JPH06190216A - Method for washing warm water circulation type bath apparatus equipped with washing means - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To filter warm water to clearness immediately after natural stone is washed. CONSTITUTION:Washing water or warm water is caused to flow in a tank filter 4 to wash natural stone in the tank filter 4 in a state of immersion in water. The contaminated washing water after washing is discharged from a washing water discharge valve 11 to remove the foreign matter stuck and deposited on the natural stone with bacteria living in the natural stone. Therefore the foreign matter stuck on the natural stone is selectively removed from the bacteria living in the natural stone, allowing the warm water to be effectively kept clear even immediately after the natural stone is washed.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath apparatus equipped with a boiler for filtering hot water with a filter and maintaining the hot water temperature at a constant value. The present invention relates to a method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A hot water circulating bath apparatus having a heating means for holding the temperature of hot water constant and a filter for filtering foreign matters existing in the hot water has been put into practical use. This hot water circulation bath device keeps the hot water temperature at a constant temperature and continuously filters the hot water to remove foreign matters such as dirt and keeps it clear, so that the hot water in the bath must be replaced. It is a very convenient and water-saving device that can be bathed 24 hours a day.

This hot water circulation bath device generally serves as a filter for filtering hot water, and generally a primary filter for removing large dust such as hair contained in the hot water and a fine foreign substance contained in the hot water. Used with natural stone filters to sterilize bacteria contained in warm water. Since the primary filter is detachably attached to the suction port of the bath, it can be easily washed.

As the natural stone filter, a porous stone, for example, "barite stone" or a stone obtained by crushing stone to sinter into a porous state is used. This natural stone filter can efficiently remove ammonia (sweat), protein (dust), etc. from the human body. Natural stone filter
It has been clarified that ammonia and proteins contained in warm water can be removed depending on the following conditions.

That is, a natural stone filter that circulates warm water provides a comfortable environment for the propagation of bacteria, where the bacteria parasitize and protozoa that feed on the bacteria are generated. Bacteria decompose by eating ammonia and protein contained in warm water as food, and protozoa eat this bacteria, so that sweat and dirt in the warm water are effectively removed by the natural stone filter.

The natural stone filter that clarifies warm water in this state does not cause clogging in a short time and can prolong the washing period of warm water, unlike a filter that simply removes foreign matter mechanically. For example, when 200 liters of warm water is continuously filtered with a natural stone filter using 10 to 20 kg of "Bourne stone" having an average particle size of 10 to 40 mm, the number of people bathing in one day is 5 to 10 people. It can be used without cleaning for several months to a year.

Therefore, this hot water circulating bath apparatus is
When used in a normal household, the number of times the filter tank is washed can be extremely reduced. For this reason, the filtration tank of this type of hot water circulating bath device has a structure in which the casing is disassembled to take out the natural stone, which is washed, dried in the sun, and stored again in the casing for washing. It was

[0008]

In the case of a hot water circulating bath apparatus for business use, in which several tens of people can bathe per day, the cleaning period of the filtration tank is short and cleaning is extremely troublesome. Also in the case of the circulating bath apparatus, there is a drawback that it is necessary to clean the filtration tank once every several years, which makes cleaning the filtration tank troublesome.

If the filtration tank is used in a clogged state, the filtering ability of the hot water is lowered, turbidity occurs at an extreme time, and the hot water permeation loss of the filtration tank is increased to reduce the circulation amount of the hot water. is there.

Further, the conventional hot water circulating bath apparatus has a drawback that the hot water in the bath must be drained when the filtration tank is washed, so that the bath cannot be bathed immediately after washing the filtration tank. That is, when the casing of the filtration tank is opened and natural stones are taken out, unless hot water in the bath is drained, dirt accumulated on the natural stones is mixed into the warm water, and the hot water in the bath is significantly polluted.

Furthermore, the hot water circulation type bath device of this structure has a drawback that the hot water becomes cloudy for 1-2 days after the natural stone filter is washed and cannot be filtered clearly. I had to take a bath in warm water that was cloudy and opaque.
If hot water filtered by an opaque dirty hot water circulation bath device is not bathed until it is clear, there is a drawback that it takes more time for the hot water to become transparent.

[0012] Therefore, when the natural stone is frequently washed with a commercial hot water circulating bath apparatus, the number of days in which warm water becomes cloudy is long, and there is a drawback that a clear bath cannot always be taken continuously.

The present inventor has manufactured a household device in which the cause of the natural stone filter's inability to filter warm water cleanly cannot be determined, even though the natural stone is washed cleanly, and the cloudy state cannot be resolved for several days. Turned into

However, since the hot water circulating bath equipment for business uses a large number of washings, further experiments were conducted in order to somehow eliminate the cloudiness after washing the natural stone filter. As a result, the natural stone filter succeeded in eliminating the cloudy state all at once with a simple structure based on the operating principle of separating ammonia and protein.

The reason why the natural stone filter cannot cleanly filter warm water for a long time after washing for several days is that the natural stone filter utilizes bacteria and protozoa, unlike a filter material that physically filters foreign substances. Therefore, the natural stone filter can remove the dirt of the natural stone when the natural stone is washed and dried in the sun, but it also kills the bacteria and protozoa living in the natural stone. Warm water cannot be filtered clearly. Also, after washing the natural stone filter, if you do not take a bath in warm cloudy water, the bait of bacteria such as sweat and dirt will not be included in the warm water, and the growth of bacteria will be delayed and the clarification of warm water will be delayed. It was

The present invention has been developed for the purpose of eliminating these conventional drawbacks. An important object of the present invention is that warm water can be filtered cleanly immediately after washing natural stones.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath device equipped with a cleaning means capable of rewashing natural stone again and bathing in clear warm water every day 365 days a year.

