JP7205750B2 - bathtub cleaning equipment - Google Patents

Description

Aspects of the present invention relate generally to bathtub cleaning devices.

A bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub is known (Patent Document 1). Such a bathtub washing apparatus can automatically wash the inner wall surface of the bathtub by spraying detergent, water (hot water), or the like on the inner wall surface of the bathtub.

JP 2009-162460 A

The bathtub becomes dirty due to the adhesion of sebum and keratin to the inner wall surface of the bathtub during its use. Dirt in the draft section, in particular, has a large load. Sebum and keratin stains adhered to the bathtub become difficult to remove over time. For this reason, in cleaning a bathtub using a conventional bathtub cleaning apparatus, it has been recommended to clean the bathtub immediately after taking a bath. However, even if the bathtub is washed automatically immediately after taking a bath, it is conceivable that even the bathtub that has finished washing once will be soiled again with dust and the like until the next time the bathtub is filled with hot water.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub cleaning apparatus capable of cleaning a bathtub before filling with hot water.

A first invention comprises a tank for storing detergent, a detergent mixing section for mixing detergent supplied from the tank and water supplied from a water supply source to generate detergent water, and the detergent water or the water. a nozzle for ejecting toward an inner wall surface of the bathtub; and a controller for controlling ejection of the detergent water or the water from the nozzle, the controller interlocking with drainage of water in the bathtub. a first washing mode in which the nozzle is used to wash the inner wall surface of the bathtub after the water is drained; and a second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface.

According to this bathtub washing device, by executing the first washing mode after the water is drained in conjunction with the drainage of the water in the bathtub, dirt adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub can be relatively easily removed immediately after the water is drained. can be washed off. In addition, by executing the second cleaning mode before the hot water filling in conjunction with the hot water filling to the bathtub, dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub after the execution of the first washing mode can be removed by hot water filling. can be washed off before As a result, the bathtub before filling with hot water can be kept clean, and the bathtub can be filled with hot water in a clean state.

In a second aspect based on the first aspect, the controller controls, in the first cleaning mode, a main cleaning mode in which the detergent water is ejected from the nozzles, and a rinse mode in which the water is ejected from the nozzles. and executing the rinsing mode in the second washing mode.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, by executing the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the first cleaning mode, the dirt adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub can be washed off more reliably, and the second cleaning can be performed. By executing the rinsing mode in the mode, dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub after execution of the first washing mode can be washed off.

A third aspect of the invention is the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the controller executes the rinsing mode in the second washing mode without executing the main washing mode. be.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, in the second cleaning mode, the consumption of the detergent can be reduced by executing the rinsing mode without executing the main cleaning mode.

A fourth aspect of the invention is the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the second aspect, wherein the controller executes the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode. is.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, by executing the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode, dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub after the execution of the first cleaning mode is further removed. You can definitely wash it off.

In a fifth aspect based on the fourth aspect, in the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode, the control unit causes the nozzles to eject the detergent water having a first concentration, and the cleaning mode is the second cleaning mode. 2. In the main cleaning mode of 1, the detergent water having a second concentration lower than the first concentration is ejected from the nozzle.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, by using detergent water having a relatively high concentration of detergent in the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode, dirt such as sebum adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub can be more reliably removed. In addition, by using detergent water having a second concentration of relatively low detergent in the main washing mode of the second washing mode, the amount of detergent consumed is suppressed, and the first washing mode is executed. Dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub can be washed off more reliably later.

In a sixth aspect based on the fourth or fifth aspect, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time, the second cleaning mode is switched to the main cleaning mode. , and the rinsing mode are executed, and if the elapsed time from the first washing mode does not exceed the predetermined time, the rinsing mode is performed in the second washing mode without executing the main washing mode. It is a bathtub cleaning device characterized by executing

According to this bathtub cleaning apparatus, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time, the main cleaning mode is executed in the second cleaning mode, thereby cleaning the bathtub after the execution of the first cleaning mode. Dirt such as dust that adheres to the inner wall surface and adheres due to a long period of non-cleaning can be more reliably washed off by the main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode. On the other hand, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode does not exceed the predetermined time, by not executing the main cleaning mode in the second cleaning mode, the amount of detergent consumed can be suppressed.

In a seventh aspect based on the sixth aspect, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time, in the second cleaning mode, before the main cleaning mode (2) executing a pre-cleaning mode in which the water is ejected from the nozzle;

According to this bathtub cleaning apparatus, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time, the pre-cleaning mode is executed in the second cleaning mode, so that the bathtub is cleaned after the execution of the first cleaning mode. Dirt such as dust that has adhered to the inner wall surface and adhered due to not being washed for a long time can be lifted by the pre-washing mode and washed off reliably by the main washing mode.

An eighth invention is the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to any one of the first to seventh inventions, wherein the water supply source has a water heater, and the water is hot water.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, by using hot water, the cleaning power can be enhanced compared to the case of using cold water. Thereby, for example, the consumption of detergent can be suppressed.

A ninth aspect of the invention is the bathtub according to any one of the first to eighth aspects of the invention, wherein the control unit starts the second cleaning mode in response to input of the signal for filling the hot water. Cleaning equipment.

