JP2907042B2 - Method for calculating cross-sectional area in bathtub and method for controlling hot water in automatic bath apparatus - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for automatically determining a sectional area in a bathtub. The present invention also relates to a method for automatically filling hot water to a set water level in the bathtub using the method for calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a conventional automatic bath apparatus, a bath adapter level is detected by repeatedly dropping a small amount of water of about 10 liters and judging circulation many times, and then the bath adapter level is lowered to a certain level. Until the set water level was exceeded, a small amount of hot water was dropped into the bathtub and the operation of detecting whether the water level had risen above the set water level was repeated.

For this reason, in a conventional automatic bath apparatus, a sequence for storing hot water to a set water level becomes complicated, and in order to supply hot water to the set water level, a small amount of hot water must be repeatedly dropped. It took a long time.

Therefore, a hot water filling control method has been proposed in which hot water can be automatically supplied to a set water level in a simple sequence by using a process for obtaining a cross-sectional area in a bath tub, and the hot water filling time can be shortened ( For example, JP-A-2
-267459). FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a procedure for obtaining a cross-sectional area in a bathtub used in a conventional hot water filling control method, and FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram thereof.

A conventional method will be described with reference to FIGS. In this method, after the detected water level h ₁ in the bathtub 109 (S101), using the cross-sectional area of the bathtub 109 which has been calculated this previous operations, necessary quantity of water to put the water up to the set water level h _S q ₁ is obtained and the hot water of the hot water amount q ₁ is supplied to the bathtub 1
09 (S102). However, bathtub 109
Since the inner is sometimes wider above, usually water level does not reach to the set water level h _S, it becomes lower than the set water level h _S.
Therefore, hot water q ₁ of drop included after the water level h ₂ (<h _S) detects (S103), the average of the level h ₁ and the water level h ₂ cross-sectional area _{S 1 = q 1 / (h} 2 -h 1) the calculated (S104), hot water q ₂ = needed to tension the hot water again until the set water level h _S using this cross-sectional area _{S 1 (h S -h 2)} · S 1 the calculated (S105), the hot water q _{The second} hot water is dropped into the bathtub 109 (S106). Thereafter, to detect the water level h ₃ after inclusive drop of hot water q ₂ (S107), the average cross-sectional area _{S 2 = q 2 / (h} 3 -h 2) of the water level h ₂ and the water level h ₃ ... a seek (S108). Then, the detected water level h ₃
If the water level difference between the set water level h _S is more than a predetermined value, it calculates the additional hot water supply amount for tensioning the hot to the set water level h _S, and plunge into bath 109 the hot water of additional hot water supply amount calculated.

[0006]

However, the amount of hot water q
₁ because it is the value computed as the water level reaches to the set water level h _S, small difference between the water level h ₂ and set water level h _S, a drop-inclusive hot water q ₂ also usually small value for correction . Therefore, also reduced the water level difference between the water level h ₂ and the water level h ₃ before and after dropping the hot water q _2.

[0007] Thus, when detecting the water level h ₃ in a state where the water level difference between the water level h ₂ and the water level h ₃ is oscillating wavy almost no or water, because the detection error of the water level h ₃ increases When determining the cross-sectional area S ₂ from the equation, there is a problem that an error of the cross-sectional area S ₂ is increased.

In particular, when the water level h ₃ is detected to be lower than the actual level, the cross-sectional area S ₂ is calculated to be a considerably large value,
Since the amount of dropped hot water calculated based on the cross-sectional area S ₂ increases, there is a concern that hot water may overflow from the bathtub 109 in some cases.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned conventional example, and a first object of the present invention is to accurately calculate a cross-sectional area in a bathtub. In particular, it is to calculate the cross-sectional area with high accuracy even when the detected value of the water level includes an error. Another object is to accurately calculate the cross-sectional area near the set water level.