[0017]

In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the method of cleaning a hot water circulating bath apparatus provided with the cleaning means of the present invention cleans the cleaning means as follows. That is, according to the cleaning method of the present invention, the bath 1 is connected to the bath 1 through the circulation pipe 2 and the circulation pump 3, and the porous natural stone 27 is filled therein. Filtration tank 4 of hot water for growing bacteria and removing ammonia and protein contained in the hot water
A heating means 5 arranged in a hot water passage circulated by the filtration tank 4 and the circulation pump 3 to heat the hot water to a constant temperature; and a temperature sensor 6 for detecting the hot water temperature and controlling the heating means 5. And a cleaning means for cleaning the natural stone 27 of the filtration tank 4, the method comprising:

The natural stone 27 of the filtration tank 4 is washed with the washing water which is press-fitted from the washing water pressurizing means 10 which pressurizes the washing water into the filtration tank 4, and the washed dirty washing water is discharged as washing water. A feature of the present invention is that foreign matter that is discharged from the valve 11 and adheres to and deposits on the natural stone 27 is removed in a state where bacteria are allowed to live on the natural stone 27.

Further, a method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath device according to claim 2 of the present invention is a bath 1 and the bath 1.
Is connected via a circulation pipe 2 and a circulation pump 3 to
In addition, a porous natural stone 27 is filled inside, and a filtration tank 4 for warm water that removes ammonia and proteins contained in the warm water by breeding bacteria in the natural stone 27, a filtration tank 4, and a circulation pump 3. The heating means 5 disposed in the passage of the hot water circulated by the means for heating the hot water to a constant temperature, the temperature sensor 6 for detecting the temperature of the hot water and controlling the heating means 5, and the natural stone 27 in the filtration tank 4 are washed. A method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath device, comprising:

The circulation pump 3 forcibly causes the warm water in the bathtub 1 to flow into the filtration tank 4, and the warm water introduced by the circulation pump 3 cleans the natural stones 27 in the filtration tank 4 in a water-immersed state. The polluted wash water that has been washed is discharged from the wash water drain valve 11 to remove foreign matter attached to and deposited on the natural stone 27 in a state where bacteria are allowed to live on the natural stone 27.

[0021]

The hot water circulating bath apparatus for cleaning by the method of the present invention continuously circulates the hot water in the natural stone 27 of the filtration tank 4 and keeps the hot water clear by the microorganisms such as bacteria living in the natural stone 27. Therefore, it is possible to take a bath for 24 hours every day without changing the water in the bathtub 1. The warm water is kept at a constant temperature by a heater or the like.

The filtration tank 4 holds the warm water in a clear state with the porous natural stone 27 filled therein. Bacteria and protozoa inhabit the porous natural stone 27 in minute voids. These microorganisms remove dust (ammonia and proteins from the human body) contained in warm water. Natural stone 27
Bacteria inhabiting in the area are bred by the dirt contained in the warm water as food, and protozoa eat the bacteria to clarify the warm water. Therefore, if the hot water does not contain any dirt,
Although bacteria do not propagate, when hot water circulating bath equipment is used to remove dirt from the human body in the hot water, bacteria are propagated by this and the filtering ability of the natural stone 27 is improved. Since the bacteria inhabiting the natural stone 27 multiply more when there is a large amount of food, the filtering ability of the natural stone 27 is automatically adjusted by the amount of ammonia or protein, that is, the amount of dirt contained in the warm water. However, when the filtration capacity of the natural stone 27 is exceeded, the warm water becomes cloudy.

The natural stone 27, which inhabits bacteria and protozoa and filters hot water, maintains an excellent warm water clarification action for a long period of time as compared with a filter such as activated carbon that physically removes foreign substances in the hot water. To do. In other words,
Hard to cause clogging. This is because it decomposes dirt and makes warm water clear. However, as it is used for a long time, the permeation pressure loss of hot water gradually increases.

However, even in this state, since the natural stone is inhabited by bacteria and protozoa, the ability of the natural stone to remove ammonia and proteins does not deteriorate so much.
However, when the hot water permeation pressure loss increases, the hot water permeation circulation amount decreases and the hot water permeability decreases.

The filtration tank having reduced hot water permeability is washed as follows to restore the filtration capacity. The filtration tank 4 of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 is washed in the next step. In the state where the circulation valve 12, the water supply valve 7 and the drain valve 8 are closed, the cleaning valve 9 and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are opened, and the cleaning water injection means 10 supplies the cleaning liquid to the filtration tank 4. In this state, the cleaning liquid flows backward in the filtration tank 4 in the direction opposite to the normal hot water flow direction, so that the natural stones 27 of the filtration tank 4 are immersed in water and the foreign matters attached and deposited on the surface are efficiently backwashed. The contaminant cleaning water from which foreign substances have been removed is discharged to the outside of the filtration tank 4 through the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 without flowing into the bath 1. As the cleaning liquid, all liquids capable of cleaning the natural stones 27 without killing bacteria and protozoa, usually tap water, are used, but cleaning liquids prepared by mixing a little salt with water can also be used.

