JPH05240501A - Hot water feeding device for bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To enable a high precision water level sensing or water level control to be carried out by a method wherein a troublesome operation corresponding to a bath tub installing height or a shape of the bath tub is not required. CONSTITUTION:A bath heating circulation circuit for circulating hot water within a bath tub is provided with a water level sensor 1. There are provided an amplifier circuit 37 for amplifying an output from the water level sensor 1 in response to a reference voltage and a reference voltage changing circuit 38 for changing the reference voltage of the amplifier circuit 37 in such a way that the output of the amplifier circuit 37 becomes '0'(V) when the bath heating circulation circuit is sealingly filled with hot water within the bath tub. In addition, there are also provided a full water level memory means M for storing an output of the amplifier circuit 37 as a 'VMAX'(V) when the bath tub is full of water and a micro-computer 13 for judging the water level in the bath tub in response to the output from the amplifier circuit 37 and controlling the water level within the bath tub so as to construct the hot water feeding bath device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to heating water by a heat source (gas, oil, electricity) and pouring the heated water into a bathtub to fill the bathtub with hot water. The present invention relates to a hot-water supply bath device that reheats by circulating it to a bath heat exchanger.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In recent years, a hot-water supply bath device which has a remote controller for controlling the operation of a heat source device and automatically operates for filling and reheating a bath tub has become widespread as a product.

[0003]

However, in this kind of hot-water supply bath apparatus, it is necessary to adjust the installation position (height difference) of the bathtub in order to set the bath water level to the desired water level by the remote control. It was Also, when installing a bathtub on the second floor, etc., the output range of the water level sensor must be used by manually switching the output range to be used according to the height difference, which makes setting work at the time of installation very complicated. It was a thing (for example, refer to Japanese Patent Publication No. 3-41737).

In view of the above circumstances, the present invention enables automatic setting without the need to manually switch and set the output range of the water level sensor according to the installation position (height difference) of the bathtub, and enables accurate water level detection and water level. It is an object of the present invention to provide a hot water supply bath device that can be controlled.

[0005]

According to the present invention, the hot water in the hot water supply heat exchanger is supplied to the bathtub via the bath heating circulation circuit to fill the bathtub and the hot water in the bathtub is used for heating the bath. In a hot-water supply bath device that reheats bath water by circulating it to a bath heat exchanger via a circulation circuit, a water level sensor provided in the bath heating circulation circuit and the output of this water level sensor according to a reference voltage. Amplifying means for amplifying and a reference for automatically changing the reference voltage of the amplifying means so that the output of the amplifying means when the bath heating circulation circuit is water-sealed with water in the bathtub becomes a first predetermined level. A voltage changing means, a full water level storage means for storing the output of the amplifying means when the bathtub is full as a second predetermined level, and an amplification of the water level in the bathtub between a first predetermined level and a second predetermined level. Water level judged based on the output of the means A configuration in which a constant means.

Further, according to the present invention, the hot water of the heat exchanger for hot water supply is supplied to the bathtub through the bath heating circulation circuit to fill the bathtub, and the hot water of the bathtub is passed through the bath heating circulation circuit. In a hot water supply bath device that reheats bath water by circulating it to a bath heat exchanger, a water level sensor provided in a bath heating circulation circuit and an amplification means for amplifying the output of the water level sensor according to a reference voltage. And reference voltage changing means for automatically changing the reference voltage of the amplifying means so that the output of the amplifying means when the bath heating circulation circuit is sealed with water in the bathtub becomes a first predetermined level. , A full water level storage means for storing the output of the amplification means when the bathtub is full as a second predetermined level, a bath water level setting means, and a setting signal of the bath water level setting means for the first predetermined level and the second predetermined level. Amplification hand to a predetermined level Output in correspondence of a configuration in which a water level control means for controlling the water level of the bath in accordance with the output of the amplifying means as the water level in the tub reaches the set water level.

