JP2021065464A - Bathtub washing device and hot water supply apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device which is advantageous for obtaining the excellent washing effect and suppressing a consumption amount of a washing agent, and a hot water supply apparatus including the bathtub washing device.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device 3 comprises: a storage part (washing agent water tank 6) which can store washing agent water 13 being the water mixed with the washing agent; foam generation means which generates foam 14 by using the washing agent water 13 stored in the storage part; and a discharge part 11 which can discharge the foam 14 and rinsing water. The discharge part 11 is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of a bathtub 4. The bathtub washing device 3 can execute a foam supplying operation of supplying the foam 14 discharged from the discharge part 11 into the bathtub 4 and a rinsing water supplying operation of supplying the rinsing water discharged from the discharge part 11 into the bathtub 4.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device.

The following Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for automatically cleaning by spraying detergent and water onto a bathtub and a washing place from a washing device mounted on a wall surface in a bathroom.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-328060

In the above-mentioned conventional technique, the detergent sprayed from the nozzle is attached to the wall surface of the bathtub and the bathroom, but there is a problem that it is insufficient to surely remove the dirt.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and is an advantageous bathtub cleaning device in achieving both an excellent cleaning effect and a reduction in the amount of detergent consumed. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply device equipped with a bathtub cleaning device.

The bathtub cleaning device according to the present invention is a bathtub cleaning device capable of cleaning a bathtub provided in a bathroom, and is stored in a storage unit capable of storing detergent water, which is water mixed with detergent, and a storage unit. It comprises a foam generating means for generating foam using detergent water and a discharge part capable of discharging foam and rinse water, and the discharge part is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of the bathtub or higher than the upper end of the bathtub. It is installed on the wall of the bathroom at the position, and it is possible to perform a foam supply operation that supplies the foam discharged from the discharge part into the bathtub and a rinse water supply operation that supplies the rinse water discharged from the discharge part into the bathtub. There is.
The hot water supply device according to the present invention includes the above-mentioned bathtub cleaning device.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a bathtub cleaning device which is advantageous in achieving both an excellent cleaning effect and suppressing the consumption of detergent, and a hot water supply device provided with the bathtub cleaning device. It will be possible.

It is a figure which shows the bathtub washing apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the bathtub washing apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the bathtub washing apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a figure which shows the bathtub cleaning apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 2. It is a figure which shows the bathtub cleaning apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 3. It is a figure which shows the bathtub washing apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 4. It is a figure which shows the bathtub cleaning apparatus and the hot water supply apparatus according to Embodiment 5.

Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. The common or corresponding elements in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals to simplify or omit the common description. In the following description, the description of "water" means, in principle, liquid water, and may include low-temperature water to high-temperature hot water.

Embodiment 1.
1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are views showing a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply device 1 includes a water heater 2 and a bathtub cleaning device 3. In the present embodiment, the hot water supply device 1 in which the bathtub cleaning device 3 is combined with the water heater 2 will be described as an example, but the present invention is not limited to this example, and the bathtub cleaning device 3 is independent of the water heater 2. It may be provided in the above. The water heater 2 has a function of supplying hot water to the bathtub 4. The bathtub 4 is provided in the bathroom 5. The water heater 2 may be, for example, a hot water storage type water heater having a hot water storage tank, or an instantaneous water heater that generates hot water by burning fuel.

The bathtub cleaning device 3 includes a detergent water tank 6, a detergent tank 7, an air bubble generator 8, a circulation flow path 9, a circulation pump 10, and a discharge unit 11. The detergent water tank 6 is an example of a storage unit capable of storing the detergent water 13. The detergent water 13 is water mixed with a detergent. The detergent tank 7 stores liquid detergent. The detergent stored in the detergent tank 7 can be supplied to the detergent water tank 6. In the illustrated example, when the detergent supply valve 12 provided in the passage connecting the lower part of the detergent tank 7 and the upper part of the detergent water tank 6 is opened, the detergent in the detergent tank 7 flows by gravity and enters the detergent water tank 6. Be supplied.

The detergent water tank 6 has an internal space capable of storing the detergent water 13. In the internal space of the detergent water tank 6, foam 14 is generated on the water surface of the stored detergent water 13. The bathtub cleaning device 3 may include a sensor (not shown) that detects the amount or water level of the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6. Foam 14 is a creamy foam formed by collecting a large number of bubbles. Foam 14 is also called foam. The foam 14 containing a large number of bubbles has a higher cleaning ability than the detergent water 13 in a liquid state containing no bubbles. In the present embodiment, since the foam 14 can be discharged from the discharge unit 11, a cleaning effect superior to that in the case of spraying the detergent water 13 in a liquid state containing no air bubbles can be obtained.

