JP4951495B2 - Bath hot water supply system - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bath hot water system in which a hot water supply pipe is connected to a circulation pipe for reheating bath water to form a hot water for a bathtub, and more specifically, contamination of piping and the like is reliably suppressed. It is something that can be done.

As a bath hot water supply system for performing hot water filling or the like on a bathtub, a hot water supply device with a sterilization function that sterilizes hot water filling hot water poured from a heat source machine to the bathtub has been proposed (Patent Document 1). This hot water supply device installs a silver ion generator in a hot water line that connects the hot water supply line side and the circulation line side, and when hot water is filled in a bathtub, the silver ions from the silver ion generator are filled with hot water. In this way, the bath water filled in the bath can be sterilized based on the sterilizing action of silver ions (paragraph 0032 of Patent Document 1).
JP 2006-138588 A

  However, even if the bathtub water is sterilized during hot water filling, the bathtub water is contaminated with lipids from the human body when bathing. Therefore, if the bathtub water in the bathtub is drained after bathing, the circulating metal fittings and drain outlets will become dirty. In addition, this dirty bathtub water may accumulate as residual water in the piping of the circulation pipe. If left as it is, germs, molds, etc. propagate and become contaminated in the piping and circulating metal fittings. That is, in the above-described conventional hot water supply apparatus, the hot water filled with hot water is sterilized at the time of hot water filling, so it is difficult to suppress contamination in the piping after the bathing is finished and the bath water is drained. Therefore, after draining the bath water, it will be very difficult to keep these places clean, because germs, mold, etc. will grow in the piping, circulation fittings, and also the drain outlet of the bathtub until the next filling. Met.

  This invention is made | formed in view of the said situation, and makes it a subject to provide the bath hot-water supply system which can suppress contamination in piping etc. reliably in preparation for the next hot water filling after bathing.

The bath hot water system according to the present invention is:
A hot water supply system in which a hot water supply pipe is connected to a circulation pipe for replenishing bathtub water to form a pipe for hot water filling of the bathtub,
A silver ion generator is installed in the pipeline that fills the bathtub.
When performing pipe cleaning to supply a certain amount of new hot water or water to the circulation pipe and discharge it into the bathtub, control is performed so that the silver ion generator is operated and silver ions are mixed into the hot water or water. Piping cleaning control means to provide,
The pipe cleaning control means is configured to perform the pipe cleaning after all the bathtub water in the bathtub is drained .
As a result, silver ions are attached to the circulation pipes and the circulation fittings of the bathtub to which the circulation pipes are connected by washing the pipes, thereby providing sterilization and antibacterial action based on the silver ions. Therefore, after draining the bath water, it is possible to suppress the propagation of germs, molds, and the like in the circulation pipe and the circulation fitting until the next filling.
Moreover, even if the silver ion concentration mixed into the hot water or water for pipe cleaning is set to a high concentration, unlike the case of bath water at the time of bathing, there is no possibility of affecting the human body.
Furthermore, since the amount of hot water or water used during pipe cleaning is smaller than that of bathtub water when filling with water, the consumption of silver ions during pipe cleaning is less than when mixing into bathtub water. Since only a small amount is required, the consumption of silver is low and the cost is low.

In particular, the pipe cleaning control means is configured to execute the pipe cleaning after all the bathtub water in the bathtub has been drained, so that hot water or water containing silver ions is brought into contact with the drain outlet or drain pipe of the bathtub. Silver ions are also attached to the drain outlet and drain pipe of the bathtub, so that sterilization and antibacterial action based on the silver ions are imparted. Therefore, it is possible to suppress contamination of the drain outlet and drain pipe of the bathtub.

