JP2520357B2 - Automatic hair washer - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an automatic hair washing machine mainly for business use, which is used in barber shops, beauty salons and the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been known an automatic hair washing machine for washing hair by spraying warm water for washing on the head and hair without manpower, but the applicant of the present invention is Japanese Patent Application No. 4-41550. No. 1 proposes prior art relating to this type of automatic hair washing machine. The automatic hair washing machine proposed in the above publications and the like includes a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, an inverter pump for pumping the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank, a water pipe connecting the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the inverter pump, and an inverter. A nozzle link having a plurality of nozzles connected to the discharge side of the pump and ejecting hot water.

That is, in the above automatic hair washing machine, hot water is stored in advance in the hot water storage tank, and during the hair washing operation, the hot water in the hot water storage tank is pumped out by the inverter pump and supplied to each nozzle of the nozzle link, and from each nozzle. Wash head and hair by spraying hot water vigorously.

[0004]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In the above automatic hair washing machine,
There are a hot water supply mode in which hot water in the hot water storage tank is stored, and a hair washing mode in which hot water in the hot water storage tank is sprayed from each nozzle arranged in the nozzle link for washing. In particular, the hair washing mode includes a so-called initial drainage stroke in which cold water accumulated in a water pipe, a pump, a nozzle link, and the like connecting the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the pump is drained at the initial stage of hair washing.

As described above, in the above automatic hair washing machine,
Since the initial washing process, which is not related to washing the hair, is included in the washing mode, the washing time becomes longer by the initial draining time. In the initial drainage process, it is necessary to slowly discharge the cold water from each nozzle of the nozzle link in order to prevent cold water from splashing on the head of the person being washed and causing discomfort to the person being washed. In other words, at the start of washing hair, the hot water in the water pipe, pump, nozzle link, etc. that connects the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the pump is cold, and this cold water is vigorously jetted from each nozzle of the nozzle link to wash the hair. When applied to the head, the person being washed feels surprised and uncomfortable. Therefore, in the initial drainage stroke, the inverter pump is driven at a low frequency to gradually draw cold water from each nozzle of the nozzle link. As a result, it takes a relatively long time to complete the initial drainage, and it takes a long time before the actual hair washing operation is performed. Therefore, it is desired to shorten the initial drainage time.

Therefore, in order to shorten the initial drainage time, the present applicant separates the cold water accumulated in the water pipe connecting the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the pump and the pump from the cold water accumulated in the nozzle link. I thought it might be better to remove it. In other words, while the hot water is being stored in the hot water storage tank before the hair washing mode is put into the hot water supply mode, if the cold water stored in the pump and the water pipe that connects the hot water storage tank to the suction side of the pump is removed, In the initial drainage process of, it was thought that only the cold water accumulated in the nozzle link would be drained.

Further, as a method for shortening the time for draining the cold water accumulated in the nozzle link, instead of draining the cold water from the nozzle, a drain hole larger than the nozzle injection port is formed at the tip of the water pipe of the nozzle link. However, I thought that it would be better to drain cold water from the drain holes at once. In view of the above, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic hair washing machine which can shorten the initial drainage time unrelated to the hair washing operation, attach importance to the hair washing mode, and shorten the hair washing time.

[0008]

The means for solving the problems according to claim 1 of the present invention is an automatic hair washing machine which has a hot water storage tank for storing hot water and sprays the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank from a nozzle to wash hair. The first to guide hot water to the hot water storage tank
A water pipe, a hot water storage valve that opens and closes the first water pipe, a second water pipe that connects the hot water storage tank and the nozzle, and a pumping means provided to supply hot water stored in the hot water storage tank to the nozzle through the second water pipe, In the hot water supply mode in which the drain pipe branched from the second water pipe, the drain valve for opening and closing the drain pipe, and the hot water in the hot water storage tank are stored, the hot water storage valve and the drain valve are opened, and the pumping means is used for the hot water storage tank. It includes hot water supply control means for driving with a pumping amount that is sufficiently slower than the hot water supply amount for supplying.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided an automatic hair washing machine which has a hot water storage tank for storing hot water and sprays the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank from a nozzle to wash hair. The hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank. A first water pipe for guiding, a hot water storage valve for opening and closing the first water pipe, a second water pipe for connecting the hot water storage tank and the nozzle, and hot water stored in the hot water storage tank for supplying the hot water to the nozzle through the second water pipe. In the pumping means, the drain pipe branched from the second water pipe, the drain valve that opens and closes the drain pipe, and the hot water supply mode in which hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank, the hot water storage valve and the drain valve are opened at the beginning of hot water supply, and pumping provided previously determined pumping hot water and draining period Ru is driven by the amount of the unit,
After this period has elapsed, the hot water supply control means for closing the drain valve and stopping the pumping means is included.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a water tank into which a head of a person to be washed is inserted, a water pipe provided in the water tank, to which hot water of the hot water storage tank is supplied, and a water pipe. An automatic hair washing machine having a plurality of nozzles arranged in a row and spraying hot water supplied to a water pipe to wash hair, wherein the water pipe has a drain hole larger than a jet port of each nozzle at its tip. Has been formed, the water pipe,
The hot water is lower than a predetermined temperature supplied from the hot water storage tank, a drain hole opens Iteori, with hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank is higher than a predetermined temperature, temperature sensitive response member for closing the varying state to the drainage hole is provided It is what

[0011]

In the hot water supply mode, the hot water supply control means opens the hot water storage valve and the drainage valve, and the pumping means operates at a pumping rate sufficiently slower than the hot water supply rate for supplying hot water to the hot water storage tank. Drive it. Therefore, in the hot water supply mode, while collecting hot water in the hot water storage tank, the cold water accumulated between the hot water storage tank and the pumping means and in the pumping means can be gradually drained. As a result, in the subsequent initial drainage stroke, only the cold water accumulated from the pumping means to the nozzle is drained, and the initial drainage time is shortened.

