JP2837527B2 - Fully automatic bath kettle and its operation method - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a fully automatic bath kettle having a reheating function and a hot water filling function and a method of operating the same.

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 5 shows a system configuration of a general fully automatic bath kettle. In FIG. 1, a reheating circuit 3 is connected to a side wall of a bathtub 1 via a circulation fitting 2. The reheating line 3 has a return pipe 5 connecting the bath 1 to the suction side of the pump 4, and a forward pipe 6 communicating from the discharge side of the pump 4 into the bath 1 via the circulation fitting 2. , Return pipe 5
Is provided with a reheating electromagnetic valve 7. A pressure sensor 8 for converting the water level in the bathtub 1 into water pressure and detecting the water level is connected to a position near the bathtub on the upstream side of the reheating electromagnetic valve 7. The outgoing pipe 6 has a gas-fired reburning heat exchanger 10.
The pump 4 is started, and the hot water in the bathtub 1 is circulated through the return pipe 5, the pump 4, the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the forward pipe 6 into the bathtub 1 in this order, so that reheating is performed. Is performed.

A hot water heater 11 for hot water filling is connected to the reheating circuit 3. The water heater 11 has a gas combustion type hot water supply heat exchanger 12, and an inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is a water supply pipe 13.
Through a hot water supply heat exchanger 12
The outlet side is connected to a tapping pipe 14. The tapping pipe 14 and the reheating circuit 3 are connected via a tapping valve 15 such as an electromagnetic valve, and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 13 is heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 to become hot water. This hot water is dropped into the additional heating circulation line 3 via the hot water opening / closing valve 15 so that the bathtub 1 can be filled with hot water.

The control unit 16 controls the opening and closing of the pipes (valve opening and closing) of the reheating solenoid valve 7 and the tapping valve 15, the operation of the pump 4, and the burner combustion of the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 12. Have been done. A graph showing the relationship between the water level P of the bathtub and the amount of water Q in the bathtub 1 as shown in FIG. 6 is given to this controller 16 by writing. The control device 16 receives the water level detection signal from the pressure sensor 8, and detects the detected water pressure (detected water level).
Determines that the hot water filling became set water Q ₁ when it is a P _1, to complete the hot water filling by closing the tapping-off valve 15, the process proceeds to reheating operation.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, the conventional fully automatic bath kettle is a hot water supply heat exchanger.
When hot water is poured into the bathtub 1 from the side 12 through the reheating line 3 and the hot water is simultaneously dropped into the bathtub 1 from the forward pipe 6 and the return pipe 5, the dynamic pressure of the hot water flowing through the return pipe 5 becomes a pressure sensor. 8
And the water level in the bathtub 1 cannot be detected. For this reason, upon filling, it is necessary to close the reheating electromagnetic valve 7 and fill only with the pipeline of the outgoing pipe 6, so that the drop amount is inevitably small and the filling time is long. There was a problem.

In addition, since the hot water in the bathtub circulates in the reheating circuit 3 during reheating, the dynamic pressure of the circulating hot water is detected by the pressure sensor 8.
Therefore, the water level of the bathtub 1 cannot be detected, so that it is not possible to apply hot water while reheating, which is very inconvenient in use.

Further, in the conventional apparatus, since the pressure sensor 8 is connected to the return pipe connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1, the water level of the portion below the circulation port of the return pipe 5 cannot be detected. When the water in the bathtub 1 was drained, it was not possible to determine whether or not the drainage was completed.