A water level sensor for detecting the bathtub water level is provided in the pipe for performing hot water filling of the bathtub, and the pipe cleaning control means is a circulation in which the bathtub water level is lowered by the detection value of the water level sensor and the circulation pipe is connected. It is good also as a control structure which performs the said piping washing | cleaning after progress of the drainage time when all the bathtub water is drained after reaching the predetermined water level corresponding to a metal fitting.
As a result, it is possible to reliably know that the bathtub water in the bathtub has been completely drained, so that the pipe is washed with hot water or water containing the above silver ions while the bathtub water remains in the bathtub. There is no. Therefore, hot water or water containing silver ions is reliably brought into contact with the drain outlet or drain pipe of the bathtub, and silver ions can be reliably attached to the drain outlet or drain pipe of the bathtub. As a result, sterilization and antibacterial action based on silver ions are imparted to the drain outlet and drain pipe of the bathtub, and these contaminations can be reliably suppressed.

As described above, according to the present invention, by washing the pipe with hot water or water mixed with silver ions, it is possible to reliably contaminate the circulation pipes and circulation fittings in preparation for the next hot water filling after bathing. It can be suppressed and kept clean. In particular, since to carry out after the bath water in the bathtub of the pipe cleaning is drained of all, and also suppress the contamination of the bathtub drain port and the drain pipe can be kept clean even these locations.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.
As shown in FIG. 1, the hot water supply system 1 includes a hot water supply pipe line 2 in which a water supply pipe 21 and a hot water supply pipe 22 are connected to a hot water supply heat exchanger 20, and a return pipe 31 and an outgoing pipe 32 for reheating heat. A circulation line 3 connected to the circulation vessel 30 and connected to the circulation fitting 51 of the bathtub 5, and a hot water filling pipe branched from the hot water supply pipe 22 of the hot water supply line 2 and connected to the return pipe 31 of the circulation line 3 4 is provided. The hot water supply pipe 2 (excluding the downstream side of the hot water filling pipe 4 in the hot water discharge pipe 22), the circulation pipe 3 and the hot water filling pipe 4 form a pipe for hot water filling of the bathtub 5.

  A pump 33, a water level sensor 34, and a water flow switch 35 are disposed in the return pipe 31 of the circulation pipe 3. The hot water filling pipe 4 includes a pouring solenoid valve 41, a check valve 42, a flow rate sensor 43, an air release valve 44 for opening the hot water filling pipe 4 to the atmosphere when the water supply channel side is in a negative pressure state, and a silver ion generator. 6 is disposed.

  The silver ion generator 6 is provided with a pair of silver electrodes in the cylinder, and silver ions are dissolved in hot water or water flowing through the cylinder by electrolysis when the silver electrode is energized. In addition, the silver ion concentration of this hot water or water is controlled by the current value which supplies with electricity to a silver electrode. Moreover, this silver ion generator 6 can be arrange | positioned not only in the hot water filling pipe 4 but in the pipe line which performs the said hot water filling.

  Further, the hot water supply system 1 includes combustion units 90a and 90b for heating the heat exchangers 20 and 30, a control unit 7 for controlling the operation of the entire system 1, a remote controller 8 for remotely operating the system 1, and the like. I have. A gas supply pipe 9 for supplying fuel gas to a burner provided therein is connected to the combustion units 90a and 90b.

  In the hot water supply system 1 configured as described above, when filling the bathtub 5 with hot water, the hot water solenoid valve 41 is opened and the hot water is supplied from the hot water supply pipe 2 through the hot water supply pipe 4 to the return pipe 31 and the return pipe 31 of the circulation line 3. Transported from both sides of the pipe 32 (both transported) and discharged from the circulation fitting 51 into the bathtub 5. When a set amount of hot water is accumulated in the bathtub 5 based on the detection signals of the flow sensor 43 and the water level sensor 34, the hot water solenoid valve 41 is closed, and then the pump 33 is driven to pass through the circulation line 3 and bath water. When the water is reheated to reach the set temperature, the filling is completed. After completion of the hot water filling, the heat insulation operation is performed for a certain time (for example, 4 hours). When the bath water is cooled, the bath water is reheated to the set temperature through the circulation line 3 and the temperature of the bath water is kept at the set temperature. Be drunk.

  When bathing is completed and the drain plug 52 of the bathtub 5 is opened and the bathtub water in the bathtub 5 is drained, the bath water stains from the bath adhere to the circulation fitting 51, the drain port 53, and the like. The bathtub water accumulates as residual water in the pipe (circulation pipe 3). If this state is left unattended, various germs and molds will propagate and become contaminated. Therefore, in the hot water supply system 1, pipe cleaning is performed. That is, the bath hot water supply system 1 includes a pipe cleaning control means 70 for performing operation control of pipe cleaning performed after draining bathtub water.

