JP2022035573A - Bathtub washing device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub washing device capable of keeping clean the inside of a hot water tank for storing hot water used for bathtub washing.SOLUTION: A bathtub washing device (10) includes a hot water passage (14) for supplying hot water to a washing nozzle (5) disposed in a bathtub (1), a hot water tank (15) provided in the middle of the hot water passage (14), a pump (16) for sending out the hot water in the hot water tank (15) to the washing nozzle (5), and control means (20) for controlling a washing operation for spraying the hot water and washing liquid from the washing nozzle (5). The control means (20) controls a water discharge operation for discharging the hot water until the hot water tank (15) becomes empty after the washing operation is ended.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub, and more particularly to a bathtub cleaning device provided with a hot water storage unit for using stored hot water for cleaning the bathtub.

Conventionally, a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub has been known. The bathtub cleaning device cleans the bathtub by spraying a cleaning liquid in the bathtub to float dirt and spraying hot water to wash it away.

For example, the bathtub cleaning device of Patent Document 1 is provided with a hot water storage unit so that the cleaning liquid does not enter the upstream side of the hot water supply passage that supplies hot water to the bathtub cleaning device, and the hot water stored in the hot water storage unit is used for cleaning the bathtub. do. By storing a certain amount of hot water in the hot water storage section, it is possible to stably supply hot water for cleaning. However, if hot water is stored at all times, there is a risk of germs breeding and the bathtub may be washed with unsanitary hot water. Therefore, when the bathtub is not washed for a certain period of time, the hot water stored in the hot water storage unit is drained and replaced with fresh hot water.

Further, for example, in Patent Document 2, in a bathing device for long-term care, a cleaning liquid containing a detergent is circulated between a bathtub and a hot water storage tank for cleaning, and after cleaning, the cleaning liquid is drained to provide a hot water storage tank. It is stated that it will be emptied. As a result, each bather can be washed and bathed in a clean bathtub.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-58643 Japanese Patent No. 4977455

However, when hot water is constantly stored as in Patent Document 1, it is not possible to discharge all the germs propagated in the hot water storage by simply draining the water at regular intervals, and the hot water storage can be kept clean. Have difficulty. Further, when the bathtub is washed by adding a detergent to the hot water used for bathing as in Patent Document 2, various germs easily enter the hot water storage tank, and it is difficult to keep the bathtub clean.

An object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub cleaning device capable of keeping the inside of a hot water storage unit for storing hot water used for bathtub cleaning clean.

The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 has a hot water passage for supplying hot water to a cleaning nozzle provided in the bathtub, a hot water storage unit provided in the middle of the hot water passage, and the hot water storage unit in the cleaning nozzle. In a bathtub cleaning device provided with a pump for sending out hot water and a control means for controlling a cleaning operation of spraying hot water and a cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle, the control means empty the hot water storage unit after the cleaning operation is completed. It is characterized by controlling the drainage operation of draining hot water until it becomes.

According to the above configuration, the hot water stored in the hot water storage unit is used for cleaning the bathtub. When the cleaning operation is completed, the hot water remaining in the hot water storage section is drained until the hot water storage section is emptied. Therefore, since hot water is not stored in the hot water storage section except when the bathtub is washed, the growth of various germs can be suppressed and the inside of the hot water storage section can be kept clean.

The bathtub cleaning device according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the present invention, the control means drives the pump at a lower rotation speed when controlling the drainage operation than when controlling the cleaning operation. It is supposed to be.
According to the above configuration, since the pump is driven and drained at a lower rotation speed than during the cleaning operation, it is necessary to suppress air mixing (air biting) when the amount of hot water in the hot water storage section is low and drain the water. Can be done. In addition, when the pump is stopped, it is stopped from a rotation speed lower than the rotation speed during the cleaning operation, so that the bearing of the pump is worn and backlash power is generated compared to when the pump is stopped from the rotation speed during the cleaning operation. Can be reduced and durability can be increased.

