JP2006346360A - Hot water supplying apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To dispense with complicated manual switching operation and to simply and inexpensively create two kinds of different bathing environment by automating switching from a shower mode to a mist mode. <P>SOLUTION: A hot water supplying apparatus 4 is constituted so that a plurality of branched channels 3 respectively having a discharging port are connected to the downstream side of a switching means to which hot water is supplied, and the hot water is made to flow selectively to an optional one of the plurality of branched channels 3 by switching by the switching means. The switching means has an automatic switching function of making a shower mode of supplying the hot water to a branched channel 3a for shower first and making a mist mode by automatically switching the hot water from the branched channel 3a for shower to a branched channel 3e for mist after a fixed period is elapsed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a hot water supply apparatus, and more particularly to a hot water supply apparatus having an automatic switching function for automatically switching from a shower mode to a mist mode.

  Conventionally, a shower device which is a shower device provided with a plurality of types of water discharge ports is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). This shower apparatus is as shown in FIG. 7, and an arm 43 having a plurality of shower spouts 42 which are shower spouts 42 is provided on both sides of a storage unit 41 having a mirror 40 installed at the front center. And a storage shelf 45 is installed on one side of the storage unit 41, a normal hand shower 46 is installed on the other side, and a lower part of the storage unit 41 In addition, a counter equipped with a faucet having a water outlet 47 for a washing place is installed, and a foldable basin table 48 for placing a wash basin is installed below the water outlet 47 for the washing place, When sitting and taking a shower bath, the user is seated in a chair placed in front of the storage unit 41 and taking a shower with the wash basin 48 tilted down. In addition, when performing a bathing operation using a basin such as a basin, the basin stand 48 is raised, and a basin is placed thereon to perform the bathing operation. Further, when using a normal hand shower 46, the shower head of the hand shower 46 is held in the hand to perform a shower bath or the like.

  FIG. 8 is a piping block diagram of the conventional example, in which 50 is a water supply pipe for supplying water, 51 is a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot water, 52 is water and hot water from the water supply pipe 50 and hot water supply pipe 51. In the conventional example of FIG. 8, the hot water mixed by the thermo valve 52 is supplied to the shower outlet 42 via the water stop valve 54, and the thermo valve is provided. Hot water mixed with the valve 52 is supplied to the switching valve 55 side through another path, and can be selectively switched and supplied to the hand shower water outlet 56 and the washroom water outlet 47 of the hand shower 46 via the switching valve 55. It has become.

  However, the shower device shown in Patent Document 1 is limited to sitting and showering from the shower spout 42, showering by the hand shower 46, and hot water supply from the wash basin 47 to the wash basin 48. It was.

  Therefore, recently, a shower device has been developed which can obtain a sauna effect in the bathroom by spraying hot water in the bathroom in a mist form. This is to heat the water and spray a small amount of water in a mist form from the mist nozzle so that a mist sauna bath can be made in the bathroom. Based on the start command by an artificially operated switch, etc. In this case, the shower mode is switched to the mist mode.

However, conventionally, the switching operation from the shower mode to the mist mode and the switching operation of the hot water temperature require manual operation with a remote control switch, etc., especially when switching to the mist sauna bath after a sitting shower bath The switching operation of the switch is very troublesome and the comfort is impaired. In the shower bath, since the hot water sprayed from the shower nozzle has a large particle size, most of the thermal energy can be given to the human body, and the thermal effect can be obtained early. On the other hand, in a mist sauna bath, the hot water sprayed from the mist nozzle has a small particle size, so a part of its thermal energy is released into the bathroom space, and relative to the human body surface while warming the surrounding air. It is characterized by slowly giving a thermal effect. For this reason, when switching from the shower mode to the mist mode by switching the switch as in the prior art, since the mist operation is performed at the same temperature as the hot water temperature during the shower operation, the mist feel temperature is lower than that of the shower. As a result, the body may feel chilly and, instead of promoting perspiration, it may become uncomfortable. Therefore, it is important to control the mist temperature to an appropriate temperature in order to comfortably carry out the mist sauna bath.
JP 2001-204644 A

  The present invention has been invented in view of the above-described conventional problems, and can automatically switch from the shower mode to the mist mode, eliminates the need for complicated manual switching operation, and facilitates two different bathing environments. It is another object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply device that can be produced at low cost.

