JP7466397B2 - Bathing System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathing system that includes a bathtub water circulation circuit that circulates bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing in the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control by operating the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state.

By executing reheating operation control, such a bathing system can raise the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to a temperature preferred by the bather (e.g., 41°C), allowing for a comfortable bathing experience.
In other words, if the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub drops below the bather's preferred temperature (e.g., 41°C), the reheating operation control can be executed to raise the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to the bather's preferred temperature (e.g., 41°C).

A conventional example of such a bathing system is one that improves the safety of the bather by opening the bathtub drain plug to drain the bath water when an abnormality occurs, such as when the heart rate detected by a heart rate sensor that detects the heart rate of the person bathing in the bathtub exceeds a threshold value (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

In another conventional example, a human presence sensor detects the position information of a bather in a bathtub, and when an abnormality occurs, such as when the bather does not move for a certain period of time or when the heart rate detected by a heart rate sensor exceeds a threshold, water is supplied to the bathtub to lower the temperature of the bathwater in the bathtub to a set lowering temperature (e.g., 36°C) (see, for example, Patent Document 2).

Incidentally, in Patent Document 2, the bathtub drain valve is opened to drain the bathtub water, in order to prevent hot and cold water from overflowing the bathtub or drowning of an unconscious bather when water is supplied to the bathtub.

JP 2004-275347 A JP 2018-164691 A

One of the abnormalities that can occur while bathing is heat stroke. In such a case, it is dangerous for the bather to continue bathing in hot water (e.g., 41°C) while losing consciousness.
In Patent Document 1, if an abnormality is detected in the bather, the bathtub water is drained to avoid danger to the bather. However, in order to drain the bathtub water, the bathtub drain plug must be configured to open and close automatically, and this creates the inconvenience of the overall configuration being complex and expensive due to the need to install a drain valve that can be opened and closed automatically.

In Patent Document 2, when an abnormality is detected in a bather, water is supplied to the bathtub so as to lower the temperature of the water in the bathtub to a set lowering temperature (e.g., 36°C), thereby making it possible to avoid danger to the bather using an existing configuration.
However, in order to prevent an unconscious bather from drowning, etc., it is necessary to open the bathtub drain plug to drain the bath water, and even in this case, there is the inconvenience that the overall structure becomes complicated and expensive due to the need to install a drain valve that can be opened and closed automatically.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above situation, and its purpose is to provide a bathing system that can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original configuration.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates the bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormal condition, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit, and the operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, operates the bathtub water circulation pump so as to increase the amount of bathtub water circulating through the bathtub water circulation circuit compared to the reheating operation control .

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.

When the bath water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bath water heating unit is stopped and the bath water flows through the bath water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bath water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bath water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water, resulting in a drop in the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub.

Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.

Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the water in the bathtub, bathers can avoid continuing to bathe in hot water and can be made to bathe in low-temperature water, thereby improving the safety of bathers.

In addition, the bath water temperature reduction control can be performed using the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.

In short, the bathing system of the present invention has a simple configuration that utilizes the original structure to improve the safety of bathers.

In addition , when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit is greater than with the reheating operation control, and therefore the increased flow rate of the circulated bathtub water increases the efficiency of dissipating heat from the bathtub water from the pipe surface of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, allowing the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub to be quickly reduced.

When bathtub water temperature reduction control is performed, the rotation speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulating, but in reheating operation control, the rotation speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is not increased unnecessarily, so early deterioration of the bathtub water circulation pump can be suppressed.

In short, a further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered.

A further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that the bath water heating unit is a burner-heated heat exchanger heated by a bath water heating burner,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the bathtub water heating burner while activating a bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner, and maintains the bathtub water heating burner in a combustion-stopped state in the bathtub water temperature reduction control.

That is, the bathtub water heating section is configured to include a burner-heated heat exchanger that is heated by a bathtub water heating burner, and in the reheating operation control, the bathtub water heating burner is operated to burn while the bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner is in operation.

In contrast, in the bathtub water temperature lowering control, the bathtub water heating burner is maintained in a combustion-stopped state, and heating of the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit is stopped.
When the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit flows through the burner heated heat exchanger, the temperature of the bath water can be lowered due to the heat dissipation effect of the burner heated heat exchanger, so that the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered.

In this case, as mentioned above, if the rotation speed of the circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bath water circulated, the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger can be increased, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub more quickly.

In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the burner-heated heat exchanger.

Another characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that the operation control unit operates the bath water blower fan during the bath water temperature reduction control.

In other words, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, the bathtub water heating burner is kept in a combustion-stopped state, but the bathtub water blower fan is operated, so that the burner-heated heat exchanger is cooled by the air blown by the bathtub water blower fan, thereby further increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger and enabling the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub to be reduced more quickly.

In short, this further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention further increases the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be lowered more quickly.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
The bathtub water heating unit is a burner-heated heat exchanger heated by combustion gas from a bathtub water heating burner,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the bathtub water heating burner while operating a bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner, and maintains the bathtub water heating burner in a combustion-stopped state in the bathtub water temperature reduction control.
The operation control unit operates the bath water blower fan in the bath water temperature reduction control,
The operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, operates the bathtub water blower fan so that the amount of air supplied by the bathtub water blower fan is greater than that in the reheating operation control.

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
When the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit is stopped and the bathtub water flows through the bathtub water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bathtub water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated bathtub water, and as a result, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is reduced.
Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.
Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub, the bather can be prevented from continuing to bathe in high-temperature bath water, and the bather can be brought into a state where he or she bathes in low-temperature bath water, thereby improving the safety of the bather.
Furthermore, the bathtub water temperature reduction control can be performed by utilizing the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.
In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original configuration.
In addition, the bathtub water heating section is configured to include a burner-heated heat exchanger that is heated by a bathtub water heating burner, and in the reheating operation control, the bathtub water heating burner is operated to burn combustion while a bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner is activated.
In contrast, in the bathtub water temperature lowering control, the bathtub water heating burner is maintained in a combustion-stopped state, and heating of the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit is stopped.
When the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit flows through the burner heated heat exchanger, the temperature of the bath water can be lowered due to the heat dissipation effect of the burner heated heat exchanger, so that the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered.
Furthermore, in this case, as described above, by increasing the rotational speed of the circulation pump to increase the amount of bath water circulated, the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger can be increased, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub more quickly.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the burner-heated heat exchanger.
In addition, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, although the bathtub water heating burner is maintained in a combustion stopped state, the bathtub water blower fan is operated, and the burner-heated heat exchanger is cooled by the air blown by the bathtub water blower fan, thereby further increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger and enabling the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub to be reduced more quickly.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner-heated heat exchanger can be further increased, thereby enabling the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be lowered more quickly.
In addition , when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the amount of air supplied by the bathtub water blower fan is greater than that in the reheating operation control, so that the increased flow rate of the air supplied to the burner heated heat exchanger further increases the efficiency of heat dissipation by the burner heated heat exchanger, thereby enabling the temperature of the bathwater in the bathtub to be quickly reduced.

When performing bathtub water temperature reduction control, the rotation speed of the bathtub water blower fan is increased to increase the amount of air supplied by the bathtub water blower fan, but in reheating operation control, the rotation speed of the bathtub water blower fan is not increased unnecessarily, which can prevent premature deterioration of the bathtub water blower fan.

In short, this further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention further increases the efficiency of the heat dissipation effect of the burner-heated heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.

A further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that it is provided with a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner.
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion-stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump.

In other words, a heat medium circulation circuit is provided to circulate the heat medium to heat consumption terminals such as floor heating panels, and while the heat medium is circulated by a heat medium circulation pump, the heat medium heating burner is combusted while the heat medium blower fan is operated, thereby heating the circulated heat medium to a high temperature and supplying heat to the heat consumption terminals.
The bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, so that the bath water can be reheated.

