JP7514744B2 - Bathtub cleaning device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a bathtub cleaning device that automatically cleans a bathtub.

Conventionally, bathtub cleaning devices cover the bathtub with a bathtub lid, perform a cleaning process in which cleaning water mixed with hot water and detergent is sprayed onto the bathtub walls from a cleaning nozzle installed inside the bathtub, and then perform a rinsing process in which only hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle to wash away the cleaning water inside the bathtub. A technology is known that sets the rinsing time in the rinsing process according to the flow rate of hot water supplied to the cleaning nozzle, allowing necessary and sufficient rinsing to be performed even if the flow rate of hot water supplied fluctuates (Patent Document 1).

JP 2015-2863 A

There are many different types of bathtubs, including different shapes and sizes, to suit bathroom design, ease of use, and the desire to enjoy a relaxing bath. The rinsing time required to wash away cleaning water adhering to various parts of the bathtub during the rinsing process of the bathtub cleaning operation can vary depending on the type of bathtub, but conventional bathtub cleaning devices do not take into consideration adapting to various types of bathtubs. As a result, simply setting the rinsing time according to the supply flow rate of hot and cold water may not be enough to remove all the cleaning water from the bathtub, depending on the type of bathtub. It is also possible to prepare multiple control devices with rinsing times set according to each type of bathtub, but this creates the problem of the bathtub cleaning device being less versatile.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a bathtub cleaning device that can achieve appropriate rinsing during the rinsing process according to not only the flow rate of hot and cold water but also the type of bathtub.

The bathtub cleaning device according to the present invention is
A bathtub cleaning device equipped with a control device that executes a bathtub cleaning operation including a cleaning process in which a bathtub lid is placed on a bathtub flange and cleaning water, which is a mixture of hot water and detergent, is sprayed from a cleaning nozzle installed inside the bathtub against the bathtub wall surface, and a rinsing process in which hot water is sprayed to wash away the cleaning water after the cleaning process,
A flow rate detection means is provided for detecting the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle,
The control device is configured to set the rinsing time, which is the execution time for spraying hot and cold water in the rinsing process, to the longer of a first rinsing time determined according to the detected flow rate detected by the flow detection means, and a second rinsing time set based on the type of bathtub.

The rinsing time required to wash away the cleaning water sprayed during the cleaning process and adhering to the inside of the bathtub varies depending on the flow rate of hot and cold water, but also on the type of bathtub, such as the shape and size of the bathtub. For example, the rinsing time required to wash away the cleaning water adhering to the boundary between the bathtub flange and the bathtub lid differs depending on whether the type of bathtub has a simple shape or a complex shape.

According to the above-mentioned configuration of the present invention, the control device compares the first rinse time determined according to the hot and cold water flow rate and the second rinse time set based on the type of bathtub as the rinse time required to rinse off the cleaning water adhering to the inside of the bathtub, and sets the longer rinse time as the final rinse time in the rinsing process. By providing a second rinse time that can be set individually for each type of bathtub in this way, it is possible to set the optimal rinse time for the rinsing process not only for the hot and cold water flow rate but also for various types of bathtubs. In addition, since the longer of the first rinse time and the second rinse time is set as the rinse time for the rinsing process, it is possible to set an appropriate rinse time that does not cause insufficient rinsing, responding to fluctuations in the hot and cold water flow rate and various types of bathtubs. Therefore, it is possible to provide a bathtub cleaning device that can achieve appropriate rinsing not only for the hot and cold water flow rate but also for various types of bathtubs with a single control device.

In the bathtub cleaning device,
The control device may be configured to determine the first rinsing time based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means at a time point when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the rinsing step.

When the cleaning nozzle starts to spray hot water, the flow rate of the sprayed hot water is unstable and the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means is likely to vary, but as time passes from the start of spraying hot water, the flow rate of the hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle stabilizes. Therefore, by determining the first rinse time based on the flow rate detected by the flow rate detection means at the point in time when a predetermined time has passed since hot water was sprayed from the cleaning nozzle at the start of the rinsing process, the first rinse time is set based on the flow rate of hot water at the time of stable spraying, allowing a more appropriate rinse time to be set.

