JP3016842B2 - Bathtub cleaning method and apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Description: TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning method for automatically cleaning a bathtub and an apparatus therefor.

[Conventional technology]

As a method of automatically cleaning the bathtub, Japanese Utility Model Laid-Open No. 63-7186
No. 9 is known. In this method, a cleaning nozzle that sprays a cleaning liquid containing detergent in the lid of the bathtub and a water injection nozzle that sprays clean water such as tap water are provided.When cleaning the bathtub, the cleaning liquid is washed from the detergent tank by a pump. Supply it to the nozzle, spray it into the bathtub to remove dirt,
Thereafter, clean water is supplied from a water supply source to a water injection nozzle to be sprayed into the bathtub, so that the dirt component of the bathtub and the cleaning liquid which have been dropped by the cleaning liquid are washed away and discharged from the drain hole.

[Problems to be solved by the invention]

However, in this conventional cleaning method, since the cleaning liquid is jetted at a normal temperature, the chemical cleaning ability of the cleaning liquid is inferior,
There was a problem that the inner wall surface of the bathtub could not be efficiently cleaned. Further, since the cleaning liquid injected from the cleaning nozzle is not used repeatedly and flows out from the drain hole together with the water to be injected next, there is no waste in using the detergent.

The present inventors have repeated trial production research and obtained a prototype device that solves these problems. It connects the return pipe to the bottom of the bathtub, connects the suction side of the pump to the tip side of this return pipe, connects the outgoing pipe to the discharge side of the pump, and connects the tip side of the outgoing pipe to the cleaning nozzle. A circulating conduit is formed by communication, a heating source is incorporated into the circulating conduit, the cleaning liquid jetted from the cleaning nozzle is collected from the return pipe, and the collected cleaning liquid is guided to the cleaning nozzle by driving a pump. The cleaning liquid heated and heated as it passes is circulated and sprayed on the inner surface of the bathtub,
It removes dirt on the inner wall surface of the bathtub by the chemical cleaning power of the cleaning liquid and the jet collision force.

However, this cleaning method has a problem that if the amount of the circulating cleaning liquid is too small, air is sucked into the pump from the bottom of the bathtub through the return pipe when the pump is started, and the pump does not operate smoothly. When a large amount of cleaning liquid is put into the bathtub, the cleaning liquid that thickly covers the bottom of the bathtub weakens the jet collision force of the cleaning liquid that is jetted from the cleaning nozzle,
The present inventors have encountered a problem that the inner wall surface of the bathtub in the portion filled with the cleaning liquid cannot be effectively cleaned. As a result of further research and development, in order to solve this problem, a washing tank (buffer) was installed at the bottom of the bottom of the bathtub,
It has been found that it is sufficient to store a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid in this cleaning tank to allow the pump to operate normally, and to operate the pump. As described above, if the washing tank is provided at the lower portion of the bottom of the bathtub, the pump operation is performed smoothly, and the washing liquid ejected from the washing nozzle can be repeatedly circulated and ejected. The jet collision force sufficiently acts on the bottom surface of the bathtub, and the inner wall surface of the bathtub can be thoroughly cleaned over the entire area.

However, if a washing tank is provided below the bottom of the bathtub, a new problem arises in that the configuration of the apparatus becomes complicated and large-scale, and the workability of piping construction becomes extremely poor.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems, and an object of the present invention is to make it possible to smoothly perform a pump operation for circulating a cleaning liquid without providing a cleaning tank at a lower bottom portion of a bathtub. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub cleaning method and a bathtub cleaning method capable of fully cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub by fully utilizing the chemical cleaning power and the jet collision force of the cleaning liquid.

[Means for solving the problem]

The present invention is configured as described below to achieve the above object. That is, the bathtub cleaning method of the present invention comprises the first
In addition, a return pipe is connected to the bottom of the bathtub, and a circulation pipe is formed from the bottom of the bathtub to the washing nozzle through the return pipe and the pump in order.When starting the washing, first, for example, By performing the operation of introducing the detergent by the detergent introduction means and the operation of supplying a predetermined amount of water to the introduction portion of the detergent, a cleaning liquid in which the detergent and water are mixed is automatically produced, and the cleaning liquid is normally pumped. Store enough water in the bottom of the bathtub or in the return pipe to operate, then activate the pump,
While the cleaning liquid is circulated through the circulation line, the heated cleaning liquid is circulated and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub while controlling the heating to a certain temperature while the cleaning liquid is being circulated. The cleaning method of the present invention is characterized in that dirt on the inner surface of the bathtub is removed, and then water containing no detergent is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle onto the inner surface of the bathtub to wash off the cleaning liquid. After washing the bathtub as described above, the bathtub is filled with water or hot water, and then the water or hot water in the bathtub is forcibly circulated through the circulation pipe to heat the circulating hot water and perform reheating. It is configured as a feature.

