JPH0933109A - Circulating hot-water bathing device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a circulating hot-water bathing device, in which the temperature of a circulating pump will never become high unnecessarily and the deterioration of lubricating oil, employed in the sliding units thereof, is reduced. SOLUTION: A lower chamber 32, provided with a heater 36, is provided in a water feeding and discharging unit 12 while an intake port, through which bathing water in a bathtub flows thereinto, is provided at the upper part of the lower chamber 32. A discharging port 12c, discharging the bathing water, sent from a circulator, into the bathtub, is installed at the lower part of the lower chamber 32. The discharging port of a heating flow passage, including the heater 36, is provided at the vicinity of the discharging port 12c of a circulating flow passage from the intake port to the discharging port 12c while the discharging port of the heating flow passage is made to communicate with the circulating flow passage.

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 device which can circulate bath water in a bath to maintain proper water quality and temperature.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, there has been provided a circulating warm bath device (commonly called a 24-hour bath) capable of bathing at a desired bath water temperature at a desired time in the home. The circulating warm bath device is a device for filtering the bath water by circulating the bath water between the inside of the main body of the circulating warm bath device and the bathtub, and controlling the temperature of the bath water to a desired temperature. is there.

This circulating hot bath device is a pump for pumping up bath water, a filter tank for filtering the bath water pumped by the pump, and the filtered bath water is heated to a predetermined temperature to set the temperature in the bathtub. It is mainly composed of a heater for keeping the bath water at a desired temperature. Further, the circulating hot bath device includes a hose for connecting the main body and the bath, a control panel for setting the temperature of the bath water, and a temperature sensor. The circulating hot bath device filters the bath water by circulating the bath water through these, and controls the temperature of the bath water so as to reach a desired temperature.

Further, the bath water temperature is automatically controlled to a predetermined temperature by the bather setting a desired temperature and detecting the bath water temperature with a temperature sensor or the like. ing. If the bath water is always brought to the temperature state for bathing, energy for this is consumed even at times other than when bathing. For this reason, it is called a reheating function that sets the temperature lower than the bathing temperature except when bathing or stops controlling the temperature of the bathing water and raises the temperature of the bathing water to a predetermined temperature immediately before bathing. There is a circulating hot bath device with functions.

[0005]

However, in the above-mentioned conventional circulating hot bath apparatus, a circulating pump for pumping and circulating bath water from the bath, a heating tank for storing a heater for heating the circulating bath water, and a bath water filter. A filter tank for storing a filter material, a flow path and a valve for communicating these, and an electric circuit for driving and controlling a pump, a heater, a valve, a sensor, and the like are provided adjacent to each other in the apparatus main body. .

That is, when the bath water is heated or kept warm, since the heating tank in the bathtub, which has a temperature higher than that of the bath water, is stored in the main body of the apparatus, the temperature inside the apparatus rises and the heat itself is generated. The temperature of the body circulation pump can also become unnecessarily high. If this state continues for a long time, the lubricating oil used for the sliding portion inside the circulation pump will deteriorate, and as a result, the life of the circulation pump will be shortened.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a circulating hot bath device in which the temperature of the circulating pump does not become unnecessarily high and the lubricating oil used in its sliding portion is less deteriorated.

[0008]

In order to achieve this object, a circulating hot bath apparatus according to claim 1 of the present invention returns bath water pumped from a bath by a circulating pump to the bath in an appropriate state. A circulation flow path and a heating means for separating the circulation flow path and heating the bath water,
In addition to the circulation flow path, there is provided a heating flow path for returning bath water introduced from the bath to the bath via the heating means. Therefore, the bath water taken into the heating flow path including the heating means is heated by the heating means, but returns to the bath without being guided to the circulation flow path, and the heat released from the heating means is released. It becomes difficult to directly reach various functional means in the circulation channel.

The circulating hot bath apparatus according to claim 2 is
The outlet of the heating channel is connected to the circulation channel in the vicinity of the outlet of the circulation channel. Therefore, the discharge port of the heating flow channel is not provided specially, and the discharge port of the circulation flow channel is also used as the discharge port.

