JP2857921B2 - Fully automatic bath kettle with bathtub cleaning function and its cleaning operation method - Google Patents

Description

Description: BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub washing function having a bathtub filling, reheating and bathtub washing functions, and a washing operation method thereof. .

[Conventional technology]

FIG. 7 shows a system configuration of a conventional general fully automatic bath kettle. In FIG. 1, a circulation fitting 2 is attached to a side wall of the bathtub 1, and a reheating circuit 3 is connected via the circulation fitting 2. The reheating line 3 uses the pump 4 as a drive source and connects the return circulation port of the circulation fitting 2 to the suction side of the pump, the return pipe 5 of the pump 4 and the discharge port of the circulation fitting 2. And an outgoing pipe 6 which connects the two. Bathtub 1 in return pipe 5
A pressure sensor 8 for detecting the level of hot and cold water is provided, and a return pipe 5 is provided between the pressure sensor 8 and the pump 4.
An on-off valve 7 such as a solenoid valve for opening and closing the valve is provided. Further, the forward pipe 6 incorporates a reheating heat exchanger 10 for heating the hot and cold water circulating through the reheating circulation pipe 3, and a water heater 11 is provided adjacent to the reheating heat exchanger 10. ing.

The water heater 11 is provided with a gas combustion type hot water supply heat exchanger 12, and an inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is connected to a water supply pipe 13,
The distal end of the water supply pipe 13 is connected to a water supply source such as tap water. A hot water supply pipe 14 is connected to the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12, and the hot water supply pipe 14 and the additional heating circulation line 3 are connected via a pouring opening / closing valve 15 such as a solenoid valve. Is heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 to make hot water, and the hot water is supplied to the reheating circuit 3 by opening the pouring on / off valve 15,
The bathtub 1 can be filled with hot water by dropping it into the bathtub 1 from the outgoing pipe 6 side.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional apparatus, there is a system in which a pressure sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub 1 is provided in the return pipe 5. When hot water is dropped from both the return pipes 5, the dynamic pressure flowing through the return pipe 5 acts on the pressure sensor 8, and a problem arises in that the water level in the bathtub 1 cannot be detected. Therefore, when performing hot water filling, it is necessary to close the additional heating on-off valve 7 and use only the outgoing pipe 6, so that the amount of hot water dropped into the bathtub is inevitably reduced, and the hot water filling time is reduced. There was a problem that it took a long time.

In addition, since the circulating hot and cold water passes through the return pipe 5 during the reheating, the dynamic pressure acts on the pressure sensor 8, and similarly, it becomes difficult to detect the water level in the bathtub. There was an inconvenience.

Furthermore, the conventional fully automatic bath kettle does not have a washing function, so that there is an inconvenience that the bathtub must be washed manually.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned conventional problems, and an object thereof is to complete filling in a short time by using both the outgoing pipe and the return pipe while detecting the water level of the bathtub. In addition, it is possible to fill the hot water while detecting the water level even during reheating, and in addition, a fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub cleaning function capable of performing automatic cleaning of the bathtub and its cleaning operation method. To provide.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention is configured as described below to achieve the above object. That is, the fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub washing function of the present invention is connected to a refueling circulation pipe in which a pump and a reheating heat exchanger are incorporated in a bathtub provided with an automatic drain valve at the bottom, and the reheating circulation circuit is provided. A hot water supply pipe of a water heater is connected to the pipe via a hot water supply opening / closing valve, and an outgoing pipe of the additional heating circulation pipe is connected to a washing nozzle attached to a bathtub wall surface, and a additional heating circulation pipe is connected. The return pipe is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve for switching the flow path, and is branched into a first return branch pipe connected to the bottom of the bathtub and a second return branch pipe connected to the wall surface of the bathtub, The first return branch pipe is provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level in the bathtub, the reheating circulation circuit is provided with a washing charging means, and the various valves, pumps, reheating heat exchanger, and hot water supply are provided. The operation of the vessel includes bath tub cleaning and reheating. A control device for controlling the operation according to the system is provided, and the detergent input means and the water level sensor are integrated in a cleaning unit and installed in a bathroom, or the detergent input means and the water level It is also a characteristic feature of the present invention that the sensor and the pouring on / off valve are integrated in the washing unit and installed in the bathroom.