The bubble generator 8 is connected to the circulation flow path 9. The circulation flow path 9 is connected to the detergent water tank 6. A circulation pump 10 is arranged in the middle of the circulation flow path 9. The circulation flow path 9 on the downstream side of the circulation pump 10 is connected to the bubble generator 8. The downstream portion of the bubble generator 8 is connected to the detergent water tank 6. When the circulation pump 10 is operated, the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 circulates in the circulation flow path 9 so as to pass through the bubble generator 8 and return to the detergent water tank 6.

The bubble generator 8 generates bubbles by introducing a gas into the detergent water 13 passing through the bubble generator 8. This gas is, for example, air. An intake passage (not shown) is connected to the bubble generator 8. The bubble generator 8 generates bubbles by mixing the gas sucked from the intake passage with the detergent water.

The bubble generator 8 in the present embodiment may be composed of, for example, an ejector having the following structure. The ejector has a diameter-reduced portion that reduces the diameter of the flow path of the detergent water 13 that passes through. Due to the negative pressure generated in this reduced diameter portion, gas can be naturally aspirated from the intake passage. In the reduced diameter portion, gas is introduced through the intake passage from a direction perpendicular to the flow of the detergent water 13. A fixed wing that swivels the water flow flowing into the ejector may be provided at a position on the upstream side of the ejector. The fixed blade forms, for example, a swirling flow centered on the axis of the flow path. The swirling flow of the detergent water 13 formed by the fixed blades shears the bubbles to make them finer, so that fine bubbles can be generated. The method of inhaling from the intake passage is not limited to naturally aspirated. Air may be forcibly supplied to the bubble generator 8 by using an air pump (not shown).

The bubble generator 8, the circulation flow path 9, and the circulation pump 10 in the present embodiment correspond to the foam generating means for generating the foam 14 by using the detergent water 13 stored in the detergent water tank 6. The form generation means in the present disclosure is not limited to such a configuration. For example, the foam generating means may include a porous body (not shown) and generate bubbles by releasing a gas into the detergent water 13 from a large number of fine pores of the porous body. In that case, the porous body may be arranged inside the detergent water tank 6. Air can be sent from an air pump (not shown) to the porous body, and air can be discharged into the detergent water 13 through a large number of fine pores in the porous body. The material of the porous body may be, for example, a metal mesh, ceramics, a resin material, or the like. Alternatively, the foam generating means may include an ultrasonic irradiation means for irradiating the detergent water 13 with ultrasonic waves. For example, by irradiating the detergent water 13 with ultrasonic waves in the frequency range of 20 kHz to several MHz from the ultrasonic irradiation means, it is possible to generate bubbles, particularly fine bubbles. Alternatively, the foam generating means may be provided with a stirrer driven by a motor, and bubbles may be generated by stirring the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 with the stirrer.

In the following description, the hot water stored in the bathtub 4 may be referred to as "bath water". A bath water circulation circuit 15 capable of circulating the bath water 16 is connected to the bathtub 4. A bath water pump 17 is connected in the middle of the bath water circulation circuit 15. One end of the bath water circulation circuit 15 is connected to a suction port 18 provided in the bathtub 4. The other end of the bath water circulation circuit 15 is connected to a discharge port 19 provided in the bathtub 4. An on-off valve 20 is installed in the flow path between the discharge port and the discharge port 19 of the bath water pump 17 in the bath water circulation circuit 15. When the bath water pump 17 is operated while the on-off valve 20 is open, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is drawn into the bath water circulation circuit 15 from the suction port 18, and the bath water 16 that has passed through the bath water circulation circuit 15 It is discharged from the discharge port 19 into the bathtub 4.

A hot water supply pipe 21 through which hot water supplied from the water heater 2 passes is connected to the bath water circulation circuit 15. The connection portion 23 between the hot water supply pipe 21 and the bath water circulation circuit 15 is located in the flow path between the discharge port of the bath water pump 17 and the on-off valve 20. An on-off valve 22 is installed in the middle of the hot water supply pipe 21. When hot water is supplied from the water heater 2 to the bathtub 4, the on-off valve 20 and the on-off valve 22 are opened. At this time, the hot water that has flowed from the water heater 2 through the hot water supply pipe 21 and into the bath water circulation circuit 15 passes through the connection portion 23 and the on-off valve 20 and is discharged from the discharge port 19 into the bathtub 4.

