JPH04164420A - Shower device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To discharge waste water directly to the floor surface of a shower room without feeding cold or being burnt by switching a passage to a discharge port having an air bubble mixing means separate from a shower nozzle when the hot water temperature is outside the designated range. CONSTITUTION:A temperature detecting element 40 is incorporated in a passage 39 for sending hot water from a hot water supply port 26 to shower nozzles 28, 29, 30 and a discharge port 38, and according to a signal therefrom, a switching signal is sent to solenoid valves 43, 44, 45, 46 through a temperature judging means 41 and a control portion 42. An air bubble mixing means 48 is disposed in the discharge port 38. In this arrangement, when the use of the shower nozzle is instructed from an operation part 54 of a shower main body 51, if the supplied hot water is 37-42 deg.C, a master solenoid valve 47 and the solenoid valve 44 are opened, and if not, the solenoid valve 44 is still closed and the valve 46 is opened, whereby hot water mixed with cold or hot air bubbles is discharged from the discharge port 38, and the hot water reaches the moderate temperature to automatically open the solenoid valve 44 and close the valve 46.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a shower device installed and used in a bathroom, shower room, or the like.

Conventional Technology In recent years, with the development of technology related to hot water supply, showers are now installed in most bathrooms and homes, and the shower culture that makes people reluctant to take a bath is on the rise. Moreover, in addition to simply washing away sweat and dirt from the body, there is a growing demand for refreshing and comfort. In addition, even with highly functional shower equipment, it is important to consider how long it will be used.

Conventionally, regarding this type of shower device, for example,
As shown in FIG. 3 shown in Publication No. 91814, while the hot water temperature in the hot water supply pipe 1 is detected by the hot water temperature detection element 2, the electric mixing valve 3 is used to adjust the water temperature between the hot water pipe 4 and the hot water pipe so that the set water temperature is reached. The mixing ratio of water and hot water in the water piping 5 is adjusted, and the hot water at the set temperature is opened by opening the electric two-way valves 7a to 7dt provided in the shower piping 6a to 6d to send the hot water to the shower nozzle 9a in the shower room 8. The shower is spouted from the shower nozzles 9 and 9d, and if the hot water in the hot water supply pipe 1 has cooled down to water when you take a shower, when you open the electric two-way valves 7a to 7d, this cold water will flow through the shower nozzles 9 and 9d. ~9d, you will suddenly be exposed to cold water, so in order to prevent this, an electric secondary heater for tapping water is installed in the piping 4 until the temperature detected by the hot water temperature detection element 2 reaches a predetermined temperature. Directional valve 7a-7dl
Open the electric two-way valve 10 for waste water while it is closed, and drain water from the waste water pipe 11 installed outside the shower room 8 to the shower room 8.
There was a method of ejecting it outside.

Problems to be Solved by the Invention However, in such a conventional configuration, the waste water is discharged outside the shower room 8 without being used for any purpose, which wastes precious water resources. There were such issues.

The present invention eliminates the conventional mat and aims to provide a shower device that makes it easier to reuse this waste water.

Means for Solving the Problems In order to solve the above-mentioned WM, the shower device of the present invention includes a shower nozzle for discharging hot water, a discharge port provided separately from the shower nozzle, and a shower device for discharging hot water to the shower nozzle and the discharge port. The flow path that sends the water and the temperature of the hot water in the flow path! −
The temperature sensing element includes a temperature sensing element for sensing, a determining means for determining the output of the temperature sensing element, and a switching means such as a solenoid valve for switching which of the shower nozzle and the outlet the flow path communicates with, This shower device is equipped with air bubble mixing means at the outlet.

Effect of the present invention With the above-described configuration, when the temperature of the water in the flow path that sends hot water to the shower nozzle that discharges hot water is outside the predetermined temperature range, the temperature detection element and the temperature determination means detect and determine that the shower nozzle is connected to the shower nozzle. Then, a switching means for switching the flow path to a separately provided discharge port is operated, and hot water is discharged from the discharge port.

