can be stored in the storage unit 10a. The metal scourer may be a curled product or a wool product (stainless wool). Further, both may be combined or combined with another appropriate member.
[0036]
The water stopper cover 8 includes a main body 13 that is screwed to a belt-shaped fixing portion 4 a formed so as to cross the front surface of the outlet 6 on the outlet side, and displacement portions 14, 14 pivotally attached to upper and lower sides of the main body 13. It consists of The displacement parts 14 and 14 can be opened and closed between a stop position perpendicular to the flow of hot water flowing out of the outlet 6 and a flow promotion position parallel to the flow of hot water.
[0037]
The fixing portion 4a is formed by appropriately projecting an intermediate portion in the length direction so that the opening 6 is not completely closed even when the water stopper cover 8 is attached, and a female screw 4b is formed at the center thereof.
[0038]
The water stopper cover 8 is formed in a circular shape as a whole as viewed from the front. The main body 13 is located at an intermediate portion in the vertical direction, and has a horizontal single-character shape wider than the fixing portion 4a. Further, a through hole 13a through which the fixing screw 15 is inserted is formed in the center of the main body.
[0039]
The pivoting of the displacement portion 14 is performed as shown in FIGS. That is, a pivotally-receiving portion 16 protruding up and down is formed on both left and right portions of the main body 13. The pivot receiving portion 16 has a vertically long slot 16a formed to hold the pivot shaft 17 so as to be vertically movable.
[0040]
A notch 18 is formed at a position corresponding to the pivot receiving portion 16 in each displacement portion 14, and the pivot shaft 17 is fixed so as to bridge the back surface of the notch 18. The relationship between the pivot shaft 17 and the elongated hole 16a is such that when the pivot shaft 17 is moved toward the main body portion 13, the engagement step portions 14a formed at the base of the displacement portion 14 engage with the upper and lower side edges of the main body portion. The engagement step 14a is set to be disengaged when the pivot shaft 17 is moved to the end of the elongated hole 16a by being pulled against the urging force. The state in which the engaging step portion 14a is engaged with the main body portion 13 is the above-mentioned stopcock position.
[0041]
In addition, a locking projection 14b is formed at a position on the surface of each displacement portion 14 on the side of the notch 18, and as shown in FIG. 5, when the displacement portion 14 is caused to be displaced to the flow promoting position, The locking projection 14b is set so as to engage with the main body 13.
[0042]
In order to assist these two types of engagement, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the pivot shafts 17 facing each other in the vertical direction are connected to each other by a tension coil spring 19.
[0043]
In this stopper 8, the displacing portion 14 is pulled in a direction away from the main body portion 13 against the urging force of the tension coil spring 19, and is rotated in a direction to cause the displacing portion 14 toward the near side as shown in FIG. 4. Can be displaced to the flow promoting position. The open state is maintained by the engagement between the engagement protrusion 14 b and the main body 13 and the urging force of the tension coil spring 19.
[0044]
In the bath apparatus 1 configured as described above, the hot water is boiled in the bathtub 2 and the bath kettle 3 is ignited. At this time, the displacement portion 14 of the water stop cover 8 attached to the water outlet 6 is moved. By raising the outlet side, the front side of the outlet side of the outlet 6 is opened.
[0045]
Then, the water in the bathtub 2 passes through the filter 9 (filtered) and enters the bathtub 3 from the suction port 7, and the water in the bathtub 3 is heated and rises, and exits from the boiling port 6. At this time, since the water stopper cover 8 does not cover the entire front surface of the outlet 6 on the outlet side, the hot water flows out smoothly. At the same time, water flows in from the outlet 6 and the inflowing water is heated in the bath 3 and then discharged. In particular, since the water stopper cover 8 is provided with the displacement portions 14 at the top and bottom, the flow of hot water can be divided at the top and bottom, and smooth convection can be generated.
[0046]
For this reason, as shown by the arrow in FIG. 1, the normal circulation that is sucked from the suction port 7 and passes through the bathtub 3 into the bathtub 2, and the normal circulation that is sucked from the upper outlet 6 and inside the bathtub 3 The heating and the circulation in the bathtub 2 are performed simultaneously, and the hot water in the bathtub 2 is warmed by the repetition of this and the convection generated in the bathtub 2.
[0047]
In addition, the amount of hot water that enters the bath 3 from the suction port 7 is limited by the amount of the filter 9 because of the presence of the filter 9. For this reason, the temperature rise of the hot water that has entered the bath kettle 3 can be performed more efficiently than in the case where the water is sucked up indefinitely.
[0048]
That is, since the temperature rise rate of the hot water in the bath 3 is high, the temperature of the hot water coming out of the outlet is higher than that without the filter.
