JP2023123947A - Bathtub device - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide a bathtub device capable of making it difficult to give to a bathing person a feeling of boredom and making it easy to give him or her a refresh feeling by a change in a temperature of discharged water.SOLUTION: A bathtub device includes: a water discharge part 8 provided above a bathtub body; a circulation pump 6 provided in a circulation flow passage; a temperature adjusting part 7 for adjusting a temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge part; a detection part 22 for detecting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub body; and a control part 16 for controlling the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharge part. The control unit has a temperature changing mode which combines temperature raising control for raising the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge part, and temperature lowing control for lowering the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharge part, and which combines both a feeling of change when the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part is raised and a feeling of change when the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part is lowered so as to give a feeling of change in the temperature to the bathing person easily, and gives the combined feelings to him or her.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bathtub apparatus, and more particularly to a bathtub apparatus that supplies hot water to a bathtub.

As shown in Patent Document 1, there is known a bathroom system provided with body temperature determination means for determining whether or not the body temperature of a bather has risen. In this bathroom system, when it is determined that the body temperature of the bather has risen, an operation to lower the body temperature of the bather, for example, an operation such as blowing air or throwing in cold water, is performed, thereby allowing the bather to get hot. Prevents you from feeling unwell.

As shown in Patent Literature 2, there is known a bathtub apparatus that heats the neck and back of a bather with a heater so as to keep the body temperature of the bather within a comfortable temperature zone. The purpose of this bathtub device is to keep both the internal body temperature and the feeling of warmth within their respective comfortable temperature zones even when bathing for a long period of time.

JP-A-2005-58299 JP 2018-121851 A

As shown in the above-mentioned Patent Documents 1 and 2, it has been studied to increase the deep body temperature of the bather and improve the bathing effect by taking a bath for a relatively long time while preventing hot flashes during bathing. ing.
However, in a bathtub water circulating type water discharger for taking a bath while circulating bathtub water from the water discharger, when a bather wants to take a bath for a relatively long time, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharger also becomes the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device is constant at the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, and there is a fear that the bather may feel bored.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems, and provides a bathtub apparatus that can make bathers (users) less likely to feel bored and more likely to feel refreshed by temperature changes in spouted water. It is intended to

In order to solve the above-described problems, the present invention provides a bathtub apparatus for supplying hot water to a bathtub, comprising a bathtub main body for storing hot water, a water intake portion for taking in the hot water in the bathtub main body, and a water discharge portion provided above the bathtub main body for discharging hot water taken from the water intake portion toward the inside of the bathtub main body; a circulation flow path connecting the water intake portion and the water discharge portion; and the circulation flow. a circulation pump provided in the passage for feeding hot water taken from the water intake port through the circulation passage; a temperature control unit for adjusting the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit; and a temperature of hot water in the bathtub body and a control unit for controlling the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit, wherein the control unit performs temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit; A temperature change mode combined with a temperature drop control for lowering the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge part, wherein hot water is discharged from the water discharge part so as to easily give the user a feeling of temperature change. It is characterized by the provision of the above-described temperature change mode that gives a bather a feeling of change in temperature rise and a change in temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge part in combination.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the control section performs temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge section, and lowering the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge section. The temperature change mode is a combination of temperature decrease control and temperature change mode, in which the feeling of change in the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge part and the change in temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge part and the water discharge from the water discharge part are easily given to the bathing person. The above-described temperature change mode is provided to give the bather a feeling of change in the temperature drop of the hot and cold water. As a result, it is possible to easily give the bather a sense of change in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part, to make it difficult for the bather to feel bored, and to easily give a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the discharged water.

In the present invention, preferably, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control section decreases the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge section in a predetermined number of intermittent operations.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control unit decreases the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge unit in a predetermined number of intermittent operations. As a result, in the temperature lowering control, it is possible to suppress the physical burden on the bather caused by continuously applying water to the bather for a long time, and to prevent the bather from becoming bored due to the intermittent temperature change of hot water. I can give you a feeling.
Further, for example, when the temperature adjustment unit is connected to the circulation flow path and includes a water supply flow path that supplies hot water or cold water from an external supply source, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control unit lowers the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge section by intermittently supplying water from the water supply channel to the circulation channel a predetermined number of times. As a result, in the temperature lowering control, it is possible to suppress the physical burden on the bather caused by continuously applying water to the bather for a long time, and to prevent the bather from becoming bored due to the intermittent temperature change of hot water. I can give you a feeling.

In the present invention, preferably, in the temperature change mode of the control section, the second water discharge time period of the temperature decrease control is longer than the first water discharge time period of the temperature increase control.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in the temperature change mode of the control unit, the second water discharge time of the temperature decrease control is longer than the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control. As a result, for a bather whose body has already been warmed in bathing, the water discharge time for which the temperature is lowered by the temperature decrease control is made longer than the water discharge time for the water whose temperature is increased by the temperature increase control, so that the bather can enjoy the water. It is possible to easily receive a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the temperature drop of the discharged water.

In the present invention, preferably, in the temperature change mode of the control unit, the time for one intermittent operation in the temperature decrease control is shorter than the first water discharge time in the temperature increase control.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in the temperature change mode of the control unit, the time of one intermittent operation in the temperature decrease control is shorter than the first water discharge time in the temperature increase control. . A bather whose body has already been warmed by bathing is more likely to be discharged with hot water at a temperature lowered by temperature lowering control than when hot water with a temperature raised by temperature raising control is discharged. It is easy to feel the gap of the temperature difference. Therefore, when hot water with a temperature lowered by the temperature lowering control is spouted, one intermittent operation in the temperature lowering control is set to be shorter and relatively shorter than the first water spouting time in the temperature raising control. It is possible to further reduce the burden on the person's body.

In the present invention, preferably, the temperature change mode of the control unit is set in the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control between the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control and the second water discharge time of the temperature decrease control. and the temperature change at the start of the second water spouting time in the temperature decrease control.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the temperature change mode of the control unit is set to the temperature rise between the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control and the second water discharge time of the temperature decrease control. Temperature change suppression control is provided to cause water to be spouted with less temperature change than both the temperature change at the start of the first water spouting time of the control and the temperature change at the start of the second water spouting time of the temperature drop control. As a result, water is spouted with little temperature change by temperature change suppression control between the first water spouting time of the temperature rise control and the second water spouting time of the temperature lowering control, thereby providing an opportunity for the bather to get used to the spouting water temperature. can be done. As a result, it is possible to make the body of the bather less likely to be burdened, and it is possible to more easily provide a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the spouted water.

In the present invention, preferably, the temperature adjustment section includes a water supply channel connected to the circulation channel and supplying hot water or cold water from an external supply source.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the control unit performs temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit by hot water supplied from the water supply flow path, and A temperature change mode that combines a temperature drop control for lowering the temperature of hot water supplied to the part, and the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part is changed so as to easily give the bather a feeling of temperature change. The above-described temperature change mode is provided to give the bather a feeling of change in temperature rising and a feeling of change in temperature drop of the hot water discharged from the water discharge part in combination. As a result, even when adjusting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the water supply channel or the hot water discharged from the water supply channel, the bather can easily feel the change in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging part, and can take a bath. It is possible to make it difficult for the user to feel bored, and it is possible to easily give a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the discharged water.
In addition, by adopting a hot water supply system that supplies hot water or cold water to the circulation channel through the water supply channel, water is discharged from the water discharge part with higher efficiency than a method in which a temperature control unit such as a heater is provided in the circulation channel. For example, even when hot water is discharged from the water discharging part at a relatively large flow rate, the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging part can be adjusted with relatively high efficiency.

