JP7344442B2 - Bathtub cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device, and particularly to a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub with detergent.

2. Description of the Related Art Bathtub cleaning devices that automatically clean bathtubs by spraying detergent water from nozzles have been known. For example, in the bathtub cleaning device described in Patent Document 1, a plurality of nozzles are provided on the bottom of the bathtub, and during cleaning, these nozzles protrude from the bottom and rotate while spraying detergent water from the nozzles toward the inner wall of the bathtub. It is designed to erupt. Furthermore, the nozzle can be stored in the main body of the device when the bathtub is not being cleaned, such as when taking a bath.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 5-49589

However, in the bathtub cleaning device of Patent Document 1 mentioned above, in order to apply detergent water to the inner wall surface of the bathtub, the nozzle is configured not only to rotate but also to move in the vertical direction. There is a problem that the structure of the device tends to become complicated. On the other hand, if the nozzle does not move in the vertical direction, detergent water sprayed from the nozzle interferes with the casing, etc., and this needs to be solved.

Therefore, the present invention has been made to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and is a bathtub cleaning device that can apply detergent water to the inner wall surface of the bathtub without vertically moving the nozzle body. The purpose is to provide

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub with a detergent, which comprises: a casing provided on the bottom of the bathtub; The nozzle body has a nozzle body equipped with a nozzle that injects water toward the inner wall surface of the nozzle, and a rotation drive unit that rotates the nozzle body. The nozzle is formed at the same position as the top surface of the casing or at a position lower than the top surface of the casing when the detergent water is sprayed, and the casing and the nozzle body are arranged so as not to interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the spray port. It is characterized by the fact that it is formed.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the casing and the nozzle body are formed so as not to interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the nozzle, so the nozzle body nozzle has nozzle at the same position as the top surface of the casing or at the same position as the top surface of the casing. Even if it is provided at a position lower than the top surface, it is possible to prevent the detergent water sprayed from the spray port of the nozzle body from hitting the casing or the nozzle. Therefore, according to the present invention, even if the nozzle body is not vertically movable and the injection port is provided at the same position as the top surface of the casing or at a position lower than the top surface of the casing, Detergent water can be attached to the inner wall surface.

The present invention also provides a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub with detergent water, which includes a casing provided on the bottom of the bathtub, and a device provided inside the casing that directs the detergent water toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub. The nozzle body includes a nozzle body having a nozzle for spraying the water, and a rotation drive unit that rotates the nozzle body. The casing and the nozzle body are provided at the same position as the top surface of the nozzle body extending flush with the top surface of the casing or at a position lower than the top surface of the nozzle body when the casing and the nozzle body are injected from the injection port. It is characterized by being formed so that it does not interfere with the detergent water used.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the casing and the nozzle body are formed so as not to interfere with the detergent water jetted from the jetting port, so that the detergent water jetted from the jetting port of the nozzle main body does not reach the casing or the nozzle. This can prevent it from hitting the main body. Therefore, according to the present invention, detergent water can be applied to the inner wall surface of the bathtub without making the nozzle body vertically movable.

In the present invention, preferably, at least one of the nozzle body and the casing is formed such that at least a part of the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is located at a lower position than the injection port.
In the present invention configured in this manner, at least one of the nozzle body and the casing is formed such that at least a part of the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is at a position lower than the injection port. This prevents detergent water sprayed from the nozzle body's nozzle from hitting the casing or the nozzle body, even if the nozzle's nozzle is located at a lower position than the top of the casing. .

In the present invention, preferably, at least one of the nozzle body and the casing has a part of its upper surface recessed downward such that the upper surface of the part located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is at a lower position than the injection port. It has a recessed part.
In the present invention configured in this way, at least one of the nozzle body and the casing has a part of its upper surface such that the upper surface of the part located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is at a lower position than the injection port. Since the recessed portion is provided downward, the recessed portion can be made smaller compared to the case where the entire upper surface of at least one of the nozzle body and the casing is recessed downward. Therefore, according to the present invention, staining of the recessed portions can be suppressed.

In the present invention, the casing preferably includes a groove connecting the top surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port or the top surface of the casing at a position lower than the injection port and the bottom surface of the bathtub.
In the present invention configured in this manner, even if detergent water enters the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port or the upper surface of the casing at a position lower than the injection port, the detergent water is removed from the bathtub by the groove of the casing. can be guided to the bottom of the Therefore, according to the present invention, detergent water can be prevented from accumulating on the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port or on the upper surface of the casing at a position lower than the injection port.

