JP3421600B2 - 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 bath device capable of giving advance notice of boiling water.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in a fully automatic bath device,
For example, after setting the hot water temperature and water level with a remote control, etc., press the automatic operation switch on the remote control to automatically perform hot water supply and additional heating, and stop hot water supply and additional heating when the set water level and set hot water temperature are reached, A buzzer was used to notify the boil. In addition, in a bath device that can be reheated, after pouring water in the bathtub, the water in the bathtub is circulated and heated by the burner for reheating, and the water in the bathtub boiled when it reached the set hot water temperature. Informing the rise, or in a bath device that does not have a reheating mechanism,
After setting the desired hot water temperature, pouring is started, and when the desired temperature of hot water is poured into the bathtub by a predetermined amount, the pouring is stopped and the boiling is notified.

[0003]

By the way, in such a bath device, since it is notified that hot water supply or reheating is completed, the notification is convenient in that it prompts the user to take a bath.
You can take a bath even before the set water temperature or the set water level is reached. In addition, there are individual differences in bathing hot water temperature, and there is a case where the bathing hot water temperature is checked and the hot water amount is checked before bathing. In such a case, it is not necessary to notify the user of boiling water. In addition, when preparing to take a bath after the boil-up notification, there is a waste of time, and the desire to reach the set water level or the set hot water temperature during bathing cannot be ignored. When the set hot water temperature is reached, additional water may be required for bathing due to changes in the sensible temperature due to the outside air temperature and the like.

[0004] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a bath device which uses a language to inform the user of the set water level, the set amount of hot water, or the state where the set hot water temperature can be reached during bath preparation or bathing.

[0005]

Means for Solving the Problems According to the present invention, a set reference water level, a set hot water amount, or a set reference hot water temperature is set separately from the set water level, the set hot water amount, or the set hot water temperature as a state in which a set water level, a set hot water amount, or a set hot water temperature can be reached during bath preparation. , Set the advance notice hot water amount or advance notice hot water temperature,
When the water level reaches the notice standard water level and the hot water amount reaches the notice standard hot water amount or the hot water temperature reaches the notice standard hot water temperature, by giving a notice in advance in a language consisting of words such as "Mouse Guofroni Hiremas" and "Ofurogawa Kimachishita" By distinguishing from the alarm sound of other electronic devices, it is possible to prevent the bather from failing to hear and take a bath conveniently.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the bath apparatus of the present invention controls the hot and cold water in the bathtub to a set water level and a set hot water temperature.
A hot water supply pipe that heats water to supply hot water.
And a circulation path (additional circulation) for circulating the hot and cold water in the bathtub (3).
Circulation 2), remote control device (remote control 26), hot water supply and
And a control means (control unit 25) for controlling the bath water level
Well, the hot water supply pipe is provided with a water supply pipe (7) through which water flows.
Water amount detection means for detecting the amount of water flowing in the water pipe
9) and the temperature of the water flowing through the water supply pipe
Supply to the water supply pipe and water temperature detection means (incoming water temperature sensor 8)
Heat exchange for hot water supply by heating the water by burner combustion
Exchanger (4) and the water supply pipe on the inlet side of the hot water heat exchanger
To the water supply pipe on the outlet side of the hot water heat exchanger.
A branch pipe (13) for flowing water and the water from the branch pipe
And hot water from the hot water supply heat exchanger are mixed,
First switching valve (hot water mixing valve 12) for switching the mixing distribution
And detects the temperature of hot water flowing through this first switching valve
And a mixed hot water temperature detection means (mixed hot water temperature sensor 29)
The circulation path includes a heat exchanger for reheating (5) and the bathtub.
A forward pipe (22) for flowing hot and cold water to a heat exchanger for additional heating, and
Return pipe for flowing hot water from the heat exchanger for additional heating to the bathtub
(20), and the hot water supply conduit to the outflow pipe or the return pipe
Second, which supplies or shuts off the high-temperature hot water from the
Switching valve (return switching valve 17, forward switching valve 21), and
Detect the water level in the bathtub by the water pressure acting on the return pipe
And a water level detection means (pressure sensor 18).
The water level setting device commands the control means to set the water level.
Means and a hot water temperature setting hand for instructing the control means to set hot water temperature
Stage, fully automatic switch to command automatic operation, and voice notification
Informing means (voice output circuit 27 and speaker 2
8) and the control means is provided from the remote control device.
Lower than the set water level corresponding to the commanded set water level
The warning reference water level is set and the fully automatic switch is operated.
In response to the switching of the first and second switching valves,
The amount of water detected from the water amount detection means and the water temperature detection means
Calculate the heat quantity of the burner based on the detected water temperature,
Heat exchange for hot water supply by burning the burner with
Hot water of a predetermined temperature obtained from the vessel is supplied to the first switching valve.
It mixes with the water through and controls the mixing distribution
To match the set hot water temperature, and supply the hot water to the hot water supply pipe
Note then hot water to the bathtub flowing in the circulation path from the water level detection
When the water level detected by the intelligence means reaches the advance notice water level,
"Mousgoo Froni Hiremas", which represents a notice of boiling
Such as outputting a notification signal that represents a voice message such as
In addition, the water level detected by the water level detection means has reached the set water level.
"Orogawa Kimachishita", etc. that expresses boiling when you do
After outputting the notification signal indicating the voice message of
Stop the burner and control the second switching valve
The pouring into the bathtub is completed, and the notification means
Boil up based on the notification signal generated by the control means
Represents the above-mentioned "Mousuguroni Hiremasu" or "off
Issued a notification consisting of voice messages such as "Rogawa Kimashita"
Characterized in that it. With such a configuration, the advance notification of the boiling by a voice message indicating the boiling such as "Mouse Goofroni Hiremas ",
Frogawa Kimashita and other voice message
Notification, it can be distinguished from the notification sound of other electronic devices.
Hou knowledge can be a bathing preparation and bathing in response to, it is possible to shorten the waiting time of up to Wakiagari.

