JP3810306B2

JP3810306B2 - Abnormality diagnosis method for bath return temperature sensor

Info

Publication number: JP3810306B2
Application number: JP2001357376A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 洋祐貞包; 淳三島
Original assignee: 株式会社長府製作所
Priority date: 2001-11-22
Filing date: 2001-11-22
Publication date: 2006-08-16
Anticipated expiration: 2021-11-22
Also published as: JP2003161520A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中に実施する風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法に関する。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
循環ポンプで吸い込んだ浴槽内の浴水を風呂戻り経路を介して加熱手段に到達させて加熱し、加熱した浴水を風呂往き経路を介して浴槽に吐き出すことが繰り返されて浴槽中の浴水を所定の温度まで加熱する強制循環式風呂釜装置では、風呂戻り経路に風呂戻り温度センサが、風呂往き経路に風呂往き温度センサがそれぞれ設けられている。各温度センサからの出力信号は、加熱手段の運転を制御する制御手段の温度制御部に入力されており、各温度センサが、例えば、断線して出力信号が温度制御部に入力されない状態になった場合は、温度制御部は温度センサを異常と判断して強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転操作盤に温度センサ異常を表示していた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、温度センサが劣化したり、ショートしたり、誤配線されたりした場合では、温度センサからは信号が出力されて温度制御部に入力されるため、温度制御部では温度センサの異常を検知できないことになる。特に風呂戻り温度センサの出力値が、浴水を加熱する際に設定される沸き上げ温度以下で固定もしくはほとんど変化しない状態になった場合、温度制御部では正確な浴水の温度の検出ができない状態となる。この場合、強制循環式風呂釜装置に設けられた安全手段が作動して加熱手段の運転を停止させるが、安全手段が作動するまで加熱手段による加熱が継続されて浴水の温度は高温になってしまう。
本発明はかかる事情に鑑みてなされたもので、風呂戻り温度センサの異常を浴水加熱中に検知して浴水が高温に加熱されることを防止できる風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を提供することを目的とする。
【０００４】
【課題を解決するための手段】
前記目的に沿う第１の発明に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法は、循環ポンプで浴槽の浴水を風呂戻り経路で加熱手段に輸送し、加熱した前記浴水を風呂往き経路で前記浴槽に輸送する強制循環式風呂釜装置の前記風呂戻り経路に設けられた風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法において、前記強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中、予め設定した判定時間後に前記風呂戻り温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度の上昇が所定温度未満である場合には前記加熱手段及び前記循環ポンプの運転を中断し、予め設定した待ち時間経過後に、前記風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度と前記風呂戻り温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度との温度差を求めて、前記温度差が予め設定した基準温度差を超えた場合は前記風呂戻り温度センサを異常と診断して前記強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転を終了させ、前記温度差が前記基準温度差以下の場合は前記風呂戻り温度センサを正常と判断して前記加熱手段及び前記循環ポンプの運転を再開する。
【０００５】
強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中は、循環ポンプで吸い込まれた浴槽の浴水が風呂戻り経路を通って加熱手段に到達して加熱され、高温になった（例えば、浴槽から吸い込まれた際の浴水温度に対して２０〜３０℃温度上昇した）浴水が風呂往き経路を通って浴槽に吐き出されることが繰り返されて、浴槽中の浴水の平均温度が上昇していく。このため、風呂戻り経路に設けられた風呂戻り温度センサにより測定される浴水の温度は、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転時間の経過と共に上昇していく。このときの単位時間当たりの温度上昇は、加熱手段において単位時間に供給される発熱量、循環ポンプにより循環させる単位時間当たりの浴水量、加熱手段に流入する浴水温度、加熱手段における熱伝達率等から推定することができるため、所定の時間経過後の浴水温度を予測することができる。従って、浴水温度の上昇を確認するために判定時間を設定して、この判定時間経過後に風呂戻り温度センサで測定した浴水の温度と、予測した判定時間経過後の浴水温度を比較することで、加熱手段による加熱が正常に行われているかの判定を行うことができる。
【０００６】
ここで、加熱手段において単位時間に供給される発熱量、循環ポンプにより循環させる単位時間当たりの浴水量の制御が正常に行われているとき、判定時間後に風呂戻り温度センサで測定される浴水の温度が予測温度よりも低い場合、すなわち、判定時間経過後の風呂戻り温度センサで測定される浴水の温度の上昇が所定温度（判定時間経過後の浴水の予測温度と判定時間の起点となった時点での浴水の温度との差）未満であれば、風呂戻り温度センサが異常である可能性が高いと判断できる。ここで、判定時間としては３分以上とすることができ、この判定時間に対応する所定温度としては０．６〜１．４℃となる。判定時間を３分以上としたのは、３分未満では浴水の温度上昇が小さく、判定時間経過後の浴水の予測温度と判定時間の起点となった時点での浴水の温度との間に常に明瞭な差が生じないためである。なお、具体的な判定時間は、加熱手段の発熱量、浴槽の容量により変わるので、個々に決定する必要がある。
【０００７】
風呂戻り温度センサが異常である可能性が高いと判断した場合、加熱手段及び循環ポンプの運転を中断する。加熱手段及び循環ポンプが停止しても、加熱手段の残熱で停止直後は浴水の加熱が生じるが、時間の経過と共に加熱も少なくなる。そして、浴水は自然対流で浴槽と加熱手段の間を循環するので、風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と風呂戻り経路に設けられた風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度は徐々に接近してくる。そして、風呂戻り経路、風呂往き経路、加熱手段の構造から、自然対流の効果で風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と、風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度がそれぞれどのくらいの変化速度で変化するのかを推定することができる。従って、予め設定された待ち時間経過後、風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と、風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度がそれぞれ何度になるかの上限及び下限を予測できる。
【０００８】
このため、待ち時間経過後における風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度との間の温度差は、各温度の上限と下限から決まる温度差以下になる。ここで、各温度の上限と下限から決まる最大の温度差を基準温度差とすると、自然対流が正常に発生している場合では、実際に得られる温度差は基準温度差以下となる。