Further, the cleaning device of the present invention first has a cleaning nozzle arranged toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and a return pipe connected to the bottom surface of the bathtub. A circulation pipe leading to the nozzle, a heater for heating the circulation cleaning liquid, a detergent charging means for charging the cleaning liquid into the circulation path including the bathtub, and a water supply unit for supplying clean water containing no detergent to the circulation path. A temperature sensor for detecting the temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid, a water amount detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to the circulation path, a drainage means for draining water in the bathtub, and a water amount detection. The amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to be mixed with the detergent based on the detection signal of the means is determined, and the detergent supplied by the detergent input means is mixed with the water of the supplied amount to produce a cleaning liquid sufficient to normally operate the pump, Previous Controlling the temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid by controlling the heater based on the temperature detection signal, and controlling the operation of the pump, the water supply unit, and the drainage unit in accordance with a predetermined cleaning operation program to control the cleaning operation. The outlet side of the outgoing pipe of the cleaning liquid circulation pipe is connected to the cleaning nozzle via an open / close control valve and the reheating line is connected to the wall surface of the bathtub. And a return pipe, a circulation path for the cleaning liquid and a circulation path for the reheating water which share the pump and the heater are formed,
The heater is configured to serve both the heating of the cleaning liquid and the heating of the hot water, and at least the inlet side of the return pipe of the cleaning device that communicates with the bathtub stores the cleaning liquid sufficient to operate the pump normally. When the water filling or hot water filling is performed after the bath tub cleaning, the return pipe, the outgoing pipe, and the cleaning nozzle leading to the bath tub are all opened by controlling the opening of the valve to form the large-diameter portion or the water filling or hot water filling. Is also a characteristic configuration of the present invention.

[Action]

In the present invention, the cleaning is performed by storing a sufficient amount of cleaning liquid for normally operating the pump on the bottom of the bathtub or in the return pipe. In this operation, first, a required amount of detergent is introduced into the circulation path of the cleaning liquid from the detergent introduction means, water is supplied from the water supply section to the circulation path, the detergent and water are mixed to form a cleaning liquid, and this is placed on the bottom of the bathtub. Or store in the return pipe.
The control device grasps the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit by the detection signal of the water amount detection means, and controls the water supply unit when the cleaning liquid accumulated on the bottom of the bathtub or the return pipe becomes sufficient to normally operate the pump. To stop water supply.

Next, the pump is activated, and the cleaning liquid stored in the bottom of the bathtub or the return pipe is guided to the cleaning nozzle through the circulation pipe by driving the pump. At this time, the cleaning liquid is heated by a heater when passing through the circulation pipe, and is heated (heated) to a temperature suitable for exerting the chemical cleaning ability, and the heated cleaning liquid is supplied from the cleaning nozzle into the bathtub. The water is circulated and sprayed toward the wall surface, and the dirt on the inner wall surface of the bathtub is effectively removed by the chemical cleaning power and the spray collision power.

Next, clean water containing no detergent is guided from the water supply section to the washing nozzle, and this water is jetted from the washing nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub. By this spraying, the cleaning liquid adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub and the dirt component dropped by the cleaning liquid are washed away and discharged by the drainage means, and the automatic cleaning of the bathtub is completed to prepare for the next filling with water or hot water.

In a configuration in which reheating is performed continuously from bathtub cleaning, water filling or hot water filling is automatically performed after the bath tub washing is completed, and when this water filling or hot water filling is completed, the pump is started. The water or hot water in the bathtub is circulated through the return line of the cleaning liquid circulation line and the circulation line on the heating side, which shares a pump and a heater. Fire is performed.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a system configuration of a first embodiment of a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the present invention.

In the figure, a drain pipe 2 is connected to the bottom of a bathtub 1, and a drain valve 3 such as an electromagnetic valve is provided in the drain pipe 2. The drain pipe 2 and the drain valve 3 constitute drain means. are doing. The cleaning nozzle 4 is provided on the lid 9 of the bathtub 1 with the injection port facing the inside of the bathtub. The outlet side of the outgoing pipe 5 is connected to the washing nozzle 4, and the inlet side of the outgoing pipe 5 is pumped through a gas combustion type heat exchanger 20 functioning as a heater.
It is connected to 12 discharge sides.

An inlet side of the return pipe 10 is connected to the bottom side of the bathtub 1, and an outlet side of the return pipe 10 is connected to a suction side of the pump 12. Further, a water flow sensor 13 for detecting the flow of the liquid and a temperature sensor 14 for detecting the temperature of the fluid are provided in the conduit of the return pipe 10. Further, a detergent supply pipe 15 is connected to the return pipe 10, and this detergent supply pipe 15 is connected to a detergent tank 17 via a detergent opening / closing valve 16 formed of an electromagnetic valve or the like. The detergent supply pipe 15, the detergent opening / closing valve 16, and the detergent tank 17 constitute a detergent charging means, and the detergent tank 17 contains a liquid detergent. The pipe from the return pipe 10 to the washing nozzle 4 through the outgoing pipe 5 in which the heat exchanger 20 is incorporated through the pump 12 constitutes a circulation pipe of the cleaning liquid. The closing path forms a circulation path of the cleaning liquid.