It is a second object of the present invention to automatically and accurately fill a bath to a set water level in a bathtub.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for determining a cross-sectional area in a bath tub, comprising: means for detecting a water level in the bath tub; and means for detecting an amount of water dropped into the bath tub. This is a method of calculating the cross-sectional area in a bathtub from the amount and the amount of rise in the water level at that time, and the difference in water level before and after the water is dropped into the bathtub at that time is detected, and the difference in the water level is constant. If the value is equal to or greater than the value, calculate the cross-sectional area in the bathtub from the amount of water drop and the difference in water level before and after the drop, and fill the bathtub with water.
Before and after dropping water into the bathtub at that time
If the water level difference is detected and the water level difference is below a certain value,
The amount of the water drop and the water before the drop
Ru seek bathtub sectional area sum, and the water level difference between the drop <br/> and after inclusive level of the water and dropped inclusive prior to the water level of the destination of the water and dropped inclusive amount in the inclusive drop of It is characterized a call.

When a certain amount of water is dropped into the bathtub,
The difference between the water level before and after the drop and the cross-sectional area inside the bathtub is inversely proportional.If the difference between the water levels before and after the drop is not less than a certain value, even if there is an error in the water level detection value when the water is dropped, The effect on the accuracy of the cross-sectional area is small. Therefore, in this case, the cross-sectional area in the bathtub can be obtained near the water surface (water level after the dip) by calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub from the water level difference before and after the drop as in the conventional case.

When the difference in water level before and after the drop is small and equal to or less than a certain value, the cross-sectional area in the bathtub is not calculated from the difference in water level before and after the drop. The cross-sectional area inside the bathtub is calculated from the total drop and the water level difference before and after that. By calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub by combining the two drops in this way, it is possible to increase the water level difference used in the calculation . Therefore, near the set water level
Changes in water level and water level when dropped into a bathtub by the side
Accuracy of the water level detection means
Error in reading the water level due to
As a result, errors in the calculation result of the cross-sectional area in the bathtub are large.
To improve the accuracy of the cross-sectional area in the bathtub.
Can be Furthermore, near the set water level, the water level difference
Hot water overflows from the bathtub to increase the
However, in the present invention, the previous drop amount is used.
The difference in water level is large, so hot water may overflow from the bathtub.
There is no.

In the above method for calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub, water is dropped into the bathtub, and a difference in water level before and after the water is dropped into the bathtub at that time is detected. in the case of the water level of the sum, and after inclusive down of the water and dropped inclusive amount in the drop-inclusive drop penetration depth of the previous water was conducted prior included to drop <br/> of the water of the water And the water ahead
Calculate their ratio from the water level difference from the water level before the drop,
It is preferable that the ratio obtained by multiplying this ratio by a constant be the cross-sectional area in the bathtub.

If the cross-sectional area in the bathtub is determined from the two drops and the water level difference before and after the drop, the calculation error of the cross-sectional area in the bathtub becomes small, but the position of the cross-sectional area obtained by the calculation is considerably lowered from the water surface. There is a possibility that it will be the value at the position. In such a case, the position of the calculated cross-sectional area can be made closer to the water surface by further multiplying the calculated cross-sectional area in the bathtub by a constant.

Therefore, according to the quadrature determination method of the present invention, the cross-sectional area in the bathtub near the water surface can be accurately determined.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hot water filling control method for an automatic bath apparatus, wherein a fixed amount of water is dropped into a bathtub after detecting a reference water level located at a height higher than a bath adapter, and the first water after the dropping is detected. The water level difference between the water level and the reference water level is detected, the cross-sectional area in the first bathtub is determined from the drop amount and the water level difference between the reference water level and the first water level, and the first water level and the target The water level difference from the falling water level and the amount of water equivalent to the product of the cross-sectional area in the first bathtub are further dropped into the bathtub, and the second water level after the second drop and the first water level A water level difference is detected, a second bath level cross-sectional area is obtained from the second drop amount and a water level difference between the first water level and the second water level, and the second water level is set as a target. The amount of water corresponding to the difference between the water level and the cross-sectional area in the second bathtub is further dropped into the bathtub. And detecting a water level difference between the third water level after the third drop and the second water level, and determining whether the water level difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and determining whether the second water level is higher than the second water level. If it is determined that the water level difference of the third water level is equal to or more than a certain value, the third bath tub interruption is performed based on the third drop amount and the water level difference between the second water level and the third water level. The area is obtained, and when it is determined that the water level difference between the second water level and the third water level is equal to or less than a certain value, the second and third total drop amounts and the first water level and the first water level A third water level difference between the third water level and the target water level, and a water amount corresponding to the product of the third water level difference and the target water level. Is further dropped into the bathtub.

