JP2019118705A - Bathtub washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device having excellent washing performance at low cost.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device comprises a storage container 47 for storing hot and cold water, a pump 48 for pumping the hot and cold water, a rotation speed detection unit for detecting a rotation speed of the pump 48, a pump driving characteristic detection unit for detecting power consumption or current of the pump 48, a control unit 40 for controlling driving of the pump 48 in washing operation, and a storage unit for storing a predetermined target flow rate. The control unit 40 corrects the rotation speed of the pump 48 so as to achieve the predetermined target flow rate on the basis of the power consumption or the current of the pump 48 detected by the pump driving characteristic detection unit in the washing operation.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning apparatus that automatically cleans a bathtub.

  BACKGROUND Conventionally, there has been known a bathtub cleaning device that sprays washing water or hot water into a bathtub to wash away dirt attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub. In this type of bathtub cleaning apparatus, for example, detergent and hot water are mixed in the detergent mixing unit to generate washing water, and washing water or hot water is sprayed from the washing nozzle toward the inside of the bath.

  In order to obtain a high cleaning effect in the bathtub cleaning apparatus as described above, it is necessary to inject cleaning water or hot water to a predetermined injection position. Therefore, it is necessary to adjust the flow rate at which the washing water or hot water is sprayed from the washing nozzle toward the inside of the bath so as to be a predetermined target flow rate.

  On the other hand, in the bathtub cleaning apparatus as described above, a storage container for storing hot and cold water is provided, and a pump is provided in the flow passage on the downstream side of the storage container. It is conceivable to inject wash water and hot and cold water from the nozzle. In order to inject wash water and hot water to a predetermined injection position of a bathtub with such a configuration, it is conceivable to drive the pump at a preset target rotational speed to achieve a predetermined target flow rate. A predetermined target flow rate corresponding to the target rotational speed can not be obtained due to differences due to the installation environment such as length and voltage difference, variations in pump performance, and foreign matter clogging, etc., and a predetermined target flow rate can not be obtained. There is a problem that it is out of position, and sufficient cleaning performance can not be obtained.

  Also, it is conceivable to provide a flow sensor in the flow passage downstream of the storage container and control the number of revolutions of the pump based on the flow detected by the flow sensor, but only the detergent flowing backward from the detergent mixing section In addition, foreign matter such as algae and dirt when using a scale or an open storage container contained in water may be mixed into the hot water. As a result, there is a possibility that these foreign matters and detergent may clog the mechanism of the flow rate sensor.

JP 2003-61850 A JP, 2013-9854, A

  The present invention solves the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to control the number of rotations of a pump in a bathtub cleaning device including a storage container for storing hot water and a pump for pumping hot water in the storage container. High washing effect without using a flow rate sensor.

According to the invention
A storage container for storing hot water,
A detergent tank for storing detergent,
A detergent mixing unit that generates wash water by mixing the hot water supplied from the storage container and the detergent supplied from the detergent tank;
Hot and cold water supply pipes that supply hot and cold water from the storage container to the detergent mixing unit,
A detergent introduction pipe that supplies detergent from the detergent tank to the detergent mixing section;
With a cleaning nozzle that injects cleaning water and hot water into the bath,
A washing pipe for supplying washing water and hot water to the washing nozzle from the detergent mixing unit;
A pump provided in the hot water communication pipe for pumping the hot water,
A rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the pump;
A pump drive characteristic detection unit that detects power consumption or current of the pump;
A control unit that controls driving of the pump in the cleaning operation;
A storage unit for storing a predetermined target flow rate;
The control unit is provided with a bathtub cleaning device that corrects the rotational speed of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation.

  For example, if foreign matter or the like gets stuck in the flow path downstream of the pump, the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump increases, so even if the pump is driven at a predetermined target rotational speed, the flow rate of the pumped hot water decreases. However, if the flow rate sensor is not provided in the flow path downstream of the pump, it is not possible to detect a drop in the flow rate directly.

  However, if the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump increases, the flow rate of hot water pumped is reduced even at the same rotation speed, so the amount of work of the pump decreases and the power consumption and current of the pump decrease. Therefore, the pump was driven at a predetermined number of revolutions using the number of revolutions of the pump for pumping hot water detected by the number of revolution detection unit and the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit. The change in resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump can be detected by the power consumption or current of the pump. Thereby, even if the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump changes in the cleaning operation and the flow rate changes, the rotational speed of the pump is corrected based on the power consumption or current of the pump to obtain a predetermined target flow rate. be able to.

Preferably, in the bathtub cleaning device,
The storage unit stores first pump data indicating a correlation between the number of rotations of the pump, the power consumption or current of the pump, and the flow rate,
The control unit corrects the rotational speed of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation and the first pump data.

  As described above, when the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump increases, the flow rate of hot and cold water pumped at the same rotation speed decreases, so the amount of work of the pump decreases and the power consumption and current of the pump decrease Do. Therefore, the relationship between the power consumption or current of the pump when the pump is driven at a predetermined target rotation speed to achieve a predetermined target flow rate, the rotation speed of the pump, the power consumption or current of the pump, and the flow rate is shown. By comparing the first pump data, it is possible to detect the difference between the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate.

  Then, as the number of revolutions of the pump increases, the flow rate of the water and water to be pumped increases, and the power consumption and current of the pump increase accordingly, so the number of revolutions of the pump is increased until a predetermined target flow rate is obtained. That is, when the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate are different, the predetermined target flow rate can be obtained based on the first pump data indicating the correlation between the pump rotational speed, the power consumption or current of the pump, and the flow rate. Thus, it is possible to correct the rotational speed of the pump.

Preferably, in the bathtub cleaning device,
The storage unit stores second pump data indicating a correlation between the number of rotations of the pump, the head of the pump, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow passage on the downstream side of the pump,
The control unit corrects the number of revolutions of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation and the first and second pump data. Do.

  In general, the flow-lift characteristic curve showing the correlation between the pump flow and the lift is a characteristic inherent to the pump, and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump in a certain state is represented as a resistance curve on the flow-lift characteristic curve. The flow rate when the pump is driven is determined by the intersection (operating point) of the flow rate-lift characteristic curve and the resistance curve at a predetermined pump rotation speed. Also, as described above, the change in flow rate when the pump is driven can be detected by the power consumption or current of the pump.

  On the other hand, if foreign matter or the like gets stuck in the flow path downstream of the pump, the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump increases and the flow rate decreases, so the amount of work of the pump decreases even if the number of rotations of the pump is the same. Thus, the power consumption and current of the pump are reduced. Therefore, the correlation between the power consumption or current of the pump when the pump is driven at a predetermined target rotational speed so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate, the rotational speed of the pump, the power consumption or current of the pump, and the flow rate The difference between the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate can be detected based on the first pump data shown.

