JP5772048B2 - Bathtub cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning apparatus for automatically cleaning dust or hot water attached to the inner wall surface by spraying cleaning water on the inner wall surface of the bathtub, etc., particularly for automatically determining the most contaminated part, The present invention relates to a technique capable of intensively cleaning such a part.

  Conventionally, as a bathtub cleaning device, a cleaning nozzle is installed in the bathtub, and the cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub by supplying cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle. What cleans an inner wall surface is known. In such a bath cleaning apparatus, for example, Patent Document 1 proposes that a water amount adjustment valve or a constant flow valve be interposed at a position upstream of the detergent mixing unit in order to control the cleaning water to a predetermined flow rate. ing. And by providing such a flow rate control means such as a water amount adjusting valve, the flow rate control on the hot water supply side is unnecessary, so that the tap water can be used directly, or the concentration is suitable for cleaning. It is described that water can be sprayed over the entire inner wall surface of the bathtub or sprayed toward the vicinity of the water line.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-299671

  By the way, the dirt on the bathtub is likely to adhere to the vicinity of the draft line where the rising water surface (draft surface) in the state where the bather has bathed and the inner wall surface of the bathtub are in contact with each other. I think it should be done. However, the number of bathers taking a bath is not limited to one specific person, and several people may repeatedly take a bath after one filling, and the weights of the bathers (for example, parents and children) vary. Therefore, the waterline is not constant. For this reason, as a target position for injecting cleaning water, an assumed draft line position that is normally assumed to be a water line at the time of bathing is set, and the cleaning water is designed to be injected to this assumed draft line position. It is possible to do.

  However, in this way, due to the difference between the assumed water line position and the actual water line position, even if automatic cleaning is performed, the dirt does not come off, and even if it is removed, the dirt is a mottled pattern. There is a possibility that it will remain.

  That is, if the actual water line position is considerably higher than the assumed water line position, dirt may remain as it is. Conversely, if the actual water line position is considerably lower than the assumed water line position, It is conceivable that dirt may remain in a mottled pattern due to dripping. For example, as shown in FIG. 9, when the actual water line position K is considerably lower than the assumed water line position (injection position of the wash water W) F, the wash water injected to the assumed water line position F is in the bathtub. It will come together as it flows down along the inner wall surface of B. For this reason, among the strip-like dirt G adhering to the actual water line position K, the dirt where the collected washing water flow lower parts R, R,... Flow down is washed away, but the other parts g, g,. Will remain attached. As a result, the portions g, g,... May become mottled and remain dirty.

  The present invention has been made in view of such circumstances, and the object of the present invention is to automatically determine the actual waterline position where dirt is most likely to adhere, corresponding to the actual bathing situation. An object of the present invention is to provide a bathtub cleaning device capable of reliably cleaning the interior of the bathtub by making it possible to cleanly focus the actual water line position.

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention is provided with the following specific items for a bathtub cleaning apparatus for cleaning by spraying cleaning water from a cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub. That is, a water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub, a flow rate adjusting means for changing and adjusting the discharge flow rate of the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle, and whether the water level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detecting means is high or low. the discharge flow rate on changing adjustment by the flow rate adjusting means, and comprise a cleaning control unit for ejecting washing water from the washing nozzle in accordance with the.

In addition, in the present invention, as the washing control means, the washing water is supplied to the upper waterline position corresponding to the highest water level value among the fluctuation history of the draft water level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detection means. to be injected was set to be configured to adjust changing the discharge flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means (claim 1). In the case of the present invention, since the discharge flow rate of the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle is changed and adjusted based on the draft surface level obtained according to the actual bathing situation, the draft line position corresponding to the draft surface level is adjusted. Cleaning can be performed by spraying cleaning water. Since the dirt after bathing adheres most to the water line position, it is possible to reliably wash and remove the dirt attached according to the actual bathing situation. In addition, even if various bathers take a bath, the most dirt is attached to the draft line position when the draft surface level rises to the maximum due to bathing by the bather having the largest volume. For this reason, by spraying the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle to such an upper waterline position, the dirt can be reliably cleaned and removed.