従って、待ち時間経過後の風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度との間の温度差が基準温度差以下であれば、浴水の温度は正常に測定されていると考えられ、風呂戻り温度センサは正常であると診断できる。このときは、加熱手段及び循環ポンプの運転を再開する。
一方、待ち時間経過後の風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度との間の温度差が待ち時間経過後に予測することができる基準温度差を超えていれば、浴水の温度は正常に測定されていないと考えられ、風呂戻り温度センサは異常であると診断できる。このときは、加熱手段で制御された加熱ができないため、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転を終了させる。ここで、待ち時間は、例えば２０〜３０分とすることができ、２０〜３０分間の待ち時間に対応する基準温度差としては７〜３℃となる。待ち時間を２０分以上としたのは、２０分未満では自然対流で加熱手段の残熱による影響を除去することができないためである。また、待ち時間を３０分以下としたのは、３０分を超えて待ち時間を設けても風呂往き温度センサの温度と風呂戻り温度センサの温度の変化はいずれも小さくなって、温度差としての変化に大きく影響しなくなるためである。
【０００９】
前記目的に沿う第２の発明に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法は、循環ポンプで浴槽の浴水を風呂戻り経路で加熱手段に輸送し、加熱した前記浴水を風呂往き経路で前記浴槽に輸送する強制循環式風呂釜装置の前記風呂戻り経路に設けられた風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法において、前記強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中、予め設定した判定時間後に前記風呂戻り温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度の上昇が所定温度未満である場合には前記加熱手段の運転を中断し、前記循環ポンプを予め設定したポンプ駆動時間運転しながら予め設定した待ち時間経過後に、前記風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度と前記風呂戻り温度センサで測定した前記浴水の温度との温度差を求めて、前記温度差が予め設定した基準温度差を超えた場合は前記風呂戻り温度センサを異常と診断して前記強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転を終了させ、前記温度差が前記基準温度差以下の場合は前記風呂戻り温度センサを正常と判断して前記加熱手段及び前記循環ポンプの運転を再開する。
【００１０】
風呂戻り温度センサが異常である可能性が高いと判断した場合、加熱手段の運転は中断し、循環ポンプは予め設定した駆動時間、例えば３０秒運転した後運転を中断する。循環ポンプを運転することにより、浴水が浴槽と加熱手段の間を強制循環するので、加熱手段の残熱を短時間に除去することができる。その結果、加熱手段の運転を中断してから予め設定した待ち時間、例えば３０秒〜１分経過すれば、風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定された浴水の温度の時間変化と、風呂戻り経路に設けられた風呂戻り温度センサで測定された浴水の温度の時間変化はいずれも小さくなる。このため、風呂往き温度センサで測定される浴水の温度と、風呂戻り温度センサで測定される浴水の温度との温度差を求めると、その温度差の時間変化も小さくなる。従って、この温度差と基準温度差を比較することにより風呂戻り温度センサの異常を診断することができる。
【００１１】
【発明の実施の形態】
続いて、添付した図面を参照しつつ、本発明を具体化した実施の形態につき説明し、本発明の理解に供する。
ここに、図１は本発明の第１及び第２の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を適用した風呂設備の全体構成ブロック図、図２は本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を説明するフロー図である。
図１に示すように、本発明の第１及び第２の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を適用した風呂設備１０は、浴槽１１と、浴槽１１の浴水１２を加熱する際に設定温度の指令を行う浴室操作部１３と、浴室操作部１３からの指令を受けて浴水１２を加熱する風呂釜装置１４を有している。また、風呂釜装置１４は、浴槽１１の浴水１２を加熱する強制循環式風呂釜１５と、浴室操作部１３からの指令を記憶して強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転制御を行う制御手段１６とを備えている。以下、これらについて詳細に説明する。
【００１２】
強制循環式風呂釜１５は、図１に示すように、浴槽１１の側壁に形成された浴水の吸込み口１７及び吐出し口１８を接続する循環経路１９と、循環経路１９に接続された加熱手段の一例である熱交換器２０を有している。ここで、吸込み口１７と吐出し口１８は、例えば、浴槽１１の同一側壁にそれぞれ形成され、吸込み口１７は吐出し口１８よりも浴槽１１の底側に設けられている。吸込み口１７と熱交換器２０の熱交換部２８の入口側を接続する風呂戻り経路２１には循環ポンプ２２が配設され、循環ポンプ２２の上流側の風呂戻り経路２１には吸込み口１７から循環ポンプ２２により吸引された浴水１２の温度を測定する風呂戻り温度センサの一例である風呂戻りサーミスタ２３と、熱交換器２０の熱交換部２８の入口側に向かう浴水１２の流水を検知する水流スイッチ２４が配設されている。ここで、循環ポンプ２２としては、ボリュート式やカスケード式等のポンプが用いられる。また、水流スイッチ２４としては、パドル式、電磁式、超音波式、カルマン流式、サーミスタ式、水車式、羽根車式、差圧式の検知器を使用することができる。また、熱交換器２０の熱交換部２８の出口側と吐出し口１８を接続する風呂往き経路２５には、熱交換器２０で加熱された浴水１２の温度を測定する風呂往き温度センサの一例である風呂往きサーミスタ２６が設けられている。なお、風呂戻り及び風呂往きの各温度センサとしてはサーミスタ以外に測温抵抗体や熱電対が使用できる。
【００１３】
熱交換器２０は、加熱源の一例であるガス燃焼機構２７と、ガス燃焼機構２７で発生した熱で浴水１２を加熱する熱交換部２８を有している。そして、ガス燃焼機構２７にはガス点火部２９を備えたガスバーナ３０と、ガスバーナ３０に燃料ガスを供給する燃料供給管３１が設けられている。更に、燃料供給管３１には、燃料ガスの供給及び停止を行う開閉弁の一例である電磁弁３２と、電磁弁３２から供給された燃料ガスの流量調整を行うガス流量調整機構の一例である電磁比例弁３３が配設されている。
このような構成とすることにより、浴槽１１に貯留されている浴水１２を循環ポンプ２２を運転して吸込み口１７から吸引し風呂戻り経路２１を介して熱交換器２０に導入し、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３の測定結果に基づいて加熱することがでる。また、加熱された浴水１２を風呂往き経路２５内を流水させて、風呂往きサーミスタ２６で温度を測定してから吐出し口１８より浴槽１１内に排出させることができる。
【００１４】
浴室操作部１３には、浴水１２を加熱する際の設定温度を入力させたり、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転中に設定温度の変更のために新たに設定温度を入力させて制御手段１６に伝える機能、制御手段１６との連携動作を行うための通信信号のやり取りを行う通信機能が設けられている。このような機能を有する浴室操作部１３は、例えばマイクロコンピュータを用いて構成することができる。
制御手段１６には、浴室操作部１３との連携動作のための通信を行う通信機能、浴室操作部１３からの運転指令信号を受信して強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転制御を行う運転制御部が設けられている。そして、運転制御部には、浴水１２の加熱を行いながら風呂戻りサーミスタ２３の異常を診断するサーミスタ異常診断機能が設けられている。ここで、制御手段１６は、例えばマイクロコンピュータから構成され、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６、水流スイッチ２４の各検知信号が入力されている。制御手段１６内には予め設定された各種運転内容に応じて、循環ポンプ２２、ガス点火部２９、電磁弁３２、電磁比例弁３３の運転及び動作を制御するプログラムが格納されている。このため、浴室操作部１３から設定温度に関する運転指令信号が制御手段１６に入力されると、運転指令信号と風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６及び水流スイッチ２４の検知信号に基づいて、循環ポンプ２２、ガス点火部２９、電磁弁３２、電磁比例弁３３の運転及び動作が行われて強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が開始される。また、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が開始されると共にサーミスタ異常診断機能の運転が開始され、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転制御中は常に風呂戻りサーミスタ２３の異常診断が行われる。
