JP2022041110A - Bath device - Google Patents

Abstract

To accurately detect leaving-from-bathtub after getting-into-bathtub by using a water level sensor of a bathtub without forcibly increasing/decreasing water in the bathtub.SOLUTION: Getting-into-bathtub and leaving-from-bathtub are detected on the basis of a water level detection value of a bathtub by a water level sensor. The getting-into-bathtub at a time t2 is detected according to a rise amount ΔXtn of a water level detection value with respect to that Tx (seconds) before, becoming a determination value Xth or higher. When the getting-into-bathtub is detected, a leaving-from-bathtub determination value Xout is determined by using the water level detection value before the boing-into-bathtub. In a getting-into-bathtub state after the detection of the boing-into-bathtub, the leaving-from-bathtub is detected according to the present waver level detection value becoming lower than the leaving-from-bathtub determination value Xout.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

The present invention relates to a bath appliance, and more specifically to a bath appliance equipped with a water level sensor.

It is known to detect the presence of a bather based on the water level detection value of the bathtub, that is, to detect bathing and leaving the bathtub.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-203621 (Patent Document 1) describes a bathing / exit determination device capable of determining the presence / absence of a bather in a bathtub regardless of the action of the bather.

In the bathing / leaving determination device of Patent Document 1, the hot water amount changing process in the bathtub is executed, and the detection value of the water level detection unit that detects the water level of the hot water in the bathtub at the time of the process is used in the bathtub. It is described that the presence or absence of a bather is determined.

Further, in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2014-199168 (Patent Document 2), the output characteristic of the water level sensor is caused by a change in specific gravity due to a change in the temperature of hot water in the circulation pipe line after the completion of filling the bathtub with hot water. It has been pointed out that the judgment error of the bathtub water level may increase.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2019-203621 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2014-199168

In the detection of bathing / exiting based on the water level detection value of the bathtub, there is a problem of erroneously detecting bathing or exiting when the water level detection value fluctuates. As an example, even though the bather only changed his / her posture in the bathtub, there is a concern that the bathtub may be erroneously detected according to the decrease in the water level detection value at this time.

According to the bathing / exit determination device of Patent Document 1, even if the water level detection value is lowered due to the change in the posture of the bather, the bathing can be performed based on the water level detection value at the time of the forced hot water change process described above. It can be expected to correctly detect that it is continuing.

However, in Patent Document 1, since it is assumed that forced hot water pouring or drainage is performed in order to confirm the presence or absence of a bather, there is a concern that wasteful costs will be incurred.

The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and an object of the present invention is to retreat after bathing using a bathtub water level sensor without forcibly increasing or decreasing the bathtub water. It is to detect the bath accurately.

In one aspect of the present invention, a bathtub including a bathtub includes a water level detector for detecting the water level in the bathtub and a control unit. The control unit detects bathing in the bathtub and withdrawal from the bathtub after the detection of bathing, based on the water level detection value of the bathtub by the water level detector. In the bathing state, the control unit detects bathing when the amount of increase in the water level detection value before and after the predetermined time interval exceeds the predetermined determination value, and also detects the water level before the detection of the bathing. Set the bathing judgment water level according to. The control unit detects bathing when the current water level detection value is lower than the bathing determination water level in the bathing state after bathing detection.

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the withdrawal after bathing by using the water level sensor of the bathtub without forcibly increasing or decreasing the bathtub water.

It is a schematic block diagram of the hot water supply system including the bath device which concerns on this embodiment. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the bathing / leaving detection using the detection value of a water level sensor. It is a conceptual waveform diagram for demonstrating the bathing / leaving determination which concerns on Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the bathing determination process which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the withdrawal determination process which concerns on Embodiment 1. It is a conceptual waveform diagram for demonstrating the bathing / leaving determination which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the bathing determination process which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a flowchart for demonstrating the withdrawal determination process which concerns on Embodiment 2. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the classification of the arrangement height of a bathtub. It is a conceptual diagram explaining the change of the water level detection value depending on the arrangement height of a bathtub. It is a flowchart explaining the selection process of the entrance / exit determination according to the arrangement height of the bathtub.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In the following, the same or corresponding parts in the figure are designated by the same reference numerals and the explanations will not be repeated in principle.

[Embodiment 1]
FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a hot water supply system including a bath device according to the present embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 300 includes a hot water supply device 100. The hot water supply device 100 includes a hot water supply circuit 5, a reheating circuit 7, a circulation path 8, and a controller 12. The hot water supply device 100 includes a bathtub 20 installed in the bathroom 200 as a hot water supply destination in addition to a hot water tap or the like (not shown).

The hot water supply circuit 5 is configured to include a heating mechanism (not shown) for heating the introduced low-temperature water. The heating mechanism may be configured to utilize, for example, heating using combustion heat of a fuel such as gas or petroleum, waste heat during power generation, or heating by a heat pump. Further, the hot water supply circuit 5 may have a structure in which the heated high-temperature water is discharged as it is, or a hot-water storage type structure in which the heated high-temperature water is stored.