[0007]

In the hot water supply bath apparatus according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the circulating circuit for bath heating is water-sealed with the water in the bathtub, the output of the amplifying means becomes the first predetermined level which is set in advance. Since the reference voltage is automatically changed and the output of the amplifying means when the bath is full is stored as the second predetermined level, the reference voltage of the amplifying means is changed according to the installation height of the bath as in the conventional case. Not only does it save the labor of manually adjusting the temperature of the bathtub, but the output range of the amplifying means (the first predetermined level and the second predetermined level) is irrespective of the shape (size and height) of the bathtub. The level of the water level in the bathtub can be accurately determined by increasing the resolution of water level detection according to the constant level).

Further, the same is true of the hot water supply bath apparatus according to the second aspect, and not only the conventional manual labor for adjusting the reference voltage of the amplifying means in accordance with the installation height of the bath tub can be saved, but also the bath tub Regardless of the shape (size or height), the water level control is performed by associating the output range of the amplifying means (between the first predetermined level and the second predetermined level, the first predetermined level is always constant) with the setting signal. It is possible to increase the resolution of and to accurately control the water level in the bathtub.

[0009]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hot-water supply bath device 15 according to the present invention has a bathtub 2, and a bath heating circulation circuit 16 is formed in the bathtub 2 with both ends thereof being opened in the bathtub 2. It is provided in a loop. Circulation circuit 16 for bath heating
A heat exchanger 17 for bath is provided in a substantially central portion of the so as to connect the outflow pipe 16a and the return pipe 16b to each other. The outflow pipe 16a of the circulation circuit 16 for bath heating has a semiconductor pressure sensor or the like. A water level sensor 1, a bath thermistor 11, a bath pump 5, and a running water switch 6 are provided, and a hot water outlet thermistor 12 is provided in a return pipe 16b of the bath heating circulation circuit 16. A bath burner 27 is installed below the bath heat exchanger 17, and a bath proportional valve 21, a bath gas valve 22 and a common gas are connected to a first gas pipe 29 connected to the bath burner 27. A valve 23 is provided. In the vicinity of the bath burner 27, the bath burner motor 2
4 is provided in a form capable of supplying combustion air to the bath burner 27.

As shown in FIG. 2, the hot water supply bath device 15 has a hot water supply circuit 25, and one end of the hot water supply circuit 25 has a return pipe 16 between the hot water thermistor 12 and the bath 2.
The other end is connected to a water source (not shown) such as city water. The hot water supply circuit 25 includes a hot water supply heat exchanger 2
6, a hot water supply thermistor 20, a pouring valve 7, a hopper 33, a pouring valve 8, a check valve 18, and a pouring counter 19 are provided. Hot water supply circuit 2 between the hot water supply thermistor 20 and the pouring valve 7.
A hot water supply tap 35 is connected to the fifth portion via a hot water supply pipe 34, and a drain pipe 36 is connected to the hopper 33 via an overflow valve 9. In addition, the heat exchanger 26 for hot water supply
A hot water supply burner 28 is installed below the hot water supply burner 28, and a second gas pipe 30 connected to the hot water supply burner 28 is provided with a hot water supply proportional valve 31 and a hot water supply gas valve 32. The second
The tip of the gas pipe 30 is connected to the portion of the first gas pipe 29 between the bath gas valve 22 and the common gas valve 23. Further, in the vicinity of the hot water supply burner 28, the hot water supply burner motor 1 is provided.
4 is provided so that combustion air can be supplied to the hot water supply burner 28.

By the way, the hot water supply / bath device 15 has a built-in microcomputer 13 having a full water level storage means M incorporated therein.
As shown in, the amplifier circuit 37 is connected via the first input port 13a, and the water level sensor 1 is connected to the tip of the amplifier circuit 37. A reference voltage changing circuit 38 is connected to the microcomputer 13 via an output port 13c, and the reference voltage changing circuit 38 is connected to the amplifier circuit 37.