Further, the cleaning operation method of the fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub cleaning function of the present invention is such that water or hot water is passed through the reheating steam circulation line after the detergent is charged into the reheating circulation line of the bathtub from the detergent charging means. Store in a bathtub or store in water or a bathtub through a reheating circuit, then put detergent into the reheating circuit, and then activate the pump incorporated in the reheating circuit to remove water or hot water. A bath tub cleaning function that heats the cleaning liquid mixed with the detergent to a predetermined temperature when it passes through the reheating heat exchanger in the circulation pipe and supplies it to the cleaning nozzle, and circulates and sprays the water from the cleaning nozzle to the inner wall surface of the bathtub. In the washing operation method of the automatic bath, when the detergent is supplied from the detergent charging means into the reheating circuit, drain the water from the reheating circuit and release the recirculation circuit to the atmosphere. Features and composition After the cleaning liquid is circulated and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle to remove stains on the inner wall surface of the bathtub, hot water is supplied from the water heater to the cleaning nozzle via a reheating line and the hot water is supplied into the bathtub. It is also a characteristic feature of the present invention that the washing liquid is sprayed on the wall surface to wash off the cleaning liquid attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub.

[Action]

In the present invention, when the bathtub is cleaned, for example, it is performed by the following operation. First, open the automatic drain valve to drain the hot water in the bathtub. At the time of draining, the reheating circulation pipe is drained and opened to the atmosphere, and then the detergent is supplied to the reheating circulation pipe from the detergent charging means. Next, hot water or water is added from the water heater side and sent to the bathtub together with the detergent through the circulation pipe, and the detergent liquid in which the water and the detergent are mixed is collected on the bottom surface of the bathtub. Next, the second return branch pipe is closed, the first return branch pipe is opened, the pump is started, the cleaning liquid is driven from the bath tub, and the cleaning liquid is guided to the cleaning nozzle while heating through the heat exchanger. Spray the cleaning liquid on the wall to remove dirt from the inside of the bathtub. After the circulation injection of this cleaning liquid is completed,
Hot water is supplied to the washing nozzle from the water heater side, the hot water is sprayed from the washing nozzle onto the inner wall surface of the bathtub, the washing liquid attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub is washed out, and this is drained to complete the bathtub washing.

Next, when filling the bathtub with hot water, the pouring on / off valve is opened, hot water is supplied from the water heater side to the additional heating circulation line, and the outgoing pipe and the second return branch pipe of the additional heating circulation line are supplied. This is done by dropping hot water into the bath from both sides. At this time,
The water pressure in the bathtub is transmitted from the first return branch pipe to the water level to the sensor, and the water level in the bathtub is accurately detected without receiving the dynamic pressure of the hot water.

When hot water filling is completed and reheating is performed, the pump is started, and hot water in the bathtub is circulated from the second return branch pipe through the pump, the reheating heat exchanger and the forward pipe in order, and the hot water in the bathtub is circulated. It is performed by heating the circulating hot and cold water with a reheating heat exchanger. Since hot water does not flow through the first return branch pipe during the reheating, dynamic pressure does not act on the pressure sensor, and the water level in the bathtub is accurately detected even during the reheating.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of the embodiment, the same parts as those of the conventional example of FIG. 7 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, a drainage pipe 16 is connected to the bottom of the bathtub 1 and an automatic drainage valve 17 is interposed in the drainage pipe 16. Washing nozzles 18a and 18b are attached to the opposite side wall of the bathtub 1 with the injection holes facing the inner wall surface of the bathtub.

In this embodiment, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b are configured as nozzles with a valve function, and an example of the configuration is shown in FIG. The washing nozzles 18a and 18b rotatably accommodate the ball valve 34 in metal fittings 33a and 33b attached to the bath via packings 35a and 35b such as O-rings. A nozzle passage 38 is provided inside the ball valve 34. The nozzle outlet 36 on the tip side is opened, for example, in a flat shape. Then, a rotating shaft 37 is protruded from the ball valve 34,
The rotating shaft 37 is connected to an output shaft of a motor 38. The ball valve 34 is rotated by the motor 38 and the nozzle ejection hole
The cleaning liquid supplied from the forward pipe 6 is sprayed into the bathtub with the 36 directed toward the inner surface of the bathtub, and the ball valve 34 is rotated substantially 180 degrees from the state shown in FIG. The bathtub 1 is closed at 35b so that the injection of the cleaning liquid can be stopped.

In this embodiment, the return end of the return pipe 5 is provided with return pipe opening / closing valves 20 and 21 such as solenoid valves for switching flow paths, and is branched into a first return branch pipe 22 and a second return branch pipe 23. The return circulation port of the first return branch pipe 22 is connected to the bottom side of the bathtub 1, in this embodiment, to the drain pipe 16. A pressure sensor 8 functioning as a water level sensor is connected to the first return branch pipe 22 so that the water level in the bathtub 1 can be constantly detected by the pressure sensor 8. The return circulation port of the second return branch pipe 23 is connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1 in communication.

