JP2008161482A - Bath system - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circulation connecting tool which enables a bath system to perform the subsequent heating of bathtub warm water and the production of fine air bubbles. <P>SOLUTION: When the subsequent heating is performed, a first check valve body 71 is opened, thereby introducing the warm water sucked from the warm water suction port 33 of a case 31 to a return pipe 34 through a return pipe communication passage 41 and allowing the warm water, to return to an approach pipe 24 through a circulation route, to pass an approach pipe communication passage 42, and a third check valve body 73 is opened, thereby discharging the warm water from the warm water discharge port 32 of the case 31. When the fine air bubbles are generated, a second check valve body 72 is opened, thereby introducing the warm water sucked from the warm water suction port 33 to the approach pipe 24 through the approach pipe communication passage 42 and allowing the warm water, to be supplied from the return pipe 23 to the bathtub 26 through the circulation route in an overpressure molten air state, to pass the return pipe communication passage 41, and a fourth check valve body 74 is opened, thereby introducing the warm water to a warm water discharge nozzle 75, generating the clouded fine air bubbles from the warm water to be discharged from the warm water discharge nozzle 75, and discharging the fine air bubbles from the fine air bubble discharge port 34 of the case 31. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2008,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a circulating connector having a function of generating fine bubbles (white turbidity) in a bathtub.

  For example, a bubble generating device that generates bubbles in a bathtub is provided, and bubbles are discharged into hot water in a bathtub. In particular, by discharging very fine bubbles from the bubble generating device, cloudiness is generated in the bathtub. There is an increasing demand for devices that generate microbubbles of the formula (appearing cloudy due to a large amount of microbubbles). It is said that the generation of fine bubbles (white turbidity) in the bathtub has the effect of improving the heat retention of the bather and making it easier to remove dirt.

  As a device for generating bubbles in a bathtub or the like, conventionally, a bubble generating device having a hot water circulation path with a gas-liquid mixing tank is attached to a bathtub or the like, and this bubble generating device is operated alone when bubbles are generated. Etc. have been proposed (for example, see Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Japanese Patent No. 3680670 Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2001-179241

  However, in order to attach a bubble generator of the type that operates alone to a bathtub, it is necessary to provide a dedicated pipe line, a connection for connecting this pipe line and the bathtub, and circulation for reheating the bathtub hot water In order to provide the connection tool in the bathtub, it is necessary to form a plurality of holes in the bathtub. If so, the workability of attaching the circulating connector is poor, and, for example, when the manufacturer of the bubble generator and the bathing device for reheating is different from each other, there is no correlation in the design of the connectors, There has been a problem that the design is poor (not preferable in appearance).

  Therefore, the present inventor can perform both reheating of bath water and generation of fine bubbles by using a recirculation circuit connected to the bathtub without providing a dedicated pipeline for the generation of fine bubbles. I thought that it would be possible to improve both the workability and the design of the circulating connector connected to the bathtub by connecting a single circulating connector to such a bath device.

  The present invention has been made on the basis of the above-mentioned idea of the present inventor. The purpose of the present invention is, for example, the reheating of bath water and the generation of fine bubbles using a circulation path for reheating connected to the bathtub. It is an object of the present invention to provide a circulation connector that can be connected to a bath apparatus that can perform both of the above, and can perform suction and discharge of bathtub hot water and discharge of fine bubbles.

  In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration as means for solving the problems. That is, the first invention is a circulation connecting tool connected to the outgoing pipe and the return pipe of the circulation path connected to the bathtub, and has a case provided inside the inner wall of the bathtub, A hot water outlet for discharging hot water into the bathtub and a hot water inlet for sucking in the hot water in the bathtub are provided, and an introduction chamber for the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet is formed in the case. A return pipe communication passage that communicates the introduction chamber and the return pipe is provided, and a first check valve body is interposed in a communication portion between the return pipe communication passage and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber, and the bathtub An outgoing pipe communication passage that communicates the hot water introduction chamber and the outgoing pipe is provided, and a second check valve body is interposed in the communication portion between the outgoing pipe communication passage and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber. The outgoing pipe communication passage communicates with the hot water discharge port via a third check valve body, and The pipe communication passage is connected to a hot water discharge nozzle that discharges hot water containing overpressure molten air into the case via a fourth check valve body, and causes cavitation to occur in the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle. A fine bubble generating portion for generating bubbles is provided in the case, and a fine bubble discharge port for discharging fine bubbles generated from the fine bubble generating portion to the bathtub is formed in the case, and the second check The first check valve body is opened in a state where the valve body is closed, and the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case is introduced into the return pipe through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the return pipe communication passage. And the function of discharging the hot water from the bathtub returning to the outgoing pipe through the circulation path to the outgoing pipe communication passage and opening the third check valve body from the hot water outlet of the case; Check valve body closed In this state, the second check valve body is opened to introduce the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case into the forward pipe through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the forward pipe communication passage, Hot water sent from the return pipe to the bathtub side through the circulation path in the pressure-melted state is passed through the return pipe communication passage, the fourth check valve body is opened and led to the hot water discharge nozzle, As means for solving the problems, the hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle to generate white turbid microbubbles by the fine bubble generator and is discharged from the fine bubble discharge port of the case. Yes.

