JP2500787B2 - Wall pool unit - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a jet function in which air is mixed with bath water taken out from a bathtub to form a jet stream containing bubbles and is recirculated into the bathtub from recirculation portions provided at a plurality of vertical positions on a wall surface of the bathtub. The present invention relates to a whirlpool unit having an air conditioner, and particularly to a whirlpool unit having measures taken when the water level of a bathtub is lowered.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 9 shows a conventional example. In the figure, 1 is a bathtub and 2 is a whirlpool unit. The whirlpool unit 2 in the illustrated example is designed such that hot water flows as shown by a solid arrow in the figure, and filtration is also performed at the same time. A suction port 4 provided in the bathtub 1 and upper and lower portions 3 of one side wall of the bathtub 1 are provided. It is provided with two reflux nozzles 6A to 6C provided at two places, a circulating water channel 8, a circulating pump 10, an air pipe 12, an air amount adjusting solenoid valve 14, a filtering device 16, and a controller 18. .

The circulating water passage 8 is branched and connected to each of the reflux nozzles 6A to 6C. The filtering device 16 mainly includes a steam separation tank 20, a filter 22, and a three-way switching valve 2.
4. It has a water level switch 26 and a pressure switch 28.

[0004]

By the way, during jet operation, if the water level in the bathtub 1 is lowered from L ₀ to L ₁ in the figure and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, discharge resistance decreases. In addition, the bath water ejected from the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is likely to be scattered to the outside of the bath 1.

Further, even when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lowered to L ₁ in the figure and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, when the bather enters the bathtub 1, the water level in the bathtub 1 is shown in the figure. L
It is possible that the reflux nozzle 6A at the uppermost stage rises to ₀ and is located below the water surface. When the bather starts the jet operation in such a situation, the above-mentioned problem of scattering does not occur, but when the bather leaves the bathtub 1 while the jet operation is being performed, the bath temperature drops to L ₁ in the figure again. Since the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, as described above,
The bath water ejected from the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is the bathtub 1
It is easy to scatter outside of.

On the other hand, the applicant of the present invention, for example, although not shown, attaches a water level detecting means including a water level switch and a pressure switch on the circulation side of the circulating water channel 8 to reduce the water level of the bathtub 1 during the jet operation. It was considered to detect and stop the bath water recirculation from the uppermost recirculation nozzle 6A. However, in this case, since the water level detecting means is provided in the circulating water channel 8, the circulating pump 1
It was found that the water level detection is likely to be inaccurate due to the pulsating discharge pressure of 0. If the water level is thus inaccurate, it may be mistakenly determined that the water level has decreased until the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, although the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is not completely exposed, Alternatively, even though the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is completely exposed, it is easy to mistakenly judge that the water level has not decreased until the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed. The timing for stopping the bath water recirculation from the nozzle 6A is likely to be incorrect.

In view of such circumstances, the present invention makes it possible to accurately determine whether or not the water level of the bathtub is lower than that of the uppermost reflux nozzle, so that the return flow ejected from the uppermost reflux nozzle is made. The problem is to eliminate the problem that running water is scattered outside the bathtub.

[0008]

The present invention relates to a whirlpool unit having a structure in which bath water is taken out from a bathtub and is recirculated as a jet stream containing bubbles from recirculation portions provided at a plurality of vertical positions on a wall surface of the bathtub. Configure as follows.

In the first whirlpool unit, a pipe line for naturally dropping the bath water of the bathtub is provided in addition to the return channel of the bath water, and a water level detecting means is provided in this pipe line. When it is determined that the water level of the bathtub is lower than that of the uppermost reflux section based on the output of the water level detection means, the control section has a control means for stopping the bathtub water reflux from at least the uppermost reflux section.

In the second whirlpool unit, a flow passage for circulating the bath water is provided in a water passage to the uppermost reflux portion in the circulation water passage. When it is determined that the water level of the bathtub is lower than that of the uppermost reflux section, at least the control means for stopping the bathwater reflux from the uppermost reflux section is provided.