  In addition, since the intersection point between the flow rate-head characteristic curve when driving the pump at a predetermined target rotational speed and the resistance curve of the current flow path downstream of the pump is the operating point at which the current flow rate can be obtained, [1] The present pump downstream side based on the second pump data showing the correlation between the present flow rate determined based on the pump data, the pump speed, the pump head, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump The resistance curve of the flow path resistance can be selected. Then, if the resistance of the flow passage on the downstream side of the pump is the same, the flow rate increases along the resistance curve by increasing the rotational speed of the pump, so the rotational speed of the pump that can obtain a predetermined target flow rate Determine along the resistance curve and correct. That is, when the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate are different, based on the second pump data indicating the correlation between the number of rotations of the pump, the head of the pump, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow passage on the downstream side of the pump The rotational speed of the pump can be corrected to obtain a predetermined target flow rate. In addition, by utilizing the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump as described above, it is possible to directly specify the number of revolutions of the pump that can obtain a predetermined target flow rate, so a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained in a short time. The rotational speed of the pump can be corrected to

  As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to correct the rotational speed of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate by using the power consumption or current of the pump without using the flow rate sensor. Thereby, washing water and hot and cold water can be stably injected to a predetermined injection position. Therefore, a bath cleaning device having a high cleaning effect can be provided at low cost.

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration view showing an example of a bath cleaning device according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a correlation diagram showing flow rate-power consumption data of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an example of control operation in trial operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of control operation in the cleaning operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of the control operation in the cleaning operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of control operation in the cleaning operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a correlation diagram showing flow rate-lift data and resistance data of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing an example of control operation in trial operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a part of a flowchart showing an example of control operation in the cleaning operation of the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

Embodiment 1
Hereinafter, a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1: is a schematic block diagram which shows an example of the bathtub cleaning apparatus which concerns on this Embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub 1 is disposed along the bathroom wall in the bathroom BR, and the water heater 6, which is a heat source, is disposed outside the bathroom BR (for example, outdoors). Although not shown, the bath 1 constitutes an inner peripheral wall of the bath constituting the water storage section, an upper edge flange extending horizontally outward from the opening edge of the water storage section, and an outer surface of the bath 1 An inner space 10 is formed below the upper edge flange portion.

  At the bottom of the bath 1, a drainage plug 2 for draining bath water, which is hot water stored in the bath 1, and a washing nozzle 7 for jetting hot water or washing water are provided. Although not shown, the cleaning nozzle 7 has injection ports for radially injecting hot water and cleaning water supplied through the cleaning pipe 43 over the entire inner peripheral surface of the water storage portion of the bath 1. The injection port is configured such that the injection position of hot water or wash water fluctuates in the upper and lower regions of the inner circumferential surface of the water storage section according to the flow rate of hot water or wash water. A drainage switch 5 is provided at the upper edge flange portion of the bath 1, and the drainage switch 5 is connected to a drainage plug controller 50 for opening and closing the drainage plug 2 provided below the upper edge flange portion. Therefore, when the user operates the drainage switch 5 or operates the cleaning switch of the remote control R described later, the drainage plug 2 is opened, and the bath water in the bathtub 1 is drained.

  Although not shown, the water heater 6 includes a gas burner and a hot water supply heat exchanger. A gas supply pipe 78 is connected to the gas burner. The hot water supply heat exchanger includes a water supply pipe 63 for supplying clean water from a water supply source, and a hot water supply pipe for supplying hot and cold water heated from the water heater 6 to a hot water supply plug 65 such as curry or shower and a main unit 4 described later. 66 and are connected. A water heater controller 60 for controlling the operation of the water heater 6 is incorporated in the water heater 6, and various sensors such as a water supply sensor provided in the water supply pipe 63 and a water supply temperature sensor provided in the water heating pipe 66 The various control valves provided in the water supply pipe 63, the hot water supply pipe 66, and the gas supply pipe 78, the igniter, the power supply box, and the remote controller for the water heater are connected to the water heater controller 60. In the present embodiment, the water heater 6 has only a hot water supply heat exchanger, but a circulation fitting is provided in the bath 1, and a hot water supply heat exchanger and a bath heat exchanger are provided in the water heater 6 You may use the water heater which it has. In addition, an electric water heater or a heat pump water heater may be used.

  The water supply pipe 63 and the hot water supply pipe 66 are branched into the hot water supply plug 65 side and the main unit 4 side disposed on the ceiling of the bathroom BR. In the first temperature control water supply pipe 63a and the first hot water supply pipe 66a upstream of the hot water tank 47 branched from the water supply pipe 63 and the hot water supply pipe 66 to the main unit 4 respectively, check valves 71, 72 and hot water The mixing unit 80 is connected. More specifically, the hot water mixing section 80 is provided with a water temperature sensor 81, a water quantity sensor 83, a water quantity adjustment valve 85, and a first hot water supply pipe 66a sequentially interposed from the upstream side to the first temperature control water supply pipe 63a. The hot water temperature sensor 82, the hot water content sensor 84, and the hot water content adjusting valve 86 are provided in order from the upstream side. In addition, antifreeze heaters 73 and 74 are disposed around the piping of the first temperature control water supply pipe 63a and the first hot and cold water supply pipe 66a in the vicinity of the check valves 71 and 72, respectively. The first temperature control water supply pipe 63a and the first hot water supply pipe 66a join on the downstream side of the water amount adjustment valve 85 and the hot water amount adjustment valve 86, and constitute one second hot water supply pipe 66b. A temperature sensor 75 is interposed in the second hot water supply pipe 66b.

  The second hot water supply pipe 66b is connected to a hot water tank 47, which is a storage container, via a water replenishment electromagnetic valve (water replenishment valve) 46. In addition, the second hot water supply pipe 66b connecting the hot water / water mixing unit 80 and the hot water tank 47 branches the hot water supply pipe 66d, and the hot water supply pipe 66d is a solenoid valve for hot water. It is connected to a flush valve 79 located above the bathtub 1 via 90. An antifreeze heater 76 is disposed around the piping of the hot water supplying pipe 66 d between the branched portion of the second hot water supplying pipe 66 b and the hot water solenoid valve 90.

  Although not shown, at the upper part of the hot water tank 47, a water refilling port through which the hot and cold water supplied from the second hot and cold water supply pipe 66b is discharged, and an overflow port located below the water refilling port. In addition, an outlet is provided at the bottom of the hot water tank 47, and a hot water communication pipe 66c for supplying hot water to the pump 48 is connected to the outlet. Further, an overflow pipe 68 extended in the bath tub is connected to the overflow port. Therefore, a water discharge port space is formed between the water refill port and the overflow port, and the second hot water supply pipe 66b is separated from the flow path on the downstream side of the hot water tank 47 by the hot water tank 47. For this reason, the hot and cold water tank 47 functions as a backflow prevention means.

  In the hot water tank 47, a high water level electrode 471, a low water level electrode 472 and an earth electrode 473 having different lengths for detecting the amount of stored hot water are inserted. When the hot water is stored in the hot water tank 47, the high water level electrode 471 is disposed such that the lower end is located below the overflow port. The high water level electrode 471 and the low water level electrode 472 turn on when the water level reaches a predetermined high water level and a low water level, respectively, and turn off when the water level does not reach a predetermined high water level and a low water level.

