JP2518518B2 - How to automatically fill the bathtub - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically filling a bathtub from a water heater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of automatically filling hot water from a water heater into a bathtub, first, by dropping the bathtub, the water level of the bathtub is higher than a circulation hole of a circulation fitting of the bathtub, that is, a bath level sensor disposed in a reheating circulation circuit. It is determined whether the water level is a water level at which it can be detected, and the water level that can be reheated and recirculated, or not, and if it is judged as above, the bathtub water level at the time of the judgment (actual water level Is unknown, but it can be estimated that the water level is slightly above the circulation hole of the circulation fitting.) As a reference water level, a reference output value corresponding to this reference water level is given to the bath water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit. However, a method of automatically filling up to the set bath water level by further dropping the bath water level sensor based on the reference output value until the output value corresponding to the set water level is detected. There has been provided conventionally. And as a method for adjusting the bathtub water level to a reference water level that is higher than or equal to the water level that can be reheated and circulated, a conventional circulation determination method that repeats dropping and circulation determination, and a method by inflection point detection of the output of the bathtub water level sensor, There is. The circulation determination method adjusts the bath water level to a submersion level of the circulation fitting slightly above the circulation hole of the circulation fitting by repeating dropping a constant amount of water and presence / absence of water flow detection by the water flow switch driven by the circulation pump. Is the way. On the other hand, in the inflection point detection method, the hot water is dropped into the bathtub by one-way conveyance, and the inflection point of the output of the bathtub water level sensor in the reheating circulation circuit is detected to detect the inflection point. Detecting that the water level has reached the level of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting, and adding the amount of water of the difference in water level considering the diameter of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting to the water level of the bathtub slightly above the circulation hole of the circulation fitting. This is a method of adjusting the submersion level of the circulation fittings, that is, the water level at which the bath water level can be detected by the water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit.

[0003]

However, the circulation determination method can surely determine and adjust the water level at which the bath water can be circulated to the reheating circulation circuit.
On the other hand, since the drop and the circulation determination are repeated a plurality of times, there is a problem of noise when the circulation determination is performed a plurality of times.
In addition, if the drop amount per one time is increased, there is a possibility that the water level that can be reheated and recirculated will be greatly exceeded. In this case, the standard water level itself is expected (the water level that is just above the hole in the circulation fittings of the bathtub). There is a drawback that it is not possible to fill the water accurately to the set water level. On the other hand, as for the inflection point detection method, as long as the inflection point can be reliably detected, it is usually necessary to drive the actual circulation pump to determine the circulation in order to confirm that it is at or above the reheatable circulating water level. Only once, the noise due to circulation judgment is reduced. Further, the bathtub water level at the time when the circulation determination is made does not greatly exceed the recirculating water level that can be reheated, so that the water filling to the set water level can be performed accurately. However, when this inflection point detection method is adopted, when air is mixed in the reheating circulation circuit, a pseudo inflection point may occur or an inflection point may occur due to the behavior of the air. This includes problems such as not being able to detect points.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional method, and causes problems when the circulation determination method and the inflection point detection method are separately used for automatic filling of a bathtub.
In particular, when the problem of spillage of drop water and the noise of drop that occurs when moving to the inflection point detection method is reduced, and when the inflection point is not detected during operation when the inflection point detection method is adopted Also in the above, it is an object to provide an automatic water filling method for a bathtub capable of water filling to a set water level.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the method for automatically filling a bathtub according to the present invention is such that hot water from a water heater is first heated by the start of an automatic filling operation and then goes to a bath circuit. Both the pipe and the return pipe are used to transfer both into the bathtub, and it is judged whether the drop flow rate per unit time at that time is above a certain level. It shifts to the inflection point detection mode that captures the inflection point of the sensor output value, and if it is less than this, it shifts to the circulation determination mode for both transports, and the bath water level is higher than the circulation metal fittings of the bathtub that can circulate. Adjusted, with the bath water level at that time as the reference water level, an automatic water filling method for the bathtub so as to perform a drop until the set water level is detected, and when shifting to the inflection point detection mode, Drop by both transportation After narrowing down only flow below a certain flow rate, and the first feature that it has to switch on one conveyor. Further, the method of automatically filling a bathtub according to the present invention is to automatically drop hot water from a water heater into the bathtub through a reheating circulation circuit of the bathtub and to monitor a bathtub water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit. At the inflection point of the output value of the bathtub water level sensor, thereby detecting that the bathtub water level has reached a circulating metal fitting level slightly below the water level that can be reheated and circulated, and is predetermined after the inflection point is detected. Confirm that the circulating water level of the circulating metal fitting has dropped below a certain level and the circulating water level is above the level at which the water can be circulated.The bath level at this time is assumed to be at a certain standard level, and A corresponding reference output value is given to the bath water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit, and is dropped until the bath water level sensor further detects an output value corresponding to the set water level based on the reference output value. In the automatic filling method for the bathtub, the amount of water dropped is constant from the amount of water up to the standard water level obtained when performing the first filling operation after the second filling operation. When the amount of water obtained by subtracting the amount of water is reached, even if the inflection point has not been detected yet, it is assumed that the inflection point is detected when the amount of water is reached, and the process proceeds to the next step. Is the second feature.

