JP2022022110A - Bathtub washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device capable of preventing overflow and water shortage without enlarging a pump and using a flow control valve with a simple configuration to change over an inflow to a hot water storage part by two large and small stages.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device (10) includes: a hot water storage part (22) arranged in the middle of a hot water passage (23) for supplying hot water to a washing nozzle (5) so as to store hot water to be supplied from the hot water passage; and a pump (28) for supplying hot water of the hot water storage part (22) to the washing nozzle (5). The hot water passage (23) for supplying hot water to the hot water storage part (22) includes a plurality of branch passages (23a, 23b), a plurality of electromagnetic on-off valves (25a, 25b), and a plurality of constant-flow rate valves (26a, 26b). The device can perform changeover between a first mode to supply hot water at a first flow rate larger than a water discharge amount of the pump (28) to the hot water storage part (22) and a second mode to supply hot water at a second flow rate smaller than the water discharge amount.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device, and more particularly to a bathtub cleaning device capable of preventing overflow or drought of the hot water storage unit by switching the flow rate of hot water supplied to the hot water storage unit in two stages.

As a bathtub cleaning device, tap water from a tap water source is stored in a storage tank, and the water in this storage tank is pressurized with a pump and sprayed together with detergent from the injection nozzle on the bathtub side to the inner surface of the bathtub. Conventionally, a method of cleaning water has been adopted.

For example, in the bathtub cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, tap water from a clean water source is stored in an open-air tank, the water in the open-air tank is pressurized by a pump, and the detergent is added to the bathtub from an injection nozzle on the bathtub side. The inner surface of the bathtub is cleaned by spraying it on the inner surface.

In the automatic washing device for a bathtub described in Patent Document 2, a water supply pipe for supplying clean water from a water tank connected to a water supply to a washing nozzle is connected, and a detergent supply pipe extending from the detergent supply tank is connected to the water supply pipe. , A mixture of clean water and detergent is ejected from the cleaning nozzle to automatically clean the inner surface of the bathtub.

However, recently, a bathtub cleaning device that does not wash directly with tap water but uses hot water supplied from a hot water supply device and a detergent is also being widely adopted.

Jitsufuku No. 4-406632 Gazette Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-272701

Recent bathtub cleaning equipment is equipped with a hot water storage unit that can store hot water and a pressure pump that pressurizes the hot water from the hot water storage unit and sends it to the cleaning nozzle, and the hot water supply unit has a constant flow valve and electromagnetic waves. An on-off valve or the like is provided. In addition, a liquid level sensor is provided in the hot water storage unit.
When the maximum amount of water discharged from the pressurizing pump has a small margin for the amount of hot water flowing into the hot water storage section, the liquid level control of the hot water storage section is based only on the liquid level detected by the liquid level level sensor. If done, it will be very difficult to prevent overflows and droughts.

For example, a plurality of measures can be considered for the above problems.
In the first measure, the inflow amount of hot water into the hot water storage section is precisely controlled by a flow rate adjusting valve or the like so as to be equal to the amount of water discharged by the pump.
The second measure is to allow a sufficient margin for the maximum amount of water discharged from the pump so that the amount of water discharged equal to the amount of hot water flowing into the hot water storage section is discharged.
In the third measure, even in an environment where the amount of inflow to the hot water storage is unknown, a flow control valve with excellent responsiveness is used to detect signs of overflow or drought based on the detection signal of the liquid level sensor. Control the inflow.

In the above-mentioned first to third measures, a flow rate adjusting valve capable of variablely controlling the flow rate and a control means thereof are required, or a large pump is required.
An object of the present invention is a bathtub cleaning device capable of preventing overflow and drought without increasing the size of the pump or using a flow rate adjusting valve by a simple configuration in which the amount of inflow to the hot water storage unit is switched between two stages, large and small. Is to provide.

