JP2020069064A - Bathtub washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device capable of keeping the inside of a detergent mixing tank clean, and capable of eliminating bubbles in the detergent mixing tank.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device includes: a detergent tank that stores detergent; a detergent mixing tank that mixes detergent supplied from the detergent tank with water supplied from a water supply source and generates detergent water; a washing nozzle that jets the detergent water or the water to the bathtub; and tank washing means that washes the inside of the detergent mixing tank. The tank washing means includes bubble elimination means that scatters the water to a side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

  The present invention relates to a bath cleaning device.

  In the conventional automatic bath cleaning, from the viewpoint of cleaning power, cleaning on the day of bathing is recommended in order to sufficiently remove dirt. For this reason, there is a demand for automatic bathtub washing so that the bathtub can be easily immersed in a fresh bath. However, in order to realize such needs, it is necessary to improve the cleaning power for removing stubborn stains on the next day.

  Further, in the conventional automatic bath cleaning technology, a direct tap water pressure has been used which directly uses the tap water pressure. Therefore, in order to popularize the automatic bathtub cleaning technique, it is necessary to avoid such restriction of water pressure.

Japanese Patent No. 5874220 JP-A-4-269935

  Conventionally, a venturi-type detergent mixing unit is known as a detergent mixing unit that dilutes a detergent with water to generate detergent water (for example, Patent Document 1). In this Venturi-type detergent mixing section, the detergent and hot water are mixed by the negative pressure generated when the hot water passes through the detergent mixing section to generate detergent water. That is, the amount of detergent mixed in the detergent mixing section depends on the flow velocity and flow rate of hot and cold water passing through the detergent mixing section. For this reason, it is difficult to adjust the detergent water to have a predetermined concentration, and it is difficult to stabilize the detergent water at a predetermined concentration due to fluctuations in the flow rate of hot water passing therethrough.

  On the other hand, in a bathtub cleaning device, it is known to provide a tank-type detergent mixing section (detergent mixing tank) in order to generate detergent-diluting water obtained by diluting detergent with water (for example, Patent Document 2). ). In such a bath washing apparatus, by providing the detergent mixing tank, the detergent and water can be mixed in the tank to generate the detergent water, so that the concentration of the detergent water can be easily adjusted.

  However, when the detergent mixing tank is provided, if the detergent remains in the detergent mixing tank, the remaining detergent becomes a nutrient and the bacteria propagate. Therefore, it is required to remove as much residual detergent as possible by pouring water.

  However, if the detergent is present as bubbles in the detergent mixing tank, the bubbles cannot be defoamed simply by pouring water from the water source into the detergent mixing tank, the bubbles will move up and down in conjunction with the water surface, and the bubbles will not be removed. It remains in the mixing tank. As a result, the detergent mixing tank is contaminated with bacteria, and the cleaning water generated in the contaminated detergent mixing tank is sprayed into the bathtub, which causes a problem that the intended cleaning effect cannot be obtained.

  In view of the above problems, it is an object of the present invention to propose a bathtub cleaning device that can keep the inside of a detergent mixing tank clean and can eliminate bubbles in the detergent mixing tank.

