JPH0313822A - Bathtub-water-level detecting apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To omit maintenance by constituting a detecting apparatus of a pressure sensor which is communicated to a bathtub, a radio transmitter which is modulated with the signal from the pressure sensor, a battery and a power control circuit which controls the operation of the radio transmitter at a specified time interval. CONSTITUTION:A water level sensor is composed of a diaphragm 13, a movable electrode 14 which is linked to the diaphragm 13 and a fixed electrode 15. When hot water feeding is started from a hot-water feeding machine 4, the diaphragm 13 is displaced by receiving the pressure of water in a bathtub 1. The interval between the movable electrode 14 and the fixed electrode 15 is changed. The frequency of a transmitter 18 is changed by the change in capacitance 16 constituting a resonating circuit 17. The power from a battery 21 is supplied to the transmitter 18 at a specified time interval with the timer of a power control circuit 20. A radiowave is intermittently transmitted. The radiowave is received with a receiver 22. The frequency is detected, and the water level can be found. The hot water feeding into the bathtub 1 is controlled in correspondence with a preset water level.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] Industrial Application Field The present invention relates to a bathtub water level detection device using a water level sensor that detects the water level in a bathtub as pressure, and is used in an automatic bath that automatically fills the bathtub with hot water. This is particularly useful for remotely installed automatic baths where the water heater is installed away from the bathtub.

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there is an automatic bathing device of this type as shown in FIG. In FIG. 3, a water level sensor 3 is provided in a part of a circulation adapter 2 connected to a bathtub 1, and a water heater 4 installed away from the bathtub 1 is connected to the bathtub 1 through a circulation pipe 5 for supplying and circulating hot water. water level sensor 3 and water heater 4
is connected to the water heater 4 with a connection cord 6.

In the conventional example with the above configuration, hot water supply to the bathtub is started from one side of the circulation vibrator, the water level sensor 3 detects the water pressure of the bathtub water, a signal is sent to the water heater 4 via the connection cord 6, and the control inside the water heater 4 is performed. The water level is compared with the set water level in the water tank, and the water supply to the bathtub is controlled.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention As mentioned above, conventional water level detectors require a connection cord between the bathtub and the water heater, making installation work complicated and causing the connection to be prone to high humidity. Since it is placed in the environment, reliability is poor, and it is embedded in a wall, making maintenance difficult.

The present invention solves the above problems and eliminates the connection cord of the conventional example, thereby improving reliability and facilitating maintenance.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides a pressure sensor for detecting water level that is provided in communication with a bathtub, a wireless transmitter that is modulated by a signal from the pressure sensor, and a battery thereof.
It consists of a power control circuit that controls the operation of the radio transmitter at fixed time intervals.

Function: According to the present invention, the water level signal detected by the pressure sensor is transmitted on radio waves from the wireless transmitter, and the water level signal is transmitted to the outside of the water heater body or the like. Is the wireless transmitter powered? ■The circuit supplies power from the battery at regular intervals, and transmits radio waves intermittently.

EXAMPLE Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be explained based on FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, the adapter body 7 is fixed to the bathtub 1 with connection screws 8 and packing 9. A hot water pipe 10 and a return pipe 11 are connected to the adapter body 7,
On the other hand, a hot water supply pipe 10 and a return pipe 1 are connected to the discharge/suction port 12.
1 leads to bathtub 1.

A water level sensor is constituted by a diaphragm 13 facing into the suction passage in the adapter body, a movable electrode 14 connected to the diaphragm 13, and a fixed electrode 15 facing the same, and constituted by the movable electrode 14 and the fixed electrode 15. Radio frequency transmitter 18 having a resonant circuit 17 with capacitance 16
The output of the transmitter 18 is connected to an antenna 19. Further, a battery 21 is connected to the transmitter 18 via a power control circuit 20.

In FIG. 2, a receiver 22 is provided inside the main body 4 of the water heater.

With the above configuration, when hot water starts to be supplied from the water heater main body 4 through the hot water pipe 10, the diaphragm 13 is displaced in response to the water pressure of the bathtub water, changes the distance between the movable electrode 14 and the fixed electrode 15, and causes the resonant circuit 17 to The frequency of the transmitter 18 changes due to a change in the constituent capacitance 1G.0 The transmitter 18 is supplied with power from the battery 21 at fixed time intervals by the timer of the power control circuit 20, and radio waves are transmitted intermittently. .

The radio waves from the antenna 19 are received by the receiver 22, and the water level can be determined by detecting the frequency, and hot water supply to the bathtub is controlled according to the set water level.

In this way, there is no longer a need for a connection cord between the water level sensor installed in the adapter and the water heater, which simplifies installation work, and it is also possible to seal a portion of the water level sensor inside the adapter, reducing environmental concerns. It is also very customer friendly. Furthermore, since radio waves are transmitted intermittently at regular time intervals, the life of the battery 21 is extended, making maintenance unnecessary.

In the embodiment, the pressure sensor is a capacitance type, but it is also possible to use other types of pressure sensors.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the bathtub water level detection device of the present invention includes a pressure sensor provided in communication with the bathtub, a wireless transmitter modulated by the signal of the pressure sensor, a battery, and a pressure sensor that communicates with the bathtub. By configuring it with a power control circuit that controls the operation of the radio transmitter, the following effects can be obtained.

(1) No connection cord is required between the water level sensor and the water heater, which simplifies installation work, and it is also possible to seal a portion of the water level sensor inside the adapter, which provides excellent environmental resistance. It is something.

(2) Radio waves are transmitted intermittently and only for short periods of time, reducing power consumption and extending battery life, eliminating the need for maintenance.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a bathtub water level detection device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is an overall configuration diagram of the same device, and FIG. 3 is a configuration diagram of a conventional water level detection device. 1...Bathtub, 4...Water heater body, 7.
...Adapter body, 13...Diaphragm, 14...Movable electrode, 15...Fixed electrode,! 8... Transmitter, 20... Power control circuit, 21... Battery.

Claims (1)

[Claims] A pressure sensor for water level detection installed in communication with the bathtub,
A bathtub water level comprising a wireless transmitter modulated by the signal of the pressure sensor, a battery that supplies power to the wireless transmitter, and a power control circuit that controls the operation of the wireless transmitter at regular time intervals. Detection device.