JP2533275B2 - Bath water filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath water filling device for automatically controlling water filling in a bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, when filling water for the first time in a bathtub installed in a home for the first time, the required filling data regarding the shape and size of the bathtub is sought and stored in a memory circuit. There has been proposed a bath hot water filling device (hereinafter referred to as a conventional technique) in which a hot water supply device is fully automatically operated based on necessary data for hot water filling stored in a storage circuit during a filling operation. In this conventional technique, at the time of the first filling operation, for example, 10 liters of hot water is repeatedly supplied once to fill the upper part of the connecting fitting that connects the circulation circuit of the water heating apparatus and the bathtub to the upper part of the connecting fitting. The water level at which the hot water is stored for the first time is read as the first reference water level H0, and the water level detected after performing, for example, 20 liters of hot water is read as the second reference water level H20, and the first reference water level H0 is read.
And the second standard water level H20, the standard water amount WH per unit height
Further, the amount of insufficient hot water was calculated from the set water level Hset, the second reference water level H20 and the reference water amount WH per unit height to fill the water up to the set water level Hset. Further, the necessary filling data such as the first reference water level H0, the second reference water level H20, and the reference water amount WH per unit height stored in the memory circuit were inspected when the user replaced the bathtub or at the time of manufacturing. It is necessary to clear when shipping later. Therefore, a clear switch has been conventionally attached to the controller.

[0003]

However, in the prior art, the first reference water level H0 and the second reference water level H20 erroneously stored in the memory circuit during the full automatic operation during the next filling operation. , If the necessary water filling data such as the reference water amount WH per unit height is deleted, the first reference water level H0 and the second reference water level H20 stored in the storage circuit will be set to the maximum value, On the contrary, the first reference water level H0 and the second reference water level H20 may be set to the minimum values. Therefore, when the operation is performed using these values and the filling operation is performed by the fully automatic operation, the hot water overflows from the bathtub when the first reference water level H0 and the second reference water level H20 are set to the maximum values. There was a problem that it would end up. Conversely, the first
When the standard water level H0 and the second standard water level H20 are set to the minimum values, the difference between the set water level Hset and the second standard water level H20 becomes large, and the amount of insufficient hot water becomes a large value. There was a problem that the hot water overflowed from the bathtub when the hot water filling was performed based on.

According to the present invention, it is possible to prevent the hot water from overflowing from the bath due to the change of the data by deleting the necessary water filling data stored in the storage means during the next hot water filling operation by the hot water supply means. The purpose is to provide a bath water filling device that can be used.

[0005]

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided hot-water supply means for filling the inside of the bathtub with water, and required water-filling data such as the shape and size of the bathtub during the initial hot-water filling operation by the hot-water supply means. Computation means, storage means for storing the required filling data obtained by this computation means, and the hot water supply means is controlled based on the required filling data stored in this storage means to carry out the filling operation from the next time. In the bath water filling apparatus including a control means for performing the operation, the control means has an instruction means for instructing to erase the necessary water filling data stored in the storage means. During the tensioning operation, the technical means is adopted which is characterized in that the erasing of the water filling necessary data is prohibited even if the instruction means instructs the erasing of the water filling necessary data. According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the bath water filling apparatus according to the first aspect, the storage means is an EEPROM as an electrically writable and erasable nonvolatile memory.

[0006]

According to the present invention, during the next hot-water filling operation by the hot-water supply means, the deletion of the necessary water-filling data is prohibited even if the instruction means instructs the deletion of the necessary water-filling data. Since the filling of water is performed to the end based on the required filling data obtained during the initial filling operation, it is possible to prevent the overflow of hot water from the bath due to the change of the data.

[0007]

【Example】

[Structure of Embodiment] A bath filling device of the present invention will be described based on an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a bath water filling apparatus. The bath water filling device 1 is a bathtub 2
A hot water supply device 3 for supplying hot water into the interior, a control device 4 for automatically controlling the hot water supply device 3, and an EEPROM 5 as a non-volatile memory that can be electrically written and erased. The bathtub 2 is installed in a bathroom of a home and has a trapezoidal shape so that the width gradually increases as it goes up from the bottom.
Above the bathtub 2, a currant 2a for adding water to the bathtub 2 is installed. The bathtub 2 may have a substantially rectangular shape having the same width from the bottom to the top.