The hot water supply circuit 5 can output hot water according to the temperature set by the user by operating the heating mechanism. On the other hand, when the heating mechanism is stopped, the low temperature water is output from the hot water supply circuit 5 without being heated.

The hot water outlet path (not shown) of the hot water supply circuit 5 is connected to the hot water pouring pipe 13a leading to the bathtub 20. A bath pouring valve 13 is inserted and connected to the pouring pipe 13a. The bath pouring valve 13 can be configured by, for example, an electromagnetic valve capable of opening / closing control. By opening the bath water pouring valve 13, it is possible to form a path for hot water to be output from the hot water supply circuit 5 to the hot water pouring pipe 13a. As a result, the hot water supply device 100 can include the bathtub 20 in the hot water supply destination in addition to the hot water supply plug and the like. Hereinafter, the operation in which hot water or water is supplied to the bathtub 20 via the hot water pouring pipe 13a by opening the bath pouring valve 13 regardless of the output temperature from the hot water supply circuit 5 is referred to as “hot water pouring”. .. The pouring pipe 13a is provided with a flow rate sensor (not shown), and the pouring flow rate can be detected by the flow rate sensor.

The circulation path 8 is for circulating the hot water 21 of the bathtub 20 (hereinafter, also referred to as the bathtub water 21) in the hot water supply device 100, and has a return pipe 8a, a forward pipe 8b, and a circulation pump 10. One end of the return pipe 8a is connected to the circulation adapter 25 in the bathtub 20, and the other end is connected to the input side of the reheating circuit 7. One end of the outgoing pipe 8b is connected to the output side of the reheating circuit 7, and the other end is connected to the circulation adapter 25.

By the operation of the circulation pump 10, the bathtub water 21 sucked from the circulation adapter 25 is discharged from the circulation adapter 25 via the return pipe 8a, the reheating circuit 7, and the forward pipe 8b (reheating circulation). Path) is formed. The reheating circuit 7 can be configured to include a heating mechanism (not shown) that uses the heat of combustion of a fuel such as gas or petroleum. The reheating circuit 7 operates at the time of forming the reheating circulation path, heats the bathtub water 21 introduced from the return pipe 8a, and outputs the bath water 21 to the outgoing pipe 8b. By supplying the heated bathtub water 21 to the bathtub 20 by the going pipe 8b, it is possible to perform a reheating operation in which the temperature of the bathtub water 21 is raised.

A temperature sensor 9 and a water level sensor 11 are connected to the return pipe 8a. The temperature sensor 9 can detect the temperature of the bathtub water 21. The temperature sensor 9 can be configured by, for example, a thermistor.

The water level sensor 11 is composed of, for example, a pressure sensor, and detects the water level of the bathtub water 21 in the bathtub 20 (hereinafter, also simply referred to as “bathtub water level”) based on the water pressure of the bathtub water 21. The temperature sensor 9 and the water level sensor 11 are arranged in the area where the bathtub water 21 infiltrates in the return pipe 8a even when the circulation pump 10 is stopped. The water level sensor 11 corresponds to an embodiment of the "water level detector".

The return pipe 8a is further connected to the hot water pouring pipe 13a at the connection point 8c. As a result, when hot water is poured from the hot water supply device 100 when the circulation pump 10 is stopped, the first hot water pouring route from the hot water pouring pipe 13a to the bathtub 20 via the connection point 8c and the return pipe 8a, and the hot water pouring pipe 13a. A second hot water pouring route to the bathtub 20 via the connection point 8c, the return pipe 8a, the reheating circuit 7, and the forward pipe 8b can be formed. As a result, the bath water filling operation can be performed by pouring hot water from the hot water supply device 100.

In this way, the hot water from the hot water supply device 100 (hot water pouring circuit) is supplied to the bathtub 20 via the first and second hot water pouring paths including the circulation path 8. The bathtub 20 is provided with a drain plug 26.

The controller 12 can be configured to include, for example, a microcomputer. The controller 12 is electrically connected to a hot water supply circuit 5, a reheating circuit 7, a temperature sensor 9, a circulation pump 10, a water level sensor 11, a bath water pouring valve 13, and the like. The controller 12 is connected to a power source via electrical wiring (not shown) to receive electric power. The controller 12 corresponds to an embodiment of the "control circuit". The values detected by the temperature sensor 9 and the water level sensor 11 are input to the controller 12.

Further, the controller 12 is communicably connected to the remote controller 30 and the remote controller 50. The communication between these devices may be in accordance with any known standard, and may be wired or wireless.

The remote controller 30 is installed on the wall surface of the bathroom 200 and is for operating the hot water supply device 100. The remote controller 30 includes a display unit 31 for displaying information and an operation unit 32 for receiving an input setting operation by a user or the like. The display unit 31 is typically composed of a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display the bathtub water level and the temperature. The operation unit 32 is typically composed of a push button or a touch button, and is configured to be able to accept at least setting operations related to the bathtub water level and temperature.

The remote controller 50 is installed outside the bathroom 200 and is for operating the hot water supply device 100. The remote controller 50 is typically installed on the wall surface of the kitchen. The remote controller 50 includes a display unit 51 for displaying information and an operation unit 52 for receiving an input setting operation by a user or the like.