In this hot water filling control method, the sectional area in the bathtub is automatically calculated, and the hot water can be automatically filled to a target water level in the bathtub. Moreover, claim 1
Since the method for calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub is used, the calculation accuracy of the bathtub cross-sectional area in the vicinity of the target water level can be improved, and the filling can be performed accurately up to the target water level.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the method of controlling hot water filling of an automatic bath apparatus, a fixed amount of water is dropped into a bathtub after detecting a reference water level located at a height equal to or higher than a bath adapter. The water level difference between the water level and the reference water level is detected, the cross-sectional area in the first bathtub is determined from the drop amount and the water level difference between the reference water level and the first water level, and the first water level and the target The water level difference from the falling water level and the amount of water equivalent to the product of the cross-sectional area in the first bathtub are further dropped into the bathtub, and the second water level after the second drop and the first water level A water level difference is detected, a second bath level cross-sectional area is obtained from the second drop amount and a water level difference between the first water level and the second water level, and the second water level is set as a target. The amount of water corresponding to the difference between the water level and the cross-sectional area in the second bathtub is further dropped into the bathtub. And detecting a water level difference between the third water level after the third drop and the second water level, and determining whether the water level difference is equal to or more than a predetermined value, and determining whether the second water level is higher than the second water level. If it is determined that the water level difference of the third water level is equal to or more than a certain value, the third bath tub interruption is determined from the ratio of the third drop amount to the water level difference between the second and third water levels. The area is obtained, and when it is determined that the water level difference between the second water level and the third water level is equal to or less than a certain value, the second and third total drop amounts and the first water level and the first water level The ratio between the water level difference of the water level 3 and the water level difference is multiplied by a constant to determine the cross-sectional area in the third bathtub,
It is characterized in that the water level difference between the third water level and the target water level and the amount of water corresponding to the product of the sectional area in the third bathtub is further dropped into the bathtub.

This bath filling control method can also automatically calculate the cross-sectional area in the bathtub and automatically fill the bathtub to the target water level. Moreover, claim 2
Since the method of calculating the cross-sectional area in the bathtub is used, the calculation accuracy of the cross-sectional area of the bathtub near the target water level can be improved, and the filling can be performed more accurately to the target water level.

[0021]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a method for obtaining a cross-sectional area in a bathtub according to the method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 (a).
(B) is an explanatory view thereof. Hereinafter, FIG. 1 and FIG.
A description will be given according to (b). The bathtub 12 has a pipe for supplying hot water from the bath adapter 15 into the bathtub 12, a water level detecting means for detecting a water level in the bathtub 12, and detects an amount of hot water dropped into the bathtub 12. Means. Specifically, the pipe is a reheating circuit or a hot water supply circuit, the water level detecting means is a pressure sensor capable of detecting a water level higher than the level of the bus adapter 15, and the drop amount detecting means is a flow rate sensor. Since these are shown in the automatic bath apparatus 11 of FIG. 3, FIG.
In (b), illustration is omitted. Then, the quadrature method is, in FIG. 2 (a) (b), is aimed at determining the bathtub sectional area in the lower vicinity of the water level h _3.

