JP3776973B2 - Bath equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improvement of a bath apparatus that raises hot water in a bathtub to a preset temperature.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Conventionally, such a bath apparatus is configured as shown in FIG. 6, for example.
This bath apparatus 1 is provided with a circulation pipe 2 that is a pipe between the appliance body and the bathtub 8, and a burner 3 and a heat exchanger are provided along the circulation pipeline 2 in the appliance body. 4, a pump 5, a temperature thermistor 6, and a water flow switch 7 are provided.
The circulation conduit 2 is connected to the bathtub 8 by a circulation fitting 9.
[0003]
In such a bath apparatus 1, the water or hot water stored in the bathtub 8 is drawn into the appliance main body through the return pipe 2 a of the circulation pipe 2 by driving the pump 5.
This water or hot water is heat-exchanged by the heat exchanger 4 by heating by the burner 3, and the hot water having a high temperature is returned into the bathtub 8 through the forward pipe 2 b and the circulation fitting 9.
[0004]
FIG. 7 schematically shows a state where hot water is circulated by connecting the forward pipe 2b and the return pipe 2a to the circulation fitting 9.
Note that the actual structure of the circulating metal fitting and the hot water passage provided therein are complicated unlike the illustrated one, and therefore, in this example, a conceptual diagram for explaining the circulating metal fitting is used.
As shown in the drawing, the first passage 12 a and the second passage 12 b formed in the circulation fitting 9 are led into the bathtub 8.
In the figure, in a state where the circulation fitting 9 is correctly attached to the bathtub 8, the first passage 12a is positioned on the upper side and the second passage 12b is positioned on the lower side.
The second passage 12b is bent downward. The circulation fitting 9 is provided with a circulation fitting cap 11, and a filter 16 is accommodated in the cap 11.
Further, instead of the filter 16, for example, a filter is formed in the holes 13, 14, 15 of the cap 11.
[0005]
The circulation fitting cap 11 is provided with an opening 15 so as to be positioned below the second passage 12b when it is correctly attached to the circulation fitting 9.
Therefore, if the circulation fitting 9 is correctly connected to the pipes extending from the instrument side (the outgoing pipe 2b and the return pipe 2a), the second passage 12b and the first passage 12a shown in FIG. The forward pipe 2b and the return pipe 2a shown are connected so as to fit.
Thereby, the hot water or water A in the bathtub is heated in the instrument main body mainly through the holes 13 and 14 of the circulation fitting cap and the filter 16 and the first passage 12a and the return pipe 2a of FIG. 3 and the first passage 12b of the circulating metal fitting, through the filter 16 and poured from the opening 15 of the circulating metal cap 11 as B.
[0006]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, in such a bath apparatus 1, when the construction is performed, the worker is provided with a pair tube of the forward tube 2 b and the return tube 2 a extending from the instrument main body of FIG. And the return side may be connected in reverse.
[0007]
Specifically, at the construction site, the bathtub and the instrument body may be far apart, and it is difficult to tell which of the paired tubes that extend from the instrument body is the forward side or the return side. And such a misconnection is not unusual.
[0008]
Therefore, when the forward pipe 2b extending from the instrument main body of FIG. 3 is connected to the first passage 12a of the circulation fitting 9, and the return pipe 2a is connected to the second passage 12b, as shown in FIG. A flow path is formed.
That is, according to FIG. 8, since hot hot water B comes out from the 1st channel | path 12a of the circulation metal fitting 9, the part B1 passes the filter 16, and the holes 13 and 14 in the inner side of the circulation metal fitting cap 11 are carried out. Go out into the bathtub.
However, the other part B2 of the hot hot water goes around the inside of the cap 11 and enters the second passage 12b. For this reason, it mixes with the hot water A in the bathtub and goes around the circulation pipe 2 through the return pipe 2a of FIG.
[0009]
For this reason, if piping is mistakenly connected as shown in FIG. 8, if the water in the bathtub or hot water is circulated while the pump 5 is driven and heated by the heat exchanger 4, However, the hot water in the circulation pipe 2 suddenly rises in temperature as shown in FIG.
