JPH0838827A - Bath unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To detect exactly the idling of a non-self-suction type circulation pump so that the circulation pump is protected in a bath unit consisting of a bath tub to which a circulation path for extracting a bath tub water and returning it to the bath tub and the non-self-suction type circulating pump which causes a circulating current in the circulation path 4. CONSTITUTION:This bath unit is composed of a first energization sensor 16, which detects the presence of a bath tub water at a position higher than a non-self-suction type circulating pump 6 in its downstream, provided in a circulation path 4, a second energization sensor 18, which detects the presence of a bath tub water, provided in the upstream of the circulation pump 6 in the circulation path 4, and a control unit 14 which controls the action of the circulation pump 6 in response to an output from the first and the second energization sensor 16, 18.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a non-self-priming type circulation pump in which a circulating passage for drawing out the bath water and returning it to the bath is connected to the bath. Regarding the bath unit that is being.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In general, a circulation path includes hair, dust,
It is necessary to install a purifying device for purifying bathtub water containing dirt, soap, etc., a jet device for generating a jet flow into the bathtub, and a reheating device. In order to fully exert the functions of such a purifying device, a jet device and a reheating device, a circulation pump for generating a circulation flow in the circulation path is required.

By the way, in this type of conventional bath unit, a diaphragm-type head pressure detection switch for detecting the bath water level is provided downstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path, and when the operation starts, the bath head is detected by the output from the head pressure detection switch. Determine whether the water level is above the required level, and drive the circulation pump only when the water level is above the required level.
It is designed to prevent air from entering the circulation pump.

As the circulation pump, in the case of the functional device described above, a non-self-priming pump such as a simple centrifugal pump is generally adopted.

[0005]

By the way, conventionally,
Install the head pressure detection switch on the downstream side of the circulation pump,
It is used to detect the water level when starting the circulation operation, but the following inconveniences occur.

That is, when the water level in the bathtub drops below the required level during the circulation operation, air is mixed into the non-self-priming circulation pump and the bathwater cannot be circulated (idle operation). However, conventionally, since the idle operation cannot be detected, the idle operation is continued for a long period of time, which causes a failure of the circulation pump, and the purifying function, the jet function, and the reheating function are significantly impaired.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to accurately detect the idle operation of a non-self-priming type circulation pump so that the circulation pump can be protected.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a non-self-priming type circulation pump in which a circulation path for taking out the bath water and returning it to the bath is connected to the bath, and a circulation flow is generated in the circulation path. The bath unit that is installed is configured as follows.

In the first bath unit of the present invention, the bath water detecting means is provided upstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path to detect the presence or absence of bath water, and the circulation is performed in response to the output from the bath water detecting means. And a control means for controlling the operation of the pump.

In the second bath unit of the present invention, a first bath water detector for detecting the presence or absence of bath water is provided in the circulation path at a position higher than the circulation pump downstream of the circulation pump, and the circulation path. A second bath water detecting means provided upstream of the circulation pump for detecting the presence or absence of bath water;
Control means for controlling the operation of the circulation pump in response to the outputs from the first and second bath water detecting means, and the control means has the bath water presence from the first bath water detecting means. And the output indicating that bath water is present from the second bath water detecting means are both input, while the circulating pump is driven and the bath water not present from the first bath water detecting means is turned off. The circulation pump is stopped when either the output shown or the output showing the absence of bath water from the second bath water detecting means is input.

The bath water detecting means is preferably an energization sensor that conducts when there is bath water and does not conduct when there is no bath water while the control means is energized. Further, when the bath water detecting means is the energization sensor, it is preferable that the control means intermittently energize the energization sensor.

[0012]

In the first bath unit of the present invention, when air is mixed into the non-self-priming circulation pump due to a decrease in the water level in the bathtub and an idle operation occurs, this can be detected by the bath water detection means. it can. Therefore, when the idle operation of the circulation pump is detected, it is possible to stop the circulation pump and notify the bather of the occurrence of the abnormality. Further, this bathtub water detecting means can also be used for detecting the water level at the start of the circulation operation.