In other words, in the reheating operation control, the heat medium heating burner is operated to burn while the heat medium circulation pump and the heat medium blower fan are in operation, so that the bath water can be reheated.

In contrast, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is kept in a combustion-stopped state while the heat medium circulation pump is operating, and the heat of the heat medium is dissipated from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit into the atmosphere, and the heat of the heat medium is dissipated in the heat medium heating heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulating heat medium. As a result, the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit.

Incidentally, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger used as the bath water heating section stops its heating operation by turning off the heat medium heating burner, but if the heat medium heating burner is still burning until just before, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit may temporarily become very hot even if the heat medium heating burner is turned off, but the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit will then drop.

In this case, as described above, if the rotation speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated, the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit can be more easily cooled by the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub more quickly.

Therefore, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat of the bath water is dissipated into the atmosphere from the surface of the pipes in the bath water circulation circuit, lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water. In addition, the heat of the bath water is also dissipated in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.

In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
The operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature lowering control, operates the heat medium circulating pump so as to increase the amount of heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit compared to the reheating operation control.

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
When the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit is stopped and the bathtub water flows through the bathtub water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bathtub water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated bathtub water, and as a result, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is reduced.
Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.
Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub, the bather can be prevented from continuing to bathe in high-temperature bath water, and the bather can be brought into a state where he or she bathes in low-temperature bath water, thereby improving the safety of the bather.
Furthermore, the bathtub water temperature reduction control can be performed by utilizing the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.
In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original configuration.
In addition, a heat medium circulation circuit is provided to circulate the heat medium to heat consumption terminals such as floor heating panels. With the heat medium circulated by the heat medium circulation pump, the heat medium blower fan is operated while the heat medium heating burner is combusted, thereby heating the circulated heat medium to a high temperature and supplying heat to the heat consumption terminals.
The bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, so that the bath water can be reheated.
In other words, in the reheating operation control, the heat medium heating burner is operated to burn while the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan are in operation, thereby making it possible to reheat the bath water.
In contrast, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is maintained in a stopped state while the heat medium circulation pump is operated, so that the heat of the heat medium is dissipated into the atmosphere from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit and in the heat medium heating heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated heat medium.As a result, the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit.
Incidentally, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger used as the bath water heating section stops its heating operation by stopping the combustion of the heat medium heating burner. However, if the heat medium heating burner is still burning until just before, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit may temporarily become hot even if the heat medium heating burner is stopped from burning. However, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit will then decrease.
Furthermore, in this case, as described above, if the rotational speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated, the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit can be easily cooled by the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub even more quickly.
Therefore, in the bath water temperature reduction control, in addition to lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water by dissipating heat from the bath water's heat into the atmosphere from the surface of the pipes in the bath water circulation circuit, the heat of the bath water is also dissipated in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.
In addition , when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the amount of heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit is greater than in the reheating operation control, so that the increased flow rate of the circulated heat medium increases the efficiency of dissipating heat from the heat medium from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby appropriately lowering the temperature of the heat medium, and as a result, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered.

When performing bath water temperature reduction control, the rotation speed of the heat medium circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of heat medium circulating. However, in reheating operation control, the rotation speed of the heat medium circulation pump is not increased unnecessarily, so early deterioration of the heat medium circulation pump can be suppressed.

In short, a further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered.

A further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that the operation control unit operates the heat transfer fan during the bath water temperature reduction control.

In other words, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is kept in a combustion-stopped state, but the heat medium blower fan is operated, and the air blown by the heat medium blower fan cools the heat medium heating heat exchanger, further increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation by the heat medium heating heat exchanger and more appropriately lowering the temperature of the heat medium, thereby enabling the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be lowered more quickly.

In short, this further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention further increases the efficiency of heat dissipation by the heat exchanger for heating the heat medium, thereby enabling the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be lowered more quickly.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates the bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
The operation control unit operates the heat medium blower fan in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
The operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, operates the heat medium blower fan so that the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan is greater than that in the reheating operation control.

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
When the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit is stopped and the bathtub water flows through the bathtub water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bathtub water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated bathtub water, and as a result, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is reduced.
Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.
Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub, the bather can be prevented from continuing to bathe in high-temperature bath water, and the bather can be brought into a state where he or she bathes in low-temperature bath water, thereby improving the safety of the bather.
Furthermore, the bathtub water temperature reduction control can be performed by utilizing the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.
In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original components.
In addition, a heat medium circulation circuit is provided to circulate the heat medium to heat consumption terminals such as floor heating panels. With the heat medium circulated by the heat medium circulation pump, the heat medium blower fan is operated while the heat medium heating burner is combusted, thereby heating the circulated heat medium to a high temperature and supplying heat to the heat consumption terminals.
The bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, so that the bath water can be reheated.
In other words, in the reheating operation control, the heat medium heating burner is operated to burn while the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan are in operation, thereby making it possible to reheat the bath water.
In contrast, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is maintained in a stopped state while the heat medium circulation pump is operated, so that the heat of the heat medium is dissipated into the atmosphere from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit and in the heat medium heating heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated heat medium.As a result, the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit.
Incidentally, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger used as the bath water heating section stops its heating operation by stopping the combustion of the heat medium heating burner. However, if the heat medium heating burner is still burning until just before, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit may temporarily become hot even if the heat medium heating burner is stopped from burning. However, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit will then decrease.
Furthermore, in this case, as described above, if the rotational speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated, the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit can be easily cooled by the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub even more quickly.
Therefore, in the bath water temperature reduction control, in addition to lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water by dissipating heat from the bath water's heat into the atmosphere from the surface of the pipes in the bath water circulation circuit, the heat of the bath water is also dissipated in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.
In addition, in the bath water temperature reduction control, although the heat medium heating burner is maintained in a combustion stopped state, the heat medium blower fan is operated, and the heat medium heating heat exchanger is cooled by the air blown by the heat medium blower fan, thereby further increasing the efficiency of heat dissipation by the heat medium heating heat exchanger and more appropriately lowering the temperature of the heat medium, and as a result, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be lowered more quickly.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the efficiency of heat dissipation by the heat exchanger for heating the heat medium can be further increased, thereby more quickly lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub.
In addition , when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan is greater than in the reheating operation control, so that the increased flow rate of the air supplied to the heat medium heating heat exchanger further increases the efficiency of heat dissipation by the heat medium heating heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the heat medium to be lowered more appropriately, and as a result, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be lowered more quickly.

When bath water temperature reduction control is performed, the rotation speed of the heat transfer medium fan is increased to increase the amount of air supplied by the heat transfer medium fan. However, in reheating operation control, the rotation speed of the heat transfer medium fan is not increased unnecessarily, so early deterioration of the heat transfer medium fan can be suppressed.

In short, this further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention further increases the efficiency of the heat dissipation effect of the heat exchanger for heating the heat medium, thereby enabling the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
A switching unit is provided for switching the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit between a bypass state in which the heat medium bypasses the bathtub water heating unit and a non-bypass state in which the heat medium flows through the bathtub water heating unit, and a heat medium temperature detection unit is provided for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit;
The operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, puts the switching unit into the bypass state when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is higher than the set start temperature, and puts the switching unit into the non-bypass state when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is lower than the set start temperature.