Furthermore, since the set water level of the hot water cannot be set by the height from the bottom of the bathtub and is set indirectly by the amount of water, there is inconvenience in terms of convenience for the user.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and its purpose is to quickly fill a bathtub while detecting the water level from both the outgoing pipe and the return pipe of the reheating circuit. It can be filled with hot water, and even during reheating, the water level in the bathtub can be accurately detected without being affected by the dynamic pressure of the circulating hot water. It is an object of the present invention to provide an easy-to-use, fully automatic bath kettle capable of accurately detecting the water level of the bath, and setting the setting level of the hot water by the height from the bottom of the bathtub, and an operation method thereof.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention is configured as described below to achieve the above object. In other words, the fully automatic bath kettle of the present invention is a reheating circuit for recirculating hot water by circulating hot water in the bathtub,
A pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub, a water heater for supplying hot water to the reheating circuit via a tapping valve and filling the bathtub, and a reheating circuit for refilling the bathtub from the water heater at the time of filling. A control device for detecting a water level of hot water applied to the bathtub by a detection signal from a pressure sensor and closing the hot water opening / closing valve to stop the hot water when the water level of the hot water reaches a set water level. In the shuttle, the return side of the reheating circuit is provided with an on-off control valve for switching the flow path,
The first return branch pipe is connected to the bottom of the bathtub, and the second return branch pipe is located at a different position from the first return branch pipe. The pressure sensor connected to the inner wall surface of the bathtub for detecting the water level of the bathtub is connected to the first return branch pipe, and the set water level is based on the bottom of the bathtub. The present invention is also characterized in that it is configured to be set by the height from the bottom of the bathtub.

In addition, the method for operating a fully automatic bath kettle of the present invention detects a water level of hot water stretched in a bathtub from a water heater through a reheating line by a pressure sensor, and detects when a detected water level reaches a set water level. In the operation method of a fully automatic bath kettle for stopping filling, a return pipe opening / closing valve for switching a flow path is provided on a return side of a reheating circuit and a first return branch pipe communicating with a bottom side of a bathtub. The first return branch pipe is branched into a second return branch pipe communicating with a different bathtub wall surface, and a pressure sensor for detecting a water level in the bathtub is connected to the first return branch pipe. At this time, first, hot water or water supplied from the water heater side is stored in the bathtub as a predetermined amount of priming water while bleeding air through the first return branch pipe, and then the return pipe opening / closing valve is operated to perform the first return. Close the branch pipe, and then remove the priming water accumulated in the bathtub. It monitors the water level detection pressure of the pressure sensor while water is being supplied, and detects a value at which the detected pressure is constant as the priming water is drained as a water level pressure of a reference point when detecting the filling level. I have.

[Action]

In the present invention, when hot water is filled from the water heater to the bathtub, first, priming water is stored in the bathtub while bleeding air from the water heater through the first return branch pipe. Then, the return pipe opening / closing valve is operated, the first return branch pipe is closed, the detection pressure of the pressure sensor is monitored while draining the priming water, and the value of the detected pressure which becomes constant when the priming water is completely drained. Is determined as the water level pressure at the reference point when the water level at the time of filling is detected.

After the water level pressure at this reference point is determined, filling is performed. This filling is performed by switching the flow path of the additional heating circulation pipe to the second return branch pipe by the return pipe opening / closing valve. The hot water supplied from the water heater by the switching of the flow path enters the additional heating circulation pipe via the hot water supply opening / closing valve, and the outgoing pipe and the second
From both sides of the return branch pipe into the bathtub. At this time, hot water does not flow through the first return branch pipe, the pressure sensor detects the water level of the bathtub without being affected by the dynamic pressure of the hot water, and the detected water level is high with respect to the bottom surface of the bathtub. When the pressure reaches the set water level, the filling is stopped.

After the completion of hot water filling, reheating is performed. Even in the reheating, the return tubing is switched by the return pipe on-off valve to switch the flow path on the return side to the second return branch pipe side. The hot and cold water in the bath circulates through the second return branch pipe side, the hot water does not flow through the first return branch pipe in which the pressure sensor communicates with the bathtub, and the pressure sensor is not affected by the dynamic pressure. Detect water level accurately.

