JPH09323008A - Acidic water bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To store acidic water in a vessel, to eliminate the load of putting it into a bathtub and to prevent a sterilizing and disinfecting effect from being lowered with time by installing an acidic waver forming device for forming acidic water in a circulating route for circulating hot water in the bathtub to a hot-water supply heat exchanger. SOLUTION: In an acidic water bath device 1, a hot-water supply route 8 for injecting hot water into a bathtub 2, a circulating route 3 for circulating hot water in the bathtub 2 to a hot-water supply heat exchanger 7 and a acidic water forming device 4 for forming acidic water are installed, and hot water of acidic water heated to a suitalcle temperature is automatically injected into the bathtub 2. A salt solution of high concentration is stored as an additive in a mixed liquid storage rank 16, and the additive is mixed into hot water flowing through the circulating route 3 by a mixer 15. In the acidic water forming device 4, water mixed with the additive is introduced into an electrolyzer 19 and DC voltage is applied to the electrolyzer to perform electrolysis. Acidic water formed in an anodic chamber 21 is sent out to the hot-water supply heat exchanger 7 from an acidic water discharge pipe 5. Since acidic water formed in the circulating route 3 is heated and the hot water is injected into the bathtub 2, handleability is improved, and an effect is not lowered with the passage of time.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a bath device for pouring hot water into a bathtub, and more particularly to an acidic water bath capable of pouring hot water having a disinfecting or sterilizing action into the bathtub.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A popular bath device is usually equipped with a hot water supply system passage for pouring hot water into a bathtub, a circulation system passage for circulating hot water in the bathtub to a hot water supply heat exchanger with a built-in heater, and a hot water supply heat exchanger. A control unit and the like for controlling the operation of adjusting the heating temperature to the set temperature are provided. In this bath device, tap water is supplied to a hot water heat exchanger, heated by a heater, and then poured into a bathtub through a hot water supply passage. Then, the discharge pump provided in the circulation path is activated to forcibly send the hot water in the bathtub to the hot water supply heat exchanger side for circulation. At this time, the temperature of the return hot water is measured, and by adjusting the heating temperature of the heater according to the set temperature, hot water of an appropriate temperature can be poured into the bathtub.

[0003]

By the way, in this type of bath device, after tap water is heated by the heater of the heat exchanger for hot water supply, it is simply poured into the bathtub, and the hot water has a sterilizing or disinfecting action. In order to use the acidic water, the user needs to store the acidic water in a separate container and put it in a bath, which is a burden on the user and the acidic water is exposed to the air for a long time to promote neutralization, When used in conventional bath equipment, it sterilizes over time,
There was a problem that the disinfecting effect decreased.

Therefore, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention provides an acidic water bath which can solve the problems of the burden on the user and the decrease of the effect due to the passage of time by supplying hot water of acidic water to the bathtub. It is intended to be provided.
The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention provides an acidic water bath capable of electrolyzing low-temperature introduced water fed to a hot-water heat exchanger to generate acidic water with a stable concentration. It is an object. Further, the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention has as its object to provide an acidic water bath capable of producing a predetermined amount of acidic water according to the amount of molten metal poured into the bathtub.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 of the present invention comprises a hot water supply passage for pouring hot water heated by a hot water heat exchanger into a bathtub, and It is characterized in that a circulation system passage for circulating the hot water in the bathtub to the heat exchanger for hot water supply and an acidic water generator provided in the circulation system passage for generating acidic water are provided. The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the acidic water generator according to the invention according to claim 1 is provided in a circulation path on the inlet side of the heat exchanger for hot water supply. The invention according to claim 3 of the present invention is characterized in that the acidic water generator in the invention according to claim 1 or 2 is operated only for a predetermined time.

[0006]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic configuration diagram showing an acidic water bath according to the present invention.

