JPH0996556A - Liquid-surface detector and sanitary washing apparatus having the detector - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a liquid-surface detector, which can discriminate whether a container is fallen down or emply without providing a means for detecting whether the container is in the normal attitude or not and can achieve a low cost and space saving. SOLUTION: When the apparatus comes into a fallen-down state, an overlapped float 7 forcibly moves a movable float 5 in the directions to a first lead switch 11 and a second lead switch 13 regardless of the state that liquid is contained in a liquid container 1 or not. As a result, the movable float 5 reaches the set position of the switch 11 and the overlapped float 7 reaches the set position of the switch 13, respectively. The switches 11 and 13 both perform the closing operation. Therefore, the signals indicating the detections of the floats 5 and 7 are outputted from the switches 11 and 13.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a liquid level detecting device for detecting a liquid level in a container using a float, and an improvement of a sanitary washing device equipped with the device.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the above liquid level detecting device, there is known a device provided with means for preventing erroneous detection of the liquid level due to overturning of a container or the like (JP-A-3-1468).
No. 27). This is because in order to prevent the float containing the magnet from moving to the predetermined height position of the float guide due to the fall of the container and the liquid level detection reed switch built in the position being closed by the magnet, Between the float and the upper part of the guide, an elastic member whose downward pushing force is smaller than the buoyancy of the float is interposed.

[0003]

By the way, in the above-mentioned apparatus, when the container falls, of course, the container is normally installed and the inside of the container is empty (the liquid in the container does not reach the predetermined liquid level). State) of the float,
The reed switch does not move to the installation position. Therefore, in any of the above cases, the reed switch does not close and the liquid level detection signal is not output from the reed switch.Therefore, the reason why the liquid level detection signal is not output is that the container is overturned or the inside of the container is empty. It was not possible to identify whether it was the state of.

Therefore, the above-mentioned device needs to perform different control depending on whether the container is in an overturned state or an empty state, for example, a washing water storage of a sanitary washing device for washing a human body part after use. When it is applied to a tank, it is necessary to separately install a tilt switch for detecting the tilted state of the tank in order to determine whether the tank is overturned or empty.

However, in order to provide the tilt switch, it is necessary to secure a space therefor in the apparatus. Therefore, when the space is not sufficient, the apparatus cannot be upsized, and the number of parts is increased. There was a problem that the increase in cost could not be suppressed.

Therefore, a first object of the present invention is to distinguish the container from the overturned state or the empty state without providing a means for detecting whether the container is in the normal posture or not, and at low cost. An object of the present invention is to provide a liquid level detection device capable of saving space.

A second object of the present invention is to reduce the cost, which makes it possible to identify whether the container is in the overturned state or the container is empty without providing means for detecting whether the container is in the normal posture or not. It is an object of the present invention to provide a sanitary washing device equipped with a liquid level detection device capable of saving space.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the present invention is as follows.
In a liquid level detection device for detecting a liquid level in a container, at least a first float movable in a vertical direction in a normal posture of the container and having a lower specific gravity than a liquid, and a first float described in the vertical direction in a normal posture of the container A second float, which is movable in a partially overlapping path and has a specific gravity higher than that of the liquid, is provided below the first float, and the first float and the first float above the predetermined height position in the normal posture of the container. Two
It is characterized by comprising first and second position detecting means for detecting whether or not the float is raised.

In a preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the present invention, the first and second floats each have a magnet built therein, and the first and second position detecting means are isolated from the liquid, and , A reed switch closed by each magnet.

A second aspect of the present invention is, in a sanitary washing device having a wash water storage tank, a liquid level detecting device for detecting a liquid level and a posture in the wash water storage tank, and supplying water to the wash water storage tank. An opening / closing valve mechanism for disconnecting / connecting, a heating means for heating the cleaning water in the cleaning water storage tank, and a control means for controlling the opening / closing valve mechanism and the heating means based on a detection signal from the liquid level detection device. It is characterized by having.

In a preferred embodiment according to the second aspect of the present invention, the liquid level detecting device includes a first float which is vertically movable in a normal posture of the wash water storage tank and has a lower specific gravity than the wash water. A second float, which is movable in a vertical direction in the normal posture of the wash water storage tank at least partially overlapping with the first float, and which is provided below the first float and has a higher specific gravity than the wash water; First position above the predetermined height position in the normal position of the wash water storage tank
And a first position detecting means for detecting whether or not the float and the second float are respectively raised, and the control means controls the first position detecting means so that the first float is at a predetermined height position or higher. When there is a notification that it has risen, the on-off valve mechanism and heating means are driven, and when there is a notification from each position detection means that both floats have not risen above a predetermined height position Only the on-off valve mechanism When the respective position detection means notify that each float has risen above a predetermined height position, both the on-off valve mechanism and the heating means are stopped.