According to this bathtub cleaning device, by starting the second cleaning mode in response to the input of the hot water filling signal, the user can perform the second cleaning mode just before the timing at which he/she wants to take a bath. . Therefore, the bathtub can be kept clean before being filled with hot water.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a bathtub cleaning device capable of cleaning a bathtub before filling with hot water.

1 is a plan view schematically showing a bathtub system provided with a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment; FIG. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS It is explanatory drawing which represents typically the bathtub cleaning apparatus which concerns on embodiment. 1 is a block diagram schematically showing a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment; FIG. It is a flow chart showing the operation of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation in the first cleaning mode of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment; 4 is a flow chart showing operation in a second cleaning mode of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment;

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in each drawing, the same reference numerals are given to the same constituent elements, and detailed description thereof will be omitted as appropriate.
FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a bathtub system provided with a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 1, the bathtub system 500 includes, for example, a bathtub 100 and a bathtub cleaning device 200. As shown in FIG.

The bathtub 100 is installed, for example, on the floor of the bathroom. The bathtub 100 is, for example, in the shape of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box, and is open upward. The bathtub 100 has, for example, a horizontally long shape having long sides and short sides when viewed from above. Bathtub 100 has an inner wall surface 110 and an upper surface 130 . The inner wall surface 110 is the inner surface of the bathtub 100 . The upper surface 130 is a surface that extends outward from the upper end of the inner wall surface 110 .

The inner wall surface 110 has an inner bottom surface 111 positioned at the bottom of the inner wall surface 110 and an inner wall surface 112 positioned above the inner bottom surface 111 . The inner wall surface 112 includes, for example, a first inner wall surface 112a and a second inner wall surface 112b on the short side of the bathtub 100 in top view, and a third inner wall surface 112c and a fourth inner wall surface on the long side of the bathtub 100 in top view. 112d. The first inner wall surface 112a faces, for example, the second inner wall surface 112b. The third inner wall surface 112c faces, for example, the fourth inner wall surface 112d. The third inner wall surface 112c is located, for example, on the floor side of the washing area of the bathroom.

The inner bottom surface 111 is provided with a drain port 115 for discharging the liquid in the bathtub 100 downward. The drain port 115 is provided, for example, substantially in the center of the long side of the bathtub 100 when viewed from above. The drain port 115 is positioned, for example, closer to the floor of the bathroom washing area (that is, closer to the third inner wall surface 112c) than the center of the short side of the bathtub 100 when viewed from above. In other words, for example, the horizontal distance between the third inner wall surface 112 c and the drain port 115 is shorter than the horizontal distance between the fourth inner wall surface 112 d and the drain port 115 .

In this example, a detergent inlet 135 is provided on the upper surface 130 of the bathtub 100 . Detergent inlet 135 may be provided, for example, in a bath apron positioned closer to the floor of the washing area than inner wall surface 110 or third inner wall surface 112c of bathtub 100 . Detergent inlet 135 is connected to bathtub cleaning device 200 (a tank described later).

Also, in this example, the bathtub 100 has a step 140 . The step 140 is a step provided above the inner bottom surface 111 and below the top surface 130 inside the bathtub 100 (that is, inside the inner wall surface 110). The step 140 includes a step upper surface 141 extending inward from one of the inner wall surfaces 112 on the short side (the first inner wall surface 112 a in this example), and a step upper surface 141 extending from the inner end of the step upper surface 141 toward the inner bottom surface 111 . and an extending step side 142 . One ends of the step upper surface 141 and the step side surface 142 are connected to the third inner wall surface 112c. The other ends of the step upper surface 141 and the step side surface 142 are connected to the fourth inner wall surface 112d. Step 140 is optional and can be omitted.

Bathtub cleaning device 200 is provided in bathtub 100 . More specifically, a part of bathtub cleaning device 200 (for example, a nozzle described later) is provided on inner wall surface 110 of bathtub 100 . Another part of bathtub cleaning device 200 (for example, each part other than the nozzle described later) is provided in the space between bathtub 100 and the side wall surface of the bathroom and in the space below bathtub 100 .

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram schematically showing the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment.
FIG. 3 is a block diagram schematically showing the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the bathtub cleaning device 200 includes a tank 10, a detergent mixing section 20, a nozzle 30, an ejection control section 40, a drive section 50, and a control section 60.

The tank 10 is connected to a detergent input port 135 and stores detergent input from the detergent input port 135 . The tank 10 is provided with a water level detector 11 such as a float switch, for example.

The detergent mixing section 20 is provided downstream of the tank 10 and the water supply source WS. The detergent mixing unit 20 mixes the detergent supplied from the tank 10 and the water supplied from the water supply source WS to generate detergent water. In the specification of the present application, "water" includes not only cold water but also heated hot water. That is, the water supply source WS may have a water heater, for example.

The detergent mixing unit 20 is, for example, a tank that stores detergent water. The detergent mixing unit 20 , for example, stores detergent water when ejecting detergent water from the nozzle 30 and stores water when ejecting water from the nozzle 30 . The detergent mixing section 20 is provided with a water level detection section 21 such as a float switch, for example. Note that the detergent mixing unit 20 is not limited to this, and may be, for example, a venturi tube.