  In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, according to the first aspect of the present invention, a plurality of branch water passages 3 each having a water discharge port 2 are connected to the downstream side of the switching means 1 to which hot water is supplied. In the hot water supply apparatus in which hot water is selectively allowed to flow into an arbitrary branch water channel 3 of the plurality of branch water channels 3, the plurality of branch water channels 3 include a plurality of shower branch water channels 3a having a plurality of shower water outlets 2a. And a mist branch channel 3e having a mist outlet 2e, and the switching means 1 is set in a shower mode in which hot water is first supplied to the shower branch channel 3a, and hot water is used for showering after a lapse of a predetermined time. It is characterized by having an automatic switching function for automatically switching from the branch water channel 3a to the mist branch water channel 3e to enter the mist mode.

  By adopting such a configuration, in the first shower mode, a thermal effect is obtained by a shower bath in which fine water streams (showers) are ejected from a plurality of shower outlets 2a so as to wrap around the body surface of the human body, and subsequently mist In the mode, a steam sauna-like bathing feeling is obtained by a mist sauna bath in which fine mist-like mist is jetted out from a plurality of mist outlets 2e so as to wrap around the body surface of the human body. Can increase the sex. Moreover, by automatically switching from the shower mode to the mist mode by the switching means 1, the effect characteristics on the human body obtained from the two types of water outlets 2a and 2e can be sufficiently obtained without complicated manual switching operation. It can be demonstrated. Moreover, since the automatic switching function of the switching means 1 automatically switches the branch water channel 3, two different bathing environments can be created easily and inexpensively.

  Further, the invention according to claim 2 is provided with hot water temperature adjusting means 34g for raising the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature higher than that during the shower operation in conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode in claim 1. In this case, if the hot water temperature is the same in both the shower mode and the mist mode, the mist is cooler and gives a cool feeling, which may be uncomfortable. In conjunction with switching to the mist mode as in the present invention, the mist temperature is raised by a predetermined temperature above the shower temperature, so that a hot mist without a chilly feeling can be taken following the shower bath, making it more comfortable The sweating action can be promoted.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the hot water temperature adjusting means for lowering the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation in conjunction with the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode in the first aspect. 34g is provided, and in this case, in conjunction with switching to the mist mode, by lowering the mist temperature by a predetermined temperature from the shower temperature, the body battered in the shower bath is cooled with a low temperature mist. It is possible to cool down and to improve the comfort after bathing by suppressing the continuous sweating and the feeling of hot heat after bathing. In addition, the burden on the user's mind and body can be eliminated compared to a water bath or cold water shower, and a more comfortable cool-down is possible.

  Further, the invention described in claim 4 is that, in conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode in claim 1, the hot water temperature is first raised to a predetermined temperature higher than that during the shower operation, and the hot water temperature is increased after a lapse of a certain time. Is provided with a hot water temperature adjusting means 34g for lowering the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation. In this case, when obtaining the high temperature mist and the low temperature mist in order, No adjustment is required.

  The hot water supply apparatus according to the present invention can automate the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode, eliminates the need for a complicated manual switching operation, and can easily and inexpensively create two different bathing environments. .

  Further, in the present invention, after the shower bath, the sweating action can be comfortably promoted by the high-temperature mist without a cool feeling.

  Moreover, in this invention, the comfortable cool down by a low temperature mist is attained, reducing the burden on a user's mind and body.

  Further, in the present invention, when obtaining the high temperature mist and the low temperature mist in order, the manual operation for adjusting the mist temperature is unnecessary, and a further comfortable feeling can be obtained.

  Hereinafter, the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings.

  1-3 has shown the example of the shower apparatus as one Embodiment of the hot-water supply apparatus 4 of this invention. This shower apparatus is attached to the wall 7 of the bathroom. As shown in FIG. 1, nozzle units 8 formed in a substantially rectangular shape with synthetic resin are arranged on both sides, as shown in FIG. A massage spout 2d for ejecting a shocking water flow mainly toward the shoulder of the human body is arranged at the upper front, and a fine water flow (shower) is ejected toward the lower back of the human body at the lower front. Shower outlets 2a are arranged respectively.

  On the outer sides of the left and right nozzle units 8, nozzle arms 9 each having a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape are installed so as to be rotatable in a substantially vertical direction with the upper end as a fulcrum and can be held at an arbitrary angle. The left and right nozzle arms 9 are connected by a connecting bar (not shown) so that when one nozzle arm 9 is rotated, the other nozzle arm 9 is also simultaneously rotated.

  On the back surface of the nozzle arm 9, there are a plurality of shower spouts 2 a that eject a fine water flow (shower) so as to wrap the human body, and a mist spout 2 e that ejects a mist-like water flow so as to wrap the entire human body. The arms 9 are alternately arranged over the substantially entire length at predetermined intervals.

  Here, the shower outlet 2a provided in the shower nozzle ejects hot water having a particle diameter of approximately 1 mm or less, while the mist outlet 2e provided in the mist nozzle has a fine particle diameter of approximately 300 μm or less. A mist-like mist is ejected.

