JPH01212860A - Automatic water supplementing device for bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To buffer an actual water supplementing temperature properly, by a method wherein the supplementing of water is started by driving a circulating pump for the additional heating of a bath and switching the temperature conditioning setting of a hot-water supplier to a set bathtub temperature when the water level in a bathtub becomes lower than a given level while the supplementing of the hot-water is effected intermittently when the supplementing hot-water temperature is upper than a given temperature range. CONSTITUTION:When a switch for automatic water supplementing is thrown in a remote control panel 14, the water level of a bathtub 1 is monitored by a level detecting sensor 15 and when the level of the bathtub has become lower than a given value, and driving of a circulating pump 5 is started through a controller 13. The temperature conditioning setting of a hot-water supplier 7 is switched by the controller 13 from a set temperature, set for normal hot-water supplying, to a set bathtub temperature, setting the temperature of the bathtub 1, and the combustion of a burner 10 for a hot-water supplier 7 is started. A hot-water temperature from the hot-water supplier 7 or a supplementing hot-water temperature is detected by a supplying hot-water temperature detecting sensor 17. When the supplementing hot-water temperature T is within a given temperature range including the set bathtub temperature TS, a dropping control valve 9 is opened continuously through the controller 13. When the temperature T exceed said given temperature range, the dropping control valve 9 is opened intermittently through the controller 13.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION <Industrial Application Field> The present invention relates to an automatic bath refilling device that automatically replenishes hot water from a water heater when the water level of the bathtub decreases.

<Prior Art> The present applicant previously provided a hot water supply device with a bath hot water supply function in Japanese Patent Application No. 164372/1982. When supplying hot water from a water heater to a bathtub, this conventional device sets the temperature of the water heater to a temperature slightly lower than the set bathtub temperature.
This device attempts to eliminate the inconvenience that the hot water actually supplied to the bathtub exceeds the set bathtub temperature.

<Problems to be Solved by the Invention> However, in the above-mentioned conventional device, the temperature set by the water heater is set lower than the set bathtub temperature, and conversely, the temperature of the actually supplied hot water is considerably lower than the set bathtub temperature. There were times when I ended up. For example, there may be cases where low-temperature water remains in the hot water storage tank of a water heater, or cases where hot water is being poured into a bathtub while being used in a similar location, such as the kitchen. Such supply of low-temperature water causes discomfort to the bather, especially when it is performed when replenishing water during bathing. Furthermore, the supply of low-temperature water results in the subsequent reheating requiring a long time.

Therefore, the present invention solves the above-mentioned drawbacks of the conventional device and makes it possible for the temperature of replenishing water from the water heater to be close to the set bathtub temperature. To provide an automatic bath refilling device which can appropriately buffer the temperatures even when the temperatures are far apart and does not lower the bathtub temperature even when the actual refilling water temperature is quite low.

<Means for Solving the Problems> The present invention, which achieves the above object, provides an automatic bath water replenishment system that automatically replenishes hot water from a water heater until the water level returns to a predetermined level when the water level of the bathtub falls below a certain level. A device,
- When the water level in the bathtub falls below a certain level, the circulation pump for reheating the bath is driven - At the same time, the temperature control setting of the water heater is switched to the set bathtub temperature and water replenishment is started, and the water replenishment temperature by the water heater is set to the set bathtub temperature. If the temperature is within a certain temperature range including , replenishing water from the water heater is performed continuously, and when the replenishing temperature of the water heater exceeds the certain temperature range, replenishing water from the water heater is performed intermittently, The water heater is characterized in that when the water replenishment temperature from the water heater is below the above-described certain temperature range, water replenishment from the water heater is performed continuously.

Further, in the bath automatic refilling device, if the water replenishment temperature from the water heater falls below a certain temperature range that includes the set bathtub temperature, the water heater may be configured to replenish water intermittently instead of continuously. By intermittent water replenishment, the low temperature of water flowing into the bathtub is further buffered.

Further, during water replenishment, the reheating burner may be turned on when the bathtub temperature is lower than the set bathtub temperature, and the reheating burner may be turned off when the bathtub temperature exceeds the set bathtub temperature. As a result, the inside of the bathtub is maintained near the set bathtub temperature, and the bathtub temperature is less likely to decrease due to refilling with low-temperature water.

<Operation> When the water level sensor detects a water level in the bathtub below a certain level, the circulation pump is driven and replenishment of water from the water heater is started. At this time, the temperature setting of the water heater is matched to the set bathtub temperature, so in principle, hot water matching the set bathtub temperature is refilled. On the other hand, by driving the circulation pump, the bathtub water is circulated through the reheating circulation path, and supplementary water from the water heater is added to the water and flows into the bathtub together. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water to be replenished is appropriately buffered. If the hot water to be replenished exceeds a certain temperature range that includes the set bathtub temperature, water will be replenished intermittently to prevent large amounts of high-temperature water from flowing in and to provide an appropriate temperature buffer between the circulating water and the hot water. Ru. Further, when the hot water to be replenished is below the above-described certain temperature range, the reheating burner is also turned on at the same time as the water replenishment, and heating is performed at the same time. Therefore, no temperature drop occurs due to water replenishment. Prevention of this temperature drop is more effective by performing water replenishment intermittently. When the bathtub temperature exceeds the set bathtub temperature, the reheating burner is turned off, so that the bathtub temperature is maintained at the set temperature.

