JP4541575B2

JP4541575B2 - Bathtub hot water forced circulation device

Info

Publication number: JP4541575B2
Application number: JP2001049622A
Authority: JP
Inventors: 一幸西島
Original assignee: 株式会社長府製作所
Priority date: 2001-02-26
Filing date: 2001-02-26
Publication date: 2010-09-08
Anticipated expiration: 2021-02-26
Also published as: JP2002250557A

Description

【０００１】
【発明の属する技術分野】
本発明は、浴槽内の湯水を強制的に循環させる循環ポンプを内蔵することにより可能となる各種機能、例えば気泡発生機能、追い焚き機能、浴槽水のろ過機能、浴槽洗浄機能等を単独又は複合して備え、その他給湯機能や、暖房機能等も併せて備えた装置又は機器、いわゆる気泡発生装置（ジェットバス装置）、強制循環式ふろがま、給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま等である浴槽湯水強制循環装置に関するものである。
【０００２】
【従来の技術】
従来の浴槽湯水強制循環装置は浴槽内の湯水を循環させるため入浴者の髪の毛や垢等を同時に吸い込むことになり、これらの入浴者の髪の毛や垢等は浴槽湯水強制循環装置に内蔵する循環ポンプにそのまま吸い込まれ入れてしまうと循環ポンプの循環流量の減少や、これが高じた場合は循環ポンプ自体を破損させる場合があった。これを防ぐため循環ポンプの吸込口に連接する浴槽内の開口部や循環ポンプの吸込口に連接する管の途中に網や多孔質体等よりなるフイルターを着脱自在になるように設けて前記入浴者の髪の毛や垢等を前記循環ポンプに吸い込まれないようにし、かつ前記フィルターで補足した前記入浴者の髪の毛や垢等を前記フィルターが脱着できることにより簡単に除去（フィルターの掃除）ができるものとなっていた。ところが、通常、前記浴槽湯水強制循環装置の取扱説明書や注意表示等には使用が所定の期間に達した場合は必ずフィルターの掃除を励行するように明示しているが、使用者は前記浴槽湯水強制循環装置が異常なく使用できる限りは前記フィルターの掃除をする必要があるとは感じないため、フィルターの目詰まりを検知する圧力検知手段を前記フィルターの取付位置より下流の循環ポンプの吸込口に連接する管に設けて、フィルターの目詰まりが所定の負圧となった時点で前記浴槽湯水強制循環装置の運転を停止させるようになっていた。
【０００３】
【発明が解決しようとする課題】
しかしながら、前記従来の浴槽湯水強制循環装置は以下の課題を有していた。
ａ．浴槽湯水強制循環装置として圧力検知手段を使用する場合は、吸込口側の圧力が所定以上の負圧（仮に、−Ｐj kPaに設定されているものとする。）になった時点で検知させるようにしてあるが、循環ポンプの作動直後においては短時間ではあるが急激な負圧への落ち込み現象が発生するため浴槽湯水強制循環装置が通常の運転中に発生するであろう負圧に対して所定の余裕率をもって前記所定以上の負圧（−Ｐj kPa）を定めたとしても、前記圧力検知手段は誤動作し易くなるという問題があった。
【０００４】
ｂ．そのため、前記所定以上の負圧（−Ｐj kPa）を定める際にできるだけ余裕率を見込んで定めるため、浴槽湯水強制循環装置の循環量が減少したことが使用者にはっきりと判る程度に前記フィルターへほぼ完全に目詰まりした状態、いわゆる末期状態にならないと、圧力検知手段により負圧を検知させて使用者に表示、音声又は運転状態の停止等による警告をすることができないという問題があった。
【０００５】
ｃ．また、浴槽湯水強制循環装置が加熱手段を内蔵する強制循環式ふろがま又は給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま等の場合は、前述のように浴槽湯水強制循環装置の循環量が減少したことが使用者にはっきりと判る程度に前記フィルターへほぼ完全に目詰まりした状態で加熱手段により加熱を行うことは、循環流量が減少して温度上昇幅が増加することにより熱効率が低下し、沸き上がりまでの時間が長くなるという問題があった。
【０００６】
本発明は上記従来の課題を解決するもので、誤作動が少なくフイルターの目詰まりが末期状態になる前に作動させることができる浴槽湯水強制循環装置の提供を目的とする。
【０００７】
【課題を解決するための手段】
本発明の循環ポンプの作動直後に急激な負圧への落ち込み現象が前記循環ポンプの吸い込み側において発生する浴槽湯水強制循環装置、特に限定するならば気泡発生装置は、浴槽に接続して浴槽内の湯水を循環させる循環ポンプを内部に設けており、前記浴槽の前記循環ポンプの吸い込み側にはフィルターを有する戻り循環金具が取り付けられ、前記循環ポンプの吸い込み側には圧力検知手段が設けられ、該圧力検知手段と前記循環ポンプの間には絞り部が設けられた構成とした。これにより、誤作動が少なくフィルターの目詰まりが末期状態になる前に作動させることを可能とした。
【０００８】
また、本発明の循環ポンプの作動直後に急激な負圧への落ち込み現象が前記循環ポンプの吸い込み側において発生する浴槽湯水強制循環装置、特に限定するならば給湯器付強制循環式ふろがまは、浴槽に接続して浴槽内の湯水を循環させる循環ポンプと、前記浴槽の前記循環ポンプの吸い込み側に取り付けられ、フィルターを有する戻り循環金具と、該循環ポンプの吸い込み側に設けた絞り部と、該絞り部の上流側から分岐し該絞り部の下流側で再び合流するバイパス水路と、該バイパス水路途中に設けた熱交換器と、該熱交換器を流れる湯水を加熱する加熱手段とを、内部に設けた浴槽湯水強制循環装置において、前記絞り部の上流側のバイパス水路には圧力検知手段が設けられた構成とした。これにより、誤作動が少なくフィルターの目詰まりが末期状態になる前に作動させることを可能とした。
【０００９】
【発明の実施の形態】
本発明における浴槽湯水強制循環装置の実施の形態について、以下図面を用いて説明する。
図１は浴槽湯水強制循環装置の実施例としての気泡発生装置の構成図であり、図２は浴槽湯水強制循環装置の他の実施例としての給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがまの構成図、図３、図４及び図５は浴槽湯水強制循環装置の圧力変化に関する各種の説明図である。各部の説明において、同じ箇所には同じ符号を付けて説明を省略する。
【００１０】
図１の本発明の浴槽湯水強制循環装置の構成図中、１は浴槽湯水強制循環装置の一種である気泡発生装置、２は浴室内に設置した浴槽、３は該浴槽２の近傍に設けた前記気泡発生装置１の気泡の発生の開始及び停止等の操作を行うスイッチと前記気泡発生装置１の運転状態を表示する表示部を有したリモコン、１１は前記気泡発生装置１に内蔵した循環ポンプ、１２は前記気泡発生装置１の外面に設けた前記浴槽２への後述する往き配管を接続するための接続口である往き配管接続口、１３は前記気泡発生装置１の外面に設けた前記浴槽２よりの後述する戻り配管を接続するための接続口である戻り配管接続口、１４は前記循環ポンプ１１の吐出口より前記往き配管接続口１２までの前記気泡発生装置１内の管である往き管、１５は前記戻り配管接続口１３より前記循環ポンプ１１の吸入口への前記気泡発生装置１内の管である戻り管、１６は該戻り管１５の途中に設け、該戻り管の内側に凹ませる又は、内側に内径を狭める部品を挿入する等により設けた絞り部、１７は前記戻り管１５の途中で該絞り部１６と前記戻り配管接続口１３の間に設けた圧力検知手段、１８は前記リモコン３の操作内容に従い前記循環ポンプ１１の駆動を制御し、同時に前記循環ポンプ１１の駆動内容を前記リモコン３に表示するように送信する前記気泡発生装置１に内蔵する制御部で、該制御部１８は同時に前記圧力検知手段１７の検知信号を受けてその検知内容に従い所定の動作を行う。