In the bathtub cleaning apparatus of the invention, as a cleaning control means, also for the lower waterline position corresponding to the lowest water level value in the fluctuation history of the water surface level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detection means. After changing and adjusting the discharge flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means so that the washing water is jetted, it is possible to perform the jetting of washing with respect to the lower waterline position (Claim 2 ). By doing so, even if there are a plurality of bathers, the lower waterline position corresponding to the lowest water level value of the draft surface level and the upper waterline position corresponding to the highest water level value Cleaning can be performed by spraying cleaning water on both sides. For this reason, it becomes possible to wash | clean and wash away all the stain | pollution | contamination which will adhere to the inner wall face of a bathtub according to an actual bathing condition.

In the bathtub cleaning apparatus of the present invention, the cleaning of the lower waterline position can be performed after the cleaning of the lower waterline position as the cleaning control means (claim 3 ). By doing in this way, after the dirt in the lower waterline position is first washed away, the dirt in the upper waterline position is washed away. For this reason, conventionally, a phenomenon in which dirt remains in a mottled pattern below the target position where the cleaning water is jetted is reliably prevented.

In the bathtub cleaning apparatus of the above invention, the cleaning water is attached to supply heated hot water or non-heated water, and is connected to each other by a conduit that can communicate with the hot water in the bathtub and the bathtub. A heat source device may be provided, and the heat source device may include water level detection means for detecting a water level in the bathtub based on a water pressure from the inside of the bathtub acting in the pipe line. 4 ). By doing in this way, it becomes possible to use the water level detection means with which the said heat source machine is provided as a water level detection means to detect a draft surface level. For this reason, it becomes possible to detect a water surface level efficiently by cooperation with the heat source machine side, without installing a water level sensor etc. specially with respect to a bathtub.

  As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device of the present invention, the discharge flow rate of the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle is changed and adjusted based on the draft surface level obtained according to the actual bathing situation. The cleaning water can be jetted to the actual draft line position corresponding to the draft surface level for cleaning. And since the stain | pollution | contamination after bathing adheres most to this waterline position, it becomes possible to wash | clean and remove the stain | pollution | contamination which adhered according to the actual bathing condition.

In addition, even if various bathers take a bath, the most dirt is attached to the draft line position when the draft level rises to the highest level due to bathing by the bather with the largest volume. By spraying the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle to the water line position, the dirt can be reliably cleaned and removed.

According to claim 2 , even if there are a plurality of bathers, the lower waterline position corresponding to the lowest water level value of the draft surface level and the upper waterline position corresponding to the highest water level value. It can be washed by spraying wash water on both sides so that all the dirt that will adhere to the inner wall surface of the bathtub depending on the actual bathing situation can be washed and washed out accurately. Become.

According to the third aspect , the dirt at the lower waterline position is first washed away, and then the dirt at the upper waterline position is washed away. Therefore, conventionally, the lower position is lower than the target position at which the washing water is jetted. Thus, it is possible to reliably prevent a phenomenon in which the dirt remains in a mottled pattern.

According to claim 4 , as the water level detection means for detecting the draft water level, the water level detection means provided in the heat source machine can be used, and without installing a water level sensor or the like specially for the bathtub, Thus, it becomes possible to detect the water surface level efficiently.

It is a schematic diagram which shows the bath system to which embodiment of the bathtub cleaning apparatus of this invention is applied. It is a block block diagram of the part which concerns on bathtub cleaning control in embodiment. It is explanatory drawing which shows the example of the relationship table of a draft surface level and the discharge flow rate of washing water. It is the first half part of the control flowchart which concerns on the draft surface level acquisition process by the heat source machine side. It is the second half part of the control flowchart of FIG. It is a control flowchart which concerns on the cleaning control by the bathtub cleaning apparatus side. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state of the reference water level when the hot water filling is completed and non-bathing, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing the state where the bather has bathed and the water level has risen. is there. FIG. 8A is a cross-sectional explanatory view showing a state where the water level is lowered to the circulation port in the middle of drainage after the bathing is completed, and FIG. 8B is a draft line for each of the upper limit value and the lower limit value of the draft surface level data. It is sectional explanatory drawing which shows the condition of the washing process which injects washing water with respect to the vicinity. It is a partial explanatory view showing the state of occurrence of mottled stains that may occur when the actual water line is lower than the assumed water line.

  Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 shows a bath system to which a bathtub cleaning apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes a bathroom wall or a building wall including a bathroom that defines a bathroom. A bathtub 2 and a bathtub cleaning unit 3 are disposed inside the wall 1, while a heat source machine is disposed outside the wall 1. (For example, a hot water heater-equipped bath pot) 4 is provided. In addition, FIG. 1 shows the connection of piping etc., and does not specify a vertical relationship.

  The heat source unit 4 is a composite heat source unit having a hot water supply function, a hot water filling function, and a replenishment function, and FIG. That is, the heat source device 4 is configured such that the bath heat exchanger 41 and the hot water supply heat exchanger 42 are arranged in one can and heat-exchanged by the combustion burner 43 that is a common heat source. In the following, the heat source device 4 will be described in detail, and then the configuration of the bathtub 2 side will be described in detail.

  The heat source unit 4 receives supply water such as tap water in a water supply passage, and causes hot water heated to a predetermined temperature by heat exchange heating with the combustion heat of the combustion burner 43 in a hot water supply heat exchanger 42 to the hot water supply passage 44. Hot water is supplied to hot water taps 45 and bathtub cleaning units 3 in various places such as a kitchen and a washroom through a hot water supply path 44. Further, the heat source unit 4 is provided with a recirculation circuit 48 composed of a return path 46 and a forward path 47 for realizing a reheating function, and hot water filled in the bathtub 2 is operated by operation of a circulation pump (not shown). It can be circulated between the bath heat exchanger 41 and heated up to a predetermined temperature. Further, in the heat source unit 4, the recirculation circuit 48 receives pouring water through a pouring path branched from the hot water supply path 44, and the pouring water is poured into the bathtub 2 through the recirculation circuit 48. The hot water filling is performed. At that time, the water level in the bathtub 2 is detected by the pressure detection type water level sensor 49 interposed in the recirculation circuit 48 in the heat source unit 4, and the detected water level value is output to the heat source unit controller 5. It has become. The water level sensor 49 measures and detects the water level in the bathtub 2 by detecting the water pressure in the closed recirculation circuit 48 communicated with the hot water in the bathtub 2.

  Each of the above hot water supply, reheating, and hot water filling operations is realized by operation control by the heat source controller 5 based on setting information such as a set hot water temperature and hot water temperature inputted by the kitchen remote controller 51 or the like. ing. For example, in the hot water supply control by the hot water supply control unit 52, when the hot water tap 45 is opened or the hot water solenoid valve 30 of the bathtub cleaning unit 3 is opened and water is detected to enter a predetermined operating flow rate or more, the combustion burner 43 Is heated to heat incoming water from the water supply passage, and hot water having a predetermined temperature is discharged to the hot water supply passage 44. When the hot water filling control is started, the hot water pouring path is opened, and the combustion burner 43 is fired to heat the incoming water from the water feeding path so that hot water at a predetermined temperature is supplied to the hot water feeding path 44 and the hot water pouring path. The hot water is filled by pouring to the bathtub 2 through the recirculation circuit 48. At that time, in the case of automatic bath processing, after this hot water filling, reheating control for raising the temperature to a predetermined boiling temperature and maintaining it is performed by operating the circulation pump (not shown) and the combustion burner 43, respectively. To be done.