【００１５】
次に、本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法について、図１、図２を用いて詳細に説明する。
制御手段１６が浴室操作部１３から浴水１２を加熱する際の設定温度の指示と運転指令信号を受信して強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転を開始すると（Ｓ１）、制御手段１６ではサーミスタ異常診断機能が起動して、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３で測定した浴水１２の温度（以下、風呂戻り温度という）を風呂の基準温度としてセットすると共に、制御手段１６内に予め格納されている判定時間（例えば、５分間）の読み込みが行われる（Ｓ２）。次いで、風呂戻り温度と浴室操作部１３で設定した設定温度とを比較して風呂戻り温度が設定温度以上の場合は（Ｓ３）、浴水１２の沸き上げが終了したと判断して強制循環式風呂釜１５の沸き上げ運転を終了（正常終了）する（Ｓ４）。一方、風呂戻り温度が浴室操作部１３で設定された設定温度未満の場合は（Ｓ３）、判定時間が経過するまで予めプログラムされた方法で強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が継続される（Ｓ５）。このとき、常時、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３で測定した風呂戻り温度と設定温度との比較が行われて、風呂戻り温度が設定温度以上になった場合は（Ｓ３）、強制循環式風呂釜１５の沸き上げ運転を終了する（Ｓ４）。
【００１６】
風呂戻り温度が設定温度未満の場合で、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が判定時間経過すると（Ｓ５）、風呂戻り温度と比較温度（風呂の基準温度＋１℃の温度）との比較が行われる（Ｓ６）。ここで、比較温度として風呂の基準温度より１℃高い温度を設定したのは、使用している強制循環式風呂釜１５の能力から、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が５分間継続された後の風呂戻り温度は、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転が開始されたときの温度（風呂の基準温度）より１℃以上は必ず上昇することが予め確認されているためである。従って、風呂戻り温度が風呂の基準温度より１℃以上高い場合は、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３で正常に風呂戻り温度が測定できた、すなわち、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３は正常であると診断でき、第１段階の加熱が終了して第２段階の加熱が行われる（Ｓ２）。
【００１７】
第２段階の加熱が開始する前に、第１段階の加熱の終了時に測定された風呂戻り温度が風呂の基準温度としてセットされ、判定時間には制御手段１６内に格納されている判定時間が読み込み込まれる（Ｓ２）。第２段階の加熱では、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３が正常な場合はＳ２、Ｓ３、Ｓ５の操作が行われて、風呂戻り温度が設定温度以上になった時点で（Ｓ３）、強制循環式風呂釜１５の沸き上げ運転を終了する（Ｓ４）。第２段階の加熱を終了しても風呂戻り温度が設定温度未満の場合は第３段階の加熱、第３段階の加熱を終了しても風呂戻り温度が設定温度未満の場合は第４段階の加熱というように、風呂戻り温度が設定温度以上となるまで加熱が繰り返される。
【００１８】
各段階の加熱で判定時間が経過しても、風呂戻り温度＜風呂の基準温度＋１℃の場合は（Ｓ６）、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３で正常に風呂戻り温度が測定されていない可能性があると診断し、サーミスタ判定を行う処理（Ｓ７）に移行する。先ず、熱交換機２０及び循環ポンプ２２の運転が直ちに中断される。そして、熱交換機２０及び循環ポンプ２２の運転停止後、制御手段１６内に予め格納されている待ち時間（例えば２０分間）が経過するまで待機が行われる。待機している間に、浴水１２は自然対流により、浴槽１１→風呂戻り経路２１→熱交換部２８→風呂往き経路２５→浴槽１１の経路を循環する。その結果、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６が共に正常であれば、風呂戻り温度と風呂往きサーミスタ２６で測定した浴水の温度（以下、風呂往き温度という）とは徐々に接近し、待ち時間経過後にはそれぞれ所定温度に到達する。ここで各所定温度は、強制循環式風呂釜１５の特性把握試験から予め求めることができる。従って、待ち時間経過後の風呂往き温度と風呂戻り温度との温度差は、各所定温度の上限と下限から決まる基準温度差以下になる。ここで、２０分の待ち時間による自然対流条件下で各所定温度の上限と下限から決まる基準温度差を、例えば５℃とする。風呂往き温度と風呂戻り温度との温度差が５℃以下の場合、風呂往き温度、風呂戻り温度はそれぞれ風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６で正常に温度が測定できた、すなわち、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６は正常であると診断し（Ｓ８）、循環ポンプ２２、熱交換器２０の運転を再開し、次の段階の加熱に移行する（Ｓ２）。
【００１９】
２０分の待ち時間経過後、風呂往き温度と風呂戻り温度との温度差が５℃を超える場合、風呂戻り温度、風呂往き温度はそれぞれ風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６で正常に温度が測定されていない、すなわち、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３、風呂往きサーミスタ２６の両者又は一方が異常であると推定できる。ここで、風呂往きサーミスタ２６は熱交換機２０の過熱異常を検知するセンサとして使用しており、熱交換機２０が運転可能であれば風呂往きサーミスタ２６は正常に機能していると判定できる。このため、熱交換機２０が運転可能なことを考慮すると、風呂往き温度と風呂戻り温度との温度差が５℃を超える場合は（Ｓ８）、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３で正常に温度が測定されていない、すなわち、風呂戻りサーミスタ２３が異常であると診断する（Ｓ９）。この場合、風呂戻り温度の正確な測定ができないので、強制循環式風呂釜１５の運転を強制終了する（Ｓ１０）。
【００２０】
本発明の第２の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法では、予め設定した判定時間（例えば、５分間）後、風呂戻り温度＜風呂の基準温度＋１℃となったときに、熱交換器２０の運転のみ中断し、循環ポンプ２２は熱交換器２０の運転が中断してから予め設定したポンプ駆動時間、例えば３０秒〜１分が経過するまで運転を継続することが特徴となっており、これ以外は前記した第１の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法と実質的に同一である。
循環ポンプ２２の運転を予め設定したポンプ駆動時間だけ運転することにより、浴水１２は強制的に浴槽１１→風呂戻り経路２１→熱交換部２８→風呂往き経路２５→浴槽１１を循環し、熱交換部２８の残熱の影響が短時間で消失する。その結果、風呂戻り温度と風呂往き温度とは素早く接近し、短い待ち時間でそれぞれ所定温度に到達することができる。従って、循環ポンプ２２を熱交換器２０の運転が中断してから予め設定したポンプ駆動時間だけ更に運転することは、サーミスタ判定における待ち時間の短縮化が可能となる。しかし、サーミスタ判定の方法が変わることにはならないので、第２の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法についての説明は省略する。なお、循環ポンプ２２を熱交換器２０の運転が中断してから更に３０秒〜１分運転することで、例えば、待ち時間を３０秒〜１分とすることができる。