The display unit 51 is typically composed of a liquid crystal panel, and is configured to be able to display a hot water supply set temperature, a bath set temperature, and the like. The operation unit 52 is typically composed of a push button or a touch button, and is configured to be able to accept setting operations related to the operation of the hot water supply device 100.

The controller 12 controls the operation of the hot water supply device 100 so that the hot water supply system 300 is operated according to the user's instruction based on the input setting operation of the user or the like from the remote controllers 30 and 50.

As an example of the control, the controller 12 executes the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 20 when the bath automatic operation is instructed by the operation of the remote controllers 30 and 50. The hot water filling operation is terminated when the bathtub water level reaches the set water level in the bathtub 20 and the bathtub water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 reaches the bathtub set temperature by pouring hot water from the hot water supply device 100.

In the hot water supply system 300, it is possible to set an automatic mode for maintaining the temperature and water level of the bathtub water 21 by the hot water supply device 100 after the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 20 is completed. When the automatic mode is selected, the bathtub water temperature detected by the temperature sensor 9 is lower than the reference temperature set corresponding to the bath set temperature (for example, set to 2 to 3 ° C lower than the bath set temperature). , Reheating operation is automatically started for heat retention control. Further, when the bathtub water level detected by the water level sensor 11 drops below the set water level, the additional hot water operation of additionally pouring hot water from the hot water supply device 100 to the bathtub 20 is started.

In the hot water supply system according to the present embodiment, the bathtub 20 is detected to enter and leave the bathtub 20 by using the detection value of the water level sensor 11 of the bathtub 20.

FIG. 2 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the detection of bathing and bathing using the detection value of the water level sensor.

With reference to FIG. 2, at the end of the hot water filling operation to the bathtub 20, the bathtub water level detected by the water level sensor 11 has reached the set water level. This state is initially set as the "exit state".

When the predetermined bathing determination condition regarding the rise in water level is satisfied in the bathing state, the transition from the bathing state to the bathing state, that is, bathing is detected. On the other hand, in the bathing state, when the establishment of the predetermined withdrawal determination condition regarding the water level drop is detected, the transition from the bathing state to the withdrawal state, that is, withdrawal from the bath is detected.

FIG. 3 shows a conceptual waveform diagram for explaining the bathing / leaving determination according to the first embodiment.

With reference to FIG. 3, as the water level detection value X of the bathtub 20, the output value at each time point by the water level sensor 11 may be used as it is, or noise (from the output value by a low-pass filter or the like) (
It may be the one from which the high frequency component) is removed.

In the example of FIG. 3, the water level detection value X increases in response to bathing at time ta, and then decreases at time tb due to the bather changing his / her posture. For example, at time tb, in the bathtub 20 with a step, it is assumed that the bather sits on the step portion for a half-body bath. After that, at time tb, the water level detection value X further decreases as the bather leaves the bath.

Here, as a comparative example, when the water level change amount ΔXtn at regular time intervals rises by the determination value Xth or more, the bathing determination condition is satisfied, and conversely, the water level change amount ΔXtn exceeds the determination value Xth. Consider the bathing / exit judgment so that the bathing / exiting judgment condition is satisfied when the temperature decreases.

In the comparative example, the bathing can be detected at the timing of time t1 or later corresponding to the bathing at the time ta. On the other hand, in response to the change in posture at time tb, there is a risk of erroneously detecting withdrawal from the bath at time t3 according to the establishment of ΔXtn <−Xth. In this case, the determination of the bathing state is maintained after the time t3, and there is a concern that the accurate bathing time (time ta to ct) cannot be measured. On the other hand, since the amount of water level rise that occurs during bathing differs depending on the physique (volume) of the bather, how to set the judgment value for the bathing judgment condition becomes a problem.

In order to deal with such concerns, in the present embodiment, the bathing / leaving determination as described below is executed.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart for explaining the bathing determination process according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 5 is a flowchart for explaining the bathing determination process according to the first embodiment. For example, the control process of each step shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 can be realized by the controller 12 executing a program stored in advance. That is, in the present embodiment, the controller 12 corresponds to one embodiment of the "control unit". The controller 12 repeatedly executes the control process shown in FIG. 4 in the bathing state.

With reference to FIG. 4, the controller 12 acquires and stores the current water level detection value Xtn in step 110 (hereinafter, simply referred to as “S”). As a result, the water level detection value X at each time point can be periodically accumulated each time the control process of FIG. 4 is executed. In S110, when the acquired current water level detection value Xtn is compared with the upper limit value Xmax and Xtn ≧ Xmax, a malfunction of the sensor or the microcomputer, an air bleeding in the piping, or the like is instantaneous. It is determined that a detection abnormality has occurred due to various pressure fluctuations. In this case, the detection of bathing is forcibly prohibited in the subsequent processing.

In S120, the controller 12 reads out the water level detection value Xtx before a predetermined Tx (seconds) from the present. At this time, by erasing a part of the already accumulated water level detection value, the memory capacity used for the bath entry / exit determination can be suppressed.

