JPH0771813A - Automatic bath-hot-water supply device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect a failure of a bathtub water level sensor that detects the water level in a bathtub, by providing a judging device which detects a failure of the bathtub water level sensor with an input device, and an instruction device which outputs an instruction to the input device when an automatic bath hot-water supply switch is turned on to automatically supply hot-water into the bathtub. CONSTITUTION:When values of output and input signals detected by a sensor element B change, a bathtub water level sensor 4 is assumed to be normal, and if not, the bathtub water level sensor 4 is assumed to be out of order. When it is judged that the bathtub water level sensor 4 is out of order, the failure state of the bathtub water level sensor 4 is indicated on an indicator 15 and the operation comes to end without performing automatic bath hot-water supply. When the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, a solenoid valve 9 is opened to supply hot-water into a bathtub 1, and it is judged whether the bathtub water level is higher than the set bathtub water level or not. When the bathtub water level reaches the set bathtub water level, the solenoid valve 9 is closed to finish the automatic hot-water supply.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention has an object of providing an automatic bathtub filling device capable of detecting a defect in a bathtub water level sensor for detecting the water level of a bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2-2 is an example of control for automatically filling a bath with a bath level sensor up to a set bath level.
There is 90459. In this example, the bathtub water level is determined by comparing the detected value of the bathtub water level sensor with the stored reference water level (the bathtub water level when a predetermined pressure rises from the pressure detected by the bathtub water level sensor corresponding to the water level at the bathtub circulation port). It is something to measure.

Further, the stored reference water level can be rewritten at any time for each automatic filling, so that the correction of the change in the pressure detected by the bath water level sensor due to the change in the ambient temperature can be extremely reasonably and automatically performed. The bathtub water level measured by the bathtub water level sensor is accurate for each automatic filling.

[0004]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional example, the correction of the change in the pressure detected by the bath water level sensor due to the change in the ambient temperature is performed, but the failure of the bath water level sensor cannot be dealt with. In other words, although the detection value of the bathtub water level sensor can be corrected, there is no means for determining whether the corrected detection value of the bathtub water level sensor is correct, and there is overflow or insufficient water level at the time of automatic filling due to a bathtub water level sensor failure. Was occurring.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an automatic bathtub water filling device that solves the above problems.

[0006]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention provides a bathtub, a circulation path connected to the bathtub and having a bath level sensor and a heat exchanger, and an end connected to the circulation path for hot water supply. An input / output which has a drop-in water heater connected to a heater and which controls hot water supply to the bathtub by the output of the bathtub water level sensor, which inputs a signal from the bathtub water level sensor and outputs a signal to the bathtub water level sensor Means, a determination means for detecting a defect in the bathtub water level sensor by the input / output means, and a command means for instructing the input / output means by turning on an automatic water filling switch for automatically filling the bathtub. This is the first feature.

Further, when the automatic water filling switch is turned on, the command means is used to issue a command to the input / output means, and the signal output to the bath water level sensor is varied by the input / output means to determine whether or not the bath water level sensor is out of order. Second to judge
It is a feature of.

[0008]

In the present invention, input / output means for inputting a signal from the bathtub water level sensor and outputting the signal to the bathtub water level sensor, and determination means for detecting a defect in the bathtub water level sensor by the input / output means are provided. There is. Therefore, the signal input value for detecting the sensor failure can be set separately from the setting of the reference value of the bathtub water level sensor for setting the bathtub water level, and the failure of the bathtub water level sensor can be easily detected. .

Further, although command means for causing the input / output means to perform a command is provided, the command operation by the command means is performed every time the automatic water filling switch is turned on, and the automatic water filling switch is turned on by turning on the automatic water filling switch. An automatic filling command is issued every time the operation is performed, and the bath water level sensor is inspected before the automatic filling operation is performed. Therefore, if the bathtub water level sensor is out of order, the automatic water filling operation will not be performed, so hot water overflow and water level shortage during automatic water filling operation due to bathtub water level sensor failure will be prevented and set if the bathtub water level sensor is normal. It is possible to automatically fill water up to the water level.

Further, when the automatic water filling switch is turned on, a command is issued to the input / output means by using the command means, and the signal output to the bathtub water level sensor is varied by the input / output means to determine whether or not the bathtub water level sensor is out of order. Is being determined. Therefore, by inspecting the degree of change of the input signal from the bath water level sensor to the input / output means according to the degree of change of the signal output from the input / output means to the bath water level sensor, the accuracy of the bath water level sensor can be accurately measured, The water level at the end of the automatic filling operation will be accurate.

[0011]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the structure of a bath device. In the bath apparatus A, the circulation path 2 is connected to the bathtub 1, and the circulation path 2
A pump 3, a bath water level sensor 4, and a heat exchanger 5 are provided in the. The heat exchanger 5 is heated by the burner 6, and the required gas amount is obtained by changing the opening of the proportional valve 7.