  In addition to the configuration of the first invention, the second invention has a cylindrical shape on the tip side of the hot water discharge nozzle, and the tube tip is on the front side of the case so that the tube center direction is substantially horizontal. The hot water discharge nozzle of the hot water discharge nozzle is formed by one or a plurality of through holes provided in the circumferential wall of the cylindrical shape at intervals in the circumferential direction. A tube-shaped nozzle cover wall that covers the nozzle tip side region including the hot water discharge port arrangement region of the hot water discharge nozzle with an interval from the outer peripheral side of the hot water discharge nozzle in the case. A cylindrical tip of the nozzle cover wall protrudes further forward than the tip of the hot water discharge nozzle, and the inner wall of the side peripheral wall of the nozzle cover wall has an uneven surface formed with an uneven surface. And facing the uneven wall Then, hot water is discharged from the hot water outlet of the hot water discharge nozzle, and the hot water collides with the concavo-convex wall to cause cavitation to generate cloudy fine bubbles, and the fine bubbles are formed into a cylinder on the nozzle cover wall. It discharges in the case from the shape tip.

  Furthermore, in addition to the configuration of the second invention, the third invention has a through hole forming a hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle, the through direction of which is a cylinder circumference with respect to the cylindrical diameter direction of the hot water discharge nozzle. It is characterized by being formed in a direction obliquely displaced in the direction.

  Furthermore, in the fourth aspect of the invention, in addition to the configuration of the third aspect of the invention, the through hole forming the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle is formed in the tangential direction of the inner periphery of the hot water discharge nozzle. It is characterized by.

  The circulation connector of the present invention is connected to the return pipe and return pipe of the circulation path connected to the bathtub, and is provided with a discharge port, a suction port, an introduction chamber, a return pipe communication passage, and a return pipe of the bathtub hot water. The communication passage, the hot water discharge nozzle, the fine bubble generating portion, and the first to fourth check valve bodies are configured, and the first reverse valve body is closed with the second check valve body closed. A bathtub in which a stop valve body is opened and the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case is introduced into the return pipe through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the return pipe communication passage, and returns to the outgoing pipe through the circulation path Hot water can be passed through the outgoing pipe communication passage, and the third check valve body can be opened and discharged from the hot water discharge port of the case.

  Further, according to the present invention, the second check valve body is opened in a state where the first check valve body is closed, and the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case is converted into the bathtub hot water. Introducing into the outgoing pipe through the introduction chamber and the outgoing pipe communication passage, and passing hot water sent from the return pipe to the bathtub side through the circulation path in a state where the air is over-pressure melted, through the return pipe communication passage, The fourth check valve body is opened and led to the hot water discharge nozzle, and cavitation is generated in the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle by the fine bubble generating portion to generate cloudy fine bubbles. It can discharge from a fine bubble discharge port. In the present application, unless otherwise specified, fine bubbles mean cloudy fine bubbles.

  As described above, the present invention has a function of guiding hot water drawn from the hot water inlet to the return pipe side and discharging hot water introduced from the outgoing pipe side from the hot water outlet, and hot water sucked from the hot water inlet. To the outgoing pipe side, and has a function of discharging white turbid microbubbles by hot water introduced from the return pipe side. The connected bath equipment can recharge the bathtub hot water and use the latter function to discharge cloudy fine bubbles into the bathtub hot water. Can be good.

  Further, in the present invention, a hot water discharge port is provided with one or a plurality of through holes provided on the cylindrical peripheral wall on the front end side of the hot water discharge nozzle having a cylindrical shape at the front end side and spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Cover the nozzle tip side area including the hot water discharge port arrangement area with a cylindrical nozzle cover wall, discharge hot water from the hot water discharge port toward the uneven wall of the inner peripheral wall of the nozzle cover wall, According to the configuration in which fine bubbles are generated by causing cavitation by colliding with the wall, cavitation can be efficiently generated even if the momentum of hot water discharged from the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle is not large.

  Therefore, according to the present invention having this configuration, a device such as a pump for overpressure-melting air into hot water can be reduced in size, and the bath device including the circulation connector of the present invention can be reduced in size and cost. Can be achieved.

  Furthermore, in the present invention, the through hole forming the hot water discharge nozzle of the hot water discharge nozzle has a tubular water discharge nozzle and a nozzle cover wall whose tip side has a cylindrical shape, and the through direction of the through hole is the cylinder diameter of the hot water discharge nozzle. According to the configuration that is formed in a direction that is obliquely displaced in the cylinder circumferential direction with respect to the direction, even if the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle is not large, cavitation is generated more efficiently. can do. Therefore, according to the present invention having this configuration, a device such as a pump for overpressure-melting air into hot water can be reduced in size, and the bath device including the circulation connector of the present invention can be reduced in size and cost. Can be further improved.

  Further, in the present invention, the through hole forming the hot water discharge nozzle of the hot water discharge nozzle has a tubular water discharge nozzle and a nozzle cover wall having a cylindrical shape at the tip side, and the through direction of the through hole is the inner periphery of the hot water discharge nozzle. According to the configuration formed in the tangential direction, it is possible to generate cavitation even more efficiently and under optimum conditions even if the momentum of the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle is not large. . Therefore, according to the present invention having this configuration, it is possible to reduce the size of a device such as a pump for overpressure-melting air in hot water, and to reduce the size and cost of a bath device provided with the circulation connector of the present invention. Can be further improved.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 schematically shows a system configuration example of a bath apparatus formed by connecting one embodiment of a circulation connector according to the present invention. As shown in the figure, a combustion chamber 50 (50a, 50b) is provided in the instrument case 40, a hot water supply burner 10 is provided in the combustion chamber 50a, and hot water in the bathtub 26 is replenished in the combustion chamber 50b. Each additional burner 16 is arranged.

  These hot water supply burner 10 and reheating burner 16 are connected to gas pipes 9 and 17 for supplying fuel to the respective burners 10 and 16, and these gas pipes 9 and 17 are connected to the burners 10 and 16. An on-off valve (not shown) is provided for controlling fuel supply / stop. The gas pipe 9 is provided with a proportional valve (not shown) capable of controlling the amount of fuel supplied to the hot water supply burner 10 with the valve opening.