One end of a water supply pipe 22 is connected to a portion of a pipe 18 extending from the discharge side of the pump 12 to the inlet of the heat exchanger 20, and the other end of the water supply pipe 22 is connected to a water supply opening / closing valve 21 such as an electromagnetic valve. Is connected to a water supply source such as a tap. The water supply pipe 22 and the water supply on-off valve 21 constitute a water supply part.

Pipe line opening / closing (valve opening / closing) control of the drain valve 3, detergent opening / closing valve 16, and water supply opening / closing valve 21, operation control of the pump 12, and combustion control of the heat exchanger 20 (burner combustion control) are controlled. Device 23
It is done by. A remote controller 24 is connected to the controller 23, and the remote controller 24 is provided with a cleaning button 25 for performing a cleaning operation.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control device 23 includes a signal input unit 28.
, A determination / instruction unit 29, a timer 30 functioning as a water amount detection unit, a calculation unit 31, and a memory 32. The signal input unit 28 receives a signal from the remote controller 24, a water flow detection signal from the water flow sensor 13, and a temperature detection signal from the temperature sensor 14, and adds these signals to the determination / command unit 29. The determination / instruction unit 29 receives the signal from the signal input unit 28 and the information of the program provided to the memory 32, grasps the progress of the bath tub cleaning operation program, and, if necessary,
The timer 30 is instructed to operate the timer, and the arithmetic unit 31 is instructed to calculate the amount of cleaning liquid stored on the bottom of the bathtub 1 at the start of cleaning, that is, the minimum amount of water required for normal operation of the pump. And outputs an opening / closing control signal (ON / OFF signal) to various valves 3, 16 and 21 as appropriate.
Operation of 12 and control of burner combustion of the heat exchanger 20 are performed.
As described above, the memory 32 incorporates the program for the bathtub cleaning operation, and stores the calculation result of the calculation unit 31 as necessary.

The first embodiment is configured as described above. Hereinafter, an example of the bathtub cleaning operation will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. First, when the cleaning button 25 of the remote controller 24 is turned on, this ON signal is transmitted to the signal input section of the controller 23.
The drain valve 3 is opened by a control signal from the control device 23 (judgment / instruction unit 29) through the control unit 23 (judgement / instruction unit 29). Drain. Then, it is determined in step 102 whether or not the drainage of the hot water is completed.

That is, the control device 23 determines in step 101 that the drain valve 3
After sending the open signal to the timer, it is determined by a timer whether or not the time T required for the hot water in the bathtub 1 to completely flow out has elapsed.
Perform using 30. The drain valve 3 is kept open as long as the T time has not elapsed.
It is determined that the hot and cold water has been completely drained, and step 103
Close drain valve 3 with. Then, opening the detergent-off valve 16 at step 104, at the same time, it is judged whether or not ₁ h predetermined T has elapsed in step 105. That is, the control device
23 was added to the open signal to the detergent-off valve 16, counts the time by using the timer 30, while the time T ₁ has not elapsed leave open the detergent-off valve 16, time T ₁ has passed When a predetermined amount (for example, 20 cc) of the detergent is determined to have been supplied from the detergent tank 17 to the pipe 18 through the detergent supply pipe 15,
The detergent on-off valve 16 is closed.

Next, the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened. Then, the water pipe 22
Water such as tap water is mainly supplied from the pipe 18 through the return pipe 10 to the bottom of the bathtub together with the detergent. Step 108
Then, it is determined whether or not a necessary minimum amount of the cleaning liquid in which the detergent and the water are mixed is stored on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 so that the pump 12 can normally operate. Specifically, the amount of water for producing the minimum necessary washing liquid (mixing with the detergent) is given in advance to the judgment / instruction unit 29 of the control device 23 and the like.
When the ON signal is applied to the water supply on-off valve 16 in step 107, the command unit 29 instructs the timer 30 functioning as the water amount detecting means to perform a timer operation and counts the timer signal as the water amount detection signal. Then, when the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened, T ₂
When the time has elapsed, the bathtub 1
It is determined that the minimum necessary amount of cleaning liquid for normally operating the pump 12 has accumulated on the bottom surface of the pump.
Close 1. If the amount of the cleaning liquid is too small, the air in the bathtub 1 is sucked from the return pipe 10 when the pump 12 is started, which impairs the smooth operation of the pump. When the amount of the cleaning liquid stored on the bottom of the bathtub 1 is too large,
When the cleaning liquid is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 onto the inner wall of the bathtub,
The collision force of the cleaning liquid sprayed on the bottom surface of the bathtub is weakened by the cleaning liquid thickly accumulated on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1, causing a problem that dirt on the bottom surface of the bathtub becomes difficult to remove. In contrast, not disturb the pump operation by supplying washing water the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened only T ₂ hours as in this embodiment, and little impact force of the cleaning liquid injected into the bath bottom The minimum necessary amount of washing liquid which is not weakened is secured.