  A pump 48 and an on-off solenoid valve (on-off valve) 49 are interposed in order from the upstream side on a hot water / water communication pipe 66 c connecting the hot water tank 47 and the detergent mixing unit 51. The pump 48 is driven and stopped, and the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened and closed to supply and stop the hot water from the hot water tank 47 to the wash water generation unit 3, whereby the hot water and wash water from the washing nozzle 7 Injection and shutdown are performed. Further, by controlling the rotational speed of the pump 48, the flow rate of hot water or wash water jetted from the washing nozzle 7 is adjusted. Therefore, the flow passage from the pump 48 to the cleaning nozzle 7 constitutes the flow passage on the downstream side of the pump 48.

  The pump 48 uses the motor 480 as a drive motor, and is configured to change the flow rate by performing control of changing the number of rotations of the pump blades by change control of the drive voltage by inverter control. Although not shown, the motor 480 includes a rotation number detection unit such as a Hall element that detects the rotation number of the pump 48, and a current detection unit that detects a current flowing under a voltage applied by the control signal of the drive voltage. Is provided. These detection signals are output to the main unit controller 40.

  Although not shown, the main unit 4 is provided with a casing in which each component such as the hot water mixing section 80, the hot water tank 47, and the pump 48 described above is accommodated, and the hot water / water mixing section 80 in the casing is A low temperature sensing temperature sensor 77 for detecting a temperature is provided. In addition, the water temperature sensor 81, the water temperature sensor 82, the water amount sensor 83, the water amount sensor 84, the water amount adjusting valve 85, the water amount adjusting valve 86, the antifreeze heaters 73, 74, 76, the temperature sensor 75, low temperature sensing The temperature sensor 77, the solenoid valve 46 for water supply, the open / close solenoid valve 49, the solenoid valve 90 for hot water filling, electrodes 471, 472 and 473 in the hot water tank 47, the motor 480, and a rotational speed detector and current detector not shown It is connected to the main body unit controller 40 provided in the casing via electrical wiring. Furthermore, the main unit controller 40 is connected to the cleaning unit controller 30, which will be described later, the remote controller R, and a power supply box (not shown) via electrical wiring.

  In the bathtub interior space 10 located below the upper edge flange portion of the bathtub 1, the detergent tank 41 for storing detergent, the venturi-type detergent mixing unit 51, and the detergent tank 41, which constitute the wash water generation unit 3, The detergent introduction pipe 44 for guiding the detergent of the present invention to the detergent mixing unit 51 is provided. The detergent introduction pipe 44 is provided with first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b for adjusting the supply of the detergent to the detergent mixing unit 51. Is interposed. The detergent mixing unit 51 and the cleaning nozzle 7 are connected via the cleaning pipe 43. The detergent tank 41, the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b, and the detergent mixing unit 51 may be spaced apart from each other according to the size of the bathtub interior space 10 and the like. Good.

  The main unit 4 on the ceiling and the flush water generation unit 3 in the bathroom BR are connected by a hot and cold water communication pipe 66 c penetrating the bathroom wall on one side of the bathtub 1. More specifically, the hot water communication pipe 66 c is connected to the open / close electromagnetic valve 49 of the main unit 4 and the detergent mixing unit 51 of the washing water generation unit 3. Therefore, while the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b are opened, the pump 48 is driven and the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened to transfer hot water stored in the hot water tank 47 to the hot water communication pipe 66c. The detergent and the hot water are mixed by the negative pressure generated when the hot and cold water passes through the detergent mixing unit 51, and the washing water is generated through the washing pipe 43 and the washing nozzle. The washing water is sprayed from 7 to wash the bathtub 1. Further, in a state where the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b are closed, the pump 48 is similarly driven and the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened to communicate hot water stored in the hot water tank 47 with hot water When the water is supplied from the pipe 66c to the detergent mixing unit 51, only the hot and cold water is sprayed from the washing nozzle 7, and the preliminary washing and rinsing of the bath 1 are performed. Although not shown, sterilization pipes such as ozone water and hypochlorous acid water, which are branched from the hot water communication pipe 66c downstream of the pump 48 and the mist nozzle provided on the ceiling wall of the bathroom BR, etc. It is also possible to spray sterilizing water into the bathroom BR and to sterilize the whole inside of the bathroom BR by connecting through a sterilizer that generates the

  Although not shown, the wash water generation unit 3 includes a casing in which the above-described detergent mixing unit 51 and the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b are accommodated. Further, the cleaning unit controller 30 is incorporated in the cleaning water generation unit 3, and the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b described above and the electrodes of the detergent tank 41 (not shown) are electrically connected with the cleaning unit controller 30. Connected through. Furthermore, the cleaning unit controller 30 is connected to the drain valve controller 50 and the main unit controller 40 via electrical wiring. In addition, the detergent mixing part 51 may use not only what mixes a detergent and hot water with negative pressure, but the stirring container which stirs and mixes a detergent and hot water may be used.

  A remote control R for filling operation and cleaning operation is disposed in the bathroom BR. For the remote control R, set the operation switch 101, the water filling switch 102 that performs water filling operation, the cleaning switch 103 that performs cleaning operation, the cleaning / water filling switch 104 that performs water filling operation after the cleaning operation is completed, and the water filling temperature The hot water temperature setting switch 105, the hot and cold water switch 106 for starting and stopping the hot water and hot water operation, the washing course setting switch 107 for selecting the washing course, the timer switch 108, the operating condition and the preset temperature are displayed. The display unit 110 is provided. As described later, the remote control R also functions as a setting unit in a trial run for setting a predetermined target flow rate. Although not shown, the remote controller R is connected to the main unit controller 40 via an electrical wiring, and is connected to the cleaning unit controller 30 or the drainage plug controller 50 via the main unit controller 40. Each controller is comprised from the microcomputer provided with CPU, ROM, and RAM.

  Although not shown, the water heater controller 60 incorporates a hot water supply control circuit for controlling the hot water supply operation of the water heater 6, and the main body unit controller 40 incorporates a cleaning control circuit for controlling a cleaning operation and trial operation. . In addition, the cleaning control circuit performs the cleaning operation and the trial operation by controlling the opening and closing of the water replenishment solenoid valve 46 and the on-off solenoid valve 49 and the opening of the water amount adjustment valve 85 and the hot water amount adjustment valve 86 as functional constituent means. The operation control unit, the pump drive unit that drives the pump 48 at a predetermined number of revolutions by inverter control of the motor 480 in cleaning operation or trial operation, and the output from the current detection unit when the pump 48 is driven at a predetermined number of rotations Power consumption calculating unit that calculates the power consumption of the pump 48 based on the current and driving voltage for inverter control, the current power consumption of the pump 48 calculated by the power consumption calculating unit, and the pump stored in the storage unit Flow rate determination to determine the difference between the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate by calculating the current flow rate from the first pump data indicating the correlation between the power consumption and the flow rate according to the rotational speed of 48 , A rotational speed correction unit that increases or decreases the rotational speed of the pump 48 stepwise by a predetermined rotational speed increase or decrease based on the current power consumption of the pump 48 and the first pump data; A trial run setting control unit is provided to set a target rotational speed. Therefore, in the present embodiment, each functional unit of the cleaning control circuit functions as a control unit that controls and corrects the rotational speed of the pump 48 in the cleaning operation. Further, in the present embodiment, the current detection unit of the motor 480 and the power consumption calculation unit that calculates the power consumption of the pump 48 based on the current detected by the current detection unit function as a pump drive characteristic detection unit. The power consumption of the pump 48 may be detected directly by a power meter. The memory, which is the storage unit of the main unit controller 40, includes a setting control program for setting a target flow rate and a reference target rotational speed in trial operation, a cleaning control program for executing a cleaning operation, and the rotational speed of the pump 48 during the cleaning operation. Besides the correction control program to be corrected, the first pump data data table for calculating the current flow rate and correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48, and the set value of the drive voltage of the pump 48 for changing the rotational speed of the pump 48 It is stored and one is registered as an initial value at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 2 schematically illustrates the operation of correction control during the cleaning operation in the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment, and shows flow rate-power consumption data of the pump 48 manufactured based on the first pump data (FIG. Hereinafter, "Q-P characteristic curve" is shown. FIG. 2 shows a Q-P characteristic curve according to the number of rotations of N (-1) to N (+3) of five steps (190 Hz to 230 Hz) in which the number of rotations is increased or decreased at predetermined intervals (10 Hz). There is. These maximum and minimum numbers of revolutions and the number of stages of increase and decrease of the number of revolutions are examples, and may be set to be more or less depending on the required flow rate and accuracy. The setting control in the test run for setting the target flow rate and the reference target rotational speed in the case of performing the cleaning operation using the pump 48 will be described later.