The tub cleaning device according to claim 1 is provided in the middle of a hot water passage for supplying hot water to a cleaning nozzle and can store hot water supplied from the hot water passage, and sends hot water from this hot water storage unit to the cleaning nozzle. In a tub cleaning device equipped with a supplyable pump, a plurality of branch passages, a plurality of electromagnetic on-off valves, and a constant flow rate valve are provided in the hot water passage for supplying hot water to the hot water storage portion, and the hot water storage portion is described. It is characterized in that it can be switched between a first mode in which hot water is supplied at a first flow rate larger than the amount of water discharged from the pump and a second mode in which hot water is supplied at a second flow rate smaller than the amount of water discharged from the pump.

According to the above configuration, when the liquid level of the hot water storage section drops to a low water level, the mode is switched to the first mode, and when the liquid level of the hot water storage section rises to a high water level, the mode is switched to the second mode. , Overflow and drought can be prevented. The first flow rate and the second flow rate can be realized by switching the number of constant flow rate valves for flowing hot water through the opening and closing of a plurality of electromagnetic on-off valves.

In the invention of claim 1, the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2 is provided with the electromagnetic on-off valve in at least one of the plurality of branch passages, and the constant flow rate valve in at least one of the plurality of branch passages. It is characterized by being provided with.
According to the above configuration, hot water is supplied from all of the plurality of branch passages at the time of the first flow rate, and hot water is supplied from a part of the plurality of branch passages at the time of the second flow rate.

In the invention of claim 1 or 2, the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 3 is connected to the plurality of branch passages, respectively, and has a plurality of water supply ports for supplying hot water to the hot water storage unit. It is characterized by being prepared.
According to the above configuration, the hot water flowing through the plurality of branch passages can be supplied to the hot water storage unit from the water supply port connected to the branch passage, so that the flow rate of the hot water supplied from one water supply port is reduced. It is possible to reduce air bubbles generated in the hot water storage section and suppress air biting of the pump.

The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 4 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 3, the plurality of branch passages are made of a pipe material connecting the constant flow rate valve and the water supply port.
According to the above configuration, since the branch passage is made of a pipe material, the configuration of the branch passage can be simplified, the assembly can be simplified, and the manufacturing cost can be reduced. In addition, the structure for connecting the branch passage to the hot water storage section is simplified, which is advantageous in ensuring the sealing property.

The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 5 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 1 or 2, the downstream end portions of the plurality of branch passages are connected to the merging passage, and hot water is supplied from the merging passage to the hot water storage portion. It is supposed to be.
According to the above configuration, it is possible to minimize the area where a plurality of branch passages are provided, and the degree of freedom in design is increased.

The tub cleaning device according to claim 6 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hot water storage unit includes at least a water level detecting means capable of detecting a high water level and a low water level, and the pump is in operation. Is characterized in that hot water is supplied at the second flow rate when a high water level is detected, and hot water is supplied at the first flow rate when a low water level is detected.

According to the above configuration, since the second flow rate is set when the water level is high, it is possible to reliably prevent the water level from rising further and prevent overflow. Similarly, when the water level is low, the first flow rate is used, so that it is possible to reliably prevent a further drop in the water level and prevent drought.

The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 7 is characterized in that, in the invention of claim 6, at the start of operation, the pump operation is started after hot water is supplied at the smaller second flow rate until a high water level is detected. It is supposed to be. According to the above configuration, it is possible to prevent the pump from sucking air at the start of operation.

The present invention has various effects as described above.

It is a block diagram of the hot water supply device, the bathtub, the bathtub cleaning device and the like which concerns on Example 1 of this invention. It is a block diagram of the cleaning unit of a bathtub cleaning device. It is an operation explanatory drawing of the solenoid valve opening / closing control for the solenoid on-off valve in a cleaning unit. It is a figure corresponding to FIG. 3 which concerns on Example 2. FIG. It is a block diagram of the 1st switching mechanism which switches a hot water flow rate which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram of the 2nd switching mechanism which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram of the 3rd switching mechanism which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram of the 4th switching mechanism which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram of the 5th switching mechanism which concerns on Example 3. FIG. It is a block diagram seen from the front side of the cleaning unit which concerns on Example 4. FIG. It is a top view of the cleaning unit of FIG.