A detergent channel 15 is provided between the tank 10 and the detergent mixing section 20 . The detergent channel 15 connects the tank 10 and the detergent mixing section 20 . The detergent channel 15 is provided with, for example, an on-off valve 16 , a flow rate adjusting section 17 and a pump 18 .

The on-off valve 16 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve. The on-off valve 16 controls the supply of detergent to the detergent mixing section 20 . By opening the on-off valve 16 , the detergent stored in the tank 10 is supplied to the detergent mixing section 20 . By closing the on-off valve 16, the supply of detergent from the tank 10 to the detergent mixing section 20 is stopped.

The flow rate adjusting unit 17 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 16, for example. The flow rate adjuster 17 is, for example, an orifice. The flow rate adjusting section 17 adjusts the flow rate of the detergent flowing through the detergent channel 15 . The flow rate adjusting unit 17 is provided as necessary and can be omitted.

The pump 18 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 16 and the flow rate adjusting section 17, for example. The pump 18 sends the detergent in the detergent channel 15 to the detergent mixing section 20 .

A water supply channel 25 is provided between the water supply source WS and the detergent mixing section 20 . The water supply channel 25 connects the water supply source WS and the detergent mixing section 20 . The water supply channel 25 is provided with, for example, an on-off valve 26 and a flow rate adjusting section 27 .

The on-off valve 26 is, for example, an electromagnetic valve. The on-off valve 26 controls the supply of water to the detergent mixing section 20 . Water from the water supply source WS is supplied to the detergent mixing section 20 by opening the on-off valve 26 . By closing the on-off valve 26, the supply of water from the water supply source WS to the detergent mixing section 20 is stopped.

The flow rate adjusting unit 27 is provided downstream of the on-off valve 26, for example. The flow rate adjusting section 27 is, for example, a constant flow valve. The flow rate adjuster 27 adjusts the flow rate of water flowing through the water supply channel 25 .

The nozzle 30 is provided on the inner bottom surface 111 or the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, for example. In this example, nozzle 30 is provided on inner bottom surface 111 of bathtub 100 . The nozzle 30 is provided, for example, substantially in the center of the long side of the bathtub 100 when viewed from above. The nozzle 30 is provided, for example, substantially in the center of the short side of the bathtub 100 when viewed from above.

Nozzle 30 has ejection port 31 . Jet port 31 jets liquid (detergent water or water) toward inner wall surface 112 of bathtub 100 . The spout 31 , for example, spouts the liquid toward a portion of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 . The nozzle 30 is, for example, rotatable about the vertical direction (that is, horizontally).

The nozzle 30 is provided, for example, so that the jet port 31 faces in a direction other than the first direction D1 from the nozzle 30 to the drain port 115 at a position where jetting of detergent water is started.

By providing the nozzle 30 in such an orientation, it is possible to prevent the detergent water jetted from the jet port 31 from being discharged to the drain port 115 as it is before the rotation of the nozzle 30 is started. In other words, the detergent water ejected from the ejection port 31 can be discharged from the drain port 115 through the inner bottom surface 111 of the bathtub 100 before the nozzle 30 starts rotating. As a result, the detergent water ejected from the ejection port before the nozzle 30 starts rotating can be effectively used for cleaning the inner bottom surface 111 of the bathtub 100, for example, and waste of the detergent water can be suppressed. .

In this example, the drain port 115 is provided in the direction from the nozzle 30 toward the third inner wall surface 112c. Therefore, in this example, the nozzle 30 can be provided so that the ejection port 31 faces the first inner wall surface 112a, the second inner wall surface 112b, or the fourth inner wall surface 112d at the position where the detergent solution starts to be ejected. preferable. Also, in this example, a step 140 is provided on the side of the first inner wall surface 112a. Therefore, in this example, it is more preferable that the nozzle 30 is provided so that the ejection port 31 faces the first inner wall surface 112a at the position where the ejection of detergent water is started.

The horizontal water discharge angle θ ₁ (see FIG. 1) of the liquid when the liquid is stably discharged from the jet nozzle 31 is, for example, the vertical water discharge angle θ ₂ (see FIG. 2). In other words, for example, the nozzle 30 (jet port 31) jets the liquid vertically. By ejecting the liquid vertically in this manner, a limited amount of liquid can be more efficiently spread over the entire inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 .

The horizontal water discharge angle θ ₁ is obtained by capturing the shape of the liquid discharged stably from the nozzle 31 with a camera provided above the nozzle 30 for a predetermined period of time (for example, 1 second). It is possible to obtain the horizontal water discharge angle φ ₁ of the liquid within a predetermined time, and obtain the difference between this water discharge angle φ ₁ and the horizontal rotation angle φ ₂ of the nozzle 30 rotated within the predetermined time (θ ₁ = φ ₁ -φ ₂ ).

_The vertical water discharge angle θ2 is obtained from the vertical water discharge angle in the photographed image of the shape of the liquid discharged stably from the nozzle 31, which is photographed by a camera provided on the side of the nozzle 30. be able to.