The circulating hot bath apparatus according to claim 3 is
The opening cross-sectional area of the outlet of the heating channel is set smaller than the opening cross-sectional area of the outlet of the circulation channel. Therefore, the ejector effect for generating the negative pressure that works to suck the bath water in the heating flow passage can be surely generated at the connecting portion between the heating flow passage and the circulation flow passage.

Further, in the circulating hot bath apparatus according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the circulation pump is arranged so as to correspond to the upper portion of the circulation flow passage, and the heating means is located at a position close to the discharge port of the circulation passage. It is arranged. Therefore, the heating means, which is a heat source, is completely separated from the circulation pump, and the circulation pump is not directly affected by the heat generated by the heating means.

[0012]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, an outline of the circulating hot bath apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The circulating hot bath apparatus in the present embodiment mainly circulates the bath water from the bathtub 14 through the water supply hose 16a, filters it, and then returns it to the bathtub 14 through the drain hose 16b. The water supply / drainage unit 12 is capable of adding heated bath water to the bath water discharged from the drain hose 16b.

Electric power to the circulator 10 is supplied through the earth leakage breaker 18 and the power cable 20 connected to the earth leakage breaker 18. The ground 22 is electrically connected to the circulator 10 via a ground cable 22a, and is protected against leakage and electric shock. Further, in this embodiment, the circulation machine 10 is installed at the edge of the bathtub 14, and the water supply / drainage unit 12 is soaked in the bath water that it is attached to the side wall of the bathtub 14 using a suction plate (not shown). Has been.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the water supply / drainage unit 12 has a unit case 12a having a substantially rectangular shape as a whole, and a grid-like opening for pumping out bath water installed in the unit case 12a. Water inlet 12b,
The bath water filtered in the circulator 10 is discharged, and the bath 1
4 and a suction plate 12d for suction-fixing the unit case 12a to the side wall of the bath tub 14, and the whole is immersed in bath water.

Further, on the upper surface of the unit case 12a, a water supply hose 16a for supplying the bath water pumped from the water supply port 12b to the circulator 10 is connected to the water supply connection port 24a.
In addition, drainage hoses 16b for returning the bath water filtered by the circulation machine 10 are configured to be connected to the drainage connection ports 24b, respectively, and the bath water in the bathtub 14 is sucked and supplied to the circulation machine 10 and then again. It returns to the bathtub 14 and circulates.

Inside the water supply / drainage unit 12, FIG.
As shown in, it is divided into three rooms. First, the front and rear partition plates that are provided in parallel with the rear side wall of the unit case 12a in which the suction plate 12d is installed at an interval approximately the same as the outer diameter of the drainage connection port 24b installed in the upper side wall of the unit case 12a. 26 a divides the interior of the water supply / drainage unit 12 into a front chamber located in the front part and a rear chamber 28 located in the rear part.

Further, the front and rear partition plates 26a and the water supply port 12b
The front chamber formed by the front side wall of the water supply / drainage unit 12 in which is installed is separated into an upper chamber 30 located above and a lower chamber 32 located below by a horizontally installed upper and lower partition plate 26b. Will be divided. That is, the water supply / drainage unit 12 includes the upper chamber 30 mainly formed by the upper wall of the unit case 12a, the front and rear partition plates 26a, and the upper and lower partition plates 26b.
And mainly the lower wall of the unit case 12a and the front and rear partition plates 2
Lower chamber 32 formed by 6a and upper and lower partition plates 26b,
It is composed of three separate chambers, which are mainly a rear wall of the unit case 12a and a rear chamber 28 formed by the front and rear partition plates 26a.

The upper chamber 30 contains a sponge filter 34 capable of filtering solid matters such as relatively large lumps and hair dispersed in the bath water, and the upper side surface forming the upper chamber 30. The water supply connection port 24a is opened, and the side wall on the front side is configured to correspond to the water supply port 12b having the grid-like openings just installed in the unit case 12a. Further, in the rear chamber 28, the drainage connection port 24b is opened on the upper side wall forming the rear chamber 28, and the flow path forming the discharge port 12c is opened on the lower side wall as shown in FIG. The bath water flowing from the water supply port 12b into the upper chamber 30 in the unit case 12a is stored in the sponge filter 34.
After being filtered by, the water is supplied to the circulator 10 through the water supply hose 16a connected to the water supply connection port 24a, and again through the drainage hose 16b and the rear chamber 28 and returns to the bathtub 14 from the outlet 12c. A circulation channel is formed.

