JP3551524B2 - Hot water filling control method for automatic bath equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
[Industrial applications]
The present invention relates to a hot water filling control method for an automatic bath apparatus. More specifically, the present invention relates to water filling control of an automatic bath apparatus in which water is automatically filled up to a set water level in a bathtub, and thereafter water is maintained at the set water level while water is being refilled.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Automatically hot water up to the set water level H _a set in the bathtub, then while performing refill so as to keep the set water level H _a, an automatic bath apparatus for performing maintenance operation so as to keep the vicinity of the set temperature. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the procedure of the hot water filling operation and the warming operation in such an automatic bath apparatus during normal operation (the second and subsequent operations after the initial operation for setting). Hereinafter, description will be given according to the flowchart of FIG. 9 and the explanatory diagram of FIG.
[0003]
(Hot water operation)
It is confirmed the water level H of when the automatic switch on first the bath 2 is equal to or less than the first operation (commissioning) during the stored reference level H _s (S51, S52). If the reference level _{H s} or less, firstly a small amount of water _{Q 1} performs a circulating determination darken the (about 10 liters) to make sure that there is no residual water in the bathtub 2 (S53, S54). Circulating determination (S54) is subjected to circulation determination plunge a small amount of hot water further reconfirmed for as long as "water present" Q _{2 (about} about 10 liters) (S55, S57), it is not the air chewing such as by abnormality determination Check. Further, if the circulation determination (S54) is "no water", a certain amount of water _{Q 3} is performed again circulating determination darken (about about 90 liters) (S56, S57). In this manner, if the second circulation determination (S57) determines that there is water and it is confirmed that the water level H is equal to or higher than the bus adapter level, the water level H at that time is obtained by a pressure sensor or the like (S58). set water level H _a and the remaining amount of water corresponding to the water level difference between the water level H with a bath sectional area S which has been obtained in advance at the time of the first operation computes, set water level plunge the hot water remaining in the tub 2 carry out the hot water filling up to H _a (S59, S60). Note that not dropped water remaining amount is regarded as error range when the water level H is the set water level H _a in the range of 1 cm. Thus hot water filling up to the set water level H _a is reheating until the set temperature takes place (S61), it is informed that the water filling operation is completed by a buzzer or the like (S62).
[0004]
(Insulation operation)
Next, the warming operation will be described. Thus insulation operation to be water filling is started almost up to the set water level H _a. Insulation operation while rehydration as needed to the water level H in the bathtub 2 keeps the set water level H _a, is performed so as to keep the hot water stretched in the bath 2 in the vicinity of the set temperature. In the heat keeping operation, first, it is confirmed whether or not the amount of hot water in the bathtub 2 is sufficient for reheating. Specifically, the following steps are performed. Water level H is greater than or bus adapter level in the bathtub 2 that is, the first to be ascertained whether the reference water level H _s or more (S63). If less than the reference water level H _s, since there is a risk that the pressure sensor does not work, it is redone from the water filling operation returns to step S53. If there is a reference water level H _s or more of the water level then, the current water level H is examined whether or not drops below rehydration water level (S64). This rehydration water level, for example, set the water level H is set to 3cm lower level than _a, hot water of necessary quantity if Sagare current water level H is below rehydration water is rehydration. This rehydration is the remaining amount of water corresponding to the water level difference between the set water level H _a and the current water level H returns to step S60 to calculate by using a bath sectional area, plunge the hot water remaining in the tub 2 Do. The hot water up to the set water level _{H s} is reheating and is dropped to a set temperature (S60, S61). Further, even if the current water level H is equal to or higher than the replacement water level in step S64, reheating is performed if 30 minutes have passed since the last reheating (S65, S61).
(When there is residual water)
Further, in the automatic bath apparatus of the automatic switch is turned on (S51), immediately incubated operation jumps to step S63 if there is residual water equal to or greater than the reference water level H _s in bath 2 in the first step S52 After entering, water is replenished as necessary, and then reheated to the set temperature, and a buzzer or the like informs that the filling operation has been completed (S63-64, S60-62).
Thus, by reheating with refill to the set water level H _a, if necessary until a predetermined time (4 hours) has elapsed from the hot water filling completion, and to keep the water temperature in the vicinity of the set temperature (S53 ~ S66)
[0005]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However shallow bath as Western bus In the automatic bath apparatus to accommodate deep bath as Japanese style bus, the set water level H _a of the normal operation of the water level in 250~600mm the tub bottom as a reference Within the range, for example, as shown in Expression (1), the user can freely set the variable in 11 steps every 35 mm.