The passage 24 connects the circulation flow path 9 and the bath water circulation circuit 15. One end of the passage 24 is connected to the flow path between the discharge port of the bath water pump 17 and the on-off valve 20. The other end of the passage 24 is connected to the flow path between the circulation pump 10 and the bubble generator 8. The on-off valve 25 opens and closes the passage 24.

In the present embodiment, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 can flow into the detergent water tank 6 as follows. The bath water pump 17 is operated with the on-off valve 20 and the on-off valve 22 closed and the on-off valve 25 open. As a result, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 flows into the detergent water tank 6 through the suction port 18, the bath water pump 17, the passage 24, the on-off valve 25, and the circulation flow path 9. By supplying the detergent from the detergent tank 7 to the bath water 16 that has flowed into the detergent water tank 6 in this way, the detergent water 13 can be generated. In the present embodiment, the detergent water 13 can be generated by using the bath water 16 remaining in the bathtub 4, so that the amount of water consumed can be reduced.

However, instead of the bath water 16, tap water may be used to generate the detergent water 13. In this case, the on-off valve 22 and the on-off valve 25 are opened with the on-off valve 20 closed. Tap water from the water heater 2 flows into the detergent water tank 6 through the hot water supply pipe 21, the passage 24, the on-off valve 25, and the circulation flow path 9. The detergent water 13 can be generated by supplying the detergent from the detergent tank 7 to the tap water flowing into the detergent water tank 6.

Although not shown, the bath water circulation circuit 15 may be provided with a reheating heat exchanger for reheating the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4. In this case, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 can be kept warm or heated by circulating the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 to the reheating heat exchanger by the bath water circulation circuit 15. The reheating heat exchanger, the bath water pump 17, and the like may be arranged in the water heater 2.

The control device 26 corresponds to a control means for controlling the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 3. The control device 26 is electrically connected to the actuators and sensors included in the bathtub cleaning device 3. The control device 26 may have a timer function for managing the date and time. In the illustrated example, the control device 26 is provided in the water heater 2, but the control device 26 may be arranged in a place different from the water heater 2. The control device 26 has, for example, at least one processor and at least one memory. The control device 26 and the remote control device 27 can communicate in both directions by wired communication or wireless communication. The remote control device 27 is an example of a user interface. In the present embodiment, the remote control device 27 may be installed in the bathroom 5. Further, a mobile information terminal such as a smartphone may be configured to have a function as a user interface. The control device 26 and the remote control device 27 or other user interface may be able to communicate with each other via, for example, a home network.

The remote control device 27 includes a display unit and an operation unit. The display unit may be, for example, a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display. The display unit corresponds to a notification means for notifying the user of information. The operation unit may include buttons, dials, keys, etc. for the user to operate. The display unit may be a touch screen that also has the functions of the operation unit. The remote control device 27 may further include a speaker, a microphone, and the like. The remote control device 27 in the present embodiment may include a notification means other than the display unit, such as a voice guidance device.

The bathtub cleaning device 3 of the present embodiment further includes a water level sensor 28. The water level sensor 28 corresponds to a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub 4. The water level sensor 28 is arranged in the flow path between the suction port 18 and the inlet of the bath water pump 17 in the bath water circulation circuit 15. The pressure in the bath water circulation circuit 15 changes according to the water level in the bathtub 4. The water level sensor 28 can detect the water level in the bathtub 4 by detecting the pressure in the bath water circulation circuit 15.

At the bottom of the bathtub 4 in the present embodiment, an automatic drain plug 29 that can be automatically opened and closed is installed. When the automatic drain plug 29 is closed, the bath water 16 can be stored in the bathtub 4. When the automatic drain plug 29 is opened, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is discharged through the automatic drain plug 29 to, for example, a drainage pipe (not shown) outside the bathtub 4. By opening the automatic drain plug 29, all the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 can be discharged to the outside. The automatic drain plug 29 opens and closes when driven by an actuator. The control device 26 can control the opening / closing operation of the automatic drain plug 29. The control device 26 may directly control the operation of the automatic drain plug 29, or the control device 26 sends a command to the control unit of the automatic drain plug 29 installed at or near the bathroom 5. May indirectly control the operation of the automatic drain plug 29.