In the second bath unit of the present invention, by taking the AND of the outputs from the two bath water detecting means,
Since the non-self-priming circulation pump can be surely determined whether or not the idle operation has occurred, if the air operation is temporarily stopped and the idle operation does not occur, the idle operation will be stopped. Is determined not to occur. Therefore, the shift to the process of stopping the circulation pump does not become a daunting task.

If the bath water detecting means is a simple energization sensor, it will be advantageous in terms of cost. In this case,
By intermittently energizing the energization sensor, waste of energy can be saved and the life of the energization sensor itself can be extended.

[0015]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The details of the present invention will be described below with reference to the embodiments shown in FIGS.

1 and 2 relate to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a bath unit, and FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of a sterilizer. Here, a bath unit having a purifying device is taken as an example. In the figure, 1 is a bath unit, 2
Is a bathtub, 4 is a circulation path, 6 is a non-self-priming circulation pump, 8 is a filtration tank, 10 is a biological filter bed tank, 12 is a sterilizer, and 14 is a control unit.

The circulation path 4 is connected to the bathtub 2 and takes out bathwater from the bathtub 2 and returns it. In the middle of this circulation path 4, from the suction side of the bath water toward the discharge side,
The circulation pump 6, the filter tank 8, the biological filter bed tank 10, and the sterilizer 12 are sequentially arranged.

The circulation pump 6 is composed of, for example, a centrifugal pump, and generates a forced circulation flow in the circulation path 4.

The filtration tank 8 has a structure in which a relatively small filter material (200 to 300 μm) such as glass beads is filled in the container and removes relatively large suspended matters such as hair, dust and dirt.

The biological filter bed tank 10 has a structure in which a relatively large filter medium (4 to 5 mm) such as activated alumina is filled in the container, and fine dirt and soap components are caused by microorganisms that naturally adhere to the surface of the filter medium. It removes organic substances such as.

The filter tank 8 and the biological filter bed tank 10 have air vent valves 8A and 10A.

As shown in FIG. 2, the sterilization device 12 includes a protection tube 1 in which the ultraviolet lamp 12A is made of ultraviolet permeable glass.
The structure is surrounded by 2B and the case 12C, and only the ultraviolet lamp 12A can be easily attached and detached. The circulation path 4 is connected to the space between the protective cylinder 12B and the case 12C.

The control unit 14 is composed of, for example, a microcomputer or the like, and controls required components so as to execute a cleaning operation described in detail below based on a switch operation (not shown). .

The first energization sensor 16 is provided at a required position on the downstream side of the circulation pump 6 and higher than the circulation pump 6.
However, the second energization sensor 18 is provided on the upstream side of the circulation pump 6, and the circulation / backwashing is performed on the upstream side and the downstream side of the filtration tank 8 and the biological filter bed tank 10, respectively. Three-way valves 20, 22, 24, 26 for switching are provided.

Reference numeral 28 denotes a drainage channel for draining hot and cold water obtained by backwashing and washing the filter tank 8 and each biological filter bed tank 3,
0 is a drainage channel for draining hot and cold water in the circulation channel 4, 32
Is a normally closed type drainage on-off valve provided in the drainage channel 30. Reference numeral 34 denotes a hopper tank that is installed below the sterilizer 12 and receives bath water that leaks from between the protective cylinder 12B and the case 12C when the protective cylinder 12B of the sterilizer 12 is damaged. The hopper tank 34 has a third energization sensor 36 for detecting a failure of the sterilizer 12.
Is provided.

Next, the operation of the bath unit 1 will be described.

The control unit 14 energizes the first, second, and third energization sensors 16, 18, and 36 when a purification switch (not shown) is operated and a start signal is input. Based on the on / off outputs from the energization sensors 16 and 18, it is determined whether the water level in the bathtub 2 is equal to or higher than a required level. Here, the first and second energization sensors 16,
If both 18 are turned on, the cleaning operation is started assuming that the bath water level is equal to or higher than the required level, but if either one of the first and second energization sensors 16 and 18 is turned off,
Stand by without performing the cleaning operation.

When executing the cleaning operation, the control unit 1
4 is a three-way valve 20, 2 so that the bath water inflow to the filtration tank 8 and the biological filter bed tank 10 is in the purification direction shown by the solid arrow.
Switching between 2, 24 and 26, circulation pump 6, sterilizer 1
Drive 2 together.

