JP3175424B2 - Automatic bath filling equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub automatic hot water filling apparatus capable of detecting a failure of a bathtub water level sensor for detecting a bathtub water level.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As an example of control for performing automatic hot water filling using a bathtub water level sensor up to a bathtub set water level, see Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No.
No. 90459. In this example, the bathtub water level is compared with the stored reference water level (the bathtub water level when a predetermined pressure rises from the detection pressure of the bathtub water level sensor corresponding to the water level of the bathtub circulation port) to store the bathtub water level. It is to be measured.

Further, the stored reference water level can be rewritten at any time for each automatic hot water filling, so that a change in the detection pressure of the bathtub water level sensor due to a change in the ambient temperature can be extremely reasonably automatically performed. In addition, the bathtub water level measured by the bathtub water level sensor becomes accurate for each automatic hot water filling.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, a correction is made for a change in the detection pressure of the bathtub water level sensor due to a change in the ambient temperature, but it cannot cope with a failure of the bathtub water level sensor. That is, although the detection value of the bathtub water level sensor can be corrected, there is no means for determining whether or not the corrected detection value of the bathtub water level sensor is correct. Had occurred.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic bathtub filling device which solves the above problems.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a bathtub, a circulation path connected to the bathtub and having a bathtub water level sensor and a heat exchanger, and an end connected to the circulation path for hot water supply. dropped into and connected to the heater and a water heater, the
The bathtub water level sensor signals by changing the signal input value.
The output value is variable, in the bathtub automatic filling device that controls the hot water supply to the bathtub by the output of the bathtub water level sensor,
Input / output means for receiving an output from the bathtub water level sensor and transmitting an input to the bathtub water level sensor; determining means for detecting a failure of the bathtub water level sensor by the input / output means; and a command for instructing the input / output means Means, and input / output means
Changes the signal input value sent to the bathtub level sensor
The bathtub water level sensor is
The first feature is to determine whether or not a failure has occurred.

[0007] Also, as the second feature that the ON of the automatic water filling switch for automatic water filling the tub Ru to perform the command to the output means by using the command means. In addition, a bathtub
Automatic water filling is performed when the water level sensor is determined to be faulty.
The third feature is that there is no data.

[0008]

According to the present invention, to detect and output means for transmitting an input to the bath water level sensor which receives the output <br/> from bath water level sensor, the failure of the tub water level sensor by said input output means determining Means are provided. Therefore, a signal input value for detecting a sensor failure can be set separately from the setting of the reference value of the bathtub water level sensor for setting the bathtub water level, and a failure of the bathtub water level sensor can be easily found. .

Also, there is provided a command means for causing the input / output means to issue a command. The command operation by the command means is performed every time the automatic filling switch is turned on. Each time the operation is performed, an automatic filling command is issued, and the bathtub water level sensor can always be checked before the automatic filling operation is performed. Therefore, if the bathtub water level sensor is out of order, the automatic bathing operation can not be performed. If it is, automatic hot water filling will be possible to the set water level. Also check the bathtub water level sensor
Can be performed easily, so that the filling operation is fast.

Further, by turning on the automatic hot water filling switch, the input / output means is instructed using the command means, and the signal output to the bathtub water level sensor is varied by the input / output means to determine whether or not the bathtub water level sensor has failed. Is determined. Therefore, the signal output from the input / output means to the bathtub water level sensor (signal
No. By examining the degree of change in the input signal (signal output value) from the tub water level sensor in accordance with the degree of change of the input value) to the output means, it can accurately measure the accuracy of the tub water level sensor, an automatic water filling operation The water level at the end will be accurate.

[0011]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bath apparatus. In the bath apparatus A, a circulation path 2 is connected to a bathtub 1.
Is provided with a pump 3, a bathtub water level sensor 4, and a heat exchanger 5. The heat exchanger 5 is heated by the burner 6, and the required amount of gas is obtained by varying the opening of the proportional valve 7.

Numeral 8 denotes a dropping hot water supply path which is connected to the end of the circulation path 2 and is connected to a hot water supply heater Q. The solenoid valve 9 provided in the middle path is opened to drop hot water heated into the bathtub 1. Automatic filling is possible.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a controller for controlling a controlled device such as the electromagnetic valve. A microcomputer 11 connected to the bathtub water level sensor 4 is provided inside the controller 10.