  Below the hot water supply burner 10 and the reheating burner 16, combustion fans 12 and 13 for supplying and exhausting combustion of the respective burners 10 and 7 are provided. Air sucked from the outside through a mouth (not shown) is sent to the hot water supply burner 10 and the reheating burner 16, respectively. The combustion of the hot water supply burner 10 and the reheating burner 16 is performed by the air sent from the combustion fans 12 and 13 and the gas supplied through the gas pipes 9 and 17, and the combustion gas generated by the burner combustion is burned. The air is exhausted from the exhaust port 11 through the chamber 50.

  A hot water supply heat exchanger 7 is provided on the upper side of the hot water supply burner 10. A water supply pipe 46 for guiding water from a water supply source is connected to the inlet side (water inlet side) of the hot water supply heat exchanger 7, and the water supply pipe 46 is connected from the water supply pipe 46 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 side. A flow rate sensor 43 that detects the flow rate of the flowing water and a water thermistor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the water flowing into the hot water heat exchanger 7 are provided. A hot water supply pipe 47 is connected to the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 7, and the hot water supply pipe 47 is provided with a hot water thermistor (not shown) that can detect the temperature of the hot water flowing out.

  This bath apparatus has a function of supplying hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 and supplying hot water to one or more hot water supply destinations from the hot water supply pipe 47. This hot water supply operation is a well-known operation. Detailed description thereof will be omitted.

  On the upper side of the reheating burner 16, a reheating heat exchanger 15 for reheating the bath water is provided. One end side of the reheating heat exchanger 15 is connected to an outgoing pipe 24 that connects the reheating heat exchanger 15 and the bathtub 26, and the other end side of the reheating heat exchanger 15 is connected via a connection path 19. The discharge port side of the bath pump 21 is connected, and the return pipe 23 connecting the bath pump 21 and the bathtub 26 is connected to the suction port side of the bath pump 21 to form a circulation path. Yes. The bathtub 26 is provided with the circulation connector 1 of the present embodiment as a circulation connector connected to the return pipe 23 and the forward pipe 24 of the circulation path. The detailed description of the circulating connector 1 will be described later.

  In addition, the hot water supply pipe 47 is connected to the return pipe 23 via the pouring passage 14, and hot water is supplied in the state where the pouring electromagnetic valve 18 provided in the pouring passage 14 is opened. From the hot water supply side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 7, a pouring path is formed through the return pipe 23, the bath pump 21, and the reheating heat exchanger 16 in order to lead to the outgoing pipe 24. In this example, the pouring passage 14 is connected to the return pipe 23, but the pouring passage 14 may be connected to the connection path 19 or may be connected to the outgoing pipe 24.

  The connection path 19 includes a running water switch 22 that is turned on when it is detected that water has flowed into the connection path 19 through the return pipe 23, and a bath temperature sensor (not shown) that detects the temperature of the bath water. The return pipe 23 is provided with a water level sensor 20 for detecting the water level of the bathtub 26.

  In this bath apparatus, the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 26 is performed by pouring hot water heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 from the outgoing pipe 24 to the bathtub 26 through the pouring path. Until the bathtub water level detected by the water level sensor 20 reaches the set water level, the hot water is poured from the forward pipe 24 to the bathtub 26. Since the hot water filling operation is well known, detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The bath apparatus has the following characteristic configuration. In other words, this bath apparatus has a function of discharging white turbid microbubbles into the bathtub 26, and the air for overpressure melting the hot water for generating microbubbles during the operation of the microbubble generation mode. The melting unit 6 is connected to the return pipe 23 and the outgoing pipe 24. In addition, a bypass passage 5 is provided for communicating the return pipe 23 and the outgoing pipe 24, and the operation of introducing hot water in which air is over-pressure melted by the air melting unit 6 to the bathtub 26 to generate fine bubbles; It is configured so that the operation of chasing and circulating hot water can be switched as necessary.

  The air melting unit 6 is provided with one end side 55 connected to the outgoing pipe 24 and the other end side 56 connected to the return pipe 23, and one end side of the air melting unit 6 is connected to the bypass path 5 of the outgoing pipe 24. The other end side of the air melting unit 6 is connected closer to the bathtub 26 than the connection part 58 of the return pipe 23 to the bypass path 5. The bypass passage 5 is provided with a check valve 52 having a forward direction from the connecting portion 57 side to the connecting portion 58 side.

  The air melting unit 6 includes a hot water tank 2 for storing hot water introduced into the air melting unit 6, an air pump 3 for introducing air into the hot water tank 2, and a pressure pump 44. The pressurizing pump 44 is connected to the forward pipe 24 via a pipe line 60, connected to the hot water storage tank 2 via a pipe line 61, and the hot water tank 2 is connected to the return pipe 23 via a pipe line 62. Yes. The air pump 3 and the hot water storage tank 2 are connected via a pipe line 53, and a check valve 51 having a forward direction from the air pump 3 side toward the hot water tank 2 side is interposed in the pipe line 53.

  A three-way valve 8 is provided at a connection portion 57 of the outgoing pipe 24 with the bypass passage 5, and a three-way valve 9 is provided at a connection portion 56 of the return pipe 23 with the air melting unit 6. These three-way valves 8 and 9 function as path switching means for switching between the recirculation circulation path and the fine bubble generation circulation path, and are signal-connected to the path switching control means 28.