In the present invention, preferably, at least a portion of the bottom surface of the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port is inclined downward toward the groove and the bottom surface of the bathtub when the nozzle body rotates and communicates with the groove. It is formed like this.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the detergent water that has entered the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port is removed from the groove when at least a portion of the bottom surface of the upper surface rotates and communicates with the groove. And since it is formed so as to be inclined downward toward the bottom surface of the bathtub, it is easily guided to the bottom surface of the bathtub. Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to further suppress detergent water from accumulating on the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port.

In the present invention, preferably, at least a portion of the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port is inclined downward toward the groove and the bottom surface of the bathtub when the nozzle body rotates and communicates with the groove. It is formed like this.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the detergent water that has entered the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the jet opening is removed by the rotation of the nozzle body and the detergent water that has entered the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the jet opening. Since it is formed to be inclined downward toward the groove and the bottom of the bathtub when communicating with the groove, it is easily guided from the groove to the bottom of the bathtub. Therefore, detergent water can be prevented from staying on the upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port.

In the present invention, preferably, the injection port of the nozzle body is provided at a position offset from the center of rotation of the nozzle body.
In the present invention configured in this way, since the injection port of the nozzle body is provided at a position shifted from the rotation center of the nozzle body, the size of the nozzle body can be made compact.

In the present invention, preferably, the top surface of the nozzle body is provided at the same position as the top surface of the casing or at a position lower than the top surface of the casing.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the upper surface of the nozzle body is provided at the same position as the upper surface of the casing or at a lower position than the upper surface of the casing, so that the nozzle body does not interfere with the user during bathing.

In the present invention, preferably, the injection port of the nozzle body is formed so that the detergent water sprayed from the injection port spreads in the vertical direction rather than in the horizontal direction.
In the present invention configured in this way, the nozzle body sprays the detergent water from the injection port so that it spreads vertically rather than horizontally, so the detergent water can be sprayed over a wide range of the inner wall surface of the bathtub. , detergent water can be reliably attached to a wide range of the inner wall surface.

Preferably, the present invention further preferably injects liquid (detergent water, hot water, water) from the injection port of the nozzle body, and positions the injection port in front of the injection port formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing. It has a control unit that executes a first cleaning mode for cleaning the upper surface of the part.
In the present invention configured in this manner, the first cleaning mode executed by the control unit suppresses dirt on the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing in the injection direction. can do.

Preferably, the present invention further executes a first cleaning mode in which liquid (detergent water, hot water, water) is jetted from the jetting port of the nozzle body to clean the recess formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing. It has a control section to
In the present invention configured in this manner, the first cleaning mode executed by the control unit can suppress dirt in the recess formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit executes the first cleaning mode after draining the water in the bathtub and before water is stored in the upper bathtub.
In the present invention configured in this manner, after draining the bathtub water that is most likely to stain the top surface or the recess formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing, the control section performs cleaning of the top surface or the recess. Since one cleaning mode is executed, it is possible to further suppress dirt on the upper surface or the recessed portion.

In the present invention, preferably, the control unit executes the second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and executes the first cleaning mode before executing the second cleaning mode.
In the present invention configured in this way, the control unit executes the first cleaning mode for cleaning the top surface or the recess before executing the second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub, so that the first cleaning mode The dirt removed in the second washing mode can be washed away. Therefore, according to the present invention, the cleaning performance of the entire bathtub can be improved compared to the case where the first cleaning mode is performed after the second cleaning mode.

According to the bathtub cleaning device of the present invention, detergent water can be applied to the inner wall surface of the bathtub without moving the nozzle body in the vertical direction.

1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a bathtub to which this bathtub cleaning device is applied. FIG. 2 is a plan view from above showing a state in which the nozzle unit of the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment is attached to the bottom surface of the bathtub. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit of the bathtub cleaning device taken along line III-III in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3; It is a perspective view which shows the cover of the nozzle unit of the bathtub cleaning device of this embodiment as transparent. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing how detergent water is sprayed from the spray port of the nozzle body. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5. FIG. FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the structure of the nozzle body near the injection port according to a modified example of the present embodiment. FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure near the top surface of the nozzle body according to the modification shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the upper part of the nozzle body of the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a nozzle unit according to another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 11; FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view of a nozzle unit according to a modified example of another embodiment of the present invention, viewed from above. FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 13; 3 is a flowchart showing cleaning modes 1 and 2 executed by the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the upper part of the nozzle body in which cleaning mode 1 shown in FIG. 15 is executed. FIG. 7 is a sectional view showing the upper part of the nozzle body of the bathtub cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

A bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. First, referring to FIG. 1, a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a bathtub to which this bathtub cleaning device is applied will be described. FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment of the present invention and a bathtub to which this bathtub cleaning device is applied.