When the cleaning liquid is supplied to the filtration tank 4 for a certain period of time and the backwashing is completed, the circulation valve 12 is kept closed, the cleaning valve 9 and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are closed, and the water supply valve 7 is connected. The drain valve 8 is opened. In this state, the makeup water supplied from the water supply valve 7 passes through the inside of the filtration tank 4 in the passage direction of the hot water, and discharges the cleaning liquid inside the filtration tank 4.

After the cleaning liquid is completely discharged from the filtration tank 4, the water supply valve 7 and the drainage valve 8 are closed, and then the circulation valve 12 is opened so that the hot water in the bath 1 is filtered by the filtration tank 4 and the heating means 5.
Circulate to and.

As described above, the apparatus for flowing clear water in the hot water passage direction and then passing the hot water through the filter tank 4 after washing the filter tank 4 for a certain period of time after the filter tank 4 is washed.
The feature is that dirt can be minimized from flowing into the bathtub 1.

The apparatus shown in FIG. 5 cleans the filtration tank 4 in the next step. The three-way valves 34 and 35 of the valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 are switched to the positions indicated by chain lines in the figure, the discharge side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is opened. In this state, the circulation pump 3 sucks warm water from the bath 1, presses the warm water into the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, and backwashes the natural stones 27 of the filtration tank 4 in a water-immersed state.

When the backwashing of the filtration tank 4 is completed, the three-way valves 34 and 35 of the valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 are switched to the positions indicated by the solid lines, and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is closed. In this state, the circulation pump 3 sucks hot water from the bath 1 and supplies the hot water to the suction side of the filtration tank 4, and the hot water passing through the filtration tank 4 is filtered by the natural stone 27.

Further, in the apparatus shown in FIG. 7, the filtration tank 4 is washed in the next step. The four-way switching valve 36 of the valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 is switched to the position indicated by the chain line in the figure, the discharge side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the bath 1
, The circulation valve 12 is closed, and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is opened. In this state, the circulation pump 3 sucks warm water from the bath 1 and pressurizes the warm water into the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 to backwash the natural stones 27 of the filtration tank 4 in a water-immersed state. The contaminated cleaning water that has passed through the filtration tank 4 is closed by the circulation valve 1
2 does not flow into the bath 1 and is discharged to the outside through the cleaning liquid drain valve 11.

When the backwashing of the filtration tank 4 is completed, the four-way valve 36 of the valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 is switched to the solid line position, the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is closed, and the circulation valve 12 is opened. In this state, the circulation pump 3 draws hot water from the bath 1 through the filtration tank 4, and the hot water passing through the filtration tank 4 is filtered by the natural stone 27 of the filtration tank 4.

[0033]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. However, the examples shown below exemplify a cleaning method for embodying the technical idea of the present invention, the cleaning method of the present invention, the material, shape of the component,
The structure, arrangement, cleaning method, etc. are not specified below. The cleaning method of the present invention has various modifications within the scope of the claims.

Further, in this specification, for easier understanding of the claims, the numbers corresponding to the members shown in the embodiments are referred to as "claims column" and "conventional problems are solved. It is added to the members shown in "Means for Action" and "Action". However, the members described in the claims are not limited to the members shown in the embodiments. A hot water circulation type bathtub device equipped with the cleaning means shown in FIG. 1 includes a bathtub 1 and a primary filter 13 at the bottom of the bathtub 1.
, A circulation pump 3 which is connected to the suction side through a circulation pipe 2, a filtration tank 4 which is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 3, and a circulation pump 3 which is connected to the suction side of the filtration tank 4.
Is connected via a water supply valve 7, a drainage valve 11 for cleaning liquid connected between the discharge side of the circulation pump 3 and the suction side of the filtration tank 4, and a discharge side of the filtration tank 4. Cleaning water press-fitting means 10 including a drainage valve 8 and a cleaning valve 9
A heating means 5 arranged in the hot water passage of the filtration tank 4, a circulation pipe 2 connecting the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 to the bath 1, and a circulation valve 12 connected to the circulation pipe 2. .

As the heating means 5, a boiler having a heat exchanger 14 and a petroleum burner 15 for heating hot water via the heat exchanger 14 can be used. In the oil burner 15 of the boiler, the ignition and fire extinguishing states are controlled by the temperature sensor 6 so that the hot water temperature is maintained at the set temperature.

The temperature sensor 6 is arranged in the first-stage filtration tank 4 so that the temperature as close as possible to the temperature of the hot water in the bath 1 can be detected. The temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature of the hot water in the filtration tank 4, and when the temperature of the hot water is below a set value, the oil burner 15 is ignited, and above the set value, the fire is extinguished.

As the heating means 5, a heating means 5 having an electric heater can be used instead of the boiler. The heating means 5 keeps the hot water temperature constant by controlling the energization state of the heater by the temperature sensor 6.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the heating means 5 which is an electric heater is disposed in the filtration tank 4, and the energization state is controlled by the temperature sensor 6 to adjust the hot water to a constant temperature. .

The temperature sensor 6 is arranged in the first-stage filtration tank 4 so that the temperature as close as possible to the temperature of the hot water in the bath 1 can be detected. The temperature sensor 6 detects the temperature of hot water in the filter, energizes the heater when the temperature of the hot water is below a set value, and stops energization when the temperature is above the set value.