  The recirculation circulation path is configured such that the bath water is the return pipe 23, the bath pump 21, the connection path 19, the reheating heat exchanger 16, and the hot water as indicated by a solid arrow B in FIG. This is a path that passes through the outgoing pipe 24 in order and returns to the bathtub 26 for circulation. When the bath pump 21 is driven when the three-way valves 8 and 9 are in the state shown in FIG. 3B by the control of the path switching control means 28, the bath water circulates through the recirculation circulation path. To do.

  Further, the circulation path for generating fine bubbles passes the hot water from the bathtub through the forward pipe 24 to the bypass path 5 as shown by the broken line arrow A in FIG. , The bath pump 21, the connection path 19, the reheating heat exchanger 16, and the outgoing pipe 24 in order, and are introduced into the air melting unit 6 from the outgoing pipe 24 to overpressure molten hot water of air. The hot water in which the air is melted at an overpressure from the air melting unit 6 is passed through the return pipe 23 and returned to the bathtub 26. That is, in this path, the two pumps of the bath pump 21 and the pressure pump 44 are provided in series. When the bath pump 21 and the pressure pump 44 are driven when the three-way valves 8 and 9 are in the state shown in FIG. It circulates through the generation circulation path.

  FIG. 2 shows a control configuration for generating the fine bubbles (fine bubbles). The control configuration includes a fine bubble generation switch 36 and a fine bubble generation control means 40. Yes. The fine bubble generation control unit 40 includes a path switching control unit 28, an additional hot water operation control unit 38, and an air melting operation control unit 30.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 4, the fine bubble generation switch 36 is a switch that is provided on the remote controller 48 or the like and is turned on / off when operated by a user when the user wants to generate fine bubbles in the bathtub 26. For example, when the fine bubble generation switch 36 is pressed once, the switch is turned on, and when pressed again, the switch is turned off. The operation method of the fine bubble generation switch 36 is not particularly limited, and is set as appropriate.

  When the fine bubble generation switch 36 is turned on, an operation on command for the fine bubble generation mode is applied to the path switching control means 28, the added hot water operation control means 38, and the air melting operation control section 30, respectively. When the fine bubble generation switch 36 is turned off, an operation off command in the fine bubble generation mode is applied to the path switching control means 28, the added hot water operation control means 38, and the air melting operation control section 30, respectively.

  The path switching control means 28 receives the operation on command for the fine bubble generation mode, and switches the recirculation circulation path to the fine bubble generation circulation path by switching the three-way valves 8 and 9, In response to an operation-off command in the fine bubble generation mode, the three-way valves 8 and 9 are switched to switch the route from the fine bubble generation circulation route to the follow-up circulation route.

  For example, the path switching control unit 28 receives an operation-on command for the fine bubble generation mode and satisfies a predetermined path switching condition for generating fine bubbles (for example, when no reheating is performed). 3), the three-way valves 8 and 9 are switched from the state shown in FIG. 3B to the state shown in FIG. 3A, thereby switching the path from the recirculation circulation path to the fine bubble generation circulation path. Then, when this path switching is performed, a path switching completed signal for generating fine bubbles is added to the added hot water operation control means 38 and the air melting operation control unit 30.

  Note that when the condition for switching the path for generating fine bubbles is not satisfied, for example, during chasing, the user waits until the condition is met or prompts the user to stop chasing. Thus, an appropriate operation program is provided in advance so that the condition is satisfied early.

  Further, the path switching control means 28 receives the microbubble generation mode operation off command and, for example, when a predetermined path switching condition after the end of microbubble generation is satisfied (for example, the microbubble generation mode operation is performed). When the three-way valves 8 and 9 are switched from the state shown in FIG. 3 (a) to the state shown in FIG. 3 (b) when stopped, the route from the fine bubble generating circulation route to the recirculation circulation route Switch.

  The air melting operation control unit 30 receives the signal for switching the path for generating fine bubbles added from the path switching control means 28, and then first turns the air pump 3 on for a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds), or Air introduction for detecting the boundary between the air layer and the liquid layer in the hot water tank 2 (water level detection) and driving until the detection level reaches a predetermined set level to introduce air into the hot water tank 2 Perform the action. Thereafter, the air melting operation control unit 30 adds an additional hot water operation start command to the additional hot water operation control means 38.

  In response to the addition hot water operation start (ON) command, the addition hot water operation control means 38 sends hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 side to the outgoing pipe 24 through the pouring path, and air is supplied from the outgoing pipe 24 side. An operation for injecting hot water to inject hot water into the hot water storage tank 2 of the melting unit 6 is performed. Then, the air introduced into the hot water tank 2 by the air introduction operation of the air melting operation control unit 30 is over-pressure melted into the pouring hot water introduced by the injection introducing operation of the pouring hot water.

  The air melting operation control unit 30 adds the hot water operation control means 38 to the additional hot water operation control means 38 when a predetermined pouring time (for example, 2 minutes) has elapsed since the addition hot water operation start command has been added. The addition hot water operation stop (off) command is added, and the addition water operation by the addition water operation control means 38 is stopped. Then, after the addition hot water operation is stopped, the air introduction operation is performed for 15 seconds, for example.

  Further, the air melting operation control unit 30 drives the bath pump 21 and the pressurizing pump 44 to circulate hot water in the bathtub 26 through the circulation path for generating fine bubbles, and from the outgoing pipe 24 to the air melting unit. The bathtub hot water jet introduction operation which injects and introduces into the hot water storage tank 2 of 6 is performed, and the air introduced into the hot water storage tank 2 by the air introduction operation is overpressure-melted into the bathtub hot water. The bath pump 21 and the pressure pump 44 are driven for a bath pump drive set time of, for example, 2 minutes. Then, the air melting operation control unit 30 performs the air introduction operation again, and alternately repeats the air introduction operation and the bathtub hot water jet introduction operation.

