JPH0552406A - Automatic cleaning device for bathtub - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide an automatic bathtub cleaning device which can be pro vided with a simple construction work and can be installed to a new bathtub and also to a used bathtub. CONSTITUTION:A cleaning nozzle 5, cleaning agent tank 6, controller 9, and drain water valve operating device 10 are assembled to the main body 4, and it is installed to the brim of a bathtub 1, etc., and a heat source device 15, cleaning nozzle 5, and circulation outlet and inlet pipes 12, 13 in the bathtub 1 are connected to the circulation channel 19. With this work, the main body 4 is attached to the brim or wall of the bathtub 1, and the setting is finished only by connecting the circulation channel 19 so that the work of installing a cleaning device becomes simple, and since there is no need to move the bathtub for the work, the device can be installed to a used bathtub simply and used.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an apparatus for automatically cleaning a bath.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a device for automatically cleaning the inside of a bath, there is known a system in which a nozzle is attached to an upper portion of a bath or a lid, and a cleaning liquid (water) is sprayed from the nozzle to wash away dirt. There is (JP-A-60-15882)
8, Jitsukai 62-4270, 62-4271, 62
-4174, 63-71869, and JP-A-2-5785.
7).

Further, a cleaning device in which a cleaning liquid is circulated and used is also known (Actually No. 62-4272, 6).
2-4273, 62-69977).

[0004]

However, the above-mentioned known bath cleaning apparatus has the following drawbacks.

A. To install the cleaning device in the bathtub, equipment such as piping is required, which makes construction difficult and large-scale.

B. Since it is almost impossible to attach it to an existing bathtub, only new ones are expected to be put into practical use.

C. The type of bathtub to which the cleaning device can be attached is limited.

D. Replacement work when replacing the bathtub becomes a major task.

E. The initial cost and the construction cost of the cleaning equipment are high.

An object of the present invention is to provide an automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus which does not have the above-mentioned disadvantages a to e.

[0011]

The constitution of the present invention is as follows.

A swing type cleaning nozzle is provided in the main body of the cleaning machine,
Install a cleaning agent tank, drainage valve operator and controller, attach a drainage valve to the drainage port provided at the bottom of the bathtub, open and close this drainage valve with the drainage valve operator, and discharge port at the top of the bathtub. Position the opened inlet side circulation port pipe, position the outlet side circulation port pipe with the suction port opened at the bottom, position the low water level sensor at the bottom of the bathtub and the high water level sensor at the top, outside the bathroom Install a heat source machine that incorporates a heat exchanger for hot water supply and a heat exchanger for reheating with a circulation pump.Connect the forward pipe of the heat exchanger for reheating with a valve to the washing nozzle and the inlet side circulation port pipe. , The return pipe is connected to the outlet side circulation port pipe, and the outlet side of the hot water heat exchanger is connected to the inlet side of the reheating heat exchanger. The controller performs the following control: a. When water or hot water is injected into the bathtub via the outlet circulation pipe or the drain valve is opened to drain water until the low water level sensor detects the level, and the level of the remaining hot water reaches the low water level sensor. Close the drain valve to collect the wash water on the bottom of the bath, b. Injecting the cleaning agent into the bath from the cleaning agent tank, c. Use the reheating heat exchanger to circulate cleaning water in the outlet side circulation port → reheating heat exchanger → washing nozzle → bath to wash the bath for a certain period of time, d. Stop the washing of c after a certain time, and then open the drain valve to drain water. E. The heat exchanger for hot water supply → the heat exchanger for reheating → the cleaning nozzle, rinse the inside of the bathtub while supplying water or hot water, and at the same time, wash the bottom of the bathtub for a certain period of time. F. An automatic washing device for a bath, wherein the drain valve is closed after the washing in the above e.

After the drain valve is closed in the controller, hot water is supplied from the inlet side circulation pipe into the bathtub via the hot water supply heat exchanger → the reheating heat exchanger to fill the water to a predetermined water level. You may add a control function to stop this filling when it reaches the limit.

Next, the controller may be optionally or automatically added with a function of controlling the reheating by driving the reheating heat exchanger.

Next, the controller may be configured so that the cleaning operation is started only when the lid of the bathtub is properly closed.

[0016]

[Function] When the bathing is completed, there are cases where the automatic cleaning is carried out immediately, or the bath is left as it is after the completion of the bathing and the cleaning is automatically carried out at the time of bathing (for example, the next day).

When performing automatic cleaning immediately after bathing a. When the operation switch is turned on, the drain valve operating device operates to open the drain valve, and the hot water in the bathtub is drained. Then, the low water level sensor operates in a state where the hot water remains shallow at the bottom of the bathtub, and the drain valve closes.

B. Next, the cleaning agent tank is opened and the cleaning agent is put into the bathtub, and this cleaning agent is mixed with the hot water at the bottom of the bathtub.