In the present invention, preferably, in the temperature increase control, the control unit supplies hot water having a temperature higher than that in the bathtub main body from the water supply passage, and in the temperature decrease control, the bathtub main body. Hot water or water having a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water inside is supplied from the water supply passage.
In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the control unit causes hot water having a temperature higher than that in the bathtub body to be supplied from the water supply flow path to the water discharge unit. temperature rise control for raising the temperature of hot water in the bathtub, and hot water or water having a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body is supplied from the water supply passage to lower the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharge part. This is a temperature change mode that combines temperature drop control and temperature change mode. The above-mentioned temperature change mode is provided to give the bather a feeling of change in the temperature drop of hot water and water. As a result, even when adjusting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the water supply channel or the water discharged from the water supply channel, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge unit is adjusted to the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body for the bather. It is possible to easily give a feeling of temperature change, to make bathers less likely to feel bored, and to easily give a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to a change in the temperature of the discharged water.

According to the bathtub apparatus of the present invention, it is possible to make it difficult for the bather to feel bored, and it is possible to easily give a refreshing feeling due to the temperature change of the spouted water.

1 is a perspective view showing the entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed; FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a side view showing a state in which the discharge device, the circulation flow path, and the chamber of the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention are viewed from the side of the short side of the bathtub body. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3; FIG. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a circulation channel, a water supply channel, a reservoir, etc. arranged on the back side of the bathtub body of the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system in a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a subroutine for temperature increase control in the temperature change mode of FIG. 7; FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a subroutine for temperature drop control in the temperature change mode of FIG. 7; FIG. FIG. 10 is a flowchart of an intermittent supply control subroutine in the temperature drop control subroutine of FIG. 9; FIG. 8 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in the temperature change mode of FIG. 7; 12 is an enlarged time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in part of the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of FIG. 11; 9 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in the temperature change mode of the bathtub device according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 10 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in the temperature change mode of the bathtub device according to the third embodiment of the present invention;

Next, a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Embodiments of the disclosure have been described by way of example, and it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many variations, modifications and substitutions may be made within the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, the present invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but various modifications, changes, etc. in form and detail are possible without departing from the scope of the claims.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire bathroom in which a bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a side view showing a state in which the discharge device, the circulation flow path, and the chamber of the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment are seen from the side of the short side of the bathtub body, and FIG. 4 is taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a circulation channel, a water supply channel, a reservoir, etc. arranged on the back side of a bathtub body of a bathtub apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a hot water supply system in the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment;

As shown in FIG. 1, a bathtub apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention is installed in a bathroom R and supplies hot water to a bathtub. A bathtub apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a bathtub body 2 for storing hot water, a water intake portion (bathtub water intake) 9b for taking in hot water in the bathtub body 2, and above the bathtub body 2 A water discharger 8 that is provided and is a water discharger that discharges hot water taken from the water intake portion 9b toward the inside of the bathtub main body 2, a circulation flow path 4 that communicates the water intake portion 9b and the water discharger 8, and a circulation flow. A first pump (circulation pump) 6, which is a circulation pump that feeds hot water taken from the water intake portion 9b provided in the passage 4, in the circulation flow path 4, and a temperature adjustment that adjusts the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharge device 8. a reservoir 12 that is provided in the water supply channel 10 and stores hot water or cold water to be supplied; A second pump (pressurizing pump) 14 that feeds hot water or water toward the circulation flow path 4, and a first temperature sensor ( A discharge water temperature sensor) 22 and a control unit 16 that controls the first pump 6 and the second pump 14 .

The bathtub device 1 functions as a circulation device that takes hot water in the bathtub main body 2 from the water intake port 9b and circulates it from the water discharger 8 into the bathtub main body 2 . A remote controller 18 is attached to the wall surface of the bathroom R, and the bathtub apparatus 1 can be operated by the remote controller 18. - 特許庁The remote controller 18 is configured to receive an operation input for adjusting the temperature of the bather. The remote controller 18 is electrically connected to the controller 16 and can transmit operation input signals to the controller 16 . Although the remote control 18 is arranged in the bathroom R, it may be arranged outside the bathroom R. In addition, the remote controller 18 can be used to arbitrarily set the temperature of hot water in the bathtub main body 2, the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8, the temperature of hot water in the bathtub main body 2, the temperature TH described later, the temperature TL described later, and the like. It is possible. In addition, a predetermined time th, a predetermined time tf, a predetermined time tj, a predetermined time tg, etc., which will be described later, can be arbitrarily set. The control unit 16 can execute predetermined control based on the set temperature and time. In addition, the order and number of combinations of temperature increase control and temperature decrease control shown in FIG. 7 can be freely changed or selected by the remote control 18 .

The bathtub main body 2 is formed in a substantially rectangular box shape in plan view, and is configured to store hot water therein. In this embodiment, the bathtub main body 2 is arranged so that one long side and two short sides on both sides thereof are in contact with the inner wall surface of the bathroom R. As shown in FIG. An inner wall surface forming one short side of the bathtub main body 2 is formed as a backrest surface 2a, which is a first inner wall surface formed so that a bather can lean against it. The water intake portion 9 is formed in the side wall surface 2 b on the long side of the bathtub body 2 .

The water discharging device 8 is provided at the upper edge of the bathtub main body 2 . The water discharge device 8 is provided above the backrest surface 2 a of the bathtub body 2 and is configured to discharge hot water toward the inside of the bathtub body 2 . In this embodiment, the water discharge device 8 has a flat and wide water discharge port 8a extending along the upper edge of the backrest surface 2a, and sprays hot water toward the neck, shoulders, and back of the bather who leans against the backrest surface 2a. It is configured to be able to perform shoulder hot water discharge that discharges. Further, the water discharging device 8 is configured to discharge a part of the hot water drawn from the water intake portion 9b from the water discharging port 8a. Therefore, hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is sucked from the water intake portion 9b, discharged from the water discharge port 8a, and flowed into the bathtub main body 2 so as to circulate. Further, part of the hot water drawn from the water intake portion 9b is also discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub main body 2. As shown in FIG.

In addition, in the present embodiment, since the spout 8a of the water spouting device 8 is formed flat and wide, the hot water spouted from the spout 8a is discharged as a wide band-shaped water film, and is discharged from the main body of the bathtub. On the water surface of the hot water stored in 2, it lands on the water at a position away from the backrest surface 2a. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, the water discharging device 8 is configured so that the strength of the pressure applied by the first pump 6 can be switched between three levels of "strong", "medium", and "weak".

The circulation flow path 4 extends from the water intake portion 9 b to the water discharge port 8 a of the water discharge device 8 . The bathtub apparatus 1 sucks hot water from the bathtub main body 2 through a water intake portion 9 b provided on the inner wall surface of the bathtub main body 2 , and flows the hot water into the bathtub main body 2 from a water outlet 8 a of the water discharging device 8 via the circulation flow path 4 . is configured to discharge. The circulation flow path 4 branches downstream of the first pump 6 into a flow path on the bathtub spout 9a side provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub main body 2 and a flow path extending on the chamber 11 side. Therefore, part of the hot water sucked from the water intake portion 9b is discharged from the bathtub water outlet 9a provided on the backrest surface 2a of the bathtub main body 2 via the circulation flow path 4 .