In the hot water supply mode, in the hot water supply mode, the hot water supply control means opens the hot water storage valve and the drainage valve and drives the pumping means at a predetermined pumping amount until the hot water supply / drainage period elapses. And
After the lapse of the period , the drain valve is closed and the pumping means is stopped. Therefore, during the hot water supply / drainage period , the hot water can be stored in the hot water storage tank after the cold water accumulated between the hot water storage tank and the pumping means and in the pumping means is drained at once. As a result, in the initial drainage stroke of the subsequent stroke, only the cold water accumulated from the pumping means to the nozzle is drained, which greatly contributes to shortening the initial drainage time.

[0013] In SUMMARY According to claim 3, at the time of drainage initial, since cold water is supplied to the water pipe, the temperature-sensitive response element is not transformed, Ru der remain drain hole is opened. As a result, the cold water supplied to the water pipe flows out all at once from the drain hole. Then, when the cold water flows out all at once, hot water having a predetermined temperature or higher is supplied to the water pipe. Then, the temperature-sensitive response body is strange state, close the drain hole.

In this way, cold water is given at the beginning of drainage.
At this time, the drainage hole of the water pipe is opened, and the cold water can be removed all at once, so that the initial drainage time unrelated to the hair washing operation is shortened.

[0015]

An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an automatic hair washer according to an embodiment of the present invention. The external structure of the automatic hair washer according to the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
The appearance of the automatic hair washer of this embodiment is formed by the cabinet 1. An entrance 2 for inserting the head is formed in the center of the upper surface of the cabinet 1. Inside the entrance 2, a water tank 51 for accommodating the head and hair is arranged.

A substantially C-shaped hood 3 is attached to the entrance 2 to cover the face of the person to be washed. Food 3
Can be opened and closed between the open state shown in which the entrance 2 is wide open, and the closed state in which the entrance 2 is narrowed, and a cutout portion 4 for exposing the face during use is formed. A face sheath 5 is attached to the peripheral edge of the excision portion 4 so as to elastically contact the face and prevent water droplets splashing from the water tank 51 from hitting the face of the person to be washed. The amount of protrusion of the face sheath 5 from the peripheral edge of the excision portion 4 can be adjusted by three adjustment knobs 6 provided on the hood 3.

An operation panel 7 is arranged on the right side of the upper surface of the cabinet 1, and various operation keys and indicators are arranged on the operation panel 7 as described later. On the back side of the operation panel 7, knobs 9 and 10 for outflow / stop of cold water and hot water for the hand shower 8 and flow rate adjustment are provided. A hand shower 8 is provided on the left side of the cabinet 1 so that it can be pulled out. This hand shower 8 is used by a beautician operating an automatic hair washing machine when finishing hair washing. A shampoo storage box 11 and a treatment storage box 12 are provided on the back side of the hand shower 8. These storage boxes 1
The shampoo liquid and / or treatment liquid in 1 and 12 are automatically mixed in the wash water as described later.

Light emitting elements L and light receiving elements P for detecting the length of the hair of the person to be washed are provided on the left, right, front and rear wall surfaces of the water tank 51 so as to face each other. That is, the light emitting element L and the light receiving element P are arranged at a predetermined depth in the water tank 51, and the hair of the person to be washed cuts off the optical path formed by the light emitting element L and the light receiving element P shown by the dotted line in the figure. Whether the person to be washed has short hair or long hair is determined by whether or not to do. The hair length sensor including the light emitting element L and the light receiving element P is a mirror reflection type in which a reflecting mirror is arranged on one wall surface of the water tank 51 and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are arranged in parallel on the other wall surface. It may be.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the structure of the operation panel. The configuration of the operation panel 7 will be described with reference to FIG. The operation panel 7 is roughly divided into a hot water supply related block unit 20, a driving course related block unit 30, and an auxiliary key block unit 40. In the hot water supply related block section 20, the hot water supply key 21 and the hot water supply key 21 are turned on / off.
A hot water supply key lamp 21L indicating off, a standby indicator 23 including a plurality of lamps, and a tank temperature indicator 24 including seven segment indicators are provided.
The hot water supply key 21 is a key for instructing start / stop of hot water supply to the tank, which will be described later. When the hot water supply key 21 is turned on, the nozzle link in the water tank, which will be described later, moves to a horizontal position and stops, and hot water supply to the tank starts. While hot water is being supplied, a plurality of lamps of the standby indicator 23 are sequentially turned on and off to indicate that hot water is being supplied. When the tank is filled with a predetermined amount of hot water, all the lamps of the standby indicator 23 blink to indicate that the hot water supply to the tank is completed. In addition, the tank temperature indicator 24
The temperature of the hot water filled in the tank 87 is displayed by. The tank temperature indicator 24 also serves as a trouble monitor display, and may show an error display (E display).
For example, "E1" is displayed when the temperature of the hot water in the tank is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, and "EP" is displayed when the tank is empty.

On the right side of the block section 30 related to the driving course, a start key 31, a key lamp 321L for displaying a short / medium hair washing course (hereinafter referred to as "short hair washing course"), a long hair washing course (hereinafter referred to as "long"). A key lamp 322L for displaying a "washing course" is provided. That is, when the start key 31 is pressed, the length of the hair of the person to be washed is automatically discriminated by the above-mentioned hair length sensor as described later, and based on the discrimination result, the short shampoo course key lamp 32.
The 1L and long hair washing course key lamps 322L are turned on, the short hair washing course and the long hair washing course are automatically selected, and the operation of the hair washing course corresponding to the selection is started. In this way, the start key 31
By simply pressing, the hair length of the person being washed can be automatically discriminated, and the washing course according to the length of the hair washing person is automatically selected based on the discrimination result. It is not necessary to confirm the hair length and manually select the hair washing course according to the hair length of the person to be washed.

Further, by pressing the start key 31 again within a predetermined time after the start, the hair washing contents of the full course, shampoo course, plain rinse course and treatment course (washing operation time).
It is possible to set whether to perform the standard time or the long time depending on the hairstyle and the amount of hair of the person to be washed.