C. Next, the circulation pump and the heat exchanger for reheating are driven, and the bathtub → circulation pump → heat exchanger for reheating → hot water (washing water) mixed with the cleaning nozzle and cleaning agent circulates to maintain a constant inside the bathtub. After washing for hours, it stops.

D. Next, the drain valve opens, draining the hot water (washing water) remaining at the bottom of the bathtub, and with the drain valve open, supply water to the hot water heat exchanger → reheating heat exchanger → wash nozzle to supply water to the inside of the bathtub. Rinse and wash the bottom surface that has not been cleaned because the remaining hot water was accumulated shallowly for a certain period of time.

When washing the side surface and the bottom surface of the bathtub, the washing water may be heated while being heated by a heat exchanger for reheating, or may be cold water as it is, especially washing may be cold water as it is. .

E. Then close the drain valve.

The controller performs all of the above steps.

When automatic cleaning is performed at the time of bathing (next day) In this case, the steps from a to d are the same. Then, in the bathtub, the heat exchanger for hot water supply is driven to supply hot water,
Perform water filling. The level of this filling is controlled by a high water level sensor installed in the bath.

After the completion of the filling of water, when the temperature of the hot water is low, the reheating is performed in the order of the outlet side circulation port pipe → the reheating heat exchanger → the inlet side circulation port pipe → the bath. This reheating may be automatically performed by the hot water temperature sensor or may be manually performed.

Although the above-described operation is possible even when the lid is not closed in the bathtub, depending on the conditions, the operation may be performed only when the lid is properly closed.

[0027]

1 to 3 show an embodiment of the present invention and its operation.

Reference numeral 1 is a bathtub, 2 is a drain port, 3 is a drain valve (ball valve) for opening and closing the drain port 3 from the inside,
The drain valve 3 is provided with a trumpet-like inclined surface at the inlet of the drain port 2, and can be closed by rolling naturally or by water pressure during drainage.

The main body of the cleaning machine 4 is
Can be set on the edge 1'of the bathtub 1 (or on the wall of the bathroom).

Reference numeral 5 is a swing-type cleaning nozzle incorporated in the main body 4.

A cleaning agent tank 6 is incorporated in the main body 4, and a valve 8 is attached to a cleaning agent inlet 7 of the cleaning agent tank 6.

Reference numeral 9 is a controller incorporated in the main body 4.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a drain valve operating device for opening and operating the drain valve 3 incorporated in the main body 4. The drain valve operating device 10 and the drain valve 3 are connected by a chain 11.

Reference numeral 12 designates an outlet side circulation pipe having a connection port at the back of the main body 4 and a suction port 12 'located at the inner bottom of the bath 1.
Reference numeral 3 is an inlet side circulation port pipe having a connection port on the back of the main body 4 and having a discharge port positioned in the upper part of the bathtub 1 (inside the proper level).

The upper end of the chain 14 is fixed to the main body 4, and the chain 1
1, outlet side circulation pipe 12, inlet side circulation pipe 13, drainage port 2,
It can be removed together with the main body 4 by using a cover that covers the drainage valve 3.

Reference numeral 15 is a heat source device, 16 is a heat exchanger for hot water supply, 1
Reference numeral 7 is a heat exchanger for reheating, 18 is a water supply pipe, 19 is a reheating circulation path, 20 is a forward pipe, 21 is a return pipe, and the forward pipe 20 is connected to the inlet side circulation pipe 13 and returns. Tube 21
Are valves 22, 2 on the outlet side circulation pipe 12 and the cleaning nozzle 5.
It is connected through 3.

The cleaning agent injection pipe 7 of the cleaning agent tank 6 is connected between the outflow pipe 20 and the cleaning nozzle 5.

Reference numeral 24 is a low water level sensor, 25 is a high water level sensor, 26 is a circulation pump, 27 is a heat exchanger 16 for hot water supply and a return pipe 21 on the side of the heat exchanger 17 for reheating is connected via a valve 28. The connecting pipe, 29, is the lid of the bathtub 1.

The operation of the embodiment is as follows.

A. When the operation switch is turned on, the drain valve operating device 10 operates to pull up the chain 11 and the drain valve 3 opens,
The hot water in the bathtub 1 is drained. When the amount of hot water in the bathtub 1 is reduced to the low water level sensor 24, the low water level sensor 24 is activated, the drain valve 3 is closed, and a little hot water is left at the bottom of the bathtub 1.

B. Next, the valve 8 of the cleaning agent tank 6 is opened and the cleaning agent is put into the bathtub 1, and this cleaning agent is mixed with the hot water at the bottom of the bathtub 1.

C. Next, the circulation pump 26 and the reheating heat exchanger 17 are driven, and the bathtub 1 → the circulation pump 26 → the reheating heat exchanger 17 → the valve 22 → the cleaning nozzle 5 and the hot water containing the cleaning agent (cleaning water) Circulates, and after washing the inside of the bathtub 1 for a certain period of time, it stops.