The circulation flow path 4 includes a chamber 11 for drawing in hot water from the bathtub main body provided in the circulation flow path, an injection portion side flow path (first pipe line) 4 a provided with a first pump 6 , and a chamber 11 . and a discharger-side flow path (third pipeline) 4c extending from the chamber 11 to the discharger 8 side, for introducing the hot water in the bathtub body 2 into the chamber 11. Prepare.

A jet nozzle (nozzle) 20 is provided at the outlet of the injection section-side channel 4 a to the chamber 11 . The jet nozzle 20 is arranged downstream of the first pump 6 and forms an injection section for injecting hot water supplied from the first pump 6 so as to pass through the chamber 11 . The hot water jetted from the jet nozzle 20 draws in the hot water in the chamber 11 by the jet pump action, and the flow rate of the hot water drawn from the chamber 11 is added to the flow rate of the hot water jetted from the jet nozzle 20, resulting in a larger flow rate. Hot water is supplied to the water discharging device side flow path 4c. The water discharging device side flow path 4 c extends along an extension line of the jet nozzle 20 .

The first pump 6 pumps the hot water in the jetting-portion-side channel 4 a toward the jet nozzle 20 , and jets the hot water supplied from the first pump 6 through the chamber 11 . The 1st pump 6 is comprised so that the rotation speed of the internal rotor is variable. Therefore, the first pump 6 can change the set flow rate of hot water to be sent downstream by changing the rotational speed of the internal rotor.

The chamber 11 is positioned below a specified water level W1 (for example, a predetermined water level required when using the water discharger 8) in the bathtub main body 2, and the chamber 11 is filled with the hot water in the bathtub main body 2. there is The chamber 11 forms a storage room capable of storing hot water. Therefore, when the hot water jetted by the jet nozzle 20 passes through the chamber 11, the hot water in the chamber 11 is drawn into the jetted hot water to form a larger flow. The chamber 11 is connected to an injection portion-side flow passage 4a and to a top surface facing the injection portion-side flow passage 4a, to a discharger-side flow passage 4c. The pipe diameter of the water discharging device side flow path 4 c is larger than the diameter of the jet nozzle 20 . The chamber 11 is further connected with an introduction channel and a water supply channel 10 . Therefore, when the hot water jetted by the jet nozzle 20 draws in the hot water in the chamber 11, the hot water in the introduction channel 4b and the hot water in the water supply channel 10 pass through the chamber 11 to the discharge device side channel. be drawn in. The chamber 11, the jet nozzle 20, and the discharger-side channel 4c constitute a jet pump unit. Since a relatively small structure can supply a relatively large flow of hot and cold water, a relatively large flow of hot and cold water can be supplied in the restricted small space between the bathtub main body 2 and its casing (apron) 2c in the bathroom R. A bathtub device 1 that can be supplied can be formed.

Also, the chamber 11 mixes the hot water sucked from the water intake portion 9b and pressurized by the first pump 6 with the hot water or water supplied from the water supply channel 10, and is supplied to When hot water flows through the circulation flow path 4, the chamber 11 is almost filled with hot water.

The first temperature sensor 22 is provided in the water discharger-side channel 4c and measures the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharger 8 . The first temperature sensor 22 also functions as a detector that detects the temperature of hot water in the bathtub body 2 . The first temperature sensor 22 is, for example, a thermistor.

The temperature adjustment unit 7 is connected to the circulation channel 4 and includes a water supply channel 10 that supplies hot water or cold water from an external supply source so as to adjust the temperature of the hot water in the circulation channel 4 . The water supply flow path 10 functions as a temperature adjustment section that adjusts the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge section. The water supply channel 10 forms a hot water supply route to the circulation channel 4 . The water supply channel 10 is connected in the chamber 11 to a negative pressure generating part 11 a that generates negative pressure by the flow of hot water flowing through the circulation channel 4 . In the chamber 11, the front ceiling portion of the jet nozzle 20 (the inlet portion of the water discharger side flow path 4c) is a portion that generates positive pressure due to the flow of hot water. On the other hand, in the chamber 11, the ceiling portion other than the ceiling portion in front of the jet nozzle, the side wall portion, and the bottom portion constitute a negative pressure generating portion 11a. A downstream end 10 a of the water supply channel 10 connected to the chamber 11 is arranged in a portion other than the ceiling portion in front of the jet nozzle 20 . The temperature adjustment unit 7 is a device that functions as a temperature adjustment unit instead of the water supply flow path 10, such as a device such as a heater that increases the temperature of hot water in the circulation flow path 4, a cooler that lowers the temperature of hot water, etc. It may be configured by a device or the like.

On the upstream side of the water supply channel 10, there is a high-temperature hot water supply pipe (hot water supply pipe) 40a that supplies hot water at a temperature higher than that of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2, and the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2. A low-temperature hot water supply pipe (water supply pipe) 40b for supplying water at a temperature lower than the temperature of is connected.

The high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are connected to the reservoir 12 via a high temperature side solenoid valve (hot water solenoid valve) 56 and a low temperature side solenoid valve (water solenoid valve) 58, respectively. A high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and a low temperature side solenoid valve 58 control the start and stop of supply of hot water or cold water. Also, the amount of hot water or cold water flowing into the reservoir 12 from each supply pipe is controlled by the water amount proportional valve 26 . Furthermore, in the present embodiment, hot water having a temperature higher than the temperature of hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2, for example, hot water having a temperature set in the water heater 52 is supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a. , is supplied from the water heater 52 . That is, the tap water supplied from the tap water supply 54 as an external supply source is branched at the branch portion 54a, one of which is supplied to the water heater 52, and the other directly flows into the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b. The tap water supplied to the water heater 52 is heated to a temperature higher than the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub body 2, and is supplied to the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a. The hot water supply pipe 40a is provided with a check valve 45 for preventing backflow of hot water or water, and the low temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is provided with a check valve 47 for preventing backflow of water.

As a result, when the temperature of the hot water in the circulation passage 4 or the reservoir 12 is to be raised, the high-temperature side solenoid valve 56 is opened, and hot water is supplied to the reservoir 12 from the water heater 52 as an external supply source. supplied. On the other hand, when the temperature of the hot water in the circulation flow path 4 or the storage section 12 is to be lowered, the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 is opened, and the tap water supplied from the low temperature hot water supply pipe 40b is supplied to the storage section 12. be done. The high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 may be opened at the same time, and temperature adjustment may be performed while hot water and cold water are supplied to the reservoir 12 while being mixed.

Furthermore, the temperature of the hot water stored in the bathtub main body 2 is measured by the first temperature sensor 22 , but it may be detected by a bathtub temperature sensor attached to the bathtub main body 2 . Also, although the temperature of each hot water and water is detected, the temperature of each hot water and cold water may be estimated based on the data obtained from each sensor.

The temperatures detected by these temperature sensors are sent to the control unit 16, and the control unit 16 adjusts the rotation speed of the second pump 14 based on these detected temperatures to discharge hot water at the required temperature. Dispense from

The second pump 14 pressure-feeds the hot water or cold water stored in the reservoir 12 in the water supply channel 10 toward the chamber 11 . The 2nd pump 14 is comprised so that the rotation speed of an internal rotor is variable. Therefore, the second pump 14 can change the set flow rate of hot water to be sent downstream by changing the rotation speed of the internal rotor.

