JP2586832B2 - Bathing equipment for 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 tapping device for a bathtub. More specifically, the present invention relates to a bathtub tapping device used to supply hot water to a bathtub from a water heater having a function of reheating with hot water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In the case of a bath tub connected to a water heater with a hot water supply function, for example, 90
Hot water of about ℃ can be supplied and the hot water in the bathtub can be reheated. However, if such high-temperature hot water is poured into the bathtub when the bathtub is empty, there is a problem in terms of safety and protection of the bathtub.

[0003] For example, when entering the empty bathtub and cleaning the bathtub, if the user accidentally touches the switch of hot water bath,
Since hot water is discharged into the bathtub, there is a problem of danger to the human body such as burns. Also, if the bath tub is made of artificial marble, for example, if the switch operation of hot water filling (low temperature hot water) and reheating (high temperature hot water) is mistaken, if hot water is inserted into an empty bath tub, artificial marble will be used. There is a risk that the hot tub may directly touch the bath tub, causing the bath tub surface to become discolored or cracked.

[0004] In order to solve such a problem,
There is a bathtub tapping device C disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 2-116644. FIG. 7 shows a front sectional view of the bathtub tapping device C. The bathtub tapping device C is attached to the side wall of the bathtub, and when hot water for reheating is injected into a hot water supply channel 51 connected to the water heater, the hot water is supplied to the upper end of the discharge channel 52. It flows to the discharge path 52 through the groove 53 formed in the portion. On the other hand, when high-temperature hot water flows through the discharge path 52, the lower end of the suction path 54 becomes negative pressure, so that hot water in the bathtub sucked from the front suction port 55 is sucked from the suction path 54 into the discharge path 52, High-temperature hot water and hot water in the bathtub are mixed and discharged from the discharge port 56 at the lower end of the discharge path 52. The hot water discharged from the discharge port 56 is a spring 57 made of a shape memory alloy.
However, when there is hot water in the bathtub that is higher than the height of the suction port 55, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the discharge port 56 is lower than the operating temperature (transformation point) of the spring 57 made of a shape memory alloy. Therefore, the spring 57 made of the shape memory alloy is maintained in the expanded state, and the valve 58 in the hot water supply path 51 is maintained in the open state.

On the other hand, when no hot water higher than the height of the suction port 55 remains in the bathtub, hot water of the bathtub is not introduced into the discharge path 52, so that high-temperature hot water is discharged from the discharge port 56. When the high temperature hot water discharged from the discharge port 56 is touched, the spring 57 made of shape memory alloy changes its shape and contracts, and the valve 58 in the hot water supply path 51 is driven against the spring 59, and the valve 5
8 is pressed against the valve seat 60 and closed. Therefore, when there is not enough hot water remaining in the bathtub, high-temperature hot water is not discharged from the bathtub tapping device C, thereby keeping the user safe and preventing the bathtub from being damaged.

A compression spring 6 is provided beside the hot water supply passage 51.
A hot water filling valve 62 urged in the closing direction by 1 is provided. When hot water is supplied to the bathtub, a large amount of hot water is supplied, and the hot water pressure opens the hot water filling valve 62,
For example, hot water can be discharged from an opening (not shown) opened in the support portion 63 of the hot water filling valve 62 and the like, and a large amount of hot water can be quickly supplied. On the other hand, at the time of reheating, since the flow rate of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply path 51 is reduced, the hot water filling valve 62 is kept closed by the compression spring 61.

[0007]

However, the bathtub tapping device C shown in FIG. 7 has a structure in which the filling valve is opened and closed by the pressure of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply channel. In some cases, and it was also difficult to share bathtub tapping equipment.