Hereinafter, the best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a hot water supply device 2 for filling and reheating the bathtub 1 is connected to the bathtub 1 via a hot water filling and reheating pipe 3. Further, at the bottom of the bathtub 1, a drain plug 4 for automatically draining hot water and a washing nozzle 5 for spraying detergent and hot water to wash the bathtub 1 are arranged. The bathtub 1 is covered with a lid 1a.

In the vicinity of the bathtub 1, a cleaning unit 6 for supplying detergent and hot water to the cleaning nozzle 5 and a detergent tank 7 for storing the detergent are arranged. The bathtub cleaning device 10 has a cleaning unit 6, a detergent tank 7, and a cleaning nozzle 5, and is configured by connecting these with a plurality of pipes.

The cleaning unit 6 is connected to a detergent pipe 7a for supplying detergent from the detergent tank 7 and a hot water supply pipe 2a for supplying hot water from the hot water supply device 2. A level sensor is provided in the detergent tank 7, and the detection signal thereof is supplied to the power communication unit 8 by the signal line 7b. Further, for example, the power supply communication unit 8 and the cleaning unit 6 arranged on the ceiling of the bathroom are connected by a cord 8a that bundles a power cord for power supply and a communication cord.

The hot water supply device 2 is, for example, a combustion type hot water supply device that supplies hot water heated by utilizing the combustion heat of fuel, but may be a hot water supply device or the like having a heat pump type heat source machine. A bathroom remote controller 11 and a kitchen remote controller 12 for performing a hot water filling operation, a reheating operation start operation, a hot water supply set temperature setting operation, and the like are connected to the hot water supply device 2 so as to be communicable. Further, a cleaning remote controller 13 for performing an operation for starting a cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 10 is connected to the hot water supply device 2.

The hot water supply device 2 and the power communication unit 8 are connected by a cord 8b that bundles a power cord for power supply and a communication cord, and the cleaning remote controller 13 is a bathtub cleaning device 10 via the hot water supply device 2 and the power communication unit 8. Can communicate with. Further, the kitchen remote controller 12 and the bathroom remote controller 11 can also communicate with the bathtub cleaning device 10. The kitchen remote controller 12 has a touch-operable display unit 12a and an audio output unit 12b. The cleaning remote controller 13 has a two-digit number display unit 13a and an audio output unit 13b.

The kitchen remote controller 12 and the cleaning remote controller 13 are operation terminals for starting the cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 10. The bathroom remote controller 11 can also be used to start the cleaning operation by the bathtub cleaning device 10.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 6 of the bathtub cleaning device 10 is connected to a control unit 21 that controls equipment related to the cleaning operation, a storage tank 22 (hot water storage unit) that stores hot water, and a hot water supply pipe 2a. Further, it is a hot water supply pipe 23 (corresponding to a part of the hot water passage) for supplying hot water to the storage tank 22, and the merging passage 23c (downstream end is a confluence of the two branch passages 23a and 23b and these branch passages 23a). A hot water supply pipe 23 having a storage tank 22), a filter 24 interposed in the hot water supply pipe 23, an electromagnetic on-off valve 25a interposed in one branch passage 23a in order from the upstream side, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 25a. It has a constant flow valve 26a, an electromagnetic on-off valve 25b and a constant flow valve 26b interposed in the other branch passage 23b in order from the upstream side.

The storage tank 22 is provided with a float-type water level detector 22a capable of detecting a low water level and a high water level, and the detection signal is supplied to the control unit 21. An overflow pipe 22b (see FIG. 1) extending from the storage tank 22 is also provided.

Further, the cleaning unit 6 has two reverses, a discharge pipe 27 (corresponding to a part of the hot water passage) extending from the storage tank 22 to the cleaning noble 5, and a pump 28 sequentially interposed in the discharge pipe 27 from the upstream side. It has an orifice 32 or the like to which a check valve 30, a flow rate sensor 31, a thermista 29, and a detergent supply pipe 7a are connected. An electromagnetic on-off valve 7c is interposed in the detergent supply pipe 7a extending from the detergent tank 7.

