JP3261979B2 - Bubble tub pump control 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 controlling a pump in a bubble bath, and more particularly to a control method for monitoring clogging of a suction port and water level of a bath by a pressure sensor.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, an external circulation pipe is connected to a suction port and a discharge port provided in a bathtub body, and a circulation pump is provided on the pipe, and the bathtub water is externally circulated by the circulation pump. 2. Description of the Related Art A bubble bath is widely used in which a bubble-blown jet (bubble flow) is ejected from an outlet into a bathtub body.

[0003] In this bubble bath, hair, towels and other foreign substances may be sucked into the suction port. In such a case, if the circulation pump (hereinafter simply referred to as a pump) is continuously operated as it is. The pump may be in an idling state to generate a rattling noise, or may cause a problem such as damage to the pump in some cases. A similar problem occurs when the pump is operated while the bathtub is empty or the water level is insufficient.

[0004] For this reason, it has been customary to stop the pump when foreign matter or the like is attracted to the suction port. In general, the pressure on the suction side or the discharge side of the pump is detected by a pressure sensor at the same time when the pump is started. The method of making it use is used.

Conventionally, a non-self-priming pump has been used as a pump in this type of bubble bath. The non-self-priming pump can exhibit its original water supply function when the inside of the pump is full. Therefore, when installing such a non-self-priming pump, water is filled inside the bathtub body. There is a great restriction on the installation position, such as installation below the bathtub bottom, so that the inside of the pump is automatically filled with water when the pump is completely filled.

[0006] For these reasons, a self-priming pump has recently attracted attention as a pump for a bubble bath. In the case of a self-priming pump, even if air is trapped inside, it has the ability to discharge it by itself and fill the inside with water, so if such a self-priming pump is used, There is an advantage that the positional restriction upon installation of the pump is significantly reduced, and the degree of freedom in installation and construction of the pump is increased.

On the other hand, in the case of using such a self-priming pump, if the pressure is detected simultaneously with the start of the pump to perform the clogging abnormality detection operation as described above, the pump pressure does not reach a steady pressure. A disadvantage arises that the clogging is determined to be abnormal and the pump is stopped.

That is, in the case of a self-priming pump, the time from the start of the pump to the end of discharging the air (self-priming time) is not in a steady operation state, and the pump is completely discharged and the inside of the pump becomes full. Only then does it enter a steady state of operation. During the self-priming operation, the original water supply function is not performed. Therefore, if the clogging abnormality detecting operation is performed during this period, the pump is stopped by erroneously recognizing that the clogging abnormality has occurred during the self-priming operation. . As a method of solving this, it is conceivable to execute a clogging abnormality detection operation at a point in time when a predetermined time has elapsed after the pump is started.

[0009] However, the length of the external circulation line differs depending on the installation site of the bubble bath, and the amount of air to be discharged also varies. Therefore, the start of the clogging abnormality detection operation is uniformly performed after the pump is started. It is actually difficult to delay a certain period of time.

For example, if the clogging abnormality detection operation is started after a certain period of time after starting the pump, if the pump is not yet in a steady operation state after a certain period of time, a clogging abnormality may occur. In some cases, the pump may be stopped as if a clogging abnormality has occurred despite that the clogging abnormality has not occurred.In addition, if the time until the clogging abnormality detection operation is started for safety is set long enough, for example, If the time is set to 30 seconds, and if the pump reaches the steady pressure before that, when suction into the suction port occurs until the abnormality detection operation is started after a certain time,
The pump cannot be stopped automatically.

In order to solve such a problem, the present applicant discloses in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 8-131497 that an external circulation pipe is connected to a suction port and a discharge port of a bathtub body and a circulation pipe is circulated on the pipe. A pump control method for providing a pump, circulating bath water externally with the circulating pump, and stopping the circulating pump when an abnormality occurs in the bubble bath tub that is jetted out of the jet port as a bubble-containing jet. Whether the pressure on the suction side or the discharge side of the pump is detected by a pressure sensor, and after the pump is started, whether the pressure detected by the pressure sensor is maintained at a value close to a steady pressure of the pump and a predetermined pressure or more for a predetermined time or more. Is repeatedly detected at short time intervals,
When the condition is satisfied, it is determined that the circulation pump has reached the steady-state pressure, while if the condition is not satisfied even after repeating the detection operation up to a preset limit number or time limit, it is determined that the water level is insufficient. The pump is stopped, and after the condition is satisfied, the set pressure or a pressure detected by the pressure sensor when the condition is satisfied is set as a reference pressure, and the reference pressure and a pressure detected by the pressure sensor thereafter. The present invention has proposed a pump control method for a bubble bath, characterized in that it is determined that clogging is abnormal when the difference from the predetermined value is continuously larger than a preset value for a certain period of time and the pump is stopped.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of the bubble bath tub described in the same publication, in which a suction port 12 and a discharge port 14 are provided on a side wall portion of a bubble bath tub body 10. An outlet pipe 15 and an outlet pipe 16 constituting an external circulation line of bath water are connected to the inlet port 12 and the outlet port 14, respectively. Further, a pump 18 is connected to the outlet pipe 15 and the outlet pipe 16. Are connected. In this example, a self-priming pump is used as the pump 18.