Further, when the water in the bathtub is drained, the water level decreases with time, and the water level is also accurately detected by the pressure sensor until the water is completely drained.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
In the description of this embodiment, the same parts as those of the conventional example are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a fully automatic bath kettle according to the present invention. In the figure, a drain pipe 17 is connected to the bottom of the bathtub 1 in communication, and a drain valve 18 such as an electromagnetic valve is interposed in the drain pipe 17.

What is characteristic in the present embodiment is that the return side of the reheating circuit 3, that is, the circulation port side of the return pipe 5 is provided with return opening / closing valves 20 a and 20 b such as solenoid valves, respectively, to provide the first return branch pipe 2.
The first and second return branch pipes 22 are branched and the return circulation port of the first return branch pipe 21 is connected to the bottom of the bathtub 1, in this embodiment, the drain pipe 17, and is always in communication with the bathtub 1. The return circulation port of the second return branch pipe 22 is connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1, and the pressure sensor 8 for detecting the water level of the bathtub 1 is connected to the first return branch pipe 21. .

The distal end side of the return pipe 5 where the first return branch pipe 21 and the second return branch pipe 22 are joined is connected to the suction side of the pump 4 via a water flow sensor 23 for detecting the flow of hot and cold water in the pipe. ing. Further, a temperature sensor 24 for detecting the temperature of hot water flowing in the pipe is provided in a pipe line between the pump 4 and the reheater 10, and the flow rate of the water flowing in the water supply pipe is detected in the water supply pipe 13. A flow sensor 25 is provided.

A remote controller 26 is connected to the control device 16, and the remote controller 26 has an automatic button 27 for performing operations from bath filling to reheating, a hot water setting unit 32 for setting reheating temperature, and a bathtub. And a water level setting unit 33 for setting the water level of hot water. The water level setting unit 33 can set the water level at a height based on the bottom of the bathtub. As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 16 has a signal input unit.
28, a determination / instruction unit 29, an operation unit 30, and a memory 31. The signal input unit 28 includes a pressure sensor 8 and a water flow sensor.
23, the temperature sensor 24, the flow rate sensor 25, and the remote controller 26, receive the signals, and add them to the determination / instruction unit 29. Judgment
The command unit 29 receives a signal from the signal input unit 28 and
Command the cumulative calculation of the water supply amount based on the signal applied from the flow rate sensor 25 to the water amount Q of the hot water spread in the bathtub.
(Graph of PQ) showing the relationship between the water level P and the water level P is stored in the memory 31.
In accordance with the operation program from the hot water filling to the reheating, the control signals for the opening and closing of the valves 15, 18, 20a and 20b, the operation of the pump 4, and the combustion of the burners in the heat exchangers 10 and 12 are transmitted. It controls the fully automatic operation of the bath kettle from hot water to reheating.

The present embodiment is configured as described above.
An example of the writing of the PQ graph and the driving operation from hot water filling to reheating will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, in steps 101 to 106, an operation for obtaining the water level pressure (the pressure at the zero point on the bottom surface of the bathtub) of the reference point of the PQ graph is performed. First, the hot water setting section of the remote control 26
Set the temperature of reheating with 32, set the water level at a height based on the bottom of bathtub 1 with water level setting section 33, and then
When the automatic button 27 is turned on, this signal
Is applied to the judgment / instruction unit 29 via the signal input unit. The judgment / command unit 29 receives the ON signal of the automatic button 27 and opens the return pipe opening / closing valve 20a and the hot water opening / closing valve 15 in step 101. As a result, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 13 flows into the outgoing pipe 6, passes through the pump 4, passes through the return pipe opening / closing valve 20 a, passes through the first return branch pipe 21, and enters the bathtub 1 from the bottom side. As a result, the air inside the first return branch pipe 21 is vented.