【００１１】
２１は前記浴槽２に取り付けてある往き循環金具、２２は前記浴槽２に取り付けてある戻り循環金具、２３は前記往き循環金具２１と一体となっている気泡吐出用ノズル、２４は前記戻り循環金具２２に着脱自在に取り付けた髪の毛や垢等を捕集する金網や多孔体からなるフィルター、２５は前記往き配管接続口１２と前記往き循環金具２１とを連接する往き配管、２６は前記戻り配管接続口１３と前記戻り循環金具２２を連接する戻り配管、２７は前記往き循環金具２１に外部の空気を吸入する管である空気管、２８は該空気管の途中において電動又は手動によって開閉する空気弁である。
【００１２】
ここで前記気泡発生装置１の動きを説明すると、浴槽２には気泡吐出用ノズル２３を越える水位まで前もってお湯が満たされているものとして、使用者は入浴中に気泡による運転を行う場合は、浴室内にあるリモコン３の気泡運転開始のスイッチ（図示せず）を入れる。リモコン３よりの気泡運転開始の指令により制御部１８は循環ポンプ１１の駆動を開始する。循環ポンプ１１の駆動により浴槽２内の湯はフィルター２４、戻り循環金具２２、戻り配管２６、戻り配管接続口１３、圧力検知手段１７及び絞り部１６が設けられた戻り管１５、循環ポンプ１１、往き管１４、往き配管接続口１２、往き配管２５、往き循環金具２１、気泡吐出ノズル２３を通り再び前記浴槽２に戻る。
【００１３】
この時空気弁２８を使用者が手動により開とするか前述のリモコン３の気泡運転開始のスイッチを入れると、制御部１８により前記循環ポンプ１１の駆動と同時に又は若干遅れて電気的に開とさせる。空気弁２８が開となると、往き循環金具２１は該往き循環金具２１の入り口側を絞るノズルを持っているので内部に向かって前記循環ポンプ１１により吐出圧が加えられた湯によるエゼクター効果により空気管２７を通じて前記空気弁２８より空気を吸い込む。これにより、前記気泡吐出用ノズル２３よりは浴槽２で吸い込んだ湯に空気が混ざって噴出する。この気泡運転を停止する場合は、前記リモコン３の運転停止スイッチ（図示せず）を操作して前記循環ポンプ１１を停止させ、手動又は自動で前記空気弁２８を閉止する。
【００１４】
図２の別の実施例である浴槽湯水強制循環装置の構成図中、４は浴槽湯水強制循環装置の一種である給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま、５は該浴槽２の近傍に設けた前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４の給湯の設定、追い焚きの開始又は停止及び気泡の発生の開始又は停止等の操作を行うスイッチと前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４の運転状態を表示する表示部を有したリモコン、３１は前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４に内蔵した循環ポンプ、３２は前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４の外面に設けた浴槽２への往き配管２５を接続するための接続口である往き配管接続口、３３は前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４の外面に設けた前記浴槽２よりの戻り配管２６を接続するための接続口である戻り配管接続口、３４は前記循環ポンプ３１の吐出口より前記往き配管接続口３２までの前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４内の管である往き管、３５は前記戻り配管接続口３３より前記循環ポンプ３１の吸入口への前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４内の管である戻り管、３６は該戻り管３５の途中に設け、該戻り管３５の内側に凹ませる又は、内側に内径を狭める部品を挿入する等により設けた絞り部である。
【００１５】
３７は後述する往きバイパス管の途中に設けた圧力検知手段、３８は前記リモコン５の操作内容に従い前記循環ポンプ３１及び後述する加熱手段の運転を制御し、同時に前記循環ポンプ３１及び加熱手段の運転内容を前記リモコン５に表示するように送信する前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４に内蔵する制御部で、該制御部３８は同時に前記圧力検知手段３７、後述する水温検知手段及び後述する浴槽水温検知手段の検知信号を受けてその検知内容に従い所定の動作を行う。３９は後述する往きバイパス管の途中に設けた循環する浴槽２の浴水の温度を半導体式、熱電対式、気体膨張式等により検知する浴槽水温検知手段である。
【００１６】
４０は１缶２水路式熱交換器で、内部に減圧した水道水を給水配管により給水し浴槽や台所等の給湯栓（図示せず）に給湯配管により供給する湯を貯湯する槽である給湯熱交換水路４１と、該給湯熱交換水路４１に内蔵して間接的に加熱されるコイル状の追い焚き熱交換水路４２を有している。４３は石油、ガス、電気等を熱源とする前記１缶２水路熱交換器４０の加熱手段、４４は前記１缶２水路式熱交換器４０の外面に設けた前記追い焚き熱交換水路４２の入口側接続口、４５は前記１缶２水路式熱交換器４０の外面に設けた前記追い焚き熱交換水路４２の出口側接続口、４６は前記戻り管３５の絞り部３６の上流側より分岐して前記入口側接続口４４へと連接する往きバイパス管、４７は前記出口側接続口４５から前記戻り管３５の途中に設けられた前記絞り部３６と前記循環ポンプ３１の吸入口の間に合流して連接する戻りバイパス管、４８は前記給湯熱交換水路４１に設け前記給湯熱交換水路４１内に貯湯された水温を半導体式、熱電対式、気体膨張式等により検知する水温検知手段である。
【００１７】
ここで前記給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま４の動きについて、給湯運転に関しては本発明とは直接関係ないので簡単に説明する。前記給湯熱交換水路４１に減圧弁（図示せず）により減圧した水道水を給水することによって前記加熱手段４３を前記水温検知手段４８の検知する水温が前記リモコン５で設定された温度になるまで加熱し、内部に貯湯された水を昇温させて湯としこれを給湯熱交換水路４１に連接した給湯管（図示せず）で台所や浴室等に設けた給湯栓（図示せず）を開くことにより前記湯を利用するものである。前記リモコン５においては、前述の給湯運転時の湯温の設定や、加熱手段４３が加熱を行っていることの表示等が可能となっている。
【００１８】
次に追い焚き運転に関して説明すると、予め浴槽２には水道水が汲み置かれているものとして、使用者が追い焚き運転を開始するには、リモコン５に設けられた追い焚きスイッチ（図示せず）を入れる。前記追い焚きスイッチを入れることにより循環ポンプ３１が駆動を開始し、浴槽２に汲み置かれた水道水は、フィルター２４、戻り循環金具２２、戻り配管２６、戻り配管接続口３３、戻り管３５、往きバイパス管４６、入口側接続口４４、追い焚き熱交換水路４２、出口側接続口４５、戻りバイパス管４７、戻り管３５、循環ポンプ３１、行き管３４、往き配管接続口３２、往き配管２５、往き循環金具２１、気泡吐出用ノズル２３を通過して、再び浴槽２へと戻る。これは、戻り管３５に絞り部３６があることにより、前記絞り部３６の上流側にある前記往きバイパス管４６の入口へと浴水の一部が流れ前述の往きバイパス管４６、入口側接続口４４、追い焚き熱交換水路４２、出口側接続口４５、戻りバイパス管４７より前記戻り管３５の絞り部３６の下流側へと連接するバイパス循環水路が構成される。もちろん、循環する浴水の大部分は、戻り管３５、該戻り管３５の途中にある前記絞り部３６を通過し、循環ポンプ３１、往き管３４へと流れる。
