JP2882497B2 - Automatic bathtub cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cleaning a bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for automatically cleaning the inside of a bathtub, there is known a system in which a nozzle is attached to an upper portion or a lid portion of a bathtub, and a cleaning liquid (water) is sprayed from the nozzle into the bathtub to remove dirt. (Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 60-15882)
8, 62-4270, 62-4271, 62
-4174, 63-71869, JP-A-2-5785
7).

[0003] Further, a cleaning apparatus in which a cleaning liquid is circulated and used is also known (Japanese Utility Model Application Laid-Open No. 62-4272, 6).
2-4273, 62-69977).

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned known bath tub cleaning apparatus has the following disadvantages.

A. In order to attach the cleaning device to the bathtub, facilities such as piping are required, which makes the construction difficult and large-scale.

B. Since it is almost impossible to attach it to an existing bathtub, practical application is expected only for new ones.

C. The type of bathtub to which the cleaning device can be attached is limited.

D. The replacement work when replacing the bathtub becomes large.

E. The initial cost and construction cost of the cleaning device are high.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages a to e.

[0011]

The configuration of the present invention is as follows.

A swing-type washing nozzle in the washing machine main body;
A drain valve is attached to a drain port provided at the bottom of the bathtub, which incorporates a detergent tank, a drain valve operator, and a controller, and the drain valve is opened and closed by the drain valve operator. Position the open inlet circulation port pipe, locate the outlet circulation port pipe with the suction port opened at the bottom, locate the low water level sensor at the bottom inside the bathtub, locate the high water level sensor at the top, outside the bathroom Install a heat source unit incorporating a heat exchanger for hot water supply and a heat exchanger for reheating with a circulation pump.Connect the outgoing pipe of the heat exchanger for reheating to the cleaning nozzle and the inlet side circulation port pipe via a valve. , Connect the return pipe to the outlet circulation port pipe and connect the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger to the inlet side of the follow-up heat exchanger. The controller performs the following control: a. Inject water or hot water into the bathtub via the outlet circulation port pipe until the low water level sensor detects the level, or open the drain valve to drain, and the level of the remaining hot water comes to the low water level sensor Close the drain valve and collect the washing water at the bottom of the bathtub, b. Pouring the detergent into the bath from the detergent tank, c. Using the heat exchanger for reheating, circulate the washing water in the outlet circulation port → heat exchanger for reheating → washing nozzle → bathtub to wash the bathtub for a certain period of time, d. After a certain period of time, the washing of c is stopped, and then the drain valve is opened to drain the water, e. A heat exchanger for hot water supply → a heat exchanger for additional heating → washing nozzle, while rinsing the inside of the bath tub while supplying water or hot water, and simultaneously cleaning the bottom of the bath tub for a certain period of time f. After the washing in the step e, the drain valve is closed.

After closing the drain valve, the controller fills the bath with a heat exchanger for hot water supply and a heat exchanger for reheating in the bathtub from the inlet side circulation port pipe to reach a predetermined water level. At this point, a control function for stopping the filling may be added.

Next, a function of controlling the reheating by arbitrarily or automatically driving the reheating heat exchanger may be added to the controller.

Next, the controller may be configured so that the cleaning operation is started only when the lid is correctly closed in the bathtub.

[0016]

When the bathing is completed, there is a case where the automatic cleaning is performed immediately or the bath is left as it is after the completion of the bathing and the automatic cleaning is performed at the time of bathing (for example, the next day).

When automatic cleaning is performed immediately after bathing a. When the operation switch is turned on, the drain valve operating device operates to open the drain valve, and the hot water in the bathtub is drained. Then, the low water level sensor operates with the hot water remaining shallow at the bottom in the bathtub, and the drain valve closes.

B. Next, the cleaning agent tank is opened and the cleaning agent is introduced into the bathtub, and the cleaning agent is mixed with the hot water at the bottom of the bathtub.

C. Next, the circulation pump and the heat exchanger for reheating are driven, and the bathtub → circulation pump → heat exchanger for reheating → the cleaning nozzle and hot water (cleaning water) mixed with the cleaning agent circulate, and the inside of the bathtub is kept constant. Stop after washing for an hour.

D. Next, the drain valve opens and drains the hot water (wash water) remaining at the bottom of the bathtub. With the drain valve open, supply the heat exchanger for hot water supply → the heat exchanger for reheating and the washing nozzle → Rinsing and washing of the bottom surface, which has not been cleaned because the remaining hot water has accumulated shallowly earlier, is performed for a certain period of time.