  Further, a backrest cover 10 that pivots on the upper and lower ends of the left and right nozzle units 8 and that can be opened and closed left and right is installed on the front surface of the open surface 12 positioned between the left and right nozzle units 8.

  As shown in FIG. 2, when the back cover 10 that can be opened and closed freely is opened, a mirror 13 is installed on the upper part of the open surface 12 positioned between the left and right nozzle units 8. The part is provided with a water outlet 2b for a washing place that discharges water downward. When the back cover 10 is opened, the left and right nozzle units 8 and the left and right nozzle arms 9 are covered with the back cover 10 as shown in FIG. 2. In this state, the left and right nozzle units 8 and the left and right nozzle arms are covered. 9 is a non-use state in which the original use by the water discharged from the shower water outlet 2a, the massage water outlet 2d, and the mist water outlet 2e provided in 9 is not used. Thus, the use of the shower outlet 2a, the massage outlet 2d, and the mist outlet 2e can be distinguished by opening and closing the cover 10.

  When sitting and performing a shower bath (that is, a fine water bath), it is possible to conceal almost the entire surface of the mirror 13 and the water outlet 2b for the washing place with the back cover 10 by closing the open surface 12. In this state, the nozzle unit 8 The front surface of the back cover 10 and the front surface of the backrest cover 10 are substantially flush with each other.

  In FIG. 1, seating means 14 having a height substantially equal to the lower end of the nozzle unit 8 is installed below the open surface 12. The upper surface 14a of the seating means 14 has a substantially flat shape, and when used in a shower bath, the user sits on the seating means 14, and during normal bathing work, as shown in FIG. It can be used as a counter function to place bathing equipment.

  Moreover, the shower apparatus which is the hot water supply apparatus 4 of this example is provided with a hand shower 5, and in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, a predetermined hand shower in which the flexible shower hose 5 a of the hand shower 5 is provided in the seating means 14. Connected to the connection port 16, the head of the hand shower 5 is detachably hooked and locked to a hooking means (not shown) provided on the bathroom wall 7 outside the one nozzle unit 8. is there. The head of the hand shower 5 is provided with a hand shower spout 2c. A flow rate control means 17 is provided on the side surface of the seating means 14 to control the stoppage and flow rate of the hot water to be supplied, so that the water discharge stop and the flow rate can be controlled by operating the handle 17a.

  In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, a hot water supply pipe 19 for supplying hot water and a water supply pipe 20 for supplying water are connected in communication with the temperature control means 18, and further downstream of the temperature control means 18. The flow rate control means 17 is connected in communication via a pipe 21, and a plurality of branch water channels 3 (in the embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, a shower water channel 3 a, a washing place are connected downstream of the flow rate control means 17 via a pipe 22. Branch water channel 3b, branch water channel 3c for hand shower, branch water channel 3d for massage, branch water channel 3e for mist) are connected to each other, and at each end of each branch water channel 3, shower spout 2a (FIG. 1), There are provided a plurality of types of water outlets 2 such as a washing ground outlet 2b (FIG. 2), a hand shower outlet 2c (FIG. 1), a massage outlet 2d (FIG. 1), and a mist outlet 2e (FIG. 1). ing.

  Further, in each of the branch water channels 3a to 3e, a shower side electromagnetic valve 33a, a wash water branch water channel 33b, a hand shower side electromagnetic valve 33c, a massage side electromagnetic valve 33d, and a mist side electromagnetic valve 33e are respectively interposed. The electromagnetic valves 33a to 33e are controlled to be opened and closed by a control signal from the switching means 1. The switching means 1 has a seat shower control circuit 34a, a washing ground outlet control circuit 34b, a hand shower control circuit 34c, a massage control circuit 34d, a mist control circuit 34e, and an automatic switching function from the shower mode to the mist mode. An automatic switching control circuit 34f and a hot water temperature adjustment control circuit 34g are provided. The hot water temperature adjusting control circuit 34g constitutes hot water temperature adjusting means for raising or lowering the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature when switching from the shower mode to the mist mode.

  A remote controller 6 is detachably hooked and locked to a hooking means (not shown) on the wall 7 of the bathroom. The remote control cord 6a is connected to the switching means 1 through a connection port (not shown) provided behind the seating means 14. As shown in FIG. 3, the remote controller 6 includes a massage switch 35d, a hand shower switch 35c, a washing area spout switch 35b, a seat shower switch 35a, a mist switch 35e, for sending signals to the control circuits 34a to 34g. An automatic changeover switch 35f, a temperature adjustment switch 35g, and a flow rate adjustment switch 35h are provided. By operating these switches 35a to 35h, the plurality of types of water outlets 2 (in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the water outlet 2a for the shower, the water outlet 2b for the washing place, and the water outlet for the hand shower are operated via the switching means 1. 2c, a water outlet for massage 2d, and a water outlet for mist 2e) can be selected to supply hot water.