  As shown in FIG. 2, this pipe cleaning control means 70 is provided in the control unit 7, and is a time measuring means such as a pouring electromagnetic valve 41, a flow rate sensor 43, a silver ion generator 6, a water level sensor 34, a timer and the like. 71, a storage unit 72, a remote controller 8, and the like are signal-connected.

Hereinafter, the pipe cleaning will be described.
In general, in pipe cleaning, when bathtub water is drained to a level below the circulation fitting 51, regardless of whether or not all of the bathtub water has been drained, the pouring solenoid valve 41 is opened to supply a certain amount of fresh hot water. An operation of flowing through the circulation line 3 and discharging into the bathtub 5 is performed.
On the other hand, the pipe cleaning in the present embodiment is an operation of flowing a certain amount of new hot water or water mixed with silver ions (500 ppb or more) into the circulation pipe line 3 after completely draining the bathtub water. I do. That is, not only the residual water in the circulation pipe 3 is drained, but also antibacterial and sterilizing effects by silver ions on the circulation pipe 3, the circulation fitting 51, and the drain outlet 53 and the drain pipe 54 of the bathtub 5. It is applied to ensure that the growth of germs and molds in these places is suppressed. To that end, it is necessary to know that all the bathtub water has been drained.

  Therefore, before pipe cleaning is performed, for example, a trial operation is performed when the bath water supply system 1 is installed, and the drainage speed of the bathtub water is acquired in advance. Specifically, first, a predetermined amount of hot water or water that is the bathtub water level exceeding the height of the circulation fitting 51 is placed in the bathtub 5. The predetermined storage amount can be acquired from the detection values of the flow sensor 43 and the water level sensor 34. When a predetermined amount of bathtub water accumulates, the drain plug 52 is opened to start draining, and at the same time, the time measuring means 71 is driven, and the bathtub water level is determined from the predetermined storage amount as the reference water level (the water level at the position of the circulation fitting 51). Measure the time to become.

  Here, the bathtub water level is grasped from the detection value of the water level sensor 34. Moreover, the amount of storage in the bathtub 5 at the reference water level can also be grasped. That is, the storage amount of the reference water level can be obtained from, for example, the shape and volume of the bathtub 5, and hot water or water is supplied to the empty bathtub 5 in a trial operation, and the reference water level is detected by the water level sensor 34. It can also be obtained from the detected value of the flow sensor 43 until it is set. From these, the amount of drainage discharged from the predetermined storage amount to the storage amount at the reference water level is obtained.

  Therefore, the drainage speed in the bathtub 5 is obtained from the drainage amount obtained here and the measurement time in the time measuring means 71. From the above, based on this drainage speed, the time (drainage time) from when the bathtub water in the bathtub 5 reaches the reference water level until it is completely drained is required. This drainage time is stored in the storage unit 72. The drainage time may be manually timed and manually input to the storage unit 72 to be set.

Next, the pipe cleaning operation will be described.
This pipe cleaning operation is controlled by the pipe cleaning control means 70 as shown in the flowchart of FIG.
Referring to FIG. 3, first, it is confirmed whether or not the operation switch 81 of the remote controller 8 is turned on (S1). When the operation switch 81 is off, pipe cleaning is not performed. When the operation switch 81 is in the on state, the drop in the bath water level is monitored from the detection value of the water level sensor 34 (S2).

  And if a water level fall is confirmed, it will be monitored whether the bathtub water level became the water level of the circulation metal fitting 51 position, ie, the reference | standard water level (S3). At this time, if the drop in the bathtub water level stops above the circulation fitting 51, it can be determined that the water level has decreased due to the use of the hot water (tub water) of the bathtub 5 accompanying bathing. In this case, the pipe is not washed. . On the other hand, when the water level of the bathtub drops to the position of the circulation fitting 51, it can be determined that the water level has dropped by opening the drain plug 52 and draining, so the operation proceeds to the next operation.