[0022] First, when the water is dropped to the above level of the bus adapter 15, to detect the water level h ₁ by the water level detecting means such as a pressure sensor (S1). This water level h ₁
The processing on the way until the hot water is dropped is not particularly limited. Thus, when it detects the water level h _1, the bathtub 1
Translate the hot water hot water of q ₁ in 2 (S2). The drop penetration depth of q ₁ is detected by drop lump quantity detecting means such as a flow sensor. In addition, the drop amount q ₁ may be determined by any method as long as it does not exceed the set water level h _S.
As also described in the automatic bath apparatus 11 will be described later, obtains the bathtub sectional area below the water level h ₁ in the process prior to detecting the water level h _1, it dropped inclusive up to the set water level by using the cross-sectional area The amount is determined. After I dropped into hot water q ₁ detects the water level h ₂ after included drop (S3)

[0023] Thus when the water level h ₁ and h ₂ before and after the dropped the hot water q ₁ is detected, the average cross-sectional area between the water level h ₁ and the water level _{h 2 S 1 = q 1 /} (h 2 -h 1) is Since it is obtained, the quantity of hot water q ₂ = (h _S −h ₂ ) · S ₁ required to drop hot water to the set water level h _S can be calculated. This amount of hot water q ₂ is poured into bathtub 12
The included drop (S4), to detect the water level h ₃ after included drop (S5). The set water level h _S is set to a comfortable depth for bathing, and may be set to, for example, a height of 450 mm from the bottom of the bathtub with respect to the bottom of the bathtub 12, or the level of the bath adapter 15 may be adjusted. For example, a height of 350 mm from the bus adapter 15 may be set as a reference. Further, it represented as h _1, h _2, also based on the tub bottom, or bus adapter level of h ₃ etc. also set water level h _S according to one of the methods.

Then, it is determined whether the difference between the water level h ₃ and the water level h ₂ is greater than a predetermined value a or less than a (S).
6). If the water level difference (h ₃ -h ₂₎ is greater than a predetermined value a, as shown in FIG. 2 (a), as the cross-sectional area in the vicinity of the water level h _3, between the water level h ₂ and the water level h ₃ The average cross-sectional area S _2A = q ₂ / (h ₃ −h ₂ ) is determined (S 7). In this case, the water level difference (h ₃ -h ₂₎
Is not so small, and the error of the cross-sectional area S _2A due to the detection error of the water level h ₃ is small. Therefore, the error can be reduced by using the average cross-sectional area S _2A obtained by the equation as the cross-sectional area near the water level h _3. .

When the water level difference (h ₃ −h ₂ ) is equal to or smaller than the predetermined value a, the average sectional area S _2B = (q ₁ + q ₂ ) / (h) between the water level h ₁ and the water level h _{3. 3−} h ₁ )... (S8), and further, a constant k is added to this average cross-sectional area S _2B.
(>1; for example, k = 1.1), and S _2C = k × S _2B is obtained (S9). In this case, the water level difference (h ₃ -h ₂₎
Is smaller, the cross-sectional area S ₂ obtained by the equation has a larger error. However, the water level difference (h ₃ -h ₁₎ Since a sufficiently large value, the error of the cross-sectional area S _2B is small. However,
Although the cross-sectional area S _2B is the calculation error is small, so is the average cross-sectional area of the water level h ₁ and level h _3, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), away from the water level h ₃ than the cross-sectional area S _2A Represents the cross-sectional area of the location. However, an appropriate coefficient k for this cross-sectional area S _2B
, The cross-sectional area S _2C can represent the cross-sectional area near the water level h ₃ .

The values of the constants a and k can be experimentally determined so as to be optimum values.

After the cross-sectional area near the water level h ₃ is determined as S _2A or S _2C in this manner, although not shown in the flow chart of FIG.
If there level difference between the water level h ₃ and set water level h _S is more constant, it calculates the residual amount of water up to the set water level h _S with the cross-sectional area S _2A or S _2C, hot water obtained residual water content Drop into bathtub 12.

(Specific Embodiment) In the description of the above embodiment, the method of calculating the cross-sectional area in the bath tub near the set water level h _S has been mainly described. The automatic bath apparatus 11 will be described.