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
When the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit is stopped and the bathtub water flows through the bathtub water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bathtub water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated bathtub water, and as a result, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is reduced.
Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.
Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub, the bather can be prevented from continuing to bathe in high-temperature bath water, and the bather can be brought into a state where he or she bathes in low-temperature bath water, thereby improving the safety of the bather.
Furthermore, the bathtub water temperature reduction control can be performed by utilizing the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.
In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original configuration.
In addition, a heat medium circulation circuit is provided to circulate the heat medium to heat consumption terminals such as floor heating panels. With the heat medium circulated by the heat medium circulation pump, the heat medium blower fan is operated while the heat medium heating burner is combusted, thereby heating the circulated heat medium to a high temperature and supplying heat to the heat consumption terminals.
The bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, so that the bath water can be reheated.
In other words, in the reheating operation control, the heat medium heating burner is operated to burn while the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan are in operation, thereby making it possible to reheat the bath water.
In contrast, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is maintained in a stopped state while the heat medium circulation pump is operated, so that the heat of the heat medium is dissipated into the atmosphere from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit and in the heat medium heating heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated heat medium.As a result, the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit.
Incidentally, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger used as the bath water heating section stops its heating operation by stopping the combustion of the heat medium heating burner. However, if the heat medium heating burner is still burning until just before, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit may temporarily become hot even if the heat medium heating burner is stopped from burning. However, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit will then decrease.
Furthermore, in this case, as described above, if the rotational speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated, the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit can be easily cooled by the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub even more quickly.
Therefore, in the bath water temperature reduction control, in addition to lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water by dissipating heat from the bath water's heat into the atmosphere from the surface of the pipes in the bath water circulation circuit, the heat of the bath water is also dissipated in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.
In addition , in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit, which detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, is higher than the set start temperature, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is made to bypass the bathtub water heating unit, thereby preventing the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit from being heated by the high-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

When the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is below the set start temperature, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is made to flow through the bathtub water heating unit, and the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit is cooled by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

In other words, when bath water temperature reduction control is started, if the heat medium heating burner is burning or has just started burning, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is high. In such a case, if the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is made to flow through the bath water heating section, there is a risk that the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit will be heated by the high-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit. However, by making the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit flow through the bath water heating section when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection section is below the set start temperature, the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit can be appropriately cooled by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit can be appropriately cooled by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

The bathing system of the present invention is provided with a bathtub water circulation circuit through which bathtub water in a bathtub is circulated, a bathtub water circulation pump that circulates the bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit that heats the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit that, when a reheating operation command is issued, executes reheating operation control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state, and its characteristic configuration is as follows:
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
a heat medium temperature detection unit for detecting the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is provided;
In the bathtub water temperature reduction control, the operation control unit stops the bathtub water circulation pump when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is higher than the set start temperature, and operates the bathtub water circulation pump when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is lower than the set start temperature.

In other words, when an abnormal condition is detected by the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal condition that may cause an abnormality in the bathtub bather, the operation control unit executes bathtub water temperature reduction control, which operates the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
When the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit is stopped and the bathtub water flows through the bathtub water circulation circuit, causing the heat of the bathtub water to be dissipated from the surface of the pipes of the bathtub water circulation circuit into the atmosphere, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated bathtub water, and as a result, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub is reduced.
Incidentally, when the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped, the temperature of the hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit is significantly lower than the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub. Therefore, when the bathtub water temperature reduction control is executed, the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub will also decrease due to the low-temperature hot water remaining in the bathtub water circulation circuit flowing into the bathtub.
Therefore, by lowering the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub, the bather can be prevented from continuing to bathe in high-temperature bath water, and the bather can be brought into a state where he or she bathes in low-temperature bath water, thereby improving the safety of the bather.
Furthermore, the bathtub water temperature reduction control can be performed by utilizing the configuration that is originally equipped for executing the reheating operation control, without adding any new equipment, so the safety of bathers can be improved with a simple configuration.
In short, the characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can improve the safety of bathers with a simple configuration that utilizes the original components.
In addition, a heat medium circulation circuit is provided to circulate the heat medium to heat consumption terminals such as floor heating panels. With the heat medium circulated by the heat medium circulation pump, the heat medium blower fan is operated while the heat medium heating burner is combusted, thereby heating the circulated heat medium to a high temperature and supplying heat to the heat consumption terminals.
The bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, so that the bath water can be reheated.
In other words, in the reheating operation control, the heat medium heating burner is operated to burn while the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan are in operation, thereby making it possible to reheat the bath water.
In contrast, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium heating burner is maintained in a stopped state while the heat medium circulation pump is operated, so that the heat of the heat medium is dissipated into the atmosphere from the pipe surface of the heat medium circulation circuit and in the heat medium heating heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the circulated heat medium.As a result, the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit are heat exchanged in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, thereby lowering the temperature of the bath water flowing in the bath water circulation circuit.
Incidentally, the liquid-liquid heat exchanger used as the bath water heating section stops its heating operation by stopping the combustion of the heat medium heating burner. However, if the heat medium heating burner is still burning until just before, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit may temporarily become hot even if the heat medium heating burner is stopped from burning. However, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit will then decrease.
Furthermore, in this case, as described above, if the rotational speed of the bathtub water circulation pump is increased to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated, the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit can be easily cooled by the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, making it possible to lower the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub even more quickly.
Therefore, in the bath water temperature reduction control, in addition to lowering the temperature of the circulated bath water by dissipating heat from the bath water's heat into the atmosphere from the surface of the pipes in the bath water circulation circuit, the heat of the bath water is also dissipated in the liquid-liquid heat exchanger, allowing the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub to be quickly lowered.
In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub can be quickly lowered by the heat dissipation effect of the liquid-liquid heat exchanger.
In addition , in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit, which detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, is higher than the set start temperature, the bathtub water circulation pump is stopped to prevent the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit from being heated by the high-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

When the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is below the set start temperature, the bathtub water circulation pump is operated to cool the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit using the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

In other words, when bath water temperature reduction control is started, if the heat medium heating burner is burning or has just started burning, the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit is high. In such a case, if the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit is made to flow through the bath water heating unit, there is a risk that the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit will be heated by the high-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit. However, by operating the bath water circulation pump when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is below the set start temperature, the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit can be appropriately cooled by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

In short, according to a further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention, the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit can be appropriately cooled by the low-temperature heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit.

A further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that when the operation control unit detects the abnormal condition, it activates an external notification unit that notifies the outside of the bathroom of the abnormal condition.

In other words, when the abnormality detection unit, which detects an abnormal state in which a bather bathing in the bathtub may become abnormal, detects an abnormal state, the external notification unit notifies the outside of the bathroom of the abnormal state.

Therefore, if a bather in the bathtub experiences an abnormal condition that could lead to illness, the external notification unit will notify others, such as housemates in the kitchen or living room, of the abnormal condition. Once aware of the abnormal condition, these others can quickly take measures to protect the bather, further improving the safety of the bather.

In short, the additional characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can further improve the safety of the bather.

A further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention is that a voice notification unit is provided in the bathroom,
The driving control unit is characterized in that, when the driving control unit detects the abnormal state, it activates the voice notification unit.

In other words, when the abnormality detection unit detects an abnormal condition, it can activate an audio notification unit installed in the bathroom to make the bather aware of the abnormal condition.

Therefore, if an abnormal condition occurs in the bathtub, the audio notification unit installed in the bathroom can be activated to wake up the unconscious bather or alert the bather, further improving the safety of the bather.

In short, the further characteristic configuration of the bathing system of the present invention can further improve the safety of bathers.
A further characteristic feature of the bathing system of the present invention is that, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, the operation control unit operates the bathtub water circulation pump so as to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit more than in the reheating operation control.

A schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of the bathing system. 13 is a flowchart of a bathtub water temperature lowering process. A schematic diagram showing the overall configuration of a bathing system in another embodiment. 13 is a flowchart of a bathtub water temperature lowering process in another embodiment.

[Embodiment]
Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
(Overall configuration of heat source equipment)
As shown in Figure 1, the heat source equipment (an example of a bathing system) includes a heat source unit G, an operation control unit C that controls the operation of the heat source unit G, and a main remote control R1 and a bathroom remote control R2 that issue various control commands to the operation control unit C.
The heat source unit G is configured to perform a hot water supply process that supplies hot water to the bathtub 1 and the hot water tap 2, a heat medium supply process that circulates and supplies a heat medium for heating to heat consumption terminals 3 such as a floor heating panel and a bathroom heater/dryer, and a reheating process that reheats the bath water in the bathtub 1.