_{H a = 250 + 35 × n} (mm) ...... ▲ 1 ▼
Where n = 0, 1,..., 10
[0006]
On the other hand although the reference water level H _s is set as the water level which has been confirmed that the above bus adapter level, the reference level H _s while repeatedly dropped into the circulation determination of small amounts of water (about 10 liters), the water level H It is desirable to set the water level just above the bus adapter level. However, it takes a very long time by setting a reference water level H _s in this manner, a relatively small amount in the first time In the automatic bath device as shown in step S53~S57 of the flow diagram of Figure 9 darken hot water to Q _1, after performing the first circulation determination, next time it is dropped into a small amount of water Q ₃ greater than performs circulation again determined, or O and dropped into a small amount of water Q ₃ optionally circulating determination repeated, and obtains the level at which it is confirmed that equal to or higher than the bus adapter level as a reference level H _s, the reference water level H _s is the first operation in which the automatic switch is first turned to the construction is completed Sometimes the settings are stored.
[0007]
Therefore the reference water level H _s varies greatly depending on the magnitude of the bath, also, there is also a case where dropping a further small amount of water (about 10 liters) after determining that "there is water" in circulation determination for reminds, tub 2 there reference water level H _s is much higher would be set in a case fairly small (in the darken of, for example, about 90 liters, may be about 320 mm.). Therefore, in some cases there is a possibility that is set lower than the set water level H _a reference water level H _s that is set by the user as indicated by the broken line in FIG. 10. Further, there is a possibility that is set lower than the similarly set water level H _a reference water level H _s the bus adapter 5 from being construction at a high position. With such set water level H _a from being set lower than the reference water level H _s, there are the following problems.
That is, when the automatic switch is turned on water filling operation is started will be described with reference to the flow diagram of FIG. 9, the reference water level H _s or more residual water is hot water filling it up to the set water level H _a no (S51 to S62) The warming operation is started. At this time, if there is no reference water level H _s or more level, it is impossible to determine the water level exerts a pressure sensor. Therefore, it is necessary to first determine whether the current level H is in the reference water level H _s or more water level (S63). However, since the set water level H _a is set lower than the reference water level H _s, in step S63 the current water level H is determined to be lower than the reference water level H _s, it is dropped into the circulation determination of further hot water returns to the step S53 repeated (S54 to S57), hot water filling is performed up to high standards water level _{H s} than the set water level _{H a.}
As described above, in the automatic bath apparatus, even after the hot water filling operation is completed depending on the set water level, the dropping of water and the determination of circulation are performed unnecessarily even though the hot water has not decreased. As a result, there is a problem in that the processing steps become redundant and extra time is required for unnecessary operations thereafter. Further, since the circulation determination is performed by operating the pump, if the circulation determination is repeatedly performed, the pump is turned on and off a number of times, which is very unpleasant.
[0008]
The present invention has been made in view of the shortcomings of prior art on ordination, it is an object when the set water level H _a is set lower than the reference water level H _s, darken unnecessary water It is to eliminate operation and prevent useless operation.
[0009]
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
The hot water filling method of the first automatic bath apparatus according to the present invention includes an external water level setting means for setting a water level of the hot water, wherein the external water level is set by the external water level setting means and the reference water level set at the time of the first operation. If the set drop water level is lower than the comparative water level, the hot water is dropped to the comparative water level.If the set drop water level is higher than the comparative water level, the hot water is dropped to the set drop water level. It is characterized by dropping hot water.
[0010]
According to this method, the set drop water level is compared with the comparative water level higher than the reference water level, and the hot water is dropped to the comparative water level or the drop water level set higher than the reference water level. Regardless of the drop water level set by the setting means, the hot water is always dropped to a water level higher than the reference water level.
[0011]
Further, the hot water filling control method of the second automatic bath apparatus of the present invention comprises: an external water level setting means for setting a water drop water level; and a water level range setting means for determining a drop water level range that can be set by the external water level setting means. The settable range of the drop water level is set so that the lowest water level of the settable drop water level is higher than the reference water level set during the first operation, and the hot water is dropped to the drop water level set by the external water level setting means. Features.
[0012]
According to this method, the settable drop water level is limited so as to be higher than the reference water level, so that the set drop water level is always higher than the reference water level, and the hot water is set to a water level higher than the reference water level. Is dropped.