In step 102, the amount of supplied priming water is the first
Return branch pipes of whether it is X ₁ necessary to the air vent 21 determination is made. This determination is accumulation operation detection volume of water obtained from the flow sensor 25 in the calculating portion 30, carried out by comparing the value of X ₁ given in advance and the accumulated amount of water, the accumulated amount of water becomes X ₁ When step 103
Then, the tapping valve 15 and the return pipe valve 20a are closed. At this time, the inside of the first return branch pipe 21 is filled with water and the air is completely evacuated, and the pressure sensor 8 receives the water pressure from the priming water accumulated in the bathtub, and the graph of PQ in FIG. The pressure state of P 'is shown above.

In this state, the drain valve 18 is opened in step 104, and the priming water collected in the bathtub is discharged from the drain pipe 17. In the course of this waste water, by the pressure sensor 8 gradually decreases, showing the pressure P ₀ as a reference point when the priming is fully discharged from the bath 1. This reference pressure P ₀ means the water level pressure at the bottom of the bathtub. In step 105, the state of decrease in the detected pressure in the draining process of the priming water is observed (monitored), and it is determined whether or not the output of the pressure sensor has become stable. _{When the value} becomes ₀ , the pressure value (actually, the voltage value) at the reference point P0 is stored in the memory 31 as the water level pressure at the reference point of the PQ graph at step 106. The water level pressure P _{0 at} this reference point is obtained in a state where the first return branch pipe 21 is evacuated and filled with water, and is thus obtained as a highly reliable value.

Next, in steps 107 to 114, a PQ graph is created and a filling operation is performed. First, at step 107, the drain valve 18 is closed, and then at step 108, the return pipe on-off valve 2
0b is opened. Next, at step 109, the tapping valve 15 is opened to enter a state of starting the creation of the PQ graph (starting the storage of the PQ data). That is, the judgment / command unit of the control device 16
Reference numeral 29 indicates that the calculation unit 30 accumulates the detected flow rate based on the flow rate detection signal obtained from the flow rate sensor 25, and stores the calculated value in the memory 31 in association with the detected pressure (detected water level) obtained from the pressure sensor.

After the storage is started, the burner combustion of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is started in step 110, and the hot water supply opening / closing valve 15
The water flowing into the reheating line 3 through the reheating furnace is heated, and the hot water obtained by the heating is supplied to the forward pipe 6 and the second return branch pipe.
Drop into bathtub 1 through 22. As the hot water drops, hot water accumulates in the bathtub 1, and the amount of hot water (water amount) and the detected water pressure (detected water level) detected by the pressure sensor are written into the memory 31 every moment, and FIG. A graph of the proportional relationship between the water amount Q and the water level P is created as shown in FIG. Since reference pressure P ₀ means the pressure of the tub bottom at the detected pressure it is judged whether the now set water level P ₁ set in the water level setting unit 33 (this embodiment of the pressure sensor 8 in step 111 , water pressure is directly represents the water level), graphing P-Q when while not reach the set water level is to continue to store the relationship between the water amount Q and the water level P, the detection pressure reaches a set water level P ₁ Is completed, the hot water supply on-off valve 15 is closed in step 112, and then, in step 113, burner combustion of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is stopped.
In step 4, the storage operation of the PQ data (graph) is terminated.
As a result, a graph indicating the PQ relationship from the bottom surface of the bathtub to the set water level is written in the memory 31. In addition, this flowchart shows a state in which an automatic bath is newly constructed and the bath is initially used. When the bath is used for the second time or later, since the graph of PQ is already stored in the memory 31, the P The write operation of -Q will be omitted.