[0006]

According to the first feature of the present invention described above, when the automatic hot water filling operation from the water heater to the bathtub is started, first, dropping is performed by both transportations, and the dropping flow rate per unit time at that time is It is determined whether or not the flow rate exceeds a predetermined constant flow rate. Here, the drop flow rate per unit time being equal to or greater than a predetermined constant flow rate means that the air mixed in the reheating circulation circuit has been sufficiently discharged to the bathtub side, and the inflection point detection mode is set. It means that the selected level can be filled with water almost smoothly even if selected. The predetermined constant flow rate is experimentally determined. That is, the thickness and length of the reheating circulation pipe, the pressure of water entering the circulation passage, etc. are preliminarily tested according to the filling device, and the flow rate per unit time generated when the mixed air is discharged is determined. adopt. When the dropped flow rate is equal to or higher than a certain flow rate, the inflection point detection mode is entered. In this inflection point detection mode, first, the water amount of both conveyances is narrowed down to a predetermined flow rate or less, and then it is switched to single conveyance. Switching to single-sided transportation is for facilitating detection of the inflection point by the bath water level sensor. Then, in the inflection point detection mode, after the water level is adjusted to the bath water level equal to or higher than the circulation metal fittings of the bathtub that can be circulated, dropping is performed until the set water level is detected. On the other hand, if the drop flow rate is less than a certain flow rate, the flow moves to the circulation determination mode, and after the water level is adjusted to the bath water level above the circulation fittings of the bathtub that can circulate, the drop is performed until the set water level is detected. Be seen.
As described above, according to the first feature of the present invention, first, it is determined whether or not the flow rate per unit time during both transports is a constant flow rate, and the state suitable for adopting the inflection point detection mode is set. In this case, the inflection point detection mode is adopted, and if not, the circulation determination mode is adopted, so there is little noise using the inflection point detection mode and accurate up to the set water level. In addition to being able to fill up the water with certainty, in a range where the filling up cannot be surely performed depending on the inflection point detection mode, it is covered by the circulation determination mode, so that the reliable filling up can be secured. In particular, when the inflection point detection mode is adopted, since the drop flow rate of the large flow rate is narrowed down to a certain flow rate or less and then the double feed is switched to the single feed, the high flow rate remains unchanged. It is possible to prevent the generation of dropping noise due to a large water force and the drawback of splashing of the falling water when the transportation is switched.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, after the drop of hot water is started, the inflection point of the output value is detected by the bath water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit,
Furthermore, a certain amount of water is dropped, the circulation is judged, and the reference water level is set. Then, the reference output value corresponding to this reference water level is used as the reference of the water level sensor, and thereafter, the drop is performed until it becomes the output value corresponding to the set water level. Then, at the first drop, the drop water amount up to the reference water level is stored. In the second and subsequent drops, even when the inflection point of the output value by the bath water level sensor is not detected during the drop, the amount of water dropped from the drop water amount up to the reference water level obtained at the first time by a certain amount Since the inflection point is detected with, a major drawback in the method of performing the water filling by detecting the inflection point of the output value by the bathtub water level sensor, that is, the failure of the water filling due to the inflexion point not being detected, Is reliably prevented,
Even if the inflection point of the output value is not detected after the second time, it is possible to perform the filling of the water to the predetermined set water level almost accurately.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a hot water supply device with a bathtub function in which the method of the present invention is carried out, and FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are flow charts for explaining an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a bathtub, and a reheating circulation circuit 20 composed of a bath return pipe 21 and a bath outflow pipe 22 circulates from the bathtub 10 to a reheating heat exchange can body 30. Reference numeral 40 denotes a water heater, in which the water that has entered the water heater 40 through the water inlet pipe 41 is heated there to become hot water and is discharged to the hot water outlet pipe 42. The hot water in the hot water outlet pipe 42 is separated into a general hot water supply passage 44 and a bath automatic hot water supply passage 45 through a water mixing valve 43 and a flow rate controller 70. A bath automatic water supply channel 46 is separated from the water inlet pipe 41.