This acidic water bath has a bath apparatus 1 comprising a hot water supply passage 8 for pouring hot water into the bathtub 2 and a circulation passage 3 for circulating the hot water in the bathtub 2 to the hot water supply heat exchanger 7. The acidic water generator 4 for generating acidic water is provided, and the hot water of the acidic water heated to an appropriate temperature is automatically poured into the bathtub 2 under the control of the control unit 10. The bathtub 2 has one side wall 2a
Is provided with a pouring port 2b and a tap port 2c on the lower side thereof, and a pipe of a hot water supply system passage 8 is connected to the pouring port 2b side, while a pipe of a circulation system passage 3 is connected to the tap port 2c side. . This circulation path 3 is provided with a pre-filter 11 in the conduit on the side of the outlet 2c.
Is provided to remove rough dust mixed in the hot water discharged from the bath 2. A discharge pump 12 is provided in the outlet side pipe of the prefilter 11.

The discharge pump 12 is a circulation pump that circulates hot and cold water in a circulation system path connecting the bath apparatus 1 and the acid water generator 4, and is started when the operation is started.
It absorbs the hot water in the bathtub 2 and sends it to the acidic water generator 4 side together with tap water from the water supply pipe 9 connected to the circulation system path 3,
The acidic water generator 4, the acidic water discharge pipe 5, the hot water supply heat exchanger 7, the hot water supply passage 8 and the bath 2 are allowed to flow into the circulation passage 3 again. An impurity adsorber 13 is attached to the discharge side pipe of the discharge pump 12. The impurity adsorber 13 accommodates a replaceable cartridge-type impurity adsorbent in the main body case. This impurity adsorbent can adsorb various bacteria that cause polluted hot water, can adsorb and decompose proteins released from the body, and also have a deodorizing effect. At the outlet side pipe of the impurity adsorber 13,
A water supply pipe 9 for introducing tap water is connected. An electromagnetic valve 9a is attached to the water supply pipe 9, and by turning on / off the electromagnetic valve 9a, tap water is supplied to the circulation path 3 or stopped. A check valve 13a is provided between the connection portion of the water supply pipe 9 and the impurity adsorber 13 so as not to flow back to the impurity adsorber 13 side when tap water is supplied by turning on the solenoid valve 9a. There is. Further, a ceramic filter 14 is provided on the rear side of the connecting portion of the water supply pipe 9. This ceramic filter 1
4 further purifies the hot water flowing through the circulation system 3 and tap water introduced from the water supply pipe 9 to further purify the electrolytic cell 19 of the acidic water generator 4.
Is to be sent to.

The outlet of the ceramic filter 14 is connected to the inlet of the mixer 15. The mixer 15 mixes an additive with hot water flowing through the circulation path 3, and is connected to a communication pipe 17 of a mixed liquid storage tank 16. The mixed solution storage tank 16 stores a high-concentration saline solution necessary for producing acidic water as an additive. The additive of the mixed liquid storage tank 16 is the conductivity sensor 27 provided in the outlet side pipe of the mixer 15.
According to the data obtained from the temperature sensor 28 and the data obtained from the temperature sensor 28, the mixer 15 side is turned on / off by the check valve-equipped pump 17a attached to the communication pipe 17 so that the water supplied to the electrolytic cell 19 has a constant conductivity. Is supplied in an appropriate amount. A water flow sensor 18 is provided on the outlet side pipe of the mixer 15 to detect whether or not a fluid such as tap water or hot water is flowing through the circulation system passage 3. Although not shown, a conductivity sensor 27 for measuring the conductivity of the fluid and a temperature sensor 28 for detecting the temperature of the fluid are provided near the water flow sensor 18 (see FIG. 2). ).