【００１９】
この時、前記給湯熱交換水路４１に前述の給湯運転と同様に減圧された水道水が給水されており、この給水された水道水が前述の給湯運転と同様に加熱手段４３で加熱された湯となっているものとすると、追い焚き熱交換水路４２は前記湯に前記給湯熱交換水路４１内部で外表面が浸されているので、前記循環ポンプ３１の駆動で前記浴槽２内に汲み置かれた浴水を循環させると、前記追い焚き熱交換水路４２を通過する浴水が間接的に加熱手段４３で加熱されることとなる。ここで、前記浴槽２内に汲み置かれた浴水の温度が低い場合には、前記追い焚き熱交換水路４２内を通過する時に浴水は加熱されて温度が上昇するが、前記給湯熱交換水路４１に貯湯された湯は逆に熱を奪われて温度が低下し、前記水温検知手段４８で検知する水温が追い焚き運転時の給湯熱交換水路４１の設定温度以下に低下した場合には、前記加熱手段４３は前記給湯熱交換水路４１の加熱を行う。
【００２０】
浴槽２内の浴水の温度は前記往きバイパス管４６に設けた前記浴槽水温検知手段３９で検知した循環水の水温が前記リモコン５で設定した浴槽２の沸き上げ温度になった時点で前記循環ポンプ３１の駆動を停止する。また、使用者は前記リモコン５に設けられた追い焚きスイッチ（図示せず）を切ることにより、任意に追い焚き運転を停止することができる。
【００２１】
最後に気泡運転について説明すると、予め浴槽２には気泡吐出用ノズル２３を越える水位まで水道水又はお湯が汲み置かれているものとすると、使用者は入浴中に気泡による運転を行うためには、浴室内にあるリモコン５の気泡運転開始のスイッチ（図示せず）を入れる。リモコン５よりの気泡運転開始の指令により制御部３８は循環ポンプ３１の駆動を開始する。循環ポンプ３１の駆動により浴槽２内の湯はフィルター２４、戻り循環金具２２、戻り配管２６、戻り配管接続口３３、絞り部３６が設けられた戻り管３５、循環ポンプ３１、往き管３４、往き配管接続口３２、往き配管２５、往き循環金具２１、気泡吐出ノズル２３を通り再び前記浴槽２へと戻る。もちろんこの場合においても、前述の追い焚き運転と同様に前記戻り管３５から分岐して、圧力検知手段３７及び浴槽水温検知手段３９の設けられた往きバイパス管４６、入口側接続口４４、追い焚き熱交換水路４２、出口側接続口４５、戻りバイパス管４７より前記戻り管３５の絞り部３６の下流側へと合流する追い焚き用のバイパス循環水路にも一部循環水が流れる。よって、気泡運転中においても同時に追い焚き運転を行うことは可能となり、追い焚き運転を同時に行う場合は加熱手段４３の加熱を開始する温度を自動的に高温にすることにより対応し、気泡運転だけの場合は、加熱運転を行わないようにするか、加熱手段４３の加熱を開始する温度を入浴温度程度に設定することにより保温のみは行えるようにする。
【００２２】
この時空気弁２８が使用者が手動により開とするか前述のリモコン５の気泡開始のスイッチを入れることにより制御部３８により前記循環ポンプ３１の駆動と同時に又は若干遅れて電気的に開とさせる。
空気弁２８が開となると、往き循環金具２１は該往き循環金具２１の入り口側を絞るノズルを持っているので内部に向かって前記循環ポンプ３１により吐出圧が加えられた湯のエゼクター効果により空気管２７を通じて前記空気弁２８より空気を吸い込む。これにより、前記気泡吐出用ノズル２３よりは浴槽２で吸い込んだ湯に空気が混ざって噴出する。この気泡運転を停止する場合は、前記リモコン５の運転停止スイッチ（図示せず）を操作して前記循環ポンプ３１を停止すると共に手動又は自動で前記空気弁２８を閉止する。
【００２３】
次ぎに図１の気泡発生装置１の圧力検知手段１７の検知圧力について説明する。前述の循環ポンプ１１が駆動することにより浴槽２の湯が循環する場合、循環ポンプ１１を循環の基点として、循環ポンプ１１の下流側、例えば、往き管１４、往き配管２５等はポンプの吐出により正圧が加わり、循環ポンプ１１の上流側、例えば戻り管１５、戻り配管２６等内の圧力は負圧となる。
図３は前述の浴槽２の戻り循環金具２２、戻り配管２６、戻り配管接続口１３，戻り管１５より循環ポンプ１１までの循環ポンプ１１の平常運転時の圧力について表したグラフである。図３の破線は図１の戻り管１５内に絞り部１６が設けられてない場合であり、実線は図１の様に戻り管１５内に絞り部１６が設けられている場合である。ここで、従来のように戻り管１５に絞り部１６が設けられてない場合は、浴槽２内の戻り循環金具２２近傍の圧力は浴槽に満たされたお湯の水圧により若干の正圧となっている。次に戻り循環金具２２内において浴槽２のお湯が循環ポンプ１１に吸い込まれることにより負圧となり、前記戻り配管２６から前記戻り管１５へと循環ポンプ１１に近づくに連れて漸次水圧が小さく（負圧が大きく）なって行くが、前記戻り配管２６及び前記戻り管１５の有効断面積が循環ポンプの吸込口の断面積を確保できる程度であり戻り配管２６の長さが２〜３ｍ程度であれば、戻り循環金具２２の近傍及び前記循環ポンプ１１の吸入口近傍の負圧には大きな差が生まれず図３の破線のようにほぼ水平となる。ここで、ほぼ水平に下がった負圧を−Ｐa kPaと表す。
【００２４】
次に、図３の実線で表した戻り管１５に絞り部１６を設けた場合は、浴槽２内は前述の絞り部１６を設けない場合と同様だが、該絞り部１６を境として上流側及び下流側で圧力の差が生まれることになり、この上流側の負圧を−Ｐb1 kPaとし、下流側の負圧を−Ｐb2 kPaと表す。よって、これらの負圧は図３より−Ｐb1 kPa＞−Ｐb2 kPaであり、絞り部１６のあるなしにより若干絞り部１６を設けた方が負圧が大きくなるが、ほとんど差はなくほぼ等しいものとなるので、−Ｐa kPa≒−Ｐb2 kPaとなる。
【００２５】
次に、図４のグラフは循環ポンプ１１の駆動直後の時間経過と前記戻り管１６の絞り部１６の上流側（平常運転時の圧力−Ｐb1 kPa）と下流側（平常運転時の圧力−Ｐb2 kPa）の圧力変化を表したもので、循環ポンプ１１が駆動してない場合は浴槽に満たされたお湯の水圧により若干の正圧となっているが循環ポンプ１１が駆動を開始すると吸い込み側の抵抗が大きいため短時間ではあるが平常運転時の圧力より小さい圧力（負圧としては大きい圧力で、その時の最大変化幅を各々−Ｐα1 kPa、−Ｐα2 kPa）になりその後循環が継続すると平常運転時の圧力−Ｐb1 kPa及び−Ｐb2 kPaになる。前述の様に絞り部１６を設けない場合との関係で−Ｐa kPa≒−Ｐb2 kPaであるので、絞り部を設けない場合も−Ｐb2 kPaと同じ動きとなる。
【００２６】