FIG. 3 is an overall configuration diagram showing the automatic bath apparatus 11, in which 12 is a bathtub, 13 is a reheating circuit, and 14 is a hot water supply circuit. The additional heating circuit 13 includes a forward path 16a connecting the pump 20 to the bus adapter 15 of the bathtub 12 via the bath heat exchanger 17, and a return path 16b from the bus adapter 15 to the pump 20. Is provided with a pressure sensor 19 and a water flow switch 18, and a thermistor 31 is provided in the middle of the return path 16b. The hot water supply circuit 14 includes a flow sensor 32, a thermistor 27, a hot water supply heat exchanger 21, a flow control valve 28, a thermistor 29,
Reheating circuit 1 via flow control valve 24, flow sensor 25, vacuum breaker 30, shut-off valve 22, and check valve 23
3 is connected. Reference numeral 26 denotes a branch hot water supply path that branches from a point in the hot water supply circuit 14 and reaches an appropriate hot water supply point. Also,
The control unit (not shown) of the automatic bath apparatus 11 includes a microcomputer, and performs various calculations, determinations, controls, storages, and the like.

The flow rate sensor 25 is connected to the reheating circuit 13.
The flow rate of the hot water supplied from the hot water supply circuit 14 into the bathtub 12 through the hot water supply circuit is detected, and the flow rate detection signal is sent to a control unit (not shown). To obtain the amount of water (integrated flow rate). Further, the pressure sensor 19 indirectly detects the water level in the bathtub 12 as a water pressure. FIG. 4 shows the relationship between the output P of the pressure sensor 19 and the water amount L. Output P of pressure sensor 19
Increases until the outbound path 16a is filled with hot water (the amount of hot water until the outbound path 16a is filled with hot water; L ₁ ), but after the outbound path 16a is filled with hot water, the water level reaches the bus adapter level thereafter ( The amount of water when the bus adapter level is reached; L ₂ ) shows a constant value P ₁ , and increases proportionally from the output P ₁ at the bus adapter level to the output P ₂ at the set water level. Incidentally, L ₃ is a volume of water when it reaches the set water level h _S.

Next, the filling operation at the time of setting the water level for the first time in the automatic bath apparatus 11 having the above configuration will be described in detail with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 5 and 6 and the explanatory diagram of FIG.

First, the operation switch is turned on (S4
1) When the automatic switch is turned on (S42),
The shut-off valve 22 is opened, and hot water having a water amount Q ₁ (for example, 10 liters) is dropped from the hot water supply circuit 14 into the bathtub 12 (S4).
3). Next, the closing valve 22 is closed, the pump 20 is operated, and the water flow switch 18 performs circulation determination for determining the presence or absence of residual water (S44). After the circulation determination, the pump 20 is stopped. The circulation is determined to be “ON” if there is hot water at or above the bath adapter level in the bathtub 12, and “OFF” if the hot water is at or below the bath adapter level. If the circulation determination is "ON" and it is determined that there is residual water, the water level at that time is stored as a temporary water level (S45),
The bath water is reheated to the set temperature (S46), and thereafter, the mode is switched to the heat retention / water replenishment mode to keep the bath water at the set temperature and the provisional water level (S47).

If the circulation determination (S44) is "OFF", the hot water of an amount Q ₂ (for example, 80 liters) is further dropped (S48), and the second circulation determination is performed (S4).
9). If the second circulation determination (S49) is “OFF”, the hot water of the hot water amount Q ₃ (for example, 40 liters) is dropped (S50), and the circulation determination is performed again (S49). In this way until the circulation judgment is "on", repeating the included drop of hot water Q ₃ (S49, S50). However, the total amount a certain amount of drop inclusive of hot water Q ₃ (e.g. 400 liters) by weight, preferably to abort the process determines that forgetting to fasten the drain plug.

[0034] and for the second time circulation determination (S49) is "on", hot water Q ₄ (for example, 10 L) narrowing down the hot water (S51), performs the circulation judgment (S52). If this circulation determination is "off", narrowing down the hot water of the hot water Q ₃ again (S50), returns to the circulation judgment of step 49 (S4
9). Thus, the circulation judgment of step 49 and step 52
When circulation determination is continuously "on", the water level is determined to have reached the above level of the bus adapter 15, and stores the water level (reference level) H ₀ at that time (S53). Then
Drop the amount of hot water Q ₅ (for example, 40 liters) (S
54) The circulation is determined, and the pump 20 is operated for a predetermined time to perform air purging (S55). If the circulation judgment is off, judged to be "on" the determination mistake of the previous circulation judgment (S49, S52), after which he dropped into the hot water of the hot water Q _3, start from the circulation judgment of step 49 again.