  Then, when any one of the “massage switch 35d”, “hand shower switch 35c”, “washing outlet switch 35b”, “seat shower switch 35a”, or “mist switch 35e” of the remote controller 6 is pressed, One of the massage mode, hand shower mode, washing area spout mode, shower mode, and mist mode is executed. At this time, the hot water temperature can be adjusted by the temperature adjustment switch 35g. The temperature can be adjusted by the flow rate adjustment switch 35h.

  On the other hand, when the "automatic switch 35f" of the remote controller 6 is pressed, a shower that supplies only hot water to the shower branch waterway 3a by first opening only the shower side electromagnetic valve 33a by a signal from the automatic switching control circuit 34f. After a certain time has passed, the shower side solenoid valve 33a is closed and only the mist side solenoid valve 33e is opened, and the hot water is automatically switched to the mist branch channel 3e to enter the mist mode. Specifically, first, the timer is activated, the seat shower control circuit 34a turns on the shower-side electromagnetic valve 33a, and fine water flows from the shower spout 2b of the nozzle unit 8 and the nozzle arm 9 to the shoulder, waist, A shower mode is performed in which a spray is made so as to wrap from the tip of the hand to the tip of the foot, and after a certain period of time has elapsed, as shown in FIG. 4, the timer-side switching means 1 closes the shower-side electromagnetic valve 33a, The mist side solenoid valve 33e opens. At this time, the solenoid valve 33a → 33e is switched at a certain interval for the switching time. After the switching, the mist is ejected from the mist outlet 2e of the nozzle arm 9. At this time, for example, by turning the nozzle arm 9 to a substantially horizontal angle, the mist can be lowered so as to wrap around the entire surface of the human body from above.

  Here, in the sitting shower bath, since the hot water sprayed from the shower nozzle has a large particle size, it is possible to give most of the thermal energy to the human body, and the nozzle arm to which hot water is supplied Since there are multiple types of nozzles that serve as hot water spraying means at multiple locations at the tip of 9, it is possible to take a shower on the human body part from the neck down at the same time in a sitting position, for example. A warming effect can be obtained at an early stage by bathing the whole body with hot water at the same time. Furthermore, when a shower nozzle is also provided behind the waist of the sitting human body, the back can be effectively warmed in the sitting posture.

  On the other hand, in the mist sauna bath, since the hot water sprayed from the mist outlet 2e has a small particle size, a part of the thermal energy is released into the bathroom space and warms the surrounding air against the body surface of the human body. The temperature of the mist can be set higher than the shower temperature, and the whole body is surrounded by drizzle because the particle size is small. It creates a natural feel and warms together with the ambient temperature of the human body, so it feels like having a bath like a steam sauna and is thought to have a sweating promoting effect.

  In addition, when it is desired to make the mist hotter or cooler during execution of the mist mode, the temperature adjustment switch 35g (FIG. 3) of the remote controller 6 may be used to adjust the mist, and when the mist spray amount needs to be increased. When it is desired to further reduce, the flow rate adjustment switch 35h (FIG. 3) of the remote controller 6 may be used.

  As described above, since the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode is automated by the automatic switching function of the switching means 1, a high thermal effect is obtained in the first shower mode, and a bathing feeling like a steam sauna is obtained in the subsequent mist mode. Is obtained, the sweating action is promoted, and the comfort after bathing can be enhanced. In addition, the effect characteristics of the human body obtained from the two types of nozzles can be fully exhibited without performing manual switching operation, and the automatic switching function of the switching means 1 has a plurality of branches. Since the water channel 3 is automatically switched, there is an effect that two different kinds of bathing environments can be easily and inexpensively created.

  Further, the hot water temperature adjusting control circuit 34g provided in the switching means 1 of this example automatically adjusts the hot water temperature during the shower operation as shown in FIG. 4 in conjunction with the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode. It also has a function of ejecting high-temperature mist for promoting sweating at a temperature higher than the temperature. That is, when switching to the mist mode with a slight interval after the shower mode, a switch (not shown) such as a limit switch is turned on, and the signal is sent to the temperature control means 34g. The adjustment control circuit 34g controls the temperature control means 18 so that the temperature becomes several degrees C (3-4 degrees C) higher than the shower temperature detected by the temperature detector 36. By the way, if the shower mode and the mist mode are the same hot water temperature, the mist has a lower sensation temperature, giving it a cool feeling and making it uncomfortable. Therefore, when switching to the mist mode, the mist temperature is automatically made higher than the hot water temperature at the time of showering, so that a high-temperature mist without a chilly feeling can be taken and the sweating action can be promoted more comfortably.