On the other hand, in the lower chamber 32, a heater 36 for heating the bath water is installed inside, and on the front side wall of the unit case 12a forming the lower chamber 32, the bath water is provided above the lower chamber 32. Has an opening 38. Further, the unit case 12a forming the lower chamber 32
As shown in FIG. 3, a discharge port 40 having an opening cross-sectional area smaller than that of the flow passage forming the discharge port 12c installed on the lower side wall is formed on the lower side wall of the flow passage forming the discharge port 12c. The bath water flowing into the lower chamber 32 in the unit case 12a from the bathtub 14 through the intake port 38 is
After being heated by the heater 36, a series of continuous streams different from the flow channel that returns to the bath 14 from the discharge port 40 that is connected in the flow channel that forms the discharge port 12c, that is, the flow channel that includes the circulator 10. A heating channel is formed.

The heater 3 installed in the lower chamber 32
6 is configured so that power can be safely supplied by the power supply cable 42.

Next, the circulator 10 will be described with reference to FIG.

As shown in FIG. 5, the circulator 10 includes a circulation pump 44 for pumping and circulating bath water, and a liquid vertically installed with the inlet 46 facing downward for purifying the bath water with microorganisms and sterilizing with a photocatalyst. It is composed of a purifying / sterilizing device 48, a switching valve which is a part of a water quality changing means for switching the flow path of circulating bath water, and a flow path for connecting the above-mentioned respective components.

Of these, the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 is
The case 48a has a substantially cylindrical shape as a whole, a lid 48b in which an inlet 46 for inflowing water is installed, and another lid 48c in which an outlet 56 for outflowing water is installed. Is closed by a lid 48b and the outlet side opening of the case 48a is closed by another lid 48c. Further, inside the case 48a, there is a disk-shaped partition plate 48d having an opening in the center.
Is installed integrally with the case 48a. This allows
The inside of the case 48a is a lid 48b in which the inlet 46 is installed.
And a chamber on the upstream side formed by the case 48a and the partition plate 48d, and another lid 48c on which the outlet 56 is installed, and a chamber on the downstream side formed by the case 48a and the partition plate 48d. Has been done.

In the case of this construction, as shown in the drawing, the opening of the partition plate 48d is adapted to supply the water flowing from the inlet 46 installed in the lid 48b constituting the upstream chamber to the downstream chamber. , Connect the room on the upstream side with the room on the downstream side.

The above-mentioned lid 48b, case 48a and partition plate 4
In the upstream chamber formed by 8d, granular porous ceramics 60 in which aerobic bacteria are propagated are accommodated in layers so that they can be desorbed in layers to form a microorganism filtration chamber. on the other hand,
In a room on the downstream side formed by another lid 48c, a case 48a, and a partition plate 48d, a photocatalyst 62 arranged so as to surround a lamp 64 of a light source, and a light source that emits light capable of exciting the photocatalyst 62. The lamp 64 is detachably accommodated and constitutes a sterilization chamber.

Further, in the opening of the partition plate 48d for partitioning the upstream side microbial filtration chamber and the downstream side sterilization chamber, the water flowing from the microbial filtration chamber into the sterilization chamber is widely diffused through this opening, A rectifying plate 68 that allows the photocatalyst 62 excited by the emitted light of the lamp 64 to flow while contacting the photocatalyst 62 as much as possible inside the sterilization chamber is installed on the sterilization chamber side. Further, on the microorganism filtration chamber side, a thin tube 70 extending from the outside of the case 48a is arranged along the partition plate 48d. The thin tube 70 has an opening in the direction of water flow at the center of the opening of the partition plate 48d, and ozone generated by an ozonizer 72 installed outside the case 48a can be added to water flowing into the sterilization chamber. Is configured.

The switching valve is a first three-way valve 50 capable of switching the flowing direction of the bath water in the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48, and a first three-way valve which is interlocked with the first three-way valve 50. 50 for communicating with an inlet 46 as one end of a flow path provided in the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48, and the bath water flowing out from the inlet 46 can be discharged to the outside of the circulator 10 without returning to the bath 14. The three-way valve 52 and the flow in a normal circulation state in which the bath water flowing out from the outlet 56 serving as the other end of the flow path provided in the liquid purification and sterilization device 48 in cooperation with the first three-way valve 50 is returned to the bath 14. And a third three-way valve 54 capable of forming a passage and communicating the first three-way valve 50 with the outlet 56.