In this bubble tub, water in the bathtub body 10 is circulated externally through a discharge pipe 15 and a delivery pipe 16 by a pump 18, and is also jetted with air bubbles through a jet port 14 together with air sucked through an air pipe 20. It is ejected into the bathtub body 10 as (bubble flow). Reference numeral 22 denotes an electromagnetic air valve for adjusting the amount of air sucked from the air pipe 20.

Reference numeral 24 denotes a pressure sensor for detecting the pressure inside the delivery pipe 16, and the detection signal is input to the controller 26. The controller 26 is also connected to a remote control operation unit 28. The remote control operation unit 28 includes a jet switch 30 for operating the air bubble generator, a display lamp 32 for displaying when a suction abnormality occurs from the suction port 12, and a display lamp 32 for when the water level in the bathtub is insufficient. A display lamp 34 for displaying this is provided.

The controller 26 includes a remote control operation unit 28
The start / stop of the pump 18 is controlled based on the on / off of the jet switch 30 in the above, and the operation of the pump 18 is stopped based on the detection of the pressure in the delivery pipe 16 by the pressure sensor 24. Are turned on.

Specifically, after the pump pressure reaches the steady pressure, when the pressure in the delivery pipe 16 becomes abnormal due to clogging in the suction port 12 or the ejection port 14,
The pump 18 is stopped and the display lamp 32 is turned on. Further, when the pressure in the delivery pipe 16 does not reach the steady pressure due to a shortage of the bathtub water level in the bathtub body 10, the pump 18 is stopped and the display lamp 34 is turned on.

FIG. 3 shows the above control procedure in the controller 26. In this example, the steady pressure detection operation is performed immediately after the start of the operation of the pump 18 by the ON operation of the jet switch 30. Specifically, first, it is detected whether or not the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 24 has been maintained for a set time or more (1 second in this example) or more, and when it is determined that this condition is not satisfied, The same detection operation is repeatedly executed within a preset limit time (10 seconds in this example) (step S1).
0, S11, S12, S13, S14).

In the process of repeatedly executing the steady pressure detecting operation,
When it is determined that the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 24 satisfies the above condition, it is determined that the pump pressure has reached the steady pressure, and subsequently, a clogging abnormality detection operation is performed. That is, when the difference between the set steady pressure and the pressure detected by the pressure sensor 24 is larger than the preset difference and the difference continuously occurs for a preset time (1 second in this example), the pressure is abnormal. That is, assuming that a clogging abnormality has occurred, the pump is stopped and the display lamp 32 for notifying the clogging abnormality is turned on (steps S15 and S1).
6, S17, S18).

On the other hand, if the pump pressure (detected pressure) does not reach the set steady pressure even if the operation for detecting the steady pressure is repeatedly performed within the above limit time (10 seconds), the water level in the bathtub is reduced. The pump is stopped assuming that the water level is insufficient, and the display lamp 34 for notifying the insufficient water level is turned on (steps S19 and S20).

In the control method shown in FIG. 3, since it is repeatedly detected at short time intervals whether or not the pump pressure reaches the steady pressure immediately after the pump is started, the pump pressure reaches the steady pressure as soon as possible. , That is, whether the pump has entered a steady operation state.

During this time, since no clogging abnormality is detected,
There is no case where the pump 18 is erroneously determined to be a clogging abnormality before the pump pressure reaches the steady pressure and the pump 18 is stopped. That is, in the case where the self-priming pump 18 is used as the pump, even if the pump 18 has a variation in the time until the pump 18 reaches the steady pressure due to the height of the installation position, the length of the pipe, etc. An error such as determining that clogging is abnormal before starting the operation and stopping the pump 18 is prevented.

Since the clogging abnormality detecting operation is started immediately after the pump pressure reaches the steady pressure, if the suction port 12 or the like is closed after the steady pressure is reached, the pump is stopped immediately. Further, the pump is stopped even when the water level in the bathtub body 10 is insufficient. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the pump 18 from being damaged due to the continued operation of the pump 18 under a shortage of water level.