In S130, the controller 12 calculates the water level change amount ΔXtn from before Tx (seconds) by subtracting the water level detection value Xtx read in S120 from the water level detection value Xtn stored in S110. Then, in S140, the water level change amount ΔXtn calculated in S130 is compared with the above-mentioned determination value Xth.

The determination value Xth can be predetermined as a water level change amount corresponding to a volume increase / decrease of a predetermined volume (for example, about 20 [l]) and stored in the controller 12. However, the determination value Xth varies depending on the cross-sectional area of the bathtub 20. For example, at the time of construction of the hot water supply system 300 including the arrangement of the bathtub 20, the controller 12 inputs the input value by inputting the model number or size of the bathtub 20 (data capable of specifying the cross-sectional area). It is possible to calculate and store the determination value Xth by using it.

Alternatively, it can be automatically obtained from the behavior of the water level detection value X in the bath water filling operation that is experimentally executed during the bath test run during the construction of the hot water supply system 300. Specifically, the amount of hot water poured into the bathtub 20 calculated by integrating the detected values of the flow rate sensors (not shown) provided in the hot water pouring pipe 13a of FIG. 1 and the amount of change in the water level detection value X are calculated. At the time of the bath test run, the controller 12 can calculate the cross-sectional area of the bathtub 20 by executing a predetermined arithmetic process, and automatically set the determination value Xth from the calculated cross-sectional area. It is possible.

It is also possible to set the manual adjustment value β for the determination value Xth. For example, the adjustment value β can be a positive value (β> 0) or a negative value (β <0) that can be input by the operation units 32 and 52 of the remote controllers 30 and 50. When the adjustment value β is set, it is determined in S140 whether or not ΔXtun ≧ Xtn + β.

When the water level change amount ΔXtn calculated in S130 is less than the determination value Xth (NO determination in S140), the controller 12 clears the timer value (Cnt = 0) by S150 and is in a bathing state by S160. Maintain the judgment of. After that, when the next activation timing provided periodically arrives, the processing after S110 is activated again. As described above, even when Xtn ≧ Xmax is established in S110, S140 is determined as NO.

When the water level change amount ΔXtn calculated in S130 is equal to or greater than the determination value Xth (when YES is determined in S140), the controller 12 counts up the timer value Cnt by S170 and the timer value after the count-up by S180. Cnt is compared with the determination value C (Tj1). The determination value C (Tj1) is defined by a timer value corresponding to the elapse of a predetermined Tj1 (second).

When the timer value Cnt of S170 is smaller than the determination value C (Tj1) (NO determination of S180), the controller 12 maintains the timer value Cnt by skipping S150, and then maintains the determination of the bathing state by S160. do. After that, when the next activation timing arrives, the processing after S110 is activated again.

On the other hand, when the timer value Cnt of S170 is equal to or higher than the determination value C (Tj1) (when YES is determined in S180), the controller 12 determines that the transition from the bathing state to the bathing state has occurred due to S190. And detect bathing. That is, in the bathing state, bathing is detected when the state in which the amount of water level rise from before Tx (seconds) exceeds the determination value Xth continues for Tj1 (seconds).

Further, the controller 12 sets the bathing determination value Xout by S200 in conjunction with the detection of bathing by S190. The exit determination value Xout is calculated by adding the water level detection value at the timing before bathing and the predetermined margin value α (for example, α = Xth). For example, the bathing determination value Xout can be set by adding the water level detection value Xtx (that is, the read value in S120) and α before Tx (seconds) from the bathing detection time. Since the exit judgment value Xout is set based on the water level detection value before bathing, it is not a relative judgment value compared with the change amount of the water level detection value, but is directly compared with the water level detection value. It can be treated as a numerical judgment value.

The manual adjustment value β can be commonly applied to the bath exit determination value Xout. For example, when the manual adjustment value β (β> 0 or β <0) is set for the determination value Xth, in S200, α = Xth + β is set and the exit determination value Xout = Xtx + Xth + β is set. be able to.

With reference to FIG. 3 again, after ΔXtun ≧ Xth is detected at time t1, if the state of ΔXtn ≧ Xth continues for Tj1 (seconds), bathing is detected at time t2. That is, at time t2, the transition from the bathing state to the bathing state is determined.

By the continuation determination over Tj1 (seconds), it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of bathing due to a momentary change in water level. As described above, when the read value in S120 is used as the water level detection at the timing before bathing, Tj1 (seconds) for the continuation determination and Tx (seconds) for the bathing determination are used. In the meantime, the relationship of Tx> Tj1 is set.

The controller 12 repeatedly executes the control process shown in FIG. 5 in the bathing state after the bathing detection.

With reference to FIG. 5, when the controller 12 stores the current water level detection value Xtn by S210, the controller 12 compares the current water level detection value Xtn with the bathing determination value Xout set at the time of bathing detection by S220.

When the current water level detection value Xtn is equal to or higher than the exit determination value Xout (NO determination in S220), the controller 12 clears the timer value (Cnt = 0) by S230 and bathes by S240. Maintain the judgment of. After that, when the next activation timing provided periodically arrives, the processing after S210 is activated again.