On the left side of the driving course-related block section 30, the remaining time indicator 33 for displaying the time required until the end, the progress status indicator 34, the shampoo course, the plain rinse (P. rinse) ) A cleaning course selection key 35 for selecting a cleaning course type such as a course, a treatment (treat / M) course, and a full course for performing all of these courses, and a type of the cleaning course selected by the cleaning course selection key 35 A cleaning course type display 36 is provided for this purpose.

The auxiliary key block unit 40 has a music selection key 41 for selecting a music or buzzer sound based on an electronic melody sound that is announced at the end of the driving course, and a volume for adjusting the volume of the electronic melody sound or buzzer sound. Adjustment key 42, water pressure selection key 43, display lamp 43L for displaying the water pressure selected by water pressure selection key 43, link rocking key 44 and link rocking key 44 for manually rocking a nozzle link described later. ON / OFF of the key lamp 44L for displaying the ON / OFF state of, the drain key 45 for draining the water in the tank and the drain key 45
A key lamp 45L for displaying the off state is provided.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view schematically showing the internal structure of the automatic hair washer. The internal configuration of the automatic hair washer will be described with reference to FIG. On the upper part of the water tank 51, the head H of the person to be washed can be inserted in the back state when washing the hair.
An opening 53 is formed and a drain port 51a is formed on the bottom surface. In this aquarium 51, when the head H is inserted, even if the hair HA that hangs down from the head H is long, so-called long hair, the tip of the long hair HA does not accumulate at the bottom of the aquarium 51 and hangs down naturally. It is deep enough to be able to. For example, the depth of the water tank 51 is about 5
It is set to 0 cm.

An upper nozzle link 55 is provided above the water tank 51. The upper nozzle link 55 is swingably supported about the fulcrum 56 within the angle range of the arrow A1. A plurality of nozzles 57 are arranged on the upper nozzle link 55 toward the head H direction. Then, at the time of use, the head portion of the head H and the hair HA are washed with the washing water sprayed from the nozzle 57, and the scalp can be massaged by the jetting force of the washing water from the nozzle 57.

The upper nozzle link 5 in the water tank 51
A lower nozzle link 58 is provided at a position lower than 5. The lower nozzle link 58 is rotatably supported within the angle range of arrow A2. Lower nozzle link 58
A plurality of nozzles 59 are fixed to the. And
At the time of use, by the cleaning water sprayed from the nozzle 59,
Within the angle range of A2, the root portion and the neck portion of the hair HA can be washed, and the neck portion can be massaged by the jetting force of the washing water from the nozzle 59.

Further, at a relatively lower position of the water tank 51, there is provided a nozzle 60 for cleaning a tip portion (hereinafter referred to as "long hair portion") of the hair HA when the hair HA is long. The nozzle 60 is of a fixed type, and is arranged so as to face the front and rear inner walls of the water tank 51. In this way, by providing the nozzle 60 on the front and rear inner walls, it is possible to wash the long hair portion with a comb when washing the hair. The fixed nozzles 60 may be arranged only on the left and right of the inner wall and not on the front and rear inner walls.

In the above structure, the upper nozzle link 55 swings along the head H, and the washing water sprayed from the plurality of nozzles 57 arranged on the nozzle link 55 causes the hair HA near the head H to be washed. Cleanse and add a massage effect to the scalp. Further, when the lower nozzle link 58 rotates, the cleaning water sprayed from the plurality of nozzles 59 arranged in the nozzle link 58 cleans the neck portion of the upper nozzle link 55 that the nozzle 57 cannot reach, and
Add a massage effect to the scalp.

On the other hand, the cleaning water sprayed from the fixed nozzle 60 arranged below the water tank 51 intensively cleans the long hair portion which does not require the massage effect. In this way, the portions required at the time of cleaning are divided into a plurality of blocks, and a dedicated nozzle 57, 59 or 60 is provided for each block.
Is provided and the cleaning water is sprayed from each of the nozzles 57, 59 or 60 for cleaning, so that good cleaning can be performed without uneven cleaning.

A hood 3 is provided on the upper portion of the water tank 51. The hood 3 has an arrow A3 around the fulcrum 13.
It can be opened and closed in any direction. Before the start of use, the hood 3 is opened and the head H is placed in the rear state and the opening 53 of the water tank 51 is opened.
And the hood 3 is closed. As described above, the face sheath 5 made of a flexible elastic material is attached to the peripheral edge of the cut portion 4 of the hood 3, and when the hood 3 is closed, the face sheath 5 is attached to the face of the person to be washed. 5 abuts. Therefore, it is possible to prevent water droplets splashing from the water tank 51 from splashing on the face of the person to be washed.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing the detailed structure of the upper nozzle link. With reference to FIG. 4, the upper nozzle link 55
The detailed configuration of will be described. Upper nozzle link 55
Includes a water pipe 551 having a substantially semi-arcuate shape formed along the head inserted when washing hair, and a support means 552 for supporting one end of the water pipe 551 on the side wall 511 of the water tank.

A plurality of nozzles 57 are arranged in the water pipe 551 at predetermined intervals. The support means 552 is a water pipe 55.
Axial pipe 5 connected to one end of 1 by a connecting member 553
54. The shaft pipe 554 penetrates the side wall 511 of the water tank and projects to the outside of the side wall 511. Further, the circumference of the shaft pipe 554 is surrounded by a housing 555 fixed to the side wall 511 of the water tank, and between the housing 555 and the shaft pipe 554,
A bearing 556 is fitted so that the shaft pipe 554 is rotatably held with respect to the housing 555.

A rotary joint 557 is connected to the outer end of the shaft pipe 554. A cleaning water supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the rotary joint 557, and the cleaning water is supplied to the water pipe 551 through the rotary joint 557, the shaft pipe 554 and the connecting member 553. Therefore, the cleaning water supplied to the water pipe 551 is jetted toward the head from the plurality of nozzles 57 arranged in the water pipe 551.

Further, at the outer tip of the shaft pipe 554,
The pulley 558 is fixed. A driving force, which will be described later, is transmitted to the pulley 558, and the pulley 558 is normally or reversely rotated within a predetermined angular range A1, whereby the shaft pipe 554 is rotated, and the water pipe 551 connected thereto is rotated within a predetermined angular range. It is rocked in A1. The other end of the water pipe 551 is a free end and is not held.