The return pipe 5 where the first return branch pipe 22 and the second return branch pipe 23 join together has a water flow sensor 24 for detecting the flow of the liquid flowing in the pipe, and a temperature sensor 25 for detecting the temperature of the liquid flowing in the pipe. Is connected to the suction side of the pump 4.
Further, a detergent supply pipe 26 is connected to the return pipe 5, and the detergent supply pipe 26 is connected to a detergent tank 28 via a detergent opening / closing valve 27 such as an electromagnetic valve. Liquid detergent is introduced from an inlet 29 provided on the apron side of the bathtub 1. The detergent supply pipe 26 and the detergent on-off valve 27
And the detergent tank 28 constitute detergent input means. Then, the detergent injection means and the return pipe opening / closing valves 20, 21
And the pressure sensor 8 are integrated in the housing 30 to form a cleaning unit.
Assembled as 31, this washing unit 31 is in the bathroom,
In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, it is installed in a dead space between the bathroom wall surface 32 and the side wall surface of the bathtub 1.

A hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is arranged on the side adjacent to the reheating exchanger 10, and a water supply pipe 13 of the water heater 11 has a flow rate sensor 39 for detecting a flow rate of water passing through the water supply pipe, A hot water temperature sensor 40 for detecting the temperature of water is provided, and a hot water temperature sensor 41 for detecting the hot water temperature is provided on the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12. On the reheating side,
Pump 4, reheating heat exchanger 10, water flow sensor 24 and temperature sensor 25, flow sensor 39, supply water temperature sensor 40, hot water supply heat exchanger 12 and tap water temperature sensor 41 on the hot water supply side, reheating and hot water supply side The pouring on / off valve 15 that opens and closes the communication conduit with the pump is integrated into the housing 42 to form a combustion unit 43,
This combustion unit 43 is installed at a position away from the bathroom in this embodiment.

The control of the automatic drain valve 17, the return pipe opening / closing valves 20, 21, the detergent opening / closing valve 27, the pipe opening / closing (valve opening / closing) control of the pouring on / off valve 15, and the rotation of the motor 38 of the washing nozzles 18a, 18b. Opening / closing, operation control of the pump 4, and combustion control (burner combustion control) of the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 are performed by the control device 44. A remote controller 45 is connected to the control device 44, and the remote controller 45 has a fully automatic button 46 for continuously performing a cleaning operation, a hot water filling operation, and a reheating operation, and a reheating water temperature setting unit 47, Hot water level setting section
48 are provided.

As shown in FIG. 4, the control device 44 includes a signal input unit 50.
, A determination / instruction unit 51, a timer 52, a calculation unit 53, and a memory 54. The signal input unit 50 includes a signal from the remote controller 45, a water level detection signal from the pressure sensor 8, a water flow detection signal from the water flow sensor 24, a temperature detection signal from each of the temperature sensors 25, 40, 41, and a flow sensor. Upon receiving the flow rate detection signals from 39, these signals are added to the judgment / command unit 51. The determination / instruction unit 51 receives the signal from the signal input unit 50 and information of a program from the bath tub cleaning to hot water filling and reheating, which is given to the memory 54, and performs the operation from the bath tub cleaning operation to the reheating operation. The progress of the program is grasped, and if necessary, a timer operation is commanded to the timer 52, and a calculation such as a water amount is commanded to the calculation unit 53, and various valves 15, 17, 20, 21, and 27 and a cleaning nozzle are appropriately set. An open / close control signal is output to 18a and 18b, and the operation of the pump 4 and the control of burner combustion of the heat exchangers 10 and 12 for reheating and hot water supply are performed. As described above, the memory 54 incorporates a program for fully automatic operation from bathtub cleaning to bath reheating, and stores the calculation result of the calculation unit 53 as necessary.

The present embodiment is configured as described above.
An example of the fully automatic operation from the washing of the bathtub to the reheating of the bath will be described based on the flowchart shown in the figure. First, the hot water temperature of the reheating is set by the reheating water temperature setting section 47, the hot water level is set by the hot water level setting section 48, and then the fully automatic button 46 of the remote control 45 is turned on. apparatus
The signal is inputted to the judgment / instruction unit 51 via the signal input unit 50 of 44.
The judgment / instruction unit 51 receives the instruction of the fully automatic operation mode, and performs a preparation operation for introducing the detergent to open the inside of the reheating circuit 3 to the atmosphere in steps 101 to 105.