As a result, the bath water taken out from the bath 2 to the circulation path 4 is first introduced into the filtration tank 8 to remove relatively large suspended matter such as hair, dust, and dirt, and then the biological filter bed tank. Water is poured into 10 to remove fine dirt and organic matter such as soap, and then sterilized by a sterilizer 12 to produce a bathtub 2
Is returned to. After that, it is repeated in sequence.

By the way, during the above-described cleaning operation, a so-called backwash operation is performed in which the filter tank 8 and the biological filter bed tank 10 are washed every time the operation time elapses. When the backwashing operation is completed, the cleaning operation is automatically resumed. That is, in the backwashing operation of the filtration tank 8, the three-way valves 20 and 22 are switched so that the bath water inflow into the filtration tank 8 is in the backwashing direction indicated by the dashed arrow, and the backwashing operation of the biological filter bed tank 10 is performed. Then, the three-way valves 24 and 26 are switched so that the bath water inflow to the biological filter bed tank 10 is in the backwash direction indicated by the broken line arrow, and the drainage on-off valve 32 is opened. Thereby, the bath water sucked from the bathtub 2 into the circulation path 4 flows into the lower part of the filter tank 8 or the biological filter bed tank 10 to wash the inside thereof, and then the three-way valve 20 on the upstream side thereof. 24, the drainage channels 28 and 30, and the drainage on-off valve 32.

During such cleaning operation, if the bather uses too much water in the bathtub or backwashing operation, the water level in the bathtub 2 drops below the required level and air is drawn into the circulation path 4. Although the self-priming circulation pump 6 is idled, in this case, the second energization sensor 18 is turned off. Therefore, in response to this OFF output, the control unit 14 stops the circulation pump 6 and An alarm means (not shown) is operated to notify the bather of the abnormality. Thus, the idle operation during the cleaning operation can be accurately detected, so that the air mixing operation of the circulation pump 6 can be stopped early to prevent the failure of the circulation pump.

When the bather replenishes the bathtub 2 with hot water after the occurrence of the abnormality and then operates an abnormality release switch (not shown), the control unit 14 executes the recovery mode after the abnormality. This return mode is performed in order to prevent malfunction of both the sensors 16 and 18 due to air bubbles adhering to the first and second energization sensors 16 and 18 due to air mixture which is the cause of abnormality. Second energization sensor 1
Regardless of the outputs of 6 and 18, the circulation pump 6 is driven for the required time (for example, 1 minute) anyway, and the bubbles adhering to the first and second energization sensors 16 and 18 are removed. Then, the normal operation described above is performed.

When the control unit 14 detects a failure of the sterilizer 12 based on the output from the third energization sensor 36 during the cleaning operation, it stops the circulation pump 6 and activates an alarm means (not shown). Notify the bather of the abnormality.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, by replacing the filter tank 8 with the biological filter bed tank 10 in the above-described embodiment, a configuration including two biological filter bed tanks 10 can be obtained. Further, instead of the above-mentioned purifying device, a jet device or a reheating device can be used, or a composite structure in which they are appropriately combined can be used.

Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the control unit 14 requires the on / off output of the first energization sensor 16 for a required time in order to improve the reliability of the detection output of the first and second energization sensors 16 and 18. While confirming that it continues for more than 5 seconds (for example, 5 seconds) and confirming that the on / off output of the second energization sensor 18 continues for more than the required time (for example, 30 seconds), the situation determination is performed. It is preferable that it is performed. By doing so, the situation determination becomes more reliable, and it is possible to prevent the circulation pump 6 from being stopped by a brave foot.