The bathtub device 1 further includes a water quantity sensor 24 for measuring the flow rate of hot water or water between the reservoir 12 of the water supply channel 10 and the high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and the low temperature side solenoid valve 58, and the flow rate of the hot water or cold water. A water volume proportional valve (flow adjustment valve) 26 that controls the water flow, a constant flow valve 28 that limits the maximum flow rate of the water flow through the water channel regardless of the water pressure, and a water supply channel 10 leading to the reservoir 12. Measure the temperature of hot water. A second temperature sensor (inflow side temperature sensor) 30, a third temperature sensor (storage tank temperature sensor) 32 provided in the reservoir 12, and the temperature of hot water or water flowing out of the reservoir 12 to the downstream side are measured. a fourth temperature sensor (outflow side temperature sensor) 34, a water quantity sensor 36 provided downstream of the second pump 14, a check valve 38 for preventing backflow of hot water or water, and electromagnetically opening and closing the flow path. and a solenoid valve 40 that

The water quantity sensor 24, the water quantity proportional valve 26, the constant flow valve 28, and the second temperature sensor 30 are connected to the reservoir 12 of the water supply flow path 10 and the confluence portion 43 on the downstream side of the high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and the low temperature side solenoid valve 58. placed in between. The confluence portion 43 is a portion where the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are connected to merge the flows of the two.

The second temperature sensor 30 is provided in the water supply channel 10 upstream of the reservoir 12, and measures the temperature of hot water or water supplied to the reservoir 12 from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b. is designed to measure The second temperature sensor 30 is, for example, a thermistor. The third temperature sensor 32 measures the temperature of hot water or water stored in the storage section 12 . The third temperature sensor 32 is, for example, a thermistor.

A fourth temperature sensor 34 , a water quantity sensor 36 , a check valve 38 , and an electromagnetic valve 40 are provided between the reservoir 12 and the chamber 11 of the water supply flow path 10 . The fourth temperature sensor 34 is adapted to measure the temperature of hot water or water flowing out from the reservoir 12 to the downstream side. The fourth temperature sensor 34 is, for example, a thermistor. The water quantity sensor 36 can measure the flow rate of hot water or water flowing through the water supply channel 10 .

The control unit 16 controls the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharging device 8 . The control unit 16 controls the supply of hot water or cold water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 . The control unit 16 includes the first pump 6, the second pump 14, the remote controller 18, the first temperature sensor 22, the water amount sensor 24, the water amount proportional valve 26, the second temperature sensor 30, the third temperature sensor 32, and the fourth temperature sensor 34. , the water sensor 36 , the solenoid valve 40 , the high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 . These electrical connections may be made in whole or in part by wireless communication such as infrared communication or other methods. The control unit 16 incorporates an arithmetic device such as a CPU and a storage device such as a memory, and can control electrically connected devices based on a predetermined control program or the like stored therein. For example, the control unit 16 stores temperature adjustment preparation control, temperature adjustment control, and other control programs for supplying hot water to the bathtub in the storage device.

The control unit 16 performs temperature increase control (temperature increase control mode) for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8 and temperature decrease control (temperature decrease control mode) for decreasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8. ), and the temperature change mode is a combination of the temperature change mode and the change in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 and the water discharged from the water discharge part so as to easily give the bather a feeling of temperature change. It has a temperature change mode that gives a bather a feeling of change in the temperature drop of hot and cold water in combination.

Next, the storage section 12 will be described in detail.
The storage part 12 is formed so as to cut off the flow path between the upstream side and the downstream side of the water supply flow path 10 . The storage section 12 stores hot water or cold water up to a predetermined water level defined by the float switch 42 . Therefore, an upper space 12a is formed in the upper part of the storage part 12, and the storage part 12 is formed so that the downstream end 10b forming the water supply channel inlet is connected to the upper space 12a. On the other hand, a water supply channel outlet 10c is connected to the bottom surface of the reservoir 12 .

The reservoir 12 is provided with a float switch 42 arranged inside the reservoir 12 and an overflow pipe 44 . The float switch 42 includes a stem 42a that forms a rod-shaped shaft portion of the float switch 42, and a float portion that moves up and down along the stem 42a while receiving buoyancy corresponding to the water level in the storage portion 12 according to fluctuations in the water level. (Float) 42b. Therefore, when the float portion 42b rises to the water level detection position along the stem 42a in accordance with the water level, the float switch 42 can detect that hot water or cold water in the storage portion 12 has reached a predetermined upper water level. . When the float switch 42 detects that hot water or cold water has reached the upper predetermined water level, the water level in the storage section 12 is at least the upper predetermined water level, and the control section 16 controls the storage section. It can be determined that a predetermined amount of hot water or cold water is stored in 12 . The float switch 42 is electrically connected to the controller 16 .

The overflow pipe 44 is formed to extend vertically within the reservoir 12 . The overflow pipe 44 is open at the top inside the reservoir 12 and extends from inside the reservoir 12 onto the drainage channel outside the reservoir 12 . Therefore, the overflow pipe 44 is provided to prevent hot water or cold water from overflowing from the reservoir 12, and when the water level in the reservoir 12 exceeds the height of the upper end opening 44a of the overflow pipe 44, hot water Alternatively, water flows into the overflow pipe 44 and is drained to the drain channel.

The hot water supplied from the high-temperature hot water supply pipe 40a and the water supplied from the low-temperature hot water supply pipe 40b are led to the reservoir 12, where they are mixed and temporarily stored. The storage part 12 is formed to have a size capable of storing a predetermined amount of water. A predetermined amount of water defined as the water storage capacity below the upper end opening 44 a of the overflow pipe 44 in the reservoir 12 is larger than the volume of the chamber 11 . For example, reservoir 12 has a predetermined water storage capacity in the range of about 0.5L to about 3.0L. Moreover, the reservoir 12 is provided at a position above the chamber 11 .

When the control unit 16 attempts to store hot water or water in the storage unit 12, the flow rate (flow rate per unit time) of the hot water or water flowing out from the storage unit 12 to the downstream side is The water quantity proportional valve 26 is controlled so as to be less than the flow rate (flow rate per unit time) of hot water or cold water flowing into the reservoir 12 from the side. When the amount of water stored in the reservoir 12 further increases above the predetermined water level W0, the overflow pipe 44 is used to keep the upper water level in the reservoir 12 constant.

When the control unit 16 attempts to supply hot water or cold water from the storage unit 12 to the chamber 11 without depleting the storage unit 12, the flow rate of the hot water or water flowing out from the storage unit 12 to the downstream side The flow rate of hot water or water flowing into the reservoir 12 from the upstream side of the reservoir 12 is smaller than the flow rate of hot water or water flowing out of the reservoir 12 to the downstream side, or the flow rate of hot water or water flowing out of the reservoir 12 to the downstream side is The water proportional valve 26 is controlled so that the flow rate is approximately the same as the water flow rate.

Next, the operation of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
7 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bathtub apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 8 is a flow chart of a temperature rise control subroutine in the temperature change mode of FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a temperature change of FIG. FIG. 10 is a flow chart of a subroutine for temperature drop control in the mode, FIG. 10 is a flow chart for an intermittent supply control subroutine in the subroutine for temperature drop control in FIG. 9, and FIG. 11 is a water discharger in the temperature change mode in FIG. FIG. 12 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from a water discharger and time, and FIG. It is a time chart showing an enlarged relationship of.

The flowchart shown in FIG. 7 is a flow showing control by the control unit 16 . In FIG. 7, S indicates each step.
First, at the start, the control unit 16 receives an operation input for selecting the temperature change mode of the remote controller 18 by the bather, starts control of the temperature change mode of the bathtub apparatus 1, and proceeds to step S1. It should be noted that the control unit 16 may start the temperature change mode based on its own judgment based on a control program stored in its own storage device without depending on the operation of the remote control 18 by the bather. At the start, the solenoid valve 40, the high-temperature side solenoid valve 56, and the low-temperature side solenoid valve 58 are closed, but in the temperature change mode, water is already being discharged from the water discharging device 8 in the bathtub device 1. , may be started.