At this time, since the outlet is equipped with a bubble mixing projector, the discharged hot water is mixed with air bubbles around the outlet. In other words, even if the hot water is discharged directly onto the floor of the shower room from the outlet of the shower device, for example, the discharged hot water is mixed with foam, which acts to reduce splashing to the surroundings. Therefore, it becomes possible to discharge water directly onto the floor of the shower room without feeling cold or getting burned. The fact that the discharge port is equipped with a bubble mixing means and the discharged hot water can be mixed with bubbles not only suppresses scattering as described above but also has the effect of relaxing the temperature of the discharged hot water.
For example, when the temperature of the hot water being discharged is as hot as 50°C, if surrounding air is mixed in by the air bubble mixing means at the outlet, the surrounding air temperature will naturally be lower than 50°C, for example about 20°C↑. Therefore, the temperature of the hot water discharged with foam mixed in is the temperature of 50°C hot water mixed with 20°C air, for example around 40°C. Even with this kind of action, burns can be prevented. This allows the water to be discharged into the shower room. In this way, if hot water can be discharged into the shower room, at least the discharged hot water can be used to wash the floor of the shower room. Alternatively, the hot water that is discharged can be put into a bathtub or stored in a washbasin. In other words, it is possible to create a shower device that can prevent wasteful use of precious water resources.

Embodiment Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the accompanying drawings.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 12 denotes a compact disc player, which is an example of a musical tone signal generator.

When the compact disc player 12 is operated, a musical tone signal is output. This musical tone signal is input to a speaker 13 and a flow rate controller 14, which are sounding bodies. Each flow controller 14 includes a rhythm element detection section. The flow rate controller 14 extracts the rhythm IIJIK from the musical tone signal and applies an electric output corresponding to the rhythm element signal to the electromagnetic coil 16 of the flow rate control valve 15. The flow rate controller 1
The method for detecting rhythm elements in step 4 is to use a frequency filter to extract only the frequency band of the rhythm section of the musical sound signal, such as the sound of an instrument such as a drum, and apply a current to the electromagnetic coil 16 according to the volume of that frequency band. It's Nishide. In the flow control valve 15, a movable iron core 18 is slidably inserted into the axis of an electromagnetic coil 16 via a guide vibe 17, and a thin iron 19 and a yoke plate 20 are arranged on the outside of the electromagnetic coil 16. A magnetic circuit is configured. In other words, the electromagnetic coil 16. Guide vibe 17. Movable iron core18. Yoke 1
An electrical urging force generating means 22 is formed by a 9° yoke plate 20, a seal cap 21, and the like.