The discharge unit 11 can discharge the foam 14 and the rinse water. The discharge portion 11 is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of the bathtub 4. The discharge unit 11 has a discharge port which is an opening for discharging the foam 14 and the rinse water. The discharge portion 11 is arranged so that the center position of the discharge port is above the water surface of the bath water 16 remaining in the bathtub 4 after bathing. In order to do so, the center position of the discharge port of the discharge unit 11 is preferably, for example, higher than 1/2 the height of the maximum water depth of the bathtub 4, and is 3/4 of the maximum water depth of the bathtub 4. It is more preferable to be above the height. Alternatively, when the water heater 2 has a function of controlling the amount of hot water in the bathtub 4, the center position of the discharge port of the discharge unit 11 is the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 when the maximum amount of hot water is applied. It is preferable that it is above the water surface of.

The bathtub cleaning device 3 can perform a bathtub cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub 4. For example, when the user presses the bathtub cleaning start button provided on the remote control device 27, the control device 26 may start the bathtub cleaning operation. Alternatively, the control device 26 may start the bathtub cleaning operation when it is detected that the bathing of all the members has been completed, or when the time when the user has reserved the bathtub cleaning.

When the bathtub cleaning operation is started, the control device 26 controls to generate the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 as described above. At this time, the control device 26 adjusts the amount of detergent supplied from the detergent tank 7 according to the amount of bath water 16 or tap water supplied into the detergent water tank 6, so that the detergent concentration of the detergent water 13 is appropriate. Control so that the concentration is high. Further, the control device 26 adjusts the amount of the detergent water 13 so that a space is formed on the water surface of the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6. The control device 26 may generate the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 in advance before starting the bathtub cleaning operation.

The bathtub cleaning device 3 can execute a foam supply operation of supplying the foam 14 discharged from the discharge unit 11 into the bathtub 4. The foam feeding operation is one step of the bathtub cleaning operation. FIG. 1 shows a state at the time of the foam supply operation. In the present embodiment, the control device 26 discharges the foam 14 from the discharge unit 11 in a state where the bath water 16 remains in the bathtub 4 after bathing, so that the water surface of the bathwater 16 in the bathtub 4 becomes the foam 14. Control the foam feeding behavior so that it is covered. The control device 26 may confirm with the water level sensor 28 that the bath water 16 remains in the bathtub 4 before starting the foam supply operation. If the bath water 16 does not remain in the bathtub 4, the control device 26 does not start the foam supply operation, and even if the remote controller 27 or other user interface notifies the user that there is no bath water 16. Good.

At the time of form supply operation, it is as follows. The control device 26 operates the circulation pump 10 in a state where the detergent water 13 is stored in the detergent water tank 6. Bubbles are generated when the detergent water 13 drawn into the circulation flow path 9 from the detergent water tank 6 passes through the bubble generator 8. The bubbles flow into the detergent water tank 6. The air bubbles collected in the detergent water tank 6 float on the water surface of the detergent water 13 due to buoyancy. As a result, the foam 14 is generated on the water surface of the detergent water 13. As the foam 14 continues to be generated, the foam 14 fills the water surface of the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6. The upper part of the detergent water tank 6 is connected to the discharge portion 11. When the foam 14 continues to be generated in the detergent water tank 6, the foam 14 flows from the upper part of the detergent water tank 6 to the discharge portion 11, and is discharged from the discharge portion 11 into the bathtub 4. The foam 14 discharged into the bathtub 4 floats on the water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4. When the amount of detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 becomes low, the control device 26 temporarily suspends the foam supply operation, supplies bath water 16 or tap water into the detergent water tank 6, and also from the detergent tank 7. By adding the detergent, the amount of the detergent water 13 in the detergent water tank 6 may be restored.

As the foam supply operation continues, the foam 14 accumulates on the water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4. The control device 26 executes the foam supply operation until the entire water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is covered with the foam 14. For example, the control device 26 stores in advance the operation time required to cover the entire water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 with the foam 14, and executes the foam supply operation for the operation time. When the entire water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is covered with the foam 14, the foam 14 adheres to the entire circumference of the inner wall of the bathtub 4. Dirt is particularly likely to adhere to the position of the waterline where the inner wall of the bathtub 4 and the water surface of the bath water 16 intersect. In the present embodiment, the foam 14 having an excellent cleaning ability can be reliably attached to the position of the waterline. Therefore, it is more advantageous in surely removing the dirt adhering to the position of the waterline.