  Then, when the bathtub water level becomes the reference water level, the time counting means 71 starts counting the elapsed time, and the elapsed drainage time set in the storage unit 72 (for example, 1 minute as the drainage time acquired during the above-described trial operation). Wait (S4). That is, all of the bathtub water is drained from the bathtub 5 when a predetermined drainage time elapses after the bathtub water level becomes the reference water level. And pipe washing is started by progress of this drainage time (S5).

  In the pipe cleaning, the hot water solenoid valve 41 is opened, hot water heated by the heat exchanger 20 or water not heated by the heat exchanger 20 is guided to the hot water filled pipe 4, and a certain amount of this hot water or water (for example, 5 liters) is conveyed through the forward pipe 32 and the return pipe 31 of the circulation pipe 3 and discharged from the circulation fitting 51 into the bathtub 5 (S6, S7).

  At this time, the silver ion generator 6 is operated and silver ions are dissolved in hot water or water flowing through the hot water filled tube 4 (S6). That is, a pair of silver electrodes of the silver ion generator 6 is energized to generate silver ions by electrolysis of the silver electrodes, so that hot water or water flowing through the hot water tube 4 is transferred into the cylinder of the silver ion generator 6. The silver ions are dissolved in this hot water or water while passing through.

  By the way, in order to surely suppress the growth of fungi, bacteria, etc. that feed detergent or dirt in the bathtub 5, it is preferable to set the silver ion concentration to a considerably high concentration. Specifically, it is considered that the silver ion concentration needs to be 500 ppb or more in order to exert sterilization and antibacterial effects that reliably suppress the growth of fungi and other germs in the bathtub 5 (in this regard, silver ions Regarding the concentration, the American drinking water standard is said to be 100 ppb or less.) Therefore, in the silver ion generator 6, the value of the current applied to the silver electrode is controlled so that silver ions having a silver ion concentration of 500 ppb or higher are generated. This is because, if the silver ion concentration of hot water or water is 500 ppb or more, it is possible to kill black mold and slime that feed on human body lipids, dirt and detergent.

  Accordingly, hot water or water containing high-concentration silver ions is both conveyed by the forward pipe 32 and the return pipe 31 of the circulation pipe 3 and discharged from the circulation fitting 51 into the bathtub 5. Then, in the circulation pipe 3, the remaining water of the bathtub water accumulated therein is poured into the bathtub 5 and replaced with fresh hot water or water containing silver ions, and at the same time, the pump 33 and the circulation fitting 51 A high concentration of silver ions can be deposited on the substrate. In addition, as described above, since the pipe cleaning is performed after all the bathtub water is drained from the bathtub 5, the hot water or water containing high-concentration silver ions discharged into the bathtub 5 is discharged from the bathtub 5 It is drained through 53. Therefore, high-concentration silver ions can be adhered also to the drain outlet 53 and the drain pipe 54 of the bathtub 5.

  After that, when the flow sensor 43 detects that the hot water or water supply has reached a certain amount (for example, 5 liters), the hot water solenoid valve 41 is closed and the silver ion generator 6 is stopped. (S8) to finish the pipe cleaning. It should be noted that until the hot water or water supply reaches a certain amount, that is, during pipe cleaning, when a hot water supply operation is performed with another plug or the operation switch 81 is turned off (S9), at that time End pipe cleaning. However, even if the operation switch is once turned off after completion of the hot water filling, if the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the reference water level when the operation switch 81 is subsequently turned on, the above-described pipe cleaning operation is performed.

  As described above, according to the bath hot water supply system 1 according to the present embodiment, pipe cleaning is performed with hot water or water containing high-concentration silver ions, so the remaining water of the bathtub water accumulated in the circulation pipe 3 is It is poured into the bathtub 5 and replaced with fresh hot water or water containing silver ions. At the same time, high-concentration silver ions can be attached to the pump 33 and the circulation fitting 51.