Next, in step S1, the controller 16 presumes that the bather has started bathing, and proceeds to step S2. Note that the control unit 16 may detect that the bather has started bathing using a motion sensor or the like, and determine that the bather has started bathing. It should be noted that hot water may be stored in the bathtub body 2 up to the predetermined water level W1 at the point of S1, or if hot water is not stored in the bathtub body 2 at the point of S1, the time up to the point of S2 may be reached. , the control unit 16 may supply hot water from the water heater 52 into the bathtub body 2 to a predetermined water level W1.

In step S2, the control unit 16 starts water discharge from the water discharge device 8 at time t0, starts the circulation of the shoulder hot water, and proceeds to step S3. In step S2, the control unit 16 activates the first pump 6 to start water discharge from the water discharge device 8, takes hot water from the bathtub main body 2 from the water intake port 9b, and causes the first pump 6 to flow downstream. force it to the side. When the hot water jetted by the jet nozzle 20 draws hot water into the chamber 11, the hot water in the introduction passage 4b and the hot water in the water supply passage 10 when the solenoid valve 40 is open are drawn into the chamber 11. is drawn into the water discharging device side flow path 4c. The hot water that has flowed into the water discharger-side channel 4c is discharged from the water discharger 8 into the bathtub main body 2 and circulated within the bathtub main body 2. As shown in FIG. Hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 is applied to the upper body such as the neck and shoulders of a bather sitting with his/her back against the backrest surface 2a in the bathtub body 2, for example, so that the bather can take a shoulder bath. .

In step S<b>12 , the control unit 16 acquires the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 by the first temperature sensor 22 as the temperature TB of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 . At this time, hot or cold water is not supplied from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4, and the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is discharged from the water discharge device 8 through the circulation channel 4, and the bathtub main body is discharged. 2 is cycled back. Therefore, the first temperature sensor 22 can detect the temperature TB of hot water in the bathtub main body 2 on the circulation flow path 4 . It should be noted that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 may be detected at another position such as inside the bathtub body 2 by means of temperature detection means other than the first temperature sensor 22 .

In step S3, the control unit 16 causes the temperature rise control subroutine of FIG. 8 to start in order to execute the temperature rise control subroutine. Next, in step S11, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time tf from time t0 (see FIG. 11) when control is started to time t1 has elapsed. The predetermined time tf is determined in advance by the controller 16 . The predetermined time tf is preferably set to a time within the range of 30 seconds to 120 seconds, eg 30 seconds. If the predetermined time tf from the time t0 has not elapsed, the control unit 16 can determine that the predetermined time has not elapsed since water discharge from the water discharger 8 was started. The process returns to S11 so as to prevent a sudden temperature change from being applied to the person. When the predetermined time tf from the time t0 has passed, the control unit 16 determines that the predetermined time tf has passed since the discharge device 8 started to discharge water, and the naked bather who is bathing has passed the discharge device 8. Since it can be judged that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the outlet has become accustomed, the process proceeds to S12. While the elapsed time of step S11 does not exceed time t1, the control unit 16 raises the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 from the temperature TB of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 to the temperature TH in S12. The temperature of the hot water or water stored in the reservoir 12 is determined for this purpose, and the high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and/or the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 are controlled to supply hot water or water at the determined temperature to the reservoir 12. store. The control unit 16 determines the flow rate of hot water flowing in the circulation flow path 4, for example, the flow rate of hot water in the injection unit side flow path 4a or the discharge device side flow path 4c, based on the rotational speed or output of the rotating body of the first pump 6. can be estimated. The control unit 16 can, for example, estimate the flow rate of hot water flowing through the discharger-side flow path 4c and obtain it as the circulation flow rate. On the other hand, the control unit 16 can also estimate the amount of water supply such as hot water supplied from the water supply flow path 10 from the rotational speed or output of the rotating body of the second pump 14 . Therefore, the control unit 16 can determine the temperature of hot water or water in the storage unit 12 necessary for changing the temperature of the hot water in the circulation passage 4 from TB to TH in subsequent S12. In this embodiment, the temperature TB of hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is preferably set to a temperature within a temperature range of approximately 38.degree. C. to approximately 40.degree.

In step S12, the control unit 16 supplies hot water having a temperature higher than the hot water temperature TB in the bathtub main body 2 detected by the first temperature sensor 22 from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4, and the water discharging device 8 to change the temperature of hot water discharged from to temperature TH. Temperature TH is a temperature higher than temperature TB (eg, about 2°C higher), preferably within a temperature range of about 40°C to about 42°C, eg, about 40°C. During S11, the control unit 16 determines the temperature of hot water or water stored in the storage unit 12 necessary for raising the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 from the temperature TB to the temperature TH, The high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and/or the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 are controlled to store hot water or cold water at a determined temperature in the storage section 12 . Therefore, the control unit 16 changes the solenoid valve 40 from the closed state to the open state, drives the second pump 14 , and causes the water supply channel 10 to supply the circulation channel 4 . As a result, the temperature TB of the hot water in the circulation channel 4 is raised to the temperature TH by the supply of hot water or water from the water supply channel 10 having a higher temperature. While the elapsed time in step S11 does not exceed the time tf, the control unit 16 prepares hot water or cold water at a temperature determined in advance in the storage unit 12, so water is discharged relatively early in S12. The temperature of hot water can be raised from the temperature TB to the temperature TH. After the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 reaches the temperature TH, the control unit 16 controls the supply of hot water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 so as to keep the temperature of the discharged water at the temperature TH. It continues and progresses to step S13.

In step S13, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time th (see FIG. 11) from time t1 to time t2 has elapsed. The predetermined time th is the first water discharge time C1 in the temperature increase control, and is predetermined by the control section 16 . The predetermined time th is preferably set to a time within the range of 30 seconds to 120 seconds, eg 30 seconds. If the predetermined time th has not passed since the time t1, the control unit 16 returns to S13. When a predetermined time th has passed from time t1, the control unit 16 discharges hot water at a temperature TH higher than the temperature TB of hot water in the bathtub main body 2 by the temperature rise control, thereby increasing the neck and shoulders of the bather. Since it can be determined that the upper half of the body is warmed and the bathing person has a certain degree of warm bathing effect, the second pump 14 is stopped and the solenoid valve 40 is closed to stop the temperature rise control. Proceed to subroutine return.

The control unit 16 returns to S3 in FIG. 7 when the return of the subroutine for the temperature increase control is reached. The control unit 16 keeps driving the first pump 6 while stopping the supply of water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 . Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is taken from the water intake portion 9b, passes through the circulation flow path 4, is discharged from the water discharger 8 into the bathtub main body 2, and is circulated within the bathtub main body 2. The control unit 16 proceeds to S4 to continue subsequent processing.