圧力検知手段１７を検知させる必要があるフィルター２４が目詰まりした場合について図５により説明すると、フィルター２４が目詰まりしていくと前述の負圧の関係は全体的にマイナス方向に大きくなり究極的には、循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧が前記フィルター２４より下流の戻り配管２６及び戻り管１５等の循環ポンプ１１吸入口までの全部に渡って、この循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧となる。この循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧を−Ｐmax kPaとして図５においては破線で表し、平常運転状態（−Ｐb1 kPa又は−Ｐb2 kPa）から能力限界の負圧（−Ｐmax kPa）へと移行する状態を−Ｐb1′ kPa、−Ｐb1″ kPa又は−Ｐb2′ kPa、−Ｐb2″ kPaへとして細線で表している。図５で判る様に、絞り部１６の上流側の平常運転状態から循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧への変化幅−Ｐmax kPa−（−Ｐb1 kPa）（これをΔＰb1と表す）と、絞り部１６の下流側の平常運転状態から循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧への変化幅−Ｐmax kPa―（―Ｐb2 kPa）（これをΔＰb2と表す）とを比較するとΔＰb1＞ΔＰb2となり、変化する割合が絞り部１６の上流側の方が大きくなる。
【００２７】
以上のことから、圧力検知手段１７の設定圧力（これを−Ｐs kPaと表す）を、図４の駆動時の一時的な変化幅（−Ｐα1 kPa）を加えた−（Ｐb1 kPa＋Ｐα1 kPa）＞−Ｐs kPaとしてかつ、設定圧力は前述の関係より循環ポンプ１１の能力限界の負圧より小さくする必要がないことから、−Ｐs kPa＞−Ｐmax kPaの間で定めれば良いこととなる。
これにより、圧力検知手段１７で検知する設定圧力（−Ｐs kPa）は絞り部１６を設けないものより小さい設定圧力にすることが可能となり、圧力検知手段１７が設定圧力を検知した時は、制御部１８においてこの設定圧力の検知の信号を受け、リモコン３にフィルター２４の詰まりである旨を文字又は図形に表した表示や赤色の発光ダイオードや電球等による警報ランプの点灯又は点滅による表示、前記リモコン３にブザーや音声を発する機能を持つ場合にはこの音声等による使用者への注意の呼びかけを行うようにしている。このフィルター２４の詰まりにおいて、表示等を行う場合に循環ポンプ１１の駆動を同時に停止するようにしても良い。
【００２８】
また、図２の給湯機付き強制循環式ふろがま４については往きバイパス管４６に圧力検知手段３７が設けてあるが、戻り管３５に設けられた絞り部３６の上流側より前記往きバイパス管４６を分岐しており、該往きバイパス管４６は追い焚き熱交換水路４２及び戻りバイパス管４７と戻り管３５の絞り部３６の下流側と連接しているが、追い焚き熱交換水路４２は給湯熱交換水路４１の内部の湯と熱交換する必要があるので全長を長くして表面積を増加させているため、内部の圧力が図３の−Ｐb1 kPaから−Ｐb2 kPaへと変化する過程は緩やかになる。よって該往きバイパス管４６の範囲であれば図３の−Ｐb1 kPaに近いもので余り大きく変化せず、戻り管３５の絞り部３６の上流側に圧力検知手段３７を設けるのとほぼ等しくなり、前述図１の実施例と同様に説明できる。
【００２９】
以上のように実施の形態において浴槽湯水強制循環装置は構成されているので以下の作用を有する。
ａ．請求項１においては、浴槽湯水強制循環装置（図１の気泡発生装置）の安全装置である戻り管の絞り部が設けられた位置より上流にある圧力検知手段は戻り管に設けた絞り部により、絞り部を設けない時に比較して循環ポンプの駆動時に発生する急激な負圧への落ち込み現象に対して負圧における圧力変動を小さくするという作用を有する。
ｂ．請求項２においては、浴槽湯水強制循環装置（図２の給湯器付強制循環式ふろがま）の安全装置である戻り管の絞り部の上流側で分岐した往きバイパス管に設けた圧力検知手段は戻り管に設けた絞り部により、絞り部を設けない時に比較して循環ポンプの駆動時に発生する急激な負圧への落ち込み現象に対して負圧における圧力変動を小さくするという作用を有する。
【００３０】
【発明の効果】
本発明により、浴槽湯水強制循環装置は以下の効果を有する。
Ａ．前述のａの作用を有することにより、浴槽湯水強制循環装置（図１の気泡発生装置）の安全装置である戻り管の絞り部が設けられた位置より上流にある圧力検知手段は、設定圧力を小さい負圧に設定することが可能となるので、循環ポンプの駆動時における誤作動を少なくすることができることと、同時にフィルターの目詰まりの末期になる前に作動することができ、使用者に早い段階で検知したことを知らせることが可能となるので、フイルター等の掃除も容易になる。
Ｂ．前述のｂの作用を有することにより、浴槽湯水強制循環装置（図２の給湯器付強制循環式ふろがま）の安全装置である戻り管の絞り部の上流側で分岐した往きバイパス管に設けた圧力検知手段は、設定圧力を小さい負圧に設定することが可能となるので、循環ポンプの駆動時における誤作動を少なくすることができることと、同時にフィルターの目詰まりの末期になる前に作動することができ、使用者に早い段階で検知したことを知らせることが可能となるので、フイルター等の掃除も容易になる。また、同時に早い段階で使用者に知らせることができるので、追い焚き熱交換水路の循環水量を低下させないので、沸き上がりまでの時間が長くなることはないという効果も有している。
【図面の簡単な説明】
【図１】本発明の浴槽湯水強制循環装置の実施形態である気泡発生装置の構成図である。
【図２】本発明の浴槽湯水強制循環装置の別実施形態である給湯器付強制循環式ふろがまの構成図である。
【図３】実施例における圧力変化に関する説明図である。
【図４】循環ポンプの駆動時における時間と圧力の変化に関する説明図である。
【図５】実施例におけるフイルターの目詰まりに対応する圧力変化に関する説明図である。
【符号の説明】
１気泡発生装置
２浴槽
３、５リモコン
４給湯機能付き強制循環式ふろがま
１１、３１循環ポンプ
１２、３２往き配管接続口
１３、３３戻り配管接続口
１４、３４往き管
１５、３５戻り管
１６、３６絞り部
１７、３７圧力検知手段
１８、３８制御部
２１往き循環金具
２２戻り循環金具
２３気泡吐出用ノズル
２４フィルター
２５往き配管
２６戻り配管
２７空気管
２８空気弁
３９浴槽水温検知手段
４０１缶２水路熱交換器
４１給湯熱交換水路
４２追い焚き熱交換水路
４３加熱手段
４４入口側接続口
４５出口側接続口
４６往きバイパス管
４７戻りバイパス管
４８水温検知手段[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides various functions made possible by incorporating a circulation pump that forcibly circulates hot and cold water in the bathtub, for example, a bubble generating function, a reheating function, a bathtub water filtering function, a bathtub washing function, etc. In addition, other devices or equipment that also have a hot water supply function, a heating function, etc., so-called bubble generating device (jet bath device), forced circulation bath, forced circulation bath with hot water function, etc. The present invention relates to a bathtub hot water forced circulation device.