Among these, in the normal circulation state, the inlet 46 of the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 communicates with the water supply hose 16a via the second three-way valve 52, the first three-way valve 50, and the circulation pump 44. The outlet 5 of the liquid purification device 48
Since 6 is connected to the drain hose 16b via the third three-way valve 54, the bath water sucked up from the bathtub 14 by the circulation pump 44 returns to the bathtub 14 again through the circulation machine 10. A series of continuous flow paths are formed.

On the other hand, when the liquid purifying / sterilizing apparatus 48 is regenerated, the inlet 46 of the liquid purifying / sterilizing apparatus 48 is connected to the discharge hose 1 serving as a discharge passage via the second three-way valve 52.
6c, and an outlet 56 of the liquid purification / sterilization device 48
Is communicated with the circulation pump 44 via the third three-way valve 54 and the first three-way valve 50, whereby the bath water sucked up from the bathtub 14 by the circulation pump 44 is treated by the liquid purification / sterilization device 48. A flow path is formed so as to be in a reverse flow state that flows in the inside in a direction opposite to the normal circulation state and is discharged from the discharge hose 16c to the outside of the circulation machine 10 without returning to the bathtub 14.

Further, a turbidity meter 58 for detecting the turbidity of circulating bath water is provided in the flow path from the bathtub 14 to the discharge port 12c of the water supply / drainage unit 12, and the turbidity meter 58 is used. Based on the measurement result, it is determined whether or not the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 is to be regenerated. In the case of the present embodiment, the turbidity meter 58 is installed in the drain hose 16b arranged in the circulation machine 10.

Further, a flow meter 74 for detecting the circulating state of the bath water and a water temperature meter 76 for detecting the temperature of the bath water are provided in the circulation machine 1.
It is installed in the water supply hose 16a arranged in the zero.
Of these, based on the detection result of the flow meter 74, it is determined whether or not to start or continue the subsequent filtration and heating of the bath water, and based on the measurement result of the water temperature meter 76, A determination is made to determine the power supply state for the heater 36.

Next, the electrical circuit configuration of this embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.

The electric circuit of this embodiment includes a leakage breaker 18 for preventing a leakage accident, a main switch, a transformer for converting a household AC voltage into a desired voltage, and a DC voltage by rectifying an output voltage of the transformer. Power supply circuit 78 composed of a rectifying circuit, a pump drive circuit 80 for driving the circulation pump 44, and a valve drive circuit for changing the valve positions of the three-way valves 50, 52 and 54 for switching the circulation passage of the bath water. 82, a lamp drive circuit 84 for turning on the lamp 64 for generating excitation light of the photocatalyst 62, an ozonizer drive circuit 86 for driving the ozonizer 72 for generating ozone, and a heater 36 for heating the circulating bath water. The heater drive circuit 88 and each of these drive circuits 8
Control circuit 9 capable of controlling 0, 82, 84, 86 and 88
0.

Among them, the power supply circuit 78 is adapted to supply appropriate power to the pump drive circuit 80, the valve drive circuit 82, the lamp drive circuit 84, the ozonizer drive circuit 86, the heater drive circuit 88 and the control circuit 90. It is connected. In addition, the control circuit 90 includes drive circuits 80, 82,
A signal line for transmitting a control signal for controlling the driving states of 84, 86 and 88 is connected, and a turbidity meter 58 for detecting the turbidity of circulating bath water and whether or not the bath water is circulating. A flowmeter 74 for detecting whether or not, a water thermometer 76 for detecting the temperature of the circulating bath water, and a RAM 92 for storing an information signal corresponding to a reference value of the turbidity or temperature of the circulating bath water are connected by signal lines. .

Next, the operation based on the above configuration will be described.