According to the first aspect of the present invention, when the liquid level reaches or exceeds the predetermined height position when the container is in the normal posture, the first float whose specific gravity is lighter than the liquid also has the predetermined height position accordingly. Since it goes up above, this is detected by the first position detecting means. Further, the second float, which has a higher specific gravity than the liquid, does not rise above a predetermined height position because it is stationary below the container, and is not detected by the second position detecting means. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to determine whether or not the liquid level in the container has reached the predetermined height position based on the detection by the first position detection means. On the other hand, when the container falls down, the second float is located above the first float, so that the first float is forcibly moved downward by the downward movement of the second float due to its own weight. Both floats are lifted above a predetermined height position in the normal posture of the container, and this is detected by each position detecting means. Therefore, in this case, it is possible to determine that the container has fallen based on the detection by each position detection unit.

According to the second aspect of the present invention and the preferred embodiment thereof, the control means has been informed by the first position detection means that the first float has been raised above a predetermined height position. At this time, the on-off valve mechanism and the heating means are driven, and when there is a notification from each position detection means that both floats have not risen above a predetermined height position, only the on-off valve mechanism is driven, and each position detection means Since it was decided to stop both the on-off valve mechanism and the heating means when it was notified that each float had risen above the predetermined height position, the driving of the heating means was stopped when the device was in a normal posture and empty. Further, when the device is in the overturned state, it is possible to stop the driving of the on-off valve mechanism and the heating means together, so that it is possible to prevent problems such as abnormal heating and water leakage in the device.

[0014]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the liquid level detecting device of the present invention.

The apparatus described above is provided with a washing body container (a part of which is shown in the drawing) 1, a guide cylinder 3 provided substantially vertically on a bottom portion (not shown) of the container 1, and a vertically movable insertable member into the cylinder 3. The movable float 5 having a specific gravity smaller than that of the liquid, and the weight float 7 having a specific gravity higher than that of the liquid, which is vertically movably inserted into the cylindrical body 3 at a position below the movable float 5.

The above-mentioned device is provided with a stopper 9 provided at the lower portion of the tubular body 3, a first reed switch 11 corresponding to the movable float 5 built in a portion near the upper end of the tubular body 3, and a lower vicinity of the switch 11. The second reed switch 13 corresponding to the weight float 7, which is built in at a position where it does not overlap the switch 11 when viewed in the vertical direction of the tubular body 3, is also provided. The device described above is provided with a magnet 15 for closing the switch 11, which is provided at a position corresponding to the switch 11, and a switch 13 provided at a position corresponding to the switch 13, for closing the movable float 5. The magnet 17 is also provided. In this embodiment, the installation position of the switch 11 is set to the liquid level height when the container 1 is full of water.

In the normal posture of the above apparatus, the liquid container 1
When is empty, the movable float 5 is, as shown in FIG.
The weight float 7 resting on the stopper 9 is superposed on the weight float 7. Therefore, in this case, both the switches 11 and 13 do not close, and the switch 1
No signal indicating that floats 5 and 7 have been detected is output from 1 and 13.

In addition, when the liquid level in the liquid container 1 rises and reaches the position where the switch 11 is installed in the normal posture of the apparatus, the movable float 5 is moved.
Also, as shown in FIG. 2, when the installation position of the switch 11 is reached, the switch 15 is closed by the magnet 15. At this time, the weight float 7 continues to be stationary on the stopper 9 as shown in the figure, so that the switch 13 does not close. Therefore, in this case, only the switch 11 closes, and the switch 11 outputs a signal indicating that the float 5 has been detected.

On the other hand, when the above apparatus is in the overturned state, the weight float 7 forcibly switches the movable float 5 by its own weight regardless of whether the liquid is contained in the liquid container 1 or not. Move (lower) in the direction. As a result, as shown in FIG. 3, the movable float 5 is at the installation position of the switch 11, and the weight float 7 is at the switch 1.
The switches 11 and 13 output signals indicating that the floats 5 and 7 have been detected, respectively, because the switches 11 and 13 have both reached the installation positions of 3 and closed.

According to the above construction, when no signal indicating that the floats 5 and 7 have been detected is output from any of the switches 11 and 13, the container 1 is in the normal posture of the apparatus.
It can be determined that is not full of water. Further, when the signal indicating that the float 5 is detected is output only from the switch 11, it can be determined that the container 1 is full of water in the normal posture of the apparatus. Furthermore, when the signals indicating that the floats 5 and 7 have been detected are output from the switches 11 and 13, respectively, it can be determined that the container 1 has fallen down.