[0002]
[Prior art]
The conventional bathtub hot water forced circulation device circulates the hot water in the bathtub and sucks the hair and dirt of the bather at the same time, and the bather's hair and plaque etc. is a circulation pump built in the bath hot water forced circulation device If the air is sucked into the pump as it is, the circulating flow rate of the circulating pump decreases, and if this increases, the circulating pump itself may be damaged. In order to prevent this, the bath is provided by detachably attaching a filter made of a net, a porous body or the like in the middle of the opening in the bathtub connected to the suction port of the circulation pump or the pipe connected to the suction port of the circulation pump. So that the hair, dirt, etc. of a person can not be sucked into the circulation pump, and the hair, dirt, etc. of the bather, supplemented by the filter, can be easily removed (cleaning the filter) It was. However, in general, the instruction manual and caution display of the bath hot / cold water circulation device clearly indicate that the filter must be cleaned whenever the use reaches a predetermined period. As long as the hot water forced circulation device can be used without any abnormality, it does not feel that the filter needs to be cleaned, so the pressure detection means for detecting clogging of the filter is provided at the suction port of the circulation pump downstream from the filter mounting position. The tube is connected to the pipe, and when the clogging of the filter reaches a predetermined negative pressure, the operation of the bath hot water forced circulation device is stopped.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
However, the conventional bath hot / cold water forced circulation device has the following problems.
a. When the pressure detection means is used as a bath hot water forced circulation device, it is detected when the pressure on the suction side becomes a predetermined negative pressure or higher (assuming that it is set to -Pj kPa). However, immediately after the operation of the circulation pump, the phenomenon of a sudden drop in negative pressure occurs for a short time, so the negative pressure that the bathtub hot water forced circulation device would generate during normal operation is Even if the negative pressure (−Pj kPa) equal to or higher than the predetermined value is determined with a predetermined margin rate, there is a problem that the pressure detecting means is liable to malfunction.
[0004]
b. Therefore, in order to determine the margin rate as much as possible when determining the negative pressure (−Pj kPa) above the predetermined value, the filter is used to such an extent that the user can clearly know that the amount of circulation in the bath hot water forced circulation device has decreased. There is a problem that if the state is not completely clogged, that is, the so-called end state, a negative pressure is detected by the pressure detection means and a warning cannot be given to the user by display, voice, or stoppage of the driving state.
[0005]
c. In addition, in the case of a forced circulation bath with a built-in heating means or a forced circulation bath with a hot water supply function, the amount of circulation of the bathtub hot water forced circulation device has decreased as described above. Heating with heating means in a state where the filter is almost completely clogged to the extent that the user can clearly see is that heat efficiency decreases due to a decrease in the circulation flow rate and an increase in temperature rise, resulting in boiling. There was a problem that it took a long time.
[0006]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention solves the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide a bath hot water forced circulation device that is less likely to malfunction and can be operated before the filter is clogged.
[0007]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
A hot water and water forced circulation device in which a sudden drop in negative pressure occurs immediately after the operation of the circulation pump of the present invention occurs on the suction side of the circulation pump, in particular, if limited, a bubble generating device is connected to a bathtub. A circulation pump that circulates hot and cold water is provided inside, A return circulation fitting having a filter is attached to the suction side of the circulation pump of the bathtub, A pressure detection means is provided on the suction side of the circulation pump, and a throttle portion is provided between the pressure detection means and the circulation pump. As a result, it is possible to operate the filter before clogging of the filter is in a terminal state with few malfunctions.
[0008]
Also, a hot water bath forced circulation system in which a sudden drop in negative pressure occurs immediately after the operation of the circulation pump of the present invention occurs on the suction side of the circulation pump. A circulation pump connected to the bathtub and circulating hot water in the bathtub, A return circulation fitting attached to the suction side of the circulation pump of the bathtub and having a filter; A throttle part provided on the suction side of the circulation pump, a bypass water channel that branches from the upstream side of the throttle part and merges again on the downstream side of the throttle part, a heat exchanger provided in the middle of the bypass water channel, and the heat In the bath hot / cold water forced circulation device provided inside the hot water flowing through the exchanger, a pressure detecting means is provided in the bypass water channel on the upstream side of the throttle portion. As a result, it is possible to operate the filter before clogging of the filter is in a terminal state with few malfunctions.
[0009]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of a bathtub hot water forced circulation device in the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bubble generating device as an embodiment of a bathtub hot water forced circulation device, and FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a forced circulation type furama with a hot water supply function as another embodiment of the bathtub hot water forced circulation device, 3, 4 and 5 are various explanatory diagrams relating to pressure changes in the bathtub hot water forced circulation device. In the description of each part, the same portions are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof is omitted.
[0010]
In the block diagram of the bathtub hot water forced circulation device of the present invention in FIG. 1, 1 is a bubble generating device which is a kind of bath hot water forced circulation device, 2 is a bathtub installed in the bathroom, 3 is provided in the vicinity of the bathtub 2 A remote controller having a switch for starting and stopping the generation of bubbles in the bubble generating device 1 and a display unit for displaying the operating state of the bubble generating device 1, 11 is a circulation pump built in the bubble generating device 1 , 12 is a forward pipe connection port which is a connection port for connecting a later-described forward pipe to the bathtub 2 provided on the outer surface of the bubble generating device 1, and 13 is the bathtub provided on the outer surface of the bubble generating device 1. Reference numeral 14 denotes a return pipe connection port which is a connection port for connecting a return pipe, which will be described later. Reference numeral 14 denotes a pipe in the bubble generating device 1 from the discharge port of the circulation pump 11 to the forward pipe connection port 12. Tube, 15 is the return A return pipe 16, which is a pipe in the bubble generating device 1, from the pipe connection port 13 to the suction port of the circulation pump 11 is provided in the middle of the return pipe 15 and is recessed inside or inside the return pipe. A throttle portion provided by inserting a part that narrows the inner diameter, 17 is a pressure detection means provided between the throttle portion 16 and the return pipe connection port 13 in the middle of the return pipe 15, and 18 is an operation of the remote controller 3. A control unit built in the bubble generating apparatus 1 that controls the driving of the circulation pump 11 according to the contents and transmits the driving contents of the circulation pump 11 to be displayed on the remote controller 3 at the same time. Upon receiving a detection signal from the pressure detection means 17, a predetermined operation is performed according to the detected content.
[0011]
21 is a forward circulation fitting attached to the bathtub 2, 22 is a return circulation fitting attached to the bathtub 2, 23 is a bubble discharge nozzle integrated with the forward circulation fitting 21, and 24 is the return circulation fitting. 22 is a filter made of a wire mesh or a porous body that collects hair or dirt detachably attached to 22, 25 is a forward pipe connecting the forward pipe connection port 12 and the forward circulation fitting 21, and 26 is a return pipe connection. A return pipe connecting the opening 13 and the return circulation fitting 22, 27 is an air pipe which is a pipe for sucking outside air into the forward circulation fitting 21, and 28 is an air valve which is opened or closed electrically or manually in the middle of the air pipe. It is.