[0013]
Therefore, according to the control method of the automatic bath apparatus of the present invention, during normal operation, hot water is always filled above the reference water level, and once hot water is dropped to the target water level, unnecessary hot water is dropped thereafter. Can be prevented, and it is possible to immediately proceed to a subsequent heat retaining operation or the like.
Further, since the hot water is dropped to the reference water level or higher, unnecessary processing steps are reduced, and the hot water dropping operation can be completed in a short time.
In addition, since the number of circulation determinations is reduced, the number of times the pump is driven is also reduced, so that the water can be quietly filled.
[0014]
【Example】
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic bath apparatus 1 using the hot water filling method of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram thereof. 2 is a bathtub, 3 is a reheating circuit, 4 is a hot water supply circuit, and the reheating circuit 3 is provided with a forward path 6a connecting from the pump 10 to the bus adapter 5 of the bathtub 2 via the bath heat exchanger 7; A return path 6b from the adapter 5 to the pump 10 is provided. A pressure sensor 9 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 2 and a water flow switch 8 for detecting the amount of hot water dropped into the bathtub 2 on the way 6a. Is provided, and the thermistor 21 is provided in the middle of the return path 6b. The hot water supply circuit 4 is provided via a flow sensor 22, a thermistor 17, a hot water supply heat exchanger 11, a flow control valve 18, a thermistor 19, a flow control valve 14, a flow sensor 15, a vacuum breaker 20, a shutoff valve 12, and a check valve 13. It is connected to the reheating circuit 3. Reference numeral 16 denotes a branch hot water supply path that branches from the middle of the hot water supply circuit 4 and reaches an appropriate hot water supply point. The flow rate sensor 15 detects the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply circuit 4 into the bathtub 2 through the additional heating circuit 3. Further, the pressure sensor 9 indirectly detects the water level in the bathtub 2 as a water pressure. FIG. 3 shows the relationship between the output P of the pressure sensor 9 and the water volume liter. The output P of the pressure sensor 9 increases until the forward path 6a is filled with hot water (the amount of hot water until the forward path 6a is filled with hot water; L ₁ ), but after the forward path 6a is filled with hot water, the water level reaches the bus adapter level thereafter. until reached (quantity of water when the water has reached the bus adapter level; L ₂₎ represents the constant value P _1, from the output P ₁ of the bus adapter level until the output P ₂ at the set water level H _a proportionally To increase. Incidentally, L ₃ is a volume of water when it reaches a set water level H _a.
[0015]
The control unit 30 of the automatic bath apparatus 1 includes a microcomputer, and performs various calculations, determinations, controls, storages, and the like. More specifically, a flow rate detection signal detected by the flow rate sensor 15 is sent to the control unit 30, and the flow rate value is integrated to obtain a water amount (integrated flow rate). Further, a pressure detection signal detected by the pressure sensor 9 is sent, and the water level H from the bottom of the bathtub is indirectly obtained as shown in FIG. The water level setting unit 23 are input to set the water level H _a remote controller 24, the target from the set water level H _a water level setting unit 23 that is set as the reference water level H _s that is obtained in advance by the control unit 30 the water level H _m Is set, and a water level setting signal is output to the control unit 23. The control unit 30 based on the level setting signal output, and plunge the hot water into the bathtub 2 by opening the shut-off valve 12 so that the target water level H _m. Further, the control unit 30 controls the hot water temperature adjusting unit 31 so as to reach the set temperature input from the remote controller 24, and keeps the hot water in the bathtub 2 near the set temperature.
[0016]
The filling control method of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4 and the explanatory diagram of FIG. The flow chart shown in FIG. 4 shows the filling operation and the warming operation during the normal operation. The test operation has already been performed by the method disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-267460, and the microcomputer will be described as bathtub sectional area S for determining the height of depression of the hot water to a reference water level H _s and a target water level H _m is stored.
(Hot water operation)
First, the automatic switch is turned on, and hot water having a water amount Q ₁ (for example, 10 liters) is dropped from the hot water supply circuit 4 into the bathtub 2 (S31). Next, the closing valve 12 is closed, the pump 10 is operated, and the water flow switch 8 makes a circulation determination for determining the presence or absence of residual water (S32). After the circulation determination, the pump 10 is stopped. The circulation is determined to be “ON” if hot water in the bathtub 2 is higher than the level of the bus adapter 5, and is determined to be “OFF” if the hot water is lower than the level of the bus adapter 5. In the circulation determination dropped into a small amount of hot water Q ₂ when it is determined that there is residual water in the "on" (S33), performs again circulating determination (S35), air chew like are either confirmed not (the hot water Q ₂ The dropping (S33) may be omitted.)
