JPH0838828A - Bath unit - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent inconveniences such as the inflow of air into a circulating water path due to the rapid decrease of hot water in a bath tub or the insufficient warming of a body when a biological filtration bed tank which constitutes a cleaning device is washed back, in a bath unit consisting of a cleaning device which cleans hot water in a bath tub and an automatic hot water supply bath device. CONSTITUTION:This bath unit is composed of a setting means 54 which sets a bathing time period by previous arrangement, a backwash instruction means 62 which outputs a backwash command signal for the cleaning device each time an integrated time reaches a previously set reference time, and a backwash execution means 64 which executes the backwash of the cleaning device 4, if a backwash command signal is output from the backwash instruction means 62 and the bathing time set by previous arrangement using the setting means 54 is reached.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath unit which is a combination of a purifying device for purifying hot water in a bathtub while circulating it, and an automatic hot-water bath device for supplying hot water to the bathtub, reheating the bathtub or the like.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A conventional bath unit includes a purifying device for purifying hot water in a bathtub while circulating it, and automatic hot water supply for supplying hot water to a bathtub or a currant by gas combustion and reheating hot water in the bathtub. There is a bath facility provided so that you can enjoy bathing at any time of the day.

As a purifying device used in this case,
For example, there is a configuration in which a circulation pump, a filtration tank, a biological filter bed tank, and a sterilizer are sequentially arranged in the middle of a circulation water channel whose both ends are connected to a bath.

[0004] Then, after the body water, dust, dirt and dirt are removed by a filtration tank by sucking the body water, dust, dirt, soap water and other body water floating in the bath water by means of a circulation pump, soap serving as a nutrient source for microorganisms. Minutes and organic matter are removed in the biological filter bed tank of the next stage, further sterilized by a sterilizer, and then sent into the bath, and by repeating this, the hot and cold water in the bath is kept clean for a long time.

By the way, in the biological filter bed tank which constitutes the purifying device, the inside of the container is filled with a particulate filter material such as activated alumina, and by the action of microorganisms which naturally adhere to the surface of the filter material in the form of a film, It removes organic substances that are the source of propagation of various bacteria.

Therefore, in the case of using such a biological filter bed tank, it is necessary to always secure the dissolved oxygen in order for the microorganisms to survive, and therefore, the circulation pump constantly keeps the hot water containing air from the biological filter. It is designed to flow in the floor tank.

On the other hand, on the other hand, when the biological filter bed is continuously used for a long time, the microorganisms attached to the surface of the filter material in a film form gradually grow, and when the biological film grows excessively. In particular, the oxygen is not sufficiently distributed to the filter medium in the central part of the biological filter bed.

As a result, the overall purification capacity of the biological filter bed gradually decreases. There is also a problem that the excessively grown biofilm flows out into the bath.

Therefore, conventionally, the biological filter bed tank is regularly removed, and the filter medium is washed by stirring it by hand to remove the excessively grown biological film while leaving only a thin and uniform biological film. ing.

[0010]

However, it is troublesome and extremely troublesome to periodically remove and wash the biological filter bed tank.

Therefore, in the prior art, so-called backwashing is performed in which hot and cold water is made to flow in the biological filter tank in the opposite direction to that in the case of performing normal purification operation, and the filter medium is forcibly stirred and washed. A bath unit that can be used is provided.

That is, in order to carry out this backwash, a drainage channel is connected in the middle of the circulating water channel, and a solenoid valve for switching the water channel is provided, and the solenoid valve is opened periodically to switch the water channel. The direction of the hot water flowing in the floor tank is reversed to forcibly stir and wash the filter medium. Then, the dirty hot water after cleaning is drained through the drainage channel.

By doing so, the biological filter bed tank can be freed from the trouble of regularly removing it, and the backwashing can be automated.

Here, as the filter material of the biological filter tank, a filter material having a relatively large particle size (for example, about 2 to 4 mm) is used so that microorganisms are easily attached to the surface thereof. In order to sufficiently agitate and wash the filter material, the flow rate during backwash is somewhat high (for example, about 30 liters / minute).
Must be set to

However, if the flow rate at the time of backwashing is large, the amount of hot water drained from the bathtub increases accordingly, and the bathtub water level drops sharply. In particular, when the water level in the bathtub is low due to backwashing when the amount of hot water remaining is small, the hot water inlet of the circulating water channel that opens in the bathtub is exposed to the atmosphere, which causes air to flow into the circulating water channel. As a result, the circulation pump causes a so-called air lock phenomenon, and finally, the circulation pump is stopped and other problems occur.