A bath cleaning apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a detergent tank for storing detergent, a detergent mixing tank for mixing detergent supplied from the detergent tank and water supplied from a water supply source to generate detergent water, A washing nozzle for jetting the detergent water or the water into the bathtub and a tank washing means for washing the inside of the detergent mixing tank are provided. The tank cleaning means includes a defoaming means for spraying the water on the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank.
According to the first aspect, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank can be washed away with the running water supplied from the water supply source, and the inside of the detergent mixing tank can be kept clean. In addition, bubbles that are attracted to the side wall surface side due to surface tension and tend to stay can also be defoamed with a water stream. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the growth of bacteria due to the residual detergent in the detergent mixing tank, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the contaminated liquid (detergent water or water) from being sprayed into the bath.
In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the defoaming means spreads the water supplied into the detergent mixing tank in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and sprays the water on the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank. It is characterized by
According to the second aspect, by spreading the water in the direction intersecting the vertical direction, it is possible to spray the water evenly on the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank. Such a configuration enables uniform cleaning of the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank while reducing the amount of water used for cleaning the interior of the detergent mixing tank, and reduces the unwashed area.
In a third aspect based on the second aspect, the tank cleaning means has, as the defoaming means, a receiving portion for colliding water supplied in a vertical direction when the detergent mixing tank is washed, and the receiving portion. The water that has collided with is spread in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction, whereby the water is sprayed toward the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank.
According to the third aspect, the water can be spread in the direction intersecting with the vertical direction with a simple configuration such as a receiving portion that collides with the water supplied in the vertical direction.
In a fourth aspect based on any one of the first to third aspects, the range of water discharged into the detergent mixing tank when the inside of the detergent mixing tank is washed by the tank washing means is the detergent. It is characterized in that the defoaming means is configured so as to be wider than a water discharge range into the detergent mixing tank when water is generated.
According to the fourth aspect, when the detergent water is generated, the detergent and the water can be agitated when the detergent water is generated by supplying the water into the detergent mixing tank so that the water discharge range is relatively narrow. It is possible to suppress variations in detergent concentration of detergent water. On the other hand, at the time of cleaning the inside of the detergent mixing tank, by supplying water so that the water discharge range becomes a relatively wide range, water can be evenly discharged to all the side wall surfaces in the detergent mixing tank. Unwashed residue in the detergent mixing tank can be prevented.
In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, the tank cleaning means includes a second water supply section provided separately from the first water supply section for supplying water for generating the detergent water, The inside of the detergent mixing tank is washed with water supplied from the second water supply unit.
According to the fifth aspect, the water discharge range can be made different by a simple configuration in which the second water supply unit is provided separately from the first water supply unit that supplies the water for generating the detergent water.

  According to the bath cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the inside of the detergent mixing tank can be kept clean, and bubbles in the detergent mixing tank can be defoamed.

It is a system diagram of the bath cleaning apparatus of the embodiment. It is a perspective view of the detergent mixing tank of an embodiment. It is a perspective view of the detergent mixing tank of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is a top view inside the detergent mixing tank of an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing typically supply of water into a detergent mixing tank of an embodiment. It is a sectional view showing typically supply of water into a detergent mixing tank of an embodiment. It is sectional drawing which represents supply of the detergent in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment typically. It is sectional drawing which represents typically the water level change of the detergent water in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is sectional drawing which represents typically the water level change of the detergent water in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the other example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is a top view inside the detergent mixing tank shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment. It is a top view inside the detergent mixing tank shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing of the further another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank of embodiment.

  Hereinafter, one of the embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In order to facilitate understanding of the description, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements in each drawing as much as possible, and overlapping description will be omitted.

  FIG. 1 is a system diagram of a bathtub cleaning apparatus 200 of the embodiment.

  The bath cleaning device 200 of the embodiment includes a detergent tank 13, a detergent mixing tank 30, a cleaning nozzle 25, and a controller 20. The bathtub cleaning device 200 is installed in the bathtub 100.

  The detergent tank 13 is connected to the detergent inlet 11 provided on the upper surface of the rim of the bath 100, for example, and stores the liquid detergent introduced from the detergent inlet 11. Inside the detergent tank 13, a water level detecting means 12 such as a float switch is provided.

  The detergent mixing tank 30 is provided downstream of the detergent tank 13 and the water supply source WS. The detergent mixing tank 30 mixes the detergent supplied from the detergent tank 13 and the water supplied from the water supply source WS to generate detergent water. In addition, in this specification, the term “water” includes not only cold water but also heated hot water. That is, the water supply source WS may be, for example, a water heater. When spraying detergent water from the cleaning nozzle 25, the detergent mixing tank 30 stores the detergent water, and when spraying water from the cleaning nozzle 25, the detergent mixing tank 30 stores the water.

  The detergent channel 15 connects the detergent tank 13 and the detergent mixing tank 30. In the middle of the detergent flow path 15, for example, a first opening / closing valve 14, a flow rate adjusting unit 16, and a pump 17 are provided.

  The first opening / closing valve 14 is, for example, a solenoid valve, and opens / closes the detergent flow path 15 under the control of the control unit 20. The flow rate adjusting unit 16 is provided, for example, downstream of the first opening / closing valve 14. The flow rate adjusting unit 16 is, for example, an orifice. The flow rate adjusting unit 16 adjusts the flow rate of the detergent flowing through the detergent flow path 15. The flow rate adjusting unit 16 is provided as necessary and can be omitted.

  The pump 17 is provided, for example, downstream of the first opening / closing valve 14 and the flow rate adjusting unit 16. When the first opening / closing valve 14 is opened and the pump 17 is driven, the detergent in the detergent tank 13 flows through the detergent flow path 15 and is supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30.