【００２１】
以上、本発明の実施の形態を説明したが、本発明は、この実施の形態に限定されるものではなく、例えば、判定時間を５分としたが３分以上の範囲で任意に設定することができ、夏場や冬場等の季節に応じて判定時間を変更するようにすることも可能である。
また、風呂戻りサーミスタの異常診断方法を風呂往きサーミスタの異常診断にも適用することができる。
【００２２】
【発明の効果】
請求項１記載の風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法においては、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中、予め設定した判定時間後に風呂戻り温度センサで測定した浴水の温度の上昇が所定温度未満である場合には加熱手段及び循環ポンプの運転を中断し、予め設定した待ち時間経過後に、風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定した浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定した浴水の温度との温度差を求めて、温度差が予め設定した基準温度差を超えた場合は風呂戻り温度センサを異常と診断して強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転を終了させ、温度差が基準温度差以下の場合は風呂戻り温度センサを正常と判断して加熱手段及び循環ポンプの運転を再開するので、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中に確実に風呂戻り温度センサの異常を診断でき、浴槽の浴水が高温になることを防止できる。
【００２３】
請求項２記載の風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法においては、強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転中、予め設定した判定時間後に風呂戻り温度センサで測定した浴水の温度の上昇が所定温度未満である場合には加熱手段の運転を中断し、循環ポンプを予め設定したポンプ駆動時間運転しながら予め設定した待ち時間経過後に、風呂往き経路に設けられた風呂往き温度センサで測定した浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定した浴水の温度との温度差を求めて、温度差が予め設定した基準温度差を超えた場合は風呂戻り温度センサを異常と診断して強制循環式風呂釜装置の運転を終了させ、温度差が基準温度差以下の場合は風呂戻り温度センサを正常と判断して加熱手段及び循環ポンプの運転を再開するので、強制的に循環ポンプで浴水を循環することで素早く加熱手段の残熱を除去して風呂往き温度センサで測定される浴水の温度と風呂戻り温度センサで測定される浴水の温度の均一化を図ることができ、風呂戻り温度センサの異常の診断を短時間に行うことが可能となる。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の第１及び第２の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を適用した風呂設備の全体構成ブロック図である。
【図２】本発明の第１の実施の形態に係る風呂戻り温度センサの異常診断方法を説明するフロー図である。
【符号の説明】
１０：風呂設備、１１：浴槽、１２：浴水、１３：浴室操作部、１４：風呂釜装置、１５：強制循環式風呂釜、１６：制御手段、１７：吸込み口、１８：吐出し口、１９：循環経路、２０：熱交換器、２１：風呂戻り経路、２２：循環ポンプ、２３：風呂戻りサーミスタ、２４：水流スイッチ、２５：風呂往き経路、２６：風呂往きサーミスタ、２７：ガス燃焼機構、２８：熱交換部、２９：ガス点火部、３０：ガスバーナ、３１：燃料供給管、３２：電磁弁、３３：電磁比例弁[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor, which is performed during operation of a forced circulation bath apparatus.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Bath water in the tub is repeatedly bathed in the bath that has been sucked in by the circulation pump to reach the heating means through the bath return path and heated, and the heated bath water is repeatedly discharged to the tub through the bath going path. In the forced circulation bath apparatus that heats the water to a predetermined temperature, a bath return temperature sensor is provided in the bath return path, and a bath return temperature sensor is provided in the bath return path. The output signal from each temperature sensor is input to the temperature control unit of the control unit that controls the operation of the heating unit. For example, each temperature sensor is disconnected and the output signal is not input to the temperature control unit. In such a case, the temperature control unit determines that the temperature sensor is abnormal, and displays the temperature sensor abnormality on the operation panel of the forced circulation bath apparatus.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, when the temperature sensor is deteriorated, short-circuited, or miswired, the temperature sensor outputs a signal and is input to the temperature control unit. Therefore, the temperature control unit cannot detect the temperature sensor abnormality. It will be. Especially when the output value of the bath return temperature sensor is fixed or hardly changes below the boiling temperature set when heating the bath water, the temperature control unit cannot accurately detect the bath water temperature. It becomes a state. In this case, the safety means provided in the forced circulation bath apparatus is activated to stop the operation of the heating means, but the heating by the heating means is continued until the safety means is activated, and the temperature of the bath water becomes high. End up.