As shown in FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 designates a bathtub, and this bathtub 1 has a bottom surface 2 and an inner wall surface 4, and the bottom surface 2 and inner wall surface 4 are cleaned with detergent water as described later. , rinsing is performed with water. Further, a water supply port 6 is provided on the inner wall surface 4 of the bathtub 1, so that hot water is supplied into the bathtub 1. A drain port 8 is provided on the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1 so that hot water can be drained to the outside.

Next, a bathtub cleaning device 10 that automatically cleans the bathtub 1 by supplying detergent water, which will be described later, to the bathtub 1 will be described. The bathtub cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle unit 12 for spraying detergent water, and this nozzle unit 12 is attached to the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. The nozzle unit 12 includes a nozzle body 14, a casing 16 for supporting the nozzle body 14, and an electric motor (such as a stepping motor) 18 for rotating the nozzle body 14, although the details will be described later. . Note that the nozzle body 14 may be rotated by hydraulic power. Here, the nozzle body 14 is configured to rotate around a rotation axis extending perpendicularly to the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. Further, as shown in FIG. 1, the rotation direction of the nozzle body 14 is clockwise.

The bathtub cleaning device 10 includes a nozzle unit 12 with three channels for supplying detergent water. First, the first flow path 20 is a flow path for supplying hot water from a water heater (not shown). A flow rate valve 24, a water supply electromagnetic valve 26 that controls the water supply amount by opening and closing operations, a temperature sensor 28, and a cistern 30 that is a border tank and that mixes detergent and hot water to generate and store detergent water are provided. There is. A float switch 31 is provided in this cistern 30, and the water level of the detergent water can be measured by this float switch 31.

The second flow path 32 is a flow path for supplying liquid detergent, and this second flow path 32 includes, from upstream, a detergent tank 34, a detergent solenoid valve 36 for controlling the supply of detergent, and an orifice 38. , and a detergent pump 40 for controlling the amount of detergent supplied, so that the detergent is supplied to the cistern 30 described above.

Here, the cistern 30 is provided with the float switch 31 as described above, and a signal from the float switch 31 controls the water supply solenoid valve 26, the detergent solenoid valve 36, the detergent pump 40, etc. to supply the desired amount. amount of detergent water is generated. Furthermore, by controlling the rotational speed and driving time of the cleaning pump 40, the opening time of the water supply solenoid valve 26, etc., the concentration of detergent water can be changed and detergent water with a desired concentration can be obtained. It has become.

The third flow path 42 is a flow path for supplying (water supply) the detergent water stored in the cistern 30 to the nozzle unit 12 described above. This third flow path 42 is provided with a cleaning pump 44 and a check valve 46 from upstream. This cleaning pump 44 allows control (adjustment) of the flow rate of detergent water supplied to the nozzle unit 12, that is, the flow rate of detergent water injected from the nozzle body 14, which will be described later.

The bathtub cleaning device 10 also includes a control unit 48, which controls the electric motor 18, detergent pump 40, cleaning pump 44, etc. described above.
In the above example, hot water is supplied to the first flow path 20 from the water heater, but water (cold water) may be supplied without using the water heater.
Furthermore, instead of using the cistern 30, a Venturi tube may be used. When using a Venturi tube, detergent water is produced but not stored.
Note that when the cistern 30 is not used, the flow rate of the detergent water may be controlled by a solenoid valve or a "combination of a pump and a solenoid valve" instead of the cleaning pump 44.

Next, the structure of the nozzle unit 12 of the bathtub cleaning device 10 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. FIG. 2 is a top plan view showing the nozzle unit of the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment attached to the bottom of the bathtub, and FIG. 3 is a bathtub cleaning device seen along line III-III in FIG. 2. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the nozzle unit of the device, and FIG. 4 is a perspective view of FIG. 3.

