JP3205034B2 - Bathtub equipment - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathtub apparatus having improved performance of automatic water supply to a bathtub and forced circulation performance.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, bathrobes equipped with a water heater, which uses a direct pressure of tap water to automatically bathe a hot tub, have become mainstream.

Conventionally, this type of bathtub with a water heater has generally been configured as shown in FIG. Hereinafter, the configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

[0004] As shown in the figure, the bathtub 1 with a water heater comprises a hot water supply heat exchanger 3 and a bath heat exchanger 11 and is supplied with water through a water amount sensor 2 for detecting the amount of water supplied from the tap water. Is heated by a hot water supply heat exchanger 3 and is confirmed to have a predetermined temperature by a hot water supply thermistor 4 for detecting the temperature of the hot water. To the faucet 6. On the other hand, a first check valve 8, a vacuum breaker 9, and a second check as a device for disconnecting from the water supply for supplying hot water to the bath heat exchanger 11 via a hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 for controlling hot water supply. After passing through the valve 10, it is led to the bath heat exchanger 11.

[0005] The bath heat exchanger 11 comprises a forward pipe 12 and a return pipe 1.
3, a bath filter 15 is provided at the end of the return pipe 13 so as to prevent dust in the bath tub 14 from entering the bath heat exchanger 11. Is provided with a bathtub outlet 16 facing downward. The bath heat exchanger 11 is provided with a water level sensor 17 for detecting a water level in the bathtub, a pressure switch 18 for detecting an abnormally high water pressure during hot water supply, and a pump 19 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 14.

The bath remote controller 20 is provided with an automatic hot water beam switch 21 for starting an automatic hot water beam, a setting hot water temperature switch 22 for indicating a set temperature of hot water in the bathtub, and a water level setting scale 23 for setting a bathtub water level. Then, the operation instruction signal is input to the controller 24 of the bath 1 with the water heater.

The inner diameter of the outgoing pipe 12, the return pipe 13, and the bath heat exchanger 11 is set to be large so that dynamic pressure is not applied to the water level sensor 17 during automatic hot watering. That is, during the automatic hot watering, only the water level of the bathtub 14 is applied to the water level sensor 2 as static pressure.

In the above configuration, when the automatic hot water switch 21 of the bath remote controller 20 is pressed, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 is opened, and the hot water set by the set hot water temperature switch 22 is heated by the hot water supply heat exchanger 3 and hot water is removed. When the water level sensor 17 detects that the bath water level has been set by the set water level scale 23 of the bath remote controller 20, the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 closes to stop the automatic hot water beam.

Further, when the hot water beam is started when the outgoing pipe 12 and the return pipe 13 are closed due to freezing or the like, the pressure switch 18 detects an abnormal pressure due to the hot water supply, and the hot water supply electromagnetic pressure is detected. The valve 7 is closed.

In some cases, a pressure relief valve 18a for releasing abnormally high pressure is provided in place of the pressure switch 18. When an abnormally high pressure is detected, the pressure relief valve 18a opens to release the pressure.

[0011]

However, in the above configuration, the pressure switch 18 is used to detect the abnormal pressure. However, the pressure switch 18 has been reduced due to the downsizing of the bath 1 with water heater and resource saving. A device having the function of the pressure switch 18 without the switch 18 has been desired. Further, when the pressure relief valve 18a is used, there is a problem that water leaked from the pressure relief valve 18a wets the floor surface.

Further, as the size of the bathtub 14 increases and the demand for a large bathroom that can be used by a large number of people increases, the dirt in the bathtub progresses faster than before, and trash in the bathtub is removed from the bathtub with a water heater. Garbage tends to accumulate in the bath filter 15 so that it cannot enter the bathroom. A device that can determine the dust clogging of the bath filter 15 has been desired.

[0013] Further, the water heater 1 of a direct water supply type with a water heater is started to be used, and the going pipe 12 and the returning pipe 1 are used.
If the troubles in which 3 is blocked due to freezing or the like overlap, an abnormal pressure due to the hot water supply is applied to the bath heat exchanger 11 of the bath 1 with the water heater. As this freezing state progresses, the outgoing pipe 12
When the return pipe 13 completely freezes and reaches a closed state, the bath heat exchanger 11 may be damaged by application of high-pressure water by hot water supply.

Further, in the conventional case, the bath filter 15
In order to detect a slight blockage such as a jam and a blockage in the case of freezing, there is a problem that two pressure switches 18 having different set pressures must be provided.

[0015] The present onset bright object, when the water level detector detects a high abnormal pressure than tub overflow level determines blockage of the tub connecting pipe.

Further, a slight blockage such as a clogged bath filter and a complete blockage at the time of freezing are separately detected according to the output level of the water level detector. At times, an alarm is displayed on the annunciator to wait for an automatic hot water beam.