After the T ₂ hours have elapsed, the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed,
In step 110, the pump 12 is started. This pump 1
By the activation of 2, the cleaning liquid accumulated on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 is sucked into the pump 12 through the return pipe 10, and the suctioned cleaning liquid passes through the pipe 18 from the discharge side of the pump 12 to the heat exchanger 20. Where the cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature suitable for exerting a chemical cleaning ability, in this embodiment 50 to 60 ° C., and the heated cleaning liquid of hot water passes through the forward pipe 5,
It is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 into the bathtub.

The jetted cleaning liquid flows down to the bottom of the bathtub 1, and the cleaning liquid flowing down to the bottom is again sucked into the pump 12 from the return pipe 10, similarly passes through the heat exchanger 20, passes through the forward pipe 5, and then flows through the cleaning nozzle 5. 4 squirts into the bathtub. In this way, the circulation jet of the cleaning liquid is repeatedly performed through the circulation pipeline. During this circulation injection, the temperature control of the cleaning liquid is performed in steps 111 to 114.

That is, based on the temperature detection signal obtained from the temperature sensor 14, the controller 23 sets the temperature of the cleaning liquid to T ₃ ° C. (for example, 60 ° C.).
C) is determined in step 111. When the temperature of the cleaning liquid is equal to or lower than T ₃ ° C, the gas burner of the heat exchanger 20 is burned in step 112 to heat the cleaning liquid. Then, in step 113, it is determined again whether or not the temperature of the cleaning liquid is equal to or higher than T ₃ ° C. When the temperature is lower than T ₃ ° C, the heat exchanger 20 is used.
The combustion of the burner is continued and heated, and when the temperature of the cleaning liquid becomes equal to or higher than T ₃ ° C, the burner combustion of the heat exchanger 20 is stopped.

Next, in step 115, the pump 12 performs a determination whether or not elapsed T ₄ hours after being started in step 110. When not elapsed of T ₄ hours repeats the operation from step 111 114 continues to control the temperature of the washing liquid circulating injection to a temperature of T _3. Step 11 when time has passed T ₄ hours
The pump 12 is stopped at 6, and then the drain valve 3 is opened at step 117, and the cleaning liquid containing the dirt component accumulated on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 is discharged from the drain pipe 2.

Next, at step 118, the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened. As a result, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 enters the bathtub 1 from the bottom side while washing the conduit through the return pipe 10, and the cleaning liquid and the dirt component adhering to the bottom of the bathtub 1 are removed from the drain pipe 2. Discharge. On the other hand, water (or hot water) supplied from the water supply pipe 22 to the cleaning nozzle 4 side through the forward pipe 5 is jetted from the cleaning nozzle 4 toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub while washing the pipeline, and adheres to the inner wall surface of the bathtub. The washing solution and the dirt components dropped by the washing solution are washed away and discharged from the drain pipe 2.
In step 119, after the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened, a predetermined T
_It is determined whether ₅ hours have elapsed. When T ₅ hours have elapsed, the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed in step 120, and then the drain valve 3 is closed in step 121, and the automatic cleaning of the bathtub 1 is completed. I do.

In this embodiment, the minimum required amount of cleaning liquid for operating the pump normally is stored on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1. The required minimum cleaning liquid amount is as small as, for example, about 5 l. However, the depth of the cleaning liquid from the bottom is very shallow, and when the cleaning liquid is jetted from the cleaning nozzle, a strong jet collision force acts on the bottom of the bathtub, and the cleaning power on the bottom is weakened by storing the cleaning liquid on the bottom of the bathtub. It is possible to clean not only the inner surface of the side wall of the bathtub 1 but also the bottom surface without dirt.

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the operation from washing of the bathtub to reheating is performed automatically. In this embodiment, the outlet side of the forward pipe 5 is branched into a pipe 5a and a pipe 5b, and one of the pipes 5a is connected to the cleaning nozzle 4 via a nozzle opening / closing valve 6a such as an electromagnetic valve. Similarly, the side pipe line 5b is connected to the side wall of the bathtub 1 through an on-off valve 6b after a solenoid valve or the like. The return pipe 10 is provided with a return pipe opening / closing valve 11 such as an electromagnetic valve. Further, the water supply pipe 22 has a flow rate sensor 19 for detecting the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 22.
Is provided. The flow rate sensor 19 functions as a water amount detecting means, detects a flow rate of water flowing through the water supply pipe 22, and applies a detection signal to the control device 23 as shown by a chain line in FIG. A remote control 24 connected to the control device 23 has a fully automatic button 25a for automatically performing operations from cleaning to reheating, a reheating water temperature setting unit 26 for setting a reheating temperature, and a water filling amount. Water filling water setting section 27
Are provided.