For example, when a high-capacity water heater is used, a considerable amount of hot water can be discharged even at the time of high-temperature hot water supply. There is a danger that the hot water filling valve will open due to the pressure and the mixing ratio of the hot water to the hot water in the bathtub will increase, causing the hot water to be discharged. Even when the discharge temperature is equal to or higher than the operating temperature of the shape memory alloy spring, a large amount of high-temperature hot water may flow out before the valve is closed due to activation of the shape memory alloy spring due to the large flow rate. Was dangerous.
Conversely, a small capacity water heater cannot supply a large amount of hot water even when filling, so the filling valve does not open even when filling, the amount of hot water supplied is limited, and the filling operation takes a long time. There is fear. Therefore, in this bathtub tapping device C, it is necessary to prepare various types of compression springs having different strengths for closing the filling valve according to the capacity of the water heater, and it is difficult to share the bathtub tapping device. there were.

In addition, in regions where tap water pressure is low, only a low flow rate of hot water flows even if the water flow control valve (overflow prevention valve) of the water heater is fully opened. There is no fear. Similarly, if the tap water pressure is temporarily reduced due to a shortage of water due to abnormal drought, the bathtub tapping equipment that had been operating normally until then will not operate properly, and the filling valve will be turned off when filling. It may not open.

[0010] In addition, in the case where the hot water supply device does not have a function of reducing the amount of hot water supply at the hot water supply side, such as a solar water heater, the hot water filling valve is opened even at the time of high temperature hot water supply and a large flow of hot water flows. I am worried.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, and has as its object to improve the operation reliability of a filling valve provided in a bathtub tapping device. .

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, there is provided a hot-water supply device for a bathtub, wherein a hot-water supply channel for guiding hot water supplied from a hot-water supply device, an on-off valve for opening and closing the hot-water supply channel, and a flow rate for switching an opening of the hot-water supply channel A regulating valve, a flow regulating valve drive unit using a shape memory material for sensing the temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply path and driving the flow regulating valve, and wherein the flow regulating valve is switched to at least a small opening degree. An opening / closing valve driving section made of a shape memory material for sensing the temperature of hot water discharged from the hot water supply path and driving the opening / closing valve. When the sensed temperature of the flow control valve drive unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the flow control valve is operated and switched to a small opening degree, and when the sensed temperature of the on-off valve drive unit is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, The hot water supply path is closed by operating the on-off valve.

In the bathtub hot water supply device, a discharge portion for discharging hot water from the hot water supply channel to the outside when the flow control valve is switched to a small opening degree is provided opposite to the opening / closing valve drive section. You may.

[0014]

In the hot water supply device for a bathtub according to the present invention, the temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply path is sensed by the flow control valve driving section, and when the temperature of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply path is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the flow rate is controlled by the flow control valve driving section. The adjustment valve is driven to narrow the opening of the hot water supply path. That is, since the flow control valve is opened at the time of hot water filling (low-temperature hot water supply), a large amount of hot water can be supplied and hot water filling can be performed in a short time. On the other hand, at the time of additional heating (high-temperature hot water supply), the flow control valve is closed, so that the flow rate of the supplied hot water can be reduced.

As described above, the flow control valve is operated in accordance with the temperature of the hot water flowing in the hot water supply passage, so that the flow control valve is operated by the water pressure of the hot water flowing in the hot water supply passage as in the conventional example. In addition, there is no possibility that the operation of the bathtub hot-water appliance will fluctuate depending on the capacity of the water heater, and the bathtub hot-water appliance can be shared. In addition, even if the tap water pressure changes, the operation of the bathtub tapping device does not become unstable, and the reliability of the bathtub tapping device is improved.

In addition, since the opening / closing valve drive section and the flow rate adjustment valve drive section use a shape memory material,
When each temperature exceeds a predetermined temperature, the on-off valve drive section and the flow control valve drive section are deformed discontinuously, and the on-off valve and the flow control valve can be driven, and the response to the temperature of the supplied hot water can be improved. can do.

