JP5871182B2 - Bathroom installation equipment - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a bathroom installation device that is installed and used in a bathroom, such as a remote controller for bath water supply, a valve unit for switching hot water supply to a bathtub, or other electrical devices.

  Conventionally, as a specific example of bathroom installation equipment, there is one described in Patent Document 1. The bathroom installation device described in this document is a remote controller for hot water supply for a bath, and is used by being installed on the wall surface of the bathroom. This remote control has a configuration in which a ventilation hole is provided in a casing that houses an electric circuit. In the casing, the outer surface portion and the inner surface portion where the vent is formed are provided with two tubular portions protruding toward the inside and the outside of the casing, and inside the inside tubular portion. A ventilation waterproof sheet (porous membrane) is inserted. This breathable waterproof sheet is a sheet having air permeability but not having water permeability. Since the ventilation hole is closed by the ventilation waterproof sheet, it is possible to prevent water from entering the remote control through the ventilation hole from the outside of the remote control. On the other hand, when the temperature in the remote control rises and the internal pressure increases, the air in the remote control can be released to the outside through the vents to prevent an abnormal increase in the internal pressure of the remote control. A pipe having a cut is appropriately fitted and attached to the outer cylindrical portion provided on the outer surface portion of the casing. This pipe helps to prevent the vented waterproof sheet from being pierced by a nail or the like.

  However, the prior art still has room for improvement as described below.

  First, the ventilation waterproof sheet is provided inside the casing of the remote control and is not configured to block the outside of the ventilation hole. For this reason, in the unlikely event that water is splashed on the formation portion of the ventilation hole of the casing, there is a possibility that water enters the ventilation hole. When water enters the vent, the vent is blocked by water. In the prior art, since a pipe is provided outside the vent hole, water can be prevented from entering the vent hole to some extent by the presence of the pipe, but the pipe is not properly mounted, for example. In some cases, water may enter the vent, and in such a case, a water film is formed on the vent and the vent is blocked. If such a situation occurs, the ventilation performance deteriorates.

Secondly, since the remote control installed in the bathroom is required to have excellent waterproof performance, it is possible to inspect whether or not the remote control has a predetermined waterproof performance after the remote control is manufactured. desired. This inspection can be performed by, for example, determining whether there is an air leak by supplying air into the casing of the remote control using a vent and observing a pressure change in the casing. .
On the other hand, conventionally, the use of a vent hole for the inspection of waterproof performance is not properly considered, and the vent waterproof sheet has a structure bonded to the inside of the casing. In this case, it is not possible to install a ventilation waterproof sheet after the waterproof performance of the remote control is inspected, and when performing the inspection, air is passed from the ventilation hole into the casing when the ventilation hole is closed by the ventilation waterproof sheet. Must be supplied. In this case, the ventilation waterproof sheet is a great resistance against air supply. Therefore, there is a possibility that a problem may occur when the waterproof performance test is smoothly and appropriately advanced. Further, since the direction in which the ventilation waterproof sheet is bonded to the casing is opposite to the air supply direction, there is also a problem that the ventilation waterproof sheet is easily peeled off from the casing during the waterproof performance inspection.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-131872

  The present invention has been conceived under the circumstances as described above, and does not cause a problem such that water enters the vent and the ventilation performance is deteriorated, and waterproof performance using the vent is provided. The problem is to provide bathroom installation equipment that can appropriately perform inspections and the like.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention takes the following technical means.

The bathroom installation device provided by the present invention includes a casing that houses electrical components therein, a vent provided in the casing so as to communicate the inside of the casing with the outside, and a vent for closing the vent. A waterproof sheet, and a cylindrical protrusion that protrudes from the periphery of the vent toward the outside of the casing, and the inside communicates with the vent, of the outer surface of the casing. a bathroom installation equipment, the breathable waterproof sheet is inserted into the tubular projecting portion, and so as to face the outer surface of the casing than the vent is provided on the outside, the vent A concave portion provided on the outer side of the casing, and a hole portion provided on the inner side of the casing, the hole portion having an inner diameter smaller than that of the concave portion, and one There together lead to the concave portion so as to be opened to the inner part of the concave portion, the other end is characterized by being open to the interior of the casing.
Preferably, the cylindrical protruding portion is a portion used as a connecting portion for connecting a piping member for supplying air pressure when inspecting the hermetic sealing performance of the casing.