That is, in step 101, a water level detection signal from the pressure sensor 8 is received, and it is determined whether or not there is hot water in the bathtub 1. When the inside of the bathtub 1 is empty, the detergent on-off valve 27 is opened in step 106, and the operation shifts to the detergent charging operation. On the other hand, when the water level is detected and it is determined that there is hot water in the bathtub, the washing nozzles 18a and 18b are opened in the next step 102, and at the same time, the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 is opened. Next, in step 103, the automatic drain valve 17 is opened to start draining hot water from the bathtub 1. With the drainage of the hot water, the water level of the hot water accumulated in the bathtub gradually decreases, and when the water level drops below the injection holes of the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b, the air pressure from the injection holes of the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b flows to the pipe side. The hot and cold water acting in the reheating circulation circuit 3 is reduced by the second return branch pipe 23 as the water level in the bathtub 1 decreases.
Into the bathtub from the return circulation port. Then, when the water level in the bathtub falls below the return circulation port, the inside of the reheating circulation pipe 3 excluding the first return branch pipe 22 is drained and all of the water is opened to the atmosphere.

The reduced state of the bathtub water level due to the drainage is detected by the pressure sensor 8 from time to time. And bathtub 1 in step 104
It is determined whether the inside is empty. When the water level is detected by the pressure sensor 8, it is determined that the inside of the bathtub 1 is not empty. When the detection signal of the pressure sensor 8 detects that the bathtub has an empty pressure, the bathtub 1 becomes empty. The automatic drain valve 17 is closed in step 105. By the operations of steps 101 to 105, the inside of the reheating circuit 3 is opened to the atmosphere, and the detergent easily enters the recirculation circuit 3. In this state, in step 106, the detergent on-off valve 27 is opened, and the detergent is supplied from the detergent tank 28 into the recirculating duct 3, in this embodiment, into the return pipe 5. At the same time, it is judged whether or not ₁ h predetermined T has elapsed in step 107. That is, after the control device 44 plus the open signal to the detergent-off valve 27, by using the timer 52 counts the time, while the time T ₁ has not elapsed detergent-off valve
It is determined that a predetermined amount (for example, 20 cc) of the detergent has been supplied from the detergent tank 28 through the detergent supply pipe 26 into the return pipe 5 when the time T ₁ has elapsed, The detergent on-off valve 27 is closed.

Next, the operation proceeds to the cleaning operation from steps 109 to 150. In step 109, the pouring on / off valve 15 is opened, and burner combustion of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is performed. Then, the hot water of S ₁ ° C is dropped into the recirculation pipeline 3. The dropped hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1 from the washing nozzles 18a and 18b through the outgoing pipe 6. On the other hand, the hot water passing through the return pipe 5 is not
Through the return branch pipe 23 into the bathtub. Thereby, the washing liquid in which the hot water and the detergent are mixed accumulates in the bathtub 1. In step 110, the amount of hot water supplied to the bathtub is a predetermined X ₁
It is determined whether or not it has become. That is, the determination / instruction unit 51 receives the signal from the flow rate sensor 39 and causes the calculation unit 53 to cumulatively calculate the supplied water amount every moment. While the operation amount of water does not reach X ₁ is leave Maintain an open pouring-off valve 15, closes the pouring-off valve 15 when the operation amount of water reaches X _1. The X _{By 1} of washing water is supplied to the bathtub 1, the bottom side of the bathtub 1 (mixture of cleaning and hot water) required cleaning liquid to operating smoothly the pump 4 is accumulated. When the amount of the cleaning liquid is too small, the pump 4 is started, and when the cleaning liquid is supplied from the first return branch pipe 22 side to the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b through the heating circulation line 3, the air in the bathtub 1 is removed. It is sucked into the pump 4 and impairs the smoothness of the pump operation. On the other hand, by calculating and supplying an appropriate amount of water supply as in the present embodiment, an amount of cleaning liquid that does not hinder the operation of the pump is ensured, and the smooth operation of the pump is enabled.

After the hot water of the X ₁ is supplied, pouring off valve 15 is closed, hot water supply is stopped. Next, in step 112, the cleaning nozzle 1
8b and the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 are closed, and the return pipe opening / closing valve 20 is opened. Then, in step 113, the pump 4 is started. By the activation of the pump 4, the cleaning liquid accumulated at the bottom of the bathtub 1 passes through the first return branch pipe 22 and passes through the pump 4.
The cleaning liquid is further sucked into the reheater 10 from the discharge side of the pump 4, and the cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature suitable for exerting the chemical cleaning ability. The cleaning solution is heated to 60 ° C., and the heated cleaning solution of hot water is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 18a into the bathtub through the outward pipe 6.

Then, the injected cleaning liquid flows down to the bottom side of the bathtub 1, and the cleaning liquid flowing down to the bottom side is again sucked into the pump 4 from the first return branch pipe 22, and similarly passes through the reheating heat exchanger 10. It is jetted out of the post-wash nozzle 18a into the bathtub. In this way, the circulation injection of the cleaning liquid is repeatedly performed through the additional heating circulation pipe. During this circulation injection, the temperature control of the cleaning liquid is performed in steps 114 to 117.