  In addition, when the air melting operation control unit 30 receives the operation-off command in the fine bubble generation mode, the driving of the air pump 3, the bath pump 21 and the pressure pump 44 is stopped, and the hot water storage tank 2 of the air melting unit 6 is stopped. The hot water used for circulating the hot water of the overpressure molten air is led out to the bathtub 26 side through the return pipe 23. Further, after this operation, the air melting operation control unit 30 adds an additional hot water operation ON signal to the additional hot water operation control means 38, and supplies the hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 side through the hot water pouring path to the outgoing pipe. 24, the hot water is introduced into the hot water storage tank 2 from which the hot water has been led out by the derivation operation. In addition, you may make it the air melting operation control part 30 perform the derivation | leading-out operation | movement to the bathtub 26 side of hot water, and the introduction operation | movement of new hot water in parallel.

  When the addition hot water operation is finished, this operation end signal is applied to the route switching control means 28, and the route switching control means 28 switches the three-way valves 8 and 9 so that the recirculation circulation from the circulation path for generating fine bubbles. Switch the route to the route.

  This bath apparatus generates fine bubbles from the circulation connector 1 according to the present embodiment by the operation of the fine bubble generation mode according to the above control configuration. In FIG. 5, the structure of the circulation connector 1 is shown by a schematic cross-sectional view, and its operation is shown by the schematic cross-sectional views in FIGS. 6 (a) and 6 (b). FIG. 7 shows the circulation connector 1 in a disassembled state in a schematic perspective view.

  As shown in these drawings, the circulation connector 1 has a resin case 31 provided inside the inner wall of the bathtub, and the case 31 has a hot water outlet 32 for discharging hot water to the bathtub 26, and A hot water inlet 33 for sucking bathtub hot water and a fine bubble outlet 34 for discharging fine bubbles to the bathtub 26 are provided.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the case 31 includes a metal cover 81, a partition cover 82, and a partition main body 83. These are integrated by, for example, high-frequency welding or the like, fixed to the fixture 85 with a screw 89, and fixed to the bathtub 26 by inserting and fixing the fixture 85 into a hole formed in the bathtub wall 26a (see FIG. 6). Has been. A metal packing 86 is interposed between the flange 88 of the fixture 85 and the inside of the bathtub wall 26a. A metal fitting body 84 provided outside the bathtub 26 is fitted and fixed to the outer peripheral side of the fixture 85, and a metal fitting packing 87 is interposed between the metal fitting body 84 and the outside of the bathtub wall 26a. Yes.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a bath hot water introduction chamber 35 sucked from the hot water suction port 33 is formed in the case 31, and the bath hot water introduction chamber 35, the return pipe 23, Is provided with a return pipe communication passage 41. A first check valve body 71 having a forward direction from the introduction chamber 35 side to the return pipe communication passage 41 side is provided at a communication portion between the return pipe communication passage 41 and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber 35. It is installed. In addition, an outgoing pipe communication passage 42 that connects the bathtub hot water introduction chamber 35 and the outgoing pipe 24 is provided, and a communication portion between the outgoing pipe communication passage 42 and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber 35 includes: A second check valve body 72 having a forward direction from the introduction chamber 35 side toward the outgoing pipe communication passage 42 side is interposed.

  The outgoing pipe communication passage 42 communicates with the hot water discharge port 32 via a third check valve body 73 whose forward direction is the direction from the outgoing pipe communication passage 42 side to the hot water discharge port 32 side. Further, the return pipe communication passage 41 communicates with a hot water discharge nozzle 75 for discharging hot water containing overpressure molten air into the case via a fourth check valve body 74. The fourth check valve body 74 is provided in a communication portion between the hot water discharge nozzle 75 and the return pipe communication passage 41, and the direction from the return pipe communication passage 41 side toward the hot water discharge nozzle 75 is a forward direction. .

  The first to fourth check valve bodies 71 to 74 are each made of a synthetic rubber and formed in a rectangular plate shape. As shown in FIG. 5, the first and fourth check valve bodies 71 and 74 are The proximal end sides 71a and 74a are fixed to one wall surface of the return pipe communication passage 41, and the distal end sides 71b and 74b are locked to the corresponding locking portions 95 and 98, respectively, in a state where there is no flow of hot water, It is formed so as to close the hot water flow path. Further, the base end sides 72a and 74a of the second and third check valve bodies 72 and 73 are fixed to one wall surface of the outgoing pipe communication passage 42, and the distal end sides 72b and 73b are in a state where there is no flow of hot water. Are respectively engaged with the corresponding locking portions 96 and 97 so as to close the hot water flow path.

  The base end side 73a of the third check valve body 73 is located on the upstream side of the tip end side 73b with respect to the flow from the outgoing pipe communication passage 42 side to the hot water discharge port 32 side. The fourth check valve body 74 has a proximal end side 74a upstream of the distal end side 74b with respect to the flow from the return pipe communication passage 41 side to the fine bubble discharge port 34 side. It is located in the inclined posture with respect to the flow path of hot water. Moreover, the front end sides 71b to 74b of the first to fourth check valve bodies 71 to 74 are pushed and oscillated by the water pressure of the hot water flow path, and as a result, as shown in FIGS. As shown, it is configured to open the hot water channel.

  The distal end side of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 has a cylindrical shape, and the cylinder tip is arranged facing the front side of the case so that the cylinder center direction is substantially horizontal. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, for example, a plurality of discharge ports 70 of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 are provided on the cylindrical peripheral wall 45 on the distal end side of the cylindrical shape of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 with a space therebetween in the circumferential direction. It is formed by a through hole, and the tube tip of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 is closed. Note that a plurality of discharge ports 70 are preferably formed, but a single number may be used.