In other words, the operation control unit C is configured to control the operation of the heat source unit G based on commands from the main remote control R1 and the bathroom remote control R2, and to perform hot water supply processing, heat medium supply processing, and re-heating processing.
Incidentally, the main remote control R1 is provided near the kitchen or the like, and the bathroom remote control R2 is provided on a wall surface or the like adjacent to the bathtub 1 inside the bathroom Y in which the bathtub 1 is installed.

As shown in FIG. 1, the heat source unit G is equipped with a hot water heating section A that heats water from a water supply line 4 connected to a general household water pipe and supplies the heated hot water to a hot water tap 2 and a bathtub 1, and a heat medium heating section B that heats the heat medium that is circulated and supplied to a heat consumption terminal 3.

A hot water supply path 5 is provided to supply hot water heated in the hot water supply heating section A to the hot water tap 2, and a hot water filling path 6 is provided branching off from the hot water supply path 5 to supply the hot water flowing through the hot water supply path 5 to the bathtub 1.
In addition, a heat medium circulation circuit J that circulates the heat medium between the heat medium heating section B and the heat consuming terminal 3, and a heat medium circulation pump 7 that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit J are provided.

(Configuration of hot water supply heating section and heat medium heating section)
The hot water heating section A is equipped with a hot water heat exchanger 8 having a water supply passage 4 connected to its inlet side and a hot water passage 5 connected to its outlet side, a hot water burner 9 that heats the hot water heat exchanger 8, and a hot water blower fan 10 that supplies combustion air to the hot water burner 9, and is configured to heat the hot water flowing through the hot water heat exchanger 8 with the combustion gas from the hot water burner 9.

The heat medium heating section B is equipped with a heat medium heating heat exchanger 13, the inlet of which is connected to the return path 11 of the heat medium circulation circuit J and the outlet of which is connected to the forward path 12 of the heat medium circulation circuit J, a heat medium heating burner 14 that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger 13, and a heat medium blower fan 15 that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner 14, and is configured to heat the heat medium flowing through the heat medium heating heat exchanger 13 with the combustion gas of the heat medium heating burner 14.

A hot water supply side gas supply passage 16 for supplying fuel gas such as city gas is connected to the hot water supply burner 9 equipped in the hot water heating section A, and a heat medium side gas supply passage 17 for supplying fuel gas such as city gas is connected to the heat medium heating burner 14 equipped in the heat medium heating section B.
The hot water side gas supply passage 16 and the heat medium side gas supply passage 17 are provided with an electromagnetic gas proportional valve 18 for adjusting the amount of fuel gas supplied, and an on-off valve 19 for turning on and off the supply of fuel gas.
Although not shown, an igniter for ignition and a flame rod for detecting ignition are provided near the hot water burner 9 and the heat medium heating burner 14.

(General hot water supply configuration)
The water supply line 4 is provided with a water supply thermistor 20 that detects the water supply temperature and a water volume sensor 21 that detects the water supply volume, and a point in the water supply line 4 downstream of the water supply thermistor 20 and the water volume sensor 21 is connected to the hot water supply line 5 via a water supply bypass line 22 that bypasses the hot water heat exchanger 8.

At the connection point between the hot water supply line 5 and the water supply bypass line 22, a mixing valve 23 is provided to adjust the mixing ratio between the amount of hot water from the hot water heat exchanger 8 and the amount of water from the water supply bypass line 22. Upstream of the connection point of the hot water supply line 5 to the water supply bypass line 22, a hot water outlet thermistor 24 is provided to detect the temperature of the hot water sent out from the hot water heat exchanger 8. Downstream of the connection point of the hot water supply line 5 to the water supply bypass line 22, a hot water thermistor 25 is provided to detect the temperature of the hot water after being mixed by the mixing valve 23, a water proportional valve 26 is provided to adjust the amount of hot water, and an interruption detection water volume sensor 27 is provided to detect an interruption to the general hot water supply.

(Configuration for circulating heat transfer medium)
An expansion tank 28 is interposed in the return path 11 of the heat transfer medium circulation circuit J, and the above-mentioned heat transfer medium circulation pump 7 is provided at a location downstream of the expansion tank 28 in the return path 11 in a form that draws in warm water from the expansion tank 28 and sends it to the heat exchanger 13 for heating the heat transfer medium.

The forward path 12 of the heat medium circulation circuit J is provided with a heat medium thermistor 29 (an example of a heat medium temperature detection unit) that detects the temperature of the heat medium after it has been heated in the heat exchanger 13 for heating the heat medium, and a terminal thermal valve 30 that interrupts the supply of heat medium to the heat consumption terminal 3.
In addition, a location downstream of the heat transfer medium thermistor 29 on the forward path 12 and a location upstream of the expansion tank 28 on the return path 11 are connected by a circulation bypass path 31 for circulating the heat transfer medium by bypassing the heat consumption terminal 3.

(Configuration for reheating)
A reheating passage 32 is provided connecting a location downstream of the connection point of the circulation bypass passage 31 in the supply passage 12 with a location upstream of the connection point of the circulation bypass passage 31 in the return passage 11, and the reheating passage 32 is provided with a reheating heat exchanger 33 and a reheating thermal valve 34 for reheating the bath water in the bathtub 1.
Incidentally, the reheating thermal valve 34 functions as a switching section that switches the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit J between a bypass state in which the heat medium bypasses the reheating heat exchanger 33 that constitutes the bathtub water heating section D, and a non-bypass state in which the heat medium flows via the liquid-liquid heat exchanger 33.

A bath water circulation circuit K, through which bath water inside the bathtub 1 circulates, is provided in a state in which it is connected to a circulation adapter H mounted on the lower side of the side wall of the bathtub 1 and to a reheating heat exchanger 33.
In other words, the bathtub water return path 35 in the bathtub water circulation circuit K is arranged in a state connecting the circulation adapter H and the reheating heat exchanger 33, and the bathtub water supply path 36 in the bathtub water circulation circuit K is arranged in a state connecting the reheating heat exchanger 33 and the circulation adapter H, and a bathtub water circulation pump 37 is provided in the bathtub water return path 35 to circulate the bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit K.

The reheating heat exchanger 33 is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit K and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit J, and corresponds to the bath water heating section D that heats the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit K.

Therefore, by operating the heat medium circulation pump 7 with the terminal thermal valve 30 closed and the reheating thermal valve 34 open, the heat medium heated in the heat medium heating heat exchanger 13 is circulated and supplied to the reheating heat exchanger 33, bypassing the heat consumption terminal 3.
In this state, by operating the bathtub water circulation pump 37, the bathtub water stored inside the bathtub 1 is circulated and supplied to the reheating heat exchanger 33 through the bathtub water return path 35 and the bathtub water supply path 36, thereby enabling the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 to be reheated.

The bathtub water return path 35 is provided with, from the upstream side, a bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 that detects the temperature of the bathtub water returning from the bathtub 1, a water level sensor 39 that detects the water level in the bathtub by detecting the pressure of the hot and cold water inside the bathtub water return path 35, a water flow switch 40, and the above-mentioned bathtub water circulation pump 37.
In addition, a bathtub supply temperature detection sensor 47 is provided in the bathtub water supply path 36 to detect the temperature of the bathtub water heated by the reheating heat exchanger 33.

(Configuration for filling with water)
A water filling path 6 for supplying hot water from the hot water supply path 5 to the bathtub 1 branches off from a point in the hot water supply path 5 between the water supply bypass path 22 and the interruption detection water volume sensor 27, and the water filling path 6 is connected to a point in the bathtub water return path 35 corresponding to between the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and the reheating heat exchanger 33.
This filling passage 6 is provided with, in order from the upstream side, a filling solenoid valve 42 that opens and closes the filling passage 6, and a filling check valve 43.