In the third whirlpool unit, pressure detecting means for detecting the air suction pressure is provided in the air introducing passage connected to the uppermost reflux portion, and the water level in the bathtub is determined based on the output of this pressure detecting means. When it is determined that the temperature is lower than the uppermost reflux portion, at least the bath water reflux from the uppermost reflux portion is stopped.

[0012]

In the first whirlpool unit, the water level of the pipeline separate from the circulating water channel is detected by using the water level detecting means and is replaced with the water level of the bathtub. Unlike such a case, even if a circulation pump whose discharge pressure pulsates is used in the circulation water channel, it is not affected by the influence.

In the second whirlpool unit, when the water level in the bathtub is lower than that in the uppermost reflux section, the jetting resistance in this reflux section becomes smaller, and the flow rate of the reflux water in the circulating water channel to this reflux section becomes remarkable. Paying attention to the increase, the flow rate detecting means detects this phenomenon to recognize the decrease in water level.

In the third whirlpool unit, when the water level in the bathtub is lower than that in the uppermost recirculation section, air is no longer sucked from the air introduction path connected to this recirculation section, and the air is introduced in this air introduction path. Paying attention to the fact that the air suction pressure is remarkably lowered, this phenomenon is detected by the pressure detecting means to recognize the drop in the water level.

As described above, in any of the whirlpool units, it is possible to accurately detect that the water level in the bathtub is lower than that in the uppermost reflux nozzle. Therefore, in response to the accurate detection, the bath water recirculation from at least the uppermost recirculation nozzle can be stopped, so that the stop timing is unlikely to be incorrect and the problem that the recirculation water is appropriately scattered to the outside of the bath can be prevented. You can stop it.

[0016]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS. FIG. 1 is a first embodiment,
The schematic structure of a whirlpool unit is shown. In this embodiment, the whirlpool unit having the same configuration as that of the whirlpool unit described in the conventional example is taken as an example, and the same parts are designated by the same reference numerals.

In the figure, 1 is a bathtub and 2 is a whirlpool unit. The whirlpool unit 2 includes a suction port 4 provided in the bathtub 1, two reflux nozzles 6A to 6C provided at three upper and lower portions of one side wall of the bathtub 1, a suction port 4 and each of the reflux nozzles 6A to 6C. It is connected to a circulating water passage 8 to be connected, a circulating pump 10 provided in the middle of the circulating water passage 8 and for drawing hot water from the suction port 4 of the bathtub 1 and returning it to the respective reflux nozzles 6A to 6C, and the respective reflux nozzles 6A to 6C. Air pipe 12 for sucking in outside air by means of air, an electromagnetic valve 14 for controlling the amount of intake air provided at a common suction end of the air pipe 12, and a filtering device for filtering bath water taken out to the circulating water passage 8. 16 and a controller 18 for controlling the operation of necessary elements among them.

The main feature of this embodiment is that when the water level in the bathtub 1 drops during jet operation until the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, this phenomenon is accurately detected and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is detected. It is designed to stop the reflux of bath water from.

Concretely, the structure of this embodiment different from the conventional example is a water level detecting conduit 30 for connecting the portion of the circulating water passage 8 closer to the reflux nozzles 6A to 6C than the circulation pump 10 and the side wall of the bath 1. In addition, the water level switch 34 is provided at a position (L ₁ in the figure) slightly higher than the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A on the side of the reflux nozzle 6A of the water level detecting conduit 30, and the circulation of the water level detecting conduit 30 is performed. The electromagnetic on-off valve 32 is provided on the water channel 8 side, and the electromagnetic on-off valve 36 is provided on the branch channel 8A connecting the circulating water channel 8 and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A.
Is provided, and the controller 18 is made to perform a specific process described later.

The special processing of the controller 18 is that when the jet operation is started, the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 32 provided in the water level detecting pipe 30 is closed and the water level switch 34 is affected by the circulation pump 10. When the water level switch 34 is turned off due to a decrease in the water level in the water level detecting conduit 30 as the water level in the bathtub 1 decreases until the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, That is, the electromagnetic on-off valve 36 provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the reflux nozzle 6A is controlled to be closed. The two electromagnetic on-off valves 32 and 36 are normally open type valves that are open when not energized.