The hot water supply device 3 is a hot water supply means of the present invention, and includes a hot water supply pipe 6 and a circulation circuit 7. The hot water supply pipe 6 is a pipe that fills the bathtub 2 with hot water. A water flow sensor 8, a hot water supply heat exchanger 9, a hot water temperature sensor 10, a hot water filling valve 11, and a backflow prevention device 12 are sequentially attached to the hot water supply line 6 from the upstream side. The water amount sensor 8 detects the amount of water supplied into the bathtub 2, converts the detected amount of water into an electric signal and sends it to the control device 4. The hot water supply heat exchanger 9 heats water by exchanging heat between the water flowing inside and the combustion heat generated by the combustion of the hot water supply burner 13.
Supply and stop of fuel to the hot water supply burner 13 are performed by a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 14 that is controlled to be energized by the control device 4.

The hot water temperature sensor 10 uses, for example, a thermistor to detect the hot water temperature at the outlet of the hot water heat exchanger 9. The detected hot water temperature is converted into an electric signal and sent to the control device 4. . The hot water filling valve 11 is an electromagnetic valve that opens and closes the hot water supply pipe line 6 under the control of energization of the control device 4. When the hot water filling valve 11 is opened, hot water is filled in the bathtub 2, and when the valve is closed, the hot water filling the bathtub 2 is filled. Is stopped. The backflow prevention device 12 prevents a backflow from the circulation circuit 7 to the upstream side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 9, and a check valve is used in this example.

The circulation circuit 7 is connected to the outlet of the hot water supply pipe 6 via a three-way valve 15 and circulates the hot water in the bathtub 2 to the bath heat exchanger 17 by the operation of the bath pump 16. A water flow switch 18, a bath temperature sensor 19, a water level sensor 20, and the like are also attached to the circulation circuit 7. In addition, when the hot water in the bathtub 2 is circulated, the intake part that takes in the hot water from the bathtub 2 and the return part that returns the hot water into the bathtub 2 are
Bathtub fittings 21 and 22 are respectively attached.

The three-way valve 15 switches between a hot water supply side connecting the bathtub 2 and the hot water supply pipe line 6 through the circulation circuit 7 and a circulation side connecting only the circulation circuit 7 to the bathtub 2.
Controlled by. The bath pump 16 is energized by the control device 4, and when energized, generates a circulating flow in the circulation circuit 7. The bath heat exchanger 17 exchanges heat between the hot water flowing inside and the combustion heat generated by the combustion of the bath burner 23 to further heat the hot water. The supply and stop of fuel to the bath burner 23 are performed by the bath electromagnetic valve 24 whose energization is controlled by the control device 4.

The water flow switch 18 determines whether or not there is a water flow in the circulation circuit 7. When there is a water flow in the circulation circuit 7, an electric signal is sent to the control device 4. The bath hot water temperature sensor 19 uses, for example, a thermistor and detects the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2. The hot water temperature sensor 19 converts the detected hot water temperature into an electric signal and sends it to the control device 4. The water level sensor 20 is the bathtub fitting 2
The water level in the bathtub 2 above 1 is detected, and the detected water level is converted into an electric signal and sent to the control device 4.

The control device 4 is the calculating means and control means of the present invention, and is the first reference during the first filling operation in which filling is performed while controlling the hot water supply device 3 according to a filling control pattern based on a predetermined control program. level HO (mm), the second reference level H20 (mm), tub bracket sewage amount WH0 (l), unit height per reference amount of water WH1 (l / mm) and the water level increase rate DerutaWH (l / mm ²⁾ or the like The necessary data for filling water is calculated and stored in the EEPROM 5. Then, the control device 4 controls the hot water supply device 3 based on the required filling data and the control program stored in the EEPROM 5.
By controlling the hot water supply device 3, the hot water supply device 3 is caused to perform the hot water filling operation and the boiling operation from the next time.

The controller 4 is electrically connected to a remote controller (hereinafter abbreviated as a remote controller) 25 mounted on a wall surface of a bathroom or the like. The remote control 25
2, as shown in FIG. 2, fully automatic operation of the water heater 3.
An operation switch 26 for instructing an operation stop, a water level setting switch 27 as a water level setting means for setting the water level in the bathtub 2 to a desired water level (set water level Hset), and a hot water temperature for hot water filling to a desired temperature (set hot water temperature) Hot water supply temperature setting switch 2 to be set
8. A bath temperature setting switch 29 for setting the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 to a desired temperature (set hot water temperature) is installed.

Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the remote controller 25 displays a predetermined amount of hot water (for example, 20
Liters) Plenty switch 31 for instructing extra hot water filling, lukewarm switch 32 for instructing to add a predetermined amount of water (for example, 10 liters) more than normal hot water filling operation, hot water conditions and hot water filling A liquid crystal display unit 33 for displaying the progress state is also provided. In this embodiment, the water level setting switch 27 and the hot water supply temperature setting switch 2
By simultaneously pressing the rising side of 8 and the rising side of the bath temperature setting switch 29 for, for example, 2 seconds or more, the EEPRO
The necessary water filling data stored in M5 is cleared. That is, the water level setting switch 27 and the hot water supply temperature setting switch 2
The rising side of 8 and the rising side of the bath temperature setting switch 29 constitute a clear switch (instructing means). Further, the liquid crystal display unit 33 includes a water level setting scale 33a, a set water level 33b, a bath setting hot water temperature 33c, a hot water supply hot water temperature 33d,
It consists of a display such as a clock 33e, and has a water level setting scale 33a.
The lowermost row indicates the water level 100 mm above the second standard water level H20 (mm).

The EEPROM 5 is a storage means of the present invention, and has a first reference water level H0 (mm) and a second reference water level H20 (m).
m), tub bracket sewage amount WH0 (liter), hot water filling relates unit height per reference amount of water WH1 (l / mm) and the water level increase rate DerutaWH (l / mm ²⁾ the size of the shape or tub 2 which is determined by such of Store the required data. Further, the EEPROM 5 retains the memory of the necessary filling data obtained in the first filling operation, the filling program of the filling operation, and the control program of the boiling operation even when the power supply is stopped such as at the time of power failure. are doing.

[Operation of Embodiment] The operation of the bath water filling device 1 used in this embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program for the first filling operation of the control device 4. This flow chart is started when the user sets the set water level Hset and presses the operation switch 26 to instruct full automatic operation. First, the three-way valve 15 is switched from the circulation side to the hot water supply side to open the hot water filling valve 11, and the hot water supply solenoid valve 14 is opened to burn the hot water supply burner 13 to fill 10 liters of hot water. After filling, the water filling valve 11 is closed (step S1).

Then, it is determined whether or not there is hot water in the bathtub 2. That is, the three-way valve 15 is switched from the hot water supply side to the circulation side, the bath pump 16 is turned on, and it is determined whether or not the water flow switch 18 is turned on (step S2). If the determination result in step S2 is No, that is,
If the water level has not risen above the bathtub fitting 21 due to the filling of the bathtub 2, the control of step S1 is performed. When the result of the determination in step S2 is Yes, that is, when the bathtub 2 is filled with hot water, the bathtub fitting 2
When the water level rises from 1, the total of the integrated amounts of the 10 liter hot water filling is stored as the bathtub fitting sewage amount WH0 (step S3), and the water level sensor 20 detects the water level in the bathtub 2. Then, the detected water level is stored as the first reference water level H0 (step S4).

Subsequently, the three-way valve 15 is switched from the circulation side to the hot water supply side to open the water filling valve 11, the bath pump 16 is turned off, and 20 liters of water is filled, and then the water filling valve 11 is turned on. The valve is closed (step S5). Then, the water level sensor 20 detects the water level in the bathtub 2 and stores the detected water level as the second reference water level H20 (step S6). Then, the first standard water level H0 and the second standard water level H
A reference water amount (tub area) WH1 per unit height is calculated and stored from 20 and a predetermined water amount (for example, 20 liters) (step S7). Furthermore, the set water level Hset and the second reference water volume H
From 20 and the standard water quantity WH1 per unit height, the water level increase rate Δ
WH (inclination of bathtub: liter / mm ² ) is calculated and stored (step S8). Then, the insufficient hot water amount (liter) is calculated from the set water level Hset, the second reference water amount H20, the reference water amount WH1 per unit height, and the water level increase rate ΔWH (step S9).