  The water supply flow path 24 connects the water supply source WS and the detergent mixing tank 30. In the middle of the water supply passage 24, for example, a second opening / closing valve 22 and a flow rate adjusting unit 23 are provided.

  The second opening / closing valve 22 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve, and opens / closes the water supply passage 24 under the control of the control unit 20. The second opening / closing valve 22 controls the supply of water to the detergent mixing tank 30. By opening the second opening / closing valve 22, water is supplied to the detergent mixing tank 30 from the water supply source WS. By closing the second opening / closing valve 22, the supply of water from the water supply source WS to the detergent mixing tank 30 is stopped.

  The flow rate adjusting unit 23 is provided, for example, downstream of the second opening / closing valve 22. The flow rate adjusting unit 23 is, for example, a constant flow rate valve, and adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply passage 24.

  A drainage port 102 and a cleaning nozzle 25 are provided on the bottom surface 101 of the bath 100. The cleaning nozzle 25 sprays a liquid (detergent water or water) toward the inner wall surface of the bath 100. For example, the cleaning nozzle 25 can be horizontally rotated by a motor 26.

  The cleaning channel 21 connects the detergent mixing tank 30 and the cleaning nozzle 25. A pump 18 and a backflow prevention unit 19 are provided in the middle of the cleaning flow path 21, for example.

  The pump 18 is provided downstream of the detergent mixing tank 30, sucks the liquid (detergent water or water) in the detergent mixing tank 30, and discharges it into the cleaning flow passage 21. The liquid discharged to the cleaning flow path 21 is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bath 100.

  The backflow prevention unit 19 is provided downstream of the pump 18, for example. The backflow prevention unit 19 prevents backflow of the bath water stored in the bath 100 and the liquid (detergent water or water) sprayed into the bath 100 into the detergent mixing tank 30 through the washing nozzle 25 and the washing flow passage 21. Stop. The backflow prevention unit 19 is, for example, a check valve or a solenoid valve. The check valve 19 may be formed of a plurality of check valves, a plurality of solenoid valves, or a combination of a check valve and a solenoid valve.

  The control unit 20 is electrically connected to the first opening / closing valve 14, the second opening / closing valve 22, the pump 17, and the pump 18, and controls them. Further, the control unit 20 receives an input of a detection result (detection signal) of a water level detecting means 60, which will be described later, provided in the detergent mixing tank 30. The control unit 20 can control the first opening / closing valve 14, the second opening / closing valve 22, the pump 17, and the pump 18 based on the detection result (detection signal). The control unit 20 controls the first opening / closing valve 14, the second opening / closing valve 22, the pump 17, and the pump 18 to inject the liquid (detergent water or water) from the washing nozzle 25 and the detergent mixing tank. Control detergent and water supply to 30.

  Next, the detergent mixing tank 30 will be described.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the detergent mixing tank 30 as viewed from above.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the detergent mixing tank 30 as viewed from below.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the detergent mixing tank 30.
FIG. 5 is a top view of the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30.

  The detergent mixing tank 30 has a case 31 and a lid 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the lid 32 is provided with a detergent supply unit 34 connected to the detergent flow path 15 and a water supply unit 35 connected to the water supply flow path 24. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bottom of the case 31 is provided with a liquid outflow portion 36 that is connected to the cleaning channel 21.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the detergent mixing tank 30 has a first space 40 and a second space 50. The first space 40 is located above the second space 50. The first space 40 is located between the detergent supply unit 34 and the second space 50, and between the water supply unit 35 and the second space 50. The second space 50 is located below the first space 40 and is continuous with the first space 40.

  The height direction (or depth direction) of the detergent mixing tank 30 is defined as the Z direction. The Z direction corresponds to the vertical direction when the detergent mixing tank 30 is installed. Two directions orthogonal to the Z direction and orthogonal to each other are referred to as an X direction and a Y direction.

  The first space 40 has a horizontal bottom 41. The second space 50 has a bottom portion 52, a side wall 53, and an inclined surface 51. A step is formed between the bottom portion 41 of the first space 40 and the inclined surface 51 of the second space 50, and the inclined surface 51 of the second space 50 passes through the side wall 53 to form the first space. It is continuous with the bottom 41 of 40.