D. Next, the drain valve 3 is opened to drain the hot water (wash water) remaining at the bottom of the bathtub 1, and the drain valve 3 is left open for the hot water supply heat exchanger 16 → the reheating heat exchanger 17 → the valve 2
2 → Washing water is supplied to the washing nozzle 5, washing in the bathtub 1 is performed, and washing is performed for a certain period of time on the bottom portion, where the remaining hot water (washing water) has been shallowly accumulated and was not washed. This state is shown in Figure 3.
Is shown in.

E. Next, the drain valve 3 is closed, and the hot water supply heat exchanger 16 → the reheating heat exchanger 17 → the valve 22 → the cleaning nozzle 5 (or the valve 23 → the outlet side circulation pipe 13) is passed into the bathtub 1 Fill with water or water. However, this process may be performed on the next day.

F. Reheating is performed using the inlet side circulation port pipe 13 and the outlet side circulation port pipe 12.

The controller 9 performs all the above steps.

[0047]

The present invention has the above-described structure and operation, and has the following effects.

A. The heat source unit 15 is installed outside the bathroom, and the main unit 4
The cleaning device can be installed only by attaching the above to the edge 1 ′ of the bathtub 1 and connecting the main body 4 and the heat source device 15 with the circulation path 19.

As a result, the construction is very easy, and even in the case of the existing bathtub, it is not necessary to move the bathtub, so that the automatic cleaning device can be easily attached.

B. Since it is not necessary to tamper with the drainage port, etc., it can be used not only for installing it in an existing bathtub, but also for installing an automatic cleaning device without any trouble when replacing the bathtub.

C. Since labor is not required for piping and the like, the construction cost is low, and the structure of the device itself is simple, so it can be provided at low cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a cleaning device according to the present invention attached to a bath.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view during washing in a bath.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory view of cleaning the bottom surface of the bathtub.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Bathtub 3 Drain valve 4 Main body 5 Washing nozzle 6 Cleaning agent tank 9 Controller 10 Drain valve operating device 12 Outlet side circulation port pipe 13 Inlet side circulation port pipe 14 Cover 15 Heat source device 16 Hot water supply heat exchanger 17 Reheating heat Exchanger 19 Circulation system path 20 Outgoing pipe 21 Return pipe 24 Low water level sensor 25 High water level sensor 26 Circulation pump

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A washing nozzle of a swing type, a cleaning agent tank, a drain valve operating device, and a controller are incorporated in the main body of the washing machine, and a drain valve is attached to a drain port provided at the bottom of the bathtub. Opening and closing with the drain valve operation device, positioning the inlet side circulation port pipe with the discharge port open at the top of the bath and the outlet side circulation port pipe with the suction port open at the bottom, The water level sensor is located, the high water level sensor is located on the upper part, a heat source unit incorporating a heat exchanger for hot water supply and a heat exchanger for reheating with a circulation pump is installed outside the bathroom, of the heat exchanger for reheating Connect the outflow pipe to the cleaning nozzle and the inlet side circulation port pipe through a valve, connect the return pipe to the outlet side circulation port pipe and connect the outlet side of the hot water heat exchanger to the inlet side of the reheating heat exchanger. Connect, the controller performs the following controls: a. When water or hot water is injected into the bathtub via the outlet circulation pipe or the drain valve is opened to drain water until the low water level sensor detects the level, and the level of the remaining hot water reaches the low water level sensor. Close the drain valve to collect the wash water on the bottom of the bath, b. Injecting the cleaning agent into the bath from the cleaning agent tank, c. Use the reheating heat exchanger to circulate cleaning water in the outlet side circulation port → reheating heat exchanger → washing nozzle → bath to wash the bath for a certain period of time, d. Stop the washing of c after a certain time, and then open the drain valve to drain water. E. The heat exchanger for hot water supply → the heat exchanger for reheating → the cleaning nozzle, rinse the inside of the bathtub while supplying water or hot water, and at the same time, wash the bottom of the bathtub for a certain period of time. F. An automatic washing device for a bath, wherein the drain valve is closed after the washing in the above e. 2. The controller, after closing the drain valve, fills the water from the inlet side circulation port pipe into the bathtub through the hot water supply heat exchanger → the reheating heat exchanger to reach a predetermined water level. The automatic bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1, further comprising a control function for stopping the filling of water. 3. The automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller has a function of controlling the reheating by driving the reheating heat exchanger arbitrarily or automatically. 4. The automatic bathtub cleaning apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the controller is configured so that the cleaning operation is started only when the lid of the bathtub is properly closed. 5. A drain valve, an inlet side circulation port pipe, an outlet side circulation port pipe,
The automatic bathtub cleaning device according to claim 1, wherein the high and low water level sensors are covered with a cover.