  The Q-P characteristic curve is a characteristic inherent to the pump. For example, in FIG. 2, in the initial state of the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, the target flow rate Q (0) is set to 5.0 L / min, and to obtain this predetermined target flow rate Q (0) The target rotational speed N (0) of the pump 48 of the above is set to 200 Hz. Therefore, when the pump 48 is driven at the rotational speed N (0) in the initial state of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump, the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0) and the target flow rate Q (0) in FIG. The power consumption P (0) at the reference point L (0) of is 40 W.

  However, if foreign matter or the like gets stuck in the flow path on the downstream side of the pump, the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump becomes large. Therefore, when the pump 48 is driven at the rotational speed N (0), the flow rate Q decreases along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0), and the amount of work of the pump 48 decreases accordingly. The power consumption P of 48 also decreases. Therefore, the difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) is determined by comparing the current power consumption P of the pump 48 with the Q-P characteristic curve corresponding to the rotational speed N of the pump 48. Can. Then, due to an increase in the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow rate Q moves to the change point L (1) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0) When the power consumption P decreases, the power consumption P decreases to about the power consumption P (1) (31 W), and the difference between the current flow rate Q and the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) becomes large. As a result, the injection position of the cleaning water or hot water shifts from the predetermined injection position to a lower position, and the cleaning performance is degraded.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) becomes large, a control signal for increasing the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is output to the motor 480. Correction control is performed to increase stepwise based on the first pump data stored in the storage unit.

  Specifically, when the current flow rate Q calculated from the current power consumption P of the pump 48 and the Q-P characteristic curve as described above is lower than the predetermined target flow rate Q (0), the pump 48 The number of rotations N is increased from the number of rotations N (0) to the number of rotations N (+1) (210 Hz) increased by one step. Then, the flow rate Q of the hot water pumped by the pump 48 increases, for example, to the change point L (2) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (+1). However, in the pump 48 according to the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, when the pump 48 is driven at the rotational speed N (+1), the flow rate Q (power consumption P (2) (38 W) of the pump 48) 4.6 L / min) is smaller than the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) (5.0 L / min) in the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (+1). Therefore, the rotation speed N of the pump 48 is further increased from the rotation speed N (+1) to the rotation speed N (+2) (220 Hz) increased by one step. Then, the flow rate Q of the hot water pumped by the pump 48 increases, for example, to the change point L (3) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (+2). The flow rate Q, which is the power consumption P (3) (46 W) of the pump 48 when it is rotated at this rotational speed N (+2), matches the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) (5.0 L / min). Therefore, even if the flow rate of the pump 48 decreases due to a change in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, the power consumption of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed and the rotational speed of the pump 48 The cleaning water or the like at a predetermined injection position by correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48 so that a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained based on the power consumption of the pump 48 and the first pump data indicating the correlation of the flow rate. Hot and cold water can be jetted. Since the power consumption of the pump 48 is calculated by the current of the pump 48, the rotational speed of the pump 48 can be similarly corrected by using the current of the pump 48 instead of the power consumption of the pump 48.

  In addition, even if foreign matter or the like is clogged in the flow path downstream of the pump as described above, the foreign matter or the like is removed from the flow path downstream of the pump by cleaning etc., and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump decreases. There is a case. In such a case, if the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is increased to the rotational speed N (+2), the Q-P characteristic of the rotational speed N (+2) is caused by the decrease in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump. The flow rate Q increases along the curve, and the power consumption P also increases accordingly. Accordingly, similarly to the above, by comparing the power consumption P of the pump 48 with the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (+2) of the pump 48, the current flow rate Q and the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) Can determine the difference between Then, due to a decrease in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the flow rate Q is up to the change point L (4) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (+2) When it increases, the power consumption P of the pump 48 increases to about the power consumption P (4) (57 W), and the deviation between the current flow rate Q and the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) becomes large. As a result, the injection position of washing water or hot water shifts to a position higher than the predetermined injection position, and the cleaning performance is lowered as in the case where the injection position is low.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, contrary to the case where the power consumption P is reduced, a control signal for decreasing the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is output to the motor 480, and the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is stored in the storage unit. The correction control is performed to decrease stepwise based on the first pump data stored in.

  Specifically, when the current flow rate Q calculated from the power consumption P of the pump 48 and the Q-P characteristic curve as described above is larger than the predetermined target flow rate Q (0), the rotation of the pump 48 The number N is reduced to N (+1) (210 Hz) which is reduced by one step from the rotational speed N (+2). Then, the flow rate Q of the hot and cold water pumped by the pump 48 decreases to, for example, the change point L (5) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (+1). However, in the pump 48 of the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the current flow rate Q which is the power consumption P (5) (48 W) of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is driven at the rotational speed N (+1). (5.5 L / min) is larger than the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) (5.0 L / min) in the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (+1). Therefore, the rotation speed N of the pump 48 is further reduced to the rotation speed N (0) which is reduced by one step from the rotation speed N (+1). Then, the flow rate Q of the hot and cold water pumped by the pump 48 is, for example, the change point L (6) (here, L (6) = L (0) along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotation speed N (0). )) And the power consumption P (6) (40 W) (where P (6) = P (0)) of the pump 48 when rotating at this rotational speed N (0) is , Which corresponds to a predetermined target flow rate Q (0) (5.0 L / min). Therefore, even if the flow rate of the pump 48 is increased due to a change in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, the power consumption of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed and the rotational speed of the pump 48 The cleaning water or the like at a predetermined injection position by correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48 so that a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained based on the power consumption of the pump 48 and the first pump data indicating the correlation of the flow rate. Hot and cold water can be jetted.

  In the above description, the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is increased to the rotational speed N (+2) or the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is reduced to the rotational speed N (0 Although the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) is obtained by reducing the speed to), the increase or decrease in the flow rate also fluctuates depending on the degree of the increase or decrease in the rotational speed N of the pump 48. Therefore, according to the performance of the pump 48, the size of the bathtub 1, etc., if the difference between the injection position of the cleaning water or hot water after rotation speed correction and the predetermined injection position is within the allowable range, it is not necessarily corrected. It is not necessary to perfectly match the flow rate with the predetermined target flow rate.