That is, based on the temperature detection signal obtained from the temperature sensor 25, the control device 44 sets the temperature of the cleaning liquid to S ₂ ° C. (for example, 60 ° C.).
C) is determined in step 114. When the temperature of the cleaning liquid is equal to or lower than S ₂ ° C, the gas burner of the reheater 10 is burned in step 115 to heat the cleaning liquid. Then, in step 116, it is determined again whether the temperature of the cleaning liquid is equal to or higher than S ₂ ° C. When the temperature is lower than S ₂ ° C, the burner of the reheating heat exchanger 10 is continuously heated and heated, and the temperature of the cleaning liquid is reduced. When S ₂ ℃ or more, heat exchanger 10
Stop burner combustion.

In step 118, it is determined whether the pump 4 has elapsed T ₂ hours started. When the time T ₂ has not elapsed, the operations of steps 114 to 117 are repeated,
The temperature of the washing liquid circulating injection continues to control the temperature of S _2.
Time the pump 4 is stopped at step 119 when the elapsed T ₂ hours, closes the cleaning nozzle 18a at step 120, opens the cleaning nozzle 18b. Then, in step 121, the pump 4 is started again. Then, the cleaning liquid circulated from the bathtub 1 via the first return branch pipe 22 passes through the reheating heat exchanger 10 and is jetted into the bathtub from another cleaning nozzle 18b, and the circulation jetting of this cleaning liquid is repeated. It is done. At this time, in steps 122 to 125, steps 114 to 117 are performed.
Temperature control of the cleaning liquid is performed similarly to the operation, the cleaning liquid S ₃
The temperature is maintained at a temperature of 60 ° C. (for example, 60 ° C.) and sprayed into bathtub 1.

Determining pump from startup whether T ₃ hours has elapsed in step 126 In step 121 is performed similarly to the step 118, the pump 4 at step 127 when the elapsed T ₃ hours
Is stopped, and then in step 128 the automatic drain valve 17 is opened. Subsequently, in step 129, the return pipe opening / closing valve 20 is closed, and the cleaning liquid in the bathtub 1 is drained. Next, step 13
At 0, the pouring on / off valve 15 is opened, and S ₄
The hot water of ℃ is supplied to the washing nozzle 18b while washing the inside of the forward pipe 6, and the hot water is sprayed from the washing nozzle 18b to the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and the cleaning liquid attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub and the dirt removed by the cleaning liquid. The components are washed off on the bottom side of the bathtub 1 and discharged. In step 131 the washing time by the hot water is determined whether elapsed T ₄ hours, when the T ₄ hours have elapsed to stop injection of the hot water from the cleaning nozzle 18b closes the pouring-off valve 15 at step 132. And step 133
To open the cleaning nozzle 18a and close the cleaning nozzle 18b. Next, in step 134, the injection valve 15 is opened, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is
The hot water on the side is supplied to the washing nozzle 18a, the hot water is similarly sprayed from the washing nozzle 18a toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and the washing liquid on the inner wall surface of the bathtub is dropped while washing the pipeline. And the cleaning nozzle 18a
Hot water injection from the stops injection of hot water to close the pouring-off valve 15 at step 136 when after _five hours T, the washing nozzle 18a is closed at step 137.

Next, from step 138 to step 142, the second return branch pipe 23
Of the pipe is performed. That is, in step 138, the return pipe on-off valve 21 is opened, and subsequently, the pouring on-off valve 15 is opened. As a result, the hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 passes through the return pipe 5 and enters the second return branch pipe 23 from the return pipe opening / closing valve 21.
While washing the washing liquid in the second return branch pipe 23, the bathtub 1
It gets inside and is discharged. When the hot water in the second return branch pipe 23 has been flushed for T ₆ hours, the pouring on-off valve 15 is closed,
The hot water washing of the second return branch pipe 23 is stopped, and the return on-off valve 21 is closed. Next, in steps 143 to 147, the hot water in the first return branch pipe 22 is similarly washed. This hot water washing is performed by opening the return pipe opening / closing valve 20 and opening the injection valve 15 for hot water on the side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 and passing the return pipe 5 through the first return branch pipe 22. After the hot water washing of the first return branch pipe 22 is completed, the automatic drain valve 17 is closed in step 148.