As shown in FIGS. 2 to 4, the nozzle unit 12 includes a nozzle body 14, a casing 16 that rotatably houses the nozzle body 14, and an electric motor 18 for rotating the nozzle body 14. The casing 16 includes an outer cylinder 50, an intermediate cylinder 52 attached to the inside of the outer cylinder 50, and an inner cylinder 54 attached to the inside of the intermediate cylinder 52. Furthermore, a flange 50a is provided at the top of this outer cylinder 50. This outer cylinder 50 is attached to the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1 via a packing 56 and fixed to the bottom surface 2 with a fixing nut 58.

The electric motor 18 is attached to the lower portion of the intermediate cylinder 52. An output shaft 18a is attached to this electric motor 18, and a nozzle body 14 is attached to the tip (upper end) of this output shaft 18a. Further, a cylindrical support member 60 for supporting the nozzle body 14 is attached to the lower part of the inner cylinder 54.

Further, a flow path member 61 having an L-shaped cross section is attached to the lower part of the intermediate cylinder 52 along the lower side and the side of the electric motor 18, through which liquid (detergent water, hot water, water) flows. A flow path 61a is formed. Further, a flow path 60a is formed between the support member 60 and the intermediate cylinder 52, and a flow path 15 is also formed inside the nozzle body 14. The liquid (detergent water, hot water, water) supplied to the nozzle unit 12 from the third flow path 42 described above flows through the flow path 61a of the flow path member 61 and the flow path 60a between the support member 60 and the intermediate cylinder 52. , and reaches the injection port 62 formed at the upper part of the nozzle body 14 through a flow path 15 inside the nozzle body 14 .

The casing 16 further includes a cover 64 that covers the upper surface of the flange 50a of the outer cylinder 50, the upper surface of the flange 50a of the outer cylinder 50, the upper surface of the intermediate cylinder 52, and the upper surface of the inner cylinder 54. In this way, the casing 16 includes the outer cylinder 50, the intermediate cylinder 52, the inner cylinder 54, and the cover 64. Note that, although the casing 16 preferably includes a cover 64, it may not include a cover.

Next, a method for attaching this nozzle unit 12 to the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1 will be explained. First, the outer cylinder 50 is inserted into the mounting opening 68 formed in the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1 from above the bathtub 1, and then fixed to the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1 from below with the fixing nut 58. do. Next, outside the bathtub 1, the output shaft 18a is inserted into the intermediate cylinder 52 from above, the electric motor 18 and the flow path member 61 are inserted from below, and the intermediate cylinder 52, output shaft 81a, electric motor 18, The flow path member 61 is assembled so as to be integrated. Next, the inner cylinder 54, the nozzle body 14, and the support member 60 are assembled outside the bathtub 1, and the inner cylinder 54, the nozzle body 14, and the support member 60, which are assembled into one body, are inserted into the intermediate cylinder described above from above. 52. Next, these integrated intermediate cylinder 52, output shaft 81a, electric motor 18, flow path member 61, inner cylinder 54, nozzle body 14, and support member 60 are inserted into the outer cylinder 50 from above on the bottom surface 2. Insert from above. After this, the cover 64 is attached to the upper surface of each of the outer cylinder 50, the intermediate cylinder 52, and the inner cylinder 54 so as to cover them from above.

Here, for maintenance etc., each member (intermediate cylinder 52, output shaft 18a, electric motor 18, flow path member 61, inner cylinder 54, nozzle body 14, support The member 60) is removable.

Here, as shown in FIG. 3, a gap (sliding space) G is formed between the nozzle body 14 and the inner cylinder 54 so that the nozzle body 14 can rotate. As a dust intrusion prevention member for preventing dust from entering through this gap G, an annular packing 78 that covers this gap G is attached to the outer periphery of the nozzle body 14. One end of the annular packing 78 is held by the nozzle body 14 as a holding end, and the other end is in contact with the upper surface of the inner cylinder 54 as a free end.

Next, the structure around the injection port of the nozzle body will be described with reference to FIGS. 5 to 7. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a transparent cover of the nozzle unit of the bathtub cleaning device of this embodiment, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing how detergent water is sprayed from the injection port of the nozzle body, and FIG. is a sectional view taken along line VII-VII in FIG. 5.

As shown in FIG. 5, a recess 70 is formed on the upper surface of the nozzle body 14 and extends in the longitudinal direction from a position offset from the rotation center of the injection port 62 through the center to the outer peripheral edge. A spray port 62 for spraying detergent water or water is formed at a position offset from the center of rotation of the recess 70.