The operating state of the heating means 5 such as a boiler or a heater is controlled by the temperature sensor 6 so as to maintain the hot water temperature at a set temperature of, for example, 39 ° C to 46 ° C.

The primary filter 13 is the bath 1 of the circulation pipe 2.
It is detachably attached to the inner opening end. As the filter material of the primary filter 13, for example, synthetic resin foam having open cells, water resistant filter paper, non-woven fabric, net material, etc. can be used, for example, one having a mesh of about 0.3 to 5 mm can be used.

The filtration tank 4 has two stages of filtration tanks 4 having the same internal structure except that it has a built-in heater, which are connected in series to improve the filtration capacity. The sectional shape of the filtration tank 4 is shown in FIG. The filtration tank 4 includes a slender tubular casing 16, a natural stone filter 18 arranged in the casing 16, and a hot water pipe 19 connected to an inlet of the hot water to push the hot water to the upper part of the casing 16. ing.

The casing 16 is formed in a double cylinder shape with an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. A heat insulating material 20 is filled between the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder to perform heat insulation treatment, and the inner cylinder serves as a watertight hot water channel. Form part.

The casing 16 is closed at its upper end by a lid 21 which can be opened and closed so that a plurality of stages of natural stone filters 18 stored from above can be taken out and cleaned in the inner cylinder. With the lid 21 fixed, the upper end of the inner cylinder is watertightly sealed.

An air vent valve 22 is connected to the lid 21, and the air vent valve 22 discharges the air accumulated in the upper part of the inner cylinder to the outside.

The lower portion of the inner cylinder is watertightly closed by a bottom plate 23, and a discharge pipe 24 is fixed through the bottom plate 23. A hot water pipe 1 that vertically penetrates the center of the inner cylinder and has an upper end opening
9 is fixed.

The natural stone filter 18 is attached to the inner cylinder so as to be freely drawn out. The hot water that has flowed in from above penetrates vertically and flows downward, so that the hot water is filtered by the granular natural stones 27, so that the hot water is opened at the top and a cylindrical water hole is formed at the bottom. A pipe 28 is formed and fixed to the center of the pipe 28 through which the hot water pipe 19 passes.

As the natural stone 27, porous natural stone 27, for example, "barite stone" or the like can be used so that bacteria and protozoa can inhabit therein by allowing warm water to permeate. Further, as the natural stone 27, it is possible to use a natural stone which is not used as it is but is crushed and sintered into a predetermined outer shape.

In the two-stage connected filtration tank 4 shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, a heater and a temperature sensor 6 are arranged in the hot water passage of one of the filtration tanks 4, and the temperature sensor 6 measures the temperature before passing through the heater. Is placed closer to the bath than the heater so that

The circulating pump 3 determines the circulating amount of hot water in consideration of the size of the bath 1 and the heating value of the heating means 5.
When the size of the bathtub 1 is, for example, 500 liters, a pump driven by a motor of about 1/4 to 1 horsepower is used as the circulation pump 3.

The greater the circulating amount of hot water of the circulation pump 3, the smaller the temperature difference of the hot water heated by the heat exchanger 14 of the heating means 5. However, since the circulation pump 3 is continuously operated for 24 hours, if it is too large, the power consumption increases and the running cost increases. Therefore, the capacity of the circulation pump 3 is determined to be an optimum value in consideration of the usage state of the hot water circulation bath device.

When a boiler is used as the heating means 5, an oil burner boiler having a plurality of nozzles can be used in order to reduce the temperature difference of the hot water passing through the heat exchanger 14 of the boiler. An oil burner with multiple nozzles, for example, two nozzles, injects oil from both nozzles when the temperature of the hot water is low to increase the amount of heat generated, and sprays fuel from one nozzle when the hot water approaches the set temperature. There is a feature that you can stop the heat generation to reduce the amount of heat generated, prevent the hot water from rising above the set temperature and reduce the temperature difference of the hot water.

The water supply valve 7 has its intake side of the circulation pump 3 bifurcated and is connected to one branch passage, and is connected via the water supply valve 7 to a makeup water passage such as a water supply. The water supply valve 7 supplies makeup water to the circulation pump 3 to discharge the cleaning liquid from the filtration tank 4 in the cleaning process, and through the filtration tank 4 when the hot water surface level of the bathtub 1 decreases. The bathtub 1 is replenished to keep the hot water level constant. Therefore, the open / close state of the water supply valve 7 is controlled by the valve control means 29 and the level sensor 30 of the bathtub 1.

When the hot water level in the bathtub 1 falls below a set value in a hot water circulation state, in other words, in a state where the filtration tank 4 is not washed, this is detected by the level sensor 30 and the water supply valve 7 is opened. When the hot water surface level of the bathtub 1 becomes a certain level or higher, the water supply valve 7 is closed.

With the water supply valve 7 open, the circulation pump 3
Inhales by mixing the makeup water and the warm water from the bathtub 1.
The circulation pump 3 mixes the makeup water and the warm water from the bathtub 1 and sucks the mixture into the bathtub 1 with respect to the makeup water 1, for example.
It is better to set the warm water of 2 to 20. As the ratio of the hot water in the bathtub to the makeup water is higher, the temperature of the hot water discharged from the heating means 5 is warmed closer to the temperature of the hot water in the bath 1.

