JPH06125851A - Bath circulating system having water softening function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent generation of scale formed by a hardness component and generation of metallic soap formed by coupling of the hardness component and soap by constituting a circulating path by connecting a water absorption port and a water discharge port provided in a bathtub through a circulating pump, and also, providing a water softener in the halfway of the circulating path. CONSTITUTION:When an operating switch button is pushed, bathtub water is absorbed into a circulating path (a) from a water absorption port 4 of a bathtub 1 by a circulating pump P, discharged to a first opening/closing valve E1 side from a second discharge port 12 of the pump P, heated by a hot-water supply unit H, and flows into the bathtub 1 from a water discharge port 3 of the bathtub 1. On the other hand, from a first discharge port 11 of the circulating pump P, bathtub water is discharged to a water softener B side, and flows into the water softener B through a first flow passage changeover valve D1. Subsequently, the bathtub water converted to softened water by an ion exchange resin J contained in the water softener B reaches a circulating return path of a first circulating return path of a first circulating path al, joins with the bathtub water which flows into the circulating return path from a second discharge port 12 of the circulating pump P, is heated by the hot-water supply unit H, and flows into the bathtub 1 from the water discharge port 3.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bathtub circulation system having a softening function capable of easily softening bathwater.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, well water or tap water, which is hard water, is often used as bath water, and when such hard water is heated, a complex reaction of hardness components forms a scale that may cause damage to bathtubs and the like. Alternatively, the fatty acid contained in the soap and the hardness component are combined to form a metal soap,
There is a risk that the skin may be adversely affected.

Therefore, as a device for softening bath water,
For example, there is a stirring type water softener for bathtubs disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 61-45915.

This is constructed by providing a hollow cylindrical body at the tip of a so-called pouring rod, providing elongated holes on the upper and lower surfaces of the hollow cylindrical body, and accommodating an ion exchange resin inside.

By holding the handle portion of the water softener and swinging the hollow columnar body provided below the handle portion up and down in the bath water, the bath water is brought into good contact with the ion exchange resin in the column body. , The bath water is softened.

[0006]

However, the above water softener for bathtub still has the following problems to be solved.

That is, as described above, in order to soften the water in the bathtub, the user must hold the handle portion of the water softener and shake the water in the bathtub up and down, which requires considerable labor and labor. It was a requirement.

In addition, in order to regenerate the ion exchange resin, there has been an inconvenience such that the water softener has to be dipped in a saline solution and then washed with water.

Therefore, while knowing the merits caused by softening the bath water, the inconvenience becomes an obstacle, and such a water softener is often not used.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a bathtub circulation system having a soft water function capable of solving the above-mentioned problems.

[0011]

According to the present invention, a water inlet and a water outlet provided in a bathtub are connected to each other via a circulation pump outside the bathtub to form a circulation path, and ions are provided in the middle of the circulation path. It is intended to provide a bathtub circulation system having a water softening function, which is characterized in that a water softener equipped with an exchange resin is arranged.

The present invention also provides, on the downstream side of the water softener,
A bypass flow path that branches from the circulation path and joins the circulation path again is formed, a salt tank is provided in the middle of the bypass flow path, and a first flow path switching valve is provided between the circulation pump and the water softener. In addition, second and third flow path switching valves are provided at the branch point and the confluence point of the circulation path and the bypass flow path, respectively.
A normal operation flow in which a first opening / closing valve is provided in the vicinity of the water discharge port of the bathtub, and the bath water can be circulated without passing through the bypass flow passage in cooperation with the operations of the circulation pump, the flow passage switching valve, and the first opening / closing valve. Backflow into the salt tank of the bypass and the bypass flow path, and the first
It is also characterized in that the regeneration operation flow channel is constructed so that drainage is possible from the discharge port via the flow channel switching valve.

Further, in the present invention, instead of the second and third flow path switching valves, a second opening / closing valve is provided in a direct connection flow path which connects a branch point and a junction point of the circulation path and the bypass flow path. At the same time, a check valve is provided on the upstream side of the salt tank arranged in the middle of the bypass flow path, and a third opening / closing valve is provided on the downstream side.