In step S4, the control unit 16 causes the temperature drop control subroutine of FIG. 9 to start in order to execute the temperature drop control subroutine.
Next, in step S21, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time tf from time t2 to time t3 has elapsed. The predetermined time tf is the same as the predetermined time tf in temperature increase control, but the predetermined time tf in temperature decrease control may be set to a time different from the predetermined time tf in temperature increase control. The predetermined time tf from time t2 to time t3 is preferably set to a time within the range of 30 seconds to 120 seconds, eg, 30 seconds. If the predetermined time tf has not passed since the time t2, the control unit 16 returns to S21 so as to prevent a sudden temperature change from being applied to the naked bather in the bath. While the elapsed time of step S21 does not exceed the time tf, the controller 16 lowers the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 from the temperature TB of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 to the temperature TL in S22. The temperature of the hot water or water stored in the reservoir 12 is determined for this purpose, and the high temperature side solenoid valve 56 and/or the low temperature side solenoid valve 58 are controlled to supply hot water or water at the determined temperature to the reservoir 12. store. At this time, if hot water or the like at a certain temperature is already stored in the reservoir 12, the temperature of the hot water or the like is adjusted to the determined temperature. The control unit 16 determines the flow rate of hot water flowing in the circulation flow path 4, for example, the flow rate of hot water in the injection unit side flow path 4a or the discharge device side flow path 4c, based on the rotation speed or output of the rotating body of the first pump 6. can be estimated. The control unit 16 can, for example, estimate the flow rate of hot water flowing through the discharger-side flow path 4c and obtain it as the circulation flow rate. On the other hand, the control unit 16 can also estimate the amount of water supply such as hot water from the water supply channel 10 from the rotational speed or output of the rotating body of the second pump 14 . Therefore, the control unit 16 can determine the temperature of hot water or water in the storage unit 12 necessary for changing the temperature of the hot water in the circulation passage 4 from TB to TL in S22 or the like later. If the predetermined time tf from the time t2 has passed, the control unit 16 determines that the predetermined time tf has passed since the water discharging device 8 started to discharge water, and the naked bather who is bathing has passed the water discharging device 8. Since it can be judged that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the outlet has become accustomed to the temperature drop, the process proceeds to S22.

In step S21, the control unit 16 causes the water discharge device 8 to continue to discharge water from the time t2 until the time t3 with the temperature of the discharged hot water kept substantially constant at the temperature TB. In this way, in the temperature change mode, the control unit 16 sets the first water discharge time C1 for temperature increase control between the first water discharge time C1 for temperature increase control and the second water discharge time C2 for temperature decrease control, which will be described later. Temperature change suppression control for spouting water with less temperature change than both the temperature change (from temperature TB to temperature TH) at the start and the temperature change (from temperature TB to temperature TL) at the start of the second water spouting time C2 of the temperature drop control. Prepare. In the temperature change suppression control, the control unit 16 continues the water discharge from the water discharge device 8 at a substantially constant temperature TB, for example. The temperature change suppression control is performed during the third water discharge time C3 between the first water discharge time C1 and the second water discharge time C2. The third water spouting time C3 is the predetermined time tf. The temperature change suppression control achieves water discharge with little or almost no temperature change during the third water discharge time C3. Temperature change suppression control is preferably performed within the range of temperature TB+0.5° C. to temperature TB-0.5° C., for example, temperature change within the range of about 40.5° C. to about 39.5° C. in the third water discharge time C3. is set to be In the temperature change mode of the control unit 16, the second water discharge time C2 in the temperature decrease control is longer than the first water discharge time C1 in the temperature increase control. In the temperature change mode of the control unit 16, the third water discharge time C3 of the temperature change suppression control is shorter than the temperature change suppression control.

In step S22, the control unit 16 causes the intermittent supply control subroutine of FIG. 10 to start. The control unit 16 advances to step S31 to supply hot water or water having a temperature lower than the temperature TB of hot water in the bathtub body 2 detected by the first temperature sensor 22 from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4, The temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 is changed to the temperature TL. Since the control unit 16 prepares hot water or cold water at a predetermined temperature in the storage unit 12, the temperature of the hot water discharged relatively early in S31 can be lowered from the temperature TB to the temperature TL. . After the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 reaches the temperature TL, the control unit 16 controls the supply of hot water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 so as to keep the temperature of the discharged water at the temperature TL. It continues and progresses to step S32. Temperature TL is a temperature lower than temperature TB (eg, about 3°C to about 4°C lower), preferably within a temperature range of about 34°C to about 37°C, eg, 36°C.

Next, in step S32, as shown in FIG. 12, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time tj from time t3 to time t4 has elapsed. The predetermined time tj is the supply time of one intermittent supply in the temperature drop control. The predetermined time tj is the execution time of the low-temperature water spouting at the temperature TL by one intermittent operation (intermittent water spouting operation) out of the predetermined number of intermittent operations. The predetermined time tj is determined in advance by the controller 16 . The predetermined time tj is preferably set to a time within the range of 5 seconds to 30 seconds, for example 5 seconds. If the predetermined time tj has not elapsed since time t3, the control unit 16 can determine that water spouting has not been continued to the extent that the bather feels cold, so the process returns to S32. While the predetermined time tj of step S32 has not elapsed, the control unit 16 causes the water discharging device 8 to continue discharging water with the temperature of the discharged hot water substantially constant at the temperature TL from time t3 to time t4. ing. When a predetermined time tj has elapsed from time t3, the control unit 16 continues to spout water to the extent that it gives the bather a feeling of coldness, and furthermore, sprays the bather with relatively low-temperature water continuously for a long period of time. The process proceeds to S33 so as to prevent physical burden on the bather. In the temperature change mode of the control unit 16, the predetermined time tj, which is the supply time of one intermittent supply in the temperature decrease control, is shorter than the first water discharge time C1 in the temperature increase control.

In step S33, the control unit 16 changes the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 from the temperature TL to the temperature TB. The control unit 16 performs intermittent temperature control by returning the temperature of the discharged hot water from the temperature TL to the temperature TB during the predetermined number of intermittent operations.

Next, in step S34, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time tg from time t4 to time t5 has elapsed. The predetermined time tg is the execution time of one water spout at the temperature TB corresponding to the intermittent operation (intermittent water spouting operation) for spouting water at a low temperature. The predetermined time tg is predetermined by the controller 16 . The predetermined time tg is preferably set to a time within the range of 5 seconds to 30 seconds, for example 5 seconds. When the predetermined time tg has not passed since the time t4, the control unit 16 sets the temperature TB of the hot water in the bathtub body 2 to a predetermined value so as to suppress physical burden on the bather. Return to S34 so that the bather can be fed again for time tg. While the predetermined time tg of step S34 has not elapsed, the control unit 16 continues water discharge from the water discharging device 8 at a substantially constant temperature TB from time t4 to time t5. When the predetermined time tg has passed, the control unit 16 returns to the intermittent supply control subroutine so that the bather feels a change in temperature by giving the bather a cold sensation again.

When the control unit 16 reaches the return of the intermittent supply control subroutine, the control unit 16 returns to S22 of FIG.

Next, the control unit 16 proceeds from step S22 to step S23, and also executes the intermittent supply control subroutine shown from S31 to S34 in FIG. 10 in step S23. The processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine in step S23 is the same as the processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine in step S22, so the description thereof is omitted. When the processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine in step S23 ends, the process returns to step S23 in FIG. 7 and similarly proceeds to step S24. Thereafter, the processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine is repeated in steps S24, S25, and S26.

As shown in steps S22 to S26 in FIG. 9 and in FIG. 11, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control unit 16 is performed by intermittently supplying hot water or water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 a predetermined number of times. lowers the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharging device 8 by . In this embodiment, five intermittent supplies are performed, but the number of intermittent supplies can be arbitrarily changed to one or more. The number of times of intermittent supply is preferably within the range of 2 to 10 times.

When the processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine in step S26 is completed, the control unit 16 stops the second pump 14 and closes the solenoid valve 40 to stop the temperature decrease control, and returns to the temperature decrease control subroutine. move on.