The automatic bath hot water supply passage 45 is provided with a drop water amount sensor 45a on the way, and hot water is dropped into the hot water solenoid valve 45.
It is poured into the backflow prevention hopper 47 through b. Further, the bath automatic water supply passage 46 is also dropped and poured into the backflow prevention hopper 47 through the water solenoid valve 46b. From the backflow prevention hopper 47, a common drop path 48 is connected to the bath return pipe 21 of the reheating circulation circuit 20 via a three-way valve 51. The bath return pipe
21 is a bath water level sensor 52, both transfer solenoid valves 53, circulation pump
54, a bath water flow switch 55, a bath temperature sensor 56 and the like are provided. Reference numeral 23 is a bypass pipe that bypasses the heat-exchange can body 30 for reheating, and an opening / closing valve 23a is provided on the way.

The bathtub 10 is provided with a circulating metal fitting 11,
The bath return pipe 21 is connected to the outer pipe 11a of the double pipe, and the bath return pipe 22 is connected to the inner pipe 11b. Reference numeral 60 denotes a controller, which has a built-in microcomputer and is used for hot water supply operation, automatic hot water filling operation in a bathtub, reheating operation, etc.
Controls each part of the device. When the bath reheating operation is instructed, the circulation pump 54 is driven via the controller 60, and the bath water enters the bath return pipe 21 from the outer pipe 11a of the circulation metal fitting 11 and the reheating heat exchange can body. It is circulated to 30 to be heated, passes through the bath outflow pipe 22, and returns to the bathtub 10 from the inner pipe 11b of the circulation fitting 11. When the bath automatic hot water filling operation is instructed, the drop hot water electromagnetic valve 45b is opened, and the hot water from the water heater 40 is supplied to the bath automatic hot water supply passage 45.
From the backflow prevention hopper 47, the common drop path 48,
Enter the bath return pipe 21 through the three-way valve 51. The drop flow rate is adjusted by the flow rate controller 70 as needed. In case of single-sided transportation, the bath goes out from the bath return pipe 21.
Pass the pipe 22 through the inner pipe 11b of the circulation fitting 11 to the bathtub.
Introduced in 10. In the case of both transports, both transport electromagnetic
Hot water introduced into the bath return pipe 21 with the valve 53 also opened
There are circulation fittings from both the bath return pipe 22 and the bath return pipe 21.
It flows into the bathtub 10 through 11.

Next, the control by the controller 60 in the automatic water filling operation will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. Now, when the water level of the bathtub is set by a remote controller not shown and the automatic hot water filling operation switch to the bathtub is turned on, first, the drop hot water solenoid valve 45b is opened (S1), and circulation is performed via the three-way valve 51. Hot water is introduced into the circuit 20, and in both transports, the bath returns from the bath return pipe 21 and bath outflow pipe 22 through the circulation fitting 11 until the maximum volume reaches 30 liters.
Drop to 10 (S2). And during this time, the controller
Reference numeral 60 monitors whether or not the flow rate of the drop water per unit time is above a certain level, based on the information from the drop water amount sensor 45a (S3). In the case of the embodiment, for example, the water pressure is 1.
The constant flow rate is 15 liters / minute at 3 kgf / cm.

When the flow rate per unit time is above a certain level (Yes in S3), the controller 60 adopts the inflection point detection mode as the control flow. That is, the controller 60 first narrows down the flow rate regulator 70 (S
4), the amount of water per unit time is below a certain flow rate, for example, 1
At the time of 0 liters / minute or less (Yes in S5), both of the above-mentioned conveyances are finished, and the bath return pipe is dropped.
21 through the bath outflow pipe 22 of the bathtub circulation fitting 11
While performing the single-sided conveyance performed via the inner pipe 11b (S
6) The controller 60 monitors the detection output value of the bath water level sensor 52 and detects the inflection point of this detection output value (S).
7). This inflection point means that the bath water level H is the circulation fitting 1
When it becomes a level H _c reaching the first outer tube 11a, so coming pressure is applied by bath water level to the wind <br/> Lu return pipe 21, so far the output of the detection output value of the tub water level sensor 52 A situation different from the curve, that is, a change such that the increase of the detection output curve becomes remarkable occurs. The starting point of this change is the inflection point.