First, when the power is turned on, the bath water in the bathtub 14 is drawn up by the circulation pump 44, and the water supply port 12b of the water supply / drainage unit 12 is immersed and fixed in the bath water.
Is supplied into the circulation machine 10 via the water supply hose 16a. At the same time, the water supply hose 1 arranged in the circulation machine 10
The presence or absence of circulation of bath water is measured by the flow meter 74 and the water temperature meter 76 installed in 6a, and the temperature of the circulating bath water is measured, and an information signal based on these is output to the control circuit 90. . In addition, the turbidity meter 58 installed in the drain hose 16b measures the turbidity of the circulating bath water, and an information signal based on the measured turbidity is also output to the control circuit 90. Is RAM9
It is compared with the reference values of turbidity and water temperature stored in 2.
Further, the control circuit 90 controls each three-way valve 5 when the power is turned on.
A command signal for driving 0, 52, and 54 to form a normal circulation flow path is output to the valve drive circuit 82. As a result, the bath water that has passed through the water supply hose 16a returns to the bathtub 14 again from the discharge port 12c of the water supply / drainage unit 12 to which the drainage hose 16b is connected through the normal circulation flow path.

Here, the bath water supplied into the circulator 10 passes through the first three-way valve 50 and the second three-way valve 52.
It is supplied to the liquid purification / sterilization device 48. The bath water flowing in from the inlet 46 provided on the circular side surface of the lid portion 48b of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 passes through the porous ceramic 60 housed in the microorganism filtration chamber. During this period, the porous ceramic 60 filters organic dirt and inorganic solid particles. At this time, the aerobic bacteria that propagate in the porous ceramic 60 have a function of decomposing the attached organic dirt. The bath water thus filtered and purified is the partition plate 48 installed in the liquid purification / sterilization device 48.
It flows into the sterilization chamber downstream through the opening of d.

Since the thin tube 70 connected to the ozonizer 72 is arranged in the opening of the partition plate 48d so as to have an opening in the direction in which the bath water flows, the ejector effect generated in this opening causes the ozonizer to operate. The ozone generated in 72 is sucked out from the thin tube 70, flows into the sterilization chamber while being mixed with the bath water. Further, since the rectifying plate 68 is installed on the sterilization chamber side of the opening of the partition plate 48d, the linear bath water flow in the opening of the partition plate 48d is centered on the central axis of the sterilization chamber. It can be changed into a concentric flow.

Then, the bath water heads for the outlet 556 while keeping the concentric spread, and during this time, the lamp 64
The photocatalyst 62, which is arranged so as to surround the photocatalyst, surely flows along the arrangement position. This photocatalyst 62 is a lamp 64
Excited by synchrotron radiation. Further, since ozone acting as an oxidant is added to the bath water flowing along the excited photocatalyst 62, the photocatalyst 62 can perform a highly efficient photochemical reaction process. That is, while the bath water is passing through the sterilization chamber, oxidative decomposition of organic matter left unfiltered in the upstream microorganism filtration chamber, sterilization of various bacteria, decomposition of organic harmful substances, etc. are performed, and the bath water is simply It is purified more than it is purified in the microorganism filtration chamber.

After that, the liquid is discharged from the outlet 56 of the sterilizing chamber to the outside of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48, and is vigorously put into the bathtub 14 from the discharge port 12c of the water supply / drainage unit 12 through the third three-way valve 54 and the drain hose 16b. It is refluxed again.

In this discharge port 12c, the discharge port 12c
The discharge port 40 having an opening cross-sectional area smaller than that of the circulation flow channel forming the opening is opened in the direction in which the bath water flowing back into the circulation flow channel forming the discharge port 12c is connected. Therefore, due to the ejector effect generated in this connecting portion, a negative pressure is generated in the discharge port 40, and the bath water in the discharge port 40 is sucked out. As a result, the bath water in the lower chamber 32 in which the heater 36 communicating with the discharge port 40 is installed is discharged together with the bath water flowing from the circulator 10. At this time, since the intake port 38 that communicates the lower chamber 32 and the bathtub 14 is installed above the discharge port 40, the discharge port 40 that is under negative pressure due to the ejector effect and the intake port that is located at a high water level. Due to the water level difference of 38, more bath water is discharged from the flow path including the lower chamber 32 in which the heater 36 is installed.