[0012]
Here, the movement of the bubble generating device 1 will be described. Assuming that the bathtub 2 is pre-filled with hot water up to the water level exceeding the bubble discharge nozzle 23, when the user performs an operation with bubbles during bathing, Turn on the bubble operation start switch (not shown) of the remote control 3 in the bathroom. The control unit 18 starts driving the circulation pump 11 in response to a bubble operation start command from the remote controller 3. The hot water in the bathtub 2 is driven by the circulation pump 11 so that the filter 24, the return circulation fitting 22, the return pipe 26, the return pipe connection port 13, the pressure detection means 17 and the return pipe 15 provided with the throttle portion 16, the circulation pump 11, It returns to the bathtub 2 again through the forward pipe 14, the forward pipe connection port 12, the forward pipe 25, the forward circulation fitting 21, and the bubble discharge nozzle 23.
[0013]
At this time, when the user manually opens the air valve 28 or turns on the bubble operation start of the remote controller 3, the control unit 18 opens the air valve at the same time as or after a slight delay. Let When the air valve 28 is opened, the forward circulation fitting 21 has a nozzle for restricting the entrance side of the forward circulation fitting 21, so that air is ejected by hot water to which discharge pressure is applied by the circulation pump 11 toward the inside. Air is sucked from the air valve 28 through the pipe 27. Thereby, air mixes with the hot water sucked in the bathtub 2 from the bubble discharge nozzle 23 and is ejected. In order to stop the bubble operation, an operation stop switch (not shown) of the remote controller 3 is operated to stop the circulation pump 11, and the air valve 28 is closed manually or automatically.
[0014]
In the block diagram of a bath hot water forced circulation device which is another embodiment of FIG. 2, 4 is a forced circulation type furogue with a hot water supply function which is a kind of bath hot water forced circulation device, and 5 is provided in the vicinity of the bathtub 2. Setting of hot water supply of the forced circulation type furogue 4 with the hot water supply function, operation of the start or stop of reheating and the start or stop of generation of bubbles, etc., and operation of the forced circulation type furogue 4 with the hot water supply function A remote controller having a display unit for displaying the state, 31 is a circulation pump built in the forced circulation type fura 4 with the hot water supply function, and 32 is a bathtub 2 provided on the outer surface of the forced circulation type furo 4 with the hot water function. A forward piping connection port 33, which is a connection port for connecting the outward piping 25, is for connecting a return piping 26 from the bathtub 2 provided on the outer surface of the forced circulation type furama 4 with the hot water supply function. Return pipe connection port, which is a connection port Reference numeral 4 denotes a forward pipe which is a pipe in the forced circulation type furama 4 with a hot water supply function from the discharge port of the circulation pump 31 to the forward pipe connection port 32, and reference numeral 35 denotes the circulation pump 31 from the return pipe connection port 33. A return pipe 36, which is a pipe in the forced circulation type furnace 4 with a hot water supply function, is provided in the middle of the return pipe 35 and is recessed inside the return pipe 35 or has an inner diameter inside. It is a throttle part provided by inserting a part to be narrowed.
[0015]
37 is a pressure detecting means provided in the middle of the outgoing bypass pipe, which will be described later, 38 controls the operation of the circulating pump 31 and the heating means, which will be described later, according to the operation contents of the remote controller 5, and simultaneously the operation of the circulating pump 31 and the heating means. A control unit built in the forced circulation type furogue 4 with a hot water supply function that transmits the content to be displayed on the remote controller 5, and the control unit 38 simultaneously includes the pressure detection unit 37, a water temperature detection unit described later, and a later described Upon receiving a detection signal from the bath water temperature detection means, a predetermined operation is performed according to the detected content. Reference numeral 39 denotes a bath water temperature detecting means for detecting the temperature of the bath water in the circulating bath 2 provided in the middle of an outgoing bypass pipe, which will be described later, by a semiconductor type, a thermocouple type, a gas expansion type or the like.
[0016]
Reference numeral 40 denotes a single can / two-water heat exchanger, which supplies hot water supplied through a hot water supply pipe to a hot water tap (not shown) such as a bathtub or a kitchen by supplying tap water decompressed inside the hot water supply pipe. It has a heat exchange channel 41 and a coiled reheating heat exchange channel 42 that is built in the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41 and heated indirectly. 43 is a heating means of the one-can two-channel heat exchanger 40 using oil, gas, electricity or the like as a heat source, and 44 is the reheating heat-exchange water channel 42 provided on the outer surface of the one-can / two-channel heat exchanger 40. An inlet side connection port 45 is an outlet side connection port of the reheating heat exchange channel 42 provided on the outer surface of the single can / two channel heat exchanger 40, and 46 is branched from the upstream side of the throttle 36 of the return pipe 35. The forward bypass pipe 47 connected to the inlet side connection port 44 is provided between the throttle portion 36 provided in the middle of the return pipe 35 from the outlet side connection port 45 and the suction port of the circulation pump 31. A return bypass pipe 48 joined and connected is a water temperature detecting means provided in the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41 for detecting the temperature of the hot water stored in the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41 by a semiconductor type, a thermocouple type, a gas expansion type or the like. is there.
[0017]
Here, since the hot water supply operation is not directly related to the present invention, the movement of the forced circulation type furama 4 with the hot water supply function will be briefly described. The tap water depressurized by a pressure reducing valve (not shown) is supplied to the hot water heat exchange water channel 41 until the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means 48 reaches the temperature set by the remote controller 5. Heat and heat up the water stored in the inside to make hot water, and use this as a hot water supply pipe (not shown) connected to the hot water heat exchange channel 41 to open a hot water tap (not shown) provided in the kitchen, bathroom, etc. Therefore, the hot water is used. The remote controller 5 can set the hot water temperature during the hot water supply operation described above, display that the heating means 43 is heating, and the like.
[0018]
Next, the reheating operation will be described. Assuming that tap water has been previously drawn in the bathtub 2, in order for the user to start the reheating operation, a reheating switch (not shown) provided in the remote controller 5 is started. ) When the reheating switch is turned on, the circulation pump 31 starts to be driven, and the tap water pumped into the bathtub 2 is filtered, the return circulation fitting 22, the return pipe 26, the return pipe connection port 33, the return pipe 35, Outward bypass pipe 46, inlet side connection port 44, reheating heat exchange channel 42, outlet side connection port 45, return bypass pipe 47, return pipe 35, circulation pump 31, outgoing pipe 34, outgoing pipe connection port 32, outgoing pipe 25 Then, it passes through the forward circulation fitting 21 and the bubble discharge nozzle 23 and returns to the bathtub 2 again. This is because part of the bath water flows to the inlet of the forward bypass pipe 46 on the upstream side of the throttle part 36 due to the presence of the throttle part 36 in the return pipe 35. A bypass circulation water channel that is connected from the port 44, the reheating heat exchange channel 42, the outlet side connection port 45, and the return bypass pipe 47 to the downstream side of the throttle portion 36 of the return pipe 35 is configured. Of course, most of the circulating bath water passes through the return pipe 35 and the throttle portion 36 in the middle of the return pipe 35 and flows to the circulation pump 31 and the forward pipe 34.