The control unit 21 is, for example, a microcomputer provided with a calculation unit, a storage unit, an input / output unit, and a clock circuit, and controls equipment related to cleaning operation and a drain plug 4 based on a control program or the like stored in the storage unit. do. In the cleaning operation, the control unit 21 opens the drain plug 4, controls the opening / closing of the electromagnetic on-off valves 25a, 25b, 7c of the hot water supply pipe 23 and the detergent supply pipe 7a, the drive of the pump 28, and the like, and also performs the cleaning operation. The washing operation history including the start time or the end time, the washing course, the number of washing operations (the number of automatic washings), etc. is stored.

The cleaning operation will be described.
When the bathtub cleaning device 10 starts the cleaning operation by operating an operation terminal such as the kitchen remote controller 12, the control unit 21 drives the pump 28 to supply the cleaning nozzle 5 while storing hot water in the storage tank 22. The detergent is mixed with the hot water, and the detergent and the hot water are sprayed from the washing nozzle 5. After spraying the detergent and hot water for a certain period of time, hot water is sprayed from the washing nozzle 5 as a rinsing wash to wash away the detergent and dirt. When this detergent and hot water spraying and hot water spraying are repeated a predetermined number of times, the washing operation is completed.

Next, when cleaning is executed, the flow rate of hot water supplied to the storage tank 22 via the solenoid on-off valves 25a and 25b and the constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b is controlled based on the water level detected by the water level detection sensor 22a. The solenoid valve opening / closing control to be performed will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 (a) to 3 (h).
The constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b are constant flow rate valves that limit the flow rate to 5 L / min, respectively, and the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 is 6.5 L / min (constant).

In this solenoid valve open / close control, the first mode in which hot water is supplied to the storage tank 22 at a first flow rate (10 L / min) larger than the water discharge amount of the pump 28, and the second flow rate (5 L / min) smaller than the water discharge amount. ) Can be switched to the second mode in which hot water is supplied.

FIG. 3A shows a state immediately after the start of the washing operation, the electromagnetic on-off valve 7b for supplying the detergent is opened, the storage tank 22 is almost empty, and the water level is in the lower limit state. In this state, only one electromagnetic on-off valve 25a is opened, the pump 28 is put into a standby state, and hot water is supplied to the storage tank 22 via the constant flow rate valve 26a at 5 L / min, as shown in FIG. 3 (b). When the water level becomes high and is detected by the water level detector 22a, the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a is also closed so that the water level does not overflow as shown in FIG. 3C, and the operation of the pump 28 is started. Immediately after that, as shown in FIG. 3D, only one electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is opened, and hot water is supplied at 5 L / min via the constant flow rate valve 26b.

Then, while the amount of hot water supplied to the storage tank 22 is 5 L / min, the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 is 6.5 L / min, so that the water level of the storage tank 22 gradually decreases. As shown in FIG. 3 (e), when the water level of the storage tank 22 becomes low and is detected by the water level detector 22a, in order to raise the water level, in addition to the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b, another electromagnetic on-off valve The valve 25a is also opened, and hot water is supplied to the storage tank 22 at 10 L / min via the constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b, and the water level rises.

Since the amount of hot water supplied is 10 L / min and the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 is 6.5 L / min, the water level gradually rises to a high water level as shown in FIG. 3 (d). When it is detected by the water level detector 22a, the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a is closed and only the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is opened.

Then, while the amount of hot water supplied to the storage tank 22 is 5 L / min, the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 is 6.5 L / min, so that the water level of the storage tank 22 gradually decreases. As shown in FIG. 3 (e), when the water level of the storage tank 22 becomes low and is detected by the water level detector 22a, the two electromagnetic on-off valves 25a and 25b are opened to raise the water level to 10L. Hot water is supplied to the storage tank 22 at / min and the water level rises.

During cleaning, as described above, the process is repeated as shown in FIG. 3 (d) → FIG. 3 (e) → FIG. 3 (d) → FIG. 3 (e). Therefore, the water level repeatedly descends and rises between the high water level and the low water level.