On the other hand, the circulation determination (S55) is equal on, stores the water level H ₁ at that time (S56). Then
From the water level difference (H ₁ −H ₀ ) before and after the drop of the hot water quantity Q ₅ , an average sectional area S ₀ = Q ₅ / (H ₁ −H ₀ ) between both water levels is calculated (S 57). The total amount of hot water that is dropped into the bathtub 12 by this time is Qtot (e.g., if dropped inclusive number of hot water Q ₃ was n times, and _{Qtot = Q 1 + Q 2 +} Q 3 × n + Q 4 + Q 5 ), The depth of the water level H ₁ is h ₁ = Qtot / S ₀ with reference to the bottom of the bathtub. Therefore, if this h ₁ is calculated (S 58), the water level H ₁
The water level based on the bottom of the bathtub can be determined. In the following, the water level based on the bottom of the bathtub is indicated by a symbol with a subscript h (the standards for the water levels H ₀ and H ₁ can be arbitrarily determined).

Next, the amount of hot water q ₁ = (h _S −h ₁ ) · S ₀ required to raise the water level from the water level h ₁ to the set water level h _S is calculated (S59), and the hot water of the hot water amount q ₁ is calculated. tub 12 included drop (S60), detects the water level h ₂ after included drop (S61). Then, a mean cross-sectional area _{S 1 = q 1 / (h} 2 -h 1) between the water level h ₁ and water level h ₂ (S62).

Since the water level h ₂ into which the hot water has been dropped as described above is lower than the set water level h _S because the bathtub 12 is normally spread upward, the water level difference from the set water level h _S is reduced. Until is less than or equal to a certain value, the following water level correction flow is executed (S63 to S72). However, in this water level correction flow, the water level difference before and after the hot water is dropped may be small. Therefore, the method for calculating the sectional area in the bathtub of the present invention is used. That is, the amount of hot water q ₂ = (h _S −h ₂ ) · S ₁ up to the set water level h _S is calculated using the cross-sectional area S _{1 in the} bathtub ( _S 63, S 64), and the calculated amount of hot water q ₂ is reduced ( S65), and detects the water level h ₃ (S66).

Next, the water level difference (h ₃ −h ₂ ) before and after the drop of the hot water quantity q ₂ is compared with a predetermined value a (S 67). If (h ₃ −h ₂ )> a, S ₂ = _{q 2 / (h 3 -h 2} ) obtaining a bathtub sectional area S ₂ by (S68). If (h ₃ −h ₂ ) ≦ a, the cross-sectional area S2 in the bathtub is determined by S ₂ = k × S _k = k (q ₁ + q ₂ ) / (h ₃ −h ₁ ) (S69, S7
0).

[0039] After this, the water level difference between the water level h ₃ at this time is set water level h _S a (h _S -h ₃₎ is compared with a predetermined value b (S71), it becomes (h _S -h ₃₎ ≦ b If so, the water level correction flow is finished, the hot water in the bathtub 12 is reheated to the set temperature (S73), and the mode is kept warm and refilled (S74).

On the other hand, the water level difference (h _S -h ₃₎ and is compared with the predetermined value b (h _S -h _3)> if b, again the water level correction flow (S72, S64~S7
1) is executed, and the water level is made to approach the set water level.

As described above, the total amount of hot water dropped to the set water level h _S during the first operation is determined by the automatic bath device 11.
In the second and subsequent operations, the filling operation is performed according to the procedure shown in the flowchart of FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of this.