After the foam supply operation is completed, the control device 26 issues a command to open the automatic drain plug 29. As a result, the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is discharged from the automatic drain plug 29, and the water level in the bathtub 4 gradually decreases. FIG. 2 shows a state in which the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is being discharged from the automatic drain plug 29 after the foam supply operation is completed. As shown in FIG. 2, as the water level in the bathtub 4 decreases, a part of the foam 14 on the water surface of the bathtub 16 adheres to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 so as to cling to it. .. The foam 14 adhering to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 gradually moves downward along the inner wall due to gravity. In the meantime, the cleaning effect of the foam 14 can be exerted to the lower part of the inner wall of the bathtub 4. If the liquid detergent water 13 is attached to the inner wall of the bathtub 4, it will drip down immediately, so that the time it adheres to the inner wall is short and it is difficult to remove the dirt. On the other hand, the foam 14 is hard to drip and adheres to the inner wall of the bathtub 4 for a long time, so that the dirt on the inner wall can be surely removed.

When the water level in the bathtub 4 becomes lower than the state shown in FIG. 2 and all the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is discharged, the foam 14 also adheres to the bottom of the bathtub 4. Thereby, the dirt adhering to the bottom of the bathtub 4 can be removed by the foam 14. A manual drain plug may be provided in the bathtub 4 instead of the automatic drain plug 29. In that case, after the foam supply operation is completed, the control device 26 may transmit a notification to the user from the remote control device 27 or other user interface to urge the user to open the drain plug of the bathtub 4. desirable.

The bathtub cleaning device 3 can execute a rinse water supply operation of supplying the rinse water discharged from the discharge unit 11 into the bathtub 4. The rinse water supply operation is one step of the bathtub cleaning operation. After all the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 is discharged, the control device 26 executes the rinse water supply operation. By performing the rinse water supply operation, the foam 14 in the bathtub 4 can be washed away and removed.

The control device 26 executes the rinse water supply operation after the water level sensor 28 detects that the water level in the bathtub 4 is lower than the state shown in FIG. 2 and all the bathwater 16 in the bathtub 4 is discharged. You may. By doing so, the rinsing water supply operation can be automatically started at an appropriate timing.

FIG. 3 shows a state during the rinsing water supply operation. At the time of rinsing water supply operation, it becomes as follows. The control device 26 opens the on-off valve 22 and the on-off valve 25 with the on-off valve 20 closed. Tap water from the water heater 2 flows into the detergent water tank 6 through the hot water supply pipe 21, the passage 24, the on-off valve 25, and the circulation flow path 9. When the detergent water tank 6 is full, tap water in the detergent water tank 6 flows to the discharge unit 11. This tap water is sprayed into the bathtub 4 as rinse water 30 from the discharge unit 11.

In the present embodiment, the foam 14 can be generated by using the detergent water 13 generated in the detergent water tank 6 having a volume smaller than that of the bathtub 4, and the large amount of bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 can be generated. No need to add detergent. Therefore, the consumption of detergent can be suppressed.

The foam diameter of the foam 14 when discharged from the discharge unit 11 may be in the range of, for example, 1 μm to 5000 μm. The bubble diameter means a value obtained by arithmetically averaging the diameters of individual bubbles. That is, the bubble diameter means the number average diameter. The bubble diameter can be measured by, for example, a laser diffraction / scattering method or an image analysis method. The foam 14 may contain air bubbles having a diameter of 50 μm or less. According to the foam 14 containing such fine bubbles, a particularly excellent cleaning effect can be obtained. The foam 14 may contain air bubbles having a diameter of 500 μm or more. By generating the foam 14 containing bubbles having such a relatively large diameter, the formation rate of the foam 14 becomes high, so that the foam 14 can cover the water surface of the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4 more quickly. It becomes.

The discharge unit 11 may discharge the rinse water 30 from the same discharge port as the discharge port for discharging the foam 14, but may discharge the rinse water 30 from a discharge port different from the discharge port for discharging the foam 14. Good. That is, the discharge unit 11 may include a first discharge port for discharging the foam 14 and a second discharge port for discharging the rinse water 30. By providing the foam 14 with a dedicated first discharge port and the rinse water 30 with a dedicated second discharge port, the form of each discharge port is more suitable for each of the foam 14 and the rinse water 30. Can be. The discharge unit 11 may include a flow path switching valve for switching between a flow path form for discharging the foam 14 and a flow path form for discharging the rinse water 30.