Next, the process proceeds to the filling operation of steps 149 to 152. First, in step 149, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b are opened, and at the same time, the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 is opened. Next, in step 150, the pouring on / off valve 15 is opened, and the hot water flowing out of the hot water supply heat exchanger 12 is supplied to the additional heating circulation pipe 3 side, passes through both the return pipe 5 and the forward pipe 6, and the cleaning nozzles 18a, It is dropped into the bathtub 1 from the return circulation port of 18b and the second return branch pipe 23. Then, the water level of the hot water in the hot water is detected by the pressure sensor 8.
In step 151, based on the water level detection signal from the pressure sensor 8, it is determined whether or not the detected water level has reached the water level set by the hot water level setting unit 48 of the remote controller 45. When the detected water level has reached the set water level, The pouring valve 15 is closed, and the filling operation is stopped. In this filling operation, since the hot water on the water heater side is simultaneously dropped from the outgoing pipe 6 and the return pipe 5 side, the amount of filling water increases, and the filling can be completed in a short time.

Next, the reheating operation is performed from step 153 to step 157. First, at step 153, the pump 4 is started and the bathtub 1
The hot water of the inside is drawn into the pump 4 from the second return branch pipe 23 through the return pipe 5, and the drawn hot water is
The water is discharged from the washing nozzles 18a and 18b into the bathtub 1 through the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the outgoing pipe 6 from the discharge side. After the circulation of the hot and cold water is started, in step 154, the temperature sensor 2
A comparison is made between the temperature detected in the bathtub 1 detected in 5 and the temperature set in the reheating water temperature setting section 47 of the remote controller 45, and when the detected temperature is lower than the set temperature, the reheating heat exchanger is used.
Burner combustion of 10 is started and reheating of circulating hot and cold water is performed. During the reheating, the detected temperature is constantly compared with the set temperature, and the reheating is continued until the detected temperature does not reach the set temperature. Then, when the detected temperature reaches the set temperature, the pump 4 is stopped in step 156, and in the case of reheating, the burner combustion of the reheating heat exchanger is further stopped. Next, in step 157, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b are closed, and the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 is further closed to end the reheating operation.

In this embodiment, since the cleaning unit 31 is installed in the bathroom, the length of the pipeline between the unit 31 and the bathtub 1 can be shortened. Thus, when the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 and each of the washing nozzles 18a and 18b are opened to open the inside of the reheating circulation pipe to the atmosphere, the pipe can be reliably opened to the atmosphere (water drainage of the pipe). . For example, the bathtub is on the second floor and the washing unit 31 is
When installed on the floor, the length of the pipeline between the bathtub and the cleaning unit becomes longer.If the pipeline is filled with water, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b and the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 are connected. Even if opened, water in the pipeline may not be drained effectively,
In some cases, it becomes impossible to reliably open the inside of the pipeline to the atmosphere. On the other hand, as in this embodiment, the cleaning unit
If 31 is installed in the bathroom, the length of the conduit between the bath and the bath can be shortened, and the washing nozzles 18a and 18b and the return pipe opening / closing valve 2
By opening 1 and draining the water in the pipeline, the interior of the pipeline can be reliably opened to the atmosphere, and the detergent can be surely charged into the recirculating pipeline.

Further, by providing the cleaning unit 31 separately from the heat exchangers 10 and 12, the cleaning unit 31 can be compactly assembled, and as shown in FIG. It is also possible to install using a space, and if arranged in this way, the length of the pipeline with the bath tub can be further shortened, and the effect of opening the recirculating circulation pipeline to the atmosphere becomes more remarkable. .

Also, if the washing unit 31 is installed on the side wall of the bathtub,
It is possible to reduce the height difference between the pressure sensor 8 and the hot and cold water surface of the bathtub, and use a sensor having a narrower range of pressure detection than when the washing unit 31 is installed with a height difference outside the bathroom. Can be. When a generally used pressure sensor having a large range is used, the sensitivity can be increased by switching the range, and the effect of accurately detecting a change in the minute water level can be obtained.

FIG. 6 shows the system configuration of the second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the pouring solenoid valve 15 is incorporated in the cleaning unit 31 side, and the other configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment. By incorporating the pouring solenoid valve 15 into the cleaning unit 31 in this manner, by connecting the existing reheating water heater to the cleaning unit, the hot water supplied from the reheating water heater can be reheated by a circulation pipe. It becomes possible to drop into a bathtub through a road. In other words, instead of newly introducing a fully automatic bath kettle, a fully automatic bath kettle can be configured simply by connecting an existing reheating water heater to the washing unit 31 installed in the bathroom. A great effect is obtained that the vessel can be upgraded to a fully automatic bath kettle.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in each of the above embodiments, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b are configured by nozzles with a valve function. However, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b are configured by ordinary cleaning nozzles without a valve function, and are indicated by a dashed line in FIG. As described above, the on-off control valve 49a such as a solenoid valve is
49b may be provided, and switching between the injection of the cleaning nozzle 18a and the injection of the cleaning nozzle 18b may be performed by switching the flow path of the open / close control valves 49a, 49b.