When the current water level detection value Xtn is smaller than the exit determination value Xout (when YES determination in S220), the controller 12 counts up the timer value Cnt by S250 and the timer value after the count-up by S260. Compare Cnt with the determination value C (Tj2). The determination value C (Tj2) is defined by a timer value Cnt that increases while a predetermined Tj2 (second) elapses. Tj2 may be a value common to Tj1 at the time of bathing determination, or may be set individually.

When the timer value Cnt of S250 is smaller than the determination value C (Tj2) (NO determination of S260), the controller 12 maintains the timer value Cnt by skipping S230, and then maintains the determination of the bathing state by S240. .. After that, when the start timing arrives, the processes after S210 are started again.

On the other hand, when the timer value Cnt of S250 is equal to or higher than the determination value C (Tj2) (when YES is determined in S260), the controller 12 determines that the transition from the bathing state to the bathing state has occurred due to S270. And detect the withdrawal. That is, in the bathing state, the bathing is detected when the current water level detection value Xtn is lower than the bathing determination value Xout for Tj2 (seconds). By the continuation determination over Tj2 (seconds), it is possible to prevent erroneous detection of leaving the bath due to a momentary change in the water level.

With reference to FIG. 3 again, the change in the posture of the bather at time tb causes a decrease in the water level detection value exceeding the determination value Xth at time t3. Therefore, in the bathing determination of the above-mentioned comparative example, there is a possibility that erroneous detection of bathing as shown by the dotted line may occur at time t3.

However, in the change of the bathtub water level caused by the change of the posture at the time tb, the water level detection value Xtn does not decrease to the withdrawal determination value Xout set based on the water level detection value before bathing. Therefore, in the bathing determination shown in FIG. 5, it is possible to prevent the bathtub from being erroneously detected due to the change in the bathtub water level that occurs when the bather changes his / her posture in the bathtub.

As described above, according to the bathing / exit determination according to the first embodiment, the bathing determination value set based on the water level before bathing at the time of bathing detection and the water level detection at each time point after bathing detection. The bathing determination can be made by comparing with the value. As a result, it is possible to make an accurate decision to leave the bath without being influenced by the physique (volume) of the bather. In particular, even when the bather changes his / her posture from a full-body bath to a half-body bath, the bather can easily and accurately change the posture of the bathtub by forcibly pouring or draining water as in Patent Document 1. It is possible to detect leaving the bath. In the description of the first embodiment, Tx (seconds) corresponds to the "predetermined time interval", and the exit determination value Xout corresponds to the "exit determination water level". Further, Tj1 (seconds) and Tj2 (seconds) correspond to predetermined "first time" and "second time", respectively.

[Embodiment 2]
In the second embodiment, the bath leaving determination using the amount of water level rise detected at the time of bathing detection will be described.

FIG. 6 shows a conceptual waveform diagram for explaining the bathing / leaving determination according to the second embodiment. Also in FIG. 6, similarly to FIG. 3, the water level detection value X changes according to the bathing at the time ta, the change in the posture of the bather at the time tb, and the withdrawal at the time tk. That is, the behavior of the water level detection value X shown in FIG. 6 is the same as that in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart for explaining the bathing determination process according to the second embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a flowchart for explaining the bathing determination process according to the second embodiment.

The control process of each step shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 can also be realized by the controller 12 executing a program stored in advance. The controller 12 repeatedly executes the control process shown in FIG. 7 in the bathing state.

With reference to FIG. 7, the controller 12 compares the water level change amount ΔXtn before Tx (seconds) and between the present with the determination value Xth in the bathing state by the same S110 to S140 as in FIG. In S140, the process when ΔXtn <Xth (at the time of NO determination) is the same as that of the first embodiment, and therefore the detailed description will not be repeated.

When ΔXtn ≧ Xth is detected (YES determination in S140), the controller 12 determines the water level detection value Xtx before Tx (seconds) at the timer value Cnt = 0, that is, at the time t1 in FIG. Store as the water level Xbfr before bathing. Further, according to S170 and S180, the same bathing determination as in the first embodiment is performed. That is, the bath leaving state is maintained until ΔXtun ≧ Xth continues for Tj1 (seconds) (S160).

When ΔXtun ≧ Xth continues for Tj1 (seconds) and S180 is determined to be YES, the controller 12 detects bathing by S190, which is the same as in FIG. 4, and sets the exit determination value ΔXout by S202 to S208. do.

In S202, the controller 12 determines whether the water level detection value Xtn is stable. If the amount of change in the water level detection value Xtn between predetermined cycles can be regarded as almost zero, S202 is determined to be YES. For example, the determination of S202 can be executed by comparing the difference of the water level detection value Xtn (S110) between the previous cycle and the current cycle with the determination value ε.

When the water level detection value Xtn becomes stable after bathing is detected in the controller 12, YES in S202.
(At the time of determination), the current water level detection value Xtn is stored as the water level Xin after bathing by S204. Then, by subtracting the pre-bathing water level Xbfr (S145) from the post-bathing water level Xin according to S206, the bathing water level rise amount ΔXin is calculated.