In the bathtub cleaning device,
The second rinsing time may be set to a plurality of selectable setting levels corresponding to the shape of the bathtub, which is the type of bathtub .

For example, cleaning water that adheres to the boundary between the bathtub flange and the bathtub lid is washed away relatively easily in a simple bathtub shape where the inner periphery of the bathtub flange is straight, whereas in a complex bathtub shape where the inner periphery of the bathtub flange has an inwardly protruding depression, it is difficult to wash away unless hot and cold water is poured over it thoroughly. Therefore, the second rinse time is set to multiple selectable setting levels corresponding to the bathtub shape, so that a short rinse time can be selected for a simple bathtub shape where the inner periphery of the bathtub flange is straight, and a long rinse time can be selected for a complex bathtub shape where the inner periphery of the bathtub flange has an inwardly protruding depression, thereby allowing a more appropriate rinse time to be set for various bathtub shapes.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an overall configuration of a bathtub cleaning device according to an embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a configuration of a cleaning unit. 13 is a flowchart for explaining a rinsing process of the bathtub cleaning operation. 11 is a table showing an example of a first rinse time and a second rinse time. This is a top view of a bathtub, showing examples of the shape of the bathtub flange portion as a type of bathtub shape.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
As shown in Figure 1, the bathtub cleaning device 1 of the embodiment can be installed in various types of bathtubs 5, and mainly comprises a cleaning unit 2 and a control unit (control device) 3. When the bathtub cleaning device 1 is used for bathtub cleaning operation, a bathtub lid 52 is placed on the bathtub flange 51 to cover the upper opening of the bathtub 5.

The bathtub 5 is equipped with a cleaning nozzle 53 that sprays cleaning water or hot and cold water onto the bottom wall, and an automatic opening and closing drain plug 54. The bathtub flange 51 on the top surface of the bathtub is equipped with an opening and closing drive unit 55 for the drain plug 54 and a detergent tank 56.

The bathtub cleaning device 1 is connected to a water heater 4, which acts as a heat source. The water heater 4 is equipped with a burner and a heat exchanger (not shown) inside the body, and is configured to burn fuel gas supplied from a gas supply pipe 41 with the burner, heat water supplied from a water supply pipe 42 with the heat exchanger, and discharge hot water through a hot water outlet pipe 43. A hot water supply pipe 44 drawn from the hot water outlet pipe 43 of the water heater 4 is connected to the cleaning unit 2, and hot water heated by the water heater 4 is supplied.

As shown in FIG. 2, the cleaning unit 2 has a hot water supply pipe 22 and a detergent pipe 23 arranged in a case 21. The hot water supply pipe 22 has a hot water supply pipe 44 from the water heater 4 connected to its upstream end and a cleaning pipe 24 connected to its downstream end. A cleaning nozzle 53 is connected to the downstream end of the cleaning pipe 24, and hot water and cleaning water are supplied to the cleaning nozzle 53 through the cleaning pipe 24. The detergent pipe 23 has a detergent pipe 25 drawn from a detergent tank 56 connected to its upstream end and a downstream end connected to the hot water supply pipe 22. A venturi 66 is provided at the junction of the detergent pipe 23 and the hot water supply pipe 22. A detergent valve 61 is arranged in the detergent pipe 23, and when the detergent valve 61 is opened, the detergent concentrate in the detergent tank 56 is mixed with the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 22. The hot water supply pipe 44, the hot water supply pipe 22, and the cleaning pipe 24 form a hot water supply path that supplies hot water heated by the water heater 4 to the cleaning nozzle 53.

The hot water supply pipe 22 is provided with a flow rate adjustment valve 62, a hot water supply valve 63, a check valve 64, and a relief valve 65 in this order from the upstream side. The relief valve 65 is connected to a drain pipe 26. A flow rate sensor (flow rate detection means) 6 is provided in the hot water supply pipe 22 between the flow rate adjustment valve 62 and the hot water supply valve 63. The flow rate sensor 6 detects the flow rate of hot water supplied from the hot water supply pipe 44, and the detected flow rate detected by this flow rate sensor 6 corresponds to the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53. In other words, the flow rate sensor 6 serves as a flow rate detection means for detecting the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 during the rinsing process.