In addition, an air layer forming hopper 44 communicating with the filling path 6 is interposed between the filling solenoid valve 42 and the filling check valve 43 in the filling path 6 .
The air layer forming hopper 44 is provided with a drainage channel 45 for draining hot and cold water, and an electromagnetic drainage valve 46 for opening and closing the drainage channel 45, and the end of the drainage channel 45 is connected to a point between the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and the water flow switch 40 in the bathtub water return channel 35.
Incidentally, since the configuration and function of the air layer forming hopper 44 are well known, a detailed description thereof will be omitted in this embodiment.

Therefore, when the water filling solenoid valve 42 is opened, the hot water that is heated in the hot water supply heating section A and then supplied through the water filling path 6 is supplied to the bathtub water return path 35, and the hot water supplied to the bathtub water return path 35 flows in a form that branches off toward both the side where the bathtub 1 is present and the side where the reheating heat exchanger 33 is present. In other words, the hot water supplied through the water filling path 6 is supplied to the bathtub 1 through the bathtub water supply path 36 and the bathtub water return path 35.

(Operation control of heat source equipment)
The heat source unit G is equipped with the above-mentioned devices, and as is clear from the above explanation, is configured to perform a general hot water supply process in which heated hot water is supplied to the hot water tap 2 and a water filling process in which heated hot water is supplied to the bathtub 1, as well as a heat medium supply process in which the heated heat medium is circulated and supplied to the heat consumption terminal 3, and a reheating process in which the bath water in the bathtub 1 is reheated.

In other words, the operation control unit C is configured to operate the devices equipped in the heat source unit G based on command information from the main remote control R1 and bathroom remote control R2, and detection information from the sensors equipped in the heat source unit G, to perform general hot water supply operation corresponding to general hot water supply processing, automatic hot water filling operation and top-up operation corresponding to hot water filling processing, keep operation following automatic hot water filling operation, terminal heating operation corresponding to heat medium supply processing, and reheating operation corresponding to reheating processing.

The main remote control R1 and the bathroom remote control R2 are configured in the same way, and although not shown in the figure, they are equipped with an operation switch that commands the start and stop of operation, a bath automatic switch that commands the automatic filling operation, a hot water temperature setting switch that sets the general hot water temperature, a bathtub temperature setting switch that sets the target hot water filling temperature as the set hot water filling temperature, a water level setting switch that sets the target water level as the set water level in the bathtub, an add hot water switch that commands an add hot water operation to fill the bathtub 1 with additional hot water, a reheating switch that commands a reheating operation, a display unit that displays various information such as the set temperature, a terminal operation switch that commands the start of terminal heating operation, and an alarm device that notifies when filling the bath has finished, etc.

(Overview of operation control)
The operation control unit C becomes controllable when the operation switch is operated, and executes a general hot water supply operation to supply hot water from the hot water tap 2 when the hot water tap 2 is turned on.
In addition, the operation control unit C is configured to execute an automatic water filling operation in which, when the automatic bath switch is turned on and an automatic water filling operation command is issued, hot water is supplied into the bathtub 1 and water filling is completed to the target water level at the target water filling temperature.
In other words, when a filling operation command is issued, the operation control unit C is configured to execute an automatic filling operation in which the temperature of the bath water in the bathtub 1 becomes the target filling temperature and the water level in the bathtub 1 becomes the target water level.

In addition, after the automatic filling operation is completed, the operation control unit C is configured to perform keep operation until the automatic bath switch that has been turned on is turned off, in other words, while the automatic filling operation command is being issued, and to execute keep operation in which the bath water is heated and additional bath water is supplied to the bathtub 1 every set keep operation period (e.g., 10 minutes) so that the bath water in the bathtub 1 reaches the target filling temperature and the water level in the bathtub reaches the target water level.

The operation control unit C is also configured to execute the reheating operation when the reheating switch is operated and a reheating operation command is issued during the keep operation, or when the reheating switch is operated and a reheating operation command is issued when the automatic bath switch is turned off to release the automatic water filling operation command and the keep operation is stopped, and to execute the add hot water operation when the add hot water switch is used to issue a command to operate the add hot water operation during the keep operation or when the keep operation is stopped.

Below, an explanation will be given of each of the following operations: general hot water supply operation, automatic hot water filling operation, keep operation, and reheating operation.
In addition to these operations, the operation control unit C also executes a bathtub water temperature lowering control, which will be described later.

(General hot water supply operation)
The operation control unit C executes a general hot water supply operation when the hot water tap 2 is opened and the amount of water detected by the water amount sensor 21 becomes equal to or greater than a predetermined amount.
In general hot water supply operation, after driving the hot water supply blower fan 10 in the hot water supply heating section A, the intermittent valve 19 is opened and the hot water supply burner 9 is ignited by the igniter, and based on the general hot water supply temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch, the water volume detected by the water volume sensor 21, the water temperature detected by the water supply thermistor 20, the temperature detected by the outlet hot water thermistor 24, and the temperature detected by the hot water supply thermistor 25, a process is executed to adjust the opening degree of the gas proportional valve 18 and the opening degree of the mixing valve 23 so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 25 becomes the general hot water temperature set by the hot water supply temperature setting switch.
Then, when the water flow is no longer detected by the water volume sensor 21, the on/off valve 19 is closed to stop the combustion of the hot water burner 9, and the hot water supply fan 10 is stopped, thereby terminating the general hot water supply operation.

(Terminal heating operation)
When a command to start the terminal heating operation is issued by the terminal operation switch, the operation control unit C executes the terminal heating operation.
In the terminal heating operation, the heat medium circulation pump 7 is operated with the terminal thermal valve 30 open and the reheating thermal valve 34 closed to circulate the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit J, and in addition, the heat medium blower fan 15 in the heat medium heating section B is driven, and then the on-off valve 19 is opened and the heat medium heating burner 14 is ignited by the igniter, and the opening of the gas proportional valve 18 is adjusted so that the detected temperature of the heat medium thermistor 29 becomes the target circulation temperature (e.g., 70°C).

(Determination process)
When performing the automatic filling operation, keeping operation, and top-up operation, the operation control unit C executes the judgment process described below to detect the water level in the bathtub based on the on/off information of the water flow switch 40 and the detected water level of the water level sensor 39, and is also configured to detect the temperature of the bathtub water in the bathtub 1 based on the on/off information of the water flow switch 40 and the detected temperature of the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38.

That is, in the judgment process, the bathtub water circulation pump 37 is operated with the drain valve 46 closed for the set time for circulation judgment, and while the bathtub water circulation pump 37 is operating, detection information from the water flow switch 40 and the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is read to confirm the presence or absence of bathtub water, and if bathtub water is present, the temperature of the bathtub water is detected.
In addition, provided that the water flow switch 40 detects water flow, after the bathtub water circulation pump 37 is stopped, when the set standby time has elapsed, the detection information from the water level sensor 39 is read to detect the water level in the bathtub.

(Automatic filling operation)
The operation control unit C is configured to execute an automatic water filling operation when the automatic bath switch is turned on and the water level in the bathtub 1 determined in the determination process is lower than a target water level.
During the automatic filling operation, the process of alternately supplying hot water to the bathtub 1 for the set time for filling and the above-mentioned judgment process are repeated until the water level detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches or exceeds the target water level.When the water level detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches or exceeds the target water level, a reheating process is performed to reheat the bathwater so that the temperature of the bathwater reaches the target filling temperature, and then the automatic filling operation is terminated.