Furthermore, a biasing means 24 is disposed on the end face of the movable core 18 so that the valve body 28 comes into contact with it. The flow path in the valve housing 25 of the flow rate control valve 15 includes a flow path between an inflow path 27 leading to the hot water supply port 26 and an outflow path 81 leading to shower nozzles 28, 29, and 30 that discharge hot water. A valve seat 82 and a cylinder portion 88 are formed, and the valve body 28 is inserted into the cylinder portion 33t so as to be slidable therein. Furthermore, a communication passage 35 with a sufficient passage area is formed between the cylinder bottom 84 where the biasing means 24 is disposed and the outflow passage 81. The valve body 28 has a flow control flange 36.
and a pressure balance flange 37 are formed. Further, a temperature detection element 40 for detecting the temperature of the hot water is incorporated in a flow path 39 that sends hot water from the hot water inlet 26 to the shower nozzles 28, 29, 30 and the discharge port 88. Then, based on the signal from the temperature detection element 40, the temperature of the hot water is determined via the determination means 41 and the control section 42.
Solenoid valves 43, 44, which are switching means for switching passages.
45 and 46, the switching signal is sent. In Figure 1, the hot water is within a predetermined suitable temperature range, that is, 87.
~42° C., and the state is being discharged from the fixed shower nozzle 29. In other words, the solenoid valve 44, which is a switching means, opens, and the solenoid valves 43, 4
At 5.46, the zero-source solenoid valve 47 is in the closed state, but of course it is in the open state. Further, the discharge port 88 is provided with a bubble mixing means 48. This air bubble mixing means 48 sucks in surrounding air from an air intake hole 50 provided on the peripheral side of a fine mesh wire gauze 49, and mixes it into the hot water as small air bubbles. FIG. 2 shows the appearance of the shower main body 51, and 52 is a cap of a battery power supply case built into the shower main body 51. The cap is made of paulownia wood and has a replaceable battery and a waterproof structure. Multiple shower nozzles 28.2
Reference numerals 9 and 30 each indicate a shower nozzle 28 capable of discharging hot water from the upper part of the shower main body 51, a squall shower nozzle 29 capable of discharging hot water like rain, and a reference numeral 30 a hand shower nozzle. Additionally, it is equipped with a fog shower nozzle 53 that discharges hot water in the form of fine mist. Selection of these shower nozzles is performed by operating electromagnetic valves 43, 44, 45, etc., which are switching means, from the operating section 54. In addition, the solenoid valve 43°44.45,
Reference numeral 46 is composed of a self-holding solenoid valve that can be operated by one-shot energization, with the intention of reducing the purity of the battery power source. Note that the onboard signal generator 12 and the flow rate controller 14
Furthermore, the flow rate control valve 15 and the like are constructed to be built into the shower main body 51.

In the above configuration, when an instruction is given to discharge from the shower nozzle 29 using the operation unit 54 of the shower main body 51, the original solenoid valve 47 and the solenoid valve 44, which is a switching means, are opened by one-shot energization, and hot water is spouted from the shower nozzle 29. do. In this case, since the 1 flow rate control valve 15 is not energized, the flow path of the flow rate 1 #Jw valve 15 is in the state shown in FIG. It is. However, the temperature detection element 40 consisting of a thermistor for detecting the hot water temperature, and the determination device 841
, has a function of dispensing hot water at an appropriate temperature using a solenoid valve 46, etc., so if the hot water supplied from the hot water supply port 26 is other than 37 to 42°C, instead of suddenly discharging it from the shower nozzle 29, the solenoid valve 46, etc. Valve 444i[t>ta*! Solenoid valve 46
tJl! , cold or hot water is discharged from the discharge port 38, and after the determination hand ff41 determines that the hot water temperature signal from the temperature detection element 40 has become 'S hot water, the solenoid valve 447 is automatically opened and the solenoid valve is closed. 46, the path of hot water is switched from the outlet 38 to the selected shower nozzle 29, and is discharged from the shower nozzle 29.

Therefore, you can use it with confidence without having to suddenly bathe in cold water or hot water.Moreover, since the outlet 88 is equipped with a bubble mixing port 1348, the hot water that is discharged will flow through the surrounding area of the outlet 38. Air bubbles are mixed in. That is, even if the hot water is discharged directly onto the floor of the shower room from the discharge port 88 of the shower body 51, for example, the discharged hot water is mixed with foam, which acts to reduce splashing to the surroundings. Therefore, it becomes possible to discharge water directly onto the floor of the shower room without feeling cold or getting burned. Providing the air bubble mixing means 48 at the discharge port 38 to make the discharged hot water into a bubble-mixed state not only suppresses scattering as described above, but also has the effect of relaxing the temperature of the discharged hot water. For example, if the temperature of hot water to be discharged is as hot as 50℃, the discharge port 3
When surrounding air is mixed in by the air bubble mixture R48 in step 8, the temperature of the surrounding air is naturally lower than 50°C, for example around 20°C, so the temperature of the hot water discharged with bubbles mixed in is The temperature is 50°C hot water mixed with 20°C air, for example around 40°C. Since burns can be prevented even with this kind of action, it is possible to discharge the water into the shower room. In this way, if hot water can be discharged into the shower room, at least the discharged hot water can be used to wash the floor of the shower room. Or, put the hot water that is drained into the bathtub,
It can be stored in the wash basin. In other words, it is possible to create a shower device that can prevent wasteful use of precious water resources.