The control device 23 includes a signal input unit 28 as in the first embodiment.
And a determination / instruction unit 29, a timer 30, a calculation unit 31, and a memory 32. The memory 32 stores a program for continuously performing operations from washing to reheating. The determination / instruction unit 29 receives a signal from the remote controller 24 and a signal from each of the sensors 13, 14, and 19, and according to a program stored in the memory 32, opens and closes various valves, operates the pump, and operates the heat exchanger 20. And burner combustion control to control the operation of fully automatic operation.

Next, an example of the fully automatic operation from washing to reheating will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. First, the reheating water temperature is set by the reheating water temperature setting unit 26, the water filling amount is set by the water filling water setting unit 27, and then the fully automatic button 25a of the remote control 24 is turned on.
Is applied to the judgment / instruction unit 29 via the signal input unit. The judgment / instruction unit 29 opens the drain valve 3 in response to the instruction of the fully automatic operation mode, and drains the dirty bath water in the bathtub 1 when it is filled in step 201. At the same time, step 202
The on / off valves 6a and 6b and the return pipe on / off valve 11 are opened by a control signal from the judgment / instruction unit 29, and the detergent tank 17 is provided in the circulation line.
The inside of the circulation line is released to the atmospheric pressure in order to make it easy for the detergent to enter. Then, it is determined in step 203 whether or not the drainage of the hot water is completed. This operation is performed in the same manner as the operation of step 102 in the flowchart of FIG. 3, and the drain valve 3 is closed when it is determined that the drainage has been completed after the elapse of the time T since the drain valve 3 was opened. And step 205
In opening the detergent-off valve 16, it is judged whether or not a predetermined time T ₁ has elapsed since opening the detergent-off valve 16 at step 206. This operation is also performed in the same manner as in step 105 of FIG.
_{When one} hour has elapsed, it is determined that a predetermined amount (for example, 20 cc) of detergent has been supplied from the detergent tank 17 to the conduit 18 through the detergent supply pipe, and the detergent on-off valve 16 is closed.

Next, both the on-off valves 6a and 6b are closed, and the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened. Then, water such as tap water flows through pipe 18
From the tub through the return pipe 10 together with the detergent. In step 210, it is determined whether or not the amount of the cleaning liquid stored on the bottom surface of the bath tub has reached a minimum amount necessary for normally operating the pump. That is, the determination / instruction unit 29 receives a flow rate detection signal (water amount detection signal) from the flow rate sensor 19 functioning as a water amount detection unit, and causes the calculation unit 31 to cumulatively calculate the supplied water amount every moment. While the calculated water volume does not reach the predetermined X ₁ l, the water supply on-off valve 21 is kept open, and when the calculated water volume X ₁ l is reached, the minimum necessary cleaning liquid necessary for pump operation is maintained. Is determined to be stored on the bottom of the bathtub, and the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed.

After the water of the X ₁ l is supplied, the nozzle on-off valve 6a with the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed is opened. Then, in step 213, the pump 12 is started. This pump 12
The cleaning liquid accumulated at the bottom of the bathtub 1 is sucked into the pump 12 through the return pipe 10 by the start of the bath, and the sucked cleaning liquid is reheated through the pipe 18 from the discharge side of the pump 12 through the pipe 18. The cleaning liquid is heated to a temperature suitable for exerting the chemical cleaning ability, and the heated cleaning liquid of the hot water passes through the outward pipe 5a on the side of the nozzle opening / closing valve 6a from the cleaning nozzle 4 to the bathtub. It is circulated and injected.

Then, during this circulating injection, the temperature control of the cleaning liquid is performed in steps 214 to 217. This operation is performed by the third
The operations are performed in the same manner as the operations of steps 111 to 114 in the flowchart of FIG.

Next, at step 218, after pump 12 is started, T ₃
It is determined whether or not time has elapsed. When not elapsed T ₃ hours repeats the operation from step 214 217 continues to control the temperature of the washing liquid circulating injection to a temperature of T _2. Pump 1 in step 219 when time has elapsed T ₃ hours
2 is stopped, and at the same time, the nozzle opening / closing valve 6a is closed and the drain valve 3 is opened. Subsequently, at step 220, the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened. As a result, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 enters the bathtub 1 from the bottom side while washing the conduit through the return pipe 10, and discharges the cleaning liquid and the dirt component accumulated at the bottom of the bathtub 1 from the drain pipe 2. . At this time, in step 221, the determination as to whether or not the amount of water supplied to the bathtub has reached a predetermined value X ₂ l is performed in the same manner as the operation in step 210. Water supply water supply on-off valve 21 is closed in step 222 when it is X ₂ l, then return pipe on-off valve 11 in step 223 is closed.