When the control unit 16 reaches the return of the subroutine of the temperature decrease control, it returns to S4 of FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit 16 continues driving the first pump 6 while stopping the supply of water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 from time t8. Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is taken from the water intake portion 9b, passes through the circulation flow path 4, is discharged from the water discharger 8 into the bathtub main body 2, and is circulated within the bathtub main body 2. The control unit 16 proceeds to S5 to continue subsequent processing.

In step S5, the control unit 16 executes a temperature rise control subroutine. The subroutine for temperature rise control in step S5 is the same as the subroutine for temperature rise control in step S3, so description thereof will be omitted. Note that the time t8 in the temperature rise control subroutine in step S5 corresponds to the time t0 in the temperature rise control subroutine in step S3. When the predetermined time th has passed from time t9 to time t10, the control unit 16 stops the second pump 14 and closes the solenoid valve 40 to stop the temperature rise control, thereby performing the temperature rise control. Proceed to the subroutine return of .

The control unit 16 returns to S5 in FIG. 7 when the return of the temperature increase control subroutine is reached. The control unit 16 keeps driving the first pump 6 while stopping the supply of water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 . Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is taken from the water intake portion 9b, passes through the circulation flow path 4, is discharged from the water discharger 8 into the bathtub main body 2, and is circulated within the bathtub main body 2. The control unit 16 proceeds to S6 to continue subsequent processing.

In step S6, the control unit 16 causes the subroutine of the temperature decrease control shown in FIG. 9 to be executed. The temperature drop control subroutine in step S6 is the same as the temperature drop control subroutine in step S4, so the description thereof will be omitted. Note that time t10 in the subroutine for the temperature drop control in step S6 corresponds to time t2 in the subroutine for the temperature drop control in step S4. When the processing of the intermittent supply control subroutine in step S26 is completed, the control unit 16 stops the second pump 14 and closes the solenoid valve 40 to stop the temperature decrease control, and returns to the temperature decrease control subroutine. move on.

When the temperature drop control subroutine returns at time t11, the control unit 16 returns to S6 in FIG. After executing the temperature increase control and the temperature decrease control in combination, the control unit 16 proceeds to step S7. The control unit 16 executes at least temperature increase control and temperature decrease control in combination. The control unit 16 can change the number of steps, the order, and the like from step S3 to step S6 based on a combination of temperature increase control and temperature decrease control. As a modification, for example, the control unit 16 may perform steps S3 and S4 and proceed to step S7.

In step S7, the control unit 16 stops the first pump 6 to stop the water discharge from the water discharging device 8, and proceeds to the end.

When proceeding to the end, the control unit 16 ends the series of control processing.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the control unit 16 performs temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8 and decreases the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8. The temperature change mode is a combination of temperature decrease control and temperature change mode, in which a feeling of change in the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 and the water discharge device 8 are combined so as to easily give a feeling of temperature change to the bather. A temperature change mode is provided to give a bather a feeling of change in temperature drop of hot water spouted from the bath. As a result, it is possible to easily give the bather a feeling of change in the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8, to make it difficult for the bather to feel bored, and to easily give a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the discharged water.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control unit 16 decreases the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge device 8 in a predetermined number of intermittent operations. As a result, in the temperature lowering control, it is possible to suppress the physical burden on the bather caused by continuously applying water to the bather for a long time, and to prevent the bather from becoming bored due to the intermittent temperature change of hot water. I can give you a feeling. Further, for example, when the temperature adjustment unit 7 is connected to the circulation flow path 4 and includes a water supply flow path 10 that supplies hot water or cold water from an external supply source, the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control unit 16 is , the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8 is lowered by intermittent supply of water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 a predetermined number of times. As a result, in the temperature lowering control, it is possible to suppress the physical burden on the bather caused by continuously applying water to the bather for a long time, and to prevent the bather from becoming bored due to the intermittent temperature change of hot water. I can give you a feeling.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in the temperature change mode of the control unit 16, the second water discharge time period for the temperature decrease control is longer than the first water discharge time period for the temperature increase control. As a result, for a bather whose body has already been warmed in bathing, the water discharge time for which the temperature is lowered by the temperature decrease control is made longer than the water discharge time for the water whose temperature is increased by the temperature increase control, so that the bather can enjoy the water. It is possible to easily receive a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the temperature drop of the discharged water.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, in the temperature change mode of the control unit 16, the time of one intermittent operation in the temperature decrease control is shorter than the first water discharge time in the temperature increase control. A bather whose body has already been warmed by bathing is more likely to be discharged with hot water at a temperature lowered by temperature lowering control than when hot water with a temperature raised by temperature raising control is discharged. It is easy to feel the gap of the temperature difference. Therefore, when hot water with a temperature lowered by the temperature lowering control is spouted, one intermittent operation in the temperature lowering control is set to be shorter and relatively shorter than the first water spouting time in the temperature raising control. It is possible to further reduce the burden on the person's body.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the temperature change mode of the control unit 16 is set in the temperature increase control between the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control and the second water discharge time of the temperature decrease control. A temperature change suppression control is provided for spouting water with less temperature change than both the temperature change at the start of the first water spouting time and the temperature change at the start of the second water spouting time of the temperature decrease control. As a result, water is spouted with little temperature change by the temperature change suppression control between the first water spouting time of the temperature rise control and the second water spouting time of the temperature lowering control, thereby providing an opportunity for the bather to get used to the spouting water temperature. can. As a result, it is possible to make the body of the bather less likely to be burdened, and it is possible to more easily provide a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the spouted water.

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the control unit 16 performs temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharging device 8 by the hot water supplied from the water supply passage 10, and A temperature change mode combining a temperature decrease control for decreasing the temperature of the hot water supplied to the water discharge device 8, and the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 so as to easily give a feeling of temperature change to the bather. A temperature change mode is provided to give a bathing person a feeling of change in temperature rise and a change feeling of drop in temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharger 8.例文帳に追加As a result, even when adjusting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the water supply channel 10 or the hot water discharged from the water supply channel 10, the bather can easily feel the change in the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8. It is possible to make bathers less likely to feel bored, and to easily give refreshment and comfort due to the temperature change of the spouted water. In addition, by adopting a hot water supply system for supplying hot water or cold water to the circulation flow path 4 through the water supply flow path 10, water is discharged with higher efficiency than a system in which a temperature control unit such as a heater is provided in the circulation flow path 4. The temperature of hot water discharged from the device 8 can be adjusted, and even when hot water is discharged from the discharge part at a relatively large flow rate, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the discharge part can be adjusted with relatively high efficiency. .

In one embodiment of the present invention configured as described above, the controller 16 causes the water discharger 8 to supply hot water having a temperature higher than that in the bathtub main body 2 from the water supply passage 10. The hot water supplied to the water discharging device 8 is controlled by temperature rise control for raising the temperature of the hot water to be supplied, and hot water or water having a temperature lower than the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is supplied from the water supply passage 10. A temperature change mode combined with a temperature drop control for dropping the temperature, and a feeling of change in the temperature rise of the hot water discharged from the water discharge device 8 so as to easily give a feeling of temperature change to the bather; A temperature change mode is provided to give a bather a feeling of change in the temperature drop of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 in combination. As a result, even when adjusting the temperature of the hot water supplied from the water supply channel 10 or the hot water to be discharged, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub main body 2 is adjusted to the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 to the bather. It is possible to easily give a feeling of change in the temperature of the hot water, to make it difficult for the bather to feel bored, and to easily give a feeling of refreshment and comfort due to the change in the temperature of the spout.

