JPH07328605A - Circulating hot water bath machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent the generation of clouding and contaminating of bath water in a circulating hot water bath machine having a jet mode operating function to vigorously eject the hot water. CONSTITUTION:The bath water 13 is circulated without passing the bath water through a filter 16 in a jet mode operation. This jet mode operation is automatically stopped and is shifted to a normal mode to circulate the bath water through the filter 16 when the jet mode operation is carried out continuously for a prescribed period of time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circulating hot bath machine in which bath water in a bathtub is pumped up, heated, purified by a filter, and circulated again in the bathtub as clean and appropriate warm water, and more particularly, The present invention relates to a device having a jet mode in which hot water is jetted vigorously in addition to a normal operation mode.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a hot water circulation type bath device (referred to as a circulation hot bath machine) has been provided. This circulating hot bath
The bath water in the bathtub should be pumped up, heated to the desired temperature with a heater, and purified by a filter (purification tank) to remove foreign matters such as dust contained in the bathwater, and then returned to the bathtub again. It works. In such a circulating hot bath, for example, as shown in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-2265, a normal operation mode in which bath water drawn by a pump is heated by a heater, purified by a septic tank and then returned to the bath Further, there is provided a device capable of jet mode operation in which hot water is vigorously injected into a bathtub. In such a jet mode operation, in order to inject hot water vigorously, the flow path is switched by the switching valve so that the bath water is hardly passed through the septic tank and the septic tank is bypassed.

[0003]

By the way, in the jet mode operation as described above, the bath water to be circulated hardly enters the septic tank. Therefore, if the jet mode operation continues for a long time, Becomes cloudy because it is not purified. Also, this jet mode operation may be used for a long time depending on the preference of the user,
The bath water may not be purified and may be unsanitary. The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when jet mode operation continues for a predetermined time, it automatically returns to normal operation having a purifying function so that the bath water becomes cloudy. An object of the present invention is to provide a circulating warm bath machine capable of preventing the generation of dirt and stains.

[0004]

In order to achieve the above object, the circulating hot bath machine according to the invention of claim 1 heats the bath water pumped up by the pump to a predetermined temperature. In a circulating hot bath machine that is equipped with a heater and a filter that purifies bath water pumped up by a pump, and circulates and discharges the bath water purified by the heater into the bathtub, the flow of bath water pumped up by the pump A flow path switching valve for switching the path is provided, and by the operation of this switching valve, there are a normal mode in which the bath water is discharged into the bathtub through at least the heater and the filter, and a jet mode in which the bathwater is jetted into the bathtub only through the heater. When the jet mode has been selected and the jet mode has been selected and the specified time has elapsed, the jet is automatically Operation at over de is stopped, in which to return to the normal mode. In addition to the structure of claim 1, the circulating warm bath according to the invention of claim 2 cleans the filter by passing the bath water through the filter by the operation of the switching valve, and rinses the washed water with a bathtub. It further has a cleaning mode for draining to the outside. In addition to the constitution of claim 1 or 2, the circulating hot water bath of the invention of claim 3 is
In the state that the operation in jet mode can be automatically continued,
When the jet mode operation is temporarily stopped after a lapse of a predetermined time, the next jet mode operation can be automatically started after the normal mode operation for a specified time.

[0005]

According to the circulating hot water bath of the present invention having the above structure, the flow passage switching valve switches the flow passage of the bath water pumped by the pump in accordance with the operation mode. In the normal mode, the bath water is heated by the heater. And is discharged into the bathtub through the filter, and in the jet mode operation, the bath water is jetted into the bathtub only through the heater. Then, when the jet mode operation is continuously performed for a predetermined time, the operation in the jet mode is automatically stopped and the operation returns to the normal mode. Further, according to the circulating hot bath machine of the second aspect, in addition to the above-mentioned action, the cleaning mode for cleaning the filter can be selected. In this washing mode, bath water is passed through the filter to wash the filter, and the washed water is drained to the outside of the bath. Further, according to the circulating hot bath machine of claim 3, in addition to the above operation, when the jet mode operation is continued after a predetermined time has elapsed and the jet mode operation is stopped, the next jet mode operation is performed. The operation is jet mode operation again after operating for a specified time in the normal mode.