In the washing of the side and bottom surfaces of the bathtub, the washing water may be carried out while heating it with a reheating heat exchanger, or may be carried out with cold water, and particularly, the washing may be carried out with cold water. .

E. Next, the drain valve is closed.

The above steps are all performed by the controller.

In the case of performing automatic washing at the time of bathing (next day) In this case, the steps a to d are the same. And a hot water supply heat exchanger is driven in the bath tub to supply hot water,
Fill with hot water. The level of the hot water is measured by a high water level sensor mounted in the bathtub.

After the completion of filling, if the temperature of the hot water is low, reheating is performed in the order of the outlet circulation port pipe → the reheating heat exchanger → the input side circulation port pipe → the bathtub. This reheating may be performed automatically by the hot water temperature sensor or may be performed manually.

The above operation can be performed even when the lid is not closed in the bathtub. However, depending on conditions, the operation may be performed only when the lid is correctly closed.

[0027]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention and its operation.

Reference numeral 1 is a bathtub, 2 is a drain port, and 3 is a drain valve (ball valve) that opens and closes the drain port 3 from the inside.
The drain valve 3 is provided with a trumpet-shaped inclined surface at the entrance of the drain port 2, and when draining, can roll by natural or water pressure to close the entrance of the drain port 2.

Reference numeral 4 denotes a washing machine main body.
Can be set on the edge 1 'of the bathtub 1 (or on the wall of the bathroom).

Reference numeral 5 denotes a swing type cleaning nozzle incorporated in the main body 4.

Reference numeral 6 denotes a cleaning agent tank incorporated in the main body 4, and a valve 8 is attached to a cleaning agent inlet 7 of the cleaning agent tank 6.

9 is a controller incorporated in the main body 4.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a drain valve operating device for opening the drain valve 3 incorporated in the main body 4, and the drain valve operating device 10 and the drain valve 3 are connected by a chain 11.

Reference numeral 12 designates an outlet circulation port pipe having a connection port on the back of the main body 4 and a suction port 12 'located at the bottom of the bathtub 1.
Reference numeral 3 denotes an inlet-side circulation port pipe having a connection port on the back of the main body 4 and having a discharge port located inside the bathtub 1 (inside of an appropriate level).

The upper end 14 is fixed to the main body 4 and the chain 1
1, outlet side circulation port pipe 12, inlet side circulation port pipe 13, drain port 2,
A cover that covers the drain valve 3 can be removed together with the main body 4.

15 is a heat source unit, 16 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply, 1
7 is a reheating heat exchanger, 18 is a water supply pipe, 19 is a reheating circulation circuit, 20 is an outgoing pipe, 21 is a return pipe, and the outgoing pipe 20 is connected to the inlet side circulation port pipe 13 and returned. Tube 21
Are connected to the outlet side circulation port pipe 12 and the washing nozzle 5 by valves 22 and 2.
3 are connected.

The cleaning agent supply pipe 7 of the cleaning agent tank 6 is connected between the going pipe 20 and the cleaning nozzle 5.

24 is a low water level sensor, 25 is a high water level sensor, 26 is a circulating pump, 27 is a heat exchanger 16 for hot water supply and a return pipe 21 on the side of the heat exchanger 17 for reheating, which are connected via a valve 28. A connecting pipe 29 is a lid of the bathtub 1.

The operation of the embodiment is as follows.

A. When the operation switch is turned on, the drain valve operating device 10 operates to pull up the chain 11, and the drain valve 3 opens,
Hot water in bathtub 1 is drained. Then, when the hot water in the bathtub 1 decreases to the low water level sensor 24, the low water level sensor 24 is activated, the drain valve 3 is closed, and a little hot water is left at the bottom of the bathtub 1.

B. Next, the valve 8 of the cleaning agent tank 6 is opened to supply the cleaning agent into the bathtub 1, and the cleaning agent is mixed into the hot water at the bottom of the bathtub 1.

C. Next, the circulation pump 26 and the reheating heat exchanger 17 are driven, and the bathtub 1 → the circulation pump 26 → the reheating heating heat exchanger 17 → the valve 22 → hot water (cleaning water) mixed with the cleaning nozzle 5 and the cleaning agent. Circulates and stops after washing the inside of the bathtub 1 for a certain period of time.