Next, a bathtub apparatus according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 2nd Embodiment is an example which performs temperature fall control of the bathtub apparatus by different timing by this invention. FIG. 13 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in the temperature change mode of the bathtub device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.
Since the structure of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment is substantially the same as that of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, only the points that differ from the first embodiment of the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Similar parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Since the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the second embodiment has substantially the same structure as the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, FIGS. 1 to 6 of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment will be referred to. Illustration of the structure, etc. is omitted.

At the start, the control unit 16 starts controlling the temperature change mode of the bathtub apparatus 1, and executes steps S1 and S2 as shown in FIG. Steps S1 and S2 are the same as steps S1 and S2 of the first embodiment, so description thereof is omitted.

In step S3, the control unit 16 causes the subroutine of temperature increase control to be executed. The control unit 16 starts a temperature rise control subroutine as shown in FIG. ) has passed. If the predetermined time tf from the time t0 has not elapsed, the control unit 16 can determine that the predetermined time has not elapsed since water discharge from the water discharger 8 was started. The process returns to S11 so as to prevent a sudden temperature change from being applied to the person. When the predetermined time tf from the time t0 has passed, the control unit 16 determines that the predetermined time tf has passed since the discharge device 8 started to discharge water, and the naked bather who is bathing has passed the discharge device 8. Since it can be judged that the temperature of the hot water discharged from the outlet has become accustomed, the process proceeds to S12. In step S12, the control unit 16 supplies hot water having a temperature higher than the hot water temperature TB in the bathtub main body 2 detected by the first temperature sensor 22 from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4, and the water discharging device 8 to change the temperature of hot water discharged from to temperature TH. After the temperature of the hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 reaches the temperature TH, the control unit 16 controls the supply of hot water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 so as to keep the temperature of the discharged water at the temperature TH. It continues and progresses to step S13.

In step S13, the control unit 16 determines whether or not a predetermined time th from time t1 to time t2 has elapsed. The predetermined time th is the first water discharge time C1 in the temperature increase control, and is predetermined by the control section 16 . If the predetermined time th has not passed since the time t1, the control unit 16 returns to S13. When a predetermined time th has passed from time t1, the control unit 16 discharges hot water at a temperature TH higher than the temperature TB of hot water in the bathtub main body 2 by the temperature rise control, thereby increasing the neck and shoulders of the bather. Since it can be determined that the upper half of the body is warmed and the bathing person has a certain degree of warm bathing effect, the second pump 14 is stopped and the solenoid valve 40 is closed to stop the temperature rise control. Proceed to subroutine return.

In the second embodiment, when the solenoid valve 40 is closed and the supply of hot water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 is stopped, the temperature at which the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge device 8 is lowered. Lowering control is started. In the temperature lowering control of the present embodiment, the supply of hot water from the water supply channel 10 to the circulation channel 4 is stopped, and hot water from the water intake portion 9b is discharged from the water discharge device 8 through the circulation channel 4. there is Therefore, the control unit 16 starts the temperature decrease control from time t2 and continues until time t12. During this time, the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 is gradually lowered from the temperature TH to the temperature TB by circulation. The control unit 16 performs temperature lowering control so that the temperature of the hot water to be discharged is returned to TB. The temperature drop control, for example, changes the temperature within the range of 0.4° C./second to 4° C./second. In this way, the control unit 16 performs temperature change by combining temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8 and temperature decrease control for decreasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharger 8. A mode in which the change in the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 changes and the change in the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device 8 so as to easily give the bather a feeling of temperature change. It is possible to execute the above-described temperature change mode that gives the bather a combination of both feeling and feeling. After executing the temperature lowering control, the control unit 16 continues water discharge from the water discharging device 8 while stopping the supply of water from the water supply flow channel 10 to the circulation flow channel 4 .

Next, a bathtub apparatus according to a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The third embodiment is an example in which the temperature increase control and the temperature decrease control of the bathtub apparatus according to the present invention are executed in a different order. FIG. 14 is a time chart showing the relationship between the temperature of hot water discharged from the water discharging device and the time in the temperature change mode of the bathtub device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.
Since the structure of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the above-described first embodiment, only the points that differ from the first embodiment of the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. Similar parts are given the same reference numerals in the drawings, and descriptions thereof are omitted. Since the structure of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the third embodiment is substantially the same as that of the bathtub apparatus 1 according to the first embodiment described above, FIGS. Illustration of the structure, etc. is omitted.

In the above-described first embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 11, the control unit 16 performs temperature increase control (step S3), temperature decrease control (step S4), temperature increase control (step S5), temperature decrease Control (step S6) is executed in this order. On the other hand, in the third embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the control unit 16 performs the temperature decrease control described in the first embodiment after continuously performing the temperature increase control three times. ing. In this manner, the order and number of combinations of temperature increase control and temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode can be changed. For example, as another modification, the control unit 16 may execute the temperature increase control once and the temperature decrease control once, and end the control in the temperature change mode. Further, as another modification, the control unit 16 may execute the temperature increase control after executing the temperature decrease control after the start of control in the temperature change mode.

Reference Signs List 1: Bathtub device 2: Bathtub body 4: Circulation flow path 6: First pump (circulation pump)
7: temperature control part 9: water intake part 9b: water intake part (bathtub water intake)
10: Water supply channel (supply pipeline)
16: Control unit 52: Water heater

Claims (7)

A bathtub device for supplying hot water to a bathtub,
a bathtub body for storing hot water;
a water intake portion for taking hot water in the bathtub main body;
a water discharger provided above the bathtub main body for discharging hot water taken from the water intake into the bathtub main body;
a circulation flow path that communicates the water intake portion and the water discharge portion;
a circulation pump that is provided in the circulation flow path and feeds hot water taken from the intake port through the circulation flow path;
a temperature adjustment unit that adjusts the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit;
a detection unit that detects the temperature of hot water in the bathtub main body;
a control unit for controlling the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit;
The control unit has a temperature change mode in which temperature increase control for increasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit and temperature decrease control for decreasing the temperature of hot water supplied to the water discharge unit are combined. In order to make it easier for the user to feel the change in temperature, both the feeling of change in the temperature rise of hot water discharged from the water discharge part and the change feeling of the change in temperature of water discharged from the water discharge part are combined. A bathtub apparatus characterized by having the above-mentioned temperature change mode for providing a bather with a temperature change mode. 2. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the temperature decrease control in the temperature change mode of the control section decreases the temperature of hot water to be discharged from the water discharge section in a predetermined number of intermittent operations. 3. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 2, wherein in the temperature change mode of the control unit, a second water spouting time for executing a predetermined number of intermittent operations in the temperature decrease control is longer than a first water spouting time in the temperature rise control. 4. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein in the temperature change mode of the control unit, the time for one intermittent operation in the temperature decrease control is shorter than the first water discharge time in the temperature increase control. In the temperature change mode of the control unit, between the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control and the second water discharge time of the temperature decrease control, the temperature change at the start of the first water discharge time of the temperature increase control and The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprising temperature change suppression control for spouting water with a smaller temperature change than any temperature change at the start of the second water spouting time of the temperature drop control. 6. The bathtub apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein said temperature control unit includes a water supply channel connected to said circulation channel and supplying hot water or cold water from an external supply source. In the temperature rise control, the control unit supplies hot water having a temperature higher than that in the bathtub main body from the water supply flow path,
7. The bathtub apparatus according to claim 6, wherein in said temperature lowering control, hot water or water having a temperature lower than that of hot water in said bathtub main body is supplied from said water supply passage.

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