[0049]
Due to the synergistic effect of this high temperature and the two types of circulation, the boiling water in the bathtub 2 is quickly heated.
[0050]
Further, hot and cold water entering through the suction port 7 is filtered by the filter medium 11 of the filter 9 and purified.
[0051]
Then, after the heating of the hot water in the bathtub 2 is stopped, the displacement portion 14 of the hot water cover 8 is returned to the original position so as to close the opening 6. Then, the hot water in the bathtub 2 is prevented from entering the bath tub 3 through the outlet 6 and the hot water in the bath tub 3 is also prevented from entering the bathtub 2 through the outlet 6. You. In addition, the presence of the filter 9 prevents the hot water in the bathtub 3 from entering the bathtub 2 through the suction port 7. In other words, when the fire is stopped, the hot water in the bath kettle 3, whose temperature drops remarkably, can be suppressed from flowing (circulating) between the bathtub 2 and the bathtub 2.
For this reason, a decrease in the temperature of hot water in bathtub 2 can be suppressed.
[0052]
As described above, the water in the bathtub 2 can be boiled quickly, and the purification of hot water and the suppression of a drop in hot water temperature can also be achieved. In addition, the hot water cover 8 is simple because it only opens and closes the displacement portion 14. Further, since the filter 9 is simply composed of the main body member 10, the filter medium 11, and the cap member 12, maintenance work such as cleaning can be easily performed. Further, since a metal scourer is used for the filter medium 11, the filter medium 11 can be used for a long period of time and is economical.
[0053]
The following experiment was conducted to show the speed of the boiling and the difficulty of cooling.
That is, the method of boiling and cooling the hot water was examined for each of the four experimental plots as shown in FIG.
[0054]
The experiment was conducted by filling a bathtub with 200 liters of water and examining a change in temperature over time.
[0055]
In the experimental section 1, an ordinary disc stopper 20 having no displacement portion 14 is attached to the outlet 6, and nothing is attached to the inlet 7.
In the experimental section 2, nothing is attached to the outlet 6 and the inlet 7.
In the experimental section 3, nothing is attached to the outlet 6, but the filter 9 having the above structure is attached to the inlet 7.
In the experimental section 4, an ordinary disc stopper 20 having no displacement portion 14 was attached to the outlet 6, and the filter 9 having the above configuration was attached to the inlet 7.
[0056]
In addition, the temperature was examined at three places: a water surface portion, an underwater portion, and a bottom portion in the bathtub 2, and after heating was performed until the water surface portion reached 50 ° C., the fire was stopped, and a change in water temperature was observed. .
[0057]
The following were used as measuring instruments.
The recording device used was JPt100 made by CHINO, the temperature was IYRE 6302Z made by CHINO, the bottom temperature was ZB31A3003F made by CHINO, the bottom temperature was ZB31A3004F made by CHINO, and the water temperature was ZB31A3005F made by CHINO.
[0058]
In addition, the above-mentioned underwater is a position at half the depth of the stretched water.
[0059]
In the test section, the displacement portion 14 of the flap cover 8 is displaced to the flow promoting position at the time of heating, and displaced to the flap position after the fire is extinguished.
[0060]
Each experiment was performed six times, and the average value was obtained to obtain a graph shown in FIG. In addition, the temperature at the time of the experiment was about 10 ° C., and the test was performed in a time zone where there was little change with time.
[0061]
The result is as shown in FIG. 7, and was divided into approximately three patterns (characteristics).
[0062]
One is experimental plots 1 and 2, and the time to boiling is about 50 minutes. After the fire is stopped, the temperature of the water starts to drop.
[0063]
Others are experimental plots 3 and 4. Experimental plot 4 takes about 50 minutes to boil, which is not much different from experimental plots 1 and 2. However, the temperature of hot water after fire extinguishing, especially the temperature drop in water, It can be seen that it does not occur as compared with the experimental groups 1 and 2. On the other hand, the time required for boiling in Experimental Section 3 is about 45 minutes, which is earlier than in Experimental Sections 1, 2, and 4. The temperature drop after the fire extinguishing is unlikely to occur as in the case of the experimental section 4.
[0064]
The reason that there is no great difference between the time until boiling and the temperature change in the experimental plots 1 and 2 is that the water sucked up from the suction port circulates steadily because the filter 9 is not attached to the suction port 7, It is considered that the temperature of the hot water flowing out is lower than that in the experimental plots 3 and 4.
[0065]
Also, the temperature drop after the fire extinguishing is remarkable because there is nothing that restricts the mutual movement between the bathtub 2 and the bathtub 3, and the hot water in the bathtub 3 that is easy to cool flows into the bathtub 2. It is considered that natural convection based on the temperature difference occurs actively.