Then, the three-way valve 15 is switched from the circulation side to the hot water supply side to open the water filling valve 11, and after filling the insufficient amount of hot water, the water filling valve 11 is closed and the solenoid valve for hot water supply. The valve 14 is closed to extinguish the hot water supply burner 13 to complete the initial hot water filling operation (step S10). The first standard water level HO (mm) and the second standard water level H20 (mm)
, Bathtub fitting sewage amount WH0 (liter), standard water amount per unit height WH1 (liter / mm) and water level increase rate Δ
EEP with necessary data for filling water such as WH (liter / mm ² ).
It is stored in the ROM 5 (step S11). Then, after the initial hot-water filling operation, the automatic boiling operation of bringing the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 closer to the set temperature set by the bath temperature setting switch 29 is made (step S12), and then the fully-automatic operation of the water heater 3 is terminated. To do.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a control program for the next filling operation of the controller 4, that is, a fully automatic operation. This flow chart is started when the user sets the set water level Hset or the like and presses the operation switch 26 to instruct full automatic operation. at first,
It is determined whether or not the necessary filling data is stored in the EEPROM 5 (step S21). This step S2
If the result of the determination in No. 1 is No, hot water filling is performed based on a control program (not shown) (step S22), and automatic boiling is performed to bring the hot water temperature in the bathtub 2 closer to the set temperature set by the bath temperature setting switch 29. After shifting to the operation (step S23), the fully automatic operation of the water heater 2 is ended.

If the result of the determination in step S21 is Yes, it is determined whether or not there is hot water in the bathtub 2. That is, the three-way valve 15 is switched from the hot water supply side to the circulation side, the bath pump 16 is turned on, and it is determined whether or not the water flow switch 18 is turned on (step S24). This step S
If the determination result of 24 is No, that is, if the water level has not risen from the bathtub fitting 21 due to the filling of the bathtub 2, the water level increase rate ΔWH, the reference water amount WH1 per unit, and the water tank fitting The hot water filling amount is calculated from the sewage amount WH0 (step S25), the three-way valve 15 is switched from the circulation side to the hot water supply side to open the hot water filling valve 11, and the hot water supply solenoid valve 14 is opened to supply hot water. Burn the burner 13,
The bath pump 16 is turned off, the required amount of water is filled, and then the water filling valve 11 is closed (step S2).
6). After that, the control of step S27 is performed.

Further, the determination result of step S24 is Yes.
In this case, the water level sensor 20 detects the water level in the bathtub 2. Then, the detected water level is changed to the current water level Hw.
(Step S27), the reference water amount G (liter / mm ² ) per unit height is calculated from the current water level Hw and the water level increase rate ΔWH (step S28). And
The shortage of hot water is calculated from the set water level Hset, the current water level Hw, the reference water quantity WH1 per unit and the reference water quantity G per unit height (step S29), and the three-way valve 15 is switched from the circulation side to the hot water supply side to fill the water. While opening the valve 11, the hot water supply solenoid valve 14 is opened to burn the hot water supply burner 13,
The bath pump 16 is turned off, and the required amount of hot water is filled, and then the filling valve 11 is closed (step S3).
0). After that, the control of step S23 is performed.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of a clear prohibition control program of the EEPROM 5. This flowchart is always executed. First, it is determined whether the water level setting switch 27, the hot water supply temperature setting switch 28 and the bath temperature setting switch 29 are simultaneously pressed. That is, the first reference water level HO (mm), the second reference water level H20 (mm) stored in the EEPROM 5,
Bathtub metal sewage amount WH0 (liter), standard water amount per unit height WH1 (liter / mm) and water level increase rate ΔWH
It is determined whether or not a clear signal for instructing the clearing of the required water filling data such as (liter / mm ² ) is output (step S41).

If the result of the determination in step S41 is No, the process returns. If the result of the determination in step S41 is Yes, the water level setting switch 27, the hot water supply temperature setting switch 28 rising side, the bath temperature setting switch 2
It is determined whether or not the ascending side of 9 is simultaneously pressed for, for example, 2 seconds or more (step S42). This step S42
If the determination result of No is No, the process returns. If the determination result in step S42 is Yes, EEPR
An instruction (clear signal) for clearing the necessary filling data stored in OM5 is received. That is, a clear signal is input (step S43).