The control unit 3 supplies power to the bathtub cleaning device 1 and controls the operation of the bathtub cleaning device 1. The control unit 3 includes a processing means such as a microcomputer, a storage means such as a RAM or ROM, a timer for counting the passage of time, and the like. The storage means stores programs related to the bathtub cleaning operation and various information. A cleaning remote control 7 for remotely operating the bathtub cleaning device 1 is connected to the control unit 3 via a communication line so as to be able to communicate with it. The cleaning remote control 7 may also be connected to the control unit 3 so as to be able to communicate with it wirelessly. By operating the switches on the cleaning remote control 7, the control unit 3 controls the operation of executing the bathtub cleaning operation.

The bathtub cleaning operation includes a preliminary cleaning process in which hot water supplied from the water heater 4 is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 onto the bathtub wall, a cleaning process in which cleaning water containing hot water and detergent is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 onto the bathtub wall, and a rinsing process in which hot water is sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 onto the bathtub wall to wash away the cleaning water, in that order. In addition, in case bathtub water has accumulated in the bathtub 5, a draining process may be performed in which the drain plug 54 is opened before the preliminary cleaning process and a predetermined draining waiting time has elapsed, in which the bathtub water in the bathtub 5 is drained. In this embodiment, the control unit 3 is configured to determine the rinsing time, which is the execution time for spraying hot water in the rinsing process, based on the flow rate of hot water and the type of bathtub 5.

The rinsing process, which is one of the processes in the bathtub cleaning operation, will be explained below with reference to the flowchart shown in Figure 3. The rinsing process is executed by the control unit 3 performing the following process. Note that when the cleaning process before the rinsing process is completed, the hot water supply valve 63 is closed.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the rinsing process is started, the hot water supply valve 63 is opened and the timer starts counting the elapsed time (step S1). When a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds) has elapsed since the rinsing process was started ("YES" in step S2), the first rinsing time is determined according to the flow rate detected by the flow sensor 6 at this time (step S3). The flow rate detected by the flow sensor 6 corresponds to the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 during the currently executed rinsing process. The control unit 3 also reads from the storage means the second rinsing time selected based on the type of bathtub 5 installed (step S4). Here, the first rinsing time and the second rinsing time are candidate times to be set as the rinsing time, which is the execution time for spraying hot water in the currently executed rinsing process.

The first rinse time is a rinse time determined according to the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 in the currently executing rinse process. The first rinse time is the rinse time required to perform necessary and sufficient rinsing at a certain hot and cold water flow rate. This first rinse time is a rinse time that has been verified in advance by changing the hot and cold water flow rate, and the relationship is that the rinsing time becomes longer as the hot and cold water flow rate decreases. This relationship between the hot and cold water flow rate and the first rinse time is stored in the control unit 3 as information that divides the hot and cold water flow rate range into a plurality of flow rate ranges by dividing the hot and cold water flow rate range into predetermined ranges, and sets a different first rinse time corresponding to each flow rate range. In other words, this relationship regarding the first rinse time is stored and saved in the memory means of the control unit 3 as a table or function.

In this embodiment, the relationship for the first rinse time is set as Table A, which defines the relationship by dividing the hot and cold water flow range into three ranges and setting a different first rinse time corresponding to each flow range, as shown in FIG. 4(A). In step S3, the control unit 3 refers to this Table A to determine the first rinse time corresponding to the detected flow rate detected by the flow sensor 6 as the current hot and cold water flow rate.

When determining the first rinse time, the flow rate of hot water is determined based on the flow rate detected by the flow sensor 6 a predetermined time after the start of the rinsing process (YES in step S2, step S3). This is because when the spraying of hot water from the cleaning nozzle 53 begins, the spraying flow rate is unstable and the detected flow rate by the flow sensor 6 is prone to variation. Therefore, the first rinse time is determined by waiting a predetermined time from the start of spraying of hot water until the flow rate of hot water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 stabilizes. This allows the first rinse time to be determined based on the flow rate of hot water when the spraying from the cleaning nozzle 53 becomes stable, making it possible to set a more appropriate rinse time (the actual rinse time of the rinsing process).