  A cylindrical nozzle cover wall 77 is provided in the case 31 so as to cover the nozzle tip side region including the region where the discharge port 70 of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 is disposed with a space from the outer peripheral side of the hot water discharge nozzle 75. . The tip end side of the cylindrical shape of the nozzle cover wall 77 protrudes further forward than the tip end side of the hot water discharge nozzle 75, and as shown in FIG. A frame wall portion 92 projecting inward from the wall is formed, and an opening surrounded by the frame portion forms an outlet for fine bubbles, and a silencing orifice is formed in the opening.

  The inner wall of the side peripheral wall of the nozzle cover wall 77 forms an uneven wall 78 having an uneven surface. Then, hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge port 75 toward the uneven wall 78 of the inner peripheral wall of the nozzle cover wall 77, causing the hot water to collide with the uneven wall 78 to cause cavitation to generate fine bubbles. As described above, the fine bubble generating portion 76 is formed in the case 31 for generating fine bubbles by causing cavitation in the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle 75.

  In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8A, the through hole forming the discharge port 70 of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 has a cylindrical direction with respect to the cylindrical diameter direction of the hot water discharge nozzle 75. More specifically, the penetration direction of the hot water discharge port 75 is formed in the tangential direction of the inner periphery of the hot water discharge nozzle 75, but the formation of the hot water discharge port 6 is formed. The method is not particularly limited, and is appropriately set.

  During operation in the fine bubble generation mode, the fine bubbles generated from the fine bubble generation unit 76 are discharged into the case 31 from the cylindrical tip of the nozzle cover wall 77 as indicated by an arrow A in FIG. The fine bubble discharge port 34 formed in the case 31 is discharged into the bathtub 26. A plurality of the fine bubble discharge ports 34 are provided in a line at a position on the upper side of the case 31 with a space between each other. Between the fine bubble generation portion 76 and the fine bubble discharge port 34, a fine bubble generation portion is provided. A fine bubble collecting chamber 65 for collecting the fine bubbles generated from 76 and leading the fine bubbles to the fine bubble discharge port 34 is provided.

  When the circulation connector 1 is operated in the follow-up mode, as shown by an arrow B in FIG. 6 (b), the first check valve body 71 is closed with the second check valve body 72 closed. The bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet 33 of the case 31 is introduced into the return pipe 23 through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber 35 and the return pipe communication passage 41, and the circulation path is The bathtub hot water returning to the outgoing pipe 24 through the recirculation circulation path passes through the outgoing pipe communication passage 42, the third check valve body 73 is opened, and discharged from the hot water discharge port 32 of the case 31.

  Further, during the operation in the fine bubble generation mode, as shown by an arrow A in FIG. 6A, the second check valve body 72 is opened while the first check valve body 71 is closed, The bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet 33 of the case 31 is introduced into the forward pipe 24 through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber 35 and the forward pipe communication passage 42. In addition, hot water sent from the return pipe 23 to the bathtub 26 side through the circulation path through the fine bubble generation circulation path in a state where the air is over-pressure melted by the air melting unit 6 is returned to the return pipe communication path. 41, the fourth check valve body 74 is opened and guided to the hot water discharge nozzle 75. Then, as described above, the hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle 75, the fine bubbles are generated by the fine bubble generator 76, and discharged from the fine bubble discharge port 34 of the case 31.

  The circulation connector 1 of the present embodiment is configured as described above. In the bath apparatus provided with the circulation connector 1, the three-way valves 8 and 9 are normally in the state shown in FIG. For example, when the automatic hot water filling switch of the remote controller is turned on, the hot water filling operation is performed. When the hot water filling operation is finished, the bath pump 21 is activated and the temperature (hot water temperature) of the bathtub hot water is When the temperature is detected by the bath temperature sensor and the detected temperature is lower than the hot water set temperature (bath set temperature), the reheating function is performed.

  The operation of the reheating function is that the bath pump 21 is driven and hot water in the bathtub 26 is circulated through the recirculation circulation path as shown by an arrow B in FIG. Is the operation in which the reheating burner 16 is driven to burn when it is detected by the running water switch 22 and the circulating hot water is heated to raise the temperature of the circulating hot water as it passes through the reheating heat exchanger 15. At this time, the flow of hot water in the circulation connector 1 is as shown in FIG. This reheating operation ends when the bath temperature sensor detects the bath temperature, and when the detected temperature reaches the bath set temperature, the combustion of the reheating burner 16 and the stop of the bath pump 21 are performed.

  The operation of the chasing function is performed not only after the automatic hot water filling operation performed when the automatic switch 94 of the remote controller 48 is turned on, but also when the chasing switch 93 of the remote controller 48 is turned on.

  When the cloudy bubble generation switch 36 of the remote controller is turned on, an operation on command for the fine bubble generation mode is issued, and the three-way valves 8 and 9 are shown by the path switching control means 28 as shown in the time chart of FIG. The state is switched to the state 3 (a), and the air melting operation control unit 30 drives the air pump 3 of the air melting unit 6 for a short time within 5 seconds, for example, so that air is introduced into the hot water storage tank 2.

  Thereafter, after the air pump 3 is stopped, the additional hot water operation control means 38 performs an additional hot water operation, for example, for 2 minutes, so that it is introduced from the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 side into the forward pipe 24 through the hot water pouring route. The pouring hot water is introduced into the hot water storage tank 2 of the air melting unit 6, and air is melted at an overpressure in the pouring hot water. Then, the hot water in which the air has been melted at an overpressure is guided to the bathtub 26 through the return pipe 23 and introduced into the circulation connector 1.