In the hot water circulating bath apparatus shown in FIG. 1, a water supply valve 7 is connected to the suction side of a filtration tank 4 via a circulation pump 3. Although not shown, the water supply valve 7 can be directly connected to the suction side of the filtration tank 4.

The cleaning liquid drain valve 11 and the cleaning water press-fitting means 10 supply the cleaning water into the filtration tank 4 and discharge the cleaning water to the outside after passing through the filtration tank 4 without returning the cleaning water to the bath 1.

The wash water injection means 10 normally supplies tap water to the filtration tank 4. However, it is also possible to use salt water or the like having a concentration that does not kill bacteria and protozoa that inhabit the natural stone 27 as the cleaning liquid. When salt water is used as the cleaning liquid, the cleaning water press-fitting means 10 includes a cleaning liquid tank 31 that stores the cleaning liquid, and a cleaning liquid pump 32 that press-fits the cleaning liquid from the cleaning liquid tank 31 into the filtration tank 4.

The cleaning liquid tank 31 stores, for example, a cleaning liquid which is salt water having a salt concentration of 0.5 to 5% by weight. When salt water is used as the cleaning liquid, the inside of the filtration tank 4 can be efficiently cleaned, and even if it accidentally flows into the bathtub 1, it has no harmful effect on the human body and can be used safely.

The cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is usually the circulation pump 3
Is connected to the suction side of the circulation pump 3, but the inside of the circulation pump 3 can be washed with a cleaning liquid by connecting to the suction side of the circulation pump 3. However, as shown in FIG. 1, the circulation pump 3
When the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is connected to the discharge side of the, the cleaning liquid does not pass through the circulation pump 3, so that the cleaning liquid of salt water does not corrode the impeller of the circulation pump 3 or the casing 16.

Since the circulation valve 12 stops the circulation of hot water in the bath 1 in the cleaning process, all circulation water can be stopped in the cleaning process from flowing into the bath 1. Valve, for example, a circulation valve 12 as shown by the dashed line in FIG.
For this, a three-way valve 12 'can be used. The three-way valve 12 ′ connected to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 connects the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 to the heating means 5 and any one of the drain valve 8 and the washing valve 9, and the suction of the circulation pump 3 The three-way valve 12 ′ connected to the side connects the suction side of the circulation pump 3 to either the bath 1 or the water supply valve 7.

In the normal hot water circulation state, the three-way valve 12 'connects the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 to the heating means 5 and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 to the bath 1 to wash the filtration tank 4. At times, the heating means 5 and the bath 1 are not connected to the filtration tank 4, the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 is connected to the drain valve 8 and the washing valve 9, and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the water supply valve 7. .

When an open / close valve is used as the circulation valve 12, FIG.
As shown by the solid line, the filter tank 4 and the heating means 5 are connected to each other, and the circulation pump 3 and the bath 1 are connected to each other. The circulation valve 12 is closed when cleaning the filtration tank 4, and is opened after cleaning is completed to circulate the hot water in the bath 1 between the filtration tank 4 and the heating means 5.

The circulation tank 12, the drain valve 8, the cleaning valve 9, the cleaning liquid drain valve 11, the water supply valve 7 and the cleaning water press-fitting means 10 can be manually switched to clean the filtration tank 4. However, it is possible to conveniently use a hot water circulating bath device in which these valves are switched at regular intervals by the valve control means 29 having a timer to automatically wash the filtration tank 4.

The valve control means 29 controls each valve and the cleaning water press-fitting means 10 so that the hot water circulation in the bathtub 1 is stopped and the filtration tank 4 is cleaned at a preset time.

The control means 29 cleans the filtration tank 4 in the next step. In a normal operating state, that is, in a state where hot water in the bath 1 is circulated between the filtration tank 4 and the heating means 5, the drain valve 8, the cleaning valve 9, the cleaning liquid drain valve 11, and the water supply valve 7 are closed, and the cleaning is performed. The operation of the cleaning liquid pump 32 of the water press-fitting means 10 is stopped. When the circulation valve 12 is a three-way valve 12 ′, the three-way valve 12 ′ on the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 connects the filtration tank 4 to the heating means 5 and the three-way valve 12 ′ on the suction side of the circulation pump 3 ′.
Is connected to the bathtub 1. When the circulation valve 12 is an open / close valve,
The on-off valve is opened. In this state, the hot water in the bathtub 1 is maintained at a constant temperature and level. Therefore, when the hot water temperature decreases, the heating means 5 heats the hot water, and when the hot water level decreases, the water supply valve 7 is opened.

After a certain period of time, the valve control means 29
Starts cleaning the filtration tank 4. In this process
When the circulation valve 12 is the three-way valve 12 ′, the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 is connected to the drain valve 8 and the cleaning valve 9, and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the water supply valve 7. When the circulation valve 12 is an open / close valve, it is closed to stop the circulation of hot water in the bath 1 to the filtration tank 4. In this state, the drain valve 8 and the water supply valve 7 are kept closed, the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 and the cleaning valve 9 are opened, and the cleaning liquid is supplied to the filtration tank 4. The cleaning liquid flows through the inside of the filtration tank 4 in the direction opposite to the hot water passage direction to efficiently backwash the foreign substances accumulated in the filtration tank 4 and then to the outside through the cleaning liquid drain valve 11. When the filtration tank 4 is backwashed while being kept in this state for a certain period of time, the cleaning liquid drain valve 1
1 and the washing valve 9 are closed.