During the hot water filling process in the automatic hot water filling operation, the operation control unit C opens the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 and ignites the hot water supply burner 9 in the same manner as in the general hot water supply operation described above, and adjusts the opening degree of the gas proportional valve 18 and the opening degree of the mixing valve 23 so that the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 25 becomes the target hot water filling temperature based on the target hot water filling temperature set by the bathtub temperature setting switch, the detected water volume of the water volume sensor 21, the detected water temperature of the water supply thermistor 20, the detected temperature of the hot water outlet thermistor 24, and the detected temperature of the hot water supply thermistor 25, and then closes the hot water filling solenoid valve 42 and stops the combustion of the hot water supply burner 9 when the set hot water filling time has elapsed.

In addition, during the reheating process, the operation control unit C closes the terminal thermal valve 30 and opens the reheating thermal valve 34, and operates the heat medium circulation pump 7 and bath water circulation pump 37 to circulate the hot and cold water in the bathtub 1 through the bath water return path 35 and bath water forward path 36. In addition, it drives the heat medium blower fan 15 in the heat medium heating unit B, then opens the intermittent valve 19 and ignites the heat medium heating burner 14 with the igniter. Furthermore, it adjusts the opening of the gas proportional valve 18 so that the temperature detected by the bath water forward temperature detection sensor 47 becomes the set hot water outlet temperature for reheating (for example, 60°C).

Then, when the temperature detected by the bath water temperature detection sensor 38 reaches or exceeds the target bath temperature, the on-off valve 19 is closed to stop the combustion of the heat medium heating burner 14, and the heat medium blower fan 15 is stopped to end the reheating process.

The operation control unit C is configured to operate an alarm device to notify the end of automatic water filling at the time when the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is equal to or higher than the target water filling temperature when the water filling process of the automatic water filling operation is completed, and to operate an alarm device to notify the end of automatic water filling at the time when the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is lower than the target water filling temperature when the automatic water filling operation is completed and a reheating process is performed at the time when the reheating process is completed.

(Keep driving)
During the keep operation while the automatic bath switch is on after the automatic filling operation is completed, the operation control unit C executes a judgment process each time a keep operation cycle elapses to detect the temperature of the hot water in the bathtub 1 and the water level in the bathtub 1.

If, as a result of executing the determination process, the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the target water level, the process of sequentially executing the water pouring process and the determination process is repeated regardless of the temperature of the water in the bathtub 1 until the water level detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches or exceeds the target water level, and if the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is lower than the target water filling temperature when the detected water level reaches or exceeds the target water level, the reheating process is executed until the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 reaches or exceeds the target water filling temperature.

When the result of executing the judgment process shows that the water level in the bathtub 1 is equal to or higher than the target water level and the temperature of the water in the bathtub 1 is lower than the target water filling temperature, the reheating process is executed until the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 becomes equal to or higher than the target water filling temperature.
Incidentally, if the result of the judgment process is that the water level in the bathtub 1 is equal to or higher than the target water level and the temperature of the water in the bathtub 1 is equal to or higher than the target water filling temperature, naturally no special process is executed.

(Reheating operation)
When the reheating switch is operated, the operation control unit C operates the bathtub water circulation pump 37 with the drain valve 46 closed, and then, after a set elapsed time (e.g., 10 seconds), it reads the detected temperature of the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38.

If the temperature detected by the bath water temperature detection sensor 38 is lower than the target water filling temperature, as in the above-mentioned reheating process, the heat medium circulation pump 7 and bath water circulation pump 37 are operated with the terminal thermal valve 30 closed and the reheating thermal valve 34 open to circulate the hot water in the bathtub 1 through the bath water return path 35 and bath water supply path 36. In addition, the heat medium blower fan 15 in the heat medium heating section B is driven, and then the intermittent valve 19 is opened to ignite the heat medium heating burner 14 with the igniter. Furthermore, the opening of the gas proportional valve 18 is adjusted so that the temperature detected by the bath water supply temperature detection sensor 47 becomes the set hot water outlet temperature for reheating (e.g. 60°C), and the bath water is heated.

Then, when the temperature detected by the bath water temperature detection sensor 38 reaches or exceeds the target bath temperature, the bath water continues to be heated for a set additional time (e.g., 30 seconds) from that point on, after which the on-off valve 19 is closed to stop the combustion of the heat medium heating burner 14, and the heat medium blower fan 15 is stopped to end the reheating operation.

(Add hot water operation)
When the add hot water switch is operated and a add hot water operation command is issued, the operation control unit C executes the above-mentioned judgment process, and if the judgment process determines that the water level in the bathtub 1 is lower than the target water level, it executes the add hot water operation.
In the hot water replenishing operation, the process of alternately performing the hot water pouring process and the judgment process is repeated until the water level detected by the water level sensor 39 reaches or exceeds the target water level.

(Bath water temperature reduction control)
An abnormality detection unit Q is provided which detects whether a bather bathing in the bathtub 1 is in an abnormal state which may cause an abnormality, and when an abnormality is detected by the abnormality detection unit Q, the operation control unit C is configured to execute bathtub water temperature reduction control (bathtub water temperature reduction processing) which operates the bathtub water circulation pump 37 while stopping the heating operation of the reheating heat exchanger 33 as the bathtub water heating unit D.

In other words, the bathtub water temperature reduction control (bathtub water temperature reduction process) is configured to be executed during keep operation and until the set confirmation time (e.g., three hours) has elapsed after the keep operation is stopped.
In addition, the reheating heat exchanger 33 serving as the bath water heating section D is in a state in which its heating operation is stopped as the heat medium heating burner 14 is maintained in a combustion-stopped state, as described below.

In this embodiment, a human presence sensor 48 that detects a bather bathing in the bathtub 1 is provided in the bathroom remote control R2, and the operation control unit C is configured to determine whether a bather bathing in the bathtub 1 is in an abnormal state that may lead to an abnormality, based on the bathing time, which corresponds to the duration of the state in which a bather is detected by the human presence sensor 48, and the target bath temperature (bathtub water temperature).

Specifically, for example, if the bathtub water temperature (target bath filling temperature) is 41°C and the bathing time of a bather in Bathtub 1 exceeds the allowable time of 10 minutes, or if the bathtub water temperature is 40°C and the bathing time of a bather in Bathtub 1 exceeds the allowable time of 15 minutes, it is determined that an abnormal state in which the bather bathing in Bathtub 1 may become abnormal is occurring. The system is configured to determine whether an abnormal state exists based on the bathtub water temperature (bath filling temperature) and the allowable time for bathing time set in relation to that temperature.

In addition, in this embodiment, regardless of the bathtub water temperature, when the bather's bathing time in bathtub 1 exceeds an upper limit time (e.g., 20 minutes), it is configured to determine that an abnormal condition has occurred.
In this embodiment, the operation control unit C and the human presence sensor 48 constitute the abnormality detection unit Q as main components.

In this embodiment, the operation control unit C is configured to operate the bathtub water circulation pump 37 in the bathtub water temperature reduction control so that the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit K is greater than in the reheating operation control (reheating operation).

In this embodiment, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, the operation control unit C maintains the heat medium heating burner 14 in a combustion-stopped state while operating the heat medium circulation pump 7 in order to stop the heating operation of the reheating heat exchanger 33 as the bathtub water heating unit D.
Specifically, the heat medium circulating pump 7 is operated with the terminal thermal valve 30 closed and the reheating thermal valve 34 open, and the heat medium heating burner 14 is maintained in a combustion stopped state, thereby stopping the heating operation of the reheating heat exchanger 33.
By closing the terminal thermal valve 30, the low-temperature heat medium is prevented from being circulated to the heat consuming terminals 3.

In addition, in this embodiment, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium blower fan 15 is operated in a state in which the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan 15 is greater than in the reheating operation (reheating operation control), and in addition, in the bath water temperature reduction control, the heat medium circulation pump 7 is configured to operate so that the amount of heat medium circulated through the heat medium circulation circuit J is greater than in the reheating operation (reheating operation control).