<Example> Fig. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the first embodiment, Fig. 2 is an automatic water replenishment control flowchart of the first embodiment, and Fig. 3 is an example of an automatic water replenishment time chart of the first embodiment. show.

A circulation path 2 for reheating the bath is provided for the bathtub 1. Water circulating from the bathtub 1 is heated by a reheating burner 4 in a heat exchange section 3. Reference numeral 5 denotes a circulation pump for reheating, and the circulation pump 5 sucks in water near the inlet of the circulation path 2 and discharges water near the outlet of the circulation path 2, thereby circulating bath water in the circulation path 2. do.

A dropping hopper 6 is installed in the circulation path 2, and hot water from a water heater 7 is dropped into the hopper 6 through a supply pipe 8, thereby replenishing and supplying water to the bathtub 1.

The dropped hot water flows into the bathtub 1 through a circulation path 2. A drop control valve 9 is provided in the middle of the supply pipe 8. The water heater 7 includes a hot water supply burner 10 and a heat exchange section 1.
1 is provided. The heat exchange section 11 may be a hot water storage type heat exchange section other than the instantaneous heat exchange section shown in the figure. Hot water from the water heater 7 is sent to the bathtub side through a supply pipe 8, and is also sent through a pipe 12 to the kitchen or other places.

A controller 13 is composed of a microcomputer and its peripheral circuits, and receives commands from the remote control panel 14, the water level detection sensor 15 of the bathtub 1, the temperature detection sensor 16 of the bathtub 1, and the hot water temperature detection sensor 17 of the water heater 7. Water level information and temperature information are input, and predetermined commands are output to the reheating burner 4, circulation pump 5, dropping control valve 9, and hot water supply burner IO.

The remote control panel 14 is provided with a bathtub temperature setting section, a hot water supply temperature setting section, a switch for automatically refilling the bathtub 1, and the like.

Control of automatic water replenishment by the controller 13 will be explained with reference to FIG. 2.

Now, when the remote control panel 14 turns on the switch for automatic water replenishment, the water level in the bathtub l is monitored by the water level detection sensor 15, and when the water level in the bathtub falls below a certain level, the circulation pump 5 starts to be driven via the controller 13. be done. At the same time, the temperature control setting of the water heater 7 is switched by the controller 13 from the set temperature set for normal hot water supply to the set bathtub temperature that sets the temperature of the bathtub 1, and combustion of the burner 10 of the water heater 7 is started. .

Then, the temperature of the hot water from the water heater 7, that is, the replenishment water temperature is detected by the hot water temperature detection sensor 17, and the replenishment water temperature T
is within a certain temperature range that includes the set bathtub temperature T5, the drop control valve 9 is continuously opened via the controller 13. Further, when the supplementary water temperature T exceeds the above-mentioned certain temperature range, the drop control valve 9 is intermittently opened via the controller 13. On the other hand, if the replenishment water temperature T is below the - constant temperature range, the drop control valve 9
are opened continuously.

By opening the drop control valve 9, hot water from the water heater 7 is dropped into the hopper 6, mixed with hot water from the bathtub 1 in the circulation path 2, and then flows into the bathtub 1. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water from the water heater 7 is buffered by the circulating water from the bathtub, and it is possible to prevent the bathtub from being filled with hot water that would make the user feel uncomfortable. If water is refilled intermittently, there will be no discomfort. However, in the case of intermittent water replenishment, it takes time to replenish water.

Of course, during refilling, the water heater 7 switches its temperature control to match the set bathtub temperature T, so in principle hot water close to the set bathtub temperature Ts is refilled. Hot water at a temperature considerably different from the set bathtub temperature T3 is refilled when water refilling is started or when hot water is simultaneously supplied at another location during refilling.

By continuously or intermittently opening the drop control valve 9, the bathtub 1 is
temperature is detected by the temperature detection sensor 16, and if this is lower than the set bathtub temperature T5, the reheating burner 4 starts combustion via the controller 13. When the bathtub temperature reaches the set bathtub temperature T1, the burner 4 is stopped. For combustion of the reheating burner 4, the bathtub temperature is the set bathtub temperature T.
, and only when the replenishment water temperature is below the above-mentioned certain temperature range, or only when the replenishment water temperature is also below the set bathtub temperature T8. Further, the reheating burner 4 may perform combustion during a period when the supplementary water temperature is below the certain temperature range. By performing reheating at the same time as refilling water,
The temperature drop in the bathtub 1 can be quickly resolved.