D. Next, the drain valve 3 is opened, and the hot water (wash water) remaining at the bottom of the bathtub 1 is drained. With the drain valve 3 open, the heat exchanger 16 for hot water supply → the heat exchanger 17 for additional heating → the valve 2
2 → Water is supplied to the washing nozzle 5 to wash out the inside of the bathtub 1 and to wash a surface that has not been washed because the remaining hot water (washing water) is shallow and has not been washed. This state is shown in FIG.
Is shown in

E. Next, the drain valve 3 is closed, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 16 → the reheating heating heat exchanger 17 → the valve 22 → the washing nozzle 5 (or the valve 23 → the outlet side circulation pipe 13) enters the bathtub 1. Fill with water or water. However, this step may be performed on the next day.

F. Reheating is performed using the inlet side circulation port pipe 13 and the outlet side circulation port pipe 12.

The above steps are all performed by the controller 9.

[0047]

The present invention has the above-described configuration and operation, and has the following effects.

A. The heat source unit 15 is installed outside the bathroom,
Is mounted on the edge 1 ′ of the bathtub 1, and the washing device can be installed simply by connecting the main body 4 and the heat source unit 15 by the circulation system path 19.

As a result, construction becomes very easy, and even if an existing bathtub is used, there is no need to move the bathtub, so that the automatic cleaning device can be easily installed.

B. Since there is no need to modify the drain port or the like, an automatic washing device can be attached and used not only when replacing the existing bathtub but also when replacing the bathtub.

C. Since no trouble is required for piping and the like, the construction cost is low, and the structure of the apparatus itself is simple, so that it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a cleaning device according to the present invention is attached to a bathtub.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view during bathtub cleaning.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view showing a state where the bottom surface of the bathtub is being washed.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bath tub 3 Drain valve 4 Main body 5 Cleaning nozzle 6 Cleaning agent tank 9 Controller 10 Drain valve operation unit 12 Outlet circulation port pipe 13 Inlet circulation port pipe 14 Cover 15 Heat source device 16 Heat exchanger for hot water supply 17 Heat for reheating Exchanger 19 Circulation system path 20 Outgoing pipe 21 Return pipe 24 Low water level sensor 25 High water level sensor 26 Circulation pump

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuation of the front page (56) References JP-A 1-1117336 (JP, U) JP-A 62-69977 (JP, U) JP-A 62-4274 (JP, U) JP-A 63-69 71869 (JP, U) Fully open 1987-64271 (JP, U) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24H 1/00 602 F24H 9/00 A47L 25/00

Claims (5)

(57) [Claims] 1. A drain valve is attached to a drain port provided at the bottom of a bathtub, in which a cleaning nozzle of a swing type, a cleaning agent tank, a drain valve operating device and a controller are incorporated in a main body of the washing machine. Opening / closing operation by the drain valve operating device, an inlet circulation port pipe having a discharge port opened at an upper part in a bathtub, and an outlet circulation port pipe having a suction port opened at a bottom part. Locate the water level sensor, locate the high water level sensor at the top, install a heat source unit incorporating a heat exchanger for hot water supply and a heat exchanger for reheating with a circulation pump outside the bathroom. Connect the outgoing pipe to the washing nozzle and the inlet circulation port pipe via a valve, connect the return pipe to the outlet circulation port pipe, and follow the outlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger to the inlet side of the heating heat exchanger. Connect, the controller performs the following controls: a. Inject water or hot water into the bathtub via the outlet circulation port pipe until the low water level sensor detects the level, or open the drain valve to drain, and the level of the remaining hot water comes to the low water level sensor Close the drain valve and collect the washing water at the bottom of the bathtub, b. Pouring the detergent into the bath from the detergent tank, c. Using the heat exchanger for reheating, circulate the washing water in the outlet circulation port → heat exchanger for reheating → washing nozzle → bathtub to wash the bathtub for a certain period of time, d. After a certain period of time, the washing of c is stopped, and then the drain valve is opened to drain the water, e. A heat exchanger for hot water supply → a heat exchanger for additional heating → washing nozzle, while rinsing the inside of the bath tub while supplying water or hot water, and simultaneously cleaning the bottom of the bath tub for a certain period of time f. After the washing in the step e, the drain valve is closed. 2. The controller, after closing the drain valve, fills the bath from the inlet side circulation port pipe into the bath tub via the hot water supply heat exchanger and the reheating heat exchanger to reach a predetermined water level. 2. The automatic bathtub washing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control function for stopping the hot water filling. 3. The automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a function of controlling the reheating by arbitrarily or automatically driving the reheating heat exchanger. 4. The automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a controller configured to start the cleaning operation only when the lid of the bathtub is properly closed. 5. A drain valve, an inlet circulation port pipe, an outlet circulation port pipe,
2. The automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the high and low water level sensors are covered with a cover.