The second rinsing time is a rinsing time set based on the type of bathtub 5 in which the bathtub cleaning device 1 is installed. The second rinsing time is the rinsing time required to perform necessary and sufficient rinsing by spraying hot and cold water at a constant flow rate for each type of bathtub 5. This second rinsing time is a rinsing time that has been verified in advance by spraying hot and cold water at a constant flow rate (e.g., 6.0 L/min) for various types of bathtub 5.

In general, the more complex the bathtub shape, the longer the second rinsing time. For example, cleaning water adhering to the boundary between the bathtub lid 52 placed on the bathtub flange 51 and the bathtub flange 51 is likely to remain depending on the type of bathtub 5, such as the bathtub shape and bathtub size. Therefore, in order to rinse off the cleaning water adhering to the boundary between the bathtub flange 51 and the bathtub lid 52, a relatively short rinsing time is required for a simple bathtub shape in which the inner periphery of the bathtub flange 51 is straight, while a relatively long rinsing time is required to rinse off the cleaning water cleanly for a complex bathtub shape in which the inner periphery of the bathtub flange 51 has a recess that protrudes inward. The relationship between the bathtub shape, which is the type of bathtub 5, and the second rinsing time is, for example, provided with multiple setting levels that can be selected to correspond to various bathtub shapes, and different second rinsing times corresponding to each setting level are stored in the control unit 3 as information. In other words, the relationship regarding the second rinsing time is stored and saved in the storage means of the control unit 3 as a table or function.

In this embodiment, the relationship for the second rinse time is shown in Table B in FIG. 4(B), which has three selectable setting levels to accommodate three different bathtub shapes, and defines the relationship in which a different second rinse time is set for each setting level.

The three types of bathtub shapes are, for example, as shown in Figure 5, the simplest type is a bathtub shape in which the inner periphery of the bathtub flange portion 51 is straight and the overall shape is square (see Figure 5(a)); the slightly more complex type is a bathtub shape in which the inner periphery of the bathtub flange portion 51 has a slight inward-protruding depression and the overall shape is rounded (see Figure 5(b)); and the complex type is a bathtub shape in which the inner periphery of the bathtub flange portion 51 has a large inward-protruding depression and the overall shape is gourd-shaped (Figure 5(c)).

In table B, the longer second rinsing times are assigned to setting levels 1, 2, and 3 in that order. In terms of the correspondence between each setting level and bathtub shape, setting level 1 corresponds to the simplest bathtub shape (Fig. 5(a)), setting level 2 corresponds to a slightly more complicated bathtub shape (Fig. 5(b)), and setting level 3 corresponds to a more complicated bathtub shape (Fig. 5(c)). Note that the relationship regarding the second rinsing time is not limited to the above three types, and data can be created that defines any number of setting levels and second rinsing times corresponding to each setting level in accordance with various types of bathtubs 5.

In this bathtub cleaning device 1, the second rinsing time can be set, for example, when this bathtub cleaning device 1 is installed on-site, by switching the cleaning remote control 7 to bathtub selection mode and selecting the setting level that corresponds to the shape of the bathtub 5 to be installed in the bathroom at the site, and the control unit 3 will set the second rinsing time itself corresponding to the selected setting level or the setting level selected based on table B. The setting level can also be selected by operating a dip switch or the like provided in the control unit 3.

The selection result regarding the second rinse time (the selected setting level or the second rinse time corresponding to the selected setting level) is stored in the storage means of the control unit 3. In step S4, if the selected setting level is stored in the storage means, the control unit 3 refers to table B and reads the second rinse time corresponding to the selected setting level, and if the second rinse time corresponding to the selected setting level is stored in the storage means, it reads that second rinse time.

The relationship regarding the second rinsing time is not limited to a relationship defined with the bathtub shape as in Table B, but may be a relationship defined with the bathtub size, such as the width and depth of the bathtub 5, a relationship defined with the bathtub shape and size, or a relationship defined with other types of bathtub 5.