As a basic operation during jet operation, when the jet operation is designated, the water level detecting conduit 3
0 closes the electromagnetic on-off valve 32, and the circulation pump 1
2 is started, and the valve opening degree of the air amount adjusting solenoid valve 14 is controlled according to a setting switch (not shown). As a result, the bath water in the bath 1 is taken out from the suction port 4, is filtered through the filtering device 16 and is recirculated from the recirculation nozzles 6A to 6C to the bath 1 as shown by the arrow in the figure. Since the inside of the air pipe 12 is brought to a negative pressure state by this reflux water, the air sucked through the air pipe 12 is supplied to the reflux nozzles 6A to 6C, where the reflux water and the air are mixed to form a foam, It is jetted into the bathtub 1 as a jet flow.

During such a jet operation, when the water level in the bathtub 1 drops from L ₀ to L ₁ in the figure and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, the water level switch 34 is turned off due to this drop in water level. Therefore, the controller 18 recognizes it and closes the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A.
As a result, the bath water does not flow back from the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A, but the middle and lowermost reflux nozzles 6
Bath water continues to flow back from B and 6C.

Therefore, when the bather is in the bathtub 1 and the water level of the bathtub 1 rises to L ₀ in the figure and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is located below the water surface, all the reflux nozzles 6A are The bath water is continuously recirculated from ~ 6C, but when the bather leaves the bath 1 while the jet operation is being performed, it is lowered to L ₁ in the figure again and the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed. In this case, as described above, the circulation of bath water from the uppermost circulation nozzle 6A is stopped. In this way, even if the water level of the bathtub 1 changes according to the bather's entrance and exit, the water level can be accurately detected and dealt with each time.

The electromagnetic opening / closing valve 3 of the water level detecting conduit 30
Since 2 is open when the jet operation is not performed, when draining the bath water of the bath 1, the water level detecting pipe 3
The water present at 0 is also naturally drained.

FIG. 2 shows a second embodiment. In this embodiment, in addition to the configuration of the first embodiment, a water level switch 34a is provided for detecting that the water level of the bathtub 1 has dropped to L ₂ in the figure and the middle reflux nozzle 6B has been exposed. When the water level switch 34a is turned off, the circulation pump 1
That is, 0 is stopped to stop the jet operation. In this embodiment, the upper water level switch 3
When 4 is off and the lower water level switch 34a is on, the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is closed.

FIG. 3 shows a third embodiment. In this embodiment, the reflux nozzle 6C at the lowermost stage on the side wall of the bathtub 1 is used.
Is provided with a water level detecting conduit 30a for connecting the lower side of the circulating water conduit 8 to the take-out side of the circulating water conduit 8, and the pressure sensor is located at a position slightly higher than the suction inlet 4 on the suction port 4 side of the water level detecting conduit 30a. 34b, the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 32a is provided on the circulating pump 10 side of the water level detecting conduit 30a, and the controller 18 is made to perform a specific process described later. This controller 18
Is L based on the output from the pressure sensor 34b.
₀ or more, that is, when it is determined that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is located below the water surface, the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 3 installed in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A.
While leaving 6 open, when it is determined that L ₂ or more and L ₁ or less in the figure, that is, the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A. By closing the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 provided in the above, the circulation of the bath water from the uppermost circulation nozzle 6A is controlled to be stopped.

In the third embodiment, instead of the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 32, a check valve that opens only from the water level detecting conduit 30a to the circulating water conduit 8 may be used. Specifically,
A check valve 50 as shown in FIG. 4 is used. The check valve 50 includes two split valve cases 51 and 52, a valve seat 53 attached to the upper valve case 51, and a mesh plate 54 provided below the valve seat 53 with a predetermined gap.
And a spherical float valve body (specific gravity less than 1) 55 provided between the valve seat 53 and the mesh plate 54. As the operation, the float valve body 55 closes the valve seat 53 when the water level detecting conduit 30a is filled with water, so that the pressure of the circulation pump 10 is prevented from being transmitted to the pressure sensor 34b. When the bath water of the bath 1 is drained, the float valve element 55 opens the valve seat 53, so that the water present in the water level detection conduit 30 is also naturally drained.