Further, a donut-shaped notch space 74 is formed at the upper inner peripheral edge of the inner cylinder 54, so that a space exists between the inner cylinder 54 and the outer peripheral side of the nozzle body 14. Further, four grooves 76 extending in the radial direction are formed on the upper surfaces of the inner cylinder 54, the intermediate cylinder 52, and the flange 50a of the outer cylinder, and these grooves 76 communicate with the above-mentioned notch space 74. There is. Further, the recess 70 of the nozzle body 14 also communicates with the four grooves 76 via the notch space 74.

As shown in FIG. 6, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 has an elongated arc shape and is formed to extend vertically from the lower side to the upper side. The detergent water injected from the injection port 62 spreads in the vertical direction rather than the horizontal direction, and has a substantially fan-shaped shape. Further, the above-mentioned recess 70 extending in the longitudinal direction is formed in the upper surface 17 of the portion of the nozzle body 14 located in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction so as to be below the position of the injection port 62.

As shown in FIG. 7, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is located below the cover 64 of the casing 16. Furthermore, the above-mentioned recess 70 is formed in front of the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 in the injection direction, and the bottom surface 70a of this recess 70 is inclined downward toward the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. Similarly, the bottom surfaces 76a of the four radially extending grooves 76 formed on the upper surfaces of the flanges 50a of the inner tube 54, intermediate tube 52, and outer tube 50 are also directed toward the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. slanted downward.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 7, in the bathtub cleaning device 10 according to the present embodiment, detergent water is sprayed obliquely upward from the spray port 62, and the spray port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is injected into the casing 16. Since a recess 70 is formed in a portion located below the cover 64 and further in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction, the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16 can absorb the detergent sprayed from the injection port 62. It is designed not to interfere with water. Accordingly, in this embodiment, since the recess 70 is formed in the portion located in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction, the recess is smaller than when the entire upper surface of the nozzle body 14 is recessed downward. Portions can be made smaller.

Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 7, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is provided at a position offset from the rotation center, which is the position of the rotation axis X of the nozzle body 14. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the size of the nozzle body 14 in plan view can be made compact.

Next, a modification of the upper surface shape of the nozzle body 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the structure near the injection port of the nozzle main body according to a modification of the present embodiment, and FIG. 9 is a sectional view showing the structure near the top surface of the nozzle main body according to the modification shown in FIG. 8. .

As shown in FIG. 8, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is the same as the injection port 62 shown in FIG. 6 described above. A recess 80 is formed in the upper surface of the portion of the nozzle body 14 located in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction, and a portion of the upper surface is recessed into a bowl shape so as to be below the position of the injection port 62. .

As shown in FIG. 9, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is located below the cover 64 of the casing 16. Further, the above-mentioned recess 80 is formed in front of the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 in the injection direction, and the bottom surface 80a of this recess 80 is inclined downward toward the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. Similarly, the bottom surfaces 76a of the four radially extending grooves 76 formed on the upper surfaces of the flanges 50a of the inner tube 54, intermediate tube 52, and outer tube 50 are also directed toward the bottom surface 2 of the bathtub 1. slanted downward.

As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, in the bathtub cleaning device 10 according to the modified example of the present embodiment, the detergent water is similarly jetted diagonally upward from the jetting port 62, and the nozzle body 14 is sprayed with detergent water. The mouth 62 is located below the cover 64 of the casing 16, and furthermore, a recess 80 with a bowl-shaped upper surface is formed in a portion located forward of the injection port 62 in the injection direction. The nozzle body 14 and the casing 16 are designed not to interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the spray port 62. Similarly, in this modification, since a recess 80 is formed in a part of the front part of the injection port 62 in the injection direction, compared to the case where the entire upper surface of the nozzle body 14 is recessed downward. This allows the recessed portion to be made smaller.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged sectional view showing a part of the upper part of the nozzle body of the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 10, the upper surface 14a of the nozzle body 14 is provided at a position lower than the upper surface 64a of the cover 64 of the casing 16 by a height H. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, the upper surface 14a of the nozzle body 14 is provided at a position lower than the upper surface 64a of the cover 64 of the casing 16 by the height H, so that the nozzle body 14 does not interfere with the user during bathing. do not become. Note that the upper surface 14a of the nozzle body 14 may be at the same height as the upper surface 64a of the cover 64 of the casing 16.