Next, in steps 115 to 120, the reheating operation of the hot water filled in the bathtub 1 is performed. First, at step 115, the pump 4 is started. Then, the hot water in the bathtub is the second
The hot water is sucked from the return branch pipe 22 of the bath 4 by the pump 4, and the suctioned hot water passes through the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the outgoing pipe 6.
Hot water is circulated through the reheating line 3 leading to
The temperature of the circulating hot and cold water is detected by the temperature sensor 25.
At step 116, it is determined whether or not the detected temperature obtained from the temperature sensor has reached the set temperature of the reheating water temperature set by the hot water temperature setting unit 32 of the remote controller, and the detected temperature is set to the reheat setting temperature. If so, step 118
To stop the pump 4 and stop the reheating operation. On the other hand, when the detected temperature is lower than the reheating set temperature, the burner combustion of the reheating heat exchanger 10 is performed in step 117 to heat the circulating hot and cold water, and the comparison operation between the detected temperature and the reheating set temperature is repeatedly performed. When the detected temperature reaches the set temperature, the pump 4 is stopped in step 118, and then in step 119
To stop the burner combustion of the reheater 10. Then, in step 120, the return pipe on-off valve 20b is closed to end the reheating operation.

During this reheating, since the return pipe opening / closing valve 20a is closed, hot water does not circulate in the first return branch pipe 21, and the pressure sensor 8 measures the water level of the bathtub 1 without receiving any dynamic pressure of the circulating hot water. Accurate detection can be continued by the static pressure. Therefore, the hot water in the bathtub 1 is taken out and taken out of the bathtub 1 by a completely different path from the reheating and heating circulation line, such as drawing out hot water in the bathtub 1 with a bathtub during the reheating and putting hot water into the bathtub 1 with a bucket. Can accurately detect this water level change. As described above, since the fluctuation of the water level in the bathtub 1 can be accurately detected during the reheating, for example, the rising or decreasing state of the water level and the speed of the increase or decrease are detected to determine whether a person has entered the bathtub. For example, when a person comes out of the bathtub, water is added and the temperature of the hot water is slightly lowered, and when a person enters, an additional function operation such as heating up to a set temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed is performed. It is possible to detect fluctuations in the water level during reheating, making it possible to develop various bath systems.

Further, in this embodiment, the return circulation port of the first return branch pipe 21 which is an inlet of the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 8 is communicated with the bottom side of the bathtub 1. The water level below the return circulation port of a certain second return branch pipe 22 can be accurately determined, and therefore, it can be accurately determined whether or not the hot and cold water in the bathtub 1 has been completely discharged. This is advantageous in developing a system in which the bathtub 1 is completely drained and then the bathtub is automatically cleaned.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiment,
Various embodiments may be employed. For example, in the above embodiment, the flow path switching between the first return branch pipe 21 side and the second return branch pipe 22 side is performed by the return pipe opening / closing valves 20a and 20b such as solenoid valves. It can be performed using an on-off valve such as a valve.

In the above embodiment, the return circulation port of the second return branch pipe 22 is connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1, but the return circulation port may be connected to the bottom surface of the bathtub 1.

〔The invention's effect〕

In the present invention, the return side of the reheating circuit is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve to form a first return branch pipe and a second return branch pipe, and the first return branch pipe is provided at the bottom of the bathtub. A pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the bath tub is connected to the first return branch pipe and the return pipe opening / closing valve is operated at the time of additional heating or hot water filling, so that hot water flows through the first return branch pipe. Since the configuration is such that hot water is circulated through the second return branch pipe, the dynamic pressure of the circulating hot water does not act on the pressure sensor during hot water filling or reheating, and
The water level in the bathtub can be accurately detected in both the hot water filling mode and the reheating mode. Therefore, when the hot water is filled, the hot water can be dropped into the bathtub through the forward pipe and the second return branch pipe of the reheating circuit while detecting the water level, so that the amount of the hot water dropped can be increased. The filling can be completed in a short time.

In addition, since the water level can be accurately detected even during reheating, it can be detected accurately even when hot water is put in and out of the bathtub by another route. The detected state can also accurately detect this by detecting the increase / decrease amount of the water level and the speed of the increase / decrease,
It is possible to develop various systems in which other functions are added in association with the entry / exit of this person.