After washing with hot water and detergent for a predetermined time, rinsing washing is performed for a set time in the same manner as described above. However, in this case, the electromagnetic on-off valve 7c is closed and the cleaning is performed with the supply of detergent cut off. After repeating the washing with detergent and hot water and the rinsing washing with hot water a predetermined number of times, when the washing operation is finished, the following is performed.

When the cleaning operation is terminated from the state of FIG. 3 (f) or the cleaning operation is terminated from the state of FIG. 3 (e), as shown in FIG. 3 (g), the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a, Both 25b are switched to the valve closed state, water discharge by the pump 28 is continued for a predetermined short time from the time when the water level becomes low, the storage tank 22 is made almost empty as shown in FIG. 3H, and the pump 28 is used. To stop.

Next, the actions and effects of the solenoid valve opening / closing control described above will be described.
When the liquid level of the storage tank 22 drops to a low water level, the mode is switched to the first mode in which hot water is supplied at a first flow rate higher than the discharge amount, and when the liquid level of the storage tank 22 rises to a high water level, discharge is performed. By switching to the second mode in which hot water is supplied at a second flow rate smaller than the amount of water, overflow and drought of the storage tank 22 can be prevented. The first flow rate and the second flow rate can be realized by switching the number (that is, the flow rate) of the constant flow rate valves that flow hot water out of the two constant flow rate valves through the opening and closing of the two electromagnetic on-off valves 25a and 25b. can.

Of the two branch passages 23a and 23b, one branch passage 23a is provided with an electromagnetic on-off valve 25a and a constant flow rate valve 26a, and the other branch passage 23b is provided with a constant flow rate valve 26b and a constant flow rate valve 26b. There is. Therefore, in the case of the first flow rate, hot water is supplied from all of the two branch supply paths 23a and 23b, and in the case of the second flow rate, hot water is supplied from one of the branch supply paths 23a or 23b.

Since the downstream ends of the two branch passages 23a and 23b are connected to the merging passage 23c and hot water is supplied to the storage tank 22 from the merging passage 23c, the area where the two branch passages 23a and 23b are provided is minimized. This makes it possible and increases the degree of freedom in design.

The storage tank 22 is provided with a water level detector 22a capable of detecting at least a high water level and a low water level, and during pump operation, when a high water level is detected, hot water is supplied at a second flow rate smaller than the discharge amount. Moreover, when a low water level is detected, hot water is supplied at a first flow rate higher than the discharge amount.

Since the second flow rate is used when the water level is high, it is possible to reliably prevent the water level from rising further and prevent overflow. Similarly, when the water level is low, the first flow rate is used, so that it is possible to reliably prevent a further drop in the water level and prevent drought.

At the start of the washing operation, the pump operation is started after the hot water is supplied at the smaller second flow rate until the high water level is detected, so that it is possible to prevent the pump from sucking air at the start of the operation. Since the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 is kept constant, a pump having a simple configuration can be adopted, and since it is not necessary to control the rotation speed of the pump 28, the control load on the pump 28 is low.

In this solenoid valve open / close control, if the solenoid on-off valves 25a and 25b are simultaneously switched from the open state to the closed state, the water hammer phenomenon worsens, so that the solenoid on-off valves 25a and 25b are simultaneously changed from the open state to the closed state. The solenoid on-off valves 25a and 25b are switched from the open state to the closed state one by one without switching.

As shown in FIG. 4, the storage tank 22 of the cleaning unit 6 of this embodiment has a water level higher than the high water level in addition to the float type water level detector 22a capable of detecting the high water level and the low water level. An electrode-type water level detector (not shown) that can detect the upper limit water level immediately before the overflow is provided.

The reason why this upper limit water level can be detected is as follows.
Since the capacity of the storage tank 22 is about 500 cc, which is a very small capacity, as shown in FIG. 4 (b) at the start of the washing operation, it is easy to overflow when the water level is raised, so that the overflow is prevented. In addition, the upper limit water level can be detected.
As shown in FIG. 4 (b) at the start of the washing operation, the water level is raised until the upper limit water level is reached, and the subsequent control in FIGS. 4 (c) to 4 (h) is the same as in the first embodiment. Omit.