The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and provides an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor that can detect an abnormality in the bath return temperature sensor during bath water heating and prevent the bath water from being heated to a high temperature. The purpose is to do.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that bath water in a bathtub is transported to a heating means through a bath return path by a circulation pump, and the heated bath water is transported to the bathtub through a bath return path. In the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor provided in the bath return path of the forced circulation bath device transported to the bath, the bath return temperature sensor after a predetermined determination time during operation of the forced circulation bath device If the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured in step (b) is less than a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump is interrupted, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, Obtain the temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the temperature sensor and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor, and if the temperature difference exceeds a preset reference temperature difference, The bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus is terminated, and when the temperature difference is equal to or less than the reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is determined to be normal and the heating means and The operation of the circulation pump is resumed.
[0005]
During operation of the forced circulation bath device, the bath water in the bathtub sucked by the circulation pump reaches the heating means through the return path of the bath and is heated to a high temperature (for example, when sucked from the bathtub) The bath water is discharged to the bathtub through the bath going path repeatedly, and the average temperature of the bath water in the bathtub rises. For this reason, the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor provided in the bath return path increases with the passage of the operation time of the forced circulation bath apparatus. The temperature rise per unit time at this time is the amount of heat generated per unit time in the heating means, the amount of bath water per unit time circulated by the circulation pump, the temperature of the bath water flowing into the heating means, and the heat transfer coefficient in the heating means. Therefore, it is possible to predict the bath water temperature after a predetermined time has elapsed. Therefore, a determination time is set to confirm the rise of the bath water temperature, and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after the elapse of the determination time is compared with the bath water temperature after the elapse of the predicted determination time. Thus, it can be determined whether the heating by the heating means is normally performed.
[0006]
Here, when the control of the amount of heat generated per unit time in the heating means and the amount of bath water per unit time circulated by the circulation pump is normally performed, the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after the determination time. If the temperature of the bath water is lower than the predicted temperature, that is, the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after the determination time has elapsed If the difference is less than the difference between the temperature of the bath water and the temperature of the bath water, the possibility that the bath return temperature sensor is abnormal is high. Here, the determination time can be 3 minutes or more, and the predetermined temperature corresponding to this determination time is 0.6 to 1.4 ° C. The judgment time is set to 3 minutes or more. The temperature rise of the bath water is small in less than 3 minutes, and the estimated temperature of the bath water after the judgment time elapses and the temperature of the bath water at the time when the judgment time starts. This is because there is always no clear difference between them. In addition, since specific determination time changes with the emitted-heat amount of a heating means, and the capacity | capacitance of a bathtub, it is necessary to determine individually.
[0007]
When it is determined that there is a high possibility that the bath return temperature sensor is abnormal, the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump is interrupted. Even if the heating means and the circulation pump are stopped, the bath water is heated immediately after the stop due to the residual heat of the heating means, but the heating is also reduced with the passage of time. And since the bath water circulates between the bathtub and the heating means by natural convection, the bath water temperature measured by the bath temperature sensor provided in the bath going path and the bath return temperature sensor provided in the bath returning path The temperature of the bath water measured in is gradually approaching. The bath return path, bath return path, and structure of the heating means determine the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor due to the effect of natural convection. It can be estimated whether it changes at the change rate of. Therefore, after the waiting time set in advance, the upper and lower limits of how many times the bath water temperature measured by the bath temperature sensor and the bath water temperature measured by the bath return temperature sensor will be predicted. it can.
[0008]
For this reason, the temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor after the waiting time has elapsed and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor is determined by the upper and lower limits of each temperature. Below the difference. Here, assuming that the maximum temperature difference determined from the upper and lower limits of each temperature is the reference temperature difference, when natural convection is normally occurring, the actually obtained temperature difference is equal to or less than the reference temperature difference.
Therefore, if the temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor after the elapse of the waiting time and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor is less than the reference temperature difference, The temperature is considered to be measured normally and the bath return temperature sensor can be diagnosed as normal. At this time, the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump is resumed.
On the other hand, the reference temperature at which the temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor after the elapse of the waiting time and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor can be predicted after the elapse of the waiting time. If the difference is exceeded, it is considered that the temperature of the bath water is not normally measured, and the bath return temperature sensor can be diagnosed as abnormal. At this time, since the heating controlled by the heating means cannot be performed, the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus is terminated. Here, the waiting time can be set to, for example, 20 to 30 minutes, and the reference temperature difference corresponding to the waiting time of 20 to 30 minutes is 7 to 3 ° C. The reason why the waiting time is set to 20 minutes or more is that the effect of the residual heat of the heating means cannot be removed by natural convection if the waiting time is less than 20 minutes. In addition, the waiting time is set to 30 minutes or less, even if a waiting time exceeding 30 minutes is provided, the change in the temperature of the temperature sensor of the bath going-out and the temperature of the temperature sensor of returning to the bath both becomes small, and the temperature difference This is because the change is not greatly affected.