  The pair of inclined surfaces 51 are located so as to sandwich the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50 in the X direction. Each inclined surface 51 is inclined downward from both ends of the case 31 in the X direction toward the bottom portion 52. That is, the inclined surface 51 is inclined downward from the position higher than the bottom portion 52 in the second space 50 toward the bottom portion 52.

  The maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of the first space 40 is larger than the maximum horizontal cross-sectional area of the second space 50. The total volume of the second space 50 is smaller than the total volume of the first space 40.

  The liquid outflow portion 36 directly communicates with the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50. Therefore, all the liquid supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 flows out to the cleaning flow path 21 via the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50.

  In the detergent mixing tank 30, a water level detecting means 60 for detecting the water level of the liquid in the detergent mixing tank 30 is provided. The water level detecting means 60 detects the water level by a combination of, for example, a float 62 containing a magnet and a reed switch provided in the stem 61. The float 62 moves up and down along the stem 61 and the position of the float 62 changes as the water level in the detergent mixing tank 30 changes, whereby the water level in the detergent mixing tank 30 is detected.

  The stem 61 penetrates the float 62 and extends upward from the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50 along the Z direction. The upper end of the stem 61 is supported by the lid 32, and the lower end thereof is supported by the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50. A stopper 63 is provided at the upper end of the stem 61. The stopper 63 is located in the first space 40.

  The float 62 can move up and down along the stem 61 between the bottom portion 52 of the second space 50 and the stopper 63 located in the first space 40. By the vertical movement of the float 62, the liquid level of the liquid stored only in the second space 50 and the liquid level of the liquid stored in the first space 40 above the second space 50 are detected. can do.

  An overflow passage 33 is provided on the side wall of the case 31. The overflow passage 33 communicates with the first space 40. The water supply part 35 is located above a predetermined distance (for example, 25 mm) or more from the upper end of the overflow channel 33.

  The receiving portion 71 is provided in the first space 40. As shown in FIG. 5, the receiving portion 71 is formed in a rectangular plate shape, for example, and is held by the stem 61 or the stopper 63 of the water level detecting means 60. A gap is formed between the outer edge of the receiving portion 71 and the side wall surface inside the case 31.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the receiving portion 71 extends horizontally above the first space 40. The distance between the water supply unit 35 and the receiving unit 71 and the distance between the detergent supply unit 34 and the receiving unit 71 are longer than the distance between the receiving unit 71 and the bottom 52.

  The water supply unit 35 is located directly above the receiving unit 71, and the opening of the water supply unit 35 faces the receiving unit 71. The detergent supply part 34 is located directly above the receiving part 71, and the opening of the detergent supplying part 34 faces the receiving part 71.

  The water supply part 35 and the receiving part 71 function as a tank cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 with water. In this example, the water supply unit 35 supplies water for generating detergent water into the detergent mixing tank 30, and a supply unit that supplies water for cleaning the detergent mixing tank 30 into the detergent mixing tank 30. Also serves as. Further, the receiving portion 71 functions as a defoaming unit that sprays water on the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30.

  The bath cleaning apparatus 200 of the present embodiment can execute, for example, three operation modes of preliminary cleaning, main cleaning, and rinsing.

  First, the preliminary cleaning will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 6A shows a state where the water W is supplied into the empty detergent mixing tank 30. By opening the second opening / closing valve 22, water supply from the water supply source WS to the detergent mixing tank 30 through the water supply passage 24 is started.

  The water W supplied downward (in the vertical direction) from the water supply portion 35 collides with the receiving portion 71, radially spreads on the upper surface of the receiving portion 71 in the surface direction, and falls downward from the outer edge of the receiving portion 71.

  Then, the water W is stored in the detergent mixing tank 30, and the float 62 rises as the water level of the water W rises. As shown in FIG. 6B, when the upper end position (first position) of the float 62 corresponding to the preset first water level L1 is detected, the second opening / closing valve 22 is closed and the detergent mixture is mixed. Water supply to the tank 30 is temporarily stopped.

  Then, the pump 18 is driven, and the water W stored in the detergent mixing tank 30 flows through the liquid outflow portion 36 and the cleaning flow path 21 and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bath 100. For example, the inner wall surface of the bath 100 is washed with water sprayed from the washing nozzle 25 (preliminary washing). As the water is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 25, the water level of the water W in the detergent mixing tank 30 decreases from the first water level L1.

