JP4006978B2 - Bathroom equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention uses a water level sensor or the like to detect bathing or hot water in a bather's bathtub and more effectively control the water heater. In particular, the body movement of the bather is controlled by a change in the water level in the bath. By watching for the presence or absence, it can be applied to a bathroom safety device that prevents unexpected accidents in the bathtub and promptly notifies.
[0002]
[Prior art]
2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, water heaters that have a service function such as a function of automatically cooking and raising the hot water temperature to a preset temperature when the hot water temperature falls below a preset temperature have been commercialized. In recent years, water level sensors of water heaters have been used to monitor the movement of bathers in the bathtub by detecting fluctuations in the surface of the water. For example, a monitoring service function for notifying the bather himself / herself and the family living together has been proposed.
[0003]
In particular, the water heater is equipped with a water level sensor in advance for applications such as automatic hot water filling, and a remote control with a display input function such as a liquid crystal display or buzzer so that it can be remotely operated from outside the bathroom such as a kitchen. Therefore, if a method for realizing the notification means by using these functions in combination is adopted, the addition of new members can be minimized and the commercial effect is considered to be great.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
With such a hot water heater's additional cooking function and watch-over service function, if the bather performs only during the period from the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water, efficient operation is possible, and energy saving is also highly effective. Conceivable. In particular, the bather's movement monitoring service function is used to detect whether there is no person in the bathtub or whether there is no body movement despite the presence of a person in the bathtub when there is no fluctuation in the water surface. Detection is an essential function.
[0005]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
In order to solve the conventional problems, a water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, and a predetermined frequency that appears when a bather enters and exits the bath from the signal of the water level sensor means or when the body moves in the bathtub. The filter means for extracting the signal intensity of the area and the judging means for judging the hot water and hot water to the bath tub of the bather from the signal of the filter means.
[0006]
In this way, a bath that can efficiently control the function of the water heater or more accurately determine that there is no movement of the bather by accurately determining the bathing and bathing of the bather. All devices can be realized.
[0007]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The invention according to claim 1 is a water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, and a filter means for extracting a signal intensity in a predetermined hot water frequency range that appears when the bather enters the bath from the signal of the water level sensor means. And determining means for determining the hot water from the signal from the filter means, it is possible to efficiently control the function of the water heater while avoiding useless operation when there is no person in the bathtub.
[0008]
The invention according to claim 2 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the filter means extracts the signal intensity in a predetermined body motion frequency range that is expressed when the body motion of the bather in the bathtub is generated, and the determination means is performed after the determination of the hot water. By starting the process of determining the presence or absence of body movement of the bather from the signal from the filter means, detection can be narrowed down to only a necessary period so that more accurate body movement determination can be performed.
[0009]
The invention according to claim 3 is a water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, and a filter means for extracting the signal intensity in the hot water frequency range that appears at the time of the hot water from the bath tub of the bather based on the signal of the water level sensor means. In addition, by having a judging means for judging the hot water from the signal of the filter means, it is possible to efficiently control the function of the water heater while avoiding a wasteful operation when there is no person in the bathtub.
[0010]
The invention according to claim 4 is a water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, and a filter means for extracting a signal in the hot water frequency range that appears at the time of hot water from the bath tub of the bather based on the signal of the water level sensor means, By having a judging means for judging hot water from the attenuation rate of the strength signal of the filter means, it is possible to efficiently control the function of the water heater while avoiding wasteful operation when there is no person in the bathtub. is there.
[0011]
A fifth aspect of the present invention is the method according to the fourth or fifth aspect, wherein the filter means extracts a signal intensity in a predetermined body motion frequency region that appears when a bather moves in the bathtub, and the determination means is a signal of hot water. By stopping the determination of the presence or absence of body movement of the bather from the signal of the filter means, detection is narrowed down to a necessary period, so that the body movement determination with higher accuracy can be performed.
[0012]
【Example】
Examples of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS.