The discharge unit 11 may include a rotary nozzle that automatically rotates by the reaction of the water flow while injecting the rinse water 30. According to the rotating nozzle, the rinse water 30 can be sprayed over a wider range with a simple structure. Further, the discharge unit 11 may include a spray nozzle that atomizes and sprays the rinse water 30. By atomizing the rinse water 30, the rinse water 30 can reach a position far from the discharge portion 11. When the discharge unit 11 includes at least one of the rotary nozzle and the spray nozzle, the rinse water 30 can be sprayed over a wide range with a low cost structure.

In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the water surface of the bath water 16 is covered with the foam 14 by discharging the foam 14 from the discharge unit 11 in a state where the bath water 16 remains in the bathtub 4 after bathing. As described above, an example in which the control device 26 executes the form feeding operation has been described. In this case, there is an advantage that the foam 14 can be attached to the entire circumference of the inner wall of the bathtub 4 without flying the foam 14 far from the discharge portion 11. As a result, a mechanism for flying the foam 14 far from the discharge portion 11 is not required, so that the cost can be reduced.

On the other hand, the discharge unit 11 may be provided with a mechanism for flying the foam 14 far away. For example, the discharge unit 11 may be provided with a blower and may be configured so that the foam 14 can be blown off by the air flow generated by the blower. Alternatively, the discharge unit 11 may be provided with a rotating nozzle that rotates while discharging the foam 14, and may be configured so that the foam 14 can be blown off from the rotating nozzle by centrifugal force. The discharge unit 11 may include both a blower and a rotary nozzle. When the discharge unit 11 can blow off the foam 14 by using a blower or a rotary nozzle, the control device 26 may execute the foam supply operation without the bath water 16 in the bathtub 4. In this case, the foam 14 can be attached to the entire circumference of the inner wall of the bathtub 4 by the discharge unit 11 blowing off the foam 14 using a blower or a rotary nozzle. When the foam 14 is blown off from the rotary nozzle, the foam 14 may be pumped to the rotary nozzle by using a pump, and the rotary nozzle may be automatically rotated by the reaction of the injected foam 14. In this case, the fluidity of the foam 14 may be increased by adding water or detergent water 13 to the foam 14 sent to the rotary nozzle. Alternatively, the foam 14 may be blown off from the rotary nozzle by rotating the rotary nozzle with a motor. The rotary nozzle for discharging the foam 14 and the rotary nozzle for discharging the rinse water 30 may be shared, or both may be provided separately.

Embodiment 2.
Next, the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 4, but the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the elements common to or corresponding to the above-described elements have the same reference numerals. Is added to simplify or omit the common description. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device according to the second embodiment. As shown in FIG. 4, the hot water supply device 31 of the present embodiment includes a bathtub cleaning device 32 instead of the bathtub cleaning device 3 of the first embodiment. In the bathtub cleaning device 32 of the present embodiment, the installation location of the discharge unit 11 is different from that of the first embodiment. The discharge portion 11 of the bathtub cleaning device 32 is installed on the wall 33 of the bathroom 5 at a position higher than the upper end of the bathtub 4. In this case, the discharge portion 11 may be positioned so that the center position of the discharge port is higher than the uppermost portion of the bathtub 4.

FIG. 4 shows a state in which the bathtub cleaning device 32 is executing the foam feeding operation. As shown in FIG. 4, it is desirable that the discharge portion 11 is arranged at a position where the foam 14 discharged from the discharge portion 11 and dropped by gravity enters the bathtub 4. As a result, the foam 14 discharged from the discharge unit 11 can be reliably supplied into the bathtub 4.

When the discharge unit 11 is configured to blow off the foam 14 using a blower or a rotary nozzle, the bathtub cleaning device 32 can perform the bathroom cleaning operation as follows. .. The control device 26 blows the foam 14 from the discharge unit 11 using a blower or a rotary nozzle, and attaches the blown foam 14 to the wall surface of the bathroom 5 outside the bathtub 4 and the floor surface of the bathroom 5. After that, the control device 26 flushes the foam 14 adhering to the wall surface of the bathroom 5 and the floor surface of the bathroom 5 with the rinse water discharged from the discharge unit 11. By performing such a bathroom cleaning operation, it is possible to remove dirt not only inside the bathtub 4 but also on the wall surface of the bathroom 5 and the floor surface of the bathroom 5 outside the bathtub 4. In the present embodiment, since the discharge portion 11 is located higher than the upper end of the bathtub 4, the foam 14 and the rinse water discharged from the discharge portion 11 are discharged from the wall surface of the bathroom 5 outside the bathtub 4 and the bathroom 5. It is possible to reliably supply to the floor surface.

