JP3152007B2 - Bathtub water level circulation determination method - 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 judging circulation of a bathtub water level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art When hot water from a water heater is automatically dropped into a bath tub to fill the bath tub with water, first, the bath tub is dropped to a water level higher than a hole in a circulating metal fitting of the bath tub, that is, reheating and circulating is possible. It is determined whether the water level is equal to or higher than the water level. If the water level is higher than the water level, the bathtub water level at the time of the determination (the actual water level is unknown, ) Is set as a reference water level, a reference output value corresponding to the reference water level is given to the bathtub water level sensor of the reheating circuit, and the bathtub water level sensor further sets the set water level based on the reference output value. Conventionally, there has been provided a method of performing the dropping until the output value corresponding to is detected. Conventionally, with regard to the circulation determination, a fixed circulation determination time is set regardless of the situation when entering the circulation determination, and the determination is performed. For example, by driving the circulation pump, the water flow switch in the circulation circuit
If it is turned on for 40 seconds, the judgment is OK at that point of time, and if it is not turned on continuously for 40 seconds, the judgment is made by driving the circulation pump for a maximum of 5 minutes.

[0003]

However, the circulation judgment is as follows.
In particular, when the water level does not reach the water level for reheating and recirculation, the circulation pump runs idle, which has a drawback that noise is loud.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a method for determining the circulation of a bathtub water level, which solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional method, reduces the noise caused by the circulation determination, and can reliably determine the circulation.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, a bathtub water level circulation judging method according to the present invention is characterized in that when hot water is automatically dropped into a bathtub through a bath reheating circuit, the bathtub water level is set to the bathtub level. A method of actually driving a circulating pump to determine whether or not the water level exceeds the level of the hole of the circulating metal fitting to enable reheating and circulating. It is determined whether or not the flow rate per unit time at the time of dropping performed before the determination is equal to or more than a predetermined fixed flow rate, and in the above case, a circulation determination is performed using a shorter circulation determination time, If less than the above, the circulation determination is performed using the longer circulation determination time.

[0006]

According to the above-mentioned feature of the present invention, when the flow rate per unit time at the time of dropping performed before the circulation judgment is equal to or more than a predetermined fixed flow rate, the circulation judgment is shorter. Done in time. When the flow rate is less than the predetermined flow rate, the circulation determination is performed in a longer cycle, that is, in a conventional cycle determination time. Here, the fact that the drop flow rate per unit time before the circulation determination is equal to or more than the predetermined constant flow rate means that the amount of air and the like mixed in the reheating circuit is small, and there are few obstacles that make the circulation determination difficult. Means to be judged. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to sufficiently reliably determine whether or not the water level is at a level at which reheating circulation is possible even with a relatively short circulation determination time. The predetermined constant flow rate per unit time is experimentally determined. That is, the thickness and length of the pipe of the reheating circuit,
An experiment is performed in advance in accordance with the filling system such as the pressure of water entering the circulation circuit, and a flow rate is obtained in such a manner that the circulation failure of the mixed air or the like can be determined sufficiently and reliably even in a short time. As described above, according to the method of the present invention, it is first determined whether or not there is a circulation failure such as air in the reheating circuit by the flow rate per unit time, and then one of the two types of circulation determination time is selected. With this configuration, it is possible to ensure that the circulation determination can always be performed reliably under any conditions, and to reduce the noise at the time of the circulation determination.

[0007]

1 is a block diagram of a hot water supply device with a bath kettle function in which the method of the present invention is carried out, and FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 10 denotes a bathtub, and a reheating circuit 20 comprising a bath return pipe 21 and a bath going pipe 22 circulates from the bathtub 10 to a reheating heat exchange can 30. Reference numeral 40 denotes a water heater, in which water that has entered the water heater 40 through the water inlet pipe 41 is heated there, becomes hot water, and flows out to the hot water outlet pipe 42. The hot water in the tapping pipe 42 is separated into a general hot water supply path 44 and an automatic bath water supply path 45 via a water mixing valve 43 and the like. A bath automatic water supply channel from the water inlet pipe 41
46 are parting.

The bath automatic hot water supply passage 45 is provided with a drop water sensor 45a on the way, and the hot water is dropped into the hot water solenoid valve 45.
It is poured into the backflow prevention hopper 47 via b. The bath automatic water supply channel 46 is also poured into the backflow prevention hopper 47 via the drop water solenoid valve 46b. From the backflow prevention hopper 47, a common dropping path 48 is connected via a three-way valve 51 to the bath return pipe 21 of the reheating circuit 20. The bath return pipe
21 has a bathtub water level sensor 52, double transfer solenoid valve 53, circulation pump
54, a bath water flow switch 55, a bath temperature sensor 56 and the like are provided. Reference numeral 23 denotes a bypass pipe that bypasses the reheating heat exchange can 30 and is provided with an on-off valve 23a on the way.