When the inflection point is detected (Yes in S7), it can be estimated that the water level has reached approximately the above water level H _c , so this time, the water level near the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11 is slightly exceeded. A certain amount of water is dropped into the bathtub 10 by both transports so that the water content becomes H ₁ . The fixed amount of water dropped depends on whether or not the automatic filling operation is the first time. That is, it is determined whether or not the automatic filling operation is the first time (S
8) In the case of the first automatic hot water filling operation (Yes in S8), the constant amount of water determined from the beginning is dropped in both transportations (S9). This constant amount of water is determined in advance as a constant amount of water suitable for a large-sized bathtub so that the water level can be reheated and circulated beyond the circulation hole of the bathtub circulation fitting in any of bathtubs having different volumes. In this case, since the size of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11 is almost constant regardless of the size of the bathtub, the water level to be raised is almost constant. On the other hand, in the case of the automatic filling operation after the second time (No in S8), the size of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11 is taken into consideration by using the bathtub bottom area S obtained in the first operation. Water level difference, eg 6 cm
This is dropped as a constant water amount (S × 6) multiplied by (S10).

In the step S7, if the inflection point is not detected (NO in S7), it is determined whether or not the water filling operation is the first time (S11), and in the second and subsequent times (NO in S11). In the case of, it is further judged whether or not the total amount of water dropped from the start of dropping has reached a predetermined constant amount of water (S12), and if it has reached (Yes in S12), the inflection point at that point Is detected as S
Go to 10. The constant amount of water in the determination in step S12 is predetermined and stored in the controller 60, for example, as follows, and is used as a reference for determination. That is, in the first filling operation in the inflection point detection mode, the amount of water dropped until reaching the reference water level H ₁ (described later) is obtained and stored, and from this amount of water, the amount of water dropped in S10 ( S ×
The water amount obtained by subtracting the water amount (for example, S × 4) with some allowance from 6) is set as the constant water amount. If this amount of water has been dropped (Yes in S12), in the next step (S1
Since a fixed amount (S × 6) is dropped in 0), it is possible to reliably adjust the water level so that the circulation fitting 11 is submerged.

By dropping a certain amount into the bathtub 10 in both steps in step S9 or S10, the water level H of the bathtub should be the level H ₁ that can be reheated and circulated, that is, the water level slightly above the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11. Yes, but further confirmation circulation judgment (S17)
After confirming the above, the water level is assumed to be a constant reference water level H ₁ and the reference water level H ₁ is stored. The output value of the bath water level sensor 52 at this time is set and stored as the reference output value P ₁ (S18). The confirmation circulation judgment (S1
In the step 7), it also serves as an air purge operation for eliminating the air in the circulation circuit 20. That is, the three-way valve 51 is switched to complete the reheating circulation circuit 20 and the circulation pump 54 is driven in a strong state to circulate the bath water in the circulation circuit 20. Confirm that the bath water flow switch 55 is turned on for a certain period of time to confirm the circulation.
It is said.

When the storage of the reference water level H ₁ and the corresponding reference output value P ₁ of the bath water level sensor 52 are determined (S 1
8), since the determined output value P _S of the tub water level sensor 52 corresponding to the set water level H _S, tub water level sensor 52 the output value P _S
Until both are detected, both conveyances are carried out (S19, S20), and the drop hot water solenoid valve 45b is closed (S21). When the solenoid valve 45b is closed, it is determined whether the operation is the first time (S22). If the operation is the first time, the bath bottom area S is calculated and the obtained value is stored (S23). The calculation of the bathtub bottom area S is performed by the water level sensor 52 in step S18.
After setting the reference output value P ₁ of
By 19), from the water Q which dropped into until the water level sensor 52 detects the output value P _S, a level difference corresponding to the difference between the output value P _S and _{P 1, S = Q ÷ (} P S -P You can get it in ₁ ). The calculated bathtub bottom area S is provided in a form (S × 6) obtained by multiplying the bathtub bottom area S by a constant water level difference (for example, 6 cm) in step S10 in the second and subsequent automatic filling operation. To be done. Also in step S12, the value (S × 4) obtained by multiplying the bathtub bottom area S by a constant water level difference (for example, 4 cm) from the reference water level H ₁ is provided. The constant water level difference (6 cm) is a value in consideration of the diameter of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11, and is determined in advance. Since the diameter of the circulation hole of the circulation fitting 11 is substantially constant regardless of the size of the bathtub 10, for example, the size of the circulation hole diameter (for example, 6 cm) can be adopted as the constant dimension hole. . In addition, in the first filling operation, even if the values (S × 4) and (S × 6) obtained by multiplying the bath bottom area S by a constant water level difference (4, 6) are calculated and stored in step S23. Good.

