JP3271942B2 - Hot water filling method and apparatus in automatic bath 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 method of pouring water into a bathtub from a water heater located away from the bathtub, detecting the water level in the bathtub with a pressure sensor installed in a pouring line, and setting the bathtub water level. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hot water filling method and apparatus in an automatic bath apparatus that stops pouring water into a bathtub when it detects that a water level has been reached.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A pressure sensor for detecting a water level in a bathtub as described above is a precision electronic component for detecting a minute pressure change (for example, 0.2 to 1 kg) called a bathtub water level. The water supply pressure is usually 3 kg, while the water supply pressure is as high as 5 kg at a high place. When such an excessive pressure is applied to the pressure sensor, the measurement accuracy is shifted or broken.

For this reason, conventionally, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pressure sensor is provided at a place other than the pouring line to prevent an excessive pressure from being applied to the pressure sensor. That is, in FIG. 4, a pressure sensor 7 is provided in the circulation line 12 for reheating by separating the pouring line 11 and the circulation line 12 for reheating the hot water (water) in the bathtub. In FIG. 4, 1 is an appliance body, 2 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply, 3 is a vacuum breaker disposed in a pouring line, 4, 5 are also check valves, 6 is a solenoid valve, and 8 is a solenoid valve. Reference numeral 9 denotes a heat exchanger for reheating, 10 denotes a pump for reheating, 13 denotes a circulating metal fitting for a bathtub, and 14 denotes a bathtub. Also, FIG.
In this case, pouring is performed through a reheating circulation line 12. In this case, an electromagnetic valve 15 is disposed between the reheating pump 10 and the pressure sensor 7, and the electromagnetic valve 15 is used during pouring. Is closed, and hot water is poured through the return pipe of the circulation line for additional heating. In FIG. 5, the same parts as those in FIG. 4 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0004]

In the prior art shown in FIG. 4, since a pipe dedicated to pouring is required, extra cost and labor are required, resulting in an increase in cost.
In the case of FIG. 5, although it is possible to the alteration焚用circulation line, Note since the time of the hot water available only on one side of the conduit, greatly limits the flow rate to prevent damage to the piping by e <br/> Rojon Therefore, the hot water can be poured only below the capacity of the heat exchanger for hot water supply, and there is a problem that the time for filling the bathtub becomes long.

[0005] In addition, the flow rate of this type of equipment varies depending on the environment in which it is installed (water supply pressure, pipe length, and the like), and it is not possible to estimate the flow rate flowing into the pouring line in advance. In other words, the flow rate in the pouring line increases as the water supply pressure applied to the appliance increases, whereas the flow rate decreases when the length of the circulation reheating line increases even with the same water supply pressure. As described above, the flow rate flowing in the pipe is determined by the feed water pressure and the length of the circulation reheating line, and both are variables that cannot be determined at the time of shipping the equipment.

As described above, in the automatic bath apparatus, the flow rate flowing into the pipe is unknown, and therefore, pouring is started in a flow rate range where erosion occurs, and there is a possibility that parts in the appliance may be damaged. .

The present invention solves the problems of the prior art as described above, and prevents the starting of pouring beyond the maximum flow rate / permissible pressure from the beginning of pouring, thereby reducing the piping and parts in the fixture. The purpose is to protect.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is directed to pouring water from a water heater at a position distant from the bathtub into the bathtub through a pouring line, and the bathtub water is set at a set water level. In an automatic bath apparatus for stopping pouring of water into a bathtub, a flow control valve and a solenoid valve are disposed in the pouring line, and the flow control valve is throttled when pouring into the bathtub and the solenoid valve is stopped. And start hot water supply, then erosion occurs
It is characterized in that the degree of opening of the flow control valve is determined so that the flow rate is close to the maximum erosion limit in a range that does not exist, and the molten metal is poured.

[0009]

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS One embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an example of an automatic bath device to which the present invention is applied, and FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of another automatic bath device.

Prior to describing the present invention, the structure of the automatic bath apparatus will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 2 shows an automatic bath apparatus for performing only hot water pouring without performing recirculation heating, wherein 1 is an appliance body, 2 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply, 3
Is a vacuum breaker provided in the pouring line 11, 4, 5
Denotes a check valve, 8 denotes a flow sensor disposed in a water supply pipe, 1
Reference numeral 3 'denotes a bathtub pouring port, and 14 denotes a bathtub. In order to apply the present invention, a flow control valve 16 and a solenoid valve 6 are provided in the pouring line 11.
And a pressure sensor 7 is provided downstream (on the side of the bathtub) therefrom.

FIG. 3 shows an automatic bath apparatus capable of circulating and reheating bath water, wherein 9 is a heat exchanger for recirculating reheating, 10 is a pump for recirculating reheating, and 12 is a recirculating pump. A reheating line, 13 indicates a bathtub circulation port, and a flow control valve 1
6, a pouring line 11 provided with a solenoid valve 6 and a pressure switch 7
Is connected between the pump 10 and the bathtub circulation port 13 of the circulation reheating line 12. Other configurations are the same as those shown in FIG.