  Next, setting control for setting the target flow rate and the reference target rotational speed in the trial operation will be described with reference to FIG. In the bathtub cleaning device of the present embodiment, since the same injection position is set in each process of the cleaning operation described later, these settings in the trial operation are also performed only once, but different injections are performed in each process. When the position is set, setting control is performed to set the target flow rate and the reference target rotational speed in accordance with the injection position.

  After the installation work of the water heater 6, washing water generation unit 3, body unit 4, remote control R, etc. is completed, for example, the builder cleans the remote control R with the operation switch of the remote control for the water heater turned on. When the trial operation switch is turned on to simultaneously press the pouring switch 104 and the cleaning course setting switch 107, the setting control program is started.

  In this setting control, first, the drainage plug 2 is opened by the drainage plug controller 50, and the main body unit controller 40 opens the electromagnetic valve 46 for water replenishment. Then, when the tap water pressure supplies the supply water from the water supply pipe 63 to the water heater 6 and the water supply sensor (not shown) detects a water amount of a predetermined water amount or more, the water heater controller 60 ignites the gas burner to perform the hot water supply operation. Start it. When the low water level electrode 472 in the hot water tank 47 is turned on, the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened. Then, the pump 48 is driven with the drive voltage of the initial value registered in the storage unit at the time of factory shipment. As a result, the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined initial rotational speed N (S), and injection of hot and cold water from the cleaning nozzle 7 to the bathtub 1 is started (steps ST1 to ST5).

  When the installer confirms the injection position of the washing water and the injection position of the hot water matches the predetermined injection position (for example, the expected draft line), the installer again performs the cleaning and pouring switch 104 of the remote control R. When the pressing operation is performed, the initial rotation speed N (S) is registered in the storage unit as the reference target rotation speed N (0). Further, based on the first pump data, the target flow rate Q (0) corresponding to the power consumption P when the pump 48 is driven at the reference target rotational speed N (0) at this time is registered in the storage unit (step ST6, ST8 to ST9). In addition, when the injection position is deviated from the predetermined injection position, the builder operates the UP / DOWN key of the cleaning course setting switch 107 of the remote control R to increase or decrease the number of rotations of the pump 48 to increase or decrease the flow rate. , Align the injection position with a predetermined injection position. Thereafter, similarly to the above, when the confirmation operation of pressing the cleaning / pouring switch 104 of the remote control R is performed again, the changed rotational speed N and the flow rate Q become the reference target rotational speed N (0) and the target flow rate Q, respectively. It is registered in the storage unit as (0) (steps ST6 to ST9). When the setting of the reference target rotational speed N (0) or the like is completed as described above, the pump 48 is stopped and the water refueling solenoid valve 46 and the open / close solenoid valve 49 are closed (steps ST10 to ST11). This makes it possible to set a predetermined target flow rate that matches the installation location. When the installation place of the bathtub cleaning device is determined in advance, the target flow rate set at the time of shipment from the factory may be used without performing setting control.

Next, control operation in the cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 to 6.
For example, after the bath 1 is used, the main unit controller 40 is operated when the user turns on the cleaning switch 103 while the operation switch of the remote controller for the water heater is on and the operation switch 101 on the remote controller R is on. Opens the drainage plug 2 and starts the timer ta in order to measure the drainage time a (for example, 5 minutes) (steps ST21 to ST22).

  When the drainage time a has elapsed, the water replenishment solenoid valve 46 is opened, and the openings of the water amount adjustment valve 85 and the hot water amount adjustment valve 86 are adjusted. Then, in the same manner as described above, the hot water supply operation is started by the water heater 6, and hot and cold water having a predetermined temperature is supplied to the hot and cold water tank 47 (steps ST23 to ST24). Next, it is determined whether the low water level electrode 472 in the hot water tank 47 is turned on, and when the low water level electrode 472 is turned off, the hot water is at a predetermined temperature until the low water level electrode 472 is turned on. It is supplied to the tank 47 (step ST25).

  When the low water level electrode 472 is turned on, the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened. Then, the pump 48 is driven at the predetermined reference target rotational speed N (0) to start the correction control so that the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) registered by the setting control can be obtained (step ST26) ST28).

  As shown in FIG. 6, in this correction control, the rotational speed N of the pump 48 and the power consumption P of the pump 48 are detected, and based on the power consumption P of the pump 48 and the first pump data described above, Q is calculated (steps ST201 to ST202). Then, the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) are compared, and the difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) (| Q−Q (0) |) has a predetermined allowable range ΔQa (eg, If it is less than ± 5% with respect to the target flow rate Q (0) (No in step ST203), it is considered that hot and cold water is being jetted to the predetermined injection position. Is registered as the target rotation speed N (0) for the preliminary cleaning (step ST205).

  On the other hand, if the difference (| Q-Q (0) |) between the current flow Q and the target flow Q (0) is equal to or greater than the predetermined allowable range ΔQa (Yes in step ST203), the deviation from the predetermined injection position It is highly likely that hot water is being jetted. For this reason, until the difference (| Q-Q (0) |) between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) becomes smaller than a predetermined allowable range .DELTA. Correction is performed (step ST204). Then, when the difference (| Q-Q (0) |) between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) becomes smaller than the predetermined allowable range ΔQa, the current rotation speed N is the target rotation speed N for the preliminary cleaning. It is registered as (0) (step ST205).

  When the target rotation speed N (0) for the preliminary washing is registered as described above, the timer tb is started to clock the preliminary washing time b (for example, 90 seconds) (step ST29). Thereby, hot and cold water is injected into the bath 1 at the target flow rate Q (0) for the preliminary cleaning.

  When the predetermined preliminary cleaning time b has elapsed, the pump 48 is stopped and the on-off solenoid valve 49 and the electromagnetic valve 46 for water replenishment are closed to clock the preliminary cleaning standby time c (for example, 10 seconds). The tc is started, and when the preliminary cleaning standby time c has elapsed, the preliminary cleaning process is ended (steps ST30 to ST34).

  When the preliminary cleaning step is completed, the process proceeds to the cleaning step. In the cleaning step, the solenoid valve 46 for water replenishment is opened, the openings of the water amount adjustment valve 85 and the hot water amount adjustment valve 86 are adjusted, and hot water of a predetermined temperature is stored in the hot water tank 47 until the low water level electrode 472 is turned on. It is supplied (steps ST35 to ST36).

  When the low water level electrode 472 is turned on, the open / close solenoid valve 49 and the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b are opened (step ST37). Then, the pump 48 is driven at the predetermined reference target rotational speed N (0) to start the correction control so that the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) registered by the setting control can be obtained (step ST38- ST 39). The correction control in this cleaning process is not shown because it is the same as that in the above-described preliminary cleaning process, but the target rotation speed N (0) for cleaning is registered based on the power consumption P and the first pump data.