The water discharge angle θ1 in the horizontal direction is preferably ₅ degrees or more and 30 degrees or less. It is preferable that the water discharge angle θ2 in the vertical direction is, for example, 30 degrees or _more and 180 degrees or less. It is preferable that the vertical water discharge angle θ2 when water is jetted is larger _than the vertical water discharge angle _θ2 when detergent water is jetted.

A cleaning channel 35 is provided between the detergent mixing section 20 and the nozzle 30 . The washing channel 35 connects the detergent mixing section 20 and the nozzle 30 . The cleaning flow path 35 is provided with, for example, an ejection control section 40 and a backflow prevention section 36 .

The ejection control unit 40 controls ejection of liquid from the ejection port 31 . The ejection control section 40 is provided downstream of the detergent mixing section 20 . The ejection control unit 40 is, for example, a pump. The ejection control unit 40 may be, for example, an on-off valve such as an electromagnetic valve. The ejection control unit 40 controls, for example, the instantaneous flow rate of liquid ejected from the ejection port 31 .

The backflow prevention section 36 is provided downstream of the ejection control section 40, for example. The backflow prevention part 36 prevents backflow of detergent water, water, waste water, etc. from the nozzle 30 to the detergent mixing part 20 . The backflow prevention part 36 is, for example, a check valve. The backflow prevention part 36 may be an on-off valve such as an electromagnetic valve. For example, a plurality of backflow prevention units 36 may be provided.

The driving section 50 drives the nozzle 30 . The driving unit 50 has, for example, a rotating unit 51 that rotates the nozzle 30 about the vertical direction. The rotating part 51 is, for example, a stepping motor. Although the rotating part 51 is not limited to this, it is desirable that the rotation speed can be controlled.

The control unit 60 is electrically connected to the ejection control unit 40 and the driving unit 50 (for example, the rotating unit 51 ), and controls the ejection control unit 40 and the driving unit 50 . More specifically, the control unit 60 controls the ejection control unit 40 to control the timing of starting and stopping ejection of the liquid from the ejection port 31 and the amount of ejection. Further, the control unit 60 controls the driving unit 50 to control the timing of starting and stopping the driving of the nozzles 30 and the driving speed. More specifically, the control unit 60 controls the rotation unit 51 to control the timing of starting and stopping rotation of the nozzle 30 and the rotation speed.

Further, the control unit 60 controls, for example, the opening/closing valve 16 of the detergent channel 15 and the opening/closing valve 26 of the water supply channel 25 . The control unit 60 controls the on-off valve 16 and the on-off valve 26 based on the detection result of the water level detection unit 21 of the detergent mixing unit 20, for example, so that the concentration and amount of the detergent water generated in the detergent mixing unit 20, Control the amount of water, etc.

In the embodiment, the bathtub cleaning device 200 rotates the nozzle 30 while ejecting the liquid from the nozzle 30 toward a part of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 as described above. The liquid may be sprayed on the entire inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, or the liquid may be sprayed on the entire inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 by jetting the liquid from the nozzles 30 toward the four inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100 at the same time. There may be. For example, in the case of a structure in which the nozzles 30 simultaneously jet the liquid toward the four inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100, the driving section 50 (rotating section 51) can be omitted. Further, the bathtub cleaning device 200 spouts liquid from the nozzles 30 toward the four inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100 at the same time, and rotates the nozzles 30 to spray the liquid over the entire inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100 . There may be.

FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing the operation of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 4, when the user executes a bathtub cleaning operation using a remote control or the like (step S101), the control unit 60 drains the water in the bathtub 100 from the drain port 115 (step S102). After draining, the controller 60 executes the first cleaning mode. The first cleaning mode is executed in conjunction with draining the water in bathtub 100 .

More specifically, for example, the bathtub 100 is provided with a water level detector for detecting the water level inside the bathtub 100, and the controller 60 controls the water level when the water level reaches the minimum detectable by the water level detector. After a predetermined time (for example, 5 minutes) has passed since (or after the water level detection unit does not detect) (step S103: Yes), the first cleaning mode is executed (step S104). In the first cleaning mode, the controller 60 uses the nozzle 30 to clean the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 . The first cleaning mode will be described later.

In addition, in the embodiment, interlocking with the drainage in the first cleaning mode is not limited to the above means. For example, the control unit 60 may execute the first cleaning mode after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the start of water drainage. Further, for example, bathtub 100 is provided with a sensor that detects the weight of water in bathtub 100, and controller 60 switches to the first cleaning mode when the weight of water in bathtub 100 becomes less than a predetermined value. may be executed. Thus, in the embodiment, the control unit 60 starts the first cleaning mode upon completion of draining.

Further, the water in the bathtub 100 may be drained by automatically operating the drain plug by the control unit 60 as described above, or by the user manually operating the drain plug or the drain switch. may be executed in In this case, for example, the control unit 60 may automatically execute the first cleaning mode when the drainage is completed. In other words, in this case, the step S101 of washing the bathtub by the remote control or the like may be omitted.