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation control unit C is configured to close the reheating thermal valve 34 when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium thermistor 29 is higher than the set start temperature (e.g., 35°C) in the bath water temperature reduction control, and to open the reheating thermal valve 34 when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium thermistor 29 is lower than the set start temperature, thereby preventing the bath water from being unnecessarily heated in the reheating heat exchanger 33.
Incidentally, when the terminal thermal valve 30 and the reheating thermal valve 34 are closed, the heat medium is circulated through the circulation bypass passage 31 .

After operating the bathtub water circulation pump 37, when the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 falls below the stop temperature (e.g., 37°C), the bathtub water circulation pump 37, heat medium circulation pump 7, and heat medium blower fan 15 are stopped, and the bathtub water temperature reduction control is terminated.

(Notification of abnormal condition)
The main remote controller R1 is provided with an external notification unit 50 that notifies the outside of the bathroom Y of an abnormal state.
The operation control unit C is configured to activate the external notification unit 50 when it detects an abnormal condition, in order to notify the outside of the bathroom Y of the abnormal condition.
Incidentally, the external notification unit 50 may be configured to emit an alarm sound, but it is preferable to configure it as a voice notification type. If configured in this way, information informing the outside world that there is something wrong with the bather will be notified in the form of a voice, for example, "There is something wrong with the bather."

Further, a voice notification unit 49 is provided in the bathroom Y. In this embodiment, the voice notification unit 49 is attached to the bathroom remote control R2.
The operation control unit C is configured to activate the voice notification unit 49 when it detects an abnormal state.
For example, information such as "You've been bathing for too long" or "This is dangerous bathing" will be given to inform the bather that something is wrong.

(Details of bath water temperature reduction process)
Next, the control operation of the operation control unit C in the bathtub water temperature lowering control (bathtub water temperature lowering process) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not the bather bathing in the bathtub 1 is in an abnormal state that may lead to an abnormality (#1), and if not, the system waits until an abnormal state is detected.

If an abnormal condition is determined in #1, it is determined whether or not the heat transfer medium heating burner 14 is in combustion (#2), and if it is in combustion, the process of stopping the combustion of the heat transfer medium heating burner 14 (#3) is executed.

If it is determined in #2 that combustion is not occurring or after the combustion stop process (#3) has been executed, a process is executed to close the terminal thermal valve 30 (#4), and then the heat medium blower fan 15 is driven at high speed (#5) to increase the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan 15 compared to the reheat operation control (reheat operation), and the heat medium circulation pump 7 is driven at high speed (#6) to increase the amount of heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit J compared to the reheat operation control (reheat operation).
Next, the reheating thermal valve 7 is closed (#7), and the bath water circulation pump 37 is driven at high speed (#8).

Thereafter, it is determined whether the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium thermistor 29 is below the set start temperature (#9), and if the heat medium temperature is not below the set start temperature, the process waits until the heat medium temperature becomes below the set start temperature.
When it is determined in #9 that the heat transfer medium temperature is below the set start temperature, the reheating thermal valve 7 is opened (#10) to cool the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit K with the heat transfer medium flowing through the heat transfer medium circulation circuit J.

Then, it is determined whether the bathtub water temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is below the stop temperature (#11), and if the bathtub water temperature is not below the stop temperature, the system waits until the bathtub water temperature becomes below the stop temperature.
If it is determined in #11 that the bath water temperature is below the stop temperature, a stop process is executed to stop the bath water circulation pump 37, the heat medium circulation pump 7, and the heat medium blower fan 15 (#12).

Although not shown in the flowchart in FIG. 2, if an abnormal condition is determined to exist in #1, the external notification unit 50 is activated to notify the outside of bathroom Y of the abnormal condition, and the audio notification unit 49 is activated to inform the bather of the abnormal condition.

[Another embodiment]
Next, another embodiment will be described. This embodiment differs from the above embodiment in that the heat medium heating section B and heat medium circulation circuit J in the above embodiment are omitted, and a reheating heat exchanger 51 (an example of a burner-heated heat exchanger) is provided as a bathtub water heating section D for reheating. The other configurations are the same as those in the above embodiment, so the same symbols as in the above embodiment are used for the configurations that are the same as those in the above embodiment, and detailed descriptions are omitted.

That is, as shown in Figure 3, the bathtub water return line 35 and the bathtub water supply line 36 in the bathtub water circulation circuit K are connected to the reheating heat exchanger 51.
In addition, a reheat burner 52 (an example of a bathtub water heating burner) that heats the reheat heat exchanger 51 with combustion gas, and a reheat blower fan 53 (an example of a bathtub water blower fan) that supplies air for combustion are provided.

The operation control unit C will perform the general hot water supply operation, automatic hot water filling operation, keep operation, and reheating operation, as well as bath water temperature reduction control (bath water temperature reduction process), as in the above embodiment, but will not perform terminal heating operation.

The operation control unit C is configured to operate the reheating burner 52 for combustion while operating the bath water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the reheating burner 52 during reheating operation (reheating operation control), and to maintain the reheating burner 52 in a combustion-stopped state while operating the reheating blower fan 53 during bath water temperature reduction control (bath water temperature reduction process).

In addition, in this embodiment, the operation control unit C is configured to operate the reheating air fan 53 in the bathtub water temperature reduction control (bathtub water temperature reduction process) so that the amount of air supplied by the reheating air fan 53 is greater than in the reheating operation control.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the operation control unit C is configured to operate the bathtub water circulation pump 37 in the bathtub water temperature reduction control so that the amount of bathtub water circulating through the bathtub water circulation circuit K is greater than in the reheating operation control (reheating operation).

After operating the bathtub water circulation pump 37, when the temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 falls below the stop temperature (e.g., 37°C), the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and the reheating air fan 53 are stopped, and the bathtub water temperature reduction control is terminated.

(Details of bath water temperature reduction process)
Next, the control operation of the operation control unit C in the bathtub water temperature lowering control (bathtub water temperature lowering process) will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.
First, it is determined whether or not the bather bathing in the bathtub 1 is in an abnormal state that may lead to an abnormality (#21), and if not, the system waits until an abnormal state is detected.

If it is determined in #21 that an abnormal state exists, it is determined whether the reheat burner 52 is burning or not (#22), and if it is burning, the process of stopping the combustion of the reheat burner 52 is executed (#23).

If it is determined in #22 that combustion is not in progress or after the combustion stop process (#23) of the reheat burner 52 has been executed, the reheat air fan 53 is driven at high speed (#24) to increase the amount of air supplied by the reheat air fan 53 compared to the reheat operation control (reheat operation), and the bath water circulation pump 37 is driven at high speed (#25) to increase the amount of bath water circulated through the bath water circulation circuit K compared to the reheat operation control (reheat operation).

Then, it is determined whether the bathtub water temperature detected by the bathtub water temperature detection sensor 38 is below the stop temperature (#26), and if the bathtub water temperature is not below the stop temperature, the system waits until the bathtub water temperature becomes below the stop temperature.
If it is determined in #6 that the bathtub water temperature is below the stop temperature, a stop process is executed to stop the bathtub water circulation pump 37 and the reheating air fan 53 (#27).

Although not shown in the flowchart in FIG. 4, if an abnormal condition is determined to exist in #21, the external notification unit 50 is activated to notify the outside of bathroom Y of the abnormal condition, and the audio notification unit 49 is activated to inform the bather of the abnormal condition.

[Other embodiments]
Next, another embodiment will be described.
(1) In the above embodiment and other embodiments, an example was given of the operation control unit C operating the bathtub water circulation pump 37 in the bathtub water temperature reduction control so that the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit K is greater than in the reheating operation control (reheating operation). However, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, the embodiment may also be implemented in a form in which the bathtub water circulation pump 37 is operated so that the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit K is the same as in the reheating operation control (reheating operation).