Therefore, there is a problem that the thermistor 6 detects a temperature equal to or higher than the set temperature, turns off the burner 3, and cuts off the circulation of the pump.
In an extreme case, when the thermistor 6 detects an extremely high temperature, for example, an appliance that performs automatic operation has a problem that water is automatically replenished, leading to a rise in the water level.
[0010]
Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 9, even when the pipes are correctly connected, for example, when the user removes the circulating metal fitting cap 11 during cleaning or the like and reattaches it, the same applies. Problems arise.
That is, the circulation fitting cap 11 must be mounted at a position where the opening 15 (see FIGS. 4 and 5) corresponds to the second passage 12b.
However, as shown in FIG. 6, this opening is not located at a position corresponding to the second passage 12b of the circulation fitting 9, and a part B1 of the hot hot water B from the second passage 12b becomes a circulation fitting cap. 11 and enters the first passage 12a.
Therefore, in the bath apparatus 1 of FIG. 3, similarly to the above, there is a problem that the bath water temperature is stopped before the bath temperature reaches the set temperature, and so-called premature disconnection occurs.
[0011]
The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems. Even when the circulation fitting is mistakenly connected or the circulation fitting cap is mistakenly connected, the bath apparatus may be prematurely cut off, In this case, an object of the present invention is to provide a bath apparatus that can prevent an abnormal rise in water level.
[0012]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In the invention of claim 1, the object of the present invention is to detect the bath water level before the start of chasing, detect the hot water temperature in the bath, and use the hot water filling control data provided in advance. Based on the detection result by the water level detection means, the current amount of hot water in the bathtub is obtained, and the estimated boiling time required to reheat up to the set temperature based on the amount of hot water in the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, and the amount of combustion heat up The first pump is driven by moving the pump set in the tracking pipe for calculating and starting the timer and performing the tracking, and the bathtub temperature is monitored while tracking the temperature. Once but reached the target temperature, the stop timer measures the reheating time, the reheating by comparing the time the a Wakiagari prediction time, real and rather shorter than the prediction time reheating time Wakiagari Premature death If there has, after circulating hot water predetermined time, performing a second pump drive by moving the pump, to measure the bath temperature, the actual Wakiagari control means for controlling so as to confirm the temperature This is achieved by a bath apparatus comprising:
[0013]
According to the second aspect of the present invention, in the invention of claim 2, a reheating means for heating and returning hot water drawn from the bathtub to the bathtub by means of the control means, a means for detecting the bathtub water level, and the bathtub Means for detecting the hot water temperature in the bathtub, and the control means detects the hot water temperature in the bathtub before the start of chasing and detects the hot water temperature in the bathtub and is provided in advance. Based on the hot water filling control data, the current bath water amount is obtained from the detection result by the water level detecting means, and it is necessary to reheat to the set temperature based on the bath water amount, the bath water temperature, and the additional combustion heat amount. Calculate the expected boiling time, start the timer and start the pump, move the pump set in the tracking pipe to perform the first pump drive, monitor the bath temperature while tracking And this bath When the temperature reached the target temperature, the stop timer measures the reheating time, the reheating by comparing the time the a Wakiagari prediction time, rather shorter than the estimated time actual reheating time Wakiagari If there is a risk of premature disconnection, move the pump for a predetermined time and drive the second pump to circulate hot water and water, then measure the bath temperature and check the actual boiling temperature, When the actual boiling temperature is lower than the set temperature, the bath device is configured so as to start counting again by the timer and perform heating to the set temperature.
[0014]
According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the configuration according to the first or second aspect, the control means sets the second pump drive time longer than the first pump drive.