The acidic water generator 4 is constructed by arranging an electrolysis tank 19, an electrolysis power source 20, and the like in a device body (not shown). The electrolytic cell 19 includes an anode chamber 21 and a cathode chamber 22 that are separated by a diaphragm 23. A positive electrode 24 is arranged in the anode chamber 21, and a negative electrode 25 is arranged opposite to the cathode chamber 22. This electrolysis tank 19 is connected to a pipe of the circulation system passage 3 at an inlet provided on the lower side in the figure, and introduces the above-mentioned mixed water. Furthermore, the anode chamber 2
1 and an outlet of the cathode chamber 22 are provided respectively, and the acidic water outlet pipe 5 is connected to the outlet of the anode chamber 21 while the alkaline ionized water is exhausted to the outlet of the cathode chamber 22. The pipes 6 are connected to each other.

In the acidic water generator 4, when the mixed water is introduced into the electrolytic cell 19, both electrodes 24 and 25 are supplied from the electrolytic power source 20.
A DC voltage is applied to start electrolysis. The acidic water generated on the side of the anode chamber 21 by this electrolysis is sent to the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 through the acidic water discharge pipe 5, and the alkaline ionized water is discharged from the alkaline ionized water discharge pipe 6 to the faucet at the pipe end. Sent to the side. The acidic water generator 4 sets the production ratio of acidic water to alkaline ionized water to a ratio of 3: 1 to 5: 1 and takes out more acidic water having sterilizing power and disinfecting power than alkaline ionized water. , I use acidic water for bath water. On the other hand, the alkaline ionized water, which is produced in a small amount, is drained or used as a lotion because it has a cosmetic effect. The hot water supply heat exchanger 7 has a heater 7b built in a hot water storage can 7a and is configured to heat acidic water to a set temperature. The hot water storage canister 7a is provided with an inflow port 7c on one side wall and an outflow port 7d on the other side wall, and the acidic water discharge pipe 5 of the electrolytic cell 19 is connected to the inflow port 7c, while the outflow port 7d is The hot water supply passage 8 is formed by being connected to the pouring port 2b of the bathtub 2. The heater 7b is arranged in a coil shape in the hot water storage can body 7a,
The terminal portions at both ends are adapted to be connected to the power supply unit 38 via the power supply controller 40 shown in FIG. The heater 7b heats the acidic water flowing into the hot water storage can body 7a,
The hot water is adjusted so that it rises to the set temperature, and it is always possible to supply hot water to the bathtub 2 as an appropriate temperature.

FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram showing a schematic structure of the acidic water bath. This acidic water bath has an operating section 26
The LED drive unit 31, the addition amount controller 33, the applied voltage reversal controller 34, the discharge pump controller 35, the heater controller 36, the power supply controller 40 and the like are controlled by the control unit 10 to which output signals from various sensors are introduced. ing. The operation unit 26 is provided with a plurality of push button type switches that output signals by pressing operation, and is provided on the panel unit of the apparatus main body.
Examples of the switch include a hot water supply switch 26a that outputs hot water supply start / end signals, an electrolysis switch 26b that outputs electrolysis start / end signals, and a heating switch that outputs signals for starting / ending the heating operation of the heater 7b. 26c and an UP switch 26d and a DOWN switch 26e for setting the heating temperature of the heater 7b, and operation signals from the switches 26a to 26e are respectively supplied to the control unit 10. Also, the sensor
The water flow sensor 18, the conductivity sensor 27, the temperature sensor 28 for the fluid, the temperature sensor 29 for the heater 7b, and the like, and the output signals of these sensors and the thermoswitch 30 attached to the hot water storage can 7a are output by the control unit 10. Are led to each. 29a is an amplifier that amplifies the output signal of the temperature sensor 29, and 30a is an amplifier that amplifies the output signal of the thermoswitch 30.

