JPH10300234A - Circulating warm bath - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To thermally sterilize by a heating amount of released heat amount or more, by providing a thermal storage unit provided at a downstream of a heating means to absorb and store heat by warm water heated by the means, thereby holding hot water temperature of a bathtub constant. SOLUTION: A circulating warm bath comprises a heating tank 8 as a heating means for heating part of circulating bath water to a sterilizing temperature or higher, and a sterilizing tank 9 for holding and sterilizing the heated bath water at the sterilizing temperature for a predetermined time. The bath further comprises a thermal storage unit 12 disposed at a downstream side of the tank 9 and at an upstream side of a confluent point of a bypass channel 11 and a circulating channel 10, to store excess heat quantity more excessively applied than necessary heat quantity to heat the bath water to strongly thermally sterilize it. When a temperature of the unit 12 becomes a predetermined value, energization of a heater 8a is turned off, heat insulation of the bath water is executed by the heat quantity stored in the unit 12, the temperature of the unit 12 is lowered, and again normal thermal sterilization is conducted.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a circulating hot water bath for keeping and circulating hot water, and more particularly, to a water temperature that decreases with time, such as bath water in a bathtub or hot water in a pool. The present invention relates to a circulating hot water bath for home use and business use for raising and maintaining the temperature while sterilizing and controlling bacteria while circulating contaminated liquid.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, hot water is stored in a bathtub as a hot water storage tank, and this hot water is circulated through a circulation channel by a circulation pump, and a part of the hot water circulated by a heating means is diverted to sterilization temperature (for example, There is a circulating-temperature bather in which the temperature is raised to 75 ° C.), sterilization is carried out, the water is joined again, the temperature is returned to a temperature suitable for bathing, and the water is discharged into a bathtub.

[0003]

In such a circulating hot water bath, only a heat quantity equivalent to the heat radiated from the bath tub can be applied in order to keep the hot water temperature in the bath tub constant. When the amount of heat radiation from the bathtub is low and the amount of heat by the heating means is small, there is a problem that the flow rate at which the temperature can be raised to the sterilization temperature is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and has a constant bath temperature in a bathtub.
Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a circulating warm bath machine capable of performing heat sterilization with a heating amount equal to or greater than a heat radiation amount.

[0005]

In order to achieve this object, a circulating hot water bath according to the first aspect of the present invention stores hot water in a hot water storage tank, and transfers the hot water to a circulation channel by a circulating pump. Circulated, and intended for heat sterilization of the hot water by a heating means provided in the circulation flow path, particularly provided downstream of the heating means, and heated by the heating means It has a heat storage element for absorbing heat from hot water and storing heat. Therefore, since the heat storage body absorbs the excess heat of the hot water heated by the heating means, it is possible to perform strong heat sterilization while keeping the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank at a predetermined temperature, and to perform the excess heat. Can be stored.

A circulating warm bath according to a second aspect of the present invention is configured to keep the temperature of the circulating hot water by the heat stored by the heat storage body. Therefore, when heat is stored by the heat storage body, the temperature of the circulating hot water can be maintained without operating the heating means.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided the circulating warm bath apparatus, wherein the heat storage body is disposed in a heat storage flow path provided in parallel with the circulation flow path, and the amount of water passing through the heat storage flow path is controlled. Adjustment means for adjusting is provided. Therefore, the amount of heat absorbed by the heat storage body can be arbitrarily changed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the circulating warm bath apparatus, wherein timing detecting means for detecting the timing of the microorganisms entering the hot water storage tank, and the timing detecting means detects the timing of the microorganisms entering. In some cases, the apparatus further includes a first control unit for controlling the heating amount of the hot water by the heating unit to be increased to perform the strong heat sterilization. Therefore, when the timing detecting means detects the timing of the microorganism contamination, the first control means controls to increase the heating amount of the hot water by the heating means to perform the strong heat sterilization.

Further, in the circulating warm bath apparatus according to the present invention, when the timing detecting means detects the timing of microbial contamination, the adjusting means is operated to increase the amount of water passing through the heat storage flow path. And a second control means for performing the control. When the timing detecting means detects the timing of the microorganism contamination, the second control means controls the operating means to operate so as to increase the amount of water flowing into the heat storage flow path.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A circulating warm bath of the present invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings by way of preferred embodiments.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of a circulating warm water bath of the present embodiment. This apparatus purifies and sterilizes bath water that is stored in the bathtub 1 and is polluted with time over the outside thereof.

That is, the circulating hot water bath of the present embodiment is provided with a water supply / drainage unit 2 which is detachably provided in a bathtub 1 as a hot water storage tank, and a water supply hose 3 and a water drainage hose 4 provided to the water supply / drainage unit 2. It is basically composed of an apparatus main body 5 to be connected.