Next, in steps 224 and 225, the nozzle on-off valve 6a and the water supply on-off valve 21 are opened. Then, the water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 passes through the heat exchanger 20 which is also used for reheating, and the nozzle opening / closing valve
The water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 4 toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub through the forward pipe 5a on the 6a side. By this spraying, the cleaning liquid adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub and the dirt component floating from the inner wall surface of the bathtub are washed away and discharged from the drain pipe 2.

This continues nozzle closing valve 6a the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed when the injection amount reaches a predetermined X ₃ l is determined in the step 226 of water from the washing nozzle 4 (or hot water) is closed. Then, in step 229, the drain valve 3 is closed, the washing of the bathtub 1 is completed, and then the operation shifts to a water filling operation.

In this water filling operation, first, in step 230, the on-off valve 6a,
6b, the return pipe on-off valve 11 is opened. That is, all of the return pipe 10 and the forward pipe leading to the bathtub 1 side of the circulation pipe are opened. Then, in step 231, the water supply on-off valve 21 is opened, and the water supplied from the water supply pipe 22 is supplied into the bathtub 1 from the return pipe, the washing nozzle 4, and the forward pipe 5b on the reheating side. In step 232, it is determined whether or not the supplied water amount has reached the water amount set by the water filling amount setting section 27 of the remote controller 24. When the supplied water amount reaches the set water amount on the remote controller, the water supply on-off valve 21 is closed in step 233 to complete the water filling. Then, the process proceeds to the next reheating operation.

In this reheating operation, first, in step 234, the nozzle on-off valve 6a is closed. Then, in step 235, the pump 12 is started, and the water in the bathtub 1 is circulated through the circulation pipe.
In step 236, the burner combustion of the heat exchanger 20 also used for reheating is started. Then, in step 237, the judgment
The command unit 29 compares the detected temperature added from the temperature sensor 14 with the reheating temperature set by the reheating water temperature setting unit 26 of the remote controller 24, and determines whether the detected temperature has reached the reheating temperature. I do. While the detected temperature is lower than the reheating setting temperature, the reheating combustion is continuously performed, and when the detected temperature reaches the reheating setting temperature, the burner combustion of the reheating and heat exchanger 20 is stopped in step 238, Subsequently, at step 239, the pump 12 is stopped. And step 240
Then, the reheating operation is completed by closing the reheating valve 6b and closing the return pipe on / off valve 11.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various embodiments can be adopted. For example, in the first embodiment, the water amount detecting means is constituted by the timer 30, and in the second embodiment, the water amount detecting means is constituted by the flow rate sensor 19. For example, the water amount detecting means is indicated by a chain line in FIG. Pressure sensor 33 is connected to the bottom side of the bathtub 1 as shown in FIG.
33 can be configured as water amount detection means. In this case, the water pressure of the cleaning liquid stored on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 is detected, and the detected water pressure is applied to the signal input unit 28 of the control device 23 as a water amount detection signal. That is, when the cleaning liquid is collected on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 during cleaning, the detected water pressure increases as the amount of water mixed with the detergent supplied from the water supply pipe 22 increases. The judgment / instruction unit 29 of the control device 23 includes the pump 12
A set water pressure (actually, a voltage value) corresponding to the minimum amount of the cleaning liquid necessary to normally operate the cleaning liquid is provided in advance, and the cleaning liquid stored on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1 when the detected water pressure reaches the set water pressure. The water supply opening / closing valve 21 is configured to be closed as a necessary minimum amount.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the minimum washing liquid necessary for the normal operation of the pump 12 was stored on the bottom surface of the bathtub 1.
As shown in FIG. 6, it may be stored in the return pipe 10. In this case, the diameter of the return pipe 10 is increased. When the pipe diameter is increased, when the cleaning liquid is sucked to the pump side by the activation of the pump 12, the air to be drawn in together with the cleaning liquid easily escapes to the bathtub side, preventing the air from entering the pump side, Normal operation of the pump can be ensured. When the diameter of the return pipe 10 is increased, it is possible to increase the diameter of the return pipe 10 over its entire length. However, as shown in FIG. 6, the connection side with the bathtub 1 is locally extended over a predetermined length section. It may be a large diameter portion. As described above, if the return pipe 10 is thickened and the cleaning liquid is stored therein, when the cleaning liquid is jetted from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub, the cleaning liquid is not stored on the bottom surface. A strong cleaning liquid jetting collision force can be applied.