  In the bathtub 2 installed in the bathroom, a circulation adapter 21 is installed in the vicinity of the lowermost end of the side wall, a drain plug 22 of an automatic opening / closing drive control type and a cleaning nozzle 24 described later are installed on the bottom wall, and the upper surface side An opening / closing drive mechanism 23 and a later-described detergent tank 27 are installed on the flange wall. The circulation adapter 21 is connected with a return path 46 and a forward path 47 of the recirculation circulation path 48, respectively. Bath water in the bathtub 2 is sucked into the return path 46 via the circulation adapter 21, while the forward path 47. It is discharged into the bathtub 2. The drain plug 22 is opened and closed by receiving an opening / closing drive force from the opening / closing drive mechanism 23. The open / close drive mechanism 23 has an operation state (whether the drain plug 22 is open or closed). ) Is installed, and the opening / closing drive mechanism 23 is controlled based on the output signal from the sensor. When the drain plug 22 is opened, hot water in the bathtub 2 is discharged to the bottom of the bathroom and subsequently drained from the drain outlet of the bathroom.

  The bathtub cleaning unit 3 is installed for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 and the like. The bathtub cleaning unit 3 includes a cleaning nozzle 24 installed on the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, a cleaning pipe 25 that supplies cleaning water to the cleaning nozzle 24, and a detergent mixture that mixes detergent at the upstream end of the cleaning pipe 25. Section 26, the detergent tank 27 storing the detergent to be supplied to the detergent mixing section 26, the detergent solenoid valve 28 for switching the supply / stop of the detergent from the detergent tank 27, and the washing pipe 25. A hot water supply pipe 44 that communicates with the hot water supply passage 44 so that hot water or water for cleaning (hereinafter referred to as “hot water”) is supplied to the upstream end of the hot water, and hot water from the hot water supply passage 44 that is interposed in the hot water supply pipe 29 A pouring solenoid valve 30 for switching whether or not to supply water, a flow rate sensor 31 for detecting the supply flow rate, and a water amount servo valve for changing and adjusting the supply flow rate in conjunction with the flow rate sensor 31 are configured. Flow control It is constituted by a flow control valve 32 as a means. In addition, a check valve / edge cut valve set is interposed in the pouring pipe 29 between the detergent mixing portion 26 and the pouring electromagnetic valve 30. The check valve / edge cut valve set in the figure is configured by inserting two edge cut valves 34, 34 in a state of being sandwiched between the check valves 33, 33 on both upstream and downstream sides. In order to block the heat source device 4 side, which is the primary side, from flowing back from the bathtub 2 side to the heat source device 4 side even if it falls into a low pressure state (negative pressure state) due to a power failure or failure. It is to be intervened. In addition, the code | symbol 35 of FIG. 1 is a filter. Here, the term “washing water” includes not only hot water mixed with detergent but also hot water for rinsing and washing without detergent.

  The washing nozzle 24 is installed so as to penetrate the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, and the washing water is ejected from the front end opening (upper surface opening) toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub 2 with a predetermined range. Although only one cleaning nozzle 24 is shown in the figure, two or more cleaning nozzles 24 can be installed in a predetermined arrangement depending on the size of the bathtub 2 or the bathtub to be cleaned. For this purpose, the second and third cleaning pipes may be branched from the cleaning pipe 25 toward the other cleaning nozzles.

  The detergent mixing part 26 is constituted by a venturi tube. The detergent mixing unit 26 opens the detergent electromagnetic valve 28 (for example, intermittently opens at predetermined time intervals) so that a predetermined amount of detergent supplied from the detergent tank 27 passes through the washing water in the detergent mixing unit 26. It is sucked into the washing water and mixed by the negative pressure suction action that accompanies it. The detergent supply amount for one cleaning can be adjusted by the length of the valve opening time in which the detergent electromagnetic valve 28 is opened. The detergent tank 27 is provided with a float switch for detecting the liquid level of the detergent. The float switch 27 detects that the liquid level has dropped to a predetermined liquid level and outputs it to the cleaning controller 6 described later.