[0042] Turn on the operation switch (S81), further to an automatic switch on (S82) after whether the water level is below the reference water level h _0, it determines the pressure sensor 19 (S83). If the water level is amount of hot to the top of the reference water level h ₀ bus adapter level above the determines if further or water level rehydration level less (S84). If the result of this determination is equal to or lower than the rehydration water level, the remaining amount up to the set water level h _S is calculated based on the data at the time of the first operation (S92), and the obtained remaining amount of hot water is dropped into the bathtub 12. (S93), additional heating is performed to the set temperature (S94), and the mode is set to the heat retention / water replenishment mode (S95). Alternatively, if the result of the determination in step 84 is higher than the rehydration water level, reheating is immediately performed to the set temperature (S94), and the mode of the heat retention / rehydration mode is set (S95).

If the residual water is equal to or lower than the reference water level h ₀ ,
Drop the amount of hot water Q ₁₁ (for example, 10 liters) (S
85), a circulation determination is made (S86). When the circulation determination is ON, a relatively small amount of hot water Q ₁₂ (for example, 10
Liters) of hot water (S87), and the circulation is determined again (S88). Circulation determination of the second time is when off, narrowing down the hot water hot water Q ₁₂ again (S87), performs a circulating determination (S88). Thus the circulation determination (S88) is turned on, calculates the remaining amount up to the set water level h _S (S9
2) After the obtained remaining amount of hot water is dropped into the bathtub 12 (S
93), reheating is performed to the set temperature (S94), and the mode is kept in the heat retention / water replenishment mode (S95).

On the other hand, if the circulation determination in step 86 is OFF, a relatively large amount of hot water Q ₁₃ (for example, 90 liters) is dropped (S89), and the circulation determination (S90) is performed. If the circulation determination is off, until circulating determines is turned on, repeating the hot water hot water Q ₁₄ (e.g. 40 liters) dropped (S91, S90). When the circulation determination in step 90 is turned on, the remaining amount up to the set water level h _S is calculated based on the data at the time of the first operation (S
92) Then, after the determined remaining amount of hot water is dropped into the bathtub 12 (S93), the water is reheated to the set temperature (S94), and the mode becomes the heat retention / water replenishment mode (S95).

[0045] In the above-described automatic bath apparatus has been described for the case where tensioning the hot water from the bath bottom tub bottom as a reference to the set water level h _S, tension the water up to the set water level constant height bus adapter level as a reference This can be easily achieved by partially modifying the flow of the above embodiment.

[0046]

According to the present invention, when the bathtub cross-sectional area is obtained from the water level difference when the hot water is dropped, even if there is a reading error in the water level or the water surface is vibrating, the bathtub near the water surface is used. The internal cross-sectional area can be determined accurately. Therefore, in the automatic bath apparatus, hot water can be accurately filled to the target water level. Even if the amount of hot water is calculated based on the cross-sectional area in the bathtub, there is no possibility that the hot water overflows from the bathtub.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a method for obtaining a sectional area in a bathtub according to the present invention.

FIGS. 2A and 2B are explanatory diagrams of the above.

FIG. 3 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an automatic bath apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the relationship between the output of a pressure sensor and the amount of water.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of the first hot water supply operation (at the time of setting the water level) in the automatic bath apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing a procedure of a process following the process of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure at the time of the second or subsequent hot water supply operation in the above automatic bath apparatus.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of the above.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing procedure of a method for obtaining a sectional area in a bathtub in a conventional example.

FIG. 11 is an explanatory diagram of the above.

[Explanation of symbols]

 12 bathtub 13 additional heating circuit 14 hot water supply circuit 19 pressure sensor 25 flow rate sensor

Continuation of front page (56) References JP-A-2-267456 (JP, A) JP-A-2-267460 (JP, A) JP-A-2-267459 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int .Cl. ⁶ , DB name) F24H 1/00 602 F24H 1/00 604