If the water level of the bathtub suddenly drops while taking a bath, the user may feel uncomfortable, such as the illusion that the drain plug has been opened unexpectedly, and the body may not be sufficiently warmed.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and when backwashing the biological filter bed constituting the purification device, the hot and cold water in the bath is drastically lowered and air is circulated in the circulating water channel. The problem is to reliably prevent the occurrence of problems such as inflow of water and insufficient warmth of the body.

[0018]

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the present invention performs a purifying device for purifying hot water in a bathtub while circulating it, and replenishes the water in the bathtub during the bathing time, and reheats the bathtub. The following configuration is adopted in a bath unit that is equipped with an automatic hot-water supply bath device.

That is, in the bath unit according to the present invention, the purifying device is integrated each time the setting means for presetting the bathing time zone and the operating time of the purifying device are integrated and the integrated time reaches a preset reference time. The backwashing command means for outputting the backwashing command signal, and the backwashing command signal from the backwashing command means, and when the bathing time zone reserved by the setting means is reached, And a backwashing execution means for performing backwashing.

[0020]

In the bath unit having the above structure, the bathing time zone is set in advance by the setting means.

On the other hand, the backwash command means integrates the operating time of the purifying device, and outputs a backwash command signal of the purifying device each time the integrated time reaches a preset reference time.

The backwashing execution means executes the backwashing of the purifying device when the backwashing command signal is output from the backwashing command means and when the bathing time reserved by the setting means is reached.

At this time, when the bathtub water level drop due to the backwash is detected, the automatic hot water supply bath apparatus refills the bathtub so that the water level does not fall below a predetermined value.

Therefore, at the time of backwashing the purifying device, even if the amount of residual hot water in the bathtub is small, a sudden drop in water level does not occur due to backwashing, so that air may flow into the circulation pump from the circulating water channel. There is no.

Further, there is no problem such that the water in the bathtub suddenly drops during bathing and the body cannot be warmed.

[0026]

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

In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes the whole bath unit, 2 is a bathtub, 4 is a purifying device for purifying hot water in the bathtub 2 by circulating it, and 6 is hot water supplied to the bathtub 2 or a curran (not shown). An automatic hot-water supply bath device that replenishes water in the bathtub 2 and reheats hot water in the bathtub 2.

The purifying device 4 is provided with a circulating water channel 10 connected to the bath 2, and in the middle of this circulating water channel 10, from the suction side to the discharge side, a circulation pump 12, a filtration tank 14, and a biological filter bed tank 16 are provided. , And the sterilization device 18 are sequentially arranged.

The above-mentioned filter tank 14 has a relatively small particle size (for example, 200 to 40) such as glass beads in the container.
(0 μm) is filled with a filter medium to remove relatively large suspended matter such as hair, dust and dirt.

The biological filter bed tank 16 is filled with a filter medium having a relatively large particle size (for example, about 2 to 4 mm) such as activated alumina particles in a container, and microorganisms naturally attached to the surface of the filter medium are used. It is designed to remove organic substances such as dirt and soap.

As the sterilizer 18, for example, one having a structure in which a water passage is formed on the outer cylinder side of the double pipe and an ultraviolet lamp is sealed on the inner cylinder side is used.

Reference numeral 20 is a drainage channel used when backwashing the tanks 14 and 16, and 21 to 24 are drainage channels for draining water, and 31 is a drainage channel.
~ 34 are electromagnetic three-way valves for switching water channels, 36, 37
Is an electromagnetic two-way valve for drainage.

When the circulating pump 12 is stopped, for example, when the hot water in the bathtub 2 is replaced, the three-way valves 36 and 37 are opened, and the circulating water channel 10 including the filter tank 14 and the biological filter bed tank 16 is opened. The hot water in the inside is drained, and in particular, the shortage of dissolved oxygen due to the residual water in the biological filter bed tank 16 is avoided.