Further, in the above embodiment, the cleaning nozzle 4 is provided on the lid 9 of the bathtub 1, but this cleaning nozzle 4 may be provided on the wall surface of the bathtub 1 as shown in FIG. 7, or as shown in FIG. May be provided on a foldable lid. When the cleaning nozzle 4 is provided in the lid 9, a passage 34 communicating the outgoing pipe 5 and the cleaning nozzle 4 may be formed inside the lid 9.

Further, in each of the above embodiments, the heater is constituted by the gas-combustion heat exchanger 20, but it can be constituted by using another heating source such as an electric heater.

Further, in the second embodiment, after the bathtub 1 is automatically washed, the bath is filled with water and the operation shifts to the reheating operation. Is also good. In this case, for example, in FIG. 4, the hot water supply pipe of the water heater may be connected to the inlet side of the heat exchanger 20 also serving as additional heating via an on-off valve such as an electromagnetic valve.

〔The invention's effect〕

In the present invention, since the cleaning liquid is heated and sprayed, the chemical cleaning power is enhanced, and in combination with the spray collision force of the cleaning liquid, dirt can be cleanly removed over the entire inner wall surface of the bathtub.

In addition, since the heated cleaning liquid is repeatedly circulated and sprayed onto the inner wall surface of the bathtub, there is no waste of detergent, which is very economical.

Furthermore, at the time of cleaning, since the cleaning liquid sufficient to allow the pump to operate normally is stored in the bottom of the bathtub or in the return pipe, there is no need to provide a tank for storing this cleaning liquid at the bottom of the bottom of the bathtub. Accordingly, the apparatus configuration can be simplified, and the workability of piping construction can be facilitated, and the excellent apparatus of the present invention can be provided at low cost. In addition, in washing the bathtub, the cleaning liquid stored in the bottom of the bathtub or the return pipe is automatically prepared by mixing the water supplied from the water supply unit and the detergent supplied by the detergent supplying means, and the apparatus itself automatically prepares the cleaning liquid. Since there is no trouble in adjusting the mixing of water and the amount of water to be mixed and the amount of the detergent to be added are controlled by the control device, the effect that the detergent concentration can be stably produced at a predetermined concentration can be obtained.

Furthermore, in a device that performs reheating after washing the bathtub, the configuration of the device is simplified by forming a circulation line for the cleaning liquid and a recirculation line for the reheating water using the return pipe, the pump, and the heater in common. Along with this, the construction of the pipes in the pipeline can be facilitated, and the pump and the heater can be used for both cleaning and reheating, which is advantageous for effective use of the equipment.

Furthermore, when water or hot water is filled, the return pipe, outgoing pipe, and washing nozzle are all opened, so that the flow rate per unit time dropped into the bathtub increases, and the water fills in a short time. Alternatively, the filling operation can be completed.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a first embodiment of the present invention,
FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a main part of a control device constituting the embodiment, FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an example of an automatic cleaning operation of the embodiment, and FIG. 4 is a system showing a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing an example of the fully automatic operation from the bath tub cleaning to reheating in the embodiment, and FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a state in which a washing liquid sufficient to normally operate the pump is stored in the return pipe during bath tub cleaning. Explanatory diagrams showing examples, FIG. 7 and FIG.
The figure is an explanatory view of another arrangement example of the cleaning nozzle. 1 ... bathtub, 2 ... drain pipe, 3 ... drain valve, 4 ... washing nozzle, 5 ... outgoing pipe, 6a ... nozzle opening / closing valve, 6b ... reburning opening / closing valve, 9 ... lid, 10 …… Return pipe, 11 …… Return pipe opening / closing valve, 12 …… Pump, 13 …… Water flow sensor, 14 …… Temperature sensor, 15 …… Detergent supply pipe, 16 …… Detergent opening / closing valve, 17 …… Detergent tank, 18… Pipe line, 19… Flow sensor, 20… Heat exchanger, 21… Water supply opening / closing valve, 22… Water supply pipe, 23… Control device, 24… Remote control, 25… Wash button, 25a … Fully automatic button, 26… Additional boiling water temperature setting section, 27… Filled water quantity setting section, 28… Signal input section, 29… Judgment / command section, 30
... Timer, 31 ... Calculator, 32 ... Memory, 33 ... Pressure sensor, 34 ... Path.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing from the front page (72) Inventor Toshiya Okano 3-4 Fukamidai, Yamato-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture Inside Gaster Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-U 4-28866 (JP, U) (58) Investigated Field (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A47L 25/00 A47K 3/00

Claims (6)