In this way, the water pipe 5 of the upper nozzle link 55
When only one end of 51 is held on the side wall 511 of the water tank and the other end of the water pipe 551 is in a free state, that is, a so-called cantilever support structure is provided, so that assembly work at the time of manufacturing is improved. This is because when both ends of the water pipe 551 are rotatably attached to both sides of the side wall of the water tank, the central axis lines of the both side holding portions must be aligned, and when the attachment hole is formed in the side wall, it must be performed accurately. . In addition, since the holding members on both sides are required, the number of parts is large and the assembly takes time. On the other hand, if the above-mentioned cantilever support is used, a holding member on only one side is sufficient, and there is no need to align the center axis, so that the workability during assembly is improved.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged sectional view showing the internal structure of the tip portion of the upper nozzle link surrounded by the one-dot chain line in FIG.
The internal structure of the tip portion of the upper nozzle link 55 will be described with reference to FIG. The upper nozzle link 55 is the water pipe 5.
It is characterized by the tip of 51. That is, the water pipe 551 of the upper nozzle link 55 is not closed at its tip, and the drainage hole 559 is formed. This drain hole 559
The hole diameter of the nozzle 57 is, for example, 0. A few mm
The opening is about several tens of mm, which is about 100 times. In addition, a cylindrical inner protrusion 551a is formed at the tip of the water pipe 551 and is bent inward to serve as a wall of the drainage hole 559. Further, a ring-shaped brim 551b protruding inward at a predetermined distance from the inner protrusion 551 is formed on the root side of the inner protrusion 551a.

Between the inner protrusion 551a and the collar 551b,
The plug body 200 for closing the drain hole 559 has the drain hole 5
It is mounted so that it can be separated from and seated on 59. This plug 2
00 has such a size that the tip end portion thereof abuts the inner protrusion 551a and can block the drainage hole 559 without a gap. Plug 2
00 and the collar 551b, the plug 200 is attached to the drain hole 55.
A shape memory alloy spring 201 for pressing against 9 is interposed. One end of the shape memory alloy spring 201 has a plug 2
00, and the other end is attached to the collar 551b.

A bias spring 202 for urging the plug body 200 toward the flange 551b is interposed between the plug body 200 and the inner protrusion 551a. The bias spring 202 is externally fitted to the inner protrusion 551a, one end of which is attached to the plug body 200, and the other end of which is attached to a bent portion of the inner protrusion 551a. In the above structure, the water pipe 5
If the cleaning water supplied to 51 is below a predetermined temperature,
As shown in (a), the shape memory alloy spring 201 does not undergo martensitic transformation. Therefore, the biasing force of the bias spring 202 overcomes the pressing force of the shape memory alloy spring 201,
The stopper 200 is separated from the inner protrusion 551a, and the drain hole 55
Open nine. As a result, the cleaning water supplied to the water pipe 551 flows out from the drain hole 559.

On the other hand, when the cleaning water supplied to the water pipe 551 has a temperature equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the shape memory alloy spring 201 undergoes extension transformation as shown in FIG. 5 (b). Therefore, the pressing force of the shape memory alloy spring 201 overcomes the biasing force of the bias spring 202, and the plug body 200 is seated on the inner protrusion 551a,
The drain hole 559 is closed. As a result, the cleaning water supplied to the water pipe 551 is jetted from the nozzle 57.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific structure of the lower nozzle link. With reference to FIG. 6, the lower nozzle link 5
A specific configuration of No. 8 will be described. Lower nozzle link 5
8 has a water pipe 581 that extends in a substantially linear shape with its tip closed. The water pipe 581 has a plurality of nozzles 59.
Are arranged at predetermined intervals.

The root of the water pipe 581 is the side wall 511 of the water tank.
And penetrates to the outside. The periphery of the root of the water pipe 581 is the housing 58 fixed to the side wall 511 of the water tank.
Surrounded by two, housing 582 and water pipe 58
Between the root portion of the bearing 1, the bearing 58 is provided so that the water pipe 581 is rotatably held with respect to the housing 582.
3 is fitted.

A rotary joint 584 is connected to the tip of the root of the water pipe 581. A washing water supply pipe (not shown) is connected to the rotary joint 584, and washing water can be supplied to the water pipe 581 through the rotary joint 584. Therefore, the water pipe 581
The washing water supplied to the nozzle is sprayed toward the neckline portion from the plurality of nozzles 59 arranged in the water pipe 581.

At the base of the water pipe 581, the pulley 5
85 is fixed. A protrusion shaft 586 is formed on the pulley 585 at a position eccentric from the center of rotation. Then, as will be described later, when the driving force is applied to the protruding shaft 586, the pulley 585 rotates, and the water pipe 581 rotates accordingly. As a result, the ejection directions of the plurality of nozzles 59 arranged in the water pipe 581 can be changed.

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically showing a drive mechanism for driving the upper nozzle link and the lower nozzle link.
A drive mechanism for driving the upper nozzle link 55 and the lower nozzle link 58 will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In this embodiment, as is apparent from FIG. 6, the two nozzle links, the upper nozzle link 55 and the lower nozzle link 58, are driven by one forward / reverse link motor 71.

That is, the drive mechanism includes a link motor 71, a relatively short arm 73 attached to the motor shaft 72 of the link motor 71, a pulley 558 on the upper nozzle link 55 side, and a pulley on the lower nozzle link 58 side. 585
And an endless pulley belt 75 wound between the end and end of the arm 73, and the other end of which is provided at a position eccentric from the rotation center of the pulley 585 on the lower nozzle link 58 side. And a link rod 74 connected to 586.