Further, in the embodiment, the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b also serve as the discharge portion of the reheating water, for example, a dedicated reheating discharge pipe is formed by branching the distal end side of the outgoing pipe through an electromagnetic valve or the like. The reheating discharge pipe may be connected to the bathtub wall surface so that hot water is discharged from the reheating discharge pipe to the bathtub during reheating. At this time, since the cleaning nozzles 18a and 18b do not need to function as a discharge unit for the additional hot water, they can be attached to the lid of the bathtub. Further, the reheating heat exchanger 10 and the hot water supply exchanger 12 may be constituted by a heat exchanger other than the gas combustion type, for example, an electric heater, a petroleum combustion device, or the like.

Furthermore, in the second embodiment, the outlet side of the pouring on-off valve 15 is connected to the forward pipe 6, but this may be connected to the return pipe 5.

Further, in the above embodiment, when the inside of the reheating circulation pipe 3 is drained and opened to the atmosphere at the preparation stage of washing and charging in the bathtub washing, step 102 in the flowchart of FIG.
Before opening the automatic drain valve 17 as shown in
a, 18b and the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 are opened, but these washing nozzles 18a, 18b and the return pipe opening / closing valve 21 are opened all at once after the drainage of hot water in the bathtub is completed, and the reheating steam circulation pipe is opened. You may make it drain inside.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, in the washing operation of the bathtub, the detergent was put into the reheating circuit, and then the washing liquid was stored in the bathtub by passing water or hot water through the reheating circuit, but the order was reversed. Alternatively, water or hot water may be stored in the bath tub through the reheating circuit, and after the completion of the water supply, the detergent may be charged into the reheating circuit that is open to the atmosphere by the water.

〔The invention's effect〕

According to the present invention, a return pipe of a reheating circuit is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve and a first return branch pipe communicating with the bottom of the bathtub and a second return branch communicating with a wall surface of the bathtub at another position. Since the first return branch pipe is provided with a water level sensor for detecting the water level of the bathtub, when filling the bathtub from the water heater side, the flow path of the return pipe is set to the second return branch pipe. Switching to the return branch pipe side, the hot water can be dropped from both sides of the second return branch pipe and the forward pipe while detecting the water level on the first return branch pipe side, so that the filling is completed in a short time. be able to.

In addition, when the reheating operation is performed, the flow path of the return pipe is switched to the second return branch pipe side, so that the dynamic pressure of the circulating hot and cold water is not applied to the water level sensor, that is, the water level is detected while detecting the water level. Can fire. For this reason, it is possible to perform hot water filling while reheating, which is very convenient in use.

Further, since the water level sensor is provided in the first return branch pipe communicating with the bottom surface side of the bathtub, the water level of the bathtub can be accurately detected over the entire section from the bottom surface of the bathtub to the set water level of the hot water. It becomes possible.

Further, the present invention, at the start of cleaning, when the detergent is introduced into the reheating circuit from the detergent charging means, drains the water in the reheating circuit, and opens the reheating circuit to the atmosphere. Since the configuration is such that the cleaning is performed after the cleaning, the detergent easily enters the reheating boiler circulation pipe, and the detergent can be reliably supplied.

Furthermore, in the present invention, when cleaning the bathtub, after circulating the cleaning liquid from the cleaning nozzle, the cleaning liquid attached to the inner wall surface of the bathtub is sprayed with hot water from the cleaning nozzle to drop. It is better than dropping by spraying water, so that detergent can be washed away.