In the invention of claim 1 or 2, the bathtub cleaning device according to claim 3 controls the drainage operation when the cleaning operation is stopped during the control of the cleaning operation. It is characterized by that.
According to the above configuration, even if the cleaning operation is stopped during the bathtub cleaning due to the bathtub cleaning stop operation by the user or an error in the bathtub cleaning, the hot water stored until the hot water storage unit is empty is drained. Therefore, since hot water is not stored in the hot water storage section except when the bathtub is washed, it is possible to suppress the growth of various germs and keep the inside of the hot water storage section clean.

In the invention of any one of claims 1 to 3, the tub cleaning device of the invention of claim 4 comprises a detergent tank for storing detergent in order to supply a cleaning liquid obtained by mixing hot water and detergent to the cleaning nozzle. A detergent mixing portion interposed downstream of the pump of the hot water passage, a detergent passage for supplying detergent from the detergent tank to the detergent mixing portion, and a detergent electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the detergent passage are provided. The control means is characterized in that the detergent electromagnetic valve is opened in a state where the pump is stopped after the end of the drainage operation, and the valve is closed after a lapse of a predetermined time.
According to the above configuration, after the drainage operation is completed, the detergent solenoid valve is opened for a predetermined time and then closed in a state where the pump is stopped and hot water is not flowing. Therefore, the state in which the downstream side of the detergent solenoid valve of the detergent passage becomes negative pressure with respect to the upstream side due to the drainage operation and the load is applied to the detergent solenoid valve can be eliminated by opening the detergent solenoid valve. .. Further, by closing the detergent solenoid valve after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is suppressed that the detergent is gradually mixed with the hot water in the hot water passage.

According to the bathtub cleaning device of the present invention, since hot water is not stored in the hot water storage section except when cleaning the bathtub, the growth of various germs can be suppressed and the inside of the hot water storage section can be kept clean.

It is a block diagram of the bathtub cleaning apparatus and peripheral equipment which concerns on embodiment of this invention. It is a process block diagram of the washing operation which concerns on Example. It is a timing chart of the latter half of the washing operation which concerns on Example.

Hereinafter, embodiments for carrying out the present invention will be described with reference to examples.

First, the overall configuration including the peripheral device of the bathtub cleaning device 10 of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. A hot water supply device 2 for filling and reheating the bathtub 1 is connected to the bathtub 1 via a hot water filling reheating passage 3 and a circulation adapter 1a. Further, at the bottom of the bathtub 1, for example, an electric drain plug 4 for draining hot water and a washing nozzle 5 for spraying hot water or a washing liquid to wash the bathtub 1 are arranged at the bottom of the bathtub 1. Has been done.

In the vicinity of the bathtub 1, there are a supply unit 6 for supplying hot water and cleaning liquid to the cleaning nozzle 5, a detergent tank 7 for storing detergent, and a drain switch 8 for opening and closing the drain plug 4. It is arranged. The bathtub cleaning device 10 includes a drain plug 4, a cleaning nozzle 5, a supply unit 6, a detergent tank 7, a drain switch 8, and the like.

A hot water supply passage 2a for supplying hot water from the hot water supply device 2 is connected to the supply unit 6. Further, for example, the power supply communication unit 9 and the supply unit 6 arranged on the ceiling of the bathroom are connected so as to be able to supply electric power and to communicate with each other. The power communication unit 9 includes a control unit 20 (control means) that controls the cleaning operation of the bathtub cleaning device 10.

The hot water supply device 2 is a combustion type hot water supply device that supplies hot water obtained by heating the clean water indicated by the arrow W by using, for example, the combustion heat of fuel, but is a hot water supply device having another heat source machine such as a heat pump type heat source machine. There may be. 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 communicably connected to the power supply communication unit 9. Then, the hot water supply device 2 and the power supply communication unit 9 are communicably connected, and the bathtub cleaning device 10 can be operated from the kitchen remote controller 12 and the bathroom remote controller 11.