The above-mentioned device can be applied to the detection of the liquid level in the wash water storage tank provided in the sanitary washing device for washing the human body part.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a sanitary washing device of a direct water supply type to which the above-described liquid level detecting device is applied.

The above device is provided with a branch fitting 19 on the upstream side of water supply,
Water supply adapter 23 on the downstream side of the water supply, a water supply fitting 25 having a flexible hose 21 for connecting them, a pressure reducing valve 27 for reducing the water pressure from the water supply fitting 25, and an electromagnetic for disconnecting / connecting the water supply from the pressure reducing valve 27. A valve 29 and a valve unit 33 having a drainage safety valve 31 are provided. The above-mentioned device includes a heat exchanger 35 that heats the supplied water, and a heat exchanger 35.
Heater 37, thermistor 39, bimetal 4 for heating
1, a thermal fuse 43 connected to the bimetal 41, a vacuum breaker 45 having a drainage function, and a heat exchanger unit 47 having a float switch 46 (consisting of the floats 5 and 7 and the switches 11 and 13) provided in the tank . The above apparatus is further provided with a flow rate adjusting valve 49 having a flow path switching function, a flow rate adjusting unit 53 having an adjusting valve driving motor 51, and a telescopic nozzle 55 (a bidet and a butt, respectively) for injecting washing water. ), And a nozzle unit 59 having a nozzle motor 57 for adjusting the ejection angle of the nozzle 55.

In the above structure, the water supplied from the water supply source enters the heat exchanger 35 through the branch fitting 19, the flexible hose 21, the water supply adapter 23, the pressure reducing valve 27, and the electromagnetic valve 29 as shown by the arrow in FIG. After being heated by the heat exchanger 35, the vacuum breaker 45 and the flow rate adjusting valve 4
It is jetted from the telescopic nozzle 55 through 9.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the controller of the sanitary washing device.

The control section obtains an exclusive OR between the position detection signals from the switches 11 and 13 input from the input terminals A and B, and outputs an exclusive OR circuit 61 for outputting a predetermined logical level signal. , A NAND circuit 63 that outputs a predetermined logic level signal by obtaining a NAND product between the above two signals. The control unit controls the heater 37 that heats the wash water in the tank and the solenoid valve (open / close valve) 29 that disconnects / connects the water supply from the water supply source to the tank.
It also includes a CPU 65 that executes the output from the CPU.

Next, the control operation of the above configuration will be described with reference to FIG.

First, when the switches 11 and 13 are both open, the input terminals A and B respectively have a logic level "LOW".
Since the signal (hereinafter, referred to as “L”) is applied, the signal of logical level “L” is applied from the exclusive OR circuit 61 to the input terminal IN1 of the CPU 65. On the other hand, a signal of logical level "HIGH" (hereinafter, shown as "H") is applied from the NAND circuit 63 to the input terminal IN2 of the CPU 65. This state indicates that the sanitary washing device (that is, the wash water storage tank) is in the normal posture, and the inside of the wash water storage tank is not full, so the CPU 65
Outputs a stop command signal from its output terminal OUT1 to bring the heater 37 into a stopped state, and outputs a drive command signal from the output terminal OUT2 to open the on-off valve 29.
As a result, the heater 37 does not heat the tank, and only water is supplied from the water supply source to the tank (first state in FIG. 5).

When the tank is filled with water due to continuous water supply and a signal of logic level "H" is applied to the input terminal A, the exclusive OR circuit 61 inputs to the input terminal I of the CPU 65.
A signal of logic level "H" is applied to N1, and a signal of logic level "H" is applied from the NAND circuit 63 to the input terminal IN2 of the CPU 65. This state indicates that the tank is in a normal posture and that the inside of the tank is full, so the CPU 27 determines that the output terminal OUT1,
The heater 37 is driven and the on-off valve 29 is opened by outputting drive command signals from OUT2.
As a result, the heater 37 heats the tank,
Water supply from the water supply source to the tank is executed (second state in FIG. 6).

Next, when a signal of logic level "H" is applied to each of the input terminals A and B, a signal of logic level "L" is applied from the exclusive OR circuit 61 to the input terminal IN1 of the CPU 65 to generate a NAND circuit. 63 to the input terminal IN of the CPU 65
Signals of logic level "L" are applied to 2 respectively. This state indicates that the tank is in the overturned state regardless of whether or not the tank is full of water. Therefore, the CPU 65
Outputs a stop command signal from its output terminals OUT1 and OUT2 to stop the driving of the heater 37 and close the on-off valve 29. As a result, the heater 3
The heating of the tank by 7 and the water supply from the water supply source to the tank are both stopped (the third state in FIG. 5).

In the above device, the switch 11 is not open and the switch 13 is not closed. Therefore, the signal of the logic level "L" at the input terminal A is at the logic level "L". No "H" signal is applied.

