JP3809887B2 - Bath device with water heater - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a water heater-equipped bath apparatus that can supply hot water having a set temperature from a water heater through a pipe directly connected to a bathtub.
[0002]
[Prior art]
In bath equipment with a water heater that does not have a bath tub, a bath adapter that directly connects the pipe from the water heater is provided on the side wall of the bathtub, and it is set by the water heater from the hot water outlet of the pipe that opens in the bath adapter. The temperature-controlled hot water can be supplied into the bathtub.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub drops, it is troublesome and the temperature adjustment is not necessary because the user needs to supply the hot water by himself (pour hot water) to maintain the hot water temperature. Easy to be accurate. Therefore, when the hot water temperature in the bathtub is detected and the hot water temperature falls, an automatic hot water hot water function is provided that allows the hot water temperature to be maintained by supplying a predetermined amount of hot water. It is possible to improve. However, in this case, hot water is automatically supplied even if there is no hot water in the bathtub due to forgetting to close the bathtub or at a low water level that does not reach the bath adapter, so hot hot water touches your skin directly. There is a danger of.
[0004]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a bath apparatus with a water heater that can accurately detect the presence or absence of hot water in a bathtub and appropriately perform automatic hot water supply. .
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is capable of detecting the temperature of hot water in the bathtub at the same height as or higher than the hot water outlet in the pipe connection portion in the bathtub. When the temperature sensing element is arranged in a non-contact manner with the pipe and the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensing element is lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature, a predetermined amount of hot water higher than the set temperature can be supplied, Further, when the detected temperature is lowered by a predetermined temperature immediately after the supply of the high-temperature hot water is started, it is determined that the water level in the bathtub is at least up to the position of the temperature sensing element. To do.
In order to achieve the above object, the second invention according to claim 2 is characterized in that the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is at the same level as or higher than the hot water outlet in the pipe connection portion in the bathtub. A temperature sensing element capable of detecting the temperature is disposed in a non-contact manner with the pipe, and when the detected temperature obtained by the temperature sensing element falls by a predetermined temperature from the set temperature, a predetermined amount of hot water higher than the set temperature is provided. Further, when the detected temperature rises within a predetermined time during the supply of the hot water, it is determined that the water level in the bathtub is at least up to the position of the temperature sensing element. It is characterized by.
[0006]
In addition to the object of claim 1 or 2, the invention described in claim 3 provides a water level in the bathtub in order to effectively prevent the risk of burns caused by direct contact with hot water when there is no hot water. Is determined not to reach the position of the temperature sensing element, the supply of the hot water is stopped.
According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in addition to the object of any one of the first to third aspects, in order to quickly match the hot water temperature in the bathtub with the detected temperature, after the supply of the predetermined amount of the hot water is completed. The water is supplied to the bathtub.
In addition to the object of any one of claims 1 to 4, the invention according to claim 5 is provided with an L-shape in the pipe connection part outside the bathtub in order to perform connection with the pipe in the bathtub with good workability. A joint pipe bent in a shape is provided so as to be rotatable and detachable with respect to the connection portion.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a bath apparatus 1 with a water heater. First, on the water heater 2 side, a heat exchanger 4 to which a water supply pipe 3 and a hot water discharge pipe 5 are connected is disposed in a combustion chamber 6, and combustion is performed. A burner 7 for heating the heat exchanger 4 is provided in the chamber 6. A bypass pipe 8 that bypasses the heat exchanger 4 is connected between the water supply pipe 3 and the hot water discharge pipe 5, and a bypass electromagnetic valve 9 that can open and close the bypass pipe 8 is provided.
Further, 10 is a controller, in addition to the bypass solenoid valve 9, a flow rate sensor 11 provided in the water supply pipe 3, hot water temperature sensors 12 a and 12 b provided in the hot water pipe 5, and a gas proportionality provided in the gas pipe of the burner 7. The valves 13 and the like are electrically connected to each other.