In addition to the above, in the embodiment described above, in order to improve the detection accuracy of the second energization sensor 18, the second energization sensor 18 can be installed in a form as shown in FIG. That is, the bypass passage 4A is provided upstream of the circulation pump 6 in the circulation passage 4, and the second energization sensor 18 is installed on the side of the bypass passage 4A. For example, if there is no bypass 4A,
There may be a situation where bath water is present in the lower half of the circulation path 4 due to air mixing, but at this time, there is a risk that the output of the second energization sensor 18 will be turned on or off and become unstable. On the other hand, if the bypass passage 4A is provided, the bath water is removed from the bypass passage 4A when air is mixed into the circulation passage 4, so that the unstable detection state as described above does not occur. The reliability of the detection of the second energization sensor 18 is increased.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment, the first,
By not energizing the second and third energization sensors 16, 18, and 36 constantly, but energizing them intermittently, waste of energy consumption can be eliminated. For example, the first energization sensor 1
6, the second energization sensor 18 and the third energization sensor 36 are energized for the required time (200 msec) in this order, and the energized / non-energized repeating cycle is appropriately set such that the subsequent time (1400 msec) is not energized Can be set to.

Further, in the above embodiment, the present invention includes a hot water supply / reheating device which is not shown. In this case, the control unit 14 is required by controlling the hot water supply / reheating device after stopping the circulation pump 6 in response to the OFF output from one of the first and second energization sensors 16 and 18. The amount of hot and cold water supply can be performed, and the subsequent recovery process can be continuously performed. That is, even if the circulating pump 6 runs idle due to a decrease in bath water, all the processing can be automatically performed without the help of the bather.

[0039]

According to the present invention, it is possible to accurately detect the idle operation of the non-self-priming circulation pump due to the decrease in the water in the bathtub. Therefore, in response to the detection, the circulation pump is stopped and the bather is informed. It becomes possible to take measures such as notifying the occurrence of an abnormality and prevent the failure of the circulation pump.

In particular, in the second bath unit of the present invention, since it is possible to reliably determine whether or not the non-self-priming circulation pump is idle, it is possible to empty the air even if air mixing occurs temporarily. It is possible to prevent a courageous shift to a process of stopping the circulation pump in a situation where the operation is not reached. That is, it is possible to eliminate the inconvenience of accidentally interrupting the circulation operation.

If the bath water detecting means is a simple energizing sensor, it will be advantageous in terms of cost. In this case,
By intermittently energizing the energization sensor, it is possible to save energy, such as a small amount of power consumption, as compared with the case where energization to the energization sensor is always continued, and it is possible to contribute to the life extension of the energization sensor itself.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of an embodiment of a bath unit according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the sterilizer of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged view showing another installation example of the first and second energization sensors.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Bath Unit 2 Bathtub 4 Circulation Path 6 Circulation Pump 14 Control Unit 16 First Energization Sensor 18 Second Energization Sensor

Continuation of front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Internal reference number FI Technical display location // C02F 3/06 ZAB (72) Inventor Hidehiro Takano 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Noritsu Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Yasuko Taniguchi, 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Noritsu Co., Ltd. (72) Inventor Shinichi Chikada, 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A bath unit in which a circulation path for taking out the water from the bathtub and returning it to the bathtub is connected to the bathtub, and a non-self-priming circulation pump that causes a circulation flow is interposed in the circulation path. There is a bath water detector provided upstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path for detecting the presence or absence of bath water, and a controller for controlling the operation of the circulation pump in response to the output from the bath water detector. A bath unit that is equipped with. 2. A bath unit in which a circulation path for taking out the bath water and then returning it to the bath is connected to the bathtub, and a non-self-priming circulation pump for causing a circulating flow is interposed in the circulation path. And a first bathtub water detecting means provided at a position higher than the circulation pump downstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path to detect the presence or absence of bathwater, and a bathtub provided upstream of the circulation pump in the circulation path. A second bath water detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of water; and a control means for controlling the operation of the circulation pump in response to the outputs from the first and second bath water detecting means, and the control means However, only when the output indicating the presence of the bath water from the first bath water detecting means and the output indicating the presence of the bath water from the second bath water detecting means are both input,
While driving the circulation pump, when either the output indicating the absence of bath water from the first bath water detecting means or the output indicating the absence of bath water from the second bath water detecting means is input,
A bath unit, characterized in that the circulation pump is stopped. 3. The bath according to claim 1, wherein the bath water detecting means is an energization sensor that conducts when there is bath water and does not conduct when there is no bath water while the control means is energized. unit. 4. The control means intermittently energizes an energization sensor as the bath water detecting means.
The bath unit according to claim 3.