Further, the controller 12 sets the bathing determination value ΔXout according to the bathing water level rise amount ΔXin by S208. For example, the bath exit determination value ΔXout can be set by the following equation (1). The coefficient k in the equation (1) is a positive constant and is set to, for example, k> 1.

ΔXout ＝ ΔXin / k… (1)
It is also possible to set a manual adjustment value that can be input by the operation units 32, 52, etc. of the remote controllers 30 and 50 for the bath exit determination value ΔXout. The manual adjustment value may be set to increase or decrease the coefficient k, or may be set as a positive value or a negative value to be added to the calculated value according to the equation (1).

On the other hand, while the water level detection value Xtn is not stable after bathing detection (S190) (when NO is determined in S202), the water level detection value Xtn is periodically stored by S203 and the previous water level detection by S202. The comparison process with the value Xtn is executed. That is, after the bathing detection, the processing of S202 to S208 is waited until the water level detection value Xtn stabilizes.

With reference to FIG. 6 again, as in the first embodiment, bathing can be detected when the state of ΔXtun ≧ Xth continues for Tj1 (seconds) after ΔXtun ≧ Xth is set at time t1. Further, at the time t2x when the water level detection value is stable after bathing detection, the water level Xin after bathing and the water level rise amount ΔXin during bathing are determined, and the bathing determination value ΔXout is set. In the second embodiment, by combining the bathing detection condition with the determination of S202, it is possible to detect bathing at time t2x instead of time t2 in FIG.

The controller 12 repeatedly executes the control process shown in FIG. 8 in the bathing state after the bathing detection.

With reference to FIG. 8, when the controller 12 stores the current water level detection value Xtn by S210, the controller 12 calculates the water level drop amount ΔXdc from before Tx (seconds) by S280. That is, the water level drop amount ΔXdc is calculated as a difference (ΔXdc = Xtx−Xtn) between the current water level detection value Xtn stored in S210 and the water level detection value Xtx Tx (seconds) before the present. Then, the controller 12 compares the water level drop amount ΔXdc calculated in S280 by S290 with the bathing determination value ΔXout set in conjunction with the bathing detection.

When the water level drop amount ΔXdc is equal to or less than the bathing determination value ΔXout (NO determination in S290), the controller 12 clears the timer value (Cnt = 0) by S230 as in FIG. The determination of the bathing state is maintained by the same S240 as in the above. After that, when the next activation timing set periodically arrives, the processing after S210 is activated again.

When the water level drop amount ΔXdc is larger than the bath exit determination value ΔXout (NO determination in S290), the controller 12 counts up the timer value Cnt by S250 similar to FIG. 5, and S260 similar to FIG. Therefore, the timer value Cnt after the count-up is compared with the determination value C (Tj2).

Similar to FIG. 5, when the timer value Cnt of S250 is smaller than the determination value C (Tj2) (NO determination of S260), the controller 12 skips the timer value Cn of S230.
After maintaining t, the determination of the bathing state is maintained by S240. After that, when the next activation timing arrives, the processing after S210 is activated again.

On the other hand, when the timer value Cnt of S250 is equal to or higher than the determination value C (Tj2) (when YES is determined in S260), the controller 12 shifts from the bathing state to the bathing state by S270 similar to FIG. Is determined to have occurred and the bathing is detected. That is, in the bathing state, the bathing is detected when the state in which the water level drop amount ΔXdc from the water level Xin at the time of bathing is lower than the bathing determination value ΔXout continues for Tj2 (seconds). Also in the bath leaving determination, the relationship of Tx> Tj2 is set between Tj2 (seconds) for the continuation determination and Tx (seconds) corresponding to the time interval when determining ΔXdc. The time interval Tx (seconds) may be a common value or a different value between bathing detection and bathing detection.

With reference to FIG. 6 again, the change in the posture of the bather at time tb causes a decrease in the water level detection value exceeding the determination value Xth at time t3. However, the water level decrease amount ΔXdc calculated in response to the posture change at time tb does not reach the bathing determination value ΔXout set in association with the bathing water level increase amount ΔXin. On the other hand, since the water level drop amount ΔXdc calculated according to the withdrawal at the time tc exceeds the above-mentioned withdrawal determination value ΔXout, for example, the withdrawal can be detected at the time t5. According to the bathing determination shown in FIG. 8, it is possible to prevent the bathtub from being erroneously detected due to the change in the bathtub water level that occurs when the bather changes his / her posture in the bathtub.

As described above, according to the bathing / exit determination according to the second embodiment, the bathing determination value ΔXout is set in association with the water level rise amount ΔXin at the time of bathing at the time of bathing detection, and at predetermined time intervals. The bathing determination is executed by comparing the water level drop amount ΔXdc of the above with the bathing determination value ΔXout. By using the amount of water level rise ΔXin at the time of bathing for the bathing determination, it is possible to make an accurate bathing determination regardless of the physique (volume) of the bather. As a result, as in the first embodiment, even when the bather changes his / her posture from a full-body bath to a half-body bath, the bathtub water amount is changed by forced pouring or drainage as in Patent Document 1. It is possible to detect the bather's withdrawal easily and accurately. The withdrawal determination value ΔXout in the second embodiment corresponds to the “decreased amount of withdrawal determination”.