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.
First, since the breathable waterproof sheet is provided outside the vent, water can be prevented from entering the vent due to the presence of the vented waterproof sheet. For this reason, unlike the prior art, it is also possible to appropriately prevent water from entering the vent hole and block the vent hole with this water, and avoid a decrease in ventilation performance.
Secondly, since the ventilation waterproof sheet is provided outside the ventilation opening and facing the outer surface portion of the casing, the ventilation waterproof sheet is waterproofed by using the ventilation opening. After the performance has been inspected, it can be provided in the casing. That is, when the waterproof performance of the casing is inspected , air pressure can be supplied from the vent into the casing in a state where the ventilation waterproof sheet has not yet been inserted into the cylindrical protrusion. Therefore, when such air pressure is supplied, the ventilation waterproof sheet does not become a great resistance, and the above inspection can be performed smoothly and appropriately. Even if the ventilation waterproof sheet has already been inserted into the cylindrical protrusion at the time of the inspection, the air pressure does not act as a force in the direction of peeling the ventilation waterproof sheet from the casing. Therefore, the problem that the breathable waterproof sheet easily peels off when the waterproof performance of the bathroom-installed device is inspected can be appropriately avoided.

Furthermore, according to the said structure, the following effects are also acquired.
In other words, the breathable waterproof sheet faces the concave portion, which is the large-diameter portion of the vent, and therefore, unlike the case where the vented waterproof sheet faces the small-diameter portion of the vent, It is possible to prevent clogging. On the other hand, the breathable waterproof sheet has a characteristic of allowing water vapor to permeate although water is impermeable. On the other hand, according to the above-described configuration, since the vent has a small-diameter hole, the amount of water vapor that passes through the vent is reduced to reduce the amount of water vapor that enters the casing. Is possible. As a result, high humidity in the casing can be suppressed. In particular, according to the above-described configuration, the inner diameter of the vent portion is changed suddenly at the boundary portion between the concave portion and the hole portion, so that the inner diameter of the vent is smoothly changed without a sudden change. This makes it more difficult for water vapor to pass through the vent and is more preferable for preventing a large amount of water vapor from entering the casing.

  Other features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

(A) is sectional drawing which shows an example of the valve unit to which this invention was applied, (b) is Ib-Ib sectional drawing of (a), (c) is Ic part of (a) FIG. (A) is explanatory drawing which shows an example of the state which test | inspects the airtight sealing performance of the valve unit shown in FIG. 1, (b) is an expanded sectional view of the IIb part of (a). (A), (b) is a principal part expanded sectional view which shows the other example at the time of test | inspecting the airtight sealing performance of the valve unit shown in FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the drive unit for bathtub drain plugs to which this invention was applied. It is sectional drawing which shows an example of the remote control for bath hot water to which this invention was applied.

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

  FIG. 1 shows a valve unit A1 as a bathroom installation device. This valve unit A1 is installed in the bathroom, for example, in the space between the bathtub and the wall of the bathroom, or in the space inside the bathtub apron, and supplies hot water to the bathtub and condensate water to the bathroom drain pan. Used to switch between draining operation.

  More specifically, the valve unit A1 includes a valve body 20 driven by a motor M1, a circuit board 3A for motor control, and a fluid flow direction switched by a valve body 20 in a resin casing 1A. It has a configuration in which various members forming the third flow paths 21a to 21c are accommodated. The casing 1 </ b> A is provided with a vent 4, a breathable waterproof sheet 5, and a cylindrical protrusion 6, which will be described in detail later.