In the above structure, when the link motor 71 rotates, the arm 73 rotates and the rotational force thereof is converted into vertical movement of the link rod 74. The vertical movement of the link rod 74 causes the pulley 585 of the lower nozzle link 58 to reciprocate within the constant angle range A2. Therefore, the water pipe 585 of the lower nozzle link 58 reciprocally rotates within the range of the constant angle A2. Further, the pulley 585 of the lower nozzle link 58
The reciprocating rotational movement of is transmitted to the pulley 558 of the upper nozzle link 55 via the pulley belt 75. Therefore,
The pulley 558 of the upper nozzle link 55 also has a constant angle range A1.
Inside the water pipe 55 of the upper nozzle link 55.
1 oscillates within a range of a constant angle A1.

A proximity sensor is provided in association with the pulley 585. That is, the magnet piece MG is embedded at a predetermined position near the periphery of the pulley 585. A first reed switch MS1 for detecting the horizontal position of the upper nozzle link 55 and a second reed switch for detecting the lower position of the upper nozzle link 55 are respectively provided at two predetermined positions facing the periphery of the pulley 585. The reed switch MS2 is arranged.

That is, the upper nozzle link 55 is adjusted so as to be in a horizontal position when the pulley 585 is rotated to a position where the embedded magnet piece MG faces the first reed switch MS1. Further, when the pulley 585 is further rotated from the horizontal position of the upper nozzle link 55 and the embedded magnet piece MG is positioned to face the second reed switch MS2, the upper nozzle link 55 is moved to the lower position. Has been adjusted to.

Therefore, when the first reed switch MS1 detects the horizontal position of the upper nozzle link 55 when the link motor 71 is driven to swing the upper nozzle link 55, the driving of the link motor 71 is stopped. The upper nozzle link 55 can be stopped at the horizontal position. On the other hand, when the upper nozzle link 55 swings, the second reed switch MS
When 2 detects the lower position of the upper nozzle link 55, the driving of the link motor 71 can be stopped and the upper nozzle link 55 can be stopped at the lower position.

In this way, the upper nozzle link 55 is stopped at the horizontal position when the head of the person to be washed is inserted into the water tank in the back state, and especially when long hair is hung down on the lower portion of the water tank. This is to prevent the upper nozzle link 55 from getting in the way. FIG. 8 is a water channel diagram of the automatic hair washer. The configuration of the water channel of the automatic hair washer will be described with reference to FIG.

Water supplied from the external water supply pipe is used as a stop valve 81C, a strainer 82C and a check valve 83C.
To the mixing valve 84. The hot water supplied from the external hot water supply pipe is supplied to the stop valve 81H,
It is given to the mixing valve 84 via the strainer 82H and the check valve 83H. And mixing valve 8
In 4, the water and hot water are mixed and made into appropriate warm water. When the hot water storage valve 85 is opened, the hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 8 via the hot water storage pipe 86 connected to the mixing valve 84.
7 is supplied. Further, the hot water of the mixing valve 84 is jetted from the hand shower 8 when the shower valve 88 is opened.

The hot water storage tank 87 is, for example, a tank having a capacity of 40 liters in this embodiment. A lower limit water level sensor 89 and an upper limit water level sensor 90 are provided in the hot water storage tank 87. And these two water level sensors 89, 9
Based on the output signal of 0, it is possible to detect whether the amount of water in the tank 87 is almost exhausted or full. A first water temperature detection thermistor Th1 for detecting the water temperature in the tank 87 is provided, for example, at a lower position of the hot water storage tank 87. The temperature of the hot water stored in the tank 87 can be detected by the water temperature detection thermistor Th1.

An overflow pipe 92 connected to a drain pipe 91 connected to the drain port 51a of the water tank 51 is provided above the hot water storage tank 87. Therefore, when hot water exceeding the storage limit is supplied into the tank 87, the hot water excessively supplied by the overflow pipe 92 is discharged into the drain pipe 91.
To be discharged to the outside. A second water temperature detection thermistor Th2 for detecting the temperature of the hot water mixed by the mixing valve 84 is provided at a connection portion of the hot water storage pipe 86 with the mixing valve 84. The water temperature detection thermistor Th2 can detect whether or not the temperature of the hot water mixed by the mixing valve 84 is within a temperature range suitable for washing hair.

The hot water storage pipe 86 has an overflow pipe 9
A drainage pipe 93 communicating with 2 is branched and connected from the hot water storage pipe 86. A drain valve 94 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 93. Then, when the water temperature detection thermistor Th2 detects that the temperature of the hot water of the mixing valve 84 is out of the temperature range suitable for hair washing, the waste water valve 94 is opened. Then, hot water having a temperature not suitable for washing hair is guided to the overflow pipe 92 by the waste water pipe 93, and is drained from the overflow pipe 92 to the outside through the drain pipe 91.

Further, the lower position of the hot water storage tank 87 is connected via an outflow pipe 96 to the suction side of a pump 95 whose work amount is variable by an inverter 106. Then, when the pump 95 is driven, the hot water stored in the tank 87 is sucked into the pump 95 through the outflow pipe 96. A first supply pipe 301 that supplies cleaning water to the upper nozzle link 55 is connected to the discharge side of the pump 95. The lower nozzle ronk 58 is branched from the first supply pipe 301.
Second supply pipe 302 for supplying wash water to the third supply pipe 3 and third supply pipe 3 for supplying wash water to the fixed nozzle 60 for long hair
03 is connected. Further, in the first supply pipe 301, a drain pipe 91 is branched and connected to the downstream side (pump 95 side) of the branch portion of the second supply pipe 302 and the third supply pipe 303. An upper nozzle valve 96A is provided in the middle of the first supply pipe 301, a lower nozzle valve 96B is provided in the middle of the second supply pipe 302, and a middle portion of the third supply pipe 303. Long valve 97
Is provided. A drain valve 98 is provided in the middle of the drain pipe 91.

Therefore, when the long valve 97 and the drain valve 98 are closed and the upper nozzle valve 96A and the lower nozzle valve 96B are open, the pump 95
The warm water sucked in is given to the upper nozzle link 55 and the lower nozzle link 58 via the valves 96A and 96B, respectively, and is jetted vigorously from the plurality of nozzles 57 and 59 arranged in the respective nozzle links 55 and 58. . on the other hand,
When the upper nozzle valve 96A, the lower nozzle valve 96B and the drain valve 98 are closed and the long valve 97 is opened, the hot water sucked by the pump 95 is vigorously ejected from the fixed nozzle 60 for long hair. To be done.