In the bathing determination of the first embodiment, the bathing determination value Xout is directly compared with the water level detection value Xtun at each time point in the bathing state, so that the accuracy of the water level detection value Xtun by the water level sensor 11 is required. Will be done. On the other hand, as described in Patent Document 2, when the difference in the arrangement height between the bathtub 20 and the water level sensor 11 is large, the water level by the water level sensor 11 is caused by the temperature change of the hot water between the bathtub 20 and the water level sensor 11. The detected value changes.

FIG. 9 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating the classification of bathtub placement heights.

Assuming that the arrangement height of the water level sensor 11 in the hot water supply device 100 is the reference height (H = 0) with reference to FIG. 9, the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 is shown in FIG. 1 with respect to the reference height. It can be defined by the height difference ΔH, which is the difference in the arrangement height of the circulation adapter 25.

For example, as shown in FIG. 9, by comparing the height difference ΔH with the predetermined boundary values H1 and −H2, the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 with respect to the hot water supply device 100 (water level sensor 11) arranged outdoors on the ground. It is possible to stratify the above into "upstairs arrangement" corresponding to the arrangement on the second floor and above, "flat ground arrangement" corresponding to the arrangement on the first floor, and "downstairs arrangement" corresponding to the arrangement on the basement floor. can.

FIG. 10 shows a conceptual diagram illustrating a change in the water level detection value depending on the arrangement height of the bathtub. FIG. 10 is composed of a pressure sensor when the temperature of the hot water staying between the bathtub 20 (circulation adapter 25) and the water level sensor 11 gradually decreases with the passage of time after the bathtub filling operation is completed. The transition of the output voltage (that is, the water level detection value) of the water level sensor 11 is shown.

With reference to FIG. 10, the specific gravity of the stagnant hot water gradually increases as the temperature Tbt of the stagnant hot water decreases with the passage of time. In the case where the bathtub 20 is arranged at a position higher than the water level sensor (upstairs arrangement), an increase in the specific gravity acts on the water level sensor 11 as an increase in water pressure. Therefore, as shown by the characteristic line L1, the water level detection value of the water level sensor 11 gradually increases as the temperature decreases.

On the other hand, in the case where the bathtub 20 is arranged at a position lower than the water level sensor (downstairs position), an increase in the specific gravity acts on the water level sensor 11 as a decrease in water pressure. Therefore, as shown in the characteristic line L2, the water level detection value of the water level sensor 11 gradually decreases as the temperature decreases. On the other hand, in the case where the height difference between the water level sensor 11 and the bathtub 20 is small (arranged on a flat ground), the phenomenon that the water level detection value of the water level sensor 11 rises or falls does not occur depending on the temperature of the retained hot water.

As described above, in the case of the upstairs arrangement and the downstairs arrangement, the water level detected value by the water level sensor 11 may include an error due to the temperature change of the hot water, and therefore the water level described in the first embodiment. In the bathing determination in which the detected value Xtn itself is compared with the bathing determination value Xout, there is a possibility of erroneous detection of bathing. On the other hand, since the withdrawal determination according to the second embodiment uses the water level drop amount ΔXdc, which is the difference between the water level detection values at Tx (second) intervals, the influence of the error depending on the temperature change described above can be ignored. Be expected.

Therefore, the bathing / exiting determination according to the first embodiment and the bathing / exiting determination according to the second embodiment may be selectively applied according to the difference in the arrangement heights of the water level sensor 11 and the bathtub 20. preferable.

FIG. 11 shows a flowchart illustrating a selection process for determining whether to enter or leave the bathtub according to the arrangement height of the bathtub 20. The control process shown in FIG. 11 can be executed, for example, during the bath test run at the time of construction of the hot water supply system 300 including the arrangement of the bathtub 20 described above.

With reference to FIG. 11, the controller 12 obtains information by S410 indicating whether the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 is the flat ground arrangement, the upstairs arrangement, or the downstairs arrangement described with reference to FIG. .. For example, the information can be acquired by inputting a code by the builder or the like. Alternatively, as disclosed in Patent Document 2, the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 with respect to the water level sensor 11 is automatically detected in accordance with the adjustment of the offset voltage of the water level sensor 11 during the hot water filling operation of the bathtub 20. Is also possible. That is, it is also possible to automatically acquire information indicating the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 during the bathtub filling operation that is experimentally executed during the bathtub test run. In this way, the acquisition of information in S410 can be performed by any method.

In S420, the controller 12 determines whether or not the bathtub 20 is arranged on a flat ground based on the information acquired in S410. When the controller 12 is arranged on a flat ground (when YES is determined in S420), the controller 12 determines whether to enter or leave the bathtub 20 by using the bathing / exiting determination according to the first embodiment after the test run. Make the initial settings to.