[0006]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the overall configuration of a circulating hot water bath according to this embodiment. The circulation warm bath machine 11 has a bathtub 12
A circulating pump 14 for pumping and circulating the bath water 13 in the bath 12 into the main body of the circulating warm bath machine 11, and a heater for heating the bath water pumped by the circulating pump 14 to a predetermined temperature. 15, a septic tank 16 as a filter for filtering the same bath water, a passage switching valve 17 for switching the passage of the bath water pumped by the circulation pump 14 according to the operation mode, and a passage for connecting these members. It is composed of a water pipe 18 and the like. In addition, the circulating hot water bath 11 has a water suction port 19 that faces the inside of the bathtub 12 to pump up the bathwater 13 into the main body, and hot water that has been subjected to treatment such as heating and purification is circulated and discharged from the main body into the bathtub 12. Outlet 20 is provided via the connection pipes 21 and 22.

Further, an automatic drain valve 24 for draining water after cleaning when the septic tank 16 is washed is arranged in the flow path, and further, from the automatic drain valve 24 to the outside of the bath 12, the septic tank 16 is discharged. A drain hose 23 for draining the washed water is connected. Further, an air valve 32 is provided at the outlet 20 via a connection pipe 31, and by opening the air valve 32 during the jet mode operation described later, it is possible to suck air and generate bubbles in the jet flow. It is like this.

The septic tank 16 contains a filter material such as porous ceramic balls in a case. Further, the heater 15 detects the hot water temperature with a built-in temperature sensor and controls the heating of the bath water 13 to a set temperature. In addition, the operation mode includes a normal operation mode for heating and purifying the bath water 13, a jet mode for vigorously discharging hot water into the bathtub 12, and a septic tank 16 for cleaning, and the water after cleaning is washed outside the bathtub 12. It is possible to selectively switch the cleaning mode to drain water to. Flow path switching valve 17
In the normal operation mode, the flow path is formed so that the hot water heated and purified through the heater 15 and the septic tank 16 is discharged into the bath 12. In the jet mode, the hot water is passed through only the heater 15 without passing through the septic tank 16. In the cleaning mode, a flow path is formed so as to discharge into the bathtub 12, and in the cleaning mode, the bath water pumped up by the circulation pump 14 is flushed in the septic tank 16 in a direction opposite to that in the normal operation to wash the septic tank 16, and after the washing. A channel is formed so as to drain the water from the bath 12 through the automatic drain valve 24 and the drain hose 23.

Next, the detailed structure of the flow path switching valve 17 will be described with reference to FIGS. The flow path switching valve 17 is
It is a rotary type and has one port (port 1:
Case body 25 with corresponding numbers shown in FIG. 1)
And a case lid 26 in which three ports (ports 2 to 4 correspond to the numbers shown in FIG. 1) are opened, and a rotatable rotation is made by being inserted into the interior defined by the case body 25 and the case lid 26. A valve 27, a stepping motor 28 as a driving means for driving the rotary valve 27, a rotary plate 29 for detecting the position of the rotary valve 27, a reference point detection sensor 30a including a photo interrupter, and a valve rotational position. It is composed of a detection sensor 30b and the like. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the rotary valve 27 has first and second passages 31 and 32 that do not communicate with each other. The first passage 31 communicates the opening holes A and B, and the second passage 32 is an arc-shaped groove that communicates the opening holes C and D. The entire surface of the rotary valve 27 facing the port 1 is recessed so as to communicate with the port 1 at all times, and the opening hole A is opened.