[0023]

The above-mentioned JP-A-8-13
The method of controlling the pump of the bubble bath of No. 1497 does not take into account the failure of the pressure sensor. for that reason,
Even if the pressure sensor fails, the jet switch 30
There is a problem to be solved in that the pump 18 always starts when is turned on.

The cause of the failure of the pressure sensor is as follows.
In addition to adhesion of dust and the like, lead wires are broken.

According to the present invention, prior to starting the circulation pump ,
And when the start switch of the bubble bath is operated
Whether the output voltage of the pressure sensor is in the normal range
And to provide a abnormal pump control method of a bubble bath it was set to make a diagnosis.

[0026]

According to the present invention, there is provided a pump control method for an air bubble bath, wherein an external circulation pipe is connected to a suction port and a jet port of a bathtub body, and a circulation pump is provided on the pipe.
The bathtub water is externally circulated by the circulation pump, and the pressure on the suction side or the discharge side of the circulation pump is detected by a pressure sensor in the bubble bath which is jetted out of the jet port as a bubble-mixed jet. In the pump control method for stopping the circulating pump when the pressure is out of the predetermined range, it is determined whether or not the output voltage of the pressure sensor is in a normal range before the activation switch of the bubble bath is operated.
Diagnosis is performed intermittently, and the operation of the bubble bath is performed.
Output of the pressure sensor when the dynamic switch is started
It is characterized in that an abnormal diagnosis is made as to whether the voltage is within a normal range .

In such a method of controlling the pump of the bubble bath, the abnormality of the pressure sensor is diagnosed before the pump is started.
It is possible to prevent the pump from starting while the pressure sensor is out of order.

[0028] In the present invention, the output voltage of the pressure sensor before the pump start is to intermittently perform an abnormality diagnosis of whether the normal range, the activation switch is turned on between the diagnosis and diagnosis there is a possibility. Therefore, the pump starts with intermittently performs abnormality diagnosis of the pressure sensor before the output of the always pressure sensor when the operating switch is turned on
Voltage intends row whether the abnormality diagnosis is in the normal range.

The pump control method for a bubble bath according to the present invention is very suitable to be applied to the method for controlling a pump for a bubble bath described in JP-A-8-131497.

[0030]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a flow chart of a method for controlling a pump of a bubble bath according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. The configuration of the bubble bath to which this control method is applied is as shown in FIG.

In FIG. 1, when the main switch of the bubble bath is turned on, the control circuit starts up, and first, at step S2.
At 1, it is determined whether the pump is running. In this case, since the jet switch 30 has not been turned on yet, the process moves from step S21 to step S22, and abnormality diagnosis of the pressure sensor 24 is performed. If the output of the pressure sensor 24 is between 2.1 and 3 V, it means that the pressure sensor 24 is normal, and the steps S22 through S2
3 and the steps S23, S21 and S22 are circulated until the jet switch 30 is operated. During this time, the output voltage of the pressure sensor 24 is in the normal range every time the process goes to step S22.
An abnormality diagnosis is performed to determine whether or not there is an enclosure .

When the jet switch 30 is operated, the process shifts from step S23 to step S24, and the pressure sensor 24 is again diagnosed as abnormal. Sensor output is 2.1 ~
If it is 3 V, since there is no abnormality in the pressure sensor 24, the process shifts to step S25, starts the pump 18, and returns to step S21.

In this case, since the pump 18 is operating, the process shifts from step S21 to S26 to check whether the jet switch 30 is operated again. In this case, it is assumed that the jet switch 30 has just been operated and the operation for stopping the jet has not been performed yet. Then, the process proceeds from step S26 to step S27, and it is determined whether or not the water level check has been completed. In this case, since the water level check has not been performed yet, the process proceeds to step S28, and it is checked whether or not the output of the pressure sensor 24 is 4.3 V or more. When the water above the specified water level is accumulated in the bathtub 10, since the output of the pressure sensor 24 is 4.3 V or more, the process moves from step S28 to S29, and the output voltage of 4.3 V or more is held for one second or more. Then, the process proceeds to step S30, ends the water level check, and returns to step S21.

In this case, the control proceeds in the order of steps S21, S26 and S27, and then the water level check has been completed, so that the operation proceeds to step S31. In this step 31, it is checked whether or not the detection voltage of the pressure sensor 24 has become lower than 4.3V. When the suction port 12 or the like is clogged, the pressure of the pressure sensor 24 becomes lower than 4.3V. If the output voltage of the pressure sensor 24 is 4.3 V or more, the process returns from step S31 to step S21.