Further, at the time of reheating, if hot water is filled in the bathtub to the height of the bathtub tapping device, the hot water discharged from the hot water supply channel will be hot water in the bathtub before hitting the on-off valve driving section. And the temperature of the hot water drops, so that the sensed temperature of the on-off valve drive section decreases, the on-off valve drive section does not operate, and the on-off valve is kept open. On the other hand, when no hot water remains in the bathtub to the height of the bathtub hot-water supply device, the hot water discharged from the hot water supply channel directly hits the open / close valve driving unit without mixing with the hot water in the bathtub. When the temperature sensed by the drive unit increases, the on-off valve drive unit operates, and the on-off valve is closed. Therefore, the safety when the user cleans the bathtub can be improved, and even when the bathtub is made of artificial marble, the artificial marble bathtub is not damaged.

In addition, since the hot water can be discharged from the discharge port to the on-off valve drive unit facing the discharge port in a state where the flow control valve is narrowed to a small opening, the flow control valve is opened during the reheating operation. When the state is switched to a small state, hot water is injected from the discharge port to the opening / closing valve drive section, and when no hot water remains in the bathtub to the height of the opening / closing valve drive section, the opening / closing valve drive section is driven. The on-off valve can be closed quickly. Therefore, the responsiveness of the on-off valve is improved, and the safety during reheating is further improved.

[0019]

1 (a) and 1 (b) are a sectional view and a front sectional view, respectively, showing a state in which a bathtub tapping device A according to an embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a side wall 1a of a bathtub 1. FIG. As shown in FIG. 1A, a bathtub tapping device A is attached to a lower portion of a side wall 1 a of a bathtub 1. A bent hot water supply channel 3 is formed in the casing 2 of the bathtub tapping device A.
Are a hot water inlet 4 and a hot water outlet 5 at both ends. The hot water inlet 3 side of the hot water supply path 3 is connected through a pipe 6 to a hot water supply device (not shown) having a hot water filling (low temperature hot water supply) function and a reheating (high temperature hot water supply) function. A lip 7 extends horizontally from the lower end of the casing 2, and a flow rate provided at the upper end of a shaft 9 slidably inserted into a shaft support hole 8 of the lip 7. Adjusting valve (hot water filling valve) 10 is hot water supply path 3
The flow control valve 1 is disposed so as to face the hot water outlet 5.
Numeral 0 is urged in the opening direction by a tension spring 11 disposed between the lower surface of the flow control valve 10 and the lip piece 7.
Here, a slit-shaped discharge port 12 is cut out at a part of the hot water outlet 5 of the hot water supply passage 3, and when the flow control valve 10 is projected upward to close the hot water outlet 5, the hot water outlet 3 is closed. On the hot water outlet 5 side, only the discharge port 12 is opened, the opening degree of the hot water supply path 3 is small, and the flow rate of hot water flowing through the hot water supply path 3 is small. On the other hand, when the flow control valve 10 is lowered, the hot water outlet 5 is greatly opened, the opening degree of the hot water supply passage 3 is large, and the flow rate of the hot water flowing through the hot water supply passage 3 can be increased. A shape memory spring (flow control valve driving unit) 14 formed of a shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy or a shape memory resin is provided in a spring storage area 13 located on the hot water outlet 5 side of the hot water supply passage 3.
The upper end and the lower end of the shape memory spring 14 are hooked on a spring hook 15 on the inner surface of the casing 2 and a spring hook 16 on the upper surface of the flow control valve 10, respectively. The shape memory spring 14 has a predetermined operating temperature (transformation temperature) T1.
In the above, it is stored so that it contracts and returns and expands below the operating temperature T1. The operating temperature T1 of the shape memory spring 14 is higher than the hot water supply temperature at the time of hot water filling and lower than the hot water supply temperature at the time of reheating, for example, 38 ° C. <<
T1 << 90 ° C. is set. Therefore, when no hot water flows in the hot water supply passage 3 or hot water having a temperature equal to or lower than the operating temperature T1 is reached, the shape memory spring 14 is extended and the hot water outlet 5 is opened to a large flow state. . On the other hand, when hot water having a temperature equal to or higher than the operating temperature T1 flows through the hot water supply passage 3, the shape memory spring 14 is contracted, the hot water outlet 5 is closed, and only the discharge port 12 is opened, resulting in a small flow state.