  And since this piping washing is performed after draining all the bathtub water from the bathtub 5, the hot water or water containing the high concentration silver ion discharged | emitted in the bathtub 5 passes the drain outlet 53 of the bathtub 5. Drained. Therefore, high-concentration silver ions can be adhered also to the drain outlet 53 and the drain pipe 54 of the bathtub 5.

  For this reason, not only the circulation pipe 3 but also the circulation fitting 51 and the drain port 53 that have been contaminated so far, and the drain pipe 54 that communicates with the pump 33 and the drain port 53 of the circulation pipe 3 are used. In addition, due to the antibacterial and sterilizing effects due to the high concentration of silver ions, it is possible to reliably suppress the propagation of germs, molds, and the like, thereby reliably preventing contamination.

As a result, the above place can be kept clean until the next hot water filling, and clean hot water is filled in the bathtub 5 at the next hot water filling. Moreover, since the drain outlet 53 of the bathtub 5 is also maintained cleanly, it is possible to prevent germs, molds and the like from entering the bathtub water from the drain outlet 53.
Moreover, even if the silver ion concentration mixed into the hot water or water for pipe cleaning is set to a high concentration (for example, 500 ppb or more), unlike the case of bath water at the time of bathing, there is no possibility of affecting the human body. Furthermore, since the amount of hot water or water used during pipe cleaning is smaller than that of bathtub water when filling with water, the consumption of silver ions during pipe cleaning is less than when mixing into bathtub water. Since only a small amount is required, the consumption of silver is low and the cost is low.

In addition, this invention is not limited only to the said embodiment, A various change is possible within the scope of the present invention.
For example, the drain plug 52 may be operated by a button provided on the remote controller 8 or the like, or the user or the like may pull out the drain plug 52 provided on the bathtub 5.
The drainage detection is not limited to the detection by the water level sensor 34 and the time measuring means 71. For example, a flow rate sensor is provided in the drainage pipe 54 together with the opening / closing detection means of the drainage plug 52, and the flow rate sensor is installed when the drainage tap 52 is open. By detecting the absence of water flow, it may be detected that all of the bathtub water has been drained.
Further, the above-described pipe cleaning may be performed by a switch operation of the remote controller 8. Thereby, even if it is the bath hot water supply system 1 which does not have the water level sensor 34 and is not equipped with the drainage detection means instead of this, it is the same as the above by operating the switch after the user drains all the bathtub water The effect is obtained.

It is a schematic structure figure showing the whole bath hot water supply system composition by an embodiment. It is a block diagram which shows the signal connection relation of the piping washing | cleaning control means and each element of the bath hot water supply system by embodiment. It is a flowchart for demonstrating piping washing | cleaning operation | movement of the bath hot water supply system by embodiment.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bath hot water supply system 2 Hot water supply line 3 Circulation line 4 Hot water filling pipe 5 Bathtub 6 Silver ion generator 7 Control part 8 Remote control 20 Heat exchanger 30 for hot water supply Heat exchanger 34 for reheating Water level sensor 41 Pouring solenoid valve 43 Flow sensor 51 Circulation fitting 52 Drain plug 53 Drain port 54 Drain pipe 70 Pipe cleaning control means

Claims (2)

A hot water supply system in which a hot water supply pipe is connected to a circulation pipe for replenishing bathtub water to form a pipe for hot water filling of the bathtub,
A silver ion generator is installed in the pipeline that fills the bathtub.
When performing pipe cleaning to supply a certain amount of new hot water or water to the circulation pipe and discharge it into the bathtub, control is performed so that the silver ion generator is operated and silver ions are mixed into the hot water or water. Piping cleaning control means to provide,
The piping hot water supply system having a control configuration in which the pipe cleaning control means is configured to execute the pipe cleaning after all the bathtub water in the bathtub is drained . In the hot water supply system according to claim 1,
A water level sensor for detecting the bathtub water level is installed in the pipeline that fills the bathtub.
The pipe cleaning control means is configured such that the bathtub water level is lowered by the detection value of the water level sensor and reaches the predetermined water level corresponding to the circulation fitting to which the circulation pipe is connected, and then the drainage time for draining all the bathtub water is elapsed. A bath hot water supply system with a control configuration that performs pipe cleaning .

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