Next, the bathtub cleaning device 10 will be described.
The supply unit 6 of the bathtub cleaning device 10 has a hot water passage 14 for supplying hot water to the cleaning nozzle 5, a hot water tank 15 (hot water storage unit) provided in the middle of the hot water passage 14, and a hot water tank 15 for the cleaning nozzle 5. It has a pump 16 and the like for sending out hot and cold water. A venturi 17 (detergent mixing portion) for mixing a detergent with the hot water supplied to the cleaning nozzle 5 is interposed in the hot water passage 14 on the downstream side of the pump 16.

The hot water supply passage 2a for supplying hot water from the hot water supply device 2 is connected to the hot water passage 14 provided with the filter 14a. The hot water passage 14 has a parallel passage portion 18 that branches and joins on the upstream side of the hot water tank 15 and on the downstream side of the filter 14a. In the parallel passage portion 18, a plurality of (for example, two) branch passages 18a and 18b are connected in parallel.

The branch passage 18a includes a pouring solenoid valve 18c for opening and closing the branch passage 18a and a constant flow rate valve 18e. The branch passage 18b includes a pouring solenoid valve 18d and a constant flow rate valve 18f for opening and closing the branch passage 18b. The constant flow rate valves 18e and 18f are limited to a flow rate smaller than the discharge capacity of the pump 16 (for example, normal flow rate: 6.5 L / min), and the total flow rate is larger than the normal flow rate of the pump 16 (for example). (5 L / min each) is selected.

Further, the hot water passage 14 is provided with a pump 16, a temperature sensor 19, a flow rate sensor 14b, a venturi 17, and the like on the downstream side of the hot water tank 15. A detergent passage 7a for supplying detergent from the detergent tank 7 is connected to the venturi 17. The detergent passage 7a is provided with a detergent solenoid valve 7b for opening and closing the detergent passage 7a.

The control unit 20 is connected so that the pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d and the detergent solenoid valve 7b can be opened and closed and the pump 16 can be driven, and the drain plug 4 can be opened and closed according to the operation of the drain switch 8. Has been done. Further, the control unit 20 is connected so that the water level (reservoir amount) of the hot water tank 15 can be detected by, for example, a float switch 15a. Similarly, the control unit 20 is connected so that the remaining amount of detergent in the detergent tank 7 can be detected by, for example, the float switch 7c. The float switch 15a may detect the upper limit storage amount H and the lower limit storage amount L.

The control unit 20 is, for example, a computer equipped with an arithmetic unit, a storage device, an input / output device, and the like, and is a cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub 1 and opening / closing of the drain plug 4 based on a control program or the like stored in the storage device. To control. In the cleaning operation, the control unit 20 opens the drain plug 4 and controls the opening / closing of the pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d, the detergent solenoid valve 7b, and the driving of the pump 16.

Next, the cleaning operation will be described.
The cleaning operation is performed with a lid (not shown) covered on the bathtub 1 so that the cleaning liquid or the like does not scatter outside the bathtub 1.

When the bathtub cleaning device 10 starts the cleaning operation by operating an operation terminal such as the cleaning remote controller 13, the cleaning operation is started. As shown in the process block diagram of the cleaning operation of FIG. 2, the cleaning operation is performed in the order of the preparation process, the cleaning process, the drainage process, and the ending process. In the preparatory step, as a preparatory operation before cleaning, the hot water injection solenoid valves 18c and 18d are opened and hot water is stored in the hot water tank 15 up to a predetermined amount (upper limit storage amount H). Further, when the drain plug 4 is closed, the drain plug 4 is opened, and when hot water remains in the bathtub 1, the bathtub 1 is waited until it becomes empty.

In the cleaning step, hot water or cleaning liquid from the hot water tank 15 is sprayed into the bathtub 1 as a cleaning operation. For example, as a preliminary cleaning, the pump 16 is driven at a normal rotation speed (for example, 5700 rpm) and hot water is sprayed at a normal flow rate to moisten the dirt adhering to the bathtub 1. After that, the detergent solenoid valve 7b is opened while driving the pump 16 at a normal rotation speed to supply the detergent to the hot water flowing through the venturi 17 from the detergent passage 7a, and the cleaning nozzle in which the hot water and the detergent are mixed is supplied by the venturi 17. After spraying from 5, wait for a certain period of time. This cleaning liquid spraying and waiting for a certain period of time are alternately repeated to float the dirt adhering to the bathtub 1.