Further, in the present invention, the washing unit is added by adding a detergent injection means and a water level sensor or a pouring solenoid valve to the washing unit, and this is installed in the bathroom, so that the pipe length between the washing unit and the bathtub is reduced. The length can be shortened, and this can be reliably performed by opening the air to the atmosphere by draining the reheating circuit. Further, since the cleaning unit can be formed compactly, it is easy to install the cleaning unit in a dead space such as a side wall surface of a bathtub or a wall hole of a bathroom, and attach the cleaning unit without narrowing an effective use space of the bathroom. The effect that it can be obtained is obtained. In addition, in the configuration in which the pouring on / off valve is incorporated as a cleaning unit, the existing hot water heater with reheating can be connected to this cleaning unit to function as a fully automatic bath kettle. Can be upgraded.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram of a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG.
FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a cleaning nozzle constituting the embodiment, and FIG.
FIG. 4 is a view showing an installation mode of the apparatus of the embodiment, FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram of a main part of a control device constituting the apparatus of the embodiment, FIG. FIG. 7 is an explanatory view of a general system configuration of a conventional fully automatic bath kettle according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 1 ... bathtub, 2 ... circulation fitting, 3 ... reheating circulation circuit, 4 ... pump, 5 ... return pipe, 6 ... forward pipe, 7 ...
Reheating heating on-off valve, 8 Pressure sensor, 10 Reheating heat exchanger, 11 Hot water supply, 12 Hot water heat exchanger, 13 Water supply pipe, 14 Water supply pipe, 15 Note Hot water on / off valve, 16 …… Drain pipe, 17 …… Automatic drain valve, 18a, 18b …… Wash nozzle, 20,21
... Return pipe on-off valve, 22 first return branch pipe, 23 second return branch pipe, 24 water flow sensor, 25 temperature sensor, 26 detergent supply pipe, 27 detergent On-off valve, 28 ... Detergent tank, 29 ... Input port, 30 ... Housing, 31 ... Cleaning unit, 32 ... Bathroom wall, 33a, 33b ... Metal fittings, 34 ... Ball valve, 35a, 35b ... ... Packing, 36 ... Nozzle injection hole, 3
7 ... Rotary shaft, 38 ... Motor, 39 ... Flow sensor, 40 ...
… Water supply temperature sensor, 41… tap water temperature sensor, 42… housing, 43… combustion unit, 44… control device, 45… remote control, 46… fully automatic button, 47… reheating hot water temperature setting , 48… Filling water level setting section, 49a, 49b… Open / close control valve, 50… Signal input section, 51… Judgment / command section, 52… Timer, 53… Calculation section, 54… Memory .

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-59-74453 (JP, A) JP-A-61-116240 (JP, A) JP-A-63-89541 (JP, U) JP-A-62-93646 (JP, A) , U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24H 1/00 306

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A reheating circuit, in which a pump and a reheating heat exchanger are incorporated, is connected to a bathtub provided with an automatic drain valve at the bottom, and the reheating circuit has a water supply pipe of a water heater. The outflow pipe of the reheating circuit is connected to a washing nozzle mounted on the wall of the bathtub, and the return pipe of the reheating circuit is a return pipe for switching the flow path. A first return branch pipe provided with an on-off valve and connected to the bottom of the bathtub and a second return branch pipe connected to the wall surface of the bathtub, and the first return branch pipe is provided with a bathtub; A water level sensor for detecting the water level of the water is provided, and a detergent charging means is provided in the reheating circulation line,
A fully automatic bath kettle equipped with a bathtub washing function provided with a control device for controlling the operation of the various valves, pumps, reheating heat exchangers and water heaters in accordance with programs including bathtub cleaning and reheating. 2. The fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub washing function according to claim 1, wherein the detergent input means and the water level sensor are integrated in a washing unit and installed in the bathroom. 3. A washing unit, wherein the detergent charging means, the water level sensor, and the pouring on / off valve are integrated in a washing unit and installed in a bathroom.
Fully automatic bath kettle with bathtub washing function as described. 4. Detergent is introduced into the reheating circuit of the bathtub from the detergent introduction means, and then water or hot water is stored in the bathtub together with the detergent through the reheating circuit, or water or hot water is supplied through the reheating circuit. Is stored in the bathtub, and then the detergent is put into the recirculation line.After that, the pump incorporated in the recirculation line is activated and the cleaning liquid mixed with water or hot water and the detergent is recirculated to the recirculation line. In a washing operation method of a fully automatic bath kettle having a bathtub washing function, the heater is heated to a predetermined temperature and supplied to a washing nozzle when passing through a reheating heat exchanger, and is circulated from the washing nozzle to the inner wall surface of the bathtub. Fully automatic bath with bath tub washing function, characterized in that when pouring detergent into the reheating line, drain the water in the reheating line and release the recirculation line to the atmosphere. Cleaning operation method of the pot. 5. A cleaning and charging means, wherein a detergent is charged into a reheating circuit of the bathtub and then water or hot water is stored in the bathtub together with the detergent through the reheating circuit or water or hot water is supplied through the reheating circuit. Is stored in the bath tub, and then the detergent is put into the recirculating circulation line. In the cleaning operation method of the fully automatic bath kettle with a bathtub cleaning function, which is heated to a predetermined temperature and supplied to the cleaning nozzle when passing through the reheating heat exchanger and supplied to the cleaning nozzle and circulated from the cleaning nozzle to the inner wall surface of the bathtub, After the cleaning liquid is circulated and sprayed to remove dirt on the inner surface of the bathtub, hot water is supplied to the cleaning nozzle via the reheating circulation pipe, and the hot water is injected onto the inner surface of the bathtub and adheres to the inner surface of the bathtub. Wash off the cleaning solution Cleaning method of operating a tub cleaning function with fully automatic bathtub characterized by.