Next, since the flow rate control valve 15 is not energized when the shower nozzle 29 is switched to the shower nozzle 29, the flow rate control valve 15 is not energized.
The flow path No. 5 remains fully open, and a shower jet with a fully open flow rate is obtained. This is because the characteristics of the flow rate control valve 15 are such that the flow rate is maximum when the electrical input is zero or minimum, and the flow rate is minimum when the electrical input is maximum.

In the case of a normal shower in which the shower flow rate is not changed in this way, there is no need to energize the flow rate control valve 15, resulting in power savings.

Next, when the musical tone fluctuation mode switch (not shown) of the operation unit 54 is turned on in the normal shower jet state, a musical tone signal is generated from the electric tone signal generator 12 and a sound signal is heard from the speaker 13. At the same time, the flow rate of the shower jet changes in conjunction with the rhythm of the sound and electricity. The flow rate controller 14 detects rhythm elements from the musical tone signal, and
The flow control valve 15 outputs electricity according to the rhythm element signal.
This occurs by applying an electric current to the electromagnetic coil 16. FIG. 3 shows the state in which the input current applied from the flow rate controller 14 to the flow rate control valve 15 changes and the state in which the shower flow rate changes at this time. In this way, the shower flow rate changes according to the rhythm element signal that changes over time, and rhythmic stimulation can be obtained. According to the intensity of the rhythm element sound that changes over time, the flow control valve 15 is energized only at the instant of each signal, and the electromagnetic force generated in the electromagnetic coil 16 of the flow control valve 15 causes the movable iron core 18 to acts to push the valve body 23 overcoming the force of the biasing element 1924, and at that moment the shower flow rate decreases. In addition, between the pulses of the rhythm element signal, the input current from the flow rate controller 14 to the flow rate control valve 15 stops, and the electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic coil 16 of the flow rate control valve 15 disappears at that moment, so the valve body 23 is attached. It operates in such a way that it is fully opened by the force of the force means 24 and immediately returns to the maximum flow rate. Note that in the flow control valve 14, the inflow pressure from the inflow passage 27 acts on the flow rate control flange 36 and the pressure balance flange 37 of the valve body 23, and the pressure acting force on the valve body due to the inflow pressure is almost canceled out. By configuring the valve body 23 to be driven only by the electromagnetic force of the electromagnetic coil 16 that can withstand the force of p924, for example, about 100 grams, lower power driving is possible. The communication passage 35 is also effective in further reducing the force exerted by the fluid pressure on the valve body. In other words, assuming that there is no communication passage 35, the inflow pressure from the inflow passage 27 flows around to the side of the pressure balance flange 37 where the biasing means 24 is installed, and acts as a force that pushes the valve body 23 toward the movable iron core 18. Therefore, a large amount of electromagnetic force is required, and a large amount of electric power is required. Further, the flow rate control valve 15 is different from a structure in which the flow rate is varied by driving a main valve through a change in force acting on a diaphragm by driving a pilot valve, for example, and the valve body 23 is movable by an electromagnetic force. Since it has a so-called direct-acting configuration in which it is directly driven by the iron core 18, quick response can be obtained, and the flow rate can be varied in conjunction with fast-changing signals such as music. Also, as mentioned above,
By using the flow rate control valve of this example, it is possible to fluctuate the flow rate with a small instantaneous energization time and energization amount, making it possible to realize a shower device that provides a stimulating sensation and pine surge effect with extremely low power consumption. Therefore, in the past, if you tried to realize such a fluctuating shower, you would need a commercial power supply, and if you installed it in a bathroom, you would have to do electrical work in addition to hot water supply piping, and you would have to remodel or rebuild the bathroom. There are restrictions on installation location and conditions.
l! Although there was a problem, it became possible to create a battery-powered type shower device with fluctuating flow rate as shown in Fig. 2 of this embodiment.
There is no need for electrical work or bathroom renovations, and it can be easily installed in existing bathrooms.