Furthermore, in the present invention, since the pressure detection inlet of the pressure sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub is communicated with the bottom side of the bathtub, the water level below the return-side circulation port of the reheating circuit is also accurately detected. This makes it possible to accurately detect whether or not the hot water in the bathtub has been drained, and to develop a system in which the bathtub is automatically cleaned after the hot water in the bathtub is completely drained. It is very advantageous in aiming.

Further, since the water level pressure serving as the reference point for the water level detection is detected in a state where the first return branch pipe is evacuated, the reference point can be accurately obtained, and accordingly, the accuracy of the water level detection is improved. And the reliability can be greatly increased.

Further, when filling with hot water, the water level can be set by the height from the bottom of the bathtub, so that it is easy to use and very convenient.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing one embodiment of a fully-automatic bath kettle according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a main part configuration diagram of a control device constituting the device of the embodiment, and FIG. FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of a writing operation of a PQ graph created in the apparatus of the embodiment, FIG. 5 is a system diagram showing a conventional fully automatic bath, and FIG. It is a graph which shows the relationship between water level P and water quantity Q made in an automatic bath kettle. 1 ... bathtub, 2 ... circulation fitting, 3 ... reheating circulation circuit, 4 ... pump, 5 ... return pipe, 6 ... forward pipe, 7 ...
Reheating solenoid valve, 8 Pressure sensor, 10 Reheating heat exchanger, 11 Hot water supply, 12 Hot water heat exchanger, 13 Water supply pipe, 14 Hot water pipe, 15 Hot water supply On-off valve, 16 Control device, 17 Drain pipe, 18 Drain valve, 20a, 20b Return pipe on-off valve, 21 First return branch pipe, 22 Second return branch pipe , 23 ... water flow sensor, 24 ... temperature sensor, 25 ... flow sensor, 26 ... remote control, 27 ... automatic button, 28 ...
Signal input unit, 29 ... Judgment / command unit, 30 ... Operation unit, 31 ...
... memory, 32 ... hot water temperature setting section, 33 ... water level setting section.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A-64-38519 (JP, A) JP-A-64-28447 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24H 1/00 606

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reheating circuit for recirculating hot water in a bathtub for reheating, a pressure sensor for detecting a water level in the bathtub,
A hot water supply device for supplying hot water to the reheating circuit via a hot water supply opening / closing valve to fill the bathtub, and a water level at which hot water is supplied to the bathtub through the reheating circuit from the water heater at the time of filling. A control device for closing the tapping valve and stopping the filling when the level of the filling is detected by the detection signal from the sensor and the level of the filling reaches the set level. The return side is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve for switching a flow path, and is branched into a first return branch pipe and a second return branch pipe. The first return branch pipe is connected to the bottom of the bathtub and connected to the second section. The return branch pipe is connected to the inner wall surface of the bathtub at a position different from the first return branch pipe, and the pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub is connected to the first return branch pipe. . 2. The fully automatic bath pot according to claim 1, wherein the set water level is set based on the height of the bathtub from the bottom of the bathtub. 3. A fully-automatic bath kettle for detecting the level of hot water in a bathtub from a water heater via a reheating line by a pressure sensor, and stopping the filling when the detected water level reaches a set water level. The first return branch pipe which is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve for switching the flow path on the return side of the reheating circulation pipe and communicates with the bottom side of the bathtub, is different from the first return branch pipe It branches into a second return branch pipe communicating with the bathtub wall surface, and a pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub is connected to the first return branch pipe.
Hot water or water supplied from the water heater side is stored in the bathtub as a predetermined amount of priming water while bleeding air through the first return branch pipe, and then the return pipe opening / closing valve is operated to close the first return branch pipe, Next, while monitoring the water level detection pressure of the pressure sensor while draining the priming water stored in the bathtub, the value at which the priming water is discharged and the detected pressure becomes constant is the water level pressure at the reference point when detecting the filling level. The operation method of the fully automatic bath kettle that detects as.