  The 1st thru | or 3rd flow paths 21a-21c are comprised using the 1st thru | or 3rd tubular-body parts 22a-22c protruded outside the casing 1A, and the 1st tubular-body part 22a is comprised. A pipe is connected to a latent heat recovery type water heater (not shown) installed outside the bathroom. The 2nd pipe part 22b is connected by piping to the circulation adapter of a bathtub, and the 3rd pipe part 22c is connected by piping for guiding condensed water to the drain pan of the bathroom. Hot water or condensed water is supplied from the water heater to the first channel 21a. The condensed water is generated in the hot water heater as latent heat is recovered from the combustion gas generated by the burner, for example, using a heat exchanger. When this condensed water is supplied to the first flow path 21a, the valve body 20 is set to the state shown in FIG. As a result, the condensed water is guided from the first flow path 21a to the third flow path 21c and discharged to the drain pan of the bathroom. On the other hand, when hot water is supplied from the water heater to the first flow path 21a, the valve body 20 is rotated by driving the motor M1, and the one end opening 20a of the valve body 20 becomes the second flow path 21b. (Not shown). Thus, the hot water supplied to the first flow path 21a flows to the second flow path 21b and is then supplied into the bathtub.

  The casing 1 </ b> A has a sealed structure in which a hermetic seal is appropriately achieved except for the portion where the vent 4 is formed (excluding inflow of hot water and condensed water into the flow paths 21 a to 21 c). The vent 4 is a part that allows the air in the casing 1A to escape to the outside when the temperature in the casing 1A rises, while allowing the air to flow into the casing 1A from the outside when the temperature falls. It is a part also used as a pressure detection port for inspecting 1A's hermetic sealing performance. As shown well in FIG. 1 (c), the vent 4 is a through hole provided through the lower wall portion 10 of the casing 1A, but has a concave portion 40 formed in a downward opening shape. The hole 41 is connected to the upper side of the structure. The hole 41 has a smaller diameter than the concave portion 40.

  The tubular projecting portion 6 serves as a holding portion for the breathable waterproof sheet 5, and, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2, a connecting portion for connecting a tubular body when inspecting the hermetic sealing performance of the casing 1A. It is a part used as. The cylindrical protruding portion 6 is a cylindrical shape that protrudes downward from the periphery of the vent 4 in the outer surface portion (downward surface) of the lower wall portion 10 of the casing 1A, and is integrally formed with the casing 1A.

  The breathable waterproof sheet 5 has a circular shape larger in diameter than the concave portion 40 of the vent hole 4, is inserted into the cylindrical projecting portion 6 from the lower side thereof, and the lower wall of the casing 1 </ b> A through the adhesive layer 51. It is bonded to the outer surface portion of the portion 10. However, preferably, the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is attached to the casing 1A after the waterproof performance of the casing 1A is inspected. The breathable waterproof sheet 5 is a porous sheet having the property of not having water permeability while having breathability, as in the prior art. In the present embodiment, a CR-type retaining ring 52 is also used as a means for ensuring the fixed mounting of the ventilation waterproof sheet 5. As shown by the phantom line in FIG. 1 (c), the retaining ring 52 has a plurality of convex portions 52b connected to the outer periphery of the ring portion 52a, and protrudes in a cylindrical shape so as to bend the convex portions 52b. It is inserted into the portion 6 and mounted so as to press the lower surface side of the breathable waterproof sheet 5 upward.

  Next, the operation of the valve unit A1 will be described.

  First, after the valve unit A1 is manufactured, the hermetic sealing performance (sealing or waterproofing) of the casing 1A is inspected. However, this inspection is performed in a state where the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is not yet attached to the casing 1A. As shown in FIG. 2, in order to perform the inspection, for example, a pipe member 70 of a pneumatic supply device 7 is connected to the cylindrical protrusion 6, and a predetermined air pressure is casing from the device 7 through the vent 4. Supply in 1A. Moreover, the pressure change with which this apparatus 7 is equipped is utilized, and the pressure change in the casing 1A (The change of the air pressure in the piping member 70 or the location connected to this) is measured. When the casing 1A does not have an appropriate hermetic sealing performance, air leakage occurs and the air pressure decreases. Based on this, whether the casing 1A has an appropriate hermetic sealing performance or not. Can be judged. In the inspection as described above, the cylindrical protruding portion 6 is convenient because it can be appropriately used as a connecting portion for the piping member 70.