The LED drive section 31 is supplied with the output signal of the control section 10, and drives the display LED provided in the display section 32 based on the instruction signal. The display LEDs are for displaying the temperature of hot water supplied to the bathtub 2, for displaying the heating set temperature of the heater 7b, and the like. Also,
The addition amount controller 33 turns on / off the check valve-equipped pump 17 a of the mixed liquid storage tank 16 based on a command signal from the control unit 10. By this on / off operation, an appropriate amount of saline solution is supplied from the mixed solution storage tank 16 to the mixer 15 and is added to the tap water, so that acidic water having a desired concentration can be produced. Applied voltage reversal controller 3
4 is based on the periodic command signal from the control unit 10,
The polarity of the voltage applied from the electrolysis power source 20 to the electrodes 24 and 25 of the electrolytic cell 19 is reversed.
This reverse polarity voltage removes the scale attached to the electrodes 24, 25. This voltage reversal may be carried out, for example, in a water-stopped state with the pump stopped, or by the electrolytic cell 1
A three-way valve (not shown) is provided in each of the discharge pipes 5 and 6 of the acidic water outlet and the alkaline ionized water outlet of 9 so that the acidic water can enter the bath at the time of reversal by switching these two three-way valves. . In addition, the discharge pump controller 3
Reference numeral 5 controls the number of revolutions of the discharge pump 12 based on a control signal from the control unit 10 to adjust the flow rate of the circulation system passage 3. Furthermore, the heater controller 3
Reference numeral 6 controls the output level of the voltage supplied to the heater 7b based on a control signal from the control unit 10,
The heating temperature of b is controlled so as to approach the set temperature. The control signal of the control unit 10 is given to the power supply controller 40, and according to the control signal of the control unit 10, the power supply unit 3 via the earth leakage breaker 39.
Power source voltage sent from the electrolysis power source 20, the discharge pump controller 35, and the heater controller 3
Power distribution control to supply to the 6 side is performed. A signal from a temperature fuse 37 attached to the hot water storage can body 7 a is guided to the power supply controller 40, and the hot water storage can body 7 a
When the temperature of a is increased and the thermal fuse 37 is blown, the supply voltage to the heater controller 36 is stopped.

The control unit 10 includes a CPU, ROM, RA
The microcomputer provided with M is configured to control the operations of the bath apparatus 1 and the acidic water generator 4, and starts the operation in accordance with the operation signal sent from the switches 26a to 26e of the operation unit 26, The pouring start and end control of the bath 2 and the electrolysis start and end control of the acidic water generator 4 are performed. The electrolysis period is preset in the control unit 10 so that the electrolysis period is intermittently performed for a predetermined time according to the pouring amount. In addition, the control unit 10 controls the UP switch 2
The heating temperature of the heater 7b is adjusted based on the temperature set by the 6d or the DOWN switch 26e. And
Based on the detection signal from the conductivity sensor 27, the amount of salt water in the mixed solution storage tank 16 mixed into tap water is adjusted, and the detection signal from the water flow sensor 18 causes the electrolysis power supply 20 to pass through the electrolytic cell 19. ON / OFF control of the voltage applied to both electrodes 24 and 25 is performed. Furthermore, the control unit 10
Receives the detection signal from the temperature sensor 28 for detecting the temperature of the fluid, and when the temperature of the mixed water flowing into the electrolytic cell 19 is high so that the production degree of the produced water does not change, the electromagnetic valve 9a is turned on. The temperature is adjusted by opening it and introducing a large amount of tap water. In addition, the heating temperature of the heater 7b is adjusted so as not to rise above a certain level based on a detection signal from the temperature sensor 29 for the heater 7b. Also,
The control unit 10 checks the flow rate of the alkaline ionized water drained from the electrolytic cell 19 by the water flow sensor 18, and when a certain amount is drained, the electromagnetic valve 9a is appropriately opened to introduce tap water. Of course, the water level DOWN may be checked by a water level sensor such as a float switch.

