JP2883663B2 - Bubble bath unit - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bubble bath unit having a reheating function and a bubble generation function.

[Prior Art and Problems to be Solved by the Invention] Conventionally, bubble bath units of various structures having a reheating function and a bubble generation function have been proposed.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a conventional bubble bath unit.
The bubble bath unit has an inflow pipe (32) communicating with the bathtub (31).
And one pump (33) connected to this inflow pipe (32)
And connected to this pump (33) by branching, bathtub (31)
And two outflow pipes (34a) and (34b) communicating with each other.

In this bubble bath unit, the hot water in the bathtub (31) is guided to the inflow pipe (32) by the operation of the pump (33), and the outflow of one of the two outflow pipes (34a) (34b) is performed. Circulates out of the tube into the bathtub (31). That is,
Electromagnetic valves (35a) and (35b) are attached to the two outlet pipes (34a) and (34b), respectively, and a gas inlet (36) is formed downstream of one outlet pipe (34a). The other outlet pipe (34b) is connected to a heat exchanger (37). The heat exchanger (37) includes a heating unit (37a)
And a heat exchange pipe (37b).

In the bubble bath unit having the above structure, when air bubbles are generated, the electromagnetic valve (35a) of one of the outflow pipes (34a) is used.
The solenoid valve (35b) of the other outlet pipe (34b)
Close and operate pump (33). When the pump (33) is operated, the gas enters the hot water flowing out of the one outflow pipe (34a) from the gas inflow port (36) and enters the bathtub (3).
1) Bubbles can be jetted into the hot water inside. When the water in the bathtub (31) is to be reheated, the solenoid valve (35a) of one outflow pipe (34a) is closed,
The electromagnetic valve (35b) of the other outflow pipe (34a) is opened, the pump (33) is operated, and the hot water from the inflow pipe (32) is led to the heat exchanger (37) to be heated, and the outflow pipe (35) is heated. 34b).

However, in this bubble bath unit, the pump (3
Not only is it necessary to provide two outflow pipes (34a) and (34b) branched from 3), but also one electromagnetic valve (35a) (35b) is attached to each outflow pipe (34a) (34b). Therefore, the piping structure of the bubble bath unit is complicated. In addition, each time the solenoid valve (35
a) Since it is necessary to alternately open and close (35b), the opening and closing operations of the electromagnetic valves (35a) and (35b) are complicated.

In addition, since there is only one pump (33) in the foam bath unit, the outflow speed of hot water during reheating and air bubbles is constant, and both the reheating function and the air bubble generation function are performed simultaneously. I cannot be satisfied. That is,
In order to increase the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger (27) for reheating, it is necessary to reduce the pumping speed of the pump (33). However, in this case, the bubbles cannot be ejected at a high speed. Also, since there is only one pump (33), it is not possible to blow out bubbles with high or low strength. When the pumping speed of the pump (33) is increased in order to blow out the bubbles at a high speed, the heat exchange efficiency of the heat exchanger (27) is reduced, and it takes a long time for reheating.

Therefore, a main object of the present invention is to provide a bubble bath unit that satisfies an efficient reheating function and a bubble generating function simultaneously with a simple operation.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a bubble bath unit having a simple structure.

[Means and Actions for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides an inflow pipe connected to a bathtub, a pump connected to the inflow pipe, an outflow pipe connected to the pump and connected to the bathtub, and an outflow pipe. A unit having a heat exchanger in which an inlet portion and an outlet portion are connected and connected to a pipe, and a gas inlet formed in an outlet pipe downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein a plurality of pumps are provided in the inlet pipe. A bubble bath unit which is connected and provided with a switching means for switching a flow path in an outflow pipe between an inlet and an outlet of the heat exchanger.

In the above-mentioned bubble bath unit, the flow path from the inflow pipe is switched by the switching means provided in the outflow pipe between the inlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger to the inlet of the heat exchanger during reheating. It can be connected to the outlet of the heat exchanger when bubbles are generated.

In addition, during reheating, by operating some of the pumps connected to the inflow pipe, the supply speed of the hot water flowing into the heat exchanger from the inflow pipe can be reduced, increasing the heat exchange efficiency. Can be. Therefore, hot water in the bathtub can be efficiently refired. On the other hand, when bubbles are generated, for example, hot water can be supplied at a high speed by simultaneously operating a plurality of pumps. Therefore, with hot and cold water,
The gas from the gas inlet can be efficiently mixed, and bubbles can be efficiently ejected into hot water in the bathtub. Further, when bubbles are generated, the number of pumps to be operated is periodically controlled, for example, so that the blowing speed of bubbles can be changed periodically.