  Although FIG. 2B shows an example in which the piping member 70 is externally fitted to the cylindrical projecting portion 6, instead of this, for example, an aspect as shown in FIG. 3 can be adopted. In FIG. 3A, the piping member 70 is fitted into the cylindrical protrusion 6. In FIG. 4B, the ring-shaped seal member 71 of the piping member 70 is in contact with the tip of the cylindrical protrusion 6. In this case, preferably, the tip of the cylindrical protrusion 6 is rounded so that the sealing performance between the cylindrical protrusion 6 and the seal member 71 is good. Thus, if the cylindrical protrusion part 6 is utilized as a connection object of the piping member 70, the variation at the time of connecting the piping member 70 can be increased, and it will be excellent in flexibility.

  When performing the above-described airtight seal performance inspection, if the air permeable waterproof sheet 5 is not attached, the air permeable waterproof sheet 5 can be prevented from becoming an air supply resistance, and the inspection can be performed smoothly and appropriately. It is. Since the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 may be provided on the outer surface side of the casing 1A, it is easy to attach the casing 1A to the casing 1 after the inspection.

  Unlike the above, when the airtight sealing performance is inspected, the airtightness of the airtight sealing performance is ensured because the air permeability of the air vent 4 is ensured even if the air permeable waterproof sheet 5 is previously attached. Is possible. In this case, although the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 receives air pressure, the air pressure acts to press the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 against the outer surface of the casing 1A. For this reason, it is possible to prevent a problem that the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is peeled off from the casing 1A due to the air pressure.

  When the valve unit A1 is used, when the temperature in the casing 1A rises due to heat radiated from the motor M1, etc., and the air in the casing 1A flows out through the vent 4 to the outside. This air flow acts in the direction in which the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is peeled off. However, the air flow is gently generated as the temperature and pressure in the casing 1A increase, and the pressure is considerably lower than the air pressure at the time of checking the hermetic seal performance. There is little possibility that the breathable waterproof sheet 5 will peel off due to the above. In the present embodiment, since the breathable waterproof sheet 5 is fixed by using the CR-type retaining ring 52, unauthorized separation or misalignment of the breathable waterproof sheet 5 can be prevented more reliably.

  As described above, since the valve unit A1 is installed, for example, in a substantially sealed space formed between the bathtub and the wall of the bathroom, if normal, hot water may be directly applied to the valve unit A1. There is almost no. However, there may be a case where hot water is applied to the valve unit A1 due to various circumstances, and there is a case where water is applied before the valve unit A1 is installed in the bathroom (this point may be applied to other bathrooms described later). The same applies to installed equipment). On the other hand, in this embodiment, since the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is closed on the lower side (outside of the casing 1A) than the ventilation hole 4, the ventilation hole 4 is closed, so that the ventilation hole 4 is formed at the location where the ventilation hole 4 is formed. Even if hot water scatters from below, the hot water is blocked by the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 and does not enter the vent hole 4. When hot water enters the vent 4 and a water film is formed, the air permeability is lowered. However, in this embodiment, it is possible to prevent such disadvantages.

The ventilation waterproof sheet 5 faces the relatively large-diameter concave portion 40 in the ventilation opening 4. For this reason, the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 does not easily cause clogging. That is, unlike the present embodiment, when the concave portion 40 is not provided in the vent hole 4 and the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is configured to directly face the small-diameter hole portion 41, the small-diameter hole portion is provided. When dust adheres to a portion facing 41, the portion may be easily clogged because of its small area, but according to the present embodiment, such a concern can be eliminated. . On the other hand, since the vent 4 has a small-diameter hole 41, when water vapor passes through the ventilation waterproof sheet 5, the amount of water vapor flowing into the casing 1A is reduced, and the inside of the casing 1A is high. The effect which suppresses humidification is also acquired. At the boundary portion between the concave portion 40 and the hole portion 41, their inner diameters are abruptly changed, and the vent 4 has a large resistance to the flow of water vapor (corresponding to the flow path resistance), so that the inflow amount of water vapor is reduced. The effect of squeezing is high, which is more preferable in preventing the humidity in the casing 1A from increasing.