On the other hand, when the controller 12 is arranged upstairs or downstairs and is not arranged on a flat ground (at the time of NO determination in S420), the bath / exit determination according to the second embodiment is determined by S440 after the test run. It is used to make initial settings so as to determine whether to enter or leave the bathtub 20.

This makes it possible to prevent the accuracy of the bath leaving determination from being lowered due to the difference in the arrangement heights of the bathtub 20 and the water level sensor 11. In this embodiment, an example of applying the bathtub determination according to the second embodiment to the upstairs arrangement or the downstairs arrangement has been described (FIG. 11), but the bathtub 20 arranged on a flat ground has been described. It is also possible to apply the bathing / exit detection according to the second embodiment described with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8. Therefore, it is common to the flat ground arrangement, the upstairs arrangement, and the downstairs arrangement, in other words, it does not depend on the arrangement height of the bathtub 20 (specifically, the arrangement height difference between the bathtub 20 and the water level sensor 11). In principle, it is also possible to determine whether to enter or leave the bath according to the second embodiment.

Further, when the water level sensor 11 is composed of a pressure sensor, the bath water in the circulation path is pressurized by the operation of the circulation pump 10, so that an error occurs in the water level detection value by the water level sensor 11. Therefore, it is preferable that the bath entry / exit determination described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, 7, and 8 is stopped during the operating period of the circulation pump 10. In this case, the water level detection value Xtx (FIGS. 4 and 7) before Tx (seconds), the water level Xbfr before bathing, and the water level Xin during bathing (FIG. 7) stored at the start of operation of the circulation pump 10 are stored. ) Etc. can be operated in such a manner that they are retained during the suspension period and are appropriately updated as the acquisition of the water level detection value Xtn is resumed after the suspension period ends.

Further, with respect to the control processing shown in FIGS. 4, 5, 7, 8 and 11, an example of being executed by the controller 12 has been described, but the main body that executes the control processing is limited to this. It's not something. For example, it is possible to execute the control process by a microcomputer (not shown) stored in the remote controller 30 or 50, and the device corresponding to the "control unit" is not specified. The function of the "control unit" can also be realized by an external device of the hot water supply system 300.

It should be considered that the embodiments disclosed this time are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

5 hot water supply circuit, 7 reheating circuit, 8 circulation path, 8a return pipe, 8b outbound pipe, 8c connection point, 9 temperature sensor, 10 circulation pump, 11 water level sensor, 12 controller, 13 hot water valve, 13a hot water pipe, 20 bathtub, 21 bathtub water, 25 circulation adapter, 26 drain plug, 30,50 remote control, 31,51 display unit, 32,52 operation unit, 100
Water heater, 200 bathroom, 300 hot water supply system, Xth judgment value, Xbfr pre-bathing water level, Xout, ΔXout exit judgment value, ΔXdc water level decrease, ΔXin water level increase during bathing.

Claims (7)

A bathtub including a bathtub
A water level detector that detects the water level in the bathtub,
A control unit for detecting bathing in the bathtub and withdrawal from the bathtub after the detection of the bathtub is provided based on the water level detection value of the bathtub by the water level detector.
In the bathing state, the control unit detects the bathing when the amount of increase in the water level detection value before and after the predetermined time interval becomes equal to or more than the predetermined determination value, and before the detection of the bathing. The bathing determination water level is set according to the water level detection value, and the bathing determination water level is set.
The control unit is a bathing device that detects the bathing when the current water level detection value is lower than the bathing determination water level in the bathing state after the bathing detection. In the bathing state, the control unit keeps the state in which the amount of increase in the water level detection value before and after the predetermined time interval becomes equal to or higher than the determination value for a predetermined first time or longer. , The bathing device according to claim 1, which detects the bathing. The first or second aspect of the present invention, wherein the control unit prohibits the detection of the bathing by the water level detection value when the water level detection value is larger than a predetermined upper limit value in the bathing state. Bath device. When the difference in the arrangement height between the bathtub and the water level detector is within a predetermined range, the control unit retreats by comparing the water level detection value in the bathing state with the withdrawal determination water level. The bathtub device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which executes a bath determination. When the difference in the arrangement height is outside the predetermined range, the control unit determines the water level after bathing by using the water level detection value in a stable state after the detection of bathing, and also determines the water level after bathing. The amount of water level rise during bathing is calculated from the subtraction of the post-water level and the pre-bathing water level, which is the water level detection value before the detection of bathing, and further, during the bathing state, before and after a predetermined time interval. The bathing device according to claim 4, wherein when the amount of decrease in the water level detection value exceeds the amount of decrease in bathing determination set in association with the amount of increase in water level during bathing, the bathing is detected. When the state in which the current decrease in the water level detection value with respect to the post-bath water level exceeds the withdrawal determination decrease in the bathing state continues for a predetermined second time or longer, the control unit withdraws. The bath device according to claim 5, which detects a bath. The control unit detects the bathing when the current water level detection value is lower than the bathing determination water level for a predetermined second time or longer in the bathing state. The bathing device according to any one of 4 to 4.

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