The invention according to claim 4, in the construction of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control hand stage, a review of the actual Wakiagari temperature, if this Wakiagari temperature is lower than the target temperature, Again, while performing the first pump drive and chasing through the circulation line, measuring the chasing time with a timer, monitoring the bath temperature, and when the bath temperature reaches the target temperature, Stop the timer, measure the tracking time, add to the previously measured tracking time to find a new tracking time, compare this new tracking time with the estimated boiling time, If the actual reheating time is shorter than the expected boiling time, perform the second pump drive for a predetermined time to circulate hot and cold water, then measure the bath temperature and confirm the actual boiling temperature It is characterized by.
[0015]
When reheating with the bath apparatus of the present invention, the bath water temperature is detected as in the prior art, and the reheating is not stopped depending on whether or not the detection result reaches the set temperature, but the amount of hot water in the bathtub is determined. Since the hot water amount is chased only for the time required to increase to the set temperature, the chasing can be reliably chased to the set temperature even if there is an erroneous connection of the circulating metal fittings.
[0016]
Also, if the reheating time is shorter than the expected boiling time, the pump is driven only for the time that the hot water in the bathtub can be sufficiently stirred, and the boiling temperature is checked by checking the bathtub temperature. Since it repeats, the hot water of a bathtub can be boiled up more reliably at target temperature.
[0017]
In particular, when reheating is repeated, the bath water level is first detected at the start of reheating if necessary after confirmation of the boiling temperature. For this reason, a correlation between the detected temperature and the bathtub water level is easy to take, and when the set water level of the bathtub is changed on the way, an error is unlikely to occur in the estimated boiling time.
[0018]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
The embodiments described below are preferable specific examples of the present invention, and thus various technically preferable limitations are given. However, the scope of the present invention particularly limits the present invention in the following description. As long as there is no description of the effect, it is not restricted to these aspects.
[0019]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a main configuration of a bath apparatus applied to this embodiment, and in this case, shows a configuration of an automatic bath apparatus as a complex equipped with a hot water supply function.
In the figure, an automatic bath apparatus 20 includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 21 and a bath heat exchanger 23 in the main body, and is branched from a hot water supply pipe 45 and connected to a tracking pipe 26. A path 25 is provided.
[0020]
The reheating pipe 26 is connected to the circulation fitting 28 of the bathtub 27 to form a recirculation circulation pipe. The return pipe 26a includes a renewing water flow switch 31 and a hot water circulation pump 32. Yes. Since the follow-up water flow switch 31 is used to check the running water in the circulation pipe 26 as described later, for example, a flow sensor or the like may be used. The return pipe 26 a of the circulation pipe 26 is provided with a bath thermistor 33 on the entrance side of the bath heat exchanger 23.
[0021]
Further, a flow sensor 42 and a water thermistor 43 are connected to the water supply pipe 41 to which water is supplied. A hot water supply thermistor 46 is connected to the hot water supply pipe 45 extending from the water supply pipe 41 through the hot water supply heat exchanger 21. It is connected.
A hot water solenoid valve 37 and a pressure sensor 38 as water level detecting means are connected to the branch pipe 25 branched from the hot water supply pipe 45.
[0022]
Each of these operation units, detection units, and the like are connected to the control unit 50, and a remote controller 58 is connected to the control unit 50.
The control unit 50 is a control device for the bath apparatus according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 shows the configuration of the control device 50 and the connection relationship between each detection unit and operation unit connected thereto. .
[0023]
In FIG. 2, a remote controller 58 is connected to the control unit 50. The remote controller 58 is provided with a temperature change switch 58a for changing the set temperature, for example. The temperature change switch 58a has an up key and a down key so that the temperature change switch 58a can be selectively used to raise or lower the set temperature. The remote controller 58 is provided with an automatic operation switch 58b and a tracking switch 58c.
Further, the hot water circulation pump 32, the reheating water flow switch 31, the gas valve 54 (for bath) bath thermistor 33, and the pressure sensor 38 are connected to the control unit 50. The control unit 50 is also connected with other elements, such as a hot water solenoid valve 37 and a hot water supply gas valve 53, but these components are the same as those in the prior art, and are therefore omitted.