  Then, as shown in FIG. 6 (a), the fourth check valve body 74 is opened, and the hot water in which the air is over-pressure melted as described above is returned from the return pipe 23 to the circulating connector 1. The water is discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle 75 through the pipe communication passage 41, and the fine bubble generation unit 76 causes cavitation in the discharged hot water to generate fine bubbles, and from the fine bubble discharge port 34 of the case 31 of the circulation connector 1. Discharge.

  Next, as shown in FIG. 9, the air melting operation control unit 30 drives the air pump 3 of the air melting unit 6 again for a pump drive set time set within, for example, 15 seconds, and enters the hot water storage tank 2. Air is introduced. Thereafter, after the air pump 3 is stopped, the bath pump 21 and the pressure pump 44 are driven, for example, for 2 minutes, and the hot water in the bathtub is circulated through the circulation path for generating fine bubbles. Air is overpressure-melted in the bathtub hot water injected into the water tank 2 and guided to the bathtub 26 through the return pipe 23. Then, in the same manner as described above, the bathtub hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle 75 through the path shown in FIG. 6A, and the generated fine bubbles are discharged from the fine bubble discharge port 34 of the case 31 of the circulation connector 1. To do.

  Next, the air pump 3 of the air melting unit 6 is driven again by the air melting operation control unit 30 to perform the air introduction operation into the hot water storage tank 2, and then after the air pump 33 is stopped, the air pump 33 and the bath pump 21 are added. The pressure pump 44 is driven, and the bathtub hot water jet introduction operation is performed in which the bathtub hot water is circulated through the circulation path for generating fine bubbles and jetted into the hot water storage tank 2, and the air introduction operation and the bathtub hot water jet introduction operation are performed. And are repeated. In this embodiment, the discharge of fine bubbles from the fine bubble discharge port 34 is continued even during the air introduction operation by driving the air pump 3.

  Then, when the cloudy bubble generation switch 36 of the remote controller is pressed and the micro bubble generation mode operation off command is issued from the micro bubble generation mode on / off command unit, as shown in FIG. 9, the air pump 3, the bath pump 21, All the pressurizing pumps 44 are stopped, and hot water used for circulating hot water of the overpressure molten air in the hot water tank 2 of the air melting unit 6 is led out to the bathtub 26 side through the return pipe 23, and then the hot water supply heat exchanger The operation of feeding hot water into the forward pipe 24 from the side 7 through the pouring path and adding hot water by the hot water operation control unit 38 to introduce new hot water into the hot water storage tank 2 (cleaning operation) The hot water in the hot water storage tank 2 is replaced with new hot water.

  In this bath apparatus, for example, if the running water switch 22 does not turn on after 30 seconds have elapsed after the bath pump 21 is started to operate, it is determined that some abnormality has occurred and the drive of the bath pump 21 is stopped. Thus, a safety function is provided to leave that effect, and the bath apparatus can be inspected after the bath pump 21 is stopped.

  In the bath apparatus, the air melting unit 6 is provided on the heat source machine side by interposing the return pipe 23 and the outgoing pipe 24 for recirculation of the air melting unit 6, or connected to the bathtub 26. Unlike the case where it is installed in a pipeline, there is no cost increase, and various heat source machines such as existing heat source machines can be used to easily generate fine bubbles, and the conventional reheating operation is also appropriately performed. Can be done well.

  According to this embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, the return pipe communication path 41, the forward pipe communication path 42, the hot water inlet 33, the hot water outlet 32, and the fine bubble outlet 34 are combined into one. By the action of the first to fourth check valve bodies 71 to 74 formed in the case 31 and provided in the case 31, the circulation of the bathtub hot water through the reheating circulation path in the reheating mode and the fine bubble generation mode It is possible to circulate bathtub water and discharge water to the bathtub through the circulation path for generating fine bubbles at the time, and it is convenient to install in the bathtub 26. The circulation connector 1 can be reduced in size and cost.

  Particularly, in this embodiment, the first to fourth check valve bodies 71 to 74 are closed in a state where there is no flow of the hot water flow path, and are pushed by the hot water pressure to swing and open. Since the first to fourth check valve bodies 71 to 74 operate accurately with a very simple configuration, the configuration of the circulation connector 1 can be simplified, and downsizing and cost reduction are possible. can do.

  Further, according to the present embodiment, the configuration of the fine bubble generating unit 76 is configured by arranging a hot water discharge nozzle 75 in which a plurality of discharge ports 70 as described above are formed in the cylinder circumferential direction, and a discharge port 70 of the hot water discharge nozzle 75. The through hole forming the hot water discharge port 6 of the hot water discharge nozzle 75 has a penetrating direction in the cylinder radial direction of the hot water discharge nozzle 75. On the other hand, it is formed in a direction obliquely displaced in the cylinder circumferential direction and is formed in the tangential direction of the inner periphery of the hot water discharge nozzle 75, so even if the momentum of hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle of the hot water discharge nozzle is not large Cavitation can be generated efficiently under optimum conditions.

  In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment example, Various aspects can be taken. For example, in the circulating connector 1, the configuration of the fine bubble generating unit 76 is not limited to the configuration (see FIG. 8) applied to the above-described embodiment example, and is appropriately set to generate cavitation. It is only necessary to have a configuration capable of generating fine bubbles, the configuration of the check valve bodies 71 to 74, the hot water outlet 32, the hot water inlet 33, the fine bubble outlet 34, the shape of the case 31, The size and the like are also set variously.

  Further, the circulation connector 1 is not necessarily made of resin, and the circulation connector 1 may be formed of a material other than resin such as metal.