[0017]

To achieve the above object, a bathtub apparatus according to the present invention is connected to a bathtub through a bathtub connection pipe, and a bathtub circulation path for forcibly circulating bathtub water, and a bathtub circulation path. A water level detector provided in the channel to detect a bathtub water level, a water supply channel connected to the bathtub circulation path to supply water to the bathtub, and the bathtub when the water level detector detects a predetermined water pressure higher than the bathtub overflow water level during water supply. A closing degree determiner that determines a plurality of closing degrees according to the closing degree of the connecting pipe, and a plurality of closing degrees of the bathtub connecting pipe according to a plurality of determination levels of the closing degree determiner, Previous
Those having a driving controller for instructing to determine whether the circulation operation of the water supply operation or the bath water due to blockage of alarm and water supply path for notifying a serial plurality of closed degree.

[0018]

[0019]

[Action] Then, the tub apparatus of the present invention by the means,
Focus on the fact that the pressure applied to the water level detector at the time of water supply gradually increases as the blocking rate of the bathtub connection pipe increases, for example, as the bath filter becomes slightly blocked and the freezing becomes completely blocked. The low-level abnormal pressure and the high-level abnormal pressure are distinguished from each other, and the degree-of-occlusion determining device can reasonably determine the degree of obstruction of the bathtub connection pipe based on the detected water pressure of only the water level detector.

Further, if there is a danger of high-pressure breakage of the forced circulation circuit due to the water supply operation from the water supply channel, an instruction to stop the water supply operation is given by the degree of blockage of the bathtub connection pipe according to the determination level of the degree of occlusion of the occlusion degree determiner. The operation controller can instruct a precise and rational operation such as notifying by the alarm and notifying the user when the circulation efficiency of the bathtub water becomes poor.

[0021]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of a bathtub apparatus according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

(Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, and portions denoted by the same reference numerals as those of the conventional example have the same names and the same functions, and a description thereof will be omitted. An outgoing pipe 12 and a return pipe 13 as bathtub connecting pipes are connected to a bathtub circulation path 26, and a water supply path 28 is connected to a pipe connecting point 27. A water level sensor 29 as a water level detector is provided in the bathtub circulation path 26. The controller 30 determines the degree of blockage of the bathtub connection pipe 3
1. An operation controller 32 for controlling the water supply operation of the water supply passage 28 and the circulation operation of the bathtub water by the bathtub circulation passage 26, and controls the operation of the apparatus. The remote controller 33 has a liquid crystal display 3 as an alarm that notifies the degree of blockage of the bathtub connection pipe as necessary.
Add 4

The operation will be further described based on the block diagram of FIG. When the automatic hot water beam is started, the water level sensor 29 detects the water level of the bathtub 14 (S1). When the forward pipe 12 and the return pipe 13 are normal, the water level sensor 29 detects the set water level H
Is detected, the operation controller 32 closes the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 and ends (S2). If the degree-of-closure determiner 31 receiving a signal from the water level sensor 29 during hot water supply detects a predetermined water pressure due to a blockage due to clogging of the bath filter 15 or the like (S3),
The operation controller 32 that has received this determination signal instructs the actions in S4, S7, and S10 based on the determination signal corresponding to the degree of blockage.

In S4, when the water pressure H ₁ becomes about 1 m when the bath filter 15 is clogged with the bath water above the general overflow water level (about 70 cmH ₂ O) of the bathtub 14 and the circulation efficiency of the bathtub water starts to deteriorate slightly. Although the circulating operation can be continued, cleaning of the bath filter 15 for removing dust is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34, and attention is paid to obstruction due to dust clogging, and cleaning is prompted (S5). Then, the operation controller 32 permits all operations (S6),
Bathing can be continued.

In S7, the outgoing pipe 12 and the return pipe 13 are not frozen (they are not completely closed, the cross-section of the pipe is partially narrow, and the bathtub 14 and the water level sensor 29 are in communication). When a part of the forward pipe 12 and return pipe 13 is closed, during the automatic hot water beam pressure rise of the occlusion portion is applied to the water level sensor 29, the water level sensor 29 is higher than the water pressure H ₁ Pressure will be applied.
When the bath filter 15 of the return pipe 13 is closed with a water pressure of 1 kgf / cm ² in a state of being closed one step before being fully closed, 0.2 kgf is applied.
A pressure of about / cm ² is normally applied to the water level sensor 29.