EXAMPLES Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view showing a bubble bath unit of the present invention. The bubble bath unit includes one inflow pipe (2) communicating with the bathtub (1), two pumps (3a) and (3b) connected in series to the inflow pipe (2), and a downstream pump (3b). ) And has one outlet pipe (4) in communication with the bathtub (1). The hot and cold water in the bathtub (1) flowing from the inflow pipe (2) by the operation of the pumps (3a) and (3b) is circulated into the bathtub (1) through the outflow pipe (4).

A heat exchanger (5) is connected to the outflow pipe (4). The heat exchanger (5) includes a heater (5a) for heating by gas combustion, electric heating, or the like, and a heat exchange pipe (Folder-shaped hollow tube) heated by the heater (5a). 5b). Both ends of the hollow pipe constituting the heat exchange pipe (5b), that is, the inlet and the outlet, are connected to the outflow pipe (4). Therefore, the hot water from the inflow pipe (2) can flow into the heat exchanger (5) from the inlet, and the hot water heated by the heater (5a) flows out from the outlet of the heat exchanger (5). It can flow out into the pipe (4).

In this example, the outflow pipe (4) communicates with the outside air through the gas inlet (6) at the distal end on the downstream side of the heat exchanger (5) in order to cause air bubbles to be jetted out of the water in the bathtub (1). I have. The tip of the outflow pipe (4) communicating with the bathtub (1) is formed in a nozzle shape.

The outlet pipe (4) located between the inlet and the outlet of the heat exchanger (5) is provided with one electromagnetic valve (7) as switching means for switching the flow path. This electromagnetic valve (7) is selectively switched,
A flow path formed by the inflow pipe (2) is communicated with an inlet of the heat exchanger (5) or an outlet of the heat exchanger (5).

According to the bubble bath unit having the above structure, the structure is simple because it is constituted by one inflow pipe (2), outflow pipe (4) and electromagnetic valve (7). Moreover, the flow path from the inflow pipe (2) can be selectively switched to the inlet or outlet of the heat exchanger (5) by one electromagnetic valve (7).

Further, in the case of reheating with the bubble bath unit of the above embodiment, when the electromagnetic valve (7) is closed and one pump (3a) or the other pump (3b) is operated, the inside of the bathtub (1) is opened. Since the hot and cold water can be supplied to the heat exchanger (5) at a low speed, the heat exchange efficiency can be increased and the hot and cold water can be efficiently heated. On the other hand, when air bubbles are generated, hot water can be supplied to the outflow pipe (4) at high speed by opening the electromagnetic valve (7) and operating both pumps (3a) and (3b). Further, since the mixing efficiency of the hot water supplied at a high speed and the gas flowing from the gas inlet (7) can be improved, fine bubbles can be ejected to the hot water in the bathtub (1). That is, if the flow rate of hot water from one pump (3a) is V1 and the flow rate of hot water from the other pump (3b) is V2, when both pumps (3a) and (3b) are operated, they are connected in series. Two pumps (3a) and (3b)
Thus, hot water can be accelerated at the speed of V1 + V2 and supplied to the outflow pipe (4). Therefore, even when each of the pumps (3a) and (3b) is small, when bubbles are generated, fine bubbles can be efficiently generated and can be jetted at a high speed into the hot and cold water in the bathtub (1).

Further, when only one of the pumps (3a) is operated, hot water can be discharged from the outflow pipe (4) at a low speed, that is, at a flow velocity V1. Therefore, the working pump (3a)
By controlling the number of (3b) periodically or intermittently,
Bubbles can be ejected while varying the ejection speed.

The hot water reheating function and the bubble generation function may be controlled. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment for controlling the operation of the bubble bath unit shown in FIG.

In this example, a temperature sensor (not shown) for detecting the temperature of hot water is provided in the bathtub (1). The temperature detection signal Vt from the temperature sensor is compared with a reference value Vr corresponding to a preset temperature set in advance to a desired hot and cold water temperature by a comparison circuit (11). When the temperature of the hot and cold water in the bathtub (1) is lower than the set temperature, that is, when Vt <Vr, the comparison circuit (11) outputs a control signal to the OR circuit (12). This OR circuit (12) is connected to the first pump (3a) via the first relay (13a).

The bubble bath unit is provided with an operation unit (not shown) for generating a bubble generation operation signal. The bubble generation operation signal from the operation unit is output to an OR circuit (12) and a timer (14). Is output to This timer (14) is connected to the second pump (3b) via the second relay (13b). The bubble generation operation signal is output to a third relay (13c) connected to the normally closed electromagnetic valve (7).

Each relay (13a) (13b) (13c) is connected to a power supply (15).

The bubble bath unit with the above configuration does not generate air bubbles,
In addition, in the case of reheating, when the relationship between the temperature Vt of hot and cold water and the set temperature Vr becomes Vt <Vr, a control signal from the OR circuit (12) is output to the first relay (13a), and the first Only the pump (3a) operates. Therefore, at the time of reheating, the hot water in the bathtub (1) is supplied to the heat exchanger (5) at a low speed, the heat exchange efficiency is increased, and the hot water can be efficiently heated.