[0024]
Here, PQ data and the like shown in FIG. 3 necessary for automatic operation of the automatic bath apparatus 20 are stored in a storage unit 56 (described later) built in the control unit 50.
That is, the operation of the automatic bath apparatus 20 is performed by the control unit 50 based on the PQ characteristics based on the bathtub water level (P) and the amount of poured water (Q). This PQ characteristic is a relationship between the bathtub water level (Q) as schematically shown in FIG. 3B and the value (P) of the pouring flow rate detected by the pressure sensor 38. It is. This is based on a method similar to the conventional one, and is created by detecting the output voltage of the pressure sensor 38 based on the amount of poured water and the bathtub water level.
[0025]
In actual automatic operation, the hot water filling is automatically stopped when the pressure sensor 38 detects a pressure corresponding to the set water level based on this data.
Moreover, since this PQ characteristic is different depending on the shape of the bathtub to which the automatic bath apparatus is connected, it is created corresponding to each bathtub when installing the appliance, and the storage section of the automatic bath apparatus 55 is stored.
[0026]
In the present embodiment, the control unit 50 includes elements as shown in FIG.
A calculation unit 53 is connected to the control unit main body 52. The calculation unit 53 reaches the set water level based on the detection temperature detected by the bath thermistor 33, the amount of bath water obtained from the detection result of the bath water level by the pressure sensor 38, and the amount of combustion heat determined by the combustion number of the bath device 20. Calculate the estimated boiling time for sowing.
Here, the amount of bath water is obtained from the detected value of the pressure sensor 38 based on this data since the PQ data of FIG. 3 is obtained when the appliance is installed.
[0027]
The comparison unit 54 compares the measured value of the tracking timer 55 that starts counting from the start of tracking and the estimated boiling time given by the calculation unit 53. Further, when the tracking timer 55 counts the tracking time equal to the estimated boiling time calculated by the calculation unit 53, a stop signal is sent to the control unit main body 52.
The control unit main body 52 performs operation control such as normal automatic operation and chasing operation of the bath apparatus 20 and, in the present embodiment, receives the stop signal from the comparison unit 54 and burns the bath burner 54. It stops and the drive of the pump 32 is stopped.
[0028]
Note that the reheating timer 55 may be configured so as to be given a predicted boiling time from the calculation unit 53 via the control unit main body 52. In this case, the comparison unit 54 becomes unnecessary, and the tracking timer 55 can count a predetermined tracking time and send a stop signal to the control unit main body 52.
[0029]
4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the chasing operation by the bath apparatus 20 of FIG.
When the bathing device 20 turns on the chasing switch 58c of the remote controller 58 or starts chasing operation after automatically filling with water (ST10), the chasing timer 55 is reset and measurement starts. The pressure sensor 38 detects the water level of the bathtub 27 in accordance with a command from the control unit main body 52 (ST13).
[0030]
The result of this water level detection is collated with the PQ data of FIG. 3 stored in the storage unit 56 by the control unit main body 52, and the current bathtub hot water amount Q1 corresponding to the bathtub water level is obtained.
Here, the bath water level detection ST13 is performed prior to the confirmation of the ON signal of the reheating water flow switch 31 that is normally performed and the subsequent pouring operation as the reheating is started. There will be no disturbance. For this reason, it is not necessary to wait for the water level stabilization time before detecting the bathtub water level, so that the chasing operation can be completed earlier.
In this connection, when the bathtub water level is not accurately detected, correction is made in ST27 described later, so that there is no practical problem.
[0031]
Next, the control unit main body 52 drives the circulation pump 32 for a predetermined time, for example, 30 seconds (ST14, 15). The predetermined time in this case is a time sufficient to return the hot water in the return pipe 26a of the circulation pipe 26 into the bathtub 27 and draw the hot water in the bathtub into the return pipe 26a for temperature detection.