Further, based on the measurement result of the water temperature gauge 76 and the judgment of the control circuit 90, the heater 36 is operated by the lower chamber 32.
The bath water in the bath is heated and discharged into the bath 14 together with the bath water flowing from the circulation machine 10, so that the bath water in the bath 14 is always kept at a desired water temperature. In the case of the present embodiment, the heater 36, which is a heat source, is not only completely isolated from the circulator 10 having the circulation pump 44 built therein, but also can be said to be immersed in the bath water in the bathtub 14. The utilization efficiency of the heat released by the circulation pump 4 is high and there is no direct conduction of heat to the circulation pump 44.
The deterioration of the lubricating oil used for No. 4 due to unnecessary temperature rise is suppressed, and the life of the circulation pump 44 is extended.

When the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 is used for a long period of time, the porous ceramic 60 layer in the microorganism filtration chamber is clogged and the purification ability thereof is lowered.
Along with this, the turbidity of the bath water increases. Turbidity meter 58 installed in drain hose 16b arranged in circulator 10
Detects the turbidity of the bath water and outputs an information signal regarding the turbidity to the control circuit 90. The control circuit 90 compares the turbidity detected by the turbidity meter 58 with the reference value stored in the RAM 92, and when the detected turbidity exceeds the reference value, the three-way valves 50, 52, and 54. To output a command signal for forming a flow path for regenerating the porous ceramic 60 layer in the microbial filtration chamber to the valve drive circuit 82.

As a result, in the circulator 10, the flow path of the bath water after flowing out from the circulation pump 44 is switched, and the bath water flows in the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 in the direction opposite to the normal circulation state. , Liquid purification sterilizer 48
The bath water flowing out of the bath flows into the discharge hose 16c through the second three-way valve 52 and is discharged to the outside of the bath without returning to the bath 14. The regeneration process of the 60-layered porous ceramic in the microorganism filtration chamber continues for a preset time. After that, the control circuit 90 outputs a command signal for driving each of the three-way valves 50, 52 and 54 to form a normal circulation flow path to the valve drive circuit 82, so that the normal bath water circulation state is established. To do.

Next, the operation of the circulating hot bath apparatus of this embodiment will be described with reference to the flow chart shown in FIG.

First, when the user turns on the power, the control circuit 90 outputs a command signal for driving the circulation pump 44 to the pump drive circuit 80. As a result, the circulation pump 44 starts pumping out the bath water (step 1: hereinafter, step is represented by S. The following steps are the same). Furthermore, in the circulator 10, three-way valves 50, 5
A command signal for forming a flow path for performing normal filtration by combining 2 and 54 is output to the valve drive circuit 82. As a result, the circulation pump 44 communicates with the inlet 46 of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 via the second three-way valve 52, and the outlet 56 of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 passes through the third three-way valve 54 to the drain hose 16b. Will communicate with (S
2), the bath water pumped up by the circulation pump 44 flows in the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 from the microorganism filtering chamber toward the sterilizing chamber, and returns to the bathtub 14 again via the drain hose 16b.

Then, it is determined whether or not the time after the power is turned on reaches a preset time (S3). When the time after the power is turned on reaches a preset time (Y in S3), the control circuit 90 determines whether or not the user inputs the device stop (S4). When there is an input to stop the device (S4: Y), the circulation pump 44, the heater 36, the lamp 6
4 and a command signal to the pump drive circuit (P drive circuit in FIG. 7) 80, the lamp circuit 84, the heater drive circuit (H drive circuit in FIG. 7) 88 and the ozonizer drive circuit 86 in order to stop them. A subroutine for performing a stop process such as outputting is called (S17).

On the other hand, if there is no input for stopping the device (S4:
N), the control circuit 90 determines whether or not the bath water is actually circulating, based on the information signal corresponding to the flow rate of the bath water from the flow meter 74 (S5). When it is determined that the bath water is not circulating (S5: N), the control circuit 90
Outputs an error signal to a display device (not shown) (S6). On the other hand, when it is determined that the bath water is circulating (S5: Y), the control circuit 90 outputs a command signal for turning on the lamp 64 in the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 to the lamp circuit 84. (S7). At the same time, a command signal for generating ozone by the ozonizer 72 installed outside the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 is output to the ozonizer circuit 86 (S8). As a result, the lamp 64 is disposed in the sterilization chamber so as to surround the lamp 64.
2 is excited, and the bath water is purified and sterilized by the photochemical effect of the photocatalyst 62.