When the upper nozzle valve 96A, the long valve 97 and the drain valve 98 are closed and the lower nozzle valve 96B is open, the warm water sucked into the pump 95 is discharged from the lower link nozzle link 58. Nozzle 59
Since it is sprayed from, only the neckline can be washed when washing hair. Furthermore, the drain valve 98 is closed,
When the upper nozzle valve 96A, the lower nozzle valve 96B, and the long valve 97 are open, the nozzle 57 of the upper nozzle link 55, the nozzle 59 of the lower nozzle link 58, and the fixed nozzle 60 for long hair are three. Warm water is jetted from the nozzle of the type.

When the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87 is drained, the drain valve 98 is opened and the upper nozzle valve 9 is opened.
6A, lower nozzle valve 96B and long valve 9
When 7 is closed, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87 is pumped out by the pump 95 and drained from the drain pipe 91. The cleaning water sprayed from the three types of nozzles 57, 59 and 60 is received in the water tank 51 and is drained to the drain pipe 91 via the drain trap 99 arranged at the drain port of the water tank 51. The drain trap 99 has a conventionally known structure, prevents the generation of a bad odor in the water tank 51, and prevents
This is to prevent the hair that has fallen inside 1 from flowing out to the drain pipe 91.

A branch pipe 100 connected to the shampoo storage box 11 and a branch pipe 101 connected to the treatment storage box 12 are connected to the outflow pipe 96. Branch 100
A shampoo valve 102 and an amount adjusting valve 103 are provided in the middle of the above, and a treatment valve 104 and an amount adjusting valve 105 are provided in the middle of the branch pipe 101. Therefore, when the shampoo valve 102 is opened during the operation of the pump 95, the branch pipe 10 is
0 becomes negative pressure, the shampoo liquid stored in the shampoo storage box 11 flows into the outflow pipe 96 from the branch pipe 100,
The shampoo liquid is mixed in the hot water taken out from the hot water storage tank 87. Similarly, when the treatment valve 104 is opened during the operation of the pump 95, the branch pipe 101 has a negative pressure, and the treatment liquid stored in the treatment storage box 12 is mixed into the warm water flowing through the branch pipe 101.

Therefore, by operating the shampoo valve 102 or the treatment valve 104 and adjusting the amount adjusting valve 103 or 105, the shampoo liquid or the treatment in the wash water sprayed from the three kinds of nozzles 57, 59 and 60. Liquid can be mixed. The valves 85, 94, 96A, 96B, 9
Solenoid valves are used as 7, 98, 102 and 104.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the control circuit of the automatic hair washing machine. The configuration of the control circuit will be described with reference to FIG. The control circuit is provided with a microcomputer 110 as a control center, and the microcomputer 110 includes a CPU, a data RAM, a program ROM, a timer and the like, and performs control according to a program stored in advance in the ROM.

Specifically, the microcomputer 110
A hair length detection output from the light receiving element P shown in FIG. 1 is input to the microcomputer 110. Also,
In response to pressing of various keys provided on the operation panel 7 shown in FIG. 2, a signal is input from the corresponding key switch group 111 or the like. Furthermore, the thermistors Th1 and T shown in FIG.
the detected temperature of h2, the outputs of the water level sensors 89 and 90, the output of the hood switch 112 that detects the open state of the hood 3,
The swing position detection output of the upper nozzle link 55 from the reed switches MS1 and MS2 shown in FIG. 7 is input. Furthermore, the outputs of the monitor switch 115 and the power failure detection circuit 116 provided on the operation panel 7 not shown in FIG. 2 are also input.

Then, the microcomputer 110 is
A segment signal is output to the tank temperature indicator 24 and the remaining time indicator 33 provided on the operation panel 7 based on the above-mentioned input signals. At the same time, tank temperature indicator 2
4 and the remaining time display 33, and the light-emitting diode 117 for displaying the stroke and status (this light-emitting diode 117).
21L, 23, on the operation panel 7 shown in FIG.
321L, 322L, 34, 36, 43L, 44L, 4
5L and the like. ) To the control signal. Further, to the light emitting diode 117 for displaying the process and status,
Outputs light emitting diode output.

The microcomputer 110 includes a hot water storage valve 85, a drain valve 94, an upper nozzle valve 96A, a lower nozzle valve 96B, a long valve 97, a drain valve 98, a shampoo valve 102, a treatment valve shown in FIG. A control signal is output to 104 and the link motor 71 shown in FIG. 6 to control these valves and motor.

Further, the microcomputer 110 is
The inverter 106 shown in FIG. 8 is controlled to drive the pump 95 at a predetermined power. Furthermore, melody IC
Control 118 to output a desired melody sound as needed. FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the content of the hair washing operation in the automatic hair washing machine. Referring to FIG.
The outline of the flow of the hair washing process during the hair washing operation will be described.