[0009]
The bath return temperature sensor abnormality diagnosis method according to the second aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the bath water in the bathtub is transported to a heating means by a circulation pump to the heating means by the circulation pump, and the heated bath water is sent to the bath by the bath going path. In the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor provided in the bath return path of the forced circulation bath device transported to the bath, the bath return temperature sensor after a predetermined determination time during operation of the forced circulation bath device When the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured in step is less than a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heating means is interrupted, and after a predetermined waiting time elapses while the circulating pump is operated for a preset pump driving time, A temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor provided in the bath going path and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor is obtained, and the temperature difference is predicted. When the set reference temperature difference is exceeded, the bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus is terminated, and when the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature The sensor is determined to be normal and the heating means and the circulation pump are restarted.
[0010]
When it is determined that there is a high possibility that the bath return temperature sensor is abnormal, the operation of the heating means is interrupted, and the circulation pump is interrupted after operating for a preset drive time, for example, 30 seconds. By operating the circulation pump, the bath water is forcedly circulated between the bathtub and the heating means, so that the residual heat of the heating means can be removed in a short time. As a result, if the preset waiting time, for example, 30 seconds to 1 minute elapses after the operation of the heating means is interrupted, the time change of the temperature of the bath water measured by the bathing temperature sensor provided in the bathing path And the time change of the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor provided in the bath return path is small. For this reason, when the temperature difference between the bath water temperature measured by the bath going temperature sensor and the bath water temperature measured by the bath return temperature sensor is obtained, the time change of the temperature difference is also reduced. Therefore, the abnormality of the bath return temperature sensor can be diagnosed by comparing the temperature difference with the reference temperature difference.
[0011]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings for understanding of the present invention.
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a bath facility to which an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention is applied. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a flowchart explaining the abnormality diagnosis method of the bath return temperature sensor which concerns on a form.
As shown in FIG. 1, a bath facility 10 to which an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to first and second embodiments of the present invention is applied heats a bathtub 11 and bath water 12 of the bathtub 11. In this case, a bathroom operation unit 13 that instructs a set temperature and a bath apparatus 14 that heats the bath water 12 in response to a command from the bathroom operation unit 13 are provided. The bath apparatus 14 includes a forced circulation bath 15 that heats the bath water 12 in the bathtub 11 and a control unit 16 that stores instructions from the bathroom operation unit 13 and controls the operation of the forced circulation bath 15. And. Hereinafter, these will be described in detail.
[0012]
As shown in FIG. 1, the forced circulation bath 15 includes a circulation path 19 that connects a bath water suction port 17 and a discharge port 18 formed on the side wall of the bathtub 11, and heating that is connected to the circulation path 19. It has the heat exchanger 20 which is an example of a means. Here, the suction port 17 and the discharge port 18 are formed on the same side wall of the bathtub 11, for example, and the suction port 17 is provided on the bottom side of the bathtub 11 with respect to the discharge port 18. A circulation pump 22 is disposed in the bath return path 21 that connects the suction port 17 and the inlet side of the heat exchange unit 28 of the heat exchanger 20, and the bath return path 21 upstream of the circulation pump 22 is connected to the bath return path 21 from the suction port 17. A bath return thermistor 23, which is an example of a bath return temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the bath water 12 sucked by the circulation pump 22, and the flowing water of the bath water 12 toward the inlet side of the heat exchange unit 28 of the heat exchanger 20 are detected. A water flow switch 24 is provided. Here, as the circulation pump 22, a volute type or cascade type pump is used. Further, as the water flow switch 24, a paddle type, electromagnetic type, ultrasonic type, Kalman flow type, thermistor type, water wheel type, impeller type or differential pressure type detector can be used. In addition, a bathing path 25 that connects the outlet side of the heat exchanging unit 28 of the heat exchanger 20 and the discharge port 18 has a bathing temperature sensor that measures the temperature of the bath water 12 heated by the heat exchanger 20. A bathing thermistor 26 as an example is provided. In addition to the thermistor, a resistance temperature detector or a thermocouple can be used as each temperature sensor for returning to and from the bath.
[0013]
The heat exchanger 20 includes a gas combustion mechanism 27 that is an example of a heating source, and a heat exchange unit 28 that heats the bath water 12 with heat generated by the gas combustion mechanism 27. The gas combustion mechanism 27 is provided with a gas burner 30 provided with a gas ignition unit 29 and a fuel supply pipe 31 for supplying fuel gas to the gas burner 30. Further, the fuel supply pipe 31 is an example of an electromagnetic valve 32 that is an example of an on-off valve that supplies and stops fuel gas, and a gas flow rate adjustment mechanism that adjusts the flow rate of the fuel gas supplied from the electromagnetic valve 32. An electromagnetic proportional valve 33 is provided.
By adopting such a configuration, the bath water 12 stored in the bathtub 11 is sucked from the suction port 17 by operating the circulation pump 22 and introduced into the heat exchanger 20 through the bath return path 21 to return to the bath. Heating can be performed based on the measurement result of the thermistor 23. Further, the heated bath water 12 can be caused to flow in the bath going path 25, the temperature is measured by the bath going thermistor 26, and then discharged from the outlet 18 into the bathtub 11.
[0014]
The control means 16 inputs a set temperature when the bath water 12 is heated to the bathroom operation unit 13 or inputs a new set temperature to change the set temperature during operation of the forced circulation bath 15. And a communication function for exchanging communication signals for performing a cooperative operation with the control means 16 are provided. The bathroom operation unit 13 having such a function can be configured using, for example, a microcomputer.