Various forms of the switching mechanism for switching the hot water flow rate via the branch passage, the constant flow rate valve, and the electromagnetic on-off valve provided in the hot water supply pipe 23 of the cleaning unit 6 will be described. It should be noted that the amount of water discharged from the pump 28 of the cleaning unit 6 is 6.5 L / min, and the other configurations of the cleaning unit 6 are the same as those of the first embodiment, and thus the description thereof will be omitted.

(A) As in the first switching mechanism shown in FIG. 5, the hot water supply pipe 23 has a branch passage 23a and 23b and a merging passage 23c, and the hot water supply pipe 23 is electromagnetically opened and closed upstream of the branch passages 23a and 23b. A valve 36 is interposed. The branch passages 23a and 23b, the electromagnetic on-off valves 25a and 25b, and the constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b are the same as in the first embodiment.

(B) As in the second switching mechanism shown in FIG. 6, the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a provided in the branch passage 23a in the configuration of FIG. 5 is omitted. When the electromagnetic on-off valve 36 is opened and the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is closed, hot water can be supplied at 5 L / min, and when the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is also opened, hot water can be supplied at 10 L / min.

(C) As in the third switching mechanism shown in FIG. 7, a constant flow rate valve 37 (flow rate is 8 L / min) and an electromagnetic on-off valve 36 are interposed in the hot water supply pipe 23 upstream of the branch passages 23a and 23b. Has been done. A constant flow rate valve 26c (flow rate is 2 L / min) is interposed in one branch passage 23a, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is interposed in the other branch passage 23b.
When the electromagnetic on-off valve 36 is opened and the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is closed, hot water can be supplied at 2 L / min, and when the electromagnetic on-off valves 33 and 25b are opened, hot water is supplied at 8 L / min. Can be done.

Like the fourth switching mechanism shown in FIG. 8, a constant flow rate valve 38 (flow rate is 10 L / min) is interposed in the hot water supply pipe 23 upstream of the branch passages 23a and 23b, and one of the branch passages 23a is provided with a constant flow rate valve 38. An electromagnetic on-off valve 25a and a constant flow rate valve 26a are interposed, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is interposed in the other branch passage 23b.
When the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is closed and the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a is opened, hot water can be supplied at 5 L / min. When the electromagnetic on-off valve 25a is closed and the electromagnetic on-off valve 25b is opened, 10 L / min. Hot water can be supplied in min.

Like the fifth switching mechanism shown in FIG. 9, the hot water supply pipe 23 is provided with three branch passages 23a, 23b, 23d, and the branch passage 23a has an electromagnetic on-off valve 25a and a constant flow rate valve 26a (flow rate is 5L / min) is interposed, an electromagnetic on-off valve 25b and a constant flow rate valve 26c (flow rate is 2L / min) are interposed in the branch passage 23b, and an electromagnetic on-off valve 25c and a constant flow valve 26d (flow rate is 2L / min) are interposed in the branch passage 23d. The flow rate is 2 L / min).
According to this configuration, the flow rate of the supplied hot water can be switched to five stages of 2L / min, 4L / min, 5L / min, 7L / min, and 9L / min.

Next, the cleaning unit 6 according to the modified form will be described. However, the same components as those in the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.
As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in the upper part of the inside of the casing 33 of the cleaning unit 6, the electromagnetic on-off valves 25a and 25b respectively interposed in the two branch passages 23a and 23b of the hot water supply pipe 23 and the constant flow rate. The valves 26a and 26b are mounted. Two reinforcing ribs 40 are formed on the inner surface of the middle portion of the case 33.

A storage tank 22 is arranged on the right side of the upper part of the casing 33, and the lid member 22c of the storage tank 22 is connected to each of the two branch passages 23a and 23b and is supplied with water for supplying hot water to the storage tank 22. The mouths 42a and 42b are provided.
The downstream portions of the branch passages 23a and 23b are composed of pipe members 41a and 41b, and the downstream ends of the pipe members 41a and 41b are connected to the water supply ports 42a and 42b in an outer fit manner, respectively.