[0007]

[0008]

In this bath apparatus, the notice standard water level can be set according to the set water level or separately from the set water level. That is, the set water level can be adjusted arbitrarily, but in that case, the reference water level for advance notice may be determined according to the set water level, or may be set independently of the set water level.

[0010]

Further, in this bath apparatus, the set water
Set the amount of hot water as the set amount, and set the advance notice water level as the advance notice hot water amount.
Characterized in that by comprising. That is, in this bath device,
Even when controlling the water level in the bathtub with the amount of hot water,
"Froni High Remas" and other words
Informed, it can be distinguished from the alarm sound of other electronic devices and
You can prepare for bathing based on the notification,
It is possible to shorten the waiting time until the end. in this case,
The set hot water amount can be arbitrarily adjusted. In that case, the advance notice reference hot water amount may be determined according to the set hot water amount, or may be set independently of the set hot water amount.

Further, in this bath device, the notifying means is for notifying of boiling by a voice information or a simple sound such as a buzzer. The notification by voice information is, for example, a method of notifying a boiling message by pseudo voice or the like. In the case of a buzzer sound, the boil can be announced by a tone color or the like.

[0013]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION The present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the embodiments shown in the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a bath apparatus according to the present invention. This embodiment has a pouring function of pouring water from a hot water supply apparatus 1 into a bathtub 3 through a reheating circulation path 2, and It is an example of a fully automatic bath device having a reheating function for reheating the hot water in the bathtub through the reheating circulation path 2.

The hot water supply device 1 comprises a hot water supply heat exchanger 4, a reheating heat exchanger 5 and a hopper 6. A water supply pipe 7 for supplying water to the hot water supply device 1 is connected to the water inlet side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 via an incoming water temperature sensor 8 and an incoming water amount sensor 9, and a water drop valve 10 is provided. It is connected to the hopper 6 via.

The outlet port side of the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 is connected to the hot water inlet port side of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 through the hot water temperature sensor 11, and the hot water inlet port side of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 is used for hot water supply. A branch pipe 13 branched from the water inlet side of the heat exchanger 4 is connected. On the mixed hot water outlet side of the hot and cold water mixing valve 12, a mixed hot water temperature sensor 29 as a hot water temperature detecting means and a hot water drop valve 14 are provided.
It is connected to the hopper 6 through a pipe and is also connected to an external pouring tap such as a faucet through an external pipe 15.

On the other hand, on the hot water inlet side of the heat exchanger 5 for additional heating,
A recirculation pump 16 for reheating, a return switching valve (four-way valve) 17, a pressure sensor 18 as a water level detecting means, and a temperature sensor 19 for reheating as a hot water temperature detecting means to a return pipe 20 of the reheating circulation path 2. It is connected. Further, the hot water outlet side of the additional heat exchanger 5 is connected to the outgoing pipe 22 of the additional heating circulation path 2 via a forward switching valve (three-way valve) 21.

The other valve opening of the forward switching valve 21 is connected to the hopper 6 via a pouring amount sensor 23, and
It is connected to the return switching valve 17 via a drainage switching valve (three-way valve) 24. The other port of the drainage switching valve 24 has a hopper 6
It is connected to the.