The water supply / drainage unit 2 is detachably mounted on the inner wall surface of the bathtub 1 and is located below a general storage level of bath water. The water supply / drain unit 2 includes a discharge port 2 a for returning bath water purified and sterilized in the apparatus main body 5 to the bathtub 1, and a suction port 2 b for sucking bathwater from the bathtub 1.

In the water supply / drainage unit 2, a water supply hose 3 for supplying bath water to the apparatus main body 5 has a suction port 2b.
Further, a drain hose 4 for circulating purified bath water from the apparatus main body 5 is connected to the discharge port 2a. Thereby, when a circulating hot water bath described later is operated, bath water in the bathtub 1 flows into the apparatus main body 5 through the suction port 2b and the water supply hose 3 by the circulating pump 6, where the water is purified and sterilized. Later, it returns to the bathtub 1 again through the drainage hose 4 and the discharge port 2a and circulates. A water level sensor 21 (not shown) for detecting a sudden change in bath water stored in the bathtub 1 is attached to the side wall of the bathtub 1 above the water supply / drainage unit 2. Incidentally, the water level sensor 21 corresponds to the timing detecting means of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the apparatus main body 5 includes a bathtub 1.
A pump 6 for pumping and circulating bath water from the water, and adsorbing and decomposing organic substances and other pollutants contained in the bath water.
A purification tank 7 for purifying by filtration or the like, a heating tank 8 as a heating means for heating a part of the circulating bath water to a sterilization temperature of 75 ° C. or more, and a heated bath water for a predetermined time (a predetermined time of 1 minute or more). A sterilization tank 9 for maintaining and maintaining sterilization temperature for sterilization, a circulation flow path 10 connecting the above elements and connected to the water supply hose 3 and the drainage hose 4, and one end of the heating tank 8
And a bypass flow path 11 connected to the circulation flow path 10 at the other end thereof and connected to the circulation flow path 10 downstream of the sterilization tank 9, and a downstream side of the sterilization tank 9, It is disposed upstream of the junction of the bypass flow path 11 and the circulation flow path 10, and is provided with an excess amount of heat added in excess of the amount of heat required to keep the bath water warm in order to perform strong heat sterilization. It is composed of a high-density polyethylene heat storage body 12 for storing heat.

In the present embodiment, when power is supplied to the heater 8a provided in the heating tank 8, bath water at a temperature of 75 ° C. or higher is always generated, and at the same time, the bath water flows through the bypass passage 11. Later, the distribution ratio of bath water to the circulation flow path 10 and the bypass flow path 11, the heat storage flow path 10a passing through the heat storage unit 12, and the bath water flow to the bypass flow path 10b so that the bath has an appropriate temperature. The flow control valves 13 and 14 for adjusting the distribution ratio are arranged at respective branch points. Incidentally, the flow control valve 14 corresponds to the control means of the present invention.

FIG. 2 schematically shows a block for controlling the electric components. A water level sensor 2 as a detecting means for detecting the presence or absence of a bather (timing of the incorporation of microorganisms attached to the body) due to a sudden increase or decrease in the water level in the bathtub 1
1 indicates that a signal indicating that bathing has been performed is sent to the control circuit 30.
The control circuit 30 operates the flow control valves 13 and 14 to control the distribution ratio of bath water and the amount of heating by the heater 8a. The control circuit 30 corresponds to the first and second control means of the present invention.

Next, the operation of the circulating warm bath constructed as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG.

When the power of the apparatus main body 5 is turned on and the operation key is turned on (Step 1: Y, hereinafter abbreviated as S1), the circulation pump 6 is turned on (S2), and the bath water in the bathtub 1 is discharged. Water supply hose 3 sucked from suction port 2b
And is sent from the circulation pump 6 to the purification tank 7 where it is purified.

A part of the purified bath water is supplied to the circulation passage 10
To the heating tank 8 where the predetermined sterilization temperature 75
After being heated to a temperature of not less than ° C., it is stored in the sterilization tank 9 for the predetermined time. For this reason, since it is possible to maintain the sterilization temperature of 75 ° C. for one minute or more as a time from when the heating tank 8 is heated to the time when the bypass tank 11 is joined, the sterilization can be surely performed (S3).

At this time, if the water level sensor 21 detects a sudden increase or decrease in the water level of the bathtub, it is determined that the bathing has been performed and the microorganisms attached to the body of the bather have entered the bathing water at a level higher than a normal level. S4: Y), the distribution ratio of the control valve 13 changes, the flow rate to the circulation channel 10 increases, the amount of heating from the heater 8a increases, and strong heat sterilization is performed before the mixed microorganisms start to grow. (S
5). Then, the circulating bath water having the heat amount supplied in excess of the heat amount required for keeping the bath water warm is supplied to the control valve 14.
As a result, the heat is also sent to the flow path 10 a passing through the heat storage element 12, and the heat storage element 12 stores the excess heat. At this time, the transfer of the amount of heat from the bath water to the heat storage unit 12 is performed in the high temperature part, so that the efficiency is high.