After the filtration tank 4 is washed, the cleaning liquid in the filtration tank 4 is discharged, and then the bath 1
In the state where the hot water from No. 1 passes, makeup water is made to flow into the filtration tank 4 in the same direction as the passage direction of the hot water so that the foreign matter in the filtration tank 4 does not flow into the bath 1. That is, the valve control means 29 holds the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 and the cleaning valve 9 in the closed state, opens the drain valve 8 and the water supply valve 7, and clears the water supply valve 7 to the filtration tank 4. Supply make-up water. The makeup water passes through the inside of the filtration tank 4 in the hot water passage direction and is discharged to the outside from the drain valve 8. After the cleaning liquid is completely discharged from the filtration tank 4 and makeup water is passed through the filtration tank 4,
The water supply valve 7 and the drain valve 8 are closed.

After that, the circulation valve 12 is switched to the state of, and the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 is connected to the heating means 5 and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is connected to the bath 1 so that the warm water in the bath 1 is filtered. And heating means 5. When there is no valve control means 29, each valve is manually switched to the states of.

In the hot water circulation type bath device shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the heating means 5 is arranged in the filtration tank 4, and in the device of FIGS. 5 to 8, the hot water in the bath 1 is washed in the filtration tank 4. Used for.

In the hot water circulation type bath device shown in FIG. 3, a three-way valve 37 is connected between the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 and the bath 1.
The discharge side of the circulation pump 3 and the suction side of the filtration tank 4 are branched to connect the cleaning liquid drain valve 11. In the cleaning process of the filtration tank 4, this device stops the operation of the circulation pump 3 and switches the three-way valve 37 to the chain line position.
The washing water such as tap water is supplied to 7, the washing water is caused to flow backward in the filtration tank 4, and the washing water in which the inside of the filtration tank 4 is backwashed is drained from the washing liquid drain valve 11.

After washing the filtration tank 4, the three-way valve 37 is switched to the solid line position, the washing liquid drain valve 11 is closed, the circulation pump 3 is operated, and the hot water in the bath 1 is circulated in the filtration tank 4 for filtration.

The hot water circulating bath apparatus of FIG. 4 can use switching valves 38 and 39 instead of the three-way valve 37 of FIG. In this warm water circulation type bath device, in the cleaning process of the filtration tank 4, the operation of the circulation pump 3 is stopped, the switching valve 39 and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are opened, and the switching valve 38 and the circulation valve 12 are connected. In the hot water filtering step, the circulation pump 3 is operated to close the switching valve 39 and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11, and open the switching valve 38 and the circulation valve 12.

Further, in the hot water circulation type bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. 5, the suction side of the filtration tank 4 is connected to the bathtub 1 via the circulation pump 3, and in the normal hot water filtration step, the circulation pump 3 is connected to the bathtub 1. The hot water is inhaled from this and this hot water is pressed into the bathtub 1. This hot water circulation type bathtub device includes a valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 for switching the discharge side of the circulation pump 3 from the suction side of the filtration tank 4 to the discharge side, and a cleaning liquid drain valve connected to the suction side of the filtration tank 4. 11 and 11.

The valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 is a three-way valve 34, 35 connected to the suction side and the discharge side of the filtration tank 4.
And a bypass pipe 40 connecting the three-way valves 34 and 35.

This valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 includes a three-way valve 3
When the filters 4 and 35 are in the positions shown by the solid lines, the filtration tank 4 filters the hot water, and when the three-way valves 34 and 35 are switched to the positions of the chain lines, the filtration tank 4 is backwashed with the hot water.

The three-way valves 34 and 35 connect the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 to either the bath 1 or the bypass pipe 40, and the suction side to either the circulation pump 3 or the cleaning liquid drain valve 11.

The action similar to that of the three-way valves 34 and 35 is 3
This can be realized by the individual switching valves 41A, 41B, 41C. As shown in FIG. 3, the three switching valves are connected to the bypass pipe 40, between the filtration tank 4 and the bath 1, and between the filtration tank 4 and the circulation pump 3.

For the three switching valves, the switching valve 41A is opened in the washing process of the filtration tank 4 to switch the switching valves 41B and 41C.
Is closed (the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is opened). In this state,
The circulation pump 3 pressurizes hot water into the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, backwashes it, and discharges it from the cleaning liquid drain valve 11. In the process in which the filtration tank 4 filters hot water, the switching valve 41A and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are closed, the switching valves 41B and 41C are opened, and the hot water is filtered by the natural stone filter 18 of the filtration tank 4. It

Further, the hot water circulation type bathtub apparatus shown in FIG.
The circulation pump 3 is connected to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, the discharge side of the circulation pump 3 is switched from the suction side of the filtration tank 4 to the discharge side, and the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is discharged to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4. A bypass circuit 33 with a valve for switching and connecting from the bath 1 to the bath 1, the suction side of the filtration tank 4 and the bath 1.
And a cleaning liquid drain valve 11 connected to the suction side of the filtration tank 4.

The valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 is provided with a four-way switching valve 36. Ports of the four-way switching valve 36 facing each other are connected to the suction side and the discharge side of the circulation pump 3,
The remaining 2 ports are connected to the discharge side of the filtration tank 4 and the bath 1.