Next, the temperature is detected by the bath thermistor 33 (ST16), and the control unit main body 52 determines whether or not the detection result T1 is less than the set temperature as the target temperature (ST17). When the temperature is lower than the set temperature, the calculation unit 53 obtains the time required for tracking up to the set temperature by calculation. Prior to this, the processing of ST31, 32, 33, and 34 is performed in this embodiment. Do.
[0032]
That is, the pump drive is stopped once (ST31), and the bath water level is detected again (ST32). Thereby, in ST14 or later, when the amount of water in the bathtub is increased, the current amount of water in the bathtub can be confirmed before calculating the expected boiling time described later, so a more accurate estimated boiling time is calculated. be able to.
For this reason, the pump is further driven (ST33), the bath temperature is detected (ST34), and then the estimated boiling time is calculated. In performing this calculation, the amount of hot water Q1, the current hot water temperature T1, and the amount of combustion heat QT based on the number of combustion of the bath device are used. A predicted rise time t is calculated. Then, the calculation unit 53 gives the predicted boiling time as the calculation result to the control unit main body 52. If the target temperature, that is, the set temperature is reached in ST17, the process proceeds to ST28 described later.
[0033]
The control unit main body 52 starts a chasing operation at ST19 and starts counting of the chasing timer 55 at the same time. This chasing ends when the set temperature (target temperature) is reached (ST20), in which case the gas valve 54 is extinguished and the chasing timer 55 stops counting (ST21).
Here, if the chasing is completely stopped, if the circulating metal fitting 28 is erroneously connected or the circulating metal fitting cap is installed incorrectly, if the rapid temperature rise described in FIG. End up.
[0034]
Therefore, the control unit main body 52 proceeds to ST22 in FIG. 5, and the comparison unit 54 determines whether or not the count time of the follow-up timer 5 substantially coincides with the estimated boiling time t, that is, the boiling obtained by calculation. It is determined whether or not the pursuit has been performed for the estimated increase time t.
If not, it is determined whether or not the count time (tracking time) of the chasing timer 55 is shorter than the predicted boiling time t (ST23). Since there is a risk of premature expiration because the time is not overtaken for the obtained time, the temperature is detected by the bath thermistor 33 by waiting for a predetermined time, for example, for 1 minute, in the circulating state of the pump 32 by a timer built in the control unit main body 52. (ST26). The predetermined time may be set after measuring in advance a stirring time sufficient to detect the premature break described in FIG.
[0035]
In ST27, it is determined whether or not the temperature detection result is lower than the target temperature, that is, the set temperature. If the temperature is lower than the set temperature, it is determined that the time has expired, the process returns to ST19, the tracking timer 55 continues to be counted again, the tracking is started, and this is repeated until only the estimated boiling time t Try to mourn. In other words, the chasing timer 55 measures the chasing time that has been started again by adding to the previous chasing time measurement time. This makes it possible to calculate the total reheating time and to reliably compare with the predicted boiling time t in ST22 and 23, which is performed again, so that the bath water temperature can be reliably retraced to the set temperature.
On the other hand, if a negative result is obtained in ST23 and ST27, the driving of the circulation pump 32 is stopped, and the chasing operation is ended as boiling (ST28, 29).
[0036]
In this way, in the case of the present embodiment, the time for rebirth from the current bath water temperature to the set temperature is obtained as the reboil boiling time t, and the rebirth is performed only for that time. Even if there is an incorrect connection or an incorrect fitting of the circulation fitting cap, there is no shortage of reheating time and the bath water temperature does not reach the set temperature as in the conventional case, so that the reheating up to the set temperature is ensured. it can.
In addition, in this embodiment, the temperature of the bath water is also increased by detecting the temperature while chasing for the reheating time, so that the temperature of the bath water may rise to a dangerous temperature depending on circumstances. Can also be prevented.
[0037]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, even if the circulation fitting is mistakenly connected, or even if the circulation fitting cap is mistakenly connected, the bath apparatus is prematurely cut off, or in the case of an automatic device, an abnormal water level is generated. It is possible to prevent the rise.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a system diagram showing a configuration of a bath apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of control means of the bath apparatus of the embodiment of FIG.