Since the upstream ends of the pipe materials 41a and 41b are arranged on the left and right and the water supply ports 42a and 42b are arranged on the left and right, the pipe material 41a is formed to be about twice as long as the pipe material 41b. The reason why the lengths of the pipe materials 41a and 41b are different is to prevent confusion between the pipe materials 41a and 41b at the time of assembly. The pipe materials 41a and 41b are made of integrally molded synthetic resin in order to make them as compact as possible.

A discharge port (not shown) is formed in the central portion of the bottom plate of the storage tank 22, a pump 28 is connected to this discharge port, and a discharge pipe 27 extends from the discharge portion of the pump 28. The pump 28 discharges hot water sucked from the discharge port to the cleaning nozzle 5 via the discharge pipe 27.

Two check valves 30, a flow rate sensor 31, a thermistor 29, and an orifice 32 are interposed in the discharge pipe 27. The orifice 32 is formed in a synthetic resin block 39, a detergent passage to which the detergent supply pipe 7a is connected is formed in the synthetic resin block 39, and the detergent passage is connected to the orifice 32 by a small diameter passage. Further, the synthetic resin block 39 is equipped with an electromagnetic on-off valve 7c capable of opening and closing the detergent passage. An orifice 32 is connected in the middle of the discharge pipe 27 (corresponding to a part of the hot water passage) extending to the cleaning nozzle 5. The harness extending from the device in the case 33 is guided to the outside through the screw-in type tubular metal fitting 35.

Next, the storage tank 22 will be described.
The storage tank 22 has a lid member 22c (top plate) fixed to the upper end of the tank body with bolts or screws. The storage tank 22 has a water supply port 42a, 42b into which hot water from the pipe materials 41a, 41b flows in, a discharge port for discharging hot water to the pump 28, and a partition plate 44a for partitioning the space inside the retaining tank 22 so that hot water can pass through. , 44b.

The partition plates 44a and 44b are formed so as to extend vertically upward from the bottom surface of the storage tank 22 between the water supply ports 42a and 42b and the discharge port in a plan view. The storage tank 22 is provided with the overflow port 22b, and the upper ends of the partition plates 44a and 44b are located above the lower end of the overflow port 22b by a distance a (for example, about 10 to 15 mm).

Two discharge ports are provided near the center of the bottom plate of the storage tank 22, and two water supply ports 42a and 42b are provided at positions separated from each other on both sides of the discharge port in a plan view of the lid member 22c (top plate) of the storage tank 22. The partition plates 44a and 44b are provided between the water supply ports 42a and 42b and the discharge ports, respectively.

The storage tank 22 is provided with a water level detector 34 that detects the water level of hot water stored inside the storage tank 22, and the mounting plate 34a of the water level detector 34 is fixed to the lid member 22c, and the tubular body 34b extends downward from the mounting plate 34a. A tubular body 34c having a diameter smaller than that of the tubular body 34b extends downward from the lower end of the tubular body 34b, and an annular float 34d is mounted on the tubular body 34c so as to be able to move up and down.

The operation and effect of the above cleaning unit 6 will be described.
Since the hot water flowing through the two branch passages 23a and 23b can be supplied to the storage tank 22 from the water supply ports 42a and 42b connected to the branch passages 23a and 23b, the flow rate of the hot water supplied from one water supply port 42a and 42b. Therefore, it is possible to reduce the number of air bubbles generated in the storage tank 22 and suppress the air biting of the pump 28.

Since the two branch passages 23a and 23b are composed of a pipe material connecting the constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b and the water supply ports 42a and 42b, the configuration of the branch passages 23a and 23b is simplified, the assembly is simplified, and the production is completed. The cost can be reduced. Further, the structure for connecting the branch passages 23a and 23b to the storage tank 22 is simplified, which is advantageous in ensuring the sealing property.