Also, the operation in step S101 may be an operation of draining water. That is, when the user executes a drain operation using a remote control or the like (step S101), the control unit 60 drains the water in the bathtub 100 from the drain port 115 (step S102). ), and then the first cleaning mode (step S104) may be automatically executed.

Control unit 60 executes the second cleaning mode before filling bathtub 100 with hot water. The second cleaning mode is executed in conjunction with filling the bathtub 100 with hot water.

More specifically, for example, when the controller 60 detects the input of the hot water filling signal (step S105: Yes), it executes the second cleaning mode (step S106). In the second cleaning mode, controller 60 uses nozzle 30 to clean inner wall surface 112 of bathtub 100 . The second cleaning mode will be described later.

In the embodiment, the signal for pouring hot water may be a signal when the user performs an operation for pouring hot water using a remote controller or the like, or a signal when pouring hot water is started at a time set in advance by a timer or the like. signal. Thus, in the embodiment, the control unit 60 starts the second cleaning mode in response to the input of the hot water filling signal.

When the second cleaning mode ends, the controller 60 performs hot water filling (step S107). In the embodiment, the hot water supply may be controlled by a controller of the water heater provided separately from the controller 60 . In this case, for example, the control unit 60 transmits a signal indicating the end of the second cleaning mode to the control unit of the water heater, and the control unit of the water heater receives this signal and performs hot water filling.

As described above, according to the embodiment, by executing the first cleaning mode after draining the water in the bathtub 100 in conjunction with draining the water in the bathtub 100, dirt attached to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 can be removed by comparison immediately after the water is drained. It can be washed off in a state that is easy to remove. Further, according to the embodiment, the second cleaning mode is executed before the hot water is filled in conjunction with the filling of the hot water into the bathtub 100, so that after the execution of the first washing mode, the particles adhere to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100. Dirt such as dust can be washed off before hot water. As a result, the bathtub 100 before filling with hot water can be kept clean, and the bathtub 100 can be filled with hot water in a clean state.

Further, as described above, by starting the second washing mode in response to the input of the hot water filling signal, the second washing mode can be performed immediately before the timing at which the user desires to take a bath. Therefore, the bathtub 100 can be kept clean before being filled with hot water.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing the operation in the first cleaning mode of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 5, the controller 60 executes the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the first cleaning mode, for example. In this manner, by executing the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the first cleaning mode, dirt adhering to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 can be washed off.

This washing mode is a mode in which the detergent water of the first concentration is jetted from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31). By executing this cleaning mode, dirt such as sebum and keratin adhering to the inner wall surface 110 of the bathtub 100 can be easily peeled off. In addition, in this cleaning mode, dirt such as sebum and keratin adhering to the inner wall surface 110 of the bathtub 100 and a part of attachments such as hair can be washed off. The first concentration is preferably 1% by volume or more and 30% by volume or less in terms of surfactant concentration.

The rinse mode is a mode in which water is ejected from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31). The rinse mode is executed after the main cleaning mode. By executing the rinsing mode after the main washing mode, the detergent water sprayed in the main washing mode and dirt such as sebum and keratin peeled off by the detergent water can be washed off. In addition, the rinsing mode can wash off adherents such as hair adhering to the inner wall surface 110 of the bathtub 100 .

Moreover, the control unit 60 can further execute a pre-cleaning mode in the first cleaning mode. The pre-washing mode is a mode in which water or detergent water having a concentration lower than the first concentration (for example, the second concentration) is ejected from the nozzles 30 (jetting ports 31). The pre-cleaning mode is executed before the main cleaning mode. By executing the pre-cleaning mode before the main cleaning mode, it is possible to wash off deposits such as hair adhering to the inner wall surface 110 of the bathtub 100 in advance, so that the cleaning performance in the main cleaning mode can be improved. can. The concentration of detergent water in the pre-cleaning mode is preferably more than 0% by volume and 29% by volume or less in terms of surfactant concentration. A pre-cleaning mode is performed as needed and can be omitted.

The flow of the first cleaning mode shown in FIG. 5 will be described below.
When the first cleaning mode is started, the controller 60 executes the pre-cleaning mode (step S201). In the pre-cleaning mode, control unit 60 sprays detergent water or water toward inner wall surface 110 of bathtub 100 . More specifically, for example, the control unit 60 controls the ejection control unit 40 to eject detergent water or water from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward a part of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, The rotating part 51 is controlled to rotate the nozzle 30 . As a result, detergent water or water can be sprayed over the entire inner wall surface 112 . For example, the control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 multiple times so that the predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 is sprayed with detergent water or water two or more times.

In the pre-cleaning mode, the controller 60 rotates the nozzle 30 clockwise at a rotation speed of 30 seconds/rotation while ejecting detergent water or water at an instantaneous ejection flow rate of, for example, 1000 mL/min. When the nozzle 30 rotates once, the control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 counterclockwise at the same rotation speed while ejecting detergent water or water at the same instantaneous ejection flow rate. By repeating this set of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations twice, detergent water or water can be applied to a predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 four times. The control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 once in a state in which detergent water or water is jetted, then rotates the nozzle 30 in the reverse direction in a state in which the detergent water or water is not jetted to return to the jetting start position, and then returns to the jetting start position. You may repeat rotating the nozzle 30 in the state which sprayed detergent water or water. Further, the control unit 60 may continuously rotate the nozzle 30 clockwise or counterclockwise multiple times while ejecting detergent water or water. Note that the instantaneous ejection flow rate, the rotation speed of the nozzle 30, and the number of rotations of the nozzle 30 in the pre-cleaning mode can be adjusted as appropriate.