  This lowering of the water level releases the detection state of the upper end position of the float 62. After a lapse of a set number of seconds from the release of the detection, the second opening / closing valve 22 is opened again, and as shown in FIG. 7, the supply of water into the detergent mixing tank 30 is restarted. The water is continuously supplied from the cleaning nozzle 25 while the water is supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30. For example, preliminary cleaning of the bath 100 is continued while controlling the amount of water supplied to the detergent mixing tank 30 to be greater than the amount of water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25.

  When the upper end position of the float 62 corresponding to the first water level L1 is detected, the second opening / closing valve 22 is closed and the water supply to the detergent mixing tank 30 is temporarily stopped. After that, when the detection state of the upper end position of the float 62 is released due to the decrease in the water level, the second opening / closing valve 22 is opened again, and the supply of water into the detergent mixing tank 30 is restarted. Such control is repeated until a predetermined amount of water is injected into the bath 100.

  When the preliminary cleaning with a predetermined amount of water is completed and the lower end position of the float 62 is detected, the pump 18 is stopped after a lapse of a set number of seconds from the detection, and the detergent mixing tank 30 is emptied.

  After this preliminary cleaning, main cleaning using detergent water is executed. The main cleaning will be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 8A shows a state where the supply of the detergent C is started into the empty detergent mixing tank 30. By opening the first opening / closing valve 14 and driving the pump 17, the supply of the detergent C from the detergent tank 13 into the detergent mixing tank 30 through the detergent flow path 15 is started.

  The detergent C supplied downward (in the vertical direction) from the detergent supply unit 34 collides with the receiving unit 71, radially spreads the upper surface of the receiving unit 71 in the plane direction, and drops downward from the edge of the receiving unit 71. ..

  The detergent C is stored in the detergent mixing tank 30, and the float 62 rises as the water level of the detergent C rises. The detergent C is stored only in the second space 50 and is not stored in the first space 40. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 8B, when the lower end position (second position) of the float 62 corresponding to the preset second water level L2 is detected, the first opening / closing valve 14 is closed, In addition, the pump 17 is stopped and the supply of the detergent C into the detergent mixing tank 30 is stopped. The detergent C is stored at a predetermined water level L2 in the second space 50.

  Thereafter, by opening the second opening / closing valve 22, as shown in FIG. 9A, the water supply of the water W into the detergent mixing tank 30 is started. The water W and the detergent C are mixed in the detergent mixing tank 30, and the detergent water CW is generated as shown in FIG. 9B. The water W is continuously supplied to a certain amount of the detergent C, and the water level of the detergent water CW in the detergent mixing tank 30 rises.

  The float 62 rises as the water level of the detergent water CW rises. When the upper end position of the float 62 corresponding to the first water level L1 is detected, the second opening / closing valve 22 is closed and the supply of the water W into the detergent mixing tank 30 is stopped. A predetermined amount of detergent water CW is stored in the detergent mixing tank 30.

  After that, the pump 18 is driven, and the detergent water CW stored in the detergent mixing tank 30 flows through the liquid outflow portion 36 and the cleaning flow passage 21 and is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bath 100. For example, the inner wall surface of the bathtub 100 is washed with detergent water sprayed from the washing nozzle 25 (main washing).

  As the detergent water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25, as shown in FIG. 10, the water level of the detergent water CW in the detergent mixing tank 30 decreases from the first water level L1. The spray of the detergent water CW from the cleaning nozzle 25 is once stopped, for example, after a predetermined time from the start of the main cleaning. While this injection is stopped, the detergent water can be spread on the inner wall surface of the bathtub 100, and the detergent water can be permeated into the dirt. The detergent water injection stop timing may be determined by the water level detection by the water level detection means 60 instead of the time control.

  Then, the spray of detergent water from the cleaning nozzle 25 is started again. As it is, the detergent water remaining in the detergent mixing tank 30 may be used up, or the injection may be stopped once again to secure a time for allowing the detergent water to penetrate into the inner wall surface of the bathtub 100 and dirt. A predetermined amount of detergent water stored up to the first water level L1 can be used up while repeating spraying and stopping spraying a plurality of times to perform main cleaning. Alternatively, the predetermined amount of detergent water may be continuously jetted and used up without temporarily stopping jetting.

  When the main cleaning with a predetermined amount of detergent water is completed and the lower end position of the float 62 is detected, the pump 18 is stopped after a lapse of a set number of seconds from the detection, and the detergent mixing tank 30 is emptied.