The port 1 is connected to the discharge side of the circulation pump 14 located downstream of the heater 15, and the port 2
Is connected to the outlet side 16b of the septic tank 16, the port 3 is connected to the automatic drain valve 24, and the port 4 is connected to the outlet 20. On the surface side of the rotary valve 27 facing the ports 2 to 4, the opening holes A and the opening holes C and D communicating with the second passage 32 are located. Flow path switching valve 17 having the above configuration
The rotational position of the rotary valve 27 is controlled according to the operation mode, so that the predetermined ports communicate with each other and the flow paths are switched. The rotation of the rotary valve 27 is performed by driving the stepping motor 28, and the rotary plate 29 rotates integrally with this rotation.
The rotational position of the rotary valve 27 can be controlled by optically detecting the position 9 by the reference point detection sensor 30a and the valve rotation position detection sensor 30b.

4A shows the state of the flow path switching valve 17 in the normal mode, FIG. 4B shows the cleaning mode, and FIG. 4C shows the state of the flow path switching valve 17 in the jet mode. In the normal mode of FIG. 4A, port 1 and port 3 are in communication, and port 2
And port 4 are communicated. In the cleaning mode of FIG. 4B, the port 1 and the port 2 are in communication. In the jet mode of FIG. 4C, port 1 and port 4 are in communication.

Next, the detailed structure of the automatic drain valve 24 will be described with reference to FIG. The automatic drain valve 24 includes a case 24a in which three ports E, F, and G are opened, and a case 24a.
A valve body 24b that reciprocates inside and a spring 24c that pushes the valve body 24b in one direction are provided. The valve body 24b is integrally formed with a sub valve 24d made of soft rubber or the like and having a check valve function.
Is provided. And the port E is the flow path switching valve 1
7, the port F is connected to the inlet side 16a of the septic tank 16, and the port G is connected to the drain hose 23. FIG. 5A shows the state of the automatic drain valve 24 in the normal mode. In this normal mode, the water flowing in from the flow path switching valve 17 side pushes the valve body 24b to close the port G leading to the drain hose 23, and the auxiliary valve 24d is curved so that the through hole provided in the valve body 24b is closed. Water is opened and flows through the through hole to the inlet side 16a of the septic tank 16. Further, FIG. 5B shows a state of the automatic drain valve 24 in the cleaning mode. In this cleaning mode, the inlet side 1 of the septic tank 16
The water after cleaning flowing out from 6a and entering the automatic drain valve 24 pushes the valve body 24b to close the port E to the flow path switching valve 17 and connect the port F side and the port G side. The water is drained to the drain hose 23 side.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the control unit of the circulating hot water bath. The control unit includes a CPU 41 that is a microprocessor that controls the circulating hot water bath, a ROM 42 that stores a control program, and a RAM that stores various data.
43, and an operation panel 44 for giving an operation instruction by the user and displaying an operation mode and the like. Further, the detection signals of the respective sensors 30a and 30b for detecting the valve position and the temperature sensor 15a for detecting the bath water temperature are read by the CPU 41. The CPU 41 controls the circulation pump 14, the heater 15, the air valve 32, the stepping motor 28, and the like according to a predetermined program based on an instruction from the operation panel 44.

Next, the operation of the circulating hot bath machine constructed as described above will be described. When the user operates the operation panel 44 to select a desired operation mode, the CPU 41 causes each of the sensors 30 for detecting the valve position according to the selected content.
Based on the detection signals from a and 30b, the stepping motor 28 is driven to switch the flow path switching valve 17. As a result, the circulation warm bath machine is operated in the selected mode because a predetermined distribution path is formed. In the normal mode in which the bath water 13 is heated and purified, the flow path switching valve 17 is in the state shown in FIG. 4 (a), and the bath water 13 pumped from the water suction port 19 by the operation of the circulation pump 14 causes the heater 15 to operate. It is heated through the circulation pump 14, the port 1 of the flow path switching valve 17, the first passage 31, the port 3, the automatic drain valve 24 in the state of FIG.
It enters, is purified, and exits from the outlet side 16b, passes through the port 2, the second passage 32, and the port 4 of the flow path switching valve 17, reaches the outlet 20, and is discharged into the bath 12.