[0017]
If circulation determination (S32) is "off", more hot water _{Q 3} (e.g., 90 liters) darken the hot water (S34), performs a second time circulating determined (S35). If the second time the circulation determination (S35) is "off", further darken the hot water hot water _{Q 3} (S34), performs circulation again determined (S35). Thus until circulating determination is "on", repeating the darken of hot water Q ₃ (S34, S35), the circulation determination (S35) is "on", it is determined that there is more water bus adapter level, at that time The water level H is detected (S36).
[0018]
If the bus adapter level above the water level H is confirmed, dropping the water then to be the target level H _m. The target water level H _m is determined by the relationship between the set water level H _a and the reference level H _s that is set by the user, the target water level H _m is set to be higher than the reference water level H _s. In the automatic bath apparatus 1, the temporary level set higher than the reference water level _{H s H t (H t =} H s + α, α> 0, α is the default value) is stored in the water level setting unit 23, the user if the configured set water level _{H a} is higher than the provisional level _{H t} by, from the target water level _{H m} is defined equal to the set water level _{H a (H} m _{= H} a), set water level _{H a} provisional level _{H t} target level _{H m} when low is determined in the temporary water level _{H t (H m = H t} ).
[0019]
And set water level _{H a} sets a target water level _{H m} if it is set lower _(H a _{<H t)} from the provisional level _{H t} to the temporary water level _{H t,} and the water level difference between the temporary water level _{H t} and the water level H The amount of hot water Q equal to the product of the bathtub cross-sectional area S stored in the control unit 30 is dropped (S37, S38). Further, the water level difference between the set water level _{H a} is set a target water level _{H m} in the set water level _{H a.} When it is set higher than the temporary water level _{H t (H a} ≧ _{H t),} the set water level _{H a} water level H Hot water Q is dropped in an amount equal to the product of the bathtub cross-sectional area S (S37, S39). Thus performs boilup to hot water Once dropped into water reaches the set temperature to the target level H _m (S40, S41), Shirasu buzzer or the like that water filling is completed (S42). Note that this buzzer is sounded only when it is first heated up to the set temperature.
[0020]
(Insulation operation)
Entering the thermal insulation operation water filling is completed up to the target level H _m as described above. In the heat keeping operation, reheating is performed at regular time intervals, and it is checked whether the water level H in the bathtub 2 is higher than the reheatable water level so that reheating can be performed. Therefore, first, the water level H is sure that the higher or more bus adapters level than the reference water level H _s (S43). Here, if the amount of the hot water of after water filling completion water is used in the bath 2 is equal to or less than the reference water level _{H s} (S43), and returns to step S31 darken yu _{(Q 1, Q 2, Q} 3) circulating judgment is water again until the target level _{H m} is performed is dropped (S31 to S35).
At this time, since immediately after the water filling is completed the water level H = H _m is equal to or greater than the reference water level H _s, then it is more than rehydration water level is confirmed (S44). Step S44 performs the refill and refill the water level (e.g. the set water level _H a _-3cm) is not more than the water level in the. Rehydration returns to step S37, darken the hot water to the target level _{H m} defined by the relationship between the set water level _{H a} tentative level _{H t,} it is reheating to a set temperature (S38, S39~S41). Further, there is a reference water level _{H s} or more water, yet if above rehydration water level (S43, S44), the reheating each time elapses from reheating of the previous example 30 minutes or more (S45, S40~S41), The temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 2 is kept near the set temperature.
Predetermined time after the water filling operation is completed in this way (for example, 4 hours) until passage (S46) can keep the water level in the tub 2 in the vicinity of a predetermined set temperature while maintaining the target level H _m.
[0021]
Thus in the present invention, even if the set water level H _a is set lower than the reference water level H _s, so hot water is dropped to the target level H _m which is at a higher level than the reference water level H _s Therefore, after the hot water filling is completed, unnecessary dropping and circulation determination are not performed, and the warming operation can be performed immediately.