An annular valve seat 17 is provided on the inner periphery of the valve storage area 19 of the hot water supply passage 3, and an opening / closing valve 18 for opening and closing a portion surrounded by the valve seat 17 of the hot water supply passage 3 is provided. 17 and is stored in the valve storage area 19. On-off valve 1
Numeral 8 is fixed to an upper end of a spindle 21 slidably held in a spindle support hole 20 of the casing 2. The compression spring 22 inserted between the on-off valve 18 and the casing 2 allows the on-off valve 18 to be opened. It is urged in the opening direction. Further, the spring retaining portion 23 provided on the upper surface of the lip piece 7 and the lower end of the spindle 21 are respectively provided with a shape memory spring (open / close valve drive) formed of a shape memory material such as a shape memory alloy or a shape memory resin. Part) 24 is engaged. The shape memory spring 24 is also stored so as to contract at a predetermined operating temperature (transformation temperature) T2 or higher, and to return and expand at a temperature lower than the operating temperature T2. This shape memory spring 2
The operating temperature T2 of 4 is higher than the temperature at the time of the hot water at the time of reheating and discharged from the bathtub 1 and lower than the temperature of the hot water, for example, 48 ° C << T2 << 90 ° C.
It is better to set to about. Therefore, when hot water is not flowing into the hot water supply path 3 or hot water having a temperature equal to or lower than the operating temperature T2, the shape memory spring 24 is extended and the hot water supply path 3 is opened. On the other hand, the operating temperature T2
When the hot water flows, the shape memory spring 24 contracts and the hot water supply path 3 is closed. Reference numeral 25 denotes a cover which covers the bathtub tapping device A. The cover 25 prevents high-temperature hot water from directly touching a bather. An opening 26 is provided at an appropriate position in the cover 25 so that hot water in the bathtub 1 can freely enter and exit the cover 25 through the opening 26.

Next, the operation of the bathtub tapping device A will be described with reference to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation state during the hot water filling operation. In the hot water supply path 3, low-temperature hot water at a set temperature of, for example, about 38 ° C. to 48 ° C. is supplied from a hot water inlet 4. In this case, since the temperature of the hot water being supplied is lower than the operating temperatures T1 and T2, both shape memory springs 14 and 24 are expanded, the on-off valve 18 is opened, and the flow control valve 10 is connected to the hot water outlet. 5, the entire opening is large. Therefore, in this case, the hot water supplied into the hot water supply passage 3 is supplied at a large flow rate from the hot water outlet 5 of the hot water supply passage 3, and the filling can be completed in a short time.

FIG. 3 shows that at least the discharge port 12
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view showing an operation when a reheating operation is performed in a state in which hot water is contained). At the time of this additional heating, hot water at a high temperature of, for example, 90 ° C. is supplied into the hot water supply path 3. In this case, when high-temperature hot water is supplied into the hot water supply passage 3, the temperature of the hot water is higher than the operating temperature T1 of the shape memory spring 14, so that the shape memory spring 1
4 shrinks at the moment of touch, and the hot water outlet 5
Close. Therefore, the flow rate becomes small and the hot water is discharged from the discharge port 12.
Only from the shape memory spring 24. However, since the area around the discharge port 12 and the shape memory spring 24 is immersed in the hot water in the bathtub 1 penetrating into the cover 25, the hot water discharged from the discharge port 12 is mixed with the hot water in the bathtub 1. As a result, the hot water temperature decreases, and the sensed temperature of the shape memory spring 24 does not become higher than its operating temperature T2. Therefore,
The on-off valve 18 is kept open, the hot water in the bathtub 1 is reheated by hot water, and the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 1 rises.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing the operation when the reheating operation is performed in a state where the bathtub 1 is empty. In this case, when hot water is supplied into the hot water supply path 3, the temperature of the hot water is higher than the operating temperature T1 of the shape memory spring 14, so the shape memory spring 14 contracts immediately upon touching the hot water, The hot water outlet 5 is closed by the flow control valve 10. For this reason, hot water is supplied from the discharge port 12 at the edge of the hot water outlet 5 to the shape memory spring 2.
4, the shape memory spring 24 contracts instantaneously upon contact with hot water having a temperature higher than its operating temperature T2.
As shown in (5), the on-off valve 18 is immediately closed. Therefore, even if the switch of the reheating operation is turned on while the bathtub 1 is empty, the on-off valve 18 is turned on before the hot water is discharged into the bathtub 1.
Can be closed and hot water can be prevented from being discharged to the empty bathtub 1. Then, when the on-off valve 18 is closed, hot water stops flowing to the water heater, so that the flow rate becomes equal to or lower than the minimum operating flow rate (MOQ), and the operation of the water heater stops.