  On the other hand, it is also effective to improve the comfort after bathing by cooling the body that has been bathed with a low temperature mist to cool down. In other words, rather than taking a bath while taking a shower bath, it is more effective to cool down once and then take a bath, so that continuous sweating and a feeling of heat can be suppressed after bathing. For example, when the cool-down course is selected by a switch (not shown) of the remote controller 6, the hot water temperature adjustment control circuit 34g automatically sets the hot water temperature (temperature) during shower operation as shown in FIG. Lower than the temperature detected by the detection unit 36). According to the experiment, it was found that a temperature slightly lower than the body temperature at the time of calm, about 36 ° C., is appropriate for the cool-down. When the temperature is lowered to about 30 ° C., the temperature is too lower than the body temperature, too cold and uncomfortable, and the heart burden increases. In addition, it is preferable to immediately lower the temperature to 36 ° C. rather than slowly lowering the mist temperature after the shower operation. The reason is that the body is already hot with sweating, etc., so it was found that lowering the mist temperature slowly made it uncomfortable, and lowering it immediately was better for the body. Further, even if it is immediately lowered, the temperature is up to about 36 ° C., so there is no problem because the burden is not felt in the experience. Experiments have also shown that cooldown is preferable not only in summer but also in winter. By the way, after showering, it is possible to cool the body by taking a water bath or taking a cold water shower, but this increases the burden on the user's mind and body. For this reason, by taking a low-temperature mist as in this example, it is possible to perform a comfortable cool-down while reducing the mental and physical burden on the user.

  Furthermore, the hot water temperature adjusting control circuit 34g automatically makes the hot water temperature higher than the hot water temperature during the shower operation automatically as shown in FIG. 6 in conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode. A mode in which the hot mist for promoting sweating is ejected and the hot water temperature is made lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation after a certain time has elapsed to allow the cool down low temperature mist to be ejected may be selected. In this case, when obtaining the high temperature mist and the low temperature mist in order, the manual operation for adjusting the mist temperature is not required, the troublesome manual operation can be eliminated, and a more comfortable feeling can be obtained.

It is a perspective view of the seating use state of the shower apparatus which is one Embodiment of the hot-water supply apparatus of this invention. It is a perspective view of the normal use state of a shower apparatus same as the above. It is a piping block diagram same as the above. It is a time chart in the case of raising hot water temperature to the predetermined temperature higher than the time of shower operation in conjunction with the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode. It is a time chart in the case of lowering hot water temperature to the predetermined temperature lower than the hot water temperature at the time of shower operation in conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode. In conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode, the hot water temperature is first raised to a predetermined temperature higher than that during the shower operation, and the hot water temperature is lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation after a certain period of time. It is a time chart in the case of lowering. It is a front view of the shower apparatus of a prior art example. It is a piping block diagram of the shower apparatus of a prior art example.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Switching means 2 Spout 2a Shower spout 2e Mist spout 3 Branch water channel 3a Shower branch water channel 3e Mist branch water channel 4 Hot water supply device 34g Hot water temperature adjustment means

Claims (4)

  A plurality of branch water channels each having a water discharge port are connected to the downstream side of the switching means to which hot water is supplied, and hot water is selectively allowed to flow into any one of the plurality of branch water channels by switching the switching means. In the hot water supply apparatus, the plurality of branch channels include at least a branch channel for shower having a plurality of shower outlets and a branch channel for mist having a plurality of mist outlets. It has a shower mode in which hot water is supplied to a branch waterway for showers, and has an automatic switching function to automatically switch hot water from a branch waterway for showers to a branch waterway for mist after a certain period of time and to switch to a mist mode. Hot water supply device.   2. Hot water supply means according to claim 1, further comprising hot water temperature adjusting means for raising the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature higher than that during shower operation in conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode. apparatus.   The hot water temperature adjusting means for lowering the hot water temperature to a predetermined temperature lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation in conjunction with the switching from the shower mode to the mist mode is provided. Hot water supply equipment.   In conjunction with switching from the shower mode to the mist mode, the hot water temperature is first raised to a predetermined temperature higher than that during the shower operation, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the hot water temperature is lowered to a predetermined temperature lower than the hot water temperature during the shower operation. The hot and cold water supply device according to claim 1, further comprising a hot water temperature adjusting means for lowering.

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