[0019]
At this time, the depressurized tap water is supplied to the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41 in the same manner as in the hot water supply operation described above, and the supplied hot water is heated by the heating means 43 in the same manner as in the hot water supply operation described above. Assuming that the outer surface of the reheating heat exchange channel 42 is immersed in the hot water inside the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41, the recirculation pump 31 is driven to pump the reheating heat exchange channel 42 into the bathtub 2. When the bath water is circulated, the bath water passing through the reheating heat exchange channel 42 is indirectly heated by the heating means 43. Here, when the temperature of the bath water pumped in the bathtub 2 is low, the bath water is heated to increase the temperature when passing through the reheating heat exchange channel 42, but the hot water supply heat exchange is performed. On the contrary, when the hot water stored in the water channel 41 is deprived of heat and the temperature is lowered, the water temperature detected by the water temperature detecting means 48 is lowered below the set temperature of the hot water supply heat exchange water channel 41 during the reheating operation. The heating means 43 heats the hot water supply heat exchange channel 41.
[0020]
The temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 2 is determined when the temperature of the circulating water detected by the bath water temperature detecting means 39 provided in the outgoing bypass pipe 46 reaches the boiling temperature of the bathtub 2 set by the remote controller 5. The drive of the pump 31 is stopped. Further, the user can arbitrarily stop the chasing operation by turning off the chasing switch (not shown) provided in the remote controller 5.
[0021]
Finally, the bubble operation will be described. If the tap water or hot water is previously pumped into the bathtub 2 up to the water level exceeding the bubble discharge nozzle 23, the user can operate with bubbles during bathing. Then, turn on the bubble operation start switch (not shown) of the remote controller 5 in the bathroom. The control unit 38 starts driving the circulation pump 31 in response to a bubble operation start command from the remote controller 5. The hot water in the bathtub 2 is driven by the circulation pump 31 so that the filter 24, the return circulation fitting 22, the return pipe 26, the return pipe connection port 33, the return pipe 35 provided with the throttle 36, the circulation pump 31, the forward pipe 34, and the outgoing pipe. It returns to the bathtub 2 again through the pipe connection port 32, the outgoing pipe 25, the outgoing circulation fitting 21, and the bubble discharge nozzle 23. Of course, also in this case, the return pipe 35 is branched from the return pipe 35 in the same manner as in the above-described reheating operation, and the forward bypass pipe 46, the inlet side connection port 44, and the reheating area provided with the pressure detection means 37 and the bath water temperature detection means 39 are provided. Part of the circulating water also flows into the recirculation bypass circulation channel that joins from the heat exchange channel 42, the outlet side connection port 45, and the return bypass pipe 47 to the downstream side of the throttle portion 36 of the return pipe 35. Therefore, it is possible to perform the reheating operation at the same time during the bubble operation. When the reheating operation is performed at the same time, the heating start temperature of the heating unit 43 is automatically increased to cope with the operation. In this case, the heating operation is not performed, or the temperature at which heating of the heating means 43 is started is set to about the bathing temperature so that only the heat retention can be performed.
[0022]
At this time, the air valve 28 is opened manually by the user or by turning on the bubble start of the remote controller 5 by the control unit 38 so that the air valve 28 is electrically opened at the same time as the circulation pump 31 is driven or slightly delayed. .
When the air valve 28 is opened, the forward circulation fitting 21 has a nozzle for restricting the inlet side of the forward circulation fitting 21, so that air is ejected by the ejector effect of hot water to which the discharge pressure is applied by the circulation pump 31 toward the inside. Air is sucked from the air valve 28 through the pipe 27. Thereby, air mixes with the hot water sucked in the bathtub 2 from the bubble discharge nozzle 23 and is ejected. In order to stop the bubble operation, an operation stop switch (not shown) of the remote controller 5 is operated to stop the circulation pump 31 and close the air valve 28 manually or automatically.
[0023]
Next, the detection pressure of the pressure detection means 17 of the bubble generator 1 of FIG. 1 will be described. When the hot water in the bathtub 2 is circulated by driving the above-described circulation pump 11, the downstream side of the circulation pump 11, for example, the forward pipe 14, the forward pipe 25, and the like are discharged by the pump, with the circulating pump 11 as a starting point of circulation. A positive pressure is applied, and the pressure in the upstream side of the circulation pump 11, for example, the return pipe 15, the return pipe 26, or the like becomes a negative pressure.
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the pressure during normal operation of the circulation pump 11 from the return circulation fitting 22, the return pipe 26, the return pipe connection port 13, and the return pipe 15 to the circulation pump 11 of the bathtub 2 described above. The broken line in FIG. 3 is a case where the throttle part 16 is not provided in the return pipe 15 of FIG. 1, and the solid line is a case where the throttle part 16 is provided in the return pipe 15 as shown in FIG. Here, when the return pipe 15 is not provided with the throttle portion 16 as in the conventional case, the pressure in the vicinity of the return circulation fitting 22 in the bathtub 2 becomes a slight positive pressure due to the water pressure of the hot water filled in the bathtub. Yes. Next, when the hot water in the bathtub 2 is sucked into the circulation pump 11 in the return circulation fitting 22, a negative pressure is obtained, and the water pressure gradually decreases as the circulation pump 11 approaches the return pipe 15 from the return pipe 26. However, the effective sectional area of the return pipe 26 and the return pipe 15 is such that the sectional area of the suction port of the circulation pump can be secured and the length of the return pipe 26 is about 2 to 3 m. For example, the negative pressure in the vicinity of the return circulation fitting 22 and in the vicinity of the suction port of the circulation pump 11 does not produce a large difference, and is almost horizontal as shown by the broken line in FIG. Here, the negative pressure dropped substantially horizontally is expressed as -Pa kPa.
[0024]
Next, when the throttle part 16 is provided in the return pipe 15 represented by the solid line in FIG. 3, the inside of the bathtub 2 is the same as the case where the throttle part 16 is not provided. A pressure difference is produced on the downstream side, and the negative pressure on the upstream side is represented as -Pb1 kPa, and the negative pressure on the downstream side is represented as -Pb2 kPa. Therefore, these negative pressures are -Pb1 kPa> -Pb2 kPa from FIG. 3, and the negative pressure is larger when the throttle part 16 is slightly provided depending on the presence or absence of the throttle part 16, but there is almost no difference and is almost equal. Therefore, -Pa kPa≈-Pb2 kPa.
[0025]
Next, the graph of FIG. 4 shows the passage of time immediately after the circulation pump 11 is driven, the upstream side of the throttle 16 of the return pipe 16 (pressure during normal operation -Pb1 kPa), and the downstream side (pressure during normal operation -Pb2). kPa), and when the circulating pump 11 is not driven, the water pressure of the hot water filled in the bathtub is slightly positive, but when the circulating pump 11 starts driving, the suction side Due to the large resistance, the pressure is smaller than the pressure during normal operation for a short time (the negative pressure is large and the maximum change range at that time is -Pα1 kPa and -Pα2 kPa, respectively). Pressure -Pb1 kPa and -Pb2 kPa. As described above, since −Pa kPa≈−Pb 2 kPa in relation to the case where the diaphragm portion 16 is not provided, the same movement as that of −Pb 2 kPa occurs even when the diaphragm portion is not provided.