On the other hand, on the side of the bathroom 14, a branch pipe 17 branched from the hot water discharge pipe 5 is connected to the bus adapter 16 as a pipe connection portion provided on the side wall of the bathtub 15, and the branch pipe 17 is opened and closed to the branch pipe 17. A possible drop solenoid valve 18 is provided. Further, a thermistor 29 as a temperature sensing element is provided in the bus adapter 16, and the thermistor 29 and the drop solenoid valve 18 are also electrically connected to the controller 10.
[0008]
Therefore, in the bath device 1 with a hot water heater, when the faucet (not shown) connected to the hot water pipe 5 is opened, the controller 10 causes the burner 7 to be turned on when the flow sensor 11 is turned on. Ignition is performed to heat the heat exchanger 4, and hot water is supplied from the hot water discharge pipe 5. At this time, the controller 10 adjusts the opening of the gas proportional valve 13 based on the detection signal from the tapping temperature sensor 12a or 12b, and performs tapping temperature control so that the tapping temperature is maintained at the set temperature. The bypass solenoid valve 9 is opened only during the hot water supply to the bathtub 15, and when a faucet is opened in the hot water supply, the hot water is mixed with water and hot water is supplied. It prevents burns by preventing it from flowing to the side.
On the side of the bathroom 14, the controller 10 opens the dropping electromagnetic valve 18 by branching from the heat exchanger 4 by turning on the hot water switch provided in the hot water heater 2 or a remote controller (not shown) in the bathroom 14. Water is passed through the pipe 17 to ignite the burner 7. Therefore, the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 4 is directly supplied into the bathtub 15 from the branch pipe 17 via the bus adapter 16.
[0009]
On the other hand, FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of the bus adapter 16 installed in the bathtub 15, and the mounting hole 20 drilled in the side wall of the bathtub 15 has a metal fitting 21 from the outside of the bathtub 15 (right side in FIG. 2). However, the cylindrical main body 22 is assembled | attached through the ring-shaped packings 23 and 24 before and behind from the inside of the bathtub 15, respectively. In this configuration, the male screw portion 22a on the outer periphery of the main body 22 is screwed into the female screw portion 21a on the inner periphery of the metal fitting 21, so that both are integrated with the appearance of sandwiching the bathtub 15. Further, the branch pipe 17 is connected to the cylindrical portion 21b at the rear end (also on the right side in FIG. 2) of the metal fitting 21 via a joint pipe 25. A hot water outlet pipe 26 opened coaxially is inserted coaxially to allow water to flow from the branch pipe 17 into the bathtub 15.
Further, a support plate 27 that holds a substantially middle portion of the outlet pipe 26 that is passed through is inserted into the main body 22 in a sealed state by an O-ring 28, and the support plate 27 is directly above the outlet pipe 26. A thermistor case 30 holding the thermistor 29 is inserted in a sealed state by an O-ring 31. The thermistor 29 is held in a non-contact and parallel posture with the outlet pipe 26 toward the opening side in front of the main body 22 and is electrically detected as described above, and the temperature detection based on the electrical resistance value of the thermistor 29 is performed. Is to be made.
Furthermore, 32 is a cap that is detachably fitted in front of the main body 22 and can close the opening in front of the main body 22, and a hot water outlet 33 is opened in a lower part of the opening of the outlet pipe 26.
[0010]
And when the hot water temperature maintenance switch (not shown) provided in the hot water heater 2 or the remote controller of the bathroom 14 is pushed, the controller 10 detects when the hot water temperature in the bathtub 15 detected by the thermistor 29 falls from the set temperature by a predetermined temperature. The automatic hot water supply that automatically supplies hot water and maintains the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 15 at the set temperature is enabled. This automatic hot water control will be described together with the flowchart of FIG. 3 and the graph of the temperature detected by the thermistor 29 of FIG.
First, when it is confirmed in S1 that the detected temperature of the thermistor 29 is 3 ° C. lower than the set temperature Ts (point a in the graph of FIG. 4A, detected temperature T ₁ ), the bypass solenoid valve 9 is detected in S2. And the drop solenoid valve 18 are both turned ON (opened), the burner 7 is ignited in S3, and hot water is supplied into the bathtub 15 at a hot water temperature of 80 ° C. The reason for opening the bypass solenoid valve 9 here is that if the faucet is opened on the side of the tap pipe 5 during this control, hot water of 80 ° C. will be discharged as it is, and there is a risk of burns. This is because water is supplied from the bypass pipe 8 to lower the hot water temperature.