By performing the above control, when the sanitary washing device is in a normal posture and the tank is not full of water, water is supplied to the tank but heating of the washing water is not performed, so that the tank is prevented from being boiled. it can. Also, when the sanitary washing device is in a normal posture and the tank is full of water, both water supply to the tank and heating of the washing water are executed,
It is possible to continuously inject the wash water of appropriate temperature to the human body part. Furthermore, when the sanitary washing device falls over, regardless of whether the tank is empty or full,
Since it was decided to stop the water supply and heating, water leakage from the tank that fell over, water heating when the tank was empty, and the heater exposed from the washing water even when the tank was full It is possible to prevent problems such as overheating.

It should be noted that the above content is only related to one embodiment of the present invention, and does not mean that the present invention is limited to the above content.

For example, in the present embodiment, the positions of the movable float 5 and the weight float 7 are detected by the reed switches 11 and 13 which are closed by the magnets 15 and 17 incorporated in the floats 5 and 7, respectively. It is also possible to detect the position of each float 5, 7 using a switch other than the reed switch, which has a built-in Hall element or the like. Alternatively, the floats 5 and 7 that do not include the magnets 15 and 17 may be used, and the positions of the floats 5 and 7 may be detected by an optical sensor.

Further, regarding the mounting manner of the floats 5 and 7, it is sufficient that the float 7 can forcibly move the float 5 to the installation position of the switch 11 by its own weight when the device falls, as in this embodiment. In addition, it is not necessary to provide both the floats 5 and 7 in the guide cylinder 3 in a fitted state, and for example, the floats 5 and 7 may be supported in a pendulum form.

[0037]

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to identify whether the container is in the overturned state or the inside of the container is empty without providing a means for detecting whether the container is in the normal posture or not. It is possible to provide a liquid level detection device that can save space at low cost.

Further, according to the present invention, it is possible to discriminate whether the container is in the overturned state or the container is empty without providing a means for detecting whether the container is in the normal posture or not. It is possible to provide a sanitary washing device provided with a liquid level detection device that can be realized.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state of a main part of a liquid level detection device according to an embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state of a main part of the liquid surface detection device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a state of a main part of the liquid surface detection device according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a sanitary washing device to which the liquid level detection device is applied.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a control unit of the sanitary washing device.

6 is an explanatory diagram showing a control operation of a control unit in FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Liquid Container 3 Guide Cylindrical Body 5 Movable Float 7 Weight Float 9 Stopper 11 First Reed Switch 13 Second Reed Switch 15, 17 Magnet 29 Open / Close Valve 37 Heater 61 Exclusive OR Circuit 63 NAND Circuit 65 CPU

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A liquid level detection device for detecting a liquid level in a container, comprising: a first float movable in a vertical direction in a normal posture of the container and having a smaller specific gravity than the liquid; and a vertical float in the normal posture of the container. A second float, which is movable in a direction at least partially overlapping the first float, and which is provided below the first float and has a higher specific gravity than the liquid; and a predetermined posture in a normal posture of the container. A first and second position detecting means for detecting whether or not the first float and the second float have risen above the height position of the liquid level detecting device, respectively. 2. The liquid level detecting device according to claim 1, wherein the first and second floats each have a built-in magnet, and the first and second position detecting means are separated from a liquid, and A liquid level detection device, which is a reed switch closed by the magnets. 3. A sanitary washing device having a wash water storage tank, wherein a liquid level detection device for detecting a liquid level and a posture in the wash water storage tank, and for interrupting / continuing water supply to the wash water storage tank An opening / closing valve mechanism, heating means for heating the cleaning water in the cleaning water storage tank, and control means for controlling the opening / closing valve mechanism and the heating means based on a detection signal from the liquid level detection device. A sanitary washing device characterized by having. 4. The sanitary washing device according to claim 3, wherein the liquid level detecting device is a first float that is vertically movable in a normal posture of the washing water storage tank and has a specific gravity smaller than that of the washing water. A movable unit that is movable in the up-down direction in the normal posture of the cleaning water storage tank in a path that at least partially overlaps the first float, and that is provided below the first float and has a higher specific gravity than the cleaning water. 2 floats, and 1st and 2nd position detection means for detecting whether or not the 1st float and the 2nd float are respectively raised above a predetermined height position in the normal posture of the wash water storage tank. The control means includes the opening / closing valve mechanism and the heating device when the first position detection means notifies that the first float has risen above a predetermined height position. Driving means, and when the respective position detection means notifies that the respective floats have not risen to a predetermined height position or more, only the opening / closing valve mechanism is driven, and the position detection means respectively A sanitary washing device characterized in that both the on-off valve mechanism and the heating means are stopped when there is a notification that the floats have risen above a predetermined height position.