Next, the upper surface shapes of a nozzle body and a casing of a nozzle unit of a bathtub cleaning device according to another embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 11 to 14. FIG. 11 is a schematic plan view of a nozzle unit according to another embodiment seen from above, and FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 11.

As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, the jet nozzle 84 of the nozzle body 82 is provided in the end region of the nozzle body 82, and the detergent water is jetted outward and upward from the jet nozzle 84. . Here, the upper surface 82a of the nozzle body 82 is provided at a lower position than the upper surface 86a of the casing 86 (inner cylinder, intermediate cylinder, and inner cylinder are shown integrated). Note that the upper surface 82a of the nozzle body 82 may be at the same height as the upper surface 86a of the casing 86. Further, the nozzle body 82 is not provided with the recesses 70 and 80 shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 described above, but has an annular recess 88 formed on the upper surface of the inner peripheral side of the casing 86. As a result, the recess 88 formed on the upper surface of the portion of the casing 86 located in front of the injection port 84 in the injection direction is positioned below the injection port 84 . Furthermore, a groove 90 extending in the radial direction and communicating with the recess 88 is formed in the casing 86 . As a result, according to this other embodiment, even if detergent water enters the recess 88 , the groove 90 can guide the detergent water to the bottom surface 4 of the bathtub 1 .

In this other embodiment, the recess 88 is formed on the inner circumferential side of the casing 86 at a position lower than the injection port 84, so that the recess is smaller than the case where the entire upper surface of the casing is recessed downward. Can be made smaller.

Next, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14, in a modification of the other embodiment, the jet nozzle 94 of the nozzle main body 92 is provided in a region closer to the end than the center of the nozzle main body 92. Detergent water is sprayed outward and upward from the inside. Here, the upper surface 92a of the nozzle body 92 is provided at a lower position than the upper surface 96a of the casing 96 (inner cylinder, intermediate cylinder, and inner cylinder are shown integrated). Note that the upper surface 92a of the nozzle body 92 may be at the same height as the upper surface 96a of the casing 96. Further, a recess 98 extending in the longitudinal direction is provided at the front of the nozzle body 92 in the injection direction, and an annular recess 100 is further formed on the upper surface of the inner peripheral side of the casing 96 . As a result, the recesses 98 and 100 formed on the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port 94 in the injection direction are positioned below the injection port 94. Furthermore, a groove 102 extending in the radial direction is formed in the casing 96 and communicates with the recesses 98 and 100. As a result, according to this other embodiment, even if detergent water enters the recesses 98 and 100, the groove 102 can guide the detergent water to the bottom surface 4 of the bathtub 1.

In a modification of this other embodiment, the recesses 98 and 100 are formed in both the nozzle body 92 and the casing 96 at positions lower than the injection port 94, so that it is possible to recess the entire upper surface of the casing downward. In comparison, the recessed portion can be made smaller.

Next, cleaning mode 1 and cleaning mode 2 executed by the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention will be explained with reference to FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing cleaning modes 1 and 2 executed by the bathtub cleaning apparatus according to the embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing the upper part of the nozzle body in which cleaning mode 1 is executed. Here, S shown in FIG. 15 indicates each step.

As shown in FIG. 15, first, in S1, hot water is supplied to the hot water tank (filling with hot water). Next, in S2, the person takes a bath, and then, in S3, the hot water is discharged from the bathtub (drainage). Next, proceed to S4, and execute a first cleaning mode in which detergent water is injected from the injection port of the nozzle body into the recess formed on the upper surface of the nozzle body or at least one of the nozzle body or the casing to clean the recess. . Next, the process proceeds to S5, where the second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub described above is executed. Here, in the first cleaning mode for cleaning the concave portion, hot water or water may be sprayed instead of detergent water.

As shown in FIG. 16, in the first cleaning mode, when the flow rate of the detergent water sprayed from the spray nozzle 62 is extremely reduced, the detergent water falls diagonally from above to below. The recess 70 and the recess provided in the casing can be cleaned. By executing this first cleaning mode, it is possible to suppress stains on the top surface and the recessed portions.

The first cleaning mode is executed after draining water from the bathtub, where the top surface and the recesses are most likely to be soiled, so that staining of the top surface and the recesses can be further suppressed.
In addition, since the first cleaning mode that cleans the top surface or the recess is executed before executing the second cleaning mode that cleans the inner wall surface of the bathtub, the dirt removed in the first cleaning mode can be washed away in the second cleaning mode. can. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cleaning performance of the entire bathtub can be improved compared to the case where the first cleaning mode is performed after the second cleaning mode.