In the pre-cleaning mode, the controller 60 ejects a total of about 2000 mL of detergent water or water from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31), for example. In the pre-cleaning mode, the control unit 60 may jet the detergent water or water in a plurality of times. In other words, in the pre-cleaning mode, the controller 60 may alternately execute a state in which detergent water or water is jetted (jetting state) and a state in which detergent water or water is not jetted (standby state), for example. .

Next, the controller 60 executes the main cleaning mode (step S202). In this cleaning mode, control unit 60 sprays detergent water toward inner wall surface 110 of bathtub 100 . More specifically, for example, the control unit 60 controls the ejection control unit 40 to eject the detergent water from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward a part of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, and to rotate the rotation unit. 51 to rotate the nozzle 30 . As a result, the detergent water can be sprayed all over the inner wall surface 112 . For example, the control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 multiple times so that the predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 is sprayed with the detergent water two or more times.

In this cleaning mode, the controller 60 rotates the nozzle 30 clockwise at a speed of 45 seconds to 12 seconds/rotation while ejecting detergent water at an instantaneous ejection flow rate of 400 mL/minute, for example. After the nozzle 30 makes one turn, the control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 counterclockwise to return it to the ejection start position without ejecting detergent water, and waits until a predetermined time elapses. The control unit 60 may rotate the nozzle 30 clockwise to return it to the ejection start position without ejecting the detergent water. After a predetermined time has elapsed, the controller 60 again rotates the nozzle 30 clockwise at the same rotation speed while ejecting the detergent water at the same instantaneous ejection flow rate. For example, by repeating this set of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations three times, the predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 can be sprayed with detergent water three times. Note that the instantaneous ejection flow rate and the rotation speed of the nozzle 30 in this cleaning mode can be adjusted as appropriate. For example, at least one of the instantaneous ejection flow rate and the rotation speed of the nozzle 30 may be changed while the nozzle 30 is rotated once. The number of rotations of the nozzle 30 in the main cleaning mode can be adjusted as appropriate, but is preferably about three in order to efficiently spray a limited amount of detergent water.

In the main cleaning mode, the controller 60 ejects a total of approximately 500 mL of detergent water from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31), for example. Further, as described above, in the main cleaning mode, the control unit 60 may, for example, jet the detergent water in several batches. In other words, in the main cleaning mode, the controller 60 may alternately execute a state in which the detergent water is jetted (jetting state) and a state in which the detergent water is not jetted (standby state), for example.

In this way, in the main washing mode, the nozzle 30 is rotated while the detergent water is jetted from the jet port 31 toward a part of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, so that a limited amount of the detergent water can be efficiently washed away. The entire inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 can be sprayed.

In addition, in this cleaning mode, it is preferable that the movable range in which the nozzle 30 rotates is larger than 360 degrees and 390 degrees or less. More preferably, it is about 375 degrees. By rotating the nozzle 30 at such an angle, it is possible to suppress the occurrence of a portion on the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 that is not exposed to the detergent water.

Next, the control unit 60 executes the rinse mode (step S203). In the rinse mode, controller 60 sprays water toward inner wall surface 110 of bathtub 100 . More specifically, for example, the control unit 60 controls the ejection control unit 40 to eject water from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward a part of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, and the rotation unit 51 to rotate the nozzle 30 . Thereby, water can be sprinkled over the entire inner wall surface 112 . For example, the control unit 60 rotates the nozzle 30 multiple times so that a predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 is sprayed with water two or more times.

In the rinsing mode, the controller 60 rotates the nozzle 30 clockwise at a rotational speed of 30 seconds/lap while ejecting water at an instantaneous ejection flow rate of, for example, 1000 mL/min. When the nozzle 30 rotates once, the controller 60 rotates the nozzle 30 counterclockwise at the same rotational speed while ejecting water at the same instantaneous ejection flow rate. For example, by repeating this set of clockwise and counterclockwise rotations three times, a predetermined range of the inner wall surface 112 can be sprinkled with water six times. After rotating the nozzle 30 once in a state in which water is ejected, the control unit 60 reversely rotates the nozzle 30 in a state in which water is not ejected, returns to the ejection start position, and then ejects water again. , rotating the nozzle 30 may be repeated. Further, the control unit 60 may continuously rotate the nozzle 30 multiple times in the same direction while ejecting water. Note that the instantaneous ejection flow rate, the rotation speed of the nozzle 30, and the number of rotations of the nozzle 30 in the rinse mode can be adjusted as appropriate.

In the rinsing mode, the control unit 60 ejects approximately 3000 mL of water in total from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31), for example. In the rinsing mode, the control unit 60 may, for example, jet water in multiple batches. In other words, in the rinsing mode, the controller 60 may alternately execute a state of jetting water (jetting state) and a state of not jetting water (standby state), for example.