The control section 25 is a control means for controlling the overall operation of the hot water supply apparatus and for performing boiling forecast processing, and has a built-in microprocessor (CPU), infrared transmitter / receiver and the like.

The remote controller 26 is a wireless or wired remote operation device for exchanging signals necessary for control with the control unit 25, and serves as various operation buttons (not shown) and notification means. Voice output circuit 2
7, a speaker 28, a buzzer, etc. are built-in. The voice output circuit 27 is composed of an artificial voice synthesizing IC, an oscillator, and the like, and produces a predetermined notification sound according to a notification command signal sent from the control unit 25 and sounds it from the speaker 28, a buzzer, or the like. .

The operation of the boiling notification in the above configuration will be described.

2 and 3 show the hot water supply and the first notice notification operation. In this operation example, the hot water of the set hot water is automatically poured into the bathtub 3, and when the water level reaches a predetermined warning reference water level, the boiling warning is notified,
This is a case where the completion of boiling is notified when the set water level is reached.

[0023] First, in step S1,2, enter the by operating the remote controller 26 and the water level H _O hot water that poured into the tub 3 and its water temperature T _O, is set in the control unit 25. As an example, the water level H _O = 40 cm and the hot water temperature T _O = 42 ° C. are set.

In step S3, when the water level H _O and the hot water temperature T _O are set, the control unit 25 calculates and sets the advance reference water level H _TH for giving advance notice of boiling. As an example, a value lower than the set water level H _O by 2 cm is set as the _advance notice water level H _TH . This is set by the program, and in this case, the reference water level H _{TH is} 38 cm.

After such a pre-operation, if a fully automatic switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 is pressed, the process moves to step S4 and automatic pouring is started, and the control section 25 controls the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to operate. Ignite the burner. Then, the valve of each hot water supply path is opened, the calorific value of the burner is calculated based on the detection output of the incoming water temperature sensor 8 and the incoming water amount sensor 9, and hot water of a predetermined temperature is discharged from the hot water supply heat exchanger 4 to mix the hot water. By mixing the water in the hot and cold water mixing valve 12 while monitoring it with the temperature sensor 29, hot water having the set hot water temperature T _O = 42 ° C. is obtained and supplied to the hopper 6.

The hot water supplied to the hopper 6 is drained by the drain route switching valve 24, the return switching valve 17, and the pressure sensor 18 in order to remove the air between the return switching valve 17 and the bath 3 by the hot water route shown by the broken line in FIG. Then, it is poured into the bathtub 3 through the additional heating temperature sensor 19 and the return pipe 20. When the air bleeding between the return switching valve 17 and the bath 3 is completed, the hot water route shown by the solid line, that is, the return switching valve 17 is closed, and the hot water in the hopper 6 is filled with the pouring amount sensor 23, the forward switching valve 21, and the additional heating circulation path. 2 outflow pipe 22
After that, it is poured into the bathtub 3.

The pressure sensor 18 detects the pressure of the hot water accumulated in the bath 3 and sends it to the controller 25. The control unit 25 detects the water level of the hot water in the bathtub 3 based on the water level obtained by the pressure sent from the pressure sensor 18. Then, as shown in step S5, it is determined whether or not reached notice reference water level H _TH = 38cm water level in the bathtub 3 has set, notice the reference water level H _TH = 38 the water level in the bathtub 3 has set
When it reaches cm, the control unit 25 issues a notice signal of boiling notice to the remote controller 26.

Upon receiving this notice signal, the remote controller 2
Reference numeral 6 indicates a language that is activated by the voice output circuit 27, and in the voice output circuit 27, as shown in step S6, a voice message is composed of a phrase such as "Mouse Guofroni Hiremas (I will take a bath soon)". The language notification is generated by a synthesized sound prepared in advance, and is notified from the speaker 28.

In step S7, pouring into the bathtub 3 progresses, and in step S8, the water level in the bathtub 3 is set to the set water level H _O.
= 40 cm is determined, and when the water level in the bathtub 3 reaches the set water level H _O = 40 cm, the control unit 25 stops the burner, closes each valve in the hot water supply path, and stops pouring. At the same time, a boiling completion notification signal is generated for the remote controller 26.

When this completion notification signal is received, step S
After shifting to 9, the remote controller 26 activates the voice output circuit 27, and the voice output circuit 27 prepares in advance a language notification indicating a language composed of a phrase such as "Orogawa Kimachita (bath boiled)". The synthesized sound is generated and the speaker 28 gives a notification. This announces that the bath has boiled.