Next, the effects of the bathtub cleaning device according to the embodiment of the present invention described above will be explained.
First, in the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment, the casing 16 and the nozzle body 14 are formed so as not to interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the spray port 62 (see FIGS. 5 to 7, etc.). Even if the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is provided at the same position as the upper surface of the casing 16 (the upper surface 64a of the cover 64) or at a position lower than the upper surface 64a of the casing 16, the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 will not The detergent water can be prevented from hitting the casing 16 and the nozzle body 14. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, even if the nozzle body 14 is not movable in the vertical direction and the injection port 62 is provided at a position lower than the upper surface of the casing 16, the inner wall surface of the bathtub 1 4 can be attached with detergent water.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, at least one of the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16 is formed such that at least a portion of the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction is at a position lower than the injection port. (see FIGS. 5 to 7, 11 to 14, etc.), so even if the injection port 62 of the nozzle body 14 is provided at a position lower than the upper surface of the casing 16, the nozzle body 14 The detergent water sprayed from the spray port 62 can be prevented from hitting the casing 16 or the nozzle body 14.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, at least one of the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16 has a portion of its upper surface such that the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port 62 in the injection direction is at a lower position than the injection port. Since the part is provided with a concave portion that is concave downward (see FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 11 to 14, etc.), it is compared with a case where the entire upper surface of at least one of the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16 is concave downward. By doing so, the recessed portion can be made smaller. Therefore, according to this embodiment, staining of the recessed portions can be suppressed.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, even if detergent water enters the upper surface of the nozzle body 14 at a position lower than the injection port 62 or the upper surface of the casing 16 at a position lower than the injection port 62, the groove 76 of the casing 16 prevents detergent water from entering. The detergent water can be guided to the bottom of the bathtub. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, detergent water can be prevented from accumulating on the upper surface of the nozzle body 14 at a position lower than the injection port 62 or on the upper surface of the casing 16 at a position lower than the injection port 62.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, the detergent water that has entered the upper surface 17 of the nozzle body 14 at a position lower than the jet nozzle 62 is removed by at least a portion of the upper surface 17 at a position lower than the jet nozzle 62 of the nozzle body 14. When the main body 14 rotates and communicates with the groove 76, since it is formed to be inclined downward toward the groove and the bottom of the bathtub, it is easily guided from the groove to the bottom of the bathtub. Therefore, detergent water can be prevented from staying on the upper surface 17 of the nozzle body 14 at a position lower than the injection port 62.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment, since the nozzle body 14 is provided at a position shifted from the rotation center (see FIG. 7), the size of the nozzle body 14 can be made compact.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment, the upper surface 14a of the nozzle body 14 is provided at the same position as the upper surface 64a of the cover 64 of the casing 16 or at a lower position than the upper surface 64a of the cover 64 of the casing 16 (see FIG. 10, etc.) ), the nozzle body 14 does not get in the way of the user during bathing.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment, the nozzle body 14 sprays the detergent water from the injection port 62 so as to spread it in the vertical direction rather than in the horizontal direction (see FIG. 6), so the detergent water is sprayed over a wide range of the inner wall surface of the bathtub. The detergent water can be reliably applied to a wide range of the inner wall surface.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to this embodiment, the first cleaning mode executed by the control unit 48 can suppress dirt in the recess formed in at least one of the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, after draining the bathtub water that is most likely to stain the top surface or the recess formed in at least one of the nozzle body 14 and the casing 16, the control unit 48 controls the cleaning of the top surface or the recess. Since the first cleaning mode is executed, dirt on the upper surface or the recessed portion can be further suppressed.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the present embodiment, the control unit 48 executes the first cleaning mode for cleaning the top surface or the recess before executing the second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub. The dirt removed in the second washing mode can be washed away. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the cleaning performance of the entire bathtub can be improved compared to the case where the first cleaning mode is performed after the second cleaning mode.