[0014]

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

FIG. 1 is an explanatory view schematically showing a bathtub circulation system A having a water softening function according to the present invention. The overall configuration of the system A will be described below.

(Overall Structure of Bathtub Circulation System A Having a Water Softening Function) In this system A, a water discharge port 3 and a water suction port 4 provided in the bathtub 1 are circulated outside the bathtub 1 in a two-stage circulation described later. The circuit a is connected via the pump P via the circulation path a.

The circulation path a is a circulation outward path connecting the water inlet 4 of the bathtub 1 and the suction port 10 of the circulation pump P, the second discharge port 12 provided on the lower side of the circulation pump P and the bathtub 1. A first circulation path a1 consisting of a circulation return path connecting with the spout 3;
It is composed of a first discharge port 11 provided on the upper side of the circulation pump P and a second circulation path a2 connecting the middle of the circulation return path.

Then, in the second circulation path a2, a water softener B having a first flow path switching valve D1 and an ion exchange resin J is sequentially arranged on the downstream side of the circulation pump P. On the downstream side, the bypass flow path b is connected to the second circulation path a2 by a bypass flow path inlet d and a bypass flow path outlet e which are branch points and confluence points of the bypass flow path b, and the midway of the bypass flow path b. Is equipped with a salt tank T.

On the upstream and downstream sides of the salt tank T, a check valve F is provided near the bypass passage inlet d, and a third opening / closing valve E3 is provided near the bypass passage outlet e.
The second opening / closing valve E2 is provided in the direct connection flow path c formed between the bypass flow path inlet d and the bypass flow path outlet e of the second circulation path a2.
Are installed.

In the circulation return path of the first circulation path a1,
A first opening / closing valve E1 is arranged between a branch point f between the circulation return path and the second circulation path a2 and the water outlet 3 of the bathtub 1.
A water heater H is arranged between the opening / closing valve E1 and the bathtub 1.

The bathtub circulation system A in the present embodiment is constructed as described above to make it possible to soften the bathwater which is hard water, and at the same time, the bathwater is the salt tank T of the bypass channel b.
The ion-exchange resin J can be regenerated with salt by backflowing to.

The main constituent features will be described in more detail.

(Circulation Pump P) The circulation pump P will be described. In this embodiment, the circulation pump P is a two-stage pump, and the motor M is disposed above the casing C.
In the lower casing C of the motor M, a first impeller 7 and a second impeller 8 are arranged in parallel in upper and lower two stages, and the impellers 7 and 8 extend downward from the motor M to a drive shaft M1. Installed on.

In addition, a partition wall 9 is arranged between the impellers 7 and 8 to divide them into an upper casing C1 and a lower casing C2, respectively. A first discharge port 11 is provided on the upper casing C1 side to provide a second discharge port. The circulation path a2 is connected to the first flow path switching valve D1 side, the lower casing C2 side is provided with a suction port 10 and a second discharge port 12, which are connected to the water suction port 4 and the water discharge port 3 of the bathtub 1, respectively. ing.

With this configuration, the circulation pump P has only one
Large-capacity / low-pressure discharge is performed in the second-stage lower casing C2, and small-capacity / high-pressure discharge is performed in the second-stage upper-stage casing C1.

That is, when the system A is operated, the bathtub 1
The bathtub water inside enters the suction port 10 of the circulation pump P from the water suction port 4, flows through the first circulation path a1 connecting from the second discharge port 12 to the water discharge port 3 of the bathtub 1 with a large capacity and low pressure, Small capacity
At high pressure, it flows from the first discharge port 11 through the second circulation path a2 in which the first flow path switching valve D1, the water softener B, etc. are arranged, merges in the first circulation path a1, and passes through the discharge port 3 of the bathtub 1. To return to the bathtub 1.