  The operation elements 28, 30, 32 of the bathtub cleaning unit 3 and the operation elements 22, 23 related to cleaning of the bathtub 2 are controlled by a cleaning controller 6 as a cleaning control means. The cleaning controller 6 is connected to a cleaning remote controller 61 for cleaning operation. The cleaning controller 6 (see also FIG. 2) is connected to the heat source controller 5 so as to be capable of bidirectional communication. Then, when the user performs an input operation (for example, an ON operation of the cleaning switch) using the cleaning remote controller 61, the cleaning controller 6 is linked with the heat source controller 5 to perform bath cleaning control for a bathtub or the like. It is supposed to run. In addition to the kitchen remote controller 51, a bathroom remote controller 62 is connected to the heat source controller 5. The bathroom remote controller 62 can be used for input operations such as hot water filling and chasing operation. In addition, the execution of the bathtub cleaning control may be automatically started at a previous stage such as bathing with a bath automatic switch or the like, or a drain switch after completion of bathing by a user setting or the like. It may be automatically started at a predetermined timing after the wastewater treatment by an ON operation such as.

  Next, bathtub cleaning control executed by the cleaning controller 6 will be described in detail. In the following description, it is assumed that bathtub cleaning control is started by an ON operation of a cleaning switch. The bathtub cleaning control includes a draft level data acquisition process in the previous stage and a bathtub cleaning process executed based on the draft level data La and Lb acquired by the draft level data acquisition process. The heat source machine controller 5 includes a hot water supply control unit 52, a bath control unit 53, and a draft surface level acquisition processing unit 54, and the cleaning controller 6 includes a cleaning control unit 63 that executes a bath cleaning process, and a pre-registered discharge flow rate table. 64. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the discharge flow rate table 64 includes a level of the draft water level and a discharge flow rate of the wash water for causing the wash water to reach the draft line position of the draft surface level by injection from the wash nozzle 24. Regarding the relationship, those obtained in advance by testing or the like are arranged in the data format of the relationship table. That is, by setting the discharge flow rate determined by the discharge flow rate table 64 by the flow rate adjustment valve 32, the cleaning water sprayed (discharged) from the cleaning nozzle 24 reaches the draft line position of the draft surface level corresponding to the discharge flow rate. Will reach. The draft level data acquisition process (illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5) is executed by the draft level acquisition processing unit 54, and is calculated from the discharge flow rate table 64 based on the draft level data La and Lb by the cleaning control unit 63. Washing water injection (illustrated in FIG. 6) by the discharge flow rate is executed.

  Hereinafter, the draft level data acquisition process in the previous stage will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. This draft surface level data acquisition process is performed based on the water level detection value from the water level sensor 49 obtained from the completion of hot water filling until the end of bathing and draining. First, after confirming that the hot water filling has been completed (YES in step S11), the draft water level data La and Lb are reset (step S12). Upon completion of filling, an output signal from the bath control unit 53 of the heat source controller 5, that is, an output signal indicating that filling to the reference hot water level Ls (see FIG. 7 (a)) set as input is completed. Judgment. The reset of the draft water level data La and Lb is to reset the values acquired and recorded until the previous time. Instead of simple reset (La, Lb = 0), a predetermined reference water level value may be recorded. Here, La represents the lower limit value of the draft surface level data, and Lb represents the upper limit value of the draft surface level data.

  Next, the water level detection value L from the water level sensor 49 is taken in (step S13), and based on the change in the water level detection value L, it is determined whether the bather has bathed (step S14). This determination determines that the bather has taken a bath if there is a sudden rise in the water level that is greater than or equal to the set value between the previous detection value and the current detection value of the water level detection value L, and otherwise determines that there is no bathing. . If there is bathing (YES in step S14), it is determined whether or not the bathing is the first time after filling this time (step S15), and if it is the first time (YES in step S15), the water level is rapidly increased. The value of the subsequent water level Lup1 is set / updated in the draft water level data La and Lb, respectively (step S16). Subsequently, a new water level detection value L in step S13 is fetched, and the determination in step S14 is repeated. For example, as shown in FIG. 7B, if the water level rises from Ls to Lup1 due to bathing by the bather P, Lup1 is first set to both the draft surface level data La and Lb.