Further, the microcomputer 13 has a second
The water flow switch 6 is connected through the input port 13b. Furthermore, the bath thermistor 11, the hot water supply thermistor 12, the hot water supply thermistor 20 and the like are connected to the microcomputer 13 as an input side, and the bath pump 5, the pouring valve 7, and the like as an output side.
8, the overflow valve 9, the common gas valve 23, the hot water supply gas valve 32, the hot water supply proportional valve 31, the bath gas valve 22, the bath proportional valve 21, the hot water supply burner motor 14, the bath burner motor 24, etc. It is connected. Further, a remote controller 3 is connected to the microcomputer 13, and on the remote controller 3, as shown in FIG. 5, an automatic bath operation switch 4, a water level setting switch 39, etc. are provided. Further, a trial run switch 40 is provided at an appropriate position in the apparatus.

Trial run switch 4 when installing the hot water supply bath device
When 0 is pressed, the microcomputer 13 drives the bath pump 5 as shown in FIG. 3 to turn on the running water switch 6.
Check / OFF operation. At this time, as a matter of course, since the running water switch 6 is OFF, the microcomputer 13 opens the pouring valves 7 and 8 and closes the overflow valve 9 to remove the water in the hot water supply circuit 25 from the bath 2
Supply in.

When the pouring counter 19 detects that pouring of a predetermined amount (for example, about 90 l) has been completed,
The pouring valves 7 and 8 are closed, the bath pump 5 is driven, and the ON / OFF operation of the running water switch 6 is checked. At this time, when the running water switch 6 is OFF (that is, when there is no running water), the pouring operation (about 30 l after the second time) is repeated until the running water switch 6 is turned ON.

When the running water switch 6 is in the ON state, the driving of the bath pump 5 is stopped and the water level in the bathtub 2 is stabilized, and then the height difference of the bathtub 2 is judged based on the output of the water level sensor 1. To do. That is, when the installation position of the bathtub 2 is higher than the water level sensor 1 as shown by the solid line in FIG. 7, the water level sensor 1 outputs a voltage of 2.5 V or higher (see FIG. 6). Therefore, the microcomputer 13
The analog voltage input to the input port 13a is converted into a digital value, and the current input voltage is read.

Next, the microcomputer 13 outputs a PWM output having a predetermined pulse width from the output port 13c to the reference voltage changing circuit 38 as a bath height correction output, and the input value to the first input port 13a is "0". The PWM output is variably output so as to be (V). By outputting the PWM output of the predetermined pulse width from the output port 13c, the reference voltage of the amplifier circuit 37 is changed, and the first input port 13 is changed.
The input value to a is “0” (first predetermined level). The water level in the bathtub 2 at this time is the “0” position shown in FIG.

Next, from the amplifier circuit 37 to the first input port 1
While monitoring the input value to 3a, the pouring valves 7 and 8 are opened to continue pouring water into the bathtub 2. Then, when the bathtub 2 becomes full of water and water overflows from the bathtub 2, the amplifier circuit 3
The output of 7 does not increase. Microcomputer 13
Means that when the output of the amplifier circuit 37 becomes constant for a predetermined time or longer, the output of the amplifier circuit 37 (the input value to the first input port 13a) "VMAX" (V) is set as a second predetermined level and the full water level storage means is provided. Store in M.

On the other hand, when the installation position of the bathtub 2 is lower than that of the water level sensor 1 as shown by the broken line in FIG. , When the circulation is detected (bath heating circulation circuit 1
6 is sealed with water), an appropriate PWM output is emitted from the output port 13c, and the reference voltage of the amplifier circuit 37 is automatically adjusted so that the input value to the first input port 13a becomes "0" (V). After the adjustment, the full water level of the bathtub 2 is stored.

When the circulation check is performed and it is determined that there is circulating water, if the input voltage level of the first input port 13a is "0" (V) or "5" (V), the position of the bath 2 is Error processing is performed assuming that the device is installed beyond the range of ± 4m.