On the other hand, when periodically changing the ejection speed of the bubbles, when the bubble generation operation signal is generated, the electromagnetic valve (7) is opened by the drive signal of the third relay (13c). The control signal from the OR circuit (12) is the first relay (13a)
Not only operates the first pump (3a) but also operates the timer (15) in response to the generation of the bubble generation operation signal, and generates the second relay (13) generated after a predetermined time has elapsed.
The second pump (3b) is also operated by the drive signal of b).
Therefore, when a bubble is generated, the bubble can be ejected weakly, and after a predetermined time has elapsed, the bubble can be ejected strongly.

The timer (14) may be set so that the operation of the second pump (3b) stops after a predetermined time has elapsed. Also, instead of the timer (14), the second or intermittent
A drive signal generation circuit for generating a drive signal to the relay (13b) may be provided. The timer (14) is not required if the bubbles are to be ejected only at a high velocity when they occur.

The number of pumps is not limited to two, and a plurality of pumps may be connected in series to the inflow pipe. Also, multiple pumps
The connection is not limited to the series connection, but may be connected in parallel.

Even when a plurality of pumps are connected in parallel, by adjusting the cross-sectional area of the flow path between the inflow pipe and the outflow pipe, reheating can be performed efficiently and bubbles can be generated. Third
The figure is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the bubble bath unit of the present invention. In this example, a plurality of pumps are connected in parallel. That is, the inflow pipe (22) communicating with the bathtub (1) is branched into two branches, and the branched inflow pipes (22a) and (22b)
Each one pump (23a) (23b) is connected. The outflow pipes (24a) (24b) connected to the pumps (23a) (23b) merge to form one outflow pipe (24). This outflow pipe (24) is provided with
The heat exchanger (5) and the electromagnetic valve (7) are connected, and the outlet pipe (24) communicates with the outside air through the gas inlet (6) downstream of the heat exchanger (5).

In the bubble bath unit having such a structure, since the pumps (23a) and (23b) are connected to the branched inlet pipes (22a) and (22b), more hot water can be supplied to the outlet pipe (24). . The flow rates of the hot and cold water supplied by the pumps (23a) and (23b) increase at the merging outflow pipe (24). Therefore, when bubbles are generated, the bubbles can be jetted into the hot water in the bathtub (1) by operating the plurality of pumps (23a) and (23b) connected in parallel. Further, by operating some of the pumps (23a), bubbles can be ejected at a low speed into the hot water in the bathtub (1). Therefore, by selecting the pumps (23a) and (23b) to be operated periodically or intermittently, bubbles can be ejected while increasing or decreasing the strength. Also, at the time of reheating, by operating some of the pumps (23a), hot water can be supplied to the heat exchanger (5) at a low speed to increase the reheating efficiency.

When bubbles are generated, the electromagnetic valve may be opened and at least one of the plurality of pumps may be operated. At the time of reheating, the electromagnetic valve may be closed and at least one pump may be operated. The pumping capacities of the plurality of pumps may be the same or different.

The heat exchanger is not limited to the illustrated structure. For example, the heat exchange pipe may be spiral.

 Further, the switching means is not limited to the electromagnetic valve.

Also, a pressurized gas may be supplied from the gas inlet in conjunction with the operation of the pump for generating bubbles.

[Effect of the Invention] The bubble bath unit of the present invention uses one switching means,
The operation is simple because the flow path can be switched. In addition, since a plurality of pumps are provided, an efficient reheating function and a bubble generation function can be satisfied at the same time.

The bubble bath unit having one inlet pipe and one outlet pipe has a simple structure.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a bubble bath unit of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram showing one embodiment for controlling the operation of the bubble bath unit shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing another embodiment of the bath unit, and FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing a conventional bubble bath unit. (1) ... bathtub, (2) (22) (22a) (22b) ... inflow pipe, (3a) (3b) (23a) (23b) ... pump, (4) (24) (24a) ( 24b) Outflow pipe, (5) Heat exchanger, (5a) Heater, (5b) Heat exchange pipe, (6) Gas inlet, (7) Electromagnetic valve

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] An inlet and an outlet are connected to an inflow pipe connected to the bathtub, a pump connected to the inflow pipe, an outflow pipe connected to the pump and connected to the bathtub, and the outflow pipe. A unit having a connected heat exchanger and a gas inlet formed in an outlet pipe downstream of the heat exchanger, wherein a plurality of pumps are connected to the inlet pipe and the heat exchanger A bubble bath unit, characterized in that a switching means for switching a flow path is provided in an outflow pipe between an inlet portion and an outlet portion of a vessel. 2. A bubble bath unit according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of pumps are connected in series to the inflow pipe.