Next, an example of partially modifying the above embodiment will be described.
(1) The amount of water discharged from the pump is not limited to 6.5 L / min, and can be set to various amounts of water discharged before and after that amount.
The flow rate of the constant flow valve is not limited to 2L / min, 5L / min, 8L / min, etc.
The first flow rate, which is larger than the discharge amount of the pump, and the second flow rate, which is smaller than the discharge amount of the pump, can be selectively set to an appropriate flow rate as much as possible.

(2) By setting the second flow rate, which is smaller than the water discharge amount of the pump, to a value close to the water discharge amount, the falling speed when the water level drops from the high water level to the low water level is slowed down, and the switching frequency of the electromagnetic on-off valve is reduced. Can be reduced.
(3) It is also possible to use an orifice having stable flow rate characteristics instead of the constant flow rate valve.
(4) Instead of starting the pump operation after the high water level is detected at the start of the washing operation, the pump operation can be started after a predetermined time has elapsed after the low water level is detected.

(5) The bathtub cleaning device 10 of the above embodiment has been described by taking the case of performing cleaning using hot water supplied from the hot water supply device 2 as an example, but has a configuration in which cleaning is performed using water supplied from a clean water source. It can also be. In that case, a constant flow valve that can exert the desired flow rate even when the water pressure of the water supply is low, such as on the upper floors of an apartment, is required. If only one constant flow rate valve is incorporated, a constant flow rate valve with a large flow rate will be adopted, so that the required minimum water pressure will be as high as about 0.15 MPa.
However, since the present invention employs two constant flow rate valves 26a and 26b having a relatively small flow rate, it can be operated even at a minimum water pressure significantly lower than about 0.15 MPa.

(6) In addition, a person skilled in the art can carry out the present invention in a form in which various modifications are added to the above embodiment without departing from the spirit of the present invention, and the present invention also includes such modified forms. be.

1 Bathtub 2 Hot water supply device 5 Cleaning nozzle 6 Cleaning unit 7 Detergent tank 10 Bathtub cleaning device 11 Bathroom remote control 13 Cleaning remote control 22 Storage tank (hot water storage unit)
23 Hot water supply pipe (hot water passage)
23a, 23b, 23d Branch passage 23c Confluence passage 25a, 25b, 36 Electromagnetic on-off valve 26a, 26b, 26c, 26d Constant flow valve 27 Water discharge pipe (hot water passage)
28 Pump 41a, 41b Pipe material 42a, 42b Water supply port

Claims (7)

Bathtub cleaning equipped with a hot water storage unit that is provided in the middle of the hot water passage that supplies hot water to the cleaning nozzle and can store hot water supplied from the hot water passage, and a pump that can supply hot water from this hot water storage unit to the cleaning nozzle. In the device
A plurality of branch passages, a plurality of electromagnetic on-off valves, and a constant flow rate valve are provided in the hot water passage for supplying hot water to the hot water storage unit.
It is possible to switch between a first mode in which hot water is supplied to the hot water storage unit at a first flow rate larger than the discharge amount of the pump and a second mode in which hot water is supplied at a second flow rate smaller than the discharge amount. A bathtub cleaning device characterized by that. The first aspect of the present invention, wherein the electromagnetic on-off valve is provided in at least one of the plurality of branch passages, and the constant flow rate valve is provided in at least one of the plurality of branch passages. Bathtub cleaning device. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hot water storage unit is connected to each of the plurality of branch passages and is provided with a plurality of water supply ports for supplying hot water to the hot water storage unit. .. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 3, wherein the plurality of branch passages are composed of a pipe material connecting the constant flow rate valve and the water supply port. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the downstream end of the plurality of branch passages is connected to the merging passage, and hot water is supplied from the merging passage to the hot water storage portion. The hot water storage unit is provided with a water level detecting means capable of detecting at least a high water level and a low water level.
A claim characterized in that, during the operation of the pump, hot water is supplied at the second flow rate when a high water level is detected, and hot water is supplied at the first flow rate when a low water level is detected. Item 5. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of Items 1 to 5. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 6, wherein at the start of operation, hot water is supplied at a second flow rate until a high water level is detected, and then the pump operation is started.

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