In the cleaning mode for cleaning the septic tank 16, the flow path switching valve 17 is in the state shown in FIG. 4B, and the bath water 1 pumped from the water suction port 19 by the operation of the circulation pump 14 is operated.
3 is the heater 15, the circulation pump 14, the port 1 of the flow path switching valve 17, the first passage 31, the port 2, and the septic tank 1.
5 enters the septic tank 16 from the outlet side 16b, flows in the septic tank 16 in the direction opposite to the normal time, and cleans the purifying material, and then exits from the septum tank 16 from the inlet side 16a to the state shown in FIG. 5 (b). Through the automatic drain valve 24 of, to the drain hose 23,
The water is drained to the outside of the bathtub 12.

In the jet mode state, the flow path switching valve 17
In the state shown in FIG. 4C, the bath water 13 pumped up from the water intake 19 by the operation of the circulation pump 14 is heated through the heater 15, and the circulation pump 14 and the flow path switching valve 1 are heated.
7 from the port 1 through the first passage 31 and the port 4 to the outlet 20, without passing through the septic tank 16,
It is vigorously ejected into 2. At this time, the air valve 3
2 is also opened and bubbles can be mixed in the jet. By operating in this jet mode, the jet effect can be applied to the human body while taking a bath to obtain a massage effect or the like.

Next, the jet mode processing by the controller of the circulating hot bath will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the jet mode process. This jet mode process is started when the jet mode selection key (hereinafter referred to as the jet key) on the operation panel 44 is pressed. By this operation, the jet ON process (FIG. 8) is executed (# 1), and the jet mode continuous operation is started. At the same time, an X minute measurement timer (X minutes is a predetermined set time, for example, 15 minutes) is started (# 2), and it is checked whether the jet is ON (# 3).
If N (YES in # 3), it is checked whether X minutes have elapsed (# 4), and if X minutes have not yet elapsed (N in # 4).
O), immediately go to # 7 to check if the jet key is pressed. If X minutes have passed in # 4 (YES in # 4),
The jet OFF process (FIG. 9) is executed (# 5), the Y minute measurement timer (Y minute is a predetermined set time, for example, 5 minutes) is started (# 6), and the process proceeds to # 7. Due to the jet OFF processing, the operation mode shifts to the normal mode (heating, purification) operation. If the jet key is not pressed in # 7 (NO in # 7), the process returns to # 3, but if the jet key is pressed in # 7 (YES in # 7), jet OF
The F process (FIG. 9) is executed (# 8), and the process returns.

As described above, when the jet mode operation is continued for X minutes without pressing the jet key, the jet mode operation is forcibly stopped and the mode is changed to the normal mode operation. In the case of this forced normal mode transition, the judgment in # 3 is not jet ON, so N
It becomes O, and it proceeds to # 9, checks whether Y minutes have passed, Y
Until the time elapses (NO in # 9), the process waits in the loop of # 7, # 3, # 9. That is, the operation in the normal mode is performed for at least Y minutes. When Y minutes have passed (Y in # 9
ES), the jet ON process is performed (# 10), the jet mode operation is restarted, the X minute measurement timer is started again (# 11), and the process proceeds to # 7. If it is determined in # 7 that the jet key has been pressed (YES in # 7), the jet OFF process is executed (# 8), and then the process returns. Thus, if the jet key is still pressed, the jet mode operation for X minutes and the normal mode operation for Y minutes are repeated. As a result, even during the jet mode continuous operation, the normal operation having the purifying function is performed at a predetermined interval, so that it is possible to prevent clouding of the bath water and generation of dirt.

Next, the jet ON process of FIG. 8 will be described. The jet ON process is performed when the jet key is pressed. First, it is checked whether or not the valve position of the flow path switching valve 17 is in the jet position (see FIG. 4C) (# 21). If the valve position is not yet in the jet position (# 21),
21 is NO), the circulation pump 14 is stopped (# 22),
The stepping motor 28 is driven to switch the valve (# 2
3) Wait for the valve switching to end (YE in # 24)
S), stop the stepping motor 28 (# 2
5), the circulation pump 14 is driven (# 26), the air valve is turned on (# 27), and the process returns. If the valve position is already at the jet position in # 21 (YES in # 21), #
Immediately proceed to # 26 without performing the processing of 22 to # 25.