(57) [Claims] 1. A return pipe is communicatively connected to the bottom of a bathtub, and a circulation pipe is formed from the bottom of the bathtub to a washing nozzle through a return pipe and a pump in order. By performing the operation of introducing the detergent by the detergent introduction means and the operation of supplying a predetermined amount of water to the introduction portion of the detergent, a cleaning liquid in which washing and water are mixed is automatically produced, and the cleaning liquid is normally operated by the pump. A sufficient amount is stored in the bottom of the bathtub or in the return pipe, and then the pump is operated, and the cleaning liquid is directed from the cleaning nozzle to the inner wall surface in the bathtub while controlling the heating to a constant temperature while circulating the cleaning liquid through the circulation pipe. The heated cleaning solution is circulated and sprayed to remove stains on the inner surface of the bathtub by the chemical cleaning power and the collision force of the cleaning solution, and then water containing no detergent is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle onto the inner surface of the bathtub to discharge the cleaning solution. Washing Tub cleaning method drop. 2. A return pipe is communicatively connected to the bottom of the bathtub, and a circulation pipe is formed from the bottom of the bathtub through the return pipe and the pump in order from the forward pipe to the washing nozzle. A detergent and water are mixed to prepare a washing liquid automatically, and the washing liquid is stored in the bottom of the bathtub or in the return pipe in an amount sufficient to normally operate the pump, and then the pump is operated to circulate the washing liquid through the circulation line. During the heating, the heated cleaning liquid is circulated and sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub while controlling the heating to a certain temperature, and the dirt on the inner wall surface of the bathtub is removed by the chemical cleaning power and the impingement force of the cleaning liquid. After that, water containing no detergent is sprayed from the washing nozzle to the inner wall surface of the bathtub to wash off the washing liquid, and then the bathtub is filled with water or hot water, and then the water or hot water in the bathtub is circulated through a circulation line. Forced circulation Tub cleaning method of performing reheating heat the circulated hot water by. 3. A washing nozzle arranged toward an inner wall surface of the bathtub, a return pipe connected to the bottom of the bathtub and having a circulation pipe extending from the return pipe to the washing nozzle through the pump and the forward pipe in order. A heater for heating the circulating cleaning liquid, a detergent input means for inputting a detergent into a circulation path of the cleaning liquid including the bathtub, a supply unit for supplying clean water containing no detergent to the circulation path, and a temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid. A temperature sensor for detecting, a water amount detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting an amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to the circulation path, a drainage means for draining water in the bathtub, and a detergent based on a detection signal of the water amount detecting means. The amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to be mixed with the water is determined by mixing the detergent supplied by the detergent supplying means with the water of the supplied amount to produce a cleaning liquid sufficient to normally operate the pump, and based on the temperature detection signal. A bath tub having a control device for controlling the temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid by controlling the heater, and further controlling the cleaning operation by controlling the operations of the pump, the water supply unit and the drainage means in accordance with a predetermined cleaning operation program. Cleaning equipment. 4. The outlet side of the outgoing pipe of the cleaning liquid circulation pipe branches off and returns to a pipe connected to the cleaning nozzle via an opening / closing control valve and a reheating line connected to the wall surface of the bathtub. 4. The cleaning liquid circulation line and the recirculating hot water circulation line having a common pipe, a pump and a heater are formed, and the heater serves both for heating the cleaning liquid and for reheating the hot water. Bath tub cleaning equipment. 5. The bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least an inlet side of the return pipe communicating with the bathtub is formed with a large diameter portion for storing a cleaning liquid sufficient to normally operate the pump. 6. A washing nozzle arranged toward an inner wall surface of a bathtub, a return pipe communicating with a bottom surface of the bathtub, a circulation pipe from the return pipe to a washing nozzle through a pump and a forward pipe in order. A heater for heating the circulating cleaning liquid, a detergent charging means for supplying a detergent to a circulating path of the cleaning liquid including the bathtub, a water supply unit for supplying clean water containing no detergent to the circulating path, and a temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid. A temperature sensor for detecting, a water amount detecting means for directly or indirectly detecting an amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to the circulation path, a drainage means for draining water in the bathtub, and a detergent based on a detection signal of the water amount detecting means. Determine the amount of water supplied from the water supply unit to be mixed with and create a cleaning liquid sufficient to operate the pump normally, and control the heater based on the temperature detection signal to control the temperature of the circulating cleaning liquid,
Further, a control device for controlling the operation of the pump, the water supply unit and the drain means in accordance with a pre-set cleaning operation program to control the cleaning operation is provided. The cleaning liquid circulation line and the boiling water are branched into a pipeline connected to the cleaning nozzle and a pipeline on the reheating side connected to the wall surface of the bathtub through the return pipe, the return pipe, the pump and the heater in common. A circulation line is formed, and the heater combines heating of the cleaning liquid and heating of the reheating water,
The control device is configured such that, when performing water filling or hot water filling after bath bath cleaning, the return pipe, the forward pipe, and the cleaning nozzle that are connected to the bath tub are all opened to perform the water filling or hot water filling by opening control of the valve. apparatus.