The controller 10 is connected to a remote controller 12, and is provided with an automatic hot water filling switch 13, a bathtub water level setting device 14, and a display section 15 for displaying a failure location and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention, particularly, the microcomputer 11 in detail. A sensor section B is provided inside the bathtub water level sensor 4 so that the actual pressure P can be detected. Note that the actual pressure P can be calculated by using an equation described later.

The sensor unit B is connected to the output means 16, and inputs the signal input value V _R from the output means 16 sends a signal output value Vo to the input and output unit 16. The signal output value Vo is intended to be variable by varying the signal input value V _R.

[0017] 17 bath level sensor 4 or a failure by comparing the signal input value V _R output from the signal output value Vo and input means 16 is transmitted to the output unit 16 to the sensor unit B It is a determination means for determining whether or not the determination is made.

[0018] 18 is connected to the automatic water filling switch 13, a command means for causing the designation of the signal input values V _R and automatic water filling switch 13 is turned ON to the output unit 16.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the contents of the control of the present invention. When the automatic hot water filling switch 13 is turned on (S1), it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the bathtub set water level (S2). If not, it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal. (S3). Here, the determination as to whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal is performed as follows. When determining whether or not the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, the solenoid valve 9 is closed, and the bathtub water level is constant.

That is, the actual pressure P detected by the sensor section B, the signal output value Vo, and the signal input value V _R
If tub water level sensor is normal Vo = aV _R + P + b
(Where a and b are constants)... That is a signal output value Vo and the signal input value V _R is directly proportional relationship.

[0021] Thus the actual pressure P if the bathtub water level constant is constant, the signal input value V _R is varied, the variation of the signal input value V signal output value if the change amount is a ΔV of _R Vo is If the signal output value and the input value change in such a manner, the bathtub water level sensor 4 is considered to be normal, otherwise the bathtub water level sensor 4 is considered to be faulty.

If it is determined in step 3 that the bathtub water level sensor 4 is faulty, the display unit 15 displays the faulty state of the bathtub water level sensor 4 and terminates without performing automatic hot water filling (S).
7). If the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, the solenoid valve 9 is opened to supply hot water to the bathtub 1 (S4), and it is determined whether or not the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the bathtub set water level (S5). And the automatic filling is terminated (S6).

In short, the present invention utilizes the fact that the signal output value transmitted from the sensor unit to the input / output unit and the signal input value transmitted from the input / output unit to the sensor unit are directly proportional, and By comparing the change amount of the signal input value and the change amount of the signal output value due to the change, the presence / absence of the failure of the bathtub water level sensor is accurately detected. In addition, if the bathtub water level sensor is determined to be faulty, automatic hot water filling is not performed, thereby saving water bills.

[0024]

As described above, according to the present invention, the failure of the bathtub water level sensor can be easily detected accurately, and the automatic hot water supply is not performed when the bathtub water level sensor fails. Water overflow and insufficient water level during operation are less likely to occur. As a result, not only the convenience and the comfort of the user are improved, but also the water bill is saved by not performing the useless automatic hot water filling operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bath apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the contents of control according to the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bath 2 circulation path 4 bath water level sensor 5 the heat exchanger 8 darken hot water path 16 output means 17 judging unit 18 instructing means B sensor unit Vo signal output value V _R signal input value Q hot water supply heater

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] It has a 1. A bathtub, a circulation path having a tub connected to the tub water level sensor and the heat exchanger, and dropped into a water heater connected to the hot water supply heater connect the terminal to the circulation path, before
The bathtub water level sensor is signaled by changing the signal input value.
The output value of the bathtub is varied, and in an automatic bathtub filling device that controls hot water supply to the bathtub by the output of the bathtub water level sensor, the output from the bathtub water level sensor is received and the input to the bathtub water level sensor is received. Input / output means for transmitting, and determination means for detecting a failure of the bathtub water level sensor by the input / output means,
Command means for giving a command to the input / output means ;
Signal input value sent to bathtub level sensor by means
Changes in the signal output value due to the
An automatic bathtub hot water filling device for determining whether or not a battery has failed . 2. The bathtub automatic hot water bath according to claim 1, wherein a command is issued to the input / output means using the command means by turning on an automatic hot water filling switch for automatically bathing the bathtub. Tensioning device. 3. It is determined that the bathtub water level sensor is out of order.
Claims that do not perform automatic hot water filling
3. The bathtub automatic filling device according to item 1 or 2.