[0013]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram schematically illustrating a bathroom apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1, 1 is a bather, 2 is a bathtub, 3 is a circulation port for connection to a water heater or the like. 4 is a water level sensor means of a water heater, and is generally installed in a pipe line connected to the circulation port. In this embodiment, the water level sensor means 4 is installed in this path. . Reference numeral 5 denotes a filter means for inputting a signal from the water level sensor means 4 and extracts the intensity of a component in a predetermined frequency range, and reference numeral 6 denotes determination of hot / cold hot water to the bathtub or body movement based on the intensity signal from the filter means 5. In accordance with the determination by the determination means 6, 7 is a notification means for generating a notification signal such as generation of a buzzer sound, lighting or blinking of the display device, or a signal for contacting an indoor family. Reference numeral 8 denotes a remote control device provided with an operation switch, an intercom, a liquid crystal and the like of the water heater. In the present embodiment, the filter means 5 is configured as arithmetic software, and the microcomputer means and the control circuit of the water heater main body and the remote control device 8 are changed and implemented together with the determination means 6 and the notification means 7.
[0014]
FIG. 2 is a graph showing an example of signals input from the water level sensor means 4 to the filter means 5 and the determination means 6 during bathing, and the horizontal axis shows the elapsed time. FIG. 2A shows an example of a waveform of a water level signal input from the water level sensor means 4 to the filter means 5, and the vertical axis indicates the voltage value of the water level signal, and this voltage value indicates the level of the water level in the bathtub. A value correlated with is output. FIG. 2B shows an example of a waveform obtained by sequentially calculating the signal intensity in a predetermined frequency range by the filter means 5, and the signal intensity calculated from the voltage value between the time (t−Δt) and t in FIG. Is plotted as data at time t in FIG. The vertical axis indicates the signal intensity, and the larger the intensity value, the stronger the signal component of the predetermined frequency is included. FIG. 2B shows an example in which the hot water frequency region and the hot water frequency region are set as the predetermined frequency region in common with the body motion frequency region. As for the specific setting of these predetermined frequency ranges, in the case of a general household bathtub with one side of about 80 cm to 200 cm, experimental results have been obtained that 0.7 to 2.0 Hz is appropriate, and this range is included. Set as follows.
[0015]
The behavior of the bather corresponding to the waveform of FIG. 2 is to enter the bathtub at time t1, to move in the bathtub at t2, t3, and t4, to move out of the bathtub at t5 and to move to the washing area, at t6 This is a case where the bath is again entered, body movement is caused in the bathtub at t7, t8, and t9, and the hot water is discharged from the bathtub at t10. Accordingly, FIG. 2B shows a change in the intensity of the body motion frequency range corresponding to such a series of actions. According to our experiments, the signal strength in the body motion frequency range correlates with the magnitude of the body motion, that is, the motion that moves the body. Accordingly, in general, a signal intensity greater than that of an operation of raising and lowering an arm during bathing is detected when going into and out of half-body hot water such as bathing and bathing. Therefore, a body movement determination threshold value Vm for determining the presence or absence of body movement and a larger hot water / those determination threshold value Vio for determining hot water or hot water are provided. Accurate detection is performed by watching the presence or absence of body movement by comparison with the movement determination threshold value Vm, and further determining that it has reached hot water when it exceeds the entry / exit hot water determination threshold value Vio and stopping the monitoring.
[0016]
In addition, it is also possible to use another method as a method for determining the hot water based on the signal intensity in a predetermined frequency range. As shown in FIG. 2 (b), according to our experiment, the continuous shaking of the hot water surface at the time of pouring has a slow decay and lasts for a long time when there is no bather who becomes a resistance factor of the flow. Therefore, when the intensity in the predetermined frequency range is lower than the predetermined attenuation speed, it can be determined that the hot water has been discharged.
[0017]
Furthermore, as a method for determining hot water and hot water, in addition to the method using the intensity in the predetermined frequency range at the time of hot water / hot water described above (hereinafter, abbreviated as A. water level fluctuation equation), the water level around a predetermined time is used. The water level method (hereinafter abbreviated as B. water level method) that detects the range of ascending / descending, or the rate of time rising / falling, and the bather himself / herself presses the switch to indicate the intention to enter the hot / cold water. Sensing method (hereinafter referred to as C. manual type), sensing method using a load sensor installed at the bottom of the bathtub or an infrared sensor installed so as to look into the bathtub compartment (hereinafter referred to as D. auxiliary sensor type), etc. Can be considered. Therefore, it is also effective to combine these methods by changing the method for hot water determination and hot water determination.