Further, 41 is an electrode type energization sensor for detecting the occurrence of the air lock phenomenon of the circulation pump 12, 42 is an electrode type energization sensor for detecting the startable water level of the circulation pump 12, 43 Is an electrode-type energization sensor for detecting the presence or absence of water leakage due to damage of the sterilizer 18.

On the other hand, in the automatic hot-water supply bath device 6, both ends of the circulation / falling water channel 50 are connected to the bathtub 2, and a water level sensor 52 for detecting the water level in the bathtub 2 is attached in the middle of the circulation / falling water channel 50. Has been.

Reference numeral 54 is a remote control device as a setting means for setting various modes such as hot water supply to the bathtub 2 by the automatic hot water supply bath device 6, refilling water, reheating the bath water, etc., and setting reservations for bathing hours. Is.

Reference numeral 56 is a controller for controlling the operation of both devices 4 and 6 in response to various mode setting commands from the remote control device 54.

This controller 56 has an internal timer 6
0, backwash command means 62, and backwash execution means 64.

The internal timer 60 measures the time, and the backwash command means 62 integrates the operating time of the purifying device 4 and the integrated time becomes a preset reference time. The backwashing command signal of the purifying device 4 is output every time it reaches. Further, the backwash execution means 64 is
When the backwash command signal is output from the backwash command means 62 and the bath time reserved by the remote controller 54 is reached, the backwash of the purifying device 4 is executed.

Next, in the bath unit 1 having the above structure, the operation of each part related to backwashing the respective tanks 14 and 16 of the purifying device 4 will be described.

[0041] Now, by operating the reservation switch (not shown) provided in the remote control device 54, for example, as shown in FIG. 2, the desired bathing time zone T _A (time t _a1 and the time t _a2), T _B
Set (time t _b1 and time t _b2 ). The remote control device 54 may be provided with a reserved pattern switch, and a bathing time zone pattern may be designated to set and input the bathing time zones T _A , T _B , and the like.

In this case, the preset bathing time period T _A ,
At T _B , a decrease in the hot water temperature due to the bathing of several people and a decrease in the water level due to the use of hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 are considered. Therefore, when the time periods T _A and T _B are reached, the automatic hot water supply bath device 6
The automatic operation mode automatically keeps warm and replenishes water.

On the other hand, when a purification switch (not shown) provided on the remote controller 54 is turned on, the controller 56
After confirming that there is a water level above the lowest reference surface based on the detection output of the water level sensor 52, the three-way valves 31 to 3
4 is switched to the side that blocks communication with the drainage channels 20 to 22, and the two-way valves 36 and 37 are closed.
The circulation pump 12 is started.

Then, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 is sucked from the suction port of the circulating water channel 10 and is pressurized and discharged by the purification circulation pump 12, and this hot and cold water is supplied to the three-way valve 31, the filtration tank 14, the three-way valve 32, and the three-way valve 33. , Biological filter tank 16, three-way valve 34,
After passing through the sterilizing device 18 to be purified, the effluent is discharged into the bath 2 from the discharge port of the circulating water channel 10.

When the above-described cleaning operation is being performed, the backwash command means 62 integrates the cleaning operation time based on the time measured by the internal timer 60. And the accumulated time is
Each time the preset first to third reference times Σ1 (24 hours in this example), Σ2 (500 hours in this example), Σ3 (2000 hours in this example) are reached, the following reverse Outputs wash command signals.

Integrated time of cleaning operation is first reference time Σ
When 1 (= 24 hours) is reached → Backwash command signal output of filtration tank 14 Integrated time of purification operation is second reference time Σ2 (= 500
Time) is reached → Backwash command signal output for backwashing the biological filter bed tank 16 for a short time Integrated time of purification operation is the third reference time Σ3 (= 200
(0 hour) → Backwash command signal output for backwashing the biological filter bed 16 for a long time. For example, when the above backwash command signal is output from the backwash command means 62, the purification execution means Reference numeral 64 determines, based on the time measured by the internal timer 60, whether or not it is the bathing time zone reserved by the remote control device 54, which is T _A or T _B in this example.

When the above-mentioned backwash command signal is input at a time earlier than the reserved bathing time zone T _B , for example, t _c , the backwashing execution means 64 causes the backwashing time zone T _B to start. Wait until t _b1 without backwashing.