The bathtub 10 is provided with a circulation fitting 11,
The bath return pipe 21 is connected to the outer pipe 11a of the double pipe, and the bath pipe 22 is connected to the inner pipe 11b. Reference numeral 60 denotes a controller, which has a built-in microcomputer and controls each part of the apparatus in each operation such as a hot water supply operation, an automatic dropping operation into a bathtub, and a reheating operation. Now, when the bath reheating operation is commanded, the circulation pump is driven via the controller 60, and the bathtub water enters the bath return pipe 21 from the outer pipe 11a of the circulation fitting 11, and the reheating heat exchange can 30 Then, the heat is returned to the bathtub 10 from the inner pipe 11 b of the circulation fitting 11 through the bath pipe 22. When the hot water bath automatic dropping operation is commanded, the dropping hot water solenoid valve 45b is opened, and the hot water from the water heater 40 flows from the bath automatic hot water supply path 45 to the backflow prevention hopper 47, the common dropping path 48, and the three-way valve 51. And enters the bath return pipe 21. And in the case of single transfer, go out of the bath from the bath return pipe 21
Through the tube 22, the inner tube 11b of the circulation fitting 11 and the bathtub
10 is introduced. In the case of double transfer, both transfer electromagnetic
The valve 53 is also opened and the warm water introduced into the bath return pipe 21
Circulating metal fittings from both the bath going pipe 22 and the bath returning pipe 21
It flows into the bathtub 10 through 11.

Next, control by the controller 60 in the operation of dropping hot water into the bathtub will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. Now, using a remote control (not shown)
When the water level of the bathtub is set and the automatic hot water filling operation switch for the bathtub is turned on, first, the hot water solenoid valve 45b is dropped.
Is opened (S1), hot water is introduced into the circulation circuit 20 via the three-way valve 51, and the water is returned from the bath return pipe 21 and the bath going pipe 22 through the circulation fitting 11 until the maximum volume of the water is reduced to 30 liters. And drop it into the bathtub 10 (S2). During this time, the controller 60 monitors whether or not the flow rate of the water drop per unit time is equal to or greater than a predetermined first flow rate based on the information from the water drop sensor 45a (S3). In the case of the embodiment, for example, the input flow pressure is 1.3 kgf / cm, and the first flow rate is 15 liter / minute.

If the flow rate per unit time is equal to or greater than the first flow rate (YES in S3), the controller 60 employs the inflection point detection mode as a control flow. That is, at that time, the two conveyances are completed, and the dropping into the bathtub is performed in the bath.
Bathtub circulation fittings from the return pipe 21 through the bath pipe 22
While performing one-sided conveyance through the inner tube 11b
(S4) The detection output value of the bathtub water level sensor 52 is monitored by the controller, and an inflection point of the detection output value is detected (S4) .
5). This inflection point means that the bathtub water level H is
When it becomes a level H _c reaching the first outer tube 11a, so coming pressure is applied by bath water level to the wind <br/> Lu return pipe 21, so far the output of the detection output value of the tub water level sensor 52 A situation different from the curve, that is, a change such as a remarkable increase in the detection output curve occurs. The starting point of this change is the inflection point. Wherein the inflection point is detected (YES at S5), it can be estimated that that reaches almost the water level H _c, in turn, so that the water level H ₁ per exceeding the holes of the circulation fitting 11 bit A predetermined amount (this amount can be obtained in advance as an approximately accurate amount depending on the size of the circulation fitting 11 or the like) is dropped into the bathtub 10 by both transports (S6).

[0013] The predetermined amount by dropping the bath 10 (S6) in both the transport, bath water level but H should become recyclable water level H ₁ reheating, further confirmed circulation determination (S12)
The performed after confirming, on the assumption that a constant reference level H ₁ with the water level, and stores the reference water level H _1. Further, the output value of the bathtub water level sensor 52 at this time is used as a reference output value P _1.
Is set and stored (S13). The confirmation circulation judgment (S
In the step 12), an air purge operation for removing air in the circulation circuit 20 is also performed. That is, the three-way valve 51 is switched to complete the reheating circuit 20, and the circulation pump 54 is driven in a strong state to circulate the bath water in the circulation circuit 20. When the bath water flow switch 55 is continuously turned on for a certain period of time, the confirmation circulation judgment is OK.
It is said.