[0018]
For example, C.I. In the manual type, it is expected that there are more forgotten operations at the time of hot water discharge than at the time of hot water supply. It is performed manually, and the hot water determination is an automatic method. Water level fluctuation formula and B. A water level method is also possible.
[0019]
In addition, a method of performing multiple detection by a plurality of methods and performing AND determination and OR determination of each method is possible, and the determination can be performed more reliably. In particular, A.I. Water level fluctuation formula and B. The water level sensor can be handled by changing the microcomputer program if the water level sensor itself is also used for the water heater, so it does not require a new additional configuration and is considered to have a great commercial advantage.
[0020]
In addition, C.I. In the configuration using manual switches, it is effective to configure the switch on the remote control of the water heater, and include measures to forget to press it, such as requesting that it be flashed using the remote control display. Is also effective. In addition, a remote control with an intercom microphone, etc. can be configured to give voice instructions instead of operations. It becomes possible to provide.
[0021]
In the above description, only the method of comparing the signal intensity of the predetermined frequency with the threshold value has been described for body movement determination, but it is also possible to use a method of comparing the maximum amplitude of the water level signal for a certain time Δt with the threshold value. is there.
[0022]
In the embodiment of the present invention, the example of applying the hot water and hot water determination to the body movement monitoring service function has been mainly described. However, as a use other than this function, a follow-up in the case where the temperature in the bathtub is lowered is also described. Of course, it may be used for determination of an automatic service function such as a cooking function or a hot water addition when the water level drops.
[0023]
In addition, as a general notification signal, a notification method such as sounding a buzzer or blinking light to notify other family members in the kitchen can be considered, but the water heater is controlled remotely from the kitchen etc. Many models have a remote control, and if the function of such a remote control is also used as a means for generating a notification signal, its commercial effect is very large. Of course, the notification signal may be provided with a method of notifying an external hospital or emergency service entity by a communication function, or contacting a separate family member or acquaintance using e-mail or the like.
[0024]
Lastly, in the above description, the configuration in which the existing water level sensor is also used in the water heater has been described. However, a configuration in which a dedicated water level sensor is externally installed and connected to the water heater, or the entire bathroom safety device May be configured separately from the water heater.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to efficiently control the function of the water heater or more accurately determine that there is no movement of the bather by accurately determining the bather's hot water and hot water. Can be realized.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a bathroom safety device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are graphs showing examples of output signals of water level sensor means and filter means according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bather 2 Bathtub 4 Water level sensor means 5 Filter means 6 Judgment means 7 Notification means 8 Remote control device (input means)

Claims (5)

  Water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, filter means for extracting a signal in a predetermined hot water frequency range that appears when the bather enters the bathtub from the signal of the water level sensor means, and hot water from the signal of the filter means A bathroom apparatus having a determination means for determining.   The filter means extracts a signal of a predetermined body motion frequency range that appears when the body movement of the bather in the bathtub occurs, and the determination means determines whether or not there is body movement of the bather from the signal of the filter means after determination of hot water. The bathroom apparatus according to claim 1 for determination.   Water level sensor means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, filter means for extracting a signal in a predetermined hot water frequency range that appears when the bather takes out the hot water from the bathtub based on the signal of the water level sensor means, and hot water from the signal of the filter means A bathroom device having a determination means for determining   Water level sensor means for detecting the water level of the bathtub, filter means for extracting a signal strength in a predetermined hot water frequency range that appears when the bather takes out the hot water from the bathtub based on a signal from the water level sensor means, and an intensity signal of the filter means The bathroom apparatus which has the determination means which determines a tapping from the decay rate of the water.   The filter means extracts a signal intensity in a predetermined body motion frequency range that appears when the bather moves in the bathtub, and the determination means determines the presence or absence of the body movement of the bather from the signal of the filter means based on the determination of the hot water. The bathroom apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, which is stopped.

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