In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the flow control valve 10
Is provided at the edge of the hot water outlet 5 at the end of the casing 2 in order to blow hot water vigorously onto the shape memory spring 24 in a closed state, but the discharge port 12 may be provided at various positions. it can. For example, as shown in FIG. 5A, a groove may be provided on the upper surface of the flow control valve 10. Or,
As shown in FIG. 5B, it may be provided above the hot water outlet 5 of the casing 2. In this case, when the flow control valve 10 is open, a large amount of hot water flows out of the hot water outlet 5, but when the hot water outlet 5 is closed by the flow control valve 10, the water pressure in the hot water supply passage 3 increases. Therefore, hot water is discharged from the discharge port 12 to the shape memory spring 24. In addition, it may be formed in a nozzle shape as shown in FIG.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a bathtub tapping device B according to still another embodiment of the present invention.
Even in this embodiment, the same operation as that of the bathtub tapping device A of FIG. 1 can be performed. The main points different from the bathtub tapping device A of FIG. 1 will be described. First, the spindle support hole 20 is made cylindrical and the upper end of the spindle 21 is slidably held by the spindle guide 31. Is stabilized, and the on-off valve 18 is surely closed. In addition, a shape memory spring 14 for driving the flow rate adjusting valve 10 is housed in a recess 32 provided on the opposite side of the hot water outlet 3 from the hot water outlet 5, so that the fluid resistance of the shape memory spring 14 is reduced. Further, a valve guide 33 and a discharge nozzle 34 are attached to the outlet 5 of the hot water supply passage 3, and the shaft 9 of the flow control valve 10 is guided by the valve guide 33 to stabilize the operation of the flow control valve 10. . When the shape memory spring 14 is extended at the time of hot water filling, the flow control valve 10 is lowered and the opening degree of the hot water supply passage 3 is increased (the flow control valve 10 in the left half of FIG. 6). A large amount of hot water is discharged from below.
On the other hand, when the shape memory spring 14 is contracted at the time of reheating, the flow control valve 10 is raised and the opening degree of the hot water supply passage 3 is small (the flow control valve 1 in the right half of FIG. 6).
0), a small amount of hot water discharged vigorously from a gap between the discharge nozzle 34 and the flow control valve 10 is discharged to the periphery along the inner peripheral surface of the discharge nozzle 34 and discharged toward the shape memory spring 24. You.

In each of the above embodiments, each of the shape memory springs 14 and 24 made of a shape memory material contracts at a predetermined temperature or higher to close the flow control valve 10 or the on-off valve 18. Needless to say, the valves 14 and 24 may be extended at a predetermined temperature or higher to close the flow control valve 10 or the on-off valve 18. Further, the opening / closing valve driving section or the flow regulating valve driving section using the shape memory material does not need to be formed in a spring shape.
Any shape may be used as long as it can be driven.