Then, it is measured by the internal timer 60.
Time is bath time T_BStart time t _b1When it matches
Then, the backwashing of the biological filter bed tank 16 for a long time is started.

In this long backwash, in the case of this example, the backwash is carried out for 1 minute (the period indicated by T ₁ in FIG. 2) under the backwash water amount of 30 liters / minute, for a total of three cycles (see (Each period indicated by T ₀ of 2)
Divided into

That is, from the purification operation state, the upper three-way valve 33 and the lower three-way valve 34 of the biological filter tank 16 are switched so as to communicate with the drainage channel 20 and the drainage channel 22, respectively. Further, the upper and lower three-way valves 31 and 32 on the side of the filtration tank 31 are kept in a state of blocking communication with the drainage channels 20 and 21, and the drainage valves 36 and 37 are also kept in a closed state.

Then, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 is sucked from the suction port of the circulating water passage 10 and pressurized and discharged by the purification circulation pump 12, and this hot and cold water is discharged from the drain passage 22 to the three-way valve 34.
The biological filter bed 16, the three-way valve 33, and the drainage passage 20 are sequentially passed to be drained to the outside. In other words, hot water flows from the lower side to the upper side in the biological filter bed tank 16 as opposed to the case where the purification operation is performed, whereby the internal filter medium is forcibly stirred and washed.

In this backwash operation, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 is discharged to the outside, so that the water level gradually decreases with the passage of time.

Based on the detection output of the water level sensor 52, the controller 56 causes the automatic hot-water supply bath device 6 to move to the bathtub 2 when the water level in the bathtub 2 drops to a certain level (for example, about 5 cm) from the start of backwashing. A command to drop hot water and start replenishing water is given (period T ₂ in FIG. 2).

Therefore, since water is replenished to the bathtub 2 from the automatic hot-water supply bath device during the drainage of the bathtub 2 by the backwash operation of the biological filter bed tank 16, the water level of the bathtub 2 is backwashed. Even if it is, it drops only very slowly.

After the backwash period T ₁ (1 minute in this example) has elapsed, the three-way valves 33, 34 are connected to the drainage channels 20, 22.
Switch to the side that shuts off communication with the two-way valve 36,
37 is closed and it returns to the state of purification operation. At this point, the backwash operation ends, so the drop in the bath water level stops.

Moreover, even after the backwash period T ₁ elapses, the refilling operation is continued until the preset water level in the bathtub 2 is reached (the period indicated by T ₂ in FIG. 2). The lowering of the water level in the bathtub 2 due to is completely recovered.

After the water replenishment period T ₂ has elapsed, the purification operation is performed until one fixed waiting period T ₃ has elapsed, and one cycle T ₀ ends.

Here, the waiting period T ₃ is provided as follows.
Since the water replenishment period T ₂ varies depending on the remaining amount of water in the bathtub 2,
This is because it is necessary to have a time margin before shifting to the next backwash operation.

Then, the same operation is repeated every one cycle T ₀ , and the long-time backwash operation of the biological filter bed tank 16 is completed in a total of three cycles (3T ₀ = T ′).

After completion of this backwashing operation (after elapse of the period T ')
Also, if the bathing time zone T _B continues, the controller 56 controls the automatic hot water supply bath device 6 to execute additional cooking if there is a decrease in the hot water temperature, and lowers the water level due to the use of hot water. If there is, perform water replenishment.

In the above example, the case where the backwash command signal is input at time t _c earlier than the reserved bathing time zone T _B has been described, but it is included in the bathing time zone T _B. When it is input at a time, for example, t _d , the backwashing means 64 immediately carries out backwashing of the biological filter bed tank 16 at regular intervals T ₀ .

On the other hand, when the above-mentioned backwash command signal is output from the backwash command means 62, the backwash execution means 64 carries out the backwash of the biological filter bed tank 16 for a short time.

In this short-time backwashing, the backwashing operation in the backwashing period T ₁ (1 minute) and the refilling water in the replenishing water period T ₂ in FIG. 2 are completed only once. Since the control content in this case is the same as in the case of backwashing for a long time,
Detailed description is omitted.