(2) In the above embodiment, the bathtub water temperature reduction control is exemplified by operating the heat medium blower fan 15 in a state in which the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan 15 is greater than in the reheat operation control (reheat operation). However, the bathtub water temperature reduction control may be implemented in a form in which the heat medium blower fan 15 is operated so that the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan 15 is the same as in the reheat operation control (reheat operation), and the bathtub water temperature reduction control may be implemented in a form in which the heat medium blower fan 15 is stopped.

(3) In the above embodiment, the bath water temperature reduction control is exemplified as a case in which the heat medium circulation pump 7 is operated so that the amount of heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit J is greater than in the reheating operation control (reheating operation). However, the bath water temperature reduction control may be implemented in a form in which the heat medium circulation pump 7 is operated so that the amount of heat medium circulating through the heat medium circulation circuit J is the same as in the reheating operation control (reheating operation).

(4) In the above embodiment, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit J is switched between a bypass state in which the heat medium flows bypassing the reheating heat exchanger 33 constituting the bath water heating section D, and a non-bypass state in which the heat medium flows through the heating heat exchanger 33. However, the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit J may be always flowed through the heating heat exchanger 33.

In this case, the operation control unit C is configured to stop the bath water circulation pump 37 when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium thermistor 29 is higher than the set start temperature (e.g., 35°C) during bath water temperature reduction control, and to operate the bath water circulation pump 37 when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium thermistor 29 is equal to or lower than the set start temperature, thereby preventing the bath water from being unnecessarily heated by the reheating heat exchanger 33 as the bath water heating unit D.

(5) In the above-mentioned other embodiment, a configuration was exemplified in which the reheating heat exchanger 51 heated by the reheating burner 52 and the hot water heat exchanger 8 heated by the hot water burner 9 are provided separately, but the reheating heat exchanger 51 and the hot water heat exchanger 8 may be integrally formed as a single fin-tube type heat exchanger and heated by the combustion gas of a common heating burner.

(6) In the above embodiment and other embodiments, an air layer forming hopper 44 is provided in the water filling path 6, and the connection state between the water filling path 6 and the bathtub water circulation circuit K is open to the atmosphere when the water is not being filled. However, instead of the air layer forming hopper 44, an air release valve may be provided.

(7) In the above embodiment and other embodiments, the human presence sensor 48 detects bathers bathing in the bathtub 1, but the configuration for detecting bathers bathing in the bathtub 1 can be modified in various ways, such as by having the water level sensor 39 detect a rise in the water level even when the bathtub is not filled, or by having a sensor that detects the weight of the bathtub 1 detect a rise in weight even when the bathtub is not filled.

The configurations disclosed in the above embodiment (including other embodiments, the same applies below) can be applied in combination with configurations disclosed in other embodiments, so long as no contradiction arises. Furthermore, the embodiments disclosed in this specification are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. They can be modified as appropriate within the scope of the purpose of the present invention.

1 Bathtub 7 Heat medium circulation pump 13 Heat medium heating heat exchanger 14 Heat medium heating burner 15 Heat medium blower fan 29 Heat medium temperature detection unit 33 Liquid-liquid heat exchanger 34 Switching unit 37 Bathtub water circulation pump 49 Audio notification unit 50 External notification unit 51 Burner heating type heat exchanger 52 Bathtub water heating burner 53 Bathtub water blower fan C Operation control unit D Bathtub water heating unit J Heat medium circulation circuit K Bathtub water circulation circuit Q Abnormality detection unit Y Bathroom

Claims (13)

A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit .
A bathing system in which the operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, operates the bathtub water circulation pump so as to increase the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit compared to the reheating operation control . The bathtub water heating unit is a burner-heated heat exchanger heated by combustion gas from a bathtub water heating burner,
The bathing system described in claim 1, wherein the operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the bathtub water heating burner while operating a bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner, and maintains the bathtub water heating burner in a combustion-stopped state in the bathtub water temperature reduction control. 3. The bathing system according to claim 2 , wherein the operation control unit activates the bathtub water blower fan during the bathtub water temperature lowering control. A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
The bathtub water heating unit is a burner-heated heat exchanger heated by combustion gas from a bathtub water heating burner,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the bathtub water heating burner while operating a bathtub water blower fan that supplies combustion air to the bathtub water heating burner, and maintains the bathtub water heating burner in a combustion-stopped state in the bathtub water temperature reduction control.
The operation control unit operates the bath water blower fan in the bath water temperature reduction control,
A bathing system in which the operation control unit operates the bathtub water blower fan so that the amount of air supplied by the bathtub water blower fan is greater than the amount of air supplied by the reheating operation control during the bathtub water temperature reduction control. a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The bathing system of claim 1, wherein the operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulation pump and the heat medium blower fan, and, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion-stopped state while operating the heat medium circulation pump. A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
A bathing system in which the operation control unit operates the heat medium circulation pump so that the amount of heat medium circulated through the heat medium circulation circuit is greater than that of the reheating operation control during the bathtub water temperature reduction control. 7. The bathing system according to claim 5 , wherein the operation control unit activates the heat medium blower fan during the bathtub water temperature lowering control. A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
The operation control unit operates the heat medium blower fan in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
A bathing system in which the operation control unit operates the heat medium blower fan so that the amount of air supplied by the heat medium blower fan is greater than the amount of air supplied by the reheating operation control during the bathtub water temperature reduction control. A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
A bathing system is provided with a switching unit that switches the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit between a bypass state in which the heat medium bypasses the bathtub water heating unit and a non-bypass state in which the heat medium flows via the bathtub water heating unit, and a heat medium temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, and the operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, switches the switching unit to the bypass state when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is higher than a set start temperature, and switches the switching unit to the non-bypass state when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is lower than the set start temperature. A bathing system including a bathtub water circulation circuit for circulating bathtub water in a bathtub, a bathtub water circulation pump for circulating bathtub water through the bathtub water circulation circuit, a bathtub water heating unit for heating the bathtub water flowing through the bathtub water circulation circuit, and an operation control unit for executing a reheating operation control that operates the bathtub water circulation pump with the bathtub water heating unit in a heating operation state when a reheating operation command is issued,
An abnormality detection unit is provided to detect an abnormal state that may cause a person bathing in the bathtub to become abnormal,
When the abnormality detection unit detects the abnormal state, the operation control unit executes a bathtub water temperature reduction control to operate the bathtub water circulation pump while stopping the heating operation of the bathtub water heating unit.
a heat medium circulation circuit through which a heat medium is circulated, a heat medium circulation pump that circulates the heat medium through the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating heat exchanger that heats the heat medium flowing in the heat medium circulation circuit, a heat medium heating burner that heats the heat medium heating heat exchanger with combustion gas, and a heat medium blower fan that supplies combustion air to the heat medium heating burner,
The bath water heating unit is a liquid-liquid heat exchanger that exchanges heat between the bath water flowing through the bath water circulation circuit and the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit,
The operation control unit, in the reheating operation control, operates the heat medium heating burner while operating the heat medium circulating pump and the heat medium blower fan, and maintains the heat medium heating burner in a combustion stopped state while operating the heat medium circulating pump in the bathtub water temperature reduction control,
A bathing system is provided with a heat medium temperature detection unit that detects the temperature of the heat medium flowing through the heat medium circulation circuit, and the operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, stops the bathtub water circulation pump when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is higher than a set start temperature, and operates the bathtub water circulation pump when the heat medium temperature detected by the heat medium temperature detection unit is lower than the set start temperature. The bathing system according to any one of claims 1 to 10 , wherein when the operation control unit detects the abnormal state, it activates an external notification unit that notifies the outside of the bathroom of the abnormal state. A voice notification unit is installed in the bathroom,
The bathing system according to any one of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the operation control unit activates the audio notification unit when it detects the abnormal state. A bathing system as described in any one of claims 4, 6, 8, 9, and 10, wherein the operation control unit, in the bathtub water temperature reduction control, operates the bathtub water circulation pump so that the amount of bathtub water circulated through the bathtub water circulation circuit is greater than that in the reheating operation control.

Images