Referring again to FIG. 3, when the control unit 3 obtains the first rinse time and the second rinse time through steps S3 and S4, it compares the first rinse time with the second rinse time and sets the longer rinse time ("YES" or "NO" in step S5) as the final rinse time, i.e., the actual rinse time for this rinse process (step S6 or step S7). That is, if the first rinse time (corresponding to the flow rate) in step S3 is longer than the second rinse time (corresponding to the bathtub shape) in step S4 and if the first rinse time and the second rinse time are equal ("YES" in step S5), the first rinse time is set as the final rinse time (step S6). On the other hand, if the second rinse time (corresponding to the bathtub shape) in step S4 is longer than the first rinse time (corresponding to the flow rate) in step S3 ("NO" in step S5), the second rinse time is set as the final rinse time (step S7). In step S5, if the "first rinse time = second rinse time", the first rinse time is set ("YES" in step S5 → step S6), but in this case, since they are the same time, the second rinse time may be set.

Then, when the rinsing time set in step S6 or step S7 (the actual rinsing time for this rinsing process) has elapsed ("YES" in step S8), the hot water supply valve 63 is closed and the timer is stopped (step S9), ending the rinsing process.

As described above, according to the bathtub cleaning device 1 of this embodiment, not only is the first rinse time set according to the flow rate of hot and cold water as the actual rinse time of the rinsing process, but the second rinse time is set individually for each of the various bathtub shapes (types of bathtub 5), so that the optimal rinse time can be set by comparing the first rinse time with the second rinse time. In addition, since the longer of the first rinse time and the second rinse time is set as the actual rinse time of the rinsing process, it is possible to set an appropriate rinse time that does not cause insufficient rinsing, while also responding to fluctuations in the flow rate of hot and cold water and to various bathtub shapes. Therefore, even if it is not necessary to prepare a control unit 3 equipped with a control program or control circuit for the rinsing process corresponding to each bathtub shape (type of bathtub 5), a single control unit 3 can be used to achieve appropriate rinsing without insufficient rinsing, even in response to various bathtub shapes.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the claims.
For example, the flow rate of hot and cold water may be detected periodically during the rinsing process. In this case, in the flow chart of Fig. 3, if the determination of whether the rinsing time has elapsed in step S8 is "NO", after a certain period of time has elapsed, the process is shifted to flow rate detection and first rinsing time determination in step S3. As a result, if the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle 53 during the rinsing process changes due to the start or stop of use of another valve via the water heater 4, the first rinsing time is reset (step S3 in Fig. 3), and the actual rinsing time during the rinsing process is also reset (step S6 or step S7 in Fig. 3), so that the rinsing time can be set more appropriately in response to the change in the flow of hot and cold water during the rinsing process.

1 Bathtub cleaning device 2 Cleaning unit 3 Control unit (control device)
4 Water heater 5 Bathtub 6 Flow sensor (flow detection means)
7: remote controller for cleaning 21: case 22: hot water supply pipe 23: detergent pipe 24: cleaning pipe 25: detergent pipe 26: drain pipe 41: gas supply pipe 42: water supply pipe 43: hot water outlet pipe 44: hot water supply pipe 51: bathtub flange 52: bathtub lid 53: cleaning nozzle 54: drain plug 55: opening/closing drive unit 56: detergent tank 61: detergent valve 62: flow rate adjustment valve 63: hot water supply valve 64: check valve 65: relief valve 66: venturi

Claims (3)

A bathtub cleaning device equipped with a control device that executes a bathtub cleaning operation including a cleaning process in which a bathtub lid is placed on a bathtub flange and cleaning water, which is a mixture of hot water and detergent, is sprayed from a cleaning nozzle installed inside the bathtub against the bathtub wall surface, and a rinsing process in which hot water is sprayed to wash away the cleaning water after the cleaning process,
A flow rate detection means is provided for detecting the flow rate of hot and cold water sprayed from the cleaning nozzle,
The control device of the bathtub cleaning device is configured to set the rinsing time, which is the execution time for spraying hot and cold water during the rinsing process, to the longer of a first rinsing time determined according to the detected flow rate detected by a flow rate detection means, and a second rinsing time set based on the type of bathtub. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1,
A bathtub cleaning device, wherein the control device is configured to determine the first rinsing time based on a flow rate detected by a flow rate detection means at a time when a predetermined time has elapsed since the start of the rinsing process. The bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1 or 2,
In this bathtub cleaning device , the second rinsing time is set to a plurality of selectable setting levels corresponding to the bathtub shape which is the type of bathtub .