Although not shown, this type of bath apparatus includes a microcomputer control unit and a controller for the microcomputer control unit, and the microcomputer control unit includes a hot water temperature detection sensor, a flow rate sensor, and a pressure sensor. 7. Input the signal of the running water switch, etc., and fill the set temperature by the microcomputer control unit based on the instruction of the controller, and when it reaches the set water level, stop the filling automatically, and if necessary, bathtub Although the inside hot water is circulated and heated, these techniques are well-known and detailed description thereof is omitted.

Next, a hot water filling method according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1, FIG. 2, and FIG.

When the pouring switch (automatic operation switch) is turned on after setting the water level in the controller (setting based on the position of the bathtub circulation port or the pouring port), the flow control valve 16 is throttled (for example, the minimum flow rate). Then, the solenoid valve 6 is opened to start pouring. At this time, the output of the pressure sensor 7 is monitored, and it is determined whether or not the output is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure measurable by the pressure sensor. Normally, since the flow control valve 16 is throttled, the pressure is naturally lower than the predetermined pressure. However, if the pressure is higher than the predetermined pressure, the solenoid valve 6 is closed as an abnormality such as collapse of the pipe.

When the pressure is equal to or less than the predetermined pressure, the opening of the flow control valve 16 is gradually increased, and the opening of the flow control valve 16 is controlled so as to be equal to or less than the erosion limit flow of the pipe within the measurement range of the pressure sensor 7. The temperature is determined, and the molten metal is poured to the set water level while monitoring the output of the pressure sensor 7 while maintaining the opening.

At this time, if the output of the pressure sensor 7 becomes higher than a predetermined pressure, the opening of the flow control valve 16 is reduced to determine whether the output of the pressure sensor 7 at that time becomes lower than the predetermined pressure. Is determined, and if the pressure is lower than the predetermined pressure, the pouring is continued. However, if the pressure is higher than the predetermined pressure, the solenoid valve 6 is closed as abnormal.

Thus, pouring is continued while detecting the water level in the bathtub. When the pressure sensor 7 detects that the bathtub water level has reached the set water level, the flow rate control valve 16 is first reduced to the minimum flow rate, Close the valve 6 to end the filling.

As described above, in the present invention, at the start of pouring, since the solenoid valve is opened after the flow control valve is always throttled, an excessive flow that may damage the equipment from the beginning of pouring does not flow. In addition, the output of the pressure sensor is monitored during pouring, and when the output of the pressure sensor is equal to or lower than a predetermined pressure, the opening of the flow control valve is increased so that the flow rate of the flow control valve is equal to or less than the erosion limit flow rate. Since the opening degree is set, pouring can be performed at the maximum flow rate at which erosion can be prevented, whereby the pouring time required for filling can be reduced.

[0020]

As described above, according to the present invention, pouring that exceeds the maximum flow rate / permissible pressure from the initial stage of hot water supply is prevented from starting, so that piping and parts in the appliance can be protected, and After the hot water supply is started, the hot water is poured at the maximum flow rate near the erosion limit in the environment where the appliance is installed, so that the filling time can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a hot water filling method according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an outline of an automatic bath apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the automatic bath apparatus to which the present invention is applied.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of an automatic bath apparatus to which a conventional hot water filling method is applied.

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of another automatic bath apparatus to which a conventional hot water filling method is applied.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Instrument main body, 2 ... Heat exchanger for hot water supply, 3 ... Vacuum breaker, 4, 5 check valve, 6 ... Solenoid valve, 7 ... Pressure sensor,
9 heat exchanger for reheating, 10 pump for reheating, 11 pouring line, 12 recirculation line, 13 bath circulation port, 14
Bathtub, 16 ... Flow control valve.

Claims (2)

(57) [Claims] 1. An automatic bath for pouring water from a water heater at a position remote from the bathtub into the bathtub through a pouring line, and stopping pouring into the bathtub when the bathtub water reaches a set water level. In the apparatus, a flow control valve and an electromagnetic valve are disposed in the pouring line, and when pouring into the bathtub, the flow control valve is throttled and the electromagnetic valve is opened to start hot water supply, and then erosion occurs.
A filling method characterized by determining the opening of the flow control valve so that the flow rate is close to the erosion limit , and pouring the molten metal. 2. An automatic bath for pouring water from a water heater at a position remote from the bathtub into the bathtub through a pouring line, and stopping the pouring of the bathtub when the bathtub water reaches a set water level. Means for arranging a flow control valve and an electromagnetic valve in the pouring line, narrowing the flow control valve and opening the electromagnetic valve to start hot water supply at the time of pouring into the bath, and then erosion
Means for determining the degree of opening of the flow control valve so that the flow rate is close to the erosion limit at which water does not occur, and for pouring the molten metal.