In the pre-cleaning mode and the rinsing mode, the range of motion in which the nozzle 30 rotates is, for example, the same as the range of motion in which the nozzle 30 rotates in the main cleaning mode.

In the above example, in the pre-cleaning mode, the main cleaning mode, and the rinsing mode, the control unit 60 causes the liquid to be ejected from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward a portion of the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100, Although the nozzle 30 is rotated, the control unit 60 may, for example, simultaneously eject the liquid from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward the four inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100 without rotating the nozzle 30. . Further, the control unit 60 may cause the nozzles 30 to simultaneously eject the liquid from the ejection openings 31 of the nozzles 30 toward the four inner wall surfaces 112 of the bathtub 100 and rotate the nozzles 30 .

Also, in the pre-cleaning mode and the main cleaning mode, the detergent water ejected from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31 ) and used for cleaning flows to the drain port 115 . In the pre-cleaning mode and the main cleaning mode, the detergent water flowing to the drain port 115 may be discharged from the drain port 115 as it is, or may be recovered by a recovery mechanism (not shown) without being discharged from the drain port 115 and reused for cleaning. may be used. In other words, the bathtub cleaning device 200 may be of a detergent recovery type or of a detergent non-recovery type.

FIG. 6 is a flow chart showing the operation in the second cleaning mode of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment.
As shown in FIG. 6, the control unit 60 executes the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode, for example. Thus, by executing the rinsing mode in the second washing mode, it is possible to more reliably wash off dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface of the bathtub after execution of the first washing mode.

The rinse mode is a mode in which water is ejected from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31). The rinsing mode of the second cleaning mode can be performed, for example, in the same manner as the rinsing mode of the first cleaning mode.

For example, in the second cleaning mode, the control unit 60 performs the rinsing mode without performing the main cleaning mode. Thus, in the second cleaning mode, by executing the rinsing mode without executing the main washing mode, it is possible to suppress the amount of detergent consumed.

Also, the controller 60 may execute the main cleaning mode in the second cleaning mode. In other words, the controller 60 may execute the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode. This washing mode is a mode in which the detergent water of the first concentration is jetted from the nozzle 30 (jet port 31). This cleaning mode is executed before the rinse mode. In this way, by executing the main washing mode and the rinsing mode in the second washing mode, dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 after execution of the first washing mode can be more reliably removed. can be washed off. The main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode can be performed, for example, in the same manner as the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode.

In addition, for example, in the main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode, the control unit 60 supplies detergent of a second concentration lower than the first concentration (concentration of detergent water in the main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode) from the nozzles 30 . You can also spray water. In other words, in the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode, detergent water having a first concentration with a relatively high concentration of detergent is used, and in the main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode, detergent water with a relatively low concentration of detergent is used. Two concentrations of detergent water may be used. The second concentration is preferably 0% by volume or more and 29% by volume or less in terms of surfactant concentration.

In this manner, by using the detergent water of the first concentration in the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode, dirt such as sebum adhering to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 can be more reliably washed off, and the second By using the detergent water of the second concentration in the main washing mode of the washing mode of (1), while suppressing the consumption of detergent, dirt such as dust adhering to the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 after the execution of the first washing mode can be removed more. You can definitely wash it off.

Also, the control unit 60 may determine whether or not to execute the main cleaning mode in the second cleaning mode, for example, according to the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode. More specifically, for example, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time, the control unit 60 executes the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode. If the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode does not exceed a predetermined time, the rinsing mode may be performed in the second cleaning mode without performing the main cleaning mode. In addition, it is preferable that the predetermined time is about 24 hours.

In this manner, by executing the main washing mode in the second washing mode when the elapsed time from the first washing mode exceeds the predetermined time, the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 is cleaned after the execution of the first washing mode. The main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode can more reliably wash off dirt such as dust that has adhered to the surface and adhered due to a long period of non-cleaning. On the other hand, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode does not exceed the predetermined time, by not executing the main cleaning mode in the second cleaning mode, the amount of detergent consumed can be suppressed.

Further, when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time, the control unit 60 executes a pre-cleaning mode in which water is ejected from the nozzles 30 in the second cleaning mode prior to the main cleaning mode. You may The pre-cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode can be performed, for example, in the same manner as the pre-cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode.

In this way, by executing the pre-cleaning mode in the second cleaning mode when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time, the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 is cleaned after the execution of the first cleaning mode. The pre-cleaning mode lifts the dirt such as dust that has adhered to the surface and adhered due to a long period of non-cleaning, and the main cleaning mode can reliably wash it off.

The bath cleaning flow shown in FIG. 6 will be described below.
When the second cleaning mode is started, the controller 60 determines whether the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time (step S301). If the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time (step S301: Yes), the control unit 60 executes the pre-cleaning mode (step S302). In the pre-washing mode, the controller 60 causes water to be jetted from the jet port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 . A pre-cleaning mode is performed as needed and can be omitted.

Next, the controller 60 executes the main cleaning mode (step S303). In the main cleaning mode, the control unit 60 ejects detergent water from the ejection port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 .