Subsequently, the control circuit 90 causes the circulation pump 44 to
Based on an information signal relating to the temperature of the bath water from the water thermometer 76 installed on the inlet side of the, the temperature of the bath water circulated based on the temperature of the bath water preset and stored in the RAM 92 is used as a reference. The state is judged (S9). In this case, the RAM 92 stores information that corresponds to the temperature that means abnormal heating of the bath water and information that is changeable and that corresponds to the heat retention temperature of the bath water. In this embodiment, the temperature that means abnormal heating of the bath water is about 50 degrees Celsius.

When the control circuit 90 determines that the temperature of the circulating bath water is 50 degrees Celsius or higher (S9:
A), the control circuit 90 outputs a command signal for stopping the power supply to the heater 36 to the H drive circuit 88, and outputs a command signal for stopping the circulation pump 44 to the P drive circuit 80.
To the ozonizer 72.
Command signals for stopping the power supply to the lamp circuit 84 and the ozonizer circuit 86 are output, and an error signal corresponding to this error state is output to a display device (not shown) (S10). As a result, the heating and circulation of the bath water and the sterilization and purification treatment are stopped,
A display corresponding to the error status is displayed.

When the control circuit 90 determines that the temperature of the circulating bath water is not higher than the abnormal temperature but is equal to or higher than the heat retention temperature (S9: B), the control circuit 90 causes the heater 36 to operate.
A command signal for stopping power supply to the H drive circuit 88 is output to the H drive circuit 88 (S11). As a result, the heating of the bath water by the heater 36 is stopped. After this, proceed to the next step.

Further, when the control circuit 90 determines that the temperature of the circulating bath water is lower than the heat retention temperature (S9:
C), the control circuit 90 outputs a command signal for starting power supply to the heater 36 to the H drive circuit 88 (S).
12). As a result, the heater 36 starts heating the bath water. After this, proceed to the next step.

That is, the control circuit 90 is preset and stored in the RAM 92 based on the information signal regarding the turbidity of the bath water from the turbidity meter 58 installed in the drain hose 16b provided in the circulation machine 10. The state of change in the turbidity of the circulating bath water is determined based on the turbidity of the existing bath water (S13). Here, when the control circuit 90 determines that the turbidity of the circulating bath water is less than the reference value (S13: O).
K), the control circuit 90 returns to the step S4 and repeats the operation described so far.

On the other hand, when it is determined that the turbidity of the circulating bath water has become higher than the reference value (S13: NG), the control circuit 90 sends a command signal for stopping the power supply to the heater 36 to the H drive circuit 88. (S14). As a result, the heating of the bath water by the heater 36 is stopped. Furthermore, in the circulator 10, three-way valves 50, 52 and 54
And outputs a command signal for forming a flow path for cleaning the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 to the valve drive circuit 82. Accordingly, the circulation pump 44 communicates with the outlet 56 of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 via the first and third three-way valves 50 and 54, and the inlet 46 of the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48.
Will communicate with the discharge hose 16c via the second three-way valve 52 (S15), and the bath water pumped up by the circulation pump 44 will flow in the liquid purification / sterilization device 48 from the sterilization chamber to the microorganism filtration chamber. , Without returning to the bathtub 14,
It is discharged to the outside of the circulator 10 via the discharge hose 16c.

Then, it is judged whether or not the time after switching from the normal circulation flow path to the flow path for cleaning the liquid purifying / sterilizing device 48 has reached a preset time (S16).
In this way, when the time after the flow path is switched reaches the preset time (S16: Y), the control circuit 90 causes the S
Returning to step 2, the operation described so far is repeated.

As is apparent from the above description, according to the circulating hot bath brewing apparatus of the present invention, the discharge port 40 of the flow path including the heater 36 having a small opening cross section has a larger opening cross section. An inlet port 38 of the flow path including the circulation pump 44 is opened and connected to the flow path forming the discharge port 12c of the flow path, and the flow path including the heater 36 is provided above the connection portion.
Is disposed, the bath water in the flow path including the heater 36 is sucked out at the connecting portion of the flow path including the heater 36 which is the heating means and the flow path including the circulation pump 44 which is the circulation means. The ejector effect for generating a negative pressure that works can be surely generated, and the water level is higher than the intake port 38 of the flow path including the heater 36 with respect to this connecting portion. As a result, more bath water is discharged from the flow path including the heater 36.