After this main cleaning, water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bath 100 by the same control as in the preliminary cleaning, and the rinse mode is executed. By this rinse mode, the detergent water sprayed in the bath 100 is washed away by the water together with dirt.
The detergent water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 25 into the bath 100 may be collected in the detergent mixing tank 30, and the collected detergent water may be sprayed again into the bath 100 from the cleaning nozzle 25. ..

  The bath cleaning device 200 can further execute a tank cleaning mode. In the tank cleaning mode, the detergent water and the detergent remaining in the detergent mixing tank 30 are washed away by the water. Further, in the tank cleaning mode, bubbles in the detergent mixing tank 30 can be erased.

  For example, the phase of supplying water into the detergent mixing tank 30 in the rinse mode after the main cleaning can also serve as the tank cleaning mode. Alternatively, the tank cleaning mode may be executed separately from the rinse mode after the main cleaning using the detergent water.

  In the tank cleaning mode, as shown in FIG. 6A, the water W supplied downward (in the vertical direction) from the water supply unit 35 collides with the receiving unit 71 and spreads in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction. .. For example, the water W spreads radially on the upper surface of the receiving portion 71 in the surface direction (horizontal direction). The water W that has flowed to the outer edge of the receiving portion 71 is sprayed toward the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30. The direction intersecting with the vertical direction includes the horizontal direction and the direction inclined with respect to the horizontal direction. The water W is not limited to spread in all directions of 360 °.

  Therefore, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be washed away by the running water supplied from the water supply source, and the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be kept clean.

  Further, as schematically shown in FIG. 5, the bubbles 90 are easily attracted to the side wall surface side by the surface tension and stay there. The bubbles 90 can also be defoamed by rinsing with water sprayed from the receiving portion 71 toward the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the growth of bacteria due to the residual detergent in the detergent mixing tank 30, and as a result, it is possible to prevent the contaminated liquid (detergent water or water) from being sprayed into the bath 100.

  By spreading the water in a direction intersecting the vertical direction (for example, radially) in the tank cleaning mode, the water can be sprayed evenly on the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank 30. Such a configuration enables uniform cleaning of the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank 30 while reducing the amount of water used for cleaning the interior of the detergent mixing tank 30, and reduces the unwashed area. Further, the water can be spread radially with a simple structure such as the plate-shaped receiving portion 71.

  FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank 30 of the embodiment.

  In the example shown in FIG. 11, the tank cleaning means has a receiving portion 71 and a second water supply portion 37. The second water supply unit 37 is provided separately from the first supply unit 35 that supplies the water for generating the detergent water into the detergent mixing tank 30. The 2nd water supply part 37 is connected to the water supply channel 24 shown in FIG. 1, for example. The second water supply section 37 is located directly above the receiving section 71, and the opening of the second water supply section 37 faces the receiving section 71.

  In the tank cleaning mode, the water W supplied downward (in the vertical direction) from the second water supply portion 37 collides with the receiving portion 71 and radially spreads the upper surface of the receiving portion 71 in the surface direction. The water W that has flowed to the outer edge of the receiving portion 71 is sprayed toward the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30. Therefore, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be washed away by the running water supplied from the water supply source, and bubbles that tend to be attracted to the side wall surface side due to the surface tension and stay easily are also in the water stream. Can be defoamed.

  At the time of preliminary cleaning, main cleaning, and rinsing, water is supplied from the first water supply unit 35 into the detergent mixing tank 30. The first water supply unit 35 is not located right above the receiving unit 71, and the opening of the first water supply unit 35 is not directed to the receiving unit 71. Therefore, the water is supplied from the first water supply unit 35 into the detergent mixing tank 30 without passing through the receiving unit 71.

  During the main cleaning, the detergent is supplied from the detergent supply unit 34 into the detergent mixing tank 30. The detergent supply part 34 is not located right above the receiving part 71, and the opening of the detergent supplying part 34 is not directed to the receiving part 71. Therefore, the detergent is supplied from the detergent supply unit 34 into the detergent mixing tank 30 without passing through the receiving unit 71.

  Water drops downward from the opening of the first water supply unit 35. Therefore, the water discharge range (horizontal cross-sectional area of the discharged water) from the first water supply unit 35 into the detergent mixing tank 30 when generating the detergent water is equal to the area of the opening of the first water supply unit 35. It is almost the same.