That is, the water level sensor 29 detects the bathtub water level H.
In order to detect that hot water has been removed and to close the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7, a time lag of several seconds is required for microcomputer processing in order to remove noise and the like. In the meantime, in the case of an abnormality such as this time, a higher abnormal pressure H2 is applied to the water level sensor 29. Therefore it is possible to arbitrarily set the [Delta] H, for example, when the ΔH = 1.6mH2 O, 4
0 cmH ₂ O + ΔH = 40 cmH ₂ O + 1.6 mH 2 O = 2 mH
Abnormal pressure H2 is set with 2 O. This abnormal pressure H
When 2 is detected, the blockage degree determiner 31 determines the abnormal pressure H2, and the operation controller 32 causes the liquid crystal display 34 to display the abnormal pressure (display of the clogging of the bath filter 15) in S6 (S8), and the bath in S9. If the pressure of the filter 15 is not reduced to the pressure H2 or less at the time of restarting the operation, the operation instruction of the pump 19 for the circulation operation is not issued. At this time, if the bath filter 15 is cleaned, circulation bathing can be performed.

In S10, the forward pipe 12 and the return pipe 13
Is already frozen and cannot be circulated, a water supply pressure much higher than the set water level H of the bathtub 14 is applied to the water level sensor 29. In general, a normal supply pressure of 2 kgf / cm ² or more is often applied. At this time, the set water level H of the bathtub 14 (normally ~ 40 cmH2)
O), ΔH = 19.6 mH 2 O higher than H. The water level sensor 29 detects the water pressure H3,
The operation controller 32 first closes the hot water supply electromagnetic valve 7 in response to the determination signal (S11), and automatically stops the hot water supply operation even during hot water supply. Then, the fact is displayed on the liquid crystal display 34 (S12), and the going pipe 12 and the returning pipe 13 are bent by an external mechanical force, or the degree of obstruction becomes abnormally large due to a freezing accident in winter, etc. The operation controller 32 prevents the bath heat exchanger 11 and the like from being damaged by the water pressure H3.
Prohibits the hot water operation (S13). And in this state, bathing is not possible because bathing is impossible in bathtub 14,
Prompt corrective action is taken. FIG. 3 shows a blockage degree determiner 3
The relationship between each level of the degree of blockage determined by 1 and the water pressure Hn is characteristically shown.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment.
In order to more accurately determine the water supply pressure from the water supply path 28 to the bathtub circulation path 26, a pressure regulator that adjusts the water supply pressure and applies a constant water pressure to the bathtub circulation path 26 instead of the vacuum breaker 9 or the like. Can also.

[0029]

According to the above description, the bath apparatus of the present invention is used.
When the bathing operation is performed from the water supply channel to the bathtub at the normal water supply pressure, the clogging degree determiner precisely determines the degree of clogging of the bathtub connection pipe based on the water pressure in the bathtub circulation path by the water level detector, and detects the water level. In addition to the bathtub water level detection function of the vessel, the degree of blockage of the bathtub connection pipe can be detected, and a device with a rational design can be provided. Special
At the higher pressure based on the bathtub overflow water pressure.
Blockage without interrupting hot water
Degree detection becomes possible.

The operation controller receives a judgment of the degree of blockage of the bathtub connecting pipe in various states by the degree of blockage judging device, and the operation controller determines a severe degree of blockage from slight occlusion to freezing according to the judgment level of the degree of occlusion.
Depending on the degree of obstruction, it is possible to provide the user with appropriate information by notifying that effect with the obstruction degree alarm,
Determines whether water operation or bath water circulation operation is possible and gives an instruction.
Therefore, efficient operation of the apparatus and prevention of breakage due to feed water pressure can be achieved, and effective operation can be provided while improving usability.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of a bathtub apparatus according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing the same driving operation.

FIG. 3 is a water level-water level sensor output characteristic diagram of the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a configuration diagram showing a conventional bathtub apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 12 Outgoing pipe 13 Return pipe 14 Bathtub 29 Water level sensor 26 Bathtub circulation path 28 Water supply device 31 Occlusion degree judgment device 32 Operation controller 34 Liquid crystal display

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. A bathtub circulation path connected to a bathtub through a bathtub connection pipe for forcibly circulating bathtub water, a water level detector provided in the bathtub circulation path to detect a bathtub water level, and connected to the bathtub circulation path. A water supply channel for supplying water to the bathtub, and a clogging degree determiner that determines a plurality of clogging degrees according to the clogging degree of the bathtub connection pipe when a water level detector detects a predetermined water pressure higher than a bathtub overflow water level during water supply, According to a plurality of degree of blockage of the bathtub connection pipe according to a plurality of determination levels of the degree of blockage determination unit, whether or not a water supply operation or a bathtub water circulation operation by a water supply path and a degree-of-occlusion indicator that notifies the plurality of degree of occlusion. A bathtub device provided with an operation controller for determining and giving an instruction.