When the above-mentioned backwashing command signal is output from the backwashing command means 62, the backwashing execution means 64, in the case of this example, has a backwash water amount of 30 liters / min. The backwash of the filter tank 14 is performed only for a minute.

That is, in the backwashing of the filtration tank 14, the three-way valve 31 of the filtration tank 14 is removed from the drainage channel 2 from the state of the purification operation.
The other three-way valve 32 is switched to 0 so as to communicate with the drainage passage 21. In addition, the three-way valves 33 and 34 are kept in a state of blocking communication with the drainage paths 20 and 22, and the drainage valve 3
6 and 37 are also kept closed.

Then, the hot and cold water in the bathtub 2 is sucked from the suction port of the circulating water passage 10 and pressurized and discharged by the purification circulation pump 12, and this hot and cold water is discharged from the drainage passage 21 to the three-way valve 32.
The water is drained to the outside through the filtration tank 14, the three-way valve 31, and the drainage passage 20 in order.

That is, hot water flows from the lower side to the upper side in the filtration tank 14 as opposed to the case where the purification operation is performed.
As a result, the filter medium inside is forcibly stirred and washed.

Also in this case, the backwash operation results in the bathtub 2
Since the hot water is drained to the outside, the water level gradually decreases with the passage of time. Therefore, based on the detection output of the water level sensor 52, the controller 56 causes the water level of the bathtub 2 to be a constant water level (for example, 5 cm) from the start of backwashing. When the water temperature falls to the level of (about), the automatic hot water supply bath device 6 is controlled to drop hot water into the bathtub 2 to start replenishing water.

Therefore, also in the case of this filtering tank 14, since the water is replenished from the automatic hot water supply bath device to the bath 2 during the drainage of the bath 2 by the backwash operation, the water level of the bath 2 is
It drops only very slowly.

After the backwashing period (1.5 minutes in this example), the three-way valves 31, 32 are connected to the drainage channels 20, 21.
Switch to the side that cuts off the communication with and return to the state of purification operation. At this point, the drop in bath water level stops.

Moreover, even after the backwash period elapses, the water refilling operation is continued until the preset water level of the bathtub 2 is reached, so that the drop in the water level of the bathtub 2 due to the backwash operation is completely recovered. It

In the above embodiment, the biological filter bed tank 16 is used.
Although the operating period T ₁ for backwashing was set to 1 minute, it is not limited to this and should be appropriately changed according to the necessity of backwashing.

Further, in this embodiment, the filter tank 14 and the biological filter bed tank 16 are respectively provided, but it is also possible that both of them are biological filter bed tanks.

[0074]

According to the present invention, since water is replenished from the automatic hot-water supply bath device during backwashing of the biological filter bed tank which constitutes the purification device, the hot and cold water in the bathtub drastically drops and the circulating water channel It is possible to reliably prevent the occurrence of troubles such as the inflow of air into the body and the inability to warm the body sufficiently.

[Brief description of drawings]

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

FIG. 2 is a timing chart showing the relationship between the backwash operation of the purification device and the reserved bathing time zone in the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Bath unit, 2 ... Bathtub, 4 ... Purification device, 6 ... Automatic hot water supply bath device, 10 ... Circulating water channel, 12 ... Circulation pump, 1
6 ... Biological filter bed tank, 54 ... Setting means (remote control device), 56
... controller, 60 ... internal timer, 62 ... backwash command means, 64 ... backwash execution means.

─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification number Reference number in the agency FI Technical display location // C02F 3/06 ZAB (72) Inventor Hidehiro Takano 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Stock Within Noritsu (72) Inventor Yasuko Taniguchi 32 Akashi-cho, Chuo-ku, Kobe-shi, Hyogo Within Noritsu, Inc.

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A bath unit in which a purifying device for purifying hot and cold water in a bathtub while circulating it and an automatic hot-water bath device for replenishing and reheating the bathtub during the bathing period are provided together. And a backwash command means for accumulating the operating time of the purifying device and outputting a backwash command signal for the purifying device each time the integrated time reaches a preset reference time, and backwashing A backwashing command signal is output from the commanding means, and when the bathing time reserved by the setting means is reached, the backwashing executing means performs backwashing of the purifying device. Bath unit to be.