  4 and 5 show another embodiment of the present invention. In these drawings, elements that are the same as or similar to those in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the above embodiment.

FIG. 4 shows a drive unit A2 for a bathtub drain plug as a bathroom installation device. This drive unit A2 is for opening and closing the drain plug of the bathtub by remote control. The drive unit A2 has a configuration in which a motor M2 for rotating the cam 80 and a circuit board 3B for controlling the motor M2 are accommodated in the casing 1B. An operation unit 81 is provided. In this drive unit A2, when the operating portion 81 is pressed downward, the switch pressing portion 81a is lowered, and the switch portion 30 of the circuit board 3B is pressed and turned on, the motor M2 rotates the cam 80. . In the casing 1B, a movable body 82 having a cam follower portion 82a is provided in an upwardly biased state by the elastic force of the spring 83. The movable body 82 corresponds to the rotational operation of the cam 80. Go up and down. One end of a wire W is connected to the movable body 82, and the other end of the wire W is connected to a drain plug (not shown) of the bathtub. The drain plug of the bathtub can be switched between a state where it is pulled by the wire W as the movable body 82 is lifted and a state where it is not subjected to such a pull, and opens and closes based on this.

  Since this drive unit A2 is installed in the bathroom and needs to prevent water from entering the casing 1B, an airtight seal is appropriately illustrated in each part of the casing 1B other than the place where the vent 10 is formed. It has a waterproof structure. The ventilation hole 4, the ventilation waterproof sheet 5, and the cylindrical protrusion 6 are provided on the lower wall 10 of the casing 1B. The structure of this part is the structure shown in FIG. The details are omitted.

  According to the bathtub drain plug drive unit A2 of this embodiment, the same effects as described in the above embodiment can be obtained based on the configuration of the vent 4, the vent waterproof sheet 5, and the cylindrical protrusion 6. . The outline will be briefly explained again. First, when inspecting the hermetic sealing performance of the casing 1B, the inspection projecting device 7 can be easily and appropriately pipe-connected using the cylindrical protruding portion 6. Since the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 can be mounted on the casing 1B after the inspection, it can be avoided that the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 becomes a great resistance to the air supply during the inspection. Further, the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 does not peel from the outer surface portion of the casing 1B. When hot water is applied to the casing 1B, it is also prevented that hot water enters the vent 4 and the vent 4 is blocked. Furthermore, the small-diameter hole portion 41 of the vent 4 suppresses a large amount of water vapor from entering the casing 1B, and various favorable effects are obtained such that the inside of the casing 1B is not easily humidified.

  FIG. 5 shows a remote controller A3 for bath water supply as a bathroom installation device. The remote controller A3 is installed on the wall surface 90 of the bathroom and is used to control the operation of the water heater. More specifically, the remote controller A3 has a configuration in which the circuit board 3C is accommodated in the casing 1C, and a data display unit 84 configured using a liquid crystal panel or the like is provided on the front surface of the casing 1C. A switch 85 is provided. The casing 1 </ b> C includes a base member 15, a front member 16 that is attached to the front surface side of the base member 15, and a cover body 17 that is attached from the front surface side of the front member 16 and covers the side portions of the front member 16 and the base member 15. It is a waterproof structure that combines.

As means for installing the remote controller A3 on the wall surface 90 of the bathroom, for example, means (not shown) for fixing the casing 1C to the wall surface 90 of the bathroom is employed. A convex portion 18 that contacts the wall surface 90 of the bathroom is formed on the back surface of the casing 1C, and a gap 92 having an appropriate width La is formed between the base member 15 and the wall surface 90 of the bathroom. Yes. A through hole 91 for inserting the electric wiring 19 is formed in the wall surface 90, and the gap 92 communicates with the outside through the through hole 91. The vent hole 4 is provided so as to penetrate the base member 15 of the casing 1C, and the cylindrical projecting portion 6 projects from the base member 15 toward the back thereof. The cylindrical projecting portion 6 is provided so that the opening at the tip thereof does not contact the wall surface 90 of the bathroom and is not blocked by the wall surface 90. As a result, the gap 92 and the inside of the casing 1C communicate with each other through the vent hole 4, and air can flow into and out of the casing 1C. The ventilation waterproof sheet 5 is inserted into the cylindrical protruding portion 6 and bonded to the outer surface portion of the base member 15. The structure related to the vent 4, the cylindrical protrusion 6, and the breathable waterproof sheet 5 is different from the above-described embodiment in that the orientation of the vent 4 is horizontal (the attitude of the vent 4 etc. facing the horizontal direction). Other configurations are the same as the configuration shown in FIG.