  Whether the same person has taken a bath in the second and subsequent steps S14 is assumed to be a second bath, or a different person bathes in the bathtub 2 in the same hot water state. . Therefore, if there is no second or subsequent bathing (NO in step S14), the lower limit value La and the upper limit value Lb of the draft surface level data are both the same value. If there is a second bath (YES in step S14, NO in step S15), if the current water level detection value L is lower than the previous water level Lup1, the water level detection value L is set and updated to the lower limit value La. Conversely, if the current water level detection value L is higher than the previous water level Lup1, the water level detection value L is set and updated to the upper limit value Lb (step S17). For example, if the second bather P (for example, a child) is smaller than the first bather P (for example, a father), the water level after the current water level rise is lower than the first water level Lup1, so that The value is set to the lower limit La and updated. Conversely, if the second bather P (for example, a father) is larger than the first bather P (for example, a child), the water level after the current water level rise will be higher than the first water level Lup1, so that water level Is updated to the upper limit value Lb.

  Next, it is determined whether or not there has been a continuous water level drop at a constant speed based on the water level detection value L (step S18). If there is a corresponding water level drop (YES in step S18), the water level drop is detected by the circulation adapter 21. (Step S19), if the water level drops from the reference water level Ls and the water level falls below the circulation port of the circulation adapter 21 as shown in FIG. 8 (a) (Step S19). YES), the determination (step S20) of whether or not the set time has passed since the time is sequentially executed, and if the set time has passed (YES in step S20), the draft level data at that time is The data stored in the lower limit value La and the upper limit value Lb is sent to the cleaning controller 6 (step S21), and waits until the next hot water filling is completed (N in step S11). ). When the water level falls below the circulation port of the circulation adapter 21, the water level cannot be detected by the water level sensor 49 anymore, so the time value required for complete drainage from the drain plug 22 is set. After waiting for the passage of time, it is determined that the water has been completely drained from the bathtub 2.

  Conversely, if there is no corresponding water level drop in step S18 (NO in step S18), the water level has fallen but has not yet fallen below the circulation port (NO in step S19), or has fallen below the circulation port. If the set time has not yet passed (NO in step S20), all return to step S13, detect the water level (step S13), determine whether or not the bath has been taken (step S14), and update the draft surface level data ( Step S17) is repeated. The draft surface level data acquisition process in this hot water filling state is thus completed.

  Next, the bathtub cleaning process performed by the cleaning controller 6 based on the draft surface level data La and Lb sent from the heat source controller 5 will be described. As a premise, the bath cleaning control is started when the cleaning switch of the cleaning remote controller 61 is turned on by the user and a signal related to the cleaning command is output.

  First, an example of a basic bath cleaning process will be briefly described. A bath cleaning mode in which cleaning water mixed with detergent is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 in the detergent mixing unit 26 to clean the inside of the bathtub and the like. A rinse cleaning mode in which cleaning water that is not mixed is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 is performed. For example, first, the opening / closing drive mechanism 23 is opened to convert the drain plug 22 to open, and the drain plug 22 remains open to wait for a set time (for example, 10 minutes), thereby remaining water in the bathtub 2. Even if there is, wait until the remaining water is drained and emptied. Next, the hot water solenoid valve 30 is controlled to be opened and then the detergent solenoid valve 28 is opened, so that the combustion burner 43 is combusted via the heat source controller 5 and passes through the hot water supply passage 44 and the hot water supply pipe 29. Hot water is supplied to the cleaning pipe 25. When the hot water passes through the detergent mixing portion 26, the detergent supplied through the opened detergent solenoid valve 28 is mixed and mixed into the hot water by negative pressure suction action, thereby washing the washing water mixed with the detergent. Cleaning is performed by being ejected from the nozzle 24 into the bathtub 2. After the cleaning for a predetermined time or a predetermined flow rate is continued, the rinsing cleaning mode is executed by the cleaning water containing only clean hot water without the detergent by switching the detergent solenoid valve 28 closed. . After the rinse cleaning in the rinse cleaning mode is executed for a predetermined time or a predetermined flow rate, the injection of the cleaning water is stopped by closing the pouring solenoid valve 30 or the like, and waiting for the elapse of a set time required for drainage, The drain plug 22 is closed and converted. Thus, one cycle (one time) of cleaning is completed.