However, immediately after the hot water has started in the bathtub 15, since the low temperature hot water or water stored in the piping such as the branch pipe 17 flows from the outlet pipe 26 first, a short time from the outlet pipe 26. The hot water temperature does not rise, but conversely falls temporarily (point b, detected temperature T ₂ ). Therefore, in S4, it is determined whether or not the temperature drop immediately after the hot water, that is, T ₁ -T ₂ is 4 ° C. or higher. However, this temporary drop in the hot water temperature is not detected unless the hot water level in the bathtub 15 reaches at least the position of the thermistor 29 in the bath adapter 16 (FIG. 4B). This is because the thermistor 29 is directly above the outlet pipe 26, so if there is no hot water up to this point, the hot water from the outlet pipe 26 flows down from the hot water outlet 33 of the cap 32 as it is and does not contact the thermistor 29.
[0011]
Thus, if a temporary drop in the hot water temperature is detected in S4, it can be determined that the water level is present up to the position of the thermistor 29. Therefore, from S3 until the arrival at the predetermined flow rate is confirmed in S5. The hot water supply continues. On the other hand, even if a temporary drop in hot water temperature is not detected in S4, when the detected temperature of the thermistor 29 that rises due to hot water supply reaches 70 ° C. in S6, the temperature increases from 60 ° C. (point c) to 70 ° C. It is determined whether or not the time required to rise to ° C. (d point) is within 15 seconds. Similar to the temporary drop in the hot water temperature, this determination is made because if the water level in the bathtub 15 does not reach at least the position of the thermistor 29 by the position setting of the thermistor 29, the hot water from the outlet pipe 26 remains as it is. This is because, since it flows down from the outlet 33, it does not come into contact with the thermistor 29 and a temperature rise in a short time is not detected (FIG. 4B). Therefore, if a temperature increase within 15 seconds is recognized, it is determined that there is hot water, and hot water supply is continued until the predetermined flow rate is confirmed in S5. In S6, if the temperature rise within a predetermined time is not recognized, the hot water supply is stopped in S7.
When the predetermined flow rate is reached in the determination in S5, only the combustion of the burner 7 is stopped in S8, the opening of the dropping solenoid valve 18 is maintained, and only water is supplied from the branch pipe 17 into the bathtub 15 this time. (Point e). Therefore, the detected temperature of the thermistor 29 is rapidly lowered from 80 ° C., and quickly matches the hot water temperature in the bathtub 15. Next, when it is confirmed in S9 that the detected temperature of the thermistor 29 has decreased to 60 ° C. (point f), both the bypass solenoid valve 8 and the drop solenoid valve 18 are turned OFF (closed) in S10. Then, the supply of water is stopped, and a standby state is entered again until the detected temperature drops by 3 ° C. from the set temperature Ts in S1.
[0012]
As described above, in the above embodiment, when the hot water temperature in the bathtub 15 is lowered, hot water is automatically supplied, and the hot water temperature at the set temperature Ts is always maintained. Even in the attached bath apparatus 1, it is not necessary for the user to perform hot water by checking the hot water temperature one by one, and the usability is very good. In particular, it is possible to accurately check the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub 15 by monitoring the temporary decrease of the detected temperature immediately after the start of hot water supply or the rising time of the rise of the detected temperature. If there is no water or the water level does not reach the thermistor 29, the hot water is stopped and the risk of burns by direct contact with hot water is prevented. Occurrence is also prevented. Therefore, a safe and appropriate automatic hot water supply becomes possible.