  When the target rotational speed N (0) for cleaning is registered as described above, the timer td is started to clock a predetermined cleaning time d (for example, 2 seconds). When the predetermined cleaning time d has elapsed, the pump 48 is stopped, and the on-off solenoid valve 49, the solenoid valve 46 for water replenishment and the first and second detergent valves 42a and 42b are closed to wait for the cleaning standby time e (for example, In order to clock 10 seconds, the timer te is started, and when the washing standby time e has elapsed, the washing step is ended (steps ST40 to ST45).

  When the washing process is completed, the process proceeds to a rinsing process. In the rinsing step, as in the preliminary washing step, the solenoid valve 46 for water replenishment is opened, the opening degree of the water amount adjusting valve 85 and the hot water amount adjusting valve 86 is adjusted, and the predetermined temperature is maintained until the low water level electrode 472 is turned on. The hot and cold water is supplied to the hot and cold water tank 47 (steps ST46 to ST47).

  When the low water level electrode 472 is turned on, the open / close solenoid valve 49 is opened (step ST48). Then, the pump 48 is driven at the predetermined reference target rotational speed N (0) to start the correction control so that the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) registered by the setting control is obtained (step ST49- ST50). The correction control in this rinse step is not shown because it is the same as that in the above-described preliminary cleaning step, but based on the power consumption P and the first pump data, the target rotational speed N (0) for rinse is registered.

  When the target rotation speed N (0) for rinsing is registered as described above, the timer tf is started to clock a predetermined rinsing time f (for example, 90 seconds). When the predetermined rinse time f has elapsed, the pump 48 is stopped, and the on-off solenoid valve 49 and the solenoid valve 46 for water replenishment are closed to clock the rinse standby time g (for example, 10 seconds). When the rinse standby time g has elapsed, the rinse process is ended (steps ST51 to ST56). Each of the washing and rinsing steps may be carried out a plurality of times, or only the washing and rinsing steps may be carried out without carrying out the preliminary washing.

  As described above in detail, according to the bathtub cleaning device, the power consumption of the pump 48 and the rotational speed of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is driven at the predetermined target rotational speed to achieve the predetermined target flow rate The difference between the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate can be detected by comparing the power consumption of the pump 48 and the first pump data indicating the correlation between the flow rates. Then, as the rotational speed of the pump 48 increases or decreases, the flow rate of hot water to be pumped increases or decreases, and the power consumption of the pump 48 increases or decreases accordingly. Therefore, when the current flow rate differs from the predetermined target flow rate, The rotational speed of the pump 48 can be corrected so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate, based on first pump data indicating the correlation between the rotational speed, the power consumption of the pump 48, and the flow rate. Further, since the power consumption of the pump 48 is calculated based on the current of the pump 48, the rotation of the pump 48 is similarly performed by the current of the pump 48 instead of the power consumption of the pump 48. The number can be corrected. Moreover, according to the above-mentioned bathtub cleaning device, since correction control is performed each time in each process in the cleaning operation, even if the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump changes during the execution of the previous process, the latter process is performed. The washing water and the hot water can be jetted to a predetermined jetting position.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by using the power consumption or current of the pump 48 without using the flow rate sensor, it is possible to correct the rotational speed of the pump 48 so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate. . As a result, even if the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump changes, it is possible to stably inject wash water or hot water to a predetermined injection position.

Second Embodiment
The basic configuration of the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment is the same as that of the bathtub cleaning device according to the first embodiment, and only the configuration for correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48 is different. Therefore, the description of the same configuration will be omitted, and only different portions will be described.

  Although not shown, the cleaning control circuit in the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment operates the opening / closing of the water replenishment solenoid valve 46 and the open / close solenoid valve 49 and the water quantity adjustment valve 85 and the hot water quantity adjustment valve 86 as functional constituent means. A cleaning operation control unit that performs cleaning operation and trial operation by controlling, a pump driving unit that drives the pump 48 at a predetermined rotation speed by inverter controlling a motor 480 that drives the pump 48 in the cleaning operation and the trial operation; A power consumption calculation unit that calculates the power consumption of the pump 48 based on the current output from the current detection unit and the drive voltage of the inverter control when driven at a predetermined rotation speed, and the pump calculated by the power consumption calculation unit The flow rate determination unit that determines the difference between the current flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate by comparing the 48 current power consumption with the reference power consumption registered in the setting control The current resistance curve is selected based on the already described first pump data and the second pump data showing the correlation between the flow rate according to the number of revolutions of the pump 48, the head and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump. The target flow rate, the reference target rotation speed, and the reference power consumption are set in trial operation, and the rotation speed correction unit that corrects the rotation speed so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the resistance curve selection unit Test control setting control unit. Therefore, also in the present embodiment, each functional unit of the cleaning control circuit functions as a control unit that controls and corrects the rotational speed of the pump 48 in the cleaning operation, and the current detection unit of the motor 480 and the cleaning control circuit A power consumption calculation unit that calculates the power consumption of the pump 48 based on the current detected by the current detection unit functions as a pump drive characteristic detection unit. In the memory which is the storage unit of the main unit controller 40, a setting control program for setting the target flow rate, the reference target rotation speed, and the reference power consumption in trial operation, a cleaning control program for executing the cleaning operation, and a cleaning operation In addition to the correction control program for correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48, the data table of the first and second pump data for selecting the resistance curve and correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48, and changing the rotational speed of the pump 48 The set value of the driving voltage of the pump 48 is stored, and one of the set values is registered as an initial value at the time of factory shipment.

  FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the operation of correction control during the cleaning operation in the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the present embodiment, and the flow-head data of the pump 48 manufactured based on the second pump data (described below) , “Q-H characteristic curve”) and resistance data (hereinafter referred to as “resistance curve”). In FIG. 7, similarly to the first embodiment, Q according to the number of rotations of five steps (190 Hz to 230 Hz) of N (-1) to N (+3) in which the number of rotations is increased or decreased at predetermined intervals (10 Hz). A -H characteristic curve (solid line) and a six-step resistance curve (one-dot chain line) of R (-2) to R (+3) in which the resistance is increased or decreased at predetermined intervals are shown. As in the first embodiment, these maximum and minimum rotational speeds and resistance curves are only examples, and may be set to be more or less depending on the required flow rate and accuracy.

  Similar to the Q-P characteristic curve, the Q-H characteristic curve is a characteristic unique to the pump, and when the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is increased or decreased by inverter control, the flow rate and discharge pressure, ie, head, are constant. The QH characteristic curve moves in the direction along the head H of the vertical axis as the rotational speed N increases or decreases, as shown in FIG. Moreover, in the apparatus using the pump 48, resistance exists when hot and cold water flows through the flow path on the downstream side of the pump. Since the flow path on the pump downstream side consisting of the hot water / water communication pipe 66c, the cleaning pipe 43, the open / close solenoid valve 49, the detergent mixing unit 51, etc. is a part of the bathtub cleaning device, the parameters (pipe diameter, bending, Branches can be obtained in advance at the time of design. This resistance is expressed as a resistance curve, and at a constant resistance, the operating point satisfying the flow rate Q on a certain resistance curve R is the rotation speed N of the pump 48 required of the device.