When spraying hot water or cleaning liquid, hot water having a normal flow rate is supplied from the hot water tank 15 to the cleaning nozzle 5 by a pump 16 having a normal rotation speed. At this time, in the hot water tank 15, the stored amount increases when both the pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d are opened, and the stored amount decreases when only one of the pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d is opened.

During spraying of hot water or cleaning liquid, the control unit 20 opens both the hot water pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d when the float switch 15a detects the lower limit storage amount L, and opens the hot water pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d when the float switch 15a detects the upper limit storage amount H. It is controlled so that only one of 18d can be opened. Therefore, during the spraying of hot water or cleaning liquid, the stored amount of the hot water tank 15 repeatedly fluctuates between the upper limit storage amount H and the lower limit storage amount L, but it does not depend on the hot water supply pressure from the hot water supply device 2. The hot water of the hot water tank 15 can be stably supplied to the cleaning nozzle 5.

After repeating the spraying and waiting of the cleaning liquid a predetermined number of times, for example, as shown in the timing chart of FIG. 3, the pump 16 is driven at a normal rotation speed to spray hot water to wash away dirt and the cleaning liquid.

In the drainage step, both the pouring solenoid valves 18c and 18d are closed, and the hot water remaining in the hot water tank 15 is drained from the washing nozzle 5 to the bathtub 1 until the hot water tank 15 is empty. At this time, the rotation speed of the pump 16 is controlled to be lower than the normal rotation speed in the cleaning step (for example, 5300 rpm), and the discharge amount of the pump 16 is reduced (for example, 4 L / min). As a result, when the amount of hot water in the hot water tank 15 is low, especially when the amount is less than the lower limit storage amount L, air mixing (air biting) is suppressed and drainage is performed. When the hot water tank 15 is empty, the pump 16 is stopped.

The fact that the hot water tank 15 is empty means that, for example, the detected flow rate of the flow rate sensor 14b is equal to or less than a predetermined flow rate (for example, 1 L / min), or the float sensor 15a that detects the water level of the hot water tank 15 is a predetermined lower limit. It is determined when a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) has elapsed since the water level (L) was detected. It should be noted that the determination can also be made based on the current value of the pump 16 that reflects the load of the pump 16. Before stopping the pump 16, the rotation speed is set to be lower than the normal rotation speed during the cleaning process, so that the load such as wear of the bearing of the pump 16 and the generation of back electromotive force is higher than when the pump 16 is stopped from the normal rotation speed. It can be reduced and the durability can be increased.

In the final step, after the pump 16 is stopped and the flow of hot water is stopped, the detergent solenoid valve 7b is opened for a predetermined time (for example, 1 second) and then closed. By opening the detergent solenoid valve 7b, the state in which the downstream side of the detergent passage 7a from the detergent solenoid valve 7b becomes a negative pressure with respect to the upstream side and the load is applied to the detergent solenoid valve 7b is eliminated. Can be done. Further, by closing the detergent solenoid valve 7b after a lapse of a predetermined time, the detergent is prevented from being gradually diffused and mixed with the hot water in the hot water passage 14.

For example, when the user operates the operating means to stop the washing operation, or for example, a high hot water supply set temperature is set for high temperature hot water discharge of 60 ° C. or higher, and the temperature sensor 19 detects the high temperature and an error occurs. Even when the cleaning process is not performed to the end, such as when the cleaning operation is stopped to avoid danger, the drainage process and the end process are executed as described above.