The control means 16 includes a communication function for performing communication for cooperative operation with the bathroom operation unit 13, and an operation control unit for receiving an operation command signal from the bathroom operation unit 13 and performing operation control of the forced circulation bath 15. Is provided. The operation control unit is provided with a thermistor abnormality diagnosis function for diagnosing abnormality of the bath return thermistor 23 while heating the bath water 12. Here, the control means 16 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer, and each detection signal of the bath return thermistor 23, the bath going thermistor 26, and the water flow switch 24 is inputted. A program for controlling the operation and operation of the circulation pump 22, the gas ignition unit 29, the electromagnetic valve 32, and the electromagnetic proportional valve 33 is stored in the control means 16 according to various operation contents set in advance. For this reason, when an operation command signal related to the set temperature is input from the bathroom operation unit 13 to the control means 16, the circulation pump 22, the operation and operation of the gas ignition unit 29, the electromagnetic valve 32, and the electromagnetic proportional valve 33 are performed, and the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is started. In addition, the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is started and the operation of the thermistor abnormality diagnosis function is started, and the abnormality diagnosis of the bath return thermistor 23 is always performed during the operation control of the forced circulation bath 15.
[0015]
Next, the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
When the control means 16 receives the set temperature instruction and the operation command signal when the bath water 12 is heated from the bathroom operation unit 13 and starts the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 (S1), the control means 16 causes a thermistor abnormality. When the diagnostic function is activated, the temperature of the bath water 12 (hereinafter referred to as bath return temperature) measured by the bath return thermistor 23 is set as the reference temperature of the bath, and the judgment time (stored in the control means 16 in advance) For example, reading for 5 minutes is performed (S2). Next, when the bath return temperature is equal to or higher than the set temperature by comparing the bath return temperature with the set temperature set in the bathroom operation unit 13 (S3), it is determined that the boiling of the bath water 12 has ended, and the forced circulation type The boiling operation of the bath 15 is finished (normal end) (S4). On the other hand, when the bath return temperature is lower than the set temperature set by the bathroom operation unit 13 (S3), the forced circulation bath 15 is continuously operated by a preprogrammed method until the determination time elapses (S5). ). At this time, the bath return temperature measured by the bath return thermistor 23 is constantly compared with the set temperature, and if the bath return temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature (S3), the forced circulation bath 15 is boiled. The raising operation is terminated (S4).
[0016]
When the bath return temperature is lower than the set temperature and the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is determined (S5), the bath return temperature is compared with the comparison temperature (the bath reference temperature + 1 ° C temperature). (S6). Here, the reference temperature is set to 1 ° C. higher than the reference temperature of the bath after the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is continued for 5 minutes due to the ability of the forced circulation bath 15 used. This is because it has been confirmed in advance that the bath return temperature of the bath always rises by 1 ° C. or more from the temperature when the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is started (the reference temperature of the bath). Therefore, when the bath return temperature is higher by 1 ° C. or more than the reference temperature of the bath, the bath return temperature can be normally measured by the bath return thermistor 23, that is, the bath return thermistor 23 can be diagnosed as normal, and the first stage After the heating is completed, the second stage heating is performed (S2).
[0017]
Before the second stage heating starts, the bath return temperature measured at the end of the first stage heating is set as the bath reference temperature, and the determination time stored in the control means 16 is set as the determination time. It is loaded (S2). In the second stage heating, when the bath return thermistor 23 is normal, operations S2, S3, and S5 are performed, and when the bath return temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature (S3), the forced circulation bath 15 The boiling operation is terminated (S4). If the bath return temperature is lower than the set temperature even after the second stage heating is finished, the third stage heating is performed. If the bath return temperature is lower than the set temperature even after the third stage heating is finished, the fourth stage heating is performed. Like heating, heating is repeated until the bath return temperature becomes equal to or higher than the set temperature.
[0018]
Even if the judgment time elapses in each stage of heating, if the bath return temperature <the bath reference temperature + 1 ° C. (S6), the bath return temperature may not be measured normally by the bath return thermistor 23. The process proceeds to the diagnosis (thermistor determination) (S7). First, the operation of the heat exchanger 20 and the circulation pump 22 is immediately interrupted. Then, after the operation of the heat exchanger 20 and the circulation pump 22 is stopped, waiting is performed until a waiting time (for example, 20 minutes) stored in advance in the control means 16 elapses. While waiting, the bath water 12 circulates through the path of the bathtub 11 → the bath return path 21 → the heat exchange unit 28 → the bath going path 25 → the bathtub 11 by natural convection. As a result, if both the bath return thermistor 23 and the bath trip thermistor 26 are normal, the bath return temperature and the bath water temperature measured by the bath trip thermistor 26 (hereinafter referred to as the bath trip temperature) gradually approach and wait. After a lapse of time, each reaches a predetermined temperature. Here, each predetermined temperature can be obtained in advance from a characteristic grasp test of the forced circulation bath 15. Therefore, the temperature difference between the bath-out temperature and the bath return temperature after the elapse of the waiting time is equal to or less than the reference temperature difference determined from the upper and lower limits of each predetermined temperature. Here, a reference temperature difference determined from an upper limit and a lower limit of each predetermined temperature under natural convection conditions with a waiting time of 20 minutes is set to 5 ° C., for example. When the temperature difference between the bathing temperature and the bathing temperature is 5 ° C. or less, the bathing temperature and the bathing temperature can be measured normally by the bathing thermistor 23 and the bathing thermistor 26, that is, the bathing thermistor. 23, the bathing thermistor 26 is diagnosed as normal (S8), the operation of the circulation pump 22 and the heat exchanger 20 is resumed, and the process proceeds to the next stage of heating (S2).