  In the cleaning remote controller 61, it is possible to select and set according to the user's intention from among the powerful, normal and simple cleaning menus. When “strong” is selected and set, the bathtub cleaning mode, the rinse cleaning mode, The cleaning cycle is repeated four times, for example, the initial setting “normal” is repeated three times, for example, and when “simple” is selected and set, the number of repetitions is set to be repeated, for example, twice. It has become. In addition, since such a bathtub cleaning process is performed based on a user's input operation with respect to the cleaning remote controller 61, the process is executed before or after the use of the bath, or even when the bath is used. Whether or not to execute the process is left to the user's selection.

  Next, a characteristic bathtub cleaning process of this embodiment in which the adjustment of the discharge flow rate of cleaning water is performed in the cleaning cycle will be described with reference to FIG. First, after confirming that each value of draft surface level data La, Lb is received from the heat source controller 5 (YES in step S31), the lower limit value La, upper limit of the received draft level data The discharge flow rates Qx and Qy corresponding to the value Lb are calculated from the discharge flow rate table 64 (see FIG. 3) (step S32). As shown in FIG. 8B, the determined discharge flow rates Qx and Qy are, for example, when the cleaning water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 24 at the discharge flow rate Qx (for example, 4 L / min), When the cleaning water is ejected from the cleaning nozzle 24 at the discharge flow rate Qy (for example, 6 L / min), the inner wall surface of the water line position corresponding to the lower limit value La is reached. The flow rate value that reaches the inner wall surface of the water line position corresponding to Lb is represented.

  If the currently set number of repetitions of the cleaning cycle is the first time (YES in step S33), the discharge flow rate is in the range of (Qx−0.5) L / min to (Qx + 0.5) L / min. Thus, the opening degree of the flow rate adjustment valve 32 is changed and adjusted, and the above-described bathtub cleaning mode and the rinse cleaning mode are executed (step S34). That is, first, cleaning is performed on the vicinity of the draft line at the lower position corresponding to the lower limit value La of the draft surface level data. During this time, it is checked that the discharge flow rate is in the range of (Qx−0.5) L / min to (Qx + 0.5) L / min (YES in step S35). If so (NO in step S35), since an equipment failure is suspected, error processing is executed. As the error processing, for example, all operations are forcibly stopped, and processing such as error display, lighting / flashing of a warning lamp, and sounding of a warning sound are performed on a remote controller such as the cleaning remote controller 61, for example.

  When the first cycle is completed, the number of repetitions set in the selected cleaning menu (strong, normal or simple) is not reached (NO in step S36), so the process returns to the determination in step S33. Since this is the second time or later (NO in step S33), the flow rate adjustment valve 32 is then opened so that the discharge flow rate is in the range of (Qy−0.5) L / min to (Qy + 0.5) L / min. The degree is changed and adjusted, and the above-described bathtub cleaning mode and rinse cleaning mode are executed (step S37). That is, after the second time, cleaning is performed on the vicinity of the draft line at the upper position corresponding to the upper limit Lb of the draft surface level data. Also in this case, as described above, it is checked that the discharge flow rate is in the range of (Qy−0.5) L / min to (Qy + 0.5) L / min (YES in step S38). If it is out of the range (NO in step S38), a device failure is suspected, and error processing similar to that described above is executed. Then, these are executed until the set number of repetitions is completed (NO in step S36), and if the cleaning has been executed for the number of repetitions (YES in step S36), subsequent associated processing (for example, elapsed time) Standby and switching of the drain plug 22).