The operation and effect of the bathtub cleaning device 10 will be described.
The bathtub cleaning device 10 uses the hot water stored in the hot water tank 15 in the cleaning operation for cleaning the bathtub 1. Then, when the washing operation in the washing operation is completed, the hot water remaining in the hot water tank 15 is drained from the washing nozzle 5 until the hot water tank 15 is emptied. Therefore, since hot water is not stored in the hot water tank 15 except when the bathtub is washed, it is possible to suppress the growth of various germs and keep the inside of the hot water tank 15 clean.

Further, since the drainage of the hot water tank 15 is drained by driving the pump 16 at a lower rotation speed than during the cleaning operation, air mixing (air biting) when the hot water of the hot water tank 15 is low is suppressed. Can be drained. When the pump 16 is stopped, it is stopped from a rotation speed lower than the normal rotation speed during the cleaning operation, so that the load such as wear of the pump bearing and generation of countercurrent force is reduced as compared with the case of stopping from the normal rotation speed. And can increase durability.

On the other hand, even when the washing operation is stopped in the middle of the washing operation due to the washing operation stop operation by the user or the occurrence of an error during the washing operation, the hot water stored until the hot water tank 15 is emptied is drained. Therefore, since hot water is not stored in the hot water tank 15 except when the bathtub is washed, the growth of various germs can be suppressed and the inside of the hot water tank 15 can be kept clean.

Further, after the drainage operation is completed, the detergent solenoid valve 7b is opened for a predetermined time and then closed in a state where the pump 16 is stopped and hot water is not flowing. Therefore, the state in which the downstream side of the detergent passage 7a with respect to the upstream side becomes a negative pressure with respect to the upstream side due to the drainage operation and the load is applied to the detergent solenoid valve 7b is eliminated by opening the detergent solenoid valve 7b. can do. Then, by closing the detergent solenoid valve 7b after a lapse of a predetermined time, it is suppressed that the detergent is gradually mixed with the hot water in the hot water passage 14.

In addition, a person skilled in the art can carry out the embodiment 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 includes such modified embodiments.

1: Bathtub 1a: Circulation adapter 2: Hot water supply device 2a: Hot water supply passage 3: Hot water filling reheating passage 4: Drain plug 5: Cleaning nozzle 6: Supply unit 7: Detergent tank 7a: Detergent passage 7b: Detergent electromagnetic valve 7c: Float Switch 8: Drainage switch 9: Power supply communication unit 10: Bathtub cleaning device 11: Bathroom remote control 12: Kitchen remote control 12a: Display unit 12b: Audio output unit 13: Cleaning remote control 14: Hot water passage 14a: Filter 14b: Flow sensor 15: Hot water Tank (hot water storage)
15a: Float switch 16: Pump 17: Venturi (detergent mixing part)
18: Parallel passages 18a, 18b: Branch passages 18c, 18d: Hot water pouring solenoid valve 18e, 18f: Constant flow rate valve 19: Temperature sensor 20: Control unit (control means)

Claims (4)

From the hot water passage that supplies hot water to the washing nozzles arranged in the bathtub, the hot water storage section provided in the middle of the hot water passage, the pump that sends hot water from the hot water storage section to the washing nozzle, and the washing nozzle. In a bathtub cleaning device equipped with a control means for controlling a cleaning operation of spraying hot water and a cleaning liquid.
The control means is a bathtub cleaning device, which controls a drainage operation of draining hot water until the hot water storage unit is emptied after the cleaning operation is completed. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the control means drives the pump at a lower rotation speed than when the cleaning operation is controlled when the drainage operation is controlled. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control means controls the drainage operation when the cleaning operation is stopped during the control of the cleaning operation. In order to supply a cleaning liquid obtained by mixing hot water and detergent to the cleaning nozzle, a detergent tank for storing detergent, a detergent mixing portion interposed downstream of the pump in the hot water passage, and the detergent tank from the detergent tank. A detergent passage for supplying detergent to the detergent mixing portion and a detergent electromagnetic valve for opening and closing the detergent passage are provided, and the control means opens the detergent electromagnetic valve with the pump stopped after the end of the drainage operation. The bath detergent according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the valve is closed after a lapse of a predetermined time.

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