  On the other hand, the water discharge range (horizontal cross-sectional area of water) spread by the receiving portion 71 when cleaning the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 is equal to the water flowing into the detergent mixing tank 30 when generating the detergent water. It is wider than the water discharge range of, and is larger than the area of the upper surface of the receiving portion 71. The outer edge position of the water discharge range expanded by the receiving part 71 is located closer to the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank 30 than the outer edge position of the water discharge range of the water discharged from the first water supply part 35.

  Such a difference in water discharge range realizes a water discharge mode suitable for generating detergent water and a water discharge mode suitable for cleaning the detergent mixing tank 30, and prevents the generation of detergent water in the detergent mixing tank 30. Makes it possible to wash.

  That is, when the detergent water is generated, the detergent and the water can be agitated when the detergent water is generated by supplying the water into the detergent mixing tank 30 so that the spouting range is relatively narrow. It is possible to suppress variations in density. On the other hand, at the time of cleaning the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30, by supplying water so that the water discharge range becomes a relatively wide range, water can be evenly discharged to all the side wall surfaces in the detergent mixing tank 30. Therefore, it is possible to prevent unwashed residue in the detergent mixing tank 30.

  With a simple configuration in which the second water supply unit 37 is provided separately from the first water supply unit 35 that supplies the water for generating the detergent water, the water discharge form can be made different.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of still another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank 30 of the embodiment.
FIG. 13 is a top view of the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 shown in FIG.

  In this example, the tank cleaning means 72 is provided in the detergent mixing tank 30. It should be noted that the detergent and water at the time of generating the detergent water and the water at the time of preliminary cleaning and rinsing are also supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 via the tank cleaning means 72.

  The tank cleaning means 72 is held by the stem 61 or the stopper 63 of the water level detecting means 60, for example. The tank cleaning means 72 has, for example, a rectangular plate-shaped receiving portion 72c. The receiving portion 72c extends horizontally above the first space 40.

  As shown in FIG. 13, in the vicinity of the outer edge of the receiving portion 72c, a plurality of through holes 72a are formed along the outer edge. The central axis of each through hole 72a is inclined with respect to the vertical direction, and the opening at the lower end of the through hole 72a is directed to the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30. The water supply part 35 communicates with the internal space of the tank cleaning means 72 formed above the receiving part 72c. It is possible to temporarily store water in the internal space of the tank cleaning means 72.

  One through hole 72b is formed in the receiving portion 72c. The opening at the lower end of the through hole 72b is directed vertically downward. The through hole 72b is not connected to the internal space of the tank cleaning means 72. The detergent supply unit 34 communicates with the through hole 72b. Therefore, the detergent is supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 through the detergent supply unit 34 and the through hole 72b.

  In the tank cleaning mode, water is supplied downward (in the vertical direction) from the water supply unit 35 toward the internal space of the tank cleaning unit 72, collides with the receiving unit 72c, and intersects with the vertical direction (for example, in the horizontal direction). ) Spreads. The water that has spread to the internal space of the tank cleaning means 72 is sprayed radially from the plurality of through holes 72a toward the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30.

  Therefore, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be washed away by the running water supplied from the water supply source, and the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be kept clean. In addition, bubbles that are attracted to the side wall surface side due to surface tension and tend to stay can also be defoamed with a water stream.

FIG. 14 is a sectional view of still another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank 30 of the embodiment.
FIG. 15 is a top view of the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 shown in FIG.

  In this example, a fountain 73 is provided in the detergent mixing tank 30 as a tank cleaning means and a defoaming means. Further, the back surface of the lid 32 (the ceiling surface of the detergent mixing tank 30) functions as a receiving portion 32a with which the water supplied upward from the fountain portion 73 in the vertical direction collides.

  The fountain portion 73 is formed in a pipe shape extending in the vertical direction, and the upper end of the fountain portion 73 is located above the first space 40. The lower end of the fountain 73 penetrates, for example, the inclined surface 51 of the detergent mixing tank 30, and is connected to the water supply flow path 24.

  In the tank cleaning mode, water rises in the fountain portion 73, jets from the upper end opening thereof, collides with the receiving portion 32a, and spreads radially in a direction intersecting with the vertical direction (for example, horizontal direction) to form a detergent mixing tank. It is supplied in 30. The water that has spread radially on the surface of the receiving portion 32 a is sprayed toward the side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank 30.

  Therefore, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be washed away by the running water supplied from the water supply source, and the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be kept clean. In addition, bubbles that are attracted to the side wall surface side due to surface tension and tend to stay can also be defoamed with a water stream.