Next, a bathtub cleaning device according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing the upper part of the nozzle body of the bathtub cleaning device according to the second embodiment of the present invention. Since the bathtub cleaning device according to the second embodiment has the same basic structure as the bathtub cleaning device according to the above-described embodiment, only the different parts will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 17, the cover 112 of the casing 110 extends upward in a substantially straight line from the outer peripheral end to the inner peripheral end. The upper surface 114a of the nozzle body 114 has an upwardly convex arc shape, and is continuous with the cover 112 of the casing 110 so as to be flush with the same.

Further, the nozzle body 114 has an injection port 116 that injects detergent water diagonally upward, and the injection port 116 is positioned at the same height as the top surface 114a of the nozzle main body 114 or at a position lower than the top surface 114a. It is set in. Therefore, the injection port 116 of the nozzle body 114 is provided at a position lower than the imaginary line V extending inside the cover 112 of the casing 110. Also in this embodiment, at least one of the nozzle body 114 and the casing 110 is formed such that at least a portion of the upper surface 114a of the portion located in front of the injection port 116 is located at a position lower than the injection port. Therefore, the casing 110 and the nozzle body 114 do not interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the spray port 116.

In the bathtub cleaning device according to the second embodiment, since the casing 110 and the nozzle body 114 are formed so as not to interfere with the detergent water sprayed from the spray port 116, the detergent water sprayed from the spray port 116 of the nozzle body 114 is It is possible to prevent detergent water from hitting the casing 110 or the nozzle body 114. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, detergent water can be applied to the inner wall surface 4 of the bathtub 1 without making the nozzle main body 114 movable in the vertical direction.

1 Bathtub 2 Bottom surface 4 Inner wall surface 10 Bathtub cleaning device 12 Nozzle unit 14, 82, 92, 114 Nozzle body 16, 110 Casing 18 Electric motor 20 First channel 32 Second channel 34 Detergent tank 40 Detergent pump 42 3 flow path 44 cleaning pump 48 control unit 50 outer cylinder 52 intermediate cylinder 54 inner cylinder 62, 84, 94, 116 injection port 64, 112 cover 70, 80, 88, 98, 100 recess 76, 90, 102 groove

Claims (11)

A bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub with detergent water,
A casing provided on the bottom of the bathtub,
a nozzle body provided inside the casing and equipped with an injection port that injects detergent water toward the inner wall surface of the bathtub;
A rotation drive unit that rotates the nozzle body,
The injection port of the nozzle body is formed to spray detergent water obliquely upward, and extends so as to be flush with the top surface of the casing when the detergent water is sprayed. provided at a position lower than the top surface of the nozzle body,
The bathtub cleaning device, wherein the casing and the nozzle body are formed so as not to interfere with detergent water sprayed from the spray port. 2. At least one of the nozzle body and the casing is formed such that at least a part of the upper surface of a portion located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is located at a lower position than the injection port . bathtub cleaning equipment. At least one of the nozzle body and the casing has a concave portion formed by recessing a portion of the upper surface thereof downward so that the upper surface of the portion located in front of the injection port in the injection direction is at a lower position than the injection port. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2 , comprising: a bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2; The bathtub according to claim 3 , wherein the casing includes a groove connecting the top surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port or the top surface of the casing at a position lower than the injection port and the bottom surface of the bathtub. cleaning equipment. The upper surface of the nozzle body at a position lower than the injection port is configured such that at least a portion of the upper surface is inclined downward toward the groove and the bottom surface of the bathtub when the nozzle body rotates and communicates with the groove. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 4 , wherein the bathtub cleaning device is formed. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the injection port of the nozzle body is provided at a position offset from the rotation center of the nozzle body. The bathtub cleaning device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , wherein the injection port of the nozzle body is formed so that the detergent water sprayed from the injection port spreads in the vertical direction rather than in the horizontal direction. Furthermore, a first cleaning mode is executed in which a liquid is jetted from the jetting port of the nozzle body to clean the upper surface of a portion located in front of the jetting port formed in at least one of the nozzle main body and the casing in the jetting direction. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 2 , further comprising a control section for controlling the bathtub cleaning device. According to claim 3 , further comprising a control unit that executes a first cleaning mode in which the recessed portion formed in at least one of the nozzle body and the casing is cleaned by injecting liquid from the injection port of the nozzle body. bathtub cleaning equipment. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 8 or 10 , wherein the control unit executes the first cleaning mode after draining the water in the bathtub and before water is stored in the upper bathtub. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 10 , wherein the control section executes a second cleaning mode for cleaning the inner wall surface of the bathtub, and executes the first cleaning mode before executing the second cleaning mode.

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