3 is a diagram showing PQ data of automatic hot water filling in the bath apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
4 is a flowchart showing a part of a chasing operation of the bath apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a part of the chasing operation of the bath apparatus of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a configuration example of a conventional bath apparatus.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between a normally connected circulation fitting, a circulation fitting cap, and a bathtub.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the incorrectly connected circulation fitting, the circulation fitting cap, and the bathtub.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the main part showing the relationship between the incorrectly installed circulation fitting cap, the circulation fitting and the bathtub.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation state of the bath device when the circulation fitting is erroneously connected or when the circulation fitting cap is incorrectly attached.
[Explanation of symbols]
20 Bath Device with Water Heater 21 Heat Exchanger for Hot Water Supply 23 Heat Exchanger for Bath 24 Hot Water Supply Pipe 25 Branch Pipe 26 Circulation Pipe 27 Bathtub 28 Circulation Bracket 31 Circulation Water Switch 32 Circulation Pump 33 Bath Thermistor 37 Solenoid Valve 38 Pressure Sensor 41 Water supply pipe 42 Flow sensor 43 Water thermistor 45 Hot water supply pipe

Claims (4)

Before starting the chasing , the bath water level is detected and the hot water temperature in the bath is detected.
Based on the hot water filling control data provided in advance, obtain the current amount of bath water from the detection result by the water level detection means,
Calculate the estimated boiling time required to reheat to the set temperature based on the amount of hot water in the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, and the amount of combustion heat.
Start the timer and start the pump by moving the pump set in the tracking pipe for performing the tracking, and monitor the bathtub temperature while tracking,
When the bath temperature reaches the target temperature, stop the timer and measure the renewal time.
The reheating by comparing the time the a Wakiagari estimated time, when the actual and rather shorter than the prediction time reheating time Wakiagari there is a risk of nuisance tripping is
It comprises control means for controlling to measure the bath temperature and confirm the actual boiling temperature after moving the pump for a predetermined time to drive the second pump and circulating hot water. To bath equipment. According to the instruction of the control means, it comprises a reheating means for heating and returning the hot water drawn from the bathtub to the bathtub, a means for detecting the bathtub water level, and a means for detecting the hot water temperature in the bathtub,
The control means is
Before starting the chasing , the bath water level is detected and the hot water temperature in the bath is detected.
Based on the hot water filling control data provided in advance, obtain the current amount of bath water from the detection result by the water level detection means,
Calculate the estimated boiling time required to reheat to the set temperature based on the amount of hot water in the bathtub, the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub, and the amount of combustion heat.
Start the timer and start the pump by moving the pump set in the tracking pipe for performing the tracking, and monitor the bathtub temperature while tracking,
When the bath temperature reaches the target temperature, stop the timer and measure the renewal time.
The reheating by comparing the time the a Wakiagari estimated time, when the actual and rather shorter than the prediction time reheating time Wakiagari there is a risk of nuisance tripping is a predetermined time, moving the pump first After pumping 2 and circulating hot water, measure the bath temperature and check the actual boiling temperature,
When the actual boiling temperature is lower than the set temperature, the timer starts counting again, performs reheating, and heats up to the set temperature.   3. The bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the control unit sets a second pump drive time longer than the first pump drive. 4. The control means includes
By checking the actual boiling temperature, if this boiling temperature is lower than the target temperature,
Again, while performing the first pump drive and chasing through the circulation line, measuring the chasing time with a timer and monitoring the bath temperature,
When this bathtub temperature reaches the target temperature, stop the timer, measure the tracking time, add to the tracking time previously measured to find a new tracking time,
The new reheating time is compared with the estimated boiling time. If the actual reheating time is shorter than the estimated boiling time, the second pump is driven for a predetermined time to circulate hot water. The bath apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein after the bath temperature is measured, the actual boiling temperature is confirmed.

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