  Water is also supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 from the upper end opening of the fountain 73 during the pre-cleaning, main cleaning, and rinsing.

  In addition to the ceiling surface (receiving portion 32a) of the detergent mixing tank 30, a receiving portion for colliding water ejected from the fountain portion 73 may be provided above the fountain portion 73. Alternatively, the fountain part 73 may have a receiving part at its upper end, and the side face of the fountain part 73 may be provided with a hole for ejecting water that has collided with the receiving part at the upper end into the detergent mixing tank 30.

  In addition, in each of the above-described embodiments, in order to spray the water on the entire side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30, the water collision position is vertical to the horizontal receiving portion and the water collision position is in the horizontal direction of the detergent mixing tank 30. It is preferable to make the water collide with the receiving portion so that the water is at the center.

  FIG. 16 is a sectional view of still another example of the tank cleaning means in the detergent mixing tank 30 of the embodiment.

  In this example, a mist spraying unit 75 is provided in the detergent mixing tank 30 as a tank cleaning unit and a defoaming unit.

  The mist spraying unit 75 is held by the lid 32 with its spray port facing the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30. The water supply channel 24 shown in FIG. 1 is branched into two channels on the way, one channel is connected to the first water supply section 35, and the other channel is a mist via the second water supply section 76. It is connected to the spray unit 75.

  In the tank cleaning mode, fine mist spreads radially from the mist spraying section 75 in a direction intersecting the vertical direction and is sprayed toward the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank 30.

  Therefore, the detergent water and the detergent remaining on the side wall surface of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be washed away by the running water supplied from the water supply source, and the inside of the detergent mixing tank 30 can be kept clean. In addition, bubbles that are attracted to the side wall surface side due to surface tension and tend to stay can also be defoamed with a water stream.

  Water may be supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 from the first water supply unit 35 and the mist spraying unit 75 at the same time. Alternatively, in the tank cleaning mode, water is supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 only through the mist spraying unit 75, and in the pre-cleaning, main cleaning, and rinsing, water is supplied into the detergent mixing tank 30 only through the first water supply unit 35. May be supplied.

  The embodiments of the present invention have been described above with reference to specific examples. However, the present invention is not limited to these, and various modifications can be made based on the technical idea of the present invention.

  100 ... Bathtub, 200 ... Bathtub cleaning device, 13 ... Detergent tank, 14 ... 1st opening / closing valve, 15 ... Detergent flow path, 19 ... Backflow prevention part, 20 ... Control part, 21 ... Washing flow path, 22 ... Second On-off valve, 24 ... Water supply passage, 25 ... Washing nozzle, 30 ... Detergent mixing tank, 40 ... First space, 50 ... Second space, 51 ... Slope, 60 ... Water level detecting means, 62 ... Float, 71 ... Receiving part, 72 ... Tank cleaning means, 72c ... Receiving part, 73 ... Fountain part, 75 ... Mist spraying part, WS ... Water supply source

Claims (5)

A detergent tank for storing detergent,
A detergent mixing tank that mixes the detergent supplied from the detergent tank and water supplied from a water supply source to generate detergent water,
A cleaning nozzle for spraying the detergent water or the water into a bath,
Tank cleaning means for cleaning the inside of the detergent mixing tank,
Equipped with
The bath cleaning device, wherein the tank cleaning means includes a defoaming means for spraying the water on a side wall surface inside the detergent mixing tank.   The bath cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the defoaming means spreads the water supplied into the detergent mixing tank in a direction intersecting with a vertical direction and sprays the water on the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank.   The tank cleaning means has, as the defoaming means, a receiving portion that collides water supplied in a vertical direction when the detergent mixing tank is washed, and the water that collides with the receiving portion in a direction intersecting the vertical direction. The bath cleaning device according to claim 2, wherein the water is sprayed toward the side wall surface in the detergent mixing tank by spreading.   The water discharge range of water into the detergent mixing tank when cleaning the detergent mixing tank by the tank cleaning means is wider than the water discharging range of water into the detergent mixing tank when generating the detergent water. The bath cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the defoaming means is configured so as to be.   The tank cleaning means includes a second water supply unit provided separately from a first water supply unit that supplies water for generating the detergent water, and the water supplied from the second water supply unit is used to supply the water. The bath cleaning device according to claim 4, which cleans the interior of the detergent mixing tank.

Images