When the power is turned on, the standby mode is entered.
Thereafter, when the hot water supply key 21 is turned on, the hot water storage valve 85 is opened to enter the hot water supply mode, and then the standby mode is entered. The detailed control flow in the standby mode will be described later. When the hair washing operation is started, the hair washing operation is performed according to the washing course selected by the washing course selection key 35 shown in FIG. That is, when the full course is selected, the hair washing mode according to the hair washing course is entered, and the hair washing is completed through the steps of initial drainage → weak washing → prewash → main wash → rinse 1 → treatment → rinse 2. When the shampoo course is selected,
Enter the shampoo mode according to the shampoo course, initial drainage →
Hair washing is completed after the steps of weak washing, prewashing, main washing, and rinsing 1. When the plain rinse course is selected, the hair washing mode according to the hair washing course is entered, and the hair washing is completed after the steps of initial drainage → light washing → rinse 1. The treatment course enters the hair-washing mode according to the hair-washing course, and the hair-washing is completed through the steps of initial drainage → weak washing → rinse 1 → treatment → rinse 2. The control operations for the steps of weak washing, pre-washing, main washing, rinsing 1, treatment and rinsing 2 are the same as those of the automatic hair washing machine disclosed in Japanese Patent Application No. 4-41550 and the like, so description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the flow of control in the hot water supply mode. The flow of control in the hot water supply mode will be described in detail with reference to FIG. Hot water supply key 2
When 1 is pressed and hot water supply starts, first step S1
At, in accordance with the output signal from the lower limit water level sensor 89, it is determined whether the water level in the hot water storage tank 87 is less than or equal to the lower limit water level L. Here, when it is determined that the water level is equal to or higher than the lower limit water level L, the process proceeds to step S2, and the water temperature detection thermistor T
Based on the detection signal from h1, it is determined whether the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87 is 35 ° C. or lower. Hot water temperature is 3
If the temperature is 5 ° C. or lower, in step S3, the drain valve 98 is opened and the pump 95 is driven at a frequency of 60 Hz to drain the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87, and the process returns to step S1. Then, the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87 is discharged to the outside from the drain pipe 91.

When it is determined in step S1 that the water level in the hot water storage tank 87 is below the lower limit water level L, or in step S2 that the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank 87 is above 35 ° C. , In steps S4 to S6,
Hot water supply and so-called initial drainage are performed simultaneously. That is,
In steps S4 and S5, the drain valve 98 and the hot water storage valve 85 are opened and the pump 95 is operated at the frequency 3 until the water level in the hot water storage tank 87 reaches the upper limit water level H.
Driven at Hz. Then, hot water mixed by the mixing valve 84 is supplied from the hot water storage pipe 86 into the hot water storage tank 87. At this time, at the same time, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 87 is pumped out at a flow rate (flow rate) sufficiently slower than the flow rate (flow rate) of the hot water supplied into the hot water storage tank 87, and discharged from the drain pipe 91 to the outside. To be done. When it is determined that the water level has reached the upper limit water level H based on the output signal from the upper limit water level sensor 90, in step S6, the drain valve 98 and the hot water storage valve 85 are closed, and the pump 95 is stopped to supply hot water. Ends.

As described above, at the same time when hot water is supplied to the hot water storage tank 87, the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank 87 is supplied at a flow rate (flow velocity) sufficiently slower than the flow rate (flow velocity) of the hot water supplied to the hot water storage tank 87. The hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank 87, and the cold water stored in the pump 95 and the outflow pipe 96 that connects the hot water storage tank 87 and the suction side of the pump 95 can be drained by pumping out at the flow velocity) and discharging to the outside. it can. Therefore, in the initial drainage stroke of the subsequent stroke, only the cold water accumulated from the pump 95 to the upper nozzle link 55, the lower nozzle link 58 and the fixed nozzle 60 need only be drained. As a result, the initial drainage time is shortened, the hair washing mode is emphasized, and the hair washing time can be shortened.

The hot water supply mode is shown in FIG.
You may perform according to the flowchart shown in. That is, in the flow chart shown in FIG. 12, the hot water is not slowly drained while the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank as described above, but the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the pump are connected within a predetermined time during the initial period of hot water supply. It is programmed to drain the cold water accumulated in the outflow pipe and pump all at once and then store the hot water in the hot water storage tank.

Specifically, in steps S4 and S5, the drain valve 98 is operated until 3 seconds have elapsed after the start of hot water supply.
And the hot water storage valve 85 is opened and the pump 95
Are driven at a frequency of 60 Hz. Then, the cold water accumulated in the outflow pipe 96 connecting the hot water storage tank 87 and the suction side of the pump 95 and the pump 95 is discharged to the outside at once. Then, after 3 seconds, steps S6 to S8 are performed.
At, the drain valve 98 is closed, the pump 95 is stopped, and only the hot water storage valve 85 is opened to supply hot water into the hot water storage tank 87 until the water level reaches the upper limit water level H. When the water level reaches the upper limit water level H, the hot water storage valve 85 is closed and the hot water supply is completed.

As described above, the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank after the cold water accumulated in the pump and the outflow pipe connecting the hot water storage tank and the suction side of the pump are drained at once in the predetermined time period of the hot water supply. Also greatly contributes to shortening the initial drainage time. Next, the operation of the initial drainage stroke will be described with reference to FIG. In the initial drainage process, when the head of the person to be washed is inserted into the water tank in the back state, the upper nozzle link 55 is arranged so as not to get in the way.
Stop at the horizontal position. In this state, the valve 96 for the upper nozzle
A, lower nozzle valve 96B and long valve 97
Open and drive the pump 95 at a predetermined frequency (for example, 6 Hz) to drain cold water accumulated from the pump 95 to the upper nozzle link 55, the lower nozzle link 58, and the fixed nozzle 60.

At the initial stage of drainage, the upper nozzle link 5
In the water pipe 551 of No. 5, from the pump 95 to the upper nozzle link 55
Cold water that has accumulated over time is supplied. Therefore, as shown in FIG. 5A, the shape memory alloy spring 201 does not undergo martensitic transformation, the separated state of the plug body 200 is maintained by the biasing force of the bias spring 202, and the drain hole 591 remains open. Becomes As a result, the cold water supplied to the water pipe 551 flows out all at once from the drain hole 559. Drainage hole 559
Since the hole diameter of the water is sufficiently larger than the diameter of the injection port of the nozzle 57, the amount of cold water discharged from the water discharge hole 559 of the water pipe 551 is
This is sufficiently larger than the amount of cold water discharged from the lower nozzle link 58 and the fixed nozzle 60. As a result, a part of the cold water accumulated around the lower nozzle link 58 and the fixed nozzle 60 is also guided to the water pipe 551 of the upper nozzle link 55.

Then, when the cold water flows out all at once, the hot water having a predetermined temperature (about 35 ° C.) or higher is supplied to the water pipe 551. Then, as shown in FIG. 5B, the shape memory alloy spring 201 undergoes elongation transformation. Therefore, plug 2
00 is the inner protrusion 5 due to the pressing force of the shape memory alloy spring 201.
The drain hole 559 is closed by being seated on and pressed against 51a.