In each of the above embodiments, the hot water discharged from the hot water supply channel is directly discharged to the hot water in the bathtub. However, as in the conventional example of FIG. The hot water may be mixed in the appliance and then discharged into the bathtub. In this case, the on-off valve driving section may be arranged in the discharge path (mixing path) or may be arranged outside the casing.

[0028]

According to the present invention, the flow control valve drive section operates in accordance with the temperature of the hot water flowing in the hot water supply path, and when the temperature of the hot water flowing in the hot water supply path is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the flow control valve is turned on. Is driven so as to reduce the opening of the hot water supply passage, so that the flow control valve operates regardless of the flow rate of the hot water supplied to the hot water supply passage.
Therefore, even when using a high-capacity water heater or a small-capacity water heater, it is possible to accurately distinguish between hot water and hot water from the temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water supply path, The flow rate can be adjusted. Therefore, regardless of the capacity of the water heater, it is possible to share the bathtub tapping equipment.

In addition, even in a region where the tap water pressure is low, or when the tap water pressure temporarily drops due to a shortage of water due to abnormal drought, the tapping equipment for a bath tub operates normally, and the flow control valve is turned on when filling with water as in the conventional example. It won't open. Furthermore, even when connected to a solar water heater, the flow control valve is opened when hot water is supplied, so that a large amount of hot water does not flow. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to improve the reliability of the bathtub tapping device.

When no hot water remains in the bathtub to the height of the bathtub hot-water supply device at the time of reheating, the hot water supply path is closed by the on-off valve, so that the safety in use can be improved, and Marble bathtubs can be protected.

In addition, if hot water is sprayed from the nozzle-shaped discharge port toward the on-off valve driving section in a state where the degree of opening of the hot water supply path is narrowed, the hot water is filled in the bathtub to the height of the on-off valve driving section. When there is no remaining fuel, the on-off valve can be closed quickly, and the safety at the time of reheating can be further improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1A is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a bathtub tapping device according to an embodiment of the present invention is attached to a side surface of a bathtub.
(B) is a front sectional view of this bathtub tapping device.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the bathtub tapping device is in a hot water filling operation.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the above-described bathtub tapping device is in a reheating operation (with bathtub water).

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing a state in which the above-described bathtub tapping device is in a reheating operation (no bathtub water).

FIGS. 5A, 5B, and 5C are schematic views showing other examples of the discharge port.

FIG. 6 is a front sectional view showing a hot-water tapping device for a bathtub according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a front sectional view showing a bathtub tapping device according to a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

 3 Hot Water Supply Channel 5 Hot Water Outlet 10 Flow Control Valve 12 Discharge Port 14 Shape Memory Spring (Flow Control Valve Drive Unit) 18 Open / Close Valve 24 Shape Memory Spring (Open / Close Valve Drive Unit)

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (72) Inventor Hiroyuki Yamamoto 32nd Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Noritsu Co., Ltd.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. A hot water supply path for guiding hot water supplied from a water heater, an on-off valve for opening and closing the hot water supply path, a flow control valve for switching an opening degree of the hot water supply path, and sensing a temperature of hot water flowing through the hot water supply path. A flow control valve drive unit using a shape memory material for driving the flow control valve, and sensing a temperature of hot water discharged from the hot water supply path in a state where the flow control valve is switched to at least a small opening degree. An opening / closing valve drive section made of a shape memory material for driving the opening / closing valve, and when the sensed temperature of the flow rate adjustment valve drive section is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the flow rate adjustment valve is operated and switched to a small opening degree, When the temperature sensed by the on-off valve drive section is equal to or higher than a predetermined temperature, the on-off valve is operated to close the hot water supply path, so that the hot water supply device for a bathtub is provided. 2. A discharge port for discharging hot water from a hot water supply channel to the outside when the flow rate control valve is switched to a small opening degree,
The hot-water tapping device for a bathtub according to claim 1, wherein the tapping device is provided so as to face the on-off valve drive unit.