Then, based on the control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 or the like, it is determined whether or not the hot water supply device 3 is performing the filling operation from the next time. That is, it is determined whether or not hot water supply device 3 is fully automatically operated (step S44). If the result of the determination in step S44 is Yes, the instruction to clear the necessary filling data stored in the EEPROM 5 is canceled. That is, the clear signal is erased (step S45). Then return. Moreover, the determination result of step S44 is No.
In the case of, it is determined whether or not the control of step S11 of the flowchart of FIG. 3 is in progress. That is, it is determined whether or not the control for storing the required filling data in the EEPROM 5 is being executed (step S46).

If the determination result of step S46 is Yes, the control of step S45 is performed. If the decision result in the step S46 is No, the EEPROM 5
The necessary water filling data stored in is cleared (step S47). Then return. Note that step S4
After performing the control of 7, the control according to the flowchart of FIG. 5 may be avoided until the necessary filling data is stored in the EEPROM 5 based on the control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. Further, in this embodiment, all the water level setting scales 33a of the liquid crystal display section 33 of the remote controller 25 are made to blink by the control device 4 while the control of S47 is being executed. For example, all the water level setting scales 33a are turned on for 0.5 seconds and turned off for 0.5 seconds twice to notify the user that the necessary filling data stored in the EEPROM 5 has been cleared. .

[Effects of the Embodiment] As described above, based on the control program shown in the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the like, during the next hot water filling operation by the water heater 3, that is, during the fully automatic operation of the water heater 3, During the control for storing the required filling data in the EEPROM 5, the water level setting switch 27, the hot water supply temperature setting switch 28 rising side and the bath temperature setting switch 29 rising side are simultaneously pressed, for example, for two seconds or more and stored in the EEPROM 5. Even when the instruction to clear the required water filling data is instructed, the clearing of the required water filling data is prohibited. Therefore, it is possible to perform the fully automatic operation of the hot water supply device 3 to the end based on the required water filling data obtained at the time of the first time water filling operation, and the data is maximized by clearing the water filling data during the fully automatic operation. It is possible to prevent the hot water from overflowing from the bathtub 2 due to the value or the like.

[Modification] In the present embodiment, the erasing of the required water filling data during the next hot water filling operation by the hot water supply means is prohibited based on the control program of the control device 4. During the tensioning operation, the clear switch may be mechanically prevented from being pressed so as to prohibit the erasing of the necessary water filling data. In this embodiment, the water level setting switch 27 and the hot water supply temperature setting switch 28
Although the clear switch is configured by the rising side of the above and the rising side of the bath temperature setting switch 29, a dedicated clear switch may be provided. In addition, the instruction means such as clear switch,
If it is installed at a place away from the frequently used instruction switch, it will not accidentally delete the necessary water filling data.

[0030]

According to the present invention, the erasure of the required water filling data can be prohibited even if an instruction to erase the required water filling data stored in the storage means is issued during the next filling operation of the hot water supply means. As a result, it is possible to prevent the hot water from overflowing from the bathtub due to the change of the data necessary for filling water.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing a bath filling apparatus to which an embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a plan view showing a main part of a remote controller of the bath water filling apparatus to which one embodiment of the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of a control program for an initial filling operation.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of a control program for the next filling operation.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an EEPROM clear prohibition control program.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bath water filling device 2 Bathtub 3 Hot water supply device (hot water supply means) 4 Control device (control means, calculation means) 5 EEPROM (storage means) 25 Remote controller (remote control) 27 Water level setting switch (instruction means) 28 Hot water supply temperature setting switch ( 29) Bath temperature setting switch (instructing means)

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hot water supply means for filling the inside of a bathtub, a computing means for obtaining necessary filling data such as the shape and size of the bathtub when the hot water is first filled by the hot water supply means, and the computing means. Bath water filling provided with storage means for storing necessary water filling data and control means for controlling the hot water supplying means based on the necessary water filling data stored in the storage means to perform the next water filling operation In the apparatus, the control means has an instruction means for instructing to erase the necessary filling data stored in the storage means, and during the next filling operation by the hot water supply means, the filling means is instructed by the instruction means. A bath filling device, which prohibits the erasing of required data even if an instruction to erase the required data is given. 2. The bath water filling apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the storage unit is an EEPROM as an electrically writable and erasable nonvolatile memory.