  In the case of the above bathtub washing process, based on the draft surface level data obtained according to the actual bathing situation, washing water can be injected and washed to the draft line position corresponding to the draft level data. Since the dirt after bathing adheres most to the waterline position, the dirt can be reliably washed and removed. Moreover, even if there are a plurality of bathers, the lower limit value La and the upper limit value Lb can be acquired as the draft surface level data, and washing can be carried out by jetting wash water to both the upper and lower waterline positions. . For this reason, according to an actual bathing condition, all the stain | pollution | contamination which will adhere to the inner wall face of the bathtub 2 can be wash | cleaned and washed away exactly. At that time, the lower waterline position is first cleaned, and then the upper waterline position is cleaned, so that the lower level dirt remains in a mottled pattern (FIG. 9). Reference) can be reliably prevented. Furthermore, since the water level sensor 49 incorporated in the heat source unit 4 is used to acquire the draft surface level data, the water source sensor 5 and the heat source unit controller 5 are not specially installed in the bathtub 2. The process of acquiring the draft water level data can be efficiently performed by the linkage.

<Other embodiments>
In addition, this invention is not limited to the said embodiment, Other various embodiment is included. That is, the installation position of the washing nozzle 24 is not limited to the bottom wall of the bathtub 2, and may be, for example, a side wall near the bottom wall, and the heat source unit 4 is not limited to one can two water type. The present invention can also be applied to the case where various configurations such as a can two-water type are used. Furthermore, although the example which used the water level sensor 49 incorporated in the heat source unit 4 for the water level detection was shown, not only this but water level detection means, such as a water level sensor or a water level meter, was installed in the bathtub 2 grade | etc., And this May be used. In the above-described embodiment, the discharge flow rate table 64 is stored and registered in advance. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and a relational expression between the draft surface level data La and Lb and the discharge flow rates Qx and Qy is determined and acquired. The discharge flow rates Qx and Qy may be calculated from the values of La and Lb by arithmetic processing using the relational expression.

2 Bath 3 Bathtub cleaning unit 4 Heat source machine 5 Heat source machine controller 6 Cleaning controller (cleaning control means)
24 Washing nozzle 32 Flow rate adjusting valve (flow rate adjusting means)
48 Recirculation circuit (pipe that can communicate with hot water in the bathtub)
49 Water level sensor (water level detection means)
54 Draft water level data acquisition processing unit 64 Discharge flow rate table

Claims (4)

A bathtub cleaning device for cleaning by spraying cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub,
Water level detecting means for detecting the water level in the bathtub;
A flow rate adjusting means for changing and adjusting the discharge flow rate of the cleaning water from the cleaning nozzle;
Wash control means for injecting wash water from the wash nozzle after changing and adjusting the discharge flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means according to the level of the draft surface level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detection means;
With
The cleaning control unit is configured to inject the cleaning water to the upper waterline position corresponding to the highest water level value in the fluctuation history of the water level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detecting unit. that is configured to change the ejection flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means,
Bath tank cleaning apparatus characterized by. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 ,
The washing control means also injects the washing water to the lower draft line position corresponding to the lowest water level value in the fluctuation history of the draft water level at the time of bathing obtained by the water level detection means. Thus, after changing and adjusting the discharge flow rate by the flow rate adjusting means, the bathtub cleaning device is configured to execute the jet of cleaning for the lower waterline position together. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2 ,
The said washing | cleaning control means is a bathtub washing apparatus comprised so that the washing | cleaning with respect to the said upper waterline position may be performed after performing the washing | cleaning with respect to the said lower waterline position. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 3 ,
While being attached to supply heated hot water or non-heated water as the washing water, the heat source machine connected to each other by a pipe line that can communicate with the hot water in the bathtub and the bathtub,
The said heat source machine is a bathtub washing | cleaning apparatus provided with the water level detection means which detects the water level in the said bathtub based on the water pressure from the said bathtub which acts in the said pipe line.

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