In addition, here, after the detection temperature of the thermistor 29 reaches 80 ° C. by hot water, only water is supplied to replace the inside of the piping such as the branch pipe 17 with water. In addition to the effect of quickly matching the hot water temperature and the detected temperature, in the next automatic hot water supply, it is possible to reliably detect a temporary decrease in the detected temperature immediately after the start of the hot water supply in S4. Moreover, since hot hot water does not remain in the piping, the hot water does not suddenly come out of the bus adapter 16 when normal hot water supply is performed immediately thereafter, and safety can be ensured. The reason why the water is stopped at the detection temperature of 60 ° C. is that it is not lowered to the hot water temperature in the bathtub 15 by supplying more water than necessary.
[0013]
Further, in the present invention, the position of the thermistor 29 in the bath adapter 16 is important for detecting the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub 15, and is located above the opening of the outlet pipe 26, that is, the outlet pipe 26. It is necessary to set the position so as not to be in contact with the hot water from the outlet pipe 26 so that the difference in the detected temperature depending on the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub 15 appears. For example, when the thermistor 29 is brought into contact with the outlet pipe 26 or provided directly below, the hot water from the outlet pipe 26 is indirect or direct contact with the thermistor 29 even when there is no hot water in the bathtub 15, so This is because both a temporary decrease in the detected temperature immediately after that and a short rise from 60 ° C. to 70 ° C. are obtained, and the differences as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B do not occur.
[0014]
On the other hand, in the bus adapter 16, the direction of the branch pipe 17 with respect to the axial direction of the tubular portion 21b of the metal fitting 21 differs depending on the construction mode. Therefore, if the cylindrical portion 21b remains a straight type as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the case where the branch pipe 17 is connected in a direction orthogonal to the cylindrical portion 21b cannot be accommodated, and further, it is connected in any of the upper, lower, left and right directions. It may be unknown until you see the site. Particularly, as the position of the thermistor 29 is set, the positions of the outlet pipe 26 and the cylindrical portion 21b are often provided eccentrically with respect to the axis of the metal fitting 21 as shown in FIG. . However, if these are taken into consideration, it is necessary to prepare a type in which the connecting portion of the rear end of the bracket 21 is bent at a right angle in various directions, and the management of parts is troublesome, and the labor for replacing the bracket 21 is required. Therefore, workability when connecting is not good.
Therefore, in order to reduce the labor for such component management and work, if a joint pipe bent in an L shape is provided at the rear end of the bracket 21 so as to be rotatable and detachable, this joint pipe can be used alone. Since any direction of the branch pipe 17 can be accommodated, the connection work is simplified and the parts can be easily managed.
[0015]
As an example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a concave groove 34 is provided in a ring shape on the outer periphery of the rear end of the cylindrical portion 21 b, and a sealing O-ring 35 is attached to the front end side. By fitting one end portion 37 of the L-shaped joint pipe 36 having a flow passage therein and projecting the tip of a screw 39 screwed from the outside of the end portion 37 into the concave groove 34. A structure in which the branch pipe 17 can be connected to the other end portion 38 is possible. Note that the same reference numerals as those in FIG.
With such a structure, the same effects as described above such as correspondence in all directions, component management, and improvement in workability can be obtained. Needless to say, the specific mounting structure may be realized by other means such as a joint structure including a ball fitted to the concave groove 34 and an outer sleeve, such as a coupler, in addition to the structure shown in FIG.
[0016]
In the above automatic hot water control, the specific value of the temporary decrease determined in S4 can be appropriately increased or decreased other than 4 ° C, and the rising temperature range and the rising time determined in S6 are also from 60 ° C to 70 ° C. And other 15 seconds can be appropriately increased or decreased. Moreover, since the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub 15 can be confirmed by either the determination of the temporary decrease in S4 or the determination of the rise time in S6, one determination may be omitted. If both determinations are made as in the form, the certainty of the determination of the presence or absence of hot water can be further increased. Similarly, it is possible to omit replacement in the piping by supplying water after the hot water is finished.
Further, in the above embodiment, the hot water is stopped when it is not determined that there is hot water in the bathtub. However, the hot water may not be stopped, and notification by a buzzer, a lamp, or the like may be performed.