As described above, the water level detection range and the water level control range of the bathtub 2 are automatically adjusted according to the height difference of the bathtub 2, and the installation height of the bathtub 2 and as shown in FIGS. It becomes possible to always perform highly accurate water level detection and water level control regardless of the shape (size and height) of the bathtub 2. That is, regardless of the installation height of the bathtub 2, the output of the amplification circuit 37 is adjusted to "0" (V) when the bath heating circulation circuit 16 is water-sealed, and the bathtub 2 is full. Since the bath level is stored as "VMAX" (V) at the time, the microcomputer 13 as the water level determination means and the water level control means outputs the output of the amplification circuit 37 to "0" (V) as shown in FIG. And "VMAX" (V), the water level in the bathtub 2 can be determined and controlled with high resolution.

[0022]

As described above, according to the present invention, the amplifying means is arranged so that the output of the amplifying means becomes the first predetermined level when the circulating circuit for heating the bath is water-sealed with water in the bathtub. Since the reference voltage of the amplifier is automatically changed and the output of the amplifying means when the bath is full is stored as the second predetermined level, the reference voltage of the amplifying means for amplifying the output of the water level sensor as in the conventional case. Not only does it eliminate the need to manually adjust the water level according to the installed height of the bathtub, but regardless of the shape (size and height) of the bathtub, the resolution for water level detection and water level control is increased, and the water level of the bathtub is accurate It is possible to make a good judgment (claim 1) and to control the water level of the bathtub with accuracy (claim 2), simplify the installation work, and improve the usability for the user.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of a configuration of a controller of a hot water supply bath device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an overall configuration of a hot water supply bath device.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing an operation example of a control device during a trial run.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an operation example of the control device during automatic operation.

FIG. 5 is a front view showing an example of a remote controller.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing output characteristics of a water level sensor.

FIG. 7: Positional relationship (height difference) of the bathtub with respect to the water level sensor
FIG.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the water level in a bathtub.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the water level in another bathtub.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Water level sensor 2 Bathtub 13 Microcomputer that also serves as water level determination means and water level control means 15 Hot water supply bath device 16 Bath heating circulation circuit 17 Bath heat exchanger 26 Hot water supply heat exchanger 37 Amplification means (amplification circuit) 38 Reference voltage change Means (reference voltage changing circuit) 39 Water level setting means (water level setting switch) M Full water level storage means

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. The hot water of the heat exchanger for hot water supply is supplied to the bathtub via the bath heating circulation circuit to fill the bathtub with the hot water of the bathtub via the bath heating circulation circuit. In a hot water supply bath device that recirculates water in a bathtub to reheat bath water, a water level sensor provided in a bath heating circulation circuit, an amplification means for amplifying the output of the water level sensor according to a reference voltage, and a bath heating Reference voltage changing means for automatically changing the reference voltage of the amplifying means so that the output of the amplifying means becomes a first predetermined level when the circulating circuit for water is sealed with water in the bathtub; At this time, the output of the amplification means is stored as a second predetermined level, and the water level in the bathtub is determined based on the output of the amplification means between the first predetermined level and the second predetermined level. It is characterized by having water level determination means A bath water heater. 2. The hot water of the heat exchanger for hot water supply is supplied to the bathtub through the bath heating circulation circuit to fill the bathtub, and the bath water is passed through the bath heating circulation circuit. In a hot water supply bath device that recirculates water in a bathtub to reheat bath water, a water level sensor provided in a bath heating circulation circuit, an amplification means for amplifying the output of the water level sensor according to a reference voltage, and a bath heating Reference voltage changing means for automatically changing the reference voltage of the amplifying means so that the output of the amplifying means becomes a first predetermined level when the circulating circuit for water is sealed with water in the bathtub; The full-water level storage means for storing the output of the amplifying means as the second predetermined level, the bathtub water level setting means, and the setting signal of the bathtub water level setting means for the first predetermined level and the second predetermined level. Corresponding to the output of the amplification means between A bath water heater, comprising: water level control means for controlling the water level of the bathtub according to the output of the amplification means so that the water level of the bathtub becomes a set water level.