In the above step S3, if the flow rate per unit time does not reach a certain level or more during both conveyances of 30 liters (NO in S3), proceed to A (FIG. 3).
As a control flow, the controller 60 adopts a circulation determination mode in which circulation is actually performed and the presence or absence of circulation is determined. That is, after both the above-mentioned conveyances are completed, the three-way valve 51 is first switched, the circulation pump 54 is driven, and the bath water is circulated.
It is determined whether or not 20 is circulated (S13). Normally (when there is no residual water), the bath water level is insufficient to circulate, so a fixed amount of water is further transported (S14), and both transport and circulation determination (S15) are determined by the circulation determination. Repeat until OK. Then, the circulation judgment is OK (S15).
Yes), and after a certain amount of water has been dropped just in case (S16), the procedure goes to B and a confirmation circulation judgment is made (S17). The subsequent operation steps S18 to S23 are the same as those already described. Even in the circulation determination mode, it is possible to use the bathtub bottom area S obtained at the first time of the automatic filling operation to similarly obtain the amount of dropped water in step S16 after the second time.

[0019]

According to the method of automatically filling a bathtub according to the present invention, the present invention has the above-mentioned structure and operation. After the flow rate is narrowed down to a certain level or below, it is switched to single-sided conveyance, so it is possible to perform automatic hot water filling utilizing the advantages of both the inflection point detection mode and the circulation determination mode. It is possible to prevent the generation of drop noise due to the large water force that occurs when the flow rate is switched to the one-sided transport as it is, and the drawback of the drop water splashing. Further, according to the method for automatically filling a bathtub according to claim 2, the amount of water dropped after the second filling operation is calculated from the amount of water up to the reference water level obtained when the first filling operation is performed. When the amount of water obtained by subtracting a certain amount of water is reached, even if the inflection point has not been detected yet, it is assumed that the inflection point is detected when the amount of water is reached, and the process proceeds to the next step. Therefore, a major drawback in the case of adopting the method of filling the water by detecting the inflection point of the output value by the bathtub water level sensor, that is, the failure of the water filling due to the inflexion point not being detected, is reliably prevented, Even if the inflection point of the output value cannot be detected after the second time, it is possible to almost accurately fill the water to the predetermined set water level.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply device with a bath kettle function in which the method of the present invention is implemented.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Bathtub 11 Circulation fitting 20 Reheating circulation circuit 21 Bath return pipe 22 Bath outflow pipe 30 Heat exchange can body for reheating 40 Water heater 45 Bath automatic hot water supply passage 45a Drop water amount sensor 51 Three-way valve 52 Bath water level sensor 53 Both transfer solenoid valve 54 Circulation pump 55 Bath water flow switch 56 Bath temperature sensor 60 Controller 70 Flow controller

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. When the automatic hot water filling operation is started, hot water from the water heater is first conveyed into the bathtub by using both the forward pipe and the return pipe of the bathtub reheating circulation circuit, and at that time, a unit time It is judged whether the drop flow rate per hit is above a certain level, and if it is more than the above, it shifts to the inflection point detection mode that captures the inflection point of the output value of the bath water level sensor by one-sided conveyance, and if it is less than In this mode, the mode is changed to the circulation determination mode for both transports, and the bath level is adjusted to a level higher than the circulation metal fittings of the bath that can be circulated.The bath level at that time is used as the reference water level, and further drops are performed until the set water level is detected. In the automatic hot water filling method for the bathtub as described above, when shifting to the inflection point detection mode, the drop flow rate in both transports is narrowed down to a certain flow rate or less and then switched to single transport Special A method of automatically filling the bathtub with water. 2. Hot water from a water heater is automatically dropped into the bathtub through a reheating circulation circuit of the bathtub, and
By monitoring the bathtub water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit, the inflection point of the output value of the bathtub water level sensor is detected, and by this, the bathtub water level has reached a circulating metal fitting level just below the reheating and circulating water level. Along with the detection, a predetermined fixed amount of water is dropped after the inflection point is detected, and it is confirmed that the circulating hole of the circulation fitting is at or above the circulatable water level where the circulating hole is submerged. It is assumed that it is a reference water level and a reference output value corresponding to this reference water level is given to the bath water level sensor of the reheating circulation circuit, and the bath water level sensor further corresponds to the set water level based on the reference output value. This is an automatic method of filling water into a bathtub so that the water is dropped until the output value is detected. When the water amount obtained by subtracting a certain amount of water from the water amount up to the reference water level obtained at the time of reaching reaches the water amount, the inflection point is detected at the time when the water amount reaches the above-mentioned water amount. The method for automatically filling a bathtub is characterized in that the following steps are performed.