Further, the main constituent element of the flow passage including the heater 36 is the discharge port 12 of the circulation flow passage including the circulation pump 44.
Since it is arranged near c, the lower chamber 32 that houses the heater 36 that is a heat source is completely isolated from the circulation pump 44. As a result, unnecessary temperature rise of the circulation pump 44 due to direct heat transfer from the heater 36 is eliminated, the life of the circulation pump 44 is further extended, and the main components of the flow path including the heater 36 are in the bathtub. Since it is arranged so as to be located at, the utilization efficiency of the heat released by the heater 36 is improved.

In the present embodiment, the outlet of the heating channel is communicated with the vicinity of the outlet of the circulation channel, and the heated bath water is forced to the circulation channel by the ejector effect. However, the inlet and outlet of the heating channel are connected to the bathtub completely independently of the water inlet and outlet of the circulation channel, and the so-called natural convection is used for bathing. The water may be introduced through the lower opening (which serves as the inlet) and the heated bath water may be discharged through the upper opening (which serves as the outlet).

[0061]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the circulating hot bath apparatus of the first aspect of the present invention, the bath water pumped up from the bath by the circulation pump is put into the bath in an appropriate state. A circulation channel for returning and a heating means for separating the circulation channel and for heating the bath water, and the bath water introduced from the bath separately from the circulation channel through the heating means, Since it has a heating flow path for returning to the bath, the bath water taken into the heating flow path including the heating means is heated by the heating means, but returns to the bath without being guided to the circulation flow path. At the same time, it becomes difficult for the heat emitted from the heating means to directly reach various functional means in the circulation flow path, and the durable life of various functions in the circulation flow path can be extended.

Further, according to the circulating hot bath apparatus of the second aspect, since the discharge port of the heating flow path is communicated with the circulation flow path in the vicinity of the discharge port of the circulation flow path,
The discharge port of the heating flow channel can be used also as the discharge port of the circulation flow channel without specially providing the discharge port, thereby simplifying the configuration.

Further, according to the circulating hot bath apparatus of the third aspect, the opening cross-sectional area of the outlet of the heating channel is set smaller than the opening cross-sectional area of the outlet of the circulating channel. At the connecting portion between the heating flow path and the circulation flow path, it is possible to reliably generate an ejector effect that generates a negative pressure that works to suck out the bath water in the heating flow path, and heat more heated bath water. It can be discharged from the channel to the circulation channel.

Further, according to the circulating hot bath apparatus of claim 4, the circulation pump is arranged corresponding to the upper portion of the circulation passage, and the heating means is close to the discharge port of the circulation passage. Since it is arranged at the position, the heating means, which is a heat source, is completely separated from the circulation pump, and the circulation pump is not directly affected by the heat generated by the heating means.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a water supply / drainage unit of a circulating hot bath apparatus.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a water supply / drainage unit of the circulating hot bath apparatus.

FIG. 3 is a cutaway perspective view in the vicinity of a discharge port of a water supply / drainage unit of a circulating hot bath apparatus.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a state where a circulating hot bath device is installed in a bathroom.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a main part of a circulating machine of a circulating hot bath apparatus.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electric circuit configuration of a circulating hot bath apparatus.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the circulating hot bath apparatus.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Circulator 12 Water supply / drainage unit 12b Water supply port 12c Discharge port 36 Heater 40 Discharge port

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A circulation channel for returning the bath water pumped from a bath by a circulation pump to the bath in an appropriate state, and a heating means for separating the circulation channel and heating the bath water. And a heating flow path for returning the bath water introduced from the bath to the bath via the heating means, separately from the circulation flow path. 2. The circulating hot bath apparatus according to claim 1, wherein an outlet of the heating channel is connected to the circulation channel in the vicinity of the outlet of the circulation channel. 3. The opening cross-sectional area of the outlet of the heating channel is
The circulating hot bath apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the circulating cross-sectional area is smaller than the opening cross-sectional area of the discharge port. 4. The circulation pump is arranged so as to correspond to an upper portion of the circulation passage, and the heating means is arranged at a position close to a discharge port of the circulation passage. Circulating hot bath device described.