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] A means for detecting a water level in the bath tub; and a means for detecting an amount of water dropped into the bath tub, wherein the amount of water dropped into the bath tub and the amount of rise in the water level at that time are determined. a method for obtaining the cross-sectional area, plunge water into the bath, to detect the water level difference before and after the dropped water bath at that time, when the water level difference is above a certain value, inclusive down of the water Determine the cross-sectional area in the bathtub from the amount and the water level difference before and after the drop, drop the water into the bathtub, detect the water level difference before and after dropping the water into the bathtub at that time , the water level difference is less than a certain value If the drop of the drop lump weight and the sum of the drop inclusive amount in the inclusive drop of drop included pre-performed the previous water, and the water level and said previous water after inclusive down of the water of the water Calculating the cross-sectional area inside the bathtub from the water level difference from the water level before the immersion. Quadrature method of cross-sectional area. 2. Dropping water into a bathtub, detecting a difference in water level before and after dropping water into the bathtub, and when the difference in water level is equal to or less than a predetermined value, dropping the water. the sum of the drop inclusive amount in quantity and dropped inclusive previous water was subjected to drop included before the water, and the water
Of seeking their ratio from water difference of the water level after dropped inclusive and dropped inclusive prior to the water level of the destination of water, characterized in that a bath in the cross-sectional area of those constant multiple of this ratio, claim 2. The method for determining the cross-sectional area in a bathtub according to 1. 3. A fixed amount of water is dropped into a bathtub after detecting a reference water level located at a height equal to or higher than a bus adapter, and a water level difference between the first water level and the reference water level after the drop is detected. A cross-sectional area in the first bathtub is obtained from a drop amount and a water level difference between the reference water level and the first water level, and a water level difference between the first water level and a target water level and the first bathtub internal cutoff are obtained. An amount of water equivalent to the product of the area is further dropped into the bathtub, a water level difference between the second water level after the second drop and the first water level is detected, and the second drop amount and From the water level difference between the first water level and the second water level, a cross-sectional area in the second bathtub is determined, and the water level difference between the second water level and the target water level and the cross-sectional area in the second bathtub Is further dropped into the bathtub, and the third water level after the third drop is The water level difference between the second water level and the second water level is detected, and it is determined whether the water level difference is equal to or more than a certain value. The water level difference between the second water level and the third water level is determined to be more than a certain value. In this case, a third bathtub cross-sectional area is obtained from the third drop amount and the difference between the second water level and the third water level, and the difference between the second water level and the third water level is calculated. If it is determined that the water level difference is equal to or less than a predetermined value, the third bath tub interruption is performed based on the second and third total drop amounts and the water level difference between the first water level and the third water level. Determining an area, and further dropping water into the bathtub in an amount corresponding to a difference between a water level difference between the third water level and a target water level and a cross-sectional area in the third bathtub. Tension control method. 4. After detecting a reference water level located at a height equal to or higher than the bus adapter, a fixed amount of water is dropped into the bathtub, and a water level difference between the first water level and the reference water level after the drop is detected. A cross-sectional area in the first bathtub is obtained from a drop amount and a water level difference between the reference water level and the first water level, and a water level difference between the first water level and a target water level and the first bathtub internal cutoff are obtained. An amount of water equivalent to the product of the area is further dropped into the bathtub, a water level difference between the second water level after the second drop and the first water level is detected, and the second drop amount and From the water level difference between the first water level and the second water level, a cross-sectional area in the second bathtub is obtained, and the water level difference between the second water level and a target water level and the cross-sectional area in the second bathtub Is further dropped into the bathtub in an amount of water equivalent to the product of the third water level after the third drop. The water level difference between the second water level and the second water level is detected, and it is determined whether the water level difference is equal to or more than a certain value. It is determined that the water level difference between the second water level and the third water level is more than a certain value. In this case, a third bathtub cross-sectional area is determined from a ratio between the third drop and the water level difference between the second and third water levels, and the ratio of the second water level and the third water level is calculated. When it is determined that the water level difference is equal to or less than a certain value, the ratio between the second and third total drops and the water level difference between the first water level and the third water level is multiplied by a constant, Determining a cross-sectional area in the third bathtub, and further dropping water into a bathtub with a water level difference between the third water level and a target water level and an amount of water corresponding to the product of the cross-sectional area in the third bathtub. Hot water filling control method for automatic bath equipment.