A bathroom dryer 34 is installed in the bathroom 5 in the present embodiment. The control device 26 can issue a command to start the drying operation of the bathroom dryer 34. The command may be transmitted directly from the control device 26 to the bathroom dryer 34, or the command may be transmitted to the bathroom dryer 34 via, for example, a home network. After the cleaning operation of either one or both of the bathtub cleaning operation and the bathroom cleaning operation is completed, the control device 26 issues a command to start the drying operation of the bathroom dryer 34 to dry the bathroom dryer 34. May be started automatically. As a result, the inside of the bathroom 5 can be automatically dried after the cleaning operation is completed, so that excellent convenience can be obtained.

Embodiment 3.
Next, the third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 5, but the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the elements common to or corresponding to the above-mentioned elements have the same reference numerals. Is added to simplify or omit the common description. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device according to the third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 5, the hot water supply device 35 of the present embodiment includes a bathtub cleaning device 36 instead of the bathtub cleaning device 3 of the first embodiment. The bathtub cleaning device 36 of the present embodiment includes a rinse water supply pipe 37 and an on-off valve 38. The upstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 branches from the hot water supply pipe 21 between the water heater 2 and the on-off valve 22. The downstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 is connected to the discharge portion 11.

FIG. 5 shows a state in which the bathtub cleaning device 36 is executing the rinsing water supply operation. During the rinse water supply operation, it is as follows. The control device 26 opens the on-off valve 38 with the on-off valve 22 closed. Tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the discharge unit 11 through the on-off valve 38 and the rinse water supply pipe 37. This tap water is sprayed into the bathtub 4 as rinse water 30 from the discharge unit 11. In the present embodiment, tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the discharge unit 11 without passing through the detergent water tank 6. Therefore, the rinse water 30 can be ejected from the discharge unit 11 without storing water in the detergent water tank 6, so that the amount of water consumed can be reduced.

Embodiment 4.
Next, the fourth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 6, but the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described, and the elements common to or corresponding to the above-described elements have the same reference numerals. Is added to simplify or omit the common description. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 6, the hot water supply device 39 of the present embodiment includes a bathtub cleaning device 40 instead of the bathtub cleaning device 3 of the first embodiment. The bathtub cleaning device 40 of the present embodiment includes a rinse water supply pipe 37 and an on-off valve 38. Further, the discharge unit 11 includes a first discharge port 11a for discharging the foam 14 and a second discharge port 11b for discharging the rinse water 30. The upstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 branches from the hot water supply pipe 21 between the water heater 2 and the on-off valve 22. The downstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 is connected to the second discharge port 11b. The discharge unit 11 may include a blower or a rotary nozzle for blowing off the foam 14 discharged from the first discharge port 11a. The second discharge port 11b may be provided with a rotary nozzle or a spray nozzle for spraying the rinse water 30.

FIG. 6 shows a state in which the bathtub cleaning device 40 is executing the rinsing water supply operation. During the rinse water supply operation, it is as follows. The control device 26 opens the on-off valve 38 with the on-off valve 22 closed. Tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the second discharge port 11b through the on-off valve 38 and the rinse water supply pipe 37. This tap water is sprayed into the bathtub 4 as rinse water 30 from the second discharge port 11b. In the present embodiment, tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the second discharge port 11b without passing through the detergent water tank 6. Therefore, the rinse water 30 can be injected from the second discharge port 11b without storing water in the detergent water tank 6, so that the amount of water consumed can be reduced. In the illustrated example, the second discharge port 11b is arranged near the first discharge port 11a. Not limited to the illustrated example, the second discharge port 11b may be arranged at a position away from the first discharge port 11a.