FIG. 5 shows a fourth embodiment. In this embodiment, when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than that of the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A, the jetting resistance of the reflux nozzle 6A becomes smaller and the circulating water passage 8 to the reflux nozzle 6A is reduced.
Focusing on the fact that the flow rate of the recirculated water significantly increases, this phenomenon is detected by the water amount sensor so as to recognize the above-mentioned drop in water level.

That is, in this embodiment, in the configuration of the first embodiment, the water level detecting pipe 30 is eliminated, and the water quantity sensor 38 and the water level switch are provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 leading to the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A. 34, the controller 18 determines that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is located below the water surface when there is no significant increase in the water amount based on the output from the water amount sensor 38 during the jet operation. While leaving the electromagnetic on-off valve 36 installed in 8A open, when recognizing a significant increase in the amount of water, it is recognized that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, and the circulating water channel 8
By closing the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 provided in the branch passage 8A, the circulation of the bath water from the uppermost circulation nozzle 6A is controlled to be stopped.

Also, in this embodiment, the water level switch 34
Is used for water level detection when the jet operation is not performed, and when it is determined that L ₀ or more in the figure, that is, the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is located below the water surface, the branch passage of the circulating water passage 8 while remain the electromagnetic valve 36 opens interposed 8A, when L ₁ or less i.e. uppermost reflux nozzle 6A in the figure is judged to have exposed, is interposed in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water channel 8 The electromagnetic on-off valve 36 is closed.

6 and 7 show fifth and sixth embodiments. In these embodiments, when the water level in the bathtub 1 becomes lower than the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A, the reflux nozzle 6A
Focusing on the fact that the air suction pressure in the air pipe 12 significantly decreases as air is no longer sucked in from the air pipe 12 connected to the air pipe 12, this phenomenon is prevented by the pressure switch 40 provided in the middle of the air pipe 12. It detects it and recognizes the above-mentioned water level fall. The reason why this phenomenon occurs will be described later with reference to FIG.

In particular, in the fifth embodiment, the water level detecting means such as a water level switch is not used, and only the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 is provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 when the pressure switch 40 is on. That is, when the air pressure falls within a predetermined steady range, it is determined that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is located below the water surface, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 provided in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 is left open. , Pressure switch 40
When is off, that is, when the air pressure is significantly reduced, it is recognized that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, and the electromagnetic opening / closing valve 36 installed in the branch passage 8A of the circulating water passage 8 is closed to close the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A. Control is performed so as to stop the reflux of bath water from the reflux nozzle 6A.

On the other hand, in the sixth embodiment, as shown in FIG.
When the pressure switch 40 is off, that is, when the air pressure drops significantly, the circulation pump 1 recognizes that the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed.
The jet operation is stopped by stopping 0.

Here, the specific construction of the reflux nozzles 6A to 6C used in the various embodiments described above will be described with reference to FIG. The recirculation nozzle 6A (6B, 6C) is arranged on the outer surface of the side wall of the bathtub 1 and has a receiving member 61 to which the recirculation side end of the circulating water channel 8 and the end of the air pipe 12 are connected,
A lid member 62 hooked on the inner surface of the side wall of the bathtub 1 and screwed into the opening of the receiving portion 61 while being inserted into the through hole 1a of the bathtub 1, and a cover 63 covering the front surface of the lid member 62.
A throttle nozzle 64 provided on the receiving member 61, a direction adjusting nozzle 65 provided on the lid member 62, and the lid member 62.
And a nut 66 for fixing the cover 63 immovably and for swingably fixing the direction adjusting nozzle 65. And in this reflux nozzle 6A (6B, 6C),
The reflux water is jetted as shown by the one-dot chain line in the figure, and when the water level in the bathtub 1 is L ₀ or higher in the figure, that is, above the reflux nozzle 6A (6B, 6C), the reflux water is discharged. The air pipe 12 by causing the ejector action with the jet of air.
It sucks in air from and mixes air bubbles with reflux water. However, when the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than L ₁ in the figure, that is, lower than the reflux nozzle 6A (6B, 6C), the ejector action cannot be caused, so that air is not sucked. Then, when the water level of the bathtub 1 lowers until L ₁ in the figure, that is, only the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is exposed, the other reflux nozzles 6B and 6C exert an ejector action, so that the air pipe 12 Air is not sucked in from the end portion, and the direction adjustment nozzle 6 of the uppermost reflux nozzle 6A is
Air will be inhaled from 5. Therefore, the air pipe 12 changes from the negative pressure state to the positive pressure state.