In this way, the water pipe 5 of the upper nozzle link 55 is
At the tip of 51, a drain hole 55 larger than the injection port of the nozzle 55
By forming 9 and attaching the plug body 200 to the shape memory alloy spring 201, the drain hole 559 can be opened at the initial stage of drainage, and cold water can be removed all at once. Therefore, the initial drainage time, which is not related to the hair washing operation, can be shortened, and the hair washing time can be shortened.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and it goes without saying that many modifications and changes can be made within the scope of the present invention. In the above-described embodiment, it may be configured such that the hot water is drained all at once within a predetermined time, and then the cold water is slowly drained while the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank. Further, a drainage hole larger than the injection port of the nozzle may be formed at the tip of the water pipe of the lower nozzle link, and a plug may be attached to the shape memory alloy spring to remove the cold water all at once at the initial stage of drainage.

[0077]

As is apparent from the above description, according to claim 1 of the present invention, in the hot water supply mode, while collecting hot water in the hot water storage tank, it is collected between the hot water storage tank and the pumping means and in the pumping means. Cold water can be drained gradually. As a result, in the subsequent initial drainage stroke, only the cold water accumulated from the pumping means to the nozzle is drained, and the initial drainage time is shortened.

In the second aspect, during the hot water supply / drainage period at the initial stage of hot water supply , the cold water accumulated between the hot water storage tank and the pumping means and in the pumping means is drained at once, and then the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank. You can As a result, in the initial drainage stroke of the subsequent stroke, only the cold water accumulated from the pumping means to the nozzle is drained, which greatly contributes to shortening the initial drainage time.

According to claim 3, there is cold water at the beginning of drainage.
For example, since the drainage hole of the water pipe is opened and the cold water can be removed at once, the initial drainage time unrelated to the hair washing operation is shortened. That is, according to the first to third aspects, the initial drainage time can be shortened, so that the hair washing mode can be emphasized and the hair washing time can be shortened.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an external configuration of an automatic hair washer according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a configuration of an operation panel.

FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional side view showing the internal mechanism of the automatic hair washer.

FIG. 4 is a front view showing a detailed configuration of an upper nozzle link.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view showing the internal configuration of the tip portion of the upper nozzle link.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a specific configuration of a lower nozzle link.

FIG. 7 is an illustrative view of a drive mechanism for driving an upper nozzle link and a lower nozzle link.

FIG. 8 is a flume diagram of the automatic hair washer.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a control circuit of the automatic hair washing machine.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the content of a hair washing operation in the automatic hair washing machine.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing a flow of control in a hot water supply mode.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing another control flow of the hot water supply mode.

[Explanation of symbols]

 51 Water Tank 55 Upper Nozzle Link 551 Water Pipe 559 Drainage Hole 57 Nozzle 58 Lower Nozzle Link 59 Nozzle 60 Fixed Nozzle 85 Hot Water Storage Valve 86 Hot Water Storage Pipe 87 Hot Water Storage Tank 91 Drainage Valve 95 Pump 96 Outflow Pipe 106 Inverter 200 Plug 201 201 Shape Memory Alloy 202 Bias spring 301 First supply pipe 302 Second supply pipe 303 Third supply pipe

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Takenari 2-18 Keihanhondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. (72) Mitsuru Naganawa 2-18th Street, Keihanhondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Masaru Noro 2-18 Keihan Hondori, Moriguchi City, Osaka Prefecture Sanyo Denki Co., Ltd. (72) Akio Nishiyama 2-1-1 Higashishinsaibashi, Chuo-ku, Osaka Takara Belmont Co., Ltd. (56) Reference JP-A-52-58657 (JP, A) JP-A-52-76160 (JP, A) JP-A-50-21854 (JP, A) JP-A-50-1853 (JP , A) Actual development Sho 51-81200 (JP, U)

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic hair washing machine having a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, for injecting the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank from a nozzle to wash hair, the first water pipe leading the hot water to the hot water storage tank, 1 hot water storage valve for opening and closing the water pipe, second water pipe connecting the hot water storage tank and the nozzle, pumping means provided for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank to the nozzle through the second water pipe, the second water pipe In the hot water supply mode in which the drain pipe branched from the drain pipe, the drain valve that opens and closes the drain pipe, and the hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank, the hot water storage valve and the drain valve are opened, and the pumping means supplies hot water to the hot water storage tank. An automatic hair washing machine comprising hot water supply control means for driving at a pumping rate sufficiently slower than the amount. 2. An automatic hair washing machine which has a hot water storage tank for storing hot water, and sprays the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank from a nozzle to wash hair. A first water pipe for guiding hot water to the hot water storage tank, 1 hot water storage valve for opening and closing the water pipe, second water pipe connecting the hot water storage tank and the nozzle, pumping means provided for supplying the hot water stored in the hot water storage tank to the nozzle through the second water pipe, the second water pipe In the hot water supply mode in which hot water is stored in the hot water storage tank, open the hot water storage valve and the drain valve at the beginning of hot water supply,
And pumping Ru is driven at a pre-determined pumped out amount means
An automatic hair washing machine comprising a hot water supply control means for providing a hot water supply / drainage period , and closing the drainage valve and stopping the pumping means after this period has elapsed. 3. A hot water storage tank for storing hot water, a water tank into which the head of the person to be washed is inserted, a water pipe provided in the water tank for supplying hot water from the hot water storage tank, and arranged in the water pipe and supplied to the water pipe. An automatic hair washing machine comprising a plurality of nozzles for spraying warm water to wash hair, wherein the water pipe has a drain hole larger than the injection port of each nozzle at the tip thereof. the, the hot water is lower than a predetermined temperature supplied from the hot water storage tank, a drain hole opens Iteori, with hot water supplied from the hot water storage tank is higher than a predetermined temperature, close the variable condition to the drain hole temperature sensitive response member An automatic hair washing machine characterized by being provided with.