When the temperature of the heat storage body 12 is a predetermined temperature (for example, 70
° C), the power supply to the heater 8a is cut off, the bath water is kept warm by the amount of heat stored in the heat storage body 12, and when the temperature of the heat storage body 12 is lowered, normal heat sterilization is performed again. Will be

On the other hand, the bath water passing through the bypass passage 11 is
At the downstream of the sterilization tank 9, it joins with the circulation channel 10 and is monitored by the temperature sensor 24 so as to have a suitable bathing temperature of about 40 ° C.
The water flows through the drain hose 4 from the discharge port 2 a to the bathtub 1.

When the operation key is turned off (S
6: N), the pump is turned off, and the operation of the apparatus stops.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, and can be arbitrarily changed without departing from the gist of the present invention.

In the above embodiment, the heat storage body 12 is made of a high-density polyethylene material. However, the material is not limited to this, and tap water or the like may be used. In this case, if the tap water as the heat storage and the circulating bath water are separated by the flow path 10a, the heated tap water can be used for the hot water supply device or the like, and if the tap water is replaced. The heater 8a can be continuously energized to perform heat sterilization.

The presence or absence of a bather may be detected by sending a signal to the control circuit 30 by pressing a button or the like.

[0028]

As is apparent from the above description,
The circulating hot water bath according to claim 1 of the present invention includes a heat storage element provided downstream of the heating means and configured to absorb heat from hot water heated by the heating means and store heat. Since the heat storage body absorbs the excess heat of the hot water heated by the heating means, strong heat sterilization can be performed while maintaining the temperature of the hot water in the hot water storage tank at a predetermined temperature. Can be stored.

Further, the circulating warm water bath according to the second aspect is configured to keep the temperature of the circulating hot water by the heat stored by the heat storage body. Therefore, when heat is stored by the heat storage body, the temperature of the circulating hot water can be maintained without operating the heating means.

Further, in the circulating warm bath apparatus according to the present invention, the heat storage element is disposed in a heat storage flow path provided in parallel with the circulation flow path, and the amount of water passing through the heat storage flow path is controlled. Adjustment means for adjusting is provided. Therefore, the amount of heat absorbed by the heat storage body can be arbitrarily changed.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the circulating warm bath apparatus, wherein the timing detecting means for detecting the timing of the microorganisms entering the hot water storage tank, and the timing detecting means detects the timing of the microorganisms entering. In some cases, the apparatus further includes a first control unit for controlling the heating amount of the hot water by the heating unit to be increased to perform the strong heat sterilization. Therefore, at the time when the microorganisms are mixed into the bath tub at a level higher than the normal level, the amount of heating is increased and strong heat sterilization is performed, so that the microorganisms can be killed before the microorganisms start to grow, and the sterilization efficiency is good. is there.

In the circulating warm bath apparatus according to a fifth aspect of the present invention, when the timing detecting means detects the timing of microbial contamination, the adjusting means is operated to increase the amount of water passing through the heat storage flow path. And a second control means for performing the control. When the timing detection means detects the timing of the microorganism contamination, the second control means controls the activation means to operate so as to increase the amount of water flowing into the heat storage flow path.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a basic configuration of a circulating warm water bath according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical configuration according to the embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing a control flow according to the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Bathtub 5 Main body 6 Circulation pump 8 Heating tank 8a Heater 9 Sterilization tank 10 Circulation flow path 10a Heat storage flow path 11 Bypass flow path 12 Heat storage body 14 Flow control valve 21 Water level sensor 23 Temperature sensor 30 Control circuit

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A circulation system in which hot water is stored in a hot water storage tank, the hot water is circulated through a circulation channel by a circulation pump, and heat sterilization of the hot water is performed by heating means provided in the circulation channel. A circulating hot water bath, comprising: a heat storage unit provided downstream of the heating means and configured to absorb heat from hot water heated by the heating means and store heat. 2. The circulating hot-water bath according to claim 1, wherein heat of the circulating hot water is maintained by heat stored by the heat storage body. 3. The heat storage element is provided in a heat storage flow path provided in parallel with the circulation flow path, and further includes adjusting means for adjusting the amount of water passing through the heat storage flow path. The circulating warm water bath according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: 4. A timing detecting means for detecting a timing of mixing of microorganisms into the hot water storage tank, and a heating amount of the hot water by the heating means when the timing detecting means detects the timing of mixing of microorganisms. 4. A circulating warm water bath according to claim 3, further comprising: first control means for performing control so as to perform strong heat sterilization by increasing the temperature. 5. The apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising: a second control unit configured to operate the adjusting unit to increase a flow rate of the water into the heat storage channel when the timing detecting unit detects the timing of microorganism contamination. 5. The method according to claim 4, wherein
The circulating warm bath described in 1.