The circulation pump P may not be of a two-stage type, but two pumps may be provided for supplying hot water to the bath 1 and for supplying water to the water softener B. In this case, the pipe may be branched from the downstream side of the hot water supply pump to the water softener B side, and the water supply pump to the water softener B may be arranged downstream of the branch point.

(Water softener B and salt tank T) Here, the water softener B and the salt tank T, which are the gist of the present invention, will be described.

The water softener B comprises a hollow cylindrical case B1, a porous floor plate B2 formed so that bath water can flow in and out, and an ion exchange resin J placed on the floor plate B2. ,
During normal operation of the system A, the bath water flowing from the upstream side can be brought into contact with the ion exchange resin J to soften the water.

Further, the salt tank T stores a salt lump S such as rock salt in the tank T1, and at the time of normal operation of the present system A, a check valve F arranged upstream of the salt tank T. With the third opening / closing valve E3 arranged on the downstream side, the bath water does not flow into the salt tank T, but the bath water flows directly to the circulation outward path of the first circulation path a1. Therefore, salt content does not mix in the bath water. The check valve F is the first to third opening / closing valves E1, E.
An on-off valve may be used as with E2.

(Structure of the first flow path switching valve D1 and first to third
Operation timing of on-off valves E1, E2, E3) Next, referring to FIG. 2 and FIG.
Referring to, the first flow path switching valve D1 and each on-off valve E1, E2,
As for E3, the first flow path switching valve D1 is the first circulation path a1.
It is arranged between the circulation pump P and the water softener B, and the two inlets and outlets are connected to the circulation pump P and the water softener B, respectively, and the other inlet and outlet are connected to the drainage port 13.

During normal operation of system A, that is,
When softening the bath water, the inlet / outlet of the first flow path switching valve D1 on the drain outlet 13 side is closed, the inlet / outlet connected to the circulation pump P and the water softener B is opened, and the on-off valves E1, E2, In cooperation with E3, bath water can be circulated in the circulation path a so as to pass through the water softener B (see FIG. 2).

When regenerating the ion exchange resin J of the water softener B, the inlet / outlet on the circulation pump P side of the first flow path switching valve D1 is closed, and the inlet / outlet on the water softener B side and the drain outlet 13 side is opened. Then, in cooperation with the on-off valves E1, E2, E3, the bath water flows from the branch point f between the first circulation path a1 and the second circulation path a2 to the salt tank T side, and passes through the bypass path b. Then, it will be discharged from the drainage port (see FIG. 3).

Each on-off valve that cooperates with the first flow path switching valve D1
The operation timings of E1, E2, E3 are as follows.

When the bath water is softened, as shown in FIG. 2, the check valve F prevents the bath water from passing through the bypass flow path b, and the first on-off valve E1 and the second on-off valve E1 are opened. E2 is open. Therefore, the bath water sucked from the bathtub 1 by the circulation pump P is softened through the first flow path switching valve D1 and the water softener B, and does not flow into the bypass flow path b, but directly into the first circulation path. It will circulate from the circulation outward route of a1 to the bathtub 1. At this time, if the third opening / closing valve E3 is closed, it is possible to completely prevent the bath water that has passed through the second opening / closing valve E2 from flowing into the salt tank T.

When regenerating the ion exchange resin J, the first on-off valve E1 and the second on-off valve E2 are closed as shown in FIG. The check valve F is in a passable state and the third opening / closing valve E3 is also in an open state.

At this time, since the inlet / outlet of the first flow path switching valve D1 on the side of the circulation pump P is also closed, the bath water sucked from the bathtub 1 by the circulation pump P flows backward through the circulation path a, and the third opening / closing operation is performed. It flows into the salt tank T via the valve E3.

The bath water in which the salt content of the salt lump S is eluted in the salt tank T then flows into the water softener B through the check valve F and comes into contact with the ion exchange resin J, and contains the salt content. The ion-exchange resin J can be easily regenerated by using the bath water.

(Actual Operation of System A) Here, the actual operation of the system A will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIG. 1, the present system A can be operated by a controller 5 mounted on a wall of a bathroom or the like, and by operating the controller 5, the operation start, stop, or regeneration of the water softener B can be performed. Easy to do.