Next, the controller 60 executes the rinse mode (step S304). In the rinsing mode, the controller 60 jets water from the jet port 31 of the nozzle 30 toward the inner wall surface 112 of the bathtub 100 .

If the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode has not exceeded the predetermined time (step S301: No), the control unit 60 does not execute the pre-cleaning mode (step S302) and the main cleaning mode (step S303). The rinse mode (step S304) is executed.

In the embodiment, hot water is preferably used as the water. More specifically, for example, hot water is preferably used in the rinsing mode of the first cleaning mode and the rinsing mode of the second cleaning mode. Further, for example, hot water is preferably used in the pre-cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode and the pre-cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode. Further, for example, the detergent water used in the main washing mode of the first washing mode and the main washing mode of the second washing mode is preferably a mixture of detergent and hot water. Further, for example, when detergent water is used in the pre-washing mode of the first washing mode, the detergent water used in the pre-washing mode of the first washing mode is preferably a mixture of detergent and hot water. The temperature of hot water is, for example, 30 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less.

Thus, in each washing mode, by using hot water, the washing power can be enhanced compared to the case of using cold water. Thereby, for example, the consumption of detergent can be suppressed.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the invention is not limited to these descriptions. Appropriate design changes made by those skilled in the art with respect to the above embodiments are also included in the scope of the present invention as long as they have the features of the present invention. For example, the shape, size, material, arrangement, and the like of each element included in the bathtub cleaning device are not limited to those illustrated and can be changed as appropriate.
Moreover, each element provided in each of the above-described embodiments can be combined as long as it is technically possible, and a combination of these is also included in the scope of the present invention as long as it includes the features of the present invention.

10 tank 11 water level detector 15 detergent channel 16 open/close valve 17 flow rate adjuster 18 pump 20 detergent mixing section 21 water level detector 25 water supply channel 26 open/close valve 27 flow rate adjuster 30 Nozzle 31 Ejection port 35 Cleaning channel 36 Backflow prevention part 40 Ejection control part 50 Driving part 51 Rotating part 60 Control part 100 Bathtub 110 Inner wall surface 111 Inner bottom surface 112 Inner wall surface 112a- 112d 1st to 4th inner wall surface 115 drain port 130 top surface 135 detergent inlet 140 step 141 step top surface 142 step side surface 200 bathtub cleaning device 500 bathtub system D1 first direction WS water supply source

Claims (6)

a tank for storing detergent;
a detergent mixing unit that mixes the detergent supplied from the tank and the water supplied from the water supply source to generate detergent water;
a nozzle for ejecting the detergent water or the water toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub ;
a control unit for controlling ejection of the detergent water or the water from the nozzle;
with
The control unit
a first washing mode for washing the inner wall surface of the bathtub using the nozzle after the water is drained in conjunction with the drainage of water in the bathtub;
a second washing mode for washing the inner wall surface of the bathtub using the nozzle before the hot water filling in conjunction with the hot water filling into the bathtub;
and
In the first cleaning mode and the second cleaning mode, a main cleaning mode in which the detergent water is jetted from the nozzles and a rinsing mode in which the water is jetted from the nozzles are executed,
in the main cleaning mode of the first cleaning mode, ejecting the detergent water having a first concentration from the nozzle;
The bathtub cleaning device , wherein in the main cleaning mode of the second cleaning mode, the detergent water having a second concentration lower than the first concentration is ejected from the nozzle . The control unit
When the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time, the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode are executed in the second cleaning mode,
3. The rinsing mode is executed in the second washing mode without executing the main washing mode if the elapsed time from the first washing mode does not exceed the predetermined time. 1. The bathtub cleaning device according to 1. a tank for storing detergent;
a detergent mixing unit that mixes the detergent supplied from the tank and the water supplied from the water supply source to generate detergent water;
a nozzle for ejecting the detergent water or the water toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub ;
a control unit for controlling ejection of the detergent water or the water from the nozzle;
with
The control unit
a first washing mode for washing the inner wall surface of the bathtub using the nozzle after the water is drained in conjunction with the drainage of water in the bathtub;
a second washing mode for washing the inner wall surface of the bathtub using the nozzle before the hot water filling in conjunction with the hot water filling into the bathtub;
and
In the first cleaning mode, executing a main cleaning mode in which the detergent water is jetted from the nozzles and a rinse mode in which the water is jetted from the nozzles,
executing the rinsing mode or the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode in the second cleaning mode;
When the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds a predetermined time, the main cleaning mode and the rinsing mode are executed in the second cleaning mode,
The bathtub cleaning method is characterized in that when the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode does not exceed the predetermined time, the rinsing mode is performed in the second cleaning mode without performing the main cleaning mode. Device. When the elapsed time from the first cleaning mode exceeds the predetermined time, the control unit performs pre-cleaning by jetting the water from the nozzles in the second cleaning mode before the main cleaning mode. 4. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2 or 3, wherein a mode is executed. The water supply source has a water heater,
The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the water is hot water. The bathtub cleaning apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the control unit starts the second cleaning mode in response to the input of the hot water filling signal.

Images