  For example, in FIG. 7, assuming that the resistance curve R in the initial state of the flow path downstream of the pump is a resistance curve R (0), and the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is controlled in a state where this resistance is constant, The operating point at which 5.0 L / min of 0) is obtained is the intersection point M (0) between the QH characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0) and the resistance curve of the resistor R (0). Further, the power consumption P of the pump 48 in this M (0) becomes the power consumption P (0) (40 W) from the first pump data of FIG. 2 described above.

  However, if foreign matter or the like gets stuck in the flow path on the downstream side of the pump, the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump becomes large. Therefore, when the pump 48 is driven at the rotational speed N (0), the flow rate Q decreases along the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0), and the power consumption P of the pump 48 also decreases accordingly. come. Therefore, by comparing the power consumption P of the pump 48 with the reference power consumption P (0) obtained from the Q-P characteristic curve corresponding to the rotational speed N of the pump 48 which is the first pump data described above, The difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) can be determined. Then, due to the increase in the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump, for example, as shown in FIG. 7, the flow rate Q follows the Q-P characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0). When it decreases to 1 L / min), as shown in FIG. 2, the power consumption P decreases to about the power consumption P (1) (31 W), and the divergence between the current flow rate Q and the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) becomes large . As a result, the injection position of the cleaning water or hot water shifts from the predetermined injection position to a lower position, and the cleaning performance is degraded.

  For this reason, in the present embodiment, when the difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) becomes large, a control signal for increasing the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is output to the motor 480. Correction control to increase the rotational speed N to a predetermined rotational speed N based on the first and second pump data stored in the storage unit.

  Specifically, first, in order to specify the resistance of the flow path downstream of the current pump, the current flow rate corresponding to the power consumption P (1) reduced at the current rotation speed N (0) based on the first pump data An operating point M (1) at which the current flow rate Q (1) is to be determined is determined based on the second pump data, and a resistance curve R (+2) passing through the operating point M (1) is determined. Is selected.

  If the resistance curve R of the current flow path downstream of the pump is the resistance curve R (+2), increasing or decreasing the rotational speed N of the pump 48 causes the flow rate Q to increase or decrease along the resistance curve R (+2) Be done. Therefore, the flow rate Q is determined by specifying the intersection point of the resistance curve R (+2) and the QH characteristic curve of the predetermined rotational speed N for obtaining the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) in the resistance curve R (+2). Can be increased to a predetermined target flow rate Q (0). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, an operating point at which a predetermined target flow rate Q (0) can be obtained at the intersection M (2) of the resistance curve R (+2) with the QH characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (+2). It is. Therefore, even if the flow rate of the pump 48 is reduced due to a change in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, the power consumption when the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed, the rotational speed of the pump 48, the pump 48 The first pump data showing the correlation between the power consumption of the pump and the flow rate, and the second pump data showing the correlation between the rotational speed of the pump 48, the head of the pump 48, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump. Based on the above, by correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48 so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate, it is possible to inject wash water or hot water to a predetermined injection position. Further, according to the correction control, the number of rotations of the pump 48 for obtaining a predetermined target flow rate can be determined directly based on the current power consumption and the first and second pump data. The number of revolutions of 48 can be jumped to the number of revolutions of the pump 48 to obtain a predetermined target flow rate. Therefore, it is not necessary to increase or decrease the rotational speed of the pump 48 stepwise in order to obtain a predetermined target flow rate as in the first embodiment, and the rotational speed of the pump 48 can be corrected in a short time.

  Further, as in the first embodiment, when the foreign matter and the like are removed from the flow path downstream of the pump and the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump decreases, along the QH characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (+2) The current flow rate Q is increased. For example, as shown in FIG. 7, when the flow rate Q increases to Q (3) (6.0 L / min) along the QH characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (+2), the power consumption P as shown in FIG. The power consumption P (4) increases to about 57 W, and the difference between the current flow rate Q and the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) becomes large. As a result, the injection position of the cleaning water or hot water shifts from the predetermined injection position to a high position, and the cleaning performance is degraded.

  Therefore, in the present embodiment, when the difference between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) becomes large, a control signal for decreasing the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is output to the motor 480, and the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is output. Correction control is performed to reduce the rotational speed N to a predetermined rotational speed N based on the first and second pump data stored in the storage unit.

  Specifically, first, to identify the resistance of the flow path downstream of the current pump, the current flow rate corresponding to the power consumption P (4) increased at the current rotation speed N (+2) based on the first pump data An operating point M (3) at which the current flow rate Q (3) is to be determined is determined based on the second pump data, and a resistance curve R (0) passing through the operating point M (3) is determined. Is selected.

  When the resistance curve R of the current flow path downstream of the pump is the resistance curve R (0), if the rotational speed N of the pump 48 is increased or decreased, the flow rate Q increases or decreases along the resistance curve R (0) Be done. Therefore, the flow rate Q is determined by specifying the intersection of the resistance curve R (0) and the QH characteristic curve of the predetermined rotational speed N for obtaining the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) in the resistance curve R (0). Can be reduced to a predetermined target flow rate Q (0). In this case, as shown in FIG. 7, the intersection M (4) (here, M (4) = M (0)) between the QH characteristic curve of the rotational speed N (0) and the resistance curve R (0) Is an operating point at which a predetermined target flow rate Q (0) is obtained. Therefore, even if the flow rate of the pump 48 is increased due to a change in the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump, the power consumption of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined rotational speed and the rotational speed of the pump 48 , The power consumption of the pump 48, and the first pump data indicating the correlation of the flow rate, and the second pump illustrating the correlation of the rotational speed of the pump 48, the head of the pump 48, the flow rate of the pump 48, and the By correcting the rotational speed of the pump 48 so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the data, it is possible to inject wash water or hot water to a predetermined injection position. As in the first embodiment, within the predetermined allowable range, the corrected flow rate and the predetermined target flow rate do not necessarily have to completely coincide with each other.

  Next, setting control for setting the target flow rate, the reference target rotation speed, and the reference power consumption in the test operation will be described with reference to FIG. Also in the present embodiment, the target flow rate in each process of the cleaning operation is set to be the same, but different target flow rates may be set in each process.

  When the setting control program is activated in the same manner as in the first embodiment, opening of the drain plug 2 and opening of the electromagnetic valve 46 for water replenishment are performed and the low water level electrode 472 in the hot water tank 47 is turned on, opening and closing The solenoid valve 49 is opened. Then, the pump 48 is driven with the drive voltage of the initial value registered in the storage unit at the time of factory shipment. As a result, the pump 48 is rotated at a predetermined initial rotational speed N (S), and injection of wash water from the wash nozzle 7 to the bath 1 is started (steps ST101 to ST105).

  The installer confirms the injection position of the washing water, and if the injection position of the washing water matches the predetermined injection position (for example, the expected draft line), the builder will perform the washing and pouring switch 104 of the remote control R. When the confirmation operation to press again is performed, the initial rotation speed N (S) is registered in the storage unit as the reference target rotation speed N (0). Then, the power consumption P at this time is registered as the reference power consumption P (0), and the target flow rate Q (0) is registered in the storage unit based on the reference power consumption P (0) and the first pump data described above. Be done. When the injection position is deviated from the predetermined injection position, the builder operates the UP / DOWN key of the cleaning course setting switch 107 of the remote control R to increase or decrease the number of rotations, thereby increasing or decreasing the flow rate. The injection position is made to coincide with a predetermined injection position. Thereafter, similarly to the above, when the confirmation operation of pressing the cleaning / pouring switch 104 of the remote control R is performed again, the changed rotational speed N, the power consumption P, and the flow rate Q are each set to the reference target rotational speed N (0 ), The reference power consumption P (0), and the target flow rate Q (0) are registered in the storage unit (steps ST106 to ST109). When the setting of the reference target rotational speed N (0) or the like is completed as described above, the pump 48 is stopped and the water refueling solenoid valve 46 and the open / close solenoid valve 49 are closed (steps ST110 to ST111).