Normal Operation (Softening Water) The bathtub circulation system A according to this embodiment operates to soften the bathwater during normal operation. 2, the bath water is sucked into the circulation path a from the water suction port 4 of the bathtub 1 by the circulation pump P, and the second discharge port of the pump P is sucked in.
It is discharged from 12 to the side of the first opening / closing valve E1 that is large capacity and low pressure and is heated by the water heater H and flows into the bathtub 1 from the outlet 3 of the bathtub 1, and the bathtub is repeated while repeating such circulation. Warm the water to a suitable temperature.

On the other hand, the bath water is discharged from the first discharge port 11 of the circulation pump P to the water softener B side with a small capacity and high pressure, and the bath water is softened via the first flow path switching valve D1. Bowl B
Flows into.

The bath water softened by the ion-exchange resin J contained in the water softener B is the first circulation path provided with the first opening / closing valve E1 via the second opening / closing valve E2 in the open state. It reaches the circulation return path of a1, and the second discharge port 12 of the circulation pump P described above.
The hot water supply device H
It is heated by and flows into the bathtub 1 from the water discharge port 3.

As described above, the bath water is gradually softened while circulating in the circulation system A, and the scale generated when the hard water is heated adheres to the water heater H to generate heat. There is no fear of deteriorating conduction efficiency or shortening service life.

Further, since it has no hardness component, it does not bond with the fatty acid contained in the soap used by the bather,
Therefore, since no metallic soap is formed, there is no concern that the bather's skin will be damaged.

In the case of the regenerating operation of the ion exchange resin J, if the water softener B is used for a certain period of time, the capacity of the ion exchange resin J is lowered, and therefore the regenerating operation must be regenerated. By the operation, the reproduction work can be easily performed.

When the regeneration switch button of the controller 5 is operated, the bath water is sucked by the circulation pump P from the water inlet 4 of the bath 1 into the circulation path a as shown in FIG. Since the inlet of the provided first flow path switching valve D1 is closed, all the bath water is in the first circulation path.
It flows out to the circulation return side of a1.

However, since the first opening / closing valve E1 which leads to the bathtub 1 arranged in the circulation return path is closed, the bathtub water cannot flow to the side of the bathtub 1 and the circulation return path and the second circulation path a2 are connected. The second circulation path a2 flows backward from the branch point f.

Then, since the second opening / closing valve E2 is closed, the bath water flows into the salt tank T through the third opening / closing valve E3 which is in an open state, and from the salt mass S in the tank T. While eluting the salt, it flows into the water softener B through the check valve F which can pass in the reverse flow direction.

The bath water containing salt regenerates the ion exchange resin J placed in the cylindrical case B1 of the water softener B, and eventually reaches the first flow path switching valve D1 and the first flow path. It flows out from the inlet / outlet on the drain port 13 side of the switching valve D1 to the drain port 13. Therefore, bath water containing salt will not flow into the bath 1.

In order to regenerate the ion exchange resin J, after a certain amount of bath water flows backward, as shown in FIG. 4, this time, the third opening / closing valve E3 is automatically closed to make the second opening / closing. Valve E2
The bathtub water does not pass through the bypass flow path b but directly flows through the water softener B to the drain port 13 through the first flow path switching valve D1.

This is because bath water containing salt remains in the circulation path a after the ion exchange resin J is regenerated.
This is because the bath water is completely discharged to the outside of the circulation path a and the pipes and the like of the circulation path a are protected from salt damage.

(Other Embodiments) Another embodiment is shown in FIG. 5, in which the check valve F, the second and third on-off valves E2 and E3 used in the previous embodiment are replaced. The second and third flow path switching valves D2 and D3 are provided at the junctions and confluences of the bypass flow path b and the second circulation path a2, which are configured on the downstream side of the water softener B, respectively.