Reference numeral 8 denotes a drop-in hot water supply path which is connected to the circulation path 2 and is connected to a hot water supply heater Q. An electromagnetic valve 9 provided in the midway path is opened to drop the heated hot water into the bath 1. Automatic filling is possible.

Reference numeral 10 denotes a controller for controlling a controlled device such as the solenoid valve. Inside the controller 10, a microcomputer 11 connected to the bath water level sensor 4 is provided.

The controller 10 is connected to a remote controller 12, and is provided with an automatic hot water filling switch 13, a bath water level setting device 14, and a display unit 15 for displaying a failure location and the like.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing in detail an embodiment of the present invention, particularly the microcomputer 11. A sensor unit B is provided inside the bath water level sensor 4 so that the actual pressure P can be detected. The actual pressure P can be calculated by using the formula described later.

The sensor unit B is connected to the output means 16, and inputs the signal input value V _R from the output means 16 sends a signal output value Vo to the input and output unit 16. The signal output value Vo is intended to be variable by varying the signal input value V _R.

[0017] 17 bath level sensor 4 or a failure by comparing the signal input value V _R output from the signal output value Vo and input means 16 is transmitted to the output unit 16 to the sensor unit B It is a determination means for determining whether or not.

Reference numeral 18 is a command means which is connected to the automatic filling switch 13 and causes the input / output means 16 to specify the signal input value V _R when the automatic filling switch 13 is turned on.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the contents of control of the present invention. When the automatic filling switch 13 is turned on (S1), it is determined whether the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the bathtub set water level (S2), and if not, it is determined whether the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal. (S3). Here, the judgment as to whether or not the bath water level sensor 4 is normal is performed as follows. When determining whether the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, the electromagnetic valve 9 is closed and the bathtub water level is constant.

[0020] That is, the actual pressure P, the signal output value Vo and the signal input value V _R detected by the sensor unit B
If tub water level sensor is normal Vo = aV _R + P + b
(A and b are constants) ... That is a signal output value Vo and the signal input value V _R is directly proportional relationship.

Therefore, if the bath water level is constant, the actual pressure P is constant, the signal input value V _R is varied, and if the change amount of the signal input value V _R is ΔV, the change amount of the signal output value Vo is It should be aΔV, and if the signal output value and the input value change in this way, it is considered that the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, and otherwise it is considered that the bathtub water level sensor 4 is out of order.

When it is determined in step 3 that the bath level sensor 4 is out of order, the failure state of the bath level sensor 4 is displayed on the display unit 15 and the process is terminated without performing automatic filling (S).
7). If the bathtub water level sensor 4 is normal, the solenoid valve 9 is opened to supply hot water to the bathtub 1 (S4), and it is determined whether the bathtub water level is equal to or higher than the bathtub set water level (S5). Is closed to end the automatic water filling (S6).

In short, the present invention utilizes the fact that the signal output value transmitted from the sensor unit to the input / output unit and the signal input value transmitted from the input / output unit to the sensor unit are in direct proportion, and By comparing the amount of change in the signal input value and the amount of change in the signal output value due to the change, it is possible to accurately detect the presence or absence of a failure in the bathtub water level sensor. Further, if it is determined that the bathtub water level sensor is out of order, the automatic filling of water is not performed, so that the water charge can be saved.

[0024]

According to the present invention, with the above structure, it is possible to accurately detect a failure of the bathtub water level sensor, and since automatic hot water filling is not performed when the bathtub water level sensor fails, automatic water filling based on the failure of the bathtub water level sensor is not performed. Hot water overflow and water level shortage during operation are less likely to occur. As a result, not only the convenience and comfort of the user are improved, but also water charges are saved by not performing useless automatic filling operation.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a bath device.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram showing the contents of control of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 bath 2 circulation path 4 bath water level sensor 5 the heat exchanger 8 darken hot water path 16 output means 17 judging unit 18 instructing means B sensor unit Vo signal output value V _R signal input value Q hot water supply heater

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A bathtub comprising: a bathtub; a circulation path connected to the bathtub and having a bathtub water level sensor and a heat exchanger; and a drop water heater connected to the circulation path at its end and connected to a hot water heater. In what controls hot water supply to the bathtub by the output of the water level sensor, an input / output means for inputting a signal from the bathtub water level sensor and outputting a signal to the bathtub water level sensor,
The input / output unit is provided with a determination unit for detecting a defect in the bath level sensor, and a command unit for instructing the input / output unit by turning on an automatic water filling switch for automatically filling the bathtub. Automatic bath filling equipment. 2. The automatic bath filling switch is turned on to cause the input / output means to issue a command using the command means, and the signal output to the bathtub water level sensor is varied by the input / output means to determine whether or not the bathtub water level sensor is out of order. The automatic bathtub filling device according to claim 1, wherein