[0022]
The target water level H _m can be set as follows. Those shown in FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic bath apparatus 1 is another embodiment of the present invention, the set water level water level setting unit 23 that the user can set on the basis of the reference water level H _s set during commissioning define the settable range of H _a, and outputs a water level setting range on the remote controller 24, the user has to set the set water level H _a in the range. Then, and outputs a water level setting signal to the control unit 30 the set water level H _a that is input from the remote controller 24 as the target level H _m. The water level setting range, the reference water level H _s as the minimum value are determined to be higher than the set water level H _a reference water level H _s that is set. The control unit 30 drops the hot water so as to reach the input target water level H _m (= the set water level H _a ). Following ▲ 2 ▼ equations, there is shown a specific example for setting the target water level H _m, the range of the set water level H _a that can be set by the user,
Set water level _{H a = 250 + 35 × n} (mm) ...... ▲ 2 ▼
Where n is an integer from n _min to 10;
n _min, for example _{(H s -250) / 35 +} 1 of the integer part may be such that the (rounded up, truncated, either good rounding).
Those shown in FIG. 8 is an example of the water level setting display in the remote controller 24 is, for example, if the reference level H _s during commissioning is set to 320 mm, the user, as shown in FIG. 8 (a) can be set the range of the set water level _{H a} can be set in eight steps n = 3 to 10, actual target water level _{H m} will be defined by the scope of 320Mm～600mm, display setting range indicator 25 in seven levels Is done. The up button 27a, when pressing the down button 27b to select the set water level H _a desired water level displayed with the set water level H _a selected lamp in the indicator 25 is displayed on (broken line area in the figure) It is indicated by a numeral in the section 26. Further, if the reference level _{H s} is set to 250 mm, range users of set water level _{H a} configurable as shown in FIG. 8 (b) can be set in 10 stages from n = 1 to 10, the actual The target water level Hm is determined in the range of 285 _mm to 600 mm, and the range that can be set on the indicator 25 is displayed in 10 steps. Thus, setting the water level H _a that is set higher than always the reference water level H _s. Reference numeral 28 denotes a set temperature display section, 29a denotes a set temperature up button, and 29b denotes a set temperature down button.
[0023]
When defining the thus set reference level H _s range of settable set water level H _a by (a range of target water level H _m), the actual target and the display of the remote controller 24 (indicator 25 and the water level display part 26) match the water level H _m, it is water-clad water level of the display as the reference water level H _s can be prevented that the actual water level by different it becomes mixed.
[0024]
When the bathtub is large and the set water level Ha has a margin, the set water level may be fixed at 10 steps so that the water level can be set in the steps of n _min +1 to n _min +10.
[0025]
Note the above embodiment is to perform the circulation determination performs darken a small amount of water Q ₁ when turn on automatic switch, as shown in the conventional example, closing the shutoff valve 12 to turn on automatic switch, determining whether the first reference water level H _s or more water by the pressure sensor 9 in the bathtub 2, if confirmed reference water level H _s or more level, even if the enter immediately incubated operation jumps to step S43 Good.
[0026]
【The invention's effect】
According to the hot water filling control method of the automatic bath apparatus of the present invention, during normal operation, hot water is always dropped to a water level higher than the reference water level, and thereafter, unnecessary hot water is not dropped until the water level becomes lower than the reference water level. Can be prevented.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram of an automatic bath apparatus using a hot water filling method of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the automatic bath device according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a relationship between an output P of a pressure sensor and a water amount L.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing a hot water filling control method according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 5 is a continuation of the flowchart shown in FIG.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram showing a hot water filling control method according to the first embodiment;
FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram of an automatic bath apparatus using another hot water filling control method of the present invention.
8A and 8B are views showing a water level setting display on the remote controller of the above.
FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing a conventional hot water filling control method.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram showing a hot water filling control method according to the third embodiment;
[Explanation of symbols]
2 Bathtub 3 Reheating circuit 4 Hot water supply circuit 5 Bus adapter 9 Pressure sensor 15 Flow rate sensor 23 Water level setting unit 24 Remote controller 30 Control unit

Claims (2)

Equipped with external water level setting means for setting the dropping water level of hot water,
Compare the drop water level set by the external water level setting means with the comparative water level higher than the reference water level set during the first operation,
When the set drop water level is lower than the comparative water level, the hot water is dropped to the comparative water level,
A hot water filling control method for an automatic bath apparatus, wherein when the set drop water level is higher than the comparative water level, hot water is dropped to the set drop water level. External water level setting means for setting a dropping water level of hot water;
With a water level range setting means for determining the range of the drop water level that can be set by the external water level setting means,
The settable range of the drop water level is set so that the lowest drop water level that can be set is higher than the reference water level set during the first operation, and the hot water is dropped to the drop water level set by the external water level setting means. Hot water filling method for automatic bath equipment.

Images