[0017]
【The invention's effect】
According to the first and second aspects of the present invention, the hot water temperature is automatically maintained even in a bath apparatus with a hot water heater that does not have a bath tub. Will be very good. In particular, it is possible to accurately determine the presence or absence of hot water in the bathtub by monitoring the temporary decrease of the detected temperature immediately after the start of hot water supply or the rise time of the detected temperature rise. Or when the water level does not reach the position of the temperature sensing element, it is possible to respond quickly and reliably, such as by stopping the hot water supply, and the automatic hot water supply can be performed appropriately.
According to the third aspect of the invention, in addition to the effect of the first or second aspect, when the water level in the bathtub does not reach the temperature sensing element, the hot water is stopped on the skin by stopping the hot water. It can effectively prevent direct touching and burns.
According to invention of Claim 4, in addition to the effect in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 3, after completion | finish of hot water supply, the hot water temperature in a bathtub and detected temperature are replaced by replacing the inside of piping with water. Can be matched quickly. Therefore, when performing the next automatic hot water supply, it is possible to reliably detect a temporary decrease in the detected temperature immediately after the start of the hot water, which is a measure for determining the presence or absence of hot water. In addition, since hot hot water does not remain in the piping, the hot water does not suddenly flow into the bathtub immediately after normal hot water supply, and safety can be ensured.
According to invention of Claim 5, in addition to the effect in any one of Claims 1 thru | or 4, by providing the said joint pipe in the piping connection part, the effort on components management or an operation | work can be reduced. it can.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a bath apparatus with a water heater.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a bus adapter.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart of automatic hot water control.
FIG. 4A is a graph showing changes in detected temperature in hot water (with hot water).
(B) It is a graph which shows the change of the detected temperature in hot water (no hot water).
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional explanatory view of a modified example of the bus adapter.
6 is an explanatory view of the bus adapter of FIG. 5 as viewed from the rear.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 .... Bath equipment with hot water heater, 2 .... Hot water heater, 3 .... Water supply pipe, 4 .... Heat exchanger, 5 .... Hot water pipe, 7 .... Burner, 8 .... Bypass pipe, 9 .... Bypass electromagnetic Valve 10, Controller 11 Flow rate sensor 14 Bath 12 Bath adapter 16 Bath adapter 18 Branch solenoid valve 21 Receiving bracket 22 -Main body, 26-Outlet pipe, 29-Thermistor, 32-Cap, 36-Joint pipe.

Claims (5)

A bath apparatus with a water heater that can supply hot water at a set temperature from a water heater through a pipe directly connected to the bathtub,
A temperature sensing element capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is disposed in a non-contact manner with the pipe at the same height as or higher than the hot water outlet in the pipe connection portion in the bathtub. When the detected temperature obtained by the temperature element falls by a predetermined temperature from the set temperature, a predetermined amount of hot water higher than the set temperature can be supplied, and the detected temperature starts to be supplied immediately after the supply of hot water is started. The bath apparatus with a hot water heater is characterized in that, when a predetermined temperature has dropped from time, it is determined that the water level in the bathtub is at least up to the position of the temperature sensing element. A bath apparatus with a water heater that can supply hot water at a set temperature from a water heater through a pipe directly connected to the bathtub,
A temperature sensing element capable of detecting the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub is disposed in a non-contact manner with the pipe at the same height as or higher than the hot water outlet in the pipe connection portion in the bathtub. When the detected temperature obtained by the temperature element is lower than the set temperature by a predetermined temperature, a predetermined amount of hot water higher than the set temperature can be supplied, and the detected temperature falls within a predetermined time during the supply of the hot water. When the temperature rises at a predetermined temperature, it is determined that the water level in the bathtub is at least up to the position of the temperature sensing element. The bath apparatus with a water heater according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when the water level in the bathtub is not determined to be up to the position of the temperature sensing element, the supply of the hot water is stopped. The bath apparatus with a hot water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein water is supplied to the bathtub after the supply of a predetermined amount of the hot water is completed. The bath with a water heater according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein a joint pipe bent in an L shape is provided in the pipe connection part outside the bathtub so as to be rotatable and detachable with respect to the pipe connection part. apparatus.

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