In this case, during the normal operation for softening the bath water, the second flow path switching valve D2 causes the bath water flowing from the water softener B side to flow out to the direct connection flow path c side, The flow path switching valve D3 allows the bath water from the direct connection flow path c to flow out to the first circulation path a1 side so that the bath water does not flow out to the bypass flow path b.

Further, during the regeneration operation for regenerating the ion exchange resin J, the third flow path switching valve D3 is operated so that the bath water flowing from the first circulation path a1 side is discharged to the bypass flow path b side. Instead, the second flow path switching valve D2 is configured to switch so that the bath water flowing from the bypass flow path b flows out to the water softener B side.

In this embodiment, it is possible to reduce the number of valves arranged in the circulation path a, and it is possible to reduce the cost.

The circulation system A for a bathtub having the soft water function described above can be used not only for the general bathtub 1 used in this embodiment, but also for a bathtub equipped with a bubble generating device or the like.

Further, a filter may be provided on the upstream side of the water softener B so that dust or the like does not flow into the water softener B.

[0058]

According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

Since the water in the bathtub can be automatically and easily softened, the hardness component contained in the hard water can be prevented from reacting by heating to form a scale, and the hardness component and the bath can be prevented. It is also possible to prevent the generation of metal soap formed by binding with soap for use. Therefore, since the scale does not adhere to the inside of the pipe in the water heater, the life of the water heater can be extended. Furthermore, it can protect the skin and hair of bathers.

The softening of the bath water and the regeneration of the ion exchange resin can be performed automatically and easily in a short time, and the softening function can be made permanent.

The number of valves arranged in the circulation path can be reduced, and moreover, the flow paths can be switched reliably.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a bathtub circulation system having a water softening function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state of normal (softening) operation in the circulation system.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing a state of an ion exchange resin regeneration operation in the circulation system.

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a drainage state of bath water containing salt in the circulation system.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a bathtub circulation system having a water softening function according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Bathtub 3 Discharge port 4 Water intake port B Water softener D1 1st flow path switching valve D2 2nd flow path switching valve D3 3rd flow path switching valve E1 1st opening / closing valve E2 2nd opening / closing valve E3 3rd opening / closing valve F Check Valve J Ion exchange resin P Circulation pump T Salt tank a Circulation path b Bypass flow path c Direct connection flow path

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A water inlet (4) and a water outlet provided in the bathtub (1)
(3) is connected to the outside of the bathtub (1) via a circulation pump (P) to form a circulation path (a), and an ion exchange resin (J) is provided in the middle of the circulation path (a). A water circulation system for bathtubs having a water softening function, characterized in that a water softener (B) is installed. 2. A circulation path (a) is provided downstream of the water softener (B).
A bypass flow path that branches from and rejoins the circulation path (a).
(b), and a salt tank in the middle of the bypass flow path (b).
(T) is installed, the first flow path switching valve (D1) is installed between the circulation pump (P) and the water softener (B), and the circulation path (a) and the bypass flow path are connected.
Second and third flow path switching valves (D2) and (D3) are provided at the branch point and the confluence point with (b), respectively, and further, the water discharge port (3) of the bathtub (1).
The first opening / closing valve (E1) is installed in the vicinity, and the circulation pump (P), the flow path switching valves (D1), (D2), (D3), and the operation of the first opening / closing valve (E1) are linked to the bathtub. Normal operation flow path that allows water to circulate without passing through the bypass flow path (b) and salt tank (T) of the bypass flow path (b)
2. The water softening function according to claim 1, characterized in that a regenerating operation flow path is configured to be capable of backflowing and draining from the drain port (13) via the first flow path switching valve (D1). Circulation system for bathtub. 3. A direct connection connecting the branch point and the merging point of the circulation path (a) and the bypass flow path (b) instead of the second and third flow path switching valves (D2), (D3). A second opening / closing valve (E2) is provided in the flow path (c), and a check valve (F) is provided upstream of the salt tank (T) arranged in the middle of the bypass flow path (b) and a check valve (F) is provided downstream. 3 open / close valve (E
The bathtub circulation system having a water softening function according to claim 1, characterized in that 3) is provided.