  Furthermore, since the circulation connector of the present invention is connected to the return pipe 24 and the return pipe 23 of the circulation path connected to the bathtub 26, the bath connected via the forward pipe 24 and the return pipe 23. The apparatus such as the apparatus and the piping configuration on the return pipe 23 and the outgoing pipe 24 side are not particularly limited, and are appropriately set. For example, the apparatus may have other functions such as heating. In addition to the gas combustion type apparatus, an oil combustion type apparatus or a cogeneration hot water supply heat source apparatus may be used. Further, the control configuration of the apparatus is not limited to the above example, and is appropriately set.

1 is a system configuration diagram schematically showing an example of a bath apparatus provided with an embodiment of a circulation connector according to the present invention. It is a block diagram which shows the fine bubble generation | occurrence | production control structure of the said bath apparatus. It is explanatory drawing which shows typically operation | movement of the said bath apparatus. It is a top view which shows typically the example of the remote control apparatus provided in the said bath apparatus. It is a section explanatory view showing the composition of the example of one embodiment of the circulation connector concerning the present invention. It is explanatory drawing which shows operation | movement of the circulation connector of the said embodiment example. It is explanatory drawing which shows the circulation connector of the said embodiment example in a decomposition | disassembly state. It is a schematic diagram for demonstrating the fine bubble generation | occurrence | production part provided in the circulation connector of the said embodiment. It is a time chart of the fine bubble generation | occurrence | production operation | movement of the said bath apparatus.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Circulation connector 2 Hot water storage tank 3 Air pump 5 Bypass path 6 Air melting unit 7 Hot water heat exchanger 8,9 Three-way valve 15 Reheating heat exchanger 19 Connection path 21 Bath pump 23 Return pipe 24 Outward pipe 26 Bathtub 28 Path switching Control means 30 Air melting operation control section 31 Case 32 Hot water discharge port 33 Hot water suction port 34 Fine bubble discharge port 35 Bath hot water introduction chamber 36 Fine bubble generation switch 40 Fine bubble generation control means 41 Return pipe communication path 42 Outward pipe communication path 44 Pressurizing pump 71 1st check valve body 72 2nd check valve body 73 3rd check valve body 74 4th check valve body 76 Fine bubble generating part

Claims (4)

  A circulation connecting device connected to an outgoing pipe and a return pipe of a circulation path connected to a bathtub, and having a case provided inside the inner wall of the bathtub, and the case for discharging hot water into the bathtub An outlet and a hot water inlet for sucking in the hot water in the bathtub are provided, and an introduction chamber for bath hot water sucked from the hot water inlet is formed in the case, and the hot water inlet chamber and the return pipe are formed in the case. A return pipe communication passage that communicates is provided, and a first check valve body is provided at a communication portion between the return pipe communication passage and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber, and the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the forward pipe are provided. A second check valve body is provided at a communication portion between the outer pipe communication passage and the bath hot water introduction chamber, and the outer pipe communication passage is It communicates with the hot water discharge port via a third check valve body, and the return pipe communication passage is over-pressure melted air. A fine bubble generating section that communicates with the hot water discharge nozzle that discharges the contained hot water into the case via a fourth check valve body, and generates cavitation in the hot water discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle to generate fine bubbles. Is provided in the case, and a fine bubble discharge port for discharging fine bubbles generated from the fine bubble generating portion to the bathtub is formed in the case, and the second check valve body is closed. The first check valve body is opened, and the bathtub hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case is introduced into the return pipe through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the return pipe communication passage, and through the circulation path. Bath hot water returning to the outgoing pipe is passed through the outgoing pipe communication passage, the third check valve body is opened and discharged from the hot water outlet of the case, and the first check valve body is closed. In the state, the second check valve body The bath hot water sucked from the hot water inlet of the case is introduced to the outer pipe through the bathtub hot water introduction chamber and the outer pipe communication passage, and the air passes through the circulation path in an overpressure-melted state. Hot water sent from the return pipe to the bathtub side is passed through the return pipe communication passage, the fourth check valve body is opened and led to the hot water discharge nozzle, and the hot water is discharged from the hot water discharge nozzle to A circulating connector having a function of generating cloudy fine bubbles by a fine bubble generating portion and discharging from the fine bubble discharge port of the case.   The distal end side of the hot water discharge nozzle has a cylindrical shape, and the cylindrical tip is arranged toward the front side of the case so that the cylindrical center direction is substantially horizontal, and the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle is the distal end of the cylindrical shape. A cylindrical tip of the hot water discharge nozzle is formed by one or a plurality of through holes provided at intervals in the circumferential direction on the cylindrical peripheral wall on the side, and the hot water of the hot water discharge nozzle is formed in the case. A cylindrical nozzle cover wall is provided to cover a nozzle tip side region including a discharge port arrangement region with an outer peripheral side of the hot water discharge nozzle with a space therebetween, and the cylindrical tip side of the nozzle cover wall is the hot water discharge nozzle And the inner wall of the side peripheral wall of the nozzle cover wall is an uneven wall having an uneven surface, and the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle faces the uneven wall. Hot water is discharged from The hot water collides with the concavo-convex wall to cause cavitation to generate cloudy fine bubbles, and the fine bubbles are discharged into the case from the cylindrical tip of the nozzle cover wall. The circulating connector according to claim 1.   The through hole forming the hot water discharge port of the hot water discharge nozzle is formed in a direction in which the through direction is obliquely displaced in the cylinder circumferential direction with respect to the cylindrical diameter direction of the hot water discharge nozzle. The circulation connector according to 2.   4. The circulating connector according to claim 3, wherein the through hole forming the hot water discharge nozzle of the hot water discharge nozzle has a through direction formed in a tangential direction of the inner periphery of the hot water discharge nozzle.

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