Next, the jet OFF processing of FIG. 9 will be described. The jet OFF processing is performed when the pressing of the jet key is released. First, the valve position of the flow path switching valve 17 is the basic position, that is, the normal mode position (see FIG. 4A).
(# 31), when the valve position is not in the basic position (NO in # 31), the circulation pump 14 is stopped (# 32), the air valve is turned off (# 33), and the valve is closed. Drive the stepping motor 28 for switching (# 3
4) Wait for valve switching to end (YE in # 35)
S) and stop the stepping motor 28 (# 3
6) The circulation pump 14 is driven (# 37), and the process returns. If the valve position is already at the basic position in # 31 (YES in # 31), the process immediately proceeds to # 37 without performing the processes of # 32 to # 36.

The present invention is not limited to the configuration of the above embodiment, and various modifications can be made. For example, in the above embodiment, when the jet key is kept pressed, the jet mode operation and the normal mode operation are performed. However, when the jet mode operation is forcibly stopped after the lapse of a predetermined time, the operation may be changed to the normal operation after that. Further, the septic tank 16, the heater 15 and the circulation pump 1 which are the internal constitution of the circulating hot bath machine.
4, the arrangement configuration of the flow passage switching valve 17 and the like with respect to the flow passage can be appropriately changed.

[0022]

As described above, according to the circulating hot bath according to the present invention, when the operation in the jet mode in which hot water is jetted vigorously without passing through the filter has passed a predetermined time, the jet mode operation is automatically performed. Stops and returns to normal mode operation that has the function of purifying bath water through the filter, so while the massage effect in jet mode operation is obtained, it is possible to prevent clouding and stains of bath water before it becomes hygienic. .

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram of an entire circulating hot water bath according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a flow path switching valve.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a flow path switching valve.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state of the flow path switching valve in each mode.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state of the automatic drain valve in each mode.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control unit of the circulating hot water bath.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of jet mode processing of the circulating hot bath.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of jet ON processing.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of jet OFF processing.

[Explanation of symbols]

 11 circulating hot bath machine 12 bathtub 13 bath water 14 circulation pump 15 heater 16 septic tank (filter) 17 flow path switching valve 41 CPU

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number within the agency FI Technical indication location // A47K 3/00 Z (72) Inventor Yuzuru Asahara 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya Brother Industrial Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Satoru Maruyama 15-1 Naeshiro-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya City Brother Industrial Co., Ltd.

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A heater comprising: a pump for pumping the bath water in the bathtub; a heater for heating the bath water pumped by the pump to a predetermined temperature; and a filter for purifying the bath water pumped by the pump. Heated by
In a circulating hot bath machine that circulates and discharges the bath water purified by the filter into the bathtub, a flow passage switching valve for switching the flow passage of the bath water pumped by the pump is provided, and at least by the operation of the switching valve, A normal mode in which the bath water is discharged into the bathtub through the heater and a filter and a jet mode in which the bath water is ejected into the bathtub only through the heater are selectively switched, and the jet mode is selected. In this case, when the operation in the jet mode has passed a predetermined time, the operation in the jet mode is automatically stopped and the circulating hot bath machine is returned to the normal mode. 2. A washing mode is further provided, in which the bath water is passed through the filter by the operation of the switching valve to wash the filter, and the washed water is drained to the outside of the bath. The circulating hot bath machine according to claim 1. 3. When the operation in the jet mode is automatically stopped and the operation in the jet mode is temporarily stopped after a predetermined time has elapsed, the operation in the next jet mode is performed in the normal mode. 2. The driving system can be automatically started after driving for a specified time.
Or the circulating warm bath machine according to 2.