[0026]
The case where the filter 24 that needs to be detected by the pressure detection means 17 is clogged will be described with reference to FIG. 5. When the filter 24 is clogged, the above-described negative pressure relationship becomes larger in the negative direction as a whole, and ultimately The negative pressure at the capacity limit of the circulation pump 11 extends all the way to the suction port of the circulation pump 11 such as the return pipe 26 and the return pipe 15 downstream from the filter 24. It becomes. The negative pressure at the capacity limit of the circulation pump 11 is expressed as a broken line in FIG. 5 as -Pmax kPa, and shifts from the normal operation state (-Pb1 kPa or -Pb2 kPa) to the negative pressure at the capacity limit (-Pmax kPa). The state is represented by a thin line as -Pb1 'kPa, -Pb1 "kPa or -Pb2' kPa, -Pb2" kPa. As can be seen from FIG. 5, the range of change from the normal operation state upstream of the throttle unit 16 to the negative pressure at the capacity limit of the circulation pump 11 -Pmax kPa-(-Pb1 kPa) (this is expressed as ΔPb1), and the throttle When the range of change from the normal operation state downstream of the section 16 to the negative pressure of the capacity limit of the circulation pump 11 -Pmax kPa-(-Pb2 kPa) (this is expressed as ΔPb2) is compared, ΔPb1> ΔPb2 is obtained. The ratio is larger on the upstream side of the throttle portion 16.
[0027]
From the above, the set pressure of the pressure detecting means 17 (which is expressed as -Ps kPa) is obtained by adding the temporary change width (-Pα1 kPa) during driving in FIG. 4− (Pb1 kPa + Pα1 kPa)> − Since Ps kPa and the set pressure need not be smaller than the negative pressure at the capacity limit of the circulation pump 11 due to the above-described relationship, it may be determined between −Ps kPa> −Pmax kPa.
As a result, the set pressure (-Ps kPa) detected by the pressure detecting means 17 can be set to a lower set pressure than that without the throttle portion 16, and the control is performed when the pressure detecting means 17 detects the set pressure. The unit 18 receives this set pressure detection signal, and displays on the remote control 3 that the filter 24 is clogged in a letter or figure, or a display by lighting or blinking an alarm lamp such as a red light emitting diode or light bulb, When the remote control 3 has a function to emit a buzzer or a voice, the voice is used to call attention to the user. In the clogging of the filter 24, when the display or the like is performed, the driving of the circulation pump 11 may be stopped simultaneously.
[0028]
In addition, in the forced circulation type furama 4 with a hot water heater in FIG. 2, the pressure detection means 37 is provided in the forward bypass pipe 46, but the forward bypass pipe from the upstream side of the throttle portion 36 provided in the return pipe 35. 46, the forward bypass pipe 46 is connected to the downstream side of the recirculation heat exchange water passage 42 and the return bypass pipe 47 and the throttle 36 of the return pipe 35. Since it is necessary to exchange heat with the hot water inside the heat exchange water channel 41, the total length is increased to increase the surface area, so the process of changing the internal pressure from -Pb1 kPa to -Pb2 kPa in FIG. become. Therefore, if it is in the range of the forward bypass pipe 46, it is close to -Pb1 kPa in FIG. 3 and does not change so much, and is almost equivalent to the provision of the pressure detection means 37 upstream of the throttle part 36 of the return pipe 35, This can be explained in the same manner as the embodiment of FIG.
[0029]
Since the bathtub hot water forced circulation device is configured in the embodiment as described above, it has the following effects.
a. In Claim 1, the pressure detection means upstream from the position where the throttle part of the return pipe, which is a safety device of the hot water and water forced circulation device (bubble generating device in FIG. 1), is provided by the throttle part provided in the return pipe. Compared to the case where no throttle portion is provided, the pressure fluctuation in the negative pressure is reduced with respect to the sudden drop in the negative pressure that occurs when the circulation pump is driven.
b. In Claim 2, the pressure detection means provided in the forward bypass pipe branched on the upstream side of the throttle part of the return pipe, which is a safety device of the hot water bath forced circulation system (forced circulation type furama with water heater in FIG. 2) Has a function of reducing the pressure fluctuation in the negative pressure by the throttle portion provided in the return pipe with respect to the phenomenon of a sudden drop in the negative pressure generated when the circulation pump is driven as compared with the case where the throttle portion is not provided.
[0030]
【The invention's effect】
According to the present invention, the bathtub hot water forced circulation device has the following effects.
A. By having the above-described action a, the pressure detection means upstream of the position where the throttle part of the return pipe, which is a safety device of the bath hot water forced circulation device (bubble generating device in FIG. 1), is provided. Since it is possible to set a low negative pressure, it is possible to reduce malfunctions when driving the circulation pump, and at the same time, it can operate before the end of the clogging of the filter. Since it is possible to notify the detection at the stage, it becomes easy to clean the filter and the like.
B. By providing the above-mentioned action b, it is provided in the forward bypass pipe branched on the upstream side of the throttle part of the return pipe, which is a safety device of the forced hot water circulation apparatus for bath water (forced circulation type furrow with water heater in FIG. 2). Since the pressure detection means can set the set pressure to a small negative pressure, it is possible to reduce malfunctions when driving the circulation pump and at the same time before the end of the filter clogging. Since it is possible to notify the user that the detection has been made at an early stage, cleaning of the filter or the like is facilitated. In addition, since the user can be notified at an early stage at the same time, the circulating water amount in the reheating heat exchange channel is not reduced, so that the time until boiling is not increased.
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a bubble generating device that is an embodiment of a bathtub hot water forced circulation device of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of a forced circulation pouch with a hot water heater, which is another embodiment of the bathtub hot water forced circulation device of the present invention.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram relating to a pressure change in the embodiment.
FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram relating to changes in time and pressure when the circulation pump is driven.
FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram relating to a pressure change corresponding to clogging of a filter in the embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
1 Bubble generator
2 Bathtub
3, 5 Remote control
4 Forced circulation type furama with hot water supply function
11, 31 Circulation pump
12, 32 Outward piping connection port
13, 33 Return pipe connection port
14, 34 Outward pipe
15, 35 Return pipe
16, 36 Aperture part
17, 37 Pressure detection means
18, 38 Control unit
21 Outward circulation metal fittings
22 Return circulation bracket
23 Bubble discharge nozzle
24 filters
25 Outward piping
26 Return piping
27 Air pipe
28 Air valve
39 Bath water temperature detection means
40 1 can 2 water channel heat exchanger
41 Hot water supply heat exchange channel
42 Reheating Heat Exchange Channel
43 Heating means
44 Entrance side connection port
45 Outlet side connection port
46 Outward bypass pipe
47 Return bypass pipe
48 Water temperature detection means

Claims

A circulation pump that circulates hot water in the bathtub connected to the bathtub is provided inside, and a return circulation fitting having a filter is attached to the suction side of the circulation pump of the bathtub. In the bath hot water forced circulation device in which a phenomenon of pressure drop occurs on the suction side of the circulation pump, pressure detection means is provided on the suction side of the circulation pump, and a throttle is provided between the pressure detection means and the circulation pump. A bathtub hot water forced circulation device characterized in that a section is provided.

A circulation pump connected to the bathtub and circulating hot water in the bathtub ; a return circulation fitting attached to the suction side of the circulation pump of the bathtub; and a throttling portion provided on the suction side of the circulation pump; A bypass water channel that branches from the upstream side of the throttle unit and merges again on the downstream side of the throttle unit, a heat exchanger provided in the middle of the bypass channel, and a heating unit that heats the hot water flowing through the heat exchanger Provided in the bathtub hot water forced circulation device in which a sudden drop in negative pressure occurs immediately after the operation of the circulation pump on the suction side of the circulation pump, pressure detection means is provided in the bypass water channel upstream of the throttle portion. A bathtub hot water forced circulation device characterized by being provided.