  Next, the control operation of the correction control in the cleaning operation will be described with reference to FIG. The control operation of the cleaning control in the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment, so the description will be omitted.

  In the correction control, the rotational speed N of the pump 48 and the power consumption P of the pump 48 are detected, and the current power consumption P of the pump 48 and the reference power consumption P (0) registered in the setting control are compared Steps ST301 to ST302). Then, the difference (| P−P (0) |) between the current power consumption P of the pump 48 and the reference power consumption P (0) is within a predetermined allowable range ΔPa (eg, for the reference power consumption P (0) If it is less than ± 5% (No at step ST302), it is considered that hot and cold water is injected to a predetermined injection position, so the current reference target rotational speed N (0) is the target for the prewashing. The number of revolutions N (0) is registered (step ST305).

  On the other hand, if the difference (| P−P (0) |) between the current power consumption P of the pump 48 and the reference power consumption P (0) is equal to or larger than the predetermined allowable range ΔPa (Yes in step ST302), The deviation between the current flow rate Q and the target flow rate Q (0) is large, and there is a high possibility that hot water is being jetted out of a predetermined injection position. Therefore, based on the current power consumption P of the pump 48 and the first and second pump data, the resistance curve R which is the resistance of the current flow path on the downstream side of the pump is selected (step ST303). Then, based on the selected resistance curve R and the second pump data, the rotational speed of the pump 48 after correction for obtaining the predetermined target flow rate Q (0) is specified, and the rotational speed of the pump 48 after correction is It is registered as the target rotation speed N (0) for the preliminary cleaning (steps ST304 to ST305). Also in the correction control of the washing step and the rinsing step, the target rotation number N (0) for washing and the target rotation number N (0) for rinsing are registered in the same manner.

  As described above in detail, according to the bathtub cleaning device, the power consumption of the pump 48 and the rotational speed of the pump 48 when the pump 48 is driven at the predetermined target rotational speed to achieve the predetermined target flow rate , The power consumption of the pump 48, and the first pump data indicating the correlation of the flow rate, and the second pump illustrating the correlation of the rotational speed of the pump 48, the head of the pump 48, the flow rate of the pump 48, and the By contrasting with the data, it is possible to select the resistance curve of the current flow path downstream of the pump. In addition, if the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump is the same, the flow rate increases or decreases along the resistance curve by increasing or decreasing the number of rotations. Therefore, if the current flow rate differs from the predetermined target flow rate, the pump The rotational speed of the pump 48 so that a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained based on second pump data showing the correlation between the rotational speed of 48, the head of the pump 48, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow passage downstream of the pump Can be corrected. As in the first embodiment, the current of the pump 48 can be used instead of the power consumption of the pump 48. In addition, by using the resistance of the flow path downstream of the pump as described above, it is possible to directly specify the number of revolutions at which a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained, so that a predetermined target flow rate can be obtained in a short time The rotational speed of the pump 48 can be corrected. Moreover, according to the above-mentioned bathtub cleaning device, since correction control is performed each time in each process in the cleaning operation, even if the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump changes during the execution of the previous process, the latter process is performed. The washing water and the hot water can be jetted to a predetermined jetting position.

  Therefore, according to the present embodiment, by using the power consumption or current of the pump 48 without using the flow rate sensor, it is possible to correct the rotational speed of the pump 48 so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate. . As a result, even if the resistance of the flow path on the downstream side of the pump changes, it is possible to stably inject wash water or hot water to a predetermined injection position.

(Other embodiments)
(1) In the above embodiment, the correction control is performed by starting the drive at the reference target rotational speed registered in the setting control in each process in the cleaning operation, but the correction control in the previous cleaning operation is performed. When the target rotational speed is changed, the corrected target rotational speed may be registered, and the drive control of the pump may be started at the corrected target rotational speed in the correction control in the next cleaning operation.
(2) In the above embodiment, the correction control is performed in each process in the cleaning operation, but the correction control may be performed in at least one process, or for correction control separately from each process. A process may be provided. Also, the correction control may be performed in real time based on the power consumption or current of the pump measured during the execution of each process. That is, the pump rotational speed may be corrected so that the target flow rate can be obtained without registering the corrected target rotational speed.
(3) In the above embodiment, although the flow rate injected to the predetermined injection position is set as the predetermined target flow rate, the user may select an arbitrary flow rate to set the predetermined target flow rate.
(4) In the above embodiment, hot and cold water is supplied to the hot and cold water tank only from the water heater side, but the hot and cold water injected into the bath may be circulated again to the hot and cold water tank.
(5) In the above embodiment, a bathtub cleaning device having a hot water filling function is used, but a bathtub cleaning device having no hot water coverage function or a bathtub cleaning device having only a bathtub cleaning function without a heat source machine is also used. The invention can be applied.

1 Bath 7 Cleaning nozzle 41 Detergent tank 43 Cleaning pipe 46 Solenoid valve for water replenishment (Refill valve)
47 hot water tank (storage container)
48 pump 49 open / close solenoid valve (open / close valve)
51 Detergent mixing section 66c Hot and cold water communication pipe 40 Main unit controller 48 Pump 480 motor

Claims (3)

A storage container for storing hot water,
A detergent tank for storing detergent,
A detergent mixing unit that generates wash water by mixing the hot water supplied from the storage container and the detergent supplied from the detergent tank;
Hot and cold water supply pipes that supply hot and cold water from the storage container to the detergent mixing unit,
A detergent introduction pipe that supplies detergent from the detergent tank to the detergent mixing section;
With a cleaning nozzle that injects cleaning water and hot water into the bath,
A washing pipe for supplying washing water and hot water to the washing nozzle from the detergent mixing unit;
A pump provided in the hot water communication pipe for pumping the hot water,
A rotational speed detector for detecting the rotational speed of the pump;
A pump drive characteristic detection unit that detects power consumption or current of the pump;
A control unit that controls driving of the pump in the cleaning operation;
A storage unit for storing a predetermined target flow rate;
The control unit corrects the rotational speed of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation. In the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1,
The storage unit stores first pump data indicating a correlation between the number of rotations of the pump, the power consumption or current of the pump, and the flow rate,
The control unit corrects the number of revolutions of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation and the first pump data. apparatus. In the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2,
The storage unit stores second pump data indicating a correlation between the number of rotations of the pump, the head of the pump, the flow rate, and the resistance of the flow passage on the downstream side of the pump,
The control unit corrects the number of revolutions of the pump so as to obtain a predetermined target flow rate based on the power consumption or current of the pump detected by the pump drive characteristic detection unit in the cleaning operation and the first and second pump data. Bathtub cleaning device.

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