When the four-way switching valve 36 is in the solid line position, the suction side of the circulation pump 3 is in the filtration tank 4 and the discharge side is in the bath 1.
The circulation pump 3 draws in hot water through the filtration tank 4, and the hot water passing through the filtration tank 4 is filtered by the natural stone filter 18. In this state, the circulation valve 12
Is opened and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is closed.

When the four-way switching valve 36 is switched to the chain line position, the circulation pump 3 draws in hot water from the bath 1 and press-fits it into the discharge side of the filtration tank 4, and the hot water flows backward in the filtration tank 4 and is filtered. Are washed. In this state, the circulation valve 12 is closed, the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 is opened, and the hot water that backwashes the filtration tank 4 is drained from the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 and is not returned to the bath 1.

Further, the hot water circulating bath apparatus shown in FIG. 8 is provided with four switching valves 42D, 42E, 42F and 42G instead of the valve-equipped bypass circuit 33 and the four-way switching valve 36. In the hot water circulation type bath device, in the process of filtering the hot water by the natural stone filter 18 of the filtration tank 4, the switching valves 42D and 42E and the circulation valve 12 are opened, and the switching valve 4
2F, 42G and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are closed. Further, in the cleaning process of the filtration tank 4, the switching valve 42
E, 42F and the cleaning liquid drain valve 11 are opened, and the switching valve 4
The 2D and 42E and the circulation valve 12 are closed.

In the hot water circulation type bath device shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the circulation pump 3 automatically stops and filters when the hot water level of the bath 1 drops below a certain level so that the circulation pump 3 does not suck air. The cleaning of the tank 4 is stopped. That is, the circulation pump 3 includes a level sensor 30 (not shown).
The operating condition is controlled by.

By the way, the apparatus for cleaning the filtration tank 4 using the hot water in the bath 1 lowers the level of the hot water in the bath 1 in the cleaning process, but when the filtration tank 4 is cleaned again, it takes an extremely short time. Since the filtration tank 4 can be cleanly cleaned by the above cleaning, the reduction of the hot water level in the cleaning process is small, and for example, the filtration tank 4 can be cleaned by the decrease of the hot water level of 5 to 20 cm.

In the bathtub 1 whose hot water surface level has decreased, hot water is replenished with a water heater or tap water is replenished and heated by a heater or a boiler. The make-up water is manually supplied by the bather or is automatically supplied by controlling the water supply valve 7 with the level sensor 30.

Since the hot water circulating bath apparatus shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 uses the hot water of the bath 1 for cleaning the filtration tank 4, a part of the hot water of the bath 1 is replaced with new water in the cleaning process. At the same time, in the washing process of the filtration tank 4, it is possible to realize the feature that bacteria and the like inhabiting the natural stone 27 are actively active.

In the hot water circulation type bathtub apparatus shown in FIGS. 3 to 8, the operation of each valve and the circulation pump 3 can be controlled by the control means 29 similarly to the hot water circulation type bathtub apparatus shown in FIG. It is possible.

[0090]

The hot water circulating bath apparatus according to the present invention selectively removes foreign substances adhering to the natural stone of the filtration tank and microorganisms such as bacteria living in the natural stone. In order to realize this, the hot water circulating bath apparatus of the present invention cleans natural stone in a water-immersed state. The natural stone that is washed in a water-immersed state removes foreign substances adhering to the surface without removing bacteria and the like that live inside. That is, the hot water circulation bath device of the present invention can selectively remove foreign substances and bacteria that accumulate in the filtration tank. Foreign substances adhering to and depositing on the surface of natural stone have been removed by physically filtering warm water, and therefore need to be removed as much as possible. On the other hand, microorganisms such as bacteria that live in the voids of porous natural stones, unlike foreign substances, decompose dirt and the like contained in warm water to clarify it, so in the washing process of the filtration tank. And not be removed. Conveniently, the foreign matter obtained by physically filtering hot water is deposited on the surface of the natural stone, in other words, on the void between the natural stone and the adjacent natural stone. On the other hand, microorganisms such as bacteria live in extremely fine voids provided inside the porous natural stone. If microorganisms such as bacteria live in the voids of the adjacent natural stone in the same manner as foreign matter, they will be removed together with the foreign matter when cleaning the inside of the filtration tank. However, microorganisms such as bacteria live inside the natural stone. In order to realize this, it is necessary to provide a natural stone with a living space for microorganisms such as bacteria. That is, the natural stone must be porous. The present inventor has confirmed this in the following experiment. That is,
The present inventors also thought that microorganisms such as bacteria inhabit the surface of natural stones at first, and used non-porous natural stones as the filter medium. However, even though this device circulates the hot water through the filter medium continuously for 24 hours, the warm water could not be clarified forever and it became cloudy. The reason why the turbid warm water cannot be clarified is that microorganisms such as bacteria that clarify the warm water are not generated. A device that uses porous natural stone will also be in the same state in the absence of microorganisms, and warm water will become cloudy. That is, when the device is connected to the bathtub and used for the first time, since the natural stones are not propagated with the microorganisms, the warm water becomes cloudy and cannot be filtered clearly until the microorganisms propagate to the natural stones. However, in an apparatus using a porous natural stone, even if it is used for several days, microorganisms propagate on the natural stone, which clarifies the warm water and makes the cloudy warm water extremely clear. This demonstrates that microorganisms such as bacteria do not live on the surface of the natural stone but live in the fine pores of the porous natural stone. The apparatus of the present invention cleans the natural stone in the filtration tank by skillfully applying that microorganisms such as bacteria that keep the warm water clear and foreign substances removed from the warm water are located in different parts of the natural stone. That is,
The apparatus of the present invention cleans the natural stone in the filtration tank in a water-immersed state to remove foreign substances without removing microorganisms such as bacteria living inside the natural stone.
Since natural stones that are washed in water are not dried, they do not kill microorganisms such as bacteria that live inside. Further, the washing water does not flow into the porous natural stone and does not wash and remove bacteria and the like that live in extremely fine voids inside. That is, in the washing process in which natural stones are immersed in water, bacteria and the like remain inside the natural stones, and only foreign substances on the surface are selectively removed. Therefore, in the hot water circulation bath device of the present invention, a large amount of microorganisms such as bacteria inhabit the natural stone even immediately after the cleaning process is completed, and ammonia and protein contained in the hot water are retained by these microorganisms. Eliminate efficiently. For this reason, it is possible to achieve the excellent effect of being able to eliminate "white turbidity of warm water that has occurred within a few days immediately after cleaning" which cannot be solved by the conventional device. Therefore, the device of the present invention is capable of rewashing natural stone again.
Achieve the feature that you can bathe in clear warm water 365 days a year continuously. Further, the hot water circulation bath device of the present invention can also wash the filtration tank in a state where hot water is stored in the bath. Therefore, it is possible to realize a feature that the bath can be bathed immediately after cleaning the filtration tank. A hot-water circulating bath device that cannot bathe immediately after cleaning has a drawback that it is difficult to increase the number of times of cleaning because it is necessary to clean the filtration tank in consideration of the bath usage time, but it is possible to bathe immediately after cleaning. The bathtub device can be washed many times, can prevent clogging of the filtration tank, and can realize efficient filtration at all times.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a hot water circulating bath device showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the filtration tank 4.