As described above, when there is no abnormality in the pressure sensor 24 and no clogging occurs in the suction port 12 or the like during operation, steps S21, S26, S27, and S31 are repeatedly executed to operate the circulation pump 18. Continued, bathtub 1
A bubble is ejected at zero. During this jet operation,
When the jet switch 30 is pressed, the process moves from step S26 to S32, and the pump is stopped.

The present invention has each before starting the circulating pump 18 and at the start is to check whether there is a failure in pressure Chikarase capacitors 24, in this embodiment,
In step S22, a pressure sensor check before starting the pump is performed. The pressure sensor 24 before starting the pump
Is outside the normal range of 2.1 to 3 V, the process moves from step S22 to step S33 and waits for one second. During this time, the output voltage of the pressure sensor 24 continues to be 2.
If it is out of the normal range of 1-3 V, step S3
Then, the control goes to 4 to output that an error has occurred in the pressure sensor, and ends the control.

When the jet switch 30 is pressed to start the jet operation, a diagnosis is made in step S24 as to whether or not the output voltage of the pressure sensor 24 is within the normal range . Also in this case, the output of the pressure sensor 24 is 2.
If the state outside the normal range of 1 to 3 V has passed for 1 second or more, the control proceeds in the order of steps S24, S35, and S36, and after outputting that an error has occurred in the pressure sensor 24, finish.

In this embodiment, the method disclosed in
In the same manner as in -131497, the water level check at the start of the jet operation and the clogging check of the suction port and the like during the jet operation are performed.

The water level check is performed in step S28. If the detected voltage of the pressure sensor 24 is lower than 4.3 V in S28, the process proceeds to step S37.
As shown in FIG. 9, the circulating pump 18 is stopped, the water level shortage indicator lamp 34 is turned on, and the control is terminated.

The check for clogging during the jet operation is performed in step S31. During the jet operation, when the detection voltage of the pressure sensor 24 becomes lower than 4.3 V, the flow proceeds from step S31 to step S40.
When this voltage is low for 1 second,
The control proceeds in the order of steps S41 and S42, stops the circulation pump 18, turns on the suction abnormality display lamp 32, and then ends the control.

The above embodiment is an example of the present invention, and the present invention can be variously modified. For example, it is apparent that the standby time of 1 second or 10 seconds in the above control may be set to any other set time. Instead of waiting for a predetermined time as described above, the number of repetitions is counted, and when the number of repetitions reaches a specified number, it is determined that a sensor abnormality, a water level abnormality, a clogging abnormality, or the like exists. May be.

In the above steps S22 and S24, the normal range of the output of the sensor 24 is set to 2.1 to 3 V.
Obviously, other ranges such as 2.1 to 4 V may be used.

[0043]

As described above, according to the pump control method for the bubble bath tub of the present invention, the output voltage of the pressure sensor falls within the normal range before the activation switch of the bubble bath is operated.
An abnormality diagnosis is performed as to whether or not there is. Then, intermittently row Utotomoni abnormality diagnosis before starting the pressure sensor, the output voltage of the again the pressure sensor when the activation switch is activated positive
By performing the abnormality diagnosis as to whether the sensor is in the normal range , the sensor abnormality can be reliably detected.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing a method for controlling a pump of a bubble bath according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a system diagram of a bubble bath.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a conventional pump control method.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 Bathtub body 12 Suction port 14 Spout port 15 Extraction pipe 16 Delivery pipe 18 Circulation pump 24 Pressure sensor 30 Jet switch

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (58) Field surveyed (Int. Cl. ⁷ , DB name) A61H 23/00 A47K 3/00

Claims (1)

(57) [Claims] 1. An external circulation pipe is connected to a suction port and a discharge port of a bathtub body, and a circulation pump is provided on the pipe.
The bathtub water is externally circulated by the circulation pump, and the pressure on the suction side or the discharge side of the circulation pump is detected by a pressure sensor in the bubble bath which is jetted out of the jet port as a bubble-mixed jet. In the pump control method for stopping the circulating pump when the pressure is out of the predetermined range, it is determined whether or not the output voltage of the pressure sensor is in a normal range before the activation switch of the bubble bath is operated.
Diagnosis is performed intermittently, and the operation of the bubble bath is performed.
Output of the pressure sensor when the dynamic switch is started
A method of controlling a pump in a bubble bath, wherein an abnormality is diagnosed as to whether the voltage is within a normal range .