Next, FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 show the hot water supply and the second advance notification operation. This operation example is an operation at the time of additional heating in which the remaining hot water is boiled and bathed.

As shown in step S11, the remote controller 2
6 is operated to input the hot water temperature T _O and set in the control unit 25. As an example, the hot water temperature T _O = 42 ° C. is set. When the hot water temperature T _O is set, the control unit 25 proceeds to step S1.
2, the notice reference hot water temperature T _{TH for} giving notice of boil is calculated and set. As an example, a value lower than the set hot water temperature T _O by 2 ° C. is set as the _advance notice hot water temperature T _TH . This is preprogrammed, and in this case, the reference hot water temperature T _TH = 40 ° C.

In step S13, when a fully-automatic switch (not shown) of the remote controller 26 is pressed, heating of the hot water in the bathtub 3 is started, and the control unit 25 ignites the burner of the heating heat exchanger 5 for heating. By driving the circulation pump 16 for additional heating,
The hot water route indicated by a thick solid line, that is, the hot water in the bathtub 3, the return pipe 20 of the additional heating circulation path 2, the additional heating temperature sensor 19, the pressure sensor 18, the return switching valve 17, the additional heating circulation pump 16, and the additional hot water circulation pump 16. Reheating is performed by circulating the heating heat exchanger 5, the forward switching valve 21, and the forward pipe 22 of the secondary heating circulation path 2.

The reheating temperature sensor 19 detects the hot water temperature in the circulating bath 3 and sends it to the control unit 25. In step S14, the control unit 25 monitors the hot water temperature sent from the additional heating temperature sensor 19, and the notice standard hot water temperature T _TH = 4 set by the hot water temperature is set.
It is determined whether or not the temperature has reached 0 ° C., and when the hot water temperature reaches the preset reference hot water temperature T _TH = 40 ° C., a boiling alert notification signal is sent to the remote controller 26.

Upon receiving this notice signal, the remote controller 2
Reference numeral 6 activates the voice output circuit 27, and the voice output circuit 27 generates a prepared synthetic sound such as "I will take a bath soon", and notifies from the speaker 28 as shown in step S15. .

As shown in step S16, when the additional heating proceeds to step S17 and the hot water in the bathtub 3 reaches the set hot water temperature T _O = 42 ° C., the control unit 25 stops the burner and the circulation pump 16. , Stop the heating, and remote control 2
A boiling completion notification signal is sent to 6.

When this completion notification signal is received, step S
In 18, the remote controller 26 activates the audio output circuit 27,
The voice output circuit 27 generates a synthetic sound prepared in advance such as "The bath has boiled", and the speaker 28 gives a notification. This makes it possible to know that the bath has boiled.

In the embodiment, the notice of warning is given by setting the notice of reference water level and the notice of reference hot water at the same time, but either one may be selectively given. The notice standard water level may be set according to the set water level or independent of the set water level, and the notice standard hot water temperature may be set according to the set hot water temperature or independently of the set hot water temperature.

The bath device of the present invention is not limited to the bath device having the automatic hot water supply function and the additional heating function of the embodiment. It can be applied to a bath device of a type in which hot water adjusted to a desired hot water temperature is poured from a water heater into a bathtub by a predetermined amount. The pouring type bath device measures the amount of hot water poured into the bathtub with a water amount sensor as a hot water amount detection means, and when the set amount of hot water is reached, pouring into the bathtub is stopped, but at that time a predetermined amount Only a small amount of hot water is set as the advance notice hot water amount, and when the advance notice hot water amount is reached, a warning message such as a voice message "I'll be taking a bath soon" will be given, and when the preset hot water amount is reached, You may be notified of the completion of boiling such as "The bath has boiled."

As an example, the set amount of hot water poured into the bathtub is 1
In the case of 50 liters, 120 liters is set as the advance notice hot water amount, and when 120 liters of this hot water is poured, the advance notice of "I will take a bath soon" is given and 1
When 50 liters have been poured, the completion notification of "The bath has boiled" is given.

In the above embodiment, the case where the notification is made by the synthesized voice has been described, but the notification may be made by using a buzzer or the like instead of the synthesized voice. In this case, in order to distinguish the advance notice and the completion notice, the number of occurrences and the interval of occurrence of the buzzer “beep” sound are changed between the advance notice and the completion notification, or the frequency (tone color) of the “beep” sound is changed. do it.

Further, not only the acoustic method using the synthesized voice but also an optical method such as blinking of a lamp or color switching may be used, and both sound and light may be used.