FIG. 3 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub device showing another embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub apparatus showing another embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a schematic sectional view of a bathtub apparatus showing another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Bathtub 2 ... Circulation pipe 3 ... Circulation pump 4 ... Filtration tank 5 ... Heating means 6 ... Temperature sensor 7 ... Water supply valve 8 ... Drain valve 9 ... Wash valve 10 ... Wash water press-fitting Means 11 ... Cleaning liquid drain valve 12 ... Circulation valve 12 '... Three-way valve 13 ... Primary filter 14 ... Heat exchanger 15 ... Petroleum burner 16 ... Casing 18 ... Natural stone filter 19 ... Hot water pipe 20 ... Insulation 21 ...... Lid 22 ...... Air vent valve 23 ...... Bottom plate 24 ...... Exhaust pipe 27 ...... Natural stone 28 ...... Pipe 29 ...... Control means 30 ...... Level sensor 31 ...... Cleaning liquid tank 32 ...... Cleaning liquid pump 33 ... By-pass circuit with valve 34 ... 3-way valve 35 ... 3-way valve 36 ... 4-way switching valve 37 ... 3-way valve 38 ... Switching valve 39 ... Switching valve 40 ... Bypass pipe 41 ... Switching valve 42 ... Switching valve

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁵ Identification code Office reference number FI technical display location F24H 9/00 W

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bathtub (1), which is connected to the bathtub (1) through a circulation pipe (2) and a circulation pump (3), and is filled with porous natural stone (27). This natural stone (2
Arranged in a hot water filtration tank (4) for propagating bacteria in 7) to remove ammonia and proteins contained in the hot water, and a hot water passage circulated by the filtration tank (4) and a circulation pump (3). Heating means for heating heated water to a constant temperature (5)
A temperature sensor (6) for detecting the hot water temperature and controlling the heating means (5), and a washing means for washing the natural stone (27) of the filtration tank (4). Therefore, the natural stone (27) in the filtration tank (4) is washed with the wash water injected from the wash water injection means (10) that pressurizes the wash water under pressure into the filtration tank (4) and then washed. Equipped with a cleaning means characterized by discharging the polluted cleansing water from the cleansing water drain valve (11) and removing foreign matter adhering to and accumulating on the natural stone (27) in a state where the natural stone (27) is made to inhabit bacteria. Method for cleaning hot water circulating bath equipment. 2. A bathtub (1), which is connected to the bathtub (1) through a circulation pipe (2) and a circulation pump (3) and is filled with porous natural stone (27). This natural stone (2
Arranged in a hot water filtration tank (4) for propagating bacteria in 7) to remove ammonia and proteins contained in the hot water, and a hot water passage circulated by the filtration tank (4) and a circulation pump (3). Heating means for heating heated water to a constant temperature (5)
A temperature sensor (6) for detecting the hot water temperature and controlling the heating means (5), and a washing means for washing the natural stone (27) of the filtration tank (4). The circulation pump (3) forces the hot water in the bath (1) to the filtration tank.
The warm water flowing into (4) and flowing in by the circulation pump (3) cleans the natural stone (27) in the filtration tank (4) in a water-immersed state, and cleans the polluted wash water that has washed the natural stone (27). Water drain valve (1
A method for cleaning a hot water circulating bath apparatus comprising a cleaning means, which removes foreign matter that is discharged from 1) and causes bacteria to inhabit the natural stone (27) and that adheres to and deposits on the natural stone (27).