Embodiment 5.
Next, the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 7, but the differences from the second embodiment will be mainly described, and the elements common to or corresponding to the above-mentioned elements have the same reference numerals. Is added to simplify or omit the common description. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device and a hot water supply device according to the fifth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 7, the hot water supply device 41 of the present embodiment includes a bathtub cleaning device 42 instead of the bathtub cleaning device 32 of the second embodiment. The bathtub cleaning device 42 of the present embodiment includes a rinse water supply pipe 37 and an on-off valve 38. The upstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 branches from the hot water supply pipe 21 between the water heater 2 and the on-off valve 22. The downstream portion of the rinse water supply pipe 37 is connected to the discharge portion 11. When the bathtub cleaning device 42 performs the rinsing water supply operation, it becomes as follows. The control device 26 opens the on-off valve 38 with the on-off valve 22 closed. Tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the discharge unit 11 through the on-off valve 38 and the rinse water supply pipe 37. This tap water is jetted from the discharge unit 11 as rinse water. During the bathtub cleaning operation, the rinse water discharged from the discharge unit 11 is supplied into the bathtub 4. During the bathroom cleaning operation, the rinse water discharged from the discharge unit 11 is supplied to the wall surface of the bathroom 5 and the floor surface of the bathroom 5 outside the bathtub 4. In the present embodiment, tap water from the water heater 2 flows to the discharge unit 11 without passing through the detergent water tank 6. Therefore, the rinse water can be sprayed from the discharge unit 11 without storing water in the detergent water tank 6, so that the amount of water consumed can be reduced.

Of the plurality of embodiments described above, two or more that can be combined may be combined and implemented.

1 Hot water supply device, 2 Water supply machine, 3 Bath cleaning device, 4 Bath, 5 Bathroom, 6 Detergent water tank, 7 Detergent tank, 8 Bubble generator, 9 Circulation flow path, 10 Circulation pump, 11 Discharge section, 11a First discharge Outlet, 11b 2nd discharge port, 12 Detergent supply valve, 13 Detergent water, 14 Foam, 15 Bath water circulation circuit, 16 Bath water, 17 Bath water pump, 18 Suction port, 19 Discharge port, 20 On-off valve, 21 Hot water supply pipe, 22 On-off valve, 23 Connection, 24 passage, 25 On-off valve, 26 Control device, 27 Remote control device, 28 Water level sensor, 29 Automatic drain plug, 30 Rinse water, 31 Hot water supply device, 32 Bath cleaning device, 33 Wall, 34 Bathroom Dryer, 35 hot water supply device, 36 bath cleaning device, 37 rinse water supply pipe, 38 on-off valve, 39 hot water supply device, 40 bath cleaning device, 41 hot water supply device, 42 bath cleaning device

Claims (10)

It is a bathtub cleaning device that can wash the bathtub installed in the bathroom.
A storage unit that can store detergent water, which is water mixed with detergent,
A foam generating means for generating foam using the detergent water stored in the storage unit, and
With the discharge part capable of discharging the foam and rinse water,
With
The discharge portion is installed on the upper part of the inner wall of the bathtub or on the wall of the bathroom at a position higher than the upper end of the bathtub.
A bathtub cleaning device capable of performing a foam supply operation of supplying the foam discharged from the discharge unit into the bathtub and a rinse water supply operation of supplying the rinse water discharged from the discharge unit into the bathtub. A claim comprising a control means for executing the foam supply operation so that the water surface of the bath water is covered with the foam by discharging the foam from the discharge portion in a state where the bath water remains in the bathtub after bathing. Item 1. The bathtub cleaning device according to item 1. A water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub is provided.
When the water level detecting means detects that the bath water has been discharged from the drain plug of the bathtub from the state where the water surface of the bath water is covered with the foam, the control means executes the rinsing water supply operation. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the discharge unit includes a first discharge port for discharging the foam and a second discharge port for discharging the rinse water. The discharge unit includes at least one of a rotary nozzle that automatically rotates by the reaction of the water flow while injecting the rinse water and a spray nozzle that atomizes and injects the rinse water. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one item. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the discharge unit includes a blower, and the foam can be blown off by an air flow generated by the blower. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the discharge unit includes a rotating nozzle that rotates while discharging the foam, and the foam can be blown off by the rotating nozzle. After the foam blown off from the discharge portion is adhered to the wall surface of the bathroom outside the bathtub and the floor surface of the bathroom, a bathroom cleaning operation is executed in which the foam is flowed by the rinse water discharged from the discharge portion. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 6 or 7, which is possible. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising a control means for starting the drying operation of the bathroom dryer provided in the bathroom after the cleaning operation is completed. A hot water supply device including the bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

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