[0014] a storage of the reference water level H _1, the reference output value P ₁ of the tub water level sensor 52 determines the corresponding (S1
3), the set water level H so determined even if the output value P _S of the tub water level sensor 52 corresponding to the _S, bathtub water level sensor 52 the output value P _S
Until is output, both transports are performed (S14, S15). As a result, a substantially predetermined set water level can be actually obtained.
In the case of hot water that has passed through the inflection point mode, as long as the inflection point can be accurately detected, the water level H _{1 serving as} the reference of the hot water fills.
Also, since the water level can be made to exactly match the water level assumed in advance, the filling up to the set water level H _S is also accurate.

In step S3, if the flow rate per unit time does not exceed the first flow rate during both transports of 30 liters (No in S3), the controller 60 sets the control flow to the actual circulation. Is performed to determine the presence or absence of circulation. That is, the controller 60 further determines whether or not the flow rate per unit time dropped is equal to or more than a second flow rate that is smaller than the first flow rate (S7). A determination is made (S8), and if less, a second circulation determination is made (S9). In the case of the embodiment, the second flow rate is, for example, 10 liters / minute at an inlet pressure of 1.3 kgf / cm. This second flow rate is determined experimentally. In other words, the size and length of the pipe of the reheating circuit,
An experiment is performed in advance in accordance with the hot water filling apparatus, and the flow rate is set such that the circulation failure of the mixed air or the like can be sufficiently reliably determined even in a short-time determination. The first circulation judgment is a short circulation judgment time. For example, if the circulation pump 54 is driven for 1 minute and the water flow switch 55 is continuously turned on for the last 15 seconds, the circulation judgment is OK, that is, the circulation fitting is set. It is determined that the water level is higher than hole 11 and the reheating operation is possible. On the other hand, when the water flow switch 55 is not continuously turned on for the last 15 seconds, the determination method determines that the circulation determination is not made. However, of course, the present invention is not limited to this specific example. The second circulation determination is the relatively long circulation determination time. For example, if the circulation pump 54 is driven and the water flow switch 55 is continuously turned on for 40 seconds, the circulation determination is OK. On the other hand, when the water flow switch 55 does not turn on continuously for 40 seconds even after the circulation pump 54 is driven for 5 minutes, the circulation determination is a method of determining that there is no circulation determination. However, the present invention is not limited to this specific example.

In step S8 or S9, if the circulation determination is negative (No), a fixed amount of water is further conveyed (S10), and the flow returns to step S7 to determine the flow rate (S10).
7), the circulation determination (S8) and (S9), and the dropping of a certain amount of water (S10) are repeated until the circulation determination is OK. Then, in step S8 or S9, the circulation
When K is reached, a certain amount of water is further dropped for safety (S11), and then a confirmation circulation determination is made (S12). Subsequent operations S12 to S15 are the same as described above. The confirmation circulation determination (S12) also serves as an air purge operation in the reheating circuit 20. In this case, the second circulation determination based on the long circulation determination time is performed.

[0017]

According to the method for judging the circulation of the bathtub water level according to the first aspect of the present invention, the bathtub water level exceeds the level of the hole of the circulation fitting of the bathtub, and the reheating heating circulation is performed. In the case where the circulation level is determined by actually driving the circulation pump to determine whether or not the water level has exceeded the possible water level, two types of circulation determination times are prepared, and the flow rate per unit time at the time of the dropping performed before the circulation determination is performed. It is determined whether or not the flow rate is equal to or greater than a predetermined fixed flow rate. , It is possible to determine the presence or absence of a circulation failure such as air in the reheating circuit before using an appropriate circulation determination time, thereby ensuring reliable circulation. Make sure that the judgment can be made Et al., By eliminating long circulation determination time and unnecessarily, it is possible to reduce noise when the circulating determination.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a hot water supply device with a bath kettle function in which the method of the present invention is performed.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an embodiment of the method of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Bathtub 11 Circulation bracket 20 Reheating circuit 21 Bath return pipe 22 Bath pipe 30 Heat exchanger can for reheating 40 Water heater 45 Automatic bath water supply path 45a Drop water sensor 51 Three-way valve 52 Bath water level sensor 53 Double transfer solenoid valve 54 Circulation pump 55 Bath water flow switch 56 Bath temperature sensor 60 Controller

(56) References JP-A-6-11191 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24H 1/00 602

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] In the case where hot water is automatically dropped into a bathtub through a bath reheating circuit, it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level exceeds the level of a hole in a circulation fitting of the bathtub and is higher than a water level at which reheating and circulation is possible. Is a method of determining the circulation by actually driving the circulation pump, wherein two types of circulation determination time are prepared, and the flow rate per unit time at the time of dropping performed before the circulation determination is equal to or more than a predetermined fixed flow rate It is determined whether or not it is, in the above case, the circulation judgment is performed using the shorter circulation judgment time, and if less than, the circulation judgment is performed using the longer circulation judgment time A method for determining circulation of a bathtub water level.