In the above-mentioned acidic water bath, when the user turns on the power switch when using the hot water supply switch 26a, the electrolysis switch 26b and the heating switch 26c of the operation unit 26, the control unit 10 is programmed in advance. Each part operates according to the timing. First, tap water is introduced from the water supply pipe 9 and sent to the mixer 15 side, and the saline solution in the mixed solution storage tank 16 is supplied to the mixer 15 side. The inflow water into the mixer 15 is the hot water discharged from the bathtub 2 mixed with tap water, and the water temperature changes and the conductivity also changes according to the water temperature. The control unit 10 includes the conductivity sensor 27 and the temperature sensor 2
Since the amount of saline added to the mixer 15 is adjusted according to the data from 8, the amount of saline added may be set to 0 when the conductivity is appropriate. When the mixed water having a constant conductivity is sent to the electrolytic cell 19, the electrolytic power source 20
Is applied to both electrodes 24 and 25 of the electrolytic cell 19,
The electrolysis of mixed water is started. By this electrolysis, the anode chamber 21
When alkaline water is generated on the cathode chamber 22 side while acidic water is generated on the side, acidic water is sent to the hot water supply heat exchanger 7 side via the acidic water discharge pipe 5, and alkaline ionized water is generated. It is fed to the faucet side via the alkaline ionized water discharge pipe 6. It should be noted that since the effect of acidic water is reduced when there is dirt such as protein, it is more effective to sufficiently circulate the water and remove it with the pre-filter 11 and the impurity adsorber 13 before electrolysis.

When the acidic water is stored in the hot water supply heat exchanger 7, the heater 7b starts the heating operation to heat the acidic water to the set temperature. When the hot water temperature rises in this way, this hot water is poured into the bathtub 2 via the hot water supply passage 8.
As a result, the user can take a bath filled with hot water of acidic water. This acid water has a bactericidal action, so that if the bather has an external disease such as a wound or hemorrhoid, the affected area is treated. In addition, since it also has an antiseptic effect, bathing a baby can prevent skin rashes and rashes, and is effective in maintaining health. After that, when the hot water in the bathtub 2 is used, the discharge pump 12 is driven as the tap water is introduced, and the hot water in the bathtub 2 is circulated.
Water is absorbed. A pre-filter 1 is installed in this circulation path 3.
1. Since the impurity adsorber 13 is attached, miscellaneous bacteria in the hot water are adsorbed and proteins released from the body are adsorbed and decomposed. Therefore, the dirt in the hot water is purified and the odor is removed. This hot water is sent to the mixer 15 side together with the tap water from the water supply pipe 9, and is sent to the electrolytic cell 19 after the saline solution is added. At this time, since tap water is mixed according to the hot water temperature, low temperature mixed water is supplied to the electrolytic cell 19. Therefore, electrolysis can be performed in the electrolytic cell 19 without any trouble, and acidic water having a uniform concentration can be continuously generated. Although the hot water outlet and the hot water supply port are of fixed type in the present embodiment, they may be of course movable type.

[0017]

As described above, according to the first aspect of the present invention, the acidic water produced by the acidic water generator provided in the circulation system is heated by the heat exchanger for hot water supply to the bathtub. Since the hot water is poured in, it is possible to improve the usability for the user and prevent the effect from deteriorating over time. In the invention according to claim 2 of the present invention, since the acidic water generator is provided in the circulation path on the inlet side of the hot water heat exchanger, a stable concentration can be obtained by electrolyzing the low-temperature introduced water. It has the effect of producing acidic water. In the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention, since the acidic water generator is operated only for a predetermined period of time, it becomes possible to generate a predetermined amount of acidic water according to the amount of molten metal poured into the bath.
This has the effect of reducing the amount of alkaline ionized water discharged.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall configuration diagram showing an acidic water bath according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an electrical block diagram of the acidic water bath.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Bathtub 3 Circulation system path 4 Acidic water generator 7 Heat exchanger for hot water supply 8 Hot water supply path

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A hot water supply system path for pouring hot water heated by a hot water supply heat exchanger into a bathtub, a circulation system path for circulating hot water in the bathtub to the hot water supply heat exchanger, and a circulation system path An acidic water bath provided with an acidic water generator provided to generate acidic water. 2. The acid water generator is provided in a circulation path on the inlet side of the hot water heat exchanger.
The acidic water bath described in paragraph. 3. The acidic water bath according to claim 1, wherein the acidic water generator is operated only for a predetermined time.