FIG. 3 shows an example of a time chart of the drop-in control valve 9, circulation pump 5, and reheating burner 4 during automatic water replenishment. The fixed temperature range including the set bathtub temperature T can have an upper limit of, for example, a temperature higher than the set bathtub temperature T by α, and a lower limit of a temperature lower than the set bathtub temperature T by β. These α and β can be predetermined at temperatures that do not give a bathing person or the like a sense of discomfort during water replenishment. In addition, when the replenishment water temperature T exceeds a certain temperature range, the intermittent opening of the drop-in control valve 9 is determined in advance by adjusting the relationship between the opening time and the closing time of the valve 9 so that the temperature does not feel strange to bathers etc. due to refill water. You can decide. In addition, in Figure 3, since the bathtub temperature at the time of starting water refilling is low, reheating burner 4 is turned on from the time water refilling starts, and when the refilling water temperature reaches a certain temperature range, combustion in burner 4 stops. has been done. In this way, the combustion of the burner 4 may be stopped when the replenishment water temperature reaches the above-described certain temperature range.

Of course, as described above, the combustion of the burner 4 can be stopped when the bathtub temperature reaches the set bathtub temperature T8.

FIG. 4 shows an example of an automatic water replenishment time chart in the second embodiment.

The configuration of the device in the second embodiment is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 4, the feature of the second embodiment is that in automatic refilling control, when the refilling water temperature T is below a certain temperature range including the set bathtub temperature, the drop control valve 9 is opened intermittently. That is to say. Other controls can be the same as in the first embodiment.

In contrast to the continuous opening in the first embodiment, in the second embodiment the opening is intermittent, so that in the case of low-temperature water, the water is dropped intermittently, and the temperature is buffered against the bathtub temperature accordingly. Mixed water flows into the bathtub without any discomfort. The ratio between the opening time and the closing time of the intermittent opening can be determined in advance by taking into account the flow rate of replenishment water, the amount of circulation in the circulation path 2, and the like.

In the case of this embodiment as well, if the bathtub temperature falls below the set bathtub temperature T5 during refilling, the reheating burner 4 can be turned on and turned off when the set bathtub temperature T is reached.

<Effects> The present invention has the above-described configuration, and since the circulation pump for reheating the bath is driven at the same time when refilling water, the refill water temperature is buffered by the bath water temperature, and the bather does not feel any discomfort in the temperature. Water can be refilled. Furthermore, since the circulation pump is driven during water replenishment, the temperature inside the bathtub can be quickly equalized.

Also, if the refill water temperature is within a certain temperature range that includes the set bathtub temperature, refill water from the water heater will be performed continuously, and if the refill water temperature exceeds the specified temperature range, hot water supply and water refill from the water heater will be continued. If refilling is performed intermittently and the water temperature falls below the specified temperature range, refilling from the water heater is performed continuously, so if for some reason hot water is refilled at a temperature considerably higher than the set bathtub temperature. Even if the water is refilled intermittently, the temperature is well buffered and does not cause discomfort to the bather.

In addition, even when the refill water temperature is below the above-mentioned certain temperature range, by using intermittent refill water from the water heater, even if hot water is refilled at a temperature considerably lower than the set bathtub temperature, it will effectively buffer the temperature. and does not cause discomfort to bathers.

Furthermore, by performing intermittent water replenishment, the hot water temperature on the water heater side is also corrected to the set bathtub temperature during that time, so the amount of hot water that is refilled to the bathtub at a temperature considerably different from the set bathtub temperature can also be reduced.

Additionally, the bathtub temperature is monitored during refilling, and when the bathtub temperature falls below the set bathtub temperature, the reheating burner is turned on, and when it exceeds the set bathtub temperature, the reheating burner is turned off. The inside of the bathtub can be maintained at the set bathtub temperature without causing almost any temperature drop.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing the first embodiment, FIG. 2 is an automatic water replenishment control flowchart of the first embodiment, and FIG. 3 is an example of an automatic water replenishment time chart of the first embodiment. Fourth
The figure shows an example of an automatic water replenishment time chart in the second embodiment. l: Bathtub 2: Circulation path 4: Reheating burner 5: Circulation pump 7: Water heater 9: Drop control valve 13: Controller 14: Remote control panel

Claims (3)

[Claims] (1) An automatic bath refilling device that automatically replenishes hot water from a water heater until the water level returns to a predetermined level when the water level of the bathtub falls below a certain level; While driving the circulation pump for reheating the bath, the temperature control setting of the water heater is switched to the set bathtub temperature to start replenishing water, and if the water replenishment temperature by the water heater is within a certain temperature range including the set bathtub temperature, , replenishing water from the water heater continuously, and if the replenishing water temperature from the water heater exceeds the certain temperature range, replenishing water from the water heater intermittently;
An automatic bath refilling device characterized in that when the temperature of refilling water from the water heater falls below the predetermined temperature range, water is continuously refilled from the water heater. (2) In the bath automatic refilling device according to claim 1, if the refilling water temperature from the water heater is below a certain temperature range that includes the set bathtub temperature, the water refilling from the water heater is performed not continuously but intermittently. An automatic bath refilling device featuring: (3) The automatic bath refilling device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein during refilling, a reheating burner is turned on when the bathtub temperature is lower than a set bathtub temperature, and is turned off when the reheating burner exceeds the set bathtub temperature.