  When the remote controller A3 described above is installed on the wall surface 90 of the bathroom, normally, a caulking material 95 is provided around the casing 1C, and water can be prevented from entering the gap 92 on the back surface of the remote controller A3. However, when such a caulking process is inadequate, water may enter the gap 92 on the back surface of the remote controller A3. In this way, even when water enters the gap 92, the water is blocked by the ventilation waterproof sheet 5 and does not enter the casing 1C. There is no problem that the vent 4 is blocked by the water film. In addition, in the present embodiment, the same effects as those described for the configuration shown in FIG.

  The present invention is not limited to the contents of the above-described embodiment. The specific configuration of each part of the bathroom installation device according to the present invention can be varied in design in various ways within the scope of the present invention.

  The ventilation waterproof sheet may be inserted into the cylindrical projecting portion and provided outside the ventilation opening so as to face the outer surface portion of the casing of the bathroom installation device, and the outer surface of the casing is not necessarily formed using an adhesive. It may not be bonded to the part. For example, as described in the above embodiment, when positioning a ventilation waterproof sheet using a CR-type retaining ring, the ventilation waterproof sheet is sandwiched and fixed between the outer surface portion of the casing and the CR-type retaining ring. It may be just done. Further, as a means for fixing the breathable waterproof sheet, a structure in which the breathable waterproof sheet is simply bonded to the outer surface portion of the casing by using an adhesive without using a CR-type retaining ring or a means corresponding thereto. You can also The breathable waterproof sheet may be a sheet that has air permeability but does not have water permeability, and its specific material is not limited.

Cylindrical collision detecting section, although it is preferable to form the cylindrical shape, without being limited thereto, for example, can be formed like a rectangular tube.

  In the present invention, bathroom installation equipment refers to all equipment installed in the bathroom. Therefore, in addition to the valve unit, the drive unit for the bathroom drain plug, and the remote controller for bath hot water supply, for example, a bath cleaning device, a bathroom TV, a bathroom audio device, and the like are also included in the bathroom installation device referred to in the present invention.

A1 Valve unit (bathroom installation equipment)
A2 Drive unit for bathtub drain plug (bathroom installation equipment)
A3 Remote control for bath water supply (bathroom installation equipment)
M1, M2 motor (electrical parts)
1A to 1C Casing 2A to 2A Circuit board (electric part)
4 Ventilation hole 5 Ventilation waterproof sheet 6 Cylindrical protrusion 40 Concave part (of ventilation hole)
41 hole (vent)

Claims (2)

A casing that houses electrical components therein;
A vent provided in the casing so as to communicate the inside of the casing with the outside;
A breathable tarpaulin to block this vent;
Of the outer surface portion of the casing, a cylindrical protruding portion that protrudes from the periphery of the vent toward the outside of the casing, and the inside communicates with the vent;
A bathroom installation device comprising:
The ventilation waterproof sheet is inserted into the cylindrical projecting portion, and is provided outside the vent so as to face the outer surface portion of the casing .
The vent has a concave portion provided on the outer side of the casing, and a hole provided on the inner side of the casing.
The hole portion has an inner diameter smaller than that of the concave portion, and is connected to the concave portion so that one end is open to the back of the concave portion, and the other end is open to the inside of the casing. Characteristic, bathroom installation equipment. The bathroom installation device according to claim 1,
The tubular projecting portion is a bathroom installation device that is a portion used as a connection portion for connecting a piping member for supplying air pressure when inspecting the hermetic sealing performance of the casing.

Images