In addition, since there is no need to drain waste water outside the shower room as in the conventional case, there is no need to take the trouble to construct a pipe 11 for draining water outside the shower room as shown in FIG. In other words, in the case of this embodiment shown in FIG.
For example, it can be attached to the wall of an existing bathroom, the base i of a hand shower hose attached to an existing hot water mixer faucet (not shown), the hot water inlet 26 of the shower body 51, etc.
There is no need to connect any new piping to the discharge port 88. therefore,
Drilling holes in the wall of the existing bathroom for water supply and drainage piping,
This has the unique effect of making it possible to realize a shower device that is extremely easy to install without the need to connect pipes.

Effects of the Invention As described above, the shower device of the present invention provides the following effects.

(1) A shower nozzle that discharges hot water, a discharge port provided separately from the shower nozzle, a channel that sends hot water to the shower nozzle and the discharge port, and a temperature sensor that detects the temperature of the hot water in the channel. an element, a determining means for determining the output of the temperature sensing element, and a switching means for switching which of the shower nozzle and the discharge port the flow path communicates with, and a bubble mixing means for the discharge port. This shower device uses a hot water temperature sensing element, judgment means, switching means, etc., and instead of suddenly discharging cold or hot water from the shower nozzle, it first discharges hot water at an appropriate temperature from the outlet. hand,
After the determining means determines that the hot water temperature signal from the temperature sensing element has reached the appropriate temperature, the shower nozzle automatically switches to the appropriate temperature hot water function, which prevents suddenly cold or cold water. You can use it with confidence without having to bathe in hot water. Moreover, since the outlet is equipped with an air bubble mixing means, the hot water that is discharged is mixed with air bubbles from around the outlet, and is discharged directly from the outlet onto the floor of the shower room. It acts to reduce the splashing of the hot water that is discharged to the surrounding area, and at the same time,
The fact that the hot water that is discharged can be mixed with air bubbles means that
Not only can scattering be suppressed, but the temperature of the discharged hot water can be moderated. Therefore, there is an effect that it can be done without feeling cold or getting burned.

(2) Since the discharge port is equipped with air bubble mixing means,
It is now possible to discharge water directly onto the shower room floor, and the discharged hot water can be used to wash the shower room floor, put the discharged hot water into a bathtub, or store it in a washbasin. This provides the unique effect of realizing a shower device that can prevent wasteful use of precious water resources.

(3) Since the discharge port is equipped with air bubble mixing means,
This makes it possible to discharge water directly onto the floor of the shower room, resulting in a shower device that is extremely easy to install.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a shower device according to an embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is an external perspective view of the same device, Fig. 3 is a dynamic characteristic diagram of the same device, and Fig. 4 is a conventional shower device. It is a block diagram of a device. 28.29, 30...Shower nozzle, 38...Exhaust port, 39...Flow path, 40...Temperature detection element, 41
. . . Determination means, 43, 44, 45, 46 . . . Solenoid valve, 48 . . . Air bubble mixing means. Name of agent: Patent attorney Haruaki Ogata and two others 28, Pe3
0--- Shower nozzle 3B-・Masu erotic 112! ! 1 3rd t! ! Time t Figure 114

Claims (1)

[Claims] a shower nozzle that discharges hot water, an outlet provided separately from the shower nozzle, a channel that sends hot water to the shower nozzle and the outlet, and a temperature detection element that detects the temperature of the hot water in the channel; A shower device comprising: a determining means for determining the output of the temperature sensing element; and a switching means for switching which of the shower nozzle and the discharge port the flow path communicates with, and a bubble mixing means for the discharge port. .