[0066]
On the other hand, the reason why boiling is rapid in the experimental section 3 is considered to be as follows. That is, since the amount of water sucked up from the suction port 7 is limited, the temperature of the water in the bath 3 can be efficiently and sufficiently increased. Then, the sufficiently heated hot water smoothly flows out of the opened outlet and convects in the bathtub 2. At the same time, since the outlet is open from the outlet 6, water is sucked in, and heating circulation is performed only at the outlet. It is considered that boiling is accelerated by a synergistic effect of such two types of circulation and a temperature change in the bath 3.
[0067]
It is considered that the reason why the boiling in the experimental zone 4 is not earlier than that in the experimental zone 3 is that the flow of the hot water flowing out from the outlet 6 is restricted by the presence of the water stopper 20.
[0068]
From the results described above, it is understood that the best way to boil hot water is to provide the filter 9 at the outlet 7 and open the outlet 6. It can be seen that it is preferable to provide the filter 9 in the suction port 7 and attach the water stop cover 20 to the outlet in order to make it difficult to cool.
[0069]
Therefore, the water stopper cover 8 having the displacement part 14 and the filter 9 are combined, and when the hot water is heated, the displacement part 14 of the water stopper cover 8 is displaced to open the water outlet 6, and after the fire is extinguished, the hot water is removed. It can be seen that it is preferable to displace the displacement portion 14 of the stop cover 8 to close the outlet 6.
[0070]
The above configuration is an embodiment of the present invention, and other configurations can be adopted. For example, the water stopper cover 8 is composed of a disk-shaped displacement portion that covers the entire front side of the outlet 6 on the outlet side, and a portion that rotatably supports the displacement portion beside the outlet 6, and is substantially entirely formed. May be a displacement part.
[0071]
The pivoting structure may be constituted by a simple hinge, and an appropriate stopper structure may be provided so that the displacement to the two positions of the pouring position and the flow promoting position can be fixed.
[0072]
If the displacement unit 14 is appropriately configured using, for example, a shape memory alloy, a temperature sensor, or the like, the displacement unit 14 may be configured to be automatically displaced based on the temperature of hot water in the bathtub or the like.
[0073]
Furthermore, the displacement that allows the water stopper cover 14 to select and open the outlet side front of the outlet 6 may be performed by another structure, for example, a slide structure, instead of the pivotal structure.
[0074]
Furthermore, various types of filter media such as a nonwoven fabric filter media can be used as the filter media, and appropriate materials such as natural stones that emit far-infrared rays may be combined.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a bath apparatus.
FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the filter.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a hot water cover.
FIG. 4 is a back view of the hot water cover.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the operation state of the stopcock cover at the position of line AA in FIG. 4;
FIG. 6 is an explanatory view showing an experimental method.
FIG. 7 is a graph showing experimental results.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bath apparatus 2 ... Bathtub 3 ... Bath kettles 4, 5 ... Connecting pipe 6 ... Boiler outlet 7 ... Suction port 8 ... Water stopper 9 ... Filter 10 ... Body member 10a ... Storage part 10b ... Insert part 11 ... Filter medium 12 ... Cap member 14 ... Displacement part

Claims

A bath apparatus in which a bathtub and a bath kettle are connected by a plurality of connecting pipes arranged above and below to form a water outlet and a suction port on the inner surface of the bathtub, and a water stop cover is attached to the water outlet. And
The suction port includes a filter for filtering hot and cold water,
A bath apparatus in which the water stop cover at the outlet is selectively openable by selecting an outlet side front of the outlet.

A main body member having a cylindrical insertion portion that detachably inserts the filter into a suction port, and a storage portion for storing a filter medium, a cap member detachably fitted to the storage portion of the main body member, and a filter medium. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, comprising:

The bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the filter medium is configured using a metal scourer.

The said water stopper cover has the displacement part which can be opened and closed in the water stop position perpendicular | vertical with respect to the flow of the hot water which flows out from an outlet, and the flow promotion position parallel to the flow of the hot water. 4. The bath apparatus according to any one of 3.

A water stop cover used in the bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

A filter used in the bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4.