[0019]
When the temperature difference between the bathing temperature and the bathing temperature exceeds 5 ° C after the waiting time of 20 minutes has elapsed, the bathing temperature and bathing temperature are measured normally by the bathing thermistor 23 and the bathing thermistor 26, respectively. In other words, it can be estimated that both or one of the bath return thermistor 23 and the bath return thermistor 26 is abnormal. Here, the bathing thermistor 26 is used as a sensor for detecting an overheating abnormality of the heat exchanger 20, and if the heat exchanger 20 is operable, it can be determined that the bathing thermistor 26 is functioning normally. For this reason, considering that the heat exchanger 20 can be operated, if the temperature difference between the bathing temperature and the bath return temperature exceeds 5 ° C. (S8), the temperature is not normally measured by the bath return thermistor 23. That is, it is diagnosed that the bath return thermistor 23 is abnormal (S9). In this case, since the bath return temperature cannot be measured accurately, the operation of the forced circulation bath 15 is forcibly terminated (S10).
[0020]
In the abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to the second embodiment of the present invention, after a preset determination time (for example, 5 minutes), when the bath return temperature <the bath reference temperature + 1 ° C. Only the operation of the heat exchanger 20 is interrupted, and the circulation pump 22 is continuously operated until a preset pump driving time, for example, 30 seconds to 1 minute elapses after the operation of the heat exchanger 20 is interrupted. The rest is substantially the same as the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor according to the first embodiment described above.
By operating the circulation pump 22 for a preset pump driving time, the bath water 12 is forced to circulate through the bathtub 11 → the bath return path 21 → the heat exchange section 28 → the bath going path 25 → the bathtub 11 to generate heat. The effect of the residual heat of the exchange part 28 disappears in a short time. As a result, the bath return temperature and the bath going-out temperature approach quickly, and can reach a predetermined temperature in a short waiting time. Therefore, if the circulating pump 22 is further operated for a preset pump driving time after the operation of the heat exchanger 20 is interrupted, the waiting time in the thermistor determination can be shortened. However, since the thermistor determination method does not change, description of the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor according to the second embodiment is omitted. For example, the waiting time can be set to 30 seconds to 1 minute by operating the circulation pump 22 for 30 seconds to 1 minute after the operation of the heat exchanger 20 is interrupted.
[0021]
Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention is not limited to this embodiment. For example, the determination time is set to 5 minutes, but may be arbitrarily set within a range of 3 minutes or more. It is also possible to change the determination time according to the season such as summer or winter.
The abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return thermistor can also be applied to the abnormality diagnosis of the bathing thermistor.
[0022]
【The invention's effect】
In the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor according to claim 1, during the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus, the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after a preset determination time is less than a predetermined temperature. In some cases, the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump is interrupted, and after a predetermined waiting time has elapsed, the temperature of the bath water measured by the bathing temperature sensor provided in the bathing path and the bath measured by the bath return temperature sensor When the temperature difference with the water temperature exceeds the preset reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the operation of the forced circulation bath machine is terminated. If the temperature difference is below the reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is judged to be normal and the heating means and circulation pump are restarted, so that the bath return temperature sensor can be reliably diagnosed during operation of the forced circulation bath device. , It is possible to prevent the tub bath water becomes hot.
[0023]
In the abnormality diagnosis method for the bath return temperature sensor according to claim 2, during the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus, the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after a preset determination time is less than a predetermined temperature. In some cases, the operation of the heating means is interrupted, and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor provided in the bath path after the preset waiting time elapses while the circulating pump is operated for the preset pump drive time. And the bath return temperature sensor measures the temperature difference between the bath water temperature and if the temperature difference exceeds a preset reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the forced circulation bath device If the temperature difference is less than the reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is judged to be normal and the heating means and the circulation pump are restarted. By quickly removing the residual heat of the heating means, the bath water temperature measured by the bath temperature sensor and the bath water temperature measured by the bath return temperature sensor can be made uniform, and the bath return temperature sensor It is possible to diagnose the abnormality in a short time.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the overall configuration of a bath facility to which an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to first and second embodiments of the present invention is applied.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating an abnormality diagnosis method for a bath return temperature sensor according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[Explanation of symbols]
10: bath equipment, 11: bathtub, 12: bath water, 13: bathroom operation unit, 14: bath apparatus, 15: forced circulation bath, 16: control means, 17: suction port, 18: discharge port, 19: Circulation path, 20: Heat exchanger, 21: Bath return path, 22: Circulation pump, 23: Bath return thermistor, 24: Water flow switch, 25: Bath return path, 26: Bath return thermistor, 27: Gas combustion mechanism , 28: heat exchange section, 29: gas ignition section, 30: gas burner, 31: fuel supply pipe, 32: solenoid valve, 33: solenoid proportional valve

Claims

The bath return provided in the bath return path of the forced circulation bath apparatus that transports the bath water in the bathtub to the heating means by the circulation pump to the heating means through the bath return path, and transports the heated bath water to the bathtub through the bath return path. In the temperature sensor abnormality diagnosis method,
During the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus, when the temperature rise of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after a predetermined determination time is less than a predetermined temperature, the heating means and the circulation pump are operated. The temperature difference between the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath temperature sensor provided in the bath path and the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after the preset waiting time has elapsed When the temperature difference exceeds a preset reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus is terminated, and the temperature difference is the reference temperature. When the difference is less than the difference, the bath return temperature sensor is judged to be normal, and the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump is restarted.

The bath return provided in the bath return path of the forced circulation bath apparatus that transports the bath water in the bathtub to the heating means by the circulation pump to the heating means through the bath return path, and transports the heated bath water to the bathtub through the bath return path. In the temperature sensor abnormality diagnosis method,
During the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus, if the rise in the temperature of the bath water measured by the bath return temperature sensor after a preset determination time is less than a predetermined temperature, the operation of the heating means is interrupted, Measured with the bath water temperature and the bath return temperature sensor measured with the bath temperature sensor provided in the bath path after the preset waiting time while operating the pump for a preset pump driving time The temperature difference from the bath water temperature is obtained, and when the temperature difference exceeds a preset reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor is diagnosed as abnormal and the operation of the forced circulation bath apparatus is terminated. And when the temperature difference is less than or equal to the reference temperature difference, the bath return temperature sensor determines that the bath return temperature sensor is normal and restarts the operation of the heating means and the circulation pump. Abnormality diagnosis method of capacitors.