The present invention is not limited to the whirlpool unit having the structure described in the above embodiment, but can be applied to structures having different details. For example, the reflux nozzle used for the whirlpool unit capable of jet operation is not limited to the structure described above, but at least a function as shown in FIG. 8 is required.

[0036]

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect that the water level of the bathtub is lower than that of the uppermost reflux nozzle, and in response to the detection, stop the circulation of the bath water from at least the uppermost reflux nozzle. Therefore, even if the uppermost reflux nozzle is exposed due to the decrease in the water level, it is possible to prevent the problem that the reflux water is scattered to the outside of the bath.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide an excellent whirlpool unit which is easy to use in consideration of the actual usage situation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of a first embodiment of a whirlpool unit of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic configuration diagram of a second embodiment of the whirlpool unit of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whirlpool unit according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional side view of a check valve according to a modification of the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whirlpool unit according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whirlpool unit according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a schematic configuration diagram of a whirlpool unit according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional side view of a reflux nozzle used in fifth and sixth embodiments.

FIG. 9 is a schematic configuration diagram of a conventional whirlpool unit.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Bathtub 4 Suction port 6A Top reflux nozzle 6B Middle reflux nozzle 6C Bottom reflux nozzle 8 Circulating water channel 10 Circulating pump 18 Controller 30 Water level detecting pipe 32 Electromagnetic on-off valve of water level detecting pipe 36 Circulating water channel Solenoid valve

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Hideaki Nagase, 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo, Noritsu Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A whirlpool unit configured to take out bath water from a bathtub and to recirculate it as a jet stream containing bubbles from recirculation portions provided at a plurality of vertical positions on a wall surface of the bathtub, wherein the recirculation channel of the bath water is Separately, there is provided a pipeline through which the water in the bathtub naturally drops, and a water level detecting means is provided in this pipeline. Based on the output of this water level detecting means, the water level of the bathtub is the uppermost reflux section. A whirlpool unit having a control means for stopping the bath water recirculation from at least the uppermost recirculation part when it is determined that the whirlpool unit is lower. 2. A whirlpool unit configured to take out bathtub water from a bathtub and to recirculate it as a jet stream containing bubbles from recirculation parts provided at a plurality of vertical positions on a wall surface of the bathtub, wherein the bathwater is circulated. In the water channel to the uppermost reflux section, a flow rate detecting means for detecting the passing flow rate is provided, and when it is determined that the water level of the bathtub is lower than the uppermost reflux section based on the output of this flow rate detecting means. A whirlpool unit comprising: control means for stopping at least the bath water recirculation from the uppermost reflux portion. 3. A whirlpool unit configured to take out bathtub water from a bathtub and recirculate it as a jet stream containing bubbles from a reflux section provided at a plurality of vertical positions on a wall surface of the bathtub, the whirlpool unit being connected to the uppermost reflux section. A pressure detecting means for detecting the air suction pressure is provided in the air introduction path to be operated, and when it is determined that the water level in the bathtub is lower than the uppermost reflux portion based on the output of this pressure detecting means, at least the uppermost stage A whirlpool unit having control means for stopping the circulation of the bath water from the circulation portion of the whirlpool unit.