[0043]

As described above, according to the present invention, at the time of automatic pouring, before the set water level is reached, advance notice such as "Mouse Guofroni Hiremas" or "Offrogawa Kimachita" is issued. Etc.
Since the notification by voice message, it is possible to receive the broadcast knowledge clearly distinguishable from the notification sound of other electronic devices, without miss, Ki out bathing prepared by the broadcast knowledge of that,
Etc. can be shortened input bath latency, highly convenient bath apparatus
Can be provided .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a bath device according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a first advance notification operation of the bath device.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a hot water supply operation of the bath device.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a second advance notification operation of the bath device.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a hot water supply operation of the bath device.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 water heater 2 Oxygen circulation circuit 3 bathtubs 4 Hot water heat exchanger 5 Heat exchanger for reheating 16 Circulation pump for additional heating 18 Pressure sensor (water level detection means) 19 Reheating temperature sensor (hot water temperature detection means) 25 Control unit (control means) 27 Voice output circuit (informing means) 28 speaker (informing means) 29 Mixed hot water temperature sensor (hot water temperature detection means)

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continued front page (72) Inventor Masa Nagata 201 Nishi-Kashiwabara Nitta, Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Takagi Sangyo Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yu Mochizuki 201 Nishi-Kashiwabara Shinden Fuji City, Shizuoka Prefecture Takagi Sangyo Co., Ltd. (56) References JP-A-60-240952 (JP, A) (58) Fields investigated (Int.Cl. ⁷ , DB name) F24H 1/00 602

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. The bath water is controlled to a set water level and a set hot water temperature.
A bath device for controlling a hot water supply pipe that heats water to supply hot water, and circulates the hot water in the bathtub.
Circulation circuit to circulate, remote control device, hot water supply and bath water level
And a control means for controlling the hot water supply pipe,
Flow amount detection means for detecting the amount of water flowing through the water supply pipe
Water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the water, and the water supply pipe
For hot water supply that heats the supplied water by burner combustion
The heat exchanger and the water supply pipe on the inlet side of this hot water heat exchanger are
Branch to the water supply pipe on the outlet side of the hot water heat exchanger.
A branch pipe for flowing water, and the water and the hot water supply from the branch pipe
Mixing with hot water from the heat exchanger for distribution
Through the first switching valve to be switched and this first switching valve
Equipped with mixed hot water temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of flowing hot water
The circulation path adds heat to the reheating heat exchanger and hot water in the bathtub.
From the outflow pipe that flows into the heat exchanger for heating, and the heat exchanger for additional heating
A return pipe for flowing the hot water into the bathtub, and the forward pipe or the front pipe.
Supply the hot water from the hot water supply pipe to the return pipe, or
A second switching valve that shuts off the supply and acts on the return pipe
Water level detection means for detecting the water level in the bathtub by the water pressure
And the remote control device instructs the control means to set a water level.
Commanding the set hot water temperature to the water level setting means and the control means
Hot water temperature setting means and fully automatic switch to command automatic operation
And a notification means for issuing a voice notification, and the control means is configured to receive the command from the remote control device.
Corresponding to the set water level, the warning reference water level lower than the set water level
Is set, and in response to the operation of the fully automatic switch,
The first and second changeover valves are changed over so that the water amount detecting means
Based on the amount of water detected by the above and the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means.
Calculate the calorific value of the burner, and use this calorific value to operate the burner.
Obtained from the heat exchanger for hot water supply by burning
Hot water having a predetermined temperature is exchanged with the water through the first switching valve.
While mixing, control the mixture distribution and set the above-mentioned hot water.
Match the temperature and supply the hot water from the hot water supply pipe to the circulation line.
Flowing into the bath and pouring it into the bath, the water detected by the water level detection means
When the water level reaches the above-mentioned water level
The representative of "soon off Roni Haile mass" and the like of the voice menu Tsu cell
The water level is detected and the water level is detected.
When the water level detected by the means reaches the set water level,
Voice message such as "ofurogawakimashita" which shows bittern
Stops combustion of the burner after outputting a notification signal indicating
And controlling the second switching valve to control the pouring into the bath.
The hot water is completed, and the notification means is configured to notify the notification signal generated by the control means.
On the basis of the above, the above-mentioned "Mouse Guofroniha"
Voice messages such as "Iremas" or "Orogawa Kimachishita"
A bath device that emits an alarm . 2. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the notice standard water level can be set according to the set water level or separately from the set water level. 3. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the set water level is a set hot water amount, and the notice standard water level is a notice standard hot water amount. Wherein said notifying means, sound information, or claim 1 Symbol placing the bath apparatus, characterized in that to inform the Wakiagari by a simple sound such as a buzzer.